And it's by choice. We leave for Yuma in a few hours and if I try to sleep there's no way I'm gonna wake up. So, I'm gonna babble on my awesome blog to the world. I wonder, how many people actually come across this? I know the only blogs I read are my personal friends' and laist. So, if millions of other blogs are going unread by yours truly then how obscure is MY blog? Will my goal to change the lives of millions through my writing go undone because my blog is not on the same "level" as Perez Hilton? The travesty!
Oh, well. It may be for the best. My grammatical defeciencies coupled with my lack of style would bore the "pop cultured" readers of the WORLD...WIDE...WEB. I'm working on it though. I'm looking into classes to clutivate and hone this passion that is buring within me. Till then I have stream of consciousness.
Today will be Day 1 of my 7 day fast. That's right 7 days! I was skinny already but apparently I'm going for ungodly skinny. I'll be frequenting Jamba but I'm still a bit scared to see how I'll look in a week. This'll be great though. I'm believing for God to speak to me on the precise direction of where I need to go. Praying for breakthroughs and looking to serve where I can, following the fasting tenents found in Isaiah 58.
We only have one assembly today which will end around 10 am. That's great 'cause I'm hoping to head to San Diego afterwards. Hit the beach, lay out and do some reading, cruise the Gas Lamp District for some honie...er, I mean feed the homeless, witness to the lost, and open air preach on the perils of listening to crappy Christian music.
I wonder if moving to Europe, becoming a freelance writer and living the boheimian life would be as exciting as I imagine it would. If it weren't for my debt I would be 85% FOR doing this! Really, I don't have much keeping me in any one place. I've lived away from my family for some time now. My closest friends are scattered throughout the world. My career is not set in one location. I have no wife and children. Only debt keeps me in the States. Man, it would be great to take my laptop, Dehlilah (my camera) and my ipod up through the fjords down through eastern Europe skimming by western Russia! I would experience the culture, frantically learn the language of the countries (at least enough to get by), writing about experiences and goings ons while I'm there. My friends and family would keep track of my progress via my blog so as not to worry. Oh, to dream...
Here is one of my ideal situations of meeting the woman of my dreams (I thought about it on the way home from work today). I'm in New York having a coffee and canole at my favorite coffee shop near NYU during the latter part of the afternoon. I'm reading "City of Quartz" by Mike Davis periodically looking up at the constant flow of traffic that's coming through the shop. There's students, professors, street performers, Juliard dancers, etc hanging out and going about their day-to-day. As I sit in the back corner-window (gives me the optimal view to see everything and everyone) adjacent to me is a beautiful woman who is also sitting alone, reading a book. She has her nose in "The Art of Travel" by Alain de Botton. At first I take a double take because she is a) beautiful and b) she's reading my favorite book of all time! I then sit in a cocktail of emotions of disbelief, excitement, fear, and joy. I can't believe that a beautiful woman would be this close to me reading a book I hold in such high regard and admiration. I'm excited 'cause I have a legitimate ice breaker (note: bumbling the words "uh...I, uh, uggh, think you're pretty, can I, (crap), buy you a coffee?" is not always a winner) but fear this is too good to be true. Ultimately I have joy because I will have witnessed that pretty people are deeper than we give them credit for.
I would have to conjur up the guts to approach her. No doubt would I take advantage of this opportunity. Not too sure what my opening sentence would be. From the get go she'd see that I'm not a threat nor a dork (crossing my fingers on the latter) and be open for conversation. Her name is Ashley. We'd talk about the classes she's taking @ Columbia (she likes the Lower East Side better which is why she's here) and her aspirations of becoming a senator. Though she's originally from Virginia she wants to reside somewhere else and is leaning towards California (hey, it's MY fantasy ok?!). She lays out her plan to revolutionize the idea of feminism and revamp much of the thinking of education. Our conversation is going great until she looks at her watch and realizes she's late for her im basketball game (be still my athletic heart!). But she emphasizes she wants to see me again so we set up a date for the Met that weekend.
I'll leave it at that for now...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Courting...Dating...Whatever...
Whenever my family asks me why I'm not married or don't have a girlfriend I always want to respond, "'Cause I'm a Christian." They wouldn't get it but I do and I would laugh and then cry to the sad commentary that is my life.
I've been spiritually raised in a church that has operated as a good amount of other churches have in regards to dating: The courting process. As I have grown this is what I learned about it. When you are single you cherish it because it's you and God. You're growing and maturing as a person as well as a child of God. During this process you're bound to be attracted to someone of the opposite sex, or the same sex if you're a Methodist or Dave (I keed, I keed), but it's you're duty to heap upon yourself heavy doses of guilt for doing so. If that doesn't work then you confer with your mentor if to see if you are ready for that next step of courting. Courting is differentiated by dating in the fact you're looking for a real commitment. Not just dating to have a significant other but looking for something serious possibly leading to marriage. If you are ready as deemed by your mentor or if the person of interest is and all checks and balances are done then you can start the courtship.
The courtship is like dating and can become a nightmare for those involved but freakin' hilarious to all bystanders. Most courtships I've witnessed the couple is normal. They go out on dates, become sickening to watch, and alienate friends. Importantly, though, they do set up boundaries necessary so as to keep purity an aspect of the relationship because they have committed it unto God. Some courtships have made me stracth my head. Instances where one of the persons dating would want a chaperone along or the only form of physical touch would be side hugs...in public...in between the hours of 11:00am and 1:03pm...on the weekends.
I know each church is different and I'm glad I've been able to witness various cultures of dating within the Christian world. It's great to see the diversity and that there is no one way of the love process. One common theme that I see are good, well placed boundaries such as no sex before marriage, no sleep overs, and no watching "A Walk to Remember" till marriage. I'm all for boundaries 'cause God know's I need them. But I'm NOT a big fan of the micormanaging that I've seen many a church gravitate to. This is my beef. If a person has a genuine relationship with God and is interested in someone who is not a stripper, satanist, or a suc alumni then should a spiritual leader stop them from dating? I know there is a lot of preemptive strikes in the name of people "not getting hurt" but c'mon! Pain is not that bad!
Why are we so afraid of people making mistakes and getting hurt? Boundaries are there so that there would be no sexual activity prior to marriage and I feel that is the only real issue to worry about (I may be wrong but I'm writing off the cuff). But heartache? What's wrong with that? Is there a fear that heartache would lead to a backsliding from God? If that's the case then there were deeper issues than a romantic relationship gone sour that should have been attended to. When do we cross the line from being a concerned friend offering our advice to a micromanager trying to play God for the "best" interest of those involved? I've liked girls, had my heart broken, and know what? I actually got CLOSER to God because of it. Like all failures you learn from them and are stronger for it. Relationships are no different and they are one of the most powerful!
