I didn't dream this up, but I have this goal of saying "NO" to things I can't do or "NO" to things I can't afford.
Whenever I say no to someone about a favor they need from me or for a request someone wants me to fulfill, I find myself reluctantly saying 'YES' to those things. I really don't want to disappoint anyone by saying 'NO.'
It's like that song by James Ingraham "I Don't Have the Heart (to hurt you)". Sometimes, I feel like I disappoint myself when I say no to somebody for anything.
I found this blog post that helps me explain how I feel when it comes to saying no to things.
https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/the-yes-virus/
My goal is to say 'no' without being mean or vicious about it. I want 'no' to help me out better. I want to use my time better to spend time with my family, my friends, and to a little extent, my work.
I have a few goals in life, but I don't know what they are for me just yet. I want to be able to give my two sons goals that they can achieve. That would be my greatest goal is to see them blossom into something special.
I k'no'w better (no pun intended) to say 'yes' to the right things.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
A lottery winning dream
On Friday, August 10, 2018, I had an awesome dream.
Everything was in a haze, everything except what I head in my right hand. I clutched a $40,000 winning scratcher ticket. I dreamed of winning big money for a long time. For a short time, I had it. I had a golden ticket that I didn't know what to do with. It may as well have been a clean, crisp $40,000 bill. It was one of those moments where I would have gone blind and forgetful.
I wish that this dream would have continued after I cashed in my winnings. I wonder what I would have done and where I would have gone had this dream been allowed to continue. For a short time, I remember being very excited about being a winner. I wanted to either pinch myself or bite my tongue while asking myself 'could this be real'?
By the time I woke up the next morning, I realized that it was not to be. I have not been a big lottery winner since I won a $100 on a scratchers ticket last year. This year, I have won $25 on a couple of tickets. Other times, I have lost tens of dollars in my hopes of winning a big payday.
If I were to 'win the lottery', I would invest in helping everyone have a good education and eat everyday. I would do those things after I have taken good care of my family.
Everything was in a haze, everything except what I head in my right hand. I clutched a $40,000 winning scratcher ticket. I dreamed of winning big money for a long time. For a short time, I had it. I had a golden ticket that I didn't know what to do with. It may as well have been a clean, crisp $40,000 bill. It was one of those moments where I would have gone blind and forgetful.
I wish that this dream would have continued after I cashed in my winnings. I wonder what I would have done and where I would have gone had this dream been allowed to continue. For a short time, I remember being very excited about being a winner. I wanted to either pinch myself or bite my tongue while asking myself 'could this be real'?
By the time I woke up the next morning, I realized that it was not to be. I have not been a big lottery winner since I won a $100 on a scratchers ticket last year. This year, I have won $25 on a couple of tickets. Other times, I have lost tens of dollars in my hopes of winning a big payday.
If I were to 'win the lottery', I would invest in helping everyone have a good education and eat everyday. I would do those things after I have taken good care of my family.
Dreams of Los Angeles, a convenience store, and a murder mystery
Late Saturday/Early Sunday, I had a dream where I was hovering over Interstate 10 on the Santa Monica Freeway. I was headed towards downtown Los Angeles. My job was to shoot video of an important dignitary (presumably the President of the United States). I had to do this while I was suspended from a helicopter. In the dream, I remember that it was not quite dark yet, and it was just after sunset where the sky was more purple-blue than dark. I remember the freeway being well lit on both sides of the freeway with big tall buildings on each side of it.
In real life, that kind of setting is more in line with the 110/Harbor Freeway and 101/Hollywood Freeway than the I-10/Santa Monica Freeway.
Later in the dream, I believe that I was successful in getting a shot of the 'president' inside his black stretch limo on the third try. If I was working in TV news, there are no re-takes. I don't get second chances to get the perfect shot or to do my job in a real-life situation.
