T.G.I. Friday

So I had a half day at work today...

Getting used to working full-time is a big adjustment. I was thinking about it in the car on my way to work the other day: "Calvin (yes I do refer to myself in the 3rd person), you are going to have to wake up this early everyday for the rest of the time you spend with this company...are you ready for that?"

I came to the conclusion that I was and continued the day thinking that there would be no more getting out early or coming in late without consequences. Then today happened. We had a HUGE week at the office, wont bore you with details but a few people raked in some serious coin, so our Director of Business Operations (now isn't that a hell of a title) said we can go home early. A little reward for all of our hard work...now wasn't that sweet.

YES!...I got home today at 12:30pm. And now I'm coastin' thru the rest of the day and right into the weekend. Im expecting a relaxing next three days.

Wouldn't you with a Friday like that?

I'm cheesin'

HOLY SHIT!!!!
(excuse the language but you must understand my excitement!)

IM DONE WITH COLLEGE CLASSES FOREVER!!

Honestly if you know me then you know I smile a lot....a whole lot, but this is the happiest smile I have ever had. I'm smiling while I'm typing this. This is the most amazing feeling ever. I just performed my oral exam for German II and blew that 'ish out the water.

And today at 9:55pm I will be on a plane back to Pittsburgh (my favorite place in the world right now) to chill with my kinfolk...life couldn't get any better.

Thank you God for helping me through the 3 years that were my college experience and making me the man I am today. You have been there through every struggle and never let me down. You gave me the strength to push myself to the limit and the wisdom to know when to just let go. Please continue to bless me on my way through life, and grant me all of the tools necessary to do your will and make my life what you will have it be.

Amen


Thanks to all of the people who made me who I am today. I am forever grateful.

To my friends:
I couldn't ask for more. You have seen and made me smile my entire life. I cannot wait to progress into another realm of life with you all on my side.

To my family:
You have seen me smile and cry. You have offered your shoulder, your ear, your voice, your money, and your time day in and day out. I love you all, those with the same last name and those without. You are my army of brothers and sisters and I would walk into battle with each and every one of you at a moments notice.

We did it!

A woman who "knows"

I hesitate to put this on my page, but at this point I feel like you readers may be the only ones willing to sit still long enough to hear me out (plus if you get up and leave, I can't see you so it won't hurt my feelings).

I have had a lot on my mind lately and haven't given anyone the opportunity to hear me out. My fault completely and I'm not upset at all that this battle raging on in my head has not been released to the world. In fact, I chose to keep it right where it was...anyway...on to the meat and potatoes.

But before I continue (and its a shame I have to do this) - THIS IS BY NO MEANS A PERSONAL POST. ITS NOT ABOUT ME OR ANYONE I KNOW OR HAVE EVER MET. IN FACT ITS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE PERSON/PEOPLE THIS IS ABOUT DON'T EXIST.

There is nothing better that a woman who "knows". More often this woman is a little bit older than you, but it doesn't matter because its always cool. She's always cool. No stress, no drama, no maintenance, just cool. I'm not saying these women don't exist, but just like there are a lot of b**ch n***as, there are a lot of women who don't "know". I say most times they are older because an older woman has been around and has seen the baller, hustler, thug, prettyboy, b**ch n***a, etc. and she really understands the value of making herself (ladies don't hate me) more marketable. I'm not sayin that guys don't have a lotta stuff to take care of in order to be worthy of a woman who "knows" because there are a lot of "ain't shit" n***as in the world, and I'm not a fan of them, but I think its a lot easier for women to get away with not "knowing" than it is for a man to get away with being...for lack of a better word...worthless.

When I say, a woman who "knows" I mean: a woman who knows how to take care of a man.

If you read that and think you know, then you have no idea. Terrible pun, I know (haha), but its true. A woman who knows doesn't think about it, it just happens. No akward lapses in communication when the man is done presenting topics of discussion. She pleases herself and you without thinking twice or feeling like shes "doing all the work". She likes all the stuff you like and its not a problem because it just so happens to be the same stuff that she likes too. And a whole lot of other things. I am not stupid enough to think that all of these things should happen without a man pulling his weight. But what women who don't know, don't know, is that a man would have no problem pulling his weight if this was the result.

Now we reach the issue of, "well what if I do my part and that doesn't happen?"

Well, at that point you will be able to identify one of three things: a b***h n***a, a woman who doesn't know, or someone who obviously doesn't like you as much as you like them. At that point you should turn and walk away...unless you don't mind (and I am pretty sure after a while you will).

But back to my point. With a woman who knows you won't ever reach that point because she knows what you, "a man" needs. Now the qualifications for being worthy of a woman who knows are simple- Be a man. Own that shit, live that shit, and love it. Its not always easy and the transition is a tough one to make, but once you do the benifits are amazing.

I'm done. Thanks for listening...I still got a lot of other stuff goin on upstairs, but that shit is personal. This was good though, I needed it. Hopefully, this wasn't just a one night stand and I can call you later.

