I was working with my fella today. While we were playing many rousing games of Uno, his younger sister was watching television. I couldn't help but notice that she was watching some shows on Nickelodeon. Truth be told, the show was terrible. It wasn't even relatively amusing. It was like brushing my teeth with sandpaper. I'm baffled over what Nickelodeon has become. It used to be so good. Here are my top ten Nickelodeon shows of all time, in no particular order.
1. All That
Anyone who knows anything about good sketch comedy knows that All That was the show of shows if you were too young to stay up to watch Saturday Night Live or too young to truly get In Living Color. This show gave us Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Amanda Bynes, Nick Cannon, and Gabriel Iglesias among others. I believe the first 2 or 3 seasons were the best. Good Burger was by far the best sketch.
2. Doug
The ultimate underdog, Doug Funnie and his dog Pork Chop worked tirelessly to win the heart of Patty Mayonnaise. Doug was just a cool show. I'd plan my Saturdays around catching episodes Doug. Couldn't possibly watch Nickelodeon without Doug.
3. Legends of the Hidden Temple
Pretty much my favorite game show of all time. Six teams battle for supremacy in ancient Mayan ruins, all being guided by a talking rock. You can't make this stuff up. Who didn't sit there and yell at the television when some poor 11 year old kid couldn't figure out how to put together a three piece puzzle of a monkey?
4. Double Dare
Before there was a hidden temple, there was Double Dare. It was a messy, nasty team game where the winning team ran through an obstacle course. I loved the 1 Ton Human Hamster Wheel and the Sundae Slide the most. I hated the Blue Plate Special. No one could find that stupid flag in the peanut butter sandwich.
5. Finders Keepers
Okay, seriously this was pretty old school. I loved watching this show. If you're not aware of it, you had like 60 seconds to find random things in a makeshift house. I loved the clues and the abstract thinking that came with the show. It was my kind of show.
6. Rocko's Modern Life
It's one of the few Nickelodeon shows my mom would watch with me. A wallaby named Rocko and a cow named Heifer reeked havoc on their crazy neighborhood. Personally, I loved the Bigheads.
7. Hey Dude
Yeah that show was the bomb. A bunch of teenagers working on a dude ranch, instant classic. I liked Brad more than Melody...kind of a Maryann vs Ginger kind of thing. Don't get me started on Maryann vs Ginger...anyway, great show.
8. Salute Your Shorts
Camp Anawanna, we hold you in our hearts...nuff said.
9. Kenan and Kel
If anyone asks "who loves orange soda?" and you have no answer...you slept on this show.
10. Fifteen
The soap opera for teens. It had the bad boy, the nerd, the jock, and everything in between. It was kind of like Beverly Hills 90210, without the adult charged stories.
Trust me, Nickelodeon will never get back to what it used to be. However, every show is basically a bunch of teenagers sparking their music careers. Sad...what happened to the good shows?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
What are we asking for?
Sometimes I wonder if I'm just a glutton for punishment. We always talk about how we should ask the Lord for patience or strength or something. However, do we really know what we're asking for? I just think we tend to ask without really thinking. When we ask for patience from God, I have a feeling God just kind of giggles because He knows exactly what we're asking for, even if we don't. I think when we ask for patience, God just gives us opportunity to be patient. I think when we beg for God to give us strength, He gives us chances to be stronger. I think when we ask God for wisdom, He shows us ways to be wise in tough situations.
I think we should ask God to be our patience instead of Him just giving it to us. I think we should ask God to be our strength instead of just giving us strength. When Samson had God's strength, bad things happened. If God is our strength, we can't go wrong because God is truly in control. I went through a rough day today, and I feel like God was giving me chances to show patience. I would have to say that I passed pretty well. Mostly because I didn't swear at anyone or throw anyone through a window.
God is so good. He gives us way more than we deserve. It's funny when people claim that "God won't give you more than you can handle" even though they always complain about how they can't handle this or that. The truth is God doesn't give you anything you can or can't handle. God just lets opportunities come about for you. If you try to handle it by yourself, you'll fail miserably. However, if you let God be your strength or patience, you will always come out on top.
I think we should ask God to be our patience instead of Him just giving it to us. I think we should ask God to be our strength instead of just giving us strength. When Samson had God's strength, bad things happened. If God is our strength, we can't go wrong because God is truly in control. I went through a rough day today, and I feel like God was giving me chances to show patience. I would have to say that I passed pretty well. Mostly because I didn't swear at anyone or throw anyone through a window.
