My name is Joe Neal. I'm a resident of The Villages, Fla., and the author of this new blog, The Villages Life. I'll be writing a few times a month about all of the available sports and opportunities here, which range from softball to pickleball and from golf to swimming and everything in between.
I'll also keep you posted on my own sporting adventures around the world. In the past 12 months, for instance, I raced in open water swims in an Irish river, the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. I've run in a 10k and competed in several triathlons.
So I have given a lot of -- OK some -- thought to this initiative and am very excited about this opportunity for several reasons.
First, I can expand on my writing skills, hopefully not at the expense of the readers. By the way, my attitude was always that I'm a fighter, not a writer! The Christian Brothers and I had many discussions about this in my formative years. I was terrific at math and the sciences, but not so in the liberal arts, specifically English and foreign languages. At the U.S. Naval Academy, where I went to college, your grades each semester were based on a combination of class exam scores and a final exam. I only failed one final exam at Annapolis, that was in my first semester as a plebe and it was English. I scored a 2.48 on a 2.50-4.00 scale, so it wasn't by much. And my in-class grades gave me a passing mark. That was a real wake-up call! Had I failed, I would have been before the Academic Board to see if I would be retained! Well, if you look at my transcript today, based on my performance, not that spectacular, you would have thought I was a liberal arts major! I did always enjoy the physical and athletic side during my years at Annapolis, possibly a little too much!
Second, we have so many terrific sporting activities in The Villages, this blog will give me the opportunity to engage in and learn about all the other things that I am not involved in. It will also give me the chance to meet new people and enjoy new friendships. Possibly I can undertake some of these activities myself, just not golf. (At 65, still don't think I have the patience or am old enough for that game!) Oh yes, I'm considering getting involved in synchronized swimming. I may be the first male, but do enjoy flowery Speedos. I hope
Carol (my long suffering wife) understands!
Lastly, and most important, the opportunity to support The Villages. We have a tremendous lifestyle and terrific residents here. I just want more of the same!
Tags: Masters Athletes
