Monday, January 12, 2004

It was an incredible week. My introverted self is more than a little overloaded from spending a week with 3200 of my closest friends. My spirit is overloaded from the joy of new friendships, renewed friendships, and the passionate reminder of my Savior’s gift. We remarked at dinner last night that the central theme from the week was enjoying the fellowship of Jesus’ suffering - each speaker touched on that thought - the movie brought it to a shattering climax yesterday. I’ll post about The Passion of Christ separately.

I am grateful for the gift of experiencing the past week. Thank you, Lord, for how you bless your children.

More to come…

LATER: I have to thank Bryan for posting here last week. I appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts here, Bryan.

I (Bryan)thought I’d put in one last entry before Jen returns.

I recently began reading a book called The 7 Sins of Highly Defective People by Rick Ezell.  It starts with this…

Saturday, January 10, 2004

I only have a few minutes - we’re heading to Epcot for the rest of the day in about 15 minutes. But I wanted to say HI! and let you know what’s up so far.

It’s been an amazing week. The international pre-conference was fabulous and such a blessing. When the 3000 US-based staff arrived it was a little overwhelming, but I quickly caught up with friends at the luau by the pool. I think I’ve had a chance to talk to most of the ones I was hoping to.

For my family, the folks I’ve seen: Moose and Jen, Mike T’nova, Nathan and Tammy, Joe P. (Stacy stayed home), and Will C. It’s been great to meet the international staff and hang with them. I’ve found that I’ve spent most of my time with the international folks.

On Wednesday, my mother left a voicemail on my cell about this rumor about Joe Gibbs coming back to the Washington Redskins. I thought she was joking, but I found the former chaplain (who happens to be my former boss’ boss) and he confirmed the rumor. I’ll start my own - he said he’s open to the possibility of being the chaplain of the team again!

Today, in the morning session, they announced the surprise they had for our free time tomorrow. The house lights got dark for a video presentation that turned out to be a promo for Mel Gibson, then Mel himself thanking Young Life for supporting his movie, The Passion. Then we were told that we will be seeing the latest version of The Passion. The bonus surprise is that Jim Caveziel is flying in today to be with us tomorrow as well. After we see the movie, he’ll be talking to us about his faith and the movie. Very cool.

I’m told there’s a possibility for a musical suprise for tomorrow as well - a band with the words “jars” and “clay” in their name. Also cool.

It’s been tiring. It’s been inspiring. The speakers have been fantastic. There have been a lot of laughs. I haven’t taken enough pictures. I’m a little overwhelmed with it all. It’s been a blessing. God is good.

Friday, January 09, 2004

With new reality programs cycling in, I (Bryan) thought this would be the place to discuss them…

Average Joe 2—same song, different verse.  Not as intriguing after watching the original.  I’ve little motivation to return to this—I’m no sadist and get no pleasure from seeing stereotypes perpetuated and real people hurt just because they don’t have Madison Avenue genetics.  But if there’s nothing else on, we might tune in just to see if an overweight, balding guy with an overbite really can impress a beauty queen.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan—the best “reality” show out there.  No false pretenses, no contrived situations...just warmly-cooked-over celebrities matching wits and trying to win a game.  It funded Kathy Griffin’s plastic surgerypalooza, and could do the same for Corbin Bernsen.  My choice for the mole lost in the first week, so clearly I have no understanding of how the game is played.  And Stephen Baldwin is wearing Jesus paraphernalia, so he’s either saved, trying to be clever, or simply trying to throw off the competition.

The Apprentice—watched it reluctantly, but ended up being very entertained.  Sam should have gotten the axe, but you have to admire his moxie for trying to sell a glass of lemonade for $1000.  It’s also offensive that all the women are large-chested and tiny-waisted (and that they won their initial competition using sexual overtones).

We have not seen (and probably will not) the one about the fat rude fiancee’.  It looks like a mix between Joe Schmoe & Average Joe.  If it is successful, expect a whole new line of successors:

Thursday, January 08, 2004

Hey...Bryan here....sharing a story of good news.

Back in 1989, Christmas Eve, I was taking my girlfriend home from a time at my home, celebrating the holiday with my family.  On the way in, I hit a patch of ice and side-swiped a stop sign with my mother’s little SUV.  The crease that metal pole put in the driver’s side door was quite impressive.

Merry Christmas!

Before returning home, I made two decisions.  First, I decided my girlfriend was coming back with me.  It didn’t matter what type of trouble she’d get into for being late at her home, I needed a witness to make sure my folks wouldn’t kill me.  Second, we stopped at City Market, the local grocery store, and picked up a free puppy being offered to any taker.

