Ben-Gay required

Two days in a row in the gym, doing incline sit-ups and playing basketball.  I ache.  I reek.  I can barely move my legs.  And my truck got towed today b/c I didn’t make it out to the meter in time.  Guess I’ll go home and drown my sorrows in a big plate of turkey wings.

Roots

Roots is a fascinating book.  I highly recommend it.  It is the story of Alex Haley’s maternal lineage, from his Mandinka ancestor Kunta Kinte to the birth of Mr. Haley.  The book covers the time period from the mid 1700s to the early 1900s.  The section covering the slave voyage from Africa to the US is particularly chilling.  There’s tons of slave dialect, so the slaves’ conversations might be difficult for someone who’s used to reading only the Queen’s English.  I never saw the landmark TV mini-series, but I think I’ll rent it or better yet, see if our library has it.  If you’ve got some time to kill, I highly recommend giving it a look-see. If you enjoy it, you might also want to read Queen, which is an account of the author’s paternal side of the family.  Both were written by Alex Haley.  Queen was also made into a mini-series in the late ‘90s, with Halle Berry playing the title character.  Reading the books has made me wonder where I come from.  Am I Mandinka?  Wolof?  Ashanti?  Maybe I’ll know one day.  Also, I wonder how much European is in me?  (I don’t think I have quite as much in me as the M.R.S. does).  I have been in contact with a relative who’s been doing some genealogical research, and she’s traced my paternal grandmother’s family (The Cabbagestalks) back to slaves on a plantation in Manning, SC.  As an aside, I’m sure glad we don’t have the custom of passing along the mother’s name in this country.

One of these days I need to get around to reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Not 100% sure I'm not Stupid

So, picking up where I left off, I had the proverbial happy childhood. I went to school and really enjoyed the public school experience. Classes were pretty easy, though from time to time I would struggle with things most others found simple. One thing that stands out is the problem I had working with percentages; specifically, converting fractions into percentages and doing word problems involving percentages. Finally Mom had to get the college daughter of a co-worker to show me some tricks, and eventually all was well. I think that was around 8th grade. Somewhere around that time, I also developed a keen dislike to being perceived as "smart." I was entering that troubled time known as adolescence, and in my high school "smart" guys didn't get the girl - particularly "smart" guys with thick glasses, HUGE feet, and parents who didn't give in to pleas to be allowed to do everything the other kids were doing. Anyway, I stopped raising my hand so much in class (not that it mattered much; whenever the class was stumped, I invariable got called upon by the teachers), and distanced myself from any behavior that could be labelled "geeky". I must've done a good job, because by the time I got to college, NO ONE thought of me as "the smart guy". I was perfectly content to focus on the social aspects of college life, just as I did in high school. Unfortunately college classes were a wee bit harder than the classes at good ol' Clio High School.

In reality, I did think I was very smart when I was in high school. It would've been pretty hard not to after hearing it for 18 straight years. The best summers I had were the summers I participated in Duke University's Talent identification Program, where I was housed with kids who'd taken the SAT in 7th grade and had scored above a certain percentile on the SAT. If I remember correctly, I scored an 830 or so (almost all of that was Verbal; my math score was in the low 300s). I realized quickly that I was nowhere near the top of the food chain there, and I was perfectly content. I was free to release my inner nerd! There were 15-year olds who were earning college credits there; I think most of the participants either ended up attending Duke or one of the Ivy League schools. Now, I don't think I'm so smart. Many of my life decisions are evidence of that. Actually, I guess most of my life decisons would land me in the "stupid" category. Also, I think my ability to remember random facts, and to know a little bit about a lot of things, was misconstrued as "smartness". I am not very analytical, and I learn that more and more with each passing day of grad school. If you need someone to memorize someone's email address though, then I'm your guy.

It's funny watching people's reactions when they find out I'm in grad school. The peeps who knew me from back home pretty much expected me to go off and become a lawyer or doctor or something that required an advanced degree. The peeps who know me from my Clemson undergrad days, or from the 6 years I was on academic "hiatus", well they tend to look as though they'd been told that the earth is indeed flat.

Grrrrr!

