It seems as though its true that you learn things everyday - I don't doubt that. However, sometimes its not just learning something, its more focusing on something due to self evaluation. Some of you know me well, some that read this may only know me to a degree, or may have known me a long time ago. For those of you who do currently know me well, you know my stance for a while has been to leave people the fuck alone - don't pick on people, because why on earth would you want to make someone feel like shit for no good reason? Now is when a multitude of people will jump ship, saying "Andy is the asshole, he is the guy who picks on people." While that statement would be way off base, A. I can see where things might get misconstrued, and B. I did do that today and it sucks.
Lets start with A. (Its kinda like 1, you can't really go wrong starting here.) I can understand, due to my high frequency of finding myself in confrontations, that people might assume that I am an asshole and I pick on people. This just is not the case - its quite the opposite. Take a recent example or two: This weekend at my friend Chris's family tailgate... There is one tailgater who is often a problem, not only at the tailgate but in life in general. This unnamed person named Josh essentially gets on everyone he meets nerves, but nobody ever says anything about. Drunk, not drunk, vulgar, not vulgar, its always there - on top of that its usually totally inappropriate for the setting/company. Even I had put up with the bullshit for quite some time, but this weekend it came to a culmination when Josh decided to berate the Yankees (not that I honestly care if he does, but the subject isnt the point, its the manner in which he goes about it) by grabbing my shoulders and shaking me around, asking how I liked the playoffs etc. OK. Back to those of you who know me, this is simply not something I deal with. I am not a bully, but I am an alpha male figure who doesn't deal with others playing down to me or attempting to make me feel lesser - especially amongst a gathering of my friends. I could sense that everyone else was tired of the obnoxious behavior as well, so instead of just taking the bullshit and letting it go, I proceeded with the following. I grabbed Josh and calmly told him that I was tired of his bullshit everytime I saw him, everyone else was tired of it, and if he didn't do away with the grin on his face while I spoke to him that I would gladly knock it off - add in some extra uses of the word fuck in there as well.
OK lets analyze this - why was I NOT the asshole here? Well first of all, I was thanked by all others present for doing what I did. I had every right to say/do what I did, and I did it for one reason and one reason only - everyone else seems afraid/reluctant to say anything to these types of people. I do not actively seek out confrontation, I'm just a protector. I stand up for myself, as well as those who are unwilling to stand up for themselves. Its as simple as that - however, if you're like me (there aren't many of us) don't just take that stance and say you do this - ALWAYS do it. Don't slip up like I did today.
I won't get into specifics of what went down today, but I essentially pulled a mean trick on someone I don't know, who did not necessarily deserve it. It makes you think, but it also makes you feel good about your true feelings when you slip up like I did, and the 1st thought that comes to your mind is how bad you feel for the other person. I can almost blame the protector side of me for even having done this - but in the end I should have thought about the situation and why my subconscious only THOUGHT protection was needed when it really wasn't.
If I could tell everyone who doesn't understand me one thing, I think I would go with this analogy: On the outside I may seem like the bully. However, in reality I'm the person that confronts the bully because nobody else will. Just be nice to people in general - if I can honestly see the world this way, anyone can - all of you who have known me for a long time can attest to that.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Friday (early) Morning Musings
Well here we are, one day away from the Iron Bowl. I will admit that the aforementioned game is what has me up tonight, I think too much sometimes - but in all honesty I don't know if a true Auburn fan can think about this game "too much."
My many hours of thought have led me to one conclusion: AU 24-10. Done. 6. People may expect an analytical reasoning forthcoming, and you'll get one, but not in the form nor fashion you might expect... So here goes:
Auburn will win, I've said that. But, its not because of 5 in a row, not because they are the better team (although they are), and not because of some odd matchup between the teams set to do battle Saturday night in the greatest setting in all of sports - save The House That Ruth Built. No, rather it centers on ME. Those who know me may assume this is going to turn into another "that's why he's Andy" diatribes.. but there really is no conceit in this one people. Auburn will win because of me, and because of my sick string of luck as of late. I'll save you the long list of happenings, but the jist of it is - The Arkansas Experience (and physical domination on and OFF/OUTSIDE of the field), drawings coming up money in my scholastic undertakings, great success in the gym as of late, capturing the elusive Andy-Chris game that has proved difficult to track down in the past, and the Georgia loss. The Georgia loss? Yes. The Georgia loss - We'll get to this shortly.
