A Public Service Announcement:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day..... So eat it!

Ok, so maybe holidays aren't worthless........

This father's day weekend was a really good weekend. It was so great because Grant is talking so good and communicating so much now that he could say "Happy Father's Day Daddy". And what was cute was the fact that he told me that several times over the weekend on various occasions. I'm sure he was prompted a few times by his momma but this one particular time that was cute was when Trina had brought home a yummy Turkey, Bacon, an Ranch sandwich from Arby's for us to split and she gave the bag to Grant to bring to me. He came in the living room where I was watching TV and he said, "Here ya go daddy... Happy Father's Day". Hahahah.... I mean, that's the stuff that just makes getting up to go to work every morning at 5 am worth it. To make sure that that little guy (and his mom) is taken care of makes everything I do (that I sometimes don't like) worth doing.

He doesn't care if Daddy likes getting up and going to work every day or not. He doesn't care if Daddy likes stressing over school work to better himself to hopefully provide a better life for his family or not. Grant doesn't concern himself with any of that stuff and it's great that he doesn't have to. All I want him to know is that he's loved, that he's safe and secure, and that his mommy and daddy love each other very much. Those are the things that I want him to know.

I try to make a point to tell him several times a day that Daddy loves him and that Daddy is very proud of him. I don't know if he knows what Daddy being proud of him means right now, but he will and that will be so important to him very soon. Knowing that his Dad is proud of him will give him such a boost to his confidence and in knowing who he is. My goal is to produce a secure and confident young man that knows that his dad always has his back and that he can come and talk to me at any time about anything without fear of my coming down on him. To do that I may have to correct him and stear him in the right direction from time to time but I want to do it in love so that he knows that I only have his best interests in mind.

Although I typically think that most of the holidays that we observe in this country are commerically driven and bogus.... I think I like Mother's Day and Father's day. Not only because I get to hear my son say, "Happy Father's Day daddy", but because it causes me to reflect on what it is to be a Dad and how blessed I am to hold that position in my son's life.

I am blessed.

Mom's Are Worth Every Penny They're Not Paid....

So I saw this article on the FoxNews website this morning. I think I've seen something like this before but it really made me take a minute to think about and really appreciate the efforts that my mom and my wife put forth with raising me and my son respectively.

Moms really do pull alot of different jobs and they should be appreciated for them all.

I LOVE YOU MOM AND TRINA!!!!!!!!!!!

Article on FoxNews.com (5-9-2008)

BOSTON —

If a stay-at-home mom could be compensated in dollars rather than personal satisfaction and unconditional love, she'd rake in a nifty sum of nearly $117,000 a year.

That's according to a pre-Mother's Day study released Thursday by Salary.com, a Waltham, Mass.-based firm that studies workplace compensation.

The eighth annual survey calculated a mom's market value by studying pay levels for 10 job titles with duties that a typical mom performs, ranging from housekeeper and day care center teacher to van driver, psychologist and chief executive officer.

This year, the annual salary for a stay-at-home mom would be $116,805, while a working mom who also juggles an outside job would get $68,405 for her motherly duties.

One stay-at-home mom said the six-figure salary sounds a little low.

"I think a lot of people think we sit and home and have a lot of fun and don't do a lot of work," said Samantha Russell, a Fremont, N.H., mother who left her job as pastry chef to raise two boys, ages 2 and 4. "But they should try cleaning their house with little kids running around and messing it up right after them."

The biggest driver of a mom's theoretical salary is the amount of overtime pay she'd receive for working more than 40 hours a week. The 18,000 moms surveyed about their typical week reported working 94.4 hours — meaning they'd be spending more than half their working hours on overtime.

Working moms reported an average 54.6 hour "mom work week" besides the hours they spent at paying jobs.

Russell agreed her job as a stay-at-home mom is more than full-time. But she said her "job" brings intangible benefits she wouldn't enjoy in the workplace.

"The rewards aren't monetary, but it's a reward knowing that they're safe and happy," Russell said of her sons. "It's worth it all."

Rock the Vote!!!!!!!

So I put a little poll up on my blog. Go vote.... or lose me forever!

