Hangin' With Cooper

A few months back I received news that my long lost Chicken Soup buddy was going to be a daddy. Although, I was very happy for Jamie, thoughts that I had had when he told me he was making the move to San Antonio came flooding back...

"No, you moron!"
"You know she's not right for you."
"I haven't met this chick, but I don't like her."
"What the hell are you thinking?!?"
"Go ahead and head to TEXAS, check out the big hair, the chicka that doesn't get give-and-take, you'll be back in no time."
"San Antonio, ha, you move to Texas you'll be goin' through the Big D and straight back to the WU Sidelines."

...I could go on and on, but you get the point.

For the first few months after JO left for Texas, I knew that he wasn't happy and thought for sure he'd want to come running back home. He found a job that left him traveling a lot and I knew that wouldn't fly with Supermom for long considering what's the difference between always traveling and living in another state - REALLY?

I remember phone call after phone call from lonely hotel rooms and trade shows along the road. I was lost at HPT and he was lost somewhere between room service and the next airing of SportsCenter. Gradually, the phone calls slowed, then stopped, then came the email they bought a house, then the family was growing (WELCOME MIA), then the bomb........Supermom was going to have a baby......."WHAT?!? This really is working? Could he really be happy now, he hasn't been happy for as long as I've known him.......hmmm"

Now, Cooper James Overocker, the cutest little boy in the world, has arrived! He's here and for the first time in the 3 years I've known him, JO looks happy...

......that smile on his face and sparkle in his eye is unmistakable.....perfect really.

So, JO - I never thought I'd see this day come or things unfold the way they have, but I'm so happy for you! It's funny how things work out isn't it?!?! I can't wait 'til Cubby starts learning how to talk so I can teach him the Rock Chalk chant! Miss you tons! *hugs*

Check out more JO & Cubby happenings at hanginwithcooper.blogspot.com! It is so much fun to watch as JO & Supermom go through things for the first time and to see Cubby grow right before your eyes from states away!

Ideas

I have just a few ideas for upcoming posts and hope to get them up as soon as I can.

-Thunderhill Speedway Drops the Checkered on the 2009 Season Bringing the Mike Henry Era to an End
-How Many Different Ways Do You Have To Tell A Guy You Are Not Interested Before He Gets It?
-Mary Kay - A Cult Or A Small Business Opportunity? Makeup & Money.......Maybe?
-Burnout! How To Keep A Story Fresh When The Results Are The Same.
-My Take On "Hangin With Cooper"
-Why is it the guys you want in the 'friend-zone' want out and the guys that you are interested in just want to be in the 'friend-zone'? AND What's with the random pop back into your life moments?
-HOUSE SHOPPING!!!

The more I type this little list, the more ideas that come to mind. I am going to stop there, as I'm not sure I can keep up if I give myself too much to write about.

Wow - It's Been Awhile!

Life has been crazy busy lately. I have not had a lot of extra time and when I do I tend to go for sleeping! ;-) When I do have time to sit down and breathe, it never seems like I have words...thus, I have not written a new blog entry for some time.

I will do my best to get back on the bandwagon! I am hoping that once race season comes to an end, I will have more time to dedicate to blogging. At this point in time, all my words go to the Nic Bidinger Racing Fan Club.

Stay tuned!!! Hopefully you will find some great new entries in the very near future!

*hugs*
~Jen

New Adventures

I had another article published last week. It was a feature on Nic Bidinger. Nic is a local dirt track racer...and major hottie might I add! ;-) Ok, seriously, that's a completely different blog! ANYWAY! The story on Nic not only went on midwestdirt.com as did the Mike and White article, but it also was placed on inthepits.net. The links to both are below! Aside from this article, I have also created a couple of Fan Club pages on Facebook to moderate. One is for Nic...he is going to try to help keep it updated, so he thinks, but the boy is super busy, so it will stay on the top of my list for awhile. The other is for Kyle Covert...I'm pretty sure Kyle is great with me keeping it up-to-date for him! :-) Be sure to check them out and JOIN!!!

midwestdirt.com: http://www.midwestdirt.com/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=1574&sid=6acfb2f590a7427356f5562510e8a167

ITP: http://www.inthepits.net/features293.html

Published!

