I'm lame, I know

Usually I don't like these things, but I figured it couldn't hurt to become one of the crowd.

Basic Info
Do you suffer from migraines?: No
What is your mom's name?: Stephini
What is your dad's name?: Chuck
Are you all or some of your grandparents alive?: Two, but I only speak to one.
What are your pets' names?: Maggie Belle (or MB as we call her).

Have you Ever
Been to a summer camp?: Yes. Learned how to get in trouble.
Been a summer camp leader?: Yes. Learned how to take God's payback.
Held an alligator or crocodile?: Yes. It was three feet long.
Wanted to go to the moon?: Not really. I mean, it's a moon. Big deal. It's a rock.
Been diving in the ocean?: Yes, off the coast of Belize.

Do you
Eat too much junk food?: No. I'm not a junk food eater and I don't usually have a sweet tooth
Go to a weekly religious service?: No. Long story. I don't believe in the meeting. I believe in the daily life of following The Way.
Know how to play darts?: Yes, and I'm not that great at it.
Own a Barbie?: No.
Play with your food?: No, I eat my food.

What is
Your dream wedding?: The one that was two years ago. So I guess my answer is "over."
Your dream proposal?: ditto
Your biggest turnoff?: Ignorance
Your least favorite part-time job?: Furniture mover.
Your favorite snake food?: Rat? Mouse? Muggles?

This/That
Mac/PC: Mac any day, hands down.
Google/Yahoo: Google
BMW/Mustang?: Neither. Truck.
Math/English?: English
Pacific/Atlantic?: Atlantic (you've got NYC and London).

Relationships
Why do you think people cheat?: Boredom.
Did you marry your highschool sweetheart?: No, but I did go to high school with my wife. Never really had a "sweet heart"
Which celebrity couple will last forever?: Jesse James and Sandra Bullock
Which celebrity couple will breakup next?: Paris Hilton and anyone
Who is the last person you wanted to kiss?: Megan.

Finish...
Once upon a time...: "Not at the table, Carlos."
I yell because...: you're not listening, and I deserve your undivided attention.
People who are annoying need ...: "Never take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive."

Firsts
Film you watched alone?: Um, maybe the 1989 Batman.
Craft you made in school?: Didn't make crafts. Got Becky to do them for me.
Time you rode a bike?: Rode many.
Time you broke a bone?: 7th, cracked my growth plate in my ankle in three places and broke my fibula.
Accident you got into?: No lie: After my mom and I sang one Sunday night in church, my high school buddies and I went to Wendy's on HWY 80. I had just placed my order when I got a call: "You're mom's car just caught on fire." Not believing it, I ignored it until I got a call from my mom. "My car's on fire." I raced back to the church and sure enough, her car was on fire. After we got her settled and found a way home for her (I offered to take her home, she said no), I drove back to Wendy's. As I was waiting for the traffic to pass so I could turn out of the turning lane into the parking lot, a small truck plowed into the back of my car. The only thing he asked was, "Your dad's not a lawyer, is he?" Really good, mate. Never mind the fact that he killed my Rodeo, but he had his baby in the back of the tiny extended cab NOT BUCKLED UP. Oh, and he was uninsured. He got off with nothing and didn't even pay for my repairs. There's my accident story. AND I had to eat my cold Wendy's. We were down 2 out of the 3 cars at the Chapman house. (The funny thing was the dude who hit my car went to my uncle's church. Didn't phase him one bit. Stupid uninsured drivers.)

Lasts
Play you went to see?: saw A Christmas Carol
Person you yelled at?: The umpire at a Mets game (well, I wasn't there, but he was. I was watching it on tv).
Person you texted?: Megan.
Song you had in your head?: "The Impression that I Get" by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Time you had surgery?: I'd say about three years ago. Hyperhydrosis

A fitness update

I've been trying to gain a little muscle weight. I know, when most people are trying to lose weight, I'm trying to gain it. I tried to go for the lower weight goal, but the lowest I every reached was around 172. For a guy my height (or rather "short" at 5'8"), the charts say I'm supposed to be around 160. Yeah, I was "around" 160 at the end of my high school career.

