The only constant following high school graduation is the decrease of social interaction with friends. At the time, it feels like, "growing up" is something that only happens in movies. As everyone heads in their own direction, friends promise to never lose touch. We all know how that goes. While each year passes, our promises seem to hold less credibility. The missed calls are no longer returned. The text messages stop. Sometimes you are even forced to search a friend's name to make sure they haven't deleted you from their Facebook.
This trend continues throughout the rest of your life. Whether it is a roommate from college or a friend you met while working your summer job. In the moment, you never picture life without these specific individuals. Every phase of life consists of establishing new relationships to help you make the transition. There are certain friends that will leave a permanent imprint on your world. For better or for worse.
I don't define a friend as someone you see or speak to on a regular basis. A friend is someone you can go years without hearing from, but when you do, you pick up exactly where you left off. The list of friends I haven't spoken to for years is endless. I wouldn't even know where to start. This doesn't mean I don't look forward to the moments in which we randomly run into each other.
2012 seems to be the year of recreating past friendships. In one month alone, I feel like I have been fortunate enough to combine my future with my past. Old friends have reentered my life even though it feels like they never left. Although the majority of them are going through difficult times, I am happy to be here for them. After all, that is the foundation of a friendship. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. They don't question where you have been in the past. They are confident you never left.
This is where I am at with all my friends. I have come to realize it is impossible to spend an efficient amount of time with each of them. The pace of life is too fast. We are all on different schedules. We all have different priorities. This doesn't mean that when the opportunity arises, you shouldn't take advantage of it.
Yesterday I spent the majority of my day with someone I haven't really spoken to in 5 years. It brought me back to who I was at the time. It allowed me to see how both of us have grown as individuals. And there wasn't a moment during the day that it felt like we had skipped a beat. She made me realize how important it is to stay true to the person I used to be while appreciating the person I have become.
People have come and gone, but you will always remember and understand their influence in your life. Don't let their recent absence replace their past presence.
(Haven't talked to a friend in a long time and don't know how to start a conversation with them? Send them this post)
Inside look at the life of another college grad just trying to make it...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
What Can Wine Do?
The best moments in life are usually unexpected. The funniest moments in life are usually in the presence of friends. Knowing this, you can only imagine the type of night I had yesterday.
What started off as a productive work day, quickly turned into what felt like a "snow day". While doing a little research for some projects I am working on, I received a text from a friend of mine wanting to get lunch. I knew if I said yes, it would mean an end to the day's productivity. It didn't take long before I agreed. January has been a busy month and I needed a spontaneous type of day.
After indulging in what seemed like pounds of Chinese, my friend and I kicked up the recliners and "showed our belly's to the judges". (if you have no clue what that means... watch this entire video before you proceed)
haha now that you have met Alana, I can continue my own story, Honey Boo-Boo Child!
Before I realized it, my friend and I were standing in Giant Eagle staring at what seemed to be an endless amount of wine. He had convinced me that Wednesday is the new Friday and that wine would be a nice change from our beloved Miller Lite. Sounded good to me. The only occasions in which I prefer wine include a relaxing night with a lady or as a team while competing in a Tour de Franzia... and since my college days are long gone, I have retired from the Tour.
As you can imagine, my wine knowledge is lacking. I can name types of wine all day every day, but to actually put a flavor to the name is difficult! Maybe this is why it felt like we were hopelessly standing there trying to purchase a delicious bottle. I felt like a girl watching a football game. We were making our decisions based on the appeal of the bottle, much like girls often root for the team who has "cute jerseys". (I understand not all women do this, and i'm sure there are men who actually have wine preferences) With bottles in each hand, it felt like we were doing some illegal.
It wouldn't take anything more than a text to my roommates to convince them to pick up a few bottles of wine on their way home. We were going to turn a regular Wednesday evening into one hell of a night. With our wine glasses in hand, the four of us reclined on the couch and were actually acting out age. This didn't last long. Within minutes, we began watching YouTube videos on the PS3. It seemed like with each song and after each sip, we began to let loose. Before I knew it, we were watching Waka Flocka and his gut jumping around yelling "I'm a Wild Boy"!
I knew if we continued at this rate, Gucci Mane and his paper mache lips (hope you guys have listened to my previous "How-To" post and have been using your chapstick!) would be mumbling random words on the TV screen. I'm sorry, but I can not support a grown man whose tattoo of choice is an Ice Cream cone on his face. Instead, we found ourselves in the kitchen having real life discussions. Three of the four of us have known each other for like 15 years. Our conversations ranged anywhere from family to the stupid things we have done in the past.
Sitting on counter tops, sipping wine, eating 2 large pizzas, and joking with friends. For a few hours we didn't stress over yesterday or wonder about tomorrow. We were caught in the moment. In between laughs, we would share serious stories that would always end in laughter. When we ran out of stories, we decided to make new ones. The first came when my roommate decided to try the cinnamon challenge. I've done it. And I refuse to do it ever again. haha he failed. While he was coughing up clouds of cinnamon, I was sitting next to the sink holding the hose as if I was a firefighter anxiously waiting to put out a flame. It didn't take long for him to need my assistance by shooting water in his mouth.
Before we could stop laughing at this fool, my other roommate slipped on some of the excess water that came from the hose. His fall seemed to happen in slow motion. The entire night, our friend gave him compliments on his winter coat. Unfortunately, my roommate happened to be wearing this coat. Somewhere during his fall, his glass of wine followed him to the ground as a big red spot on the back of the coat was the end result.
If only I wouldn't have laughed at him. As the night was coming to an end, we brought up the spare mattress from the basement. In our dining room, we have a random couch in front of our stairs. We usually put the spare mattress along the couch for guests. After turning off all the lights, I filled up a cup of water and attempted to make my way up to my bedroom. Only steps behind my roommate, I instantly felt my foot catch on the mattress as I slammed my face into the first step of our stairs. Before I even picked my face up off the step, my friends were crying in laughter. Without hesitation, the first words out of my mouth were, "OH MY GOD, I just broke my nose! I'm going to look like Owen Wilson!" At the time, I thought laughing about the situation would help it go away. That or I just really love to make people laugh. I ran past my roommate on my way up the stairs to check the damage.
I seriously thought I would see a face covered in blood in the mirror's reflection. Instead, there was only two small, well, medium size rug burns on my nose. haha I was still comfortable laughing at the situation. And so were my friends.
So what can wine do? It can obviously be dangerous, but the reward is worth the risk. It led to one of the best nights I have spent with my friends. I know everyone says it, but I truly believe I have surrounded myself with some great peeps. They say friends are the family you choose. I couldn't agree more.
Oh, if this post gave you a sudden urge to drink some wine and face-plant, I recommend some Barefoot Moscato... They have a "cute" looking bottle!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Mike Posner
I have been rocking with Mike Posner since I watched this video of him reproducing Beyonce's, Halo.
I remember watching this video a few years ago at the library in an attempt to do some last minute studying for a mid-term. While I was preparing myself not to fail an accounting exam, Mike was miles away creating magic that would eventually allow him to live his dream. He had me doubting what was I doing with my life.
It didn't take long before the rest of campus was walking around playing Mike Posner on their ipods. Other than Duke, his alma mater, I can't imagine another University representing harder than Ohio University. After his performance at 7Fest, the love became mutual as Mike showed his appreciation by sporting an OU basketball jersey in his music video, Please Don't Go.
Today, Posner released his latest music video, A Perfect Mess off his recent mixtape, The Layover.
These are the words of someone who has "made it". It is a story told by someone who is now living their dream. We have all had those moments in the dorm room when we truly believed our dreams would someday become reality. Unfortunately, most of us give up on these dreams because of the pressure that comes with earning a college degree. It has been challenging for myself to continue the constant grind in order to put myself in a position to fulfill my career aspirations. Music like this provides me with the motivation that reminds me of the big picture.
