A Frustrating Day Spent Fixing My Boat Trailer

As the title of this blog states I spent a very long frustrating day; it was spent driving back and forth to Montgomery twice for parts. I had hopes of being able to fix the trailer in time to go fishing on the river to pre-fish some for my upcoming tournament, of course my luck I was unable to make it to the river because of an extra trip which I had to make to Montgomery. Unfortunately even though the entire day was spent making repairs I still will be unable to make a fishing trip to the river tomorrow I still have repairs which have to be made. Even though my entire day was spent trying unsuccessfully to repair the trailer, I still will spend my entire day tomorrow finishing repairs.

Upcoming Southeast Super Regional Bass Tournament Hosted by ESPN

On may 20^th and 21^st my fishing partner and I will be competing in one of the most anticipated tournaments of the entire year, the southeast super regional bass tournament hosted by ESPN. The tournament will last from 8am until 4pm both days, and will consist of up to seventy five boats. The tournament will most definitely be one of the most exciting ones of the bass fishing season. For someone that is not a tournament fisherman it may be hard to understand how competing to catch fish is exhilarating, for those that do not understand it could be compared to any form of tournament in which many teams compete. One of the many reasons which make the event so exciting is the amount of money that can be won; the amount is dependent on how many boats compete in the tournament. Without a doubt the tournament will be an incredible experience which I am looking forward to greatly.

getting approved for a loan

For the past month I have been interested in buying a new vehicle, seeing as though I am a college student it is safe to assume that I am unable to pay cash for a vehicle. Because of my in ability to pay upfront for the vehicle, this has forced me to pursue the only available option; a loan. Obtaining a loan has proved to be a very difficult process, which I am becoming to hate. The most frustrating aspect would be; I have absolutely no established credit, therefore I am forced to have a co-signer. Getting a co-signer is usually as simple as asking your parent to sign with you, and then go on with the responsibility of making payments. For me it has been slightly more difficult than that, my dad has five items on his credit which is the maximum amount allowed. This has proved to be an incredible challenge, one which I am not sure I would undertake again as a result of the tremendous amount of stress which I have been under. I wish I were able to say the process has been complete, I would be wrong in saying so I am still in the midst of exhausting all possible remedies which are available to me.

TK and Mike Hunting Videos

TK and Mike outdoor videos are hillarious comedy videos created by two former students of Auburn University. I discovered these videos when I was a young kid and have enjoyed them ever since. These two guys act out skits of comedy hunting trips. In one video mike swallows a mouth turkey call and TK had to do the hemelich maneuver. There are many hilarious hunting videos, however this tops them all in my opinion.

Guitar

I find joy in playing the guitar. It provides a way for me to escape the everyday worries that this world throws my way. When I was fifteen years old, I made a commitment to teaching myself to play the guitar. After intense determination, I taught myself something that could not be taken away. I believe that God has given me this talent to share with others and I plan on doing so.

Contemporary church services

Over the past couple of years, my family and I have been attending contemporary church services. These services consist of more up-beat, modern music rather than traditional hymns. I find the new music up beat yet a little extreme. I feel as if I am in a rock concert more than a church service. I have noticed a trend of church services following what is popular in our culture. Either way I find it as worshiping God, however I wonder if God is satisfied with us following our culture.

Dramatic people

When I was in high school, I was surrrounded by teenagers who allowed drama to consume their conversations. I recall thinking to myself, "as soon as I am in college this will cease". Needless to say when I began attending college, dramatic people still resided. I cannot seem to understand how people have such difficulty with getting along with other people. I understand that nobody is the same and personalities vary, however I cannot figure out why people insist on judging others negatively. I suppose there are things in this world that we will not understand, until then, keep wondering.

Social media

As I view the world today, I cannot help but notice how much social media has changed the way we communicate. Social media can be used for a variety of different things other than keeping up with friends. Things such as business advertising, and many other aspects allow social media to become popular in today's world. Although this holds true, I fear as if social media is becoming a distraction to our society today. Many people thrive over Facebook and twitter to the point of extreme procrastination. Hopefully our nation will realize this and become more productive as before social media began.

Hunting

Hunting season is another time of year in which I enjoy. Although I do not enjoy it as much as summertime, I find it relaxing. I enjoy sitting in the treestand. I find it peaceful to view God's marvelous creation. Many people mistake hunting as a cruel sport. If hunters were not present in society today, wildlife as we know it would be highly overpopulated and unstable. Which means more accidents could occur due to wildlife related accidents. So the next time you are condeming a hunter of his "wrong-doing" think about the consequences of not having proper wildlife control.

Wisdom

The Bible states that "wisdom is more precious than silver or gold". This holds true in regards to the way I view life today. Many people are thriving to become wealthy and failing to realize there is more things to life than becoming rich. I cannot argue that material things are nice to have, however there are things that I can live without. My prayer is for out society to realize this, and become a nation who gains wisdom in the Lord.

Ranger boats

In 2008, I purchased one of my most prized possessions that I own today. A ranger bass boat equipped with a yamaha v-max outboard. Many may see this as a waste of money, however I see it as a way to make money. I am a college angler who competes in numerous tournaments throughout the course of the year. To do well in these tournaments, I rely on my boat to get me to and from my destinations with ease. That is why I consider my boat a prized possession.