Cool Flashlight

The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is that he keeps pointing it at himself.

I'm still around..... I think.

I haven't posted in awhile and I thought I should post something or what good is this blog? I'm not really sure than anyone even reads it but I'll post in the event that someone might care.

What have I been up to lately? Well, pretty much the same ole stuff. Work, school, family, church, and now that the weather is getting nice I'll be working in the yard. Another major thing that I'll be doing in the coming months will be assisting a friend of mine and a brother in Christ with his run for a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives. I'll be on the tech team (web manager) and working to help maintain his website, MySpace, Facebook,and YouTube presence. The guys name is Bill Fechtlekotter and he's an awesome man of God and a guy that really thinks differently than your average politician. That's the thing... he's not really a politician. He's a man that has a passion and feels that God is calling him to be used to initiate change.

So that's exciting. I'm also working to wrap up my Masters degree program. The goals is to be finished by about October of this year. I can't tell you guys how much I'm looking forward to getting this school stuff wrapped up once and for all. I just can't wait to get that off of my plate.

Umm... for those of you that were interested in my Velocity Diet experiment, I completed it a couple of weeks ago. I made it the entire 4 weeks with the majority of my nutrition coming from protein shakes spiked with other goodies like flax seed and fish oil capsules. I dropped about 13 pounds and about 2 inches over different parts of my body. I am pretty pleased with the results. I went from 191 lbs. to 178 lbs. I'm going to continue to build on the progress that I made and drop a little bit more weight and add some more muscle to my frame. This physique stuff can be tricky. It definitely requires a thought out approach.

Anyway.... That's what I'm up to in a nuttshell.

Hairy @ O'Hare....

So I'm stuck in the Chicago O'Hare International airport this evening. They canceled all the flights (except for that one to Louisville that I saw boarding as I was walking to the area where there are cots provided by the airport). This must be kinda what it is like to be in a catastrophe center or a barracks after a hurricane hits or something. This is what I imagine it must have been like after Katrina hit and all those people were sleeping on cots in gymnasiums and places like that. Obviously this isn't a situation like that at all.... but still there's a bunch of cots in here and strange people sleeping all around me.

Ok, checklist:

1. Wallet .... check
2. Cell phone alarm set..... check
3. My feet not in some other dudes face..... check (but who cares really).
4. Bag full of electronics and other valuables inconspicuously hidden under my shirt....check


Ok, I guess I can call it a night and hope for things to be better in the morning.

Night.

OH wait.... random thought. I think it'd be fun to strip down to my boxers and just walk around the airport like I was at home or something. Hahahahah.... I wonder what kind of reactions I'd get. Hmmm......

Still Sexy Ladies?

Job Market - 2010 (Sad but possibly true)

This makes me sad:

Too Much .... or Nothing Much

I wanted to post something because I haven't posted in several days. It seems like so much has been going on lately that I can't think of anything to report. It's almost like too much has become muddied into nothing much. I've just been balancing work, school, family, diet/excercise, and the worship team had a very busy Easter weekend with traveling back and forth between 6 services over the span of 2 days.

So, lots going on lately. I guess the biggest challenge I've faced lately is doing all of it and not letting my wife or son feel like they've been put on the back burner. There are only so many hours in a day. Wow....

Lord, Save Me From Myself

Jon Foreman has become one of my favorite singer/songwriters. He's recently released 2 out of a 4 EP set named after the 4 different seasons, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. I purchased the Fall and Winter EPs and have been listening to them, literally non-stop since I got them. His songs paint such vivid and touching pictures. The lyrics really speak to my soul. There's is a lot of feeling and emotion in his writing. I wanted to post some song lyrics from his song, "Lord, Save Me From Myself". Maybe it'll speak to you. I also posted a video of Jon performing the song.

www.jonforeman.com

Just.....Wow....Get your kleenex

Any wonder why I love this band?

It's been awhile.....

Well, it's awhile since I posted on this blog but I've been sort of in a haze. I am a very focused and single minded person at times, so when I'm working on something or focused on a particular goal it's hard to get my mind off of it and onto other "wonderings" which I might blog on.

