I remember
Being a little kid
following you around,
trying to do everything you did.
I remember
following you in the yard
tools in my pocket,
For you nothing seemed too hard.
I remember watching you,
working all day long.
Nothing seems to stop you,
You could do no wrong.
I wanted to grow up to be
Just like you...
Now the winds of time
Have taken their toll.
Age has taken over,
Your eyes have gone cold.
We sit and pray for you,
but we know it's coming to the end.
You'll go to meet your maker,
It's just around the bend...
I remember watching you,
working all day long.
Nothing seems to stop you,
You could do no wrong.
I grew up wishing I could be,
Just like you...
Wishing I could be,
Just like you...
It hurts so bad to know that my grandfather is in pain. He's come to the end of his days. The strong man I grew up with, watching him work, "helping him" do so much when I was just a little kid...I remember thinking he had to be the strongest man in the world, watching him lifting and moving things. And I wanted to be just like him. Now, I'm a big strong guy and my children watch me like that...and I have to watch him suffer as there's nothing that can be done. His time has come. He's earned his rest. You'll still be the biggest, strongest, best guy in the world to me.
I love you Granddaddy.
May your remaining days be swift and painless, and may the Lord take you in to his waiting arms.
John Hancock, Sr.
Hammer
6/30/2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
What's wrong with you people!!
Wow, so last week I joined a company called Varolo. It's a FREE way to make FREE money and I'm all over it! I sent out an invite to everyone on my friend's list because I know I have friends that could definitely use some money right now, and maybe 20 out of well over 500 have signed up. I've had a lot of people ask questions, 'seem' interested, but they haven't quite made it to the sign up page...
Here's a break down of it. Varolo is an advertising company that promotes commercials for companies wanting to get their product out there. They pay individuals to watch commercials. People are tired of seeing commercials every 10 minutes on TV when they're watching a show. People change the station on the radio when commercials come on, or just listen to CD's or iPods. People HATE HATE HATE pop ups, and ads on the computer. I know, I'm one of them for all of the above.
The skinny of it...companies have major budgets for advertising, and they have to get their name out there. So now they're paying companies like Varolo to handle their advertising. These companies set up multi-marketing networks to get people to sign up and watch commercials for their sponsors.
The way this company is set up, you sign up, watch the commercials. You get paid. You get others to sign up, they watch the commercials, they get paid, and you get paid for sponsoring them. And so on and so on.
Like the starter video says, you get 12 people to sign up and watch videos. Those 12 people get 12 each to sign up, watch videos and you're all making money, the more that sign up, the more you all make!
I've got a friend named Eric who signed up under me and he made a quick website that explains it simple and easy. http://www.edsvillage.com
Please feel free to check it out. Even a toddler could do this!
Anyway, I guess more or less I'm ranting about the people who NEED money but they're not willing to do something about it...I know I really need money, and I'm trying to do something about it! Why can't the rest of you?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A day of disaster, a life time of memories
April 27th, 2011.
A day that changed the lives of everyone in Alabama, and most everyone in the entire southeastern region.
Tornadoes and heavy storms ripped through the region, destroying entire cities, counties, everything in some spots. Hundreds killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands if not more than lost everything.
That night as the tornadoes moved on through Georgia and other areas, a light rain fell, then the clouds rolled away leaving a beautiful starry night. Almost as if mocking what happened throughout the day. The next day, Thursday, people came out to see the damage. Search and rescue crews started looking for lost people. Clean up crews started mobilizing to do damage control. Hourly reports of the dead were rolling in. All local channels were tuned to their city's disaster area and others.
All through Thursday people were giving reports of the damages, the losses, the death tolls...also about how people were banding together to see what they could do to help their fellow man.
Friday, the President flew in to Tuscaloosa, one of the bigger areas hit, and toured the area, amazed at the devastation. He signed a disaster declaration act to get federal emergency aid to come in and help with the clean up. Meanwhile the communities still got together and worked to help each other.
