I hate trying to come up with a witty title

at 10/10/07 6:45PM

I am staying in Accra, Ghana at a house with Freddy and Anna Adams. They are from California, but have been living in Ghana for the past 2 years. Prior to that time Freddy was working a schedule of 28 days on 28 days off, but it became necessary to have a full time person in Ghana and so they decided to make the move. It has been a great experience getting to know them. I've also had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with the house help that they have. This includes Dennis, the driver, Esther, the master of the house, and her daughter Gifty. The opportunity to hear their stories and ask them questions about the Ghanian culture has been enlightening.

Tuesday we took a trip to the driving range (yes they have golf in Ghana, I was shocked) and one of the ghanian artist markets. The driving range was like nothing I've ever seen. We were hitting from an area that was about 75% mud and even keeping your balance was quite an achievement. So as I was trying not to fall in the mud there was a caddie standing with me who would both tee up my ball as well as give me tips on my swing. At one point in the afternoon, Sunday, my caddie, made the comment that I was "The new Tiger Woods in town". I now have a new friend named Sunday. If anyone else wants to grossly overstate my golfing abilities you can be my friend too. The craziest part about the whole experience was that down range, where we were hitting the golf balls, there was a guy a couple years younger than me picking up each ball I hit between my shots! There were a couple of times he had to move out of the way of my shots. I also need you to note that this was not a little golf course. This is the oldest and nicest golf club in the entire country. It was started in 1932. It is shocking how some things are so similar and yet so different.

Today we drove around town and saw more of the different types of art that are produced in Ghana. The wood furniture that they produce is especially beautiful and inexpensive, but shipping cost make it prohibitively expensive. I'm still just getting my feet wet with the culture of Ghana. I'm hoping to attend a concert at some point during my trip. They have a type of music over here that is known as Hip-life. It sounds like a cross between Jamaican music and hip-hop, which if you don't know sounds like something right down my alley.

While I've been experiencing the Ghanian culture I've also had the opportunity to bring a little American culture to the Adams family, in the form of necesseties from home and some knowledge in helping Anna get her Ipod running with the correct songs and pictures. It is nice to think that I am able to do something useful for them since they are doing so much for someone that they didn't even know until Sunday.

The people here are very religious. On almost every car/store/house you will see some type of religious saying. It strikes me how much we have removed religion not only from our government but from our lives in general. It makes me realize how much extra effort we must put into our lives to ensure that we maintain the proper focus. In light of that there is a ghanian symbol that I was told meant "accept God". I found later when reading about this symbol it actually means "except God" or more specifically "I fear nothing except God". The concept behind this symbol reminded me of Rom 8:35-39. We only have a reason to fear that which can separate us from God's love. The rest of life is all part of his plan.

I have many more adventures to experience since my trip still has about 15 days remaining in Ghana. The adventure continues and I cannot wait.

18-37 of 37 comments « prev 1 2 next »

You're title below was indeed witty, Tiger!

by thedelmccouryband at 11/05/07 6:33AM
WAR EAGLE!!!

by spimman at 11/24/07 11:06PM
hope you had a merry christmas & happy new year! i'll be in NYC! :o)

by tickets at 12/27/07 5:33PM
Happy New Year!!

by michellelb at 01/01/08 12:42AM
Hey, charlie! hope eveything is going ok..? You might not remember me, but I'm one of michelle's friends from camp...

by flossy at 02/25/08 3:48PM
Party at the Reaves house... Check it out. http://pleonast.com/jacobreaves

by jacobreaves at 04/23/08 5:40PM
I'm very jealous! What are you doing now? I was looking at your facebook page recently and noticed you are in the Netherlands...

by the_girl_next_door at 05/20/08 7:11AM
WOW - it's a small world. When I was at PwC, Roper was my main client. Tell Charli Maxwell and Paul Soni "hey" for me next time you see them!

by the_girl_next_door at 07/16/08 2:03PM
I hear I'm going to see you at camp. WOOHOO!

