Changing and setteling in

My new job is going well. I am treading lightly and seeing who is an ally, who is a doubter and who I need to get on board. Stokes is different and I am trying to develop a strategy that will be effective in enticing everyone to pull together. The county is divided by its own mountain range and this division is both geographical and theoretical. The people have different goals and finding a common link will be a monumental task.

Three weeks since I turned fifty and my Heels won their sixth national championship (1924 does count). I get to celebrate for at least 49 more weeks before anyone else can claim the title. It feels great.

I attended the 31'st edition of our Syndicate weekend last week. This is a group of guys that only have as a link their love for Teague Dorm in Chapel Hill and each other. The group that attends is from about 45 to 55 years old. There are teachers, lawyers, law-enforcement officers, stock-brokers and corporate executives. What is amazing is that the group has been coming back each April for this long. The genesis of this group goes to the domination of Teague Dorm in intramural sports, beginning in 1970's and continuing through the 80's, until the dorm became co-ed. There was a streak of I believe 9 years and 12 of 13 being campus overall intramural champions (we lost the one due to a really bad call in a softball game but that is another story and I still remember the umpires name.) The powers that be tried to stop the streak by dividing the dorm into two units in 1977 and what happened? Teague finished first and second! There were some really good athletes and many like me who were just ok but loved the competition. I saw a 5'6" guard get all in Lawrence Taylor's face in a basketball game and underdogs pull off victory's. Mostly though, I saw a group of guys support one another and create a unity that has lasted most of our lifetimes. I hope we make another 30 years.

The House is coming together

It has been a lot of work but our house is coming together. We have painted most everything that isn't moving (and the dogs when they get in the way), have redone a bath, along with a few other items. I love this place but it is time to move on. It has a lot of memories and it is always tough to leave an area you know. Home, however, is where my wife and I lay our heads. I don't like being on the road during the week and not being home with her.

Fifty doesn't recuperate as quick as 30 or 40 did. I painted and worked hard Thursday and Friday. Today, I just haven't had any gitty-up. I glad I don't have to work tomorrow. It is Easter and along with thinking about the reason for the celebration, we are going to my Mom's for lunch. I love a big crowd and too much food. I hope mom is around for a lot longer. She is amazing and has been the glue that has held a family together.

Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday to me Tar Heel litany

Here it is my 50th Birthday and it is time to update the Tar Heel litany. So here goes:
6 National titles (1924 counts)
18 Final Four appearances (Recprd)
10 National title games
102 NCAA tourney wins (Record)
27 consecutive years in the NCAA tourney (Record)
45 Jerseys in the rafters
More NBA first round draft choices than I can count.

I can't wait to see what the next 50 years has to bring.

Entering Cyberspace

Just set up a facebook page. What an incredible network. It is amazing how quickly the social networking on the web is changing the way we conduct business. Now people are putting information about jobs on twitter, I can get in touch with people I went to HS with and even put out feelers for jobs. Wow!

I will be setting a facebook page up for Stokes County this week and look for ways to market the county outside of the normal channels. I hope to get in front of the curve and not get run over by the masses

Able to breathe

The Heels survived to make it to their 23rd sweet 16. I'm not sure what the selection committee was doing making LSU a 8 seed. They have a really good team and a very good coach. They looked a lot better than 4 seed WF of 5 seed FSU.

I have to question though why Roy had to call his seniors out. If they don't know by now that the next loss is their last, they have real issues. The Zags are up next and we are an early 9 pt favorite. I think LSU is about on the same level and if we play well we win. Go Heels and I can at least rest until Friday. I think I will put some ice on my toe, maybe it will help Lawson get better.

The Best of All Days

Nothing is ever any better than when the Heels win. The only thing that can come close is when Dook loses and when the Heels beat Dook, it really makes my day. This win gives us 4 of the last 5 and puts Rat Face at 32 and 34 against us (not sure if that counts the year with the bad back)

This group of players has had a great run. To be 27-3, against the competition they have played and with the big bulls eye on their back is really special. I have tried to take Coach William's advice and enjoy the ride. I just want it to last nine more games and end with a W. The Heels play with class and win or lose, I am proud to be a Tar Heel!

Feeling Old

I had my first day of really hard work since my surgery today. I hurt everywhere but my hip. I guess that is a good thing. It is so odd that my brain thinks I am 20 but my body if rapidly approaching 50.

Fifty doesn't sound nearly as old to me as it did ten years ago. I think with a little bit of conditioning, I can take several years off my actual age. I was able to work for six hours of pretty hard labor before I called it a day. Thank heavens for vicadin and hot water.