All That Is Right With The World...

Came accross this little gem today. Yes, I know it's wrong. But it's okay. I'm a democrat.

(I actually have no idea how that justification has to do with anything.)

Way Up High...

All three of my Dad's brothers (and various parts of their families) were in town last weekend. They came in late Saturday and just left this afternoon to go home. We had a great time. I didn't get ANY sleep Saturday night and went to bed Sunday night about 2 o'clock Monday morning. It's been a long time since I tried to keep that schedule. Needless to say, I am pooped. Hopefully, I can get back to posting regularly soon. I know you miss hearing how I spent my day, Mom.

Introducing, In the Red Corner...

"Why would anyone do that?"

I've heard that more than once. Watching one guy pound another guy inside that octagon begs that question. Yet, I've never asked it. Even when it's a one sided affair and the loser looks like he was in a bad car accident (and probably hurts more than if he actually was). Even when there's an injury.

I don't have to ask. I know why.

I quit my job yesterday. Just for context, I loved my job. I enjoyed working with people, helping them find their dream home. I think Lennar is a good company, and, as best they can, care about their employees. I loved my boss. I thought he was smart and did a lot of things right.

So why did I quit?

When I was a kid, I used to wrestle. In high school, I wasn't necessarily good, but I wasn't bad either. I won most of the matches I was supposed to win, and I lost most of the matches I should've lost. And most of the time this was pre-determined before I went on the mat.

It wasn't set-up or anything, I just pre-determined it. Usually, when I went up against an opponent with a good record that I knew, ultimately, no matter how hard I tried, I would probably be defeated. Mostly because he was a better wrestler than me. So, when those times came, I usually didn't try very hard. I made it look good, but I was defeated before I went out there. That might sound strange, but it was an ego saver for me.

You see, by not trying, I didn't really feel like I'd lost. By not giving my all, I wasn't putting myself out there. In the back of my mind I could say, "well, I didn't really lose because I didn't really try. Who knows how I would've done if I'd tried."

I continued this attitude through most of my life. Things I should succeed at, I did. And things I would have to work hard to succeed at, I didn't try very hard, so if it failed, I didn't feel like it was really me who failed.

Theodore Roosevelt was quite a president. He was the first vice president to succeed a president who died (McKinley) and actually get re-elected. He was the first president to invite a black person to dine at the White House. He was the first president to officially call the White House "The White House". He was the first American to be awarded a Nobel Prize. He is the only president to be awarded a Medal of Honor. He's also the reason I quit.

There is a quote of his that I've committed to memory. It goes like this:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

When I was in fifth grade, I wrestled for the junior high team. I was too young to have an ego, and as it was my first year of really competitive wrestling, I didn't know if I was any good or not. We entered a four-team tournament at the end of the year. As it turned out, I was ranked third (out of four). But, the second ranked kid couldn't make weight, and I suddenly found myself in the championship match against the number one ranked kid in my weight class. Well the match starts and I find myself on my back. I struggle and strain and somehow make it out of the first period. The second period was more of the same. I find myself in danger of being technically pinned by losing by more than 15 points.

The third period starts and he's controlling the match. Now, don't get me wrong, this kids is a better athlete than me. The fact that these people exist is a reality my life that hasn't escaped my knowledge. But something in me decided I wasn't ready to lose. Something snapped inside and I went after him. I got him in a headlock and squeezed as hard as I could. With about 8 seconds left in the match I pinned him.

I was a the champion. I was the only kid on my team that year to win a championship. I put myself out there and won. I strove valiantly. I knew victory.

I think there is something in a man that identifies with that. It's the reason the UFC is the fastest growing sport among men ages 18-40. It's the reason my brother-in-law is joining the Air Force in his thirties. It's the reason I envy him. And it's the reason I going out on my own.

I am entering a very competitive arena. If I succeed, it will be because of me. And if I fail, it will be because of me. Much like Cortez, I am burning the ships and not looking back.

"Why would anyone do that?"

If you have to ask, no explanation will do.

The critic line begins to your left.

Them Jars Of Clay Are Right...

This is going to be a very crazy week.

Today I made a pro/con list of whether or not I'm going to quit my job (Matt, I know this violates rule number something or other about blogging, but I don't care). You always know it's going to be an interesting week when it starts off like that. Plus, my wife left me a honeydo list a mile long. I'm almost there, but thought I would post while I had a break.

Tomorrow I'm working all day.

Wednesday I have an appointment at the church, lunch appointment, and then a vet appointment for the doggies. Athena has these horrible allergies that keep us up all night with her scratching. Diesel poops blood. Gross, I know.

Thursday is D-day. I absolutely positively have to know by then what I'm going to do about work.

Friday is either work as usualy or the first day of freedom. We'll see what happens.

WEST VIRGINIA SUCKS (and other NCAA rumors that aren't true)...

If anyone cares, I am auctioning of a slightly used NCAA men's tournament bracket.

WESTERN KENTUCKY!!!!!

Well, I had my first big hurt of the tourney. I had Drake going all the way to the Elite 8.

What a shot.

Dear Jason...

...You asked for it.



(if you don't get it, see comment on post below)

Nature's Vagina...

Wow! What A Hole...

I know I have been severly absent for the past couple of weeks. This is largely due to two reasons.

First, my internet at work is down. Not only does this take roughly 6 hours I had each day to post, but also 6 hours each day I had to surf the internet for something to post on.

Secondly, my wife is on track break right now. So when I come home, I like to spend as much time with her as we can. My weekends (Tuesday and Wednesday) aren't boring like they used to be. For instance, in about 10 minutes we are leaving to go see the Grand Canyon. I've been there before, but Candice has never seen it. Neither one of us are really into the whole 'outdoor' thing, but it's really a shame to live this close to it and never have seen it. So, off we go!

I'm borrowing my father-in-law's fancy smancy camera. This means two things: 1. Pray for me that I don't drop it over the edge and have to replace it and b. I might just come back with a great pic to put on the ol' blog.

TO THE GIANT HOLE IN THE GROUND WE GO!!!!!!!

Reclaiming The Title...

I'm not sure I remember my dreams anymore.

At the beginning of every school year my mom would put our school picture into a little book. Next to the pic she would fill out important info like height, weight, and who my friends were. The last line of information asked what I anted to be when I grew up. I never really took that question to seriously. Even as I got older, and my friends began deciding what they were going to pursue in life, I still had a hard time saying with any certain confidence what I wanted to be. I probably stuck with my patented answer of doctor because it gave me the greatest chance of seeing a naked girl.

I wish my mom still kept that book. I wish there were pages for important milestones like 25, 30 and 40th birthdays. How would I answer the question then? How do I answer it now?

As I sit in my office on an unusually busy day, contemplating what the next few years will bring, I realize it won't be that long until the girl with the green eyes will be rubber cementing our childs picture into a little book. Recording important information like favorite food and best friend's names.

I wonder how they'll answer the question.

The Cart Whisperer...

The Old Jake...

(The following conversation took place between my wife and I as we watched Kristy Lee Cook perform on "American Idol")

The Girl With The Green Eyes: "I don't like her pants."

Me: "Why not?"

TGWTGE: "They're too shiny"

Me: "But her shirt is shiny..."

TGWTGE: "But her pants are awful. They remind me of something you used to wear."

Totally Useless Skills...

I'm not sure why, but I was thinking today of all the things I can do that serve me absolutely no purpose whatsoever. Let me show you what I mean:

1) Type Fast. Seriously, I have typed this whole blog so far in about 22 seconds. Okay, maybe not that fast, but I do feel like I can type secretary fast. But I'm not a secretary. If it wasn't for this blog, I would have no reason to type anything ever. And even then, I have so much time at work, it could take me a minute to type a word and I'd still have enough time to finish a decent blog in a day. Which is all the more reason that it's sad I don't blog more...