But since the beginning of the year, I've cut down a bit on my distance running and cycling and have been focusing more on lifting.

Now, I've never been a lifter. I've never been that kind of guy. Usually I'd rather run five miles and feel that burn rather than try to bench 200+ and feel like I'm about to die. But I've arrived at the part of weight lifting where I really (really) enjoy it.

Wednesday night we worked arms. I think I over did it because a few hours later my neck started hurting. Also, yesterday, I could not move. I felt like a truck had hit me, backed up, hit me again, and then the driver sort of laughed.

But I'm getting there. I'm around 183 right now, and I'd love to add maybe 10 or 15 more pounds (muscle, mind you. I'm sure I could easily gain weight with the help of Betty Crocker).

Now, the fun thing about all of this is the food. In endurance sports, I needed plenty of carbs and calories to get through the run or cycle route. With weight lifting, I'm still supposed to eat a bunch, but mainly low sodium and semi-low carb meals. Basically, I can still eat anything I want, as long as I continue to work out. My number is 3,800 calories a day!!! Trust me, I never eat enough a day.

And that's what I really wanted to mention. I've started eating every three hours. It's funny because I get to eat like a hobbit. I have first breakfast, second breakfast, first lunch, snack, dinner, and snack. But sometimes I have to make myself eat something because usaully I just forget.

Trying to eat like an 8 year old while turning into a 25 year old is harder than it looks or sounds. I could eat anything and everything, never getting full when I was 8. But now, I feel like I'm about to pop every once in a while.

The world isn't the same; you'll never change it.

The past few weeks have brought huge promise and change to my household. Last Wednesday, I turned in my two weeks notice at The Clarion Ledger because I had finally gotten a job as an English teacher. Actually, I had been offered two jobs and had to choose between the two. One was a teaching job (the one I chose) and the other was a position in Mississippi College's Career Services department. Both had promises and "fun" attached with them, but I chose the one that I knew God was leading me towards and the one I've been working for over a year to procure.

Any way, next Thursday is my last day at the CL, and it's bitter-sweet (like every last day at a job). I'm really going to miss the people I work with. I just feel the newspaper business is not a safe place in which to raise a family.

Also, my brilliant wife is shifting work as well. Meg is going to be one of the graduate assistants in the history department at Mississippi College as well as teaching a freshman level history class, Western Civilization. She's on her way to finishing her MA as well as becoming "Professor Chapman." Good job, chicklet.

We had a small break from central Mississippi and went to Perdido Key. We shopped and laid out in the sun, played some volleyball and boogie boarded. But now it's back to reality (sort of).

Phillip is coming home this Sunday to spend a week home before gearing up to head to the University of Memphis. He's excited, and I'm excited for him. I keep saying, "Wow, Phillip. D-1 ball!"

The Friday after my last day (Aug. 31) Meg and I are finally celebrating our anniversary. Nothing like a celebration five weeks after the real date, huh? We're going to New Orleans and staying in what we like to call "our" hotel (The Ambassador Hotel). We're also eating dinner on the Natchez Steamboat on Friday night and taking the Voodoo tour on Saturday night. Going to be fun (and frightening).

But it's back to work for me. August is surely going to bring some big change. I'm starting a new job, Meg's starting a new job, my cousin's wife is having her THIRD baby, my brother's starting at Memphis, and the world is never going to be the same.

"The world isn't the same, you'll never change it." (love that line).

These things are always a great way to waste some time.

Can you fill this out without lying?
- Gonna try

What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
- sip of coffee, Folgers.

Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew?
- nope.

Where was your default picture taken?
- not sure on Blogger, but Facebook, it's at the Ridgeland balloon glow

Last person you rode in a car with, under the age of 20?
- Oh, gosh. Um, Matthew?

Can you play guitar hero?
- yes

Name someone that made you laugh today?
- Megan and MB

How late did you stay up last night and why?
- Close to 11:30. We stayed up talking to some people.

