StaticLove247's Xanga

testing, testing...

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:27:41 GMT

Hello, xanga? Does this thing still work?

Hmm. In bed at 9:00pm on a Friday. Been a long time since that's happened.

Wii would like to play!!

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:50:02 GMT

So uh. Got a Wii you don't need/want anymore?
http://greenville.craigslist.org/bar/386623927.html

OR...
Make a donation!

Oops, I did it again.

Wed, 23 May 2007 19:52:02 GMT

Yes friends...it has happened again. Last night I dislocated my right shoulder for the second time in my life.

I was riding Andelucia (Jayson's longboard) in the church parking lot when it happened. He had quite an unfortunate accident over a year ago while riding her as well, and suffered a severely shattered wrist. This was the first time I'd seen his longboard since then, and he offers it to me for a ride. So, I eagerly take her, and run to the top of the hill. I said to him just before going up there, "you watch...I'm probably going to dislocate my shoulder again..." So, down I go...picking up speed...feels pretty good, but I'm getting nervous so I hop off, and restart again about half way down the hill. This time, I make it to the bottom, and I'm turning around because I was getting close to a sidewalk curb, and then this tiny bump in the road catches the front longboard truck and sends me flying backwards. I felt something pop before I even hit the ground, and I knew that it was out of place again.

So...one of the first thoughts I have is, "Dang...I'm not going to be able to play in our softball game this Thursday!". Later realizations had me thinking that I'm probably not going to be playing for the rest of the season. I thought I had it back in place though, after a while of trying to move it around, but it was still extremely sore. So, I decide to just get on the road and head back to school. I do drive a stick shift, and my right arm was useless, so my left arm got called for the job. It's really not a big deal. It's pretty easy still to drive. Jayson followed me back to make sure everything was going to be okay.

Back at the apartment, I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to sleep with this extremely uncomfortable feeling. There was basically no position I could put it in to feel rest. After about an hour, and a little Taco Bell, I start thinking maybe it'd be smart to go to the hospital. The guys who were hanging out with me agreed that I should, and so off we went to Spartanburg Regional. Upon getting in the car, I felt incredible discomfort, and after shifting around a little, I felt it roll over and fall into place, this time for sure. I now had much more movement in my arm. However, it's still extremely tender so I decide to just go on and get it wrapped up anyway. I still have the stuff they put me in last time, but it's at my home-away-from-school home.

Our journey to Spartanburg Regional continues. Or so we thought! One of the guys who came along (we'll keep him nameless ) said "Hey, here's Spartanburg Regional...turn right." So, we park, I get out, and try to go in the door, but it's locked. I push the call box button, and a lady asks if she could help me. I tell her "I'm just trying to get in the hospital...how do I enter?" She then informs me that this is some kind of resource center, not the hospital. I guess they didn't have the resources I needed...because all I could do is feel retarded and apologize.

After much laughter about that, we found the hospital and I checked in. I spent about an hour in the waiting room, listening to all the ailments taking place around me. It was slightly depressing, and made it hard to concentrate on the book I was trying to read. Eventually I got up, walked around, and moved my arm in all kinds of motions. It was feeling much better than it had just a few hours before. There was a long line of people more sick than me in there, and instead of staying till maybe 4am to get wrapped, I decide to just get out of there and stick it out for a day until I could wrap it up myself at home.

So here I am...in my sling thing again. I knew it would happen eventually. The doctor told me last time that it's bound to keep happening, and his statement has just proven true. Interested in the original story? Click here.

Thanks again for those who helped me along last night, and for those who offered prayers. You guys are much appreciated!

Take me out to the ballgame!

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:58:08 GMT

Whooboy what a fun weekend! Mainly Saturday, but Sunday was good too. Shannon, I'm stealing the title of your blog for mine.

So it started out late on Thursday night when Shannon thought it'd be cool to be spontaneous and go to Friday's home opener for the Atlanta Braves! And I'm thinkin'..."man I have to work on Friday till 5 and the game starts at 7:30. We'd barely make it in time. But I'm very very tempted, and decide that it's a good idea even if I have to leave work a little early. The quest for tickets begins...but ended quickly after discovering that the cheapest available were $75. Maybe it was a God thing...because, if you watched Friday's game, you know that it was an 11-1 slaughtering by the Mets.