2) Math. I was a genius in High School. Okay, maybe not Einstein level, but still pretty far. I was about two grades ahead of where I should've been. For whatever reason, math concepts always came easily. I remember asking my teachers when we were ever going to use this in the real world. And you know what? I haven't. EVER. Thanks Mrs. Deason. Now English on the other hand...

3) Roller Skating. Like old school, 4 wheels with a stopper on the front. We used to have races at the local skating rink and I'd win a lot. I never was that fast of a runner (something about the whole getting hit by a car when I was 12) but I could skate really fast.

4) Driving fast. Nuff said.

I'm not sure why I can do those things. They really have served me absolutely no purpose whatsoever in my life. I wonder which of these traits I'll pass along to my kids.

Oh, yeah, I'm going to be a dad.

I Completely Stole This...

I was on David Crowder's blog, saw he did this, realized I am bored out of my freaking mind, and thought it would be fun.

Grab your ipod and go to your favorite playlist. Hit random and list the first ten songs that come up. NO CHEATING. Post your list in the comments. Here's mine:

1)November Rain - GNR
2)California - Phantom Planet
3)All My Life - Foo Fighters
4)A Long December - Counting Crows
5)American Women - Lenny Kravitz
6)American Idiot - Green Day
7)Cherry Bomb - John Mellencamp
8)Heart of Gold - Neil Young
9)Panama - Van Halen
10)The Space Between - Dave Matthews Band

Your turn...

What Kind Of Dog Is A Sick Dog?

I am sick. Worn out, headache, vommiting sick. You'll excuse me if I'm absent the next few days. I've got the bottom of some toilets to look at.

I Knew I Was White When I Bought That $6 Cup of Coffee...

Found this great website completely devoted to things white people like. My favorites so far are #68 (divorce), #62 (knowing what's best for poor people), and #59 (natural medicine). It's comical if not convicting.

My Hands...

...have smelled like stinky feet all day. I've washed them a thousand times but I can't shake that smell. Anyone got some orange scented hand sanitizer?

Spring Cleaning...

It's been 70 plus degrees here the last few days. It feels absolutely great to walk outside and not be cold.

We are starting a new small group tonight. Well, not new completely, but newer. It still has our old group members, we are just doubling in size. I'm kind of excited. We will have about 10-12 couples (20-24 people) over here tonight. I'm doing an experiment to see if a larger small group can work. It might turn into a logistical nightmare, or it might succeed. Either way, we're gonna give it a run.

Well, Happy Valentine's Day!

I Like...

...the one about a herniated colon.

Lots To Write About Today...

First of all, Survivor is back. This season is a fan vs. favorite format. Fun! (Spoiler alert!) I was shocked when Johnny Fairplay told everyone to vote for him. I was certain there was some other cockamamie idea up his sleave. But, alas, one of my favorite chracters was booted, probably never to be heard from again. I don't like the Parvati/James duo. Unfortunatly, I don't think James is smart enough to realize how that pigeon holes him. And is that ALL she can do? Seriously, talk about needing some game (get it, cause her only game is her game? No? Okay, I'm a dork).

Secondly, I picked up a book I heard about on my friend Chris' blog. It's called "UNchristian". It's written by the president of the Barna Research Group. It's a very interesting, thought provoking, and convicting read.

Thirdly, to further prove my point, there is a petion being lodged to the comissioner of the NFL to replay the last 1:40 of the Super Bowl. Seriously. You can read the full protest here. But please allow me the pleasure of some highlights of the signatures so far:

38. Dave Rosenthal I can't believe this isn't a big story. I mean, we should be 19-0, but the NFL hates that Pats, so instead we have to go through this the rest of our lives knowing we got gypped.

91. Bradley Whitaker The referees seemed as though they wanted the Patriots to finally lose.

119. Brandon Lathrop Proven That the game was over after eli was tackled, should have been a patriots win, this was a all set up by the nfl as a conspiracy.

109. Andrew Paterson It is obvious that, whether by accident or intent, the clock was kept in the last 1:40 illegally and in such a way that it cost the New England Patriots a fair chance to win the Super Bowl. This is not bitterness talking, I actually believe the outcome would or could have been different. Please, at the very least an acknowledgement or apolgy, if not your ordering of a replay of the game from that point on, even though I realize how much that is to ask.

And my personal favorite:

968. Daniel Duggan I was orinally signer 47. I have since found my dignity and self respect. I formally withdraw signature 47. Oh and this one too.Please don't count me twice. Don't count me once either. Don't count me at all please. Though we did get ripped off 1:40. That kinda sucked. You know? I mean with that extra time and all, we could have won it. In fact we deserved to win. WE WERE CHEATED. We WERE EFFEN CHEATED! THIS SUCKS. THIS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SUCKS. We should be 19-0 and on top of the world. Man, I hope this petition gets to Mr. Goodell. He can make it right. PLEEEEEASE make this right Roger. Please, Please,Please, Undefeated that's what we should be. Undefeated.


Anywho, last, but certainly not least, I hope you didn't swim for Kokomo High School between the years of 2004-2006. In case you haven't heard, Brian Hindson was arrested for secretly videotaping girls changing in the locker room. Wow. In the last two months, Kokomo (my hometown) has made national headlines for a crook shooting himself in the groin, and a coach making illegal child porn. Way to represent.

So I May Be Late To The Party...

This is really my first year being heavily informed during a political race. I was snooping around on cnn.com, and I came across the delegate count. Now, I understand the delegate process. I get that we are actually a republic and not a true democracy (at least, in the truest sense of the word). It's why someone can win the popular vote but lose and election. I understood that after Bush/Gore/Florida debacle.

But here's what I don't get. In the Democratic party, there are "Superdelegates". These delegates are made up of various ranking Democratic National Committee members. It includes all democratic govenors, senators, and congressmen. It also includes all former democratic Speakers of the House, democratic Senate leaders, former democratic presidents, vice presidents, and other various ranking democratic leaders.

Now, lest you think I am rethinking my new Democratic registration, the Republicans have them too. They just have A LOT less. A lot less.

Well, on the democratic side, these people, these delegates of superhuman power, make up about 20% of the total delegate count at the convention this summer. So in theory, one could win only a third of all the vote, and still be the nominee, if such a person could convince all his/her colleagues to vote for him/her.

So, being that there were 90 people at my caucus and we elected 7 delegates, it took eleven of us to have the strength of one of these 'Super'delegates.

I always knew I was less of a man, but now I know why.

My Dad Has Competition...

There are parts of this video that are boring. Then there are parts of this video that are beautiful and disgusting at the same time. I'll let you be the judge.

Go here.

Because I Can't Help Myself...

Suck it Patriots.

And I Was On A Roll...

To my faithful readers (i.e. Mom)...

Sorry for the break. I know you've been missing your daily dose of stupid videos. I've been without the internet for the past week at work. Talk about boring. But I have been able to finish up seasons three and four of the Sopranos.

This show really intrigues me. It's one of the first TV shows I can think of where you actually root for the bad guy. Even in his twisted way, Tony Soprano embodies a lot of what people want. Respect, power, money, etc. I think it changed a lot about protagonists in our tv era. It opened doors for shows like Dexter where you root for a serial killer.

Anyway, the game yesterday was absolutely fantastic. I don't think you could've asked for a better all-around game (unless of course, you're a patriots fan, in which case, GET OFF MY BLOG!!!!) I'm sure everything that could be said about it will be said by much more savvy bloggers than me, so I'll leave the rest of that to the really clever people.

Well, hope you have a good week and I'm sure I'll be back in no time with videos of people throwing up or random candidates for president. Ta Ta.

UPDATE: Thanks to Ryan for the video and the shoutout

Two Interesting Stories...

Let me tell you about them. I'll start with the shorter one.

I just had a lady come in to my office. She had a thick accent that sounded Russian. We chit chatting and I asked where she was from. She said Michigan. That's not what I meant, but being that I have family there I asked where. She said Plymoth.

