I would like to share a little story. This is the kind of tale that has a lasting impact and will be burried in the folds of your mind for times to come.
Its a story as old as time...that began about four to five years ago. I was in my early twenties and was presently employed by Blockbuster Video. At this time I was well connected with certain individuals and they came to rely on me for any number of responsibilities. Alas, it is such a cirumstance where the rising action takes place.
I was asked to help close down one of the stores in our district. Now trust me when I tell you that this is not as grandeose as it sounds, it involves a lot of heavy lifting and moving shit. So here I am one sunny summer morning loading a Uhaul full of various items one might find in your typical retail outlet. We needed to transport our cargo to a holding facility and unload, and I was chosen to drive, so I was the leader if you will.
There was another fine fellow that was chosen to accompany me, a man whom I did not know, but I would learn all I would ever need to know about him soon enough. We are cruising down 5 file at a moderate speed when we came to an intersection whereas I proceeded to venture in the left hand turn lane. It was here my compannion would shock me. He observed a young man skateboarding down the sidewalk and with a swiftness I had not deemed probable, he rolled down his window and shouted "Greenhair...asswhole."
Needless to say I was floored, I was not sure what to say so I promptly closed my mouth and proceeded to say nothing, however this little outburst by a man whom I couldn't pick out of a lineup, has had a lasting influence on me, and I daresay on many of those around me.
Let me explain: you see ever since that day the word asswhole and greenhair have become synonymous in my mind. I have uttered the term greenhair on a fairly regular basis ever since, and have encouraged others to pick up the call as well. It started small with my friend Butters, when we would see some walking, we would simply roll down our windows and shout "greenhair", befuddleling all who would come across our path.
So here I am now, years later and I am still uttering that phrase, telling all who would here the tale and encouraging them to also adopt this phrase. In truth I can be in a room and hear that very phrase uttered and the response of asswhole, its like a secret call to all those that know about its true meaning.
There is a trick to saying it however. You cannot simply shout greenhair in your regular tone, you have to drop it a tone or two. Also you have to slow down the speech and kind of say it out of one side of your mouth, it is then that you will have mastered it.
As I look back on this incident that has had such a profound exposure to me, I can't help but think that my companion was infact the one with greenhair. Metaphorically speaking of course.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
My real life to begin.
Recently I heard a song that made me stop. I have never identified with a piece of music like I have with this one. Its almost as if the song was written about me and for me. I enjoy it more and more upon each new listening. If evere there were a song that would sum me up, right now in my life, it'd be this one.
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
I'll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down down down, on me
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
But don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path, and up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my old footsteps, once again
And you say, just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine, there's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, soon
It's just that times are lean
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in
Don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
On a clear I can see
See a very long way
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
I'll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down down down, on me
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
But don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path, and up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my old footsteps, once again
And you say, just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine, there's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, soon
It's just that times are lean
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in
Don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
On a clear I can see
See a very long way
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
A Tangled Web We Weave
So I have been in refelction lately and trying to study some of the choices that i have made over the last year(s), which led me down the path of where I am now. That however is not the topic I am exploring exactly. I have just been wondering about choices and life in general. Every choice that we make has some type of reprecussion, for good or ill. Now I know that what you choose at Taco Bell may seem trivial for such a big word as reprecussion, but we all have ordered the wrong thing at some point in life. Choices are what lead us to where we are and where we're going.
Did you ever think "if only I would have just did something different" or fantasize about traveling back through time to correct a choice that has had an undesireable flavour in your life. I wonder about who I am and how the choices I've made in life have influenced me. Are you the person you've always wanted to be? Ah, what a question. One can always choose what they would want to change about themselves, but do they make the fundamental choice to better themselves, or at least to be happy.
Life is where our choices have led us. There is an image in my mind. I feel like life is like a large intricate spider web, we all start in the middle but from there the paths we can choose can take us any number of directions. There is always a new choice in which web to take, and they all lead to a different ending.
I am in a different place then I was a year ago, even six months ago. I dont know where I'll be in a year but I know that there are many differnt choices and paths for me to take. I believe that I'll always have a choice. That everyone does, the trick is making the right one, cause we have all made the wrongs ones. But. That is life, a tangled web that we weave.
Did you ever think "if only I would have just did something different" or fantasize about traveling back through time to correct a choice that has had an undesireable flavour in your life. I wonder about who I am and how the choices I've made in life have influenced me. Are you the person you've always wanted to be? Ah, what a question. One can always choose what they would want to change about themselves, but do they make the fundamental choice to better themselves, or at least to be happy.
