In case you couldn't tell, I made some more changes to the site (again). I felt the last version was a little too dark, and with summer around the corner, thought I'd lighten it up a bit. Any thoughts? Share 'em.
For now, though, I'll just try and catch you up a bit on a few things that have happened since my last blog:
March 27: 3 on 3 tournament in McPherson went off without a hitch. My team lost in the semifinal to a team we'd already beaten--and we'd also beaten both teams who played in the Championship game. Needless to say, we coulda, shoulda, woulda...
April 1-2: Did some praying--and lots of it. I won't go into details here, but a scary situation involving a very good friend of mine...
April 2-4: Prayers seem to have been answered. Thank you, Jesus.
April 5: Cubs Opening Day! Easily my favorite day of the year. YAY!!
...3 hours later: Cubs lose, 16-5. I hate baseball.
...3 seconds later: I don't mean that.
April 7: Basketball game in a league in Wichita. Another win, now 2-0. I love winning.
April 8: Saw the girl my mom thinks I should date. Makes me laugh every time I see her. Not in conniving way--she's actually a terrific girl--just in an "Oh goodness, my mom has a legitimate opinion on my social life; I must have issues" kind of way.
Results from most recent poll:
Question: How did you meet me?
College: 5 votes (31%)
Other: 5 votes (31%)
High School: 2 votes (12%)
Basketball: 2 votes (12%)
Family: 1 vote (6%)
Through a friend: 1 vote (6%)
I dunno what to make of the five 'other' votes, but the 16 total votes is the most I've had on a poll so far. Shooting for 20+ votes on a poll one of these days.
Quote of the day:
"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." - Bill Cosby
Do the right thing,
Derrick
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
"...then we get the khakis. Then we get the chicks."
This will not be a happy blog. I'll try to sneak in a laugh or two, but no promises.
Let me start by saying this...
I am a happy person. I love Jesus, all the people close to me, and the Chicago Cubs. In that order. Unless the game's on TV--then flip-flop numbers two and three.
I almost always have a chipper anecdote to supply to anyone who'll listen. Most of you know what I'm good at: making people laugh, spelling stuff real good-like, and hitting the occasional jumper.
But ... I have a talent many people are unaware of--hiding it when something's wrong. I usually put on a good front, feign a smile and brush things off with ease. Well, I'm not very fond of that talent at the moment, so I'm here to vent, in a way. Bear with me. Here goes nothing...
It's been a hard [expletive] year--to say the least...
Work--or lack thereof.
362 days ago, I quit my job. Regardless of what has transpired since, I don't regret it.
My reasons:
A. I don't regret things. Ever--solves nothing.
B. It was a sales gig that I hated (and sucked at); I would've been let go soon, anyway.
From November-June, I subsequently applied at 57 different establishments--yes, I kept track. Three interviews. One second interview. No real inklings. The phrase "over-qualified" is something I will never understand.
More of the same since I was forced to move back home.
I've since been called a "bum" by someone who doesn't even know the first thing about me. Not to sound cliche, but if you're one of those kinds of people--keep my name out of your mouth, period.
"Loser" has been bandied about.
Today, I was called "lazy" by someone who's a good friend, yet seems to have developed a propensity for hurting my feelings.
Don't do that. Call it "Truth-Hurts-Syndrome," if you want. But I mean, c'mon. Regardless of your opinion, who talks to people that way? The moral? There's almost always more to a situation than what you know--so watch the way you speak to people.
I do have an idea for (hopefully) next year--teaching/coaching out-of-state--but I need to save up some money in the meantime before that even becomes a legit plan. So far, no go.
Girls--or lack thereof.
136 days ago, she said she still loved me.
Less than 94 days later, she was engaged to someone else. Awesome.
I recently moved on from an ex-girlfriend who...let's face it...didn't treat me very well. There, I said it. No qualms about it anymore--things happen. While I can honestly say I don't miss her (hooray, me), the situation itself took a toll on me. You know, leaving doubts and such. Not the "all girls are the same" kind of doubts. Those kinds of baseless stereotypes irritate me, and I'm not ignorant enough to buy in. Just the impatient, "when's it my turn?" kind of doubts--you know.
