Gov's Stuff

Fitz & The Tantrums

2011-01-01T22:29:00.002-06:00

It's a new year and, if things go well, the NYE programs will expose me to something that I've never heard before that I think is pretty cool.

I was beginning to wonder. Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark brought me NKOTB and the Backstreet Boys and Ke$ha. Carson Daly paraded out a kid from Oklahoma that sings covers of songs by Lady Gaga. It wasn't until well after midnight that a new face on the NYE front saved the night. Of all people, it was Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates fame.

He had a great show on called New Year's Eve at Daryl's House (that I hope shows up again next year). He sang with several different musicians and this guy was one of them. Daryl said people say "he's the new Daryl Hall". You know, I can totally hear that, and it's refreshing! Go ahead. Close your eyes when you listen to this song and tell me you don't hear a similarity. It's almost uncanny!

This is the song Daryl sang with him and it sounded SOOO good! Thanks, Daryl and thanks to Fitz & The Tantrums for saving the night.

Single Grain of Faith

2010-11-06T23:13:00.001-05:00

I love it when I hear a song from my past that I loved when it came out but it was lost to new music over the years. This is one such song. I bought the CD for this song and this song only. I listened to it a lot when it came out 14 years ago.

Tonight, I was just browsing around on iTunes and looking through their CCM section. I saw David Phelps had a new Christmas CD out, so does Russ Taff. Those guys triggered thoughts of this song and hear I am listening to it again. Now, I'm sharing it with you.

This performance is a slightly different mix than what is on the CD, but it'll do. The chorus is what I really like about this song. And, the message ain't to bad, either.

Channeling Acoustic Legends

2010-08-18T19:06:00.005-05:00

A friend of mine in the group Selah posted a tweet about this guy today so I went to his website to check out his music. Holy Cow! I'll be darned if Jeffrey East didn't channel Kenny Loggins when "Bein' Loved By You" was written. Or maybe it's James Taylor. He performs it just fine but if Mr. Loggins and Mr. Taylor are ever looking for material, one of them totally needs to connect with Mr. East. I really like this song. Feel free to share your thoughts. If you don't like it, don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings. But, East might feel slighted.

If You Love Kansas

2010-08-13T16:53:00.002-05:00

Someone I follow on Twitter posted a link to this blog entry about Kansas and it really struck a chord with me. I was born in Kansas, raised in Kansas, left Kansas to live in the beautiful state of Tennessee, and still chose to move back to this "dry, boring, plain, miserable, windy, dull, sucky, wasteland state". You read that correctly. I chose to move back. I could of stayed in the south in the wonderful city of Nashville where there is always something happening, but honestly, it doesn't hold a candle to Kansas. Every time I'd travel home, something kept pulling at me. Driving through the flint hills, seeing the wild sunflowers, enjoying the huge never-ending blue sky, feeling the biting winter wind against my skin...it's all part of me and I can't let it go. Sometimes you have to leave a place to truly see how special it is.

The only adjective listed above that Kansas qualifies to use is "windy". The wind shows its face quite often and can cause a ruckus when it wants to. Even then, there are more days than I can count that were so still and motionless, where the only evidence of any activity around me was the movement of air from my own breathing.

Kansas is a wonderful place, and I'm glad a lot of people don't see that. The open spaces stay wide, the sky stays blue, the air stays fresh, the beauty stays natural, the flowers stay sunny, nature stays wild, and there's more Kansas for me to enjoy.

This girl gets it, and I had to link to her blog entry. Set all of your Kansas stereotypes aside and read what she has to say. It helped me realize my appreciation for all that surrounds me and to know there is no shame in calling Kansas home.

Wimmer Wimmer Chicken Dinner: Dorothy's Slippers Are Definitely Not Here

Better Than A Hallelujah

2010-08-10T11:20:00.001-05:00

The song didn't grab me at first, but the video sure did. Here's a new one from Amy Grant.

Wine's I Want to Try

2010-08-01T12:09:00.004-05:00

A couple of years ago, we stopped in at Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill in Kansas City for dinner. It was the beginning of my venture into the world of wine. We didn't have any that night but I wrote down some selections from their wine list that I thought sounded good. I'm posting them here so I can finally get rid of this piece of paper that clutters my desk. I still haven't tried these wines. I've been busy. Look out, grapes. One day, I will drink you.

Beringer White Zinfandel (sweet wine w/rich berry flavors)
Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (light raspberry, red cherry & cinnamon flavors)
Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel (lush raspberry, blueberry & black cherry flavors)
Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Shiraz (rich black currant & chocolate flavors)
Robert Mondavi Prvate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (rich dark cherry fruit & chocolate flavors)
Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon (black cherry chocolate coffee)
Wild Horse Merlot (wild berry & mocha)
Fess Parker Pinot Noir (cherry & red berry flavors w/spice, smoke & herbal nuances)

The Hornet Hustle (updated 08.09.10)

2010-07-31T09:01:00.007-05:00

I've only participated in a 5K two other times in my life. That was for the Wichita Corporate Challenge and I walked both of them. Yeah, I was still a sweaty mess at the end of the course but that's what I do during the warmer months. I sweat. This will be no different, except that I might run part of the way. Bar the door and hide the children! Did I just say run? I did, and by run, I mean jog...slowly...and sporadically. But, for those of you who are more skilled and comfortable runners than I am, I post this information for you. I couldn't find anything on the web for this, so I'm providing my blog to help promote the cause. The brochure above explains the purpose and provides details for the fun run. Update - You can click here to print off a registration form. Feel free to share this link with your other running friends if you think they'd be interested. And if they don't want to run, they can walk. And if you guys are really ambitious, you can do all 3 at no additional cost! Sweet! Anyway, I'll be there, my family will be there, and I hope to see you there! Let's do this!

Nike Makes The Coolest Commercials

2010-05-28T22:44:00.003-05:00

My New Favorite Song

2010-04-20T23:25:00.002-05:00

Light's Out!

2010-03-24T14:56:00.006-05:00

I always tell my kids as they head out the door for school to do the right thing. So, I've pledged to "do the right thing" on March 27th at 8:30. I encourage you to sign up for it. It's such a simple thing to do. We're shutting off the lights for this reason...

...then we're going to dance to this, knowing we did the right thing for the earth. The candle industry and flashlight companies will thank you later.

McDonald's and the St. Patrick's Day Tragedy

2010-03-17T22:45:00.009-05:00

Imagine telling the world that you have a product that is available only during a certain time of year. A product centered around St. Patrick's Day. That product is called the Shamrock Shake. Wouldn't you anticipate a surplus of customers possibly ordering the Shamrock Shake on St. Patrick's Day? Wouldn't you prepare so that you would be able to provide this Shamrock Shake to every customer who wanted one on St. Patrick's Day, especially since you advertised this item as being available? And since you've been advertising this item each year for many, many years and it has somewhat become part of American pop culture, wouldn't you especially make sure that you were able to serve every single customer who chose to come to your McDonald's restaurant for a Shamrock Shake? Wouldn't it be exciting to know they chose your Shamrock Shake as their beverage of choice over the abundant selection of green beer? Wouldn't you be thrilled that some customers would choose to purchase several Shamrock Shakes for their entire family because having that Shamrock Shake is sort of a yearly American tradition? Wouldn't it gratify you to know that you were able to provide those Shamrock Shakes for all of those customers who chose your restaurant to help them celebrate St. Patrick's Day with their families? Wouldn't all of that be great and wonderful and happy?

Well, McDonald's failed today. I went to McDonald's to order 3 small Shamrock Shakes to surprise my wife and kids. I ordered a small vanilla for me. That's all I wanted. Three small Shamrock Shakes (and a vanilla) on St. Patrick's Day. The girl in the drive-thru tells me after I placed my order, "We're out of Shamrock Shakes." All I could say was, "Wow....OK. Thank you." Then, I drove away, not ordering anything. I considered ordering vanilla shakes all around but I chose not to. I made that decision to prove a point. If you can't follow through on something as small as a Shamrock Shake on St. Patrick's Day after advertising it, then you don't deserve my business at all.

The sad part is, I don't think McDonald's probably cares. I'm sure the girl in the drive-thru doesn't care (although she was very kind about it and not rude in any way). McDonald's knows that eventually, I'll have to come back to eat there and they'll get my money. I have kids and we travel to ballgames, and to see family, and to take vacations, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere on a long stretch of highway, a McDonald's will be our only option for food. They know I'll more than likely visit again and order the McDouble (I like that option on the $1 menu) and their fries (delicious!) or Chicken McNuggets. But not today. Today, I made the call, and my call is that McDonald's loses. They lost my business therefore losing my money. (Check your receipts, store manager. It's about $10 less than it would've been.) They also lost a little more of my faith in their restaurant chain. Just add this experience to the long list of times our simple order has been messed up in the drive-thru. I've come to expect it, and I'm not alone there. Watch the car in front of you next time. They're probably checking their sack to make sure they received what they ordered. They've been burned, too.

This isn't really a tragedy. I know in the grand scheme of things, those four Shamrock Shakes don't matter at all. We enjoyed Blue Bunny ice cream at home after dinner. But it's the principle of the situation. McDonald's was out of Shamrock Shakes on St. Patrick's Day. That's like going to a fireworks stand on the 4th of July and finding our they're out of firecrackers. I've never heard of such a thing. There's always firecrackers to buy on Independence Day. This July 4th, McDonald's should visit a fireworks tent operated by some youth group or civic group or a guy just looking to make some extra money and ask about their business plan. Ask how they ensure that each kid and each adult that wants a pack of firecrackers can buy one. Then, when they get that secret, apply it to their Shamrock Shake plan next St. Patrick's Day to ensure that every person who might want to purchase their cup of light green goodness can do so and blogs like this won't ever be written again.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. Oh, and thanks Blue Bunny! Your "Bunny Tracks" flavor is fantastic! Thanks for making it available! We love it!

Pretend I'm at a gas station

2010-03-17T15:19:00.002-05:00

They say men never stop to ask for directions, but that's kind of what I'm doing now. I feel that with the new life that my other blog has received, this one is withering away, and I really don't want that to happen. I feel it needs a purpose or direction. Maybe not...I don't know. Do you have any ideas? I could just leave it like it is and post only when I have something to share, but it seems that the other blog keeps stealing this blog's thunder. Let me know what you think.

In preparation for Vancouver

2010-02-11T08:49:00.006-06:00

In 1992, the XVI Winter Olympic Games were held in Albertville, France. Before the closing ceremonies, we all saw the following video. The words...the music...the images...I was amazed and moved by it all. My friend, Andy, experienced the same thing.

Back then, before DVR technology, you had to have the foresight to record something on videotape with your VCR. He had that foresight, especially when it came to sporting events. He made a cassette tape of the audio from this video and I still have it today. It's very inspirational and motivating. I've not seen this video in 18 yrs...until today. I thought it fitting to revisit this powerful segment on the eve of the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Go USA!

Yes...they are beautiful. And their majesty touches our hearts.

But, we are not satisfied merely to admire the mountains. We try to move them, as we compete against the elements...against one another...even against ourselves.

We rejoice in success, and we are humbled by failure. Yet, we are enriched by both.

For it takes no more courage to rise up than to fall down.

There may be glory in gold medals, but there is dignity with the attempt to earn them.

In the Olympics, as in life, there is winning and losing. But we, unlike the mountains, are moved by both. And, if nothing else, these games have reminded us that we are mere mortals.

We know we cannot really move mountains, but we can try!