Thus, Holly entered our world.

My ploy worked, and Holly became the family dog.  Holly has been a great family dog, very loyal, very territorial...very even-tempered.

When we pulled in to Craig on the TOI ^&reg the first question out of Kaylyn’s mouth was, “Papa, where’s Holly?”

“Well, we haven’t seen Holly for two days,” Papa said cautiously, while giving me a grim look.  The weather had been horrible, not very forgiving or even accomodating for a 15 year-old mutt that was growing increasingly blind and deaf.

We all shared the sad reality that Holly probably had gone up into the hills, got caught in the bad weather, and had probably become too weak to find her way home.  Papa would likely find her next Spring, once the snow had melted.

And while we were sad, we comforted ourselves with the whole “Circle of Life” type thoughts that we had due to the Christmas-time entry and departure into our lives.  But for the first time in basically half my life, my Holly Dog was no longer around.

Well, my mom phoned us tonight.

She: “Holly’s home.”
Me: “What?!?”
She:  She was over at a neighbors on the other side of the hill, ever since we lost her.
Me:  How’d you find her?
She:  My secretary’s husband saw an ad in the newspaper and remembered that Holly had run away.  He gave me the contact and Holly was in the driveway when I got home.  Dad went and got her!
Me:  This is great!  Holly’s home.

It’s taking everything in me to not wake the kids and tell them the news....they’ll no doubt be very happy.

Tuesday, January 06, 2004

I thought I’d post one last time before I hit the road (the friendly skies, actually) for the conference. Yes, it’s a vacation to Disney World for me, but it’s an all staff conference for Young Life. I am merely a guest this go-round, my former boss invited me.

Knowing what the conference was like in 2000, I’m very excited to be going. And I’m most excited to get the chance to catch up with some good friends from New York and New England that I left three years ago when I returned “home” to Virginia.

The planners of the conference sent an email to all attendees - asking us to invite friends and family to pray for us while we’re there. They have broken down the days with specific things to be praying for (and it includes cool info so that you know what we’re up to each day). I have cut and pasted that info in the MORE section, click the link to read it. If you feel inclined, I am thankful for your prayers for me in this adventure this week.

In the meantime, Tony of I Am Always Right and Bryan of Clarity Amidst Chaos will be posting here on occasion. (By the way, Bryan, your link is hosed - it redirects to the Blogger home page?) Thanks, fellas! And if you need additional reading, check out one or more of the many blogs I have in my rolls to the right.

Have a great week! I’ll be back next Monday…

Monday, January 05, 2004

I’ve added a couple blogs to the roll lately. Thought I’d take the time to mention them.

This Roll Additions:

The Evangelical Outpost: I’ve seen this one mentioned in several places. Curiosity had me clicking over and I ended up reading several posts from his October 2003 archives by way of his About Me page. He has a charming wit that hooked me.

Unravelled (Irene Q) - Irene has a maturity to her writing - both in life and spiritually. I’ve seen her linked at a few blogs that I read daily. Her comments at those blogs have always been well thought out and articulated. I thought it was about time I added her to my roll.

Because the Blogrolling search feature is down, I don’t know if any others have added me to their rolls lately. If you have me linked and I haven’t reciprocated, please let me know in the comments or by email.

I’m sure others have posted about the admission by Pete Rose that he bet on baseball. Being a baseball fan, let me share my 2 cents:

1. While I can’t deny his athletic talent on the ball field, there was always something about Rose that I didn’t like or trust.

2. He lied about the betting when asked directly if he bet on baseball. Not only did he lie about it, he lied about it for 14 years.

3. He’s now claiming that he only bet on the game, not his team. Sure, and we’re supposed to believe that? See #2.

4. I emphatically believe that he should NEVER be reinstated. Nor should he ever be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is a disgrace to baseball. Sports, really.

5. Now that he’s confessed his sin, he needs to go away. I can forgive him, but it doesn’t mean he’s exempt from the consequences of his actions, then and now. See #4.

That is all.

I’ve had a productive day - I’m mostly packed. I got the stuff done while out that needed to be done. So now I can relax the rest of today (except for one more load of laundry). So while I was out and about I took note of a few things, which I will share here. Aren’t you excited? Woo!