It has always been my intention to establish a platform in which I could inspire others. At times I probably come off a little too arrogant. Unlike most, I view arrogance through a different lens. To me, arrogance is that extra confidence one has to verbally express self-trust. I believe in myself more than anyone else. I think this is how it should be. When you carry yourself with a certain arrogance, you put all the pressure on your shoulders. There is no one else to blame for your failure. If you don't give off a specific level of self-pride or confidence, no one else will believe in you. To be honest, my arrogance is the one thing that has kept me from giving up on my dreams.
This may be the greatest lesson I have learned from Posner as a person, as well as through his music. It is obvious he has extreme confidence in himself, but he masks this confidence with the presence of his humbleness. We can all learn from it. As a culture, we tend to forget about the things that really matter when we reach a certain level of success.
It has been rewarding to watch Posner's popularity grow over the past 2 years. Not much has changed. He has stayed true to himself while silently smiling at those who didn't believe in him. He has provided us with a guide to his success. And success comes with a price. There will be people who support you, and there will be those who want you to lose it all.
This song gives us a glimpse of his journey.... The Perfect Mess....
Oh yea, I plan on telling the story from when Posner performed at Ohio University last October during Homecoming Weekend... you will have to wait for that. For the record, he really doesn't have bodyguards.
And shoutout to Mike for performing at Muskingum University in April.
I remember watching this video a few years ago at the library in an attempt to do some last minute studying for a mid-term. While I was preparing myself not to fail an accounting exam, Mike was miles away creating magic that would eventually allow him to live his dream. He had me doubting what was I doing with my life.
It didn't take long before the rest of campus was walking around playing Mike Posner on their ipods. Other than Duke, his alma mater, I can't imagine another University representing harder than Ohio University. After his performance at 7Fest, the love became mutual as Mike showed his appreciation by sporting an OU basketball jersey in his music video, Please Don't Go.
Today, Posner released his latest music video, A Perfect Mess off his recent mixtape, The Layover.
These are the words of someone who has "made it". It is a story told by someone who is now living their dream. We have all had those moments in the dorm room when we truly believed our dreams would someday become reality. Unfortunately, most of us give up on these dreams because of the pressure that comes with earning a college degree. It has been challenging for myself to continue the constant grind in order to put myself in a position to fulfill my career aspirations. Music like this provides me with the motivation that reminds me of the big picture.
It has always been my intention to establish a platform in which I could inspire others. At times I probably come off a little too arrogant. Unlike most, I view arrogance through a different lens. To me, arrogance is that extra confidence one has to verbally express self-trust. I believe in myself more than anyone else. I think this is how it should be. When you carry yourself with a certain arrogance, you put all the pressure on your shoulders. There is no one else to blame for your failure. If you don't give off a specific level of self-pride or confidence, no one else will believe in you. To be honest, my arrogance is the one thing that has kept me from giving up on my dreams.
This may be the greatest lesson I have learned from Posner as a person, as well as through his music. It is obvious he has extreme confidence in himself, but he masks this confidence with the presence of his humbleness. We can all learn from it. As a culture, we tend to forget about the things that really matter when we reach a certain level of success.
It has been rewarding to watch Posner's popularity grow over the past 2 years. Not much has changed. He has stayed true to himself while silently smiling at those who didn't believe in him. He has provided us with a guide to his success. And success comes with a price. There will be people who support you, and there will be those who want you to lose it all.
This song gives us a glimpse of his journey.... The Perfect Mess....
Oh yea, I plan on telling the story from when Posner performed at Ohio University last October during Homecoming Weekend... you will have to wait for that. For the record, he really doesn't have bodyguards.
And shoutout to Mike for performing at Muskingum University in April.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Jack of All Trades
The saying goes, "A Jack of all trades, master of none". For the longest time I have had a hard time swallowing this concept. Mainly because I still find myself attempting to put a title on my own career identity. Now I accept it for what it is as I embrace it. By competitive nature, I always want to be the best at what I do. Simply because I continue to pursue different career lanes does not mean I can't be the fastest in each.
Yesterday, I allowed Vanilla Ice to entertain me for 2 straight hours. And it wasn't because he told me to "Stop, collaborate and listen". I seriously spent 120 minutes of my life watching 4 episodes of the Vanilla Ice Project on the DIY Network. It is a reality television show hosted by Rob Van Winkle (Vanilla Ice), in which each episode is dedicated to renovating a new room of one mansion. Ice actually has experience with home improvement and has been flipping houses since 1990. Who knew?
As a Realtor, I feel a certain duty to watch a few hours of the DIY Network or HGTV each week. Yesterday was Saturday, my few hours of real estate education television was already complete. I was intrigued by the fact the same person who was once climbing to the top of Billboard charts is now climbing to the top of million dollar mansions.
When most people look at Vanilla Ice as a washed up "rapper", I applaud the man for using his brain and making me feel better about my personal career. While Rob was on top of the world as "Ice, Ice Baby" could be heard coming from every speaker, he was expanding his self-value by educating himself in real estate. He never became stagnant.
By not becoming one dimensional, you leave yourself the ability to adapt to certain changes. The time will come when you are forced to modify personal characteristics and traits. If you aren't trying to improve your self-worth every single day, you will eventually become replaceable. This applies to all aspects of life. Work, School. Friendships. Romantic relationships. There is a never ending list.
There is always room for growth, both vertically and horizontally. Don't be afraid to pursue a new industry because you are afraid you won't become a "master". You will be better off if you educate yourself in as many industries as possible rather than restrict yourself to a specific field. I'm not patient enough to wait for the right moment or circumstance to become useful. Rather than abide for my talents to be desired, I strive to find situations where I can be productive.
Imagine if Vanilla Ice would have sat back and "mastered" his musical talents...
Yesterday, I allowed Vanilla Ice to entertain me for 2 straight hours. And it wasn't because he told me to "Stop, collaborate and listen". I seriously spent 120 minutes of my life watching 4 episodes of the Vanilla Ice Project on the DIY Network. It is a reality television show hosted by Rob Van Winkle (Vanilla Ice), in which each episode is dedicated to renovating a new room of one mansion. Ice actually has experience with home improvement and has been flipping houses since 1990. Who knew?
As a Realtor, I feel a certain duty to watch a few hours of the DIY Network or HGTV each week. Yesterday was Saturday, my few hours of real estate education television was already complete. I was intrigued by the fact the same person who was once climbing to the top of Billboard charts is now climbing to the top of million dollar mansions.
When most people look at Vanilla Ice as a washed up "rapper", I applaud the man for using his brain and making me feel better about my personal career. While Rob was on top of the world as "Ice, Ice Baby" could be heard coming from every speaker, he was expanding his self-value by educating himself in real estate. He never became stagnant.
By not becoming one dimensional, you leave yourself the ability to adapt to certain changes. The time will come when you are forced to modify personal characteristics and traits. If you aren't trying to improve your self-worth every single day, you will eventually become replaceable. This applies to all aspects of life. Work, School. Friendships. Romantic relationships. There is a never ending list.
There is always room for growth, both vertically and horizontally. Don't be afraid to pursue a new industry because you are afraid you won't become a "master". You will be better off if you educate yourself in as many industries as possible rather than restrict yourself to a specific field. I'm not patient enough to wait for the right moment or circumstance to become useful. Rather than abide for my talents to be desired, I strive to find situations where I can be productive.
Imagine if Vanilla Ice would have sat back and "mastered" his musical talents...
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Family
One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a Modern Family desk calendar. Each day I get a 10 second dose of America's favorite family and my person idol, Phil Dunphy and his son, Luke. The other day they threw me a curve ball. Instead of hysterical quotes from previous episodes, they provided me with some enlightenment. I love to laugh but this has been my favorite 'day' thus far. Rather than throwing it away, I have decided to keep it as a reminder of the important things in life.... such as family.
Today I drove to Newark to meet my mom at her work. She is an independent nurse who takes care of 3 autistic teenagers. Although she has been working with these "kids" for the past 4 or 5 years, I have never physically met them. My mom has randomly handed them the phone during a conversation, but to physically see her work environment was an eye opening experience. I don't know if you have ever dealt with anyone who is autistic, but it can be a challenge.
