I have been on this wonderful thing we call Earth for a little over 28 years. I like to consider myself a pretty gregarious type of individual. I am amused when I overhear people close to my age ramble on about being too old for this and that. To be perfectly honest ladies and gentlemen, I feel as young as I have ever felt. I feel I have more vigor as a young man than I did as a young lad. I will never forget one thing my grandmother told me when I was a pup that has been implanted in my mind since she said the statement. My grandmother said to me, “I might look, and act, like an elderly woman, but I feel as youthful as I did when I was a teenager. You’re only as old as you feel.” I have never forgotten that statement because I have discovered my grandmother was 110 percent correct.
Occasionally, I sit back and ponder what life will be like for me as an old man. Will kids look at me with indifference like I viewed elderly people way back when? The simple answer is yes, the kids will look at me with irreverence because the kids will feel I do not understand anything about being young. I am not sure if I am bothered by that or not, but I like to think of myself as an adult that the kids want to hang out with. In reality, I am probably viewed as an aging geezer.
I do not think this reality hit me until the other day when I went to my son’s meet the teacher night this past Thursday evening. My wife, son, and I went into my son’s new classroom to meet his new fourth grade teacher. The teacher appeared to me to be a little older than the average elementary school teacher. However, I thought nothing of my opinion at the time. The teacher seemed both kind and intelligent. After speaking with the new teacher a few minutes, I approved of her having the prerogative to teach a human being with the last name Dietz.
Later on that evening, my wife had a conversation with her mother about my son’s new teacher. I heard my wife mention to her mother my son’s new teacher was about my age. Now, I was a little flummoxed by that statement to say the least because I was of the opinion his new teacher looked older than I. Am I beginning to look older? How could this be? I cannot even grow a beard many high school kids would be envious of. How has life passed me by? I mean, I am still a college student myself.
Another event happened that particular evening which bothered me a little. While my wife and I were chit chatting with the new teacher, a former classmate of my sons’ came in to the room to say hi to the teacher. I am assuming the teacher once had this girl’s brother or sister in a class. I recognized the little girl from my son’s class last year because I had volunteered for a few school events. I specifically remembered the little girl because she sat near my son. I believe I spoke with her a couple of times. So, I said, “Hello, you were in my son’s class last year. Do you remember me? I am Preston’s dad.” Well, the girl gave me the classic ‘Do not speak to me old man’ look. She appeared as if speaking to me was as uncool as proving to your classmates you have a bit of intelligence.
These two events have helped me realize I will be the unhip guy wearing high socks with shorts one day. I just have to face it. We all become square one day. I now sympathize with all the parents before me whom have had apathetic little dream killers. I apologize to both of my parents for my behavior as a child. I wish could give other kids the belief he or she is proud to have the parents he does. However, this will never be a reality. Even Socrates wrote about how disrespectful children were in his era, and Socrates died more than two thousand years ago. Let’s face us parents, things will never change. As difficult as the daunting task of accepting the embarrassment our children feel about us is, accepting the embarrassment is a duty we have to accept.
So, as all of you parents drop your little ones off for his or her first day of school, remember to not say a word to your child and act as if you do not love them. Kids seem to prefer that type of treatment for some reason.
Dustin Dietz
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Obsessions Schmubsessions
Hello friends,
Welcome back to my blog. I have been away for a little while, but hope to blow your minds with this latest entry. I hope you enjoy. If you do not find my writing tasteful, I apologize.
I had begun writing an article regarding my past tales with the opposite gender because I was motivated by a book I have been reading titled I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max. (By the way, read the book. The book is true greatness.) However, in fear of backlash from my wife and mother-in-law, I decided against publishing that article. If you are interested about was detailed in my unpublished article, just ask me and I will tell you anything you would like to know.
So, instead of chronicles about the X chromosome, I have decided to write about my past obsessions. Ready, 3..2..1..CONTACT!