That Friday morning, my I was bringing my wife home from the hospital as the result of a jaw surgery to relieve her TMJ and an overnight stay. We came through one of our local towns, Fultondale, which the southern part was hit directly by the tornado that would later be measured as almost 2 miles wide when it ripped through the area. Buildings were demolished, homes destroyed, thousands of trees uprooted, thrown aside, dropped on houses and structures, trash and debris strown everywhere. I stopped in a few open areas to take pictures. One thing I noticed were patches of people here and there, trying to help where they could.
It's all very overwhelming. There's so much damage most people don't even know where to begin. Power was out for days in our area, and power will be out for weeks in other areas due to the tornado completely leveling power stations that will have to be built from the ground up.
Every little bit helps. Some people have formed help groups on social networking sites. Toomer's in Auburn formed a massive group linked all over the nation called Toomer's For Tuscaloosa. They have literally made contacts all over the United States that are sending, mailing, driving in things to help our crippled state. I have had friends and family out west contacting me to 1, see if I and my family are okay, and 2, see if there's anything they can do from afar to help. Some are sending supplies, some are sending money to buy supplies to take to areas in need.
People like James Spann are tirelessly helping out by sending messages here and there to areas in need and helping to direct people wanting to help or haul supplies to those areas. It's all so amazing.
I've contacted several companies I have dealt with in years past or I use and endorse their products to see if they may be able to help. I have had a few respond so far. Coast Products, known for awesome flashlights and knives are sending me a package of flashlights to carry out to those who will not have power for a while. This is a most gracious thing they have done and I wish to thank them for that, but I feel I cannot thank them enough.
I have helped with organizing a few cleanup groups, helping to direct people to areas that need help most, and am even attempting to gather supplies to take to a neighborhood where my mother lives and several others who were hit by the early morning storms and tornadoes. Sadly, most people view their area as just another spot on a map, so they don't get a lot of help up that way. My mother has kept me posted that some of the local churches have banded together and are taking food to those without and those who cannot get out for themselves, and offering assistance where they need.
Me and a friend drove up to Cullman on this past Sunday, which was another very hard hit place, and on the way home we drove through the center of where the damage was. We saw churches with tarps over the roof, but the doors and windows were open and people were inside singing the praises of God and being thankful for what they have. We saw people working to clear the rubble, and all seemed to be in relatively good spirits. People smiling and waving and everything...it's amazing.
I'm seeing so many people pull together to help their fellow man...unfortunately with the goodness comes those bad people as well, who are out for their personal gain, or those with criminal hearts that are looting and stealing what they can...those that are trying to scam what they can out of people who have already lost everything. It makes me sad to hear and see these reports come in.
It's times like these that will definitely bring out the worst in some, yet the very best in others. I am truly thankful to say I can live in an area that people give without thinking, help without hesitation, care without worry. I hope people view me as one of those as well, as the little that I'm doing, I'm doing what I can to help others.
Oh Heavenly God we ask that you place your healing hands on those who were wounded, breathe comfort in to those who are down and depressed, comfort those who lost loved ones and protect those who need shelter. Please help us to learn the lesson to love our fellow man, and help us to remember this always. This is the only way we can heal ourselves and take better care of our world.
Meteorologists are still studying the aftereffects to see the damages and the results of it, so far saying there were over 300 tornadoes that ripped through the state, and saying this is worse than Hurricane Katrina, Ivan, Opal, Hugo, any other natural disaster that's happened in the United States.
A day of disaster, a life time of memories...
A day that changed the lives of everyone in Alabama, and most everyone in the entire southeastern region.
Tornadoes and heavy storms ripped through the region, destroying entire cities, counties, everything in some spots. Hundreds killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands if not more than lost everything.
That night as the tornadoes moved on through Georgia and other areas, a light rain fell, then the clouds rolled away leaving a beautiful starry night. Almost as if mocking what happened throughout the day. The next day, Thursday, people came out to see the damage. Search and rescue crews started looking for lost people. Clean up crews started mobilizing to do damage control. Hourly reports of the dead were rolling in. All local channels were tuned to their city's disaster area and others.
All through Thursday people were giving reports of the damages, the losses, the death tolls...also about how people were banding together to see what they could do to help their fellow man.
Friday, the President flew in to Tuscaloosa, one of the bigger areas hit, and toured the area, amazed at the devastation. He signed a disaster declaration act to get federal emergency aid to come in and help with the clean up. Meanwhile the communities still got together and worked to help each other.
