Why fish never smile

I walked out onto the moon this mornin'
saw you holding that silver spoon again
thought i was travelin through fantasy
but really i was lost in reality
couldn't find the light for the trees
cause the forest was down on its knees
so i swallowed the picture
and drew from the pitcher
a new picture of you
by then it was too late
the time had come for time to go
So I sat on a stump and I thoughtabout why it is that fish never smile
then i entered the dream and exited my mind
through the open  blinds
that see the world all as blue
though they never really know
never did i know
that the way in is out
and the way out is through
and so I'm making my move to find you out
and the last is as the firsT

You may be thinking "WHAT THE HECK IS THIS CRAP", well I'm kinda a fan of psychadelic music and so I wanted to write some incoherent nonsense for my final blog. I think that most of the good psychadelic music actually describes things all acid trippy. Well I don't have any acid or anything cool to describe all wierd like. So I just wrote random crap that popped into my head. Actually now that I think about it thats all that I've been doing. now I'm finished and so the last letter will be capitalized as if it was the firsT.

KCCT - the true story

No. 2 pencils in hand we headed into combat. Question here! Question there! We were completely surrounded by the enemy and there was no way to escape. On we pushed taking out the enemy as we went along. The casualties were high and the hope was low, but we never gave up. We continued in our fight and despite all odds we were winning. The end was swiftly appraoching and it was looking like we were going to come out on top. That's exactly when it happened. The enemy, in desperation, unleased their most formadible weapon: the Open Response. Against the Open Response we were defenseless. The only thing we could hope for is that we could hold it off long enough for the enemy to run out of supplies and retreat. The battle was brutal and ugly but they finally ran out of ammunition and we overran them. Victory was sweet after a whole four days of entrenched combat. Maybe we can learn from our mistakes and no one will have to endure what we have had to endure. Maybe the world will learn to live in peace and then people won't turn to things like the KCCT to express their anger and frustration.

Hyperbole and a half

For the past week or two I found and was ennamormed with the blog Hyperbole and a Half. It is the blog of Allie Brosh and it combines wacky tales with some of the most imaginative and amuzing pictures I have see on the internet. She tries to depict facial expressions and other humorous occurances in her pictures. She draws the pictures in paint (or a similar program) and her style is to draw them almost as a child would. This combines for some interesting material.
One blog in particular that is quite fantastic is her story of fishing with her dad when she was a child. The story is almost To Kill a Mockingbird eske with her telling a story from her childhood from the perspective of her adulthood. The blog is titled How a Fish Almost Destroyed My Childhood and I'll leave you to see exactly how you like it. Here is the link: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-fish-almost-destroyed-my-childhood.html

Car

I resently got my intermediate drivers license, something that was put off for about five months because of the price of insurance. I got my license with one immediate goal in mind, I was going to drive to Prom. So I went for the drivers test and passed and am now able to drive without a licensed adult. All was going well and according to the plan that I would drive my parent's car to my girlfriends house, drive to a friends house, and then drive to Prom. Well a new developement arose just today, my Dad got called to a job and he needs the car tomorrow. GREAT! now what will I drive??? I was trying to figure out whose car I could borrow, if I could drive my girlfriends car, if I would have to have someone else drive. Then it all worked itself out, my brother said he would let me drive his car. It's really one of the kindest things my brother has ever done for me and I was pretty shocked that he said he would let me drive it. Thankfully everything is working out well and I'll still get to drive to Prom.

Chucks

There has been a resent upsurge in popularity for a certain shoe: Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star shoe (a.k.a. Chucks). I have never had a pair and honestly wasn't planning on getting a pair anytime soon, since they are somewhat of a novelty and run about $40 a pair. But my girlfriend and I decided that we were going to wear Chucks to Prom. So I bought my first pair and will be wearing them tomorrow night to Prom with my tux. I am looking forward to both Prom and the Chucks. My girlfriend is looking forward to it as well and is so excited to have the most comfortable feet out of all the other girls.