After I completed my assignment on the freeway, I move onto an unspecified airport terminal. Later on in my walk, I find myself going to a convenience store looking for a slushee or something. Along the way I'm walking with a CBS46 co-worker in search of a blue beverage. In real life, I don't see RaceTrac, QT, or Circle K type of stores inside an airport.
As I was pouring my slushee into a cup, a man who looked like Victor Newman from "Young and the Restless" approached me and told me that I was involved in a murder mystery. I was being implicated for something I didn't do. I made a slow escape out of the convenience store and walked down the terminal. For me being allegedly involved in something serious, I casually stroll down the terminal. Come to think of it, the terminal looked a lot like a shopping mall. I saw in my dream the same kind of stores that I would see at Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw, Georgia.
After I was trying to get out of something serious inside the terminal, I wake up.
In reality, I have not been to California in 10 years. I have not flown anywhere in four years. I have not been to a mall, let alone Town Center for nearly a year. I went to a Race Trac within the last 7 days.
I tentatively have one adventure lined up for September.
In real life, that kind of setting is more in line with the 110/Harbor Freeway and 101/Hollywood Freeway than the I-10/Santa Monica Freeway.
Later in the dream, I believe that I was successful in getting a shot of the 'president' inside his black stretch limo on the third try. If I was working in TV news, there are no re-takes. I don't get second chances to get the perfect shot or to do my job in a real-life situation.
After I completed my assignment on the freeway, I move onto an unspecified airport terminal. Later on in my walk, I find myself going to a convenience store looking for a slushee or something. Along the way I'm walking with a CBS46 co-worker in search of a blue beverage. In real life, I don't see RaceTrac, QT, or Circle K type of stores inside an airport.
As I was pouring my slushee into a cup, a man who looked like Victor Newman from "Young and the Restless" approached me and told me that I was involved in a murder mystery. I was being implicated for something I didn't do. I made a slow escape out of the convenience store and walked down the terminal. For me being allegedly involved in something serious, I casually stroll down the terminal. Come to think of it, the terminal looked a lot like a shopping mall. I saw in my dream the same kind of stores that I would see at Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw, Georgia.
After I was trying to get out of something serious inside the terminal, I wake up.
In reality, I have not been to California in 10 years. I have not flown anywhere in four years. I have not been to a mall, let alone Town Center for nearly a year. I went to a Race Trac within the last 7 days.
I tentatively have one adventure lined up for September.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
My dreams for a 2018 NFL season
As the first set of preseason games get underway this week, I look to two games to get me going. I want to see the Atlanta Falcons/New York Jets game and catch highlights of the LA Chargers/Arizona Cardinals game. As I type this, I can't bring myself to say Los Angeles Chargers without vomiting.
I hope for a healthy David Johnson for my B team, the Arizona Cardinals. I hope for a healthy team in my A team, the Atlanta Falcons. I have no expectations for my C team, the Los Angeles Chargers. I'm going to put all my eggs in the Falcons and Cardinals baskets this season. I'm going to push for both of those teams to make the playoffs.
The last time the Cardinals and Falcons both made the playoffs in the same year was 10 years ago. They had to play each other in the playoffs out in Glendale, Arizona, and I pulled for the Falcons on that day.
My other dream for 2018 is to be able to see the Atlanta Falcons play at home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium here in Atlanta. I went by there last year, but didn't see anything inside that building.
Last, but not least, if I had a big dream to dream big with, it is to see my Falcons play in Super Bowl 53 inside their home stadium.
No NFL team has ever played the Super Bowl on their own field. The Minnesota Vikings came close to doing that last season.
Right now, I'm praying for a Falcons Super Bowl.
I hope for a healthy David Johnson for my B team, the Arizona Cardinals. I hope for a healthy team in my A team, the Atlanta Falcons. I have no expectations for my C team, the Los Angeles Chargers. I'm going to put all my eggs in the Falcons and Cardinals baskets this season. I'm going to push for both of those teams to make the playoffs.
