Through the eye's of Stanz

Why Calipari Made a Terrible Career Move...

2009-04-14T10:40:00.005-06:00

(originally written two days after Cal left...figured I would add as a post....

Ok...we have all had a few days as Tiger fans to digest what has transpired with the University of Memphis basketball program. John Calipari is gone. It happens...its a business. If you polled people around the country, I would say that about 80% of people thought this was a good career move. Naturally, those percentages would be much lower in the greater Memphis area. However, after thinking about it more and more, I have would be in the minority. This was not a good move.

You see, Calipari wants to be grouped in with the elite coaches of College Basketball. Names like Rupp, Wooden, Smith, Olson and more recently, Krzyzewski, Knight, Pitino, and Williams. He has a chance, some would say to put himself in that second class. Those are great coaches of our generation. But he HAD a chance to to be classed in the first group, which are the greatest coaches of all time. Now, naturally I would consider coach K and Knight to be in that group as well, but not Pitino and Williams. Here is why.

The first group of Coaches (including coach K and knight) put their respective teams on map. They WERE the team. They put their stamp on a school and now will forever be linked. When you think Adolph Rupp, you think Kentucky (42 years), When you think John Wooden you think UCLA basketball (27 years). Dean Smith...Carolina (39 years) Lute Olson..Arizona (25 years), Coach K..Duke (28 years and counting) Bobby Knight...Indiana (29 years)...These guys made these schools national powerhouses...and all of them remain that way today for the most part.

Cal left Memphis to be apart of the "history and tradition" of Kentucky. No doubt it is a great school with great history and tradition, but it was history and tradition made by other men. Now Cal will be on a list. A list that included the likes of Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, and Billy Gillispie. These are all men that followed in the footsteps of Adolph Rupp. No one can argue the success of Pitino, but folks, they ain't gonna change "Rupp arena" to "Pitino Pavilion".

My point is this. What Cal is doing, has already been done. What he could have done, was build his own tradition, his own history, and put his stamp on the University of Memphis. He was well on is way. Unmatched winning streaks,6 conference championships, Elite 8's, Final Fours, and National Championship games. He built this team from obscurity to a National Power house in 9 years. Imagine what the University of Memphis would have been like if Cal had a number next to his name like those coaches two paragraphs up. Just imagine what it would have been like. Then...and only then would Memphis be a place where people would want to come to play basketball. He would have made Memphis into a team with a winning tradition...a history rich with Championships. That is how you transcend a school and a team...One word..."Loyalty." Dean Smith did it, John Wooden did it, Rupp did it, and Coach K is the only guy currently that IS DOING IT.

Now I am grateful...grateful for what he has done and his kind words after he left. I know it was a tough decision. However, I know it was the wrong decision if in fact he left to be a part of something bigger. I am not saying this as a Tiger fan, but as a sports fan. Nothing would be a better accomplishment then building something on your own and then passing it on. Realistically, he could have done the same thing at UMass, but he left and failed at the NBA. Oh by the way...when was the last time UMass was any good? About 15 years ago when a guy by the name of Calipari was there. He started something great here in Memphis, but he did not finish it. Hell, he was just getting started if you use those other guys as barometers. Thankfully, we have great people working on not making Memphis the next Umass.

Calipari said he finally made his decision to leave when he asked himself this question..."In 2-3 years will I be able to live with myself for not taking it?" He said he couldn't. Now...in 3 years he will have to ask himself..."What if I would have stayed and been my own Adolph Rupp?"

Memphis WAS your Kentucky John...you just didn't know it. But when the time comes to look back, I think you will regret leaving what would've been your ticket to being on the top of a list...instead you will be on the bottom of a list... playing in someone else's arena.

Brayden Daniel Stansbury

2009-01-29T23:14:00.006-06:00

Another beautiful kid...Brayden Daniel Stansbury...everybody is healthy and happy. Congrats Mike, Dee, Collin, and Kaitlyn. Feel free to check out the Post Game/Birth Interview with the Father Mike... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6gEQ-Ae8pw&feature=channel_page

P90x...Ouch...and the new Little man is on his way.

