Larry Bird wannabe's + a trip to Houston + the crystal ball

I saw a picture of a lifelong buddy of mine on Face Book today. He is doing what he has always wanted to do for a living and I am proud of him for it. Anyhoo, after viewing his picture for a moment, the memory of the first time we met came back to me:

I was twelve years old and attending summer basketball camp at Kansas State when I first encountered him. We were two Larry Bird wannabe's from neighboring towns - "This kid sucks. He can't make a shot to save his life." He had the audacity to question my abilities, and he did it in front of a group of my fellow Madisonites. I was enraged by his lack of court etiquette and thus took the basketball I was holding at the time and promptly launched it at his head...he ducks in the nick of time - "Go get that ball son!" He yells as I watch it roll halfway across campus - Who would have thought such a cherished friendship would begin like that?

Bute and I went back and forth today on a few things. He lives in Houston and owns an air conditioning company and wants to explore some next level ways to increase his business - "When are you going to come to visit me? You come out any time you want. I have some ideas I think will fit right into your way of doing things." Bute's a fan of the blog. We took an earlier turn at things and it didn't go how either wanted, but that was then, this is now - "Bute - How does the second or third week of January sound for a visit?" Bute has always been a go-getter. Now he is putting off some contagious enthusiasm - "Sounds good to me. Give me the exact time and dates and will do it up." Looks like I will be headed to Houston in the near future. I am looking forward to it.

Beating the Raiders at home was no big deal. I take that back. It snapped a four game losing streak, so yeah it was a big deal. I'm just not impressed much is what I am trying to say. Even if they win the division and host a playoff game and are lucky enough to win in the opening round...it is off to Pittsburgh or New England and season is over. That is what my crystal ball is telling me. I hope my crystal ball is wrong and this is the year we finally see a parade. I'm not going to get worked up about it either way.