Off But Not Out of Sight…

Just thought I let everybody know that starting tomorrow, Monday, April 25, 2011, I should be unhooked from the internet and cable TV for a few weeks.  With the recent purchase of a new used car, my money has been tight.  Therefore, I’m going to let some bills go for a few weeks, hopefully until May 13, when I can get back on the internet and etc.  This is only temporary until I’m able to get my money situation back under control.  Sometimes you have to prioritize what’s important.  I’ll still have my cell phone with me which does have my e-mail and some internet capabilities.  So, I’m not totally unhooked.  So, until later, peace out!

TL

Houston, we have a problem…

That’s right Houston, you all are about to be invaded by the BIG BLUE NATION!  Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes, I hope you all have enough room to host the BIG BLUE NATION!  GO BIG BLUE!!!!!  This team isn’t going to take it anymore.  With the play of Josh Harrellson and the other upperclassmen, has the UK Wildcats back in the Final Four.  Congratulations UK Wildcats being the East Region Champions.

So, let’s talk how UK got to be where they are heading.  This journey starts back in November with the Maui Invitational.  Ending with UConn really dismantling UK in the Championship game.  The way UK played really left a bad taste in their mouth.  Then there is the regular season that probably drove a lot of UK fans to drink or something.  How many close road games could this team lose?  I’m not talking good teams either.  I’m talking teams that UK should had blown away but struggle and lose the game by the slimiest of margins.  Not once or twice but six times.  WOW!!!  But towards the end of the regular season, UK started playing more like a team by being a team.  They made this great run in the SEC Tournament run to win the Conference Championship for the second straight year.

But then the stupid NCAA Committee decide to screw UK over again.  The first time with Enes Kanter saying he is permanently ineligible.  Like that was a great call.  But again by deciding UK was a #4 seed.  But with all that, look who is in the Final Four?  That’s right!  UK baby!!!!!

They got here when Harrellson decided to come out and play.  Want to know why Harrellson is playing like he is playing?  Not just his determination to get him in the best shape of his life and etc.  But because he isn’t ready for his college career to be over.  I’m surprised nobody really mention this.  Determination is a powerful tool but also knowing that any game could be your last game of your career.  How would you play?  Another words, he is making sure his last game isn’t a lost.  Way to go Harrellson.  Keep up the great play.  You are one of my favorite UK player.  Play tough against UConn.

The other reason UK is where they are right now?  Upperclassmen…that’s right!!!!  I know Calipari likes the one and done players but you need to surround them with upperclassmen that have the experience.  That’s where Josh Harrellson, DeAndre Liggins, and Darius Miller comes in.  They bring the necessary experience and level headedness that the freshmen need in this type of tournament.  Talent can only go so far in a tournament.  But talent and experience will take you all the way!

Another reason UK is where they are?  They can shoot.  Last years team was all great and etc but had a hard time shooting from outside.  When they got cold last year, they just continue to shoot those jumpers rather than using their strengths.  It was almost like they were stubborn.  But this years team can shoot those jumpers and make them with ease.  A big difference between last year team and this years team.  When you can spread the court by making those jumpers, it makes it a whole lot easier to drive the ball down the lane.

So, again, CONGRATULATIONS UK WILDCATS on making the Final Four.  Let’s bring home #8 baby!!!!  We got next!

TL

Two Songs that explains TL today…

Today has been a day that just is to hard to explain.  You know when people know you aren’t yourself and they keep asking you “are you ok?”?  But you lie and tell them nothing but in reality there is something wrong?  You just don’t know what?  That’s how I am feeling today.  But after depressing around and watching “GLEE’s – Original Song” episode, it somewhat came to me on how I can feel to people through two songs.

The first song would be setting the atmosphere on where I would be and that is “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Michael Bolton.  Yeah I know but I have to be honest.  But it’s not really a bay though that I’m looking out over.  It’s more like a ocean.  But somewhere out in this massive area is like a “needle in a hay stack”, which I like to call my problem.  All I know is I’m sitting on this dock looking out into this massive space knowing that my problem is out there but just don’t know where.  So, I feel like I’m just going through the motion everyday.  So, as you can tell from the lyrics it fits me perfectly as what’s going on in my head.

