Not Fade Away

New Music Monday

2011-08-29T23:49:00.000-05:00

Recently a friend started a new facebook group with a small group of people to discuss and share music. So far a lot of what has been shared I already listen to or am at least familiar with, but there has been some that is new to me. Thought I would share a few that I liked. Check'em out you might find something you like.

The Waifs - Couldn't decide which song I wanted to post so I'll post 3.

And one from their new cd:

My Terrible Friend - I've only listened to this one song but I plan on listening to more. How can you not love a song with lyrics like this:
And when I decide to kill you
I'll do it with my hands
And fine gloves worth the death of a gentleman

Starlight Mints - Oh Yeah I liked this. I'll be buying some of their stuff.

The Puppini Sisters - I didn't get this from the group, another friend recently posted this video on fb. And here's a shameless plug for her business - Beautys Boutique

Kim Richey - Ok, this isn't new to me but someone on the group posted it and it just reminded me how much I love this song. Beautiful, Beautiful song. One of those songs that I can't listen to without tearing up.

Music Monday - Big Hair Bands

2011-07-12T01:12:00.000-05:00

A local radio station has been running a best big hair band song bracket contest, having listeners call and vote to determine the winners. This got me to thinking about my favorite big hair band songs. I loved the whole cheesy big hair, makeup wearing, goofy pop-metal era, especially all the power ballads. Now is it great music, of course not, but don't we all like a little junk food now and then. So here are 5 of my favorite.

#5 - Warrant - Heaven -

#4 - Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive - yea, I know but what can I say, I like it.

#3 - Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home - Don't really care for many Crue songs except this one.

#2 - Lita Ford - Close Your Eyes Forever. I loved, loved, loved Lita Ford! Hard to beat a Hot Girl and a guitar. Added bonus Ozzy.

#1 - Skid Row - 18 & Life - My favorite big hair band song.
Tequila in his heartbeat, His veins burned gasoline.
It kept his motor running but it never kept him clean.

Softball at 53

2011-03-26T23:45:00.000-05:00

I know you can hardly wait to once again read about my softball exploits but alas it's not going to happen. We're not having a team this year. Too many guys have hit that period of life where family and other commitments make it hard to commit to playing full time. It just wasn't felt that we had enough to consistently field a team. I guess I could make some calls and play in the Over 50's League, but I don't really want to. I like playing with younger guys and especially this group of guys. So I will take the year off, play more golf, play a lot with my granddaughter and go to the gym a little more (ok, probably not that last one, but I sure need to). Maybe we'll have a team next year, maybe I'll play in the over 50's league, maybe this is it.

It's a Good Night for Singing

2011-03-16T01:18:00.000-05:00

Happy 69th Birthday Jerry Jeff Walker! As much as I love Merle, Hank, Willie, Robert Earl, Billy Joe, and all the other great country singers, Jerry Jeff is my favorite! As I said the other day on facebook Jerry Jeff's Driftin Way of Life and Willie's Red Headed Stranger albums were my gateway drug into country music and Texas country has been a happy addiction for 30+ years. I thought about posting my 69 favorite JJ songs in honor of his birthday but decided that my be just a little much. So I'll just post a few of my favorites (I'll try not to post ones that I've already posted in the past).

We'll finish off with Jerry Jeff doin one of my favorite Guy Clark songs.

Resolutions 2011 Update - February

2011-03-02T23:23:00.001-06:00

I just need one word to describe how I did on my 2011 Resolutions during February.
FAIL!

Share Some Music Monday

2011-02-07T22:02:00.003-06:00

Saw this video yesterday, sent me off watching youtube videos for awhile when I should have been in bed. Thought I'd share some of the music I heard. This is the video that started it last night. The song actually starts about 4 minutes in.

I've heard Carolina Chocolate Drops before but this was my first time for the
Luminescent Orchestrii. Liked what I heard so here's a couple of more from them:

Let's finish up with two, ok let's make it three by the Carolina Chocolate Drops -

For those of you who don't know who the Carolina Chocolate Drops are:

so I can't count, last one I promise.

Resolutions 2011 Update

2011-02-01T23:08:00.002-06:00

So we're a month into the new year and my resolutions. How have I done so far? I've sucked.
Resolution #1 - Finish at least 1 or 2 projects that I've started - I have made some progress on one of my projects but I'm always making progress on this project so that's nothing new. will keep plugging away and maybe finish it someday (when I do I'll let you know what the project was)
Resolution # 2 - Lose 40 lbs - I didn't gain weight this month, does that count? revised my simple diet and exercise plan and still didn't follow either.
Resolution #3 - Read More - Success! My goal was 2 books a month, I read 3 in January (Classics Mutilated, Sandman vol 2, & God's Tomorrow). For February I've started Radical & Against All Things Ending. The problem with being successful with this one has cut into the time I would spend on the others.
Resolution #4 - Try a New Bible Reading Plan - Still way behind on the weekly Tanakh readings and haven't started on listening to the New Testament. The plan for that was to listen in my truck to and from work each day but my old truck has a cassette deck and my tape to mp3 player dohicky broke and I haven't replaced it yet.

Resolutions 2011

2011-01-06T23:17:00.005-06:00

I don't usually do New Year's resolutions. In general I'm not a fan of to do list and new year's resoulutions are just a big year long to do list. But for some reason I felt like doing them this year and actually trying to stick to them (Gray Dillard will be so proud).

1. Finish at least 1 or 2 projects that I've started. This one might be the hardest for me since I suffer from completion anxiety disorder (self-diagnosed of course). Once I start a project and get far enough into it that I've figured out that what I'm doing will work, I'm finished and ready to move on to something else. I can think of 5 or 6 unfinished projects off the top of my head, some being years old (Dianna could probably come up with a few more). What I've decided I really need is some minions to finish up stuff for me. If you'd like to volunteer to be one of my minions I promise to be a kind and benevolent master.

2. Lose 40 pounds. I know losing weight and getting into better shape isn't a very original resolution but it needs to be done. This will be a continuation and tweaking of my Lazy Man's Diet & Exercise program that I kind of started back before Thanksgiving. The diet part was pretty simple and easy and was working while I was doing it, but with all the Thanksgiving and Christmas eating it ended up being a wash for November and December (at least I didn't gain weight). I also had started a very simple and easy workout program but apparently not convenient enough since I didn't do it very many times, so it was back to the drawing board and an even simpler and easier workout plan to start the new year. I'll be back with details at the end of the month to report whether it's working or not.

3. Read More. I love to read, but with the invention of the DVR, TV series on DVD, Facebook, blogs and the tendency to stay up til 4 in the morning when I'm reading, I haven't read as much as I'd like the last few years. My goal is a modest 24 books this year (no where near the 200+ that Scott Freeman read last year), but 2 a month seems like a reasonable goal.

Here are the books that I already have or are downloaded on my Kindle that I plan on reading:
Classics Mutilated - anthology - already started
The Sandman vol 2: The Doll's House - Neil Gaiman - already started (graphic novels count)
Radical - David Platt
Against All Things Ending - Stephen Donaldson
The Hole in Our Gospel - Richard Stearns
Under the Dome - Stephen King
Alas Babylon - Pat Frank
Full Dark No Stars - Stephen King
God's Tomorrow (Ghost Targets) - Aaron Pogue

I plan on rereading a few of my favorite books
The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck (my favorite book by my favorite author)
Of Human Bondage - W.Somerset.Maugham (I've read this book more times than any other)
Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury

I also want to read these books by my friend Jim Murphy
A View From a Height
The God Virus
The Next Buddha

So that leaves at least 5 more books, any suggestions?

4. Try a New Bible Reading Plan. There are numerous read the Bible in a year programs, I've tried some of them with varying degrees of success. This year I'm going to do something different. Instead of reading the New Testament, I'm going to listen to it. A few years ago I bought The Bible Experience New Testament mp3 discs. It's a reading of the Bible by a cast of over 200 actors with musical score and background sounds. Some of the background sound loops get kind of annoying after awhile and I don't really need the few gospel songs thrown in between some of the books but overall it's an enjoyable way to travel thru the New Testament. And I've downloaded the Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures - The New JPS Translation (for those that don't know the Tanakh is the Written Torah (The Law, The Prophets, & The Writings) and am going to try to follow the weekly readings used in the synagogue. I've got some catching up to do since the new cycle of reading started back in October I believe.

So there you go, my 2011 resolutions. I'll try to keep you posted on how I'm doing through out the year.

Christmas List

2010-12-12T21:58:00.004-06:00

It's more blessed to give than receive. So in the spirit of Christmas I'm willing to make the sacrifice and be the recipient of gifts so y'all can be blessed by giving. And to make it even easier I'm going to supply you with my Christmas Wish List (links provided). Ok so this is mostly for a few family members to use but if anyone else gets caught up in the Christmas spirit and wants to join in I'm all for it (especially the last gift ideas on my list).

Kindle or Kindle 3G - Ok so it doesn't have the feel, smell or soul of a real book but it's so stinkin convenient. Plus I'll still buy real books, I'll just be more selective in the ones I own.

MUSIC:
The Beatles Mono Box Set

BOOKS:
UnPoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor - Mark Lutz
Against All Things Ending (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 3) - Stephen Donaldson
The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World - Richard Stearns
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream - David Platt

TV:
Justified: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]
Carnivale: The Complete First Season

MOVIES:
Cool Hand Luke [Blu-ray]
Paranormal Activity [Blu-ray] (2009) Unrated
Paranormal Activity 2 [Blu-ray]

Golf:
Callaway Ball HX Hot Plus Golf Balls (12-Pack)

Cash or Gift Cards

Other:
A Flock of Chickens , A Flock of Ducks or A Flock of Geese from the Heifer International Gift Catalog - help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.

Over 50 Lazy Man's Workout & Diet Plan

2010-10-17T23:51:00.001-05:00

Aargh, I stepped on the scales this past weekend and weighed ??? lbs (actual weight is none of your stinkin business), it's not the most I've ever weighed but still a ridicules amount unless maybe I was a couple of feet taller or a sumo wrestler. I've never been that concerned with my weight tho I've always been on the heavy side. I've always been strong and quick enough to compensate for the extra weight to do whatever I felt like relatively well, plus I've also always been able to quickly lose weight whenever the mood struck me. Unfortunately as I've gotten older, weaker and with the onset of type 2 diabetes that approach to my health and fitness has not served me very well over the past several years.

So it's back to the gym and eating better. I have no intentions of starting some super intense workout program (no P90X, Crossfit, etc) or structured diet plan (Atkins, South Beach, whatever). I'm honest enough with myself to acknowledge that I'm basically lazy and undisciplined; I like to do what I like to do. So any workout & diet plan has to fit within the basic nature of who I am and how much effort and time I'm willing to spend on it. Luckily I also know what type of workouts work for me and as strange as it might seem I do know some things about nutrition. Over the next several months I'll be sharing my journey to a marginally healthier me.

Softball at 52 - Another Season Done

2010-07-22T19:49:00.008-05:00

Well I kind of fell down on my job of posting each
week about the season and now it's over. Maybe the fact that I went into a big slump and we didn't play quite as well over the last 4 weeks could have something to do with me not writings as much. Did we really only go 3 and 3 in our last 6 games? I can remember two of the loses but not the 3rd. We finished 11 - 7. Should have been better but we always had a good time whether we won or lost. I finished the year 24 - 47 plus 8 walks. Don't know how many runs or rbi's I had, Coach Rhodes was supposed to be keeping a scorebook this year but that didn't last past the first couple of games. Probably led the team in both, but we'll never know so I can say whatever I want. Enjoyed this year alot better than the last few, it helps when you play better. But even more than playing better, this was a good group of guys to hang out and play ball with.

Each year I get asked if I'm going to play again next year. I usually answer with something about never retiring or until nobody will let me play. Sometimes I think when I'm 60 would be a good time to quit. But now I'm thinking, I've already got to play with one of my best friend's sons, wonder if I can make it long enough to play with Paxton, the son of one of my favorite couples (Ted & Allison).

That seems like a pretty good goal. See ya next season.

Softball at 52 Week 9

2010-06-22T22:52:00.003-05:00

Doubleheader tonight - 95 degrees - just the way I like it. Actually that's true, I wish all our games were double headers and I like softball when it's hot, the hotter the better. Not sure why, I don't like the heat for anything else.

I started not to write about tonight's games even tho we won both. Started to just give the scores and move on.

First game was close until we gave up 9 one inning. combination of a few errors and them hitting well. This was the team that drilled us earlier in the season. But we came back and scored 12 in the top of the 6th or 7th to win 17-13 (I think they had 13). I was 0-3 with a walk. I did have 2 rbi's and scored a run. Actually hit a couple of balls decently but right at the shortstop.

Second game the score was closer than the game was. We won 10 - 7. You would have thought we were back playing ASA the way the strike zone was. they had at least 2 (maybe 3) take called third strikes on horribly high pitches. I had a weak groundball to third, a line drive to third and a bloop single. 1 - 3. So for the night I was 1 - 6.

17 - 31 for the season.

Next week is another double header I think.

Father's Day

2010-06-20T01:02:00.000-05:00

Father's Day is one of those holidays that I've always had mixed feelings about.

Even though I like the cards, presents and not having to pay for Sunday lunch, do I really need these to know that my kids love me or how blessed I've been to be their dad? Nah, not really. Plus you don't even get a day off work. What kind of real holiday is that?

Father's Day is a yearly reminder of what I've missed, a little poke at the pain that tho dulled and mostly hidden deep in the background after all these years, is still there and still flares up on occasion.

But Father's Day also reminds me of the people who have knowingly or unknowingly stepped in and in big and small ways filled in for my dad.

So here's a big Happy Father's Day to:

My Mom - She's the one who had to become both mom and dad for me and my brother after my dad was killed in a car wreck when I was in the third grade. She's the one who took us fishing and to ballgames. She's the one who played ball with us in the front yard. And she's the one who got to worry about us with no one to share the burden.

David Watson, Loy Reaves, Uncle Frank, Coach Glenn Stewart, Coach Joe Forrest, Richard Akins and Garry Neal. Thank You!

