Diary of a Land Shark

2012-04-25T21:01:00.001-04:00

This blog has moved to Wordpress

Job Hunting in a Perfect World

2012-04-24T17:26:00.001-04:00

In a perfect world job hunting would be much different. It would be the companies spending tireless hours posting on and fighting for prospective talent. The companies would have to silently, depressingly accept the multitude of rejection emails or the absence of correspondence all together.

Wouldn't it be nice to turn the tables and post your availability? Wouldn't it feel great to have corporations battling against each other for you?

This is what my posting would look like.

Digital Media Specialist / Interactive Community Manager

David B. Boling - Charlotte, NC (current)

Overview and responsibilities of your company's associate needs:Company should have an immediate opening for an creative, motivated, outgoing, social-media professional and relationship builder to be a Digital Media Specialist / Interactive Community Manager.

Your associate expectations will include; initiating and monitoring social media engagement to build brands in a strategic fashion for multiple clients.Your associate will be responsible for flawless execution of the following on a daily basis:

Initiate and monitor interactions across appropriate social media channels

Identify trends and community relationship opportunities

Respond to community in a timely manner and develop a trusted brand voice

Create and manage engaging content as well as contributed content

Report insights, analytics, and metrics with relevant data

Communicate with clients directly about results and campaign strategies

Qualifications your associate should possess:
The associate you desire should have

At least 3 years of branding, project management, and digital communications experience.

Expert with Social Media Tools: Must be proficient in the strategic use of digital properties (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, YouTube, etc.).

An understanding of interpreting social media insights, analytics, and metrics
and more to explain social recommendations and tracking successes.

Be creative and possess writing and editing competency. Experience creating content on behalf of clients including crisis management.

Be sensitive to client confidential information and security as well as reputation.

Customer-service oriented and with a pleasant demeanor.

Great attitude and honest to foster client trust and respect with diplomacy.

Organized and efficient with excellent time management and multi-tasking skills to accommodate face paced, pressured environment.

Motivated by results, quality, and new challenges.

In search career-advancing opportunity.

About Your Company
The ideal company will:

Be a leader in thought, innovation and creativity in the industry.

Be International with opportunities for growth abroad.

Be respected for integrity and high ethical values.

View innovation and change as growth and opportunity.

Be focused outstanding customer service and results

Encourage creativity as individuals and through strong team work.

Value hard work balanced by a fun atmosphere to foster creativity and team building.

Provide opportunities for professional growth and expanded responsibilities.

Be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with an understanding of the value of diversity in the workplace.

For more information on David Boling including links to personal social media properties, visit http://davidboling.com

Interested companies should submit job description and details to David Boling directly – david@davidboling.com

So if I sound like what you are looking for... contact me.

An Apology, An Update

2012-03-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

I guess I'll start this off with an apology. I haven't posted here in over 5 months (with the exception of the HRC announcement), and back then I was all geared up to start my genealogy project. Well life tends to laugh at our plans and throw us a curve ball. Fortunately, it was a welcomed curve ball.

So much has changed since then. For the good, but certain passions (my genealogy project specifically) have had to take a back burner.

My position at Jacob's Ladder has grown. I've taken on the position of Job Developer/Digital Media Strategist. Simply speaking, I network and build relationships in order to help others find employment. It's quite a bit of work but extremely satisfying at the same time. There is nothing better than getting the call from a client after they've gotten "the offer".

Also, I am involved with a different project. It's not so much of a project but a movement. For the moment we call it CLT Social Cares. You can find us on Facebook. Just ask to join the group and let us know you heard about it from here.

What is CLT Social Cares? Well, at the end of last year myself and a Twitter friend, @cathysaid, started talking about all the media coverage of suicides and how they related to bullying. We wanted to do something. Other Twitter friends began joining the conversation. We all came together and decided to officially form a group and mission.

Our Mission:

"CLT Social Cares (working title) seek to provide support in the areas of awareness, manpower, fundraising, and networking to existing Charlotte Metro Area organizations currently serving youth experiencing the challenges of bullying and thoughts of suicide."

It wasn't long before we were reaching out to our connections to start getting involved. This week we're meeting with the kids of Time Out Youth to get their perspective on the issue. It's been more than a few years since any of us have been their age. We need their insight.

I feel if we can be a part of saving even one life then it will all be worth it.

So that's pretty much where I am at right now. Besides car troubles and trying to get back to the UK and Ireland for another vacation (that I am so ready for) that's what's got me tied up.

Hindsight 20/20 is not dead. It's just had a little set back. When I do start with it again it will be exciting to see how all of these new experiences will effect it.

Until the next post (hopefully not 5 months away).

- David

Join My Table At The HRC North Carolina Gala

2012-02-02T14:01:00.002-05:00

I received this email from HRC North Carolina Gala . Join my table "Charlotte Against Bullying" !

"2012 HRC North Carolina Gala
Table Captain: Charlotte Against Bullying

MESSAGE
Flight 2012: Non-Stop To Equality promises to be the best ride of the year, hands down! YOU will drive the success of the gala! We hope you will use these tools to fill your table and then another! Thanks for being ON BOARD as an HRC Gala Table Captain! We will sell out, so invite your guests now before the price increases in 8 days.

When you invite your friends, it’s like you’re hosting the most fabulous bash of the year for you and your special friends, but you don’t have to do any hard work! Tables will be decorated for you. Bottles of wine will be waiting for you. The entertainment and the food will be great! And all you have to do is show up with your friends.

The Latest News! Our Gala Dinner will be the only one in the country to welcome as keynote speaker a Cabinet Member of President Obama’s Administration. Presidential Cabinet member and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, will be joining us to give a special message on behalf of the Obama Administration.

The Logistics
Website: At www.hrccarolina.org you can purchase tickets and learn much more about the Gala

Date: February 25, 2012

Venue: The Crown Room at the Charlotte Convention Center

Gen. Ticket price: $195 through 2/7/12 (then the price goes to $225); $95 for Students & Seniors (65+)

Donor Ticket price: $75 for Federal Club members; No cost for Major Donors

No. per table: 10 guests per table

Extra activities: The “Flight 2012 HRC Diner” event on Thursday night at Dandelion Market, A Friday night party at “Suite at the EpiCentre”, a 5 K Run Saturday morning, shopping passes and more…PLUS Sunday morning’s Bloody Mary eye opener.

