Something Interesting...

And we're back!

2009-06-09T18:35:00.002-04:00

You know what? I'm going to spare you the details of the last year of my life - it's probably better than way. I don't suppose anyone really keeps up with this old thing anymore - again, it's probably better that way.

Let's just say I've been...away. Yes, I went away for awhile, but now I'm back. I got myself all wrapped up in this, that, and the other thing, and it started to affect my quality of life and everything I was doing. I can't say I'm totally out of the woods yet, but 2009 has been a bit of a learning experience thus far, and things are finally starting to make sense now.

It's been both familiar and new...both logical and inconceivable...both expected and shocking (I know; I'm being vague, but that's okay).

So what now? Well, I really don't know, but I suppose that's not such a bad thing. What's right now is waiting. That's what I'm doing right this very second - waiting. Waiting for what, you might ask? The next opportunity in my life. I suppose that's sort of an exciting prospect, but it's also pretty stressful to be honest.

Finally, I have some sort of resolution to this chapter of the william harper experience (<---the working title for my memoirs) though, so that's a positive. It was almost like I was stuck in this chapter. I know I wasn't really stuck, but it sure felt that way. It seems like every chapter in my story has some horror-movie-type ending to it, which seems to be somehow connected to my hard-headed, stubborn, cynical nature. I've always ended up learning things the hard way, and as badly as I hate it...and as unexpected as it seems to be everytime it happens, I always come out on the other side a better, more well-rounded person.

See, I understand myself more and more every time a chapter ends in a Friday the 13th style bloodbath, and maybe, just maybe, someday in the future, I'll have the presence of mind and the self-awareness when I come to the fork in the road to take the path to a nice, peaceful mountaintop resort instead of the path to Camp Crystal Lake and the certain destruction that follows.

I'm going to try to keep this thing updated from here on out. Not that it's particularly important to anyone but myself, but writing keeps me sane. It gives me some sort of outlet for all the chaos that happens inside my head every day.

So yeah, here's to writing again, and here's to living again.

Quote of the Day....

2009-01-26T14:50:00.006-05:00

Perception is not reality. It is only perceived as such.

My day, my week, and my month in review

2007-05-22T15:10:00.000-04:00

So, in my first blournal entry for several months, I'd like to first point out that I have officially forgotten how to write "blog style." You may notice my new sunglasses, unless of course you haven't seen me with them on, then you may not notice them, but they're niiiice.

This morning, I woke up around 4:00 am to the wonderful sounds of Starsky (my dog) vomiting on the corner of my bed. It was faaaaantastic. I just wish someone would make me a CD entitled, "Regurgitation Noises." I'd totally set it up as my "wakey upey" CD for at least 6 months. After that, of course, I can't guarantee anything.

I'm working now...in a large, narrow room...sitting at a small desk...going through 150+ files to ensure their integrity. If they do not meet my ideal level of quality, I then decide how they will be fixed (ie - repaired). If they do, I mark them with my "stamp of approval." What I mean by "stamp of approval" is a large pile of folders in the floor, which will herein be referred to as my "pile of approval." Ok....so there's what I'm doing today. Now on to my week....

Considering today is Tuesday, and there has only been one day prior to this in my "week," I'll be brief. Yesterday, I came to work. Ok....on to the month.

The month of May, 2007 has been a decent month. My mother and sister came out to visit me since I wrote last, but that was technically in April, so please disregard the previous sentence. Ahem...ok. So this month, I've done a lot of wishing I were at the beach. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm confident that I'll either be dead or at the beach sometime within the next two months.

To be perfectly frank, I'm a little tired. I have this really bad habit of going to bed at night with just about enough time to make for a really good afternoon nap. I've come to find out that it isn't such a good idea to do such things when you really need to be awake at work. I have, however, discovered a way to temporarily "beat the system." Lots. of. coffee. No seriously. LOTS.

So there's my month so far. I hope you've enjoyed reading about my life.

I'm off to do more work.

Memeage from Kim

2007-04-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

Alright. So my friend Kim of The Life of KimHo posted something of this nature on her blogoriffic blog a couple of weeks ago, and I decided to include myself in this life-changing venture. That’s right, she’s starting a cult….OR….she posted a meme. You decide.

“Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better. If I already know you well, expect the questions may be a little more intimate/difficult! You WILL update your journal/blog/whatever with the answers to the questions (please don’t leave your answers in my comments unless you don’t have a blog). You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.”