Hope was not lost, however. The quest for tickets continued for the following day's game. Saturday was a 3:55pm game, and featured two of the sports hottest pitchers and best friends -- Smoltz vs. Glavine. Even though Glavine is now a Met, it's hard not to see him as a Brave. I still like the guy. And when he enters the Hall of Fame in a few years, I'm confident he'll enter it with a Braves cap on. But I digress. Saturday tickets were found for $18! Not too bad, but they were pretty high up and it was also getting close to the limit we wanted to pay. Upon more searching, $24 tickets were found that would place us right behind the left field wall. That was slightly over budget, but the seats were much better, so we splurged for them anyway. Hot dog! Here we come Atlanta, for our first game this year!

Saturday, we meet at Wal*Mart to get a few things to bring to the game. Basically, just some peanuts and drinks. We also had to bring blankets because it was to be quite a chilly day, in the low 40's with some wind. Come about 11:30am, and we're finally ready to hit I-85S to Atlanta! The ride was fun...I meant to do homework, but somehow that didn't happen. Instead the time was passed just talking and jamming out to an eclectic mix of music. It was most enjoyable. I also said to her while we were on our way, "We're going to catch a homerun today, ok?" She agreed. Oh yea...and Shannon thinks there is an island in Minnesota !

We arrive at the park a little after 2:00pm. The familiar smell of stadium food filled the air and our nostrils. Fans buzzed about, checking out the various activities available to see and do before the game. We walked around a while too...visiting the top for some sweet full view pictures of the field and a sweeping view of the city.

It's game time. As usual, the national anthem was sung before the first pitch. I'll tell ya...it was almost hard not to laugh during it. The women singing it were certainly not doing so on the same time or key. It was pretty rough. But towards the end of it, four really cool (and loud) jets flew over head in a v-shaped pattern. Those were neat.

Though the game had begun and first out of the inning had been recorded, I still wasn't quite situated. I was fumbling around with something when I hear Shannon say something to the effect of "Bryan, this is coming at us!". I wasn't really sure what to think...I was somewhat still focused on what I had been doing, but then there's this ball quickly approaching and sure enough, right at us. I had a glove, but it was under the seat and didn't really have time to get it and put it on. So instead I stand up, reach across Shannon, and bare hand the homerun that Paul Lo Duca for the NY Mets placed into the left field bleachers! It all happened so fast. And I remember thinking "even if this thing hits my hand, there's no way it's going to stay in it." Boy was I wrong! Immediately, the chants of "throw it back! throw it back! throw it back!" began. I'd even had this discussion with Larry a couple days prior to going (before I even knew I was going to this game) on what I'd do if I ever caught a homerun by the opposing team. Part of me would want to keep the souvenir, but another part of me would want to stick true to the Braves and chuck it back onto the field, rejecting their well hit, but unwelcomed ball. I guess I didn't have to wonder any more. It wasn't long before it was sailing back onto the field and rolling to the infield. Though I'd just lost a nice prize, I felt somewhat proud for sticking true to my team.

That's not all...oh no. The kid (he was probably 17 or so) next to Shannon got pretty upset with me and she said he was complaining the rest of the game that I "stole the ball from his glove". There was certainly no ball stealing happening. My hand simply caught it before it entered his glove. End of story.

What's more, is that seconds after I'd thrown it back onto the field, a lady who works for the park came up to me looking quite stern. Shannon however thought she was coming to give me a prize for my great catch! That'd been nice. But rather, she came to reprimand me. Apparently it's against park rules to throw anything (including caught balls) back onto the field, for the safety of the players and other fans nearby. It makes sense, but who really thinks of that when you're in the heat of the moment, and you have hundreds of people surrounding you telling you to throw it back?! She even said that in previous years they'd take people down to the local precinct for those types of antics, but luckily for me they've gotten a lot more lenient. So I didn't really get in trouble...it was just a slap on the wrist and a "don't do that anymore".

To wrap this up with fewer details, the guys behind us were a bit annoying at times with their incessant jeers for Moises Alou who was playing left field for the Mets. Though there were times in the later stages of their drunkenness that they were a little humorous. Smoltz pitched a pretty good game, going 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 7 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts. Glavine did well too. But in the end, it was NY's fielding, and the Braves' capitalization on those errors that cost them the game. Wickman came in to close it out in the bottom of the 9th, but not before surrendering a walk and a hit, and giving us a scare.

Excellent game, and a great time with a fun friend. We'll be doing it again this coming Friday when the Braves take on the Marlins at Turner Field. Joining us shall be Michael Berry and Tara Girard. They're great...I'm certainly looking forward to this weekend! As for now, it's bed time!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 03:54:51 GMT

It's a new season.

31 days, 20 hrs.

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 02:47:01 GMT

The pictures are in!

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:07:33 GMT

I finally got a moment to upload most of the pictures from my trip to California. Links to them can be found to the right.

So I know it's kinda crazy and all but...