Brazil is trippin’ hard!  Apparently, they want me to physically go to one of their consulate offices to obtain a visa.  The consulate with jurisdiction over South Carolina is located in … … MIAMI, FLORIDA!!!!  For those not familiar with east coast geography, that’s a loooong drive.  Or I could go to DC, a shorter, yet-still-long drive.  Perhaps I could coerce the boss to fly me to DC for a day.  This Brazil trip might go the way of the India trip; i.e. not happening.

That Boy

Listening to some ABBA right now, relaxing in my cubicle. Recent conversation with Nick:

N: "Daddy, when God comes back, I'm gonna ask him lots of things, like how did He open the Red Sea, how did He turn the water red... I'm not gonna tell Him you have a tattoo though."

N: "Daddy, I wish I could be like God."

HBS: "Eventually you can, son. You just have to live the kind of life He wants you to lead. You learn about that way of life by paying attention in church and by reading the Bible."

N: "But I can't read the Bible!"

HBS: "I know, and He does too. Right now it's my job and mama's job to teach you what's right and what's wrong."

N: "Awww man, sometimes I told a lie."

HBS: "That's OK son - we've dealt with that. Just try your best not to do it again. "

N: "OK." (smiles)

Randomness

I just re-read the 21 Balloons. It was still enjoyable, though it was a much shorter read than I remembered. I'm currently listening to some guy on the radio try mixing turpentine and sugar at the request of one of his listeners. While I've heard of people doing that, I'm much more familiar with the tried and true spoonful of kerosene & sugar. If you haven't had a grandma nurse you back to health with home remedies, you've missed out.

I see that the Episcopalians have elected a their first woman as leader. I wonder what her views on homosexuality will do to the denomination. She doesn't see it [homosexuality] as a sin. There's controversy a'brewin'.

Go Heat! Any other year I wouldn't mind Dallas winning, but I need Shaq to go ahead and get another ring without/before Mr. Bryant.

And now for some more pics of my kids:


Nick reading some-Mother-Goose-poem-I-can't-remember-right-now to Noah.



Nick commanding his minions



Too bad Summer was in Louisiana/Texas/Montana and Desiree was in California or the pic would've been complete.

Challenge

Try saying "Hey, Hong-hai!" as you run down the stairs. With a mouth full of sunflower seeds. Without spitting in Hong-hai's face.

Anyway, the workday is winding down, and I'm preparing to pull a Manuel. Anderson peeps: Have I given enough sermonettes to begin recycling?

Nostalgia isn't always good

I gave myself a dose of semi-depression today. I went to the library to do some reading, and picked up a copy of TAPS from 1989(TAPS is Clemson's yearbook).. It's amazing how people slip through the cracks in your mind as time passes. Of course you always remember the people you played ball with at Fike (the campus gymnasium); the people you sat with in Little Africa (the part of Harcombe Dining Hall in which many black students sat at dinnertime), the people in your major, etc... The people you passed every day but didn't interact with regularly though - they tend to get forgotten. I was amazed that I hadn't thought of many of the faces I saw in more 10-15 years. That's not what depressed me though. Depression set in when I realized just how awfully I'd wasted the decade from '88-'98. I can remember laughing about wasting my time, doing nothing with my life, and boldly stating, "I'll never regret these years! I know that others are graduating and moving on with their lives, but I'll never be able to have this much fun again - and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!" Yes, I was that big an idiot.

I don't begrudge my old friends their success; no really, I'm happy for them. But for a while today, I was thoroughly disgusted by my inability to do what I was supposed to the first time around. I am in grad school now, but I'm still not applying myself fully. That frustrates me, but I haven't been able to change that fact. So far I've gotten by, but I think my peers and my superiors believe that I know more and I've done more than is actually the case. I keep telling myself that today is going to be the day that I focus and do what I need to do to graduate, no matter how much I don't want to. And each time the result is the same. Oh well, at least the Heat victory tonight took my mind off my shortcomings.

On the road again...

Heading to Charlotte to see my older brother and my Pop is supposed to drive over.  Yall have a profitable Sabbath.  

*note to self*  Get the A/C in the Blazer fixed.

No topic

My family (pic taken by Rebel)



I love you guys.

I'm currently starting to review old class notes as I prepare for my comprehensive exams, which look like they'll be taking place at the end of June and mid-July (writtens and then orals). I'm also trying to get my passport and visa information together, as my boss wants me to attend a conference in Brazil in September. Who would've ever thought that being a student would give me the opportunity to travel to California several times, San Antonio, Nashville, and New Orleans? Stay in school kids.

