I like -

1) I LOVE the smell of salt in the air. I especially love the way salt collects on our skin while we play at the beach all day.

2) I like running.  I literally run wherever my little mind will take me and I rarely run the same path twice. I run for time and heart rate. Its all I have left now that my Soccer days are over as a player.

3) I am a tone freak. Heavy Strings, Tube amps and vintage guitars are a combination made in heaven. I have a sound that is as unique to my guitar playing as it is to the sound of my own voice. My guitars all bear the scars of this discovery process. I am all about Music.

4) Put me in the water. I love to surf, swim, scuba, snorkel…You name it. Swimming in a pool just doesn’t cut it.

5) Love, Love, Love hot sauces!!! D’elidas from Panama is hands down my absolute favorite but I have to import it from Panama myself!!!

6) I have all but quit drinking but I still love the taste of A few libations. My favorite beer is Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA.  I was once a big Rum drinker and have a sizable collection.  Save yourself some time and trouble and get you a bottle of Santa Teresa 1796 from Venezuela. 

7) Musicians, Artists and Athletes - I get on well with folks who have this sort of intellect.

My daughter - Um, the sun rises and sets on that young lady. it is so cool spend time with the new improved version of myself. Lately she has taken to crushing me in the pool and over the road. I only wish I could sing as well as she does and I’m a good singer. She is an absolutely lovely human being.

9) My wife - She is the go to person for anything that is fun in my life.  She loves adventure.  She is beautiful and absolutely brilliant. I have not met anyone like her before or since. I am a lucky man.

10) For some reason I am great with plants. I view it as a curse actually. While I love plants, I am stretched to my limit. Everywhere I go they seem to follow me.

Certainly this isn’t everything. If you choose to fill your life with love there will be many things about you that will find their way into your very soul.

May the Spirit of Christmas be upon each of you!

Peace,

Bobby

My biggest job?  Years ago, I once thought that my job was to work as hard as I can and make lots of money.  I enjoyed my youth and have few regrets about what I have done with it.

I didn’t realize at the tender age of 23 that being a husband was such an important job. I guess I forgot to read the memo.  Balancing your friends, family, wife and career certainly was and continues to be a labor of love.

I was 26, almost 27 when I learned what love was really all about. Having a child come into the world is an overwhelming emotion. I was the first of the family to hold my daughter and to this very day I am the favorite.

Speak of favorite; that is another title I hold near and dear to my heart. I have and will continue to be many an athlete’s favorite coach.  I am my niece’s favorite uncle.  All the Serbs that stay with us will tell you straight away that I am the favorite.  I am my sister’s favorite family member. I am my father’s favorite son. I am my wife and daughter’s favorite human being.  I am my brother’s favorite sibling as well.

One could go an entire lifetime and never be a favorite.

I suppose I have countless friends who think of me in this way.  I don’t have to ask. I already know.

I am loved. No chance I’ll ever be a failure.

There are many of you who may perceive this post as being boastful.

I can assure you that bragging is not the purpose of this message.

To have love in your life you must take considerable risks.  Look for the goodness in people and expect the very best. You will never be perfect. Don’t worry about perfect. Just be sincere.

Will you get hurt along the way? Oh yes. Love can be painful. Just have a loved one die on you and this pain will become real in a hurry.

I can’t dwell on the inevitable. I can only enjoy today. I have no idea what tomorrow brings.

For now, I am happy to count my blessings.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

My mind often wanders to philosophical thoughts when it is raining. I write these posts just to air out my beliefs. I will confess to being somewhat eccentric and set in my ways. You see snapshots of my life, both the good and the not so good.

I make sure these snapshots are an accurate reflection of my perceptions at the time. I don’t mind exposing my weaknesses to you. I have found that you will always give me perspective.

I have run my series of lifecycles however. Just thinking about coaching soccer reminds me that I was once a player. I could play anywhere you wanted me but my specialty is and will always be as an attacking midfielder. Now that I am 45 and with heart issues *that* player has left my body forever. I am a great coach and think I have 15-20 more good years if needed in the sport. I sure am very qualified.

I remember being Jenny’s boyfriend well before I was Mabel’s boyfriend. Fortunately for me that previous relationship cycle came to an end. Mind you, I learned a lot from Jennifer (One of my guitars bears her name) but that relationship was a stepping stone for what was to become my destiny with Mabel.

I still make a good father and Mabel is still a wonderful mother. We are done in the baby business however. She hit menopause this year and I had the big snip several years ago. That part of our lifecycle is completely over. I want to add that I am a fantastic Uncle and have unlimited potential as a Grandfather so I guess my lifecycle duties will change somewhat.

