Interesting series of events today: went jogging in Piedmont Park today with a friend from high school who, despite all the parks in Gwinnett wanted to travel to Piedmont Park and jog. Still, it's a pretty park, and I really enjoyed running around the pier and over the bridges. Well, after this little jog and lunch at Mellow Mushroom (Note: the Caesar!Caesar! Pizza is REALLY good!), I got in a running kick and went another 2 miles back at home solo. And now, thanks to my melatonic deficiences (aka being Germanic-Scotch-Irish) I got burned. Not painfully burned, but just enough for me to feel it. I tell people I come in two varieties: Original Recipe or Extra Crispy.
This week has been stressed, but it was so much easier than last week... Last week's Dance Competition took an AWFUL lot out of me... I needed to stay at work until at least 5 everyday for practice, the stress of not having choreography until the day before the competition kept my blood pressure up, too. I kept trying to NOT think about it during the day, but it was always in the back of my mind.
However, I read something that captured my attention... humorously, it's a common theme that I've been running into the past month (Sidenote: running into a common theme over and over again is the topic of 'Sacred Echoes' by Margaret Feinburg, which I have recently purchased, but have yet to read.) One book that I am reading through right now is 'Deadly Viper: Character Assassins' by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite. It essentially personifies different types of character flaw 'traps' that can grow into major problems (such as someone to rationalizing it's ok to borrow a little money from a company credit card, and eventually saying its ok to pad their bank accounts with company funds). These personified flaws become various ninja assassins (with somewhat cartoon-y names) who are bent on 'kicking your butt'. The format feels silly to me, but there are kernels I have been getting out of it. In Chapter Four, entitled, 'The Assassin of the Headless Sprinting Chicken', I read the following:
I am responsible to lead myself, to ensure that I'm resting, learning, growing, and bringing my very best to the job every day. I'm the only one who knows what my emotional, physical, and spiritual gauges are telling me and I've got to listen to them. I am responsible for my own self-care, growth, and development.
Whoa. That's always been a big issue with me. I burn out. I think I'm being responsible by taking on the world, but this whole concept of me BEING RESPONSIBLE BY NOT TAKING ON EXTRA RESPONSIBILITIES and forcing myself to take life slower is something I never really considered. Did I know it's a good idea to take a break? Sure. But did I ever think of it as the RESPONSIBLE decision? Not so much...
I could go on, but I'm tired, I've lost an hour of sleep due to daylight savings, and my brother is visiting, so I'm out. Later!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Word of The Day (Saw this on Knifty Knitter's Blog, and took the same quiz)
Your Word is "Fearless" |
 You see life as your one chance to experience everything, and you just go for it! You believe the biggest risk is being afraid and missing out on something amazing. Sometimes your fearlessness means you're daring. You enjoy risky activities. And sometimes your fearlessness means you're courageous. You're brave enough to do the right thing, even when it's scary. |
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Recuperation
These past few days have been crazy. This weekend didn’t find me catching a whole lot of sleep, and that translated into me not getting a lot of rest as I pulled into Monday. It was about then that I felt like I hit the wall. And then, in typical ‘me’ fashion, I began to try to pile-drive through that wall. Ever since my freshman year of high school, I have had the tendency to go into over-drive. I have had deadlines that HAD to be met, I have pushed and pushed, and the simple theme follows: Stress builds, I lose sleep, I start feeling under the weather, I keep pushing, and then I eventually collapse and am out of commission for several days until I can recuperate.
Well, when Monday came around, I was feeling, oh, what’s the word? Nostalgic. Stress was building. Same familiar wall (Also, ironic that a particular song is now playing on Pandora RIGHT when I’m talking about nostalgia… ha! I’ve always been somewhat mystified at the power of familiar music, even if it’s been YEARS since you’ve heard the tune… back to my ‘hit the wall’ story…). And I could see myself pushing through it. I can't afford to see myself get horribly sick this go round. I don't have the days to spend to get better (not to mention I hate being really, really sick... obviously). Leaving school (at roughly 5pm), I was debating whether or not to go to the gym. I decided against it, and went STRAIGHT to my bed… it felt GREAT!
Woke up hungry at around 7:30 (rather, 19:30 military time, which is what I keep my cell phone on), and realized I hadn’t eaten in roughly nine hours. And I wanted Krystal burgers. I’m wanting to improve my diet, since I know one reason I’ve had trouble with my weight is that my diet astonishes people on a regular basis (when half your posts on your blog are about food, you know you have a problem). But, I decided on Krystals. YUM. I’ll work on my diet when I’m not feeling like ‘ugh’ (this blog has been censored to better accommodate all ages… ‘ugh’ wasn’t the first word to come to mind).
Tuesday night was good. Went to a ‘book club’, which I prefer to call ‘small group’. The book we are going through in my ‘small group’ is Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity by Lauren F. Winner (interesting title, eh? Wait til you see the title of chapter 3: Communal Sex). So far two chapters into it… it has an interesting perspective on the topic of Christian chastity, and it’s VERY interesting that this is a co-ed group of 20-somethings that I am meeting with. I thought it would make conversation very awkward, but I have already made friends with many of the people in the group, so I am able to open up to the group and get a lot out of it. It’s good to have a group of people I can open up to completely.
And now, I am going back to bed. Goodnight!
Well, when Monday came around, I was feeling, oh, what’s the word? Nostalgic. Stress was building. Same familiar wall (Also, ironic that a particular song is now playing on Pandora RIGHT when I’m talking about nostalgia… ha! I’ve always been somewhat mystified at the power of familiar music, even if it’s been YEARS since you’ve heard the tune… back to my ‘hit the wall’ story…). And I could see myself pushing through it. I can't afford to see myself get horribly sick this go round. I don't have the days to spend to get better (not to mention I hate being really, really sick... obviously). Leaving school (at roughly 5pm), I was debating whether or not to go to the gym. I decided against it, and went STRAIGHT to my bed… it felt GREAT!
