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     I assume the usual position (bad choice of words? ;P) at fullback. Left hand in the dirt, right hand cocked and ready, the whistle blows. I look up at the scoreboard...it's crude condition and size make it hard to read from my angle. I believe that the seconds ticking off the clock will be my last. One play left. One last time to blast off from my stance and inflict enough force on the nearest opponent to throw him off. But, I've misread the scoreboard. It was in fact just the end of the 3rd quarter. I let out a sigh of relief and I'm aware of the tremendous melancholy feeling that's overwhelming my being. The past three years seem to flash through my mind as I approach the sideline with my hand raised (giving that typical four-finger hand gesture...as if this is the only way everyone else will know). One quick drink of water...*blah*...in any other circumstances I would complain, but the waters familiar plastic taste is welcomed. But, I digress. That immediate feeling of relief I had as the seconds ran out quickly faded. The game wasn't over. But, having played a few games by this time...I knew a 20-48 score (in favor of our opponent) was going to be a tough deficit to overcome. Nevertheless...this was it. All the blood, sweat, and tears poured into the past three years come down to this. Would we win? Unfortunately, no we wouldn't. Would I regret the time spent and the lessons learned? Never, never in a million years. No doubt, you're wondering what this is all about. And, hopefully you've picked up on the fact that I'm referring to a game. A football game. Particularly, my last game which was yesterday afternoon. Let me give some context to what I've rambling about thus far.
     Near the end of Summer 2007 my friend Daniel approached me and asked if I would be interested in playing for his school's football team. He explained that it was a first year program and that they were allowing homeschool students (like myself) to participate. At first, I almost turned him down. Honestly, I had never played football and thought starting my sophomore year of high school would be silly (yeah, I said silly...do something). But, I thought it over and decided I would give it a try. Well, what I didn't know then was I was opening the chapter to one of the greatest experiences of my life. The bonds made with my teammates I will never take for granted. The life lessons learned through the hard work I will not soon forget. The experience and wisdom passed down through the coaches will always be a part of who I am. But mostly, it's what I've found out about myself that has had the biggest impact. Football is a great sport. No doubt, many of you would agree. But, when it comes down to it...it's just a sport (don't hurt me, please). It's what you learn through doing something like a team sport that holds the real value. It pushes you to your limits and then beyond. When you feel like you can't go one more minute...you look over and see your teammate...pushing through. And, you think to yourself, "Hey, I'm not goin' to let him down"). That's pretty cool stuff when you think about it. I have thought about it a while now. So, back to my little game story.
     It's nearing the end of the 4th quarter when I realize that it's really near the end. No mistakes on my part this time...this is legit. No matter how much I want to deny it the last 3 years of high school ball are rapidly coming to a close as the seconds tick off the "crude" scoreboard. I join my teammates on the field for one last stand on defense. Ahh defense. It always has been my favorite of the two sides of the field. I could write a post just on how much I enjoy playing "D" and why. But, I'll spare you that. 1, 2, 3, 4 downs go by. Turnover on downs...offense takes the field (I stay put...actually most of us played both ways). 1, 2 downs go by. Coach signals for me to head off the field. He grabs my hand to shake it as I walk towards the sideline. That was the last snap I would play in high school football. That snap's significance would be lost in all the others if not for that little fact. I walk over to Daniel (my friend I mentioned that recruited me to the team back in '07) and we just stand there. Watching as our teammates give'em one last run as the time expires. Daniel tears up. I stand there...trying to go over what we could have done better in my head. Then I realize...it doesn't matter. What mattered in that moment Daniel had already come to terms with. That we had had some great years playin' ball. Now, we would only be able to remember. So, I am remembering. And, it's very bittersweet.

Photos: Top, Left: Tyler & Coach Jeremiah Weaver. Middle, Right: Tyler & Coach Pedro Holiday. Bottom, Left: Gavyn (Tyler's brother), Coach Jeff Balitsos, Tyler.

     Hey there! Hope all is well in your world. Today, I had a very difficult decision to make. Okay, so maybe it wasn't that dire. I stumbled upon both Nick Swardson's new release and A Rocket To The Moon's debut album! However did you choose Tyler, you ask? I don't know, but one of them made it out of the store with me so it's all good. Anyways, let's get to what I think of ARTTM's latest, On Your Side.
     From the opening track's ("Annabelle") catchy guitar licks to the final track's ("On Your Side") melancholy melodies this CD captured my mind and heart for 38 minutes straight. Cheesy? Maybe, but it's the truth fool! ARTTM really hit a home run, in my book, with their first full-length release. There's something for everyone in this album. It captures both regret and remembrance in love gone bad (or gone right). It really hit me hard personally in a lot of ways. Songs worth mentioning include, "Like We Used To", "Baby Blue Eyes", and "She's Killing Me". You can listen to some of these songs and more on MySpace. In conclusion, this album got an average rating of 4 Stars on my iTunes Library. I would highly recommend you add this CD to your collection! With no other way to really transition into the other topic I want to cover...I'll just break grammar (quit laughing, I rite go0d!) rules and get right to it.
     In my daily skimming of my "friend's" Twitter feeds I came upon a YouTuber that's quickly become one of my new favorites. RayWilliamJohnson aka BOOYAH!, the host of Equals Three, puts a creative spin on reviewing viral web videos while also managing to make every politically incorrect joke he can come up with. Yes, he's pretty hysterical. You should definitely check out his videos and subscribe. Or, you could go for a hike, toss around the pig skin, you know...healthy stuff. Hmmm, nah.
     One more thing! Then, I'll shut up for the better good. I'm going to be featuring one artist/band in at least one of my posts every week. So, stay tuned for some great talent that deserves a little more attention. The inaugural band is a fun one to start with. Oklahoma City natives Harp & Lyre's cover of, "Best of Me" (originally by The Starting Line) is different, but adds some edge to an already great song. Check it! -tb.

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I'm so pumped! I don't know how I missed this, but I did. Stephen Christian, lead singer of the band Anberlin (my favorite band of all-time, fyi) and side project Anchor & Braille has written a book. The book is entitled, "The Orphaned Anything's: memoir of a lesser known". It was published by iUniverse, Inc. (February 18, 2008). You can preview the first chapter online at Amazon.com. After only readying the first six pages I'm already hooked and can't wait to purchase this book. The informal writing style is almost conversational at times. Which is different, but refreshing. Here's the discription from the back cover:

"An “im up, what more do you want from me?” sticker hideously controls the back of Ayden Kosacov’s bedroom door. In his mind what started as a joke is slowly becoming his ‘glorious and underrated mantra’.

Ayden Kosacov is alive, and that is about all you can say. In the throws of a mundane and jejune life Ayden is slowly coming to the realization that if all his world is a stage than he wouldn’t care if he did or did not miss the final scenes. Through an almost ‘accidental’ suicide attempt and the recovery that soon follows, Ayden learns that there is more to living than just being alive. Finding his way through diverse experiences and people he comes to terms with God, his family, and finally himself.

The Orphaned Anything’s style of writing is in the likes of Dennis Johnson (Jesus’ Son) and Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius) and yet designed to give life lessons, encouragement, and hope like books by Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist) and Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz)." - Read More

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