Now, as per being a Shores by surname AND male by gender... I am not typically the "luckiest man on the face of the earth" (appropriately coined by The IRON Horse) - just ask Dad. So I take great reverance in this newly found luck and all that it entails. With that bit of background, lets get back to the story at hand - The Georgia loss.
This story begins with me - what stories have you heard me tell that don't? Me, and my plans not to venture to Athens, GA although I thought Auburn would win (WRONG.) I had my mind made up, I was working on a painting, getting ahead in my school work (yeah no shit), perfectly content with watching the rivalry on TV with my dad, despite the great time I had had in 2005 when going on the same trip. Bobby was not going, Chris - I had forgotten whether he was going, and I had no girlfriend (which according to Lore... well I guess I should just say Matt and I's interworkings of warped minds... it is vitally important for me to have a girlfriend when attending an AU-UGAy contest.
So essentially there was no reason for me to head up there. Then it all changed, The Luck popped up again - this time unbenounced to me. Matt called me, and thanks to the 1 second gap between "Cause worry's a waste of my... pause... time" in Mr. Brownstone (which I was listening to on my Ipod Mini - hahaha at the time) I heard my phone ring - coincidentally my ringtone is Mr. Brownstone as well... Matt, in his own roundabout, don't want to full-on let you know I want something way, asked if I still wasn't going to Athens and somewhat conveyed to me that he didn't know many people who we're going, so he might not have anyone to hang out with. I took this into consideration, hung up the phone, got back to painting. I pretty much felt bad about not going at this point, but decided oh well and ignored it. A few minutes went by... I decided to call Chris. Chris was of course going, his family always goes to Athens due to a family friend. This pretty much was it for me - the voice in the back of my mind was telling me to go, but I was a bit unsure as to whether or not I should listen, and I would remain this way until I actually got to Athens. But, in the end, I DID go.
Matt and I had a great trip up there, listened to some Guns - as is customary in order to achieve Money status for a trip, discussed the finer aspects of Lore and to a high degree Mark's recent involvement, all in all a good time. We arrived in Athens in decent time, then headed over to my cousin Whitney's place - theoretically our home base during this excursion. It was cool to see Whitney since it had been a few years, then she headed out to meet some friends "for a little while." This little while turned into a long while, and I was in constant contact with my boy Chris - who was frantically informing me of potential "Itsa nice" opportunities at Walker's (a bar among many in Athens.) I finally convinced Matt that we would be alright if he drove downtown, and that we would figure something out as far as driving his car back to Whitney's place.
So off we headed. At this point Chris had informed me that one of the ladies at the bar was "a fan of Mark" - Kansas' morbidly obese football coach - and this of course intrigued me. After a long ordeal of trying to park somewhere, Matt and I found a spot - all while Chris was under the assumption that I had either died or was in jail (the latter always being a strong possibility at away games) since I was taking so long to arrive. Once we arrived at the bar, Chris was right there to meet me at the entrance and pointed me towards the two "Primo... nevermind won't finish that one" chicks he knew from Athens, Karen and Caroline. I introduced myself, talked a little about Mark, corndogs, beer, the game, etc, then got straight to what I do best in social settings (aside from talking endlessly about nothing) and that is observation and calculation.
I was aware of the fact that Chris knew Caroline from his previous stints in the workforce, and I deduced that he was engaged in conversation, for the most part, with her. I thought to myself "way to go bro, I approve" then turned my attention to Caroline's roommate, Karen. Admittedly, at this point I hadn't realized that any streak of luck had begun, existed, or ever was to be, so my first thoughts were: "Wow dude, I really appreciate the vote of confidence, but ain't no way I can pull this off."
As the night wore on, Karen and I seemed to have a good deal in common - essentially everything. From Mark, to baseball/softball, various preferences, it was there. The night overall was damn fun, Chris and I got as wasted as we had ever been together, and Karen and I really connected.
Gameday - you all saw it, we lost, big, it sucked, big. - although I did get one good jab in at an ugay drunk chick who yelled "Auburn sucks" to us. I quickly responded "Everyone knows, nothing sucks like a Georgia girl" - yes, I know, fucking brilliant - you should've been there.