"Never heard of it." I said.

"Really?" She replied, "Everyone in the world has heard of Plymoth."

"Michigan?" I asked.

"Yeah, you learn about it in school. You know, the pilgrims."

Oh.

"You mean Massachusetts," I said.

"No, Plymoth, Michigan. By Detroit. It's very famous." She said.

"The pilgrims landed in Plymoth, but it was in Massachusetts, not Michigan." I explained. "Think about it. How would they have reached Detoit by ship?"

"I learned about it in school. I know what I mean." She told me.

I let her have her way. Plymoth, Michigan. Site of the pilgrim landing.

Second story.

Yesterday, I had a temp help me out with all the traffic at our models. She told me a story that has movie written all over it.

She was the cheerleader/homecoming queen sweetheart. He was the rulebreaking badboy. He was a senior, she was a junior. Night of prom he knocks her up but she doesn't tell him. After graduation, he takes off for the neon lights of Vegas and gets into showbiz. She raises his kid for two and a half years on her own till she marries Steve, a big italian guy from an even bigger family. Steve raises the boy as his own till four years ago, when Steve passed away. 35 years of marriage. One day she's on the internet and decides to join Classmates.com. Posted on her school's site is a poem with her name on it. Badboy, now businessman in Las Vegas, posted it two weeks earlier. He's still in love with her. She flies out to see him and shows him a picture of her now 40 year old son. She tells him the truth. They get married and live happily ever after.

Bada bing. Ain't love grand?

You Sir, Are The Candidate Of Change...

Cort For President...

I posted about a week ago that I have a new favorite candidate. I just realized the link I posted didn't work. I've fixed the link but will put it here as well. This is his campaign add which convinced me.

God's Will...

In the movie "Charlie Wilson's War", Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a CIA agent paired with Tom Hanks character (Wilson) to bring down the evil soviets in Afghanistan. At the end of the movie Aaron Sorkin writes in this story:

Hoffman: "A boy is given a horse on his 14th birthday. Everyone in the village says, 'Oh how wonderful.' But a Zen master who lives in the village says, 'We shall see.' The boy falls off the horse and breaks his foot. Everyone in the village says, 'Oh how awful.' The Zen master says, 'We shall see.' The village is thrown into war and all the young men have to go to war. But, because of the broken foot, the boy stays behind. Everyone says, 'Oh, how wonderful.' The Zen master says, 'We shall see.'"

At the end of "No Country For Old Men" Tommy Lee Jones' character is talking with one of his former deputies. He is relating how he's glad to be leaving the force because he didn't necessarily want to die in the line of duty like his father and his grandfather did. At the end of his little speech, the deputy says this:

"Whatcha got ain't nothin new. This country's hard on people, you can't stop what's coming, it ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity."

I say all this to say I've been thinking about the God's will for my life more and more. About what that means. I read "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy a couple of weeks ago. In it, he is constantly saying something to the effect of, "I guess it wasn't God's timing" or "I patiently waited for God to open the door".

I used to be on that train. The train that says my every move has been pre-destined so to speak. That God had a perfect will for my life and I was to discern it by any means necessary and charged with the task of not screwing it up.

Lately, I think I've fallen off that train (and no, not because I am currently registered Democrat). I'm not so sure God has this perfect will for me that I am to follow. I hear people say, "I heard God calling me to...(fill in the blank)" Maybe it was a certain job, a location, a ministry. I don't know.

I don't know because I've never heard him that way. He didn't tell me to move to Las Vegas or Denver or back to Vegas. He didn't tell me to marry Candice. He didn't tell me to go into vocational ministry or leave vocational ministry. I would have to say that what I've done in my life I've done because I wanted to.

So as not to sound too selfish there, let me explain. I believe ultimately people do what they want to do. We can say it was for God (and it may very well be), we can say it's for financial security, we can say it's for a lot of things, but ultimately, it's what we want to do. Do we want to do it because we think it's God's will? Sure, sometimes. But I married Candice because I wanted to. I worked at a church because I wanted to. I don't now because I don't want to.

The quote from "No Country" is really what has me thinking. To think that God has this perfect will for everyone on the planet I think is a little vain. I think more God has a perfect will, and it's up to us to fit ourselves into it. But I don't think it has anything to do with where we live or what we do for a living. I think it has to do with being obedient in our hearts and with our lives.

I have a saying that I passed along to my co-workers. "It is what it is". I know it didn't originate with me, but I came about it through my own accord none-the-less. Life is life and what will happen will happen. The thing we think is great one day is not so great the next.

When Dan Gable lost his unbeaten record the final match of his college wrestling career, it changed him. He became even more focused and ended with that one loss as the only blemish on his record. He became the most successful coach in NCAA history. Since then, he has said this:

"If I could figure out how I could have gone back and saved Diane, and how I could have gone back and not had that loss in that tournament, and still gone on to be the same person I am today, that would be perfect." (His sister Diane had been murdered when he was in high school)

But the truth is, he can't. And if he could, there's a great chance he wouldn't be the person he is today.

The more I think about it, the more I like "No Country For Old Men." I like the thought of fate. It's more freeing than restricting. Like I can't screw it up.

Proverbs says:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

and

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

God has a will that's bigger than my life. It stretches from the beginning of time to the end of it. My story will someday have an end. I will die and be buried. But if I make myself a part of the larger story of God, my story will never end. Not because of God's will for me, but because of God's will, and my willingness to get lost in it.

Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait...................What?

You Wanna Know Why I Hate The Patriots?...

It has nothing to do with being a Colts fan. It has everything to do with being a football fan.

First and foremost, they cheated. They were caught this year using a camera to record signals so they could call into Brady what plays they were using. So this isn't just on Belichick. Everyone knew what was going on. They are cheaters, plain and simple.

I don't need any other reasons, but here is another great one.

They whine about EVERYTHING. All we heard this year was that they didn't get any respect. This is coming from a team that graced the SI cover 3 times during the 17 week season. This is coming from a team that Bill Simmons has so far up his butt, I think they are all a little brown by now. And this comes from a team that six years ago said this:

FOXBORO -- Several of the Patriots were not happy with Pittsburgh clawing and scratching to get into the end zone in the game's final minute.

Tedy Bruschi was restrained on the field after one goal-line play, and didn't hold back his disdain for the Steelers after the game.

Bruschi, who has seen players hurt late in games when the outcome already has been decided, said he "lost respect" for Pittsburgh because it chose to play hard until the final gun and not accept a 30-7 defeat. Bruschi said he worried about injuries because some players might not be running at full speed.

"I did have some respect for that team, but after what they pulled on that last drive, it's totally lost now," Bruschi said. "You're getting beat . . . just accept it with class. I know we would have if the tables were turned. But they're out there calling timeouts, trying to get extra yards, padding their stats. I don't know. Let's just end the game and get out of there healthy. They're putting both teams at risk."


That's right, don't you dare play your starters the WHOLE game. Unless of course you are already up by 38 points and Brady needs 16 games to do what Peyton did in 15. Then it's different.

Why?

Because they are the New England Patriots that's why. Who are you to question that?

Let This Be A Lesson To You...

Stop Me If You've Heard It...

Three coaches, Tony Dungy, Norv Turner, and Bill Belichik, charter a private plane to watch the Pro Bowl together. En route, the plane goes down and all three go to heaven to visit God and watch the Celtics play a game.

God decides who will sit next to him by asking the men a question...

God asks Tony Dungy first: "What do you believe?" Tony thinks long and hard, looks God in the eye, and says, "I believe in hard work, and in staying true to family and friends. I believe in giving. I was lucky, but I always tried to do right by my fans."

God can't help but see the essential goodness of Dungy, and offers him a seat to his left.

Then God turns to Norv Turner and says, "What do you believe?"

Turner says, "I believe passion, discipline, courage and honor are the fundamentals of life. I, too, have been lucky, but win or lose, I've always tried to be a true sportsman, both on and off the playing fields."

