The Cost of Innocence

Take a look at this sweet girl.



A picture of innocence that could do no wrong, right? Sort of. She can do wrong, but she is still innocent.

A couple of weeks ago Lydia was in my room hanging out when she decided to pull over the cup of water I had on my bed stand. The cup was half full and poured all over her and all over a stack of papers I had in the shelf compartment. I thought what was all the water had hit until I realized that I had my MacBook under my bed. Wouldn't you know, water went all over it. I freaked out, grabbed Lydia and put her on the bed, then grabbed my MacBook and immediately got the water off of it and then mopped the water off the floor.

Meanwhile Lydia was crying because of my quick reactions. I told her that she should not pull cups down from places higher than her head. I did a quick check on the Mac, opened it up and it came up with no problems, so I a standard shut down just to be safe.

Later, I opened up my computer and hit the button to fire it up and nothing happened. I plugged it in and tried it again and nothing happened. The battery was showing fully charged but nothing was happening. My stomach turned as I recalled the cup incident. I could never be mad at this girl, even if she fried my computer, but the cost of her innocence was all I could think of all night.



Forward a couple days. Took it to Mac store, they sent it away to be looked at, and about three days later they called me. I was expecting this phone call, "Hey we found water in your computer, it will be about $800 to fix and you lost all of your files". Instead they said this, "Hey, come pick your computer up it has been fixed". I was shocked. I got there to pick it up and I signed off on the return with zero charge. I took it outside and opened it up to see what would happened, and all my files were there and everything looked great. Then I realized that I was right next to the mall fountain. So I had a PFO (personal freak out) and closed my computer and held it like a baby all the way to my truck. I got lucky.

Bottom Line - Never keep your laptop on the ground, and never keep your cups in reach of beautiful innocent toddlers.

Top 3 - NFL Individuals

Since tonight is the start of the NFL season, I would like to share the Top 3 NFL individuals that I look forward to watching this year. Some would think that they are unpopular choices and would not agree. If you don't agree, tell me why.

3. The Hoodie



No matter what you think of his antics or his methods, the guy gets results. I like it when his team is on television, because I am guaranteed to get camera shots of him pacing in his hoodie screaming into the headset. He is a great coach and his team is also fun to watch because of their high octane offense that takes chances down field and is always aggressive, and also their defense is solid with guys who know the game and keep up the hoodie's aggressiveness while defending.

2. Ray Lewis



Another easy guy to hate, but you can't deny his heart and leadership. Those two things are something that lacks in about 75% of the current NFL players. I don't need to explain his influence on the defensive side of the ball. I like him because when his team is on offense, he is not sitting on the bench texting or doing twitter updates, he is up on the sideline cheering, giving assistance to the offense, and encouraging the players. This guy's worth to a team is indescribable in the current state of the common NFL player. He would be my first pick if I were running a team.

1. Brett Favre



I have always been a Brett Favre fan, and I will always be a Brett Favre fan. The guy gets beat up by the media and fans for is swaying back and forth on retirement. That does not bother me, because I know that his heart and his life is football. If I was into something that I loved, it would be hard for me to stop. He does throw a lot of interceptions, but that does not stop him from taking down field chances. I prefer the aggressive offense rather than boring safe short passes in which most quarterbacks prefer. The guy is a great example of fun.


Bottom Line - Don't be a hater of my top 3 NFLers. They really are good for the game and you know it.

Top 3 - Beverages

It is Thursday, which means that it is time for this week's Top 3. This week we are taking a break from Music and putting the focus on beverages. Note: Number 1 is meant to be the best. Someone thought that Christina was my number 1 female vocalist. No way. It is Aretha all the way. If I am confusing people by counting down to one, then I'll consider changing it I guess. But for now it is 3 (third favorite), 2 (second favorite), 1 (most favorite).

Top 3 - Beverages

3. Water with Lemon



I start by putting a couple ice cubes in the cup or glass, then I get the lemon wedge and squeeze the juice on the cubes and drop it in the glass, then I put more ice cubes on top of the lemon wedge and bring the cubes all the way to the brim of the cup or glass, then I fill it with water.

This beverage has only been in my life for the past couple years. I never used to drink a lot of water until I got a fridge that had a water / ice dispenser. Water alone is not that great, but when you add the lemon, it becomes very refreshing.

