bmn7369's blog

As finals approach, there is a tense feeling in the air around campus.  People are rushed, the library is crowded, everyone is trying to turn in their last piece of work for the fall semester.  Finals are tough on everyone, everyone wants to get them over with, but no one wants to take them. 

This fall has been a success in many different ways for me personally.  First of all, my classes have been the most interesting I have had in all of school.  Baseball this fall went incredible, I came back in shape from the summer and ready to get after it.  That paid off tremendously in my advantage. 

As I prepare for finals I try to do what my dad always taught me, “slow the game down.”  Ever since I was a little kid, he would tell me to slow the game down in everything I do, whether it be sports, school, work, ect.  I think that quote has got me where I am today in life, getting an education and playing division 1 baseball for a great program.

As I’m sitting on the runway looking out the window at the Las Vegas strip, I think to myself how grateful I really am.  Spending the last 48 hours of my life with my two best friends in the greatest city in the world could’nt have gone better.  Mike Choice wanted to spend his birthday in Vegas by going “all out” with expenses. 

We arrived in Vegas on Saturday afternoon to a man holding a sign up at baggage claim reading Micheal Choice, and all we could do is laugh.  A Crystler 300 stretch limo was wating for us outside ready to take us to the Palazzo where our suite was.  Us 3 hopped in the limo and cruised down the strip arriving at our hotel and went up to the 37th floor.  As we walk into the suite our jaws dropped with awe when there were steps leading into our room.

This strip view Bella Suite was the nicest place I have seen in my life.  Immediately we headed down to give Mike a tour of the city and then began gambling.  Mike had never been before so we wanted to show him around before he hit the black jack table, but he could’nt wait. 

As night settled in on the strip and the lights were flashing, we hit the room to get ready to go out.  Mike had a table reserved for us at the Bank Nightclub in the Bellagio hotel with full service all night.  “This was not cheap.”  HA.  Anyways, thats here nor there.  Lets just say that Saturday and Sunday were the best two nights that all 3 of us have had. We have that night forever with us and will look back on that many times in the future of our times together.

Vegas anyone? 

This weekend my roomate and I are heading to Vegas for Michael Choice’s 21st birthday.  Us three have been planning this weekend for over a year now and it finally has arrived. 

The way this all happened was a bit funny…to me at least.  Mike was just getting back from Arizona when he showed up at our apartment.  We had talked bout planning the trip when he got home, but what he was about to say was unexpected to say the least.

Mike quickly opened his laptop and began browsing airlines.  Within minutes he landed on Expedia and had 3 tickets to Las Vegas ready to be booked.  As Jordan and I were looking at each other wondering what was going on all I could think about was how was I going to afford this.  “Mike let us call our parents to see if we have the money for this real quick,” I said.  He quickly replied with confidence “I got this guys!” 

The smile that hit my face was uncontrolable as Jordan and I could not thank him enough.  The fact that Mike had just bought us both $300 plane tickets showed his friendship.  We were all best friends and about to head to VEGAS together!  Our dream has come true!

We will be staying in the Palazzo suites for Saturday and Sunday nights and coming home Monday morning.  (Geoff, this was not the way I planned on telling you that I will not be able to make class on Monday but I feel you would understand) ..Ha

The Texas Rangers were defeated by the San Fransisco Giants 4-1 in the World Series giving the Giants their first in over 50 years.  For the Rangers, they made history and turned a lot of heads rolling through the playoffs and into the world series.

If you were to tell me that the Rangers and Giants were going to be facing off in the World Series I would have laughed.  1999 was the last time Texas has made it to the post-season and just getting in is a success.  Getting past the Rays was great, but the Rangers didnt want to stop there.

The New York Yankees were in town for the ALCS and this had fans hopeless.  The Rangers had a great regular season against the Yankees, and it seemed they took their confidence with them to the playoffs.  Winning in 6 games against the Yankees was the first time the Rangers had made the World Series in franchise history.

Even though Texas came up short in the series, their season was no failure.  The way that the city of Arlington was behind their hometown team was like nothing else mattered.  Yes, it was new, but who cares they were in the World Series and we might of had some bandwagon fans. ha.

The Rangers will now enter offseason and begin preparing training and building a foundation for next season.  Hopefully our bullpen will pan out and we can make it back to the World Series in 2011.

The Texas Rangers have won their first ever playoff series in franchise history!  Taking the first two games in Tampa Bay seemed to look as if they were going to take care of business back home. This wasnt the case, the Rays came into Arlington and took two games from Texas. 

Game 5 was back in Tampa tonight and the battle of the aces, Cliff Lee against David Price.  The game was in the Rangers favor early with a 1-0 lead and then rolling from there.  Cliff Lee went the distance throwing all 9 innings with the win for Texas sending them back home.

The Rangers will host the New York Yankees in the American League Championship series.  This 7 game series should be very good bringing excitement to Arlington.  Home field advantage will hopefully change this series since they have not won a game at home yet.  CJ Wilson will get the ball in game one since Lee just threw tonight. 

Making the postseason is hard enough, now facing the Yankees will be a challege for the Rangers who seem ready to tackle it.  The Rangers swept the Yankees in their last meeting giving them the confidence they will need to advance to the World Series!

This fall I am working as a sports reporter for the UTA Shorthorn newspaper.  The experience so far has been very helpful and interesting.  I am learning new ways to write every time I start a new story. 

Interviews at first were a little interesting, I struggled with a few questions, what to ask and how to ask them.  Majoring in journalism defenitely helps me stay focused in my writing, in and out of the classroom.

With baseball practice running 20 hours a week, getting my sources and writing the stories take a little extra.  I am starting with one story a week for now until the womens basketball season gets going in November.  I am excited to take on the role of following a NCAA athletic program throughout their season.  Being an athlete and knowing the ups and downs during an entire season will be interesting seeing from a different perspective.

My editor Sam Morton has been nothing but helpful to me this semester.  He understands that baseball has me tied down most of the week, so he hasnt pushed anything as far as my deadlines.  Also, he has worked with me on how to self edit my papers before giving it to him, correcting common mistakes in a story.  After I graduate I would like to get in with Fox Sports or ESPN and do a little broadcasting, and then take my career into a column writer for ESPN the magazine or GQ.

Sunday was actually the day that made my weekend.  While most people sat at home watching football,( what I would normally be doing) my roomate Jordan and I took a trip up to Choctaw Casino in Durant, Ok.  I mentioned that I enjoy Vegas and like playing poker for a hobby, but I forgot to tell you I love winning. The hand was pocket aces (AA) on the button with a live straddle on the table.  This means that to see the flop you have to pay $4 instead of the normal $2 big blind.  After four or five people call the $4 straddle, I obviously raise $15 with my aces.  Everyone folds except the poor businessman who thinks he has a better hand than my rockets.  I started the day with $100 dollars and was down to about $70.  The flop comes out rainbow with a Queen high, which he bets into and then I follow with a smooth call.  The turn comes and it is a 10 of hearts and he immediately throws more money into the pot.  After a half of a second I push all my money to the middle of the table and he froze.  After thinking for a minute he calls my raise and the turn brings him nothing, he mucks his hand and I double up with a $140 dollar pot.  This specific hand brought luck to me the rest of the day as I sat for another half hour and walked away with $240.  Heading back to Arlington with an extra $140 was a great way to start my week.

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