Tux

Tomorrow will be the second time ever I have worn a tux. Tomorrow is of course Prom, to which I am going with my girlfriend. The first time I wore a tux was to my sister's wedding in 2002. I was 9 at the time and I was the ring boy in my sister's wedding. That was alot different from this time though. Not only because of styles of tux or because of situations but because back then I hadn't needed to decide on anything, unlike this time. Back then I simply put it on and did what I was told. I didn't have to decide if I wanted coattails or what kind of tie or color of vest. This time, it was all me. My girlfriend got a blueish dress that kind of changes shades in the light. I went to The Earl to rent my tux and they didn't have anything that matched the dress just right. My girlfriend and I decided that if we couldn't match I should just go with black and white. So I guess I'm going with a more James Bond look than a Prom-match-your-date look. Oh well, doesn't bother me.

CCR

CCR (or Creedence Clearwater Revival) is a band from the late 60's - early 70's. Their music is alittle more of folk rock than probably anything else. The thing about CCR is how simple yet deep their music is. A song like "Who'll stop the rain" is a good example. It is simple but holds a message in protest of the Vietnam war. I'm not real big on protest songs, but CCR is so subtle that you can appreciate it on many different levels. The beat is foot-tapping good and the guitar parts stick with you all day. It is trully feel good music and is a great way to unwind at the end of the day. For these reasons CCR is always one of my favorite bands to listen to.

First week of work

I had my first week of working this month. I can say with certainty that I am not a big fan of the whole work thing. I work at Sears as a Softline MCA. In other words I stock and straighten the clothing at Sears. Sears is not very well known for its clothes, it is usually visited for the tools and appliances, or the hardlines section. Since I am a minor, I can't work in that section of the store, so I stay fairly bored. I worked 21 hours last week, most of which was straightening the store for hours on end. I have also done lots of e-training which is mind-numbingly obvious training on ethics and work safety. It's better than working with food, I am sure, but it is so boring and there are many things I would much rather be doing. But this is the only way I can make money, and besides I am finally getting experience, something I hadn't had before.

In the mood for camping

For the longest time now I have really been in the mood for camping. But when I say camping, I mean CAMPING. I don’t mean getting a campsite somewhere and setting up a tent and all that other stuff. I mean walking into the woods with only as much as you can carry, clearing a campsite in the woods, and then setting up a tent. I want to go out in the woods looking for a fallen limb still hanging in a tree and chop it up for fire wood. I want to start a fire with at the most a lighter or a match. I want to cook food on the campfire and sit there until its dark and I’m tired. Then I want to build up the fire real big and go to sleep. When I wake up in the morning I want to build up another fire out of the coals of the old one and then cook breakfast. I want to be near some water so that I could swim or fish or canoe. I would also want to be near some good hiking area. That’s real camping, and that’s exactly what I have been in the mood for for a long while.

Back to working out

In January I set out to do a little work out once every day. Well as most resolutions do, mine failed. I went strong for a while but eventually got out of the habit and then just all together gave up. But as my guys in Special Olympics Weightlifting get stronger, I need to get stronger so that I can help them. I also feel very weak and really want to buff up alittle. I really would like to get some six pack abs by summer time. So I took back to working out. I do ab workouts and push ups everyday that I remember and I also do as many chin ups as I can in Special Olympics Weightlifting. I already feel alittle strongerand am looking forward to realizing my goals. I really need to start getting back into running though as that is what really burns fat. I gained some fat when I stopped running to rest my foot and now I am ready to get rid of it. By summer time I am looking to be fit in my upper body just as I have come to be in my lower body.

Job interview

This previous Tuesday I was interviewed for a part time job at Sears. I really need money for a tux and all the other prom things I’ll need to get within the next month. Then I’ll have to get a car and pay for insurance and gas. I also need money for clothes as I really need some new ones and my parents really can’t afford to buy some for me. So basically, I need money. How do you get money? You work. How do you get work? You get a job, thus the job interview. On Saturday I filled out an application for employment at our local Sears store, part of the application was scheduling for an interview. This struck me as odd as I usually was called back for an interview. Nonetheless I went to Sears Tuesday about ten minutes early and looking fairly good if I do say so myself. I walked up to a cashier and asked where to go and then went to the office. I waited for a while and finally went back out to ask an employee if that was really where I was supposed to be at. He told me that the managers had just walked into the office. So I went back and after a short wait had my interview. It went well, I think, and the manager said that I passed the first interview and would be scheduled for a second one. The second manager would interview me and then they would score me and based on that they would offer me a job or decline my application. So tomorrow I go in for the second interview and I am sure that it will go just as well as the first one did. Maybe this will be my first job.

