THE MONTH OF MAY

It might as well be Christmas already, because this is the start of one of the best months of the year (Note to my friends who don't understand my love of racing, skip this part). It's May and I'm already looking forward to my trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 500. I went for the first time last year, and was fortunate enough to be asked back. Hopefully, I can follow up my grand opening last year and parlay it into a full-time job for 2004.... It could happen, if not, I know this is the start of the make or break year for me.

April showeres usually bring May flowers. For me, May has always brought change. It all started four years ago today, when I left Greenwood. I was prepared to move home and was in Texas when my friend Connie told me about helping out at Texas Motor Speedway. I got the pit note reporting job and still have it. My first race, the June 99 IRL race, was the first time I worked with many of my friends from Indy. That was my first foot in the door. It was also when I got my job in Anderson.

Who knows what this May will bring about. I've said no one stays in Anderson forever. Next year will be my fifth year here in Anderson. I thought I'd be here two maybe three years max and now I've been here almost four. With racing looming in my periphery, I've dragged my feet long enough. So by next May, I'm going decide what I should do.

One of these days, I'm not going to want to be on the road and work in racing. I'm getting closer to the days when I'm going to fall in love and want to start a family. The golfer Charles Howell III grew up in Augusta, never went to the Masters until he earned his playing priveleges there. It hurt him to badly to be there and not play. I don't think I'll ever be like that, but there might be a time soon, when I do.

On a happier note, April Showers also bring MARCUS -- who is coming to visit us from Charleston -- HOORAY