Softball at 52 - Week 7 - 8

2010-06-17T23:48:00.003-05:00

we've only played twice over the last two weeks but they've been good games.

Week 6 - lead changed every half inning for the first 4 innings until we went ahead for good and held on for a 12-10 win. Josh made a great diving catch in right center. For some reason our outfielders decided this was a good game to try and throw people out at first, did not work out very well. I went 3 - 4. Can anyone stop me? I don't think so! Actually it would be pretty easy, move outfielders in 10 - 15 feet, move everyone to the left side of the field and I wouldn't get another hit the rest of the season.

Week 7 - What a great baseball game. One of the best defensive games I've ever seen. They came out and hit everything hard in the first inning scoring 3, we came back and scored 2. score stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth when we scored to tie the game. In between was a game of diving catches, great stops and cannon arms. Both teams had chances to blow the game open but were stopped by one clutch defensive play after another. Our outfielders threw out at least 5 baserunners. Game went 9 innings, they won 7 - 3 finally breaking thru with 4 runs.

I went 1 - 1. Only played the first 3 innings. I've been sick this week and am still not quite right. Dianna didn't want me to play at all and actually I wasn't planning to if we had enough there, but once I got to the ballpark, couldn't resist playing. So I compromised and told the coach I didn't want to play the whole game so he could sub someone in at first. Wish I hadn't done that, it would have been a fun game to play.

Season total - 16 for 25 with 4 walks.

Summer TV 2010

2010-06-15T00:44:00.001-05:00

Summer TV time is here and we're already in full viewing mode. We took a little viewing side trip last Saturday when Natasha came over and we watched 11 straight episodes of Bones (which was not on our viewing schedule, but we're always willing to watch some Bones). We'll be taking a few more side trips to Bones until we finish season 4 with Natasha. This summer will be a mixture of old favorites with at least one new series to add to our list, we'll also have to watch some regular tv since the networks have begun to use split schedules. So we have to also make time to keep up with Leverage and Burn Notice. I really need the summers off, don't really have time for work. So here's our viewing list for the summer:

BattleStar Galactica (4 seasons) - The one with Edward James Olmos. This is our new show to watch this summer. I never watched the original series from 78, looked way to cheesy. This one I like alot. We're already thru season one and have started two. I didn't realize that God and religion (a blend of Mormonism, a Roman mythology and even a little Buddhism) were going to play such a big roll in the series. Makes for an interesting show.

Angel (5 seasons) - Buffys darker and more existential spinoff. Since we watched all 7 seasons of Buffy again last summer we'll watch Angel this time. What I'm hoping for someday is that they'll put out a box set of Buffy and Angel together where they start alternating episodes in season four of Buffy and the first season of Angel. That's the way the show should actually be watched but I don't want to have to swap out dvd's after each episode.

Veronica Mars (3 seasons) - This has become one of our annual summer shows. It has a lot in common with Buffy without the super powers and supernatural aspect of the show. By the time summer rolls around we're always ready to revisit these characters.

Thats 12 seasons of tv squeezed a few months, not bad. After that not sure what we'll watch or if we'll have time (before school starts or the grandbaby comes). If we do have time we'll probably watch Firefly again. Watching BSG makes us miss the show.

A Little John Prine Music

2010-06-05T10:20:00.004-05:00

I got an early father's day present last night. Natasha and Latisha took me to see John Prine. So I thought I'd share a little Prine music. Here are five of my favorites.

Both of these first two songs never fail to make me cry.

Softball at 52 - Week 6

2010-06-02T23:01:00.003-05:00

Another week with only one game, hate this kind of schedule.
Tuesday's game - This game reminded of last year. Started out slow, not hitting, make a comeback, look like we're going to take control, wheels fall off, almost come back again but fall short. That's a good synopsis of last season and our game this week. Lost 16 - 12. Came back from being 5 or 6 down, then gave up 8 runs late, came back with 4 runs in our last at bat with 2 out.

I'm still hitting. 2 for 2 with a walk. That put's me at 12 - 20 for the season, with 4 walks.
Fielding - I've apparently forgotten what my glove is for.

Softball at 52 - Week 4 - 6

2010-05-26T23:22:00.003-05:00

I've fallen a little behind in posting about softball. Not much been going on, just one game a week scheduled for these last 3 weeks.

Week 4 - we got rained out.

Week 5 - Low scoring decently played game, just not much hitting. We won 7 - 5 I think. I went 0 - 2, couple of weak balls.

Week 6 - Pretty good game for the most part, we fell apart at the end and lost 14 - 12. Gave up 6 runs in the top of the 7th. Lots of throws in the dirt at first, you'd think I'd scoop at least one of them. My least favorite field, ball doesn't hop just kind of hits and scoots. Another 0 - 2 night, walked twice, line drive to 3rd, Squibber fielder's choice.

Seven Years Ago

2010-05-20T00:30:00.000-05:00

Seven years ago today the greatest tv series of all time ended. Yes, you know what show I'm talkin about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". If you know me you know my love of this show. My plan was to write a post about some of my favorite episodes, moments, characters, etc. But I really haven't had time to get it done this week, but I didn't want to let the anniversary to pass without writing anything about it. So here is an abbreviated post and a couple of links to articles I suggest you read.

Where Do We Go From Here - A farewell to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and a look back at the show's ten best episodes. An article written 7 years ago today for Weekly Standard.com.

Joss Whedon's Favorite Episodes

My Ten Favorite Episodes in no particular order:
Once More With Feeling - episode 7 season 6
Buffy vs Dracula - episode 1 season 5
The Body - episode 16 season 5
Amends - episode 10 season 3
Conversations with Dead People - episode 7 season 7
Welcome to the Hellmouth - episode 1 season 1
The Wish - episode 9 season 3
Normal Again - episode 17 season 6
Lies My Parents Told Me - episode 17 season 7
Grave - episode 22 season 6

I do plan on finishing this post at some point but not tonight.
Here's one more link for more info on the show.

Elijah's IPOD

2010-05-12T18:58:00.003-05:00

Sometimes my mind takes quarky little side trips, this post is a result of one of those trips. A while back I was thinking about the story of Elijah where he's fled into the mountains and is hiding in a cave. God comes to him and asks what he's doing there and Elijah answers that they're trying to kill him. Now here's where my mind veered off from the story and I got a picture of Elijah sitting outside his cave with a guitar singing some gut-bucket woe is me blues. And strangely I thought that feels right, I think Elijah would be a blues fan. Of course I didn't stop there, I begin to think about other people from the bible and what kind of music they would they like. Now I'm not trying to be sacrilegious or flippant or disrespectful, just thought it was an amusing little exercise. We all project personalities on the characters of the bible based on a mixture of what's said and done by them in the bible, mixed up memories from years of bible class stories, our personal theology, and all sorts of other psychobabble stuff from our own personalities. So here's what I've come up with, feel free to join in.

Elijah - ok, already said the blues.

David - Singer/Songwriter type - Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver, Hank Williams Sr. Personal, lay your heart out for everyone to see.

Samson - Southern Rock, Red-Neck Country - Hank Jr. Even some Kid Rock - I can picture Samson singing I'm A Cowboy Baby as he's slaying Philistines.

Solomon - U2 of course. He was a wise man.

Peter - Not sure about Peter, I kind of see him as a top-forty radio friendly guy. Natasha see's him more as a good ole boy type - some Southern Rock, Garage band fan.

John - The Beatles from All You Need Is Love to the psychedelia of Magical Mystery Tour, John would get it.

Paul - I think Paul's preferred music would be hard driven in you face Christian Metal (maybe something Living Sacrifice), but would be just as comfortable listening to and talking about whatever music whoever he was with at the time.

Jesus - Bob Dylan

God - Jazz - a musical form that really defies definition. Music played within a set tonal structure but with an infinite maze of possibilities. I think that's a good description of the universe that God created.

There's my list, let me hear what you think.

Softball at 52 - Week 3

2010-05-08T10:23:00.003-05:00

Up and down week. First game was an exciting back and forth game. The other team hit a two run homer in the top of the last inning to go up by two. We came back in the bottom half and won on an infield single by the youngest member of our team Jason Justice. Good win, third of our four wins decided in the last inning.

Second game not good, missing a couple of key players, we were very flat. Didn't hit very well and played poorly defensively. We got smoked 19 - 6.

I'm still hitting well, not as solid and hard as the first two games but enough to get on base. Thru the first 5 games I've gotten on base 11 times in 15 ab's so I can't complain. Not sure I got on base 11 times all of last season.

My base running luck continued. Was going from 1st to 3rd on a single to left that the outfielder had misplayed. I realized that I was going to have to slide. So a couple of thoughts came to mind as I headed into third. One was that I hate this field, it's hard as a rock, like playing on concrete and two that if I slid it was going to hurt. At best I was going to have a big strawberry and at worst I'm 52 I just might break something (like a hip) and I was probably going to be out anyway. So I just kind of tippy toed around the guy at third as he tagged me. I was out so I was starting for the dugout but noticed the umpire was still looking at us so i stepped back on the bag and he called me safe (said he missed the tag). Bad call, I was easily out.

Levy Community Garden

2010-04-28T22:56:00.003-05:00

Dream Big, Start Small. A few years ago while looking for different ways for our church to connect with the community I came across a number of urban gardening and community garden sites. I thought this was a good fit with what we were trying to do.
A community garden would in addition to helping provide healthy vegetables it could serve as a bridge between the church and the neighborhood giving opportunities to form relationships in a non-churchy atmosphere. We had even picked out a spot and began making plans to turn a piece of land adjacent to the parking lot behind our building into a huge garden (I think we estimated that there was room for about 90 4 x 8 plots).
Alas before we got very far in our planning the land was paved for expanded church parking. But I've never been able to get the idea of a garden out of my head, so I've continued to talk about it and look for the right opportunity. That opportunity has arrived.

Thanks to the work of Graham Sutherlin, Patrick Bewley and Ted Bowsman this past Saturday in some sloppy weather the Levy Church of Christ Community Garden is up and growing. Besides the tending of the garden plots there is still quite a bit of landscaping type work to do, but it's a start.

The garden is located in a lot beside the church on the north side of Martin Drive. We decided to start small this time. There are 8 4 x 8 raised bed garden plots. 6 of the 8 plots have been assigned. We're sharing one with my daughters and Son-in-law, the women's ministry has one, the Sutherlin's home school group has one, Roberto one of our hispanic brothers has one, Jan the lady that lives next to the garden has one and the Huffs are partnering with Elena (a lady that was reached last year during the Levy campaign).

The lot that it is on was purchased to build another senior citizen home. A number of the lots on this street have over the years benn bought and duplexes built for senior members of our church. Because of economic conditions (I believe) a house hasn't been built here yet, so we know that this might only be a temporary home for the garden. Our hope is that the garden will become such an integral part of the neighborhood and our work with the community that it will be decided that it is the best use of the land. But if not we'll just look for another spot when that happens (can't really get upset about being bumped by housing for senior Christians).

I'll keep you posted on our progress.

Softball at 52 - Week 2

2010-04-28T00:33:00.002-05:00

Only one game this week, Monday night. Not much to say about this one, one of those games that's fun for about 2 innings then ready to get it over with and go home. We won 19 - 3. Chilly, damp night, felt old and stiff, hurt to run. Went 1 for 2 with a walk.

Softball at 52 - Week 1

2010-04-22T23:10:00.004-05:00

I think I'll try to post about our church league softball team each week. Probably depends on how well I play whether I follow thru with the idea, but so far so good. And since this is my blog, it's mainly gonna be how I played (never have been much of a team player).

Game 1 - Positive reinforcement from new team coach Justin Rhodes before game starts - "This is going to be ugly, we're gonna get drilled". We jump out to 8 - 0 lead in the first. We're thinking maybe we shouldn't have dropped down a league. We're up something like 16 - 5, thinking games over. Then we remember why we dropped a league, next thing you know it's 18 - 16, last inning wondering how we're gonna lose this one. they score. 18 - 17 1 out, runners at first and second, hard shot up the middle, Thorhill on his knees force out at second, finds someway to throw ball around guy coming from first, Double Play to end the game. We Win 18 - 17.

How I did:
1st ab - took a strike, foul tip, third strike whiff, missed by a foot. Thinking maybe it is time to quit.
2nd ab - Drilled a line drive to LC off shortstop glove for a double. First extra basehit in years.
3rd ab - Drilled another line drive down 3rd base line for a double. Team seems to find it funny that I've had to run hard on two ab's. Best ball I've hit in 3 or 4 years.
4th ab - Pitcher intentionally walks the guy in front of me to load the bases, move everyone way to the left. I'm thinking you're gonna be sorry you did that, but he isn't, easy fly to left center.

Played alright at first.

Game 2 - We're feelin good after the first win, new guys smash the ball. Team we're playing doesn't look like much. Wrong, good fielding good hitting team. We score 3 in first. lead the whole way in low scoring softball game. Leading 8 - 3, same late inning problems that we always seem to have, go into bottom of 7th up 9 - 7. Score 9 - 8, Runners 1st and 2nd, two outs, line drive to left, runner from second heading for home, relay from third to home, OUT! We Win 9 -8. Two games that we would have lost last year.

How I did:

1st ab - bloop single to left.
2nd ab - line drive single to left, runner scoring, throw goes home so I head for second , oops pitcher cuts off throw I'm dead, second baseman misses throw, I end up at third. teammates passing out from laughing hysterically.
3rd ab - another bloop single to left (I'll take it)

Played poorly at first. pop up between home first, miss it, would have probably bounced foul but hit my foot in fair territory, bobbled throw in seventh to allow run number 8 to get on base. guessed right on batter trying to go to right, moved over couple of steps when caleb pitched the ball, missed one hopper reflexes just a little to slow.

Good start to season 2 - 0.

Softball 2010

2010-04-18T23:07:00.003-05:00

Softball season starts this week, it will be my 103rd season of playing. I'm ready, went back to gym in December and have worked out semi-regularly since then. I think I'm back to about as strong as I was in Jr. High. Plus we've had one practice, well not a real practice, a practice game (so a total of three swings). A weak grounder to shortstop (which I didn't run out, hey it's practice) with the new bat I bought from Justin, a solid line drive with my old real man's bat and a decently hit ground ball to the shortstop (which I did run out, hey it's practice), so I'd say I'm in mid-season form. Looking forward to another fun year.

