I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. ~Confucius
Before I post anything else here I must start by thanking the people in my life that made this trip and project possible. They say no man is an island. For the first 29 years of my life I lived as if I was. I pushed myself because I felt I was the only one that I could count on. I wasn’t until recently that I realized how blessed I am to have people that love and support me and my aspirations. Maybe this post will shed a little light on who I am and why I do the things I do. These are only a few of the many. In no particular order:
Fractured Atlas— This project started by total accident. I was chatting with a professor about an idea to write a book about Hispaniola once I became obsessed with the island after taking her course on Travel Narratives. She encouraged me to do it and NOT use my own money which was the original plan. I’ll explain this all later but after a year of, Great idea but sorry, Maybe next quarter, We aren’t funding that kind of work, and every other polite no out there I found Fractured Atlas. They not only believed in my project but have helped me transition it from a small idea into a larger three phase project with the very real potential of being something special. The level of professionalism, dedication, and compassion these people have shown to me and many other artists is unparalleled and I highly recommend any artist that has a dream to reach out to them. Shout out to all my non profit foundation donors. Alex, Brandon, Joey, Anthony, Jackie, Meghan, Anna, Steve, and David.
James and Eva White— When I was twelve, my siblings I were taken into foster care by the state of Ohio for a year. James and Eva took me and my two youngest siblings in at the time and a wonderful woman named Barbara Range took in the rest of my siblings. James and Eva were the ones that showed me what travel was. We went on a road trip from Ohio to San Antonio then back up to Alabama. This was one of the highlights of my life. I learned about financial responsibility, consequences of ones actions, and religious freedom. I owe much to my short time with the White’s.
Trifecta— The trifecta consist of myself, Alex and Joey and later Brandon (I know that’s not a trifecta). These men are my best friends. You can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends and I chose well with these three. We served together. Fought together. Traveled together. Got into trouble together. You only get a few REAL friends in your life and I’m lucky to have three. My brothers in arms.
Jay Morrison— Words can’t express my appreciation and gratitude for this man. He literally saved my life. A determined professional and great friend.
Hannah C Wojciehowski — Professor Wojciehowski is the driving force behind this project. It was her class at The University of Texas that motivated me to write a travel narrative. It was her encouragement that pushed me to seek funding options. With all that said, it was her compassion and love for her students that helped me through a very very dark time in my life when I had given up on myself and my dreams. She never lost faith in me and I will never let her down by losing faith in myself. An amazing professor and even better mentor.
Olivia — There are only two people in the world that can get me to do something I don’t want to do. One is my grandmother and the other is Olivia. She is the person that lit a fire under my ass when I needed it. She basically gave me a deadline to get my shit together. Well I did and I’m glad she got on me. I was lazy and unmotivated. Olivia , thank you for being a great friend, mother, and person. Someone has to keep me in check and I’m glad it’s you.
Uncle Scooter — You ever have that person in your life whose shadow you’re stuck in? Well here is mine. My entire life I’ve been compared to my uncle. I could never go back home without hearing the comparisons. It was fine until I was about 25 and then it got old. FAST. Growing up my uncle was my hero. He was really the only person to ever show us the fun things in life. He would take us to the movies, sledding, and sleepovers. He even paid for my homecomings in high school. I love my uncle and can never repay him for what he did for me growing up since I didn’t have a father in my life. I learned from my uncle to be my own person and dream big. To hell with what everyone else says can’t be done. Shoot for the stars and see where it takes you. My uncle Scooter gave me the courage to go after the big fish because you never know.
Uncle Eddie— My uncle Eddie is crazy. No joking. Growing up I was terrified of my uncle because he was a scary guy that didn’t take shit from anyone. Uncle Eddie taught me and my brothers how to survive on the dirty side of life. He taught us how to fight. He taught us how to gamble. He taught us never let anyone disrespect you. To this day I have very low tolerance for disrespect which has gotten me into quite a bit of trouble but that’s who I am. My uncles are polar opposites but they both taught me lessons I value to this day
My Mother Lavella — My relationship with my mother is very complicated and there is no way I can cover it here. My mother became pregnant with me at 13. She was a child raising a child. It took me a long time to realize that but she did the best she could with the hand she was dealt. She’s possibly one of the most creative and funny people I know. Although she has her vices I love her for everything she is. I get my stubbornness from my mother no doubt and in some ways that’s a great thing.
Granny — My granny is the other person that can get me to do things I don’t want to do. She has supported me from the day I was born and was the only person from my family to attend my basic training graduation. No matter what I choose to do she’s supported me. She’s never been afraid to call me out or adopt my friends has her surrogate grandchildren. In life everyone needs someone like her and I’m lucky to have her in mine.
Military — The greatest decision I made was to join the military. Not only did it teach me discipline but it taught me how to use the skills I already had to my advantage. The military didn’t change me. I’m still the brash, stubborn, asshole I’ve always been. The military molded me. It showed me how to overcome any obstacle and push toward any goal. I have no idea where I would be if not for my service. I know many veterans that leave the military angry and bitter. I had my time like that. I soon realized that my time serving and fighting helped me see the world in a different light and how I want to change it. Plus chicks dig scars.
University of Texas @ Austin — This is a multiple post. Right alongside the military, my time at UT was one of the most influential in my life. I’m an Ohio State Buckeye through and through but academically I’m a Longhorn. The facilities, students, and professors at UT are amazing. Professors go above and beyond to accommodate especially for veterans and active duty soldiers. The students are welcoming and helpful. And the facilities are amazing. The multicultural environments have had a profound impact not only on this project but on my life as well.
Stan and Mike — I want to finish by acknowledging two men that really called me out and put my life into perspective. Stan and his wife have been great friends to me for years. One day I’m riding with Stan and I tell him my idea. He gives me the half listening head shake which I notice and I ask him what’s up with that. He proceeds to destroy me. Basically he said I flip flop. One minute I’m heading to Law School, the next I’m moving to another city, and then I’m doing something else. I wanted to punch him in his damn face. But he was right. 100%. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was stuck trying to decide if I wanted to do what people expected me to do or what I wanted to do. I chose the latter. Stan has been a great friend to me and is a man I admired very much. Not only for doing for me what a friend should do but by being an example of what a friend, husband, and father should be. I’m better for knowing him.
Mike is my fraternity brother and all around pain in my ass (love you man). Mike is a hater. If you have a Mercedes he’ll say, “but it’s not a Bugatti”. Mike has doubted and hated on my project from the start. He felt the same way Stan did but more of a hater kind of way. Everyone needs a hater and Mike is great at it. Funny thing is the guy is also my biggest supporter. Weird I know.
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles CRD — The men and women of the DMV. It was an absolute honor to work with you all. The life lessons I learned and friends I made will sustain me for a lifetime. If it wasn’t for Steven and Emily giving me a chance to do what I do best, this project wouldn’t be happening right now. The hired me this pass summer to a short term contract which allowed me to fund this project on my own and I am deeply grateful. Anyone reading this, from now on when you call a customer service hotline remember there is a real live person on the other end. A person with the same dreams, fears, problems, and hopes that you may have. A person that has feelings as well. I am a better person for having worked with you all. Especially Emily, Linda, and Chelsea.
I’ll close this out by saying step back and look at the people in your life and ask what they are ADDING to it. Everyone in your life should make you better in some way. If they aren’t then what’s the point. Why have someone around that hurts you? Something’s in life are simple and who you choose to associate with is one of them. There never will be a shortage of people willing to tell you what you can’t do or whats impossible. It’s those special few that laugh and jump off the cliff with you that should be cherished.