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothin's gonna come my way

So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, yes

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

The sad part is whenever I have a problem, this is how it feels like sitting on the dock of the back wasting time.  It’s the same place over and over.  But something happened tonight as I was watching “GLEE”.  They did an original song called “Get it Right”.  When I get in these moods where I’m searching for my problem I tend to watch shows either about music or I watch music type shows like in this case “GLEE”.  I’m glad I picked this “GLEE” episode but as I was sitting on that dock of the bay tonight, the song they sang at the end called “Get It Right” brought several good questions about me that makes me think about “what’s wrong with me” or guide me in the right direction at least.  Here are the lyrics for “Get It Right”.

What have I done? I wish I could
Away from this ship goin’ under
Just tryin’ to help, hurt everyone
Now I feel the weight of the world is
On my shoulders

What can you do when your good isn’t good enough?
When all that you touch tumbles down?
‘Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many it times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me?
To get it right
To get it ri-igh-ight

Can I start again with my faith shaken?
‘Cause I can’t go back and undo this
I just have to stay and face my mistakes
But if I get stronger and wiser
I’ll get through this

What can you do when your good isn’t good enough?
When all that you touch tumbles down?
‘Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many it times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me?
To get it right
To get it ri-igh-ight

So I throw up my fist
I will punch in the air
And accept the truth that sometimes life isn’t fair
Yeah, I’ll send out a wish
Yeah, I’ll send up a prayer
And finally, someone will see
How much I care!

What can you do when your good isn’t good enough?
When all that you touch tumbles down?
‘Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many it times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me?
To get it right
To get it ri-igh-ight

Now this songs almost fits me to a “T”.  Every time I’m like this, I try to ask myself questions to figure out my problems or why I’m depressed or something.  The very first question is a good one that I never have asked myself.  “What have I done?” can’t be any more direct than that.  What have I done to be in this certain situation (i.e. sitting on the dock of the bay)?  I have been playing this song over and over trying to figure that out.  I honestly can’t tell you how much this song speaks to me.  In the above lyrics, everything in red is what I would be asking myself in another post that will be coming in a few days after I sit down and think about those questions.  Maybe some self reflection will help me figure out myself?  Maybe it’s something I need to do to see exactly who and what is wrong with me?

How many times have you all done what’s in green?  You know throw your fist up in the air acting like you are punching it and then saying that’s life basically?  Even though you know it’s not fair or anything but you accept it?  I know I have several times.  But no more.  It’s time to start thinking about change.  If you want to listen to the song, click here for “Get It Right” video.  Enjoy!

TL

A Small and Quick Update…

I’ve been going back and forth on if I should be sitting here right now writing this post?  One minute I do and the next minute I rather be doing something else other than writing this post even though I’m going to be sitting at the computer.  Why do I not want to be writing this post?  Sometimes I feel nobody cares what I write in this blog.  I do have a small set of friends that I do know read this blog.  So small that I can count them on one hand basically.  But I’m happy to be writing this anyway.

It’s official.  I got the official IDA word that I have completed the program and I can start looking for a car.  So, that means I can start looking for my Hyundai Elantra or Sonata that’s some where between $4,000 to $6,000.  But anything over $4,000 I have to try and get a loan for.  Here is what I have to do.  I have two months to look for this car, I have to get insurance, come from a dealership, and if I get a loan, the loan rate has to be less than 11%.  Plus, have to get the car inspected before I get the $2,000 from Brighton Center.  I’m very excited and can’t wait until I find the car I want.  Bring on the cars!

This Thursday, 3/10/2011, I’m going to be heading to my mom’s place to setup up her home network and new computer.  I will be taking off of work on Friday, 3/11/2011 and Monday, 3/14/2011 to have the time to do it.  Why am I bringing this up?  Because as part of our agreement, I get her old computer that I’m replacing with the new computer.  So, I will be adding one more computer to my already large collection of computers I got here at the house.  Yippee!!!!

