Some people have bad hair days. I had a "bad hair high school". NO, not everybody at my high school had bad hair; most had cuts that were part of the times (late 70's-early80's) No, I mean me, personally. I had some of the worst hair in high school history.
It was no one's fault but my own. My sister in law, who is a hair stylist and cut my hair once a month, cut it EXACTLY the way I told her to. For some reason known only to God (or perhaps Satan) I thought my hair looked good that way. I had to have been more than confused. Delusional is the word that comes to mind now.
I had a shop teacher in middle school who could not pronounce my last name, "Busic", so he called me "Bush". Well, considering the way my hair looked, the nickname stuck. Some high school friends still remember it today, almost 30 years later. I mean, it got so bad, my parents had to tie a bone around my neck to get my dog to play with me!! People hung my picture beside trash cans to keep the rodents away--I was not much to look at, to put it mildly.
Then, it happened. One day, during the summer before I started college, my mom, sister and I were going to Newport News to shop at Newmarket North Mall. My sister suggested that I try a new haircut. I didn't have much hope for it, but I went along with it. When it was done, I liked it, and thought it was a big improvement.
That afternoon, on the way back from Newport News, we stopped at the ballpark to watch a softball game. As I walked from the parking lot to the ball field, someone happened to turn around and see me. Soon, more and more people were turning around and staring at me. Some began to jump out of the bleachers and start running towards me. I thought something was wrong, but it was all because of my hair!!
I am thankful that I got it changed before I started college. I no longer scared young children, and girls could actually look at me for a few minutes. One guy kept saying "You look like John Travolta" Well, that was not my aim, nor do I think I looked like him. But it really was an improvement.
Got a bad hair story? I'd love to hear it.
Have a blessed day!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Prom Night
While we were enjoying Jacqueline's graduation from Virginia Tech (more on that another time), many of the final Prom of 2010 were being held. Many of our friend's children were dressed to the top, and I hope they will have many wonderful memories of the special night for years to come. I have attached two pictures of my friend's children from their proms this year.
My Proms were not memorable occasions, at least not for many good reasons. For my junior prom. I was not dating anyone steady at the time, so I did not get a date until fairly late in the process. I had a good friend who ran on the track team with me, and her boyfriend was also a great friend of mine. As the time grew near, I still had no date. My friends had broken up, and it seemed to be all over. I asked her if she wanted to go to the prom with me. My friend T already had a new date, and M said she would like to go. We were just going as friends, which was fine with us.
Well, on Prom Night, we went to dinner, and M ordered a nice meal, but ate almost none of it. The food was fine, she said, but she was just not hungry. About five minutes after we got to the Prom. M said she was going to the bathroom. Except for two quick trips out, she stayed there pretty much the ENTIRE night! I learned later that my friend T broke his hand that night when he punched a wall because he was so upset that they had broken up! He was nice enough not to punch me.
My senior prom started off well. My date and I had been seeing each other for a couple of months, and I was quite smitten with her. Since she lived in the next county, no one else at my school really knew her very well. Dinner was fine, and the other couple at the table had a good time, too. The Prom itself was ok, nothing spectacular, but not bad.
When I called her to go out the next week, she said she was busy all weekend. Suddenly, she was always "busy" every time I called. I don't think we ever officially broke up, but I realized pretty quick she didn't want to see me any more. That summer, I started dating a girl who lived down the road from J. She told me that J had been dating another guy while she was dating me. I still don't know if that was true or not, but it seemed to explain her sudden "busyness". Years later J and I got back in touch. I performed her wedding, and we have talked a lot over the last few years. But, the whole thing kinda soured me on the prom.
My daughter enjoyed both of her Proms, and I even worked the After Prom her senior year. It was a Casino Night theme, so I was a black-jack dealer. Lots of fun.
How was your Prom/Proms? PLEASE share your stories-I really enjoy reading them.
Have a blessed day!
My Proms were not memorable occasions, at least not for many good reasons. For my junior prom. I was not dating anyone steady at the time, so I did not get a date until fairly late in the process. I had a good friend who ran on the track team with me, and her boyfriend was also a great friend of mine. As the time grew near, I still had no date. My friends had broken up, and it seemed to be all over. I asked her if she wanted to go to the prom with me. My friend T already had a new date, and M said she would like to go. We were just going as friends, which was fine with us.
