tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79801059648001530402024-03-13T17:12:06.376-04:00DJ's Random ThoughtsDJ's Random Thoughts is the website of DJ Hamrick...Ohio State graduate, born-again Christian, and guy with lots of random thoughts and observations of the world.DJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-24097733897627253492017-02-21T11:40:00.000-05:002017-02-21T16:57:09.378-05:00I'm done...Hi everyone.<br />
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It's been a long time since I last posted and there have been a few people who've asked what was up with DJ's Random Thoughts. Well, as of today I have decided to close up shop and end it. It will stay up for posterity's sake but I am not planning on doing any more editions. Some of you may be disappointed but probably not as much as I am. Y'all have probably noticed that posts have been few and far between over the past couple years or so. The bottom line is I just don't have the motivation to continue doing this. I'm gonna get into some of what's led to this decision...a lot of it has to do with things that have gone on in my life and some of it just general things...because for those of you who have kept up with me on here (and I thank you a ton for that), you at least deserve to know why.<br />
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For a long time now, I've been angry...really angry. Based on what I mentioned in the last edition of DJRT, I'm obviously angry about how the election turned out. I don't like what happened and I don't like where things are going. That's the easy anger to address and I am trying to do something about that which would be a good single reason as any to end this. However, things run much deeper than that for me. The aftermath of the election exposed some raw nerves and thoughts about myself and my overall life experiences that I had worked my ass off in trying to avoid and/or overcome that I just can't avoid or maybe even overcome anymore.<br />
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I guess the best place to start is to say that I'm frustrated that the efforts I put into working into the past election didn't work out. I wish something like that wasn't a common thing for me but unfortunately "efforts not working out" is something that has been one of the defining themes of my life as a whole. I've had a ton of things not work out for me...jobs, relationships, places I've lived, etc. A few times, I got lucky that happened (I can think of two specific times when I was blessed that was the case) but for the most part it's made my life a mess. I'm not happy with my life and it seems things I do to try to improve it don't do jack squat. In the meantime I've tried to help others and other groups in the hope that maybe my life would improve but it hasn't happened and I'm not seeing it happening. This was something I wanted to bear more fruit from.<br />
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Anyway, I'm not sure I've ever talked about this before but one of the things that's made me horribly angry and incredibly frustrated is "expertism". It's my own term for something I define as "using experience, skills or expertise, and bragging about them like they're the only things that matter, at the same time beating people over the head with that stuff and throwing it in people's faces, treating them like their ideas or they themselves don't matter at all." That's a lot to take in so let me break down what it means and what that means to me. For starters, I have no issues with anybody having experiences or skills beyond what I can do. It can be comforting to know that there are people like that out there. Who I'm talking about here are those who like to act all superior about that stuff, who act like they know better and have no qualms about beating people over the head with it and even "spiking the ball" (acting all triumphant like with a football celebration) when they do it. It's the elitist, snob-like attitude coming from that expertise that I have seen in many, many, many people. It's something I come across pretty damn regularly and it pisses me off. I think a lot of people have problems dealing with people like that and I have dealt with a TON of them. After dealing with such people, I've felt worthless, like I don't matter whatsoever, like what I do will never be good enough. That feeling is very pervasive in me and has demotivated me more than anything else has in my life. The amount of people who have pulled this kind of stuff on me alone is staggering and the anger and frustration that has come from them...well, I think enough of you have seen people like this in your lives so you can guess what kind of effect this have on me.<br />
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One of the bad things about expertism to me is that I have been that way myself. It was done to me so much that I started doing it myself to others. I would try to come off like an expert myself and even come off as obnoxious to people whether I was intending to or not. It had an inverse relation to how much I felt I needed my ideas, or even me, to matter. The less important I felt in those moments, the more I did it. So many people did this with me that I started doing it myself as a way to "keep up with the Joneses", so to speak. I want to matter. I want to feel like I matter. I don't want to be behind and I don't want to feel like I'm behind. Acting like this with folks was my attempts to compensate. I'm not proud I had to do this and it is really draining to do it. For anybody who I care about and cares about me who's had to deal with my "expertism", I am truly sorry. I didn't want to put you off by it.<br />
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This leads to my next point...alienation. Many of you know I hate alienating people. I hate putting people off from me. I have alienated so many folks that I have to watch my every single little step with people. I hate it. If there was anything that shows me I was not a people person, this is it. Generally, I want people to be happy. I want to see them happy. If possible, I want to make some of them happy if it's within my power. It makes me physically sick to see people who I care for and want to be happy disgusted or put off by me or my attempts to help. Yep, I said it...disgusted. I've seen it and it is very hard to hide. There were times I didn't want to leave the house because my best intentions went horribly awry. The same goes for online...I won't post much in times of even anticipating potentially alienating someone. I know it's a part of life sometimes but it is extremely painful. I guess that's just the people pleaser in me. This alienation has really become apparent in the past couple of years and it's taken it's toll.<br />
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So with all that meandering I've done here, what does this all mean for the end of DJRT? Well, I'm angry, I'm demotivated, I've alienated folks, I have issues, and all this has affected everything going on in my life including DJRT. Outside of one thing I've already committed myself to, everything is up in the air for me. I have no idea what I'm going to do and everything I had planned, especially for DJRT, just doesn't seem worth it anymore. A lot of things just don't seem worth it anymore. With that, I think it's just time to end this. I would say "until next time" but unless there is some extremely drastic changes for me it isn't going to happen. It's been a ride. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-3093936006337738602016-09-04T22:57:00.000-04:002016-09-04T22:57:30.317-04:00Random Thoughts #153 - the "next year" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greeting and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I wasn't expecting to do one of these any time soon but I thought since I'm in a good mood and I have some time I thought I'd go ahead and do one, if only to give an update on what's going on with yours truly. I will say that I'm not sure when I will be doing the next one of these due to some things going on with me over the next few months with one of those things having to do with something related to the edition pic that may or may not have gotten your attention here for this edition. With that in mind, let's get this started. Enjoy.<br />
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- Before I move on to the meat of this edition, I wanted to give a short update related to what I talked about in the last one...the part where I talked about losing that job and what happened to me afterward. Well, my mood has improved since that last edition with some things that have been going on though I am still dealing with some of the mental aspects of it and there are spurts when the funk comes back. One thing I didn't mention last time was that it also led to a 15 pound weight gain over the past year. I'm hoping that upcoming activities will help me shed that back down once again but my clothes...pants specifically...have become noticeably tighter over the past few months. I'm lucky I have some clothing that isn't affected by that but it still sucks. Depression does that and it did so big time here. I've got some work ahead of me to make sure I get that back down so I can wear some of that other stuff again without discomfort.<br />
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- The reason for the subtitle, "next year", has something to do with a phenomenon that went on for years in the city of Cleveland in relation to pro sports. In the past 50 years, Cleveland pro sports teams had not won a title. In that time, the popular proclamation from Cleveland fans after every season without a title was "wait until next year". Well, there is a reason I said "had not" won a title as opposed to "have not". Back in mid-June, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in a rematch from last years Finals to win the NBA Title and bring the first championship in over half a century to the city of Cleveland. LeBron James finally accomplished a major milestone for a region starving for a championship when he returned a couple years ago the the Cavs. "Next year" had finally become "this year". To say I was and still am ecstatic about that is an understatement. I never thought I would live to see the day as, like many Northeast Ohioans, I had become accustomed to not winning, to shortfalls, and to just plain losing in some cases. The weight of the title drought has finally been lifted and I for one am very relieved at that.<br />
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- I want to get into some particular events and experiences I had regarding the Cavs and the 2016 NBA Championship. Given what had happened in years past, I had expected them to go down in flames especially when they were down 3-1 to the Warriors. They came back with two straight wins to tie up the series and force a Game 7. For Game 7, I went to a watch party at the amphitheater in downtown Cuyahoga Falls. They didn't have one in Akron for some odd reason though give LeBron James came from there they should have been more prepared to have one. The city of Akron needs a better planning department. Anyway, since it was outside on a rather hot and humid Sunday night, I wore a ton of sunscreen because it would still be daylight when the game began. Unfortunately, shortly after I got there, I got some of it in my right eye and had to miss pretty much the 2nd and 3rd quarters just trying to rinse it out and recover. My sinuses were acting up as well as a result and made it worse. By the time the 4th quarter started, I had recovered enough to watch the game to the end. It was a nail-biter for sure but with Kyrie Irving hitting that last 3 pointer and that amazing shot block by LeBron James on the other end of the court, there was a ton of hope. Once the clock reached zero, there was a huge roar of cheering from the 500+ crowd at the amphitheater, myself included. There was a lot of hugging, many high-fives and a ton of celebrating for about the next half-hour or so. I'm not sure it has still hit me yet even now that Cleveland won it all. Again, I never thought that day would come but it had and it was really surreal for me.<br />
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After the big win, the city of Cleveland scheduled the championship parade for the following Wednesday. I wanted to go but wasn't sure I would be able to do so much less make it into the city itself with the expected crowds and extreme traffic conditions the day of the parade. Fortunately, I found a way up there by taking the Metro bus from the Akron transit center really early in the morning. I got up there by 7 AM and downtown Cleveland was already starting to get really packed. It initially reminded me of Ohio State game days down in Columbus whenever there was a home game...mind you, that was at 7 AM in the morning. It only got more packed from there. I walked around downtown Cleveland for a while, visiting the rally stage area where the parade was going to end and also walking the route on 9th Street all the way to Quicken Loans Arena and the JACK Casino (formerly called the Horseshoe Casino). I was fortunate to have a brunch at Subway near the arena and actually get in the place to eat before a huge line formed going out the door. I talked with a lot of different people while I was downtown including a couple of photographers taking pictures of the event and a guy from Atlanta with his new bride who decided to come to Cleveland and the celebration parade for their honeymoon at the last minute. There were people from all over the place and there was an estimated 1.3 million...that is MILLION...people downtown and even that seemed like a lowball estimate. I had never been at any event where there was a million people there and may never again but just to say I was there with that many people in one place is something worth bragging about for the rest of my life. It was obvious there had to be that many people downtown as it took me well over an hour and a half just to walk down the parade route going toward the stage from the arena whereas it only took me 20 minutes or so earlier in the day. I did find a decent indoor spot to watch the parade from as it was sunny and hot as hell outside. I couldn't get a good look at the players themselves because people would put others on their shoulders and block a lot of the parade itself but I was able to get pics of NFL great Jim Brown and Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue. I did take pics of the event through the day and one day I may post those once I find a decent place to post them as Google Plus is making changes that may force me to post those and other previous albums elsewhere. I decided to take off before the official rally started as I wasn't sure I would be able to get back home before traffic all went to hell in Cleveland after the rally which it did. This celebration parade was the second really big blowaway "phenomenon" experience in my life (the first being my Hurricane Katrina Red Cross volunteer experience back in late 2005) and one that I will never forget.<br />
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- One of my favorite online games, Marvel Avengers Alliance, is shutting down at the end of this month (September). I started playing it on Facebook shortly after it started up over 4 years ago and only left for a short time overall after they shut down a version on the Playdom site I played on additionally that hosted it. I returned to it and last year even created an additional Facebook account under a pseudonym separate from my main FB account just so I could play even more of it and with different and more players. I am really saddened by this as it has helped me pass the time and I put a lot of time into the game itself. I did sorta see the end coming so it isn't affecting me as much as a shock out of nowhere would have but it does sting a little nonetheless. I could have stuck it out but once they made the announcement I decided to go ahead and remove the game from both accounts and all the sites related to it from my favorites. I don't know what I'm going to do with that second FB account...I might repurpose it but I'm gonna take my time in deciding what to do with it. Because the game is ending, I'm now going to have a lot more free time on my hands as it took up an hour or two of my day as it was something that was highly enjoyable to me even during the low times. RIP Avengers Alliance.<br />
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- Last night I went up to the Red Fox for the first time in a while (about a month and a half, I believe). There were some major changes to the place. There was some turnover in staff there, many I didn't recognize. They also did a renovation, mainly replacing all the carpeted areas with wood flooring and adding a second pool table. The bar did a great job with the reno but it was a bit visually jarring as I had not expected to see such a drastic change. Anyway, I also got word that one of my friends who moved out of the area late last year returned to live here for good once again. I was very happy about that. I'm not sure how much in the next few months I'll be able to go out but it was nice to get out of the house for a night and have a good time.<br />
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- Back in the middle of July there was a couple of events I went to that were pretty personally notable. For the second year in a row, I volunteered with the Soap Box Derby once again as a VIP host. It was a good experience once again and barring any major changes in my life next year I would be down for volunteering for it once again. Also, I went to the Mogadore Summerfest event and watch some Ohio Championship Wrestling (OCW) action and the first one I went to since "Big Guns" Jeff Cannon retired and sold OCW. It was a really great show with some guys pulling double or even triple duty that night. I came away from the show feeling like I wanted to see more of it when I get the chance, which it looks more and more likely now based on something I found out about OCW which I'm going to talk about now...in the next blurb.<br />
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- Ohio Championship Wrestling, which has had shows all over the state of Ohio and had some free shows at the Mogadore Summerfest over the past few years, is now working on a permanent facility and home base, the OCW Arena, in Akron, OH. It will be used for OCW shows and as a training facility called "SpineBuster University" for aspiring pro wrestlers and referees. It will be opening sometime in the fall and the address will be 2910 S. Main Street (the former Lakeview Elementary in Coventry just south of Firestone Metro Park...exit from I-277 at S. Main St. and head south...you can always Google Map it if you have trouble finding it). This is a pretty big deal as far as independent pro wrestling in Ohio goes as OCW is a pretty stable company whose talent works all over Ohio and other places around the U.S. I've seen several shows first hand and know this to be true. With OCW soon having a permanent venue to call home, I'm guessing there will be a regular and more frequent schedule of OCW shows once the facility opens up. You can keep up with the latest updates on the new home for OCW through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OhioChampionshipWrestling/" target="_blank">Ohio Championship Wrestling</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpineBusterU/" target="_blank">Spinebuster University</a> Facebook pages. I am really excited at the prospect of seeing more pro wrestling live on a regular basis and I hope my fellow local wrestling fans will be too.<br />
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- I do have a pretty big announcement to make and it has something to do with the edition pic up top (which I helped in creating). I haven't said anything about this before for various reasons but I thought I should put this out there now as a heads up to some people I know. I am volunteering for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign to help elect her as the next POTUS. I am working with the Portage County Democrats as part of the Portage County for Hillary group currently as a data captain but may do more later on as the campaign goes on. Now, I know some of my friends and family are supporters of HRC and some of them are vehemently not. I'm announcing this becuase I will be potentially posting some upcoming events on my personal Facebook account from our group for any of my friends and family who might be interested in coming to them...not the DJRT page but my own personal profile. I'll be posting events such as the official HRC Kent office opening in a couple of weeks and other events likely related to surrogates of the campaign (political and from the world of entertainment). To be honest, I'm not interested in having any political discussions, opinions or flak on my personal FB account but I did want to give a heads up to everybody out there about what I'm up to these days. Also, if there is anybody who is interested in volunteering either with me for the campaign regardless of where you're living or volunteering closer to where you live, I'll work to hook you up. We do need all the help we can get so for those of you who want to help, let me know.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Gucci Dance" by Sam the Beast. For about 17 years, I had tried to find not just this song but the name of it but couldn't find either for the life of me. I finally found a "who sampled who" website where I knew where the sample used in this song came from and finally found it a few weeks ago. I can't believe it took me this long to find it but I finally did. It used to be played all the time back in the day at Bourbon Street/Club Dance. This song along with the Grease megamix takes me back to those days quicker than any others.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Because it's been a while and there are so many people I would have to give shoutouts to here, I thought for this edition with a few exceptions I'll just give the group names of the people I'm giving shoutouts to since most if not all of them will be able to identify with one or more of these groups, so here we go: one of my best friends, Bob and his family, The Crew, Portage County for Hillary, the Portage County Democrats, Anna, Mindy, Maggie and Rita C.<br />
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Before I go I do have a couple more things. Because I don't know when I'll be putting up another edition of DJRT, I want to give a very early Happy Birthday to my friend Ernest Watts who'll be celebrating it later this month. Also, I want give congratulations to my friend Mindy for getting married this weekend to her new husband Jeff. With that, I bid you all adieu for now. Like I said earlier, if anybody wants to help volunteer with the Clinton campaign, let me know and I'll work to hook you up. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-39056357868766415372016-04-23T01:29:00.001-04:002016-04-23T01:29:42.545-04:00Random Thoughts #152 - the "returning" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to the first edition of DJ's Random Thoughts that I've done in a really long time. For those of you who missed it, welcome back. I wasn't actually planning on taking such a long break from doing this...heck, I had stuff planned for the following month or so...but some things happened after the last edition that I'll get into more later on in the blog. I wasn't even planning on doing this tonight but for the first time in ages I actually felt like blogging. Please bear with me as I try to get some of my mojo back here because I do have a lot of stuff to say since I haven't done this in so long.<br />
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- I'm not even sure how to start this, so let me start with the elephant in the room...why? Why haven't I blogged? What happened to me? Well, let me restate a few things about me that I've talked about before to set the stage for something that happened to me near the end of August of last year. First, many people already know this but I do suffer from severe depression and anxiety. Some days are better than others but those conditions affect me big time. Second, I haven't had good luck with employment and jobs. That's something I actually try to avoid talking about here or in public or in the social arena but because of what I'm about to talk about it's important to state here. Third, I have said that I am not much of a people person. I don't mean that I'm a hater or anything in that regard...it's more along the lines of that I'm a klutz in the area of social interaction to the point where even though I've had a lot of interactions and experience...well, I'm not really all that good at it or as good at it as some people think and I've always had problems with "belonging" for lack of a better term. I do try and continue to try and improve that aspect but I have had a ton more misses than hits in the area of social interaction.<br />
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With that in mind, let me go back to last August. About a week or so after the last edition of DJRT, I started a temp job with a company I worked for in 2014 that shall remain nameless...not because I'm trying to protect them but, because of what happened with me there, they're no longer gonna get any respect from me and don't deserve to be named here. That should tell you how bad it ended up. Anyway, I got hired to help get a store I was supposed to eventually work at opened up for business. Unlike the year before, this year the staff there was disorganized to the point where I had no idea whether it was actually going to open or not. They actually fired the guy who did all the hiring (I was actually hired before the managers) and there were conflicts all around. I was nervous but hopeful that I could get through it. On the weekend before they were supposed to open, I was sent home early and was told by the store manager that I would be called when I was put on the schedule. They claimed they were over the hours allowed for employees to help get the store open and had to send me home to save money and that the managers would be the ones to get everything ready for store opening. I took them at their word and went home. I waited a couple days before calling them to see if the store was open...no answer, the phone just kept ringing. Something didn't seem right so I drove up to the store. I discovered it was open and as I drove by it looked like one of the managers who was at the door as I was driving by looked at me like they were panicking from seeing me and quickly walked away, like one of those power walks but looking back looking all worried and stuff. That was all I needed to know about my status at that place. They didn't even have the courtesy to actually tell me they weren't keeping me on. They never even stated that they had problems with me but there was an uneasiness there that I had originally chalked up to nervousness about getting the store open. It looks like I was probably wrong on that. That was probably the most unprofessional experience I've ever had in my life at a job and with my employment history that's saying something.<br />
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Honestly, I had no idea what I may have done to have them act like that toward me. I thought I was doing good work and being respectful to them but after what happened I have no idea where their line of thinking was. I know a lot of people who would say just let it go but I've always had trouble letting go of that type of stuff especially since it's happened so many times. In my personal life, I had this type of experience several times previously and I had vowed to myself I would never put myself in such a position ever again to have that happen yet once again it does anyway, only this time at a job. Because of what they did, the disrespect and humiliation I felt and the unprofessionalism from these people, I fell into a very deep depression with all the junk and issues that come with it, one that I am going through even now. I actually have had some physical health problems come from this depression which has only happened once before about 20 years ago...nothing life-threatening, thank God, but enough to cause havoc for me these past few months. It's taken me a lot on many days to just get up out of bed. To say life has been difficult is an understatement. That's not to say I haven't had any good days in there because I have had some here and there...Halloween night, walking outside on Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, some nights at the club. However, I have not had much interest in doing much of anything, not even DJRT. A lot of people may have noticed a lot of withdrawal from me, some disinterest, some distance...well, this funk is the reason why. Some have seen this before and for those who have weathered through this with me, thank you. I'm not sure how or when this funk is going to go away. Part of me wants to believe that doing this edition of DJRT might help with that but I don't know. Unless something major happens that shakes me out of this (it would have to be something pretty damn awesome), I just want to put it out there that I'm not sure when it's gonna end.<br />
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- Even though I've had my problems and have kept to myself with a few exceptions for the most part, a good number of my friends have been going through some really hard times themselves over the past few months and, comparatively speaking, I had it easier than some of them. One of my friends had a hysterectomy, another has a child going through cancer treatments, yet another needed a pacemaker put in, a couple of my friends are dealing with depression themselves, and unfortunately one of my friends passed away last month (I'll talk about that more later on in the blog). I honestly didn't feel right complaining and talking about my situation given all the problems my friends were going through. I thought they needed the prayers and thoughts should go their way. Mine are still with them even now and some of them will still need those in the foreseeable future and it'd be great if they could continue getting them. Times can be hard and people can use all the help they can get in those hard times.<br />
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- My friend Ernest Pariseau passed away early last month. He had been going through some serious health issues before his passing but he is now in the arms of the Lord. Like I said on Facebook when he passed, he and his brother Cory always made me feel welcomed and appreciated whenever I was around regardless of whatever was going on around me. There is one specific memory I have of him that will never leave me. It was in 1992 during yet another problematic time in my life. I was returning to Ohio State in September hoping I could start getting over what had happened on Memorial Day a few months before. I went over to visit Cory who wasn't home at the time. Ernest had separately come over to see him too. We got to talking on his porch and he invited me to go with him to Damon's over on Olentangy River Road (it's gone now). I remember the both of us specifically sharing a big onion loaf which was basically a big-ass square of onion rings. We both had burgers as well but I remember us talking about that onion loaf. That visit with him was one of the few lights in what was a very dark time for me and I have never forgotten that. I wish I had told him that before he passed but I hope I honor him by sharing it now. The bottom line is that he was a really great guy and I miss him. Peaceful journey, my friend.<br />
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- Speaking of passings, I can't believe how many notable people have passed. In wrestling alone, there's Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes and in the past week Chyna. On the music front, there's Glenn Frey of the Eagles, David Bowie, Natalie Cole, and now Prince (which I decided to honor in the profile pic up top). It's been so hard to see so many influential people now gone. It's been a turbulent time, to say the least.<br />
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- Song on Repeat: "Sugar Hill" by AZ. This is probably the one song that screams "90's" to me more than any other. I get taken back to some of the great times when I hear this song.<br />
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- Shoutouts: In lieu of pointing out anybody specifically, I just want to give a shoutout to those folks who stuck and continue to stick with me through this hard time I've been going through. It means an awful lot to me.<br />
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I'm not sure how often I'm going to be doing DJRT in the near term but I can safely say that the stuff I've talked about doing in the past couple of editions are on hold until things get better which I'm not sure when that's going to be. I already have things I want to include in the next edition so it looks like the blog itself might get back to normal next time out. The only thing I have planned right now for the near term is going to the Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield to watch the 1st round of the NFL Draft this upcoming Thursday and anybody is welcome to join me up there that day. I was planning on volunteering for the Soap Box Derby in July again but given the events that happened in August I'm gonna have to take a long and hard look at that before jumping into doing so again. Other than that, everything is up in the air at this time. I'm hoping things get better and I regularly feel better sooner than later. Depression sucks. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-17143489927418224242015-07-28T17:51:00.002-04:002015-09-03T03:43:57.917-04:00Random Thoughts #151 - the "perspective" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to this edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. After ther reveals of the last edition, you'd think I'd have less to write about given the transition I've been working on to turn the blog into a show. For this particular edition, however, you'd be wrong...really wrong. I have a ton to get off my chest here and some of it has to do with some unrevealed changes in perspective that came out of that aforementioned last edition, hence the subtitle. With that in mind, let's do this. Enjoy.<br />
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- When I returned to blogging after I moved back up here to Northeast Ohio, I had talked a lot about being at a crossroads in my life. I was really in a bad place at that time and I didn't have much actively going for me. Before and since that time, I've written about a lot of things that have affected me and hurt me and changed me and whatnot. I hope that what I'm about to talk about here will put a lot of those things from the past several years into a more cohesive perspective that might give folks a sense of why or even how some of those things actually came about. A lot of this is a rehash of things I've written about before but there is some stuff that only a few people knew about because it affected them directly but it's time to let that stuff out because it is connected to other events. Now, doing this might reopen some old wounds, some of them self-inflicted, and remind some people of tiffs and unsettled disagreements from back in the day and even in the last year or so, but I'm hoping that what I'm about to do here might actually help start healing that stuff and put some closure to those old tiffs and wounds and start moving those of us affected forward...and hopefully together. With that in mind, I need to go back to one big thing that happened that has underlied a lot of the stuff I've talked about and where that aforementioned crossroads truly started...the death of my friend Roger Byrd.<br />
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I've talked about how much Roger Byrd meant to me as one of my best friends and all of that stuff is still true now. However, there were a couple of things regarding him and his passing that I haven't let too many people in on that shook me to my core. As for the first thing, at the time of his passing we had not talked much for several years. We'd see each other at some points and even danced a couple of times...heck, he even paid for some towels I got at Meijer as sort of a joke. As much as he was my friend and I thought of him fondly, apparently the feelings weren't as mutual as I thought they were, for him and maybe a few others as well. Way back in 1998, I left Columbus and unsuccessfully tried to return in 2000. I was really struggling with mental health issues in that time and those were apparently really evident during my attempted return. In 2005, I was informed rather reluctantly that many people were spooked by me from that and one of those people was Roger. Honestly, I was really unsettled by that and I started looking at several people much differently. I already knew things weren't the same...heck, I had changed thanks to getting some help...but I didn't know how much they were affected by me in apparently a negative way. It hurt...a lot. It wasn't going to change what he meant to me especially in those early days but I blamed myself a lot for not being the kind of stable person he and others expected and for not being around and letting them in on what was really going on with me. That "not letting them in" thing was a big motivation for when I started a personal blog again (I had a website years before that went nowhere) so that I would let them in and hopefully I wouldn't be left out. He had already moved on with his life, with a wife and family and friends and work and, I have to admit, I got kinda jealous of what he had and wanted the kinds of things he had for myself. However, that jealousy was based on me trying to cope with the fact that our friendship had changed to a point where it wasn't as close as it once was.<br />
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Even though the friendship wasn't the same, his passing in 2008 itself was the second thing that shook me to the core. It led me to question my own mortality and my existence seeing as I was only a couple months older than he was. There may have been some folks that thought I was coming off as desperate to show how "genuine" I was but I went through a ton of turmoil and I did my damndest to keep people at a distance so that they wouldn't be affected by that turmoil. That was likely why some of them may have thought that. I should note that despite that turmoil I was hoping to spare others of, many of those same people claimed I was "family" but after the funeral barely kept in touch with me, not even for a quick check-in. The bottom line was his death completely upended my life at that time. I stopped going to the church I was helping out at because I was questioning my own faith in light of the death. There was a temp agency I was working at where my prospects for jobs through them seemed to just dry up right around the time of his passing. I was getting really argumentative with some other friends and distancing myself from others. Does anybody remember the events surrounding the "single" edition in 2009? Well, that actually has a big connection to Roger. The night before I wrote that edition up, I had a great conversation with one of my best friends about some of the stuff I talked about in that edition. Though this didn't come up in the conversation at the time, I had a very similar talk with Roger and one other person back in 2004...actually, it came off more like a lecture from them on their end...that at the time I had trouble making sense of in 2004 but my friend helped me to understand it and put in into perspective through the stuff he was going through. I was so pumped when I wrote that next edition up but because of the examples I used and me not making it clear what led to why I wrote it up in the first place, some folks read a lot into it and there was a four year estrangement where in order to end it I had to reveal to connection to Roger. Believe me, it was emotionally charged for me to do that but friendships with many people got back on track from the revelation. There are other things that happened that resulted in the years since that were a direct or indirect result of Roger's passing including the anger I had much of last year and for a long time just kept me underwater, for lack of a better term.<br />
