A Various Asundry of Thoughts

life changes

2006-09-05T11:13:00.000-04:00

So... Here is the latest life update for me. There is a lot to report.

We have come to a point where we are calling it quits with Emmaus. It's really quite bittersweet. In many ways I'm relieved becuase this huge weight has been lifted. Things were just not progressing and it really is the best decision. I'm saddened by it, but I am looking forward to moving on with life. If nothing else, I can know that God brought me to this area and gave me a job with full health benefits and great heart doctors. If God needed me to be here in order to get healthy, I can be ok with that.

So, now what? Well, I dont really know, so I am taking some time off to figure it out. I am moving to Springfield IL and moving in with my friend Corey, which will be a good time. I'm pretty excited about that. I am going to take some time to rest and get very involved in a church to work on my media/technical skills and prepare myself for a full time ministry position in the future. I just need to find a job with normal hours and health benefits. Hopefully, that wont be a problem. Surely, something will come my way. (If anyone has any springfield area connections, feel free to hook me up!)

I am moving this saturday so life is going to be crazy for a little while longer. Wish me luck!

The tale of the IPOD

2006-06-16T11:39:00.000-04:00

Last week I went home to visit my family and while I was there my dad tells me that he was a trip and the man sitting next to him gave him his ipod. Now I am sure that he merely found it, because after all, it's an ipod. Anyway, I was very dissappointed to discover that the ipod does not work. I tried to charge it with my brother's charger, but alas, it was to no avail. But I did not give up. I brought said ipod home with me and took it to the Mac store in the mall to see if there was any hope. Perhaps I could buy a new battery for it. The store clerk assured me that this was a lost cause but signed me up to see the technician anyway. He looked it over and confirmed the ipod D.O.A. I was greately saddened. Then, with a wry smile on his face he said, "just a moment". He then proceeded to the back room and returned saying, "I have good news". For $63 I can fix it. Now all this time I am assuming that he is talking about fixing the battery and I am fully expecting to leave the ipod there and coming back to get it. The next thing I knew he was swiping my credit card and giving me a brand spaking new 20GB ipod. I didnt even need the original receipt or anything. I left the store with a great sense of accomplishment.

I know you're jealous.

Road Trip and Family Fun

2006-06-07T00:25:00.000-04:00

So this weekend my brother Thomas will be home for a two week leave from Iraq so I will be taking a road trip to see him and the rest of the family. An added bonus is that Abby gets to come with me so it will be nice to actually spend an entire day together without either one of us working. It is indeed a rare occurance. She also gets to meet my family, which is bound to be an interesting experience in and of itself. It has been confirmed that all five, yes... five parents will be in attendance so we shall see how that goes. I've likened this to swimming in a cold pool. You can't just ease into my family. It's best to jump right in and get the uncomfortable part over with. I'm sure I will have many a story when I get back.

Lie, Cheat, and Steal

2006-04-29T20:55:00.000-04:00

I have finally come to the conclusion that the stereotype that salesman lie, cheat, and steal just to make a sale is completely true. Often times they dont care who they have to stab in the back to make a buck. They will even screw over the fellow coworkers just to make a sale.

I am slightly bitter because twice in the past week I have been screwed out of a sale at work. Two of the top writers in our store have tried to steal a sale from me (one successfully) and I am so ticked off about it. The bigger problem is that my manager is well aware of it but is unwilling to do anything about it because they are both million dollor sellers for our store. The fact of the matter is that if anyone else in our store would have pulled this crap, we would have been written up in a heart beat, but because of the people involved, management looks the other way.

This is rediculous and I need a new job.

