Be Sure To Drink Your Ovaltine

I can honestly say that up until I walked out of the sanctuary of the church, heading towards the altar where I would await my bride, I had little to no anxiety or nervousness. My feet were warm and comfortable. Many asked, "Are you nervous?" I replied with honesty and truthiness that I was not nervous, I was cool, calm and collected. That all changed quite rapidly upon walking out and standing in front of the many guests, family, and friends gathered in the church. Another person told me prior to the wedding, "Don't worry about standing in front of everyone because nobody will be looking at you, their eyes will be on the bride." Whoever told me that was a Liar Liar pants on fire. Yes, once the doors swung wide open and my bride was walking down the aisle, heads did turn and the focus of 150 plus pairs of eyes were no longer on me. However, prior to that, there was a period of time when all 300 plus eyes were on me. In all the weeks prior to the wedding, in all my life I had never felt so much anxiety. It cannot explain why I was anxious, all I can say is that I think that I nearly had a panic attack. Thank god for Peeps.









Standing at the front of the church, at the front of the altar, the wedding party began the procession. The first person to come down the aisle was one of my best friends, Jay. I don't know what led me to look into his hand, but somehow I could see that his hand wasn't empty. Immediately I knew that whatever rested in his hand was meant for me. As it turned out, with my two brothers already standing next to me, each of my remaining groomsmen handed me a Peep that spelled out the message," BE- SURE-TO-DRINK-YOUR-OVALTINE." As I received each peep in a covert handshake from each groom, I discreetly placed each sugar encrusted, marshmallow treat in my rented tuxedo pockets (so much for that security deposit). With each groom came smaller and smaller pocket space. Luckily the peeps came in an even number and I was able to place three in each pocket. Although this was quite embarassing it helped take my focus off of being nervous and allowed me to calm down and remember to have fun. So I would like to thank everyone who was behind this brilliant, for lack of a better term, prank. I would especially like to thank Matt who showed courage and diligance in the face of the Nazi wedding director by not letting her take his peep. Not that he will ever see this post because he believes that computers are evil and I don't think he knows what the internet is...

I'll leave you with a picture that says it all...

If it's broken, fix it

As a relatively recent alumnus of Clemson University, I was captivated by the tragedy of Tiffany Souer's death and the pursuit of her murderer. I have to say that my interest was slightly biased in this case due to my history with the school, meaning that if this terrible crime had occured at another college I wouldn't have followed it as closely and I wouldn't have been as relieved when the suspect was caught. I think that it is human nature to focus more attention on events that are less removed from you. Things that are closer to home we often give more attention to than others. I would tune into CNN or Fox News to check on the status of leads that the police might have. I wanted details about the time, the place, the evidence that was left. Reports on the news mentioned that there was DNA evidence at the scene and I replayed scenarios similar to CSI reruns in my mind.

A few days later I woke to news reports that there was a suspect in custody. Jerry Buck Inman. Not Jerry Inman or "Buck" Inman...Jerry Buck Inman. Not an odd name, but I was surprised to see that "Buck" was not in quotations, meaning that this was his real name, and not a nickname that he went by. The full name makes this man sound more evil than a simple first name and surname combination would. The simple "Jerry Inman" doesn't strike fear into the hearts of cable news faithfuls. Jerry Inman sounds like the neighbor that lends you his ratchet set and is the vice president of your neighborhood association. Jerry BUCK Inman sounds like a man capable of evil deeds. Think Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wayne Gacy.

The report on the news stated that Jerry Buck Inman not necessarily confessed to the murder, but he hadn't denied his involvement with the Clemson girl's death. As time went on, more and more details were released about this monster and his terrible past littered with kidnapping, rape, and various other criminal offenses that would certainly have him incarcerated for the remaining years of his natural existence. But no, this sick, twisted cretin is roaming the streets, picking girls out at random to fulfill his deranged sexual/homicidal urges. I understand that there is overcrowding in our jail systems across the country, but I haven't heard one report that this maniac had any qualities that would classify him as a redeemable human being.

The question is: Why was this man out walking the streets when he should have been behind bars? I understand that there is overcrowding in our jail systems, but with all of the warning signs and red lights that this guy gave off in his violent/crazed history, someone in the legal system dropped the ball big time. HE COMMITTED RAPE WHILE INCARCERATED!!! A reformed citizen he was not! Whoever parolled this man has these crimes on their conscience and should have trouble sleeping at night.

The Summer of Love...It's wedding season!

There must be something in the water. Wait, that can't be right. There's too much geography between the many people getting married this summer for that to be the case. If that were true, the water supply of the whole country would have to be contaminated. But, I think you get what I mean. It would probably be more accurate to say that a lot of people that I know or am acquainted with through my fiancee are tying the knot over the summer. Cousins, coworkers, friends, ourselves, this is getting out of hand.
HOWEVER...free food, free booze, dancing, music and fun times...Bachelor parties and the lot. What's not to like?
It seems like two minutes ago I was getting hammered on a random tuesday, milking the help desk for everything it was worth, and scraping up money to eat at Peppinos after ultimate practice. Where did the time go? I remember being 15 and thinking that it would take forever to graduate high school. I can recall someone telling me that before I knew it, I would be graduating college and getting a job. I'd like to think that I lived those years to the fullest but I can't be sure. I resolve to make the rest of my years more fulfilling and meaningful.

Sleeps with the fishes

I just had to share this experience with everyone because I don't know how many people I know have ever had the opportunity to dump massive amounts of concrete in a secluded area next to a pond. I felt like a made man, doing a job for the family...
















Since school is over and my time is only limited to thesis work, I have picked up a job working as an assistant in a plumbing/electrical company here in Aiken. I know it has nothing to do with my line of schooling, but man does it rock (Pun definitely intended)! The money is good and I would never have imagined that I would have the chance to work with concrete, hydraulic lifts, 8 foot augers, and much much more. I think down the road I will get to drive a bulldozer!!

As a kid I remember having tonka toys and watching some special on PBS about "earth movers" and thinking to myself that "What a fantastic job that would be!" I was right. The moment that my boss told me that I could play with these "toys" I have been as excited as I have ever been about working. To this day I still watch TLC, The Discovery Channel, and The History Channel to learn about mega movers and modern marvels and I remain fascinated. Wearing a tool belt to work is the most REmasculating thing any man could do. So if the girlfriend is making you watch too many episodes of Sex and the City or Will and Grace, just buckle up a tool belt filled with screw drivers, pliers, a hammer, and some black electrical tape and go fix something.

As obvious as it may sound, on a construction site, the language is not for the timid or conservative. The problem is that most people on a construction site only have foul mouths because they feel they have to be overly male in front of the other workers. Some people have a way with obscenities like artists with paint or plaster, but these people projectile vomit curse words. Not that I have a virgin mouth, but when I use foul language it is for a reason. I just stay quiet and try to learn the job. To speak without thinking is to shoot without aiming.

Graduation

I just wanted to post some recent photos of my graduation here in Aiken. I was awarded the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and all I have left to do is finish my thesis. The topic of my thesis is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the role of expectancy effects on the outcome of the procedure (as I am sure anyone reading this is sleeping by now, it is much more boring and tedious than you think). The red t-shirts that we are holding above say "Psych Majors are Crazy in Bed." Down below and to the left is a picture of me, Polly, Libby, and my Dad. Then to the right is a picture of my buddy Mike and I holding out our hands in honor of being Clemson grads. At the end of the graduation ceremony we were forced to sing the Caolina alma mater, in protest, Mike and I held our hands out as in Clemson's alma mater rather than giving a toast to Carolina. Hope you enjoy the pictures.