Goodbye, 2013!

In just a few short hours, 2013 will be nothing but a page in the history books. I guess like most years, you could say it was a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of good in 2013. I got to erase a few names from my interview bucket list. Got to talk and do stories on Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire – two of my all-time favorites. One day, I found myself at the home of Vince Gill and then, an hour and a half later, Steve Wariner. Talk about an unforgettable day! The job took me to some pretty cool places – Vegas to cover the ACM’s, Oklahoma to see Roy Clark on the 4th of July, back to Vegas to see Faith and Tim, and Chicago to see Trace Adkins. I consider myself to be very blessed to get to do what I do. As someone who kept to himself in his bedroom reading Country history books and Billboard Magazine – I am humbled and don’t take one day, one trip, one single interview for granted. I love what I do. I need music in the same way I need oxygen. That sounds like a dramatic statement, but it’s the truth. To be able to communicate my love of it – whether it be through writing about it, talking about it on the air, or a simple conversation, I consider that to be the one thing I know that I know how to do. There’s others that are better, but nobody loves what they do anymore. I have also been able to keep in close contact with a lot of my friends in 2013, and to even develop a few more friendships. That’s not an easy thing for me, given my tendency to shy away and be a loner, but I am glad I have done it when I have. 

On the flip side, there’s been the health. Seven days in a hospital in May / June was not how I planned to spend CMA Fest Week. And, I have nobody I can pin that on other than myself. I had to look at myself in the mirror over that one. There were reasons, sure, but I realized – or am still realizing that depression is something that I am going to have to deal with until I have front row seats to the George Jones / Conway Twitty / Patsy Cline show. One thing I have learned is that I’m not the only one. So many of you deal with your own issues, and as the old song says, “Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days Are Stone.” The only way I am going to stick this thing out, and come out on the other side – is by taking care of myself. And, I’m trying. It’s day by day. But, the good outweighs the bad. 

So, 2014. It’s human nature this time of year to say “I’m going to do this differently. I resolve to do this more or do this less.” But, by January 15 – we’re usually back to who we are. I HOPE I can get ahead a little bit financially. Though, you do what you have to do to get through with each day – whether Dave Ramsey agrees or not. I HOPE I can be a little more positive and forward in my thinking – though I tend to curl up like a ball sometimes if the least thing goes wrong. I will tell you that just like 2013, I plan on working – a lot. I hope I write as much next year as I did last year. I want to knock a few more names off my “Dream Interviews” list. I hope that my job (s) will allow me to travel more. There’s still nineteen states I haven’t visited. And – I haven’t been to Southern California since 2005.....or Dallas – except for a layover since 1998. I plan on trying to take advantage of every career possibility I am presented with that I can do...and I want to grow as a Christian. 2013 was one of growth for me. I have learned that God has a way, and if you trust in him, it will all be okay. Would love to fall in love again in 2014....(or heck, 2013 – there’s still a few hours left), but that’s actually not something you can control. It just “happens.” I don’t understand why it’s slower for me to happen than others, but I guess it will be worth it in the end. Not going to swear off Chinese food – totally, though I have cut down, the Dallas Cowboys, or anything like that.....Plan on trying to be a better person, son, father, pet owner, “Dallas” watcher than I was this year – and that’s all I can promise.....Hope all of you have a great New Years!......See you in ‘14!

Just A Request.....

..Over the past four years that I have written this blog, I have probably been guilty at times of writing a little too much. From losing a job to going through a divorce, I do tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. This is one of those nights. 

Whenever I have gotten down – about whatever, I have always been able to hit the road and try to outrun whatever it was that was bothering me. That might mean a trip to Denny’s to work and people watch, a trip to the record store,or just a run to Dollar General (Hey, I live in Centerville. The options aren’t plentiful past 8pm), 

But, for the month of December, it’s going to be a little bit different. Tomorrow, barring something unforseen, I will be going into a couple of walking casts. That’s due to a couple of spots I have on my feet that just won’t heal. We’ve tried a lot of things over the past few months, and this is something that was advised to me a couple of months ago. So, as I said – barring something I’m not expecting – I will be in walking casts for the month of December. I will still be able to get around, just no driving.

 Those last three words are the ones I have a problem with. There’s a part of me that wants to chicken out tomorrow, but there are many of you that would kick my backside if I did that, and with a busy 2014 around the corner, I want to get it taken care of so I can get around as good as I can. It’s for the best, but I am a little scared, to be honest.

 Scared of what? If the walls of this house get a little lonely - or the ghosts talk a little loud – I could always just say ‘To heck with it. I’ll go to Walmart.’ Having to plan things out a bit is going to be rough. Though, I will say, many have offered to get me where I need to get to. And, there are actually a couple of trips on the calendar for the month, so it’s going to be alright. I hate that I am probably going to miss some Christmas celebrations / parties, but the trade is worth it. It’s got to get better. I love my life and my job too much to do them at 45%.

 I do want to ask that you keep me in your prayers over the next few weeks. Hopefully by 2014, things will be back to normal. I can imagine that there will be a few more blog posts this month, so please indulge me. But, as someone who fights depression, this is going to be a little bit tough of a month. However, this is my chance to handle things in a different way than before, and maybe being still – or a little more still – for a few weeks will be a good thing. We will see. God is good, and he has plans for me that I have no idea about, so it’s time to trust. So, if you want to invite me out at night to ride around and look at Christmas lights, I might take you up on it....and some Nuts and Bolts....AKA Chex mix.....wouldn’t be sneezed at, either! In all seriousness, thanks for your support!