Speaking of computer, I recently started working on one of my computers idea for one of computers I have here.  As some of you seen from my tweet, I have introduced “Aural Euphoria” to my long list of computers I have.  “Aural Euphoria” is all about multimedia.  She is going to be my music computer where I download music and etc.  She is also going be the computer where I create my videos and podcasts.  Basically, if it’s multimedia, “Aural Euphoria” is going to be the girl handling it.  As of right now, she barely has a leg to stand on to be honest.  I have to do a lot of upgrading to “Aural Euphoria” to get her to a place where I can do all the things I want to do.  So, it will take some time but “Aural Euphoria” will get there.

Also, lately been doing a lot of thinking about life again.  I tend to do this a lot.  I don’t think people or friends really understand how much AmeriCorps have really changed my life.  If I could I would do AmeriCorps for the rest of my life but I can’t.  The max I could would be four years.  But if things go the way it does, I might not be able to do all four years as government is looking to cut it’s budget and AmeriCorps is on the chopping blocks.  Which got me thinking life lately.  Should I start ramping up my job searching machine and start looking?  Am I ready to get back into the workforce?  Is two years of AmeriCorps enough for updating my work experience I currently have?  These are the type of questions I ask myself over and over.  What do you think?  Should I start looking and applying for other jobs?  But it doesn’t stop there for me though.  Also, been thinking that I can do more.  What exactly I’m not sure?  But just have this feeling that I can do a lot more than what I’m doing.  Ever had those feelings?

Well, so much for being short and quick huh?  I guess I better head to bed.  Had serious allergies/sinus problems lately that I' seem to shake away from.  So, I need to get as much sleep as possible to feel refreshed in the morning.  Night and talk to you all later.

TL

Why O Why…

Basically the title of this post says it all.  Can this day get any worse for me?  Maybe I shouldn’t even got out of bed?  I’m very frustrated and pissed off that it’s not funny.  The more I think about it the more upset I get.  Let me tell you…1) In the last few weeks unexpected bills have been coming in.  These bills are putting a wrench in my “getting a car” plan.  Where I should be using money to pay off old debts off my credit report to complete my IDA obligations, I’m paying off these unexpected bills.  Which leads to another unexpected bill today…2)  When to get my taxes done and basically I owe $571 in state taxes.  Yes, you heard me right.  An AmeriCorps Volunteer owes money.  Great!  Basically any money I get from my federal, which is only $184 and from Ohio state taxes, $93, won’t even cover it.  So, I’m going to be forking out another $350 or so dollars.  3)  Now, Kentucky freaking loses.  Apparently they don’t want to play on the road.  So, what else can go wrong?  Can’t wait until this day is over with.

But the good news is though I might have a plan for me to still get a car on time according to my time table.  But I won’t know until Monday when I go into work and talk to a few IDA people to see if it’s possible that I can use what I pay off to the IRS as part of my IDA obligation for paying 30% of my debt.  If I can then I’ll be alright.  If not, I’m going to be a few months behind.  I was pretty sure I’ll have a car by the end of February but now I’m not sure.  We shall see.

TL

Update on my car situation…

If you all remember from several post over the last year, I have been participating in the IDA program where once I save $2,000 that I get matched 100% by Brighton Center.  In September of 2010, I made my $2,000 limit and since then started phase two of the program which was to pay off 30% of my debt off.  Well, I’m only $355 away from completing this.  In the whole process I was put on a waiting list waiting for Brighton Center get their money.  Today, I learned that Brighton Center got their money and as soon as I pay off $355 of my debt in some fashion, I will be able to get a car.  So, I’m hoping by the end of February that I will have a new used car.  I’m very excited about this.  I have been car hunting these last few months and do have a car in mind I want.  But when I’m ready to purchase it, will it be there?  That is the question.  Not to mention I have to look for car insurance.  Anybody have any suggestions?

