Randolph Randy Camp's Blog: Randy C Creations RCstories, page 7

Just Believe

When I was in elementary school I remember telling my classmates on the playground about the wild dreams I would have and they would just make fun of me and called me crazy. I learned that people are quick to call you crazy when they don’t understand you. People are quick to belittle and ridicule you when they are jealous or envious of you. As I got older I remember one of my teachers encouraging me to write down my wild dreams, and would tell me not to let anyone discourage me and just believe in myself. – Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp

Class n' Strength

My heart hurts sometimes when I think about today’s world in which our young people must navigate through. During my visits to schools I love meeting kids who are so optimistic about the future in spite of the hatred and negativity around them. I’m always a bit pumped up after our classroom discussions because more times than not, a certain viewpoint was made and something truly amazing was said by a student and it just blew my mind. These kids give me hope…hope that brighter days and times are possible.

Over the years I’ve learned to concentrate on my own life and do whatever I can do to make my life better and to make the world a better place, instead of complaining about things or concentrating on what others are doing.

For those of you out there going through rough n’ tough times but yet you’re not cursing at the world and not cursing at those around you, well, that takes a lot of strength and you have a lot of class. When I was younger I used to blame others sometimes for my own doings but now I know exactly where to point my finger…at myself. What I’ve learned from my past misgivings and mistakes is that my focus is on not what took place yesterday but what I’m doing today and what will I do tomorrow.

No, it’s certainly not easy staying positive especially in this sometimes chaotic world, but whatever you do, please don’t let others dampen your spirit. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! – Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp

Your Neighbor's Name

I love being invited to classrooms and speaking to students. Our book talk discussions can get pretty deep sometimes, and often jumps off-topic into the students’ personal lives.

Current news events, such as the recent bomb scare, and race relations in America are usual topics discussed during these meet-the-author sessions. I often learn a lot from these bright young minds, and I’m always honored when the students ask me for advise or my opinion about certain things.

Recently, after reading my novel ’29 Dimes’ as a class assignment, which has the undertone of race relations, several students wanted to know my thoughts on how America could improve its race relations. I told the students that I love this particular question because my response is always the same, which is, “Just simply get to know your neighbors, get to know your neighbor’s name.”

Too often, we only describe our neighbors as “the lady who drives the red car”, “the old man with the blue pickup”, “the family up the street with the mixed kid”, etc.

I further explain to the class that getting to know one another strengthens you and strengthens your neighborhood, your community, etc. (We tend to make bad and wrong assumptions about people when we don’t even make an effort to know them.)

By the way, my neighbors are Donna, Mike, Dennis, and Larry. Have a great day Everyone. – Randolph Randy Camp

Your Discovery

I’m so truly blessed to have such genuine caring friends, fans and followers in my life. I hope that all of you are encircled with people who sincerely want to see you flourish and rise (and not those who secretly laugh at you if you should stumble.)

It’s March 12, 2018 and once again, I’m reminded of that old familiar adage, “There’re two important dates in your life, the day you was born and the day you discover why you was born.” Regardless of your age, the color of your skin, or where you come from, I honestly believe that there’s something uniquely special inside each of you.

Thank you EVERYONE today for your Birthday Wishes, and if you haven’t already, I hope that you will soon discover why you was born. – Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp

Raise Your Voice For Safer Schools

We’ve reached a sad point in America when sending our kids to school has become a safety issue. Periodic shooter drills have become the norm in a lot of school districts, and now I’m hearing talk of arming certain teachers and giving them a bonus.

The pay bonus part is long overdue. In fact, all teachers everywhere should be given a pay raise immediately. But, personally, I don’t like the idea of arming our school teachers though. Going to school and working within the school system should be a fun, peaceful learning experience for everyone. Imprisoning our schools, I think, will only invite unnecessary stress and anxiety into our classrooms. Years ago, when I was a little boy growing up in rural Virginia, school was my sanctuary. I absolutely loved going to school back then, and the kids today certainly deserve an enjoyable school experience as well. It’s 2018 now, and I truly believe that we can make our schools safer and give parents and caregivers more peace of mind when sending their kids off to school each morning.

Sadly, America is a money-driven society. We shouldn’t let the NRA-backed officials put financial gain ahead of public safety and common sense. Why should we promote and further advocate guns by arming our school teachers when we have the technical know-how to disrupt and make a shooter’s weapon inoperable? In this modern, digital age of driverless vehicles, voice-activated devices, GPS, drones, countless smart gadgets and phones, we are certainly far too intelligent and technically advanced to cope with a contemporary 2018 issue, such as gun control, with outdated 1970’s ideas and solutions.

