Apparently, Good Will is not the place to get a man

As promised, even early, I’ve got two stories from the first month of class at Central Piedmont Community College.

I enjoy going to class to for a few reasons, one of which are the random comments from my classmates. So here’s the story: During a lecture about culture in my sociology class a girl on the back row raised her hand. Professor Daly acknowledged her the student said,”I been tryin’ to explain my mom’s boyfrin’ to her using only facts but it’s hard.”

The teacher, not quite understanding why the girl was saying what she was saying, seemed to seize on the fact that the girl was talking about objectivity which was discussed in a prior class and asked,”What to you mean?”

The girl replied,”Well. I try tellin’ my mom that he ain’t no job, no car, but it’s hard to argue without an opinion. I told her to go on a shoppin’ spree. Not to shop at Good Will. I tol’ her she got her man at Good Will.”

Professor Daly happily said that she shopped at Good Will. Back row girl quickly shot back,” Yeah, but it ain’t good to get a man from there.”

Story number 2

On Monday I rolled out of bed to see the sun shinning through my bedroom windows. It was cold outside but the sun was a welcome sight after a weekend of ice, snow, and sleet. I didn’t want to ride my scooter into school so I decided to take the bus. I made all the necessary arrangements. As the bus turned into the transit center I was thinking about the film we were watching in sociology and if I had read the right chapter for history.

I considered it a great moment when I was able to catch my transfer bus without delay. I was making great time. The bus stopped at the Overcash building on the CPCC campus and when I stepped off I noticed something odd and telling. It was peacefully quite. Then it hit me. The man spreading salt on the sidewalk punctuated my realization: Classes were cancelled. Nik Fail.

Real Quick

Central Peidmont has been a blast so far. Class is always interesting. I’ll share a few stories Saturday. Hope everyone had a good MLK Day.

I Love Ben Harper

I probably wouldn’t be a big Ben Harper fan if I he was a terrible song writer. I admit that he’s not for everyone but l I love him. No other artist has consistently captured how I think or feel. Take the song ‘Better Way’ for example. When I first heard that song I was fasting for a man in Afghanistan on trial for converting to Christianity. It was my anthem for a few a while. The lyric ‘Reality is sharp/it cuts me deep like a knife/everyone I knowi is in the fight of their lives /And I believe in a Better Way’ felted like it was written for me and my Afghan brother(he survived the ordeal.)

I’m currently diggin’ a song off his newest album. To me it is about the space between comfort and pursuing a calling. The song is called ‘Fly One Time.’ Here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt2ftbMjK6M

Ain’t Got the Time

Many of my blogs tend to be vague about personal particulars. This is not one of those blogs.

2009 presented me several opportunities to become romantically involved. Most of the time I was uninterested. However I did have a moment, I believe, recently that I wanted very much. As I thought through the sequence of events I couldn’t tear myself away from one haunting fact: she is ready to go much further than I am. I got hung up between talking to a wonderful woman, knowing that I liked her, and being committed to finishing school. I know between work and school I won’t have time for a relationship. I consider it the first casualty in the commitment I’ve made. I don’t think it’ll be the last.

I think about this decision I’ve made a lot. This girl is a wonderful girl. She’s a real woman and has matured into the type of person I want to be around. She deserves the best any man dare offer. I may regret my choice. When she gets married it might tear me apart but I’d regret not finishing school.

This woman recently told someone that we didn’t have much in common. I didn’t initially agree with that assessment but I’ve taken comfort in it. Maybe she’s right. Hopefully at the end of my educational treck will be someone that’ll help me forget all the others. I’m betting the farm on my future as it is. The belief is that the sacrifices I make today will be rewarded tomorrow. Like so many other aspects of life all it requires is a little…

Good Thoughts Today

2009 was the best year of my life.

Despite the my personal issues, trials, and shortcomings I’m gonna miss 2009. Struggle was definitely all around but I was insulated by purpose and growth. Most of my frustration came from what was going on to people around me. To be sure, I had a couple of interpersonal moments that didn’t go my way. I take the blame for them. The best part though was realizing my own limitations. There is a ton of freedom in that epiphany.

My favorite song of 2009 is Ben Harper’s “Faithfully I Remain”. I interpret the song a declaration of endurance in spite of what may or may not be happening. These lines are especially meaningful:

How long can you pray?
How long can you pray
and still not see a change?
I faithfully remain. I faithfully remain.

Somethings, somethings you have to let be lost.
Some battles some battles you have to leave unfought.

Then the truth just wastes away
in all we dare not say.
And then all we can’t explain.
But I faithfully remain. I faithfully remain.

Living and working in West Virginia was both difficult and an honor. I believe it’s somewhat overstated the decline of the coal mining areas. McDowell County is full of champions like Randall and Cathy Patton, Candace Keasler, and Randy DeLoatch.  These people added so much more to my life than I expected. While in West Virginia I personally worked on eight homes, participated in flood clean up, helped organize and run a county wide clean up day, and worked with over 300 volunteers from all over the country(And met Colin Powell). Not bad for a rag-tag band of guys with no money and varied skill sets.

My favorite movie was “Whip It” with Ellen Page. I love her. She’s sooo cute. Too bad she’s Canadian and gay(from what I’ve read.) The best book I read was “The Measure of a Man” by Martin Luther King Jr. I’ve read it many times before but it’s just so good. One of my favorite moments was President Barack Obama’s speech at the Nobel ceremony. How American is it to give a speech justifying war while accepting a peace prize? If that didn’t prove Barack’s American-ness I don’t know what will. Finally, believe it or not my favorite meal of 2009 was with David Aguilar at Gray’s Papaya, the popular New York hot dog stop.

