Who are you?
What do you stand for?
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." - attributed to many, including US Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall, Alexander Hamilton, and the more recognizable Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Take your pick.
I stand for honorable and decent behavior towards all.
I stand up for the young and old, the big and small.
I stand when people ask if I believe in God.
I stand up for my friends, even when they're odd.
Who are you?
What are your standards?
"Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something." - Henry David Thoreau
This question is pretty broad--and a matter of perception.
When it comes to actions (specifically in a prospective girl): Don't smoke...don't talk like a sailor...don't talk to me about the Yankees--seriously, I find them reprehensible, and a strong representative of all that is soulless and wrong with not only sports, but society in general...don't use the word "busy" or say things like "FML"--ever...don't talk too much in general...don't be cocky or self-absorbed...don't be...well...a hoard of other things that you can ask me about later, but should already know if you know me at all...
When it comes to ethics: Treat people right, period. Should be all I need to say, but many people don't seem get it, so here's more: Open doors for girls, whether they're 2 or 92. Talk to strangers. I've never understood why people say not to--that's terrible advice! Be a courteous driver. Give things away--even when you can't afford to...Money. Clothes. Love. Organs. You laugh; I'm serious.
Who are you?
Who do you play for?
"Mike Eruzione--Winthrop, Massachusetts...I play for...the United States of America." - Mike Eruzione, played by actor Patrick O'Brien Demsey--"Miracle"
Okay, that was corny. But sports are a big part of my life, and it's effective.
I was a Kansas Wesleyan Coyote for the only "official" time I spent as a college basketball player.
But I will always be a Bulldog at heart...
I was a McPherson College Bulldog in my collegiate days that mattered most to me. I still miss it there every day.
I grew up a Pretty Prairie Bulldog. It's in my heart--it's embedded in me.
Who are you?
What do you represent?
"I'm a better person than I was yesterday, but not as good as I will be tomorrow." - Derrick Mead
Yes, I just quoted myself.
I'm a country boy--but not a hick.
I'm a basketball player--coach, too.
I'm a writer and a prankster.
I'm confident and shy at the same time.
I'm a serious listener and a funny talker.
I'm just dumb enough to be smart--or maybe the other way around.
I want people to know me, but not really.
It's the reason I changed my major in college.
I once wanted nothing more than to be a sports commentator--preferably baseball. From ages 8-20 I dreamed about one day calling moments like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBJ89V7A_3c
The names Kirk Gibson and Joe Carter will always give me goosebumps just at the mere sound of them.
But ultimately, I didn't want to be that widely seen--or heard. I want to be much more discreet, but inspirational at the same time. Like maybe becoming the most successful basketball coach at a school no one has ever heard of--something like that.
It's the reason I'm a friend to all, but a stranger to many.
I'll help anyone in need. Example: I spent almost 2 hours helping a lady who should've been killed after rolling her car several times a few months back at 3 AM.
Never told her my name, though.
That's just who I am.
So tell me...
Who are you?
Do the right thing,
Derrick
Showing posts with label Joe Carter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Carter. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.
Day 20: Complete
Morning session: 11.52 miles
Evening session: 5.18 miles
Total distance: 16.70 miles
Milestone reached: 250-mile mark
Took awhile getting around (soreness) for the morning run, but completed a new career high once I did. The evening run came at 4:30 (which meant only about 3 hours between runs), due to the Cubs being on at 6 again.
10.78 miles tomorrow would give me a 100-mile week. I can't believe I've trimmed it that close, but it's attainable.
Movie now: The Legend of Bagger Vance. Great flick. Had to watch it for Philosophy of Religion class at Kansas Wesleyan University. Loved it, so I bought it.

Movie from earlier: The Greatest Game Ever Played. This would crack my top 10--heck, probably top 4 or 5 sports movies of all-time, no lie. Brilliantly directed by Bill Paxton. Great acting by Shia LaBeouf. I tear up every time. Definitely a tug at the heart strings.

Note: If you didn't know, today is the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. An important day in American history.

