159...and counting

Counties in Georgia that I did not know existed/ never seen them on the back of a license plate:

Screven
Tattnall
Brantley
Columbia
Clinch
Bleckley
Schley
Treutlen
Taliaferro

And the counties with the most over-used puns:
Butts
Early
Quitman
Effingham

Retired Nomadic Mechanic?

A familiar, normal, non-religious, sane, credible customer came in to Penske's rental office on Monday to turn in his rental truck and said to me "man, you're not going to believe this story. i swear you won't believe what happened yesterday (sunday)."

....here is his story:
"So in the middle of our run, the truck's brake pressure went out. We had to pull over on the side of the road. I call my boss to tell him we're stuck as my compadre walks into the woods to pee. As he walks back to the truck, an old man with a cane walks out of the woods...keep in mind, we're in the middle of nowhere...there isn't an exit within miles. He comes up to me and says 'something wrong with u're brakes?' I was like 'yeah, how'd you know.' The man walks behind the truck and touches the brakes for like 5 seconds. I'm standing to where I can view the brake pressure gage inside the truck. As he touches the brakes, the break pressure rises to 'full'. The guy walks straight back into the woods before we could get his name. We shouted out thanks, but I don't even know if he really heard us. Dude, we were freakin out. Can you believe that??"

"Dude, I believe you."

Most memorable Braves game of June 2006

June something, 2006 I went to a Braves game with some friends from Athens. We were 3 innings late, the Braves ended up losing, and the kiss cam didn't do it for me. As we were walking back to my car that was parked in a back lot of a ghetto apartment complex, a black woman wearing only a purple bra and twitching all over (obvious crack addict), came up to our group that pretended to not notice her.
Scary lady: "I've been watching ya'lls car this entire time so I know you guys are going to help me out."
Martin: Oh thanks, I appreciate it.
(she continues to walk with us to our car)
Scary lady: I told those guys to keep watch of ya'lls car so I know you will give me some money.
(we finally get to the car)
Scary lady: Alright now what you guys got for me?!
(we pooled together about $2.00 in change)
Scary lady: Oh come on now! I watched yo' car! I know you guys got more!
Martin: Mam, maybe if you were more grateful, we would help you.


Over a year later, I still recall that whole scene and wish so bad that it had been like this:
Scary lady: I told those guys to keep watch of ya'lls car so I know you will give me some money.
(Martin pulls her aside as the group continues to walk)
Martin: Hey what's your name? I want to help you out but I don't think money will do it. You're a pretty woman, I wish you wouldn't harm yourself with those drugs. I'll tell you what...here, here's my shirt, put it on. I don't know how else to communicate that you are worth much more than you think. Here's my number in case you have any more clothing needs:) You have a good evening now.

....but unfortunately, I'm not Jesus. Yeah she probably didn't want help anyways. She might have been insulted and mad. She might have ignored me and gone on to another group of people that could better help her get her next fix. But then maybe it'd be something that would stick with her for longer than that just that evening. Maybe someone else who gets the Gospel better than I do showed up that night and helped her out.

I used to play baseball

I have one superstition and one superstition only....
If I randomly look at a digital clock, and it says 10:31 (my birthday), that is a sign of good luck.
If I randomly look at the clock and it says 10:32, that's bad luck. Actually, I say it's a superstition, but really the only thing that goes through my head when is see those numbers are "hey, it's my birthday, cool" or "hey, it's 10:32". Also, I say "hey" to clocks often.

Sonny

I hate to use the label "my hero" because it sounds like something lame a damsel in distress would say. But there's a man named Sonny, a 41 yr old father/husband who works with my roommate at Liberty Mutual as a claims adjuster...he is my hero.

He invests in people the way I think Jesus would, and the way I wish I did.
-He has an incredibly non-glamorous job, especially for someone at his stage in life.
-He makes it a point to spend time with his nephews weekly.
-He goes to heavy metal rock concerts (even Ozzfest).
-He still romances his wife.
-People at work know he's a Christian, everyone loves him, and everyone comes to him with their personal problems b/c they know he cares and listens.
-He talks about Jesus often and is currently going through Mere Christianity with two non-Christians from his work.
-He and his wife invite my roommate, myself, and several other guys from his work over for dinner about once a month.

I do not have a wife or kids, yet I still feel like I have no free time. So I end up hoarding it, hesitant to give it to other people. Sonny has much less than I, but gives it freely and purposefully...and interestingly is one of the happiest people I know.