Perks: Ticket price includes a one-year membership to HRC
...

The Gala Dinner
The name fits: this is much more than a “dinner!” The evening begins with a cocktail hour while you peruse a fabulous Silent Auction. You and your guests are sure to delight in the Silent Auction, where are put to work in the service of equality. The Gala program includes classy presentations of special awards, and of course – terrific entertainment!

The Awards
Highlighting every Gala are the awards that go to the leaders, volunteers and extraordinary organizations in our state that take a stand on the road to equality. Learn all about this year’s at http://www.hrccarolina.org/.

What Makes This Year Special
The venue for the Gala is the largest, most beautiful ballroom in the city! The event will be staged with magnificent jumbo-trons assuring great site lines and a crystal clear surround sound system.
.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Gala offers many ways to support HRC’s mission: with corporate sponsorships, advertising opportunities, silent auction donations, and more. Contact us ASAP if you would like a complete sponsorship package emailed to you."

To Clarify, I Don't Care If You Eat Poo

2011-10-02T18:58:00.001-04:00

I just got two messages on Twitter from someone that I respect that kind of bothered me. I do not mean that this person insulted me but rather I was bothered by the fact that I may be coming across the wrong way. His messages simply said:

"Don't look into your family's past or genealogy, you WILL find something you won't like. It's you and the future that matters."

And

"So what if you're related to Bush, or Churchill. What does it matter? It doesn't speak anything about you as a person at all."

At first I thought that he just misunderstood my latest twitter link about having a common ancestor with the Former President Bush. Then I started thinking it through. Eventually I realised that even if this is the case I really should clarify my intentions of and for Hindsight 20/20.

Bush Family Tree on Youtube. Posted by puncher01

First, I am in no way afraid to find out that any of my ancestors were axe murderers, vile politicians, lunatics or ate poo. That's just a part of history. My post about not liking the fact that I am related to that Bush person was really just a bad joke. Besides, their actions in no way reflect negatively on me. In turn, the actions of those ancestors/DNA connections that have astounding reputations do not reflect positively on me. They are different individuals and I am me. I lay no claim to their achievements and assume no blame from their failings. I just find it interesting.

I am quite happy with the person I am and my future excites me. Hindsight 20/20 is simply the manifestation of my passion for history and telling stories. Not to justify my being.

Knowledge of humanity motivates me. Learning something new every day fills me with life. Understanding why things happened enlightens me. Seeing how we have grown as a species thrills me. Realising just how far we have to grow drives me.

As an extra benefit of this project, I hope to inspire people of all races, ages, geographic locations and cultures to do something productive. To take their passions and put them to use. Whatever your passions are.

Mine is History, Humanity, Knowledge; and I am doing something with it. What is everyone doing with theirs? I honestly want to know.

Again, I want to thank Chris for responding to me on Twitter. If he hadn't I would not have written this post and would still be projecting out the wrong message to everyone. Hope this clears my intentions up.

Italian Goodness & Project Update

2011-10-02T13:07:00.000-04:00

Amalfi Pizza and Pasta at UNCC

Italian Friend Watching over us

Amalfi's Pizza and Pasta is turning into a Sunday tradition lately. And I am very happy about that. Food is outstanding and the people are extremely friendly not to mention that the setting is just right to concentrate and get some work done.

Speaking of work, I have a little bit of frustrating news. Hindsight 20/20 was supposed to go live yesterday and of course it didn't. Thing is, since this project and the reasons behind it are so dear to me I want to make sure everything is perfect and set. Well, something new rears it's head each week that I hadn't accounted for before. Thankfully, it's always something positive and exciting.

My new live target is now next weekend but I am not making that promise. What I can promise you is that once this does go live it's going to be incredible! And I will keep you updated every step of the way! Like yesterday.... (READ)

Thank you! Much love!

Eating with Big Ben

2011-10-01T10:04:00.000-04:00

Today is starting off right. I decided to kick off October with a traditional English breakfast at my favourite British pub, Big Ben in Charlotte, NC. The weather seemed to want to help me set the mood. It's nice and chilly. Such a fitting atmosphere for today's activities.

The Flags in Big Ben British Pub

If you are looking for me today you're going to find me either in a cemetery or a church. One of those is quite unusual for me, the other not so much. You see, I am working on the video to kick off my project on IndieGoGo, and both of those settings are ideal for what I am doing.

Whenever I walk through a graveyard all I can see is life. Surrounded by the markers of the dead, I see the stories of lives. It pains me to think that those stories, so many of them, are lost to time. That's kind of what got me started on Hindsight 20/20. The thought of so many good people, thought of as inconsequential, would never have their tales told was saddening to the soul. So I start this labor with my own family genealogy.

I am glad I did. So much to tell (as in my last post) and I can't wait to tell it.

Why will I be in a church today? They hold valuable records for one, but more than that they are filled with the atmosphere of their local history. Finding the right church could be the key to understanding the history of why someone lived the way they did. There is little more rich in tradition than religion. If you want to get into what was in the minds of the people laying in those graves, then get into the mindsets of their local church.

More to come. A lot more. And very soon.

The Flags in Big Ben British Pub again

Germany and Churchill in Hindsight

2011-09-25T19:17:00.001-04:00

So in the past couple of weeks I was doing more research on my genealogy when I found some exciting new treasures. I like it when this happens. It reinvigorates me and keeps me moving forward. That feeling of satisfaction I get from new discoveries is like a reassurance that I am not on some pointless task. Of course, I never thought I was, but the shear magnitude of work involved is enough to wear anyone down.

Hindsight 20/20: A Quest for History

Back to my new discoveries so I won’t be too much of a bore.

I know a good bit about my Boling lineage (well more than the rest) and a little about both branches of the Browns (yes two separate branches), but I know so very little about the other clans. Especially when it comes to my mother’s family. Growing up, most of my time was spent with my father’s family.