by emmaroo at 07/17/08 8:55AM
thanks alot! I will... how are you doing?

by flossy at 07/18/08 1:11PM
Awww...too bad we'll miss you! Maybe we'll just have to cross paths back on the other side of the pond.

by michelle at 07/22/08 6:41AM
you need a new post ..bad

by sunnylee at 07/27/08 2:28PM
unfortunately we're having a family weekend that weekend because for thanksgiving we'll be in new york... so its a no go.

by adamgamble at 08/07/08 11:44PM
Wow, you still remmeber your pleonast login. I'm impressed. I'm glad we could talk on the phone the other day - we just needed more time. I'll be calling soon!

by auamy at 08/15/08 10:03AM
I sent you a couple texts. Let me know an e-mail address to send you the info if that works better! We went to Wembley church of Christ, which is in Wembley and accessible by the tubes. 92 Barnhill Road, Wembley, London HA9 0AJ

by michelle at 09/19/08 9:56AM
Hey Charlie, this is Tricia Emery. It was good to see you at 1000 Voices!

by dorkhistory101 at 11/09/08 11:03PM
just in case you do check this.. happy 27 :)

by sarahisaretard19 at 01/19/09 10:14AM
10-10-07 thats way too long man.

by adamgamble at 02/16/09 1:11PM
Yeah that was me. Yes, you do. I didn't know he was getting married. Need a place to stay? We would love to have you!

by say_no2unibrows at 05/26/09 2:01PM
update!

by mre at 06/21/09 1:51PM

I'm Ghana have a great time

at 10/08/07 10:06AM

I cannot claim that pun. It was given to me, but I will not disclose the origin to save the author the shame and scorn. I arrived in Ghana yesterday morning. I slept for most of the flights and all my bags made it here safely. I'm not a great verbal guy, but I'll try to give you an idea of what it is like to be over here.

I'm staying at a house that is beautiful. The house seems to be many rooms put together randomly to someone who is used to the cookie cutter houses of the suburbs, where every available space is used in the most efficient manner. This house seems more like different rooms that were randomly spliced together. While this may not be the most effective way to put a house together it does make it much more interesting. As you walk around you randomly find steps between rooms and so many different levels. It has eight foot high walls around it and barbed wire over the top of the fence as well as 24 hour guards who open and close the gate whenever we come and go.

After you leave the gates you find the town to be very different than anything I've ever seen before. On one side their neighbors have a nice house that appears to be very similar to the one I'm staying in, while on the other side there is a lot with a couple families that live in a makeshift house that appears to be made of plywood walls and an aluminum roof. That seems to be a microcosm of this area. You'll find a nice office building surrounded by the small huts that line many of the streets. I better get going. This afternoon we're going into the market to get a closer look at the Ghanian culture.

Peace out from Africa.

Who are you staying with? Have a blast!

by kris at 10/08/07 10:49AM
have fun!

by mre at 10/08/07 11:34AM
Be careful and have a good time!

by say_no2unibrows at 10/08/07 11:48AM
So glad you updated! Sounds so interesting - soak it up!

by auamy at 10/08/07 11:59AM
What are you doing in Ghana?!

by the_girl_next_door at 10/08/07 1:50PM
No - she goes to campbell rd. Have fun in Ghana!

by aprilkelleymcgallion at 10/08/07 5:47PM
Be safe, Charlie! Have a great trip. (This is Daphne, by the way)

by ladyinlutz at 10/08/07 8:39PM
Have fun!

by lastoflakewood at 10/08/07 9:11PM
have fun, i'll miss you! ;o)

by tickets at 10/08/07 9:51PM
hi charlie, this is sarah's friend kerry. and since she hasn't updated her pleonast, i thought i might check yours! and you did! i'm glad you are having such a great time!

by lasalsadekerry at 10/08/07 9:53PM
ummm imiss you

by aucowgirl at 10/08/07 10:28PM
there are parts of my new town that are like that - you see a huge million dollar home and on the next lot there is a run down shack or mobile home. And that's in America! I can hardly imagine what it's like over there.