I think it is safe to say that at 45 you look at productivity vs stagnation. I don’t have the classic midlife crisis like many of my peers. My life has always been filled with the people and activities I love so having a crisis isn’t my concern. I have all the tools and toys I could ever want. I am not one for owning anything if it doesn’t serve a purpose.

Family, Friends, Faith and Health are the cornerstones of any happy life. You can’t write a billion dollar check for any of these things to make them *real* either. I cling to this philosophy much like a survivor in a boat accident clings to a lifejacket.

I remind myself to enjoy my family, friends and health as they all have a lifecycle. Believing in something bigger than myself helps me get through the next tragedy and uplifts me when things go well.

Just remember to make the most out of every lifecycle along the way. Spinkle your life with ample amounts of love and I can assure you there will be some wonderful times ahead.

Will there be tragedy as well? Of course. Just make the most of the good times while you can.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

A pic of yours truly at Maho Bay on the Island of St. John.

You know I have been reading a lot of journals on this KCL and have come to the conclusion that many if not most of you DO NOT like the sweltering heat of summer. I don’t know if you would change your tune or not if you lived by the beach. We still have folks who use the pool vs walking another few steps to the beach. I have no idea what the hell they are thinking.

Anyhow, I just want to say for the record that I do not want to see the summer end and you can drag me off the beach kicking and screaming when the water gets too cold for my blood. I have a wetsuit you know….

It just occurred to Kelly that she will be landlocked while she is away in college. She flipped out!!! She is by a body of water in Washington DC but it isn’t quite the same. I bet she will come home if I send her a surf report that looks favorable. You know; Ronin has been my surfing buddy for so long that I do not have another?

Switching gears.

This is a lighter note. I have heard through the grapevine that I am getting a very nice sentimental gift from many of the soccer players I have coached over the last several years. I understand it is an album of all our teams since the beginning of my coaching career with lots and lots of personal notes and autographs. A couple of my former players went to D1 college teams, several D2 and D3 and one of them is playing for my alma mater.

I still coach on a limited basis. We won a tournament championship this summer. I remember when those kids couldn’t beat a group of nuns in wheelchairs.

Reading the newspsper articles about these players has been fantastic. Many players have sited me as being their favorite coach of all time. The secret? Life is all about love. Love what you do and you will do what you love….

I’m going to point something out to you that you may or may not think about often. You may not want to even admit this but it is so true.

Being someone else’s favorite human being in any context is rare. I know for sure I am my wife and daughter’s favorite human being of all time. Everyone else has a precondition on me but being favorite in some department beats being loathed any time.

If you are feeling blue, pick up the phone and call someone who loves you. Works like a champ for me.

Tell ‘em Fiju-Fic (Pronounced Few Fitch) sent you.

Peace,
Bobby

I saw them walk out on stage last night. I know exactly what they were thinking. The anticipation of the crowd and the performers was tremendous. Watching musicians live out the dream is incredible. Incubus rocked the house.

I have lived that dream but not on that large of a scale. The largest festival I have played had close to 2000 people and I will never forget it as long as I live. We had over 800 watch us on father’s day this year and for me it was tremendous. I still have the big Rock & Roll dreams and I am 45. The sheer power must be overwhelming.

Anyhow, I was just thinking about the state of anticipation many of us feel when an event inspires us.

It could be anything. Preaching to the masses. The first pitch of a baseball game. The first big wave of the day, A piano recital. The list is endless I am sure.

I try my very best to live in a state of anticipation. It helps me stay organized and this anticipation allows me to focus on the next task or event.

Look to the future.

Live in the moment.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Frisco Beach on the Island of Cape Hatteras. Shot taken July 2009.

It isn’t often that we see flat and glassy conditions on the Atlantic Ocean. The water visibility was 10-12 feet inshore which is amazing for such turbid water. While we didn’t get any surfing done, we managed to enjoy what little waves there were with a Boogie Board.

Picture taken near ramp 49 on Hatteras Island, NC. July 11th 2009.

This was the view from the back of my truck.

You can be certain this water is filled to the brim with living creatures.

Life is beautiful if you know where to look.

Peace be with you,
Bobby

“Change my pitch up; Smack my bi*ch up!” - The Prodigy

Jovana went to her first and last volleyball tryout yesterday. She was simply stunned and amazed at how athletic our American girls really are. In Montenegro, Physical education for girls simply means go to the courtyard and socialize with your friends. I don’t think she wants any part of Field Hockey tryouts either….I recall asking the coaches to let her older sister on the basketball and soccer team when she was a student here.

In Montenegro, girls aren’t really allowed or encouraged to play sports. There are no league teams and no real organized women’s sports. I think they can run and swim and that pretty much sums it up.

Jovana thought nothing of this disparity until she came to this country. I know it made her mad that these opportunities are not available in Montenegro. So….I think her experiment with athletics is a disaster so far. I think we will encourage her to pursue art, academics and drama.