Life is where our choices have led us. There is an image in my mind. I feel like life is like a large intricate spider web, we all start in the middle but from there the paths we can choose can take us any number of directions. There is always a new choice in which web to take, and they all lead to a different ending.
I am in a different place then I was a year ago, even six months ago. I dont know where I'll be in a year but I know that there are many differnt choices and paths for me to take. I believe that I'll always have a choice. That everyone does, the trick is making the right one, cause we have all made the wrongs ones. But. That is life, a tangled web that we weave.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Zach
So this is short. My youngest nephew Zach, who has a small speech problem started doing two really funny things. First off, everytime I see him he now grows this big smile and says "hi unc em" and waves his hand at me. It really is the cutest thing.
Second his last session with his speech therapist she was trying to teach him the word sheep. She was trying to show him the sh in word. Unfortunatly he couldn't quite get it, so now he says eepsh. It's awesome.
Monday, May 14, 2007
five years
Yesterday someone asked me the question "where do you see yourself in five years?" The question took a minute to register with me fully, and my response: "I have no idea."
When I look back at where I was a year ago, and where I'm at now, I dont think that I can even take an intelligent guess at where I'll be in a year,let alone five years. Here's the thing though, that's just fine with me. The future is blank and I dont know where life will take me. This thought awhile ago would have depressed me, however my outlook has altered somewhat. Where as before I saw a lack of options, I now see options available if I work toward them. The only obstacles left to conquer is finding my passion and discipline. I believe that once I acquire those I have alot of directions in which I can go.
So does not knowing where I'll be in five years scare me, no. The only thing I'm afraid of is that I will be in the same place; and I'm not simply referring to geographical location.
When I look back at where I was a year ago, and where I'm at now, I dont think that I can even take an intelligent guess at where I'll be in a year,let alone five years. Here's the thing though, that's just fine with me. The future is blank and I dont know where life will take me. This thought awhile ago would have depressed me, however my outlook has altered somewhat. Where as before I saw a lack of options, I now see options available if I work toward them. The only obstacles left to conquer is finding my passion and discipline. I believe that once I acquire those I have alot of directions in which I can go.
So does not knowing where I'll be in five years scare me, no. The only thing I'm afraid of is that I will be in the same place; and I'm not simply referring to geographical location.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Brothers
“Check the perimeter,” said one soldier dressed all in black to another soldier, similarly dressed.
“Perimeter is clear sir.” The two soldiers proceed to execute a standard sweep through the domicile, checking every room for possible hostiles.
“Kitchen clear.”
“Bathroom clear.”
“Basement clear.”
“All right lets head up stairs.”
At this point the two dangerously trained soldiers checked their weapons and headed up the stairs. Ever so slowly they crept not wanting to alert the enemy of their approach.
Blam Blam. Blam.
“Take cover, take cover, shots fired shots fired.”
“Sergeant Jason your hit, stay down. I will get us out of this.”
This seemingly innocent upstairs bedroom had erupted into a war zone. Bullets flying overhead, grenades being thrown, explosions encircling them, blood everywhere, it was hell on earth.
The soldiers did their best to stay calm and remember their training, they fought valiantly, but could rapidly see their enemy closing in upon them.
Blam. Blam. Blam. Aargh.
“I hit you,” screamed one of the soldiers.
“No you didn’t, I have on bullet proof armor.”
“No, my bullets can go through anything, even your armor.”
“That’s dumb.”
“Its not dumb.”
The two soldiers left alive confront each other on the battlefield. Soldiers, fighters, brothers, kids.
“You can’t say it’s dumb…your dumb.”
“What?”
The conflict had come to a head. There was no way either side could decide the victor of the skirmish for themselves, and now that harsh language had been called upon there was only one being that could ultimately decide the fate of these brave soldiers.
“Mooooom.”
“You are such a baby, always calling mom.”
“I’m not a baby. Mom, Jay called me a baby.”
At this betrayal of the code between siblings, the older brother pushed the younger brother down and with his bigger hands he held his brother’s smaller hands to the floor.
“You are a baby, baby, baby, always calling for his mommy.”
“Moooom, Jason is being mean. MOOOOOOOM.”
Both boys stopped quite suddenly when they heard the sound of footfalls on the stairwell. You can tell a lot about the mood of someone by the way they ascend or descend stairs, and the soldiers knew that by the sound of these feet, that the decider of their fate was in no mood that would bode well for them. This was the moment of truth, the younger spoke first.
