A Very Good Day…

As some of you all might recognized by my twitter messages that I was doing this morning that I was in a very good mood today.  I must say, it was the first time in a long time I was in this good of a mood.  It seems like whatever funk I have been in for the last month or so just lifted off of me.  I was actually basically dancing down the street on my way to the bus stop.  Then on the bus I was bobbing my head sideways like in the movie Night at the Roxbury were doing in the car but of course I didn’t bust out the windows like they did in the car.  Thank God!  It lasted all day long too.  Are things looking up for me?  It might be to early to tell but who knows?  At the end of the day at work, I turned to the person I’m sharing an office with and asked her “how did my desk get so messy?”.  She just looked at me and laughed, then said “welcome back, TL”.

I noticed it’s been a while since I last did a blog?  WOW…Maybe I was really out of it after all.  Could it be the UK news from yesterday’s recruiting haul finally turned me back into my real self?  Was it the lost to WVU that put me in this funk?  It was about the time I wrote that last post that I started being in this fun?  But enough, let’s enjoy me while I’m here.

Work is going very good.  I have made up my mind and have a game plan in place for when my year service on VISTA is over.  I’m actually hoping that I’m hired on at Brighton Center full time but if that doesn’t pan out right now and the Brighton Center will want me to return as a VISTA that I’ll be happy to do another year as a VISTA.  I really love what I’m doing here at the Brighton Center.  I can see myself actually doing what I’m doing for years on years.

Well, looks like this is all that my brain has for now.  Talk to you all later!

TL

UK lost could be UK gain…

Let me say this.  I’m disappointed in the UK lost but couldn’t be any more prouder of the team though.  Apparently it was WVU’s birthday as they seem they couldn’t miss from the 3 point line in the 1st half.  How can a team go 0 for 16 from 2 point range and 8 for 15 from 3 point range and still win the game?  Just pure luck that’s all!  Of course doesn’t help when UK couldn’t hit anything though from 3 point line.  But thank you for the great run this year.  But will say this, I know Calipari said he prefer talent over experience anytime?  I honestly prefer a combination of talent and experience anytime over just talent or experience.  The NCAA tournament is a different beast than the regular season and conference tournaments.  It’s experience that UK needed tonight against WVU that we didn’t get.  It would be experience that would know when to shoot those 3’s or get it into the big fellows.  We never know now!

Now is the hardest part for UK fans.  The wait and see what happens next.  I truly hate the one and done players.  Yes, they have the talent and etc but for basketball it’s not fair to force them to go to college if they want to play for money.  It has changed the game of basketball big times.  But this year could be a different year when a lot of one and done players actually will stay.  Because there is talk that after next year’s NBA season, there will be a lock out of players.  Which they are predicting will take out the whole season of the NBA.  So, why would a player go into the NBA for a year and then there will be a strike after the end of the year?  Why not continue to hone your skills at the college level and enjoy playing till the strike is over at the college level?

Also, this lost by UK in this game could really be a good thing for UK.  It will leave a bad taste in the players mouth knowing that this was their season to win the title but to go out like they did.  So, they might want to come back for another season to prove that and erase that taste from their mouth with a national title?  So, here is my opinion on what will happen over the next few months.  People think that Wall is gone?  I’m not quite sure he is.  I think Wall is really torn between his decision and I think he will come back for one more season.  If Wall comes back for one more season, I think you will see a domino effect happen where Cousins come back for sure.  I honestly think Cousin is definitely coming back.  As for Patterson, he has the hardest decision to make.  He can’t test the waters like the others can because he did that last year.  So, once he declares than he is lost for sure.  I think Patterson should come back for sure and not even worry about the NBA.  The only person I really don’t see coming back is Bledsoe.  I think he is either going to transfer or go to the NBA.  If Wall goes, we will have Brandon Knight in the lineup which it will mean that Bledsoe will be second again.  Therefore, Bledsoe will leave once Knight commits to UK.

Even though this will be the toughest part of the off season in waiting to see what happens to current players and to see who UK’s incoming recruits will be.  It will also be the most exciting.  I think if CJ Leslie commits to UK that we can use him to recruit Wall back to UK.  With the following potential class of Kanter, Poole, Knight, Leslie, & possibly one more recruit, along with the returnees of Cousin, Patterson, Orton, Wall, Miller, Dodson, Liggins, and Miller, UK will be loaded again for another run!

