Love him or hate him, Glenn Beck can always strike a chord with the American people. He wrote this amazing letter to his daughter while she was attending Freshman Orientation. He later shared it at his commencement address at Liberty University. I heard it on the radio yesterday and was floored. I thought it was worth sharing.
My daughter just started her first year in college and as I was flying here today, I didn't feel like I had anything to share with you that you hadn't already learned here. I took out my journal and looked up the things that I wrote to my daughter as she was sitting there listening to one of her professors on her first day as a Freshman. These are the things that I wrote to tell my daughter:
“You are never alone and there is never trouble that is beyond help. Your father loves you and your Heavenly Father loves you. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come, but as long as we have today, it's never too late. Question with boldness. Read what they tell you not to. Challenge everything. The educated of this time are growing arrogant, and arrogance leads to darkness. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. However, sanitizer is a must, especially in New York City. In New York City, honey, it's best both times just not to touch.
“Look for the exits. They may save your life. Respect others. Know that they are most likely afraid, just like you. In fact, I found more arrogant and forceful they become, the more afraid they are. The worst thing in life you can do is dishonor yourself or your family and then go living a life without setting it right. Marry for love, marry for laughs, but most importantly, as my wife Tania taught me, marry with God. For without God, life's storms are too strong to withstand.
“Wealth and fame are an illusion. We've been rich, we've been poor. We've been happy both times. The only times I've truly been miserable is when I was lying to myself or to others. Alcohol and drugs make life easier for a very short time and then they destroy. There is no experience that is bad. Experience just is. It's what you do with that experience, how you'll use it. Will it shape your life for the better and help you become a stronger person? Or will you allow those experiences to smother and destroy you? Call 911 first and then call your dad.
“Always have a picture on your desk of someone you admire. Don't let life wash over you wave after wave. You're not a rock. Learn from the waves. Learn from the currents. Choose to sail. 'I am that I am' is the most powerful phrase in any language, as it is the name of God. Never use it in vain. Use it to create who you want to be. I am, blank. But know if you don't fill that blank in, someone else will. You can ignore it, but if you do, it will be filled in by others or just life. There will always be many that will try to fill that blank in but only you can fill it in and be happy.
“The Lord lives and He is personal. He loves you, and He's always there to help. But we have to train ourselves to hear it. We have to use our faith and exercise it like a muscle. The more we use faith, the louder He becomes. Serve Him in all things. Stand where He asks you to stand. Stand, for you do have a purpose. Your job is just to remember who you are, remember what you agreed upon. We're meant to be happy. But remember, no pain, no gain. Life is hard and then it gets harder. And then you die. But every single second of life is worth it.
“Always say what you mean and mean what you say. Turn the other cheek and always forgive. But don't forget so much that you put yourself in the same situation. Question authority, including everything that I've just told you. Make these things true because you know them to be true. You have everything you need. You have everything you need to be happy. May you figure that out before I do.
“Freedom, rights, are given to man by God. They are His. Protect them. You are the guardian. Private jet travel is the only material thing that can actually change your life. However, refined manner, gentleness, meekness, kindness, will be the only currency of any true value. Stuff doesn't matter. Forgiveness is divine. The atonement is real. You are worthy. Hell is an eternity of regret, not being able to forgive yourself. Walk a lot and never stop noticing things around you. When you do, change your ways or change your address.
“People are good. They want to do the right thing. Give them the opportunity. Shadows are darkest at noon, and it always gets colder before sunrise. It's never wrong to do the right thing. Learn to love others that you don't know or really don't like. Read the scriptures every day. They are alive, and He speaks to you through them. There are no coincidences in life. Learn, laugh, love. Sleep hard and sleep less. Pray on your knees.
“To whom much is given, much is required. You've been given the world and beyond. Only date those who love you as much as I do. Only date those who will treat you as I have tried. Never want anything too much. You'll always end up paying too high of a price one way or another. If you must shoot, shoot to kill.
“Labels are meaningless. Someone you meet today is afraid or suffering. Find them. Comfort them. Never let the sun go down without saying you're sorry for your wrongs. Your dad misses you. Call him. Call him now. What? Why haven't you called him yet? Life goes by far too fast. Keep a journal. Write what you think; write what you question; write what you know. There is order in all things. Stay in that order. Stay in the flow. You will find very few real friends in life. Cherish them. Things will change and you'll fall in and out of each other's lives, but when you do come back, it will be as if you never left.
“The hardest thing to do is to admit failure, to admit weakness. Only the very strong do. The weak never ask for help. Fasting is prayer. Fasting without prayer is a diet. And why? Why haven't you called your father yet?”
Until Next Time, Dear Readers.
Just in case those concerned with the fact that Glenn Beck is a Mormon, this is not my support of him or his beliefs in Mormonism. Removing that fact, this is still a beautiful letter from a father to his daughter. For reasons why I don't support Mormonism, please read here:
http://www.seafox.com/mormons.html
Thank you.
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Whole Lotta Thankfulness
Every year at around this time, I send out a fairly thoughtful and retrospective post that would reflect on the things that have occurred in my life over the past 12 months. This year won’t be any different. However, my goal is that the tone will be a little different; I plan to express my thankfulness for several events that have taken place over the course of 2009… that and the fact that I’m posting it about 30 days early.
The month of January brought my recent tumultuous employment career to a head. My current employer at that time was Circuit City. On November 3, 2008, Circuit City announced the closure of 155 stores and to lay off 17% of its workforce in attempts to regain their footing of their fledgling financial woes. Unfortunately, only seven days later, on November 10, they filed for bankruptcy. Now I don’t know about you, but that's like being told you’re going to have to have your toe amputated in order to stop the spread of gangrene, only to come in a week later for a check-up and your doctor cuts off your entire leg, and then tells you that the test results (which they had had the entire time) stated it had spread throughout the entire appendage. In hindsight, it was completely pointless.
Now I know I’m not the first individual to work through the entire holiday season wondering if I’ll have a job come January 1st. However, I think the hardest part was accepting the fact that our jobs would soon be gone, even though all of our managers kept trying to put on the positive spin that a buy-out was going to happen, saying ”we’ve been in business for far too long for us to just close the doors” or "remember that K-mart filed for bankruptcy and they're still around." With a lengthy background in retail, I should have seen the rats scurrying off of the sinking ship. So when they announced that Circuit City would be liquidating all of their assets and closing their doors in February, it really came as no big surprise to me.
I think the hardest part was trying to put forth the amount of effort to coming in day after day, with a smile on my face. As the days grew closer and closer to February 16th, the more difficult it was. Do you know how hard it is to swallow your pride and attempt to be as courteous as possible to customers who get pissed off at you, I might add, as to why the clearance prices aren’t cheaper than during Christmas? Eventually you let these emotions slide, and sometimes you blow up at the customer, but all you really want, is just five minutes alone with all of the goons up in corporate. Unfortunately, they’d been let go right after the announcement, so there were a few things to be thankful for those last two months.
For some amusing personal anecdotes related to the liquidation, please click here.
When something bad comes your way, like being passed over for promotion, getting laid-off or even fired, the most you can do is make the best of your situation. Only do you discover that as much as you are in control of your own life, you can always see the hand of God gently (or sometimes not so gently) guide you down a different path. My wife always says that when God closes one door, He often opens up a window. I’ve started believing that when God closes a window, He redirects your sights on the doggy door. How you get through it, however, is entirely up to you.
February… March… April… and then May came and went. I rediscovered that I am my own worst boss when that job is searching for employment while unemployed. As grateful as I am for unemployment benefits, all they do is reinforce an apathetic attitude towards finding a job. Hey, if I can’t find anything that’s going to pay more than what I’m pulling down weekly with the State of Tennessee, then why should I even try? Unemployment benefits are a blessing and a curse and I wouldn’t wish them upon my worst enemy. This is the biggest reason why I don't support goverment programs to the likes of Welfare and Food Stamps. A nation of entitlement creates a nation of apathy--and that's not good for anyone. Alright, I'll get off my soap box now.
Then the month of June arrived; and with it, sheer unadulterated panic and desperation. My unemployment benefits were quickly evaporating and if I hadn’t landed some kind of job, even part time, they’d be dry as a bone by mid-July. More and more applications and submissions of resumes went out and by the second week of June I had received three callbacks within 48 hours. (Ironically, 2 of the 3 had nothing to do with the added volume of applications I was sending out.)
One was for a very large retail establishment that wanted to pay me twenty-five cents over minimum wage (with my 12 years retail experience, mind you) slinging boxes and stocking shelves at three o’clock in the morning. The second was for a warehouse supervisor position that called me back almost two months after I had submitted my resume I the first place. The third was from a temp agency that had seen my resume online and wanted me to come in and take some tests for a customer service representative position for a logistics warehouse.
Now I was desperate mind you, and $7.50 an hour, as much as it was an insult to my ego, was better than nothing and that is exactly what was biting out there on my job search fishing line. I went down to the store, signed some documents and waited for my background check to come through. At the very same time, I was trying to acquire employment through the other two job opportunities, because both of them paid more than minimum wage. To make a (what could very well be a) long story short, I politely turned down the retail box-slingin’ job and landed the customer service spot via the temp agency instead. The warehouse supervisor position, even though it was a well-paying job, that required working overnights four days a week and in a freezer, turned out to be a dead end; and although I was brought back for an unexpected impromptu second interview (apparently being one of their four finalists), I wasn’t truly satisfied with how the interview went anyway.
So, after free falling for several months out of the unemployment airplane, I discovered that a parachute was attached to my person and then--YANK! I slowly and tenderly float back down to the earth’s surface. I sighed in relief and I began my first full work week, not realizing how agonizing it is to work until six o’clock in the evening for someone like myself. For close to a decade I’ve continuously worked early morning shifts. When 3:30 PM made itself known every day, I was almost always headed out to my car or already on my way home. I never realized, until now, how two and a half hours can literally drag on into eternity. I’m still not under the umbrella of permanent employment, and it's definately not my dream job, but I haven’t been without a weekly paycheck since June 19th and I’m pretty thankful for that.
At around the same time, I reconnected with a very good friend and that good friend brought with him a short film script that he had recently written. James and I, for the better part of a decade, had long desired to make a movie--or rather, a short film. As you know from previous posts of mine, filmmaking has been a dream of mine since I graduated high school. There was a short stint somewhere in there where I wanted to be an accountant, but that didn’t last very long.
James and I spent the next two months writing and re-writing his very thin 12 page script into a very dialogue-heavy 33 page script. By the end of the day, we were pretty happy with what the final product turned out to be. Now the question was: How in the world are we going to get the money to shoot this? Thankfully, James was the money guy. Not in the sense that he was funding this project, but he knew of individuals who would be able to put up the funds in order for us to shoot this project. Even better.
Thanks to the ever-resourceful Craigslist.org, and the all-consuming filtering process one goes through when trying to find cast and crew for a film shoot, the next two months were spent with cast and potentional crew interviews and auditions—all of this while we were still working our 9 to 5 jobs (or in my case, 9 to 6). When the dust had finally settled during our Pre-production phase, we had acquired a full cast and crew. And while everyone we brought aboard really liked the script and had a passion to make the film, most worked for either peanuts or a deli and fruit tray provided by the local grocery store during our three-day shoot. James and I are forever in their debt for the time and dedication they put forth in trying to make our film the best it could possibly be. I thank James Falcon and his ever-faithful friendship. Thanks for your faith in me, your determination, and your never-ending flow of ideas while giving me the power to veto 95% of them.
Only time will tell, as well as the resourcefulness of our other editor (Andrew Hobbs, you're a lifesaver; thank you for your dedication to this project), whether what we have will be of the likeness of film festival material. This will be a topic that will be address at an undisclosed future date next year. I'll keep you all posted on how our short film, PUNCHBUG, is progressing.
So, suffice it to say, 2009 has been quite the eventful year. It was a rollercoaster, full of life’s ups and downs, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my amazing, wonderful and beautiful wife.
And that, dear readers, is how you end on a high note.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The month of January brought my recent tumultuous employment career to a head. My current employer at that time was Circuit City. On November 3, 2008, Circuit City announced the closure of 155 stores and to lay off 17% of its workforce in attempts to regain their footing of their fledgling financial woes. Unfortunately, only seven days later, on November 10, they filed for bankruptcy. Now I don’t know about you, but that's like being told you’re going to have to have your toe amputated in order to stop the spread of gangrene, only to come in a week later for a check-up and your doctor cuts off your entire leg, and then tells you that the test results (which they had had the entire time) stated it had spread throughout the entire appendage. In hindsight, it was completely pointless.
Now I know I’m not the first individual to work through the entire holiday season wondering if I’ll have a job come January 1st. However, I think the hardest part was accepting the fact that our jobs would soon be gone, even though all of our managers kept trying to put on the positive spin that a buy-out was going to happen, saying ”we’ve been in business for far too long for us to just close the doors” or "remember that K-mart filed for bankruptcy and they're still around." With a lengthy background in retail, I should have seen the rats scurrying off of the sinking ship. So when they announced that Circuit City would be liquidating all of their assets and closing their doors in February, it really came as no big surprise to me.
I think the hardest part was trying to put forth the amount of effort to coming in day after day, with a smile on my face. As the days grew closer and closer to February 16th, the more difficult it was. Do you know how hard it is to swallow your pride and attempt to be as courteous as possible to customers who get pissed off at you, I might add, as to why the clearance prices aren’t cheaper than during Christmas? Eventually you let these emotions slide, and sometimes you blow up at the customer, but all you really want, is just five minutes alone with all of the goons up in corporate. Unfortunately, they’d been let go right after the announcement, so there were a few things to be thankful for those last two months.
For some amusing personal anecdotes related to the liquidation, please click here.
When something bad comes your way, like being passed over for promotion, getting laid-off or even fired, the most you can do is make the best of your situation. Only do you discover that as much as you are in control of your own life, you can always see the hand of God gently (or sometimes not so gently) guide you down a different path. My wife always says that when God closes one door, He often opens up a window. I’ve started believing that when God closes a window, He redirects your sights on the doggy door. How you get through it, however, is entirely up to you.
