[2 Aug 2012 | Comments Off on A fixed heart brings renewed energy to my life | ]
A fixed heart brings renewed energy to my life

Only a few days in one’s life are an obvious turning point, a defining and deeply impactful experience that you know will lead you down a new path.
When these experiences strike, you certainly hope that particular day is a fresh start rather than a dissent into a dark direction which you may not be able to escape.
Thanks to the fantastic doctors, nurses and staff at Missouri Baptist Arrhythmia Center, I’m quite confident that I will be soon returning to a normal life after going through a corrective heart procedure this …

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Parenting, Random, Uncategorized »

[8 Mar 2012 | Comments Off on Confessions of a weather freak | ]
Confessions of a weather freak

As I enjoy the final couple of legitimately cold days, most likely, for the St. Louis winter of 2012, I feel vast disappointment.
One of my favorite characteristics of the U.S. Midwest is

Random, Uncategorized »

[23 Feb 2012 | Comments Off on Blues City Deli: Oasis for good times | ]
Blues City Deli: Oasis for good times

If anyone has noticed the increasing prevalence of Blues City Deli stickers on vehicles around the St. Louis area, it can be easily explained: the place is wonderful.
While I think of BCD as a warm, inviting place where I can check out amazing musicians for free and drink hoppy beers for “keepin’-it-real” prices, it is really a combination of elements that sets this place apart from other establishments in our great city. St. Louis has a long, storied history of being a beacon that enables aspiring (or established) blues musicians …

MLB, Sports »

[11 Feb 2012 | Comments Off on Hamilton’s tale is flip side to Freese’s glory | ]
Hamilton’s tale is flip side to Freese’s glory

The date of 10.27.11 instantly reached legendary status for St. Louis Cardinals baseball fans. In fact, the heroics of David Freese seem to emerge in some form at least once per day around the St. Louis area.
Every time I see highlights of Freese’s improbable, clutch, two-out, two-strike ninth-inning triple and his game-winning home run at 11:39 CT in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, I think of one thing: Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton.
Hamilton’s life story is mind-boggling, and his travails during the …

Parenting »

[1 Jan 2011 | Comments Off on NYE 2010: Pure bliss turns to terror | ]
NYE 2010: Pure bliss turns to terror

The beginning of 2011 for my wife and I was an extreme example of a figurative pendulum swinging from pure bliss to sheer terror.
I suppose that is one of many ways to attempt and shed light on an evening that was full of New Year’s Eve freedom and frivolity, yet ended with a wretched encounter with a mad stranger who threatened to kill me and my family.
It is one those sudden circumstances that leaves you shocked, angry and beyond perplexed. But, ultimately, I have chosen relief. This wayward meeting could …

Parenting, Sports, Work »

[4 Nov 2010 | Comments Off on I am fully employed again … wow | ]
I am fully employed again … wow

Since my job lay-off in March of 2009, I have experienced numerous inquiries ranging from sincere empathy to casual questions regarding what my future plans are.
Of course, those first few months of unemployment were the most difficult, and, to some extent, worthy of some degree of compassion. But only because I had an eight-month-old baby at home when I lost my job, and I actually had really loved my position with Emmis Communications as Digital Brand Manager.
The fact that I was/am still young and very capable of working at an …