Friday the fourth was filled with food, family and fun in the sun. Me and Ma drove to Peter and Millies' in Waterford WI. The house is right on the Fox River. Everyone was there except TNT. The place is beautiful. They put two years of painstaking labor into the place ... and it shows. I regret not being around to help. I am really blessed that this side of the family isn't a bunch of drunks and druggies. Everyone is or was professional. All of the "adults" are now retired. All of the "kids" have careers. I am hoping to have one soon. I took a few pictures. I also brought the video cam a took a few minutes of footage. The video didn't turn out too well. The day turned out wonderful ! It is my goal to make it to all the family functions.

Last night I was blessed to run lights for the Heat Band at the McKinley Marina. A lot has changed technology-wise but the concepts of sound and light production have not. The set-up went a 'lil slower than expected but we made it. First times are always slower. The food was good, music great and the fireworks were even better. The tear-down went faster than the set-up.1.5 hours 'til we pulled out in the truck.
The work situation hasn't changed. I am tired of working here. Alvin does what he wants, breaks his word but, he expects me to follow his lead. I'm tired of it and am now planning my leave whether or not my main prospect comes through. Basically, I am tired of the Alvin Cox show. It's all about him and I am just plain sick of it !
Today I am riding with Ma to Peter and Millies' house in Waterford. I remember something Mema said years ago ... "If you don't have family ... You don't have shit." Pardon my language. I am actually glad that I'm back here in Milwaukee to enjoy my family. I wish I could say the same about my job. Oh well ...
Tomorrow is Lacy's first birthday. I wonder how many of the family (dad's side) will show up. The only time you see everyone is at funerals ... I didn't make it up here for Uncle Donny's. We'll see.

Andy Rooney did this a few weeks ago ... it's amazing !

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American/Canadian/British citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.

I think the police should have every right to shoot or arrest you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special National Assistance, loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, corner store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say 'NO!'

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be 'African-Americans/Canadian/British'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe . I am proud to be from America and nowhere else

And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

Tom Orlando preached a good one yesterday. It was about faithfulness ... God's faithfulness in particular. When we were faithless He was faithful. Tom told his story and I can definitely relate. God has been faithful to me and all I can do is reject His provision for me. He gives and I complain. I am so like an Israelite it is pathetic ... or is it ? ... I guess if I'd buckle down and pray like I used to I might hear His still small voice. I think of my empty apartment just a coupla weeks ago and now it's full. God provides like usual and all I want to do is go back to backbreaking labor. I sometimes don't even know myself. I seem to be waiting for this holy-grail experience when I already know. I must keep walking forward. He will remain faithful ... even if I am not. It seems that He is also opening some doors that had been closed for good. I am going to get a chance to work for Precious Studios and the Heatband.
Will I ever be content ?

Just an update on the auction/price-protect thing. I made the call at 4. When I called Jill said "Is it noon already"? We both laughed. When I dropped of the keys we laughed again and I told her I now understand why it's last-minute at TC. I guess I'll get used to doing the last minute shuffle.
I'm reading another really good book. Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala from the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Ov makink you talk you know. An impression of Arte Johnson from Rowan & Martin's Laugh in. It's wedneday ... the day before the auction. Normally it's a very unhappy day for me. My boss likes to wait until the absolute last minute to put together the price protect list for the auction. I am getting used to it but, I still don't like it. Today, Alvin is out of town so I will probably make the call shortly after 1:00. We'll see ... stuff just has a way of happening.
The meet with Peter and Kari went great last night. They are gonna give me another chance. Too cool. It was nice to cruise around in the Vette ... hard to get out of though.

... works out ? ... The last three months have been kind of a large test/trial for me. Personally I don't think I did too good on some of the tests ... some, I flat out failed. After Jordan left it seems that things are coming together. The relationship between my cousin Peter and his wife is being restored. Kari actually told Peter to invite me over last nite for supper. Kari, after a long time has forgiven me. I enjoyed eating with them. I have a chance to get back into the music business, working for the Heat band. Not only the music business but the video and photography business as well. It just seems to me that God is making a way for me. When I thought that there was no way but to leave full-time ministry, God shows Himself strong.
Many years ago I left music behind because of a choice to smoke crack. When I came back to the Lord my desire to play again resurfaced. I was blessed with a Yamaha acoustic. A few months later I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to buy a wonderful guitar, amp and accessories. I paid it off Memorial day weekend.
My first gig is at the McKinley Marina on July 3rd. I will help Bill set up the PA and then I will run the lights. Peter said if I can be trusted I will eventually run sound myself one day ....
Thank You Jesus !

... That's hard to believe for me. I really haven't had one of those in quite a while. I really had my doubts after Jordan moved out and took EVERYTHING. Whether or not the stuff was his really don't matter to me. The house is now in the process of getting filled up. Last night I got a free loveseat from a gal on craigslist. I also bought a dinette and three living room tables. I am amazed by His provision. I am so much like an Israelite it's sickening. He provides ... I complain. It seems like a vicious cycle to me. Will I ever be content ? ...
Things went better than I anticipated earlier inthe week. I cannot talk further about it on this forum.

I wonder ? ....