Food+Gas= Broke

Oak Park, MI– Do people ever wonder what getting old will be like. I’m guessing NPR, retirement, and prunes. I got a little of all three this week.

I didn’t retire from anything but I felt like I needed too. This week was a blur. Everyone has those weeks where they fall into the trap of the “daily rotation”. Wake up. Shower. Car. Work. Lunch. Work. Home. Sleep.

I fell victim to the epidemic this week. I did basically the same exact thing every day. I hardly even remember what each individual day entailed. I believe you’re supposed to get a hobby when this occurs. Next week I’ll be at BINGO.

At the crack of dawn, on the way to my cotton field job, I listen to a mix of NPR and 95.5. 95.5 is usually interesting, (which says a lot considering it’s at 7:00 in the AM), but NPR usually tickles my ears with its liberal stories. That’s just why I like it: the stories. Every topic is presented as a good tale rather than the quintessential news blurb.

For example, instead of saying the price of food was going up and how it sucked, they gave the story of how people in developing countries were spending large percentages of income on food. A family serving of bread was way more than they could afford. I felt guilty when I threw away my half eaten sandwich that afternoon.

Prunes are disgusting.

This week was very hard for many people that I’m connected to. A great guy named Michael Gustafson was found dead on Tuesday I believe. It’s always a sad story when anyone passes away, but when a person that was so personable and kind passes, it’s a lot deeper.

I would say the story but I’ve only heard it through word of mouth, so what I know is probably not true. All in all I would like to give my condolences to his family. Everyone wishes they could see him one more time, but we have to realize that death is a part of life. Even when it’s earlier than we want.

This is a perfect opportunity to recommend reading the Bible at least once a day. It works wonders. Try it, you’ll be surprised how interesting it is. I always suggest Ephesians chapter 6. The full armor. Check it out.

This was a full week. I’m not even mentioning any juicy stories or funny occurences in Saginaw or anything. I just hope everybody is having a good summer. Bye until next blog.

The Best Gadgets Of The Summer

I love technology almost as much as Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. There are a couple of things that I would love to have in the toy department.

1. Macbook

2. Nikon D40

3. Wireless USB Network Adapter

4. Free gas (You know you want it too)

NBA MVP: Top 10

Alright, it’s playoff time. You know it’s playoff time when the NBA gets cool ads. The ads with the half faces are nice. (My favorite is the Kobe and Shaq one.) But anyway Top 10 MVP.

10. Tim Duncan
Consistency. I hate the Spurs but you can’t doubt them. They make the playoffs every year and Tim Duncan puts up great numbers every year. It’s just boring when your that good.

9. Chauncey Billups
My point exactly. ( See Tim Duncan) Chauncey is one of the best guards on one of the best teams this year. If you think Chauncey doesn’t belong in the MVP race, you play with a compton kid, a no name, and Rasheed all year and not get frustrated.

8. Tracy McGrady
Yao Ming is my least favorite player in the league, but he is one of the best Centers. Take him out of the equation and you would think it’s instant draft pick but it ultimately equaled pure momentum. T’Mac led it. I really really really hope he makes it to the second round this year.

7. Steve Nash
There has to be something wrong with Steve Nash. He’s so good but then he can never make it deep in the playoffs. I wouldn’t even know what to do if I had to build around him.

6. Dwight Howard
Shaq jr. is going to be the best big man in about 3 years. It’s crazy that the Magic are third. Especially this year. You heard it here first Dwight Howard will be the best real soon.

5. Lebron James
The Cavaliers made the worst trade in years. Now they might not make the second round. Nacho might have their number. Lebron had MVP numbers this year. After he gets traded to New York he will be the MVP.

4. Kevin Garnett
He has been killing people with the turn around. Leading the best team in the league gets you at least number 5 in MVP voting.

3. Chris Paul
Where did he come from? He’s tearing through people with the speed. I think he did the most for his team but that’s not what MVP is for. If that was the case, Shaq would have like 14.

2. Kobe Bryant
He is so overdue. If he doesn’t get it I’m protesting like the Olympics.

1. JJ Redick
He made a three the other day and I’m so proud. He averaged four points this season and half an assist. That’s good enough for me.

Plant the Seed.

I can’t sleep.

It’s dark. It’s 6:15. I’m wide awake.

