Cha-Ching!

Cha-Ching! I did it… Oh yeah! I just achieved a massive goal… I’m getting paid to write my blog!  All those hours of thinking how to phrase things, the grammatical quirks that sometimes work and the thousands of requests for more content finally paid off!  Thank you Google AdSense! Your annoying ads have done me well. You have made me $16.15 richer ($3.74 just this month!). I always thought of myself as an Entrepreneur… but wow… getting paid to write!   Even I am blowing my own mind.  Now if only I can figure out how to unlock my account and actually get the money…. Hmmm… oh well… I did it… I’m rich!  I got to figure out how to make $16.15 per minute now… not per 8 months…

I just re-read that paragraph and actually teared up (did you know “teared up” is not proper English) with those "embarrassment tears".  Do you know that feeling? Like when you see a video of yourself and it’s kind of uncomfortable and even if people find it funny, it kind of curdles your own skin.  You get some weird shivers and want it to end… anyone else gets that or is that just me? That’s the last time I try and be ironic or funny.

Anyhoo, only one week left down unda!  We will literally be back in the states 7 days from now.  It’s been a quick, yet amazing experience here in the land of Roo’s, Blokes, Beetroots, Sheila’s, G’day’s, Bogans (hicks), Vegemite, and Mates.  The culture is great, the people are lovely and caring, and the weather is out of this world.  I think it’s been 75 and sunny for the last three weeks… and its wintertime here!

There are many things I will miss about this place.  First and foremost will obviously be my team.  As I’ve stated before, I have never been on a team that gets along so well since high school.  The team is a family… the way it should be.  We are mates... Blokes…  BFF’s.  We go to battle together… we usually lose… but we go to battle as ONE unit.  We are a Woof pack… A pack of hungry (and sometimes very thirsty) wolves.  I’ve been blessed to be a part of this team and am forever grateful to Dale for bringing me here.

It’s kind of funny being “The Import” of a team after playing as a local in Israel.  There is such a different standard and responsibility. You are subtlety and vocally asked to lead by example.  Everything is a bit magnetized and you feel a small burden and sense of accountability to everyone involved. Every win feels a bit better.  Every loss is taken a tad harder.  You are brought in to win and when you don’t, you feel the eyes watching and judging.  I think the town, management, and team has a realistic view on our situation.  Unfortunately, we are one of the smallest market team with a small budget… in the toughest division. It’s a bit rough because no one expects us to be good.  I do...  the team does… but not many others.  We are supported from most angles but it just hasn’t been enough to push us to victories.  We do have one game left… our The Denslow Cup (can anyone guess this reference?) so to speak!

Basketball-wise, the last 6 or so weeks have been pretty remarkable for me. I feel like I’m probably playing at the highest level of my entire career.  In the past 6 games I’m averaging 28.5pts 8.5rebs 5.5assts while shooting 51% 3’s and 87% FT’s.  The team has really encouraged me to be more aggressive and I’ve slowly gotten used to the role.  I’ve been a role player for so long, I literally forgot how to be the 1st option on a team.  It’s finally coming back! 

The last couple of weeks have also been awesome because my wonderful parents and sister graced us with their presence! We had a blast!  There are tons of pictures to prove it too.  They flew into Brisbane and we had two games in the area that weekend.  The first one was against Southwest Brisbane.  I had my first dunk of the season in that game but later got hurt.  I was going for a rebound and felt an intense POP around my right oblique/rib. Something must have pulled because I fell to the ground in pain and could barely move.  I couldn’t play the next day’s game in Gold Coast.  We did stay at the Sea World resort and we found a Mexican restaurant!  As my dad put it “it was Australian Mexican, not Mexican Mexican or American Mexican.”  Touché daddio!  

The rest of their trip was filled with kangaroos, homemade “Zach red curry”, Shana being hit on by every Australian boy, dad napping and explaining why American football is better than Australian “footy”, mom checking her e-mails for 14hrs a day, and lots of just good old “hanging out”. Btw - Did you know that Koalas are not bears?  They are not “Koala Bears”… they are marsupials.

