A Friendly Blog by Ryan Hamilton

Challenges aren't just for TV anymore

It has been too long, my friend. I apologize for that if you are reading this, Sal. How are things in Skookumchuk? Anyone else who is reading probably Googled my name and is disappointed this is not written by a linebacker for Navy. I apologize to you too. I am not much of an athlete. I dribble out of my mouth occasionally, but you don't get points for that. I understand that dribbling doesn't happen in football, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. (I don't even play tennis if it makes you feel better about justifying me not being able to dribble.)

I don't know why it has been so long. I tend not to do some of those important things like update my website, but I will spend two hours cleaning the backside of a futon. Maybe that's important too, but not nearly as important as being here writing something interesting, humorous and profoundly cerebral--you know, something to really knock your socks off. It should be more important than a five-year-old dust bunny, but somehow I get caught up in the thrill of a good housecleaning, and what happens? Soon no one (Sal) knows what's going on with the Ryan Hamilton who doesn't know where the line of scrimmage is. Do you really care, Sal? Either way, I appreciate the thought that you do.

I don't know. Maybe I do put things off and intentionally slip other less important things in. Maybe I really am a procrastinator, or maybe I'm just an extremely patient perfectionist. Who's to say? And, who cares really? The outcome is the same either way--me, not writing here very often.

I need to write more. I've found that's the key to creating something to read. You have to write it. I shouldn't tell you this because you'll think I'm a nut, but sometimes I actually hear a voice that tells me, "If you write it, Sal will read it." I usually reply with something like, "I appreciate the gesture Sal's voicemail, but I can't sit on this futon another minute with the knowledge that there is a lint ball the size of a Texas tumbleweed gaining strength below me as I speak. I mean, I can actually see it. It's right there. I have to do this for me."

Which begs the question...Do I have problems? Well, I think a better term is "challenges." It's more positive to think about difficulties in that light. Plus, it makes life seem more like a game show, and I think that's the secret to a happy life...Live life like it's a game show. Someone call Dr. Phil. Sal? This is going to be huge.

Dr. Ham says, "live life like it's a game show. Take a risk occasionally," he says, "but, play smart and sometimes luck will shine down on you and you'll win. Other days you'll leave with a consolation prize. But, hey, just tell yourself something like, 'At least I played, and I'm glad I did. Maybe I didn't walk away with a new Taurus, but I didn't have a 672 piece china set yesterday and now I do. I'm happy with that and let's see what the wheel of fish says tomorrow!' "