OK, I don't want to do this, but I feel that I have to. I have this platform to express my thoughts and opinions and I need to express something that, well, might appear shameless. A year ago, I published my first novel, Better Days. I am currently in the process of writing the sequel, which doesn't have a title yet, but I do have ideas. I self published, and the book is available online through my publisher, xlibris.com, my own website, prestonkerr.com, or through barnes and noble and borders. It is also on Amazon.
BUY MY BOOK people! :) Just kidding. But seriously, buy my book. I personally think that I written a pretty good book, and I am proud of it.
Here's the jist. What makes you happy in this life? Your job? Friends? Things? Car? Family? What happens to you when those things are taken from you? The joy of your life is lessened because you found joy in is no longer there. Therefore, your life is less happy and you feel less fulfilled.
In my book, I explore that feeling through my main character Brady McEwing. I know great name, right? Brady is a good guy. He does things for the right reasons, and his friends love him for his selfless ways. However, the role of being there has created a feeling in him that joy is wrapped up in being needed.
Slowly the friends come to rely on him less and less, which makes his joy less and less and reveals what happens when you place joy in the things that can be taken away at any given moment.
Now, being happy with your friends and people the mean something to you are important, I don't take anything away from that. But, when it's you SOLE source of joy, that's where things get bad.
So where are you supposed to find this joy? Well, read the book and find out! I am not going to spoil the whole thing for you.
My story centers around Brady McEwing and his friends, Jordan Miller, Sean Cunningham, Nelson Matthews, and and Amanda McCoy. I start you off at their high school graduation, take you through college, and early adulthood. Each chapter is a new year. Highlighting the events of the year and showing how Brady is slowly turning into a joyless person who's lost and in desperate need of guidance.
Yes, I know, this is a shameless way to promote my own book, but like I said, I have this forum available to me, and I will use it in anyway that I see fit.
Please, go buy my book. It's good. I promise. Just ask my wife, she read it.
Until next time.
P
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Resolve
Welcome to 2011, a new decade. I’m excited. I’m looking forward to a new year, a new opportunity, a new season of life. It’s a time for new beginnings, new events, and new chances. However, what it is not time for, is resolutions.
I am against making New Year’s resolutions. Always have been, always will be. I don’t see the need to make this declaration of change at the start of the New Year. To me, if you’re set on making changes in your life, like losing weight, getting a job, having children, or writing a book, why did you have to wait till the New Year to do it? Why couldn’t you do it last year?
Then there are the other things that people decide will be different in this coming year like, “I’ll be nicer to people,” or “I’ll stop procrastinating.” I don’t get it. I don’t understand how the power of the year changing makes it all right to make serious changes in your life? Why did you wait? Why couldn’t you just make these changes when you first thought of them?
That brings up the other question, why didn’t you think of them before? What made New Year’s Eve so powerful that you couldn’t think of these important things in the previous year? I get that you want to make changes, and I applaud that. I am too am in the process of making changes in my life. The only difference was I didn’t wait till the clock stuck midnight on January 1st to enact those changes.
I believe that if it’s important, then you shouldn’t wait for a date on the calendar, you should do it right away. You should make the impact that you desire immediately. I resolve that I will not make any declaration this year to be done in the future. If I need to do something, and or make changes, the moment I think of it, is the moment I will start doing it.
I don’t want to offend people who take the time to make their resolutions. If it’s something you’ve done for years and look forward to, go for it. Maybe you need to dedicate yourself to a fresh idea and give yourself a time table so that you can build up your courage to make this change in your life. That makes sense to me. But, I want you to know that you already have the courage. You’re admitting that you want to change something or make things better, or bottom line, become a better person. You don’t need the change of a calendar to make this change. Do it now, do it when you realize it. Resolve to be a better person now, and not to wait until 2012. No need for it. You can do it.
