We Remember

Todays Blog: Memorial Day.  I went to Pickwick Lake this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend.  Is it just today or an actual weekend...I've heard both.  I actually just went to hang out with friends but on the way back it dawned on me that I didn't know exactly what I did to celebrate the holiday.  I wondered: "How did I celebrate the holiday?" and "What did I do to honor America's fallen soldiers?"  After my thought process was finished, I came up with what most large crowds do when someone has passed on, a moment of silence.  While this was kinda silly to do by myself, I settled on saying a prayer.  I can't exactly remember my exact words but I thanked the Lord for all our the people who have fought for and continue to fight for our country, and died so that we could have many of the freedoms that we do now.  In my opinion, there is a reason we are the most powerful nation in the world: Our country's motto is United We Stand.  I truly believe in this statement.  We all come from different backgrounds and have different beliefs but if there is one thing most of us love it is our country.  So if you feel guilty for not honoring our country's fallen soldiers or don't have another way of celebrating the holiday, then feel free to copy me and many others by saying a prayer in remembrance of them.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Memorial Day

1. Good: By just thinking of the Holiday, it is kind of sad to think about what it really stands for.  But if you look at it outside the box, the main reason people go to the lake or go to festivals or have other ways of celebrating it, it's there way of celebrating the lives of our fallen soldiers.  To me, by celebrating your own life with family/friends, its kind of a way of saying thank you to the ones who can't anymore.(I hope that makes sense because I think I just had an epiphany about it...I love epiphanies, they make you feel really smart)  Another thing that is good about memorial day.  When I look at all the past statues, memorials and monuments like this one, I get chills.  My dad and I took a trip to D.C. on Memorial Day 6 years ago and we looked at all this stuff.  We both sort of choked up talking about it.(I highly recommend a trip to D.C. to see all the cool statues..it puts a lot into perspective....Arlington alone is worth the trip.)
2. Bad: Obviously, Memorial Day can be a tough day for those who have lost a loved one in the war.  I know its tough when any of us lose someone, but there is not a national holiday dedicated to it.  I also don't really like it when people push the holiday to the side like its not important.  I'm not a warmonger by any means but I do have a tremendous respect for those who have fought for our great country.  
3. Funny: A funny thing about Memorial Day is how you get the urge to cookout.  I got home from pickwick and immediately walk up our back steps and saw the grill....a sudden urge just hit me like it was the normal thing to do.(We had grilled chicken, sweet potatoes and broccoli...were gonna have squash but there wasn't enough to pick out of our garden.)

Link of the day: I've been real lazy with this so I found a good one today. Its a website dedicated solely to the holiday.  Go check it out.
Thanks for reading
McKinley

The Lake House....Not the Movie

Todays Blog: A Day at the Lake.  I'm very fortunate to be able to blog today.(Thanks to Vandy Stubbs for inviting me to stay at his cabin and thanks to  George Curry...vandy stubbs wireless internet sharer at pickwick)  Never would I thought I would have gotten internet access at Pickwick Lake.  I'm blogging on a day at the lake because i'm at pickwick lake....obviously.  I really like coming up here.(I have to mooch off peoples cabins now because my grandfather sold his the year I was born....gee sure could have used a cabin to take friends to...thanks big big)  I"ve got a big juicy burger waiting on me so I'll continue on to Good, Bad and Funny.
A Day at the Lake

1. Good: There are plenty of things that are great about the lake.  It's a chance to hang out with friends,(old and new) a chance to get some sun(not that I care about sun), a chance to listen to country music where it is fully accepted(I can't imagine anyone from Tishomingo County doesn't like country...let me say tish county to further prove my point.) a chance to get in the water and use primal instincts(It's not the swimming pool, so you can't see your limbs when you are swimming...this wouldn't be a big deal but I'm not a strong swimmer.) and most important a chance to let loose and have fun.(this is my last weekend free..for the most part...this summer due to legion baseball.  So I have took full advantage of it and really enjoyed myself)
2. Bad:  There is plenty of bad at the lake.  It's so generic to listen to certain types of music at the lake.(I do it anyway because..well it's just what you do at Pickwick....you pull up to a random destination and for some reason you are bumping the new Lil Wayne track to get attention from other boats on the lake)  Also apparently people love showing there bodies off at pickwick lake.(I saw plenty of people today that for some reason had 8 packs and 7 tattoos.....this is perfectly fine but do you have to flex and be talking about the muscles on your shoulders while drinking beer with friends....come on.) 
3. Funny: The funniest thing to me about being at the lake is the mindset you take on when you get there.(I'm guilty of this sometimes but I try my best to be myself at all times, but there is something about this place that makes you act a certain way.)  For instance: you become more country all of the sudden,(a guy you might know forever will act exceptionally more redneck on Pickwick Lake because for some odd reason it's more acceptable.)  You're also extra excited and saying things that would normally get you called out such as: "Dude we gotta get on the water...or...Dude you can't come to pickwick if you don't know how to drink."  These comments are the norm at a day on the lake.

Link of the Day: No link today.....I'm out of options here...I really want to get a burger before they are all gone.

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Sweet Dreams

Todays Blog: Dreams.  When I woke up this morning, I was groggy and noticed that my mom had not come to wake me up and it was a little before 9.  I went downstairs, let the dogs out to potty, got the paper and read it on the side porch.  My mom finally came out and told me she felt awful.  She found a tick on her forehead minutes later and started feeling really sick.(For a second she thought it might be lyme disease or rocky mountain spotted fever..I know farfetched and the latter is a mouthful)  So I took care of her for a while then went to the wellness center.  She had taken a full nap by the time I got back.  I woke her up and asked her if she needed anything.  Instead of asking me for anything, she began to tell me the most bizarre dream that she just had.(Ask me about it sometime because its way to long to tell in a blog...some of you might have been in it)  This gave me the idea to blog about dreams today.  I wish I had one every night but I don't.  I don't know what you need to do in order to have a dream, but I would definitely take action if someone found the true cause.(Weird sidenote: I've been told that you only dream from somewhere between 10-30 minutes before you wake up.(I don't know if thats true or not but its strange thinking about it because you feel like you've been dreaming for hours.) When I think of dreams I think of 2 things: What you think about when your sleeping and What you hope to happen with your life.  We all have them when we are awake and only sometimes when we're asleep.  It's kind of weird how these 2 interpretations intersect with each other.  For example: Have you ever had a dream while sleeping of something that you hoped happened or will happen in real life?(thats deep right there) On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Dreams

1. Good: As far as awake dreams go, I think they are things that are essential to us.  They are like goals.  They help keep you sharp and focused throughout your life.  My personal dreams are simple: to be a successful teacher and coach, and a good husband,father and friend.  Not exactly world changing to many but to me I can say I've died happy if I've done these things.  The best thing about a dream when your asleep is when you wake up feeling good about whatever it is you dreamed about...like it really happened.  A warm, fuzzy feeling comes over you.(Until you put your feet on the ground beside your bed and realize that you have gout....actually this only happens to me and 40+ year old men)
2. Bad:  Sometimes sleeping dreams are awful.  You dream that you are dying or something really bad happens.  I don't have many of these but I've woken up in a cold sweat before.  For instance: One time I had this dream where this guy was following me everywhere I went(I was in Australia).  I'd see him outside my house at night, at work etc... whenever I saw him, he was always crying.  Finally I saw him one day and slammed him to the ground and asked him why he was following me.  He then said that my family had been kidnapped and given one week to live and I had to travel the world to find them before they were killed.(This really creeped me out and I don't know how I thought about it)  I woke up only to realize it was not real but it really freaked me out.
3. Funny:  I've had plenty of funny dreams before.  I think when you take advil or a sleeping medicine(like Ambien CR...you better get really still if you take one of these...otherwise you'll get looney and talk about the most random stuff) before you go to bed, that there is something in there that causes you to have weird dreams.(Just my theory)  I've dreamed before about being a gymnast, talking to my dog and even being myself but in another persons body.  I always try to remember the details as soon as I wake up so I can tell somebody.

Link of the Day:  This was really cool to me...I really want to try it now
Thanks for reading...I really hope I get the chance to blog tomorrow but I'll be at pickwick lake so stay tuned..Will the every day blog streak continue?

McKinley

Fashion

Todays' Blog: Fashion This is a really stupid topic because it means nothing to me(for the most part) but I think its an issue that needs to be talked about.  My fashion of choice, I would say would be...umm comfortable.  Right now I have on a T-shirt a friend of my sister made, gym shorts, and tennis shoes.  You could say that this is my everyday attire.  I couldn't tell you the last time I had khaki pants on.  I do not like to wear or buy expensive clothing.(I've got about 5 nice shirts to my name and for what it's worth my mom buys 90% of the clothing I wear at those outlet malls when she goes to the casino...such a good mom)  I'm definitely in my element when I've got on what I do right now.(to go even further I really like to be in just boxers if at all possible)  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Fashion

1. Good: I can't really think of many things that are good about fashion(to me), there are a few however: White tip fingernails on girls(so attractive), nike(really because there clothing is really comfortable to me and they have a surplus of big and tall clothing), old navy underwear(also comfortable), jerseys(probably bout to get this one) I guess clothing line owners are employed because of fashion which is a good thing.  But that is such a cop out job. (Except for that guy that donates food or money to the starving kids in third world countries because of the shoes that he sells....but even then, people that buy those aren't buying them for the cause. They are buying them because everyone else is) 
2. Bad: There is plenty of bad about fashion.  Fashion is what drives America these days.  People always have to know what the best and newest clothes and accessories that celebrities are wearing are.(I think its because people who do this want to be famous so if they dress like a celeb then people will look at them as local celebrities or elite.)
3. Funny: It's funny to me when two girls walk up to one another and they say "girl you look cute!"  This never changes.  It seems like it's a lie 75% of the time and that they just say it to reciprocate the first to say it when they meet. Like when the first girl comes up and says the about quote.  The next one immediately says "thanks you too".  Does she really mean it?  What if you have on a dickies jumpsuit?  Another funny thing about fashion is the stuff my dad wears.  I can sit here and type that I don't care about fashion but he really doesn't.  He wears premade tank tops for men and velcro shoes to cut the yard and do errands around town.  I love the looks he gets.(It doesnt matter to him how he looks, he just walks up to people and talks to them as if they don't notice what hes got on.(They have looks on their faces that make it look like they are thinking.."Damn, Steve what do you got on? You might smell so I don't want to get too close to you.")