God is greatly moved by Turner's sincere eloquence, and he offers him a seat to his right.

Finally, God turns to Bill Belichik: "And you, William, what do you believe?"

Belichik replies, "I believe you're in my seat."

I Never Knew My Dad Was A Superhero...

Packers Fans Are Entertaining...

Before this, if you asked me "What do you get when you take a shirtless california redneck and mix it with a packer fan?" I wouldn't have answered "Awesomness."

Now I do.

I Have A New Favorite Candidate

Go!

I Hate Phillip Rivers A Little Less...

No Politics At The Table...

So, I figured mentioning politics in my last blog would bring some attention. So I figured I would clarify why I like Barack Obama.

First of all, he is for ending the war in Iraq as quickly as possible. I think the war in Iraq has distracted us in our pursuit of fighting al qaida who has now gone into Pakistan and made things very uncomfortable for us all (in case your unaware, they just shot someone for running against the current president who has already run his limit on terms according to their constitution, but decided he'd run again anyway.)

On that note let me just say, I don't think there are any good solutions to Iraq. There's only worse and awful. If we deployed the entire army to Iraq (which wouldn't actually be possible) maybe we could squelch the sectarian violence. Maybe. But for how long? I think the inevitable civil war is going to happen. And I think it best if we weren't there to shape it. I love the end story that Phillip Seymour Hoffman tells Tom Hanks character in Charlie Wilson's War. (I won't ruin it for you if you haven't seen it) I think the best we can say is, "We'll see."

Second, he's for affordable health care. He's not for universal health care like his other democratic opponents. He's for making sure that health care is there if you want it, but not forcing you to take it. Coming from a family that never had health insurance, my parents have paid the burden to make sure our teeth didn't fall out from rotting and that the doctors would put my leg back together when I was hit by a car. As such, they haven't been able to enjoy the kind of lifestyle they would've been able to making the kind of money they made. About a sixth of Americans are in this boat. And of that, 9 million of them are children. Children who can't afford to go to the dentist and have their teeth cleaned or treat cavities. Don't at least they deserve that? Lest you say he'll do all that by raising taxes, he actually has an aggressive plan to go after the insurance providers and drug makers to end the gouging that has occurred here because they can get away with it to help lower costs. Yesterday he said that maybe he'll just have a giant round table discussion with patients, nurses, doctors, insurance providers, drug makers and advisers and get to the bottom of it. Oh, and broadcast it on CSPAN so that everyone can see what is causing the increasing costs of health care coverage.

Along those lines, he's also for preventative health care. He said yesterday, one idea is to make joining a gym tax deductible. Or going to a dietitian. So that the gov't won't penalize you for doing your part in keeping America healthy. I like that.

He's is one of two candidates (with Huck being the other) that when dealing with immigration has had the thought to work with Mexico to strengthen their economy. Where have I heard that idea before? Oh, I know, ME! (see bottom of post for what I'm referring to)

Two years ago, before he was running for president, I heard him talk about alternative energy. We are too dependant on foreign oil. Everyone knows that. But truthfully, the republicans are too far embedded with big business to be able to do anything about it. But Obama wasn't afraid to get up in a speech in DETROIT, MI and say that emission standards and fuel efficiency standards must change. That takes courage. His plan is to have all cars to 40 mpg by 2020. That's change my kids will see. Also, his plan calls for 25% of all power consumed in the US by 2025 to be renewable (solar, wind, geothermal).

There are more issues I agree with him on. There are several I disagree with him on (abortion and raising the minimum wage come to mind). But I agree with him the most. Yes, he'll probably raise taxes (He is a democrat after all...), but with the polarization that has begun in American politics, he's wanting the most to be in the center. He isn't perfect, but I think he's the best choice.

And lest anyone think I'm going to hell, I'm still a republican technically. I only have to switch over Saturday so I can caucus for him. I'll switch back.

Maybe.

A Great Day

Today was a great day. Let me tell you why.

I was up early enough to see the sunrise. I haven't been up that early since spring of last year. I forgot how beautiful they can be.

Then I picked up my good friend Tyler. He's in his second year of law school. I enjoy spending time with him because he is smarter than me and usually our topics go very deep. He challenges me and gives me different perspectives on things. Plus, he just finished a 3 month internship with Sen. Harry Reid in Washington D.C., so if nothing else, I enjoy hearing stories about that.

We had breakfast at the Rainbow Club in downtown Henderson. I know what you're thinking, and yes, they do serve breakfast in Las Vegas. Just kidding. No, it isn't a gay bar or anything, just an old, smokey, classic Vegas joint. Remember when Clark lost all his money and Eddie took him out to eat? Yeah.

We ordered the Casino special. Two eggs, two pieces of bacon, hashbrowns (which I didn't eat, thank you diet), and biscuits and gravy (which I ate, thank you diet). $1.89. Love it.

Then we headed over to hear Sen. Obama at a town hall meeting (interesting enough, in the same hall Candice and I had our wedding reception). I've never been to a political rally before. It was a lot of fun. I know that most of the people who read this blog are my family and that all of them are Republican and probably think I'm going to hell for registering Democrat, but what can I say, I like what he has to say the most.



After that, I dropped Tyler off and went to a creative team meeting at my church (yes, democrats go to church). This was the first time I was invited to such a meeting here and the first time I'd done something like this since I was in Colorado. I was a little rusty, but I was able to give them a great video idea that I think will turn out quite good.

After the meeting, I continued working on a video series for our small groups ministries. Once again, I was a bit rusty, but it came back quick. I forgot how much I enjoy being creative.

Then I came home and was quickly picked up to go to dinner with the family. At first I was told we were going to a fancy italian place (Spago) but then I found out they meant "Sapporo" which is a swanky Japanese place. I had sushi and edamambe. My favorite.

My small groups pastor says, "If you want to get a hold of Jake, call him when he's working. On his days off, he's too busy to talk."

I think he's got a point. But what a good day.

And all this while wearing a shirt that goes to 11.

I Don't Want To Write...

This isn't therapy. It's something more. Maybe it's a cry for help.

I live and die with them. I bleed Colt blue.

I'm not sure anyone can stop the patriots. They are just too good.

Though, (sorry Bob) I would love to see them go down to Farve's Packers. That would be a sight.

I know this is random.

Harrison's fumble did us in. Who wouldn've thought that would be the case? A fumble by a gazillion time pro-bowler. Wayne got hurt. Sanders got hurt. They beat us up.

Billy Freakin Volek?

They beat us without LT, Rivers, Neal, and with a hurt Gates. They beat us bad.

We didn't score when we needed to.

I'm almost done.

I hope we make some good moves in the off-season, shore up that defense that looked small and slow.

Did we take them for granted?

Wow.

Go Packers I guess.

Saturday Morning Confession

Played Guitar Hero at a party last night.





I think I'm addicted.

So Far, So Bad...

Well, not too bad actually. I've actually lost a little bit, but of course, that was before I had two chocolate chip cookies today (how do you say no to fresh chocolate chip cookies? I have yet to find out). Work has been really, really slow lately. I wish that I could find something more productive to do when I don't have customers. By this time I should be a guitar aficionado, read 50 books, or at least be a master at Sodoku. But instead, I've watched every Office episode known to mankind and figured out tasty treats to add to mac and cheese to make it even better (m&ms. Don't knock it till you try it). Anywho, I was just feeling unproductive and whenever I write a blog, I seem to feel better about myself. So here's to my therapy.

Late.

And In This Corner...

The official weigh-in came in this morning. Not as bad as I would've thought given the weekend. 208. Two hundred eight pounds. That's what it's come to. To lose the first ten of my 30 lbs goal, I decided to cut my left arm off. I figured, who needs two? Typing is getting a little messy, what with the blood and everything...

Okay, here we go. I can do this. All I have to do is not eat like crap. That should be easy, right?