Alabama football

As I do every year, I am counting down the days until kickoff for Alabama Football. I thourohghly enjoy attending the games due to the fact that I am a season ticket holder. I find excitement in listening to 101,000 fans cheering towards a national championship victory. Although this is true, I fear that this football season will be somewhat different due to the catastrophe caused by the tornado this spring. Nevertheless, Tuscaloosa will overcome this devastation and resume with normal function.

Great friends

As we go through life, we obtain numerous friends. Out of the many friends we obtain, only a select few of those friends are considered "friends for life" or "best friends". I am happy to say that I have a few friends in which I consider "best friends". These are the friends who are willing to do whatever is needed to keep you moving forward. I am thankful for these friends and could not imagine life without them.

Summertime

Summertime is my favorite time of year. It is a time for warm weather, outdoors, good times with friends, and making memories that last a lifetime. If I had a choice, I would make it summer time year-round. It hurts me to know that summer goes by faster than any other season. This holds true to the quote, "time flies when you're having fun."

Success is Measured

I've heard it said once that "success is measured by the amount of effort put forth to achieve a goal". This quote holds true in regards to becoming a successful person. In life, anything you desire to achieve requires hard work and determination. For example, a doctor did not become a doctor overnight; it took years of intense studies and practice to become who he is today. The same principle applies in all aspects of life. In today's society, I fear that we are becoming more "lazy" in terms of our efforts. Not only in succeeding in careers but in other aspects of life such as physical health and well being.

bin laden no longer a threat

The world known Al-Queda leader, Osama Bin Laden, was killed by U.S. Navy troops in Pakistan. The United States Military has been searching rigorously to find Bin Laden for the past ten years. Osama is credited with directing the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and has remained a threat ever since. Now that Osama has been eliminated, Americans can sleep with a little more peace; however, the war is not over. The battle has not yet been won. We have much more to accomplish in the war on terror, however this is a giant step.

Summer plans

My plans for the summer are the same as previous summers before. My goal is to earn as much money as I can to promote my financial well-being. Over the past few summers, I have devoted most of my time to working. My parents taught me at a young age that "money does not grow on trees". This summer will be different in a aspect due to the presence of summer classes. I have added a the goal of completing my English 1020 class so I will be eligible to take literature classes in the fall. Hopefully my English class will not bring much stress to allow me to enjoy my summer.

devistaion

April 27, 2011 is a day that will live in infamy for the State of Alabama. An uncontrollable force of mother nature ripped through the homes of many. With hundreds dead, and more still missing, shock has been my state of sanity of these past few days. With many of my close companions residing in Tuscaloosa, my peace of mind became non- existant as I feared. I am thrilled to report that none of my friends were injured or killed in the storm. This tragedy demonstrates a prime example of how we should not take life for granted. None of the victims knew it was going to be their last day; it came without expectation. As for myself, I would like to take any and every opportunity to help the ones who have been affected by this catastrophe. Our state will unite together, and we will overcome this devestation, however the nightmare that took place will lurk in memories. God bless.

smoking

There is nothing in this planet that I find more disgusting than smoking. I cannot seem to grasp why anyone would want to fill their lungs to capacity with harmful chemicals only to obtain a short pleasure. Even though I do not smoke, the thought of lung cancer increasing due to smoking would terrify me. For the most part, I choose to live a healthy lifestylel, although I do not eat like I should, excersising regularly is one of my top priorities. Another reason I choose not to smoke is to set a concrete example for my future kids. I believe that our society today could do without these harmful

video on Ted Williams

The video I watched and the article which I read on the Washington post is by far the most random unique viral video which I have seen lately! It is incredible that there are such talented people out there that have been led astray from stardom by simply picking up a drug habit or an alcoholic. From what I gathered from the article as all viral things are they come and go quickly, and unfortunately I believe nothing came of Williams’s short lived fame. Although it was a short lived Cinderella story, I find it very interesting and I’m sure regardless of the short live d story it will have a much longer affect on some. Hopefully a positive effect on some… encouraging them to stay away from distractions and addictions which could end an incredible career. I feel as though I am not the one to judge regarding whether Ted Williams career was a complete failure or not. The man most definitely made decisions which were questionable; i.e. using hardcore drugs and participating in the life of an alcoholic. Even though his career diminished that was the course in which he chose to take his life, although it is not all to blame on him, he may have been a victim of circumstances. One cannot help but question did he lose his job and simply turn to drugs as a means of escaping his current problems, or was he introduced to it as an alternate escape of his hectic lifestyle as a public figure. I tend to believe William’s was a victim of circumstances if one were to place themselves in the life of an icon, would they lose it and no longer have a desire to perform their job for society? Regardless the man is incredibly talented, and the article in whole intrigued me greatly.

