Ah a new year...

Seems like I wasn't in touch for a bit. I wasn't. Planning our new show time slot...Wednesday nights at 7pm on ESPN Radio 1280am. Yeah! New time, new day, same big name guests, same crazy fun, same local angles and even more listeners!!! Life has taken some turns the past few weeks and it's been good, sometimes bad. I honor the challenges and struggles, knowing it makes me fuller and stronger...even a bit more interesting, at least to a few. I'm excited about what 2013 brings, in work and in life. The CJ Silas Show is growing and working towards syndication this year. I couldn't do it without my loyal and supportive partners: Community VW of Santa Maria, Dr Brad Kurgis Dermatology, Lido Restaurant @ The Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, Brian Wampler & the staff @ Star Automotive, Dentists Daniel Lapidus & Larry Ackerman, Tim Holt at Preservation Capital, G Brothers Smokehouse, El Rancho Marketplace, Chiropractor William Baird, Mike Brabanac and Billy Gibbs of Golf Talk Radio on ESPN Radio 1280am. You are all awesome and have been with me through the first nine months of The CJ Silas Show. We will continue on this journey together, beginning this Wednesday January 9th at our new time, 7pm!!! Please, follow me on Twitter @cjsilas and find me on FB, C.j. Silas. Cheers!

I salute you...Jackie Robinson

I'd heard about Jackie's accolades at UCLA and Pasadena City College. I'd read all about his excellence in sports, lettering in track, basketball, baseball and football at each school. I've heard people speak about him and what he'd done for our country through sports. He was the first man of color to play professional baseball. He had the courage to go to the stadiums, into the clubhouses and locker rooms knowing it would be difficult because he was different. The only reason he was different, his skin was a darker color than the other players. During the late 1940's, when this happened, people all over the world were quite ignorant, therefore, he wasn't welcomed. But, he managed, he more than managed, he pushed through and truly changed the world. Even Martin Luther King Jr. once said Jackie Robinson did more for the civil rights movement than anyone of his time. He's been my hero for most of my adult life. His struggles and adversities motivate me to push through mine. If Jackie could do it, then I surely could. So, last night when I had the pleasure of standing in front of Jackie Robinson Stadium on the campus of Pasadena City College, I was mesmerized. I felt him there with me. I know his strength and perseverance have been by my side through the celebrations in my career and the pain of the disappointments. Being there last night, right where he'd studied for two years, 75 years ago, meant more to me than anything in a long time. I don't want us to lose his memory, I want young people to know the significance of his lifetime. I want to be sure kids always know who he is and what he did for so many of us in this country. He made it possible for people of all races and backgrounds to play sports. In the military and competitive sports were the first two places men of color worked side by side, reaching out for the same goal. I salute you Jackie Roosevelt Robinson. You have led me and inspired me year after year. I thank you for your guidance and vision. I've celebrated good times in my life and my career, because you taught me how to work through the challenges with a smile on my face. What would Jackie do? He would never give up. Cheers to Jackie Robinson. Hip Hip Hooray! I'd like to thank my partners on The CJ Silas Show for believing in me and supporting one of my dreams and encouraging me to Never Give Up!!!! Community VW of Santa Maria, Dr. Brad Kurgis Dermatology, Lido Restaurant @ The Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa, Dr. Daniel Lapidus & Larry Ackerman, G Brothers Smokehouse, Breven Baima @ Farmer's Insurance, Star Autmotive and Tim Holt of Preservation Capital. Without you by my side believing, The CJ Silas Show would be only a mere idea in my crazy little brain.

AAAAahhh a weekend...

It's finally here the NFL with legit officials, the last week of baseball w/ the final playoff spots, and college football is in full swing now. Aaaaahhhh, September and October, my two favorite months for sports. I still can't believe the boys in Blue may be watching the post season. Ugh! My NFL team is pretty horrible, one of my college teams is definitely horrible, at least USC is in the top 25 with post season hopes and back on track with a clean slate. Whew! Sports are such a cool way to escape the daily grind of life and the tough times. I am so grateful and thankful for my own personal "fandome," what are you thankful for???

Ups and downs...