Until next time
P
I am against making New Year’s resolutions. Always have been, always will be. I don’t see the need to make this declaration of change at the start of the New Year. To me, if you’re set on making changes in your life, like losing weight, getting a job, having children, or writing a book, why did you have to wait till the New Year to do it? Why couldn’t you do it last year?
Then there are the other things that people decide will be different in this coming year like, “I’ll be nicer to people,” or “I’ll stop procrastinating.” I don’t get it. I don’t understand how the power of the year changing makes it all right to make serious changes in your life? Why did you wait? Why couldn’t you just make these changes when you first thought of them?
That brings up the other question, why didn’t you think of them before? What made New Year’s Eve so powerful that you couldn’t think of these important things in the previous year? I get that you want to make changes, and I applaud that. I am too am in the process of making changes in my life. The only difference was I didn’t wait till the clock stuck midnight on January 1st to enact those changes.
I believe that if it’s important, then you shouldn’t wait for a date on the calendar, you should do it right away. You should make the impact that you desire immediately. I resolve that I will not make any declaration this year to be done in the future. If I need to do something, and or make changes, the moment I think of it, is the moment I will start doing it.
I don’t want to offend people who take the time to make their resolutions. If it’s something you’ve done for years and look forward to, go for it. Maybe you need to dedicate yourself to a fresh idea and give yourself a time table so that you can build up your courage to make this change in your life. That makes sense to me. But, I want you to know that you already have the courage. You’re admitting that you want to change something or make things better, or bottom line, become a better person. You don’t need the change of a calendar to make this change. Do it now, do it when you realize it. Resolve to be a better person now, and not to wait until 2012. No need for it. You can do it.
Until next time
P
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Chad
I received word today that a dear friend of mine passed away last week. Unless you were part of Laguna Hills High School in the late 90s, you may not know the man Chad Underkoffler, but he was a great friend and a great man.
I was working there at the time as an assistant varsity basketball coach and was the head coach for the Sophomore team when I met Chad. He was the basketball programs team manager and his love and passion then was being around the guys. They loved him right back and appreciated his work and his fun spirit.
I fondly remember sitting with him during games and his laughter and joking ways making light of some intense situations. He was funny, he was kind hearted, and he always had something positive to say. I lost contact with him after I left the school but learned that he got married and had a daughter. I was so very happy and proud for him. He deserved that kind of happiness. He deserved to be loved on after all the love he gave to others.
During practice he was like another coach, always telling guys what they need to work on, and would get guys the ball, or water, or whatever. He saw his role not as a lackey, which he was not, but more of a person who could help, and that he did. He ran the scoreboard during games for me, he filmed games, he did the book, he did it all. He did it all with a smile. He was just happy to be part of something at the school that was great.
I can remember bus trips with him and the guys talking and laughing with him, sharing stories, whatever, they respected him. I felt like I had a friend to talk to in Chad. Run ideas by him, and generally, just talk. He was a great listener, and a very insightful person.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was a great man, father, husband, and friend. The world is a sadder place without his laughter and smile and to brighten our days.
Rest in peace, Chad. Take care my friend. God bless you and your family.
Until next time
P
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Questions
I have no real reason for writing this, but I have some questions. I'm sure we all have those questions that we want answers to but don't have and probably won't have. I have been thinking about this lately, and I ask them to you, my loyal readers to maybe share some insight.
1. Why don't people use their blinkers anymore? Seriously. I can't recall the number of times I have been cut off because people don't think they have to use their blinkers. They're there for a reason, USE THEM!
2. How many different coffee houses do we need in a 3 block radius? Everywhere I look there is new coffee house trying to outdo the competition, or there are multiple stores of the same branch less than 300 yards away. Do we need that much coffee in that short amount of time?
3. Why do people think Margaret Cho is funny? Really, is she that hysterical? I don't get it. Maybe, I'm not supposed to get her humor and that's why it isn't funny, but I listen to her or watch something she does or says and I ask myself, who keeps telling her to make jokes?
