Days 3 & 4 - done

I did write on both days 3 and 4, but I'm not posting them in their entirety.  The keys from them:

• Day 3 
• I've had numerous reminders that God is in control of my life, and that I need to remember to turn to him.  I've known that.  I've seen that.  I need to continue to trust that he is directing my steps.
• Day 4
• I need to be emotionally intelligent (PMIMT seminar last Saturday was a timely reminder)
• When I'm emotionally hijacked, I'm not thinking clearly. I've had no tigers jump out at me to  cause the fight response that wells up.  I will be in control my emotions.
• James says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (James 1:19)
• Perhaps emotional intelligence isn't such a "new" idea

Day 2 - Kyle's 8 Fs

Just over a month ago, I was reading an e-mail from All Pro Dad with the subject "Are Your Priorities Reflected in Your Day to Day Life?"  The author was talking about sharing in a small group about what five things do you consider are most important in your life. And then, the follow up: What, in turn, takes up the majority of your time throughout the week?

It caused me to ponder.  Can I narrow down my goals list down to the most important things in a few words?  After rattling off the usual suspects, "Faith, family, friends..." I went to one of the big, empty whiteboards in my office to write them down. In doing so,  I also went down the alliteration rabbit hole, as all good points/illustrations/mnemonics should be catchy, right?

"Fitness, finances, flying."  That was six, but I put flying on there as it relates to a career goal, and I couldn't come up with a synonym for career or job that started with the letter "F."

In all of these things, I thought there should be elements of freedom and fun. And so, I ended up with my 8 Fs.  While it seem clever, at least memorable, it also made me think that on a traditional grading scale, Fs are not a good thing to see.  And, when I grade myself on prioritization of these items, I find myself noting various seasons where I've assigned that grade to my lack of prioritization...sometimes in multiple areas.

There have definitely been times where the order has been switched, and not in the healthiest of listings.  While always trying to keep the first two at the top, as the primary provider for my family, for me, finances have often fell right under family in the list.  That too often wiped out friends and fitness.

The goal, especially for the last ten years after going through FPU (there's a lot of "Fs" here), has been to free us from debt, so that we can have freedom and fun, both in the short and long term.  After financing my instrumental rating and commercial certificate prior to that course, it meant to me that I needed to put flying aside until I could pay for the CFI out of pocket; that came three years later.  That, to me, was worth delaying the pursuit to get my family closer to freedom.

Alas, the extra work required to try and meet those financial goals--which were delayed as life happens with a family of six--robbed one of my most important resources, time.  It not only robbed me of it, it robbed my family of it.  How does that grade out? 

And, when you try to work through frustration with multiple goals by working 90-100 hours a week, you get more Fs, the grade type, and less of the prioritized list for which you were working in the first place.  That's failure.

So, I have the current order above.  My goal is the keep the first three at the top, in the order listed.  The bottom three will switch around, but they cannot come above the top two, which are most dearest to me, faith and family.

Who am I?

After reading my wife's encouragement to others on Facebook to join her in a similar endeavor to her 100-day journaling project at jillriley.blogspot.com--one that I think is must-read material--I've been debating about doing just that.  I'm not sure that I'll make it entirely public.  In fact, I'm certain that I will not make it all public, perhaps certain days that might resonate with others.  And, being as how I've never been one to consistently journal, it will be a challenge to make it seven days, let alone a hundred.  However, I think introspection in written form would be very beneficial to me.  So, here's Day 1.

It's two weeks until my forty-fourth birthday (if I finish this in the next fifty-three minutes and thirty seconds).  That seems strange to write.  I've yet to feel like I'm a middle-aged man. I don't think I fit the complete caricature of Mike Myers' SNL skit, save some of his "super" powers and the gut (I'm working on it).  Oh, and when I have an injury, sports-related or otherwise, I've noticed it doesn't heal very quickly.  Nevertheless, time keeps on slippin'... (you're welcome for the Steve Miller Band ear worm).

But, the question that I've been pondering a lot over the past few years remains.  Who am I?

I can go with what I've listed for my Twitter profile: Pastor's husband to @ejillriley, proud father of a US airman & 3 teens, Montanan, CFI, play-by-play, project mgr, Mariners & Vikings fan. Working on patience.

That list is accurate, albeit incomplete, as far as describing me.  But, does it describe who I am?

I can list other descriptors/roles:  son, brother, friend, musician, extrovert, teacher, former board member, former coach.  But, does that say who I am?

"What do your friends say about you?"  Friendly, fun-loving, corny, kind, caring, romantic (read sappy), trustworthy, loyal, good work ethic, provides for his family, someone with a good memory, annoying game winner.  At least, I think that's what they say.