I have been obsessed with many things throughout my short lifetime. As a child, I was obsessed with anything regarding sports. I played baseball for many years and dipped my toe into the world of football a couple of times. I lived and died by the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. I was so obsessed with sports that I would even wear athletic gear from teams I did not cheer for. My mother bought me a Kansas City Chiefs jacket in 6th Grade because I did not want to purchase a second Dallas Cowboys jacket after my grandparents bought me one for Christmas two years prior. In 7th Grade, I had to have an Orlando Magic jacket because I admired Shaq and Penny Hardaway. So, my mother bought me the Magic jacket. I have even memorized all forty-five Super Bowl winners, losers, and game MVPs. I even know most of the scores from the past Super Bowl games. Once I become obsessed with something, I really really become obsessed.
In high school, I became obsessed with women. So, I chased skirts around until I met my son's mother whom I wasted a few years of my life with. While my chasing of the female species was mostly unsuccessful, awkward, and embarrassing, I did have many many good times doing it.
A few years back, I became obsessed with the whole fitness thing. I worked out for close to three hours a day, six days a week, and followed a strict diet. I read books, magazines, and numerous articles about how to become more fit and look like The Situation. My goal was to drop down to 160 pounds and have a six pack your great grandmother could wash clothes on. Ultimately, I lost over 50 pounds and went all the down to 155 pounds. I came very close to obtaining a six pack, and am still working on achieving the six pack abs. However, a four pack is still pretty impressive in my opinion. My weight loss is something I am extremely proud of and I am still working on keeping the weight off. While I do not work out like I did three years ago, I still work out when I can to stay in shape so I can dominate beer league Softball.
My work out habit began to wane a little because of my next obsession, school. In the fall of 2008, I decided I had had enough of getting beaten down at jobs and attempting to find a good career without receiving an education. I decided I would start college in January of 2009 and follow my dream of landing a job in the world of radio. I realized the road would be long and strenuous, but I was willing to do what ever it took to get to where I wanted to be.
A month before my first semester, I told my then girlfriend, now wife, I planned on getting straight A's throughout college. My wife chuckled a little, and basically told me I was delusional. However, when I told my wife what I told my wife, I was being dead serious. My motivation to do well in school was not only to provide for my son in the future, but to stick it up the rear of all of the people who doubted and screwed me over in the past. All of the girls who dissed me, the bosses that did not give me that promotion, and all of the ridiculously stupid customers I had to deal with at the various jobs I had in the past. Yes, I was not only going to get my education, but I was going to kick ass while doing it.
My first semester at Collin College, I decided to take nine hours because I still worked full-time at Time Warner Cable. Honestly, I could have handled eighteen hours because of the simpleness known as college. I tore through Math, Communication, and English and made all A's. My Communications professor asked me at the end of the semester how I was studying for my exams. I told him how I studied and asked him why he wanted to know. My professor then told me, "Well, I just wanted to know because you are making the highest grades anyone has ever made on my tests. And, I wanted to know because I am going to tell my future classes to do what you just told you are doing." I was very proud, and flattered at the same time.
I took eighteen hours the following summer, and made all A's. I took twelve hours in the fall of 2009, and made all A's. I took twelve hours in the Spring of 2010, and made all A's. I had maintained a 4.0 GPA for my first four semesters at Collin College, a school many of my buddies cannot buy their way out of.
In the Summer of 2010, I did make my first B in Environmental Science. I was preoccupied with my wedding, and honestly was overconfident going into the class. I was very heartbroken because I felt I had made, and deserved, an A. However, I realized all streaks, whether good or bad, all come to an end.
I have made a couple more B's since the end of the streak, but still possess a 4.0 GPA because all grades transfer into UNT the exact same. I am currently working on a new A streak at UNT, and hope to graduate with a degree in Radio, TV, Film in December of 2012.