The big news here is that the alleged murderer of a Clemson student has been arrested in Tennessee. One of my female labmates lived right upstairs from the murder victim. She says things are slowly returning to normal in her apartment complex, but it didn't help that a couple of days ago resident of the complex (a grad-student in counseling) was arrested for sexual assault. I was surprised at how quickly the murder became a national story. I must admit I had my doubts about the Central Police Dept., but it appears that they did top-notch work with the eyes of the nation upon them.

It looks like I need to update my links. It's a Paul World appears to have been taken over by someone else. Paul, I hope all is well with you. Miss your musings.

Thankfully, I shouldn't have to hear random conjecture about 666 for awhile.

Wed-nes-day

So I handed my attorney a check for $750 and proceeded to watch him open a Microsoft Word document, add some names, add some addresses, print it out make a copy for me. That was just the retainer fee; there's at least $250 more in my future. And if we have to make more than one court appearance, he gets $150 an hour. He's helping me out though. I must remember that. Yes, he's helping me. The legal papers will be served tomorrow, so I should be getting cussed out by phone sometime tomorrow afternoon. C'est la vie, I guess.

Ah McKellan... How I love thee

Upon arrival at church around 1:30 for 2 PM services...

Nick: Daddy, where is everybody?

Me: Nick, everyone's not here yet. We're early. People will get here soon.

Nick: Wow! We've NEVER been early before!

Anderson folks will appreciate that one.

NBA action is fantastic

The NBA playoffs have been absolutely amazing. All of the big guns for the playoff teams have performed as expected, and in some cases, beyond what was expected, even for superstars. Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat is shooting near 70% from the field against one the defending Eastern Conference champions, whose trademark is (was?) defense. Shaquille O'Neal, also of the Heat, has forgotten that he's supposed to be on the downside of his career. Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks has crossed the threshold of mere very-goodness to great with one play against the San Antonio Spurs; likewise, Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns has shown that maybe he did indeed deserve that MVP trophy. Detroit, the team with no superstars, the team that epitomizes the word TEAM, teeters of the verge of elimination, while their first-year coach is hearing the ghosts of playoff failures past. The games have been exciting and hotly contested. As my squad (the 76ers) didn't even make the playoffs, I've adopted the Miami Heat as my favorite to win it all. That way Shaq gets a championship without Kobe. Yes, I know that's petty. Here's to 3 more weeks of give-and-goes, pick-and-rolls, and alley-oops!

Quickie

A quick blurb before I run to meet the bus. The church picnic in Charlotte was fun - they learned not to have it in August, for one. Guess who pitched for the first time ever? My line: 1 IP, 9 runs, 28 hits, 6/7 errors, 5 ER. Of course when I came up to bat it was time for the blessing of the food, and the game never resumed. I think we only had one casualty - let's just say that time is catching up to Mr. Lyons' ankle. Nick and Noah had a blast; Noah fell asleep in his seat before we could even make it out of the parking lot. The trip to my folk's place was pretty uneventful and quite hot. I must get the A/C fixed this week. That is #1 on the to-do list (not counting my meeting with my attorney tomorrow to set up legal visitation). I'm definitely asking for the Feast - wait, it's 8:16 and the bus comes in 4 minutes. Bye!

Edit: I hurry to the bus stop to find out that the schedule is different in the summer... The next bus doesn't arrive until 8:50.

Checking in

Check out our new kitchen with the avocado green countertops. It definitely has a 70s feel to it.


The living room before the boxes.



Future $20,000,000 man




Nick has oficially been turned on to Spaceballs. Today he's being indoctrinated into the adoration of all things Godzilla. I've gotta run now; we've got some shopping to do before sundown. Maybe we can finish unpacking over the course of the weekend. Oh wait, we're going to Charlotte Sunday, and probably on to Clio Sunday night/Monday. Dad's all giddy b/c he finally has a computer. It's full of architectural drawings and software, but at least it's a functioning computer. It's much better than the Commodore 64 he bought 10 years after they became obsolete.

Withdrawal

Post(s) forthcoming. No internet access at the new crib.

Fool me once...

...shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you - and I guess that means I'm stoopid.

