Soaking Up The CUP

Time for a few thoughts on the World Cup. After all, this is supposed to be a sports blog isn't it?

My earliest recollection of this wonderful event known as the world cup had to have been at the young age of 6, when my dad brought home a poster with the images of 9 of the greatest soccer players in the world spread across it. It was in that year, 1994, that arguably the GREATEST sporting event in the world was here in the USA. While I didn't watch any of the matches (not that I remember at least) I spent hours laying on my small bed staring up at the likes of Diego Maradona (ARGENTINA), Eric Wynalda (USA), Romario (Brazil), and Roberto Baggio (Italy). Perhaps it was the daily study of that poster that ingrained the love of soccer in me.

2002 World Cup- Japan/Korea

It was at this world cup that I was hooked for life. Yes, the games were played at awful viewing times (ie. 2:00 AM). But more importantly the boys from USA made the quarterfinals and were ultimately robbed of advancing by a bogus non-call hand ball against the Germans.

2006 World Cup- Germany
Seeing as the USA decided to not show up to their matches, we won't spend too much time on this tournament. However it was SWEET to be in Italy the week they won the cup.

2010 World Cup- South Africa

That brings us to this years World Cup in South Africa. This month has been marked on my calender for years. I thought it was a good enough excuse to head home and watch the match against our Cousins the Brits. It was a great event, not a great game. The play was ultimately sloppy and sub par, but it was great to witness the draw that started the madness surrounding Group C.

What a Joke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=C25MOD0xTKc&playnext_from=TL&videos=lhiWIFngGQw&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_stronger_r2-2r-1-HM

It was a terrible call. The good news however came to us thanks to a horrible effort by England that helped our chances A LOT. Also, happy to hear that Koman Coulibaly, the thief, will not be allowed back on the pitch by FIFA this world cup. Good Riddance.

More to Come Later.

Thanks Sterling

As many of you may know, I work at RC Willey Home Furnishings. And lets be honest, if you are reading this blog you probably know that very well (all 2 of you: thanks Allie and Mom!). I work with a man named Sterling. You could say Sterling is the store handyman/janitor. He is a mentally challenged individual that is about 45 years old but operates on a much more juvenile level. Sterling can often be found changing light bulbs or dusting tables and chairs around the store. An avid Utah Jazz fan, Sterling is always the first one in the morning to strike up a conversation about the assist total of D-Will and the coaching tactics of Sloan. Until recently, that is all I knew about Sterling. Last week, while I waited for a customer to get off the phone to proceed with the washer and dryer sell I was gunning for, sterling got off the adjacent ladder to talk. The topic of conversation led from the usual suspects of Jazz and BYU Basketball, to rarely touched subjects such as home life and missions. I came to find out that Sterling, a canadian native, served a mission in his homeland about 20 years ago. As the conversation moved to his family, I learned that his father passed away just two years ago. It was the next thought from Sterling that inspired this blog. He said, "I just need to keep the commandments so that I can see my dad again. Its pretty simple. All you need to do is keep the commandments and God blesses you. It is easy, not always easy to keep them, but the way is easy." I suddenly wasn't thinking about the Maytag 3000 series front-loaders. Instead I was thanking God for sending a very special man to remind me of a very important truth. Most people never grasp what I heard that morning. Sterling does. Thanks to Sterling I remembered it once again.

My Example, My Hero, My Friend

For my first blog entry ever, I decided to dedicate it to my the person that actually inspired me to start blogging, although he doesn't know it. I was reading his blog entry that he e-mailed to me and realized that I too wanted to be able to have a forum to voice my opinion and express my thoughts as eloquently as he had done.
While his blog was my inspiration for blogging, it is not the only thing that has been inspired by this Giant of a man. While growing up I always looked upon him as the ideal man, father and friend. I still do.
His spiritual stature amazes me. Part of the reason I am writing about him is because of something that happened last week. It hasn't left my mind since I heard it. During a business trip in Florida, my hero placed a Book of Mormon while running in the work out room. Amazing, considering the many things that must be occupying his mind. Even more amazing is the fact that it is the fourth business trip in a row that he has come home bookless. I can only hope to be that strong someday.
His example in managing a successful life (his family, his career, his spirituality, his health, and his recreational activities) is more than commendable. With each passing day I gain more and more respect for what he has done. I am coming to know, and will know more in two week when I marry my love Allie, what he has handled so well for the past almost twenty six years.
He has been a source of comfort, along with my wonderful mother, my whole life. I can remember being in the MTC and daily tattooing the word "Padre" on my hand. It reminded me what I wanted to become and the example I had to look to. In the mission I looked forward to the weekly e-mail for some firsthand insight into the problems I faced everyday. I am honored to have served in the land where he served years earlier.
I could go on for days. I guess I just want to say thanks to my hero, my example, and my friend.

THANKS DAD. I LOVE YOU.

It just seemed like a good way to start out.

I'm Blogging Now

I'm Here to Stay.

The Czar.