Seeing my mother work and communicate with these kids was amazing. A whole new respect for my mother was created today. She has told me hundreds of stories about her experiences with her kids, but to experience it in person brought a new light to what she does every day. I am sure there are days she wishes she could be doing something else. It isn't an easy career. I don't think I could do it. Actually, I know I couldn't do it.
It is obvious that my mom has created a certain bond with her "kids". Brian, who is least affected by his autism can actually carry conversations and interact with others. He is somewhat smothering. For every story my mom has told me about her "kids", I am sure she has told them more about my brother and I. Brian was anxious to finally put a face to my name. He even went far enough to make a joke (even though he didn't do it intentionally). As I shook his hand and introduced myself, he said, "How old are you?", "you don't look very old.", "did you shave today", "I have more beard than you do.". Brain is 16 by the way. He was so proud to show me his mustache.
Before I could get a word in, he wanted to show me his Transformers collection. When I walked into his bedroom, he had industrial shelves full of Transformer action figures. His room was covered with Transformer memorabilia. For a second I thought I was standing in Shia Labeouf's bedroom. It was crazy. He was telling me about all of them. Their names and what they transform in to. He then grabbed Bumble Bee off the shelf, flopped down on the floor, crossed his legs so he was sitting 'Indian Style' and spent the next few minutes showing me how to transform him from a robot to the car. I don't think I could have figured out how to put that thing together, I was seriously amazed.
Brian made my 40 minute drive back to Columbus seem like 10 minutes. All I could think about was how passionate he was about these Transformers. It made me think about what my true passion was. Although Brian lives with such a challenging disorder, he still has a passion. A passion that brings him happiness and joy on a daily basis. There are so many things I can do that he may never be able to. This doesn't stop him from finding something that makes him truly happy. I really had a hard time determining what my 'Transformers' is. Helping others has always been something I loved. Whether it is writing this blog to inspire the 19 of you who read it or making a joke to make someone laugh.
By the time I hit Reynoldsburg, my thoughts changed from my personal passion's to my mother's. She has always sacrificed her happiness to make sure I was happy. So has my father. My mom started this particular job to help pay for my brother and I to further our education. I know she doesn't want to spend every day in someone else's home. She has her own ambitions. She has her own career goals. She has her own passion. But she has sacrificed those things for my brother and I. A sacrifice I have probably taken for granted for too long.
You can say I am not only my parents baby boy, I am also an investment. The money they have spent on me throughout the years is probably ridiculous. For sports, clothes, medical bills because of those sports, and we can't forget the thousands of dollars paid to Ohio University. Being able to return the favor and show a return on their investment has always been a motivation. To be able to take care of them so they can retire. Then they can try to remember what they were passionate about when they were my age. The same age when they were sacrificing those dreams to raise my brother and I.
I guess Clair Dunphy says it best...
Today I drove to Newark to meet my mom at her work. She is an independent nurse who takes care of 3 autistic teenagers. Although she has been working with these "kids" for the past 4 or 5 years, I have never physically met them. My mom has randomly handed them the phone during a conversation, but to physically see her work environment was an eye opening experience. I don't know if you have ever dealt with anyone who is autistic, but it can be a challenge.
Seeing my mother work and communicate with these kids was amazing. A whole new respect for my mother was created today. She has told me hundreds of stories about her experiences with her kids, but to experience it in person brought a new light to what she does every day. I am sure there are days she wishes she could be doing something else. It isn't an easy career. I don't think I could do it. Actually, I know I couldn't do it.
It is obvious that my mom has created a certain bond with her "kids". Brian, who is least affected by his autism can actually carry conversations and interact with others. He is somewhat smothering. For every story my mom has told me about her "kids", I am sure she has told them more about my brother and I. Brian was anxious to finally put a face to my name. He even went far enough to make a joke (even though he didn't do it intentionally). As I shook his hand and introduced myself, he said, "How old are you?", "you don't look very old.", "did you shave today", "I have more beard than you do.". Brain is 16 by the way. He was so proud to show me his mustache.
Before I could get a word in, he wanted to show me his Transformers collection. When I walked into his bedroom, he had industrial shelves full of Transformer action figures. His room was covered with Transformer memorabilia. For a second I thought I was standing in Shia Labeouf's bedroom. It was crazy. He was telling me about all of them. Their names and what they transform in to. He then grabbed Bumble Bee off the shelf, flopped down on the floor, crossed his legs so he was sitting 'Indian Style' and spent the next few minutes showing me how to transform him from a robot to the car. I don't think I could have figured out how to put that thing together, I was seriously amazed.
Brian made my 40 minute drive back to Columbus seem like 10 minutes. All I could think about was how passionate he was about these Transformers. It made me think about what my true passion was. Although Brian lives with such a challenging disorder, he still has a passion. A passion that brings him happiness and joy on a daily basis. There are so many things I can do that he may never be able to. This doesn't stop him from finding something that makes him truly happy. I really had a hard time determining what my 'Transformers' is. Helping others has always been something I loved. Whether it is writing this blog to inspire the 19 of you who read it or making a joke to make someone laugh.
By the time I hit Reynoldsburg, my thoughts changed from my personal passion's to my mother's. She has always sacrificed her happiness to make sure I was happy. So has my father. My mom started this particular job to help pay for my brother and I to further our education. I know she doesn't want to spend every day in someone else's home. She has her own ambitions. She has her own career goals. She has her own passion. But she has sacrificed those things for my brother and I. A sacrifice I have probably taken for granted for too long.
You can say I am not only my parents baby boy, I am also an investment. The money they have spent on me throughout the years is probably ridiculous. For sports, clothes, medical bills because of those sports, and we can't forget the thousands of dollars paid to Ohio University. Being able to return the favor and show a return on their investment has always been a motivation. To be able to take care of them so they can retire. Then they can try to remember what they were passionate about when they were my age. The same age when they were sacrificing those dreams to raise my brother and I.
I guess Clair Dunphy says it best...
Monday, January 16, 2012
In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
No matter how many times I try, I will never be able to capture the right emotion to celebrate and reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe this song comes pretty close.
The phrase, "I Have A Dream", will forever describe a defining moment in American history. Four simple words spoken with such confidence and faith, masked decades of nightmares. Without thinking twice, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr provided the nation with much needed strength while he captured the attention of the entire world. As time continues to pass, the more important it is to remember the accomplishments of heroic leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He led thousands of men, women, and children of all skin color as together, they shook the foundation of our nation.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will always be an inspiration. To me, he will always be the ultimate leader. His fearlessness and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good became the identity of the Civil Rights movement. People fed off the fact he was not afraid. He gave them comfort and confidence to make their own sacrifices as they fought for rights that we all take for granted on a daily basis.
Dr. King once said, "The time comes when Silence is betrayal". By not speaking up for what is right you are abandoning the freedoms provided by this country. The same freedoms that thousands have given their life to protect. Too often, we as individuals believe our voices are not loud enough to be heard. Imagine if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived his life with this mindset. Instead of accepting the social norms, Dr. King sacrificed his life to better the world. And he didn't do it alone. Individually we are one instrument, together we become a symphony.
We continue to face certain challenges and social issues today. Discrimination and prejudice are still alive. Don't be silent. Stick up for what you know is right.
Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Traffic Lights
We have all been stopped at a red light. There are a few traffic lights that seem to take longer than others. Eventually we try to avoid these specific lights. If not, we will be stuck waiting for what seems like forever for that red light to flip green. However, there are selected lights that can not be avoided. To get where you need to go, you are required to pass certain traffic lights. It's inevitable.
Throughout life you will sit at an endless number of red traffic lights. Each light will be different. You will be more familiar with some than others. Sometimes you won't be completely sure which direction you should go. You will take a few wrong turns, but you will eventually stumble upon another red light. Where another decision must be made. A decision that will help you reach your destination.
(now hit play)
Most people look at a traffic light as an obstacle. A yellow box with three separate colors that may delay or even prevent you from reaching your desired destination. At the most crucial times they always seem to be red. Further challenging your patience and making your life more difficult.