2. Pibb Xtra



Pibb Xtra and Dr. Pepper are not the same thing. Both have 23 flavors, but Pibb has something Xtra that Dr. Pepper does not have. Cinnamon. I am one that believes that Cinnamon to men is what chocolate is to women. I drink Pibb Xtra not only for the taste, but it is loaded with sugar and caffeine. For a non coffee drinker like myself, that is a plus to my workdays. If you are currently drinking Dr. Pepper, make the switch and let me know what you think.

1. 2% Milk



It must be 2%, not 1%, not skim, 2%. This is and will always be my top beverage. I drink milk every night with dinner. To me it goes with any meal, and is even great all by itself when you are thirsty. I grew up in a milk family. We always had all three kinds 1, 2, & skim. My dad and sister drank skim. My brother and mom drank 1%, and my mom and I drank 2%. My mom floated from 1 to 2 as needed.


Bottom Line - If you are thirsty, don't offend your taste buds. Get something good to drink.

Top 3 - Female Vocalists

Most of my Top 3 entries will most likely be about music. This week it is the female voice in music.

3. Christina Aguilera



I hardly listen to her music at all, but I can't deny her vocal talent. She has the chops that can give me chills on occasion. If I had to provide a song reference, I would go with her version of "Have yourself A merry little Christmas".

2. Lauryn Hill



I have always enjoyed Lauryn Hill's voice. It is unique with a low register and her pronunciation make it even better. When singing she has an undeniable range which gives her access to many different styles of music. I like to hear her talk also.

1. Aretha Franklin



Do I even need to explain? Enough said.


Bottom Line - "If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about." - Aretha Franklin

Top 3 - Awkward Concerts

I have decided to take the infamous "Top 5 things" from facebook and adapt it down to 3 things and make the lists to the subjects I like where each thing has an explanation or personal reflection.

Top 3 - Awkward Concerts

3. Travis Meeks - The Mad Frog



Travis Meeks is a highly talented jerk. He fronted the band "Days of the New" then once they made it big, he fired his band saying they were not worthy to play with him. He continued to make 2 more albums and his former band started "Tantric" in which competed with him and became more popular.

He was playing a solo acoustic gig at the Mad Frog. I had seen him at Bogarts with a band a year before and he was stellar. When he came out to play at Mad Frog he sat in a chair with his acoustic guitar and a mic. He was a mess. At one point someone yelled "Play some Tantric" in which Meeks replied "Is that a threat, or a challenge" then he changed the subject and moved on. Between every song he took 5 minutes to re-tune his guitar while people badgered him. It was a disaster show in which obviously he needed to play to get some money for his meth addiction.

2. James Brown - The Taste of Cincinnati



JB was listed and advertised to perform at the "Taste of Cincinnati" so I went down to check it out. There were tons of people crowded around the stage in anticipation. The time in which he was supposed to start came and went. About an hour after his start time, 3 long limos pulled up and several guys in suits got out and stood around for like 45 minutes. Finally one of the suit guys came to the stage to do a mic check. Another 15 minutes later here comes JB to the stage. A loop beat started playing and JB started repeating "Killin is out, School is in" while a hype man would throw in yeahs and uh huhs. It lasted about 2 minutes and then it was over and JB walked off stage got back in the limo and I never saw him again.


1. Wesley Willis - The Southgate House



I went to see this guy in concert after hearing about him from many of the bands that I was currently listening to. The bands listed him as an influence, and I happened to catch a small sample of him in a video that was intriguing enough to make me curious. I went to the show not knowing what to expect. The Southgate House was packed to the max. When the opening bands were playing, there was a long line of people waiting to visit his merch booth to buy his cds and his artwork. Wesley was also hanging out giving people headbutts. I found out that he was paranoid schizophrenic. He had to be walked to the stage which had a keyboard and a mic setup. He then promptly hit buttons in which cheap keyboard loops would play and he would ramble about Batman, or Osama Bin Laden, and many other people using the same keyboard loop over and over. It was utterly horrible, but the crowd went crazy after every song. I didn't get it at all. It seemed to be a huge money scam in which I contributed to by paying to see this guy. I left after the third song.

Bottom Line - Taking risks on thing you don't know much about could turn out to be very benefitial. Then again they could also be a waste of time and money.

Camping

Something about camping puts me in a deep state of relaxation. Just being at a campsite puts me in a trance. Throw in a campfire, some food, and spontaneous naps and I'm in heaven. Last weekend my parents (Mark and Lor) went camping at Winton Woods which is less than 10 minutes away from my house. Although we didn't stay the night, we went Friday night to hang out and then most of the day on Saturday. It was relaxing. It was Lydia's first ever camping experience and surprisingly she didn't try to run into the fire the whole time like I thought she might.

