I'm killing two blogs with one stone here. Number one, I'm going to finally address Bob Mitchell's request that I'm Meme'd once again. Sorry it took so long Mr. Mitchell. Number two, I'm going to run down some of the things I've learned in my 31 years of existence here on Planet Earth. 31 of them to be exact. They will address what I've learned from Real Estate, Active-Rain, and Life....about my role in all three. I know attention spans are lacking these days, so bear with me here.
As typical, off the cuff and in no particular order:
1) The Golden Rule is King. How we treat people, all people, says wonders about us. It's never too late to wake up tomorrow morning and start treating people like they matter, because we all do.
2) Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. I guess you've got to go through Hell to get to Heaven, and vice versa.
3) I have a big brain, but bigger heart. I look for the same in those I deal with. I wouldn't have it any other way.
4) You can try to inspire, lead, guide, and help anybody, but you can't do it for them. I've always hated that.
5) I make mistakes and will continue to do so. I'm not a fan of such, yet I'm willing to own up to the fact that I'm not perfect, far from. We all need something to strive for.
6) Money should be one less worry in all of our lives. It's still a worry in mine, but so is life.
7) You probably won't always be fresh, new, popular, and the best....it is the times your aren't any of those that help define you.
8) I hate pastries...there, I said it!
9) I'd rather not waste your time and would prefer you don't waste mine. Time is the most valuable commodity we have, yours is valuable and so is mine.
10) I want to be a Mentor, a Teacher, a Father, one day. I'm still working on earning all of those titles.
11) Nobody owns you! It's easy to fall prey and hard to hunt what you want when you're feeling down. If you want to get out of your funk, listen to George Clinton. Or, just be strong enough to know all of us are at times, weak!
12) Wow, that George Clinton link was bad audio.....
13) My lucky number. If you want to discuss Reverse Mortgages, Pay-Option ARMS, Debt Consolidation, Using the Equity in your Home to its fullest capacity, I'm game. I can also talk with you about why your kitten sleeps on its back and likes its tummy rubbed. I'm not lucky, I'm human. Goes with the territory.
14) I've been in love and at war, internally & externally. Love hurts more and rewards far greater.
15) I would love to copy & paste the next 17 of the 31 things I've learned in being involved in Real Estate, Active-Rain, & Life, but apparently "MR. X" is sleeping. Inside joke...
16) I don't want to imitate anyone, I want to be influenced by pretty much everyone!
17) I take bad pictures but I wouldn't kick me out of bed:-)
18) Those who are labeled 'Mentally Handicapped' are probably the most tangible thing we have to God.
19) I am a loner, a wall flower, and when I die....which is inevitable, this song will always follow me.
20) I laugh when I write, I also cry. In both cases, literally.
And Now I Get Edgy!
21) As the birthdays accumulate, I don't feel older, even though it's dangerous eating Hot Wings these days.
22) True story, I have scars. If you look real close, you can still see them. I have no tattoos or piercings, but I do have scars. When I was a youngster, I graduated high-school at a mere 130 lbs with a smart mouth and Personal Roast for anybody who I felt deserving. That was before I grew into my 6'1" frame and started to make my body stronger/harder to hurt by working out. I hated confrontation and fights, especially at that time when I knew I may get beat. So, I came up with a way to try to avoid such instances. When those circumstances arose, my response was simple. I'm going to get flack this for this one. In a totally sober state, I would put a cigarette out on my arm without flinching. And guess what, it worked....every time! I never got screwed with...people seem to fear the perception of one feeling little physical pain.
23) I love The Beatles! In fact, I had a pro-wrestling persona whose name was derived from a character in a song they sung. His role in my mind, making fun of professional wrestling while being very damn good at. The anti-tough guy persona with a very sarcastic mouth....
24) I want to change the world...one mistake at a time.
25) It's a wonderful thing being a homeowner, I need a tax break considering I'm a single, white male with no kids! Ugh....
26) Most people think I'm tough, physically and mentally. At least those who know me. And they are right, the reason they are right is because I embrace weakness and tears.
27) I love my parents, as I do people here and in the industry I work in, it doesn't mean though I think they should be together.
28) My cat Baxter means the world to me, and someday I hope I care as much about the world.
29) I love to write and as much as I hate to admit it, love when people love the way I write.
30) Silence is deafening.
31) I'll be here manana as you are reading this tonight or the next morning, and in the end, I don't care that you care or even rated this post...I'll be content if you just read it. That is caring to me.
Happy Birthday, Jason - great blog! Hope it was a happy one!
~Maura Gebhardt
Mickey - Thanks man, I'll see you soon.
Carol - Steal as you see fit...
Maura - Thank you very much, it was!
Jason.... Happy B-day? and your are online? I can't remember, aren't you married? Just a question. I am now listening some old Dire Straits, that same cigar, but about to hit my 3rd glass of scotch. Too bad we didn't live closer. I would bring the bottle over.... Chivas Regal, from a client that I closed on his loan in February, Someone from NC who sent it to me. Now we will have to meet in Philly with Rob.... even if I don't get many from AR to join us. Are you game? It will be my gift...
