Decisions

Isn't it awesome when you are in a place in your life where the decisions you have to make are important but not critical? Like for instance, tonight I had to choose whether to go to the Braves game or to watch 24. It was a hard choice and it was an important choice because every minute you are alive, that is where you are. You impact your surroundings and change the experience of everyone you come in contact with. Time is not only money but a gift and a powerful one at that. Part of me feels like I might be wasting my time here, typing this blog, but I also think that it is important to spend a few minutes with myself. An interesting thing was said the other day by Daron. "To some of you I did not exist until today, but guess what, I have always existed to myself." I get so wrapped up in my own life that when I have a need that isn't filled by someone I say to myself, "I can't believe that they wouldn't do that." The funny thing is I still think that even if I don't say anything as if I expect them to know what I am thinking or feeling. Also, when I see someone with a need, I let it slide and justify it by thinking, "oh it is just a normal day and I don't feel comfortable reaching out." Even still making it about me, when in reality that moment is important to both of us. It is not just a normal day or a normal moment. It might possibly be the last time I ever see that person. Why let fear, discomfort, jealousy, or laziness ever keep you from interacting with someone when you realize that every moment is this important.
Well that was a tangent if I have ever read or typed one. Anyway, I had a busy day at work the drove straight from work to the MARTA station to go to the Braves game with Amy, Lindsay, and Dustin. (Pictures will come linked on my flickr soon) We were hanging out in the stands with our $6 tickets just having a good time. Eating peanuts and enjoying the sights, sounds, and emotions of the afternoon. Then it is tied 2 points each in the top of the 9th with the Phillies at bat... our new pitcher is throwing heat. (honestly in the 93mph range [150kmph for the metric people out there]) The strongest part of the Philly lineup is at bat. He gets two to line out to first base and then, with a full count, strikes out the last batter. So the Braves are up to bat with Kelly Johnson, Edger Renteria, and Chipper Jones in the lineup. Johnson line drives to left for a single. Renteria hits a slow blooper to third and they get Johnson at second but don't get the double play. Chipper comes up to bat and defends the plate with skill. Fighting off two foul balls and working from behind in the count to make it full. The pitch comes, Renteria bolts for second... He is safe because the hit and run play never happened, Chipper was walked. So we have Braves on 1st and 2nd with only 1 out. Andruw Jones comes to the plate. [sidetrack]: At the 9 and a half inning mark as the Braves were getting ready for thier last at bat, the screen plays a movie of a game in 2000 when the Braves rallied in the bottom of the 9th to tie and then Andruw Jones hit a walk off homer to win it. Then it ended with, "He was the hero then, can he do it again?" Andruw comes to the plate. The crowd is screaming already... 1st pitch was a fastball strike... the fans soften a bit. Then we all hear the sound we are hoping for: crack. That sound a wooden bat makes when the core of the ball is compressed and jetisons off the bat like a rocketship to the stars. I looked up and lost the ball in the lights but I knew by the sound alone that it was gone. Andruw did do it again.

3 run walk off homerun to end a great game and a great night out with some friends.

Busy by choice

Oh my! So I did not post last night because I walked in the door from a packed day and caught the tail end of the movie Pearl Harbor. Then I flipped to the history channel and then to he military channel, just in case. Of course there was a WWII documentary on, but it was about Pearl Harbor. I couldn't turn it down. 2am hits and I crash on the couch. A little bit about yesterday. First I got up and went to the park for some thinking time. I kept finding myself trying to think but being snapped back into the moment of where I was because of all the sights that were bombarding every part of me. (Pictures of the park found here) Then I called Lindsay to see if she wanted to go down and walk around the Inman Fest with me. Thank goodness she did. It was great just to get down there and walk around a bit. (Pictures here) THEN, a bunch of us attended a surprise party for Mark at Macaroni Grill. He is so fun. My emotions were all over the place this entire night but I attempted to avoid letting anyone know. (Pictures here)

That was Saturday. Sunday was a beast in and of itself. Went to church. Helped Katie and Kat move. The latter ended up not being bad because we had about 20 people. Then, went to Daron and Margret's wedding shower. One word for the things they got and them in general: awesome. Then swimming. Then big small group. (Pictures of all of those are the first few in the show here) Graham, you have got to see the ones of Patrick and your mom!

