a car crashed into another car. this car lost. we were in line at the drive thru at McDonalds when it happened. the guy she hit was leaving McDonalds. i think he ordered a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, but i have no proof of this.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
The Story of How I met My Wife
a message board inspired me to write about this...
my story:
July 1998
I was a counselor at a church youth camp for a week in late July/early August. There was this girl, Jen, who had recently graduated and was a camper for the last time. At CYF camp, I helped coordinate the audio/visual for worship and the afternoon recreation (soccer, to be exact). During the worship sessions, I noticed young Jen sitting oh-so-close to the sound board. Occasionally, I would notice out of the corner of my eye a dead stare coming from the eyes of one fine girl. As a counselor, I quickly put the "this girls hot" thoughts out of my head.
Jen signed up to play soccer and somehow always manged to get on my team. She was very quiet, but she made her presence known. during one game, she threw the ball in to me and I headed it into the goal. We gave each other high-5's. That was our first physical contact. Her younger brother was in my cabin and she was sort of looking after him and tha gave her a reason to talk to me. So throughout the week, we would talk a little and she even managed to sneek into a few pictures with me. I found out that she was going to be leaving for college in a few weeks and was going to be attending my alma matter (Asbury College).
August 1998
Jen had written me a letter after camp, talking about her camp experience and her brother and her anxiety and excitement about leaving for college. I decided to write her back.
August 24 1998
Jen had already started college down in Kentucky when I was sent on a business trip to do some video editing at my alma matter. I arrived there on the 24th (a Monday). I ran into Jen and two other mutual friends almost immediately. We met up that night to play euchre.
August 27, 1998
After a a few days of meeting up each night, I was hard at work in the editing suite when Jen brought me over some homemade cookies. Later, I would find out that she had burnt the first batch. I had finished up editing around 6:30 and Jen and I decided to go for a walk. We walked up to the softball field, on a big hill and watched the sunset. We talked for a very long time. Jen and I both view this date, that day, as a monumental day in our 'relationship'.
Labor Day Weekend 1998
I made up some excuse to head back down to Kentucky and thus another 6 hour journey was necessary. I had two sisters living in the area and they just had to be visited... in reality, I was there to see Jen. I had asked her and her friends to go hiking. When I went to pick them up, it was only Jen. I think she told the others not to come. She wanted some alone time with me. I didn't complain, by the way. That night, I walked her back to her dorm... we could have kissed for the first time... but we didn't. That would have to wait.
Oct. 24th 1998
I had returned one more time to work on an editing project. Jen and I had been talking a lot on the phone but I was at a crossroads. I was 24 and she was 18. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her. I seriously contemplated cutting things off... just because of the difficulty of having a long distance relationship. We went out that Saturday night and saw Dead Man on Campus followed by dinner at Ruby Tuesday, a strole through Joseph-Beth bookstore and then to Wal Mart. Everything about that October night was right. It felt right. True love was blossoming. We connected with each other. That night, I kissed her for the first time.
Thanksgiving 1998
I went to meet her family and to see her the day after Thanksgiving. I drove an hour and a half, walked up to the front door, rang the doorbell and when she opened it... I knew she was the one. She was wearing a red Old Navy v neck sweater , jeans and red socks. We were engaged a year later, on the day after Thanksgiving... married August 12, 2000.
my story:
July 1998
I was a counselor at a church youth camp for a week in late July/early August. There was this girl, Jen, who had recently graduated and was a camper for the last time. At CYF camp, I helped coordinate the audio/visual for worship and the afternoon recreation (soccer, to be exact). During the worship sessions, I noticed young Jen sitting oh-so-close to the sound board. Occasionally, I would notice out of the corner of my eye a dead stare coming from the eyes of one fine girl. As a counselor, I quickly put the "this girls hot" thoughts out of my head.
Jen signed up to play soccer and somehow always manged to get on my team. She was very quiet, but she made her presence known. during one game, she threw the ball in to me and I headed it into the goal. We gave each other high-5's. That was our first physical contact. Her younger brother was in my cabin and she was sort of looking after him and tha gave her a reason to talk to me. So throughout the week, we would talk a little and she even managed to sneek into a few pictures with me. I found out that she was going to be leaving for college in a few weeks and was going to be attending my alma matter (Asbury College).
