Remember this guy

Nicky Fresh

My Brother in Christ

just won a Xgames bronze medal at

Snowboard Street at Winter X 2012.

Congrats Brother. 

Benefits of Family.

Sometimes its good to have a good family

base around you when in times of trouble

and hardship. They can be there for you when

you need it the most, and just when you need

a most important pick me up. Family comes in

all shapes and sizes. For me, Family is just more

than my close knit Ruff, Prinz, Anderson Family.

It spreads out much further than that. I've needed some

serious pick me ups these past few weeks.

How can you not get a instagrin from this

one? She's amazing. If I could see her every

day, my life would be so much happier. My family

is what gets me through everyday. Not sure that you know,

but I'm a friends kinda guy. I love all of my friends.

I love em.

They pick me up on the worst of days. Wine bar friends,

school teacher friends, golf friends, church friends. All of

my friends are to blame for me being so happy lately.

and this one in general.

I'm glad that I was able to come across this

piece of humble pie. Something that I don't deserve,

but I will be very selfish and not let it go.

A wonderful person that has made my life amazing lately.

Like I say to all of my friends and my students...

she's pretty legit.

So I just want to thank you all for being a friend of mine.

You make me so happy at times when its needed most.

A friends a friend forever cause the welcome will not end!

Valley Times Invitational 2011

What a time to get together and leave all your
daily worry behind, while you hang out with your
best buds; since you were throwing papers off your
Diamondback bike at 6 in the morning.

The same guys that were there with you while you
while you were struggling to hold on to life in the ER
after that fateful day on Vermont Place 20 years ago.

The same guys that were with you watch you graduate
from high school and soon thereafter jet off to Scotland
to play an amazing, memorable two weeks at the Home of Golf.

The same 3 guys that are known for joking
eating, and making memories (whether
thoughtful, or insane) they always stick with
me to guide me through the year.

How could we not have a VTI tournament without
including lots of food?

This tournament brought along some downfalls
and some pain to my game. I've never experienced
blisters before, until this week. Not a good thing
when its on your thumb... so painful.

We met Gene.
An awesome Christian that was paired up with us at
Roddy Ranch. It was refreshing to finally be paired
with a golfer that was humble, yet very talkative.

As you could tell, by the third round even two gloves,
as ridiculous as it looks couldn't help my blistery game.

Ricky Pierce was on his game.
Even escaping from the nasty stuff off
of the side hill while pushed up against a tree.

Ricky even found a buddy with escaping from
his lie. I hate snakes, but Rick picked that Bull Snake
like he was a Pro. Long enough for us to take a quick pic.

This annual tournament brings us boys

enjoyment, refreshment, fellowship
and a much needed time to get back to square one in
all of our lives.

I laugh at some of the shots we took because
in essence, it describes us.

My Best Friends...

It was so good to have that chance to see
them again. Compete, laugh, converse, and
enjoy the time with these fruitshacks.

Until next year when we get to hang out again.
It's been fun boys.
Always memorable.
Always a good time.

FINAL SCORES

Ricky Pierce-361
Rafsanjani-362
Minnesota Fats-405

Wisdom.

Through the Eyes of Minnesota Fats.



The last few days marked a fun and enjoyable time with my two best friends - Jon Ruff and Rick Burke. Though we are separated by a few states, our bond is strong and we relish our times together. What started as a simple friendship back in Elementary school has blossomed into years of memories, growth and hilarity as we trudge through life. It has been interesting to see what has happened to each of us in respect to school, Jobs, family and opportunities the last few decades. I am thrilled that we made a commitment to each other to all get together every 2 years so we can keep in touch and spend time together. What a great time to just play golf, go out to eat and laugh. Some of our favorite pastimes.

We are fortunate to have each other to rely on... I am reminded of the Bible's urgings in Proverbs 17:17 - A friend Loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity. What I love about our friendship is that even though we fight and disagree, our love for each other is strong enough to overshadow our differences and we forgive each other and move on stronger and closer. We all should treasure this gift of close friendship we have.. Many modern psychologists say that most adult men will only have 1-2 close friends in a lifetime. We have truly been blessed boys in having each other. Thanks for being there for me now matter what. I love the loyalty we have amongst each other. That faithfulness is a gift from God. I am looking forward to playing golf next go around and writing something similar in the decades to come.

JT :)

1 day until......................

I get to reunite with my fellow Valley Times Paperboys

I get to watch this amazing swing with my own eyes

I get to hang out with my boys

I get to watch Minnesota Fats eat a large pizza and two meatballs

I Golf with two of my Closest Friends

I laugh with partners

I get to see my Friends

My life long Companions

1 day until............ is what I've been waiting for.

Some great times in 2011 so far........

I've had a resurgence of faith and
hope and peace within me
so far in the year 2011.

My friends are awesome.
I couldn't make my life be as sane and likable
without them by my side.
They are spread throughout the country
but I thank each and every one of you for your love.

It's been a tough start to 2011 for different reasons.
I guess I needed to grow up at some point in my life.
Boy, did I do that. At least I think I think I took a huge step in
accomplishing that.