That Friday morning, my I was bringing my wife home from the hospital as the result of a jaw surgery to relieve her TMJ and an overnight stay. We came through one of our local towns, Fultondale, which the southern part was hit directly by the tornado that would later be measured as almost 2 miles wide when it ripped through the area. Buildings were demolished, homes destroyed, thousands of trees uprooted, thrown aside, dropped on houses and structures, trash and debris strown everywhere. I stopped in a few open areas to take pictures. One thing I noticed were patches of people here and there, trying to help where they could.
It's all very overwhelming. There's so much damage most people don't even know where to begin. Power was out for days in our area, and power will be out for weeks in other areas due to the tornado completely leveling power stations that will have to be built from the ground up.
Every little bit helps. Some people have formed help groups on social networking sites. Toomer's in Auburn formed a massive group linked all over the nation called Toomer's For Tuscaloosa. They have literally made contacts all over the United States that are sending, mailing, driving in things to help our crippled state. I have had friends and family out west contacting me to 1, see if I and my family are okay, and 2, see if there's anything they can do from afar to help. Some are sending supplies, some are sending money to buy supplies to take to areas in need.
People like James Spann are tirelessly helping out by sending messages here and there to areas in need and helping to direct people wanting to help or haul supplies to those areas. It's all so amazing.
I've contacted several companies I have dealt with in years past or I use and endorse their products to see if they may be able to help. I have had a few respond so far. Coast Products, known for awesome flashlights and knives are sending me a package of flashlights to carry out to those who will not have power for a while. This is a most gracious thing they have done and I wish to thank them for that, but I feel I cannot thank them enough.
I have helped with organizing a few cleanup groups, helping to direct people to areas that need help most, and am even attempting to gather supplies to take to a neighborhood where my mother lives and several others who were hit by the early morning storms and tornadoes. Sadly, most people view their area as just another spot on a map, so they don't get a lot of help up that way. My mother has kept me posted that some of the local churches have banded together and are taking food to those without and those who cannot get out for themselves, and offering assistance where they need.
Me and a friend drove up to Cullman on this past Sunday, which was another very hard hit place, and on the way home we drove through the center of where the damage was. We saw churches with tarps over the roof, but the doors and windows were open and people were inside singing the praises of God and being thankful for what they have. We saw people working to clear the rubble, and all seemed to be in relatively good spirits. People smiling and waving and everything...it's amazing.
I'm seeing so many people pull together to help their fellow man...unfortunately with the goodness comes those bad people as well, who are out for their personal gain, or those with criminal hearts that are looting and stealing what they can...those that are trying to scam what they can out of people who have already lost everything. It makes me sad to hear and see these reports come in.
It's times like these that will definitely bring out the worst in some, yet the very best in others. I am truly thankful to say I can live in an area that people give without thinking, help without hesitation, care without worry. I hope people view me as one of those as well, as the little that I'm doing, I'm doing what I can to help others.
Oh Heavenly God we ask that you place your healing hands on those who were wounded, breathe comfort in to those who are down and depressed, comfort those who lost loved ones and protect those who need shelter. Please help us to learn the lesson to love our fellow man, and help us to remember this always. This is the only way we can heal ourselves and take better care of our world.
Meteorologists are still studying the aftereffects to see the damages and the results of it, so far saying there were over 300 tornadoes that ripped through the state, and saying this is worse than Hurricane Katrina, Ivan, Opal, Hugo, any other natural disaster that's happened in the United States.
A day of disaster, a life time of memories...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Racism? Political Correctness? Or just stupidity?
So I'm sitting in the Gardendale Library while my son attends a class, and this evidently is a hangout for some kids from the Gardendale school system while they wait on their parents to come pick them up. I get John to his class, look up a few books for him, and while I'm doing this, I notice 4 black boys, probably 12-13 years old, maybe older, sitting in the kids section, occupying a table that's for the kids. They're being semi loud, but no louder than anyone else, so that's not a problem. One of them is talking on a cell phone, when not even 5 feet away, there is a sign that says "Please refrain from the use of cell phones in the Library- (place on silent) If you must take a call use the lobby. One of the employees asks him nicely if he'd please move to the lobby to finish his call. He sits there for a minute, then gets up, immediately grabs the side of his pants to hold them up, and walks towards the door. A few minutes later, he returns, having completed his call, but holding his pants at the waist line just above his crotch.
