Ok, I mentioned this on facebook, so on the ride up from San Diego, I was trying to keep myself awake by thinking of the 12 days of Christmas as a Laker's song. I'll throw out what I have so far:
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
A Shaq O'Neil Rap CD or...
A Shaq Shazam Soundtrack CD or...
The big Aristotle's confusing CD or...
Mumble mumble mumble mumble mumble
On the Second Day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Two Payton Gloves...
On the Third Day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Three beatdowns to French Lick...
On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Four Calls from Hearn...
On the Fifth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Five Championship Rings...
Five more Championship Rings....
Did I mention 14 Championship Rings....?
On the Sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Six Three's a making...
On the Seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Several Suns a-bricking...
On the Eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Ocho time three Jerseys...
On the Ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Nine Laker Dancers
On the Tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Ten Lakers a Slamming
On the Eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Eleven Skyhooks dropping
On the Twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
....
Ok. So this is a start :)
The Family
The extended family
Friday, November 28, 2008
Movie Review: The Boy in Stripped Pajamas
Ok, so last night after the kids went to bed, my wife, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law went out to see the movie "The Boy in Stripped Pajamas." Not knowing much going in, let me say that it was a good movie... although it's hard to say that I truly enjoyed it when the subject is the Holocaust. Did I enjoy Schindler's List? No, but I thought it was a movie important to see but too hard to see a second time. As the Jews have said, never forget. By not forgetting, we are not doomed to repeat the past.
I put this movie on par with Schindler's, although it is not as gripping. It's hard to say much about the movie without giving up everything, but it goes where my wife feared from the very beginning, even before we walked in. It is a story about the innocence of a child in a time of extreme hatred and seeing beyond the stereotypes to find who is really inside.
Ok, if you don't want to know more, stop reading now. It's hard, like I said, to talk about this without giving some specifics.
Are you still here?
Ok. In the end, hatred conquers innocence inadvertently. The best, and worst laid plans of mice and men end in the destruction of what is good. There is a point in the movie where you know how it is going to end and want to reach out, grab the kid, and tell him to stop being so naive, stop being so innocent and trusting -- but in all reality, is this ever something that you want to tell a kid? When confronted between hatred and innocent, our hero chooses humanity. Our hero looks past the hatred of others to see who is inside -- the doctor, the watchmaker, the happy child. He learns the danger of betrayal and learns loyalty while never losing his child-like view of the world.
In the end, this is a divine irony and a tragedy.
I recommend if you get a chance to go see it, do. It is gripping and worth watching once -- although, like Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, End of the Spear and other movies that are stronger than our emotions can handle, it may be hard to watch a second time.
I put this movie on par with Schindler's, although it is not as gripping. It's hard to say much about the movie without giving up everything, but it goes where my wife feared from the very beginning, even before we walked in. It is a story about the innocence of a child in a time of extreme hatred and seeing beyond the stereotypes to find who is really inside.
Ok, if you don't want to know more, stop reading now. It's hard, like I said, to talk about this without giving some specifics.
Are you still here?
Ok. In the end, hatred conquers innocence inadvertently. The best, and worst laid plans of mice and men end in the destruction of what is good. There is a point in the movie where you know how it is going to end and want to reach out, grab the kid, and tell him to stop being so naive, stop being so innocent and trusting -- but in all reality, is this ever something that you want to tell a kid? When confronted between hatred and innocent, our hero chooses humanity. Our hero looks past the hatred of others to see who is inside -- the doctor, the watchmaker, the happy child. He learns the danger of betrayal and learns loyalty while never losing his child-like view of the world.
In the end, this is a divine irony and a tragedy.
I recommend if you get a chance to go see it, do. It is gripping and worth watching once -- although, like Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, End of the Spear and other movies that are stronger than our emotions can handle, it may be hard to watch a second time.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Why is Thanksgiving only once a year?
There is a Sesame Street video where Elmo wants Christmas to be everyday and his wish comes true. It becomes a disaster - where even the Count getstire of counting how many Christmas days in a row it is. If you want to watch it, it's on youtube in 6 parts (I believe). It's called Elmo Saves Christmas.
Anyway, I am not talking about making a turkey, having the bad can of cranberries, doing the stuffing and watching football (although 365 days of that may not be too bad.) I'm talking about the attidute of Thanksgiving. Having turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, turkey mixed with stuffing, turkey straight up, and turkey casserol for the next two weeks is already too much "Thanksgiving" for me. So the question of why aren't we more thankful more often is really what I come to. It is something God needs to work on me more with too.
Some ideas (some I do, some I probably don't as often as I should):
1) Thank your servers at restaurants and cashiers at fast food by name. They wear those name tags for a reason and it isn't so you know who to complain about. My wife hates it when I say, "Thank you, Kathy." or whoever, but I know I like being called by my name because it makes me feel more human instead of just an autonotrom earning a paycheck.
2) Start looking at the little things around you instead of being so busy going from place to place and thank God for his blessings. I've deliberately started walking slower just to see things I would normally miss. It is a world of wonders that God deserves to be thanked for.
3) Thank God for the bad times. God allows those struggles in our lives because it helps us grow up to be more like His Son. So it isn't all bad.
Romans 5:3-5
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
So, I would like to officialy begin my hopefully more often than annual Thanksgiving list:
1) I am thankful that I am still breathing, feeling, thinking and walking. It's quite the blessing.
2) I am thankful for my wonderful family and that they drag me out of my introverted caccoon all the time.