Feeding Haiti

2010-01-24T21:32:00.021-06:00

This weekend, as a family, we did one of the most important things we've ever done together. We joined Numana, Inc. for a huge packaging event to provide food for the survivors of the tragic earthquake in Haiti. We weren't sure what to expect but we had willing hands and willing hearts.

We made the short drive to the Kansas Coliseum (I understand their management made it available to house the event for FREE! Good things will come your way Coliseum folk!) and were excited to see the number of people who arrived to help at this two day event.

There was a long line of people behind us.

There was a long line of people in front of us.

And, there were more people in line around the corner. On this particular day, I heard there were around 5,000 people who showed up to help. The lines moved quickly and we were all excited to get started.

The process was simple. Once we registered, they gave us "the uniform". A plastic apron and an oh-so-attractive hair net.

Normally, a picture like this wouldn't see the light of day. Not because Amber is blurry, but because of "the uniform". Since we did this for a good cause, there's no shame and I expect there to be no mocking! (You know who you are.) Also, this is the only photo Sara would allow me to post that includes her because she says she looks like the lunch lady she had in elementary school. I said, "Yeah, but you're a hot lunch lady!" She didn't buy it.

We waited for them to let us in. Each group of 12 people worked for one hour. At the end of the hour, if they wanted to work more, they would exit and get back in line so everyone would get the opportunity to serve. I found it interesting that there were 12 people at the tables working together to provide meals for the Haitian people because that's how many disciples Jesus had. The entire time I was there, I kept thinking of Matthew 25:35. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in." We made sure the kids knew why we were doing this. They're very aware of the tragedy in Haiti, and they know that this is the right thing to do and that God has given us time and strength and health and resources to help.

You'd think that this was just an event for church groups. Wrong! There were people from ALL walks of life and it was refreshing to see. Even a guy with the most amazing mohawk I've ever seen showed up to help. He had a little trouble with the hairnet, though. You'll have to look really hard in this next picture, but he's in there, waiting his turn. Mad props, mohawk dude!

The kids did great! Andrew sealed up the bags of food. Amber helped fill the bags with food on the first day and helped pack the second day. Sara held the bags open under the funnel for the food to collect in. I called her the "bag lady". The bags had to weigh a certain amount. Every step was precise...from measurements, to how the bags were sealed to how they were boxed up. On day one, I helped the kids at the table get precise measurements of rice, soy, vegetables, spices and vitamins. On day two, Andrew would remove the excess air from the food bag and I would help him seal. One of the green shirts (people who volunteer a large part of their day to direct each table) asked me to also help box up the bags of food in a particular way and then very meticulously tape them up for shipping and air drop. I'm not sure about the first day, but today, in just one hour, our table put together 10 boxes of food containing 36 bags, each able to feed 5-6 people. That's 2160 meals! Every time a table completes a box, the table cheers. Guess who was voted to be the cheerleader each day? Yeah...that'd be me. And I rocked it, people! We made some noise! Then, every time 5,000 meals were complete, they'd bang a gong. No, not the T-Rex or Power Station Bang a Gong, but they'd hit an actual gong, and everyone in the Coliseum would cheer! It was very unifying and satisfying and all kinds of other -ing words.

Numana's goal for the weekend was to package one-million meals. At the end of today, the final total was 1,121,298 meals! That, my friends, is a success story and shows what we all can achieve when we put others before ourselves. Simply amazing!

There's another event in a couple of weeks. I told the kids, and they're already asking to do it again. To me, that's a success story in itself. And you know what? We'll be there to do it all over again. Maybe we'll see you there.

Taking down the lights

2010-01-17T21:56:00.004-06:00

Today, the weather was finally warm enough on a weekend for us to take down the Christmas lights from the house. Without the lights, the world seems a little darker this time of year, but they have to come down.

The kids always enjoy the opportunity to get up on the roof to help. Now that Andrew is a teenager, I think he likes the danger and responsibility of it all, as well as the chance to get his hands dirty and do a little "man's work". And Amber? It's a new perspective and, perhaps, she feels closer to God. And when you feel closer to God, you don't really want to move away from that. That must be why it's so hard to coax her down once we're done.

I'll admit, even I find some joy in climbing the ladder up to the rooftop for this chore. It moves faster than hanging the lights in November, so it's not quite as tedious. I took a few moments to snap off a few pictures of the yearly event with the kids.

I let Andrew remove them from the gutter while I wind them up and box them on the ground below. That way, we don't risk dragging them across the shingles and scratching off the paint from the lights. We gotta keep 'em blue.

Amber is literally at the top of the world when she climbs up on the roof. I think this picture is proof that she's living for the moment. And it's moments like this that make being a dad a pretty cool thing.

23 is greater than 5

2010-01-10T17:33:00.007-06:00

I love going to watch the Oklahoma State Cowgirls play basketball. Love, love, LOVE it! Yesterday was our first visit of the year to Stillwater. It was also the beginning of conference play for the Cowgirls. They were hosting the #5 team in the nation, the Baylor Bears.

I don't know if Baylor is a big rival for Oklahoma State, but in my mind, it will always be a rivalry. To me, Baylor and Oklahoma University are the two great villains of Big XII Women's Basketball...especially Baylor. Here's reason #1.

The coach. Kim Mulkey-Robertson. Granted, she's a great coach, and that's probably why I like to see her lose. Oh, and the mullet doesn't help. And what's reason #2?

This girl. Yeah...that's a girl...and she's dunking the basketball during warm-ups. Freshman Brittney Griner. Coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson's secret weapon for the next four years. She dunks the ball during games, too. But it didn't happen yesterday!

The #23 ranked Cowgirls, after a scary first half, completely OWNED the Baylor Bears in the second half and went on to win 78-65. Andrea Riley scored an amazing 43-points! And watching the 3-point shooting of Lakyn Garrison and Tegan Cunningham...all I can is WOW. Making a 3-point shot never looked so easy. The inside game of Lindsey Keller & Megan Byford is intense! It's a real battle underneath the goal and they handle it so well.

After the game, we enjoyed dinner with the OSU coach (his sister loves me!) then loaded up on more OSU merchandise (I've never owned so much orange clothing) and made our way home.

Yesterday I saw proof that number 23 is greater than number 5.

It starts!

2010-01-06T20:09:00.003-06:00

I've said it before, and here I am saying it again. Today, I started working out at the YMCA. I've written or said that previous sentence too many times to be saying it once more. But, this time feels different. I seem to have more focus and determination. Let's talk about my first day back.

I couldn't decide whether to go to my normal (but small and crowded) West location or the larger, spacious (but a bit further away) South location. Well, I had a meeting to get back and prepare for after lunch, so I chose the West side...boy-eee! I got flagged at the front desk because my membership expired on Jan. 1. Since my membership is a perk from my job, it's on them and I was allowed to pass into the most frightening place on earth...the men's locker room!

I knew it was gonna be terrifying since every possible stinking machine had someone on it. That's why I hate working out right after the new year. But I'm just as guilty as all of those other new-bodies. In the locker room, I was lucky to find an available locker. Most had locks on them, and those that didn't had clothes in them...and wallets, and cellphones, and car keys. I could've made out like a bandit! I'm just too honest.

From the time I spent in the men's locker room today, I learned these things...I don't tell enough dirty jokes. I don't drop the f-bomb into casual conversation nearly enough. And, I need to learn to gaze at my naked, post-workout body in the mirror, with no regard to those around me, for minutes at a time. I'm not sure I'll ever achieve any of those things, so I guess I'll be the guy in the locker room who observes and then blogs about the choads surrounding me.

The workout was decent. Spent a half-hour on my familiar elliptical machine. This time, I didn't jump into the middle of the crowd like in the past. I'm doing this for myself, not anybody else so their company is not important to me. I found a place near the back (where I could observe everybody else) and pushed through my 30-minutes. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. The hardest part was trying to breathe when Mr. J Crew hopped on the machine next to me for a short 10-minute jaunt while the massive amounts of Drakkar he was wearing tried to squeeze the air out of me. I was chewing gum and even THAT started tasting like how this guy smelled. I had to stop chewing and tuck it up into my upper lip until he left. I guess he could've smelled like sewage or Cozy Inn Burgers, so I shouldn't complain, but guys...this was overbearing! Take a big whiff from the ammonia bottle under your kitchen sink. That will show you how strong this was.

But, as you can see, I survived day one. I will get through this and meet my monthly goals, then I'll continue and meet my next goal slated for July. It's gonna suck at first, and quite possibly the entire way through. I will complain about it here, giving you something to read for the next 7 months. But the end result will be worth it.

7:15 Project

2010-01-03T11:00:00.001-06:00

Some of you know that I have another blog, Clickety-Click-Click. It's a photo blog I started in January 2007 and it really hasn't seen much activity in three years. Thirty-five posts in that amount of time is kind of lame, wouldn't you say? It's almost not worth having that blog around.

That blog was my first blog and the reason I got into blogging in the first place. I wanted a photo record of "things I've seen...places I've been...events I've witnessed." From actual places traveled, down to a simple drawing one of my kids made for me, that blog is where I wanted to record it.

An acquaintance of mine took part in this project and posted her photos on her facebook page each month. I was really intrigued by them. I enjoyed looking at all of the things she did and the places she visited each night at 7:15PM. So, with the arrival of my new phone (it's no iPhone or Blackberry, but it's a step up for me) I feel I'm able to take part in this project properly and I choose Clickety-Click-Click as the outlet for the pictures.

If this interests you at all, you're welcome to visit each day, and feel better about yourself after realizing your life is not near as boring as mine is! Actually, boring is in the eye of the beholder and I find everyday life keeps me pretty active in many different ways. This will be a great 365 day journey for me, so come along for the ride!

Connected

2010-01-02T23:22:00.004-06:00

OK...I have this blog connected to my phone. I don't know how I'll use it just yet, but the connection is there. Facebook, Twitter, my blogs...I'M EVERYWHERE!

Observations

2010-01-01T23:28:00.002-06:00

I'm an observer.

I enjoy observing how events unfold...how people react. I'm very aware of my surroundings. This includes taking a step back and observing myself.

As I rang in the new year last night with Sara and the kids, in the midst of the activity, I observered myself observing others.

I observed Amber with her pink sweatsuit on, crocs, and a pink stocking cap. She didn't care how she looked. She was comfortable. And she danced around the house with reckless abandon to prove it to us. She is full of spirit.

I observed Andrew, playing it cool, just chillin' on the couch, wearing his hoodie, watching New Year's Eve countdown specials with us, enjoying the music and watching the freaks in the crowds. His excitement, albeit cool excitement, when I began making our traditional white pizza, was electric. I invited him to help me make them and Amber insisted on joining in the cooking festivities, too. I think Sara felt a little left out because she kept finding a reason to sneak in our tiny kitchen space to do something. Move a dish, grab a utensil, supervise my processes. I'm glad she did. I nearly used garlic salt instead of garlic powder!

Both kids enjoy the "kids wine" we toast with at 11P. It's sparkling grape juice but we drink it out of wine glasses. (We know how to kick it, don't we?) We all stay up watching the music and parties from New York and Las Vegas. I think we're all on the same page in feeling that the company of each other, white pizza, a fire in the fireplace, kids wine, and a happy dog busy picking up crumbs from the snacks we drop is preferable to a crowd full of 10,000 strangers in a city street counting out loud from ten to zero.

Those people don't get to run out in the driveway and light fireworks at the stroke of midnight (after we've toasted each other and Sara & I have kissed) while the neighbors all stand on their porches and watch. It's a festive moment, and it's ours.

One of my observations is that, at this time, my life is FULL of family activities. Both kids still depend on us to get them to their social events, their ballgames, etc. This new decade will bring HUGE changes to our family.

