http://www.litfestmagazine.com/2011/10/weekly-short-story-winner-after-1953-by.html
Monday, October 24, 2011
Won another contest
Hooray! Happy to announce that I've won another short story contest. This one is for a weekly contest, but it feels good just the same. If you want to read the story just click on the link and read away. As you can see below, there's the wonderful badge =). Enjoy
http://www.litfestmagazine.com/2011/10/weekly-short-story-winner-after-1953-by.html
http://www.litfestmagazine.com/2011/10/weekly-short-story-winner-after-1953-by.html
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Iowanna do that - All mostly there
The results are in. My last project with AmeriCorps is scheduled to be in the place where I started; Camp Courageous in Monticello Iowa. Neither excited nor disappointed to be going. The plan is to be a special needs camp counselor for two months. I’ve never done that before so it will definitely be a learning experience. Of course it wouldn’t be my AmeriCorps experience if something hadn’t gone wrong or bad, and the powers that be made sure to find a way to punch me in the face, even at the end. This project is pretty nice. No manual labor, catered food, beds, showers in housing, laundry on site, wi-fi, and even a kitchen. The downside? It’s not a very big side, but we have to work 7:30-9:30 mon-fri. What really hurt though was the fact that our original third round project was given to another team. Sound dumb, well it is. We were robbed of the project for the third round, and then instead of giving us the project back for our last round, they gave it to another team and gave us the other project. But I can’t be mad. Like I already illustrated, I wanted a nice housing situation at the end and I got it. But come on AmeriCorps! I wanted to paintball. Jeez. I think this situation fell on us because some of my teammates are lacking on hours and the Camp Courageous project has plenty of hours. Not sure if that’s the reason, but it’d make sense. Did I mention there’s essentially no cell service at Camp Courageous? Oh well, guess we’ll see how the project turns out…better not feel like the super wash spin cycle at the Laundromat.
Speaking of Laundromats, my dumb butt dun did it again. I put yet another nice cell phone through the wash before I had it for a year. Sorry sis, and thanks for letting me have it. Wish I could have had it for longer because I really liked that phone. I’m starting to think that me being distracted hardly ever results in something good. I don’t know what was distracting me, but I definitely saw my phone in my pocket, and still washed it. And it wasn’t until 30 seconds after the water had started destroying my communicator that I realized my phone was getting its sudsy suds on. I know you guys think I’m a germaphobe, but I promise I wasn’t trying to get it extra clean. At least I was able to salvage the sim card, so if you ever decide to text I’ll still get it.
Being here has really shown me how little free time the Corps provides. I want to write, but I have barely any time. You see how long it took to write another blog didn’t you? I still have weekends to write, and that’s still good, but sheesh I just want to write all the time.
It’s crazy to know that I’m on the last leg of my AmeriCorps journey. Used my arms in Milwaukee to cut down invasive species, lent a hand in Mississippi to help clean up Mother Nature’s mess, provided an ear in Minnesota to hear the stories of various veterans, and threw my back in North Dakota mucking and gutting houses. A little over two months and I’ll be free! At least for a couple months, before I have to go be a slave to something else.
Speaking of Laundromats, my dumb butt dun did it again. I put yet another nice cell phone through the wash before I had it for a year. Sorry sis, and thanks for letting me have it. Wish I could have had it for longer because I really liked that phone. I’m starting to think that me being distracted hardly ever results in something good. I don’t know what was distracting me, but I definitely saw my phone in my pocket, and still washed it. And it wasn’t until 30 seconds after the water had started destroying my communicator that I realized my phone was getting its sudsy suds on. I know you guys think I’m a germaphobe, but I promise I wasn’t trying to get it extra clean. At least I was able to salvage the sim card, so if you ever decide to text I’ll still get it.
Being here has really shown me how little free time the Corps provides. I want to write, but I have barely any time. You see how long it took to write another blog didn’t you? I still have weekends to write, and that’s still good, but sheesh I just want to write all the time.
It’s crazy to know that I’m on the last leg of my AmeriCorps journey. Used my arms in Milwaukee to cut down invasive species, lent a hand in Mississippi to help clean up Mother Nature’s mess, provided an ear in Minnesota to hear the stories of various veterans, and threw my back in North Dakota mucking and gutting houses. A little over two months and I’ll be free! At least for a couple months, before I have to go be a slave to something else.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Didn't win, but was an editor's choice finalist in this contest
I didn't win this contest but I was an editor's choice finalist. Here's the link to the story and the shiny banner they gave me:
http://writingcontest.thenovelette.com/jeremieguy/
http://writingcontest.thenovelette.com/jeremieguy/
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Won another contest
Nothing big, but won a tweet-themed writing contest. Another book was the prize lol...I need to start submitting to contest for money again. Oh and I was first place again too...oh yeah =).
This is the link to it if you want to read it (it's 140 words lol) and you can't see the picture.
http://writeononline.com/2011/07/12/june-tweet-your-bio-winners/
This is the link to it if you want to read it (it's 140 words lol) and you can't see the picture.
http://writeononline.com/2011/07/12/june-tweet-your-bio-winners/
Iowanna do that - From Wind to Water
Sorry it’s been so long everyone, I’ve been having some issues with internet. Aside from the fact that I didn’t bring my laptop to Minnesota or Chicago when I went, I’ve had some issues back in Iowa. After I returned from the Windy City, some tornado-force winds swept through the NCCC campus in Iowa. It wasn’t technically a tornado because it wasn’t a vortex stemming from a thunderstorm, but the winds slammed into buildings at more than 130 miles per hour. The winds struck about four hours after I went to sleep. I woke up to the sound of a storm, but didn’t think it was that serious until a fellow corps member walked in and said we had to run down to the tunnels. Of course we all went down there and waited out the storm.
When we were finally able to go back to our rooms, I found the window above my bed shattered and glass scattered across my pillow and sheets. If I had been in the bed when the window gave, I don’t know how injured I would have been but I definitely wouldn’t have been too happy. A water pipe burst upstairs and water flooded my room and a lot of my clothing, but luckily my laptop and camera (the only valuables I had really) were un-moistened and safe. Most of my clothing was soaked on the other hand, but I’m blessed to have treaded above the situation with minimal damage. Many fellow ameri-members weren’t as fortunate, and my prayers and condolences go out to them. There were claim forms that AmeriCorps provided, allowing people to try and receive some form of compensation for their lost articles. I thought of filling out a form for my clothing (especially my shoes because they were expensive), but I couldn’t ask for money without feeling as though I fabricated (get it? Think of what clothing is made of lol) the extent of the damage.
The campus survived but I had to move to a crappier room since my room was too damaged to dwell in. We got orders to help clean up some of the debris from the campus (look on facebook to see some of the pictures) and I felt hope for the future. The project they planned to send us on was amazing. They were going to send us to a YMCA camp and we would have loads to do. Three catered meals a day, cabins with two showers and enough beds, internet access, paintball, rock climbing, high ropes courses, horseback riding, and a gym. But of course, life throws tomatoes at me sometimes. The project was taken away.
I can’t complain too much though. Even though my first good project was taken away, I still have my health and most of my possessions. Furthermore, we were pulled from the good project to aid victims of severe flooding in Minot, North Dakota. Hopefully it’s not too horrible to help, but in the end I’ll know that someone’s life was improved. Knowing this is enough to let my discomfort and unhappiness slide for a couple of months.
So far the work isn’t too hard but my team is struggling. I guess everyone is stressed from how hot and repetitive the work can be. Or it could be the fact that they think the sponsor is disrespectful. Either way, people are on edge. Had a few interesting discussions on our last day before the weekend, but nothing too serious so far. Our TL is going home for a couple weeks so we’ll see how dynamics change.