Link of the day: no link today. I can't come up with one.

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Workin Hard for a Living

Today's blog: Hard Work/Labor  Last night I told my mom to wake me up when she left for work(7:45) in hopes that I could get my sleeping habits back on track.(Been sleeping in til 9/10 some days...one time I would have considered that early.)  I stayed up really late(3am watching stupid tv shows and playing video games) so that I knew I would be really tired today.  I was thinking that I was just gonna go play disc golf and walk at Ballard Park then maybe swim, play racquetball and work on stuff for my mom around the house.  Well I got a call about 830 from my dad on my way to Phillips Lawn and Garden Center to buy discs...he said why don't you come in and help Charles(his 71 year old handy man at the funeral home...they don't make him like him any more) do some stuff.  So immediately after I got through Oprah- walking 2.75 miles and playing 18 holes of disc golf(had fun Laura) I headed for the funeral home.  I thought I would just help him by vacuuming or washing windows but it was one of those days I would eventually be exhausted with very quickly.  My job: mow the whole funeral home lot with Charles and put down grave markers in Tupelo and Okolona(Boones Chapel Cemetery actually but only people that I'll talk about in this blog will know where that is.)  After doing these odd jobs seeing people working outside at Phillips, watching farmers look over their crops on the highway, and going to Marvins to get concrete mixture I figured why not blog about hard work/labor today.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Hard Work/Labor

1. Good: Plenty of good comes out of Labor work.  You have a feeling of accomplishment when your day is done.(Not saying that other jobs don't but this is a different type of feeling...It's like "man I'm physically exhausted but the world is better for what I did today"...No one with a desk job can get this feeling.) You get to work outdoors.  Most of the guys and girls that do this type of work are "do-it-all" types.(Kind of like a swiss army knife)  They can do everything from build fences to fix your carburetor.  Another great thing about people that work these jobs is that the "good ones" hardly ever complain about the hardships that they go through that other people would whine about in the first 5 minutes of the job.  We should all be thankful for these people.(Construction workers, janitors, mechanics, farmers etc...)  Imagine what the world would be like if no one did these jobs?(Not exactly a head scratcher)
2. Bad: Some bad things about Labor work: Hours are long(I mean seriously some people work from sun up to sun down), weather(for instance today it was so hot and humid I felt like I was wrapped in one of those blankets(these) that cheap hotels have while at a nursing home on christmas day......I always take them off..well for that matter I usually just use the sheet.), sometimes long-time workers are unkind or impatient with rookies(I mean how am I supposed to know what corrugated wire brushes are supposed to look like? Stop getting so mad), lastly most of these people are stubborn and only let you do things if it's done their way.It makes sense but for instance today Charles was using post-hole diggers then had to break after 5 turns(which is not many) and told me to have a go at it.  Then I started at it was doing it fine, then he said "you're not doing it right, wiggle it when you grasp the mud" "Oh nevermind I'll do it".(It probably cost us another 20 minutes in the blistering heat...I was doing the same thing he was, just different.)
3. Funny: I'm not going to get into the dialect of some of these guys that work these jobs but I have picked up a few words that I like to use from working with Charles and at construction a few summers back.(Loud: used to talk about a strange or bad smell not sound or Might: means alot like I'm a might hungry)  Also some of these guys get so serious about the stories they tell you, no matter how far-fetched they sound, you think "this guy is telling the truth."(Charles told me a crazy story about an armadillo in his septic tank last week...it was outrageous and the damndest thing I'd ever heard but I believed him)  Also these guys always eat lunch in like 5 minutes and then stare at you when you are still eating yours.  Sometimes lunch to them are "nabs".  Not acceptable for me.  Lastly, the funniest thing to me about labor work is this: where is it written into law that you have to wear pants at all times?  How these guys and girls have pants instead of shorts on in this heat is beyond me and to top it all off it's usually the same pair they wear everyday.

Link of the day: I leave you with George Strait (Your welcome Wesley McCullough)

Thanks for reading and pat yourself on the back if read this whole thing...it was really long.  Guess I just wanted to put in hard work on it to be consistent today.(Haha that was so cheesy)

McKinley

A Whole New World

Todays Blog: Technology.  No real excuse for this blog.  It just hit me in the middle of the day.  I used to be a dinosaur in terms of changing with the rest of the world as new technology came out.  I'm still against some of the things used today to communicate and receive information.  I have told people before that new technology(cell phones, smart phones, facebook, twitter, blogging, text messaging, skype, ipads) is stupid and a waste of time only to fall in love with it later.(I really wanna explore the last two)  I was one of those people that didn't have texting or a smart phone until November 2008.  I begged my mother to get us a texting plan because of a girl that I was somewhat talking to kept texting me and I kept having to call her back.(We went on a few dates then that trick explained to me over facebook that I was a plan B and she'd been seeing another guy.  I'm better for it though, she wasn't for me.)  In the Fall of 2009 I finally got caught up with the rest of the world.  I got a HTC Hero powered by Android and of course I couldn't put it down the first 3 weeks.(Still can't sometimes and of course my friends give me good natured ribbing about it.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Technology

1. Good:  Technology is the name of the game today.  If you are behind on it then you are behind on the rest of the world.(My dad will argue this.)  I think we should all be grateful at some of the blessings the Technological Gods have given our generation.  Can you imagine calling people on landlines and payphones being the primary ways to communicate these days?  It would be such a hassle.  I bet the people who make phone books are so pissed that there product is put to the curb these days.  Prime example of technology being awesome: Yesterday I synced songs from my computer to my phone, got an email from a guy I coach  with as an  excel document, had a calender update, checked twitter(12 times a day...best feeling in the world when you have that little bird in the top right corner of your phone meaning I've been mentioned), texted, checked the Braves score(frustrated that Kenshin Kawakami is still in the pitching rotation..He's 0-7), browsed the internet and played games all in one day.  Unreal the time I saved myself and how much more convenient life is now.
2. Bad: As I mentioned earlier, I check my phone and have my nose in it way too much from time to time.  We sometimes become computers ourselves and lose all our primal and humanistic qualities.  I don't want this to happen to me because I think I'm at my best when my mind and soul are without technology.(If that makes any sense...man I got emotional right there.)  One thing that really bothers me about technology is the use of texting, email and facebook chat when discussing a touchy subject with someone else.  Example: I don't want to have an important conversation with someone through text messages because you can't hear voice tone.  They might interpret you being mean or cruel when you are actually not.  I would never ask out or break up with a girl over a text message.  Its easier for people to communicate through text because the bad response you might give them won't have the affect that your voice would have.  Another example: I love you through a text is meaningless because you don't know if the other person is just going through the motions saying it or if they really mean it.(Man emotional again.)
3. Funny:  The funniest thing about technology is how old people react to it.  Example: My dad, Jared Koon and I ate at Papa V's(I know that place is my jam and I talk about it too much) on Gumtree Weekend.  My dad went to the bathroom, came back out and said "My lord, have yall ever been to the bathroom here?", Us: No sir Him: "Man everything in there is hands free, the only thing you need your hands for is wiping"(Of course I almost spit gravy on Koon from laughing)  My dad also doesn't know how to look at text.  He can't send them out but he can receive them.  I looked at his phone the other day and he had 93 unread messages.This is what he looks like with a cell phone(come on Steve get with the program..He still uses a Smith and Corona Typewriter to write letters to people instead of email which, to be frank, I think is really cool and I wanna start doing it if the info I'm sending is worth a crap)

Link of the day: I'm never gonna be able to afford any of this stuff but heres a cool site.  Cool Gadgets
Done blogging for today.
Thanks for reading
McKinley

The Thunder Rolls

I was without power in Plantersville for 7 to 10 hours this afternoon due to a 15 minute hurricane and I'm just now getting back on the internet.  Multiple trees were knocked to the ground in town and with my luck, one just happened to knock the power lines down 50 feet from my house.  With that being said today I will blog about storms. I'm tired so I will make this quick.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Storms

1. Good: Not much good can come from a storm.  But lets think outside the box.  Storms provide us the opportunity to maybe help someone rebuild a house, some people refer to great performances by teams and organizations the "perfect storm"(sad movie by the way), I personally think they are really cool to look at...like this for example(I'm not the guy to chase em around but I don't mind looking at neat cloud formations).
2. Bad: Plenty of bad can come from a storm. We all remember how Katrina and the recent storms have affected our state and how the Ice Storm in 94' affected us in Lee County.(My Uncle Perry got a t-shirt that said I Survived the Ice Storm...so redneck but I love him to death...more on him later.) Storms are the worst in terms of preparing for outdoor sports.  I will never forget having to put the tarp over the infield of THS Field last summer with only 1 other person(Brandon Saylors) there who knew how to do it.  Another Example is tonight, we(Plantersville United Methodist Pirates...3-1 on the young season might I add) were playing The Orchard in softball for three innings tonight before the game got called on account of lightning.(This really frustrated me among others because I am the type to play in rain, sleet or snow)
3. Funny: People talk about the weather everyday.  It gets old but man it sure can be funny sometimes.  Here's a monologue I've heard before over breakfast at Shockleys Restaurant, I'll never forget it: Guy One: "Out of all the rain from the storms we got last night, me and Patricia didn't see a drop".  Guy Two: "The hell you say, there was trout fishing on Main Street."  