“Mom, I shot Jason first and he wouldn’t die, then he called me a baby,” it was at this point that the elder interrupted.
“That’s not true, and I wouldn’t call you a baby if you didn’t act like one. Mom he didn’t shoot me first I have on armor, he can’t shoot me…"
“ENOUGH.” The words came out like steam from a locomotive, loud and attention grabbing. “ I have had enough. Look at this mess, your father is gonna be home soon and I don’t have time for this.” She let out a sigh as if she just discovered that her vinyl Elvis collection suffered water damage. “Listen I have to finish dinner, would you two please play nicely.” She turned to walk away and after a short pause turned back around, ‘what if both your sides came to a truce?”
“What’s a truce?” asked the inquisitive younger son.
“Its where both armies decide that they have killed each other enough and both decide that they are winners, so everyone lives and wins.”
The shocked look of skepticism was apparent on the faces of the two boys. The older brother took initiative however.
“Your right mom, that’s a cool idea. Listen Jamie we both can be winners, no more arguing, ok.”
“Well I guess…if you think it’s cool.”
A smile appeared upon the mother’s face. “Good, play nice boys.” With that she descended the stairs with a swift, rejuvenated pace to finish…well whatever it is that mothers do.
She continued to smile at the quiet that had erupted, the stillness, the calm…
BLAM. BLAM. BLAM.
“I hit you, you’re dead.”
“No I’m not, you’re stupid.”
“Mooooooom.”
“Perimeter is clear sir.” The two soldiers proceed to execute a standard sweep through the domicile, checking every room for possible hostiles.
“Kitchen clear.”
“Bathroom clear.”
“Basement clear.”
“All right lets head up stairs.”
At this point the two dangerously trained soldiers checked their weapons and headed up the stairs. Ever so slowly they crept not wanting to alert the enemy of their approach.
Blam Blam. Blam.
“Take cover, take cover, shots fired shots fired.”
“Sergeant Jason your hit, stay down. I will get us out of this.”
This seemingly innocent upstairs bedroom had erupted into a war zone. Bullets flying overhead, grenades being thrown, explosions encircling them, blood everywhere, it was hell on earth.
The soldiers did their best to stay calm and remember their training, they fought valiantly, but could rapidly see their enemy closing in upon them.
Blam. Blam. Blam. Aargh.
“I hit you,” screamed one of the soldiers.
“No you didn’t, I have on bullet proof armor.”
“No, my bullets can go through anything, even your armor.”
“That’s dumb.”
“Its not dumb.”
The two soldiers left alive confront each other on the battlefield. Soldiers, fighters, brothers, kids.
“You can’t say it’s dumb…your dumb.”
“What?”
The conflict had come to a head. There was no way either side could decide the victor of the skirmish for themselves, and now that harsh language had been called upon there was only one being that could ultimately decide the fate of these brave soldiers.
“Mooooom.”
“You are such a baby, always calling mom.”
“I’m not a baby. Mom, Jay called me a baby.”
At this betrayal of the code between siblings, the older brother pushed the younger brother down and with his bigger hands he held his brother’s smaller hands to the floor.
“You are a baby, baby, baby, always calling for his mommy.”
“Moooom, Jason is being mean. MOOOOOOOM.”
Both boys stopped quite suddenly when they heard the sound of footfalls on the stairwell. You can tell a lot about the mood of someone by the way they ascend or descend stairs, and the soldiers knew that by the sound of these feet, that the decider of their fate was in no mood that would bode well for them. This was the moment of truth, the younger spoke first.
“Mom, I shot Jason first and he wouldn’t die, then he called me a baby,” it was at this point that the elder interrupted.
“That’s not true, and I wouldn’t call you a baby if you didn’t act like one. Mom he didn’t shoot me first I have on armor, he can’t shoot me…"
“ENOUGH.” The words came out like steam from a locomotive, loud and attention grabbing. “ I have had enough. Look at this mess, your father is gonna be home soon and I don’t have time for this.” She let out a sigh as if she just discovered that her vinyl Elvis collection suffered water damage. “Listen I have to finish dinner, would you two please play nicely.” She turned to walk away and after a short pause turned back around, ‘what if both your sides came to a truce?”
“What’s a truce?” asked the inquisitive younger son.
“Its where both armies decide that they have killed each other enough and both decide that they are winners, so everyone lives and wins.”
