You know it's funny, I have all these thoughts in my head but sometimes I sit down to write something and I just can't seem to get it right. It's like I write 2 sentences, delete, 2 sentence, delete...etc. So then I try to think of a title for what I'm going to write and when I do, it gives me some kind of direction. All of a sudden, I'm FURIOUSLY 2 fingerin this keyboard! All my thoughts seem to come out right, at least to me. So here's what I got for you tonight.
Like I told you in my last blog, I definitely believe in God. I believe that there has to be a higher power. Bear with me a minute, this isn't going to be me preachin, it's just the set up for my thought. When there is something that is weighing on my mind, I turn to God. I am not an overly religious person by any means, but I do say a prayer almost every night. I try to go to church to set a good example for my kids, but I don't believe that you HAVE to go to church to have a good relationship with God. After all, I listen to "Devil Music"! As a matter of fact, I just came up on some Motley Crue tickets, so I'll be shoutin at the devil Wednesday! Shit, I've seen Ozzy with and without Black Sabbath countless times, Slayer, White Zombie, Pantera, Marilyn Manson, every other bad influence, make you kill yourself, and sacrifice an animal band you can think of.
I started teaching my kids the "Our Father" and also "Hail Mary". After we say those prayers, I start to say a prayer that my Mom taught me to say when I was little. Me and my younger Brother shared a room growing up and if you asked us to recite a prayer, we would probably say just about the same thing. It would DEFINITELY start the same... Dear God, thank you for this day...I basically just thank God for everything I have, I guess I don't really ask for much and if I do, it's something that means a whole lot to me. I happened to be talking to my Brother a couple of weeks ago while I was headed to a party and we got started talking about this. Now my brother believes in goals, direction, plans, and having a destination more than anyone I personally know. Now, I started writing a book awhile ago and what made me start writing it was a post on Facebook that said, "I am a happy endings kind of person". I believe that everything will work out and for me it always does! I told him what my kids said they were thankful for and proceeded to tell him that I attribute my outlook on life to the way that WE pray. He said he had read somewhere that when you pray you should pray what you are thankful for. I am not trying to say there is a right or a wrong way to pray, DEFINITELY not!!! I do however attribute that things work out for me in life the way I want because of the way I pray. In my opinion, God gives you free will and opportunity, what you do with it is your business. With all my heart I believe you can have anything you put your mind to. You do however, HAVE to have a destination or a goal. so I don't think that it's God blessing me with all this "good fortune". There are a lot more deserving people, I'm sure. I believe YOU make your own "good fortune". This is the thought that was most interesting to me though. Things always work out for me and all these opportunities arise in my life, but these are the SAME things I thank God for EVERY night. When I told my Brother that I thank God for all the opportunities in my life, he said, "Me too Jeff, word for word!" I think your mind is SO powerful and if you say something over and over and over, whether it be the form of a prayer or in the form of a goal, consciously or sub-consciously you work toward it and DO achieve it!
All of these self help books and get rich books say the same things, just in a different way. The one thing they have in common though are goals and repetition. If you tell yourself over and over again that you don't deserve something in your life, you don't! Ultimately, consciously or sub-consciously you make that thought so. If you say things like that don't happen to me, they don't! It's not because you didn't or don't have the opportunity, it's because you didn't or don't take your chance on the opportunity to make it so. On the other hand, if you say, hey I deserve this...it ALWAYS seems to work out! Tell me I'm wrong and I'll holler BULLSHIT! If something is constantly on your mind, whether it be good or bad, I believe it WILL come to pass!!! So just what is it that's in the back of your mind? I know what's on mine! Go ahead and muuuurinate on that for a minute? Your Boy JC...and I'm out!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Make Em Bleed Grandpa, but Please Don't Judge
Sorry it's been a while, but I prefer to write when I have something to say. I don't want to just write to write, and I'm sure you can appreciate that. It has been quite some time though so I have a quick story about my kiddies and then I have something else I want to talk about too. So with out further a do, the blogging ninja, JC (getting pretty full of myself from all the compliments and junk =D!).
