So I Know I Can't Dance...

but this guy is incredible. Unfortunately his outlet for showcasing this skill is another mindless reality show. If you can stomach the "judges" this video is well worth it.

http://view.break.com/507504 - Watch more free videos

Great Weezer Video

This is a great video, especially for those of you who are YouTube fanatics.
"Pork and Beans"

Favorite SI Cover Ever

First it mixes comics and baseball...awesome.
Then I like how it's Jeter whose back is being broken (not that I would want to see that in real life...but since this art and it represents...)

The article however was a little odd. It had these mixing metaphors that keep switching, back and forth...Tom Veraducci is usually better than that...
It probably was a late decision to run the cover and alter the article accordingly...too bad...the cover alone worked.

Ladies & Gentlemen...Introducing...

Taylor Winder!

I want to recommend my friend Taylor's blog to all of you. Taylor is in the community group I attend on Thursday nights. Actually she's more than just in it...she's a large part of why we function at all.

For the past couple of weeks Taylor and her family have been in China receiving their new family member. They have adopted a beautiful girl named Teddie (short for Theodora, although I have no clue how to spell it correctly).

Please, please, please... comment on her blog and encourage her to keep up the great posting even after she returns from China.

Taylor is one of those rare people, who doesn't say alot, vocalizing just enough, but when she speaks people should listen up. I joked last Thursday that the Facebook message she sent, along with a prayer request, was more than Taylor had ever spoken in group, and that it might be good for her to attend via Facebook every week.

And it's been especially fun reading about her Chinesse adventure.

Just A Little Grillin'

For my sister's birthday (we celebrated a day early) my dad did some grillin'.

I'm trying to remember what the specific name for the type of steaks we had, tenderized meat with jalapeno peppers rolled into it. Here's a picture of them on the grill.

Along with the steaks we had grilled corn on the corn, baked potatoes (prepared on the grill), and huge shrip. My mom prepared the salad and the cakes (yes two...one for Cayla, my sister, and one for Jacob, my nephew; his birthday was this past Friday).

It was some seriously good eats.

My Sister Cayla is 21 Today!

Texas Pride & Pickerz

Friday night after work I met my parents for dinner at Texas Pride for some catfish fry.

The sweet tea was great, the catfish was actually cod. My dad and I sat around trying to talk about the new Indiana Jones movie without giving away details, just in case she gets the urge to go see it.
My dad thought he noticed a woman that he knew from years ago. When the lady got up to dance with husband my dad said, "I don't know her husband, but that ain't him." One of the funniest things I've ever heard him say.

As we ate we enjoyed the music of the Lone Star Pickerz. At the end of their first set they suggested that everyone go to their website and sign up to be one of their Pickerheadz...just in case your interested.

What do you do when the Spirit says...

"Kick her in the face!"?

Um...I'm having a hard time not saying this guy is nuts, but I think I'll be able to refrain. Check it out...

Thanks

Question

What's the female equivalent of Sherlock Holmes?

So if I were to mockingly say to someone, "Way to go Sherlock", how should that be translated for the ladies?

Shirley? "Way to go Shirley Holmes."

Which Word Best Describes You?

Journey

or

Sojourn

Spielberg and the Obsession of the Fractured Family

I was exposed to this today article today which highlights Steven Spielberg’s obsession in his films; namely the repairing (seen on many levels) of the fractured family.

So here is the IMDB listing of all Spielberg’s released movies…Let’s see if it’s true.

 

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Munich

War of the Worlds

The Terminal

Catch Me If You Can

Minority Report

Artificial Intelligence: AI

Saving Private Ryan

Amistad

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Schindler’s List

Jurassic Park

Hook

Always

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Empire of the Sun

The Color Purple

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Twilight Zone: The Movie (segment 2)

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

Raiders of the Lost Ark

1941

Close Encounters of the Third Kinds

Jaws

The Sugarland Express

 

Yeah, I’m going to have to agree with this assessment.  There is one or two that I’m trying to remember this particular theme being played out in, and strangely enough a few I just haven’t seen (how sad), but yeah it’s true. 

 

What about you?  Can you see the theme of “repairing fractured families”?  Any movies you don’t see it in?

Johnny Carson Cannot Be Replaced

As Leno looks to retirement, and Conan continues to prepare for the Today show, and Fallon makes plans to replace Conan, I was please to read Mental Floss Blogs today and their post on Johnny Carson.
Here is one clip they showed...