The shocked look of skepticism was apparent on the faces of the two boys. The older brother took initiative however.
“Your right mom, that’s a cool idea. Listen Jamie we both can be winners, no more arguing, ok.”
“Well I guess…if you think it’s cool.”
A smile appeared upon the mother’s face. “Good, play nice boys.” With that she descended the stairs with a swift, rejuvenated pace to finish…well whatever it is that mothers do.
She continued to smile at the quiet that had erupted, the stillness, the calm…
BLAM. BLAM. BLAM.
“I hit you, you’re dead.”
“No I’m not, you’re stupid.”
“Mooooooom.”
Monday, April 30, 2007
hair care?
Well I thought of another funny story that happened a few years back. The year I believe to be 2003, there was a music festival called Blitzfest being held at Birchrun, MI. Somehow my brother, myself, and our friend Zack were roped into helping with this endeavor. So we spent an entire Friday setting up for this bitch, and it was a bitch. I mean there was a lot of work to be done and few of us to accomplish the tasks, so please excuse my choice of words when I call it a bitch. Needless to say by the end of the day we were plumb tuckered out, and after a breif jaunt in the pool, we settled ourselves in for the eveing. This is just the set-up for the story.
So day two rolls around and we begin to ready ourselves for the day's activities. Now let me explain something to you, I know when you look at me you might say "hey he's a damn fine looking man", or even "he's cute". But what most people say is probably "wow, he has great hair". Its true I pride myself on my locks, its my cross to bear. Anyways to quench any lingering curiosity about it, I do have to use an assortment of products in order to achieve the look. Without these products...well let's just say that it is not pretty.
Ok, so here I am getting ready and come to realize that I somehow must have left said hair products behind in my haste to ready myself the previous day. Bearing this in mind let me explain that I was completely broke as well. Whats a man to do? So later Zack and I happen to be out on an errand for this event when I spot some type of store on the horizon. I tell Barker to hasten to the exit and there we behold a grocery store in all its splendor.
We enter and quickly locate the hair care aisle, remember I dont have any cash and Zack certainly isnt going to purchase it for me (he didnt have any either). So I picked up one of the products and we proceed to walk around looking at various items, pretending to browse. It was then that I quickly and silently slid off the cap and placed a sample of the product into the palm of my hand. With equal swiftnesss I returned the lid and continued along the aisle. You may be asking yourself if I smeared the product between my hands and "did" my hair. Negative, that would be way to conspicuous. No I loudly proclaimed that after reflection I do not need to purchase said product and my compadre and myself will vacate the premises.
So we left and I did my hair. I did have a sticky residue left on my hands however, so I did not get away totally clean. Yes folks I am a rebel and I have broken the law, but its ok cause it was for a good cause-wink.
So day two rolls around and we begin to ready ourselves for the day's activities. Now let me explain something to you, I know when you look at me you might say "hey he's a damn fine looking man", or even "he's cute". But what most people say is probably "wow, he has great hair". Its true I pride myself on my locks, its my cross to bear. Anyways to quench any lingering curiosity about it, I do have to use an assortment of products in order to achieve the look. Without these products...well let's just say that it is not pretty.
Ok, so here I am getting ready and come to realize that I somehow must have left said hair products behind in my haste to ready myself the previous day. Bearing this in mind let me explain that I was completely broke as well. Whats a man to do? So later Zack and I happen to be out on an errand for this event when I spot some type of store on the horizon. I tell Barker to hasten to the exit and there we behold a grocery store in all its splendor.
We enter and quickly locate the hair care aisle, remember I dont have any cash and Zack certainly isnt going to purchase it for me (he didnt have any either). So I picked up one of the products and we proceed to walk around looking at various items, pretending to browse. It was then that I quickly and silently slid off the cap and placed a sample of the product into the palm of my hand. With equal swiftnesss I returned the lid and continued along the aisle. You may be asking yourself if I smeared the product between my hands and "did" my hair. Negative, that would be way to conspicuous. No I loudly proclaimed that after reflection I do not need to purchase said product and my compadre and myself will vacate the premises.
So we left and I did my hair. I did have a sticky residue left on my hands however, so I did not get away totally clean. Yes folks I am a rebel and I have broken the law, but its ok cause it was for a good cause-wink.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Accident or Conspiracy
So the other day at approximately 8:25 A.M, I was waiting in the doorway to see my niece Bekah get on the bus for school. I was at that location due to the early hours and the fact I neglected to grab a shirt or some sort of similar garment. Having succumbed to the early morning temperatures I turned my back for the briefest of seconds to grab a jacket outta the closet next to me...that's when I heard voices. I immediately turned my attention to sound of this voice, the voice was feminine in nature and was clearly communicating with Bekah. I proceeded to adjust my stance in case anything went down and I would have to get "ghetto", if you know what I mean.