Anyhoo..... the golden rule is king. The "Golden Rule".... how Golden is it?
Overall... great list.... & who is Mr. X? lol keep blogging and Happy B-day...
Great Happy Birthday tribute to the wonderful you.....and I love your writing. I think the only thing we would not be compatible with would be #8. I want to be the Pillsbury Dough Girl when I grow up.
Happy Birthday Jason. Your life as I am seeing it ...is grand. Because you're just you. Thank you for sharing you.
WooHoo...sis.
Jason - Enjoyed your Lennon theme music as I read all the way through to #31. The only number that surprised, confused and disappointed me was #9---but I still #29 you and absolutely #31 you. I read every word...word by word not wanting to miss a single letter of what matters to you. Isn't it strange how we can feel such a close connection through reading someone's true and beautifully expressed written words. What a great man you have become in such a short time.
You have so much to offer the world. Thanks for turning 31 and writing this extraordinary post. Looking forward to reading how the days, and months up to 32 treat you.
P.S. This comment turned my AR odometer to 50K---what a perfect way to celebrate! Happy B-Day Bi-Centennial Guy!
Jeff B - Me, married? Ahhhhh, negative my friend. I've never had the delight, honor, or curse...whatever your take. I would love to meet in Philly. As far as Mr. X, *sigh*.......
Lola - Thank you!
Thesa - Tell that to the grey hairs, lol. Thanks Thesa!
Sis - Thank you my dear, WooHoo indeed! By the way, I don't eat sweets so I'm willing to give you my lion's share:-)
Rich - I feel all Tom Cruise-ish.....I love you Man!:-0
Marlene - You are the best! Congrats on 50K and thank you for reading a guy like me.
Ashley - Happy Belated to your daughter and thank you so much!
Jason,
you have learned sooo much in 31 years! Hope you enjoyed your birthday! :)
Wow, Jason. If I didn't already love your writing, you'd have made me a fan with this! (I can't believe it -- Billy and I agree on something!)
I also agree with Sis -- I love sweets!
Don't you DARE do your #22 again!!! That bothers me for you and on another level, just DON'T. I want to go back in time and make you quit that.
You're right on #18, most people don't see it.
Tough guy with a heart ... why are you single??? ;o)
The Beatles and a cigarette? What a combination. Try a cigar...they burn longer and leave a bigger mark.:)
Love those Jersey Wings garlic teryaki.
Happy BDAY!
Other than Happy Birthday, I am speechless.
J-Dog,
Happy Birthday, you are now older than me :0) man I love your writing you need to keep at it, It's real...
And Happy Birthday again..
Tom
Happy Birthday (belated)... hope it was a good one. Its funny how when you hit you're early 30's we all kind of go through the same "mental" things... trying to figure out and save the world .. like you said one mistake at a time.
We all want to make a difference and I've learned that I do make a difference every day when I help someone get to where they need to be.
#8 I have issues with!!!!
#16 you got my vote on that one
#17 I ain't touchin' that one
#20 Ditto
#22 - you get a smack on the back of the head for that one :::shaking head:::
# 24, 26, 29 & 30 all get a big thumbs up from me
Great post... thanks for sharing
Happy Birthday Jason, as usual I enjoy reading your writing and I love the Beatles.
Your wise for and will get wiser as you grow older, your still a young man.
A cigarette on your arm, that is tough!!!!
Jason...
My dog Brutus Tutas means the world to me and I hope someday I care as much about the world :)
TLW...ROAR!
Jason,
" " !
Bill
PS: I miss our Irsish Sitter but he had 15 good years with the kids, We don't have a cat, but for the =last 12 years I've shared living quaters and a wife one. The dog was our's the cat considers us staff.
Lysa - Thank you so very much!
Sarah - You are being bossy again. As far as why I am single, #22 illustrates that just perfectly.
Neal - Good point, I've done Cigars but you are right on with that.
Chris - I think Mr. Baxter digs the Beatles, then again, nobody told me there would be days like these!
Bryant - I am curious as hell....and you know why...
Shaun - I hope that is a good thing.
Bob - Open book indeed. Table of contents my A$$!
Tom - It's Damn Real!
Desiree - I hate getting hit on the back of the head....OUCH!
Rey - I love pussy.....cats.
Michael - Yeah, I'm tough...I'm also a Wise....A$$!
TLW - I love animals, they are so much more in depth than most people.
Bill - I don't know what the heck you are talking about sometimes, this is one of those times...
Jason,
Dittos are suppose to be complementary, I agree with all the nice things said.
Brenda only allows me 237,303 words a day, I'd reached my quota before noon. These are next Mondays words. You're getting older understanding comes with age.
Bill
I'm bossy, I've learned to live with it.
#22 is NOT a good enough reason to still be single. It IS a good enough reason for me to get upset with you. Stop it, Sardi. You haven't SEEN bossy yet!
....
Aaah. Maybe bossy women like ME are why you're still single. Making more sense now. :o)