Last night I walked around the streets of Orlando, I’m homeless

That is all…

Cancer

Since it has been a minute since I posted anything on the internet, about 30 days to be exact I finally have some time to post about my fathers condition.  He was diagnosed with Cancer over 3 months ago, while at first I wasn’t too happy about this I and the family took this in stride and my father choose surgery to see if they could remove all the traces of Cancer in his body.

Today after just over 1 month since his surgery he has been advised he no longer has cancer and they are about to reverse a surgery so that my dad can get back to normal.  While I didn’t really know what to think, do, or say during this ordeal.  My father was happy that we were talking more and more each day.  His spirits have not been the best lately because he has been having to live in a capacity that he has not ever been used to, depending on someone else.  When all this started I was hoping his wife was ready for the help he would need, and I think the bond they have helped them along.  It seems like yesterday i was feeling depressed about this and the posibilities, but all is looking well and I’m happy I’ll be fishing with my father again very soon.

Jay

As many of you know I was in Atlanta over the past weekend and my father was having cancer surgery. While the surgery was a success, my fathers spirits were not always good. If you know my father than you know how much of a man he really is, he has always done things his way. You know the kind of guy who never ask for directions and has lived a wonderful, non asking for help kind of life, until now.

His surgery was a success and for the moment we just got word the tissue samples are now negative for cancer, so the Doctors dug deep enough on this surgery and at the moment lymph nods are also cancer free. While those two things are great the bad is that my dad feels a little helpless. After surgery their are some things that are gonna have to be different in his life while I won’t bore you with the details of his current future changes, oh and the fact that if I told the world he would give me the whole ” I brought you in this world I can take you out speech.”

I just wanted to let him know I am proud of my father, 1st for being my father, 2nd for going through with the surgery, and 3rd for showing me the way to being the best father to my own kids

I love you dad and your limited movement and food intake is only temporary, soon you will be back to 100 percent. Doing what you do best and that is ” Being the best father anyone could have.”

I can’t wait to go fishing this summer, just like we did when I was a kid, I learned so much from you those talks, the life lessons, I can’t wait.

Jayson

Last night I was fortunate enough to stay with one of my child hood friends and his wife.  While we don’t get to talk much anymore when we get together it’s like old times.  Last night we talked for about 2 hours about life, kids, and marriage.  Then I decided it was time for me to goto bed, I had to be up in the morning to show up for my dad’s surgery before he went into the OR.  My friend was off Thurday morning, I don’t know how that happen but that enabled him to drive me into town thank you Jeasus.

It’s funny how things work out when moons align as we were on our way to the hospital we heard on the radio about a possible stand off on Peachtree street.  If you have ever lived in Atlanta then you know about these calls.  As we were aproaching Peachtree I wondered if this was on our way, but didn’t think much after that.  As we reached 25th and Peachtree we saw the police lights and the blockade.  Yes we had to divert and go another route, the cool thing about that is we grew up in ATL.  So we just hit the e-way and jumped off at Piedmont and came up the back way.

The delay was just enough that we didn’t get to go back with my father by the time we go there, he was still in holding tho and I was able to go back and see him before he went for surgery.  His wife was by his side and she was doing well also.  At first I really didn’t know what to say to him, I just kind of sat there looking at things, and then I decided to tell him more about my bus ride.  I was able to bring my father to tears laughing, that was very cool he was laughing so hard.

Just before they took dad to the back I was able to give him a hug and a kiss, then me and my Step mom went to have cafiteria breakfast, you can guess the story about the food good, or bad I bet you could guess which one.

We have had two updates letting us know that things are looking good and that’s a comfort for sure.

Early this morning about 1AM I was waiting in line to board the Greyhound in Orlando.  I waited in line with everyone else until this lady showed up who was apparently high or drunk.  She was dancing and singing and cursing and cutting the line but nobody wanted to tell her she needs to get to the end of the line.

It was so funny I wish I had taken some video of this she was over the top and I was not looking forward to the bus ride, but after all the drama and the cop being called over she was no allowed to ride the bus and we took off just after 1AM.

While I usually fly to most of the places I go this was a little different and it was not to bad, but I don’t think I will be riding the bus again soon.  I’m not one for riding the bus with people I don’t know.

I arrived in ATL about 10:30AM and that was a good time I was able to visit The Varsity for two naked dogs, fries and a coke.  I also stopped at a couple of Marta train stations to see what the area look like now, and noticed so many changes it looked like I was in another city.

This trip is not all fun, but for what it’s worth I gotta get some smiles out of this trip some how.

Bare and Grin it

While the title seems to be a play on the Jackson 5 hit “I’m going back to Indiana” it’s a thought to give some knowledge to all of you out there.  I’m only visiting the A for the weekend and pretty much will be at one place which is a local hospital in the area.  About little more than a month ago I found out, I mean we found out my father has Cancer.  While it’s the begining stages of Cancer it’s still Cancer no less.