Although we don’t hear too much about this, we already have a few companies out there that can show retailers and gun manufacturers how to install software and micro-chips in their products that could make the guns unusable in certain specified areas, such as schools. Additionally, wouldn’t it be nice if the local police or the school office could be automatically alerted when a concealed weapon (or otherwise) enters the school perimeter. It’s an outright disservice to our kids to knowingly have this capability and not use it to make them feel safe at school.

If you’re a kid going to school now with a touch of fear, and if you’re a parent wanting more peace of mind when sending your kids off to school, then please use your voice and raise your voice by contacting your Federal and State Senators and Congresspersons. Too often, we feel helpless when we hear the tragic news of school shootings. You can make a difference. Tell folks how you really feel. Take a few moments and reach out to your local government. Ask your local representatives if they are aware of these existing companies that have the knowledge and capability to inconspicuously disengage a shooter’s weapon. And if they do not, then raise your voice to tell them to wisely use their time and taxpayers’ dollars to check these companies out for our kids’ sake. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp

A Healthy You, A Healthy Valentine

I think that I do more things wrong than I do right. For instance, when it comes to eating nutritious foods, most likely, I would get a ‘D minus’ in that department.

I’m very blessed to be able to write, travel and meet some of my readers and fans. I find myself on the road quite a lot these days, appearing at book signings and classroom book talks. Maybe, just like some of you, I don’t always eat the best foods, especially when I’m on the go. I’m certainly guilty of indulging on all of the fatty menu items of any roadside café. And I definitely stand accused of consuming too many quick-fix, unhealthy foods from the convenient gas mart.

But, at least once a week, and sometimes twice, I actually do eat more nutritiously though. From my travels and readings years ago, I’d become aware of certain African tribes that would eat nothing but vegetation for at least a whole week out of the month just to cleanse their digestive system from toxins and various parasites. Through the years, I’ve been practicing this same healthy habit, although I’d modified it a bit. To rid my body of any toxins or parasites from my fatty consumption of unhealthy foods I will eat one, and sometimes, two fresh pineapples per week. Eating fresh pineapples, along with fresh garlic and so many other natural fruits and vegetables, are a great way to cleanse your body and stay healthy.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, chocolates and other sweet treats are always big sellers. If you’re not particularly a frequent produce-buyer, may I suggest, for you and your special Valentine this year to try adding some fresh fruits or vegetables with that box of chocolates. In all of the different ways in which we can say that we really care and love someone and that we want them to stick around for as long as possible, maybe nothing says it better than a fresh pineapple…..along with the chocolates, of course. – Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp

Shining Brighter: 2018

Every year we all make new resolutions. Sometimes we accomplish them, and sometimes we just let them fade away. For me, personally, I’ve learned over the years to not put too much pressure on myself by setting strict deadlines or making strong commitments, which were unrealistic in the first place. For 2018, I simply want to shine brighter.

Shining brighter could mean different things to different people. Shining brighter, in my own life, is simply trying to reach and inspire more people than the previous year.

Setting goals and accomplishing goals are two separate things. Personally, taking baby steps instead of giant leaps have been greatly beneficial to me. We all get discouraged, but don’t throw in the towel, just keep taking those small steps. Life is always a struggle, and realistically, things will get rough at times, but in your own special way, I hope that all of you will find a way to shine brighter in 2018. – Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp

Rappahannock Dreams: A Sort of Homecoming

I was such a weird nerdy kid growing up. When I was thirteen I was briefly admitted to Mary Washington Hospital due to a football injury. I remember this really nice nurse having small talk with me, trying to ease my pain. I’ll never forget the look on her face when she’d asked me, “So, tell me young man, what do you want to be when you grow up? Be a running back or a wide receiver in the NFL?” Without hesitation, I said, “To write a book one day and see it in all the libraries so everybody can read it.” Man, the look on her face. Still today, I smile inside every time I think of her.

As a kid growing up in Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg, I used to spend a lot of time sitting along the banks of the Rappahannock River. Always equipped with a pen and pad, I would sit and watch the water flow downstream, then jot down my thoughts and dreams. And through the years, those little notes and thoughts I’d jotted down by the river eventually evolved into my published works today.