That inspires tonight's top 10 list:
Top 10 "I'll never forget where I was when..." moments:
10. Michael Jackson's death--read the news of his heart attack from my friend Nick's Facebook status, while in my basement. Kept up with the updates on TMZ.com, because CNN's coverage during the story was absolutely horrendous.
9. Princess Diana's death--my grandparents house. I didn't know much about her, but I was captivated by the story when the news broke.
8. Michael Jordan's last shot with the Bulls--I was up in my mom's room due to bad reception in the basement, as I watched MJ knock off the Jazz. Before watching his comeback with Washington, it seemed inevitable that it would be Mike's last shot, even before he took it. Perfect script, great game, great shot.
7. "Music City Miracle," 2000. Tennessee Titans beat the Buffalo Bills, and advance to the Super Bowl on a last-second kick return after a cross-field lateral pass from tight end Frank Wycheck to receiver Kevin Dyson. I'll never forget the call on that play: "He's got somethin'...he's got somethin'...he's got it, he's got it...he's got it...endzone! Touchdown--Titans! There-are-NO-flags-on-the-field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
6. 2004 ALCS; Red Sox shock Yankees--A playoff volleyball game at McPherson College. It was Game 7, and in between sets, me and my basketball buddies would all run out to the lobby to check the score on the big screen. Fun times.
5. Bombing at OKC Federal building--3rd grade classroom. A classmate who was sick the first 2 hours of the day showed up, and shared the news with us. No one believed him. Even made the teacher mad that he'd make up such an awful thing.
4. 2001 World Series; Diamondbacks stun Yankees--sitting in our basement's living room with my little brother, Phil. It seemed to be all-but-over. Rivera on the hill, with a lead? But no. What a finish.
3. OJ Simpson (and Al Cowlings), Bronco chase--unlike most 9 year olds, I knew quite a bit about OJ (sports nut, you know) before the murder charges ever came about, so I was invested in the story from Day 1. I remember watching police cars follow his white Bronco all along that California highway in 1994 from the couch in our old trailer with my sister.
2. Joe Carter, 1993 (Blue Jays win '93 World Series on one of the biggest home runs ever hit--by a former WSU Shocker, no less)--laying on the floor of our old trailer. Went absolutely nuts. I knew then, as an 8 year old, that I'd just witness one of the most important hits in baseball history.
1. 9/11 attacks--Mr. Johnson's classroom (after having Algebra interrupted) at PPHS. The world stood still that day.
D, out.
Morning session: 11.52 miles
Evening session: 5.18 miles
Total distance: 16.70 miles
Milestone reached: 250-mile mark
Took awhile getting around (soreness) for the morning run, but completed a new career high once I did. The evening run came at 4:30 (which meant only about 3 hours between runs), due to the Cubs being on at 6 again.
10.78 miles tomorrow would give me a 100-mile week. I can't believe I've trimmed it that close, but it's attainable.
Movie now: The Legend of Bagger Vance. Great flick. Had to watch it for Philosophy of Religion class at Kansas Wesleyan University. Loved it, so I bought it.

Movie from earlier: The Greatest Game Ever Played. This would crack my top 10--heck, probably top 4 or 5 sports movies of all-time, no lie. Brilliantly directed by Bill Paxton. Great acting by Shia LaBeouf. I tear up every time. Definitely a tug at the heart strings.

Note: If you didn't know, today is the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. An important day in American history.

That inspires tonight's top 10 list:
Top 10 "I'll never forget where I was when..." moments:
10. Michael Jackson's death--read the news of his heart attack from my friend Nick's Facebook status, while in my basement. Kept up with the updates on TMZ.com, because CNN's coverage during the story was absolutely horrendous.
9. Princess Diana's death--my grandparents house. I didn't know much about her, but I was captivated by the story when the news broke.
8. Michael Jordan's last shot with the Bulls--I was up in my mom's room due to bad reception in the basement, as I watched MJ knock off the Jazz. Before watching his comeback with Washington, it seemed inevitable that it would be Mike's last shot, even before he took it. Perfect script, great game, great shot.
7. "Music City Miracle," 2000. Tennessee Titans beat the Buffalo Bills, and advance to the Super Bowl on a last-second kick return after a cross-field lateral pass from tight end Frank Wycheck to receiver Kevin Dyson. I'll never forget the call on that play: "He's got somethin'...he's got somethin'...he's got it, he's got it...he's got it...endzone! Touchdown--Titans! There-are-NO-flags-on-the-field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
6. 2004 ALCS; Red Sox shock Yankees--A playoff volleyball game at McPherson College. It was Game 7, and in between sets, me and my basketball buddies would all run out to the lobby to check the score on the big screen. Fun times.
5. Bombing at OKC Federal building--3rd grade classroom. A classmate who was sick the first 2 hours of the day showed up, and shared the news with us. No one believed him. Even made the teacher mad that he'd make up such an awful thing.
4. 2001 World Series; Diamondbacks stun Yankees--sitting in our basement's living room with my little brother, Phil. It seemed to be all-but-over. Rivera on the hill, with a lead? But no. What a finish.
3. OJ Simpson (and Al Cowlings), Bronco chase--unlike most 9 year olds, I knew quite a bit about OJ (sports nut, you know) before the murder charges ever came about, so I was invested in the story from Day 1. I remember watching police cars follow his white Bronco all along that California highway in 1994 from the couch in our old trailer with my sister.
2. Joe Carter, 1993 (Blue Jays win '93 World Series on one of the biggest home runs ever hit--by a former WSU Shocker, no less)--laying on the floor of our old trailer. Went absolutely nuts. I knew then, as an 8 year old, that I'd just witness one of the most important hits in baseball history.
1. 9/11 attacks--Mr. Johnson's classroom (after having Algebra interrupted) at PPHS. The world stood still that day.
D, out.
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