At first when my father told me about it he didn’t want me to tell anyone because they were still doing the lab results I can respect that and while some people might spill the beans I’m good with keeping secrets, a little too good sometimes.  We waited for the results and when they came back Cancerious I wasn’t too happy but at the same time didn’t know what to feel.  I don’t deal with death too well, I guess I sometimes don’t even think about death when it comes to my parents and loved ones.  Although I know one day we will all die.

So as my father told me what was going on, I couldn’t do anything be make a joke about the whole thing.  While they had told him about issues over 8 years ago they never said Cancer and so when he stated talking about 8 years ago, and it’s just now Cancer can’t we just forget about this whole Cancer thing and just live another 8 years of his life out.  Without Chemo, without radiation, and with out surgery.  Those were my thoughts, but the truth is it’s early stage and with modern medicine breakthroughts this might not be something that turns out bad, it could be something that turns out good.  It has done something to me it has brought me closer to my father, the man who taught me everything.

So on Thurday morning I will be in the hospital for his surgery, and will make sure I’m there to help him through as much as I can.

Craigslist

I returned home to Atlanta on the 9th of October to finish moving my belongings out of my townhouse since I was moving to Florida.  I posted a note on craigslist.org on that Friday before we drove into Atlanta.  Craigslist regardless of all the controversy is a great way to acquire items, sell, or just give away items you don’t won’t or that take up too much space in your home.

Within hours of my post on craigslist I had 5 to 8 valid responses from your normal college student to the single parent just starting over.  My girlfriend was amazed at how fast the responses were for my items, and I made her a true believer in the power of Craigslist.  Oh it’s always a good thing to tie your email to your Blackberry or internet ready phone that helped a lot since I no longer had Internet at my place and had to rely on the Blackberry to communicate with people.

All my items were donated to a woman who had the means to pickup the items first, I could not wait for those who were going to rent a truck and pick up the next day, because I only had about 24 hours.  I had to depend on the person who showed up first. With that said after my experience I was able to notice a couple of things that should help anyone who is new to Craigslist understand how to best protect yourself.  Craigslist has a resource about Scams here, along with personal safety tips here.

While we have heard bad things about Craigslist as of late, we also know that with any internet site you have to use a little common sense.  So here are my tips to help anyone.  Craigslist does help to mask your real email address, and that is helpful until you call someone or email them back directly, now they have your real email address and can SPAM you all day.  In other words answer back to those who respond through the craigslist system.

Selling on Craigslist:

• Be accurate and 100% truthful about your product (don’t skim the line, if it’s broke say it’s broke)
• When people respond look at the email address if it looks fake, it probably is so just don’t even respond to: jakmehaletof@yahoo.com fake emails do exists to just harvest your real email address (SPAM)
• If someone seems desperate, they probably are, don’t give them fuel just ignore them.
• Don’t accept Cashiers checks, or personal checks (CASH ONLY)
• Make sure to have someone at the exchange location (Ladies don’t give people your home address, a place your familiar with is best) (Guys don’t think your such a Macho guy, you might need backup if something goes wrong, or you come across a thief ring)

Buying on Craigslist:

• Make sure that if this is a big purchase item you take a friend with you (just a precaution)(robberies happen all the time when money changes hands, especially in this economy)
• Know the product your buying so you don’t get scammed into buying a knock off product
• Before responding to a ad, make a fake email account so if it turns out to be a spammer you don’t get caught in the net. In the past I have found myself waking up to 1000 SPAM messages in my inbox overnight.
• IF IT LOOKS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS (steer clear of those)
• Yes you can find items on Craigslist for FREE, some people are moving and don’t want to travel with those items, and others just no longer have the space

I’m sure I have left some things off this list but I just wanted to discuss my success with Craigslist and wanted to share it with my friends and family.

If you have another tip to add to this list please leave it in the comments

Thanks

The Food Depot in Douglas County was completely flooded. PHIL SKINNER, pskinner@ajc.com

Sometimes I feel I’m a very selfish person, I’m not an only child but I am the baby.  My mother has been involved in church in one way or another since I could remember and for a long time,  I used to wonder as a teenager how she could give of all her time and efforts to help someone else.  As I grew up my question were more geared toward weather that person (receiving) was doing right, and deserved what was given.

Recently in my home state of Georgia they had a serious flood causing great damage to nice neighborhoods and poor neighborhoods.  In times like these we always see that mother nature does not discriminate.  The devastation is great and many needs are not being met, this calls for individuals, communities and others to come together and help one another.  My former Pastor Shaun King has been instrumental in heading a front for the FloodATL victims with HopeATL.com.  During crisis like this he seems to lend a hand early and often.  Today I wanted to do something like that, to help someone without asking for anything back.