"So, this luck... it came to an end that night, right?" you ask... not so much. I realized The Luck as I was walking back to Matt's car. I realized as drinks were being thrown at me, barks and worse were verbally hurled my way, and the pathetic display on the field was sinking in, that while WE lost that day, I had won. I reluctantly strolled into town, had a hell of a time with my best friend, took THE best looking and most incredible girl away from those same douchebags that were heckeling me, and was on my way at that moment to hang out with those two and my brother again. I then started thinking about all that has been the recent months of my life, and how shit has been pretty nails for quite some time. For those wondering, Karen and I are doing rather well - ok so that was really just a shameless self-plug there, but oh well haha.
During the interim since that weekend came to an end, I have gotten to visit those who matter most to me (although it was a lot of driving), and alabama LOST TO LOUISIANA FUCKING MONROE AT HOME HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. So the luck is still going strong. Some may say it has to come to an end, and perhaps due to its high profile thusfar, soon. However, I disagree and here is why - The Luck isn't luck in the end. Its simply an adopted way of life that is working rather well for me. Its motivation, its what keeps me going, its what I bring to those around me.
THIS is why we win this weekend folks, because I LOVE Auburn, because positive energy really does work, and because I am still somewhat regretful that for that one weekend I was (although thankfully) able to remove myself partially from the WE that is the Auburn Family. Sure it hurt me that we lost, but it didn't hurt me enough and I intend to use the positive energy to inspire those around me, to bring my people (Rushings, Reynolds', Family) to the level I have achieved, that of can't lose. AU 24-10. Done. 6. WFEMF ($1 to CWMFM)
My many hours of thought have led me to one conclusion: AU 24-10. Done. 6. People may expect an analytical reasoning forthcoming, and you'll get one, but not in the form nor fashion you might expect... So here goes:
Auburn will win, I've said that. But, its not because of 5 in a row, not because they are the better team (although they are), and not because of some odd matchup between the teams set to do battle Saturday night in the greatest setting in all of sports - save The House That Ruth Built. No, rather it centers on ME. Those who know me may assume this is going to turn into another "that's why he's Andy" diatribes.. but there really is no conceit in this one people. Auburn will win because of me, and because of my sick string of luck as of late. I'll save you the long list of happenings, but the jist of it is - The Arkansas Experience (and physical domination on and OFF/OUTSIDE of the field), drawings coming up money in my scholastic undertakings, great success in the gym as of late, capturing the elusive Andy-Chris game that has proved difficult to track down in the past, and the Georgia loss. The Georgia loss? Yes. The Georgia loss - We'll get to this shortly.
Now, as per being a Shores by surname AND male by gender... I am not typically the "luckiest man on the face of the earth" (appropriately coined by The IRON Horse) - just ask Dad. So I take great reverance in this newly found luck and all that it entails. With that bit of background, lets get back to the story at hand - The Georgia loss.
This story begins with me - what stories have you heard me tell that don't? Me, and my plans not to venture to Athens, GA although I thought Auburn would win (WRONG.) I had my mind made up, I was working on a painting, getting ahead in my school work (yeah no shit), perfectly content with watching the rivalry on TV with my dad, despite the great time I had had in 2005 when going on the same trip. Bobby was not going, Chris - I had forgotten whether he was going, and I had no girlfriend (which according to Lore... well I guess I should just say Matt and I's interworkings of warped minds... it is vitally important for me to have a girlfriend when attending an AU-UGAy contest.
So essentially there was no reason for me to head up there. Then it all changed, The Luck popped up again - this time unbenounced to me. Matt called me, and thanks to the 1 second gap between "Cause worry's a waste of my... pause... time" in Mr. Brownstone (which I was listening to on my Ipod Mini - hahaha at the time) I heard my phone ring - coincidentally my ringtone is Mr. Brownstone as well... Matt, in his own roundabout, don't want to full-on let you know I want something way, asked if I still wasn't going to Athens and somewhat conveyed to me that he didn't know many people who we're going, so he might not have anyone to hang out with. I took this into consideration, hung up the phone, got back to painting. I pretty much felt bad about not going at this point, but decided oh well and ignored it. A few minutes went by... I decided to call Chris. Chris was of course going, his family always goes to Athens due to a family friend. This pretty much was it for me - the voice in the back of my mind was telling me to go, but I was a bit unsure as to whether or not I should listen, and I would remain this way until I actually got to Athens. But, in the end, I DID go.