If you look at it with a different perspective, traffic lights may actually help you along your journey. Red lights give you a few moments to make sure you are heading in the right direction. Most of them give you options to take a turn for the better. They allow you to take a peek to your right or left to see if the person driving next to you is attractive. They even give you a few seconds to find your favorite song.
Obstacles, just like traffic lights will always influence our lives. As long as you know exactly what you want to achieve or exactly where you want to go, they can not stop you from reaching your ambitions. Look at your daily obstacles like a red light. At times you may feel like you are stuck. Appreciate the moment and always remember the light will change. You have the ability to determine which way you go. Have confidence in your decision and don't expect others to understand. Because most of the time you will be forced to prove that you made the right choice.
When it comes to your dreams and aspirations, never question yourself. No matter how many times others may lose faith in them, you must always remain positive. It is up to you to make those dreams become reality. If you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard to find someone else who does. When you do come across a red traffic light... take a second and embrace the moment. Enjoy how far you have come and have faith in how far you will go.
Eventually you will learn to appreciate every green light you hit...
(The song is "Traffic Light" by Jared Evan) Highly recommend you look him up.
and #shoutout to my Dad. He too taught me all about Rock'n Roll. Hip-hop was just embedded in my soul.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
3 People, 1 Result
I had no intention to write a post today. However, you can thank the nice old woman at Panera, Erika at Great Clips, and some 'wound for sound' mechanic at FastLupe for inspiring me to write about how much I love quality service. It's crazy where you can find authentic inspiration. I woke up today pissed because of the errands that needed to completed. I am now sitting at my computer feeling like I need to go around high-fiving neighbors and helping old women cross the street.
My weekly roundtable meetings at the RE/MAX office are every Tuesday. I figured since I would already be running around, I should get my oil changed and get a new haircut. Typical tasks that actually annoy the shit out of me. Why do I get annoyed be these simple tasks?
Because mechanics have some type of superpower that tells them I know nothing about cars. So they judge me. They look at me and ask all these questions like I should know the answers (I probably should, but I was too busy playing sports growing up to get under the hood of a car with my old man). If I did have knowledge about cars, I wouldn't be taking mine to their shop. I would learn how to fix it myself.
I don't enjoy getting my haircut because (well if you follow me on Twitter, you have experienced my haircut rants), I usually have to wait a solid 10 minutes while I realize how annoying some kids are. I love kids. Being a father is something I look forward to more than anything else. But I refuse to raise my children to be annoying. I will encourage questions, but not in an annoying voice. I guess you can say the hair salon is a unique type of birth control.
As you can imagine, I didn't plan on experiencing a life lesson. Following my roundtable meeting, I went to FastLube to get my oil changed. It was my first time going to this place so I didn't fully know what to expect. Instead of a grueling process, every mechanic in the shop had a smile on their face and did everything they could to help me. At first I thought I was their 100th customer or something and was receiving some type of special service. He was giving me advice on the smallest details and didn't charge me for replacing certain parts that needed fixed. And he seemed thrilled to do it. The guy even called me, "sir" when he I was paying for it. I never get a "sir"! I look like I just got my license! Instead of taking all these extra perks for free, I offered to pay a little more. After a few minutes of arguing he finally accepted it.
Next stop, should have been Great Clips, but the continuous growling from my stomach reminded me that I needed to get some lunch. Man I love to eat. Panera was right down the road so why not. This old woman blew me away. She could have made Mona Lisa smile. The way she took my order made me feel as if my grandma would be preparing it. I felt like she personally made sure the lettuce was fresh and my soup was warm. I wanted to give her a high five and a hug. Instead, I left a tip.
Final stop, Great Clips. I strategically planned today so I wouldn't have to see little kids. It worked. I walked right in and was next in line. Today is really my day because the stylist that my roommates and I are in love with was there. It has been awhile since she has been the one to cut my hair. I was a little excited. Not only does she give the best haircuts, she can actually carry a conversation. Usually I walk out of that place with random hairs that are 7 inches long and hair all over my face. Not with Erika. I'm pretty sure she cuts each piece of hair individually. For that, I love her. I even let her put "product" in my hair. Product hasn't touched my hair since my first 6th grade dance. #shoutout to Baha Men! I got out of that chair feeling crispy! I'm pretty sure I gave her the best tip I have ever given someone to cut my hair.
That's just the thing. These people went over and beyond what they are supposed to do. Each of them had a positive influence on my day. Imagine if every single person we dealt with on a daily basis had an attitude about life as these 3 individuals. I'm a broke college graduate who has student loans to worry about, but I will always be willing to shell out extra money to show my appreciation.
I wish I could say I do my very best to try and have a positive influence on everyone I encounter. I don't. I have my days just like the next person. I know it's January 10th, but it doesn't need to be December 31st for you to make a change. If these people can inspire me by simply taking my order, cutting my hair, or changing my oil, imagine what you can do for someone else. It's easy to be negative all the time. Challenge yourself to put a smile on someone else's face. Soon enough it will become natural...
My weekly roundtable meetings at the RE/MAX office are every Tuesday. I figured since I would already be running around, I should get my oil changed and get a new haircut. Typical tasks that actually annoy the shit out of me. Why do I get annoyed be these simple tasks?
Because mechanics have some type of superpower that tells them I know nothing about cars. So they judge me. They look at me and ask all these questions like I should know the answers (I probably should, but I was too busy playing sports growing up to get under the hood of a car with my old man). If I did have knowledge about cars, I wouldn't be taking mine to their shop. I would learn how to fix it myself.
I don't enjoy getting my haircut because (well if you follow me on Twitter, you have experienced my haircut rants), I usually have to wait a solid 10 minutes while I realize how annoying some kids are. I love kids. Being a father is something I look forward to more than anything else. But I refuse to raise my children to be annoying. I will encourage questions, but not in an annoying voice. I guess you can say the hair salon is a unique type of birth control.
As you can imagine, I didn't plan on experiencing a life lesson. Following my roundtable meeting, I went to FastLube to get my oil changed. It was my first time going to this place so I didn't fully know what to expect. Instead of a grueling process, every mechanic in the shop had a smile on their face and did everything they could to help me. At first I thought I was their 100th customer or something and was receiving some type of special service. He was giving me advice on the smallest details and didn't charge me for replacing certain parts that needed fixed. And he seemed thrilled to do it. The guy even called me, "sir" when he I was paying for it. I never get a "sir"! I look like I just got my license! Instead of taking all these extra perks for free, I offered to pay a little more. After a few minutes of arguing he finally accepted it.
Next stop, should have been Great Clips, but the continuous growling from my stomach reminded me that I needed to get some lunch. Man I love to eat. Panera was right down the road so why not. This old woman blew me away. She could have made Mona Lisa smile. The way she took my order made me feel as if my grandma would be preparing it. I felt like she personally made sure the lettuce was fresh and my soup was warm. I wanted to give her a high five and a hug. Instead, I left a tip.
Final stop, Great Clips. I strategically planned today so I wouldn't have to see little kids. It worked. I walked right in and was next in line. Today is really my day because the stylist that my roommates and I are in love with was there. It has been awhile since she has been the one to cut my hair. I was a little excited. Not only does she give the best haircuts, she can actually carry a conversation. Usually I walk out of that place with random hairs that are 7 inches long and hair all over my face. Not with Erika. I'm pretty sure she cuts each piece of hair individually. For that, I love her. I even let her put "product" in my hair. Product hasn't touched my hair since my first 6th grade dance. #shoutout to Baha Men! I got out of that chair feeling crispy! I'm pretty sure I gave her the best tip I have ever given someone to cut my hair.
That's just the thing. These people went over and beyond what they are supposed to do. Each of them had a positive influence on my day. Imagine if every single person we dealt with on a daily basis had an attitude about life as these 3 individuals. I'm a broke college graduate who has student loans to worry about, but I will always be willing to shell out extra money to show my appreciation.
