05 December 2007
04 December 2007
I can run fast, but not that fast
For those of you who have never heard this story, family legend has it that my paternal grandmother, Mary Sloan was chosen for the 1920 United States Olympic Track and Field team, she chose instead to get married (different times). I have never done any fact checking, so I don't know whether there is truth to it or not. Regardless of the "truth" of the story, the gene is there, I am quite quick on my feet as a sprinter. Some of my cousins were also. I have always been proud of this little part of my genetic heritage, and even today at my age, I can run faster than many 10-15 years younger and still jump and touch a basketball rim.
All that speed is useless in the end, because the one thing everyone wants to run from cannot be ... your past. I'm not shy about my past, I'll talk. Not everyone can handle my story, wants to listen, is able to consider the consequences of it, or forgive ... and that had been a tough, hard lesson for me to learn. Suffice it to say that some of my teenage years were probably as bad as it gets for some, and much of my adult life has been full of questionable decision making.
I recently got an e-mail from a friend questioning my character. Although some of the examples given were from my past, it wasn't the far past. I really have no problem with having my character questioned, I do it myself.
I have recently volunteered and begun trying to be a Bible Study leader with Great Adventures. I am scared to death of this. When I was originally approached, I veered away from it, I believe the words that I used to describe myself were "leadership poison". I am just so afraid of bringing discredit on something that others, like Chad, have poured their life into. I am certain that I would just rather avoid ever being put in a place where I had to answer, as a leader, for the stupid decisions I have made. I am not so sure God is going to allow me to avoid being uncomfortable, or avoid having public character.
I have character all right, more to the point I am a character. I am stubborn, flirtatious, irresponsible, lazy, vain, cocky, and a little too in love with my discernment. I make my decisions more often than not with my heart, with little consideration for reason or prayer. I can be me-centered, harsh, vulgar, egotistical, inappropriately funny, gossipy, and worst of all, unkempt. Trouble waiting to happen, a real piece of work...
...but, it's a work in progress. I guess I am realizing as I am writing, I don't need anyones help to keep me a slave to my past, I can do that all on my own.
I doubt very much that God is going to leave me in a state of uncompletedness, He will keep me moving, growing, and providing new challenges for me, just as He has done since I came back to Him, and it looks like leadership and character issues are on the horizon. Pray with me that I be taught what I am supposed to know, that I am faithfully able to do what He places in front of me, and that when I want to run from my past, I instead make it available to Him so that He can use it for His will.
All that speed is useless in the end, because the one thing everyone wants to run from cannot be ... your past. I'm not shy about my past, I'll talk. Not everyone can handle my story, wants to listen, is able to consider the consequences of it, or forgive ... and that had been a tough, hard lesson for me to learn. Suffice it to say that some of my teenage years were probably as bad as it gets for some, and much of my adult life has been full of questionable decision making.
I recently got an e-mail from a friend questioning my character. Although some of the examples given were from my past, it wasn't the far past. I really have no problem with having my character questioned, I do it myself.
I have recently volunteered and begun trying to be a Bible Study leader with Great Adventures. I am scared to death of this. When I was originally approached, I veered away from it, I believe the words that I used to describe myself were "leadership poison". I am just so afraid of bringing discredit on something that others, like Chad, have poured their life into. I am certain that I would just rather avoid ever being put in a place where I had to answer, as a leader, for the stupid decisions I have made. I am not so sure God is going to allow me to avoid being uncomfortable, or avoid having public character.
I have character all right, more to the point I am a character. I am stubborn, flirtatious, irresponsible, lazy, vain, cocky, and a little too in love with my discernment. I make my decisions more often than not with my heart, with little consideration for reason or prayer. I can be me-centered, harsh, vulgar, egotistical, inappropriately funny, gossipy, and worst of all, unkempt. Trouble waiting to happen, a real piece of work...
...but, it's a work in progress. I guess I am realizing as I am writing, I don't need anyones help to keep me a slave to my past, I can do that all on my own.
I doubt very much that God is going to leave me in a state of uncompletedness, He will keep me moving, growing, and providing new challenges for me, just as He has done since I came back to Him, and it looks like leadership and character issues are on the horizon. Pray with me that I be taught what I am supposed to know, that I am faithfully able to do what He places in front of me, and that when I want to run from my past, I instead make it available to Him so that He can use it for His will.
