31 Years....

Ya know, I never thought I'd be 31.  Yes, 31.  I mean...you're like a...real grown up.  That is something.  It really is.  I am really happy to be alive and too have seen all that I have in these years.  It has been a journey and I am so forunate due to it.  I want to thank God for allowing me to live this long, and pray I have a many more left. 

Happy Birthday Homie,

Self.

Random Tangent

Have you ever met a person and thought to yourself, "Man, he/she has some issues"? I know you have...hell; we all have at one point or another. The reason I asked the question is this: What if it were you that had said “issues” and the world could see you wearing it as a jacket, how would you feel? How would you respond?

Dwayne L.

Heartbreak

It's over.  It's really over.  My Cavaliers are....eliminated.  Unless you are a die hard sports fan, you cannot understand what a big game loss means.  Or better yet, the feeling one has inside when it occurs.  For me, I handle said games not very well.  I can't watch ESPN or read anything online...for at least a few days, and I guess its because I don't want to hear the over-excessive obvious opinions; My team lost, and why it happened.  Being that I am always in tune with my team(s), so listening and reading various talking heads' opinions about what transpired the night before, just doesn't do it for me. 

I need to be alone.  I need to grieve.  I need to heal.  And time can only heal those wounds.  Yes, I am a MAJOR LeBron fan and I know he didn't play his best, but what we all tend to forget about these athletes is that they are human.  They make mistakes and unlike us, they do THEIR jobs in front of millions.  When was the last time you had 20,000 people sitting in your office, and a few million at home, watching you work?  Regardless, I love my teams and when nights like last night occur, it really takes something out of you.  If i'm not mistaken, the game last night ended somewhere near 11pm, yet, I was up to nearly 8 this morning because I could not wrap my head around anything other than the Cavaliers.  Why they lost, what the plane ride back to Cleveland was like, what's LeBron going to do, did they fire Mike Brown already?  Those were just a few of the kajillion questions posed to myself as the game drew to an end and throughout the rest of the night. 

I am heartbroken, but I also know there is a tomorrow.  Now, will be a little different if say....King James leaves?  Yes, it will be, but I love LeBron and the Cavs, and that will never change.  I hate this feeling.  I hate the Television/Newspaper/Internet boycotts of all things Sport.  In a way, I guess I'm just like the athletes I cheer for;  I boycott all forms of media when we (like I play for the team) lose, I can't sleep or eat, and for some odd ass reason, like an athlete, after the hurt melts away, I become more and more driven to cheer them to victory (while they become more driven to win).  I have been called alot of things, but I've never not been called a real, true fan.  And that will never change.  I am in so much pain right now, but believe me, when the season starts in October, i'll be right there ordering the NBA League Pass, and building up to either another heartbreak or jubilation...either way, i'm always there.

Dwayne L.  

Dakota Alexandra

Hi Dakota, it's Daddy.  I just wanted to take the opportunity to say that I am looking forward to helping raise you and making life as wonderful for you as I can.  I apologize for not being there the moment you were born, but so many crazy things happened and sometimes you have to play the hand you were dealt. 

 Me and your mommy will do all that we can to love, nurture and guide you.  That I promise you.  I've only been fortunate to see you via pictures and webcam, but believe me, you are beautiful and I am looking forward to holding you in my arms.  Oh, you have a big sister.  She's 7, almost 8, lives in Maryland and is pretty awesome if I must say so myself.  She's excited to meet you and she will be a wonderful role model for you to emulate (her, and your other sister's as well.) I know this is kinda corny, but I just wanted to say hello, I love you, and I can't wait to see you.  This thing called life is one helluva ride, and I promise you will be prepared for it.  Well, I will see you in two weeks and from there, we will crete a bond unlike any other. 

Be good to and for mommy,

Daddy

A Letter To The King.

Dear LeBron: How are you family? I know you've better days, but the time has come to shut up all of the naysayers. Throughout these playoffs, you've struggled and dominated, but it wasn't with the consist flare and swagger we've all come to expect. You were right about one thing; everyone is allowed an off night, but this is so much bigger than just that. You have an entire basketball team, organization, city, and league on your shoulders tonite, but as the tattoo on your back states, you are the "Chosen One" and tonite's the night to let the world know it.

I couldn't in a kajillion years, try to understand what you've gone through since you walked off the court on Tuesday night. The questions about your impending free-agency, heart, team chemistry, and the city of Cleveland, to name a few, has to taxing. But you can silence it all tonite. With a game for the ages...sort of like Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit 3 years ago, when you went "48 Special" on 'em, and shut the world up. I know you have another game like that in you, I'm just praying it's tonite. I wish you the best LeBron, and no matter what happens tonite win or lose (Please let it be a win), you will always have a "Witness" in me.

Dwayne L.