I wish I could say I do my very best to try and have a positive influence on everyone I encounter. I don't. I have my days just like the next person. I know it's January 10th, but it doesn't need to be December 31st for you to make a change. If these people can inspire me by simply taking my order, cutting my hair, or changing my oil, imagine what you can do for someone else. It's easy to be negative all the time. Challenge yourself to put a smile on someone else's face. Soon enough it will become natural...
Monday, January 9, 2012
How To (Part 2)
Ok fellas, I feel as if I should post this closer to the upcoming weekend because you won't remember these tips by then. Therefore, you will again, find yourself stumbling home from the bar alone. It doesn't have to be like this. Listen to these tips and you will know how to find a girlfriend.
Guys, unlike gals, usually have different intentions when approaching a potential girlfriend. Their first visualization isn't "snuggling" up on the couch watching, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians". This doesn't mean we don't ask ourselves if we could spend the rest of our lives with you. We do. But if the answer is no, we will still pursue you. This is where we are different. Women like to plan the rest of their lives. They want their fairy tale ending. If they don't see you as their Prince Charming, they will not waste their time on you.
Knowing this, the best advise I can provide is; Do not allow a woman to determine whether or not you are the one for her after one night... or 2, or 3, or even 4 nights. It is impossible to make an accurate judgment within a few hours. Prolong the process and listen to these 5 pieces of advice.
Again, most rules apply to men as they do to women. Like I said before, you should not be searching for love in a bar. However, I know this is everyone's 'go-to'.
1. DO NOT offer to buy her a drink. A lot of guys think this is the gentlemen-like thing to do. It is. But not for the woman you just met 3 minutes ago. There are two types of women in the world. One that will expect you to buy her a drink as she will often seek out the weak guys who will. When I say weak, I mean too nice. The other one is the type to accept the drink you generously/stupidly bought for her and instantly think you simply want to take her home that night. I have a simple rule when it comes to buying a random girl a drink at the bar. If you strike up a solid conversation with a girl, wait for her to finish 1.4 drinks before you offer to buy her next drink. If she just arrived to the bar, go ahead and buy her the drink without asking her. If she is one sip from falling off the bar-stool, you are already too late and she probably isn't the type of girl you are looking for anyway. By waiting, you accomplish 2 things. #1 - You didn't jump the gun by buying her a drink as soon as you got her name. She now knows you actually have an interest in her and not just the color of the panties she is wearing. #2 - You should feel confident that she is actually interested in you. If she simply wanted to flirt with you for a free drink, she wouldn't talk to you while she finished 1.4 drinks. You are in there my friend. NOW be the gentlemen that you should be and buy her a drink.
2. Listen, Listen, Listen. Remember what I said before, do not let a woman decide whether you are the one for her after one night. The less you talk, the less likely you will mess this up. She is less likely to say something that will turn you off than you are to ruin her impression of you. Especially if you have had a few drinks. Women like to talk. They all want a man that will listen. Ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation flowing. If she flips the question on you, say enough to completely answer the question. Nothing more, nothing less. Learn as much about her as possible before you start rambling about yourself. This initial conversation should not be a sales pitch where you are trying to convince her to buy the product. Show more interest in her than your desire to brag about your fantasy football championship.
3. Pay attention to detail. If she has been controlling the conversation, she should have said at least 3 specific details that you should have picked up on. This could range from details such as her dog's name to a comment she made pertaining to a song that came on the jukebox. Refer to these details later on in the night. It will show her that you are actually listening and you have been engaged in the conversation. Details are proof that you care of what she is saying. Women eat that shit up.
4. Update yourself on Pop Culture. Pop Culture to women is what sports is to men. If you can give an educated opinion on the Katy Perry and Russell Brand break-up, you will hand her the keys to the conversation. Which is exactly what we want. Knowledge in Pop Culture shows a common interest and makes her feel comfortable. It is fun to talk about. She will open up and give you her opinion on several topics. Again, this gives you a chance to become the listener she is looking for while you can pick up on details and determine whether or not she is the right girl for you. Next time you are at the grocery store, instead of complaining that only 3 registers are open, find the longest line and voluntarily get in that line. Don't be afraid to look at the covers of pop magazines to educate yourself. They will tell you everything you need to know to hold a successful conversation with a girl. Oh, and as a warning... stay away from girls who say Khloe Kardashian is their favorite Kardashian... chances are, they are a man.
5. Find a good cologne. If you smell good as hell, you increase your chances of having a girlfriend by 47.6%. If a smell catches a woman's attention, she will be curious where it is coming from. She will already have a good impression of you before she knows what you look like. Different guys have different opinions on this topic. I encourage you to use one specific cologne until that thing is completely empty. This should be the only scent you use. DO NOT SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS. No 2 men should ever smell the exact same in any room, building, or 3 mile radius. By doing so, you make that scent your own. Girls will remember your scent and be reminded of you every time they smell it. Just don't get too excited and smell like you took a bath in the stuff.
If you do these 5 things, I can almost promise you will find someone to keep you entertained throughout Winter. Shit, a girl may even ask to come home with you. Just be sure you won't disappoint if you say yes. If you do, you can kiss that relationship goodbye. No one wants to be with someone who performs like a teenager in the sack. If you are aware you lack a few skills, establish a stronger relationship before you put them on display. If she really likes you, she will be willing to compensate.
For the last time, do not allow her to make a judgement after one night. When she realizes she doesn't know much about you even though she has confessed most of her life to you, she will have no choice but to see you again. She will be curious. Little by little let her learn more about you. By now you should have a good understanding of her and the details necessary to impress her.
It really isn't that hard guys...
Guys, unlike gals, usually have different intentions when approaching a potential girlfriend. Their first visualization isn't "snuggling" up on the couch watching, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians". This doesn't mean we don't ask ourselves if we could spend the rest of our lives with you. We do. But if the answer is no, we will still pursue you. This is where we are different. Women like to plan the rest of their lives. They want their fairy tale ending. If they don't see you as their Prince Charming, they will not waste their time on you.
Knowing this, the best advise I can provide is; Do not allow a woman to determine whether or not you are the one for her after one night... or 2, or 3, or even 4 nights. It is impossible to make an accurate judgment within a few hours. Prolong the process and listen to these 5 pieces of advice.
Again, most rules apply to men as they do to women. Like I said before, you should not be searching for love in a bar. However, I know this is everyone's 'go-to'.
1. DO NOT offer to buy her a drink. A lot of guys think this is the gentlemen-like thing to do. It is. But not for the woman you just met 3 minutes ago. There are two types of women in the world. One that will expect you to buy her a drink as she will often seek out the weak guys who will. When I say weak, I mean too nice. The other one is the type to accept the drink you generously/stupidly bought for her and instantly think you simply want to take her home that night. I have a simple rule when it comes to buying a random girl a drink at the bar. If you strike up a solid conversation with a girl, wait for her to finish 1.4 drinks before you offer to buy her next drink. If she just arrived to the bar, go ahead and buy her the drink without asking her. If she is one sip from falling off the bar-stool, you are already too late and she probably isn't the type of girl you are looking for anyway. By waiting, you accomplish 2 things. #1 - You didn't jump the gun by buying her a drink as soon as you got her name. She now knows you actually have an interest in her and not just the color of the panties she is wearing. #2 - You should feel confident that she is actually interested in you. If she simply wanted to flirt with you for a free drink, she wouldn't talk to you while she finished 1.4 drinks. You are in there my friend. NOW be the gentlemen that you should be and buy her a drink.
2. Listen, Listen, Listen. Remember what I said before, do not let a woman decide whether you are the one for her after one night. The less you talk, the less likely you will mess this up. She is less likely to say something that will turn you off than you are to ruin her impression of you. Especially if you have had a few drinks. Women like to talk. They all want a man that will listen. Ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation flowing. If she flips the question on you, say enough to completely answer the question. Nothing more, nothing less. Learn as much about her as possible before you start rambling about yourself. This initial conversation should not be a sales pitch where you are trying to convince her to buy the product. Show more interest in her than your desire to brag about your fantasy football championship.