Enjoying the weather

There has been a very distinct contrast in the general trend of the weather as of late. It has gone from bitterly cold to comfortably warm temperatures. Personally speaking, the weather couldn’t be much better than this. I love nothing more than to be able to walk to school in my shorts knowing that as I come out of the school at roughly 3:18 I will be greeted by a warm breeze and a bright shining sun. I greatly enjoy the warmth of the cars and being able to roll down the windows for a change. I enjoy pleasant walks in the park with my girlfriend, even though I sometimes wish that there were fewer people taking advantage of the weather along with me. The one thing I hate is when I have homework or something that makes me go inside for an extended period of time. All I really want to do at this point is go outside and bask in the delightfulness of the weather, but occasionally I have no other option but to go inside and do some work. Despite this I enjoy and welcome the warm weather.

Help nest builders

When I was younger, my mom would take us out into the backyard and cut our hair. She said that it helped the birds because it provided them with nest building materials. So when I saw a robin gathering nest building materials this morning, I had a sort of revelation. I realized that we as people need to help others build their “nests”. We, especially Americans, have so much extra garbage that we never really use. The excess almost always goes to waste, when it really could be serving a greater purpose. We need to give what we can spare to those who are less fortunate. I don’t have much but whenever I don’t need a pair of running shoes I always donate them to Goodwill in the hopes that someone worse off than me can get a decent pair of shoes. Anytime we are in a position to better another person’s life, I think we should take it. You really don’t have to go out of your way, just make things available to them, and like the robin they will come and carry it away to the place that they are trying to build their “nest”.

Time enough at last

If I had time I think I would spend most of my time enjoying the outdoors with my friends, my girlfirend, and by myself. I would really love to go camping sometime soon. Besides that I would probably read and write both literature and music. I love reading and I have a few ideas I would like to jot down. I would practice guitar alot more, get together with some people, family or friend, and jam. That's where it's at!

I took this title from a twilight zone episode. There is a man who loves to read but doesn't have time or isn't allowed. During one of his lunch breaks he goes down to the bank vault (he works in the bank) and reads. The city is attacked with a Hydrogen bomb and everyone is dead, except the man. He is about to kill himself when he finds the library. He realizes that he finally has time enough at last to read. Just then his glasses fall and break as he picks up a book. His vision is too poor to read.

The First Time I Drove

I had "driven" before plenty of times before I got my permit. We would go to Panther Creek Park and my Dad would let me steer will he controlled the gas and brake pedals. This isn't REAL driving, but it kinda made REAL driving easier when I got to that point. When I got taller my Dad let me control the gas and brake as well as steer, but still only at Panther Creek and only when the parking lot was empty. When I got my permit I hadn't really driven for real on a street. My Dad took me to the Health Park and let me drive around the parking lot then let me drive home. That was the first time I drove on the streets. I did just fine for my first time. Later I drove to Cross Country practice out at Panther Creek Park, I drove to our meets at Yellow Creek Park and I drove to the Regional competition. Over this last summer I drove for my first time on an interstate highway. We went to my brother's wedding in Virginia and on the way back I got to drive through part of Virginia and into Tennessee. I did fine on that but took an exit ramp too fast and both me and my Dad were mad at each other so I decided not to drive anymore on that trip. I still haven't driven on my own yet, just because I have to pay for my own insurance and I don't have any money. When I get a job I can get insurance and a car and then drive on my own. I am looking forward to this driving first.

Yankee Doodle Dixie

There is a song called Yankee Doodle Dixie, I believe it was first recorded by Chet Atkins and is now a regular favorite of Tommy Emmanuel. What makes this song so amazing is that the tune for yankee doodle is played on the deeper strings of the guitar, while Dixie is played on the higher strings. Both songs are played simultaneous by the same guitarist on one guitar. It is an amazing tune that is quite stunning to listen to and even more impressive to watch. To watch it completes the wonder; listening alone you might think that two people are playing. When you do listen to it you must focus on one of the tunes at a time to fully recognise them. After you do that you might want to go back and listen to the two together, this is still amazing. It is a fun song that I wish I could play and maybe someday will. I can't hear of Yankee Doodle and not think of Yankee Doodle Dixie.