If you could move somewhere else, would you?
- FLORIDA! (that would be a yes)

Ever been kissed under fireworks?
- Probably

Which of your friends lives closest to you?
- Meg dwells on the other side of the bed. Guess that's the closest.

Do you believe ex's can be friends?
- sometimes.

Calling or texting?
- really depends, but mostly text.

When was the last time you cried really hard?
- Can't really remember.

Where is your biological father right now?
- it's raining, so he's either napping or fishing.

Where are you at right now?
- At work.

What bed did you sleep in last night?
- Slept in my bed.

What was the last thing someone bought for you?
- bought a subscription to MLB.TV the other day.

Who took your profile picture?
- Actually, I did.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
- Probably Megan or MB, or both.

Was yesterday better than today?
- Whew, yesterday was a grand day. Today, we'll have to see.

Can you live a day without TV?
- Yes.

Are you mad about anything?
- Nope, just get annoyed sometimes (but I get over it).

Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
- Yes.

Are you a bad influence?
- I try not to be. If I'm comparing myself to Hitler, then, "No"

Night out or night in?
- depends. All I want is a good conversation.

What items could you not go without during the day?
- Blackberry and my watch.

Would you share a drink with a stranger?
- yeah, talk about a great conversation starter!

Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
- Oh. Um. Can't really remember. Maybe . . . . ?

What does the last text message in your inbox say?
- "MarshallRamsey: An hour into my search and only one cartoon idea found. Need to pick up the pace." (twitter update)

How do you feel about your life right now?
- I'm enjoying the ride.

How many times have you been pulled over by the police?
- Three times, and only got a ticket once.

Do you hate anyone?
- nope.

Can you easily tell if someones fake?
- Yeah, have you seen Melissa and Joan Rivers?

Say you were given a drug test right now, Would you pass?
- yes, unless you count "bananas" as a drug.

Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
- daily (ha, right).

What song is stuck in your head?
- "Keep bleeding, keep keep bleeding love"

Someone knocks on your window at 2am, who do you want it to be?
- Publisher's Clearing House.

Wanna have kids before you’re 30?
- yes.

Name something you have to do tomorrow?
- Lift weights, pack for the beach.

Can you whistle?
- yes, loudly.

Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?
- side.

Do you think too much or too little?
- sometimes, too much.

Do you smile a lot?
- I smile often.

Who was your last missed call on your cell phone?
- Terrel.

When is the next time you will see the person you like?:
- When she gets home from work.

Are you happy with your life?:
- yes. it's a fun one.

Can you handle the truth?
- I can, but Tom Cruise can't.

What was the last book you read?:
- In the process of HP and the Goblet of Fire. Last book I finished was So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore. It was a great one.

Do you hate the last guy you had a conversation with?
- no. He's a nice guy.

Is there something you always wear?
- a belt. if the pants have belt loops, wear a belt.

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
- posting to the web (www.rankinledger.com)

Honestly, who was the last person to tell you that they love you?
- Meg when I was leaving for work.

Did you have an exciting last weekend?
- Yes. Went to Memphis with my brother. Ate BBQ in Memphis and catfish in Mississippi.

Have you ever crawled through a window?
- yes, but we're not going there.

Have you ever dyed your hair?
- highlighted it in high school (yep)

Are you wearing a necklace?
- yes.

Are you an emotional person?
- yes.

What's something that can always make you feel better?
- My wife, my dog, my family, stand up comedy, Seinfeld

Will this weekend be a good one?
- yes. beach.

What do you want right now?
- I'd love to get paid to be me.

Have you ever worn the opposite sex's clothing?
- no.

Look behind you, what do you see?
- an elevator

Have you ever worked in a food place?
- yes, McAlister's Deli

What would you name your future daughter?
- I'm not allowed to say the names.

What would you name your future son?
- Can't say those either.

Any summer plans for 2009?
- Beach, did the wedding thing, avoided layoffs.

