Sour Milk

Looking back at some of my blogs I cant help but laugh at some of the experiences I have had so far.  It has been nothing bad or overwhelming but the hilarious account of my blogs give an accurate account of my adventures in Bulgaria.  

One of the biggest joys that I have had during this time here is hearing about the smiles and laughter that this blog (well more my misfortunes) has brought to my friends, family, and others (when i say others i mean people that work at the bank my mom goes to, her hairdresser, people at her office, my mom really should go into marketing....oh and hi guys thanks for reading)  But I do need to remind myself why i started this blog in the first place.  To let everyone know how I am doing.

Now for hose who have gotten antsy and wondered why I haven't written in almost two weeks, well its because I have...oh whats the word I am looking for...ohhhh yeahhh....

a job.

Yes believe it or not while basketball is a game that is watched by billions around the globe the players are very much at work.  I have been hard at work with two a days, studying the playbook, and just being plain old worn out.  We have traveled to Macedonia and Romania and it has been interesting to see other countries and the way they live.  (Also I saw a McDonalds on our way to a game...I almost cried....and I hate McDonalds...man I need some good food.)  Needless to say there is much catching up to do and while this will be the watered down, politically correct version there will be a future form of publication that will reveal all. (hmm foreshadowing anyone?)

Let's start with the games.  We have had 5 friendly games.  The first one we played here at home was against Steaua, one of the best teams in Romania.  I thought I played ok...not good but ok...with 4 points and 6 rebounds in about 12 minutes of play.  While baffled by the short amount of playing time, I knew it was early and there needed to be some things I needed to work out. 

We left for Macedonia the next day and played that evening. I had 5 points and 2 rebounds in the first half. But was not put in in the second half.  The game after that I was not put in in the first half.  Now I'm not a mind reader but I am pretty sure that they aren't paying me to sit on the bench.  I realize that something is not right.  

I talk to the coach a few days later and while many of his points don't make sense, by the end of the conversation we have talked about what I need to improve in order to succeed.  Im excited to employ it in the next game.  We practice in between those games and I improve greatly in what we talked about.

The first quarter passes by and i am not put in until well in the second quarter.  I play well, but get taken out.  And not put back in until garbage time at the end of the fourth.  Interesting.

Just keep your head up Adam and control what you can control.

The next game is even more baffling.  I go in for one minute (60 seconds, 5,940 milliseconds, 5,940,000 microseconds, 5,940,000,000 nanoseconds... Looking at this last number I feel like i should've been more tired than I was... I knew the mountain workouts would pay off eventually), and get taken out...For the rest of the game.  

By the time this trip is over I am frustrated.  Not because I am playing poorly but more because I have been given no chance to show anything.  You can't see what a player can do in 3 minutes (thats 180,000,000,000 nanoseconds for those of you keeping track at home) on the court.  I figure that this will all be sorted out once our whole team has more time to practice. I go to sleep and set my alarm for 10:30 am.

There is a knock at the door at 10:12. I open it to find the assistant coach uncomfortably standing in the doorway. He asks me if I can meet him downstairs in the office.  I get dressed.

When we get down there he begins to say what I have already figured out when he knocked on my door.  The team no longer requires my services and will be sending me back home.  They ask for all their stuff back. The jackets, the jerseys (with my name on it so i guess the rule of "does it have your name on it?" doesnt apply in Bulgaria) everything...i pack it all up and turn it in.

And with that my time here in Bulgaria is finished.....and the Pursuit of My Dream...is done.

Hold on...

Run that back.

Let's try this again.

Lets just get something straight right now..... no team, no person, no organization, or ANYONE will EVER take this dream away from me.  I will be back.  I will be on another team.  I will play just as hard.  While this may leave a bad taste in my mouth (there's the title reference for those who were looking), one thing I do know about my month of running up mountains, practicing twice a day, and playing in the games is that in each instance I gave everything I had.  They may say I didn't fit but even the coach can't say I didn't play hard.  

I never stop, I never give up, and I will always keep fighting.

And so I will move on.  To where exactly I don't know, but I'm not gonna quit.  This is a stumbling block, a hurdle, an unfortunate part of the game but like one of our favorite songs go...

"its not how you start, its how you finish."

I plan on finishing strong.