What hurts the most will cause the most introspection and impetus to change. Why would God get pissed when ever the Israelites went to idols? It was because duriing their times of crises they sought refuge from their pain in the idols. God wanted them to come to HIM for peace, salvation, and all other answers. It's when we go through our pains and trials that we know where our relationship with God lies. Do we go to Him? Same with relationships. We get hurt, so our world ends. Life sucks. We put on our favorite movie, eat whatever makes us feel better, and hope it puts us into a coma for a few days. But, where do we ultimately go when our hearts our broken? When we have our dreams shattered? If it's God then you're in a good place. If in your accomplishments, your relationships, your possessions then there might be a problem. The aforementioned are not bad but if you find your salvation in them then there's a problem.
Really the dating issue is a microcosm of a major issue in the church today. Are we willing to trust God to be leading others' lives? Are we willing to trust others to be following God so as to not mircomanage their lives? I admit some people need help in the beginning and show them the ropes. Sometimes they'll have to go through a spiritual bootcamp of sorts to get them out of their detrimental habits and onto a lifestyle more conducive to relating to God and following His ways. But if we are to truly equip and teach the body of Christ that implicitly means those we've equipped and taught will then be able to live self-sustaining lives. To be honest I don't want the responsibility of managing someone else's life when I have my own to worry about. Besides, if I can't influence them from the moment they're born then controlling their lives at 35, 23, heck 15 would be insane! Let's live life, offer advice when needed and led by the Holy Spirit, and trust God actually speaks/leads others as well. Novel thought, eh?
I've been spiritually raised in a church that has operated as a good amount of other churches have in regards to dating: The courting process. As I have grown this is what I learned about it. When you are single you cherish it because it's you and God. You're growing and maturing as a person as well as a child of God. During this process you're bound to be attracted to someone of the opposite sex, or the same sex if you're a Methodist or Dave (I keed, I keed), but it's you're duty to heap upon yourself heavy doses of guilt for doing so. If that doesn't work then you confer with your mentor if to see if you are ready for that next step of courting. Courting is differentiated by dating in the fact you're looking for a real commitment. Not just dating to have a significant other but looking for something serious possibly leading to marriage. If you are ready as deemed by your mentor or if the person of interest is and all checks and balances are done then you can start the courtship.
The courtship is like dating and can become a nightmare for those involved but freakin' hilarious to all bystanders. Most courtships I've witnessed the couple is normal. They go out on dates, become sickening to watch, and alienate friends. Importantly, though, they do set up boundaries necessary so as to keep purity an aspect of the relationship because they have committed it unto God. Some courtships have made me stracth my head. Instances where one of the persons dating would want a chaperone along or the only form of physical touch would be side hugs...in public...in between the hours of 11:00am and 1:03pm...on the weekends.
I know each church is different and I'm glad I've been able to witness various cultures of dating within the Christian world. It's great to see the diversity and that there is no one way of the love process. One common theme that I see are good, well placed boundaries such as no sex before marriage, no sleep overs, and no watching "A Walk to Remember" till marriage. I'm all for boundaries 'cause God know's I need them. But I'm NOT a big fan of the micormanaging that I've seen many a church gravitate to. This is my beef. If a person has a genuine relationship with God and is interested in someone who is not a stripper, satanist, or a suc alumni then should a spiritual leader stop them from dating? I know there is a lot of preemptive strikes in the name of people "not getting hurt" but c'mon! Pain is not that bad!
Why are we so afraid of people making mistakes and getting hurt? Boundaries are there so that there would be no sexual activity prior to marriage and I feel that is the only real issue to worry about (I may be wrong but I'm writing off the cuff). But heartache? What's wrong with that? Is there a fear that heartache would lead to a backsliding from God? If that's the case then there were deeper issues than a romantic relationship gone sour that should have been attended to. When do we cross the line from being a concerned friend offering our advice to a micromanager trying to play God for the "best" interest of those involved? I've liked girls, had my heart broken, and know what? I actually got CLOSER to God because of it. Like all failures you learn from them and are stronger for it. Relationships are no different and they are one of the most powerful!
What hurts the most will cause the most introspection and impetus to change. Why would God get pissed when ever the Israelites went to idols? It was because duriing their times of crises they sought refuge from their pain in the idols. God wanted them to come to HIM for peace, salvation, and all other answers. It's when we go through our pains and trials that we know where our relationship with God lies. Do we go to Him? Same with relationships. We get hurt, so our world ends. Life sucks. We put on our favorite movie, eat whatever makes us feel better, and hope it puts us into a coma for a few days. But, where do we ultimately go when our hearts our broken? When we have our dreams shattered? If it's God then you're in a good place. If in your accomplishments, your relationships, your possessions then there might be a problem. The aforementioned are not bad but if you find your salvation in them then there's a problem.
Really the dating issue is a microcosm of a major issue in the church today. Are we willing to trust God to be leading others' lives? Are we willing to trust others to be following God so as to not mircomanage their lives? I admit some people need help in the beginning and show them the ropes. Sometimes they'll have to go through a spiritual bootcamp of sorts to get them out of their detrimental habits and onto a lifestyle more conducive to relating to God and following His ways. But if we are to truly equip and teach the body of Christ that implicitly means those we've equipped and taught will then be able to live self-sustaining lives. To be honest I don't want the responsibility of managing someone else's life when I have my own to worry about. Besides, if I can't influence them from the moment they're born then controlling their lives at 35, 23, heck 15 would be insane! Let's live life, offer advice when needed and led by the Holy Spirit, and trust God actually speaks/leads others as well. Novel thought, eh?
I Actually Had a Good Day Yesterday
The way my life has been going lately it was a welcomed surprise. My morning was same ol', same ol' with Sunday church, set up/tear down, etc. Nothing bad but nothing great. It wasn't till I got a call from one of my close friends Daniel.
He's in Texas raising support with his fiance and he was driving to Dallas and wanted to waste some time. He knew I was going through some stuff and I gave him the update and the latest craptacular events that happened this past week. Daniel was so encouraging telling me that he was glad he wasn't in my position (really, I loved the honesty) then proceeded to tell me of some of the crap he's been through these past couple of years. He also prayed for me and gave me some pearls of wisdom. It wasn't anything too "life-altering" but it helped and it was great to talk, having him listen and genuinely care about my situation. As I was getting off my best friend from LA, Vic, called.