Also make sure you listen to the clip with Jimmy Stewart reading a poem about this dog named Beau. It might make you cry...it did Johnny.
Funniest man I ever knew of who came from Norfolk, Nebraska. Heck funniest person I ever knew of who came from Nebraska.

Wii-Fit Looks Good With Anything From IKEA

This was informative and hilarious.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Awesome-ness!

Today I took off from work to go see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (is that sad and pathetic or just devoted?). And I thought it would be cool to take my dad.
I still have vivid memories of my dad taking me and my brothers to see the Temple of Doom when we lived on Guam. Around that time I had purchased with some birthday or Christmas money the book with cassette of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which I listened to over and over again. So even as a first or second grader (I don't remember which) I was a major Indy fan.
The theater we would often go to on Guam was this open aired theater. We would also see the Karate Kid and Rock IV there...two other freakin' amazing movies. The theater had four walls but no ceiling. Which meant while we were watching the movie would could quickly glance up and see the stars.
When we saw Temple of Doom there I remember it raining on us and my brothers and dad all huddled under a large umbrella together. Somehow this made the movie more amazing.
But before we hit the theater my dad and I had lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings. I mention this for a couple of reasons. Anastasia, our waitress, had our table , another table of about 40 people and another large table on the patio. Unfortunately we weren't well taken care of, and while I get frustrated with that I feel bad for Anastasia. Why would the hostess seat us in her section? And why can't someone else have taken our table, even though we were in her section?
I had the chicken wrap with the wedges, and the wedges were cold. Not my favorite trip to the BW3.
Oh back to why I mentioned this lunch trip in the beginning... Can anyone tell me why Buffalo Wild Wings was once called BW3? BW2 would make sense, but BW3...I need answers.
So the movie...
Awesome!
I don't want to spoil anything, and I promise not so mention any details. Promise.
I do want to prepare some of you though... My promise will not be broken...trust me keep reading...
I read that Lucas and Spielberg and company intentionally made the previous Indy movies, because they were set in the 1930s, to mimics the Saturday morning movies of the 1930s and it's themes.
Whereas this current film...stay with me a promise is a promise, set in the 1950s (come on you saw the preview...you knew that), mimics the movies and themes of the 1950s.
It intentionally won't have the same feel as the previous movies...that's what I'm saying.
If you bear that in mind...you'll love it too.

Tragic

This is really sad.
Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter killed by car in driveway
I don't know about you, but I getting really tired of senseless tragic deaths and I can't wait until the day when there will be no more.

Glimpsing Your Upcoming Death

I read yesterday that P.T. Barnum, when he had grown gravely ill, had his obituary printed prior to his passing so that he could enjoy it. 

If you are interested you can read it HERE.  It is really interesting; the man lived an amazing life, worthy of the circus.

 

This got me thinking though…

 

If I could have a sneak peak at my obituary what would I want it to say?

 

Maybe this caught my eye because several churches I know of have been doing 30 Days [or One Month] to Live sermon themed series.

 

So I’m thinking of writing a short obit for myself, possibly using rhyme. 

 

What words should I include?

-          Faithful?

-          Honest?

-          Wise?

-          Devilishly Good Looking?

1.7 Percent Chance

How does this happen?
Who do you go with?
Beasley of Kansas State or Rose of Memphis?

Looking For Some Clarity

What’s the rule on chewing gum during a fast?

Allowed?

Not Allowed?

Failing is for Winners

I've been really dumbfounded recently, as I've tried to recruit students to attend Oak Hills Student Ministries Mexico Mission trip, by the number of parents who just flat out told me that they won't allow their children to attend.
But then again I'm not, as our youth ministry is made up largely (90%?) of home schooled students. They are completely afraid of their children being put in any situation that might endanger (challenge) their child.
So when I invite the parents to attend with their child, I get the same fearful response.

The puzzling thing is that Max Lucado just did a series entitled Fearless.

I don't like to question parents or say their wrong, unless the issue is straight up heresy or illegal. But I do think these parents are crippling their children, or building up a future rebellious attitude.

I've been challenging these parents to at least attend the information meeting this Sunday between services.

My job will be to create enough confidence and assurance in our adult leaders, these students and our plans that these parents will allow their children to risk. Pray for me as I really want to build not attack.

