THE TURN

As many people know I play poker and in Texas Hold Em, there are three parts of the game that can getcha.    You are dealt the two cards you use to match up the five community cards that are coming up.  The first three are the flop, the next the turn, and the final card is the river.  The object is to make the strongest hand you can make with these cards and outwit your opponent by getting all their money.  Thus, making you successful in this game.

One thing that I notice is that fourth card is the difference maker.  The turn is the card that can dictate how much you bet or your next move.  For instance, a flush, which is a hand that contains five cards of the same suit can be made.  If you are holding one spade, and three come up on the flop, if a spade hits on the turn you got the flush.  In my opinion, the turn is the part you make the most important bet in the game.  You either ride on a sure hand, or you bet one comes.

Its kind of like life.  You are dealt cards every day, and how you chose to play them according to the specific situation that comes up is up to you.  You make the choice.  You are the master of your destiny.  And if you want to change something, you have a chance to do so.

I recently have made some changes in my life, and solid decisions and I feel healthier, happier, and smarter.  I haven't seen life as clearly as I have seen it lately.  Will something come along that will trigger me to feel sad or angry?  Sure, but I feel more confident I can deal with it better now than I did in the past.

What did I do?  I stopped to look at the clouds.  I took my time.  I have realized how lucky I am to have all that I have.  That God has truly blessed me.  What I have been chasing my whole life was what I wanted, but  in the end, would it have made me happy?  I have a wonderful girl in my life who has given me the two greatest children one could ever ask for.  I don't feel anxious lately.  I don't have too many fears.  I am just living.  I decided to go all in on the turn, and things changed.

If you feel there is an area in your life you can improve in, don't hold back.  My next step is getting into the gym.  I am going to make a plan and get it done.  I will lose 20 lbs by the end of the year.  Just watch me.  Deal me in baby.  I'm going all in on that turn again.

Keeping it real,
MRJ

APOLOGIES

I make no apologies.  I am who I am.

I have a colorful past and sometimes the past becomes your present, when you least expect it.

I would like to say to anyone who comes here to learn who I was, that person is no more.  I have a family and responsibilities to many people.  The character I portrayed and kicked around the idea of bringing back is dead.

However, my creative spirit will always remain as I am an artist at heart.

I have opinions and observations I like to share with the people who frequent this site and would like to continue to do so in a respectful manner.  I hope I have that opportunity.  Earlier this week, I wrote about how fresh starts are important.  And in order to really change the person I want to become, it means cleaning the past and letting it go.  Yes I know it's humorous.  Yes I know its funny.  However, if you do desire to change within, you have to let it all go Neo.

I will be sharing my interests with you and my thoughts on sports, politics, local issues, fun stuff for the family, and yes.  I will still be seeking a way to broadcast a show on the Internet.  However, due to the fact I am living a much different lifestyle, I will need to stick to everything above.

In the meantime, be who you are.  Make no apologies and when you want to change something, go all in.

My best advice: don't let the past affect your present because your future will not have a chance to grow.

I need to follow my own advice.

Keeping it real,
MRJ

SPORTS SEVEN: I LIKE THE WHITE SOX, BREAKING THE BLOCK

Hello South Side Sox peeps.  Remember me?  That crazy guy who comes up with some of the most messed up thoughts on this blog.  You know, you guys ready for comic effect and not serious baseball analisys.  Yes, Jim, Larry, and UGod have that covered.  I still have been coming here and keeping up and ofcourse following my White Sox and now I am here to talk.

It has been a busy summer for me as my two kids are growing up, my boy got his ring, and I have been taking on new business at work and starting my own business as well.  The whole thing got me manic, and I forgot about what I enjoy in life.  Writing.

So I am going to give you seven thoughts of this season I have had so far.  And I hope you all enjoy.

One, I did not expect the output this team has been producing, much less first place.  I am one of the biggest Ozzie marks you will ever see in your life.  I love the guy for his outspoken manner, and colorful personality.  However, one thing I have learned this year is this team is way better off without him.  I see veterans performs, rookies getting some time, and it has been exciting,  This team responds much better to Robin than they have for Ozzie the last few years.  Although the drama Oz brings is fun for entertainment purposes, it doesn’t help the team.  I really think he needs to retire and his family can do a reality show called Ozzie and his Kids. I would watch, and many of you would too.  Don’t lie.