flash mob article

I found the flash mob article on Wikipedia very interesting. The article speaks of facebook "peaking" among users. I am a very spontaneous person and found it interesting that these “social experiments” were based on spontaneity. It entertains me that a group of one hundred or more individuals could form a group with little leadership and very little communication and easily “take over” and entire social setting, such as a department store. The first attempt at a flash mob was created by Bill Wasik, it failed because the department store on which his group was to converge was tipped off. Although he failed his first try he was able to successfully pull off a flash mob at a Macy’s in New York, around a rug. The group told employees they all lived in a warehouse and wanted a love rug. Although the flash mob was “successful” it was viewed as a failure and in essence a waste of time.

challenges

At the beginning of last semester, I transferred to AUM for the sole purpose of joining the AUM Anglers fishing program. One of my close friends, Jacob Nummy, started this club in hopes of reaching potential anglers to promote this wonderful sport of college bass fishing. I have competed in two college tournaments finishing within the top ten both times. These tournaments have proposed a great challenge to myself, as well as my partner. I find us determined and hungry to excel above our expectations within these tournaments. Our next tournament will take place on the Alabama River in Montgomery, Alabama. My partner and I consider these waters to be our "home waters", and we feel that we have an excellent shot at winning this event. I've heard it said once that if you need something, God will provide it; however, if you want something, you must get it yourself. We want this, now is the time to capture it.

Summary of "Homeless on Campus"

In the report Homeless on Campus by Eleanor J. Bader, Bader describes the lives of numerous students who suffer from physical abuse of other individuals. She tells of many cases of abuse, however she puts unique emphasis in the first case. Bader tells of a twenty-year old named Aesha who attends Kingsborogh Community College in Brooklyn, New York. Aesha lives with four other people including her boyfriend in an apartment south of Bronx, New York. Bader explains her life in vivid detail with emphasis on physical abuse from her boyfriend. Aesha leaves the apartment with no residence to reside. This is only an example of the many cases Bader tells in this report. Some tell of different situations students are faced with.

spring sports

Bottom of the 9th, two outs, bases loaded; I step up to the plate. Situations like these are what I prepared so hard for in the off-season. I let the first pitch pass for ball one. The second and third pitches were strikes. Two balls later the count is full at three balls and two strikes. With my heart racing, I stepped back into the batter's box for one final pitch. As the pitcher released the ball, I realized it was my favorite pitch; a hanging breaking ball over the middle of the strike zone. I swung hard and launched the ball well over the left field wall. With fans going crazy, I made my "victory lap" around the bases due to my walk-off grand slam. To this day, this is my most vivid memory of the sport I miss dearly. When I think of spring, baseball is the first sport that comes to mind.

determination

When I walked of the stage of the 2011 FLW College Fishing Southeast Qualifier on Lake Guntersville, I felt extremely disappointed in myself. The event I prepared so hard for was shattered by defeat. I was fortunate to have an 11th place finish, however with two giant fish coming unhooked at the boat; I could almost taste victory. Although this tournament struck deep, I am not going to quit; I am only motivated to fight harder. As the old saying goes "Don't get mad, get even", I prepare to get even. With redemption on the horizon, I know my time is coming near. My next event is set to take place in Montgomery upon the waters in which life was spent. I have lost countless amounts of tournaments by just mere ounces. No more runner-ups. I'm ready to win the big one. I've heard it said once that if you need something, God will provide it. But if you want something, you have to go get it yourself. I want this, and now its time to do work.

Time flies

I've been told numerous times "time flies". Up until recently, I have been anticipating the days to when I graduate high school. I graduated from Prattville High School two years ago, and it feels as if I walked across the stage and received my diploma yesterday. Life seems as if the days become shorter as time progresses. I find it difficult to believe my college graduation will occur in two years. Although I am ready to begin a new chapter in my life, I feel as if the one that just started is coming to close, but until then, I will live life to its fullest.

paragraph 3

 Matisse is the best painter ever at putting the viewer at the scene. He's the most realistic of all modern artists, if you admit the feel of the breeze as necessary to a landscape and the smell of oranges as essential to a still life. "The Casbah Gate" depicts the well-known gateway Bab el Aassa, which pierces the southern wall of the city near the sultan's palace. With scrubby coats of ivory, aqua, blue, and rose delicately fenced by the liveliest gray outline in art history, Matisse gets the essence of a Tangier afternoon, including the subtle presence of the bowaab, the sentry who sits and surveys those who pass through the gate. From Peter Plagens, "Bright Lights." Newsweek (26 March 1990): 50.

Matisse paintings are remarkable in giving the viewer the distinct sensory impressions of one experiencing the scene first hand. For instance, "The Casbah Gate" takes one to the walled city of Tangier and the Bab el Aassa gateway near the Sultan's palace, where one can imagine standing on an afternoon, absorbing the splash of colors and the fine outlines. Even the sentry, the bowaab vaguely eyeing those who come and go through the gate, blends into the scene as though real (Plagens 50).

paraphrasing 2

 The twenties were the years when drinking was against the law, and the law was a bad joke because everyone knew of a local bar where liquor could be had. They were the years when organized crime ruled the cities, and the police seemed powerless to do anything against it. Classical music was forgotten while jazz spread throughout the land, and men like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie became the heroes of the young. The flapper was born in the twenties, and with her bobbed hair and short skirts, she symbolized, perhaps more than anyone or anything else, America's break with the past. From Kathleen Yancey, English 102 Supplemental Guide (1989): 25.

