Yesterday my brother and I went over to the Cueball here in Salem and played some pool. It was his idea and it turned out to be alot of fun. Although I hadn’t really played in about 5 years (and only 5 months for him) I didn’t do too badly and ended up winning a few games. After starting out with a couple warm-up games of 8 ball, we switched over to 9 ball and had alot of fun.

For those of you in Salem, give the Cueball on State St. a try. The cost is only $5/hr for two people on a table. In all we played for just under 2 hours, and it cost $8.50. This is one thing Ryan and I will do again!

Today I read an article on ESPN.com that made me sad (link here). The author basically states that you must include the issue of race in any discussion of Barry Bonds’ accomplishments. Although I believe that his argument is wrong, that you can and should discuss the issue of Barry Bonds’ accomplishments without discussion race, I think that he is correct that race is certainly an issue in some people’s minds. This truly makes me sad, because race should not be a part of this issue. In the issue of Barry Bonds and his breaking the MLB home run record, I think the issue should truly be about what he is accomplishing, and if he has done it fairly.

Now I say “if he has done it fairly” because that has been raised as a valid question. I hate cheating, and I hate the example that it portrays for our children. However, I don’t think that I am in a position to determine if he is guilty as charged. Sure there is alot of ‘evidence’ that has come out to ‘prove’ that he is guilty of doping, but it is nothing of which he has been convicted (or even tested positive). So, until the proof is really proved, he should not be hated because of his ‘alleged’ steroid usage. Of course, should he be proved to have cheated, he belongs in the same club as the infamous Chicago “Black Socks” (look in up if you don’t know, and it is not a racial reference) and completely banned from the game and have his records completely stripped. Oh, and by the way, I think this should be the case for any other athlete who has been proved guilty of cheating, be it Lance Armstrong, Ken Griffey Jr, Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, or David Beckham.

However, let’s put the talk of cheating aside for a moment. What really makes me sad is how this is becoming an issue of race. Do I care if Barry Bonds is black, white, or purple? No! He is a man, a human being, and probably one who needs to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, there are people in this world, and probably many people, who view the world through the color of the skin of the people around them. However, I think the Bible is very clear that this is sin, and like all sin, it is to be abhorred. All sin makes me sad, especially my own, and I look forward to the day when it is destroyed. I look forward to this day:

Revelation 7:9-10 NASB After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; (10) and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Until that day comes, until the return of our Savior, sin will be an issue, which means that racism will be an issue. Should race be an issue about Barry Bonds’ attempt at the all-time career home run record? No! Is it is the minds of some? Yes, and it makes me sad.

To Barry Bonds, I wish you the best of luck in breaking the all-time career home run record. If you have accomplished it by cheating, I expect to see your name expunged from the record books, but if you did it fairly, it is an awesome credit to your God-given skill and determination.

One last thing, if I had 2 minutes with Mr. Barry Bonds and could ask him one question that he had guaranteed to ask truthfully, I wouldn’t ask him about taking steroids or not, I would ask him if he had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and if not, why not?

43, that is my best score ever for 9 holes on a par 36 side.

Today happened to be our company golf tournament, when every year we all (8 guys) go out and play 9 holes at one of our local courses. The year we played at Evergreen Golf Course. This is a course that I have probably played 7+ times over the past year, and maybe even 20 times in the last two years. Needless to say this is a course that I am very familiar with. On a normal day, I will average 50 on a side.

However, today I was just really putting the ball in the cup. I started out par-ing the first 4 holes, and narrowly missing birdie puts on the last two of those four. The rest of the scores weren’t quite so good. They went triple-bogey, par, bogey, bogey, double-bogey, though I had two good chances at par on the 7th and 8th holes. On the whole, it was a good side, actually my best ever! I also happened to win the company tourney by a few strokes, even with handicaps, and once again secured the “golden disk” trophy until the next company event.

I really enjoy golf, even though it can be quite frustrating at times, and I am looking forward to the next chance that I go out to see if I can do better.

Softball is one of my favorite sports. I don’t have to spend hours training and practicing, and that really helps with my busy schedule these days. This is actually like my 8th season in the last 10 years, and it is something that has grown into a summer tradition for me.

It all started in Jr High and High School watching my dad play on our church’s softball team. Our whole family would go to the games to watch and cheer him on. He usually played SS, and was a really good one. Once I turned 16 I was old enough to play and I jumped at the chance. Because I was speedy I got to play in the outfield, and over the years that has been my primary position, with a little bit of SS thrown in (just to be like dad).

This year’s softball season is a little bit different for me because I am the player/coach. I am enjoying coaching, though it has changed where I have been playing on the field. I still have good speed/skills as an outfielder, but because that is so far away from the play, I have changed to play catcher. Surprisingly, I have really enjoyed the position. Before the season started I had played catcher a little bit in the past, but only sparingly. Now I find that it is the position that I gravitate towards. I still really enjoy being an outfielder, but I think I enjoy being a catcher just as much.

I will admit because I still find this a little bit strange. Ordinarily catcher is seen as one of the “protected” positions, i.e. where you put weaker players. However, I have noticed that in this season having a dependable catcher has helped out alot as we have had many close plays at home.

So far this has been an enjoyable softball season, and I am enjoying playing catcher…. strange.

I enjoy technology, new gadgets, blazing fast computers, good graphics, FPS and gaming. But there comes a time when I like to get outside and have some good old fashioned fun… Err, not so old fashioned. Most of you that know me know that I like to live life on the edge; Speed being the edge of choice most of the time. Well I’m selling my motorcycle cause I don’t want to live life on the ticket edge here in the over populated cop state.

I found a sport for me though that allows some risk, building of something besides computers (yes they aren’t everything, I hate to break it to ya). To break the suspense for those of you that are wondering how I will attempt to inflict pain on myself this time … I have a new Pocket Bike (not so new looking anymore, due to wrecking a few times)

for some pics of some of the guys that I ride with Click Here!!!

I will give you a hint… I am on page 2 # 4025… You can find the rest
My cousin is on the first page # 4010

We race on the weekends and late at night in empty parking lots. I also ride mine to Costco taking some of the back roads on occasion. But I only live about a mile from Costco at the most and I take all side streets and bike trails.

My bike is actually in the Salem area until Tuesday. I am getting everything ported in the little guy and that should take me from a top speed of 29.9 Mph up to around 35 - 40 Mph with stock gearing. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those that know me, due to the fact that nothing I have has ever stayed stock.

My bike is less than 2 feet tall and less than 3 feet long. It fits in the trunk of my wife’s car and weighs less than 36 pounds. The stock motor had about 2.7 Hp, but by the time that I am done with it, it should have over 5hp and do around 40Mph (or close to it).

Insane you say? Exactly!!!

I will have some more pictures in the future but if you want more information on this hilarious sport go to nwminimoto and take a look around.

I read this commentary about Tiger Woods’ recent engagement. I found it (the article) rather hilarious. To echo the sentiments of the author, I wish the soon to be Mr & Mrs. Woods the best of luck. I hope they will understand that “love” is a decision, and holding to that decision, with a ton of help from the Lord, is what makes marriage work.