February… March… April… and then May came and went. I rediscovered that I am my own worst boss when that job is searching for employment while unemployed. As grateful as I am for unemployment benefits, all they do is reinforce an apathetic attitude towards finding a job. Hey, if I can’t find anything that’s going to pay more than what I’m pulling down weekly with the State of Tennessee, then why should I even try? Unemployment benefits are a blessing and a curse and I wouldn’t wish them upon my worst enemy. This is the biggest reason why I don't support goverment programs to the likes of Welfare and Food Stamps. A nation of entitlement creates a nation of apathy--and that's not good for anyone. Alright, I'll get off my soap box now.
Then the month of June arrived; and with it, sheer unadulterated panic and desperation. My unemployment benefits were quickly evaporating and if I hadn’t landed some kind of job, even part time, they’d be dry as a bone by mid-July. More and more applications and submissions of resumes went out and by the second week of June I had received three callbacks within 48 hours. (Ironically, 2 of the 3 had nothing to do with the added volume of applications I was sending out.)
One was for a very large retail establishment that wanted to pay me twenty-five cents over minimum wage (with my 12 years retail experience, mind you) slinging boxes and stocking shelves at three o’clock in the morning. The second was for a warehouse supervisor position that called me back almost two months after I had submitted my resume I the first place. The third was from a temp agency that had seen my resume online and wanted me to come in and take some tests for a customer service representative position for a logistics warehouse.
Now I was desperate mind you, and $7.50 an hour, as much as it was an insult to my ego, was better than nothing and that is exactly what was biting out there on my job search fishing line. I went down to the store, signed some documents and waited for my background check to come through. At the very same time, I was trying to acquire employment through the other two job opportunities, because both of them paid more than minimum wage. To make a (what could very well be a) long story short, I politely turned down the retail box-slingin’ job and landed the customer service spot via the temp agency instead. The warehouse supervisor position, even though it was a well-paying job, that required working overnights four days a week and in a freezer, turned out to be a dead end; and although I was brought back for an unexpected impromptu second interview (apparently being one of their four finalists), I wasn’t truly satisfied with how the interview went anyway.
So, after free falling for several months out of the unemployment airplane, I discovered that a parachute was attached to my person and then--YANK! I slowly and tenderly float back down to the earth’s surface. I sighed in relief and I began my first full work week, not realizing how agonizing it is to work until six o’clock in the evening for someone like myself. For close to a decade I’ve continuously worked early morning shifts. When 3:30 PM made itself known every day, I was almost always headed out to my car or already on my way home. I never realized, until now, how two and a half hours can literally drag on into eternity. I’m still not under the umbrella of permanent employment, and it's definately not my dream job, but I haven’t been without a weekly paycheck since June 19th and I’m pretty thankful for that.
At around the same time, I reconnected with a very good friend and that good friend brought with him a short film script that he had recently written. James and I, for the better part of a decade, had long desired to make a movie--or rather, a short film. As you know from previous posts of mine, filmmaking has been a dream of mine since I graduated high school. There was a short stint somewhere in there where I wanted to be an accountant, but that didn’t last very long.
James and I spent the next two months writing and re-writing his very thin 12 page script into a very dialogue-heavy 33 page script. By the end of the day, we were pretty happy with what the final product turned out to be. Now the question was: How in the world are we going to get the money to shoot this? Thankfully, James was the money guy. Not in the sense that he was funding this project, but he knew of individuals who would be able to put up the funds in order for us to shoot this project. Even better.
Thanks to the ever-resourceful Craigslist.org, and the all-consuming filtering process one goes through when trying to find cast and crew for a film shoot, the next two months were spent with cast and potentional crew interviews and auditions—all of this while we were still working our 9 to 5 jobs (or in my case, 9 to 6). When the dust had finally settled during our Pre-production phase, we had acquired a full cast and crew. And while everyone we brought aboard really liked the script and had a passion to make the film, most worked for either peanuts or a deli and fruit tray provided by the local grocery store during our three-day shoot. James and I are forever in their debt for the time and dedication they put forth in trying to make our film the best it could possibly be. I thank James Falcon and his ever-faithful friendship. Thanks for your faith in me, your determination, and your never-ending flow of ideas while giving me the power to veto 95% of them.
Only time will tell, as well as the resourcefulness of our other editor (Andrew Hobbs, you're a lifesaver; thank you for your dedication to this project), whether what we have will be of the likeness of film festival material. This will be a topic that will be address at an undisclosed future date next year. I'll keep you all posted on how our short film, PUNCHBUG, is progressing.
So, suffice it to say, 2009 has been quite the eventful year. It was a rollercoaster, full of life’s ups and downs, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my amazing, wonderful and beautiful wife.
Lisa,
Thank you for always being there. I know things haven’t been the easiest this year for us financially or emotionally. We both held on to things a little too long before placing them on the table for open discussion. And I know it was hard for both of us to admit where our faults were and how we could overcome them. But I thank God everyday for putting you in my life and being the wind in my sails, but also my anchor to keep me from drifting out to sea. Thank you for believing in me and helping me accomplish my dreams. None of it would have been possible without you.
And that, dear readers, is how you end on a high note.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October 13, 2007
It was a beautiful partly cloudy day, with the temperature barely scooting past the 70 degree mark on the thermostat. I awoke several times throughout the night but finally dragged myself out of bed at half past eight, just barely missing the obnoxious alarm clock. I didn’t think I would have a problem waking up, but I wasn’t taking any chances today.
I hopped into the shower, just like my normal routine, except a few hours later in the day than normal. Usually I’m out in less than ten minutes (five if I’m running late) but today I take my time. I tinker with the new gadget that I’ve recently installed: a fog-free mirror that attaches to the shower head. I adjust the lever and water flows through the mirror, keeping it at the same temperature as the shower. Low and behold… no fogging!
I slowly emerge from the shower thirty minutes later, slightly pruned yet refreshed for the day ahead of me. After throwing on some shorts and a t-shirt, I walk into the guest room and grab a hold of Ryan's foot that's sticking out from under his blanket. Then, just like my dad did to me a thousands times, I gently shake it, pulling him out from his quiet slumber.
After a few minutes, Ryan jumps in the shower as I sit down in the living room and go over my “honey do” list that needs to be taken care of before heading out to the reception cite and then the church. As I looked over the list, I hoped that I would receive a text message in time from my soon-to-be wife, so we wouldn't need to go through with the U-haul rental for storage of the tables and chairs once the festivities were over for the evening. No such luck just yet.
As Ryan flopped onto the chair next to me, I expressed to him that I really didn't have much of an appetite but I knew I needed to eat something. I really didn't know where I was going to go for breakfast, but there wasn't much in the alternative compared to the heavy and greasy southern-fried restaurants. However, after a few moments, I came to the conclusion of Donut Country (a must for any donut connoisseur well past the newness and “not really that special“ Krispy Kreme). Nothing too heavy there, unless you considered eating your weight in glazed and jelly-filled donuts.
We were off to Donut Country shortly after my revelation, sinking our teeth into the best apple fritter this side of the Mississippi. Even the apple fritter had a hard time seducing me with its perfectly glazed crunchy exterior and soft and doughy apple-filled interior. I couldn't finish it. However, the upcoming events outweighed the delicious donut, so I tossed the remaining carcass in the garbage and headed out to run some errands.
As I stopped by the bank to make a withdrawal, I receive a text message that a U-haul truck will not be needed. I practically shout for joy, quickly headed to the rental office to cancel our reservation. Walking into the office, I see a line of at least a dozen people, all waiting to get their truck on a Saturday morning around nine thirty in the morning. I didn't have another hour to waste, so I opted for the less painful route: calling them from home to cancel the reservation.
Ryan and I took our time relaxing around the house until it was time adorn our penguin suits and head up to the church. We picked up the two cakes and ever-so-gently placed them in the back the SUV we borrowed from Lisa's uncle and darted off to our last detour -- Cedars of Lebanon National Park. Trying to avoiding visual contact from of my bride-to-be, we passed each other on the road and dropped off the cakes and a dozen cases of bottled water. As I drove off, I couldn't wait to go back there, knowing that all the pressure would soon melt away coming back to where our reception was being held.
Time started to quickly blur past me soon after I arrived at the church. Ryan and I paced every square inch of the establishment before being summoned to the sactuary for pictures. After several family photos, I waited patiently as Lisa entered into my sights. She was the most stunning and beautiful woman I had ever known and she was now walking down the aisle towards me. It was hard to hold back the tears. Pictures were snapped, and we were rushed out of the sactuary in order to start ushering in our guests waiting outside.
Once the butterflies had passed, I suddenly had gained the will to eat again and found myself down in the church kitchen, with my bride, cramming a couple of ham sandwiches into my face. Thankfully, no mustard was spilled and I was eventually escorted to a hallway behind the sactuary; waiting to be given the signal to enter. I waited patiently, for what seemed like an eternity. I was told several stories by our minister as we waited; one involving a very nervous groom who at the very last moment, proceded to decorate Fred's dress robs with his recently consumed lunch. I nervously swallowed and then entered the sactuary.
Now as far as I can recall, and as well as you can read, I had no problem remembering everything that lead up to the cerimony. In fact, I remember most of what happened afterwards. The problem I have, and I know I'm not the only one, is that I can't really remember the cerimony. There are FLASHES, but that's it. FLASH: Lisa walking down the aisle. FLASH: We light our candle. FLASH: I place the ring on her finger. FLASH: We kiss. FLASH: "I would like to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and Lisa Eddy."
I remember wanting to get to the reception more than anything in the world. However, before we could get there, I had to make a Coke run for my wife at a gas station en route. And there are pictures to prove it, when half of people attending your wedding are following like a caravan right behind you.
The rest of the evening was a little less of a blur as we went from table-to-table-to-table chatting and catching up. I could almost recall what the food had tasted like, if I hadn't eaten it so quickly. I hadn't been that hungry in the first place, so it wasn't that much of a loss. Once we got to the toasts, I was ready to crash. Giving a best man speech isn't easy. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Ryan succeeded in many ways... and then he told everyone there that we had met on eHarmony - in which I responded sarcastically with, "we're shooting the commerical next week!"
After Ryan came Tanya, who proceeded to give her speech over the course of the next ten minutes. Our photographer, who will be remain nameless, and who couldn't seem to take much of anything of value, snapped away while she babbled on and on. Ryan refilled his drink at least twice during her speech, parched from being so nervous only moments before.
The evening winded down as my friends floated the keg. I held Lisa close as we danced to our song, probably putting my hands in inappropriate places -- but I didn't care. The remainder of the night was spent on the dance floor dancing in groups to songs we all loved. We laughed, we cheered and we cut-up with each other until it was time to go.
As we said our goodbyes, hugs and kisses were given around the room. As I watched our family and friends break down the tables and chairs, we strolled out to the car. I'm not sure how many people actually witnessed us leaving. It didn't matter. All we wanted to do was get to the hotel room and crash.
After ordering room service, which arrived to our room cold, all we really wanted to do was sleep. We had a long day ahead of us: cleaning laundry and packing and two sit-down meals with both sides of the family. I laid my head down on the pill and thought: "I'm going to wake up happy and to the most beautiful woman for the rest of my life and can't imagine anything better."
I hopped into the shower, just like my normal routine, except a few hours later in the day than normal. Usually I’m out in less than ten minutes (five if I’m running late) but today I take my time. I tinker with the new gadget that I’ve recently installed: a fog-free mirror that attaches to the shower head. I adjust the lever and water flows through the mirror, keeping it at the same temperature as the shower. Low and behold… no fogging!
I slowly emerge from the shower thirty minutes later, slightly pruned yet refreshed for the day ahead of me. After throwing on some shorts and a t-shirt, I walk into the guest room and grab a hold of Ryan's foot that's sticking out from under his blanket. Then, just like my dad did to me a thousands times, I gently shake it, pulling him out from his quiet slumber.
After a few minutes, Ryan jumps in the shower as I sit down in the living room and go over my “honey do” list that needs to be taken care of before heading out to the reception cite and then the church. As I looked over the list, I hoped that I would receive a text message in time from my soon-to-be wife, so we wouldn't need to go through with the U-haul rental for storage of the tables and chairs once the festivities were over for the evening. No such luck just yet.
As Ryan flopped onto the chair next to me, I expressed to him that I really didn't have much of an appetite but I knew I needed to eat something. I really didn't know where I was going to go for breakfast, but there wasn't much in the alternative compared to the heavy and greasy southern-fried restaurants. However, after a few moments, I came to the conclusion of Donut Country (a must for any donut connoisseur well past the newness and “not really that special“ Krispy Kreme). Nothing too heavy there, unless you considered eating your weight in glazed and jelly-filled donuts.
We were off to Donut Country shortly after my revelation, sinking our teeth into the best apple fritter this side of the Mississippi. Even the apple fritter had a hard time seducing me with its perfectly glazed crunchy exterior and soft and doughy apple-filled interior. I couldn't finish it. However, the upcoming events outweighed the delicious donut, so I tossed the remaining carcass in the garbage and headed out to run some errands.
As I stopped by the bank to make a withdrawal, I receive a text message that a U-haul truck will not be needed. I practically shout for joy, quickly headed to the rental office to cancel our reservation. Walking into the office, I see a line of at least a dozen people, all waiting to get their truck on a Saturday morning around nine thirty in the morning. I didn't have another hour to waste, so I opted for the less painful route: calling them from home to cancel the reservation.
Ryan and I took our time relaxing around the house until it was time adorn our penguin suits and head up to the church. We picked up the two cakes and ever-so-gently placed them in the back the SUV we borrowed from Lisa's uncle and darted off to our last detour -- Cedars of Lebanon National Park. Trying to avoiding visual contact from of my bride-to-be, we passed each other on the road and dropped off the cakes and a dozen cases of bottled water. As I drove off, I couldn't wait to go back there, knowing that all the pressure would soon melt away coming back to where our reception was being held.
Time started to quickly blur past me soon after I arrived at the church. Ryan and I paced every square inch of the establishment before being summoned to the sactuary for pictures. After several family photos, I waited patiently as Lisa entered into my sights. She was the most stunning and beautiful woman I had ever known and she was now walking down the aisle towards me. It was hard to hold back the tears. Pictures were snapped, and we were rushed out of the sactuary in order to start ushering in our guests waiting outside.
Once the butterflies had passed, I suddenly had gained the will to eat again and found myself down in the church kitchen, with my bride, cramming a couple of ham sandwiches into my face. Thankfully, no mustard was spilled and I was eventually escorted to a hallway behind the sactuary; waiting to be given the signal to enter. I waited patiently, for what seemed like an eternity. I was told several stories by our minister as we waited; one involving a very nervous groom who at the very last moment, proceded to decorate Fred's dress robs with his recently consumed lunch. I nervously swallowed and then entered the sactuary.