In the next ten years, Andrew will learn to drive, register with selective service, play in several exciting games with his school sports teams, maybe win a championship, take the ACT, take the SAT, graduate high school, go to college, and complete his undergrad studies. He will probably have a girlfriend and suffer his first broken heart.

Amber will become a teenager, learn to drive, possibly play in a state championship, take her ACT and SAT, most likely have a boyfriend and be finishing high school. Hopefully, she's the one breaking the hearts!

Those upcoming events are DAUNTING! And right now, I'm a pretty important part of their lives. As we move through the decade, my role will change. Their independence will give me a bit more freedom but hopefully my role as dad will not diminish in the slightest.

Today, my being a good dad doesn't allow me the freedom to enjoy time with my friends as much as I'd like, but I hope they understand the importance of wearing the "DAD" hat and the enormous responsibility that exists to not fail my kids. Even if that responsibility is to just sit by a fire and ring in the new year from our basement...as a family.

Happy New Year.

It took 10 years...

2009-12-09T16:16:00.009-06:00

...but this week, MTV exposed me to music that I actually thought was kind of cool. Don't get me wrong. I didn't actually see them play a music video. That would be breaking news across the land. But, this band, called Gossip performed live on It's On With Alexa Chung. (furlough tv)

This is the song they sang called "Heavy Cross".

It has a real '80's feel. Thoughts?

Encouraging myself

2009-11-30T20:17:00.003-06:00

I've been walking every morning for awhile now.

I do it...alone. Early each morning, right after waking up.

Sometimes the dog goes with me, but he's more of a nuisance than a companion sometimes so I like to leave him at home. My walking is for me, and me alone.

I walk under the cloak of darkness, Zune at my side, pushing me, song by song, to finish the course up the hill, then back down.

I would like to think that someday, I could begin running again. That is my goal, but it's a goal I feel won't happen.

The other morning, when no cars were anywhere near me, I tried something that I hadn't tried in over three years. I tried to run. It was more of a jog but it certainly wasn't a walk. I only made it 30-40 yards. As I jogged, I looked at my shadow from the bright moon shining overhead. My form appeared to look normal for an overweight 40-year old guy. But, inside my body, because of my numb foot and the weakness in my leg (caused by the blown discs in my lower back), I felt like Tiny Tim from "A Christmas Carol" trying to quickly get his crutch back from the neighborhood kid who just threw it down the hallway. (That didn't happen in the story, but if it had, and poor little Timmy made an effort to retrieve it, that's how I felt when I was jogging).

This morning, after not walking for several days due to our traveling all over the NE part of the state during the Thanksgiving holiday, I went on the walk again. But today wasn't so kind. My right leg, the strong one, began cramping up. Toward the end, it almost felt like I had shin splints. I remember those from running track. Tonight, my achilles tendon on my left foot, the numb one, is really sore.

Discouraging. But, I'm going back at it tomorrow. I will stay on this course. I will push through the obstacles of minor aches and pains and continue to better myself. I can be a very stubborn person. I need to be stubborn and self-serving with this routine so that one day I can jog to the end of the block...then work my way up the hill. And once I make it up the hill, enjoy the jog back down.

Eventually, I will run. I'll run for the first time, again. One day, I will run a 5K. One day, I'll be able to run...in the sunlight...where people can see me. One day, I will defeat these things that weigh upon me.

But until then, I will walk, knowing that with each step, I am getting closer to a better me. And that makes it, no matter how long it takes, all worth it.

Three months later, here I am.

2009-11-21T23:07:00.006-06:00

I'm pleased with myself. And, at the same time, deserve a giant kick in the butt. Today...Saturday...I was up too early for a Saturday morning and I chose to go out and walk. The same walk I make during the week. But, today was Saturday. That never happens on Saturday's. I almost went an extra couple of miles but the distant shotgun blasts from the bird hunters were freaking out Sonny and he starts pulling so hard on the leash, I might as well pick him up by his neck and carry him home in a chokehold that would intimidate any MMA fighter on the circuit today.

So yeah, the walk happened. It might even happen tomorrow (dare I say it?) on Sunday! We'll know the answer to that in several hours.

I need the kick in the butt because during the week, I look for any excuse to not get out of bed and take the walk. And sometimes, the bed wins. That means I lose. I don't like losing...uness I'm losing weight!

SIDENOTE...just switched over to SNL. I'm not, and never have been, a fan of Dave Matthew's Band.

This blog entry was really for the Fair Weather Runner who chided me for not blogging anymore. I ♥ blogging! (That's how she would write it.) But, dang it takes more time than I've had. My kids' activities and work assignments have tested our limits and when I have downtime, I don't necessarily want to sit in front of the computer to compose a personal essay. I guess that's why I've been so happy with Twitter lately. If something's on my mind, I can sign on to Tweetdeck, pop off my thought, and away I go. That's why I include my tweets over in the right margin of this blog. Twitter for me is like "Gov's Stuff...The Rest of the Story". On facebook, I'll update my status maybe once a day. On Twitter, you get all kinds of stuff that passes through this amazingly versatile stream of consciousness I'm floating around in. Twitter has been my blog lately. But, doing this is great. I love doing this when time allows. And tonight, time was on my side.

Let's talk music very briefly (because I'm thirsty and my water bottle is all the way upstairs!)

I LOVE the new Switchfoot CD "Hello, Hurricane". I'm enjoying the new Thousand Foot Krutch CD "Welcome to the Masquerade". I enjoy ALL of the music on the hit TV show "Glee" (which I'm proud to say is on the tv network I'm affiliated with!). My newest discovery comes from a friend in Norway (the country, not the town in Kansas). She told me about Aleksander With. Here's the song. It reminds me of Mike & The Mechanics.

What am I watching on TV, you ask? "Glee", "Modern Family", "Cougar Town". We've recorded 'The Office", '30 Rock", and 'Survivor" but have not started them yet. We're still trying to finish up last season's Lost (one more episode to go), last season's "24' and last season's "Friday Night Lights", neither of which we've started. See? We're busy people with no time for the important and pleasing things in life, like television, which is my livelihood. And, I'm dying of thirst. So this entry is done. Until next time.

Life in a nutshell

2009-08-22T21:04:00.003-05:00

I'm sitting here listening to "Gravity" radio, a station I made on Pandora. The music that flows from my speakers makes me feel creative, which is why I've been listening alot to it at work.

Work has been very busy lately. It's that time of year in television. This is the time when we are scrambling to prepare all of our new programming for launch in September, so it's only a few weeks away. We are bringing an onslaught of new programs to our station. Because of that, I have to make launch promos in various lengths to let viewers know the show is coming and what day it starts and what time it will be on. I do this for each show on each station. I'm also updating the existing promos for the shows we already have so that everything has a fresh look. I could go on about creating ID's and menuboards, but that won't mean anything to most of you so I'll just skip that mountainous chore description and move on.

Since I've posted last, life has kept me busy. I took my first trip to Las Vegas at the end of July. I went by myself. It was a work trip. The FOX network (not FOX News...those are two entirely separate entities) flies all of the promotions people from each of their affiliates to a conference each year to prepare us for the new fall season. Last year was in Orlando. Never again. This year in Vegas, we all stayed in the Bellagio. You might recognize it from the movie "Oceans 11" when the guys are watching the water show at the end. My room was quite possibly modeled after the rooms in the mansions in Heaven. Holy Cow! What a nice place! I've never stayed anywhere that nice in my life. I flew out on a Tuesday morning to Chicago (which is the opposite way to Vegas) then turned around and made it to LV. Temperature was 112º at its hottest. I went out one day to walk the strip and see the sights. The next day, I went out at night. Much better, but creepier, but crazier, but more exciting. What a place. I spent 3 nights there. The most I spent on dinner was $74!!! Saying that, I suggest staying away from Caesars Palace. I'm not made of that kind of money and feel really uncomfortable spending that much. I don't spend that much to feed my family! Granted, I had money budgeted for all of this, but still, that's just riDONKulous.

During the conference, the network gave away a free trip for two people to fly to Vegas for two nights and get two dinners as well. Skip to the end...I WON! Yes, I found the hidden flashlight! So, now I'll get to take Sara there. We never were able to afford a honeymoon after we got married and now, 15 years later, we finally get do something that closely resembles a honeymoon. Can't wait. It'll be a fun trip for the two of us.

We took a day trip back to Kansas City a few weeks ago to finish up our Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun vacation. We went to WOF in July, but it was so cool that weekend, we couldn't see ourselves playing in the water all day at OOF. So, we found a 100º day in August, right before school started, grabbed Andrew's buddy Caleb, and met Sara's sister and kids and spent a long day there. Pretty relaxing. I just kind of lounged around in the pool and observed all the people who don't have the "I really shouldn't be wearing this in public" gene as well as the people who's "I look really good in this" meter is broken. Really people, take a look in the mirror before you walk out of the door. And the rest of you, you should probably trim those barbs on your feet called toenails. Seriously, you might cut somebody in the wave pool. yuck.

On our way home from KC, we stopped at the legendary Hi Boy by Royals stadium for hamburgers. It'd be a hard choice between that and Freddy's for me. They're both so darn good!

I've been riging my bike every morning about 5 miles. I hate it, but I know it's good for me. Soon, with it getting darker in the morning, I'll have to start walking again. I'd rather ride, but I don't want to become the morning candidate for roadkill star of the day so I'll safely remove myself to the sidewalk for a pre-dawn jaunt. Or, I suppose I could change my bike route to a safer route. That's a thought, but it can be difficult to bike once it starts snowing. Honestly, I love taking a walk in the early morning while it's snowing or just after a snowfall. It's just awesome to me. Love it.

So, that's been life in a nutshell. I've been out of touch with most of the blogs I follow, I've obviously not been keeping my current, but the desire has been there. It's just that time has failed me, or maybe it's time knows I'm needed somewhere else at the moment. Either way, this blog will continue, and it's always in the back of my mind. I think several times during a week that I would love to write about this particular situation in my blog. If blogging could only be telepathic. Until the next post, be well, and thanks for checking in. I'll check in on you when I can.

Lifelong friends

2009-07-10T13:38:00.006-05:00

Sara's dad, John, had a good friend in school named Dick. They were buddies. Here's what I know about their friendship.

They grew up together. They went to school together. They went to the same church. When John married Margie, and Dick married Frankie, John and Dick built their houses next to each other. They've been next door neighbors for over 50 years. They watched each others families grow in size. They shared in any success and sadness the other one would experience...birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals. When Dick's wife passed away several years ago, I imagine Dick clung to John's friendship like he never had before just to get through each day. He probably didn't need to cling too tightly, because I'm sure John was there for him and put on a fine display of friendship.

Today is the last thing John & Dick will do together. They will attend the same funeral.

Dick passed away this week from cancer. John is going to the funeral of his lifelong friend. It has to be the strangest thing when your friends start passing away...especially someone you're that close to. I feel sad for John. Sara and her sister went to the funeral. Dick was always so good to their family.

I didn't have much interaction with him. I remember him being a kind, gentle person. And what always impressed me about him is that he always remembered my name. When I saw him at John & Margie's 50th anniversary party, he shook my hand and said, "Hello, Mike." When we would pull into John's driveway to visit her parents, if he happened to be outside, he'd wave and say hello, using our names. "Hello, Sara! Hi, Mike!" he'd say. Just the nicest guy. A good man. He was at our wedding 15 years ago and I've probably exchanged words with him just a handful of times. Yet, he still remembered my name. That, to me, is really something.