The last time the Cardinals and Falcons both made the playoffs in the same year was 10 years ago. They had to play each other in the playoffs out in Glendale, Arizona, and I pulled for the Falcons on that day.
My other dream for 2018 is to be able to see the Atlanta Falcons play at home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium here in Atlanta. I went by there last year, but didn't see anything inside that building.
Last, but not least, if I had a big dream to dream big with, it is to see my Falcons play in Super Bowl 53 inside their home stadium.
No NFL team has ever played the Super Bowl on their own field. The Minnesota Vikings came close to doing that last season.
Right now, I'm praying for a Falcons Super Bowl.
Writing Samples from December 20, 2015
(OTS)
YOU COULD BE IN LINE TO LAND A JOB HIGH IN DEMAND NEXT YEAR.
(VO)
CAREER EXPERTS SAY JOBS WITH SPECIFIC SKILL SETS OR A HIGH VOLUME OF LOW PAYING JOBS MAKE IT HARD FOR COMPANIES TO FILL THOSE JOBS.
THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO LOOK BEYOND THE RESUME FOR THOSE HIGH SKILL JOBS.
HERE ARE THE TOP TEN HARD TO HIRE JOBS ON THIS LIST.
NUMBER 1: DATA SCIENTIST.
NUMBER 2: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
NUMBER 3: GENERAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
NUMBER 4: HOME HEALTH AIDE
NUMBER 5: INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST
NUMBER 6: MARKETING MANAGER
NUMBER 7: MEDICAL SERVICES MANAGER
NUMBER 8: PHYSICAL THERAPIST
NUMBER 9: REGISTERED NURSE
AND NUMBER 10: SOFTWARE ENGINEER
FOR SOME OF THESE JOBS, THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OPENINGS FOR EVERY JOB CANDIDATE.
(MATRIX)
W-S-B AND THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION JOIN FORCES AND EXAMINE THE HIGH NUMBER OF OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
THIS IS THE MOST EXPANSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE UNDERTAKING THEY'VE EVER DONE ON THIS SUBJECT.
(VO)
THEY FOUND THAT 184 PEOPLE WERE SHOT TO DEATH BY POLICE.
HALF OF THEM WERE BLACK.
FAMILIES ARE LEFT TO WONDER WHAT WENT WRONG AND WHY THEIR LOVED ONES ARE NO LONGER WITH THEM.
W-S-B AND THE A-J-C WILL CONTINUE TO STAY ON TOP OF THIS STORY.
(ON CAM)
IT CAN BE TOUGH SLEDDING ON CAPITOL HILL.
(OTS)
THANKS TO A NEW BILL CONGRESS PASSED, IT WON'T BE FOR SOME KIDS.
(VO)
A ONE-POINT-ONE TRILLION DOLLAR SPENDING BILL ALLOWS FOR CHILDREN TO SLED DOWN SIDES OF THE NATION'S CAPITOL.
CAPITOL POLICE ARGUE THE BAN ON SLEDDING WAS FOR THEIR SAFETY.
KIDS CAN SLIDE DOWN, PENDING APPROVAL OF CAPITOL POLICE.
YOU COULD BE IN LINE TO LAND A JOB HIGH IN DEMAND NEXT YEAR.
(VO)
CAREER EXPERTS SAY JOBS WITH SPECIFIC SKILL SETS OR A HIGH VOLUME OF LOW PAYING JOBS MAKE IT HARD FOR COMPANIES TO FILL THOSE JOBS.
THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO LOOK BEYOND THE RESUME FOR THOSE HIGH SKILL JOBS.
HERE ARE THE TOP TEN HARD TO HIRE JOBS ON THIS LIST.
NUMBER 1: DATA SCIENTIST.
