Whenever a person gets down on their luck, it shows.  Maybe not at that second, maybe not that moment, maybe not for a long while, but it will.  Luckily, mine shows up right afterward.  Most of the time anyway.  And after this time that they get down on their luck, they realize things that they should have realized a long time ago.  Maybe their ego would not let them realize half the things that they should have known before hand, but now they finally realize some things that help them through their way.

That's me.

My weekend, the Father's Day weekend of 2004, has been an uplifting weekend and an odd one to say the least.  Friday I spent the day with my friend Marie from Minnesota (that was only the start of it).  Yes, I spent the day, considering that I haven't seen her in about five years.  And she's changed a small bit, but I realized that I've always had something for this girl even back when she lived right next door to me.  I don't think I've ever wanted to admit it, but I'm guessing that I have.

Saturday I went to work as usual and did absolutely nothing.  Go figure, right?  After work I met my friend Maria (weird coinsidence with the names, I know) and we watched Saved.  If you get the chance, especially if you are a Christian, go watch it.  Most people think it's sacreligious, but it's not.  It actually shows how most hypocrites are in real life.  I felt irritated watching parts of it considering that it got the point across.  Over-the-top fakes are insane when actually in the real world.  They annoy other people and make me sick.  That was the point of the movie, to actually stop being fake in this world.  So go watch it!  Oh yes, and if you're reading Maria, remind me again why we saw a guy in dreadlocks working at the Atlanta Bread Company? I'm confused about the whole thing.

Sunday I went to church in the morning.  As usual there was a Father's Day message, which is always expected.  But I never thought about the fifth commandment as a message to adults as well.  It's somewhat odd when you put it in that perspective.  But that's why I like Brother Keith.

The same day I went to go take some vegetables to my uncle Al.  He's stuck there while I get a new cousin any day now.  I feel sorry for him.  All he does is watch TV and play golf and it irks me that he doesn't do anything else.  But I guess that's how it is.  He needed a right nice Father's Day just like any father.

Wow, it's been a long time since I've actually written in this journal.  I guess I've been really busy with going to camp (not being near a computer for a week is actually a good thing except for this journal) and just talking to people about camp and work.

If you're a listener of popular radio at the moment, you might realize that the title of the blog today is from the song "Echo" by Trapt.  Yep, that explains a couple of things that I feel today.

Okay, I haven't done a lot today.  I woke up at 11, which is really strange for me, considering I get up at 10:30 or earlier (as long as it's on my own, I really don't care).  When I went into the kitchen, I realized that both of my parents are gone.  I knew my mom was at the doctor, but I didn't know where Dad was.  I then saw a note saying that he went to go look for a new building for the shop.  Why doesn't he just give up! That shop is nothing but trouble.  We keep losing money because of it, and he thinks that if he moves somewhere that he might get somewhere.  I doubt it seriously.  I think the people who bought Dixie Outfitter shirts (which is what he really likes to sell I think) are sort of tired of them.  (NOTE: If you want some shirts, go to http://www.paulsbargains.com where we sell them :-P)  But I guess if it gets the old man out of the house (I mean that literally, he's 69), by all means go ahead.  He doesn't need to spend all of his time here.  I think it drives him and me and mom crazy.

I also went to that place that they call work today.  I love that place I think.  I don't know why.  It sure isn't the minimum wage that they pay me.  It isn't the drunk golfers that come play day in and day out.  It isn't the free golf, considering I don't play golf but very little.  I think it's just the atmosphere.  It's great! And for those of you who don't know where I work, I work at a golf course driving golf carts.  Fun sounding?  Most of the time, yes.

And yet, because it is the summer, and because I have time, I've been thinking.  I don't think I should have ever listened to "Echo."  Or maybe I think that because it explains what I should do.  Maybe I should "close my eyes" and "let the whole thing pass me by."  I need to let go of my pride sometimes, and I surely need to forget the past because no matter what it will never change.  Yes, I've had some of the best experiences and some of the worst.  Many times both of them were in the same place, which is usually around my truck.

One last line from Trapt: "I know I always loved you."  I believe that.  The word loved is in past tense.  I can't change that.  But I can change now.

Well, howdy folks! No, I'm not some kind of redneck wannabe, I just like saying that sometimes.