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You're all probably wondering...why open old wounds or even talk about this stuff? What's the use? Well, there has been a recent sea change on my end...a big one. Several times in DJRT I've talked about being aimless and not having goals or dreams set. Roger's passing changed all that. I didn't just question my existence...I wondered if my existence had any meaning for others and for myself. I had to do some serious soul searching in order to "find my way" so to speak. As most of you can probably tell by now, I have found that way. The last edition of DJRT where I revealed my intentions to start up a show was the culmination of that soul searching that started around Roger's death. Despite whatever has happened between the two of us I have actually been mourning his death since then and, though I will terribly miss him, the time for grieving is over. Seven years is long enough and it is time to move forward. I can honestly say now that because of and as of that last edition of DJRT, that crossroads is now over. The passing no longer has the emotional resonance it once had. Now, I bet you're all wondering...why bring this up at all? Well, one of the big things I'm going to do with the show is that once it really gets going I'm taking it on the road and I will be visiting and revisiting places such as Columbus and other points around central Ohio. It is very likely I will be meeting up with some of those very same people who have been spooked by me over the years and might still be looking over their shoulder for me in some regard. That "looking over the shoulder" stuff needs to stop. I'm no threat. If those people have wounds, they need to heal them. If they have grievances, they need to be redressed amongst themselves privately because those issues are likely more about their hangups than anything affecting me. If people have worries that whatever happened way back when might happen now, those worries need to end. I also don't want any more intermediaries getting involved and trying to soften the blows of opinions either from me or them or "solve the problem" so to speak. Despite any good intentions, they just aren't necessary anymore. The past may be prologue, but the past is the past and it needs to stay there and not be used as an excuse or a hammer to beat anybody over the head with. However those people get over their drama or issues regarding me or how they do it, that's on them. I don't need to be necessarily involved in the healing...they just need to go do it so we can all move forward together. If Roger's death has taught me anything, it's that tomorrow is not promised to us so the sooner the drama ends the better. I'm hoping that I can get as many people alongside of me as I can on this ride that will be the show DJ's Random Thoughts and it'd be a shame if some of the people who've been around me before decide to stay stuck in the muck, so to speak.<br />
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- Before I move on, I want to reveal a couple of things that helped me get to the point where I could get past all the grief that haunted me since Roger's death. Remember that woman I talked about previously who I've been crazy about the past few years and who helped inspire me? I met her in 2009 at a time when I had trouble seeing people and things clearly but I met her and things changed. Just by being who she was and is and doing what she does, I was inspired to do things for myself for my sake and dream again. I don't think I would have a lot of the good things that have happened since I met her. Maybe someday I'll be able to tell her in person how much she has meant to me and if that day ever comes I hope she doesn't get freaked out or creeped out by what I tell her...it is a tad intense. Meeting her was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me and helped me a lot here. The second thing that happened occurred back in February of this year. It was the wrestling show Jayfest and it was the final one. Years ago, one of the brothers of the promoter of the show passed away and the promoter decided to put this show on in his memory. At the end of the show back in February, the promoter talked about the passing and him finally letting things go and ending Jayfest. It was something that really affected me and if not for going to that show and hearing that, I probably wouldn't have been inspired or maybe even able to let go myself. Aside from what I've already acknowledged about who and what has helped me before, these two events...meeting that woman and going to Jayfest...may have done more for me in regard to letting go than anything else and I didn't want to forget that when talking about this stuff.<br />
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- Regarding the DJRT show, I have had some interesting feedback on what I'm planning. Most of it was positive and there was some criticism but I appreciated it all nonetheless. I have to admit...I wasn't camera-ready but I will be working more on becoming that so by the time the show hits I'll be more ready for the spotlight. Since the last edition of DJRT I have been getting more inspiration and more signs of good things coming and it has been amazing. I've still got a long way to go but I am so excited about the prospects. BTW, don't forget that you can donate and participate beforehand to DJRT. The more that stuff happens, the quicker the show gets here so do both often. ;)<br />
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- The pic for this edition up top is the DJ Logo against a backdrop of Summit County. Let me know how that looks because I'm considering it for putting on shirts and other merchandise in the DJRT Store. Speaking of the store, I do have new shirts up with some of the past few edition pic designs. Go check them out and buy one if you want to help me out here, even if it is just as a nightshirt or something. Every little bit helps.<br />
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- Last Saturday, I volunteered as a VIP host at the Soap Box Derby. It was my first time volunteering since I left Columbus so it was a nice change of pace. It was really hot out but I was in the shade for a good part of my shift. I helped out where I could and it made for a good experience. I'm hoping to do more volunteering in the future. Maybe in the future I'll share my volunteering experiences on the show so you get to all see them first-hand.<br />
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- I found a very great site for anybody who is looking to volunteer for different organizations and events. It's called <a href="http://www.volunteermatch.org/" target="_blank">VolunteerMatch</a> and it lists a bunch of opportunities with many different things such as local events, animal shelters, wildlife, hospitals and healthcare, etc. This is the site where I found out about opportunities at the Soap Box Derby and will likely be the place where I find more volunteering opportunities in the future. I can vouch that it is an excellent resource for such opportunities. Go check it out at <a href="http://www.volunteermatch.com/" target="_blank">volunteermatch.com</a>.<br />
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- A couple of weeks ago I got to check out this year's Mogadore Summerfest. I missed some of the fireworks because I thought they would be cancelled due to an upcoming storm but I got back just in time to watch half of them. It was my first fireworks show of the year because I decided to bail on the July 4th fireworks in Akron because I just wasn't feeling up to watching those. Anyway, I was also able to take in the yearly professional wrestling show put on by Ohio Championship Wrestling. It was as good as past ones and I got to speak to the wrestlers after the show as well. I was also able to get some inspiration for a segment that I'm planning to do for the show that I'm hoping one of those particular wrestlers will be available for...this segment, I promise you, will be interesting once I get going. Anyway, I had a great time and an even better time afterward at the Red Fox. It was a good night all around.<br />
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- Staying on wrestling for a moment, I want to talk about a new promotion that is getting ready to start up in Columbus. It is called New Ohio Wrestling (NOW) and it will be having it's first show this Saturday, August 1st, with a 7 PM bell time at the Resolute Athletic Complex at Easton. I'm not going to be able to go there myself but I wanted to give my friends and fellow fans in Columbus a chance to see some of the talent I've had the pleasure of watching perform up here in NE Ohio in a place closer to them. It will be the first promotion to try to run Columbus regularly since before I went back there in 2004 so go check out the show and help support the return of indy wrestling to C-town proper. I believe the building the show is taking place at used to be the Sports Barn and to get there, get onto Morse Road around Easton and turn south onto Morse Crossing...take a right on Chiller Lane, at the corner where McDonald's is at, and it will be right past the plaza that's on the left. It it being sponsored by Adobe Gilas at Easton and there will be a pre-show party there from 3-6 there. Here's a poster with more information about the show...remember, it's this Saturday:<br />
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- As of early this month, the Red Fox has new owners. I guess the old owner decided to sell and I don't think that is a bad thing at all in this case. He apparently burned a lot of bridges especially in the past year or so and conflicted with several people. It was noticeable that so many of the people who used to go there when I started going myself are now returning with the former owner gone now. It was a shock but as long as my friends still go up there and have fun I will too. I'm hoping it might lead to some better things down the line, maybe including some plans I've had that have been on hold but we'll see.<br />
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- Going back to something wrestling-related for a moment, I want to talk about Hulk Hogan. In the last week or so, he was released from his WWE contract over racially-tinged remarks (I'm being diplomatic here) he made about 8 years ago that appeared on a sex tape he was on and is suing the web site Gawker over. There are a couple of things that come to my mind that are indirectly related to Hogan here. The first is the revelation of the remarks publicly. The sex tape has been known about for a few years now and yet the remarks are only now being exposed. There are many people right now wondering about the timing of the release of his remarks, yours truly included. Speaking of Gawker, recently there was a scandal over the outing of an exec at a rival company who was not that much of a public figure where the ownership pulled the article from the site...and rightfully so IMHO...and the two top editors quit over the pulling of said article. As I mentioned earlier, Gawker is also embroiled in a 100 million dollar lawsuit with Hulk Hogan over that videotape. The conspiracy theorist in me tells me that the pulling of that article and the release of the racial remarks are connected in that somebody, maybe an insider or one or both of those editors, released the remarks to gossip sites in retaliation for the owners pulling that article. If anybody from Gawker released those remarks to the media, they could easily be found with a default judgement against them in their case with Hulk Hogan including huge penalties on top of a potential 100 million dollar default judgement against them. Given some of the comments from the Gawker site folks who felt slighted over the editorial judgement of the ownership, I wouldn't put it past any of those particular staffers if they were trying to screw over the owners and put them out of business as revenge...potential nine-figure penalties are no joke.<br />
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The second thing that comes to mind for me regards the circumstances behind why the remarks might have been made. When that tape was made, he still had his reality show with his family going on and it was near the end of his marriage to his ex-wife Linda. His daughter Brooke was also starting to work on leaving the nest as evidenced by some of the remarks made on the tape. I'm not making excuses here for Hogan as to why he made those remarks, which are offensive as all hell BTW, but I wanted to show what was going on in the timeframe where that video took place. Now, for me, this situation posed a particular question for me that I'm fairly certain many of us have asked at one time or another. That question is this: would I be proud of my actions during my lowest points or when things are going bad? I can say for certain that there are many times where I held my head up high in facing down the bad times...not all the time, mind you, but there aren't many instances where I have been that far into the dark side of reactions if there were any. This is definitely something I cannot say for Hulk Hogan at this point. He used some very hateful language with the racial stuff but the way he was going off about his daughter was extremely spiteful in itself. That goes to intention and he intended to be selfishly spiteful and degrading to his daughter with those remarks and that wasn't right, then or now. The way he is still trying to reach out in the media is troubling in itself as if he wasn't sorry about making those remarks until they were released by the gossip media sites. This is a time he needs to be contrite and with the way he's been handling the media as of late that doesn't seem to be the case. If he doesn't stop being an idiot, he may be in for some serious trouble for a long time to come.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "The Man" by Aloe Blacc. I have a confession to make...there have been only two times in my life where I truly felt like I was "the man". The first was at my first dance in the 8th grade where I showed off some of my moves for the first time. The second was when I put out the last edition of DJRT. Regardless of my demeanor or circumstances in the past, these were the only two instances where I really felt that. Outside of those, I felt like much less than that...less than human in some instances. I don't want that anymore. It may be my own ego talking here but I desperately want to be the man in every aspect of my life and I am hoping the upcoming show gives me a real shot at becoming that. This song, usually found in sporting commercials, embodies where I want to be as a man in general and it will probably be one of my theme songs in the future. It's a lot to aspire to and I still have a long way to go but that's where I'm aiming. On a side note, the artist behind the song, Aloe Blacc, performed "America the Beautiful" at this year's Wrestlemania.<br /><br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Sarah & Dave, Sean D., Cory, Chad M., Mary S., Ernest W., Holly, Anna, Ron U., Ron & Teresa, Alan, Melissa, Stan, Jen D., Stephanie, Jay, Desirae, Margie, Fran, Griff, Scotty, Walt, OCW, Jimmy Shane, Justin Diaz, Stephen, Diane, Tony C., April K., Aunt Sue and Todd.<br />
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There is one more thing I want to say before I take off here. A former classmate of mine, Josh LeBorgne, suffered some pretty serious injuries a couple weeks ago and he needs all the prayers he can get in his recovery. He's already got mine but the more the better. With that, I bid you all adieu. I've got to get back to work on ideas and stuff for the show. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
DJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-66302619573595875062015-06-24T02:07:00.000-04:002015-09-03T03:42:29.328-04:00Random Thoughts #150 - the "civic" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to this very special edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I have been waiting a very long time for this particular edition to come out, not just because it's the 150th one but because this is the moment where things are going to start to change. It's not going to show right away but once I say what I'm going to say which I've been cryptic about and kept very close to the vest for a long time now except for a few I've let in, everybody is going to know what I've been up to and, more importantly, where things will be going for yours truly and maybe others as well. Instead of just having it in written form like I've been doing for all these years, I'm just going to tell you...in my own words:<br />
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- The news is out. My dream has finally been revealed. DJ's Random Thoughts is eventually going to become a show. The video above is just a small sample of what I'm aiming for but it will definitely have much more than that. I'm aiming for this to be an online show but I am formatting it for potential TV viewing as well if that ever happens...for all we know, television might go the way of the dodo but I'll format for it anyway. It will come out on a regular basis once I get enough segments filmed to make several shows ahead of time...with some segments added in as I go if there is a timely issue or event happening. I'm planning on episodes happening weekly or bi-weekly but definitely more of a regular basis than this blog has been for a while. Now, I could have been okay with just keeping this as just a blog or even making a hybrid. It would have been safer and in some cases it would have been easier. However, there are things that I've wanted to do in DJRT that I couldn't put down in just written form or at least not in a way that my writing could effectively express. I wanted people to actually see some of my journey and share a bit of my world, to see the things I experienced, to see scenarios and even some skits I've had in my head, to do interviews with people that captured my attention either currently or at some other point in my life, and potentially even show off not just some of the things I do and I see but that of some of my friends and family...for example, one of my friends showing off something they do or talking with me about their lives and experiences. I've also found that people tend to prefer to watch stuff rather than read it. Even with all that, I'm keeping the name "DJ's Random Thoughts" for the show because, one, it will be a continuation of what I've been doing with the blog all these years and, two, I've invested a lot of time and attention with the name and did not want it to go to waste.<br />
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Now some of you are probably asking, why turn it into a show? There are a lot of reasons on top of what I've already laid out earlier. This is actually a combination of many of the dreams I've had throughout my life. A few years ago I was inspired to take pieces and parts of all those dreams and put them together to create one new dream in which this is the result. Something I haven't much talked about before is that I've worked in both radio while at OSU and online streaming TV through Crossroads World Christian Center. Even though I was shaky at doing both at those times, I found myself immensely enjoying those experiences and learned a lot from them. Being in media was something I could actually envision myself doing. There is one other big motivation for me in pursuing this. As many of you know, for most of my life I haven't had much in the way of life goals or a life focus. I've had my general ones, like dating, maybe marriage and children, hoping for a good job, etc., but nothing really set in stone. That has frustrated many people along the way, including teachers and especially people in my family. I had done tons of soul-searching over the years but I just couldn't get anything going on many fronts or find or be anything that was worth being or doing. A lot of it had to do with stuff that I've gone through in my life, much of it I've already talked about in DJRT. During probably one of the roughest periods of my life...come to think about it, when haven't I had one...anyway, a few years ago so many things and events happened during this one period that instead of me just going through those events and surviving them...I actually got inspired...a particular person here, an event there, but I got really inspired. Ultimately, I discovered what I really wanted in my life and from it. I wanted to do something with my life that was worth doing, that was worth it for me to do, that I could do regardless of whether I was rich or poor (I've been more of the latter), that would let me feel good about myself in the process, and that could make me happy overall. A lot of events throughout my life have been out of my direct control or I would have some control but was always reacting to someone or something else, so starting around then I really started wanting a life where I could control my destiny or as much of it as I possibly could. I got sick and tired of having a life where things could be easily taken from me at a whim. I've had too much of that. This dream of mine is a huge motivation to pursue that life. I've been waiting years just to get to the point where I could go after this and working on and producing that video and seeing it become a reality makes me want it even more. I didn't want to reveal this to everybody until now because there's a lot at stake for me personally and I've put a lot into not just the decision to go this route but the work I've already put into it. I've done such reveals before but without anything to back up my intentions, but here all of you get to see where I'm going. I've had a ton of doubters throughout my life and I'm probably going to have some here, but this is different...this is for me, from me, by me, about me, whatever me...the doubters and haters can suck it. I am so excited about this and I can't wait to get this really going.<br />
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- As I mentioned in the video, as much as I've worked on to make this happen, I am definitely gonna need help and am officially asking for it. I've actually asked for very little before...mainly prayers or even to be left alone...but I think this is definitely the time to ask for it. At this point, while I'm still doing some ground work on the show, all of you can help by subscribing to the DJRT Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter pages...links are on the right and the web addresses are also listed in the video...as well as donating to DJRT via Paypal with the link posted beneath the Twitter feed on the right, listed under "Help Out DJRT", to help me get some of things I'm going to need to make this happen. Those who have donated in the past are listed in the credits under Special Thanks in the video because they've already helped to make this happen and now all of you can too. You can also check out and buy stuff from the DJRT Store found in the link above. Speaking of the store, I've mentioned this before but I am also seeking feedback on the last couple edition pics in the upper left hand corner of each edition as well as this one (it's a parody, folks...don't worry, I don't have that kind of ego...yet...heh heh heh). You can go back and check those editions out to see them but I can also show them on the social media pages individually if that's how you want to see them...that means you'd have to subscribe to those pages to do so, so that means it doesn't just benefit me for you all to subscribe but it does for you all as well. For the most part, I will be working on the graphics and the editing of the shows myself...I hope you all like the ones I did for this edition's video...but once the show gets going I will be needing volunteers to help me out. I'll be looking for those who want to work behind the scenes, mainly camera work but other potential things as well, and those who want to be on camera, maybe hosting or acting or background or whatever I might be looking for in some particular segment. There is lot of potential here with the upcoming show and I hope it comes sooner rather than later. In the meantime, like I mentioned in the video the blog is going to continue on until the show is ready to go. Again, just to make it clear...I will be replacing the blog with the show and I am extremely excited about it.<br />
<br />
- Not only is this the 150th edition of DJ's Random Thoughts but this week is the 6th anniversary of the namesake of the blog. I would recommend going back and reading some past editions...who knows, you might have been mentioned in them.<br />
<br />
- Before I go on, there was something I was going to talk about in the last edition that I said I was going to talk about but then I had a brain fart and completely forgot to. ESPN has apparently demoted Mark May from it's main college football coverage show. For those of you who don't know who Mark May is, he was an analyst who has been notorious for hating on, putting down and criticizing Ohio State football at any available opportunity. He was very biased in his presentation to the point where even former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz called him out on it to his face on one of ESPN's other college shows. He really had an ax to grind and it got under many an OSU fan's skins, yours truly included. He was really going hard against them during this past college championship and bowl season coverage. It was really bad and I'm thinking that this bias must have become more obvious to ESPN bosses and maybe an embarassment to them as well because I have not seen or heard him on any of their programming since a couple days before the national championship game which, of course, Ohio State won. Let's face it...Mark May needed to take his head out of his ass and also take his foot out of his mouth...that's right, he was just a messed-up pretzel of player-hatin'...seriously, don't actually try to visualize that, it's a gruesome image...and maybe this will be a wake-up call for him to change. I'm not counting on it but one can hope.<br />
<br />
- Now back to the reason for this edition's subtitle. One of the things I've been wanting to do for a long time, especially in relation to the potential show but generally for me personally, is re-engage myself in volunteering and civic involvement. I haven't really done this in a long time mostly due to circumstances but I've had the itch to do so and there may be some opportunities opening up on that front in the near future. One thing I am definitely doing is volunteering at the Soap Box Derby later next month. I've been considering other opportunities as well...maybe the Red Cross for disaster relief if I can get a few more things and even political involvement again. I've been averse to it for a while now but I'm getting the itch once again and I've been keeping my ear to the ground on that front more than I have in the last decade or so. I don't know what I would be doing within the political sphere especially since past participation had worn on me before but I am definitely not the same person I was when I did it then. I have a better idea what and who I stand with (I always knew what I stood FOR, but who to stand WITH was vexing) now so I'm thinking I might be able to do things differently this time around. I haven't made a final call on that yet but I'm getting there. I'm not sure what I will be doing overall but I will say if anybody wants to volunteer with me or stand with me on whatever, please let me know.<br />
<br />
- <b>Peaceful Journey</b>: The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, passed away last week at the age of 69. Honestly, I thought he was older than my parent but I was wrong. Anyway, he was probably one of the best ever talkers in the pro wrestling world and was really good at engaging an audience with his trademark style. His rivalries with Harley Race, Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen are legendary in the wrestling world. I'm not sure there will ever be another like him. I was able to see him live at the first live professional show I went to back in 1987 for the NWA at the JAR arena at the University of Akron main campus. He wrestled Lex Luger who was in the Four Horseman at the time as well as the United States champion. He didn't win the title there but he did win it at the Starrcade event a few weeks later. You never forget your first wrestling show and it was a blessing to be able to see him live and in living color, as he might say it. Rest in peace and peaceful journey, American Dream.<br />
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- You all will probably hear about this more in the next month of so but on August 7th through the 9th, the state of Ohio is having a sales tax holiday on certain purchases throughout that entire weekend. You can buy any eligible clothing item that is $75 or under without having to pay any sales tax and for eligible school supplies and instructional materials that are $20 or under. It is done per item and not per purchase so let's say you want to buy some clothing and one item is $74.99 and another is, say, $25.00. You would only pay $99.99 because it is on individual items $75 and under, not for the total purchase. All stores in the state of Ohio have to participate in this because it was signed into law that they have to...no exceptions. I'm not sure of everything that is eligible but you can go to the state of Ohio website to find out or you can just wait for the news to report what you can buy. It is definitely an opportunity for many of you who might be in need of clothing or supplies for school to wait until that weekend to save a little money. You'll probably be hearing more about it in the coming weeks but I thought I'd give you all a heads up on that.<br />
<br />
- As if one time weren't enough...another mayor in Akron has resigned. Following Don Plusquellic's much-needed exit from the position, his replacement Garry Moneypenny resigned within a week of having the job due to sexual harassment while he was being congratulated by a female city employee. Within one month's time, there were three different mayors in the city of Akron. Jeff Fusco is the current mayor but he will not be in the uncoming mayoral election in November. That means that unless something else major happens, there will have been four different mayors who have either served or been chosen to serve in the calendar year 2015. I found a shirt on a website for a local clothing store that sums up what I thought about all that:<br />
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- Last week the Cleveland Cavaliers had their season end at the hands of the Golden State Warriors with a loss to them in the NBA Finals. It was a hell of a run for the Cavs who had a lot of momentum going into the series but an injury to PG Kyrie Irving and a ton of blown and suspicious calls from the refs killed any chance of Cleveland winning it's first national championship in over 50 years. The blown calls were so bad and so obvious that I'm thinking there was a conspiracy of some sort to keep Cleveland from winning. That's the conspiracy theorist in me talking but I have to wonder why things went down the way they did. Oh well...the "wait til next year" thing continues.<br />
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- A couple days ago, former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor joined the Cleveland Browns as a possible wide receiver. He's had trouble at the quarterback spot with past NFL teams he was on so he saw the writing on the wall and decided to change positions. I believe based on his size that he could end up playing tight end or even the H-back where teams might have to worry that he might throw the ball on a trick play. He would at least be an emergency quarterback, but obviously he would have to make the team first.<br />
<br />
- I want to congratulate my friends Alan and Melissa on finally getting married a couple of hours ago. It's been a long time coming and that time is now here. I'm really looking forward to the reception this weekend.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat:</b> "Queen of Hearts" by Juice Newton. This was a song I heard an awful lot of in the 80's. I remember specifically hearing it a lot when I would go camping up at Mill Creek Campground on Berlin Reservoir. Any time I even get close to that direction, I would hear that song in my head. I would remember that as a kid and also getting Pac-Man stickers at a local store...I thought that was one of the coolest things.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Bob, Lynn, Dave & Sarah, Mary S., Cory, Ron M., Patrick, Ron U., Brandon, Jay, Stan, Alan, Melissa, Stephanie, and Ernest W.<br />
<br />
Well, that's it for this very special edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I've waited such a long time to be able to tell everybody what I've been up to all these years and it feels good to finally get that out there. For those of you who have been along for the ride for any of the past 150 editions, thank you so much. There's a lot more coming down the pike to look forward to and I hope you all will continue to ride along with me down the road. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-371586301080334172015-06-03T03:27:00.000-04:002015-06-03T03:27:00.710-04:00Random Thoughts #149 - the "verge" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I'm having a bit of trouble sleeping so since I have some things on my mind I thoughts I'd do this instead. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- Before I start, I want to note something about the pic from the last edition. I used it for a while on my Facebook account and I think a few people were wondering what was up with that and why I did that or if I was becoming antisocial or something...or more antisocial than people believe me to be. I did put a quick note about it at the end of the last edition but it was likely glossed over so let me set a few things straight on that. The last edition's pic was actually inspired by a running theme regarding Ohio State and Cleveland sports teams. Even though I have felt that way many times over the years for different reasons, fans of those teams generally feel like they get dumped on an awful lot especially by national media pundits (one I will talk about a bit later and what happened to him as of today) and that it's like the world is against them. I just started messing around with some ideas and remembered some of those times where it felt like the world was against me, so I decided to do an "advisory"-type pic. Let me note that I don't think the world is actually against me...I'm okay for the time being...but I was still inspired to do that pic anyway. The big reason I did that pic as well as the one for this edition has to do with DJRT in general. As a lot of you are aware of by now, I've been working on the evolution of DJRT into something more. A big part of that next iteration is expanding on the DJRT Store with clothing and merchandise that will indulge more of my creative and artistic ideas ala DJ Customs that will help promote and maybe even help support DJRT. Right now the store just has some basic shirts with a few other items up for sale. I am seeking feedback on some of the parody and original design ideas that I am thinking about using for merchandising, so that's what I'm aiming for. I apologize if there was any confusion on that. Speaking of the edition pic, for this edition the pic I'm using is definitely NOT a final design but I wanted to get some feedback on the "unauthorized, unofficial, uncensored" part of the pic that I had originally designed for something else a few years ago. I'm not thinking of using the DJ Logo on it, at least not as it is in the picture if I do, but as far as this edition pic goes I'm using it as more of a contrasting watermark. I'm not sure what I'm going to use with that particular part of the pic just yet but I wanted to get feedback on how it could be used down the line. I will be doing this (putting up pic ideas I have) in future editions of DJRT until the time I get that next iteration started up. Give me some input, folks!<br />
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- Anyway....back to the show, so to speak. The major reason for the edition subtitle this time around is that a major league Cleveland sports team is on the verge of winning a national title for the first time in over 50 years. I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have made the NBA Finals and it's the closest the city has tasted a big time championship since the Indians in the 90's. Yes, the Cavs were in the 2007 finals but I didn't believe they had a shot then. With the team they have now, I believe they finally do. I've been more invested this year in the Cavs than I had been in previous years, from going to their official NBA Draft Party to LeBron's Homecoming at Infocision Stadium to going to a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks to just keeping up them through the regular and post seasons. It's been one heck of a ride and as beat up as they are they are so, so close that my fellow Cavs fans and I are salivating. This is a very exciting time, one that many of us never thought would happen again in our lifetimes but the stars are aligning. C'mon, Cavs...4 wins to go...time to finish what you started.<br />
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- Speaking of the subtitle, it's no surprise to anybody that I've been on the verge of so many things over the years. There's been the verge of success...the verge of failure...the verge of changing everything...the verge of going crazy...the verge of going sane...the verge of greatness...the verge of defeat...the verge of starting something new...the verge of giving up (that is unfortunately recurrent)...the verge of cooking up a chicken sandwich. It could easily be said that I have been on the verge of "something" all of my life. A lot of us could say that about each other but it could very well define a lot of events revolving around me. Honestly, I hate being on the verge. I'd rather just be in it and have the certainty of what's going on, maybe even hopefully relishing in whatever I was on the verge of originally...not everything, obviously, but definitely the good things and the good times. That has not really happened a lot as of late due to my current situation but I can say I'd rather be on the verge of those potential good things than be distant from them. I do have to say I may have to give up one thing dream-wise that I didn't want to but I may have to so I can move forward with my life (I've had to do this many times before...I hated each time it's happened and I'm hating this now), but other than that I feel like I'm on the cusp, that I just need one big break or several of them and then great things are going to happen. Until then, I guess I'll just plug away at what I can do for now, continue to dream and stay on the verge just in case.<br />
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- Again, speaking of being on the verge, the city of Akron is about to go through something I never thought would happen in my lifetime...not having Don Plusquellic as it's mayor. Early last month, Plusquellic announced he was resigning from the mayor position he's held nearly three decades. I have many thoughts on this but of the man himself I have only one...he was an unmitigated, bullying, thin-skinned, condescending, grade-A jackass...and this is from someone who is on the same side of the political aisle as he was for the most part. Despite his accomplishments as mayor, he was a very petty man who treated many people like crap if they didn't exactly agree with him. My father and one of my uncles had to deal with the ramifications of his antics early on in his tenure when they worked for the city. For that alone and the crap he's done since then I despised him. I did encounter him about 10 years ago in Columbus. I was working for a political campaign at the time and I saw Mr. Plusquellic at a big statewide event. I approached him and told him who I was and, more importantly, who my father was. I was being cordial to him at the time because I hadn't actually met him before and didn't know how he would react to me. He stammered about something that seemed really weird to me then excused himself and went pretty far across the hall where the event was at. I'm telling you, it was so obvious that he couldn't get away from me fast enough. I don't think I can recall that ever happening in my life, at least not under similar circumstances. I called my mom shortly after it happened and she laughed...loudly. He was seriously spooked. My family has this thing where we tend to be stubborn and stand up to people we think are giving us crap and it seemed very obvious he experienced that first-hand with my family before and got scared...just like anybody would expect a bully to do and that's what he did. Of course on his way out the door he took some potshots and made excuses as to why he was leaving but as of a couple days ago he is no longer the mayor. I have to admit...once I heard his announcement I was tempted to sing "Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead" song from The Wizard of Oz around the house but thought better of it. I have no idea what the future of Akron holds now that he's gone, politically or otherwise, or what kinds of changes might be in the offing especially with a mayoral election coming up later this year but I do believe that there is a chance it will be brighter now that the bully Plusquellic is no longer in charge. I don't say this often or even about people in general, but in his case I'll make an exception...good riddance!!!<br />
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- I've been playing an MOBA game online called "Infinite Crisis" based on the DC Universe on my computer the past couple months and I just found out that after only a couple months the game is shutting down. I have to admit, I didn't play it all that much but quite frankly the only surprise in this for me is that Warner Brothers is able to shut it down so quickly. I think it has to do with problems with the game developers' priorities...they seemed to prefer promoting their online channel about the game and them playing it rather than actually do their jobs and developing it. It could have been a decent game if they did what they were supposed to be doing in the first place. I'm just glad I didn't get too invested in it...otherwise I would have been upset, but the lesson here is that if people don't do what they're supposed to be doing, bad things can happen...and quickly, as it's evidenced in this case.<br />
