Ask your parents if you can stay?

A little down time right now between games in Memphis has given me the opportunity to blog.(Understatement actually: We were supposed to play at 1230 and 8 but our noon opponent didn't show up)  I pretty much knew what I was gonna blog about when I woke up this morning.  I stayed at some buddies house in Oxford last night, so I could shorten my drive up here and be able to watch the World Cup game this morning.(such a dissapointing tie and not because of the referees.)  I'm probably gonna stay with my sister in Memphis tonight because we play at 10 and 3 tomorrow(Sweet scheduling Memphis Tigers- 4 games...well 3 in 24 hours....nice) Anyway today's blog is on sleepovers.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Sleepovers

1. Good: While I'm too old to really call staying at someone elses house a sleepover, I can't help but enjoy doing it.  Just being in another family's home even if for one night is a whole different element.  You become accustomed to how they do things if you are there a lot.  For instance: If you are at Will Klines residence, you can pretty much expect his father Sam to be watching Cops or Intervention at some point in an evening and his mother Missy to have a meal prepared or doing a Sudoku puzzle from the days paper, if you are at Jared Koons house you can expect his mother Teresa to have plenty of bottled water in the fridge and usually something baked.  You come to expect these things so it's almost normal for you to be there.  As for having friends over to stay(well at least through teen years and high school), these are some of the most fun nights of your life.(to me at least)  Back in the day, if you ever spent the night at my house, you could always expect to get into a little mischief. You might go roll a yard, or light a dog poo bag on fire on someones doorstep, or prank calling people, or play basketball til 3 am or listen to loud music all night.  One of the best things about a sleepover is the "late night convo"(term my friends and I coined in high school) at the end of every night that we came to expect.  I would like to especially thank my parents and neighbors on Polk St. for being so kind as to let us do any of this. It mainly all happened because they all could sleep through anything.  We never got one complaint from them.
2. Bad: There is always that night where your parents just say "No and thats final"...."You can't have company and you can't stay anywhere".  This is usually because you have to be somewhere at 8 in the morning and they don't want you up all night.  I get it, but man did it make me mad back then.
3. Funny: Theres always that guy that will attempt to stay at your house then call his mom to come get him at midnight because he is homesick. These guys use the same excuse every time: "Man my stomach hurts."  It's best not to call them a liar and tell them that they are homesick because it could ruin a friendship, but if it becomes a recurring trend then other people will find out that that guy is uninvitable to stay over.

Link of the day:  I couldn't come up with a great link that relates to sleepovers so I'll just leave you with this and this.  Read the comments on the first link and admire the work in the second.
Thanks for reading,
McKinley

Means of Transportation

I'm absolutely ecstatic today.   I mean there's World Cup action, the U.S. Open is on, the NBA Finals Game 7 is tonight, church softball playoffs, baseball tournament in Memphis this weekend.  However none of these things makes me more happy than the fact that I picked up my 1996 Chevy Blazer from Benny Hankins Auto Shop today.  While this might not be a big deal to many, it's huge for me.  Over the last 2 months or so, I've bummed a ton of rides and driven at least 10 different vehicles from family and friends as a way of getting around.  While I wasn't too happy with the cost of repair, I'm thrilled that my car is finally healthy and safe to drive.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Means of Transportation

1. Good:  What is not good about having a way to get around?  Could you imagine before the early 1900's when the best you could do would be a carraige or riding a horse?(Riding a horse everywhere would be cool I admit.)  
2. Bad: I'm not one for flash.  I don't really understand why people buy cars that look like this or this.  I think that most of the people that buy really expensive cars are rich and want to show off their money or are poor and put more money into their car then they do their house.  I just a "car that gets me from a to b kinda guy".(In my dream scenario I would have a car that resembles a salty second baseman, like Former Atlanta Brave Mark Lemke....not gonna ever hit 30 home runs but is a good contact hitter and reliable defender and plays hard)
3. Funny: Just to further explain my entire family's care about what our cars look like, you remember when your parents used to drop you off at school?  Well my dad used to have a 1981 Chevrolet Caprice Classic( like this except for white with only 2 hubcaps).  When he had to drop me off or pick me up in public, it was downright embarrassing.  However, he loved the car(up until the day it got stolen...that's what he gets for leaving his car unlocked with the keys in it...still does actually...crazy)

Link of the Day: Because I'm talking about cars today, I leave you with a great song from Alan Jackson