3) I am thankful for my mother-in-law for putting up with my kids.
4) I am thankful for my son and his autism as it has taught me to be more caring for those in need and to see the strength of God through his weaknesses.
5) I am thankful for 3 cheerleader daughters who are way too loud in the morning but always rush up to me after any separation, screaming, "Daddy!" and giving hugs. Baby hugs have a way of making the troubles of the day disappear.
6) I am thankful for a wife who puts up with my bad jokes, who loves me even when I am inconsiderate or lazy, and who calls me her favorite husband when I do something nice. Her companionship means more to me that I probably ever let on and for that, not only am I thankful to her but I am sorry I don't let it known more.
7) I am thankful that God has us at our church right now and that He has big plans ahead for our church.
8) I am thankful I lost my paycheck from the church. It hurts, but God knows what he is doing and so I will praise Him when I win and praise Him when I lose.
9) I am thankful for the job God has provided and the skill-sets He has graced me with to do the jobs that no one else is trained for there. I thank Him for the logical/inquisitive mind He has given me to try to make things work and how they work because it makes computer work so much easier.
10) I am thankful for the desire God has given me to work with kids and see them come to Christ. Talk about struggles :) I pray that God restores to me more of that kid-like heart that has grown cold lately so that I can see through the eyes of a kid the wonders of His word, His world, and His ministry.
11) I am thankful that I don't have to stop at 10 :) This is my list and I'll thank who I want to!
12) I am thankful for my friends. I am not the type of guy who keeps close friends because I have a hard time in communication but there are friends who stay with me and I am thankful for that.
13) Ok, I should have stopped at 12 since it's almost 8 and I should get back to my room.
Thank you, Lord, for the good, the bad, the happy and sad, the fights and joys, the girls and boys. Thank you mostly for your love as I wouldn't make it a day outside of your arms.
Anyway, I am not talking about making a turkey, having the bad can of cranberries, doing the stuffing and watching football (although 365 days of that may not be too bad.) I'm talking about the attidute of Thanksgiving. Having turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, turkey mixed with stuffing, turkey straight up, and turkey casserol for the next two weeks is already too much "Thanksgiving" for me. So the question of why aren't we more thankful more often is really what I come to. It is something God needs to work on me more with too.
Some ideas (some I do, some I probably don't as often as I should):
1) Thank your servers at restaurants and cashiers at fast food by name. They wear those name tags for a reason and it isn't so you know who to complain about. My wife hates it when I say, "Thank you, Kathy." or whoever, but I know I like being called by my name because it makes me feel more human instead of just an autonotrom earning a paycheck.
2) Start looking at the little things around you instead of being so busy going from place to place and thank God for his blessings. I've deliberately started walking slower just to see things I would normally miss. It is a world of wonders that God deserves to be thanked for.
3) Thank God for the bad times. God allows those struggles in our lives because it helps us grow up to be more like His Son. So it isn't all bad.
Romans 5:3-5
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
So, I would like to officialy begin my hopefully more often than annual Thanksgiving list:
1) I am thankful that I am still breathing, feeling, thinking and walking. It's quite the blessing.
2) I am thankful for my wonderful family and that they drag me out of my introverted caccoon all the time.
3) I am thankful for my mother-in-law for putting up with my kids.
4) I am thankful for my son and his autism as it has taught me to be more caring for those in need and to see the strength of God through his weaknesses.
5) I am thankful for 3 cheerleader daughters who are way too loud in the morning but always rush up to me after any separation, screaming, "Daddy!" and giving hugs. Baby hugs have a way of making the troubles of the day disappear.
6) I am thankful for a wife who puts up with my bad jokes, who loves me even when I am inconsiderate or lazy, and who calls me her favorite husband when I do something nice. Her companionship means more to me that I probably ever let on and for that, not only am I thankful to her but I am sorry I don't let it known more.
7) I am thankful that God has us at our church right now and that He has big plans ahead for our church.
8) I am thankful I lost my paycheck from the church. It hurts, but God knows what he is doing and so I will praise Him when I win and praise Him when I lose.
9) I am thankful for the job God has provided and the skill-sets He has graced me with to do the jobs that no one else is trained for there. I thank Him for the logical/inquisitive mind He has given me to try to make things work and how they work because it makes computer work so much easier.
10) I am thankful for the desire God has given me to work with kids and see them come to Christ. Talk about struggles :) I pray that God restores to me more of that kid-like heart that has grown cold lately so that I can see through the eyes of a kid the wonders of His word, His world, and His ministry.
11) I am thankful that I don't have to stop at 10 :) This is my list and I'll thank who I want to!
12) I am thankful for my friends. I am not the type of guy who keeps close friends because I have a hard time in communication but there are friends who stay with me and I am thankful for that.
13) Ok, I should have stopped at 12 since it's almost 8 and I should get back to my room.
Thank you, Lord, for the good, the bad, the happy and sad, the fights and joys, the girls and boys. Thank you mostly for your love as I wouldn't make it a day outside of your arms.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
San Diego, here I come. Right back where I once fled from.
Howdy from Sunny rainy San Diego. We are here down from our home to spend a couple days eating, going to Sea World, and not watching football. Right now, I'm down in the lobby returning the luggage cart while wandering around because, really, I don't feel like sitting up in the room with my brother-in-law, his wife and my wife watching Bones. We could have done that at home :) I found the 'game room' already -- which consists of a pool table. The exercise room may get some use tomorrow morning just to see what that's all about. And of course, I'm currently in the "Business Center."
