Playing Catch Up

We all struggle with something be it something physical, mental, roadblocks, money, addiction anything. It’s a part of human nature it’s what we do. It makes us better people when we overcome the struggle.

 My brother hosted a radio show where he encouraged folks to share a few things they struggle with to help overcome those struggles. That inspired me to write this blog about something I struggle with and I'm not sure many people struggle with it.

  I know it’s a mental struggle but it is very real to me. I struggle with timing, not time management but timing as in I feel like I'm behind on time and accomplishments based on my age and decisions I've made in my life.

  For example I finished high school in 2004, unsure of what to do with myself I worked until returning to school in 2006 and completing my associate's in 2008. After 9 years I returned to school last year to complete my bachelor's. I'm on track to finish in 2020 which honestly the way timeflies nowadays is around the corner. However I put myself on a aggressive schedule to finish in a attempt to “catch up”

  Now some people will say what’s wrong with that, but to me I often sit back and think if I just went to college right out of high school and got my 4 year degree I would be better off right now and college would be a afterthought.

  Another example after receiving my associates in 2008 I didn’t get a job in my field until 2013. While I’ve progressed at my job in the 5 years I’ve been there in the back of mind I think had I did this at that point, I would be here now doing that instead of what I’m currently doing.

  Don’t get me wrong, I have a very blessed life that I am thankful for. I have enjoyed myself, I’ve traveled frequently and seen what the world has to offer, did some bucket list items. Got married and bought a home, make a good living but  at times I wonder am I being ungrateful as there are others in my age group in less fortunate circumstances then I am.

  I also have to remind myself that in those years the path I took gave me a lot of life lessons. It provided me with work knowledge on how to deal with certain types of people or situations in the workplace. The path also allowed me to come across some great people that took me under their wing and are family now. If I didn’t make the decisions I did not really knowing what to do with myself, I wouldn’t have met those people who taught me things about life.

  I suffer from doing more and playing catch up. I need to do more, and I need to catch up for things I didn’t do in my twenties that I should have. No matter how many stories I hear of successful people who didn’t hit their stride until their mid thirties or later. I’m always thinking if made this one move some odd years ago I’d be even better. It’s a constant struggle of mine and I’m not sure how to overcome it.

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Bring Back Steel, Without Shaq

The DC Universe streaming service is set to debut later this month. Streaming services are all the rage nowadays and every media company out there is throwing their hand in the bucket for some extra cash. A good thing about streaming services is that it has opened the door for so many creators and content that wouldn't see the light of day in traditional media.

 The DC Universe has already announced some original programming Titans, Swamp Thing, and Doom Patrol are a few properties that will air on the DC Universe platform. While I’m personally looking forward to Swamp Thing, I think DC should use this opportunity to bring Steel to the small screen.

  As a live action TV show with about 10 episodes, it could right the wrong that was the movie starring Shaq in 1997. Since TV shows and movies based on comic books, are developed with much more care nowadays it could rival any of the Marvel Netflix shows or CW DC shows. Here are three things a possible series would need to be successful.

Getting John Right

First order of business is portraying John Henry Irons as he is in the comics. A engineer/scientist who works for a high tech firm Amertek Industries and uses his brain just as much as his size to get the job done. Some things go south on the job and John leaves to become steel.

Representation is very important in any genre, highlighting a black superhero who is very intelligent and builds his armor and gadgets rivaling Iron Man on his own. Could be a spark in a lot of Black kids to take more of an interest in the STEM field. Streamline his armor and make it less clunky add some gadgets that have real life purposes and someone could really believe they would see Steel walking down the street.

Setting

Location is next, in the 1997 film Steel is set in Los Angeles. In the comics he traditionally lives in Metropolis, even moving to Washington D.C. at one point in the comics. The series would benefit from not being in Metropolis, as too many viewers would always be waiting for clues that superman is around. Having Steel set in a fictional inner city would probably be the best bet to allow the character to build his own world.

Opponent

A compelling villain, most superheroes stories are best when they have a villain that is a perfect foe to them. The stakes have to be real and high, and something is personally affecting the hero.  Steel doesn't have a primary villain that is synonymous with him.

He’s traditionally fought street gangs, which he did in the film. If a series was created and the creators went that route, it would draw comparisons to CW’s Black Lighting.

Using a fellow employee at amertek who has gone rogue would be the best option. Maybe throwing a wrinkle in the story that the employee knows John Irons is Steel. That could make for a nice cat and mouse game.

