Finally, the day has arrived.
Our local university once again has football on its list of sports that fields a team.
Twenty-one years. Wow. A freaking lifetime it seems.
What has changed in your life in the past 21 years? Family, work, bought a new vehicle, discovered a new love or hobby?
The buzz that has been created with the bringing back of collegiate football to our local higher education campus is running rampant like a California wildfire.
Big Red mania is touching just about everyone and everything. Thinking back to the last college game I attended, I remember sitting close to the band in the sun soaked bleachers on the east side. The year, was probably circa 1974-75.
Tonight marks Lamar University's first home game in 21 years.
My oldest brother originally attended Lamar when it was known as Lamar Tech. Way back in the day. I remember him making it as a cheerleader for Lamar.
Now that I think about it, he had a pretty good thing going on...considering the benefits of jumping up and down with the female version of a college cheerleader....
The game is sold out. Standing room only. All the parking lots in close proximity to the stadium are sealed up with tail-gaters and LU supporters.
The stadium has been re-furbished...top to bottom. New field house. Newly designed Big Red mascot, snazzy new uniforms, the marching band is back, local football players with a chance to perform at the college level in front of hometown fans.
I bought season tickets. Got plans to take in as much of the festivities as I can and still find my seat. Weather looks good, I'll have my red on and watch from my second level vantage point.
Let's Go Big Red.
The only down side to today... my son has been smitten with the hormone bug. Seems he has opted for a 'party' of a school mate that happens to be celebrating the magical Sweet Sixteen tonight.
Once again, the mystery of the female lure to a growing young man has surfaced. He and his mother even went as far to purchase the 'perfect' shirt for this gala event.
I completely understand.
I succumbed to the lure almost 30 years ago myself; but I DO have the 3 seats ALL to myself, to spread out on to enjoy the first home game tonight.
Support your local sporting venues...and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
Go Big Red.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9-11
9-11
Remember that day!
I am not asking you IF you remember the morning, it's more of a reminder to you to simply not ever forget that day.
Our lives, our nation was changed in an instant. Our security had been threatened and yet, our American neighbors, our American family became closer on that day.
All barriers became non-existent at that moment and continued for a short while. Barriers of our own making.
Economic.
Religion.
Race.
Ethnic.
Politics.
People lined up together in donor lines for giving of their blood.
People had a new found patriotism and joined our military.
People prayed to God.
And as history tells us, the American society has come together and are rebuilding their lives. Rebuilding our nation in particular, at Ground Zero there in New York. It looks to be a tribute to America and our stamina and intestinal fortitude.
Remember 9-11 as you wish.
It's a freedom you can enjoy. Say a prayer, remember the moment you heard the news, the way you felt, something you heard someone say that has burned into your memory.
Remember 9-11
Remember that day!
I am not asking you IF you remember the morning, it's more of a reminder to you to simply not ever forget that day.
Our lives, our nation was changed in an instant. Our security had been threatened and yet, our American neighbors, our American family became closer on that day.
All barriers became non-existent at that moment and continued for a short while. Barriers of our own making.
Economic.
Religion.
Race.
Ethnic.
Politics.
People lined up together in donor lines for giving of their blood.
People had a new found patriotism and joined our military.
People prayed to God.
And as history tells us, the American society has come together and are rebuilding their lives. Rebuilding our nation in particular, at Ground Zero there in New York. It looks to be a tribute to America and our stamina and intestinal fortitude.
Remember 9-11 as you wish.
It's a freedom you can enjoy. Say a prayer, remember the moment you heard the news, the way you felt, something you heard someone say that has burned into your memory.
Remember 9-11
Monday, September 6, 2010
Counting it a Blessing
Call it what you want, I will call it a blessing.
One of many divine interventions I have received that has provided for my family over the course of my married life and career.
A recent offer from another business unit at the plant site that I have worked at for the last 20 plus years will allow me the opportunity to finish my career with the same company.
A blessing from God to me and my family. Plain and simple.
It really has been a tumultuous ride since the announcement of the decision to 'exit' the business last year.
Some of the men I worked with, managed to find positions with a 'sister' plant in a neighboring county, while others secured new employment with a new employer and refinery. Only a couple actually will take retirement after the wrecking ball finishes its job of dismantlement.