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Immigration

Pretty easily inspired for today's blog.  This morning, I traveled with my family to Memphis, TN to the Office of Homeland Security to see my brother(foster-brother really but we're past that label) become an Official American Citizen.  We started this crazy journey 17 years ago and it was the best decision our family has ever made.  Haiwei was born in China, his father died at an early age and then he moved with his mother to a Dutch speaking island in South America.(I know bogus right)  His mother then sent him to live with her sister(might not be accurate here) Alice in Tupelo.  He join my multi-age(3rd-4th grade combined...sickest kickball team ever me, will, t, haiwei, and brent gray...you didn't want it) classroom when I was in 3rd grade.  Of course we were all fascinated by his physical stature(biggest chinese 4th grader ever...save for Yao) and just because he was of a different culture.  He spoke no English and of course we always tried to get him to say something in chinese...but he wouldn't.  One day, he and I were at the computer station for fun time(or whatever the teachers called it..pretty much inside recess) and we both went straight to the Oregon Trail icon.(miss that game...my character always died of cholera by the time the wagon reached Montana)  Out of nowhere, he spoke to me.  I can't remember exactly what he said but I think I was the first American he spoke to.(His case is one of the most impressive displays of learning I've ever seen...He taught himself English)  After this, we began to have conversation together.(albeit in random areas away from recess...it probably looked like we were trying to smuggle drugs or smoke cigarettes we were so far away from everyone else.)  Anyway........my parents took him in as a foster child during 6th grade.  He has since been just like a regular family member to all of us.  He now has a almost 5 year old rugrat named Emma(pain in the rear end) and is a full time employee at China Capital.  So finally I say congrats Haiwei...We are proud of you.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Immigration

1. Good:  Our country is known as the land of opportunity.  If you could see the look on some of these peoples faces this morning when they gained their citizenship, you wouldn't be able to help but be happy for them.  I would say that at least half of our countries immigrants came from less fortunate backgrounds and I for one am happy to share our great country with them.  After all, immigration did bring me my brother.
2. Bad:  Obviously we can become overpopulated.  People coming here illegally doesn't help anything.  It is my hope that they are all here to at least earn an honest living.  This might be a little harsh to say but: if you have seen the movie Traitor(if not you should...it's a thriller) then you could see why I would be a little worried about people immigrating to our country.  Also, immigration is the reason we have such long holdups at the airport and other random security checks in my opinion.(Its understandable though.)  What I hate is when they check a 90 year old woman from Pigsknuckle, Arkansas's shoes to see if she has weapons or bombs.  I mean come on.
3. Funny:  Kind of off topic but the language barrier is hilarious to me.  For instance: When Haiwei was still learning English he still had trouble with simple American phrases like instead of saying "What time is it?" he'd say "How many o'clock?" and he called my odometer my speedomonitor.  He used to call me Mac Cheeseburger and had the funniest way of saying roast beef.  Also, when we started playing church basketball together...people were amazed that he could ball.  Of course he was 2 feet taller than everyone else at the time.  I swear he has been 6ft tall for 15 years.

Link of the Day: While I don't have footage yet of todays ceromony this is what it was like kinda

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Can I get some more water?

After a lovely breakfast this morning at Cracker Barrel(This might be a favorite restaurant of mine), I have decided to do today's blog on waiters/waitresses.  On to Good, Bad and Funny
Waiters/Waitresses

1. Good: I have never been a waiter in my life, but I do understand that it is a more difficult job than most realize.  You are solely in charge of making sure someone's dining experience is satisfactory.  I would say that it would be hard to imagine eating at a restaurant without table service but I can't because of buffets.  A good waiter/waitress(IMO) is one that just makes sure your glasses stay filled and is polite.  Pretty simple, but I'm not gonna ask the world of one of them.  They are the ones that always get the blame no matter how demanding the customer is, how busy they are or how bad the kitchen screws up an order.(Definitely don't do this act like this customer at a restaurant....don't watch this if you have a weak stomach)  I'm usually a 18% to 20% tipper everywhere.
2. Bad: A bad waiter/waitress to me, is one that has no interest in being at work and takes out their emotions on customers.  90% of the time you can tell by the look on their faces how your service is going to be.  Another thing that I don't understand is when they say "is this going to be together or seperate".  You normally say can you split it up or divide the appetizer between all of us.  They can every time(I think), but they either give you a look like "really?" or say "I'll try".
3. Funny: The funniest thing to me is how a waiter/waitress tries to become apart of your dining experience.  You get the feeling that they want to sit down and hang out with you instead of serving you food.  I've got a prime example that happened just this morning.  This guy(god bless him he was just trying to make it.....he works from 7-3 and takes class at night so I really respect that.) this morning really just wouldn't quit making my breakfast about him.  He told us about his biology test he had to take later, his diet(usually sushi, fish or other red meat), the drink he mixes when he gets off work(I think he called it a Summer Sunset and said he made it up...it sounded disgusting) and in general just wouldn't leave me and my comrade alone to eat our breakfast.  Maybe he needs a friend and hopefully we were a bright spot on his shift but, was a to go orange juice and lemonade necessary after we'd already told him we didn't want it.  

