Yes, I am still alive. No, I did not leave high school, skip town, and become the first black Santa Clause. It’s waaaaay to early in the holiday season to do that. Yet.

I must apologize for my extended absence… now edging up on a matter of weeks. Following the conclusion of school and the long-anticipated-graduation-hubub-and-related-party-chaos, my attention was immediately diverted from this project, and frankly, I just got lazy with this. So, allow me to recapitulate the happenings of the past few weeks:

-> Graduation

Ah, yes. The lifetime milestone of commencement. Again, the ceremony was a bit anticlimactic… perhaps my expectations are just TOO high. After 12 years I think the LEAST they could do would be some fireworks and a celebrity… saaaayyy… Jennifer Garner? It certainly was terrific to see everyone together… one… last… time. And, it was pretty cool because my brother came to town. As Murphy would have it, he only made it for the last half of the ceremony… from “K” on. So, as far as he knows, I never walked ;-D

Commencement was followed by a simply incredible number of parties, open-houses, and other associated gatherings. It was pretty cool to enjoy a lot of volleyball and plenty of free food… but nothing too exciting. After all, I have known these people for a while.

-> Passing The Torch Leadership Conference

One of my chief associates in global domination, a friend we’ll call “Justin,” and I have been working for the last several months to put together a leadership transition conference for the student leaders of our high school. Basically, we just decided we had put enough into this place that we better teach some folks how to keep it going. To give you a better idea of our concept, allow me to quote from the invitation letter:

During this event, you will participate in hands-on training covering key leadership principles, learn how to most effectively lead in your position, participate in hilarious and adrenaline-pumping team-building activities, and enjoy an action-packed two days with friends that share your passions. Passing The Torch features several nationally recognized speakers, leadership teaching through today?s most popular Hollywood movies, an afternoon at Lake of the Rockies Resort in Monument, and a bona fide Torch Passing Ceremony. Most importantly, you?ll walk away with answers to the five most important questions facing today?s teen leaders:

1. Competence: How do I lead most effectively within the framework of CSCHS?

2. Courage: How can one person really make a difference?

3. Clarity: How do I chart a path and develop a vision for leadership success?

4. Coaching: Who will help me succeed? How can I help someone else?

5. Character: Why does moral authority supersede any achievement?

Overall, the conference was a great success. It was certainly a tremendous learning experience to put together something to keep 60 students occupied for two twelve-hour days. Yet, in the end, a lot of fun. I hope that we really did a good job of imparting some important ideas… and hopefully we’ll see some results come next year.

-> MLBPAA

In an odd set of circumstances arising from Passing The Torch, I was offered a summer position at the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. And, seeing as how the job market is drier than a certain unnamed Social Studies teacher telling jokes in the desert, I took it. It’s a unique and fun position that’s allowing me to apply my existing skills to something I know nothing about… Major League Baseball. To make a long story short, the association’s Board Of Directors is convening in early August and I’m trying to get everything in order for that meeting. I’ll be spending 30 hours a week until that meeting building PowerPoint presentations, producing a promo video, developing relevant literature, collating statistics, and basically learning the dots and dashes of a whole new code.

Despite a long commute, thus far it’s been a pretty cool position. The guys I work with are really neat and really excited about what they do. Aside from that, I’ve been given an amount of freedom and responsibility larger than anything I’ve experienced before. After all, I get my own office! *insert large grin or smirk here* (your choice)

-> Et cetera

Aside from the aforementioned activities, I’ve been keeping pretty busy by starting my ROTC workout regimen, selling some stuff on eBay, getting a new cell phone, and preparing for college orientation at the end of this month. So, I s’pose that’s all for now. I say adieu my valued and trusted readers. And, in the final words of Titanic, “promise. I will never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go.” Shortly thereafter, she lets go.