All holidays were spent with my father’s father and mother and his sister’s family. It’s just the way it was for me. Except for my mother’s mother I didn’t know anyone very well from the Porter side. At least I knew their faces from a once a year family reunion, unlike the Spearman clan. To my knowledge I have never met them. Doyle Spearman was my mother’s father and he disappeared before I was born. Guess the rest of that group had no care about staying in contact with us. Or maybe Mom intentionally stayed clear of them. I’ve never been able to get too much out of her about that family.

But I want to know.

With all my picking and prodding into history I have yet to find an ancestral line other than Native American, English, Scottish, Irish or Welch. Well, that is until I was looking further into my mother’s side of the family.

I was astonished to find that I have German ancestry as recent as the 18th century. Just before the American Revolution. In fact, one of my ancestors from that line fought in that war as a colonial soldier. This isn’t the only ancestor I have found to fight in this war... or others including the American Civil War, but something about a German fighting for colonial independence intrigues me. Not sure why, because it was common for people of all nationalities to fight in that war.

On the other side, my father’s line, I came across something very interesting indeed. Seems Pocahontas isn’t the only person in the history books that I share DNA with. Please note, I did say “share DNA” with and not descended from.

My Grandmother used to tell me that she was related to the family that founded Greer, South Carolina. So of course I’ve been looking into that. Surprisingly enough, that line was quite easy to trace. There’s quite a bit of information on them.

Benjamin Franklin Brown - Great Grandfather, descendant of the Greer Family

The Greers that founded Greer, South Carolina come from Scotland by way of Boston Massachusetts. The reason they are so easy to trace is that when in Scotland, in the mid-sixteenth century and then called Griersons, Sir William Grierson held title Lord of Lag of Dumfries. Their ancestors were documented heavily. As interesting as that is, what really struck me who else is descended from Sir William. It seems that both I and Sir Winston Churchill can both call Sir William Grandfather. That would make Churchill and I distant cousins. Albeit, very distant.

Now that doesn’t really mean anything other than the fun fact that my DNA and Churchill’s are partially connected. More importantly, it peaks my interest. What kept his line in the UK and brought my line to the US? It’s the story that excites me.

Hence Hindsight 20/20: A Quest for History.

Thank you for reading and being a part of this journey with me. The project will officially launch within the next two weeks and everything will be completely explained then. Take a moment and subscribe to the email list on this blog for updates as they happen. Join me on Twitter ( @dboling03 , @RedBolling , @DLion73 ) for thoughts and reflections. Connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Dailybooth, Audioboo and more for all times of project fun and more.

But please don’t just follow. Interact with me. Ask questions and leave your comments. I love to read them and respond.

Your support means everything to me and I want to be as informative and entertaining for you as you’ll let me.

Let’s discover the past and inspire the future!

The Project: “Hindsight 20/20: A Quest for History”

2011-09-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

What

Hindsight 20/20: A Quest for History''s main purpose is to find answers to the questions lost to time and generations of oral family “history.” The goal is, at the end of the 20 weeks I will have 20 tales to compile into a book of short stories.

This is a research and genealogy quest to track down and document the lives of my ancestors. The only things that remain of my ancestors available to me right now are a few ratty pictures, elusive documents and watered down tales. These are people who helped shape their communities and were effected by the world around them. Their stories deserve to be brought back to life.

I have vivid memories of my early year sitting at dinner tables with family members and hearing stories of “where we came from.” Unfortunately, as a child and teenager I didn’t understand the gravity of listening then. Now, it’s too late to hear those stories again from the mouths of the people that told them before.

Stories like:

Great-Grandfather's Arm

How we are descended from Pocahontas and John Rolfe and the remarkable story of how that line almost ended but survived.

The story of my Grandfather that ran off in the middle of the night, before I was born, with a lady in the neighborhood. I never knew him or his family. What exactly happened to him?

How about the story of my Great-grandfather that lost his arm to gangrene and had to wear a prosthetic claw. Did he really design it himself?

Another story, much more elusive, is that of my Great-grandmother and her father. He was born in South Carolina and died in South Carolina. So why was my Great-grandmother born in Ireland and who exactly was her mother?

Hindsight 20/20: A Quest for History is meant to be social. Using of Social Media I am inviting everyone to follow and interact with me through the quest. The whole way I will be blogging, posting sound bites, videos and pictures. From the planning, travels, writing, editing and publishing, everything will be documented. A DVD of the social documentary will be created to accompany the book.

Great-Great Grandfather Great Grandfather, Great Grandmother

Why

History and Ancestry/Genealogy is a passion of mine. You may have already read that in previous blog posts. It’s the human element that drives that passion. The why? Why did people do the things they did in the past and how does it effect us now?

We all grow up with stories of our family ancestry. What famous people we come from. Where in the world we are descended from. What struggles and obstacles that were overcome just to get us where we are today. How many of us take the time to look into those stories and truly understand the people we owe our lives to, not just the dates and “facts.” How many of us just take what is told to us as fact and remain content with it?

I’m not and that’s why I have created this project. I want the answers. The full picture. I want to understand.

Hindsight 20/20: A Quest for History must adhere strictly to my core passions of Service, Education and Inspiration, while pursuing the interests that consume me, History, Knowledge and Genealogy. That’s why I am using this project to raise money and awareness for nonprofits. Details on which nonprofits will benefit are still in the works and I will update when I have more information.

When

I have been researching my ancestry for a few years now and have a “map” to start off with. Starting in October I will launch a campaign to raise funds to make this vision possible. The travels and research will start in February of 2012 and continue through June of 2012. The target for publishing will be in winter of 2012.

Where

My travels will take me through North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Thank you for taking time to read this trough and for your patience through my cryptic messages over the past month. I look forward to doing this with all of you.

Full steam ahead!

Waking Up From 9/11

2011-09-11T21:35:00.002-04:00

I intentionally waited until this evening to write this. Honestly, this wasn’t supposed to be apart of this blog at all but after everything this weekend I didn’t see any alternative. The emotions of today were just too high.

I spent a good portion of this morning watching the coverage of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the opening of the memorial at the World Trade Center site. When I say a good portion I mean the whole morning. It was important for me to see. Important for me to re-live those emotions. Which I did.

Charlotte, NC. Something worth fighting for.

