Who knew doormats could shoot?

Productive day. Just finished applying for 8 different coaching openings. Yeah, eight. And one other random job (for now) in the process. A process which has gotten really old. A different man might be battling severe depression in my current situation. But forget that, gotta keep on kickin'...

Sure, the Cubs got drubbed by the Diamondbacks today (13-5), which made part of the day go for naught; 'twas productive, nonetheless.

Last night: Basketball. I was hot. I mean, my shot was hot. You know, like, I shot really good and stuff (B.A. in English, folks...yikes). I've decided that I shoot decidedly better when I wear my orange Nikes--as opposed to my black Adidas' with the interchangeable color stripes. They're some ugly sneaks, but were free and as much as I like to look cool (read: attempt), I like raining Js better. So guess what I'll be rocking again tonight? Yup.

Moving on...I'd like to send a shout out to my good friend Britani Bruster. She's seriously the only person who lets me talk about me (about my ridiculous crushes on "forbidden girls"--her words--and otherwise). Sometimes, it's actually a little frustrating because she's stubborn and never wants to talk about herself--but that's an OK problem to have with a friend, I suppose. *chuckle*

My first song on here this time around is officially dedicated to all the people (girls in particular) who just like to rant on and on, after a quick hello to 'Derrick the Doormat' and don't even ask how I'm doing or what's up with me.

Don't get me wrong, I like being that guy who people/girls can go to with their problems. But seriously...always? I mean switch gears once in awhile at least, goodness. Or don't, it's whatever...

Funny thing: Most girls have NO idea they're even doing it--while they're doing it. So yeah, thanks Brit. :)

Whew. Sorry y'all. Soapbox section is now completed. In fact, been sidetracked by various conversations and whatnot, so this whole blog is now completed. Time to play some ball. Again. See you soon.

Fake right, go left, fade back, shoot the 3,
Derrick

Some stuff I like...

Howdy, y'all.

So...not sure how I've managed to never mention it before, but I am absolutely in love with the TV show Castle. It's officially my favorite show on TV--I recently moved it above 30 Rock and Family Guy. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out majorly. Give it a shot. Amazing stuff.


With that out of the way, on to some more of my favorite things. Well, people...

My favorite baseball and basketball players each made news this week.

Carlos Zambrano. Ace of the Cubs pitching staff has been moved to the bullpen. Since most my readers are not sports enthusiasts, I'll spare you--just know that this is a big deal to me. Normally viewed as a demotion, but hopefully it will help the club.

Joakim Noah. If you know anything about sports, chances are, you hate him. I couldn't care less. He's ugly as sin, but the dude is a winner--two traits I reckon we both share. *chuckle* He outworks anyone and everyone on the floor at all times, and he's not afraid to say what he thinks. I love it.


His latest comments were about the city of Cleveland, while playing the Cavaliers. He was asked his opinion of the city (not the team--we all know they're great), and he gave an honest answer, saying "It sucks."

He's annoying a whole city at the moment. So what? Few people in the country like him anyway. --excluding Florida Gator fans, people from New York City (where he grew up), people--especially girls--from France (where he's from)...and me.

The following is from the next day's press conference.


In case you're reading from a place in which you can't watch or listen to that clip:

When asked if getting booed bothered him.
Response: [Shakes head] "I was booed a lot. My whole life, I've been booed."

Then, asked if he regretted his Cleveland remarks.
Response: [Shakes head] "Not at all. [Pause] Do you like it? Do you think Cleveland's cool? I mean, I never heard anybody say 'I'm goin' to Cleveland on vacation.' What's so good about Cleveland?"

Hilarious.

Interesting week for some of my favorite things and people--so with nothing much else to discuss, thought I'd share...

Need a new sign-off,
Derrick

...it's hard to take a handout--and still feel like a man.

I'm back. Two nights in a row. It was a bland Friday night--but the Cubs won and there was lots of good stuff on TV tonight. *Sigh* I need a social life.

Actually, I'm pretty OK with my solitude most times... [Never thought I'd say that--I must be growing emotionally]... Or maybe people just bore me? That's got to be it. :)

Went for a run today--first time since my ankle injury. Got about 5 miles in. Felt surprisingly good until the last mile or so when my foot went numb. It happens. Shake it off and get back out there tomorrow--weather permitting.

With the ankle injury finally, almost, sort of, but not quite behind me, it's time to get back on the weight-loss trek. I've now gone 6 weeks without pop. Soda, if you prefer. Maybe that's part of the reason I didn't die running today? I miss it some, but still a long way to go...

Other habitual practices:

- I've done a really good job of not texting late at night since 2010 rolled around.
- I fell off the reading pace severely. In fact, I quit the book I was reading. It was good and I'll finish someday, but I think something fiction might pique my interest a bit more for now.

Tonight's task: Choose next book. *drumroll*

And the winner is: Hit and Run - Lawrence Block



I read Block's prequels to this one--Hit Man and Hit List--when I was in High School. The dude tells a compelling story. Owned this one for awhile, looking forward to cracking it open.