1. If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?
If I could chose any superpower, it would definitely be flying, but not for the traditional reasons (you know, saving money on airfare, skipping traffic, etc). No sir. I want to fly, so I can find a nice little spot in the sky, maybe atop the tallest mountain or the tallest building, to sit back and relax. And plus….I’d like to mess with people on airplanes.
2. Who was your ultimate Teen Beat crush?
Alicia Silverstone…..all the way. Back in the day…she was hoooooooot. She still is, but my crushes these days are more along the lines of Scarlett Johansson or Reese Whitherspoon,.
3. What is one thing/event in your life that you wish you could go back and change?
Hrm. That’s a tough one. I try to live my life (now) without regret, but I do have quite a few things I would go back and change, if I could. If I had to pick one (that I wouldn’t mind mentioning on here), I would have to say…(drum roll please…..)…credit cards. I would have never applied for one, and I certainly would have never charged anything to one. I get 4-5 credit card offers per day, which really increases my chances for running out of room in the trash before the trash guy comes every week. OH, THE HUMANITY!!!!
4. Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My mom….hands down. She somehow managed to raise two kids, in the midst of a divorce, while getting her college education and making minimum wage at the university bookstore. I have no idea how she did it, but I admire her for it.
5. What came first...the chicken or the egg?
The egg. “Why?” you ask. The genetic makeup of a chicken could not have first existed except as an embryo inside an egg. The egg may have been somewhat different that the eggs we see today, but the chicken was first an embryo, protected by some sort of shell-like surface, and incubated by manbearpig.

P365_2007_04_08

2007-04-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

P365_2007_04_08
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Aaaaaalright....I know it's been awhile, but here's my project 365 for Easter....and we can go ahead and count it for the last month, right? Good!

This is me in my "Easter suit."

Theiving

2007-04-04T00:11:00.000-04:00

It's funny how music shapes different periods of your life. I've been feeling quite lonely this evening....and I'm not sure why.

Things are good, but tonight was just one of those nights (I get emotional sometimes...no seriously...I do). I got the new Lovedrug CD. Something about the songs they sing have the capability to completely change my thought process....my mood...everything.

There's one song imparticular on the new one....Theiving. It....well....it makes me believe in love again.

Something is different today. Something changed.

I'll figure it out soon, and when I do, I'm sure I'll have another "one of those nights" to bask in the glory of "figuring it out."

I know this sounds weird, but....I think I think too much.

I'm a deep thinker these days...I'm always thinking about this or that. It's rare that I have a moment to just clear my thoughts and relax. Thinking is a good thing. God gave us powerful minds, so we could use them, right? Well, maybe that's why I've slept so well lately.

Sleep is the only time my mind gets a chance to "relax."

I used to always say that sometimes, our intellect can be our worst enemy. Enemy may not be the best word for mine, but it definitely wears me out.

Okay...time for bed. I need a break.

That's pretty underground.

2007-03-29T14:48:00.000-04:00

To my faithful reader(s): the following video is funny. You should watch it like I did, just a few minutes ago.

Lazy

2007-03-27T11:12:00.000-04:00

So, I've been lazy and haven't been taking any pitchuuurs lately.

I should start that back up, but it's rainy today, so I'll start it up once the rain subsides.

2007_03_13

2007-03-13T09:40:00.001-04:00

2007_03_13
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Ok...so here's the story. Yesterday, around 3:00, a natural gas pipeline exploded in Parker County, TX (about 15-20 minutes from where I live). For those who don't know, natural gas pipelines are very much connected to what I do for a living. That's how the natural gas I get the rights to drill for is transported to market and sold.

This sort of thing only happens when people don't use common sense when dealing with combustible substances...such as natural gas. In this particular situation, some idiot was digging around with a backhoe looking for another gas pipeline. Well, he found one....three actually, and they all exploded and caused what you see in the attached picture.

I drove out to see the remnants of the explosion yesterday afternoon, but alas, I forgot my camera. But this is what my picture WOULD have looked like....had I remembered to bring my camera.

The significance is this: right across the street from my house, there is a *dum dum dummmmmm* natural gas pipeline. Let's all cross our fingers and hope that no one decides to do anything stupid around that one, such as dig around it with a backhoe.

P365_2007_03_12

2007-03-12T12:06:00.003-04:00

2007_03_12
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

No explanation required.

P365_2007_03_11

2007-03-12T12:06:00.001-04:00

2007_03_11
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

I watched "An Inconvenient Truth" last night, and here is my conclusion:

It is almost inescapable that Al Gore made this movie with the intention of reestablishing his name with an attached political platform. The movie is just as much about Al Gore as it is about global warming.

I wasn't terribly convinced, as my background in research methods enabled me to pinpoint several loopholes in his theories. I won't get into it here, but I'm going to need more convincing on the cause of global warming before I get on board with Mr. Gore and just about all of Hollywood and "go green."