I’ll try to sleep. I guess.

You know you wanna………

Finally…………………..

I’m finally done with the new version of iheartmyself.tk!!!!!!!

Whew. It took a while but I’m glad I finally found a way to house everything I wanted.

Why are you still reading? Go to the site! AND DONT FORGET TO BOOKMARK IT!

You know you want to.

Home Cookin’

I came home yesterday and got some home cooking. Well, not really. We had pizza yesterday but I am home. AND BOY AM I GLAD.

I went to church earlier and it made me feel great. Everything about the service made me smile more and more. It was exactly what I needed.

For a little while now the church hasn’t been the same. Since early 2006 things got a little shaken up. It seemed as if general interest was dying: slowly fading away from what it had once been. This is especially true with the under 25 demographic; and it didn’t help that many of us had different agendas that we had to fulfill (i.e. college/life). Many of us had to leave the church and live. This hurt because while we off doing our own thing, the church was spiraling downward. It seemed as if it didn’t have a path to work toward.

    Attendance was low, we were without a Pastor, and the conference didn’t seem to care. After going through month after month with trials, I began hearing quit in peoples voices: leaders voices. When I saw that I knew that it was at it’s lowest point. There was no will to go: no will to overcome. In the midst of all of this I was leaving going away to school, leaving my family behind. It hurt.

I remember coming back for break the first time later that year. I didn’t find anything. Everyone had left. We didn’t find a Pastor yet. I didn’t even find the same church that used to be there. This was a real problem for me because of my feelings about the church. This was my first church. The one that introduced me to the Lord. The one that brought me my best friends in the world. The one that the people I considered my family went to.

After going through month after month with trials, I began hearing quit in peoples voices: leaders voices. When I saw that I knew that it was at it’s lowest point. There was no will to go: no will to overcome. In the midst of all of this I was leaving going away to school, leaving my family behind. It hurt. I sat in an empty pew and brainstormed what we could do. I prayed and prayed. I did not want to see the church go down like that. Luckily, there were others praying too. There were efforts from the lead elder and other dedicated members to bring it back. For a while, it didn’t seem to be working, but they stayed with it.

Then, I came home in 2007, almost exactly a year from when it began and I learn that we finally have a Pastor. I didn’t know much about him; he had preached there before but nothing enough to really know him. I saw his demeanor and his actions. It impressed me. He wanted a better church. With his leadership along with the backing of the dedicated members of the church, there could actually be change. But, it didn’t instantly solve our problems. No one wanted to be there. What could happen to change the state of the church?

Fast forward to March 1st, 2008. I walked in late and snuck into a seat. The sun was shining. It made the room warm and bright. It made me feel comfortable. I noticed a few different songs; a few people I didn’t know. Everyone was smiling. The sermon was amazing. It was capped off by about ten people going up for the alter call. Oddly enough, most of the people standing up for God were young. Whenever anyone makes a decision like that I applaud them. Especially people I’m close to. I was overwhelmed with happiness. I’ve also been noticing the young people getting closer and closer. Not only together but with God. I was deathly frightened that many of us would drift away: never returning to the church because we didn’t love it anymore. I saw people openly deciding to do wrong last year but now they’ve decided to do better. Peoples attitudes are changing. I wanted the best for them and now they’re getting it. I love it.

It’s funny how God works things out. Maybe we needed this whole trial to see where our faith was. To see what we needed. The church still isn’t perfect, (when is it ever perfect?) but I can definitely see it’s getting better.

The story isn’t over though. I’m excited to see where it’s going. Excited to see how many lives will be saved, miracles worked, and eventually, I’m excited to see my church family when we all get to heaven.

Back in Action

I’m feeling better.
3-5 Homework
5-6 Food
6-7 Read
7-9 Game at the SAC
9-12 Chill/ work
SLEEEEEEEEEEP

02102008

I’m so sick.
My nose is running like a waterfall. My throat is better but it still feels sore. Basically,
I feel like crap.
But of course, this isn’t enough. Some stuff happened last night that didn’t help my cause. So you can just imagine the state I’m in. I hope I’ll feel better tomorrow.

     PAU GASOL!

