Reminiscing

Article taken out of the Greensboro paper during my Jr year of high school.

Tyler Biggs, Nick Taylor, Brad Horton, Tyler Haley, Brandon Marchisotto, Mitchell Matthews, Ryan White, John Grant, Caleb Shelton, Steven Conger. All of these kids play good, solid, sound fundamental baseball and they used those skills to defeat Gospel Light Christian 13-1 yesterday at Ernie Shore Field in Winston-Salem.

The ten kids I mentioned at the top of the article play for the Vandalia Christian Vikings and they were in top form on Tuesday. I was especially impressed with Tyler Biggs at shortstop, the VCS second baseman, and John Grant who made two outstanding catches in the bottom of the fifth inning to make sure that VCS closed out the game with the ten-run rule in effect after five innings.

Biggs made some solid plays at SS and the second baseman knocked down a hard hit ball in the infield to rob Gospel Light of a key base hit and John Grant for VCS made those plays and one of those was with his back up against the left field wall in a professional baseball stadium. That’s getting pretty deep brother.

Aaron Jones didn’t have his best stuff for Gospel Light but he did strike out eight Vandalia batters, but he also issued five walks. Defensively, Jones didn’t have a lot of help backing him up but let’s give credit to the Luke Oates-coached Vandalia team, this was their time to shine on a very cold and windy day at Ernie Shore Field in Winston-Salem.

The top of the Vandalia order was hitting the ball all over the place. John Grant got the win on the mound for Vandalia.

Grant W (7-0)

Don't watch Repo Men, it was awful.

So the other night I was driving home and I noticed the person in the next lane over was driving a moped. The stoplight was quickly approaching and I really wanted to talk to this person but I didn't want to sound lame so as soon as we both stopped I rolled down my window and asked him where the nearest Redbox was. It was awesome because I soon noticed that he was probably around 15 or 16 and was feeling really uncomfortable giving me directions. I couldn't understand why he was being so shy so I kept following him and asking him for a quicker route than the one he had just previously given. The last stoplight was coming up (my timing was perfect because we got stopped by the 4 stoplights on that road) and I asked him if he had seen any good movies lately and what would he recommend seeing. He finally just ignored me and the light turned green and we went our separate ways. I remember thinking to myself only dorks drive mopeds, as I drove away with my gauges (I did myself) my cut off sleeves, in my mom's minivan...

Last Wednesday was my final day in N.C for a pretty long time. As I was going through security at the airport they had to scan my bag 3 different times because apparently 2 tubs of creatine and whey protein and a N64 looks suspicious in the Xray machine. Like people know how to make bombs with powder and wires, get a life TSA. I flew into Dallas where I had a 2 hour layover with my fabulous friend Lauren. While we were waiting for our flights, mine to Oklahoma hers to Italy, we were talking about current events going on in America. As we were talking this man leans over and corrects a statement I made. I won't go into details because I don't want to offend the 2 of you that read this because I'm sure my views may be different than yours. It was just funny because myself and Lauren just had to walk away. Gotta love Texans!

Thursday morning I wake up bright and early for the 12 hour drive to Colorado. We, meaning myself and the other people doing the LEAD program, stay at a state park the first night and continue to the Rockies the next day.

Friday- We reach the trailhead around 6 P.M. and begin our 4 mile hike for the day. Having never experienced altitude sickness or being strapped to a 45lbs plus backpack, backpacking in Colorado was a pretty big stretch. The further and higher we hiked, the more and more my body was hating me. We finally made it up the 11,400ft climb to the site for the first night. When I say site I mean a small patch of grass under some trees in the middle of nowhere. If you wanted a shower you had to jump in the freezing cold lake, if you had to go to the bathroom you had to find a tree dig a little hole and yeah... It was not what I was expecting at all. We had a fire going I was almost asleep when Luke told us it was time to make a bear bag. Apparently when one is backpacking through the Rockies one is suppose to take all the food/trash/toothpaste/deodorant put it all in a bag, take the bag at least 200ft downwind from camp, tie it high in a tree so bears won't eat your food or you. This was a first for me. We finally got it up, and went to bed.