Any helpful thoughts or suggestions.

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

p.s. I think I should clarify that I don't necessarily have any issues with home schooling in general. But I disagree with home schooling as a means of separating from culture. I feel the response I receive more often that not, when asking why someone home schools, is fear of public influence not better education. Also I'm not sure if I think education minus social interaction is really worth it either.

Tidbits and Other Fun Facts #1

I think reading a Sports Illustrated cover to cover a bigger success than reading an actual book.

I get my SI every Thursday.
Danica is the current cover holder.

Who thinks she'll win this coming Sunday?

Letting My Nerd Flag Fly

Okay so I recently said that in my apartment I'm the sports guy and Chris is the Nerdy SciFi guy, but I have to agree with Chris... This looks better than the last three movies.

Apparently Your Chants Didn't Work

Here is some video of Dodger fans chanting at Carlos Lee, of the Houston Astros, "You suck."

The Astros, in case some of you readers didn't know (other's I assume are still licking their wounds), swept the Dodgers in this series. One of those games, after no hits through seven, the 'stros piled on eight runs to win.

It's been a good week to be a Astros fan!

Holy Bovine

That's just a huge cow. At first I thought, "That's a lot of hamburgers." But then I realized it's a dairy cow, (at least I think...what do I know? I was never in 4H) so I said "That a lot of milk!"

Chilli, a British cow that is more than 6 feet tall, may enter the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest cow. The animal weighs more than a ton and is the size of a small elephant.
According to http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/popup?id=2205608

"...'cause knowing is half the battle..."

Recently Entertainment Weekly posted these photos on their website. From the upcoming G.I. Joe movie. What do you think? Did they do a good job a recreating the characters?Channing Tatum as Duke
Christopher Eccleston as DestroSienna Miller as The Baroness
Ray Park as Snake EyesDennis Quaid as Gen. HawkAdewale Akinnouye-Agbaje as Heavy Duty

Rachel Nichols as Scarlet

Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow

Said Taghmaoui

Looks What's Coming to the Big Screen

The Fraggles!


Also I heard that Jason Segel of How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall is going to create a new Muppet's movie.
I hope it's something like the Dracula Opera in FSM. That would be an awesome role for Kermit.

Receiving Recognition Recklessly

So I know that when you receive some sort of public recognition or praise, especially as a Christ follower, you're supposed to be humble and gracious. Probably say something like, "It's all for Jesus" and point up to heaven.

I guess I still struggling with that.
Because Shaun Groves, musician and Compassion International hero, specifically mentioned me and my blog on his Shlog today.

Heck yeah! That's awesome. I somehow feel it really important to tell you tonight.

Yeah, sure, it's in recognition of the fact that I've link my blog to his...but I'm gonna take it.

Don't take that from me...

Droppin' the Super Funny Awkward Laughs

I saw this video today and thought I'd share it.
It was on Andrew Osenga's blog.
You may know Andrew from the former band The Normals.
Or his current work with Caedmon's Call.
Or maybe just his own stuff.
Anyways he's working on a new album and this video is from some of the making of it.
Enjoy.

Answers to Everyday Grammar Questions

Today on the Mental Floss blog there was a post that dealt with many common grammar questions.  I particularly found this interesting, because it addressed a pet peeve issue of grammar for me.  Allow me to save you the time of visiting the site by just copying it below.

 

Q: “I feel like I remember having read in my old college Chicago Manual of Style that there are a select few proper names for which the possessive is ’ and not ’s. I think one was Jesus (as in ‘He followed Jesus’ teachings,’ not ‘He followed Jesus’s teachings’). I think it was the same for Moses and Sophocles … am I making this up?”—Posted by lala on 5/8

 

A: You remember correctly! The usual practice in making names possessive is to add an apostrophe plus s. But there’s an exception. When a Biblical or classical name ends in s, the custom is to add just the apostrophe: Jesus’ disciples, Hercules’ strength, Xerxes’ writings, Archimedes’ principle.

We also drop the s and use only the apostrophe in certain idiomatic expressions with the word “sake” (this avoids a pileup of sibilants). Examples: “for goodness’ sake,” “for conscience’ sake,” “for righteousness’ sake,” “for convenience’ sake.”

