I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more...

Last night I continued my "walk" to a healthier me. But this time I timed what I could do in a mile. I had no idea what I was or wasn't capable of, so I was fairly curious as to what kind of shape I was actually in. So, with the aid of a pro runner and his stopwatch, I ventured into uncharted territory.

First, I'll share with you my usual routine. I go to the Ada track, first of all. I get there and immediately walk a half-mile (2 laps) whilst listening to some of my favorite tunes on the iPod. Before too long, I'll share with you a decent running playlist. I'm sure you are all waiting impatiently for me to share. Yeah.

So, after I walk two laps around, I pause at the starting line, and do a light stretch. Then I proceed to run a full mile (4 laps). After I run the mile, I walk another half-mile. By this time I have went around the track 8 times (2 miles) total. I'm half-way done. I basically do the same kind of thing again until I reach a total of 4 miles. Sometimes I'll replace a lap or two of walking with jogging/running. That's basically it. Depending on how I'm feeling, I may do a little more or a little less.

Last night was unique in the fact that I timed what I could do. I did three different timings... if that's a word. The first I timed a mile, which was timed at 8 minutes and 13 seconds. Not bad, I suppose, but I felt like I could do a lot better. So, I timed my next mile, which was at a whopping 7 minutes and 15 seconds. Almost a full minute faster. And the lap times were as follows: 1'58", 1'48", 1'46", 1'42". It was weird how I got faster with each lap. And each lap I became more and more tired. I guess I was impressed with the second timing. I don't know how good that is or isn't. My goal is to reach a 6 minute mile by the end of July.

Okay... I'm hungry now. I want food. I'ma do sumptin' 'boutit.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

Here I come to save the day

My Girl.... such a great song. It makes me a sad panda, but I like the tune.

Not much exciting is going on in the life-O-Kent. I should start going Andy Kauffaman on people..... Perhaps start a fist fight with a girl..... Sing the Mighty Mouse theme song.... who knows....

Maybe I could throw things off the stadium..... Maybe I could slap a baboon..... Maybe I could finally understand Quantum Physics.... Maybe I could grow some bigok!..... Maybe I could update my blog..... Maybe I could play fetch the bat with my teeth....

There are many things I could do... but it's so much easier doing nothing... and it sucks. I could always go to WalMart and play with the toys.... get thrown out of WalMart....

Maybe I could just hit "Publish" and move on with my life...

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

I have nothing to say, except this...

I don't think she has any idea. Do I tell her? Do I risk it all? Am I only fooling myself?

I am really begining to hate the question mark....

Shake Blues

Almost as annoying as people in front of you with more than the max limit of items at an express checkout lane...

I was hungry, so, I was going to one of the best places in the world to tame my hunger pangs. But, I also had a sweet tooth.... what should I do? Braum's was the answer.

In my mind, a shake was what I really wanted, but, my eye was hungrier than the rest of me, so I stopped by Taco Bell first. The problem is that in a college town, in the evening, the line isn't exactly short. College folk come in herds to this "Taco Hell" to satisfy their late night cravings... more than likely due to the fact that either it's the only thing open, or they need a quick fix due to the reactions to the weed.

Anyway, I say "Nay!" to "Taco Hell" and "Yea!" to Braum's-O-Goodness. I was getting excited, for I knew of the delectible awesomness that was about to enter my pallette. As soon as I parked my vehicle in the lot of Braum's, I noticed, to my left, a church van. No big deal... right? Well, until I notice 2,581 people head for the ice cream line... ahead of me. I mean, the place was virtually empty until the clown car posse and my body entered the ediface.

Yes, I eventually received my large Vanilla shake, which happened to be 80% full when I first got it. About 3.7% was on the outside of the cup...

After I left, I saw Jesus eyes... the Braum's made me see Jesus eyes....

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

How God does things...

She Freakin' Blocked Me

True story? Very funny. Watch. Enjoy.

Invisible

I hate it when I like a girl... not just any girl..... I hate it when I like her so much,... yet she doesn't see me. She's looking somewhere else. Why can't you see me?

Falls Creek update

This is a picture the construction of the new tabernacle at Falls Creek. It's coming along quite nicely....

Flash Cards

Old lady boobs and an un-express check out. Interested? Read on...