That Evening Sun

2010-04-02T08:51:00.003-05:00

Take a break from the 3D, special effects, cotton candy movies and go see That Evening Sun. Opens in Little Rock April 9th, already playing around the country.

Abner Meecham, an aging Tennessee farmer discarded to a nursing facility by his lawyer son, flees the old folks' home and catches a ride back to his country farm to live out his days in peace.

Upon his return, he discovers that his son has leased the farm to Abner's old enemy and his white trash family. Not one to suffer fools or go down easy, Abner moves into the old tenant shack on the property and declares that he won't leave until the farm is returned to his possession. But Lonzo Choat, the new tenant, has no intention to move out or give in to the old man's demands.

This sets up a ruthless grudge match between Abner and Choat, each man right in his own eyes, each too stubborn to give an inch. Angered by his son's betrayal, and haunted by recurring dreams of his long‐dead wife, Abner sets about his own path toward reclaiming his life. Lines are drawn, threats are made, and the simmering tension under the Southern sun erupts, inevitably, into savagery.

To find screenings in your area visit the official movie site.

If you lie down with pigs........

2010-03-28T22:20:00.001-05:00

Instead of a rant I thought I'd just share a few links and leave it at that.

The Rage is Not About Healthcare

Going To Extreme

Fear Strikes Out

The Gospel according to Glenn Beck

Advice for Republicans

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time #1 - In My Life - The Beatles

2010-03-26T23:12:00.003-05:00

#1 - In My Life - The Beatles
How could it be anything else. This has been my favorite song for as long as I can remember.

So there you have it, my top twenty songs of all time, at least what my top twenty songs were at the time I started this back at the end of January.

1. In My Life - The Beatles
2. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
3. One - U2
4. Only One - John Flynn
5. Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
6. Jackie Brown - John Mellancamp
7. The Front Porch Song - Robert Earl Keen Jr.
8. Help - The Beatles
9. I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight - Jerry Jeff Walker
10. Love Rescue Me - U2
11. Romeo & Juliet - Dire Straits
12. On & On - Wilco
13. Alison - Elvis Costello
14. Worst Day Since Yesterday - Flogging Molly
15. C U When U Get There - Coolio
16. If I Fall Behind - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
17. Living My Life - Los Lonely Boys
18. I'll Be There For You - Robert Earl Keen Jr
19. Full Of Grace - Sarah McLachlan
20. Sweet Baby James - James Taylor

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time #2 - Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

2010-03-23T23:20:00.002-05:00

#2 - Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
When I used to see video of fans at The Beatles or Elvis concerts crying and screaming hysterically, I always thought how silly, crying really? until I saw Springsteen in concert and spent a good fifteen minutes fighting the urge to squeal and weep like one of those teenage girls at a Beatles show or the middle aged women seeing Elvis in Vegas.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time #3 One - U2

2010-03-21T23:24:00.002-05:00

#3 One - U2
One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other

One...life

One

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #4 - Only One - John Flynn

2010-03-15T20:28:00.002-05:00

#4 - Only One - John Flynn
Of all the songs on my favorite's list this one has had the most emotional impact. If you haven't listened to any of the songs I've posted, listen to this one. This is the song I listen to when I get discouraged or frustrated and the problems of the world overwhelm me.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time #5 Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland

2010-03-12T23:20:00.002-06:00

#5 Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
A beautiful song from one of my favorite movies. Man she had a voice.

I like this song so much I'm including some other versions that I also like.

I think the version listed as NOFX is actually Blink 182. And Ok, the Jimi Hendrix version isn't the same song, but I liked it, so I left it in the playlist.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #6 Jackie Brown - John Mellancamp

2010-03-11T21:44:00.001-06:00

#6 Jackie Brown - John Mellancamp
Just listen.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #7 The Front Porch Song - Robert Earl Keen Jr

2010-03-10T22:09:00.002-06:00

#7 The Front Porch Song - Robert Earl Keen Jr
I Love Texas. Not being from Arkansas originally or caring about Razorback sports I've never suffered from the state inferiority complex and can freely admit that Texas is a special place. The year and a half we spent in Ft. Worth is one of the favorite times of my life. Even after living here for almost 30 years I still miss it sometimes, especially when I listen to some Texas country. This song is Texas.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time #9 - #8

2010-03-05T22:29:00.002-06:00

#9 - I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight - Jerry Jeff Walker
As with a lot of the songs on my top twenty you've seen them on my blog before, here's another one:

#8 - Help - The Beatles
I could have made my entire list out of Beatles songs and been perfectly happy with it. This is one of their songs that I find myself singing quite often.

Blog List Cleanup

2010-02-24T22:59:00.003-06:00

Decided it was time to cleanup my blog list, add a couple of new ones and delete some inactive ones.

New Blogs:

Monsterverse Projects Blog - Rants, raves and ramblings from the MONSTERVERSE, a multimedia company devoted to creating monstrous genre projects. A friend from high school is a writer/artist/associate editor. Looking forward to the new Bela Lugosi comic coming out later this year.
Scott Freeman - The Best Thoughts in Life are Free. This is actually the return of this blog. Scott's was one of the first blogs that I followed daily. This one is more like Scott Freeman Lite, gone are the sometimes controversial yet always interesting posts on politics and religion. Now it concentrates on movies, music and books. Still enjoyable.

Adios to these blogs:

Chad Gardner - It's Gardneriffic. Almost kept this one since it has only been a month since his last post, but Chad is on FB and twitters so much even if he started posting again it would just be overkill.
Parenthetically Yours - friend Randy Williams blog. 5 months since last post.
A Realist's Guide to Movies and Travel - Andy Pickle's blog, 4 months since last post.
This is What I Know - My oldest daughter Natasha's blog. Nothing in a year.
Levy Community Outreach - This is the never-ending blog of a ministry of the Levy church of Christ. I even write for this blog or wrote I guess. Think we are all a little to busy living this one to take the time to write about it.

Just Made It:

The Backwash - Another friends blog. This was headed for the adios pile but Mark posted something a week ago so he's safe for now.

Still Here:
PS22 Chorus - My favorite elementary school chorus. The only group in the world that can make a Journey song worth listening to!
Every Nine Days - One musician's attempt to record The Beatles White Album, one song every nine days. One of my favorite sites.
Pop Candy Blog - Whitney Matheson's pop culture blog for USA Today.
The Reids - Family blog by one of my favorite families.
Bowsman Family - Another family blog by another one of my favorite families.

So there's my new blog list. I could always use a few more. Any suggestions? I could use a good baseball blog and a good music blog.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #10 Love Rescue Me - U2

2010-02-22T17:14:00.002-06:00

#10 Love Rescue Me - U2
For me U2 music is church music, the music of heaven and this is the song I imagine hearing as I walk thru the pearly gates. One of the songs I want played at my funeral.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #13 - #11

2010-02-12T23:16:00.004-06:00

This is going too slow so let's do 3 songs tonight so I can get to the top ten.

#13 - Alison - Elvis Costello
When I think about it, I probably have more Costello music than any other artist. It helps that a friend gave 10 cd's worth of his music. This song has been my favorite of his from the first time I heard it.

hmm, I just listened this 4 times before moving on to the next song, maybe I should move it up the list a bit.

#12 - On and On - Wilco
One day we’ll disappear together in a dream
However short or long our lives are going to be
I will live in you or you will live in me
Until we disappear together in a dream

#11 - Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
Brokenhearted former boyfriend or ex-boyfriend stalker, take your pick it's still a beautiful song.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #20 - #11.

11 - Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
12 - On and On - Wilco
13 - Alison - Elvis Costello
14 - Worst Day Since Yesterday - Flogging Molly
15 - I'll C U When U Get There - Coolio
16 - If I Should Fall Behind - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
17 - Living My Life - Los Lonely Boys
18 - I'll Be There For You - Robert Earl Keen Jr
19 - Full of Grace - Sarah McLachlan
20 - Sweet Baby James - James Taylor

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #14 - The Worst Day Since Yesterday - Flogging Molly

2010-02-08T22:03:00.002-06:00

#14 - The Worst Day Since Yesterday - Flogging Molly

You can't go wrong with some Irish Folk Punk.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #15 - I'll C U When U Get There - Coolio

2010-02-06T15:57:00.003-06:00

#15 I'll C U When U Get There - Coolio

A 4 minute mini sermon. You gotta face responsibility one day my brother.

Top Twenty List so far:

15 - I'll C U When U Get There - Coolio
16 - If I Should Fall Behing - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
17 - Living My Life - Los Lonely Boys
18 - I'll Be There For You - Robert Earl Keen Jr
19 - Full of Grace - Sarah McLachlan
20 - Sweet Baby James - James Taylor

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time #16 - If I Should Fall Behind

2010-02-03T10:55:00.000-06:00

16 - If I Should Fall Behind - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.
Nothing really needs to be said about this song, it's Springsteen and it's beautiful.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #17 - Living My Life

2010-02-01T22:18:00.001-06:00

17 - Living My Life - Los Lonely Boys - I've loved this band since I first heard Heaven back in 2004. This song is from their 2006 cd Sacred. I like songs that capture or reflect some of my own personality or outlook on life. I think this song does.

I can't be sure that
I'll wake up tomorrow
But that doesn't matter to me
I live for today
and I still know love
and I still know pain
my hearts open wide
and my eyes on the sky
I'm living my life

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time - #19 & #18

2010-01-30T01:20:00.004-06:00

19 - Full of Grace - Sarah McLachlan - I love her voice, so melancholy. One of the reasons I love this song so much is it was used in the season 2 finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Even tho this song and "Prayer of St.Francis" (season 6 finale) are the only songs used by the show, now any Mclachlan song evokes images and emotions from the show for me. I resisted the urge to post a cheesy Buffy/Angel montage video and I promise this will be the only Buffy reference in the list.

18 - I'll Be Here for You - Robert Earl Keen Jr - Latisha and I think this just might be the perfect love song.

My 20 Favorite Songs of All Time

2010-01-28T22:35:00.005-06:00

Recently a friend decided to do a list of his top twenty favorite songs of all time on his blog. I posted that it was an impossibility, but I immediately started thinking about what my list would look like. How do I sift thru the 1000's and 1000's of songs that I've listened to in my life and come up with my top twenty favorite. Top 6 were easy and once I stopped trying to pick songs so a particular artist or genre would be represented and just let the songs flow, it didn't take long to finish. The list is a lot softer than it would have been 10-15 years ago and it will be interesting to see what it's like10-15 years from now. Some of the songs that made my top twenty surprised me, but what surprised me more and will those who know me well are which artist didn't have songs that made the cut. So let's get started.

20 - Sweet Baby James - James Taylor -

Here's the first surprise. I like James Taylor but I wouldn't say he's one of my favorite artist. I didn't own any of his music growing up. I do love both "Fire and Rain", and "You've got a friend", but this song just get's to me and I don't really know why. I don't think I'm a nostalgic person, I don't long for the Good Ole Days. I don't think the only real music was made when I a was teenager or that High School was the best years of my life. I am sentimental and have fond memories of that time and miss a lot of those friends but I've always liked now. Except when I hear this song and I'm overcome with nostalgia and an almost physical ache to be this guy again instead of the old man I am now.

A Decade of Music, Movies and TV

2010-01-06T22:25:00.003-06:00

Here's a short list of my favorites from the past decade.

Movies (I didn't include any horror movies since I've already listed my 13 favorite from the past 10 years in an earlier post)
Memento (2000)
Snatch (2000)
Lord of the Rings (2001,2002,2003) - All three should be seen together
Training Day (2001) - favorite Denzel Washington movie.
Kill Bill 1 & 2 (2003,2004)
Serenity (2005)
Homemade Hillbilly Jam (2005) - Documentary featuring Big Smith
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Juno (2007)
That Evening Sun (2009)

Music - these are the cd's that I find myself going back to over and over again.
Origin Story - Idgy Vaughn (2006)
The Wind - Warren Zevon (2003)
Taking the Long Way Home - The Dixie Chicks (2006)
Sky Blue Sky - Wilco (2007)
Once More With Feeling - Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2002) - oops slipped away for a bit reading about this episode, I'm back now. This gets played on any road trip I go on especially with family (everybody sings, Stephen hums).
Swagger - Flogging Molly (2000)
Sacred - Los Lonely Boys (2006)
Big Rock - Big Smith (2000) - Thanks to my Uncle David for introducing me to their music
Dragon - John Flynn (2004)
Life, Death, Love and Freedom - John Mellancamp (2008)

Television (No matter what anyone says, it was a great decade of tv. There are a number of shows that might have made my list that I haven't seen since I don't have HBO or Showtime plus a number of others that I just didn't have the time to watch, hopefully I'll catch some of them on dvd eventually)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 - 2003) - Even though only the last few seasons were in this decade it was still the best series of the decade. Actually it's the best tv series that has ever been on.
Angel (1999 - 2004) - Buffy's darker more existentialist spinoff. Probably my favorite series ending episode.
Firefly (2002-2003) - The third Joss Whedon show on my list.
Joan of Arcadia (2003 - 2005) - at least the first season
How I Met Your Mother (2005 - )
Big Bang Theory (2005 - )
Bones (2005 - )
Veronica Mars (2004 - 2007) - I still miss Wallace, Logan, Weevil and the gang.
Gilmore Girls (2000 2007)
King of the Hill (1997 - 2009) - I tell you what. Nobody loved propane and propane accessories like Hank Hill.

What were some of your favorites from the past 10 years.

Retirement fund update #6

2009-12-26T23:19:00.002-06:00

Market continues to fall. I'm now below the break even mark.

