James family Tradition!

  One of the traditions that we have as a James family for Christmas Eve is called our "Memories"  each year we are to submitt a page for our memory book.  Each of us has our own book and we distribute copies to everyone of our paper.  We have done this for about 10 years.  With 4 kids, spouses, grandkids and Mom & Dad that has translated into a fairly large book.  One that I am sure we will keep for years to come.  This year I went back and read some of the highs an lows out family has had over those 10 years.  It was funny, sad and well worth the time. 
  Anyways this year our theme was your favorite toy.  I challenge each of you to post a comment of what your favorite was.  Here is my list of favoite toys from my 2009 Memory.

Memory 2009

By Greg James

My Favorite Toys

This year we were asked to share what our favorite toys were growing up. There were a few toys that I can remember as a kid. We had a pretty awesome toy box that was made to look like a box car. I can remember the sand box that Grandpa James built for us and then it later turned into the East side of the house. We had a cool tire sunk in the ground that we could climb on and pee into. I still have lots of baseball cards, but those did not make it on my list of my favorite toys. What did? Well here goes:

#3 Baseball Gloves; I can remember owning 3 different gloves growing up. My first was the small type for peewee and then I graduated to a larger glove that I think I used until I was 14 or 15. After that I “earned” a new Mizuno glove from Uncle Terry. I got to pick it out and I cherished that thing. I would rub it down at least twice a year. I still own that glove to this day.

#2Green Nerf Ball; this toy did not last long, but I enjoyed it. It was squishy and I could throw it in the house. Dad would never catch me because he could not hear it hit things. The dog eventually found it and tore it to pieces, but before that I had my good use from it. I set up my own imaginary games in my room. If the ball hit this target then it was a double or out depending. I kept the stats and had my own league. That was until dad found my stats I had left lying around and he trashed them. I loved “playing” those games.

#1 Strat-o-matic; my number one favorite toy was my strat games. I purchased these games with my own money when I was about 1o years old. I first bought baseball, football and later basketball. After my mission I got the Hockey version. Since then I have purchased more recent cards and I even have baseball for my computer. I loved this game because I could play it solitaire or with my friends. In seventh grade we set up a football league with a bunch of my friends. After school they would come over and play the games. I was the Philadelphia Eagles because Scott Wright wanted the Cowboys. Of course we kept the stats and would “publish” them for everyone to see. I only allowed 7 points in our season and that was the run back of my first kick off. Kevin Olson and I played numerous basketball tournaments. At Inkley’s we played hockey in the break room at lunch. I think I treasured those games more than anything.

It is funny that I know I had numerous more toys growing up. I am sure there are plenty that Mom and Dad suffered over at Christmas time, but the most simple and practical are the ones I remember the most.

Flapping wings of the butterfly......blow over the game ball!

The butterfly effect is a term used in Chaos Theory to describe how tiny variations can affect giant systems, and complex systems, like weather patterns. The term butterfly effect was applied in Chaos Theory to suggest that the wing movements of a butterfly might have significant repercussions on wind strength and movements throughout the weather systems of the world, and theoretically, could cause tornadoes halfway around the world.

    Qouted direct from the pages of the wikipedia file.  Some of you are wondering how I knew that an encyclopedia acutally existed, but yes I do know how to copy a research paper with the best of them.  Today this post will explain why I firmly believe in the "Butterfly Effect" in my life.  I firmly know without a doubt that the actions that I take can and do effect the results that my team has on the field and court.  The Cowboys have not lost a game this year when my flag has been flying at least a day in advance.  Therefore as we enter the second week of the playoffs, my flag will proudly fly in it's stand.  Go Cowboys!!

  Being a baseball player I have had many superstioions around the game and I have carried a few of them over into my life.  My alarm is set for an odd time 5:26, not the normal 5:30 or what not.  When I watch my teams play if they are doing well I need to stay in the spot I am in, no shifting, no changing the channel.  When I coach if our pitcher is throwing well I stay leaning against that fence in the spot.  When he is irratic I move.  I need the mojo.  Coaching at the base I believe in being in front of the base when a runner is coming to my base.  It gives the umpire the illusion that the base is closer, thus more of a chance of being safe.  I was not until this year that I purchased logo shirts of my teams, because I believed it was bad luck to wear them.  At the gas station I stop the flow in odd numbers.  What I do really matters. 

   Some of you will say I am nuts, but it works.  Next time you need the light to change at a stop light, adjust your feet.  It will work.  If it doesn't do it again.  Trick is not to let anyone know that you are doing it.  So next time you see a hockey player with half his jersey hanging out or a flag flying at the James home, please remember the Butterfly Effect,  the wings of the butterfly flapping in Mongolia will turn into a tornado in Kansas, or a Dodger win!!! 

Go Cowboys!!!

  I have been told,  and being the begining of the year maybe I should listen.  Usaually we like to step back and think about things we would like to change about ourselves this time of year.  Weight loss, stop drinking Coke, stop swearing, get better control of our finances.  You know all of the usual stuff.  It becomes an annual tradition and almost a joke.  How long can you keep up the "revolutions" as Kolbie calls them.   In all truth aren't they really revolutions.  How many times do we go round and round with the same goals and expectations only to loose focus after 3 or 4 weeks.  Can I do it?  Can I keep it up for more than 17% of the year 2010?  I am not going to do it.  I love myself already, no changes will be made in 2010.... except for my weight, drinking less coke, and my finances need some controling. 
BUT, this brings about my subject for the day.  I was told, in a small voice something much more important.  My life is full of ups and downs.  Mostly in the emotional things.  Sometimes I feel very outgoing and entergetic and other times not so much.  I need to admit that lately not so much.  I find myself sitting at the the back of church wondering why I do not talk to anyone or where my "fun self" has gone.  Then I look around at everyone else and you know what I see?  Lots of other people thinking the same thing.  I can tell, they sit on the bench and shake someones hand and say hi, but that is it.  Where have we all gone?
I am not part of the "in" crowd, Once I was part of the "vikings", (rape, pillage and plunder), not a great club for a bunch of missionaries though huh?  Today I find myself watching from a far.  My wife does not feel as comfortable around big crowds, so I stay away.    I don't blame her sometimes.  Just the energy of trying to remember who is friends with who and what I can say to them makes my head spin.  Chris struggles with his friends lots and I worry about what it does to him.  This year I shift my expectations to myself.  I could care less if you like me or not.  I am me, so just get over it. 

As for my resolutions.  That small voice said "why do you have to be so mean?"  Can I be nicer?  I am going to try it.  Just don't drink my Coke!