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- Festival season is upon us. I was able to catch the tail end of the recent Riverfront Concert Series concert last Friday night with a Journey tribute band which wasn't bad, but other than that I haven't done much festival-wise yet. I am planning to do some stuff but I just haven't had it in me to do anything just yet. Maybe it's because it's early in the season but I hope I don't feel like that this summer like I did at times last year. I did find out that the Mogadore Summer Festival is coming back on July 17-19 and it's very likely that Ohio Championship Wrestling will be returning to it on the 18th so I am very much looking forward to that. There's a lot of things coming up in the next couple months or so and I hope I am up for going to them.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Money Can't Buy You Love" by Ralph Tresvant. This song was featured in the Damon Wayans movie "Mo' Money" and it was one I used to put on repeat back in the day. I just rediscovered the song and, once again, it's been on repeat a lot as of late.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Dave & Sarah, Mary, Melissa, Alan, Stan, Jay, Anna, Maggie, Leslie, Ernest, Ron M., Stacey, Cory, Jenny K, Sean, and Kate.<br />
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Before I take off here, I want to congratulate my niece Maddy on graduating from high school. I swear, she was a little girl just a few years ago and now she's already a legal adult. Time flies, folks. Anyway, thank you for reading today's edition of DJRT. We are on the verge of the sixth-year official anniversary of DJRT and the 150th edition coming up. I'm not sure when I'm gonna get around to that or what I'm going to talk about but right now I think I'm gonna go get some sleep because it's late. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's been a while since I last wrote but I want to start off today by yelling...SHENANIGANS!!! Now that I have your attention, there aren't any real shenanigans going on and, no, I am not cursing any of you out in Irish, but I do believe it's time to get back to what I do best...offering my views and observations, serious, wacky, or otherwise, to this world and potentially beyond (hey, a guy can dream, can't he?). With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- For this edition, the "finite" subtitle is a running theme throughout it as opposed to being dedicated to one single blurb. I do that from time to time but it will be evident with some of the stuff I talk about here today. Now, some of you are probably wondering what I mean by the word "finite". Well, finite usually means "having limits and bounds" as opposed to the word "infinite" which has the opposite meaning. A lot of things are finite in this world...events, lives, marathons, the patience one may have in dealing with other peoples' idiocy on a regular basis...but the main takeaway from the word is that as much as some things may seem to go on forever, sometimes things end. I can cite my time in Columbus, for example. I had two separate stints there, each running over seven years. I felt like I had unfinished business after the first stint so I returned for the second one. As disappointing as this might sound for some of my friends there and as much as I want to visit, my time living there on a permanent basis is over for the most part. There are only two things that would make me come back...one would be a job that was so irresistible that I couldn't help but want to go back, the second would be if one particular woman wanted me to be with her. I'm not saying who that woman is, except that I've talked about her a couple times before, because it's a long shot at this point of anything happening and because I'm really skittish of things going awry which is something I absolutely do NOT want to happen especially with her if I do have a shot with her...therefore I won't be talking much about her if at all beyond this, publicly or privately. Anyway, getting back to my original point, I don't know if my time in NE Ohio will be finite or not but I do know at this point that my time in central Ohio was finite. I believe one of the big takeaways of things, of events, or of lives being finite is that because the time is limited in many instances we put a lot of value into the finite things we do have. I wouldn't trade my time in Columbus for anything in the world and the fact that it was limited is a factor as to why I value my time there so much. I'm pretty sure a lot of you have your own things you value that are finite themselves.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of finite things, within the last couple of weeks there have been three major things that have or are coming to a close that I want to talk about. The first is the closing of the Riviera casino in Las Vegas. The reason it sticks out to me is that this was the place where the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling had their shows back in the eighties, something that I talked about way back in the 100th edition (BTW, we're almost at edition 150...hmmmm....). The second is the Jerry Lewis telethons that ran on Labor Day for years. In the past couple of days the Muscular Dystrophy Association decided to end the long-running telethons and are dedicating their efforts to different strategies. As someone who grew up watching some of those 21 hour marathons, I'm really going to miss them. I'm thinking maybe a different group maybe dedicated to cancer or homelessness or disaster relief or some other valuable cause should start doing the long Labor Day telethons. The MDA telethons were such a part of a lot of people's childhoods that to see them go away permanently would be a damn shame. I think a disaster relief telethon on Labor Day, maybe even a Red Cross one, would be a good replacement. The third is American Idol. Fox announced earlier today that the long-running series will end after the upcoming season. For years the show was the dominant subject for watercooler conversations and gossip sites but with the exits of the original judges of the show that influence started to wane so I guess they decided to pull the plug while the getting was good. American Idol spawned a bunch of similar reality shows that have long since passed by AI so it's probably a good time as any for it to end. I don't know of any other long-standing traditions or events or locations that are thinking about ending or not, but the lesson here is to value what is here now because it might not be around in the future.<br />
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- Usually I'll do an edition of DJRT with a subtitle related to my birthday and which one I would celebrate. Last year I didn't do one because I didn't have that great of a birthday and as I noted in the last edition I didn't really want to celebrate it at all this year. Well, by the time the day actually came around this year I had a change of heart. I'm happy that happened as my birthday was MUCH better this time around (emphasis on the capitalized part). Aside from enjoying the day itself I had a decent weekend of dancing and my first official yet abbreviated walk of the season. It didn't hurt that it hit the 70 degree mark on my birthday itself. Bottom line, I had a good birthday this year. Now I do have to admit that birthdays for me the past few years have been up and down like a yo-yo and that it may have been due to really high and inflated expectations on my part at times which makes me nervous about having any expectations for future birthdays, but next year my birthday falls on a Saturday and because of that those expectations might be heightened once again, but given it falls on a weekend next year I would like to do something special and maybe different. I don't know just yet but I don't want to waste an opportunity there. Before I move on, I would like to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday and celebrated with me. It meant the world to me and given how last year went and for some time afterward things were much better this time around. Thank you for that.<br />
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- <b>Peaceful Journey</b>: Erin Myers, a Chicago-area actress and fellow THS classmate of 91, passed away last week after a fight with cancer. I honestly didn't know her all that well because I wasn't close to all that many people during high school but most of us in our class were familiar with each other and I do remember her from acting back in high school and from what I can tell from the newspapers there she seemed to do rather well in Chicago. She is actually the sixth person out of 180 in our class to pass away since graduating which is pretty depressing, but in any case her passing was a shock. My prayers and condolences go out to her loved ones. RIP and peaceful journey, Erin.<br />
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- Since the last edition, despite my birthday and stuff related to the NFL Draft, I haven't actually gone out or done all that much. Part of the reason why is that my body has been nicked up, scuffed up and scratched up including my face and my body's been sore at different times and different places. Given what vanity I do have I didn't feel good going out beyond when I've had to. It's been a while since I straight up visited some of my friends. The weather also played somewhat of a factor in that up until this past week it has been somewhat miserable with a couple of exceptions. Other than that I just didn't feel like doing much...my depression played a part in that but I just wasn't feeling it. I've even take a break from working on the next iteration of DJRT for a while. However, things are going to be changing. The weather has vastly improved...it's almost hit 90 degrees already in the past week alone here in NE Ohio. Festival season is coming up starting this weekend...I don't know how many I'm gonna make it to but they are starting up this weekend beginning with the Cherry Blossom Festival in Barberton. The better weather also means more possibilities for walks, maybe beyond those I take at Cuyahoga Falls and Springfield Lake. I'm not sure on that but the potential is there. There is other stuff I'm looking forward to too so there's a lot on the horizon for yours truly.<br />
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- A quick note on something I talked about in the "rebel" edition. I talked about my initial club experiences in that edition and that my first time was at the CF Agora which would later become the Boot Scoot'n Saloon. I just recently found out that the Boot Scoot'n Saloon actually closed right after I left for my second go-round at OSU in 2004. I thought it was still going on for some time after that but apparently it didn't. I didn't know it had been closed for that long...the things you learn. Anyway, the reason I bring this up is that the nearby Audi dealership is planning to put up a new kind of showroom in front of the building itself...I don't know if they're going to tear the old club down eventually or not but it was worth noting given what's going on there currently. If it is torn down, that's another part of my history that will be gone...oh well.<br />
<br />
- This year I went up to the Hard Rock Rocksino to watch the first round of the 2015 Draft. Last year I tried to go up there near the actual start of the draft and the place was packed so I left. This year I got up there early just in case it ended up that packed again. Apparently it wasn't as packed this year as it was last year but there was a large crowd there. I'm still fortunate I went early because I was able to get a prime seat to watch the show. ESPN Cleveland was sponsoring the event for the second year in a row. Overall I had a really good time there. I took a few pics while I was there which you can find here: <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105735577698697654071/photos/+DJsRandomThoughts/albums/6145256486890235265" target="_blank">2015 - 04-30 - ESPN Cleveland Draft Party</a>. I'm seriously thinking about going up there again for next year's draft and I'm hoping some of you might want to come with me. As far as how the Browns did in this year's draft, it was very solid...no reaches, they stuck to their guns and they addressed a lot of needs. It was probably one of their best drafts, if only for the reason that it was one of the least criticized by fans, probably the least in years as far as I can tell. By that measuring stick alone it was a good draft.<br />
<br />
- The Cleveland Cavaliers are having a rougher time in the playoffs than I and probably most other expected them too. They swept the Boston Celtics but a thuggish play by one of them ended Kevin Love's year and they've been struggling to adjust against the Chicago Bulls whom they are tied with 2-2 as of this edition. They have also been dinged up with injuries which at this time of year is not that good. The Cavs are 10 wins away from bring the city of Cleveland it's first high-end sports championship in over 50 years so I'm hoping for the best here.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "I'm Gonna Be" by Donell Jones. Released a few years after his initial success, I think this is one of his better songs. He does a version with the rapper Clipse but I prefer the solo version of this song. It's one of those few songs for me that makes me want to get up and dance yet has some personal meaning for me in regards to some of what I want my future to be...very rare for a song to do that for me but this one does.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Sassy Stephie (wrestler), Aunt Sue, Melissa, Ernest, Ron M., Jay, Kristin, Sean D., Alan, Stephanie, Stan, Kevin, Fran, Margie, Ron U., Brandon, Mary S., Jenny K., Uncle Larry and Anna.<br />
<br />
That's it for this edition. The good weather is finally here, or at least the good temps are...I'm looking out my window at this moment and it's clouding up looking like a storm is a'brewing. Before I go, the edition pic up top is something I'm considering putting on DJRT merchandise once the next iteration of DJRT gets going and I wanted to get some feedback on what people think about it as well as get some ideas for other stuff to sell. With that, I will take my leave. I'll be back soon enough with another edition of DJRT so be ready of that...or dread it if that's what you choose...a couple people from back in the day have before so it has happened...I personally think you shouldn't but to each his or her own, I guess. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's been a while since the last edition and I do have a lot to talk about and say today and I mean a lot. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- I could have done this edition earlier in the month but there was a big reason I put it off until specifically today (March 31). In late June of 2009, I wrote up the "retribution" edition. The main topic I covered was about an editorial I wrote up during my first go-round at Ohio State responding to an article in the OSU student newspaper The Lantern. I did so partially in defense of my friend Laura Dudek who was being forced out of her position in Ohio State's Undergraduate Student Government, partially as a defense of the newspaper and partially to knock down a peg or two a USG representative who made critical remarks and took personal potshots at Laura in the article regarding her exit from USG. Quite frankly, what that jackass stated...that's right, I called him a jackass...ticked me off. He was being petty and cruel and I wasn't having it. In fact, the name of my editorial was appropriately titled "USG rep should get off his mountain" because he acted like he was oh-so-high-and-mighty it made me sick. Anyway, you can all check out more of the details about what happened after I wrote that editorial all those years ago here in the <a href="http://djsrandomthoughts.com/retribution" target="_blank">"retribution" edition</a>. The main reason I am specifically bringing this subject up again now is that today is the 20 year anniversary of that editorial appearing in the Lantern. A few years ago I went to the School of Journalism on the OSU campus and made photocopies of that editorial because it was the first time I made an impact through the media. It would become one of the biggest milestones and one of the biggest turning points of my life though I wouldn't truly realize how much until years later. Quite frankly, if it weren't for that editorial and the aftermath, as bad as a lot of it was for me personally, there probably wouldn't be a DJ's Random Thoughts right now. Before I say more, I do want to make one major correction to that retribution edition that literally slipped my mind for years until I recently looked at my college transcripts. I inferred then that it was my last quarter of my first go-round at OSU. I was wrong. While working at Sears, I did return for spring quarter of 1996 and took two classes. I now remember still reeling from the stuff that happened in 95 while taking those classes but I thought I should make the appropriate correction now. I can't believe I actually forgot that...my bad on that.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this now-20-year-old editorial is one of the biggest examples outside of DJRT of something I strongly believe myself to be: protective...hence the subtitle for this edition. In the editorial I was being protective of my friend Laura. Many of you have seen me be protective of my friends, more than likely in the club but elsewhere as well. I am actually rather protective of many things. I am protective of my beliefs which are well manifested here in DJRT. I am protective not just of my friends but the relationships they are in. I value relationships to much and I want to see them not just work out but simply work and I try to help them along any way I realistically can if necessary. My friends are like family to me so when their relationships are threatened by outside forces I feel compelled to step in...it may not be the wisest of decisions or even my "business" but since my friends are my business that compelling aspect will likely be there. I am protective of my memories as they have served me in different capacities over the years. DJRT has been especially helpful with that these past few years. In the last few years, I have also learned to be more protective of my personal time...in other words, to make as much time for myself as necessary. Granted I may have alienated some along the way doing that but before learning to do so I really had trouble managing my time and there were many who took advantage of that for their benefit and my detriment, so it was something I absolutely had to learn if only for my own sake if not the people I want and have around me. It's still something I'm trying to sort out but I'm almost there in that regard. Eventually I hope to be protective of my own romantic relationship....not that I'm not open to having one in the near future or even now but with my current situation and the general state of things for me and around me, getting together with a woman is low on the priority list right now...it doesn't mean I'm not open to change but I'm just not feeling it at this time. With so much that I value, it should be no surprise how protective I can be and I'm pretty sure with many things and areas of your lives and specific people, it's likely the same scenario for each of you too.<br />
<br />
- As far as my birthday goes for this year, although some of you have been talking about it a bit, I'm really not up for celebrating it this year. A lot of what happened and many of the expectations I had leading up to last year's birthday are weighing heavily on me when this has come up and, to be honest, it might take something completely huge or big to make me change my mind on that. The vibe does seem different this year than last year but I really don't want to jinx that so unless something comes along that significantly changes things, I really don't want to make that big a deal of it.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of a vibe, I went out dancing last Saturday night at the Red Fox. For the first time in Lord knows how long, it felt like 2003 again, both at the Harry Buffalo in Akron and the Big Easy in Columbus. I think it had a bit to do with seeing my friend Jalen for the first time in years but when Alan, the deejay there, got the music going it was great and it took me back. Granted, like I said before I'm more into the here and now and the future but it was nice to have that feeling I had from back in the day. Maybe it'll come again, maybe not, but at least I can regularly hope for at least just as good a time if not better whenever I go out wherever I go out. Maybe that should be the expectation but, again, I don't want to jinx the vibe.<br />
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- Something that took me completely by surprise this year was my enjoyment of this year's Wrestlemania that took place a couple days ago. The reason it took me by surprise is that the storylines that led up to it were...well...pretty bad. I had trouble watching some of it over the past few months over the horrible dialogue and storytelling and I went into watching it with very, very low expectations. Unlike the past few years where it was only a one or two match worthy card, it was solid top to bottom this time around. I popped hard for the DX vs. NWO shot during the Sting-Triple H match and the rest of the show was just good. That even included the main event with saw a Money in the Bank cash-in and eventually win of the WWE Title by Seth Rollins. It was just a good show all around and I am hopeful that the momentum it started keeps up in the future.<br />
<br />
- I've talked an awful lot about my return to Columbus in 2004 to finally get my college degree...about some of the events that led up to it, about my time there at OSU, about my pride in finally getting my degree, not to mention other things. In the future I may talk about even more specifics about that timeframe. For this edition, there is one specific event I want to talk about from then that I've only told a few people about. It isn't a big secret or revelation or anything like that but it may be the one thing that if it had not happened I would not be a college graduate and my life would have been completely different. I'm more surprised that I haven't actually talked about this before but now I'm going to. As I've revealed before, I was a regular at the Harry Buffalo and talked a lot about my former time in Columbus to a lot of folks up here around Akron including some who eventually became part of The Crew. For a few months leading up to that initial trip to Columbus I had been bugging them about taking a trip to my old stomping grounds Club Dance which at that time was called The Big Easy. However, about a month before that initial trip down there something happened that, looking back now, changed everything for me. That "something" was a golf event.<br />
<br />
Now, I bet a lot of you didn't expect to see that, especially since I'm not really that into golf. Sure, I watched it on TV from time to time when it caught my fancy but it's really rare when that happens. The summer of 2003 was one of those rare occasions. In late August the NEC Invitational took place at Firestone Country Club in Akron and I was able to secure a couple of volunteer shifts at the event working at a concession stand near the 18th hole of the playing course. This was one of the few events I can remember past or present that all the major top names in golf at that time were at one event and they were at this one. There was no cut so all the golfers played all 4 days of the NEC Invitational. I worked the first two days of the event on August 21st and 22nd. I remember those dates specifically because I got a couple things from the event to give to my mom for her birthday (she likes golfing). Anyway, I bet you're all wondering at this point how the heck this led me back to OSU. Well, during both of my shifts my co-workers and I would start getting to know each other and several of my conversations led to me talking a bit about attending Ohio State. My co-workers asked me why I never got my degree. I hemmed and hawed around it because, quite frankly, I didn't have a good answer to give them. Many of them would tell me it was a shame that I wasn't able to get my degree. That really got to me. I would go home after my shifts and wonder to myself why I didn't have my degree, why I didn't stick it out, what led me away from college and Ohio State specifically. After my second shift I did some serious soul searching. All I knew at that time was that I had had enough of the "awww what a shame" stuff so that night I resolved to work on finally seeing if it was possible for me to go back to college and get a degree.<br />
<br />
Over the next few days I started looking into what and how long it might take. I couldn't use the internet at home because it was dial-up then which meant the phone line would have been tied up and I didn't want anyone to find out what I was up to unless I was sure I was gonna be able to pull this off. I went to the library every day and used the internet there for hours on end digging up anything that would help me get back to school. I consulted with a few people who I had known and trusted for years...it was only about three or four people I could count on at that point in my life but there's obviously many more than that now. Anyway, I made the call to work on getting back to OSU partly because I had already put in a lot of time and effort there and I didn't want any of that to go to waste. Due to a couple of specific circumstances I just happened to benefit from regarding going back there, I could go back with more of a clean slate without the school-related baggage from before. That would end up a huge relief for me. It took a lot of work but because of that diligence, checking my e-mail every day and responding ASAP to any inquiries regarding FAFSA or enrollment or housing or whatever, less than a month later...I believe by the 17th or 18th of September...I finally got everything I needed, got squared away and got myself ready and psyched up for a return to Ohio State. Once the return was confirmed, I really got psyched up for that first road trip down to The Big Easy. It amazes me even now that it only took about three and a half weeks to go from being a college dropout with no intention beforehand of going back and having no idea what I was going to do even the next day to becoming a confirmed student at Ohio State starting Winter Quarter 2004. It blows my mind that I was capable of pulling that off. As I progress...slowly at this point...toward wherever my life is leading me, I have to remember that sometimes events happen that can change the course of my life in a heartbeat and that I do have the ability to make the best out of such a course change. As bad as a lot of the things I have talked about regarding my life, this one event proves it can be just as good for me if not better than I imagine. Believe me, I do have an imagination.<br />
<br />
- Back in late February, I went to the last Jayfest wrestling event in Barberton. It was one of the few times I was able to get out of the house for a while (I'll talk a bit more about that in the next blurb). There were a lot of folks from MCW at the event and it may have been one of the last times I would see many of them...I'm hoping that's actually not the case but it is a possibility. Anyway, it was great being able to see them after not seeing them for so long in person. The matches were great and Christian Vaughn had two great matches to finish out his in-ring career. I had a blast being there and hanging out with my friend Micah afterwards to watch the WWE Fast Lane show. I don't know how many wrestling shows I'll be able to go to in the near future but it was definitely great to see many of the guys again. At this point, I'm just hoping for wrestling shows that are going to be worth actually going to locally at this point...and I'm not the only one who thinks that.<br />
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- The one thing that has been a constant so far in 2015 is the winter weather. If it wasn't a deep freeze, it was a heavy snow. It was that way up until about a week and a half or so ago. It was so bad that my driveway was buried and I couldn't get the car out to travel around. There were times when I would try to shovel but where I shoveled would just get covered over like it wasn't done and then there were the sub-zero temperatures. If people wanted to know why I didn't do much travelling this winter season, that's the big reason. All I can say is that I'm glad spring is finally here. I've already gone through my bi-annual weatherization so I'm primedand ready to get going when the real good weather finally hits.<br />
<br />
- In the past week or so I've been working on my festival schedule which I won't be publishing like I did last year...again, I don't want to jinx any good vibes so I'm taking no chances. Last year, due to my personal and emotional issues, I didn't go to as many festivals or take as many walks as I had in previous years. I may not be able to make it to all the festivals I want to this year but I am hoping to go to as many as I possibly can which I'm hoping will be more than last year. With being shut in for months due to all the snow, I'm hoping that within the next month or so I'll be able to get to my walks around Cuyahoga Falls again. I'm also hoping to get back to going out dancing regularly again as well. Thanks to the cold I need to start working on getting back into dancing shape again. There's a lot coming up on the horizon and that unlike last year I hope I'm up for it this time around. Regarding one of my regular events, I do want to note that there is a new concert series being put on by the city of Cuyahoga Falls and the organizers of both the Irish and Italian festival events that is replacing the old "Rockin' on the River". It is now the Riverfront Concert Series and it will have some of the same bands as last year and a few new faces (one is a Billy Joel tribute band I'm interesting in checking out). It will still be taking place on Fridays and it will start on May 22nd and run through August 28th with the aforementioned Irish and Italian festival weekends being the only interruptions. If anybody wants more info, they can check out updated information from their Twitter page <a href="https://twitter.com/Riverfront_IROK" target="_blank">Riverfront by IROK</a>.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Heart in Chains" by Kate Voegele. It's still hard to believe that one of my favorite shows, One Tree Hill, had it's season finale almost three years ago. Shoot, there was an OTH convention recently that I would have killed to go to if I was able, but alas I will have to consider attending one down the line. Kate Voegele was a part of the main cast on the show and this was the last song she performed as a guest star in the last episode of season 8. I know the cast has moved on to bigger and better things but I do miss that show. I guess I'll have to console myself with past episodes.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Sarah & Dave, Jenny K., Micah, Zach (Christian Vaughn), Justin Mane, Justin (Jebediah), Kevin B., Zach G., Joshua, Mike Meekins, Melissa, Stephanie, Ron M., Cheryl, Ron M., Kevin N., Cory, Stan, Jay, Mary, Alan, Desiree, Bob & Lynn, and Jalen.<br />
<br />
That's it for this edition. A lot has been said and there will be more in the future. As you can see from the edition pic, I've been working on different variations of a logo. None of them will be replacing the logo I do have because I love that one but I do want ot show off my ingenuity and customizing skills every once in a while and I think this edition's pic is one of my better ones. With that, I'm going to take off now. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I've got a lot to express today and I mean a lot...not that there's been much going on recently but I am feeling rather opinionated and verbose today. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- The edition pic is something that means a whole heck of a lot to me. This photo was taken immediately after I was baptized back in June of 2007. The reason I'm showing this pic here is because today is a very special day for yours truly. Eight years ago today, I started following Jesus. Maybe someday I'll be able to talk about the actual events what led me to Him but for now I just want to recognize and celebrate the significance of what this day means to me.<br />
<br />
- A lot of people look at the word "rebel" and immediately think of the "Star Wars" movies and the Rebel Alliance in particular. I'm one of those people too but the word itself means so much more to me than just something from the movies. To this day that word is likely the most descriptive and defining of yours truly that would cover a good portion of my life events up to this point. Other thoughts also pop up when people think of the word "rebel". They think of stuff like "going against the tide" or "resistance" or in some cases "chip on the shoulder" (the chip thing isn't always the case with rebellion but it is associated with it). Sometimes there's glory attached to it and sometimes there's annoyance or frustration. There's also this dangerous aspect to it in that being rebellious is risky, even to the point where some folks will consciously or unconsciously avoid the rebellious person or people. There are many people out there where rebellion is just hardwired into them. I'm not sure I'm actually one of those people but I do describe myself as a "natural" rebel. I use the word "natural" because there have been so many instances of where it felt like I naturally rebelled against something or someone or some group. Growing up with a hearing-based learning disability I was diagnosed with when I was a toddler, I had to rebel against those who confused it with mental retardation and how they would treat me. Sure, I had problems understanding what was being said to me a lot when I was little but what I'm talking about here went way beyond that. Trust me when I say dealing with grown-ups' crap and the kinds of trust issues that vex adults while being just a little kid is not something you want in your life or your children's lives if you have any. If you want to see the roots of where I started to get a chip on my shoulder, you can probably start there. Heck, just trying to make sense of things in general was enough, I guess, to put the thought into people that I wasn't one of them or "really" a part of things. Believe me, where rebellion is involved, there isn't much in the way of sympathy or at least enough of it to matter. When it was involuntary as a lot of mine was, it was heartbreaking. Even now I still have a lot of the same kind of rebelliousness I did when I was a kid. I don't have those actual issues from then, mind you, but it has stuck with me all those years. There are times where I am happy being rebellious and going against the grain but in so many instances I just wanted to go with the flow and it was frustrating that I just couldn't. If people took a look at a lot of the flareups small or large that have occured over my lifetime they could probably see the rebel side of me as a factor in them regardless of whether I was right or wrong about any particular situation. It's one of those things for me that is both a blessing and a curse. I've talked a bit about the curse but there are blessings to being one as well. I am more aware of what goes on because I have to pay attention. Sometimes I'm hyper-aware of things. There have been tons of instances where I knew or know a hell of a lot more than I let on, including stuff that is happening around me now. It might freak people out how much I actually know about things in general, especially when many of those people treat me like I haven't got a clue or supposedly "don't know any better" or just don't know in general. Well, guess what, people...I know things and I'm paying attention!!! I should note that just because I know things doesn't mean I'm going to actually act on them or do anything about them especially when things are not black and white, so to speak. In a lot of cases, I've gone out of my way to avoid potential situations and people because of the things I know. Sometimes, acting on what I know is not the best thing to do and I'm not one who wants to make things worse for people especially for those I care about and want the best for. I've made a lot of sacrifices doing that and I have suffered and I
wish some people could actually appreciate how much trouble I've gone
to in making those sacrifices. The wisdom to know the difference about when to act and when not to is tricky to come by but, being the rebel that I am, I really appreciate not just the stuff that I know but the wisdom that comes along with exercising judgements based on the stuff I know. One more blessing about being a rebel for me comes from my belief in Jesus Christ. Let's face it...Jesus was a rebel himself. Being the son of the Almighty, he rebelled against some of the greatest evils, temptations and suffering and made the ultimate sacrifice in order for the children of God to be able to get to Heaven. I know that might be a bit much for those who don't believe in Him or are not Christians but I've found comfort and faith and started accepting myself more as a rebel because of what I know of and believe in Jesus. I found that by believing in Jesus the burden of being the rebel I've been for most of my life has lessened. It's still not easy being a rebel but if there's been anything that has defined me in my life it is being one.<br />
<br />
- Throughout my
life there have been many events and people who helped shape the
direction of my social life and the nightlife in particular. The
dancing, the clubs, the late night dinners, the hanging out, the
drama, the friends I've made, the make-out sessions, the music...all
that and more have not just affected my social life but my life as a
whole. There are so many times where nightlife has outright saved me
either from boredom or even from myself. As most of you know, one of
my favorite lessons from the Bible is the Parable of the Sower where
you take faith as represented by a mustard seed, plant that seed in
hopefully the right soil and watch as it grows and flourishes. I've
taken that lesson to heart in not just my faith but in so many other
areas of my life. It reinforced the deeply held belief that I have
that everything good or bad started somewhere, that a seed was
planted and it grew into something more. The nightlife I've had and
still have now...my club life...is no exception. The seeds of that
aspect of my life were planted during my first year in Columbus<br />
<br />
As a somewhat naive
and insular freshman at Ohio State who was living away from home for
the first time in his life, I relished the chance to see what the
nightlife specifically had to offer. Before then, the only
experiences that gave me any idea what I might expect was whatever I
saw on TV (videos, shows, concerts, etc.), high school dances where I
went stag to most of them, and the one time I hit up a
nightclub...the old Agora in Cuyahoga Falls which eventually became
the Boot Scoot'n Saloon. Outside of that I had no idea what to
really expect. The place I considered my spot during that freshman
year, Park Alley & High Energy (two bars in one), was not the
first place I started dancing at. That honor actually goes to the
Newport Music Hall across from the Ohio Union (on a side note, I
attended my first concert ever on my first night in Columbus at the
Newport with the rap group 3<sup>rd</sup> Bass performing...heck of a
way to start my college career). They had an arrangement for a few
weekends in October & November of 1991...boy, am I dating myself
here...where they turned the concert hall into a dance club which is
similar to what is happening currently at the former Screaming
Willies/Big Easy/Club Dance venue which is called Project X. I met
up with a couple of guys named Curtis and Yusuf who seemed to have
the crowd mesmerized with their stuff and people surrounding them in
a circle regularly. I tried my hand at what they were doing and got
some attention myself including from those two guys who were
impressed. I was apparently the first white boy they met...their
words, not mine...who could actually dance and do a lot of the stuff
they could do. Honestly, it made me feel pretty damn good because I
never had that kind of praise before. Over the next few weekends we
kept doing our thing and then the Newport stopped doing the weekend
thing. I did try another nightclub a few doors down that eventually
became a music store...it even had an elevator (I don't know what it
is now or even if it's still standing)...for a couple of weekends
after but it wasn't the same. I don't remember what exactly led me
to the South Campus bars but by the end of November I had found my
new club home for what would be the rest of my freshman year in Park
Alley.<br />
<br />
I had what I still
believe to this day an amazing yet unreal experience during my time
at Park Alley. I met up with so many people there that folks in some
of my classes actually recognized me from dancing there. It's where
I met guys such as Roger Byrd (RIP), Mike Tutt, Cory Pariseau, and
the deejay Tommy D, with the latter two I still keep in touch with to
this day. I also saw many, many very beautiful, very hot, very
gorgeous girls and women which also served as my first real
experience around such women in general. I've talked before several
times about my hangups and intimidation of women I'm attracted to
and, believe me, there were so many that came through Park Alley and
High Energy that I had a hard time keeping my cool and not stumbling
and just trying to be friendly if not outright friends with
them...the dancing helped, obviously, but it was a nerve-wracking
experience nonetheless. Even today many still notice that about me.