After witnessing the damage of disaster down in Mississippi, North Dakota, and even Iowa, I can’t help but wonder what the future will deal out. Mother Nature isn’t happy with our misuse of her planet, and there’s only so much time before she blows us all up. Even if earth’s expiration date isn’t 2012, we still won’t last forever. So what are you guys waiting for? I’m talking to you NASA! Think of some elaborate plan to move earth’s inhabitants to another planet so we can work on destroying that too, one year at a time. Guess I can’t really be mad for the inevitable destruction of mankind. We seem to be the most negative force on the frowning face of the planet. Tragic. Guess we’re finally getting what we deserve.
When we were finally able to go back to our rooms, I found the window above my bed shattered and glass scattered across my pillow and sheets. If I had been in the bed when the window gave, I don’t know how injured I would have been but I definitely wouldn’t have been too happy. A water pipe burst upstairs and water flooded my room and a lot of my clothing, but luckily my laptop and camera (the only valuables I had really) were un-moistened and safe. Most of my clothing was soaked on the other hand, but I’m blessed to have treaded above the situation with minimal damage. Many fellow ameri-members weren’t as fortunate, and my prayers and condolences go out to them. There were claim forms that AmeriCorps provided, allowing people to try and receive some form of compensation for their lost articles. I thought of filling out a form for my clothing (especially my shoes because they were expensive), but I couldn’t ask for money without feeling as though I fabricated (get it? Think of what clothing is made of lol) the extent of the damage.
The campus survived but I had to move to a crappier room since my room was too damaged to dwell in. We got orders to help clean up some of the debris from the campus (look on facebook to see some of the pictures) and I felt hope for the future. The project they planned to send us on was amazing. They were going to send us to a YMCA camp and we would have loads to do. Three catered meals a day, cabins with two showers and enough beds, internet access, paintball, rock climbing, high ropes courses, horseback riding, and a gym. But of course, life throws tomatoes at me sometimes. The project was taken away.
I can’t complain too much though. Even though my first good project was taken away, I still have my health and most of my possessions. Furthermore, we were pulled from the good project to aid victims of severe flooding in Minot, North Dakota. Hopefully it’s not too horrible to help, but in the end I’ll know that someone’s life was improved. Knowing this is enough to let my discomfort and unhappiness slide for a couple of months.
So far the work isn’t too hard but my team is struggling. I guess everyone is stressed from how hot and repetitive the work can be. Or it could be the fact that they think the sponsor is disrespectful. Either way, people are on edge. Had a few interesting discussions on our last day before the weekend, but nothing too serious so far. Our TL is going home for a couple weeks so we’ll see how dynamics change.
After witnessing the damage of disaster down in Mississippi, North Dakota, and even Iowa, I can’t help but wonder what the future will deal out. Mother Nature isn’t happy with our misuse of her planet, and there’s only so much time before she blows us all up. Even if earth’s expiration date isn’t 2012, we still won’t last forever. So what are you guys waiting for? I’m talking to you NASA! Think of some elaborate plan to move earth’s inhabitants to another planet so we can work on destroying that too, one year at a time. Guess I can’t really be mad for the inevitable destruction of mankind. We seem to be the most negative force on the frowning face of the planet. Tragic. Guess we’re finally getting what we deserve.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Iowanna do that - I'm Spinal Cord in Iowa
I'm back (if you didn't get the title)!! We came back early (again) and I'm starting to realize that nothing is certain with Americorps. I know it wasn't their fault for this, but I'm still going to blame them because I work for them. I'm not going to name the charity that we worked with...cough cough Catholic...but they definitely weren't ready for us. I understand they were dealing with a disaster, but I feel like they shouldn't request help if they don't know what the help will be doing or where the help will be staying. Not mad at them, but they need to be educated on how to handle people. Needless to say, playing Simon Says with them was not a good idea. They had us chasing our tails for a week.
But, despite the sponsors inability to lead us, being in Mississippi was about what I expected. We worked hard days sometimes, and not so hard days other times. Some of the places we went to help out were in extreme need and some were not. But overall we helped some people and it made the trip worth it.
The first place we went was a trailer home that was destroyed in the tornado. An aunt and two kids survived by hiding in the bathtub. When looking at the wreckage I don’t understand how they survived. The tub was thrown 20 to 30 feet from where the house used to be. There was large amounts of debris everywhere and for the three survivors to not have been struck with any of it was amazing and a blessing. I’m glad it was our first job down there because it put things in perspective. After that a lot of the things we did were just picking up debris and tarping the occasional house.
The heat down there is no joke. I didn’t get burned or anything, but my body would get dehydrated from standing still. Does that compute? Now I know why grapes shrivel up when they get too much sun. Radiation is no joke! At first I didn’t realize how dehydrated I was until I noticed I was drinking more than 50 ounces of water a day. I mean I was downing three or four bottles of water during the day and two or three at night. Yet, I still felt lightheaded one day but nothing too serious happened. I think the world ending is just going to be everywhere becoming like the south. Crazy thing is, we weren't even there during the hottest part of the year. I'm like ten shades darker now and know what bacon feels like when it's in a skillet for too long.
I thought the government was unorganized, but going down there showed me that most organizations are disorganized. The charity we were working with switched our housing a couple of times and everything we did seemed last minute. There were definitely a few days when we didn’t even know what we were going to be doing. I can’t bash the leader of the charity too much because I’ve never done what she’s done, but somehow I think that she needed to quit and go into gathering bat guano or picking raspberries for a living instead of leaving people.
Overall the project was a plus and we helped who we could. I was on T.V. at least once, but I didn't have any speaking parts. I'm putting a lot of pictures on Facebook so check those out if you haven't already. Disaster is never good, but going down to help out; and, watching other people's desire to help was definitely a positive.
But, despite the sponsors inability to lead us, being in Mississippi was about what I expected. We worked hard days sometimes, and not so hard days other times. Some of the places we went to help out were in extreme need and some were not. But overall we helped some people and it made the trip worth it.
The first place we went was a trailer home that was destroyed in the tornado. An aunt and two kids survived by hiding in the bathtub. When looking at the wreckage I don’t understand how they survived. The tub was thrown 20 to 30 feet from where the house used to be. There was large amounts of debris everywhere and for the three survivors to not have been struck with any of it was amazing and a blessing. I’m glad it was our first job down there because it put things in perspective. After that a lot of the things we did were just picking up debris and tarping the occasional house.
The heat down there is no joke. I didn’t get burned or anything, but my body would get dehydrated from standing still. Does that compute? Now I know why grapes shrivel up when they get too much sun. Radiation is no joke! At first I didn’t realize how dehydrated I was until I noticed I was drinking more than 50 ounces of water a day. I mean I was downing three or four bottles of water during the day and two or three at night. Yet, I still felt lightheaded one day but nothing too serious happened. I think the world ending is just going to be everywhere becoming like the south. Crazy thing is, we weren't even there during the hottest part of the year. I'm like ten shades darker now and know what bacon feels like when it's in a skillet for too long.
I thought the government was unorganized, but going down there showed me that most organizations are disorganized. The charity we were working with switched our housing a couple of times and everything we did seemed last minute. There were definitely a few days when we didn’t even know what we were going to be doing. I can’t bash the leader of the charity too much because I’ve never done what she’s done, but somehow I think that she needed to quit and go into gathering bat guano or picking raspberries for a living instead of leaving people.
Overall the project was a plus and we helped who we could. I was on T.V. at least once, but I didn't have any speaking parts. I'm putting a lot of pictures on Facebook so check those out if you haven't already. Disaster is never good, but going down to help out; and, watching other people's desire to help was definitely a positive.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Iowanna do that - Blow Pop
According to the gov, we're leaving for Mississippi on Monday. Assuming we'll at least make it half-way this time, you won't be reading a blog from me for at least two weeks. We're scheduled to return on the June 3rd, so hopefully they don't push us back. I'm all for doing the tornado relief down south, but I also want to see Minnesota so hopefully I can do both. I'm still going to leave my laptop up in Iowa. Hopefully I won't go through withdraws or anything. My blood already itches from my multiple addictions to cocaine, heroine, crystal meth, and generic-brand cold medicines; and, of course I don't want my teeth to start itching from a Facebook addiction. Wish me luck.