This Week Total Invested - $23
This Week Total Return - $9
This Week Net - -14

Year to date Invested - $119
Year to date Return - $117
Year to date Net - -2

But I found out something at our Christmas party. I did not know that there is a second chance drawing on losing tickets. Found this out the hard way after giving away all my losing tickets as a gift. Luckily my fantastic wife stole them back for me. Have not entered them yet, so maybe the year will end up on a positive note.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, Winter Solstice, Nativity Scenes, Whatever

2009-12-18T22:50:00.003-06:00

Man I almost made it. The new kinder gentler less sarcastic me had decided I was not going to write anything this year about the annual Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays feud or any of the other silly Holiday season arguments. But I just don't seem able to resist commenting. I'll try to keep it short.

Am I the only one who finds it odd that this is where so many seem to have drawn a line in the sand and are standing up, both hands raised, middle fingers extended and defiantly yelling it's Merry Christmas not Happy Holidays? Doesn't really seem to fit in with the whole peace on earth goodwill toward men theme of the season. So once again what we have is the loud rhetoric of the superficial replacing the simplicity of a quiet life of faith.

But what do I know? So go ahead continue contributing to the trivialization of the sacred, I won't say another word.

I hope you have a Happy and Joyous ______________ season however you choose to celebrate it.

Retirement fund update #5

2009-12-12T22:22:00.002-06:00

Lottery fund investments continue to fall.

This Week Total Invested - $20
This Week Total Return - $4
This Week Net - -16

Year to date Invested - $96
Year to date Return - $108
Year to date Net - +12

Gym Time

2009-11-30T22:41:00.000-06:00

Each summer after ever increasingly poorer softball seasons, I think I need to start working out again if I want to keep playing for a few more years. But that's about as far as it gets, thinking about it. Well, I joined a gym last week but i've been sick so tonight was the first night I've worked out. I didn't really need to join a gym, I've got everything I need at home. I've got an olympic barbell set with over 300lbs, an excellent heavy-duty weight bench with the attachments I need and an adjustable dumbbell set that goes from 10 - 50 lbs. Aside from the fact that you really can't get to them in my garage right now because of all junk, I also own a magical chair and wand. The chair somehow teleports me from the front door to it's warm comforting embrace and the magic wand makes pretty pictures appear that keep me mesmerized for hours. So to thwart this evil sorcery, I've joined a gym and will go there straight from work (pretty brilliant plan, huh).

Wasn't expecting much from tonight's workout, it was mainly to gauge where I'm at. It was not a pretty sight, I'm going to have to workout for a month just to get ready to workout. So maybe I won't be as strong as I was when I was in my thirties or even early forties but I would like to be stronger than a fifth grade girl. Maybe I can score some steroids, I don't think they test for that in church league softball.

Retirement fund update #4

2009-11-23T21:41:00.002-06:00

Round Five of investments in the Arkansas Scholarship fund.
Made two investment mistakes this time.
I switched financial institutions - From the Shell Station on JFK to the Mapco closer to home.
And I did not diversify my investment this time, instead investing it all in the same game.

Fund - $500,000 Jackpot - Invested - $20 - Return - $0

This Week Total Invested - $20
This Week Total Return - $0
This Week Net - -20

Year to date Invested - $76
Year to date Return - $104
Year to date Net - +28

Movies I Should Like But Don't

2009-11-22T22:26:00.002-06:00

With the opening of New Moon this past weekend ( a movie Dianna and Latisha tell me that I will like a lot better than Twilight, which won't be hard since Twilight set the bar so low) and the release of the remastered classic Gone With the Wind, I thought it would be a good time to do this post. Since I've already mentioned it, let's start with a classic:

Gone With the Wind - Some old movies are classics and some are just old. This one is just old. It's way too long and who cares about any of these characters, I don't. But mainly it's just boring.

E.T. : The Extra-Terrestrial - Sentimental and heartwarming, whatever. I'm a sucker for sentimental and heartwarming this one just left me irritated for wasting my time and money.

Star Wars - Sorry, I've just never understood the love for these. I don't hate them, I just don't like them that much. I appreciated the advancement in special effects and it did start my life long man crush on Harrison Ford (he still has a great smile), but I always enjoyed the Star Trek movies more, even the horrible ones directed by Shatner.

The Big Lebowski - What you don't like The Big Lebowski? I'm as surprised as you. This seems like it would be one of my favorites. I love the Coen brothers and have absolutely loved everything else done by them. I don't know why I don't like this one, but it just didn't do anything for me.

There you go 4 movies (ok actually 9 since there were 6 Star Wars movies) that people love that I don't like, so let me here some of yours.

Retirement fund update #3

2009-11-10T23:13:00.003-06:00

Round Four of investments in the Arkansas Scholarship fund.
Lottery Market took a slight downturn this week
Fund - 3 Times Lucky - Invested - $1 - Return - $12
Fund - Money Bags - Invested - $1 - Return - $4
Fund - Jumbo Bucks - Invested - $0 - Return - $0
Fund - Money Madness - Invested - $2 - Return - $0
Fund - Arkansas Riches - Invested - $2 - Return - $0
Fund - Crazy 8's - Invested - $2 - Return - $0
Fund - $100,000 Cash Bonanza - Invested - $5 - Return - $0
Fund - $uper 7's - Invested - $5 - Return - $0

This Week Total Invested - $18
This Week Total Return - $16
This Week Net - -2

Year to date Invested - $56
Year to date Return - $104
Year to date Net - +48

Still haven't invested in Powerball, probably will give it a try next time.

Baseball 2009

2009-11-07T21:47:00.004-06:00

With the 2009 baseball season finally coming to a close this past week (Congratulation's Yankees), I thought I'd do a baseball post of likes and dislikes.

First, as much as I love baseball, it's just wrong that the World Series last into November.

My Nine Favorite Players:
1. Mickey Mantle
2. Lou Brock
3. Bob Gibson
4. Barry Bonds
5. John Smoltz
6. Ted Simmons (Travesty that's he's not in the Hall of Fame)
7. Shawon Dunston
8. John Kruk
9. George Brett

I still Hate the DH.

5 Hitters that I loved to Watch:
1. Jack Clark
2. Dick Allen (Used a 44 oz bat, now that's a bat.)
3. Ron Gant
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Bo Jackson

First real baseball memory - 67 World Series - St. Louis beats Red Sox in Seven. Gibson pitches 3 complete games giving up only 3 total runs.

Favorite Broadcasters:
1. Jack Buck - Simply the greatest baseball announcer ever. Was and always will the voice of baseball to me.
2. Skip Caray - grumpy, sarcastic, cynical - loved Skip
3. Joe Morgan - Lot's of people dislike Joe Morgan as an announcer, I like him, think he does a good job. But then Johnny Miller is also my favorite Golf announcer.

Least Favorite Broadcasters:
1. Vin Scully - Never understood the love of Scully, I find him irritating.
2. Harry Caray - One word - Buffoon
3. Joe Buck - As great as his dad was, he's as bad.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of hitting a baseball with a wooden bat, I feel sorry for people who've only known aluminum.

Favorite Baseball Movies:
1. Bull Durham
2. Field of Dreams
3. The Sandlot
4. Bad News Bears
5. Major League

Favorite Teams:
1. Atlanta Braves - WTBS, Ted Turner & Whitey Herzog made the Braves my favorite team. Started watching the Braves in the mid 70's when we got cable, they were horrible (anyone remember Dale Murphy as a catcher) but you could watch almost every game. Became my favorite team in 1981 (more about that below). I wonder if they'll remain my favorite team since they aren't on all the time anymore. I miss Ted Turner.
2. St. Louis Cardinals - I grew up a Cardinal's fan and they were my favorite team until 1981 when they traded Ted Simmons. Hated them after that. Eventually I got over my feelings of betrayal and the slow process of healing began.

Least Favorite Teams:
1. Chicago Cubs - Part of this could be the natural dislike for the cubs from being a Cardinal fan. But I think it's mainly because of the "Lovable Loser", Billy Goat Curse image.
2. Boston Red Sox - I don't like the Green Monster either, come on build a real ball park.

Favorite Baseball Quotes:
People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.
—Rogers Hornsby
Baseball is a ballet without music. Drama without words. A carnival without kewpie dolls.
—Ernie Harwell
Let's Play Two
— Ernie Banks

Retirement fund update #2

2009-10-24T00:23:00.002-05:00

Round Three of investments in the Arkansas Scholarship fund.
The state opened up 4 new investment opportunities, so now my portfolio is spread among 8 different funds. After the first two rounds I was beginning to think I was going to have to try cutting and pasting together a winning ticket. Hopefully I would do a better job than the lady who has already tried (probably got bad advise from her financial advisor).
Here's the results:
Fund - 3 Times Lucky - Invested - $1 - Return - $0
Fund - Money Bags - Invested - $1 - Return - $0
Fund - Jumbo Bucks - Invested - $2 - Return - $0
Fund - Money Madness - Invested - $2 - Return - $0
Fund - Arkansas Riches - Invested - $2 - Return - $0
Fund - Crazy 8's - Invested - $2 - Return - $4
Fund - $100,000 Cash Bonanza - Invested - $5 - Return - $5
Fund - $uper 7's - Invested - $5 - Return - $70

This Week Total Invested - $20
This Week Total Return - $79
This Week Net - +$59

Year to date Invested - $38
Year to date Return - $88
Year to date Net - +50

I really don't plan on continuing to invest in all 8 funds, especially once they start up the super fund POWERBALL. We'll examine how well each fund has done after a couple of more rounds of investing and weed out the low performers.

Til next time, happy investing.

Horror Movies

2009-10-18T21:37:00.004-05:00

October is my month to focus on horror, I try to watch as many horror movies as I can and I usually try to pick up a horror anthology or two to read. So far this month I've watched 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, 30 Days of Night: Blood Trails, 30 Days of Night: Dust to Dust (both of these online at fear.net), Let The Right One In and Trick R Treat (twice). We still have our annual viewings of Nightmare Before Christmas, Night of the Living Dead and Dianna's favorite Halloween movie Hocus Pocus to get to before November. I'd also like to make it to the Theater and see Zombieland, Paranormal Activities and Saw VI.

Since I like doing lists, this seems like a good time for a list of my favorite horror movies.

13 Favorite Horror Movies of the Last 10 Years.

Session 9 (2001) - Danvers Lunatic Asylum. Opened in 1855. Condemned in 1984. And for the men of the Hazmat Inc., it may become a nightmare come to life

28 Days Later/28 Weeks Later (2002) (2007) - Ok, I'm cheating a little by listing the original and sequel as one, so what it's my list. Fast Zombies are scary.

The Ring (2002) - The film focuses on a mysterious cursed videotape which contains a seemingly random series of disturbing, black and white images. After watching the tape, the viewer receives a phone call which a voice of a girl named Samara Morgan, condemns the viewer to death in seven days.

Saw (2004) - The first and best of the apparently neverending series. Exploitative graphic violence and gore.

Shaun of the Dead (2004) - British romantic zombie comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Shaun attempts to get some kind of focus in his life as he tries to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend and settle various issues with his mother and stepfather. At the same time coping with an uprising of zombies.

Slither (2006) - An asteriod crash-lands in a sleepy backwater American town, unleashing a breed of extra-terrestrial slugs that turn the town's people in to flesh eating zombies.
Hilarious.

The Descent (2005) - The reason you should never go spelunking.

Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) - Murder, Revenge, Cannibalism, Singing. What more could you want?

1408 (2007) - Nice adaptation of a Stephen King short story. Loved the ending.

30 Days of Night (2007) - Based on the graphic novel series of the same name. Alaskan town of Barrow invaded by vampires as it enters into a thirty day long period without sunshine. These are not your pretty sparkling vampires or even dark brooding romantic vampires.

Let The Right One In (2008) - A lonely boy’s wish for a friend seems to come true when he meets Eli, also 12, who moves in next door to him. Sad tragic movie. Swedish with english subtitles.

Coraline (2009) - A fairytale nightmare based on the award-winning childrens book by Neil Gaiman.

Trick R Treat (2009) - Halloween traditions exist for a reason, don't ignore them. One of my new all time favorites.

Did I leave off one of your favorites? Let me know, I'm always looking for good horror movies.

Retirement fund update #1

2009-10-11T22:30:00.003-05:00

I made my second round of investments in the Arkansas Scholarship fund this weekend.
Here's the results:
Fund - 3 Times Lucky - Invested - $1 - Return - $0
Fund - Jumbo Bucks - Invested - $2 - Return - $4
Fund - Arkansas Riches - Invested - $2 - Return - $2
Fund - $100,000 Cash Bonanza - Invested - $5 - Return - $0

This Week Total Invested - $10
This Week Total Return - $6
This Week Net - -$4

Year to date Invested - $18
Year to date Return - $9
Year to date Net - -$9

Since I'm a little down I'm thinking I might need to add another investment. I think there's a Bingo parlor nearby, maybe I'll head over there for a little while.

Til next time, happy investing.

My New Retirement Fund

2009-10-03T23:13:00.005-05:00

October my favorite month. I usually only post about Halloween stuff during October, but I've got a great new retirement strategy that I wanted to tell you about. Before I get to that I need to do a little blog house cleaning. Week before last I took the week off work to do some work around the house, I had also planned to spend part of each day finishing up some blog posts that I wanted to get done. Of course I didn't get them done. One I got about half way thru, one I've got the opening paragraph and don't really like it and the other I didn't write anything. It's really too late to post two of them so I'll give you the abbreviated versions.

My Trip to Chicago to See U2 -6 a.m flight, security issues (I'm a doofus), eternity spent in Springfield Ill, Cheesecake Factory, dead guy in street (jumped from hotel across the street), Snow Patrol - good band, U2 - Emotionally Overwhelmed! Greatest Concert I've ever experienced, Greek Food, Train ride home, good weekend.

Summer of TV - We love TV, summers are spent watching old shows on dvd, 1 season - Firefly, 3 seasons - Veronica Mars, 7 seasons - Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Great shows, you should watch.

Ok, now to my new supplemental retirement fund. I don't know if you've heard about this yet but the state of Arkansas has started a new scholarship fund that you can invest in. Currently there are only 4 options that you can try but more exciting investment opportunities are coming soon. This opportunity seems almost too good to be true, not only can you make money but it will fund college scholarships*. But what I like best is there is no waiting to find out your return on investment. That's right, no waiting years as interest compounds slowly or having to depend on the state of the economy. Instant gratification, you'll know how your investment did within minutes. Since this is a new kind of fund for most of us, I thought I'd provide a little public service by letting y'all monitor the results of my investments. My plan is to follow the same systematic approach I use for my 401k. Each pay period I'll invest a set amount, periodically increasing that amount as new opportunities arise. I'll post the results here.

