Hoping for One Last Go Around

John Smoltz announced yesterday that his season was over and that next week he would have potentially career ending shoulder surgery early next week.
I'm really hoping he gets one more season to go out on his terms and that the fans will be able to appreciate his incredible career.
People lose sight of the amazing transformation he made switching from a starting pitcher to a full time closer several years back because of the record breaking stint of Gagne, but Smolz understood the concept of the team and was willing to embrace the role. As dominating as Gagne was Smoltz was always my preference to have closing the big game. I'd even take him over Rivera of the Yankees.
Anyways I'm thinking he needs a farewell season and I'm hoping the rehab process will allow it.

The Beginning of a Trend?

Motley Crue's latest single "Saints of Los Angeles" sold 47,000 downloads via Rock Band, compared to just 10,000 through more traditional platforms such as iTunes and Amazon.

 

Thanks

Men's Health and Hoochie Mamas

I don’t usually read Men’s Health Magazine, but this article caught my eye this week.

Don’t be Swayed by Her Swimsuit
Sexy women can be bad for your wallet and your waistline

I know what many people are thinking, especially the guys reading this post, “Trevor we already knew this, and it doesn’t have to be sexy women, all women are bad for your wallet.”

I suppose that’s true, but reading this article lead me to this link, the source for Men’s Health.

Sexual appetite leads men to seek immediate rewards

This is something worth filing away, good research for “that lesson” when you separate the boy from the girls.

The brief article says:

"It seems that sexual appetite causes a greater urgency to consume anything rewarding," the authors suggest. Thus, the activation of sexual desire appears to spill over into other brain systems involved in reward-seeking behaviours, even the cognitive desire for money.

"After they touched a bra, men are more likely to be content with a smaller immediate monetary reward," writes Bram Van den Bergh, one of the study's authors. "Prior exposure to sexy stimuli may influence the choice between chocolate cake or fruit for dessert."

The authors believe the stimuli bring men's minds to the present as opposed to the future. "The study demonstrates that bikinis cause a shift in time preference: Men live in the here and now when they glance at pictures featuring women in lingerie. That is, men will choose the immediately available rewards and seek immediate gratification after sex cue exposure."

Now this isn’t revolutionary information, as advertisers have been using sexual imagery in their marketing campaigns for some time. But what is insightful is that while I may be able to resist the lure of Victoria Secret’s marketing, having visual consumed their images I may be influenced to buy or spend more that I planned when shopping at Target.

This reminds me of a licensed hypnotist we had at camp recently. After hypnotizing several students and having them dance around like chickens, he began to unpack some research on the mind and it’s susceptibility to outside influences. When our minds are at rest, or rather not on guard, or better yet not on heavenly things (being like Christ), we allow ourselves to be exposed to the cravings of the sinful nature. It was great to see the students respond to his challenge (especially those who had been hypnotized, which he referred to as “mind influence”) to submit their will and influence to leadings of The Spirit.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

Romans 8:5-7

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Romans 16:18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:6-8

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

Philippians 3:19

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:1-2

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

1 Peter 1:13-14

Now there are some obvious implications for men here. The article did say that the survey results weren’t applicable to every male, but we do need to be honest about our limitations and weaknesses. However I don’t think the goal here is to avoid the beaches and Victoria Secret windows, rather it is having a mind like Christ – focused on things above where all images are filtered with love. Instead of seeing curves and flesh and allowing ourselves to surrender our control which we once placed before God, we need to see as Jesus saw.

For ladies there is at least one implication I can think of (as a man I don’t dare to speak too much about what I don’t know). With this knowledge there comes a responsibility among Godly women to serve and honor and encourage Godly men. And while there is every now and then a hoochie-mama in our churches who doesn’t know (or care) how to dress, for the most part I don’t hear the complaining from our students.

Um…I guess that’s all I got to say right now.

(And no it wasn’t because of the bikini’d girl in the photo that I read the article, although I did spend a $100 on the site’s online store…I’m just joking…I’m too cheap to be influenced like that…)

Just Spell The Word Numbnuts!

