For starters, yes I did just quote a Dashboard Confessional song for my title. Don't be hatin on Dashboard! Alright, now that I got that off my chest...So the Olympics are here!! I am really REALLY getting into the Olympics this year. I'm not sure exactly why, but whatever the reason its been a great opening week. The opening ceremonies were absolutely INCREDIBLE. If you didn't happen to catch it, you really were missing out. What blows my mind is that the Chinese were able to pull off all that mind-blowing synchronization with PEOPLE. No machines, just people. They said over 15,000 people were used! I really don't think anyone will be able to top those opening ceremonies for a LONG time. As far as the sports are concerned, I've been really proud of the American teams. Yesterday we were trailing China in the total medal count by a tally of 14-12. Then last night the Americans, led by the incredible Micheal Phelps just exploded in the swimming competitions. We took Gold and Silver in almost every race. As of this morning, we're now beating China in the total medal count by 21 to 18! GO USA! I think I love watching the Olympics so much because the athletes are the prime examples of what the human body is capapble of. They have pushed their bodies the brink of exhaustion to be the best at what they do. I just love that attitude of never giving up. It really is inspiring.
Okay, enough about the Olympics. My summer is finally wrapping up...and its closing is leaving me with a bittersweet feeling. Even though I have had the busiest summer of my life, I have really really enjoyed it. It has absolutely flown by! I can't believe its almost the middle of August already. What even happened to July?!? It seems like last week I was at Dry Creek Camp performing - you guessed it - the Big Guy song. I'm really glad I decided to work with my dad this summer. We've had a few arguments and disagreements this summer, but for the most part it has been a wonderful experience. For those of you who don't know, about 4 years ago my Dad lost his job in Columbus, IN, where we still live. He then found a job in Columbus, OH. So for about 4 years Dad has been getting up at 4am on Monday mornings and driving 3 hrs to Columbus, OH from Columbus, IN. He stays in a condo during the week and then on the Friday afternoon he drives back to Columbus,IN to be home for the weekend. This summer, I have been working with him up here in OH, so I've been doing the same thing. I know my dad has really enjoyed it, because he's usually up here all by himself. We have really been able to bond and get a lot closer this summer, and I have really enjoyed it. Its gonna be really hard and sad to leave when I finish up my last day on Tuesday of next week. I know my Dad is probably gonna get a little lonely and I for sure will not enjoy not being able to see my Dad everyday. I am gonna miss him alot when I go back to school.
Its also been a good summer because besides spending time with my dad, I've been able to spend alot of time with the rest of my family. Since most of my high school buddies have either moved away or I've just lost contact with them, I spent most of my time on the weekends with my family. Granted, it got a little annoying at times...But I was still glad to have been there. This is quite a contrast with last summer, when I did not want to be home at ALL. I think the older I get I'm realizing just how important my family is to me. I've literally traveled all over this country, met a ton of wonderful christians, and imagined myself living in a number of different places. The truth is, there really is "no place like home." Maybe it was the fact that my Grandpa's sudden passing this summer jarred me into the reality of time, or maybe I'm just getting older; but it has been an eye opening summer for sure.
So as school is right around the corner, you can bet that I'm gonna be in a reflective mood for the next couple of weeks. I'm not really sad to leave home and go back to school; thats just part of life. The one thing you can count on however is that I am alot more appreciative of my life than I was at this time last summer.
Wow...How has it been almost a month since I last posted?? When I decided to rejoin the pleonast community I vowed I would do a much better job of keeping up with it. Obviously, I have done a terrible job of that. I guess I could always go with the excuse that I'm SO SO busy all the time (which I reall am), but then, everybody is busy. All the time. So I really have no excuses for my tardy post.
Anyway, my family reunion was last weekend. It was so weird because I'm usually super excited about them, but this time I was just kinda so-so excited. I think a little of it had to do with the fact I knew it was gonna be so different without my pappaw there. I think another part of it was that I've been so busy that I start viewing things objectivly. Basically, I start viewing everything as a "task" that needs to be completed. Thats good if you want to get stuff done, but a terrible outlook to have if you want to enjoy things. Thank goodness by the time I got there I realized that I just need to relax and enjoy the few days I had with my extended family. I'm pretty lucky to have the family I do. Most of them are christians, and thats such an encouragement. Another great thing about my extended family: FOOD!!! SO MUCH OF IT!!! It was wonderful..but I seriouly like never stopped eating the whole time I was there. I probably gained about 20 lbs, but I dont care. It was SO worth it!
In other news, I tried out for American Idol on Monday. I waited for 14 hours to try out in front of one of 12 producers. For those of you who dont know, you have to make it through 3 rounds before you actually even see the judges. Apparently once you make it past the inital audition, you go to a room, where you then do some group audtions and a couple of other audition type things. If you pass that, you come back a few months later and audition for the executive producers. If you pass that, you come back one more time and that time your in front of Randy, Paula, and Simon. I thought I actually had a good audtion, but apparently my producer/judge thought that "I just wasnt what they were looking for." I learned on Monday that its a tv show before its a talent competition. Anyway, I stil had fun and met a lot of cool people (there were over 12,000 people there) and it was an experience I'll never forget.