2009-01-23T14:53:00.005-06:00

So, you have seen the info-mercials, you have heard the testimonials, and now I can tell you after week 1, P90x is for real. Dhope and I have started a 90 day regiment of doing P90 along with a good healthy nutrition plan, to see if we can, in fact, get the results that they say. I know I am not some muscle bound freak, nor would I ever want to be, BUT I can tell you that a good workout, is just like a good relationship. The more you put into it while you do it, the worse you feel the day after its over! I mean seriously, I think my fingertips are sore. I'm not complaining, I think it is great. I have been blessed with hitting some goals that I set out personally already this year that has lead me to believe 09 will be the best yet, so why not try to be in the best shape of my life. What's another goal? Long way to go and granted...there is a chance (some people say a good one), that in two weeks I won't be able to spell P90x and will have fallen of the wagon. I hope not, but we shall see.

My sister in law, Deidra, has got a week or two left before she will be spitting out another perfect child. We still do not know his name because Mike and her are keeping it some kinda secret. That reminds me that Dhope's wife Michelle, is due about the same time. So keep both of them in your prayers for a smooth delivery.

The next game for the Stansbury Brother's coaching era is Monday. I will have more pictures and highlights of the game next week...but, I will warn you that we had 6 of the 10 players come to a hour long practice and that is it. I told Mike that we needed more practice, he vetoed it...so I take away my previous guarantee of actually scoring and would say the odds of the Lakeland Elementary Tigers scoring a basket have shot up to 10-1. We will do what we can. Either way...we will just blame it on Mike.
H
"Do your best...forget the rest." (Tony Horton, P90x creator)

Stansbury Brothers Coaching Debut...lets just say we got work to do.

2009-01-13T10:01:00.005-06:00

Thank God 6 year olds are cute. Mike asked me to help coach Collins 1st grade basketball team this year and we are having a blast doing it. The only problem is, we are not having much success. At my first practice last Saturday, Mike had the kids practicing dribbling and shooting, and not a whole lot of much else. We worked on fundamentals. You know...the easy stuff. Not knowing how the league was going to be, I just assumed that was what every coach was doing. That was until last night. Final Score...Lakeland Elementary Red Team 24 ... your Lakeland Elementary Blue team 1. yes 1. And yes...we were the blue team. My brother and I looked at each other in disbeleif when the game was 11-0 in the first few minutes. That was when we realized we need to turn up the heat a little. I am actually excited about this. Not because I think we are going to win or be a cinderella story, but because this is what it is all about. Watching Collin play a game with kids his age and seeing him compete like my brother and I did at that age is fun. What is more fun is the fact that I get a front row seat to watch him develop. I am glad we got crushed 24-1. This way we get to watch them improve and develop skills that they never had before, and I get to help develop that.

It seems like 10 minutes ago that I was holding Collin in my arms in disbelief that I was an Uncle and my brother was a father. Now he is 6 and showing signs to have much more talent than his Dad or his uncle. I will say that until I become a father, the greatest thing God has granted me so far in life, is being an Uncle.

Memphis Weather Men

2008-12-16T12:03:00.001-06:00

Suck. Thats really all I wanted to say... Carry on.

Good lesson...thought I'd share

2008-12-09T20:35:00.002-06:00

This was posted on my brothers facebook... It is a great story...as I said...I do not outwardly speak of religion...but how could I not post. I may or may not have gotten a little misty with this one...

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,

'OK, dad, I'm ready.'

His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'

'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'

Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,

'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'

Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'

Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'

His father hesitated for a moment then said,

'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'

'Thanks Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.

He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,

'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'

With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.

She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.

As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.

As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.

You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.

I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!

The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE

YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.

Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son

on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.

Don't let this message die, read it again and

pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!

Remember, God's message CAN make the difference

in the life of someone close to you.

Please share this wonderful message..

If you love JESUS, please forward this message. Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness.

Matthew 10:32 says

'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven'

Thankful for Looks and Awesomeness...