Lewis Lane Youth Praise Band

Lewis Lane Baptist Church's youth is forming a praise band for youth services and I am one of the guitarists. The other guitarist is Nick Miller who will also sing. Because he is singing Nick plans on playing rhythm guitar, the idea is that simply playing the chords will not require to much attention that he can still sing. Him playing rhythm leaves lead open to me. I'm really excited about having the oppurtunity to both play with people and play for people as so far I have only played alone to myself. This is a good chance to excercise my skills and build on them while performing for people. The only downside is that it really isn't my kind of music. The contemporary Christian music isn't very like the classic rock I like. It's closer to contemporary music which I don't care much for. I prefer much more of a blues influence and might even try to work some of that into my playing to make it my own. There is one other problem. We don't have a bassist. Only people going to the church can play in the band and nobody in the youth plays bass or even has a bass guitar. We'll see just how far we can go but for now we are getting started and figuring out just where everyone is going to fit into the band.

Old Hickory

I heard about Old Hickory today, a fire broke out in the kitchen and they had to close right around 5 o'clock. It was really surprising and shocking cause my brother and I had been at the library just alittle bit before that and we almost went to Kroger there in the Weslyan Park Plaza. If we had we might had seen the smoke. It was also shocking because my family and I all love Old Hickory BBQ. It is our favorite in the city. I was worried that one somebody was hurt and also that they might close. The news seemed to suggest that no one was hurt and that the fire was believe to be contained in the kitchen. The fire fighters were trying to determine if the fire had gotten into the attic. That is the last that I heard and I really hope that there was no structural damage and that whenever internal damage is fixed they will be able to resume just as before. I really want some more Old Hickory BBQ.

Milk's Favorite Cookie

Oreos. Millk's Favorite Cookie. It doesn't matter how you eat them; whether you twist off the cookie, scrap off the cream, and eat the cookies; if you dunk them in milk until they are soft and then eat them; or if you skip all intermediate steps and go for the jugular so to speak; they are such good treats. I think they just might be my very favorite store bought cookie.
There are many different types of oreos. The traditional oreo with chocolate cookies with vanilla cream, the golden oreo with vanilla cookies with vanilla cream or chocolate cream, double-stuff oreos with double the stuffing, mini oreos that are bite-sized, oreo cakesters that are made with cake, even strawberry milkshake oreos. Among all of these I still prefer the traditional oreo above all else.
I used to twist off the cookie and scrape the cream off but then I started eating them whole and I really liked them like that. Now I just dunk them in milk until they are soft and eat that. It kinda sucks when you drop the oreo in the milk and then you can't get it out. Over all I love me some oreos.

Why Did that Dag-On Chicken Cross the Dag-On Road?

Well, there are many theories as to why the chicken traversed across the street that day. Yet no one is quite certain what exactly the reason was. The prevailing theories are as follows:
1. He was on the Chick-Fil-A side.
2. He was a Frogger fanatic.
3. He was insane.
4. There were no cars coming.
5. To get to the other side.

Things that make me laugh

Here are a sample of things that make me laugh (in no particular order).
1. The many faces and sounds of Jacob Merimee.
2. The innumerable "that's what she said" jokes of Michael Scott (The Office).
3. All of the corny jokes of any Monty Python skit, ever.
4. Taking figures of speaches literally.
5. The many forms Nick Miller can contort his body into.
6. Any line from the movie Anchorman.
7. The constant back and forth pranks of Jim an Dwight on The Office.
8. Mr. Fuller.
9. Shaun Geobel's goofy voice.
10. My girlfriend's little sayings.

Reasonings for Doing Nothing

Well lets see, theres always
you're tired
it's your day off
you are always busy
you're stressd
you finally finished a big project
you just feel like relaxing
you need some peace and quiet
you are just in the mood
there's nothing better to do
you just had a great day
you just had a terrible day
you love someone
you hate someone
you are thinking
you are tired of thinking
why not.

