This commercial, very short; from the folks of Nike aired tonight during my prolonged duration of Olympics activities.
I will watch this commercial every day of my life.
And so should you.
Find Your Greatness.
-D-
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Mobile Minutes: Media Time
Confession:
This is what I dreamed of as a kid. When I go for my 5k runs, do you know what I think about? Publicity. Starting small, building bigger, and growing the world around me. Amazingly [this is sarcastic] it turns out that I love the camera. This is from KQ2 News in St. Joseph, Missouri; running a special on the soccer fields that are being attempted to be redeveloped.
Gower Competes for Field of Dreams
Yes, I’m aware that my ‘footy’ skill is far more then just..lacking.
O: Dating Rules
Doesn’t that title sound enticing?
No, this is not the 16 year old sit down conversation of curfews, talks, and cleaning of random shotguns. This is a moment that should be capitalized and noted of myself trying to place my ego [I've been informed that it is quite large] aside, and actually listen to some relationship advice from none other but my girlfriend.
A few nights ago, after chilling for the evening, we were outside her house and we started one of our many conversations, and eventually it led to conversation speaking about work and taking time to focus on us and God. I have to admit that I’ve never had one of these conversations before, nor had I ever anticipated one. However, my girlfriend made very compelling points of stating that I’ve got to take time out of the busy schedule of soccer, Subway, and everything else and just focus on us [as a couple] and growing our faith together, mentioning that some of her favorite time with me was when we just talked about God.
Yes, I do enjoy the humble pie.
Instantly I was defensive, I bust my butt constantly, right? Who was she to now tell me, after so many others had said the opposite, that I was working too hard. I was slightly frustrated, sad, and kind of hurt. I was failing at figuring out this balancing concept of life. I went home that evening, head slightly spinning, trying to achieve some sort of balance [yes, that is a Avatar: The Last Airbender reference].
That’s when I decided to try something new [for me at least]. I always applaud those married couples who have ‘date night’ at least one night each week. I think it is healthy, and I think it is healthy to start that idea as quick as possible. With both of us getting deeper into the Kansas City Shock, Subway doing its thing, and her company adding another store to the region [equaling a promotion for her]; time can become a rarity. So, while getting my drink this afternoon I told her that Friday night we’re going on a date:
Simple concept:
Dinner
Movie
Fun
With one large exception [at least for me, and I think partially for her]: no cell phones of any sort. It’s time for me to unplug and focus on the loves of my life; my God and my girl.
-D-
Mobile Minutes: Love Cup
No matter the day, I cannot express how happy a simple gesture from a very cute shift supervisor at the local Starbucks, makes me.
P.S. No worries, that shift manager is my girlfriend (in case you didn’t put the two together).
Mobile Minutes: 4:30.13
Can you imagine Rio in 2016?
I can, and it looks beautiful.
Just need to get rid of one more minute of my time.
Meaning…
…lose weight.
-D-
Mobile Minutes: LOLO
So, I thoroughly enjoy one of the US athletes; a Lolo Jones [you've probably heard of her, if not; go Google her].
Regardless, I had this awesome realization this morning [while pouring into the Olympics for my entire Saturday].
This is her second Olympics [for those who live under a rock, she runs hurdles].
She’s 29.
Do the math; I turned 25 last week.
I’m just saying…
-D-
What? Like anything else is surprising these days.
Mobile Minutes: Stretching Saturday
Sweat pants?
Check.
Loose t-shirt?
Check.
Apple juice. Grilled Chicken. Laptop.
This is my day. Non-stop Olympic action via the computer/TV, some excellently smoked chicken [compliments of Jim], and so much stretching…
Yesterday, on my first day off, I drove down to Springfield, Missouri and ran a 5k with Dur and my girlfriend. It was a rather difficult course; OK, a very hard course. The trail was great, but the 75 degree incline with a 85 degree decline in elevation was a bit much. Needless to say though, my girlfriend broke her PR, so we’re game on that.
However, after three 5k’s, the horrid heat, and a day of soccer this week. One, I’m ashamed that, that seems like I’m just beat from that minimum amount of running, but two; I am completely exhausted.
Looks like I need to up the millage; this was just rough…
-D-
O: Loaded Birthday
Let’s begin by taking care of the elephant in the room: it is my birthday, and yes; I’m a quarter of a century old.
Today has been an absolute whirlwind of a day, and for a day that I tend to have complained about so much in the past; I have absolutely no complaints tonight as the day winds down.