Insert Led Zepplin Lyric...

Since it's been awhile since I've actually written anything on this here blog of mine, I thought I'd take some time this rainy Saturday morning just to catch my faithful readers up on my life. Being that I've already spoken Mom this morning, this is for the other two of you.

I've seen a lot of movies lately. Being that before December I would've said that this was a real crappy year for movies, December made up for it. The last four movies I have seen were EXCELLENT and the fifth was pretty good for what it was. A couple days ago I saw "Juno". Very, very good. Funny, emotional, with a hint of morality. Very, very good. "Charlie Wilson's War." Aaron Sorkin at his best, writing political drama. Studio 60 on the something or other was alright, but I know West Wing, and you sir are no West Wing. But "War" was so good. Philip Seymour Hoffman is such a good actor. "Atonement" has had mixed reviews. I'm a big Keira Knightley fan, but mostly because I'm secretly attracted to her (wait, did I just type that outloud?). But the cinematography was very good and the pain and emotion was very raw. I give it two whatevers up. Watched "Once" on my computron. Wow. Sad I missed it in theaters. What a great movie about a story where nothing ever happens. Man was it good. Purchased the soundtrack right away. Fifth, and finally, "National Treasure 2." I know, I know, laugh all you want, but I like Nic and his dry repartee. So what if it's rediculasly unrealistic? I love me some fictional historical controversy.

Well, the new year is here. I said all through the holidays that I was gonna do something about the waistline. So far, I have extended my holiday eating schedule by two days (I was told by a reliable source that diets that start on Mondays last longer). So, Monday it is. I have a goal of losing 30 lbs. I'll keep you updated on my lack of discipline...

Brilliant

Can I Get A Spot Please...

This Would Make Uncle Jerry Proud...

This young man paid attention in History...

Time Keeps On Slippin...

Only 5 more days till Christmas. Where does the time go? It seems that even though we start the season earlier and earlier every year (starbucks has stuff out before Halloweeen), every year it goes by faster and faster. We'll have Christmas with the in-laws tomorrow, and zip to california for the day on monday. Then it's over. All the hype. All the wrapping. All the excitement. Boom. Done.

I'll turn 29 next year. Man I'm getting old.

And fat.

And bald.

Got a lot going for me right now.

Merry Christmas.

I'll Take Three!!

It Happened Again...

I previously posted about a conversation I had with a youth minister's wife about her church. You can read the post here. I'm writing today because I had another one of those conversations. I had breakfast with a guy who works at a local church and he made the same statement. He said, "If I didn't work there, I wouldn't attend." For some reason this just tears me up inside.

Now don't get me wrong. I don't think he's wrong for feeling that way. I certainly have felt that way before. But the part that bother's me is that they don't do anything about it. For me, when it has come to that point, you're just collecting a paycheck. And if that's the case, I think you're doubly stupid because there are a lot more things you can do to make a lot more money.

I just don't see how someone can stay in that position and live with themselves. When I quit the last church I was working at, I didn't have anything to fall back on. I just knew that my ministry had become paycheck collecting and that ISN'T RIGHT. So I left without a job to go to. I'd rather be jobless then disgrace myself in that manner.

Am I being to hard on this guy? Maybe. But it's people like this that I think really can change the local church if they are willing to leave their comfort zone.

Quick! Run For Your Lives...

At the 2:15 mark, the man says "Go ahead and laugh..."

I didn't realize we were supposed to wait.

Never Again...

I don't ever want to hear anyone EVER complain about the refs in the Indy/Pats game. Last night it was simply incredible. The Ravens won the game three times. Luckily, the Pats had the zebras there to bail them out. They called an illegal timeout. They called an offensive penalty on a failed fourth down. And they can apparently see ghosts. That's the only explanation as to who could've held Ben Watson, because Jamaine Winborne sure didn't.

I hate the patriots. I not sure I ever thought I'd say this but, "GO STEELERS!"

And I Thought My Jeep Was Killer...

Usually, putting the words suzuki sidekick, redneck, beer, and humongous pile of dirt in the same sentence would also have to include one of the following: ambulance, airlift, and/or emergency room. However, even from a group of guys who can't spell the word 'video', sometimes everything goes perfect. Usually I would only post a video like this when it ends in some kind of catastrophic awesomeness of fiery flames and lots and lots of broken limbs. However, maybe it's the fantastic slow-mos or the slight chance that I may actually be related to a couple of these people, I just could not pass up this opportunity. I'll warn you now, the language is a bit...uh...urban, so if you have virgin ears, please mute the sound. You will still enjoy one of the greatest stunts ever performed.

(PS, I love that the driver puts on a helmet. Absolutely classic.)

I'm Going To Stop Apologizing...

As I mentioned earlier, I love football. So Betsy, I know this makes like 5 of the last 6 about football, but I don't care. I love this sport.

Because I now work on Sundays, I don't get to watch it as much as I would like. Still, I get to see enough to know when we have a superstar on our hands.

Did you see Adrian Peterson yesterday? He has become his own human highlight reel. I can only imagine what kind of "where'd you leave your jockstrap" jokes Kenoy Kennedy is going to have to put up with this week.

I only hope he stays healthy and isn't as injury prone as he's been his senior year and this year. Only time will tell, but dang, is this guy good.

Sorry Betsy.

Look, I know I'm not a powerful voice in the sports blogging community. But after last night, it is a downright SIN not to have a college football tourney to decide the National Champion. Ohio Freakin State is going to play in the Bull Crap Series championship. Everyone knows the Big Ten is a Big Joke when it comes to football, and I'm an Indiana man.

Georgia finished the season ranked in the top four and yet didn't even play for their conference championship. Hawaii never lost and insn't even a contender for the most important BCS game. Kansas's only loss was to a team whose only two losses were to a team who lost to Colorado.

A common addage at the sports books in reference to point spreads is "That's why you play the game." Pitt and West Va proved it again last night, yet that's the problem, the game to determine a true National Champ will never be played. In a year when, most likely, a team with two losses will probably play for the sears trophy, how can you not take a step back and at least take a step towards a playoff. After the money I've lost thanks to the Cardinal , I deserve it!

Flo, gin is a sin. I golf.

I went to my buddy Bill's blog today. He posted a video thank you that was inspired by a Bob Dylan Song. When I went on youtube to watch the Dylan song, I found a parady by none other than the great "Weird Al" Yankovic. I started watching it, and it took me awhile, but when I finally figured out what he was doing, it made me laugh a lot! Enjoy:

A Couple Of Random Thoughts...

Quote from "Why The Christian Right is Wrong"...

"If the church is to be saved, it will be(sic) have to be recovered. By this I don't mean to say that we can turn back the clock to some nostalgic, nonexistent moment when everyone agreed on the nature of God, sin, and salvation but rather to a time when membership in The Way required no creeds and only one simple confession: Jesus Christ is Lord.

Impossible as it seems today, when so many defenders of the faith stake out theological positions and then defend them like a gunfighter, the essence of the Christian faith did not begin as a set of beliefs about Jesus but as response to Jesus. The first followers were not part of a school of thought but a beloved community, formed in response to a beloved teacher who opened the heavens and revealed a God whose unconditional love astonished them. It was a God they had never met, revealed by a man they could never forget.

I think it's more often then not that the shaping of my faith is done by what others will think if I'm not that way instead of my simple reaction to what Christ has done for me.

From a Mars Hill Bible Church Podcast...

"A character is defined in a story by what he does, not by what he thinks of himself."

This is just a good reminder to take a step back from my life and evaluate it by the life I am leading, not simply by the life I think I'm leading.