Woke up hungry at around 7:30 (rather, 19:30 military time, which is what I keep my cell phone on), and realized I hadn’t eaten in roughly nine hours. And I wanted Krystal burgers. I’m wanting to improve my diet, since I know one reason I’ve had trouble with my weight is that my diet astonishes people on a regular basis (when half your posts on your blog are about food, you know you have a problem). But, I decided on Krystals. YUM. I’ll work on my diet when I’m not feeling like ‘ugh’ (this blog has been censored to better accommodate all ages… ‘ugh’ wasn’t the first word to come to mind).
Tuesday night was good. Went to a ‘book club’, which I prefer to call ‘small group’. The book we are going through in my ‘small group’ is Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity by Lauren F. Winner (interesting title, eh? Wait til you see the title of chapter 3: Communal Sex). So far two chapters into it… it has an interesting perspective on the topic of Christian chastity, and it’s VERY interesting that this is a co-ed group of 20-somethings that I am meeting with. I thought it would make conversation very awkward, but I have already made friends with many of the people in the group, so I am able to open up to the group and get a lot out of it. It’s good to have a group of people I can open up to completely.
And now, I am going back to bed. Goodnight!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Burger Buddies Revamped!!!! YES!!!
A long, long time ago, when dinosaurs walked the Earth and I was a kid (it was the 80's), there was one item that I LOVED to get at Burger King... Burger Buddies! These were two small (very small) burgers that were joined together like Siamese Twins. They were wrapped together, and I would unwrap them and magically discover that what was once one burger was now magically TWO burgers... I was mystified, and I whenever my parents picked up food at BK, I would beg for Burger Buddies... If you don't believe me, check out this website... I'm not the only one who remembers these delicacies: http://www.inthe80s.com/food/burgerkingburgerbuddies0.shtml
Then, for mysterious reasons unbeknownst to me or anyone else with any common sense, Burger King discontinued the product... until NOW! BK has just recently come out with Burger Shots, which are almost identical (pictured above), except the burgers are a little bigger... still works for me, since my mouth is a little bigger than it was back when I was 5 (and, believe me, I have a big mouth!).
I was ravishingly hungry last night (Sunday night), and I was heading to a tutoring lesson. I needed to stop by a place to grab some food... On a divine hunch, I went to Burger King. When I saw the advertisements for Burger Shots, my mouth began to water, and my memories took me back to a time of Burger Buddies, apple juice, and FOX 97.1 on the radio. And, for those curious, They were delicious!!!
Also, I realize this blog is lacking in a few things, like more pictures... I am hoping to soon get that fixed, but, for right now, this will have to do. Have a good night!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Update! (Kind of...)
This week is almost out, and I haven't updated in a while... unfortunately, I don't feel like typing up a post right now... besides telling the world that being on I-285 during that weather storm yesterday really, really stunk. Traffic plus wrecks (more traffic) plus horrid weather (almost no visibility AND even more traffic).
But, in the effort to make sure I have SOMETHING on here, I saw a note on Facebook that I thought I'd copy over... I'm not going to make a practice of posting those surveys and such that are ever so popular on MySpace and other such sites, but this one did catch my eye. And, what's more... it lets me post something.
So, here goes:
The Bucket List. Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not, then send it to your friends (including me).
Things you have done during your lifetime:
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
() watched someone die
() Been to Canada
() Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
()Been to Hawaii
(X) Been to China
(X) Been on a plane
() Been on a helicopter
(XXX) Been lost
(X) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Learned how to ballroom dance
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
() Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
() Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
() Made prank phone calls
(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans [() Remember everything from that night?]
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X)Danced in the rain
() Danced in the rain-naked
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
() Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies
(X) Been deep sea fishing
() Driven across the United States (only if GA to TX counts)
(X) Been in a hot air balloon
() Been sky diving
() Gone snowmobiling
() Lived in more than one country (Does Louisiana count? Almost...)
(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish
() Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty
() Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X) Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
(X) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding (It's been a long time, but fun)
() Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR !
(X) Been to Disneyworld
(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(X) Been in a rain forest (Loved it!)
(X) Seen whales in the ocean (saw a dorsal fin on that cruise trip... not very exciting)
() Been to Niagara Falls
(X) Ridden on an elephant
(X) Swam with dolphins
(X) Been to the Olympics
(X) Walked on the Great Wall of China
() Saw and heard a glacier calf
() Been spinnaker flying
(X) Been water-skiing
() Been snow-skiing
(X) Been to Westminster Abbey
(X) Been to the Louvre
() Swam in the Mediterranean
(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game
() Been to a National Football League game
(X) Played in the snow
() Climbed to the top of a pyramid
But, in the effort to make sure I have SOMETHING on here, I saw a note on Facebook that I thought I'd copy over... I'm not going to make a practice of posting those surveys and such that are ever so popular on MySpace and other such sites, but this one did catch my eye. And, what's more... it lets me post something.
So, here goes:
The Bucket List. Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not, then send it to your friends (including me).
Things you have done during your lifetime:
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
() watched someone die
() Been to Canada
() Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
()Been to Hawaii
(X) Been to China
(X) Been on a plane
() Been on a helicopter
(XXX) Been lost
(X) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Learned how to ballroom dance
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
() Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
() Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
() Made prank phone calls
(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans [() Remember everything from that night?]
