Hey I’m back! Its been a while I know, but for those who still check in now and then here are a few things:

First of all happy fourth of July! Its glorious to be American and we should all appreciate the risk, dedication, and sacrifice it took to sign the declaration of independence and officially make America the land of the free.

As many of you know I am in MA for the week for work and went to see a Red Sox game last night with Jillian. It was a great experience, almost unreal, and it was a learning experience too. I would like to say that it was like returning home, but it really felt more like an introduction. Its been so long since I was last at Fenway that it felt like my first game and my first day as a fan. Sweet Caroline!

Here are some links:

NC State was endowed with $2 million to promote capitalism. Wouldn’t surprise me if UNC countered with some socialism.

Tom O’Brien has been very successful recruiting, not for this comming year, but for the next years football season. Sounds like he is putting a good program together.

The Swiss won the America’s cup over New Zealand, 5-2. I am kind if disappointed because New Zealand was dominant coming into the Americas cup, and it just doesn’t seem right for Sailings most esteemed trophy to be held for another four years by a landlocked country.

Sunday I told everyone that winter was going to arrive this week, and I got laughed out of town. I insisted, and they laughed more. This morning I woke up to snow, and all I wanna say is, look whose laughing NOW!

We got 2 or 3 whole inches, and the triangle is shut down, with more then 80 accidents reported in our area. Even if you are one of the chosen few who actually knows how to drive in snow, I wouldn’t try, because more dangerous to snow are the other drivers around you.

So get out your snowboards and sleds, plug your VPN into your works network, start a fire and put on some Christmas music, because its a snow day!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.  We had a lovely time with the families, and there was much gift giving, mirth and happiness.  I am pretty excited over Jillians gift of an iPod Nano to me.  Its the red 8GB model and it is super small and sturdy and holds about 48,000 minutes of song.

The latest news is that I got Jillian a snowboard on ebay and it should be here in time for us to go snowboarding next week.  We are going shopping today to take advantage of sales, and we’re gonna see about getting some boots and bindings for her while we’re out.  Y’all have a great post Christmas laze.

It has been one whole year since my first post to thebradlands, December 15th, 2005. I would like to thank my mom and dad, for bringing me into this world. Also my producer/ providor/ spellchecker/ factchecker Warren Myers. Of course I’d like to thank Jillian who has stuck with me through thick and thin and has helped me with my Spanish. And lastly all my fans who have made it fun for me to write knowing that you care enough to check by and read. Blogging has been a great way to vent my excitement in lots of different areas. Hopefully reading has energized you, and thebradlands has been an instrument to get you excited about life.

Ok I am on my way to the Johnny Depp look, but meanwhile I am sidetracked on this:

Thanksgiving was great. Lots of football, lots of food, lots of friends, lots of fun. The four Fs were all there. We had two football games this year because a lot of the competitive guys that get together every year wanted to play early, and then later the girls and some others came out and we had a more low key game. It rained for the first half of the week, so even though it was blue skies and not too cold, the field was soking wet, and everyone who played football got covered in mud. Between games we went to the Nystroms house and hung out in their garage playing foosball and backgammon and eating snacks and basically replenishing our bodies for more football. The thing that made the day the most enjoyable was the Jodrey family. They have seven kids, 4 boys and 3 girls, and all of the kids and parrents are so much fun to hang out with.

So the food was great. Lots of turkey, lots of pie (no one to tell me I can’t take three pieces 0=). Mr. Jodrey led a devotional and spoke about the history behind thanksgiving. Its important to remember what really happened because the way history is being re-written these days soon it will be difficult to find out.

When we weren’t eating we were playing games. I basically killed everyone at air hockey. We also played bang, a speghetti western cowboy role playing card game like mafia that is so much fun. It was awesome because its hard to initially teach people how to play bang, and some people just don’t get into it so all the time spent teaching is wasted, but these guys loved it, especially the Nystrom boys, and we played quite a few games.

From early in the morning till late at night we were surrounded by the people we love. I am most thankful for my families and my friends and all of the good times we have together. I am also thankfully for all of God’s blessings to us, giving us so much enjoyment in life. Lastly I am thankful to live in a country that still takes one day out of the year to praise God for his provisions and sustaining grace.

Continuing my expose on the real lives of major league baseball stars, here is a piece written for fathers day on Ken Griffey Junior and his outlook on being a dad. Its kind of sad that as a major leaguer he doesnt get to spend as much time with his kids as he would like, but at the same time, its special to see a guy who is really attached to his kids and loves spending time with them.

Hey baby happy birthday, I love you with all of my heart!

Here is to Jillian, my love now and forever. My best friend and companion, through all things and in everything. My beautiful and most precious. She’s so high above me and yet she stoops to take my hand. I who am but dirt, am loved by a flower. Thank you God for your gift of her to me. Jillian I love you dearly, truly and forever! Muuuuaah!

We sat side by side in the morning light
and looked out at the future together.
- Brian Andres -