Headline "You Are Poor"

Poor means a lot of things.  By definition poor is an adjective that relates to a state of poverty, low quality, or pity.  In my neighborhood I am average. I guess you could say I am living the American Dream.  I have a mortgage, wife, kids, two cars, a dog, and 4 cats.  I would hardly classify myself as poor.  In today's economic turmoil I would still not classify myself as poor.  I have a job that pays the bills and it allows me time to spend with my family and go to school online.  I would hardly consider myself poor.

We think of ourselves as poor when we don't live like a hollywood actor does or own a multi-million dollar corporation.  If you have no job, no cloths, no place to lay your head, no way to buy food then you are considered to be poor.  It sucks that we as Americans are paying higher gas prices, higher food cost, and higher cost on everyday living.  But I am not poor.  Thank you.

Wide Awake Again

I woke up at 3am after going to be at 10:30p.  I think I have insomnia.  That is all.

A few years ago I took up my hand at growing vegetables during the spring/summer months as a project to see what kind of results I could get out of a little sweat and dirt stain hands. There were a few years I grew multiple peppers, and tomatoes. I never felt like the yield was exactly anything to write home about.

So one year has gone by at our home and I was getting the itch again to start my quest to prove I could actually grow something and keep it alive. I put some time and effort into trying to figure out when to plant, what to plant, how to prepare the soil, and all the normal things one would do in preparation for growing season. Alas, spring came and I went to the farmers market and bought about $10 worth of plants. Believe it or not for about $10 I had more than I knew what to do with. Off I went and by May 15th I had it all in the ground and was so excited. Well, I was excited until two weeks later everything died. Ugh, what happened? Honestly, I have no idea. We had some really hot nights and days during a period that was crucial to growth of the plants. It certainly was a combination of trial and error. After being tormented by my emotions I tried a new route. I started seeds sowed directly into the ground. I sowed corn, carrots, cantaloupe, and honey dew. The fruit seeds came from Food Lion bought fruits in which I harvested the seeds. The carrot and corn seeds were organic seeds I bought at Lowe's. So far everything I planted from seed seems to be happy and growing slowly. 

I am not expecting the crop of the century from these seeds I planted, I do hope that I will better understand the gardening process and proper care/preparation it takes for the seasons to come. In a time where organic is in I really want to produce a garden from my home during the spring-fall seasons. Yup, I am gonna try potatoes, lettuce, carrots(I planted during the wrong time for carrots), pumpkins and more for the fall. I can't wait. Down below you will find pictures of my beloved garden and compost pile(which I talk about on a daily basis) and I hope you enjoy. P.S. It's okay to laugh at the size of my plants because it is mid June and they should be a little taller, but won't it be a story to tell if they all produce their fruits.

garden pics

A Day in the Life of Thad

I used to get angry when I felt used by people.  Over the years I found myself caught in the middle of strange situations that always lend themselves to strange circumstances and outcomes.  Here is an interesting tale that happened just this week.

Just this past week I met two complete strangers on the set of Talk It Out Live who were guest on the show.  They were two pastors from a forming church in Winston Salem.  They felt they had found the new idea and concept for starting a new an and improved form of religious experience.  Upon learning that I played guitar they asked me to help them put together a band for their launch service this past Sunday.  

After one service I found myself in a peculiar situation.  In my heart I felt I was walking a fine line of what I felt was right and what I felt was false fed.  Let me expand on the false fed idea. When I was ask to play for this church I was offered a set amount to organize a band to play for a two week period.  Generally churches who pay their musicians are very large very well organized congregations not a 3 man operation.  I will say that the idea of getting paid to play once a week on Sunday morning was enticing.  I thought to myself, "why not" maybe this would be a chance to make some extra cash before the baby comes.  Note to self, never trust anyone you don't know.  

One day after the first service I received an email from one of the pastors which concerned me.  I could tell by the message that I had gotten into something that would potentially come to an abrupt halt at a moments notice.  I moved forward and hoped the next week service would work out better.  Things were going well until this past Wednesday the rubber hit the road.

After selecting the songs, arranging music, and organizing a practice of my hand picked musicians we got together this past Wednesday night to jam.  One of my invited guest happened to be a part of this particular church and showed up shortly after we had started practice.  Judging by the look on this dude's face I could tell he carried a weight very heavy on his shoulders.  When we had paused to take a break he asked me if he could speak to me outside.  So I accompanied him and we began to chat.  Apparently a song or two I had chosen didn't met the expectation of what this person may or may have not had in mind for a Sunday morning service.  The interesting fact here is that I was given the green light to play whatever songs I felt appropriate at my discretion and that the previous weeks songs for service were great.  After a few moments of debate on what vision this church had and what "it"(music) looked like I found myself at a place where my perception of what I was doing was being totally challenged.  A statement made in by this person probably said without any knowledge of what it meant led me to simply turn my head and say "enough".  So I walked away told 3 very tired hard working musicians we would not be playing this Sunday or any other Sunday for this church.   So in an instant, easy come became easy go.

