A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

20 Days of Chill Challenge

20 Days of Chill: Mountains and valleys (Day 18)

Life.

When one things of life, there’s a lot to it, isn’t there? There’s up and downs and lefts and rights. There’s good times and bad times. There are fun times and sad times.

Basically, mountains and valleys.

It can be explained that the best of times come when you are on the top of the mountain. You can see everything in a wonderful way. You can vividly see everything in front of you and things are going well.

The worst of times, are when you’ve been in the valley. Nothing is going right. You can’t see how anything is in a positive light etc.

Most of us, throughout life, will be somewhere in the middle.

But you can’t always count on the middle ground. Especially in today’s day with the amount of technology that can sway you with good or bad.

The social media world can be amazing. In the realm of friends and family, you can see all the good (or even bad) going on in their worlds. You get updates about what is happening the such. You have virtual games and worlds where you can make friends with people from around the world in the blink of an eye. Often times, these people can become as close to you as those you interact with in the physical world.

There’s the flip side of the technological world — that of cyber bullying, sharing too much info, and the overall negativity that goes around with technology (see social media).

This is all very hard to ignore.

But in the end, we all have choices to make. To be happy or so be grumpy. To smile or to frown. Do walk through life with confidence, or to drag your feet and be in despair

So choose your path. Work your way to the top of the mountain — the view is a lot better from up there.

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This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

20 Days of Chill: Life is good (Day 17)

Life is an interesting thing, wouldn’t you say?

We are born and we live. And with society the way it is, there are many ups and downs. We go through trials and tribulations. We are tested and have to adapt or make major decisions.

But in a nutshell, life ain’t so bad.

Every person is different. Some have it much harder than others. If you live in different areas of the world, it could be very difficult. If you are homeless or battling mental illness, there’s no telling the world you are in and how it is.

But for the bulk of us, it ain’t so bad.

There was a time when I thought I had it really bad. I battled unemployment for two and a half years. But I dealt and was lucky enough to have unemployment benefits for most of it. I had family and friends who were important in getting me through things. And I landed on my feet and I am in a pretty good place now.

I’d argue I was a better person for going through what I did.

During that time, I always tried to understand that some people had it way worse than I did. I also think I’m more cognizant to the needs of others. I can’t say I’m always on top of things, but I try to give back as much as I can now that I feel I can.

So life isn’t bad.

When you have modern technologies and can pay your bills and get by in life, you are doing OK. Sure, some make way more money than others (I know I’d like to make more and feel safer financially), but if we are doing our best and getting by, that’s at least something.

I’m sure we all have dreams and things we’d rather do or be in life. Alas, life isn’t easy. It throws you tests and situations you must get through.

But we deal.

Just like all of us, I have dreams and plans and hopes. I know places I want to be and want to see. I have goals I want to reach and do certain things to find a happier place in life.

It’s never easy.

As noted before, life isn’t easy.

But overall, it’s hard to complain when you look at the big picture. Life’s good. Now just try and smile and enjoy your trail. There’s always something to look forward to, one way or another.

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This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

20 Days of Chill: A cold beer on a hot summer night (Day 16)

Cold beer on a hot summer night …

I do enjoy a cold beer sometimes. Not as much as when I was younger, but it is nice at times. And there aren’t many times that it is more perfect.

I’ll let a photo do the talking.

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This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

20 Days of Chill: Cult Classic Movies (Day 15)

When one thinks of cult classic movies, there are many that can come to mind.

But what is a cult classic?

Wikipedia defines it as a film that has acquired a cult following. Cult films are known for their dedicated, passionate fanbase, an elaborate subculture that engage in repeated viewings, quoting dialogue, and audience participation. Inclusive definitions allow for major studio productions, especially box office bombs, while exclusive definitions focus more on obscure, transgressive films shunned by the mainstream.

Films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High often come to mind. Other like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, or Fight Club are mentioned in it. There are comedies like Clerks that come to mind.

I kind of go with the above definition, but I would also add that they are films one can watch over and over and enjoy as much or more each time one watches them.

So, I got thinking as much as I could about cult classics and below, in no particular order, are my top 20ish cult classic movies.

  • Fast Times at Ridgemont High
  • Clerks
  • Empire Records
  • Bull Durham
  • Breakfast Club
  • Napoleon Dynamite
  • Killer Klowns from Outer Space
  • Slap Shot
  • Blues Brothers
  • Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
  • Office Space
  • Spaceballs
  • Goonies
  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • Shawshank Redemption
  • Goodfellas
  • Mallrats
  • Revenge of the Nerds
  • Police Academy
  • Airheads
  • Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

So how about you? What are some of your favorites?

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This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

20 Days of Chill: Summer vacation (Day 14)

As I write this, the temperatures have been sub-zero. It’s pretty cold out and it’s probably lucky most schools had off for MLK Day, or there might have been some snow days used.

It’s that cold.

When wind chills approach -25 or worse, it’s safe to say one shouldn’t be outside for the heck of it.

It also makes you start thinking of warmth and fun. The time when it’s a little more lazy and carefree.

As kids, summer vacation is incredibly awesome. A summer off to have fun. Sure, once you hit your mid-teens, you might have a job. But even then, hours are often limited.

As adults, most of us don’t have the luxury of having summer vacation. Even some of us who work in the educational field are still 12-month employees.

So the summer is about plotting strategic vacation plans.

For me, it usually is based on baseball. When I take my vacations in the summer, I like to travel a bit, but it’s always centered on baseball. Sure, there are other things to do — and I do try and do them — but the crux is baseball and seeing new stadiums and areas.

It’s just how I like it.

When I’m at a baseball park I can lose myself in the game. I’m a nerd for the game in that I keep a scorebook and look at prospect guides and try and figure nuances. I always try a hot dog at a new stadium and, when applicable, I will try the stadium’s signature food item.

To me, it’s a perfect setting. The warmth of a summer night and nothing but the sport in front of me.

How about your summer vacation?

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This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!