I've been working as of late on getting myself into good shape (when am I not working on that one). So my mind has kinda been consumed with eating at the right time, the right stuff, working out, sleeping, etc.... Sometimes I think I'm good at multi-tasking and then other times.....not so much.

Anyway, I sold my guitar about a week ago because I really needed to upgrade. The guitar I had was great when I got it like 10 years ago (and didn't know anything about a good sounding guitar) but I realized I needed/wanted something that sounded better. God has really re-birthed the desire in me to play some music. Ever since I shipped my guitar off I've just had this ache to strum around on a guitar and learn some new songs. So I'm visiting a guitar store every day at lunch and "test driving" guitars in hopes that one will just jump out at me.

I'd love to get a Taylor guitar of some sort but I just can't justify dropping that kind of money on a guitar at this time. Maybe later. I was recently added to the singing ensemble at church(also known as a choir but I think that sound real old fashioned and weird since I'm an instrumentalist) and sang at my first scheduled event this past Friday. It was a women's event at the church and it was really fun to be using the talents that God has given me again. I originally auditioned for our church's worship team on guitar and vocals but I don't think my showing was that strong (I hadn't picked up my guitar in 2 years). Anyway, I was asked to sing in the "choir" instead. I originally wasn't too sure what to think about that. I almost took it as a failure because it wasn't what I'd set out to accomplish but after thinking about it more I realized that that is where God wants me to start out. I'm taking as a lesson in humility really. You see, I've always been used to being the best at my instrument (trumpet). All through school I was the top at what I did so when I missed the mark on this audition it kind of bruised my ego at first but I think it was really a lesson that God had for me in humility. I must say that I'm actually enjoying the process and feel like there is a lot to be learned from this experience.

I'm just glad to be in a musical environment and setting again. Hanging out with other musicians and being given the opportunity to use those talents that God has given me and express myself in that way.

Ok.... now I'm rambling.....

New Velocity Diet blog....

If you'll look at my links, I've created a new blog to chronicle my experience on the Velocity Diet. Check that out for the latest updates.

Velocity Diet - A new adventure and challenge!

I'm about to embark on an interesting journey to see what kind of shape I can get my body into. I've always been interested in fitness and nutrition. If you ask my wife she'll tell you that I'm a little over the top with it all and to be honest I probably am. However, I don't think I've ever actually achieved the best condition that I'm capable of. The reason is probably due to lack of discipline and "want to".

I lost about 20 to 30 lbs. a year or so ago and I've kept it off for the most part for a while, but I'm ready to take things to the next level. My road map to getting there involves a plan called the Velocity Diet. This plan is designed to do exactly what the name indicates. It's designed to rapidly strip the fat off of the body. Some people will think that I'm kinda ridiculous for considering a plan like this but I think it's got a lot of merit. I'll be receiving all of the nutrients that I need, just in a different and calculated way.

The quick description of the plan is this: I'll drink 5 high quality protein shakes a day along with fish oil capsules, a couple servings of milled flax seed, and some fiber tabs. The shakes will be consumed every 2 to 3 hours. I'll eat 1 healthy solid meal a week. That's right, I said "1" solid meal a week. I'll do this for 28 days straight and then I'll transition off of this plan back to consuming solid food on a regular basis again over a 2 week period.

I'll also be lifting weights 3 days per week and doing some kind of low intensity cardio every day without fail.

The goal is to strip off about 20 or so pounds during this time and uncover the muscle that is hiding below the fat.

My motivation is the desire to experience being in the best shape of my life and to successfully complete a challenging program that requires extreme focus and discipline.

Note: I'll be starting a separate blog where I'll be chronicling each day of this journey to my best physique ever. I'll record the good, the bad, and the ugly. There will probably be progress photos involved.... otherwise how would you know I made any progress?

Stay Tuned...........

Check Out my Velocity Diet blog @: Velocity Diet Blog

Foo Fighters Update.....

I just wanted to post this picture of myself with Subway's Jared on the way to the Foo Fighters show. Is this really me or is it a cardboard cut out of me? You decide.