My reason for posting this story is simple.  Everyone has ideas on the different ways to spread the gospel.  Some of us choose roads less traveled and others find away to twist and turn a book so old that its true meaning is being missed out by many.  At the end of the day what matters is where is your heart is, and what makes you happy?  I found peace along time ago without playing praise and worship or guitar and it wasn't the next big thing in the religious realm.  It was a simple change of heart and everything else fell into place without any smoke and mirrors.

I had to change my heart, my way of thinking, and that was it.  To hell with all the other stuff.   Love is what we need.  Peace 

Obama 2008

Since I woke up at 4:50a this morning I decided to check the mornings news.  Congratulations to Mr. Obama on clinching the democratic nomination.  I also came across a great resource for finding the better gas prices in your area.  

Lets face it our gas prices are stupid.  How do you feel about this?  I think I know the answer to the question I just asked.  I am going to have to ride a skateboard to work if this keeps up.  

May 17th 2008

This morning I awoke to sunshine and a cool breeze blowing through the open windows.  It is nice to wake up and not have a real set plan for my day.  Now that Beth is pregnant I have to do a few extra chores around the house and other than those chores my day should be care free.  Today is the first day in weeks that I could grind myself some coffee for one of my favorite morning rituals, making a french press.  I make it a little longer process than it probably should be. Its all in the art of making the coffee.  Go figure, I work for a coffee company and actually enjoy making it for myself at home.  I don't know what the day will bring, but I will look forward to a day of tranquility.

Shout Out to My Wife

Over the last few weeks my life has maintained a constent sense of change. As each day goes by my concious reminds me to hold dear to me the things that help me stay at peace with the universe when everything around me seems dark and draining. My family has really gone out on a limb to be there and support me through a situation that has been going on for a while. I am fortunate to have a wife who is full of humor to keep me smiling when I am feeling down or over worked.

Early this morning as I woke up I started thinking about how much my wife and I have accomplish over the last 9 years. Yes, I do sit back and ponder my existance on a regular basis. Anyway, Bethie and I have overcome some pretty tough odds over the years. When we spoke the vows of "for better or worse" little did we realize we would revisit those vows over and over again amongnst great challenges throughout our marriage. I honestly feel with Beth's humorous nature, and my genuine belief in forgiveness we have certainly beat the odds of couples who are pregnant before marriage. This morning I feel like our marriage may not perfect, but we have definitely come along way over the years. Bethie, you rock.

More..

More violence in Kenya.  Here is a link to a Washington Post article I found this morning.  Kenyan's face a tough road ahead of them.  Get online, blog about and add links to your pages and spread the word.  Human rights are being violated all over Africa and around the world as we sit comfortably in the warmth of our houses.  The least we can do is spread the word and not let those who are giving their lives for what believe the recognition they deserve.  

State of the Union

Like many Americans I found myself watching the Presidents State of the Union address last night.  I was impressed on the speech that was prepared for him and all the big terms he used but probably doesn't understand.  I watched as the Republican party cheer him on as if he was a god.  I laughed several times as I watched the camera turn to Hilary and Barack as they looked like they wanted to strangle President Bush.  

Over all I was not very impressed with the content of the State of the Union by President Bush.  I felt it was a failed effort on his part as he has waited to long to talk about the real issues that plague our country each and every day.  I am not very hip on allowing our government to ease drop on our phones and feel like the "No Child Left Behind" bill really is a big joke.  I will agree continuing to raise our income tax is not the way to create more money for our government.  I think all sides would agree that we need to take a better look at programs that spend more money rather than help the American people.  Instead of offering tax breaks we really should go to a flat tax for income levels of all types.  Its not far that a person living in poverty and living hand to mouth should be expected to even pay tax when most rich people are living off the fruit of the poor mans labor.  Money equals power in politics and it is so hard to think that any politician is on our side.  Lets face it though, social security is a joke.  I would rather have that money to go directly into a personal account instead the fed's pockets.  

We need some serious change in our country and the only way to create change is to vote for the right person to do the job.  I can assure I will not vote a straight ticket this year.  I will make an informative decision based on fact rather than what everyone else  is doing.  I would advise you to do the same.  And that is The World According to Thad.