It all started when I decided that my evening meal would be purchased at 11th greatest place on earth... WalMart. I go straight to the frozen goods section. I pass by the taquitos and the ice cream snickers, unfortunately, because I like to mix the two together into a delicious entree' of crap. Actually, when you mix the two together, it actually looks like crap.

So, I make my way to the frozen pizzas. Yes, the frozen pizzas. God's gift to mankind. That and college football. Pizzas in-hand, I head to the strawberries. Now, when you get strawberries at WalMart, you have to be careful. Some berries have "extra" fur on them... so, don't get those. Some strawberries look to be the nerds and dorks of the berry kingdom. Don't get those either. Strawberry social outcasts doesn't taste good.

I get my perfectly picked out berries of straw and head towards the checkout lane. Having only two items, I go for the 20-items-or-less-Express-Checkout-Lane-lane. Of course, only one of these lanes are being operated, the other 3,000 are just sitting there. I get in line behind these two older ladies. When I say "older", I mean they would have qualified for the Craftmatic Adjustable Bed. I mean 'bout everything is wrinkly.... yes. I glance into their cart-O-goodies and notice that not only have they more than the required amount, they tore off the "20 items or less sign", set it on fire, and the remains were in the basket. Okay, so maybe the last part isn't true, but the fact is that they probably had more than doubled the max.

So, already peeved, the woman take their precious time unloading their basket. When they proceed to pay, they whip out a credit card. And of course, the credit card won't work. They do the same thing 17 times, which, surprisingly didn't work. Finally, it works. Then the grossest thing I've seen in 25 years enters my field of vision. There was a wardrobe malfunction. Grabbing her satchel of crap, she bends over slightly, opening the space between the buttons on her shirt. And this wasn't any small opening. A baby llama could have crawled inside. This opening revealed fat rolls and a boob. Who knows, maybe the boob was another fat roll, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't.

After throwing up for several minutes, I paid for my merch, and left. In fact, I don't think I blinked after the horrors I witnessed. I may have passed out... I don't know. All I know is, BLEEEEEEHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *throw up sounds.... throw up sounds.....throw up sounds*

Until next time, vaya con Dios. And please, old ladies... don't flash me.

Shine

Endurance- or stamina, the capability of sustaining prolonged stressful effort.

Whenever we pray, we always ask to escape certain situations. If somebody, for example, is going through tough times with family, they usually pray to God that they be relieved of the issue. What if God needs us to go through these types of things? Why shouldn't we instead pray for endurance through these situations rather than escape them?

In James 1:2-3, it says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

It's so much easier said than done, I know. But we should consider it pure joy? Pure joy? Of course! Whenever God is allowing us to go through something, He's using it to make us better.

Take a look... at others and yourself. Whenever times are tough, then your true light will shine. Are you mad at the world? Are you mad at God? Or, do you look at the glass half full? Even though you may not be happy, you should be joyful. God is using these situations to help you, not to hurt you.

I gripe and complain way too much about what I don't have. I never give God the praise He deserves for what He's given me. I am blessed far beyond what I deserve.

Does the world see me different? Am I not of this world? I think it's time to reveal the light that is shining within me.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

From the outside, looking in....

I can put on a fake smile and tell you it's all okay. I've been doing that for a while now.

I can joke around and tell you it doesn't bother me. I've tried to believe that.

Dreams force me to recognize that I'm only fooling myself. I know what I want. But is it what I need?

Is it bad that I am jealous of shadows of reality?

The show must go on...

Happy Father's Day?

Fathers Day..........

6 years ago my father passed away due to complication with cancer. So, whenever Father's Day shows up on the calender I wonder what it would be like if he were still around. Would I be here, in Ada? Would I be married? With a family? Would I have a career? Successful? Happy? How different would I be?

I don't know if this is just "how I am" or what, but I wonder if I would have been more outgoing and less shy. I seemed to have taken a step back when all of the things happened to my father. I know I can analyze this to death, which I'm not. It's a little like the Butterfly Effect (not the movie). I couldn't save him. Am I still, at some level, blaming God for taking him away from my family and I? When I think about it, I can't stand to imagine my mother living all by herself. Just think: Your spouse of many years is all of a sudden no longer there. No longer are your kids there either. You're alone. I am the last child living at home. When I leave, that's it. What's going to happen to her? I'm scared for her. I don't want to leave her alone.

