Life is good for me, as last Wednesday (10/9/2024), I celebrated my one-year work anniversary at HealthEquity, Inc. I went to a Finance Conference at the headquarters in Draper, UT in July and it was nice to meet my team face-to-face, and even other people who I have been on calls with. Here is a…
Tag: The Dad Speaks
GameCrafters – Ernie Zuniga
I first saw Ernie on TV doing sports for KABB Fox 29 San Antonio, alongside Ed Suarez and Chuck Miketinac. I never even thought that I would end up working with all three of them as a high school football statistician. Ed was with the Texas Sports Radio Network, and Ernie and Chuck were with…
Niko The Lego Master
On Friday evening and before Niko went to sleep, I asked him to build me a small Lego holder for my one work pen and my work branded colored work markers. He agreed. We actually did it together yesterday morning, as I built the base and he built the rest. He even found a Lego…
GameCrafters – David Miguel
I was the statistician for the Spanish radio broadcasts for UTSA football in 2012, and David Miguel did the color commentary. Since he was from out-of-town, I picked him up at his hotel and we drove together to the games. What a great way to get to know somebody. Since then, we have kept in…
French Toast and Food
I am by no means a professional chef, but I try my best to give Niko the best breakfasts before school. Sometimes he requests fried eggs or a ham and egg breakfast taco, which I can do for him. Last week, though, he wanted French Toast, and we not only had the eggs, and bread,…
GameCrafters – Matt Wixon
In 2019, I reached out to Matt on Twitter. I had recently read a book he published about high school football, and I had to tell him how much I enjoyed it. We had previously connected on Twitter because we both were writing about high school football; him in Dallas and me in San Antonio….
Barnes & Noble
Give me some alone time at a bookstore, and I can easily find several books to purchase after browsing. But, add in Niko, and I have less than 60 seconds to browse as I have to chase him around the store. Yes, he likes books and I did buy him some last week at his…
GameCrafters – Mark Lieberman
I like asking questions and sharing other people’s stories here, but now it’s my time to share my story. So, what inspired me to write this one? Well, I was actually thinking of what family member provided me my passion for sports. Not playing but watching them on television. Them, referring to baseball and basketball….
The Tired Dad – Again
On Friday, Niko woke up at 4:30 am, and when that happens, I am up with him. It’s always been that way for Nina and I, and even though I don’t want to be awake, I get up and take care of him. It’s much easier for me to go back to sleep than Nina…
GameCrafters – Mark Kusenberger
When I was a high school football statistician for the Texas Sports Radio Network, I worked a lot of games with Kusenberger, and for those games, I always knew the broadcast would be flawless and my stats would be appreciated constantly. When we got married in 2010, Nina and I had a very small affair….
Lego Builds
Niko has always enjoyed legos, and some of the legos he has were from my childhood. In his younger years, I would have to build any new sets (and, he has a bunch) for him. But, now, he can do them on his own and he rarely needs help. Usually, he calls for me when…
GameCrafters – Chuck Miketanic
I was the statistician for Thursday Night Lights from 2009 to 2016, and in the 5th year, Chuck was the color commentator. I also remember watching him on Fox 29 San Antonio as one of the sports anchors (Ernie Zuniga and Ed Suarez were the others, and I worked with Ernie for the first four…
First Sick Day
Well, we are 10 days into school, and Niko finally had his first sick day on Friday! I partially blame one of his classmates who sits across from him as a few days prior to Friday, he vomited near Niko and some of it got on another classmates Chromebook. Yeah, I know great and thanks…
GameCrafters – Jorge Rodriguez
I was the statistician for the Spanish radio broadcasts for UTSA football, and Jorge Rodriguez was doing the play-by-play. That was the first time I met him. We worked all the home games together in 2012, and connected through social media shortly after. I was so nervous that first game, but he and the rest…
Week 1
Niko survived the first week of school, and he is really enjoying it. His favorite subject is Math and for rotation (art, gym, and music), it’s gym. And, he likes his teacher, which is awesome! Our morning, afternoon, and evening routines are going well. Mornings, he eats, he uses the bathroom, and he gets dressed…
GameCrafters – Carlos Enrico
I met Coach Enrico in 2014 at a high school basketball game between the St. Anthony Yellow Jackets and the Central Catholic Buttons. I was covering the game from the Yellow Jackets perspective and their Head Coach, Kevin Smisek, introduced us. I knew of Carlos, and it wasn’t until a few years prior to our…
School Days
Tomorrow, Niko starts 3rd grade. Last week, we met his teacher, and he was organizing his school supplies at his desk. He is excited to resume his schooling! He’s got lots of new clothing from Lands End, Old Navy, and Primary. He has a new lunch bag and water bottle, and his backpack from last…
GameCrafters – Michael Considine
I first Mike at a St. Anthony football game I was covering as a freelance writer and photographer in 2013. He was in the visiting side press-box covering the game for the San Antonio Express News. We had connected prior to that on Social Media, so I knew what he looked like. It was nice…
Goodbye Summer and Hello Back To School
Next Monday, Niko goes back to school, and this year, his class will be on the 2nd floor! Some schools in the area start tomorrow. He has his school supplies, and a few days ago, we ordered new clothes for him. He still won’t wear shorts and a t-shirt! He wears a t-shirt and a…
GameCrafters – Jay Howard
In 2001, I was an unpaid Intern at The Ticket 760 in San Antonio. I worked with Jay Howard for his afternoon sports talk show. I am not even sure how I landed that job. It’s very possible that I was referred to him by parents who knew him. At that point in my life,…