Three kids. Three time zones. One mission...

Don’t you HATE when…

Brad,Robert,Ben — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:14:42 +0000

Okay, this might be common for some of you – but do you not HATE it when you realize that nobody seems to fit the ‘right’ standards? (I’m not going to lower my own standards just because nobody around me wants what I want) I honestly can’t seem to understand what it is that I’m doing wrong or if that I’m destined to be a dog person. Anyway, this is just a rant.

- R

Proud to be Brave – A story we should all be proud of

Brad,Robert,Ben — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:51:36 +0000

Jeremy is a 17 year-old athlete (more notably as a football player) who recently was fed up with the close-mindedness attitude of the kids and parents alike in a small, rural town in the South. He recently came out – showing the community that he, too is one of a kind and part of a movement towards tolerance and equality. My heart goes out to Jeremy and all of his friends who have stuck by him. Proud of you Jer.

Credit to Jeremy for his bravery and Credit to Jimbo @ Outsports for linking me to his actual story.

You can find the full story below -

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2012/02/14/gay-high-school-football-player-finds-acceptance-amid-homophobia-in-rural-america/

- Robert

This is what’s up

Brad,Robert,Ben — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:40:02 +0000

Nothing has really happened since I last posted (which was some time ago.) Well, the soccer season started. I guess that is something. We’ve practiced for a week and we start playing in a few days. We always start the season with a tournament. This year we are playing two of our three hardest games in the tournament. That should be interesting. We have two crazy games to start off the season and another crazy game to end the season. It’s like a crazy sandwich.

-Ben

Finale

Brad,Robert,Ben — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:58:46 +0000

Today marks the last day of conditioning for my senior soccer season. Let me catch you up on last year though:

We went 15-2-1 and lost in the State Semi’s in a disappointing 2 to 1 loss. It was supposed to be the year we won, however it is what it is.

I dedicate this season to all my teammates and look forward to keeping you guys updated in the process. This also marks the day I have come to the decision that I will be releasing an article, during the post season, about everything. I am going to let the whole world know who I am, what I want to do, what I want to change, and that I am proud of who I am. I have nothing but the highest expectations for my play and being honest to everyone is part of those expectations.

I look forward to linking you guys to it when it’s final! Until then, stay tuned -

- Robert

Pulled muscle to start off the soccer season

Brad,Robert,Ben — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:45:20 +0000

I think I pulled my adductor magnus. I’ve got no idea what that is exactly, but it’s something in my groin. Upon googling it I saw, “It is aggravated by running and quick movements… including moving side to side and kicking a ball.” Damn.

On a slightly nicer note, soccer try outs have begun and that means no more conditioning. Woo! Try outs have actually been going on for a week, so let me fill you in. Last Monday was my favorite day because I barely did anything. Due to bad weather, we had try outs inside… in the hallway. We did push ups, sit ups, jumps, and broad jump. We were all split up into four groups and did one station at a time. I was given a clipboard and I took down times/push up count/etc for one group. I felt pretty cool. I got to yell at some freshmen.

The rest of the week was spent at a terrible mud pit field (no field at school and we don’t get our nice turf field until tomorrow.) Tuesday sucked, it was all running (running + adductor strain = no fun.) The rest of the week we did small-sided possession and things like that. This will be my third year on varsity, so I can’t really say I’m worried about making the team. What I am worried about is getting back in the rhythm of things and not getting hurt. But that’s not a huge deal until practice starts. So right now I’m having fun, scouting the possible new players for varsity, and-I have to admit- scouting some cute guys. There’s like seventy people, there are bound to be some good looking ones. Once drills start, I focus. It’s really easy to get your ass cut up if you’re not focused. I am thinking about soccer when I need to, but when the coaches are giving their bullshit ‘everybody is good at soccer’ speeches… my eyes wander. It’s all in good fun. Hey, if everybody gets to joke around about girls and shit, then I get to check out guys. It looks like most of the cute kids are gonna be on JV, but maybe that’s a good thing. It’ll be easier to focus once the season starts.

It’s Not a Big Deal

Brad,Robert,Ben — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:59:25 +0000

Life is ever-changing – meaning you may never actually know yourself until you truly accept what you may or may not be. To me, this means that I have to accept that I could be gay, bisexual, or even straight. These past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions. From learning that I had feelings for one person and then those feelings suddenly flipped on me and now I have a huge crush on the girl in my statistics class. From meeting a guy and having a good first date to the first kiss that just didn’t feel right at all.

I never blushed so much in my life when my crush found out my plans to ask her to prom – isn’t that what you’re supposed to feel when you like somebody? Real emotions.

My point is that even if you have NO clue what you are in this world, you really don’t need to worry. Do whatever comes naturally.

We are not defined by how hard we fall, so dust yourself off and stand tall – Take a shot – Shake up the world – They have to take you as you are – and not a single person can tell you ‘No’.

- Robert

Bad Intentions (An Orginal Poem)

Brad,Robert,Ben — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:19:56 +0000

I’m broken from the inside out -
From the lies straight out of your mouth.
They spread like a wildfire -
A blaze with a bitter end… Don’t pretend.
Maybe it’s for the better – Nothing lasts forever.

And this is not in spite,
but what you did to me surely wasn’t right.
I’m sorry I ended us, but it’s hard to pretend
when, in the end, I really didn’t know who I am.

What you need to realize,
is not that I hate or resent you,
but that I can’t stand what you’re turning in to.

Don’t pretend you’re better than everyone else,
instead be who you were meant to be.
Take all the bad intentions and make them good again -
Forgive and Forget -

PS – Don’t blame the world, wake up and stop burning bridges with all your friends… As a friend, you need to know you can’t do this forever and until you change, you’ll keep losing friends. Do it for the better of yourself.

- Robert

This is NOT Okay.

Brad,Robert,Ben — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:53:25 +0000

Phillip Parker, 14, died last week, the victim of an apparent suicide. He was gay and he lived in Gordonsville, Tennessee. He was also another victim in the ever-rising number of bullied students in school systems across the states. He said he had a rock on his chest that he just wanted to lift so he could breathe…

While he has passed and will be remembered as another of the wrongly killed students of our time, he has sparked something in me and others alike. We want to lift that rock from his chest – let him breathe freely without others freely bullying students like him.

Recently, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill was brought back up for vote. If you’re not familiar with the bill then you can read up on it http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/apr/21/dont-say-gay-bill-clears-senate-panel

Now if this is passed then the teaching/discussion of anything other than heterosexual issues in grades K-8 would be unlawful. This is a major setback to anyone determining their own sexuality. It might as well be saying that anyone in grades K-8 who thinks that they may be gay or bisexual should hide it from everyone.

If you think this is wrong, please speak out – at the very least for Phillip.

My thoughts go out to his family and know that his spirit lives on through myself and those alike -

Love,

Robert

Officially friends with a collegiate athlete

Brad,Robert,Ben — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:10:03 +0000

I had to make it official!
http://bradrobertben.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/officially-a-collegiate-athlete/

-Ben

Officially a Collegiate Athlete

Brad,Robert,Ben — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:26:38 +0000

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 I received my acceptance letter into Augustana College. I also received a call from the head coach that same night confirming my verbal commitment (signing in 2 weeks >)!

This is one of my proudest moments. Not only am I entering my future, I am joining a select few others who are lucky enough to get the chance to play a sport they love! Never have I been so excited and ready for something in my life either.

Anyway, just sharing the good news with everyone! Hope all is well with everyone and hoping everyone has a safe and fun weekend.

Cheers,

Robert