Matt and I had a great trip up there, listened to some Guns - as is customary in order to achieve Money status for a trip, discussed the finer aspects of Lore and to a high degree Mark's recent involvement, all in all a good time. We arrived in Athens in decent time, then headed over to my cousin Whitney's place - theoretically our home base during this excursion. It was cool to see Whitney since it had been a few years, then she headed out to meet some friends "for a little while." This little while turned into a long while, and I was in constant contact with my boy Chris - who was frantically informing me of potential "Itsa nice" opportunities at Walker's (a bar among many in Athens.) I finally convinced Matt that we would be alright if he drove downtown, and that we would figure something out as far as driving his car back to Whitney's place.
So off we headed. At this point Chris had informed me that one of the ladies at the bar was "a fan of Mark" - Kansas' morbidly obese football coach - and this of course intrigued me. After a long ordeal of trying to park somewhere, Matt and I found a spot - all while Chris was under the assumption that I had either died or was in jail (the latter always being a strong possibility at away games) since I was taking so long to arrive. Once we arrived at the bar, Chris was right there to meet me at the entrance and pointed me towards the two "Primo... nevermind won't finish that one" chicks he knew from Athens, Karen and Caroline. I introduced myself, talked a little about Mark, corndogs, beer, the game, etc, then got straight to what I do best in social settings (aside from talking endlessly about nothing) and that is observation and calculation.
I was aware of the fact that Chris knew Caroline from his previous stints in the workforce, and I deduced that he was engaged in conversation, for the most part, with her. I thought to myself "way to go bro, I approve" then turned my attention to Caroline's roommate, Karen. Admittedly, at this point I hadn't realized that any streak of luck had begun, existed, or ever was to be, so my first thoughts were: "Wow dude, I really appreciate the vote of confidence, but ain't no way I can pull this off."
As the night wore on, Karen and I seemed to have a good deal in common - essentially everything. From Mark, to baseball/softball, various preferences, it was there. The night overall was damn fun, Chris and I got as wasted as we had ever been together, and Karen and I really connected.
Gameday - you all saw it, we lost, big, it sucked, big. - although I did get one good jab in at an ugay drunk chick who yelled "Auburn sucks" to us. I quickly responded "Everyone knows, nothing sucks like a Georgia girl" - yes, I know, fucking brilliant - you should've been there.
"So, this luck... it came to an end that night, right?" you ask... not so much. I realized The Luck as I was walking back to Matt's car. I realized as drinks were being thrown at me, barks and worse were verbally hurled my way, and the pathetic display on the field was sinking in, that while WE lost that day, I had won. I reluctantly strolled into town, had a hell of a time with my best friend, took THE best looking and most incredible girl away from those same douchebags that were heckeling me, and was on my way at that moment to hang out with those two and my brother again. I then started thinking about all that has been the recent months of my life, and how shit has been pretty nails for quite some time. For those wondering, Karen and I are doing rather well - ok so that was really just a shameless self-plug there, but oh well haha.
During the interim since that weekend came to an end, I have gotten to visit those who matter most to me (although it was a lot of driving), and alabama LOST TO LOUISIANA FUCKING MONROE AT HOME HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. So the luck is still going strong. Some may say it has to come to an end, and perhaps due to its high profile thusfar, soon. However, I disagree and here is why - The Luck isn't luck in the end. Its simply an adopted way of life that is working rather well for me. Its motivation, its what keeps me going, its what I bring to those around me.
THIS is why we win this weekend folks, because I LOVE Auburn, because positive energy really does work, and because I am still somewhat regretful that for that one weekend I was (although thankfully) able to remove myself partially from the WE that is the Auburn Family. Sure it hurt me that we lost, but it didn't hurt me enough and I intend to use the positive energy to inspire those around me, to bring my people (Rushings, Reynolds', Family) to the level I have achieved, that of can't lose. AU 24-10. Done. 6. WFEMF ($1 to CWMFM)
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