My Easter Video

2006-04-18T14:52:00.000-04:00

Check out the video I made for our Easter Service on my myspace page. It is under the video link.
http://www.myspace.com/michaelrclair

The Weather

2006-04-10T13:17:00.000-04:00

I have this love/hate relationship with the sun. I know it sounds rediculous, but keep reading. Here in upstate NY, also known as the land of eternal winter, it is always cold. Always!. Now that it is amost mid April and the season is officially spring, it should be warm dont you think? But not here. the sun has come out which I am much appreciative of. I do love the sunshine, but it has lured me into a false sense of security reguarding what I can safely wear outdoors. I look out my window and I see the bright blue cloudless sky and a smile crosses my face as I decide that the day calls for short sleeves and sandals. But the moment I walk out side I am utterly dissappointed to find that the thermometer has barely crossed the 55 degree mark. Thus, my love/hate relationship has begun. Surely those of you in the northern portion of the country can sympothize with me.

Good Sledding

2006-02-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

Last night I got a call at 10 o'clock at night with this invitation...

Matt- hey, lets go sledding
Me- we dont have a sled.
Matt- we have plastic trash can lids
Me- ummmmm....................ok. Where are we going to go?
Matt- we are going to drive around until we find a good hill.
Me- ummmmm.....................ok.

So we drove around and found a golf coarse with some decent hills and we had a great time.

So the moral of the story is that if anyone out there ever wants to do something and you dont want to do it alone. There is a very good chance that I could be talked into it.

Starting Fresh

2006-02-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

This weekend I was wondering why we even have President's Day. How does one celebrate President's day? Should I have a sent a card to Mr. Bush? It's such a rediculous day. There is absolutely no reason for buisnesses to stop on this day. All mail services come to a halt to celebrate this day. It's so stupid. All this day is, is another reason for retail stores to make up a sale. Retail stores will jump at any reason to have a sale. Columbus day, Memorial day, Labor day, Martin Luthor King day, Flag day, Arbor day, Wednesday..... It's REDICULOUS!!!!

And to top it all off, throughtout this three day holiday weekend, I barely sold anything! I am bitter and annoyed and will forever hate President's day!

And now that this is off my chest, I am going to start fresh. It's tuesday and I work from 12-9 and I am leaving the weekend behind me. The past is gone. Today is a new day. (enter "Newsies" theme "Sieze the Day")

So Much Boredom

2006-02-06T23:33:00.000-05:00

Wow was it a long and tedious day. I was off of work, but I had absolutely nothing to do. You would think that I could find some way to entertain myself. Perhaps I could watch a movie, write something, or I could go way out on a limb and perhaps get a book from the library. But no. I honestly cant even tell you what I did today... it was that mind numbing. I even resorted to watching wife swap and yes, I cant even believe that I am about to admit this but I actually sat through an episode of the bachelor. And this wasnt any normal episode... no, no, no... this was a two hour episode. What is wrong with me????? It truly was a sad day for me.

The Good News

2006-01-19T11:39:00.000-05:00

I am extremely happy to let everyone know that according to the Echocardiogram that I had this morning, my heart has returned to a normal size!! I am so relieved and excited to hear this. For whatever reason, I was having irrational fears that there was going to be more bad news, but fortunately I was wrong. My doctor seemed like he was even a little surprised that my heart was doing so well. We expected it to reduce in size, but to be completely normal was a little surprising to him.

Thank you all out there in the blogger world so much for all of your prayers! You are fantastic!

Guinea Pig

2006-01-09T23:24:00.000-05:00

So my doctor calls me the other day to ask me a question. He often does clinical work with the medical students at the University of Rochester and this semester they asked if he would pick out 5 of his patients that are particularly "interesting" so the students can study them. Seeing that I have such a rare heart condition and had open heart surgery at such a young age, he has asked me to take part in his study. So some time this semester I will have a group of med students check me out to see how weird I am. I am truly honored. Maybe next they will see if I can find the cheese at the end of the maze.