SO, LET’S THE FUN BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TL

A quick update on me…

I’ll be honest, my last few weeks haven’t been all that good for me but to go into details would be a grave mistake for me as it seems when I take about my mistakes people think I’m whining or don’t want to hear about my problems.  But that’s just me.  If you ask “How I’m doing?”, I’m not going to lie and say I’m doing fine when in reality I’m not.  Just because you see me smile, making jokes, and/or laughing doesn’t mean I’m a happy person.  In reality I’m as messed up inside.  These last few weeks my mind hasn’t been shutting off at night when I go to bed.  I just been thinking about stuff way to much.  For example, I’m going to be 36 in May and as I look back on my life, I really don’t have anything to show for it family wise.  I have no kids, no girlfriend or wife, or anything.  Been doing a lot of thinking about adopting but know that is a very long ways off.  Maybe not even feasible with the way my life is right now.  I’m reaching an age where women aren’t looking to start a family.  I want to have a family to give my lovely girlfriend or wife the love they so dutifully deserve.  Every day going to work is a welcome break as it actually occupies my mind but when I’m off work, I cringe and don’t look forward coming home.  I know when I enter my place its where everything starts going downhill for me.  I have nobody to come home to to talk too or no kids running up saying “daddy’s home" and then giving me a hug.  This is a huge thing for me.  I know what you all thinking?  You just need to get out there and talk to the women.  Well, I do and when I’m about to ask for their number or something, something happens.  For example, the other day, I was talking to this girl on the bus and I was about to ask her for her number when some jackass comes up and ask for her number.  Did that piss me off?  But that’s how things for me when it comes to women have been.  I’m just tired of being alone.  Someday I hope I can write about my wife or girlfriend and my kids.  But for the time being, I’m going to be walking alone in single land.

In other news, UK basketball is doing good in the tournament.  With Kansas losing, UK is now the favorite to win it all but UK have a big game Thursday night with Cornell.  All week we have heard about the matchup and the different angles that the media has came up with.  This is going to be a tough game for UK as it will practically be a home game for Cornell.  With Syracuse being just 45 minutes away from Cornell, I’ll be expecting a lot of red and other fans who love to root for the underdog.  If UK gets pass Cornell, they will play the winner of Washington and West Virginia on Saturday for the right into the Final Four.

Also, ended up buying an IPOD Nano finally.  The music has been helping me drown out the thoughts that have been going on and keeping me awake.  As I’m typing now, I’m listening to my Nano.  Plus, I bought an USB wireless adapter for my computer in hopes of being able to piggy back off a neighbor’s signal to get faster internet speed.  Even though I was able too it seems they know somebody has connected to their router as I get kicked off each time I log on.  What’s wrong with people now a days?  Nobody wants to share!  *lol*

I also decided what I’m going to be doing after my VISTA assignment is finished.  My ultimate goal is to get on at the Brighton Center full-time.  It’s a company that I can see myself working for that can best use the skill sets that I have.  If I don’t get on full-time, then I’m going to do VISTA for another year.  This is huge for me to set this kind of goal for myself.

TL

Not a creative title (can’t think of anything)…

Work at the Brighton Center has been amazing.  I love going to meetings and meeting other people from other agencies that are doing the same job as I’m doing.  I love my “face time” that I get.  I share my office with another AmeriCorps VISTA and I must say it’s fun working in there with her.  It’s amazing how much work we actually do get done with all the laughing and talking we do.  We call our little office the “Party in the Penthouse”.  *lol*

UK won today over Alabama.  But they need to play a whole lot better if they plan on winning everything.  But I still need think that UK needs to lose one more game before the NCAA tourney starts next week.  I think this lose will help get our guys more focus for this run.  Just like ‘96, when UK lost in the SEC Championship game to Mississippi State.  If they didn’t lose that game, I honestly don’t think we would had won the Championship.  Even Pitino made that assumption.  GO UK!  BEAT VOLS!!!!!

This blog isn’t really getting much interaction.  It’s like talking to myself.  I already do this at my place.  Now it’s happening on the internet.  What’s next?  Anyway, I’m outta here!

TL

That Good Deed Might Cost You $300 in Miami

Please tell me this is not true?  What are the city officials of Miami thinking?  This is one of the most outrageous crap ordnances I ever heard.  Can you imagine walking down the street after eating out with a doggie bag and you come upon a homeless individual, you decide to give your doggie bag to them.  That action right there could cost you $300 in Miami.  Do these city officials have anything else to do in their city?  Yes, homelessness is a problem but why compound the problem by punishing the people that should be helping with the problem?  Just plain stupid and I urge all Miami, FL resident to make your voice heard on this.

That Good Deed Might Cost You $300 in Miami | End Homelessness | Change.org

TL

Little Update on me…

I thought I would give you all a little update on me since it’s been a while since I have.  As much of you already know, I basically been volunteering my services with AmeriCorps as a VISTA Volunteer.  I’m currently assigned to the Brighton Center where my one year service ends in middle of September 19, 2010.  I’m currently the Housing Support VISTA.  My job is to provide housing resources to employees of Brighton Center, to the customers or clients of Brighton Center, and other agencies that calls me.  Also, I try and help homeless individuals and/or families housing as well.  This is a full time job and at the end of my time I will be getting federal job experience as well.

I’m currently considering doing another year of this but in a way that depends on Brighton Center.  My end goal is to become full time with Brighton Center.  But if that doesn’t happen I might just do this another year.  Where I’m not sure.  As an AmeriCorps Volunteer I have meet a lot of great people from friends to business contacts.  Also, working as AmeriCorps Volunteer has helped me slowly get back on my feet allowing me to work on the things that I need to work on personally.  As well as getting me full time experience, volunteer experience, and federal experience which should open up another whole job sector for me when I start looking for a job.  At the end of my service, I should be back on my feet better than I was at this time last year.  To work myself back from being homeless and jobless to where I’m at now is a great feat for somebody like me.  I couldn’t be any more excited than I am right now.  So, I’m very happy that I’m doing what I’m doing because it has should me the directions I want to take my life in.