Anyway, I remember one girl I met there named Jen Oxley who up to
that point in my life was probably the hottest and gorgeous girl I
had met. I don't normally name names here but she definitely
deserves a special mention in this case. Let's just say this...she
was so hot that a couple years later after the club closed when we
had a class together she came to my dorm room to drop off an
assignment from a class I missed and she, my roommates and I got to
talking when my girlfriend at the time walked in and showed one of
the most obvious jealous streaks I had ever seen even to this day.
My girlfriend actually freaked out for a few days afterward over
seeing her just talk to me...mind you, my roommates were in the room
but she still freaked. That's how hot Jen was. I had a huge crush
on her while going to the club but I never did act on it, partly
because I was scared and partly because I had no clue how to act on
it, but one big thing I do remember about her was that she dated a
guy who abused her. It got so bad that I actually saw the jerk punch
her at the club. He actually slugged her. I was fuming over it but
I couldn't do anything about it because he was somewhat of a
dangerous person and I wasn't sure it was my place to get involved.
I can never fathom how someone so beautiful would allow anyone to
abuse them in any fashion, but it was my first real upfront
experience with domestic violence. She did eventually dump the chump
and moved on. I have no idea what happened with her after that class
we shared in 1993 but she made a huge impression on me. There was
also the bouncer Owen who was the first person I met who was one of
the nicest badasses I've met in my lifetime...he was a tough guy but
he was also so cordial and just a cool guy all around. I've met a
few bouncers like that over the years but Owen was the first.<br />
<br />
Along with the
people I met up with there, there was the dancing. Me, Roger, Mike,
Cory, other people who'd roll through...we did a lot of dancing
there. I did a lot of people watching there which led to my later
interest and degree in sociology. I got drunk for the first time in
my life there with a bunch of 10 cent screwdrivers...yes, the alcohol
was cheap at that time. I only drank a couple of times there, maybe
three, because I had the dancing going for me and didn't need liquid
courage as much as some club patrons there felt they needed to. With
all the great stuff that went on during my time at Park Alley, I
never did much actual club hopping even with the concentration of
clubs and bar in the area at the time. It was the experience that
led me to start just being a regular at other clubs like Flyers, Club
Dance, Banana Joes, Harry Buffalo, the Outside Corner, Club Polaris,
currently the Red Fox and other past ones, sticking to one club as
opposed to doing a ton of bar hopping. I've always preferred
sticking to one spot because my experiences at Park Alley made me see
the potential of doing so. I think the closest experience I've had
to that have been the Club Dance/Big Easy which is something I got to
share with people not just from Columbus but from Akron as well which
I've talked about several times before. Near the end of the school
year the club and several other nearby ones closed because the owner
became a felon and I guess because of the circumstances he wasn't
allowed to own any alcoholic establishments. One of the regrets I do
have in my life is that I wasn't there for the last weekend, Memorial
Day weekend in 1992 that Park Alley was open. I didn't have a choice
in the matter and partially because I wasn't there I had a nightmare
weekend that ended up leading to a lot of bad & even terrifying
things happening to me that affect me to this day. One of the
“what-if” thoughts I've had over the years is how different
things would have turned out if only I had stayed at OSU and went to
Park Alley that last weekend it was open. Despite those
circumstances, I really had the time of my life at that place. I
wouldn't trade my experiences there for anyone else's in the world.
It's the experiences I had there that have led to some of the
greatest things, the greatest people and the greatest joy I've had in
my life and something I think God for every day.<br />
<br />
- Over the years
I've talked about various people who had the belief that I wanted to
just live in the past, in what supposedly only I saw as great times
at various clubs and that I treated them like it was still those
days. Reminiscing about my time at Park Alley made me realize a few
things about myself and there's some things I've been dying to say to
many of these people for years. This isn't about anybody who's
actively a part of my life today and it might repeat some stuff I've
said before but there is a couple new wrinkles I know I haven't
talked about so this is a good a time as any. Yes, I do believe
there were a lot of great times at those places. Were they perfect
times? Sometimes yes, sometimes hell no, but they were memorable to
me nonetheless. I suspect those folks might remember things
differently or they had a different experience from mine which may
account for their difference in recollections. I'm not a mind reader
so I'm not certain of that but that's my educated guess. I also
believe that a lot of times where I have talked about the past they
might have gotten the idea that I wanted to live there again. Let me
make some things clear about where I stand on that kind of stuff so
that there's no confusion in the future. First off, I do NOT want to
live in the past. Sure it might be nice to visit there and reminisce
but I really don't want to actually be there. Why, do you ask?
Simply put, because there is so much good stuff potentially to come
in the future. Sure, there were a lot of good times but the ones to
come have the potential to be so much better that even those, whether
they be in the club or not. Why stay in the past when the future
might be even better? It baffled me when people did accuse me of
doing that specifically but I don't believe they may have known where
I was coming from. Something else I want to address was how I
treated some of those people back in the day. To those folks I
ask...was I really all that bad? Seriously, just because I bring up
something from back in the day that you automatically think the worst
of intentions? I honestly can't speak for some of your experiences
but I can speak for mine. I thought I treated you pretty well and
thought we were cool back then. If there was anything I thought you
would want to take going forward, it would be that. There were also
times where I may not have seen some of you for months or even years
at a time. Yeah, of course I might want to reminisce but that's only
to establish something going forward. Many of you who did this
talked about “how things have changed” and all that. So...the
hell...what! That's the nature of life...change. I know that as
well as anybody. Yeah, some things stay the same but a lot has
changed for me and I know it has for a lot of you. Many of you
complained to others...yes, I have heard the complaints...that I do
this talking about back in the day “all the time”. Bull! I
don't do this “all the time”. I know for certain that in most of
your cases if not all of them I haven't seen you for months or years
at a time, so all I have to go on is what happened back then and
maybe seeing your Facebook status or Twitter to see what's going on
and hoping things are good right now but you still whined when I'd
bring things up. Maybe I'm digging, to get an idea where you are
now. Maybe I'm trying to get a read on you. Maybe I want to go
forward with you and want to root that in the good stuff from the
past. It doesn't mean I want to live there again. Geez, some of you
went ape over that and I worry you might do so again if this comes
up. Now, for those of you I'm talking about and those I'm not, you
might be wondering why I'm getting riled up or just get heated over
this. Well, what I'm sick of is people trying to deny me my life
experiences just so they can stay safe in the misery they scrounged
up regarding their own. I can see it. I see the irritation. I see
the changes in perspective. I see shame in some instances, a lot of
it unjustified. When I've dealt with this before it's caused me
unnecessary grief for long stretches and I'm sick of it. I will say
there is a possibility I will be dealing with them in some way in the
future and if they happen to be reading this...trust me when I tell
you I am not trying to live in the past. If people have different
recollections, that's one thing, but treating people like they're
trying to relive past glory when that's not what's going on is
another thing altogether. If you have some bad memories about the
past and I somehow remind you of that when talking about past stuff,
maybe you'd better check yourself before you wreck yourself, for lack
of a better term, because I hate seeing wrecks.<br />
<br />
- What I'm about to talk about is not about me...at least not right now if it ever will be. However, this is something I might face sometime down the line so this might end up becoming advice to myself that I might need to follow so I'm putting this here just in case of that. I've noticed several people, some friends and others I just know about, who lament not having a significant other in their lives. Some of them rant about the wrongs of the people they fell for who wronged them. Some of them wonder why they can't find someone to even date. I have actually seen several of them who have projected their own loneliness on others in the hopes of dealing with that loneliness. For all the people I'm talking about here, I've also noticed one major telling thing about them...they have an awful lot of friends and acquaintances. I mean a whole lot of them. Here's a thought I had when looking at these single people and the huge amount of friends and acquaintances...why not consider some of them as people to date? I'm talking about those whose gender you are attracted to, obviously, but why not look in that direction? I'm not talking about those who jump into something as soon as they meet them nor am I talking about those who started out dating and then just ended up friends later. I'm talking about potentially taking an already existing friendship to a higher level. You can always find reasons or excuses to keep people as just friends or acquaintances especially if they might not be considered a "perfect fit"...it happens all the time and sometimes it's a hard habit to even consider changing. It's "safe" to be like that. Quite frankly, I'm like that but I am speaking to those folks who are more likely to be braver than I am right now. I just wonder if it is in some of them to consider expanding their dating or relationship pool more to include those they might already have a comfort level with as friends or whatever level they're at currently. I bet they're wondering if it's too much of a risk to a friendship to pursue something like this. I would easily answer "Yes!" There is always a risk. There's a risk anyway even if there wasn't a friendship beforehand. Honestly, I think there actually may be less of a risk than with a complete stranger because there is already a level of established comfort there. It might make for a solid foundation for something more. A few years ago one of my female friends started dating a guy she was friends with for years...now she is married to him, they have a couple of kids, and they have the kind of love and relationship and happiness that I want for myself with a woman. Now, I see the potential for a lot of my friends to have that for themselves who are already in a position to actually find someone in the same way. It kills me to see some of them so unhappy about their love lives that they can't see that the person he or she is looking for might already be there for the taking. I want to see them be happy with someone but I don't want them to limit their options to the point where they end up with some jerk who might make them more bitter. I guess here's the question I would probably ask myself if this came up...would you like to have something great with someone you just met or have something even greater with someone you already know? Just my two and a half cents.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Bring Em Out" by T.I. This is a song that just screams "rebellion" to me. It's a high energy, in-your-face ditty and potential entrance music for those who might consider themselves a rebel. I think it fits with this edition of DJRT.<br />
<br />
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<br />
- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Ernest W., Jenny K., Sarah & Dave, Paula H., Melissa, Alan, Paula M., Aunt Sue, Holly, Cara, Ron M., Bob & Lynn, Stan, Kevin, Brandon, Mary S., Zach (Christian), Michelle W., and Sean D.<br />
<br />
I actually had a few more things I could have added to this edition but I think they'll keep for another time. I know I may have been a little heavy-handed and deeper than usual with some of the stuff today but I was able to get it out and that's what mattered to me. I'm hoping to hit up a wrestling show this upcoming weekend but I hope the weather improves a bit first. Overall, I just want my 70s and sun back, sooner than later. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-68337816243409341902015-01-26T06:46:00.000-05:002015-01-26T07:04:11.485-05:00Random Thoughts #145 - the "undisputed" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I haven't done this since last year so I thought I'd better get another one out there (as I am sticking out my tongue like a brat does at this moment). Anyway, this is coming out late or early depending on your point of view so let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- The reason I'm actually doing this so early in the morning is because of an event that happened last night...the Royal Rumble for 2015. I thought last year's Rumble was bad but outside of one good Triple Threat title match and a couple of surprise Rumble entries, this year's Rumble match...well, let's face it...it was a train wreck. There was barely anything to make you jump out of your seat and no real "whoa!" moments except for the returning Bubba Ray Dudley and Diamond Dallas Page moments. Heck, even the eliminations themselves were just boring...just simple dumpoffs over the top rope with no Gorilla Press slam eliminations, nobody really flying out of the ring...just slow and plodding eliminations. The Philadelphia crowd let them have it with the boos most of the night, especially when Daniel Bryan was eliminated early. It was pretty bad. To make things worse, as of this moment the top Twitter trend in the United States is "#CancelWWENetwork". There were also reports of cars blocking WWE folks from leaving the arena after the event and even The Rock, who is actually pretty popular with Philly folk and made a surprise appearance at the end, was booed mercilessly. I was up most of the night just reading about how bad WWE looked with this year's Royal Rumble. Even Time magazine's website now has an article about the "#CancelWWENetwork" trend and how poorly the Rumble came off. I'll say this...if WWE thought what was best for business was last night's Royal Rumble, then they should get out of that business as fast as humanly possible. The company is losing it's touch and if enough people make a dent with cancelling their WWE Network subscriptions, they are going to take a heavy financial hit. The last thing the company needs especially going into Wrestlemania season is continuing erosion of people's faith in their ability to deliver a top notch product. If last night is any indication...and I think it is...the company has its work cut out for them.<br />
<br />
- Now for the reason for the subtitle of this edition. The Ohio State Buckeyes football team, after a lot of doubt from pundits (and yours truly), insults from haters and early stumbles during the football season, have done what was unthinkable and won the College Football national championship after steamrolling Wisconsin in the B1G championship game, beat a heavily favored Alabama team in the Sugar Bowl and overpowering Oregon in the championship game. I have to admit, I did not see this coming one bit. I thought in all three games they were going to come up short. Shows what I know. Nevertheless, I am one happy Ohio State alum. I even got a National Championship shirt which is posted up at the top of this edition...it's a bit oversized but at least I got one. The last time the Bucks won a national championship, I started back at OSU a year later and eventually earned my degree. If the trend of karma continues...I'm pretty certain it's not gonna take me back to OSU but what I am hoping for is the heralding of the next evolution of DJRT to where I'm aiming to take it. As of earlier this month I have started down that path and it looks like it's gonna take me a while to learn what stuff I need to learn and do to make it work short and long term, but I've embarked on it nonetheless. In any case, congratulations to The Ohio State Buckeyes on their success this past season.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of congrats, I want to congratulate my friends Melissa and Alan on their engagement over the weekend. It's been a long time coming with many saying "Finally!!!" but I wish the best for the both of them.<br />
<br />
- <b>Query</b>: I haven't done one of these in a while but after seeing something a couple weeks ago I am interested in seeing what kinds of opinions are out there regarding something related to it. The original subject was about a potential dating/relationship quirk. Without going into too many specifics about what I saw before asking anything about it, here's the query I have: if you are dating someone, how long do you think it would take before you'd consider yourself in a relationship with that person "officially", or at least long enough that if it didn't work out you'd call them an "ex"? I'm not talking about those people who dive right into a relationship...I've done that once myself and might even do so again if the right person comes along at the right time, but that's just me...just those who are simply dating. In my opinion, I say it has to be at least a month, maybe even two months, before I would even think about considering that an outright relationship. The reason I ask is that I saw a girl possibly and viciously use the "ex" designation on someone she simply dated...no relationship, just dating...for about a week and thought "boy, that seems odd" especially since the girl got all worked up about it and the guy she was dating. Anyway, I already shared my view on that but I'm interested in what other people believe. What do you think?<br />
<br />
- This past month, things have been up and down for me. Like I said earlier, I've been working on DJRT stuff which is definitely an "up" for me. I've also had this new laptop I've got for Christmas which is probably the best present I've gotten in years, maybe ever. I'm very happy with it. On the flip side, my depression's been kicking in now and then and it's been rough with some of the thoughts that have come with that. I've had a bit of trouble with sinus issues as well throwing me off physically and I've caught a couple of bugs to boot, one I'm recovering from now. My New Year's was alright though I wasn't at my best. I also haven't generally been as up socially as I'd been previously but I'm hoping that changes in the near future as well. This roller coaster has been rough but I'm doing the best I can and I have a lot to look forward to though some of it might be a ways off...like the walks, the festivals, the good weather coming back...that kind of stuff. I'm hoping that stuff comes sooner than later.<br />
<br />
- I'm going to get a bit personal here in terms of subject matter but I'm going to be as general as possible because though this isn't about me, it could apply to me down the line. Right now there are a few friends of mine who are currently going through or have gone through some very rough times as of late. These folks are possibly asking questions of themselves that they never imagined ever having to ask and potentially having to make some really tough decisions...some because they have no choice other than to do so, some because it's for the best for everyone involved in whatever they're dealing with, some to prepare for a future with or without certain people, some because something changed regarding their dreams (something I might be facing down the road regarding a certain area of my life)...it's those and several other scenarios here. As someone who's been down that road too many times to count myself...especially when I didn't want to be...I do want to say that though I'm not there with those friends in person going though whatever it is they're dealing with, I'm definitely with them in spirit and praying and hoping for them to pull through and potentially overcome whatever they're facing or going to face. I know times might not be easy in either the short or long term and I don't envy them one bit regarding any of this kind of stuff, but I thought those folks should know I feel for them and I'm hoping for the best outcome possible.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Don't" by Ed Sheeran. This past month, this song has been the definition of a song on repeat. It's catchy...at least to me...and reflects some feelings I've had in the past. This song hits the spot regarding some of those feelings.<br />
<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Kevin, Stacey, Sarah & Dave, Jay, Ron M., Stephanie, Melissa, Alan, Desiree, Mary, Sean D., April K., Ron U., Griff, Jenny K., Anna, Tony C., Jalen, Stan, Jay, Bob & Lynn<br />
<br />
Aaaaaaaand with that is the end of this edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. There is one thing I want to say that I've probably said every year around this time since I was a kid and even a few times on here...it's too friggin' cold outside. I hope everybody keeps safe and warm and I'll see you next time. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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DJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-35317944261488136452014-12-30T20:48:00.001-05:002014-12-30T20:48:55.627-05:00Random Thoughts #144 - the "2014 review" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and welcome to the last edition of DJ's Random Thoughts for 2014. I hope everybody is enjoying their holidays this year (I definitely am). I've got a lot to get to today so I'm just gonna jump on into the fire here. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- I know DJRT has been pretty quiet over the past few months with only one in the past three months plus. I apologize for that but I have been very busy in the real world. I've been working a holiday job at Macy's and the schedule has been pretty brutal in terms of when I've had to go to work. Because of that, I haven't gone out or done much of anything worth noting. I haven't even been able to watch football or do too much dancing because of the schedule I've had. However, the rough schedule is now over for the most part and it looks like I'm gonna be able to start getting back to things I've been missing out on in the past few months or so. I am really looking forward to that especially with some stuff and events coming up.<br />
<br />
- As noted in the subtitle and as I do at or near the end of every year, I give a general overview of how my year went. Given some of the editions from this past year, one would think the prevailing theme would be the issues surrounding my emotions, especially my anger. Despite the intensity of what happened with all that, it actually was not the big theme. The theme of 2014 for me seemed to be "upgrading and modernizing". I am in an extremely different place regarding the types of things I use each and every day from last year at this time. In the span of one year I have upgraded my phone to a smartphone, replaced or modernized about three-fourths of my wardrobe, and as of a few days ago now mostly using a new laptop I got for Christmas which I am using on this edition of DJRT. All of the new stuff replaced things that were several years old and were things I desperately needed to modernize or in some cases get ahead of the curve. Just how much changed on that front along make it the prevailing theme for my 2014. I did get to head out to a couple of wrestling shows this year. I also got to hit up some festivals and special events though not as many as last year. I got to attend a wedding and date a little bit which were things I haven't done in years. I also got to do a lot more dancing than in years past and made some new friends in the process. Overall it's been an eventful year. Last year I noted that I thought 2014 was going to be an awesome year for me. In some facets it was and others it definitely wasn't. I do have a few things I want from 2015...I want to improve on both the good and the bad from 2014, I want to hit up more festivals & special events than last year and I want to be able to take DJRT much closer to where I've been dreaming to take it for so long now. Because of some events in the past year, I can say I am 25 percent of the way toward where I want to take DJRT which is a decent improvement over last year at this time. 2014 wasn't a bad year nor was it a banner year for yours truly, but it definitely was an active one. Ultimately I just want this next year to be overall better than the last one.<br />
<br />
- The Cleveland Browns season is over and it definitely was an up and down season. It went up...then it went down. They were on top of the AFC North and 7-4 at one point but thanks to injuries, some rookie coaching mistakes and some bad play they lost their last five games to end their season at 7-9. It was a rough tumble but I think the injury to center Alex Mack was a dominating factor in why they had such a significant downfall late in the season. Unlike last year, where I was so disgusted with the Browns that I stopped watching their last couple of games early, I think the team is in a much better place this time around and poised to go upward. The change in the culture is ongoing but I am definitely seeing the improvements. Heck, this has been the best season they've had in years. They definitely need to make some changes in the offseason but for the first time in forever not in the front office or head coach. I think some changes in personnel are needed and possibly coming as well as getting some upgrades at several positions on the field will do wonders for the Browns next season. They have two first round picks to help with some of that. I think they should concentrate on the tight end and wide receiver positions this offseason as they might need a couple of player upgrades there. The bottom line for me is that despite the freefall at the end of the season I feel much better about the team than I did last year.<br />
<br />
- The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a shaky start this year even with LeBron James back on the team. The head coach and players seem to be taking their time feeling each other out still and it's showing in games. The team has been hot and cold. I think it has to do with the combination of a new head coach, new gameplan and the players not gelling as a unified team just yet. I think they will get there eventually but it might take some soul-searching from some on the team first before it happens. This is one of the most talented teams in years by overall NBA standards and a lot of people are wondering why it isn't doing better, but I would recommend being patient...it'll come together soon enough.<br />
