Archives For North Carolina

My Blue Heaven!

May 12, 2009 — 1 Comment

3-university-of-carolina

In a few short weeks we’re packing up the “family truckster“, setting the GPS for Outer Banks and spending a week on the beaches of North Carolina. As if that wasn’t inviting enough, I took it upon myself to just take a quick “look see” how far out of the way Chapel Hill would be on our journey. Since we’re “in the neighborhood” we’re going to go ahead and spend the night 2 miles from the University of North Carolina. To say I’m excited might be the understatement of the year!

While we’re there “The Boy” and I are already making plans to visit the campus book store to finally pick up some National Champion gear. From there we’re going to visit “Kenan Memorial Stadium“‘, “Boshamer Stadium” and Franklin Street. I am sure we will both have tears in our eyes as we visit the sacred ground that is  “The Dean Smith Center“. Once we’re through with all that as much as I hate to do it, we’ll probably take the 8 mile journey up Tobacco Road to Duke where we can vandalize see Cameron Indoor Stadium. The amazing thing is that I plan on doing all of that the first day we’re there!

As if that wasn’t enough, before pushing off for the final leg of the journey to Outer Banks, “The Boy” and I plan on hitting the newly opened “Carolina Basketball Museam“. I’m sure there will be more tears of joy, happiness, fulfillment at that moment too. Once we’ve had our fill and the camera memory cards are full, we’ll fire up the truckster and head to the beach for a week. Sadly, I don’t know if those days at the beach will compare with the first day and a half of the journey. Well…for “The Boy” and I at least….

In Being Me , ,
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Final Thoughts

April 6, 2009 — 1 Comment

psychotreilly

Some final thoughts before tonights big game.

  • Been interesting to hear which side the “Buckeye Nation” has taken for the UNC and Michigan State game. They either can’t root for “anything from that state up north” or they are rooting for the Big 10.
  • The analysts are correct that the game in December was totally different.
  • I don’t anticipate this, but should Michigan State win, you have to give them credit. They will have beaten three number one seeds to earn it.
  • Tom Izzo is a great coach. Roy had better have them ready.
  • The last two times Carolina won the Championship, they beat Big 10 teams (Illinois, Michigan)
  • I heard a statistic this weekend that was incredible. UNC has been in the Final Four 7 of the last 15 years.
  • Assuming they win Monday night, I will have watched 3 of their 5 Championships.
  • I’ve always been a Magic Johnshon fan, but in the match-up of alumni, I’ll take Jordan over Magic any day.
  • When I think of all the teams and players I have seen go through Carolina the last 20 years, this is my favorite team by a long shot.
  • I can think of no finer finish to the Hansbrough story and legacy than a Championship.
  • J.R. Ried has been replaced as my favorite Tar Heel of all-time by both Hansbrough and Wayne Ellington
  • My radio silence for the game officially begins when I click “publish” on this post.

Prediction:

No big surprises here however I do believe this game will be closer than some have predicted. Carolina has a way of going into “lapses” where they allow the other team to come back (Villinova cut that lead to 4 at one point Saturday night). If they are not careful, Michigan State is a well coached team and on a roll right now. One of those lapses could cost them the game. That being said,  the 4 that could have gone to the NBA (Hansbrough, Lawson, Green and Ellington) are 40 minutes from what they returned to do. Their depth and experience should weather the crowd and energy of Michigan State.

Heels by 12.

In Misc , , ,
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Something Big

September 1, 2008 — 15 Comments

In March of this year, we began a journey that took a BIG turn yesterday. Huge. In reviewing that post tonight. I recalled quoting the lyrics of John Waller when he sang:

“Something so big, it’s destined to fail without you Lord”

Friends, readers and those that may be visiting for the first time, I have an announcement to make….

In a little over two weeks, the Conrad family will become official residence of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Yes, you read that correctly. TWO WEEKS! I told you it was big. As late as Tuesday evening, I was just telling Heather that “if God wants us in Charlotte, He is going to make it pretty obvious”. In the category of “Be careful what you wish for” I got a call from our Realtor and friend Steve this morning to inform me that there was an offer on the table. Never expected that. While the offer was less than we were asking (common practice), it was in no way insulting and certainly within bargaining room. It also had a qualifier. Our potential buyer wanted to close by September 19th. They also wanted an answer by 8pm today.

We met at 6pm and prepared our counter offer knowing we might only get one shot at it. Knowing we might need to be house shopping in Charlotte this weekend, we requested their response by 10am. 30 minutes after leaving our home, our Realtor called and said:

“I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is Missy and I are going to really miss you guys. The good news is that you just sold your home.”

Just like that, in the matter of 8 hours the kite has officially been launched in the hurricane (Hannah to be exact). We’re headed to Charlotte tomorrow afternoon and will be barnstorm house shopping on Saturday and Church visiting on Sunday. There is much more to come on this story, but if I could ask your prayers for direction, discernment and wisdom this weekend they would sure be appreciated. We’re excited about chasing daylight while placing our trust in much greater hands.

I’m sure I’ll post some updates to Twitter and Facebook throughout the weekend. Thank you all for your prayers and sharing the journey so far. Buckle up friends…it’s going to be a wild ride!

“Something Big” by John Waller

In Faith, Family, Music , , , , , , , , , ,
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iWant

August 23, 2008 — 6 Comments

In Sports
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Charlotte Update

August 18, 2008 — 1 Comment

I’m sitting at the airport in Detroit on my way to Norfolk and was reminded on my flight that it was probably time for a Charlotte Update. To be honest there is not a whole lot to update at this point. While we continue to wait on an offer on the house, we also continue to try to figure out what the time between “now and then” will look like. We’ve had visits but almost each one was someone that gave great feedback but needed to sell their house first. The kids start school this week, so it is another reminder that it is not always how we draw it up. Our home in Charlotte (Matthews specifically) must not be ready yet.

What reminded me to do this update was the re-reading of “Velvet Elvis“. The question that always follows “We’re moving to Charlotte” is “Why”? Sometimes I wonder if I even know. But the quote below reminded me. I don’t know what it will look like. I don’t know why we feel the pull. I just know that it is what we are supposed to do and I am being obedient. God has something for us. God has a bigger story in mind and we are just a part of it. Thanks for praying. We’ll keep you posted.

“A church is a community of people who are learning how to be certain kinds of people wherever they find themselves, so they can do whatever it is they do “in the name of the Lord Jesus”. The goal isn’t to bring everyone’s work into the church; the goal is for the church to be these kind of unique kinds of people that are transforming the places they live and work and play because they understand the whole earth is filled with the kavod (Glory) of God. God isn’t one building only. Doing these things for God happens all the time, everywhere.” – Rob Bell

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