So Saturday, my Dad and I took my little ones fishing. My daughter will be 6 in August and my Son will be 5 in August as well. They are real close like my Brother and I. They love to fish. We usually just fish off the dock with worms so they catch a gang of fish. They drop their lines in off my Dad's dock and pull em in one after another. They have really been wanting to go on the boat though and my Dad always lets them drive! THEY LOVE THAT! So we head out about a half a mile from my Dad's house to the HONEY HOLE. Speaking of which, when I was probably about 13-14, my Dad bought this used fishing boat and the dude said, "That engine is a reallllll honey!" It ended up being this big joke, cuz it would make some crazy noises and my Dad would always say, "It's a honey!" while we were fishing. LOL. Back to the story though. So we get out there and my Dad doesn't cast but 3 or 4 times and he's got one. A NICE Small Mouth!!! I'm in the back of the boat just itchin to fish, but like any good Dad (Damn, I'm gonna break my arm pattin myself on the back tonight!) would, I'm gettin em rigged up. My Dad and I are fishin with the lure we always fish, and I brought a dozen night crawlers for the kids. Stilllllll gettin em rigged up when my Dad says, "There he is!" I give em a, "Woooooooooo Sonnnnnnn!!!" Just like Jimmy Houston would. I finally got em rigged up and no sooner do I cast and the kids are tangled up. I put my rod down, get the kids untangled and try to cast again when my Daughter says, "Daddy, I lost my worm." Now my Dad is feeling bad cuz the fish are hittin and he knows I want to fish, so he says he'll take care of it, but I tell him, "I got it Pop." Finally, I'm fishing, and we are definitely ON THE FISH. Fishing off the boat for Small Mouth with worms and bobbers though is not the most productive way to catch em, so the kids are getting bored. Me and Pop though, we are hammering em!!! Nice fish too, most of em like 3-4lbs. My daughter starts saying, "I'm hungry Daddy, I'm STARVING Daddy, can we go back in Daddy?, How bout we go in and eat and then come back out?, Grandpa, can I drive the boat?" So I give any GOOD fisherman's response (Maybe I should take one of those "Good Dad" pat on the backs back!), "Few more casts honey!" The kids turn on the radio and start playing with the glove box, they think it looks like an oven. Of course like any great little imagination would, they need a "pot" and something to cook in the oven. Makes sense! So my Daughter says, "Daddy can I cut the worms up with the scissors?" I say, "T, why would you want to do that?" Her response is, "Well, can I at least squeeze the stuff out of em?" LMAO, sorry to all my P.E.T.A. homies!!! Don't worry we catch, mame, and release. We know those fish can't help that they are fish!!! Not 5 minutes later, my Dad catches another one and my sweet little girl says, "Make em bleed Grandpa!!!" LMAOOOO!!! I said, "T!!!!" We couldn't help but to CRACK up. We figured they had enough for the day and headed back in and of course, Grandpa let them have turns driving us back in! Great day!
Ok, I'm not trying to push my beliefs about God on anybody. If you believe in God, great, if you don't that's your business. I for one do, I believe there definitely has to be some higher power. Yesterday, I had a good conversation about God, so I thought I would share it with you. You need to know how it came about though. A guy I used to work with passed away yesterday. God, may Wayne rest in peace! Now, while I worked with him, his son committed suicide. After that, he was a mess! I can't even begin to imagine the pain that would cause, nor do I want to imagine that. It made me think though, why is it that some people have to deal with all this tragedy and some people seem to skate through life just like it should be? I had asked this question to a guy I work with a week or so ago, who has got 25 years on me. His response to me really made me think though, SOMEHOW, there are always 2 ways to think of things. He said, "Since Wayne lost his Son, he had given up on life, so maybe that's God's way of putting his soul at peace." I passed the word along about Wayne's passing and that's what brought the conversation on.
We got to talking about Wayne and I shared my Co-worker's wisdom about the situation and the conversation went on from there. We got started talking about how judgemental society has become. Everything is so blown out of proportion. I shared a story about my kids' school. They go to a private school which is actually connected to a Baptist church. Now, I am not Baptist, I am Catholic, but they teach the kids stories about Jesus and just God in general. They don't push the Baptist way on them, they just teach them about God, which is important to me! Here is the story though, and this is not some jab at Baptist people at all!
One of the teachers got pregnant out of wedlock. They fired her! What??? I have to be honest, I really lost some respect for the school. These are people that are supposed to be "of God", right? Who are they to judge? Now, they did hire her back. However, that was probably for fear of a lawsuit...got to cover your judgemental ass, right? Here is someone who did her job well and was an asset to the school. Instead of being seen that way, she was judged for her situation and let go. We are so quick to judge somebody and we shouldn't. Just like you don't know my situation, I don't know yours. In my business, you can NEVER judge a book by it's cover. Selling cars, I have been taught this time and time again! I wish I could say that I am never judgemental, but obviously, I can't. I will say that I consciously try not to be though. People seem to love the drama and the negativity. I guess I'm not trying to be part of all that. That's all you see on the news, all you hear on the radio, and why "The Good News News" would never make it! Just try not to be so judgemental. If you know the whole story...I guess you can have an opinion, but how often do you know the whole story? Is it really your place anyway? To me it seems a whole lot easier to judge someone for how they treat YOU personally and not get involved it the rest of the drama!!! Peace, love, and hair grease, Your Boy JC!
Ps. P.E.T.A. homies, don't judge my sweet little sugar for squeezin the stuffing out of a worm, LMAOOOO!!!! =D!!!
