Hello Arizona!!

Graduation is creeping closer and closer. With less than 3 weeks until graduation, it is hard to finish getting things together, projects, finals, etc.

But it is a little easier since I have a little stress off. I have recently accepted a position with the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, AZ. Yes, that's right Arizona. Now that I have a job, that worry is gone. The only problem now is getting everything packed, finding an apartment and finishing school.

But it will all be worth it. I am excited about the chance to experience new things. I have yet to move away from home. However, it is time for me to break away.

Today's Path: Bouncy Ball

Tonight my brother and I decided to enjoy the nice weather. We played one of our favorite games, "Bouncy Ball."

About 2 or 3 summers ago, my brothers and I were enjoying our new trampoline, and we were getting bored with just jumping. Our love for baseball and being outside got our creative juices flowing.

We created the game “Bouncy Ball.”

It’s very simple. It is a mix of jumping on the trampoline and baseball.

You need at least 3 people, a trampoline, a tee ball bat, a tennis ball and a decent sized yard.

Each person is their own team. One person is the pitcher, one the batter and one the catcher.

The rules are very flexible and can be changed depending on who is the least favorite at the time. For example my younger brother has to get the ball no matter what fence it goes over.

So now the basics.

As the batter jumps on the trampoline, holding the tee ball bat, the pitcher pitches the ball to the catcher over the trampoline. The trampoline is the plate. If it goes over the plate in front of the batter it is a fair ball.

The batter has to hit the ball while in air or in the process of jumping.

In our yard, the ball has to stay in the yard and not be caught before it hits the ground for it to be a hit. Over the fence and a catch is an out. Three outs and the batters out.

Three strike rule also applies. Swings and/or good pitches are strikes. Sometimes it is good to have an umpire. The best and safest view is from a deck above the playing field.

**Caution** Jumping while holding a baseball bat is dangerous. Play at your risk!!!

I will try and get a few pictures of us playing put up here soon.

Today's Path: Seven Things in Seven Days

It has been exactly one week since I have had Internet connection at my house. In that one week so many, many things have happened.

1. I turned 21.
2. We had an earthquake.
3. I was offered a job at UAT.
4. I accepted the job with UAT.
5. I had to give Peanut back to her family.
6. I celebrated my 21st many times.
7. I realized what great friends I have.

Seven things in seven days. And none of which I could post about because I had zero Internet at night when I enjoy writing.

Well there is the quick run down, but I have to go.

I am going to die!!!

That is exactly what I thought was going to happen Thursday afternoon for about 5 seconds.

On my way to Phoenix, Thursday afternoon we had to fly around a few thunderstorms on our way to Kansas City. It was a rough ride, but we made it. The Captain required the flight attendants to stay seated the entire flight.

Usually, as the plane starts its decent the flight attendants come around and tells everyone to turn off all electronic devices and the such. This trip they didn't.

I fell asleep, as I usually do on a flight. I woke up right before we landed. My seat was window seat, so I woke up as we were a mere feet from the ground. All I could think was, "We're crashing, and I am going to die."

Well I survived to make it to Phoenix and back all in one piece.

Today's Path: The Universe and Numbers

Today, as I was sitting down to post, I realized this is my 100th post. Yes, that's right. In a little over a year I have posted now 100 times. Wow!! I didn't think I was close to 100 yet. But what makes this even more crazy is that I was going to post about numbers. Creepy how the universe works.

Now for my post...

If you have talked with me in the past, oh let's say, 4 months, I probably have mentioned that my birthday is coming up. For any of you that missed that, my birthday is on April 14th. However, that is somewhat besides the point.

Last night started my birthday celebration. (I try and carry it out as long as I can. It's just more fun that way.) I went to the movies with my friend Ryan. We saw 21 at the Great Escape Theater. The movie was great. But there kept appearing these numbers that had to do with my birthday.

Try and follow me here. The first one isn't that big of a deal because I knew it before we went. On my birthday I will turn 21 and the name of the movie is 21. Yeah, I know big deal. But once we handed our tickets to the usher he said, "Screen 14 on to the right." Screen 14?!?! If you remember, my birthday is on the 14th. Coincidence? I think not.

During the movie there were at least 3 incidences where the numbers 4 and 14 appeared together. 4/14? My birthday.