I remembered where I was that day as everything happened. I shed tears as the memories of friends that were lost that day found their way flooded into my consciousness. I cried again as I saw the children speak of their lost parents. I cried when James Taylor and Paul Simon sang.

Yes, I am programmed to cry.

I got frustrated and angered a few times seeing Twitter users degrade this day and the memorial services. I let it all go. I unfollowed them, but I let it go (to be honest they weren’t contributing anything of quality to my life anyway). I also became over joyed at the rest of Twitter who seemed to embrace the spirit of the events today and the meaning overall.

What got me most was something that I didn’t even hear mentioned at all today. The days and weeks after 9/11. The feeling of togetherness as a nation. The support of the global community as well. We weren’t individuals at odds with one another. We were one. Still individuals but one. One enormous world of support, love, and to some extent peace. We were strong. Sadly, that wasn’t to last once politics got back to business as usual.

I miss that feeling. It’s largely a part of what drives me to Service and Education today. Today, my social values got a huge boost back into reality and I go into the tomorrows to come recharged to make a difference. To fight for love, peace, strength, humanity, and prosperity.

I am glad I forced myself to re-live that day 10 years ago. Even if I sound like a hippie. I’m fine with that.

________________________

The Project Update

________________________

I am once again delaying any more information on “The Project.” Seems new directions keep coming but they are all very exciting.

Thank you for your patience.

Knowledge: Paying Inspiration Forward

2011-09-03T12:07:00.001-04:00

My last post focused on Service to our communities (and ourselves) and my thoughts about it. It started it off with a quote from your’s truly;

“It’s in the constant search for knowledge that we discover the potential of others and the reality of ourselves. It’s in the constant dedication to Service that we discover the potential of ourselves and the realities of others.” - David B. Boling Aug 20, 2011

I’ve always been the curious type. Annoyingly so my family and friends would say. However, knowledge for the mere joy of knowledge was always my thing. The problem was I never put a focus on any particular type of knowledge as a youth. I know a little about almost everything but not a lot about anything in particular.

Maybe that is why it’s taken me so long to form strong opinions. It just took me too long to gather enough information to feel confidently informed. As for knowledge, there is no such thing as enough. Not for me.

Why should it be? Once we feel as though we know everything about the world we are already out dated. The world is perpetually in a state revolution. As the saying goes,”the only thing constant is change.” What works yesterday is not going to work today and what works today may not be what works tomorrow. So staying on top of new discoveries in science and technology is vital to the progression of our civilization(s). Persistently asking why opens our doors in the future to countless possibilities. Never being satisfied with what has been told to us keeps us sharp and prepared.

What kind of knowledge really gets me going? History. Not text book history with it’s dates and “facts.” That version was “written by the victors,” but real history with two, three, even four (or more) sides to each story. The history of human beings and how we effect each other and the world around us. The history of our mythologies, scientific advancements, government experiments, social atrocities, and so much more. History is my passion.

So how does this passion for historical knowledge apply to me today? I am at a point in my life of relying on my skepticism to keep me informed and safe. I am sick of being fed information from all points of society and being told to accept it as truth. At the same time, I have been consumed with an insatiable need to learn as much about the history of myself, my ancestors and the human race as possible. I will protect and enrich myself with asking who, what, when, where and WHY!

So this brings me to today and “The Project” (which hopefully will have a permanent name soon). I have mentioned it a few times and have failed to give too much information on it. Well, that’s because I don’t want to give too much away while I am still figuring out how it is going to look. Sorry, but today isn’t going to be any different. It’s almost ready to reveal in full, so be patient.

I can, however, say this about “The Project.” It’s dedicated to knowledge of history and how history has made me. It’s meant to spread knowledge and entertain. Happily, I more than believe it’s going to exceed in that.

What is my goal for this? To Inspire. Inspire as many people to follow their dreams with open, optimistic eyes as possible while fulfilling my own. What ever your passion is, I want to inspire you to follow it. Recently, I’ve been inspired by many people, so this is my way of paying it forward. if I can be the catalyst to inspire at least one other person I’ll consider “The Project” a success.

Service: The Evolution of Red Bolling

2011-08-28T21:48:00.001-04:00

“It’s in the constant search for knowledge that we discover the potential of others and the reality of ourselves. It’s in the constant dedication to service that we discover the potential of ourselves and the realities of others.” - David B. Boling Aug 20, 2011

Ten years ago these words would have never made sense to me. I would have thought they were rubbish and just meant to sound philosophical. I would have written them off as someone trying to get something over on me. Of course, I was quite self absorbed ten years ago. I’d have called you a liar if you told me that then.

But those words are true. I know that today. They are a truer true than any true I have ever known.

Service:

I came to an eye opening experience within the past few years about service to our communities. All our communities; local, global, cultural... all of them. You see in my teens my life was about me and only me. There was no outside world. Maybe that was just plain selfishness of a child or maybe it was due to a sheltered life experience. Whatever the case, I was not in anyway a productive member of the community.

In my twenties I began to develop my own identity and acknowledged that I was an individual in a set of communities. It was only then that I began to see how the outside world was effecting me and “my people”. Service at that point was about proving that we were worth something. Standing up to “the man” and crying foul. Demanding more and demanding equality. Yet, While activism is an important part of society, it is not the end all be all to true service.

Now that I am in my thirties I’ve learned something quite interesting. We all have views and values and we all fight for our own rights whatever we think they are. However, fighting for others that we may or may not identify with comes with it’s own rewards. Those rewards are not monetary and they are not based in recognition. No, they are simpler than either of them. They will make you richer than even Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. Those rewards are pride, satisfaction, the knowledge that with each person you help you are building a stronger community, or rather set of communities to make a whole.

So that is why I have changed my business. No longer is my business for profit or personal survival. I’ll keep a full time job (hopefully) for that. Red Bolling has changed and I like it. Red Bolling is now set up to train and spread the word of nonprofits, locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Red Bolling will work hard to grow our communities. So if you have a cause that you truly believe in I want to know about it. Visit http://redbolling.com and tell me your story. Tell me your passion. Allow me to help you spread the word.

The next blog post (coming in just a few days) will touch on my thoughts on Knowledge and how that value has shaped my future. Also, I’ll finally give you the low down on what “The Project” is.