August 1998
Jen had written me a letter after camp, talking about her camp experience and her brother and her anxiety and excitement about leaving for college. I decided to write her back.
August 24 1998
Jen had already started college down in Kentucky when I was sent on a business trip to do some video editing at my alma matter. I arrived there on the 24th (a Monday). I ran into Jen and two other mutual friends almost immediately. We met up that night to play euchre.
August 27, 1998
After a a few days of meeting up each night, I was hard at work in the editing suite when Jen brought me over some homemade cookies. Later, I would find out that she had burnt the first batch. I had finished up editing around 6:30 and Jen and I decided to go for a walk. We walked up to the softball field, on a big hill and watched the sunset. We talked for a very long time. Jen and I both view this date, that day, as a monumental day in our 'relationship'.
Labor Day Weekend 1998
I made up some excuse to head back down to Kentucky and thus another 6 hour journey was necessary. I had two sisters living in the area and they just had to be visited... in reality, I was there to see Jen. I had asked her and her friends to go hiking. When I went to pick them up, it was only Jen. I think she told the others not to come. She wanted some alone time with me. I didn't complain, by the way. That night, I walked her back to her dorm... we could have kissed for the first time... but we didn't. That would have to wait.
Oct. 24th 1998
I had returned one more time to work on an editing project. Jen and I had been talking a lot on the phone but I was at a crossroads. I was 24 and she was 18. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her. I seriously contemplated cutting things off... just because of the difficulty of having a long distance relationship. We went out that Saturday night and saw Dead Man on Campus followed by dinner at Ruby Tuesday, a strole through Joseph-Beth bookstore and then to Wal Mart. Everything about that October night was right. It felt right. True love was blossoming. We connected with each other. That night, I kissed her for the first time.
Thanksgiving 1998
I went to meet her family and to see her the day after Thanksgiving. I drove an hour and a half, walked up to the front door, rang the doorbell and when she opened it... I knew she was the one. She was wearing a red Old Navy v neck sweater , jeans and red socks. We were engaged a year later, on the day after Thanksgiving... married August 12, 2000.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Does a CD spin when you listen to it?
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO AND ENJOYING WITH MY WHOLE BEING
(a.k.a Bands You Should Check Out For Yourself)
The Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl: Volume I
The Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl: Volume II
Interpol - Antics
M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us
The Innocence Mission - Befriended
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
Autolux - Future Perfect
Earlimart - Treble & Tremble
Kasabian - s/t
(a.k.a Bands You Should Check Out For Yourself)
The Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl: Volume I
The Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl: Volume II
Interpol - Antics
M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us
The Innocence Mission - Befriended
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
Autolux - Future Perfect
Earlimart - Treble & Tremble
Kasabian - s/t
Friday, February 11, 2005
my wife's dream-like state last night.
so last night, after what seemed like hours of sleep (but was really only probably minutes) my wife sits up in bed, doesn't say a word and just stares at me. I wake up and ask her what was going on and if everything was o.k.
"Oh my gosh! We forgot to put the cookies away!" she said.
then she rolled over and went back to sleep like nothing happened.
she had made a chocolate chip cookies earlier.
"Oh my gosh! We forgot to put the cookies away!" she said.
then she rolled over and went back to sleep like nothing happened.
she had made a chocolate chip cookies earlier.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
i recognized this guy from American Idol from Trading Spaces and from this stupid gameshow called Taboo that lasted all of a couple of months
so i recognized this guy who said he was a nanny on American Idol this week. he's been in a couple of commercials and on Trading Spaces. He's a big dork. I'm a bigger dork for recognizing him. He said his name was Christopher Noll (I suppose that is his real name) but he may be better known as Chris Wylde. He's had a show on Comedy Central and has been in a few movies, including Joe Dirt and some other crap.
yeah. I watch American Idol.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
today is my birthday.
just thought you should know. by the way, i chipped a tooth last night while eating a salad, of all things, at the Golden Corral. I don't think anyone should have to work on your birthday. I think I would like presents. Somebody give me an iPod. Somebody else could pay off our bills. Regardless, I will probably pick up some CD's because I am obsessed with music. It's my birthday, afterall.
