johnsrealmonline.com Blog

… and to all a good night!

Via Rachel Ray

The world famous Rocky Top Brigade, moderated by South Knox Bubba, has inducted nine new members:

I’m Trying to Write a Book: If you ever wondered what it’s like to write a book and get it published, Tempe’s blog is the place to go.

Lance in Iraq: Lance Frizzell is an active duty 2nd Lt Medical Platoon Leader with the Tennessee National Guard currently serving in Iraq. His blog gives an inside account on what is really going on in that country. Much thanks to him for his service to our nation. His blog is hosted by Bill Hobbs.

Another soldier to whom we should all be very grateful is Ken Dixon, who blogs at Rebel Rouser. He gives very candid commentary!

Another University of Tennessee student, Metulj, has joined RTB. He blogs at Scratch My Name on Your Arm, and offers a liberal viewpoint on the current scene.

What It Is Today is also a liberal oriented blog, run by an unknown journalist.

It’s always good to see other Appalachian bloggers out there, and the Appalachia Alumni Association, run by Hope, is one of those. Now if we could only do something about her political leanings.

The Ghosts is a blog named for a Knoxville band, and maintained by one of its members.

Prominent reporter Andy Axel blogs at One Reporter’s Opinion, where he advocates an “idiot free America.” I think we can all agree to that.

Last, but not least, we have my fellow Roane Countian Steve Scarborough who blogs at WhitesCreek, from “as deep in the woods as I can, on the banks of White’s Creek where it cuts through the edge of the Cumberland Plateau,” which I can personally attest is one of the nicest country in Tennessee.

Congrats to all the new inductees!

State Senator Tim Burchett has a plan to save Tenncare, which involves a card for all Tenncare recipients to track fraud and abuse. It’s a good idea, and I don’t understand why someone hasn’t thought of this before. Still, at this point in time, Tenncare would be better off just being put out of its misery.

Sorry for the light blogging lately. I would like to say I’ve been up to something important, but, truth be known, I’ve just been slacking off. But now I am back, and the blogosphere better watch out!

Sorry for the light blogging lately. I would like to say I’ve been up to something important, but, truth be known, I’ve just been slacking off. But now I am back, and the blogosphere better watch out!

This is disgusting….

As I promised before, here is my ode to this semester…

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the most bizarre term of school I have ever seen. I saw things you wouldn’t believe. I had experiences you wouldn’t believe (some of the good, some bad). My highs were VERY high. My lows where VERY low. I made new friends. I kept in touch with old ones. I did very little studying, but I learned so much more than ever before. I had illusions shattered. I was disapointed. I was thrilled. I laughed, I cried. That’s about all I can say…

EXCEPT….

Thank you to everyone who has been a friend to me. They say you are lucky if you have one true friend. If that’s the case, I must be the luckiest guy alive, because I have many. Some I talk to everyday, some only occasionally. But they are still here, and I still love them.

So to Bethany, Nathan, Ryan, Piho, Lori, Samantha, Genti, Arjana, Paul, Christy… I give you the words of Joan Baez (yes, I am quoting Joan Baez here):

“May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,

[.....]

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,

[.....]

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young….”

Today I graduated from UT. It was at once a happy and sad day. While my college career is not over, it won’t be the same. My time as an undergrad was a very, very special time. I’ll never forget all the good friends I’ve made, and all the good times I’ve had.

I plan to write more about this in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, I recommend reading what some of my friends have to say about this semester: Jason Piho, Nathan Fortner, Lori Lary.

UPDATE: Ryan Kirk, whom I am also honored to call a friend, has added her college memories.