God is so good. He gives us way more than we deserve. It's funny when people claim that "God won't give you more than you can handle" even though they always complain about how they can't handle this or that. The truth is God doesn't give you anything you can or can't handle. God just lets opportunities come about for you. If you try to handle it by yourself, you'll fail miserably. However, if you let God be your strength or patience, you will always come out on top.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Challenger Baseball
Today, I got the honor and privilege of taking my fella to the opening ceremonies of Challenger Baseball. For those not familiar, it's a program for kids with disabilities to play baseball on a team. They get jerseys, hats, and a chance to play one of the best games in the world. It was awesome to see all the kids playing hard and just having fun. They finally get to be included in things.
Inclusion is so important when you're a kid. It's even more important for kids with disabilities to be included in things. It's so frustrating when I see people completely ignore those who need the most help. It seems like people that need the most help get shoved under the rug in favor of higher test scores or a slightly more peaceful classroom or home. For shame, I say. Things like the Challenger Baseball League are what life should be about. It's beautiful to watch.
I challenge everyone to go to a game. Go to this site right here to learn more about it. If you live in the Roanoke area, get at me. I'll be taking my fella to his games, so I'll keep you updated on Roanoke area games. I guarantee that you will love it.
I want to say thank you to all those who gave me support today. Today is my late father's birthday. I know this is a big drinking holiday, however this day has a little more significance than Tequila and being inebriated before dinner to me. It's a day where I often think about what Daddy is thinking about me. Some of you have said some wonderful things about how he may have taught me well and is smiling down on me, but truth be told, I kind of want to hear it from him. Take that how you want, but I miss Daddy a lot. Particularly now that I'm older and in that whole manhood stage. I have a feeling he'd have been a really good resource for help in growing up and probably dating. He did land my mom, and she's the greatest woman I know. Point being, thanks for the support. Thanks for the awesome love you guys show my blog.
Inclusion is so important when you're a kid. It's even more important for kids with disabilities to be included in things. It's so frustrating when I see people completely ignore those who need the most help. It seems like people that need the most help get shoved under the rug in favor of higher test scores or a slightly more peaceful classroom or home. For shame, I say. Things like the Challenger Baseball League are what life should be about. It's beautiful to watch.
I challenge everyone to go to a game. Go to this site right here to learn more about it. If you live in the Roanoke area, get at me. I'll be taking my fella to his games, so I'll keep you updated on Roanoke area games. I guarantee that you will love it.
I want to say thank you to all those who gave me support today. Today is my late father's birthday. I know this is a big drinking holiday, however this day has a little more significance than Tequila and being inebriated before dinner to me. It's a day where I often think about what Daddy is thinking about me. Some of you have said some wonderful things about how he may have taught me well and is smiling down on me, but truth be told, I kind of want to hear it from him. Take that how you want, but I miss Daddy a lot. Particularly now that I'm older and in that whole manhood stage. I have a feeling he'd have been a really good resource for help in growing up and probably dating. He did land my mom, and she's the greatest woman I know. Point being, thanks for the support. Thanks for the awesome love you guys show my blog.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Music Friday
I'm going in two different directions today. I'm still doing Music Friday, but I'm doing two songs instead of one. I'll have a story for each song.
We lost a pioneer of hip hop today. Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys passed away after his battle with cancer. I pretty feel like The Beastie Boys were the precursor to Vanilla Ice, Eminem, Bubba Sparxxx and other Caucasians in the rap game. Seems like any Caucasian that embarks on a rap career or embraces hip hop or street culture are automatically pegged as wannabes. It's kind of frustrating. Hip hop should never be relegated to a particular type of person. Hip hop is a wonderful tool to share your life with others. I do worry sometimes about what's said in hip hop, however it's understandable that it can get pretty gritty. However I wonder how awesome it would be to see our hip hop artists rhyming about how God has truly blessed him/her with their career and lives.
This song is the personification of using your talent to honor the Lord. This song is played on secular and Christian stations alike. My fella that I work with sang this song tonight. It was such a special moment to hear him sing that song with such passion and heart. This song is so beautiful to hear. It brings a hope to the Christian that one day, all their suffering on Earth will be just a means to an end. The end being our eternal home in glory. This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through. Such a beautiful thought. One day, I'll be done with bills, illness, death, and jerky people. I will be with my God forever. I'm not ashamed of that. I'm proud that I've chosen to serve God with everything I have. I fail at it, but it's not about falling. It's about getting back up.