P365_2007_03_10

2007-03-12T12:01:00.001-04:00

2007_03_10
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

My living room. I cleaned this weekend. :-)

P365_03_09_2007

2007-03-09T14:06:00.001-05:00

381372983_ca09602771_o
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Well, obviously, I didn't take this picture, but today is the 13th anniversary of Biggie's death, so I had to commemorate it somehow, right?

RIP - Biggie Smalls.

Lost

2007-03-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

I lost my camera for a few days, but I have recovered the coveted electronic piiitcher takur.

Project 365 will resume it's daily revisions starting today.

Enjoy!

P365_2007_03_06

2007-03-06T17:29:00.001-05:00

2007_03_06
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

My feet at work. March 6, 2007.

P365_2007_03_03

2007-03-05T10:45:00.001-05:00

2007_03_03
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

HOOKAAYY! I'm back.. Here's the story. Saturday night, March 3, there was to be the first total lunar eclipse in about 4 years, so I was pumped. My project 365 entry was set, and I was going to witness a natural phenomenon to boot.

Well, long story short, the picture you see to your right was a "test shot" using the fireworks setting on my camera, and it was subsequently the "death shot" to my camera's battery. I didn't have a spare, and the eclipse was just around the corner. No time to fix the camera...I was just going to watch in awe as this feat of nature unfolded before my eyes.

I waited...

and waited...

and waited......

Well, I never saw it. I'm not sure what happened, but I never saw anything out of the ordinary. Maybe, just maybe, I blinked a little too longer than is acceptable during a lunar eclipse, and I was being punished. But what is more likely is that I missed it. Yea, I think that's it.

Either way, my camera's been dead since Saturday, so I haven't had any project 365-esque pictures to bless you with. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is my entry for March 3, 2007. I will have a second posting today including my entry for today, because, thankfully, my camera's battery was miraculously brought back to life using the battery charger that came with my camera.

In other news, life is good, and I'd like to go to Fiji.

P365_2007_03_01

2007-03-02T10:28:00.001-05:00

2007_03_01
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

The view from my computer screen today. Just imagine that I'm typing an important memo.

I snazzed up this morning, because all my clothes are either dirty or at the dry cleaners.

P365_2007_02_28

2007-03-01T09:49:00.001-05:00

2007_02_28
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

This is a little picture I drew (or...traced and partially drew) while I was at work today.

I call it "Pac Man's Revenge...Billy's Victory"

P365_2007_02_27

2007-02-28T12:08:00.001-05:00

2007_02_27
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

This picture is actually a couple of months old, but it's a funny one.

Starsky in the truck outside my mom's work....with goats. He liked the goats.

P365_2007_02_26

2007-02-27T09:18:00.001-05:00

2007_02_26
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

My "slightly doctored" entry for Project 365, Feb. 26, 2007.

I call it, "Bills, bills, bills...without any legible personal information. Oh...and Fiji Water."

P365_2007_02_25b

2007-02-26T08:44:00.001-05:00

2007_02_25b
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

What I actually did yesterday.

P365_2007_02_25a

2007-02-26T08:43:00.001-05:00

2007_02_25a
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

What I planned on doing yesterday...

P365_02_24_2007

2007-02-25T02:19:00.001-05:00

P365_02_24_2007
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Project 365 entry for February 24, 2007.

Description: My reinactment of the face I made when I drank some cough syrup. It was kind a mentholly mix of windex and hawaiian punch.

P365_02_23_2007

2007-02-25T02:18:00.001-05:00

P365_02_23_2007
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Project 365 entry for February 23, 2007.

Description: Roll Tide (pay no attention to the swimsuit magazine in the background)!

P365_2007_02_22

2007-02-22T12:24:00.001-05:00

2007_02_22
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Project 365 for Thursday, February 22, 2007.

Description: This is a piece of what I do...a gas well being constructed. The tower part comes down in a month or so.

P365_2007_02_21

2007-02-21T20:19:00.001-05:00

2007_02_21
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Kim of "Kim's Blog" was kind enough to explain Project 365 to me a couple of days ago, and it seems like a good idea.

Here is my first entry for February 21, 2007.

Description: Starsky and his new buddy, Sergeant.

Look at me...I'm a meme-whore

2007-02-21T10:56:00.000-05:00

Kim tagged me in this thing, and man, it's been a looong time since I've done one of these.

Guilt	What’s yours?	Explain yourself!
Culinary	Mexican Food... Burgers.	Life in Texas has really inspired my love for fajitas, chimichangas, and taquitos. I'm pretty sure I could live solely on chips & salsa....and burgers.
Literary	Digg	Of the various time-wasting measures I use, this is probably the biggest. Between Digg, wikipedia, and youtube, I probably waste a good 91% of my day, everyday (+/- 1.78%).
Audiovisual	24	My Dad got me hooked on this show. I'm actually considered a god in several small South African countries for watching an entire season of 24 in one weekend. Pretty impressive, huh?
Musical	Rap	I probably listen to rap more than most any other type of music. This was a sudden occurance, and it overtook me within a matter of days. Maybe my inner black guy is revealing himself.
Celebrity	Paris Hilton	Yes, I know she's a hoe...a really, really big hoe (perhaps...a super-hoe). But she's hot, so she's okay in my book.