Good Game

2006-01-04T19:36:00.000-05:00

So there I was... standing around at work not doing much of anything. I had just recently finished closing a sale that I had been working on for two days now and it was actually pretty difficult. I worked really hard at it and in the end, I was successful. My manager walked up to me and said, "nice job" and the next thing I knew, he gave me a "good game" slap on the butt! I could'nt believe it! I was dumbfounded. We were'nt in a locker room, nor were we playing a sport of any kind. We were selling furniture!!! This in no way warranted a "good game" slap. I was quite taken aback to say the least. What has the world come to that we can institute the "good game" slap into every life situation.

Here is an interactive query. Where else in life would the "good game" slap be inappropriate? I expect fun answers from all.

2005-12-26T11:04:00.000-05:00

Christmas Tree and Scar

2005-12-11T22:49:00.000-05:00

My mom emailed some pictures that she took when she was here to take care of me when I had my surgery. The First one is of my Christmas tree which is on the verge of being absurdly large. The Second picture is of my Scar which also verges on being absurdly large. Under the really big scar is a bunch of little ones from where I had my Gall Bladder Removed. There goes my swimsuit model career.

And The Nominees Are...

2005-12-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

So I was checking out the nominee's for the Grammy Awards and I have just never realized how many categories there are. It's kind of crazy to me.

For example, Did you know that there is an award for the best polka album. In fact, the nominee's are...

Best Polka Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Under The Influence
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
[Bel Aire Records]
Time Out For Polkas And Waltzes
Walter Ostanek And Ron Sluga
[Sunshine Diversified Ent.]
Polka Pizzazz
Del Sinchak Band
[Peppermint Records]
Solecktions
Kevin Solecki
[Peppermint Records]
Shake, Rattle And Polka!
Jimmy Sturr And His Orchestra
[Rounder]

I am hoping for Polka Pizzazz, but I will try to not get my hopes up. You know what seems even crazier to me is that there are people on the edge of there seat waiting to see if they win. On the oppisite side of that, is that there are others who are going to be devastated if their polka album doesn't garnish this honor. It's a crazy world we live in.

I'm still waiting for my nomination for "Best less than mediocre song sung while singing in the shower" to come through. It's tough competition this year, but I am pretty confident.

As Insantiy Sets In...

2005-12-08T17:15:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh I am so incredibly bored!!!!!!!!! Here I sit with a paddle ball that someone sent me, desperately trying to amuse myself. And I dont know if any of you have ever tried to master the paddle with a string and a ball attached to it, but it is suprisingly difficult. It's not nearly as easy as one might think.

Anyway, I am not sure that I will be able to handle to much more of this. I am going to drive myself crazy.

Coming Home

2005-12-06T00:14:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are in the Mid-Western region from the 14th-28th of December, I will be in the area. Since I am not able to go back to work until the end of the month, I decided that I wanted to get out of here for a while so I will be heading back to the Springfield IL area. I am so excited about seeing some old friends whom I have'nt seen in ages. It is promising to be a very fun trip. Pray that I am able to handle time with the family as well. As of late, things are not the best so I am sort of dreading seeing them, but at least I have my friends to look forward to. If anybody reading this wants to catch up, just let me know.

By the way, I know you all are jealous because I am seeing U2 in concert on Friday in Buffalo!

What's it all worth

2005-11-29T23:31:00.000-05:00

1 Month supply of pain medication- $10

St. Jude Prostethetic Aortic Valve- $8,885

Open Heart surgery- $25,566

A clean bill of health- Priceless!!!

Good health insurance- Even more priceless!!!!!!

Tick...Tick...Tick...

2005-11-29T09:38:00.000-05:00

My heart is so absurdly loud, I cant even believe it. Up until now, it has been fascinating to know that that noise is in fact coming from me. That facination is quickly fading and is now changing to slight annoyance. It's always there, and it's really, really loud sometimes! And given that I am easily perturbed by repetitive noises, I am soon to become the bane of my own existance.

'Tis the Season

2005-11-25T17:01:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has had a wonderful turkey day. Mine was spent with friends and family and it was fantastic! This year I am most thankful for the love of those closest to me, and medical marvels that will keep me in good health.

