Exceptional Everything

The beat continues on as the weeks keep passing in a blink of an eye. Wow life is certainly fantastic in every aspect. The days are filled with work and softball. If anyone is concerned yes, I am still working out but I am in between races. I decided not to run a marathon next month and I am considering if I will run the half marathon instead. My body needs a break and it appears my next marathon will be in either November or December. I was hoping to be able to run the New York City Marathon this year but I was not fortunate enough to gain an entry. I will try again next year and from all accounts it is “the” marathon to participate in. The crowds are huge and the atmosphere electric. I have cut back on the running for now but I am still going to the gym between 4 and 5 days a week.

Last week I received a voicemail message from a long lost friend and I was taken by surprise. This is a friend that I have not spoken to in over 4 years. I have yet to catch up with this old friend as we keep exchanging voicemails. This is nothing new because I have a very dear friend who I have been trying to get a hold of since earlier this month but we must have exchanged at least 15 voicemails along with a few emails. It is interesting because in this day and age communications are at our fingertips but for some reason the personal connection of actually speaking with the other person is the best (at least in my opinion). In any event I am certain I will be able to speak with both of these friends in the not so distant future.

Softball is moving along as we won and lost our last two games. My daughter pitched in the game we won but it was a very interesting game as we gave up a big lead but won in the last inning. The game last night was not very good as our best player was busy with another endeavor and our team seemed to be asleep for the game. We made a gallant comeback but lost in a horribly played game by both teams (more so by us!). It continues to be a pleasure to coach the team and even though we played terrible the girls seemed to have bonded as a team. After the game I gave my post game “speech” and the girls didn’t disperse like they normally do. I took this to be a good sign and I know everyone has a terrible game and hopefully this was our one and only terrible game.

I had the pleasure of attending a Yankees/Angels game yesterday as I spent the day with my two bosses watching the Major League Baseball game. I still have a soft spot for the Yankees and even though I am a Mets fan and have been one for many years I don’t dislike the Yankees. I believe most Mets fans do hate the Yankees but I am not one of them. I am a big fan of Derek Jeter and don’t know how anyone could dislike the man. He carries himself with class and is quite possibly the best postseason player of all time. Sure the Yankees have been buying there way to the pennant which really hasn’t worked very well since 2000 but I was rooting for them yesterday albeit very quietly. The Yankees did field there “C” team but won the game in a very non-eventful 3-2 fashion. It was a great way to spend a Wednesday afternoon.

Work keeps moving along and I have some help thankfully. I found I am not very good by myself and work much better as a “director” as opposed to the person who actually performs the work. I found a very good assistant and it is working out very well so far. Business has been good lately and hopefully we can gain some momentum as we head to the historically slow months of November and December. I am very fortunate to be in the position I am in and very grateful for everything in my life. My boss was correct when he said, “we are the best thing that has happened to you post-sentence”. There is no doubt about this statement at all.

The days and weeks are passing soon enough and these days and weeks are filled with all good things. Last week was the fourth milestone celebration of our Gamblers Anonymous group. This marked two four year birthdays. One of the members has been a stalwart in the program and I do remember this person when they first entered the program. The other member came from a nearby group which was floundering four years ago yet somehow continued in the program and now has celebrated four years with the program. My sponsor stated it very clearly when he said this proves the program does work for anyone in any circumstance when the program is embraced wholeheartedly. Once again I am very fortunate in all these aspects and my life is indeed exceptional.