So there ya go....my inner-most secrets laid out for the world to see. I'm so ashamed. Please, try not to think differently of me, because of this new information. I'm not sure what to do with myself now. I'd better go schedule an appointment with my therapist.

Kevin Hyche

2007-02-16T20:10:00.000-05:00

I know there aren't many who read this anymore, because I'm quite sporatic in my posting, but I have to write. Writing is for me what an exhaust is for a car.

...
..........
....

Okay, evidently I really am at a loss for words. I don't even know where to start.
...
..
Hrmm.

When I met Kevin, I was a youth pastor at Fleetwood Baptist Church near Tuscaloosa. I was supposed to be the one teaching him...leading, molding, and forming him. But instead, he taught me. My life will forever be influenced by his passion, his compassion, and his love for others. He challenged me to live....a challenge that I still haven't quite reached yet, but when I do, I'll think about him.

Kevin, I will never forget you. Know that your passion and your genuine faith has changed my life, and you'll always have a special place in my heart.

I'll see you again someday.

Demetri Martin

2007-01-23T17:36:00.000-05:00

Below are parts 1-5 of the Comedy Central Special that aired recently. You should DEFINITELY watch them.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

FIN.

No hitting babies

2007-01-20T15:38:00.001-05:00

No hitting babies
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Unfortunately, businessmen in suits can no longer hit babies in the head with their briefcases.

Sorry, folks. I know it hurts, but it'll be allll better soon.

Inventor of instant noodles dies

2007-01-06T13:56:00.000-05:00

The inventor of instant noodles, Momofuku Ando, has died in Japan, aged 96, of a heart attack.

Mr Ando was born in Taiwan in 1910 and moved to Japan in 1933, founding Nissin Food Products Co after World War II to provide cheap food for the masses.

Oh, the humanity!

Old post

2006-11-13T17:51:00.000-05:00

I was looking at an old post from my livejournal, and oddly enough, it still applies.

So here's how the story goes. Life is great. I'm happy, and basically everything is going my way. I'm totally satisfied with myself, God, my job, and my relationship status of "single."

Then, just as things seem like they couldn't go any better, I sort of inadvertently make the decision to start CASUALLY dating a girl that seems to want nothing more than to get married as soon as possible (not that she's said it, just implied it).

I like being single. It's fun to date around and just have a good time (no, I'm not a player). I like keeping my options open, and I just can't justify taking the risk that relationships involve (again) on anyone I've met in the past 24 years. Well, there is one person, and it's not likely that any of you have ever met her (not Jessica...k thx), but it's not even a possibility right now, because she lives a long, long way away.

That's my luck, I suppose. I fall for a girl who's only living in my city temporarily. Way to go, Billy.

I'm terribly picky about girls I date. No girl I've dated in the past year and a half has lasted more than 2 weeks. I know what I want, and if I don't see it, there's really no point in sticking around. It will just make things harder.

The problem is, I've seen what I wanted in a select few girls, but have seldom pursued anything with them. Why? Because I'm a poon.

I need something good to happen outside of work (in my personal life). Work has been outstanding, school has been pretty good, but my social life has been a huge mess. I have friends here, but they all live in Fort worth, and i live an hour from there.

Okay, I needed to vent. Sorry for the crappy mood I'm in.

Also:

How rich are you? >>

I'm loaded.
It's official.
I'm the 36,508,771 richest person on earth!

I'm pretty sure that I've gone completely crazy.

2006-10-25T13:13:00.000-04:00

Hello, intraweb.

I hope all is well with you. Things have been good with me.

Well, that's all. I hope you have an outstanding afternoon!

Holy Lord

2006-10-03T09:49:00.000-04:00

Now, it's time to begin blogging once again. I've taken the last twenty years off (give or take 19.8 years) to recollect my thoughts and move into my new crib.

My, how I've missed the blogging and the communication with the outside world, but I've been so busy that I haven't had time to be social. Too bad.

Here's a recap of the last month of my life in ten words or less:

Stress
Fulfilled
Americandream (one word for space purposes)
Expensive
Absenteeism
Rap
AndySamberg
Colbert
Work
Autotrader.com

Aaaaand that should cover it. Sorry for the lack of posts, but rest assured, all of my devoted readers will be satisfied periodically with a pleasant post from Billy, the King of Rock and Roll.