In the twenties, crime and lawlessness was prevalent in the cities. As organized crime expanded, the police force seemed non-existent.

Paraphrasing

 "The Antarctic is the vast source of cold on our planet, just as the sun is the source of our heat, and it exerts tremendous control on our climate," [Jacques] Cousteau told the camera. "The cold ocean water around Antarctica flows north to mix with warmer water from the tropics, and its upwellings help to cool both the surface water and our atmosphere. Yet the fragility of this regulating system is now threatened by human activity." From "Captain Cousteau," Audubon (May 1990):17.

In the Audubon interview with Jacques Cousteau, he asserts that the Antarctic supplies a major source of cold on our planet. Cousteau fears that human activity could interfere with the balance between the sun.

The best things in life

The best thing in life is knowing that I have an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowing that I will spend eternity with him gives me piece of mind. I was raised in church with the mindset of trusting in God for everything. I believe strongly in the quote "the best things in life are free". This quote holds evident because you do not have to pay anything to receive God's love. The more knowledge I obtain about God and his love; it makes me want to learn more. In our society today, religion has been slowly diminishing to conform with things of the world. Our nation was founded on the simple principles in which God intended; therefore, our nation needs to return to those priciples.

Alabama A-Day Game

In the south, football is more than just a sport; it is a way of life. Some fans have been known to name their children after certain players and/or coaches of their favorite team. To say that I am a die hard Alabama fan would be an understatement. I have been a season ticket holder for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a household full of Alabama fans, I had no choice in which team to root for; however, I would not have it any other way. This weekend marks the annual Alabama "A-Day" game. The A-Day game is a scrimmage between Alabama's A and B teams. This game allows fans to preview what the teams talent level consists of for the upcoming season. With a national championship 2 years ago and a 10-3 season last year, I am excited to see what next season holds in store.

Baseball

Baseball, America's favorite past time, is a sport I miss playing dearly. My father taught me to how to play at a young age, and ever since then, I have loved the game. Often times I reminisce about the days of playing city league baseball with some of my closest friends. I was a fierce competitor. I made all-stars every year I played. Although I loved to compete, I did not play for that reason; I played because I loved the game. As I progressed in age, I began playing high school baseball for Prattville High School. Even though I played at a higher level of competition, my opinion for baseball did not change; I still played because I loved the game. My high school baseball career was just getting started when my career took a turn for the worse. I tore my hamstring in the beginning of my sophomore season. It was an injury that took a large amount of time to heal and still troubles me today. I hope to get back into fit condition to play again. Even though I have not played in a great deal of time, my love for the game still remains.

Distraction

In today's society, there are many things that cause one to become distracted from completing a task. Communicating with friends on social network sounds much more appealing than finishing a homework assignment. Although there are many distractions, I do not become distracted by anything when I am fishing. To me, fishing is not just a hobby; it is a sport at which I compete on a national level. When I am on the water, I find myself thinking of nothing else but how to catch the next fish. If I lose focus, my performance weakens. I am not a facebook fanatic by no means, which makes it easier for me to concentrate on what I need to accomplish.

Don't worry

Over the course of my life, I have been faced with a problem that is common with many people. I tend to worry frequently when things are not going according to plan. Although worrying is a part of life, it is unhealthy for your physical and emotional well-being. Worrying causes stress on the body, which in turn, weakens areas such as the immune system. I have recently discovered it is easier to enjoy life if worrying is not present. It is harder not to worry, however nothing is impossible.

Music heals

How many times have you found yourself lost in a song you enjoy? Was it the catchy beat that caught your attention? Or did you find yourself immersed in the meaning of the lyrics? I find music to be a great source of entertainment. Although my favorite genre of music is country, I have no trouble with listening to any type of music. Music allows me to escape from the stressful tension that this world brings. The next time you find yourself with major tension, listen to your favorite cd; it works for me.

Gas prices

To people in the American society today, it is no sececret that gas prices are outrageous. Over the past few years, gas prices have increased by a substancial margin. With prices reaching upwards of four dollars per gallon, gas prices have put a burden on people in America today. People who drive non-fuel efficent vehicles (such as myself) are seeking a more economic alternative to counter these painful prices. My prayer is for gas prices to decrease soon, because this burden is becoming unbearable.

Overwhelming assignments

Many college students in today's society seem overwhelmed by college assignments. As a college student, I can speak from experience that managing assignments is no easy task. When I am at school, I try my best to use the breaks in my schedule to an advantage. Balancing between school assignments and working full time is challenging, however it is not impossible. With the distractions in our society today, it is easy to become consumed in activities that cause one to lose focus. I hope to become more resistant to procrastination, for procrastination only causes one to be overwhelmed worse.

habits to break

Procrastination is a common habit among teens in today's society. I often find myself stretching time limits to complete a task. This habit seems to be controllable however there are more things that seem far more entertaining than work itself. Procrastination can be handled by self-motivation to maintain a schedule. Setting time limits, removing distracting objects (ex. facebook, texting, TV), and working consistently are ways to eliminate procrastination. I feel that removing distracting objects is the biggest obstacle to overcome. People in today's society allow social aspects of life to consume their time. In doing so, work effort decreases, resulting in "last minute" efforts to finish assignments.