In the later months of my father's life, it was somewhat expected that his "time" was quickly approaching. I knew it, yet I didn't want to face it. So, I guess I didn't know how to deal with the whole situation. I mean, how are you suppose to deal with your own father's approaching death? How??

Whenever I talk to somebody about him, I don't mind. In fact, I think it makes the other person more uncomfortable than it does myself. But sometimes I don't even want to think about it. I create my own shielded world where nothing can harm me, which doesn't work. I see others with their father and wish I had that.

Would I be a better person if he were still around?

The new international sign for gas stations

Has there ever been a truer sign?

My cousin is Mr. Coffee

Today, I helped install a ceiling fan for Roz. Everything went according to plan, which was for everything to work correctly, except for everything didn't go according to plan. What happened was the lights didn't work properly (properly = turns on). I gave up trying to be Mr. McFixesitall and left before I end up breaking something. But the satisfaction of a semi-job well done almost beat out the fact that I got paid for job. But, I intend to help out later to fix the problem of the lights.

I have a lot of reading to do before tomorrow for one of my classes. School sucks, yo....., which costs over a thousand dollars just for the summer. Sheesh... school isn't worth it.....

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday. That day means something totally different for me now. I'll tell you later.... it'll probably be a long post....

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

The persecuted

Tonight I did my first bible study at Ada First Baptist for the college group. The study focused on the persecuted Christian. First I read a few stories out of the Jesus Freaks book. Then we went over several verses pertaining to the study. It was simple. I am not a great public speaker by any stretch of the imagination, so let's just say that I'm glad it's over. I don't think I did too bad, but I would understand them preferring somebody else to do it. I think I would prefer that. But, I did learn quite a bit from doing the research for this study. It reminds me that being a Christian isn't easy or simple. We are told that we are going to suffer because of who we serve. 1 Peter 4: 14 says, "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."

Change of subject....

The Dallas Mavericks are beating the Miami Heat by 13 with 6 minutes in the 4th. Finally, a team that I like has a great chance to win the NBA Finals. I always rooted against Jordan and the Bulls whenever they played. I like Jordan, but everybody and their llama was going for them. I wanted to be different. And for all who know me know that still holds true.

Wow... this has been less than exciting.... so, here's a picture to keep you and me entertained:

Jonathon is just hanging out...

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

Hello Aloe

As requested, I will post some of the pictures from Bryan's wedding. But, I'll only add the good ones (meaning, the ones that I'm in).

And speaking of Bryan, he's on his way to Florida right now. And the last I heard, so was a tropical storm. Let's hope that Chuck Norris will do Bryan a favor and roundhouse kick that storm to Jupiter... the planet, not Jupiter, Florida.

Let's just say, I was happy to be out of that tux and back to my WalMart clothes... not that there's anything wrong with that.

Until next time, vaya con Aloe Vera and Dios.

.... and thanks for the warning...

Roasty Toasty

Today I finally got to go swimming. The pool was almost the perfect temperature. That was great. But the sunburn I received wasn't.... So, I made a sad face.

But I'll survive, in my Mach 5.

And for those keeping score: Kent: 0 Sun: 1

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

Play Usher

Last night was the rehearsal for Bryan and Whitney's wedding (AKA Britney). I am an usher along with my good friend Ed, who hasn't updated his blog in a long time... hint hint....

It was good seeing Ed again. We caught up on some good times, went to WalMart, and played usher. In several hours will be the wedding, and I have to say that I'll look smashing in my tux. I'll take pictures to prove it to you. Then you can be utterly disappointed by me hyping it. Oh well. I need to get home and sleep.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

Bon voyage

...You gotta make your own kind of music.....

I spent today at the Wellness Center for day #2 of buffing up. I can't pull that off, can I? Anyway, I almost completely wore myself out. But then I get a call from a friend wanting to play some tennis. I can't refuse that... I love tennis. So, I'm going to wear myself out even more later tonight.

Bryan's wedding up quickly approaching. Wow.... I can't believe that he will be a married man in just a few days. That guy has grown up just in the short time that I've known him. He was this odd, crazy guy. He has settled down since, but I can still see the craziness in him. I guess that's what women will do to you. But you know what? Bryan is a better person because of it. Rob, I know you disagree (you'd understand that if you read this post).