123456789

2009-07-08T23:34:00.006-05:00

Today is July 8th, 2009. The seventh month...the eighth day...and the ninth year of this century.

At 34 minutes and 56 seconds after noon today, it was 12:34:56 PM. The numbers lined up.

For one second in my life, and probably my children's life, time looked like this:

12:34:56 7/8/9.

How would we celebrate that one second? I made a point to come home for lunch to be with them for that precious second that we would all experience just once during our time on earth. (Well, if the kids are blessed with good health and good fortune, I suppose they could live to see the next one).

Amber wanted to bob for apples. That takes too long. What else?

Andrew didn't really have any ideas. We needed to celebrate quickly...something that would only last one second, but yet, be something we would always remember. That's when it hit me.

We weren't on earth the last time this happend. Most likely, none of us will be on earth the next time it happens. So, why not leave earth when it happens this time?

So, at 12:34:56 PM on July 8, 2009, what'd we do?

We jumped. All three of us jumped at the same time. Our feet were off of the earth. We were in the air...elevated in space but captured by time. But, only for one second.

For one second, we celebrated...together as a family. A father with his children, celebrating one second of life, one second of being together, one second of joy and happiness.

Sometimes, life gets busy and steals away moments that could easily be spent with your family. Today was a very busy day for me at work, but I found time over lunch to make a memory for me...for Andrew...for Amber. And it only took one second.

That one second is surrounded by so many other moments and memories, but that one second became a treasure for me. It's one second I will always remember.

Michael Jackson - 1958-2009

2009-06-25T22:22:00.003-05:00

People keep bringing up the tarnish that surrounded Michael Jackson's life. They're remembering the stranger side of a guy who just wanted to fit in with the rest of us. They're thinking of him as a freak...a superstar...an untouchable...the sansationalism that surrounded him.

I'm choosing to remember him as a son...a brother...a father...a friend. I think for all that Michael Jackson gave to us in music, he deserves that respect. Can you feel where I'm coming from?

This is my favorite song he performed with his brothers.
Here are The Jacksons..."Can You Feel It".

Sweaty, Sweaty Summer

2009-06-23T07:02:00.009-05:00

If you know me at all, then you know I'm not a fan of summer. I don't hate it, because I recognize it's place in the grand scheme of things. Also, the more blistering a summer is, the more I appreciate winter which I love love love! Summer is even better when it gets so hot that the people who complain all winter long and embrace the summer heat start complaining about how hot it is.

I use this heat as a tool. The hotter it is, the more I sweat. The more I sweat, the more I feel like I'm getting a workout and the better I feel about myself. And I know I'll be rewarded with a high temperature of 50° eventually, if I can just continue breathing through the soupy mess of air I'm pushing through.

Today was a walking day. Part of the cross-training approach to keep me interested. It was also a way to shut up my foul mouthed legs who have been cussing me since yesterday's bike ride. This morning, when I walked out the front door with Sonny, I stepped back in time to the mid-1980's. Anyone who played football knows what I'm talking about. The dreaded two-a-day practices. One in the morning as the sun was rising, and one in the afternoon as the sun was setting. The time in-between was used to rest and nurse your wounds enough to get you through the next practice and push through the pain. The thick, soupy, hazy morning was waiting for me, just like the upper classman standing in the middle of the practice field who wanted to line up against me during practice because he wanted to "teach me a lesson" since he didn't like the fact I was in choir, band, drama and played sports...and performed well in all of them. Yeah, this morning was like that. But I knew what the morning was up to. I said, "I know who you are. I remember you. You wanna walk with me? Let's go, but get ready for a fight."

Sonny didn't notice the battle going on around him. There were too many things to sniff and investigate along the way. The morning didn't throw it's first punch until I reached the top of the hill, probably so everyone could see what it was up to. I didn't flinch. I kept moving, but I knocked it down and dragged it along with me. It was a struggle to make my way down the hill dragging its sorry butt, but I made it back home. I challenged the morning to a re-match and it said, "It's on!", so tomorrow it is. This could be a long summer full of violent mornings battling with the heat, but I'm gonna win. Place your bets!

Oh yeah...the most important part! So today reminded me of football practice two-a-days not just because of the heat, but because something happened to me that I haven't noticed since those hot mornings at Auschwitz (our name of endearment for the dry, dusty practice field that had no shade, spotty mirages of grass, and only a pipe with five holes drilled in it to provide water during the oh-so-brief water breaks). As I walked into the front door, it hit me. The unforgettable, sweaty, two-a-day odor was part of me once again. Seriously...same smell, same feeling, same everything. See? This whole "less of me" approach is working. I'm already feeling young again, or maybe I'm just smelling that way.

ZUNE MORNING MIX 062309

Footloose - Kenny Loggins
More About You - Eric Champion
Uncle Jack - Motley Crue
Hold It Now, Hit It - Beastie Boys
Mai Ai Hee - The O Zone
What Kind Of Joy - Steven Curtis Chapman
Table - DecembeRadio

Today's favorite is "More About You" by Eric Champion from the CD Vertical Reality. It just had a nice groove that kept me moving as Sonny climbed the hill with me in tow. Yeah, I said that right.

More About You - Eric Champion

Bicycle, Bicycle!

2009-06-22T12:45:00.008-05:00

Today was my first bike ride in a looong time...and I feel it. You know that old saying, "It's like riding a bicycle". I have news for you. Riding a bike for exercise after a year or so is NOTHING like riding a bicycle. It wasn't easy...it was hard. My leg muscles are calling me every name in the book, and they're starting to hurt my feelings. But there's another old saying..."Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." True, but my muscles will! I know a guy named Ed...he rides a bike...an he is a man! How do I know this? He rode it half-way across the state before his knee gave out on him. Don't mess with Ed.

I've decided to do some cross training of sorts. I'm thinking of riding my bike one day, walk the next, and so forth and so on. When time allows, I'll throw in a swim over lunch at the Y. And as hot as it is, the swim will feel nice.

I'm telling you, if God continues to give me the strength and motivation and I keep my eye on the prize of weighing less and better health, all of this is gonna happen for me. It will be a reality! If you feel like being a cheerleader for me, I think they're having auditions in the auditorium at the end of the day. I'm pretty sure you'll make the team.

ZUNE MORNING MIX 062209

Katie Wants A Fast One - Steve Wariner & Garth Brooks
When You Are A Soldier - Steven Curtis Chapman
C'Est La Vie - Robbie Nevil
The Things We Do For Love - 10cc
I Can't Stop Hurting You - Rick Springfield
Silly Love Songs - Wings
What Have You Done For Me Lately - Janet Jackson
Stand Up - Petra

The song that really got me going today was the first one, and I needed that...more than Katie did.

Katie Wants A Fast One - Steve Wariner With Garth Brooks

Gov Stuff - Round 001

2009-06-09T22:19:00.007-05:00

Is it strange that as a red-blooded American male, I couldn't care less about the NBA playoffs going on right now? My interest in basketball stops at the college level.
I always dread having to work as Field Supervisor at the ball diamonds. It's something I have to do since I'm a board member for the youth program. But, once I get going, it's actually kind of enjoyable. I just don't ever want to have to kick someone out because they don't know how to control their temper when a call doesn't go their way. I hate conflict.
I've been tagged. That's all I'm going to say about that. But, because I've been tagged, I've not been able to walk in the mornings lately. I know, you're all like, "what does that even mean, 'I've been tagged', and why does it affect his morning walk?" I already told you, I'm not saying anymore. Just know, I went to the Y yesterday over lunch to get back into a routine there, and didn't experience the same thing I did in the mornings last week. I may give it a try tomorrow and see how things go. It's weird, it's mysterious, and y'all are totally confused right now, I know. Sorry. And, if I happen to talk to any of you on the phone, don't expect much more of an explanation.
Along with the morning walk, I'm thinking of throwing in the occasional morning bike ride just to mix it up a bit and not get in a rut. Ed may dig that thought, although I'm nowhere near the stud he's proven to be this week since tackling the Bike Across Kansas challenge. Maybe one day, but right now my challenge is getting through the baseball season without hurting or getting hurt by the twelve 12-year-olds I share a dugout with several times a week. The season ends next week.
So, if the morning walk gets comfortable again...and I continue the YMCA Lunchtime Sweatfest...as well as working in a bike ride to the rotation, shouldn't I be ripped by year end? A guy can dream, can't he?
Adam Lambert from American Idol announced he was gay in the new issue of Rolling Stone. I think we all figured that out when he performed with KISS on the show and he did a flawless impersonation of Paul Stanley. FYI, there's been speculation of the KISS lead singer being gay for years now. Here's a video addressing the question: http://tinyurl.com/nea6zr. Before you watch it, know that KISS concerts aren't exactly family friendly so be forewarned. You could probably just turn the audio down and form an educated guess on the pictures alone. But, who am I to judge? Why am I even talking about this? NEXT!
We've started using Twitter at work for a promotional tool. I'm still trying to figure out what all the excitement is about. Can someone please explain what I'm missing? It seems to take a lot of time for a next-to-nothing return on my investment.
I'll get back to posting the Zune Morning Mix soon...first, I need to drag myself out of bed. Where's the guilt, Beka?
Final thought, I think I'm better than Larry King at this stuff.

My walk with the North wind

2009-06-03T07:08:00.003-05:00

It would have been so easy to just lay in bed and enjoy the cloudy, cool, quiet morning. But, why not just get up and throw myself into that mix and surround myself with the clouds, the cool, and the quiet? It really wasn't that difficult to do now that Sara is working her summer schedule and is up getting ready to work. Sonny really wanted to go, so much so that when I let him out to do his thing, he stuck his head around the corner to check on me just to be sure I wasn't leaving without him.

Sonny has picked up a bad habit and I know where he got it. Pete the dog. Pete is owned by a neighbor down the street. Pete is an old labrador who walks with his owner, Jim (who is a retired widower), everyday down our street and through the park along the creek. Pete is not on a leash and just kind of follows Jim and wanders aimlessly at the same time. Pete thinks he owns the neighborhood. He's a nice dog...very friendly. But, if he sees a car tire, a mailbox, a tree, a flower bed, anything that appears to be at a 90-degree angle from the ground, Pete will give it the leg-lift salute and "shower" it with praise and glory. And, if he really likes you, he may leave a "present" for you in your yard. I think you know where I'm coming from. Well, Sonny has seen him do this and as I walk with Sonny (who is on a leash), he'll fall behind to try and "mark" something he feels he can claim as rightfully his. Wrong! I just keep moving and eventually the leash tightens and pulls him away from his carefully balanced act and the deed never gets accomplished in all of the glory he intends. I will not let Sonny become that dog. It's rude. My dog is not rude. So, we'll see if I can break him of that.

The rain that came through last night was wonderful. It not only gave us a night off from baseball, it cooled things off just as it was starting to get warm. Whew! This morning was very nice. It was nice to have the north wind accompany me today, pushing me up the hill as I was just getting started, and cooling me off as I headed the other direction. Come back and visit anytime!

The music today was scattered to say the least. I broke my own rule and hit "next" on a few songs today. They just don't belong and I marked them as such. Those included songs by Michael Jackson, Firehouse, Vince Gill and Paul Davis. What I ended up with was this.

ZUNE MORNING MIX 060309
• What I Really Want To Say - Steven Curtis Chapman
• Paralyzed - Strange Celebrity
• Inside - SOiL
• Yankee Rose - David Lee Roth
• One World - Toby Mac
• Renegade - Styx
• What I Can Do For You - The Imperials
• Excitable - Def Leppard
• Feel Like Hell - The Showdown

I'm taking the suggestion from IzzyBubbles and sharing the best song of the day. So, thanks Izzy!