NUMBER 2: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
NUMBER 3: GENERAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
NUMBER 4: HOME HEALTH AIDE
NUMBER 5: INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST
NUMBER 6: MARKETING MANAGER
NUMBER 7: MEDICAL SERVICES MANAGER
NUMBER 8: PHYSICAL THERAPIST
NUMBER 9: REGISTERED NURSE
AND NUMBER 10: SOFTWARE ENGINEER
FOR SOME OF THESE JOBS, THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OPENINGS FOR EVERY JOB CANDIDATE.
(MATRIX)
W-S-B AND THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION JOIN FORCES AND EXAMINE THE HIGH NUMBER OF OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
THIS IS THE MOST EXPANSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE UNDERTAKING THEY'VE EVER DONE ON THIS SUBJECT.
(VO)
THEY FOUND THAT 184 PEOPLE WERE SHOT TO DEATH BY POLICE.
HALF OF THEM WERE BLACK.
FAMILIES ARE LEFT TO WONDER WHAT WENT WRONG AND WHY THEIR LOVED ONES ARE NO LONGER WITH THEM.
W-S-B AND THE A-J-C WILL CONTINUE TO STAY ON TOP OF THIS STORY.
(ON CAM)
IT CAN BE TOUGH SLEDDING ON CAPITOL HILL.
(OTS)
THANKS TO A NEW BILL CONGRESS PASSED, IT WON'T BE FOR SOME KIDS.
(VO)
A ONE-POINT-ONE TRILLION DOLLAR SPENDING BILL ALLOWS FOR CHILDREN TO SLED DOWN SIDES OF THE NATION'S CAPITOL.
CAPITOL POLICE ARGUE THE BAN ON SLEDDING WAS FOR THEIR SAFETY.
KIDS CAN SLIDE DOWN, PENDING APPROVAL OF CAPITOL POLICE.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Three writing samples for July 12, 2016
ACTIVIST FREED
A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST IS OUT OF A BAHRAINIAN PRISON.
ZAINAB AL-KHAWAJA ANNOUNCED HER RELEASE ON TWITTER EVEN THOUGH HER SISTER AND FATHER REMAIN IN PRISON.
AL-KHAWAJA WAS DETAINED MARCH 14TH AND CHARGED WITH PARTICIPATING IN ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS.
THAT INCLUDED TEARING UP PICTURES OF KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA.
ZIKA BABIES
FIVE OF THE EIGHT BABIES BORN IN HONDURAS WITH THE ZIKA VIRUS HAVE BEEN BORN THIS WEEK.
HEALTH MINISTER DOCTOR YOLANI BATRES SAID THE BABIES WERE BORN WITH THE MICROCEPHALY VIRUS.
SHE SAID THERE WRE ALMOST 500 KNOWN CASES OF PREGNANT WOMEN INFECTED WITH THE DISEASE.
BABIES BORN WITH THE VIRUS END UP WITH SMALL MIS-SHAPEN HEADS AND UNDERDEVELOPED BRAINS.
BRAZIL SLUMS
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD, SILVER, OR BRONZE IN SOME OF RIO'S POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS.
FAMILIES LIVE IN FILTH AND SLUMS IN THE SHADOWS OF THE 2016 OLYMPICS.
THE SUMMER GAMES BEGIN ON AUGUST FIFTH.
APPLE PAID ADS
APPLE WILL START SHOWING ADS INSIDE ITS MOBILE STORE.
AT THE SAME TIME IT IS APP-EALING TO APP MAKERS TO SELL THEIR WORKS ON A SUBSCRIPTION BASIS.
THE MOVE IS DESIGNED TO BRING IN MORE MONEY FOR THE SOFTWARE GIANT AND APP DEVELOPERS.
APPLE PLEDGES TO SHOW NO MORE THAN ONE AD PER SEARCH.
A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST IS OUT OF A BAHRAINIAN PRISON.
ZAINAB AL-KHAWAJA ANNOUNCED HER RELEASE ON TWITTER EVEN THOUGH HER SISTER AND FATHER REMAIN IN PRISON.
