#13 explained

It was the Spring of 1989, my senior year in high school. Unlike many people, I would never want to relive my senior year of high school. There were so many things that happened between the end of my junior year, and the summer after my senior year of high school that I would just as soon forget. In that time frame, I lost 6 friends of mine. One was two weeks before graduation. Two were in a vehicle I could have and/or should have been in. This is where the story goes.

In high school, I worked at Wal-Mart because it was THE place to work. Our town was only 30,000 people, but unless you have ever lived in New Mexico, you dont understand that in a town that size, everybody still knows everybody. One night, I had gotten off work early, and decided to stop at the little pizza joint on my way home. It was great -- you could get a slice (of pizza) and a Slice (soda) for $2. What a deal! As I am sitting there, 3 friends of mine rolled up and asked if I wanted to go cruising. After debating whether or not I should go, I decided to go home and study. Yeah me - giving up a night cruising around Carlsbad, and instead go home and study. It is a decision that to this day haunts me. At this point, its about 9pm.

Just after Steve, Tommy, and Chad left the pizza place, they picked up a 4th person and decided to cruise the town. At some point that evening, alcohol was introduced to the mix. One thing leads to another, and at approximately 1145pm that evening, Steve rolled his jeep, killing himself, and Tommy (2 days later) and seriously injuring the other two. I cant say for sure, but chances were pretty good I would have been sitting in the seat that Tommy was sitting in.

To this day, I am thankful to be here. Some days are harder than others, but still thankful that I made the decision I did. At 17...I would like to think once alcohol was introduced I would have left the vehicle...I am sure my closest friends would also back me up on this. Its just sad at times to think back and wonder what if. I would have missed out on so much. Maybe that is why it hurts so much sometimes. To Billy, Natalie, Tommy, Steve...

J-Dawg

P.S. Do you think it is weird I am writing about #13 on Friday the 13th?

A Look Back at the First Half

I dont think I could have said it any better (courtesy of orioles.mlb.com)

The Orioles' streak of losing seasons -- which stands at nine and counting -- appears to be in no danger of ending this season. The Orioles slogged through an injury-riddled first half of the season that saw three starting pitchers and indestructible shortstop Miguel Tejada hit the disabled list for extended periods of time.

Manager Sam Perlozzo lost his job as a direct result of the team's ailments and its inabilty to play consistent baseball, and the Orioles will make finding a new field boss a priority in the second half. Interim manager Dave Trembley has shaken things up as far as Baltimore's pregame preparation and will likely lead the team through July.

The team's real problem -- beyond injuries to Adam Loewen, Kris Benson and Jaret Wright -- has been an inability to hit for power. Tejada's power stroke seems to be fading, and offseason acquisition Aubrey Huff has struggled to find his power stroke. Baltimore ranks near the bottom of the league's home run chart and plays in an unforgiving division.

If the Orioles are able to turn things around, they'll need more consistent work from their bullpen and continued excellence from their starting rotation. Tejada will have to return from his fractured left radius and play like he did last season. Huff, Jay Gibbons, Kevin Millar and company will need to hit better to keep Baltimore from making it 10 straight seasons with a losing record.

Club MVP: Brian Roberts has been the team's most consistent offensive threat this season, unseating usual suspect Tejada. Roberts ranks first among American League second baseman in on-base percentage and second in both slugging and batting average. As if that's not enough, he's leading all AL players with 25 stolen bases.

Call him 'Ace': With all due respect to Jeremy Guthrie -- one of the biggest surprises in the league -- Erik Bedard remains Baltimore's staff ace. The southpaw has rebounded from a shaky April and currently leads the Major Leagues in strikeouts. Bedard turned in one of the best outings in club history last Saturday, tying an O's record with 15 strikeouts while facing the minimum 27 batters in a 3-0 victory over the Rangers. Bedard allowed just two singles and walked none.

Greatest strength: Baltimore's rotation has been solid, despite injuries to Benson, Wright and Loewen. Guthrie and Brian Burres are the biggest reasons, but Bedard has pitched up to expectations. If Daniel Cabrera can make some strides in the second half, the Orioles will go into the offseason with one of the most intriguing rotations in the league.

Biggest problem: The Orioles haven't hit for much power, which can be an absolute death sentence in the AL East. With Tejada injured, Huff and Melvin Mora are forced to shoulder more of the slugging load. Gibbons struggled to find his stroke for most of the first half and has played his way into a vastly reduced role.

