What's goin on..... Again???

Okay, lets face it. We are in a recession. Our economy is going through a downward spiral and has been since 1999. It has been a steady decline, but we have really hit a low point over the past few years.

I have found out recently that many of my friends are going through tough times at work. People are getting laid off left and right. Even in my own career, which has normally been very stable, my co-workers are getting laid off. This is hard for me I am doing ok, but feel terrible for those who now have to go without a steady income.

What’s goin on? Marvin Gaye sang this song back in the 70’s with so much turmoil. It is time we speak out again and find out what is going on. We need to start asking the right questions and not accepting life as it is presented to us. Why are gas prices so high? Why are we spending money protecting other countries when our own borders are not secure? All these questions linger in my head as I am not happy with things.

Prayer.

Over the next few weeks I am taking time each day to meditate and pray. So many people in my life need prayer and healing. I am at the top of this list!! Our nation and world need prayer. My heart is beginning to open itself again going overseas and being a basic missionary. The life of 50hrs a week and filling someone else’s pockets just doesn’t seem that appealing anymore!!

I am asking that everyone take some time over the next month and pray everyday. Even if you are not a person of faith, you can meditate and focus your energy on the positive things in your life. Spread the love in your heart to one another and use that time to balance yourself. For those persons of faith, I ask that your spend some time with the creator and ask for grace. We all could use a little grace and mercy these days. If not for you, then someone in your life who just might have it harder. I am praying for all of you!!

Love you all,

Oliver

Tic Toc….

So it is happening. I never knew what it felt like, but it is happening to me! A few months ago a friend of mine noticed that I was looking at babies and children differently. I never thought I would have them, I thought it could happen, but my life would be to complicated and fast paced to have children. Now… I can’t get them off my mind.

Here is the sad story, I am 30, a decent guy, and have a good sense of humor. I think in the end I would make a great dad!! In my business I deal with a ton of people who are not good parents and see their children suffer daily from people who have no business being a parent in the first place. WTF??? How is it that the idiots in the world seem to multiply like lab rats, but the people who actually pay their taxes wait until their clocks have almost ticked out to have their first child? Sad!! I am not saying that everyone who has multiple children are bad, but the movie “Idiocracy” seems to be a fantasy that is coming true. The idiots have us outnumbered 2 to 1. It is true. I deal with people who just can’t seem to get it together everyday. Guess what… they all have babies on their hips…

Over the weekend I spent some extended time with my friends a their newborn baby. She is absolutely adorable and could be a baby model. I used to be scared to death of babies, as I would always be afraid to do the wrong thing and mess up someone else’s child. This baby was great. I was playing with her all weekend. She fell asleep on my chest and I was hooked. I wanted one… I want my own little shorty!! I am not going to rich in and just have a baby mama…but for the first time in my life, I felt my biological clock ticking… more like ringing the bells from St. Marks Cathedral. Oh yes, it is definitely time to settle down and make some moves!

Here is my favorite part!! I was that guy. The anti children guy, “ they will ruin your life”… well… the crow meat taste great because I am recanting my statement and understanding what so many before have. Children are God’s greatest gift to humanity! The ability to bring another life into this world is nothing short of divine and should never be taken for granted under any circumstances.

God bless all the children (I sound like some cheesy movie) but it is true. I hope that one day I will be get that feeling and put this clock to bed once and for all.

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for most kids in our area. This weekend I could feel the buzz, as the Wal-Mart & Target shelves were empty from the mad frenzy that is that first day.

Being so far removed now, I reminisced over my childhood experiences. Last year I remember shopping with a friend for school bags for her children and wondering what it feels like to hold the keys to someone’s education in your hand. Elementary school specifically was such a huge part of ones development. You can go from being the “smart” kid the “Dunce” in the matter of one year. Since you usually travel with the same group of kids through High School, these stigmas can be hard to shake. I remember the first day of school in 3rd grade when I had Ms. McDonald, who just so happened to be the hottest teacher at the school. My best Friend Jason was in the class too. It was awesome. That year was so much fun as I listened to every word that came from Ms. McD’s mouth. I can honestly think back as that as my first school hood crush… (ask me later and I will tell you a funny story about that). That year went by so fast and I learned so much. Much of my development as a “smart kid” started there as I began to accelerate much more rapidly and eventually would end up in the gifted program in 7th grade.

My friend’s son is starting third grade today. He was excited for school as I was back in the day. Ah, the cycle continues, as I am sure he is set for some fun times. The pressures on the faculty and staff today seem unfair as too much attention is being played on the fcat and not enough on the development of well-rounded children. I think too many kids are falling onto the “dunce” category just because they do not test well, and now that is the only focus of schools so they do not loose any funding….This is a vicious cycle.

As I was very close to becoming a teacher it makes me wonder what I would be doing this morning as I am about to get ready for my chosen profession… Would I be getting kids ready to play instruments…. Sad that this was my life for 15yrs and now it is so far away. Funny…

So, my hat is off to all you teachers who are making the world a better place by shaping the lives of so many children. If by chance you are the “hot” teacher in school… Thank you, thank you, thank you!! To all of my parents, May God show you patients and understanding as you guide your children through the educational journey of life. To all the shorties out there… My prayers are for you right now.

Not coming back

Not coming back

As many of you know, I recently turned thirty. This is not so bad anymore as I realize that it’s just another year. The first few days before and after my birthday were some of the hardest days I have ever had to encounter, but I made it through and am now on my way to a new life.

I decided to shave my head as I always do in the summer months. Over the past couple of years I have noticed a rapid decline in my hair’s thickness, particularly to the front portion. In thinking about the remaining follicles, it is probably not a good idea that I take a razor to them, but I do. I am bad boy. The other morning I was getting ready to shave again and stopped to look in the mirror. After gazing at a very good-looking face for a while, I focus on my hairline. It was gone baby gone. I always knew it. One day the fro would be no more.

So, it’s not coming back. Like sands through the hourglass, so are the hairs on my head. I have to accept that I will be wearing the baldhead look for the rest of my days on the spaceship earth. The sad thing is that I don’t even have to shave my facial hair but once a week. (A trait that I get from my late father.) I shuffle through pictures of me with hair and will now have to chuckle, these days are far behind me…. “I use to have hair back in my 20’s”, is a statement I might need to get used to.

Symbolically, changes in our lives happen without question. No one knows how or why they do they just do. I have known that this change in my hair would come one day. I guess when it was time to happen, I am just not ready to say goodbye, but have to accept that my hair is gone, but that’s okay… there is nothing wrong with being a sexy bald brotha….