3. Pay attention to detail. If she has been controlling the conversation, she should have said at least 3 specific details that you should have picked up on. This could range from details such as her dog's name to a comment she made pertaining to a song that came on the jukebox. Refer to these details later on in the night. It will show her that you are actually listening and you have been engaged in the conversation. Details are proof that you care of what she is saying. Women eat that shit up.
4. Update yourself on Pop Culture. Pop Culture to women is what sports is to men. If you can give an educated opinion on the Katy Perry and Russell Brand break-up, you will hand her the keys to the conversation. Which is exactly what we want. Knowledge in Pop Culture shows a common interest and makes her feel comfortable. It is fun to talk about. She will open up and give you her opinion on several topics. Again, this gives you a chance to become the listener she is looking for while you can pick up on details and determine whether or not she is the right girl for you. Next time you are at the grocery store, instead of complaining that only 3 registers are open, find the longest line and voluntarily get in that line. Don't be afraid to look at the covers of pop magazines to educate yourself. They will tell you everything you need to know to hold a successful conversation with a girl. Oh, and as a warning... stay away from girls who say Khloe Kardashian is their favorite Kardashian... chances are, they are a man.
5. Find a good cologne. If you smell good as hell, you increase your chances of having a girlfriend by 47.6%. If a smell catches a woman's attention, she will be curious where it is coming from. She will already have a good impression of you before she knows what you look like. Different guys have different opinions on this topic. I encourage you to use one specific cologne until that thing is completely empty. This should be the only scent you use. DO NOT SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS. No 2 men should ever smell the exact same in any room, building, or 3 mile radius. By doing so, you make that scent your own. Girls will remember your scent and be reminded of you every time they smell it. Just don't get too excited and smell like you took a bath in the stuff.
If you do these 5 things, I can almost promise you will find someone to keep you entertained throughout Winter. Shit, a girl may even ask to come home with you. Just be sure you won't disappoint if you say yes. If you do, you can kiss that relationship goodbye. No one wants to be with someone who performs like a teenager in the sack. If you are aware you lack a few skills, establish a stronger relationship before you put them on display. If she really likes you, she will be willing to compensate.
For the last time, do not allow her to make a judgement after one night. When she realizes she doesn't know much about you even though she has confessed most of her life to you, she will have no choice but to see you again. She will be curious. Little by little let her learn more about you. By now you should have a good understanding of her and the details necessary to impress her.
It really isn't that hard guys...
Friday, January 6, 2012
How To (Part 1) :
This one is for the ladies. Well, the single ladies...
I genuinely want to see everyone happy. There a few people out there who I wish would stub their toe every morning but for the most part, I like to see smiles all around. The one constant as I continue to age has been more wedding/baby pictures and less bikini pictures on Facebook. There's nothing wrong with that. This simply tells me more and more of the women I grew up with are starting families. They are happy, so I am happy for them.
However, not everyone has found their Prince Charming, or whatever. These are the women I intend to give a helping hand. Snow has finally fallen from the sky and the temperature is beginning to drop. It's Winter. I hate it. You probably hate it. But we can all agree having someone to "snuggle" with throughout the season helps pass the time. I know this because there has been a recent increase in, "why can't I find a good guy?" type of Facebook statuses. Well let me tell you how to find/keep a guy for longer than the time it takes to... nevermind.
1. You need to learn how to love AT LEAST one sport! Let's be honest, there aren't a whole lot of guys out there who don't enjoy watching a game and having a brew. Those who don't, are not reading my blog every. single. day. They spend their time collecting bugs or playing War of World Craft in a small dark room somewhere. Trust me, YOU WILL NOT GO WRONG if you talk sports to a guy. Even if the guy you are talking to is mute, he will find a way to interact with you. It's our shit. We love it. We love when you love it. Pretend to be a fan of his favorite team. Watch the game together. It let's us see you as a 'friend', not just as a lover. It's 3 hours where high-fives are actually encouraged rather than hugs & kisses. Just don't be that girl who roots against his team... you will not last long.
2. Do not be afraid to dress up! I don't think Drake thought you guys would take it so seriously when he said, "Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no make-up on. That's when you're the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong." Yes, we do find that seriously sexy... but not everyday. And that is definitely not the way to catch a guy's eye when you are in public. Although, yoga pants can do a lot for a woman. Show a guy that you actually care about your appearance. When you put time and effort into getting dressed, it shows that you also care about him and that you want to look your best for him. THEN BAM! You can spend a day in your sweat pants and he will still appreciate that type of sexy.
3. Make it a point to get along with his friends! I know the old sayin, "Bros before hoes" sounds cliche, because it is, but it is still a valid rule. If you can establish a solid first impression with his friends, your chances of forming a relationship increase by 68.3%. If you somehow make this guy fall head over heels for you but you neglect his friends, they will still advise him that you suck. Now your chances of seeing him again are at 9.6%. If you date and you don't get along with his friends, they will talk about you in a bad manner behind your back. If he decides he would rather spend more time with you than his friends, they will hate you and refuse to go to your wedding.... maybe not to that extent..
4. Don't try to find him at the bar after Happy Hour! If you can, avoid finding guys at the bar in general. But, I know every one of you probably still tries to do it. If a guy is at Happy Hour, it means he is smart, friendly, and has better things to do than get #whiteboywasted (unless he is one of those guys who will stay there the rest of the night.. avoid those guys). Why is he smart? It's obvious. He is cost efficient. He knows how to manage his money. He also thinks like me and understands the best time to actually hold a good conversation with a gal at a bar is during this time. Why is he friendly? Because he doesn't need to be drunk before he has enough balls to talk to a stranger. Crowds are not crazy and the music isn't at full blast so there is actually a chance for a decent conversation rather than a screaming match. This is the kind of guy that may actually buy you a drink and not be pissed if you don't go home with him afterwards. What better things would he have to do? Hopefully it's not to get back to his Wife and three children... He may need to go to the gym. He may be going home to watch the new episode of Lost (is that show still on?). It doesn't really matter. Just know he won't be slurring his speech at 2:00am.
5. Use Chap Stick! This one is just obvious. It's cold. The wind blows. Your lips will chap. No guy will talk to you if your lips look like paper mache. He is liable to put on a blindfold, spin around three times, and hit you with a stick because he has mistaken you for a pinata.
I really hope I have helped you out. And guys... don't worry. I will help you find your "gurls" very soon. We all know you are the ones who really need the advice.
I genuinely want to see everyone happy. There a few people out there who I wish would stub their toe every morning but for the most part, I like to see smiles all around. The one constant as I continue to age has been more wedding/baby pictures and less bikini pictures on Facebook. There's nothing wrong with that. This simply tells me more and more of the women I grew up with are starting families. They are happy, so I am happy for them.
However, not everyone has found their Prince Charming, or whatever. These are the women I intend to give a helping hand. Snow has finally fallen from the sky and the temperature is beginning to drop. It's Winter. I hate it. You probably hate it. But we can all agree having someone to "snuggle" with throughout the season helps pass the time. I know this because there has been a recent increase in, "why can't I find a good guy?" type of Facebook statuses. Well let me tell you how to find/keep a guy for longer than the time it takes to... nevermind.
1. You need to learn how to love AT LEAST one sport! Let's be honest, there aren't a whole lot of guys out there who don't enjoy watching a game and having a brew. Those who don't, are not reading my blog every. single. day. They spend their time collecting bugs or playing War of World Craft in a small dark room somewhere. Trust me, YOU WILL NOT GO WRONG if you talk sports to a guy. Even if the guy you are talking to is mute, he will find a way to interact with you. It's our shit. We love it. We love when you love it. Pretend to be a fan of his favorite team. Watch the game together. It let's us see you as a 'friend', not just as a lover. It's 3 hours where high-fives are actually encouraged rather than hugs & kisses. Just don't be that girl who roots against his team... you will not last long.
