Friday Freestyle the Ninth

Yo here we go again
Was a big week in the sports world
So wit that said it's time to recap
And do some freestylin' too

Shaq did RAW this week
And I dug every second
But it coulda been better
Ah well, at least he did awesome

Then came the trade deadline
And a lot of moves were made
Digging Rolen to the Reds
Peavy to the Sox is good too

Smackdown was awesome tonight
Hardy and Morrison tore it down
Punk versus Hardy next week
That heel turn was awesome

So, we're done here for this week
And next week looks busy
But we'll hit ya in 7 days
Til then, stay cool y'all

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Added Something to the Right Side

EDIT/UPDATE 4:15 AM Sunday 8/2: Like at Tri-State Media Watch, this has turned out to be the kind of item that I needed to update.

I hate to ask a lot - but both these efforts are VERY important to me personally. And no, I didn't schedule these - they just fall one week apart...LOL...

With that said, there's now a link to the 2009 Spina Bifida Association Walk & Roll homepage of yours truly. That walk is held September 26 in Harrison, Ohio at Miami Whitewater Forest.

If you're nearby, and would like to participate in either event - I'd love that, even if you yourself cannot donate. Our team goal for the 2009 walk is $1,000 - and it's easily attainable and even surpassable if the effort is put in. We won't stop - if we meet the current goal, we'll just set a new one!

Again - as with the below, click the picture labeled "2009 Walk and Roll for Spina Bifida". This link will be active later than the below by 1 week.

The original post is below...
_____________________________________

I have added something to the right side of my page as you may have noticed.

From now until September 19, I have posted a link on the far right side of this space, at the very top. This link will take you to a donation page for the 2009 Walk To Cure Diabetes in Newport, Kentucky - specifically, my donation page.

I will be part of Lindsay Lou's Walking Crew at the walk that day. My personal goal is $100 but I'd LOVE to blow that out of the water.

So, if you're so inclined, click the picture to the right and donate! Myself, Lindsay, and the rest of our team would definitely appreciate it!

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Not a lot to say lately.

First, I'd like to thank those who have been in prayer for me in the last few days, as I've struggled once again with the syncopal episodes that I've had, off and on, for nearly 8 months.

I did have another dizzy spell late Tuesday evening, prompting me to make a somewhat early exit from my church event. The after-effects are still somewhat noticeable this morning - and consequently I don't think I will be going anywhere today.

About the upcoming week: An "I Like...Because..." post will be coming up either today or tomorrow...Friday Freestyle as always on Friday...I'm going to attempt to get back to Thursday 13 this week...and maybe another post or two...

Courage + Belief = LIFE

My Stepdad's Birthday Today

Above: My stepfather, Stephen Herald, on a cruise in 2004.

Today is my stepfather, Stephen Herald's 45th birthday. He was born July 25th, 1964. I managed to run out on Wednesday and get him the Ghostbusters game I knew he wanted...and gave it to him just a bit ago. He was very happy about it... so now, I wait to see what everyone ELSE did. We're getting ready to go out to eat so I can't stay and talk... be back later...

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle the Eighth

Here we go again

Another weekly freestyle for y'all

We don't need to do memorial this week

For once, that I'm happy bout

Just watched the WWE

And saw a decent show

I just hope this weekend's big pay-per-view

Is better than what TNA put on

Saturday gonna be real good

I celebrate my stepdad's b-day

I just hope the rain holds off

Because who wants a wet party?

Alright y'all we're about done here

We'll be back next week

Til then, courage plus belief equals life

And I love y'all for real

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Needing More Prayer Again

I am once again dealing with the syncopal episodes that hit me for the first time in December, 2008.

Tonight I had a dizzy spell of about 5 minutes duration at Florence Mall around 7 PM, which, if I hadn't moved quickly to hang onto something sturdy, I would have certainly collapsed. I made it home, but I honestly haven't a clue how. I'm also having issues stumbling over my own words - I couldn't form the words in a couple of cases to talk to my family or friends.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers in the coming few days, as I will need to watch it closely.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Spending Time In The Pokey

The above is another way to say "I spent time at the local detention facility".

And no, I was NOT the one in trouble.