Friday night we had ribeye steaks, with grilled corn and the camping custom potato/carrot/onion/cheese all in one mix.



After dinner Friday night we went for a walk and Lydia got to walk Zoey.



Saturday during the day I tried to sneak in a nap in the pop up trailer. Then the fam joined me.



The dessert after Saturday's dinner was fantastic. Strawberries and blueberries cooked with croissants over the campfire. Wow, this stuff was amazing.



Bottom Line - Family + Outdoors - Stress = Camping. Camping = Relaxation

Chief Josh

When I was little I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. I've always wanted to be an Indian. If playing Cowboys and Indians, I always wanted to be the Indians. As a child, I always replicated their awesomness while playing in the woods, I had a couple of books about them in which I was always looking at pictures in, and I even developed a re-occuring fever dream involving them.

In my junior year in high school when we were forced to look at all of the college program choices, there were no choices to sign up to be an Indian. The closest I could have been to becoming an Indian was to become an actor for the outdoor drama "Blue Jacket" or "Tecumseh", but even then I don't get in because I have blonde hair.



Maybe my dreams were unrealisic, or maybe I should have gone for it. I just know that to this day I am still facinated with Indians even if they never smile, and I will strive to learn more about them and maybe find a way to be a chief one day. I am still working on my indian name.


Bottom Line - When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? How did it work out for you?

O.I.B.

The day after Zak and CC's wedding, the j-stegs along with l-steg took off on a 12 hour drive to Ocean Isle Beach for a 1 week tenure. This is the second year of participation for Lydia and I in this annual weekly event. This year there were 20 people all in one beach house.



Now that Lydia is mobile, she had a great time running in and around the water. She also got to run around with her second cousin Harper.







It was a nice relaxing trip and time with family. I'm looking forward to next year.

Bottom Line - Vacations always seem too short. It also seems that you need another week of vacation to recover from vacation.

Zak & CC's Wedding

My little bro Zak got married to the wonderful CC on July 3rd. They are such a fun couple.



Jess and I were in the wedding party and little Lydia attempeted to walk down the isle all by herself. She ended up needing help from Zak.



Of course at the reception, Zak, Kris, and I had to show everyone what was up on the dance floor with our dance called "The Crouton".




Bottom Line - Zak and CC are cool.

A Gift For Lydia (Video)

When Lydia turned one my sister Kris and brother Zak said they had a special gift for Lydia. It was a song they had written together for Lydia's first birthday. Zak recorded the song, and put it to a video.





Bottom Line - Lydia's first word other than Dada or Momma was "dog" as the evidence shows in the video. The Real Bottom Line - We will never get a dog.

Walkin' with Lydia (Video)

I made this video for Lydia for her 1st birthday with a little editing guidance from Zak. The soundtrack is fitting, and it is fun to see the progress.



Bottom Line - Technology captures memories, you might as well utilize it.

Happy 1st Birthday Lydia!

It is hard to believe that one year ago today Lydia was born.




Bottom Line - Happy Birthday Lyd! I'm looking forward to many more.

Christ is Risen

He is risen





Bottom Line - He is risen indeed.

Hit the Dekk

I am a huge fan of the author Ted Dekker. I have read a lot of his books such as:

Thr3e
Black
Red
White
Blink
Skin
House
Obsessed
Adam

I recently finished Adam last week and I am planning on moving to the Paradise series which consists of:

Showdown
Saint
Sinner



If you haven't read any Ted Dekker books, they are like the suspense and action of the TV show 24 only in the format of a book and over various topics and subjects often spiritual themes of struggle.

Bottom Line - Who's on Dekk?

Easter Cantata

Saturday night I continued a tradition that has been running four years. My friend Jim, with whom I grew up next door to acting out scenes from Star Wars daily, goes to Friendship Baptist Church in Colerain. My other friend Joe, of which I went to high school with also goes to FBC. They both are involved in the church's annual Easter Cantata. They have co-written the scripts in the past, but I think this year Joe wrote it. I have gone to see it four years in a row now. This particular blog is about this year's Cantata. I wrote about last year's here.