 

The strange thing is I’m horrible at grammar.  I do believe I have some struggles with dyslexia, which I’ve learned to combat by quickly viewing a sentence and never really noticing what I actually read.  I have to focus on the bigger idea more than the small details otherwise I get lost.  So I can not say that I’m perfect in all areas of grammar, but when people verbalize this above mistake it grinds my gears.  I even heard the king of Christian literature, Max Lucado, say “Jesus’s” before.

 

Anyways I post this because when I complain about it and people ask for the grammatical rule I’m not qualified enough to give a good answer.  Hopefully this helps.

 

If you have other grammar questions you can visit the grammarphobia site.

 

Every Had One Of Those Days?...

http://view.break.com/501813 - Watch more free videos

I have before. Those days suck!

a Quick glimpse...

I saw this video below and it made me wonder what my roommate, The Deuce, thinks when he listens to Chris (the other roomie) and I rattle on.

I would be the sports guy, Chris the Star Wars nerd, and The Deuce - the cubicle dude. Of course I'm much better looking than that sports guy...


Recently Chris, for his birthday, received a Star Wars pop-up book (that I have to confess is pretty frickin' awesome - solely on pop-up book standards, then a little more for it's Star Wars content). He was showing it off to Rachel and spouting off about what ships were what, using all the technical terms and stuff. Rachel replied:
"Wow, you sure are waving your nerd flag high today...aren't you?"

Unassisted Triple Play

This is the best video I've found so far...14th in MLB history. Awesome!
Troy Tulowitzki did it last year, that's the second video.


Randy Velarde had one in 2000.

What Jen Must See...

John Mayer is a laugh...

Apparently he's also a cad...

Hey Mom!...

Happy Mother's Day!

Greatest List of Baseball Moments (In My Humble Opinion)

Greatest List of Baseball Moments (In My Humble Opinion)

-          Lou Gehrig “luckiest man” speech [1939]

-          Bobby Thomson’s Shot Heard ‘Round the World  [1951]

-          Bill Mazeroski’s 9^th inning homerun in Game 7 [1960]

-          Carlton Fisk’s World Series home run (where he waves it fair) [1975]

-          Hank Aaron breaking the home run record [1974]

-          McGwire hits 61 [1998]

-          Maris and Mantle‘s home run chase in ’61 with Maris hitting #61 on the last game of the season [1961]

-          Kirk Gibson off the pine World Series Home Run.[88]

-          Joe Carter’s three-run homer to win the Series [1993]

-          Cal Ripken’s 2131^st baseball game [1995]

-          Pirate’s Harvey Haddix 12 perfect innings result in a loss [1959]

-          Don Larsen’s World Series No-Hitter [1956]

-          Willie Mays over the shoulder catch and throw [1954]

-          Jack Morris’ 10 shutout innings to win the series. [1991]

-          Buckner’s Error [1986]

 

If I had to choose one over any other it would be between

-          the Lou Gehrig speech, or

-          September 8^th, 1990, Nolan Ryan’s lip is bloodied by a Bo Jackson line drive, and he continues to pitch. or

-          In 1973 Detroit Tiger Norm Cash took a saw off table legs to the plate against Ryan saying “I wasn’t going to hit him anyway.”

 

What about you? 

What other moments do you feel belong on this list? 

Which is your favorite?

 

 

 

The Capcity for Creative Solutions

teens tell police they converted skull into bong

 

I am never surprised, but always amazed.  This is stupidly awesome!

Confession

So I suppose I should be embarrassed by this but I'm just going to own it. I came home from youth group tonight and sat down on my couch and watch 27 Dresses all by myself.
I won't say that hated it, I did laugh out loud a few times. But I also feel the need to inform everyone I was reading through my Baseball Digest (they have tough crossword puzzles and trivia questions).
Also the soundtrack was pretty good.

[Note to Self - Do something extra manly tomorrow.]

Audio

This is pretty cool. A little long, but a few of you will really enjoy it.
I remember watching this live on TV but the audio is really fun. Vin Scully is great.
When Kirk Gibson comes to bat the roar of the crowd is hair raising.
Enjoy!