I was sitting a few feet away from where he rejoined his friends, and was on facebook at the time, and made a status update saying "dear Young Black America:
I was sitting a few feet away from where he rejoined his friends, and was on facebook at the time, and made a status update saying "dear Young Black America:
Food reviews
I think I'm going to start doing independent reviews, and maybe submitting them to companies. Might help them out a bit on this note.
Today, I ate at Wendy's in Trussville on Hwy 11 just before the big shopping plaza. I would give more information on location, but I do not recall getting my receipt.
First off, I haven't eaten at Wendy's in years. No major reason, other than there are none close by and I find better value other places. Today though, I craved fries and a frosty.
So I walked in to the restaurant, very clean upon first notice. The cashier lady was nice, friendly, and quick to help. I ordered from the value menu: a double stack, a value fry, a value frosty, and a value drink. All 99 cents a piece. She was very knowledgeable on the product in when asking if the double stack came with mayo she knew it did not. When I ordered a frosty, she asked nicely if I wanted chocolate or vanilla. To which I replied "vanilla?? When did they start making vanilla frosties?? That's a travesty! That's just wrong! It's always been chocolate! Why, I remember when I was a lad, we'd get CHOCOLATE frosties and dip our fries in them!" All in a joking fashion, in which she found rather amusing was my rant, and laughed with a reply saying they've been doing this for a few years now, where have you been?" I like that kind of humor.
I got my food, at a moderate time, but as the burger and fries were very fresh, I had no complaints. Wendy's has gone to a healthier french fry, having natural cut and using sea salts. Good taste, although it just wasn't the same taste I remember as a kid dipping them in to my frosty.
The double stack for 99 cents...hmm...this was my worst complaint. It wasn't much larger than a Krystal burger in my opinion, even with having two patties to Krystal's one patty. One might suggest that's what is to be expected for a value meal burger. Compare the size to McDonald's or Burger King, which have dollar doubles as well, and you'll be disappointed. I will however say that the double stack tasted great, leaving me with wanting just one more bite after I finished with my burger. I like that.
While I sat there enjoying my meal and watching the darkening skies, I slight rush crowd came in and they handled the rush very efficiently. I hope all were as pleased with the service as I was.
So in closing, I'll give my ratings.
Cleanliness: 5
Friendliness: 5
Product Knowledge: 5
Value: 3
Taste: 5
Good job Wendy's. There are not as many around as some of the others, but they definitely have quality over quantity in my opinion.
Today, I ate at Wendy's in Trussville on Hwy 11 just before the big shopping plaza. I would give more information on location, but I do not recall getting my receipt.
First off, I haven't eaten at Wendy's in years. No major reason, other than there are none close by and I find better value other places. Today though, I craved fries and a frosty.
So I walked in to the restaurant, very clean upon first notice. The cashier lady was nice, friendly, and quick to help. I ordered from the value menu: a double stack, a value fry, a value frosty, and a value drink. All 99 cents a piece. She was very knowledgeable on the product in when asking if the double stack came with mayo she knew it did not. When I ordered a frosty, she asked nicely if I wanted chocolate or vanilla. To which I replied "vanilla?? When did they start making vanilla frosties?? That's a travesty! That's just wrong! It's always been chocolate! Why, I remember when I was a lad, we'd get CHOCOLATE frosties and dip our fries in them!" All in a joking fashion, in which she found rather amusing was my rant, and laughed with a reply saying they've been doing this for a few years now, where have you been?" I like that kind of humor.
I got my food, at a moderate time, but as the burger and fries were very fresh, I had no complaints. Wendy's has gone to a healthier french fry, having natural cut and using sea salts. Good taste, although it just wasn't the same taste I remember as a kid dipping them in to my frosty.