We need more black superheroes.  Black Panther proved there's a market for it. Luke Cage and Black Lighting have produced quality, interesting TV shows. If DC wants to make a serious splash in the streaming world, a Steel TV show would definitely help out. Hell DC hire me I’ll do it!

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I Ain't Sign Up For This

The mythical land of Adulthood. Man We couldn't wait to grow up, have money in our pockets, but most importantly set our own rules. While that's all well and good, this is not what I signed up for. Adulthood comes with alot of responsibility, here's three things I've noticed comes with being a adult.

"Getting Too Old is Real"

As a kid you would notice older folks saying they getting too old for things. That statement is very true, whether it's aching, or soreness from still trying to be play ball like you young. Your stomach telling you that junk food you use to eat in your twenties is a no go  anymore. Not recovering from that hangover as quick as you use to. When 8:15 comes youre thinking damn I need to start winding down.To not being sure where the hell time went cause you just entered your freshman year of college, now you got a family and mortgage.

 Little things like walking through home depot for future home projects excite you. And staying home watching TV is actually the move you prefer to make on weekends. Then the gray hair starts appearing here and there,  slowly but surely you start realize you #gettingold.

"I'm Sick of This Shit!!”

Mannnn if you never uttered this line You're not an adult. Everytime you turn around something is going up, utilities, food, cable, gas meanwhile paychecks staying the same. You gotta adjust things and stretch your dollar a little further,  it's enough to make you crazy. If it's not a bill going up in price, it's a new bill you have to acquire in order to pay off a big item. If it's not the big item it's some shit around the house or something that happens to your car, just anything unexpected that forces you to kick out some money you didn't intend to kick out.

  Everybody got a hustle and the hustle is taking more off your money. It’s a cold world out here and you just trying to make it. Everything is pulling at your wallet, cant beat it so just scream “I’m sick of this shit!!” and feel better about the situation.

"Being A Kid Was Actually Better"

     

   Don’t get me wrong I enjoy seeing the fruit of my hard work. I enjoy putting a key in a door of a place I call home. I enjoy being able to do things and enjoy life.

    At the end of the day being a kid was actually better. Didn't have to worry about that dreaded 
“B" word. Something gets broke it's someone else's problem.

  Work was going to school and any chores. Life as an adult is not all doom and gloom,  it's tough and teaches perseverance when stuff goes wrong. Damnit I didn't sign up for this!

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Adam Said Naw

The Orioles have recently acknowledged the big “R" word and are in full rebuild mode. After trading a generational talent like Manny Machado and All-Star closer Zach Britton, The Orioles made last minute trades and sent Darren O’Day, Kevin Gausman, and Jonathan Schoop to other teams.

  Noticeably missing from that group was Adam Jones. He’s been reported he used his 10 years in the majors, 5 with the same team veto clause to block any potential trades. People have questioned was that the right move..not sure if it was but it’s complicated.

   Since being traded to the team in 2008 Adam has become the face of the team. He plays a very big role in the community and has embraced Baltimore as his home during the season and the off-season. When most people think of the Baltimore Orioles Adam Jones is the first name they think of.

   Adam Jones just turned 33, which by no means is old but in professional sports typically means a player is on the downside of their career. Maybe Adam felt at this point in his career and with his family rooted in Baltimore, there is no need to go anywhere else for a championship run.

   Maybe he felt no matter what else he does or if he joins another team, his legacy will be the Orioles and the city of Baltimore. Maybe he feels he can be a role model in a predominately black city and inspire black kids in the city to play baseball. He may feel that is more important than anything else at this time.

   Or maybe Adam recognizes even in this rebuild mode and “youth" movement, there is still a need for veteran leadership. Everyone knows Adam is the leader of that clubhouse, he may feel compelled to give back and mentor younger players coming on board the Oriole Way. There’s been reports he’s even willing to move to another outfield spot, one to play a less demanding outfield position and two make way for the new blood and mentor them.

   This rebuild will be painful for the next couple years. Maybe in Adam’s mind he can stay a Oriole, stick around for the rebuild and finally bring the World Series Championship to the city of Baltimore in the twilight of his career. He’ll be hailed as a hero and his legacy will forever be cemented as an Oriole.

   Maybe Adam Jones see’s the bigger picture past his personal accomplishments. He was here when things weren't so great, was a driving force in the resurgence from 2012-2016, is back in another downturn. He knows better times are coming and is prepared to dig deep, ride the roller coaster, and fight to get there.

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