2008-12-08T21:08:00.003-06:00

Well, only one person will get the title of this...but we will be laughing on the inside while the thousands (and yes, I mean thousands) of other people that read this blog scratch thier heads. :)
ok...so its not much, but watchin my good friend Darrin run the St. Jude Marathon was pretty uplifting and motivating. Tonight marked the first time in my short 31 years that I have run a full hour. I figure at the pace I was running I did about 6.5 miles. Not a huge accomplishment but a good one for me. No it wasn't done on a mountain side or even outside for that matter (as my good buddy John likes to point out.) It was done on a track in the confines of the Prarie Life Gym. As John pointed out...i would need to do that twice to accomplish a half marathon and 4 times for a full...pretty easy math eh. I felt pretty good and could have probably done a few more miles but didnt want to push...I will tell you that it really puts in perspective the dedication it takes to run a full marathon. Any man or woman that does it, does earn my respect. My first half is planning on being the Germantown Half in April...or the Nashville Half. Hopefully my ankle and the rest of my joints hold up. I will say it is a great stress reliever. With work and other things occupying my mind, it is amazing how quick it goes by when you are able to do some good thinking while running. Granted...I didn't solve any of the worlds problems, but it did pass the time. Anyway...Dad had a job interview tonight in Indianapolis, I heard it went well. Say a prayer for him that he gets this job. If anybody deserves it...it is him. More later...Peace out.

Loud Neighbors...little sleep

2008-12-01T01:18:00.005-06:00

Ok...its about 1:30...Sunday night...and whoever the hell lives next to me has been, lets just say...getting to know each other on an intimate basis...and rather loudly. They have kept me up and now I have come to the realization of how thin these walls are. Gonna have to keep that as a note to self, seein as though I have lived here for a year and a half...I guess the thing that disturbs me is that I could only hear the guy moaning for some time. I mean really? What guy moans? I mean like for 20 minutes? Seriously?.... Thankfully I heard a woman's voice or I would have otherwise thought the dude was hurt or just eating some kick ass cheesecake or tiramasu...which has been known to make me moan on occasion...Anyway...I am wide awake now...so I thought I would share. Goodnight.

Pretty Damn Thankful

2008-11-28T23:24:00.006-06:00

The holiday season is such a cool time of year. It is so much fun to be able to hang out with your family and friends with that kind of euphoric feeling. However, as much as it lets your enjoy the present, it really does make you reflect on the past. This is the first year in recent memory that I have been single during this season and it is truly different. This time of year is definitely better to be spent with someone that you care a lot about. It kind of gives it a whole new meaning. I have been blessed for the past 4 or 5 years to have someone in my life that I have cared alot about during this time. I don't mean to be "sappy" but drinking will do that to you sometimes. It does seem that no matter what you do, certain things happens that reminds you of the past, even though you are doing everything to forget it.
There are a lot of cool things happening this year, a lot of firsts and lasts. This will be John and Brandy's last holiday season with separate last names. It will be Jones Lotterhos' first Christmas, and Darrin and Michelle's last before they are buying presents for a baby. Not to mention, there will be another nephew coming next year that I can only hope is half the kid Collin is. Its fun to watch, and I am blessed to see it all happen. A bunch of friends having kids, getting married, and family members taking the next step in their lives. My step brother is off to the Marines to find himself and I know he will. My sister has been through a lot, and I kind of finally feel like I have her back in my life the way she was years ago. My dad is dealing with adversity and knowing that he will come out better on the other end is a great feeling. This is could be my grandfathers last Christmas, which is tough to swallow, but it does put into perspective of what is really important. I have always kind of been a guy that has worn his heart on his sleeve...maybe a little cheesy...maybe a little over the top...but at least I know it...and frankly, I could care less. Although I may delete this post when I sober up in the morning. Its so much fun to watch my Mom, Step dad, Dad, along with my brother and sister in law and step brother and sister in law, just be in awe of the all the grand kids and what not...It really is fun to watch how God can put people in your life that are there for the sole purpose of giving joy. I really see every single member of my family and friends as that very thing. When I feel down about not having the things that others have, I am reminded by that. Now I know that some people may read this and think that it is overly cheesy and they are probably right, but it doesn't really matter. If I ever thought about questioning my faith, or feeling down about something I used to have, I am always reminded about the power of faith and hope that God gives. I do not usually outwardly speak about God...but if you look at the people he has surrounded me with, there is no denying what he can do. I am so thankful for everyone in my life, and how they make me who I am. I couldn't ask for a better family nor could I ask for better friends...I am thankful that I am so lucky...OK...I am done being cheesy...Happy Thanksgiving.

