Commencement

Graduation, Commencement.

Proof you survived high school and are "ready" for what life is really like.  Not true.  High school does not prepare you for life.  High school prepares you for a desk job, that's it.  It shows you how to sit down and do what you are told Monday thru Friday.  It teaches you that its ok to take your work home with you and spent countless hours working on something that you won't even ever have a use for.  High school does not prepare you for the moral gray areas you run into every day in your life.  It doesn't teach you the value of hard work.  I graduated with a 3.0 and didn't get any rewards or accomplishments.  I was just another senior of '05.  I don't have a college education, nor any formal training outside of the Navy.  Yet I have been outside, I have seen, heard, and felt what cannot be taught.  I have learned more from life than I did in high school. 

I learned you have to make sacrifices sometimes in order to survive.

I learned there are rarely any multiple choice tests when it comes to problems in life.

I learned intelligence is good, wisdom is better.

I learned I may have worked for Wendy's, Toys R Us, Harkins, and Little Ceaser's. but at least I EARNED my money.

Commencement: When you forget everything you were taught in high school and start living and learning in the real world.

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Beads

I piece of leather and a string of beads.  What is it supposed to be?  What does it represent.

What is it supposed to be?  That I don't know.  Maybe a keychain?  An unfinished masterpiece perhaps?  A failed attempt at leatherworking?

What does it represent?  That I have more knowledge on.  I wish I could say this is from when I was at scout camp.  But I can't.  Its not mine.  My friend gave this to me to add to my collection, among other things you'll see later.  I gave up at leatherworking class at camp.  I ditched it to explore.  I even convinced him to ditch it.  We were in the woods with minimal adult supervision, what self-respecting boy wouldn't want to explore?  This is about as far as either of us got in that class.  Mine lost somewhere in the woods of a time long gone.  Such a simple thing, and simpler to make.  A strap of leather, a line of cord, and a handful of beads.  I wonder what the finished project would have looked like?

Makes me think about life too.  I wonder what the finished project will look like at the end?  Will it be what was imagined?  Or an unfinished project put to the side?

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Poem

Sailor drifting on an endless sea


Of hatred and despair

Everywhere the waves are churning

While he stands alone out there



His ship is slowly sinking

As buckets pour on in

And he still is alone out there

Lost in all his sin



The Son is covered by darkness

As he gazes towards the sky

Alone in the eternal ocean

Wondering when he will die



He stood against the waves so long

Fighting for all that's right

He wasn't always alone out there

He used to have the Might



Ages went as his strength weakened

Until it was too late

Now he stands facing the sea

Alone in all his hate



The waves reach their peak

As he braces for the worst

And after each impact

He asks why he is cursed



The final wave comes crashing down

As he says one last prayer

Engulfed is the one alone

And now no one is there



Ship drifting on an endless sea

Of peacefulness and care

Everywhere the waves are calm

While it stands empty out there



The waves have long abated

Nothing but the sailor's fears

And now the storm brought a light rain

A show of Heaven's tears.

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Letters

Letters

"I miss you..."

"I've had so many revelations from God..."

"Pastor Eddie read your note in front of the church..."

"Encourage you to keep going..."

"The Lord is in you..."

"Praying for you..."

"God has you in His hand..."

"Never give up..."

"Stay strong..."

"I'm praying that you're ok..."

"God Bless..."

"Pray God's strength and protection..."

"Hang in there..."

"Boring with you gone..."

"Please write soon..."

"How is your sarcasm doing?"

"Its good to see such determination in my friends..."

"Have fun..."

"Hope all is going well..."

"I catch myself looking for you around the house..."

"We hope this letter finds you well..."

"We want to say THANK YOU to your Navy commitment..."

"Should be getting easier now..."

"Very proud of you..."

"Keep your head up..."

"I'm glad you are staying close to the Lord..."

"I miss our conversations that used to last for hours on end..."

"Keep the faith Sailor..."

"Let us know how you're doing..."

"Do you regret going into the Navy?"

"I'm very proud of you..."

"Thanks for the long letters..."

"Kids these days...SHEESH!"

"Keep strong..."

"Stay focused..."

"How's Navy life treating you?"

"Looking forward to seeing you..."

"You have been on my heart..."

"You are not forgotten..."

"I miss ya."

Grandma

Aunt Bonnie

Justin

Jeff

Bro and Sis Lambert

Mom

Dad

Cassandra Haase

Charity

Mary and Barney Ban

Ashlee Marie

Andrew

Ryan

Robert

Paul Kinzckowski

Larry and Carolyn Bowen

Pastor Paul Marcum

Manda

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Book Review #9 - Five People You Meet in Heaven

The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Mitch Albom

I finished this book in two days.  It would have been one however I didn't start it until 3am and I had to work the next day.  I have heard a lot of hype about this book, and the author in general.  I was not disappointed.  Neither was my life altered forever.  I'm not denying it is a great fiction book.  And one that was very well written at that.  Nor am I saying it didn't have good messages in it.  I'm just saying it is still fiction.  Maybe other people read it and it changes them.  I read it, enjoyed it, thought at some points, and moved on.  It did encourage me to read Tuesdays with Morrie though, so maybe I did get something out of it after all.