In closing,

Diversity

2006-08-27T21:06:00.000-04:00

"Well, I could be wrong, but I believe, uh, diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era."

2006-08-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

I grew a beard, and I don't like it. :-\

I'd just like to say...

2006-08-16T22:53:00.000-04:00

I'd just like to say that Snakes on a Plane has had more publicity than any movie I've heard of in a long time. It's got cool bands, big stars, and Samuel L. Jackson giving it free press.

That pretty much means it's gonna suck balls.

Yay!

4:30 am

2006-08-16T06:47:00.000-04:00

You know, waking up at 4:30 am isn't the most awesome thing ever like I thought it would be. I'd never really noticed before recently, because I always missed it, but now I know - I wasn't missing out on anything.

Old music

2006-08-16T06:44:00.000-04:00

There's nothing quite like pulling out an old favorite cd for the first time in a long time. It's satisfying.

Why did I do this?

2006-08-14T20:30:00.000-04:00

1) How old do you wish you were?
25....my wish will com true in about two weeks.

2) Where were you when 9/11 happened?
Asleep at my apartment in Tuscaloosa. My roommate woke me up to watch tv, but alas, we didn't have cable

3) What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
scream obscenities

4) Do you consider yourself kind?
Yes

5) If you HAD to get a tattoo, what would it be?
something big and obnoxious

6) If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
The language of free stuff.

7) Do you know your neighbors?
they change every week it seems, so no.

8) What do you consider a vacation?
Paradise,

9) Do you follow your horoscope?
No. I would, but I have this innate sense of reality

10) Are you touchy feely?
Depends on my level of sobriety

11) Do you believe that opposites attract?
sure. why not.

13) Dream job?
Paid vacation taker and/or potential lunch winner

14) Favorite TV show(s)?
24, The Office, Mythbusters, The Daily Show

15) Favorite place to go on weekends?
Away...

16) Showers or Baths?
Showers

17) Do you paint your nails?
hrm. My sexual preference might be called into question if I did.

18) Do you trust people easily?
I'm learning my lesson on that.

19) What are your phobias?
I don't know of any, off the top of my head.

20) Do you want kids?
Yes....only in moderation though.

21) Do you keep a handwritten journal?
I used to, but my sister read it once, so no.

22) Where would you rather be right now?
Relaxing on a tropical island

24) Heavy or light sleeper?
Depends on how tired I am

25) Are you paranoid?
No

26) Are you impatient?
If I'm nice and well-rested, no, but if I'm tired and stressed out, yes.

27) Who can you relate to?
Anyone who isn't perfect.

28) How do you feel about interracial couples?
Depends on whether or not it's me doing the interracial coupling.

29) Have you been burned by love?
Indeed I have.

30) What’s your favorite pick up line?
Will you please have sex with me?

31) What’s your main ringtone on your cell?
Ring

32) What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping....I was tired....much like I currently am...

33) What did the last text on your mobile phone say?
"Check your e-mail real quick about Meacham Airport and perdiem" - work....ugh

34) Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
My craphole bed that makes my back hurt.

35) What color shirt are you wearing?
I'm not wearing one. another one of the luxuries of being a bachelor...

36) Most recent movie you watched?
I dunno....possibly A Beautiful Mind

37) Name three things you have on you at all times?
Wallet, Cell Phone, and watch

38.) What color are your bed sheets?
White

39) How much cash do you have on you right now?
10 bucks or so. I almost never carry cash.

40) What is your favorite part of the chicken?
Much like Kim, I like breasts.

41) What’s your favorite town/city?
I dug New York.

42) I can’t wait till…
I move into my new house....and get a new car.

43) Who got you to join MySpace?
Noone imparticular. I joined of my own free will....i think.

44) What did you have for dinner last night?
Chicken something from Applebees.

45) How tall are you barefoot?
6'4"

46) Have you ever tried heroin?
Nope...can't say that I have.

47) Do you own a gun?
no....i'll probably get one when I get a house though.

48) What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Orange juice....followed by many servings of water. gotta stay hydrated so I don't kill myself.

49) What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
My unbelievably good looks. (hehe....only kidding)

50) Do you have A.D.D.?
not usually

51) What time did you wake up today?
4:30 am (yes, I know my life sucks)

52) Current worry?
Getting through the week.

53) Current hate?
Too many jobs to do at work.

54) Favorite place to be?
Paradise.

55) Where would u like to travel?
Greece...Italy

56) Where do you think you’ll be in 10 yrs?
dunno. and I'm okay with that.

57) Last thing you ate?
Chicken nuggets from Chic-fil-a

58) What songs do you sing in the shower?
I'm usually in such a hurry when I take a shower that I don't sing much. just wash...rinse....no time for repeat.