We lost a pioneer of hip hop today. Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys passed away after his battle with cancer. I pretty feel like The Beastie Boys were the precursor to Vanilla Ice, Eminem, Bubba Sparxxx and other Caucasians in the rap game. Seems like any Caucasian that embarks on a rap career or embraces hip hop or street culture are automatically pegged as wannabes. It's kind of frustrating. Hip hop should never be relegated to a particular type of person. Hip hop is a wonderful tool to share your life with others. I do worry sometimes about what's said in hip hop, however it's understandable that it can get pretty gritty. However I wonder how awesome it would be to see our hip hop artists rhyming about how God has truly blessed him/her with their career and lives.
This song is the personification of using your talent to honor the Lord. This song is played on secular and Christian stations alike. My fella that I work with sang this song tonight. It was such a special moment to hear him sing that song with such passion and heart. This song is so beautiful to hear. It brings a hope to the Christian that one day, all their suffering on Earth will be just a means to an end. The end being our eternal home in glory. This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through. Such a beautiful thought. One day, I'll be done with bills, illness, death, and jerky people. I will be with my God forever. I'm not ashamed of that. I'm proud that I've chosen to serve God with everything I have. I fail at it, but it's not about falling. It's about getting back up.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
This Could Get Me In Trouble
What I am about to talk about could offend some people. I am prepared for that. I will apologize in advance if you're upset. However I will not apologize for my opinion. My opinion is mine, and I will never shy away from it.
By now, you probably have heard the tragic news that NFL linebacker, Junior Seau died this week. Now the initial reports say that Seau died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Some say that the chest shot was to preserve his brain for research. It's a sad story that the life of a man like Junior Seau ended so early and so tragically. However I have some things to say about this.
Suicide is a terrible thing. Suicide is a horrible last resort for anyone. It basically says, "I give up. There is nothing left for me to do and nowhere for me to go." For anyone that goes through suicide in their circle, I feel horrible for. They lost someone that could have come to them for help. However, I'm not going there yet.
I have a real problem with suicide. I know it's a highly touchy subject, but it has to be addressed. I have an issue with people who commit and attempt suicide. I find suicide to be a desperate, but selfish act. I just don't understand how someone could end their life just because things are tough. Yes I understand that some lives are tougher than others. I understand that people hurt a lot. However, I've never understood how a person could just decide to selfishly hurt everyone else in the name of ending their own pain. To disperse all the pain they're going through to everyone else, I can't wrap my brain around it.
Maybe I'm being a tad insensitive. Actually, no I'm not. I've seen the pain of a suicide to others. Nothing is solved, if you ask me. For someone to look at their friends, family, and even God and say, "they're not good enough to help me through the stuff I'm going through" is pretty horrible. People who spend all their lives loving them and taking care of them aren't good enough to carry them through that terrible trial.
Like I said, I don't think I'm being insensitive. For someone to end their life and hurt people around them, that's insensitive if you ask me. If you are going through some horrible trials. I mean, horrible enough that ending your life is the only way out of it...I suggest going to counseling. I suggest calling a friend. I suggest getting a hold of your family. If your family is the cause of the pain, I wouldn't go to them. However, please please please find someone to help you through this. Do not take the coward's way out and end your life. You can talk to me...even though I sometimes lack tact, I care. Don't end your life. You're important. God cares for you. Don't transfer the pain you're going through to those who truly care for you by committing suicide.
By now, you probably have heard the tragic news that NFL linebacker, Junior Seau died this week. Now the initial reports say that Seau died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Some say that the chest shot was to preserve his brain for research. It's a sad story that the life of a man like Junior Seau ended so early and so tragically. However I have some things to say about this.
Suicide is a terrible thing. Suicide is a horrible last resort for anyone. It basically says, "I give up. There is nothing left for me to do and nowhere for me to go." For anyone that goes through suicide in their circle, I feel horrible for. They lost someone that could have come to them for help. However, I'm not going there yet.
I have a real problem with suicide. I know it's a highly touchy subject, but it has to be addressed. I have an issue with people who commit and attempt suicide. I find suicide to be a desperate, but selfish act. I just don't understand how someone could end their life just because things are tough. Yes I understand that some lives are tougher than others. I understand that people hurt a lot. However, I've never understood how a person could just decide to selfishly hurt everyone else in the name of ending their own pain. To disperse all the pain they're going through to everyone else, I can't wrap my brain around it.