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:28:08 GMT

I'm leaving for California tonight!!! My friend is moving out there and said if I rode with him that he'd fly me home. It'll be long and tiring, but most of all fun! I'll be home late Sunday evening. And you better believe that there will be pictures coming!

A new year--a new season--a new look

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 20:27:43 GMT

Goodbye 2006. Hello 2007!

Been a while since I updated this thing. I was sick for just about the entire month of November. Then it was about time to get ready for finals, and I just never got around to telling you all the juicy details of my life. I've decided, since the emails have been flooding in asking what's going on in my life, to do this FAQ style. So here goes...

How did you finish up in all of your classes?
Well...it wasn't my best finish ever. Though it wasn't my worst...or was it? Here's the rundown:

Computer Science 300: A
Statistics 202: A
Geology 120: B
Philosophy 321: C+
Government 201: C

Yeah, it probably was my worst. I don't ever remember making two C's in a semester before. I'm not completely happy with it...but it was a tough semester and I'm just glad it's finished.

I heard there is a lady in your life now. Is that true?
Your sources are correct.

Well aren't you going to tell us more?
Maybe...

Oh come on!!
Okay. Well her name is Joanna Slagle. We met around February 2006 at a Campus Crusade 50's social. Through Crusade events and friends we were getting to know each other a little more. By summer time, we were hanging out a little bit (Braves game, oh yea!) and talking some more. Then when I moved on campus in the Fall semester we were doing a lot together. By October 23rd I had asked her out on a date, and sweet fancy Moses--she said yes!! So, November 3rd we went out to eat at Carraba's in Greenville, then went downtown and walked in the park. It was really nice (but a little cold). Upon arriving back at school, I asked her if we could do this again sometime, and so plans were set to go see a movie in two weeks. We went to see "Happy Feet", and it was really cute. After that, we went back to her apartment and ended up watching another movie--"Elf". It was great...and I'd decided that I wasn't going to leave that night before asking her the question. No not that "the question". But the one that comes before that one. The one that gets the ball rolling. And so it began...November 18th, we're an item.

What about Campus Crusade for Christ? Anything new going on with that?
Well yes, actually. Around the time of Fall Getaway, Jeff Baden had asked me to consider taking over as Key Leader for Campus Crusade since he was stepping down and planning his wedding. At first, my thoughts were "no way, no sir." I didn't want the extra responsibility. However, after several meetings with him, and praying about it, my mind had changed. The leadership role would be good for me. It would stretch me and challenge me so I wouldn't be spiritually stagnant, and would force me to act outside of my comfort zone. Those are good things. So for the last month and a half of the semester maybe, Jeff stopped doing the things he had been doing, and let me step up to the plate. There wasn't much for me to do in the last couple of weeks though. The challenging times with that are to come when the new semester starts soon.

We also just got back from Encounter06. I wasn't expecting to go. And I didn't really want to go either. But John Lancaster challenged me to send out support letters and raise the money to go, and whatever didn't come in, he'd cover himself. So I did. I sent letters to folks in the church, and about 4 families sent me support checks and covered most of the cost. I was still expecting to owe money though, and when I got there my name tag said that I owed $41. So I was at the table with my money in hand ready to give them $41 when the lady looks me up in the computer system and says "wait...you only owe us $9". And so I hand her $9. And then she looks even more confused and says "no no...wait...we owe you $9". Doth my ears deceiveth me? Nope...they gave me $9 to come to Encounter06! Isn't it great that when you trust God with your finances, you see things like this work out?! The conference was really awesome too. Incredible speakers, engaging worship, a time of bonding with close friends and making new ones. It was so good.

Did you have a good Christmas?
Yes I did. Spent time with family. Joanna came up to visit and meet my family on December 18th and stayed till the 19th. Then the both of us went down to Irmo for me to spend time with her and her family there until the 20th. Joanna got me this really sweet Fossil watch! It's very nice. And some warm winter gloves from Old Navy. My folks gave me a new television a little bit bigger than the last one, and it has the dvd player built into it. I also got some money from dad and grandma, a gift certificate for target, undywears and undyshirts, and a couple other articles of clothing.

Have you finished The Wind Waker yet?
Yes, as of last night. It was very long, but very fun!

Do you want to go get a sandwich sometime?
No. I don't even know you.

I think that's all the questions I can answer for right now. Have a splendid day, friends!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 01:18:57 GMT

Exhausted.

Those definitions tell it pretty accurately. Today has been one of the toughest this semester. Though I think it is the culmination of events and things from weeks past that have lead to this point, my complete and utter exhaustion.