Link of the Day: Back to Good Ole Uncle Perry. I watch this video for a laugh.  It might not amuse you but just listening to how he says hickory springs tickles me. Uncle Perry after his 18 wheeler was tipped over in a tornado last year
Thats all for today.  I'm trying to build up to a monumental blog topic, so hopefully one day that topic will find me.
Thanks for reading
McKinley

Scared Straight

After thinking about my day today, I've decided to do the blog on: Having Fear and Being Worried.(Not exactly a glamorous topic but hang in there with this one.)  My idea for today's topic came to me today when I was playing disc golf at Veterans Park.  I started on hole ten and knew that probably 80% of that course was in wooded areas.  Usually this wouldn't have bothered me but, I was alone and the first thing that popped in my mind when I was looking for my 4th shot of the day(terrible drive on my part by the way) was, "man what if I see a snake.  I would be alone and no one else is out here and if I get bit I might die."(this is a little farfetched but not too much.)  Snakes are by far my biggest fear. I don't like them dead, alive, rubber, plastic or even on tv.  If I am ever really close to one, I run as far away as I can before I feel safe again.  I think I would die from shock before I ever even got bit by one.(I don't understand how people are more scared of spiders than snakes, if a spiders near you just step on it. It does suck though walking in an eerie place and planting your face in a web and then acting like a buffoon trying to get the cobwebs off of you.)  I also have a small fear of drowning.(I'm not a strong swimmer..still hold my nose a bunch..I'm forever in debt to Casey Stricklin for saving my life on my High School senior trip in Cancun, Mexico.  If he didn't pull me up from the treacherous undertoe there then I might not be typing this blog..seriously never been more scared or worried in my life, I even told Casey stuff like "tell everybody I love them man"  He laughs about it to this day.  To be quite honest, I've been scared playing the game Resident Evil with the lights off before.(You don't believe me try it, its no picnic.) As for being worried, I thought about this at lunch today when I was having a legion tryout meeting with Coach Kirk.  We were both just worried trying to make decisions to pick our team.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Fear and Worry

1. Good:  Fear can make you stronger by trying to overcome it.(I'm never gonna overcome my fear of snakes no matter what kind of program someone could come up with to help me do it.)  I have overcome some fears throughout my life though.  I used so be shy and not want to speak on stage, so my parents encouraged me to try out for the of the Cowardly Lion in Milam's 5th grade presentation of The Wizard of Oz.  I got the part and did really well in the play, if you can actually get critiqued on that.  I also parlayed this into a second place finish in the same school's spelling bee.(I should have won but I had 102 fever and I my put-out word was electroiluminescence and Candace Ready's was opera, so you can understand my bitterness here.  She wasn't and truly isn't a better speller than me.  I'm really gonna be humbled if someone finds spelling errors in my blog from now on.  Great job Mac, way to put a target on your back.)  Worrying is good in that you must care about what you are worrying about.  Some people are better than others about not worrying to much and I feel like I'm one of them depending on the situation.
2. Bad:  A bad thing about fear and worry is that most don't ever think realistically about what they are scared of.(I mean for some reason I always think that a snake is going to bite me on the butt when I'm sitting on the toilet.  I'm smarter than that but it still bothers me sometimes.)  Also fearing and worrying about stuff you can't control is a waste of time.(Example: Your kids being in an accident on a road trip where you are not present.  I can't imagine how hard this is to avoid as a parent but you can't shelter your kids forever by not letting them do anything)  Also, another thing that is stupid is worrying about what other people think.(I've been guilty of this before and still am sometimes and I know everyone else is but once you get past it, you feel so much better about yourself...If you need help with this the next time you worry about what someone thinks of you say to yourself "how much do you worry about people thinking your awesome?" It will put everything in perspective because the answer is not at all and makes you realize that all the stuff you worry about is irrational.
3. Funny: When you scare someone in a house like the notorious Jared Koon.  He prides himself on scaring me(among many others) in random places and corners of the world.  If you follow him on twitter then I'm sure you've seen his footage.  I didn't want to peruse through his twitvids so here is an example of some of the type stuff he would do. 

No link for today
Thanks for reading folks
McKinley

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's

If you follow me on twitter, you'll know that I had a great sleep last night by reading my tweet from earlier this morning.  With that in mind, I decided to do today's blog on sleeping.  I can't remember the last time I woke up the way I did this morning.  The pillows were all under my head(theres usually 2 between my knees), the fitted sheet was still covering the corners,(rarity) the flat sheet and comforter wasn't wrapped around my body like a toga,(they were still spread nicely across the bed) and I was flat on my back(normally i've got a leg off the bed, one intertwined with the covers and my head cocked strangely under a pillow.(If you're a friend of mine and ever stayed over at my house then you can attest to this)  I felt like this when I woke up.(It really is always cold in my house, don't come here if you are cold natured because my family always has fans on and the thermostat set to Denmark in February.  On to Good, Bad and Funny
Sleeping

1. Good: I cherish my sleep.  My habits have gotten much better over the years.(Up until about 2 years ago, I was the guy that went to bed at 5am and woke up at 2pm and it was so unhealthy.)  Now I try to get in bed before midnight and be up before 8am.  This morning reminded me of why sleep is so great.  I'm so rejuvenated now and I am prepared for anything that comes my way today.  
2. Bad: I'm not a big nap person.(I know they are great for some people)  I enjoy a nap, but I'm the type that if I get a nap(no matter if its 5 minutes or 2 hours long) then I can't go to sleep when its actually bedtime and I wind up watching a movie I've seen a hundred times or playing video games for 2 hours.  Another bad thing about sleeping, is if your mom wakes you up in the morning.(I know she's spoiling the crap out of me and I don't deserve it as cranky as I am in the morning)  There's just something about me being in my boxers and my mom waking me up.(guys you understand how uncomfortable this is)  Lastly, alarm clocks are awful.  I guess it's smart for alarm clock makers to make the most excruciating noises to wake you up, but I think scientists need to do experiments to make it more pleasant to wake up by alarm clocks.(That's probably not gonna happen unless there is something out there that does this and I don't know about it, just a pipe dream of mine)
3. Funny: Snoring is funny to me if you get to sleep before the person that snores.(I've been told I make a smacking sound when I sleep.)  Clayton Meriweather and Jon Jon Hancock (this is what they sound like if not worse )are by far the worst two snorers that I've ever slept in the same room with.(Special mention to Thomas Flautt who sounds like he is under water when he is snoring.  I swear you can hear bubbles.)

Link of the day:  I was looking for a cool sleep link and this is what I found.  Really has no relevance to my topic but I couldn't think of a link so enjoy...I guess.
Thanks for reading and sweet dreams
McKinley

Weird Sports

It's been a really long(but active and enjoyable day today.  I'm just now sitting down to blog because its the first time I've had a minute to do it.  Todays blog: Weird Sports.  Today, I played disc golf(4 over par...rusty), racquetball(won) and ping pong(went 2-3).(thanks lee, laura and hunter d....It woulda been really boring alone.)  I called this blog weird sports because they are not mainstream.(Disc golf hasn't been around but 20 or so years)  On to Good, Bad and Funny cause I am bout to watch Invictus with my fam then hit the sack and they are waiting on me to get through blogging.
Weird Sports

1.  Good:  Weird Sports are sports like: dodgeball, ping pong, racquetball, water polo, ultimate frisbee kickball.  I like playing them because they are it requires less focus to play them and you can still be competitive and have a great time.(however I was humbled today in ping pong by my friend lee norman..he is sick)  It's also easier to get your daily exercise in by playing these sports.(we prolly walked a mile just playing disc golf)
2. Bad: The bad thing about these sports is that they are not very known and are not advertised real well.  You've probably never seen disc golf on tv.  Also these sports can get really out of hand if you get out of hand with your competitiveness. Example: Click Here(me going ham in dodgeball)
3. Funny: The funny thing about these sports is that normally the lesser the athletic the better the player.  This frustrates me because I pride my self on being unexpectedly athletic.  For instance:  I graduated high school with a couple some guys that were not the best athletes in the world but they would put it on your tail in Ultimate Frisbee(or for that matter probably any of the sports above).  These bad boys: The Zucchini Squashers.  They were by far the best Ultimate Frisbee team I've ever played against.  This is how I felt after they beat us in the playoffs in High School Intramurals.(except for the fruity stuff, they werent like that...but I was shocked just like Charlie Murphy)

Link of the Day:  Just watch this its sick

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Pets

Todays blog topic: Pets.  I woke up this morning at 9:58(slept in, well for the longest time in my life this would have been amazing for me to be up this early on a day I have nothing to do) and as I walked downstairs I see my sisters(Emily) 2 dogs devouring a trash bag that my mom set out because it was raining and she didn't want to get wet I guess.  This would not be that big of a deal but they(these 2 turds right here) are ten years old.  I rubbed their faces in it and smacked the crap out of them.(I felt bad afterwards because I felt like I had just hit two old men playing checkers in the park, but they deserved it and hopefully they learned their lesson.)  However I do love these two critters.  When people say that they treat their pets like human beings its somewhat believable.  My sisters take it to a whole new level.(She says Bosh, the gold one in the picture above is an outgoing open homosexual and Mickey, the brown one is a slow learner or has a learning disability)  Let me not forget about my other sisters(Ashley) dogs.(These 3 little neurotic monsters are definitely a handful and these 3 also get the royal treatment as well.(The one on the far right chewed up a very good shirt of mine at the Liberty Bowl a few years ago and I ain't seen a dime for that shirt, nor was the dog punished)  Best pet I ever had: Molly(or boo). Most of my friends knew this dog and treated her as a dear friend.  She was the fattest dog in the world(no exaggeration...well I haven't checked with Guinness but I'm pretty sure) and died the happiest dog in the world.(I cooked her a 12 oz. steak the night we put her down.)  I miss her big time.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Pets

1. Good: I think it's important to have pets.  They are everything from conversation topics when you have company over and companions when you need a friend. Every household with a child in it deserves to have a pet.(If they have responsible parents)
2. Bad: In College, apparently if you don't have a dog you are not cool.  I'm amazed at how many people get a dog just because everyone else has one.  95% of them are labs and have really catchy names like Soldier or the name of a former football great at the owners alma mater.  Most of the time these people are not even responsible enough to have a dog.  Secondly, I absolutely hate cats.(this is a problem because my mother loves them.)  Bad things about cats: They don't come to you when you call them, they pee in your furniture, they vomit when they eat too much dry food,(which is a must because there wet food smells like dead fish) they shed, and they are the most arrogant animals on the face of the earth.  The only thing they are good for is killing rodents.(I think I'd just rather deal with the rodents...besides when they kill them they bring them to the door and look at their master with a look that says "you proud of me?"
3. Funny:  I know its kind of inappropriate but I can't help but laugh when dogs dry hump everything from furniture to human legs to other dogs.  Its like they don't even care if you can see them.  Can you imagine if humans did this?