Now as far as I can recall, and as well as you can read, I had no problem remembering everything that lead up to the cerimony. In fact, I remember most of what happened afterwards. The problem I have, and I know I'm not the only one, is that I can't really remember the cerimony. There are FLASHES, but that's it. FLASH: Lisa walking down the aisle. FLASH: We light our candle. FLASH: I place the ring on her finger. FLASH: We kiss. FLASH: "I would like to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and Lisa Eddy."
I remember wanting to get to the reception more than anything in the world. However, before we could get there, I had to make a Coke run for my wife at a gas station en route. And there are pictures to prove it, when half of people attending your wedding are following like a caravan right behind you.
The rest of the evening was a little less of a blur as we went from table-to-table-to-table chatting and catching up. I could almost recall what the food had tasted like, if I hadn't eaten it so quickly. I hadn't been that hungry in the first place, so it wasn't that much of a loss. Once we got to the toasts, I was ready to crash. Giving a best man speech isn't easy. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Ryan succeeded in many ways... and then he told everyone there that we had met on eHarmony - in which I responded sarcastically with, "we're shooting the commerical next week!"
After Ryan came Tanya, who proceeded to give her speech over the course of the next ten minutes. Our photographer, who will be remain nameless, and who couldn't seem to take much of anything of value, snapped away while she babbled on and on. Ryan refilled his drink at least twice during her speech, parched from being so nervous only moments before.
The evening winded down as my friends floated the keg. I held Lisa close as we danced to our song, probably putting my hands in inappropriate places -- but I didn't care. The remainder of the night was spent on the dance floor dancing in groups to songs we all loved. We laughed, we cheered and we cut-up with each other until it was time to go.
As we said our goodbyes, hugs and kisses were given around the room. As I watched our family and friends break down the tables and chairs, we strolled out to the car. I'm not sure how many people actually witnessed us leaving. It didn't matter. All we wanted to do was get to the hotel room and crash.
After ordering room service, which arrived to our room cold, all we really wanted to do was sleep. We had a long day ahead of us: cleaning laundry and packing and two sit-down meals with both sides of the family. I laid my head down on the pill and thought: "I'm going to wake up happy and to the most beautiful woman for the rest of my life and can't imagine anything better."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Flea Market Photo Safari
My apologies for not staying updated on my current review series. I've recently tripped over a rather large writer's block that had been sitting right in the middle of the living room, so I'm tending to my wounds as we speak.
My wife coined the phrase of this blog title when she shared some of the same pictures on her FaceBook page. Lisa, Christina (my sister for those of you who are not aware) and I went to the Nashville Flea Market that takes place once a month at the Tennessee State Fair Grounds.
We brought our camera along with twenty bucks to see exactly what we could find. Outside of obtaining a cheap, "Made in China" camo bucket hat, a DVD that I had been searching years for, and some tube socks, the three-hour-trek produced several pictures that I wish to share with you.
My wife coined the phrase of this blog title when she shared some of the same pictures on her FaceBook page. Lisa, Christina (my sister for those of you who are not aware) and I went to the Nashville Flea Market that takes place once a month at the Tennessee State Fair Grounds.
We brought our camera along with twenty bucks to see exactly what we could find. Outside of obtaining a cheap, "Made in China" camo bucket hat, a DVD that I had been searching years for, and some tube socks, the three-hour-trek produced several pictures that I wish to share with you.
Today's flea market is brought to you by the letter "A." (Photo by Lisa)
(Photo by The Dude)
(Photo by The Dude)
(Photo by The Dude)
(Photo by Lisa)
(Photo by The Dude)
(Photo by Lisa)
(Photo by The Dude)
(Photo by Lisa)
(Photo by Lisa)
(Photo by The Dude)
My original intentions were to comment on each photograph, but then decided to let them speak for themselves. Hope you all enjoyed them as much as we did taking them.
Friday, February 20, 2009
5 Reasons Why The Liquidation Didn't Suck
#5 - MAKING YOUR OWN SCHEDULE / DRESS CODE
When the final weeks had arrived, several supervisors had been stripped of their title, their register and time card overriding abilities and had their keys taken away. Most of them, along with every other associate, decided that they didn't care what they wore, as long as they still wore their Circuit City shirt. For at least one former supervisor, he came in everyday in jeans, tennis shoes and a ball cap. He was so fed up with everything that by the time the last day came, he walked in, realized that he couldn't take it anymore, shook my hand and walked out.
#4 - FRUIT LOOP
Three days before close, an irate customer came in claiming that he had spoken to our corporate offices and said he was allowed to return his Circuit City Advantage Plan (extended warranty). Our store director was brought in, who then quickly shouted, "This is private property, sir and I want you to GET THE HELL OUT OF MY STORE!" and then proceeded to escort him to the door. He said he wasn't going to leave, but was going to stand right outside the store and call our corporate offices again.
A few minutes later my store director contacted me on our two-way radios and asked, "Nathan, has that fruit loop left yet? Cause I've printed out all the documentation about our return policies during liquidation." I jokingly replied, "Yeah, he left. Once he got off the phone, he came in and asked which car he could key and I pointed him in the direction of yours." We all had a nice laugh.
#3 - READING WHILE WORKING
Getting stuck up at the receipt-stamping table stunk if you were there most of your shift. The days began to drag horribly because you had nothing to do but answer the most retarded and mundane questions from every customer that walked into the store. What was worse than all of it, was having apathetic sales employees who were standing at my table who weren't willing to assist the continual flood of customers who kept asking for help out on the sales floor. Once I had to endure one 8 hour shift, I decided to bring in my book and read it in between stamping receipts. It probably cut down on the stupid questions by a good 20% and I finished my book with two days to spare.
#2 - CUSTOMERS CALL THE POLICE
Three days before closing, a couple came in and purchased a $330 monitor for approximately $50. It was an open item, possibly a display. They returned to the store soon after the purchase, as they had discovered it wasn't working. They paraded up and down the entire store, trying to get someone "in charge" to process a return for them. When they discovered that little stunt wouldn't work, they tried another one: calling the police.
When the police arrived, the customers accosted the poor officer, who had to stand there and listen to them bitch for what seemed like 15 minutes. They tried to convince the officer that they had been a victim of "theft by deception." The officer politely, but blatantly, pointed to the sign outside and said, "Look. Right there. The sign reads 'GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE.' There are signs posted throughout the store, as well as stamped on your receipt, 'ALL SALES FINAL. NO RETURNS.' What part of that do you not understand?"
#1 – THE BEST LUNCH BREAK EVER
As the days wore on, it became increasingly difficult to find things to do if you weren't scheduled in the morning. If you weren't assigned to either a register (which was hard enough to get customer service to stay put), or stuck at the receipt-stamping table, you either got stuck walking the sales floor "assisting customers," hiding in the back while surfing on the Internet, or most associates ended up standing around the receipt-stamping table bulls***ing with everyone else.
Not wanting to waste the entire day doing nothing while getting paid (I know it sounds like a dream job, but knowing what the end result will be, it got to you after a while if you're generally a productive person), so I decided to do what any other bright-minded individual would do with an afternoon to spare: Go to the movies!
At approximately 12:40 pm, I left the store, swung by Wendy's and wolfed down three burgers, on the way to the multiplex. As I sat in the darkened theater waiting for The Wrestler to start, I was half expecting to get at least one phone call or text message from a manager asking me where I was. Thankfully that never happened. What was even more amusing was that the film started 10 minutes late and had at least 20+ minutes of trailers before the feature even started. I didn't stroll back into the store until a quarter past three. Not one question was asked to where I had been. It was like I had never left in the first place.
Honorable Mentions: Telling customers that we couldn't return their product, which for some reason, they couldn't seem to comprehend; Stashing product in the warehouse until the sales dropped to 70% off; Playing Liquidation BINGO.
When the final weeks had arrived, several supervisors had been stripped of their title, their register and time card overriding abilities and had their keys taken away. Most of them, along with every other associate, decided that they didn't care what they wore, as long as they still wore their Circuit City shirt. For at least one former supervisor, he came in everyday in jeans, tennis shoes and a ball cap. He was so fed up with everything that by the time the last day came, he walked in, realized that he couldn't take it anymore, shook my hand and walked out.
#4 - FRUIT LOOP
Three days before close, an irate customer came in claiming that he had spoken to our corporate offices and said he was allowed to return his Circuit City Advantage Plan (extended warranty). Our store director was brought in, who then quickly shouted, "This is private property, sir and I want you to GET THE HELL OUT OF MY STORE!" and then proceeded to escort him to the door. He said he wasn't going to leave, but was going to stand right outside the store and call our corporate offices again.
A few minutes later my store director contacted me on our two-way radios and asked, "Nathan, has that fruit loop left yet? Cause I've printed out all the documentation about our return policies during liquidation." I jokingly replied, "Yeah, he left. Once he got off the phone, he came in and asked which car he could key and I pointed him in the direction of yours." We all had a nice laugh.
#3 - READING WHILE WORKING
Getting stuck up at the receipt-stamping table stunk if you were there most of your shift. The days began to drag horribly because you had nothing to do but answer the most retarded and mundane questions from every customer that walked into the store. What was worse than all of it, was having apathetic sales employees who were standing at my table who weren't willing to assist the continual flood of customers who kept asking for help out on the sales floor. Once I had to endure one 8 hour shift, I decided to bring in my book and read it in between stamping receipts. It probably cut down on the stupid questions by a good 20% and I finished my book with two days to spare.
#2 - CUSTOMERS CALL THE POLICE
Three days before closing, a couple came in and purchased a $330 monitor for approximately $50. It was an open item, possibly a display. They returned to the store soon after the purchase, as they had discovered it wasn't working. They paraded up and down the entire store, trying to get someone "in charge" to process a return for them. When they discovered that little stunt wouldn't work, they tried another one: calling the police.
When the police arrived, the customers accosted the poor officer, who had to stand there and listen to them bitch for what seemed like 15 minutes. They tried to convince the officer that they had been a victim of "theft by deception." The officer politely, but blatantly, pointed to the sign outside and said, "Look. Right there. The sign reads 'GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE.' There are signs posted throughout the store, as well as stamped on your receipt, 'ALL SALES FINAL. NO RETURNS.' What part of that do you not understand?"
#1 – THE BEST LUNCH BREAK EVER
As the days wore on, it became increasingly difficult to find things to do if you weren't scheduled in the morning. If you weren't assigned to either a register (which was hard enough to get customer service to stay put), or stuck at the receipt-stamping table, you either got stuck walking the sales floor "assisting customers," hiding in the back while surfing on the Internet, or most associates ended up standing around the receipt-stamping table bulls***ing with everyone else.
Not wanting to waste the entire day doing nothing while getting paid (I know it sounds like a dream job, but knowing what the end result will be, it got to you after a while if you're generally a productive person), so I decided to do what any other bright-minded individual would do with an afternoon to spare: Go to the movies!
At approximately 12:40 pm, I left the store, swung by Wendy's and wolfed down three burgers, on the way to the multiplex. As I sat in the darkened theater waiting for The Wrestler to start, I was half expecting to get at least one phone call or text message from a manager asking me where I was. Thankfully that never happened. What was even more amusing was that the film started 10 minutes late and had at least 20+ minutes of trailers before the feature even started. I didn't stroll back into the store until a quarter past three. Not one question was asked to where I had been. It was like I had never left in the first place.
Honorable Mentions: Telling customers that we couldn't return their product, which for some reason, they couldn't seem to comprehend; Stashing product in the warehouse until the sales dropped to 70% off; Playing Liquidation BINGO.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
You know what's jacked?
As I returned to the customer for a third time, I told him, "It's sixty-one dollars and change, thirty percent off compared to it's original price of eighty-seven."
"That's still jacked," was the gentleman's response to the price not being as low as he was truly wanting. I handed him the hundred-foot spool of high-end home theater speaker wire all the while biting my tongue.
The response that had been stewing in my head was somewhere along the lines of: "You know what's really jacked, sir? The fact that you're more concerned about being forced to spend a hundred dollar gift card before you really wanted to, on speaker wire that you don't believe is cheap enough, while there are forty plus employees that work here who will be out of a job in less than six weeks. Friends and co-workers alike who, unlike you, have to worry about how they're going to provide for themselves as well as their families. People that I care about who have to put food on the table every night. Instead you choose to ramble on about your discontent and how you have to spend a gift card on merchandise that is not pleasing enough to your pocket book."
Over the course the past week, I've had to repeat the same story about the company's collapse, why things aren't cheaper right now, or why we can't accept returns past a certain date so much, that my jaw has had signs of fatigue. My mouth dries and my brain begins to throb when someone, who was apparently reluctant to shop here during the holidays, but is more than inclined to buy more crap they don't need at 10% off, asks the question: "So, when does the store close?"
I reply with, "March 17th, if we still have product to sell. It's all dependant upon that one factor."
"Oh, okay. Cool!" is their response as they waltz out the front door with their small bag filled with hideously bad movies that they were able to get at a stellar 20% off the sticker price.
Now I know that they don't necessarily mean that it's "cool" that approximately 34,000 people will be losing their jobs by the end of March, but could their responses be anymore insincere? I understand that the slang that they spoke was really meant as an "okay, thanks for letting me know" but it sure doesn't feel like it. Instead, everytime I hear that one specific acknowlegement, it's grates on my nerves like fingernails to a chalkboard.
"That's still jacked," was the gentleman's response to the price not being as low as he was truly wanting. I handed him the hundred-foot spool of high-end home theater speaker wire all the while biting my tongue.
The response that had been stewing in my head was somewhere along the lines of: "You know what's really jacked, sir? The fact that you're more concerned about being forced to spend a hundred dollar gift card before you really wanted to, on speaker wire that you don't believe is cheap enough, while there are forty plus employees that work here who will be out of a job in less than six weeks. Friends and co-workers alike who, unlike you, have to worry about how they're going to provide for themselves as well as their families. People that I care about who have to put food on the table every night. Instead you choose to ramble on about your discontent and how you have to spend a gift card on merchandise that is not pleasing enough to your pocket book."