Not having internet means more than not blogging (I know, I know, you're going to cry every night until I return), but it also means I can't demonstrate how fat I am through my pictures. Hopefully I'll actually be able to eat some new food down there, so when I return I'll flood your newsfood, oops I mean newsfeed (haha equally as satisfying) with lots of pictures.
I know I fail at titles because I keep explaining them, but whatever. Just like you can't get to the center of a blow pop without finishing off the tongue-tiring hard candy, the government is making me lick my way to Mississippi (doesn't quite sound right). Though it took some time, time that I'm not so mad I had to endure, hopefully Monday will mean I get to the center of the blow pop where I can chew the gum of Mississippi and aid the people down there. Blow three bubbles and wish me some luck. Help is on the way Mississippi!
Not having internet means more than not blogging (I know, I know, you're going to cry every night until I return), but it also means I can't demonstrate how fat I am through my pictures. Hopefully I'll actually be able to eat some new food down there, so when I return I'll flood your newsfood, oops I mean newsfeed (haha equally as satisfying) with lots of pictures.
I know I fail at titles because I keep explaining them, but whatever. Just like you can't get to the center of a blow pop without finishing off the tongue-tiring hard candy, the government is making me lick my way to Mississippi (doesn't quite sound right). Though it took some time, time that I'm not so mad I had to endure, hopefully Monday will mean I get to the center of the blow pop where I can chew the gum of Mississippi and aid the people down there. Blow three bubbles and wish me some luck. Help is on the way Mississippi!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Iowanna do that - Blown Back
You're probably wondering why I'm blogging again when I said I wouldn't have internet for three weeks, and I don't really have a good answer. We actually left for Mississippi this time around, getting about two hours away from Vinton before they gave us the call to return. Apparently there were more displaced citizens than expected and they didn't have a place for us to stay. So now we're stuck in Iowa until Monday (at least). We still don't know when or if we're going down there so it's back to the waiting game.
On a positive note, we heard word that today was prime circumstances for more tornadoes. It was possible we would have driven right into a few so at least we can avoid that. But now we're just sitting in Iowa doing random things.
An even more positive note (is double ++ possible or do you angle it a bit and call it multiplication?) is that we went grocery shopping. The monster that lives in my tummy will be happy to eat a sandwich out of regular bread and not tortillas. I hope we do go down to Mississippi but if we don't I hope they tell us soon. I still want to go to tiny soda (get it! get it!) so we better still be able to do that. Overall this all makes me want to call my mum or fall through a horse stall thats not too tall while holding a basketball. Too much? Probably, but I'm just saying I'll be waiting to see what happens next.
On a positive note, we heard word that today was prime circumstances for more tornadoes. It was possible we would have driven right into a few so at least we can avoid that. But now we're just sitting in Iowa doing random things.
An even more positive note (is double ++ possible or do you angle it a bit and call it multiplication?) is that we went grocery shopping. The monster that lives in my tummy will be happy to eat a sandwich out of regular bread and not tortillas. I hope we do go down to Mississippi but if we don't I hope they tell us soon. I still want to go to tiny soda (get it! get it!) so we better still be able to do that. Overall this all makes me want to call my mum or fall through a horse stall thats not too tall while holding a basketball. Too much? Probably, but I'm just saying I'll be waiting to see what happens next.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Iowanna do that - Blow Me
Well I'm finally about to leave for mississip. If you haven't heard, I'll be doing tornado relief down there. Hopefully things aren't too crazy. Everyone round these parts keeps saying that you have to mentally prepare for disaster and all the implications that disaster brings, but I don't know how I feel. My brain walked away long ago, so I don't think I can mentally prepare for anything more than a sandwich, but it should be interesting to deal with my team while they do. I don't really know what to expect, but I guess that means I should expect the unexpected because thats how that saying goes. Though, when you stop and think about it, it's a pretty dumb saying. If you expect the unexpected then it wouldn't be unexpected...I'm confusing myself too so I'll stop.
I'm leaving my computer up in Iowa (for fear a tornado will reach down and take it from me. This of course means I can't really blog about my experience until I get back...Blown! I guess I'll have to write stuff down the old fashioned way and type it up. My g/f gave me some notepads so I'm set on paper...unless the tornados steal that.
Someone close to God pray for me because the ride down to Mississippi is going to be wickity wack and not because I'm black. Last trip we took we had two fifteen passenger vans...aka we had plenty of room to sit and not be cramped. This time we have one fifteen passenger that has a row of seats taken out (i.e. 11 or 12 seats left) and ten people on the team. Our bags will also be in the car. Needless to say (though, I'm going to say it anyway) we're all going to be blown away (my tornado puns are pretty bad) by how little space we have. The twisted (another) thing about it is that it's hot in the south. This means that since we won't have room to move we won't even be able to cover our noses. Imma stink, they a'gonna stink, we all a'gonna stink and we gon create a vortex (wink) of funk unparralelled (who said I can't spell without spell check?) in this universe.
Well, I'll stop wasting your time and let your eyes have a break. Until I return (if the tornados don't get me too), read the title again and be sad that the title was a tornado reference and not something juicier.
I'm leaving my computer up in Iowa (for fear a tornado will reach down and take it from me. This of course means I can't really blog about my experience until I get back...Blown! I guess I'll have to write stuff down the old fashioned way and type it up. My g/f gave me some notepads so I'm set on paper...unless the tornados steal that.
Someone close to God pray for me because the ride down to Mississippi is going to be wickity wack and not because I'm black. Last trip we took we had two fifteen passenger vans...aka we had plenty of room to sit and not be cramped. This time we have one fifteen passenger that has a row of seats taken out (i.e. 11 or 12 seats left) and ten people on the team. Our bags will also be in the car. Needless to say (though, I'm going to say it anyway) we're all going to be blown away (my tornado puns are pretty bad) by how little space we have. The twisted (another) thing about it is that it's hot in the south. This means that since we won't have room to move we won't even be able to cover our noses. Imma stink, they a'gonna stink, we all a'gonna stink and we gon create a vortex (wink) of funk unparralelled (who said I can't spell without spell check?) in this universe.
Well, I'll stop wasting your time and let your eyes have a break. Until I return (if the tornados don't get me too), read the title again and be sad that the title was a tornado reference and not something juicier.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Iowanna do that - On My Goose Tip
My time in Milwaukee was cut a bit short. Can’t say I’m going to miss the place, but I definitely didn’t mind spending my first spike here (minus the crappy housing situation). Got tons of great food under my belt, realized that people usually act a lot younger than they actually are (interesting life experience to keep with me), and absorbed way more ultraviolet radiation than I’ve ever absorbed in my life. Throughout all the things that Milwaukee has to offer, one thing that I can be grateful for is that it has challenged me as a person. Not on my human-to-human interaction (if you’re managed to convince yourself that I’m actually human), but on a more me-to-me doodad sort of way. Before coming here for an environmental project I hated going outside. Screw becoming one with nature, I didn’t even want her germ-laden vastness to touch my skin. Yet, now I can’t go a day at work without a branch brushing my forehead or dirt flaking off on my mustache; yet, this doesn’t bother me anymore. As if getting over Mother Nature’s scorn wasn’t enough growth, I’ve also shoved my mild distaste for household germs aside. Since the house I’m living in has an equal germ count as a port-o-potty I really didn’t have much of a choice. It was either get over it or cry about it. And since I’m not a baby I didn’t really cry. That one tear was because Mother Nature’s dirt was in my eye. So in the end I’m a better person for being here…but don’t ask me to do it again because I’ll probably never respond.