Link of the day: This made me think of pets when I watched the oscars.  It won the award for best documentary and I really want to see it.(because after all I try to be humane as possible) Link

Thats all for today, thanks for reading
McKinley

The Police...Not Stings Band

After seeing what I saw last night, today's topic was clear to me when I woke up this morning.  Today I'll talk about the police.  Last night after I left a 4 hour tryout(ugh!), I got home around 9:45 and stripped down to nothing but my boxers(common thing for me...I put high priority on being comfortable), my mom immediately yelled from the other room, "Mac come on, one of my officers has wrapped his squad car around a light pole."(He was chasing a bad man in a Suburban)  As I reluctantly put my clothes back on, I got in the car and headed down Briar Ridge towards East Tupelo.  We pulled up to the scene and you would have thought that a 5 story building was on fire with all the law enforcement vehicles around.  I got out with my mom, took a long look at the vehicle and saw her deputy inside trapped.  My heart sunk immediately.  Not until I got word that he was concious and talking, did I feel easy again.(I didn't even know the man but you feel for anyone in a wreck)  After the situation cooled, I stood away from the ruckus and pondered why there were so many cops there.I asked a random cop and he said to me "Anytime one of our on is in trouble we all come to the rescue, it's like a brotherhood."(Immediately I wanted to have a two-hour chat and cup of coffee with this officer.  I thought that was really cool...however it seemed like some were standing around trying to micromanage the situation saying things like: "I got a flashlight in the truck." or "yeah he took a good lick" or "zit spost to rain tomorruh" but for the most part they all cared about the situation.) One of the officers actually brought me the injured officers cell phone and asked if I could unlock it so they could call his wife..I felt like if I didn't know how to unlock it then I would be considered unhelpful at a big moment...I had no clue how to find the mute button to unlock the Blackberry so of course I handed it off to someone else and they found it..If I would have got a BlackBerry in 2003 when everyone else got one then maybe this wouldnt be so difficult)    On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Police

1. Good: Policemen are essential.  There motto is "to protect and serve" and for the most part I think they do a decent job of that.  If you need proof that policemen are good people, just watch the movie World Trade Center.(excuse Nicholas Cage for trying to overact as usual because it's really good and a tearjerker)
2. Bad: Sometimes policemen fall into the typical cliche: Picked on in high school and now they are in a position of power so they abuse it.  Sad as it is, it's sometimes true.  I've come across many who can't seem to get the chip off their shoulders. Example: Once I was pulled over for not getting into the left land on Hwy 82 when a policeman had someone pulled over outside the right lane.  I was trapped in the right lane and couldn't get over as cars were filling the hammer lane so I slowed down(the only thing I knew or thought to do)  As I passed by him he waved his arm ticked off yelling at me.  He pulled me over just inside the highlands(my old neighborhood, miss it big time). He pulls up says "LICENSE AND REGISTRATION, NOW".  I handed it to him, he walked off and 2 minutes later came back and handed me 3 items back instead of 2.(Im not an idiot I knew what this was.)  He then said, "You not know to get over when someone is pulled over in the right lane.  I kindly explained the situation and he then said, "That didn't happen I saw you for a quarter mile speeding in the right lane".(I thought to myself, how could you be writing someone else a ticket and watching me come over a hill for 400 yds.) I took the ticket and paid it(only 40 bucks), but my experience with this officer was unpleasant to say the least.(It's not my fault he's divorced, with a mortgage to pay and is still fuming from his days of being picked on)
3. Funny: Obviously chasing someone on foot is either not a problem or not a big concern of the local pd anymore.  Last night I saw uniformed offensive linemen and sumo wrestlers.(I would put a donut joke here but it's too cliche.  But 71% of them looked like this) patrolling the scene.  How any of them could catch a fast criminal on foot is beyond me?(For that matter I'm not sure if many of them could catch me and my surprising speed..I'm not that fast but don't let me get neck and neck with you, I'm like seabiscuit, I'll look in your eyes and hit another gear.)

Link of the Day: Funniest cop video ever: It just shifted out of gear(excuse his profanity)
Thats all for today peeps, thanks for reading(please recommend me a new sign off statement if you can think of one, I'm open to suggestions)

McKinley

Did I make it?

Easy topic today.  I've been thinking about this one for a few weeks: Tryouts.(Coach Presley, Coach Hardy and I have been trying to put together an 18 man roster for about a month now.)  As an Assistant Coach for the Tupelo 49ers, I'm hardly ever as excited as I am on days like today.(It's been a great day all around, I also got my Praxis 2 scores and I passed.)  Today is the day when we pick our team for the summer.(I'd also like to welcome G.T. McCullough to our staff as a new coach.  We've been blessed with talent in the past(03' was unreal) and I expect this year to be no different.(Although we have some horses to replace in the pitching department.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Tryouts

1. Good: At tryouts you get to meet new people that have a common bond with you before you even meet them.  Everyone there likes what they are trying out for, so conversation is easy.  Another great thing about a tryout is every person there has a chance to make it.
2. Bad: There are a few bad things about tryouts.  For instance: There are always people trying out that that think they are more talented that they actually are.(Ex: American Idol Link)  The hardest part is explaining to to them that they weren't good enough to make it.  Then they normally try to discredit you as a judge of talent.
3. Funny: If you haven't ever watched American Idol auditions and not laughed at some people then you don't watch tv much.(to stick with my theme from yesterday, I don't actually watch the show just terrible auditions on youtube that I hear about from friends...you almost caught me there readers.)  The funniest thing to me is listening to a parent of a kid that didn't make a team complain and tell why there kid should have made it. Example: "Well my son was throwing 94 during the middle of the high school season and also hit 16 homeruns to boot."  If you can hold back laughing then your best response to this is "well if he's that good someone will want him. matter of fact he'll probably get drafted into the big leagues".

Link of the Day: funny guy cheerleader tryouts
Thats all for today folks, Thanks for reading
McKinley

The Tube!

I've had a long day.  Sorry so late.(I need to quit apologizing for posting late after all it's my blog...ok ok nevermind I'm sorry.  Nobody reads this late at night anyway)  So I was speeding home from a great dinner with Hunter Davis and Lee Norman(thx Hunter, grilled chicken was the bomb) at 7:50 central time with only ten minutes til LOST started(I got bluelighted for speeding) and I then found a topic for tonight: TV.(Special thanks to Kristen McClellan and Jared Koon for recapping for me even though I'm still lost..sorry for the cliche but it's true...I mean season 1 and 2 were the bomb then they started all the scientific crap...well I still am obsessed with it) I've got a bunch of favorite tv shows but I'd have to say my top 4 are Wheel of Fortune(dorky I know but me and there is not a better team than me and my mom on the planet..no exaggeration. If they just let us on the show we would go HAM on their puzzles), Jeopardy(dorky also but it keeps my mind sharp and I'm decent at it..I'm still waiting on the Mississippi State football greats category), Friday Night Lights(most underappreciated show of all time by the big networks) and Lost(Last mention I swear).  Heres a list of my favorite tv shows(Link Its really just my facebook profile)  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
TV

1. Good: TV is for a lack of a 24$ word in this space: Awesome.  Thanks to John Baird and his work in London Labs in 1926 we all get to enjoy this essential life tool.( not really but kinda)  I love tv. The best thing about TV is that it kills time.  If you are bored, cut the tube on.(Hope kids don't read this because they need to play outside and exercise because of obesity rates are redonkulous these days)  It's amazing how much we've evolved with television.  I remember having to get up and change the channel when I was a kid(yeah we had a sorry tv) to now being able to pause live tv and watch movies on demand.  I plan on watching plenty this summer and I wanna start the Sopranos(my mom says its the best tv series of all time.)
2. Bad: There is plenty of bad on TV.  For instance: Reality Tv.  For me I just don't see how it's appealing.  For those of you who are mad after just reading that, know this: Its all fake and scripted.  I've never watched a single episode of Real World or Challenge or whatever the rest of those shows are.  I have proof that these shows are fake if you need me to ruin them for you.(Just ask me)  Also TV sucks in that its all about sex appeal now.  I mean will anyone buy dove lotion if the commercial advertising it has a 300 pound woman with cellulite and spider veins lathering herself up.  Why not? hmmm....the product works the same on everybody) 
3. Funny: There are plenty of funny things about TV.  Like, Sam Kline (my buddy will's dad) always muting the commercials cause they are stupid(although I like some), or fighting with your siblings over what TV show to watch: 90210 or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(Thank god for Full House, Fresh Prince and Saved by the Bell..corny I know but they always provided me and my sisters a happy medium), when your dad comes in and has no clue whats going on with a show your watching and tries to get into it, then says "ah the hell with this cut the news on".(You go to bed at 8 anyway dad, go watch it on another tv.)