Over the course the past week, I've had to repeat the same story about the company's collapse, why things aren't cheaper right now, or why we can't accept returns past a certain date so much, that my jaw has had signs of fatigue. My mouth dries and my brain begins to throb when someone, who was apparently reluctant to shop here during the holidays, but is more than inclined to buy more crap they don't need at 10% off, asks the question: "So, when does the store close?"
I reply with, "March 17th, if we still have product to sell. It's all dependant upon that one factor."
"Oh, okay. Cool!" is their response as they waltz out the front door with their small bag filled with hideously bad movies that they were able to get at a stellar 20% off the sticker price.
Now I know that they don't necessarily mean that it's "cool" that approximately 34,000 people will be losing their jobs by the end of March, but could their responses be anymore insincere? I understand that the slang that they spoke was really meant as an "okay, thanks for letting me know" but it sure doesn't feel like it. Instead, everytime I hear that one specific acknowlegement, it's grates on my nerves like fingernails to a chalkboard.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Things that shouldn't be done in 60 seconds
After writing my first one minute post, I was inspired to search for other things in the course of 60 seconds. Wading through the bowels of YouTube, I discovered several things that should not be condensed down to 60 seconds.
Enjoy!
The Empire Strikes Back - In 60 Seconds
Alien - In 60 Seconds
Titanic - In 60 Seconds
(I'm sure there are several people who would agree that this version is better.)
Hamlet - In 60 Seconds
Back To The Future - In 60 Seconds
The Matrix - In 60 Seconds
Enjoy!
The Empire Strikes Back - In 60 Seconds
Alien - In 60 Seconds
Titanic - In 60 Seconds
(I'm sure there are several people who would agree that this version is better.)
Hamlet - In 60 Seconds
Back To The Future - In 60 Seconds
The Matrix - In 60 Seconds
Monday, December 29, 2008
Out with the old, in with the new
My feeble attempt every year is to do a better job at writing frequently. I almost always end up failing miserably when I look back at my post history and can usually count them all on my two hands. Hopefully 2009 will be better. (In case you haven't noticed, I've also change the layout in an attempts to inspire myself!)
I've decided to apply my writing skills (if you can even call them that) and follow The One Minute Writer. I can't promise that there will be a post every day, but my intentions are to at least post weekly with each topic and/or question and my response below. I also can't promise that it will only be a minute, give me a little credit for trying something new!
Hope everyone has a Safe and Happy New Year!
Please check back on January 1st for my new series of posts.
I've decided to apply my writing skills (if you can even call them that) and follow The One Minute Writer. I can't promise that there will be a post every day, but my intentions are to at least post weekly with each topic and/or question and my response below. I also can't promise that it will only be a minute, give me a little credit for trying something new!
Hope everyone has a Safe and Happy New Year!
Please check back on January 1st for my new series of posts.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Welcome To The Party, Pal!
It's been quite a long, involved and rather tumultuous year for me. Things were anything but "by the book" in 2008. Where should I start and attempt not to rehash what I've already said from posts in the past?
LIFE CHANGING EVENTS
Reality Check Slap In The Face:
Getting "Fired" For The First Time
If there's one lesson I've learned at the beginning of the year, it's to never take anything for granted. After having a long successful streak of employment, I lost my job due to a clerical error causing accounting books not to balance. There were additional circumstances that surrounded my termination, but I'm not going to get into them; it's been a long and hard ten months.
I've had a very difficult time letting go of my anger over the entire situation, but I have finally started to come to terms with the fact that I wasn't where God wanted me to be, or I would still be there. With that being said, I wash my hands clean of this unfortunate sore personal subject.
But The Sign Says She's A Lab Retriever Mix:
Not Getting The Dog You Originally Wanted
After serveral months of subtly (and not so subtly) hinting that I wanted to get a dog, Lisa finally gave into my request on Memorial Day Weekend. I should make a note that Lisa had wanted to get a dog as well, but I was the ever-persistent one who kept asking the question, "How 'bout now?"
I had worked a very long day performing my first physical inventory in over two years in a retail store that I had only been employed with for two weeks. Needless to say, it was just a tad chaotic. When I finally arrived home, Lisa asked me a variety of questions at an attempt to cheer up my not-so-sunny disposition. The mere mention of going down to PAWS (our local animal shelter) and just looking at what they may have to offer transformed me mentally into a child in a toy store: "I want this one, and this one, and ooooh... this one too!"
However, like the title of this segment, the sign stated that the dog we (and when I say we, I really mean me) picked out was a lab retriever mix. That was all fine and dandy until two months into puppy parenthood when our dog started to become much more aggressive than I ever remember having experienced in the past. The answer quickly came to surface once we started researching her changing physical features and discovered that the dominate part of her mix was more than likely from a bully breed (Pit Bull, Boxer, etc). Can you all say "uh-oh" boys and girls?
If ever there was a dog that we were both trying to avoid, it was a dog whose breed caused fear in the general public. However, I'm glad to report that Amity's goal in life is not to devour little children nor is it to continually find new ways to puncture, bruise or bite my wife's hands, arms or any other body part that happens to get in the way (most of the time). Almost everyday Amity does something that makes us both laugh and smile including drinking from the faucet in the bathroom, chasing one of her whiffle balls throughout the house, or watching her eviscerating the quickly depleting supply of stuffed toys.
Her current and most consistant general disposition is mostly sunny with only a 20% chance of retarded. She's now nine months old, weighing in at around 55 pounds and has finally been welcomed in our home as one of the family.
YEAR END HIGHLIGHTS
So This Is What It Was Like To Earn A Paycheck:
Finding Employment Again
I was finally able to gain full-time employment after three months. Unfortunately, it was in retail. Not my first choice, but as you'll read a little later, I discovered that the whole "finding a new job is your job" really didn't work for me.
The downside to this entire situation is that I'm currently working for a company that decided to announce that it was closing 155 stores, as well as filing for Chapter 11 under the federal bankruptcy court, all within a week of each other. So, even though I have been able to establish steady employment, who knows how long that will last.
I Think We Better Stick To The Slower Rides:
Our First Anniversary
Lisa and I celebrated our first anniversary on October 13th. We had made plans to take a few days off and head up to Cedar Point (considered by many as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World) in Sandusky, Ohio. Our plans also included a day trip to Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame (maybe even a shopping spree at Winfred-Lauder). Unfortunately, we had to seriously curtail our plans as our current funds could not support this lavish and extravagant affair. We settled on Six Flags Over Georgia instead.
This provided several benefits which included a maximum travel time of only four hours compared to the nine plus needed to reach the south side of Lake Eerie. We had a wonderful time, until we got off the second mega coaster. Lisa discovered that her childhood motion sickness had reared its ugly head, so we stayed away from those rides and stuck with the more traditional wooden style coasters instead. Once she regained her composure, we had a blast! I discovered that people must have been much smaller back when they first constructed some the older rides, or that I'm so big that the seat just couldn't contain me. (Maybe a little of both!)
20/20 HINDSIGHT OBSERVATIONS
Video Games & Puppies:
How To Strengthen Your Spousal Communication Skills
I always felt our marriage had a strong grounding in our communication; and I still firmly believe that. However, it was quite an eye-opening experience to realize sometimes how much we didn't do it when it came to some of the more basic things.
My first clue was my well-seasoned talent of "hearing without listening," most evident when playing co-operative video games over the past year. Lisa would tell me a couple of times to do something, and after a fair amount of time, I would then end up suggesting the exact same thing. This moment was usually followed by a blank stare, the rolling of her eyes and then followed by a comment like, "I just said that two minutes ago." Little did I know that this would be a commonly repeated phrase in our household.
Puppy parenthood opened up a whole new can of worms in learning how to sharpen our dulled skills on saying exactly what we mean. This issue reared its ugly head with Amity's major bout with subborness and aggression. Lisa would repeatedly make a small comment such as, "it makes me nervous when..." or "it bothers me when..." I took these in context of each individual incident rather than collectively. She tiptoed around the subject instead of saying, "this issue is a serious concern of mine and we need to get this resolved if we're planning on keeping Amity." Thankfully, a majority of these issues have been addressed, as well as those issues with the dog, and we're very proud to say that we've grown even closer because of it.
Unemployment, Cabin Fever & You:
Uncovering Old Bad Habits And Discovering New Ones
Being unemployed sucks. It sucks not bringing in money. It sucks receiving goverment assistance for three months (but ever-so-thankful for it). But worst of all was that being unemployed seemed to suck my will to be productive.
My last stint at being jobless was back in 1998 and it lasted for a whole six weeks, but this time it wasn't that easy. I quickly discovered that I was my own worst boss, or I was my own worst employee; both descriptions fit depending on the situation. Without any structure, I failed in my job searching. I was treading in foreign territory, not at all familiar with the philosophy of "your job is looking for a new job."
I blame a very small part of that on living in an age where the internet super highway is right at your finger tips, with a virtual cornicopea of wonderful (as well as not so wonderful) distractions. However, I take the blame for my lack of focus, inner drive, self-pity, and procrastination. I'm learning how to manage my time better when looking for a new job. I now set small goals to complete everyday. It's amazing how much more productive you'll be and how much more you can accomplish.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Where Is This Water Coming From:
How To Spend Your Day Off Installing A New Toilet
Installing a toilet was something I never truly saw myself actually doing. Be that as it may, we had discovered a leak somewhere around the toilet, which inspired the need for some home repair. So, one Saturday morning not too long ago, I found myself rocking a toilet free from the bathroom floor. The discovery of sewage, however, seeping underneath the linoleum, was something we weren't expecting. Thankfully, there wasn't much damage to the hardwood floor.
By the time the sun had set, the wife and I had laid down new linoleum and installed our brand new Jacuzzi Perfecta commode. Aside from the weird concave seat, which makes it feel like your posterior is firmly planted inside the bowl, the new chair-high toilet is a welcomed addition to our bathroom.
Crock Pot Turkey v2.0:
Surviving The In-Laws During Thanksgiving
Knowing that North Carolina wasn't on our destination map this Thanksgiving, Lisa and I invited her mother and grandmother to our home. We had sucessfully cooked a turkey breast in the crock pot last year, when we invited my cousin and his wife to dinner. So I thought, why not try it again, but this time let's make sure we have a large enough breast so we can have a decent amount of leftovers. What is Thanksgiving, if you can't have leftovers to munch on for the remainder of the four-day holiday weekend?
We purchased a seven and a half pound turkey breast from the local grocery store and tucked it away for a few weeks. When Thursday morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, took the dog out, and proceded to prep the turkey. I rinsed off the bird, dislodged the gravy packet, and patted the bird dry. I then placed it in the crock pot and attempted to put the lid on top. I was amazed to discover the top lacked a good half inch in closing, as the bird was too tall and too long to fit when it's frozen solid.
Not knowing what to do next, I rubbed a thin coat of butter on the bird, generously sprinkled soup mix atop the bird, and shrugged my shoulders as I placed the lid back on top. After I washed my hands and hopped back into bed, I hoped that once the bird began to cook, it would shrink and the lid would close. Thankfully it did, and it was absolutely delicious; perfectly moist, tender and pleasantly seasoned.
If you haven't crock-potted a turkey before, I highly recommend it. The instructions are just about as simple as I described them, but you can click here if you're interested in preparing this extremely easy dinner.
I've really started to enjoy cooking and Lisa couldn't be happier. Getting home early from work four out of five days a week allows me to have supper ready by the time she's arrived home and had time to relax.
As this year slowly winds down and as Christmas and New Year's quickly approaches, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of what Corporate America and Consumerism has turned this holiday season into, please don't forget the real Reason for the Season.
"We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December....Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son."
- Charles Spurgeon
Until Next Time, Dear Readers.
LIFE CHANGING EVENTS
Reality Check Slap In The Face:
Getting "Fired" For The First Time
If there's one lesson I've learned at the beginning of the year, it's to never take anything for granted. After having a long successful streak of employment, I lost my job due to a clerical error causing accounting books not to balance. There were additional circumstances that surrounded my termination, but I'm not going to get into them; it's been a long and hard ten months.
I've had a very difficult time letting go of my anger over the entire situation, but I have finally started to come to terms with the fact that I wasn't where God wanted me to be, or I would still be there. With that being said, I wash my hands clean of this unfortunate sore personal subject.
But The Sign Says She's A Lab Retriever Mix:
Not Getting The Dog You Originally Wanted
After serveral months of subtly (and not so subtly) hinting that I wanted to get a dog, Lisa finally gave into my request on Memorial Day Weekend. I should make a note that Lisa had wanted to get a dog as well, but I was the ever-persistent one who kept asking the question, "How 'bout now?"
I had worked a very long day performing my first physical inventory in over two years in a retail store that I had only been employed with for two weeks. Needless to say, it was just a tad chaotic. When I finally arrived home, Lisa asked me a variety of questions at an attempt to cheer up my not-so-sunny disposition. The mere mention of going down to PAWS (our local animal shelter) and just looking at what they may have to offer transformed me mentally into a child in a toy store: "I want this one, and this one, and ooooh... this one too!"
However, like the title of this segment, the sign stated that the dog we (and when I say we, I really mean me) picked out was a lab retriever mix. That was all fine and dandy until two months into puppy parenthood when our dog started to become much more aggressive than I ever remember having experienced in the past. The answer quickly came to surface once we started researching her changing physical features and discovered that the dominate part of her mix was more than likely from a bully breed (Pit Bull, Boxer, etc). Can you all say "uh-oh" boys and girls?
If ever there was a dog that we were both trying to avoid, it was a dog whose breed caused fear in the general public. However, I'm glad to report that Amity's goal in life is not to devour little children nor is it to continually find new ways to puncture, bruise or bite my wife's hands, arms or any other body part that happens to get in the way (most of the time). Almost everyday Amity does something that makes us both laugh and smile including drinking from the faucet in the bathroom, chasing one of her whiffle balls throughout the house, or watching her eviscerating the quickly depleting supply of stuffed toys.
Her current and most consistant general disposition is mostly sunny with only a 20% chance of retarded. She's now nine months old, weighing in at around 55 pounds and has finally been welcomed in our home as one of the family.
YEAR END HIGHLIGHTS
So This Is What It Was Like To Earn A Paycheck:
Finding Employment Again
I was finally able to gain full-time employment after three months. Unfortunately, it was in retail. Not my first choice, but as you'll read a little later, I discovered that the whole "finding a new job is your job" really didn't work for me.
