Icy...and Icier?

Hello and Happy Friday my friends. Hope you are having a wonderful week wherever you are in the world.

Really having fun getting my bearings stronger with the podcasts as of February 4th. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Cedric Bailey for making that happen. It has been a fun journey into the unknown and an absolute labor of love for myself.

Before getting to the topics of the day I have to give thanks to friend and coworker Eric Clarkson. In knowing I have a birthday fast approaching he pulled off a huge coup. Unbeknownst to myself Eric, the staff of Up In Smoke, and my Cool River cohorts all knew whereas I did not. I was given a cigar locker to enjoy for my very own! Way cool! Now to enjoy access in the back room to do my daily blogs/podcasts/emails/tweets/ and status updates. Sweetness. I will enjoy this fully.

Hard to believe that nine years ago today a massive ice storm rocked North Texas with a fury. So much so that I can recall a normal 5 minute to work taking an hour. I remember being the lone guy working the bar cocktail side while most of Addison proper was stuck or snowed in. Many of you chose to come see me and drink. That was a crazy 48 hours. At one point I picked up a piece of ice that was 4 inches thick. You could see the layers of ice and snow. It was like looking inside a piece of 5 layer chocolate cake. Crazy...

Josh Hamilton arrives in camp today in Surprise, Az. Put me on record to say that if Hambone comes to Surprise with a chip on his shoulder or an attitude of indifference or a demeanor that speaks of a man who missed out on a payday because of a mistake, then this will be Josh Hamilton's last year as a Texas Ranger. Unlike his former roomie/teammate C.J. Wilson I hope Josh will not be a clubhouse cancer in 2012. A memorable 5 year run for the Hambino in Texas. Somewhere down the road the events leading up to January 30th will be revealed. That's what my gut instincts tell me.

Let me be clear: recovery is a process that takes time and nurturing. Sometimes fun and most times quite a challenge. Peaks and valleys to be sure. If you ever come across a case of defiance from a perceived fallen person, that speaks volumes in terms about acknowledging a mistake. May I be proven wrong on this prediction. Josh Hamilton ends his Ranger career in 2012. Blessed be for the memories.

The media demands for Yu Darvish was such that the crunch of media folks went from 50 to almost 200. To the point that five news conferences were held yesterday. A part of me likes the amount of attention this is engendering. A part of me also wonders if this added attention takes on an element of freakshow or side attraction. Alas it's a thought.

Looking forward to being in Plano Sunday night for a special Oscars party with friends and downtown Dallas Sunday morning in honor of the start of NASCAR 2012. The Big Race in Daytona. That will be alot of fun to watch as well. Let's see if a rookie wins like Trevor Bayne did last year. I'll be busy with recorder and camera.

Make it a great weekend!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will