Technology in today's society

Technology has advanced tremendously in such a short period of time. There are many devices in today's society that simplify our daily needs. Blackberrys, iPhones, televisions, computers, and many other technological driven devices are just examples of new technology that we have today. About ten years ago, email didn't hardly exist; in today's society, email can be checked via cellular device or even other devices that are Internet capable. Technology has allowed us different methods of communication such as Facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites. If technology has advanced this far, it will be interesting to see what future technology holds in store.

Henry Foster

As we go through life, we meet people and have that one person who is considered to be our best friend. In many instances throughout my life, I had friends who betrayed me and eventually disowned our friendship. Though many friendships have perrished, I have a friend who can always be counted on no matter what the circumstance. When I was ten years old, Henry Foster moved into my neighborhood approximately 3 houses down. We both had common intrests and hobbies of hunting, fishing, sports, and love for the outdoors. As years passed, we became closer as friends to the point of almost brothers. Henry moved to Birmingham, AL because of his dad accepting a job offer with Alabama Power Co. Although Henry relocated, our friendship still remained the same. We kept in touch and visited each other often. When I transfered to AUM, I was offered a position on the fishing team, however I had to find a partner. Henry agreed to transfering to AUM from the University of Montevallo to assist me on the team. I count it as a blessing to have a friend who is always there to help me with anyting.

Failure is not an option

Many people have an inspirational quote in which they apply to their life. For some it could be a quote about money or power; for others it could be a powerful explanation of love or a lack thereof. My favorite quote is a simple quote from a famous basketball player known as Michael Jordan. Jordan is considered to be one of the greatest to ever play the game. With numerous championships and MVP's in his name, Michael has created a place for his name in the basketball hall of fame. Many of Jordan's quotes consist of examples of how failure motivates one to succeed. My personal favorite is "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost more than 300 games. 26 times, I have been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I have failed over, and over, and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed." This quote has motivated me to not give up in anything. If you are faced with failure, do not consider quitting as an option, but use failure as motivation to conquer something you desire.

Inconsiderate fisherman

Fishing has been my most enjoyable hobby since I was a kid. I tend to find pleasure and relaxation from being on the lake searching for the next bite. Although I thoroughly enjoy this hobby, a wonderful day on the lake can be ruined by an uncourteous angler. In the sport of fishing today, the popularity of bass fishing has increased tremendously,which in turn, increases the number of anglers by a substantial margin. As a result, boat traffic has become more crowded on the lakes and rivers. Needless to say, with the traffic becoming more intense, reckless boat drivers have become more prevalent. I understand that catching fish is an adrenaline rushing experience, however no fish is worth risking one's life to catch. So the next time you are on the lake trying to catch a fish, remember not only to look out for yourself, but for the other person as well.

Profile

As we go through life, we meet different people with various types of personalities. Everybody is unique in their own way; we all have different habits, hobbies, and lifestyles in which we choose to live. The fact that no individual is the same makes life exciting to life; if we all had the same personality, life would be dull. Today I am writing a profile about a man named Eric Ferrin to share with you what I have learned about him.

Eric was born in Portland, Oregon in the early 1990's. He moved to Montgomery when he was 8 and has resided there since. His family consists of both parents, as well as a younger and older sister at the ages of twenty-one and seventeen. Eric attended Macon East High School, and graduated with the class of 2010. Some of his hobbies include video games, football, and tennis. Eric also enjoys disc golf at the course here on the campus of Auburn University at Montgomery. His friends became involved in the sport and invited Eric to join.

During the summer, Eric works at the local Deer Creek neighborhood pool, however that is only a temporary job for the summer. When he is not working as a lifeguard, Eric works at Pier 1 Imports. His duties there consist of assisting the customers with locating items and answering questions, unloading freight from the merchandise truck.

I used to think..

When I was younger, I thought that money was the key to happiness. The more nice possessions I had, the happier I was. As I grew and matured, I realized that money only buys enjoyment for a short period of time. Although money is important, money is not everything; there are things that money cannot by, which results in dissatisfaction. I find happiness in other things rather than spending a piece of paper. Even though I feel that spending money does not create satisfaction, It gives me piece of mind when I am financially stable. The point I am trying to clarify is there is more to life than having mansions and being completely wealthy.

Profile Interview: Eric Ferrin

Where is your hometown, education?
Eric was born in Portland, Oregon, however he has resided in Montgomery since the age of 8. Eric attended Macon East for high school education, graduating in the class of 2010.

What is your hobbies?
Video games (Call of Duty is Favorite)
Eric played football and tennis in high school. Also swimming at a competitive level.
Recently started playing disc golf. Friends influenced him to play at the local course here on campus.

What is your major and plans for career?
Eric is a undeclared major, however his decision is pending towards a business related field. Eric stated that his field of choice would most likely be in information systems. Eric does not have concrete plans for his career, but he would like land a job well enough to support he and his family financially. He would like to earn a job that he enjoys to where he looks forward to attending work everyday.