The downside to this entire situation is that I'm currently working for a company that decided to announce that it was closing 155 stores, as well as filing for Chapter 11 under the federal bankruptcy court, all within a week of each other. So, even though I have been able to establish steady employment, who knows how long that will last.
I Think We Better Stick To The Slower Rides:
Our First Anniversary
Lisa and I celebrated our first anniversary on October 13th. We had made plans to take a few days off and head up to Cedar Point (considered by many as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World) in Sandusky, Ohio. Our plans also included a day trip to Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame (maybe even a shopping spree at Winfred-Lauder). Unfortunately, we had to seriously curtail our plans as our current funds could not support this lavish and extravagant affair. We settled on Six Flags Over Georgia instead.
This provided several benefits which included a maximum travel time of only four hours compared to the nine plus needed to reach the south side of Lake Eerie. We had a wonderful time, until we got off the second mega coaster. Lisa discovered that her childhood motion sickness had reared its ugly head, so we stayed away from those rides and stuck with the more traditional wooden style coasters instead. Once she regained her composure, we had a blast! I discovered that people must have been much smaller back when they first constructed some the older rides, or that I'm so big that the seat just couldn't contain me. (Maybe a little of both!)
20/20 HINDSIGHT OBSERVATIONS
Video Games & Puppies:
How To Strengthen Your Spousal Communication Skills
I always felt our marriage had a strong grounding in our communication; and I still firmly believe that. However, it was quite an eye-opening experience to realize sometimes how much we didn't do it when it came to some of the more basic things.
My first clue was my well-seasoned talent of "hearing without listening," most evident when playing co-operative video games over the past year. Lisa would tell me a couple of times to do something, and after a fair amount of time, I would then end up suggesting the exact same thing. This moment was usually followed by a blank stare, the rolling of her eyes and then followed by a comment like, "I just said that two minutes ago." Little did I know that this would be a commonly repeated phrase in our household.
Puppy parenthood opened up a whole new can of worms in learning how to sharpen our dulled skills on saying exactly what we mean. This issue reared its ugly head with Amity's major bout with subborness and aggression. Lisa would repeatedly make a small comment such as, "it makes me nervous when..." or "it bothers me when..." I took these in context of each individual incident rather than collectively. She tiptoed around the subject instead of saying, "this issue is a serious concern of mine and we need to get this resolved if we're planning on keeping Amity." Thankfully, a majority of these issues have been addressed, as well as those issues with the dog, and we're very proud to say that we've grown even closer because of it.
Unemployment, Cabin Fever & You:
Uncovering Old Bad Habits And Discovering New Ones
Being unemployed sucks. It sucks not bringing in money. It sucks receiving goverment assistance for three months (but ever-so-thankful for it). But worst of all was that being unemployed seemed to suck my will to be productive.
My last stint at being jobless was back in 1998 and it lasted for a whole six weeks, but this time it wasn't that easy. I quickly discovered that I was my own worst boss, or I was my own worst employee; both descriptions fit depending on the situation. Without any structure, I failed in my job searching. I was treading in foreign territory, not at all familiar with the philosophy of "your job is looking for a new job."
I blame a very small part of that on living in an age where the internet super highway is right at your finger tips, with a virtual cornicopea of wonderful (as well as not so wonderful) distractions. However, I take the blame for my lack of focus, inner drive, self-pity, and procrastination. I'm learning how to manage my time better when looking for a new job. I now set small goals to complete everyday. It's amazing how much more productive you'll be and how much more you can accomplish.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Where Is This Water Coming From:
How To Spend Your Day Off Installing A New Toilet
Installing a toilet was something I never truly saw myself actually doing. Be that as it may, we had discovered a leak somewhere around the toilet, which inspired the need for some home repair. So, one Saturday morning not too long ago, I found myself rocking a toilet free from the bathroom floor. The discovery of sewage, however, seeping underneath the linoleum, was something we weren't expecting. Thankfully, there wasn't much damage to the hardwood floor.
By the time the sun had set, the wife and I had laid down new linoleum and installed our brand new Jacuzzi Perfecta commode. Aside from the weird concave seat, which makes it feel like your posterior is firmly planted inside the bowl, the new chair-high toilet is a welcomed addition to our bathroom.
Crock Pot Turkey v2.0:
Surviving The In-Laws During Thanksgiving
Knowing that North Carolina wasn't on our destination map this Thanksgiving, Lisa and I invited her mother and grandmother to our home. We had sucessfully cooked a turkey breast in the crock pot last year, when we invited my cousin and his wife to dinner. So I thought, why not try it again, but this time let's make sure we have a large enough breast so we can have a decent amount of leftovers. What is Thanksgiving, if you can't have leftovers to munch on for the remainder of the four-day holiday weekend?
We purchased a seven and a half pound turkey breast from the local grocery store and tucked it away for a few weeks. When Thursday morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, took the dog out, and proceded to prep the turkey. I rinsed off the bird, dislodged the gravy packet, and patted the bird dry. I then placed it in the crock pot and attempted to put the lid on top. I was amazed to discover the top lacked a good half inch in closing, as the bird was too tall and too long to fit when it's frozen solid.
Not knowing what to do next, I rubbed a thin coat of butter on the bird, generously sprinkled soup mix atop the bird, and shrugged my shoulders as I placed the lid back on top. After I washed my hands and hopped back into bed, I hoped that once the bird began to cook, it would shrink and the lid would close. Thankfully it did, and it was absolutely delicious; perfectly moist, tender and pleasantly seasoned.
If you haven't crock-potted a turkey before, I highly recommend it. The instructions are just about as simple as I described them, but you can click here if you're interested in preparing this extremely easy dinner.
I've really started to enjoy cooking and Lisa couldn't be happier. Getting home early from work four out of five days a week allows me to have supper ready by the time she's arrived home and had time to relax.
As this year slowly winds down and as Christmas and New Year's quickly approaches, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of what Corporate America and Consumerism has turned this holiday season into, please don't forget the real Reason for the Season.
"We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December....Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son."
- Charles Spurgeon
Until Next Time, Dear Readers.
Monday, May 5, 2008
My wife, the blogger...
Lisa has decided to take up a small extra-curricular activity as of late. She first stated that she would never figure out how to ever post, if she felt led... Now she's out-smarted her own husband by changing the layout as well as adding a poll. She actually wants some interaction.
She's so demanding!
You can witness her first post here.
She's so demanding!
You can witness her first post here.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Too Much Time On My Hands
I've spent the last three months cooped up in our small house with only limited travel to the outside world. Now I'm not saying this because I feel like I'm a prisoner in my own house, or that my wife keeps me locked up in shackles while she's at work during the day, but I've kept my roaming to a minimum.
I've done this for two reasons. The first is that unless I have a specific destination in mind, there really is no need to just go out, especially if I'm driving. The second is in relation to the current fuel prices. I never thought that the day would come where the possibility of $4 per gallon for regular unleaded wasn't a possibility anymore, but more like an eventuality. I don't struggle with that anymore. I struggle with "will it be here by the end of summer or the end of the year"?
Anyway, I digress...
The title of this post is quite an understatement, in my most humbling and honest opinion. When I was first released from my last employer (a really nice way of saying that I was fired), I thought that the emotional scarring of being stabbed in the back wouldn't take very long to heal. Boy was I wrong!
I filed for unemployment back in February. I felt that my termination wasn't handled in a fair manner. Do I admit to making a mistake? Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind that I screwed up by making an adjustment and not contacting the proper personnel afterwards. I sat at my desk for a good four hours a day, if not longer (depending on the workload from the warehouse) keying adjustments, making new item numbers, running reports and altering item descriptions codes along with all of my other job responsibilities on any given day.
Trying to pinpoint an exact adjustment made can sometimes be difficult, especially if it was over a week ago. As detail oriented as I am, a lot of it can become a blur when you're constantly entering and adjusting data for over half of your work day. According to my “release” I was asked if I had made a specific adjustment, to which I replied, “I don't remember.” It was later brought to my attention that I had made the adjustment. I never argued that fact. Computer programs these days can pull some of the most minute details that I never doubted if they wanted to find out who created the adjustment, that they would. Twenty-four hours later, I was without a job driving home in complete silence.
By the grace of God, my unemployment insurance was approved. Even though I obviously wasn't happy with the recent turn of events, at least I felt that I had scored one run before I was ejected from the game. Unfortunately, two weeks later, I come to find out that my unemployment was being contested. I felt bad enough as it was, but this was like being kicked while I was down. When my scheduled telephone hearing finally arrived on the first week of March, I could hardly keep the butterflies in my stomach from wanting to regurgitate my breakfast.
The biggest surprise, after everything was said and done, was that my former employers claimed I lied about making the adjustment. That seemed rather odd, considering that my separation notice never stated that. The impression I was given when they handed me my “pink slip” was that my adjustment made the accounting books for January unbalanced and that they were going to lose a significant amount of money. I was willing to accept that answer.
Thankfully, three days later, the state of Tennessee ruled in my favor, stating that my employer did not provide sufficient evidence that I had maliciously performed any kind of misconduct. There's nothing quite like the sweet satisfying taste of vindication. The hardest part, and to some degree still is, was the surprising act of betrayal by my former boss.
I remember a conversation I had with him almost three years ago. He had taken the time to call me and tell me that he was leaving the company and that he didn't want to me to hear it through the rumor mill that was very predominate in our store. I was somewhat shocked, because as close as I thought we were, he never expressed that he was unhappy with where he was in his career. However, I completely understood.
Less than two weeks later he was saying his goodbyes to everyone and he finally came around to me. We walked outside and I asked if I could give him a genuine critique, a piece of advice coming from someone who he worked closely with for the last couple of years. He agreed and I told him if he only takes away one thing, that he needed to learn to be more forgiving. That people make mistakes sometimes and that he needed to be able to give people a second chance. We then said our goodbyes and parted ways.
I find it rather ironic now, that less than three years later, I have now fallen under his strict and stubborn “sword of judgment.” Maybe throughout his career he had been screwed over just one too many times by giving people a second chance. Taking the time to speak with his former colleagues that I had also worked under, I began to realize that some of his biggest weaknesses that he had possessed back then, like his stubbornness, wasn't anything new to them. Perhaps one day he might change and be able to grow into a more forgiving person.
It has taken me quite some time over the course of the past three months to finally be the bigger person and forgive him. We're all human beings and we all make mistakes. Some are unfortunately bigger than others and some can't reward the opportunity of second chances. I know the kind of integrity I possess. I'm not the kind of person who could lie to a direct superior, especially about something as minimal as what I had done. But what is done, is done. Maybe one day he'll stumble across my site again and read this.
Writing this post has been rather therapeutic. I know I haven't been on topic for the past several months, but I hope to change things around very soon. Thank you for lending me your ears and/or eyes (and since I don't personally read my posts to you, I guess you only lend your eyes to me and your ability to be literate). So, I guess I thank you for being blessed with the faculty of sight, the wonderful gift of literacy and ability to tolerate my writing.
I promise bigger and better things in the next few days to come.
Until next time, dear readers.
I've done this for two reasons. The first is that unless I have a specific destination in mind, there really is no need to just go out, especially if I'm driving. The second is in relation to the current fuel prices. I never thought that the day would come where the possibility of $4 per gallon for regular unleaded wasn't a possibility anymore, but more like an eventuality. I don't struggle with that anymore. I struggle with "will it be here by the end of summer or the end of the year"?
Anyway, I digress...
The title of this post is quite an understatement, in my most humbling and honest opinion. When I was first released from my last employer (a really nice way of saying that I was fired), I thought that the emotional scarring of being stabbed in the back wouldn't take very long to heal. Boy was I wrong!
I filed for unemployment back in February. I felt that my termination wasn't handled in a fair manner. Do I admit to making a mistake? Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind that I screwed up by making an adjustment and not contacting the proper personnel afterwards. I sat at my desk for a good four hours a day, if not longer (depending on the workload from the warehouse) keying adjustments, making new item numbers, running reports and altering item descriptions codes along with all of my other job responsibilities on any given day.
Trying to pinpoint an exact adjustment made can sometimes be difficult, especially if it was over a week ago. As detail oriented as I am, a lot of it can become a blur when you're constantly entering and adjusting data for over half of your work day. According to my “release” I was asked if I had made a specific adjustment, to which I replied, “I don't remember.” It was later brought to my attention that I had made the adjustment. I never argued that fact. Computer programs these days can pull some of the most minute details that I never doubted if they wanted to find out who created the adjustment, that they would. Twenty-four hours later, I was without a job driving home in complete silence.
By the grace of God, my unemployment insurance was approved. Even though I obviously wasn't happy with the recent turn of events, at least I felt that I had scored one run before I was ejected from the game. Unfortunately, two weeks later, I come to find out that my unemployment was being contested. I felt bad enough as it was, but this was like being kicked while I was down. When my scheduled telephone hearing finally arrived on the first week of March, I could hardly keep the butterflies in my stomach from wanting to regurgitate my breakfast.
The biggest surprise, after everything was said and done, was that my former employers claimed I lied about making the adjustment. That seemed rather odd, considering that my separation notice never stated that. The impression I was given when they handed me my “pink slip” was that my adjustment made the accounting books for January unbalanced and that they were going to lose a significant amount of money. I was willing to accept that answer.
Thankfully, three days later, the state of Tennessee ruled in my favor, stating that my employer did not provide sufficient evidence that I had maliciously performed any kind of misconduct. There's nothing quite like the sweet satisfying taste of vindication. The hardest part, and to some degree still is, was the surprising act of betrayal by my former boss.
I remember a conversation I had with him almost three years ago. He had taken the time to call me and tell me that he was leaving the company and that he didn't want to me to hear it through the rumor mill that was very predominate in our store. I was somewhat shocked, because as close as I thought we were, he never expressed that he was unhappy with where he was in his career. However, I completely understood.
Less than two weeks later he was saying his goodbyes to everyone and he finally came around to me. We walked outside and I asked if I could give him a genuine critique, a piece of advice coming from someone who he worked closely with for the last couple of years. He agreed and I told him if he only takes away one thing, that he needed to learn to be more forgiving. That people make mistakes sometimes and that he needed to be able to give people a second chance. We then said our goodbyes and parted ways.
