Mountain Man in Civilization

It is 4:25 a.m. and I have just awakened from a powerful dream.  My brother, Lorin,  and I were back in the days of the mountain man when very few white men were in the Rockies trying to stay out of conflict with the Lamanites living in the region.  We were walking on foot cross country when we spotted 7 Crow Indians riding away from us and we kept a wary eye on them.  Suddenly, they turned and rode full bore at us with spears and tomahawks raised.  I had my long staff and axe at the ready and I saw my brother had his long rifle and axe also deployed ready to do battle.

Suddenly, the lead attacker pulled his horse to a stop and leapt from the steed.  He walked over to us and squatted down and sat cross legged.  I also sat cross legged but my wiser brother only lowered himself to his haunches being ready to do battle if necessary.  Another Crow strode up to my left.  The leader offered a pouch full of strong medicine to my brother in a gesture of peace and was laughing to hide his fear of us. My brother accepted the pouch and the group of us, Nephites and Lamanites, celebrated together although the one to my left did so by kicking me in the legs.  I figured it was his way of celebrating or something.

My eldest brother, Lorin, is a mountain man is many ways.  He loves the mountains with their still, serene lakes and high places.  I believe he would live in them if he could.  There is a grandeur he is able to take from the Boulders and the Sawtooths that has become part of him.  Lorin loves to explore new territory and  discover new horizons and boundaries.

He is currently doing that in his life in civilization.  He is having to explore new horizons of suffering and discover new depths of human existence and death.  I stand in awe and reverence at the way he is walking this path of loss and growth in the mountains of losing his loved one to cancer.  I wail and cry during this process while he seems to ride it with an inimitable positive mindset as he fights these "savages" who attack his best friend.  He comforts others and seeks the good and acknowledges the growth of others during this trying process.

He seems to have made that peace but the injustice is kicking me in the legs although I should be and try to be peaceful.  Not so, as my anger is strong and I scream at the heavens.  I scream at the heavens....

Ray Ray Again...

Big Green beat the Orlando Magic last night despite being without a couple of key players due to injury.   Ray Ray was his usual smooth self scoring 26 points (8 of 11 from the field) including icing the game with late game free throws. 

It took me a while to figure out the kicks Ray Ray was wearing as I was looking for something newer.  He was wearing Air Jordan XIs in white, green and gold.  Nuthin' more cool than those sneakers.

Rockin...

Who's Your Padre...?

I just flew back in from South Padre Island, Texas, after working a security gig for the N.B.A. at the annual Development League Showcase.  It was six solid days of watching four professional basketball games a day, for four days, and providing oversight for the player and venue security.

The Idaho Stampede split the two game they played at the Showcase.  Definitely a Jekyll and Hyde team this year.

A highlight for me was meeting Randy Brown and Pete Myers of the Chicago Bulls.  Both ring holders and scouts in the Bulls organization.  They both hit the scout/staff pickup games every morning at 0630 hrs.  It was pretty cool playing with Darvin Ham, Brandon Williams and other former N.B.A. players of that caliber.

It was very interesting how differently they treated me after playing in the mornings.  I was no longer the cop that does security but a wood floored brother gym rat.

South Padre Island was a real disappointment however.  Having been to Key West last November, I was expecting a similar environment.  Not.  Hokey and boring.  I hope the N.B.A. does not have it there again.

Oh, and I scored another cool basketball.  It's called "The Rock".   Really, it is.

Yeah, I know...