All the while, I was thinking of taking the severance package and going on to quite possibly another field altogether. I have two good friends who are in real estate and I tossed the idea around to get into that field.
Or even going back to my roots of working in the electrical construction industry... but the more I watched my friends drift away to their jobs, I began to wonder and allow that emotion of doubt to filter in.
What if...
What about...
How will you manage that...
The rumor mill had it that the last standing business unit at the Beaumont Works site would be needing specific skill based individuals by years end.
Did you see the second word in that sentence above....'rumor'.
Finally one day, in an informational meeting I was in, the announcement was shared that the other business unit would in deed want to talk to any employees of specific skill sets (electricians, maintenance mechanics, & operators) for consideration in furthering their careers.
Furthering my career....all I need is another 4-1/2 years to finish to reach the magic number to get the 100% of retirement.
As it was, the other business unit had an immediate opening of... count 'em.. 1 electrician...and it just so happened that I was the last standing electrician that was in need of a position after the wrecking ball finished wrecking my existing unit.
Sounds simple right? Still the interview process and the nerves and stress until you finally get the official offer. This took a total of about 2 months..maybe less.
Any one of the guys that I mentioned earlier would of loved to have the opportunity to take that position, but they had to respond to what was in front of them at the time.
Divine intervention..? That's my take on it.
When I look back and see all of the times that God has put things together to provide for me and my family. I simply sit in awe of His power and His grace.
Reckon I am just a work in progress with Him...or maybe it's someone I've yet to meet and be a part of their life or for them to influence my life someway.
Thank you God for all that You have done for me. For getting my attention without the flaming bush or the parting of lake Sam Rayburn like you did the Red Sea a few years back.
Thanks for putting up with me and my weak attempts at being a child of yours. I will try to do better, but, You know that don't you....yeah, You know everything.
Not only do You know our needs, you know them before we do...
One of many divine interventions I have received that has provided for my family over the course of my married life and career.
A recent offer from another business unit at the plant site that I have worked at for the last 20 plus years will allow me the opportunity to finish my career with the same company.
A blessing from God to me and my family. Plain and simple.
It really has been a tumultuous ride since the announcement of the decision to 'exit' the business last year.
Some of the men I worked with, managed to find positions with a 'sister' plant in a neighboring county, while others secured new employment with a new employer and refinery. Only a couple actually will take retirement after the wrecking ball finishes its job of dismantlement.
All the while, I was thinking of taking the severance package and going on to quite possibly another field altogether. I have two good friends who are in real estate and I tossed the idea around to get into that field.
Or even going back to my roots of working in the electrical construction industry... but the more I watched my friends drift away to their jobs, I began to wonder and allow that emotion of doubt to filter in.
What if...
What about...
How will you manage that...
The rumor mill had it that the last standing business unit at the Beaumont Works site would be needing specific skill based individuals by years end.
Did you see the second word in that sentence above....'rumor'.
Finally one day, in an informational meeting I was in, the announcement was shared that the other business unit would in deed want to talk to any employees of specific skill sets (electricians, maintenance mechanics, & operators) for consideration in furthering their careers.
Furthering my career....all I need is another 4-1/2 years to finish to reach the magic number to get the 100% of retirement.
As it was, the other business unit had an immediate opening of... count 'em.. 1 electrician...and it just so happened that I was the last standing electrician that was in need of a position after the wrecking ball finished wrecking my existing unit.
Sounds simple right? Still the interview process and the nerves and stress until you finally get the official offer. This took a total of about 2 months..maybe less.
Any one of the guys that I mentioned earlier would of loved to have the opportunity to take that position, but they had to respond to what was in front of them at the time.
Divine intervention..? That's my take on it.
When I look back and see all of the times that God has put things together to provide for me and my family. I simply sit in awe of His power and His grace.
Reckon I am just a work in progress with Him...or maybe it's someone I've yet to meet and be a part of their life or for them to influence my life someway.
Thank you God for all that You have done for me. For getting my attention without the flaming bush or the parting of lake Sam Rayburn like you did the Red Sea a few years back.
Thanks for putting up with me and my weak attempts at being a child of yours. I will try to do better, but, You know that don't you....yeah, You know everything.
Not only do You know our needs, you know them before we do...
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