I find it rather ironic now, that less than three years later, I have now fallen under his strict and stubborn “sword of judgment.” Maybe throughout his career he had been screwed over just one too many times by giving people a second chance. Taking the time to speak with his former colleagues that I had also worked under, I began to realize that some of his biggest weaknesses that he had possessed back then, like his stubbornness, wasn't anything new to them. Perhaps one day he might change and be able to grow into a more forgiving person.
It has taken me quite some time over the course of the past three months to finally be the bigger person and forgive him. We're all human beings and we all make mistakes. Some are unfortunately bigger than others and some can't reward the opportunity of second chances. I know the kind of integrity I possess. I'm not the kind of person who could lie to a direct superior, especially about something as minimal as what I had done. But what is done, is done. Maybe one day he'll stumble across my site again and read this.
Writing this post has been rather therapeutic. I know I haven't been on topic for the past several months, but I hope to change things around very soon. Thank you for lending me your ears and/or eyes (and since I don't personally read my posts to you, I guess you only lend your eyes to me and your ability to be literate). So, I guess I thank you for being blessed with the faculty of sight, the wonderful gift of literacy and ability to tolerate my writing.
I promise bigger and better things in the next few days to come.
Until next time, dear readers.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Closing Chapters
I am finding it very difficult to summarize a couple of significant milestones that have occurred in my life. Especially when they bookended February 2008 and neither one of them are what you would deem "great." Two chapters have come to a close in my life here, zipping me around on one hell of an emotional roller coaster.
The last week of January started off with quite a bang. I had been sick three days straight, leading right into February 1st, with an upper respiratory infection. By the time my prescribed antibiotics started working, I was out of a job. I will spare you the unfortunate details to why I am no longer currently employed, but let's just say that I did nothing malicious or insubordinate in nature. It was just an honest mistake that had enough zeros attached at the end to not permit just a slap on the wrist.
Losing your job after being gainfully employed for over ten years straight can be quite the sucker punch to the ol' ego. Especially when it comes from a former boss who you had a very good three year history with from a previous employer.
Being a man of integrity first and foremost, I felt horrible for letting something like this happen. He put his neck out on the line for me and I ended up letting him down. On the other hand, I was completely furious. Well, I wasn't exactly furious when it first happened. I was in a state of shock. I couldn't believe the words that had exited his mouth.
After cleaning out my office, while the human resources manager stood there looking over my shoulder, I proceeded to drive home in complete silence. It was probably a smart move, allowing my brain to process what had just happened.
I wasn't used to having an office. It was rather alarming how much stuff had accumulated over the course of just eight months. What was worse was trying to fit it all into one box and hoping that enough people had already left for the day before you were escorted out of the building. The last thing I wanted was to run into someone else in the parking lot, fumbling for my keys, all while trying not to drop the three picture frames that were straddled under my arm.
Fortunately, my loving wife arrived home shortly after I had. She comforted me and fed me exactly what I needed: words of encouragement and the ability to sit there in silent support as I vegged in front of the television for the rest of the night.
By week's end I had recited countless renditions of the events that had taken place to friends and family, but more importantly, I finally started to heal. Having all of this extra free time had also allowed me to spend more time with my cousin before departing to Texas.
With Will and Melody moving on to the possible prospect of bigger and better things, the end of an era has finally come to pass. All of the drama, trials and tribulations that we shared throughout the past eight years, along with all of the good stuff, strengthened our bond as brothers (even if we're only cousins by blood). Those two became my home away from home and I will miss them dearly.
Be that as it may, I won't let these events overshadow all of the positive things that also took place in the month of February: spending all of Valentine's Day with Lisa and her family, volunteering with disaster relief in Macon County and celebrating Lisa's birthday. Witnessing the horror and heartbreak of a community torn apart by tornadoes shoved "being fired" much farther down on the list of how things could be so much worse. It really put things into perspective.
I hope that wherever this post finds you, that you are doing well.
Until next time, dear readers.
The last week of January started off with quite a bang. I had been sick three days straight, leading right into February 1st, with an upper respiratory infection. By the time my prescribed antibiotics started working, I was out of a job. I will spare you the unfortunate details to why I am no longer currently employed, but let's just say that I did nothing malicious or insubordinate in nature. It was just an honest mistake that had enough zeros attached at the end to not permit just a slap on the wrist.
Losing your job after being gainfully employed for over ten years straight can be quite the sucker punch to the ol' ego. Especially when it comes from a former boss who you had a very good three year history with from a previous employer.
Being a man of integrity first and foremost, I felt horrible for letting something like this happen. He put his neck out on the line for me and I ended up letting him down. On the other hand, I was completely furious. Well, I wasn't exactly furious when it first happened. I was in a state of shock. I couldn't believe the words that had exited his mouth.
After cleaning out my office, while the human resources manager stood there looking over my shoulder, I proceeded to drive home in complete silence. It was probably a smart move, allowing my brain to process what had just happened.
I wasn't used to having an office. It was rather alarming how much stuff had accumulated over the course of just eight months. What was worse was trying to fit it all into one box and hoping that enough people had already left for the day before you were escorted out of the building. The last thing I wanted was to run into someone else in the parking lot, fumbling for my keys, all while trying not to drop the three picture frames that were straddled under my arm.
Fortunately, my loving wife arrived home shortly after I had. She comforted me and fed me exactly what I needed: words of encouragement and the ability to sit there in silent support as I vegged in front of the television for the rest of the night.
By week's end I had recited countless renditions of the events that had taken place to friends and family, but more importantly, I finally started to heal. Having all of this extra free time had also allowed me to spend more time with my cousin before departing to Texas.
With Will and Melody moving on to the possible prospect of bigger and better things, the end of an era has finally come to pass. All of the drama, trials and tribulations that we shared throughout the past eight years, along with all of the good stuff, strengthened our bond as brothers (even if we're only cousins by blood). Those two became my home away from home and I will miss them dearly.
Be that as it may, I won't let these events overshadow all of the positive things that also took place in the month of February: spending all of Valentine's Day with Lisa and her family, volunteering with disaster relief in Macon County and celebrating Lisa's birthday. Witnessing the horror and heartbreak of a community torn apart by tornadoes shoved "being fired" much farther down on the list of how things could be so much worse. It really put things into perspective.
I hope that wherever this post finds you, that you are doing well.
Until next time, dear readers.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday
Boy how time flies! Before I know it, I'll be shopping for the least cheesy Valentine's Day card along with the search for a birthday present for my lovely bride. Until then, I present to you my first post of 2008:
It's amazing how the human mind loves to play tricks on my own existance in this vast universe.
For example: Have you ever woken up from a deep sleep, glanced at your alarm clock, and thought, "Holy crap! I'm late for work!"? By the time you realize that it's your day off, and your racing pulse has dropped back down to a much slower "lub dub" in your chest, you've already slapped your psyche square on the face. Good luck trying to be able to go back to sleep now.
This morning I looked down at the date on my calendar and then proceded to rubbed my eyes. I blinked a few more times and waited for my vision to return to normal. The page still reads January 19th. Apparently this was not a trick. It really is January 19, 2008. I'm just a little disappointed that we still don't have flying cars. Haven't they been promising this to us since the 1950's?
Anyways...
New Year's Day 2008 presented a rather interesting journey in my relationship with my wife. An idea popped into my head a few weeks before January 1st that we should partake in a movie marathon. Neither of us are big enough college football fans, and there was no way in the world that I was going to spend half the day watching "The 119th Tournament of Roses Parade." Why you might ask? Well, I'll tell you.
Living in southern California for the better part of my existance here on earth, I had spent enough sleepless nights and even more sleepless mornings watching the parade, "admiring" the construction of the floats as well as the seemingly endless walk back to my Aunt and Uncle's apartment where our vehicle was parked.
Enduring the three-hour-plus event in person is torture enough. Watching it on television was an even less likely possibility. I've never truly understood the general public's facination with the "All-American Main Street Parade." I don't think I ever will.
Instead, we decided to do an all-day movie marathon. I suggested we both pick two films that the other hasn't not seen (or at least in it's entirety from beginning to end). Lisa was able to read my mind so well that she already knew at least what one of my two choices was going to be. The only stipulation that I tried to set forth in our selection, was that it had to be a movie that we either held in high regard or felt it was something that everyone should see at least once in their life.
My first choice was The Godfather. It's world renowned as one of the greatest films ever made and she had never seen it before. However, I do sadly have to admit, that as much of a movie buff that my wife is, there are dozens upon dozens of films that reflect the same stature, which she has yet to see. My intentions are to correct this over time (and I'm more than willing to admit that I haven't seem them all myself).
I was, on the other hand, having quite the dilema for my second choice. I racked my brain for over a week and didn't decide until the morning of January 1st. After a quick browse through the DVDs that were actually visible (I'm currently struggling with a large volume library and a limited amount of room to display them all), I finally came to the conclusion that this wasn't going to be last movie she was ever going to see, so I grabbed Orson Welle's masterpiece Citizen Kane. (Although I can't imagine a better one-two punch combination of films to "go out on.")
On Christmas day, Lisa opened one of her presents and immediately decided that her first selection for the movie marathon would be The Wizard of Oz.
[insert dramatic pause here]
Yes, I know, I can't even believe that I had never seen The Wizard of Oz myself. But to be completely honest with you, the film never posed much (if any) interest to me. I've seen several clips from the film hundreds of times, but I had never (at least not according to any childhood recollection) sat through the film from beginning to end.
I've expressed my opinion here before about my distaste for musicals. There are very few that reside in my massive library, and even those I really have to be in the mood in order to watch them. Now, all that Lisa had to do was pick her second movie and our line-up would be complete.
This decision, apparently, was much more difficult for her than it was for me. There are many more films out there that she had not seen that I had. So she struggle for several days trying to find a film that she had enjoyed that I had not seen. She pondered the possibility of introducing me to Victor Victoria but decided against it (at least for the time being).
After days of serious contemplation as well as desperation, she settled on King Arthur. I didn't want to pass judgement on her decision, but for some reason, this film just didn't seem to fit the criteria of the other three. The other three were classics in their own right and her second choice was going to be this?
I swallowed my comments, not only because I was the one who came up with the idea of the movie marathon in the first place, but I also didn't want to discourage her by being a prick. After all, knowing how much of a "snob" I can be in this area (beer being another one), I had little room for arguing, considering the large assortment of "guilty pleasure crap-filled" movies that also took up residence in my library.
The beginning of a new year also presented us with a few other resolutions we decided to put into play for 2008. We were going to start cooking and eating healthier as well as start working out at least three times a week. The movie marathon presented us with the opportunity to go out with a bang!
January 1st was to be our last day of mind-numbing junk food indulgence. On December 31st, I cracked open our "Fry Daddy" that had been given to us as a wedding gift. If we were going out with a bang, we were going out with style. Everything was set in place for an "all-day fat and calorie filled tasty feast."
Unbeknownst to me, there lied a serious road block that kept us for completely giving in and unabashedly consuming our tasty morsels. Lisa had spent the better part of the day during the previous week, watching a marathon of "The Biggest Loser" on Bravo. This road block posed two issues that affected the final outcome of our movie day marathon.
First, it affected the overal time schedule of watching our movies. Before we began as well between each movie, we ended up watching at least one episode of another "The Biggest Loser" marathon. This happened after each film, including the two-hour season finale. So by the time we reached The Godfather (with Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz behind us), it was already after 7:00 PM.
Secondly, it seemed to subconsciencely affect what I was eating and how much. That didn't mean that I didn't continue to dip my buffalo chicken fingers in the ranch in front of me, all the while watching these over weight people work their keisters off. It just made me feel quite guilty.
By the end of the day, we had watched at least five hours of "The Biggest Loser" along with two and a half movies. We finally finished the other two films over the course of the rest of the week. Needless to say, the marathon was a bit of a letdown (at least for me), but it also produced some very good side effects.
Since the marathon, we've become much more aware of our daily caloric intake and we've been able to provide each other with continuous positive encouragement and reinforcement. I've discovered that I have a decent amount of self control, much more than I thought I would have, starting down this new road in our lives.
Also, starting next week, we'll be working out at the Recreation Center where Lisa is currently employed at MTSU. We're going to attempt to start with the "early morning" workout and see how that progresses. Right now, it's been a bit of a struggle to get out of bed on time, so were not sure on the outcome. The current weather conditions don't permit us the enjoyment of evening walks right now. Once it starts to warm up, we might just start doing that instead. Heaven only knows that we both love our sleep and we don't like things that come between it and us.
Lisa enjoyed both of my movie selections. Neither one was what she was initially expecting. She can even see herself watching them again at some point in time in the future. If you want to hear more about her first impressions of the two films, you're gonna have to ask her, since I can't exactly write her thoughts down for her.
I found The Wizard of Oz rather enjoyable, most parts at least. What really ended up peaking my interest was discovering all of the political symbolism throughout the film. Before the end of picture, I had popped open the laptop and started searching Google for these things. What I'm really looking forward to now, is watching the film again, but this time while listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at the same time. Who knows how well it will go without the consumption any mind altering drugs beforehand.
King Arthur was better than I was expecting. But to be completely honest, I wasn't setting the bar that high in the first place. It had some pacing problems as well as some serious believability issues. It was, however, probably a more accurate account of the "larger than life" legend that was King Arthur.
I can't really recall now, much detail of my high school term paper that presented the question: was King Arthur fact or fiction? The legend everyone knows is really just fiction, with obvious examples like the film Excalibur among many others. At the present time, my brain just doesn't have the strengh, nor desire, to analyze this subject any further.
Well, on that note, I bid you all a fond farewell. It's rather cold in the spare bedroom right now, with my bare feet and toes quickly turning into popscicles, so I feel the strong desire for a long hot shower and large lunch.
For those of you who are interested in what else is going on around the house, click here.
Until next time, dear readers.
It's amazing how the human mind loves to play tricks on my own existance in this vast universe.
For example: Have you ever woken up from a deep sleep, glanced at your alarm clock, and thought, "Holy crap! I'm late for work!"? By the time you realize that it's your day off, and your racing pulse has dropped back down to a much slower "lub dub" in your chest, you've already slapped your psyche square on the face. Good luck trying to be able to go back to sleep now.
This morning I looked down at the date on my calendar and then proceded to rubbed my eyes. I blinked a few more times and waited for my vision to return to normal. The page still reads January 19th. Apparently this was not a trick. It really is January 19, 2008. I'm just a little disappointed that we still don't have flying cars. Haven't they been promising this to us since the 1950's?
Anyways...