Two; speaking of Robin.  He has really impressed me with the way he is handling this team.  I thought he was just acting as a puppet for Kenny, and I was wrong about that.  He has shown some marks of a rookie manager, but I really think he should be given the manager of the year if the Sox get in the playoffs.  I really enjoyed the piece here earlier in the week on that.

Three, I guess you put a young rookie behind AJ and it lights his ass on fire.  AJ Pierzynski is killing the ball like it was Michael Barrett’s face.  Yes, I know so 2006, but that happened on my birthday so it will stick with me forever.  I still think the better part was when Tadahito hit the GS.

Four, this rotation has been great.  Peavey stepping up (much like Rios and Dunn, more on that later), Chris Sale being the machine he has been, and this Jose Quintana kid, I like, I like.

Five, can someone tell me what happened to Matt Thornton circa 2008-2010?  Who is that guy out there now?

Six, if Adam Dunn and Alex Rios did this last year, the White Sox would have won last year.  I am wondering if Dunn was still injured last year.  Did he change his conditioning?  I have to believe that Rios wants to play for Robin, and was annoyed by Ozzie.  Look at his stance in the box.  Look at how his attitude seems to have changed.

And finally seven, Kenny Williams.  OK I forgive you.  Enough said.

This was captain obvious writing this, but I needed something to break the block.  Hope you guys enjoy and I miss you guys and go White Sox.

SECOND CHANCES

They always say you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  In the following week, I will find out if this is true.  I believe it’s false.

I have not posted anything of value on this site since March 19, 2012.  I have written excuses why I have not posted anything and gave you all a steaming hot plate of bullshit, but I never got to the meat of things.
Life became unmanageable for me in the last four months.  From panic attacks to angry outbursts.  Finding it more difficult to enjoy life and my family and all the things I hold dear.  Was it my job?  Was it my lack of creativity?  Was it because I’m fucked up in the head?

The answer to the question is not important.  What is important is how I got there and what steps I can take to never go back.

In the last month, I have learned skills that have given me clarity on how to live better and I plan on practicing those skills on a daily basis.  I will not be perfect granted it, but I will be a more balanced positive minded dude.  I am not worried about being liked by total strangers anymore.  I do not need people in my life who do not like me.  Whether it be someone from childhood, present day, whatever.  I’m an opinionated SOB.  I say things people don’t want to hear.  I am passionate about my sports teams, and I think the United States of America has become laughable.  I see young men and women fight this country and our lives, and come back to no respect.  The world we live in is not perfect and the only thing we can do to change it is speak up be heard and hope others back the message.  Eventually someone who has money or power that gives a shit about the common man hears it, feels inspired and helps to act.

The issue is no one really hears and cares.

You see a country swarming regarding the comments of a chicken man.  You have the GLBT community screaming curses with their liberal friends, and the right talking about how great this is.  What you don’t see is this is what Chick-A-Fil President Dan Cathy wants.  You all are talking about his product, bringing awareness to his product, and therefore are contributing to the purchase of the product.  He wouldn’t have made those comments if he didn’t have a reason to.  And I’m sorry Christian friends, because he’s a strong Christian…not buying that.  He is also a businessman.

In the meantime, while this is going on, you have two absolute goofballs running for president on this country, and this continues to split the nation.

My friends, it isn’t about what side of the isle you support.  It is about what’s best for America.  Jobs keep decreasing.  More houses go for foreclosure.  More people who don’t want to work get paid by our tax dollars.  It’s the same vicious circle it has always been.

Does Barrack Obama get a second chance to make a first impression?  You bet he does.  He will get in.  Right wingers deny it all you want, but he is a pop culture icon, and for that reason, he will be back for another four years.  We can only pray he finishes what he started and get us out of hell.

Am I angry?  No.  I can’t be angry about things that don’t affect me long term anymore.  I do not have the energy for it anymore.  But I am annoyed.  I am annoyed that people cry about issues like this.  I’m annoyed that people chose to ignore his track record.  I am annoyed reading about drama on Facebook when many of these people have a healthy body and wonderful family, and a friend of mine is sitting in a hospital praying for her second baby to fight death, after her first one was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

We don’t have it bad folks.  Many of us have roofs over our heads, wonderful children who are healthy, people who love us.  It took me a long time to really appreciate it, but its time.

It’s time for me to take my second chance to make my first impression.

Keeping it real,
MRJ