301 Anybody?

When I was setting up my office in Colorado, I found an old dartboard case lying around backstage. You know the kind that usually has a beer slogan on the front of it's two doors and then opens up to chalkboards on either door and a place to store the darts. Well, this was a just a little generic wooden dartboard case (is that even the proper term?). Bill and I played many a mean series on that board. We even made up games with names such as: "Blackjack" (where the goal was to get to 21), "Round the World" (Hitting 1-20 then the bullseyes in order), and my personal favorite, "Vegas" (where we put the dartboard on one end of the room and threw the darts from the other end to see who could get the closest to the center. Why 'Vegas' you ask? Cause it was a long shot...get it?). We played so much we didn't play to the best of five. We didn't play to the best of seven. We didn't even play to the best of 15. We played to the best of 99. First one to win fifty games was the winner. And I'll save Bill the trouble of gloating. He won our series three sets to none. (That's three best of 99 game sets).

I found the clip below on youtube. It really isn't all that incredible. But it made me remember the good times in my office throwing darts and dreaming of the kingdom.

I'm sorry...

Dear God,

I'm sorry for calling them your team. It was all just a joke. Can you please let Vinatieri hit some field goals again? I mean, at first it was a little funny, but now...well to be honest, it's starting to cause some problems with the ol' ticker. I was just responding to some unfound aligations by some retards...I mean, some of your loving children, and was truly just joking around. So, please take your curse off of Jesus Mann...I mean, Peyton Manning and the boys and I would greatly appreciate it. (But thank you for keeping Bob Sander healthy.)

Your Obediant Loving Son,

Jake

The Wisdom of an Eight Year College Grad...

I was having a bad week. Last wednesday morning (my day off) I woke to my wife frantically telling me that her car wouldn't start. So I go down, give it a jump and she's off. Figured she probably just left a light on or something.

Then, the next morning, it won't start again. Now I know something is up, so when I get home from work that day, I spend three hours trying to find the darn battery (which ended up being underneath the spare tire. Crummy Germans...). I finally find the thing and after pulling it out I head to my local Autozone. Except when I went to get into my car, I dropped my brand new Iphone and smashed the screen to peices. Frustrated beyond comprehension, I spend an hour waiting at Autozone while they charge then test my battery. After an hour (which makes this now about four hours of dealing with something that shouldn't have taken one) I find out my battery is fine.

Well, now I'm really feeling crappy cause I don't know how to change the altinator in my BMW (it took me three hours to find the battery, remember?) and the only people that can do it and keep the warrenty intact is the dealership. And they charge an arm and a leg.

Meanwhile I call Apple to find out what my options are for my phone. They say they can fix it. For $250. And then the lady on the phone adds this, "You might as well just buy a new phone." REALLY? That's your excellent customer service Apple? I realize it's not your fault I dropped my phone, but $250 and the advice to just buy a new one? Come on! It's at most a $20 repair. It'll take some chinaman fifteen minutes and 5 bucks in parts to fix. Don't give me this $250 crap.

So like I said, I was having a bad week. Then my best friend from home calls me up and asks me how I'm doing. I let him have it with all the drama. He says, "Listen to you!"

(and in a mocking voice adds) "My iphone broke, my beamer is busted...wah wah wah!"

God, you have given me a good life. Sometimes I forget just how fortunate I am to work a good job, make good money, have a wonderful wife with a house and two dogs. There are so many people out there who struggle just to find the next meal. Please forgive me when I put other, less important, things in front of seeking you and your will. Please forgive me when I fail to give to others after you have given me so much.

Thanks Brent for reminding me how fortunate I am.

And thanks for nothing Apple. I mean Crapple.

Now I Remember...

Oh man, what a good episode. Just when you think you're getting at the bottom of it, they pull the ol' switcharoo and take it deeper. The complaint last year with this show is that nothing ever happened. And I agree, nothing ever did until the end of the show. But this year, they really seem to be trying to fix that, and last night was a great start.

The only complaint I have is that they are still trying to incorporate too many characters. Like last night, they didn't even get to Sylar and the mexicans (I know they aren't mexican, but I forget where they came from and they are trying to illegally come into America, so really, what's the difference?). But still, at least they aren't waiting till the end of time to actually have the characters use their abilities.

Okay, back to my batcave...

Update on God's Team...

We are still pure of heart. Read here.

Have You Heard About This?

I came across this video on my favorite sports blog and couldn't/didn't want to believe it.



If this is actually what happened at the game, I certainly think something is up. The comments on the different sports blogs are comparing this to the Patriots filming. I'm not ready to go that far, but I would like to know what's up. There are several reasons why I don't believe the colts would do this and several reasons why I think the video doesn't make sense (like if the colts were going to cheat in this manner, why would they use a cd? Hard drive players, such as an ipod, would make much more sense and be much more discreet and reliable.).

One thing I am tired of is comparing this to Belichick taping his opponents signals. Even a non-colts fan could see this difference between making it hard to communicate and having a record of your opponent's playbook and signals. Plus, I doubt very much this was initiated by Dungy, whereas Belichick seemed to be the sole mastermind behind the videotaping.

Also, the other minor accusation going around about the radio jamming just doesn't make any sense. Get better equipment.

But, if the Colts are guilty of this, they need to be punished. And Colts fans everywhere should be ashamed we can't make enough noise on our own. And the Colts need to score a touchdown when they are on the five yard line.

Thus saith the Lord.

Well...

What can I say?

Losing sucks.

I'm Nervous...

Colts vs. Patriots. Manning vs. Brady. Winners vs. Cheaters.

What a weekend. I can't think of a game all year that will get the kind of hype the Colts/Pats game is getting. And why shouldn't it? These are the best two teams in the NFL bar none. It's no secret the NFC is the ugly step-sister of the princess AFC. The NFC gave it their best shot and it was still boring.

This will be the most exciting game since last years AFC Championship (which was won by the Colts in case your keeping score...and if you're keeping score it was 38-34). And will remain that way until they meet again in this years post-season spectacular.

I make fun of the Patriots a lot (and why shouldn't I? cheaters...) but the truth is, they probably should be favorites this weekend. They've scored more this season than the girls on the backs of those little cards they hand out on the strip (and I hear those girls get around!). Of course, I think I could put up 28 against the mentally challenged waste of humans that call themselves the New York Jets, but I digress...

It should be a good game, and I'm very much looking forward to it. But, just to remind ourselves of how the last one ended....Enjoy!

My Therapy...

Don't Mess With The Falcons...

...cause you might get danced on all up in the hizzie!

Summer of Fear!!!!

Across The Universe Of Weird...

Saw "Across The Universe" today. Whenever I see an art/indie flick I'm always hesitant to say anything about it because 9 times out of 10, the film is amazing and I'm just uncultured swine that doesn't know what I'm talking about.

But alas, I will comment.

Didn't like it. I mean, I get the whole story through a Beatles song thing. I get that they trancended so many decades and movements and what not. I still just didn't like the film.

But, I took the girl with the green eyes and she liked it. Made her all gushy gushy. She was all clingy to me all afternoon. Now she's calling my name from upstairs.

On second thought...I loved the film.

I Hope They Win...

So, right now, it's the bottom of the sixth and the Rockies are up six to one thanks to a Holliday HR. I've always been a Rockies fan. "Yeah right" you say, "You're just jumping on the bandwagon."

Au contraire mon frere. My bedroom growing up was purple and black. I had a Colorado Rockies border lining my ceiling. I had hats, t-shirts, jackets, even a gold chain. I slept under purple sheets. PURPLE SHEETS! I may be the only straight man I know whose done so. I even have a picture of me in front of Coors Field when it was about halfway done. Been a fan since they came in the league.

All that being said, you are partly right. I'm more of the fan of the fairweather persuasion. But that's just because baseball is boring. What with all 162 games, who has time to keep up with it all? But the playoffs provide what the regular season is missing, namely meaning. In the playoffs, every game means something. It's why football is so popular. NASCAR tried it this year with the slogan that "Every Lap Counts". But come on, it counts towards one boring obsession with left hand turns and t-shirts without sleeves.

