Clarity

I just re-read what I wrote this morning. I sounded a little harsh in relation to Art. Frankly, he was wonderfully humble and accomodating for the entire day - and we ran him ragged going from tv to radio stations to Rotary to the awards!

My angle is that I was amazed how normally rational people lose it over someone who is really just like them. He's just a guy who is trying to get his life back together - he has debt, he has employment issues, and he loves his Mom!

And he has people like me who still hold suspicions of his motives. Remember - you are never cured of an addiction. Part of recovery is the potential for relapse.

He has so much to offer with his story...I pray the process of recovery will allow him to continue to tell it.

Idol Worship

I witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon Tuesday when rational people fawned over someone who was "almost" famous!

I coordinated the marketing and pr for The Valley Impact Awards, an event that recognizes those who have helped others in their battle with addiction. As part of the event, the client arranged for Art Schlichter to be the keynote speaker.

Anyone over 30, particularly men, will know of Art. If you're from Ohio, you worship him.

Art was the quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the late 70's/early 80's - the last QB to play under legendary coach Woody Hayes. He almost had it all - drafted by the Baltimore Colts as their QB of the future, receiving a million dollar signing bonus.

Problem was, he had a serious gambling addiction and threw it all away. In fact, he was only released from prison in 2006, having spent the better part of 10 years incarcerated for racketeering and fraud! One of his scams involved selling bogus sporting event tickets, using his "celebrity" to convince people he had access to great seats and events.

So long story short - I was with him for the media tour for the better part of the day. It was amazing - everyone was giddy being so close to a legend, or being so close to someone who knew a legend (Hayes).

Grown men giggling like school girls, women (or one woman) trying to get a piece of him - literally.

And here's the thing - HE HAS NO MONEY AND NO JOB! In fact, he owes over $500,000 in restitution, runs a small organization to raise awareness of gambling addiction, and lives in his small southern Ohio hometown - with his mother!

Here's the scariest part - he offered the CEO of the addiction treatment center Super Bowl tickets that could be auctioned off to raise money for the center. I want to believe it's legit but given his history...

Homecoming

Part of me was ready for this and part of me couldn't believe I was looking at my son, WITH A DATE!

Homecoming is the only dance Freshman are allowed to attend. I'm very thankful for this as it cost us over $300! (Suit, tickets, corsage, dinner)

We didn't get through the evening without some drama...

As I've mentioned before, Cameron is shy to a fault! It was shocking that he actually asked a girl to the dance. Of course, he did it by text - God forbid he would actually have to talk to her! And that was the problem - as of 5:30 on Saturday evening we still weren't sure she was actually going to show up!

The football game the night before, he didn't say a word to her and I watched her all night walking around with two other boys. Then he "texted" her after to make sure they were still meeting between 5 and 6 and all she said was "I guess so".

Saturday he had an out of town football game (we lost 12-6, our record is now 4-1). When he gets home, there is no message from her so he texts again. Nothing.

He then tells us that he bought her ticket and gave it to her the day before - what's to stop her from just going with someone else? He also phones his friend who is supposed be going with her friend and he doesn't even have his date's phone number to check what is going on! (my son is not alone in the disorganization department)

So, being the hyper organizing Mom that I am, I start arranging for him to meet up with other friends and go with them. I even consider getting my friend's GORGEOUS senior daughter to escort him.

Then at 5:40 p.m. the text arrives - "I'm on my way".

...And she was lovely! She had been getting her hair and nails done and didn't have her phone.

They had a really great time but I expect they will just remain friends. Cameron would actually have to continue talking to her for it develop into anything more and why would he do that when he can just text his innermost feelings?!

Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio?

I took another break from blogging.

I had full intentions of going on and on about the Californians and their world-wind visit (it was SOOO great to see friends from home!)

I had full intentions of telling the tear-filled tale of buying my oldest son his first suit (I'll tell the tear-filled tale of the actual date this weekend)

I had full intentions of telling of the Saturday sports (two losses and a big win - Go Freshman - 25-24)

I had full intentions of telling about my eldest son shaving his legs - but that one is just too weird.

I had full intentions about sharing the Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest highlights (rain and all)

And finally, I had full intentions of telling everyone I TOLD YOU SO about Sarah Palin.

But - I'm really PMS right now so I have absolutely no intentions at all!