Noah tends to get up in the middle of the night and makes his way to our bed to feed nurse. I always wake up on the edge of the bed with his feet in my back, our bodies forming the letter 'H'. Yesterday, I wake up to find a nice, cold, wet spot in the center of the bed where his diaper overflowed. Too much H₂O the night before, I guess. OK. This morning I wake up to find another wet spot in between us; this time with lumpy white particles on the sheet and pillow. Let's just say that I think Noah OD'd on milk and poppy seed rolls last night. I think it's time he learns to sleep in his own bed.

Oh yeah - FYI: Young kids and venetian blinds don't mix.

Biblios

Some books I loved as a kid/young buck. Some I need to re-read, as my memory of them is somewhat sketchy. These will be in the kids' library. Definitely.

• A Wrinkle in Time, The Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L'Engle
  
• Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe
  
• Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo
  
• The 21 Balloons - William Pene du Bois
  
• The Martian Chronicles/The Illustrated Man - Ray Bradbury
  
• Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell
  
• Julie of the Wolves - Jean Craighead George
  
• Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne
  
• The Chronicles of Prydain - Lloyd Alexander (The Book of 3, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, The High King)
  
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - Robert C. O'Brien
  
• Sounder - William H. Armstrong
  
• To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
  
• Animal Farm - George Orwell
  
• The Cricket in Times Square - George Selden/Thompson
  
• Old Yeller - Fred Gipson
  
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle - Beverly Cleary
  
• Where the Wild Things Are - Max Sendak
  

Thank you, English teachers, Mrs. Powell (4th-grade Gifted and Talented Teacher), Childcraft/World Book Encyclopedia, and the Troll book order program for introducing me to the wonderful world of lit. Oh yeah, and my favorite children's Bible. There's nothing quite like losing yourself in a fascinating world that someone created in their head and captured on paper. Too bad journal articles don't excite me the same way.

Monday

About a year ago, I posted something of an autobiographical sketch which covered my early years. (It was May 6, '05 if you're interested.) I was sitting here reading old posts when I realized I'm glad I started this blog. Reading the archives brought up memories and feelings that had been buried since I initially captured them on "paper". I'm looking forward to reading them again a few years from now, and see how I've changed over time.

We went by the Brooks' after services this week for one last hang-out with Ashley before the move to Ohio. We had a great time as usual, and finished off the night with an airing of "War of the Worlds". It was... interesting. I didn't like many of the characters in the movie, though Tom Cruise's character becomes tolerable by the end of the movie. The ending, while true to the H.G. Wells story, seems sorta rushed and the movie seems to end as if the studio just ran out of money and decided to wrap it up wherever they were. The Martians were pretty cool, although they appeared to me to be the same aliens from "Independence Day". I wonder how they rigged up those death rays to not damage clothing at all.

Luckily for Charlotte, the softball game this Sunday was rained out. Now the offensive juggernaut that is Anderson will have the opportunity to practice once or twice before we head up to make up the game. Maybe that rainout wasn't so lucky for Charlotte after all. Especially with our dead-eye pitcher having another few weeks to prepare.

I do not like green eggs and ham.

Warning: Title of post has nothing to do with the actual post.

It's been some week. I've started the Couch-to-5K program again, and I'm trying to drag the M.r.S. along. We both made it through day one with a little residual soreness. We're going out this afternoon for day two. Hopefully Nick can keep Noah occupied by pushing him around in his stroller; if not, well, we'll figure something out. The prospect of jogging while carrying 25 lbs. of jiggling boy around on my shoulders is not appealing.

We're supposed to be moving in 10 days. I guess we should start packing. Perhaps we can have a big get-together at the crib 2 days before we move again. In reality, everything will probably just get tossed into boxes on Mother's Day. Hopefully this is our last move before I graduate and purchase our first home. I'm really looking forward to having grass to mow, a garden to plant, gutters to clean, etc... I think I'll start looking now for some garish oil paintings for the walls. Something that has dogs playing poker or something like that.

Well, I've got to run and take my daily dose of The Cream and The Clear, and my daily injection of human growth hormone - after all, I've got a softball game to prepare for. Have a wonderful Sabbath, dear reader.

Edit: It's 7:34 and the M.R.S. is in Wal-Mart. Looks like Couch-to-5K is out for today.