So Saturday, my Dad and I took my little ones fishing. My daughter will be 6 in August and my Son will be 5 in August as well. They are real close like my Brother and I. They love to fish. We usually just fish off the dock with worms so they catch a gang of fish. They drop their lines in off my Dad's dock and pull em in one after another. They have really been wanting to go on the boat though and my Dad always lets them drive! THEY LOVE THAT! So we head out about a half a mile from my Dad's house to the HONEY HOLE. Speaking of which, when I was probably about 13-14, my Dad bought this used fishing boat and the dude said, "That engine is a reallllll honey!" It ended up being this big joke, cuz it would make some crazy noises and my Dad would always say, "It's a honey!" while we were fishing. LOL. Back to the story though. So we get out there and my Dad doesn't cast but 3 or 4 times and he's got one. A NICE Small Mouth!!! I'm in the back of the boat just itchin to fish, but like any good Dad (Damn, I'm gonna break my arm pattin myself on the back tonight!) would, I'm gettin em rigged up. My Dad and I are fishin with the lure we always fish, and I brought a dozen night crawlers for the kids. Stilllllll gettin em rigged up when my Dad says, "There he is!" I give em a, "Woooooooooo Sonnnnnnn!!!" Just like Jimmy Houston would. I finally got em rigged up and no sooner do I cast and the kids are tangled up. I put my rod down, get the kids untangled and try to cast again when my Daughter says, "Daddy, I lost my worm." Now my Dad is feeling bad cuz the fish are hittin and he knows I want to fish, so he says he'll take care of it, but I tell him, "I got it Pop." Finally, I'm fishing, and we are definitely ON THE FISH. Fishing off the boat for Small Mouth with worms and bobbers though is not the most productive way to catch em, so the kids are getting bored. Me and Pop though, we are hammering em!!! Nice fish too, most of em like 3-4lbs. My daughter starts saying, "I'm hungry Daddy, I'm STARVING Daddy, can we go back in Daddy?, How bout we go in and eat and then come back out?, Grandpa, can I drive the boat?" So I give any GOOD fisherman's response (Maybe I should take one of those "Good Dad" pat on the backs back!), "Few more casts honey!" The kids turn on the radio and start playing with the glove box, they think it looks like an oven. Of course like any great little imagination would, they need a "pot" and something to cook in the oven. Makes sense! So my Daughter says, "Daddy can I cut the worms up with the scissors?" I say, "T, why would you want to do that?" Her response is, "Well, can I at least squeeze the stuff out of em?" LMAO, sorry to all my P.E.T.A. homies!!! Don't worry we catch, mame, and release. We know those fish can't help that they are fish!!! Not 5 minutes later, my Dad catches another one and my sweet little girl says, "Make em bleed Grandpa!!!" LMAOOOO!!! I said, "T!!!!" We couldn't help but to CRACK up. We figured they had enough for the day and headed back in and of course, Grandpa let them have turns driving us back in! Great day!
Ok, I'm not trying to push my beliefs about God on anybody. If you believe in God, great, if you don't that's your business. I for one do, I believe there definitely has to be some higher power. Yesterday, I had a good conversation about God, so I thought I would share it with you. You need to know how it came about though. A guy I used to work with passed away yesterday. God, may Wayne rest in peace! Now, while I worked with him, his son committed suicide. After that, he was a mess! I can't even begin to imagine the pain that would cause, nor do I want to imagine that. It made me think though, why is it that some people have to deal with all this tragedy and some people seem to skate through life just like it should be? I had asked this question to a guy I work with a week or so ago, who has got 25 years on me. His response to me really made me think though, SOMEHOW, there are always 2 ways to think of things. He said, "Since Wayne lost his Son, he had given up on life, so maybe that's God's way of putting his soul at peace." I passed the word along about Wayne's passing and that's what brought the conversation on.
We got to talking about Wayne and I shared my Co-worker's wisdom about the situation and the conversation went on from there. We got started talking about how judgemental society has become. Everything is so blown out of proportion. I shared a story about my kids' school. They go to a private school which is actually connected to a Baptist church. Now, I am not Baptist, I am Catholic, but they teach the kids stories about Jesus and just God in general. They don't push the Baptist way on them, they just teach them about God, which is important to me! Here is the story though, and this is not some jab at Baptist people at all!
One of the teachers got pregnant out of wedlock. They fired her! What??? I have to be honest, I really lost some respect for the school. These are people that are supposed to be "of God", right? Who are they to judge? Now, they did hire her back. However, that was probably for fear of a lawsuit...got to cover your judgemental ass, right? Here is someone who did her job well and was an asset to the school. Instead of being seen that way, she was judged for her situation and let go. We are so quick to judge somebody and we shouldn't. Just like you don't know my situation, I don't know yours. In my business, you can NEVER judge a book by it's cover. Selling cars, I have been taught this time and time again! I wish I could say that I am never judgemental, but obviously, I can't. I will say that I consciously try not to be though. People seem to love the drama and the negativity. I guess I'm not trying to be part of all that. That's all you see on the news, all you hear on the radio, and why "The Good News News" would never make it! Just try not to be so judgemental. If you know the whole story...I guess you can have an opinion, but how often do you know the whole story? Is it really your place anyway? To me it seems a whole lot easier to judge someone for how they treat YOU personally and not get involved it the rest of the drama!!! Peace, love, and hair grease, Your Boy JC!
