Is this thing on?

Yeah, I know - it seems like forever and a day ago that I last wrote. For a while my computers (yes, plural) were down. My laptop has been retired and sent out to the scrapyard (although not before extracting all he data) and all that's left is the old Windows ME operating system: no way to access iTunes on that. Not that that really mattered anyway, my iPod's click-wheel stopped working the the replacement (at least SOMETHING is still under warranty) also was defective, thus I am living off of a computer that had it's pinnacle reached back when Ray Bourque was hoisting the cup for the Avalanche (oh, what a day that was) with no iTunes, no iPod, not even a radio in my brother's (quasi-my) car.

What am I doing to fill the void? Nothing, unless you include making something of my life and actually being a productive and contributing member of society. I have a job working maintenance at a golf course, something which requires me to be there at 6 am every single day (something that was absolutely terrible for the first little while and is now nothing but habit for me now). Couple that with Church at 9 am on Sundays and you have a kid that hasn't slept in for over a month (that's really saying something for me - I needed to break that terrible cycle that was my ASU sleep-schedule). Now I'm actually remembering why it is that adults don't stay out forever and also am seeing my bank account go in another (the right) direction (for a change).

So sad to disappoint my one reader out there who is next-blogging, but I'm afraid my return may be short lived. It all starts on Wednesday morning at 9. That is when my first name will be retired for two years (as will my casual wardrobe). I will attempt to enlighten my dad as to how to post exerpts (or entire) letters from the mish, but I make no promises. It's a risky way to be, but with a brother that's tearing it up on a Connie Mack team in Denver, Plan B must shift into action (and I know the entire cyber-world will be holding its collective breath to see how it will all turn out).

Speaking of my brother:

GJHS TIGERS (24-2) - 2005 CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONS
Ryan Bernal (jr.) - .403 avg., 27 H, 25 R, 26 RBI, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 2 SB, All-State Honorable Mention (Denver Post)

I'd been meaning to do that for a while, but prohibited myself from mentioning anything about their playoff run for fear or freakishly jinxing it and robbing the Western Slope (and Junction in particular) of any glory and respect. Not that Cherry Creek has any for us anyway, as they all got in the Lexus' and Escalades and drove home to the 10,000 square foot homes anyway (with any and all of their "transfers" [kids that creatively snuck into Creek through their parents getting "jobs" in the district]). But on that day it didn't matter, they could have said whatever they wanted. I don't know if it's me living vicariously through my brother or me just loving to watch him succeed, but that day will be one I will never forget. I was as nervous as a parent, and I did an all-out, full-on hug (full embrace, not the one-armed tapping of the back variety) with Brandon Berguin after Mark Novotny's GRAND SLAM in the 7th to give the Tigers the lead, and again after that final out to win GJ their title.

Perhaps I should make a list when these type of hugs are appropriate; rest assured that if I do, any situation involving a sporting event (especially one where said person has a vested interest in the team, be it through attending the school having a family member on the team, I don't care - you pick and include whatever other reasons [excuses] you want) will be reason number three (behind any sort of funeral/wedding [funny combo to include together, I know] circumstance and any extended absence sort of thing (I'm talking of the long variety, let's say two years as an example). Okay, maybe I threw in number two as a crutch should I break down from my normal stoic stance when it comes to goodbyes and other would-be emotion-provoking moments, but you've got to give me some slack here.