"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (No Fear ad, 1993)

There is one thing I've learned in my almost 27 years and that is you only get what you strive for. After all, if you don't strive for anything, then how are you going to get it? Life certainly won't hand it to you. I've worked hard to be where I am in my life. I busted my ass to get myself through school and get my college diploma, and I've certainly paid my dues to keep my job with the Feds.

But the one thing I've always done is to take the proverbial shot. I've always taken that risk. You have to... especially if you want something that bad.

2003 will not be different.

Career:

Sometime this year, I will have to compete for my job once again. Win it and I have an indeterminate position with the federal government. Lose it? Well, let's just say that it's a good thing I know how to do this web design thing... It just might have to be my full-time job after all. I'm kidding. I know I won't lose.

Relationships:

Angie and I broke up just a short while ago. To be truthful and honest, it hurt - I really liked her. Unfortunately, we were at different stages of our lives, both geographically and emotionally.

I'm at a stage in my life now where I don't want to play games. I've played the field and lived the single life. I want to meet a nice girl. Someone I can bring home to mom and dad, ya know? Bonus points if she likes basketball and hockey.

Friendships:

2002 brought out the best in my friends. It was a tough year in terms of my grandmother passing away in July, the accident, and the break-up with Angie... I sincerely appreciate my friends for being there for me. I don't know what I would have done without them. I can only hope to repay the favor when it comes.

Hoop-It-Up 2003:

If there's a positive from last year's loss in the finals, it's that my entire team vowed revenge. Physically, we were beaten up. Mentally, the other team got to us. In the end, we choked. Not this year. We won't lose again. We can still feel the sting of losing and we promise not to feel that sting again.