AL-KHAWAJA WAS DETAINED MARCH 14TH AND CHARGED WITH PARTICIPATING IN ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS.
THAT INCLUDED TEARING UP PICTURES OF KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA.
ZIKA BABIES
FIVE OF THE EIGHT BABIES BORN IN HONDURAS WITH THE ZIKA VIRUS HAVE BEEN BORN THIS WEEK.
HEALTH MINISTER DOCTOR YOLANI BATRES SAID THE BABIES WERE BORN WITH THE MICROCEPHALY VIRUS.
SHE SAID THERE WRE ALMOST 500 KNOWN CASES OF PREGNANT WOMEN INFECTED WITH THE DISEASE.
BABIES BORN WITH THE VIRUS END UP WITH SMALL MIS-SHAPEN HEADS AND UNDERDEVELOPED BRAINS.
BRAZIL SLUMS
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD, SILVER, OR BRONZE IN SOME OF RIO'S POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS.
FAMILIES LIVE IN FILTH AND SLUMS IN THE SHADOWS OF THE 2016 OLYMPICS.
THE SUMMER GAMES BEGIN ON AUGUST FIFTH.
APPLE PAID ADS
APPLE WILL START SHOWING ADS INSIDE ITS MOBILE STORE.
AT THE SAME TIME IT IS APP-EALING TO APP MAKERS TO SELL THEIR WORKS ON A SUBSCRIPTION BASIS.
THE MOVE IS DESIGNED TO BRING IN MORE MONEY FOR THE SOFTWARE GIANT AND APP DEVELOPERS.
APPLE PLEDGES TO SHOW NO MORE THAN ONE AD PER SEARCH.
Dreaming of a drive through Arizona and California
This was a very short dream last night.
First, I was driving in the middle of the day through Central Arizona. I was driving through Prescott, Arizona on my way to Phoenix. I remember driving through some windy roads on this two lane highway. I don't recall the exact highway, but I think I was on highway 69. I remember riding in the car with my wife and my former CNN colleague Bill. We were riding aimlessly and having a good time. Along the way, I was driving on this narrow bridge where I saw water on both sides of the road. After I crossed the bridge, I transitioned to the next part of the dream in another state.
Second, the dream took me through Central California. This time I was riding in a gray four-door car with my wife, my former CNN co-worker Tanta and her husband. We were on California State Route 99 on the way to San Diego. We were driving down the road at night.
Later on, we were on state route 71 somewhere near Fresno. That defies all real-life logic. I even saw a left hand sign for Southbound I-15 to San Diego. It was almost as if we were forever stuck there, never to get to our final destination. After that, I woke up.
In reality, I have not been to San Diego in 10 years and I have not been to Phoenix in six years.
I have no plans to go there anytime soon. My next vacation may take me to another state soon.
First, I was driving in the middle of the day through Central Arizona. I was driving through Prescott, Arizona on my way to Phoenix. I remember driving through some windy roads on this two lane highway. I don't recall the exact highway, but I think I was on highway 69. I remember riding in the car with my wife and my former CNN colleague Bill. We were riding aimlessly and having a good time. Along the way, I was driving on this narrow bridge where I saw water on both sides of the road. After I crossed the bridge, I transitioned to the next part of the dream in another state.
Second, the dream took me through Central California. This time I was riding in a gray four-door car with my wife, my former CNN co-worker Tanta and her husband. We were on California State Route 99 on the way to San Diego. We were driving down the road at night.
Later on, we were on state route 71 somewhere near Fresno. That defies all real-life logic. I even saw a left hand sign for Southbound I-15 to San Diego. It was almost as if we were forever stuck there, never to get to our final destination. After that, I woke up.
In reality, I have not been to San Diego in 10 years and I have not been to Phoenix in six years.
I have no plans to go there anytime soon. My next vacation may take me to another state soon.
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