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| I have returned from Thanksgiving vacation and am finally getting back into the swing of things...well, if my swing was swinging that is...I'll get into that later.
I had a great time at the beach; went to a lot of good restaurants, watched 2 seasons of The Office, caught up on a lot of movies...The Happening (btw Bill and Betsy, Mark Walberg is EXACTLY like Samberg's impression in that movie) Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Silverado, Dan in Real Life, Four Christmas', Quantum of Solace, and a few others I can't remember. It was a week dedicated to being lazy and gross. I even went an entire day without taking a shower, I can't remember the last time that happened. The only sour spot was that I got a 24 hour flu bug ON Thanksgiving day. I was awake for maybe 8 hours all day and only to make a couple trips to the bathroom, sip some NyQuil, and return to bed. I did however manage to wake up around supper time, only to hear my family in the living room...laughing, drinking champagne, eating great food...did I mention I didn't eat one thing all day, other than the NyQuil of course. Oh well, ya live and learn...I guess...
Well on to the real reason for me writing this post...Yours truly is officially unemployed. For those of you who don't know, I was planning on running a family business, and Ice Cream shop to be exact. I was hired as the manager by one of the owners, my father, so I turned in my notice to the coffee shop. On my last day of work at the coffee shop I received a voicemail from my father telling me that I was fired. Now it's a long story, one that is too long to type and one that might give of the wrong impressions unless explained thoroughly. In fact, saying that I was fired from the family business is probably too harsh. I think, "promised a job and then un-promised that job from the family business" is a better way to put it.
Needless to say, my un-promised-ing of the job has raised tension levels in the family. I moved back in with my parents because the Ice Cream shop is only a few minutes from their house, and now the last place I want to be staying is under their roof. I had a lot of time to think about my situation when I was at the beach, yet I did not really come to any conclusions. Only the fact that I wish it were the Spring, I wish I was in Cleveland, and I wish I was out of this situation.
I'm trying to look on the bright side of all of this. Coming from a counselors point of view, I have the upper hand on my parents. If I do anything they disapprove of I can always use this situation as leverage. On a more healthy note, I also have tons of free time. I finished framing some photographs of mine that I will be selling at the Coffee shop. I will display them through the month of December and try to get some money out of it too. I mean, I doubt I would have ever taken those steps had I still had my regular job schedule. I also am looking forward to getting back to writing. It has been scarce ever since I moved out last year and I would love to finish my novel before I left for Ohio. I wish I could just write and sell photography, but right now I don't see that paying the bills, especially with the goals I'm trying to reach.
I bet a lot of that sounded like my inner monologue speaking; probably because it was. But I just needed to get some things out of my head.
Thanks for listening,
Love to all.
J | | |
| Ohio, duh.
Due to my zealous state pride in Virginia, most of you don't know that I was born in Columbus Ohio. My dad was a pilot and the company he flew for was bought out, so we moved to Virginia only a couple years after I was born. I bore you with this nugget for the sole purpose of informing you that I, Jacob Weston Mapstone Esquire the III, shall be returning from whence I came!
Okay, so not Columbus...Cleveland rather. (See photo above) Yeah, I have been accepted to do an internship with Ambassadors In Sports. A mission organization that uses Futbol (soccer) as the language, or as the cultural bridge so to speak.
As soon as I raise my intended budget amount I will move to Cleveland, work and train there until their Summer programs start, complete their Summer programs, then be stationed in either England or South Africa.
I know this is a lot to take in right now, it hasn't even sunk in for me yet. I mean, by this time next year I could be a permanent resident of Manchester England!??! whaaaaa...?
Although this might seem like a drastic step. In fact, there will be a lot of people trying to talk me out of it. But I can assure you, I have never felt more prepared for something, nor have I been so excited about anything. I'm about to start a new phase of my life and I can not wait!
I will be starting to raise support soon so I figured I'm going to get another blog just for updates. I will put it on here soon so you all can read how all this came to be, what all I'm going to be doing, updates, etc.