It had been a while since we last talked due to that timeless game of phone chat we constantly play. I gave him the update too and he told me what he has been going through. Though it too was not "life-altering" the down and dirty "here's our lives, it sucks, we're not happy with it, be we're standing together as brothers in Christ" conversation was what I needed. That's what I love about God; we don't have to always be happy, we can vent and be "real" with Him, and I won't be struck down for it. I have the freedom to feel what I feel, think what I think, and know that's normal! That's all I want right now. I just want to be normal and not be ostracized for it.
Deep down inside I know what I'm called to do. I will be a sport psych/performance enhancement consultant, teacher/prof, and doing something in government with character. But, it is enticing to move to Europe, become a writer, and live the boheimian life. Not gonna lie, it's VERY appealing right now. But alas, I know God wants me here and I will wait on Him.
Until then I have this great new book I bought while waiting to watch the new "Pirates" movie. It's called, "The Rise of the Creative Class." Talks about how the creative people who populate creativce centers (i.e. Austin, Seattle, etc.) are the reasons for economic growth and are the key to our country's future not only economically but culturally and influentially. I'll give brief updates as I read. I love it because this is something I would've wrote but more as an essay since I don't have the time to do the research and come up with the stats as Richard Florida (author) has done.
One last thing. Please check out laist.com and it's various other city blogs that you can find links to atop of their pages. They are great reads and worth bookmarking on your computer. I'm biased and think laist is the best but torontoist and austinist can hold their own. Don't get me wrong there are NO subpar blogs in this line but those are my favorites. Enjoy! Lates!
He's in Texas raising support with his fiance and he was driving to Dallas and wanted to waste some time. He knew I was going through some stuff and I gave him the update and the latest craptacular events that happened this past week. Daniel was so encouraging telling me that he was glad he wasn't in my position (really, I loved the honesty) then proceeded to tell me of some of the crap he's been through these past couple of years. He also prayed for me and gave me some pearls of wisdom. It wasn't anything too "life-altering" but it helped and it was great to talk, having him listen and genuinely care about my situation. As I was getting off my best friend from LA, Vic, called.
It had been a while since we last talked due to that timeless game of phone chat we constantly play. I gave him the update too and he told me what he has been going through. Though it too was not "life-altering" the down and dirty "here's our lives, it sucks, we're not happy with it, be we're standing together as brothers in Christ" conversation was what I needed. That's what I love about God; we don't have to always be happy, we can vent and be "real" with Him, and I won't be struck down for it. I have the freedom to feel what I feel, think what I think, and know that's normal! That's all I want right now. I just want to be normal and not be ostracized for it.
Deep down inside I know what I'm called to do. I will be a sport psych/performance enhancement consultant, teacher/prof, and doing something in government with character. But, it is enticing to move to Europe, become a writer, and live the boheimian life. Not gonna lie, it's VERY appealing right now. But alas, I know God wants me here and I will wait on Him.
Until then I have this great new book I bought while waiting to watch the new "Pirates" movie. It's called, "The Rise of the Creative Class." Talks about how the creative people who populate creativce centers (i.e. Austin, Seattle, etc.) are the reasons for economic growth and are the key to our country's future not only economically but culturally and influentially. I'll give brief updates as I read. I love it because this is something I would've wrote but more as an essay since I don't have the time to do the research and come up with the stats as Richard Florida (author) has done.
One last thing. Please check out laist.com and it's various other city blogs that you can find links to atop of their pages. They are great reads and worth bookmarking on your computer. I'm biased and think laist is the best but torontoist and austinist can hold their own. Don't get me wrong there are NO subpar blogs in this line but those are my favorites. Enjoy! Lates!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
What makes me selfish?
This is probably my biggest problem right now. I am selfish. I say this because I think about what I think about and I realize the vast majority is about me! About what makes me happy, my problems, what I want to do, how the world should revolve around me. I avoid going out at times because the people I'd be hanging out with don't make me happy. They're not my good friends from LA, Michigan, or New York. I want to be alone, ride out my time and resurface as the same outgoing, gatherer I once was back in LA. I feel like I should be investing my time and energy into men right now but to be honest I don't want to. I don't feel like they'd let me anyways. The only people who has let me pour myself into their lives has been an eccentric but great kid (Paul) and a senior at ASU (Ryan) who happens to go to another church. Other than them I've really not received respect for what I could do for them.
I was hesitant to write this but the men I've been around here in Arizona have severly underestimated me and have not grasped what I could do for them. I've been shunned for trying to lead (look at the fiasco once known as the Varsity) and when told I am the leader their pride rises up. I wondered why it's been so hard for me to work with the men here and I finally realized why. Pretty much every guy here is trying to assert himself as an independent, strong, autonomous person who SHOULD be the leader, the one to be looked up to. At UCLA we all knew our roles. Hell we would encourage each other to do better, be better! We loved one another as brothers and wanted to see all of us succeed. Yes, we had our moments but for the most part they were a great bunch of guys to lead and I really enjoyed it. To this day I still get that respect of being an older brother, one they could go to for counsel and advice knowing my wisdom is from God and I would be in their lives because I love them. Nothing else. If only it were so easy here.
It comes down to security and identity. Where does your identity lie? Since day one I can say the only true secure men I've lived with were Al and Jerome and appropriately enough they were getting married. I cannot stress how hard it is to lead a man, let alone men, who do not have a secure identity in Christ because THEY feel they should lead. THEY feel that they have more answers than you. During this time I've come to appreciate what king David did by rallying all the degenerates and they in turn respected him as the king God annointed him to be. That is something I need to work on. I can tell myself I won't have to deal with this down the road but I'm not sure. I better learn just in case.
To be honest it's their loss. I have a lot to offer but it's going untapped. Paul gets some, but he's not always around yet he soaks it up. Ryan was able to get a whole lot of it and it was great to see him grow. Unfortunately we don't see each other since my church started up. The guys back home? Only when I see them thought it's few and far between. Right now I'm outlet-less. Yes, I take the responsibility of not finding more outlets. I'm tired. I'm frustrated with the attitudes I have had to still have to deal with. If I had the money I'd move out to my own place. Live in a one bedroom, or even a studio. I don't want to deal with people right now. Well, at least...nah, I won't say it. That's what makes me selfish.