Mentoring

I've been really contemplating asking someone to mentor me lately? I really feel like having a mentor is crucial to real personal growth whether it be spiritually, professionally, or in my family. I think the real desire I have is for a spiritual mentor though because that's the one area of my life that I really need the most growth. I believe my spirit has been praying about it for awhile because it's often on my mind.

I just have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that God has something bigger for me than the stage of life that I'm currently in. I'm not sure what that might be or in what form it will manifest itself but I just sense it. I believe God has been birthing in me thoughts that I've never had before about things that he may be preparing me for. It's scary but a tad exciting also. I wish I could elaborate more on what those things are..... but I don't know myself.

Why can't I sit still?

So I'm approaching the downhill slope of my Master's degree program. I've got 9 hours left to complete before I have a Master's in IT Management. Why IT management you may ask. Why not I say? I figured that I understand IT even though I wouldn't classify myself as really being interested in it outside of the paycheck it brings, but I really wanted my Master's degree to seperate myself from everyone that has a bachelors degree now days. I would've went after the "ALL IMPRESSIVE" MBA but I just couldn't stomach the idea of taking more finance and accounting type classes. I have to take a couple of those in this program and it's just painful to me.

But, I digress. Now that I'm on the downhill slope of this program I've found myself contemplating what I'm going to go after once I've finished. I know I don't want to get a Phd just because I don't see myself teaching in a University setting really and it wouldn't really benefit me in my current position that much. So there is a Leadership Institute in the town that I live in that the Chamber or Commerce and local government sponsor. So I've been contemplating applying for it. I don't remember how many people they take each year but I'd have to be sponsored by my company I think.

So I'm wondering why I feel like I have to be achieving something? Is that weird?

Anyone Out There.....

Just curious..... does anyone read this blog?

There's no crying on...The Biggest Loser

Ok, so I meant to blog on this last week when it was fresh but did anyone watch The Biggest Loser last week? My wife and I are big fans of The Biggest Loser. I think we just like watching people improve themselves, especially after they thought it was impossible. Anyway, there are two brothers on the show and it came down to the point that one of them was going to get voted off last week.

So, the guys have all come to the realization that they're going to have to vote this guy off and they all know it's gonna happen and they all start crying to eachother and getting all sentimental. I found myself being very uncomfortable with all of these grown men crying and getting all sappy on one another. Trina thinks there is something wrong with me because I'm not a cryer but I don't know. It's not some machio thing that I am conscious about. I mean, it's not like I have to try real hard not to cry or whatever. I just don't think I have it in me for some reason. Does that mean there's something wrong with me?

Let it Snow!!!!!!!

OK, so Arkansas has to be like in the same part of the world as the island that the LOST survivors are on. I mean, I was wearing shorts and flip flops this past weekend. We had the windows in the house open to let the house air out. We turned the heat off. We got out and rode bikes and went to the park. Then I get up this morning to get ready for work, I walk downstairs..... and I see white on the ground. Wow.... what in the world? What's even funnier is that it's supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow.

Never a dull moment weather wise in Arkansas.

Foo Fighters..... Here We Come!

Today I'm heading up to Fayetteville with some friends from work to see the Foo Fighters in concert. Trina has a friend up there that works for the University of Arkansas (GO HOGS!) that books the concerts. She hooked us up with 4 freebies! WooT! I think this should be a good time. I thought the typos and misspelled words on the credits after the video were funny. Gotta love little 13 year old hackers.

Something I've got on my list....BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si 6 speed.

This is something I've got on my list of "To Get" items. I like to post pictures like this to keep my goals in mind. Kinda gives me something to work towards. Oh the joy! I will look dang awesome in this car. I've just got to get Trina on a test drive so she'll get hooked like I am.

This car will be in my garage within 2 years. BET!

Just some cool videos I wanted to share

I came across a few videos this morning that just made me laugh so I wanted to share the laughter.

Watch this first video for the kid in the orange shirt. Crazy stuff....




This next video is pretty cool too. I know Trina would've loved to have done something like this at our wedding, but being that we got married in a small country town, I think most of Trina's family would've looked at us like we were crazy.