Even a book is no judge, part 4

I had become used to this new owner's interest in me. He sat all day and read. He even missed meals just to discover more. But at last he had finally reached the last page, the last paragraph, the last sentence, and the last word. When he reached the last period he paused for a moment and carefully closed my cover. The air stood still as I awaited his next action. At this point I was used to being passed on or even tossed out and I was sure that this man would do no different. He ran his finger along my golden title once again and then he stood up and walked towards a trash can. He stopped at the can and looked down at me. I dared to look down in the filth that awaited me. I was shocked when I heard the crash of the wine bottle that had been in his pocket fall into the trash can. He then placed me in his pocket again and walked away from the trash can. That week he was hired and started saving money. He soon got an appartment. He carried me everyday to work in his pocket until one day he bought a book self. He placed me on the shelf. I was the only book on the shelf for a while. Eventually others came, but none received the attention that I had. Finally I had a owner who not only appreciated me but cherished me as well. Where I had amazed others I had impacted this man. In some ways being given away and then thrown away was the best things that ever happened to me.

Even a book is no judge, part 3

Once I emerged from the depths of the man's pocket I was greated by fresh air. I welcomed the refreshing morning air and looked around as the man gazed at my cover with wonder, feeling the gold letters on my leather cover. I saw the sun rising, the birds in the trees building nests, and the gruff face of the man starring in amazement at me. I creaked at him in protest as he opened me up. I wondered what he thought he could accomplish by this as he would never be privy to my secrets. He ran his finger across my title as he slowly read it. I was astonished that he was literate, I really was. He continued to the next page and read that. It took him a while but he was determined. He worked his way through me page by page finally finishing the first chapter. I still was repulsed by him but he was an improvement upon the last man to possess me as he actually held me as being of importance. I wasn't in a fine study of a magnificent house and then morning dew was beginning to wrinkle my pages but at least I was adorred again. I found some peace in this crude dwelling.

Even a book is no judge, part 2

I was placed on a new shelf. In a study with no windows. There was more dust than air in this room and the musk was so strong that it seemed to penetrate down to the ink on my pages. Fat fingers fumbled through my pages. This man read much too quickly, glancing over many key points in many ideas. He was a clumsy man. He dropped me multiple times and tore many of my pages as he would turn them in haste. I spent what seemed like a month in this prison, but because I had no windows I have no idea how long it really was. It had to be about a week. I was soon writen off as mediocre by this ogre of a man. He knew much fewer than he presented to others. He often offended where my former master wondered. He soon put me down for another volume, not even finishing all of my content. This was a very impatient man who didn't know what he was missing. He finally had enough of me and discarded me on the side of the road. I was truly grateful for my fate as I felt that nothing could compare to the torture that I had endured in that man' s presence. Later that night I was once again plucked from my resting place. My final resting place was desicrated by a man that smelled of liquer and seemed to very needing of cleansing. I cringed as he placed me in one of his grimy pockets and walked on into the fog.

Even a book is no judge, part 1

There I sat, on the self. Other books around me were covered in a blanket of dust, but not me. I was pulled and push back and forth off and on the shelf. My owner would leaf through my pages even into the early hours of the morning. I was a volume of particular interest, I held theories and ideas so profound that my master would often put me down and pick me right back up to re-read something. He would invited friends over and discuss and debate my views. My words enthralled him. My maker had crafted me with such care and wit that it mesmerized many people. Colorful adjectives and strong adverbs portrayed plights and disasters of all kinds.

One day I was plucked from my dwelling on the shelf. I had been basking in the sunshine from the setting sun pouring in from the west window of the study. I was rent from this tranqulity and shoved in unfamiliar hands. My master said things of me being a wonderful book and that the man holding me would enjoy me very much. I could not believe it. I was given away. At one moment I graced the shelves of a brilliant man, and then I was handed off like a batton. I gasped in astonishment as I was pulled through the doorway and as my former master put a new book in my place.