59) Last thing that made you laugh?
Somebody at work.

60) Worst injury you’ve ever had?
Knee injury in high school football. Still bothers me, but at least I can tell when it's gonna rain.

61) Does someone have a crush on you?
I think so.

62) What’s your favorite candy?
Butterfinger

63) What song is stuck in your head?
Some Lil' Jon song. I know....I'm ghetto.

I signed a contract on a house!

2006-08-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

IMG_0277,
originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Here's the house I signed on. I love it. The inside is so nice, because it's the model house. It's a 4 br 2.5 bath...super sweet.

I should close mid to late September. :-)

Good God

2006-08-11T16:27:00.000-04:00

Holy crap, I'm exhausted.

I need to go home and go to bed...like..now.

Brink of War?

2006-08-01T21:26:00.000-04:00

It's been too long, old friend

2006-07-29T13:19:00.000-04:00

After some heavy coercion, I have decided to update my blog today.

I am...ridiculously tired right now, and I'm at work. I know, I know. Please, I don't want your sympathy. This has to be the hardest thing anyone's ever been through, but I'm going to be strong *chokes up*.

Anyways, I have some exciting news. Yesterday, I got pre-approved to buy a house!!! WOOHOO! Needless to say, I'm super-excited about that. I'll finally have something I can call my own. In about a month (maybe a little less), I'll be the proud owner of a piece of real estate in Fort Worth, and it'll have a house on it too!! Yay.

I'll document my search here, as long as I remember to bring my camera, because without pictures, it would be pretty boring.

Now, when someone comes to visit, such as my Mom or any of the others who've been to my small apt in Waxahachie, they won't have to sleep on the couch, because I'll have a guest bedroom. :-) I can't tell you how excited I am to be done (at least for now) with apartments.

Today is the 29th of July, which means in a little more than a month (September 1), I'll be turning 25. I'm definitely getting old, and this year has definitely flown by, but it's been a good year so far, and I'm happy with the way things are going.

Now, if I could just get some sleep. I think I'm gonna go home now.

PEACE!

Funny Quote from Saddam

2006-07-26T10:47:00.000-04:00

It's funny to me when a captured harsh dictator starts complaining that Americans aren't treating him fairly....

Saddam also complained that he had been brought to the chamber against his will and rejecting the tribunal as an agent of the U.S. occupation.
"The Americans insisted that I come against my will. This is not fair," Saddam told the chief judge.

My response? Well Saddam, at least they aren't feeding you through a meat grinder "against your will."

Stupid bastard.

Coolest game ever

2006-07-24T18:07:00.000-04:00

BJ Novak (from The Office) on Muslim Theology

2006-07-23T18:54:00.000-04:00

Hilarious.

Mitch Hedberg

2006-07-18T00:14:00.000-04:00

Comedic Genious

Alabama Football

2006-07-17T15:52:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but I'm pumped about college football season being right around the corner. Only another month and a half!!!

Hopefully, well see some more plays like this from our boys in red, and hopefully from Mr. Prothro.

heat

2006-07-17T01:34:00.000-04:00

The heat index has been over 100 for as many days as I can remember in Dallas. Man, it's hot over here.

Just a little bit

2006-07-15T10:50:00.000-04:00

mike-jones,
originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

I need a vacation (again). Maybe I'll take a couple of days off sometime soon.

I'm moving soon...to Fort Worth. I'll be a lot closer to work, so I won't have to spend 2 hours a day in the car. That'll be great. I'm probably going to rent a house for now. I wanted to buy, but I'm not ready for that just yet. Soon.

I should get back to work. That would be great.

Satisfaction

2006-07-13T00:04:00.000-04:00

Whatever we are most satisfied by is the thing that we best glorify.

WOW

2006-07-11T11:01:00.000-04:00

I've quickly realized today that I wish I were not at work. I'd like to be home sleeping. Yea, that would be amazing.

Aaaaaand here's a tasteful picture to commemorate today. Enjoy!

Today

2006-07-09T22:23:00.000-04:00

Today, on the drive to Houston, I was honest with myself about some of the things I've been incapable of doing that with in the past. It felt good.

Some of the topics:

1.) My discontentment with the church as a whole. This quote pretty much sums it up: "Christianity began as a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When it went to Athens, it became a philosophy. When it went to Rome, it became an organization. When it went to Europe, it became a culture. When it came to America, it became a business." (no idea where it's from, but props to whomever).

2.) General confusion about my life's path and whether or not it involves a ministry directly rooted in a church or denomination, instead of a ministry of helping those in need in some (currently) unknown way.