Thankfully I haven’t gotten a call from any friends informing me that someone is talking behind my back. Either means the talking stopped or the people realized I don’t actually care. Either way it’ll be interesting to see if more comes. Drama definitely hasn’t left my team though. Should be interesting enough to see how much worse or better it gets. I like to look at us as one big elephant on a toothpick platform. We keep pulling out toothpicks and not really adding any so it’s only so long before we tumble down into the anti-elephant goop that waits below. Some things in life only go two ways, and this is one of those things so we’ll see which direction the team takes.
So it’s back to Iowa to be bored for a few days before heading out to Mississippi (that jingle spelling this state comes to mind). If that sounds a bit fishy, your gut is right. I was supposed to go to Perham Minnisota, but all the tornados down in the south called for Americorps to help…and we answered because we have mouths and we don't like tornadoes. We’ll be down in some town I’ve never heard of, and I’m a bit excited. Hopefully I can get some good southern cooking. Don’t know much about this project so just wish me some Stevie Wonder luck (blind luck). A little bummed that I couldn’t see my g/f one last time before leaving the area, but I guess I’ll work something out for the future. Of course they told us we leave on Saturday afternoon and I was supposed to see her Saturday, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Sad face. Guess I'll play goose and fly...well drive south.
Apparently we’ll go to the tiny town in tiny soda a bit later. After three weeks in M-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-P-P-I I’ll be going to Perham. If you thought Iowa was bad, Google Earth my town and tell me what I’m supposed to do when I want to leave. I’m oober excited for the work we’ll be doing there though, but we still don’t know what type of housing we’ll have. Probably means I’ll be living in a church basement, but at least I’ll be closer to God. I honestly won’t care where I am as long as I have some room. I’m sure some personal growth will occur in some way or another and I’m all about progression so say a little pray, do a tiny jig, and write me a small letter.
Thankfully I haven’t gotten a call from any friends informing me that someone is talking behind my back. Either means the talking stopped or the people realized I don’t actually care. Either way it’ll be interesting to see if more comes. Drama definitely hasn’t left my team though. Should be interesting enough to see how much worse or better it gets. I like to look at us as one big elephant on a toothpick platform. We keep pulling out toothpicks and not really adding any so it’s only so long before we tumble down into the anti-elephant goop that waits below. Some things in life only go two ways, and this is one of those things so we’ll see which direction the team takes.
So it’s back to Iowa to be bored for a few days before heading out to Mississippi (that jingle spelling this state comes to mind). If that sounds a bit fishy, your gut is right. I was supposed to go to Perham Minnisota, but all the tornados down in the south called for Americorps to help…and we answered because we have mouths and we don't like tornadoes. We’ll be down in some town I’ve never heard of, and I’m a bit excited. Hopefully I can get some good southern cooking. Don’t know much about this project so just wish me some Stevie Wonder luck (blind luck). A little bummed that I couldn’t see my g/f one last time before leaving the area, but I guess I’ll work something out for the future. Of course they told us we leave on Saturday afternoon and I was supposed to see her Saturday, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Sad face. Guess I'll play goose and fly...well drive south.
Apparently we’ll go to the tiny town in tiny soda a bit later. After three weeks in M-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-P-P-I I’ll be going to Perham. If you thought Iowa was bad, Google Earth my town and tell me what I’m supposed to do when I want to leave. I’m oober excited for the work we’ll be doing there though, but we still don’t know what type of housing we’ll have. Probably means I’ll be living in a church basement, but at least I’ll be closer to God. I honestly won’t care where I am as long as I have some room. I’m sure some personal growth will occur in some way or another and I’m all about progression so say a little pray, do a tiny jig, and write me a small letter.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Iowanna do that - Child's Play
So Things keep getting funnier and funnier. The team isn’t falling apart just yet but there’s enough tension to hold up a roof. There are definitely a lot of people talking behind other people’s backs. Of course I choose to stay out of that, but whadya know, people talk about me behind my back too. A friend from the program will call me every week or so and ask me what’s going on with specific team mates. The friends go on to tell me that people on my team have been talking about me behind my back. Being the happy-go-lucky, brown, round smiley face that I am, I laugh. Even if I wasn’t so carefree and nonchalant with my feelings toward how people view me, I think I would still think the people and their mouths are childish. I remember being back in elementary school and hearing through the grape-vine about how much Big Timmy didn’t like me. He would always talk about putting sour milk rags in my desk, or honey on my headphones, or bees in my briefs, or other random unkind things. But he never really did it, I don’t think. I did have some bees in my socks a few times so maybe he just got the wrong undergarment. But any who, I guess Big Timmy lives on through the tongues of some of my teammates. Guess the difference is that Timmy actually grew up. Still just funny to know that people talk about me behind my back and I still haven’t heard it from the horse’s mouth. I’m sure that statement will be misinterpreted by someone. At the end of the day, I will forever be me and not care what the people say. Let them talk. They have mouths, and if they choose to waste their time and energy on little old me, than that’s their decision. I’ll continue to stay purposefully and intentionally unaware and uncaring. How much money do you want to bet that someone will think I care because I wrote such a large section in my blog. Teehee, think what you want. I don’t care about that though either.
On to bigger and better things though. I had lots of fun in Chicago with my girlfriend these past few weekends. It was great to just get away from the tiny house I’m living in and just hang out with nothing urgent to do. I definitely missed my bus home once, but everybody makes mistakes, yes even me. Now I know you guys think I’m perfect, but, well never mind. I won’t tell you I’m not haha. I kidding. I’ll definitely miss it when I head out to Minnesota in the next few weeks (If I didn’t tell you that, than yeah I’m going there next). Guess it’s cool to see the growth in my relationship, but none of you can see that so I won’t really talk about it. Bah we’re team amazing haha.
I”ve tried lots of new food these past few weeks and it feels good to say I’ve eaten some exotic things. Guess I’m on my way to making my Palate the best that it can be. Doubt it’ll matter in the long run, but it’s another goal to try and achieve. I’m just going to attribute my awesome eating choices to how in-shape I’ve been recently. Not to toot my own horn, but hey there just so happens to be a horn hanging out the side of my mouth so tooty toot toot. But yeah I can run like eight million miles now and barely be tired. Woot woot call me an owl cause that’s a hoot. If you know anything about my previous exercise habits, cardio wasn’t my thing. I was more into weight lifting. Sadly I’ve also lost a lot of weight. Sob sob what shall I do now that my chest doesn’t bounce as high and my arms don’t bulge as far. I mean I don’t even need a bra anymore. Or a bro. Whatever invention it is that is used for large breasted men. Sadness all around. I'll be aight though.
On to bigger and better things though. I had lots of fun in Chicago with my girlfriend these past few weekends. It was great to just get away from the tiny house I’m living in and just hang out with nothing urgent to do. I definitely missed my bus home once, but everybody makes mistakes, yes even me. Now I know you guys think I’m perfect, but, well never mind. I won’t tell you I’m not haha. I kidding. I’ll definitely miss it when I head out to Minnesota in the next few weeks (If I didn’t tell you that, than yeah I’m going there next). Guess it’s cool to see the growth in my relationship, but none of you can see that so I won’t really talk about it. Bah we’re team amazing haha.
I”ve tried lots of new food these past few weeks and it feels good to say I’ve eaten some exotic things. Guess I’m on my way to making my Palate the best that it can be. Doubt it’ll matter in the long run, but it’s another goal to try and achieve. I’m just going to attribute my awesome eating choices to how in-shape I’ve been recently. Not to toot my own horn, but hey there just so happens to be a horn hanging out the side of my mouth so tooty toot toot. But yeah I can run like eight million miles now and barely be tired. Woot woot call me an owl cause that’s a hoot. If you know anything about my previous exercise habits, cardio wasn’t my thing. I was more into weight lifting. Sadly I’ve also lost a lot of weight. Sob sob what shall I do now that my chest doesn’t bounce as high and my arms don’t bulge as far. I mean I don’t even need a bra anymore. Or a bro. Whatever invention it is that is used for large breasted men. Sadness all around. I'll be aight though.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Iowanna Do That - Milwaukee Talkee
Things haven’t really gotten any better with the living situation, but I guess I’m getting used to it all. It’s definitely been a good stress reliever to get away on the weekends and spend time with my girlfriend. Work is still relatively boring, but the potential for some spice happened this week. We’ve moved on to the “Grow and Play” lot, so we’ll see how things go with that. We might actually get to build some stuff so I’m excited to see what I can learn. It’s located in a rather hood location and it’s funny to hear all the uppity people on the team say it’s the worst neighborhood they’ve ever been in. Pretty sure a lot of them are scared too. They found a shotgun shell on the sidewalk and started flipping out. Hahaha I kept it to myself that I have a shotgun shell on my dresser in my mom’s house, and about three other bullet casings. But my vast assortment of useless artillery is a discussion meant for another time and place.