One of my teammates mom’s (Cathy) was amazing enough to let everyone stay in her basement apartment.  It was perfect and beautiful and right on the water!  It was also huge save to the wallet because hotels here are about $170-$200 a night.  It can get quite pricey.  Oops, not hotels… I meant MOtels.  Hotels are bars here. Motels are where you sleep. Doesn’t it just sound funny to say “Yes I would like to stay at the Hilton Motel tonight” or “of course we have a nice suite for you here at the luxurious Marriot Motel.”  They are a bit backwards about some things… For gosh sake they pronounce the T in Filet! J

Their trip was quick and as all good things do… they come to an end.  Just as the season and time here in Australia has as well.  I will miss this place and hope to come back to play or visit in the future.  If I score 31 or more points in this week’s game I will be the leading scoring in the entire league… so hopefully one of the teams would bring me back for next season! 

Now it’s time for decisions.  Where to live? What to do?  What major goal is next?  Australia has not only brought back my love for the game and reminded me how fun the sport should always be, but it has made me really appreciate how lucky I’ve been for the past year.  I’ve basically been on a paid vacation pursuing my passion.  Now I need to find other things I love and chase them.  If basketball ends here, I am happy.  If it continues in the future… so be it.  For now, I’m just going to enjoy my last week in Aus. with my lovely fiancee and head home with a smile, excited to see what comes next.  As a very wise man once told me, “Just surrender to nature’s plan....” That wise man was my father… :)

By the way, I forgot to introduce the 2012 Port City Power... here ya go boys!

Daniel Green aka "DG"DG is the man. We are golfing buddies.  He beats me but pretends like it's close to making me feel better.  He has played the most games in Power history.  NBA play alike: Manu GinobiliTroy Robinson aka "Tree Trunks"Troy is like the energizer bunny.  What he lacks in hand-eye coordination he makes up with yelling, diving, and thick thighs.  NBA play alike: Mark MadsenChris Tucker aka TT aka Toyota TuckTuck is the team captain of this ship.  His calm and collected demeanor lead the way for the fellas. TT also gets us cars which we TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF AND WOULD NEVER RUN THEM INTO ANYTHING. NBA play alike: Mark JacksonHamish Bowden aka "25hrs a day"Hamish one time worked a 74hour shift in 24 hours. When Hamish enters the room, people bow and put their hands on their hips in honor.  NBA play alike: Kevin Gaines - aka Self Proclaimed "Go-Go Gaines" KG is our other American Import.  In third grade he won his class spelling bee. He is a beast... a monster... a superman on the court!  His kryptonite: Free throws. NBA play alike: Nathan "Kevey" Calder aka "Kevie" When you ask Nathan why everyone calls him Kevie, he simply replies "I have no idea." Kevie is the heart of our team... the steak to our eggs.  He has shown up to practice on time once this entire season. NBA play alike: Dennis RodmanJames Farrelly aka CandyHis name Candy comes from his love for... Candy. He is also hit on by everyone (specially older men).  Candy has gained 20lbs of muscle this season but swears he isn't on the juice! On his days off he enjoys golf, reading Nicholas Sparks novels, and Shana. NBA Playalike: Illiwa Baldwin aka Illy aka The Big Nevada Illy is a monster amongst men. He is 6'11'', most of which is heart. He is our gentle giant.  I would trust him to carry a peach for me and expect no bruises.  In games, he sometimes fouls himself out on purpose because it would be unfair for the other team to have to continue to guard him.  NBA Playalike: Scott PollardTodd Meyerding aka The loose canon told is a fellow American who has become an Australia citizen.  Unfortunately, he has been injured for half the season.  His leadership and ability to relate to players is second to none.  His ability to relate and deal with referees... well... let's just say he speaks his mind... very loudly... NBA Playalike: Eddie House.Jacob Owen aka RudyRudy.... Rudy... Rudy... Rudy.  The youngster with skills and heart. Someday will be lifted off the court for hitting a game-winner... For now, he is working his way up the ladder... the height ladder. NBA Playalike: Marcus Hubele aka Marc the SharkMarcus is a youngster but acts much older... he might be a vampire actually. His silky smooth fade away and ability to be dunked on in practice is amazing. Nicest kid you will ever meet.

PS. DG is the man! NOW PAY ME!