4. How many reality shows about cooking or surviving a competition to we need? Honestly, I hate reality shows, but I like, no love, I'll admit it, love Amazing Race. It's the only one that requires skill. The others, just are a popularity contest. My suggestion, less reality more scripts. Give me something to care about!
5. Why do all high school basketball warm up cds have to be all rap? OK, this one isn't a big question, but it's something that I have noticed being a high school coach, and have to listen to. If you were to come to one of my games, I make the cds, and I don't allow rap. I'm all about the 80s metal rock, or arena rock. Something with soul, something with heart, something that is tolerable. I just don't get it. The last few days I have heard the worst of the worse. At one point I wanted to cut off my own ear. That's bad.
6. Do all politicians just belittle their opponents rather than talk about what they can do? All I hear is why the opposition shouldn't be elected and how bad they are. No one talks about the real changes that need to be made or the ways to go about making the changes. It's all nonsense and garbage.
Those are some of my issues. I have more, but I don't want to bore you. Let me know what you think.
Until Next time
P
1. Why don't people use their blinkers anymore? Seriously. I can't recall the number of times I have been cut off because people don't think they have to use their blinkers. They're there for a reason, USE THEM!
2. How many different coffee houses do we need in a 3 block radius? Everywhere I look there is new coffee house trying to outdo the competition, or there are multiple stores of the same branch less than 300 yards away. Do we need that much coffee in that short amount of time?
3. Why do people think Margaret Cho is funny? Really, is she that hysterical? I don't get it. Maybe, I'm not supposed to get her humor and that's why it isn't funny, but I listen to her or watch something she does or says and I ask myself, who keeps telling her to make jokes?
4. How many reality shows about cooking or surviving a competition to we need? Honestly, I hate reality shows, but I like, no love, I'll admit it, love Amazing Race. It's the only one that requires skill. The others, just are a popularity contest. My suggestion, less reality more scripts. Give me something to care about!
5. Why do all high school basketball warm up cds have to be all rap? OK, this one isn't a big question, but it's something that I have noticed being a high school coach, and have to listen to. If you were to come to one of my games, I make the cds, and I don't allow rap. I'm all about the 80s metal rock, or arena rock. Something with soul, something with heart, something that is tolerable. I just don't get it. The last few days I have heard the worst of the worse. At one point I wanted to cut off my own ear. That's bad.
6. Do all politicians just belittle their opponents rather than talk about what they can do? All I hear is why the opposition shouldn't be elected and how bad they are. No one talks about the real changes that need to be made or the ways to go about making the changes. It's all nonsense and garbage.
Those are some of my issues. I have more, but I don't want to bore you. Let me know what you think.
Until Next time
P
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Bodega
This one isn't for everyone. It may not be your cup of tea, but I ask that you read it all before you make your decision to stop reading my posts. This is a promotion for a friend. I have this platform at my disposal and this time I'm using to help out a friend.
It may not be your type of music, it may not be your scene, and it may not be something you're interested, but I think it's worth checking out. I have a friend, who has released his first hip hop album called the Bodega. His name is K Wylin, and I have become a believer.
I was raised on rock and to this day, it is where my heart pulls me. There's a lot of rappers out there that make me sick. They hurt my head with their insane lyrics, horrendous messages, degrading messages, violent images, and just plain irresponsible. Now, not all of them are like this, and I acknolwedge that, but there are those that the above accurately describes and it gives the genre a horrible name. It is the reason I stay away from it.
Then there's my friend. I can tolerate him. No, scratch that, I appreciate him. His works, talent, lyrics, message, and poise separate him from a list of wannabes and pretenders.
Last night, at his release party, my wife and I, who are not hip hop fans, sat and watched him perform and we heard several of the songs from his new album, and many times during the night, my wife and I would lean into each other and say, "I liked that." The songs were fun, both lyrically and musically. He's up front that his album is a message between him and God, and that every song was inspired by his faith in Jesus.