by nickel at 10/09/07 12:13AM
you're the man!

by thedelmccouryband at 10/09/07 8:14AM
I can't wait to hear more about it! Where/Who are you staying (with)??

by nillabarr at 10/09/07 9:00AM

Motivation is running low

at 07/12/07 10:08AM

I need some ideas. Right now I'm unassigned at work. This means that I have lots of time in the office because I'm not working on a client. So to use this time I'm trying to study for the last two sections of the CPA exam but I'm having a very hard time getting motivated. I was thinking about how I could motivate myself and thought that maybe if there was a reward that I was saving for after I pass then I would be able to study a little harder. What I need are some ideas as to what that reward should be. I'm open to any ideas you might haves or any other ways you think I might be able to gain some motivation.

In other notes life goes on. My sister got married this past weekend. That was exciting and it was great to see a lot of faces that I hadn't seen in a long time, as well as meet a few new ones. I was a counselor at Alabama camp about 3 weeks ago. As always that was a great experience. Although it did take me a long time to recover I think I have finally accomplished that. The week before camp I was sent to training in Dallas for work. I enjoyed that as well. I got to meet lots of people from all over the country, especially Boston and Detroit. I've decided that I train much better than I work. I also vacation much better than I work. So if anyone finds a job where some combination of those two things is the primary activity let me know. I've got a roommate for the summer and things are going well. He's the preaching intern at North Boulevard for the summer. I'm enjoying the summer so far. I've been gone a lot between Dallas and a couple of trips to Alabama it's been more than a month since I have spent a weekend in Tampa. I'm still working on the Africa trip although it looks like I'll be buying the tickets very shortly as soon as we get the final word from Accra. It looks like the trip will be a few weeks in October.

That's enough for now. Don't forget to give me some motivational ideas.

15-34 of 34 comments « prev 1 2 next »

oh you're welcome..i want to have another one!

by track_bud at 07/12/07 5:24PM
surfing lessons. in california. i might be a little biased on that one :) but hey. you pass, take a trip out here and take surfing lessons in the pacific.

i'm supposed to be meeting up with anna and freddie within the hour, i'll call you soon!

by sarahisaretard19 at 07/12/07 5:32PM
it was so nice seeing you!!! :)

by rica5219 at 07/12/07 11:57PM
Isn't the Caribbean great? Ahhh.

by the_girl_next_door at 07/13/07 7:34AM
Sounds great! I wish I could've been at the wedding--I heard it was really nice. As far as motivation, I could make you a chart that you can fill in with star stickers every time you study! :)

by vav at 07/13/07 8:25PM
So question: Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?

Noah - He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

by tickets at 07/16/07 8:07PM
Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible??

Pharaoh's daughter - She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

by tickets at 07/16/07 8:07PM
Hey Charlie! Just clicking around and saw your post! It was great to have you home for a little while this summer! My advice on motivation for studying for your test: If you study hard and go the extra mile this first time-- you'll pass it and won't have to do it again!!!

by butterflymama at 07/22/07 8:25PM
Have a great week!

by butterflymama at 07/22/07 8:26PM
Hi! Thanks for welcoming me to pleo. I am having a blast. I am so impressed that you are studying for the exam. Your motivation may be all the doors that will be open when you are certified. People will be begging you to come to work for them. Please call next time you are in Dallas. I guess you heard there is going to be another grandchild. I am so thrilled.

by zzp at 07/24/07 12:57PM
So, how's it coming? Think about the extra Ch-ching you'll be making with those sweet initials behind your name. I'm glad we got to hang out before you left. Maybe I can make it to Tampa sometime before the end of the year.

by auamy at 07/26/07 1:51PM
Well, howdy, Charlie! I have fond memories of you and David and your messy dorm room! :) I hope and pray that you stay as sweet and strong in the Lord as always! :)

by bandmom at 07/30/07 6:37PM
Are you enjoying shark week?