I just think it is so cool how the universe works sometimes. Oh, also, if anyone wants to go to Vegas, I know how to count cards now if you want to make some money.

Here is the trailer for 21 if you are interested...

Today's Path: Are You Meeting Life's Challenge?

"Life Is A Challenge - Meet It! Life Is A Song - Sing It! Life Is A Dream - Realize It! Life Is A Game - Play It! Life Is Love - Enjoy It!"

~ Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, 'Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams.' Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it, and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, 'How good or how bad am I?' That's where courage comes in."

~ Erma Louise Bombeck

"A dream can be nurtured over years and years and then flourish rapidly. . . . Be patient. It will happen for you. Sooner or later, life will get weary of beating on you and holding the door shut on you, and then it will let you in and throw you a real party!"

~ Les(ter Louis) Brown

Contrary to what it may seem the past few posts, I am not trying to become the quote queen. I am sure there is someone else who has far surpassed me on the quote quota. But to the real post...

It always seems to amaze me how many people will say they want to do or be one thing, but as you watch them you don't see them achieve it. It's not their intentions were that it wasn't what they truly wanted. They didn't take the dream or goal by the horns and dig in.

Life and dreams are meant to be successful. But like anything else you get out of it what you put into it. If you are always on the sidelines watching others do things you want to do, you won't have the feeling of I accomplished something today or this week or this year.

Maybe it's the fact that I enjoy knowing that I did something I wanted to do. Maybe it's that I had fun doing it or I learned something from it?

It takes more than just saying "I have a dream." The great Martin Luther King, Jr. took his dream held it up for the world to see. He made the world hold him accountable to his dream.

Who's holding you accountable? Is it your children? Even when you think they are in bed asleep, they listen to you. There were nights I acted as if I were asleep just to hear what was going on.

Is it your friends? People listen at the strangest times. When I was interning with KMOX, I had said something once in passing about wanting to ride and ostrich. The one statement spurred conversations for two weeks about what people wanted to do.

Is it you? Do you look back and see what you wanted to do and see if you are any closer to doing it than when you said it?

Hold your hand to the fire. Bite the bullet and do it. Honestly, what is there to loose? At the end of the day, it you still have your name then you have come out ahead.

Good luck in all your goals and dreams!! Accomplish them because you never know who is holding you accountable!

Peace and happiness,

~Lane J~

Free Advertising and a New Slogan will Make Me Better, right?

Name the company (a few of these are local, some may be the same company):

1. Mmmmm...toasty!
2. Freaky fast, freaky good.
3. We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities
4. More than Y more than Z
5. Your momma wants you to eat here
6. Like a good neighbor
7. The Voice of St. Louis
8. St. Louis moves with us
9. Expect more pay less

And an easy one
10. I'm Lovin' it

How many do you think you got right? The reason behind this is because there is one specifically that just bugs me...It just doesn't seem to me that you would use it because it is free advertising for two of their largest competitors. And there's another that at one point I was confused on what the slogan really was.

The answers:

1. Quizno's
2. Jimmy John's
3. YMCA
4. Movin' 101.1
5. Jimmy John's
6. State Farm Insurance
7. KMOX 1120
8. Movin' 101.1
9. Target
10. McDonald's

So here's my issue...

Movin' 101.1 is giving advertising to it's two biggest competitors, Y98 and Z107.7, with the slogan "More than Y, More than Z." Why are they doing this? This is no way to win over the listeners that are the channel flippers, like myself. I have three stations I listen to, Z107.7, Movin' 101.1 and Y98. Granted I listen to Movin' the most, but every time I hear this, I want to change the station.

Movin' here's what I have to say, "Quit giving free advertising to competitors!!!!"

Then my other issue...

Jimmy John's why are you changing your slogan all the time. In the past year I have heard, "Subs so fast you'll freak," "Freaky Good, Freaky Fast," and "Your momma wants you to eat here." There was even once that I heard all three in one commercial, and I asked myself, "What is their slogan?"

Jimmy John's here's what I have to say, "Pick one, and use it!!!"

If you are ever looking for a slogan remember to find something that will (1) be memorable, (2) is short, sweet and to the point, and (3) Stick to it!!!