5 Things to do on Rapture-less Sunday

2011-05-20T09:02:00.001-04:00

Five Things believers need to do on Sunday when, once again, the Rapture doesn’t happen.

Pay those bills you put off in case you needed the money to fight off Zombies.

Apologize to your children for making them worry.

Call Harold Camping on his Oakland-based Christian Family Radio Show and ridicule the hell out of him. He just made you look like a fool anyway. Return that favor.

Grab a copy of “The Bible”, find out as much about numerology as possible. Realize that numerology is bull if nothing else.

Finally, grab a beer, rethink your life, grow a set, realize that that you’re being controlled, realize that the world is bigger than you, and finally realize that everyone has a valid EQUAL place in that world.

Five Things non-believers need to do on Sunday when, once again, the Rapture doesn’t happen.

Pay those bills you put off because you were too busy laughing at the neighbors condemning you for having a brain and identity.

Explain to your kids that this is something that happens every 20 or so years when a man or group just wants publicity.

Call Harold Camping on his Oakland-based Christian Family Radio Show and ridicule the hell out of him. It’ll be fun.

Grab a copy of “The Bible”, find out as much about numerology as possible and come up with your own End Times date. Buy a radio station and make tons of money scaring the life out of people. Hell, it worked for Camping.

Finally, grab a beer, call up someone you want to spend time with, have a great day, then continue on with building your life and making a positive difference in the world.

Different Mirror, Clearer Reflection

2011-05-18T13:49:00.003-04:00

It looks like this blog is taking on an identity. Reflection and introspection. I guess it’s good that this part of my life and the current tools of the internet have intersected now. Today’s blog isn’t going to be any different.

Facebook and Twitter have provided me with the pleasure to reconnect with people from my past. People that I honestly thought I would never see or hear from again. The opportunity to catch up with childhood friends has been a gift on so many levels. Included in that gift, mending of relationships and in return mending my own self image, that personal relationship we hold with ourselves.

You see, as a teenager I was the poster child for social awkwardness. I had no idea how to form and act in any social relationship. I tried often. I mostly failed. The rifts that were caused were uncomfortable at best. It took a very special person to understand that about me and look beyond it. There were a few of those angels in my life. However, there were many that noticed it, and while not taking a large part of their time to try to include me in their circle, they weren’t ever cruel. No matter how insufferable I was, they were always pleasant at their worst.

It’s those connections I have regained through Facebook that have opened my eyes to myself today. Along with being able to apologize to those that I have wronged in the past (and thankfully we are grown out of our teenage mindsets to want to reconcile) I’ve learned through those that were hesitant around me that I wasn’t hated. I wasn’t even disliked like I was sure I was, and to my surprise these people were genuinely happy to connect with me as I was to them. That piece of knowledge is invaluable to me and my future.

Now I can’t say all of my growth came from the past couple of years on Facebook. In fact, since high school my social awkwardness has decreased considerably. Through years of relationships, both good and bad, and the natural wisdom that comes with age I have grown by leaps and bounds. It’s just the eye opening awareness that I was worth something as a teenager that makes me feel better about who I was. Who I am.

Why am I writing this today? Well, recently I connected to a friend from high school. Someone who I held in high esteem. He was, and still is a musician. A drummer in a band. In my teenage eyes he had everything that a person needed to make it in the world. Talent, confidence, direction, looks, etc. However, in my social awkward nature I am know I made him uncomfortable with my idolization. Yet, thankfully, he was one of those unique people who was not cruel. To be honest, he was quiet polite.

After high school he went on to study and graduate from the University of Miami and has had a very successful career in the music industry (Even performing with R.E.M.). Today, his reputation in the industry, both as a producer and musician, is in the highest regard. Yes, Chris did have what it took to make it in this world. I wasn’t wrong about that.

Last night was a release party for his new band’s (Bunky Moon) first CD (Schtuff We Like). I took the opportunity to head to the venue (The Evening Muse in NoDa) to listen. If I were to stay I was blown away by their music I would be understating the experience.

I hadn’t seen or talked to Chris face to face since graduation day nearly twenty years ago. Walking into the venue I wasn’t quite sure of the reception I was going to receive considering “first impressions” and everything. To my surprise he was truly excited to see me. Even gave me a hug. But then again he was always the one with a genuine soul.

(Watch the video to see them perform and also links to their music)

Writing this today I suddenly realize that it was also twenty years ago that I went to see his high school band play in Charlotte at the old 4808 Club (RIP). I wrote an article about them for the school newspaper back then.

Different Mirror, Clearer Reflection.

The Game is Afoot!

2011-05-13T17:11:00.001-04:00

“Come, Watson, Come! The game is afoot.” - Sherlock Holmes as penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

That’s the way I will start off my day from here on out. Myself as Holmes and my self-esteem as Watson. Proactive. Confident. Ready to tackle all of life’s mysteries and obstacles as if they were merely play things to satisfy some insane part of my brain.

Now, I am not comparing myself or my intellect to that of such iconic figures as Sherlock Holmes or Dr. Watson. Instead, I am choosing to approach life with their interest and passion. I no longer will allow myself the luxury of a hum drum existence. There are puzzles in every smile and clues in every opportunity. Clues to prosperity and happiness. Clues to a bright and marvelous future. All I have to do is uncover them.

Impossible is not reality. Improbable is only a temporary dilemma.

How do you start your day? Do you dread work? Do you list the reasons why it is a good idea to stay in bed? I’ve done both. I’ve failed using both those methods. No more.

I will meet you all at the finish line, and if you need a shoulder to lean on to help you across.... call me.

My Life Was A Lie

2011-05-04T09:07:00.001-04:00

I lost so many years trying to hide the fact from the world, and from myself, who I really was. I lost so much ground in my social and mental development simply because I knew that what was inside of me wasn’t going to go over well with the world I lived in. I never allowed myself to be comfortable in my own skin to enjoy who I was and capitalize on my strengths. It just wasn’t acceptable in the Southern Baptist community in which I found myself trapped in. My strengths were considered weaknesses.

I imagined that the whole world was the same. For all I know right now it was, but today it’s a bit different for teens and young adults and I am happy for them. I am thrilled that they have their platforms to be themselves. I am overwhelmed with how bright their future looks. However, I still have to imagine “What if?”