Overall, the place is good looking. It is more hotelly than the place where my mother-in-law and kids are staying (another one of her time shares), but it's nice. They have a video arcade up there. I may have to go visit my kids sooner or later.
I am starting to draw a little for the kids book I'm working on (http://storyblueprint.blogspot.com) so things may start moving there. I keep getting blogster and blogspot mixed up.
So, in case you're wondering, that's where I am. Don't go looking for me as I am hiding from you.
Have a happy Thanksgiving. I'll probably be back tomorrow to do the traditional Thanksgiving post.
Overall, the place is good looking. It is more hotelly than the place where my mother-in-law and kids are staying (another one of her time shares), but it's nice. They have a video arcade up there. I may have to go visit my kids sooner or later.
I am starting to draw a little for the kids book I'm working on (http://storyblueprint.blogspot.com) so things may start moving there. I keep getting blogster and blogspot mixed up.
So, in case you're wondering, that's where I am. Don't go looking for me as I am hiding from you.
Have a happy Thanksgiving. I'll probably be back tomorrow to do the traditional Thanksgiving post.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
How would you like to do something.... BIG?
Brian joined this group on Facebook that I think is actually totally amazing. I love the idea and would like to see some people join into it... probably next year so there is time to really do it well.
Here's the video:
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/resources/advent_conspiracy_promo_video/
I have this thing on my computer, but it is 24 megs. I'll copy it to my flash drive to share later.
The site is www.adventconspiracy.org
Take a look. Pray about it. Think about it. Wonder if it is something our church can do next year. Think about what you can make instead of buy. Homemade doesn't necessarily mean cheesy.
I like it. Brian, let's put some weight behind this because we have the weight to do so :)
Here's the video:
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/resources/advent_conspiracy_promo_video/
I have this thing on my computer, but it is 24 megs. I'll copy it to my flash drive to share later.
The site is www.adventconspiracy.org
Take a look. Pray about it. Think about it. Wonder if it is something our church can do next year. Think about what you can make instead of buy. Homemade doesn't necessarily mean cheesy.
I like it. Brian, let's put some weight behind this because we have the weight to do so :)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Weight day #1
Just a quick note. We did weights today at my parents house after HEROES (my current addiction.) I was at 282.4. If you look back to last week where I was 285, that's down 2.6 pounds -- which means I'm $2.50 poorer now than I was just hours ago. Good thing they take IOU's.
Next goal - 280. I actually ate grapes today.
Next goal - 280. I actually ate grapes today.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
More on Trina
Ok, she's home.
She has "Costrocondritis." Here is what webmd says about it:
It may be part of cutting down the tree that she strained her chest. It wasn't me.
So she's home, she's ok, but she's still in a small amount of pain. Keep praying for her.
She has "Costrocondritis." Here is what webmd says about it:
Costochondritis
Costochondritis Overview
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum. The condition causes localized chest pain that you can reproduce by pushing on the cartilage in the front of your ribcage. Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment. The cause is usually unknown.
- Costochondritis (with unknown cause) is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. It accounts for 10-30% of all chest pain in children. Annually, doctors evaluate about 650,000 cases of chest pain in young people aged 10-21 years. The peak age for the condition is 12-14 years.
- Costochondritis is also considered as a possible diagnosis for adults who have chest pain. Chest pain in adults is considered a potentially serious sign of a heart problem by most doctors until proven otherwise. Chest pain in adults usually leads to a battery of tests to rule out heart disease. If those tests are normal, and your physical exam is consistent with costochondritis, your doctor will diagnose costochondritis as the cause of your chest pain. It is important, however, for adults with chest pain to be examined and tested before being diagnosed with costochondritis. Often it is difficult to distinguish the two, without further testing. The condition affects females more than males (70% versus 30%). Costochondritis may also occur as the result of an infection or as a complication of surgery on your sternum.
- Tietze syndrome is often referred to as costochondritis, but the two are distinct conditions. You can tell the difference by noting the following:
- Tietze syndrome usually comes on abruptly, with chest pain radiating to your arms or shoulder and lasting several weeks.
- Sneezing, coughing, deep breathing, or twisting your chest can increase the pain.
- Tietze syndrome usually comes on abruptly, with chest pain radiating to your arms or shoulder and lasting several weeks.
It may be part of cutting down the tree that she strained her chest. It wasn't me.
So she's home, she's ok, but she's still in a small amount of pain. Keep praying for her.
Trina
Well,
walking out of church this evening and my mom is rushing up to me, then points over by the door leading upstairs to the children's department. My wife is sitting down on the ground, leaning against the building and clutching her chest.
See, she's been having cholesterol problems lately, or more like it, they have been developing for a while. She has had some pains in the past and the doctors have told her if she doesn't control her intake, they are going to have to control it with medication.
So there she is. I come up to her and ask her how bad it is. She doesn't talk much. I do say that she needs to spend most of the day tomorrow in bed. This may be possible since Dianne is off tomorrow. We talk, others talk around us, including a nurse and someone else with some medical experience, and it is determined that she needs to go to the hospital. So I call Dianne.
In our house it usually ends up being that whoever needs to go to the hospital, I'll end up staying here at the house to take care of the kids and get them to bed. This is two fold. Trina hates me in hospitals as much as I dislike being there. Secondly, if they get back early enough, I can still get to sleep and go to work tomorrow (although I'm already thinking I'm going to have to call off tomorrow.) It is normal at this point. Dianne has more sick time on the books than I do, although with her already on vacation tomorrow, it makes a lot more sense.