Biggest surprise: Guthrie came out of nowhere to establish himself as a surprise candidate for the All-Star Game. He may not have received a berth on the team, but he's more than pitched well enough to remain in Baltimore's future plans. Guthrie, who arrived as a waiver claim from Cleveland, will be under contractual control for the next five seasons.

Team needs: Baltimore needs a big bat at either first base or an outfield corner, and it also needs more production from its designated hitter. The bullpen has performed as good as expected, but closer Chris Ray has been a disappointment.

He said it: "You just want to see the energy level as high as it possibly can be. You want to see guys have enthusiasm and effort. You'd like to see us get better." -- Andy MacPhail, Orioles' president of baseball operations, on what he'd like to see in the second half

They think the Orioles will have a winning 2nd half record - I think we will finish dead last. How pathetic is that...to finish worse than the DevilRays. Oh how I wish for days of old...Cal us old-time fans really miss you!

J-Dawg

Thursday Thirten -- 07/12/07

Hello everyone! Welcome to another edition of my Thursday 13. This makes edition #35 for me, so I thought I would talk about 13 really cool things that happened to me before I hit my 35th birthday last year:

1. I had two beautiful children that I am proud to call my own
2. I was able to see all 48 Continental states, 5 provinces of Canada, and Mexico
3. I was able to start up my own business
4. I was the best man in my best friend's wedding
5. I obtained my Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
6. I graduated from college
7. Not only did I graduate, I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa <>
8. I began writing to express myself and get things outside and not built up inside me
9. I became a TT13 regular :)
10. I saw the final 3 games at Memorial Stadium for the Orioles
11. I saw the first 2 games at Camden Yards
12. I met Al Unser Jr.
13. I am here today to write this. More about this one tomorrow (too tired to write tonight)

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week :) Be safe

J-Dawg

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The word I have been looking for

KISMET -- A Turkish and Arabic word for fate, expressing the attitude that human effort cannot change the predestined course of events.

So how do you describe kismet? I have kismet. I've been kismetted? There is kismet in my existance. Kismet met, I'm beautiful (LOL). OK now its getting out of control!

But seriously, do you ever go to a place, and that place is like no other? A place where no matter the time, no matter the place, your existance in that time and place is surreal -- different -- a feeling that you get when everything just feels right. Worst day of the week or best moment of the day doesnt compare to that feeling.

KISMET is that feeling that I have. I have to thank Linsay for my word that I have been searching for :)

J-Dawg

Thursday Thirteen -- 07/05/07

Happy 4th of July to everyone out there! This week has been busy with the holiday. So busy that usually I work on my TT13 before Wednesday, then just type it up and post it. Well this time, I am flying by the seat of my pants and doing it as I go along! OH LORD! So without further adue (grab a helmet), here is this week's Thursday 13 -- Random Thoughts:

1. If the Lord would have wanted me to see a sunrise, he would have made it for noon.
2. Why do the doors at 7-11 (now known as the Kwik-E-Mart in select cities) have locks on their doors if they are open 24/7/365?
3. Guy walks up the other night when I am DJing and says "Can you play some Merle Haggard" to which I replied "Do you like women?" He says "WHAT?" So I say it again, "Do you like women?" He says "Yeah, why?" I said "Women dont flood the dance floor to Merle Haggard"....the light went on! I think he caught my drift
4. Always remember ... if you are having trouble sleeping, make sure you read the package before you take the Dayquil...yeah that was Sunday night -- DING!!!!! Yours truly! We have a winer!
5. So why is it that when you pay $10 for ringtones, and you have to get a new phone, the ringtones never get switched over? I am NOT spending ANOTHER $10 for more ringtones - I liked the ones I had already - thank you very much!
6. Right time and wrong place - seems to be a commonality in my life.
7. I dont watch a show, and its a hit and goes on for years. I find a show I like, and BOOM...6 episodes in, its gone! Teach me to like a show again and watch it from the beginning! :)
8. Is it me, or is every crime (which would barely make local new before) now being sensationalized by the media?
9. If crazy is crazy to a normal person, what is crazy to a crazy person because he thinks he is normal?
10. Word of warning - if you are ever wondering how bad the weather is going to get, just look for Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel - if he is in your town, leave!!
11. I love the subliminal message "...and receive a free gift". Aren't all gifts free?
12. If "con" is the opposite of "pro", then Congress is the opposite of progress.
13. My doctor keeps telling me I am out of shape. I keep correcting him. I keep telling him that my shape happens to be round LOL

Just a little something to lighten your week :) Have a great and SAFE holiday!

J-Dawg

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of this is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

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