Plus, I'm picky. Very picky. To any who don't know me, it might seem pompous. Shoot, maybe it is. It seems to take a lot for me to find a girl I really like. When I finally do, there's always a pretty substantial roadblock. Specifically, she's either got a boyfriend (who's generally an idiot), or is simply ridiculously unattainable. And yes, I have specific--and very recent examples for each.
Regardless of the circumstances, it just never seems to matter. Especially over the last year. It's been a strain, without a doubt.
I'm almost 25 years old. I have no job, no money, no girlfriend--no life. And no excuse. When it rains, it pours. And I haven't seen the sun in months.
I know, I know...
In my own words...Boo frickety hoo, right? I'm done now.
Chin up, have faith, it can only get better, keep trying--all that fortune cookie mumbo-jumbo. Got it. Just had to get this out. And now I have.
Finally, come to think of it--maybe some of this is partially linked together.
Maybe Coop from BASEketball had it right all along...
"I'm telling you it's jobs. We gotta get jobs. Then we get the khakis. Then we get the chicks." - Joseph R. Cooper [BASEketball]
Bright side: I already own khakis. See, told you--glass half full kind of fellow.
Do the right thing,
Derrick
Let me start by saying this...
I am a happy person. I love Jesus, all the people close to me, and the Chicago Cubs. In that order. Unless the game's on TV--then flip-flop numbers two and three.
I almost always have a chipper anecdote to supply to anyone who'll listen. Most of you know what I'm good at: making people laugh, spelling stuff real good-like, and hitting the occasional jumper.
But ... I have a talent many people are unaware of--hiding it when something's wrong. I usually put on a good front, feign a smile and brush things off with ease. Well, I'm not very fond of that talent at the moment, so I'm here to vent, in a way. Bear with me. Here goes nothing...
It's been a hard [expletive] year--to say the least...
Work--or lack thereof.
362 days ago, I quit my job. Regardless of what has transpired since, I don't regret it.
My reasons:
A. I don't regret things. Ever--solves nothing.
B. It was a sales gig that I hated (and sucked at); I would've been let go soon, anyway.
From November-June, I subsequently applied at 57 different establishments--yes, I kept track. Three interviews. One second interview. No real inklings. The phrase "over-qualified" is something I will never understand.
More of the same since I was forced to move back home.
I've since been called a "bum" by someone who doesn't even know the first thing about me. Not to sound cliche, but if you're one of those kinds of people--keep my name out of your mouth, period.
"Loser" has been bandied about.
Today, I was called "lazy" by someone who's a good friend, yet seems to have developed a propensity for hurting my feelings.
Don't do that. Call it "Truth-Hurts-Syndrome," if you want. But I mean, c'mon. Regardless of your opinion, who talks to people that way? The moral? There's almost always more to a situation than what you know--so watch the way you speak to people.
I do have an idea for (hopefully) next year--teaching/coaching out-of-state--but I need to save up some money in the meantime before that even becomes a legit plan. So far, no go.
Girls--or lack thereof.
136 days ago, she said she still loved me.
Less than 94 days later, she was engaged to someone else. Awesome.
I recently moved on from an ex-girlfriend who...let's face it...didn't treat me very well. There, I said it. No qualms about it anymore--things happen. While I can honestly say I don't miss her (hooray, me), the situation itself took a toll on me. You know, leaving doubts and such. Not the "all girls are the same" kind of doubts. Those kinds of baseless stereotypes irritate me, and I'm not ignorant enough to buy in. Just the impatient, "when's it my turn?" kind of doubts--you know.
Plus, I'm picky. Very picky. To any who don't know me, it might seem pompous. Shoot, maybe it is. It seems to take a lot for me to find a girl I really like. When I finally do, there's always a pretty substantial roadblock. Specifically, she's either got a boyfriend (who's generally an idiot), or is simply ridiculously unattainable. And yes, I have specific--and very recent examples for each.