Since I consider the day after thanksgiving the first socially acceptable day to begin celebrating Christmas, today I put my christmas tree. Not some silly fake one either. This is a real Douglas Fur! Then we put on some Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra Christmas music and decorated my tree. It was a spectacular day!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Healing of the Heart

2005-11-17T22:39:00.000-05:00

so far my convelescance is coming along quite nicely. I am able to get around really well and I am only in a lot of pain when I cough or sneeze. Otherwise, I just have trouble finding a position to sit or lay in for too long before I get uncomfortable. Its a minor annoyance if you ask me.

Speaking of minor annoyances... I tick like a clock now. Since my heart valve is metal I can hear it click. Not only can I hear it click, but other people can too. It's really, really load. At least I can take comfort in knowing that as long as it is clicking, I am still alive, which is always a good sign!

I Am Home!

2005-11-13T20:36:00.000-05:00

I am glad to say that I am finally home. I came home today at noon and I am so happy to have left the hospital. They took very good care of me, but I hope I never have to seem them again!

I am recovering quite well. I am still very sore, but I can get around much better than everyone expected. As long as a take lots of breaks and try not to do too much, I do pretty good. Now I just have to try and not go crazy with nothing to do over the coarse of my recovery.

I want to thank everyone so much for all of your prayers and those of you that could come and visit me in the hosptital. It means so much to when I can see the body of Christ come together and truly care for someone when they are in need. I also feel like this is a definate testimony to how God works when his people pray.

Thank you so much for all of your love.

Mike Update, Part Deux...

2005-11-10T12:51:00.000-05:00

Hey All...

Ashley and I went to visit Mike this morning. He was moved from the cardiac intensive care unit into the regular cardiac wing of the hospital. He was awake when we saw him, although he's still somewhat groggy. He has sat up in a chair once and they're going to get him up to walk later this afternoon. He's really, really sore, as expected. He should be in the hospital until Monday.

For any of you here in the Rochester area that want to visit Mike, here are some details...

Mike's at Rochester General over in Irondequoit just off of Portland Ave. He's in room 4411 in the cardiac unit. From the parking garage, follow the signs to the red elevator and take it to the fourth floor. Follow the signs to the 4400 Suites and check in with the nurses station there before going into his room. He can have guests any time during the day, but all the hospital entrance doors lock after 8 p.m. except for the ER entrances so it'd be good to go earlier than that. If you want to check on him before you go, call (585) 922-4000 and ask for the nurses station at the 4400 ward. They'll be able to give you a more accurate status of his health.

Hope this all helps...
-Matty J

Update About Mike...

2005-11-09T15:54:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone...
Mike went into surgery this morning around 9:30 a.m.
for what was supposed to be a 4 - 4 1/2 hour surgery.
I called the hospital around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon
and they told me that he had come out of surgery well
and was in the ICU recovery center.  He had not yet
woken up, but was doing well and had stabilized.  I'll
continue to pass on more information as I get it.

Thanks for all your prayers for Mike.  I know he
appreciates them.  Thanks to God for answering all our
prayers for our brother!  If you have any questions
about Mike, give me a call or drop me an e-mail.

-Matt Johnson
OpRochester@hotmail.com
(585) 315-1311

Sale Outcome

2005-11-06T22:54:00.000-05:00

So today was my last day of work seeing that I will be out for the next two months because of my surgery, and I am happy to say that I have ended work on a very good note. As I stated in an earlier post, today was our annual Friends and Family sale and although we did not make our absurd 225,000 dollar store budget, I myself had an excellent day. I had 8 personal customers come in and see me today, and I wrote 17,774 dollars worth of buisness today!!! I am quite pleased with myself.

Anyway, this will be my last post until my surgery. I will have someone post something on here Wednesday night to give an update as to how I am doing. Thanks for everyone's prayers.