I admire his talent, his passion and his heart for people. A few of his songs he had released a few years ago, and to him, they were very arrogant and egotistical. He told the crowd last night that they came off as though it was about him, and how awesome he is. He took the time to rewrite the lyrics to illustrate clearly that the point he was making is that he is awesome, but only through the grace of God. I loved the originals, but love the newer ones too.
If you know him, one of the phrases or words you will hear him say repeatedly is, "I appreciate you," or "appreciate." It's not just a word or expression to him, it's what he feels, genuinely. Obviously he wants this to be his career choice, but his goal isn't to make a million dollars year, or sell ten thousand units a week. His goal is to have the opportunity to reach that one person that doesn't know Jesus and encourage him to see that his life has meaning and he can something more than he is.
His words are encouraging, he message is strong, and his personality is approachable. What more are you looking for?
That's one of the many reasons that he is different than other hip hop performers out there. He understands that he is not the focus, his songs aren't the focus, but rather it's his message that should be the focus. One of his songs, entitled, Giving Children Hope, is about the responsibility that we have in the society we live in to get kids off the streets and away from the gang lifestyle and to give them the hope that they can be more than murderers and thieves.
K Wylin understands that his job is not just to sell records and pursue a career in hip hop, but that he also has a responsibility to his faith and to the people that listen to him. He isn't positioning himself as a role model, but rather showing listener who they should look to as a role model, and that is Jesus Christ. He is modest, entertaining, humble, funny, talented, and more.
So, where you're a fan of hip hop or not, and I know there are many, if you're looking for something with positive messages and entertaining songs, look to K. Wylin. I'm not just promoting this because he's a friend of mine, but I believe in what he's doing and believe in what he's promoting.
Kwylin.com is his website
You can buy his album the Bodega on itunes.
Until next time
P
It may not be your type of music, it may not be your scene, and it may not be something you're interested, but I think it's worth checking out. I have a friend, who has released his first hip hop album called the Bodega. His name is K Wylin, and I have become a believer.
I was raised on rock and to this day, it is where my heart pulls me. There's a lot of rappers out there that make me sick. They hurt my head with their insane lyrics, horrendous messages, degrading messages, violent images, and just plain irresponsible. Now, not all of them are like this, and I acknolwedge that, but there are those that the above accurately describes and it gives the genre a horrible name. It is the reason I stay away from it.
Then there's my friend. I can tolerate him. No, scratch that, I appreciate him. His works, talent, lyrics, message, and poise separate him from a list of wannabes and pretenders.
Last night, at his release party, my wife and I, who are not hip hop fans, sat and watched him perform and we heard several of the songs from his new album, and many times during the night, my wife and I would lean into each other and say, "I liked that." The songs were fun, both lyrically and musically. He's up front that his album is a message between him and God, and that every song was inspired by his faith in Jesus.
I admire his talent, his passion and his heart for people. A few of his songs he had released a few years ago, and to him, they were very arrogant and egotistical. He told the crowd last night that they came off as though it was about him, and how awesome he is. He took the time to rewrite the lyrics to illustrate clearly that the point he was making is that he is awesome, but only through the grace of God. I loved the originals, but love the newer ones too.
If you know him, one of the phrases or words you will hear him say repeatedly is, "I appreciate you," or "appreciate." It's not just a word or expression to him, it's what he feels, genuinely. Obviously he wants this to be his career choice, but his goal isn't to make a million dollars year, or sell ten thousand units a week. His goal is to have the opportunity to reach that one person that doesn't know Jesus and encourage him to see that his life has meaning and he can something more than he is.
His words are encouraging, he message is strong, and his personality is approachable. What more are you looking for?