<br />
- Who woulda thunk the Ohio State Buckeyes football team would be in the playoff for a national championship this season? I didn't, especially with the struggles at the beginning of the season. They have come a long way, though. They destroyed a highly ranked Wisconsin squad in the Big Ten championship game which shocked the hell out of me but I don't expect the same result in their upcoming Sugar Bowl match up against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Regardless, it has been a great season, one that makes me proud to be an alumni of The Ohio State University.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of alumni, I want to congratulate my friend Jay Watkins on graduating from Ohio State a couple weeks ago. It's nice to have someone else from my crew now be a fellow alumnus. Enjoy your success, my friend.<br />
<br />
- I just want it to be known that there is nothing "gangsta" about a onesie...absolutely nothing whatsoever.<br />
<br />
- Project X is coming. The people who have been setting up parties at the Endzone club in downtown Columbus are now opening up a new club called Project X at the location of the former Screaming Willies/Big Easy/Bourbon Street/Club Dance on the east side of Columbus. The grand opening is scheduled to open on January 23rd...I'm not gonna be able to go to that but some of you in Columbus might want to hit that up. So many of you know how much Bourbon Street meant to me, so seeing the place become a night club again is a treat for yours truly. I don't know what the operating hours are going to be at this time but if they are gonna be open on Saturdays and they're around in the middle of next year, that might be a time to bring up a Corporation reunion or overall Crew reunion. To my peeps in Akron who remember our times at Screaming Willies or might be interested...summer roadtrip anyone?<br />
<br />
- Robin Williams...Shirley Temple...Maya Angelou...Mickey Rooney...James Garner...Ruby Dee...Casey Kasem...Lauren Bacall...Joe Cocker...those are just some of the memorable names who have passed away in 2014. I don't remember when so many icons and iconic figures died in the same calendar year. The death of Robin Williams hit me especially hard but it is shocking to see so many prominent names now gone. Peaceful journey, good folks.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "It's A Miracle" by Queen. Given how some things in the past year have gone for me an some of my friends, it does seem to be a miracle that we are still going as strong as we do during the difficult times. I thought this song best encapsulated that notion.<br />
<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Cory, Patrick Hayes (Tom B.), Carlo, Anna, Stephanie, Ron U., Dave & Sarah, Alan, Melissa, Mary, Micah, Stan, Jay, Kevin, Fran, Margie, Stephen, Uncle Gary, Uncle Larry, Jamie & Dave, Dave M. and Ron M.<br />
<br />
That's it for this edition. It has been a very interesting year and I hope that 2015 is a great year especially for DJRT. I'm crossing my fingers on that. Before I go, I want to wish all of you a safe and happy New Year and I'll see you next year. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Hello and welcome to another edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's been a couple of months since I did the last one and, believe me, I needed the time away. A lot has happened since the last edition and up until a few days ago I've pretty much been busy with stuff for at least a month straight. With that in mind, let's get to this. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- There are a couple of reasons that this edition is called the "recovering" edition. First is the proverbial elephant in the room, that being the anger and frustration I talked about from the last edition. I was definitely not in a good place when I talked about that stuff. Have things changed since then? Somewhat though there is probably always going to be a simmering anger due to my ongoing issues with depression but I am back from the ledge, so to speak. With the exception of a weekend in the middle of October which I'll get into later, I haven't really done all that much social-wise. For the last month or so I made a conscious decision to pull back from a lot of stuff and focus on myself. I needed to recover from all the angry turmoil I was going through and not return here at least until I did so. Part of that involved me working a Halloween seasonal retail job that just ended a few days ago...yes, that's right, my first retail job in over 15 years. Due to the nature of this particular job I had to pull back on some of my activities including DJRT until it was done. By the time it ended I was physically and mentally exhausted and I have been doing my best the past few days to recover from that exhaustion. Today is the first day I've had any sense of a "back to normal" feeling in a very long time. I still have some resting and recovering to do but I did want to let people know that I'm back from the brink. Something that's helped and will continue to for the foreseeable future is that I've been working on changing some things in my life that I've been wanting to for a long time...nothing major life-wise or affecting anybody else other than me but a lot of background stuff that needed either updated or changed outright or pulled closer to home in a couple of instances. The seasonal job helped me out with some of that and now I think I'm ready to get back to some of the stuff I love to do...dancing, DJRT, socializing, etc....and at the same time move forward with my life in general. I'm not sure where it's going short term at the moment because there's still some flux and I'm still in recovery mode but the long term is always in my thoughts especially regarding DJRT.<br />
<br />
- Although I don't want to get into too much about the last edition, there is something from it that I wanted to touch on that I wrote about which may have seemed a little odd to include at the time...that being the "my friends being my friends" blurb. Something happened either before or after I wrote that up (I don't remember exactly when) that's related to what I talked about there which also had to do with something from an edition of DJRT I did earlier this year. Remember when I talked about a guy giving me the cold shoulder? If not, read the "cold shoulder" edition, but in that edition I really didn't get into why we had a falling out all those years ago...just that there was one. I saw him again at the club and for some odd reason internally I panicked and called some of my friends to come to the club just in case something happened. At the time I didn't know why I did that as I've never really been all that concerned about stuff happening at the club but some of my friends obliged me anyway and I am thankful to them for their support. After some time away and some serious thought I think I know why I panicked now and it's about something I came to regret over the years regarding that falling out on my end and how it led to the "my friends are my friends, period" vow.<br />
<br />
There is a period of time between the end of the year 2000 and around the end of summer in 2002 before I started ITS and going to the Harry Buffalo where I was in a limbo of sorts in many areas of my life. Even though I just started getting help for my issues at that time, I was drinking pretty regularly, going to places that maybe I should not have and went through one of the biggest malaises I've ever had in my life. I hung out at a place called Banana Joes which was later called Margarita Mamas where I met and hung out with many different people. One of them was the guy who I talked about in the "cold shoulder" edition, a big, tall white guy named Roger (I don't usually give names but I didn't want to avoid doing that here and I wanted to note it's not about my old friend who died several years ago). We hit it off but something I noticed at the time I hung out with him is that nobody else really wanted to hang out with me. I didn't know why and I thought it had something to do with me personally or my depression. Sure they would be around me but I got the sense that I wasn't wanted, so I just hung out with Roger. One day all the avoidance really got to me and something happened...I don't remember what, but something happened where I just got angry at Roger and decided to stop hanging around him. Once I did that, people seemed to start warming up to me almost immediately and wanting to hang with me again. There were no changes in my daily or weekend routines and at the time I hadn't changed anything other than not being around Roger. Once people saw that I wasn't hanging out with Roger anymore, again, the people who were regularly around me at the time were much more friendly to me and cordial. It was like night and day and even now I don't have any real clue as to why things fell into place like that. At the time, once I started regularly hanging out with people in general again, I started getting this idea that Roger was part of the reason people weren't around me and until I really got into ITS I resented him for that. To this day I don't know if he had anything to do with that and it's a phenomenon I haven't experienced since. I came to regret the resentment I had for him at that time but the uncertainty of why things went down like that always stuck in the back of my mind. Something that may have factored into why that uncertainty was still there was that from the moment I started ITS and hanging out at the Harry Buffalo, I have not seen or heard from one single person that I hung out with from that time with the exception of four friends of mine (two who like myself started going to the Harry Buffalo and became better friends there and the other two I only became reacquainted with at the Red Fox this past year, none of whom were involved with any of this)...not one single person. It was like they dropped off the face of the earth. It was weird.<br />
<br />
In any case, I believe that my regret about what happened with Roger combined with the fact that I haven't seen or heard from people I was regularly around then led to an epiphany for me in ITS that I hold to this day. That epiphany was that my friends were going to be my friends, period, and if people have issues because I'm friends with some particular person then they're the ones with the problem. I'm very thankful for the friends and people in my life and I don't want to take them or this epiphany for granted. I can't control what other people think or feel so if they have problems with that it's their burden to bear. With all that anger I was dealing with a couple months back, this regret was one of the things I've been angry at myself with for so long and it popped up again as I was compiling the last edition so I decided to include some of this stuff with it.<br />
<br />
- Moving on, it looks like the Republican Party will take control of a majority of the U.S. Senate next year and have gains in the U.S. House of Representatives. For those people lamenting what happened in the elections yesterday, I can only say that the "Get Out The Vote" initiative for Democrats didn't work out all that well and it should be a priority for them to fix for future midterm elections. It was enough that it tempted me to want to jump back into working in politics again. Given my history with politics, that temptation is likely fleeting but I guess it means I can be motivated again. Some people might want to beware of that!<br />
<br />
- Who woulda thunk that the Cleveland Browns would be 5-3 at the halfway point of the 2014 season with a chance to take a lead in the AFC North coming up with the next game? I didn't but that is the case. I may not be happy with how ugly the wins are but I'm happy with where they are right now and how things seem to FINALLY be turning around for the team. It's about damn time.<br />
<br />
- The Cleveland Cavaliers had to institute a lottery to determine who would get single-game tickets for individual games this year. With how they're looking so far, unless they get it together in the next month or so they may be cancelling that lottery. Granted they are only three games into the season but they are looking rather sluggish for an All-Star-looking team. I hope they get it together and I think they will but I do want it sooner or later.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of the lottery, I was able to avoid that by getting tickets for a preseason game at the Q. My friend Bob and I went up to watch them play the Dallas Mavericks, which they looked alright but since it was preseason it wasn't a full effort especially with Kevin Love and Shawn Marion given the night off. We had a good time though I was starting to get the aforementioned exhaustion from work around then which dulled my own personal enjoyment a bit. I will say this, though...it pays to go to official draft parties and events because I got free tickets to this game because I went to the NBA Draft Party at the Q back in June. It pays to be opportunistic sometimes.<br />
<br />
- I want to congratulate my friends Dave and Sarah on getting married in mid-October. I was lucky and blessed to be able to help them out a little bit at their wedding and the afterparty at the Red Fox. It was a lot of fun and I wish them the absolute best.<br />
<br />
- Since getting my Android smartphone a few months back, I've been playing a lot of different games on my phone...more than I expected to but I've been itching to try some since I got it. I regularly play Candy Crush Saga, Marvel Puzzle Quest, Avengers Alliance (though I think it needs updated a bit for Android) and Transformers Legends (a card game) One game that is sorta new but really good so far is called Legion of Heroes. It is the kind of game I might play on my computer or video game system and I just started it recently. There's other games that I do play but those are the big ones. I also want to note how much I've been using that phone. It has become a regular part of my life, more so than the other cell phones I've had in the past. I've used it for things I've never thought to before so it's been a blessing, for sure.<br />
<br />
- The edition pic is something I came across randomly while surfing the net. It is a pic of the signs for some of the clubs in the South Campus bar district that used to be next to Ohio State. I went to Flyers mostly but I've been to some of the others like Coeds, Froggys and Mean Mr. Mustards. Looking at that pic I also remember my experiences at Park Alley/High Energy (my freshman year hangout...tons of good times there), Papa Joes and The Pit...interesting times I've had at those places and met a lot of interesting people, some I still hang out with or associate with now. Maybe I'll talk about those times again in a future edition but for now that pic is enough to take me back.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of games, I came across a website that has a bunch of them online. It's called the <a href="https://archive.org/details/internetarcade" target="_blank">Internet Arcade</a> and it is a web-based library of old coin-op (remember that term?) and arcade video games from back in the day. You don't need to download anything...just go to the site, click on the game you want and play it in your browser. I haven't had the chance to check it out but I thought some of you might want to yourselves. For some of you, I expect it will take you back to some of your childhoods. Check it out.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Wedding Dress" by Matt Nathanson. With my friends' wedding and hearing about a lot more fall nuptials than spring or summer ones this year, I thought it would be an appropriate time to listen to this song on repeat. If I ever get married, this is one of those songs I would like to incorporate somehow into the ceremony. Of course that would depend on what my future wife would want to do, but in any case I really like this song.<br />
<br />
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<br />
- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Micah, Stephanie, Ron U., Melissa, Bob, Lynn, Alan, Mary, Brandon, Stephen, Kevin, Ron M., and Dave & Sarah.<br />
<br />
That's it for now. I have been very busy as of late and I need to rest and relax for a while before I commit to anything else. I am in a better place mentally now than I have been for at least half of this year so I've got that going for me. I just hope I'll be ready for what comes next. With that I bid you all adieu. Until next time folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Thoughts. There isn't going to be any songs on repeat or shoutouts.
There isn't going to be any official "pic" here either. I'm not even
sure I should be even putting this here now or at all. For right now,
though, this is the only real safe outlet for me to even talk about what
I'm about to talk about. This is not going to be for the faint of
heart. I also have no intentions of putting anybody on blast or
singling anybody out with what I'm about to say, but for those that feel
it might or this could apply to them I don't know what to say other
than maybe it's time for some reflection or to just take yourself out of
it and focus on the bigger picture of what I'm saying. This is me
being raw or at least more raw than I'm used to. With that, I'm gonna
get started here.<br />
<br />
- I'm just going to get to the
bottom line of this edition right now...I am not okay. I'm
angry...really angry...at some people, the world in general and myself.
I'm frustrated. I've got this huge chip on my shoulder. I've got
people angry or confused over things I've done or decisions I've made.
It's taking a ton of energy just to get simple enjoyment out of things I
want or expected to enjoy. I feel like I'm being pushed in directions
or asked to do or be things that violate my own personal hard-fought-for
boundaries. My depression and other mental illness-related crap is
hitting me hard. I feel so...radioactive, for lack of a better
term...actually, that might be the perfect word. This isn't just some
recent phenomenon. This actually has been going on probably between
five to six months now but it has been building to the point where it's
taking an awful lot of effort to stop myself from boiling over which has
almost happened on a couple of occasions recently. Last Friday I was
in a really bad mood and hoped that I could improve that by going out
and dancing...a couple specific things happen at the club and I'm worse
off, fuming, ready to boil over and just walked out of the club without
any warning or any goodbyes to anyone...yes, I was rude about that but
given my mood I'm just thanking God that it wasn't anything worse than
that because it could have been had I stayed. I actually posted the
following on Facebook after I left: "<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">People want to know how I'm feeling right now? F*** the damn world...that's how I f***ing feel!</span>"
I've never posted anything that angry before there but that's where my
head was at and still is to some degree even now. I'm not at my wits
end just yet but it's getting harder and harder to put on my "brave
face" with all the anger and frustration I'm feeling.<br />
<br />
-
I'm not going to get into all the stuff or every little thing that's
happening to me or around me or with me. With a good portion of it, I
couldn't or wouldn't talk about it anyway here or privately. I was
actually hoping the past couple of editions would clue people in on
where my head's been at, especially with the subtitles and some of the
content. Apparently it didn't happen and thus this edition is here to
make a lot of that more clear. However, I do want to talk something
that probably should be done privately with certain people but there's
something related to my anger issues right now I need some other folks
to see (and I'm taking a huge chance here doing so). Over the past few
months there have been a couple of women that have been interested in me
and wanted to date me...yes, there was more than one. I know I told
one of them this already but given what I've been going through I think
just being friends is what would be best. I know that's something
neither of those ladies likely wanted and I've seen the disappointment
already (could be an understatement there but I'm not certain) but
friendship is all I can give to them. Now, I should note that I've been
rather reluctant to actually talk about this with either of them
privately and I apologize to them for not being able to do so but there
is something that has made me rather reluctant to even approach them
about it that has been pissing me off big time. I also want to note
right now that I'm not angry at all at these two ladies. They may not
be happy with me but I'm not angry at them. However, I am angry at some
folks who seem insistent on giving their two cents, being overly
righteous and pretty much outright harassing me about being with either
of these ladies. Even after I told these folks that I just wanted to be
friends with them and they indicated they would respect that, they were
still pushing me, cajoling me and using peer pressure to try to make
something happen. They really pissed me off. First off, and I've said
this before several times, I hate being pushed toward specific women,
especially under the umbrella of peer pressure. That's too high school
and drama-laden for me to deal with. Second, they violated my
boundaries when addressing me, coming off as indignantly righteous when
it really wasn't their business. They made it seem like they were
trying to help out or "do me a favor" so to speak but in reality they
were just defending some ideal situation they wanted to happen
regardless of what either me or these ladies felt. Although I'm not
gonna put anybody specifically on blast about it, there are at least
three people I know of...maybe more than that but at least three...that
pulled this crap and it really got under my skin. I know that talking
about this here might not have been the best idea but, honestly, I'm too
angry to give a damn.<br />
<br />
- There is one more thing I
want to note that is ticking me off and it's something about my
friends. Let me make something very clear to people...my friends are my
friends, period. Whether we do something on a regular basis or do
nothing together, whether we talk everyday or rarely at all, whether we
keep up with each other regularly or not...my friends are still my
friends. It gets annoying seeing people put up pics and statuses and
updates from random folks on what it means to be a friend especially if
those people are the ones who aren't being a friend themselves. I don't
look at my friends as a "how" or a "why" or simply a "who" or a "what
can they do for me" or any of those things. To me, my friends are not a
question...they are an answer. If some folks have a problem with me
being friends with someone...or "just" being friends with someone as the
case may be with some women...then they should probably just go about
their own business and leave me to mine. I don't need nor want their
fake superiority nor fake authority on friendship issues.<br />
<br />
Let
me just say this...overall I am not okay, I am angry and I am not
happy. I know there may be some sympathy out there for me...or not, who
knows...and folks wanting to help me out but unfortunately this is
something that either I have to work out for myself or it will resolve
itself on its own. That could all change tomorrow or next week or next
month or maybe this
anger will stick around for the long haul for all I know...I don't have a
clue. I
don't know what to expect going forward either so I'm not even gonna
bother to ask for anything from anybody because I don't even know what
I'm wanting or going to do. All I know for certain right now is that if
there are a lot of people angry or upset at me right now...and there
may just might be...I can assure you that collectively they are not even remotely
close to how pissed off I've been and no amount of animation of it on
their part can change that. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and
tired and angry. The next edition should be more back to its regular
format but that's it for now. I've got a headache to try to get rid of
here. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
One pissed off DJ<br />
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's been a while since I've done one and a lot has happened since the last edition. I will state that this edition will be rather long with more links than the norm and it will be heavy at points. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- The subtitle of this edition, "knock around", is a term I usually throw around when I'm talking about clothing that I just put on to wear around the house...for example, a "knock around" pair of jeans or a "knock around" shirt. However, for this edition this subtitle is more descriptive of what's been going on with me for a while now. I have been knocked around physically, emotionally and mentally a lot. I'll get into the emotional/mental stuff later on but at Circle Fest I tripped over a parking backstop that was painted black...seriously, they're painted yellow so they can be seen so why paint one black and make it so they can't be seen at night? I'm shaking my head at that. Anyway, I dinged up my shoulder which is only starting to feel better now and scraped both my right elbow & right knee. Between that and my sinuses acting up from changing weather, it's been rather rough.<br />
<br />
- <b>Peaceful Journey</b>: A couple of weeks ago Robin Williams committed suicide. This is upsetting to me on so many levels. First off, he was my favorite comedian like he was for many folks. He was also a close friend of one of my heroes Christopher Reeve and had equal if not greater acting chops as well. Despite his success and awesome comedic career, he also struggled with depression that led him to things like alcoholism and drug abuse before taking his own life. I knew of his depression from an interview he gave years ago and him speaking of his struggles with it gave me inspiration in dealing with my own mental illness issues which I'll get more into later. He's brought so much joy to my life and the world at large that to say I'll miss him seems like too much of an understatement. It's a hard hit to take, that's for sure. Peaceful journey, good man.<br />
<br />
- If you are looking for more of the "happy-happy, joy-joy" type of stuff I put in DJRT, then skip this blurb because I'm about to get rather personal and serious here and maybe even blunt. For those of you who can or want to understand me a bit more, keep reading. I don't talk about myself so specifically like this so bear with me. Many of you know I've been struggling with mental illness for a long time now but in light of what happened with Robin Williams I want to be more specific about some of the struggles I have with it...not all of it but some of what I face every day. I was
diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, the professional term for
clinical depression, about 14 years ago along with a couple other
diagnoses but I had obviously been suffering from it since I was a
teenager. I don't have much of a clue as to what is responsible for it
whether it be biological, social, a combination of things or whatever.
