From Young Man to Man

Welcome, Name: Cam Age: 24 I am, by no means, an established or polished writer. Hopefully, as you read, you find some type of entertainment, direction, motivation as I share with you my journey, finally piercing the wall into adulthood.

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It's been a Year

So I am actually typing this on New Years Eve 2011....Yes this post is technically a year old....BOO!!! Kinda weird isn't it? Knowing I thought these words and typed these words a year ago and you are just seeing them now?

LOL Anyways, I am here to remind you all, but more importantly [sorry] myself about my S.M.A.R.T. Goals for this past year. I figure, if I put myself on blast and have you all hold me accountable, mayyyybe I'll do a better job at sticking to them.

Well here's a link to my post with my list of goals and rewards. CLICK HERE!!    

 I will soon update you on how I did.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!-from an enitre NEW YEAR's away lol

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T-minus 1 month

T-minus 1 month til I have to check the progress on my 100th Tumblr post entry

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i’m happy that our president has a soul.

lol the last one

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I actually HAVE been reading. You should be proud #5, #6, #7, #8, #9

#5 A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard-

It's a true life story of a young Lady (author) who was kidnapped at the age of 11. It chronicles her story during her captivity, through her assault, her multiple pregnancies, and her battling with her Stockholm syndrome. It was quite surreal, considering Jaycee was abducted and trapped for 18 years. Yes she was 29 when she was released. 29. Its a great story and you really get an opportunity to appreciate even your simple treasures...like a TOILET!  In some ways I would recommend it, in others, because her style of writing, is at times, the style of an eleven year old, it can be a difficult read in that sense. Very choppy, but in context its a suggested read

#6 Old Boys, Old Girls by Edward P. Jones

It was a short story, I have a fondness for short stories. About a man who, as he was describe, wasn't insane, "but was three doors from it." Was convicted of murder after getting away with one previously. After being astranged from his family, the story follows him, the character Caesar, struggling with, murder AND death, violence and tenderness, love and hatred, and, well life. 

#7 Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell-

I LOVE this book. Its a Memoir, about friendship. Two women meet later on in life and become best friends, like the old school best friends, the type of best friends you're suppose to have. They grow to share every aspect of their lives with each other. Unfortunately the younger of the two contracted stage 4 lung cancer and died 7 weeks after the diagnosis. The book follows Gail, the surviving friend, and how she deals with the set back. The opening line in the book. 

"This is an old old story. I had a friend and we shared everything. And then she died. So, we shared that too. "  

Had me hooked. 

#8 Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Oh this was such a sweet book. It was written from the view point of a 10 year old girl. She was struggling on how to come to grips with the death of her brother. he died in a school shooting. On the surface, I didn't think this book would hold my interest. Then I realized what the twist was. This young girl, has Aspergers, which is a high functioning form of autism. Her brother Daniel, was her bridge between the world and hers, which was very black and white, this or that. Caitlin finds a way to not only come to "CLOSURE" with her brothers death but also helps er father and her community do the same. It is a light, quick read, that gets you thinking just as deeply as a full length novel. 

#9 The Goldfish Went on Vacation by Patty Dann

Ok, so I will tell you now, this book WILL move you to tears by the end....and then the tears will continue, then continue a little more. I can guarantee you that!

Yes, its another sad one, sorry, my next few will be in a different direction. Another memoir, a memoir of loss. A mother explains to her three year old son, that his father is dying. She admits her failures and mistakes but also celebrates the strength i nher and more specially in her son. 

This book was by FAR my favorite of the bunch. It was relate able, heart felt, and just so well written. If Patty Dann chooses to write in the future, I'm there. 

[daily-disney]

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HAHAHAHAHA- WE CAN’T TAKE YOU ANYWHERE, SHANG

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I'm getting into cooking a little bit....but I want them to be fun dishes

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You know you're awesome right?

Oh, I know I'm awesome...I'm just waitin on the papers to scoop up the story

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Step 011: Don't take yourself too seriously but,....take yourself seriously

Its important to put your all into things but at the end of the day....its not the end of the world. 

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Best friends

I would NEVER tell her...

                                  EVER!!!!! 

But, my sis is my best friend. By far. 

I've known we were close and I was blessed to have a functional relationship with her, and well all my siblings, but I know for a fact she's my best friend. And it makes me revisit all the people through my life that I have frivolously given that title to. Unfortunately, not one of them comes close. 

Yea we fight, we're siblings, that's what we're suppose to do. Yea, I 've told her I hated her and she me (especially when she wore my favorite superman shirt to play basketball in...BASKETBALL!!!). but At no point in my life, have I ever felt like I could survive without her.

I've never felt like I've had to be different around her or put on a front. If I feel like being silly and immature, I can without the eyes of judgement. If I feel like being the biggest asshole to someone who pissed me off and go on a rant about how they are bitch ass sluts, I can. And she'll agree.

Her and I speak our own language. We can have a FULL conversation, I swear which consist of.

-Ay

-hahahahahahaha

-yes I did poot

-I wish I wasn't wearing this effin shirt

-*look exchanged*

-hahahaha

-hahahahahhahaha 

-hahahahahaha

-hahahahah

-shut up

-aight deuces

-chuck em

Whats great is, I know this about us will never change. Now that shes back from school, having her close by, so many times I just look up and think, "I don't care if all my friends ditch me today, she got my back. And its comforting knowing there's at least one person in this world who's feelings for you never waiver. But I tell ya this,

Whom ever I marry, is gonna have it hard getting her approval. And yes its necessary. Probably more necessary than my mothers. 