Maybe I'm being a tad insensitive. Actually, no I'm not. I've seen the pain of a suicide to others. Nothing is solved, if you ask me. For someone to look at their friends, family, and even God and say, "they're not good enough to help me through the stuff I'm going through" is pretty horrible. People who spend all their lives loving them and taking care of them aren't good enough to carry them through that terrible trial.
Like I said, I don't think I'm being insensitive. For someone to end their life and hurt people around them, that's insensitive if you ask me. If you are going through some horrible trials. I mean, horrible enough that ending your life is the only way out of it...I suggest going to counseling. I suggest calling a friend. I suggest getting a hold of your family. If your family is the cause of the pain, I wouldn't go to them. However, please please please find someone to help you through this. Do not take the coward's way out and end your life. You can talk to me...even though I sometimes lack tact, I care. Don't end your life. You're important. God cares for you. Don't transfer the pain you're going through to those who truly care for you by committing suicide.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Hectic Hump Day
It's another edition of Hectic Hump Day. It's the day where I just spit out random thoughts and allow you guys to chime in. Even though none of you ever do. Because you're wimps. All of you.
1. If it weren't for On Demand, I honestly think I'd miss everything I love to watch. Thank goodness for Cox Communications.
2. I have to say that my new job is quite interesting. It leaves me really tired, but it's worth it to see the progress my fella is making. I'm truly blessed. God is too good to me.
3. I invented two words this week. Openability - the ability for something to open. Opporwoonity - chances given to you to impress someone. Thank me later.
4. I am so thankful for the friends I have. I say it a lot, but I truly believe that God has blessed me with the best friends a person can have. I can honestly say that this is the best time in my life in terms of how close I am to people. I've always had a hard time dealing with people. People are put off by my bluntness. They know I have a heart of gold, but they're not sure how genuine it is. I understand, I can be a tactless son of a gun sometimes. However I'm more loyal than a dog and more dependable than Allstate.
5. What in the world happened to the weather? It was disgusting and cold a day ago. Now it's hot and muggy.
6. Mother's Day is coming up. I love my mom. That is all.
7. I'll talk more about this in tomorrow's blog, but condolences to the family of former NFL linebacker Junior Seau. It's sad that a person who gave so much life and joy to others couldn't save enough life and joy for himself.
8. I have to have a talk with some people. The people on this planet who rock mullets. Please stop.
9. My movie collection is quite scarce. I really need to amp up my game. Maybe one $5 Wal-Mart movie a week. Which also means I have to get myself a DVD shelf.
10. A friend of mine shared this article, and I'd like to do the same. Kind of gives a bit of a meaning to why people suffer through unimaginable disabilities as well as what God's plan is for them.
11. I've started sleeping with an oscillating fan at night. Kind of defeats the purpose of my crazy habit of having 12 covers on my bed.
12. If my neighbor's 8 year old daughter doesn't stop sneaking into my backyard and leaving my gate open, we're going to have words. Back in the old days, you could just beat other people's kids no problem. In fact, when you were naughty in a grocery store, about 12 grandmothers with belts would jump you in the cookie aisle.
That's all for this week's Hectic Hump Day. God bless you all.
1. If it weren't for On Demand, I honestly think I'd miss everything I love to watch. Thank goodness for Cox Communications.
2. I have to say that my new job is quite interesting. It leaves me really tired, but it's worth it to see the progress my fella is making. I'm truly blessed. God is too good to me.
3. I invented two words this week. Openability - the ability for something to open. Opporwoonity - chances given to you to impress someone. Thank me later.
4. I am so thankful for the friends I have. I say it a lot, but I truly believe that God has blessed me with the best friends a person can have. I can honestly say that this is the best time in my life in terms of how close I am to people. I've always had a hard time dealing with people. People are put off by my bluntness. They know I have a heart of gold, but they're not sure how genuine it is. I understand, I can be a tactless son of a gun sometimes. However I'm more loyal than a dog and more dependable than Allstate.
5. What in the world happened to the weather? It was disgusting and cold a day ago. Now it's hot and muggy.
6. Mother's Day is coming up. I love my mom. That is all.
7. I'll talk more about this in tomorrow's blog, but condolences to the family of former NFL linebacker Junior Seau. It's sad that a person who gave so much life and joy to others couldn't save enough life and joy for himself.