Link of the day: This movie is so hilarious...and underrated

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Let's meet in the middle

After perusing through channels this morning, it was pretty easy for me to come up with a blog topic for today.  How I got here?  I cut on the TV and jeopardy(such a great show that will keep your mind sharp even when you're done with school) was on.  One of the categories was Presidential campaign slogans.  When it went to commercial, I channel surfed til I landed on the movie Frost/Nixon.  I've seen it before but I wanted to watch the end again.  After about 10 minutes of deep thought, I decided to do today's blog on Politics.  This word is nothing new to me as my father has been a politician for 26 years(I think).  On to Good, Bad and Ugly.
Politics

1. Good: As I've grown up over the years, I've realized that this is probably the most important aspect of our countries government.  We decide who will make our decisions for us with elections(seems like there is one every few months).  To me the only thing that is good about politics is that it's pretty cut and dry in today's media, where big political figures stand.  This helps when deciding who you're gonna vote for.
2. Bad: Warning: This section is going to be really long.  To me, Politics have absolutely ruined this country.  As you get older, you now have to come with a label.  The question you always have to answer: Are you a Republican or a Democrat?  I absolutely hate this.  We always pre-judge people that are largely associated with one of these parties.  I personally am a proud Independent, despite my father being a card carrying Democrat.  I differ with some of the ideas that both Republicans and Democrats have.  I just can't understand why we all can't take every issue one at a time and come to more rational decisions as one party(or nonpartisan) to help make our country a better place.  It's an absolute joke to me how people in both parties act a year before and a year after Presidential elections.  Some of the stuff I've heard about both of the main candidates in the last Presidential election is absolutely absurd.  My question is this: Did we make the right decision?  Some will say yes and others will say no.  So with this line of thinking going on after every election, you can't really say we as a country have ever made the right decision when it comes to electing a president.  People will always blame the present president's problems on the past president.  This is why I'm undecided on the next time I'll vote in a major election.  After all, I've hardly ever personally known anyone that I've voted for.  I've voted for my dad before just because he is my dad.  I've also voted against people who my father has voted for.  Without being able to form our own opinions, instead of listening to others and just hopping on the bandwagon because other people are voting for a certain person, I don't think we'll ever get it right.  For the record, I think the last two presidents were elected because everyone just said yeah man vote for him, the other guy sucks.  And I wouldn't doubt if our next president is elected by the same means.  We all need to quit picking sides and just meet in the middle. Remember  also people, 95% of politicians(personal opinion) don't really care about you when they are campaigning, they just want your vote.  I can't recall how many times I've ran into politicians for a second time and they don't even remember who I am.  It's because when I talked to them the first time, they were just trying to get elected.  In reality, good people will be good people and bad people will be bad people, so be careful when you are picking a party or voting for someone.  Fwhew, told you that was gonna be long. 
3. Funny:  Now that my rant is over, this movie trailer should lighten the mood.  This movie turned out to be pretty non partisan in the end, so I like it. 

Link of the Day: We elccted these guys....howard dean hahah byaah!