Here are the results from my first investment that I made last week:

Fund - 3 Times Lucky Invested - $1 Return - $0
Fund - Jumbo Bucks Invested - $2 Return - $0
Fund - $100,000 Cash Bonanza Invested - $5 Return - $3
This Week Total Invested - $8

This Week Total Return - $3
This Week Net - -$5

Ok, didn't do so well the first week, that's the way it goes sometimes, but at least I'm helping some kid go to college. hmmm, maybe I should run down to the gas station and invest some more right now (resist the urge, resist the urge, must stick to strategy).

Hope you'll join me every couple of weeks as I invest my way to riches.

* As with all investments there is no guarantee of future earnings. Do not invest if you can't afford to lose your money. This is a high risk fund, especially since the economic forecasts and projections typically used to promote these types of funds are usually done with smoke and mirrors or pulled out of a particular body orifice of someone involved with the fund.

Movies, Music and More

2009-08-31T22:29:00.005-05:00

Ok, I think I'm ready to start blogging again, I've got ideas for a number of posts that I'll try to get written in the next few weeks. Before I get started with today's, here's a few of the topics I'll be covering: Church and Community - A Dream (yes, Allison I promise that I'm going to get this one done.), Summer of TV on DVD - I know everyone can't wait to know what we watched this summer (hey, it's my blog so I'll write about whatever I like), The Arkansas Lottery - An Experment - just some thoughts on the new Arkansas Lottery, and Movies I'm Supposed to Like but Don't - why I don't like some of your favorite movies. I'm also planning on making an announcement soon about a new project I've been working on.

But for know we're going to look at a few of the upcoming movies that I'd like to see,some local music you should check out and a comic book that I'm looking forward too.

Movies:

9 - 9 takes place in a world parallel to our own, in which the very legacy of humanity is threatened. A group of sapient rag dolls, living a post-apocalyptic existence find one of their own, 9 (Elijah Wood), who displays leadership qualities that may help them to survive. Watch Trailer

Where the Wild Things Are - Directed by Spike Jonze this is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world. Teared up watching the trailer.

ZombieLand - Hey It's got Zombies, what more needs to be said. Watch Trailer.

Saw VI - The "torture porn" genre seems to have run it course except for Saw, and it just keeps on hacking off body parts on the way to the bank.

Wizard of Oz - NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies present The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Hi-Def Event featuring the first ever High Definition presentation in movie theatres nationwide of The Wizard of Oz. Watch Trailer.

Local Music - There's been some good show's come thru town (great Robert Earl Keen show last Saturday) and some good ones coming up - Drive By Truckers/James McMurty, Cross Canadian Ragweed/John D Hale Band, Wilco over in Memphis but here are 4 local bands that you should go see.

The Salty Dogs - saw them for the first time at Riverfest, check out their myspace page to listen to a couple of songs and find out where they're playing.

Lucious Spiller - Lucious has been playing around Little Rock for years, You can usually see him playing at Sticky Fingerz on Wednesday nights. Take a listen.

The Good Time Ramblers - I've got one of their cd's and I like it but you really need to see them live. Here's a video, you can also check them out here.

Chris Denny - Words are inadequate to describe Chris Denny's music, you just need to experience it. Visit his website for more info.

You can't go wrong seeing any of these groups, go see them, support local live music!

Comics - This isn't supposed to come until early 2010, but it's so cool I wanted to let you know about it now. A friend from High School, Sam Park is involved in the project and they've lined up an amazing array of talent for this horror Anthology. Check out the press release for Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave.

Til Next time.

Been a while.

2009-07-22T22:54:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since I've written anything, I've had a few things that I've thought about but really just haven't felt like writing, still don't, will write again when I feel like it. Life goes on.

What a Stupid Idea!

2009-05-26T21:43:00.003-05:00

Studio thinking of remaking Buffy the Vampire Slayer without Whedon.

This from the studio that butchered Whedon's original movie. Do they think any Buffy fans will actually go see this?

Salty Dogs, Nipple Rings and Willie

2009-05-23T00:40:00.003-05:00

There's just something about live music played outside. Tonight was the opening night of Riverfest and Willie Nelson was one of the headliners. Would have liked to seen the B-52's who were playing at the same time, but you should never pass up the chance to see Willie. One of the best things about shows and festivals like this is watching people (it's amazing what people will wear in public)and there's not many things in life funnier than watching drunk white people dance. We got there early enough to catch most of a local band The Salty Dogs set. I'd never seen them before, I plan on making up for that. Enjoyed them immensely.

We started out up close to the stage but moved farther away pretty soon because it was hard to stare a people without being noticed. Drunk rednecks don't mind being watched but they don't really like to be stared at (that usually leads to conversations that start out with What the F*** are you looking at and go downhill from there). glad we did, it gave us a better view of the drunk dancing and we might have missed the guy with his Riverfest button hanging from his nipple ring (it was hard to not reach out and yank it). We didn't much care for the girl who followed The Salty Dogs, Brittany Quaranto a 17 yr old Taylor Swift type singer. By then it was starting to get crowded. This led to some of the things that I dislike about venues like this. I don't like people who don't show up until the headliner then try to push and shove and squeeze their way up closer to the stage when there's no room, I also don't like when people have brought lawn chairs to a standing room only type of show, plop the chairs down in prime spots then get mad when people stand in front of them. We had both where we were and things got pretty tense a few times. I also don't like when you're crammed into a crowd like this and someone sings along with every song right into your ear (it's especially bad when done with Willie singing since he sings to his own unique rhythm and beat so it's impossible for them to keep in sync), but the one thing that I absolutely hate is when a guy has a girl sit on his shoulders. Being short makes it hard enough to see over people but when someone does this and it blocks my view it fills me with rage. It makes me want to pick something up and chunk it into the back of her head (which I have done before). I would have done it a couple of times tonight but it was too crowded to bend down and get anything plus judging from my softball experience Tuesday night I wouldn't have come anywhere close to hitting her.

Willie is still going strong at 76 and he put on a good show. And I have to admit there's something strangely moving about standing under the stars with the occasional smell of weed wafting thru the crowd and listening to thousands of drunk and stoned people singing:

Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away

I'll fly away oh glory
I'll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away

All in all a pretty good night.
Tomorrow's another good day of music. I'm planning on seeing Buddy Guy (the greatest guitar player alive) and the amazing Chris Denny. See ya there.

3 things

2009-05-21T23:30:00.003-05:00

Three things I thought I'd be able to do with my eyes closed til I died.
Hit line drives to left.
Throw strikes when I needed to.
Hit a fade away jump shot.
Obviously I was wrong.

Oh,well. But there are a number of 3's coming up that I'm looking forward to.
3 day memorial weekend.
3 days of good music at Riverfest.
3 days of golf with good friends next weekend.

And for good measure how bout a little music form "Tres Hombres"

Cure for the Blahs

2009-04-30T23:31:00.003-05:00

I've kind of had the blahs that last few days. But how can you stay blah when there's music like this out there. A fifth grade chorus that sings songs by U2, Neil Young, Nina Simone, Tori Amos and Tom Waits. They even make "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor sound good. And I dare you not to tear up listening to "Let There Be Peace on Earth". Enjoy.

Music Monday

2009-04-26T23:03:00.002-05:00

I think Monday's are going to be my day to write about music. I just reloaded my mp3 player with new music the other day and after finishing realized that it is almost all old stuff. So that gave me the idea for tonight's post. Here are 5 albums over 20yrs old that I love:

Every Picture Tells a Story - 1971 - Rod Stewart -

Softball Season is Here!

2009-04-19T23:43:00.003-05:00

Our first game is this Thursday at 8:30. I'm ready, I started a rigorous off season workout program immediately after the end of last season. I lifted weights 3 or 4 times, ran another 3 or 4 times, played Wii fit a couple of times and we've had one practice so I'm in tip top shape and rarin to go (I just need to lose another 40lbs this week). I'm ready to hear these words of encouragement before each game from my wife "Don't get hurt and don't have a heart attack!" and the moral support of my daughter Latisha who comes to the games just to laugh at me when I run. Despite the emotional uplift I get from my families support, my self confidence and self esteem did take a couple of blows this week (don't worry I recover quickly). The first was when one of the new guys on the team was asked by his wife who was at practice the other night, he told her the names of the guys he knew and some OLD Guy. Wait til he sees me go from 1st to third, then see what he has to say about some Old Guy. The other blow came today at church. I was taking my new jersey to the car between classes and worship and two of the girls that I bring saw me and asked what I had. When I told them it was a softball jersey, they almost fell on the floor laughing hysterically. Let's see how they like walking to church.

Play Ball!

P.S. To Ted or Jason or whoever makes out the lineups this year. Just a reminder, Even with my greatly diminished skills I'm still not a team player and I'm a poisonous disruptive influence on the team when I'm not playing.

Sound of Music

2009-04-16T00:15:00.005-05:00

Even tho I can't stand the Sound of Music I do like this song especially when it was done on The Simpsons, but wouldn't life be a lot more fun if this happened more often. I know I would like it.

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Tax Day Post

2009-04-15T23:09:00.003-05:00

Here's a link to a little tax day post I got from a friend on facebook. Enjoy.
10 Republican Lies for Tax Day.

Makes Me Very Sad

2009-03-31T22:37:00.003-05:00

Angel Star Andy Hallett Dies of Heart Failure

Wish I could find a clip of him singing "If I Ruled the World" from the last episode of Angel, but here are a couple of clips that I could find.

And finally a clip someone recorded from their tv.

Now For Something Completely Different

2009-03-29T21:29:00.004-05:00

After 3 days of listening to just Elvis Costello, it's time for something different this week, but before we move on to what I'm going to listen to this week, let's start the week off with one last Elvis song (actually two).

Since I listened to one artist last week, I wanted to be a little more eclectic this week so I dug thru my music for stuff I haven't listened to in awhile. If you haven't ever listened to these artist, give'em a try you might like it. I'll throw in a few youtube video's along the way.

Salsa Celtica - Afro-Cuban Celtic fusion - El Agua De La Vida - found this group one night on emusic while looking for some mariachi music.

Rasputina - Goth Chamber-Pop - Oh Perious World & Frustration Plantation

Rockin Guys - Infamous Arkansas Punk - Arkansas Born & Inbred

DJ Danger Mouse - The Grey Album - Mash up of The Beatle's White Album & Jay-Z's The Black Album

Neil Young - Arc - Companion cd to Weld - 30 plus minutes of feedback pieced together into one long song - strangely listenable

Red Five - Local band of former classmates of Natasha and Latisha's, I don't remember when this was done, it's been awhile.

John D Hale Band - Country Rock - One of a Kind - Jackson, Mo. band

Kayhan Kalhor & Brooklyn Rider - Persian/Western Classical - Silent City

Coolio - Old School hip-hop - My Soul - just cause I love me some Coolio

Dr Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog - Soundtrack from Internet Series -
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Soundtrack from episode "Once More With Feeling - the musical' Ok, it hasn't been that long since I had these on my player or that long since I just burst out in song from one of these.

I also added the following individual songs:
Joey Ramone - What a Wonderful Life
Guns & Roses - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Johnny Cash & Joe Strummer - Redemption Song
Seatrain - I'm Willin & Song of Job

Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Journey to the Center of Your Heart
Ray Wylie Hubbard - Conversation with the Devil
Hamilton,Joe,Frank & Reynolds - Don't Pull Your Love Out On Me Baby (one of the first 45's I ever owned)
Zager & Evans - In the year 2525 (another of the first 45's I owned)
Little Milton - End of the Rainbow
Radio Head & Sparklehorse - Wish you were here
Garbage - Medication (acoustic) & #1 Crush
Grass Roots - Lets Live for today
Lorna Vallings - Taste
Black Oak Arkansas - When Electricity came to Arkansas & The Hills of Arkansas

This should hold me for a few days. Go listen to some different music.

Twilight - Revisited

2009-03-25T22:17:00.007-05:00

Dianna's copy of Twilight on dvd arrived Tuesday, so being the good husband that I am I watched it again with her Tuesday night. I still agree with my original review but as I watched it this time I saw some potential for a decent vampire movie with just a few minor changes. I would take everything after Bella confronts Edward in the woods and tells him that she knows he's a vampire and throw it away. Then I would take the script that's left, box it up and send it to my friend Sam asking him to finish the screenplay based upon the following guidelines and short synopsis.

Keep all the main characters and their personalities based on the book, I also like the Quileute indian mythology, other than that you can ignore the source material especially the sparkling vampire part and the goofy baseball game.

Instead of Edward taking Bella up into the sunlight to show her that vampires sparkle, he realizes how lonely he is without a mate, gives in to that desire and turns Bella into a vampire.

Bella now has to hide what she has become from her Dad and her friends, she also has to fight the urge to give in to her true nature and feed on humans instead of being a "vegetarian vampire" like Edward and the rest of the Cullens family. Complicating matters are the vampire clan of Laurent, James and Victoria. One night Bella observes them as they hunt, she's thrilled by the chase, intoxicated by the smell of fear and need to feed. This becomes a nightly ritual that draws her closer and closer to join in the hunt.

As Bella's dad (Charlie) continues to investigate the growing number of grisly murders (including one of Bella's friends, a murder that oddly doesn't seem to bother Bella) he slowly comes to the realization that the killer or killers are not human, the legends told by his Quileute friends about the "cold ones" are true. He also has to deal with growing distance between himself and Bella, and the nagging fear that she's involved in the murders.

Charlie has received a tip and is tracking Laurent's group as they hunt only to realize to late that it's himself that is actually being hunted by the group (including Bella). Edward and the family have also realized what is going on and are tracking both groups hoping to save Charlie and to pull Bella back into the family.
This leads to the climatic fight scene where Bella must choose between her love of Edward and the self imposed restrictions that that love brings or the freedom, power and tasty human food that accepting her true nature as a vampire brings.