I want to state the importance of what going to college has done for my life. Before going to college, I really did not feel I had a purpose in life. The only thing I was good at was useless sports trivia. I had no goals at the time because I had not achieved any of my prior goals. And, I had no hope of ever landing any type of decent job to provide for my son. I was battling depression and hated the way my life had turned out. I have not told many people this, but there were many times I wanted to leave and start a new life elsewhere. However, college was just what the doctor ordered for this kid. I still do not understand why so many people hate college? College is easier than high school, and is so much better than working. When I hear any kid try to tell me how much he or she hates college, I tell them, "Try getting a job without an education pal." I have been in that place, and that place is terrible. While I realize college is not for everyone, I must preach to the kids to not be in a hurry to get out of school. Because, despite what you think kids, work sucks. Work sucks even more if you have to take a job shoveling dog poop all day. Follow your dreams, and as the late great Jim Valvano said, "Never give up!".
My obsession with being successful in school still flows through my veins today. I study everyday and work hard to be the best student I can be. I enjoy learning new things and want to preach that, despite what you see on television, learning is cool my friends.
Recently, I believe I have found a new obsession. However, you will have to read one of my future blogs to find out what my new obsession is because I do not feel the reader is quite ready to have his or her minds completely blown apart. For now, you will have to deal with the article I just wrote. Until next time, so long everybody.
Dustin Dietz
Welcome back to my blog. I have been away for a little while, but hope to blow your minds with this latest entry. I hope you enjoy. If you do not find my writing tasteful, I apologize.
I had begun writing an article regarding my past tales with the opposite gender because I was motivated by a book I have been reading titled I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max. (By the way, read the book. The book is true greatness.) However, in fear of backlash from my wife and mother-in-law, I decided against publishing that article. If you are interested about was detailed in my unpublished article, just ask me and I will tell you anything you would like to know.
So, instead of chronicles about the X chromosome, I have decided to write about my past obsessions. Ready, 3..2..1..CONTACT!
I have been obsessed with many things throughout my short lifetime. As a child, I was obsessed with anything regarding sports. I played baseball for many years and dipped my toe into the world of football a couple of times. I lived and died by the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. I was so obsessed with sports that I would even wear athletic gear from teams I did not cheer for. My mother bought me a Kansas City Chiefs jacket in 6th Grade because I did not want to purchase a second Dallas Cowboys jacket after my grandparents bought me one for Christmas two years prior. In 7th Grade, I had to have an Orlando Magic jacket because I admired Shaq and Penny Hardaway. So, my mother bought me the Magic jacket. I have even memorized all forty-five Super Bowl winners, losers, and game MVPs. I even know most of the scores from the past Super Bowl games. Once I become obsessed with something, I really really become obsessed.
In high school, I became obsessed with women. So, I chased skirts around until I met my son's mother whom I wasted a few years of my life with. While my chasing of the female species was mostly unsuccessful, awkward, and embarrassing, I did have many many good times doing it.
A few years back, I became obsessed with the whole fitness thing. I worked out for close to three hours a day, six days a week, and followed a strict diet. I read books, magazines, and numerous articles about how to become more fit and look like The Situation. My goal was to drop down to 160 pounds and have a six pack your great grandmother could wash clothes on. Ultimately, I lost over 50 pounds and went all the down to 155 pounds. I came very close to obtaining a six pack, and am still working on achieving the six pack abs. However, a four pack is still pretty impressive in my opinion. My weight loss is something I am extremely proud of and I am still working on keeping the weight off. While I do not work out like I did three years ago, I still work out when I can to stay in shape so I can dominate beer league Softball.
My work out habit began to wane a little because of my next obsession, school. In the fall of 2008, I decided I had had enough of getting beaten down at jobs and attempting to find a good career without receiving an education. I decided I would start college in January of 2009 and follow my dream of landing a job in the world of radio. I realized the road would be long and strenuous, but I was willing to do what ever it took to get to where I wanted to be.
A month before my first semester, I told my then girlfriend, now wife, I planned on getting straight A's throughout college. My wife chuckled a little, and basically told me I was delusional. However, when I told my wife what I told my wife, I was being dead serious. My motivation to do well in school was not only to provide for my son in the future, but to stick it up the rear of all of the people who doubted and screwed me over in the past. All of the girls who dissed me, the bosses that did not give me that promotion, and all of the ridiculously stupid customers I had to deal with at the various jobs I had in the past. Yes, I was not only going to get my education, but I was going to kick ass while doing it.