Ps. P.E.T.A. homies, don't judge my sweet little sugar for squeezin the stuffing out of a worm, LMAOOOO!!!! =D!!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
HairTime - A Poem
When we were born, and so brand new
Our head covered with hairs, just a few
Fuzzy and furry, brown blond or black
It's color there, but not yet true
First year hair cut, so fresh, so new
Parents save first locks and baby's first shoe
Times pass, hair grows
It gets whacked, hacked and styled
Everyone it seems, at it has a go
Dad, then Mom, hairdresser Vinny
Then finally the barber named Joe
As you get older hair grows on your legs
Grows on your toes, sometimes out of your ears
Even grows out of your nose
It also grows in places we can't say....
For now we'll just let that part lay
Shoulder length, dreadlocks
Mohawk, hair dye
Mom says, "Oh my God" her expressive MaMa sigh...
Thinking to herself, " at least, the kids not high"
Braided hair, long long ponytail
Purple plattes, zebra streaks
When Dad sees it, he clearly freaks
Says, "Kid ya' gotta change that weird looking bob
'Cause, ya' won't get hired for that high paying job"
Oh oh... my hair, it's falling out
And did I mention, it's turning gray
Now what should I do?
A red bandana, a hat...okay a wig for today
I used to have a handsome mane
But now I confess, I do use rogaine
If your body were a garden, it would be first class
"Cause there would even be hair growing on your...
You guessed it....Where the sun don't shine
So ends this hair raising poem of mine
:) LKC (with a little help from MJC)
Our head covered with hairs, just a few
Fuzzy and furry, brown blond or black
It's color there, but not yet true
First year hair cut, so fresh, so new
Parents save first locks and baby's first shoe
Times pass, hair grows
It gets whacked, hacked and styled
Everyone it seems, at it has a go
Dad, then Mom, hairdresser Vinny
Then finally the barber named Joe
As you get older hair grows on your legs
Grows on your toes, sometimes out of your ears
Even grows out of your nose
It also grows in places we can't say....
For now we'll just let that part lay
Shoulder length, dreadlocks
Mohawk, hair dye
Mom says, "Oh my God" her expressive MaMa sigh...
Thinking to herself, " at least, the kids not high"
Braided hair, long long ponytail
Purple plattes, zebra streaks
When Dad sees it, he clearly freaks
Says, "Kid ya' gotta change that weird looking bob
'Cause, ya' won't get hired for that high paying job"
Oh oh... my hair, it's falling out
And did I mention, it's turning gray
Now what should I do?
A red bandana, a hat...okay a wig for today
I used to have a handsome mane
But now I confess, I do use rogaine
If your body were a garden, it would be first class
"Cause there would even be hair growing on your...
You guessed it....Where the sun don't shine
So ends this hair raising poem of mine
:) LKC (with a little help from MJC)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Handwritten Letter
The handwritten letter is alive and well, people ... Inspite of, or maybe because of, you guessed it. Modern technology! So here is my story... some corn from the cobb... if you will.
It is about my friend, Randee whom I've known since 7th grade. We met at Jackson Junior High in the 60's and then onto Commerce/ Cass Tech High. Randee and I were inseparable. She introduced me to Winston/Salem cigarettes, slow gin, mixed with Coca-cola, sad movies, skipping school, magazines, books, roller derby & hockey... All that fun stuff. We would walk the east side streets of Detroit together, sit on the Waterworks Park monument and watch the boys go by. We shared our love stories. We may have shared even our boyfriends....well.... no need to go there :) We spent summers and summer vacations together. My first time up north was with Randee. Her family invited me to come to their log cabin. (I think that is why, to this day, I love log cabins)The cabin was located along the Rifle River, where two young girls could walk freely and without a care in the world, through the woods, dipping our toes into that very chilly river.
I loved Randee. She was my best friend. I still love her and I still consider her, my best friend. (I better tell her that)
Well, we fell out of touch, as so often happens. Randee got married before I did, and started her family. Two beautiful kids. I went to work, and then later got married and started my family. Three beautiful kids. We both were busy living our lives. Through those years, though, I would, out of the blue receive a handwritten letter from my friend. She would fill me in on things going on in her life. Tragically, Randee lost her son, Rocky, and I'm sorry to say, after that, we lost communication. I moved, she moved. We went different directions, and the years flew by. I'd say 30 years flew by.