Results

2005-11-04T23:32:00.000-05:00

Things have greatly progressed, to say the least. I am completely amazed at how fast my life has gone in the past week. Tuesday morning, everything was normal, and the biggest worry of my life at the moment was some stupid sale we are having at work. Since then, my doctor immediately calls me to his office, he orders a STAT angiogram (which is a whole other story all in itself), I visit a cardiologist the next day, then go see a surgeon today, and finally I am scheduled to have open heart surgery this wednesday the 9th.

Suddenly, work stress and problems are no longer much of a worry to me anymore.

Frankly, I am completely terrified to have this procedure. I am anxious to just get it done and over with so that I dont have it hanging over my head anymore, but the thought of it being so close is sort of disconcerting.

Please pray for me that day and for a speedy recovery in which I dont go insane with boredom. Also pray for my own peace of mind that God is in complete control.

Angiogram

2005-11-01T23:33:00.000-05:00

Because of my heart condition, within the past two weeks I have been experienceing shortness of breath with the even the mildest exertion. I spoke with my doctor about it today to get his opinion on it, and much to my suprise he had me come in today! So I went to see him and he immediately had me get a chest x-ray and scheduled for me to have an angiogram tomorrow. This is where they insert a camera into the main artery in your thigh and send the scope up to your heart to inject it with a dye and take all kinds of pictures of it. Then they will be sending me to have surgery some time after that.

I'm a little freaked out, but ironically I am suprisingly calm at the same time. I suppose I have had a sufficient amount of time to prepare myself for it. I suppose we will see what happens next. Please keep me in your prayers.

A Sale of Impending Doom

2005-10-31T17:25:00.000-05:00

Once a year Raymour and Flanigan has it's annual Friends and Family sale and this year it is coming up on Sunday November 6th. We even are extending our hours from 10-6 to 10-9! On a normal day at raymour we would have a budget of 25,000 to 40,000 dollars depending on if it is a weekend or not. On this special day, we have an absurd budget of 225,000 dollars. I cannot wait until this over. Every free moment of our time, we are being bludgened by the management asking us, "Why aren't you calling customers for the sale", "How many appointments do you have", "Tomorrow, is your day off, what are you going to do to make yourself successfull for the sale".

SHUT UP!!!!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!

Anyway, if anyone knows anybody who is remotely in need of furniture. Make sure you send them my way. It sure would make my day.

November 7th can't get here soon enough.

Ho Hum...

2005-10-24T10:02:00.000-04:00

Here I am on my first day off in 6 days and I am feeling very ho hum. It's dreary out and I am a little bored. I was excited about the prospect of sleeping in untill 10:30 or so, but those hopes were quickley dashed when my apartment complex decided to send construction workers to do some form of drilling outside of my window at 8 AM!!!! I am not thrilled to say the least.

Anyway, I am quite at a loss as to what I could do to entertain myself for the day. Seeing that everyone else with normal jobs are working today, I need to find some way to maintain my sanity. I am open to any suggestions that anyone else has to give me.

...And they better be good suggestions, or I'm not doing it!!

Consequences

2005-10-18T21:15:00.000-04:00

Perhap's one day I will deliver a million dollars worth of furniture and rules won't apply to me either. That will be the day.. when I won't have to be held accountable for any of my actions, and will have none of the responsiblilites that all of the other normal working stiffs have.

I guy can dream can't he.

Fabulous Fall Fun

2005-10-16T23:32:00.000-04:00

I had the rare privelage of actually being off work on a sunday, so after church myself, Miriam, and Abby all went to Letchworth State Park to experience the fall foliage. The we watched "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and drank hot apple cider.

I know you are jealous so don't even try and hide it.

Yes It's True... I'm A Psychopath

2005-10-08T09:07:00.000-04:00

I'm about to reveal something to the world that will with out a doubt prove eveyones suspicions that I am in fact, a psychopath.

I believe that I am the only person here in upstate New York that is ecstatic to see the 80 degree weather in October go away. It's cold out and I absolutely love it. Finally I can see that fall is here and it has filled my heart with so much joy. Worse yet, I am already excited about the prospect of snow in the near future and the soon to be onset of seasons greetings and yuletide joy.