Saturday- We wake up and begin our next hike for the day which is only a 7 miles. It takes us all day through the grassy/hilly/rocky/elk poop infested trail until we finally see Trout lake at the bottom of the mountain. We see this around 6:46 P.M. and assume we will be there shortly. We decide to leave the trail and go down a different route which looks easiest. We soon find ourselves in a swampy marsh type land and all of our socks and shoes and completely wet which makes hiking that much more fun. We finally make it all the way down and by the time we found a good enough place to stay its 8:45. We eat our astronaut food purify our water, make another bear bag and go to bed.

Sunday- This day was dedicated to rest and that I did. I spent most of the entire day in my hammock which was pretty incredible considering all I could see was mountains everywhere. That night as we are getting ready to end the night it starts raining, a lot. In case you didn't know that nights in the Rocky mountains are already freezing cold but rain just makes that worse. We leave our dry nice shelter area put up that bear bag again, in the rain, and run back to our tent. I didn't sleep much that night either from all the sleep I had that day, or the fact that I was cold and wet and was using my also wet hoodie as a pillow.

Monday- This was probably the best day we had all week. We started our 7 mile hike back through the mountains. We decide to get off the trail and use a map and compass to find our way back. During this time its starts to rain, no big deal we have rain gear and will be fine. Then it starts raining harder and harder and lightening all around us. Its a pretty cool feeling when your leader tells you to spread out in case one of us gets struck by lightening, that's when adrenaline hit. The sky soon clears up and we make it to our next site for the day. That night as we were placing the bear bag in the tree I was hoping that a bear would at least try to get our food and as soon as I thought that I see something out of the conner of my eye move. I couldn't believe what I saw. I shine my light into the eyes of a huge, brown, furry, monstrous, snarling you guessed it deer! Yeah it was pretty crazy, the look in mother deer's eyes was insane and you could tell she was out of blood. We barely escaped and made it back to camp.

Tuesday- We finally make it back to the van drive to the nearest food establishment and I eat probably one of the best burgers I have ever had the pleasure of eating. We make our drive down through New Mexico and camp in oklahoma for the night.

Now that I'm home safely sitting in my apartment thinking back on the trip I realize just how awesome of a trip it really was. To be so far from civilization and other people that whenever a plane flew over those passengers were the closest humans was a incredible thought. I'm really looking forward to these next 9 months.

Fine Annie Paige I will put you in my blog.

Later, JG

Ok maybe David Cox isn't that bad.

Well these last two days have been pretty interesting. I left Tulsa yesterday and flew straight to Memphis and during my layover I soon found out that my flight home was canceled. So I ended up staying in this pretty gross hotel, that the airline paid for, and a pretty gross dinner, which the airline paid for, and slept in a pretty gross bed. As perturbed as I was the night was completely worth it because of what happened next. As I was walking to my room I noticed a sign pointing to a workout room. Since I had nowhere to go and nothing to do I decided to work off some frustration. It's a pretty great feeling walking into a gym and being the strongest person in the room immediately. I mean that's not saying much considering it was a Tuesday night and my competition was a portly adolescent who clearly must have been home schooled at some point of his life, a woman, and a Elvis impersonator. Naturally when Elvis walked in I took a few creeper pics on my phone because I was so confused as to why he was even in there. The pics were not enough I had to talk to him, so I inched my way over and respectfully asked why he was in Memphis. I now understand how stupid of a question that was because everyone knows its Elvis week at Graceland in Memphis. I soon found out he was from LA and we talked sports, talked sports meaning I talked intelligent sports he just cussed a lot, and I asked him why he was working out since he was an Elvis impersonator. I mean didn't Elvis die on the toilet from obesity?