I was hesitant to write this but the men I've been around here in Arizona have severly underestimated me and have not grasped what I could do for them. I've been shunned for trying to lead (look at the fiasco once known as the Varsity) and when told I am the leader their pride rises up. I wondered why it's been so hard for me to work with the men here and I finally realized why. Pretty much every guy here is trying to assert himself as an independent, strong, autonomous person who SHOULD be the leader, the one to be looked up to. At UCLA we all knew our roles. Hell we would encourage each other to do better, be better! We loved one another as brothers and wanted to see all of us succeed. Yes, we had our moments but for the most part they were a great bunch of guys to lead and I really enjoyed it. To this day I still get that respect of being an older brother, one they could go to for counsel and advice knowing my wisdom is from God and I would be in their lives because I love them. Nothing else. If only it were so easy here.
It comes down to security and identity. Where does your identity lie? Since day one I can say the only true secure men I've lived with were Al and Jerome and appropriately enough they were getting married. I cannot stress how hard it is to lead a man, let alone men, who do not have a secure identity in Christ because THEY feel they should lead. THEY feel that they have more answers than you. During this time I've come to appreciate what king David did by rallying all the degenerates and they in turn respected him as the king God annointed him to be. That is something I need to work on. I can tell myself I won't have to deal with this down the road but I'm not sure. I better learn just in case.
To be honest it's their loss. I have a lot to offer but it's going untapped. Paul gets some, but he's not always around yet he soaks it up. Ryan was able to get a whole lot of it and it was great to see him grow. Unfortunately we don't see each other since my church started up. The guys back home? Only when I see them thought it's few and far between. Right now I'm outlet-less. Yes, I take the responsibility of not finding more outlets. I'm tired. I'm frustrated with the attitudes I have had to still have to deal with. If I had the money I'd move out to my own place. Live in a one bedroom, or even a studio. I don't want to deal with people right now. Well, at least...nah, I won't say it. That's what makes me selfish.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Album Review: Taylor Swift; "Taylor Swift"
I’ve always been inspired by artists, particularly those who use their creative gifts to communicate a message to their audience. I’m amazed that an artist will know how to relate to the audience truths about life that affect them in such a way as to dramatically impact their lives. It doesn’t even have to be songs dealing with the hiv epidemic in Africa, some existential exploration, or even a critique on the Administration. It can be as simple as love and the desire to grow up. For me it’s gratifying to see someone accomplish this particularly at a young age and Taylor Swift has done it.
Taylor Swift released her first album, self-entitled; “Taylor Swift” at an age when most girls her age are just trying to survive high school. Though “only” a teen she is aware of her surroundings and life and has articulated that in her songs. She has done a great job of relating to us, her audience, not only what she has gone through but what WE have gone through. She reminds us that although we all go through the same heart aches and life questioning her songs make us feel like they are OUR problems and someone actually cares enough to sing about it.
First off I have to say that I loved almost every song not only for it’s sound and voice but because of the lyrics. “Tim McGraw” is the first track off the album and was the first release. It’s a song about losing a love and hoping that every time he thought about the everyday he would remember her. It’s great because who has not fell in love and wanted to feel so important that our significant other would think of us when anything little thing would trigger an amazing memory.
“Picture to Burn” is more of a “you broke my heart here I am to tear you a new one” type song. Touching. Basically don’t break a gal’s heart unless you want to understand “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
“Teardrops on My Guitar” is my second favorite song on this great album. It was this video (awesome by the way and I highly recommend buying it on itunes) that first introduced me to Ms. Swift and it’s a beauty. “Teardrops” is a song about a girl who loves a boy who loves another girl. The kicker? The boy confides in first girl about his love for the second…all…the…time. We have all been in one of these situations at one time or another in our lives. I’ve been the guy the girl I’ve liked has confided in. I’ve been the guy that was oblivious to the girl! Not always fun. Taylor knows how to paint a picture that may be uniquely her experience but at the same time we can all say is ours as well.
I absolutely love to see people think about something more than their social status or what they have to make them happy. A “Place in this World” and “The Outside” Swift tackles this beautifully. Taylor articulates her existential moment. It’s a peek into her mind more than anything. She feels alone trying to figure out life. Taylor acknowledges she doesn’t have it figured out, that each day is a mystery, and that’s great! “The Outside” could be construed as a follow up to “Place.” She’s screaming to the world she wants to grow and mature but no one is giving her a chance! It’s a critique on us as adults showing how we look down at children, not giving them a chance to experience life. She wants to take chances, she wants to fail, she wants to succeed. She’s not afraid, she’s chomping at the bit!
“Cold As You” is a pretty harsh “hurt by love” song. Comes down to a boy taking a girl for granted and she’s devastated by it. I hope she didn’t have to experience this first hand.
“Should’ve Said No” is along the same vein as “Cold As You” but this time ‘bout a cheatin’ man! Yes, she is a country singer folks.
“Stay Beautiful” is my favorite song by far! And that’s saying a lot! Corey is a boy that all the girls adore. He’s gonna be a success and is pretty humble to boot! Our narrator is one of his admirers and wants him to go out and accomplish all he can accomplish. Her wish, her hope is that if fate would have it, down the road, life would lead Corey to her front door. I love it on a few levels. It sounds great: her voice, music, everything. I love Taylor’s diction to paint such a vivid picture of this great guy and the town who must look up at him with such admiration. Lastly, this is the type of song that every guy would love to have sung about him. Every guy would love to have a girl, let alone girls, not only find him attractive but know that he will make something great of himself. Not only that, they are supportive to not try to hold him back rather encourage him and just hope they will have a chance with him down the road.
“Mary’s Song (My My My)” and “Our Song” are really sentimental love songs. “Mary’s Song…” is about a boy and girl who grow up together that eventually fall in love, marry, and grow old together. Taylor goes through different moments from their childhood through their old age that are romantic but normal enough it could happen to anyone! “Our Song” tells the story of a girl wanting an “our song” but her beau shows her they do but it’s not your typical rhyme and melody. It’s the sound he makes tapping on her window, her whispering on the phone so that her mother doesn’t find out she’s still talking on the phone, and the way she laughs! Yes, that would be considered romantic. Both of these songs have such great details! It’s so story-esque yet so simple. You would think that you have to be lucky to have it happen to you but it could happen effortlessly!
Taylor Swift’s debut album is nothing short of great setting lofty expectations for her sophomore release. Needless to say I love it. Her voice, the music, and her great writing is an awesome combination that the country scene is blessed to possess. Her songs are able to reach out to a broad audience. There is at least one song that everyone can relate to on a very personal level. She has a bright future ahead of her. You stay classy Taylor Swift!