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X)Danced in the rain
() Danced in the rain-naked
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
() Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies
(X) Been deep sea fishing
() Driven across the United States (only if GA to TX counts)
(X) Been in a hot air balloon
() Been sky diving
() Gone snowmobiling
() Lived in more than one country (Does Louisiana count? Almost...)
(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish
() Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty
() Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X) Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
(X) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding (It's been a long time, but fun)
() Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR !
(X) Been to Disneyworld
(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(X) Been in a rain forest (Loved it!)
(X) Seen whales in the ocean (saw a dorsal fin on that cruise trip... not very exciting)
() Been to Niagara Falls
(X) Ridden on an elephant
(X) Swam with dolphins
(X) Been to the Olympics
(X) Walked on the Great Wall of China
() Saw and heard a glacier calf
() Been spinnaker flying
(X) Been water-skiing
() Been snow-skiing
(X) Been to Westminster Abbey
(X) Been to the Louvre
() Swam in the Mediterranean
(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game
() Been to a National Football League game
(X) Played in the snow
() Climbed to the top of a pyramid
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Attack of the 80's
This past week has been quite interesting, to say the least. As usual, there were several nights where I thought I might get a decent amount of sleep, but that just didn't seem to happen. Thankfully, I got to sleep in today, which is a plus... and I needed it, considering Friday.
Friday at school was craziness... I had been feeling a little under the weather on Thursday, but by Friday I had what seemed like a full blown case of the common cold... constant sneezing, runny nose, etc. One of the perks of being a teacher, I guess... you occasionally fall prey one of the gazillion bugs going around, which means that you have successfully fought off a gazillion minus one bugs... so, in the midst of my defeat, I still feel somewhat justified.. Germ X is a wonderful, wonderful thing!
So I find myself working at my computer, while my 7th period is taking a test. I have resorted to shoving kleenex up my nose so that I can somewhat function... and the kids think it's hilarious... and, truthfully, although I feel horrid, I'm laughing at myself, too.
After school, I went to visit with Nunez, my roommate back at UGA, who came into Gwinnett to visit with family. We had a good time catching up with each other, while he joined in on my errands, such as picking up some generic, Rite-Ait brand DayQuil. I had an 80's party to go to that night, and I didn't want to bow out because I felt sick. Fortunately, after the medicine kicked in, I felt much better.
I decked out in white jeans, white tennis shoes, and a retro polyester shirt that I happened to have in my closet. Also wore a Members Only jacket I found deep in a coat closet at home. Nice!
We met at Sparkles, a local skating rink. Last time I was there I believe was in elementary school. I soon remembered why the last time I was there was so long ago... I was terrified of skating. You would think I would have remembered that BEFORE I committed to going to the party. But I'm special that way. In the new lingo we use in education, I'm 'exceptional'.
Not only did I get skates, I went 'balls out' and got roller blades. Put them on, tried standing up, and yikes. Everyone said, 'Don't worry! If you can ice skate, you can roller blade!' I can't ice skate, either... last time I remember doing that was when I slammed my head into the ice by falling flat on my back... Word to the wise: don't lock your knees!
Well, I managed to get in the rink, and at first I didn't fall at all.... Not that I looked graceful... I had perfected the 'Spastic White Boy'. That was my dance move, and I was all about it! I finally got to the point where I could somewhat push off with both feet, not just lean on my left leg and use my right leg for all movement. All the while, kids one half my size were flying around me... so what? A couple friends offered to help me, but at least one of them (sorry Brittany!) I ended up taking out when I lost my footing. HA!
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I'm enough of a stubborn arse that if I fall down, I keep getting back up and trying again. It did result in me getting better, but I'm laughing at the bruises I now have on my knees and wrists... my right wrist looks particularly banged up, but besides being a little sensitive, it feels fine.
Humorously, they played one of my favorite songs while I was out on the floor: 'Footloose'. Ever since last night, that song has taken on an ENTIRELY new meaning!
Friday at school was craziness... I had been feeling a little under the weather on Thursday, but by Friday I had what seemed like a full blown case of the common cold... constant sneezing, runny nose, etc. One of the perks of being a teacher, I guess... you occasionally fall prey one of the gazillion bugs going around, which means that you have successfully fought off a gazillion minus one bugs... so, in the midst of my defeat, I still feel somewhat justified.. Germ X is a wonderful, wonderful thing!
So I find myself working at my computer, while my 7th period is taking a test. I have resorted to shoving kleenex up my nose so that I can somewhat function... and the kids think it's hilarious... and, truthfully, although I feel horrid, I'm laughing at myself, too.
After school, I went to visit with Nunez, my roommate back at UGA, who came into Gwinnett to visit with family. We had a good time catching up with each other, while he joined in on my errands, such as picking up some generic, Rite-Ait brand DayQuil. I had an 80's party to go to that night, and I didn't want to bow out because I felt sick. Fortunately, after the medicine kicked in, I felt much better.
I decked out in white jeans, white tennis shoes, and a retro polyester shirt that I happened to have in my closet. Also wore a Members Only jacket I found deep in a coat closet at home. Nice!
We met at Sparkles, a local skating rink. Last time I was there I believe was in elementary school. I soon remembered why the last time I was there was so long ago... I was terrified of skating. You would think I would have remembered that BEFORE I committed to going to the party. But I'm special that way. In the new lingo we use in education, I'm 'exceptional'.
Not only did I get skates, I went 'balls out' and got roller blades. Put them on, tried standing up, and yikes. Everyone said, 'Don't worry! If you can ice skate, you can roller blade!' I can't ice skate, either... last time I remember doing that was when I slammed my head into the ice by falling flat on my back... Word to the wise: don't lock your knees!
