Older = wiser?

I’m a year older, but I am pretty sure that I’m not necessarily any wiser. As my darling wife keeps reminding me, its official, I’m now in my “late” thirties. It is hard to believe that I just turned 36 years old, but I guess we all say that each time our birthday rolls around.  My sister is already counting down the years until I hit 40.  I don't even want to think about that, as 30 was a mental crisis for me.  I can't imagine what 40 will be like.


My birthday was low key, but nice, full of good food, CAKE, and presents. A slice of cake definitely does a good job of distracting me from thinking about getting older. I received some nice gifts, including a set of golf clubs from my wife. You might remember that we took golf lessons last fall and golf season is quickly approaching. I guess she decided that it would be easier on her to go ahead and purchase a set of clubs for me instead of listening me constantly talk about wanting to get clubs so I can go out and play. OR, perhaps she sees it a way of getting me out of the house so she can nap in peace on Saturday afternoons. Whatever her reason, I am very excited to get them.  We ordered them on Friday and, according to UPS.com, they are on the truck for delivery today. FORE!!!!

On Sunday I attended my first arena football game, cheering for the local team, the Bloomington Edge. Not having been to an indoor football game before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I witnessed was a full onslaught of offense and hard hits/tackles, all from a comfortable seat 6 rows away from the field. That view sure beats the nose bleed seats that I am used to sitting in when I go to UGA football games. The icing on the proverbial cake was that it was FREE hotdog day. It’s like the whole arena was celebrating my birthday with free hotdogs! I’ll admit it, after one game I’m hooked and I’m ready to go to another game. My parents will be in town for the next home game, maybe I’ll take them.

Here’s a picture I snapped with the iphone. While it looks sparsely attended, this crowd is much bigger than the crowd at the hockey game we went to in the same venue a few weeks ago.  This is a great facility and a very nice amenity for our small town.

I haven’t mentioned it lately, but we’re in the final stretch of the second session of the curling league. Our team started out strong, winning the first 5 games and staking claim to first place. I guess the winning went to our heads because we have lost each of the last two games by one point on the final stone of each game. Yes, that means that we have blown two leads in the last ends of the games. As you know, I don’t like losing, and losing at the very last second of the game sucks even worse.

We are now 5-2 and tied for first. We will be playing the other first place team in two weeks and, unfortunately, two of our players are going to be away on spring break. These guys need to get their priorities straight,.  Who, in their right mind, goes to sunny, beautiful Florida when the curling championship is on the line? Seriously?  Fortunately, I have been able to talk two people who didn’t sign up to play this session into filling in for them, so hopefully we will be OK. If not, you know who I’m going to blame, right?