8. I have to have a talk with some people. The people on this planet who rock mullets. Please stop.
9. My movie collection is quite scarce. I really need to amp up my game. Maybe one $5 Wal-Mart movie a week. Which also means I have to get myself a DVD shelf.
10. A friend of mine shared this article, and I'd like to do the same. Kind of gives a bit of a meaning to why people suffer through unimaginable disabilities as well as what God's plan is for them.
11. I've started sleeping with an oscillating fan at night. Kind of defeats the purpose of my crazy habit of having 12 covers on my bed.
12. If my neighbor's 8 year old daughter doesn't stop sneaking into my backyard and leaving my gate open, we're going to have words. Back in the old days, you could just beat other people's kids no problem. In fact, when you were naughty in a grocery store, about 12 grandmothers with belts would jump you in the cookie aisle.
That's all for this week's Hectic Hump Day. God bless you all.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
You Wouldn't See This 40 Years Ago
This is not an endorsement for Dodge. I just wanted to post this video, then talk about it.
I'm sure you're wondering what I'm trying to show in this video. You see a commercial for a Dodge and think, "It's a Dodge, whoop dee doo." Congratulations, you've advanced to intelligent life. Take a peek at the commercial closely, you'll see something that you'd have never seen a few years ago on television. It's a Caucasian male showing a physical attraction towards his younger sister's African American friend. Nothing particularly wrong with that. In fact, it's really a great sign. Back in the olden days, that kind of thing just didn't happen in commercials, much less in real life.
A long time ago, it was highly taboo to see that kind of thing. Actually, in some parts of the country (usually the parts that fly Confederate flags and claim some kind of Southern resurgence in the future) it's still highly taboo. Kind of ridiculous if you ask me. However this kind of thing still exists in America. It's really something special to see companies like Dodge take a different approach to their commercials by showing this.
In 2006, I was on the Wheel of Fortune. The Wheel of Fortune is taped in California. My sister and I toured a good bit of Los Angeles while I was there. My sister made the comment that it was so weird to see so many interracial couples so proud of their relationship and how open everyone else was to it. My sister has spent most of her life in South Carolina. She's seen the complete opposite of what she saw in Los Angeles almost all her life. My point is, how sad is it that there are people that will condemn others simply for who they choose to date or associate with. Scientifically speaking, we're all just blessed with melanin or lack thereof. I actually worked with a guy way back who told me that this is Virginia and no one takes too kindly to that kind of relationship. I laughed at it and made a wise crack about his daughter checking me out. If you really want to show how advanced you are, mind your business about who someone is seeing if your reason isn't based on abuse or infidelity.
Kudos to Dodge for taking a risk with this commercial.
I'm sure you're wondering what I'm trying to show in this video. You see a commercial for a Dodge and think, "It's a Dodge, whoop dee doo." Congratulations, you've advanced to intelligent life. Take a peek at the commercial closely, you'll see something that you'd have never seen a few years ago on television. It's a Caucasian male showing a physical attraction towards his younger sister's African American friend. Nothing particularly wrong with that. In fact, it's really a great sign. Back in the olden days, that kind of thing just didn't happen in commercials, much less in real life.
A long time ago, it was highly taboo to see that kind of thing. Actually, in some parts of the country (usually the parts that fly Confederate flags and claim some kind of Southern resurgence in the future) it's still highly taboo. Kind of ridiculous if you ask me. However this kind of thing still exists in America. It's really something special to see companies like Dodge take a different approach to their commercials by showing this.
In 2006, I was on the Wheel of Fortune. The Wheel of Fortune is taped in California. My sister and I toured a good bit of Los Angeles while I was there. My sister made the comment that it was so weird to see so many interracial couples so proud of their relationship and how open everyone else was to it. My sister has spent most of her life in South Carolina. She's seen the complete opposite of what she saw in Los Angeles almost all her life. My point is, how sad is it that there are people that will condemn others simply for who they choose to date or associate with. Scientifically speaking, we're all just blessed with melanin or lack thereof. I actually worked with a guy way back who told me that this is Virginia and no one takes too kindly to that kind of relationship. I laughed at it and made a wise crack about his daughter checking me out. If you really want to show how advanced you are, mind your business about who someone is seeing if your reason isn't based on abuse or infidelity.
Kudos to Dodge for taking a risk with this commercial.
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