Well, I managed to get in the rink, and at first I didn't fall at all.... Not that I looked graceful... I had perfected the 'Spastic White Boy'. That was my dance move, and I was all about it! I finally got to the point where I could somewhat push off with both feet, not just lean on my left leg and use my right leg for all movement. All the while, kids one half my size were flying around me... so what? A couple friends offered to help me, but at least one of them (sorry Brittany!) I ended up taking out when I lost my footing. HA!
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I'm enough of a stubborn arse that if I fall down, I keep getting back up and trying again. It did result in me getting better, but I'm laughing at the bruises I now have on my knees and wrists... my right wrist looks particularly banged up, but besides being a little sensitive, it feels fine.
Humorously, they played one of my favorite songs while I was out on the floor: 'Footloose'. Ever since last night, that song has taken on an ENTIRELY new meaning!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Frito Pie!
A story I wanted to share today... and now's about the only time I'm going to get... after all, laundry is in the dryer, the day is about done, and I'm not grading... all things point to this moment as being an excellent blogging opportunity.
(Before the story, I wanted to add a humorous anecdote. Went to the gym... was about to give up on the treadmill until a song came across on my iPod from way back when... DCTalk's 'Jesus Freak'.. back in high school that was the 'anthem'... you know, it's MUCH more difficult to headbang whilst running on a 3.5 grad inclined treadmill than I had imagined... needless to say, I had an extra burst of energy.
Also thought I must have looked graceful when I was stretching out today after the jog. I was stretching my quads and standing on one foot (the infamous 'Stork Stand'). Thankfully no one laughed as I was losing my balance and was hoping on one foot all over the gym... I may have looked like an idiot, but I was not about to let go of my other foot if I could help it!... That's my little story.. on the the main article)
I want to speak to you about something very close to my heart: my stomach.
Last Friday afternoon I was in a poor state... I was low on sleep, high on stress, and trying to get a ton of grading done. Unfortunately, I was unable to get much accomplished at all, since there were tons of 'little things' I had to do... fill out this form, deliver this paper to someone's mailbox. Answer this e-mail...etc., etc., etc.
All of the sudden, I felt horrid. My stomach turned... I was feeling like I was going to puke (for no reason). I put my work up, turned my computer off, and packed up, taking as much stuff with me to my car as I could. But I had to walk to the mail room first to drop off a couple forms. On my way there, I saw a blessed sight.
There, by the old gym, was a table decked out with foodstuffs. It was Senior Night for the Wrestling team! I walked by, saw the smörgåsbord, and held my breath. I saw chips, Airheads, Skittles, M&M's, even pre-made sandwiches in Ziploc bags! But then I saw a little crock pot... YES! They have Frito Pie! I was really hungry now!
Frito Pie is an entree served best at high school extracurricular functions. Not sure why, but it always tastes better when a team mom puts it together... probably b/c mothers know best. I ran to the mailroom, threw the forms in their cubbyholes, and hurried back. I shot a smile, asked for some Frito Pie, and while talking with some students I knew in the area, I put on my best 'I'm a poor, young teacher' face. Talked about how hard I was grading papers, and how exhausted I was... I saw the team mom open TWO bags of fritos. YES!
She knew how to best serve Frito Pie: Fritos below for a crust, then chili. Fritos on top of that, then more chili! And then came the crown jewel... nacho cheese! It is a well known fact that a good capping of nacho cheese is necessary to balance the chili. It also serves to hold in the heat (so vital on such a cold day!). But most importantly, it adds CHEESE! CHEESE! YES!
I was handed the Frito pie.. (a steal at whatever I paid for it...), I gave a smile, thanked everyone very much, and went on my way to the car. I would have skipped all the way to the car in my sheer joy, but if I did that, I would have risked dripping some of the cheese off the side of the bowl. I'm not sure how I made it to the car, actually... all I remember is eagerly diving into that delicious styrofoam bowl of Frito heaven, and that, when I looked up from my empty bowl, I was standing in front of my car.
God is good. All the time.
(Before the story, I wanted to add a humorous anecdote. Went to the gym... was about to give up on the treadmill until a song came across on my iPod from way back when... DCTalk's 'Jesus Freak'.. back in high school that was the 'anthem'... you know, it's MUCH more difficult to headbang whilst running on a 3.5 grad inclined treadmill than I had imagined... needless to say, I had an extra burst of energy.
Also thought I must have looked graceful when I was stretching out today after the jog. I was stretching my quads and standing on one foot (the infamous 'Stork Stand'). Thankfully no one laughed as I was losing my balance and was hoping on one foot all over the gym... I may have looked like an idiot, but I was not about to let go of my other foot if I could help it!... That's my little story.. on the the main article)
I want to speak to you about something very close to my heart: my stomach.
Last Friday afternoon I was in a poor state... I was low on sleep, high on stress, and trying to get a ton of grading done. Unfortunately, I was unable to get much accomplished at all, since there were tons of 'little things' I had to do... fill out this form, deliver this paper to someone's mailbox. Answer this e-mail...etc., etc., etc.
All of the sudden, I felt horrid. My stomach turned... I was feeling like I was going to puke (for no reason). I put my work up, turned my computer off, and packed up, taking as much stuff with me to my car as I could. But I had to walk to the mail room first to drop off a couple forms. On my way there, I saw a blessed sight.
There, by the old gym, was a table decked out with foodstuffs. It was Senior Night for the Wrestling team! I walked by, saw the smörgåsbord, and held my breath. I saw chips, Airheads, Skittles, M&M's, even pre-made sandwiches in Ziploc bags! But then I saw a little crock pot... YES! They have Frito Pie! I was really hungry now!