Taylor Swift released her first album, self-entitled; “Taylor Swift” at an age when most girls her age are just trying to survive high school. Though “only” a teen she is aware of her surroundings and life and has articulated that in her songs. She has done a great job of relating to us, her audience, not only what she has gone through but what WE have gone through. She reminds us that although we all go through the same heart aches and life questioning her songs make us feel like they are OUR problems and someone actually cares enough to sing about it.
First off I have to say that I loved almost every song not only for it’s sound and voice but because of the lyrics. “Tim McGraw” is the first track off the album and was the first release. It’s a song about losing a love and hoping that every time he thought about the everyday he would remember her. It’s great because who has not fell in love and wanted to feel so important that our significant other would think of us when anything little thing would trigger an amazing memory.
“Picture to Burn” is more of a “you broke my heart here I am to tear you a new one” type song. Touching. Basically don’t break a gal’s heart unless you want to understand “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
“Teardrops on My Guitar” is my second favorite song on this great album. It was this video (awesome by the way and I highly recommend buying it on itunes) that first introduced me to Ms. Swift and it’s a beauty. “Teardrops” is a song about a girl who loves a boy who loves another girl. The kicker? The boy confides in first girl about his love for the second…all…the…time. We have all been in one of these situations at one time or another in our lives. I’ve been the guy the girl I’ve liked has confided in. I’ve been the guy that was oblivious to the girl! Not always fun. Taylor knows how to paint a picture that may be uniquely her experience but at the same time we can all say is ours as well.
I absolutely love to see people think about something more than their social status or what they have to make them happy. A “Place in this World” and “The Outside” Swift tackles this beautifully. Taylor articulates her existential moment. It’s a peek into her mind more than anything. She feels alone trying to figure out life. Taylor acknowledges she doesn’t have it figured out, that each day is a mystery, and that’s great! “The Outside” could be construed as a follow up to “Place.” She’s screaming to the world she wants to grow and mature but no one is giving her a chance! It’s a critique on us as adults showing how we look down at children, not giving them a chance to experience life. She wants to take chances, she wants to fail, she wants to succeed. She’s not afraid, she’s chomping at the bit!
“Cold As You” is a pretty harsh “hurt by love” song. Comes down to a boy taking a girl for granted and she’s devastated by it. I hope she didn’t have to experience this first hand.
“Should’ve Said No” is along the same vein as “Cold As You” but this time ‘bout a cheatin’ man! Yes, she is a country singer folks.
“Stay Beautiful” is my favorite song by far! And that’s saying a lot! Corey is a boy that all the girls adore. He’s gonna be a success and is pretty humble to boot! Our narrator is one of his admirers and wants him to go out and accomplish all he can accomplish. Her wish, her hope is that if fate would have it, down the road, life would lead Corey to her front door. I love it on a few levels. It sounds great: her voice, music, everything. I love Taylor’s diction to paint such a vivid picture of this great guy and the town who must look up at him with such admiration. Lastly, this is the type of song that every guy would love to have sung about him. Every guy would love to have a girl, let alone girls, not only find him attractive but know that he will make something great of himself. Not only that, they are supportive to not try to hold him back rather encourage him and just hope they will have a chance with him down the road.
“Mary’s Song (My My My)” and “Our Song” are really sentimental love songs. “Mary’s Song…” is about a boy and girl who grow up together that eventually fall in love, marry, and grow old together. Taylor goes through different moments from their childhood through their old age that are romantic but normal enough it could happen to anyone! “Our Song” tells the story of a girl wanting an “our song” but her beau shows her they do but it’s not your typical rhyme and melody. It’s the sound he makes tapping on her window, her whispering on the phone so that her mother doesn’t find out she’s still talking on the phone, and the way she laughs! Yes, that would be considered romantic. Both of these songs have such great details! It’s so story-esque yet so simple. You would think that you have to be lucky to have it happen to you but it could happen effortlessly!
Taylor Swift’s debut album is nothing short of great setting lofty expectations for her sophomore release. Needless to say I love it. Her voice, the music, and her great writing is an awesome combination that the country scene is blessed to possess. Her songs are able to reach out to a broad audience. There is at least one song that everyone can relate to on a very personal level. She has a bright future ahead of her. You stay classy Taylor Swift!
Monday, May 21, 2007
I'm 28.
Yay me. Today I turned 28 and I decided to reflect on where I'm at. I've led a VERY blessed life. Not only can I not complain but I am SOO greateful to God for all that He's done in me and given me. I have great friends and family around the world, I've been able to travel the world, I've accomplished so many of my dreams and goals, and I can honestly say I've listened to God and am exactly where I should be in life. Do I want to be here is the question.
I don't want this to sound whiney, just articulating what's in my heart and mind. I have the most important things in life (i.e. relationship with God, great relationships with friends and family, health, etc) but I always strive for more. I'm eager to achieve the dreams God has put in my heart. I'm restless to be called up to the Big Show that is my destiny. But I'm not there. Actually I'm far from it. I'm in major debt, I have no car, I can't go to grad school yet, have not stepped into the major circle of influentials as I thought I would by now, and I'm single. These are all things that weigh on my heart as failures, stuff I haven't been able to attain though I yearn for them badly. It hurts. I don't let this stuff inhibit what I have to do but there are times where I sit down and assess my situation and the pain comes. I think it hurts right now because of my two years of "wilderness" here in Phoenix proceeded my two years of happiness in Michigan.
As weird as it may sound my two years at State were some of the best years of my life. I made great friends, got travel more than ever before, was studying sport psych AND teaching college level classes. Even the weather was cool (no pun intended) because it was nothing I had experience before in my life. Basically God was answering my prayers. I would on a constant basis look up at God and ask Him if I was His favorite because of all the blessings I had and was going through. That's how great it was. I long for those days again. It was the feeling that I was walking in my destiny; the very thing God predestined me to walk in. I was enjoying EVERYTHING I was doing from teaching to learning to research. It was all that I wanted and then some! I WANTED to get out of bed and tackle the day. Now where all that I planned for and hoped would come about has fallen through I'm in pain. I hate to admit this but I do have to fight self-pity. I constantly remind myself of how God gave me my Michigan experience and He will give me something similar down the road. Whatever it is I need to go through now is prep for what I need to do for my destiny. I realize that this time of pain is good because it's working something in me that needs to be pruned otherwise the desires of my heart He wants to grant me won't come about because I won't have the character to walk it out properly.
As I sat on my bedroom floor I took a brief look at my life. Yes I am in debt, have no car, a low paying job, am single, and my closest friends are in various places around the world. Through all of that I realize how much more I want to be with God. I WANT to be closer to Him 'cause I realize more and more how much He does provide not only financially and spirtiually but also relationally. I figure if Moses and Abraham can be close to God why can't I, right? I have no idea how much longer I have to go through this but I do know I'll be experiencing something new with God. May sound cliche but it's all I got...literally.