2008 Predictions and Stuff

 My Mall Experience
Shopping malls are one of the spectacles of human life around the holidays. Around Christmas, you see some of the craziest things in the world in front of your favorite stores. For example:
I’ve been to the mall about three or four times over the last couple of weeks. Every time unique, but I’m beginning to see some common themes. This morning, I was in Macy’s just looking around, and I almost lost it. Guy clothing departments are probably the most awkward places on the Earth. I saw a grown man seriously pondering over the most girly pink shirt in the history of estrogenism. I dont care if it’s 75% off. I dont know about other guys but I just don’t feel comfortable shopping aside someone like that. It made me think, “What if someone thought that about me?”. I immediately put down my colorful shirt and left.
On my way out, I almost got hustled by one of those vendors that try their holiday Jedi mind tricks on you. It was the finger buffer one at Oakland mall. I weighed my options and decided to punch the lady in jaw. Well, not really. She tried to grab me but I broke her off like Reggie Bush. Then I ran. Ran to Game Stop. Reader, have you ever noticed the little kids staring mindlessly toward the PS3 for hours days? Take a few laps around the country they’ll still be there watching a trailer for Assassins Creed. It’s crazy. After seeing the kids in Game Stop, that was where my experience ended. I skipped to the parking lot and went home safely. If I learned one thing over this experience it was to always be careful. And to shop online.

Predictions 2008
     The year is almost over.  2007 has been a great year, but I’m ready for 08. Exceedingly ready actually. So ready that I will tell the world whats going to happen next year. I’ll make some predictions.
Duncan Hunter Will Become The President of the United States
Why wouldn’t he? Americans are going to realize that he has everything that this country needs. He is honest and exemplifies the all American man. He served in Vietnam and he farmed for a living. I tried to find some information on Hillary’s military service, but I couldn’t find it. Wanna get that to me?
iPod pico
     Apple will release an even smaller version of the iPod. College kids will buy millions of them.
Riot!
     Race relations are heating up all over the country. I predict that at least two cities will end in ruin because of the repercussions of racial tension. Watch out CMU.
Christmas will be Canceled
The world is so fixated on being PC, the government will determine that the Christmas season is offensive to many people. Anyone who wants to celebrate Christmas will have to do it in a non-religious fashion. Brandon will leave the country.

I Bet You Feel Good
Purdue must feel like real champions today because of their win over the Chippewas last night. I think it’s great that a Big Ten team can beat up on a MAC team (By three points).
     I’m running on six hours of sleep so I apologize if your blog experience wasn’t as mind blowing as it usually is. Happy New Year if I don’t blog until 08. Black Actors. haha

Shake it and Wiggle it

BACK! BY POPULAR DEMAND!
I’m back. At the request of my roommate and fellow blogger Adam, I have decided to make a glorious comeback to the blogging community. I have to say, my one month retirement was hard. But, now I’m back. So get ready for some extreme in your face blogging.

The Most Terrifying Video I Ever Saw.
I might be about six months late but, I was impressed by this teacher on Youtube. He made a very informative video on global warming. STOP! I know what you’re thinking: boring, repetitive, Al Gore, and swimming. No, it’s not what you think. This guy actually examines some effects of the worlds decision making on the matter. (Instead of explaining the video, I’ll skip to analysis.) He constructed a very good video. I lost all faith in teachers and their theories but he surprised me. Just check it out. It’s pretty cool.

Home Cooking
Oak Park, MI: The place of your dreams. I’m so glad to get away from CMU. After a while, I cant stand the place. Mt. Pleasant is a great city, but I miss home when I’ve been there too long.

What Would You Do?
The same thing Isn’t it funny how everything is turning into a race issue? Read the comments. I believe something big is brewing up from the depths of America. Progressively tensions are growing as we try to move forward with diversity.
I got an e-mail from the desk of President Rao. He said that there would be consequences for the noose kid. Apparently, the university can’t disclose punishments or some crap. Rao said, “Federal law (FERPA) prohibits the university from disclosing any information about discipline of any student.” Bull. Remember the Porn Kid and what happened to him. I thought so. I believe it’s very pusillanimous of the university to hide some cases and not others. This is all true unless the police exploited porn kid. Then it’s OK.
4th Quarter
Jimmy V said it best during that last speech at the ESPY’s. He said, “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives.
Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day.
Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought.
Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy.
But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day.” Yes Jimmy V. That is a full day.

I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll blog more. Maybe even tomorrow. Until then stay classy.