the resilience of alabama
an unexpected change of plans
A year ago, I would've never expected to do what I just did today. A year ago, I had big dreams to get my PhD, write a book, be some historian on the History Channel, and be a lecturer on urban history that people wanted to hear.
Instead, today, I just signed and mailed a letter declining $40,000/year to go to school to get my PhD. When I got ready to drop it in the mailbox, I had to call one of my friends who always gives witty perspectives so that I could laugh as I put it in the mail. Her response: "You don't want that money; it's New Jersey, it's mafia money, anyway." I chuckled, and dropped it and went on my way. Read more
deepwater horizon
Dear President Obama,
I'd like to take a moment to tell you that I'm not happy. Not one bit. I'm practicing my right to voice my opinion… and I can do that, since I voted. And I voted for you, actually, since the thought of McCain saying "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" scared the bejeesus out of me. So, I won't lie, you weren't my first choice… mine conceded early in the primary. But, holy crap, right now? I'm really disillusioned. Read more
dear tim james…
Dear Tim James, Alabama Republican Gubernatorial Candidate,
I've seen your latest campaign video on changing driver's license tests to only English. It's probably not a terrible idea, fiscally speaking… It's just the way you approached the topic in your commercial that just really irked everyone.
You said the following: "This is Alabama. We speak English. If you wanna live here, learn it." You know Mr. James, I don't mean disrespect [actually, yes, yes I do... just a little], but I've only met maybe a few hundred people in this state who speak proper English. So, I've decided that I like your plan… Of course, I don't mean to change the license tests. I mean to challenge every Alabamian to the test of speaking English. I teach in the Alabama public college system, and I read (and hear) the simplest of grammar rules broken every single day. In breaking these basic rules, it proves to me that Alabamians don't even know English, so how can we expect anyone else to follow the same example?
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my recent life’s constant
Over the past few years, many of my friends can vouch for this: I'm not the easiest person to keep up with. Sometimes I spend weeks lingering over decisions, and sometimes I decide in an instant to go somewhere and I'm gone. I can withdraw for days and then jump out into the scene as if I was never gone. Usually, I'm always asked what I'm up to at the time, and it's not the easiest question to answer… mainly because much of the time *I* don't know. At times, my life resembles a scattered flight pattern that an untrained eye has to figure out. But, there is always one thing that everyone knows they can ask about, and one thing that is always a constant for me: hockey.
Well, actually history is too. But, it's the NHL playoffs. So, I'm rolling with this theme for now…
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Protected: lackluster
lessons from life
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." -Mark Twain
It's right at times when I think that I have gotten the hang of my day-to-day life when I get a shocking bit of news to absolutely bamboozle me once again.
Just as I turned 30, with a new lease on life, you might say, I jump to Chicago, and I found out that a few days prior, one of my former students had been brutally murdered. What an incredibly young precious life was taken long before her time. She had so much to offer, and could turn the world upside down with her smile and optimism.
Today, I'm about to embark on another trip, and I received a call that a friend, a colleague that helped lead several junior high weekends years ago at Camp Sumatanga and Camp Springville, died in a tragic accident. As I sit in the airport, I'm still in absolute shock. He would prank call me at work and lead me on and make me so frustrated, and then let out his boisterous laugh before his authentic pronoucement of my name that was completely his trademark. Yet again, another life gone long before his time, and someone who could change your life and make you think, make you smile, and make you want to prove to him that you could do better.
Of course, it's always selfish to think that people are taken before their time and to want them back to say everything you wanted, but we aren't allowed those moments all the time. But, it's in these glimpses of time when we do realize that we need to tell the people we love that we do love them… to embrace those who mean so much to us… We never know the next time we will see each person on our path.
Live your life to the fullest. Love those around you with all your heart. You never know when you won't have the chance to do so.
why it’s great to “rock the red”
[crossposted on pickmyNHLteam.com on December 31, 2009]
The Washington Capitals… up until a few years ago, locals and people across the country paid little attention to this talented team on the ice. Now, they’re the most discussed team in Washington, D.C., and they get mentions during NFL coverage of Washington Redskins games. Right now, the Caps are the hottest team in the city, and one of the hottest teams in the NHL. And there are a few reasons why this team deserves the love it gets… (in no specific order, mostly) Read more
bowl frenzy
It's that time of year again… BOWL SEASON! It's a southerner's dream vacation time, if possible… sitting around watching football ALL. THE. TIME. And, if you're lucky like this year and you follow the Southeastern Conference, ten of twelve teams accepted bids to bowl games. Unlike most of the world, which I found out recently, SEC fans usually cheer on other SEC teams. We like to make sure that we're always on top of the list when it comes to college football. Of course, sometimes that means cheering for your arch rival (as I found myself doing last night, even though the Vols completely fluked in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl), just for the sake of the conference. In talking to others, not so many people do this in other conferences… and I'm boggled by this.
Anyway, in the craziness that was December, I TOTALLY forgot to make all of my college football bowl picks. So, instead, I'll just post all of them for the games from here on out. Of course, I don't claim to be a pro. I always like to make guesses with friends and family on who will win and why. Feel free to argue… I enjoy the rivalry and competition.
Picks (in bold) after the jump… Read more
oh the insanity
Of course with December comes the insanity of the holidays…
Except, this December, I celebrated my 30th birthday. It was great. I loved it. It didn't change much. I actually would always accidentally tell people I was already 30, and then have to correct myself. Maybe I was preparing for it before? Who knows…
But, with the insanity of December also came the end of the semester for teaching and for grad school, which I fortunately aced, but not without some bit of exhaustion. After I finished each of those, I felt I was due a vacation, so I headed off to Chicago. I am due for a recap of my trip to Chicago, and I hope to do that in a few days, and include some pictures.
Also, my resolution for 2010: be better at updating my blog… Ha! It actually does keep me on my toes about my writing.
So… a short update since my last blog was in November, but the #EpicDec Chicago update will be here soon!