3.) Confession of some things I'd been previously unwilling to admit, mostly involving bad motives for saying some of the things I've said, primarily from the pulpit, but extending from there into "normal conversation.

4.) A realization that many things I've preached in the past are not necessarily true. I believed them at the time, but the fact is, I'm still trying to figure a lot of it out. There are a lot of things I think I know, but I'm still deciding on, which leaves a lot of room for error.

Don't mistake my logic here. I love God's church....the people, but the nauseating factor is what those people that I love (previously including yours truly) have turned the church into.....a business.

I know this may not interest many of you, but I needed to type it out. Writing about things makes me feel better.

Houston

2006-07-09T00:19:00.000-04:00

Houston was interesting. I ate at one of the best Mexican Restaurants ever. Their fajitas and margaritas were amazing. I have to go back tomorrow night and work Monday, but I think I'm gonna drive down early tomorrow morning and go to the beach in Galveston just for fun. I may be disappointed though. The last beach I went to was in the Bahamas.

I'll just have to pretend I'm there and close my eyes. haha.

I'm in Houston

2006-07-06T19:13:00.000-04:00

HPD, originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

I'm in Houston on business (that sounds wierd). Here's the view from my hotel window.

I feel pretty safe. No seriously.

SKYNYRD

2006-07-05T20:59:00.000-04:00

PLAY SOME SKYNYRD !!!!

Whoops

2006-07-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

I started this new blog, and I haven't updated in about a week. Sorry about that.

I'm at work now, but I'd really just like to go home. Home, in bed, sound asleep. It's all rainy outside today. I suppose that's to blam for my fatigue.

I'm leaving this afternoon for Houston on business. It should be cool. The beach is only about 45 minutes from there, so guess where I'll be every day when I'm done with work!

There's talk of us starting some business in Switzerland. Oh, what I wouldn't give to move to Switzerland for a few years of my life. I hope they pick me to go out there. That would be amazing. Man, I should probably try to get married before that though. I don't think I'll be getting married anytime soon. Maybe I'll come back with a Swiss wife who can make some killer Swiss chocolate and/or Swiss cheese. Then I'll be able to sound cool and say I have my money in a Swiss account.

This would be my view every morning. MMMM. Talk about a rise in my Levis.

24

2006-06-30T21:22:00.000-04:00

Why does 24 have to be so dang good?

I can't just watch one episode. Whenever I start a season, I feel the need to sit down and watch the entire season in one sitting.

I'm on episode 3. It's gonna be a long night. :-)

Death

2006-06-30T10:13:00.000-04:00

I came in from work the other day, and I had left the TV on. I didn't bother to turn it off or change the channel. That was a mistake.

I was busy cleaning up my apt, but I could hear it in the background. This teenager type show was on. These kids kept talking to each other using "AIM lingo," such as LOL or BRB or TTYL. No seriously. They were doing this repeatedly. The really bad part was that you could tell this guy was thinking he was incredibly cool for using AIM abbreviations in real life conversation.

I wanted to jump from my balcony in a fit of helpless self-destruction, but I got my bearings, moved quickly towards the remote control, and turned it off. By doing this, I am quite sure that I avoided certain death.

My life is much more satisfying now that my television will no longer tune to that channel.

Kim Herndon

2006-06-29T21:16:00.000-04:00

Boy, that Kim Herndon....

She just.....sucks. Real bad.

I'm a little nautious. I'd better stop typing.

So glad

2006-06-28T21:43:00.000-04:00

I'm so happy with life.

It's ridiculous. I shouldn't be (for reasons that will remain unmentioned), but I am.

Things are going very well lately. Now, if so and so would go ahead and come back from such and such a place, that'd be greeeeat. k? thanks.

Scientists: Boy's odds of being gay traced to womb

2006-06-28T10:04:00.000-04:00

The article identifies an interesting correlation -- the chances of any particular boy being gay increases with the number of male children his mother had before bearing him. Interesting indeed. This stands in constrast to the prior studies identifying the "gay gene."

True to form, the media is all over this, but I've grown to distrust the media when it comes to their reporting of scientific studies. Here's why.

They really don't have any idea about scientific research, how to analyze it, or how to critically analyze the methods. One small mistake (using the wrong method, taking an improper sample, etc.) can yield false results, and the media assumedly does not check for error, who funded the project, or methodological validity before they jump in front of the camera to be the first to drop a "new discovery."

This reminds me of Al Gore's "hundreds" of climate researchers who gave his new film, "An Inconvenient Truth" "five stars for accuracy." The AP reported this story but failed to name any more than five of the scientists that were referenced. Further, the specialization of the "majority" of scientists that validate his claims is not the cause of climate change, but the effects.