That's one of the many reasons that he is different than other hip hop performers out there. He understands that he is not the focus, his songs aren't the focus, but rather it's his message that should be the focus. One of his songs, entitled, Giving Children Hope, is about the responsibility that we have in the society we live in to get kids off the streets and away from the gang lifestyle and to give them the hope that they can be more than murderers and thieves.
K Wylin understands that his job is not just to sell records and pursue a career in hip hop, but that he also has a responsibility to his faith and to the people that listen to him. He isn't positioning himself as a role model, but rather showing listener who they should look to as a role model, and that is Jesus Christ. He is modest, entertaining, humble, funny, talented, and more.
So, where you're a fan of hip hop or not, and I know there are many, if you're looking for something with positive messages and entertaining songs, look to K. Wylin. I'm not just promoting this because he's a friend of mine, but I believe in what he's doing and believe in what he's promoting.
Kwylin.com is his website
You can buy his album the Bodega on itunes.
Until next time
P
Monday, November 22, 2010
Memories.
Lately I have been taken on a journey through history. I have been acquainted with photos from the past about my family, specifically, my Dad. Through the wonder and beauty of Facebook, I have had the opportunity for my family members to post pictures from their upbringing that includes many photos of my dad when he was my age and younger, much younger.
Now, I have seen some pics previous to this immersion of photos, but I never really noticed how much I look like my father. When my dad was alive, I didn't really see how the two of us looked alike. I didn't. Even today, when I see him at the time he was alive and the years leading up to it, I didn't see how I resembled him at all.
However, looking back, I can see it. I can see my dad, and I can see how I looked just like him when he was a teenager.
My father has been dead almost 20 years. He past away Aug 19th, 1992. It took me a long long time to move on from his passing and smile when thinking about him. Near the end of his life, he and I did not have the best relationship and I was very angry at him. When I learned of his illness, I was forced to put aside my anger towards him and focus on spending as much time with him as possible. I have a lot of memories of my father, some good, some not so good.
I loved my father, and I know he loved me, but at the same time I felt that I was never good enough for him. That nothing I did was ever good enough for him. Bare in mind this is what I felt then, not now. He was a tough man, stubborn, and set in his ways. He was quick tempered, but never mean. I was just your typical teenager that didn't like to be told what he could or couldn't do by a man that wasn't always around.
I was 16 years old when he died, and I feel like I missed out on so many great things and opportunities finishing high school and college and entering adulthood. I miss my dad even to this day, but I don't resent him, nor do I feel anger towards him anymore. I am in a better place, and accept him for who he was and know that despite his faults, he was a good man who loved me and appreciated me.
My memories of my father extend beyond the last three months of his life where the sickness ate at his memories and body. I remember the man that taught me to shave, drive, gave me my first beer, and thensome. He was a good man, and I am thankful for the memories that I have of him.
Family, keep the pics of him coming. I want to get to know him all over again.
Until next time
P
Now, I have seen some pics previous to this immersion of photos, but I never really noticed how much I look like my father. When my dad was alive, I didn't really see how the two of us looked alike. I didn't. Even today, when I see him at the time he was alive and the years leading up to it, I didn't see how I resembled him at all.
However, looking back, I can see it. I can see my dad, and I can see how I looked just like him when he was a teenager.
My father has been dead almost 20 years. He past away Aug 19th, 1992. It took me a long long time to move on from his passing and smile when thinking about him. Near the end of his life, he and I did not have the best relationship and I was very angry at him. When I learned of his illness, I was forced to put aside my anger towards him and focus on spending as much time with him as possible. I have a lot of memories of my father, some good, some not so good.
I loved my father, and I know he loved me, but at the same time I felt that I was never good enough for him. That nothing I did was ever good enough for him. Bare in mind this is what I felt then, not now. He was a tough man, stubborn, and set in his ways. He was quick tempered, but never mean. I was just your typical teenager that didn't like to be told what he could or couldn't do by a man that wasn't always around.