One day, three years ago, I received a letter. It said "If this is the Linda, who lived on Milton, grew up in Detroit, went to Cass Tech, then I'm glad I found you. If not I'm sorry, just disregard this letter." I was the Linda she was looking for, and I was thrilled to hear from my old best friend. She went on to say her daughter found me, by searching Google! Technology is a wonderful thing!
Randee and I have been writing to each other every week or two, ever since. And we have visited each other in person. Each visit brings us back to those teen years ... and now into the future, where we can legally smoke and drink (not that we do :).
We think we have mastered the art of letter writing, though, as each one is a conversation, an answer to a question, the sharing of opinions. We talk about American Idol, books, movies, dancing with the stars, and the music we loved as teens and now, our current favorites. We share a few complaints we may have about people, places and things ... just like long ago.
So, even though, I am currently in "Facebook Rehab" I am very thankful for today's technology that helped two best friends reconnect, actually sit down and physically put pen to paper. Buy some very cool postage stamps, decorate the envelope with stickers, and mail a real handwritten letter.
The best part of it all, is that, hopefully, in a week or two, a trip to the mailbox will have something other than a bill in it. A special handwritten letter from my best friend, addressed especially to me.
Wishing everyone a handwritten letter from a friend.
LKC
It is about my friend, Randee whom I've known since 7th grade. We met at Jackson Junior High in the 60's and then onto Commerce/ Cass Tech High. Randee and I were inseparable. She introduced me to Winston/Salem cigarettes, slow gin, mixed with Coca-cola, sad movies, skipping school, magazines, books, roller derby & hockey... All that fun stuff. We would walk the east side streets of Detroit together, sit on the Waterworks Park monument and watch the boys go by. We shared our love stories. We may have shared even our boyfriends....well.... no need to go there :) We spent summers and summer vacations together. My first time up north was with Randee. Her family invited me to come to their log cabin. (I think that is why, to this day, I love log cabins)The cabin was located along the Rifle River, where two young girls could walk freely and without a care in the world, through the woods, dipping our toes into that very chilly river.
I loved Randee. She was my best friend. I still love her and I still consider her, my best friend. (I better tell her that)
Well, we fell out of touch, as so often happens. Randee got married before I did, and started her family. Two beautiful kids. I went to work, and then later got married and started my family. Three beautiful kids. We both were busy living our lives. Through those years, though, I would, out of the blue receive a handwritten letter from my friend. She would fill me in on things going on in her life. Tragically, Randee lost her son, Rocky, and I'm sorry to say, after that, we lost communication. I moved, she moved. We went different directions, and the years flew by. I'd say 30 years flew by.
One day, three years ago, I received a letter. It said "If this is the Linda, who lived on Milton, grew up in Detroit, went to Cass Tech, then I'm glad I found you. If not I'm sorry, just disregard this letter." I was the Linda she was looking for, and I was thrilled to hear from my old best friend. She went on to say her daughter found me, by searching Google! Technology is a wonderful thing!
Randee and I have been writing to each other every week or two, ever since. And we have visited each other in person. Each visit brings us back to those teen years ... and now into the future, where we can legally smoke and drink (not that we do :).
We think we have mastered the art of letter writing, though, as each one is a conversation, an answer to a question, the sharing of opinions. We talk about American Idol, books, movies, dancing with the stars, and the music we loved as teens and now, our current favorites. We share a few complaints we may have about people, places and things ... just like long ago.
So, even though, I am currently in "Facebook Rehab" I am very thankful for today's technology that helped two best friends reconnect, actually sit down and physically put pen to paper. Buy some very cool postage stamps, decorate the envelope with stickers, and mail a real handwritten letter.
The best part of it all, is that, hopefully, in a week or two, a trip to the mailbox will have something other than a bill in it. A special handwritten letter from my best friend, addressed especially to me.
Wishing everyone a handwritten letter from a friend.
LKC
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Scenic Route
Take the scenic route! I guess that can mean a whole lot of things. My Mom and Dad just went on a road trip to South Dakota. My Dad has always wanted to see Mount Rushmore, so they finally decided to go. My Dad retired a little over a year ago. Now they have the opportunity to not only enjoy each other more, but also to see and do more of the things they enjoy. I must get that from my Dad. I love to get in the car and cruise, nothing like a good long road trip. When I was young, I used to roller speed skate. I went to Nationals every year I skated except for my first year. I was fortunate enough to be able to go all over the country and compete. As a matter of fact, I got to go to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado, train for a week, and stay in the dorms with some of the best athletes in the country. Now, my Dad sold cars as well, so when we would travel, we rode out in a sweet ass conversion van. At that time, there were CB's in the vans. Yes, CB's, you know...10-4 good buddy!! We would drive and talk to the truckers and even had one come watch us compete in Lincoln Nebraska. When we would go though it was mostly business, so in order to make the best of it, we would stop off at the "scenic view" locations. My Dad would always get sucked into some sign that said, "Hot Springs next right" or something. I remember stopping at the "Hot Springs", we would pull in the park expecting to see something like Old Faithful, but it would end up just being some old stinky bubbling water. Somehow it would turn into a big joke and the source of many a comedy routine for the whole trip. We got lost in Cincinnati so bad after stopping at an airplane museum that I thought my Dad would never stop off again. No compass, No GPS...JUST THE SUN!!! I remember my Dad saying, "The sun sets in the west...WE ARE HEADED NORTH!!" Everyone was so tired and just wanted to get home. No matter how many jokes got cracked about getting lost in Cincinnati, afterward, we STILL stopped.