I enjoy inspiration. Few and far between, I don't discriminate.
I enjoy the inspiration however it comes.

Smiles get me through the week, even that sounds creepy, but it's true.

Did I mention that I love my friends. They support
me in every way. It makes my heart happy.

I love the new addition to my family. It came at a perfect time
so that our family could rejoice in awesome times.

on a side note.......
Did I mention that I love sunglasses and Golf.
They go really well together

I enjoy painting and putting my thoughts and ideas on Canvas.
I grow with each piece that I complete.

I love my smile.
Its gotten me through all my B.S. that I've been through...

By the way I've come to love happy hour.
Like I said I don't discriminate.

Art is passion.
I've finally figured why my sisters heart is at peace
when in the studio. I am at peace when creating for others.

Branching out is my new goal. Opening up to
whatever is out there.

Here's to more of the smiles in 2011.
Thanks for the good times everyone.
I needed it.

Beauty

Vacation. A term used lightly in my life from the point that I was young to the present. The places that I’ve been weren’t spectacular, but they were just the things to make my young heart happy. As a family we would travel to destinations that you would read about in your 4^th grade Social Studies book and learn everything about that location, and even more. My father used to be into these learning vacations more than the four siblings were at times. I remember going to North Dakota, The Grand Canyon, the great State of Texas; even Canada, Michigan and Tennessee to visit Chattanooga and Covenant College. We would go to fun places too, like Disneyland, Peaks Island, (a family favorite) and to the gold Country to mine for gold with our pans and magnifying glass. These trips were fun because we were so young and everything was a blast at the time.

I know that the rest of my siblings make it a point to rest each year and go on a much-needed trip, however I have really haven’t had that chance to stop everything and just relax for a week. This week I decided to go on a little trip to Southern California and Seattle. The plan was to just take the week in stride and really just enjoy myself. No really big plans, just taking some time to laugh and catch up on missed opportunities throughout the years. I always enjoy Southern California because it was my home for four solid years of my life. My friends down there are welcoming of my out of insanity lifestyle; that is why I love visiting them as much as I can.

Now the other part of my trip will be traveling to Seattle. A place I’ve been once before. As you can tell from my picture, I was having a fun time up in the Pacific Northwest. I will have a great time just enjoying my time up here. I’m sure it will rain a bunch and be dreary most days, but it’s a new experience for me. You can’t go wrong with that. There are a few things that I want to do while in the Seattle area, and that is hit up the Public market, go to the first Starbucks, maybe even check out a Mariners game… who knows. Now that’s what I call a vacation. Not really knowing what you will be doing until a spur of the moment, great thought enters your head. I’m also dropping off a painting that I finished a while back for my friend Savannah. I really hope that she likes it. Carrying it on the Airplane people were commenting on the intricacies of the cuts and tearing of the top layer oil paint revealing the under belly blue. We’ll see her reaction once she lays her eye on “Kindness”.

To tell you the truth I need this break. I’ve been working really hard lately to not think about the negatives in my life and hang out with the positives. So far I feel that I have accomplished that goal so far in my trip and it can only get better. Here’s to some great pictures, great accompaniment, and an important chance to change my thoughts on the word Vacation.

Long Drive, Long Day, Awesome result

After a very long day of feeling under the weather and driving the rest of the time to L.A. for a much needed break, I was reunited with my close buddies. Sometimes it just feels refreshing to hang with people you love and that make you feel important within your heart. I love my friends because they can make the time you spend with them so unique and worthwhile. My close friends are spread throughout the country, however every time I get a chance to hang with them, I count it as fortunate. Enjoy our rendition of Mumford and Sons "The Cave", we are starting Jackson young with trying to act like a true gentleman. Have a great Thursday Everyone!!!

Sometimes...........

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be possibly your roommate, neighbor, long lost friend, or even a complete stranger, but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count...

Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual (tough for me to do sometimes) and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish.



Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
Most importantly, if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day you live.

Roller Coaster equalling points of joy

Do you ever feel like life is a constant roller coaster, with drops and turns with it leaving you wondering what will come next? This past year has been a serious roller coaster. I'm talking The Grizzly at the former Great America. Old and rickety making turns at 60 mph thinking you could die around the next bend. I'm learning to deal with my new life, but in the mean time there are many things to be joyful about. I was searching the internet to find quotes depicting points of joy. I came across a few that were quite cheesy and didn't seem too proper considering the sentiment that it was trying to portray. Then I came across this quote by Luciano Pavarotti. What he says is quite true.

"For me, music making is the most joyful activity
possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion."



So in other words I can use his guidance to write about my emotion. Let me try it out.

1. For me, Painting is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

2. For me, conversing, hanging out, and getting advice from my friends is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

3. For me, golfing is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

4. For me, Singing Karaoke is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

5. For me, playing with my nieces is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

6. For me, Teaching in any capacity is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

7. For me, celebrating life is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

8. For me, writing on this blog is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

9. For me, praising Jesus is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

10. For me, being Jonathan is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.