03 December 2007
Mii, not you
This is a little late on the posting, but ... on Thanksgiving at Viv's parents there was a Wii brought by Cornstalker's brother. Cornstalker just had to create a Mii of me, with advice from Viv. The results were a little on the eerie side.
Everytime my Mii stepped up on screen to bowl, everyone busted up laughing again. Ha ha.
Everytime my Mii stepped up on screen to bowl, everyone busted up laughing again. Ha ha.
28 November 2007
'Tis the Season
'Tis the season for ... the most obnoxious tree on the block.
One 10 foot high flowering crab tree, 600 blinking multicolored lights, and 5 large white lighted bulbs.
I win!
One 10 foot high flowering crab tree, 600 blinking multicolored lights, and 5 large white lighted bulbs.
I win!
20 November 2007
Road trip to Battle Creek and O'Neill
After trying for months trying to plan to get out to O'Neill to visit Robin & Tim, okay really just Daniel. Last Sunday I said to SmileChild "Hey, you want to road trip, let's go." Obviously spur of the moment works way better than trying to plan something. We had the added incentive of Smeade is staying in Battle Creek for two months doing a college practical in Norfolk, and hey, it's on the way! We got Viv to come along and it was a plan.
The day started off early, after a late night of dancing. I wanted to be on the road by 0900, and we made it. Not to complain about my friends, but none of them know how to drive a stick, they need to learn how to drive my car.
Evidently, they aren't the only ones who don't know about my car, I pulled into a gas station in Scribner, ran my card at the pump, put the nozzle in my tank, SmileChild and I cleaned the windows, we used the facilities, put the pump away, and back on the road. About 20 miles later, I looked at my gas tank, and it was nearly empty ... *????* ... yep, I had forgotten to actually pump the gas. Fortunately, we were able to make it to Smeade's place in Battle Creek without further incident.
The day turned out to be absolutely gorgeous for November. The sun low in the sky, the few clouds were high, the wind slight, and the temperature in the mid 50°s. Battle Creek appeared to be deserted, which I can only attribute to it being deer hunting season, and many hunters being out on the prowl.
Smeade took us to a local dining establishment, okay, make that the only local dining establishment, Goody's Grille.
The best place to eat lunch in Battle Creek.
After lunch the local constabulary treated me in the usual manner.
SmileChild and Smeade think that the local cops hassling me is humorous.
After lunch, we had some time to kill, so we walked down to the local library where there was a book and bake sale. The sale was heavy on the books, not so much on the baked goods.
I guess I could read something at a library...
The library had computers for use, and I finally figured out how SmileChild keeps winning at Scrabble.
SmileChild thinks she can overload the camera by reflecting the sunlight into the lens. Nice try, but we still know you bought something at the book sale.
We then headed back to Smeade's temporary residence for some highly intellectual discussion and activities.
I had no idea both Smeade and Viv were cheerleaders in high school.
Gravel driveway and boots are difficult to dance in ... having the right partner makes it all good.
Maybe I should have zoomed in a little bit.
We gassed up the car, for real this time, and got back on the road to O'Neill when all of a sudden...
...oh look, a chicken...
...what was I talking about?
We got up to O'Neill in a little over an hour after leaving Battle Creek. I learned from the sign at the edge of town that it was the Irish capital of Nebraska ... cool, lets drink. After only one miscue, we managed to find Chez de la RockinRobin, a modest brick duplex with a meet the neighbors window in front of the shower.
Of course, we didn't come to see the house ... or Tim ... or RockinRobin ... why was it we drove 3 1/2 hours for...
... Daniel ...
... Daniel ...
... Daniel!!!
Oh yeah, there was Danny's mom and dad too. I can almost remember their names.
Kids are so cute when they emulate your bad habits, I mean other peoples kids of course.
Daniel is already ignoring Mom.
A little confused here dad, which way is up?.
I tried to get a nap, but that didn't work so well.
After a visit, we went to see RockinRobin's new daycare facility, Babies & Blossoms Day Care, and the house they are going to rent.
Some of the shots of the inside of the day care facility. I never got anything like this, I had to play with my brothers ... sheesh.
The funny part of the new house is that RockinRobin couldn't find it, and it's not like O'Neill is big or anything like that.