I think everyone thought it weird that I didn't take her to the hospital and instead let Dianne take her. We have our routine. I think Trina does prefer it this way.
So, if you read this tonight, pray for Trina. If you read it tomorrow, pray for her some more. We need a healthy Trina around the house. She's too great of a mom and wife to be sick.
walking out of church this evening and my mom is rushing up to me, then points over by the door leading upstairs to the children's department. My wife is sitting down on the ground, leaning against the building and clutching her chest.
See, she's been having cholesterol problems lately, or more like it, they have been developing for a while. She has had some pains in the past and the doctors have told her if she doesn't control her intake, they are going to have to control it with medication.
So there she is. I come up to her and ask her how bad it is. She doesn't talk much. I do say that she needs to spend most of the day tomorrow in bed. This may be possible since Dianne is off tomorrow. We talk, others talk around us, including a nurse and someone else with some medical experience, and it is determined that she needs to go to the hospital. So I call Dianne.
In our house it usually ends up being that whoever needs to go to the hospital, I'll end up staying here at the house to take care of the kids and get them to bed. This is two fold. Trina hates me in hospitals as much as I dislike being there. Secondly, if they get back early enough, I can still get to sleep and go to work tomorrow (although I'm already thinking I'm going to have to call off tomorrow.) It is normal at this point. Dianne has more sick time on the books than I do, although with her already on vacation tomorrow, it makes a lot more sense.
I think everyone thought it weird that I didn't take her to the hospital and instead let Dianne take her. We have our routine. I think Trina does prefer it this way.
So, if you read this tonight, pray for Trina. If you read it tomorrow, pray for her some more. We need a healthy Trina around the house. She's too great of a mom and wife to be sick.
Shave and a haircut - 7 hours
Not for me. Yesterday we started on the daunting task of trimming our tree. If you have ever been to our house, you know the monstrosity known as our fruitless mulberry. In fact, I believe you can see part of the tree on the top of this page. Just know, the picture was taken from the same side of the trunk as we are standing.
There are some good things about the tree. It helps keep the house cool during the summer from the shade it casts over the front windows. It has some big, strong branches that hold two hammock swings that our kids adore (Micah is in one of them up there.) And I guess I am carbonly off-set for the rest of my life because of that tree (beware, global cooling is coming!)
In my eyes though, the tree is sometimes more hassle than it's worth. During the fall, our yard (and our neighborhood) is covered with the thousands of leaves that take their time falling down. At night, the birds love our tree, and thus, show their love on our cars that we have to park underneath it. When it rains (which here in Southern California isn't too often) the water washes the rest of their love down on our cars and they become pretty disgusting. And then... there's the trimming.
Three of us armed with a chainsaw, branch cutter on a long pole, a couple of small 99.99 Cent Store saws (I asked, if you uy 100 items, you don't save a penny), a pair of pruning scissors and the sheer determination to drastically trim the tree this year, we set off at 10 am yesterday. Of course, with 4 kids inside, one of us had to stay inside on rotation to be with them as they watched out the window at the endeavor. Rotations were fast and furious. The cars were all moved (who wants a smashed windshield?) the chainsaw cutting ever-so-slowly (we need a better chainsaw -- not an idea for a Christmas gift Paul) and the branches began to fall. Well, sometimes. Oh what a tangled web they weave when first we practice to not trim the tree last year.
Come 5 pm, it's getting dark and we are.... 1/3 done. The branches are all cut up and stacked into a huge pile. The driveway is clear, both on the ground and above it from the cut branches being gone -- nothing but blue sky. Yay for free access by rain. But there will come another weekend where we are going to try to tackle the second third that will take another 7 hours, and probably a third weekend after that.
I'm just glad God doesn't get tired of pruning me like I am of that tree already.
John 15:1-2
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
There are some good things about the tree. It helps keep the house cool during the summer from the shade it casts over the front windows. It has some big, strong branches that hold two hammock swings that our kids adore (Micah is in one of them up there.) And I guess I am carbonly off-set for the rest of my life because of that tree (beware, global cooling is coming!)
In my eyes though, the tree is sometimes more hassle than it's worth. During the fall, our yard (and our neighborhood) is covered with the thousands of leaves that take their time falling down. At night, the birds love our tree, and thus, show their love on our cars that we have to park underneath it. When it rains (which here in Southern California isn't too often) the water washes the rest of their love down on our cars and they become pretty disgusting. And then... there's the trimming.
Three of us armed with a chainsaw, branch cutter on a long pole, a couple of small 99.99 Cent Store saws (I asked, if you uy 100 items, you don't save a penny), a pair of pruning scissors and the sheer determination to drastically trim the tree this year, we set off at 10 am yesterday. Of course, with 4 kids inside, one of us had to stay inside on rotation to be with them as they watched out the window at the endeavor. Rotations were fast and furious. The cars were all moved (who wants a smashed windshield?) the chainsaw cutting ever-so-slowly (we need a better chainsaw -- not an idea for a Christmas gift Paul) and the branches began to fall. Well, sometimes. Oh what a tangled web they weave when first we practice to not trim the tree last year.
Come 5 pm, it's getting dark and we are.... 1/3 done. The branches are all cut up and stacked into a huge pile. The driveway is clear, both on the ground and above it from the cut branches being gone -- nothing but blue sky. Yay for free access by rain. But there will come another weekend where we are going to try to tackle the second third that will take another 7 hours, and probably a third weekend after that.