I don't want this to sound whiney, just articulating what's in my heart and mind. I have the most important things in life (i.e. relationship with God, great relationships with friends and family, health, etc) but I always strive for more. I'm eager to achieve the dreams God has put in my heart. I'm restless to be called up to the Big Show that is my destiny. But I'm not there. Actually I'm far from it. I'm in major debt, I have no car, I can't go to grad school yet, have not stepped into the major circle of influentials as I thought I would by now, and I'm single. These are all things that weigh on my heart as failures, stuff I haven't been able to attain though I yearn for them badly. It hurts. I don't let this stuff inhibit what I have to do but there are times where I sit down and assess my situation and the pain comes. I think it hurts right now because of my two years of "wilderness" here in Phoenix proceeded my two years of happiness in Michigan.
As weird as it may sound my two years at State were some of the best years of my life. I made great friends, got travel more than ever before, was studying sport psych AND teaching college level classes. Even the weather was cool (no pun intended) because it was nothing I had experience before in my life. Basically God was answering my prayers. I would on a constant basis look up at God and ask Him if I was His favorite because of all the blessings I had and was going through. That's how great it was. I long for those days again. It was the feeling that I was walking in my destiny; the very thing God predestined me to walk in. I was enjoying EVERYTHING I was doing from teaching to learning to research. It was all that I wanted and then some! I WANTED to get out of bed and tackle the day. Now where all that I planned for and hoped would come about has fallen through I'm in pain. I hate to admit this but I do have to fight self-pity. I constantly remind myself of how God gave me my Michigan experience and He will give me something similar down the road. Whatever it is I need to go through now is prep for what I need to do for my destiny. I realize that this time of pain is good because it's working something in me that needs to be pruned otherwise the desires of my heart He wants to grant me won't come about because I won't have the character to walk it out properly.
As I sat on my bedroom floor I took a brief look at my life. Yes I am in debt, have no car, a low paying job, am single, and my closest friends are in various places around the world. Through all of that I realize how much more I want to be with God. I WANT to be closer to Him 'cause I realize more and more how much He does provide not only financially and spirtiually but also relationally. I figure if Moses and Abraham can be close to God why can't I, right? I have no idea how much longer I have to go through this but I do know I'll be experiencing something new with God. May sound cliche but it's all I got...literally.
Friday, May 18, 2007
"WE ARE-CRAP-PY! WE ARE-CRAP-PY!"
As UCLA won its 100th NCAA title (this one coming in women's water polo) the whole nation (by nation I mean universities that actually care about athletics) looked on in awe. Bruins from around the nation wrote on message boards how their colleagues from various conferences (i.e. SEC, Big XII, Big Ten, etc) called to congratulate them on their alma mater's achievement. But, you never would guess the one "school" that tried to belittle such a great acheivement. That's right the arrogant, pompous, idiots of The "University" of Second Choice.
They put up on their athletic site a day or two after UCLA reaches 100 that THEY truly have the best athletic department because they have numerous NCAA (95) titles AND national championships that the NCAA does not take into account their football titles (11). Good grief can they not accept the fact the world does NOT revolve around them?!They're like the meat head older brother that can't stand to see his little brother grow up not only to be the smartest, but also the best looking and most athletic in the family. This same older brother is also making poor choices leading to investigations (i.e. Bushgate, Sanchez sexual assault case, racist linemen on Facebook, etc) while little bro' has made some mistakes here and there but overall is actually contributing to society in a great way (i.e. leaders in hiv research, finding new therapies to deal with mental abnormalities, being home to alumni as Ralph Bunche, Arthur Ashe, Jackie Robinson; being the "Peoples' University" etc). To add stupidity to arrogance they don't even do a good job of getting all the facts. If they did the same math for UCLA and add the non-NCAA recognized titles then they would have realized that UCLA has 121 overall titles compared to their 106. Good freakin' grief!
One other point of argument for the suc-sters is that UCLA has won a lot of titles in women's sports. WTF? Does that matter? Isn't that a good thing? Would they like to add mysogeny to their list of titles along with @$#@, !#$@#!@, and my favorite @#$@#$?
I don't think I can hate an institution more.
They put up on their athletic site a day or two after UCLA reaches 100 that THEY truly have the best athletic department because they have numerous NCAA (95) titles AND national championships that the NCAA does not take into account their football titles (11). Good grief can they not accept the fact the world does NOT revolve around them?!They're like the meat head older brother that can't stand to see his little brother grow up not only to be the smartest, but also the best looking and most athletic in the family. This same older brother is also making poor choices leading to investigations (i.e. Bushgate, Sanchez sexual assault case, racist linemen on Facebook, etc) while little bro' has made some mistakes here and there but overall is actually contributing to society in a great way (i.e. leaders in hiv research, finding new therapies to deal with mental abnormalities, being home to alumni as Ralph Bunche, Arthur Ashe, Jackie Robinson; being the "Peoples' University" etc). To add stupidity to arrogance they don't even do a good job of getting all the facts. If they did the same math for UCLA and add the non-NCAA recognized titles then they would have realized that UCLA has 121 overall titles compared to their 106. Good freakin' grief!
One other point of argument for the suc-sters is that UCLA has won a lot of titles in women's sports. WTF? Does that matter? Isn't that a good thing? Would they like to add mysogeny to their list of titles along with @$#@, !#$@#!@, and my favorite @#$@#$?
I don't think I can hate an institution more.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
A New Hope
For those that don’t know I work with an assembly company that goes around the country “Inspiring a Culture of Character” in schools (k-12). We do assemblies, parents’ meetings, student leader meetings, and teacher meetings (my favorite) to help schools develop a culture of character that serves as the foundation for their academic, relational, and community success. My job has been as a presenter in the assemblies.
I get up with a partner and do a well thought out presentation on the importance of character (i.e. being respectful, responsible, etc.). This entails more than just disseminating information to an audience of elementary, jr. high, or senior high students. I have to win their attention, earn their respect, and show them how much I care for them within the first 10 minutes of them filing into the show. Yeah, no pressure. But, with the grace of God, and my charming personality, the kids buy in. They pay attention and most of them catch what we’re trying to say. We have our bad days but our great days outweigh them all. Today was one of the latter.