Oh, sure, I can go the Biblical route and proclaim that I am a child of God, a sinner saved by grace thanks to a salvific faith in Christ.  But, there are millions of others who can make that claim.  And, while I know I've been uniquely made, and given certain gifts and skills that I've used with varying degrees of success, I still question, "Who am I?"

I just opened up my list of goals that I first created on my 34th birthday.  Of the 21 that are currently listed, only one is crossed off, and that one came at great price.  I have one that definitely has been carried out over six of the past seven years, but I don't feel I can cross it off yet; I don't want it to be complete.  There are four or five others that are in process, but the rest? Well, I've got a long ways to go.  But, do my goals answer the question of who I am?

In light of recent history, I have been trying to determine the answer to this question.  I need to be able to answer this question.  I want to be able to readily share that answer and be able to say it confidently, as though the answer means something.

It's my current mission.

My 2015 State C Boys' All-Tournament Team

Well,

After calling all 12 games at the MHSA 2015 State C Boys' Basketball tournament for the NFHS Network, I had the privilege in voting all-tournament team.  For anyone who may be curious, here are my picks:

1.  MVP - Parker McCafferty, Belt
2.  Koltin Hagrouse, Belt
3.  Monte Cayko, Fairview
3.  Ben Hardy, Fairview
4.  Cooper Olson, Westby/Grenora
5.  Daulton Holecek, Westby/Grenora
6.  James Ramirez, Manhattan Christian 
7.  Luke Davison, Highwood
8.  Patrick Big Sam, Arlee 
9.  Tyler Tanner, Arlee
10.  Josh Smith, Northern Cheyenne

Honorable Mention: Paxton Maki, Belt; Pat Hardy, Fairview; David Keena, Manhattan Christian; Kevin Blanksma, Manhattan Christian; Jordan LaFontaine, Highwood; Taylor Bienvenue, Broadview/Lavina.

This weekend also wraps up my basketball broadcasts for the 2014-15 season.  Some interesting tidbits (well, at least to me):

• Tonight's championship game between Belt, who finished with a perfect 26-0 season after defeating Fairview 61-39, is the 435th documented basketball broadcast of my career.  This was the seventh Class C tilt (Boys-2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015; Girls-2005) I have had the privilege to call.  It's my twelfth basketball championship (three in AA (one color) and two in A), and 27th MHSA championship event: nine football (including one doing color), four volleyball and two wrestling finals.
• Tonight's consolation game, a great one between Westby/Grenora and Manhattan Christian that saw the Thunder beat the Eagles 60-57, was the 13th State consolation game I've broadcast.
• 26 of the 29 basketball games I called this year have been in the past three weeks (2/21-3/14).
• I added a 68th station and new state to my station list after calling first round GNAC Tournament action between Western Washington and Central Washington for AM1160 KPUG, Bellingham, WA.  I think I have two additional stations, one in ND and one in SD, but that's solely from memory, which is starting to fade.

Restart...?

<Sarcasm>Because I will have copious amounts of spare time this summer following broadcasting pursuits </Sarcasm>, I'm thinking of restarting posts on said blog.  Blogging is something I've never done with regularity, and from the number of posts listed to date, it's been infrequent at best.  Nevertheless, in a continuation of my personal exploration of various outlets for my thoughts, I've been pondering such.  This would be more for my amusement than for anyone else, but I'm always a sucker for feedback.  Thoughts?

That's all for now.

Emotive response to a fictional film

I'm still wrestling with a visceral response I had after seeing The Hunger Games this afternoon.  While I thought the film was extremely well acted and directed, I found myself becoming angrier with the premise of the "game" as the story continued.  I presume my response is what the author, director and actors wanted to elicit…or perhaps I hope it is.  

(Spoiler alert) The supposition of the story is nothing new. The occurrence of human killing for sport/entertainment goes back thousands of years. Throughout history, mankind has proven time and time again it can be exceedingly cruel, especially when displayed in its basest form.  And, yes, I realize this is fiction, and that the story is not new.  We’ve seen it retold numerous times in books or in Hollywood.  Yet, despite the countless hours of entertainment I’ve taken in over the years, I’ve not had this much sentiment over a film since after screening Schindler’s List in a packed-yet-silence theater.  But, Schinder’s List was recounting history. This is purely fiction. So, why such a response?

I believe it has to do with the fact that as celebrated as this movie and the book series have been, especially by the young, I was honestly surprised at the plot line.  I left wondering whether we as a society have become so desensitized to what's portrayed in entertainment that we do not stop to consider what's being presented. Specifically, do our youth truly understand what situations like this one with the “games” portray? 