I'm just glad God doesn't get tired of pruning me like I am of that tree already.
John 15:1-2
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hurry up and Weight
Well, my parents, sister, wife and I have started a... contest of sorts. We all weighed in on Monday after Heroes (I was 285) and then came up with the goal to lose 50 each. For every pound we lose, we put $1 in the pony. For every pound we gain, we put $2 in the pony. At the end of the time, we do a family activity to celebrate (probably not go out to eat.) So I'm supposed to get down to 235.. which isn't too bad since I said 225 was my goal just days before. Now to actually try to do something besides think about losing weight.
What is sad though is that my brother and sister-in-law were going to get into it also, but they suddenly pulled out. Personally, I think my sister-in-law doesn't like hanging out with our family (although I know Joey doesn't like hanging out with the extended family too much so it doesn't surprise me too much.) I miss my brother and think it would be cool for them to be in on this too but oh well.
I need to start thinking about how to lose weight though... seriously. I sit 8 hours a day for work. I like being on the computer or watching football. So it is a matter of getting up and doing something. My son and I could do some running around a park/school at waaaaaay too early in the morning. I could fix my bike and bike to church on the weekends, which would save us gas at the same time. Of course, I could cut down my fast food consumption to moderation. That would make my wife happy.
I guess I'll start with doing something with my son. In the evenings, I get home after dark, so that won't work unless we go somewhere (during the winter). During the spring, umpiring does help. I should maybe play football with the youth on Wednesday nights.
So... anyone have any suggestions to help a couch potato to get up and do something?
In the end... it's going to be about discipline and dedication. Thanks God. I don't want to learn those right now!
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
7 random things and my wife wants me to make them things she doesn't know
Ok, so my wife 'tagged' me on her blog with this:
So I'm supposed to give you 7 random things about me.
Ok, not too hard... or is it. Random things about me. And to make it worse, my wife wants me to make them things she doesn't know. Wow... talk about a daunting task. I guess there has got to be some history, some likes, and some actions.
So...
1. Somewhere at my parent's house I have a collection of machetes (ok, it's 3). I got one really nice one in Jamaica with a nice wooden sheath and 2 from Honduras that are generic. In Honduras, I thought I would share my love of machetes with everyone and so I bought little wooden machetes for everyone who supported me to go to Honduras.
2. When I was in Jamaica, I had pistachio ice cream almost everyday. Of course, I was about 100 lbs back then, so it did me no harm. Man, I miss my metabolism.
3. During the summer between my 6th grade and 7th grade years, my brother and sister were in year around school so I was by myself. My best friend went back to New Hampshire to visit his dad, so I was pretty much all by myself. I spent the summer eating chicken noodle soup, raisins and playing "Santa Marina" on our TRS-80 model 3 computer. K-Lord was new around this time so I was listening to them off and on except they were playing "Oh, Happy Day" once an hour, so it got old pretty quick.
4. I once spent $200 hiring a taxi to take me from San Diego to my parent's house for my dad's birthday party because I didn't feel like waiting 12 hours. I just got paid so to me, it was no big deal. I just have to get out of town in my mind. My parents thought I was crazy.
5. My wife knows this. I never finished a book while I was in High School. Let's take Lord of the Flies, for example. I read everything but the last two chapters. We discussed the last two chapters so much in class that I didn't feel like I needed to finish it. Same thing with Hamlet, MacBeth, Romeo and Juliet and Huckleberry Finn. I loved them all, but never finished them. I guess I just wasn't too curious as to how it ended, or maybe it was I didn't want the story to end and so it continued in my mind because I never got to the end of the book. I'm guessing I was just lazy.
6. I am starting to do some real leg work to write a children's book. 2 days so far -- but 2 days are 2 days further than I was 2 days ago. If you want to follow along, here's the blog to track my work: http://storyblueprint.blogspot.com/ It's called, "My Journey into the World of Children's Literature." Let's see if I have the dedication to keep it going.
7. While my wife is a book person, I am a movie and TV person. My current show is HEROES. I'm majorly geeky into it -- into the online comics, the online community, and the online game. I like taking part in the group effort to solve the puzzles. I got really into what is called and "ARG" (Alternate Reality Game) back a few years ago when a really good ARG was introduced at the unforums at unfiction.com based on the Matrix -- one of my comfort movies. My comfort movies are:
Ok, there's my 7. I think 5 of them are new for Trina, but what was she expecting. She gave me.... nothing new :)
So I'm supposed to give you 7 random things about me.
Ok, not too hard... or is it. Random things about me. And to make it worse, my wife wants me to make them things she doesn't know. Wow... talk about a daunting task. I guess there has got to be some history, some likes, and some actions.
So...
1. Somewhere at my parent's house I have a collection of machetes (ok, it's 3). I got one really nice one in Jamaica with a nice wooden sheath and 2 from Honduras that are generic. In Honduras, I thought I would share my love of machetes with everyone and so I bought little wooden machetes for everyone who supported me to go to Honduras.
2. When I was in Jamaica, I had pistachio ice cream almost everyday. Of course, I was about 100 lbs back then, so it did me no harm. Man, I miss my metabolism.
3. During the summer between my 6th grade and 7th grade years, my brother and sister were in year around school so I was by myself. My best friend went back to New Hampshire to visit his dad, so I was pretty much all by myself. I spent the summer eating chicken noodle soup, raisins and playing "Santa Marina" on our TRS-80 model 3 computer. K-Lord was new around this time so I was listening to them off and on except they were playing "Oh, Happy Day" once an hour, so it got old pretty quick.