I'm crazy and I love it. Bring on the white jacket and the padded room.

A People Who Hurt

2005-10-03T23:36:00.000-04:00

It is a firm belief of mine that you would be hard pressed to find a single person in this world who is not hurting in some way. I encounter people on a daily basis who are nursing some sort of physical/emotional/spiritual wound in their life. This has become most evident to me in my work place. So many people that I work with are in so much pain and I love to see how my coworkers come together and truly become a family. Family members pass away, health issues arise, and turmoil occurs in your own home, and some of the first people who are there to hold you up are those that you work with.

I am amazed to see how I have truly found a community with these people. Who would of thought that such a community would exist at Raymour and Flanigan. What a blessing!

Gigantor McFat-heart

2005-09-27T11:31:00.000-04:00

I went to see my cardiologist this morning and I have found out that I am not in need of immediate surgery, but I will more than likely be having it within the year. For the time being, they are going to give me some drugs to try and regulate the size of my heart. In the mean time, I will be having a various asundry of blood work and other heart related tests and doctor visits over the course of the next six months. When the time comes, I will be having my aortic valve and a small portion of my aorta replaced.

I feel pretty indifferent to this. I am relieved to not have to have surgery right now, but I dont like the idea of it looming over my head for the next year either. I guess I will just have to be patient and try and wait to find out what they want to do next.

Also, on a more lighthearted note, my doctor kept asking me how tall I am (6'2") and asking if anyone else in my family was really tall. She even likened me to Abraham Lincoln and alluded to the fact that I have gigantism. I am highly offended. I am not that big and I am completely in proportion thank you very much!!! Whatever... Just call me Gigantor McFat-heart from now on!

Seriously though... thank you so much for all of your prayers, I have definately discovered how truly blessed I am to have so many people in my life who love and care for me.

A Divine Mooning

2005-09-21T22:12:00.000-04:00

There is a little saying that is shared between myself, Matty J, and Shawn Hunt in which we speak of being "mooned by God". These moonings occur when you are completely amazed or smacked in the face by God. Its his own little way of letting you know that He is still in control and we have little to no say in the matter.

I have had an enormous influx of bills as of late with last months sugery and all and I am having a little trouble trying to conceive a way to pay my bills while I am unable to work from the next surgery to come. Well, God in his great wisdom, saw my distress and chose to remind me that he is still in control. My father called me last night and told me that he is going to pay my rent while I am unable to work. Then, some friends gave me gift cards to the grocery store to use now, so I can save some money for bills to come later. Finally, my manager at work called me and he was able to schedule 6,000 dollars of buisness for me into this week after I left work. This means I can pay my car insurance bill this month!! I am so incredibly blessed and I am in awe as to how God always seems to show up when I am in need.

I gladly consider myself the victim of a Divine mooning from above.

Happy 24th to Me

2005-09-20T08:42:00.000-04:00

Another year of life gone by... another forgotten birthday from my mother. I suppose it is too much to ask to receive a phone call.

At least I have some of the best friends that a guy could ever wish or hope to have, to celebrate with and would never forget. To all of you who are most dear to me... I say thanks.

Overflow of Love

2005-09-18T09:09:00.000-04:00

I feel like I have had the true blessing of experiencing the way in which God designed humanity to be. I have come to a crisis in my life and I have never felt like I am more loved than I do right now. I have received phone calls of encouragement from my church family in Greenville, my school family from Lincoln who are now all over the country, and from my work family here in Rochester. I am so incredibly loved and it has been such a blessing. The greatest blessing of all though has been the response of my actual family. My father, brother, and my twin brother all immediately drove out to see me when they heard about my heart. I am completely blown away by their response to my need. My older brother Thomas, actually said he loved me when they left this morning and it immediately brought me to tears. This may not sound like much to most people, but for me it really is. For this tough, no emotion, military family to show and express such love for me has healed me in so many ways.

