Malt Liquor, Mildred Warren, and Perspective

Read this--http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&e=3&u=/nm/20050314/hl_nm/health_maltliquor_dc--and tell me what a "tipple" is.

I didn't know that there was an official drink of the homeless and unemployed, but somewhere Billy Dee is crying.

I have the pleasure of working in an urban environment and I see the plight of the homeless and unemployed each day, much in the same way that most of you do--passing in your car. Most of us have mastered the art of ignoring them and I am no different. However, too many of us have also conditioned ourselves to do not feel anything for them or to not somehow reflect on how their lives compare to ours. Don't worry, I won't lecture. But each time I see them, my stupid twenty-something drama seems so trite. You know those churches you pass everyday that have some silly little "Chicken Soup For the Soul-esque" wisdom on their front signs? Most of the time, I think they're a load of bullshit, but one caught my eye recently and I've had a hard time getting it out of my head: "God is bigger than your problem." So let's raise our glasses filled to the top with Colt 45 and get some perspective. Bitches.

Mildred Warren is one of the greatest women I've ever known. She is also my grandmother. She is also suffering from Alzheimer's disease. But the part I choose to focus is on is her greatness. She was a wife, is a mother, and is the greatest grandmother a kid could have. As a kid, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the small town of Beebe, Arkansas with my grandparents each summer. The two of them imparted more wisdom than even I realized on me during those years. Without turning this into a long drawn out story, they taught me the values of family, faith, and love. They weren't talkers like me. They just showed it to me, everyday that they walked the earth. Robert Lee Warren, my grandfather, passed away in 1990 and my grandmother is in her final days. She has always been a woman of pride and dignity and to see this disease take her has been hard for me, as I know it has been for my entire family. I thought I was mentally and emotionally prepared for her passing, but when I spoke to my mother on Sunday night and heard she had taken a turn for the worst, I was a mess. I slept a grand total of 45 minutes on Sunday night. Miraculously, she is conscious once again. She is eating. The roller coaster continues for myself and my family. I am now at the point where my wish for her is greater peace and not necessarily longer life. My twenty-something drama seems so trite. "God is bigger than your problem..."

Now I'm done with all the serious stuff for today. A few observations for today:

1. There is nothing more depressing than working during spring break when you work for a university.

2. The only good thing about being here is that I have a lot of spare time on my hands, so I should be able to update the blog all week. Yes, I know. You all need new pants now.

3. Why do I come to all of you for personal advice when I could just ask Dirk? http://www.nba.com/features/dear_dirk.html

4. Headline that further confirms the "gaying up" of America: " 'Lord of the Rings' to Take to Stage as Musical". Vomit.

5. All of you people who read this need to start posting responses. I feel incredibly unloved and you know how insecure I already am. Besides, if no one is responding, I have to assume to no one is reading. I thought at least two of you were reading, so don't disappoint me.

6. I love you.

Song of the Day: "Reunion"
Artist: Stars
Album: Set Yourself On Fire
Lyric of Possible Relevance: "All I want is one more chance to be young and wild and free. All I want is one more chance to show you, you were right for me, you were right for me!"