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http://www.cc.com/video-clips/43sq4x/best-moments-of-2012---katy-perry-and-jodi-dipiazza-sing--firework-

An inch of Competence or Empathy is greater than a mile of Pity 

Seriously,  The only reason I find this remarkable, is because, we all make so many excuses for why we don't do. But SO MANY of these kids are put in boxes and limitations are placed on them by everyone but themselves....The truth is, they can do all plus more.

THIS is when I wish my tumblr reached millions. I don't think my writing or thoughts are prolific but when inspirational things cross me, I just wish all could experience and understand it on a deeper level.

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Step 009: Don't be afraid to change it up

Everyone's heard that cliche phrase about trying the same experiment and expecting different results.

Well, one formula has yet to work, me being stubborn me, I have repeated this same experiment 50+ times and silly me expected different results.

I thought for a while, being ashamed at how persistent I was. Then I realized I wasn't being persistent, I was being afraid. If I were persistent I would try something new to  ensure AND insure my success. Instead I was afraid of doing something new and not being good at it right away. 

Everything I'm good at I, at one point, well, did for the first time. I think as adults people let the word and meaning and power of fear grow compared to the pea size presence it represented in our day to day lives as kids. Think about when you hopped that fence, jumped off the high board or the garage roof....You did it!  Would you ever in your right mind (keyword: right mind) jump off that wrickety ass roof now? No? Why? Fear is renting and ISN'T even paying rent. HOW RUDE!!!   Well not anymore. Not for me at least. I'm switching it up. I'm scared yes, but, I'm stillgonna do it. 

Do something every day that scares you

[denisecua]

[satans-testicle]

The Story of Kyle

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.” I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up, and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So I jogged over to him, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.” He looked at me and said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before, but we talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend, and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak. On graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech, so I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!” He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. “Thanks,” he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach — but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.” I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. “Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.” I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture, you can change a person’s life.

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BITCH BAD

Before you judge, listen to it. I dare you to listen to it twice.....read the lyrics the second time. 

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I decided last night that driving on the expressway in Chicago, windows down, music loud, at night is one of the best things ever.

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40 Things To Teach Kids

These Days

SEP. 3, 2012 

By BEN BRANSTETTER

A few months ago, I moved in with my girlfriend and her daughter and son, ages 9 and 11 respectively. These are a few things I wish they would learn:

1. A glass of wine a night does not make me an alcoholic, and it’d be great if you didn’t tell your grandmother that.

2. If you did things the first time you were told, you’d waste a lot less of your own time

3. My generation was embarrassed when our parents joined Facebook. You’ll be embarrassed when you join Facebook and find your mom has hundreds of photos of you just waiting to be tagged.

4. Adults on Disney Channel shows are portrayed as useless dolts to make you feel better. This is not representative of real life.

5. Everyone feels like a dork in middle school.

6. Justin Timberlake is a singer.

7. Will Smith is not just the father of Willow and The Karate Kid.

8. By going to church with your friend’s family, you are bowing to the peer pressure that has perpetuated centuries of religious oppression.

9. It’s not my fault you’re bored.

10. I let you win at chess.

11. School and work are not equivalent.

12. It’s racist to make fun of people’s accents.

13. That turkey, mashed potatoes, and broccoli I just made you was not a snack.

14. Your 4-year-old niece is not to be spun around like a hammer throw.

15. You would love Lord Of The Flies.

16. JK Rowling is a woman.

17. Pro wrestling is fake.

18. It is not a fun game to see how angry you can make each other.

19. The tomatoes in pizza don’t count.

20. A belt will keep your pants up.

21. If you think a karate belt is difficult, wait till clip-on ties become unacceptable.

22. Polo shirts are not for babies.

23. Pepto Bismol is not for girls.

24. An iced coffee is not a milkshake and no, you may not have one.

25. Melatonin is the best invention in modern parenting.

26. It is not okay to sing LMFAO at the top of your lungs at 6:30 a.m. (or at anytime, really).

27. Watching a walkthrough of a videogame on YouTube before you even own it ruins the whole point.

28. When watching a movie you’ve seen but I haven’t, there’s this thing called a “spoiler alert.”

29. Lady Gaga is not old.

30. “Sweet Caroline” is not a Glee original (see also: “Bust A Move,” “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” and “Don’t Stop

Believin’”)

31. Your mother is the most important person in the world vis a vis your existence.

32. There’s a difference between someone being nice and someone being rich.

33. Ten minutes of spelling homework is not “a ton”.

34. “Sucks” is a useless word. It doesn’t describe anything.

35. Your life does not suck.

36. You don’t have to say, “I have a question.” Go ahead and ask the question.

37. There are 151 Pokémon. Period.

38. The cool kids in your class are trying really, really hard.

39. Your friends will change.

40. So will you.

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Step 008: Tell the truth

Not that I am some boldface liar that lies and tricks people ( ok sometimes lol)  But seriously...EVERYBODY LIES. Anyone that says they don't....is , you guessed it, a LIAR!

White lies, to a degree, aren't as neccesary as people pretend they are. Being truthful even about the simple insignificant things can prove to be a very freeing experience. 

I know individuals that get so wrapped into their own lies that reality begins to blend with them and they lose touch with whats truth and whats made up. 

Cleaning up the little lies has made me feel like I am being more genuine with people I meet. I use to get the feeling that I was always "ON" when in front of people. I had to always be funny, I had to always be entertaining. Now I feel like people realize a little more, that I am naturally a quieter person, and love to just hangout instead of all these other things. 

Go head try it, for a day, no lies, NONE, not even the innocent ones (fyi: any lie=NOT innocent)