Sleep has been almost nonexistent. Three hours is the grand total from last night. I had a Geology mid-term to make up this morning at nine am, so much of last night/this morning was spent studying. Did it prove worthwhile? No. The mid-term tore me a new one. Didn't know any of the short answer questions on the final two pages of the exam. Wild guessing occurred on the multiple choice questions. There was much more on the mid-term than what was specified in class. Wonder how bad this is going to hurt me, considering there are only two tests all year.

I was pleasantly surprised with the grade I received on my Ethics paper, however. This is just the first submission though. He gives them back with red all over it and gives us another month to perfect the problems. Then the two grades are averaged. For some people, he gave two grades on the first submission -- I being one of them. I received a C and a C+, meaning he's riding the fence on what he should give me for it. Honestly, I was going to consider myself lucky if I made a D, because in my opinion it was the worst paper I've ever written and I was embarrassed to turn it in. Guess that's what happens when you don't start it till the night before. I'm not asking for a pity party...I'm man enough to claim fault.

Computer science class today was very frustrating. Every bit of "Big Oh Notation" goes right over my head. I've asked question after question in that class on the subject to try and get clarification on what is happening, but Dr. Zhong is still unable to find a way to convey to me how it works. I could just be completely dense, but it sure seems that everyone else in the class has no clue what it means either. We have a quiz on it Thursday. I'm not very confident about it at this point. The second half of class about Stacks was better, because those were making sense right off the bat. Here's hoping the next couple weeks are consistent with that thought. Third program is also due Thursday. I began it today, but ran into a brick wall. I was in the compsci tutoring lab though, so I was able to get some help from the guys in there, and it is coming along. Probably only two more hours worth of work left with that one and it should be complete.

I gave blood today. I guess it doesn't matter who takes it and where it goes as long as it saves a life, but I was slightly disappointed when Piedmont Blood Center showed up on campus instead of The Blood Connection. I've never given with anyone else, but like I said to begin with, "as long as it saves a life". It was good to find out that my blood pressure was at a healthy level, since in times previous they've told me that for my age it's been a little high. I thought I might get rejected, because all I'd had to eat at that point (about 2:00pm) was a banana and cup of coffee for breakfast and a promotional Red Bull drink given to me around 10:30am (combo this with 3 hours of sleep, and it should make for one jittery boy), but they never asked me if I'd eaten. By the way, I still stand by my claim that Red Bull tastes a little like beer. With a slight fruity twist to it. People have disagreed with my claim, and maybe rightfully so, since the only memory of the taste of beer comes from being a child and sipping the cold one my dad was putting down.

I was supposed to have a meeting with Dr. Li today regarding a couple classes I'd taken at Greenville Tech that I want to receive transfer credit for. The problem is that the classes offered here are junior level, and they believe that the ones I had at Tech didn't get as in depth as they would here. So I guess this meeting was to see if I could prove my worth for having had those classes already. It would be most excellent if it happens, and could quite possibly mean I wouldn't have to have summer classes. *Remembers about summer project in central Asia and how he thought he might like to go...* However, Dr. Li wasn't at his office today and his schedule sheet posted on his door has me down for Thursday at three, even though the email he sent me clearly states Tuesday. Oh well...Thursday it is.

I don't even know if I'm returning next semester anyway. I haven't really been talking about it mainly because I don't want it to happen, but it could quite be reality. Fact of the matter is I don't have the money to pay for it. Parents helped me out tremendously this semester, but I'm told that it's not going to keep happening. I only work 12 hours a week now as it is, and that isn't going to cover rent and food if I decided to go off campus to avoid incredibly high living expenses from living on campus. Nor do I think I could even work more to earn my keep since I'm barely making it alive this semester. If I don't return though, that means the time clock on the grace period of my loans begin, and that I better be looking for a good job. Would I ever finish school then? *Shrugs*...this one's out of my control Big Guy. I turn it over.

Besides all the aforementioned, God has remained completely incredible. I'm certainly seeing growth in me this semester in all that is stretching me. My reliance on Him is becoming greater. With that I remember John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less." (NIV). Our accountability group, Phileo Stew, has been nothing short of awesome. I love all of you guys deeply, and thank you for your consistency in prayer and devotion to lifting one another up. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV). And also...thanks to those who have been coming to Pillar Groups on Wednesdays. It has been rock solid. Not a week goes by that you guys don't amaze me with all that you have to offer to the group and to the discussion. And as for what I'd been praying for wisdom about...I think I have my answer. I'll talk to you soon.

Since I can't sleep right now, I think I may go out and find something to eat. I think lack of nutrition on the day along with giving blood is what's making me feel so physically weak.

Here's lookin' to Friday!