4/5

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Bookmark

A simple, hand-drawn bookmark.  Only reprinted and mass produced.  If it is printed and copied and multiplied, is it still hand-drawn?  I picked this up at the Westland library a few years back.  It was the winner of a contest for the new year's bookmarks.  Every year the library has a contest and the winner gets their bookmark copied and handed out at the beginning of the year so everyone can see their artistic skills.

The Westland library, my hangout.  I used to go there almost on a daily basis, usually coming home with an armload of books to add to my growing collection.  I miss that place.  A place where I was there so often other patrons would ask for my help because they thought I worked there.  A place where I went to one Friends of the Library meeting and they made me a board member because I was so well know.  The youngest and only male board member.  I was 19.  I would like to go back.  Back to the room of used books.  Back to the sales where I would set up and set aside at least two to three dozen books for myself to purchase.  Back to the peace.  Back to...

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Slide

Slide: A device used to fasten a neckerchief or scarf as part of a scout uniform. Also known as a "woggle"

A small thing, a little larger than a ring.  A reminder of a boy from my past.  A cub scout.  I remember wearing this slide at every meeting and event.  I barely remember the boy I once was.  Seeing who I was and am, sometimes I wonder if I was him.  The young boy with buck teeth and a dorky smile.  The boy eager for adventure and excitement.  Ready to learn and explore.  To make friends and have fun.  Scouting was where I ended up meeting one of my closest friends.  And many acquaintances.  I wonder where that kid wandered off too...

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Name

Danny
Dan
Daniel
Denial

What is in a name?

The meaning of my name is "God is my judge/God has judged."
I wonder if that is true.  Have I already been condemned just because of my name?

I was named for my grandfather.  Was he condemned as well?
He died when I was little, I barely knew him.  I hear he was like my father.  Maybe that is why my dad is like that.  Because of his dad.

The picture is of a painted banner my mom got for me while she was in France.  Every letter is a unique design.  Am I like the banner, unique?  But what if it only looks like each letter is unique, but actually the artist just used the same designs?  What does that imply?  Maybe it is an inkblot test and I am not seeing what other people see.  Is that a sunrise or sunset?  A beginning or an end?  A bird, a flower, a butterfly, a heart.  Do those things represent me?  Who am I?  I mean really, who am I?

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Things Inside the Box

  In my life I have stored many things.  Some in my mind, some outside.  Many of the things I kept are in The Box.  The Box hasn't always been a box.  At different times it was a drawer, shelf, closet, can, shoebox, and currently a Christmas print Priority Mail shipping box.  And the same items have not always stayed or been in The Box.  Stuff gets moved, or added, or destroyed.  I am going to show you The Box.  The Box is who I am, what I've done, and where I've been.  Its memories.  Its stories.  Its my life.  Every item is a piece of me and my journey.  I hope you enjoy it and continue with me...

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New Books as of 01/31/10

New books from 01/17/10-01/31/10

• 2012 and the Shift of the Ages: A Guide to the End of the World - Alexander Price
• Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
• Magician: Master - Raymond E. Feist
• For Love of Evil - Piers Anthony
• Goblin War - Jim C. Hines
• When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? - George Carlin
• Grave Peril - Jim Butcher
• Small Favor - Jim Butcher
• The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Third Annual Collection - Terri Windling
• Next - Michael Crichton
• Flight of the Nighthawks - Raymond E. Feist
• A Spell for Chameleon - Piers Anthony

Total so far: 249. Goal: 400.  151 to go.

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Week in Review 01/31/10

A lot happened this week.  In no particular order:

• I bought some more books, bringing my total to 249 books
• Went to Chino Bandido for a friend's surprise dinner on Wednesday.  Never been there before.  Its a mexican/chinese restaurant.  Got great reviews and was even featured on the food network and travel channel.  The price is around 8.00 a meal, and that comes with two main entrees, rice, and beans.  Not bad at all.  They even let you try each iten before you buy it.  Definitely a restaurant I'll be visiting again.
• Finished, rated, and reviewed When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops.  Seperate post.
• Broke up with my live-in girlfriend of 13 months.  Wasn't easy but I feel it had to be done.  There is no smooth and easy way to break up with someone.  I hope she can understand and forgive me. 
• Purchased and assembled a much needed bookcase for our VHS tapes. May also be used for books in the future.
• Currently reading the Prince still, as well as 2012 and the Shift of Ages.  Playing Culdecept and Final Fantasy Tactics.

I think that is about it.  I may write more details in regards to some of these, but we'll see.  I also want to write more personal notes reflecting who I am and who I was.  But all in good time.

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