The Long Wait is Over

Today (oh what a glorious day) marked the return of NASCAR.  After a phenomenal long run through the canyons of Malibu, I bunkered down in front of the television, eyes glued and body tense with anticipation as the Daytona 500 stormed to life.  Hurling themselves around the track at dizzying speeds exceeding two-hundred miles per hour and separated by mere inches, the boys of NASCAR battled one another under the Floridian sun.  This year’s race marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of the great Dale Earnhardt, who, while running third behind his son, Junior, and teammate Michael Waltrip (who would continue on to win the race for the first time of his career), crashed on the final turn, dying instantly.  Sparking nostalgia and cheers from the crowd, Dale’s son, Junior, captured the pole position earlier in the week and led the field at the beginning of the race.  Multiple wrecks and crashes later left only twenty-three of the original forty-three cars in contention for the win.  So, who crossed the finish line first?  Well, the race ended in storybook fashion with Trevor Bayne, a virtual unknown, breaking the tape ahead of a hard charging Carl Edwards.  Bayne, turning twenty only yesterday, became the youngest winner of the Daytona 500 in history, and the second driver to win the race on their first try.  The race was the second Sprint Cup race of Bayne’s career, giving his team the Wood Brother’s their first team win in over ten years.  Wow.  And you people say NASCAR isn’t exciting.

Unfortunately NASCAR isn’t on every day, so the rest of my time has to be filled with various other activities.  Lately the days have been booked by our trips to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ventura.  These visits have been great experiences.  Being able to hang out with kids of all ages every afternoon and play games, do crafts, and just spend time with them has been very rewarding.  Last friday the five of us ITAers took on an entire club in dodgeball.  It must have been close to forty kids launching dodgeballs in our direction.  We put up a gallant fight, but the sheer number of kids overwhelmed us, and sadly we were defeated.

As for the running, things are going well.  This week marked the first time in ages when we all ran together, and it appears that injuries are healing up quick, and everyone is starting to get their legs under them.  Spirits are up, NASCAR is back, and the work with the Boys and Girls Club is a blast.  Life is good, what else is there?

Until next time, not one to misconstrue

Ben