Paddling down Paces Ferry Drive, Ben Prince (left) used his canoe to ferry neighbor, Jim Hobbs and his dog, Dylan (right) to and from their home Tuesday as they gathered supplies in Vinings. John Spink, jspink@ajc.com

I’ve been afraid most of my life to give of myself (fully), I think because when you give it seems like your always giving and no one cares about your needs (I told you I’m selfish).  Although I have given somethings to help others in need, mostly money but sometimes possessions. I guess I never realized how much help you can really do when you give of your time.  I don’t wanna turn this post into an about me issue but I wanted to tell you where I’m coming from.

I have been in transition to Florida for over a month now, and I’m finally moving all my stuff out of my house this weekend.  I have been living in my place since February of 2007 when I was then in transition going through the hardest part of my life Divorce.  I guess I bring this up because when I decided to move on with my life I had people who helped me.  My father helped me obtain a car because I was broke, he didn’t ask for much and has always given me what I needed.  A great friend of mine Garland let me stay with him and his family for 4 months and only ask for a small amount of money as rent while I was in transition.  So while I have been selfish others around me have been giving, thoughtful, and considerate.

Today I want to help by giving to someone in need, someone who understands that people are just people and we all do change and care.  I have various items in my house that I want to get rid of, and at first I was gonna go to craigslist.org and post the items as a first come first serve.  Whoever can get the items can do so Free of charge, but then I thought well hold on.  What about the Atlanta Flood victims they need these items more than anyone I could ever think of, so I’m giving the following items that should help anyone in need.

• Couch with let out Queen size bed (maroon)
• Smaller couch (light color)
• Two Ikea end tables (Black)
• TV stand (wood look)
• 19′ TV
• DVD player
• Queen bed with box spring (6 months old)
• If need I have dishes, Glasses, and Cookware

If I could find a single parent, or someone with a family this is where I would love the items to go, there is one thing.  I can’t deliver the items, and I’m only in town this weekend Saturday & Sunday.  So who ever wants the items and was affected by the flood please contact me 678-608-0395.  Whoever shows up with a truck can haul all these items off for someone else to enjoy in transition, like I was almost two years ago.

Can I ask of you my online, twitter, brightkite, plurk, facebook friends please RT this story so that someone can see it and be blessed as I have been.

Thanks,

Jayson Flint

Moment of thought...

Laid off

On April 1st 2009 I was called into my bosses office, while this happened many times before, I thought this was just a bit different. As I entered the room he closed the door behind me. Normally this means that someone is being fired, or I pissed someone off (like the time I asked a co worker if he was looking at porn because the internet was slow, that warranted a closed door conversation.) ** he probably was looking at porn** As the conversation went on my boss said at this time we are going to have to lay you off. I was just a bit shocked but at the same time understanding this economy has shown us that no one is immune anymore.

5 years

You see a couple of weeks ago I was in Austin, Texas attending a conference called South by Southwest (SXSW). Somewhere during the conference I made a comment under my breath, saying to myself “I could do so much more if I wasn’t working this job.” Well forward to April 1st as I’m told “your being laid off” this resonated with me. It’s been almost 5 years of me working for this company. Starting in one position as a contractor and then being in the right place at the right time when the previous Network Administrator quit right after getting his Christmas bonus check.

Small Company

This job was my first working for a small company smaller than 50 people. I usually have worked for companies that employ 2000 or more people. While working for a small or large company has its up and downs I won’t bore you with that debate, and Yes it would be a debate.

Where am I now?

So the question is where am I at this time? I’ve got a couple of weeks pay coming. Another drawback of a small company is no hefty severance packages. The last time I was laid off I walked away with $20K, and one time before that I walked away with $96K. That is the difference in small and large companies. “See I told you a debate” I digress.

What’s my next plan?

Well I have a technology blog which has been around for almost 2 years TheBlackTechReport. During this down time it’s critical that I get some direction and push forward. I don’t make any money with the blog but I love teaching people about technology. This idea was milled over for 1 year, and then I launched it to try and bring relevant technical information to people of color in a non technical way. Over time I realized that it didn’t matter if I was talking to African American’s or American Indians so the premise has been changed to people of any color needing to learn more about technology.

Conclusion

So my outlook is pretty good and upbeat, I have some fear, but I’m hoping to work through that. I look at what I was doing as a Network Administrator and I now look at the possibilities which are endless. I’m currently in the middle of planning for my tech blog, then redesign. After that I have a new site I’m going to be working on. If you’re a blackberry user you will love this new site. Stay Tuned…
Thanks for taking the time,
Jayson Flint