My buddy, Todd, and I went out to a pretty remote part of Arizona to do a small town school of roughly 70 students. I have to preface this by stating Todd and I are part of a team that focuses solely on k-6th grades. It’s built around the theme of him and I being cadets taking on the last day of training which entails finding and understanding the Six Pillars of Character. We pass we are in the “Power 6 Unit.” We fail, we suck at life. Pretty simple. There is a lot of schlap stick humor geared towards the kiddies but we do throw in some subtle jokes and allusions to keep, if anyone, us amused. Well, today the principal asked if it was ok if the jr. high kids watched along with the rest of the school. That’s always an ify because jr. high kids don’t always take too kindly to the “kiddy” stuff. We acquiesced nonetheless. Why not? If anything these kids will have the language of the Six Pillars beat in their heads, reinforcing something that’s good.
It was a rough start to the assembly. Todd and I are used to a rambunctious crowd due to it being young kids getting to go to an assembly coupled with our number one crowd control: THE ALMIGHT JOLLY RANCHER! That one inch cube of refined sugar can get a kid to shut their hole and smile like an angel like no other! It really is a God send. To quote McIntyre; “Kids’ll go to war for candy.” No joke. Well, we were notified, literally, two minutes before the show that there is a “no candy” policy at the school. They basically should’ve told us they were cutting off our balls. As always we improvised: we offered no incentive. Yay us. Not the start we were hoping for. Add the jr. high kids that are too cool for school and we become the two biggest tools on campus. We pressed on. There was one redeeming factor that gave us hope. We had two guys that were loud, obnoxious, and on our side: River and Daniel. Without them the jr. high section would’ve been hurtin’. If anything they made me smile.
We get through the assembly and the kids were happy. We weren’t pelted with expletives or batteries so it was a good day. We say “bye” to the kids and we tore down our equipment. As we’re tearing down the principal offered to give us caf lunch (chicken nuggets!). Our response: “!#$@# yeah!” Ok, maybe not THAT emphatic but we were stoked. C’mon, CHICKEN FREAKIN’ NUGGETS! Does it get any better than that? EXACTLY. As always, when we get a free lunch we also get to hang with the kids which is always fun. I sat with a few of the elementary kids but then they left me for recess. Jerks. But the jr. high kids came in. Of course there were a few good ones that wouldn’t leave me hanging and kept me company.
Our hanging out started off like any other lunch time conversation but then it took an interesting turn. I forgot how we got on the subject but I think a couple of the kids were talking about wanting to kick the crap out of one of the other kids. Oh those little rascals! I then asked them what were the problems on campus. They gave me fighting, gossip, back stabbing, etc. Then I asked if they wanted to know how to curb this and to my surprise they said “yes.” This is where the cool stuff started to happen.
What proceeded to happen is the stuff I live for! I started to explain how having good or bad character can dramatically affect their relationships: the very thing that may be most important in their lives right now. I can’t recall all the details but I remember just seeing their faces and their eyes telling me they were not only getting it but they were hungry for it! They were asked great questions and made some pretty profound statements. Daniel really stood out to me. He told me about his desire to be a good guy on his way to holiday in LA. He wanted to be nicer/more caring and started off by just greeting random people with a “hi.” How awesome is that?! A 12/13 year old kid wanting to be more caring and starting in freakin’ LA! He was unpleasantly surprised when one of my fellow Los Angelinos gave him the bird. Yep, those are my peeps. Sorry Daniel. What I wish I could’ve told Daniel was that the person that told him he was “number one” must’ve thought he was being a punk kid. Really, how many of us can say that we wouldn’t be thrown off when a young man like Daniel would genuinely be saying “hi” to us? Yeah, the guy/gal probably thought Daniel was just trying to be a jerk and, being in LA, Daniel got a pretty typical response.
I really wanted to hit home the importance of doing what’s right will benefit them no matter how tough it may be. I wanted them to know that it starts with them and when they start to see the fruit of it (i.e. success in school, relationships, etc.) then others will not only jump on board but will follow them! They start to do what’s right today they become tomorrow’s leaders! To see them catch that got me pumped! Effin-a Cotton! I had to leave but it took everything within me to get myself out of there. Those kids were freakin’ awesome!
Todd and I headed back home but we made sure we prayed for them and the school as a whole before we left the campus. It’s times like these that reiterate the importance of Big Mouth and how God is using us. We’re here to show the next generation the importance of righteousness and justice and with that salvation is close at hand (Is. 56:1). I want this country to go from glory to glory, strength to strength, faith to faith and it can’t happen with hooligans and eff-ups running around. I’m not too worried though. With the vision God has given me and the men He’s placed in my life our country and the next generation will NOT go to hell in a hand basket, there will be NO rapture, and we will not fall like Rome! NO! We will renew our covenant with God and will continue to be the country that leads the world because of God’s Spirit that is on us and leading us (Is. 60:1-3)!
(Yes, I know this was a freakin’ long post. So sue me!)
I get up with a partner and do a well thought out presentation on the importance of character (i.e. being respectful, responsible, etc.). This entails more than just disseminating information to an audience of elementary, jr. high, or senior high students. I have to win their attention, earn their respect, and show them how much I care for them within the first 10 minutes of them filing into the show. Yeah, no pressure. But, with the grace of God, and my charming personality, the kids buy in. They pay attention and most of them catch what we’re trying to say. We have our bad days but our great days outweigh them all. Today was one of the latter.
My buddy, Todd, and I went out to a pretty remote part of Arizona to do a small town school of roughly 70 students. I have to preface this by stating Todd and I are part of a team that focuses solely on k-6th grades. It’s built around the theme of him and I being cadets taking on the last day of training which entails finding and understanding the Six Pillars of Character. We pass we are in the “Power 6 Unit.” We fail, we suck at life. Pretty simple. There is a lot of schlap stick humor geared towards the kiddies but we do throw in some subtle jokes and allusions to keep, if anyone, us amused. Well, today the principal asked if it was ok if the jr. high kids watched along with the rest of the school. That’s always an ify because jr. high kids don’t always take too kindly to the “kiddy” stuff. We acquiesced nonetheless. Why not? If anything these kids will have the language of the Six Pillars beat in their heads, reinforcing something that’s good.
It was a rough start to the assembly. Todd and I are used to a rambunctious crowd due to it being young kids getting to go to an assembly coupled with our number one crowd control: THE ALMIGHT JOLLY RANCHER! That one inch cube of refined sugar can get a kid to shut their hole and smile like an angel like no other! It really is a God send. To quote McIntyre; “Kids’ll go to war for candy.” No joke. Well, we were notified, literally, two minutes before the show that there is a “no candy” policy at the school. They basically should’ve told us they were cutting off our balls. As always we improvised: we offered no incentive. Yay us. Not the start we were hoping for. Add the jr. high kids that are too cool for school and we become the two biggest tools on campus. We pressed on. There was one redeeming factor that gave us hope. We had two guys that were loud, obnoxious, and on our side: River and Daniel. Without them the jr. high section would’ve been hurtin’. If anything they made me smile.