Tigers Lose, Hogs Lose, Pnemonia and colds are not caused by the cold, but Hey! my Fantasy Team Won! Finally

2008-11-23T23:20:00.010-06:00

Well it was a great weekend to hang out with my father, my brother and my nephew. Unfortunately, we traveled 2 and 1/2 hours to Starkville only to freeze our asses off and then leave with 5 minutes left and miss the most exciting part of the game. But...we still lost so we didn't feel too regretful. After the Hogs turned it over on downs, trailing by 10 with under 5 minutes left and I couldn't feel my fingertips or lips, I decided to get a jog in a run the mile to the car. Of course after that, my face was frozen , but then I was able to put the coat on that I, of course, left in the car to begin with.
Dad and I headed back in his car and Mike and Collin went back with Mikes friend, Jason and his son. In the car ride home, my father and I decided to do what we normally do to pass time, which is have the most random arguments or conversations known to man. It started off as it normally does, with my father saying.."OK, lets name the 9 ways that you can score from 3rd base with two outs and no one else on base." We always get to 8 and the argue about what the 9th is. Then we got into a conversation about pneumonia and colds and how one contracts them. This is where I become dumb and argue against a FACT that I know to be true, just to see if I can BS enough to get my Dad to agree with me...knowing that I am wrong. I failed miserably. Its kind of like the show on ESPN, called PTI, two guys pick a topic and one HAS to take one side, and the other HAS to take the other...if you had a TV show with two people agreeing all the time...it wouldn't do very well. It would be like Katie Couric interviewing a Democratic Presidential Nominee. Anyway, I took the side that pneumonia could in fact be caused by cold weather, or falling into a pool of freezing water, and I argued till I turned blue, but I knew it was wrong...bottom line...it shortened the trip home and it entertained the hell out of my father and I. (Fact is that pneumonia and colds are caused by bacteria and germs, or sometimes a virus when we talk about colds. The reason why most people get them in the winter, is because everyone is in close quarters, because they are usually inside, where its warm...and you can spread germs better...because its cold outside!..wait...I think I just proved my point...nah)
So that was pretty much the weekend...pretty lame...The Tigers lost tonight because they are missing 3 main things that they had last year. They have NO Identity as a TEAM. They have NO Leadership. but worst of all they have NO confidence. Fact is you CANNOT win anything in life without confidence. You can get far on luck and talent, but if you lack the will to win and knowing that you can do it, you make mistakes (like missing big free throws when it counts). Now I would like to believe that the Tigers could make a good run this year, but they are a long way away. To be honest we are not even close to being guaranteed CUSA champs this year. There is some talent in this league and the Tigers have definitely fallen back since last year...but this is why we pay the big bucks to Coach Cal, and I do believe he can have this team in the Sweet 16 again. That would pave the way for a next year, where your Tigers very well could be a preseason Top 3 team.
Oh and my fantasy team won for only the second time in 8 games. After starting of 4-0 in the league, this win will get me to 6-6 and clinch a spot in the playoffs...I know of all things that anyone could care less about, it would be my fantasy team, but I can't sleep people...so I just type what comes to mind. You will just have to deal. Turkey day is coming...and so is a Holiday special blog, with lots of pics of the cutest kids in the world stay tuned and if you don't hear from me, Happy Thanksgiving...gobble gobble.

New Car...and Training for a half marathon...and Hogs and Dogs.

2008-11-20T21:31:00.004-06:00

Well the ole "Silver Bullet" was put to rest today for a 2009 Altima..black. So a new era begins. And...I decided to start training for a half marathon in March or April. I have been running alot lately, but I have been hampered by a bum left ankle. Hopefully there is nothing too wrong with it and I can make it through. I think this will be easier than it is for most people, because I have a kick ass support team of friends that have done it. I logged about 18 miles last week. I have only run about 5 this week, but thats because I am being a wuss on my ankle. The whole quitting smoking thing should help...although to be honest...I cheated big time the other night when I went drinkin with some of the boys...its amazing how easy it is when you are not drinking, but as soon as you grab a beer, those damn things look tasty. But we will fight through it.