Frito Pie is an entree served best at high school extracurricular functions. Not sure why, but it always tastes better when a team mom puts it together... probably b/c mothers know best. I ran to the mailroom, threw the forms in their cubbyholes, and hurried back. I shot a smile, asked for some Frito Pie, and while talking with some students I knew in the area, I put on my best 'I'm a poor, young teacher' face. Talked about how hard I was grading papers, and how exhausted I was... I saw the team mom open TWO bags of fritos. YES!
She knew how to best serve Frito Pie: Fritos below for a crust, then chili. Fritos on top of that, then more chili! And then came the crown jewel... nacho cheese! It is a well known fact that a good capping of nacho cheese is necessary to balance the chili. It also serves to hold in the heat (so vital on such a cold day!). But most importantly, it adds CHEESE! CHEESE! YES!
I was handed the Frito pie.. (a steal at whatever I paid for it...), I gave a smile, thanked everyone very much, and went on my way to the car. I would have skipped all the way to the car in my sheer joy, but if I did that, I would have risked dripping some of the cheese off the side of the bowl. I'm not sure how I made it to the car, actually... all I remember is eagerly diving into that delicious styrofoam bowl of Frito heaven, and that, when I looked up from my empty bowl, I was standing in front of my car.
God is good. All the time.
Friday, January 30, 2009
25 Random Things About Me
OK, I finally did it... it's been on Facebook for a while now, and I've had several of my friends put one together, so I figured, hey, I'll jump in, too... However, I wanted to put it on my blog instead of Facebook... Facebook's load time has sometimes irritated me, and I also want to practice putting more into this blog... I've been lax about posting.
Well, here we go:
1) I’m named after my Dad, but I’m not ‘Floyd Jr.’ After all, his entire middle name is ‘E.’ (really), mine is ‘Mark’.
2) I used to have fiery red hair… and then it turned brown about the same time my voice dropped two octaves.
3) My brother and I are both colorblind, so theoretically the only reason I know my hair was red is because people said it was… (the most common response to someone finding out you’re colorblind: “Then what color is THAT?”… and they point at some random object, most likely colored bright yellow or fire-truck red)
4) I may be in my twenties, but NOTHING can ever replace Double Stuft Oreos with milk.
5) I am witnessing myself turn into a guy that has a passion for hot sauce. Never intended to become that way, but when friends from several states give you hot sauce as a Christmas present, you start to get the hint…
6) At three years old and up, I would dissect every joke my Granddad ever told because he could make people laugh, asking him why was this joke or that joke funny. I wanted to understand humor. I have since been told many times I have my Granddad’s sense of humor. Words can’t describe how good that makes me feel.
7) I used to have the entire book of James memorized in the King James Version, word for word.
8) Two years prior to that, I was bordering on Atheism. I felt that ‘agnostic’ was stupid. You either believed in Something, or you believed in Nothing.
9) I used to compose music as a hobby. My senior year in high school I won First Place in a Gwinnett County-wide competition for the first musical piece I ever wrote. I later arranged it for a woodwind quintet. I actually have an official copyright on some of my music.
10) I hate being scared. One of the reasons I get myself to do crazy things is because I hate the idea of being too scared to do something… hence why I learned how to ride a motorcycle, and love riding.
11) That being said, I hate roller coasters. I’ve tried them again and again, and the feeling is the same. I’m not interested in spending time and money only to throw myself around loop-the-loops, giant drops, barrel rolls, or any of the like. AT ALL.
12) I am now a text maniac. I was still on pay-per-text a year and a half ago.
13) I have lived in Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida (Homes of UGA, LSU, and FSU). They all feel almost like home to me, but I’m still a bit restless anywhere I am.
14) When I was in elementary school, my brother and I slept in a Mickey Mouse child’s tent outside in the backyard one weekend. We continued the practice indoors on weekend nights. Eventually, the weekend project for my brother, step-brother, and I was to ‘build the tent’. This consisted of stretching ropes around chairs, beds and cabinets, laying sheets over those ropes to make a ‘roof’, and padding the floor with comforters, sleeping blankets, and pillows. Our tent had several ‘rooms’, but in one corner was always that same Mickey Mouse child’s tent. We would spend three hours putting the ‘tent’ together, only to crawl around in it for 30 minutes and then fall asleep from exhaustion.
15) I spell my last name ‘Rinehart’. Other people have spelled it Rhinehart, Rheinhart, Reinhart, Reinheart, Rhinehardt, or some amalgamation of these. My freshman year in high school, I had three different last names altogether (club pictures, etc.) In my senior year of high school, my Senior Page, a FULL page with my picture and my family’s personal comments to me, had my name misspelled… I still laugh at that one.
16) Food is most definitely a passion of mine… I love chocolate (the darker the better), cheese (ANY AND ALL TYPES!), chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, among other things… each one holds a special place in my heart. YUM.
17) On a related note, if I ever travel internationally (which includes traveling north of the Mason-Dixon line), I HAVE to try the food. I toke up on Pepto-Bismol (just in case) and try out the crazy stuff. Don’t ask what I had in China unless you REALLY want to know.
18) Although I rarely drink coffee anymore, whenever I do drink it I take it black. I decided that I was going to learn to drink it without anything… that way, it would never ‘need’ something… that, and I could bask in the joy of being too lazy to add anything to it.
19) Ever since I went to China in the summer of 2006, I heart green tea… I think it saved my life out there.
20) I love the subject of linguistics and language. It is something that has always fascinated me.
21) I did take gymnastics a long, long time ago. I don’t like to talk about it… probably because I’ve tried to block it out of my memory… stupid balance beam.
