Locked in the Nest

I chose the perfect day to go take pictures. The sun was beating down with a heat index of about 4000 degrees and little to no breeze blowing. Hours passed in this Sunday afternoon endeavor (too many hours).

The avid photographer may be thinking, "Well you just get into a zone and find one great snapshot after another." I am no avid photographer nor do I subscribe to this kind of thinking. This photo challenge (of sorts) was supposed to be about an hour or so, not the 3-4 it turned out to be.

I told my family I was going to the park to take some pictures. The park became boring. Too many ball fields, too few natural wonders (unless of course cement and steel count). I decided to trek (more so drive) across the street to my high school. There's a trail there and I thought it might be fun to walk the trail, see what's out there and take a few snapshots on the way around.

The trail became a little too creepy for me and visions of a horror film kept playing out in my mind. But, all was well, the football stadium was now calling my name.

However, I was filled with shock when I arrived at the gate and, yes...locked. I wasn't some vandal desiring to tag my name on the side of the stands, or some love sick high schooler desiring to profess my love to George in red spray paint. I just wanted to take some pictures. Then, it was like the light at the end of the tunnel...one of the gates was unlocked!

I perused the facilities and took in the scenery. (Unconcerned with the fact the man on the other side of the stadium was leaving.) The perusing lasted about 30 minutes and I began to make my way back to the open gate. Upon arrival to this "light" I realized it was actually an oncoming train. The gate was now locked. I was locked in the nest. (CHHS Eagles)

For another hour and half I treked around the stadium seeking to find a way out...I failed. The sun seemed to be getting hotter as my gum got grosser and the reality that my flip flops were not tennishoes became more apparent. I even sought a way out past the "Authorized Vehicles Only" sign. However, apparently the only vehicles that should be authorized down that path can survive a thirteen foot drop at the end. Then, as if it was a vision from the Lord...a gate without barbed wire. I scaled the fence in my American Eagle flip flops (with the Cannon Rebel safely tucked away in my camera bag and Billy Joel's "Always a Woman" playing over my MP3 player). The endeavor that began around 4:30 was now over at 7:45.

I made my way to my car then to the pool. I resisted the temptation to jump in and simply sought out the vending machine. The Diet Coke was gone before I made it out of the parking lot.

Uncommitted Member

I confess, I've broken, sold out and given up. The blog world, has finally sucked me in, so there's noting more to do but give a little update.

Just north of the ATL is where you can find me since my recent departure (due to graduation) from "Union dearest Union". I spend my days enjoying life and all its mystery, but mainly working. Yes, working while actively pursuing employment in my passion, an $80,000 passion. A fellow co-worker asked me the other day, "Well, when are you expecting a return on your investment?" to which I replied, "Any day now."

Don't get me wrong, this summer has been no gravy train on a big pile of mashed potatoes. It's an adjustment coming home but everyday I realize, in many ways, it's also a blessing.

I will leave you with this. God indeed works in mysterious and wonderful ways. Monday on my drive to work I said a little prayer. This is an often occurrence given many mornings I can almost hear my parents singing "surely the presence of the Lord is in this place" with a strong emphasis on surely (almost to the point of asking). So, I prayed that God would just remind me of how blessed I am.

The reminder came via phone. No, it was not the voice of God but instead a customer. He called work and in his high-society-Georgia accent asked how I was doing, to which I of course replied, "I'm doing well, how are you?" Then it came...he said to me, "Well, I was doing well until I found out that my pacemaker has been recalled." I said, "Are you serious? Stay away from microwaves." High-society-Georgia accent then said, "Oh, you think I'm kidding but I'm not. There's been a manufacturing mishap and I was told they can fix it by reprogramming it. It was at this point I realized, you know my life really isn't all that bad.