I heard about this on the radio and meant to look it up on Monday.
This may be the greatest spelling bee moment ever!

Interesting Youth Stats

I read these today from an e-mail I receive daily and highly recommend called Trendcentral.

• 49% of trendsetters and 32% of the mainstream consider themselves very environmentally conscious
• 65% of young people think they will be wealthier than their parents
• Young people think they will work for 11 different companies and have 9 different careers before they retire
• Only 10% of Xers and Ys think they will get divorced
• 66% of young people would rather give up watching TV than give up social networking

(In addition to the above stats, Trendcentral also reports on fashion trends, budding websites, new and trendy products, etc. Definitely worth the quick read, and will help keep you ahead of the curve.)

"It's not the years, it's the mileage."

I've watched a lot of Indiana Jones lately. Raiders, Temple of Doom, and the Last Crusade all in preparation for the new film. I watched Kingdom of the Crystal Skull a couple times already.
I love them all. I'm watching Raiders of the Lost Ark right now and I can just about quote it all.
Growing up I had the children's read-a-long book and tape, which I would read hundreds of times.
Some of these lines in the movie are still classic. Specifically:
- "I don't know, I'm making this up as I go along."
- "I've found him." "Where?" "There."
- "Bad dates."
- "Asps. Very dangerous. You go first."
- (pointing to eye) "this isn't too bad"

"The Most Amazing Accident On Road Produced By Rain"

No really, that's what this clip is titled, "The Most Amazing Accident On Road Produced By Rain". This is crazy. Now I have something else to worry about the rest of my life.

A Greatest Hit for sure!

This guy gets taken down hard by Boston's security. Awesome!

I Used To Like Pringles...

...but I think this story has changed my mind about them.

Designer of Pringles can Buried in Own Invention

This will be all I ever think of when I have a Pringles can in hand.

Coming Soon

So I have this woodpecker story that some people (i.e. The Deuce) love for me to tell. However some people (i.e. my parents) don't necessarily care for it (they think it paints them in a poor light).
However everyone has been asking me if I am going to post it here on the ol' blog.
Well it won't be tonight...er...this morning... I'm tired and and going to bed.
But please be aware that when I have told the story my brother or my parents either add to or reject elements of the story.
What I promise will be the story as I remember it, and hopefully they can comment for you their details or objections.

While I'm at it, I should probably someday share with everyone these stories as well:
- the Vienna Sausage Sandwich
- The Drowning (my grandma's favorite)
- the real How I Broke My Arm Story
- The Love Letter
and
- "Trevor's Got Girl Problems" (I should really share this one via video since the voice of one character is essential, so if someone wants to film this please let me know.)


I'll leave it up to you.... After the woodpecker tale, which story should be told next?
There is five above...rate which I should share next.

Hearing Good Advice

Tonight I attended a birthday/tacky prom/surprise party for a woman who is turning 40 within a few days. This lady, Amy (I think was her name), has been heavily involved in Youth Life for quite some time. In fact the party host was the regional director of Young Life here in San Antonio.
Seriously Young Life people are a different breed. I had no clue what tacky was until I saw this crowd attempt it...I'm ready for the next one. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) I look good no matter what I wear, so trying to dress tacky didn't really work on me. I try to stay even keel, but willing to be wild and crazy, for whatever moments come, but can you even being imagine me as the type of person who would enthusiastically deck it out for a theme party? Me neither, but thank God there are these people...

Anyways after several of Amy's guest shared some personnel testimonies and appreciations for their celebrated friend, Amy shared some thoughts on the evening. As she talked about how events like this, where she could be close to the people she loves and have their conversations and relationships be the soundtrack to her life and faith she said something that made me take note:

"Meet people like you are going to know them the rest of your life."

These are incredible words and a difficult challenge. How exhausting it can be to actually invest in people's lives. Yet it's those relationships that we do invest in that are the most meaningful and memorable...isn't it?

Casual friendships just may not be friendships after all.

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."