2. Do not be afraid to dress up! I don't think Drake thought you guys would take it so seriously when he said, "Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no make-up on. That's when you're the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong." Yes, we do find that seriously sexy... but not everyday. And that is definitely not the way to catch a guy's eye when you are in public. Although, yoga pants can do a lot for a woman. Show a guy that you actually care about your appearance. When you put time and effort into getting dressed, it shows that you also care about him and that you want to look your best for him. THEN BAM! You can spend a day in your sweat pants and he will still appreciate that type of sexy.
3. Make it a point to get along with his friends! I know the old sayin, "Bros before hoes" sounds cliche, because it is, but it is still a valid rule. If you can establish a solid first impression with his friends, your chances of forming a relationship increase by 68.3%. If you somehow make this guy fall head over heels for you but you neglect his friends, they will still advise him that you suck. Now your chances of seeing him again are at 9.6%. If you date and you don't get along with his friends, they will talk about you in a bad manner behind your back. If he decides he would rather spend more time with you than his friends, they will hate you and refuse to go to your wedding.... maybe not to that extent..
4. Don't try to find him at the bar after Happy Hour! If you can, avoid finding guys at the bar in general. But, I know every one of you probably still tries to do it. If a guy is at Happy Hour, it means he is smart, friendly, and has better things to do than get #whiteboywasted (unless he is one of those guys who will stay there the rest of the night.. avoid those guys). Why is he smart? It's obvious. He is cost efficient. He knows how to manage his money. He also thinks like me and understands the best time to actually hold a good conversation with a gal at a bar is during this time. Why is he friendly? Because he doesn't need to be drunk before he has enough balls to talk to a stranger. Crowds are not crazy and the music isn't at full blast so there is actually a chance for a decent conversation rather than a screaming match. This is the kind of guy that may actually buy you a drink and not be pissed if you don't go home with him afterwards. What better things would he have to do? Hopefully it's not to get back to his Wife and three children... He may need to go to the gym. He may be going home to watch the new episode of Lost (is that show still on?). It doesn't really matter. Just know he won't be slurring his speech at 2:00am.
5. Use Chap Stick! This one is just obvious. It's cold. The wind blows. Your lips will chap. No guy will talk to you if your lips look like paper mache. He is liable to put on a blindfold, spin around three times, and hit you with a stick because he has mistaken you for a pinata.
I really hope I have helped you out. And guys... don't worry. I will help you find your "gurls" very soon. We all know you are the ones who really need the advice.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Hate him or love him... but you BETTER respect him
By now I am sure most of you have read about Kanye West's Twitter rant.
Last night, Kanye was back on Twitter to announce his new design company, details on his fashion line and confessed his true passion, creativity. His new company, DONDA, "will galvanize amazing thinkers and put them in a creative space to bound their dreams and ideas." Kanye has named the company after his late mother as it will be, "comprised of 22 divisions with a goal to make products and experiences that people want and can afford."
Now the only question is if Kanye is really going to follow through with his new company or if this will just be added to his collection of Twitter rants. If you ask me, it looks like Kanye has put some serious thought into DONDA and he is truly inspired to help others. But I may be a liiiiiiiiiiiiiiittle bias...
Depending on how well you know me, you know I am an avid Yeezy fan. It's not just his music, but his whole persona.
A lot of people I know say they dislike Kanye West. Most of them are country music fans. Sorry, but Taylor Swift deserved to have that microphone snatched from her. These same people say they don’t like him because he is arrogant and egotistic. They don’t like his attitude. They don’t like the way he carries himself. They don’t like how he ‘complains’ about not winning certain awards. However, these same people who say they dislike or even hate Kanye have his music on their ipod.
So why shouldn’t he be egotistic? His haters are his biggest fans. Even though people can’t stand his personality, they still listen to his music. Who else has the ability to make consumers fall in love with music created by such a disliked person? Like comedian Katt Williams says, "Don’t worry… I’ll wait". The answer is no one. He is a musical genius that is so incredibly talented people can’t help themselves. They can’t help but feel the music and relate to his lyrics. Maybe Kanye has an argument when he doesn’t win certain musical awards?!
I personally admire Mr. West. But then again, I am one of few who can look at a certain situation with a different outlook on life. We have all seen the clip in which Kanye grabs the mic from the ‘defenseless’ Taylor Swift during ‘her moment’ to argue that Beyonce’s video for Single Ladies was one of the best videos of all time. What many saw as Kanye ruining a special moment in a young artist's life, I saw as him standing up for what he believed was right. Did he go about it the right way? That is a matter of opinion. But did everyone ask themselves if Beyonce’s video was indeed better? I know I did. I can't even remember the name of the song or the video that helped Taylor win best female video? Do you?
I am willing to bet the house that we will continue to see the Single Ladies video for years to come. Much like we will continue to hear past, present, and future music from Kanye West. We will continue to listen to his music for different reasons. A few weeks ago I couldn't stop listening to his song, Amazing. I listened to it for a good 3 hours. Nonstop. The song just reflected the type of mood I was in.
(Go ahead, do yourself a favor and listen to the song while you continue reading)
If Kanye can inspire me to listen to one damn song for 3 hours… imagine what he has done for the rest of the world. I guess what I am trying to say is we emphasis such an importance on one 20 second event that we tend to erase all the good Kanye has done as a whole. The incident at the MTV Music Awards only impacted Taylor Swift. The same girl who just won an MTV Award and is making millions of dollars doing what she loves to do. Should you really feel that bad for her? If those 20 seconds would have really ruined her life then she just wasn't cut out for the music industry.
In my opinion, the music Kanye has created outweighs any, and I mean ANY controversy that has surrounded him. We no longer care about the greater good. Instead, we find pleasure and search for any flaw in an individual. There is even a TV show to expose these celebrities, TMZ. These people dedicate their lives in order to catch a celebrity slip up on camera. When successful, they try their hardest to expose these celebrities through the endless list of blog sites. To no surprise, these stories are what sticks in our minds. Instead of focusing on the greater good, we now thrive on flaws.
Last night, Kanye was back on Twitter to announce his new design company, details on his fashion line and confessed his true passion, creativity. His new company, DONDA, "will galvanize amazing thinkers and put them in a creative space to bound their dreams and ideas." Kanye has named the company after his late mother as it will be, "comprised of 22 divisions with a goal to make products and experiences that people want and can afford."
Now the only question is if Kanye is really going to follow through with his new company or if this will just be added to his collection of Twitter rants. If you ask me, it looks like Kanye has put some serious thought into DONDA and he is truly inspired to help others. But I may be a liiiiiiiiiiiiiiittle bias...
Depending on how well you know me, you know I am an avid Yeezy fan. It's not just his music, but his whole persona.
A lot of people I know say they dislike Kanye West. Most of them are country music fans. Sorry, but Taylor Swift deserved to have that microphone snatched from her. These same people say they don’t like him because he is arrogant and egotistic. They don’t like his attitude. They don’t like the way he carries himself. They don’t like how he ‘complains’ about not winning certain awards. However, these same people who say they dislike or even hate Kanye have his music on their ipod.
So why shouldn’t he be egotistic? His haters are his biggest fans. Even though people can’t stand his personality, they still listen to his music. Who else has the ability to make consumers fall in love with music created by such a disliked person? Like comedian Katt Williams says, "Don’t worry… I’ll wait". The answer is no one. He is a musical genius that is so incredibly talented people can’t help themselves. They can’t help but feel the music and relate to his lyrics. Maybe Kanye has an argument when he doesn’t win certain musical awards?!
I personally admire Mr. West. But then again, I am one of few who can look at a certain situation with a different outlook on life. We have all seen the clip in which Kanye grabs the mic from the ‘defenseless’ Taylor Swift during ‘her moment’ to argue that Beyonce’s video for Single Ladies was one of the best videos of all time. What many saw as Kanye ruining a special moment in a young artist's life, I saw as him standing up for what he believed was right. Did he go about it the right way? That is a matter of opinion. But did everyone ask themselves if Beyonce’s video was indeed better? I know I did. I can't even remember the name of the song or the video that helped Taylor win best female video? Do you?
