Welp, here we are Class of '14. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the end of our high school lives. The time where people have claimed is "among the best times of your life" will begin to come to a close. The last ride.

We've all grown up now. Most of you have known each other since Pre-K. In my case, I've only known most of you since 6th grade. Regardless, we've seen each other grow before our very eyes. Not one of us can say we are exactly the same as who we were last year, the year before that, and so forth. Man, to think that tomorrow officially kicks off the countdown to the end...it's surreal, awesome, and a bit scary.

Let's start with awesome. Now lets be honest: ALL of us want to get the heck out of Central as fast as possible. Don't act like you haven't at least once. ONCE. Plus, Central aside, all of us are close to freedom, in a way. Most of us begin to start living on our own, seeing new places, and meeting new people. Sure, it's a bit freaky, but I'm sure it'll be pretty damn sweet.

The surreal part is pretty self-explanatory. It's just crazy how fast high school has gone by, even though most of us (me included) have complained at least once about how slow it tends to feel. For a lot of us, this school year will be the last time we see certain people. That part will DEFINITELY be on my mind as this school year goes on. Each classmate, teacher, random annoying freshman, and certain things at Central that I take for granted as just an everyday sight....it won't be an everyday sight anymore. I'm starting to think that calling it surreal is becoming an understatement now.

Last, but not least, it's scary. It's scary for many of the reasons aforementioned. Plus, we really don't know where we are going at the end of high school. Sure, we all say we want to go to a certain college, but what if Plan A fails? What about Plan B? I'll admit, even though I have several backup plans, the fact that where I'm going is shrouded in uncertainty actually scares me. It's hitting me a little as write this, and may hit me more as time goes on.

Nevertheless, we made, fellow Seniors. The finish line, the end of the tunnel, or however you want to call it is now within sight. Here's to all of us making it a great year, however we decide to do that.

Pardon my indulgence.

Oh, and another thing for underclassmen: WE HAVE SENIORITY OVER YOU! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!
 
Race in America. I really don't have to elaborate on those three words much, do I? 

The past few days I've been watching, reading, and listening to the story involving Riley Cooper of the Philadelphia Eagles breaking out that racial slur. Sure, he asked for forgiveness, and some for the most part gave him that forgiveness. Yet, at the same time, you know for a fact that what he said is going to stick in the minds of everyone who it affected. Most of those people being African-Americans.

Fast forward to today, where I was at the park earlier in the day shooting around with friends. This one kid, on the other court, was playing his friend in a pickup and tried to distract him. What did he use? "NIGGA, NIGGA, NIGGA!" What really irritated me was that he said that same phrase more than once, so naturally, I was ready to confront the kid (add the fact that he looked like he was still in middle school, as well). Of course, my friends stopped me before I could say anything, but you get the point.

Now I know that some would say that its okay and it wasn't racist, only because he didn't say it with an "-er" at the end. My response is this: That's besides the point. I don't care if someone says it with an "a", "-er", or anything. That word, whatever the connotation, just shouldn't be tossed around like someones' first name. Hell, I was a victim of having that name being called on me. I don't have to dive into how ignorant the person. What I will say is that he is one of the many in this country that just toss it around (most of whom don't even care). I know that it's just how people are and my life will be full those people since I am a Black man, but quite frankly (seeing how far Blacks have come), it's a goddamn shame. 

And to those racist bigots that word is practically a first name, I honestly hope karma makes an example out of you. 

That's one of the aforementioned "irrelevant arguments". Now it's on to the next one.

There are going to be those people that say, "Well black people use it all the time when they talk to each other." Really? That's you're argument? Just because some blacks do it doesn't mean we all do it, and it sure as hell doesn't mean it gives someone else the right to just whip that word around. Oh, and a message to those who are the ones who say it when talking to each other: if you do want to do and say all that (and I don't advocate it at all, but who am I?), at the very least do it somewhere where a lot of the public can hear.

Again, I know it's all part of life as a Black person. At the same time, that doesn't mean that I have to sit back and not take a stand against it. And to those who are NOT Black, yet completely understand the point I'm making and are not like aforementioned ignorant people, then you have pretty much every ounce of my respect. Most importantly, I wish more of society were like you guys. Unfortunately, as we all know, we don't live in a perfect world.

Pardon my indulgence.
 
I'd like to first say that this blog post is brought to you from the comfort of my house. The reason I pointed that out? My weekend was spent with good ol' Mother Nature and my family. Yes, I went camping.

To be completely honest with you guys, I thought I would HATE going camping, because I'm so anti-nature 95% of the time. Boy, was I wrong. Everything was awesome pretty much. The only thing I hated was trying to sleep, but that was mostly in part to laying on a spot that just so happened to be all rocks (that, and my Uncle was snoring at one point). But, and here's where it becomes ironic that I'm mostly anti-nature comes, there was something that really made me enjoy the trip. What that was? Look at the headline again.

Now, those who know me know that I have a pretty sentimental side to me that is capped off by my love for sky-gazing. And anyone who has been camping will tell you that, when the weather permits it, looking at the stars is one of the highlights of the trip. There's only one word to describe the sky Saturday night: beautiful. Honestly, "beautiful" may have been an understatement. I could've laid there all night and looked up at the stars.

Just looking up at those things put me at ease. It was calming, among other things. It provided a chance to just relax and soothe my mind, and resulted in me not giving a slight care for the world at that point in time. I'm sure all of you have done this at some point, but if you haven't, just find an empty lot near your house (or go in your backyard) and just stare at the sky at night when it's clear. I'm willing to put money on the fact that, if you are having a bad day, you'll feel better afterwards in some form of fashion.

Welp, time to go enjoy my non-rocky bed. Though I wish I could see what I saw one more time. You don't see that kind of starry night everyday, but that's because we don't all live in a tent 24/7.

Pardon my indulgence.