In other news...I'm flying to Tampa today. Caleb Moyer, my old roomy and one of my best buds is getting married on Tuesday!!! Its so crazy that its already here. Whats weird is that I remember him talking to me about asking her to marry him...Time flies! Anyway, more to come on that topic later. I gotta go cause I'm at work and I feel guilty getting on Pleonast...hahaha! Sike! I'm actually getting ready to leave work for my flight. Peace!
Sonds like you are busy, but that is good, busy keeps you going... That is sooo cool about American Idol, I think you should have gone on because you have amazing singing/guitar playing skills, keep rockin!!
I enjoyed seeing you but I was sorry for the circumstance. Kathy and Lori showed us the video of the Talent Show at family reunion. Loved the songs that you did and Aaron was just a hoot doing his "kicks"
So I've been doing alot of thinking lately. I know, I know..surprising, right?
Here's the thing - I've had a rough past couple of weeks. I was at the middle of Dry Creek camp in Louisiana and I get a call that my grandpa had a brain anneurism. I left camp early on Saturday morning and flew to Louisville to see him. He looked absolutely terrible...His head was shaved, he had a huge scar on his head, and he was totally swollen. He ended up passing away the next day. He passed away on Father's Day.
Anyone who has been to camp understands how exhausted you are when camp is over. That was definitely the case for me. Unfortunately, I had no chance to catch up on sleep. I spent two straight days at the hospital, then drove home sunday night, drove back monday morning, had a 9 HOUR viewing on Tuesday, the funeral on Wednesday morning, and finally drove 4 hours back to work on Wednesday night. Then I worked on Thursday and Friday, and drove 3 hours back home to Columbus, IN. Needless to say, Ive been REALLY tired lately.
I guess the point of me telling yall this is that there's a big part of me thats wants to get depressed, and wants to feel sorry for myself. Part of me wants to complain that I didnt get to stay in Texas as long as I had planned. Part of me wants to complain that I never had a chance to truly say goodbye to my Pappaw. Part of me wants to complain that I have no friends up in Columbus, OH where I work and it gets really lonely. A big part of me wants to complain about gas prices. Part of me wants to complain that I still havent got caught up on much needed sleep. Part of me just wants to complain about...everything.
But....Here's the thing - Everytime I want to complain, I try to remind myself that I have an AMAZING life. Yes, my Pappaw passed away. BUT I was at a camp full of christians who were SUCH an encouragement and who are still praying for me. Yes, it gets lonely up here in Ohio. BUT I get to spend the summer with my living with my Dad. Yes, I miss all my close friends in Texas, but Lord willing I'll get to spend time with them again. Yes, gas prices stink, but they're better here than anywhere else in the world. Yes, its easy to complain....
BUT...
I have SO SO much more to be thankful for. The Lord reminds us of that everyday if we will just open our eyes and look for it.
-Alex
P.S. - I guy I work with just agreed to do a bible study with me at lunch! Awesome!
This is a very encouraging and uplifting post...thanks for sharing this with all of us. I know I can relate to this! It's easy to complain, but if we can stay positive and remember our blessing we will be happier:)
I am keeping you and my family in your prayers, I know you don't really know me Alex, I am Maegan from Phi Sig at camp...And my grandmother passed away a year ago today..I saw her a couple of times before she died but I did not really get to say goodbye...And for a while I moped around and cried and felt sorry for myself. But after a while, with the help of my friends and my parents they helped me realize, that I am sooo lucky, and that I should not be sad, because she is in a better, place, and she is out of pain... You pappaw is happier now, and is with God, remember that!!! Stay positive and you are in my prayers
Just know that even though your friends may not be up there with you, they will always be there for you if you need. I'll be praying for you and I'm looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
Does getting to see your mom every weekend fit in there somewhere? (I hope it's not the "complaint" section!) I love your sweet soul, Alex, and I know the Lord does, too. You make me thankfkul.
Aww bubby...you made me teary eyed. I love you so much and I know that I'm thankful every day to have a wonderful brother like you. I know how you feel and I know how lonely it can be up there. So if you ever just want someone to talk to, call me!
we are not little kids anymore with nothing to bother us. I still can't believe it. But to balance our responsibilities out we have increased pleasures and past times to make a hard days work or troubles worth it.
I LOVE your attitude. And, it is always an encouragement knowing your Christian friends are thinking about you and praying for you. Anyone can find something to complain about. Thanks for the reminder and keep your great outlook!
Hey, Alex. Drew was amused by your cousin-ly perspective of inane things relatives say to you when it has been a while....but since you felt free to comment on my son's size, as an old folk, I get to comment on your maturity! Your new look looks great on you. We look forward to your music at the reunion.
Dude, what was your old pleonast name, "i_ate_drycreek" or something? You are the man and hopefully I will see you soon. Seriously if I go to BG one more time and you aren't there, I'll set your house on FIRE!