So far the project isn’t too shabby, though it’s getting hot. I think it’s funny that all the other members (minus the other black guy) are getting sun burnt. Ha, realized that one of the few benefits to being black is prolonged exposure to the sun without getting burnt. SMH at that…lol but oh well. Completely unrelated, but things are getting really interesting with tension on the team. Funnier every day. Guess we’ll see what happens with that.
SO BLOWN I CAN”T GET MY COMP GAME TO WORK!! Call me a dork. Call me a big dork. Even call me a telephone, but please don’t push my buttons. So blown because I bought a game for my comp, hoping to be able to escape to a fictional world, but instead the fruity thing kept hanging up. So after a few weeks I finally get to take it back and exchange it. My hopes were high, my fingers crossed, and the corners of my lips reached for the sky. Instead of being able to play, I go to install it and the stupid thing said the verification code I had to use (basically something that ensures people don’t buy one copy of a game and then give/sell it to their friends) was already in use. How does that happen with a brand new game! I’ll tell you. It’s cause the people on earth called me a telephone one too many times and now the powers that be are pushing my buttons. Super stupid blown. I need a kitkat.
So far the project isn’t too shabby, though it’s getting hot. I think it’s funny that all the other members (minus the other black guy) are getting sun burnt. Ha, realized that one of the few benefits to being black is prolonged exposure to the sun without getting burnt. SMH at that…lol but oh well. Completely unrelated, but things are getting really interesting with tension on the team. Funnier every day. Guess we’ll see what happens with that.
SO BLOWN I CAN”T GET MY COMP GAME TO WORK!! Call me a dork. Call me a big dork. Even call me a telephone, but please don’t push my buttons. So blown because I bought a game for my comp, hoping to be able to escape to a fictional world, but instead the fruity thing kept hanging up. So after a few weeks I finally get to take it back and exchange it. My hopes were high, my fingers crossed, and the corners of my lips reached for the sky. Instead of being able to play, I go to install it and the stupid thing said the verification code I had to use (basically something that ensures people don’t buy one copy of a game and then give/sell it to their friends) was already in use. How does that happen with a brand new game! I’ll tell you. It’s cause the people on earth called me a telephone one too many times and now the powers that be are pushing my buttons. Super stupid blown. I need a kitkat.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Iowanna do that - Milwaukee talkee
Definately been a slacker for this blog...but oh well. Suck it up! If you can't, then go to Starbucks and get a straw because I'm not helping you.
If I haven't talked to you then you know I'm a teeny bit peeved with the living arrangement. I guess It's a blessing that I have a house with running water, but I'm living in a one person bedroom with six guys. Sounds like a bad idea for a t.v. show...piff I've been saying people should record my life.
Overall though it's just been annoying. I've only gotten upset a couple of times when people put their things with mine, but nothing major...yet. Though the group tried to tell me that I thought I was better than everyone else. Bahhahaha...if you don't know why I'm laughing than you don't know me. It's kinda funny though if you do know me. This is the same group that thinks I'm a gangster and such, so I guess I can't expect them to know much about me. But I set em straight and all is well, and in short they all need to just stop being so sensitive and stop making assumptions. You know where that gets right? Knee deep in overflowed-toilet water. No fun for anyone.
But enough about the team, the project itself is not to shabby. Though it's a bit cold in Milwaukee, the work we're doing warms me up (though other people won't stop complaining...baby bottles should have been a part of our equipment). We're removing Buck thorn and Honey Suckle so far. Buck Thorn is a bit more fun, especially when they let me chop that bad boy down with an ax. Ooohhh boy do I feel great swinging an ax...don't know what that's saying about me...but oh well. We've also been doing a bit of trail building and thats kind of fun (basically picking up logs and tossing them along a trail to mark it...and the occasional downed log to chop down...yay). We also gotta pick up trash and I feel like a convict, but hey it's better for the environment.
We head to a new park tomorrow so hopefully it's still some fun stuff brewing in the Ameripot. Though I don't have internet in the house, Starbucks and McDonald's are close so it's not too bad. Oh and if you saw that facebook video of me in my room, thats back in Iowa...imagine my corner times two, and thats the size space I've got to live in with six guys...but I didn't join Americorps to live in giant rooms and be comfortable. Gotta keep helping people, even if it pops my bubble and makes me a bit uncomfortable. Flash Taco and Moon Burritos
If I haven't talked to you then you know I'm a teeny bit peeved with the living arrangement. I guess It's a blessing that I have a house with running water, but I'm living in a one person bedroom with six guys. Sounds like a bad idea for a t.v. show...piff I've been saying people should record my life.
Overall though it's just been annoying. I've only gotten upset a couple of times when people put their things with mine, but nothing major...yet. Though the group tried to tell me that I thought I was better than everyone else. Bahhahaha...if you don't know why I'm laughing than you don't know me. It's kinda funny though if you do know me. This is the same group that thinks I'm a gangster and such, so I guess I can't expect them to know much about me. But I set em straight and all is well, and in short they all need to just stop being so sensitive and stop making assumptions. You know where that gets right? Knee deep in overflowed-toilet water. No fun for anyone.
But enough about the team, the project itself is not to shabby. Though it's a bit cold in Milwaukee, the work we're doing warms me up (though other people won't stop complaining...baby bottles should have been a part of our equipment). We're removing Buck thorn and Honey Suckle so far. Buck Thorn is a bit more fun, especially when they let me chop that bad boy down with an ax. Ooohhh boy do I feel great swinging an ax...don't know what that's saying about me...but oh well. We've also been doing a bit of trail building and thats kind of fun (basically picking up logs and tossing them along a trail to mark it...and the occasional downed log to chop down...yay). We also gotta pick up trash and I feel like a convict, but hey it's better for the environment.
We head to a new park tomorrow so hopefully it's still some fun stuff brewing in the Ameripot. Though I don't have internet in the house, Starbucks and McDonald's are close so it's not too bad. Oh and if you saw that facebook video of me in my room, thats back in Iowa...imagine my corner times two, and thats the size space I've got to live in with six guys...but I didn't join Americorps to live in giant rooms and be comfortable. Gotta keep helping people, even if it pops my bubble and makes me a bit uncomfortable. Flash Taco and Moon Burritos
Monday, March 14, 2011
Iowanna do that - Start with Heart
So the knee issue is a little better but it hurts now. My stomach died but it came back to life and now I'm good. I lost a bunch of stuff, but I ended up getting a bunch for free. Overall it was a crappy week.
Despite the fecal-matter quality of the previous week, the weekend was spectacular. SuperSpectucular and such. Found a ride out to Chicago and spending time with my girlfriend really just brightened my life and made me smile. It was an awesome weekend despite us not going anywhere. It was just nice to hang out and relax.
As if th life-things of the universe just switched it up and loved my relationship all of a sudden, my first project is going to be in Wisconsin. Milwaukee to be exact. The inquisitive readers might ask why it's so splendiferous (yes that's a word so shut up)? Well, inquisitive reader, this is so splendiferous because I'll actually be in a city. The last project was a bit isolated, but oh no, not this one. I'll be in Milwaukee! So Suck on that bad-vibe monsters! And, to add sugar to my pie, my girlfriend will only be like 45 minutes away. Yay for visitation purposes!