I think my wife and I are going to go see Million Dollar Baby this weekend. I shall post a full review if that happens. (Last year on my birthday we went to see Along Came Polly. That was a waste of money. ) We may also go to Steak N' Shake or Bennegins. By the way, does anybody know what's up with Chi Chi's? That used to be a somewhat fancy restaurant with a long wait. Now they are all closing down. Sorry 'bout their luck, I guess.
I remember when I was 10. I had a birthday party at our new house. Donnie & Mike Carsner and David Hickman and Monte Macecko all came. My mom made a cake. I got some GI Joe's and a walkman cassette player. I was allowed to buy a tape, too. I ordered Police - Synchronicity. It came in the mail and the case was cracked. Later on that year, Donnie spewed chunks of Chicken McNuggeets in the hallway next to the bathroom. I remember playing a lot of ping pong back in those days. We had a table in the basement. Also, we all played baseball out in the back yard. One time my friend Billy ran into the clothesline and almost had a concussion, except he didn't. The guy who lived behind us used to skin deer in his garage. To this day, I remember the stench that would accompany us during our baseball games.
I plan on having a vanilla milkshake later today, 'cuz it's my birthday. Honestly, I am just happy being alive and having a wonderful family and a wonderful child in waiting. There is nothing more rewarding than that. That is the best thing a 31 year old man could ask for. Plus, my wife is hot, too and my 2 year old son is the coolest kid in town.
Memories, music, family and ice cream... not a better thing to have on my birthday.
I think my wife and I are going to go see Million Dollar Baby this weekend. I shall post a full review if that happens. (Last year on my birthday we went to see Along Came Polly. That was a waste of money. ) We may also go to Steak N' Shake or Bennegins. By the way, does anybody know what's up with Chi Chi's? That used to be a somewhat fancy restaurant with a long wait. Now they are all closing down. Sorry 'bout their luck, I guess.
I remember when I was 10. I had a birthday party at our new house. Donnie & Mike Carsner and David Hickman and Monte Macecko all came. My mom made a cake. I got some GI Joe's and a walkman cassette player. I was allowed to buy a tape, too. I ordered Police - Synchronicity. It came in the mail and the case was cracked. Later on that year, Donnie spewed chunks of Chicken McNuggeets in the hallway next to the bathroom. I remember playing a lot of ping pong back in those days. We had a table in the basement. Also, we all played baseball out in the back yard. One time my friend Billy ran into the clothesline and almost had a concussion, except he didn't. The guy who lived behind us used to skin deer in his garage. To this day, I remember the stench that would accompany us during our baseball games.
I plan on having a vanilla milkshake later today, 'cuz it's my birthday. Honestly, I am just happy being alive and having a wonderful family and a wonderful child in waiting. There is nothing more rewarding than that. That is the best thing a 31 year old man could ask for. Plus, my wife is hot, too and my 2 year old son is the coolest kid in town.
Memories, music, family and ice cream... not a better thing to have on my birthday.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
A Day of Mourning
What can be said? 1-4 in AFC Title Games at Home. 1 win. 4 losses. I am sad. I've felt this way before (not since the Cleveland Indians lost a heart breaking game 7 vs. Florida in '97). Why can't the Steelers get it done? I think they peeked to soon. Big Ben wasn't ready for the pressure yet. I can only hope that he and the team learn from this and go on to wreak havoc on the NFL next year and the years to come.
Somehow I feel responsible for their loss 41-27, to the evil New England Patriots. With the love of sports comes many stupid superstitions. Like yesterday, I had to wear the same clothes I wore the week before when Pittsburgh squeaked by the Jets. I wore my new Steelers grey t-shirt over a long sleeve t-shirt with jeans and my white Adidas superstars. My wife mocked me and said they lost because I had different boxers and different socks on. Maybe I jinxed them because I taped the game on the VCR. That has proven to be bad luck in the past. Anytime I would tape a game, my team would lose, and thus I would have no desire to watch it again. But this season, I had taped two games, and the Steelers won both of those. Of course, they only lost once... Early on.
Well, my mourning will not last forever. After all, who can stay mad at football? - It's the greatest sport on earth! The Super Bowl should get my emotions running again, even though my team is not playing. Oh well. Only three month's until the NFL Draft. The Steelers will hopefully make it to Super Bowl XL next year!