The double stack for 99 cents...hmm...this was my worst complaint. It wasn't much larger than a Krystal burger in my opinion, even with having two patties to Krystal's one patty. One might suggest that's what is to be expected for a value meal burger. Compare the size to McDonald's or Burger King, which have dollar doubles as well, and you'll be disappointed. I will however say that the double stack tasted great, leaving me with wanting just one more bite after I finished with my burger. I like that.
While I sat there enjoying my meal and watching the darkening skies, I slight rush crowd came in and they handled the rush very efficiently. I hope all were as pleased with the service as I was.
So in closing, I'll give my ratings.
Cleanliness: 5
Friendliness: 5
Product Knowledge: 5
Value: 3
Taste: 5
Good job Wendy's. There are not as many around as some of the others, but they definitely have quality over quantity in my opinion.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What's wrong with these teachers??
More and more I'm hearing of cases when a teacher sends letters home to the parent of "your child is disruptive, he does not keep focus and attention, maybe you should have him tested for ADHD and get him on some medicine to help him." Then the parent takes the time, sets up the appointment, spends the money for the appointment, and the doctor says well yes, your child does show signs of ADHD, but not serious, and not enough for meds. He just needs to be challenged more. He's a bright child.
My thoughts on this are simply this is the way most teachers will deal with a situation, rather than getting out of their lazy comfort zone, and actually helping a child to learn, putting more of a challenge to him. There are a handful of good teachers out there that will do what they can, even make suggestions for your child and things he can do when he's not in school to help him...but for the most part, teachers HAVE become lazy, and will NOT move out of their comfort zone to help a child. My question to those, are, why are you in a teaching position if you are not in it to help the children? We have too many teachers of the young today, not just school teachers, who claim they care for the children, but they are in it more for their own personal agenda. For some, it's a paycheck. For some, it's a position of power. The chance to say, "I made a difference in that child's life"...but the difference you made, is not for the better, I can promise you that.
If you are going to be a teacher of children, do all that you can. And understand, that it doesn't take just one person to teach a child. Get as many as you can involved. Yourself, the parents, anyone that a child looks up to, is a teacher. If you can't be that teacher, then maybe you need to re-evaluate what you do...
My thoughts on this are simply this is the way most teachers will deal with a situation, rather than getting out of their lazy comfort zone, and actually helping a child to learn, putting more of a challenge to him. There are a handful of good teachers out there that will do what they can, even make suggestions for your child and things he can do when he's not in school to help him...but for the most part, teachers HAVE become lazy, and will NOT move out of their comfort zone to help a child. My question to those, are, why are you in a teaching position if you are not in it to help the children? We have too many teachers of the young today, not just school teachers, who claim they care for the children, but they are in it more for their own personal agenda. For some, it's a paycheck. For some, it's a position of power. The chance to say, "I made a difference in that child's life"...but the difference you made, is not for the better, I can promise you that.
If you are going to be a teacher of children, do all that you can. And understand, that it doesn't take just one person to teach a child. Get as many as you can involved. Yourself, the parents, anyone that a child looks up to, is a teacher. If you can't be that teacher, then maybe you need to re-evaluate what you do...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Ahh, 2011 is upon us...
Well, a new year, full of new hopes, dreams, resolutions...well folks, I'm here to tell ya. We start off every year this way, excited. It's a new day, a new dawn, a new year. Things WILL be better. Then somewhere after a few months, we start falling off that high of hope, the humdrum kicks in, and we go back to mediocrity and the same old same old.
I hope and pray that this doesn't happen, and I hope we can all keep the positive notes going.
To date, since January 1, there have been tornadoes in Arkansas, birds falling from the sky, fish dying by the hundreds of thousands, both of those events happening in Arkansas. (Oddly, Arkansas is really close to the center of the US...could this be a sign??) Worldwide, Tranwrecks, massive earthquakes, shootings and killings, assassinations (ironically I find it humorous that a Pakistani leader was killed by his own Punjabi bodyguard...NEVER piss off your security guys, folks!), bomb threats, all sorts of things.
I think the mainstream media needs to stop reporting on all the bad things, and find something good to report about. Think about it. What's the last good thing you remember the news reporting? Me? I have no idea. But if we're force fed dull, doom and gloom, you're going to breathe it in, and exhale it right back out. You'll believe in it.