I ask you to please keep this in your prayers. I haven't mentioned one ounce of this to my family and the idea of raising support makes me cringe...so I need your help friends. Thanks a lot, and God bless.
J | | |
| I was reading a friend's blog that made me very sentimental and emotional (more so than usual). It was two of our other friends having a child...and it's not that I want to have kids, or have someone to share something like that with that made me emotional; But it was something he said about entering new phases. Stealing his idea to add my own details...
"Everything is about to change. Over the past year I have watched my best friends fall in love, commit to it, and work to keep it. And I now watch them begin families of little us's. I've watched them learn how the real world operates and then stand up and tell the real world that it's got nothing on the power that is behind them. I've seen best friends loose their faith, not their salvation, but their faith. I've watched as people around me, even in the next room, give their lives away to what the world has to offer; and I've seen people around me realize there has to be something more than what the world offers. I have been on the very edge of disastrous, pagan living (which, for some people, coming from me, means I've already have fallen off) but I have also felt closer to God than I ever have before."
I tell you all of this because, everything is about to change. As of next week I'm moving out of Trash (that's the name of our house...long story). Now, I'm sure most of you are thinking that it's not that big of a deal...but believe me, I'm not just moving out of a neat house that I lived in with some friends. I'm moving out of a phase of my life.
I'm terribly excited about this new phase, don't get me wrong. But when I read my friend's blog, looking back on our old phases, I missed them so much. I know I will miss this most recent phase as well, no matter how crazy it was.
Also, I read this article in the news paper today as I was opening the coffee shop. It really put into words what I have been thinking and my actions towards the next phase of life. Sooo, here...
Why Can't Summer Last All Year Long? by C.C. McCotter
Here in Louisa County the kids go back to school early - Aug. 11. Sure they are out before Memorial Day, but heading back to school three weeks before your buddies in surrounding counties is tough.
Goin back to school is especially tough for little boys. They've had all summer to swim in the lake at Mimi and Poppy's, fish, sleep out in the tree fort, play video games, watch Star Wars 15 times and generally do what little boys do. My 6-year-old son, Mitch, is no different.
While the first week back in class was Ok, the excitement has worn off and he's now busy devising new ways to convince us he doesn't need to attend first grade.
On Monday his stomach hurt. On Tuesday he asked us to take his temperature three times. On Wednesday he finally admitted, through tears, that it's a long day in school
"Hey," I told him, "I know what you mean. I didn't want to go back to school either after a fun Summer."
"Really, Dad?"
"Yes, son. It's Ok to wish Summer wouldn't end. But we all have responsibilities and yours is to go to school and learn."
He thought about that and then said, "You and Mom's responsibility is to work, right?"
"Yep."
I then asked him if there wasn't some parts of the school day that were fun....perhaps recess and lunch?
"Yes, those are a little fun," He admitted.
That's how it went and he went to school this morning, Thursday, with some tears again. I tried to cheer him up with a scooter race around the driveway before he left. He doesn't fall for the old "get your mind off of it" trick much anymore.
As I worked today I thought about his school day. When I heard the bus rumble down the street, his mother and me and our two dogs were in the driveway waiting for him and his big sister.
he climbed down the bus stairs and there he was looking tired in his blue shirt, navy shorts, and back-to-school shoes.
I asked him how it went.
"Pretty good."
"Did you have any fun at recess?"
"Yes, we played football," he said and then went on to describe the time he spent with his other little boy buddies.
At the end of the description I said, "Now, that wasn't so bad of a day was it?"
Mitch considered my question and responded with, "I sure wish Summer would last all year long."
As I write this he's inside doing his homework so he can play with the dogs and then enjoy a little family cookout. He's got two more days left in the week, and then he's back to Summer fun for the weekend.
You know what dad's wish for? They wish Summers with their little boys would last forever.