The overflowing love that has surrounded me has brought me to wonder why we only experience this in times of crisis. Why does it take a serious medical condition to truly discover how God designed us to love one another. If humanity could follow the example of Christ we could be a community that truly cares for one another and meets eachother's needs on so many levels.

Pray

2005-09-13T20:35:00.000-04:00

As I look back at my life, I feel like there has never been a time in which I have needed prayer more than I do right now. I don't like being the one in need. I do not play that role very well. I would much rather be independent. I am usually the one that is consoling others. I don't like this position that I am in.

Friday I had my yearly routine heart check up becuase I have a silly aortic valve. I have had these tests all of my life and they have always been routine. When I had my last test in 04 everything was reletively fine. My heart was still very leaky but it was really nothing to worry about. Well, I got my results of my test back today and things are not looking quite as well. Since my last test my heart has become severly enlarged and is only working at 60% of what it should be. I basically have the heart functions of a 60 year old man, and I am only 24. More than likely I will be having open heart surgery to have a synthetic valve put in my heart to regulate the size of it. I dont know when it will be until I see my cardiologist in two weeks.

To say that I am terrified would be a gross understatement. I hate that this is something that I cannot control. I hate that I cant handle this on my own, yet I am so incredibly blessed to have people in my life that will lift me up in my time of need. For those of you who read this, I ask for your prayers. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, pray that I can be healthy again, pray that I can pay my bills as I will be off work for some time... just pray.

pray

A New Career Path

2005-09-11T11:31:00.000-04:00

I have decided that I am going to completely change my current career path. I no longer want to be a church planter/retail furniture sales person. Not any more my friends. I am now going to become a singer/song writer.

This new revelation came to me as I was listening to the radio the other day and quickly realized how completely rediculous some of the songs are that are on the radio. How is it that there are people in the world who are making millions of dollars to write such crap.

For example, why is a song that uses such profound lyrics as "what you gonna do with all that junk in the trunk... my hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lump" so freaking popular. Why do I constantly hear people calling in to the local stations requesting this song. Are we all complete idiots that we no longer require any resemblance of substance in our music. I am not even ranting about the fact that the song is not "christian". I honestly could not care less about that. I'm annoyed because the entire song is about her ass, or should I say, her "lovely lady lump" and yet people are still going crazy about it. How can sombody write an entire song about a single body part and have it be so popular. What's wrong with us! The song doesnt even have a great beat to it, so you can't even use that as an excuse as to why you like it. The arguement, "Oh it's good to dance to though, I don't even listen to the lyrics" is completely null and void at this point.

Anyway, with all of that being said. I am clearly in the wrong profession. So now all of you can wait for my much anticipated debut release CD Pointless Drivel. It is a collection of songs in the similiar style as "My Hump", because given today's music scene, I see no need for originality, I simply need to reproduce what is already working. It is an ode to the human body if you will. It will have such earth shattering tracks as "Ankles of desire", "Hairy Bellied Man", "Sexy Spleen" and "Sweet Dimples of Seduction".

I will be a millionaire in no time!

Wheat Thins and Water

2005-09-08T00:43:00.000-04:00

It's a sad day when all I have to snack on in my apartment is a box of wheat thins and a glass of water. My refridgerator is stocked with the following items. Butter, milk, pancake syrup, ranch dressing, ketchup, and really really old maranara sauce.

This my friends is your opportunity. For just 34 cents a day, I too can have three meals a day. I will have ready access to actual meats and cheeses, and even a loaf a bread. For the simple cost of stamp, I could receive sustanance that actually fits within the government suggested food pyramid. Please consider opening your hearts to this undernourished full grown adult who is incapable of preparing a decent meal for himself, let alone properly shop for groceries.

please send your support now. Dont let another day of mediocre snacking go by.