My first semester at Collin College, I decided to take nine hours because I still worked full-time at Time Warner Cable. Honestly, I could have handled eighteen hours because of the simpleness known as college. I tore through Math, Communication, and English and made all A's. My Communications professor asked me at the end of the semester how I was studying for my exams. I told him how I studied and asked him why he wanted to know. My professor then told me, "Well, I just wanted to know because you are making the highest grades anyone has ever made on my tests. And, I wanted to know because I am going to tell my future classes to do what you just told you are doing." I was very proud, and flattered at the same time.
I took eighteen hours the following summer, and made all A's. I took twelve hours in the fall of 2009, and made all A's. I took twelve hours in the Spring of 2010, and made all A's. I had maintained a 4.0 GPA for my first four semesters at Collin College, a school many of my buddies cannot buy their way out of.
In the Summer of 2010, I did make my first B in Environmental Science. I was preoccupied with my wedding, and honestly was overconfident going into the class. I was very heartbroken because I felt I had made, and deserved, an A. However, I realized all streaks, whether good or bad, all come to an end.
I have made a couple more B's since the end of the streak, but still possess a 4.0 GPA because all grades transfer into UNT the exact same. I am currently working on a new A streak at UNT, and hope to graduate with a degree in Radio, TV, Film in December of 2012.
I want to state the importance of what going to college has done for my life. Before going to college, I really did not feel I had a purpose in life. The only thing I was good at was useless sports trivia. I had no goals at the time because I had not achieved any of my prior goals. And, I had no hope of ever landing any type of decent job to provide for my son. I was battling depression and hated the way my life had turned out. I have not told many people this, but there were many times I wanted to leave and start a new life elsewhere. However, college was just what the doctor ordered for this kid. I still do not understand why so many people hate college? College is easier than high school, and is so much better than working. When I hear any kid try to tell me how much he or she hates college, I tell them, "Try getting a job without an education pal." I have been in that place, and that place is terrible. While I realize college is not for everyone, I must preach to the kids to not be in a hurry to get out of school. Because, despite what you think kids, work sucks. Work sucks even more if you have to take a job shoveling dog poop all day. Follow your dreams, and as the late great Jim Valvano said, "Never give up!".
My obsession with being successful in school still flows through my veins today. I study everyday and work hard to be the best student I can be. I enjoy learning new things and want to preach that, despite what you see on television, learning is cool my friends.
Recently, I believe I have found a new obsession. However, you will have to read one of my future blogs to find out what my new obsession is because I do not feel the reader is quite ready to have his or her minds completely blown apart. For now, you will have to deal with the article I just wrote. Until next time, so long everybody.
Dustin Dietz
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Welcome To My Blogger World!
Hello friends,
You might remember me from my geeky fantasy football blog which provides the reader with weekly Big Ten Fantasy Football League updates. Well, due to popularity and love from the masses, I have decided to start a new blog about random topics which I feel like writing about. The reader will be presented with sports points, movie reviews, political opinions, history, or anything else I feel like writing about. If any readers have any ideas or suggestions, I will do my best to write about items suggested to me. I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as much as I enjoy writing it. I will be posting my first entry very soon. Here's a tease for you, the greatest article about sports in history. Curious? I know you are. Please read!
Dustin
You might remember me from my geeky fantasy football blog which provides the reader with weekly Big Ten Fantasy Football League updates. Well, due to popularity and love from the masses, I have decided to start a new blog about random topics which I feel like writing about. The reader will be presented with sports points, movie reviews, political opinions, history, or anything else I feel like writing about. If any readers have any ideas or suggestions, I will do my best to write about items suggested to me. I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as much as I enjoy writing it. I will be posting my first entry very soon. Here's a tease for you, the greatest article about sports in history. Curious? I know you are. Please read!
Dustin
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