Link of the Day: Speaking of the news, todays Link of the Day: is a montage of news bloopers (hysterical and pg13 rated for the most part) 
Other Link: Best tv site ever to catch up on shows

I'm tired but I'm gonna go try to watch tv and fall asleep(wont be in bed til 1 probably) so thanks for reading
Mckinley

Motivation

I was having trouble this morning getting motivated to do my blog.(For that matter waking up and going to are also tasks that I was and am having trouble getting motivated to do.)  Then it hit me, what a better day(Monday of all days) than today to to do a blog on motivation.  In general different things motivate all of us.  Usually, I get motivated when I have to get something done and haven't done it yet.  Losing also motivates me.(I'm probably 163-1 all-time in NFL Blitz 2001 on Nintendo 64..I want a rematch Haiwei)  On to Good, Bad and Funny
Motivation

1. Good: There are 2 types of motivation-Intrinsic and Extrinsic.  Intrinsic is when you are motivated without external rewards.(For instance: I am intrinsically motivated to go work out today: because A) I want to get in shape to be healthier B) I had a 734 calorie breakfast)  Extrinsic is when you are motivated by outside influence or reward.(For instance: A mother who is working two jobs and guts out a double shift on her second to help pay for her kids education.)  Motivation makes you sharper in your preparation for short and long term goals that you want to accomplish.  True stories and pregame speeches are the biggest motivational factor for me.  Need an example: click here, here or here.
2. Bad: Obviously you can be motivated by people around you to do stupid things.(Driving to Waffle House to get an All-Star Breakfast when you've had too much to drink, Stealing 150 different campaign signs and putting them into one friends yard..haha Poland)  Also money, fame, acceptance and success motivate some to do things they wouldn't otherwise do.(Example: People buying those Columbia fishing shirts or Chaco sandals just because everyone else has a pair.  And apparently if you are a girl and you don't have a pair of those short nike shorts in that are worn at all southern campuses then apparently you are the outcast.)
3. Funny: I find it surprising and hilarious when someone tries to motivate you or a group of people and that person normally wouldn't be the outspoken one to step up and say something.(Its funny but it's also awesome.  Example: The quiet kid on your softball team who gets a big hit at a big moment and slides into 2nd base stands up and is beating on his chest.)  Lastly, when I'm trying to get motivated to go to sleep(if that's possible) and TBS or TNT puts "Mystic River" or "D2: Mighty Ducks" on at 1am how am I not supposed to watch it?(even though I've seen them a hundred times)  I also think these TV networks are in a scam with fast food restaurants that stay open late, because after all, what's better than a Big Bacon Classic/Dr. Pepper combo with "Shawshank Redemption" after Midnight?

Link of the day: Motivational story on E:60 Baseball players fall and triumph

Thats all today folks
Thanks for reading
McKinley

In the Words of Luda: Tell me what what what's yo fanta-ta-see

I'd like to apologize for such a late blog today.(Been busy: Had to go get my beat up 96' blazer in Starkville..Thx Vandy).  I couldn't think of a topic for today until just now.  I am heads up tied 5-5 with Bean(Mark Russell) in a Standard Head to Head league.(I need a big night from you Jayson Werth).  Some of you are already reading this and wondering what the hell I'm talking about.  Well folks, I'm talking about fantasy baseball.  But tonight's blog is on fantasy sports in general.(Note: Girls will probably not like this blog, so quit reading now if you want.)  What is fantasy sports?  It is an internet based game that allows you to draft players on to a "so to speak" fantasy team.  For instance I could have Kobe James, Lebron James, Derrick Rose, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudamire on one basketball team.(though highly unlikely unless I was in a league with kindergartners or was in last place in a keeper league for 6 years.)  I could have put this in the passion blog as much as I work on my teams.(I also could put it in my eventual dork or computer nerd blog) I have spent an hour a day for the last 6 years of my life(at least) checking my fantasy teams.  It took me a minute to do the math so I'll show you: 6 years is 2190 days. I divided that number by 24(hours in a day) and came up with 91.25.  So I have logged 91.25 days(or 3 months) checking fantasy sports.  Can you say dork?  I don't care because I love it.  I am so addicted to this silly game that I even have fantasy teams in sports I really don't care about(Golf(currently in the 89th percentile on Yahoo..booya!), Tennis, NASCAR)  On to Good, Bad and Funny
 Fantasy Sports

1. Good:  Fantasy Sports give you a break from reality.(Obviously because real life sports teams are never as good as one fantasy team.)  It is a way to splurge on your free time.(It's like shopping or eating carbs for you girls that are still reading todays blog...doubtful)  It is competition.(which I love)  It can also help you with strategies in lineup cards for coaching.(kinda, I highly doubt I'm ever gonna be in a real life coaching situation that relates to: where I don't know if I'm gonna sit Robinson Cano because he's facing James Shields and Howie Kendrick is facing someone the Royals just brought up for a spot start.)  The best thing about fantasy sports is the night of the draft.(For some(me) it is two of the top hours of my year)
2. Bad: Fantasy sports can be very distracting.  If you're in your leagues playoffs you check it way to much and can't get your real life work done.  Or if you are dating and late for dinner or not paying attention to your woman because you don't know whether to sit Johnathan Stewart against the Bengals and your Iphone is about dead and you have to make a decision by 3pm on Sunday and it's 2:56pm(Hello run-on sentence, whew could of used about 6 commas there)  Also fantasy can be bad if you use it as a coping tool because you are not a good athlete.(I've played in leagues where guys are jacked if they beat you and talk smack...your best response is "well maybe you can play tackle football with us sometime".)  The thing I hate the most about fantasy sports is the bogus trades that go down.(In no way should anyone be allowed to acquire b.j upton and cliff lee for 2 prospects and brian roberts from a guy who hasn't checked his lineup in two months.)  Oh yeah the last thing that sucks is player injuries.  Especially with limited Disabled List spots(It'd be nice if you could stay healthy a full season Manu Ginobili)
3. Funny: The funniest thing about fantasy sports is the stuff said in the chat room during a fantasy draft.  If you take things too seriously or can't take a joke then I highly recommend you play in one of my yearly leagues with my normal buddies(I can see bean popping his wrist and cussing at his monitor right now..but you're a good sport and fierce competitor buddy)

Link of the Day:  This was introduced to me by none other than fantasy regular and my fantasy comrad Vance McCullough(Its great for fantasy insight and hot news) Rotoworld.com

That's all for today and bless you girls if you hung in there to read this whole blog.  I'll do one on romance comedies and wedding days soon.
Thanks for reading
McKinley

P.S.  I've got a World Cup fantasy league I'm always gonna have my own football league and it's around the corner so if you want in then just give me your email.

Just Another American Saturday NIght

Today's blog: Saturdays.(I'm guess I'm gonna have to follow this up by blogging about every day of the week but I'm not gonna do it in order.)  This is by far my favorite day of the week.  I'd be willing to bet that at least 75% percent of the American workforce agrees with me.(Sorry Uncle John and other construction workers/farmers)  Unique things that make Saturday different from every other day of the week: College Football(is there anything better?  There are not many things I'd rather do than watch SEC football. A child was born when these two collided Tebow/Eric Berry), yard work(it sounds laborious, but I love it.  I mowed today for an hour and a half and I swear it seemed like there was a town wide ordinance in Plantersville, that said you had to mow your yard today.  Everyone I saw was doing yard work but, I bet I was the only one that was listening to Lisa Loeb's "Stay" though.), Cooking out(We had grilled chicken, sweet potatoes, boiled okra and green beans...Hello soul food!), Soccer Tournaments(when you're a kid at least.  Crunkest thing ever: looking at the brackets posted behind the concession stand after a game), Primetime television(Most major networks have a legit movie on. TNT has The Green Mile on right now and Tom Hanks is my boy so I need to hurry this up), Sleeping in(I don't do this much anymore but today I did..Ugh wine hangover), Going out for a night on the town(pretending to be able to dance and seeing people that you see everyday anyway).  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Saturday

1. Good: I don't know that there are many things to dislike about a Saturday.(Of course everyday is what you make it)  The Indianapolis Colt's Jeff Saturday is the best center in the NFL(my favorite player in the league...probably just because he has a beard and looks like he enjoys hearty meals and country music.Here's a picture of the champ) Just read the above paragraph to see what else I think is good about Saturdays.(First blog screw up that I just really don't want to go back and fix now...remember The Green Mile is on.)
2. Bad: As weird as it sounds, Saturday can be really boring if you don't have anything to do.(Today, but I made the best of it)  Weather can really screw up a Saturday.  For instance: Your buddy is throwing a bbq because he and his wife just got a new house and they want to show it off to you and your old friends, but if it rains then they say they'll just have to reschedule it and you have to babysit that particular night.(This scenario has never happened to me..I don't even know why I typed it, but it sounds like it happens a lot.)  Another awful thing about a Saturday is that they always do College Exit tests on Saturday mornings.(Thank god for Shipley's Donuts and Gatorade or I might not have even made it to my Praxis test for Teachers a few weeks back..I'm lying I would have made it, but I'd rather hang dry wall than take a test on a Saturday morning...also probably a lie but you get the drift)
3. Funny: A funny thing about Saturdays is how it's the only day of the week people have yard sales.(5k's apply here too, My mom does it all the time and doesn't realize that no one is going to buy my Chigago Cubs puffy ball that I won out of one of those machines with the claw at Walmart..especially not for more than a quarter) .  Another funny thing about Saturday's is how old people treat Saturday nights just like they would any other day.  For instance: One of the coolest things my mom can look forward to on a Saturday night is that she can watch the Law and Order rerun that she missed earlier in the week.