My wife and I went on Saturday night. We were actually a little late, but luckily found a seat right before it started. It was jam packed as always. The Cantata started with a video of a man having a heart attack and going to the hospital and nearly losing his life. The video scene was to the piano slow mo dramatic music from the TV show LOST. Bonus points. The live action then started with the dying man praying for "One More Day" to have one last opportunity to talk to his son about Jesus. The dialogue was great between the father and the son going back and forth questioning religion, love, miracles, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The basis of the story is always about the suffering and death by crucifixion, then rising of Jesus the Christ. Joe masterfully wrote the modern day story which proceeded to tell the story of Jesus through flashbacks similar to LOST. More bonus points.

This year was highly emotional The whole show was about 2 hours long, but felt like 5 minutes. It was never dull, boring, or cheesy as some church productions tend to be, and the cross scene was intense as always. Joe who plays Jesus every year insists that the actors whip and hit him hard so the audience gets just a tiny glimpse of the reality of the events of that day done for us. As always it was a great show full of depth, emotion, and love, and most of all displaying Jesus the Christ arising from the dead at the end with a highly inspiring dramatic musical climax finish.

Bottom Line - Jesus didn't just die on the cross. He rose from the dead.

11 months

Look who is 11 months old today. Last night she was running around the house looking for Easter eggs.






Bottom Line - Time flies when you are having fun.

Twitter the Diesel

I recently joined twitter. The main reason I joined was because I heard that Shaq was very active posting crazy comments and pictures. Where else could you get pictures of Shaq eating Dairy Queen?



Bottom Line - All access to Shaq via twitter brings happiness to the world.

Squirrel Sense

Lately on numerous occasions I catch myself staring out into my back yard watching squirrels. They move quickly knowing exactly where they are heading. They do not always know how they will end up getting there, but that does not slow them down because they know they will get there one way or another. I love watching them scatter across tree branches and jumping from trees. They always take risks to get where they need to go. They might slip and fall, but there is always a branch or two below for backup in case their original choice of branch does not work.



I admire the squirrel sense and have been thinking of how to apply their ways to my own life. If I know where I'm going or what I want, I should run towards it and take the risk of jumping over obstacles towards it. It can be scary sometimes at such heights, but I have surrounded myself with numerous branches of life to lean on, grab onto, or stabilize and balance myself onto along the way if I slip or get knocked down. I have the branches of life as resources, maybe I should rely on them more often.

Bottom Line - Be the Squirrel. Jump to action.

Two Years

Two years ago today on St. Patrick's day I married my soul mate.



Two years ago today on St. Patrick's day we broke it down on the dance floor.



Two years later, we have been to Hawaii, we have totally remodeled a house, and we have the most beautiful baby daughter Lydia. The past two years have felt like ten years. Ten years in a good way that so many great things have happened that I have shared with my wife, and it has only been two years.

Bottom Line - Time is on my side

Star Wars T-Shirt

I have a couple Star Wars T-Shirts in my wardrobe. This entry is based on the shirt shown in the picture below. Background on the picture is that it was taken at GameWorks in Newport at my good friend Jim's bachelor party. Jim and I grew up watching Star Wars together daily. Another side note is that I got both Superman's in one turn from one of those claw machines. i was stoked.



Today I decided to wear this shirt to church. I have always received compliments every time I have worn this shirt, but today, I got way more than usual. So I walked into church and received 2 compliments on my shirt on the way to my seat. I thought it was normal, then Joe Boyd, who probably does not read this blog, started the message and made several references to Star Wars and the rebellion showing a metaphor of good from an unlikely source rising to fight evil.

After the message was over and everyone released, everyone of course saw my shirt and told me they loved it and how I was appropriately dressed for the message. I thought the compliment party was done there, but later that night I got 2 more while at Kroger. It was definitely an eventful day. I wonder if it would have been the same if I had worn my other Star Wars shirt which has a picture of Darth Vader and reads "Vader was framed"?

Bottom Line - May the Force be with you, always.

Tuesday Night Jazz

It is no secret that I love Jazz music.
It is no secret that I love vinyl records.
It is no secret that I love my daughter Lydia.
It is no secret that I love spending Tuesday nights alone with Lydia.

Put them all together and it is what I call "Tuesday Night Jazz"

Jess has the Beth Moore class on Tuesday nights, therefore I get to stay home with Lydia all by myself. Every Tuesday we usually put on a jazz record and hang out. I am educating her in the ways of the jazz standards. Miles Davis, Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Eric Dolphy, Duke Ellington, and many more jazz records that I own on vinyl. It is perfect hang out music.

