Something You Didnt Know About Me

Rachel and I went to see a play this evening..."The Christmas Carol." We live about 15 minutes from both the Palace of Auburn Hills and Meadowbrook Theatre so there are plenty of opportunities like this. We don't get out to these things often but when we do I really enjoy it. I know it seems out of character for a former jock and coach to enjoy the arts...but I do. In fact, while coaching at Kent State University there was a dinner theatre in Akron, OH that Rachel and I would frequent (when I wasn't in the office working on a scouting report or on the phone recruiting of course). Our favorite was "Annie Get Your Gun." We also enjoyed the Shakespeare festival every summer summer in Abilene while living there.

"The Christmas Carol" was excellent. Everything; the venue, the actors and actresses, the stage, props and special effects. I love the Christmas season and I'm a sucker for a good Christmas play or movie...especially a classic! Ebeneezer Scrooge learns that money doesn't bring true happiness, kindness is better than bitterness, and that decisions really do matter. We can all benefit from a little "Gospel According to Charles Dickens" every so often. Rachel and I had a great evening.

Anyway, just thought I would share something most probably don't know about me.

Abbey and Palmer

This picture is of my daughter Abbey and her cousin (and best friend!) Palmer. She absolutely adores him. This picture was taken at a little Christmas village called Canterbury in Lake Orion, MI which is open and has a Christmas theme all year around. I always get a funny feeling when I take Abbey there because it's only a few miles from where I grew up. The same place where this picture was taken used to be just an open field that my friends and I would ride our bikes through on the way to Lake Vorhies (the neighborhood beach). My parents adore this picture and I think would love to have it blown up and framed in their house.

Palmer is going to have a lot of pressure to make good decisions and set a positive example for Abbey as he continues to grow up because she mimics his every move! However, I'm confident he will, and I'm grateful that Abbey already at such a young age is choosing good friends!

Johhny's First Game...We Lost Our 400th Game!

This is my brother, John Pleasant, with his two favorite people, Abbey and Palmer. Johnny has his own little one on the way, a baby boy he and his wife Erin plan to name Logan! He is the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Rochester High School and coached in his first game last night. My dad was unable to be there but John asked me to be there and sit on the bench with him. He did great! His team played hard but lost to the number one team in his conference. All three Pleasant boys (Garth, John and myself) have been or are head basketball coaches. And we have a winning record in our career opening games...2-1! My dad won the first game he ever coached (College) at 23 years old. I won my first game (College) at 26 and Johnny lost his (High School) at 27. However, I did a little research and discovered the Pleasant's lost their 400th game last night. Our (Garth, Klint and John) three records combine to total 660 wins and 400 loses (660-400). I might add my dad accounts for 627 of those and you already know that my brother is 0-1...so do the math to figure out what I have contributed...I have a feeling my good friend Clint Logue will read this and he's a little slow so thats...33. These wins (and losses) come from Junior College, Small College, NCAA Division II, class D HighSchool and class A High school. I wonder if there are any father son combinations out there that can account for 1060 basketball games and 660 wins??? Sounds like an ESPN story to me.

Anyway, didn't mean to steal the spotlight from my brother. He did a great job last night and I think Rochester HS hired a gem when they hired John Pleasant. I just hope my dad will keep coaching and that John will start winning (while I cheer them both on) so we can eventually win OUR 1000 game!!!