I had to go to Kenton County Detention Center twice in the past week. Both times it was for my sister's fiancee.

I won't state his name on the blog (those who know, know who they are) but I will tell you that most of the offenses he was charged with last week were just minor traffic things. However in one situation he was charged with non-support, meaning not paying child support. Consequently there are further proceedings going on in that case.

When I went on Saturday, it was so my sister could see him for the first time in six days. Tonight, it was to get him out.

And let me just say this: Both trips have solidified my dislike of that particular part of our justice system.

Not that these people aren't getting what they had coming. They are.

My dislike stems purely from the facts that a) in the visitation room, there was only a sheet of bulletproof glass separating me and these inmates and b) It just felt like a place I didn't want to be.

I could only stand being in there for 10 minutes at most - and then I split.

Tonight wasn't quite as bad...but I still didn't want to be there, and for that reason I was glad when we split out of there after 90 seconds.

So, in summary: If you can avoid the local hoosegow...do it. Seriously. It ain't a good place...

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle the Seventh

We're back yet again tonight

And we're gonna be freestylin'

But first I gotta pay tribute

To a man, a myth and a legend

Walter Crokite just died tonight

He's a newsman and most trusted

We as a nation loved his style

And the way he told it "the way it is"

The week was really good otherwise

Didn't have to worry about much

Next week looks crazy for me

But ya know, that's how I like it

So with that written, I'm gonna end this

It's been fun, but y'all, I'm outta words

And I'm gonna catch you next week

With another big time freestyle

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Thursday 13: 13 Favorite TV Channels

For my second Thursday Thirteen, I decided to pick my 13 favorite TV channels to watch!

1) WLWT-TV: Their chief meteorologist Derek Beasley is a good man, and a really good forecaster as well. They wouldn't do a "Derek Said it Would" campaign if he wasn't.

2) WKRC-TV: My favorite local TV station for all things news.

3) WXIX-TV: Shows such as "The Simpsons" headline my viewing here.

4) Discovery: Mythbusters AND Pitchmen! Nuff said!

5) A&E: Dog, Exterminators, and First 48. There ya are.

6) WSTR-TV: Mainly due to my love of WWE. I watch a couple other shows occasionally as well.

7) USA: Again, WWE. Nuff said.

8) Weather Channel: A few things about this channel that I like. It was one of the first stations I started watching when I began watching TV.

9) Nickelodeon: I have been a fan of different shows on that station.

10) Cartoon Network: I have begun watching "Destroy Build Destroy". Fun show! If I were young enough, I'd compete there!

11) TrueTV: I like "Hot Pursuit" among others.

12) TNT: Occasionally, a movie I like will come on. When it does - I watch.

13) Food Network: Yep - I'm a foodie! LOL...I do like to watch some things here.

There ya are!

Courage + Belief = LIFE

I Like Natalie Simpson Because...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: After some time with no "I Like...Because..." posts - they're returning, and with a vengeance! Expect 3 in the next week and a half. Today: Natalie Simpson.

Like many of my Facebook friends, Natalie and I met in 2000 when I became a member of Florence Baptist Church. Natalie actually finished high school at that time, being a senior at the time we met.

As time went on, I initially only saw Natalie on Sundays. That was pretty much the first four years of our friendship. When I moved into the college/singles ministry in 2004, and started going to Northern Kentucky University, Natalie was there. (We're still in the singles/college ministry to this day.)

As the time passed, Natalie and I talked about a lot of things. We discussed life. We discussed our relationships with God. In some cases, we discussed our respective relationships with the opposite sex. I knew I could look up to this young lady to show me how to live. Heck, we even discussed politics at times! Specifically, when Natalie wrote a post about Obama's election back in November, and then I wrote my own post, we both agreed on our reasons for voting the way we did (both of us voted for now-President Obama).

Natalie, like everybody else on my list, is a sweetheart of a friend. She'll tell you what she thinks of things, and doesn't hold back. She'll make you laugh when you need it.

Natalie also cares a LOT about her family. When her dad was fighting cancer...she made it a point to do her best to help him, and keep us informed of what happened, all the way until his passing in June of 2008. Sadly, the cancer wasn't treatable - but her spirit was unbelievable through it all. This gives me hope that I can handle any future deaths in my family that same way.