4. I once spent $200 hiring a taxi to take me from San Diego to my parent's house for my dad's birthday party because I didn't feel like waiting 12 hours. I just got paid so to me, it was no big deal. I just have to get out of town in my mind. My parents thought I was crazy.
5. My wife knows this. I never finished a book while I was in High School. Let's take Lord of the Flies, for example. I read everything but the last two chapters. We discussed the last two chapters so much in class that I didn't feel like I needed to finish it. Same thing with Hamlet, MacBeth, Romeo and Juliet and Huckleberry Finn. I loved them all, but never finished them. I guess I just wasn't too curious as to how it ended, or maybe it was I didn't want the story to end and so it continued in my mind because I never got to the end of the book. I'm guessing I was just lazy.
6. I am starting to do some real leg work to write a children's book. 2 days so far -- but 2 days are 2 days further than I was 2 days ago. If you want to follow along, here's the blog to track my work: http://storyblueprint.blogspot.com/ It's called, "My Journey into the World of Children's Literature." Let's see if I have the dedication to keep it going.
7. While my wife is a book person, I am a movie and TV person. My current show is HEROES. I'm majorly geeky into it -- into the online comics, the online community, and the online game. I like taking part in the group effort to solve the puzzles. I got really into what is called and "ARG" (Alternate Reality Game) back a few years ago when a really good ARG was introduced at the unforums at unfiction.com based on the Matrix -- one of my comfort movies. My comfort movies are:
- The Matrix trilogy
- Shawshank Redemption
- Cars
- Rudy
- The Princess Bride
- Major League
- Groundhog Day
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ok, there's my 7. I think 5 of them are new for Trina, but what was she expecting. She gave me.... nothing new :)
No on 8 protests get personal
http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/story/1391705.html
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6502661
The backlash has begun -- and it is no surprise. Above are links to two stories about people who donated money to the Yes on 8 campaign being personally targeted for their donation. Donations are a matter of public record so it is fine that they are being asked by those around them. What this is turning into though is intimidation for voting in what you believe. If you believe differently than those around you, they can get you to resign (even after 25 years of dedicated service). They can slander your business on all the news channels.
From their point of view, since you "encouraged hate," they can encourage hate against you, making 2 wrongs right. I have been asked why I supported 8. Of course it is because of my religious convictions. Let me see if I can find my exact response:
Where my problem comes is the federal government taking something that I believe is morally wrong and them declaring it morally right. For the most part, I am libertarian when it comes to financial decisions, but when it comes to things that are my beliefs and convictions, I don't believe the government should condone it.
More importantly:
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
But remember, Jesus said:
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." John 15:18-20.
Is it any wonder that the world is going after those it hates?
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6502661
The backlash has begun -- and it is no surprise. Above are links to two stories about people who donated money to the Yes on 8 campaign being personally targeted for their donation. Donations are a matter of public record so it is fine that they are being asked by those around them. What this is turning into though is intimidation for voting in what you believe. If you believe differently than those around you, they can get you to resign (even after 25 years of dedicated service). They can slander your business on all the news channels.
From their point of view, since you "encouraged hate," they can encourage hate against you, making 2 wrongs right. I have been asked why I supported 8. Of course it is because of my religious convictions. Let me see if I can find my exact response:
Where my problem comes is the federal government taking something that I believe is morally wrong and them declaring it morally right. For the most part, I am libertarian when it comes to financial decisions, but when it comes to things that are my beliefs and convictions, I don't believe the government should condone it.
More importantly:
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
But remember, Jesus said:
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." John 15:18-20.
Is it any wonder that the world is going after those it hates?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Micah went to the game yesterday
Well, at the little league I umpire at, the president of the league is the mother of one of the football players at Oregon State. He's quite a good player too. But anyways, she invited me to go to the UCLA/Oregon State game earlier in the summer and I was able to go yesterday with Micah.
We wrote letters yesterday at the church and then came home, dropped Becca off, and we were on our way. Micah seemed excited to go to the football game which is always good. We end up getting to the Rose Bowl around noon. I'm getting pictures up for where we parked and where we joined up with everyone
for the tailgate party...
Ok, an explanation of the numbers:
#1 -- This is where I parked my car. Yes, it's in the middle of a golf course. I'd say that is in the middle of the 18th fairway since the club house is right next to the green there.
#2 -- This is where the tailgate party was. It took Micah and I about a half hour to get from our car to their party. We walked it 4 times - once to start the day, once before the game so we could get back to the car, put stuff away and put suntan lotion on so I wouldn't get a lobster boy, once back to the part after putting suntan lotion on and once after the game when we went back to the party, had some more to eat in the dark, and then left about 7:15 pm.
#3 -- This is where we were sitting with a group of board members from the little league I ump at. Very nice people. It was fun to watch the game but you know, after watching football on tv all the time when you are constantly on the line of scrimmage following the ball, it is kinda weird to be stationary so far away from the play. We never knew if they made 10 yards for a first down until they moved the chains pretty much. But you know, being part of the crowd is always fun.