by say_no2unibrows at 08/02/07 11:06AM
You're going to Ghana? How cool! I'd LOVE to go there. We have a family in our congregation who are from there. I keep hoping I can travel there with them sometime. *sigh* Let me know what you saw!

by bandmom at 08/24/07 10:19AM
WAR EAGLE!

by tickets at 09/03/07 11:13PM
GO BULLS!! :)

by nillabarr at 09/09/07 8:16AM
Thanks!

by britt22 at 09/17/07 5:08PM
Guess who? Wish I could be there to hold your hand for your immunizations tomorrow!!

by jayhownow13 at 09/20/07 11:27PM
Hey Charlie! It's Jen and Jamie. I can see that you haven't posted in a while, but I just wanted to say "hi" and let you know that we have finally joined pleonast. I would love to hear from you.

by jenjam at 10/04/07 2:48PM
Did you go to church in Dallas? Did you meet my mommy?

by aprilkelleymcgallion at 10/04/07 5:14PM

Random Thoughts

at 02/23/07 11:07PM

I tend to be very deliberate with my actions. Explanation: I do not normally make decisions on emotions or without first considering the consequences. (the exception is that sometimes my words kinda shoot from the hip) The majority of the time I consider an action, the consequences of that action and how it will be perceived by others before making my decision about how to act in a given situation.

I am happy with the decisions I�ve made (most of them). I do not regret them and I don�t want to change them. I�m happy with who I am, but�

I�m not sure where that thought would continue but I don�t think I want to put it on here. I�m still a pretty private guy.

So on to what�s going on in my life. I taught the high school class at church last Fall and had a great time. It was great getting to know the kids and I really enjoy now being able to have a conversation with them after church instead of just awkward forced dialogue. In the past eight months I�ve traveled to Birmingham, AL, Beaumont, TX, Cartersville, GA, Peoria, IL, Selkirk, MB, Toronto, ON, US Virgin Islands, Iowa City, IA, and Nashville, TN. Most of those were for business with a little bit of Mcgee wedding and family travel thrown in. I�m enjoying life in Tampa it got cold down here for a week, but now we�re back to flip-flop/convertible weather.

I�m planning a trip to Africa this fall. I hope that it works out. I would really enjoy seeing how different the culture is from what I�m used to. I spent a month and a half traveling through Europe and my perception is that it really isn�t that different from the States. They like to try and be pompous and talk about how they are much more sophisticated and cultured, but really they live their lives very similarly to us. I can�t imagine that being the case in Ghana or South Africa. (Those are the two countries I�m looking at visiting) Well I�ve got a busy day tomorrow. I�m waking up early to go sailing and then hanging out with friends the rest of the day (I�ll probably need a nap at some point). Good talking to you.

35-54 of 54 comments « prev 1 2 3 next »

You need to come see our house. It's almost as cute as yours.

by lastoflakewood at 03/27/07 8:29AM
Bible study tonight if you're free :)

by mritchie47 at 03/27/07 8:32AM
charlie went gold?

by aucowgirl at 03/27/07 12:34PM
Yo. I'm going to the camp counselor meeting Saturday. Hopefully it will help me get up the nerve to ask my boss for that week off. I still need to check with them about wireless. I'm excited!!!

by auamy at 03/28/07 9:02AM
And btw, I like that you think about the consequences of your actions before you make decisions. I wish more people did that.

by auamy at 03/28/07 9:04AM
i tagged you. i think it would be funny if you did it. but i'm not gonna hold my breath. but i can hope!

by sarahisaretard19 at 03/30/07 8:03PM
Pluck it, shave it, wax it. That song was beautiful! I love that you shared that with me.

by say_no2unibrows at 04/04/07 11:22PM
I didn't know you were on here! We miss you!!!

by beep_girl at 04/15/07 12:26PM
I love your best friend who talks out during church she's the cutest thing in the whole world...or at least at NB between Bearss and Fletcher

by kris at 04/16/07 9:38PM
The link to the Bassett quotes is on my Blog in the "links" section.