Hogs and Dogs this weekend...in what is becoming a semi-annual ritual, my brother, father, and I will be headed to watch the Hogs probably get the ass kicked by Mississippi State...but it will be fun to get the boys back together and bring along the Collinman for his first Hog game. Good Times.

In a bit of a fog.

2008-11-18T22:20:00.003-06:00

Sometimes life is hard to figure out. At certain times in your life things can come by so easy, especially when you don't want them, and then when you do want it, it just seems like its nowhere to be found. Don't get me wrong...I am not complaining, it just seems ironic. It is like that in all aspects of life.
Examples...with work...During the slowest part of the year, I could do no wrong...selling my tail off. Wasn't expected to do too much, but just kind of exploded in the middle months...then, towards the end of the year, the busiest and most productive time...its like pulling teeth to close something. I know things will be fine and I will still have a big year, but its just amazing how its working like that.
The same seems to go with relationships. This isn't just me...and I am not saying I am looking for anything...but it is so strange how when you are in a relationship, women and opportunity just come out of the woodwork with interest. Of course, you don't want it at the time, but its there. Then when you are single, it is so freakin hard to find someone to "connect" with. You can meet a fun, hot, smart, freakin gymnast who you may share alot in common with, but it just doesn't click in that way for one reason or another. My reasoning for being single the past 6 months has been mainly because I didn't want to be in a relationship...even though God knows my mother wants me to find someone yesterday to give her more grand kids...God love her. At the same time, it sucks sometimes because I am be too picky. But I think everyone should be. I am not going to be in a marriage or a relationship for that matter that I don't have fun in, or that I don't enjoy. It can happen...I have seen it.
Wow...ok...got off on a rant...I like this...kinda like a diary...Carrie and Brandy will read it and it will just be like we are sitting on your patio and I am venting to you about life. But from the confines of our own places...and its therapeutic. Aight...anyway...back to bitchin...
The same goes for Money with all this crap...every time my bills are paid off ... I got extra cash...then I spend it...build up some debt...get ready to pay that off, and the car goes out, or tear a rotator cuff, break a wrist, or whatever the hell it is and now I got doctor bills, and crap on top of the money that have I spent on playing golf and clothes at banana republic that I will leave at Darrin's house for 3 months before I ever see it again, meanwhile, the $250 putter I bought I can't seem to make anything putts with, and the $100 glove with $125 bat I bought for the softball season is just sitting in some rednecks truck or out on the open market, but the point is (besides setting the record for the longest run-on sentence and no I am not going to go back and add commas and periods)..point is....sometime we get careless and "blow our wad" on the unimportant things in life, only to be not prepared with those things show up and need attention. Clearly that is something I need to get better at. Maybe that's what the big guy is trying to tell me.."Get your stuff together and then I will hook you up." He probably isn't really saying it in such modern tone...but you get the picture. Fact is...if I would have played it differently two years ago...I would be married...maybe even had a kid, but I made a decision based on thought and not emotion...not to mention, I listened to my friends. Do I have some regrets? Sure...but only superficial ones, none that have real substance and meaning. I am where I am at for a reason, and maybe I don't know exactly what that is yet...but I will at some point. When I had tough decisions to make...I hit my knees and it became clear what to do...When I needed help quitting smoking...I hit my knees and the urge was lessened. When I have been hurt by a loss, I hit my knees and the pain was lightened. Now I am just in a bit of a fog...so...I will hit my knees...and it will lift. Things will become clearer. One problem or issue will go away or be resolved, then another will come about. It is the circle of life. Man I am random...I just read this thing...Brandy...that's the last time i go to Starbucks that late again. ; ) Alright, I have a long day tomorrow..I guess I will start blogging again some other time...what the hell.
Esto Vir,
H

Been over a month and goin strong kids...

2008-11-17T08:09:00.002-06:00

Well, it finally feels good to be a non-smoker. Granted some of you(the few that even know I have a blog) have seen me cheat once or twice, but it is amazing how much better I feel now that I do not smoke. I have logged about 17 miles running this week, and had it not been for a bum ankle, probably would have been more. Now I did gain a few after quitting. I went from 180 to 194. However, alot of that (hopefully) is muscle since JP and I have been lifting. I have trimmed down to 189, but my goal by Christmas is to be back to 180, then eventually as slim 175...but we will see. Every Saturday morning, Dhope, Dodd, and I are making the trail run a ritual. Now I am no long run guy like thier 20 they did this weekend, but I think I am gonna start seriously training for a half marathon. Last week I ran a total of 5 days, running 3miles 3 days, and 4 miles 2 days. Thats the beginning. It Won't be to tough with the support system of D and D, but we will see.