Don't worry, this one is clean. I had to be careful not to laugh too loud in the office on this one.

Is this my buddy Erwin.......?

I just thought this was hilarious.

Grant..... My Pride

Maybe it's the fact that Grant has been at his MeMe's (Trina's mom)house for the past couple of days, or maybe it's that I'm listening to Coldplay (which makes you feel sappy), but I was just thinking about my son Grant. If anyone knows me very well, they know that Grant is the pride of my life. He is, with the help of his mother, my greatest accomplishment.

Anyone who is close to me knows (and my wife reminds me on a regular basis) that I am not a cryer or a very emotional person, but if there is one thing that gives me a lump in my throat and that weird feeling in my stomach it is my son Grant. He has such a sweet demeanor about him. He laughs a lot and he's just a generally happy kid. He's so smart too.

I fear for him and pray for him daily that God will protect him and grow him up to be a strong and God fearing man. Trina and I are reminded all the time what a dangerous and scary world this is to raise a child in. The only thing we know to do is pray that God protects him and allows us to be the best parents we can be for him.

Every night before bed I ask him, "Grant, who's your best buddy," and he says,"Daddy is best buddy."

That's all I need to hear.

Definitely, Maybe ???

Ok, so I have to come clean and make a confession right here on my blog. I LIKE CHICK FLICKS! Ok! I said it, I like chick flicks. Now, I don't like to watch them by myself (because that would be less than manly), but I do like to watch them with Trina (my wife). I think it appeals to my sensitive side or whatever (cough, spit, crotch adjustment). I guess I am some what of a romantic deep down inside somewhere.

I think what I like about these movies is that they make you "feel". Comedy typically makes you laugh, and action flicks give you that adrenaline rush, but these love story type movies really make you feel something in your gut. We've all been in love at one time or another. We've all had our hearts broken. We've all (or will at some point) experience the butterflies and utopia induced by the excitement of the early stages of a relationship.

Anyway.... Trina and I went and saw the new movie Definitely, Maybe starring Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin. Abigail Breslin has been in a ton of movies lately and does a great job acting as a cute little kid. I don't want to give any of the movie away but I thouht it was a good one.

I'm not sure any movie these days is worth paying freaking $7 for a matinee ticket (but that's for another blog post), but a good time was had. Trina and I really enjoy going out to the movies together and it's just money right?

Oh, also, I thought the title of this movie sounded familiar and then I realized where I remember it from. I believe Oasis' debut album here in "the States" was titled Definitely Maybe. I thought that was a great album, but I am an Oasis fan so..... take that for what you will.

This is how I feel most days......

Tired.......

I'm just tired. Physically tired. Mentally Tired. Occupationally tired. Educationally tired.

Why isn't Osama lining up for the 72 Virgins?

Ok, so I was thinking, if being a martyr in the Islamic religion is so honorable and praised, and if each martyr is promised 72 virgins upon arriving in paradise, then why isn't Osama bin Laden or any of his other terrorist buddies lining up with sticks of dynamite strapped to their chests?

Let's think about this shall we.....?

Trina's Valentine's Day present 2008....

I've been asked several times recently about what I did for Trina's Valentine's day gift this year. The video/slideshow below is what I put together for Trina. I figured she'd probably cry.... and she did. SWEET SUCCESS!!

It was funny though, because later on that night as we were driving around she said, "Did you notice how there weren't very many pictures of my family in that video but your parents were in it quite a bit?" Hahahahah..... I was like, "Yea, but those photos were of Grants delivery and at 3 am those were the only people there." Trina's family lives out of town and weren't there 'til the next morning.

So... there will be a Directors cut coming out with additional footage in the near future.

Enjoy.....

Oh and by the way... I'm not this cheap to only give her this video I put together... I did make a stop at a popular women's "under garments" store. ;-)

A quote about Vision.....

Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.

--Joel A. Barker

Acoustic Outkast...... Hey Ya!