So, Bryan if you read this, good luck and I love you brother!

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

Licensed guns

The first step in a stronger, slimmer me is underway.

I went with Rob to the ECU Wellness Center earlier today to use the machines that will help mold us into the next Hanz and Franz.... AND WE WILL PUMP *CLAP* YOU UP! SNL reference.... in case you were wondering.

I did several exercises that worked many different muscle groups. But it was mostly upper body. I am struggling just to open a door. But I'm glad I did it. I need to set some short term and long term goals for myself. I need to come up with something.

So, ladies, watch out for Kent: version 25. Now I just need to work on the tan...

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

I heard you kissed a carney?

For 2 weekends in a row, I attended what I call "pre-wedding festivities". Some call it a "bachelor party", but I don't like using such words. And many .... uh.... interesting experiences occurred. My friend, Bryan, is getting married next weekend. So, Bryan and 4 of his friends (including me) went out and had some bachelor fun. We made him wear a "Groom" shirt, too, to make it official. And I'm cautious as to tell you these tales..... but I will.

Here was the game plan. Go to Bricktown and eat (Zio's). Which was familiar to me, because I did the same exact thing last weekend with another "pre-wedding fest". But, I'm not really complaining... for the food was awesometastic. Then we were to go to have some roller coaster fun at Frontier City. They close the park at 11 p.m, so any plans after that would be made as we crossed that bridge. We chose to go back to Bricktown and end the night with time spent at a lovely restaurant with the name having something to do with owls... or something like that. But the story isn't that simple.... no, no, no, no, no.... I'll go into a little more detail. Let's do this like Quentin Tarentino.

Frontier City
It was much more fun than I expected. You see, our group JUST got through eating a fairly large meal at Zio's. So, full stomachs and roller coasters with loops don't mix well. But, I never blew chunks.... rejected the picante, hurled, face pooped,... We did pretty much all the rides worth riding. (Meaning all the non-kiddy rides.)

The time was approaching the 11 p.m. closing period, so we were making our way through the park to exit. To exit we had to pass many of the play-games-for-prizes areas. One of them was a basketball shot being operated by an attractive female (we'll call her Sheila). She yelled out towards us to try to coax us into playing a game. So, we convinced the "groom" to give it a try, but under certain conditions. One, if he made one of the two shots, Sheila would have to do a sort of slow dance with Bryan. Then, to further coax us into playing the game, SHE suggested that she would offer a contradulatory kiss. We were game.

Bryan made the very first shot. And missed the second. Either way, he won not only a mini-basketball, but a dance and a kiss. Bryan was very hesitant, but went on with the dance. No harm done. But when the time came for the kiss, he politely refused, for which I totally understand. I would have done the same. So, she was left there with nobody to kiss. We needed a "groom replacement". I, Kent, took charge. I was the "groom replacement". And if you haven't been following along, this means that I'm getting a free kiss.

So, I took my place in front of "Sheila". And at this point, I'm wondering how this kiss is going to go down. Is it going to be a kiss on the cheek? A smack on the lips? I was about to ask her about the procedure when she made her move. I guess I was going to have to wing it. And wing it, I did. It was a full-on semi-make out session. Open mouth. The guys with me were just as amazed as I was at the moment... in fact, it still leaves me in amazement. The kiss lasted roughly three seconds, but it seemed like it lasted MUCH longer. In the view of my fellow brethren, I had received extra "cool points". I wanted to stay, but we left anyway soon thereafter. If you don't believe me, then come and see me... I have proof. And no, it's not a disease. I should go to Frontier City more often...

"Owl-like" eatery
You can probably tell by the mini-title what place I'm referring to. But, after Frontier City, we decided that the night isn't over. We wanted to embarrass Bryan in some form or fashion. And what better place than a bunch of hard working ladies from the owl joint? We got there and told the employees there as the the upcoming marital status of our fine friend, and it turned out there was another groom-to-be there. So, they gathered them both and equally embarrassed at the same time. They did a song and dance. Quite beautiful, really. But the introduction to the song and dance was unique. They announced that these two men were getting married. Which is true, but the way they said it made it sound like they were marrying each other. Which was news to me... I didn't know Bryan was gay...