#4 -- This is where Micah and I passed Coach Rick Neuheisel as he was going home for the day. Since we were with the party for the Oregon State player, we were in orange. He was a gracious guy though. He said, "Have a good night." Yeah, I know, amazing. Well, at the time I was on the phone with Trina, walking with my son holding my hand. I said, "Thanks." He seems like a nice guy though. My run-in with near celebrity :D
Overall, the day was good. The game was tied 3-3 at the end of the half so everyone stayed around through the half. Then Oregon State put two quick touchdowns in the 3rd and the waves of defectors began. By the end of the third, the stadium (at one time holding 86,000 people) is now half empty. By the end of the fourt, there's more orange than blue in the stadium. Micah enjoyed himself, but boy, that boy can wolf down some cotton candy.
It was interesting though. At the end of the game, Coach Neuheisel gets on the stadium PA system and thanks those who stuck around to the end and appologized that they have not been performing better. He was embarrassed, disappointed but said that he is working at restoring the glory for UCLA. That, to me, is quite the coach. He didn't say my players failed. He didn't say we didn't have it today. He took responsibility in front of the loyal fans and said something. I like the guy. I hope UCLA gets back to some dominance so that the UCLA/USC games are competitive and looked-forward to.
I'd love to go back for some college football though. It's a blast being part of something so communial. I mentioned to someone though that this would be a great sociology project talking about the propaganda involved in college football to create that community and loyalty. I like being part of that.
2 Timoth 2:5
"Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules."
We wrote letters yesterday at the church and then came home, dropped Becca off, and we were on our way. Micah seemed excited to go to the football game which is always good. We end up getting to the Rose Bowl around noon. I'm getting pictures up for where we parked and where we joined up with everyone
for the tailgate party...Ok, an explanation of the numbers:
#1 -- This is where I parked my car. Yes, it's in the middle of a golf course. I'd say that is in the middle of the 18th fairway since the club house is right next to the green there.
#2 -- This is where the tailgate party was. It took Micah and I about a half hour to get from our car to their party. We walked it 4 times - once to start the day, once before the game so we could get back to the car, put stuff away and put suntan lotion on so I wouldn't get a lobster boy, once back to the part after putting suntan lotion on and once after the game when we went back to the party, had some more to eat in the dark, and then left about 7:15 pm.
#3 -- This is where we were sitting with a group of board members from the little league I ump at. Very nice people. It was fun to watch the game but you know, after watching football on tv all the time when you are constantly on the line of scrimmage following the ball, it is kinda weird to be stationary so far away from the play. We never knew if they made 10 yards for a first down until they moved the chains pretty much. But you know, being part of the crowd is always fun.
#4 -- This is where Micah and I passed Coach Rick Neuheisel as he was going home for the day. Since we were with the party for the Oregon State player, we were in orange. He was a gracious guy though. He said, "Have a good night." Yeah, I know, amazing. Well, at the time I was on the phone with Trina, walking with my son holding my hand. I said, "Thanks." He seems like a nice guy though. My run-in with near celebrity :D
Overall, the day was good. The game was tied 3-3 at the end of the half so everyone stayed around through the half. Then Oregon State put two quick touchdowns in the 3rd and the waves of defectors began. By the end of the third, the stadium (at one time holding 86,000 people) is now half empty. By the end of the fourt, there's more orange than blue in the stadium. Micah enjoyed himself, but boy, that boy can wolf down some cotton candy.
It was interesting though. At the end of the game, Coach Neuheisel gets on the stadium PA system and thanks those who stuck around to the end and appologized that they have not been performing better. He was embarrassed, disappointed but said that he is working at restoring the glory for UCLA. That, to me, is quite the coach. He didn't say my players failed. He didn't say we didn't have it today. He took responsibility in front of the loyal fans and said something. I like the guy. I hope UCLA gets back to some dominance so that the UCLA/USC games are competitive and looked-forward to.
I'd love to go back for some college football though. It's a blast being part of something so communial. I mentioned to someone though that this would be a great sociology project talking about the propaganda involved in college football to create that community and loyalty. I like being part of that.
2 Timoth 2:5
"Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The great shakeup of 2008
Well, it has been a while since I posted. In fact, it's been since September 11th, so it may be time to post again.
What has happened in the last 2 months?
I had my birthday. I was depressed. I got over it. What was weirdest/most telling was that all of my gifts had to do with food. I wonder if someone is trying to tell me something. I like food. Perhaps I like food too much. Maybe it is time to start showing some self-discipline and stop being lazy. I don't know if I'm up for it, but it's time to start getting serious about life and discipline.
I have been doing mediocre lately in my ministry but I think something has turned a corner. I think I am finally ready to get back into the swing of things after too long being out of the swing of things. One of the things that came up was Harvest Festival. I don't know how willing I was to start off, but my brother-in-law really pushed me through it and by the time it came around, I was in the swing of things. We ended up having about 400 people come through our Harvest Festival -- 300 of which weren't members of our church. It was quite an outreach and now we have our work ahead of us to follow up on everything. I did e-mail everyone who gave me an e-mail address the same night (although I haven't heard anything back from anyone yet.)
Election night was interesting. I had special class with my family and so I had the laptop watching election results. It became pretty evident that Obama won about 7 pm to me, considering all he needed was 15 electoral votes + the 55 California votes he was getting no matter what. So that was not too much of a surprise. What was a surprise, and a pleasant one at that, is that Proposition 8 won. Of course, it's not over. If it would have failed, I don't think there would be marching in the streets, but ok. I understand why.
What is going on though is the perversion of love. I see the signs, "My love is the same as your love." "We demand equality." "No to H8te." The Bible tells us that God is love. It also tells us that homosexuality is God giving man over to their sinful desires, exchanging what is natural for what is unnatural. Reading through Romans 1, we can see that we are in the last verses of Romans 1.
