Judgement at First Sight

I was flipping channels last night before my buddy Will and I decided to turn the channel to Sunday Night Football.  It was about 15 minutes before the game started and we could have kept channel surfing but instead we decided to watch a one on one interview between Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick and NBC's Bob Costas.  The best asked and answered question Costas asked Mike was "When do you or did you find redemption from your troublesome past?"  Mikes answer was too long to type but he basically said that he didn't know if he'd ever find redemption but that he was working at it.  He also said that people can appear to be on the right track but that might be to just get the media off of their back.  And added that you don't gain redemption and become a better person by appearing to be rehabilitated, you actually have to do the things you say you are going to do to get better. He might be lying and he might be telling the truth....but it was how I perceived it that matters the most.  I was inspired to write a blog on perception because of this interview.  I can't lie to everyone and tell you that I don't assume someone is a certain way when I see them, because I do....we all do.  But for the most part, I always like give everyone a chance before I write them off as this or that.  Its kind of a innocent until proven guilty approach(and even then there's always second chances...except for infidelity...I am really against it).  If you barely know me, you probably think that I am just an outspoken, easy going guy that really likes to laugh and really enjoys sports.  Well, guess what....that is 100% true.  But those things don't make me entirely.  A few things people don't know about me is that I really enjoy conversations that are about the grand scheme of the world.  I also tear up easily during emotional moments(Ex: when nick bells mother rang a solo cowbell on Saturday night before the Ark-MSU game.)  I really enjoy spending time with my mother, even though it seems like I'm never home.  I made a list a while back of things that people don't usually see in me and it makes you appreciate yourself a little more.  I'm not really trying to accomplish anything with this particular blog, I simply wanted to share it with everyone.

Thanks for reading,
McKinley

Blockbuster Video

I had a heartfelt moment today that was kind of unexpected.  Lately, I've been trying to catch up on tv shows that I like and ones that I haven't seen at all yet.  We don't have netflix and OnDemand will only let you see so many shows.  But anyhow, I decided today that when I got out of school, I was gonna go by Blockbuster Video and pick up the First Season of the Sopranos.(some say its the best show of all time)  I walked in and not a sole besides the guy that's been working there for 13 years was there.  It immediately took me back in time.  For those of you in my age bracket, do you remember when your parents took you to the movie store with friends or alone or in whatever circumstance?  I certainly do.  When I  had friends over my parents always wanted them to have the maximum amount of fun.  So on top of probably ordering pizza, playing outside, maybe even getting into trouble, going to the movie store was definitely on the agenda.(I know you remember this Wyge)  You walk in the store and it's awesome just looking at all the different movies.  I used to run around and look at ones just to make fun of the titles and cover pictures.  Eventually, you'd get to the checkout with 5 movies that you promised your mom that you'd watch but you know you'd only watch 2.  I'm pretty easy to please so I can't say that the movie store has ever let me down.  Of course I've always gone by for a particular movie and if they don't have it I'll just get another one.  But anyway, this blog is dedicated to the one movie store that has always been there for me(It was an immediate nostalgic feeling when I walked in).  With all the emerging conglomerates like Netflix and redbox taking over the watch-a-movie-at-home night that we all have, most movie stores are out of business.  In Tupelo, the only thing we have(that I know of) is Blockbuster.  It has stood the test of time.  Because my mother and I are both rewards members(a membership that they've had for at least 15 years) we get free movies and credit.  For instance: today I got the first season of the sopranos for 2.12$.  Redbox doesn't carry it and even if they did it would only be 24 cents more to buy it at blockbuster, and I'm using the same amount of gas to get there.  I'm not saying redbox and netflix aren't really cool or time and money effecient because they are.(I got my first taste of netflix at my buddy Seans last weekend....it's so tight.....it's linked right through his xbox 360)  But what I'm saying to you is this, if you are going to drive into town, go to blockbuster to get a movie.  They are a company that might be on the verge of closing, but they are still fighting.  What might make this story funny to some of you is that I told the guy working at the counter the same thing an hour ago.  he said to me, "Man, when I started working here, I hated it...but I loved movies so I stuck it out and now we are the only movie store around.  But I'm glad to be here."  This to me shows the commitment that Blockbuster has to please customers with today's latest flicks.  Like I said, this store has always been there for me and I'm gonna stick it out with them until the end.

