I had the privilege to delve into volunteer work in my early 30s (20+ years ago). This volunteer leadership position that I was appointed to was far more demanding / intimidating than I ever could have imagined it would be, and much of that challenge centered around the individuals I was tasked to serve alongside (we were all appointed simultaneously / I knew none of these older men).
Some veteran Jackson Mississippi Samson guys' musings, recommended resources, and Samson Society news / updates (all written by 100% Grade A - Human Intelligence)
Weekly meetings available to you are as follows:
Tuesday at 6:30 PM, Truitt Baptist Church - Pearl. Call Matt Flint at (601) 260-8518 or email him at matthewflint.makes@gmail.com.
Wednesday at 6:00 PM, First Baptist Church Jackson - Summit Counseling Suite - 431 North State St. Jackson. Call Don Waller at 601-946-1290 or email him at don@wallerbros.com.
Monday at 6:30 PM , Vertical Church - 521 Gluckstadt Road Madison, MS 39110. Mr. Roane Hunter, facilitator, LifeWorks Counseling.
Sunday night at 6:00 PM, Grace Crossing Baptist Church - 598 Yandell Rd. Canton. Call Joe McCalman at 769-567-6195 or email him at cookandnoonie@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Choosing To Not Be Bitter / Jaded In Spite Of Being Read (& Tremendously Scarred By) The Riot Act
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
That First Foray Into The Notion Of The Supernatural
This post is going to address the specific entertainment culture of the '70s by allowing my memories (& amateur commentary) regarding television to narrate therein.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Most Of My Hair Is Silver Now
The house I grew up in in Madison, back in the '80s, was a typical ranch house. After my parents had a small addition constructed (FL / sunroom), it amounted to +/-1,800 sf. A quirk of this house was that the garage flooded (even with the garage door closed) during a deluge. I remember having to "sweep out the garage" immediately following these rainstorms. There was always either a push or corn broom on hand for this task. But even then, the concrete garage floor would remain saturated / puddled, thereby making traversing throughout a slippery affair. And if it was mild weather, this dampness would remain for days.
When my parents sold this house (1990 - my freshman year at MSU) in order to move into a rental ('till their newly constructed home was finished), I wonder if they disclosed this quirk. For they never made any effort to remedy it. It was just one of those nuisances that we lived with throughout our time there.
Today, when you attempt to sell a home, disclosures are expected. For every house has its quirks. I remember populating my mother-in-law's disclosure statement for the home she sold a few years back. It was multiple pages of Q & A with sizable legal warnings throughout threatening legal action if the document wasn't ENTIRELY FORTHCOMING.
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My oldest friend's wife is morbidly obese. She's always been overweight, but over the past 3-4 years, she's gained more and more pounds. Now it's to the point (for those of us who've known her for decades) of the inevitable shock (especially considering their Xmas photo card).
She's also a heavy, heavy social media user (political commentary).
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Once More, A Boiled Toad
Being same-sex attracted has always been my sexual norm. I've never known anything different. When I began dating my future wife (mid-'90s), I was far more attracted to her holistically than likely other potential suitors might have been. And this springboarded off of our childhood friendship which became far more important than either of us realized 'till we began dating. Angie was tender. Her touch was soft and consistent. Plus, she was loyal to a fault. I could go on, but my point here is I had the benefit of being able to easily look beyond the sole opportunity to lay with her (intercourse), as her husband, in regard to potentially marrying.
Another norm for me is the Deep South culture. A big portion of which basks in college football competition / rivalries. This one too is experienced by Rob in ways that don't necessarily fit the typical Mississippi redneck.
It's important to know that Mississippi is all I know relative to a home. As such, it's a hotbed of football-loving and has been for as long as I've known it. My dad, Robert, Sr., grew up immersed in this Southeastern Conference culture. As such, it's as definitive as the very blood type that circulates through his veins.
I joined the marching band (clarinet / drum major) in middle school out of curiosity (& as an escape route from PE class) more than anything else. As such, Friday nights during each of my subsequent fall semesters were mostly spent back on the private academy's grounds - at each and every football game.
From there, I segued into my college's marching band where again, I spent every fall weekend (along with three bowl games!) supporting the team, but this time, I was wearing a maroon & white band uniform. At the conclusion of 1994, my tenure as a Maroon Band member bittersweetly came to a close.
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Tuesday, October 3, 2023
What Does It Mean To "Do The Work"?
I can only speak for myself as a Samson guy whilst answering this question.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Attempting To Put the Kibosh On POTENTIAL Sexual Tension Within Silas Relationships (Addressing That New Script Verbiage)
Within the last (30) days, the Samson Society meeting script (available online to virtual meeting facilitators) has been updated to include some pointed language (within the part that speaks to obtaining a Silas).
The initial iteration of that inclusion read something like this:
"The Samson Society is a place to practice nonsexual intimacy. In order to promote the emotional growth of our members and protect spiritual health of our community, sexual communication or connection between members is prohibited. Misconduct is addressed according to Matthew 18."
There are men who are on the hunt for relationships with other men that exist within sexual tension. Specifically, they're looking for guys who they're sexually attracted to and vice versa, thereby generating the potential for segueing the initially platonic relationship into the sexual realm.
When you're engaging with others online (outside of Samson Society), and this is your modus operandi, it's likely going to carry over, by default, whilst transitioning into our community. That is, unless it's made clear up front that this MO isn't welcome.
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Saturday, August 13, 2022
My Friend's Nasty Refrigerator / Refusing To Take Emotional Responsibility / Emotionally Engage
I'm convinced that emotions are scary to Mississippians. At least white Mississippians. Black Mississippians not so much. As such, it creates quite the disconnect between the two races; for you have one that's marinating in emotional energy and the other who sees no use for / can't comprehend / would rather ignore it.
Saturday, June 4, 2022
My Need To Be Seen / Pursued By Men I Respect (& How Porn Defaults To Fulfill That Need)
All of my issues with gay porn - for the most part - have a common denominator of attempting to fill a void of feeling isolated from the universal community of men.
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Recommended Reading - How The Internet Ate A Young Man Alive
Josh Duggar Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Prison for Child Pornography (insider.com)
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Us Versus Them - Riding The Superiority Highhorse
The saddest character flaw I've personally witnessed is certain guy's penchant for gloating. For it will serve to isolate him throughout the years of his life.
Monday, April 11, 2022
"What If...?" (Mirror Universe)
My first pastor friend was our Assistant Pastor at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. He'd initially served as our church's Youth Pastor, but by the time Angie & I began visiting (with our then two little sinners) Lakeside Pres (around 2009), he'd been promoted. Brandon was / is 3-5 years older than I am, and overall is one of the most handsome Presbyterian pastors I've had the privilege to meet. Were he not a member of the clergy, he'd likely be highly successful either in the public or private sector.
Thursday, January 13, 2022
The Bible Belt Samson Guy. Rob's Update On His Virtual Samson Society Meeting Experience.
I've been attending the "Make Thursdays Great Again" (7 PM CST) virtual Samson Society group for close to two months now, and I feel guilty about it.
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Bad / Poor Mouthing
Bad / poor mouthing is the practice of tearing others down behind their backs. It's usually executed amongst a triangulated peer group - friends, family, co-workers, and it's done because we all feel - at times - entitled to do so.