All I know is that I suffer from it. I've done the therapy thing. I've
done the medication thing. I'm doing the best I can in managing my life
while having this. With all that, it is still "the elephant in the room"
for me, so to speak. It doesn't just burden me but a lot of the people
around me even though many of them don't realize how deeply this affects
me...or them. It is extremely crippling even to those we look up to as successful. Regarding Robin Williams' depression, as I mentioned earlier, when I heard of his depression I gained a lot more
respect for him and started looking up to him as an inspriation in
facing my own "demons" (some people don't like that term but that's what
it feels I'm doing...facing demons). Again, I am extremely saddened that he
took his own life because it got too much for him. I had a cousin who
also suffered from mental illness himself who died while I was in high school in the same fashion Robin
did so this is hitting very close to home right now. I have a lot of
thoughts floating through my head, especially related to the depression
stuff. I've had much of the serious stuff go through my own head...some of it recently, some long ago, none
suicidal, thank God, but I face this pretty much daily. I do tend to do a lot of hiding and I have been treated like
a burden or "the" burden. I've had friends & family looking over
their shoulders because of behaviors and actions in the past I've
exhibited that have deep roots in my depression. It is embarrassing to
deal with not just because I feel that way but let's face it...there are
very few folks out there who know how to really deal with folks like
me. Most people feel sorry for those having to deal with mental illness
in general but for the most part it freaks them the hell out. I've seen
freakouts happen with people around me, much of it comically obvious. I
do my best to hide it and myself if necessary and I do have somewhat of a
life if just a limited one but I struggle with staying stable and all
that other stuff to this day. I do try to get away from the thoughts
brought on by my mental health issues usually by distracting myself and
focusing on something else. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I just hope that in light of what happened with Robin Williams that
maybe people in general will learn to take depression and mental illness
more seriously as the disease and medical illness it is and not as the
stigma and "excuse" that many including people I know try to make it out to be.<br />
<br />
- For those of you who want a generally better idea of what it means to have depression specifically, I have three links to Huffington Post articles that probably do a damn better job than I could in giving folks at least a clue about what I face and what it means to have or deal with depression. The first is an article called "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-romolini/its-time-to-talk-about-su_b_5691985.html" target="_blank">It's Time To Talk About Suicide</a>" which is primarily about suicide but if you scroll down the article there is a passage in grey describing some of what depression feels like which I think should be focused on. The second article is titled "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/21/what-depression-feels-like_n_5696227.html" target="_blank">What Does Depression Physically Feel Like</a>" which talks about some of the feelings depressed folks have. Believe me, I've thought and felt a lot of that stuff. The third and I believe most important article I have to share is "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/26/depression-frustrations_n_5692649.html?utm_hp_ref=tw" target="_blank">9 Things Only People With Depression Can Truly Understand</a>". If there was any article I could recommend when talking about depression it's this last one. This is highly recommended reading especially for those who prefer taking a "hard stand" or "tough love" approach because this might be a reality check for them if they're not too stubborn or hardheaded to understand and or accept what we depressed folks actually have to face. I know some who are too stubborn and thus come off unenlightened and ultimately stupid in the end so they will more likely desperately need this info even though they might blow it off due to said stupidity. Anyway, take a look at these links if you want an understanding of stuff related to depression.<br />
<br />
- Before I move on, at the risk of being knocked around even more I want to state for the record that I want absolutely nothing to do with those "ice bucket challenges" that have been all the rage on social media. I have many reasons why I don't want in on that stuff but ultimately I just think it's a stupid idea and I'd rather not be challenged, called out or put on blast. If folks want to do them, that's their collective prerogative but leave me out of it.<br />
<br />
- To change the tone for a moment, I thought I'd pass along some information about an upcoming volunteering event that even though I won't be able to do this I think some of you might be interested in. It's a 24-hour-straight event on September 5-6 (noon Friday to noon Saturday) for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank called <a href="http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/operation-orange.aspx" target="_blank">Operation Orange</a> which involves sorting and inspecting donated food. There are some two-hour shifts still available for this event so click on the link I just provided in the last sentence if you are interested in finding out more information.<br />
<br />
- On a whim, I decided to take up a side project of starting up another blog though this one is different than what DJRT is currently. It's a Tumblr that pretty much has a bunch of quote pics and various other pics I've come across in my years online and some of the stuff I've copied off my friends and elsewhere on Facebook and Twitter. The blog is simply called "<a href="http://djs-crap.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">DJ's Crap</a>" because...well, it's my crap though not a lot of it is literally crap which I don't know how that would be physically possible but anyway...check out the link as some of you might find pics you've shared before. It's not intended to be regularly updated but if I have crap I might want to share I'll post it there. It's not officially affiliated with DJRT even though I've placed the logo from there as this edition's main pic but it will give folks an idea of what kind of stuff has caught my attention over the years even though some of it doesn't apply to me whatsoever. Click on over and check it out.<br />
<br />
- A long time tradition in Cuyahoga Falls is coming to an end as the Rockin' on the River concert series is ending its association with the city and moving elsewhere. The last official event will be this Friday. The event itself was not put on by the city of Cuyahoga Falls but by a private event promoter who paid to use the downtown festival space. The city wanted to change things up and look at what might be best going into the future in regard to downtown festivals. The mayor set up a committee to look at what to change or what to keep but the promoter balked at some of the ideas being put out there and then bailed outright. There are those who support the promoter's side of things but I am not one of them. In my opinion, the promoter is coming off like a spoiled brat who's pouting because he's not getting his way or his sweetheart deal any more. Even though it brought people to downtown Cuyahoga Falls, Rockin' on the River has gotten stale and it was time for some changes. I've heard rumors of a couple of festivals that couldn't be put together in the past couple of years because there was no official process to do so and because the Rockin' on the River promoter locked up so many summer weekend dates so far in advance that it made scheduling them there impossible. Rockin' on the River was good for the city but I think it can do better and will do better. I hope next year there is some more variety in events there besides what festivals are already scheduled to take place.<br />
<br />
- An update on the county tax issue that I talked about in the last edition...they removed the arena from the ballot. It was a smart move and I will now be supporting the issue again. The arena didn't need to be on there. If the University of Akron wants a new arena, it should probably raise funds for it like it did for its football stadium...that's my two cents.<br />
<br />
- This past month, aside from being knocked around, has been a busy one for yours truly. I've hit up several festivals and events around the area. In mid-July I hit up the Mogadore Summer Festival and took in some great wrestling action provided by Ohio Championship Wrestling. I took some pictures of the event which you can find here: <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105735577698697654071/photos/+DJsRandomThoughts/albums/6038237101092125697" target="_blank">2014 - 07-19 - Ohio Championship Wrestling (Mogadore Summer Festival, Mogadore, OH)</a>. Also, after intending to checking out InfoCision Stadium at the University of Akron for a while, I visited it twice in one week's time. The first was for Browns Family Day (pics can be found here: <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105735577698697654071/photos/+DJsRandomThoughts/albums/6043031852693810177" target="_blank">2014 - 08-02 - Browns Family Day</a>) and the second was the LeBron James Homecoming Celebration (pics: <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105735577698697654071/photos/+DJsRandomThoughts/albums/6045488720456887953" target="_blank">2014 - 08-08 - LeBron Homecoming</a>). On a side note, I am loving my camera phone as it's much better than the old phone I had before this one. Back to the subject at hand, I also watched fireworks from Rock The Docks at Springfield Lake, celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary at a family reunion and went to Circle Fest in Tallmadge (where I had my trip...so to speak). I think that is going to do it for summer festival season. That run of festival weekends tired me out but I do look forward to next year's slate.<br />
<br />
- I want to quickly touch on some of the sports teams I follow. Regarding the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, I had a feeling after last season that Braxton Miller should have entered the NFL Draft and left OSU. My feeling turned out to be validated as he injured his shoulder and is now out for the upcoming season for the Bucks which now has the team helmed by a redshirt freshman. I don't know what that will portend to this season. Regarding the Cleveland Browns, they have looked rather sloppy on offense but since this is the preseason with one game left to go in it and finally naming starting quarterback in Brian Hoyer I think things will come together sooner than later. Finally, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's like "Extreme Makeover" with both Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett traded away and replaced by All-Stars Kevin Love and a returning LeBron James. If anyone had asked me two months ago if this was something that was actually going to happen I would have said they were nuts. Shows what I know.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes. Normally I don't listen to country all that often but this last-call-in-a-bar type of song grabbed my attention and I've been listening to it a lot as of late.<br />
<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Anna, Debbie, Ron M., Mary S., Stephanie, Melissa, Alan, Stan, Limo Dave & Sarah, Lou, Ron U., Courtney, Brent, Brandon, Sean D., Jay, Kevin, Jamie, Cory, Xavier, Bo (Steve), Fran, Margie, Donielle, Stephen, Jenny K., Bob & Lynn, Claudia, Sue & Tim, Russ G, Scotty, Kaleigh, Kate, Dave M., and Jennifer D.<br />
<br />
That's it for this edition. There was a lot more I could have talked about or expanded on what I've already talked about in this edition. I may do just that in a future edition but for now I'm good. I'm gonna take off now but I hope you guys and gals got a lot out of this particular edition. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I'm once again doing a lot of this off the top of my head with barely any notes so I have no idea how this edition will turn out when I'm done. I do have stuff I want to talk about so I'm gonna go ahead and get right to it here. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- The term "malaise" is defined as "<span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">vague</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">unfocused</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">feeling</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">mental</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">uneasiness,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">lethargy,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">discomfort" or something along those lines. This is probably the perfect description of what I've been dealing with over the past few weeks or so. I have been mentally uneasy. I have been lethargic. I have been feeling some discomfort physically and mentally especially with headaches. Some of the feelings I've had have been rather unfocused and vague. This one word pretty much sums up what I'm dealing with right now...a malaise. I've had several of them before and the last real serious one I had was about 5 years ago. This one is different however in that it came out of nowhere and I can't pinpoint any real discernable cause or root of it. I recognize I've come off as erratic especially over the past week or so to some folks so I thought I'd let people know what's been up with me. I've pulled back on some things and tried to get as much rest as I can in case it was something physical like heatstroke or something like that. It hasn't helped that I've had a lot of little irritations...a small break in something here, an inconvenience there...where my frustrations with them may have been amplified by this malaise and adding up. It's been really rough. Another difference with this malaise is that I can easily tell that generally things have been going good for me in several areas. I'm having a difficult time enjoying them, though. I went to the Rib Festival with the intention of watching fireworks but after walking around the festival I just took off and skipped the fireworks altogether (I did hear it was much better than last year's nine minute joke of a display). I've had at least one break I know of from this but overall I just haven't felt all that great going out to places. The term "dulled enjoyment" comes to mind in that I'm feeling some but not as much as I expected or I'm used to. I am concerned about it now because I've got a lot of activities and good stuff coming up here in the next two months or so which I'll get to later in this edition. The only thing I know for certain about this malaise of mine is that even though some people have tried or are still trying to help me through this it looks like this is unfortunately and ultimately something I'm gonna have to deal with on my own. I seriously want this to go away very soon but if I seem off or not myself in the near future or a bit erratic at least you'll all know what's up.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword"> - Even though I wasn't up to par for the Rib Festival last Friday, I was able to get some photos from my walk around the festival and downtown Akron in general. There are a couple of major changes</span> coming in the area including one where my usual watching spot for fireworks was completely closed off (that was just one irritation in a string of them that night) and new construction on Broadway across from the end of Cedar Street. With the possibility of an arena going up also (I'll get more into that later) downtown Akron is really changing things up. Here's the photos I took during my time there last weekend: <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105735577698697654071/photos/+DJsRandomThoughts/albums/6032464539596693073" target="_blank">2014 - 07-04 - Akron Rib Festival (Downtown Akron)</a>.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - Speaking of the possible arena going up downtown, there is a county tax issue supposedly coming up in November that is supposed to help fund putting up a new arena as well as other services around the area. Normally I could get behind something like that but there is more to this than the pro-tax folks are telling. For instance, they're putting up the arena for the University of Akron and they will actually have majority control of the arena itself. In other words, they're asking folks in Summit County to financially support construction of an arena which will primarily serve Akron Zips basketball. Of course it will have "other stuff" (note the quotation marks) but it won't actually be a "county arena." I don't think it's right to have the county fund construction of an arena where only politicians and the university will be the beneficiaries. I believe private investment or the university itself should be the primary funders of such an idea if they are so gung-ho on it...or maybe the politicians fund it out of their own pockets (not campaign funds, mind you). To put it on the backs of county taxpayers in this recovering economy where they won't get all that much from it is just too much for me. Also, bundling the issue with funding for other critical services just sounds like an end-around to getting an arena built. That just comes off as shady to me. If this actually gets on the ballot, unless something big time comes along to change my mind I will probably be voting against it. I think they should just separate the arena idea and critical services thing into separate issues, but that's just me.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - One break I did get from this malaise I've been going through was going up to the NBA Draft Party up at the Q with my friend Bob on draft night. That night was definitely something to behold. The place was packed with I would estimate over ten thousand people showing up. We were able to get near the basketball court itself and saw Larry Nance for the first time in years. Short story about Nance...I was infamously able to get his autograph on 5 separate occasions back in his heyday with the Cavs and he actually got my attention on the 5th instead of the other way around. Anyway, we were able to watch them draft the guy we wanted, Andrew Wiggins, and hear the roar of the crowd when the pick was made (we were in line for food when they announced it). I was able to grab a TV mic for a hot minute to boot so that was cool. We decided to walk around the area a bit, checking out the new casino and see Progressive Field. I hope to be able to go back down there sometime in the future for a game or two and check out more. I did get some pics while we were there which you can look at here: <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105735577698697654071/photos/+DJsRandomThoughts/albums/6029493597128052961" target="_blank">2014 - 06-26 - 2014 Cavaliers Draft Party</a>.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - As you can tell by the photo albums I've shared already, I am really enjoying this phone I got early last month. One of the reasons I got a new phone in the first place was to get a better camera. With a lot of stuff coming up it looks like I'm going to get a lot of use out of it too beyond what I already use it for.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - Time for a pizza break...</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword">...</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword">...</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword">...</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> Okay, I'm back.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - As I mentioned earlier there are a bunch of things coming up, some in general and some pertaining to yours truly. The weekend of the 18-19th is the Mogadore Summer Festival where I believe they will have fireworks on Friday night (I think...they had them last year) and will have Ohio Championship Wrestling put on a free show on Saturday night. I am definitely watching the wrestling since it's been a year since I've been to a live show. There's a reunion for my mom's side of the family later in the month as well as my parent's 50th wedding anniversary (that is a long time, folks). Rock the Docks in Springfield township takes place the first weekend of August. Cleveland Browns preseason football starts up in early August as well. I don't want to forget Tallmadge Circle Fest on August 16th starting at 5 PM. I also don't want to forget the Summit County Fair coming up at the end of the month...this I might not go to but I wanted to mention it as a possible destination. This is going to be a busy month for me and I believe my camera is going to get a serious workout. I just hope I'll be able to enjoy it.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - I'm pretty sure there are many of you who used to watch the show "Robotech" or "Macross" back in the day or watch the old series on DVD or online now. Well, the producers of the show in the US, Harmony Gold, are planning a pilot for a new animated series based in the Robotech universe titled "Robotech Academy". To that end, they and original Robotech producer Carl Macek have set up a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the pilot. I know of a couple of hardcore Robotech/Macross/mecha fans who might go fanboy over being able to participate in something like this, but for anyone who's interested, here is the Robotech Academy Kickstarter site: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy" target="_blank">Robotech Academy by Harmony Gold Productions</a>.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Let Me Clear My Throat" remix by DJ Kool, Biz Markie & Doug E. Fresh. There are some songs out there where in my honest opinion their remixes are an improvement over or are just outright better than the original version. This song is like that for me. I like the original version but there's just something to adding the other rappers here that made this one an improvement over the original. And you can never go wrong using the background track that is more synonymous with Ed Lover and what many of my friends and I call the "Ed Lover dance" that we do during our Booty Call shout outs (which is something we haven't done during the Booty Call in a long time, my fellow Crew!). In any case, for this song I like the remix more.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
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<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword"> - <b>Shoutouts</b>: This is one of those times where I have talked with or had contact with in some way so many people that I couldn't keep up with my usual written list. It's only happened twice before so this is a rarity. Because of that I am just going to give a shoutout to anybody I've talked with, had contact with, had fun with or especially tried to help me out in the past month. You are appreciated.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword">That's it for this edition. Before I go I have updated the site a bit including a new entry on the Original Works page with something which I posted on Facebook around Valentine's Day earlier this year. Go check out the rest of the site and don't forget to do some shopping in the DJRT Store while you're at it. I'm gonna continue working on getting out of this malaise so for now I bid you adiew. Until next time folks. Take care and God Bless.</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><br /></span>
<span id="hotword">DJ</span><br />
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Hello and welcome to a very special edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. There is a reason I am doing it now which I will get to in the edition itself but I would have done one around this time regardless of whether I had stuff to talk about or not. Fortunately I do have a few things I want to say so with that in mind let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- A sapphire is a beautiful jewel, isn't it? Especially a blue one. It's shiny. It makes a great accessory to any woman's jewelry collection. It can make a beautiful woman stand out when they wear one. I know a few women who have sapphires as part of their own collections. It is the jewel typically used to celebrate a fifth year anniversary of something. This week, DJ's Random Thoughts celebrates its fifth anniversary of being founded and started on Blogspot. Even though it was around before that time, DJRT itself begun in 2009 during a very turbulent time and it has grown to one of the most vital parts of my life. Outside of many of my friendships, it is probably the longest commitment I've ever made to anything in my life so far. I could wax nostalgic on the past five years but since one of DJRT's focuses is on the past itself and will continue to be, I will save that for some future edition. I did want to celebrate it though. I've made some cosmetic changes on the blog (more basic color scheme, no more cloud backgrounds, other little things) but I did do one major thing: I designed and created a new official DJRT logo. It's been around for over a couple weeks now but I honestly didn't expect to make one until I just did it. Like I did with the DJ Logo, I was just messing around with design ideas until I came up with what you now see in the top left corner of this edition as well as around anything related to DJ's Random Thoughts. In my opinion, it's really snazzy, it's sharp-looking and it looks good in high definition. I am ecstatic with how it turned out. I have a couple versions that include the DJRT address with it and a version without it but I will happily be using the DJRT logo from this point forward. As a result, I have changed up the look of the merchandise in the DJRT Store, so go ahead and check that out at the link in the top menu & if you could buy some stuff and help support DJRT I would greatly appreciate it. The last five years have been interesting to say the least but it's only going to get bigger and better for DJRT going forward.<br />
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- Over the past few months or so I have been working on replacing things I've been using regularly or upgrading to newer stuff. It's a haphazard process but an ongoing one. It's been mostly related to software and clothing-related stuff and progress has been slow on that front. However, a couple of weeks ago I made a big splash and got a new phone which is light years beyond my old phone which was 4 years old and bought refurbished. I got a new LG G2 which is regarded by many as one of the best phones to come out last year. Given what I had before, I can't believe I hadn't upgraded sooner. It has everything I was looking for or to do with a phone and more and I can't believe what I was missing out on. Because of that I'm using it constantly...way more than I did my last one or any before that. As you can probably tell, I'm very happy with it. Now if the many, many other upgrades in my life that I need have the kind of impact my new phone has, things are going to be very interesting from here on out...and in a good way, mind you.<br />
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- This is usually the time of year for me that serves as a void for me in regard to the teams or sports I follow. I'm not that strong into baseball though I do follow it from time to time, but for the most part from the end of the Cavs basketball season to the start of the Browns preseason I'm not watching too much in the way of sports with a couple of exceptions. The exceptions I'm talking about are the NFL Draft (which already took place last month) and the NBA Draft which is next week. I do have stuff to do in the interim but I would like something worthwhile to follow sports-wise during that void time. I'm hoping that in the next couple years or so spring football
(specifically a developmental USFL league...yes, I'm still following
their efforts) comes to fruition and fills some of that void. Until then I will continue to wait.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of the NBA Draft, I'm still in disbelief that the Cleveland Cavaliers won the draft lottery last month and are picking first. They still don't have a coach and there are a couple of guys they seem to be seriously looking at but they could also trade the pick and get something big in return. There are many teams looking at getting one of the three top players in this year's draft so draft night could be the most interesting story in the NBA (outside of the Donald Sterling stuff) this year.<br />
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- I haven't been able to hit up any of the festivals which have already taken place this year due to stuff going on around me nor do some of my walkabouts. However, the bulk of festivals I want to hit up starts up in early July with Independence Day stuff so I'm hoping I can catch up on them and my walks in the next few months or so. I have been able to get out and go dancing at least a couple nights a week at the Red Fox in Cuyahoga Falls. If you had told me a year ago that I would be doing that or have a regular hangout again I would have said you were nuts, but here I am with that stuff. I can say I am a happy camper on that front.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Somebody I Used To Know" by Gotye. This was one of those songs I like where for a long time I would hear it on the radio and say to myself "I should get this song" but then I would forget about doing so almost immediately after. I don't know if that happens to a lot of you but it has happened to me a few times. I finally got the song recently & have played it on repeat regularly. There's not anything about the song that applies to me personally...at least not right now...but I do like listening to it.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Ron, Griff, Cory, Fran, Margie, Kristin, Xavier, Melissa, Cheryl, Micah, Mary S., Jenny K., Bob & Lynn, Stan, Aunt Sue, Mindy, Jen C., Mary K., Holly, Jay & Stephanie, Michelle W., April K., Brandon, Stephen, Dave M., Courtney, Brent, Nicole, Jen & Steph (from the Red Fox), Alan, Dave & Sarah, Ronnie, Lou, Kevin N., Terry B., Richard C., & Paul W.<br />
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That's it for this fifth anniversary edition. Like I said earlier it's only going to get bigger and better for DJ's Random Thoughts going forward. Before I go, I want to thank all of you who have read DJRT and supported it throughout the years. It has been an absolute blessing that you have been along with me for this ride and I hope you continue to do so for a long time to come. On that note, I bid you all adieu for now. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-48226575168954351092014-05-26T00:46:00.000-04:002014-05-26T00:46:47.680-04:00Random Thoughts #138 - the "jittery" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's pretty late here and I'm typing this up off the top of my head, so this might get rather interesting. It's also been a while since I did one of these so I thought I'd check in with another edition. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
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- I'm gonna get my whine on here for a moment so bear with me. The reason I called this edition the "jittery" one is that for a bit over the past two decades around the Memorial Day weekend and sometimes the following week or two, I get really jittery and nervous to the point where I look over my shoulder hoping that nothing bad happens during this timeframe. It started around 22 years ago with an incident I talked about a few years ago in DJRT about a couple guys who bullied and stalked me to the point where I was cornered in my own dorm room and had to hold them off with an old yellow Louisville Slugger bat that I still possess to this day. What I never revealed about that incident was that it was actually the culmination of one of the worst weekends of my life. I was forced to come home that weekend despite the fact that I had a class assignment that needed done on campus where I ended up failing that class because I couldn't do it and that it was the last opportunity I could have gone to my regular hangout, Park Alley/High Energy, to end my first year of college on a high note because the club's liquor license and that the OSU South Campus bars Purity, Moran's Speakeasy, the Locker Room, Jousters and Presley's had been revoked after the Memorial Day weekend that year. That bad weekend also started one of the worst downward spirals I've had in my life that lasted for an entire year, one which included failing an entire quarter, having to testify in a civil case against me and having a bunch of folks I thought were friends leaving me behind and generally hanging me out to dry...shoot, there's only two people that I'm still friends with from that time.<br />
<br />
That Memorial Day weekend was probably the worst time ever in my life and to this day I still don't know how I got through it somewhat intact. It wasn't the only time I've had problems around Memorial Day. In past years I've had a driver's side rear-view mirror knocked off my car one year, a car accident in another, a flat tire in yet another, another hangout (Martini Park at Easton) closing up a few years back and the following year twisting my ankle to the point I couldn't walk right for a while. As you can tell, the time around Memorial Day has been the complete opposite of ideal for yours truly to the point where every year around this time I tend to get nervous and look over my shoulder hoping that bad things don't occur. This isn't something I can just put behind me because of the history behind it though I wish I could. I did want to note it here because my nerves were pretty much shot over this past weekend with difficulty getting good sleep, generally being grouchy, feeling uncomfortably sarcastic at the club and just feeling jittery all around. I am hoping I can get past the jitters sooner rather than later at least for this year. My ultimate hope is that, at some point in the future around this time, something happens that's so f'n awesome that the greatness of it stomps out the collective crap from the experiences of Memorial Days past and ends the jitters and nervousness outright.<br />
<br />
- The 2014 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Cleveland Browns got probably the biggest name in the draft in QB Johnny Manziel. I thought they had a solid draft overall this year picking up players in positions where there were deficiencies or needs. The only position they didn't address in the draft was wide receiver, but because there were so many taken by several teams in early rounds I think the Browns might be in position to pick up a quality WR or two beyond those they've signed after the draft already from a team cutting a vet to make room for their rookie pickup. This front office and coaching staff both seem to be making solid decisions and sticking to their guns with its strategies going forward, something that couldn't really be said to other previous regimes, which is a nice change of pace. It may not matter to the national pundits and Browns-haters but maybe what's been going on the past few months will finally pay off during football season. Here's to hoping.<br />
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- In a surprise move and mirroring what the Browns did, the Cleveland Cavaliers fired their head coach Mike Brown after one season. I thought he did alright enough to at least stick around for at least one more season especially given how they performed the last half of the season. However, I think the new permanent GM David Griffin decided that he wanted his own coach and given that Brown was hired primarily by the old GM that the writing was probably on the wall. As much crap as some people like to dump on the Cavs (probably because it's easier for those folks to criticize and put down troubled teams and rivals rather than strongly support the ones they are supposedly fans of...I believe that makes them weak wimps but that's just my opinion), they may be in prime position for a good season starting later this year. They just won the NBA Draft lottery and have the number 1 pick in the 2014 draft with only 1.7% chance of getting it. They also have cap space and pieces to move to get some solid players. This is going to be an interesting next month or so for the Cavaliers and Cleveland fans.<br />
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- I have been able to get out a couple times for my walks with the weather vastly improving but I haven't had a good shot at hitting up any festivals and probably won't for another few weeks or so outside of possibly hitting up Rockin' on the River the next couple weeks or so. I tried to hit up a fireworks show for Kenmore Community Days earlier this evening but the parking and the area in general were so packed that there wasn't anything close to a decent place to park so I took off. If there are any other festivals or fairs I go to that might have some of the same logistical issues, I may have to start planning a bit more ahead than usual. Aside from the fairs, I am hoping to go to Cedar Point sometime this summer. All I really need is a ride up there and I'll be good to go as the other stuff I can handle...I think. In any case, I haven't gone to a theme park in well over 13 years so I'm a bit anxious and maybe chomping at the bit to go to one sometime this summer. I hope I can make it happen.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Exclusivity" by Damian Dame. Last week I decided to reorganize my music collection and I found I had a ton of songs that have been classified as part of "New Jack Swing" that needed their own section. I've been listening to a lot of that music as of late as it does make up a big part of my dancing roots and songs from New Jack Swing will probably make up a significant number of "Songs on Repeat" over the next several editions...unless something else strikes my fancy. Anyway, back to this particular song, it is considered a one-hit wonder by the duo Damian Dame but only because in the following year one of them died in a car accident and exactly two years later the other passed away due to cancer. It was a song I listened to on cassette many times over back in the day. I found the song once again recently and have been listening to it on repeat once again.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: George, Cheryl, Jenny K., Rita D., Margie, Marcus W., Al, Lou, Matt, Stephen, Stan, Jay, Fran, Brent, Randy, Jim B., Shane D., Griff, Daryl, Melissa, Dave M., Holly, Kristin, Ron, Alan, Mary, Brandon, Cory, Aunt Sue, Micah, Debbie, Limo Dave & Sarah (congrats on the engagement), Michelle W., Scotty, Rahn, Kevin, Ernest P., Melanie (from the Red Fox), Paul W., Carl, and Terry B.<br />
<br />
That's it for now. As far as the Memorial Day stuff goes, I hope people who haven't been in the know now have some idea as to why I am or have been jittery or not my normal self around this time. If I seem off over the next week or so, hopefully you'll bear with me as I weather this and I hope for that f'n awesome thing to happen...if not this year than in the future. The unofficial summer is here so hopefully things get better from here on out. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-63102643228928690642014-04-28T17:51:00.001-04:002014-04-28T17:51:08.153-04:00Random Thoughts #137 - the "pullback" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. The temps have finally warmed up a bit though the weather could use some more adjustment for my tastes. Anyway, I've got stuff I wanna talk about so let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