The song that struck me most today was the one by The Imperials. The tempo was right. It's a song that takes me back to Jr. High School when I was first discovering contemporary Christian music. The Imperials are one of the first groups I saw in concert when my church took the youth group to a show in Wichita. I think Farrell & Farrell opened up for them. For all that surrounded me today...the weather, my mindset...everything, this song just worked. Plus, I really like it. It looks like this is only going to give you a 30-second sample but you'll get the idea.

Embed, or not embed? That is the question.

2009-06-02T12:31:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking about embedding the music my Zune throws at me during the morning here on the blog. Yeah, yeah...it would be extra work...probably more work than I have time for, but, if time allows, it might be a nice feature. it would look like this.

ZUNE MORNING MIX TEST PATTERN
• All These Things That I've Done - The Killers

I don't know. What do you think? If I average seven songs per day, would this be too much? Should I just stick to my list? I don't know. I just don't know!

My walk with the South wind

2009-06-01T07:16:00.005-05:00

I didn't want to walk this morning. Did it anyway. Didn't want to take the dog. I did it anyway. Was glad I had the south wind. You were good company, my friend. Wanted to try to fast today for a variety of personal reasons I'll get into later....maybe. I didn't. I curse you Spangles breakfast bowls...but I love you! The music this morning was darn near perfect, but with so many songs to choose from, why am I getting doubles on the same artist? Still, the tunes worked and got me home safely and my heart pumping.

THE ZUNE MORNING MIX 060109
• Hope Set High - Songs from The Loft
• House of Love (Classic Philly Soul Mix) - Amy Grant/Vince Gill
• Turn Me Loose - Loverboy
• New Sensation - INXS
• Moonlit (Neon Predator) - Falling Up
• Original Sin - INXS
• Spoilin' For A Fight - AC/DC

I can feel it coming

2009-05-26T22:50:00.001-05:00

The walk this morning sucked. I got up...I invited Sonny to join me...I headed out the door...but something was missing. Something that makes these morning walks enjoyable...something called a cool, south wind. While those are rare, they are very nice. I would've gladly taken a cool, north wind but that didn't move in until tonight with the rain during Andrew's baseball game. We didn't rain out, just delayed about 15 minutes. Back to this morning...I was hot, the air seemed heavy, bugs were swirling around as if warm weather gives them the right to be the pests they are. It was just gross...at least for me. It's going to get worse before it gets better, I know. I can feel it coming...Summer. There are some nice things about the season, several actually. But bugs and hot temperatures are not on that list for me. Yuck. I'll just sweat it out and push through the pain and hope the misery I'm putting myself through will deliver promising results.

I spent a lot of time with the Zune over Memorial Day weekend. I added more music and deleted the songs I'd never listen to and skip over anyway. Right now, I'm at 2,494 songs. That should do and the mix should be a little better as time goes by. Today, was not a good mix. Way too mellow to do me any good. Well, it started off with some energy but it went downhill after Family Force 5. Don't get me wrong. I like those songs by Smitty and SC2, but if that's what I'm going to get on these walks, then I might as well wake Andrew or Amber up and have them pull me in the wagon. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow. Good night.

Zune Morning Mix 052609
• Jekyll & Hyde - Petra
• Suicide Blonde - INXS
• Lose Urself - Family Force 5
• Do You Dream Of Me? - Michael W. Smith
• Lost In The Shadows - Steven Curtis Chapman
• Old Enough To Know - Michael W. Smith
• Step Of Faith - Carman

First Church of Arby's

2009-05-24T10:13:00.010-05:00

We didn't make it to church today. To be honest, we haven't been to church in several Sunday's. We've either been out of town for a wedding, a baseball tournament, or someone has been sick. Today we're celebrating my niece, Leah's, graduation from Creighton Law School and we have Sara's sister and kids staying with us for a couple of days.

I think that, sometimes, God understands that we can't always make it to church so He'll give us a lesson in some other format than a sermon.

There was a Sunday (many Sunday's ago) that we didn't make it to church and we stopped at Arby's to eat. On the side of the bag were these "Arby's Values". I read them out loud to the rest of the family while we were eating, and we talked about what each one meant to us. These were values that would help us lead happier lives and would make life better for those people we interact with. Click on the picture to read them for yourself. That was our church that Sunday. God found a way to reach out to us through a paper bag at a fast food joint.

There's nothing like getting a roast beef sermon, minus the cheese, when you're on the road. Oh, and a side of curly fries, too.

Mellow Music Does Not a Fit Walker Make

2009-05-22T09:10:00.003-05:00

I pushed myself out of bed this morning to go on Day 3 of my morning walk. Today, I took Sonny with me. He was very excited about getting to join me. Usually he's more work than it's worth, but he kept himself in check today and stayed the same course and cadence I did. And that cadence wasn't much of a test for either of us. The morning Zune mix was heavy on mellow music today.

When I bought my Zune, I just started dumping albums on there, much like a redneck dumps an old mattress in a ditch along side the highway. I gave no thought to how this music was going to be used or how it would affect my future activities. I was using it as a storage unit, and that is so wrong. I hope that redneck realizes the error in his ways, too. So, I really need to do some organizing and get this music in order so I can have the proper mix to move me along in the mornings. I'll be sharing my Zune Morning Mix here so you can sort of experience what the Zune forced through my earbuds and into my body. I try not to skip forward to the next song so I listen to whatever pops up all the way through. So, as you can see from today's list, the selection didn't do much to wake me up or get me moving. Thankfully, Dan Huff and his buddies made an appearance midway through my journey. Otherwise, it's possible that you'd find me sleeping peacefully on the bench next to the sidewalk I travel with a very confused and bored dog sitting next to me.

ZUNE MORNING MIX 052209
"Gimme Your Love" - Black N Blue
"Don't Give Up On Us" - David Soul
"Somebody Love Me" - Michael W. Smith
"No Way Out" - Giant
"Turn Down The World Tonight" - Journey
"While I Still Got The Time" - Darius Rucker
"Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" - Hall & Oates
"Matter Of Time" - Michael W. Smith

Quotes and stuff

2009-05-20T09:58:00.005-05:00

So this was the first day I actually was able to get out and exercise. I guess pushing a lawn mower counts but that's tied to a chore and it diminishes the purpose and mindset behind it. Yesterday, I bought a grilled chicken sandwich from Wendy's rather than the fried version or a burger, so that was a start. I also had a lemonade instead of a diet soda. That taxing thing the government wants to do for sugary drinks may help curb that craving. Anyway, today was the first morning I woke up early enough to go on my walk before Andrew got on the bus to go to school. I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep for a while longer, but I couldn't ignore the daylight pushing through the dark curtains in our room used to block out said daylight. Face it, Mike. You're awake. I figured it was God's way of helping me indulge a little less and do what I should be doing instead. So I went for my walk and really enjoyed the cool temperatures. I figured that was God's way of rewarding me for getting up and moving so early in the morning. Most of the songs that shuffled their way to the top of my Zune were mostly Christian songs. I, again, figured it was God's way of supporting me on my walk and inspiring me to continue. So, thanks God for all of that!

Last night, I watched the last part of "Glee" to see if they were going to show a preview of the second episode (which won't air until the fall) and they did. The funniest line is in that episode. One of the characters says ""That was the most offensive thing I've seen, and that includes an elementary school production of 'Hair'". HILARIOUS!!! Love this show! I can't wait for the fall to get here just for this show alone.

At work, I decided to check up on a recording artist I hadn't heard from in awhile and went to their website. At the top of their page, I found this quote and thought it was especially inspiring and wanted to share it with the few of you who read this blog.

Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson
from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I intend to use these words to my benefit in my "Less of Me" quest. I'd write it on my hand to remember it, but it's such a long quote I'd have to use my forearm, and I don't want to walk around having people think I have Angelina Jolie-like tattoos on my arms. Who needs that kind of attention? If I'm gonna have a tattoo, it's gonna be a picture of something cool, not something written in a foreign tongue. And nothing that would make my mother cry. That's the kind of guy I am.

Conversation with my daughter

2009-05-18T22:01:00.003-05:00

On the way home from watching a dance recital that I was taping...

Amber: DAD! I finished my Junie B. Jones book!
Me: That is awesome, Amber! I knew you could do it. I'm really proud of you. Do you like reading Junie B. Jones?
Amber: Yeah! I want to get lots more of her books to read.
Me: Well, I think we can do that.
Amber: Now I'm going to read this Paul Bunyan book.

(a few moments of silence)

Amber: I'm gonna take a break. My head is too full of words from that Junie B. Jones book and my head needs a rest.

Well, it was after her bed time so I understand.

Less of Me

2009-05-18T09:44:00.002-05:00

I hate step one. It's sooo far from where I want to be. But, I realize it's an important step in moving me in the right direction. I still hate it, though.

Many months ago, when I learned that my brother was going to get married, I thought that it would be a wonderful time to lose this weight I've been carrying around. He got married a couple of weeks ago. Did I lose weight? No. Well, not yet. I know I'm overweight. I don't like it. I hate it! I can't even sit comfortably in a booth when we go out to eat. Everyone likes to sit in a booth but I have to deprive my family of that joy and settle for a table. Good Lord, how did this happen? I used to be a non-stop bangin' stud! That guy still exists underneath this protective layer of goo. And, I'm going to expose him again.

When I was 38, I adopted a "Fit by 40" mindset. It was to consist of not only losing weight, but also becoming fit in other areas of my life. My faith, the way I drive, the way I interact with people, etc. All in all, it was my goal to become a better person. Not that I'm a bad person, but sometimes we can behave the worst toward the people we love the most, including ourselves.

Well, here I am, almost half-way through 40 and I haven't changed a thing. So I'm modifying that mindset to read "Fit at 40" with a sub-title of "Less of Me". If I'm less indulgent and become more disciplined in the way I eat, the way I exercise, the way I use my time and become a good steward of these things that God has given me, I can achieve a healthier body, a healthier mind and a healthier spirit. I'll be a better husband, a better dad, a better friend, a better employee...a better me.

I don't know why, but this is intimidating for me. Scary. I will fight to not make excuses. So, here I go.

Glee

2009-04-20T22:10:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty excited about this show. It doesn't start until the fall, but there's a sneak peek in May.

Good morning, April!

2009-04-05T07:56:00.007-05:00

"And what to my wonderous eyes should appear, but falling snow I thought was gone for the year." So, I took a slow walk down the driveway to get the morning paper.

I believe I'm the only one who is enjoying these surprise snowfalls we keep having, but they are great.

Also, I hope to start breathing new life into this blog. Work and that evil (but wonderful) facebook have kept me away. So, for that, I apologize.

But, fear not, I will return shortly. Press On. And if you have it, enjoy the snowfall!

Chickenfoot Winter

2009-02-26T22:15:00.007-06:00

I want to blog. Oh, yes I do. I have thoughts. I have opinions. I have stories. What I don't have right now, is the time. It is basketball season. Baseball season is knocking on our door and already has a foot inside my living room. Uugghh. So, what do I have to say right now?