Regardless of the circumstances, it just never seems to matter. Especially over the last year. It's been a strain, without a doubt.
I'm almost 25 years old. I have no job, no money, no girlfriend--no life. And no excuse. When it rains, it pours. And I haven't seen the sun in months.
I know, I know...
In my own words...Boo frickety hoo, right? I'm done now.
Chin up, have faith, it can only get better, keep trying--all that fortune cookie mumbo-jumbo. Got it. Just had to get this out. And now I have.
Finally, come to think of it--maybe some of this is partially linked together.
Maybe Coop from BASEketball had it right all along...
"I'm telling you it's jobs. We gotta get jobs. Then we get the khakis. Then we get the chicks." - Joseph R. Cooper [BASEketball]
Bright side: I already own khakis. See, told you--glass half full kind of fellow.
Do the right thing,
Derrick
Friday, September 25, 2009
Be a light--wherever you are.
I was bound and determined to write something important earlier this evening...err, yesterday by now. Then writer's block hit. Then distraction hit. But then again...
You'd be surprised how much inspiration you can find...
in a giant bowl of Crunch Berries...
at 2 AM.
Now while I still don't intend to get a whole lot written this time around, the wheels have at least begun turning. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
No idea what's going to come of each keystroke, or if it'll resemble anything coherent, but here goes...
I know I've talked about my best friend Amanda in numerous blogs before, but you know what--why not again?
When I think of Amanda, I think about faith. Amanda Lee Walker taught me more about Jesus in a month, than the rest of the world has taught me in over 24 years. Weird thing is, it's not like we just sat around and gabbed about God, 24/7. But I feel He speaks to me through her--my guardian angel.
There are several things I've learned about God from Amanda that I'm sure she isn't even aware of. The biggest one is this...I think we all need to reassess the ways in which we talk to God. Don't get me wrong, if you talk to God at all, I think you're doing all right. But I think we can do more...
I think too many of us (myself included) ask too much of God. We ask Him to send us answers, shower us with gifts, grant us miracles, and so on. Though I, too, am guilty of this--it seems silly to me. Why do we do this?
I think we should open our eyes and realize that in many instances in our lives, God is actually asking us questions. Maybe this seems crazy to you. True, God knows what we will do, and what we will go through...but I also feel that he presents us with opportunities all throughout our days, as if to say: "What do you want to do?" Options, or paths, if you will.
I think that's where free will comes into play. Even Amanda once wrote: "...I gave up trying to understand that whole subject." Well you know what? If she doesn't understand it, I certainly never will, either--and that's okay by me.
I don't really have a solution to offer here, just one piece of advice that I'll try to better follow, myself: When you talk to God, do not just talk--speak. Thank Him for the blessings you have in your life, rather than always just asking for additional blessings. Now that's not to say it's not okay to pray for miracles, healing, etc. But you know, just saying.
I'll just end this by saying thank you.
Thank you, Lord--for everything and everyone you've blessed me with in my life.
Thank you, Amanda--for teaching me about faith and Jesus. And faith in Jesus.
You saved me.
...and every time a light flickers, I still think of you. That will never change. Thanks for being my best friend.
Be a light--wherever you are,
Derrick
No idea what's going to come of each keystroke, or if it'll resemble anything coherent, but here goes...
I know I've talked about my best friend Amanda in numerous blogs before, but you know what--why not again?
When I think of Amanda, I think about faith. Amanda Lee Walker taught me more about Jesus in a month, than the rest of the world has taught me in over 24 years. Weird thing is, it's not like we just sat around and gabbed about God, 24/7. But I feel He speaks to me through her--my guardian angel.
I think too many of us (myself included) ask too much of God. We ask Him to send us answers, shower us with gifts, grant us miracles, and so on. Though I, too, am guilty of this--it seems silly to me. Why do we do this?