1. I love the baristas at my local Starbucks. I decided to treat myself to a latte on my way back home. It was quiet in there so I had a nice chat with the guy who was making my venti white chocolate mocha latte. He asked if I liked the new boards they have. “Yes, I do,” I replied. “Makes it easier for the newbies.” Then he handed me a little booklet that explains how you can mix and match the coffees and syrups and so on to get a custom blend. Did you know that you didn’t have to stick with their list? I knew that, but I haven’t been brave enough to try something different. Yet...there’s a coupon on the back of the booklet that offers a free custom blended beverage. My barista today suggested a white toffee nut mocha for me the next time I come in. Cool!

2.  I was in line at the post office for quite a while. There was a mom and her 20-something son in front of me. He was working on getting a passport. They were discussing his less than pleasing passport pictures (I didn’t want to be caught openly eavesdropping, I didn’t see them because it would have involved a little bit of leaning to get at the right angle). Apparently the lady who took the pictures clicked the button before he was actually smiling. As an aside, I think all photo-takers for official documents have had some kind of training in the exact timing of picture taking to best get that I’m-really-annoyed-to-be-taking-a-picture-for-an-official-document look. No? Anyway...just before they were called to the counter (You’re NEXT!), he said, “At least I’m not scouring in the picture.” I had to raise my hand to my mouth to keep them from seeing my smile. Heh.

3.  I’m reminded that stay-at-home-moms parents have the shopping life. Wal-Mart was blessedly empty when I was there. As was the Giant grocery store.

4.  My mother is the best in the world - I know, I’ve mentioned it before. I took two new pair of pants to her for hemming so I can take them on my trip tomorrow.

5.  I forgot to go to the library. Darn. Maybe tomorrow on my way to drop off Annie.

I think that’s it. Except that it’s rainy and dreary. Yuck.

Sgt. Hook is preparing to go to the front lines in the war on terrorism this month. He’s got this great idea of holding a BBQ each week for his troops morale - a way to count down their year in theater.

How can you help?

Go buy something (or just donate money) at his newly opened Central Issue Facility. I plan to do a little shopping this morning.

So I’m in a bit of a conversation about voting habits in the US with Don of Vertical Hold in the comment thread of my post about the Democratic Underground quotes. He said:

Some of the newer democracies have a nice little law that says if an election fails to draw 50% of the populace, then it is null and void.

Personally, I think we could use something like that. That, and a Friday voting day that doubles as a federal holiday.

It’s more a problem of apathy really.

So, I ask you, good readers. If you don’t vote now and election day were changed to a federal holiday, would you be more inclined to vote?

Sunday, January 04, 2004

Is it me, or is it a little early in her career for Britney *gack* to have an episode of Behind the Music?

Also, let me be so bold as to predict that she might rival J-lo as the Elizabeth Taylor of our generation. Really, thinking about it, J-lo is the Gen-X Liz (for those of us over 30). Britney may be the Millenium Liz (for those still in their teens and 20s).

*gack*

I’m almost done “reading” (listening) to the radio theater version of At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. I have about 2 sections on the last CD left to listen to, which will be done while running errands tomorrow.

Mom, Jaynee, my Uncle Bill, and others have all encouraged me several times to read these books. I got through half of the first one a few years ago - I couldn’t stand how sweet it was and put it down.

But I have to say that this drama version has been fantastic listening. The cast of actors on this recording is excellent, the sound effects are amazing, I feel like I’m listening to an old-fashioned radio drama. I feel like I’m in Mitford - a fly on the wall in a way. This is better than an ordinary audio book and I’m hoping that Focus on the Family (who did this recording) will do the rest of the books. In the meantime, I plan a visit to my library tomorrow, to see about borrowing the next couple of books in the series.

Thanks, Mom, for a great Christmas gift.

Saturday, January 03, 2004

I just added three new pics to the rotation:

All pics taken by her father, Denis. I just love the one of her sleeping. So sweet.

So I was watching some makeover show on E! while reading a paperback when I heard this buzzing sound outside. A few seconds later there was some squealing. Annie ran to the bedroom to bark at the window. After a while, Annie got bored with the barking and came back to the livingroom. The sounds outside became white noise. I guess it was maybe 20 minutes later that I decided it was a good time to walk Annie. I got shoes, leashed up the dog, and we headed out - where the buzzing was more pronounced and the squealing as well.

Once at ground level, Annie’s vision was caught by the tiny remote control car that zoomed down the drive. She immediately took off (as far as her leash would allow) to get it. And the little kids standing with their dad? uncle? brother? were belly laughing with delight.

My only question was who got the rc car for Christmas? The adult or one of the kids?

As Annie and I trudged up the stairs to our apartment, I couldn’t help but smile at the sounds of pure joy overlapping with the hum of the toy.