Holy Cow...life can throw you some crazy pitches...cliche? yes. I've got nothing else. I can honestly say the last seven days have taken me to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But, here I sit the day before my first Hancock Football home game and I'm going to be okay. My nephew went home yesterday, whew! He's got a long road ahead of him, but kids are fighters. I've learned that over the past week, for sure. I feel far away, but at least it's only three or so hours. If my brother and his family need me I can get there quickly. Now, I need to get my head ready for the 3:50pm start of Hancock hosting Moorpark tomorrow/Saturday. I got this... This is what I've always wanted, I've got this. This is what I've worked over 20 years to attain, I've got this. This is where my life has traveled, according to my dreams and goals, I've got this. This is a big deal, but not life or death, I've got this. This is an accomplishment, I've got this. This is a big deal for the state of California, I've got this. This is huge for girls and women who want this, I've got this. This is a dream come true, I've got this. This rocks!!!

When Life Shows Up...

Life seems so overwhelming and tough sometimes. We all strive to get places, fulfill goals and acquire certain things along the way. We want something...we go for it. We decide something...we do it. We lose something...we look for it. We learn something...we remember it. I think I'm officially freaking out. I've wanted to do football play by play for over 20 years, almost my entire career. Now, it's here. I'm getting my spotting board/chart ready, my notes and stats too. I know I can do this, I might be rusty, but I'm ready and excited. I put so much darn pressure on myself to be perfect. That's impossible, there's no such thing. So, here I sit, talking myself down from the perfection ledge. My rational and logical mind knows I'll do great. I need to, according to Harry "f***! the jitters, keep smiling and enjoy it!"

Endless Summer...and a new exciting JOB!!!

Luckily where I live it feels like summer most of the year. Yes, it gets cold on California's Central Coast. But, the sun is shining on most days year round. The coast in the early mornings is always peaceful and welcoming. My favorite time of the day is before 8am on our little quiet community beach. Most weekdays I have the 1/4 mile stretch of beach all to myself. I should add, Inde the dog is always with me too. When I remove my shoes and walk down the 20 or so stairs, I look forward to feeling the water and shells between my toes. Sometimes another dog or two runs along in the distance, Inde galloping to find out who it is. She's middle aged, nearly 10 years old, but runs like she's still a teenager. No ball or stick will go unnoticed with this gray and black beauty. As summer moves into August, I celebrate my journey and the places I've been along the way. A new stop has appeared, yes a new gig, a big one, a huge one, a life changing dream come true for this California girl! Drum roll please... I am the new voice of your Hancock College Football team. Yes, radio/TV play by play of community college football. I have always wanted to do play by play. I'll get to paint the picture for our listeners while my partner explains the action from a football mind. I will give the best description I can of the action on the field, while he tells us how and why. This is so cool and exciting. My job is describing the action, while his is to add color, reasoning and expertise. Fun for us all. It's my first time doing play by play. After 23 years in this business I'm doing an entry level job with a bunch of solid experiences behind me. I cannot wait. Practice beings August 9th, I'll meet the coaches asap. It'll be different for all of us. But, I will make Hancock proud and all of the people who have supported me over the years as well. It's the beginning of a new chapter in my story.

Another book signing...Half Dome...wow!!!

Wow, life changing experience last week in Yosemite to the top of the illustrious Half Dome. A granite rock bigger than I have ever seen in person. It was a perfect place to take a deep breath and realize where my life has taken me. Or, I've taken my life. Actually, we do create it, don't we? We manifest and plan our own lives, the good and the bad. We take responsibility for it and for what we've done, who we've been involved with, what we've said and how we've treated ourselves and others. Too deep for you? You can handle it! I'm in a different place today, personally and professionally. Such an unplanned shift for me at this time in my life. When you're questioning your path or journey, why not go hike a rock, climb up some sketchy cables without any equipment; challenging yourself to do something you've never done before, but can and will!!! How strong might you and will you feel when you've completed such a physically brutal task? AMAZING!!! I didn't ever think in my life I'd own my own radio show. I didn't ever think I would be selling it, marketing it, producing it, doing all the research, booking the guests and also, being the host. But, here I am, and I CAN do this. I AM doing this. My intern Scott, who in his own words, "is amazing," said to me recently... "CJ stop stressing, if you build it, they will come!" So, here I go, building it, planning it, creating it, marketing it, selling it...and I will manifest success. I will make it happen. I will get the listeners, I will promote the show and people will "make an appointment to listen." This is what the last 20+ years is all about. This coming Saturday is my final Hard Cover book signing. It takes place in San Luis Obispo, CA. 2-5pm at Chamisal Vineyards. For the first time in my life, I am using everything I have learned and experienced along the way to "create, and make my life, my book and my new show a success!" Yeah for me. Ok, did I admit it yet...I'm a little nervous, I have butterflies in my stomach. If I didn't, then I'd be worried.