The next day I wake up at 4:15 to catch my next flight. I arrive in Atlanta and realize there is a flight leaving for Greensboro an hour earlier than the flight I'm scheduled to take. I talked to the nice Delta lady and she told me there was a hefty charge to change the flight. I explained they canceled my flight and that I needed to get home and explained that I'm John DeChamp Grant so needless to say she changed my flight for free. Yeah that really did happen. I go to my gate and soon realize that the flight I had just switched to was now delayed an hour and my original flight was leaving ten minutes later. The flight was now full and they were asking if anyone would be able to give up there seat. Me being the sweet kind hearted young man that I am offered my seat, and they may or may not have offered me a $200 flight card for taking a later flight (1o minutes later). This was awesome because I will be flying back to Oklahoma next week. Well my flight gets even more delayed because there is a dent in the side of it but not to worry because they will have it ready for flight in 30 minutes. So my flight ended up not being full, they took my card away and put me on the dangerous plane. I finally made it home and after much napping, eating, and lots of sports center I think I may pull through.

Oh yeah my summer was great and I have big plans for this year, but that's for a later time.

"Well, the good thing is even though I'm one of the worst players on the planet, I might be able to beat you. So I do feel good about that. Yes. Definitely"- Tiger Woods

Later, JG

It's 2am and I didn't proof read this, enjoy!

It has been entirely too long since I have last posted, but I have kind of been busy teaching kids about Jesus. I know that isn't a good reason but its the best I can think of. Honestly this summer has been great. The people here are some of the greatest people I have ever met. When I say some I really do mean some. Probably one of my least favorite people I have met, in my entire life not just at the ranch, is David Cox.

If you don't know who David is think of a almost as attractive Owen Wilson before he broke his nose 3 times and than subtract about 60lbs and take away the hair.That's what he looks like. I think I would rather be co counselors with Helen Keller than David. Although there wouldn't be much of a difference. It's so funny though how he tries to be best friends with me. He is always telling me how good looking and strong I am, it's almost pathetic sometimes. He even told all his friends on Facebook about my blog trying to spark some kind of friendship between us. David Cox I have one question for you, Wwhhere do you get off?

Being at camp all summer naturally makes one want to watch the 1994 comedy Heavy Weights. So tonight I did just that. After watching all those chubby kids jiggle across the screen it made me think about the auditions that went down to be in that movie. I mean what did the ad sound like? We are looking for overweight children, preferably obese and ones that have diabetes, to be in a movie mocking fat kids. Yeah if I had a fat kid, or a ginger, I would probably make them try out for a part and than spend there money but tell them its in a college fund. I can't wait until I'm a parent.

One of my favorite things about being a counselor is just being sarcastic with campers. It's so funny whenever they catch on, but even more funny when they have no idea and think I'm really that mean. Another favorite thing is the questions they ask me. The following is a list of questions asked by 3rd graders week one:

I asked my cabin who had sinned and my camper replied, "I have, I say the "F" word like 50 times a day."

While swimming, "Is your tattoo spanish or something?"

"I want to be you Mr. John, you get to yell at kids and tell them to go to bed."

Two boys talking, "You slept naked? Yeah not even socks!"

What's an orgy? (thanks to a verse read in chapel)

"The blob sounds like boob, Why do girls have boobs? Thats just wrong."

"I can't be a missionary in Africa, I'm allergic to lots of African things."

"Can Mexicans got to Heaven?"

Chubby camper 1, "I'm on a diet." 2nd camper "You ate 6 Reece's pieces today." Chubby, "Yeah I normally eat 6."

Oh the joys of campers!

"Destiny knows where you live, will you be home when it comes over to see if you can play?"- Pete and Pete.

Later, JG

That's Right, I Blogged About It.

It has been about 2 weeks since my last blog and I really don't feel as if I need to often since the 2.5 people who read this are constantly with me this summer anyways. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for me, it will be the first time I have taken a shower, with soap, since May 11th. I really don't want to because I'm curious to see how long I can go, but the time has finally come. I don't really have a good reason for not showering, but I usually never have a good reason for anything that I do.

