Don't Call It A Comeback...

In the words of LL Cool J.

"Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years"

Okay its been a while. I started moderating another blog for my high school baseball umpires' association and it filled up my blogging area of my head. I think that is in my hypothalamus. But I could be wrong.

Anyways I wanted to pick up where I left off. Since last time my girls team finished in first place. I was a fun ride. Heck I got to be a part of a state championship team 2 out of 3 years at my job. Fun stuff. They are a great bunch of young women.

So what's going on in my life. Well frankly a ton! Not really but you know its life. Frankly I got it pretty nice and cannot complain. I have a good job, two cool wiener dogs, great friends and a rocking wife (saved the best for last).

So what's new you ask. Well I just turned 27. I got to do it in style due to a great birthday week from my gal. With this new found youth to shall conquer all :)

Actually here is what I am currently involved with.
1. With Billie Jo taking the job in Portland next year, I decided to go along with her. Don't get me wrong. I have a wonderful job at Willamette High. I have requested a leave for one year. If we decide to come back down I-5 to Eugene I will have my old job back.
2. With me going to Portland it has opened up some doors for me. Not only will I give officiating baseball more time, I will try some other sports like football. I hope to possibly sub as an AT and maybe explore some ways I can make some money off my photography.
3. Photography. I new love and my newest way to go bankrupt. Man I like it. A lot. Yet it is darn expensive. I would love to purchase a few new lenses (glass) and a nice flash. Yet I've saved up enough to get some software and am nearly there with the glass. So if you like you can make the checks payable to Ricky Rodriguez. :)
4. Photoshop. Yep I finally got it. Thanks to a student discount for Billie Jo I now have unlimited possibilities with the worlds most complicated software. Anyways I'm happy to have CS4 and am ready to dig in. That doesn't mean Lightroom is gone. No, no they go hand in hand. I even was gifted by my wife a cool Bamboo tablet for my photo editing.
5. Praxis. I have to take it to get my new teaching license. Blah. So during the day I take a break to study. It's not that bad. Just not that interesting.
6. Umpire. Well this year has been busy. Not that I do a lot of games. I maybe get 1-2 on a weekend. I now train the new guys and sit on our board. Its fun but can be tiresome at times. I starting finally doing college games in Oregon. I did some in Arkansas and was on the fast track to doing them a lot back home. Here I took a back seat to it and finally decided to do it this year. So far so good. Hopefully next year I get more games and can move up.
7. Umpire part Deux. Okay here is my new thing. So in January of 2010 I plan on attending professional umpire school in Flordia. I am not sure which yet but I am sure I will be going. So I need to really want to get myself mentally and physically prepared for that. On this subject I will put a seperate post.

Anyways thats it. That is what is up. Hopefully not too long. I hope to get back on soon and do some more. Enjoy your spring!