Well, on Prom Night, we went to dinner, and M ordered a nice meal, but ate almost none of it. The food was fine, she said, but she was just not hungry. About five minutes after we got to the Prom. M said she was going to the bathroom. Except for two quick trips out, she stayed there pretty much the ENTIRE night! I learned later that my friend T broke his hand that night when he punched a wall because he was so upset that they had broken up! He was nice enough not to punch me.
My senior prom started off well. My date and I had been seeing each other for a couple of months, and I was quite smitten with her. Since she lived in the next county, no one else at my school really knew her very well. Dinner was fine, and the other couple at the table had a good time, too. The Prom itself was ok, nothing spectacular, but not bad.
When I called her to go out the next week, she said she was busy all weekend. Suddenly, she was always "busy" every time I called. I don't think we ever officially broke up, but I realized pretty quick she didn't want to see me any more. That summer, I started dating a girl who lived down the road from J. She told me that J had been dating another guy while she was dating me. I still don't know if that was true or not, but it seemed to explain her sudden "busyness". Years later J and I got back in touch. I performed her wedding, and we have talked a lot over the last few years. But, the whole thing kinda soured me on the prom.
My daughter enjoyed both of her Proms, and I even worked the After Prom her senior year. It was a Casino Night theme, so I was a black-jack dealer. Lots of fun.
How was your Prom/Proms? PLEASE share your stories-I really enjoy reading them.
Have a blessed day!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Random Thoughts
A good friend does "Three Thing Thursday". I'll just call today "Random Thoughts"
1. The specialist said my sample showed nothing-surprise!-so I have to have a scope treatment done May 19th. Not gonna be pleasant, but let's hope it helps me feel better. I do not like taking strong pain meds, but right now it's about the only thing that gets me through the day.
2. Excited that I was asked to preach this Mother's Day at a church in Roanoke. Also glad it will give their pastor a chance to go to Louisiana for a mission trip. I miss preaching- I don't miss the administrative part of ministry, however.
3. Sarah Palin is easy on the eyes, but hard on the brain. Scary how many people see her as a leader.
4. Lawrence Taylor is in trouble again. Just another example that great athletes do not always make for greatness in society (Tiger, Kobe, Big Ben, on and on it goes).
5. BP was allowed to get by without installing the most modern safety equipment on it's rigs because our government has always relied to much on the oil industry itself, and politicians from big oil states, to police the industry. We are only seeing the beginning of what this ONE spill will do to the Gulf Coast. Can you imagine how much even one spill in the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia would impact the Chesapeake Bay? Not worth it, especially since the experts tell us there is not much oil in the Atlantic area any way.
6. A week from tomorrow, my daughter will graduate from Virginia Tech. We have already started cleaning the house, preparing for guests to arrive, and getting things ready for her graduation party. Four years have gone by quickly.
Well, have a good weekend!!
1. The specialist said my sample showed nothing-surprise!-so I have to have a scope treatment done May 19th. Not gonna be pleasant, but let's hope it helps me feel better. I do not like taking strong pain meds, but right now it's about the only thing that gets me through the day.
2. Excited that I was asked to preach this Mother's Day at a church in Roanoke. Also glad it will give their pastor a chance to go to Louisiana for a mission trip. I miss preaching- I don't miss the administrative part of ministry, however.
3. Sarah Palin is easy on the eyes, but hard on the brain. Scary how many people see her as a leader.
4. Lawrence Taylor is in trouble again. Just another example that great athletes do not always make for greatness in society (Tiger, Kobe, Big Ben, on and on it goes).
5. BP was allowed to get by without installing the most modern safety equipment on it's rigs because our government has always relied to much on the oil industry itself, and politicians from big oil states, to police the industry. We are only seeing the beginning of what this ONE spill will do to the Gulf Coast. Can you imagine how much even one spill in the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia would impact the Chesapeake Bay? Not worth it, especially since the experts tell us there is not much oil in the Atlantic area any way.
6. A week from tomorrow, my daughter will graduate from Virginia Tech. We have already started cleaning the house, preparing for guests to arrive, and getting things ready for her graduation party. Four years have gone by quickly.
Well, have a good weekend!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
My New Heroes
This past weekend, an event unequalled in all of Mathews County history was held. The Harry Ward auditorium hosted the Relay for Life "Woman less Beauty Pageant" "Lovelies" from across the county showed their "stuff" to help raise money for the fight against cancer, and to help bring a truckload of belly laughs and tears of joy that rival anything good ole Mathews, VA has ever seen before (but hopefully will see again!)