What has happened in the last 2 months?
I had my birthday. I was depressed. I got over it. What was weirdest/most telling was that all of my gifts had to do with food. I wonder if someone is trying to tell me something. I like food. Perhaps I like food too much. Maybe it is time to start showing some self-discipline and stop being lazy. I don't know if I'm up for it, but it's time to start getting serious about life and discipline.
I have been doing mediocre lately in my ministry but I think something has turned a corner. I think I am finally ready to get back into the swing of things after too long being out of the swing of things. One of the things that came up was Harvest Festival. I don't know how willing I was to start off, but my brother-in-law really pushed me through it and by the time it came around, I was in the swing of things. We ended up having about 400 people come through our Harvest Festival -- 300 of which weren't members of our church. It was quite an outreach and now we have our work ahead of us to follow up on everything. I did e-mail everyone who gave me an e-mail address the same night (although I haven't heard anything back from anyone yet.)
Election night was interesting. I had special class with my family and so I had the laptop watching election results. It became pretty evident that Obama won about 7 pm to me, considering all he needed was 15 electoral votes + the 55 California votes he was getting no matter what. So that was not too much of a surprise. What was a surprise, and a pleasant one at that, is that Proposition 8 won. Of course, it's not over. If it would have failed, I don't think there would be marching in the streets, but ok. I understand why.
What is going on though is the perversion of love. I see the signs, "My love is the same as your love." "We demand equality." "No to H8te." The Bible tells us that God is love. It also tells us that homosexuality is God giving man over to their sinful desires, exchanging what is natural for what is unnatural. Reading through Romans 1, we can see that we are in the last verses of Romans 1.
29 They are full of every kind of sin, evil and ungodliness. They want more than they need. They commit murder. They want what belongs to other people. They fight and cheat. They hate others. They say mean things about other people. 30 They tell lies about them. They hate God. They are rude and proud. They brag. They think of new ways to do evil. They don't obey their parents. 31 They are foolish. They can't be trusted. They are not loving and kind.32 They know that God's commands are right. They know that those who do evil things should die. But they continue to do those very things. They also approve of others who do them.
The amount of people out there in Hollywood who are not gay but marching because they believe this is a civil right says that they are approving of others who sin. They are calling wrong right and right evil now. I have seen my views called nearly racism, that I am acting in hate, that this is wrong to deny people the right to marry. God is love. We, as a society, have distorted love. We have turned love around to a gushy feeling that is easy to fall into and sometimes even easier to fall out of.
I have also been asked why denying them the right to marry is right. Wouldn't outlawing adultery be just as affective in sanctity of marraige? How come we stand up against this sin but not others? Just because we do not stand up to every sin does not make it wrong when we stand up against one. It isn't a hatred of homosexuals. I have worked with homosexuals. I have been cordial. I talked to them everyday, was friendly, and greeted them with a warm smile and handshake. It is not the person I am against. It is the normalization of something God calls sin and making it normal and sin to stand against.
I understand the civil right marches that are starting to take place because they are hearily approving of those who do evil in the sight of God as normal behavior.
On Saturday, we are having a letter writing campaign to write Marine recruits to thank them for being a part of our military. The letters will go into Christmas stockings that will be hand delivered. It is a really cool project that I look forward to being a part of for a while.
The following Saturday is our second annual car show. Should be a good time.
Ok, done for now. But let me close with this:
"1 All of you must be willing to obey completely those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God."
I guess there's one more thing. I am considering starting a weekly morning prayer session to pray for our government, federal, state, local and finally our church. It would probably be from 6 am - 7 am at the church and I fully expect to pray for Obama, Feinstein, Boxer, Schwartzeneger, Baca, our mayor, not that God will change them necessarily, but that they will make wise decisions, that God will minister to them and bless them, and that God blesses America, as well as confessing our own sin and throwing ourselves fully on the grace of God. It is time that the church as a whole repents and gets serious about God.
I have also been asked why denying them the right to marry is right. Wouldn't outlawing adultery be just as affective in sanctity of marraige? How come we stand up against this sin but not others? Just because we do not stand up to every sin does not make it wrong when we stand up against one. It isn't a hatred of homosexuals. I have worked with homosexuals. I have been cordial. I talked to them everyday, was friendly, and greeted them with a warm smile and handshake. It is not the person I am against. It is the normalization of something God calls sin and making it normal and sin to stand against.
I understand the civil right marches that are starting to take place because they are hearily approving of those who do evil in the sight of God as normal behavior.
On Saturday, we are having a letter writing campaign to write Marine recruits to thank them for being a part of our military. The letters will go into Christmas stockings that will be hand delivered. It is a really cool project that I look forward to being a part of for a while.
The following Saturday is our second annual car show. Should be a good time.
Ok, done for now. But let me close with this:
"1 All of you must be willing to obey completely those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God."
I guess there's one more thing. I am considering starting a weekly morning prayer session to pray for our government, federal, state, local and finally our church. It would probably be from 6 am - 7 am at the church and I fully expect to pray for Obama, Feinstein, Boxer, Schwartzeneger, Baca, our mayor, not that God will change them necessarily, but that they will make wise decisions, that God will minister to them and bless them, and that God blesses America, as well as confessing our own sin and throwing ourselves fully on the grace of God. It is time that the church as a whole repents and gets serious about God.
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