FULL STORY AS PUBLISHED: http://www.midwestdirt.com/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=1506

Mike and White Productions Gears Up to Get Fans Up-Close and Personal with Midwest Dirt

By: Jen Brown

Mike Higley and Rodney White are average race fans, but the work they are doing for racers on Midwest dirt is anything but average. Higley and White realized a need and with the right equipment and a passion for dirt racing the two set out to capture racing on dirt from a new angle - on video.

Mike and White Productions is bringing Midwest dirt to your finger tips. The thrill ride provided by their videos is sure to get you through the work week and to your local track the first chance you get.

“Our videos are all over the place and that is what makes it interesting and exciting because you never know what is coming next. If that brings a smile to someone’s face then we have done our job,” said White.

Drivers are the priority for Mike and White Productions. The goal is showcasing racers as superstars, and providing exposure to new markets and fans. The digital promotion will take dirt fans to a new seat at the track - behind the wheel.

“We believe that Joe Saturday Night racer is as special as Dale Jr., or Jeff Gordon,” said Higley.

The duo seeks to capture a night under the lights from a racers point of view. The unique look at dirt racing will bring a new level of excitement as fans wait for the next green flag to drop.

Buckle up and settle in for a great ride around the smooth Midwest dirt in the latest production from Mike and White.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-XHanUbgg

*Thanks to Rodney and Mike for giving me the opportunity to do this story and to Wiggy for posting it on midwestdirt.com*

Thunderhill Speedway

Today has been a rather sad day for me as I just sent the following letter via email to Mike and Joey Henry regarding my future involvement and the current situation at Thunderhill. This was a very hard and well thought out decision and I wish them all the best.

-------------------------------------

Mike and Joey,

After a lot of prayer and consideration I have arrived at the conclusion that it would be best for me to remove myself from the current situation at Thunderhill. You both, as well as Cheryl, have done a lot for me personally and in the racing community over the years and it is very hard to watch what is happening at the track as of late.

In wishful thinking and knowing the potential Thunderhill has, I thought for sure the first week this season was a fluke and everything would be turned around in a timely manner. However, this has not been the case. I know that Thunderhill could be a top-notch place for dirt track racing in the area as it was not so long ago. In order for this to occur changes must be made. I have not seen the effort in having these changes take place.

Not only do I worry for the safety of our drivers, I also have a concern for the staff and fans. The fire crew has left a lot to be desired and their lack of attentiveness and response is unacceptable. The stands need more than a little TLC...with old wood that is shaky at best, it made me nervous to climb to see my dad who had strategically placed him self at a point over the metal structure in hopes that if the boards gave out he'd save himself from a fall. The scoring tower is not only completely unsightly and rotted away, but it is unacceptable and dangerous. You should not put your announcer or scoring staff in such an unsafe place, let alone allow fans to come into the structure to collect 50/50 monies and other prizes. I understand that it is the plan to replace the tower when the weather cooperates, but as things seem to be going, I cannot hold my breath for that while praying I don't fall through the current one at any given moment.

It breaks my heart to walk away from a great family, great friends, and a facility with all the potential in the world. However, I don't know what else to do. I cannot put myself in that situation or watch as our drivers are put in a situation I feel is unsafe. Should a repeat of Grant Junghans 2008 HPT fire occur on the back-stretch or a heart attack and infield crash that required CPR and a life-flight like what occurred back in 2000 or 2001 (I can't remember the exact date for sure) happen again, I'm not confident that the on track staff and fire/safety crew would be able to properly react. Are you...really? In making this decision someone asked me when will it be enough...when does it cross the line...is it when someone you care about is in a ball of flames or they've barrel-rolled down the front-stretch and the fire crew still doesn't respond or is it now before you have to witness such a thing? I hope that situation never occurs, however, we all know that it is a possibility...I can't sit back in a falling tower and watch that...I'm sorry.