I forced myself to play sports. It pleased my family and was almost my only outlet to interaction with children my own age. Yet, I hated doing it. I was always clumsy and awkward. Glasses were a permanent fixture on my nose since I was merely a toddler. Ever tried playing football or baseball with glasses on as a six year old in the merciless southern summers? Not pleasant. OH! And you can add on top of that the threat of disappointment if those glasses were ever broken. “They are expensive!” So sports were never anything I really wanted to do or cared about.

I forced myself to be interested in practical studies. That was the “sensible” thing to be occupied with. Petty things like music and art and theater weren’t going to “get you anywhere”. Subjects of Math and Science and Social Studies is what my future had to be.

Now for the kicker. I forced myself to pretend to be interested in girls (Although, I never really pursued anything rather just avoided any real involvement on a sexual interest level). If for but one-second, anyone in my family, any one in the backwards southern community I lived in, anyone one of my friends found out that I was gay my life was over. or at least that is what was implied either directly or indirectly.

I was 21 before I ever came out to even myself. A few years later to everyone else.

The saddest part of my early deception was hiding the fact that I was a nerd. Granted, I didn’t hide it THAT well, but I couldn’t fully explore everything that peaked my interest. Most of it, as I said before, wasn’t practical to be meddling with. Some of it was even considered a sin. Darwin wasn’t the most renowned figure in my “neck-of-the-woods”.

There was one salvation that my inner nerd could revel in without being considered an outcast. Star Wars. Everyone liked Star Wars, so that I could freely enjoy. I still hold it dear in my heart too.

I suppose I should be somewhat thankful for all of this. I mean it’s made me into who I am today, and today I accept my Gayness and my Nerd Nature while also understanding the “other side” as well. I just wished that my developing years hadn’t been so hindering. I wish I was more of an outgoing person, a confident person, and not still so damned concerned with looking like a fool or looked down upon. It’s a wall that I shouldn’t have. One that even today I sometimes can’t seem to climb over.

Today is May the 4th, otherwise known at Star Wars Day. Today, I say to you with all joy in my heart, “May the fouth be with you!”

DFTBA, Nerdfighteria.

Ancestry: A Treasure Hunt

2011-04-30T16:42:00.002-04:00

Ancestry: A Treasure Hunt

I’ve always been interested in the past. History was my favorite subject in school. Now the reasons for my interest weren’t always of the most constructive nature. As I’ve said in a previous post, I was always attracted to the romantic fantasy of fairy tales, as most preteens are.

Over time I learned the true beauty of history. The documentation of events that have shaped our world today. I’m intrigued by the callowness and atrocities that we have grown beyond and the sad truth of the ones we still have to overcome. My heart is softened by the actions of men and women that have stood strong to protect, better, and enrich their countries and country-men.

For the past few years my interest in the past has shifted (not completely, but significantly) into interest of ancestry. My ancestry. Now, I don’t spend an abundant amount of time in my research but when I find a nugget of information I place it where it needs to be and look into expanding on it when I can.

Recently, I was asked a very simple question while talking about this interest.

“Why do you care?”

At first I was taken off guard by it, not because it was said in a negative or confrontational way. No, it was a very valid question which someone honestly wanted to know the answer to. Realizing that this particular person didn’t have the same interest in the topic that I had, and I wanted her to comprehend my thoughts, I simply gave the only answer I could. “It’s a treasure hunt.” She was satisfied and nothing more was said.

A Treasure Hunt? What kind of treasure was I hoping to gain? To be rich? To find myself the heir to a European throne? It was such a quick response that I didn’t even know why I chose that description. No. No. Of course I wasn’t expecting anything like riches or fame. The treasure I seek can not be assigned a value. It’s worthless to anyone other than me and my older brother. The treasure I am after is knowledge.

Knowledge of who I am.

To clarify that a bit more, I am looking for where my DNA comes from. What experiences that my forefathers and foremothers lived through that shaped their mentality, drove them to the decisions they made, and passed it all down to the next generation. How that next generation used that knowledge, added it to, reshaped it and passed that on again. Eventually, all those pieces to the puzzle developed and rested upon me. And I will do the same.

It’s a treasure that only I and my older brother can share, because there is no one else in this world that fits our exact family tree. That Treasure Map.

So far, I have found out about my past that:

I am a descendant of Matoaka (Pocahantas) and John Rolfe
John Rolfe is responsible for cultivating a sweeter tobacco in Virginia which began the success of the british colonial, eventually US, tobacco industry. (Well can’t be proud of everything)
My surname can be traced back to Bradford, England to a house that still stands and is a museum today, Bolling Hall. (One L was dropped in the mid 1800’s due to a census spelling error and stuck)
I come from wealthy people which didn’t make it’s way to me.
I am just a few generations away from full Cherokee.
Judging by all the children of my grandfathers and grandmothers they were quite a randy bunch.

YouTube is the Water of Change

2011-04-27T10:38:00.003-04:00

So I went to see the Digitour last night in Charlotte, NC and met The Gregory Brothers and Mystery Guitar Man Joe. It got me thinking. So I hate to write out my thoughts.

We hear quite a bit about how Social Media is effecting the world. News and information have become near instantaneous. When a natural disaster happens or an evil dictator is challenged by his people, it’s Twitter and Facebook that draws the global attention to it. Even established and ::cough:: respected news channels are at the mercy of getting their initial information from these sources. The now is in our hands. The hands of every day people engaging and sharing life.

I am happy with this. I ecstatically accept this as a wonderfully magical thing. Twitter and Facebook have become daily companions in my life of which I cherish and the interactions they give me mean just as much to me as my “IRL” (in real life) experiences.

But I want to sing the praises of another website today. Another Social Media site that has brought me joy, shock, horror and most of all inspiration. To be honest, it will be my intention to make the point that this site has done, and will do, more than any other to change our lives.

YouTube.

Youtube is definitely a force of positivity in our world. This marvelous site brings the past to life, exposes our present and is constantly shaping... no, not shaping... BUILDING our future.

YouTube.