Okay, I'm done being a sappy flash taco, but overall I'm excited about this upcoming week. If I didn't tell you already, I'm going to be in Milwaukee for two months, just working on various things. So if your feeling spunky than come visit me. If your feeling like a loser than stay at home and suck your big toe. I'm sure that's all losers do anyway. Until we meet again, stay however you are.
Despite the fecal-matter quality of the previous week, the weekend was spectacular. SuperSpectucular and such. Found a ride out to Chicago and spending time with my girlfriend really just brightened my life and made me smile. It was an awesome weekend despite us not going anywhere. It was just nice to hang out and relax.
As if th life-things of the universe just switched it up and loved my relationship all of a sudden, my first project is going to be in Wisconsin. Milwaukee to be exact. The inquisitive readers might ask why it's so splendiferous (yes that's a word so shut up)? Well, inquisitive reader, this is so splendiferous because I'll actually be in a city. The last project was a bit isolated, but oh no, not this one. I'll be in Milwaukee! So Suck on that bad-vibe monsters! And, to add sugar to my pie, my girlfriend will only be like 45 minutes away. Yay for visitation purposes!
Okay, I'm done being a sappy flash taco, but overall I'm excited about this upcoming week. If I didn't tell you already, I'm going to be in Milwaukee for two months, just working on various things. So if your feeling spunky than come visit me. If your feeling like a loser than stay at home and suck your big toe. I'm sure that's all losers do anyway. Until we meet again, stay however you are.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Iowanna do that - Back for the first time
Finally back!! No I'm not back in MD, but I'm back to my home away from home. As I'm sure none of you knew, I went on my first project (mini project really) and got back today. It was busy, it was hard, but in the end it was rewarding.
We left on Tuesday morning and I didn't bring anything but too many clothes. Found out that my cell didn't get any service on most of the project site, and they had wi-fi but of course I left my laptop behind. To make things better, I was feeling some emotional stuff that made me want to talk to my girlfriend, and not being able to do that just made them fester. Had an emotional pimple in my emotional zone and I almost popped it the wrong way, but I stayed strong and held fast. Now that I've completely confused you, I'll move on.
Being on the project with my team was great. We learned how to paint, so now I can paint houses and other assorted objects if you give me paint. We messed up a bunch, but hey paint is one of those things that's easy to fix. While on this project I also noticed that some people are dirty!! My team is great, but the other team had some pretty nasty habits. There was someone that wiped their behind on another members towel, dishes went unwashed, and crumbs invaded the carpet. Luckily everything was sorted out, and seeing these issues led me to appreciate my team that much more. We're awesome!! C3! Got nothing on G-Unit but we still awesome =).
Hopefully this weekend turns out great! I'm going to visit my girlfriend for our one month anniversary. Doesn't seem like it's been that long, and at the same time it feels like we've been together forever!! Glad to have her in my life.
If you didn't hear, I've got some knee issues that are bugging me. I'm on medication for it...and of course the side effect would be stomach bleeding. So now my whole digestive track is going to bleed. I can hardly wait. Keep me in your prayers!!
We left on Tuesday morning and I didn't bring anything but too many clothes. Found out that my cell didn't get any service on most of the project site, and they had wi-fi but of course I left my laptop behind. To make things better, I was feeling some emotional stuff that made me want to talk to my girlfriend, and not being able to do that just made them fester. Had an emotional pimple in my emotional zone and I almost popped it the wrong way, but I stayed strong and held fast. Now that I've completely confused you, I'll move on.
Being on the project with my team was great. We learned how to paint, so now I can paint houses and other assorted objects if you give me paint. We messed up a bunch, but hey paint is one of those things that's easy to fix. While on this project I also noticed that some people are dirty!! My team is great, but the other team had some pretty nasty habits. There was someone that wiped their behind on another members towel, dishes went unwashed, and crumbs invaded the carpet. Luckily everything was sorted out, and seeing these issues led me to appreciate my team that much more. We're awesome!! C3! Got nothing on G-Unit but we still awesome =).
Hopefully this weekend turns out great! I'm going to visit my girlfriend for our one month anniversary. Doesn't seem like it's been that long, and at the same time it feels like we've been together forever!! Glad to have her in my life.
If you didn't hear, I've got some knee issues that are bugging me. I'm on medication for it...and of course the side effect would be stomach bleeding. So now my whole digestive track is going to bleed. I can hardly wait. Keep me in your prayers!!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Iowanna Do that...The Color Wheel Never Stops
Figured I'd take a different approach today and not just talk about how my day went. I'm sure that's exciting and such, but it doesn't hurt to hear some of my thoughts (well it probably would cause I have a crazy insane thing inside my skull).
So coming to Americorps has definately been a bit of a cultural mouth dropper. It's just amazing to see how different people are around the country. Just hearing the different words people use to describe the same thing is always fun (like subs in MD, Grinders in Conneticut, Hoagies in other places). The music choice of some of the people is a bit weird to me, but I'm sure thats more of an individual thing and not so much a geography thing...right?
Well today I was taken back to the awkward race differences. Don't worry, no one's called me the N word here, at least not to me face. Wait, yes they have, just not the white people. Which is funny because the black people that use it here don't seem to mind using it in front of white people, which I guess was the same back in MD, it's just that I hung with mainly blacks and so the whites present didn't seem to mind. Oddly enough, I didn't really feel bad or odd when confronted with the word (someone challenge that please!!) but I'm starting to think I should have been offended.
In the car, one of the white girls on my team said something that I also feel like I should have been offended by, even though I wasn't. Yesterday was my birthday, and one of the white girls took pictures of me while I was blowing out the candles. She was showing it to another white girl in the group and then said, "Yeah you can't really see Jeremie because it's dark and he's black." Not really an offensive sentence to me, but I feel like I should have been offended.
I'm not really sure when it comes to being offended because I never get offended unless you talk about my family. I know that neither case was meant to offend, but just becuase someone's intentions aren't meant to offend doesn't mean you shouldn't be offended. Or does it? Food for thought I suppose, because when I chew on it a bit more I realized that my prior sentence shouldn't really exist.
I guess the point of this blog is to tell the sensitive people out there to go to the moon because most things that are offensive aren't meant to be that way. If someone accidentally steps on your shoe do you punch them in the face? Probably not, and if you do than kudos to you for wanting to go to jail and make something of yourself. Normal people would only get offended if someone intentionally stomped on their shoes. Overly sensitive people throw a hissy fit and hope whoever is there to catch it isn't more aggressive than they are (because then they look dumb when they back down, but that's neither here nor there or anywhere except my head).
The hard-to-find-confusing-nonsensible moral of today's story? Don't take offense unless the offender is obviously attempting to offend and/or if you want to go to the moon. Of course exceptions apply, so challenge me.
So coming to Americorps has definately been a bit of a cultural mouth dropper. It's just amazing to see how different people are around the country. Just hearing the different words people use to describe the same thing is always fun (like subs in MD, Grinders in Conneticut, Hoagies in other places). The music choice of some of the people is a bit weird to me, but I'm sure thats more of an individual thing and not so much a geography thing...right?
Well today I was taken back to the awkward race differences. Don't worry, no one's called me the N word here, at least not to me face. Wait, yes they have, just not the white people. Which is funny because the black people that use it here don't seem to mind using it in front of white people, which I guess was the same back in MD, it's just that I hung with mainly blacks and so the whites present didn't seem to mind. Oddly enough, I didn't really feel bad or odd when confronted with the word (someone challenge that please!!) but I'm starting to think I should have been offended.
In the car, one of the white girls on my team said something that I also feel like I should have been offended by, even though I wasn't. Yesterday was my birthday, and one of the white girls took pictures of me while I was blowing out the candles. She was showing it to another white girl in the group and then said, "Yeah you can't really see Jeremie because it's dark and he's black." Not really an offensive sentence to me, but I feel like I should have been offended.
