Redefine Anywhere

Changes come about in life and one must know how to not only welcome them, but embrace them. Wise people have said throughout history that life isn't fair, that life isn't what you are handed, but how you respond to what is handed to you. This is nothing new. Everyone is taught from day one that your choices not only reflect who you are, but will inevitably decide the outcome of one's life. The consequences of our own actions are just that - our own.

I walked into school for the last time as a current student on Friday. The flag gently tink, tink, tinking on the cold steel pole, it was though I was walking on glass. There were no loud noises, it was...normal. In through the doors, chaos, panic, loud noises followed by wave after wave of people shouting and losing their emotions such as someone had died. Oh wait, that's just how I envisioned it. In reality, I walked through the doors and nobody was around. I had arrived fairly early, so the hustle and bustle of a busy school day had not yet begun. I arrived at my locker in my usual fashion, not like I would on the last day of school. I slowly spun my little black dial as the numbers pulsated through my head just like they had for about 170 days this year. Spin, 11, spin, 15, spin 5, clunk, creeeeeeek. Yes, everything was just how I had left it, a clamored mess of organization.

The day pressed on, I knew it would be the last day of life as I knew it.

Time was spent with friends...





With my favorite teacher...





And we even had a nice little send off from the band...




I guess at the end of the day, I owe a lot to the class of 2008. We had ups and downs (cliche, I know), but I have some great friends that I owe a lot to. Here's to graduation, and here's to you Coleman High School Class of 2008.

What the World is Coming to...

I find this kid to be both hilarious and intelligent. The way he uses rhetoric and lyrics to get his point across is one of the funniest things I've ever listened to. I'm not sure how you'll all react to this, I know Grandma P was a little taken aback, but I didn't really want her to see it - it was by mistake.

Anyway, this is definitely not for young children, so keep Katie away - even though she wouldn't get it anyway.

Shake It Up

Before my ranting and raving, in case any of you have forgotten what your dearest John looks like, here's my latest mug shot.



What's in a name? Well, let's break down my name. My first name came from my Grandfather on my Mother's side. The name John is a strong name, common, and traditional. It has the makings of some of the greatest first names in history. There are many Johns who changed the world, such as John Adams, John Smith, and even Johnny Appleseed. Next, my middle name. It starts with an E, and no it's not Edison as many and many and many and many times I've heard people say. My middle name is a rarity, owned before me by my Grandfather, it's also his middle name. Ring any bells yet? Yes, it's Edson. Let's break down this name. The letter 'e' is the most commonly used letter in the English language. I don't know about all of you, but I don't know of anyone with the name Edson, other than my late relation named Edson. (A Great Uncle, or Great Great Uncle?) Anyways, the important part is it is characterized, it's individual. Now to the last name, which alot of you share with me (either now, or formerly). It is a great last name. How can you not like a last name that is also a type of beer? And no, Stout, Lager, and Cerveza is not your former last name. I'm talking about Porter. It's a great name owned by a couple pro athletes (Jerry Porter, Joey Porter), and it's very distinguished. Although not completely uncommon, it's not as common as one would think.

Where is all of this coming from? Well, to be honest, I'm not really sure. All I know is I am looking for my identity. What do I have to offer this world that can change something and/or someone? I look around in my own little family, my own little niche and I see a successful metallurgical engineer high up in a company, someone working their way up the McDonald's chain (no, I'm not talking about Ray), a teacher in love with her students, a megawatt miler, a Grand Valley student, a Mechanical Engineer and project manager, a devoted gardener/baker/photographer/18 year stay at home mother, a marketing something or other at Renosol, and a title that I can never remember at Dow (sorry Auntie C =] ). All of these are honorable positions and career focuses. Lately I've looked around at my family and realized that I have a lot to live up to. The common trait here is that everyone is hard willed and determined to get what he or she desires in this life. We have devoted Catholics, hard working studiers, and excellent number crunchers.

Now you're all probably wondering what I plan on doing to keep on this tradition. As the former baby of the family, I was the last in line. Now that I have bestowed that on someone else, I still have a lot of eyes on me. The most remembered sports heroes are those who perform in the clutch when it mattered most. Now that it is proverbial "crunch time" in my life, what is it that I shall do with it?