First, I'm disgusted that winter failed to deliver this year. It appears we'll have spring for 6 months this year. I am a winter person. I love the snow. I love the cold temperatures. I love the excitement of a pending snowfall. And you know, if winter does it right, I'm OK with spring, and even summer isn't that bad. But when winter hibernates inside itself, I get irked with the weather. I also am SOOOOO tired of the news guys and gals on TV talking about how lucky we are and if the weather dips into the 40's how terribly cold it is and when will we get back to the spring temps. C'mon guys. It's winter. Let winter be winter. You knew when you moved here that we have four seasons here (except this year). So if you want warm weather year round, I can tell you where to find it. Don't curse those of us who enjoy the winter solstice. I don't complain about your 100 degree temps. I understand it's summer and it's part of the game. I will stay inside my air conditioned home. Why can't you put on a sweater and a coat? Figure it out. It's not that hard. Anyway, winter...It'll be glad to see your pale self this weekend, even if it is just for a couple of days. I'll cross my fingers for next year that you'll be able to make a longer visit. Sure, you can have a temper, but you really are beautiful and your mood is usually pretty tender. Consider making a longer stay next year.

Second...well, there is no second. But, I found this video that I thought was interesting. Do you recognize at least two of the people in the video? I know who they are. It'll be good to hear what they do next. And, Chickenfoot....nice. A fresh take on a timeless symbol.

Life Question

2009-01-31T08:25:00.002-06:00

Why, when you're trying to videotape your daughter performing a dance routine during half-time of the high school boys game, does the lady in front of you, oblivious to the crowd around her, stand up to get still photos of her child performing the same routine? They have no chance of turning out because it's just too dark inside a gymnasium. And why does she continue to stand IN MY WAY? Hello, you're in the second row. I think you can see fine. I know I could before you decided to stand up. By the way, the shirt you were wearing that I have plenty of video of...didn't do you any favors.

I feel better.

New Term

2009-01-20T16:56:00.003-06:00

I've created a new term...term being short for terminology.

Today is Inauguration Day. Barack Obama is President of the United States of America.

There are many Inauguration parties tonight. Most will include alcoholic beverages.

My term for those beverages is "Inaug-Nog". Feel free to mention my name after using the term.

My word, that will eventually find it's way into the slang dictionary.

Inaug-Nog
© 2009

New Year...New Music

2009-01-01T15:07:00.000-06:00

It seems that lately, I've been blogging about music a lot. Well, if you know me, then you'll know that music plays a large role in my life. It always has...probably always will. So, don't be surprised if you see quite a few entries about a new group or a new song I've heard that I want to write about. Today is one of those days.

Last night, New Year's Eve, I made my famous white pizza for dinner, Sara made a cheesecake, we had chips, popcorn, spray cheese, pop...all the requirements for a New Year's Eve party, even if it was just the four of us sitting at home watching Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (with Ryan Seacrest) and Carson Daly's New Year's Eve special.

As we sat in front of the fireplace, waiting for the arrival of 2009 by eating pizza and soda and snacks, we were switching channels on the TV always looking for the show that had the better music artist on. MTV screwed up this year. It was an all Miley Cyrus night. She has her place and I can stomach several of her songs, but does she warrant an entire night on New Year's Eve? What sealed the deal for MTV was they didn't have the normal midnight cover song. Ever year for as long as I can remember, I'd make sure to check MTV at midnight to see which band was covering what song. One of the best that I can remember was No Doubt covering REM's "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" in 2000. Well, MTV has let that die as well as any chances of retaining viewers older than 30. The final nail in their music coffin has been hammered. Next...

Dick Clark did pretty well with us by having Lionel Richie perform. I mean, c'mon...it's Lionel Richie. We didn't get just a track from a new album but a medley of all of his classics. Sadly, he dampened that pleasure (much to my daughter's enjoyment) by having the Jonas Brothers perform as well. So, he broke even with us. On second thought, he may be in the hole.

Carson Daly won the night. He shared the night with Luke Russert and some other female co-host less irritating than Kelly Pickler over with Dick and Ryan. His delivery was professional and calm and he seemed all-together less frantic than the group over on ABC. But that's not how he won.

He emerged victorious by giving us fresh, new music by a group called The Ting Tings. Sure, the name is enough to scare away any guy with not enough testosterone to walk into the music store and ask for the latest CD by The Ting Tings. But for me, the music performed by this group took me back to the 1980's. The sound was a blend of Duran Duran, Blondie, Chic, Franz Ferdinand and the White Stripes. Top it with a 1980's vibe and you have The Ting Tings. It was something new, and MTV hasn't delivered anything like it since they showed their last Buzzworthy video in the middle of the night sandwiched between another extremely long marathon of Real World or Road Rules many years ago.

So, today...I'm doing some research on the Ting Tings on youtube and I discover something else I'm not even looking for...a band called Alphabeat who also deliver music with a 70's/80's pop feel. Somehow, someway, they're similar enough in style or attitude or hair style or clothing choices that the youtube gods had the foresight to suggest one band when people like me are searching for the other. I saw the message that was being delivered to me from them, and it was good.

The Ting Tings are already beginning to forge their way into American ears and will probably be well known before Alphabeat has a chance to introduce themselves to us. So, I'm taking it upon myself to share new music with you, much like I did when I was a radio DJ. I'll start with The Ting Tings and the video for the song they sang last night, "Shut Up and Let Me Go". Then, the band I discovered by chance, Alphabeat and "10,000 Nights".

Thank you, Carson Daly, for having The Ting Tings on your show because without seeing them, I never would've tripped across Alphabeat. In less than one day, Carson, you have introduced me to two of my favorite songs of 2009. You win, Carson...hands down, not just for bringing me The Ting Tings, but also bringing me Alphabeat, even if by pure association. Oh, and also for sticking it to the pompous MTV execs who think they have their finger on the pulse of everything cool. They totally missed the target. Enjoy the music.

The Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go

One of my favorite Christmas songs ever!

2008-12-20T16:13:00.008-06:00

I have had a lot of trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, and I've figured out why.

It's because I haven't listened to my favorite Christmas CD this year. It could be the middle of September, and if I hear a song from this CD, I'm geared up and ready to go for Christmas.

This album has been one of my favorites ever since it came out. About the same time, my friend Andy and I had to work at KLWN in Lawrence on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It was then, sitting through the strict Christmas Eve playlist of the "solemn 40" Christmas songs we had to play. There was a list consisting of people like Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Guy Lombardo and Kate Smith that we were NOT to stray from on Christmas Eve. We survived that night of holiday molasses, but only because of the hope dancing on the horizon of Christmas day. On Christmas day, we could play contemporary Christmas songs...songs we selected. This was our time to shine. Our time to share music we knew was good that was being kept from the people by the rigid restraints of holiday tradition at the station.

That Christmas morning, as people were at home listening to me play Christmas music, as people prepared their home for family arriving soon, as people enjoyed Christmas breakfast, I received numerous phone calls asking the name of certain artists or songs, not to mention many, many compliments on the music selection.

This was one of those songs. It was pretty upbeat for KLWN standards, especially to be playing it before noon. This is "Gloria" by Michael W. Smith, from his Christmas album.

This entire album is phenomenal! If you have never heard it, you are missing out on a tremendous collection of work. This album is so good, it moved Andy and me to take action.

Before Christmas tours were all the rage, we had an idea. This album needed to be heard live. So, we contacted Michael W. Smith's people and inquired about him coming to Lawrence to perform this CD live on the KU campus at Hoch Auditorium (before the fire). I don't think we realized the enormity of the request we had made. We certainly didn't think (or know) about what needs to happen for a concert to come to town. For this to be done right, we needed more than Smitty, we needed his band and an orchestra. Looking back, it wasn't a realistic request and it was bigger than both of us.

We were told that Smitty spends the holidays with his family and that touring wasn't an option for him during that time of the year. We understood and let the dream die.

So what happens a few years later? Amy Grant (who Michael W. Smith played piano for) starts a Christmas concert in Nashville. Before long, they take the show on the road year after year. And this year, who do you think went on a Christmas tour?

Michael W. Smith.

I'd like to think that Andy and I planted a seed. And that seed's name was "Gloria".

Sentimental Dad

2008-12-11T23:00:00.003-06:00

Call me sentimental.

Exactly one month ago, I was running late for work, just like I do everyday. Actually, it was more like walking late for work. I knew I was late but I was in a very controlled form of expidited motion making my way toward the office.

The previous evening, Amber was in the driveway...focused...ignoring the activity around her...a large piece of chalk in one hand, a blank concrete canvas before her. She worked and worked feverishly, never distracted by the buzz of children playing around her. When she finished, she had drawn a football stadium. She must have been inspired by Andrew and his friends playing a pickup game of football in the front yard. She was very proud, as well she should be.

I knew that rain was coming our way later in the day and thought what a downer it will be when her hard work in the driveway is washed away before we really have the chance to appreciate it.

I started my car, closed the garage door, backed over the artwork, and headed toward the office.

I didn't make it to the end of the block when I decided to be even later for work. I drove around the block, grabbed the camera and captured Amber's creation before it was gone.

So, I bring you, Amber's football field...immortalize forever via the gift of digital photography.

Good job, Amber!

And you know what?

Nobody noticed I was late.

Tunes for Tuesday

2008-12-09T22:33:00.003-06:00

I meant to start a "Music Monday" entry where I would share a favorite song every Monday, but I missed it. Here it is Tuesday and I'm itchin' to share a rare, Christmas favorite by one of my favorite artists of all time. I've seen her in concert more than any other. And, if you use the 6 Degrees of Seperation theory, I'm only one person removed from her via several different paths.

This song was made available on cassette as a "cassingle" from Target when you purchased her album "Home For Christmas". It's become difficult to find, but today, I'm sharing it with you here.

This is Amy Grant and "Let The Season Take Wing".

Several years ago, I edited a Christmas greeting video with my friend, Christine D., for the TV station we worked at using this song. We gathered old movies and photgraphs of our families and from co-workers and set them against this song. Here's the video we came up with. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMOmA0eRTuA

I really like this song!

2008-11-25T22:38:00.004-06:00

I know it's been around for awhile and for the life of me, I can't figure out why it wasn't more of a pop hit. It's very catchy! And, the melody just makes you feel really good.

This is Guy Sebastian and "Elevator Love".

Oh...and I finally added the video of Sylvester from Kanakuk LIVE! in the post below.

A Father's Eyes

2008-10-27T22:09:00.008-05:00

Tonight, as a family, we went to Kanakuk LIVE! This is the winter tour staff members of Kanakuk make to touch base with kampers from the past summer and to give those kampers an opportunity to bring their family and friends to watch video and experience, just for an hour or so, what they experience for an entire week! I admit, I'm always excited about Kanakuk films coming to town. Even when I didn't have children, I would go, just to reconnect with old friends and to get that "feeling" again. Tonight was no different.

I was happy to get to speak with my friend, Todd Rapp, again and to finally meet Pete Newman. Seeing those guys in action tonight brought back everything I love about Kanakuk...which is everything! I even got to "work" with them. Well, they asked me to run the DVD player which had all of their video on it so, yeah...I was kind of a big deal tonight. I mean, people come to see the video highlights from Kamp so, without my right thumb and mad multi-media skills, the audio-visual element of the program would have been severly lacking. Don't get me wrong though, even if there were no video, Todd and Pete were MORE than entertaining on their own. They had help from a wonderful lady who was also on the Kanakuk staff but her name escapes me. I hate it when that happens.

Anyway, the highlight of the night for me was not the great skits Pete and Todd performed (although I'm very pleased that Sylvester made an appearance), it wasn't the cool video (sorry thumb!), and it wasn't the testimonies, the worship songs, or the great message Pete shared with all of us. It was sneaking a glance at Andrew and Amber and watching their reaction to all that was going on. Seeing them laugh at the skits, seeing them really listen during Pete's talk, seeing them clap after the songs were sung...seeing those things makes me know that what is happening at Kanakuk is really something good. It's something I need to continue to invest in. It's something I need to work hard towards so my kids can have the Kanakuk experience and grow up knowing where they stand as individuals with their faith, to know how to treat and react to others, to learn how to compete and be good sports, to learn how to win graciously and to lose respectfully, and to know that Mom & Dad must have really loved them to allow them to leave the house for one week each year (hard as that is) for something that will change their lives forever.