We get through the assembly and the kids were happy. We weren’t pelted with expletives or batteries so it was a good day. We say “bye” to the kids and we tore down our equipment. As we’re tearing down the principal offered to give us caf lunch (chicken nuggets!). Our response: “!#$@# yeah!” Ok, maybe not THAT emphatic but we were stoked. C’mon, CHICKEN FREAKIN’ NUGGETS! Does it get any better than that? EXACTLY. As always, when we get a free lunch we also get to hang with the kids which is always fun. I sat with a few of the elementary kids but then they left me for recess. Jerks. But the jr. high kids came in. Of course there were a few good ones that wouldn’t leave me hanging and kept me company.
Our hanging out started off like any other lunch time conversation but then it took an interesting turn. I forgot how we got on the subject but I think a couple of the kids were talking about wanting to kick the crap out of one of the other kids. Oh those little rascals! I then asked them what were the problems on campus. They gave me fighting, gossip, back stabbing, etc. Then I asked if they wanted to know how to curb this and to my surprise they said “yes.” This is where the cool stuff started to happen.
What proceeded to happen is the stuff I live for! I started to explain how having good or bad character can dramatically affect their relationships: the very thing that may be most important in their lives right now. I can’t recall all the details but I remember just seeing their faces and their eyes telling me they were not only getting it but they were hungry for it! They were asked great questions and made some pretty profound statements. Daniel really stood out to me. He told me about his desire to be a good guy on his way to holiday in LA. He wanted to be nicer/more caring and started off by just greeting random people with a “hi.” How awesome is that?! A 12/13 year old kid wanting to be more caring and starting in freakin’ LA! He was unpleasantly surprised when one of my fellow Los Angelinos gave him the bird. Yep, those are my peeps. Sorry Daniel. What I wish I could’ve told Daniel was that the person that told him he was “number one” must’ve thought he was being a punk kid. Really, how many of us can say that we wouldn’t be thrown off when a young man like Daniel would genuinely be saying “hi” to us? Yeah, the guy/gal probably thought Daniel was just trying to be a jerk and, being in LA, Daniel got a pretty typical response.
I really wanted to hit home the importance of doing what’s right will benefit them no matter how tough it may be. I wanted them to know that it starts with them and when they start to see the fruit of it (i.e. success in school, relationships, etc.) then others will not only jump on board but will follow them! They start to do what’s right today they become tomorrow’s leaders! To see them catch that got me pumped! Effin-a Cotton! I had to leave but it took everything within me to get myself out of there. Those kids were freakin’ awesome!
Todd and I headed back home but we made sure we prayed for them and the school as a whole before we left the campus. It’s times like these that reiterate the importance of Big Mouth and how God is using us. We’re here to show the next generation the importance of righteousness and justice and with that salvation is close at hand (Is. 56:1). I want this country to go from glory to glory, strength to strength, faith to faith and it can’t happen with hooligans and eff-ups running around. I’m not too worried though. With the vision God has given me and the men He’s placed in my life our country and the next generation will NOT go to hell in a hand basket, there will be NO rapture, and we will not fall like Rome! NO! We will renew our covenant with God and will continue to be the country that leads the world because of God’s Spirit that is on us and leading us (Is. 60:1-3)!
(Yes, I know this was a freakin’ long post. So sue me!)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Phoenix Traffic
I will preface this post with this: I've driven ALL over the North American continent. L.A., New York, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, etc. Some of the most notorious cities in regards to traffic and I rarely ever got frustrated while driving the freeways and sardine packed streets. I've been in some of the worst traffic in London and Manila! Third world traffic is no joke. Then came Phoenix. This city is a little over a million people strong and has recently moved up into the 5th largest city in the States. Know what? I hate the @%@$ drivers. Seriously. The drivers here are the worst in the Union hands down!
I understand the slow as molasses progression that is unfortunately found in major cities but there is only stupidity to account for what happens in Phoenix. In LA and the like there are tons of people out on the road all at once. People are trying to get into the carpool or left lane and the shifting of lanes slows down the whole city. Frustrating? A bit. Stupid? Not really. It's really on the civil engineers if you ask me. Phoenix, though, what sets them apart?
Stupidity. Lack of a life. Lack of consideration for others on the road. For anyone that really knows me I don't get riled up about stuff like this, especially traffic. I'm from Los Angeles! But here is just....ugghh!!! Perfect example: I was driving down the 101 and I hit traffic at 6 various spots increasing my travel time by a good 20 minutes. Of the 6 spots 1 was a fender bender. The other 5? TRAFFIC STOPS! EFFEN-TRAFFIC STOPS! I kid you not. That was not just a one time thing, it happens all the effen time! I bring this up because there was a lot of traffic on the 101 east when there shouldn't have been. One of the guys in the car heard me gruffing in the back and asked, "Is someone changing their tire?" Turns out a truck towing some pipes had drop some of the pipes. They were pulled off to the side. That was all. That. Was. All. Classic.
Lord, beer me strenght...
I understand the slow as molasses progression that is unfortunately found in major cities but there is only stupidity to account for what happens in Phoenix. In LA and the like there are tons of people out on the road all at once. People are trying to get into the carpool or left lane and the shifting of lanes slows down the whole city. Frustrating? A bit. Stupid? Not really. It's really on the civil engineers if you ask me. Phoenix, though, what sets them apart?
Stupidity. Lack of a life. Lack of consideration for others on the road. For anyone that really knows me I don't get riled up about stuff like this, especially traffic. I'm from Los Angeles! But here is just....ugghh!!! Perfect example: I was driving down the 101 and I hit traffic at 6 various spots increasing my travel time by a good 20 minutes. Of the 6 spots 1 was a fender bender. The other 5? TRAFFIC STOPS! EFFEN-TRAFFIC STOPS! I kid you not. That was not just a one time thing, it happens all the effen time! I bring this up because there was a lot of traffic on the 101 east when there shouldn't have been. One of the guys in the car heard me gruffing in the back and asked, "Is someone changing their tire?" Turns out a truck towing some pipes had drop some of the pipes. They were pulled off to the side. That was all. That. Was. All. Classic.
Lord, beer me strenght...
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