Memories

So I was talking to my mom this weekend (yes in person- and it felt so good- and I'm still smiling...i digress (Ill do a post about moms later)) and we had a great conversation about growing up.


Let me tell you (again, like most things I say but dont understand this is one of them- you dont have to let me tell you; I'm going to do it anyways) it was one for the books...


"When you dont see someone for a long time they get 'frozen' at whatever age or in the last situation that you saw them in" - MOM


SO TRUE- little miss sunshine can vouch for me when I say I still picture Keri, my youngest sister, as a "baby" too young to drive/date/club/leave the house without someone going with her. Its a very interesting reality, taht when you dont see someone for ages you can't imagine them different from when you saw them last.


That said, my youth pastor from wayyyyy back has a facebook and friended me (very cool). While replying to one of his messages I thought about the conversation that my mom and I had, and wondered what he still sees me as, and its blowing me away.


He would be one of those people who could say, "I remember you when you...(feel free to fill in the blank with some of the most embarassing/funny/ akward times in your life) and now that I'm older I wonder if he still pictures me as the skrawny kid that played basketball and went to small group every week.

Well Dave if you get the chance to read this- first and foremost thanks for being there during the rough patches in high school, I really appreciate it. Secondly, tell the family I said HI, and Crossroads is still Crossroads but its not the same without you guys there every Sunday. Finally, I've grown haha hopefully I'll see you soon so you can fill in the blanks (I remember when you _______)

Did I do that?

As long as everyday is better than the day before, you're doing something right...

I woke up-already its better...becasue I went to sleep wondering if I would (not really because thats kind of wierd) but I think you get the idea.

That wasnt even what I wanted to write, but my fingers just started typing- hmm- I like it.

Do you ever think that some stuff happens for a specific reason and you will change someones life and never know it. Like what my fingers just wrote was extremely left of what I wanted to do, but I'm going to leave it. Maybe someone is having a terrible day and they read that and become inspired to not let the day get to them and they go on and do something great...all because of my fingers (chuckle). Its a stretch, but as the little black kid from "Angels in the Outfield" would say: "Hey, it could happen."

Running in Place

Today for the first time in my life I did a workout on a treadmill

.:A little intro is appropriate here:.

For those who dont know...getting in shape is one of my goals for this summer and so I am taking a swimming and weightlifting class (oh yea for credits to graduate) this summer as well as doing some solo workouts here and there.

Let me tell you...I thought Treadmills were for people who were too lazy to go outside (very ironic), but my eyes were opened today- in the midst of a heat wave I was able to get an amazing cardio workout in without leaving the gym-

You may have read that and wondered: "OK..so whats the point???"

Well...

There was none...thanks for reading!

(if it makes you feel better heres a little tribute to Treadmills around the world)

Mr. Dantley's Neighborhood

Well ladies and gentlemen i have a very interesting subject of conversation for you all today....last night i had a conversation about the importance of college in today's society- hmmm you say! go on you say! RIGHTO on we go!

Today, where the power of your network is much more important than the power of your brain (sad but true) how important is a piece of paper that says you took 123 credits and learned what it means to be an economist (or whatever your respective major)...now the terms of the conversation:

1) think long and hard about how much of what you learn in school you actually retain

2) understand that there are millions of people without a degree who are doing amazing things

3)realize that most jobs today are obtained through a connection that someone has within an organization

4)ask yourself what exactly do you want to do with your life and how well is college preparing you to do that

On my end I truly do understand the value of a college education and am extremely proud to say that I graduated from .:cough:. Temple.:cough:. (only joking TU is great), but I like to play devils advocate a LOT and often times wonder and argue that every opportunity i have availible to me now would be availible if i didnt go to college. I have this conversation pretty reguarly and was just wondering what others think about it....particularly those who didnt go to college.

Ill be throwing out these convo topics every now n again...let me know what ya think folks

Heyyyy Duuuude!

hello everyone...sorry i have been MIA, but me n YODA just moved and we havent had internet.

in reference to things goin on...GOOD!

and in regards to my last post i have lots of updates for you folks-


In short...im back!

Welcome Back

I was gone for a long time everyone...for those of you who know me personally you could probably guess my life has been pretty sweet lately (that was wet with sarcasm). For those of you who dont know me here is the breakdown:

21 credits (i could honestly just stop here)

2 jobs currently---->transition---->1 permanent job

graduation stuff

new apartment...oh joy

the breakup----2 years of great times .:sigh:.

out of town visitors --love you guys but my house is an f-ing mess

random implosions that occur in everyday life


despite all the stuff thats been going on i can honestly say that these past couple of weeks have been quite amazing. i learned so much about myself, other people, and random stuff that i can leave college knowing i had what they call "the full experience". im not leaving yet (got a bunch of summer classes to take) but i just wanna shout out all of the people who have taken this college journey with me...yall know who you are and i hope your smiling right now, i know i am. its like that when you look back on one of the greatest periods in your life ...you may not know what im talking about right now but you will soon.

just smile...it will make you feel better