Link of the day: Because I wanted to tie in a link to my actual topic for today,  here's an awesome music video from Brad Paisley. Music Video It's a confusing song but I get it. 

That's all for today, thanks for reading
McKinley

Passion

I feel like(hope) you guys are enjoying the blog, but I feel like yall don't know me yet.(Untrue, but I still want to put some things on here that you might not know about me).  So therefore, today's blog: Passion.(I'm tired of blogging about music and I know yall are tired of reading it and this topic jumped in my mind this morning)  I hope it's not a rule that  you can't have more than one passion because I definitely do. My 4 passions:
Teaching: I've always wanted to make a difference in other peoples lives, and this fall I will finally get a chance to do it. In my opinion, teaching is the best way to accomplish this.  When I got out of high school, I just wanted to coach, period.  Once I got to MSU, I realized that this was not a possibility for me without teaching also.  So after 7 years in college(I know, I know), I have qualified myself to be a teacher.  A wise man(or just a guy that I took advice from) once told me that "it really doesn't matter if you know alot about your subject area as long as you have a passion to teach.  You either have it in you to be a good teacher or yo don't."(this sealed the deal for me)I am qualified to teach Special Education, P.E., Mississippi History, Drivers Education and Health Education.  I don't prefer one over the other but, if you put a gun to my head and said you can only teach one(most unlikely scenario ever) it would have to be Special Education.  It just comes the easiest to me.  No matter the subject I teach, I want to bring new innovations to the profession.  I want to make it the most fun and stress-free environment possible.  I wouldn't mind teaching at any school in the U.S.(just whatever school gives me an opportunity), but I think I fit best with underpriveledged kids.  With the way society is now, these kids are the target people that most people complain about not living up to standards.  If I'm going to help anyone achieve success, it needs to be these kids.
Coaching: Most little boys lose out on our dreams to be professional athletes at a certain age.(Highly doubt the Atlanta Braves would take a serious look at me as an outfielder right now)  My way of coping with this is becoming a head coach.(Hopefully)  I love sports and I love to compete.  This also is redundant of my last passion in that I want to help kids achieve success.  I've been blessed with so many great mentors(teachers/coaches) that it just seems fitting for me to follow their lead.
Family:  As corny as it sounds I have a passion for family, even though mine has its share of problems.  But what family doesn't?(Don't think of TV families either i.e. Full House or Fresh Prince of Bel-Air because they are just TV shows.  If Will Smith was my son and had a party at my mansion and the place was wrecked when I got home, then the show would probably not end with my arm around him teaching him a life lesson..well maybe not.)  I think it is God's plan for me to be a good husband and father at some point in my life.
Food:  Even though I've been watching what I eat for a while now, I still love to eat.  There's nothing better than food from my little corner of the world- soul food. Thank God for vegetables(otherwise I'd be 600 lbs. eating nothing but country fried steak and lasagna from Papa V's)  On to Good, Bad and Funny

Passion

1. Good: Everything.  Now that I'm more mature(sometimes) to understand what passion really is, I feel like it's essential.  No matter when you are, you need a passion.  I think if you don't have passion, then you don't have direction.(This isn't a terrible thing as some people find their passion quicker than others)
2. Bad: Tough one here.  It's such a positive blog topic, that I don't know if there is a bad but I'll take a stab at it.  If your passion is murdering innocent people then you are not wired right.(Really poor attempt but I had to put something)
3. Funny: Sharing your passions on a internet dating site is funny to me.  People mock this all the time, and even though I've never done one of those sites I can imagine that every person you meet says they are a model and have a 6 figure income.

Link of the day: Nothing to do with passion.  Some of you have heard of it, some of you haven't and some of  you go to this site religiously(me).  For those not familiar with it I introduce to you(Thx for introducing it to me Vance) Sporcle: mentally stimulating diversion . If you are bored and work at a computer this is the site for you.  I'm not gonna say anymore so just check it out.

That wraps up today. See ya tomorrow
McKinley

Last Music Blog, I swear.

Definitely want to knock out the music portion of my blog today.(I know it's getting redundant, but music is an important part of my life so I am making myself finish it.(Probably gonna be pretty long today also I want to apologize to Bob Seger(every song is good), Smashing Pumpkins("1979" is pimp tight), Nirvana(Current Default Ringtone on my phone "Lithium"), Eric Clapton(Legend) and Tom Petty(all his songs are good) for leaving them out of the Rock Blog yesterday among others)  In addition to my normal blog format, I'm going to add a link of the day segment, that may or may not have to do with what I'm blogging about that day.  Today I'm going to talk bout these genres: Easy Listening, Oldies, Alt(alot included here) and Pop.  When I think of Easy Listening, the main artists I think of is John Mayer and The Goo Goo Dolls.  There are many artists that fit the easy listening prototype but I can't get their music out of my head when I try to think of them.  As for Oldies, I think of riding in the car with my mom listening to the Beatles or the Who.  My two faves are Elton John and Billy Joel(These two make for the best argument of who you like better).But there are other artists that she listens to that drive me insane(Neil Sedeka).  Alternative is really a mixed bag to me, I put this in here because I didn't want to list every genre possible.(My blog would be insufferable.)  I guess I would say my favorite alt bands(or the most that I have on CD's are Yellowcard(Best song: Only One), Weezer(Best Song: Island in the Sun), Incubus(Best Song: Warmth)and Blink 182(Best Song: I Miss You).  All these best songs are the opinion of the world, not just mine.(Not really)  When I think of Pop I think of 4 women whose music I really like: Kelly Clarkson(lifelong crush), Beyonce(lifelong crush), Sheryl Crowe(grew up on her stuff) and Rihanna.(Special props to the new Selena Gomez and her new song "Naturally". You know you like it guys)  I do like some of Michael Jackson's stuff but I think he might be a fad to college students so I don't listen to him much(i.e. Chuck Norris jokes, Kavu visors)  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Easy Listening

1. Good: The best time to listen to Easy Listening is when you are riding in the car alone in a good mood or in deep thought. (I do this alot in my car when my radio is not shorting out.)
2. Bad: Do not listen to this genre after a break up, tough loss or after a bad day,  it will only make you more depressed.(Funniest thing my old roommate Cade Hoggard ever said: "Of course I was just over at her house and she broke up with me and Rascal Flatts is waiting on me in my bedroom when I get back.")
3. Funny: A funny thing about this genre is it is emotional and most people don't want to show this emotion in front of their friends.  Most of us have been in a car where the driver has a cd on and forgets that Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" is track 16 and they change it real quick when it comes on.  Someone in the car says "Wait what was that". Then I have to explain myself...errr someone else has to explain his self.

Oldies

1. Good: Oldies make for good ballpark music.  Old women can enjoy a baseball game, even if they don't like the sport just because the PA guy has the BeeGee's Greatest hits playing.
2. Bad: This genre sucks if your mom and dad bought 3 tickets to see Michael Bolton at the Bancorp South Arena and can't find someone to go with them.(Thankfully this never happened to me but I've been told this by someone who did have this happen to him...feel for you buddy)
3. Funny: This really has nothing to do with oldies but I think that my oldies are bands that I listened to in the 90's: Backstreet Boys, Nsync, Fastball, Smashmouth etc..(Friends of mine in the 90s don't act like we didn't listen to it.  If you ever call me out on it I'll expose your true colors.  My mom remembers driving us around listening to "Bye, Bye, Bye" and she'll remind you the next time she sees you if I tell her so own up to it.)

Alternative

1. Good: This is probably my favorite genre and probably most widely accepted. (Really just because of how broad I am making it in this blog.)
2. Bad: Some music is labeled this way because they have no home genre.  I hate this for really good bands.(Linkin Park comes to mind)
3. Funny: The name of the genre is funny in itself.  The music world makes it seem like we are weirdos and don't have any other genre to listen to so we take the "Alternative" route.

Pop

1. Good: This music is awesome when you're young.  It seems so kid friendly.
2. Bad:  However this genre can become very redundant.(thanks Taylor Swift...shes definitely not country)
3. Funny: The funniest thing to me about this genre is when you are at a bar and a song like Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" comes on, literally every girl in the bar rushes to the dance floor like they are giving away free Dolce and Gabbana handbags or someone from the last season of The Bachelor has his shirt off in the middle of the building.

Glad to get the music blog off my chest.  Although I'll probably revisit it eventually.  Now for my new blog feature: The link of the day.
Link of the day:  Todays link is about a high school kid who has a severe handicap that won't let it deter his dream of becoming a basketball manager at the University of Kentucky...even if they are crooked and stole 2 games from my dawgs this past year.(Sorry for dissing your boys Mike Draper..but you will like this anyway)
UK manager didn't let 'no' stop him

Thanks for reading
Mckinley

That Old Time Rock n Roll

I've found that I think more about my actual blog than I do topics for my blog.(If that makes any sense.)  Since I've already started blogging about music I might as well finish it this week.  So the next few days I'll talk about the rest of the genres as promised.  Today's Blog: Rock.  While it's not my favorite genre, I do appreciate it.  When I think about rock music I think of: riding shotgun with my dad listening to 99.9 the Fox(he'd always slap my hand if I tried to turn up the volume.  I swear the knob in his 84' Dodge Ranger has not moved since I've been alive.  How he hears the music, I'll never know.) going to see Lynyrd Skynyrd/Allman Brothers Band in 2002 on Mud Island in Memphis, my boy tommy making me listen to Metallica when we were 8(he still makes me listen to them even though I only like some of their stuff, working construction and being the only guy there that doesn't know the lyrics to every Rolling Stones song that comes on the radio.(I learned them though). On to Good, Bad and Funny.
 Rock