Try and enjoy your school days friends. I have to go do some homework so I can enjoy a family cookout and play with the dogs. Cheers | | |
| I just need to stop apologizing for the length in between my updates. It's getting to be habit and I'm tired of saying sorry. Here's just some reporting for those of you that want to know what I'm doing with my life.
Work - Still same ol same ol. Everyday I get by and everyday I'm wanting something else. The 2-3 weeks before camp I was working 80 hours a week. No bueno. But here's a little spec of light that encouraged me. A few weeks ago I met my dad at this storage unit complex to measure an office. This guy was going to turn the current office space into more units. I beat my dad there, so I just waited in the car for him. Once he arrived he introduced me to the secretary that was working and told her what I'd be doing, then he left. After a few minutes of measuring the Secretary says to me...
"Well, since I know now that you're a nice guy I wanted to tell you...when you first pulled up I thought you were hear to rob me. I tried to get your license plate number and report you but I couldn't see it...so I just hid everything."
She then walked over to a locked filing cabinet, unlocked it and pulled out her purse. She then made her way over to a drawer to another desk, moved a bunch of files and pulled out a cell phone. And to cap it off, she walked up to a potted plant, sitting on a desk in the corner and picked up a set of keys from around a few leaves. Not only did she think I was suspicious looking, she had it set in her mind that I was there for one reason only; and in the few minutes I was sitting outside, she rushed around and strategically hid her valuables.....
Aaahhh, Yuup. Still got it.
Social life - N/A
Future - I'm still waiting to hear back on my application to AIS for a playing tour. I haven't been excited about something in a long time. I really hope all this goes through.
Girls - psssh, don't even go there. I mean, I'd like one that didn't make me feel like a jerk and I actually got a long with....but we all know that ain't happen'n. Move'n on....
Music - It's the Summer, soooo that means The Zombies. I've also been grovin to some Hollies and King Kahn. It's golden.
Welp, my lunch break is over and I hit a writer's block. Sorry there isn't anything else, I'll try to be better....but don't expect much.
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| Spoiler alert....this is mainly just an update so those of you who read will see that I'm not dead....I'm not dead....
Since our last meeting much has happened...
I was the best man in a incredibly fun wedding. I was surrounded with some of my best friends for 3 days, In an amazing city, celebrating the best thing we've got on this planet....money!...I mean, love...
Anyway, I had a great time...if you see the pix from that weekend you'll understand.
Also your man bought his first Motorcycle. Yes, I've talked for years about how I'm going to get one but I finally did. I found, wheel and deal'd with the owner, paid in cash with my own money, drove to Pennsylvania to pick it up, and now....well, now I'm trying to get it to start...
But it was a huge milestone on my path to being a man. Go ahead guys, buy your macbooks, and your Ipod phones, your blackberries, 360's and Wii's, your fancy pants digital cameras...you can keep em. I got my ass a 71 Honda.
(p.s. I wonder which one of us will have trouble picking up the ladies now...?)
Speaking of which...I got suckered in to going on a date with someone I do not like spending time with. I don't know whether it's the fact that she's asked out 4 of my other friends before me...or the fact that i've been avoiding her socially for years...or maybe even the fact that she called her cousin slash my old boss to ask whether she should ask me out and they left the decision up to a Magic 8 ball.....I can't really put my finger on it...but something feels like this will have a zero percent success rate.
I've batted some ideas around for what we will do...something that will show her that I'm a loser and not worth the effort, thus freeing me from the inevitable "I'm not interested and here's why" talk. I was trying to figure out some way to fake being a closet alcoholic, or that I have a few kids by different mothers, or my more honorable character of attempting to run for a position in the Clergy....
But I think I'll take her to a movie...that way we can spend a lot of time in silence and I'll get to see another movie out of my "date" budget and wont have to tap into my "entertainment" budget.
What can I say...this is an art, and I....I am an artist.
Well thats it for now. I'm going home early to work on the bike. I think I have it figured out and should be on the road soon. Cheers. | | |
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