But now, these last few innings mean something. Speaking of which, I gotta go. Games on.

I'm Sick and Tired of It...

I'm done with sports. It's over for me.

You can't watch the NBA because you never know who is throwing the game. You used to think that was a danger only from players owing their bookie too much money. But now, every time I disagree with the ref, it'll cross your mind.

You can't watch baseball. There are so many roided out freaks in that league, the only natural thing left is David Well's man-boobs.

You can't watch the NFL. People recording other people signals. I just hate the Patriots.

And yesterday, the olympics were ruined for me when Marion Jones admitted to using steriods. She gave the same BS about not knowing they were steriods. Come on. You are training to be the best woman ever in track in field (5 gold medals at one olympics) and you aren't going to monitor what you put in your body like a fat kid behind the glass at a pizza place? What was that conversation like?

Trainer: Here, rub this on your muscles.

Jones: What is it? It's not steroids is it?

Trainer: Nope, it's magic lotion.

Jones: Really? I'll give my husband some too!

And her press conference was just awful. You could totally tell she was faking it the entire time. Seriously, I'm not watching one more athlete lead me down an exciting road only to find he was faking it the whole time.

From now on, it's only me and Jesus.

Jesus Manning that is.

Hello. Is There Anybody In There?

So I haven't posted in awhile. No real reason.

I've had the time. I'm off for two days in the middle of the week with no one home and nothing to do. So I can't really blame that.

And I have the fodder. We are starting a new small group. I'm reading a good book right now. I've traveled the across the country recently. The Colts are winning. All in all, there's bound to be some stories somewhere.

Truth is, I haven't really felt like it. Maybe because I'm soooo bored that I just can't motivate myself to do it. Who knows.

Please Touch This...

Well, I'm back from my fishing trip. The fishing didn't get any better, but I was able to play 3 rounds of golf and anytime I can do that in a week, it's a good week. It was great to spend time with my dad, two of his brothers, and my papaw. I wish my brother could've made it, but there's always next year.

One memory I'll always keep was the second day we were there. Dad had mentioned the first day that he wanted to go out with me and papaw at least once. Well, of course we would pick one of the nastiest weather moments to do so. So we put on our rain gear and went out in a torrential downpour. After we got the anchors down and the bait in the water, Papaw looked at me, soaked to the bone and said, "Now THIS is fishing!"

I'll post a couple of pictures when I get home from work in the next couple of days. The lake was beautiful. The leaves had already begun changing. I couldn't believe how red some of them were. Simply beautiful.

I came accross this video and had to post it. Mostly because I used to watch this show. Enjoy.

Life Is Good...

Today is the second day of the fishing trip. Caught only about 2 keepers. Then, after the morning session, Randy, Jeff and I played a mean game of make the hole up as you go putt-putt. Then Dad, Jeff, Papaw and I went out in the wind and the rain and threw the dice again. No luck. But that really wasn't the point anyway. The point is I'm fishing with my dad and my papaw.

Life is good.

Oh, and I'm blogging from my iPhone.

Life is REAL good.

See ya in a week.

What A Game...

I love football. All other sports are a distant second. And I mean distant. There is no other sport on this earth that can turn an almost 28 year-old man into a 8 year old boy. When I'm watching a game I care about, emotions just spring forth and sometimes I have no idea where they came from. I remember vividly when Jerome Bettis fumbled the ball in the Colts playoff game two years ago. We had endzone seats and it happened right in front of us. I began jumping up and down and screaming like a little girl. I didn't care. We had hope. We had a chance.

Had.

Anyway, last night I went to the UNLV/Wisconsin game. For those of you that missed it, you can catch a recap here. But a recap doesn't do it justice. As my friend Matt has previously pointed out, this football teams shows some heart that this desert landscape of a football town hasn't seen in a while. I was at the sold out Sam Boyd stadium to watch this upset. I know, I know, UNLV didn't win, but to say this still wasn't an upset would be an incorrect statement. I know several Wisconsin fans that were upset the entire game until about 1:53 to go in the fourth quarter. It didn't matter that the majority of fans in the stadium were Badgers. UNLV played the best football I've seen in that stadium. UNLV played better than Wisconsin. If it hadn't been for a rookie mistake (Dixon threw the lone turnover under extreme pressure. Should've just taken the sack. He'll get there.) and 1 missed tackle, the game was over. But it doesn't matter. UNLV came on the field against the highest ranked opponent they've ever faced at Sam Boyd and showed what they were made of.

5th in the nation my ass.

So what we lost. We were supposed to lose. By four touchdowns. Who had faith? I did. Which is why I'll be cashing my ticket in today. BOO YA WISCONSIN!!!!!!

I Hope He Wins...

Quiton Jackson is the funniest guy in the UFC. Check out this interview he did with a british mag.

Awesome.

Life Is Good...

Had the draft last night for my fantasy league. Starting line-up, tell me what you think:

QB: Matt Hasselbeck
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson
RB: Clinton Portis
WR: Steve Smith
WR: Lee Evans
WR: Darrell Jackson
TE: Chris Cooley
K: Robbie Gould
D/ST: Dolphins

To Add Insult To Injury...

...Here is a clip of Miss Teen South Carolina's parents while she was giving her response. I can see where she gets it.



Ahhh...getting joy at another's expense. It's the U.S. American way.

Just When You Think...

...Apple is done, they do it again.

The Departed...

I'm watching it right now. There is a scene when Matt Damon is having dinner with his soon-to-be girlfriend. She's a shrink that works for the police department counseling guys who have killed people and can't deal with it. He asks her why she does it. I thought her response was interesting.

"Because sometimes they get better."

Kinda makes you think.

Because There Are Much More Clever People Than Me Like Such As...

Must Be From South Carolina...

Really? Did you think your arm was tougher than science? That car has to weigh about a thousand pounds. A THOUSAND POUNDS!

I love the headband too. As if this moronic stunt was something to get pumped up for. Yeah, roll a car over your arm with no protection, but make sure you keep the sweat out of your eyes!

In the words of the idiot, "That was bad."

What Did She Say?

It would be really easy to quote the moderator from Billy Madison here. REALLY EASY. But I figured to really make you laugh I'd have to come up with something really clever. So...

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

Dang it! I tried, I really tried, but sometimes easy is best! Did she even try? Did she even hear the question? Let me break down her response so we can take a closer look at her intelligence level:

"I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because uh some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education lacks such as South Africa and the Iraq everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for our..."

Thank God the host was there to put an end to that torture. I didn't even know that Iraq now got an article before it's name. The Iraq. Not to be confused those pretenders to the north. This is THE Iraq.

I'm pretty sure she was one of the fifth of Americans who couldn't find the U.S. on a world map. I'm pretty sure she couldn't identify earth in our solar system. I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know what a solar system is. I'm actually kinda surprised she didn't try to eat the foam off the microphone.

I think we should've asked her a different question,

"Miss Teen South Carolina, Do I to know want will we look like when we go to Hollowa?"

Football Quotes...

My father-in-law sent me this list of football quotes and, being this time of year, I thought I would share with my faithful readers. So, Bill, Betsy, Mom and Dad, enjoy:

Now that football season is upon us, it's a good time to get in the mood by reading these quotations from well known football personalities!



"At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't
have any." Erk Russell / Georgia Southern.

"Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.

"After you retire, there's only one big event left....and I ain't ready for that." Bobby Bowden / Florida State

"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to
be the one who dropped it." Lou Holtz

"When you win, nothing hurts." Joe Namath / Alabama

"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated."
Lou Holtz

"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a
medieval study hall." Frank Leahy / Notre Dame

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell
kicked out of you." Woody Hayes / Ohio State

"I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation." Bob Devaney /
Nebraska

"You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere
else in life." Paul Dietzel / LSU

"It's kind of hard to rally around a math class." Bear Bryant / Alabama

"No, but you can see it from here." Lou Holtz / Arkansas...
When asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world.