22) My proudest moment in a Java class I took in college was the creation of a program that created a virtual deck of cards, pulled a five card hand, and could tell me what kind of poker hand I was holding (whether I had a flush, straight, full house, etc.). I’m a nerd.
23) I enjoy teaching. I DON’T enjoy issuing administrative referrals, roll-taking, grading, lesson planning, answering countless e-mails, keeping track of all 20 (now 19) calculators, twenty-minute lunches at 11 o’clock, proctoring standardized exams, taking inventory… but I do it, and do it to the best of my ability, BECAUSE I enjoy teaching.
24) In college, and for reasons I don’t even know, I began using a loud, echoing ‘RRRRICA!’ call (with the R’s rolled very strongly), whenever I was excited and in an open area. Almost like a Confederate ‘YEE-HAW!’, but distinctly more south-of-the-border.
25) On a related note, I was awarded the ‘Best Laugh’ Superlative in UGA’s Redcoat Marching Band. People could say that they heard me on one 20-yard line when I was on the other. The RA on my hall in college once came up to me and told me that somebody down the hall on the other side of the building who was trying to sleep came to him with the following complaint: “Tell Floyd that, whatever it is, it’s not THAT funny.”… I apparently have a loud laugh.
Well, here we go:
1) I’m named after my Dad, but I’m not ‘Floyd Jr.’ After all, his entire middle name is ‘E.’ (really), mine is ‘Mark’.
2) I used to have fiery red hair… and then it turned brown about the same time my voice dropped two octaves.
3) My brother and I are both colorblind, so theoretically the only reason I know my hair was red is because people said it was… (the most common response to someone finding out you’re colorblind: “Then what color is THAT?”… and they point at some random object, most likely colored bright yellow or fire-truck red)
4) I may be in my twenties, but NOTHING can ever replace Double Stuft Oreos with milk.
5) I am witnessing myself turn into a guy that has a passion for hot sauce. Never intended to become that way, but when friends from several states give you hot sauce as a Christmas present, you start to get the hint…
6) At three years old and up, I would dissect every joke my Granddad ever told because he could make people laugh, asking him why was this joke or that joke funny. I wanted to understand humor. I have since been told many times I have my Granddad’s sense of humor. Words can’t describe how good that makes me feel.
7) I used to have the entire book of James memorized in the King James Version, word for word.
8) Two years prior to that, I was bordering on Atheism. I felt that ‘agnostic’ was stupid. You either believed in Something, or you believed in Nothing.
9) I used to compose music as a hobby. My senior year in high school I won First Place in a Gwinnett County-wide competition for the first musical piece I ever wrote. I later arranged it for a woodwind quintet. I actually have an official copyright on some of my music.
10) I hate being scared. One of the reasons I get myself to do crazy things is because I hate the idea of being too scared to do something… hence why I learned how to ride a motorcycle, and love riding.
11) That being said, I hate roller coasters. I’ve tried them again and again, and the feeling is the same. I’m not interested in spending time and money only to throw myself around loop-the-loops, giant drops, barrel rolls, or any of the like. AT ALL.
12) I am now a text maniac. I was still on pay-per-text a year and a half ago.
13) I have lived in Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida (Homes of UGA, LSU, and FSU). They all feel almost like home to me, but I’m still a bit restless anywhere I am.
14) When I was in elementary school, my brother and I slept in a Mickey Mouse child’s tent outside in the backyard one weekend. We continued the practice indoors on weekend nights. Eventually, the weekend project for my brother, step-brother, and I was to ‘build the tent’. This consisted of stretching ropes around chairs, beds and cabinets, laying sheets over those ropes to make a ‘roof’, and padding the floor with comforters, sleeping blankets, and pillows. Our tent had several ‘rooms’, but in one corner was always that same Mickey Mouse child’s tent. We would spend three hours putting the ‘tent’ together, only to crawl around in it for 30 minutes and then fall asleep from exhaustion.
15) I spell my last name ‘Rinehart’. Other people have spelled it Rhinehart, Rheinhart, Reinhart, Reinheart, Rhinehardt, or some amalgamation of these. My freshman year in high school, I had three different last names altogether (club pictures, etc.) In my senior year of high school, my Senior Page, a FULL page with my picture and my family’s personal comments to me, had my name misspelled… I still laugh at that one.
16) Food is most definitely a passion of mine… I love chocolate (the darker the better), cheese (ANY AND ALL TYPES!), chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, among other things… each one holds a special place in my heart. YUM.
17) On a related note, if I ever travel internationally (which includes traveling north of the Mason-Dixon line), I HAVE to try the food. I toke up on Pepto-Bismol (just in case) and try out the crazy stuff. Don’t ask what I had in China unless you REALLY want to know.
18) Although I rarely drink coffee anymore, whenever I do drink it I take it black. I decided that I was going to learn to drink it without anything… that way, it would never ‘need’ something… that, and I could bask in the joy of being too lazy to add anything to it.
19) Ever since I went to China in the summer of 2006, I heart green tea… I think it saved my life out there.
20) I love the subject of linguistics and language. It is something that has always fascinated me.
21) I did take gymnastics a long, long time ago. I don’t like to talk about it… probably because I’ve tried to block it out of my memory… stupid balance beam.
22) My proudest moment in a Java class I took in college was the creation of a program that created a virtual deck of cards, pulled a five card hand, and could tell me what kind of poker hand I was holding (whether I had a flush, straight, full house, etc.). I’m a nerd.
23) I enjoy teaching. I DON’T enjoy issuing administrative referrals, roll-taking, grading, lesson planning, answering countless e-mails, keeping track of all 20 (now 19) calculators, twenty-minute lunches at 11 o’clock, proctoring standardized exams, taking inventory… but I do it, and do it to the best of my ability, BECAUSE I enjoy teaching.
