Retraction?

I can't say I like the guy either, but it appears that after last night Donnie and Felix Gillette may need to rethink their opinions on Robert Horry.

Movie Mania

With a recently hired Blockbuster employee in the house, I have found myself enjoying movie after movie this past week or so. Since it would take hours to review all of them, I will just list them: Friday Night Lights, Coach Carter, Final Cut, The Jacket, Be Cool, and National Treasure.

All except Be Cool proved worth my time and somewhat entertaining. Be Cool was pointless. Friday Night Lights and Coach Carter were in essence the same movie- high school sports team...hard work...tough coach....minor setbacks....and finally success. Despite the fact the fact that they follow the same format, they were fun. Coach Carter forced me to the edge of my seat and many times interacting with the movie, thus giving it the edge between the two.

Lastly, Final Cut was probably one of the better movies I have seen recently. Definitely not a great, but worth my time. Robin Williams does an amazing job as does the rest of the cast. The movie is though provoking and somewhat scary. Even with this, the movie does contain many letdowns. The story could be expanded, with certain ideas explored further in detail. Also, the ending disappointed me. With a few changes this movie would have been great, but regardless it kept my attention for 95 minutes...Not always the easiest thing to do. (8.3/10)

Today

Goals for today include(but are not limited to):

• go to lunch with my girlfriend on her birthday,
• practice speech and fiddle for grad ceremony,
• take a nap,
• and recover from what seems to be strep throat.

READ THIS- the whole thing

This is the first draft of my Valedictorian address. Tell me what you think, what do I need to change, a little bit or the whole thing? I don't have long to edit this, so the sooner you comment the more likely I will be able to make improvements.

Good evening everybody. Parents, Grandparents, Superintendent McCollum, faculty, and Class of 2005, welcome.

I am honored to be here this evening to represent our class - truly a humbling experience that has left me with more than a few sleepless nights and hours of sheer terror while staring at my blank computer screen with a serious case of writer’s block. I have received a steady stream of well intended advice from family and friends, all the while searching the internet as if to find my muse with the inspiration needed on how to string together the perfect pearls of wisdom for tonight’s ceremony. I have learned not to be trite or cliché, told to “never let them see you sweat” and above all else, be sure and smile – all great advice….I have no doubt….but I remain haunted by the pithy saying “It is better to remain silent and have people think you are a fool, then open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”

That being said, this speech is about wishing South Medford High School a fond farewell…some might say good riddance…..but I choose to say fond farewell as each one of us, no matter how great or how little our success, if challenged to confess the truth, would acknowledge that the past 4 years did contain many memorable moments that have shaped us, influenced us and will inspire us to the future. What those moments are, comes from a very subjective and unique perspective for each of us but we will all leave here with our own “truths” based upon our experiences, some great, some not so great, some happy, some sad, enjoying laughter, sharing tears and all that the years did bring, knowing that we have soaked it all up like a sponge and go forth ready to pour out our lives into the greater world around us.

For me, there are many fond memories to recall. The last four years have been just the right blend of academics, athletics and social events. From singing “We didn’t live in the 80’s” for Mr. Clemenhagen’s Decades Project to barely finishing Mrs. Chadwell’s Poetry Project, from watching our Football team beat North in our Sophomore and Senior years, to cheering the guys soccer team to a State Championship last year. The assemblies, the dances and so much more have contributed to my wonderful high school experience. In that regard, I offer my heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff along to my fellow students that have all done their part to make this a great place to call our home.
On a more somber note, the recent events resulting in the death of an Ashland High graduate leave me heartbroken with the sobering realization that such a senseless death could have been me, or you, or any one of us….and that this is a good time to take inventory of how fleeting life can be and to purpose to live each day to its fullest - being true to that inner voice within us and being compassionate and loving, practicing random acts of kindness and giving of ourselves to others, keeping short accounts, quick to forgive and living each day fully that we are blessed with, choosing an approach to life that exemplifies an attitude of deep appreciation for the gifts we are given and purposing to be prepared to “meet our Maker” if you will, with no regrets for what we have done, what we have said to others and what we have accomplished in our attempts to create a meaningful legacy.

Some of us will aspire to college, while others will heed the call of life’s adventures and travel this vast world to seek their path to deeper meaning…..some will take jobs and instantly become productive members of society, while others will take their time until they find that “next great thing” and achieve financial success…..some will marry and have kids at an early age, while others will wait on marriage and family till their 30’s and beyond as they establish their careers…..some will pursue their passions of music or theater or writing, while others will serve their country in the military, become members of the clergy or find expression in other forms of public service.

The point being, there is no right or wrong answer here, only an infinite series of possibilities in a world where opportunities still abound. Today we take one small step towards adulthood and with that there comes the personal responsibility for how we choose to shape the rest of our lives. We draw ever closer to the freedoms we have dreamed of and with that comes greater accountability. I quote President John F. Kennedy, from the undelivered speech due to his assassination on November 22, 1963. President Kennedy said, “If we are strong, our character will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help.”

So least we shy away from the terror of being kicked out of the comfortable, cushy South Medford High School nest, let’s drink a hearty non alcoholic toast for the friends we have made, the experiences we have shared and start planning now for our first class re-union and the stories we will tell.

Thank you and God Bless.

Insomnia

12:25 a.m.- It's late for me. I've layed in bed since 11:30, but I can't seem to fall asleep. Try as I might, it seems as if every thought I've had over the past year has raced through my mind in one form or another.

You see, today was the "senior assembly". High school is almost over, and even though it has been a great four years I'm starting to question everything I've done, said, or been. What ifs are racing through me head like the Indy 500, and this is really causing me a lack of sleep. Adding to this is my Valedictorian address. It really matters. I can't help but think about how these will be the first words that many of my classmates will hear me say, or the first words they've heard me say since elementary or middle school. Leaving school feels like I'm leaving the past 13 years of my life behind, which evokes an eerie feeling inside myself.

Nothing can be changed now, what's done is done. I have 3 days of high school left to be myself, and enjoy the presence of the most wonderful people on this earth. I don't know. This post may seem random, but I need to do something to put myself to sleep. I'm waking up at 6:30 today to go and invite the Superintendent to South's graduation, and I have my Senior Boards this afternoon.

Flickr Update.....New pictures