Random Thoughts #19 - the "end" edition

Hello and welcome to the latest set of random thoughts from yours truly and probably the last ones for calendar year 2008. Enjoy.

 -  The year of 2008 is almost over, and I for one am really looking forward to next year (and have been for a while now). Looking back, this has been a rough year for me socially, financially and personally. The big event for me this year was, unfortunately, the passing of my friend Roger at the end of November. Given the influence he had on me (especially in the dancing dept.) it dealt me a personal blow that I am still recovering from. My financial status was consistently in flux and my social life was sluggish at best. I also had to take my time in getting over a pretty bad relationship from last year which left me shaken for some time. I looked in many places for relief and sanctuary from these hard times to mixed fortune. There were a few gems here and there, like shaking hands with President-elect Barack Obama and getting in touch with people I hadn't seen in a long time, some for several years. Overall though, I'm relieved this year is ending in a few days and hopefully the Lord will make 2009 a much better year for me.

 -  The 2008 season of the Cleveland Browns is also over...mercifully. The GM, Phil Savage, was fired today with head coach Romeo Crennel probably getting the ax tomorrow. After suffering through this joke of a season, it's definitely for the best. I'm hoping that the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz becomes the next head coach, but whoever it is I hope he's better than Crennel. One last thought on the 2008 season...it's really bad when I do more winning during Browns games than the Browns themselves do...that's pretty sad.

 -  What did I win during those games, you say? Well, for the Westerville Browns Backers, we have raffles during halftime of Browns games and I've won on five different occasions this season. I won two T-shirts, a GameWorks 1-hour card, a scarf, and a notepad set. Small things, yes, but worth cherishing during a poor season.

 -  I haven't done New Year's resolutions in years, but I am coming up with ideas and plans for next year already. I'm still evaluating what changes need to be made in response to those long-standing problems I've been talking about the past few weeks and I'm planning on getting those changes enacted sometime soon. Also after a year of intermittent temp work I'm gonna focus on finding a regular job, though it will be tough given the crappy economy right now. I'm also gonna work on my social life a bit, especially in the dating department since that has sucked since...well, it's always sucked. Ultimately I am looking to change my fortunes from bad to good and I'm looking to make that happen in the next year.

 -  Even though my holiday visit with my family in Tallmadge wasn't all that, I did enjoy myself very much and had more fun at my friend Kevin's on Christmas day itself. It saved what I felt was a pretty dull holiday, even with all the improved Christmas programming.

 -  Well, my default plans for New Years Eve are on hold for now due to an unforseen complication, and unless something changes those plans are pretty much out the window. If anybody has ideas on what to do this New Year's Eve that are on the cheap, let me know because I'm not the only one who's default plan got changed.

 -  A request: I am looking for pics of me, with any of my friends AND by myself, from any time before September of 2003. I just don't happen to have any from before that time, so if anybody has some in a digital format or online, I'll give you my e-mail addy so that you can send them to me directly. If anybody has some I'd appreciate it.

Before I go, I want to tell you all that, if I don't see you before the beginning of the new year, you have a safe and happy holiday, don't get too drunk if you drink, and I will see you next year....same DJ time, same DJ channel. Here's to good fortune for next year. Take care and God Bless.

DJ

Read this edition >>

Random Thoughts #18 - the "Christmas sucks" edition

Hello all. Christmas really doesn't suck, but the title got your attention, didn't it? Anyway, here I am back with another round of random thoughts for your perusing. Enjoy.

 -  Regarding what I'm dealing with...still in the evaluating phase, though I did get some insight to chew on (not all of it wanted) which leads to the next blurb...