After heading back to their current house, and talking and goofing off, we went to the local Pizza Hut for dinner ... and entertainment.
A bunch of fresh-faced individuals, and the back of RockinRobins head.
Who'd have guessed this group would play cut-throat solitaire? Viv tried her hardest to get us thrown out by being really loud when she won.
At the end of the night, everyone posed for the obligatory group photo ... everyone except Tim, of course.
Thus ended a great day ... almost. Smeade was having car problems in Battle Creek, and needed to get back to Omaha to pick up a car from her folks. So luckily we were able to swing by and pick her up and take her home.
Much thanks to Viv & SmileChild for allowing me to liberally snag a herd of photos.
The day started off early, after a late night of dancing. I wanted to be on the road by 0900, and we made it. Not to complain about my friends, but none of them know how to drive a stick, they need to learn how to drive my car.
Evidently, they aren't the only ones who don't know about my car, I pulled into a gas station in Scribner, ran my card at the pump, put the nozzle in my tank, SmileChild and I cleaned the windows, we used the facilities, put the pump away, and back on the road. About 20 miles later, I looked at my gas tank, and it was nearly empty ... *????* ... yep, I had forgotten to actually pump the gas. Fortunately, we were able to make it to Smeade's place in Battle Creek without further incident.
The day turned out to be absolutely gorgeous for November. The sun low in the sky, the few clouds were high, the wind slight, and the temperature in the mid 50°s. Battle Creek appeared to be deserted, which I can only attribute to it being deer hunting season, and many hunters being out on the prowl.
Smeade took us to a local dining establishment, okay, make that the only local dining establishment, Goody's Grille.
The best place to eat lunch in Battle Creek.
After lunch the local constabulary treated me in the usual manner.
SmileChild and Smeade think that the local cops hassling me is humorous.
After lunch, we had some time to kill, so we walked down to the local library where there was a book and bake sale. The sale was heavy on the books, not so much on the baked goods.
I guess I could read something at a library...
The library had computers for use, and I finally figured out how SmileChild keeps winning at Scrabble.
SmileChild thinks she can overload the camera by reflecting the sunlight into the lens. Nice try, but we still know you bought something at the book sale.
We then headed back to Smeade's temporary residence for some highly intellectual discussion and activities.
I had no idea both Smeade and Viv were cheerleaders in high school.
Gravel driveway and boots are difficult to dance in ... having the right partner makes it all good.
Maybe I should have zoomed in a little bit.
We gassed up the car, for real this time, and got back on the road to O'Neill when all of a sudden...
...oh look, a chicken...
...what was I talking about?
We got up to O'Neill in a little over an hour after leaving Battle Creek. I learned from the sign at the edge of town that it was the Irish capital of Nebraska ... cool, lets drink. After only one miscue, we managed to find Chez de la RockinRobin, a modest brick duplex with a meet the neighbors window in front of the shower.
Of course, we didn't come to see the house ... or Tim ... or RockinRobin ... why was it we drove 3 1/2 hours for...
... Daniel ...
... Daniel ...
... Daniel!!!
Oh yeah, there was Danny's mom and dad too. I can almost remember their names.
Kids are so cute when they emulate your bad habits, I mean other peoples kids of course.
Daniel is already ignoring Mom.
A little confused here dad, which way is up?.
I tried to get a nap, but that didn't work so well.
After a visit, we went to see RockinRobin's new daycare facility, Babies & Blossoms Day Care, and the house they are going to rent.
Some of the shots of the inside of the day care facility. I never got anything like this, I had to play with my brothers ... sheesh.
The funny part of the new house is that RockinRobin couldn't find it, and it's not like O'Neill is big or anything like that.
After heading back to their current house, and talking and goofing off, we went to the local Pizza Hut for dinner ... and entertainment.
A bunch of fresh-faced individuals, and the back of RockinRobins head.
Who'd have guessed this group would play cut-throat solitaire? Viv tried her hardest to get us thrown out by being really loud when she won.
At the end of the night, everyone posed for the obligatory group photo ... everyone except Tim, of course.
Thus ended a great day ... almost. Smeade was having car problems in Battle Creek, and needed to get back to Omaha to pick up a car from her folks. So luckily we were able to swing by and pick her up and take her home.
Much thanks to Viv & SmileChild for allowing me to liberally snag a herd of photos.
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