I think we should open our eyes and realize that in many instances in our lives, God is actually asking us questions. Maybe this seems crazy to you. True, God knows what we will do, and what we will go through...but I also feel that he presents us with opportunities all throughout our days, as if to say: "What do you want to do?" Options, or paths, if you will.
I think that's where free will comes into play. Even Amanda once wrote: "...I gave up trying to understand that whole subject." Well you know what? If she doesn't understand it, I certainly never will, either--and that's okay by me.
I don't really have a solution to offer here, just one piece of advice that I'll try to better follow, myself: When you talk to God, do not just talk--speak. Thank Him for the blessings you have in your life, rather than always just asking for additional blessings. Now that's not to say it's not okay to pray for miracles, healing, etc. But you know, just saying.
I'll just end this by saying thank you.
Thank you, Lord--for everything and everyone you've blessed me with in my life.
Thank you, Amanda--for teaching me about faith and Jesus. And faith in Jesus.
You saved me.
...and every time a light flickers, I still think of you. That will never change. Thanks for being my best friend.
Derrick
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Amen to that...
Day 4: Complete
Morning session: 8.62 miles
Evening session: 5.11 miles
Total distance: 13.73 miles
This will surely be the last day that I increase my distance. This morning's run was pretty invigorating. I started out feeling a bit down after yesterday's mental struggle. Call me crazy, but I felt Jesus spoke to me. He painted a beautiful sun-lit sky, as the sun poked through the clouds after the brief rain subsided. I paused. Admired. Prayed.
Something like this...
Not sure He guided me toward any actual clear-cut resolution, so to speak, but just to let things be, and go about my life.
Amen to that.
I've also decided that one of these days--perhaps when I reach my 300-mile goal, or at least get near it, I'll take either my phone or camera along with me when I run, and snap some pictures of some of the sights I get to see out on these country roads. A couple of them would probably amuse people. :)
Injury report:
Some pain on the bottom of my right foot. But like the ankle stuff, it actually hurts less when I run than when I walk...
My pace is now at a point where I could take a full day off, and still be on track for 300. It only took me 4 days. I figured it'd take close to a couple weeks. But I won't take a day off just yet. I'll stash it away for a rainy day--or in case of injury, or something like that. Or, who knows, maybe I'll find some extra stamina somewhere, and actually muster the strength to run 31 straight days (not likely, though). :)
Tomorrow should be a relatively light day. Figurin' on running 5-6 miles in the morning, 3 on the way to the gym. Maybe a little more in there somewhere, not sure yet. In the meantime...
D, out.
Morning session: 8.62 miles
Evening session: 5.11 miles
Total distance: 13.73 miles
This will surely be the last day that I increase my distance. This morning's run was pretty invigorating. I started out feeling a bit down after yesterday's mental struggle. Call me crazy, but I felt Jesus spoke to me. He painted a beautiful sun-lit sky, as the sun poked through the clouds after the brief rain subsided. I paused. Admired. Prayed.
Something like this...
Not sure He guided me toward any actual clear-cut resolution, so to speak, but just to let things be, and go about my life.
Amen to that.
I've also decided that one of these days--perhaps when I reach my 300-mile goal, or at least get near it, I'll take either my phone or camera along with me when I run, and snap some pictures of some of the sights I get to see out on these country roads. A couple of them would probably amuse people. :)
Injury report:
Some pain on the bottom of my right foot. But like the ankle stuff, it actually hurts less when I run than when I walk...
My pace is now at a point where I could take a full day off, and still be on track for 300. It only took me 4 days. I figured it'd take close to a couple weeks. But I won't take a day off just yet. I'll stash it away for a rainy day--or in case of injury, or something like that. Or, who knows, maybe I'll find some extra stamina somewhere, and actually muster the strength to run 31 straight days (not likely, though). :)
Tomorrow should be a relatively light day. Figurin' on running 5-6 miles in the morning, 3 on the way to the gym. Maybe a little more in there somewhere, not sure yet. In the meantime...
D, out.
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