Everything about the Recession Special was perfect. The kosher hot dog was grilled to perfection. It had a nice crunch. The bun was well toasted and the tomato onion sauce was a delight. It had crunch, saltiness, sweet, chewy, juicy, sour, and body. I could live off them. What topped the meal was the Pina Colada smoothie that came with it. The drink was smooth, not too sweet, and well blended. It was a perfect compliment to the hot dogs.

Of course I couldn’t end this without mentioning what happened in February!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Pittsburgh Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl.

Some Steeler fans are upset at this seasons results. They haven’t been eliminated just yet. Champs tend to have magic stored somewhere. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Maybe I’ll look back on 2009 and see it as the pivotal year in my personal growth and direction but what is guaranteed is that I’d do it all over again.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! This is my last internet time for the next two days. No Politics, no bookface, and no sports. I hope everyone has a peaceful next few days.

Merry Christmas to All

Forgive my political incorrectness. I am usually a person that believes in self-direction. I have no problem saying Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Holidays. However, for 2009, I say Merry Christmas to all. I write this with some trepidation. In the back of my mind I worry about being lumped in with every fundamentalist who honestly believes Christmas is under attack. I don’t ascribe to that.

My goal today is to remind everyone regardless of what your world view is that this world is a better world because of Jesus of Nazareth. Equality, defense of the oppressed and minorities, and unconditional love can be directly traced back to him. The Sermon on the Mount is one of the greatest orations in history. Men like Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. found strength in it. He was a revolutionary leader without an army and would never have condoned the Crusades, Inquisition, or any American political party.

If you read the Gospels it’s hard not to be forced to decide who you believe Jesus was. I will not echo C.S. Lewis’ refrain about Jesus being the Messiah or a crazy man but each of us must decide that for ourselves. However, it’s become popular to disparage Jesus and even question whether or not he actually existed which is laughable. I take exception to these people because they tend to ignore the fact that the culture which allows them to make these ridiculous claims was inspired by Jesus. I could go on to include scientist in the group of people who owe Jesus some appreciation as well. It boils down to this: If you’re reading this, regardless of you’re stance, you’ve benefited from his life and love.

I’m Tired but Fighting

This last weekend I had two friends tell me some disturbing news. One told me about how he thinks about death a lot. The other friend told me that she doesn’t know what she believes any more about God. Add that to the phone call I got from my frustrated parents and it wasn’t a banner couple of days. The frequency of days like these seems to be increasing. It seems as though nearly everyone around me is going through some defining moment. I know so much about so many people that I tend to get depressed from the amount of pain and frustration in the world.

Yesterday, I was on my usual late evening stroll as I began to think about my friends and family. It was enough to make me start praying. At one point I fell to me knees in the middle of a baseball field and whispered my inadequacy. I know I can’t help these people, not in manner I’d like. I can’t help my friends get pregnant and I can’t stop my buddy’s addiction. I can’t make money shoot from my finger tips and I can’t take away the hurt that inflicts bitterness. I can’t make people love each other and I can’t lead a horse to water and make him think.

After a minute I heard that soft voice tell me that it loved me and to get up off the ground. I made a promise to the Lord and myself in that moment. I will not let life beat the love out of me. I will not give up. I will be a gullible fool for the cause of love and hope. I will, by the grace of God, be patient, kind, and enduring. I will hope all  things, believe all things, and bear all things. By the very definition I will be a Christian. I will be Christ-like. I will reflect all the love and grace that the Father wastes on me.

Weird Holidays & Other Stuff

I am accustomed to seeing my family at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I cannot remember either of those holidays without Mom, Dad, Brian, and Monika. However, this year has been a year of change and not even the holidays are safe. As you may know my dad made a Thanksgiving visit to the hospital with an infection so Mom and Dad canceled their traditional Thanksgiving get together. It was a quiet day just the three of us. The turkey was delicious. Christmas is shaping up to be a replay of Thanksgiving. No Monika, Brian, or their families.

I watched an all female flag football game last night. Really, I watched about five minutes of one game but how cool is that? Some women love football enough to join a league. I find it super interesting because I know they didn’t grow up playing organized football but there they were running pass routes and throwing deep passes.

Is there a more worthless profession than a weatherperson?

My Christmas List(What You Can Do For Me)

I like my blog because I know that only three or four people ever read it. Still, it’s a good way for me to rant or rave. The typing helps.

My Christmas list is short. I’ll skip the iPhone and move on to something I know you can get me. This is what I want: STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE! I ask for this gift half joking half serious. I know that I give off the vibe sometimes that I’m wandering through life not knowing where to turn but that’s not accurate. Let me run through the list of careers or occupations people most often suggest to me.

1) Teacher – Shoot me now. I’ve actually taught before and didn’t like it. Repetition is not a strong point for me. Teaching also has nasty caveats like stupid parents. I’ve thought about being a college professor but that’s not appealing either.

2) Chef/Cook – Yes, I can cook better than most of you. No, I have absolutely no desire to ever work in a restaurant again. The restaurant life is a grind. It’s not for me.

3) Writer – I like to write. I don’t think I’m particularly good at it but I do enjoy reading my own thoughts. The thing is most of what I would write has already been written.

4) Politician – Politics is very interesting and is one career that is very appealing to me. However, I see a career in politics as something similar to coaching football(read post below). I also have no interest in dealing with the media for any reason.

I sincerely appreciate the concern people have for my life and where I’ll end up. I got news for you. I’ll be alright. I’m a talented person. I could have played drums or coached football or taught or opened up a restaurant but none of that is me.