We’re fast approaching 2018, and it’s been over forty-plus years since I had those Rappahannock dreams. Today, I’m so honored and grateful to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library in New York, The Public Library of Des Moines, The Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg, Virginia, ect. for having my novels as part of their library book collection. I guess dreams do come true, huh? I sincerely hope that all of your dreams have (or will) come to fruition as well.

And, I’m happy to announce that, in 2 weeks, I’ll be appearing at the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center, 7565 Courthouse Road, in Spotsylvania County on Saturday, December 9th, from 10am to 12noon for a Book Signing Presentation Event. *(Go to Facebook Events for details) I would love to see all of my classmates, especially from the (Spotsylvania Sr. High School) Class of ’79, book lovers, readers, friends and loved ones there. Hope you can make it! - Randolph Randy Camp

Drop A Coat, Warm Your Heart

Somewhere near us, at this very moment, regardless of our location, there is someone on the street without a home and without a coat. In this sometimes cruel, coldhearted world we can all do a little something to warm our hearts. As we approach the winter season, some businesses and non-profit organizations will conduct winter coat drives for the homeless and those in need. It warms my heart when I go through my closet and pick out an old heavy coat or two, in which I no longer wear, and drop it off at a local homeless shelter.

Most places that are willing to accept used coats will have it heat-treated first before they actually hand it out. Please double-check in your local area for the clothing donation policy at the city mission, teen drop-in center, homeless shelter, or the thrift stores that supports the local soup kitchens. Whether I’m at St. Vincent DePaul’s Soup Kitchen near Main and Utica in Buffalo, at the Bethel Mission near 6th and University in Des Moines, or down on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, it absolutely breaks my heart to see the rising number of homeless, especially the homeless teens sleeping on the sidewalks and under bridges. When I was living in Los Angeles I witnessed a particular transit bus being used during the wee hours of the night, whereby the homeless could ride and sleep in peace just as long they don’t bother the other passengers.

We can all do a little something. Drop a coat and warm your own heart. – Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp

Today's Amazing Teens

Sometimes, I don’t think that our young people get enough credit for their good deeds and positive vibes in which they put out every day. Similar to the adult world, the criminal and negative activity conducted by a small percentage of our young people will get publicized but it’s very rare that the countless good deeds of the majority will get any attention at all.

Whenever I’m in the company of young people not only do I love hearing about what they are currently doing, but I also love to listen to their thoughts, ideas, and dreams about their future. It’s easy to get the wrong impression about some of today’s youth, especially when you enter a fast-food restaurant and the teen behind the counter greets you as if you’d just interrupted his or her break and everything mentioned about providing good customer service during their orientation went straight out the window after their first week on the job. And of course, not all teenagers act this way. Personally, I try to look pass these few young individuals who, unfortunately, give teenagers a bad reputation.

The open discussions I have during and after a classroom book talk session with students are some of the most engaging and intriguing discussions I’ve ever heard. The questions, comments, and opinions of some of these young people just blows my mind, and any reservations or doubts I might have had about our youth running the country in the future quickly dissipates after listening to the students intelligently articulate and express themselves on a wide range of subjects, including sex, politics, fashion trends, gun control, and race relations. What I enjoy most during my school book talks is how the students typically would freely say things that most people would only feel comfortable saying at the kitchen table or privately among their close friends or family members. In my personal opinion, I think that we need more of these open discussions in America so that we can improve our race relations and the basic way we treat each other here in America (and around the world.)

When I’m surrounded by these bright kids I wish that others could hear their thoughts and opinions about what’s going on in the world today. In my most recent high school visit, the students and I covered a wide range of interesting topics, including the removal of Confederate statues, the NFL national anthem – kneeling debate, the delayed Puerto Rico disaster FEMA relief, gun control, human trafficking, teen homelessness, bullying, immigration and DACA. I’ll never forget this most recent school visit because I was asked a question by one of the students in which I’d never been asked before. She asked, “Mr. Camp, if there was one person right now, in the whole world, who you would love to meet and ask him or her a few questions, who would it be?” You should’ve seen the looks on the kids’ faces as I quickly answered, “Malala Yousafzai”. And, interesting enough, my response to that question actually led us into another engaging and lively discussion.

Yes indeed, I have tremendous faith in our amazing youth, and I truly believe that we have a very bright future ahead. – Randolph Randy Camp
Wet Matches