I started the day off last night, with my girlfriend coming over with gifts [she's been waiting for a while anxiously, since her birthday was on Saturday]. I was so crazy blessed with…NEW LUGGAGE! Not just new luggage, but new Nautica luggage that I had eyeballed months ago. With the increase amount of traveling that I’m taking on in this ‘new life’, my ‘old life’ luggage has seen its final days [except the small bag, it'll stay because it is a great carry-on size]. Along with this, a new soccer ball [that is bright orange and bright blue; Kansas City Shock colors], and the thing I never seem to have enough of; needles to inflate soccer balls with [I left all of mine in Guatemala].
This morning started earlier with MC busting into my room and dropping Starbucks VIA packets and a wonderful $25 gift card to either Red Lobster or Olive Garden [girlfriend loves Olive Garden, so...$25 gift card to Olive Garden]. I took my birthday coupon to Starbucks prior to work and got a white chocolate mocha with an extra shot and raspberry. It’s a $6.50 drink that I never order unless it is on the house; today the house was on it.
I spent the morning and early afternoon working on my stores, including one that received a perfect score [and just made that managers day]. The day concluded with Taco John’s [because it is my birthday, alright]? On my way back home my phone went off, one of the ‘Founders’ had tickets for tonight’s match with Sporting Kansas City and the French League Champions at 7:30. He didn’t need them and wanted to know if I wanted to go, and bring someone. I had looked at these tickets a week earlier, deciding not to invest in them because I wasn’t sure where I’d wind up financially [see, I'm learning]. I took the tickets and dragged Dur with me [she had never been to a game before, and my girlfriend had to work the night shift].
After getting the tickets taken care of, my phone actually rang. Being a local number I answered it, unaware of what I was about to hear. It was the apartment complex that I applied to live in.
Note: After figuring out deposits and factoring in my credit score, I was convinced that in no way would this apartment complex take me in. It was very stressful, my girlfriend knew it, and she continued to tell me, “Pray, trust God”, it sounds cheesy, but she kept attempting to beat it in my head. There wasn’t sympathy, there as just truth; my faith was faulty. I was convinced that if I was accepted into the apartment, they’d want me in this weekend, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to cover all the deposits.
The lady on the other end of the phone was the person in charge of the complex, sweet, grandmother-ish sound of voice. She quickly stated that I was accepted and I will have an apartment. She did ask if it was OK if I waited a few weeks though, so that they could get the apartment ready and cleaned up before I move in. In a couple weeks I’ll have plenty of paychecks, ensuring all my bills are paid and my deposits are taken care of. Weird, right?
Of course I contacted my girlfriend, telling her the good news, and at the same time thanking her for being stubborn in her faith and telling me to straighten up and trust God. It is very nice to have someone so close that knows that you are not first in her life, it’s…refreshing.
After a short nap, Dur wound up at my doorstep and we took off for KC. After getting into the stadium, we enjoyed 90 minutes of hometown soccer, wound up sitting next to another of the ‘Founders’ for the Shock by accident, and tried out those crazy new Taco Bell bowls with a Pepsi afterwards [again, it is my birthday].
I arrived home, actually worn out. Busting it hard tomorrow so that I’m ready to go for tomorrow mornings match; USA vs France and the MLS All Star game tomorrow night. Before tuning out the night, I checked Facebook and I stumbled across one last message for the night. It was from the president of the local soccer club, he was wanting to know if I was interested in becoming a board member for the club; they’d like me to assist them in rebuilding a soccer club in this rural town. Interestingly enough, working with this club was already in the blueprint for the Kansas City Shock, I just didn’t expect it to come up this quickly.
I will easily call my birthday a success! By the way, if you wished me happy birthday and all that comes with it; thank you!
-D-
P.S. Hard to believe that this post of excitement came from the same author from this time last year. Reflect with me on X: Exile
P.S.S. Got a spare second? Of course you do! Be sure to follow this link to a contest that this rural soccer program has entered. All you have to do is click ‘Like’ on the photo. That’s it. Help these kids bring in a $8,000 grant.
#getyourpraiseon
Apartment complex called. I got the apartment. Now I have to wait four weeks to move.
Darn the luck.
I have to wait so they can get the apartment ready, while making money to cover expenses.
Even when I doubt, He has my back.
-D-
Mobile Minutes: Apartment Hunting
My boss just called me. The apartment complex that I applied for just contacted my supervisor, ensuring that my job background is legit.
Praise God for being able to work for a wonderful group of people.
Still extremely nervous. Worried about payments, credit score, etc…
Trying to pray, failing miserably at it.
-D-