The dots mean that someone has made a comment on that particular blog since you've last seen it. The dots have only been there for 3 years. Haha.

by wilbur at 04/19/07 10:16PM
Uh, I don't know if you're still on here, but I decided to add you as a friend anyway. We definitely bonded over "The Frogs" when I was at your house for camp friends!

by ktay at 04/30/07 12:54PM
hey you! We go to West Main church of Christ in Lewisville. Let me know when you're in town...we'll take you out!

by pocahontas at 05/02/07 2:22PM
glad that Nashville visit got honorable mention.

by rose at 05/02/07 9:42PM
yes! that would be lovely to go to the beach in tampa.. if the Lord wills I will see it in the fall

by stringy at 05/03/07 7:47PM
Call, man. I'd love to hear from you

by buddabignbald at 05/15/07 6:14AM
hello.

by markroberts at 06/10/07 1:15PM
Hello fellow CHRISTIANS just wanted to remind you of the REAVES BASH!!! coming in 9days. Its a weekend party from the 29th at noon or so through Sunday the 1st. Its come and go as you please. Women and Men are encouraged to stay and spend the night/s. I, Jacob will be supervising that!!!(jk) My parents will be there. Looking for anyone in the ages of 20-30ish Married or Not. There will be fun and games and singing and food and probably a trip to the Amacalola falls in North GA. Our Address for Mapquest is 4845 Wright bridge rd, Cumming, GA 30040. Bring Friends cause its a big deal probably 50-100 people from FL,Western K, Auburn and others! Let me know how many your bringing! Questions Call Jacob 7204041671 Bring your sleeping bags. u might get a couch, bed or floor. I think I'm sleepin in the bathtub

by jacobreaves at 06/20/07 1:12PM
Hey dude. Can't remember if I sent you a private message or not...I know I was planning on it. Anyway, in case I didn't, I wanted to say how much fun I had with you at camp. I'm really glad we got to know each other this past week. Lord willing, there will be many other opportunities. You're back in Tampa now, right? Hope you had a good trip.

by mreid72 at 06/25/07 6:43PM
hey..this is alicia...damon's sis..u met me at my house..singing

by track_bud at 07/02/07 11:56AM
Great seeing you at the singing. Really enjoyed seeing everyone again. Have fun this week being back home. Hope the wedding goes well on Sat.

by mreid72 at 07/03/07 10:59AM

To those who bear their souls on the internet

at 06/29/06 8:08PM

I would just like to recognize those people who are able to write about very personal stories and ideas that they have and post them online. I am not one of those people. I don't think that is something I'll ever be able(or want) to do. It does give people a chance to really know what is going on in your life though. I chose to be much more particular about who I open up to. Not a good thing or a bad thing just an observation I had.

Another observation. When you don't watch TV it is very annoying when people are constantly talking about the characters in the shows as if they are real people and they actually knew them. Guys, if this is you, turn off your TV and go out and make some friends and have some experiences or just read a book. The other day a couple of my coworkers were talking about how traumatic the last episode of some hospital show (I forgot the name) was. After they had talked about it for almost our entire walk back to the office from lunch I made the comment, that one of my friends jumped off a 70 foot cliff and fractured 3 of her vertebrae and an interesting thing happened. They had nothing to say. As I write this two things become apparent to me. I'm not really normal. Don't worry, I gave up on being normal a LONG time ago. Second, these were not people who I consider socially awkward. When they were talking about a TV show they had lots of opinions and yet when the conversation turned to real life they did not know how to respond. I wonder if sometimes that is true of people online as well. They are able to express their feelings or thoughts to a computer screen and keyboard, but unable to talk to a real person. Random thoughts.