The Parkbury Cup was in reach...but I choked before I could drink from it.

2008-05-05T18:16:00.002-06:00

So...John and Jeff Parker, along with myself created a year long tournament called the Parkbury Cup (Stansbury/Parker..get it? good). WWEEEEEELLLLLLLL. We played the first annual tourney in 07...Having only completed 3 rounds because Jeff...broke his freakin leg...so Of COURSE he couldn't play for like 6 months...Normally...this wouldn't be an issue, but you see, I was winning. After 3 rounds, I was beating John by 10 and Jeff by 3. So my game plan...play conservative, and take home the Cup. Yeah....not so much. What I didn't realize is that Jeff, while rehabbing that leg, must have been drinking that new Gatorade called Tiger...for Tiger Woods...and he must have been drinking lots. After not having a round less than 84 in the previous 3, Jeff decides to shoot a 2 over on the front nine. I shot 4 over. So going into the 10th hole...I am only one up. That is where, some may say, the proverbial wheels, fell right the hell off. After a bogey on 10, I come to the 11th tee. A 367 yard par 4, dog leg right, water way left and in front of the green. The play here is a solid 3 iron to around the 150 stake...but I grab driver...not to conservative. The only real trouble besides water left, out of bounds right and a fairway that is about 20 yards wide...is the fact that it was 6:45pm and the sun was directly in our eyes. So ... I proceed to try to hit a "high fade" and leave my self a small wedge into the green...that would have been nice. My fade turned into a draw and was lost in the sun. But by all accounts...those being John and Jeff, the ball was headed towards the large crater filled with water known as a lake, or pond...whatever. As I dropped my ball, I said to myself..."That's ok...drop here and hit a good solid shot and maybe make par." John turns to me and says. "You got about 165-170 from there." John is a very close friend and I consider him one of the smartest...so I figure he was on the money or close (Jeff claims it was he that gave me the yardage...I stick to my story)...little wind into me...I hit a perfect 6 iron...I mean it is tracking right on the stick...only problem was...it was about 25 yards long. So now I am just pissed. I hit the best shot of the day and I am still not close. I am in the rough, chipping up hill, to a green that slopes away. Oh..and the pin, which is about 30 yards away, is tucked in the back..so I have all of 2 yards to deal with. I of course leave my first flop attempt about a yard short. Now my shot is even more difficult...and at this point I hated the world and everything in it. Jeff was putting for birdie, and I am chippin for bogey. If I get this up and down..I make double...but I didn't. I blew it past the hole...and then three putted. I got an 8. Thats right an 8. On a par 4. From up one...to down 3. Back to back pars would get my confidence back...even though on both I missed pretty easy birdie attempts, but then after a double on a par 5 in which yet another one of my balls miraculously disappeared, I found myself down with 3 to play. It was now getting dark. We played the next hole, a par three in which you couldn't even see the flag because it was so dark. I parred it. A good shot...good putt...in the dark. I get an 8 on a short par four, but can play a par three over water blind to the green in the pitch black and put it on the lip for birdie. I suck in a weird way. We called it after 16 with Jeff up 4 with two to play. I tried to wine my way out of it, trying to make every excuse in the book to why the Cup should be mine...but I just plain choked. Like a dog on a bone. I guess theoritically I still have a chance. Down by four with two left...as soon as we continue, I just need to hope jeff can make an 8. He hasn't made over a double in four rounds and he has only made 3 of those. I guess I can start my quest for 08. There...got that off my chest.

Time to get into shape

2008-03-18T20:51:00.006-06:00

Well...I haven't written in a while due to the fact that there was really nothing to write. Now...I have officially gotten the bug of running and getting into shape. I ran a little over 4 miles and then put a good work out in after. I have been working out since Jan 1., but not as consistently as I would like...my start weight is 195 pounds...the goal is to lose 10 pounds the first month...which shouldn't be too difficult of I stay to it. We shall see...more to come.