When Lydia is ready for bed I put her to sleep to the greatest jazz recording of all time: Miles Davis' Kind of Blue on cd in her little boombox. I've decided that she is going to be a great jazz pianist when she grows up.



Bottom Line - Gotta start them early and often on jazz music.

Built Ford Tough

Built Ford Tough is such a true statement. I have always driven Ford vehicles and I will continue to drive Ford vehicles for my entire time spent on Earth. Yesterday I was given the unfortunate opportunity to experience "Built Ford Tough". On Tuesday we had another blizzard dropping 6-8" of snow depending on where you are in Cincinnati. Wednesday morning the roads were still in bad conditions.

I happened to be driving on 275 east at around 10AM and noticed that there was not much snow on this highway compared to others, but the road was still wet. Ahead of me just past the Reed Hartman Road exit was a car in the slow lane that appeared to be almost stopped or going unusually slow (maybe 30MPH) so I decided to casually change lanes.

The next thing I know I fishtailed and am heading straight on towards the highway divider wall for a head on collision. I immediately braked and turned the wheel to correct. I ended up over correcting sending the back part of my truck slamming into the wall. Luckily there was no other vehicles close to me at all front back or side to side. It was a hard hit against the wall. Everything went flying inside my cab and my insides were shaking from the impact. It had appeared that black ice had made me lose control. No vehicle can fight the black ice. When I finally gained composure, I jumped out to survey the damage.



Believe it or not the only thing that I could find wrong with my truck was a small dent on the driver side of the rear bumper. The bumper is also slightly bent and dislodged. Am I lucky or what. There was definitely someone watching out for me and my truck. It was a humbling experience.

Bottom Line - Bring on the Spring.

Alivexchange

I recently had a discussion with my wife about live entertainment. I used to go to see a lot bands at various venues. I was never really into going to see movies in a theater, unless it was LOTR or Star Wars or the latest movie containing comic book heroes. I prefer live entertainment. The problem with live entertainment for me is that it starts so late in the evening and often ends the next morning. At most places, the opening band goes on at 10:30 or 11:00PM and the headlining act goes on at 12:30 or 1:00AM. What is up with that, especially on weeknights? Now that I'm an old married man with a kid, I don't do that so much anymore. In fact, I can barely stay up past 10PM on weekends. Why can't live entertainment be scheduled to start in primetime like TV shows. I'd much rather go watch a live performance than a CSI re-run or the new episode of Ugly Betty.

In our conversation, we were dreaming of live shows starting at 8 or 9PM and being done by 10:30PM on weeknights and weekends. The very next day I received an e-vite for a show on a Friday night that starts at 8PM and includes dinner. It was as if our dreams came true in an instant. So tomorrow night my wife and I will be going on a date to eat dinner and see a live improv show from the Q City Players.

Bottom Line - Dreams really do come true.

25 Things

I have been reading some peoples 25 random things on facebook, but like Elaine, I wanted to do it on the blog instead. Here we go.



1. I like to collect and listen to vinyl records

2. I used to despise the show "Lost" until my wife turned me. Now I'm hooked.

3. I used to have a vietnamese pot belly pig as a pet for a week until a neighbor called the local authorities and we had to get rid of it. It was named Porky.

4. I perform tasks and duties 100% more efficiently if I'm listening to music.

5. I like to make song playlist cd mixes.

6. I am currently taking a Zumba latin dance/exercise class.

7. I know almost every word to the movies "White Christmas" and "The Sound of Music"

8. I broke my leg as a child by jumping off of a step.

9. I gave my wife a green plastic heart shape ring when I proposed to her and she said yes.

10. My wife cuts my nose hairs for me.

11. I once had over 600 cds. This was before itunes and electronic music.

12. The best Christmas gift in my life was a GT Vertigo bike.

13. Speaking of Vertigo, last year I was diagnosed with Vertigo. Luckily medication made it go away.

14. I was baptized in the year 2000.

15. I didn't start enjoying reading or writing until after college.

16. When people say certain words it triggers a song into my head. My wife calls me a human jukebox.

17. I have an extensive Star Wars toy collection. The originals of course.

18. I like to give everything nicknames or code names. People and objects both.

19. I drink two gallons of milk a week.

20. I used to despise Jane Austen movies, now I like them. My sister and wife teamed up and converted me. Now that is what we do on Friday nights.

