If you are a basketball official you definitely want to be working in March. Officials know that there are three “seasons” within a season – the pre-season / non-conference play in November and December, the regular season / conference play in January and February, and the post-season / playoffs in March.

So, while the travel is crazy for me the next couple of weeks, I am definitely happy to be working. I’m at UTSA tomorrow – but unfortunately not one of their games like the one the photo shows! I have Taft vs Reagan – two local San Antonio schools in a 5A matchup that will hopefully pack the gym! Then Wednesday I have my last regular season college game at Blinn Junior College, right near my parents house, so hopefully they can make it out or at least I’ll be able to stop by and visit them before my game.

Thursday I’m headed to Abilene for the 5A Boys Regional and coming back Saturday night. They are not reimbursing for flights, so we are driving up there! Fortunately I’m riding up with two of my good friends, so I am really looking forward to it.

Next week I head up to Oklahoma City for the NCCAA Division II tournament. Yes, you read that right — two “C’s”. It’s the National Christian College Athletic Association. It’s the first time that I have worked this tournament and I’m also good friends with several of the guys that are going, so it should be a fun time! I’ll be up there all week – through Sunday – working one or two games a day and most likely pounding away on my laptop the rest of the time catching up on some programming work!

While I am very happy to be working in March, I am going to be grateful for when April gets here! Carrie’s work has kept her very busy lately, so we are both looking forward to relaxing and spending some time together. And, of course, doing that whole wedding/honeymoon thing too!!!

Filed under: Officiating
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Carrie’s long-time friend Laura stopped by Thursday night for a short visit, after seeing her parents in Dallas and another friend in San Antonio (she lives in Little Rock). Laura and I got started with some margaritas at Berryhill and Carrie joined us shortly afterwards (actually getting home from work before 8pm one night – amazing!!!)

Madlenka (aka “Mag” or “Linky”), Carrie, and Laura

It was great to get to hang out with Laura some (I had only met her once previously) – she is so much fun! We enjoyed the time catching up over drinks and then dinner at Grotto’s (one of Carrie’s faves!).

For about the past two weeks I’ve either had a game, been out of town, or both! And Carrie has been working like crazy – including today, Saturday, when she is actually working in her downtown office!! So, Laura’s visit definitely a bright spot in the week for both of us! Thanks Laura!

Filed under: Personal
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It does seem hard to believe – but here it is… 33!

Wow.

I have to say that I’m definitely enjoying my 30s – much more than any other time in my life! There’s so much going on in my life today that I am thankful for… great friends and family… Carrie and our upcoming wedding… my business pursuits… officiating… and a lot more!

I’m sitting here in Greensboro, North Carolina tonight – about to call it a night after staying up and reaching my birthday – for both Eastern and Central time zones! We’re meeting with the ACC tomorrow and hopefully will return home with a new contract! They called us last week and wanted to meet on a Monday in February – and tomorrow is pretty much the only day that would work. Besides, the sooner we meet with them, the sooner we can seal the deal!

So, I had to finish up a little work and get ready for our presentation for tomorrow – but now it is definitely time for bed, as our meeting is at 9am (for those of you that are on a regular work schedule rather than my stay-up-late-sleep-in schedule, that would be like getting up at 3–4am for some of you! )

I’m happy to be spending my 33rd birthday doing something that I love… and I’ll be back in Houston tomorrow late afternoon – in plenty of time to do a little celebrating when I get home – hopefully for personal and business reasons!

Filed under: Business, Personal
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I’ve always loved Drew Barrymore, so when I saw My Date with Drew listed on the pay-per-view movies on DirecTV I did something I had never done before – ordered it!

Filmed in a documentary style, the movie is somewhat corny, somewhat cheesy, but definitely funny and endearing! With only $1100 in budget – won from a game show where “Drew Barrymore” was the final answer – Brian sets out to get a date with Drew in 30 days. Why 30 days? Because that’s the amount of time they have before they have to return the video camera to Circuit City! LOL

If you want to see something completely different that is funny and entertaining, do yourself a favor and go see this movie!

Filed under: Personal
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Tara has been raving about these $20 sit-n-goes at PokerStars. They are really more like a small tournament – with 180 people starting off!

I took 3rd last night in the second one that I have ever played, for a nice $428!! Thanks – my poker bankroll needed that!

I went out with Ace-Jack when the board came with an Ace and all diamonds, of which I had none. I bet and got called, then bet the turn, which wasn’t a diamond and got reraised all-in. I called and he showed K7 of diamonds – also know as the NUTS! Oops!

The HLPD (Harper’s Landing Poker Degenerates) analyzed the hand history and all agree that I misplayed the hand – not raising pre-flop and not seeing a few red flags when my bet on the flop was flat called. That is the great thing about No Limit Hold ‘Em – one mistake and you are done! Fortunately this time I allowed 177 people to make their mistakes before I made mine!

Filed under: Poker
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