Somehow I feel responsible for their loss 41-27, to the evil New England Patriots. With the love of sports comes many stupid superstitions. Like yesterday, I had to wear the same clothes I wore the week before when Pittsburgh squeaked by the Jets. I wore my new Steelers grey t-shirt over a long sleeve t-shirt with jeans and my white Adidas superstars. My wife mocked me and said they lost because I had different boxers and different socks on. Maybe I jinxed them because I taped the game on the VCR. That has proven to be bad luck in the past. Anytime I would tape a game, my team would lose, and thus I would have no desire to watch it again. But this season, I had taped two games, and the Steelers won both of those. Of course, they only lost once... Early on.
Well, my mourning will not last forever. After all, who can stay mad at football? - It's the greatest sport on earth! The Super Bowl should get my emotions running again, even though my team is not playing. Oh well. Only three month's until the NFL Draft. The Steelers will hopefully make it to Super Bowl XL next year!
Thursday, January 20, 2005
i missed Lost
freak. i'm so mad at myself. last night, i was distracted by my wife who was engrossed in a captivating game of Madden NFL 2005 on PlayStation2. anyway - for some dumb reason, i set the timer for American Idol and not Lost. so now, i have missed an episode. i am so dissapointed in myself. my TV viewing schedule is regimented. and i hav thrown it all away for Ryan Secrest and for a computer genrated Micahel Vick (she rushed for 9 touchdowns with him at QB).
missing Lost ruined my nite. plus, my gut is expanding. my wife's cooking is too good.
missing Lost ruined my nite. plus, my gut is expanding. my wife's cooking is too good.
Monday, January 17, 2005
what's your theme song?
(i guess this describes me... i copied it from some internet quiz my wife had me take...)
I Will Survive
The fiery confidence you normally keep under wraps blazes in your eyes every time your theme song turns on the table. People stand back and wait to be impressed by you—whether leading a project team, or firing up for a girls' night out. You mean business and people look to your leadership because you're so sure of yourself. So whether you're looking fine in the latest styles or throwing a bone to your 70's polyester double-knit blouse, this disco anthem always reminds you that you are true to yourself and are one of the lucky few who recognize that change starts first on the inside. Whether you're in your car, at a party, or on a date, you feel more resilient than John Travolta's acting career when your song comes throbbing through the speakers. Your friends dig you because you've learned to say what's on your mind. Life's too sweet to feel hurt and misunderstood. Yes indeed, with this as your theme song, you don't have to worry about surviving. You're well on your way to succeeding.
I Will Survive
The fiery confidence you normally keep under wraps blazes in your eyes every time your theme song turns on the table. People stand back and wait to be impressed by you—whether leading a project team, or firing up for a girls' night out. You mean business and people look to your leadership because you're so sure of yourself. So whether you're looking fine in the latest styles or throwing a bone to your 70's polyester double-knit blouse, this disco anthem always reminds you that you are true to yourself and are one of the lucky few who recognize that change starts first on the inside. Whether you're in your car, at a party, or on a date, you feel more resilient than John Travolta's acting career when your song comes throbbing through the speakers. Your friends dig you because you've learned to say what's on your mind. Life's too sweet to feel hurt and misunderstood. Yes indeed, with this as your theme song, you don't have to worry about surviving. You're well on your way to succeeding.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Meeting the Fockers (and the woman who sat next to me)
am i wrong? isn't there some sort of unwritten code of movie viewing etiquette? yesturday, my wife and i went out on a date. having an almost two year old boy makes 'going on a date'a special, rare thing. so because we are cheapskates, we went to the first matinee of the day (costing us only $4.25 each) to see Meet the Fockers.
suprisingly, the theatre was nearly half full (not bad for an 11:50am showing on a Monday). Regardless, there were plenty of open seats. So the previews come on and I enjoy seeing clips from War of the Worlds, Episode III and some new Vin Deasil comedy (yes, comedy).