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- The reason for the subtitle of this edition, "pullback", is that in the past month I had to start taking a closer look at some plans and ideas I've had recently including stuff I talked about in the last edition. Mind you, I'm not talking about stuff I'm already doing like dancing on the weekends (or whenever I go out) but stuff that was on the horizon. After some careful consideration, I've decided to pull back on many of those plans for now with various reasons for each pullback whether it be issues with feasibility, enthusiasm or lack thereof, timing, being realistically able to do something, etc. I wouldn't be making such a big deal over this because changes in gameplan happen with me all the time but unfortunately this pullback also means I need to announce that I won't be able to go to the Corporation reunion coming up on May 17th. I really wanted to go and even made a big deal of it here and elsewhere but at this point it doesn't look I'm going to be able to make it. It's still happening and I know folks who are still looking forward to it so if anybody needs info on the event or wants to go I've still got the info on that if anybody wants it. It sucks that I won't be down there for it but I had to make some tough decisions as of late on that front. I still do want to go down to Columbus for a few days sometime in the future, maybe even later this year, and do that other stuff when I'm able to do so but for now I have to put all that stuff off and work them in when opportunities arise to do so.<br />
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- Even though I'm not doing some of the stuff I had planned to, there are things I am definitely looking forward to in the near future. In addition to the dancing, I will be doing what I did last year, heading out for my walks and hitting up local festivals and events (I'll get more into events later in this edition). The weather hasn't been all that cooperative just yet but I did already get a couple opportunities to go walking around downtown Cuyahoga Falls which is a place I really enjoy walking. I'm hoping that in the next month or so the weather starts cooperating for me more so I can get out and do the stuff I really enjoyed doing last year and hope to get to again.<br />
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- In about a week and a half, the 2014 NFL Draft will be upon us. In regard to the Cleveland Browns, I have no idea who they are planning to get with their picks this year. In past years it was easier to tell but with the pushback of the draft by two weeks and the depth of talent that is available this year both in general and in areas of need, it's a tougher read this year. There is a bit of a weird coincidence in that the first year of the existence of the Baltimore Ravens (after Art Modell moved the former Browns there) they had the 4th and 26th picks in the first round of that year's draft and now this year the Browns themselves have the same draft pick positions this year with the 4th & 26th selections. I don't know if that will amount to anything but it is a weird coincidence.<br />
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- <b>Peaceful Journey</b>: "Stagger" Lee Marshall, former AWA, WCW and WOW (Women of Wrestling) announcer and the voice for the past two decades of Tony the Tiger, passed away over the weekend. He was probably my favorite wrestling announcer. He had a lot of knowledge of professional wrestling in general which came across in his announcing. Where a lot of current sports analysts and color commentators come off as shrill and obnoxious, Marshall always came across as confident and pleasant with that lively, deep, boisterously distinctive voice of his, one that he used to great effect when voicing the character of Tony the Tiger in Frosted Flakes commercials. There weren't many like him out there. I am really going to miss him. Rest in peace, Stagger Lee.<br />
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- It's been two years since One Tree Hill went off the air and I still miss watching it on TV. I can't believe I forgot to talk about that in the last edition especially since it influenced me so much but I was going off the top of my head on the last edition so I'm not gonna bang my head repeatedly for forgetting to put that in. Maybe for something else in the future but not this.<br />
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- As I mentioned earlier, I'm planning on hitting up a bunch of festivals and fairs in the next few months with weather permitting. Here is a list of a few of the festivals I'm hoping to hit up at some point this summer and fall:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>June 13th to 15th</b> - Irish Festival in downtown Cuyahoga Falls</li>
<li><b>July 4th</b> - the fireworks display as part of the Akron Rib Festival in downtown Akron (hopefully it won't just be 9 minutes this year but you never know with the city of Akron)</li>
<li><b>Sometime in mid-July</b> - Mogadore Summerfest in Mogadore (when or if it's scheduled...they had a wrestling show there last year which I hope comes back this year)</li>
<li><b>July 18th to 20th</b> - Italian Festival in downtown Cuyahoga Falls</li>
<li><b>August 1st to 3rd</b> - Rock the Docks at Springfield Lake in Springfield Township (it got pushed back this year from early July; not sure if it's permanent or not but this is the new date for this year's event)</li>
<li><b>September 12 to 14</b> - Oktoberfest in downtown Cuyahoga Falls</li>
<li><b>September 20th</b> - Porch Rokr Festival at Highland Square in Akron</li>
<li><b>September 20th & 21st</b> - the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair at Sunbeau Valley Farm in Ravenna</li>
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- Before I forget, I want to thank everybody who wished me a happy birthday earlier this month and to thank those of you who stuck it out with me celebrating it the weekend following my birthday. I didn't want to make a big deal of talking about it this year as I had in the past because the week of my birthday itself was actually pretty rough on me, but in any case it's the past now and I've moved on from it. Again, to those of you who kindly thought of me, thank you.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJ's. When this song was released in the mid-90's, it was played almost all the time. You couldn't turn a radio on without this song being played on some radio station at any particular moment. After overplaying it for months, it just seemed to disappear except for a few deejays playing it occasionally at the clubs. I heard this song for the first time in years last month and remembered how much it was played way back when...or overplayed as the case was back in the day.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Cory, Aunt Sue, Kristin, Brandon, Stan, Jay, Melissa, Mary, Alan, Fran, Margie, Stephen, Ron, Griff, Katie, Debbie, Bob, Lynn, Micah, Holly, Dave M., Robert N., Todd, Scotty, Xavier, Maggie, Joe M., Terry B., Jennie, Carl, Kevin, Rita D., April K., Ashley (woman I met at the Red Fox), Randy, Michelle W., Al, and Jenny K.<br />
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That's it for this edition. There wasn't as much to talk about this go-round but I did want to put up another one before too much time went by. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping the weather gets better so I can get out more. With that, I bid you all adieu. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-2096880490413759892014-04-01T06:08:00.002-04:002014-04-01T06:10:35.271-04:00Random Thoughts #136 - the "foolish" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I'm doing this one off the top of my head today so bear with me as I might go more random and/or shorter with my thoughts than usual...or maybe not, who knows? Anyway, it's April Fool's Day (hence the reason for this edition's subtitle) and I do have stuff to talk about so let me get to it. Enjoy.<br />
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- Take a quick look at the edition pic in the top left corner. How many people have you thought about saying that to? For me over the years, too many...especially the haters, people on the outside, gossip talkers, drama queens and those who act like they know but it's only an act. I believe many of my friends also have a ton of folks they'd want to say this to as well. Right now I don't actually have anybody I want to actually say this to but I have a couple of friends (maybe more) who seem like this is something they apparently want to loudly proclaim to some haters out there so I thought I'd put it up here as the edition pic.<br />
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- Before I go on, I do want to note for myself here about a couple of struggles I've been dealing with recently. One, a couple of weeks ago I had let my guard down for a bit and once that happened somebody ended up violating a couple of my personal boundaries. I'm not gonna get into what happened here or who did it (quick note: I have no intention of putting anybody on blast about this because it was somebody who I'm pretty sure doesn't know me all that well who might not understand what they did that got to me & I'm taking a chance on giving them the benefit of the doubt here just in case) but I will say that it made me real uncomfortable when it happened and I have been figuratively kicking myself for letting it happen because I feel I could have done something to stop it from happening beforehand but didn't. The only reason I'm even saying anything about this at all is that while I was stressed about this some folks did notice that I was being nervous and "not myself" when I was around and I feel they deserve to know it had nothing to do with them. Two, around that same time I think I caught a bug because I got sick. I had some serious head & chest congestion (however, my sinuses weren't affected which was weird), major headaches and chills throughout my body. I only started feeling better last Thursday and even though I did go out last weekend I wasn't in top form as I was somewhat exhausted from fighting off whatever I had. It might be a couple more weeks before I'm back to normal but until then I'm gonna get as much rest as I can...physically as well as mentally...as I've got a big couple of weeks coming up here.<br />
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- As most folks know, my birthday is next week on the 9th. I did have some ideas for celebrating it but I've decided for now that the only things definitely in the gameplan this year are that I'm going over to one of my friend's homes to watch this year's Wrestlemania and that I'm doing the club portion of celebrating it on the Saturday night after my actual birthday (the 12th) at the Red Fox in Cuyahoga Falls. I might do an event page for the club in the next week or so but I haven't decided whether to do that just yet. As for anything else or any other ideas that might pop up, I'll play it by ear.<br />
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- Just a reminder that in a month and a half, the Corporation Reunion will take place in Columbus at the Schrock Tavern on May 17th. Once again, here is the promotional pic for it:<br />
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- It's hard to believe that this late in the NBA season and with a losing regular season record, the Cleveland Cavaliers are actually still in the playoff hunt. It is going to be one of those strange years where at least one team with a losing record will make the NBA playoffs. There's still seven games to go and they pretty much have to run the table to have a shot of getting in.</div>
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- Boy am I glad I didn't do a NCAA tournament bracket this year. There were so many upsets and surprises I don't think I would have gotten all that much right this year if I did do one. I probably would have had a better shot at winning a lottery jackpot than getting this year's brackets correct. Maybe next year...</div>
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- Like many people in Ohio, I have had enough of the snow and the cold and the deep freezes. It looks like warmer weather is coming but the good stuff's not coming fast enough, that being 70's and sunny. Once that comes, I'm gonna start doing my walks again around downtown Cuyahoga Falls and other places and hitting up whatever fairs and festivals are going on around here. I've also been working on setting up classes sponsored by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thecrewinohio" target="_blank">The Crew</a> to teach line dances that are done in the clubs including a class for the common dances, one for line dances the Crew has come up with and potentially more down the line. With the club thing and the Corporation reunion, it looks like it's going to be a hot 2014 for yours truly...with the potential to get hotter if I'm reading the tea leaves correctly.</div>
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "I Wanna Be Down" by Brandy. This is a song that I really like to get down to when it's on. It's one of the few jams I know where I can comfortably do either dancing on my own or being with a hot chick if you know what I mean.</div>
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Cheryl, Melissa, Holly, Marcus D., Shane D., Griff, Micah, April K., Stan, Katie, Mary S., Stephen, Alan, Michelle W., Al, Cory, Patrick, Jim B., Kristin, Margie, Stacey, Fran, Aunt Sue, Mindy (congrats on your new baby boy), Tony C., Kevin N., Jay, Brandon, Ron, Dave, Pat M., Jenny K., Sean D., and Scotty.</div>
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That's it for this edition. Join me for the next edition where I will be jumping over the Grand Canyon with a fusion-powered pogo stick all while singing "Loser" by Beck...btw, April Fool's. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.</div>
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DJ</div>
DJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-23820271591643325642014-03-04T21:51:00.001-05:002014-03-04T21:51:13.495-05:00Random Thoughts #135 - the "spring forward" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's been a very cold month since the last edition and I'm praying like crazy for the good warm weather to get here soon because I'm sick of the deep freeze. I've got a few things I want to get to in this edition so let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
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- The reason for the subtitle is that on this upcoming Sunday (at least in the U.S.) Daylight Savings Time strikes again! This time as around every spring, the 2 AM hour is skipped over entirely and we will go from 1:59 AM straight to 3 AM, "losing" an hour in the process which we'll get back in the fall. That means one less hour of sleep or partying or whatever. I hope everybody's ready for the time change.<br />
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- In the last month or so on the weekends, I've been going dancing at the Red Fox in Cuyahoga Falls. Over the past couple of weeks in particular, it's been pretty crazy and wild up there...and really fun to boot. I know there are many of you who haven't seen me dance in a long time (if at all), but I'm telling you...I've been having the most fun going out and dancing in the club with my friends since way back in 1991-92 at the old Ohio State South Campus bars, at Park Alley/High Energy specifically (hey, Tommy D...hope you're not too old to remember those days!). The Red Fox is the place I've been going to the most but I'm open to going elsewhere too if it's not too far out of the way, but I invite any of my friends who want to see me to come on up to the Red Fox or wherever I might be and have some fun with me if you get the chance.<br />
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- Speaking of the clubs, I don't want to forget the Corporation Reunion taking place on May 17th at the Schrock Tavern in Columbus. For those of you who are in the Corporation or associated with it, this is the first time in years that we're getting together. If you want to RSVP for this, here is the Facebook event page to check out and get more details: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/608457442523492" target="_blank">The Corporation Reunion, May 17, 2014, Schrock Tavern, Columbus OH - Facebook event page</a>. I'm going to be down in Columbus that weekend (the plan is from Friday to Monday) so I can at least go to the reunion and also visit my alma mater Ohio State, but if anybody wants to hang out while I'm down there outside of that I'm game especially since I haven't seen many of you in years. Just let me know before I get down there so I can adjust whatever schedule I have accordingly. I know it's still two and a half months off, but I want to keep promoting it so that people from outside the area who might want to come to the reunion can have enough lead time to make plans to do so. A couple of people have asked why we are doing the reunion that particular weekend. Well, the weekend before is the NFL Draft (it's now permanently pushed back to the 2nd weekend of May) and the weekend after is Memorial Day weekend. A lot of people seem to be having stuff going on before and after those dates already so that particular weekend ended up the only one realistically available for it to happen. Just a quick note before I move on...in the next few editions leading up to the reunion, I will be posting a blurb about it and promoting it to keep it fresh and hopefully generate some more excitement about the event.<br />
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- In the last edition I may have been a little hasty in saying the Cleveland Cavaliers were in a downward spiral. After they fired their GM, they went on to win six in a row and have a pretty decent February. They have a rough road ahead in March but things are looking up for the first time in a while.<br />
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- I'm not sure I'm going to fill out a bracket for the NCAA Basketball Tournament this year. There are too many teams having up and down seasons and it might be more of a crapshoot trying to figure out who will win at all much less win the whole thing. I'll probably play it by ear whether I do so or not.<br />
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- One more basketball-related item...there is a national minor/developmental league starting play this month called the Central Basketball Association. The reason I bring this up is that suppposedly starting next year there will be a team based in Columbus. I don't have many details about this yet but just in case this league takes off I thought my friends in Columbus might be interested in it. Here are a couple of articles published locally about this new CBA league: <a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/new-pro-basketball-league-to-debut-in-spring-ohio-to-get-team-in-2015-1.466508?localLinksEnabled=false" target="_blank">the Akron Beacon Journal article</a> & <a href="http://www.nbc4i.com/story/24725044/columbus-to-get-new-pro-basketball-team-in-2015" target="_blank">the NBC 4 Columbus article (this one includes video)</a><br />
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- Last month the Cleveland Browns fired two of the most controversial hires in the history of the franchise: their CEO Joe Banner and the GM Mike Lombardi. I think my reaction to this firing as well as those of many other Browns fans is probably best summed up in a video my friend George created after it happened:<br />
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- I haven't talked much about local pro wrestling stuff as of late because there hasn't really been that much and with MCW and now PRIME Wrestling (formerly PWO) closed down I'm not sure there will be much on the horizon. However, I do know of an upcoming wrestling show that a couple of my friends who are wrestlers are going to be involved in. It is a show from Mid-Ohio Wrestling taking place on March 22nd in Akron at someplace called the Tadmor Shrine Center near the South Arlington exit off of I-77 (I believe the first exit that's south of State Route 224). The actual address is "3000 Krebs Ave, Akron, OH 44319" so you might want to look it up on Google Maps or Mapquest or something to actually find the place. For those of you in the Akron area looking for some wrestling to watch, there will be some here on the 22nd. Tickets are $10 at the door. Here's a link to a flyer with info about the card: <a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/145685/message/1393889464/MOW+March+22+%40+Tadmor+Shrine+in+Akron+OH" target="_blank">MOW show - Indymessageboard.com</a>.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "I Never Even Told You" by Tia Carrere. Yes, the same Tia Carrere that was in the Wayne's World movies...who knew she was a singer and a good one at that. This particular song was featured in the animated movie "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" during the end credits. The reason this song is on repeat is due to a post I put up on Facebook on my personal profile. I put this particular post up on Valentine's Day opening my heart up about a woman I've been crazy about ever since I met her and my hopes for maybe one day being with her, showing how I felt about her and how she's already changed my life just by coming into my life when she did. I don't know if anything will ever come of it but at least people who know me now know where the focus of my heart is and has been for some time now. For some reason this song reminds me of my feelings for her.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Melissa, Marcus D., Kristin, Cheryl, Aunt Sue, Mary S., Micah, Kevin, Brandon, Margie, Fran, Stephen, Michelle W., Griff, Holly, Dave M., Mindy, Jenny K., Zach (Christian), Maggie, Cory, Daryl, Stan, Courtney, Anna, Jamie, Alan, Sean, Jennifer K., Marcus W., Dani, Jay, Patrick M., and April K.<br />
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That's it for this edition. My birthday is coming up in a little over a month and I'll talk about what I'm planning for that in the next edition...which obviously will be coming before that day since doing so afterwards would be rather problematic if I want people to celebrate with me. In any case, I bid you all adieu for now. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-86599294838178124842014-02-04T22:21:00.000-05:002014-02-04T22:58:55.296-05:00Random Thoughts #134 - the "eventful" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and salutations, everybody! It's been over a month since I last did one of these and thought it was time to do another. I've been somewhat busy with starting up one new thing and helping out with another that's coming in a few months which I'll be talking about in this edition. With that, let's get started. Enjoy.<br />
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- I called this edition the "eventful" one because of the significant uptick in some of my activities in the past month. I've also been pretty social going out to the Red Fox regularly. As a result of the uptick, I've actually been using Facebook a ton more than I had in a very long time and for good reason which I'll talk about later in this edition. I've also started reaching out to people I hadn't talked to in a rather long time on Facebook. With a couple of those folks (including one woman I really, REALLY wanted to keep in touch with), I did come off somewhat awkwardly in saying "hi" to them so I apologize for that because this is the first time in ages that I'm being as social as I have been and I am out of practice...if I ever was in practice, but that's another story altogether. In any case, I have been doing my best to get myself back into the swing of things and for those of you who have helped or are assisting me in that I thank you.<br />
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- I want to note a few things regarding some of my friends in Columbus that I've either been made aware of or keeping an eye on. First off, I want to say "what's up" to my friend Joe Dawg Brother who's been busy with his band "The Conspiracy Band" and his improv group "Hashtag Comedy." I also wanted to note that one of my friends there just had a baby (congrats, Jen!) and another two are going to have little bundles of joy coming themselves including one I just heard about recently so congrats to both Mindy and Kristin. Before I move on, I also wanted to congratulate my friend Cory on the launch of his new podcast "Life According To Brothers" that he is doing with his brother Ethan. You can find out more about that on the Facebook page dedicated to the podcast here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lifeaccording2brothers" target="_blank">Life According To Brothers - Facebook page</a>.<br />
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- Before I get to some of the stuff I've been working on, I wanted to talk about the Cleveland Browns for a moment. They finally have their new head coach in former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Unlike with Rob Chudzinski where I had some doubts, I'm okay with this hire. They took their time in finding the guy they wanted to run the team and, contrary to what pundits across the country were claiming, I don't think they had an out-and-out actual favorite while they were searching for a head coach. They seemed to want to check out the entirety of the potential HC pool before making a decision and actually stuck to that strategy despite people freaking out about the Browns' front office and what people thought they were doing. My favorite for the position was a finalist (Seattle DC Dan Quinn) but in the end I think they got a guy in Pettine who will stick and I hope this guy works out. Time will tell.<br />
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- I think one word can summarize what's been happening with the Cleveland Cavaliers as their NBA season has worn on: "nosedive". I think at this point that's all that needs to be said.<br />
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- Over the years, I and many other friends of mine had made several attempts to create a place online to show off stuff from our clubbing and dancing activities, talk about upcoming events, post pics and videos, etc. At the request of several of my friends and due to my own desire to finally get something going on that front, I started work back in December on a Facebook page where we could have all that which would be easy to upkeep and yet keep a forward-looking focus at the same time. It took me a month to get enough stuff to adequately start it up with, but a couple of weeks ago the page finally went live: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecrewinohio" target="_blank">The Crew - Ohio Facebook page</a>. I used the name "The Crew" because it was what we have all informally called ourselves in whatever iteration comprised whoever was a part of it at any one time (the Corporation, the "OC Dancers", etc) going back close to two decades now. It's more of an informal name than anything but since I needed a name to call the page I thought that one would work best. In essence, here is a basic description of what The Crew is about: it's a group of guys & ladies who go to or used to go to
specific dance clubs & bars in both northeast & central Ohio. This page is dedicated not only to those who are still doing the clubbing and dancing like yours truly but to those who were associated in some fashion either directly or indirectly and also for those who are not doing the clubbing thing any longer. It's a place to connect and reconnect, to share memories (pics, videos, experiences, etc) and potentially start new ones, to remember the past as we make our way in the present and toward the future in regard to our activities, and a way to update your friends and "Crew" mates, if you will, on what's going on with you and use as a gateway to your own personal Facebook profiles if you have one. For any of you who are interested in anything regarding the Crew, our past or upcoming activities (including one big one in the next few months which I'll talk about in the next blurb), you can check out and "like" the page here:<br />
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- On Saturday May 17, 2014, the Corporation will be gathering in Columbus for a reunion for the first time in several years. The Corporation Reunion will be taking place at the Schrock Tavern in northern Columbus and is open to anyone who was a part of or associated with the Corporation over the years. This is a chance for those of us blessed to be in this group to get together and have some fun the way we used to. There will be people from the Corporation coming that haven't been in Columbus in a long time so this will be a can't-miss event. This reunion will be done in honor of the memory of Roger Byrd who passed away a few months after the last reunion in 2008. Here is a pic we have to help promote the event:<br />
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You are more than free to copy the pic above and paste it on your profiles or wherever to spread the word about the reunion. In the next few editions leading up to the reunion, I will be posting something in regard to it as a reminder that it's coming up. You can find out more and RSVP to the event on the event page set up here on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/608457442523492" target="_blank">The Corporation Reunion - Facebook event page</a>.</div>
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- Regarding me and the Corporation Reunion...I am definitely going to it. I was planning on doing some big stuff for my birthday this year but with the reunion coming up I decided to chuck those plans and save my money for stuff related to that weekend instead. I'm still going out for my birthday but I won't be doing the big stuff I was planning. Since I haven't been down in Columbus in years, I've decided I'm going to stay a couple of nights (that weekend, basically) so I can also visit my alma mater, The Ohio State University, and maybe do some sightseeing while I'm there. If anybody who isn't going to the reunion wants to visit with me while I'm down there, let me know beforehand and maybe we can set something up for that. I'm excited about going down there and really looking forward to it.<br />
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- Thirty years ago, the dance movie "Breakin" came out. You wanna talk about a major influence on my life...that movie was what really got me into dancing in the first place. Michael Jackson did have some influence around that same time but Breakin' was what really did it for me. It's hard to believe the movie has been around that long.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Can't Stop" by After 7. This song is one of the few where if I wanted something to dance with a lady to or just get down with one, this was one of those songs.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Since I've talked to or heard from so many people since the beginning of the new year and it'd take me forever to list them all here, I decided to just give a overall shoutout to my Facebook friends since all the people I would have given one to are on it already. If you're on my friend list there, you're included in this shoutout.<br />
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That will do it for this edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. I might be pretty busy over the next few weeks so I'm not exactly sure when the next edition will be coming. I do want to note before I end this edition by noting that it will be 7 years since I started as a follower of Jesus Christ and became a Christian, something I am extremely blessed to be. With all that, I bid you adieu. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-71270937974204504722014-01-02T23:50:00.000-05:002014-01-03T00:36:16.242-05:00Random Thoughts # 133 - the "cold shoulder" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and welcome to a very hastily put-together edition of DJ's Random Thoughts, the first of 2014. I didn't actually expect to do one now but I've got some thoughts that I didn't want to let slip away before I got to put them to paper, so to speak. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
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- Ten years ago this day (January 2, 2004), I started on a journey that changed my life and how I saw myself. I returned to Columbus and The Ohio State University to get my college degree. That day was significant in that I never thought I would be going back to school after everything that had happened in my life up to that point, but here was the reality of me going back to college. I felt uneasy leading up to it because I was so eager and anxious to leave Ohio State better than the last time I left which didn't work out so well for me. Once I was there and settled in, however, I started feeling like I belonged there again. During that year, I tried my hand at a few things I had some interest in at the time...some I did well in, some I did not, but I did want to at least indulge a bit while I had a chance to do so since it was the first time probably in my life up to that point where I felt comfortable enough to do so. That particular journey ended later that year in December successfully when I finally earned my Bachelor of Arts in sociology. I had something I could never really claim before that time...a measureable accomplishment. I never really had one of those before...at least not in any real tangible sense...but once I earned my degree I could forever call myself something that can never be taken away from me: "college graduate". I did stay in Columbus a few more years hoping for some more of that lightning to strike but at least while I was there I finally finished something I started thirteen years earlier. As I look upon where I am eager and hoping to take DJ's Random Thoughts into the future, I constantly think of that journey I took in 2004 to finally get my college degree. Journeys start with a single step and I wanted to remember and immortalize here that one single step of my most successful journey to date that I took back on January 2, 2004.<br />
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- I had a decent New Year's Eve which I'll get to later in DJRT, but something happened while I was at the Red Fox that bugged me. I saw somebody I used to hang out with from 2001-02 there whom I hadn't seen in well over 10 years. We did have a falling out but before I left for OSU I saw him at the Harry Buffalo one night where we had talked things out and settled things...or at least I thought we did. Several years later, he friended me on Facebook and he asked if everything was still cool. I thought it certainly was and even had to remind him about us sorting things out before I left for school. Some time later he quietly dropped me from his FB friends list and I didn't hear from him again. I want to note a couple things about me and Facebook before I go on while I'm thinking about them: 1. I only add folks I have actually met or know personally in some form; 2. since I've been on Facebook, I have only dropped one person ever from my FB friends list and that was because I was trying to get news on something that person was supposedly assoicated with but I didn't really know them...I don't drop FB friends, JSYK. Getting back to the person I'm talking about here, I don't know why he dropped me, only that he did it. Fast forward to NYE. I saw him at the club and went up simply to say "hi" to him. He gave me the cold shoulder and completely ignored my attempt to talk to him. All I could do at that point was shrug my shoulders and walk away. I didn't know what was up with him but still I thought at least we could be cordial even though we hadn't seen each other for so long. I guess I was wrong on that. It bugged me because we used to hang out a lot for about a year or so back in the day. Everything wasn't all rosy back then especially on my end but still he helped me out sometimes when I needed it. I guess I was more bugged because it was something I never expected to happen when it did, but at the same time I have no idea what he's been up to in the past few years so whatever he's been going through or whatever feelings about the past he has, I can only pray that if I do see him again down the road things will turn out better. For now, I guess I'll just have to leave it be and leave him to whatever he wants to believe or let haunt him about back in the day.<br />
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- As I alluded to earlier, I did have a decent New Year's Eve despite what I just talked about. I hung out with Kevin, Brandon, Mary and a few other folks. There were a couple people buggin' on us throughout the night acting like they knew us when they really didn't (that does get annoying) and I was tired but other than that it was a good way to bring in the new year. I was tired because I wasn't rested enough before going out so that may have affected my mood a bit, but I was really happy to be there with my friends to hang out and dance. At least I did something this year as opposed to the past few, so that was a boon as well.<br />
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- I mentioned in the last edition that I was setting up a Facebook page for those who have clubbed with me or clubbed together over the years at various places I or my friends have hung out at. I'm still working on the page but I am looking for some old pics from back in the day or even videos if they are out there. I have some ready to go but I would really like to get some from times like Club Dance/Screaming Willies, the Harry Buffalo, the Outside Corner and other places we all went before I launch the page outright to everybody. I'm really excited about what I have so far for this but I do want more so if anybody who I haven't talked to yet from my Facebook friends list has some stuff they may want to share about the past or current stuff, send them my way or contact me on Facebook. I would like to get this going sooner rather than later but the more the page has at launch the better.<br />
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- Earlier this week the Cleveland Browns ended their latest season. It got so bad at the end of the season that they fired the head coach right after their last game against the Steelers. There was a lot of hope going into the season with a new coaching staff, a new management team and a new owner coming into his first full season with the team. After the first few games the Browns traded their starting RB Trent Richardson for a 1st round pick in the next NFL Draft and made their third-string QB Brian Hoyer the offensive starter. People thought it was indicative that the Browns were giving up on the season early but then they pulled off three straight wins with Hoyer as the starter. Once Hoyer went down to injury, it seemed everything started coming apart. Injuries started mounting up and only had one more win for the rest of the season. It seemed evident that the coaching wasn't always up to snuff in the last half of the season and the only person that seemed to be getting better as time went on was WR Josh Gordon who ended up with the league receiving title and a Pro Bowl nod. I do believe they got screwed by the refs in the Patriots game, but over the last half of the season it was a steady decline. In their last two games, I couldn't even watch the end of either because I was so turned off by how they seemed to be playing and how things seemed to be going down with them, which was a first for me in all the games I have watched over the years. It was that bad. At first, when it was announced that they fired Rob Chudzinski as head coach I didn't like the move, but then I got to thinking about my reaction in the last few games and given it didn't seem the coaches were improving nor most of the players as the season wore on, I now believe it was the right move. Now I know long-suffering fans are now mad with yet another coaching change but there is something different about this one than with the others, at least in my view. I'm getting the impression that the front office is no longer going to let indifference or continual decline through a season just slide by like past regimes had before. Yes, Chud was a local who dreamed of being with the Browns and people hated that this was possibly a knee-jerk reaction on management's part, but the way the season was wearing on, it was starting to be apparent that he wasn't ready or maybe even the right coach for this team. Something had to be done and I'm glad it happened sooner rather than later. I don't have any idea who the next coach will be. I do have a couple of candidates that might work but I'm not as sold on any one person as I have been in past coaching searches. I guess I'm just worn from the season and ready for the first time in a while to take a rest from football overall save for one more bowl game with the Ohio State Buckeyes tomorrow night.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Same Ol' G" by Ginuwine. I like this song but I don't really know why this song is appealing to me right now. It just seemed appropriate to put here given how much I've listened to it the past week or so.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Cory, Katie, Holly, Kevin, Aunt Sue, Jenny K., Michelle, W., Jamie, Kristin, Griff, Mary K., Brandon, Jay, Stan, Ron, Marcus D., Debbie, Scotty, Cheryl, Diane, Mary S., Debbie (from the Red Fox), Al, Jen C., Anna, Bob, Lynn and Maggie.<br />