Runner up: Wild at Heart - John Eldredge



I've had this book for nearly 3 years. I read about 20 pages, but found it too difficult to get through--not because it has big words, but because of who gave it to me--my best friend. My goal is to suck it up, start anew and read it cover-to-cover once and for all before June 20 at 4:25 PM--which will be exactly 3 years after the date marked atop the handwritten letter that serves as its bookmark.

But first things first...a book about killing. How ironic is that? First, I'll read a book about people being killed. Then, a book about being saved. Neat, huh? *chuckle*

Do the right thing,
Derrick

PS--The title to this blog post [in case you don't have your speakers on or are viewing this from your phone] is a lyric from the newest song I've added to the blog--Easy to Love by Sons of William. Genius song. Love that line, too. Actually might not make a bad replacement title for my blog page itself. Hmm...

Have you not heard? It was my understanding that everyone had heard...

So the last two nights, I've stayed up much too late, watching baseball. Err, listening to [Vin Scully] talk. If you don't know who he is, you're missing out. Greatest. Broadcaster. Ever. No regrets. Ladies, if your voice sounded like Vin's, you'd never have to worry about a man listening to you ever again, guaranteed.

Also today (well, yesterday--it's after 2 AM now): Saw the girl my mom wants me to date again. *chuckles* That's going to be an annoying, yet recurring thought.
...but with no real prospects, the notion is at least entertaining--which is admittedly kind of lame.

Other nonsensical gibberish: Been thinking lately about changing the title of my blog. Not the title of each post, but the "...flip-flops and jump shots." part. I think it fits me, but I've also had it up since I first started this site and wondering if it's time for a change. Any suggestions?

Sports News:
- Had a game in Wichita on Wednesday. We lost. I haaaaate losing! Next game: Sunday, 4 PM. We will win. Period.

- Bulls made it to the playoffs. Yay!

- Cubs are still struggling to string wins together, but getting better.
...Marlon Byrd is a stud! In case you haven't heard, the Byrd is the word.



Keeping this one short, so I'll try and write again soon.

Do the right thing,
Derrick

Between Twitter and a liar.

I am not a fan of Twitter. You are more than welcome to try and change my mind; I will be optimistic. Again. If anyone out there is on Twitter and knows much about it, please explain to me how it's different than a simple Facebook status update. Because so far, that--and the fact that people follow celebs to try and feel cool--are the only things I know about it.

That said, I'm giving it another try in an effort to get my blog a little more circulation and may even post a status--err, tweet, from time to time. So if you're on Twitter, feel free to follow me on there. Otherwise, it could take me awhile to find you (trying to avoid stalkerish tone). I've provided a link to the right of this blog. I'll post links to this site on there and vice versa. In a related note: I love circular logic!



Annoying news: Came across Stephanie's wedding website the other night. Oops. Curiosity killed the dumb guy, too, as further research proved that Stephanie and her soon-to-be husband were actually dating during the time she was still talking to me about getting back together, saying she still loved me, and so on. I knew it was probably soon after--had no idea the time frames actually overlapped. How trifling is that?! As I told a dear friend earlier this evening, I honestly don't care. Don't miss the girl a bit, but...what motivates a girl to be such a bold-faced liar is beyond me. [Sigh] Oh well...

And girls, before you say anything--trust me, I know you're not all like that. I'm not the kind to lump you all together; no worries!

Here's where I take the high road, and quietly wish them well. And I do.

Other news:
- The Cubs won today! It was the Home Opener. Exciting game.
- Judging a High School forensics meet tomorrow. Absolutely no idea what I'm doing. Should be fun, although I'm a little nervous. Those poor kids...

Quote of the day:
"Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind." - Austin O'Malley

Do the right thing,
Derrick

A word to the wise...

In case you couldn't tell, I made some more changes to the site (again). I felt the last version was a little too dark, and with summer around the corner, thought I'd lighten it up a bit. Any thoughts? Share 'em.

For now, though, I'll just try and catch you up a bit on a few things that have happened since my last blog:

March 27: 3 on 3 tournament in McPherson went off without a hitch. My team lost in the semifinal to a team we'd already beaten--and we'd also beaten both teams who played in the Championship game. Needless to say, we coulda, shoulda, woulda...

April 1-2: Did some praying--and lots of it. I won't go into details here, but a scary situation involving a very good friend of mine...

April 2-4: Prayers seem to have been answered. Thank you, Jesus.

April 5: Cubs Opening Day! Easily my favorite day of the year. YAY!!
...3 hours later: Cubs lose, 16-5. I hate baseball.
...3 seconds later: I don't mean that.

April 7: Basketball game in a league in Wichita. Another win, now 2-0. I love winning.

April 8: Saw the girl my mom thinks I should date. Makes me laugh every time I see her. Not in conniving way--she's actually a terrific girl--just in an "Oh goodness, my mom has a legitimate opinion on my social life; I must have issues" kind of way.

Results from most recent poll:

Question: How did you meet me?
College: 5 votes (31%)
Other: 5 votes (31%)
High School: 2 votes (12%)
Basketball: 2 votes (12%)
Family: 1 vote (6%)
Through a friend: 1 vote (6%)

I dunno what to make of the five 'other' votes, but the 16 total votes is the most I've had on a poll so far. Shooting for 20+ votes on a poll one of these days.

Quote of the day:
"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." - Bill Cosby

Do the right thing,
Derrick