All Grown Up

This weekend has meant a lot to me, two of my dearest friends got married and it was the first time since college that our group of friends have been around each other, together. We have all grown up, we are now teachers, lawyers, insurance agents, bankers, future lawyers, nurses, agency workers, and students. Last night during the reception I turned to Kate (Sparky) and Sarah (Sayo) and asked the question, "When did we grow up?". Most of us have been out of school for almost 2 years and I am just now asking that question, it is kind of crazy. We have full-time jobs, our own apartments/houses, salaries, and responsibility. This isn't our first wedding for our group, Sayo will be married for two years in a few months but at her wedding it didn't seem to be that we were grown up and I am not sure why. This weekend seem to bring things full circle, seeing all of our friends together celebrating that two in our group will be spending the rest of their lives together just put a smile on my face for the past 48 hours.

Fall Break 2007


Spring of 2008



November 2008,


January 2010, National Championship





May 2010



August 27th, 2011





August 28th, 2011

What I know

I know that I haven't written anything in almost a year, I know that. I know that Bama's defense is nasty because we have swag. I also know that I love what I do. If you know me, then you know that I hate speaking in front of large groups, let alone a small group. This is what I do on a daily basis now, I ask people/companies in Birmingham and the surrounding area to give to the United Way of Central Alabama. I know that the economic climate we are in does not make it easy to give back to someone who will never be able to shake your hand or even say thank you. The generosity of this city and the businesses within the city amaze me even more each day, if you hear my speech then you know all of this but it is true. No one has to give anything, but they do, they understand the need for the United Way in our community. Over 80 agencies in our area need the United Way to operate. Take a look at the agencies one day at uwca.org, and see who the agencies are, and if you cannot tell me that either you or a family member or a close friend that has been touched by one of the agencies under the umbrella. Whether it is Children's Hospital, Gateway, American Cancer Society, Amelia Center, Workshops, Fellowship House, Success By 6, Imagination Library, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and I could go on and on and on. I believe in the United Way, and I believe what they do is a good thing for our community, and I am truly blessed for the opportunity I have to work as a Loaned Executive through Regions. This is what I know....


-Cal H.

Blood, sweat, and tears….

Well this has been a while, I have neglected this for a long time only because I feel like I have no time for anything anymore. I wake up at 6:05 shower, go to work…..get home at 5:30-45 then eat something then go to bed around 9. You might want to go ahead and say it now that I am a gramps, but if you have known me at all or consider yourself my friend then you know that I have been a gramps for about 5 years now. I actually enjoy being the grampa, not sure why though. I have fun yes, but I have missed out on a lot of fun. I went out and got a big boy job and become even more of a bore when I worked at the farmers market. I do feel like I have neglected a lot of my friends that have stuck with me for a long time and that live 5 minutes away from me. I am admitting this now because someone can hold me accountable and call me out because knowing me I will fail horribly.

But this has been an interesting to say the least past two months, it has been a different experience for me, being on my own really for the first time. Right now however I am flying above Arkansas heading home from a great guy trip to Napa Valley. I have actually made the decision to move out here, and look for a winery that needs a good numbers guy. If not, they got banks out in Cali…..maybe its time for a change. Even though I thought I wanted to be in Birmingham in the long run, right now I would enjoy living on my own with a few friends an hour away. This is a huge milestone for me admitting I want to get away from my home. I love my family and my friends but its time for something new. Now me saying this doesn’t mean that I am packing up and leaving in a week. This is a process, it will be a long process a matter of fact. We will see what will actually happen to this dream, I don’t want to fall flat on my face on this one.

You stay classy
-cal

they're really saying, I......I love you

So, after the 10 or so birthday wishes I got on my facebook saying, "happy birthday old man" I got to realize a few things; I am an old man (I have been for a long time now, but now my age has caught up to me), I have the greatest friends in the whole world, life is good.