What is your current employment?
 Eric lifeguards in the summer at the Deer Creek neighborhood pool here in the Montgomery area. His current job is Pier1 Imports. Assists the customers with locating items and questions that they may have, unloads merchandise from the merchandise trucks, along with various housekeeping duties to maintain the store.

Favorite sports team?
Alabama Crimson Tide is his favorite, however he also pulls for the Boise State Broncos. Has never attended an Alabama game, however he has attended numerous Auburn games due to the fact of his father being an Auburn fan. 

Favorite music?

Eric enjoys various type of music. He doesn't have a "favorite" artist, but mainly follows what is popular.

Homework

Homework has never been an idea of "fun" to me, however I always seemed to find ways to complete my tasks. Procrastination has not been a regular occurrence in my life due to the fact I always used my time wisely. I strive to live by the quote "Do not put off for tomorrow, what you could get done today." My parents seemed to enjoy this because of the less amount of stress they had to bear. My lack of procrastination has significantly impacted the way I handle my assignments and tasks today. I believe homework is a great tool that allows children and teenagers alike, the ability to manage their timed assignments. The more practice one has with a subject, the more knowledge is obtained by the student.

the day i became frustrated with a rather boisterous individual in the computer lab

Today while sitting in the library (composing blogs), a certain individual thought it necessary to use profane vulgar language which i did not appreciate the least bit. The young man proceeded to use his cell phone through the entire time that he spent on the computer. I assume he was in a very intense heated conversation with one of his parents, rather this is true or not i am indifferent. Simply the fact that he chose to ignore all signs asking students to refrain from using all forms of telecommunication devices in the lab, made me somewhat annoyed. From now on i will come prepared to face such an abnormal situation, i will bring earphones; thus eliminating all background noise allowing me to study in peace.

Library fun

The term "library" sounds dull and uninviting to me. When someone speaks the word "library", my thought process switches to study mode, for that's where most of my studying takes place. I feel forced to study, therefore I do not enjoy it. In order for me to study, I must place myself in a quiet room with minimal distractions. Sometimes I want to believe that I have an extreme case of Attention Deficit Disorder due to the fact the slightest thing distracts me from studying. The library offers me a place where I can accomplish my studying. Attending the library can become dull and tedious, however I accomplish much more when I study there in peace and quiet.

Strong Active Verbs

Haute couture shows contain expensive, trend-setting fashions that highlight the event.

Ordinary people expects to not wear haute couture garments.

Haute couture designers establish their creations more works of art than mere outfits.

Runway models should wear such clothing in public only.

Decisions, Decisions...

At some point in one's life, they are faced with decisions that could impact their life tremendously. For some it could mean decisions regarding financial options, or deciding if they should marry someone they feel deeply about. My most difficult decision so far in my life is deciding what I should declare as my major. In todays society where the job market is steadily changing, it is crucial for me to choose an open field of study. This decision was very hard for me to make. I spent countless nights laying in bed with ideas running through my mind. I weighed my options and I found that my best option would be to become a Business Management major. Leadership and critical thinking skils are my best qualities. Although I feel that this is my best option, I am still skeptical about persuing this major. I am putting my full trust in God, because he will guide me to success.

Present participles strike back

Hoping peace would be found, my mother stood motionless in the center.

Covering his lies and deceptions, my little brother frantically thought up excuses.

Sitting on the couch watching TV, my dad pretended like he didn't notice the broken window.

My Own Participle

I began to be ashamed of myself, knowing that things would never be the same.

My parents, chastising me for running out into the street, always feared for my safety.

My mother stood motionless in the center, panicking beyond belief, as my sister was no where to be found.

World Revolving Around Teachers

In today's complex world where education is changing rapidly, our intelligence revolves mostly around teachers. Education is becoming more difficult each day due to many factors in today's society that are changing constantly. Teachers play critical roles in developing a student's intelligence, which is highly important to them becoming successful. I feel like today's students are not putting enough effort into their education. There are many distractions that hinder them from studying or benefiting their education. Social media, television, texting, and video games are a few examples of distractions that limit one's study time. There is only so much that a teacher can emphasize in the classroom, however test scores reflect solely on the amount of effort that is put in by the student.

Upcoming Bass Tournament on Lake Guntersville

This coming up saturday (the 26th) My fishing partner (Henry Foster) and I, will be competing for The AUM anglers in a collegiate tournament. The tournament will consist of fourty boats, consisting of teams of two; which will represent their respective colleges. The tournament will be from seven-thirty a.m. until one-thirty p.m., this time frame is three hours shorter than the average bass tournament. This has me somewhat worried seeing that our time frame will be considerably shorter than normal, reagrdless i must not worry seeing that this will be the time period alloted for all teams. It is a great honor for me to be afforded the oppurtunity to represent AUM. Even though it is only a club team which i am a member of, it still means a great deal to me. As i stated in my previous blog: i enjoy bass fishing temendously! Being able to participate in such a competitive yet friendly, relaxed but intense event, is an overall incredible experience.