I'm not really sure when it comes to being offended because I never get offended unless you talk about my family. I know that neither case was meant to offend, but just becuase someone's intentions aren't meant to offend doesn't mean you shouldn't be offended. Or does it? Food for thought I suppose, because when I chew on it a bit more I realized that my prior sentence shouldn't really exist.
I guess the point of this blog is to tell the sensitive people out there to go to the moon because most things that are offensive aren't meant to be that way. If someone accidentally steps on your shoe do you punch them in the face? Probably not, and if you do than kudos to you for wanting to go to jail and make something of yourself. Normal people would only get offended if someone intentionally stomped on their shoes. Overly sensitive people throw a hissy fit and hope whoever is there to catch it isn't more aggressive than they are (because then they look dumb when they back down, but that's neither here nor there or anywhere except my head).
The hard-to-find-confusing-nonsensible moral of today's story? Don't take offense unless the offender is obviously attempting to offend and/or if you want to go to the moon. Of course exceptions apply, so challenge me.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Iowanna do that...Day of Birth Edition
HAPPPPPPPPYYYY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Yup. I done did it again. Moved from one year of life into the next and it's feeling better than ever. I've never felt so loved or cared about in my life. My girlfriend sent me a birthday box with goodies in it, my mom sent me a card and some money, my team gave me some candy and a card, and my team surprised me with a cake and candles and sang to me! Haven't had anything near that in...well ever. Haven't had a birthday party thrown for me from non-family members in like 23 years so now I can say I've done that.
The shadow of today's magically delisciousness is the day itself. Not the "my birthday portion" but the actual day. Went to sleep around 1130 or 1145 and got up at 4 am. And this is after I've been excercising a lot more than normal pretty much every day for the past four days. My knees have water in it and have been bothering me and I'm definately not helping. All the meetings are tiring and the excercise is exhausting (though a bit refreshing). I'm happy to say that I haven't really been sore, so I'm not out of shape as much as I thought, but my knees are not playing very nicely. Plus we lost the ultimate frisbee (take that becca) game, but we gave the best team a run for their money. Most people lose by 15 plus points, and we lost by three. Not to shabby.
Overall it was a pretty good birthday. Wish I could have talked to my girlfriend a bit more, but I understand she's celebrating her birthday this weekend as well so I'll let it slide lol. Tomorrow should be fun. Might do a bit of celebrating and I'm def hitting the movies and seeing a free movie! Woot woot. Hopefully it's all fun and such.
The shadow of today's magically delisciousness is the day itself. Not the "my birthday portion" but the actual day. Went to sleep around 1130 or 1145 and got up at 4 am. And this is after I've been excercising a lot more than normal pretty much every day for the past four days. My knees have water in it and have been bothering me and I'm definately not helping. All the meetings are tiring and the excercise is exhausting (though a bit refreshing). I'm happy to say that I haven't really been sore, so I'm not out of shape as much as I thought, but my knees are not playing very nicely. Plus we lost the ultimate frisbee (take that becca) game, but we gave the best team a run for their money. Most people lose by 15 plus points, and we lost by three. Not to shabby.
Overall it was a pretty good birthday. Wish I could have talked to my girlfriend a bit more, but I understand she's celebrating her birthday this weekend as well so I'll let it slide lol. Tomorrow should be fun. Might do a bit of celebrating and I'm def hitting the movies and seeing a free movie! Woot woot. Hopefully it's all fun and such.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Iowanna do that...still...kinda
So today was extremely long and tomorrow will be extremely longer...love my sentence structure ay (Joke for all you Canadian bammas). Def had to get up at 6am today, sit through three hours of lecture, eat lunch, go and hour of fitness testing, spend two hours in fitness/nutrition lecture, cook dinner, then play two ultimate Frisby games. All that would be well and good if I didn't have to wake up at 4:45 (am) the next day. And no my game isn't early. it's at 1020 at night...so I won't be asleep before 1115. Not so bad on normal occasions, but when you do as much as I listed, your body tends to oversized-female-dog slap you, if you catch my drift.
Shout out to Joanna my nom nom nommer! Happy birthday to you! Don't do something inapprops in the club...lol jk...but for reals...lol
Yesterday was pretty okay. Just meetings and Ultimate frisby and staying up late. Nada spectacular. Oh wait, I spoke...err...typed too soon (as if backspaces weren't invented yet). There was something spectacular! My team! Cedar three! We demolished our opponits in ultimate frisby! I'm not proud or anything, but I like to think that we wouldn't have made it to 15 without my four scores...just saying...it would have been wayyyy lower, like maybe 11 or something not as spectacular. HAHA jus kidding, I don't know math.
Sorry to jump around, but today was kinda specs too. We didn't play the two ultimate frisby tests yet, but we definately did a fitness test. Guess who smashed the record and got the most pushups? Who, me? Yeah I guess you could say it was me. With 87 pushups straight. Can anyone say on the military's wagon? Well if they could they probably wouldn't want to because it sounds dumb. But yeah, I was a bit proud of that number since two or three weeks ago I was at 60 or 70 something, and I def haven't worked out since being in Chicago.
Oh and my b-day is tomorrow...send me something
Enough...for now
Shout out to Joanna my nom nom nommer! Happy birthday to you! Don't do something inapprops in the club...lol jk...but for reals...lol
Yesterday was pretty okay. Just meetings and Ultimate frisby and staying up late. Nada spectacular. Oh wait, I spoke...err...typed too soon (as if backspaces weren't invented yet). There was something spectacular! My team! Cedar three! We demolished our opponits in ultimate frisby! I'm not proud or anything, but I like to think that we wouldn't have made it to 15 without my four scores...just saying...it would have been wayyyy lower, like maybe 11 or something not as spectacular. HAHA jus kidding, I don't know math.
Sorry to jump around, but today was kinda specs too. We didn't play the two ultimate frisby tests yet, but we definately did a fitness test. Guess who smashed the record and got the most pushups? Who, me? Yeah I guess you could say it was me. With 87 pushups straight. Can anyone say on the military's wagon? Well if they could they probably wouldn't want to because it sounds dumb. But yeah, I was a bit proud of that number since two or three weeks ago I was at 60 or 70 something, and I def haven't worked out since being in Chicago.
Oh and my b-day is tomorrow...send me something
Enough...for now
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Iowanna Do that 6 (best one yet)
So I missed a whole day of getting online because I was talking to my girlfriend, but it was good. Found out some saddening news, but we got through it and we're stronger for it.
Today in Iowa was long like the lines at the DMV! Had to do a driving test for the vans out here and I passed, but it was mad boring. I feel like that Mr. Daisy black guy that drives around Mrs. Daisy in that movie..."Driving Mrs. Daisy" or some jibber jabber. Being the only black guy in the car, things got a tad bit awkward when they started talking about Roots and how they didn't understand a lot of it. Set em straight though, at least the censored and "white-friendly" version of straight. So now I get to do even more work without more pay, gotta love Americorps (you really do though or you won't have fun).
My team seems a bit cooler today, but they have nothing on my G. Unit squad. We ran things and now that they chopped off our legs by putting us in different teams, we just have to roll things instead. That didn't make any sense but if you're reading this you probably know that most things I say don't make any sense....cause they make dollars!! Try to get that lol.
So I discovered that I'm able to send and receieve video texts! Yay for choppy, skype-like text messages that fall short to the real thing!! Good enough to make me smile and thats all that matters these days.
So blown there's still water in my knee. I feel like my mother and she's like 1000 years old. Great. She passed on her old genes to my young body and now my legs don't work (I soooo want to add a joke about jeans and genes and legs and stuff, but I'll spare you this time). I hope it's all healed by the time physical training, or whatever PT stands for, starts because if I can't even run I think I might get my personal training certification set on fire. Got until Friday so we'll see how that goes.