1. Good: There are many good things about rock music.  It makes you feel like no other music and probably is the most unique sounding of all genres. I feel like most of planet earths talented musicians played rock and roll back in the day.(Well at least guitarists)  I think from an innovative standpoint the coolest thing about rock music has been the dedication of video games to rock music.(Guitar Hero and Rock Band....Really wish I still had a band to play these games)
2. Bad: The worst thing about Rock is Nickleback.(hands down)  This has band has single handedly ruined rock music. Seriously do any of their songs sound different? No. Do radio stations continue to bombard you with Nickleback songs?(yes, and also Rob Thomas.  I'll give you a dollar if you can listen to any of Tupelo's rock stations for an hour without hearing Nickleback or Rob Thomas.)  Whoever told Nickleback that there sound was good is a joke to the music industry.  So people please quit calling in to radio stations and requesting songs from Nickleback.  If you have to hear them then, make a cd with the same song on it for 13 straight tracks and you will pretty much get the full variety of their musical diversity.
3. Funny: There is an awesome Chappelle's Show skit about white people dancing...just only to guitar, heres the clip.  I also love the movie School of Rock.(It's funny and kid appropriate..not that the latter matters to me, I'm just gonna assume that some of my blog readers are parents). Lastly, the funniest thing to me about rock music is new heavy rock music.  This type of music you'll find present in gyms, long drive competitions(Examine in this clip), and cage fights.  What do all these have in common?  Guys that put muscle mass above everything.(Including family sometimes)

Thats it for rock music, tomorrow probably will finish out the music blogs but I might mix it up.
Thanks for reading
Mckinley

Youre born, you live and then you die

I pondered finishing up the musical genre blog today, but instead I found a more fitting entry considering the events of my day. Today's blog(sorry for the lateness of it...busy day plus I found an awesome new calorie counter app on my phone,  worked out and watched lost) is about life and death.  Sounds like I've gone off the deep end I know but, today I went and picked up the human remains(body) of Mr. Murphy Watson at Delta Airlines Cargo in Memphis so that my father could have his funeral around his loved ones here in Tupelo.(thanks for riding koon, great lunch at colton's anyway plus it would have been a eerie ride back alone with him)  While I know hardly anything about the guy(save for that he was my mothers high school chemistry teacher..she said he was a great teacher and great man), it made me think of his life and death.  Life...We should all be thankful to have it.  It's such a simple and commonly used word that we hardly ever examine it. (And I don't intend to in tonights blog in great detail because well..it's a blog not a research paper)  Death...Not exactly an attractive word.  These two things are about as pure and simple as it gets.  Most of think that they are all part of God's plan and are just natural process.(At least I do.  Dont want to ruffle any religious feathers today.  We'll save that for another day) On to Good, Bad and Funny(death might be a struggle in the funny department but I'm bout to give it a shot)
 Life

1. Good: Like I said it's simple. Its so difficult to really wrap your mind around this term because its such a broad topic(and probably boring if you are still reading this blog).  When I think of life, I think about the joy of living.  For me, that means doing these 3 things: laughing everyday, spending some time in deep thought whether it's for one minute or an hour and lastly having empathy.(I'd like to apologize to the late Jim Valvano for stealing this idea.  He used it in his speech at the Espy Awards before he died and I'll always remember it.  He said if you do these three things each day then you have had a complete day.)
2. Bad: Obviously the life we all lead can be bad.(No one is perfect)  I think the worst thing someone can do is spend their life not being themself.  Example:  It's easy to model yourself after your parents because they are the ones who raised you.  But it's still ok to share different values and feelings than they do.  I share a lot of my dad's values and feelings but for the most part we don't think alike often.(I'll save the rest of that for the fathers day blog)  Also, I think it's bad to live a boring or sheltered life with no adventure or spontaneity.  If you routinely do the same thing everyday of your life then you are not living, just an opinion.(My grandmother might argue with me but she is old so I doubt she could still travel the world but she does the same thing everyday, which is my point)
3. Funny: Some funny things to me about life: Life the Board Game(this is only funny to me because its a game for kids and really it just teaches them how to be businessmen/women and stockbrokers...so much for wanting to be a fireman when you grow up), Life Cereal(I can't wrap my brain around this brand.  I just don't see how cereal helps you embrace life, it almost makes me think that the company advertising it wants to make kids think that if you eat this cereal then you'll have a good life..i'm a hearty breakfast guy anyway), Life the Movie(Oh my god if you haven't seen this movie then you need to get off your rear end and go rent it now. Its about 2 guys who spend a life in prison..heres a preview clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqvnZdemmts)  Another thing that makes me laugh is the term life of the party.  This really just means you were the most obnoxious or drunkest guy at any given event.(some people think this is a cool thing to be this guy, but in most cases its not)

Death

1. Good: Not much can be said that is good about death. The only thing I can think of that's good is after death, you will go to heaven and walk beside Jesus.(I believe this.)
2. Bad: There will always be sadness and mourning after deaths.  It's awful when someone you love dies.(Miss you Mamaw, Chuck, and MollyBoo) I personally hate funerals.  I don't like the entire process of them.  There's always people there that you never know, that probably barely know the deceased, but come anyway because it's what society expects.  Sounds harsh I know, but I truly believe people go just to be seen sometimes. (Trust me I wouldn't have made this comment if I haven't been to a ton of funerals.  When your dad owns a funeral home and you are there a lot, if you don't know the person whose funeral it is, you get bored and start to observe people at that funeral) 
3. Funny: It was really hard to think of something funny about death, but I did come up with something amusing to me.  I could be dead wrong, but I feel like all really heavy metal bands use the word death upwards of 20 times in each of their songs.(you know all the ones you can't understand because the entire song sounds like one guy yelling in a voice that sounds like he's got snakes all over him needs help. (sorry Cade Hoggard if you like this music))

I hope that blog was as (fill this blank -------with an adjective) for you to read as it was interesting for me to write.
Thanks for reading
Mckinley

Winning and Losing

It took me forever today to come up with a blog topic.  Somedays this is easy and somedays it isn't.  After playing 4 grueling games of racquetball and pingpong at the wellness center today,(Better luck next time Laura) I figured winning and losing was an appropriate topic.  Everyone loves winning.(If you don't then call me so I can tell you that you are a liar).  Some memorable wins: pick up basketball over holidays in tupelo(3's make cheese koon and say), the recent pickup tennis ball baseball games we played at my last days at MSU (me going ham http://www.twitvid.com/QSL2I), Bowling although I don't win much(check my swag again http://www.twitvid.com/XFSEI), Legion State Tournaments, High School Playoffs(Kline always looked like a marvel comics character with his jaw-drop emotions if he finished a win on the mound...loved it though), Egg Bowls(41-27, sorry rebs, for what its worth I'm still reeling from the Sly Croom years), Park and Rec Soccer when we were little(the pregame smack talk at school b4 was actually better than the game..you didn't want any of the 95 Silver Bullets by the way(a refreshing step up from my previous team the destroyers, who went 1-12 in league play)...however it would have been nice to have some defensive help come district time, thanks Sam Kline for the most incompetent fullbacks and stoppers ever come crunch time.), Basketball games against county rivals(My boys koon and wesson bringing the white thunda to the Lee County Tournament), Penalty Shootout wins(Tommy Pharr is the best high school shootout goalie of all-time, just don't tell him I said that).  Some don't care as much as others but winning is always a good feeling.  I've never heard anyone say "Man that was a good loss".  You can learn from a loss sure, but you can learn just as much from winning.(Its kind of a double edged sword)  I personally hate losing more than I like winning.(If that makes sense at all)  I feel that if I lose, then for the most part there was one little thing that I did that couldn't put me in the win column. Of course if I'm playng Rafael Nadal in tennis, then it's obvious that he is just that much a better tennis player than me. But I'd immediately challenge him to another competition that played to my strengths and guarantee I'd beat him.(Blitz 2001 on N64 or 1 on 1 basketball...ok maybe not the second but I'd have confidence oozing out my ears.)  You don't always have to apply winning and losing to sports/competition.  You can win an argument or lose a wallet. (hence how I hate losing more than I like winning....I have a velcro wallet now so if it falls out of my pocket I can usually hear it unlatch and I can pick it up before I move from that location).  On to Good, Bad and Funny
Winning 

1. Good: Whats not good about winning?(If someone becomes homeless or loses their job because you are a winner then I guess that would be a bad thing but that is a rare happening...As a matter of fact if that happens then shame on the cold-blooded soul who won to make that happen)  Self esteem is at an all-time high after a win, unless you come to expect winning.  I've been blessed to be apart of and observe some awesome wins.
2. Bad: Winning an argument is not the best thing that can happen to you.(Especially with a friend or female companion) Because while your basking in the moment for being right, they are picking a spot to where they can win the next one and make you feel like they do at the present time.(So unhealthy)
3. Funny: One funny thing about winning is how people associate themselves with it even if they have nothing to do with gaining the win.(I'm guilty as charged sometimes but I'm trying to stay objective)  For instance: If State or Ole Miss beats the other in one of the big 3 sports(football, baseball, basketball) you can expect all your social networks(facebook, twitter) to be beaming with quotes like "Nice loss to LSU, bulldogs how bout yall rehire croom. HOTTY TODDY!" or "Man, Jevan sure did look good leading the rebs today to a win..oh wait loss. He had more interceptions than completions. Ha HAIL STATE!".(In reality folks, these comments suck because we are not the ones playing the game. People just want to associate themselves with a winner)

Losing

1. Good: A good thing about losing(only thing) is the lesson you can learn from it.  I'm hardheaded and don't want to believe this but it's true.  I guess the only other good thing about losing is losing weight.(I would like to interpret this as a positive though so we'll call it winning your battle with weight issues)
2. Bad: Theres plenty of bad in losing.  Anger builds up inside you, some more than others(John Cohen, Ed Orgeron, Kirk Gatlin) and leads to cursing, belittleing of others and punching random objects(again Kirk Gatlin).  Losing a loved one is never fun.  Another bad thing about losing is losing a fight in K-12 after school.  With new technologies, the entire student body knows about it within seconds.  I would imagine that you feel as if the next day at school will be filled with guys mocking you and girls being extra nice to you. (But understand that nothing good comes out of a fight, unless you are in the UFC)
3. Funny: The funniest thing to me is how people make excuses after losing. Example: If you get beat by 30 in just about any sport, trust me the: A) refs were not that bad B) the environment didn't just affect you but also your opponent C) it was raining on everyone, you didn't have a single cloud hovering over you or your team and D) all of the above, you just simply lost because your opponent was better that day