She is also a loving girlfriend to a man named Chad...and of course a sister to all of us who know Christ the way she does.

As always - if you know Natalie, drop her a note and let her know you appreciate her friendship.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Random Verse About Burning Torches And Other Things

So I'm back again

With a Tuesday Freebie

Let's see the stuff

That hits my brain

Went to a fellowship earlier tonite

And had a good time with friends

But how those four torches did ignite
It still boggles our mixed up minds

Working late days on blogs

Isn't really a bad thing to do

It just doesn't help ya when

You've got other places ya gotta be

We have been lucky this week so far

Not to be rained on or hit by storms

But all good things come to an end

Later today's supposed to be wet

I think I emptied my brain for now

But y'all know this ain't the last freestyle

Get back here on Friday and you'll see

The normal weekly stylings of your local blogger man

Courage + Belief = LIFE

How Can You Burn a Tiki Torch to the Ground?

We found out that under certain conditions, a tiki torch will not only burn as it's intended to...but will burn to the ground.

Here's what happened: I went, as normally scheduled, to The Hub college/singles fellowship at my church. We cooked out outdoors, along with having volleyball, cornhole, and a bunch of card tables.

In order to keep the bugs away, our college/singles pastor Pete brought out about 8 tiki torches. He set them up almost exactly as you would normally do and had Jared Rollins light them.

Note the words "almost exactly" in the above paragraph.

Inside of 20 minutes, one of the torches caught fire. And we're not talking about burning as they are supposed to.

We mean the outside of the torch caught ON FIRE.

Minutes later, a second caught on fire, close to Pete's Jeep. Our firefighter on scene moved that torch and we let it burn to the ground.

About 10 minutes after the second one caught fire, the first torch that caught fire began falling apart. Then a THIRD went flame on, and quickly burned to the ground, also scorching the grass within a 3 foot radius.

And, finally, about 20 minutes after the third began to burn...YEP - a FOURTH TORCH caught fire, and this too was allowed to burn itself out.

That turned out to be the very last one that would catch, as we put the rest out after that happened.

It's thought the torch wicks weren't prepared correctly, or something else happened.

Either way, we now know how a torch can catch fire, and burn to the ground.

I think we'll be looking for metal tiki torches after THAT fiasco.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Classmate From HS Deployed...

There is nothing that can be said for this except Godspeed, Shaun. I'll let the article from Cincinnati.com and the Community Press speak for itself.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Shaun M. Leicht, along with more than 2,500 sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), Norfolk, Va., and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), Camp Lejeune, N. C., are deployed to support Maritime Security Operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation and forward Naval presence in the Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of operation.

Leicht is a 2004 graduate of Boone County High School of Florence and joined the Navy in July 2005.

He is the son of Melinda M. Jones Terry of Amelia, and Phillip W. Leicht of Florence.

During a port call in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the sailors and Marines hosted tours aboard ship. They also volunteered to assist residents and refurbish the grounds at the Association Sindrome de Down de Beleares, dedicated to helping persons with Down Syndrome. The sailors and Marines also had the opportunity to participate in bicycling and kayaking tours, tours of Palma City, the Caves of Drach and Costa Nord.

Bataan also recently commemorated the Battle of Midway, wearing uniforms as they were worn in 1942 and playing Midway announcements throughout the day over the ship's general announcing system.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle the Sixth (A Day Late)

I had meant and planned to post this last evening on my return from Mikey's house. However...physical circumstances prevented such. I will note as always that these are NEVER pre-written (like most of my poem work). It is all done on the fly...

Here we go again
Time for another go-round
And I had hoped we were done with memorials
But it looks like there's more to do

Steve McNair was a good player
Of the game of football
So why someone shot him dead
Is puzzling for us all

Arturo Gatti got some people talking
Made some watch the sweet science of boxing
He too, was shot dead today
What is the world comin to

Me and my boy the K-I-D
Got some work done this week
But we got a long way to go yet
And this is far from a finished concept

We're about done for this week
And I want y'all to come back in 7
So for now I say love, peace and blessin's to y'all
And so long, from the 8-5-9

Courage + Belief = LIFE

April 26, 2004: My first serious accident.

So, a few minutes ago I told everyone I might talk more about the accident on April 26, 2004. I decided I would do it.

Let's set the scene: It's a nice spring day. At the time, I loved to go to local skate parks and ride the ramps. (I don't do it so much anymore.) On this day, I was making my way up to the Ollie's Skate Park (an indoor park) along US Highway 25 in Florence's industrial district.

As I approached the Remke Market along 25, I looked to my left and saw someone in a pickup truck pulling up in the driveway. Now, on a sidewalk, pedestrians are to always have the right of way. (See here, this is Kentucky State Law.) Unfortunately...the driver didn't yield.

Consequently, I was struck from the left side by this pickup truck, dragged under his front bumper for a fifteen foot distance, and remained wedged under there for several minutes.

I was taken to St. Luke West Hospital to be examined - and was released 4 hours later! Incredibly...I WAS OK. No serious injuries! Most people would not have walked away without some broken bones...I DID. My wheelchair, however was TOTALED.

I later went to court against the guy who hit me, and won a settlement of $3800. With that, I bought the desktop computer which I still have today and did a couple other things.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

A First: Thursday Thirteen

So, this idea comes from Pat J. of Pat J (at least in my mind) knows it all fame. Every week or so on Thursday he does a list of thirteen...something's. It can be thirteen of anything at all.

So this week, his was about 13 dates that he remembers as being big days for him. So, I thought I'd list thirteen of my own.

1) 8-19-1985: The day I came into this world, and was diagnosed with spina bifida.
2) 10-1-2000: The first of two near-death experiences.
3) 4-30-2000: The day I was baptized, becoming a born-again Christian.
4) 4-27-2004: The first time I was ever involved in a serious accident. (I might detail this in a later blog.)
5) 5-7-2004: My senior prom. Never forget it.
6) 5-27-2004: Graduation night! Nuff said.
7) 6-2-2008: The first of two days of severe thunderstorms, packing hail, high winds, and several tornadoes. It was two days of severe weather tracking that I will NEVER forget!
8) 7-20-2008: Another severe weather day across my hometown. This time, a funnel cloud was spotted six miles west of my house, incredibly it a) didn't touch down and b) weakened before hitting the city of Florence, albeit slightly.
9) 9-14-2008: Two reasons this day is memorable. 1) My longtime best friend from high school, Krista Simpson, had her baby late the previous night. 2) HURRICANE IKE. The strongest winds I have ever experienced live and in person. 50 mile per hour sustained winds, with gusts pushing into the 75 to 80 mile per hour range! It was destruction everywhere!
10) 3-8-2009: My church moves into its new building. Again...nuff said.
11) 7-1-2009: The day I was inspired by the late Billy Mays to create a device to help millions.
12) 8-23-2006: My niece was born on this date.
13)(tie) 8-18-07/6-8-07/1-7-07: The days I found out my aunt, grandpa Moses and papa Mitch had died.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Shuffle Blog That Almost Isn't.

Gonna start this with Bon Jovi - Have a Nice Day.

So I hope everybody is doing well. Me...meh, I could be better, after today's debacle with trying to get a wheelchair cushion replaced. Which apparently, even if I do express delivery, will take TWO DAYS. My mom thinks I need to shut myself down for two days...but, I already know no matter how I do everything, if I shut down for two days, we'll have to work that much harder to get back on track with the project Mikey and I are doing. And besides this... I don't HAVE two days to wait for what I need! So I would really like to NOT have to shut down for two days. As it is, taking today off, while good for the body, won't throw us off too far. Taking more than a day off...that will.

So, as "Live For The Moment" by Monster Magnet comes on the speakers...what else? Well as I said, I'm working on a serious project to help make life better for millions. There's about 20 million people who could use what I'm working on. I just hope beyond hope that it all works out! Yes I'll release details at some point here on this blog - but, I would be risking someone stealing our idea. I will say this - it will make carrying some things easier!

"I ain't buyin no future/When the past is so far away!" - lyric from "Live For The Moment". YEAH!

What next? Well, as "Are You Real" by KJ-52 comes blasting in...I turn my attention to de-compression. How many of us stress so much over the little stuff...and then when the big things come along, are completely and totally PARALYZED by it as if we don't know what to do? And we probably don't. I have had those moments. "Now that I've seen you, I've been through a major change..." If we're gonna make changes in our lives, they are these:

1) Don't lay your head down tonight if you're reading this, without coming to know God if you don't.
2) Let Him worry about everything. Big, small, whatever.

That's what I plan to do tonight. "Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield now. NICE! I picked this one. I'm trying to get my mind right tonight - so I don't go to bed stressed. That's what writing this blog is about too. Just to release all this stuff on my mind.

It's almost 2 years since my aunt Kathy died. (J's Note: It was August 14, 2007 that she took her own life.) I sometimes wonder what she would say if I told her what I am doing now. I'm sure she would smile on me and say, "Good job, Jeremy."

I think my brain is empty now, so I'm gonna go - I need sleep before I cross the river tomorrow to work on the big invention. I'm taking the laptop tomorrow - so I will talk to everybody from Mikey's.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Classic Post: I Like Cliff Because...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I originally posted this back on March 12. Following the passing of Cliff's brother Allen yesterday, I felt it was a good time for this to be posted again.

I was first introduced to Cliff via Ohio Media Watch, which was the inspiration for my initial blog at Tri-State Media Watch. He put up a post introducing me to the blog-o-sphere, to which of course I reciprocated and prominently featured him (and still do) in my links on that blog.

A short time afterwards, I launched this blog for those who aren't media geeks like myself. And again, Cliff was very good about promoting the new blog space, doing a post specifically about it. And a short time later, several people began floating over, in fact much of my reader base for this blog, came from Cliff's which I am very grateful for.

Every day, I receive an email from Cliff with a devotional attached to it. I take time every day and read this, and it has helped inspire me for my day. Earlier this week, you'll recall, I asked the others who receive these devotionals for prayers in dealing with this latest bout with depression. Cliff has some great friends who read these devotionals, too...because the response was overwhelming. Cliff surrounds himself with nothing but the best, most positive, caring people in the world.

Cliff also writes poetry, much like I have been known to. His blog Whattville is on the Other Side of the Tracks is a blog in which Cliff expresses his creativity. This is writing the likes of which I could only hope to match.

And of course, there's the other Christ-like qualities Cliff has. His blog Seek Him First is full of good, inspirational stuff for the Christian soul. Whenever I see he's written something new there (which, I need to put both the latter of his blogs in my follow list, before I get scatterbrained), I look to see what he might have for me.

All of this, and more, is why I like Cliff. If you have never read his blogs, go read them. If you came here from his blog, be sure you remind him just how great of a man he really is.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Prayers For Cliff

Cliff's brother Allen has passed away as of 0600 this morning.

Please pray for him and his entire family.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Happy Fourth Of July!

Cliff posted it, so I will now repost it.



Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle the Fifth

NOTE: As always, this is NEVER pre-written and has come to me on the fly, so here we go!

We're back again after a week of stuff
From colds to peeps dying to all manner of things
And as we always do, let's take it back
And crank ourselves through the week that was

Ya boy started out flat on his rear
From a seriously bad cough and cold
But I'm back to 100 percent
So bozos better be watchin out

We paid tribute to a pitchman
And saw a 15 hour marathon
And it's inspired some ideas
Which you'll hear bout soon enough

When things go down in a hurry
You bet Supertwit and Twitterman are involved
And sometimes those things that go down
Are just too stupid to not be funny

So that be the week that was
For the two Brothers Redneck
I'll get back at ya next week
Till then, keep chill, and remember, WE GOT THIS!

Courage + Belief = LIFE

What Are You Thinking - Next Installment Later Today!

The next installment of my "What Are You Thinking, Cincinnati?" series is coming today (7/2). This time, it's another roadway-related pet peeve of mine...chiefly, RUSH HOUR ROADWORK on a 3 lane street! UGH...getting my blood boiling THINKING about the 15 extra minutes I sat on a bus, cramping thanks to said 3 lane street, yesterday afternoon coming home from my buddy Mikey's house...

More later, I PROMISE...

Courage + Belief = LIFE