As if Iowa and Americorps have some divine power to change God's plan for time, days seem to be getting longer here! Egad. Terrible I know. Maybe someone should just come up here and knee chop me a few times so I can get out of meetings on disability or something lol. Just warn me before you burn me.
Today in Iowa was long like the lines at the DMV! Had to do a driving test for the vans out here and I passed, but it was mad boring. I feel like that Mr. Daisy black guy that drives around Mrs. Daisy in that movie..."Driving Mrs. Daisy" or some jibber jabber. Being the only black guy in the car, things got a tad bit awkward when they started talking about Roots and how they didn't understand a lot of it. Set em straight though, at least the censored and "white-friendly" version of straight. So now I get to do even more work without more pay, gotta love Americorps (you really do though or you won't have fun).
My team seems a bit cooler today, but they have nothing on my G. Unit squad. We ran things and now that they chopped off our legs by putting us in different teams, we just have to roll things instead. That didn't make any sense but if you're reading this you probably know that most things I say don't make any sense....cause they make dollars!! Try to get that lol.
So I discovered that I'm able to send and receieve video texts! Yay for choppy, skype-like text messages that fall short to the real thing!! Good enough to make me smile and thats all that matters these days.
So blown there's still water in my knee. I feel like my mother and she's like 1000 years old. Great. She passed on her old genes to my young body and now my legs don't work (I soooo want to add a joke about jeans and genes and legs and stuff, but I'll spare you this time). I hope it's all healed by the time physical training, or whatever PT stands for, starts because if I can't even run I think I might get my personal training certification set on fire. Got until Friday so we'll see how that goes.
As if Iowa and Americorps have some divine power to change God's plan for time, days seem to be getting longer here! Egad. Terrible I know. Maybe someone should just come up here and knee chop me a few times so I can get out of meetings on disability or something lol. Just warn me before you burn me.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Iowanna Do That 5
So yesterday me and some friends from Americorps took Vinton by storm. The bar we hit was pretty small, and 40 of the 47 people inside were from Americorps. Apparently some people got kicked out for underaged drinking. SMH. I had to help carry my stalker out because she was falling all over herself and such. Glad she had friends cause I wasn't about to walk her to her room and have her boink me on the head with a baseball bat; she'd probably steal some babies from me and leave me naked in the woods or something.
I still have never been drunk or really feel the effects of alcohol, so if you're reading and you're in my family, breath easy. I'm okay lol. Loved having a day off finally and it finally gave me enough time to cook a lot of food and chow down. I'm losing weight!! I looked in the mirror and felt skinny. Ew. I need to hit some heavy weights and I need to do it soon before I get picked up by a tornado and blown into Canada.
I still have never been drunk or really feel the effects of alcohol, so if you're reading and you're in my family, breath easy. I'm okay lol. Loved having a day off finally and it finally gave me enough time to cook a lot of food and chow down. I'm losing weight!! I looked in the mirror and felt skinny. Ew. I need to hit some heavy weights and I need to do it soon before I get picked up by a tornado and blown into Canada.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Iowanna do that (part 4)
So today was easy. Only had one boring meeting that wasn't even that boring. About being safe and such, though every time they talk about safety I feel less safe. They keep talking about how there's asbestos, mold, poisenous snakes, spiders, easy-to-tip vans that we gotta ride in, and random visitations from previous and possibly disgruntled employees. Way to go.
So my life is always filled with people doing off the wall things, and today some random girl stole my number. This has happened before by the way. Chick was just going through my phone and i'm thinking she's just being nosey, but then I get a text from her. It took me a while to figure out it was here, but she def saved her name and everything into my phone. Smh at girls these days.
Finally saw Dinner for Schmucks. Hilarious.
Also opened a bank account today. Got ten free dollars from it. Ya'll know I can't pass up free money.
P.S. if you want ten bucks let me know and I'll refer you for the money.
So my life is always filled with people doing off the wall things, and today some random girl stole my number. This has happened before by the way. Chick was just going through my phone and i'm thinking she's just being nosey, but then I get a text from her. It took me a while to figure out it was here, but she def saved her name and everything into my phone. Smh at girls these days.
Finally saw Dinner for Schmucks. Hilarious.
Also opened a bank account today. Got ten free dollars from it. Ya'll know I can't pass up free money.
P.S. if you want ten bucks let me know and I'll refer you for the money.
Iowanna do that (Part 3)
So on the third day of MDmiss I realized playing soccer and basketball for four hours is generally a bad idea. I don't think I'll be able to walk without a limp for at least a week. Luckily the PT doesn't start up until next Friday. So far the meetings are still sleeping pills but the pill are all cool. Played monopoly yesterday but didn't finish because it got too late. Whodathunkit.
Lol I wonder how many people here think I'm a clown for wearing my pants the way I did the other day. Being a person with sense, I like zippers. These uniform pants use buttons and I didn't see how many buttons since I got dressed in the dark (which I realize is also a bad idea for the most part)I didn't button them up right. So i was walking around with giant gaps in my jimmy region and no one said anything. lol guess the people up here are also a lot quieter than those in MD.
We went grocery shopping yesterday and definately blocked the isles. Again, no one said anything. People are too nice up here. If we didn't see them they would have never made it through. Come on Iowans! Give yourself a voice. However will little tommy eat his lettace if you don't tell the Americorps members that they're in your way?
Oh well, guess patience is a virtue. I'm definately learning that up here. At least I don't have to get up early tomorrow. Looking forward to finally sleeping in.
Lol I wonder how many people here think I'm a clown for wearing my pants the way I did the other day. Being a person with sense, I like zippers. These uniform pants use buttons and I didn't see how many buttons since I got dressed in the dark (which I realize is also a bad idea for the most part)I didn't button them up right. So i was walking around with giant gaps in my jimmy region and no one said anything. lol guess the people up here are also a lot quieter than those in MD.
We went grocery shopping yesterday and definately blocked the isles. Again, no one said anything. People are too nice up here. If we didn't see them they would have never made it through. Come on Iowans! Give yourself a voice. However will little tommy eat his lettace if you don't tell the Americorps members that they're in your way?
Oh well, guess patience is a virtue. I'm definately learning that up here. At least I don't have to get up early tomorrow. Looking forward to finally sleeping in.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Iowanna do that
Day 2 and it's a little better but still not like being around free food. The people are really the only thing keeping me sane right now. The rules are just annoying, and the training speakers are really serial killers trying to bore us to death. It almost worked today. Luckily I got a hold of a basketball and got out some stress.
On a lighter note, my mom told me I passed my certification exam for personal training...so that can sit on a shelf with my English Degree lol.
Also found out they didn't tell me that I have to find my own transportation to and from the airport so I don't know if I'll ever get to go home before november. I gotta keep reminding myself that I did this to help people, not to feel comfortable. Woosah. At least there is free food!
On a lighter note, my mom told me I passed my certification exam for personal training...so that can sit on a shelf with my English Degree lol.
Also found out they didn't tell me that I have to find my own transportation to and from the airport so I don't know if I'll ever get to go home before november. I gotta keep reminding myself that I did this to help people, not to feel comfortable. Woosah. At least there is free food!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Iowanna do that
So I'm finally here. Iowa. Cornfields and cows are my neighbors and I'm not happy yet. It's only the first day but it's not looking too bright so far. I'm hoping it's like wine and gets better with time, but so far they've royally screwed me. I feel like one of King Henry's wives (the ones unlucky enough to lose their heads). They put me in a room with no internet and ten guys. They all seem cool, but I feel like I'm taking steps backwards. I was in an apartment and now I'm back in a dorm. Either way, all I can do is keep pushing and hope it gets better. The only plus so far is that the people all seem cool enough.
I've also entered into a new relationship (2/11/11) and I'm hoping it doesn't get too strained. I've give it my all and hope for the best. Wish me luck.
I've also entered into a new relationship (2/11/11) and I'm hoping it doesn't get too strained. I've give it my all and hope for the best. Wish me luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)