Thanks for reading,
McKinley

Nothing Like It Anywhere

Good Morning, I come to you from the Continental Breakfast area of the Best Western Hotel in New Orleans Garden District.  Not exactly an ideal blogging location(specifically because the guy behind me is watching me type), but I wanted breakfast and figured why not take the laptop.  So anyway, where was I....oh right New Orleans.  I could say very little about this city or say nothing at all because it speaks for itself.  This weekend was  my first trip here since 2004.  It is really the first time I've been here and not been completely limited from doing anything I wanted.  Dont look too far into that though, I don't have jaw dropping story.  I just had a decent weekend.  I would have loved to have taken the city in a little more, but you can only do so much in 3 days.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.

New Orleans

1. Good: I think the one thing that stays with people after visiting here is the diversity of people they see while they are here.  To me, that is New Orleans best quality.  It is the city that doesn't discriminate.  Personal titles and labels do not matter here.  All you need is a pulse and a means of transportation in this city.  The food alone here is worth the trip.  You can get food that is special to New Orleans outside of NOLA but the taste just isn't the same.  I love the history of this city.  From the homes to the statues to the churches and stories that you'll hear about it.  I love how beads hang from trees and power lines and they don't clean them up.  Another great thing about this city is how much the people that live here love it.  After all they have been through, they continue to push on.  I've been to this city 4 times and it hasn't changed a bit each time.  I hope it stays that way for the most part.
2. Bad: There can't be a blog on New Orleans without a bad section.  This is definitely not one of the cleanest cities in the world.  Bourbon Street is the city's biggest attraction and it's by far the nastiest road I've ever been on.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I've never had a good time on Bourbon Street because it would be a lie.  However, I think the bad outweighs the good.  Like I said the street is disgusting.  It reeks of vomit every 30 feet you walk, it degrades women in the worst way and all of it's merchandise and edible/drinkable items are price inflated.  But the worst thing about it to me is the creepy edge that it carries with it.  At times I've felt uneasy walking it.  I feel like I can't so much as make a wrong turn in an alley without something bad happening to me or more importantly the friends around me.  I see why people love it so much but for me there are other things that make New Orleans special.
3. Funny: Let's just say that there are some characters around here.  I feel like you can't turn a corner without seeing someone that looks like this.

Well, that's it.  If you come to New Orleans don't come with an agenda.  Just come down here and let the Big    Easy come to you.

Thanks for reading,

McKinley

Ok folks it's upon us

I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what my blog topic is this morning.  For a lot of us, the wait for this day started the day after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns this past February.  I'm in the city of Starkville, MS this morning in a buddy's apartment watching College Gameday as we speak.  I got up this morning and went to Hardee's to get a Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuit and a copy of the Daily Journal.  Anyhow, this day isn't about me.  It's about the sport that so many of us love: College Football.  So without any further adieu, I give you my take on the subject.  On to Good, Bad and Ugly.
College Football

1. Good: What is not to love about it.  It's buying a preseason magazine, it's texting friends your gameday plans, it's the car ride to your respective favorite team's town, it's the tailgate scene, it's checking the spread and getting ya bets in, the team walk through, it's the pregame video, it's the opening kickoff.  All these things are special to me.  I try to savor all of these moments.  It's just apart of the ride for me.  I love to win just as much as anyone, and I'll admit I do get mad when the Bulldogs lose, but I am trying to take more in then just the final outcome of the game.  I've watched so many good football games, and to me it's almost like nothing else is going on outside of the moments that make you think "Wow look at this". 
2. Bad: Of course a few bad apples will ruin a good time for everybody.  You'll easily be able to point them out at a football game.  These people are why etiquitte rules are in place on how to act on gameday.  I won't elaborate anymore on this, but I will give a piece of advice.  If you can't act right then just stay at home.  Another talking point in this section that I can't stand is the bickering between rival fans.  I grew up a Mississippi State fan, but I have many close friends that are Ole Miss fans.  I've been in my fair share of arguments over this rivalry but, for the most part I just try to focus on loving my favorite team.  The bottom line worst situation is when someone who is a fan of the team you love, is uneducated on the subject and simply doesn't know what he's talking about when arguing with a rival fan.  This is why each team's fans always say the other school's fans are stupid.  Can't we all just get along and hate Alabama.
3. Funny: I'm struggling to think of one specific thing that's funny to me about college football.  But one does come to mind.  I laugh a little inside when someone gets what they've got coming.  Whether it be a team that has bent the rules and gets beat, or an obnoxious drunk that gets taken out of a game for his/her behavior.

Link of the day: Even though he and I haven't seen eye to eye on music lately, Kenny Chesney hit the spot with this one.