The movie is about to begin when all of the sudden...
this older woman, with way-to-much make up on comes and sits down RIGHT NEXT TO ME. Mind you there was an entirely empty row in front and behind me and we were the only ones sitting in our row. does this not break the code of etiquette?
so not only is she sitting right next to me but her furry coat, the size of a large polar bear is all over the place and overlapping into my seat. then, she got up and went to get popcorn, and came back with an old man. they then preceded to stand, in the row, talking loud, trying to figure out who should sit where... but of course, they didn't bother to move down.
and so i went on a date with my wife, and the 65 year old lipstick woman who loves Barbara Steisand and enjoyed too much the sexual humor of Meet the Fockers.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Misunderstanding
in my humble opinion, the cause to most of the world's problems (or at least the problems in my life) is misunderstanding. this is a particularly big issue between man and woman. men think women are thinking one thing, while women, who are thinking something entirely different (and not remotely thought about by man) are believing that they have been completely clear and think that man thinks the same thing that they were thinking. no wonder there are so many misunderstandings... we are both misunderstood.
and so misunderstanding leaves us with only one option... "I'm sorry". Sometimes that doesn't get us very far, either. and so there is literally no hope for anyone... without grace. the inability for either party to put themselves in the other persons shoes expands the gap between man and woman.
remember, you can't spell misunderstanding without an M-I-S-T-A-_-E. fill in the blank. misunderstandings are not intentional. they just happen. because we are human, i suppose.
aint that a kick in the head.
and so misunderstanding leaves us with only one option... "I'm sorry". Sometimes that doesn't get us very far, either. and so there is literally no hope for anyone... without grace. the inability for either party to put themselves in the other persons shoes expands the gap between man and woman.
remember, you can't spell misunderstanding without an M-I-S-T-A-_-E. fill in the blank. misunderstandings are not intentional. they just happen. because we are human, i suppose.
aint that a kick in the head.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Top 10 Albums of 2004
10. CHEVELLE - This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)
The Loeffler brothers provide another quality hard rock album, full of angst.
9. FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER - Hide Nothing
A suprisingly good album from a band on their third lead singer.
8. BEASTIE BOYS - To the 5 Boroughs
Old school beats. Old school lyrics. Reminiscent of Paul's Boutique.
7. AIR - Talkie Walkie
The smoothest album of the year.
6. RELIENT K - Mmhmm
I never would have thought that Relient K would be on my Top Ten list, but Mmhmm is a breakthrough album. Their most mature effort, yet.
5. PATTY GRIFFIN - Impossible Dream
A great singer/songwriter album. A must have.
4. BRIAN WILSON - Smile
It took decades to complete this lost Beach Boy's record. It's worth the wait!
3. KEANE - Hopes and Fears
The absence of a new Coldplay record makes this album the best disc to feature a piano in 2004. Piano+Bass+Drums= Keane, the best new band this year.
2. U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Bono proves that the love is the answer to all the worlds problems. How can this not be the number one record of 2004? It gets better after repeated listens.
1. THE KILLERS - Hot Fuss
Las Vegas bands debut is full of melodic, catchy hooks... leaves you wanting more.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Franz Ferdinand - self titled
Danger Mouse - The Grey Album
!!! (chk chk chk) - Louden Up Now
Mute Math - Reset (ep)
Cool Hand Luke - The Fires of Life
Ambulance LTD - LP
Monday, December 06, 2004
What is Grace?
Grace is a beautiful word. It flows off the lips with ease. There is power in the letters. Grace is relieving debt to 3rd world countries. Grace is taking the blame when it's somebody else's fault. Grace is feeding a child and going hungry. Grace is letting go when so much is tying you down. Grace is walking in someone else's shoes. Grace is transforming. Grace is doing what man deems impossible. Grace is changing one's focus and outlook on life. Grace is misunderstood. Grace is abused. Grace is pierced hands. Grace is death row innocence. Grace makes all things beautiful. Grace is a word, a thought, a reality that I do not want to take for granted.
enjoy Grace...
Grace.
enjoy Grace...
Grace.
Grace, it's a thought that changed the world
GRACE - U2
from the album All That You Can’t Leave Behind
Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace, it's the name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything
Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace makes beauty out of ugly things
from the album All That You Can’t Leave Behind
Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace, it's the name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything
Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace makes beauty out of ugly things
Thursday, December 02, 2004
A Journey Home - PHOTO ESSAY
Below is a portion of a photo essay I took on the way home on a back country road. Enjoy.
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