We are all pulling for you and want to be there every Saturday night, but we just can't with things the way they are. I say we meaning, myself, fans and drivers that you and I both know have made their way to HPT or Valley or elsewhere to date and anyone else that shares these thoughts, feelings, and hopes.

You have my continued support and I wish you all the best as you move forward this season and want nothing more than for you to make steps needed to keep Thunderhill not only open and operating, but doing so successfully. Please, start showing the racing community signs that there isn't a self-destruction in progress.

Love you guys!
Blessings!
~Jennifer

two per week - two weeks straight

A few weeks ago I found an article on msn.com about some chick who had went on 100 dates in one summer. She wasn't sleeping with any of these men, just going out on dates getting to know new people...and more importantly getting to know herself and what she wanted out of a relationship. I shared this with a co-worker who immediately suggested that I take the same approach to my upcoming summer. Sounded stressful to be honest! I thought that it was a completely crazy idea and that there was no way I could even come close to talking to that many men in one summer. In a later discussion with one of my buddies at the race track...he suggested I take the man's approach to my summer and just f* anything and everything I wanted. Yes I said that I wanted because he made it very clear that I could do just that...pick any man out of a crowd and have my way with him ;) It goes without saying...but...THAT'S NOT ME!!!

So, I have decided to take the basic principle that my friends were speaking from and spend this summer with a carefree attitude and try to meet as many new people as possible and hangout with who I want when I want with no worries. The idea in my head is that in doing this I will get to know a lot about myself...you know, just file away the baggage of this past year and the things before that which have let me put who I really am out of sight. Hopefully I will also meet a lot of really amazing people and possibly make a few lasting friendships. Lastly...this will help me to figure out what I do and don't want out of a relationship and, if I'm lucky, maybe even bring forth someone worthy of something a little more serious than a few dates during a carefree summer.

How's that working for me so far you may ask...
Well, I have met a few awesome people...talked more to some that I already knew... -AND- I have spent time with 2 guys per week for the past 2 weeks! Guess it's going alright so far. Now, who are these fellas you may ask. None of your business I would answer! I will tell you this: Each guy that I am getting attention from or spending time with isn't necessarily boyfriend material...and I'm great with that. Out of the four guys that I have kicked it with since this began I would say only one has potential...and even that is pretty low. Another...well, there are underlying circumstances that don't allow for thoughts of potential. There is this one that's a crazy player...which is cool...hell, look at what I'm doing. Bad thing is, he's in major denial! The final one to be described* has some issues that I'm just not willing or able to attempt to tackle.

*descriptions were not given in timeline order, but rather just the order I thought them up.

How am I going to be able to hang on to one that may be something special you may wonder...
My phone is blowing up on a daily basis...by some individuals that I have or will spend time with and by others that are merely entertainment for that particular moment in time. That coupled with the fact that I am openly speaking up about my intentions and lack there of could make it difficult to keep someone special around. *NEWSFLASH* I'm not an idiot!!! If someone comes into the rotation ;-) that is worthy of being at the top of the TO GET ATTENTION list then by all means...that is exactly where they will go and the others will be weeded out in a more timely fashion.

So - for clarification: I am single and I am going to do what I want, when I want, with who I want and I don't give a damn how you feel about that! If you want to kick it or chat then by all means...let's get to it. If you can't handle the fact that this is my outlook on summer then keep steppin'! If you think you can change this current philosophy of mine...by all means, give it a shot...God willing you might just succeed. But please...don't hold your breathe...you turning blue and passing out may get me to call 911, but it will not get me to makeout with you ;-)

Will this bring out the one or just make for one hell of a ride??? I have no idea, but I can't wait to find out!

*hugs*
~Jen