Underage Drinking

Teenage drinking - no, underage drinking - is easily one of my top pet peeves. It has gone on forever and will continue to go on forever, and I am aware of that. Having been a coach at the high school level, I have seen kid after kid sign the "No Alcohol" letter before the season starts, and then turn around and throw his/her commitment to his teammates, classmates, coaches, and school right out the window just weeks or days later at some party, or anywhere for that matter. Yes, I know that underage drinking happens with kids of all types, but I want to focus on those that participate in athletics, since that is more of my area.

In high school, we all know how many cliques there are and how athletes are subconsciously set above others for some reason or another, right or wrong. Because of this, athletes have an obligation and are forced to hold the title "role model" especially when it comes to the little kids who go to watch them every Friday night or in the gym or out on the diamond, and that grow up wanting to be "the next so-and-so." Everyone has seen those kids running around. Do today's high-schoolers not know it's not only against school/team policy, but that it is against the law? Someone, please tell me what makes you "cool" by drinking alcohol while under the age of 21. Feel free to share!

Something else that just blows my mind is not only the fact that they break the law and drink while underage and think it's cool, but they post pictures of themselves doing it on Facebook and MySpace. Right now I have a friend on Facebook, an 18-year old 2008 graduate from Orrville High School in Orrville, OH, whose status says "[insert name] is... getting her drankkk on." How dumb and immature can you be? I have seen similar status lines from supposed role models in the area, high school multi-sport athletes who were given a historical and prestigious area scholarship ("Roy Bates Scholarship" for those of you who are from around Wayne County, OH). When I heard who won the awards, I was blown away and thought one of two things was going on. Either 1) The people giving out the scholarships do absolutely no research on the candidates ('cuz believe me, it's not hard to find this evidence) in terms of morals, responsibility, and role model characteristics, or 2) They just flat out don't care.

There is one more group I would like to call out: the parents who knowingly host parties with alcohol for underage kids. What are they thinking? They could get in much more trouble than the kids, and they have so much more responsibility and obligation to do what's right. I was blown away recently when I was attending a party with some of my friends, and high schoolers showed up... young high schoolers... drunk. First of all, why were Freshmen in high school drinking? Second, why were they driving? And third, why in the heck didn't the parents take away their keys?!? Those girls drove home that night, too, but luckily got there safely.

Don't worry, I am not a hypocrite. I have done my part to try to make a difference on this issue. I have been asked many, many times by underage kids (sometimes those whom I coach, and then other friends I have in high school) to buy them alcohol. They pick me because they know I'm a quiet person and normally am a pushover and will do anything for anybody. But this is one thing that I will NEVER do - I will never buy alcohol for an underage kid, and I don't know why anybody would. When I tell them that I'm not going to buy it for them, I give them a lengthy explanation why not before I get off the phone. I will never host a party with alcohol, either, if I know underage kids will be there. And when I do see a friend or high schooler drinking alcohol, I say something (same thing goes for marijuana, which has magically shown up before with teenagers at a party at my house while I was still in high school... that did not go over well, to say the least). Sometimes I say something directly to the person if I know them at all, and other times it's indirect so they can definitely hear me and sense my tone. I have a leadership role and a moral responsibility to stick up for what is right for the kids' sake, and I will continue to do that (but always in the right way, with tact). Am I totally alone on this issue? Because I'll tell you what, it sure feels like I am.

May God continue to bless you.
-Marcum

Back to the Weight Room (and Track)

I was in the weight room all the time during high school, lifting and working out for football and baseball. In fact, during the Summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years, I went from a lanky, weak 160lb Freshman to a filled out, solid, much stronger 175lb Sophomore ready for varsity football. I never would have dreamed of such an improvement in my strength and size over the course of one Summer, but it happened. Ever since then, I have known what kind of work it takes to get into really good shape, but sometimes I just don't seem to have the motivation or self-discipline.

When I went to college in '05, I paid for a membership to a gym there and had the discipline to work out religiously, almost like I did during high school. I'm not sure how I did it, but I went four days a week between school and work, no matter what my schedule was like. For about a year, my schedule was classes 8am-1pm, work out 2pm-3:30pm, and then work 4pm-midnight, four days a week. But I stuck with it for over a year, and it paid dividends! I never thought I would get into better shape than I was during my athletic years in high school, but I was actually in the best shape of my life around October of '06. I could run at a high speed forever, the weights on my lifts were higher than in high school, and I was pretty darn cut with an impressive, real 6-pack if I do say so myself.

Why am I mentioning all of this? I am not trying to brag at all - I do have a point. LoL! My point: I have done it all without ever taking any whey protein or shakes or any type of performance-enhancing or muscle-building supplements. I've always been proud of the fact that I was completely "all natural" and had benefited from strictly hard work, sweat, and dedication, and no supplements or other items. (I just re-read that, and it sounded like I am saying I was huge! Haha. Not the case, I was just a very in-shape, strong, 5'11" 175lb man... an outside linebacker type of shape) Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with people who do use supplements, no problem at all (except steroids); I have just chosen to take the hard road.