Here's to 22, what a year. I could post numerous pictures from the past year, but I am not. I am going to copy my good friend Kate "Sparky" Sparks and might as well just do the last 4 years of my life.

Then I will wrap year 22 up in a few sentences. Because I know every single one of you want to hear it!!

Alpha Chi Formal our freshman year



an ode to the yellow house






I'm not sure if either of us would be the same if not for Super Smash


CT and studying




22 was a great year, there are so many things to say and so many people to be thankful for, I dont regret a single minute of it.

by the way, while I was typing this I have been listening to Melvin Amina's "Over the Rainbow/What a Beautiful World" this song came on last night right before I got into bed and it has always been one of my favorite songs and last night it really hit me that I live in a beautiful world with great friends and family. They have helped me through some real tough times this past year. Even though its cloudy/rainy right now it's a great day. And i'm moving with JTizzle in a month and that's going to be CRAZY, wow im growing up so fast. Ohh, I almost forgot to mention that I have started my big boy job at a fantastic bank and I absolutely love it. Sorry for the length of this post, stay classy.

-cal

FAITH alive

Life is good, things are looking up for once this summer. Camp did just the trick for me. Even though I had probably the worst cabin in my 4 years of camp. They (actually one) couldn't keep me down, I won't look at bacon the same way again...or armadillos. This week while my job search gets a little intense im working 30+ hours at the market and maybe helping two of my best friends move in to their new apartment. Here are some pictures from last week.

This is the altar we made off Vesper trail for Communion

The two great directors that allowed me to be a counselor last week, Allison was my director when I was a camper 10 years ago!



Group 5!

you stay classy

A Place of Rest and Vision

So, while looking for a big boy job I have felt everything under the sun. I have had highs thinking I'd get something and really low after I didnt get that job. Going back to my old high school job has been good, I don't always have to ask my parents for money anymore. I can do the things I want to do and do it on my dime. That has been really nice, because I have always had a problem asking for money other than gas/maintenance money. If you are in the Vhills area, stop by. Its not that bad, other than it being scorching outside.

To my title, you can say all of that in one word, Sumatanga. That's camp to me, a place of rest and vision. I actually decided at church on Sunday after talking with Mary Chesnutt (Collins) that I needed a week of camp. I skipped out last year and I probably could of used it. And if you know Allison Sligh, its really tough to tell her no, she will try everything in the book to get you to be a counselor at her camp. I have told her no once this summer and I couldn't do it again. It will be amazing to get away from everything; no cell phone, no email, no internet, no stress. I always go to camp uneasy about a lot of things and leave rested and rejuvenated. I have a few traditions at camp whether its listening to a song that my friends wrote on the drive in, stepping on the rock every time I pass it, looking up at the stars every night, or waking up the kids in the cabin with a swift metal chair to the ground (very annoying). Next saturday cannot come soon enough.

you stay classy.

-cal

My Beef with LeBron

Actually, I have no beef with Lebron. It's a business, Lebron wants to win, he is going where he thinks he can win. I think Cleveland is being very selfish to think Lebron should of stayed with the Cavs. They had 7 years to build around Lebron, 7 years to win a championship (cant win with one man), they had 7 years! There has been some dbags this year, but I think the dbag of the year award should go to the owners of the Cavs. Claims Lebron "quit", I understand that he is upset about losing by far the greatest player on the team, but get over it. I cant fathom the Cavs owner thinking he was going to stay without already winning a championship and not bringing anyone in that would help Lebron WIN a championship. I am not saying the supporting cast for Lebron in Cleveland are bad, but they aren't good enough to win. James tried to get Bosh to move to Cleveland, but he didn't want too. I wonder why? ITS FREAKING COLD. Cleveland is being selfish for thinking a person who wants to win is going to stay just because he is a local guy, they are feeling betrayed. Betrayal would be leaving after one season, that's quitting. He is a Free Agent, no contract, no nothing. Stop being babies.

-cal