Hope you enjoyed the first 2.0 blog.... videos incoming soon also.

Every day I want to start a blog.

So ever since I had an experience on Monday night of this week I have wanted to start a blog. I am hoping that I do not get to carried away with the day to day blogging to eventually go back and tell this story. Anyways, I didn't want to start without a camera. So I decided on the Canon SD630 because about 5 people at my office had one and they were all great. [I just realized if I even begin to say all that I want to say it will take a bit to read but I will continue in my detail because I am most likely the only one who will ever read this thing anyways.] This is Thursday as I get off from work. So, I go to Radio Shack first. This guy said quote, and I am quoting because it is exactly what he said, "well we had it around Christmas, let me look on the internet." So for 15 agonizing minutes I am standing there thinking that I could search the internet about 300% faster than him at least (that is just 3 times faster but 300% sounds like much more) AND I have to get to the gym to work out with Mark before heading over to watch Grey's Anatomy. Finally he says, "Yup, Office Depot has them though... says right here on the canon website." I say thanks and do that half run/walk to my car. Upset that I have yet to get me camera and I want to blog like a madman, I just head to the gym to catch Mark before he has to leave. On the way there I realize that I do not have my gym shorts in my car with me. Diverting my course slightly to the house, I power on my computer as I run around getting clothes and towels and everything to workout in and clean up so I can return to the camera hunt and then go directly to watch Grey's Anatomy. I get directions to Office Max near the gym. Then head on my way thinking that I am smart because I am prepared. False. Hence why I bought a camera, not only to enhance the Ben2.0 blog, but also to help me remember things better. Working out was fun. Always interesting conversations and such up there. We part ways and I beeline (which is interestingly enough a highway in Florida) it to the Office Max. Guess what, only office supplies there. Then, I realized my mistake of confusing them but did not want to admit it. So I head to Wal-Mart which is evil but listed on the Canon website as a place to find/buy this exact model of the camera annnd I am desperate. They do not carry them any more because the new Canon SD900 is out and replaced it. So, I call a friend who lives in the area, Dustin. He knows the area well and I ask him where an Office Depot is located. He tells me but double checks as I am on my way there. Thank you thank you, Dustin is a pimp and directed me correctly to the Office Depot. Surely they have this camera. False. Sullen and down-trot I begin the hectic trek to Sarah and RaDora's place to watch Grey's Anatomy. As I am pulling out I see a Circuit City... and it is 8:55pm. I pull in and get mean looks from them all; except one. The camera department girl. I ask her about the exact model... same story BUT she goes the extra mile. "Let me check the other Circuit City stores in the area." Well this one down 75 has SIX of them. My heart starts to race and I almost hug her. I get directions to it and decide to drive there straight from work on Friday. I make it just in time for Grey's and have a great time there accompanied by tea and peanut butter/brown sugar toast. I head home, get in a little WoW and hit the sack. Friday could be 2,000% (20 times) as long as the description of Thursday after work but I will spare the reader because I do not have images to display this time around. I planned a park lunch for the majority of the people in my office today and we had a big turn out. Everyone brought food, blankets, dogs, frisbee, football, and smiles. I had a blast and got great reviews from nearly everyone who attended. Then I left from work slightly late hoping to get my camera, then get to a concert to meet up with Andy. Well, on the way to the store I call Andy to give him an update (because I am late) and all is well. Then he calls me 50seconds later and says they aren't going anymore. Shrug. I am not going to let anything pulls me down at all when I am about to buy the camera I have invested so much into and that so much can come from. I walk in and ask the first person I see and we walk down and there they are in their little perfect glass case. $250 later I am walking out the door on a cloud. I call Britton to see where people from work are meeting up to hang out and he gives me directions to a place called Fox and Hounds (still no images, from next post on there will be). I get there and Melissa, Tom, Tim, Betty and her husband, Mandy and Rob, Sarah, Dayna, Britton, and Philip are sitting at a huge table laughing. I think to myself a few things: 1) this is a party 2) glad I don't have to go into the office tomorrow. Great stories and good laughs later I left because I was getting antsy to head home and begin to charge my camera. Now here I am with my camera charging and the end of my first post, just another small step in just one person's life. See you tomorrow, WITH PICTURES!!!