I Am Just a Jerk

Despite how I am portrayed on this site I am a really descent person.  I feel as some may believe me to not be understanding, caring, or empathetic.  If I didn't care about people I would not share my next thoughts on some of the things going on in the world

Searching the headlines on Google this morning I came across some articles on the growing crisis in Kenya.  Kenya with its magical landscape and known coffee origins its in  absolute turmoil.  I came across an incredible site that tells so much about the country and what is going on.  There is also a  site built for bloggers and webby's who live in Kenya to upload images, identify were conflict is taking place, and a general site to get the word out about what is really going on in Kenya from those who see it everyday.  I will add a few links to my page and to my website incase you want more information about what is going on there.  I would suggest to hold off on donations to any government agency claiming to deal with Kenya due to corruption surrounded by the Kenya government.  I am not saying that to sound cruel, but the truth is much of the countries turmoil has to do with corruption in their current government.  I would suggest to read and maybe contact Amnesty International for ways to help spread information and possible ways to contribute.   Keep blogging Kenya, we are reading and spreading the word.

Peace.

They called it a Winter Storm

Its cold, wet, and gray outside today.  I think most people living up north during the winter call this a normal day.  In the south, we call it a winter storm.  I have to laugh as I type those words because it truly was just a mere dusting of a snowy mixture yesterday.  The day before the wintery mix came down on us the shelves of the stores were ravaged by shoppers in a effort not to return back out the next day.  One of my friends called me late Wednesday night asking if she could get a gallon of milk from my store(Starbucks baby) because the grocery stores were completely out of milk.  When I say completely out I mean everything such as: whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, soy milk, nonfat milk, half and half, heavy cream etc.  Now who the hell needs half and half(I do realize people need half and half for their coffee) for their cereal or heavy cream?! What have we come to world?  We are so unprepared for lifes little adventures.  Its true is it not?  We work so damn hard and have so little time to keep our pantries stocked with everyday items.   And just think about it, another winter storm is on the way for Saturday. More to come on this subject next time.

Oh Jesse

Last night I had the joy (more like there was nothing else on TV) of coming across a documentary on Jesse Helms.  So, I decided to watch the program.  After viewing the program I was not very amused by our former NC senator and his conservative mindset.   Most of us who grew up in North Carolina and who are my age range can probably remember his name and the fact he was a hardcore conservative.  The only memories of Jesse I have were the ones left in my mind by the conversations with my grandparents.  

My grandmother would have hit me with a belt if she heard what I am about to say about Jesse.  He was a racist, arrogant, and down right southern bred red neck who stayed in office entirely to long.  Anyone my parents or grandparents age would remember him as vice president and commentator of WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC before becoming senator in 1973.  Over the years he made himself very clear that he was a white man who supported segregation and on several occasions called Martin Luther King Jr. a "communist".  I didn't mention the fact that his racist baptist minister friend Jerry Falwell was one of his biggest advocates.  I hate to tell all the Liberty students that their former President and Pastor of Liberty University was a racist son of a bitch(students probably already knew the fact Jerry was racist).  I hope Jerry had fun explaining to God why he couldn't "love one another".  I am completely appalled that a pronounced Christian minister would ever ally themselves with someone like Jesse Helms.  Thank you Jesus for Catholics and Presbyterians to balance the status quo.   Once upon a time before I really knew what the term conservative really meant I used to call myself one.  Thank God I don't consider myself a conservative anymore.

Times have changed since the days of Jesse Helms.  You can still see his influence today with our current senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.  Unfortunately, with two republican senators in office and a democratic governor in office in NC I don't see how anyone's political agenda's get met.  I guess its good to have both parties(or more non labeled parties).  There are still reminders of the old south everywhere you go.  Some southerners forgot the civil war was over in 1865 so why the hell are we still talking about it today.   One day I hope we can say goodbye to the unpleasant memories of the old south and move forward to a more productive way of thinking and that is The World According to Thad.

Happy F#$$%% New Year

Happy New Year's to all of you.  I have not blogged in a very long time.  I honestly have been so busy getting through an extremely busy 3 months of work.  Starbucks is still going well for me.  I hope the new year will be challenges in the work place to help grow the store and my position with the company.  Beth is taking the semester off from HPU.  She has landed a subsitute teacher position at a pre school close to home.  She is now waiting patiently(not really) to hear from the HPU School of Education on her acceptance into their program.   Christian is growing like a weed and is shaping up to be a very handsome young boy.  He has enjoyed being out of school the past two weeks and has to go back this coming Thursday.   

I honestly haven't made to many new years resolutions.  I feel healthy, I feel loved, and I have surrounded myself with positive energy and I really feel blessed.  One of the highlights of our year was buying our home.  The mortgage payment sucks, but we love the house.  Everyday I wake up and just look around the house I am amazed that it belongs to us.  We have cool neighbors and it is so quiet at night.  

So to sum it all up, bring on 2008.  Peace