"I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I
want him to quit in practice, not in a game." Bear Bryant / Alabama

"There's one sure way to stop us from scoring - give us the ball near
the goal line." MattyBell / SMU

"Lads, you're not to miss practice unless your parents died or you
died." ; Frank Leahy / Notre Dame

"I never graduated from Iowa, but I was only there for two terms -
Truman's and Eisenhower's." Alex Karras / Iowa

"My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the ball
and arrive in a bad humor." Bowden Wyatt / Tennessee

"I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades." Duffy
Daugherty / MichiganState

"Always remember..... Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David."
Shug Jordan / Auburn

"They cut us up like boarding house pie. And that's real small pieces." Darrell Royal /Texas

"Show me a good and gracious loser, and I'll show you a failure."
Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"They whipped us like a tied up goat." Spike Dykes / Texas Tech

"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he
didn't recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you
and you weren't any good." Walt Garrison /Oklahoma State

"Son, you've got a good engine, but your hands aren't on the
steering wheel." Bobby Bowden / Florida State

"Football is not a contact sport-it is a collision sport. Dancing is
a contact sport." Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State

After USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his post game message to his
team: "All those who need showers, take them." John McKay / USC

"If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great
education." Murray Warmath / Minnesota

"The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb. To be
a back, you only have to be dumb." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"Oh, we played about like three tons of buzzard puke this afternoon."
Spike Dykes /Texas Tech

"It isn't necessary to see a good tackle. You can hear it." Knute
Rockne / Notre Dame

"We didn't t ackle well today but we made up for it by not blocking."
John McKay / USC

"Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them
are bad." Darrell Royal / University of Texas

"I've found that prayers work best when you have big players."
Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble
this football." John Heisman

Soooooooo.....

What should Mr. Goodell do?

On one hand, I can see a lifetime ban. Vick lied to everyone. He lied straight to the commish's face. Not to mention the atrocities committed againt the animals. But let's be honest. Warren Moon did some pretty bad stuff to his wife, and we let him play. Pacman Jones shot a guy, paralyzing him for life and he only got a year ban. What's the difference?

On the other hand, why put up with it? Vick lied to everyone. What is the advantage of letting him play? We get to see a tremendous athlete? There are so many out there, I don't think we'll miss this one. Plus, if you have ever owned or loved an animal, there is an evil beyond a momment of human anger that it takes to take advantage of them.

What says you?

Ten:10 Ministries...

One of my favorite verses is John 10:10 (thanks Josh). I like it so much that when I was in ministry, we named our youth programs after it. TEN:10 Ministries. Whenever anyone asked what that meant, I usually only quoted the second part of that verse (I have come to give you life and life to the full).

Yesterday I was in a small group leader training class at church. The teacher asked us to turn to John 10:12-13. His point was simply that we ought to have a vested interest in the lives of the people in our small groups so that we don't treat them as a hired hand would. I started thinking of this verse in the context of all that Jesus was saying.

Thieves steal, kill and destroy us. Jesus is life. He gives us this life by laying down his own life for his sheep, for those that recognize his voice and follow him. What a comforting thought.

He says that he knows his own sheep, yet willingly lays down his life. He knows the life I live apart from him, when I am stolen from, killed and utterly destroyed. So He lays down his life so that I can have, as he calls it, greener pastures. So that I can experience a life free of vandelism and death.

I often forget that the ultimate purpose in a relationship with Jesus isn't heaven. It isn't even salvation. It's Jesus. That when we accept the gift he's given us, what we recieve is much more than a ticket to eternal life. It is The Eternal Life himself. We get God. How amazing is that?

The Squirrel Flip...This Could Be Bad...

Squirrel Flip - performed on a high wire just a few feet off the ground. Enjoy.



(and you thought it was going to end up bad! Shame on you!)

And You Think Your Problems Are Big...

My friend Bob sent this to me in an email. I thought it was pretty interesting so I decided to share it. Makes me feel pretty small...

The Backstory of an Understatement...

Demetrius couldn't believe his luck. He had put in his time and finally it had paid off. His mentor had just invited him over to his house for dinner. Now, Demetrius had been to his teacher's house for dinner many times. But this time was different. His mentor, Simeon, had invited Jesus to his house. Demetrius had tried to see Jesus on several occasions, but each time the crowd had been too great. Plus, he had to be careful. If the wrong person associated him with Jesus, it could mean bad things for his career at the synagogue. He figured he'd be safe here, since Simeon was a high ranking official in the synagogue.

When he crossed the street he found a familiar scene. People pushing and shoving, even bartering, just trying to get inside. A small crowd was gathered around a man who they say had just been healed by Jesus. Demetrius furrowed his brow.

"I thought this Jesus guy was supposed to be religious. Doesn't he know you can't work on the sabbath?" Demetrius thought.

Demetrius shoved his way to the door and shouted for Simeon.

"Simeon, I'm here, let me in!" he shouted.

Simeon heard his name. He had been busy making sure the food was going to be ready, that he hadn't even paid attention to his guests. He looked and saw Demetrius at the door.

"Let Demetrius in." he told his attendants.

Simeon was glad to see Demetrius. "Go and see to my guests. There is a problem in the kitchen that is requiring my attention right now."

Demetrius tried to quiet the crowd. "Settle down and have a seat. The food will be ready soon."

But it was no use. People were shouting and pushing. A small argument had erupted at the head of the table over who was going to sit next to Jesus. Demetrius felt confident that he deserved the spot since Simeon was his mentor and had specifically invited him. Plus, he really wanted to ask Jesus some questions to see about his legitimacy. He began shoving his way forward. He even got a little more physical than he thought he could. But no matter what he tried, there seemed to be someone a little stronger than him in front.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. A rabbi he didn't recognize pulled him aside and gave him this advice:

"Sometimes it's better not to be at the head. What if you sat right next to Simeon and then Simeon's mentor walked through the door? Where will you sit then? Instead, head down to the foot of the table. Then, when Simeon's done in the kitchen and sees the foolishness at the head of the table, he'll ask what you are doing all the way at the end. Then you'll be honored among his guests."

Just then Simeon came into the room and it immediately settled down. The Rabbi Demetrius didn't recognized walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He then turned to the crowd and said:

"The next time you have a dinner, don't invite each other. If you do, you'll only receive an invite to the next dinner party. Instead, invite those who can't afford a dinner, who can't work for food, those who can not pay you back. Then, your reward will be at the resurrection, in the Kingdom of God. And you will be at the head of the table."

Immediately Demetrius realized who the rabbi was. He understood his advice was much more than a way to the to the head of the table. He had given him a lesson on life. Demetrius took his place near the end of the table and shouted, "What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God."

Luke 14:7-15

Breaking News Story...

Video Mockery Of Bonds?....Brilliant!

The Bourne Awesomeness...

I went to see The Bourne Ultimatum yesterday. What a great movie. Action from beginning to end. No sex scenes (go ahead Bill, make your obvious joke here). No over the top language. Just straight up awesomeness.

***Quasi Spoiler Alert***

I absolutely loved the way they brought the conversation between Bourne and Landy from the second movie into play. I thought that was pure genious. Whether they intended to do that from the beginning or came up with that sometime between the end of the second and the start of the third, I thought it was absolutely amazing.

If Hollywood would put out more movies like this, where the action is believable, the acting is fantastic (Scott Glenn as CIA chief!!!), and the story is engaging, they'd be making money hand over fist! Oh wait....

What do you know? Mom WAS right...

When I was a wee little lad, I wanted a bee bee gun. Of course, my mom pulled the christmas story line of "You'll shoot your eye out." Well, I got one anyway. Then, I really wanted a skateboard. My mom tried the "You'll end up falling from 50 feet in the air in a big competition" line and got me rollerblades instead. Well, rollerbladeing led to street hockey games which have continued to this day. I wonder what happened to all the kids that got skateboards instead...