Camping on Lake Guntersville

My trip this previous weekend was filled with excitement and adventure, the most exhilarating part occurred when i caught a seven pound largemouth bass.This is not a typical catch when it come to bass fishing, the average weight of a bass is usually two to three pounds, this proved to be quite a catch in comparison to those standards. Although this proved to be quite an experience, it was not the only great part of my weekend. The entire weekend was filled with fishing, cooking hot dogs on the grill, sleeping in my family's camper, and eating way too much junk food. All of these activities combine for an insatiable experience which i enjoy participating in tremendously. Camping and fishing are a tremendous way to relax, spend quality time with your family, and enjoy the ever so enjoyable outdoors. As you may assume i thoroughly enjoy being outdoors, it provides me with a cost effective escape from the demanding everyday routine of the typical college student.

Forced to Read

Many people find reading as a way to escape their everyday troubles, however I find reading to be dull and uninviting. I have been forced to read many different books over the course of my school career and only one book stands above the rest. My ninth grade english instructor assigned the book "Holes" by Louis Sachar for the class to read and follow up with a two page summary of the book. The more I read the book, I began to enjoy it. It tells of a young man who stole a pair of famous tennis shoes and was sent to a behavior correcitional facility in the desert. The teen overcomes tremendous amounts of adversity while at the camp, and eventually escapes the facility. My least favorite book was "Gullivers Travles". I found myself unable to read this book, instead I would glance over "cliff notes" hoping that it would get me through the quiz.

Food For Thought

There are many different delicious dishes that have my appetite going crazy, however there is one dish that stands above the rest to me. A home made chicken dish that was made famous by my wonderful grandmother. Tender boneless chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, and smothered with cream of mushroom soup and Cheddar cheese. If there is anything that I can describe as "love at first bite" in my life, that definitely has my first place vote. I enjoy this famous dish because it is incredibly easy to make. Great dishes like this do not come often. So when they do take time to learn the recipe and share it with someone special.

Happy Holidays

Christmas season brings joy to many people around the world. Great food, fellowship, decorations, and thrill of giving electrifies the atmosphere that surrounds this wonderful holiday. I enjoy the holiday season because it gives me a chance to reunite with family members that I do not come in frequent contact with. The greatest holiday I have experienced was this past year. My uncle returned from serving over-seas to be with us for the first Christmas in five years. His absence over the past few years has made our holiday experience less enjoyable. Not knowing where he is or what he is doing created a great deal of suspense among my family members. Among the suspense, it seemed as if there were a sense of fear for his safety. His return from serving over-seas gave us relief for the holidays, and his sense of humor made was missed. I thank God for such awesome family members, and the sacrifices they make for our country.

American Idol

American Idol is a widely enjoyed show for many people across America. The popular TV show airs on FOX Wednesday and Thursday nights. For the past nine years, American Idol had the same 3 judges: Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Paula Abdual. Two of the judges were replaced by two music superstars Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. The judges on this season's show are far to lenient when it comes to choosing who stays and who goes. Simon Cowell was "hard to impress" judge, who knew what great musical talent consists of. There is great talent in this year's competition, however there are many people who should not have made it to the second round. As this season unfolds, I am excited to see who will rise above the rest.

Wakeboarding

When the Alabama heat becomes intense, I go to the lake for a day of excitement. Wakeboarding is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy being out on the lake with my friends and trying to land that high flying, big trick. With adrenaline rushing, the feeling of being over ten feet in the air creates excitement. It is an addicting hobby. I hate the winter months when it is so cold that wakeboarding is eliminated from my activities. My favorite trick to perform is the heelside backroll. This trick requires you to cut out into the flat toeside, and make a steady progressive cut back towards the wake heelside. Once you get to the wake you must throw the board up over your head vertically, and make the board go three-hundred and sixty degrees and land on top of the board. In more simple terms, it is the same as doing a backflip attached to the wakeboard. Along with the excitement wakeboarding provides, it is also a great form of exercise.

Taking Risks

The quote "If you dont risk anything, you risk more" is so true in many different aspects. The quote discribes life by saying if risks are not taken, then it becomes more difficult to be successful. There are many different risks that are taken by people everyday. For example, when you invest your money in a stock there is a chance you could lose more money than what you invested. However, you could also gain more money than you invested. Investing money is not always guranteed success, which defines taking a risk. There are many things to take in to perspective when considering taking a risk. Ask yourself, "How much do I value what I am risking?" Many people risk families and other things they value to persue something they enjoy. Next time a difficult decision arises, ask yourself, "What are my risks? Is it worth taking?"

Guitar

Do you have that one thing that no matter what, it always relieves tension or stress? For many this would consist of reading a book, watching a movie, or many other different stress relieving techniques. When I was fifteen years old, I became fascinated with my friend's ability to play the guitar. I owned a guitar, however it did nothing but collect dust in my closet. I committed to teaching myself how to play this wonderful instrument. It was not an easy task, and there were many times when I felt the need to quit. I fought through the countless hours of mistakes trying to master the technique of playing this instrument. After a couple years, my hard work paid off. I now had a gift that could not be taken away. A life lesson was learned from this experience. If something is desired in life, a drive is created to help you achieve what you desire.