TL

BlueSilhouette is up and running…

BlueSilhouette is my newest oldest computer that I ended up buying at the clothing store at Brighton Center for $4.  It’s a Dell Dimension 3000 2.8 ghz.  After some tinkering of parts from other old computers I have, I was able to piece BlueSilhouette together.  In the process, TRexSmarts, my other computer that has been with me since 2000 got a virus and will need to be wiped clean but it’s a Dell Dimension 2400, I think.  But it’s only 800 mhz.  I might try and piece together another computer and use it as a server?  I haven’t decided yet.

TL

More Snow?

What is up with this weather?  I just looked at the window and see that it snowed yet again.  When is enough really enough.  Granted it was only a dusting.  Raise your hand if you are sick of snow?  Only in Cincinnati.  *lol*  Well, my somewhat new computer “BlueSilhouette” I’m naming him is coming along pretty good.  It’s a faster computer than “TRexSmarts”.  TRexSmarts is an 800 mhz computer whereas BlueSilhouette is a 2.8 ghz computer.  BlueSilhouette runs so fast that when I turn my back to go and so something it’s there ready to go.  Today after work I’m going to be coming home and downloading more windows updates for BlueSilhouette and the one file that is in stored to be downloaded is going to take 5 hours and 46 minutes.  Got to love dial up speed?  Speaking of TRexSmarts, it’s official, has a virus on it.  So, it’s beginning to look more and more like I’m going to reinstall windows on TRexSmarts.  It’s been a few years since I last did it and there are software that I know I won’t be using on it anymore or haven’t used on it in a long time.  I haven’t decided if I want to take the TV tuner card and my sound card out of TRexSmarts and put them into BlueSilhouette.  If I do that, BlueSilhouette is going to need more RAM and either a second hard drive or a bigger hard drive.  Over time though I’ll make those decision.  Anyway, my lunch is packed and it’s ready for me to get ready to go and catch to bus to head to work.  Got to love my job.

TL

I’m back on the internet but…

Hello everybody.  The good news is that I’m back on the internet at my place.  The bad news is that I’m actually on as dial up speed.  I’m actually going through my blackberry acting as a modem.  This will do for the time being until I actually do get faster internet access.  Also, everybody will now be able to see when I do have a new blog because it will be sent via Twitter.  Probably this weekend I’ll be putting finishing touches on this computer that I’m fixing up for myself and I’ll start posting more often now.  But for now, I’m heading back to downloading updates and etc at the slowest speed possible.

TL

Taking to long but worth the wait…

Wow, I'm really not doing to good this year on blogging am I? Just goes and shows, one, how busy I am, and two, what happens when the only time you can get on the internet is when I'm at work. Still have no internet at home. Probably be a while before I get it too. But I do have a few things in the work for getting the internet. Let's just see how they pan out before I'll tell you all what they were. I'm continuing to work on the other computers I got and trying to get them up and running. So far every thing I have done to get them working has failed but I'm closer than I was when I got the computers. I can't wait to get them up and running. It will be a major upgrade to TRexSmarts but I can then dedicate TRexSmarts to being my TV basically.

As for me, I'm doing pretty well. I'm getting better day by day as I slowly get on my feet. Still have some things that I need to work on. For example, still have probably spending money when I shouldn't but I think that will change here in the coming months as I'll be paying for all of my rent, utilities, and cell phone bill on my own without the help of HEARTH. After I pay these bills and put in $50 into my IDA account, I'm only down to like $50 for the whole month. Of that remaining $50, I have to use $10 for laundry. If this doesn't fix my spending habit nothing will. Also, I need to start working back on getting my diabetes back on track. I was doing such a great job before all my homelessness problems started that I completely lost all that momentum. I need to gain that momentum back and get back on track.

Now, let's talk about my job here at Brighton Center. A lot of things have gone on here these last few weeks. I was moved out of my office that I had on my own on the first floor up to the third floor sharing an office with another VISTA member. Talking about a contrast of differences on the different floors is amazing. On the first floor, it's very busy and active but up here on the third floor it's very quiet. It's great sharing an office though. We both are currently working on a project together so we can talk about that project whenever rather than having to hunt each other down when we need to ask each other questions. Also, the job is going great. Here is an article about a homeless couple that I referred on to the Cold Shelter that got me recognized by Brighton Center. You can find the story here: http://nky.cincinnati.com/print/article/AB/20100130/NEWS0103/1310351/Shelter-aids-homeless-workers. Even though it doesn't say my name specifically but I'm the one that referred them on. So, print it out and save it. I'm famous in a round about way. *lol*

Anyway, back to work I go I guess. I'll try and start updating my blog more!

TL