I am willing to bet the house that we will continue to see the Single Ladies video for years to come. Much like we will continue to hear past, present, and future music from Kanye West. We will continue to listen to his music for different reasons. A few weeks ago I couldn't stop listening to his song, Amazing. I listened to it for a good 3 hours. Nonstop. The song just reflected the type of mood I was in.
(Go ahead, do yourself a favor and listen to the song while you continue reading)
If Kanye can inspire me to listen to one damn song for 3 hours… imagine what he has done for the rest of the world. I guess what I am trying to say is we emphasis such an importance on one 20 second event that we tend to erase all the good Kanye has done as a whole. The incident at the MTV Music Awards only impacted Taylor Swift. The same girl who just won an MTV Award and is making millions of dollars doing what she loves to do. Should you really feel that bad for her? If those 20 seconds would have really ruined her life then she just wasn't cut out for the music industry.
In my opinion, the music Kanye has created outweighs any, and I mean ANY controversy that has surrounded him. We no longer care about the greater good. Instead, we find pleasure and search for any flaw in an individual. There is even a TV show to expose these celebrities, TMZ. These people dedicate their lives in order to catch a celebrity slip up on camera. When successful, they try their hardest to expose these celebrities through the endless list of blog sites. To no surprise, these stories are what sticks in our minds. Instead of focusing on the greater good, we now thrive on flaws.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
No Faith = No Chance
Sometimes all you really need to do is reach out to people. A project I have been working on for months is finally coming to an end. It has been a true test of my ambition. Working without someone looking over your shoulder to ensure completion of the task at hand is not for everybody. At certain times during 2011, I questioned if it was even for me. This is what makes life interesting. If you don't test yourself than how can you accurately evaluate your true value.
My simple advice is to never give up. Don't stop three feet from gold. Every choice you make, whether it has a positive or negative outcome, is followed by another choice. Because of this, you should never feel at the end of a road. You always have the potential to bounce back from a previous choice. Some choices may be harder to correct but you always have the opportunity to do so. Quitting should never be an option because when you do, you eliminate the opportunity to improve the situation.
And when you want to be extraordinary, you have to take certain risks. These risks require tougher choices. With risks comes the possibility of failure. To truly succeed, you must not fear failure. The thought of failure should not exist. Have faith in what you are trying to accomplish. If you don't believe in it, no one else will.
Don't get me wrong... it always helps when you surround yourself with people who show encouragement...
This is where Mark Cuban comes into play. Within my project, I have included several inspiring examples of work from some of the most successful people in the world. A post from Mark Cuban's blog, blogmaverick.com, is one of these examples. I decided to provide the entire post rather than summarizing the content. I wouldn't do it justice. In order to do so, I needed to seek permission from the author, Mark Cuban. How hard could it be to contact the owner of the Dallas Mavericks?
To my surprise, it was actually pretty easy. After some in-depth research and an e-mail to an address I doubted he was responsible for, I received permission to use his material. I sent him a brief e-mail explaining my project and why I intended to use his post. He replied with one word, "Sure". Until I noticed the name of the e-mail address had changed to, "Mark Cuban", I didn't feel confident it was him.
At first I was somewhat frustrated with the simple response, but how could I be too upset. The man took the time to read my e-mail and gave me permission to use his work. For now I can accept a brief conversation. Until then, I guess I need to prove to him my true value.
My simple advice is to never give up. Don't stop three feet from gold. Every choice you make, whether it has a positive or negative outcome, is followed by another choice. Because of this, you should never feel at the end of a road. You always have the potential to bounce back from a previous choice. Some choices may be harder to correct but you always have the opportunity to do so. Quitting should never be an option because when you do, you eliminate the opportunity to improve the situation.
And when you want to be extraordinary, you have to take certain risks. These risks require tougher choices. With risks comes the possibility of failure. To truly succeed, you must not fear failure. The thought of failure should not exist. Have faith in what you are trying to accomplish. If you don't believe in it, no one else will.
Don't get me wrong... it always helps when you surround yourself with people who show encouragement...
This is where Mark Cuban comes into play. Within my project, I have included several inspiring examples of work from some of the most successful people in the world. A post from Mark Cuban's blog, blogmaverick.com, is one of these examples. I decided to provide the entire post rather than summarizing the content. I wouldn't do it justice. In order to do so, I needed to seek permission from the author, Mark Cuban. How hard could it be to contact the owner of the Dallas Mavericks?
To my surprise, it was actually pretty easy. After some in-depth research and an e-mail to an address I doubted he was responsible for, I received permission to use his material. I sent him a brief e-mail explaining my project and why I intended to use his post. He replied with one word, "Sure". Until I noticed the name of the e-mail address had changed to, "Mark Cuban", I didn't feel confident it was him.
At first I was somewhat frustrated with the simple response, but how could I be too upset. The man took the time to read my e-mail and gave me permission to use his work. For now I can accept a brief conversation. Until then, I guess I need to prove to him my true value.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Old-er people and technology
Older generations still have a hard time with technology. My parents are still in the initial phases of learning how to text. It takes me a few minutes to decipher what they are trying to say in their text messages. I'm pretty sure my mom uses the letter "o" rather than the number zero when she texts a number like $1oo (one hundred). She doesn't want to find the "alt" button. I don't get frustrated by this, I actually find it comical. They on the other hand, become irritated by the confusion and call me.
If you know me, you know I don't enjoy talking on the phone. My parents are the only people I will happily call because I understand I can save a lot of time... and it is nice to hear their voices. However, when it comes to answering my parents phone calls, there is room for improvement. I'm not saying I ignore their calls. Usually my phone is on silent which means I never hear when they are calling. This is where the problem consists. I am THEE worst at checking my voice mails. Why? My parents, God love 'em, insist on leaving a voice mail every. single. time. they. call!
Messages usually go a little something like this, "Hey Jar, Just trying to get a hold of you. Call me back when you get this." As you can imagine, the voice mails rack up. Today, I decided to listen to the seven voice mails I had waiting for me since Friday evening. 5 of the 7 were from my parents. I have tried to tell them I am aware when they call. A message pops up on my screen that reads, "Missed Call. Mom". If I see this, I then return their call.
But I can't complain too much. I still receive those random mass-forward text messages that my parents find hysterical. I am convinced they are my parent's favorite part of having a cell phone.
I guess my parent's don't try to be "cool" parents. They don't have ipones. They don't have Facebook. They don't listen to Pandora Radio. They don't feel the need to keep up with the perks my generation has grown up with. My parents don't want to be more like me. They are happy with who they are and feel no need to change. And that is exactly why I want to be more like my parents. After all, isn't that how it's supposed to be?
If you know me, you know I don't enjoy talking on the phone. My parents are the only people I will happily call because I understand I can save a lot of time... and it is nice to hear their voices. However, when it comes to answering my parents phone calls, there is room for improvement. I'm not saying I ignore their calls. Usually my phone is on silent which means I never hear when they are calling. This is where the problem consists. I am THEE worst at checking my voice mails. Why? My parents, God love 'em, insist on leaving a voice mail every. single. time. they. call!
Messages usually go a little something like this, "Hey Jar, Just trying to get a hold of you. Call me back when you get this." As you can imagine, the voice mails rack up. Today, I decided to listen to the seven voice mails I had waiting for me since Friday evening. 5 of the 7 were from my parents. I have tried to tell them I am aware when they call. A message pops up on my screen that reads, "Missed Call. Mom". If I see this, I then return their call.
But I can't complain too much. I still receive those random mass-forward text messages that my parents find hysterical. I am convinced they are my parent's favorite part of having a cell phone.
I guess my parent's don't try to be "cool" parents. They don't have ipones. They don't have Facebook. They don't listen to Pandora Radio. They don't feel the need to keep up with the perks my generation has grown up with. My parents don't want to be more like me. They are happy with who they are and feel no need to change. And that is exactly why I want to be more like my parents. After all, isn't that how it's supposed to be?
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