Thanks for reading
McKinley

Structure

Today's blog will be about structure.  I thought about this because this morning and yesterday morning I realized the difference of how my life plays out when I've got structure and when I don't.  We have to check out of our hotel room by 11am so I'll make this short and sweet.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Structure

1. Good: For someone like me, structure is they biggest factor of how I get things done.  I'm usually a big procastinator but as of today I have good structure.(It's evident in how early my blogs have been these last two days....morning posts instead of midnight)  If you've got structure, everything else will take care of itself.  For me to have perfect structure, I need to be asleep by midnight(difficult) and awake by 8am at the latest(not as difficult).  I need to eat 3 meals a day.  When I've got structure I eat much healthier.  I also scratch more things off of my to do list(I still have old to-do-lists in my wallet from 4 to 6 months ago)  Lastly, I'm generally more pleasant to be around when I've got structure(although I try to be pleasant at all times).
2. Bad: Peer pressure can really screw up a good structure.  I need to become more strong willed in saying no to doing things that will screw up my structural routines such as: going out with friends when I really don't want to(this happens to me all the time...I'm not a big goer outer anyway.  I'd much rather just be at a low key get together...but it's fun occasionally.), eating at places that I know I can't eat healthy at(i.e. fast food), committing to an activity when I should be doing something productive(example: watching a ball game instead of working out or my newly found duty of gardening for my mother.)  When I've got structure, I can manage to do some of these things without really damaging my daily routine anyway.
3. Funny: I'll explain a typical day of what happens in the bad section on say....a weekend in Starkville from this past semester.  Say it's Friday and I've eaten right all week and had good workouts and finished all homework for the week.  My plans are to maybe go see a movie, go to a State basketball game and clean my room for the weekend.(not exactly a daunting to do list).  Well I will get talked into going out on Friday, sleeping til almost gametime on Saturday forcing myself to grab something quick and unhealthy to eat before the game, being lazy after the game and not going to sleep til 3 am on Saturday, then doing kind of the same thing Sunday.  See for me, it only takes one friend saying...Dude come on lets go out.

Link of the day: Healthy Lifestyle choices and Good sleeping habits.

I hope you got something out of this if you read it
Thanks for reading
McKinley

Talent

I woke up this morning to a surprisingly solid breakfast at the Comfort Inn in Dyersburg, TN.(Belgian Waffle Maker = Me Smiling)  Anyway, I'm watching the World Cup right now before we go to our 11am game and I am getting an opportunity to see the consensus best player(on talent alone...Lionel Messi) in the world play this morning.  This made me think up a blog topic: Talent.  Everyone has one.  Some of mine(not trying to boast, we should all be proud of ourselves for something): surprising athleticism, singing so I've heard(but I think it's more that I can sound like artists....I do enjoy the sound of my own voice singing though), Wheel of Fortune/Mystery Phraze(Same game) puzzle solving(me and my boy Koon will wreck a top score machine with just a few bucks), educating youngsters(whether it be for teaching or coaching, I have alot of confidence in myself to be really good at this) and as of the last two years cooking.(I'm still not that good, but I'm so proud of the gravy I made the other night out of leftover grease, flour, water and garlic.)  On to Good, Bad and Ugly.
Talent

1. Good: Like I said earlier, all of us are talented in someway whether we know it or not.  I highly recommend finding your talent(if it's hidden) and having confidence about sharing it with others.  As it relates to sports, fanatics love watching games and a lot of it has to do with player talent.  I love watching Lebron go off, or an awesome musical performance. 
2. Bad: Talent can get to peoples heads and prevent them from working hard towards reaching their goals.  I can't imagine how many professional athletes use drugs and just go through the motions day in and day out.  These people think they are so talented that they can just show up and play at the highest level.  This is why its so fun to root for underdogs, because 95% percent of the time they know that they have to work harder to best their opponent.  Also I would just like to say that agents of celebrities are obviously misleading them about their talent, because in my opinion, too many actors and musicians get a lot of roles for movies and record deals when they are not very talented(i.e. Matthew McConaughy, Keanu Reeves, Nicolas Cage, Nickleback, Hinder)  There agents are obviously just interested in making money.
3. Funny: It's really funny to me how people on American Idol really think they can sing only for the world to find out at their audition that they can't.  Their excuse when they don't make the cut to Hollywood: "Everyone I know back home tells me I can sing"  "I know I can sing, you people don't know nothing about good music"  I also love when someone's talent is impersonations or making strange sounds.(I swear my buddy Bucky can sound just like a hoot owl...coolest thing ever)  Oh and by the way I found this out(even though it's not a talent) from my 10th grade A & P teacher Eddie McCaskill that there is no such thing as being double jointed...so if someone tells you that you can tell them.  Don't steal their thunder though.  Tell them it's cool that they are that flexible.

Link of the day: oh yeah here's that guy I was mentioning in my first paragraph....he's really really good
Thanks for reading
McKinley