I don't really care which way she decides, either way can be a satisfactory ending to a movie that I would enjoy.

I've also already have an idea for the sequel and it will fit whatever the outcome of this first movie unless everyone dies. I'll post it next week, maybe.

Deal Family Values

2009-03-21T22:46:00.003-05:00

If you've read many of my post, you've probably noticed that I tend to get a little sarcastic sometimes. When asked about this, I always explain that sarcasm is an official part of our family values. When Latisha was a senior in high school, we had a class at church to help prepare parents and kids for when they went off to college. As part of that class we had to sit down and come up with our core family values. It was an interesting little exercise and I thought I'd share ours, so here they are:

Prayer is essential

God should be the focus of your life

God expects our best

Remember who you are and what you stand for

Choose your mate thru prayer and God's help,
because marriage is forever

Family is a safe haven from the world

Friends are family

Humor helps in almost all situations

Work is a necessary evil,
make it a means to an end not an end in itself

Sarcasm is an essential communication tool

Question Everything

Life is full of music, sing along when you can

Church and Community - A History from My Perspective

2009-03-15T01:10:00.003-05:00

We've created a new blog LEVY COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
We created this blog in order to share information about the ministry and to encourage one another in this quest. I've just written a new post, check it out.

More Random Music - Favorite Music Moments

2009-03-05T22:13:00.012-06:00

While listening my mp3 player today a Social Distortion song came on and it made me think about something that happened when I saw them in concert, this lead me to remember other music memories so here's today's post. Some of my favorite music memories.

Since it was a Social Distortion song that gave me the idea for this post, I'll start with that memory.

I got to see Social Distortion at an outdoor music festival here in Little Rock some years ago. Friends and I were standing up near the stage, we were separated from the stage by a short wall and a few concert security people. Well, some guy was wanting to get up on stage with the band, so when the security people were looking the other way, we helped him jump up on stage. Thought he'd dance around a little while then jump back into the crowd before security got him. Unfortunately, he stayed a little to long and some of Social Distortion's guys got him, drug him off the back stage, beating the crap out of him the whole way. What'd he expect, jumping on stage with Social Distortion, of course you're gonna get beat up.

I Want To Hold Your Hand (Beatles) - My first music memory. Sometime in 1964, riding in the car with my family on a gravel road between Clarkton, MO and Gibson on the way to my Uncle Frank's and Aunt Pat's house.

New Kids on the Block - Taking my 9 yr old daughter Natasha to her first concert. Her musical taste have vastly improved since then.

Chuck Berry (The Reason There is Rock n Roll) - Sloppy, uneven show but still it was CHUCK BERRY. Here's how his show's were when I got to see him. His management would hire local Musicians who new his song's, right before the show Chuck's car would show up, he'd get out, walk on stage, strap on a guitar and start playing while the band tried to keep up, when the show finished he'd walk of stage, get his money, get in the car and leave.

A couple of Black Oak Arkansas memories - Senior Year High School Friday's during football season (at least for home games), I would go home put in my eight track put on my headphones, crank it up and listen to Mutants of the Monster and When Electricity Came to Arkansas to get ready for the game. Another outdoor music festival in Little Rock, Black Oak is playing but about half the songs they've done are covers (who wants to hear Jim Dandy sing Desperado), they run out of time for their set but won't leave, I think they had just started Hot N Nasty or Jim Dandy to the Rescue, so the promoters turn the sound off but the band goes ahead and finishes with no sound.

Springsteen at Alltel Arena. If you've read my 25 Things post you know how I feel about Springsteen.

Father God - First time I heard this song was a youth mission trip (Marshalltown, Iowa I think), a few girls from our youth group were singing it. Made me cry then, still makes me cry. The essence of Christianity boiled down into a short little 2 verse song.

U2 in Memphis - Great Music, Great Friends, what more can you ask for.

Prince at Barton in Little Rock. Mark Hodges and I went to this show. How many of you knew Hodges was a Prince fan. The only thing that could have made the show better was if we'd both dressed in all purple.

Blue Cross Picnic (don't remember the year) - Skip Hearne playing guitar, me playing Harmonica. About a minute and a half of blues classic St. James Infirmary.

Arkansas River Blues Festival - Used to be an annual event. Me and my brother Jeff, 12 hours of blues music in the hot Arkansas Summer. Saw some great musicians - John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Little Milton, Lonnie Mack, James Cotton to name a few. Really miss this.

Bob Dylan - Robinson Auditorium, Little Rock $20, 2 hours of Dylan singing. nuff said.

Rev Room in Little Rock - any show, anytime I get to enjoy live music with my kids is a favorite memory.

Watching drunk white people dance at shows, hilarious.

Pearl Jam - scariest memory, understand how people get crushed to death. Standing against the wall that separated the mosh pit from the rest of the crowd. People packed in so tight that could not move, if I'd been able to lift my feet off the ground I wouldn't have fallen. Still a great show.

Don't Call Me Shirley - Nothing better than seeing people you know on stage, having a good time and playing good music.

Check out the greatest Rock n Roll song of all time:

Random Music

2009-02-24T23:31:00.003-06:00

Ok, I'm cheating and posting something from the facebook world again. It's another tag game, this one you put your mp3 player on shuffle and list the first 25 songs that come up. Here's mine:
1. Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennon - So Much More
2. Lush Life - John Coltrane - Lush Life (remastered)
3. The Worst Day Since Yesterday - Flogging Molly - Swagger
4. Yeah Sapphire - The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
5. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
6. Quarry Anthem - Big Smith - Big Rock
7. Guantanamera - Wyclef Jean - Welcome to the Carnival
8. If You've Been Delivered - Kirk Franklin - The Nu Nation Project
9. Evolution - 116 Clique - 13 Letters
10.Assouf - Tinariwen - Aman Iman: Water is Life
11. Good Enough - Idgy Vaughn - Origin Story
12. Let No Man - 116 Clique - 13 Letters
13. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
14. The Beach - Dr Dog - Fate
15. This Life - Bruce Springsteen - Working on a Dream
16. Time Warp - Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Car Over the Lake (red insert record)
17. Lucky Day - Bruce Springsteen - Working on a Dream
18. Impossible Germany - Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
19. My Friend - Dr Dog - Fate
20. Signs of the Zodiac - Rasputina
21. Story of My Life - Social Distortion - Social Distortion
22. You Are - Kirk Franklin - The Nu Nation Project
23. Burden of Freedom - Kris Kristofferson - This Old Road
24. Selfish Man - Flogging Molly - Swagger
25. Just Say So - Bettye Lavette - I've Got My Own Hell to Raise

Why I Don't Blog More Often.

2009-02-18T22:31:00.005-06:00

I wish I blogged more frequently, I've often got ideas that I'd like to write about but it's getting the ideas from my head to the computer that's the problem. Here's a good example of what typically happens when I sit down to write. The other night Dianna and I were at Kroger and I happened to hear part of Sinead O'Conners version of "Nothing Compares 2 U". I love this song, it's one of the saddest songs ever recorded, the pain in Sinead's voice is enough to make you weep. I was in sort of melancholy mood anyway, so I thought I'd do a blog about some of my favorite sad songs. That should be easy, "The River" by Springsteen, "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles, "Jackie Brown" by John Mellancamp, "God" by John Lennon and "Full of Grace" by Sarah Mclachlan all popped into my head immediately. But here's where the problem started, I thought let's see what other people think are the saddest songs ever, so I googled Sad Songs. After perusing other people's list and listening to parts or all of half a dozen to a dozen songs, I refocused on my list. I then went youtubing to find music for my list of sad songs, there's at least another half hour gone finding and listening to my five songs (some I listened to more than once). But the real problem came when I went looking for "Full of Grace", whenever I hear this song I'm transported to the end of season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as Buffy leaves Sunnydale (heartbreaking). If you know my obsession with the Buffyverse you know this knocked me off track from my list of 5 saddest songs. I decided to look for my favorite songs from Buffy and Angel. So after watching who knows how many tribute videos, listening a couple of times to Kim Richeys' "A Place Called Home" (featured in season 5 of Angel), and fruitlessly searching for Andy Hallett's (Lorne on Angel) version of Tony Bennetts "If I ruled the world" it's now 1 a.m. and what did I end up with. I became a fan of Christian Kane (Lindsey from Angel) on facebook. And that's why I don't blog more often, everything eventually leads back to Buffy.

New Music

2009-02-08T00:20:00.003-06:00

It's been awhile since I wrote anything about music (got sidetracked by politics and religion). I've gotten my 40 new downloads from Emusic.com and I need your help. I need some new music to listen to. Most of my downloads fall in the Americana/alt-country genre so I don't really need any help with that. Other than that I'm open to suggestions.

25 things

2009-02-04T00:06:00.005-06:00

This one of those silly things that get passed around on facebook. I usually don't do many of these but gave in on this one. I haven't posted anything here in a couple of days so I thought I'd post my list of 25 things here also.

You are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. Then pass it on to 25 other people.

1. I've lived my life believing that most rules don't apply to me.

2. I'm a big time procrastinator. This is a character trait that I believe has served me well for the most part. My wife does not agree with this assessment.

3. I suffer from Completion Anxiety Disorder (self diagnosed). I need a team of people to follow me around and complete things that I start. Once I figure out how to do something and believe I could finish it if I wanted to, I get bored, stop and move on to something else.

4. I've spent the night in my car on the side of Route 66 just outside of Tucumcari, NM. This is just the beginning of a great road trip disaster story experienced with Natasha.

5. I was run out of Piggott Arkansas once when I was in High School

6. I love sunsets, not so much sunrises. Dusk is actually my favorite time of the day. Just after the sun has gone down, the black outlines of the trees against the darkening sky is beautiful. There's an eerie melancholy feel to that time of day, making the idea of ghosts, vampires and things that go bump in the night almost seem plausible.

7. I am deeply disappointed that I will never get to go into space. We were supposed to have hotels on the moon by now.

8. Whenever I listen to Jerry Jeff Walker or Robert Earl Keen. I get the urge to move back to Fort Worth.

9. I am a cryer. I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad, I cry when I'm mad. Movies, songs, tv shows, books, commercials all make me cry. Just start the movies Field of Dreams or Saving Private Ryan and I'll start crying and cry from beginning to end.

10. My personal best in the Bench Press is 320 lbs.

11. I believe that Buddy Guy is the greatest guitar player ever.

12. Spent the first 15 minutes of my only Springsteen concert fighting the urge to weep and scream like a teenage girl at a Beatles show. I'm getting a little teary eyed just remembering.

13. I do not plan on ever retiring from Softball

14. I love musicals (except for ones with Streisand in them or The Sound of Music, those I hate). One of the many benefits from having daughters.

15. Met and chatted with Ike Turner after a late night showing of Pulp Fiction in NLR. I believe it was my 6th or 7th time to see it. My one and only time to meet Ike.

16. I am terrified of spiders. Dianna has to kill them.

17. I hate to run unless it involves a ball or bat of somekind. Running for fun is just craziness, but I do plan on completing a marathon. I'm shooting for the 2010 Little Rock Marathon. After that I do not plan on running another step for the rest of my life.

18. Took one of those online quizzes to see where you fit religiously. Apparently I'm a Quaker.

19. Wishes that Jeff and Victoria and Joey and Kasey lived here. I would like to see them more often.

20. I do not like Public Prayer in non-religious settings (ballgames, government meetings, political gatherings, etc). I think it is wrong and offensive to God.

21. I believe my wife is the only person I've known who tries to do what is right in every situation even when she doesn't want to. She doesn't always succeed but she tries. I admire her for that.

22. I'm extremely proud of my daughters Natasha and Latisha and the work that they do. It makes me believe that we did something right.

23. Likes my son-in-law Stephen more than a rock (inside joke). Actually I love him more than he'll ever know and thank God that he's married to Latisha.

24. See #3.

25.

Poverty Tax - Revisited

2009-01-25T22:46:00.009-06:00

Last year about this time I wrote a note on my Facebook page with some thoughts on poverty and my self-righteous hypocritical attitudes. I also laid out some plans to at least start heading my life in a direction to match my actions with my words. After a year the results have been mixed.

1.) Buy a Kroger reusable gift card from River City Ministries .
This one should have been easy to keep, nothing to it, add money to the card, use it to buy stuff at Krogers, River City gets a little money. No sacrifice on my part, have to buy groceries anyway. Failed miserably, I think I used it twice. Will do better this year.

2.) Self imposed poverty tax. I charged myself a 10% tax on money spent on eating out, golf, entertainment, etc and used that money to fight poverty. This one was actually kind of fun, still not much of a sacrifice (usually around $100 a month) . I did fund some loans thru Kiva.Org , gave some money to River City Ministries and a few other charities, but I didn't really change my lifestyle much. I still struggle with the need for and spend too much on the un-essential things in life.
I will increase the tax to 15% this year.

Still baby steps, but hopefully they are in the right direction. My hope is that some of y'all that read this will think "Hey, that's not a bad idea, I think I'll try something like that".

Thoughts on the Inauguration

2009-01-20T16:58:00.011-06:00

I'm not going to write anything about the historical or symbolic significance of today's inauguration. There will be and already have been thousands of words written by people a lot more eloquent and insightful than me. If you'd like to read one of these check out Scott Freeman's letter to his Daughters.

I'm just going to post some random thoughts that I had while watching.

I was suprised at how moved I was by the whole affair (at least the part I saw, I left to go back to work during the poetry, so I didn't see the entire thing), watching the motorcade arriving, seeing all the former presidents, the vastness and excitement of the crowd, the views of Washington DC itself, the simplicity of the the actual swearing in ceremony, and the poise and air of confidence of President Obama.

I did not much care for the inaugural poem or suprisingly Aretha Franklin's singing of My Country Tis of Thee (and I love Aretha). Maybe it was having to be all bundled up and singing in 27 degree weather.

And how did Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Montero, McGill play the violin, cello, piano and clarinet in 27 degree weather (their fingers had to be frozen) ?

One last weather related thought, As neat as it would be to say that I was there in person (unless I was sitting up with the dignitaries and not standing 5 miles away) I am very glad that I was home watching it in HD instead.