As somebody who is battling cancer, has lost loved ones and friends to it, and knows so many who are also battling right now, I just want to say a huge "THANK YOU" It takes a strong, confident man to wear a dress in public (and some of the other outfits, you got more guts than me!) even for a good cause! Even from five hours away, it was a sight to behold! Be sure to check out my 'New Heroes" picture on the right, and I will also post some links to more pictures in the comments section.
Have a great day!
As somebody who is battling cancer, has lost loved ones and friends to it, and knows so many who are also battling right now, I just want to say a huge "THANK YOU" It takes a strong, confident man to wear a dress in public (and some of the other outfits, you got more guts than me!) even for a good cause! Even from five hours away, it was a sight to behold! Be sure to check out my 'New Heroes" picture on the right, and I will also post some links to more pictures in the comments section.
Have a great day!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Struggling to go to Church
Well, you know I never blog on the weekends, so this must be a special occasion. It is, and it is a troubling one. After being in the church all of my life, and being a pastor for over 25 years, I currently, because of my health issues, am not leading a church. What has struck me the last few months is that, I really don't like going to church.
I have no problems with God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I still pray every day, and find my personal faith to be as strong, or stronger, than it has ever been. I am extremely grateful that God healed me in a miraculous fashion (tell any doctor what I've been through the last 18 months, and watch the expression on their face). I feel nothing but gratitude and love towards the Lord. But I sit in church and go crazy inside.
It is interesting to hear someone else preach. I often think of what illustrations I might have used as I listen to them use one to make a point. Thank goodness I don't sit there and try to pick them apart. I am a silent cheerleader, praising each solid point in my mind, and cheering them onward and upward if they seem to be struggling a little bit (been there, done that, not fun or easy!)
The main thing is, I look around and let my mind wander. I get depressed when I see so few young people, and worry that I am worshipping with the last generation of that particular church. I see people, and think of all the petty arguments and back-stabbing that goes on, and how their poor pastor has to put up with and try to control that garbage. Too many people join the church and stop growing immediately. They should serve less fried chicken and more milk at covered dish suppers-lots of baby Christians out their who have already reached retirement age!
I think of how the church picks and chooses what sins to talk about and which ones to ignore-sin is sin, but too many churches want to rail about homosexuality and abortion while ignoring the greed and untruthfulness all around them, and all of the adultery and couples living together without marriage. God does not pick and choose--God loves us all, but hates ALL sin! and we are ALL sinners, not just "them".
I sill love to preach and share God's Word, I guess I'm just struggling a bit. A good friend said that, after all I have been through, it's not unusual or un-expected. So, if you pray, please pray for me. I know the church is not a shrine for the saints, but is a hospital for the sick. I know that, like anything man-made, it is not perfect, nor are the people inside of it. I KNOW all of that, and truly believe it. But boy, I'm struggling right now. I do know that God will see me through it.
God bless YOU, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I have no problems with God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I still pray every day, and find my personal faith to be as strong, or stronger, than it has ever been. I am extremely grateful that God healed me in a miraculous fashion (tell any doctor what I've been through the last 18 months, and watch the expression on their face). I feel nothing but gratitude and love towards the Lord. But I sit in church and go crazy inside.
It is interesting to hear someone else preach. I often think of what illustrations I might have used as I listen to them use one to make a point. Thank goodness I don't sit there and try to pick them apart. I am a silent cheerleader, praising each solid point in my mind, and cheering them onward and upward if they seem to be struggling a little bit (been there, done that, not fun or easy!)
The main thing is, I look around and let my mind wander. I get depressed when I see so few young people, and worry that I am worshipping with the last generation of that particular church. I see people, and think of all the petty arguments and back-stabbing that goes on, and how their poor pastor has to put up with and try to control that garbage. Too many people join the church and stop growing immediately. They should serve less fried chicken and more milk at covered dish suppers-lots of baby Christians out their who have already reached retirement age!
I think of how the church picks and chooses what sins to talk about and which ones to ignore-sin is sin, but too many churches want to rail about homosexuality and abortion while ignoring the greed and untruthfulness all around them, and all of the adultery and couples living together without marriage. God does not pick and choose--God loves us all, but hates ALL sin! and we are ALL sinners, not just "them".
I sill love to preach and share God's Word, I guess I'm just struggling a bit. A good friend said that, after all I have been through, it's not unusual or un-expected. So, if you pray, please pray for me. I know the church is not a shrine for the saints, but is a hospital for the sick. I know that, like anything man-made, it is not perfect, nor are the people inside of it. I KNOW all of that, and truly believe it. But boy, I'm struggling right now. I do know that God will see me through it.
God bless YOU, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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