So people, strap on your gameday gear or get comfortable on your couch and enjoy this day that so many have watied on.
Thanks for reading,
McKinley

363 days and counting

Hello all.  Been a little busy lately with student teaching and prepping for college football season.  Figured right now would be a good time for a blog.  Got a bunch of topics to whip out this week, so I'll go ahead and just throw this one at you.  If you didn't already know, I turned 25 two days ago.(I know stop traffic right)  Kind of a milestone birthday, in a way.  I could be a quarter through my life, but I doubt it.  I want to thank everyone for being so kind on my birthday.  Special shout out to Adam Yoe for having me at his cabin at pickwick this weekend.  I'd like to thank Wyge for icing me 7 times in a 6 hour span.(You rascal)  I want to thank my mom and sister for making me a delicious dinner last night.(Stuffed Bell Peppers/brussel sprouts/green beans/quiche/some fancy salad./and a baskin robbins ice cream cake)  I didn't receive any gifts like money, clothes or anything like that but I'm so blessed already that I'm thankful for what I have.  After all it's better to give than receive and I know my family has given me all that I could need in this life.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Birthdays

1. Good: Lets be honest, birthdays are good in that they make you feel a little more important for one day.  Your self-worth is magnified.  I've had a bunch of good birthdays.  To me, the best ones are when we were young.  Simple things were so much more important to us: like pool parties and sleepovers. Cd's, toys and just being around your close friends.  I feel it's important for every young child to have a birthday party.  I can't really explain why but it seems important.  Most importantly,(and I haven't always done this) I thank the Lord for giving me life on my first birthday.
2. Bad: I understand that I'm an adult now and when you have friends celebrating your birthday, there tends to be alcohol involved.  I'm just as guilty as the next of getting really drunk on my birthday on my friends dime, but as I grow older(really as of yesterday) I realize that I don't need to get wasted to have a good birthday.  It's kind of the norm now for friends to make sure that the birthday boy/girl get ridiculously drunk  I get it in a way, but what is the outcome of it?  I feel like I could have just as good of time without it.  This next point I'm going to make may make some people mad.  I do appreciate everyone sending me facebook wall posts on my birthday, but I do think it's just become protocol. Meaning: People just see that it's your birthday that day and they decide to say happy birthday.  Sounds innocent, but on a social networking site, how do you know how genuine that wish is?  Half the Happy Birthdays I got were from people I haven't spoken to in years.
3. Funny: Lastly, and I'll never understand this but why do girls seem to have a birthday for a week?  I remember once one of my sisters friends(in high school) had a dinner mid week, a party thursday, then a weekend getaway.  I mean your birthday is only one day right ladies?  

Link of the day: This is good

I won't get to revisit this topic for another year so I'm gonna enjoy it.
Thanks for reading,
Mckinley

So what's in a name?

Hello all, good to have my blogging fingers back on today.  I've got so many topics I want to write about. I could choose from my self evolution to my first day student teaching at mooreville to anything to more serious topics.  But todays blog is particularly dear to me because I find it fascinating.  Without any further filler, sit back, relax and read my blog on Names.  What are we without names? Just people? Just matter? In a weird way it's kind of our label.  I have 4 names(Derrick Stephen McKinley Holland). This has been a hassle because I've never stood my ground on any one name.  I've been called different names my whole life. I'm always called Derrick by teachers until I correct them(which I sometimes do). I've been called little Steve by people who know my dad(which I don't particularly care for). I've been called many variations of McKinley: President McKinley(in 3rd grade when everyone learned the presidents),  Mount McKinley(see before explanation), Mac (which is commonly used nickname for anyone that has a MC prefix and Mac really has a ton of nickname addons too)  mispronounced variations of McKinley(Mckenzie, Mckinney and my favorite Mckinzley mane). Btw way iphone users if  you ever had a way of incorporating mispronounced into words with friends then I'm sure that would end the game.  And of course my last name Holland. I've only been called that at tryouts and during roll sometimes. Enough with my name though. On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Names