New Year's Day 2008 presented a rather interesting journey in my relationship with my wife. An idea popped into my head a few weeks before January 1st that we should partake in a movie marathon. Neither of us are big enough college football fans, and there was no way in the world that I was going to spend half the day watching "The 119th Tournament of Roses Parade." Why you might ask? Well, I'll tell you.
Living in southern California for the better part of my existance here on earth, I had spent enough sleepless nights and even more sleepless mornings watching the parade, "admiring" the construction of the floats as well as the seemingly endless walk back to my Aunt and Uncle's apartment where our vehicle was parked.
Enduring the three-hour-plus event in person is torture enough. Watching it on television was an even less likely possibility. I've never truly understood the general public's facination with the "All-American Main Street Parade." I don't think I ever will.
Instead, we decided to do an all-day movie marathon. I suggested we both pick two films that the other hasn't not seen (or at least in it's entirety from beginning to end). Lisa was able to read my mind so well that she already knew at least what one of my two choices was going to be. The only stipulation that I tried to set forth in our selection, was that it had to be a movie that we either held in high regard or felt it was something that everyone should see at least once in their life.
My first choice was The Godfather. It's world renowned as one of the greatest films ever made and she had never seen it before. However, I do sadly have to admit, that as much of a movie buff that my wife is, there are dozens upon dozens of films that reflect the same stature, which she has yet to see. My intentions are to correct this over time (and I'm more than willing to admit that I haven't seem them all myself).
I was, on the other hand, having quite the dilema for my second choice. I racked my brain for over a week and didn't decide until the morning of January 1st. After a quick browse through the DVDs that were actually visible (I'm currently struggling with a large volume library and a limited amount of room to display them all), I finally came to the conclusion that this wasn't going to be last movie she was ever going to see, so I grabbed Orson Welle's masterpiece Citizen Kane. (Although I can't imagine a better one-two punch combination of films to "go out on.")
On Christmas day, Lisa opened one of her presents and immediately decided that her first selection for the movie marathon would be The Wizard of Oz.
[insert dramatic pause here]
Yes, I know, I can't even believe that I had never seen The Wizard of Oz myself. But to be completely honest with you, the film never posed much (if any) interest to me. I've seen several clips from the film hundreds of times, but I had never (at least not according to any childhood recollection) sat through the film from beginning to end.
I've expressed my opinion here before about my distaste for musicals. There are very few that reside in my massive library, and even those I really have to be in the mood in order to watch them. Now, all that Lisa had to do was pick her second movie and our line-up would be complete.
This decision, apparently, was much more difficult for her than it was for me. There are many more films out there that she had not seen that I had. So she struggle for several days trying to find a film that she had enjoyed that I had not seen. She pondered the possibility of introducing me to Victor Victoria but decided against it (at least for the time being).
After days of serious contemplation as well as desperation, she settled on King Arthur. I didn't want to pass judgement on her decision, but for some reason, this film just didn't seem to fit the criteria of the other three. The other three were classics in their own right and her second choice was going to be this?
I swallowed my comments, not only because I was the one who came up with the idea of the movie marathon in the first place, but I also didn't want to discourage her by being a prick. After all, knowing how much of a "snob" I can be in this area (beer being another one), I had little room for arguing, considering the large assortment of "guilty pleasure crap-filled" movies that also took up residence in my library.
The beginning of a new year also presented us with a few other resolutions we decided to put into play for 2008. We were going to start cooking and eating healthier as well as start working out at least three times a week. The movie marathon presented us with the opportunity to go out with a bang!
January 1st was to be our last day of mind-numbing junk food indulgence. On December 31st, I cracked open our "Fry Daddy" that had been given to us as a wedding gift. If we were going out with a bang, we were going out with style. Everything was set in place for an "all-day fat and calorie filled tasty feast."
Unbeknownst to me, there lied a serious road block that kept us for completely giving in and unabashedly consuming our tasty morsels. Lisa had spent the better part of the day during the previous week, watching a marathon of "The Biggest Loser" on Bravo. This road block posed two issues that affected the final outcome of our movie day marathon.
First, it affected the overal time schedule of watching our movies. Before we began as well between each movie, we ended up watching at least one episode of another "The Biggest Loser" marathon. This happened after each film, including the two-hour season finale. So by the time we reached The Godfather (with Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz behind us), it was already after 7:00 PM.
Secondly, it seemed to subconsciencely affect what I was eating and how much. That didn't mean that I didn't continue to dip my buffalo chicken fingers in the ranch in front of me, all the while watching these over weight people work their keisters off. It just made me feel quite guilty.
By the end of the day, we had watched at least five hours of "The Biggest Loser" along with two and a half movies. We finally finished the other two films over the course of the rest of the week. Needless to say, the marathon was a bit of a letdown (at least for me), but it also produced some very good side effects.
Since the marathon, we've become much more aware of our daily caloric intake and we've been able to provide each other with continuous positive encouragement and reinforcement. I've discovered that I have a decent amount of self control, much more than I thought I would have, starting down this new road in our lives.
Also, starting next week, we'll be working out at the Recreation Center where Lisa is currently employed at MTSU. We're going to attempt to start with the "early morning" workout and see how that progresses. Right now, it's been a bit of a struggle to get out of bed on time, so were not sure on the outcome. The current weather conditions don't permit us the enjoyment of evening walks right now. Once it starts to warm up, we might just start doing that instead. Heaven only knows that we both love our sleep and we don't like things that come between it and us.
Lisa enjoyed both of my movie selections. Neither one was what she was initially expecting. She can even see herself watching them again at some point in time in the future. If you want to hear more about her first impressions of the two films, you're gonna have to ask her, since I can't exactly write her thoughts down for her.
I found The Wizard of Oz rather enjoyable, most parts at least. What really ended up peaking my interest was discovering all of the political symbolism throughout the film. Before the end of picture, I had popped open the laptop and started searching Google for these things. What I'm really looking forward to now, is watching the film again, but this time while listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at the same time. Who knows how well it will go without the consumption any mind altering drugs beforehand.
King Arthur was better than I was expecting. But to be completely honest, I wasn't setting the bar that high in the first place. It had some pacing problems as well as some serious believability issues. It was, however, probably a more accurate account of the "larger than life" legend that was King Arthur.
I can't really recall now, much detail of my high school term paper that presented the question: was King Arthur fact or fiction? The legend everyone knows is really just fiction, with obvious examples like the film Excalibur among many others. At the present time, my brain just doesn't have the strengh, nor desire, to analyze this subject any further.
Well, on that note, I bid you all a fond farewell. It's rather cold in the spare bedroom right now, with my bare feet and toes quickly turning into popscicles, so I feel the strong desire for a long hot shower and large lunch.
For those of you who are interested in what else is going on around the house, click here.
Until next time, dear readers.
Friday, December 21, 2007
A Year In Review
As 2007 draws to a close, I felt it necessary for internal reflection. Of all the years that would top my list as the most memorable, I never would have thought that 2007 was going to be the year, at least according to the mind of a young man with his future still ahead of him.
When you're a teenager who's just graduated high school, there are many thoughts that race through your head, but none of them is that it will take you another thirteen years before you find the woman of your dreams and finally marry her. It's amazing how a fantasized future of your life hardly ever ends up compared to how the cards are laid out onto the table. I never would had even imagined that I would have been married and living in the state of Tennessee back in 1994.
When I graduated, I was very interested in pursuing an education and career in accounting. It took all of six weeks to come to the conclusion that business accounting and book keeping were two very different things and I had no interest in either of them by the end of my first semester. After attempting to attend my first "real" accounting class, I had quickly discovered that the flashing lights in my head wasn't a "blue light special" (I was currently employed with Kmart at that time), but rather a career crisis that was slowly growing into an uncontrollable monster that would not be tamed for another decade.
That monster, when it finally reared its ugly head, was a deep-seeded desire to be involved in the filmmaking industry. Not knowing exactly what I wanted to do, I crammed my second semester full of required curriculum along with a class entitled "History of the Motion Picture." Within a month I was hooked. I found the entire process fascinating, following it from the tiny seed of a story idea and screenplay all the way to a fully-bloomed completely executed motion picture as the end product.
However, those who know me well know that I don't always have the greatest sense of self confidence. Once the monster completely manifested itself before me, I realized that getting my foot into the door of the film industry was going to be just as difficult as getting into a well respected film school. Of course it took several years to fully discover that trying to get into the film industry wasn't exactly the smartest decision someone like myself could make.
I'm even willing to admit that moving halfway across the country was a feeble attempt at the possibility of a film career. Although it did present itself with several additional benefits that were not obtainable while living in southern California, moving out of my parent’s house and living on my own for the first time, in an economy that I could actually afford, were great bonuses.
Things never really ended up the way I wanted them to. For starters, it would have been beneficial for my "budding film career" to complete the application process. After having at least two (although I swear there was three at one time) letters of recommendation, I chickened out and never finished it. I'm not sure what I was really scared of, other than the obvious. Rejection. Thank God I at least had the foresight to secure employment before embarking on a 2,200 mile journey that would plant me in the welcoming arms of Nashville, Tennessee.
Secondly, it was something that I couldn't actually afford. I didn't grow up in a home where my path to education was going to be an easy one, paved with either daddy's credit or a nifty trust fund issued to me that was I could dip into once I reached the age of eighteen. I'm even willing to admit that the "monster" has never truly left me, at least not completely. And I'm pretty sure that it never will. The desire to finish school hasn't left me either, it just won't come anytime soon. There is debt that needs to be paid off. So until that's all gone except for the house, I won't be cracking open any books.
So, where was I? What does all of this have to do with 2007, you might ask? Plenty. When I started racking my brain about how I wanted to approach this post, this was the first thing that had entered my mind. And it's quite appropriate, if I connect all of the dots for you.
I never would have met my wife if I hadn't had the inflated desires to have a career in the film industry. Tennessee was the destination that would eventually change my life. I've come to the conclusion that it's the people around your life that will change it, as long as you take advantage of their friendship. When we first met in May of 2005, neither of us was ready for a relationship. It was obvious that God still needed to straighten a few things out in our lives before we were ready for the final plunge.
Eighteen months came and went. When the fall of 2006 finally arrived, it was divine intervention that brought us back together. She responded to a random email that I had sent out, and through that brought about reconciliation she felt was necessary to resolve between us. By December I was head-over-heels in love with this beautiful woman and there was nothing in the world that was capable of hiding that fact. I acquired an engagement ring back in February and then let it burn a hole in my pocket for three months before I proposed. The rest, as you can say, is history.
Of course there are other events have taken place throughout the year that are also worth mentioning.
After receiving a much-deserved promotion and much-needed transfer with Best Buy back in February, I was approached by a former colleague about coming to work for him. In May I decided to leave Best Buy to fill the position of Inventory Control Manager for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Outside of the commute, I truly enjoy every day that I work at the Food Bank. The people there are wonderful and I can't imagine working anywhere else right now. Everyday, I come home with such a sense of accomplishment, which truly makes me thankful for everything that God has provided, in the past and now.
My cousin and I finally sold our house. Just in the nick of time, I might add. What we made from the sale we split down the middle and that, my dear friends, is what paid for the wedding and honeymoon. I couldn't have imagined spending it on anything more wonderful than that.
Needless to say, it feels as if the world has turned upside down on me (for the good, that is) this year. What a magnificent journey it has been. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
My apologies if I haven't written as much as either you've wanted to read or what I've actually wanted to write in these past twelve months. My plate has been continuously full since the ball dropped in Time Square this past New Year's. It is, however, nice to finally be able to settle down into my new life with my beautiful bride and to start a new chapter in my life.
Anyone who possesses the gift of reason knows that December 25 isn't the exact date of Jesus' birth. It has though, for centuries, been identified as the day we honor and celebrate His birth and a prophecy fulfilled. Please enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life to spend time with family and friends. May your life and family be filled with blessings this year and those yet to come.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
P.S. If you're interested, I've put together a little slideshow on our other site located here.
When you're a teenager who's just graduated high school, there are many thoughts that race through your head, but none of them is that it will take you another thirteen years before you find the woman of your dreams and finally marry her. It's amazing how a fantasized future of your life hardly ever ends up compared to how the cards are laid out onto the table. I never would had even imagined that I would have been married and living in the state of Tennessee back in 1994.
When I graduated, I was very interested in pursuing an education and career in accounting. It took all of six weeks to come to the conclusion that business accounting and book keeping were two very different things and I had no interest in either of them by the end of my first semester. After attempting to attend my first "real" accounting class, I had quickly discovered that the flashing lights in my head wasn't a "blue light special" (I was currently employed with Kmart at that time), but rather a career crisis that was slowly growing into an uncontrollable monster that would not be tamed for another decade.
That monster, when it finally reared its ugly head, was a deep-seeded desire to be involved in the filmmaking industry. Not knowing exactly what I wanted to do, I crammed my second semester full of required curriculum along with a class entitled "History of the Motion Picture." Within a month I was hooked. I found the entire process fascinating, following it from the tiny seed of a story idea and screenplay all the way to a fully-bloomed completely executed motion picture as the end product.
However, those who know me well know that I don't always have the greatest sense of self confidence. Once the monster completely manifested itself before me, I realized that getting my foot into the door of the film industry was going to be just as difficult as getting into a well respected film school. Of course it took several years to fully discover that trying to get into the film industry wasn't exactly the smartest decision someone like myself could make.
I'm even willing to admit that moving halfway across the country was a feeble attempt at the possibility of a film career. Although it did present itself with several additional benefits that were not obtainable while living in southern California, moving out of my parent’s house and living on my own for the first time, in an economy that I could actually afford, were great bonuses.
Things never really ended up the way I wanted them to. For starters, it would have been beneficial for my "budding film career" to complete the application process. After having at least two (although I swear there was three at one time) letters of recommendation, I chickened out and never finished it. I'm not sure what I was really scared of, other than the obvious. Rejection. Thank God I at least had the foresight to secure employment before embarking on a 2,200 mile journey that would plant me in the welcoming arms of Nashville, Tennessee.
Secondly, it was something that I couldn't actually afford. I didn't grow up in a home where my path to education was going to be an easy one, paved with either daddy's credit or a nifty trust fund issued to me that was I could dip into once I reached the age of eighteen. I'm even willing to admit that the "monster" has never truly left me, at least not completely. And I'm pretty sure that it never will. The desire to finish school hasn't left me either, it just won't come anytime soon. There is debt that needs to be paid off. So until that's all gone except for the house, I won't be cracking open any books.
