I have been sick the last few weeks. I had a sinus infection that I just did my best to ignore because of my lack of time to really do anything else about it. There were several straight nights that I used night-quil to help me have a chance of going to sleep and staying asleep. I finally started to feel a little better so I attempted to go a night without the drugs, and what happened? I couldn’t go to sleep.
I ended up on facebook and started typing in names of people that I know that may be on facebook. That got old after a while, so I began typing names of old friends that I either lost contact with or did something to blow the relationship.
It was great. I found my old youth pastor, an old roommate, and I even found my nephew on there (I don’t know why we weren’t friends months ago). I sent them all requests and included a nice message to tell them how much they meant to me and that I hoped they were doing well. I got messages back from most of them… which is great, maybe our lost relationships were just as troubling to them as it was to me.
I finally came across an old friend from middle school- Jeremy. He was this crazy kid that I became really fast friends with. We watched a ton of SNL and really aspired to be Adam Sandler or Chris Farley. We would make up characters and then try our best to get on the radio making some kind of awful request. I think at one point we determined to make a cd of songs about cheesefries (you should hear our version of Sheryl Crow’s “All I Want To Do”. We really wanted to carve out our own slice of celebrity.
When I first found him, I wasn’t sure if it was the same guy… he looked really trendy in this retro athletic outfit (complete with a sweatband), which seemed like it could be him. But he lived in New York and of course I couldn’t read any of his profile. The only lucky thing was that I could view his friends. Enough friends from Milwaukee (and his sister) convinced me that it actually was Jeremy. A good majority of his friends worked at MTV.
My mind started to wander about Jeremy’s potential occupation. Whether he works for MTV, or is a musican, maybe he’s a writer for SNL… who knows. I didn’t request him. Instead I imagined all these great creative careers that he might have. And the result was disappointment in my current career and inability to do anything creative outside of hunting down a customer who is impossible to contact, hasn’t paid any money in weeks, and taking my “asset” back (my big accomplishment of the day).
I am starting to lose my ability to dream that I am going to be a soccer player or a tv star when I grow up. I am sure everyone goes through this… I guess I am finally an adult. Shouldn’t I at least get a Bar Mitzvah party or something??
Better yet… Does anyone want to help me produce a Jaydogg movie??
Ron 12:32 pm on November 12, 2008 Permalink |
this is debbie
you are creative to me. You always are making me laugh.
I love you silly man!
Debbie
wacky mom 2:20 pm on November 12, 2008 Permalink |
You make me laugh too! You are the second most hilarious person I know. LOL
Two thoughts:
1. Everyone, in my opinion, goes through this. I do, from time to time.
2. Life is much more than your job. Don’t let your job define you. You are a clever, caring man. There are so many people with amazing dream jobs who are so unhappy and so messed up.
With Love & Prayers,
diane
Ron 3:20 pm on November 12, 2008 Permalink |
So much comes to mind after reading your blog …
First … bar mitzvah, no. But I’d be happy to perform your circumcision.
Second … Chris Farley is dead. Adam Sandler, while capable of being howlingly funny, has given as his greatest contribution to the human race, the gift of obscenity. Funny obscenity. But still obscenity. Exactly which one of these two guys do you want to measure yourself against?
Third … You are one of my very best friends. Forget the brother-in-law part. Over this past year I have missed YOU as much as anybody. (excluding Bailey.) You are a part of the fabric of my life that is simply irreplaceable. I could probably find 100 people that agree with me without even trying very hard. I remember when it finally occurred to me FOR REAL that I’d never play for the Cubs. I was probably 14 years old. (I address reality early.) It was after that (long after that) when I realized that the purpose of life is … relationships. Not fame. Not attention. Not success. Not building a big church or renting out more cars. Relationships. The old dreams must die so that God can show you His dream … His dream for your life. Because that is where the joy comes from. You might have had a ball driving that Weinermobile around the country for a year or two but then you would have noticed that you were empty inside. I’m serious. And then what would you have? Weigh that against what you have now. Friends. Family. Alisha. Influence in countless lives (mine included.) The opportunity to walk hand-in-Hand with your creator. Would you really trade that for all of those old dreams?
Yeah. Me too.
Okay, just kidding. I am so looking forward to spending time with you over Thanksgiving. I feel this deep need to “connect” again. I’m praying for the time and stillness to make it happen.
You are loved, my brother. I cherish you. I pray for you daily. (I mean that literally.) You are who you were created to be.
Ron
Ron 4:40 pm on November 12, 2008 Permalink |
P.S. Diane? Who is the FIRST most hilarious person in your life? I’m thinking … YOURSELF?
Benjay 4:39 pm on November 14, 2008 Permalink |
Jim, how could you even assume I wouldn’t be your production manager for the upcoming, soon to be Oscar nominated, Jaydogg film?
tiffanynevil 10:13 pm on November 20, 2008 Permalink |
Jim, I thought I heard you’ve been starring in all kinds of EFREE movies? And you are married to Alisha. And you are Kelli’s Uncle. And Joe’s. You ARE famous!
Brandy 7:01 am on November 21, 2008 Permalink |
Hi Jim! I absolutely loved reading what Ron wrote to you — I am so glad that you have his voice in your life, telling you the truth in love. I know that relationships are deeply important to you too –that is one of the many reasons why Alisha fell in love with you.
I don’t want to intrude but here goes…I think you SHOULD request Jeremy to be your facebook friend. I mean, sometimes God will help us reconnect with old friends for a reason and Jeremy just might need that right now! It made me laugh how you described him in his profile pic and you had imagined all of these cool jobs, lifestyle, etc. And there he is, looking you up on facebook and he sees your profile and it looks like your life has gone down the toilet! (I hope all who read this know that that IS your profile pic!
–Anyway, maybe he assumed things about you as well and I think that it would just be awesome if he actually got to know the Jim that we all know and love!
Anyway, I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries–you can tell Alisha that her friend should just mind her own beezwax, no worries! We love you!