Speaking of not having a good reason to do something, tonight was the talent show thing at NLR. Me and my small group decided to do this parody of "Like a Boss" by Andy Samberg. Lets just say it was the end of my short rapping career. I may pursue that dream later but for now I will stick to the white person that I am.

I have been looking forward to camp for so long its weird finally being here. The only thing I wasn't expecting was how much I would be made fun of. I feel as if I am the only guy who can't go sleeveless, talk to a girl, or blog without everyone making me feel like a terrible person. Oh well at least no one can see me cry myself to sleep at night.

"You're a mountain that I would like to climb, not to conquer but to share in the view. You're a bondfire I will gather around you"- Incubus

Later, JG

Do you want to have a summer party in my basement?

Well I'm finally in Oklahoma, and as it does each time I arrive I feel as if I had never left. Myself along with my little sister Kaitlin and bestie Lindsey left North Carolina around 8 pm on Thursday night. It wasn't a bad drive at all it actually went by a lot faster than I was expecting. I ended up driving all through the night and until about 11 am my body time and I think I only fell asleep a few times. Whoever created those rumble strips along the highway is a genius. I'm just messin... kind of.

I decided the make the trip without any caffeine at all to avoid a crash later, figuratively and literally. So I made the 16 hour drive on Gatorade, 8 burgers from Wendy's, and all the Casha anyone could ever dream about. It's funny how one's mind begins to play tricks while driving at 4 am. I kept imagining I was on some weird secret mission, but I can't remember where I was going. I just couldn't raise any suspicion because that would mean getting pulled over by the cops and they wanted to get information out of me. I guess that was the only way to keep myself from speeding on those long strips of Tennessee highway where no one was in sight. Didn't get pulled over so I guess I did alright.

So I was riding back from Wal-Mart yesterday and I'm getting over a pretty nasty sunburn and my chest and shoulders are peeling pretty badly. I was sitting in the passenger seat with the windows rolled down and I started scratching my shoulder without really thinking about it. Next thing I know the girl sitting behind me asked me to stop because my dead skin was landing on her. I'm pretty good at first impressions.

Right now I'm sitting in the staff lounge at NLR. It's moldy and smells terrible, the couches are wet, everything is out of place, yet there is honestly nowhere else on earth I would rather be.

"With the lights out, it's less dangerous, here we are now entertain us. I feel stupid, and contagious, here we are now entertain us"- Kurt Cobain.

Later, JG

Talked Me Into It

Ah its summertime. No more papers, finals, nasty cafeteria food, and most of all no more paleness! That's right I'm going to the beach tomorrow to get my tan/skin cancer on. The weather is actually calling for isolated thunderstorms the entire time I will be there so knowing my luck I wont get tan and I will probably get struck by lightning. I'm going with my bestie so it will be fun regardless. She and I both share in the love of creepin so I can imagine I will be getting some good stories these next few days.

I'm driving out to Oklahoma this week and I can't wait to get there but the only thing holding me back is the 16 hour drive to get out there. I try to make 16 hours not sound like a long time by breaking it down, but so far telling myself its like driving to LU 8 times in a row, or to New York City and back, or just halfway to California, isn't working out too well.

There are lots of things that people do that just don't make any sense. One of these is graduations. Think about it, lets go watch someone else's kid put on a dress and a lame hat, have someone read his or her name so he or she can walk across a stage and than sit back down, and than you give them a card with money? I mean isn't graduating high school something that even the most average teenager does? So for doing what you're suppose to do you get tons of money. Shouldn't it be the other way around? I mean they graduated they are going to make more money than those who don't graduate, lets give money to those who didn't graduate, that just makes more sense to me.

Every time I see those commercials on TV late at night where they show these pretty good looking girls advertising phone dating. I mean that's a great way to meet a creeper, but call me old fashioned but usually people just leave their couches to meet "local hot singles." What do I know I'm sure their are plenty of classy people out there phone dating.

"We don't need your hypocrisy, execute real democracy, post-industrial society, the unthinking majority"-Serj Tankian.

Later, JG