24) In college, and for reasons I don’t even know, I began using a loud, echoing ‘RRRRICA!’ call (with the R’s rolled very strongly), whenever I was excited and in an open area. Almost like a Confederate ‘YEE-HAW!’, but distinctly more south-of-the-border.
25) On a related note, I was awarded the ‘Best Laugh’ Superlative in UGA’s Redcoat Marching Band. People could say that they heard me on one 20-yard line when I was on the other. The RA on my hall in college once came up to me and told me that somebody down the hall on the other side of the building who was trying to sleep came to him with the following complaint: “Tell Floyd that, whatever it is, it’s not THAT funny.”… I apparently have a loud laugh.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Politics and ALL that comes with it
We have just seen the 44th President of the United States begin his term. Congratulations to Barack Hussein Obama. I hope he serves our country well. But still, I'm irked.
OK, so I didn't vote for him. I did vote. However, since he is now my President, I am going to take the high road as best as I know how and try to see the positive in the situation. He's promising to bring about some reforming changes... hopefully they will be in the right directions. Since I lean conservative, I am probably guessing that some of his 'sweeping changes' that he wants to implement will not be in the direction I think is best for this country (even if it means I get a pay raise as a high school teacher... I didn't become a teacher in order to make money).
But that's not why I'm irked. I was raised in, for lack of a better term, an ultra-conservative environment. Mom held high regard to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, and Dad has a background in Finance, and was fiscally very conservative. Although there are some liberals among us, virtually all of my immediate family is far right.
Then came college. Among other things, I was drawn to the fine arts. I have a strong passion for them. So I became acquainted with people with a much more liberal background, and, in comparison to what I was familiar with, a VERY liberal background. For whatever reason, it seemed as if the majority of my close personal friends from college would have considered themselves 'liberal' or 'very liberal'. Although I still lean conservative, I can understand the other perspective much better than I could before college. My core thoughts lean 'right', but I have spent a good deal of time weighing how I feel on each issue. And, for the most part, I am willing to listen to a reasoned argument on political issues. I value the fact that I think for myself.
Well, while college was going on, trouble ensued. For the most part, I hate conflict, and try to avoid it. I couldn't get away from the negative end of politics... the name-calling, back-biting, and general 'immaturity' of the entire situation. I was surrounded by college newspapers giving me the liberals attacking conservatives (not politely), and it was countered by conservatives attacking liberals (again, not politely). My own girlfriend at the time, who I credit with helping me see things from a much more objective point of view, held some very liberal ideas, and I would see her quite often listen to news reels or comedy that bashed conservatives... didn't seem productive, just seemed to be for the fun of bashing. Was I free from candidate-bashing myself? Honestly, no... part of it is human nature... part of it is a sense of vengeance. But after I caught myself laughing at a couple offensive jokes (either conservative or liberal bashing), I would many times be upset with myself for having laughed at them. And, by the way, making a little fun of politics is OK... but making it outright offensive happens way too often.
This past election, as it always does, brought more controversy (which in American politics goes all the way back to the beginning... the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Antifederalists, which is how our country developed two separate legislative bodies... The House of Representatives and the Senate.. there's your history lesson for the day). I felt the need to defend Obama against attacks from family that he was 'a radical Muslim bent on destroying the USA from the inside with his liberal agenda'. And then, after I got done defending Obama, I had to defend George Bush from people attacking him for being 'a war hawk idiot who can't pronounce English and is bent on running our country into the ground with his fascist agenda'. I'm sick of hearing this type of dirt on either side.
For that reason, sometimes I wish to God that I were either still ultra-conservative or that I became ultra-liberal, to the point at which I was naive about the other side. That way (one would think) the ugly comments made on one side or the other wouldn't bother me so much. Hearing people say that Obama 'is a darky' demands that I stop, grit my teeth, and demand an apology. Someone who is equally offended would start making fun of Dick Cheney because he happened to be in a wheelchair on the day of Obama's inauguration (Hey, I hate the Halliburton connection, too, but what gives you the right to laugh at another man's misfortune?).
In closing, since this is me getting rid of some steam, I guess I had better try to stay out of politics when it becomes 'election season'. I consider voting and political opinion to be a very important right to any democracy, but I can easily get wrapped up in it. I have to learn that if other people want to attack political leaders, especially when it is done 'immaturely' as opposed as to through reasoned thought, I need to avoid the situation as much as possible. No amount of energy I spend arguing or trying to reason with people who don't share a desire for civility is going to change their opinion much. It's politics.
SIDE NOTE: Many people are EXCITED Bush is gone. In his place, they've ensconced Obama. Obama is MUCH more talented at public speaking than Bush (in my opinion, that is). In that respect, Obama is a much better politician. But this is the very reason I'm still somewhat wary of Obama. A politician is one who likes to say what the people like to hear. But no one can argue that McCain has often said things that people didn't want to hear, but things that he felt had to be said. THAT is the type of person (man or woman) that I want to serve as President. One who I know will do what they feel is the correct course of action... not the one who feels that they must do what will garner the most votes. That was the reasoning behind my vote. Looking at their voting record, no matter how it was 'spun' during the election, neither candidate was a 'pure' conservative.
Neither candidate was perfect. And even though Obama has a hallmark in history as the first black President, it doesn't guarantee that the U.S. of A. has a Golden Age up ahead. Congratulations go to him, true. But we've got a challenge ahead, and I want to see how this guy runs Foreign Affairs. Obama is now my President. As such, he and his family have my prayers for a strong, prosperous, and directed future on the road ahead. And please, everyone, be civil to both those coming into office, and to those who are going out. Otherwise, you are no better than the guy that was equally rude about your candidate. If you really want there to be change, then quit doing what you've been doing all along!
