Hello, folks. It's been a while since I last put up a blog...a month and a half, I believe. Anyway, I do have stuff I can say. Whether I should or not, I don't know, but that could be said any time I write something here, so I digress. With that, here we go.
- This is the first time in a long time that either I've felt like doing a blog or even talking, period. Also, outside of a nice surprise birthday dinner for one of my friends and a couple of football games, there really hasn't been anything good activity-wise for me to mention since I last wrote. To be honest, I'm not in a good place emotionally right now and haven't been for some time, hence the "black cloud" edition. This isn't easy for me to talk about because historically people have distanced themselves or outright run away from me when I'm dealing with this type of stuff, so I'm taking a really big chance here. I've been dangerously close to emotional lows that I haven't hit in at least ten years...for those of you who remember that time for me, it wasn't good. I know things and times are different now and I haven't lost my sanity (I think), but it's been rough. My car's been acting up so I haven't gone out too much. My computer chair fell apart like the Bluesmobile (watch the end of The Blues Brothers movie to see what I'm talking about). There's not much if anything going on in the job front or activity front. Even on the sunniest of days, and believe me, there's been some beautiful days outside, there just seems to be this black cloud that lingers that I haven't been able to shake. I haven't been motivated to do much of anything. If it sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself, you're probably right, but an important aspect about doing so is that I'm giving a damn about myself...if anything it's one of the little things that is helping me keep afloat emotionally. Some days are better than others. I've been doing little things here and there, some of it focused on that new beginning I've been working on and some things just so I can get through the day. I've been keeping to myself, but I've been mixed about doing so. On the one hand I'm not scaring people off, burdening anybody with my issues, or having to deal with those who can't or don't want to handle them, especially those self-righteous folks who can't or won't understand that what may work for them or what they suggest won't or doesn't work for me. On the other hand, I'm chancing cutting myself off from those who might be able to help me get through this. I may desperately want to but I'm not gonna ask anything of anybody because I'm not sure it's gonna do any good or even if it'll be necessary. This may only be something I have to just weather and get through. All I can say at this point is that the quicker this black cloud goes away the better.
- A couple of quick notes before I move on. One, my SLP this week will not have "happy b-day" sidenotes because some of them were well over a month ago, though all those who had one since my last blog will be acknowledged. Two, even though the rest of the blog look like a dichotomy and may sound more...optimistic, so to speak, don't let what I bring up from here on dilute or lessen what I talked about in the first blurb.
- There have been two preseason Browns games so far, and I have been impressed by the team even when they've screwed up. They've kept their composure for the most part and look better in the preseason then they have in years. I'm not sure about this but I think that first game against the Packers was the best they've looked in the preseason since they came back in 99. I just hope the Browns continue to improve what they need to and keep whatever momentum they have going into the regular season.
- Speaking of the Browns, the Westerville Browns Backers are back once again for the 2010 season at Jimmy V's in uptown Westerville. For you Browns fans out there we will be at Jimmy V's for every game this season and if you want to join up with our Westerville Browns Backers, I can give you info on how to do just that. Something to note is that the first two Browns games will not be airing on TV in Columbus because WBNS channel 10 has decided to air Bengals games instead, so if you want to watch those first two games, Jimmy V's is an option. Also, for those of you not near Westerville but want to find a Browns Backers group to join, get with me and I can help you out with finding one.
- Sticking with the football motif for the next couple of blurbs, the OSU Buckeyes are starting up a week from today (the same night as the last preseason Browns game...booo!!!!). They've once again been picked to be a contender for the national championship, but I have my doubts even though they looked good last year. It may be because I haven't seen or heard much from them, but I'll be keeping a close eye. This is also the last year we'll have what has been a traditional Big Ten season because starting with Nebraska's entry into the Big Ten next season there will be a split into two divisions and a Big Ten championship game, so enjoy the current year...things may drastically change next year.
- I've also been keeping up with the fledgling United Football League and wondering if it would be worth following the league again or any of it's teams. Last year's Premiere Season was short but it had some quality football. With all the moves it's made this offseason, moving two teams to new cities, adding one cool-looking one in the Omaha Nighthawks, and concentrating on non-NFL cities for the foreseeable future, I think this league is going to be around a while and definitely worth continuing with. I was most impressed last year with the Florida Tuskers, who went undefeated in the regular season but lost the championship game. That made me a fan, so I'm gonna follow the Tuskers from here on out....besides, I like Florida and Orlando in particular (Disney, Universal, etc). It's not often I make an active choice to follow something, but I'm looking forward to the Tusker's upcoming UFL season. If you don't have Versus or HDNet, you can catch all the games of the UFL on the internet at their website at http://www.ufl-football.com/. If you want more info on the league, it's teams, the upcoming season, or whatever you're looking for, go to the website for that.
- I had a short conversation with my friend Al about a month ago about doing another Bourbon St./Club Dance/Screaming Willie's reunion. It's been a couple of years since the last one and thanks to Facebook we're now in contact with a whole lot more people from back in the day (or at least we know where they are). Several of them are across the country so it may be a while before we can get one set up so they can be there too. It's been a long time since I've seen a lot of you in person so I'd love to do another one, but if there's any interest out there from anybody else in doing another one, let me or Al know so we can get the ball rolling on this.
- There's a lot of wrestling-related stuff I could talk about, but I'm just gonna note only one thing this time out. Skandor Akbar, the wrestling manager who led the Devastation, Inc. groups in several wrestling organizations, passed away last Friday. He was a lively and active presence wherever he went and was a very smart man. It wouldn't be a stretch to think that most wrestling fans who knew of him will miss his antics. Rest in peace, Mr. Akbar.
- Song on repeat: "I Shall Believe" by Sheryl Crow. I first heard this song during an episode of One Tree Hill. There are verses in the song that ring so true to me regarding some of what I want, I do, and have experienced in my life.
- SLP to the following: Al, Salina, Harry, Traci, Paula, Griff, Mario, Dave, Holly, Todd, Cara, Xavier, Art, Daryl, Jay, Stan, Bo, Aunts Susie and Sandi, my mother, Josh, Adrian, Joe C., Bobby N., Steve, George, Scott, and the rest of the Westerville Browns Backers.
I'm not sure when exactly I'm going to be doing my next blog, but be on the lookout for it when I do. I've got a lot of weathering to do, so to speak, so until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.
DJ