Fun on a one 4-wheeler open sled

Well the snow came latter than expected. This meant that I had to take two tests that I would have liked to have another weekend to prepare for, but you take what you get and you make the most of it. So anyway we some pretty good snow, about half a foot in some places. My friend Ethan invited me over to his Grandmother's house to go sledding. I got ready and another one of my friends came over, then the three of us went over to his Grandma's property. We had some trouble getting the 4-wheeler going but after awhile we got it going and we were off. We drove around alittle and then we tied a rope to the back of the 4-wheeler and pulled each other around on one of the two sleds we had with us. We all three took turns driving, riding on the back, and riding on the sled. We rode around all of the corn fields going back and forth across the snow. We even made a snow ramp and drove over it, never landing quite perfectly. We rode around for a few hours and then his Grandmother made us hot chocolate when we got back. It was a very enjoyable day in the snow.

As a Dog

As a dog I have had to discover the secrets to living life. As a dog you must follow what you desire the most. Don't waste your time with the kid that is going to pull your ears and tail if there is a cat to chase. The long days of summer are full of the many squirrels to chase, the frisbees and tennis balls to catch, and the windy drives through the country-side make sure you don't get too distracted to give up what you care for the most. Help the people you love, on walks I try to help my master along by pulling him and giving him plenty of excercise as he tries to keep up. Let loose and live alittle, chase your tail, lick your butt, whatever floats your boat. Just make sure you bark at the people who actually aggrivated you in the first place and to growl at the people who are trying to harm the ones you love.

Mr. Trademark, Mr. Copyright, Mr. Patent Number, Mr. Woolley

This was no mere mortal. None other had the knowledge of the classes and fillums of worms that he had. Noone perpetually possessed such a mug, umbrella, and hand bag. Sweat stains and cigerattes adorned every one of his 1,000,000 blue denim shirts. He peddelled discount cards at such an alarming rate that one man mistaked them for hot cakes and attempted to eat one. He always took at least two pictures on each setting of his camera to make sure that he had an acceptable photo to send to the newspaper. He kept meticulous statitics on every right and wrong answer of every match. He always made sure we knew when we were wrong. He was a champion of trivia. A master of knowledge. He was, and is, Mr. John Woolley.

W-W-W-Winter

Winter is a wonderful time. Within winter are such joyous occasions as Christmas and New Years. Without times like these our years would not be as festive. Weather plays an inportant role in winter, providing ice and snow. Where you are determines how much winter weather you will get. Wondering if it is truly wintery outside you may want to go outside. Wandering outside can solve this mistery. Whether you like winter or not it is a part of the year and can not be avoided, unless you hibernate. Without this aide you may find yourself "suffering" through the cold of winter.Why do some people hate winter? Why would you ask me such a thing? Why would I possess the answer to such a silly question? Why would I even care? What implications are there that I would care? Who told you these things? Was it Walter?

Expectations for the New Year

I have been considering this new year, and I have acually made a new years resolution. I am usually opposed to them because they are usually such flimsy goals that are rarely met. But I decided that I would do some quick excercises every morning whenever I wake up. Nothing too bad, just push ups and sit ups, as many as I can do at once. It doesn't take me five minutes and It's just a little something to help make me stronger. It also helps wake me up in the mornings. I hope to continue this resolution on well into the year if not to the end. Besides that I have not really set any specific goals for this next year. I truely just plan on taking the year a day at a time and worring about things as they come along. I am going to try to keep from getting too stressed this year. I will try to manage my time better and possibly cut some things out so that I can make more time for the things that I truely love. I am ready and excited for this year and all it will bring.

The Past Year

As I look back at the past year, I think of all the good and the bad that I experienced. I think of sending my brother off to Iraq, and spending Christmas with him when he returned. I think of my first kiss and all the other good times I've had with my first girlfriend. I think of finally going to an amusement park and finally riding a roller coaster with Jacob Merimee. I think of working with Jacob at his dad's business over the summer. I think of getting my permit. I think of winning the City County Championship for the second time ever. I think of finally losing my 4.0 GPA. I think of scoring a 28 on my first ACT. I think of the new friends I've made this year, or at least some old ones I've been reaquainted with. I think of my first date and now laugh at it. I think of my stress fracture coming back and ruining my Cross Country season. I think of all these things and many more. The year seemed to fly by and going through it I wasn't a big fan. But in hindsight I would say that 2009 was a rather decent year.