I was 16 years old when he died, and I feel like I missed out on so many great things and opportunities finishing high school and college and entering adulthood. I miss my dad even to this day, but I don't resent him, nor do I feel anger towards him anymore. I am in a better place, and accept him for who he was and know that despite his faults, he was a good man who loved me and appreciated me.
My memories of my father extend beyond the last three months of his life where the sickness ate at his memories and body. I remember the man that taught me to shave, drive, gave me my first beer, and thensome. He was a good man, and I am thankful for the memories that I have of him.
Family, keep the pics of him coming. I want to get to know him all over again.
Until next time
P
Monday, November 15, 2010
Moments
This is my favorite time of the year. The time between Halloween and the New Year. There so many great moments to take in, you appreciate the fact that it covers a few months. I love the weather, the smell of the air, the fact that I can wear the leather jacket, the decorations both inside the house and out, and it's basketball season.
The season has officially begun and now we get to play games, practice everyday, and really grow as a team and individuals. This is the time of the year where you need to cherish the moments that are presented to you. Celebrate the times you have with friends and family. Celebrate the moments in your life.
Gosh that was horrible. I just read that and I see the sentimental nonsense that just came out of my mouth. Am I really just one big cliche after another? Well even if I am, it still doesn't change the sentiment.
I am all about the moments in my life. All about remembering things and experiences. I remember the good and the bad, but I remember the moments, because without those, what's the point? If life is all about work and bills and pain, why do we get up each day and go through it all over again? You what insane is? Doing the same thing over and over again knowing that the result will not be good but you do it anyway.
Take time to remember a moment, celebrate that moment, look for ways to make it last.
Who remembers the movie, Dead Poets Society? Robin Williams plays Charles Keating, a teacher of English in an all-boys school during the 1950s. The school prides itself on preparing the men to become successful lawyers, doctors, etc. Keating wants them to appreciate life. There's a scene early on where he is talking about why they study poetry and why it is important. He tells the boys that medicine, law, engineering, or basically jobs, are important and necessary to sustain life, but that beauty, poetry, romance, love, these are things that we live for. We live for the moments. We work to create opportunities to live the moments. To have time for the moments. But if you work all the times and never look for the moment, what are you doing this for?
I think we could all do with the advice of Mr. Keating.... live for the moment. Enjoy life. Seize the day, as he told his students... Carpe Diem.
Make your lives extraordinary! Gosh I love that.
Until next time
P
The season has officially begun and now we get to play games, practice everyday, and really grow as a team and individuals. This is the time of the year where you need to cherish the moments that are presented to you. Celebrate the times you have with friends and family. Celebrate the moments in your life.
Gosh that was horrible. I just read that and I see the sentimental nonsense that just came out of my mouth. Am I really just one big cliche after another? Well even if I am, it still doesn't change the sentiment.
I am all about the moments in my life. All about remembering things and experiences. I remember the good and the bad, but I remember the moments, because without those, what's the point? If life is all about work and bills and pain, why do we get up each day and go through it all over again? You what insane is? Doing the same thing over and over again knowing that the result will not be good but you do it anyway.
Take time to remember a moment, celebrate that moment, look for ways to make it last.
Who remembers the movie, Dead Poets Society? Robin Williams plays Charles Keating, a teacher of English in an all-boys school during the 1950s. The school prides itself on preparing the men to become successful lawyers, doctors, etc. Keating wants them to appreciate life. There's a scene early on where he is talking about why they study poetry and why it is important. He tells the boys that medicine, law, engineering, or basically jobs, are important and necessary to sustain life, but that beauty, poetry, romance, love, these are things that we live for. We live for the moments. We work to create opportunities to live the moments. To have time for the moments. But if you work all the times and never look for the moment, what are you doing this for?
I think we could all do with the advice of Mr. Keating.... live for the moment. Enjoy life. Seize the day, as he told his students... Carpe Diem.
Make your lives extraordinary! Gosh I love that.
Until next time
P
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