I can hear you already, “YouTube can’t be a catalyst for change. That’s where you watch cats stuck in a box.” Well, to be honest, and to be perfectly blunt, you are dead wrong. Though, I do enjoy the occasional cat in a box video. Don’t like to be wrong? Deal with it. Just hush up that negativity and listen. Actually, don’t just listen. Follow the links included in this blog and see for yourself my point.

Wait, What? Active participation? NOOOO!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, emos and unicorns I am asking you to do something. Trust me, this will not be a bore to your exceptional lives. Let loose and have some joy.

Give me a chance to explain myself. While Twitter and Facebook are excellent ways to connect to “the here and now” of the Global world, YouTube is so much more than here and now. It’s also there, then, who, what, when, why and It’s more than babies biting fingers and dogs running into walls (another one I giggle at). YouTube itself is creating tomorrow’s leaders.

“You’re crazy. What have you been smoking?” You said that, didn’t you?

I’ll be honest, I can’t remember YouTube not being around. In my mind it has been there as long as I have had access to the internet. Yet it hasn’t. YouTube only came into existence in 2005 (bought by Google in 2006) and I’ve been using computers and the interwebz (internet intentionally spelled wrong, not a bush moment) for far longer. But I just can’t remember the first time I ever watched a video on the site.

I know I would get emails a few times a week of the occasional cat video or or the America’s Funniest Video quality genital blunder but when it started I just don’t know. It wasn’t until 2009 that I started to discover what YouTube’s worth was actually about. That’s when I discovered Charlie.

Charlie McDonnell, or CharlieIsSoCoolLike on YouTube, opened my eyes to the joy, power, strategy and effectiveness of YouTube. At the time he was 18 years old but already a seasoned and successful YouTuber.

Going back to watch his older videos I noticed something remarkable. I saw this 16 year old kid (at first) finding an outlet to express himself. He grew a friend base of others that shared his passions and desires of expression. Over the years they all supported each other, collaborated, and built a vibrant community of peers and a loving collection of followers and fans (of which I am proudly one).

They grew stronger in their confidence, produced music and art, developed ideas and championed charities. They generally made the world a better place.

Best thing ever is they haven’t stopped. They keep getting stronger, producing better quality videos and music.

They are made of awesome and through their strengths and leadership they are, in the words of the vlogbrothers, decreasing world suck.

Thanks to YouTube my life is enriched with:

Double Rainbows, Giraffe Love, Unicorns, Geddan, Awesomeness, Nerdfighteria, Music, Comedy, Charity, Serious Discussions, Rick Roll, Trolololol, and Meme’s (pronounced like cream) galore.

Now for the participation part. To fully understand what I mean check out these talented and successful YouTubers (this list is in no particular order and not a complete representation of my obsession):

John and Hank Green
Bill Elder

Jack Howard and Dean Dobbs

YouTube is the water of change for our future.

“Water is patient, Adelaide. Water just waits. Wears down the cliff tops, the mountains. The whole of the world. Water always wins.” - Doctor Who, “The Water’s of Mars” 2009

My Thoughts on the Global and Human Importance of the Royal Wedding

2011-03-20T22:00:00.005-04:00

I have a confession. It’s one that most Americans will gasp and scoff at me for. Not because of what my confession is but because of who I am for confessing it. In fact, my confession will cause me to look behind myself in fear of aggressors with conservative mindsets who believe that such thoughts from an American man is a form of some weakness. So with absolute full knowledge of the potential consequences of my words and thoughts I proudly make my declaration:

I am consummately looking forward to watching the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton this April.

Yes. I, David Boling, can not wait to see Prince William and Kate Middleton walk down the aisle in holy matrimony. I am more excited than the dog who wiggles itself into a frenzy when it’s owner gets home. I am more giddy than the teenage girl who waits for that first kiss from the cute boy in school. I am more ravenous for this event than the fat kid watching the first slice of a birthday cake. If this makes me a pansy, a nerd, a geek, a traitor to the masculine kind than so be it.

But why is the Royal Wedding so gloriously important for me?

I will admit that I hold a very special place in my heart for Britain (and Ireland). Lately, my anglophile nature has me locked on BBC America and YouTube watching shows like Doctor Who, Being Human, Skins and Torchwood, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Mock the Week and QI (anything with Stephen Fry really). The Beatles, The great and talented Beatles, are my all time favorite band. My top ten favorite YouTubers consist mainly of Charlie McDonald, Alex Day, Tom Milson and more (all British). My favorite vacation I have ever taken was to England and if given the chance I would live there in a heart beat (at least for a few years). Most of the people I enjoy following on Twitter live somewhere in the UK and I hold the interactions with them very dear to my heart. The Rational British ideology on Science and Nature tends to follow more closely to my mindset than what I grew up with.

However, to be honest, and in all actuality, my excessive enthusiasm for this event begins in my very own childhood and carries through my adult life.

I had just turned eight years old two weeks before Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married. What a wonderful summer treat for a preteen boy who’s mind was excitably filled with romanticized images of medieval Europe. An actual wedding of a prince and a maiden who would one day rule his country. OMG! That was something I would never get to witness in my own country. Remember, at that age an eight year old still believed in dragons and chivalry. The real world was just too boring to hold any faith in.

I sat in front of that television (it was a floor model and truly a piece of furniture instead of just a screen) unable to move. Captured. I was captured by the grandness of the church, the beauty of Diana, the majesty of Charles, the pomp and circumstance of the whole event. Yet mostly I had a feeling that this... this right before my eyes was the beginning, or the ending, of the a real life fairy tale.

My mother cried on the couch behind me. I had chosen my normal seat on the floor just feet from the tv. After the wedding I am sure I jumped up from my spot and ran directly outside to hunt for those dragons and save the day.

Yes, there never was any better imaginary fodder for an 8 year.

A year later I heard the news of the birth of Prince William. A new prince who would be the prince of my generation. Two years later another Prince Harry would be born. Would there be a fight for the throne (yes my 11 year old self still didn’t understand the reality of the current world)?

Unfortunately, that fantasy reality I had in my head would soon disappear. With the announcement of the divorce of Charles and Diana, coupled with growing older and becoming wiser to how the world actually worked, I had to finally abandon the notion of fairy tales coming true. Although I would never admit it to anyone, I was crushed. That 8 year old boy and his enthusiasm passed into obscurity that day.