I think there is a scenic route in life though too. It's like we just need to slow down. Whenever I have a bad month in the car business, I say to myself, "Jeff, slow down and get back to the basics." It always works. It's like I quit listening to what the Customer wants and give them what I think they should want. I had a customer tell me a long time ago, "God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason...Listen twice as much as you talk!" I can't tell you how often I think of that. We are in such a hurry in life that we forget to stop at the "Hot Springs" and enjoy the that laugh it brings. Everyday our paths cross with people, I guess I think it's for a reason. If you never slow down and listen though, you might miss the happiness it brings. I'm sure a lot of you have seen the movie, "Evan Almighty". There is a scene in the movie where Evan's wife is in a diner and God is serving her. On the TV in the diner they are running the story about about Evan (who God has basically turned into Noah and is making build an ark). She is embarrassed and makes a comment to God about how crazy he is. God's response though is what I love, he says something to the effect of...if you pray for strength or happiness do you think God just makes it so or does he give you the opportunity? I think he gives you opportunity!
In the world today it's so easy to caught up in all the hustle. We text, we email, but we forget to slow down and talk. Instead we send a message on Facebook. When was the last time you WROTE someone a letter? It seems as though sometimes we do away with or try to forget something that makes us happy. Why? Because we're too busy, or that's just life? Who says you have to grow up anyway? To me it seems like the little kids have the right idea! We forget to just sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, why? Because it's too hot out! We forget to lay under a tree in the shade with someone and not have to say a word or skip some rocks on the water. We forget to kiss slow, instead it's...mwah, bye, love you. We forget to squeeze someone tight and smell their perfume when we do! So slow down and ejoy the scenery! Opportunity is always there, you just have to take advantage of it! There are way more things to be thankful for than not. So thank God and enjoy! I'm out, Your Boy JC!
I think there is a scenic route in life though too. It's like we just need to slow down. Whenever I have a bad month in the car business, I say to myself, "Jeff, slow down and get back to the basics." It always works. It's like I quit listening to what the Customer wants and give them what I think they should want. I had a customer tell me a long time ago, "God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason...Listen twice as much as you talk!" I can't tell you how often I think of that. We are in such a hurry in life that we forget to stop at the "Hot Springs" and enjoy the that laugh it brings. Everyday our paths cross with people, I guess I think it's for a reason. If you never slow down and listen though, you might miss the happiness it brings. I'm sure a lot of you have seen the movie, "Evan Almighty". There is a scene in the movie where Evan's wife is in a diner and God is serving her. On the TV in the diner they are running the story about about Evan (who God has basically turned into Noah and is making build an ark). She is embarrassed and makes a comment to God about how crazy he is. God's response though is what I love, he says something to the effect of...if you pray for strength or happiness do you think God just makes it so or does he give you the opportunity? I think he gives you opportunity!
In the world today it's so easy to caught up in all the hustle. We text, we email, but we forget to slow down and talk. Instead we send a message on Facebook. When was the last time you WROTE someone a letter? It seems as though sometimes we do away with or try to forget something that makes us happy. Why? Because we're too busy, or that's just life? Who says you have to grow up anyway? To me it seems like the little kids have the right idea! We forget to just sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, why? Because it's too hot out! We forget to lay under a tree in the shade with someone and not have to say a word or skip some rocks on the water. We forget to kiss slow, instead it's...mwah, bye, love you. We forget to squeeze someone tight and smell their perfume when we do! So slow down and ejoy the scenery! Opportunity is always there, you just have to take advantage of it! There are way more things to be thankful for than not. So thank God and enjoy! I'm out, Your Boy JC!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Call Him Schmitty
For those of you who don't know what I do for a living, I sell cars. I work at one of the biggest Chevy dealers in the Country and I must say 80% of the time I love my job. It gets to me sometimes for sure, but only when its slow. When it's busy, I LOVE IT!!! I talk a mile a minute, crack jokes, smile, and laugh with people all day. Sales to me is more about making a friend than selling a product, but I guess that's just my way! I've been selling cars for almost 15 years, DAMN!!!! Where does time go? I think everyone should have to sell cars or something, it teaches you sooooo much about people in general. Not only do you get to meet all these people, but you get to play all kinds of roles. Hey Mon, how many job you got Mon? I got 5 job, I sell the cars, I clean the cars, I give free therapy, I fix your credit, and I'm a friend if your lonely (in my sweet ass Jamaican voice boyyyyy!!!!) Here are a couple of stories I hope at least make you smile.