 -  I went up to Akron last weekend to visit my family. I decided to stay overnight because the weather was pretty warm on Friday and it seemed like a good day to travel. I also had a great turkey dinner, since I missed Thanksgiving (Thanks, Mom). Anyway...after a conversation with one particular family member, I discovered (amongst other things, some I won't mention here) that there were more people than I thought having trouble seeing me as I am now, which I really didn't want to hear about but perhaps I needed to. Apparently it reflects similar circumstances as other people I've talked about in the past, but something became clearer to me as I was dealing with this. When I encounter my friends, family, co-workers (when I have them), or even complete strangers, it really hasn't been for very long periods of time...maybe a couple hours a week, a month or even years, maybe a phone call or email every once in a while, or even if they are just reading this blog. I've discovered that since I generally keep to myself and am sometimes in my own world (even when I lived in Akron or with a roommate), those windows of opportunity to see changes in me or even as I truly am are more limited than I had realized. That makes it difficult for people who sporadically hear from me or see me (which includes most people I know) to be sure or believe I'm not the same person I was when I probably last saw them. Not many people would know off-hand that I became a born-again Christian or even an OSU graduate unless they were there when it happened or I told them. Understandably, how each circumstance and others have changed me would be difficult to tell if it appears to people that I'm supposedly acting the same as the last time they saw me. Maybe I am acting the same and maybe I'm not, but for those doubters who don't know, I can only rely on faith and that the truth is there for them to see if they wish to. I believe the only one who sees all the changes I've made is the good Lord above, because He is the only one who knows all of what I've been through...or a long time girlfriend or wife would, if either ever happens for me.

 -  Regarding the similar circumstances I mentioned in the last blurb...quickie reminder, I'm talking about some accusing me of seeing and treating people as they were back in the day and not as they are now. For those who still think this, I guess I can say at this point to be careful that you don't do that yourselves.

 -  Someone asked me a while back why I "go through all this trouble" when describing or dealing with this type of stuff, including things I've talked about in previous blogs and the long explanations and stuff. Well, doing it this way for me is "small potatoes", so to speak, and I understand that not everybody does things this way with the possibility that some aren't even capable of it. On the flip side, there are methods and ways others get things done that I'm not capable of myself regardless of how "easy" some may think them to be...different strokes for different folks. I believe if you have all the facts and all the tools necessary laid out on the table, then resolutions and solutions will come faster and with more certainty of a good outcome...but that's just my belief.

 -  My blurbs get "long" sometimes, don't they....heh heh heh.

 -  Football: the Browns have the players...they need a new coaching staff and less injuries, maybe some different players too but not as many as the last time they needed to rebuild. Heck, they have Pro Bowlers this season so not everything is lost even though this season is.

 -  I hope everybody's enjoying the Christmas TV programming...there seems to be more diversity than in years past and I am enjoying a lot of what's on this year as a result.

 -  Even though I celebrated this holiday already with my parents, I am going to be celebrating Christmas with some of my friends, the people who I do consider family, on the actual day itself. This is a first for me and I am looking forward to it.

 -  I do have "default" plans for New Years Eve, but if anybody has something potentially more spectacular, on the cheap, and something I can also bring my friends to, I'm all for it. Please let me know before the new year arrives.

 -  Basketball: boy the Cavaliers are kicking butt this year. Best start for the team, I think, and I wasn't even going to pay attention...go figure.

 -  Word of the day: presbylutheranism. I got that from the Simpsons...it's the denomination of Rev. Lovejoy's church. Try to say that five times fast.

Now, I think I better get out of here before some holy war breaks out with one side chanting "Cowabunga!" and the other yelling "Eat my shorts!" If I don't hear from you or see you beforehand, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you are enjoying your time with your families and friends this holiday season...with the country and economy as they are currently we need both. Take care and God Bless.

DJ

Read this edition >>

Random Thoughts #17 - the "holiday blues" edition

Hello, all. I'm back with yet another set of random thoughts, so here we goooooooooooo:

 -  An update on me 'making changes' that I mentioned I was doing last blog: not much to report yet...I'm in the evaluative phase right now and might be for a while. While I'm doing this, don't be surprised if I seem a little distant...I'm just forcing myself to mind my own business a bit more so I can get through this. I'm going to be taking my time here because I wanna get this right.

 -  Something I noticed in the world of celebrity today...there have been a rash of passings today, the most notable being Bettie Page (pinup girl/fetish model) and Van Johnson (40's/50's movie heartthrob). There are other minor celebs and notables out there too.