With that being said, check back soon for a video from Kanakuk LIVE! starring one of my favorite characters, Sylvester.

Forecast of the persimmon

2008-10-23T08:01:00.011-05:00

According to folklore (which means it hasn't been scientific proven, or disproved), the severity of approaching winter can be forecast by cutting open a persimmon seed and looking at the shape of the kernel inside. Hold the seed carefully with a pair of needled-nose pliers and use a paring knife to slice it open.

If the kernel is spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow is forecasted.
If the kernel is fork-shaped, powdery light snow and a mild winter is predicted. If the kernel is knife-shaped, bitter icy cutting winds for next few months will occur.

It is recommended to cut at least ten seeds to determine the outcome of the kernel shape.

First of all, what is a persimmon? I thought they were called tomatoes, but apparently, I'm wrong.

If you don't know, I'm a winter person through and through. There are no bugs biting and no sweating just from stepping outside. Those are just two of the many reasons I love the season.

Well, in today's paper, I see this article which made me very happy. I may have to start planting persimmons in our garden.

A Moment In Time

2008-10-17T18:08:00.009-05:00

Twenty years ago. I was 19, pushing 20. I've not changed much and at the same time, I'm an entirely different person. I enjoy music now as much as I did then, although my taste has refined...not much, but still, I'm particular about what I'll listen to, although I'm open to giving anything a chance. It doesn't take me long to form an opinion about it, though.

I appreciate things from the past. That's my dad's influence on me. I remember days sitting in his music room that he built himself. It was full of 45's, albums, 8-track tapes, cassettes, pictures of his favorite artists, models of cars from the 1950's, and so much more that I can't remember. My brothers and I would sit there and listen to his stories about growing up while he played songs from the soundtrack of his life. From Dad, I learned that new isn't always better and that if you have a chance to experience a good memory from the past, you should try and do it.

Twenty years ago, Amy Grant released "Lead Me On", a landmark album for her. At the time, I didn't really get into the album. It was quite a jump from the pop-filled "Unguarded". "Lead Me On" was darker...more mature. More mature than I was at the time. I bought the cassette but it didn't get much deck time from me. I didn't get to go to concerts much back then and I'm not sure the tour even came near me. That tour spawned one of the best radio specials of all time, "A Moment In Time". I wouldn't have known about that except that I found a CD copy of the radio special in the trash at the radio station I was working at (Thank you, Brian!). Being a fan of Amy Grant, I picked it up and, to this day, it's one of my most treasured possessions. The stories that were shared, the music that was made, the friendships that were forged and solidified on that tour were amazing. Ask my friend, Andy. He witnessed the magic of that tour through the same CD. It's like someone put a magical spell on that round piece of plastic so that anyone coming in contact with it would be blessed by its audio content. After listening to the CD of that radio program, I immediately knew I had missed out on something pretty special...until now.

Amy Grant is bringing that tour to Wichita and I'm getting a second chance to experience that tour. She's bringing most of the original band with her to celebrate 20 years since the release of that album. It's like I'm getting to go back in time to experience "A Moment In Time". I'm very excited! Amy will be there with many of my favorites...Chris Rodriguez, Chris Eaton, Chris Harris (what's with all the Chris's?). It's sure to be a fantastic evening.

And to make the night even more special, I'm taking Amber as a surprise birthday present. Lately, she's really been into Amy Grant's music. She has always enjoyed music and she wanted to listen to something on her headphones. I wanted to give her something positive to listen to so what better artist to introduce a little girl to than Amy Grant. She has really connected to her music and I can't wait to watch her watching Amy. It'll be Amber's first concert (if you don't count The Average White Band playing in the park at Salina's Smoky Hill River Festival. Since it wasn't a ticketed event, I'm not counting it).

I'll be sure to share as much as I can remember about the concert. I know, I know...you're still waiting on details about the Kenny Loggins concert I went to a while back. I still have pictures to share from that. But, this concert is special. This concert will connect me to my past in a way nothing has before, and it'll be nice to be 19 again, even if for just "a moment in time".

Conversations with the Neighbor Kid

2008-10-02T13:04:00.004-05:00

(Standing in my driveway waiting for the school bus)

Neighbor Kid: Mike...do you want to feel my ears?
Me: Not really. Why do you want me to feel your ears?
Neighbor Kid: (smiling) Because they're warm.

That boy is an interesting child.

Goldilocks and the Walrus

2008-09-29T09:20:00.009-05:00

So, last night while we were waiting for the school bus, I see the neighbors across the street pull into their driveway. They start unloading their car with bags. Apparently, they had been to the airport to pick someone up. Well, not too far behind them comes this guy driving a small dark blue pickup. The family across the street has 6 kids, 4 of them are driving age so there was really no place for him to park. He pulled over to our side of the street (going the wrong way) and parked his truck. A boy about Andrew's age got out and walked our way asking if the tree next to our driveway was a cotton tree. I said, "No, it's a maple, but there are plenty of Cottonwood trees around here." By that time, the guy driving the truck was walking toward me and I really couldn't believe who it was. It was Paul McCartney. No security, no stupid paparazzi, no nothing. Just the walrus himself.

When I was a student at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, there were always celebrities and well-known people walking around campus so we learned in a hurry not to ever be a "fan". The environment was one of learning and these people were here to help us with our education so there was no room to be star-struck. After working in the music business for a few years, fame doesn't affect me much anymore. They're just people after all.

As Paul walked toward me, I played it cool and welcomed him like I would a neighbor from down the street. While I may have been freaking out on the inside, I was cool as a fall breeze on the outside. I shook his hand and asked how he was doing and if I could do anything for him. Apparently, he was looking for locations to shoot his album cover and someone told him about our tree and the amazing colors it turns during the fall. (Link to see pictures of the tree during the fall here: http://clicketyclickclick.blogspot.com/2007/11/fall-in-front.html) The name of the album is "Goldilocks" so I can see the connection.

So, there I am standing in my driveway unaffected by the fact I'm talking to one of the Beatles...Paul Mc"fricking"Cartney, about the neighborhood and about music in general (one of my favorite topics!) and I notice people driving by starting to look curiously our way, so I invite him in to the house. He waves to the neighbors who have some connection to him to say I'll be over shortly. The boy who rode with him stays outside to play with Andrew & Amber.

Our house is very unassuming to it's a nice front for someone of his caliber of celebrity. We go in and sit in the front room. We offer him something to drink (water, soda...nothing hard) and he declines so we sit in the front room to continue our conversation. As he's talking, I think of three people I know within driving distance who would love to have the opportunity I'm having. So I ask him, "You're not an idiot, Paul. You're aware that people all over the world love your music and think you're pretty cool. I know three people who would enjoy meeting you and am wondering if you'd care if I called them so they could meet you." He says, "Sure! I'd love to meet your friends." So I call my dad and tell him I need him to come to Wichita but didn't tell him why. He's reluctant but decides to head our way. I also call Christine and I call Jon. They both come over and are floored at who is sitting in my living room. But they were cool and very polite and not fanatical at all. I was relieved and impressed and I know it meant a lot to them. I was eager to see how Dad would react.

We continued talking, sharing stories, not dropping one delicate word pitched toward our ears. The discussion turned back toward the tree where the boys were playing when all of a sudden...

I woke up. Yep, it was a dream I had. You probably clued into that fact in the first sentence when I said "last night I was waiting for the school bus" knowing full well that school buses don't run at night, especially on Sunday nights. I have no idea what this dream means. Andrew had a goldfish that died recently whose name was "Goldilocks" but I can't find any meaning behind this. All I know is it was as vivid as 3D movie and I was aware of the noises around me (Sara was getting ready and the kids were stirring) but I was still able to keep my eyes closed to see what might happen or learn if Paul was going to give me concert tickets or something cool.

I'll end with a message for Paul. If by some weird cosmic chance you had a dream similar to this about putting my tree on your album cover, you have my permission, and you're welcome to visit anytime. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

How About Now? (Kenny Loggins setlist)

2008-09-14T22:31:00.006-05:00

I think I've waited long enough.

What a concert! One of the best I've been to. Kenny Loggins did a fantastic job. Just a perfect night in almost every way.

I have plenty of pictures to share and I'll get that link to you soon. For now, here's the setlist:

Danny's Song
Return To Pooh Corner
Conviction of the Heart
How About Now (new song, new CD)
Celebrate Me Home
This Is It (Kirk Franklin version...I've included the Kirk Fanklin version. I preferKenny's version and am glad he took this back for his own)

I'm A Free Man Now (new song, new CD)
Angry Eyes
(some song he said was from Caddyshack that I'd never heard before. I think he mentioned "Baby Ruth" and "do what you gotta do" but am not sure. Great song, though!)
Your Mama Don't Dance
I'm Alright
Don't Fight It
Danger Zone
Footloose
Forever (encore)

It was a solid set from top to bottom. Check back on this post for the link to photographs and an extra treat or two from the show. It's late now and I have a busy week in front of me. I've been so busy at work with the launch of the new TV season and with life by getting the kids where they need to be and going to ball games and painting the house (although Sara has done most of that) and dodging flood waters...blogging kinda had to be set on the back-burner. Sorry about that. Hopefully you understand and you haven't given up on me. I can tell you stories about talking to 7,000 people at the Kansas State Fair, learning that my very cool Saturn also serves as a makeshift boat, gathering "wisdom" in an empty Gatorade bottle, and share my curiosity about the whole "Twitter" bonanza. But, my pillow beckons me and I am looking forward to viewing the backside of my eyelids for about six-hours.

Good-night!

12/26/08 - I just put together the setlist from the show for your listening pleasure, in case you want to "experience" it again with us. Enjoy.

The latest from Boone

2008-08-25T12:37:00.001-05:00

Conviction of the Heart

2008-08-19T11:14:00.006-05:00

Tonight, we are going out to celebrate our wedding anniversary that we haven't been able to celebrate in two years. We're nowhere near the correct date, but we're attending an event that seems perfect for the both of us.

I'm not ashamed to say it...we're going to see Kenny Loggins. We've been wanting to see him for YEARS and he's finally playing close enough for us to go. We bought V.I.P. tickets that include dinner, drinks and all of the other fancy stuff.

I have this habit when I go to concerts of writing down the set-list so I can make a CD copy of the exact song order. Then, we can sort of re-live the experience chronologically. I'll probably post that tomorrow for any other Kenny Loggins fans out there.

Most people I tell about this think the guy only has one-hit..."Footloose" or "I'm Alright". But, most people aren't as musically educated and well-rounded as I am. That ain't bragging, it's just the truth.

I'm looking forward to hearing:
• Heartlight
• Heart To Heart
• I'm Alright
• The Real Thing
• Sweet Reunion
• House on Pooh Corner
• Danny's Song
• DangerZone
• I'm Free
• Forever
• Whenever I Call You Friend
• Don't Fight It
• Vox Humana

....I could go on and on. I think I have an argument here that Kenny Loggins has had more than just one hit.

There is one particular song that I really want to hear, and am sure he'll sing it. Sara thinks he'll start the show with it. (I think he'll start with something from his new CD, "How About Now"). The song I want to hear is from his "Leap Of Faith" CD...."Conviction Of The Heart".