Anyhow, so after a few seconds Bekah comes marching towards me and she has a package in her hand, which I recognized immediately. "Uncle Jimmy", she says and launches into a recap of the discourse that had taken place between her and the neighbor. Apparently the mailman had "accidentally" dropped off this package to their residence and they had "accidentally" opened it.
Now this may not strike you as odd, however let me clarify a few of the details. This package was a bright color in nature and my name was very clearly marked upon the outside of the package. I have been receiving mail from this company quite reguarly since I moved here and I find it difficult to swallow that the mailman gave it to the wrong house. This wasn't accidentally opened, it was torn open. Finally there are four adults that live in this house, we can be found at all times of the day coming in and out, yet she chose to give it to the seven year old, interesting.
Was this simply a mistake on the the part of the mailman and our neigbors, or is there a bigger conspiracy here to watch my netflix? I'll let you decide.
Anyhow, so after a few seconds Bekah comes marching towards me and she has a package in her hand, which I recognized immediately. "Uncle Jimmy", she says and launches into a recap of the discourse that had taken place between her and the neighbor. Apparently the mailman had "accidentally" dropped off this package to their residence and they had "accidentally" opened it.
Now this may not strike you as odd, however let me clarify a few of the details. This package was a bright color in nature and my name was very clearly marked upon the outside of the package. I have been receiving mail from this company quite reguarly since I moved here and I find it difficult to swallow that the mailman gave it to the wrong house. This wasn't accidentally opened, it was torn open. Finally there are four adults that live in this house, we can be found at all times of the day coming in and out, yet she chose to give it to the seven year old, interesting.
Was this simply a mistake on the the part of the mailman and our neigbors, or is there a bigger conspiracy here to watch my netflix? I'll let you decide.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Woa, lets not get ahead of ourselves
So I was just reminiscing about this past summer and I recalled a short story from my brief stint in the country south of us, for all of you geographically challenged-Mexico.
So here we are, Zach, Drew, and myself and we are leading worship for a group ~90. Now we built some instant rappoir with a group from Northern MI. One young lady admirded my ability to bass and inquired if I would show her a few things, which I love when people admire my limited abilities, so I was all about that.
I let her play in one song, showed her some scales, some techniques, wrote some things down for her, and overall was very nice. That is until the last night, we were saying our goodbyes to the group and this young lady was saying thank-you, and she said "I just hope that one day I'm as good as you". My response? "Well let's not get ahead of ourselves." I seriously said that. I just see my companions faces stop in shock and slowly turn to look at me.
Now I said this with the purest intent, never meaning to come across as a jackass, just trying to make a funny. However no matter how many apologies I had offered, I feel as though, its still pretty funny, when taken in context.
So here we are, Zach, Drew, and myself and we are leading worship for a group ~90. Now we built some instant rappoir with a group from Northern MI. One young lady admirded my ability to bass and inquired if I would show her a few things, which I love when people admire my limited abilities, so I was all about that.
I let her play in one song, showed her some scales, some techniques, wrote some things down for her, and overall was very nice. That is until the last night, we were saying our goodbyes to the group and this young lady was saying thank-you, and she said "I just hope that one day I'm as good as you". My response? "Well let's not get ahead of ourselves." I seriously said that. I just see my companions faces stop in shock and slowly turn to look at me.
Now I said this with the purest intent, never meaning to come across as a jackass, just trying to make a funny. However no matter how many apologies I had offered, I feel as though, its still pretty funny, when taken in context.
Goal.
I have decided that my posting habits need some serious upheavals. I mean to post at least once a day, however due to a strenuous sleeping schedule I am unable to fullfill this quota that i have set for myself. Does this mean that I perceive myself to be a failure in this aspect...I'm not sure I gotta sleep on it.
Today I am enjoying this beautiful day off, sitting on a deck in the sun, with my good friend Zackers, and my nephews whom are attempting to "hoe" the dirt. Overall, a nice little Monday.
Today I am enjoying this beautiful day off, sitting on a deck in the sun, with my good friend Zackers, and my nephews whom are attempting to "hoe" the dirt. Overall, a nice little Monday.
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