Wednesday I started work for my new employer... something that actually puts my college degree to good use (for once). I'm doing IT consulting here in metro Nashville.

My office is located within a law firm, right on Music Row. In fact, we're in a sun room, so we get about the best view of what's happening all around.

I also found that it's excellent to do walks along it... in fact, that's what I did today. I was just amazed as to who was all located there... including company names i've recognized from over the years. In fact, i'm right across from where Sony/BMG's offices are.

Just for the record, I don't get autographs for people (considering I don't get autographs for myself). Keep that in mind.

A walk to remember...

One night, sitting in my recliner in my apartment, I adjusted myself in the chair. Without really thinking, I reached to my side and put my hand in the crevice toward the back of it. I felt a book that I hadn't discovered in the couple of weeks that I have had the chair. Pulling it out, I realized I didn't recognize it as one of my own... Nicholas Sparks' A Walk to Remember. Keep in mind, I have already seen the movie a few times, and I almost felt emotional then.

What's odd is that my friend Katie introduced me to a movie called The Notebook, which was based off of a novel of the same name and also written by Sparks. I loved that movie so much, and as I loved A Walk to Remember as a movie, it was as if God himself was telling me to read the book.

So, I started to read it Saturday. After that, I had trouble putting the book down. I read the whole book by tonight (very late Monday night). The book differs quite a bit from the movie, though as I was able to let my imagination run. Toward the end, it hit harder than the movie ever could. It's the first book that had me in tears.

I'm not going to share with you in this blog what I really think it means for me. But, if you are a guy, and if you seem to be misguided in life, I suggest you read it, and do so with a very open mind. I am not asking for a book report, but you are doing yourself a disservice in not doing so.

After that, you can watch the movie.

When i'm done

Borrowed with the help of Eminem's "When I'm gone"

Have you ever loved someone so much, you'd give an arm for?
Not the expression, no, literally give an arm for?
When they know they're your heart
And you know you were their armor
And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm 'her
But what happens when karma, turns right around and bites you?
And everything you stand for, turns on you to spite you?
What happens when she becomes the main source of your pain?
In the end she yells at you and dumps you in the rain?
"You don't love me as much as you should, you're too dependent!"
"You can't think for yourself! That's it, I'm gonna end it!"
I see you're right about me, I need the time to fix me
Just keep those doors from hitting me
"I'm still your best friend, if you need me just call"
"I'll be straight, but I won't try to hurt you at all"
As I leave you give me one last kiss and wave goodbye
Like we ended it when the note was high...

I keep having this dream, I answer my phone when it rings
She keeps screaming, she don't want me to succeed
"You're making me cry, why? Why am I crying?"
Baby, I love you and I'm here for you, "Steven you're lying"
You always say that, you always say this is the last time
"But I mean it now this time, Get out of my life"
She's piling my stuff in front of the door as I leave
"Just leave, Steven just leave, Steven - no stop it!"
Goes in her pocket, pulls out a tiny necklace locket
It's got our picture, "this'll serve your next victim, take it withcha'"
I look up, it's just me standing in the mirror
These crazy walls must be talking, cuz man I can hear 'em
They're saying "You don't have to take this shit alright" - and it's tonight
Now go out there and show that you love 'em before it's too late
And just as I go to walk out of the front door
It's turns to a park, she's gone, and the spotlights are on...

Twenty thousand people, all jumping out their seat
The train's stopping, they're throwing roses at my feet
I wave them off and thank you all for coming out
They're screaming so loud, I take one last look at the crowd
I glance right, I don't believe what I'm seeing
"Hey Frog Prince it's me, help me, my heart is bleeding"
But we're at the Point, how'd you get to the Point?
"He didn't love me, he said he's leavin for his 'ship with God"
"You are independent, you loved me more than you should"
"If it's any problem take me back if you could"
"I even brought the ring... will you marry me?"
"I want to be yours forever in life and in death you see"
But Princess wait, "It's too late ain't it? You made your choice."
"Just go out there and show 'em that you love 'em more than me"
"That's what they want, they want you Steven, they keep screamin' your name"
"It's no wonder you can't go to sleep, just take another pill"
"Yeah, I bet you you will. You rap about it, yeah, word, k-keep it real"
I hear applause, all this time I couldn't see
How could it be, that the curtain is closing on me
I turn around, find a gun on the ground, cock it
Put it to my brain and scream "die Steven" and pop it
The sky darkens, my life flashes, the car I'm supposed to be driving crashes and burns to ashes
That's when I wake up, alarm clock's ringin', there's birds singin'
It's Spring and the children are outside swinging, I thank God for a good day
Tell Christ that I'm happy for what he's done for me, and he winks back
Almost as if to say..

And when I'm done, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm looking down on you smiling
And I didn't feel a thing, So baby don't feel no pain
Just smile back

--------------------------
Also, so you know... rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated. But, I was sick. For those who left me alone... thank you for doing so because I just wanted to be left alone. Beyond that... I also got a real job down here. Alorica in Nashville was crap, and this place is actually something that is a challenge, and also dynamic (meaning it isn't the same thing day in, day out). It also is a lot more rewarding in many ways :).

Super Bowl XL

If you were to ask me... Detroit came out the winner in Super Bowl XL.

I don't mean the Lions... that's a whole different story. I'm talking about the city itself. They not only got the respect they so deserved in hosting the event, but they also came away with having one of their own being the winner.

Most of my friends were rooting for the Steelers, or are Steeler fans to begin with. Detroit itself was rooting for native Detroiter Jerome Bettis' team, who was expected to retire after this game. Sure enough, the Steelers come out on top, beating Seattle 21-10.

While I knew a couple of people who were against the Steelers (I myself would've liked to see the Seahawks' coach win another Super Bowl -- he won his last with Green Bay in 1997), I am about the pride of Detroit, and Detroit pride won tonight.

Of course... some complained we didn't honor the military during halftime, instead honoring Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We honor the military by holding the game and continuing to live life as normal as we can, but again, it comes down to the pride. If you do anything to upset that pride, you have over 900,000 pissed off residents, along with millions of others (including those in the 248, 734, 586, and even the 810) who feel like they are a part of the pride. I, for one, would be among those pissed.

God is a Super Bowl fan, and God picked the rightful winner tonight.