If you've never seen this, it's definitely one of the coolest acoustic renditions that I've ever heard. Check it out.

iJon

What am I doing right now? I'm researching Steve Jobs (Apple CEO and Co-founder) for a paper and presentation that I have to do in less than one week. I'm facinated by Steve Jobs and his business/management style. I don't really consider myself a techy person. I do work in a tech environment but..... Well, anyway... I'll leave it at that. I'm much more interested in how people work, what motivates them, what really speaks to them and makes them react.

Steve Jobs is techy but he's also a thinker; a tech-philosopher of sorts maybe. He's not all about selling the most "units". He's about innovation, doing things that no one else is doing. He's about designing products and applications that are unlike anything else on the market and in doing so creating a brand that sets the trends. The guy is a visionary and is best at birthing new ideas and concepts.

Jobs has impacted Hollywood. You can be sure that a MAC has probably been used on most every movie produced in the last several years. Every musical artist uses a MAC in the recording studio, in editing, in CD cover/insert design, and then in production. Heck, he gave us iTunes for crying out loud. The record companies said it'd never work; that subscription services were the way to go. Jobs and Apple told them that people wanted to have the choice to purchase the songs they wanted and not lose their music once their subscription was up. Steve Jobs was instrumental in the development and success of PIXAR animation studios. The guy has touched and had an influence on almost every facet of pop-culture that we experience today.

I think much can be learned by studying this guys philosophies on business.


Hey Wait..... I think I just wrote the intro to my paper! Sweet!

Thanks STEVE JOBS!

P.s.- Oh, by the way, the only piece of Apple equipment I own is an iPOD. Go figure.

Do I have to go to class?

Well, tonight is yet another night of listening to my professor drone on about stuff that he never did. Yep, four hours of racially offensive stories filled with things that never happened just so he can illustrate a point (that he totally misses).

I just keep hoping that all this time that I'm putting in away from my family in a classroom pays off somewhere down the line. I mean, I'm not paying for it so I think it's worthwhile. You can never be too educated I don't suppose. It just better pay off in the form of a promotion or more money at some point. I'm sure it will.

What would be funny is if I finished my Masters and then decided I want to get into a totally new field. Ya never know.......

Bathroom Etiquette in the Men's Room...... (Repost from MySpace)

This is a post I put on MySpace last year sometimes. I feel so strongly that everyone should know this information that I decided to post it here on my blog spot. Oh yea, the posts you see after my initial post are replies from a couple of my buddies. Pretty entertaining replies.

Read on.....


Wednesday, December 20, 2006


Pet-Peeves Surrounding Etiquette in the Men's Room!
Current mood: awake

Ok, this particular post may have multiple installments as I'm continually surprised and disgusted by stuff I see in the men's restroom almost anywhere I go.

#1. Why do guys walk into a restroom, stand over a urinal, commence to urinating, and whilst in mid-stream flush the urinal and just stand there? Do people not realize what is sprayed into the air when you flush a toilet? Those dudes are standing there breathing in urine germs of which may not be their own. Freaking SICK!

#2. I can't handle when people come out of the #2 stall and just walk out of the bathroom. WASH YOUR HANDS YOU FILTHY ANIMAL. At the very least these folks should have to wear a badge that says, "Don't shake my hand, I have fecal matter on them." Ok, last one for now......

#3. Why do dudes, (and I've seen this multiple times) walk into the bathroom, stand over the urinal, commence to doing their business and then all of a sudden spit into the urinal? I've failed to understand this phenomenon. Is their a rule or code that I missed out on at the last International Men's Convention? What is it about pissing at a urinal and spitting? Lots of people do this and I don't understand why.

Anyway...... if anyone has any thoughts or explanations on these thoughts I'd be interested to read them.
Currently listening :
The Back Room
By Editors
Release date: By 21 March, 2006

8:48 AM - 5 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove
ben


dude.. i am so with you on the first 2, but the spitting thing is actually alot better an option than you realize. i have been guilty of such a maneuver many times and here is why. say you have a loogey been building up for the last hour or so... do you spit in a trash can around the office or wherever you might be, or do you wait and spit it into the urinal that will soon flush away all memories of such a horrific throat terd? you be the judge and jury my friend, but i will continue to send me gren goblins to a urinal mortuary:)

but please guys.. do wash your filthy paws after touching your wang and/or nasty butts!