That brings me to the final and main point of this post. After switching jobs, baseball season going on and then ending (I coach at the high school varsity level), and a very messed up schedule, I have been out of the weight room for quite some time, and it shows. My friends and I are going on a cruise in January, and both of them have been working out consistently for almost 6 months. I have always said that if you give me the right workout routine (which I have now) and 3 months of consistent and dedicated time, I can get into impressive shape. I have toyed with the topic of supplements, like taking them religiously like I have seen others do. But then again, I would like to stay completely natural... but I guess it's not a really big deal?

Well, I started back in the weight room and on the track today after a couple false starts the past month or so. I decided that no matter my schedule or how tired I am, I am putting in the time and the effort to make it work, on a consistent basic. I have a key to the high school weight room, and I have a workout schedule given to me by our athletic trainer who worked with Temple University and The Ohio State University's athletic training departments, and I am finally ready to take this seriously again. I don't really even care about being in shape for the cruise. I just want to be in better athletic shape and look better.

I have set an October 31 goal for myself, at which time I am going to stand back and check my progress. Why October 31? Well, it's just over 3 months from now, and last year on Halloween one of my friends and me agreed we were going down to Columbus the following year on Halloween night, which just happens to be a Friday. We are pumped! Anyway, I think that's about all I had to say. But if you have had some experience with healthy, legal supplements (good experiences or bad), let me know what you think. Is it worth the money? How much do they really help (when combined with the right diet and workout routines)? Etc, etc. Thanks!

May God continue to bless you.
-Marcum

Taking Ownership of Your Faith

This is something that has been on my heart for quite some time, and I have felt strongly in it ever since I myself left for college in July of 2005. The audience for this message is clear and definite: Men and women of the Christian Faith who are leaving for college either for the first time or any time thereafter. If you fit in that category, this instance of my blog is meant for you.

As many young Christians are, I was born into a Christian family and was brought up in the church. My parents and extended family assisted in my upbringing, and for which I am forever greatful. The one thing they did not prepare or tell me about, though, was the challenges that were laying ahead of me as I left for college in Columbus, Ohio. There are the obvious challenges of going to school somewhere other than your hometown: having the self-discipline to wake up for and go to class every morning, being exposed to a different or at least an intensified/diversified lifestyle, "college life," and all the challanges that go along with those as well as many others. I assumed those and was prepared for those.

But as a college Christian, you are faced with another challenge: not just keeping the Faith you already have while going to school, but taking control and owning that Faith. You no longer have your parents there trying their best to make sure you're home by a decent time Saturday night, waking you up Sunday morning, and ultimately telling/showing you what they wish you to believe. It's all up to you, now. It is now in your hands to 1) Recognize that you do have Faith, 2) Find out exactly what you believe through studying the Scripture, 3) Decide how you plan to maintain and grow in your Faith as we are called to do, and most importantly, 4) Do it.

The one principle that sticks in my mind that I feel obligated to point out is that of Absolute Truth. What is Absolute Truth? It is a rather broad subject, and you can search the internet if you want a more descriptive definition, but here is a brief explanation: Absolutely Truth is based on the belief/evidence that what is said in the Bible is non-wavering and is meant to be followed. Absolute Truth, in the context of which I speak, is not about the core beliefs of Christianity, but more of the building blocks of our moral/ethical decisions and everyday lives. Find the principles set before us by Jesus - what is Right and what is Wrong - and do your best to follow in His footsteps.

With our country and its colleges and universities rapidly turning more liberal every year, we are taught and pressured more than ever to "make up our own beliefs" and decide for ourselves what we think is right or wrong in a way that best benefits us, so we can do what we want to do and not feel bad about it. Absolute Truth essenitally says that it's not up to you to decide what is right and wrong - that God has already decided and told you through His Word. Yes, there is absolute truth; and when you begin to recognize and admit the basics of Absolute Truth, you are on your way to building your Faith with strong, applicable guidelines. Discipline and conviction are two words that also come to mind. You know what discipline is. But conviction is just as important. As described by Dictionary.com, conviction is "a fixed or firm belief;" by "fixed" it means steady and unchanging, and by "firm" it means strong and being self-confident in that belief. Having strong convictions is a positive trait.

I guess I don't know how else to convey this concept to you, so I'll stop at that. I have confidence that if you have read this blog entry and have seriously tried to grasp what I'm trying to say, you will seek me out and talk to me more about it if you feel the need. And be reminded that in no way am I talking down to anybody. That is never the case. This blog entry is just something that I have felt moved to discuss in terms of those of my friends that are heading out to school, and to be used as a form of encouragement for you. I am open to talk any time! Also, ask about Rick Warren's "A Call To Radical Commitment".

May God continue to bless you.
-Marcum

I Let Them Get Away

Okay, so maybe it was their choice, but it was my fault. I'm talking about the girls I had in arms' reach but let slip away. I'm not talking about anything recent, though. Don't worry. I'm talking a number of years back. Oh, those were the years! Or were they? I used to think I would trade anything to have those times back, but I've learned so much from my mistakes and am glad I have been able to move on and learn from my shallow living and petty thinking. But maybe if I went back, I could do the right thing. Maybe? I am not sure.

