Sam + Tabatha // St Louis SDE from Jimmy Wilderman on Vimeo.

Well it looks like I’m almost there! 10 days away from marriage and starting a new chapter in my life while co-writing with my significant other. Maybe I should rename my blog now to It’s Just Us…

Posted from Detroit, Michigan, United States.

It’s been a long time since I really wrote something of much substance here and honestly, this may be one of my last posts for some time to come. I don’t intend to go anywhere, but I’ve felt the the need for some time now to refocus my efforts and energies towards moving onto not another level per say, but just something else. My desire to write in this capacity isn’t the same as it used to be… Why doesn’t really matter, but while I’m on the thought I’d really like to thank everyone that’s ever spent some time here new and old. You kept me going more than you know

This year is rapidly coming to an end and so of course when the holidays set in, many of us start spending time reflecting on the year(s) past with joy, laughter, tears, disdain, pride, celebration, and many other sentiments. I wouldn’t say that I’m different in this regard, but I’m starting a little bit early.

I’ve seen a lot this year, experienced a lot, and showed a lot in the paths I walked thus far. With probably 2-3 trips left to squeeze in the rest of this year, 2006 has been my most diverse and likely most intense travel year ever! I spent quality time in 8 different countries this year if you include the US – The Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, Austria, Mexico, Canada, and Australia. What an incredible time and I only really have had the opportunity to share maybe 20% of the experience with others. I eclipsed 100,000 miles on my ‘new’ car, which means that I’m actually averaging over 25,000+ miles a year in my car solely and no telling how many rental car miles! I won’t bore you with all of that though as I don’t want to try to wow your socks off with my travel stories. Everyone knows I travel a lot and most people think it’s all glamorous and super. Here’s a news flash: business trips aren’t the same as vacation/leisure trips – lol. Don’t get me wrong – I wouldn’t dare complain and traveling with work has allowed me to experience things definitely not anticipated growing up. When people ask me how is it, I tell them the experience truly depends on what happens when you get where your going. It could be great…..It could be a nightmare. It could your ‘lucid dream’…. No matter what the case – there’s no place like home.

Emotionally this year I’ve wondered all over the place. Challenges have come from every direction with highs, lows, achievements, and failures…………………… [Author's Note: This post has been in draft since 2006 and incomplete. Considering it's 2010 now, I'm just going to post it as is.]

Posted from Detroit, Michigan, United States.

It’s been some time since I’ve really felt the desire to write here or even the freedom to really express myself openly without dealing with consequence I’d prefer not too. Feeling this way can’t help but leaving me wondering where does this blog go from here. My motivations to write aren’t the same anymore and I don’t feel compelled to write something prolific either. I do have things to say however…. Just much of it is quiet conversation within my mind these days during the wee hours of the night when everyone and most everything slows down. This blog has been in existence for about 10 years now. Can you believe it?!? Time flies when you’re…..living and learning. I decide the future of this space tonight, but if there’s anyone still in the audience, what are your thoughts? Can you relate?

It’s been almost a year to date since I posted here publically… While much has transpired, I haven’t had the same motivation to really disclose everything here on my public blog. In a nutshell work has been solid although the automotive industry is transforming significantly and the need to diversify my teams’ porfolio is as high as it’s ever been.

Professionally I’m really focused on a few things as a result. 1) learning as much as I reasonably can on my own time so that I can contribute to my employer as much as possible. 2) looking for innovative ways to market our services and snag new business opportunities as possible. 3) rejuvenating my effort and efficiency to be as productive as possible with the effort I’m putting forth.

I’m embracing our new office but also cognitive of the fact that this introduces direct overhead for our team and increases the need for sustaining revenue.

Socially not much has changed. I’m still optimistic that a mature woman can come into my life that brings out the best of me, truly has something to offer as a woman, and is keen on working in partnership to really enjoy life with a friendship that really is mutually beneficial. While there have certainly been quality women that I’ve spent time with the feasibility of a committed relationship has been somewhat disappointing but not impossible. It is difficult to continually build something with someone that you need to get to know hundreds of miles away. I could complain and honestly in some of my more private moments I have but of course it’s done no good.

Mentally I’ve been up and down but I hope to get away from that roller coaster a bit and really key in on what’s important to me and keep balance in my life. I’m a good person and I have much to offer but I have to keep it together, even during times of adversity, doubt, and pessimism which surround me.

My city, my industry, my country, my heart, and more have had their back against the wall but I am confident we all will prevail. My faith is still strong and while patience is sometimes thin, it is still within me.

Our new President has quite the road ahead of him and certainly if he can face all the challeges looming over him with optismism so can I. I’m blessed and fortunate to say the least.

The pursuit of love often involves the physical pleasures of intimacy, the excitement of courtship, blind trust or renewed trust, high expectations, understanding, and a number of other factors.  One item that I rarely hear mentioned is companionship.  Companionship is a quality that ha special meaning to me.  it’s the quiet glue that bonds two people together and breeds long-term commitment which comes about naturally.

To have have days, months, and even years go by and continue to someone’s presence in my life speaks volumes about the quality of the relationship that I share with that person.  Many people come and go quickly in our lives.  Others stick around for a lifetime in friendship.  A handful will be there in love for an eternity.  

Companionship is what we appreciate most in old age and last breaths, movies and high school dances, honeymoon cruises, 25-year anniversaries, etc.  Its why being single only means being without commitment rather than being alone.  Even single people often get snaged by the net of relationship if for no other reason than companionship.

-Sam

It All Adds Up…

In our walk through life we often feel like there are moves that we make that are positive steps forward…and then there are the occasional setbacks, or steps backward.  The thought crossed my mind earlier that when you have faith in God, there is no such thing as a setback, steps backward in life, or subtraction of our forward progress. 

In all things positive and adverse, God moves us forward towards a proper destination.  Hence “our steps are ordered“.  The “bad” in life  is what often teaches us the most, utilizes our muscles of faith, and brings out our inner-most strength.  Come to think about it, us Black folks shined the most in the past when we were in our most adverse times. Slavery, no equal rights, racism, and all kinds of other oppression set the stage for Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriett Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, and many others.

Today our struggles are different and subjectively better or less adverse, but opinion and statistics suggest we have less and shine not quite as brightly.  I’m not trying to knock anybody but rather simply taking notice that in the experiences of life, it all adds up and serves purpose in the days that follow.

Each day’s sum will always be greater than the day prior.  Perhaps take this day and truly appreciate how God has utilized ALL in our lives good and bad to prepare us for the present and provide strategy for the future. 

No steps back…  No subtraction…  Just addition and steps forward…even if they’re just baby steps

-Sam

If there’s anyone still hanging around here these days I’d be surprised. It’s pretty obvious I don’t contribute updates to my blog here like I used to. I still have all the love in the world for my friends mainly and occasional newcomers who stop by here to check on me. I’ve just lost some of the desire to write as a past time of expression like I used to. Maintaining an adult life with the demands of work and avoiding going crazy has had its challenges but I’m relishing as much of it as I can. If you keep me in mind at least occasionally, don’t delete stop visiting here just yet. I haven’t thrown in the towel on it completely. However, I say just pick up the phone, drop an email, or send a text message to me when you get a free moment if I don’t give you a shout first. I’d love to hear from you and I mean that. Old friends and new friends alike – your presence and contributions to my life are never forgotten.

Be blessed and rejoice…

-Sam

Since I’ve had writer’s block for some time now I thought I’d just post some pics…

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