Our economy is worse, and I see no sign of improvement. It's gotten so bad that a very good friend of mine whom nobody would ever think or imagine him doing poorly has just about hit financial rock bottom. I know it happens to a lot of us. Me, it seems to happen every other month or so...but I've become use to it. I'm just a normal person. But this guy...this guy is awesome. He's so very humble, he literally does anything he can to help anyone. He goes out of his way to help people, and never asks anything in return. He SHARES his religion with others, not forces it down your throat and tell you that you're going to Hell if you don't believe in it.
He was recently let go from a management position because a high school student in his employ did not clock out before 10 pm, which is part of the child labor laws. It was an honest mistake, but upper management had to come down hard on him because of the rules and laws. This left him unemployed. The state will not give him unemployment. He does not qualify for assistance. It makes me sick because every day we come across people who are too lazy to get out and do something for themselves, walk in to state and federal assistance offices and walk out with a smile on their face and a check or some other kind of handout in their hand. If this is fairness in democracy, I'm disgusted.
I'd give anything to help this friend, he's been there for me and my entire family so many times that I've lost count. And he's never asked for anything in return, other than just my fellowship, which is given freely, at no cost. Ever. I cannot monetarily help him due to my own dire straits, but I can get the word out, and ask that those people who follow my lines keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
2011: Here's to hope and promise. Just do your best to keep on going forward, remember those you love, and those who love you. Remember those who go out of their way for you, and make sure you return the favor. Look for others you can help, no matter in what way. If you can be there for them, do so. Even if it's just a pat on the back, a hug during hard times, or a stupid joke to put a smile on their face. It helps more than you know, and kindness starts in small acts.
Happy MMXI.
I hope and pray that this doesn't happen, and I hope we can all keep the positive notes going.
To date, since January 1, there have been tornadoes in Arkansas, birds falling from the sky, fish dying by the hundreds of thousands, both of those events happening in Arkansas. (Oddly, Arkansas is really close to the center of the US...could this be a sign??) Worldwide, Tranwrecks, massive earthquakes, shootings and killings, assassinations (ironically I find it humorous that a Pakistani leader was killed by his own Punjabi bodyguard...NEVER piss off your security guys, folks!), bomb threats, all sorts of things.
I think the mainstream media needs to stop reporting on all the bad things, and find something good to report about. Think about it. What's the last good thing you remember the news reporting? Me? I have no idea. But if we're force fed dull, doom and gloom, you're going to breathe it in, and exhale it right back out. You'll believe in it.
Our economy is worse, and I see no sign of improvement. It's gotten so bad that a very good friend of mine whom nobody would ever think or imagine him doing poorly has just about hit financial rock bottom. I know it happens to a lot of us. Me, it seems to happen every other month or so...but I've become use to it. I'm just a normal person. But this guy...this guy is awesome. He's so very humble, he literally does anything he can to help anyone. He goes out of his way to help people, and never asks anything in return. He SHARES his religion with others, not forces it down your throat and tell you that you're going to Hell if you don't believe in it.
He was recently let go from a management position because a high school student in his employ did not clock out before 10 pm, which is part of the child labor laws. It was an honest mistake, but upper management had to come down hard on him because of the rules and laws. This left him unemployed. The state will not give him unemployment. He does not qualify for assistance. It makes me sick because every day we come across people who are too lazy to get out and do something for themselves, walk in to state and federal assistance offices and walk out with a smile on their face and a check or some other kind of handout in their hand. If this is fairness in democracy, I'm disgusted.
I'd give anything to help this friend, he's been there for me and my entire family so many times that I've lost count. And he's never asked for anything in return, other than just my fellowship, which is given freely, at no cost. Ever. I cannot monetarily help him due to my own dire straits, but I can get the word out, and ask that those people who follow my lines keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
2011: Here's to hope and promise. Just do your best to keep on going forward, remember those you love, and those who love you. Remember those who go out of their way for you, and make sure you return the favor. Look for others you can help, no matter in what way. If you can be there for them, do so. Even if it's just a pat on the back, a hug during hard times, or a stupid joke to put a smile on their face. It helps more than you know, and kindness starts in small acts.
Happy MMXI.
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