I had to wonder what Al Gore and Hillary Clinton were thinking as they walked in. The What If's, the this could've been me thoughts. How hard would that be to know you had come so close. What about George W ? Relief, Regret. Then Obama striding down the hall looking cool, calm and confident. How does that feel knowing you're about to become the most powerful man on earth?

I loved George H Bush's hat.

The inaugural speech, wow! The man can speak. I'm suprised that I've heard the speech referred to as somber. I thought it was honest and frank about the difficulties ahead but the tone was anything but somber. It was a speech of hope and optimistic determination, truly inspiring. Of course the hack's at FOX have already begun attacking it.

Malia and Sasha are going to be media darlings but I can't imagine being raised in the White House. I liked the advice the Bush girls gave them - "Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is."

But amid all the celebration and excitement of today's event and President Obama talking about working together and a new bipartisanship, I thought of how difficult that will be. We have a political system where the success of one party largely depends on the failure of the other. When it comes down to it, how many politicians will choose the good of the country over their own advancement. And as great a step forward electing the first African-American president is, racism did not magically disappear today.

I also thought of all the snide and hateful comments that I will hear from my fellow Christian brothers and sisters over the next 4 or 8 years. That somehow God has given them the ability to see into this Christian man of faiths heart and invalidate his Christianity because he disagrees with us or wrong on certain issues. My hope is that I'm mistaken about this, that we will support and pray for his success.

Even with these doubts, today left me hopeful,excited and optimistic about what lies ahead.

Hail to the Chief

2009-01-20T00:18:00.003-06:00

Can there be a more appropriate song to symbolize the hopes and dreams this new presidency brings? I think not.

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Ideal Vacation

2009-01-14T22:32:00.008-06:00

While watching CSI New York tonight, I came up with an idea for my ideal vacation. Ok, it's my ideal vacation that doesn't involve finally skiing at Wolf Creek, playing golf at St. Andrews, being a roadie for Wilco or spending the summer as part of Cirque de Soleil. Part of the storyline for the CSI episode involved street musicians. I love street musicians. So I thought, I'd love to go to Chicago sometime and spend the entire time riding the subway and walking the streets just listening to street musicians (of course I'd have to stop by Buddy Guy's Legends also). Now that would be a great vacation.

One last Heritical Rant for 2008

2008-12-31T18:36:00.003-06:00

A couple of things I read yesterday got me to thinking and I was planning one last blog post for the year that would have left my more conservative brothers and sisters shaking their heads and Dianna wishing that I'd just keep my mouth shut. But, I just watched Commentary The Musical from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog and now I just want to spend the rest of the night singing. So here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Six-Word Memoirs

2008-12-26T22:53:00.004-06:00

One of books I'd asked for and got for Christmas was Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure . Can you describe your life in six words? While flipping thru the book and reading some of the entries aloud Christmas day, we decided to give it a try and post our own six-word memoirs as our status on our facebook pages. I thought I'd extend the challenge to readers of this blog and friends on facebook. To help you out here are few examples from the book:

Journalist Chuck Klosterman: "Nobody cared, then they did. Why?"
9 year old Hannah Davies: "Cursed with cancer. Blessed by friends"
Chef Mario Batali: "Brought it to a boil, often"
George Saunders: "Started small, grew, peaked, shrunk, vanished"
Amy Sedaris: "Mushrooms. Clowns. Wands. Five. Wig. Thatched"

Questions arise when you start trying to come up with a phrase to describe your whole life and share it with others. How honest do I want to be, do I want to be funny, philosophical, serious? For me, it was actually easier than I thought it would be. I came up with a couple quickly:
"Life ain't fair, so what, enjoy" and a variation of that "Life ain't fair, get over it" but even though these do a pretty good job of describing my general outlook on life they're not quite it, but they did lead to a little introspection that resulted in this one "42 years later, it still hurts". But as true as that one is and how much it has to do with the first two, it doesn't really tell enough of the story. Start over, not really thinking about it, six words pop into my head. So here it is, my life boiled down to six words.

"Faith, Hope, Love, Buffy, Angel, Family"

Give it a try. Hope you'll post what you come up with.

Dr Horribles Sing-Along Blog

2008-12-17T22:08:00.004-06:00

Dr Horribles Sing-Along Blog is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. It becomes available Friday the 19th. Go immediately and order it, (order one for me if you like) and if you're lucky enough to be in New York you should go to the Paley Center for a Dr Horrible sing along. You get the normal extra's (making of, behind the scenes, a commentary, etc) but Joss being Joss you get Commentary the Musical - 42 minutes of original songs. You can hear a clip of the musical commentary here (profanity warning). If I was going to do a top ten list of things I liked from this past year Dr Horrible would rank near the top.

War on Christmas

2008-12-02T22:04:00.004-06:00

Stand up brothers and sisters, strap on the breastplate of righteousness and pick up the sword of truth. The time of the great persecution is upon us again, yes it's the war on Christmas 2008. Arrgggh.... ok forget the brilliant sarcastic rant I was going to write, let's just cut to the chase. Really, this is the way to reach a lost and dying world, by getting offended by Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, by crusading to put "Christ" back in Christmas? It's all just another example of where we've traded in the simple way of life taught by Jesus to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves for a lifestyle of shallow, phony, ritualistic crap! May God have mercy on our souls. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

Happy Holidays.

Dianna, Natasha and Latisha

2008-11-25T23:25:00.004-06:00

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage
is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
I will try again tomorrow.

I saw this quote in someone's email signature the other day and liked it.
It made me think of y'all.

Twilight

2008-11-21T23:28:00.006-06:00

Went to see Twilight with Dianna and Latisha tonight. Thought I'd write a quick little review. If you've read the books (I haven't) and are a Stephanie Meyer fanatic (Being a Joss Whedon fan I understand fanaticism) then you'll probably love the movie even if some things are out of order or missing from the book. Dianna and Latisha loved it and the rest of the audience seemed to also (there was applause at the end). Me, I found it to be a fairly pleasant movie experience, not great, not horrible, a nice way to spend a couple of hours with the family. For a vampire movie not much action, I would've liked to have seen more of the bad vamps (but I'm not really the target audience). Some of it I just found goofy, the baseball game in a thunderstorm (apparently vampires are a cross between The Flash and Superman), and really the reason vampires avoid sunlight is because they sparkle like diamonds?????. I also didn't really buy the love story between Edward and Bella, felt like a poorly done ripoff of Buffy and Angel. But, like I said at the beginning if you've read the books you'll probably love it, so enjoy.

10 Things I Like

2008-11-13T23:06:00.013-06:00

Today's post is in honor of my friend Mark Hodges. Anytime he writes disparagingly about country music in his facebook status (ok, Taylor Swift has about as much to do with real country music as Richard Simmons does to bodybuilding, but I do wonder why he was watching the CMA awards) or I read misguided attempts at humor in his favorite music section at the expense of country, I remember just how much I really love country music and how sad it is that anyone misses out on so much great music. So today instead of my usual 5 Things I Like I'm bumping it up to 10 just for Mark. Enjoy!

10 Country Songs I Love

The Front Porch Song - Robert Earl Keen - This should be the official state song of Texas. Whenever I hear this song it makes me want to move back to Fort Worth. You can listen to it on Keen's website.

Crazy - Pat Green - Just a beautiful beautiful song - You can listen in the playlist to the right.

I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight - Jerry Jeff Walker - I could have made the whole list out of Jerry Jeff songs but this or Jaded Lover is probably my favorite.

Sunday Morning Coming Down - Kris Kristofferson - Hauntingly sad, a hit for Johnny Cash written by Kris. I like Johnny's version but I love Kris's. This is what you get when Rhodes Scholars write songs.

Down the River - Chris Knight - Spare, Dark tale of murder and revenge. First song I ever heard by him, the end still sends chills down my back. Listen on his myspace page.

Stay - Sugarland - I can't separate this song from the video - simple and powerful performance - makes me cry. Go here to see the video.

Easy Silence - Dixie Chicks - I absolutely love the Dixie Chicks, my favorite song from their last album. I find it very spiritual and comforting.

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Good Enough - Idgy Vaughn - I've mentioned Idgy in a previous post and how much I like her cd. Country music is at it's best when it's heartbreaking, and this song is. Listen on her MySpace page.

Trash - Big Smith - Another band and song that I've had on here before. Defiant Hillbilly Anthem - The Ozarks Sweet Home Alabama. "A man that's on wheels ain't my notion of failure".

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams - Simply the greatest country song ever written.

So there you go, just a small sample of great country music and this didn't even include any Merle Haggard, George Jones, or Willie Nelson. You can listen to a few more of my favorites in my playlist.

Election 08 - Final Thoughts Part 2

2008-11-07T19:57:00.003-06:00

I really thought I was done with election post, but I got an email from my sister-in-law Victoria with an article that one of the minister's from the church they attend wrote for their bulletin this sunday. And I also read Shane Claiborne's
"A Prayer for a New President and a New America" that I wanted to share.

Article by Hamilton Archibald:
This has been an eventful week on the national scale. Many people believe that there is no room for politics in the church. I agree that there should not be divisions made due to politics, especially since neither political party completely reflects biblical Christianity. However touchy the subject, we must consider the impact that the government has on the church.

This past week has ignited old fears and sparked new hope. Whether you believe that you witnessed correct political movement or wrong political movement, it is undeniable that we all witnessed a historical movement. It personally left me both excited and scared.

For a long time in the United States the Church has followed government and society. What was permissible by society was allowed by the church. Sunday mornings became the most racially divided time in the nation. Was that ever the will of God? “In Christ there is neither male nor female…” It was not the will of God but we all followed the rules of society rather than the rules of God. It has had negative impact that rippled down through generations.

Instead the Church should have been standing on the cutting edge. The biblical call was for unity and equality in Christ. You should be applauded as a church for currently being on the cutting edge in developing Biblical unity. We all understand that because of our country’s past there is baggage. But we can no longer allow society to dictate to the church its beliefs and actions.

I told you that I was excited and scared. I am excited to go and tell a little black boy to study harder because he might be the President. An African American in the highest office allows the kids I work with daily a new kind of role model. Professional ball players and rappers were the most visible role model for many black youth. Now there is a role model with a greater office, a greater responsibility, and a greater purpose.

I am also excited that society is making movement toward a biblical kind of unity. I look at Wonder City Church of Christ, Uplift, the Clothing giveaway, the Christmas store and I see glimpses of what heaven will look like. This excites me. I watched a speckled crowd cry and cheer as they listened to the president-elect. I saw racial healing. I saw the right kind of unity.

However, I am still scared because culture is still dictating to the church. That should not be. The Church must dictate to culture. I fear we have put too much emphasis on the government making moral decisions for the people. We cannot allow the government to do our responsibility. It is our duty to help each individual develop correct moral views that are based on the God of eternity. If we wait for the society to train the people and trickle into the church then you will see God’s wrath before a moral reform. That scares me.

Amos was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel . He went to tell the people that there was wrath coming on the people because of their sins. The people were sinning by abusing the poor and the disabled. They hated justice. They took bribes, so money drove and controlled the people instead of morals and righteousness. Amos’ message was simple. “Hate evil and seek good so that you may live.” You see economic stimulus, political control, or race didn’t matter. Moral decisions the individual made mattered. God didn’t send a politician to help them see that. He sent a preacher.

Church has to step up to the plate. We know the results of ignoring God. We know the benefits of doing things his way. We know the stories that politicians don’t, so we must lead our society. So please join me in both praying for our nation, and leading our nation’s minds. Hamilton Archibald

Election 08 - Final Thoughts

2008-11-06T21:56:00.007-06:00

If you didn't watch McCain's concession speech or Obama's victory speech, You need to.
Take a few minutes to view McCain's gracious and heartfelt speech and Obama's inspiring and historic speech. Also here are links to a couple of friends blog posts, one that voted for Obama and one who voted for McCain, you should take the time to read these also.

Voting Your Values

2008-11-02T22:35:00.003-06:00

I was going to write a post today, using the sermon from today at church as a kind of jumping off point. Thought I'd discuss what I agreed with and what I didn't and how based on my beliefs from the teachings of Christ and the New Testament that I don't feel like I have any choice but to vote for Obama. Or maybe talk about how voting morality over all other concerns entails more than just the Christian litmus test of homosexuality and abortion, and how the Republican Party has callously used these two faith issues to divide and manipulate Christians. But I'm not, I'm tired and weary of politics. Would it change anyone's mind, will anyone even read this? We've all chosen which parties propaganda we believe and can probably spit scriptures back and forth justifying our positions, so let's not. Vote however you want, let's just get this over with.

Ain't nothing Scarier than a Clown

2008-10-30T23:55:00.002-05:00

A little video of the scariest clown ever. Happy Halloween.

Thoughts from a funeral road trip

2008-10-28T23:24:00.005-05:00

My Grandma Deal died late last week. She was a good grandma and I will miss her. The funeral was Monday in Cahokia, Il just outside of St. Louis. Here are some random thoughts and observations from the trip.

I miss seeing my aunts, uncles and cousins from that side of the family. They are smart, funny, interesting and comfortable to be around. Wish I got to see them more often.

I liked the memories the preacher shared from my Aunts Dorothy, Dena and Linda they were sweet and touching. But my Uncle David's was devastatingly beautiful. Being an easy cryer anyway, I struggled to maintain control but the preacher then read a poem and I was able to regroup. I told my family already but I'm putting it in writing - no cheesy poems at my funeral.

It probably wasn't a surprise to anyone that when the funeral director told the pallbearers to remain standing until he motioned for us to sit down after walking in, that my brother Jeff and cousin Keith immediately forgot and sat down as soon as we got in.

I'm hoping Natasha will post the rest of this on her blog, but I'm going to give you the first line of a conversation overheard at the funeral: "Remember that skunk we used to have".

We were going to eat at Lambert's in Sikeston on the way up, but the idea of someone throwing rolls at them made Natasha and Latisha uneasy.

Apparently Captain D's makes the best cheesecake in the world according to Latisha and Dianna likes buying clothing from Crackle Barrel.