I have a Customer named Jennie. I love her, and she talks more than I do, I don't have to say shit, just...Oh, Uh Huh, Oh Really? Ok, Mmmm and she will go on and on. She comes to visit me every time she comes in and we sit and shoot the breeze (What you don't like cliches??? My Bad =D...getting side tracked). The last time I talked to her the conversation went something like this. Jeff, This is Jennie (she has one of those voices you could never mistake...no need to tell me who you are Jennie!!!). "Me and Jennie were like peas and carrots again", love Forest Gump, great movie..."Run Forest Run" (You should hear my friend Trarra say that shit, sounds just like Jennie...LOL) Ok, back on track. I want to come in and see you, my lease is almost due. Oh, I been so sick...well, I had hernia surgery and all the medication and everything, but it's gonna get better. That's what the Doctor says. I would bring Donnie (her son), but he's so busy with the band and that, I don't think he can come with me. I bought these under ware Jeff, and they are TOO TIGHT down there!!!! For real???? That's what you say to your Car Salesman??? LMAO!! I used to be little Jeff, I don't know what happened, I used to ride on the back of a motorcycle...can you believe that? So, I'll be in there with my cousin in a few weeks, Ok? Alright Jeff, I'll see you in a few weeks! I had just hung up with her when a dude I work with walked in, who has been trying to sell this organ on Craigslist which is a storey all its own. So I tell him, I got somebody that might be interested in the organ, let's call her. So, I call her back with him in my office and put her on speaker and say, "Jennie, there is a guy here (and I lose it, I am almost hysterically laughing) who has an organ and he thought Donnie might want it for the band!!! Its a rock n roll band, but HEY, who knows, might need an organ, right? Now, she is laughing and I REALLY CAN'T control my laughter. The other salesman says, "Hey it's not funny, Ok?" and Jennie and I continue to hysterically laugh. Somehow we manage to say good bye and hang up. Maybe an hour or so goes bye and I get a call from Jennie. "Jeff, This is Jennie, Donnie said that man should try to donate the organ to a church or something, but he can't use it!" As soon as she said, "Donnie said..." we both started CRACKING UP, it was all she could do to even get the rest of the sentence out. I put my head down on the desk and tears were rolling down my cheeks. We laughed without saying anything to each other for a good couple of minutes and finally I said, "What is wrong with us Jennie?" which made us laugh EVEN more. I hung up and laughed on and off for a good 20 minutes. Even writing it makes me laugh!!!
Me and my buddy, Sugar White Mike, who I have known all my life, like to have fun at work. We drive around and honk the horn just for fun!!! You gotta have fun in life. Maybe it seems immature, but you should try it! When you give a good HONK, I mean a good 5 second honk, people expect you to flip em off. Oh hell no, We give a nice healthy 5 second HOOOOOOOOOOONK and smile and waive! Now, WTF do you do to that??? So today we happened to be pulling up from the back lot in a Camaro and there were some people picking their new Camaro and Mike says, "Oh, they are getting the honk and the thumbs up!" I'm driving and he reaches over...nice healthy HOOOOOONK, and we both smile and give a thumbs up!!! People just don't know what the hell to do or how to react and WE CRACK UP!!! Maybe it's just funny to us, I don't know, but it sure make our day more enjoyable!!
After you sell a car, you are supposed to let the Finance Manager talk to the Customer to offer them extras, like warranties, insurance, and paint and fabric proof. Mike had asked the Finance Manager to sign the deal with the Customer which isn't the normal protocol. Mike likes to make people uncomfortable though, so he's always doing something crazy. So today, he tells the Finance Manager that his Customer, Mr Smith, like to be called Schmitty, LMAOOOO!!! Mr. Smith, never said that or has never been called by Mike. When he takes him into Finance, the first thing out of the Finance Manger's mouth is, "How you doing, Schmitty?" He keeps referring to him as Schmitty and Mike is outside the office trying to control his laughter!!! He calls my extension and tells me what's going on and we are progressively laughing harder and harder! We are standing in the conference room about to tell the storey to one of the girls in the office and here comes the Manager who thinks that Mike is smiling and laughing because it is taking a long time to get him signed and out of there, LOL! I wish you could have seen his face and how he was trying to hold it all in. He was grinning from ear to ear, like a little kid!!!! He finally gets done signing him up and goes up to Mike and says, "Schmitty's all set!" and Mike loses it in front of the Customer. Here is the best part though, the Customer called Mike when he got home to ask him a question and said, "Mike, it's Schmitty..."
