Currently Listening Dusk and Summer By Dashboard Confessional Stolen (It's our song) see related

Trey's Quarterly (or so) Update

Currently Listening You're a Woman, I'm a Machine By Death From Above 1979 see related

Wow, what a weekend. I distinctly recall thinking to myself on Thursday, "I'm really not going to have anything to do this weekend outside of work". I was wrong, to say the least.

1) My truck is no more. As I got off of 840 onto 65, the thing started smoking more than a Grateful Dead concert and making noises that I'll be glad to imitate for you if you really care. I pulled off the side of the road, called mommy like a good little boy should, and she arrived with my Granddad in tow not too much later. He used to be a mechanic for a living, and he somehow seems to revel in dealing with a car in distress. We added oil to it and took it to the next exit, which just happened to be one of those trucker-paloozas with a car shop, a convenience store that sold such necessities as Confederate flags, shirts with Confederate flags, shot glasses with Confederate flags, and CB radios with Confederate flags, along with a diner that looked like it served every dish with a side of incomprehensible Southern gibberish and nicotine. In retrospect, I probably remember it in such a negative light because my car was a step short of exploding. The whole place was rather entertaining, and I got a good self-imposed tour of it as I waited the hour or so for the wrecker to take his sweet time to haul my beleaguered F-150 to wherever it needed to go.

Me - (After noticing what the wrecker was driving) "Hey, he's got an F-550. He's got 400 more than me."

Dad - "400 more what?"

Me - "I don't know, but he's got 400 more of it."

Okay, at least I thought it was funny. Anyway, the next morning, mechanic #2 said that the rod had broken off from the head of the gear shaft and gone completely through the housing of my engine. I still have no idea what that means, but I understand 100% of what he said next: it needed a new engine, and that would be about $3,000. Needless to say, Trey is now car-less.

2) As a result of my lack of transportation, I had to quit my job. I need to get a new car, but I can't get money to get one unless I work. I can't work because I don't have a car. I suppose I'll just have to work somewhere within walking distance when I get to Knoxville.

3) The BP/Mapco hybrid, which I have dubbed Brimapitish Petroleco, sells huge hunting knives which are displayed in a case right next to the registers. I was planning on buying one and robbing the store with it. Not because I wanted to, of course. In fact, I would hate doing it. The fact is, they're just asking for it. I'd give the money back and apologize right after, but I'd make sure they learned a lesson.

Honestly, what big Mapritish Cotroleum executive decided that would be a good idea? That's like if some high schools started replacing their Coke machines with pipe bomb vending machines and selling AK-47s in their bookstores. That's on the same level as going to an Endangered Species exhibit at a zoo and being given a free complimentary crossbow. They're just asking for it.

4) Jonathan Crompton is the real deal. Seriously, he impressed the heck out of me, and I'm usually the first one to jump on a UT player's back if he's underperforming. He's got outstanding instincts in the pocket, and he pulled some Houdini-esque escapes from it when he felt the pressure coming. Remember the play when an LSU D-back tried to pop Crompton when he was running straight up the gut, and JC proceeded to run him over, get tackled, then get up and let him know about it? It's that kind of attitude and athleticism that Ainge just doesn't bring to the table. Now, Ainge should still be the starter, as JC still makes the typical freshman mistakes, i.e. staring down his receivers and getting a little too antsy when no one is open after his 5-step drops. The chemistry he showed with Meachem was impeccable and his deep ball was absolutely terrific. I can't wait to see how good this guy is going to be in a couple of years.

5) God is freakin' awesome. When the truck broke down, I had crossed into the area where I get cell phone service not 15 seconds before that. If it had happed a minute earlier, who knows what I would have done? He's also calmed my heart. I've been asking Him to keep me focused on Him, and He's done just that. I'm completely free from what was upsetting me before and I've been able to refocus my priorities and get my life pointed back in a direction that will lead me to Him.

6) Its the 5th of November. Go watch "V For Vendetta". If you find yourself wondering something like "What does the date have to do with that movie?", then you need to watch it twice.