As sad as it was to say bye to my grandma for now, I like the idea that grandpa and my dad were waiting for her. Hope she gave them a hug for me.

Epiphany

2008-10-22T15:41:00.008-05:00

I wasn't going to do anymore non-halloween post this month but I had an epiphany and wanted to get this out. In an earlier post I talked about separation of church and state and the myth of a Christian nation. I realize I was wrong, the founding fathers did intend for this to be a Christian nation. The problem I see now is that they weren't explicit enough; they were too broad in their use of religion. I've also become inspired by current President Bush and Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. This truly is a country where anyone can become President. With all that in mind I've decided to throw my hat in the ring and run for President. I know it's too late to run for this election but if you'd like to write my name in feel free to, and I think you'll want to after reading my platform.
Officially this is my kickoff for the 2012 Presidential Race. Since making this decision, my mind has been racing with new laws to enact based on biblical principles, but while trying to create a draft of my foreign policy position based on the book of Revelation, I realized I needed to slow down, simplify, concentrate on a few major policies. So for this, my first position paper of my 2012 election bid, I will focus on 3 major areas (Economics, Health Care, and Education) plus a constitutional amendment that needs to be passed.

ECONOMIC POLICY - Money, as Americans we love money, we love making it, love spending it, some even love saving it. But money can be a problem - 1 Timothy 6:6-10
"6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief's." Next to love, money and possessions is probably the most covered subject in the Bible. I've always found it strange and hypocritical that we want the government to enact and pass laws enforcing biblical morality on individuals except for greed. When it comes to the government using our money to help the poor then it's all of sudden a personal decision not the governments. Sorry, but if it's alright to impose morality based on the Bible for the good of society and to more align our nation with God's teachings then it has to be alright to pass laws to help us use our money in a more Godly way. Under my new improved Christian Nation we will do just that, (Help people avoid the dangers of having too much money and follow God's commands to provide for the poor). How can any true Christian be against that? The cornerstone of my new economic policy will be:
The National Salary Cap - It's not really a salary cap but I liked the way it sounded.
90% of anything earned over $125,000 would have to be donated to charity, your choice no government interference as long as it's a legal charity. The other 10% is yours free and clear, no taxes.

Really is there any reason that anyone needs more than that to adequately take care of themselves or their family? I actually think the earning limits are too high but in a concession to our years of greed I'm willing to start slowly. This would be trickle down economics that really worked.

Jubilee Year - I thought I'd like to incorporate something from the only earthly government that God actually wrote the rules for. Will have to study Leviticus a little more to figure out the details. It's basically a reset button, Land goes back to original owners, and debts are forgiven. Sounds like redistribution of wealth but if it was God's idea it must me alright.

HEALTH CARE - We are an overweight and out of shape nation. 63% of Americans are overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in excess of 25.0. 31% are obese with a BMI in excess of 30. There are over 400,000 people who weigh over 400 pounds. Why are we like this? Gluttony and Sloth, two of the so- called 7 deadly sins. Once again, if we are truly going to be a Christian Nation, isn't it our moral duty to protect people from
these sins. Every American will be given an individualized exercise and nutrition plan. There would be twice yearly mandatory weigh-ins and physical fitness test. Failure to maintain an adequate level of fitness would be met with increasing amounts of punishment ultimately leading to imprisonment in a fitness prison until appropriate goals were reached.

EDUCATION - It is time to put God back in the schools, not in some namby-pamby way, like people living their lives in such a way that God is seen in their actions wherever they are, but in a legal and government endorsed way.

Prayer - No longer will you be forced to pray silently or go into your closet to talk to God. Prayers before sporting events will be legally protected. In addition to the Pledge of Allegiance the Lord's Prayer will be recited each morning in all public schools. There's nothing quite like compelled ritualistic prayer to increase spirituality.

Bible Classes - Religious teaching will be brought back to school, mandatory bible classes will be taught from kindergarten thru 12th grade. There is a problem with finding qualified teachers and setting up the curriculum. With so many different churches and beliefs how do we guarantee a consistent learning experience? I thought about having teachers from different religious groups rotate teaching duties. As a member of the church of Christ would I want my kid being taught to speak in tongues or what if the teacher believed in snake handling? I even thought of just having agnostics or atheist as the Bible teachers. Finally, I think I came up with the solution. We need a unified interpretation of the Bible so it can be taught in the public schools. If elected I will add a new cabinet post (Department of Christianity) and convene a special panel to draft the Official United States of America Bible Interpretation. This document will be used to create all bible class curriculums. And hopefully at some point all churches will adopt this as well.

28TH AMENDMENT
That brings us to the last item. We will need to add a new amendment to the Constitution making Christianity the Official Religion of the United State.
Because of the lack of foresight by the founding fathers liberal judges have been able to chip away at many of our fundamental Christian rights. Without this amendment they will continue to do so and most of the new laws that I propose (especially my education platform) will not be able to be enacted. It is imperative that we start working on getting this passed as soon as possible. To get the ball rolling I will be sending a petition to all churches asking them to sign in support of this amendment.

So there you have it, a small portion of my platform for a new Christian Nation. I didn't have time to discuss some of my other ideas (national cuss jars, gossip police, etc). But I believe you can now see the endless possibilities if I'm elected.

5 Things

2008-10-16T21:42:00.003-05:00

It's time for another of addition of Halloween 5 Things. There's nothing like curling up late at night with your back against a wall and cross close at hand and reading a good scary book. Here are 5 of my favorite scary or Halloween themed books.

Song of Kali - Dan Simmons - Simmons first published novel (1985) An American writer's journey into the dark underworld of the cult of Kali. What begins as an exploration of an exotic and forbidding world turns into a harrowing descent of steadily mounting terror, trapping him and his family in a web of unspeakable evil. Not as well written as some of his later books, but I thought it was very creepy and the ending was like a kick in the stomach.

Pet Sematary - Stephen King - I could've picked a number of books by King to include in this list, IT (freakin scary clown), The Shining, or my actual favorite King book The Stand but I chose this one because it was the first one I read and made me a real fan of horror. The road in front of Dr. Louis Creed's rural Maine home frequently claims the lives of neighborhood pets. Louis has recently moved from Chicago to Ludlow with his wife Rachel, their children and pet cat. Near their house, local children have created a cemetery for the dogs and cats killed by the steady stream of transports on the busy highway. Deeper in the woods lies another graveyard, an ancient Indian burial ground whose sinister properties Louis discovers when the family cat is killed. Stephen King is also the reason I will never go to Maine, apparrently alot of evil things happen in Maine.

Ghost Story - Peter Straub - For four aging men in the terror-stricken town of Milburn, New York, an act inadvertently carried out in their youth has come back to haunt them. Now they are about to learn what happens to those who believe they can bury the past -- and get away with murder. Scary, scary book, maybe the scariest book ever. I was a little disappointed in the ending but getting there was worth the ride.

Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury - What if someone discovers your secret dream, that one great wish you would do anything for? And what if that someone suddenly makes your dream come true--before you learn the price you have to pay? Something Wicked This Way Comes is the story of two boys who encounter the sinister wonders of Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show. They will soon discover the show's awful mystery--a mystery that will change the life of every person it touches. Not as downright scary as the other books on this list but it truly evokes the spirit of Halloween.

October Dreams - A Celebration of Halloween - Edited by Richard Chizmar and Robert Morrish. Classic novellas, never before published stories, essays on the history, literature, and films of Halloween - and favorite real-life memories of October 31st from a large list of horror writers. A favorite of mine.

Short Political Rant

2008-10-12T22:19:00.004-05:00

October is my month to just blog about Halloweeny stuff but I saw this news item yesterday and just had to comment.

My response was "What did you expect?".
What did you expect from a party that has been pushing an agenda of fear, bigotry, greed & selfishness wrapped up in the sheep's clothing of Patriotism and Family Values and whose primary campaign tactics are character assassination and misinformation. Is it really a surprise when the hatred bubbles to the surface?

Ok, back to Halloween.

Buffy

2008-10-11T00:04:00.024-05:00

I don't think I can adequately write how much I loved and still love Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was going to just do another 5 things post about my favorite Buffy moments but decided I wanted to write more about what is my favorite tv show ever. On the surface it was a teen fantasy/horror soap opera about a teenage girl fighting vampires and other monsters while spouting funny pop-culture one liners, but it was so much more. At it's best Buffy episodes were post-modern morality plays, parables, fairy tales using the vampires and demons as metaphors to deal with topics such as the nature of evil, redemption, sex, guilt, existential angst, selflessness and sacrifice, faith, hope, love, free will, friendship, betrayal and other realities of growing up all done with cool fights, cool music and witty well written dialogue.

In addition to watching the show when it first aired I've watched the seven seasons on dvd and it's darker more existential spinoff Angel's five seasons numerous times and it probably won't be very long before we start the cycle again. I would love to see a boxed set of both shows combined so we could watch it as one big story. I originally started watching the show with my youngest daughter Latisha, but over the years we gradually pulled the rest of the family into the cult of Buffy. It was/is not a show to be watched passively, it will engage you emotionally and intellectually. It has sparked hours of conversation and discussion within my family. Have I told you I love this show, I really do. Joss Whedon who created the show is very good at creating shows and characters that feel real and true even if the setting isn't. The characters in Buffy struggle, they fail, they fall down and don't always get back up, they can be petty, selfish, irresponsible, stubborn, self righteous and pretty unlikable but they are also capable of great acts of kindness, loyalty, self sacrifice, love and heroic bravery in the face of danger. The world of Buffy feels real also, actions have consequences, it's a world where evil exists and must be fought and even when defeated you always know there is more, life isn't fair but we can choose how we deal with it, redemption is possible but not without a price, it's also a world of friends, family, love, hope and humor. What more could you ask for in a tv show? Ah, but there is more.
It is in my opinion one of the most spiritual shows ever broadcast. Maybe not in a literal, fundamentalist evangelical way or in the sugary sappy simplistic way that shows like Touched by an Angel or Highway to Heaven were or overly earnest like 7th Heaven ( a show I liked alot for the first few seasons) but in the honest way Whedon (an agnostic/atheist not really sure which) deals with core issues of faith, hope and love. There's also the unintentional/intentional overriding theme of Buffy as a Christ figure and the countless uses of religious symbolism and imagery in the series. I've thought about writing a book or series of lessons based on Buffy and Angel, thought I'd call it The Buffyverse: Parables of Faith, Hope, Love and Redemption.

As I've stated a couple of times so far, I Love this show and I've tried to explain why and i think they're pretty good reasons for loving the show but when I really get down to the main reason I Love it so much is because of my daughter Latisha. I said earlier that originally it was just Latisha and I watching the show, Natasha my other daughter came next (kinda funny story), then Latisha's husband Stephen, then finally my wife Dianna. We started watching Buffy together when she was in the 8th grade. We weren't casual watchers, no this was mutual obsession watching, locked doors, refusing to answer or talk to anyone on the phone, leave us alone we're watching Buffy watching. Even when she went to college we still basically watched it together, sometimes watching while on the phone to her, sometimes just knowing she was in her dorm room watching then talking on the phone immediately after. As much as I loved making vhs copies for Natasha to watch when she was in Baton Rouge and the discussions we've had about it, or downloading episodes so we could huddle around the computer screen to catch Stephen up when he got back from Iraq, or enjoying them again as Dianna really watched them for the first time, it all comes back to Latisha. It was our's first, just us together, even now when I watch part of me still thinks of 8th grade Latisha, and 9th grade Latisha and ..... watching together. I love this show.

5 Things I like.

2008-10-07T21:56:00.016-05:00

I like horror movies, from the classic monster movies from Universal to some of today's so called torture porn. October is going to be the month for me to list numerous horror movies that I like. So here is first 5 horror movies that I like.

Night of the Living Dead - George Romero's classic 1968 zombie movie. The scene in the cemetary at the beginning of the movie with the lone zombie shuffling toward Barbara still gives me goosebumps. It is the perfect horror scene.

The Exorcist - 1973 movie about a little girl possessed by demons. With the advancements in special effects and the goryness of today's horror, it's hard to explain just how disturbingly shocking and scary this movie was back in 73. I still wouldn't watch alone at home today.

The Blair Witch Project - 1999 low budget horror movie presented as a documentary pieced together from amateur footage shot by 3 students filmakers who go into the Black Hills of Burkittsville, Maryland to film a documentary about the eponymous local legend known as the Blair Witch. The three students never come back. Neither the students nor their bodies are ever found, although their video and sound equipment is discovered a year later. This was one of those movies you either loved or hated. I loved it, found it very creepy and the final scene was great.

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things - (1972) Actors led by Alan Ormsby go to graveyard on remote island to act out necromantic ritual. The ritual works, and soon the dead are walking about and chowing down on human flesh. First flesh-eating zombie movie I ever watched. I saw it at the old Liberty Theater in Malden.

C.H.U.D - (1984) - Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers - I don't really remember much about this movie except that I let my then 3 or 4 year old daughter Latisha watch it with me. I don't think I let her watch it with me, I think it was more like I was watching it and she was in the same room. I've never heard the end of it. It was years before she would take a shower with the door closed (this is actually her sisters fault for telling her that chud was going to come up out of the shower drain and get her) but I'm the one who gets blamed.

Bumper Sticker for My Truck

2008-09-22T23:50:00.011-05:00

I'm thinking about getting a bumper sticker for my truck. What better way is there to express your most deeply held opinions and well thought out views than in a few witty lines plastered to the back of your vehicle? Of course it's to important of a decision to make on my own so I need your help in picking one out. Here's what I've got it narrowed down to:

Or maybe simply:

I really like this one with a quote by Gandhi but it hits a little to close to home.

All of these can be found and purchased here.

Big Smith

2008-09-11T23:27:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I last posted so I thought I'd post a couple of videos of one of my favorite bands. Big Smith from Springfield MO. Love these guys and Miss Molly. The first video has a couple of songs ( 3 speed 12 inch Oscillating Fan & Go Away Maggie).

This second video isn't a live video of the band but it's one of my favorite songs (Trash).

If you ever get a chance to see them live, don't pass it up.

I've got a more serious post coming soon (hopefully) but till then enjoy some Hillbilly music.