My reaction is probably in part because my three daughters have read the book, after my discerning wife had already read the book.  As even our youngest has an advanced reading level, I feel confident they adequately comprehended the story.  In fact, as I've yet to read the book, they probably understand the nuances of the narrative better than me.  But, did they see the big picture?

My girls all thought it was a great book, and the two oldest enjoyed the movie.  When they asked me what I thought of the movie, I shared that I thought it was an intense, well presented story.  I was drawn into this intriguing story this afternoon.  While I didn't tell them this, know that I was rooting for the protagonist, along with the rest of the audience, although I was hoping she’d take out the President or one of the other game organizers with an arrow…but I digress.    But, I did share with them that I was a bit conflicted that the hype over the film might allow them to overlook the serious overtones of the story.  I wanted them to consider with me what the “game” was portraying.  It felt good to dialogue with them about it.

Now, please don’t read this as a call for censorship against the book or movie.  I may well—in my copious amounts of spare time—read this book and the rest in the series.  Additionally, I’ll be the first to admit that claiming entertainment is desensitizing our society to mankind’s ills is a slippery slope argument.  But, it was to that point that I wanted to converse with my kids about my thoughts and theirs.  That was probably the best outcome of the experience.

My 2012 Boys' State C All-Tourney Team Ballot

Well, I just finished announcing nine of the twelve games in the 2012 State Class C Boys' Basketball Tournament from MetraPark in Billings.  Overall, it was a fun tourney to watch as well as to call.  It was enjoyable to see basketball return to Montana's largest venue, this being the first state tournament, and only the second tourney overall, since the 2010 Father's Day tornado wreaked havoc on the arena roof.   

The overall crowds were down this year from those of Class C tournaments past.  Our "guesstimate" in the radio press box was 5500-6000 tonight, as opposed to the 8000-9000 that have packed the Metra on Saturday nights of yore.  Speaking of press box, I do have a few suggestions for the press box redux: more electrical outlets, new chairs, let radio down on the floor...please. :)  While it would have been very cool to see a new hardwood surface, rather than the repainted original, the subtle differences in the acoustics and the added amenities on the concourse were appreciated. 

I was surprised by how physical the play was this year, and how much the officials allowed play of such nature to continue.  That, by the way, is not a slam.  I thought the officials did a fine job throughout the tournament; I hold high respect for anyone who is willing to do their job while getting yelled at by spectators, coaches and players alike.

The best game played was the semifinal on Friday night between Fairview and Twin Bridges.  It was a “rematch” of the State C 8-man Football title game, which the gents from Southwestern Montana won 44-28.  The battle on the hardwood went to overtime, with the Warriors avenging their gridiron loss, outlasting the Falcons, 63-55.  It would have been great to see that as the matchup for the championship, but the bracket prevented such.  Twin Bridges proved in the consolation game tonight--they beat formerly top-ranked St. Labre 84-61-- that they were the second best team in the tournament. 

As a member of the media covering the tournament, I was asked to submit a ballot for the "All-Tourney" team. After taking a bit of time to review, I've narrowed/ winnowed/pared it down, but I had to add an "honorable mention" section.  That said, I still had a hard time not expanding my ballot to 12, as is normally found on a tournament roster.  

Here's my ballot for the State C Boys' all-tourney team.

MVP: Tim Hurley, Fairview

2. Brock Schriver, Fairview

3. Nick Willis, Highwood

4. Cole Miotke, Twin Bridges

5. Tyler Lott, Twin Bridges

6. Jeff Robinson, St. Labre

7. Justin Stevens, Big Sandy

8. Kyle Wilson, Melstone

9. Cole Robinson, Saco-Whitewater

10. Travis Tammaro, Noxon

Honorable mention: Cody Vitt and Justin Bieber, Fairview; Cody Pierson

(really, really close to the top ten in my book) and Jory Chrest, Twin

Bridges; Grant Christopherson and Jace Anderson, Saco-Whitewater; Ty

Emerson and Chauncey Foote, St. Labre; Nick Nelson, Melstone; Banks

Stocking, Noxon; Sam Davison, Austin Malek and Darren Malek (for his

moxie), Highwood.

Postscript: My thanks to John and Jo Ann at KBEV in Dillon; Stan at KLTZ in Glasgow, and Mark at KTHC in Sidney for allowing me to cover the games for their stations.  A big shout out to my engineers (board operators) for keeping us on the air: Dave and Linda at KBEV, Mary and Matthew at KLTZ and Mark and Cody at KTHC.  And, special thanks to Joey Taylor for helping with color commentary, Bob Rittierodt for the use of his extra gear, Rocky Erickson for letting me sit in with him a few quarters, and my dad Dave for his color on Friday night and a great job on the sidelines on Saturday night.