I may be the only person under the age of 40 in the whole world who doesn’t care too much for his birthday. It’s not that I dislike presents, not at all. I don’t even mind the attention too much. I suppose what I do not like is the “exposure of it all.”

Everyone here at the church knows it’s my 28th birthday. And if they don’t, then as soon as they come in the door they are told about it. Bah humbug! I’d much rather it just be another day where perhaps I got to play a little more golf or maybe a nice gift from Kristen, but I just don’t like the whole world wanting to sing “happy birthday.”

If I wanted to get all Freudian about it, I’d say that I am repressing anger towards my parents for not caring about my birthday growing up. (Though they may disaggree with this sentiment… I’ll revise it to say after my 4th birthday, they forgot.) Sure, it was painful for me to find my birthday card in July in the bottom of dad’s truck. Unsigned and with a post-it on it that read “don’t forget!” He always forgot. Then there were the countless gifts that were last second, the “oh crap… it’s Adam’s birthday, pick up something on the way home” gifts. Worse yet, the “what do you want for your birthday?” presents. Then they just opt out for the gift card every time. What about actually thinking about it? Does that ever cross anyones mind?

Or I could say that my birthday is too weird for me. I don’t like the singing to a person. I could get all spiritual about that, but in all seriousness any birthday I have is a gift from God. I don’t deserve to be here.

Mostly, I’m trying to find the joy in my birthday mostly vicariously through Megan. She legitimately is excited that it’s my birthday. She loves birthdays! It’s hard to not be excited around that little girl. She is such a joy.

I suppose that the moral of the story is simply that I like to “fake it” on my birthday. It’s fun for other people, perhaps because they are secretly thinking of their own happy days, or perhaps because they are one year closer to me dying (ha!) or maybe, even they are excited because they like me. Too much angst for me.

In other news, dropped a legitimate 39 on the South back today. 7 pars, a boget and a forgetable double. I’m looking forward to my time at the Famers Classic this weekend. I hope it will be nice weather.

Occasionally, my daughter will pick a fight with me. It’s kind of funny since she’s only 3, but she really does pick fights with me. Not the physical type, just what I call the “pissing contest.”

She will try to get her way. Even though she will know fully that I have no intention on giving into her, she will throw a tantrum anyway. For the most part I think she does this just to establish and re-establish who is in charge. But sometimes it’s more than that, it a principle thing. It seems as though she is trying to step up and let me know that she is really able to make a decision or do something that I am not allowed to do. I always t ake this challenge to her. Not because I like to be a bully, but because I am looking to challenge her rather than “over-loving” her and just giving her whatever she wants. I am interested in raising a daughter who knows when and how to pick a fight…. rather than just being a brat. I want her to be able to challenge anyone on anything and win. Is that strange, or what?

Golf, golf, golf. It seems like everywhere I look I am consumed by the game. Yesterday I played 18, then spent 2 more hours practicing. When I arrived home, I got a notice from the USGA about the upcoming qualifier. Also, I was invited to volunteer at next weeks Champions Tour event in Grand Rapids. I’ve got a golf team meeting next week, and then the junior tour season is underway. Winter is now but a distant memory.

What else is going on? Lots this weekend. I’ll be enjoying time with the family today as well as all day Monday. The only bad thing is that the weather looks real bad beyond today. We’re all hoping that the weather forcasts are wrong.

Let this be te first rant about my neighbors. I don’t like them very much. The adults are always either drinking or smoking outside. It’s bad enough you want to kill yourself over a 20 year period… but do I have to watch? Also, they never supervise their children. There are constantly kids outside who are nosey and we have to chase off of Megan’s outside toys. I don’t easily annoy, but this is annoying to no end. I can’t even go outside and get something from the car without playing 20 questions with some snot nosed kid.

Over the past year or so I’ve been a major hooker of the golf ball. It’s something that I’ve been working on but haven’t been able to solve.

Here are the things that I did to help alleviate the hook. Particularily with the longer irons. Focus on the ball. (I tend to take my eyes off the ball during the swing.) Lean in a little more. (Butt out.) And swing harder. (Keeps the club on plan a little more.)

More news on that at a later date.

I hate to wait. It drives me insane when you are supposed to meet someone and they are late. It event makes me a little miffed if the person isn’t a little early for the meeting.

Why? I could get all freudian and say it has to do with repressed anger at a parent or something like that, but the reality is that I am prideful. I’d like to think that a person is a little nervous to talk to me, or even at the very least that they are worried about not being prepared or just want to make good impression.

Whatever. The bottom line is that I hate waiting.

It’s funny to me that so many people have remarked to me over the years that one thing they like about me is that I am patient. Perhaps I look patient on the outside, but I am often impatient on the inside. I want things done on time or early and MY WAY. It must be God’s working in and through me that I don’t throw more temper tantrums about people being late or disappointing me.

Last night was pretty small, but a good youth group night. It’s kind of funny, but we played perhaps the simplest youth group game in the history of youth group, volleyball, and everyone loved it. What a reminder that the simplest way is often the best way.

It was a pleasure and an honor to talk about legacies and mention great names last night. More than that, it was amazing to talk about Mr. Wendt and his “already evident” legacy exhibited by his sons. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 weeks since Larry passed away.

In the golf world. What a tale of 2 halves of a round. 6 consecutive bogies. But went birdie, par, par on the last 3 holes for an ugly 41. Best part about it though, I’m hitting some fairways again. Been a long time since I found the short stuff.

Last lunch with my students at Romeo HS today. It’s amazing that most people are still shocked that I go. I love my job… and there is no finer time then spending quality time with Americus Highschoolucus in their native environment. I am constantly praying that the 2 junior highs will allow me on campus for lunches in the fall.