So, where was I? What does all of this have to do with 2007, you might ask? Plenty. When I started racking my brain about how I wanted to approach this post, this was the first thing that had entered my mind. And it's quite appropriate, if I connect all of the dots for you.
I never would have met my wife if I hadn't had the inflated desires to have a career in the film industry. Tennessee was the destination that would eventually change my life. I've come to the conclusion that it's the people around your life that will change it, as long as you take advantage of their friendship. When we first met in May of 2005, neither of us was ready for a relationship. It was obvious that God still needed to straighten a few things out in our lives before we were ready for the final plunge.
Eighteen months came and went. When the fall of 2006 finally arrived, it was divine intervention that brought us back together. She responded to a random email that I had sent out, and through that brought about reconciliation she felt was necessary to resolve between us. By December I was head-over-heels in love with this beautiful woman and there was nothing in the world that was capable of hiding that fact. I acquired an engagement ring back in February and then let it burn a hole in my pocket for three months before I proposed. The rest, as you can say, is history.
Of course there are other events have taken place throughout the year that are also worth mentioning.
After receiving a much-deserved promotion and much-needed transfer with Best Buy back in February, I was approached by a former colleague about coming to work for him. In May I decided to leave Best Buy to fill the position of Inventory Control Manager for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Outside of the commute, I truly enjoy every day that I work at the Food Bank. The people there are wonderful and I can't imagine working anywhere else right now. Everyday, I come home with such a sense of accomplishment, which truly makes me thankful for everything that God has provided, in the past and now.
My cousin and I finally sold our house. Just in the nick of time, I might add. What we made from the sale we split down the middle and that, my dear friends, is what paid for the wedding and honeymoon. I couldn't have imagined spending it on anything more wonderful than that.
Needless to say, it feels as if the world has turned upside down on me (for the good, that is) this year. What a magnificent journey it has been. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
My apologies if I haven't written as much as either you've wanted to read or what I've actually wanted to write in these past twelve months. My plate has been continuously full since the ball dropped in Time Square this past New Year's. It is, however, nice to finally be able to settle down into my new life with my beautiful bride and to start a new chapter in my life.
Anyone who possesses the gift of reason knows that December 25 isn't the exact date of Jesus' birth. It has though, for centuries, been identified as the day we honor and celebrate His birth and a prophecy fulfilled. Please enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life to spend time with family and friends. May your life and family be filled with blessings this year and those yet to come.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
P.S. If you're interested, I've put together a little slideshow on our other site located here.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
What exactly is a "Family Tree"?
I spend an average of two hours a day in my car commuting to and from work. That totals to at least ten hours a week. If you were to ask my wife, she'd probably guess that this average is low as of late. Ever since returning to work after the honeymoon, I've spent at least 30 minutes longer in my commute home than the previous five months at my new job.
The reason why I bring this up is that I spend a lot of time listening to talk radio. Let me first get this off my chest so you can stop gawking at me: Yes, I am a conservative. (No, this is not a political commentary post... well, not really.)
However, I don't just choose to listen to what the Future Socialists of America in our country call "the extremist right-wing agenda" just to piss them off. I just can't listen to music all the time. I think that some people in my life would beg to differ, since they've seen my CD library (and it is quite massive). I find that it keeps my brain stimulated, so I can stay alert, rather than tuning out to the "angry white guy" crunching guitar riffs and then nodding off only to find myself merging into the next lane and slamming into a tractor-trailer.
Listening to Uncle Phil yesterday, I heard about Lowe's little fiasco of introducing the "family tree" to this year's holiday shopping consumers. I find it repulsive... and they're called Christmas trees!
This is a "family tree."
What kind of country do we live in where 80 percent of the population claims to be a part of some kind of Christian faith, where 95 percent of the same country celebrates Christmas, yet the removal of the word "Christ" from Christmas amongst other things becomes more and more evident every year?
I am so tired of this political correctness that it makes me physically sick. Are we so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we're willing to jepardize the biggest ecomonic stimulus of the entire year? Ever heard of "Black Friday"? Pay attention now: Americans, on average, go Christmas shopping. They spend their hard-earned money, to help drive their country's economy by purchasing Christmas presents.
If we're not careful, our own government is going to sneak up behind us and start telling us what we can and cannot do in regards to decorating our own personal homes.
Oops! Too late.
The United States of America celebrates Christmas. In most areas of the country, it's considered the least active day of the year for businesses and commerce. (Try finding a store open, or if you do, one that will sell you batteries at a reasonable price on Christmas day when you're parents forgot to include them with the newest and coolest toy.)
In many ways, Christmas is just as much a secular holiday as it is religious. I know several people that celebrate Christmas who want nothing to do with Christ or religion. I'm tired of the minority, armed with a "PC-Friendly megaphone", telling the vast majority what is and isn't right. I'm an adult and reserve the right to have my own opinion. My parents raised me to be sensitive towards others and to treat people with respect. I don't need them or my government to do it.
I celebrate Christmas. I decorate a Christmas tree. I place presents underneath the Christmas tree and open them on December 25th. I give gifts to family and friends during Christmas to express my love and kindness I feel towards them. I listen to and sing songs that celebrate the season as well as the birth of my savior. I roast chestnuts on an open fire (well, not really, but I would if I had the opportunity).
Don't tell me what I can and cannot do when it comes to Christmas. The last time I checked, the U.S. Constitution protected my rights to freedom of religion. And guess what, that's all religions. Not all religions except for Christianity and holidays that might offend thoses that celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Eid ul-Adha, Winter Solstice, Chrismukkah or anything that doesn't involve Jesus Christ. I seriously doubt Christians, as well as those who celebrate Christmas, would riot in the streets if retail businesses started running ads for the "Festival of Lights Price Cut Sale!" or a "Kwanzaa Inventory Blow Out!"
Please leave my Christmas alone.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.
The reason why I bring this up is that I spend a lot of time listening to talk radio. Let me first get this off my chest so you can stop gawking at me: Yes, I am a conservative. (No, this is not a political commentary post... well, not really.)
However, I don't just choose to listen to what the Future Socialists of America in our country call "the extremist right-wing agenda" just to piss them off. I just can't listen to music all the time. I think that some people in my life would beg to differ, since they've seen my CD library (and it is quite massive). I find that it keeps my brain stimulated, so I can stay alert, rather than tuning out to the "angry white guy" crunching guitar riffs and then nodding off only to find myself merging into the next lane and slamming into a tractor-trailer.
Listening to Uncle Phil yesterday, I heard about Lowe's little fiasco of introducing the "family tree" to this year's holiday shopping consumers. I find it repulsive... and they're called Christmas trees!
This is a "family tree."
What kind of country do we live in where 80 percent of the population claims to be a part of some kind of Christian faith, where 95 percent of the same country celebrates Christmas, yet the removal of the word "Christ" from Christmas amongst other things becomes more and more evident every year?
I am so tired of this political correctness that it makes me physically sick. Are we so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we're willing to jepardize the biggest ecomonic stimulus of the entire year? Ever heard of "Black Friday"? Pay attention now: Americans, on average, go Christmas shopping. They spend their hard-earned money, to help drive their country's economy by purchasing Christmas presents.
If we're not careful, our own government is going to sneak up behind us and start telling us what we can and cannot do in regards to decorating our own personal homes.
Oops! Too late.
The United States of America celebrates Christmas. In most areas of the country, it's considered the least active day of the year for businesses and commerce. (Try finding a store open, or if you do, one that will sell you batteries at a reasonable price on Christmas day when you're parents forgot to include them with the newest and coolest toy.)
In many ways, Christmas is just as much a secular holiday as it is religious. I know several people that celebrate Christmas who want nothing to do with Christ or religion. I'm tired of the minority, armed with a "PC-Friendly megaphone", telling the vast majority what is and isn't right. I'm an adult and reserve the right to have my own opinion. My parents raised me to be sensitive towards others and to treat people with respect. I don't need them or my government to do it.
I celebrate Christmas. I decorate a Christmas tree. I place presents underneath the Christmas tree and open them on December 25th. I give gifts to family and friends during Christmas to express my love and kindness I feel towards them. I listen to and sing songs that celebrate the season as well as the birth of my savior. I roast chestnuts on an open fire (well, not really, but I would if I had the opportunity).
Don't tell me what I can and cannot do when it comes to Christmas. The last time I checked, the U.S. Constitution protected my rights to freedom of religion. And guess what, that's all religions. Not all religions except for Christianity and holidays that might offend thoses that celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Eid ul-Adha, Winter Solstice, Chrismukkah or anything that doesn't involve Jesus Christ. I seriously doubt Christians, as well as those who celebrate Christmas, would riot in the streets if retail businesses started running ads for the "Festival of Lights Price Cut Sale!" or a "Kwanzaa Inventory Blow Out!"
Please leave my Christmas alone.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A World Without Writers
I've dabbled a little bit in the whole process of screenwriting back when I was in college and it's difficult. Trying to conjure something out of nothing can garner great frustrations, but it can also be quite rewarding when you've delighted your instructor on a great original idea or being able to properly execute the visual artform. I've come to the conclusion that I support the writer's strike. Even if it means that I'll be up to my ears in reality shows by February sweeps of next year, so be it.
I predict that we're in for the long haul, and even though it may mean that I'll have to wait forever for the series finale of Scrubs, I personally don't care. I've come across some good articles and blogs that express the concern of the writer's strike. Most give merit to their cause, and even though I'm not a huge fan of unions in general, I can completely understand and identify with their frustrations with the AMPTP.
The first is from John August's personal website. John August is a screenwriter who's penned such films as Big Fish, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and Go. I personally don't care for everything that would be on his resumé, but I appreciate his perspective on the situation given here.
The other article is on the eminent death of television. It's written by Damon Lindelof, the co-creator and head writer for the television series Lost. I don't personally care for Lost, but his comments on where our future is headed in regards to how we, as a general public, will receive our entertainment, is expressed here.
(My sincerest apologies in advance for any link that I post which will eventually be unavailable. Newspaper and magazine websites are notorious for removing archived data and links after a certain period of time. I've saved the article for future reference in PDF format, in case this happens.)
For some highly amusing anecdotes, I highly recommend you check out:
LateShowWritersOnStrike.com
I recommend the story involving the "Hulk Woman."
Lastly, I post a video entitled "A World Without Writer." I'd comment more, but it speaks for itself and the importance of their creativity and input in the entertainment juggernaut that is Hollywood.
I predict that we're in for the long haul, and even though it may mean that I'll have to wait forever for the series finale of Scrubs, I personally don't care. I've come across some good articles and blogs that express the concern of the writer's strike. Most give merit to their cause, and even though I'm not a huge fan of unions in general, I can completely understand and identify with their frustrations with the AMPTP.
The first is from John August's personal website. John August is a screenwriter who's penned such films as Big Fish, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and Go. I personally don't care for everything that would be on his resumé, but I appreciate his perspective on the situation given here.
The other article is on the eminent death of television. It's written by Damon Lindelof, the co-creator and head writer for the television series Lost. I don't personally care for Lost, but his comments on where our future is headed in regards to how we, as a general public, will receive our entertainment, is expressed here.
(My sincerest apologies in advance for any link that I post which will eventually be unavailable. Newspaper and magazine websites are notorious for removing archived data and links after a certain period of time. I've saved the article for future reference in PDF format, in case this happens.)
For some highly amusing anecdotes, I highly recommend you check out:
LateShowWritersOnStrike.com
I recommend the story involving the "Hulk Woman."
Lastly, I post a video entitled "A World Without Writer." I'd comment more, but it speaks for itself and the importance of their creativity and input in the entertainment juggernaut that is Hollywood.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Fantasy Moguls!
I've started this new online game where you pick up to eight films for your virtual studio and see how they perform at the box office. Of course, you're only give a set budget of $100 to spend for your films, so you have to be aware that bigger budgeted films will cost more. Smaller independent films will cost less and could end up being a marathon runner at the box office.
It's a huge risk, I know... but I'm willing to sacrifice the virtual $100. You can visit the website here, if you have more inquiries than I'm unable to answer. The first of the four films that my studio is promoting will be American Gangster. Please take the time to admire the shameless promoting below:
It's very difficult to pass up the combination for director Ridley Scott with the possible knockout acting combo of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
The other three films are as follows:
No Country for Old Men (11/9 Release date)
I would find it a complete contradiction of my true film geek nature not to back the Coen Brothers (Joel & Ethan) and quite possibly their next masterpiece of cinematic goodness.
I Am Legend (12/14 Release Date)
Even Will Smith's track record is almost completely idiot proof.
There Will Be Blood (12/26 Release Date)
Paul Thomas Anderson might be a bit of a long shot since he hasn't had a decent reception of his films since Magnolia. However, I still see him as a modern Robert Altman and his track record with critics is usually on par with many top ten lists by the end of the year. Besides, Daniel Day-Lewis only comes out from hiding to do a film once every 3-5 years, and he chose this script to grace us with his presence.
I hope none of you have a stomach ache from eating too much junk food last night. If you do, I hope a bottle of Pepto-Bismol is within your reach.
Until next time, dear readers.
It's a huge risk, I know... but I'm willing to sacrifice the virtual $100. You can visit the website here, if you have more inquiries than I'm unable to answer. The first of the four films that my studio is promoting will be American Gangster. Please take the time to admire the shameless promoting below:
It's very difficult to pass up the combination for director Ridley Scott with the possible knockout acting combo of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
The other three films are as follows:
No Country for Old Men (11/9 Release date)
I would find it a complete contradiction of my true film geek nature not to back the Coen Brothers (Joel & Ethan) and quite possibly their next masterpiece of cinematic goodness.
I Am Legend (12/14 Release Date)
Even Will Smith's track record is almost completely idiot proof.
There Will Be Blood (12/26 Release Date)
Paul Thomas Anderson might be a bit of a long shot since he hasn't had a decent reception of his films since Magnolia. However, I still see him as a modern Robert Altman and his track record with critics is usually on par with many top ten lists by the end of the year. Besides, Daniel Day-Lewis only comes out from hiding to do a film once every 3-5 years, and he chose this script to grace us with his presence.
I hope none of you have a stomach ache from eating too much junk food last night. If you do, I hope a bottle of Pepto-Bismol is within your reach.
Until next time, dear readers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)