Whats on your schedule for tomorrow?
- Work, workout, pack, sleep, eat in between them all

Does anyone know your facebook password?
- Yes

What song is playing on your iTunes?
- Will You Return by the Avett Brothers

Celebrating the 4th

This past weekend, we celebrated the 4th of July by eating a ton of food, or rather, I did. I ate so much food on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Believe it or not, I was full! I couldn't eat another bite last night as Megan did the usual - pass her food on to me.

Friday we had the day off of work, so I lounged around and ate some food at my father-in-law's taxidermy shop (3 hamburgers, 2 links of sausage, tons of french fries). That evening, Meg and I took Maggie Belle to Ridgeland to see the balloons and hear Diamond Rio (nothing says America like mid-90's country). As they say at The Cupboard, "A good time was had by all."

Saturday, we went to Yazoo with Meg's family to get on Dan's (brother-in-law) family's boat at Wolf Lake. There, I also ate two hamburgers, potato salad, rice crispy treats, and more. I learned how to wakeboard, and learned that Haley Barbour has a lake house out there (bet we paid for it too).

Sunday, I ate a smoked pork loin and chicken as well as some Mexican food with my parents after a nice patriotic service at Parkway Baptist (we got to hear from a Marine who survived the attack on Iwo Jima - he was 83 years old).

With all the food and fun we had, I didn't look over the best part of the weekend. We got to spend some good quality time with both sides of the family. It was great. Also, it was great to join the entire country in thinking about our troops overseas. Several were home and decked out in their dress uniforms.

Here are a bunch of pictures from our weekend:

Ridgeland Balloon Glow

Maggie Belle does not like her harness. But she did want to drive.

Meg and myself at the balloon glow.

The balloons.

The fat dog and the barefooted boy.

The fat dog and the cute wife.


Wolf Lake

Megan and myself taking in the view.

Riding in the boat. Looking at our governor's house I paid for.

Haley's house.

Dan showing me how to wakeboard. "Sit like a frog."

Sitting like a frog.

Getting up. Took a few tries.

I'm a pro! No, it killed my legs. But it was so much fun.

Dan telling me to move side to side.

Me, busting.

Meg at her attempt. "sit like a frog."

Meg getting up.

Meg falling down.

Opting for a safer ride.

My wife and her husband.

Dennis (Dan's dad) tried to kill us.

And who would've thought Megan would be the survivor. So wrong.

Freedom found in a painter's wife and a good buddy.

The name of the blog, "From this Vantage Point."

The idea: "To try to find a new way of seeing things."

The application: "Allows me to realize that my way of seeing things is not the only way, and recognizing the other views does not necessarily mean I agree or believe in those ways, but it allows me to broaden my mind, become more accepting of others, and questioning what I know as truth."

I just read a column from a well known lady around my home town who calls herself a "self proclaimed hippie." She talked about how when she was young, she wanted to be a rich, famous actor. She wanted the buzz. But through out her life, the experiences she's had has made her realize she's the person that is made up of the events of her life.

I can tell you, she possesses nothing near pretentiousness. No, far FAR from it. If you look at her from a "normal" point of view (and what the heck is normal?) you might consider her a bit strange. But she's got freedom. She's still got dreams that will most likely never come to be, but she lives with freedom.

I've got a good friend from high school who lives with freedom as well. Remember in high school if you were type-1 you couldn't be type-2? If you were a "dumb football player" you were not allowed to be a chemistry whiz. My friend from high school was your typical "indie" kid, dressing like a soft spoken rock star, but he was part of the show choir (something the indie-kids just didn't do), he moved onto Mississippi College and became student body president, and is going to move on in the direction he feels best for his life.

He even had the strength and maturity to realize that his relationship with God is strong and that "church camp" just wasn't for him. You could've been John the Baptist and if you didn't show up to "church camp" you were going to hell! Not my friend. No, he's transparent. True.

I posted a Facebook status one time that I wanted to live in the freedom that the middle-aged white women who dance like morons on the Ellen Show have. I want to dance at unknown bands' concerts. I want to relish in the morning sun of a Sunday morning. I want to find the beauty in the coolness of cold, cold fruit. I want to live in freedom.

Does that mean I'll be a rogue or an odd duck? That's the beauty of it! It doesn't matter.