Thats all for today, and if any of you(except Koon in racquetball because he has the stamina of a cagefighter) want to challenge me in a game of ping pong or racquetball, I'll be at the Wellness Center Monday thru Fridays.(Kind of stupid to ask for an opponent in a blog, I'd laugh til I cried if one of you showed up though)

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Mama

I've been looking forward to today's blog for about 3 or 4 days now.  This is the first one I am not doing impromptu.  It's mother's day as you know and I owe more than just a blog to my mother, but here goes.  My Mom is the best mother in the world.(I know its cliche sorry)  If you look up mother in the dictionary, her face and name is the only definition.  To make a weird comparison, when Lebron James does amazing things on a basketball court, people think, "wow he's the only guy I know that can do that".  This is the way i feel about my mother.  She goes beyond what other mothers can do.  She knows me better than me.  She can sense my senses.  A few things my mother does that go unnoticed that I should start thanking her for on the spot: She saves all bottles and paper cups for me to use as spitters, she has collected every Daily Journal sports page for me for the last 9 years, washes my clothes when I could do it on my own, picks up my medicines, gets me clothes from outlet malls when I don't ask(always something I like to boot), puts me above everything else, cooks when I've already eaten and says "well you can eat it tomorrow for lunch or a midnight snack", puts up with my procastination(swear I'll start working on yard sale stuff soon mom), doesn't ask me to do many chores, hardly ever misses an athletic event of mine(even if I'm not playing), gives me advice that I don't realize is good until I process it, helps me get into the tub when I've had broken bones and other physical ailments(without even looking), never wants gifts(would rather give), listens when I complain with no agenda, doesn't gossip, offers to pick me up (anywhere) if I've had too much to drink(last night), lets me win our arguments(rare) when she is always right, put up with foul language and activity when I used to have friends stay over(every weekend), gives me ten extra minutes to sleep when I ask her to come back upstairs to wake me up, wiped my butt when I was young, brings me hope when I feared for the worst, gives me light when I'm engulfed in darkness.  There are many things I can say about great mothers, and you to me Mom are such a one.  On to good, bad and funny.
Mothers

1. Good: Mothers are your best friends.  Trust me.  If you don't have a good mother, then I will share mine with you.  She will not mind.  Don't be scared to talk to your mother about anything.  She'll be accepting no matter what.
2. Bad: There is a downside to mothers that we all put up with because we love them.  Mothers worry which is what they are supposed to do.  Don't call me 4 times a day though.(I don't need to know that you had the best ambrosia salad on earth at Mrs. Lurleens house this afternoon) Also, don't beat your kids at Walmart ladies.  All this does is embarrass your child and prove that you are terrible at raising children.
3. Funny: I love how mothers go crazy at your little league games. If you get struck out looking on strike three they'll yell from the top of their lungs "That was 3 feet outside Mr. Umpire". (Even though I really should have swung at the 2-2 offering from the pitcher that painted the outside corner for strike three..gah what was I thinking) 

Thats it for today.  Glawry Jean, you are a top notch mom(the best...screw the cliche) and I hope that other people have as good a mom as you've been to me. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!



Your hard-headed(sometimes immature) son,
Mac

P.S. Whats for Lunch today?

Festivals

Today's blog is coming very late.  I almost forgot to do it.  Had a great time today with ya boy J.Koon at Gum Tree festival and the ICC baseball game.  Saw many old friends.  We ate like kings today: Corndogs, funnel cakes(with strawberries), papa v's, kyotos.(So good I almost blogged about food today but I'll save that for another day)  Planning on going out tonight so I'll cut it straight to good, bad and funny.
Festivals

1. Good: A good thing about a festival is you get to see so many people you haven't in forever.  Saw some folks I did and didn't want to run into but I had my nice cap on regardless.  Another good thing is there is usually a morning 5 or 10k. (Mad Props to Tupelo's Robert Scribner for almost beating Usain Bolt's cousin (j/k) for first place today)  Weird that I'm writing about it because you couldn't pay me to get up at 7 and run 6 miles.(Well you could probably pay me, I might run next year.)  Got to see my boy Saylors and his newly trimmed father finish and rooted them on. (Proud of you buddy)  The best thing about the festival is the food you rarely get to eat.(I mean who sells funnel cakes and fried oreo balls at restaurants these days, dollar to the first one to answer that question)
2. Bad: Theres a couple of bad things about a festival.  Why do Kenyans always win American races?(Not just africans, just Kenyans specifically)  Do they fly up from there or live here?  I also don't appreciate the guys who are chatting it up with their buddies up until the finish line approaches and they all the sudden turn on the jets and beat their gassed and tired race partner?  If I'm the guy that get's left in the dust when this happens, I'd approach and be like "Dude, really? Congrats on 273rd place jerk.  Could we not just cross together at a mutual pace?"  Another thing that sucks is usually vendors are always like, "Hey man, I'll give you a good deal on this sculpture of a swan made of liscense plates.  I'll knock off 200 and give it to you for 199$ straight up." ( I'm sitting there thinking "He knows I'm not gonna buy that.  Why not approach the guy that looks like Colonel Sanders behind me that already has two oil prints of Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg?"
3. Funny: Theres always a guy at festivals whose daughter is performing with her ballet class sitting there smoking a cigarette thinking, "man I wonder what Tiger shot today, please get me out of this hellhole."(Word of advice man: Support your daughter, she'll appreciate it and might not rebel against your will in her teen years.  Well you should do it anyway because that's what good fathers do.)

Had a great time today and will be back next year.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's mothers day special blog.(Probably gonna get emotional)
Thanks for reading
Mac

Kriss Kross gone make ya jump, jump, jump..everybody jump, jump, jump

I woke up with a completely clear head this morning, and knew immediately what I was gonna blog about today: Rap Music.  Yesterdays piece on Country just had me in the mood.  I also would like to give my mom kudos for having a fried bologna and cheese omelet cooking when I got up(there will be a special piece on mothers Sunday..duh).  Ahh, Rap.  Hate it or love it, it's here forever.  I personally like all kinds of music, so of course I like this genre too.  I could list all the artists I like and ones that I don't like but I don't have the time or short term memory for it.  I'll cut straight to the Good, Bad and Funny.
Rap Music

1. Good: Rap is an awesome motivator.(Jeezy- Soul Survivor, Eminem- Lose Yourself) I listen to these while I'm working out and I find an extra gear.(God, I sound like a meathead.)  High School and College basketball team's have used rap as a tool to really get a crowd going.  If only we coudld have Drake on every hook when I was in high school. Example: Shannon, 2002 Lee County Tournament, I witnessed a guy crip walk a flight of stairs...tightest thing I've ever seen.(There's always that section of a gym where there is a choreographed dance going on while music is playing and it is too crunk.  Look up "A night at the dawg pound" on youtube(first video available) and you'll know what I mean P.S. it makes me chuckle..watch the security guard in yellow if possible.
2. Bad: The message is not always a good one.  It seems if a rapper cannot mention sex, drugs, the degrading of women or vehicles in his song then that said rapper is not successful and also corny. I think it's possible to rap about good things(Twista ft. Faith Evans-Hope) Also, some rappers are just trying to rhyme.  Their lyrics don't make sense.(Thanks Afroman).  It's also difficult to listen to rap in your car without friends present. I'm very guilty of turning the volume down at red lights if I've got my window down.  Example: If it's an old guy beside you, he's going to look at you and slowly shake his head.  If it's a mom with children in her car, she will drop her jaw and think oh how profane.  No matter who it is next to you, unless it's a close friend, your in a lose, lose situation so don't be like me and just roll your windows up and keep it at a decent volume. Also, I'm sick of new Tupac songs.  The guy is alive I'm telling you.  Watch Dave Chappelle's Lost Episodes and there is a hilarious segment on Tupac rapping about current events.
3. Funny: I find it hilarious when your in class and a guy's ring tone goes off and it's something like Lil Waynes "Drop the World".  He's so embarrased.  He'll either a) slowly reach in his pocket to hit mute and then look around the class for anybody laughing and stare at them like he's real hard or b)really quiver and smile and think to himself "Man, I got to change that".  I like the second guy better.  Another funny thing about Rap is if you hear it at a bar or club, if you look closely there will always be a guy who doesn't quite know the lyrics and his buddies are dancing.  He'll lip sync it and do this movement with his dominant arm pointing around his non-dominant foot multiple times trying to dance until the song is over.(I know it's  hard to comprehend or visualize this movement, but if you see me around ask me and I'll show you how it all happens.)  Speaking of dance, another funny thing to me about rap is how every other artist you hear is about a new dance that rapper created.  Eventually we will all be doing the Superman or Lawnmower.  I don't get it.  This presents a problem if I attempt a certain rap dance to a song that doesn't require it.  Am I supposed to associate that dance with only the songs of that one rapper?  Lastly, if you listen to rap, then I know you've asked yourself this question: Am I going to listen to rap when I'm older?  I personally have answered this question with a yes.  I can see it now: Mac: "Honey have you seen my David Banner CD?"...Wife: "It's in my car right now.  I listened to it on the way to work, you were right I loved "Cadillacs on 22s.""(Do I put 2 quotation marks here?)

I can't believe I just blogged about rap music.  My dad would not approve, but what dad would?
Thanks for reading
Mac