She could've been another Kaitlyn or He could've been another Collin

2008-01-03T16:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes life throws you curveballs and sometimes life throws you a fastball right at your head. How do you react to something you can barely see? And how do you cope when it hits you right between the eyes? Sometimes you have to really ask why things happen the way that they do. Why God gives so much and then, unexplicably, takes something away. For those of you that know me, there is nothing more that I cherish more than my family. I am blessed with a great, loving mother and father, a generous and brilliant step-father, a resilliant and loyal sister, a faithful and example setting brother and sister in law, and the most beautiful neice and nephews, in Collin and Kaitlyn, that anyone can ask for. They are the pride and joy of the Stansbury/Ely family. At least they are in my eyes. Today...was a bad day.
On Thanksgiving, during a prayer of thanks, we were all shocked and elated to find out that my brother and his wife were expecting thier third child. My brother said, "Lord thank you for the child that you have growing in my wife's womb." Just a few months later, that child is gone. They lost thier baby today. As a matter of fact, I just found out about it 30 minutes ago. I don't know why, but I felt I need to write it down or get it out. I don't know why. At this moment...noone even knows about this blog but me, more of a diary I guess. (of course..if you are reading it now...that is not the case.)
My grandmother, had three miscarriages before my father was born. Guess I am glad she didn't give up. Guess if she didn't have those...my dad may have never been born...we all know what that means. A few years ago, two very close friends of mine lost a child during thier pregnancy. Its hard to find a silver lining anytime that happens. They have tremendous faith, and today they are pregnant again. They have an amazing little girl that will light up a room, just as Collin and Kaitlyn do. Why would that be denied to anyone? I guess there is no real answers to those questions. But I do know that see thier faces on a regular basis, reminds me why I am Pro-Life. I am not going to waste my breath getting all political on you. It just sickens me that someone would do it on purpose...for selfish reasons...all medical catastrophes a side.
Today is a day, if you have the guts, to get on your knees and thank God for what you have. I say "guts" because it is easy to say "why" or blame God for unfortunate things like these. Its easy to ask something of God when you need something. But when things go bad...it takes guts to pray and thank Him for all the good. Thank Him for Collin and Kaitlyn or just the things that are important in YOUR life. Then go and cherish every second you have with them.
This isn't some blog so that people will feel bad for me or my family...its a message for people to start feeling good about what you have. If you get it...great. If you don't...then try harder. Some people wonder how other peoples lives would be affected if they weren't around. You know...everyone has done it. You lie in bed and picture what you think it would be like if you died. How would it affect other people's life. Well, I wonder how my life would have been affected if this little gift was given to all of us. She could've been another Kaitlyn...he could've been another Collin. That would have been awesome. Wasn't meant to be I guess.

Pray for my brother and sister in law.
Then thank God for what you have.
He's listening.
H

A new year for the Stanz...lotta Goals

2007-12-31T10:18:00.002-06:00

Being that I just read my friend's (PDodd) blog that he created, I figured I would give this a shot. It is New Years Eve 2007. Currently, there is roughly 13 hours left in 2007, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Not that it was a bad year, there was a lot of good, but 2007 will be seen as a springboard in my life. Alot of things happened that will clearly change the course and direction of my life. Relationships ended, relationships began, relationships continued, and relationships went from one level to the next. You see, the way I see things, if you want to be happy, it is all about the relationships that you have in life. Whether its a girlfriend, a wife, a parent, a brother, a sister, a friend, a co-worker, a business client, an enemy, and especially God, relationships will ultimately determine what kind of person you are. I am absolutely blessed with the most unbelieveable friends that a person can have. So that part couldn't be any easier. My family has its quirks just like anyone else's, but what we lack in stability, we make up in laughter, loyalty, and a keen sense of support for one another...so that part is pretty solid. Work is going great and I am managing to build great realtionships with some great business partners so that going good as well. I have a new girl in my life and that seems to be going pretty well too. Really, I think where I am lacking is my relationship with God. Don't get me wrong, I am not gonna get all religious on you, but one thing that '07 taught me, was that I am a happier guy the more I get closer to God...so that is one of my biggest goals in 2008.