No More Doctors

2005-09-07T00:08:00.000-04:00

I have decided that I do not want to go to the doctor anymore. I dont want to have any more medical tests....ever. They are uncomfortable and oober expensive. I have been poked and prodded far to much as of late, and here I am, having to go again this week. This friday I get to go have my annual echocardiogram done becuase my heart is leaky and slightly enlarged.

Maybe I just shouldnt go. Honestly. I am pretty sure it is ok for me not to. Everyone loves a guy with a big heart.

O lady, she died with grace

2005-09-03T00:14:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have ever had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Verna Fox, you will be greatly saddened to know that she has now passed on. Tis true. Though there is much weeping and mourning over this great loss, we must press on and remember the legacy that she has left us with.

Those of us who knew her best, would describe her as follows. Reliable, sturdy, true, peppy for her age, and comfortable to be around. In her youth she was a little bit of a wild child yet she maintained her tenacity for life even into her advanced years.

Her last few days were filled with much sadness. Her health was failing in many areas. Her legs were not as stable as they once were and her ticker was not very reliable. Despite her ailments, she held her head high even as others mocked her condition and said that she was worth nothing.

Verna will always be remembered as a fine woman of grace and she will be sorely missed by one and all.

Verna Fox, the tan 4-Door Ford Taurus, you will always be #1 in my heart.

Rest In Peace
Verna Fox
1992-2005

Catch up

2005-08-26T12:41:00.000-04:00

Because of my recent surgical removal of random unnecessary organs, which left me unable to work for a week and a half, I am in this very annoying phase of trying to play "catch up". Since my job is 100% commission, I was paid next to nothing for two weeks. So after much scimping, I am trying to figure which bills can be paid this week and which ones I can push off to moments before their due date. It's amazing how God seems to give you just enough to make it.

Oblivion

2005-08-18T20:26:00.000-04:00

Why is it that I seem to have this horrible illness of being completely oblivious to the happenings around me. I somehow have this magic shield around me that keeps me from perceiving most human emotions... Especially those of the female species. How is it that a female can blatently be expressing her emotions to me and somehow it totally goes above my head. It is my curse. Honestly, my cluelessness sometimes astounds. It really is amazing. Oh the burdens that I must bear.

Love/Hate

2005-08-14T15:16:00.000-04:00

I tend to have this love/hate relationship with my job. For the most part it is just the nature of commision retail sales. You tend to love it when you are actually selling stuff. It's those days that you stand around all day and sell nothing, essentially wasting your time and not getting paid for it. Much like yesterday. All of my customers were looking for the most rediculous things... ie: a lamp, a console table that is smaller than 14 inches in depth (they dont exist), or a small stand to put a phone on. Or I had customers that are moving in more than a year from now and just wanted to look to "get ideas of what is out there". All in all, it was a very frustrating day. To top it all off, I had a customer of mine that I had spent several hours with and multiple occasions, come in and tell me that they bought a bedroom set from another one of our stores in town. Where is the loyalty?? Is my time worth nothing??? Here is a word of advice for everyone. If you ever spend several hours with a commission sales person, reward them for their efforts and ask for them whenever you purchase. It's only fair. We dont work for free. And if you do happen to buy from someone else, dont make a point of telling your sales person about it. It just makes them upset. Well, I suppose that I have ranted enough. I need to once again put on my suit and try and make a living. Perhaps my efforts will be rewarded today with people who are actually in the market to buy a real piece of furniture. Will I be so lucky... we shall see.

MRC

A Beginning...

2005-08-12T14:09:00.000-04:00

And thus begins a new way for me to post my thoughts.

***Disclaimer***
I make no promises of any great revelations, ground breaking theories, or what could be considered actual intellectual thoughts. Merely, I promise a myriad of wonderings with multiple grammarical errors, unfounded truths, and wimsical punchlines. Also with this blog comes the responsibilty of treading through my rants about such topics as family, life, responsibility, the body of Christ, and the wide wide world of Raymour and Flanigan.
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With that said... I hope you enjoy.

MRC