Life Update:
Last week I was a counselor at Alabama camp for the 12th grade guys. I had a great group and the camp was awesome. It was quite an adjustment when I was given actual campers instead of the usual random helper assignment. People are starting to treat me like I'm more grown-up. I'm not really sure why. I still think like a 12 year old. I still laugh at fart jokes and do many other completely immature things. I'll also be teaching the high school Bible class this Fall, which I'm very excited about. In work related news, I'm still studying for the CPA exam. Got my scores for Regulation section back, but did not pass. Oh well. Also my sister and a couple of her friends are coming to Tampa Saturday for a week so I'm looking forward to hanging out with them. I know one of them is on Pleonast because I just added her to my friends list, but I'm not going to waste time trying to remember how to do the link thing. That's all for now.

Also, if you decide this is too long to read in one sitting feel free to come back anytime over the next couple of months because I don't tend to update very often.

See-ya

30-49 of 49 comments « prev 1 2 3 next »

oh ok thanks. ill keep that in mind

by strongbrad at 07/17/06 11:07AM
good to hear from you too! My daddy is a CPA!

by aprilkelleymcgallion at 07/17/06 10:34PM
yes, it is Deondra Selph and I will tell her 'hello'

by polsvoice at 07/18/06 10:44PM
O.k. .. let me get it straight. HE or SHE dressed up like a drag queen? And, second of all ... where in the world do you work? :o) Good to hear from you? Still living in Auburn?

by kranky at 07/19/06 2:07AM
Randon was in BG, but now he moved back to texas for the ladies I think

by adamgamble at 07/19/06 10:20PM
yes, way too long. yes, bad thing. call when you can cause i also have ghana info!!

by sarahisaretard19 at 08/11/06 12:42PM
wow man...havent heard from you in like...forever...whatsup?

by jason_crawford at 08/23/06 10:29PM
hey i was wondering if you knew how to contact sarah pancotto or amanda lomax

by strongbrad at 10/15/06 1:30AM
Hey this is the other Charlei...the one that's a girl and spelled funny. Thanks for having us over yesterday...or uhh Saturday night to watch the movie. Enjoyed it a lot and love your house. Reminds me of Christmas. Good deal-- tell the giant I said hi next time he comes over.

by chooselove at 10/15/06 11:16PM
chuck

by wannabeapig at 10/24/06 2:25AM
it was so good to see you and hang out this weekend! come back and visit us soon...you can crash at my place. see ya later, buddy!

by isaacgholman at 10/29/06 12:07AM
do you l ive?

by aucowgirl at 11/03/06 10:43AM
or live

by aucowgirl at 11/03/06 10:43AM
Hey Charlie!! I don't update very often either!! Also I really love what you said about watching TV. I haven't watched TV in about 6 months and it is great!! There is so much more out there. I don't even think I want a TV in my house except for watching movies Occasionally!! I do work all the time though. That will all change soon. I think I am going ot go back to school to get a nursing degree!!! I hope you are well!! Don't worry about that whole grown up thing!! They try to make me be one too!! I still refuse!! I love you brother!! I miss you bunches!

by divineharmony at 12/20/06 9:37AM
great thoughts charlie! i agree with you. i have to be careful about the way i talk about jack bauer and 24! i don't want to sound obsessed! :)

by nillabarr at 01/10/07 9:25PM
Charlie, To see a great video of Martha, go to http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_JxWe1wuP8 OR you could just go to youtube.com and type in ROBOT SKILLS

by abnormal at 01/17/07 6:32PM
No more trips to Tampa planned...that ended shortly after last time I stayed with you...currently exploring options in B'ham. Thanks for putting me up when I was there.

by sparky at 02/09/07 4:22PM
pleonast too? wow you are everywhere charlie

by mre at 02/14/07 2:48PM
Glad to see you're in line with my thinking about ole' U of F. I can't believe we still haven't talked. If you still have my number, give me a call.

by buddabignbald at 02/21/07 2:10PM
not too much, really. just work. thats about it with me

by strongbrad at 02/23/07 4:10AM

17-21 of 21 entries « prev 1 2 3 4 5 next »

I hate trying to come up with a witty title

I'm Ghana have a great time

Motivation is running low

Random Thoughts

To those who bear their souls on the internet

thecharlie

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friends