21. I am 1'-3" taller than my wife.

22. I got married on St. Patrick's Day

23. I can beat you at anything we compete in.

24. I have only driven and will only ever drive Ford vehicles my entire life.

25. Bottom Line - I like bottom lines.

Once

Please note that this is not a movie recommendation. I watched this movie over the weekend, but I am not ready to recommend the movie until I see it again and decide, but I am however going to recommend the soundtrack. The movie is a weird plot with an irish guy and a chezch girl and contains some language that is unnecessary, but the music parts of the movie are great. This is an example of one of the great songs from the movie.




The rest of the soundtrack is just as great if you are looking for some passionate independent music.

Bottom Line - A good movie starts with a good soundtrack

The Epic Battle

It has been almost two years to the date in which I have had possesion of the keys to my house in Finneytown. Jess first moved in and then I followed once we were married in March 2007. In the two quick years we have had the house we have done an extraordinary amount of work on the house. Major items such as removing walls, re-finishing wood floors, replacing floors, removing and replacing kitchen cabinets, painting, gutting bathrooms and so on. We have had the need for many tools and building materials for all of our improvement projects.

Thus began the epic battle: Lowes Vs. Home Depot. Home Depot had the immediate advantage being that two locations were remotely accessible from our house. However Lowes had it's own advantage because it is located near church which we were around every weekend either on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings. We began to use both at first, but after time, one of the two began to stand out for almost exclusive use.



Lowes is the winner. We still use Home Depot from time to time only if we know exactly what we need and if it is a common item where brand or quality does not matter for example water cut off valves, drywall, or insulation. Lowes is our prefered place for all major purchases. In my experience, Lowes has a more knowledgeble and trained staff that is very helpful with tips and ideas for the do it yourself people like us. They are always nice and honest and accurate with the information they give you. It is just a better experience all around. Before Lydia was born Jess and I used to have date nights. Instead of dinner and a movie, it was dinner and Lowes almost every Friday night.

To us a good improvement store experience is important because we are taking the suggestions and information of the people working there and often making them semi-permanant by implementing them in our house projects. Jess and I consider the guy in the flooring department at the Tri-County Lowes a family friend. He has never let us down yet, and we will continue to visit him until every inch of floor space in our house has been redone.

Bottom Line - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it is broke, go to Lowes.

Lydia Jam

Tonight Lydia and I had our first jam session





Bottom Line - Music is a language

Punching Holes

For the past couple of days, I have been making binder file books at work. This requires lots of punching holes in everything to get it into the binders. I really hate using a hole puncher. I have major problems when I use them for extended periods of time.



For some strange reason when I use a hole puncher to punch holes I involuntarily gnash my teeth as I press down. I am not sure why I do it, but I do. I try to avoid doing it by opening my mouth wide while punching, or even using chewing gum for cushion, but nothing works. Next thing I know my teeth and jaw are sore and uncomfortable. The next thing that happens is that I start having a cringe in my neck. It is always in the same spot, in the back lower middle section. So I am constantly moving my head around to crack my neck or strech it to acknowledge the sensation. Both get worse and worse the more I punch holes.

Excessive stapling is also bad, but not to the extent of punching holes.


Bottom Line - Wear a mouthpiece while using a hole puncher

Wednesday Movie Recommendation

August Rush

If you like music, or if you just want an inspirational lift, then watch this movie. Don't read anything about the movie, just borrow it, rent it, get it from the library, or just buy it and put it in and watch it by yourself, or with friends and family.



Bottom Line - "You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, even the stars." - Wizard

New Years Confessions

This year I am making confessions into resolutions.



1.

Last year I confess that I ate a lot more food than I really needed. My typical food set up was well balanced similar to the picture above. Since my wife's food is so good, I usually eat two plates worth, therefore, I am striving to eat right this year and get into better shape and health for my family.



2.

Last year I confess that I watched way too much television. It is not all that bad, because it happens to be a way that Jess an I hang out and bond. This year I resolve to watch better things with her that are more positive an inspirational. I started on the recent holiday break by watching two Jane Austen movies and I actually liked them.



3.

Last year, although I got off to a great start, I confess that I abandoned reading the Bible consistently throughout the year. This year I resolve to pick up where I left of in the early months of last year.



4. Last year I confess that I did not write to the child that I sponsor in Ghana. I have been sponsoring him for a couple of years now and have never written him. I am a horrible person, I know, but this year I will write him. I would have put a picture of him on here, but Compassion does not allow use of the photos.




5.

Lastly I confess that I'm crazy about these two. This year I will continue to get even more crazier about them than I already am if that is even possible.


Bottom Line - Let confessions lead to the start of resolution