Tonight - Watching Cloverfield

WARNING: If you haven't seen the movie don't read too far into this post.
I'm currently watching Cloverfield. The Deuce and I have tried to persuade Philip that these events really happened. I'm not sure if he's buying it. That's a scary monster.
If you were in the middle of some horrible event how hard would it be to take a phone call from your mother.
I have a song from The Braak Show stuck in my head. I'm hot for you baby...I'm a big ol' beet... da dat da da dat... I go good with meat." Maybe later I'll find the youtube clip for you.
cra-vas or crev-ess?
What would you think if you were walking in a subway and you saw a flaming (on fire) homeless man?
I'm teaching tomorrow night. We've been going through spiritual roadblocks and I'm going to talk about the roadblock of the believing and accepting God's unconditional love.
The chick who blows up in the movie...where else have I seen her. Hud the camera guy was on the show Carpoolers.
That chick is in heels running around New York. Oh wait she took them off to climb the stairs.
If I could teach one lesson it would be about the love of God. If I had only opportunity left to share with students it would be to share the love of God.
"You came back for me." Cheesy line. First off they didn't come back they just came for her no. No back. Tomorrow is the food show and I'm really excited!! I'll definitely take tons of photos. I know I promise that a lot but this time I mean it.
A crashing helicopter might be an interesting ride...say a six flags.
That chick survived a iron rod through her chest and a helicopter crash...wouldn't it be ironic if this was her lucky day.
Getting your legs eaten and falling out of the mouth of a monster...not a good ride for six flags.
I bet if I tell Philip a few more times that this real he'll believe it.
We are now going to watch some more real footage in the special features.
Anyways these were just thoughts while watching a movie...or at least those I was able to quickly type on my phone.

We'll Miss Him

Julio Franco has officially retired from baseball. The man hadn't played this year, but was able to suit up for 55 games last year. Oh did I mention he's 49 as of this year. He had a 23 year career. And the amazing thing is he is actually fitter than half the league and quicker than many others as well.
Congratulations Julio!

Captial Punishment Revisited

I'm pretty sure that I could turn my back while this grandma broke off a switch and taught this child to hate "doing bad things".

How about you?
Would a good spanking be in order here?

Tada Jada

I'm up late watching the second season of Doogie Howser M.D., and Jada Pinkett just showed up. She's in the hospital to have her leg operated on, and Ray [the former gang banger who held Doogie and Vinnie hostage in a gas station (season 1) turned hospital orderly...or course] is hitting on her.

Oh holy crap...Julius Erving just showed up in a Doogie daydream....Awesome!

She's no John Mayer....

...but ain't that cool?!

Plus I dig her name...Kaki King.

Sometimes...

Sometimes my job requires me to ear t-shirts with rainbows on it. [that was my day]
Anyone have any good job leads?

"How did one group get to claim refracted light?"
- Demetri Martin

Sanitized

The Deuce asked me to blog about some utensils he recently had the pleasure of using. I told him to post about it on his blog, but apparently he's a girly-man and "can't find the time"-blah-blah-blah. Seriously man it takes just a few minutes out of your day.

But I'll post it for him anyways....

I hate getting dirty silverware at a restaurant, but I can't stand not having holy-sanitized-silverware. Thankfully the good people some eatery in Austin not only properly washed these utensils but then put them in this handy-dandy baggy thingy. I'm especially thankful for this because I do not like my silverware being exposed to the elements.

But then they go a little further and on these handy-dandy baggy thingy-s they printed three prayers. Because worse than un-sanitized silverware is forks and knives that God personally has not been invited to bless. I like to think that what these prayers are for, blessings for holy-sanitized silverware. Because whoever would possibly take the time to appreciate these prayers probably will already ask a blessing over their dinner.

But going one more mile still...there is three prayers on these handy-dandy baggy thingy-s . One for Protestants, one for Catholics and one Jewish prayer. Again I'm just assuming, but I believe this to be because you never know which group's silverware the Great I Am will be personally be watching over.

Why I Love Sports

This is a great story. After 5'2'' Sara Tucholsky hit her very first home run every she forgot to step on first bases. As she made the quick turn back towards the bag her right knee blew out. She crawled through the pain back to first. However for her homerun to count, she had to complete the trip around the bases without her teammates help.
Only one solution could be found, and that was by the first baseman of the opposing team. Members of the visiting team lifted up Sara Tucholsky and carried her around the bases, pausing at each to let Sara make the appropriate touch.
FYI - Sara's team won! It was the losing team (who were knocked out of the tournament, ending their season) that showed her amazing honor.

Double Feature

Today I took a sick day and except for a quick visit with the insurance adjuster I chilled at home and enjoyed a double feature at the local matinee house...er I mean my couch.
Here's what I watched: