Christian Dior and the Goodwill Store

Pictured at right (If for any reason you didn't know) is probably the symbol for the greatest corporation to ever exist on planet Earth. That's right, Goodwill is probably only nominal to the average American, but to me it is one of the most influencial extrinsic values I have. I would estimate that of all the clothes in my closet (And there are quite a few - more than any female in the house, mind you), probably 90% have come from the Goodwill store.
Why the Goodwill store? There are multiple reasons for my alternate shopping location. First, I am a thrifty sort of guy. My mother always comments on how I will be rich when I grow up (Assuming I don't spend all my wealth on clothes from the Goodwill store) because I am not a spendthrift.
Secondly, probably one of my greatest pet peeves is showing up to school with the same lame shirt (say American Eagle) as three other guys. The very thought of falling subject to being considered normal or undistinguished, that is where I must draw the line. Shopping at the Goodwill frees up that problem. Seriously, how many people will show up at school sporting a brand new John LeClair jersey ,(He's a hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers) or a Christian Dior casual shirt?
Thirdly: the price! Brand new hockey jerseys and Christian Dior shirts selling for $5 aside, where else can you purchase vintage clothing and beautiful polos for less than a gallon of gas? You could try eBay, but you would probably pay more than that on the shipping alone!
Finally, the joy of helping those with little or no money feels great. A common misconception is that the Goodwill exists to give clothes to poor people. While that is true, the main focus is on offering jobs as well as money from people like you and I who shop at Goodwill's stores (If you have ever been to a Goodwill store you would know that there are more than enough clothes for anyone who needs them).
As always, thanks for reading! I hope my readers are having as much fun readin as I am writing. Be sure to post your comments too :) 

Birthdays and Unrestricted Driver's Licenses

Well I recently celebrated my 17th birthday on October 21. For those of you who forgot do not worry, I still accept late gifts :) Actually it's rather interesting how this is the second year in a row where I have felt completely content and without need for anything! In the past when I wanted something I'd ask, but now I can get it myself through eBay and the likes. I guess that is a good thing though, to not want and to be content with what I have.
Also on my birthday I went to get my unrestricted driver's license. That's right, no longer will 11 p.m. keep me off the road, as I can drive whenever I want to! (At least I think I can)
Well the Trojans remain undefeated; that's right, we are 9-0 going into the last game of the regular season. Hopefully we can go deep into the state play-offs! As always, thanks for reading and be sure to post your comments! 

The Murray State Experience

It was after the Covington football game, at 10:30 p.m., when I left Dyersburg to see my brother at Murray State. I was thoroughly excited as I had never been to his dorm or spent a weekend at the college scene without rents and other siblings.
After getting detoured a couple of times I finally made it to Murray. I stopped at a house where Nate was and followed him to his dorm. I put all my stuff in Nate's room and did what college students to best: I hung out with some new friends. We watched some late night TV and a movie, and finally crashed at about 3:30 a.m. Out of curiosity I asked what time the guys would be waking up and they informed me they would rise at about 2:30! How can one sleep until 2:30 in the afternoon?
Luckily for me Dustin was going to get up at 12 and lift some weights. That idea was right up my alley, so I said I would lift with him. We walked to the plush MSU weight room, scanned our ID's through the gate (I used Nate's of course) and did some arms and abs. We then went to Winslow's to get some breakfast. I ate a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream on Nate's meal plan.
We cleaned up and watched some football before going to the MSU tailgate party. There was a guy cooking corn on the cob, shrimp, chicken breasts, potatoes, and sausage. All these items were wonderful and I enjoyed a plate full. The majority of the tailgaters were going to a hayride, but I wanted to watch some football, so I went with Jeremy Burris and Philip Berardi to the football game, courtesy once again of Nathan's ID.
We left at half to watch the Penn St. V. Ohio St. game, and stopped at Winslow's food stop before heading to the dorms. I was at Burris' dorm until about 12 when I returned to Nate's room to spend the night and go to church. We woke up and went to Hardin Baptist Church about 15 minutes away. It was a pretty good service, and after church all the college people debated on where to eat lunch. I was completely humbled after being introduced as Nathan's brother and being asked if I was older than him or not.
We ate at a Chinese buffet and went back to the dorm. I packed up and left for good 'ole Dyersburg. On the drive home I realized how ready for college I was. The spontaniousness of it all, doing stuff anytime you wanted to, and the lack of routine are all look very tempting. Having total freedom sounds wonderful, but one must remember to control himself.
All in all I love high school and do not want to rush it away, but when college time comes I'll be more than ready for it.

I'm not Officer, drunk! (The field sobriety test)

It was a boring Wednesday evening. The refrigerator was looking completely empty, so I had a grand idea. It was Wednesday and you can buy a footlong sub and get one free! (Two for Tuesday and Wednesday in Dyersburg). My little sister and her friend were over and, using some of my infinite benevolence, I decided to let the two girls get a sub of their own!

We were nearing the famous Dyersburg downtown (or the lack thereof). I was turning to get to the Subway parking lot and lo and behold my favorite spot was open (or so I thought)! The one that was perfect for a compact car such as my Pontiac Sunfire, anyways.

I park the car and enter the Subway. I turn a deaf ear to my juvenile sister and her friend as they giggle about my parking job. Sure I was a little over the line, but it didn't look that bad!

We get in the Subway and I am meticulously contemplating what I want on my sub sandwhich! I go with a foot-long Italian BMT on honey oat. Everything on it, extra banana peppers, salt and pepper, oil and vinegar, and spicy mustart and mayo!

My chagrin is obviously noticeable when a man with a deep voice comes in and inquires about the green Pontiac Sunfire parked "improperly." I try to ignore the question but the friendly Subway employee points out it is mine. I turn around and realize it is a police officer. He asks me about the parking job and after reviewing the pitiful parking job, I go outside to fix my error as the car that was parked in front of me had moved. Unknowingly the officer follows me outside and asks for my licensee. I reach into my pocket and realize my wallet is not in my pocket, but rather on the computer desk at home! I fumble around the car with no success, and the officer realizes this. I turn around dumb-founded.

The situation gets worse as the officer inquires about my alleged "bloodshot eyes" and asks if I have been drinking. It was 7 p.m. on a Wednesday night, so naturally my thought response was completely sarcastic, the sort of response you give your mother when she asks a question you already answered. I put my facetious reply aside, and respectfully answered no. I guess the honor system no longer has any value, as he proceeded to give me a Field Sobriety Test! Not only was I thoroughly embarrased, but I also became the spectacle of public ridicule after the Subway employee (the same one who turned me in, mind you) watched me intently with her face glued to the windowsill and began reporting the events play by play to my sister, her friend, and the other Subway employees and patrons! After the officer gives me two tests his satisfaction was achieved, and he lets me get my sandwhich. I proceed to the house to eat my Subway sandwhich in peace, with the event behind me.

Moral:

That special parking spot you want might not always be available. Sometimes you have to park in a boring spot.

Amo Portugese! (I Love Portugese)

Well it's been a rather eventful first week of break. Football practice, in preparation for #2 in the state Covington, has been rather strenuous to say the least. Practice has been long but after 3 years you get used to it.

Tudo bem? Eu muito bem! At the beginning of this school year we got an exchange student named Juliana Almeida. At first it was just a hey and how's it going as I prepared to enjoy the greatest class at DHS, Mr. Arrington's U.S. History. (Those of you who had AP U.S. History you missed out). So I got to know Juliana better and better, and man is she smart. Not only is she bilingual (which is a feat I could only wish to accomplish) she can speak as well if not better than most the kids at DHS. What does that say about our education system? Well that's another matter for another time.

So now I'm wanting to learn Portugese like a puppy wants to learn a new trick. I went to Hasting's and bought a Portugese phrase book and dictionary to sharpen my skills. I'm at a very beginner level right now as I have only learned standard hello and good-bye, but with the cultivation of my Portugese skills hopefully I can go to Brasil and make it sound like I am a natural. That's probably not happening, but at least with this phrase book I can communicate if I go to a Portugese speaking country.

What about those Trojans?

Ahh the second post. School just finished up for the quarter which is cool I suppose. I like school but with the 7 a.m. AP class it's convenient to sleep in :) But just because school isn't going on right now doesn't mean Football has stopped!

What about those Trojans? We are currently 6-0 after beating those poor Choctaws at Dyer County. We are also #1 in the state for 3A football, which feels pretty good. We obviously have to keep working hard and practicing because we can't just stop because we haven't lost. With Covington and Haywood County as our two next opponets, it will be tough to make it to 8-0. You should definitely be in Dyesrburg this Friday because with #1 and #2 in the region it will be a great game to watch!

Be sure to check out my next post, It's guaranteed to be fascinating :) As always, thanks for reading!