 -  I don't know about anybody else, but I've been driving around a bit and I haven't seen anybody put up any Christmas lights. Usually I'll see a few around this time and then a bunch near and even after Christmas, but this time...nothing, zip, zilch, nada. I guess the economy is really hitting people hard in the electric bills this year. At least gas and food are coming down a bit.

 -  The Christmas programming onslaught is in full swing...enjoy it for the next two weeks, folks.

 -  I came across a Daily Show video recently regarding the departure of Alan Colmes from the Fox News Network. Hall and Oates (one of my favorite music acts) remastered one of their songs in so-called honor of this, redoing "She's Gone" as a...tribute, so to speak. It was so funny that Colmes' old sparring partner Sean Hannity had a conniption fit of a response when he viewed it.  Find it if you can online somewhere.

That's it for now...the short, short version of my thoughts for today. I didn't have much but wanted to share what I had. Until next time, don't forget about those in need, especially the rich folk who need that bailout money to finance their bonuses...NOT!!! Take care and God Bless.

DJ

Read this edition >>

Random Thoughts #16 - the "things are changing" edition

Greetings and welcome to another late night set of thoughts from yours truly. To warn you now, the first couple of thoughts will be hard for me to get across, but I hope they make sense to you. On that note, let's get to 'em:

 -  For a long time now I've been grappling with two long-standing problems that are somewhat intertwined but different in how they affect me. I can't really get into what they are here because of the intensely personal and affective nature of them. I can say they have nothing directly to do with any of my friendships, any particular people, any of my interests, or my faith (this in particular is helping me big time through this). They have, however, caused problems in certain places, especially the financial stuff, and with certain people indirectly. They may cause more if I don't do something about them. If I had to sum this up in one statement, here's what I'm getting at: "I'm doing okay for now but in order for me to go forward I need to face these problems I've been grappling with." In light of recent events, I've started the process of making some changes I feel will help me get where I need to be and more will come. Some of them may not make sense right off the bat but I'm fairly certain they will in the long run. I've had to sacrifice some activities temporarily and even take a sabbatical from my church in order to do this. Understand that when I've done things on this scale previously, I have succeeded, and with the Lord's help and that of all those who want to help I'll do so again, though I will say this looks to be a bumpy road for me.

 -  I do ask for a few things regarding that last thought. One...PLEASE do not ask specifics about this because it's already tough enough for me to broach...I'm a sensitive person, ya know? Besides, I don't want my personal business accidently becoming the gossip of strangers who have no stake in my well being. Two...I'm keeping this on the down low to protect myself and possibly others but if for some odd reason you find out what's going on with me and wish to help, could you please wait until I ask for it? That's for my sanity...what's left of it LOL. Three...this is an odd request but it's important to what I'm doing regarding all this...if anybody has personal problems in general (not activity-type stuff and hopefully not already involving me in some bad way), give me a chance to help even it it seems I may be out of my league. Many I have known have dismissed things I've told them only for me to find later what I foresaw came true (and apparently it's been happening more than I even knew as of a couple weeks ago). Also, I care about you people and don't want to be left out just because I'm dealing with my issues. Its up to you whether you take me up on it or not, but it would be nice to be considered.

 -  On a different note, O.J. Simpson got sent up the river on Friday. The Goldman family is probably giddy as heck about this.

 -  Even though I'm taking a sabbatical from Crossroads WCC, I'm still gonna promote it because it still is my church home in spirit. The link is on my profile, so go to the Crossroads site from there. As far as the Browns Backers go, I'm gonna play that by ear for now because I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. Same with the club stuff, and though I do plan to go out this weekend even that might change.

 -  Something I forgot to do in the last blog...MC Breed died recently at age 37. He rapped "Ain't No Future In Yo Frontin'." He will be missed.

 -  I'm not sure what I'm going to do for New Year's Eve yet. I want to celebrate it but don't know what my money situation will be so I haven't solidified those plans. If anybody has any ideas, please let me know.

 -  Boy I hate cold weather right now...makes me want to be cranky...must be my sinuses or something, I don't know.

I guess that's it for now. It's really late and I need to get some shut eye. Pray for me as I start getting down to dealing with my issues here. I believe the Lord is with me but it doesn't hurt to have more prayers. Take care and God Bless.

DJ

Read this edition >>