I had two or three very good female friends back then that showed obvious signs that they wanted to see what could happen between us. They were confident and mature about it, but I never saw that for some reason. I went along for a while; but then, as always, I was stupid and dismissed them for whatever reason, and sometimes for absolutely no reason at all. One instance sticks in my mind above all the others, and I eventually made the #2 stupidest decision in my life. Easily top 2, maybe #1... it's close. If only I knew then what I know now, I really think things today would be different. Both situations are eerily similar, and I regret how I handled both of them.

I always knew what was really important. But for some reason, I never acted on it. Now I know and recognize it, and now I really know what I want in a girl; and I am doing my best to make them match. The two whom I let slip away are still very good friends of mine, and I wouldn't change anything right now, even if I could! That is definitely not what I am saying. Do not take this the wrong way. Friendship is the most important thing. Period!! Both of them are very happy, and I'm not about to wish anything different upon them whatsoever. I am thrilled for both of them! I am merely blogging to vent about my stupidity and how I used to treat people back then. I even got a 2nd chance with one of them, this coming after I thought I had gotten past my old self. But I think I did the damage the first time around and never stood a chance.

So, a word from the wise to the up-and-coming: Find out now what is really important in a relationship. Not what is cool, not what is "in," and not what gets you the most acceptance or popularity. What is important? Make a mental note, write it down, something. Then, never stray from that core list of values in your "search" for that special person. But, friendship is the ultimate goal. Maybe I suggest not to go out searching at all? God's timing is the ultimate guide. You can search, you can try all you want. But I really believe that person God has meant for you will find you, and visa versa. Dont' stress yourself out, or else the stress will be your self-induced relationship hindrance! Yes, I speak from experience.

May God continue to bless you!
-Marcum

JJHuddle: My Pride vs. My Comeback

From my Freshman year of high school in 2001-'02 until last football season, I was a big-time contributor on the JJHuddle web site. JJHuddle is an online sports forum where you can log in and talk about high school sports with people from all around Ohio. My handle was "thePITman." During my 6-year involvement with JJHuddle I built a reputation of a solid and knowledgeable Triway HS fan and a supporter/follower of all the area teams while accumulating well over 10,000 posts along the way. I'll put it this way: Many friends and others in our district and community address me as "Pit" instead of my name nowadays just because of my once-serious involvement in the site (look at the name of this blog, and you'll understand!).

Anyway... Because of my personal involvement with the high school scene and serving as a coach for the Triway varsity baseball team combined with a few personal frustrations I had with members of the web site, I thought it would be better for me to stop posting on the web site altogether. You know, conflict of interest and biased opinions do not get very far on a web site with such a wide variety of people and opinions, plus it was driving me nuts chatting with some of the people on there. So, I made it official and stopped posting on the site. However, as I left I got into somewhat of a wordy conflict with one of the people I met personally on the site, we'll call him "BRF." It seemed like a somewhat bitter and negative way for me to leave the site, and his last words were "I guarantee you will come back to the Huddle someday. You can't stay away, and you know it." I don't have anything personal against BRF, it's just the way things ended that makes me uneasy.

Ever since then, I have been heavily involved with the "other" online sports forum, Yappi. I have built a similar reputation on there and am not about to leave that site, but I feel there is so much local chatter on JJ that I feel I belong there and would enjoy taking part in the conversations, no matter how frustrated I get when certain schools' fans gang up and declare themselves superior. Don't get me started...

The ultimate decision I am faced with is this: Do I let my pride stand in the way and make myself refrain from re-joining JJHuddle like I have so coldly for the past year? Or do I follow my gut and what I want to do, and join the community once again? I know this sounds like such an easy proposition. It's obvious - join the site again, and don't worry about what they think! But no, it's not that easy. I just know BRF, the way he is, will be sitting there, waiting to rub it in my face, telling me he was right all along. He would never let me forget it, either. I don't know. I wish I could explain it, but it really bothered me the way I left the site the first time. But I really enjoyed JJ outside of some of those things. Give me your thoughts!

May God continue to bless you.
-Marcum

What Blogs are For

For a while I have looked into starting some kind of blog to which I would contribute regularly. I thought of all these topics I could write about, and how I would split them up as to make sure I wrote as often as possible. As I began to slowly run out of ideas, I realized how short my list was.

Then I asked myself the question, "What is the point of a blog?" My answer? A blog isn't a means to give one's self attention or to gain popularity based on what and how often you post. A blog is where you post your thoughts. Period. There may be no set pattern, no set content that you plan to cover.

Everyone has those days when you come home from work, church, or Starbucks, and there's something on your mind that you want to tell others. You may want to rant and have all of cyberspace be able to read your frustrations; or you may have an intriguing concept you want to share and convey to your friends; or maybe you just feel like typing a little about what's going on.

That's what a blog is for. Who cares how often, how much, or about what I write; but I can assure you one thing: Whatever I write will be 100% "from the heart," so to speak. Feel free to drop by and read what I have to say, and leave feedback! If I strike a nerve (good or bad), let me hear about it.

May God continue to bless you!
-Marcum