First off, I will go to college, Central Michigan University to be exact. I will major in Political Science, perhaps the International Relations branch. Also, I am currently planning on minoring in German. With my minor in German, I hope to one day work for the United Nations in Germany for a few years. Bill Caul talked to me about this, and said it would be a fantastic idea. After all, why not enjoy life while it's here? I'm not talking about packing up and living on nickels and dimes. I'm talking about having a job in a different country, while I'm still young and able. After that, I would come back to the states and continue with a career on the shores of the good old U.S. of A. This might seem like a spur of the moment plan, but in reality, I've been planning it for a while. Hopefully my dreams can translate into a life half as successful as most of yours.

Hardware

My accomplishment on a rainy day...

Other than helping to bring in the new inductees and officers for the National Honor Society today, I actually produced some results in organization. I have had a small gun collection for a while now, and today I finally got them put away in some sort of locked container. I purchased a small safe for my collection a couple weeks back and I finally got them babies stored away. Two of them were passed on to me from the Grandfather, and two of them are my Father's that I have so welcomely volunteered to hold onto for my hunting desires.

I realize that the picture is very amateur, but you have to understand the horrible lighting in the house I live in. That is why I retouched it and added the old photograph feel to it. I also haven't worked out all the kinks in my photo editing software, thus the white space around the outside :(

The Greatest Song Sequel

It figures that the young one in the crowd could come up with a good song and song sequel. Cory Taylor is one of the best voices in modern music, he wasted his talents for years with the band Slipknot. Don't get me wrong, I love Slipknot, but his voice was not being used to its potential. Now, he is with Stone Sour and is using it the way it was intended to be used.

The first song in this set is called Vermilion. Since most of you are older in age, you will probably shut this song off before it is finished. Personally, I love it - but most of you simply won't. However, the sequel will be much more fitting to what you want to listen to - so don't be disappointed so much by the first that you skip the second.



The sequel to this song is known as Vermilion Pt. II (who'da thunk?). This song is a great example of what Cory Taylor could really do with his voice. It is a great song, and I bet some of you will even semi-enjoy it.

Just Another Second Best

For the second year running, we failed to capture the championship at Valley Lutheran in Saginaw. This year we opened up the tournament by playing Michigan Lutheran Seminary of Saginaw. We took an early 4-0 lead that we saw disappear in the 6th inning. In the top of the seventh, with a 4-4 tie, we rallied to put up 10 runs in the frame. With a 14-4 lead, we took the field in the bottom of the seventh and gave up 4 runs with some shaky defense. However, the final score was still a healthy 14-8.

From there, we packed up our stuff and headed a mile down the road to Valley Lutheran. We were informed that we would be playing Frankenmuth. I was the starting pitcher. I felt good, my arm felt great to be pitching that day. We came out in the top of the 1st and I put the leadoff hitter away by way of the strikeout. The next batter reached on a ground ball single just out of reach of the second baseman. The runner attempted a steal and nobody got to the base, causing the throw to reach the outfield. After another error or two, the score quickly became 2-0 in favor of Frankenmuth. We plated one run in the bottom of the first, making it 2-1. The rest of the game went horribly. Out of the 9 runs they scored, only three of them were earned - thanks to 8 errors defensively. Your final score: 9-4.

On the day

Offensively: 2-5, 2B, BB

Pitching: 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 4BB

Sweet Sweet Success

Tonight we played Ashley for my final time as a high school baseball player. The first game I sat the bench, giving way to our other first baseman for some playing time. Game two, I DHed. A DH is a designated hitter, which is someone who bats for someone playing the field.

We won the first game easily with a score of 16-1 in 4 innings. In game two, I finally put my hitting shoes on. My first at bat came with the bases loaded and two outs. I placed a ball down the right field line for a two run double. We ended the inning with a 5-0 advantage. My second at bat resulted in a sharp hit line drive single to right field. My third time up to bat, I ripped a bases loaded shot to the fence in right center. The result was 3 runs scored, and me being thrown out by two steps trying for third. This Porter was not blessed with the fleetest of foot. That was most likely my last chance for a triple.

The second game ended with a score of 16-3.

Game 2 Offensively: 3-3, 2 2B, 5 RBI