I don't know, life is just way too short to be so serious. Make yourself laugh, make yourself smile however you gotta do it. There weren't any tags on your toes when you woke up this morning, right? so be happy, smile, and laugh...IT IS THE BEST MEDICINE!!!
I have a Customer named Jennie. I love her, and she talks more than I do, I don't have to say shit, just...Oh, Uh Huh, Oh Really? Ok, Mmmm and she will go on and on. She comes to visit me every time she comes in and we sit and shoot the breeze (What you don't like cliches??? My Bad =D...getting side tracked). The last time I talked to her the conversation went something like this. Jeff, This is Jennie (she has one of those voices you could never mistake...no need to tell me who you are Jennie!!!). "Me and Jennie were like peas and carrots again", love Forest Gump, great movie..."Run Forest Run" (You should hear my friend Trarra say that shit, sounds just like Jennie...LOL) Ok, back on track. I want to come in and see you, my lease is almost due. Oh, I been so sick...well, I had hernia surgery and all the medication and everything, but it's gonna get better. That's what the Doctor says. I would bring Donnie (her son), but he's so busy with the band and that, I don't think he can come with me. I bought these under ware Jeff, and they are TOO TIGHT down there!!!! For real???? That's what you say to your Car Salesman??? LMAO!! I used to be little Jeff, I don't know what happened, I used to ride on the back of a motorcycle...can you believe that? So, I'll be in there with my cousin in a few weeks, Ok? Alright Jeff, I'll see you in a few weeks! I had just hung up with her when a dude I work with walked in, who has been trying to sell this organ on Craigslist which is a storey all its own. So I tell him, I got somebody that might be interested in the organ, let's call her. So, I call her back with him in my office and put her on speaker and say, "Jennie, there is a guy here (and I lose it, I am almost hysterically laughing) who has an organ and he thought Donnie might want it for the band!!! Its a rock n roll band, but HEY, who knows, might need an organ, right? Now, she is laughing and I REALLY CAN'T control my laughter. The other salesman says, "Hey it's not funny, Ok?" and Jennie and I continue to hysterically laugh. Somehow we manage to say good bye and hang up. Maybe an hour or so goes bye and I get a call from Jennie. "Jeff, This is Jennie, Donnie said that man should try to donate the organ to a church or something, but he can't use it!" As soon as she said, "Donnie said..." we both started CRACKING UP, it was all she could do to even get the rest of the sentence out. I put my head down on the desk and tears were rolling down my cheeks. We laughed without saying anything to each other for a good couple of minutes and finally I said, "What is wrong with us Jennie?" which made us laugh EVEN more. I hung up and laughed on and off for a good 20 minutes. Even writing it makes me laugh!!!
Me and my buddy, Sugar White Mike, who I have known all my life, like to have fun at work. We drive around and honk the horn just for fun!!! You gotta have fun in life. Maybe it seems immature, but you should try it! When you give a good HONK, I mean a good 5 second honk, people expect you to flip em off. Oh hell no, We give a nice healthy 5 second HOOOOOOOOOOONK and smile and waive! Now, WTF do you do to that??? So today we happened to be pulling up from the back lot in a Camaro and there were some people picking their new Camaro and Mike says, "Oh, they are getting the honk and the thumbs up!" I'm driving and he reaches over...nice healthy HOOOOOONK, and we both smile and give a thumbs up!!! People just don't know what the hell to do or how to react and WE CRACK UP!!! Maybe it's just funny to us, I don't know, but it sure make our day more enjoyable!!
After you sell a car, you are supposed to let the Finance Manager talk to the Customer to offer them extras, like warranties, insurance, and paint and fabric proof. Mike had asked the Finance Manager to sign the deal with the Customer which isn't the normal protocol. Mike likes to make people uncomfortable though, so he's always doing something crazy. So today, he tells the Finance Manager that his Customer, Mr Smith, like to be called Schmitty, LMAOOOO!!! Mr. Smith, never said that or has never been called by Mike. When he takes him into Finance, the first thing out of the Finance Manger's mouth is, "How you doing, Schmitty?" He keeps referring to him as Schmitty and Mike is outside the office trying to control his laughter!!! He calls my extension and tells me what's going on and we are progressively laughing harder and harder! We are standing in the conference room about to tell the storey to one of the girls in the office and here comes the Manager who thinks that Mike is smiling and laughing because it is taking a long time to get him signed and out of there, LOL! I wish you could have seen his face and how he was trying to hold it all in. He was grinning from ear to ear, like a little kid!!!! He finally gets done signing him up and goes up to Mike and says, "Schmitty's all set!" and Mike loses it in front of the Customer. Here is the best part though, the Customer called Mike when he got home to ask him a question and said, "Mike, it's Schmitty..."
I don't know, life is just way too short to be so serious. Make yourself laugh, make yourself smile however you gotta do it. There weren't any tags on your toes when you woke up this morning, right? so be happy, smile, and laugh...IT IS THE BEST MEDICINE!!!
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