What am I thankful for?

Basketball started yesterday. I had one girl quit already. YES! I'm not real proud that I scared someone away, but it does make my job easier! I guess that means I ran them plenty. I told the girls that it is good news for them that she quit, because there is less competition. They just stared at me with a blank look on their face. I guess they didn't see the humor in that. I am secretly hoping that a few others quit by tomorrow so I don't have to make cuts on my own. I hope I made them run enough.

So far I haven't had to break much of a sweat at practice, but I did pop a blood vessel in my left ring finger. Aren't I pathetic! The girls seem to be a good bunch. Three new girls showed up today that weren't here yesterday. One will be an awesome strong post if she keep her attitude in check. (Like no walking while we are running lines! Especially on your first set. You can't be that tired!) One other is an amazing, quick, talented guard. She is awesome and an answer to my prayers! And the third is a sweet girl that is a little less talented. It was the first time I've seen someone on offense screen for their teammate and become completely open under the basket with no defender in site. But instead of looking for the ball, she went to find her own defender that she left behind and turn and defend them... while still on offense. It was pretty mind boggling and slightly hilarious.

I am thankful for my experience of giving employee reviews. I have to make cuts tomorrow on the basketball team. I will sit with each girl and tell them what they are good at and what they need to work on... and then tell them if they are on the team or not. Its not a comfortable thing for me or the girls, but I feel a little better having had some experience with this in the past. Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for these girls. At least they can go home and not be at school all day if they are feeling upset about it.

I am thankful for the opportunity I had to play ball as a kid. I feel bad that I have to cut some of these girls because I know how positive of an experience this could be for them. I recognize that I learned much more than just sports while playing. Some things I learned on the court, some things I learned on the bus with the girls, but most of what I am talking about I learned from my coaches. I am grateful for patient coaches like Wilbur, inspiring coaches like Jenn and cute, young coaches like Axel :). I hope I can live up to their standards! (Even being cute). And then there are some that I'd like to forget about... or laugh at their photos in the yearbook because they have chest hair coming out of their turtlenecks and look like Heff in the 70s. Ahhh the memories.

I am thankful for clocks. Sometimes I get angered because there doesn't seem to be enough time on good days, but on bad days the clocks seem to slow down. But all in all, I think they are helpful. Sometimes I am tired by 8 pm, and sometimes I am not tired at all and I look at the clock and realize it is after 11 pm. If I didn't have a clock I might not get sleep when I need it! So HOORAY FOR CLOCKS!

Doug is thankful for good friends, sick leave and a beautiful wife.

Oh yeah... and I am thankful I got a raise for basketball... almost 3 times as much as I made for volleyball. I would have done volleyball for free because I enjoy it so much, but I don't love basketball that much. :) There is too much running involved in basketball.

Cool school!