Spring Break

Every year, my friends and I gather together for a week of excitement. This week is known to most people as spring break. The beach is packed with high school and college students enjoying a wonderful week away from school. Spring break is enjoyable due to the fact that it gives you a week away from the everyday "grind" life puts on you. This year's spring break will be slightly different than previous trips. Due to the economic recession that our country is going through, our vacation this year will require less money. We will still attend the vacation, however we will have to sacrifice some things that we enjoy. For example, instead of eating out every night, we decided to grill or cook. Nevertheless, we will have a blast despite the sacrifices we have to make.

Atlanta Braves

The 2011-2012 season will be substantially different for the Atlanta Braves baseball team. For the past two decades, Bobby Cox has occupied the head manager position. Fredi Gonzalez is appointed as the new manager for the Braves, and he has hopes of clinching the Braves first World Series since 1995. I think the hire of Fredi Gonzalez will be an excellent rendition to the Braves coaching staff. Gonzalez has proven himself successful with the Florida Marlins by winning the most games as a coach in Florida Marlins history. I am looking forward to attending some of the Braves games this spring. Baseball is a very important sport to me; it is the sport in which I have the most experience. This is definitely a great step in the process of winning the World Series, and I am tremendously excited about the upcoming season.

South is the Place for Me

My whole life I have lived in Alabama. I never took a vacation to anywhere north of the state, but I decided to pay my grandparents a visit in Ohio. For two weeks, I was stuck in a place far more different than what I was accustomed to. When I arrived, the heat that I dreaded in Alabama was non existent in Ohio. When I spoke with people from the north, I immediately realized that their accent and way of speaking is far more different than mine. I asked the waitress at a local restaurant for a glass of sweet tea, and she had no idea what I was talking about. The vehicles that are driven by residents in Ohio make me feel out of place. They mostly drive fuel efficient cars, while I am driving a gas guzzling four wheel drive pick-up. The north is a nice place to live if you are comfortable with it, but I am going to remain in the south.

Weird Day at Work

It was a normal start to my day as a receiving associate at Bass Pro Shops. I arrived early to complete my assigned task of receiving a merchandise truck, however there was no truck. There were no emails in my inbox that stated the truck would not be there or it was a canceled load. I contacted my manager only to find out it arrived the night before and was already processed. Shortly after I hung up the phone, the fire alarm went haywire. One of the light bulbs exploded causing a wildlife fixture to engulf in flames. Bass Pro Shop's automatic indoor sprinkler system took out the flame and flooded the upstairs area. I spent the rest of my day removing water from the building, which caused a weird day at work.

Stiff Changes if I was in Charge

There were many days that I spent in Prattville High School daydreaming about the things that could make my high school experience better. I can recall many days where I skipped my lunch period and drove to the local McDonald's for food worth eating. Numerous students did the same and got caught doing so, which resulted in stiff penalties for skipping lunch. The parking lot system at Prattville High School is outrageous. The traffic as a result of a jammed parking lot caused me along with many other students to be late on several occasions. The education that I received from Prattville was strong in all subjects except for English and writing. English was taught to me up until the ninth grade. After I passed my ninth grade English class, the courses changed to literature. When I received the results from my ACT, all of my subjects were strong except for English. If I were put at a high leadership position for Prattville High School, I would balance the English and literature courses. The reason for balancing the courses is to improve the writing skills of high school students, and to better prepare them for college.

Changing Education in an Ever-Changing World

Education today is much different than when I attended public school. The society in which we live in today is changing rapidly. Our focus today is not on education. Our focus is relied heavily on how much money we can save on education while still getting the most we can out of it due to an economic recession. The environment in which we live today is far more distracting than it was a few years ago. In today's world we have improved in many areas of technology. TVs, iPhones, internet, and many other things are causing students focus on their education to slowly diminish. ADHD is becoming more prevalent among students, and I believe that distractions in today's world is hindering their performance in the classroom.

English For Me

For many people, writing is a way to express their feelings and relieve stress. Some find English to be a entertaining subject, but for me personally, I would rather invest my time in other subjects other than English. My history in English is somewhat vague. In high school, English courses ended for me in the 9th grade as the English courses I enrolled in focused heavily on literature. I was a good writer up to that point, however when the English classes were shifted to literature, I found myself slowly depleting as a writer. When I took the ACT, it didn't surprise me when I received the results only to find that English was my weakest subject. My results did not surprise me, for I was expecting my English scores to be lower than the rest. Writing papers for various classes on the college level would be less difficult if I was better prepared.

My Favorite Movie

There are many different movies out today that intrigue me, but the movie I find most interesting is The Fast and The Furious. This action packed film stars Vin Diesel, along with Paul Walker. The movie is filled with high speed and adrenaline rushing scenes that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. The mission that Walker and Diesel are trying to accomplish is a challenging task to capture a drug smuggler and his bandits from importing large volumes of illegal substances from Mexico to the United States. This movie is interesting due to the fact that it has a tremendous amount of suspense; it keeps you guessing and trying to figure out what is going to happen next. They succeed in apprehending the drug smugglers, however Diesel is sentenced to 25 years to life in prison without the possibility of parole for previous illegal acts. If you are searching for an action packed film, I would highly recommend The Fast and The Furious.