So, as I sit here in my easy chair in The Cabana, new big screen playing one of my favorite movies of all time, the time has passed, that time being 815p. I'm now officially 35 years old, officially in my mid-thirties. The years have been good to me, I'm blessed beyond any form of measure, from my upbringing, to my mother taking care of me, to my grandparents adopting me and giving me all that I needed (and a few things I wanted)
So here's my rundown, year by year, of some things I'm blessed with and happy for in all my 35 years.
1975
My mother giving birth. And keeping me. That's awesome.
1976
The year that Stephanie was born. Yeah, I could go with her later on, since I won't meet her for another 25 years, but I'm pretty happy for 1976.
1977
Star Wars is released. What a great film, what a great
1978
"Garfield" makes it debut. Who doesn't love Garfield?
1979
The Muppet Movie. The Muppet Show. And my affinity for the Muppets begins.
1980
The Empire Strikes Back, one of the greatest films of all time, and one of my first real movie-going experiences.
1981
Adoption is a great, great thing.
1982
"A Dog Called Kitty" by Bill Wallace. Released in 1980, this was my favorite book as a child.
1983
Scarecrow & Mrs. King. Man, I loved this show.
1984
Samson, baby! From Austin, Texas, to what would become my own little home town....
1985
Chris McCall, my first real Samson friend at Samson Elementary School.
1986
Tonya Windham. Had to mention her.
Greg Avant. Completing my Triad of BFFs in Samson, Greg and I go waaay back. I saw a ton of really crappy movies with him, riding in this little LTD Ford that, were you to wash it and remove the clay and dirt, would leave nothing but two seats and a steering wheel.
1988
Rush Limbaugh hits the airwaves as a nationally syndicated radio program. And good thing too, because not only was Clinton around the corner, but He Who Must Not Be Re-Elected was down the pike.
1989
Hollywood Studios! Yay! Even though it was 18 more years before I could visit, at least it was open!
1990
Discovered the Interweb, sitting at Greg Avant's house. He had this thing on his little black screened, orange lettered computer called "Prodigy". We looked up movie reviews. It tapped into his phone line. Completely weird. We were on it for like, five hours. And I'm sure the phone bill that month at the Avant house was larger than normal.
1991
What a year for movies! "Silence of the Lambs"... "New Jack City"... "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"... "The Last Boy Scout"... "T2: Judgement Day"... "Beauty & the Beast"... "Boyz in the Hood"... "Dead Again"... and I'm sure I saw a bunch of them with Greg at some point.
1992
"I'd Die Without You" by PM Dawn is released, off of one of my favorite random album, the soundtrack to the movie "Boomerang". This would be my favorite song for the next 16 years, only to be slightly replaced by "Possession" from Sarah McLachlan.
1993
Troy State University! Go Trojans!
1994
Wookiee. Wookiee. Wookiee.
1995
A few days into the year, I met up with Reggie McAllister at a Farmhouse Fraternity Party. And there, the seed was planted... and a few hours later, in my bedroom at 3am, I accepted Christ as my own Savior. And the road has been awesome.
1996
The BCM. And this is where I would meet some of the most important people in my life, like Jenn Mullturp, Shelby, Troy Mac, Rad a Tad, Hinson and more.
1997
Farmhouse Fraternity. Never been a Greek kind of guy, but I did love the social aspect and brotherhood in my frat.
1998
Birmingham! I just figured out, like, just now, that I have lived in Birmingham, AL, longer than I have lived anywhere else in my entire life. Seriously... Orlando for two or three years, Austin for about five or six, Samson for nine, Troy for five
1999
Valleydale BAPTIST Church. It has always been an sbc fellowship, however.
2000
The Deuce is founded. Life changing experience.
2001
Common Ground. It was a church ministry for those in-betweeners who had just left college and really had nowhere to go, and for those in college. I guess "College & Career" would be more like it, but "Common Ground" sounded better.
2002
WalkAbout. The drama team of middle schoolers that have enhanced my life in every possible way.
2003
Starbucks. I loved my job then, I love it now.
2004
Married my life partner, soul mate, best friend.
2005
My iPod. Has revolutionized how I listen to music, and finally introduced me to podcasts.
2006
This site. Now, I know it started in 2005, but it really got going this year.
2007
Dave Ramsey. What can I say? His plan is difficult. But it works. We're proof.
2008
Disney. I loved that job. I miss it.
2009
Steven & Calah Ray. We love these guys, always good for dinner at Mellow Mushroom.
2010
MZ. My manager and very, very dear friend, and I count it a blessing and honor to have her as both.
This is by no means a comprehensive list... there were a dozen things or more in some years I could have listed. So, there are 35 things for 35 years, random things I like, love, count as blessings and favorites.
I'll leave you with this... the video for Toby Keith's "Ain't As Good As I Once Was"...
I used to be Hell on wheels... back when I was younger man, now my body says 'You can't do this boy', but my pride says 'Oh, yes you can.' I ain't as good as I once was, that's just the cold hard truth. I still throw a few back, talk a little smack when I'm feeling bullet proof. So don't double dog dare me now, 'cause I'd have to call your bluff. I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was.
Maybe not be good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was...
Love you, D$. I loved "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" as well. I was just talking about that show with Jason last night.
ReplyDelete1994 was a good year for me as well brother.
ReplyDelete