OK, so I didn't vote for him. I did vote. However, since he is now my President, I am going to take the high road as best as I know how and try to see the positive in the situation. He's promising to bring about some reforming changes... hopefully they will be in the right directions. Since I lean conservative, I am probably guessing that some of his 'sweeping changes' that he wants to implement will not be in the direction I think is best for this country (even if it means I get a pay raise as a high school teacher... I didn't become a teacher in order to make money).
But that's not why I'm irked. I was raised in, for lack of a better term, an ultra-conservative environment. Mom held high regard to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, and Dad has a background in Finance, and was fiscally very conservative. Although there are some liberals among us, virtually all of my immediate family is far right.
Then came college. Among other things, I was drawn to the fine arts. I have a strong passion for them. So I became acquainted with people with a much more liberal background, and, in comparison to what I was familiar with, a VERY liberal background. For whatever reason, it seemed as if the majority of my close personal friends from college would have considered themselves 'liberal' or 'very liberal'. Although I still lean conservative, I can understand the other perspective much better than I could before college. My core thoughts lean 'right', but I have spent a good deal of time weighing how I feel on each issue. And, for the most part, I am willing to listen to a reasoned argument on political issues. I value the fact that I think for myself.
Well, while college was going on, trouble ensued. For the most part, I hate conflict, and try to avoid it. I couldn't get away from the negative end of politics... the name-calling, back-biting, and general 'immaturity' of the entire situation. I was surrounded by college newspapers giving me the liberals attacking conservatives (not politely), and it was countered by conservatives attacking liberals (again, not politely). My own girlfriend at the time, who I credit with helping me see things from a much more objective point of view, held some very liberal ideas, and I would see her quite often listen to news reels or comedy that bashed conservatives... didn't seem productive, just seemed to be for the fun of bashing. Was I free from candidate-bashing myself? Honestly, no... part of it is human nature... part of it is a sense of vengeance. But after I caught myself laughing at a couple offensive jokes (either conservative or liberal bashing), I would many times be upset with myself for having laughed at them. And, by the way, making a little fun of politics is OK... but making it outright offensive happens way too often.
This past election, as it always does, brought more controversy (which in American politics goes all the way back to the beginning... the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Antifederalists, which is how our country developed two separate legislative bodies... The House of Representatives and the Senate.. there's your history lesson for the day). I felt the need to defend Obama against attacks from family that he was 'a radical Muslim bent on destroying the USA from the inside with his liberal agenda'. And then, after I got done defending Obama, I had to defend George Bush from people attacking him for being 'a war hawk idiot who can't pronounce English and is bent on running our country into the ground with his fascist agenda'. I'm sick of hearing this type of dirt on either side.
For that reason, sometimes I wish to God that I were either still ultra-conservative or that I became ultra-liberal, to the point at which I was naive about the other side. That way (one would think) the ugly comments made on one side or the other wouldn't bother me so much. Hearing people say that Obama 'is a darky' demands that I stop, grit my teeth, and demand an apology. Someone who is equally offended would start making fun of Dick Cheney because he happened to be in a wheelchair on the day of Obama's inauguration (Hey, I hate the Halliburton connection, too, but what gives you the right to laugh at another man's misfortune?).
In closing, since this is me getting rid of some steam, I guess I had better try to stay out of politics when it becomes 'election season'. I consider voting and political opinion to be a very important right to any democracy, but I can easily get wrapped up in it. I have to learn that if other people want to attack political leaders, especially when it is done 'immaturely' as opposed as to through reasoned thought, I need to avoid the situation as much as possible. No amount of energy I spend arguing or trying to reason with people who don't share a desire for civility is going to change their opinion much. It's politics.
SIDE NOTE: Many people are EXCITED Bush is gone. In his place, they've ensconced Obama. Obama is MUCH more talented at public speaking than Bush (in my opinion, that is). In that respect, Obama is a much better politician. But this is the very reason I'm still somewhat wary of Obama. A politician is one who likes to say what the people like to hear. But no one can argue that McCain has often said things that people didn't want to hear, but things that he felt had to be said. THAT is the type of person (man or woman) that I want to serve as President. One who I know will do what they feel is the correct course of action... not the one who feels that they must do what will garner the most votes. That was the reasoning behind my vote. Looking at their voting record, no matter how it was 'spun' during the election, neither candidate was a 'pure' conservative.
Neither candidate was perfect. And even though Obama has a hallmark in history as the first black President, it doesn't guarantee that the U.S. of A. has a Golden Age up ahead. Congratulations go to him, true. But we've got a challenge ahead, and I want to see how this guy runs Foreign Affairs. Obama is now my President. As such, he and his family have my prayers for a strong, prosperous, and directed future on the road ahead. And please, everyone, be civil to both those coming into office, and to those who are going out. Otherwise, you are no better than the guy that was equally rude about your candidate. If you really want there to be change, then quit doing what you've been doing all along!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
I'M BA-ACK!!!
Some people keep online blog accounts. I used to keep them just the same... then, when 'Life' hit, I backed out, and deleted my old accounts. But 'Life' couldn't keep me gone forever... I'M BA-ACK!
Soon to come: Occasional stories, anecdotes, thoughts, ramblings, and whatever the heck I feel like putting on the web. I'm excited already!
Soon to come: Occasional stories, anecdotes, thoughts, ramblings, and whatever the heck I feel like putting on the web. I'm excited already!
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