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I really didn't expect to be doing DJRT until later on but like I said earlier I didn't want to lose the thoughts I had to the winds of time. In any case, I'm happy to do them. Before I go I want to recognize the two year anniversary of the DJRT Twitter account. I have over 1000 tweets and counting which will definitely include this edition. I don't know the next time I'm going out because there's supposed to be sub-zero temperatures over the next week or so, but I do want to get out sometime soon. In the meantime, for those of you about to be facing the extreme cold yourselves, stay as warm as you can. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-73867443523075773422013-12-22T21:49:00.002-05:002013-12-22T22:25:57.217-05:00Random Thoughts #132 - the "2013 review" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts, the last one for this calendar year. I've done a bit of reflecting over the past month about my 2013 and I thought I'd share that with all of you along with some recent events. With that in mind, let's get to it. Enjoy.<br />
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- Before I get into my yearly review, I'm pretty sure you've noticed by now the new DJ Logo at the top of the page and on the various social media pages if you've been to those. When I created it a few months ago I wasn't expecting to actually come up with a outright new one. However, once I got finished with it I was like "Wow!" It was so simple yet unique and I am finding to be more easily placeable on a ton of stuff. I knew once it was done that this was going to be THE logo I wanted to represent yours truly wherever I am, especially when I take DJRT to where I've been dreaming to for so long. Once I made that call, I decided to not make a separate one specifically for DJRT because I can just use the logo and then put "Random Thoughts" with other differing fonts & designs such as with the icons I'm using on DJRT social media as well as wherever I want to represent the site. As you can see by the picture of the new DJRT bumper sticker in the top left corner of this edition, I have also changed up all the merchandise I'm selling in the DJRT Store. Go check that out using the link in the top menu or just go here: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/djrtstore" target="_blank">the DJRT Store</a>. I hope you all like the new logo. I am extremely happy with it.<br />
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- Usually when I do my yearly review, I'll do it between Christmas and New Year's Day. I'm doing it a few days early this year because for the first time in years I might be somewhat busy in that time (I know I will be on New Year's Eve which I'll talk about in a later blurb). Like last year, there wasn't any significant or defining moment for me. Before this past spring I was a virtual recluse, not getting out that much and not being too terribly social. I don't think I had really been in such a place for a long time. Once the spring hit, that started to change. Even if it meant simply going to take a stroll in one of my favorite places to walk, downtown Cuyahoga Falls, I was determined to get more social and be "out and about" more. I did a lot more of that this past year than in several of the years before. I hit up many festivals and fairs and did some more exploring around some nooks and crannies in northeastern Ohio. One big thing I did do last month was finally get past and settle in my head something that haunted me for years (something I've talked about at length in past editions). Thanks to that issue being done, I've started to regularly go out dancing again...something I hadn't expected but it feels good to be doing that. As I mentioned in the last edition, even though dancing and the nightlife are a big part of my life again, it is no longer the utmost focus of it. I believe that is why I seem to be really enjoying it all again, something that hasn't been the case in a long time. The last time it was like that for me was my first year at Ohio State and most of you know how fond I am of my nightlife during that year. With all that happened on that front this year (the "out and about" and the renewed dancing), I plan on next year and beyond to continue what I did this past one and do more of it whenever possible. I have this gut feeling that next year, 2014, is going to be an awesome year for me and a harbinger of good things to come in subsequent years. I have nothing to base that projection on but for the first time in ages I am very optimistic about an upcoming new year.<br />
<br />
- As I mentioned in the last blurb I've been going out dancing regularly again. I've been going to the Red Fox in Cuyahoga Falls with my friends and having, at minimum, a good time when I'm out there. I'm open to going to more spots but for right now I'm good on that front. I do want to mention that I will be going to the Red Fox on New Year's Eve. I know a few of my friends will be up there that night too but if anybody wants to come up and join me there that night let me know. I'll likely be heading up early and be eating there (and more than likely have a decent place to park), so for those of you who haven't seen me in a long time it'd be an opportunity for us to get together early and catch up before I get my dance on...or maybe even while I'm dancing, who knows? For those of you who don't have plans, it's an idea.<br />
<br />
- One more thing about the dancing and the nightclubs...over the past few years I've had people suggest setting up a site showing off all the old pictures in the clubs, sharing videos if people have any, reminiscing about old memories and also potentially posting upcoming events in the future like club trips or dance practices (which specifically is happening in the near future). In the past week or so I've been working on setting up a Facebook page which will hopefully do just that and more. I'm taking my time in setting it up because I want to get some more stuff on there before it goes live but I'm hoping it will be an opportunity for all of you who have been with me or some of my friends in the clubs either in the Akron area or around Columbus or central Ohio to share what you have (pics, videos, memories, etc), keep up to date with what is going on either at a club or an upcoming event being planned, or just to be able to catch up with old friends or make new ones. This is something that has been a long time coming and I think those of you who have been along for the ride with me and some of my friends in the clubs I've frequented will really like what's on the horizon.<br />
<br />
- Last week I went up with my friend Bob to an NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers. We had probably the best seats in the upper deck one could get as we could see all the action without missing a beat. We cheered for the Cavs and they almost pulled out a win but a last-second three-point shot by the Trail Blazers stopped that from happening. It was great to see it live and as part of my getting out more I might take in one more game later in the season...I'm thinking the day of my birthday when the Cavs take on the Detroit Pistons to help celebrate my 42nd (I'm getting old, folks)...and hopefully get the same seats I did for this past one. It was exciting.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of my friend Bob, back when we were in our mid-teens we went to a National Wrestling Alliance house show that took place at the Rhodes Arena in Akron. On the trip back home from the Cavs game we reminisced about that event talking about how we saw Dusty Rhodes, Lex Luger, the Rock N' Roll Express, the Midnight Express, and other big names that were a part of the NWA at that time. We didn't remember exactly when that event took place but we did remember that Lex Luger was still in the Four Horsemen at the time and he was the U.S. champ then. I did a Google search on that which took me a while to find but I did eventually find a page with the full card for the event which took place November 7, 1987 here: <a href="http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=92004" target="_blank">Jim Crockett Productions/National Wrestling Alliance in Akron, OH</a>. I also remember constantly giving a double middle finger salute to manager Jim Cornette during the match he was involved with which probably shocked him that a 15 year old was doing something like that to him. Then again, maybe it didn't given the reaction he was trying to elicit from the crowd in the first place, but it was the only time I can recall actually doing something that brash as a kid. You're probably wondering where my dad who came with us was when this was going on? Well, that's one of the things I don't recall all that well, but I'm guessing if he did see it he never said anything to me about it. I do have to say that remembering that particular event gets me to thinking about MCW which I'm guessing outright closed over a year ago...I would like to be wrong about that but unfortunately I don't think I am...and those great shows I got to attend. I do miss MCW and hope in the event it doesn't come back another promotion of the same quality or better comes along.<br />
<br />
- It's hard to believe that 10 years ago, one of my favorite songs, "I Don't Want To Be" by Gavin DeGraw was released. Associated with one of my favorite shows, One Tree Hill, it launched his career into the mainstream and he's had several hits since then. The reason I mention this is that a couple days after my birthday in April he will be performing at the new Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield. Along with the aforementioned Cavs game on my birthday itself, that concert is something else I am considering doing to celebrate my birthday. If anybody has any other ideas or wants to come along to help me celebrate said birthday, let me know because I want to have an exciting birthday this year.<br />
<br />
- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Anything" by SWV and the Wu-Tang Clan. This particular remix of the song is one of my favorites. Bottom line, it's a really cool song to dance to that brings back some club memories from back in the day not just from yours truly but from several of my friends.<br />
<br />
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<br />
- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Cory, Kevin, Griff, Jay, Stan, Diane, Kristin, Aunt Sue, Stephen, Ron, Brandon, Marcus D., Michelle, Holly, Bob, Lynn, Jenny K., Holly, Xavier and Melissa.<br />
<br />
It's been an interesting year and next year is looking to be bright. Like I said, if anyone outside of those already heading to the Red Fox for New Year's Eve wants to come up to celebrate too, let me know. I'd love to see those of you who want to celebrate with me. Before I take off here, I want to wish all of you a very happy and safe holiday season and a Merry Christmas. If I don't see you before 2014, I also want to wish you a Happy New Year. That's it for this year, folks. Until next time...and next year...take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJ<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to another edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. It's been a while since the last one but I have been a bit busy as of late. I hope everybody's having a good turkey day today and not overstuffing themselves like I did (burp!). Anyway, let's go ahead and get down to business. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
- Over a week ago, for the first time since that stuff from the summer of 2009 happened I talked with the other people who were involved in it who I hadn't talked to since it went down. I let them know where I was coming from and they did the same with me. The bottom line is that we talked it out, cleared things up, settled things and now we're moving forward as friends again. I believe there were more than a few people who have been waiting for the "drama" (their words, not mine) to be over and I think they'll be happy now that we've put it behind us. I have to tell you...I'm very thankful to not have that hanging overhead anymore. Because of this, I did something I hadn't done in a very long time which I will reveal...in the next blurb.<br />
<br />
- Over the past couple of weekends, I did something I hadn't done in over two in a half years...I went out. I don't mean I left the house and went to the store or went walking in downtown Cuyahoga Falls (one of my favorite things to do, BTW) or just visited a friend. What I mean is that I hit up the bars and the nightlife. I have to admit I was rather nervous because I hadn't been out in so long and I really wasn't sure what going out was going to mean to me (I'll talk more about that in the next blurb). On that first weekend I went out to the bar Johnny Malloy's at Chapel Hill for my friend and former neighbor Heather's birthday. I saw some other former neighbors there that I hadn't seen in years, some since high school. Understand that back then, being the socially inept person I was, I don't believe I was capable of adequately connecting with people in general. I probably lost out on actually getting to "know" people, for lack of a better word, during high school due to that so I didn't know what to expect. Thankfully, it's not the high school years anymore and I got in some real conversations with people that even eleven years ago I wasn't able to have (I graduated HS 22 years ago so the 11 year benchmark serves as a halfway point here). We all caught up with each other and had a good time and Heather seemed to enjoy her birthday celebration. Last weekend was when I did the thing I alluded to earlier that I hadn't done in ages...I went out dancing. I went to a place called the Red Fox in Cuyahoga Falls with my friends Kevin and Jay. The Red Fox is a pretty nice spot and it's set up for an older crowd, meaning not college-age folks though there were a few there. I was still rusty and stiff with my dancing since I hadn't done it in forever but I did seem to have more stamina since I'm 30 pounds below where I was when I regularly went out before. As the night wore on I was starting to get more of my groove back as well as some of the old dance routines I used to do back in the day and I felt a sense of myself there that I hadn't thought I was missing until it came back. It was a weird sensation but one that was welcome. I had a great time the last couple of weekends out on the town.<br />
<br />
- After the last couple of weekends, I am now anticipating going out much more often than I have been especially since I have been a hermit for the past couple of years or so. I might even become competently social again...who knows? However, going forward there is one major personal change regarding my going out regularly again that might not be all that relevant to most of you but I wanted to note it here for myself as a personal philosophical benchmark. As I've talked about many, many, many times before, going out to clubs has been a major part of my life in terms of meeting a lot of my friends, showing off my dance moves and having a lot of things happen that were good for me there. All that stuff I talked about was comparatively an understatement to what the clubs truly meant to me and my life overall. There were outright entire years where it served as "the" lifeline and the main go-to option when things weren't going right for me in my life at any point. If I had problems at home, there was always the club. If school was getting to me, the club was there to get my mind off of it. If I had drama or issues at work, I'd go to the club for relief. If I was lonely or badly wanted company, I would look forward to the club. As much as it served as a benchmark, it also served as "the" getaway from whatever I might have been dealing with. I don't think any of you know how many times having the club in my life actually saved me. It's a lot. Before I go on, for those of you who worked at the clubs whether it was as a bartender, a bouncer, a manager, a deejay or whatever, those of you who still keep up with me and consider me a friend from when I went wherever you worked...you guys and gals helped me through some of the toughest times of my life, sometimes with comforting supportive words, sometimes with simple gestures or just with a little acknowledgement. It means so much to me and I'm as thankful as ever to have you still as part of my life.<br />
<br />
Getting back to the lifeline aspect, there were times where I would worry more about getting to the club than, say, my long-term future or something that I may have needed at some particular moment. I wasn't a drinker most of the time, but the overall club or bar atmosphere served as my escape many a time. Whenever something came up that threatened that lifeline, such as some jerk bouncer with a fragile ego treating me like crap or mean people hassling me or a club I was going to was on the verge of changing or closing, it would automatically get to me and I would get all out of sorts which was pretty noticeable if people paid attention to my reactions to those things or events. Generally, the clubs were my stability and my "be-all, end-all", even when the clubs themselves were unstable in some respect. However, somewhere along the line (probably starting around late 2008 or so...that's just a guess), having the clubs serving as a lifeline stopped working for me and in some cases started working against me. It wasn't doing for me what it had done for me for so long, being the effective lifeline it had been. I was still going out and enjoyed being with old friends while making some new ones but I started going out less and less until around mid-2010 when my last regular hangout in Columbus, Martini Park at Easton, closed and I pretty much stopped going out altogether. The last time I went out before a couple weeks ago was to the old Screaming Willies where I twisted my ankle. After that I thought my time in the clubs was pretty much over.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to recently. I don't know if you all could tell, but I've been making an effort to get back to my roots because I felt I was getting away from them. As a result, a lot of memories from the clubs have been resurfacing which I have talked about in the past few editions of DJRT. I was starting to get the itch again to go back out but wasn't sure if I should. For some people, that may be a no-brainer but with what I just talked about it wasn't that way so much for me. When I got the initial invite to that birthday celebration, I decided to take a chance and go for it and head out to a bar for the first time in ages. I did that and then I went out again last weekend, this time going dancing. While I was out there in particular, something hit me while I was in the middle of one of my dance routines, something big...the clubs and nightlife were no longer being a lifeline for me. More importantly, I realized it no longer needed to be one. It hit me that I didn't need the clubs to be that lifesaving apparatus I needed it to be in years past. I was simply dancing and having fun with my friends and the weight of that apparatus was not there at all, probably for the first time since my freshman year in college when I initially started going out to the clubs. It doesn't comprise the majority of my life...it's just simply a part of it. It was a shock but a welcome one and I'm rather thankful for that "lightbulb" moment. I think being away from the clubs helped me actually get to this point but because that weight is gone now I feel free to go out again. It might not be obvious just looking at me at a club...it might even look exactly the same as some points in the past...but in terms of my approach to nightlife in relation how I'm living my life now and where I want to take it, it rates as a big internal philosophical change for yours truly. It's a milestone, for sure, and one I wanted to note here. Ultimately, I'm hoping to be going out and just having fun somewhat regularly again whenever possible...not because I need or absolutely have to but because I want and choose to.<br />
<br />
- Before I move on from the nightlife stuff, I've got one more thing to say. Last weekend we were doing the Booti Call line dance and we had forgotten about half of the callouts we used to do. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, we call out a different move to do at a particular point in the line dance and it's a different move every time. If you ever see it, you'll know that is what I'm referring to here. Well, in light of that forgetfulness, I went and dug up a master list I made a few years back of all the callouts we do in the dance. Those moves will not be forgotten again...this I swear!!! (I'm laughing rather loudly as I type that...I think I'm freaking my parents out)<br />
<br />
- I have a phrase I have used many times that is very apropos for what is going on outside right now that I think a lot of you might share this sentiment with me: Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow...SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!<br />
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- I don't have any clue what I'm going to be doing for New Year's Eve this time out, though I seemingly have many options as of now. I don't know if this will be on my agenda, but First Night Akron is one of those options but it might be a rather cold one. Like I said, I'm not sure yet but for those of you who might be considering that particular option, you can check out <a href="http://www.firstnightakron.org/" target="_blank">the First Night Akron website</a> for more info on that.<br />
<br />
- According to Business Insider, out of the 25 most hungover cities in the United States for 2013, Ohio has six cities on that list. Akron is tops as the most hungover city in OH clocking in at #6 on the overall list. Here is the article with the list: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-hungover-cities-in-america-2013-2012-12?op=1" target="_blank">Business Insider - The Most Hungover Cities In America 2013</a>. You know, for some reason, even though I'm not a drinker that little factoid rings very true to me for some reason...hmmmmm...<br />
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- In this years local elections there was a major shock as Don Robart, the Republican mayor of Cuyahoga Falls since I was in junior high, lost his re-election bid for the office to Don Walters, a Democrat and president of the City Council there. I'm generally supportive of Walters but he did express his desire to open up Front Street to traffic again. As someone who likes to walk about and around that area, that is one major area of disagreement I have with him. I would like there to be more active businesses there but I prefer the way it's set up now as a walking area rather than a potentially high-traffic nightmare it would likely become. I don't live there but if someone there who does agrees with my sentiment, please don't let that happen if it's in your power. Pretty please?<br />
<br />
- This week is rivalry week. The Browns completely blew it against the Steelers and probably lost the season, but the Buckeyes are on deck this Saturday against the Michigan Wolverines. The only thing I have to say at this point is "Go Bucks!!!" Oh yeah, OSU is going to play in the Big Ten championship game, so there's that too.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Miles Away" by Winger. It is a classic hair-band hard rock ballad. A little background about this particular song in relation to DJRT: One of the first CD's I ever got was a sampler 3-CD set I got from my sister, the kind that record companies would send to retail stores to help promote upcoming albums and provide background audio for said stores. This particular sampler set included songs like "Elevate My Mind" by the Stereo MCs and "Rope-A-Dope Style" by Levert, but this particular song was one of the first ever songs I put on repeat on my first real CD stereo system. I only had tape recorders before then so it was always a chore to have to rewind to near the spot where I would want to hear a song again. Most of the time it wasn't even close and I would overshoot most of the time. When I got that first CD player, it had a repeat function that was just a revelation to me in that I didn't have to rewind to play a song. This was one of those first songs I did that with and thus "Song on Repeat" was born...for me at least.<br />
<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Cory, Giff, Heather D., Bob, Lynn, Jennifer S., Daryl, Aunt Sue, Ron, Todd, Chad, Jamie, David S., George, Dave M., Cheryl, Scotty, Kevin, Jay, Stan, Jenny K., Anna, Paula, Marcus D., Sycho Bill, Micah, Kristin, Jim B., Tom R., Debbie, Maggie, and Leslie<br />
<br />
That's it for this edition. I will have a preview of the new DJ/DJRT Logo in the next edition so keep an eye out for that. I'm hoping to make it out to the Red Fox in Cuyahoga Falls again this weekend, so if anybody wants to see me actually dancing...or maybe looking like a fool, I don't know...come on out. Just remember that with Black Friday tomorrow to be safe though with some of the stores that are open today (who should qualify for Grinches of the Year IMHO for making that happen) it might not be so bad tomorrow. Besides, you'll get better prices after Christmas anyways...take it from someone who's worked in retail. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving and Hanukkah holidays. With that, I bid you adieu. Until next time, folks...take care and God Bless.<br />
<br />
DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980105964800153040.post-26896278403776831192013-10-29T17:22:00.003-04:002013-10-29T17:22:44.711-04:00Random Thoughts #130 - the "potential" edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of DJ's Random Thoughts. There is a plethora of randomness in my head today so I thought I'd make some of it public. That may be a dangerous thing to do but I'm gonna do it and nobody's gonna stop me today. With that in mind, enjoy.<br />
<br />
- Over the years, something that many people have noticed about me is that I tend to want to be early for things. There have been more than a few people that have wondered why and some of them noticeably annoyed by it. Some believe that it has to do with paranoia that I'm afraid to be late for anything or that I'm trying to compensate for something I don't have. Given my issues I will admit that that does apply to jobs or things I haven't looked forward to back in the day but that's as far as it goes on that front. When it's about things I look forward to, however, it's actually different with me. When it comes to fun stuff, like going to a park, hanging out with friends or heading out to the club (especially this which will be more clear in a moment), I start thinking about all the possible good times, the great moments and greatness in general that comes with such fun things. My mind gets to racing thinking about all the potential that comes with something good or even great coming up, hence the name for the subtitle of this edition. My parents have even called me the "ultimate optimist" at times back in the day because of this. It's been like this for me since I was a child. I think to some degree that holds true for everybody but for me it is one of the few traits I have that has probably uniquely defined me throughout my life. It's hard for me not to get excited about that potential and the hope that comes with it. Sometimes I'm supremely impatient and bursting at the seams in anticipation of some events.<br />
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I think most people have observed this when it came to nightlife especially since it played such an important role in my life. Contrary to some beliefs, it wasn't always about the dancing for me. Sometimes it was about getting the chance to have a long conversation with a friend or even just seeing that person, whether it be a fellow clubgoer, a deejay, a bartender or the other staff. Going early especially made that possible because usually those folks will be busy later on or the music gets so loud later on that I couldn't understand what they say then or I wouldn't be able to talk to them outside of the club because they're busy in their own lives. Sometimes I would go early to see the women come in before the nightclub really gets going. I'm telling ya...you can't imagine some of the good-looking and ridiculously hot women over the years I've seen come through the door at a club. Those of you who have come with me early know this firsthand and have seen it for yourselves. Trust me, that was a major motivation behind the early arrivals and a great stimulator of conversation with my friends. Given my shyness to approaching women it astounds me to this day how many of those women became friends. Sometimes I would wish for more but at least I got to look...heh heh. Anyway, back to the potential, I think the most obvious realization of that potential of something big happening related to the club happened on that first trip down to the then-Big Easy 10 years ago with my friends Stan and Darryl. I wanted for the longest time to bring my friends who hung out with me at the old Harry Buffalo in Akron down to Columbus in the hope that they would get out of it what I did from 1996 to 1998. I was nervous because I badly wanted them to have the kind of good time I had there and there was no guarantee of that at the time. I was hopeful of the potential but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. That initial trip didn't just go beyond the potential I foresaw for that evening but it did so for some time afterward. As I've said before, more trips were taken, more people started coming down, several moved there and lived there for years, relationships were formed and some families came of it...it was a game changer. It became more of one for me when I realized I was going back to Ohio State (according to a re-reading of my journal, that news wasn't certain until a few days after that first trip down there). When you hope for things to go well and they go way beyond that, it's more that you could hope for and that's what happened there.<br />
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Before I continue, I wanted to note that these days it seems like this is happening more and more for DJRT-related stuff than anything else going on in my life, especially since I haven't gone out to a club in so long. Honestly, I can't get enough of the potential I forsee for what may be coming regard DJRT and my life in general. That is the main reason why I wanted to bring this up here in this edition.<br />
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Getting back to the larger point, even with all that potential there comes the risk of disappointment and let down. Have I had that? Unequivocally, yes...I have. I've had some major let downs especially when my expectations didn't meet whatever standards I had in my head at any one point to have a good time. It's happened a decent number of times. I can say with confidence that in contrast I have had my expectations met in most instances even at times when it didn't seem like it to others (I speak of internal expectations here, not of those widely talked about around other people). I do get downright quixotic sometimes about the potential for great things to happen and I have been asked in the past to temper that because it gets to them. I hate to inform some of those folks but this is something that is hardwired in me. It's how I am and it's who I am. It's gotten me through some of the roughest times of my life, especially when I've had trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. There are times where I'll be able to temper it somewhat but it's not going to be often. It's one of the few things about myself that, even in the worst of times and I'm down on me, I like about myself. That is not going to change and I really don't want it to.<br />
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- As far as where I'm at with this crossroads, it's just same stuff, different day for now. I'm hoping the stuff I've talked about continues to help me with that but I'm still there for now. <br />
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- Speaking of the former Big Easy/Screaming Willies, it looks like the person who bought it has turned it into a concert hall called "Xclusive Venue and Elite Nightclub." I don't believe it's the kind of nightclub that also doubles as a dance club anymore but if it is the kind concert hall that can be rented, maybe there could be a "one night stand" kind of reunion if someone wanted to put one together. That might be a long way off but it is something to think about. Speaking of concerts, FYI for those of you in Columbus, Bell Biv Devoe is playing there this Saturday night.<br />
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- <b>DJ Customs</b>: The pic at the top of this edition with the Ohio State logo and the Browns elf on the front in scarlet and gray. I created that about a year ago for someone who was looking for a way to make good on a bet (don't ask...it's sorta twisted why I came up with this pic for that) but it is a pic that shows where my sporting alligences lie and it might be one of my best customizations.<br />
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- Speaking of my sporting alligences, it seems that while the OSU Buckeyes keep rolling on with winning (not sure even if they win out they make the national championship game this year), the Cleveland Browns have started to slide when QB Brian Hoyer got injured and was lost for the season. It's obvious by now that Brandon Weeden played himself off the team and maybe out of the league. Jason Campbell is serviceable for now but it does look like next year I wouldn't be surprised if a high draft pick was used on the quarterback position. It's going to be a rough ride for them the rest of this year, methinks.<br />
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- One more thing about both the Browns and the Buckeyes...on the weekend of November 9th and 10th, I think that is the first weekend in a long time that I can remember that both teams have a bye at the same time. That might be a weekend to do something big, though I don't know what.<br />
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- About a week before Christmas I am going up to Cleveland to take in a Cavaliers game. I have two tickets and I'm not sure exactly who I'm taking just yet but I did get upper level seats near mid-court so whoever I take with me is hopefullly going to enjoy the view with me...I hope.<br />
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- <b>Query</b>: Every once in a while I'll see a question that's been asked a few times previously that at the times they were asked I'd want to answer but couldn't get all my thoughts together in a convenient enough time to do so. By the time I had the thoughts to that question ready it would be way too late for it to matter, so I would save the question and answer I had for it later just in case someone else asked it again. Recently, one of my friends happened put out there one of those questions I had hoped would be asked again by someone at some point. It's the first time I can recall that I've been able to put out there my answer to such a question that I've been saving. For those of you curious, here was the question that was put out there: "They say if you really love someone, you believe in them no matter what. At what point do you need to stop believing?" Here is the response I gave:<br />
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<b>This is something I've had to deal with several times. There is a difference between believing someone and believing "in" someone. When you believe in someone, you believe in their intentions and in their soul that they will do right by you, right by others, and right in general. That's why in a lot of cases that even when somebody is completely bullsh*tting you with something that may be an absolute lie, you may tend to gloss over it because you want to believe in an overall sense that they are ultimately still trying to do right and be worth believing in (believing in them as a person as opposed to believing their words, in this case). In other words, you're hoping and praying for the best regardless. That is something I believe Jesus teaches us to do to a certain degree. When you start feeling in your heart or you see outright demonstrated that a particular person's intentions are not true or they're just outright hurtful or spiteful for the sake of being that, that is probably the time to let them go. That is hard to do because of the investment (mostly the emotional kind) we tend to put into most of our relationships with those folks and just the general complications that come with letting go, but the bottom line is that we all have the right to a clear conscience or at least minimal confusion about where we should rightfully and respectfully stand with those particular people. If you choose to stand with them, then so be it because it's ultimately your decision how you handle them, but you do have every right to walk away if they are too toxic for you or the people around you. Something my pastor would tell me when I've dealt with this was to "let go and let God." I don't know if any of what I said will help you or not but at least you know you're not alone when it comes to this stuff.</b><br />
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The question posed is not the actual query I have. I wanted to know about the quality of the answer I put up and if there was anything more that could be said about how I could have answered it. I'd love to hear about what you folks think of it because it might determine how I answer others in the future, so I've very curious what you think.<br />
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- For anybody that questions whether the Ohio State Marching Band is "the best damn band in the land," I would like to point out that in just the last couple of weeks they performed marching formations of Michael Jackson moonwalking, the Superman symbol, Superman changing in a telephone booth and flying off, Harry Potter-type stuff, and a T-Rex eating someone. In the immortal words of Damien Sandow...you're welcome.<br />
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- As Halloween approaches, I would like to present to you a link to a YouTube video that may scar some of you for life in ways you would never expect. I now give you the most potentially horrifying experience of your lives that will change you all forever...<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSvkgign8mQ#t=28" target="_blank">Winnie the Pooh as Darth Vader!</a> (with a cameo by Darkwing Duck)<br />
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- I've used a lot of big words today...hope my brain doesn't explode from all the awesomeness.<br />
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- <b>Song on Repeat</b>: "Workin' For A Livin'" by Huey Lewis and the News. This is a get-up-and-go type of song that can pump up the adrenaline and since I'm on a bit of an 80's kick right now, this is what I have for ya.<br />
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- <b>Shoutouts</b>: Mindy, Aunt Sue, Debbie, Heather, Kristin, Cheryl, Jennifer S., Andrea, Scarlet, Holly, Bob, Lynn and Uncle Larry.<br />
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That's it for this time out. A couple things before I go here. First, there are elections taking place a week from today (next Tuesday). If you have stuff on your local ballots and you are registered to vote, don't forget to go vote on that stuff. Also, this weekend in most of the U.S. (doesn't necessarily apply to my international readers) Daylight Savings Time ends so that means set your clocks an hour back either Saturday night before bed or Sunday morning whenever you get up...if you're not already up. With all that, I now bid you all adieu. For those of you celebrating Halloween this week, I have a message for you....BOO!!! Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.<br />
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DJDJ Hamrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451994005914523716noreply@blogger.com