Frankly, she is surprised at the pace of our lives. We run races, swim, lift weights and exercise several times a week.

On a lighter note I know why Rasho sends all of his daughters here. Each of the older girls are now successful in business and have excellent jobs. Despite what you think, America is a place where equality is alive and well. You have to see it to believe it.

Welcome to the land of opportunity.

Oh, by the way. It is Shark week on the discovery channel.

*Chomp*

See you on the beach!!!

Cheers,
Bobby

Jovana, Sanja and Saska…They have all come through our home and we love them very much.

Hmmm…

You know I sit around and chirp from time to time about the things I love and do well. Most folks are inclined to crow about good things in their life and I am no different I suppose.

Ahhh…So then why not talk about the stuff you don’t do so well?

I flat suck at Basketball. I just do. Oh sure I’m a good athlete but my passion for Basketball and desire to play the game ranks right up there with a slug. Want to win? Don’t pick me because I suck.

I will mess with the electrical panels in the house but I don’t like getting jackhammered by voltage when I make a mistake. Yikes!

Alligators? Um, I don’t like them at all. Count me out. I might knock your grandmother out of a wheelchair getting away from those things.

Chickies crying about this or that? I don’t know what to do. The worst is watching my my mom, wife or daughter cry. Why don’t you just nuke me? I don’t know what to say usually. UGH!

Ladies and Gentlemen I cannot rap. Nope. I tried. Several times. Not happening. Same thing holds true with that country twang in an attempt to sing country. Forget it. Neither one of these things are in my blood and musically I believe they are closely related.

Dancing? Oh my God! You and I both know the only reason I”ll consider dancing to begin with is because perhaps I’ll get lucky later with Nurse Ratchet. She likes it. I hate it. Oh, I also suck at it too.

Ever meet a guy who could pick up chicks like a magnet? I’m the antidote for that guy. Let’s just say I am Lerm’s evil anti opposite. The dude has skills. I DO NOT. Hilarious. I have NO SKILL.

I have many flaws. Lots and lots of flaws actually. I am human you know?

I recognize that my friends and family know many if not most of my flaws.

Guess what?

They love me despite my shortcomings….

Not perfect? Who cares?

Peace,

Bobby

I have come to the conclusion that my life has become a blur.

I remember catching my first fish as a little fellow with my father. There was no way was I going to touch it either. I wanted to put it back in the water right away.

I recall sitting by the Teevee watching Neil Armstrong walk the moon.

I remember integration and busing during my first grade year. Apparently, it was a big deal back then.

Baseball, soccer, running, swimming, surfing, skateboarding, guitar, math, physics, chemisrty and all sorts of subjects in between. Over the next several years I absorbed everything like a sponge.

I’m a high school senior and already dating the girl I would eventually marry.

College arrives and the friendships, sports, music and learning were incredible. So were the parties.

I’m newly married and soon have one child.

We spend every possible second together as we build our empire and nurture our daughter. People come in and out of our lives at an alarming rate.

Some of my childhood heros are no longer with me.

I have so much fun with my daughter while she grows up…I look back on these times as some of the best in my life. Reflecting back, I understand why we had a child.

What’s next?

I don’t know. You just blink your eyes and the time passes by very quickly.

All I can tell you is to make the most of each and every day.

You are born, you will die. The stuff in the middle we simply make up as we go.

My advice? Make up something grand while you are here.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Thank you everyone for sharing my little bout of self pity.

I managed to write that post right after I left my doctor’s office and I had to rationalize the whole encounter.

I have been able to manage my blood pressure since I was 27 years old with exercise. From a physics perspective it is entirely possible to lower your blood pressure if you can increase the diameter of your blood vessels.

More muscle = More vascularity. I can make that happen over time.

Moving on…

We are hosting a party for my wife’s co-workers on Saturday. We are pitching a canopy, bringing out the seadoo, catering lunch and providing beverages and music. Beach Party baby!!! We expect 50 to 60 folks and we will be playing bocce ball, horseshoes and just enjoying the sand, sun, and surf.

Our exchange student arrives Saturday just before 7 pm (Same day as the party). She is in for a shock. Like her sisters, we expect her to be exhausted from the journey. I also expect her to become homesick from time to time.

She will be amazed when she walks into the grocery store/department store for the first time!!

They still buy meat from a butcher and vegatables from a different store and so on…..

Sanja (her sister) just sent me the nicest letter and told me that living with us her senior year and then going to college were the best times of her life. She was excited for her little sister.

I expect Kelly and Jovana to get along well. Certainly we have all kinds of friends and family who are anxious to meet her.

Big changes are coming to the land of Fijufic this Saturday.

Peace be with you,

Bobby