So, if anybody want to donate some money to the “pay off TL’s debt” funds, I’ll be happy to take it.  You can always send money to me by PayPal by sending it to jacksontho at gmail dot com.  *lol*  Just kidding!

TL

Day 2: Healing Update…

Day two is upon me for the healing process of my two teeth extraction.  In my blog post below, you notice I had my wisdom and one other tooth out.  I can honestly say I have been pain free which I’m very blessed.  I never imagine it being this way.  Everybody has told me to be prepared and etc.  I only took a pain pill last night as I was going to bed because I was so sure I would wake up with pain.  But I didn’t this morning.  I did start my salt water treatment as well this morning.  The little bit of swollen I had on my face from yesterday is all gone.  So far, everything is gong great.  I couldn’t ask for anything better.  Keep sending the prays my way.

TL

It’s over with for now…

Well, I just got back from the dentist where I got two teeth pulled.  One was a wisdom and the other one was a molder.  Now the healing and pain process starts.  The extraction was fast and without any problems according to the dentist.  I got my pain meds and now I’m home resting for the next few days.  Today only I can have water only and then tomorrow I start with warm salt water three times a day.  So, keep praying for me.

TL

Let’s Talk Football…

First, let’s talk about the Super Bowl matchup between Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Who are you for and why?  Green Bay started off strong against the Chicago Bears in their NFC Championship game.  But I think they thought they had this game and they let up to allow the Bears back in the game.  But in the end, the defense helped them seal the victory.  As for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game, the New York Jets woke up in the 2nd half and actually made a game of it.  Only if the New York Jets scored that touchdown rather than getting stopped by the Steelers on that goal line stance?  We could be seeing a different outcome in that game?  But man, what about the Steelers on that 3rd and long at the end of the game?  I was 99.99% sure they were going to run it and then punt it away.  WOW!!  All I can say.

Now it’s Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Who you going to pick?  As for me, I originally thought it would be New England Patriots playing the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl with New England Patriots winning it all.  But since only one of my team I picked is in the Super Bowl, I’m going with Green Bay Packers, baby!!!!!  The Steelers can’t win the Super Bowl because this is the Dallas Cowboys home field.  Last thing us Cowboys fans want is our rival Steelers winning on our home turf but yet another Super Bowl.  The Dallas Cowboys is America’s Team!  Right Cowboys fans?

A little hometown sports talk for those diehard Cincinnati “Who Dey…Who Dey…think will beat those” Bengals, which is everybody apparently, that loud cheering that everybody in the world heard was from fans that learned that Carson Palmer is supposedly going to be asking the Bengals for a trade or he will retire.  I know the fans haven’t been happy with Carson over the last few years but some changes have to be made.  But my questions to the Bengals fans is who is going to be the next quarterback?  Cincinnati really haven’t been developing a quarterback over these few years.  JT O’Sullivan isn’t Carson Palmer and Carson’s brother isn’t really, well let’s face it, Carson or JT combine.  The Bengals do have the 4th pick of the draft though?  Could they draft a Cam Newton or the Bengals next franchise quarterback?  If they do and I’m Mike Brown I would think about keeping Carson and draft a quarterback to develop the quarterback to take the team over.  Oh yeah, that means firing their offensive coordinator rather than trading Palmer.  Also, Childress isn’t the answer either there.  So, Bengals fans, what’s your thought?

TL

Dentist Update…

It’s basically 9:55 am on Friday, 1/21/11, and I was getting ready for my dentist appointment when they called me like 15 minutes ago to let me know that the dentist wasn’t available and they needed to reschedule my appointment.  Throwing my whole day up into air.  But the extraction is still on but for next Friday, 1/28/11, now at 11:30 am.  So, another whole week to get used to the idea.  But now I don’t know what to do.  Should I go to work at the Brighton Center or should I go downtown Cincinnati to find my AmeriCorps co-workers where we are supposed to be doing training all day?  Right now I’m going to go to the Brighton Center where they are very short handed and could use my assistance unless my AmeriCorps people call me and tell me otherwise.

TL