If there were any of that romantic dreamer left in me after the divorce it all passed the day I heard the tragic news of Diana’s death. I cried that day. In fact, the whole world cried as I remember. The good die young and that is definitely not a part of a good fairy tale.

So with all lost I move forward with my life. My boring realistic life. It seemed that every subsequent year some sorted story came out about the Royal Family. With each headline the fairy tale retreated further and further into limbo.

I am not sure when it all settled down. I just remember one day Queen Elizabeth was on my television screen again. She smiled and spoke with a confidence I hadn’t heard from her in a very long time. It was her speech after the 9/11 attacks. My heart began to warm for her and her family once again. That affection and connection (all in my mind as it may have been) with the Windsors suddenly came flooding back. No, I still didn’t believe in fairy tales, but in a realistic world I believed in compassion and admiration.

Once again, I started paying attention to her and her family. Prince William was now a man for all intent and purpose. Harry wasn’t far behind. Both of the young princes were showing signs that their mother’s beauty had blessed them as well. When a friend of mine said I resembled Prince William I just laughed, yet secretly I wanted it to be true.

The years to come would be filled with the richness of watching these two young men make their place in the world. From their military careers to their charitable activities we could see the best of them, the best of their parents, the best of Britain. And yes, we were starting to see a hopeful future. Now, true, there were some indiscretions but nothing that couldn’t be forgiven while being chalked up to merely growing pains of adolescence. Something we are all guilty of.

Every now and then we were given glimpses into the romance of William and Kate. Slowly, as I learned more of this relationship something struck me. Here we have a prince who has fallen in love with a “commoner” and swept her off her feet. He’s battled the dragons of the media to protect her as much as he could. She has supported and encouraged him to be the best that he could be. Was I seeing what I thought I was seeing happen? Could it be? No. Surely not. After all, they have dated their entire adult life and it hasn’t happened yet.

Every now and then we would get that random picture of them together, their brief separation, and then, oh so happily then, the engagement. How about that ring? I truly believe Diana would be proud of her son.

So this brings me to today and the source of this long winded blog. The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and my obsessive excitement. Back to the question: Why is the Wedding so gloriously important to me?

This wedding is a rebirth. A rebirth of the fairy tale (even if in modern terms) and a rebirth, I hope, of that 8 year old boy. I plan on watching this wedding as well. I might even watch it with my mother if she can and then I will rush outside, grab the nearest, most threatening stick I can find and battle dragons once again.

That is why this wedding is so gloriously important to me. May William and Kate live happily ever after in that land that is so far far away from me (for now).

PS. As I write this a thought came to me. The rest of the world would seem to look up to the Royal Family more than the average Briton, but Britons will be the first in line to defend them when the call came.

I Love You

2011-02-26T23:26:00.000-05:00

I love you. The most powerful phrase in the English language. Translated into any other language and it loses no authority. Three syllables that have authored the greatest stories of the world, built and destroyed the greatest people and nations.

I love you, used sincerely, can crumble the most hardened of souls.

I love you, used manipulatively, can fool the wisest of minds into a suspension of rationality.

Three simple syllables with enough power to ruin a genuine heart. To break it, shatter it into an infinite number of jagged pieces.

Three complex symbols that will rebuild them again.

Use them freely. Use them honestly. Use them responsibly. Use them on yourself.

I love you.

Eyes of the Past

2011-02-19T14:06:00.000-05:00

Eyes of the Past

In life we lose things. From car keys and socks to family and friends to our sacred virginal soul.

What I miss the most are all the eyes I have lost.

Like the eyes of 5 year old David who saw everything vividly new and consummately intriguing.

Or the eyes of 8 year old David who noticed every brilliant color, who saw the aliens hiding in the thick overgrowth of trees and just knew they were watching his every move.

I miss the eyes I once had at the age of 12. The ones that started seeing beyond what was in front of them. The ones that started seeing with insight rather than just sight.

I miss the eyes of my 17 year old self that saw with freedom and promise for the future.

I do not miss, however, the eyes of my twenties that saw with intent of the now and no longer saw with the wisdom of reason.

I miss my eyes of the past. I bet if I search hard enough I can find pieces of them still lingering around.

Imma Land Shark :: CHOMP ::

2011-01-18T21:49:00.000-05:00

Imma Land Shark :: CHOMP ::: "Check out all my sites and figure me out. I've been trying to do that for years. Let me know if you come up with an answer."

http://davidboling.me/

If you had a DeLorean that could travel back in time, what time period would you want to go to and why?

2011-01-16T11:58:00.001-05:00

If you had a DeLorean that could travel back in time, what time period would you want to go to and why?

Answer here

The Dangers of Dangling Participles

2011-01-12T21:32:00.002-05:00

On his 75th birthday, a man got a gift certificate from his wife. The certificate paid for a visit to a medicine man living on a nearby reservation that was rumored to have a wonderful cure for erectile dysfunction.

After being persuaded, he drove to the reservation, handed his ticket to the medicine man and wondered what he was in for.

The old medicine man slowly, methodically produced a potion, handed it to him, and with a grip

on his shoulder, warned, "This is powerful medicine and it must be respected. You take only a teaspoonful and then say '1-2-3'. When you do that, you will become manlier than you have ever

been in your life and you can perform as long as you want."

The man was encouraged. As he walked away, he turned and asked, "How do I stop the medicine from working?"

"Your partner must say '1-2-3-4'," he responded. "But when she does, the medicine will not work again until the next full moon."

The old gent was very eager to see if it worked so he went home, showered, shaved, took a

spoonful of the medicine and then invited his wife to join him in the bedroom. When she came in,

he took off his clothes and said, "1-2-3!"

Immediately, he was the manliest of men. His wife, excited, began throwing off her clothes. And then she asked, "What was the 1-2-3 for?"

And that, boys and girls, is why we should never end our sentences with a preposition, because we could end up with a dangling participle.

Words: You're Doing it Wrong

2011-01-12T12:57:00.003-05:00

Listen!

If this is too serious then you can check my video I posted today for something a bit lighter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBlf0mavUjg