2008-08-17T21:35:00.003-05:00

So I get back from Orlando, Florida just in time for a hurricane to nose it's way toward the state. I guess one hurricane sees DisneyWorld and they all think they have to go...either that or head to Six Flags over Texas. I thought I'd have some time to write about these topics:

• My trip to Orlando
• The crazy premonitions I kept having before the trip
• Andrew's trip to Kanakuk
• Am I really staying up late to watch fencing, ping-pong, swimming and gymnastics?

...but, we started painting the exterior of our house. Between that and football practice and a new school year, I've not had much time to really reflect and just spill it out all over my keyboard.

Andrew's birthday party is next week so I'm sure this week will be consumed with planning and preparing for that.

One day, I'll have the time I want to blog about life, but as long as life keeps happening and writing new pages and episodes, a short note will have to do.

Friend from VC

2008-08-17T10:02:00.003-05:00

Here's another fabulous piece of artwork from Amber. This is her first compisition as a first grade student. A short explanation of the piece is provided by the artist below the picture.

OK...so she got the VC on there backwards, but still, it's a pretty good picture.

This is actually a Squiggle Art project. What that means is, the kids are given a blank piece of paper except for a small "squiggle" on the page. In this instance, it's the V in the v-neck shirt. Then the kids draw a picture centered around that. It's a great exercise in imagination, which Amber has an over-abundance of.

She says, "This was my best picture that I ever made in my whole life and I really like it. This person was looking at another person. I made his red hair pointy cause it matched the squiggle on the page...I think that's all. It's like a picture with his arms down by his sides or like in his pockets. His name is Crazy Hair."

So there you have it.

My niece made the news

2008-08-13T21:55:00.002-05:00

Billy Goat-Goat-Goat-Goat

2008-08-09T09:09:00.005-05:00

Remember Saturday mornings growing up? You didn't ever, EVER sleep in. Because if you did, you'd miss them. You tip-toed past Mom and Dad's room so not to wake them up (if they weren't up already) because if you did, they'd either give you chores to do or they'd get the TV to watch something. But, back then, there wasn't much else on at that time except...CARTOONS! Yay! I win!

So, being that it's Saturday morning and I survived my trip to Florida (although DisneyWorld nearly killed me), I'm celebrating my homecoming with a favorite from the past. Gather the kids around and show them something from when you were a kid. You gotta admit that this is much easier to watch than the anime' stuff like Pokemon and Dragonball Z. My kids don't even like that junk. But when they heard the opening music from this cartoon on my computer, they came running in to watch.

This is "Billy Boy" and I laugh everytime that farmer guy stutters. Great stuff!

Tex Avery BILLY BOY

Leaving for Orlando

2008-08-04T22:00:00.003-05:00

Until I return on Friday, this blog is...

Hopefully, I'll have much to blog about my trip and Andrew's week at Kanakuk. Have a great week!

The Great Adventure

2008-08-01T11:55:00.004-05:00

Sara and I saw the first photographic evidence that the boys are at Kanakuk safe and sound! How awesome!

As Andrew and I were leaving town under a thick fog that stayed with us until we were deep into Oklahoma, this is the first song I played for him. This song was brand new when I worked at Kanakuk K-2 back in 1992 and I adopted it as my song for the Kanakuk summer.

I can't embed this particular video for you so you'll just have to click through. Great song and so appropriate for anyone going to Kanakuk. Be sure to watch it in high quality. The scenery is fantastic.

Here is Steven Curtis Chapman and "The Great Adventure".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrrjbTc0urk

Kanakuk Bound!

2008-07-30T23:22:00.004-05:00

Tonight is Andrew's last night with air conditioning, his own room, his own mattress, a computer, Guitar Hero, MLB on PS2, his Nintendo DS, his MP3 player, an ice-cold Pepsi, his dog Sonny, his sister and his parents...all the luxuries of his life...for an entire week!

He's trading all of that in for a thinly mattressed bunk-bed in a grafitti-walled cabin with about 9 other boys his age on the edge of Table Rock Lake, his life for the week packed inside a steel trunk, only knowing one other soul within 300 miles (his cousin is going with him), Sunday morning coffee cake, zip lines, a giant multi-colored blob, a couple of God-fearing college kids to watch over him, multiple evenings of exciting K-Life meetings, Mom & Dad's prayers for his safety, and more fun, new friends and fantastic memories than he'll ever be able to remember.

I'll miss him...terribly. But, I'm so excited for him. He's excited for himself! And that makes me happy.

It's late and we're hitting the road for Tulsa early. Good night.

Why global warming is bad...

2008-07-24T10:17:00.003-05:00

Enough said. (Thanks, Andrew, for telling me about this!)

Isaac...today is your day!

2008-07-23T09:40:00.010-05:00

I've never met the kid, I don't know what he looks like, I just know his name, and he's probably making his entrance (or is it an exit?) even as I speak.

My little sister is having a baby today! I'm excited for her, I'm nervous for her...it's weird. I know she's going to get to witness all of the joy someone can experience from pitocin. I called her husband, José, and told him how I talked Sara through the Pitocin Pathway.

For those who don't know, pitocin helps to induce or augment childbirth...but only if you're already pregnant. In other words, it takes a regular contraction and turns it up to eleven. Thank you, Spinal Tap. And speaking of spinal tap, if you know that pitocin is in your future, I suggest getting an epidural to numb as much of your body as possible. Not sure if it helps but I know I'd have that box checked on the option sheet with a big red Sharpie.

Anyway, once they had her connected to the pitocin drip and it started to perform it's evil contraction dance, I would warn Sara that a contraction was beginning because the red numbers on this machine next to me that she was hooked up to started to rise. Those were probably the most terrifying words I spoke to her every six or seven minutes because once I gave her the warning, she would totally get her game face on and withdraw into this inner sanctum of peace and strength. But, on that climb to the peak of the contraction, it didn't look very peaceful. And, it appeared that the lady behind the counter of the inner sanctum was rationing the servings of strength. It was kind of scary, and I really felt bad for Sara. Throughout the climb, I was NOT to say anything more until the red numbers told me that the contraction had peaked and was on the decline. Then, and only then, I told her that she was coming down. Once the contraction was over, and not one minute before, she would thank me. Yep, she would thank me for uttering just a few words of hope and promise during one of the most intense times of her life..."You're at the top" or "You're coming down"...she WASN'T thanking me for putting her in that situation. Let me make that clear.

Anyway, Sara survived, we were blessed with Andrew after walking the evil Pitocin Pathway and I expect my sister, Stacie, will do the same.

Good luck, Josè.

Isaac, welcome to our world! Your uncle Mike has a lot to share with you. Let's get together soon.

The Coolest Thing I Did Today

2008-07-16T22:26:00.003-05:00

I tucked Amber into bed and gave her a kiss and hug, right before Andrew gave me a big hug goodnight. That about does it. Nothing else can top that.

So what if I'm tender-hearted?

2008-07-16T09:35:00.008-05:00

My friend, Dustin, forwarded this to me today. What a great story and a great video. I'll even admit, it made me want to cry...but I didn't.

I don't know why but it made me think of my kids and how they react when I come home at the end of the day. I'm really blessed with the family I have and really thank God for them. Sure, there are times when I'm frustrated by them, but in the end, I don't know what I'd do without them.

Even though they are only 11 and 6 (well, almost 12 & 7), Andrew is already talking about learning to drive and getting his first car and preparing for college. Amber is talking about getting Andrew's room when he moves out. My gosh! She's only going to be in the first grade. I didn't have such conversations until I was in high school.

Last night, I admit, I feel a little bad about. I had come home after working a couple hours late and set down to eat dinner. Everyone had already eaten and the kids were ready to play before bedtime. All during my dinner, they were trying to show me the magic tricks they had been working on. (Basically, hiding in a big box that Andrew's Kanakuk trunk arrived in and pushing items through a hold they had cut in it for a flashlight when they use it for a clubhouse.) They wanted to show me over and over and over again. I should have been thrilled that they were playing so well together and wanted to share their achievements with me. But I just wanted to relax and enjoy my dinner. Finally, after several repeat performances, I asked them to either go downstairs or outside so I could feed my face and purge my day onto Sara. And I don't think it came out that nice.

The four of us went for a walk after I finished eating, but that just irritated me more because my numb left foot (it's been over a year now!) was acting up so I limped through a 3 mile walk. At the end of it all, I was hot, my foot was sore, and I just wanted to get to my basement that is at least 15 degrees cooler and mess around on my acoustic guitar.

I won't say that I was a bad dad but I was feeling very human and I'm afraid that "humanity" was shared too generously with the rest of those in the house.

But, this morning, as I was getting ready to head to work, both of the kids gave me a hug without me asking for one...much like the lion in the video.

Being loved is wonderful. Being forgiven is even better.

Amber's artwork

2008-07-12T13:27:00.005-05:00

Amber has proven to me (her dad) that she has "mad" artistic skills. She likes to draw and color and is really a very creative little girl. So, I thought the best way for me to preserve her work is to post it here. Sort of an artistic timeline or record.

This isn't her first piece of work but it's certainly a very good one. I think this may be the beginning of a career in calligraphy.

She says this is her autograph and she wanted me to have it. I have a feeling that this is not the last time someone will get her autograph.

Dumbest Valentine Ever

2008-07-12T12:55:00.005-05:00

This was going to be my initial blog entry (make all the jokes you want. I realize it's a princess) but I got impatient and posted the other's first just to get the thing started.

I remember Andrew coming home with his bag of valentines he got at school from the rest of his classmates. There were some cool ones in there with sports stars and super heroes and the occasional cartoon character. Most of them had your typical Valentine's Day message like, "Be My Valentine", "Being friends with you is a slam dunk" (on the Dwayne Wade card) and other sentiments that a 5th grader might say to another within the confines of a classroom.

But this one is so lame that it's hardly worthy of giving to someone on a day when you're supposed to be at least feigning a friendship with everyone else in the class. This one is the equivalent of someone signing your yearbook with "Stay just the way you are because you deserve the best in life". What does that mean? Nothing. It means I couldn't think of anything original to say and I'm not creative enough to try, so here's what you get.

Here's what the valentine said when he opened it up:

Thanks for the Valentine's Day card, chick. Good-bye.

Pickens Plan

2008-07-08T21:20:00.001-05:00

The price of gas is ridiculous. Face it. It's not going to get any better. But, today I heard of a plan that makes complete sense.

Boone Pickens, a well respected oil man from Oklahoma (and graduate of Oklahoma State University) was on the news talking about how we, as Americans, can reduce our dependance on foreign oil. I did some more research, and found the following video on his myspace page. He really simplifies the problem and shows us the way out. It's like Moses leading the people through the Red Sea to the promised land.

If you have 5 minutes, please take a moment to watch this video. If you don't have 5 minutes, you should find the time.

Now that it's born, let's name it!

2008-07-07T14:08:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I have a photo blog but I needed a place to just upload my thoughts on anything and everything having to do with my life. Not that you care about what I think or feel, but it's a great writing exercise for me and I'm sure it'll be good for my sanity at times.

I've been wanting to get this thing kickstarted for quite a while now but have been waiting until I have a good name for it. Here are a few I've come up with:

• The Other Side of Me
• Cut - Splice - Print
• Gov's Stuff
• Just My Type
• Splice of Life

I'm guessing "Gov's Stuff" will be the popular choice since it's in the URL for this blog, but who knows. Send me a comment on your thoughts, whether you prefer something listed above or have a suggestion of your own. Once I have a name, this blog will spring to life with opinions, artwork, music, and much more. You can vote in the margin to the right.

Thanks for taking an interest!