Posted by ben on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 11:02 AM
[Remove] [Reply to this]
Jon


What I got from your post to this blog entry:

-Wang
-Throat Terd
-Gren Goblins

Posted by Jon on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 11:05 AM
[Remove] [Reply to this]
Russ


OK this is why I freaking love both of you, Jon and Ben. Ben, because you're freaking hilarious, and Jon because only you would dedicate your entire blog to tell the world why everyone annoys you. So allow me to join in on some disgusting bathroom observations...

1. I've begun noticing that almost every urinal that I use has a puddle right in front of it, or the glossy, dried up footprint of a preexisting puddle. Dude, is it that common for men to miss a freaking urinal? I mean, it's in front of and below your package, so how could that happen in every bathroom I visit? It's like dudes do there business and just as they're done, they take a step back and offer a little dribble to any thirsty instects that might wander into the bathroom... just in case.

2. I always seem to find myself next to the dude that steps up to the urinal and blows the loudest, nastiest farts ever while he's pissing, and just stares at the wall and sighs like no one heard that. It's like, dude, if you're having butt problems, perhaps you should have made a different porcelain selection.

3. And what about that dude that always talks to you while you're both standing there with your goodies hanging out. Really, you want to talk now?

Posted by Russ on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 9:01 PM
[Remove] [Reply to this]
Jon


Russ, you touched on another important, and often ignored restroom rule. In the men's rooms whilst standing next to another dude and handling each their own package... there shall be no turn of the head to the right or to the left, no eye contact and no speaking until the package has been recessed into the pants and both individuals are standing at the sink WASHING THEIR HANDS. Even at this point.. there shall be no eye contact until both individuals have left the confines of the restroom.

Posted by Jon on Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 9:48 AM

Stoked about Trina's V-day gift!

I'm super excited about giving Trina her Valentine's day gift this year. It's something that I spent a little time and thought on this year. Typically Valentine's day comes and goes and I usually give my "Valentine's is just another holiday drummed up by commercial interests" speech to at least one person in hopes of starting a revolution against the day that guilts me into going and spending more money right after Christmas.

This year is different howevever. I actually came up with a good idea. A creative idea, and put it into action. I'd say I have a few brownie points coming my direction within the next week.

Stay tuned....

This struck me as funny.....

Initial Pondering....

Well, this is my first official blog post. I'm not really sure what this blogging thing will lead to but for some reason I feel compelled to do it. I used to be very much into writing. I would write poetry, letters, songs.... you name it. I'm not sure where that part of me has gone over the last few years but I'm hoping to reignite some of that creativity in the coming months and years. I'm sure it's all been lost to things like career, education, and just life. Not that any of those things are negative

I've decided to pick my guitar back up and start playing again. I plan on auditioning for my church (New Life Church - Conway, AR) worship team. Now, I'm not an accomplished guitar player or vocalist but I do enjoy playing and I suppose I'm decent enough to have played in front of people before and not get booed from the stage, (wait isn't that what all the American Idol contestants on the reject reel say?). At one time music was what I thought my life was. I'm a trained trumpeter. I studied Jazz Performance and Recording in college for awhile in Kansas City.

I began to pick up guitar a little bit by just fooling around with an acoustic guitar and this cool poster I got from Wal-Mart that had a bunch of guitar chords on it. Hahahah.... it's funny now that I look back on it. So technically I'm a better and more proficient trumpet player. I know God has given me an ability but I haven't quite figured out yet how he desires for me to use it. So until I can figure that out or he shows me clearly I'll just continue to look for opportunities to play in whatever capacity I can.

I dreamed of being a professional musician at one time. I guarantee that the majority of my current friends don't even know that I have any musical ability at all. I'm not sure why I've suppressed that part of me but it's gone by the wayside over time. I really miss it but it seems like a lifetime ago. It seems so long ago that my once strong confidence in my abilities has weakened a little bit. I'm determined however not to let that shaken confidence get in the way of rekindling something that I love.

I've gotta get to practicing.