1. Good: One quote I always found cool by Herb Brooks(1980 U.S. Men's hockey coach) was "The name on the front of the jersey is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back."  I guess that could have probably gone into a teamwork blog but I felt its place was here.  This next piece of information might come as a shock to you but I am highly fond of names that roll off the tongue smoothly. Pretty much anything that ends in -veous or -dre I really like. The following are names of some players from Clemson and South Carolinas football teams over the years that I find for a lack of a better adjective awesome: Tymere Zimmerman, Demerick Chancellor, C.J. Spiller, Da'Quan Bowers, J.K Jay, Isaiah Battle....thats just Clemson. Also theres Ko Simpson, Johnathan Joseph, O.J. Murdock, Captain Munnerlyn, Jasper and Casper Brinkley, Akeem Auguste, Aramis Hillary, Devante Holloman, Ashlon Jeffrey....and to top that all the #1 high school football prospect in the country calls the Palmetto State home. His name you ask?...Jadaveon Clowney.  There's just gotta be something in the water down there.  Theres plenty more names like this but it took some time to compile the last list so just respect it please.
2. Bad:  I've never come in counter with any people that start their name with sir or lord and that is a good thing.  I think it's arrogant. I could be wrong but I think its for show.  Also, this is silly but I hated when we were kids and everyone at the lunch table had to get their name inserted into one of those name rhyming songs and the words didn't even rhyme. It would be like rhyming Chris and rich.  I thought that was so cheesy.  Lastly for what it's worth I never really like the song "My Name Is" by Eminem even though it was a hit in the late 90's on TRL.
3. Funny: My dad has an interesting take on names.  He says that you can use Wayne after any guys name and Sue Wayne after every girls name. Ex: He calls his handy man of 30 years Charles Wayne Frederick and it does sound funny. He calls his office manager Sissy Sue Wayne Evans.  This next bit won't be funny to those who don't know him but I'm convinced that Kirk Gatlin knows every female south of the Mason Dixon that has a double first name.  I can't explain why but I bet if you scrolled his phone book there would be eleven Mary Kathryns.  Lastly, I can't even explain this but some of the names that my close circle of friends(specifically Jared Koon) and I have created for no reason still make me laugh to this day.

Link of the day: This is appropriate.

Thanks for reading,
McKinzley Mane

Gold Jacket, Green Jacket who gives a ......

Not to steal a line from "Rounders", but blogging again makes me feel like Buckner walking back into Shea.  I feel like I've betrayed an old friend.  Anyhow, for some reason I think it's probably more difficult to blog during summertime than any other time, cause of lazy days and busy schedules.  I usually save mental notes in my phone when I think of a neat blog idea, but I got upgraded to Android v2.1 last week(which I'm crunk over because it's like having a whole new phone) and it erased everything but my media and contacts.  But anyway you slice it, I'm back in the saddle to blog again and hopefully more often.  Today I'll be blogging on the sport of Golf.  I actually have a tee time at 1:30.  I don't play much but today will be my third time to play in 7 days.  To say I'm good at it, would be like me saying the Miami Heat won't have a winning record next season...its just untrue.  I am however figuring out what I can and can't do with the clubs and am slowly falling back in love with the game.  I don't know if I'll play my whole life but I probably need another hobby for when I'm 60.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.
Golf

1. Good: In my humble opinion, this is the most difficult sport to play.  All you can rely on is your ability and what you have in the bag.  No teammates, just you.  The reason I say that in the good section is because I like a challenge.  I'm playing this game to get better at it, but I can get so sidetracked by a great shot.  I don't have many so when I do I get really excited.  Hitting one outstanding shot a round will make you want to come back the next day...at least for me.  I also like watching golf on tv.  I'm not a true fan but I really do enjoy watching the major tournaments.  The announcers are the best in the business.(The british ones)  On a sidenote, I've noticed with watching golf and the world cup that the british announcers always say the perfect statements and rarely mess up or jumble their words.  
2. Bad: Obviously the golf world was shown in a dim light last year after it's biggest superstar showed his true colors.  This is just a testament that no one is untouchable and karma will come back to bite you if you are not a good person.  I'm not going to get into that much, because if you've read my blogs I think you know how I feel about it.  On a personal level, the biggest thing I don't like about golf is the elitist status that comes with it.  I'm not a big country club guy and don't really agree with having to have a collared shirt to play.  The issue with that is why is the guy who has on cutter and buck gear's money to play any different that the guy who has on a cut off and jorts?  All of this I can put up with because I like playing but the thing that really irks me is when you are playing and a group behind you comes up and does everything but force you to let them play through.  I understand that I'm not very good and play a little slower than most, but don't come up to me like you shot skins with Tom Watson the day before.  I saw you hit your last shot and it was a buck ninety off the tee and in the deep rough.  Lastly, this game can be very frustrating if you let it.  I've played before and not hit a good shot all day and really wanted to throw all my clubs away.  You just have to battle through it, it's kinda like being on tilt in poker.
3. Funny: It might not be funny to serious golfers, but when I see someone or I myself hit a terrible shot or miss the ball entirely it is quite funny to me.  My boy Kirk hit a ball behind him the other day.  It's even funnier to me when someone gets mad about bad golf shots.  It just adds fuel to my laughing fire.  Speaking of which: Here's two golf clips from movies that I love: Click here, Here, Here and Here.

Link of the day: Even though I've lost a ton of respect for him this is one of the best shots I've ever seen.

It's good to be back blogging again.  Hopefully the wait for the next one won't be so long.
Thanks for reading,
McKinley