I also was called gay because I didn't order any pie. This was an up and down day...

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

25 and counting

I am sooooo 25 now.

Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday dear meeeeeee
Happy birhtday to me

The Demon speaks

You know when you laugh so hard that you can't breathe? Or that you are laughing so much tears are streaming down your face? Well, such occurrences ... uh,..... Occurred earlier on the night of June 1-2.

You see, my cousin (Jason) is getting married today. So, after the wedding rehearsal yesterday we wanted to do a little sumptin'-sumptin' to commemorate his last night of singlehood. Don't worry,... it was nothing more than watching a video he made and going to the donut establishment.

The Video
Every year for roughly 8 years there was something called "The Boxer Party". The party was always at Jason's house. And at his house there would normally be a ton of people. And when I say "ton", I mean a buttload. The best thing at this event was the ever popular slip-and-slide. We'd always have it in the same place in their back yard. So their backyard has this very noticeable reverse bulge about 30 feet long. And I don't think it has ever dried. So, I had the privilege of video taping Boxer Party volume 7. Jason then took that film and edited it into a terrific piece of work. Near naked people and a lot of mud. Don't worry, it wasn't a commercial for Schmit's Gay. This kinda thing just happens. Laughing ensued.... lot's of it.

The Donut Shop
You have to understand. My cousin is famous for his random acts of insanity. Just picture a guy who can fart on command and go places with the guy. You WILL laugh. So, this trip to the donut shop would no doubt be memorable. And boy did this trip not disappoint.

Picture it: About 12 people. 7 of those we don't know. So, we coax Jason to build up some magic. And watching him work up some potion is fun in itself. So, we are all laughing as it is. Then, easily one of the loudest butt explosions I have ever heard. Then there was this short period of time where it was silent as the graves. Then our group started laughing and then another group near us busted out laughing. One guy was especially appreciative of this art. Another group, however, seemed to be repulsed by such an action. But that just made it all the more funny.

But, you think, that was it. No no no no...... We kept asking him for one more. And he tried... and tried... and tried. Nothing doing. So, Big Steve told him to get on the floor so he would have more room to maneuver. So, he did. He got on his back, lifted both legs so he could "gather air". It worked. Not just one or two.... it was a plethora of farts ("butt chuckles" as I like to call it). And Jason does this thing where he can make his "butt chuckles" sound like a demon. But he ALWAYS kept how he did this a mystery... until last night. It was the first public unveiling of The Demon. I could tell you how he did it, but that would just ruin it. Anyway, the same groups reacted the same... only multiplied times 3. And just as soon as he was done, Jason jumped up and said, "Alright, let's go." And right before I walked out the door, I heard the girls at the I-didn't-think-it-was-funny-booth say, "I can smell it!".

It was quite possibly the funniest thing I've witnessed in 4 years. Yes, 4 years.

Until next time, vaya con Dios. And happy farting!

Copy and paste

I am freeeeeee to run.....

I just finished running at the track. I am starting to feel good about my exercise routine. It's still too early to see any physical changes yet, but time will tell. So, now I will, for the first time, copy and paste something from my Xanga blog. Enjoy...

"Well, I am about to go running, which I really need to get into the habit of doing. I need to get rid of some of this fat that has accumulated over the college years. You know what I'm talking about. Don't tell me you haven't heard of the "freshman 15". Anyway, my goal is to lose about 10 lbs.

"In high school I weighed no more than 160 lbs. And let's just say I am NOT at that particular weight anymore. Let's just say I did the work of 2 freshman (hint: look at the previous paragraph and do the math). But, I've also been doing a minimal amount of weight lifting, which adds some muscle weight to me. I'm no doubt stronger in the upper body now compared to the high school version of me. But, I'm also bigger.... fat, in other words. So, I'm trying to take care of that.

"Confession time. I'm single, most everyone knows that. And for some reason I think the reason I'm single is partly because I am not attractive. Makes sense. So, by trying to slim up... or down.... I think I can at least try to attract one or two females that I otherwise would not. Is it bad to think that? And my personality is the other thing. I believe I am nice to most everybody, but my personality usually yields better to being only friends... nothing more. What is it about me?"

Feel free to leave a comment... let me know there are still people who read this! And here's a picture to entertain those who skipped the previous words and random punctuation... pathetic....