I'm 40....now what?!?

Hey Folks,

Just a quick note to let you know that I recently celebrated my 40th birthday party. I wanted to have a huge celebration, however, I had to make important financial decisions which led to me hanging out with two good friends. Ultimately, that was best because they are the two people I am closest to here in this torrid city of brotherly love and sisterly affection. Sometimes I feel like if I were in Atlanta or Charlotte or somewhere else then maybe my life would be better. Then, I realize that people are people everywhere you go and that life is what it is. It's my job to make the best of it and enjoy the ride!!!

Why is it?....

Why is it that I only seem to think of blogging when I have a lot on my mind? I've noticed that many other bloggers, blog daily, almost religiously. However, no matter how determined I am to start blogging or how many hours I spend reading or viewing (video) other's blogs, I neglect my own. For those of you who periodically check to see what's new in my life, I sincerely apologize. So let's do a recap of the last 6 months or so, eh?

On Labor Day, the ex and I got back together. Don't even ask me what the hell I was thinking. I quickly realized that the leopard had not changed his spots and we were back at ground zero all over again. For some reason, I had decided to give him until Thanksgiving, no matter what, to see how things went. They went horribly! Dude is ok, but just not the one for me.

Moving on, my new job (the one I started last June), still sucks! I feel so bad complaining in this economy where millions were laid off just last year and hundreds of thousands more are losing work every month. However, this job is difficult and I still don't completely know what I'm doing. Granted, management did say that it would take at least a full year for most of us to begin to understand what we're doing. But hey, I've always been 'the smart kid'. It's vexing for me to not understand something almost immediately. I've jsut decided to give my best and hope and pray that it all works out for the good.

Church is going ok as well. It never ceases to amaze me how some of the most trifling people come to the church with the sole intent of raising as much sand as they possibly can.

So, there you have it, between work, church and social life I am drained. I need a 7 day/6 night all expenses paid vacation away from everyone that I know. Perhaps, this summer?

Until next time,

peace....Strong

2009!

In 2009 I'm praying for a wonderful new good-paying job that I will love! (I also would love to work with kind, good-hearted people). I am also praying for continued good health. I want lots of money to help myself, my family and my community. I am praying to meet a life partner who will compliment me and who I can spend the rest of my life with! I pray for continued growth in my ministerial efforts and for a return to pursuing my college education.

I wish all of you reading this, peace, love, prosperity, lots of love and good health!

Thoughts on the Recession and Depression

Hey Folks,

I know it's been a while since I've posted. I've recently been ordained a Deacon and completed a hellatious 20-week training for my "good gvt job". In addition, I've been dating for the last 2 1/2 months or so.

So, with all that and a myriad of other things going on in my life, I've been a bit too busy to post regularly. That being said, I'm here now and I can tell you that I'm stoked about the election of President-Elect Barack Obama. I've also been feeling pretty good lately. That is, until I opened the mail the other day and realized I have huge new utility bills and am being called by credit collectors multiple times a day to pay old debts.

I tell you, it seems that as soon as I have a good rhythm going in life, I get hit by a ton of bricks. I'm considering taking on a part-time job. I've already applied to several places. So, let's see what happens.

Anyways, I'm tired of typing now. I'll come back soon and let you know later.

strong

God Bless America! Part2

God Bless America! We have elected our first (publicly acknowledged) African-American president and a man who can help begin to turn the tide of disaster of the last eight years of idiotic rule!

Lord Help Me!

Folks, I am feeling stressed and overwhelmed right now. My ordination is coming up, I'm writing articles for a soon-to-be-published national magazine, I'm trapped in a dusty construction site for training on my new job until January, I'm taking a 3rd go-round dating this guy (I sometimes wonder why?!?), and folks in the church are frankly getting on my last nerve! A wise pastor said to me that I should remember the 'Serenity Prayer'.

THE SERENITY PRAYER

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

WTF!

My life is moving so quickly right now that I wish I could get off the moving sidewalk and slow down the pace! I'm still in training on this cray a$$ job, working with crazy a$$ people who are denigrating by the moment.

We're currently working in a construction environment surrounded on two sides by plastic tarps from floor to ceiling, no windows and drywall dust everywhere (including in my lungs!!!!!!~!!!!). Meanwhile, I've got jacka$$ twenty-somethings who think they know every damn thing bitching and whining about nonsense.

In my 'other' life I'm dating my ex which I'm still uncertain about and the whole scenario makes me wonder if I've lost it!

In addition, it's exactly one month before my ordination and I realize that this is all just a test.

peace....
stay strong!