What's more is that the majority of the studies that he refers do not directly support his claims, and some of them actually deny them. The specific "scientific data" he cites (the one claiming a drastic reduction in the polar ice caps and a dramatic increase in temperature) wasn't built properly. First, the study measured one section of the polar ice cap in October during the 60's right in the middle of a cooling trend, and the second measured a different section, using different technology, during September (a warmer month) during the 90's. The second test just happened to be conducted right in the middle of a warming trend. When conducting research, it's always a good idea to compare apples with apples, rather than apples with steamboats.

The truth is this: Al Gore is a politician, not a researcher. He's struggling desperately to build himself a platform for the upcoming Presidential race that he's "not running" in. He has to attach his name to something, and globaly warming didn't have any other candidates attached to it, so he chose that.

Politics....

Osama Times

2006-06-28T08:59:00.000-04:00

osama times, originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Haha.

I think this is funny.

Rarely

2006-06-27T00:57:00.000-04:00

I wrote a letter to my dad - I wrote, "I really enjoy being here," but I accidentally wrote rarely instead of really. But I wanted to use it. I didn't wanna cross it out, so I wrote, "I rarely...drive steamboats, dad - there's a lot of sh*t you don't know about me. Quit trying to act like I'm a steamboat operator." This letter took a harsh turn right away...

R.I.P Mitch Hedberg

Starsky

2006-06-27T00:43:00.000-04:00

Starsky
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Here's a recent picture of Starsky. I missed him so much while I was gone. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I was so happy to see him when I got him back today.

I missed my little buddy. :-)

paradise

2006-06-26T23:43:00.000-04:00

paradise
Originally uploaded by prodigalbilly.

Photo #1 from my cruise taken at Half Moon Cay, a private island we visited. It was paradise.

Seriously

Today has been the best....

2006-06-26T23:02:00.000-04:00

Today has been the best day ever (not really). It hasn't been bad though. Considering it was the first day back after a week long vacation in paradise, it was the best day of my life.

It seems to me that my life is taking a turn, hopefully for the best. Things are changing. I’m improving on some levels, and other things are just totally jacked up. I’ve been performing nightly as a male stripper at the Boom Boom Room, and my heroine habit is back.

Okay, that was a lie, but seriously, I keep telling myself, “I’m just figuring some things out right now.” But I’m not so sure. I think maybe I already have “figured some things out.” I have quite a bit to learn, but I think I know myself more now than I ever have before. It’s been quite the journey over the past year and a half. I’ve accomplished things I never thought I would, discovered things I never thought I’d find, and gone places I never thought I’d go.

I can’t help but think: Do I really want my old life back? The answer is “no.” NO, NO, NO. I’ve been debating my Spiritual position within myself lately. One part of me would say, “Wow Billy, you need to pray more, get more involved in church, and read through the Bible again.” (these are all good things, but keep listening). The other side, however, says, “This is freedom. This is love...love like I’ve never experienced before. Embrace this. Life is so abundant, so good, so different than it was before, that I can’t possibly conclude that my previous life was more Biblical than my present life.”

Why the hell would I want to go back to a miserable life of guilt, frustration, failure, and confusion? A few thoughts on this:

1.) God is clearly not the author/creator of those things,

2.) It isn’t even remotely logical to remove myself from freedom, only to go back to bondage, so that I can look and act how many people expect me to.

3.) Most importantly, I understand God’s love today more than ever before.

I love God more now than I ever have. Before, He was nothing more than a pattern, just something I did because I didn’t have anything else to do, but I didn’t love Him; I was afraid of Him. Now, He’s real. He’s here with me, and in view of His mercy, I am more in love with God than I ever dreamed I would be. I am by no means perfect, not by a long shot, and I think that’s what makes me love Him that much more. I stopped pretending to be perfect, and started being myself. Only then did God open Himself up to me. I find it very intriguing that my understanding of God’s love increased when the church’s perception of me decreased.

I can never see myself going back to that person I used to be. Life is grand. Freedom is addictive, and Christ’s love is everlasting.

Wow, that turned into a philosophical muse. Enough of that. I’m off to enjoy a tall, cool....soda. :-)

2006-06-26T21:34:00.000-04:00

New Blog

2006-06-26T21:03:00.000-04:00

Yes, that's right. It's my new blog. Bookmark it, RSS it, print it out and make a devotional booklet out of it. Whatever makes you happy. Why? Because this is all about you, my friends.

I like google so much, that I just can't stay with LiveJournal anymore. I enjoy myspace and all, but the blogging on it leaves a lot to be desired.

The cruise was phenomenal. Definitely one of the best, if not THE best, vacation ever. It was paradise for a week.

So sweet. Now I want to buy an island, and hire a reggae band to play there nonstop. I'll put pictures up before long. They will be beautiful, just like all of you.