This weekend Deanna and I worked on some more wedding stuff.
To be specific, I begged her to take me to Target, just so I could play with the little item gun they give you to add store items to your registry. She was kind enough to oblige, and so off we went. The gun was fun to play with, though I'm sure most of the time Deanna was annoyed because I kept shooting her with the gun (she's priceless ya know, get it? priceless? haha, I'm so funny!) and making silly sounds. (Insert this clip into your head for the full effect.)
We also tried some more cake, which was really good, and spent some time snuggling and watching Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. It does my heart good to see Deanna laugh so hard at such a dorky film. If you haven't seen it, go rent it, though it's not for the kids.
Sunday was busy but fun, as I got to present a Quizzing presentation after our church's Children's Talent Show, and my quizzers went up against the staff of the church. Of course, I did pull out a surprise challenge, and tested my quizzers memory verses, which they said perfectly. The staff, trying to be funny, inserted some of their own words, but the best part was when our Senior Pastor messed up (unintentionally) the last part of the memory verse. The kids, as always, rocked the house!
So, a question for my readers, what do you think will be (or was, for the married ones) your favorite part of planning your wedding?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Issue at Hand
My apologies for the lack of post yesterday, Deanna and I had the day off work, and we spent most of it together enjoying each others company and shoe shopping. I didn't get home until around midnight, and I was tired, so I didn't post anything.
What I want to talk about today is a hot topic around the nation currently, even more so with the announcement of the Obama administration deciding not to defend DOMA. (clicky) On Thursday, I commented on a blog about the move, and was subsequently called names and attacked after I posted my opinion.
I won't go into specifics, but it was pretty ugly.
This left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and threw me off my game, causing me to be unfocused for volleyball practice (I played the worst game ever) and has been a real thorn in my side when I'm distracted by life or Deanna. So I want to give my opinion on this topic here, where I can control the comments better, and avoid all the ugliness that comes with other people's uncensored blogs.
Side Note: My intent for this blog in it's entirety is to be open and fair with all opinions, but I will not tolerate harassment, name calling, or character assassination in any form, of myself or any commenter. We should all play nice, and get along, or at least in the case of arguments, be civil in our disagreements. Back to the blog.
Now, here is my official religious position.
1) The act of homosexuality is a sin. (Referencing the passages of 1 Cor. 6:9-10 and 1 Tim 1: 10 and the meaning of the word used in both)
2) All sin is equal, if we sin against God in one aspect, it's as if we've sinned against Him in all aspects. (Referencing James 2:10)
3) We are all sinners. (Referencing Romans 3:23)
4) Only through Jesus Christ can we be absolved of our sins. (Referencing John 3:16-17)
5) We should display the proper love and concern for everyone who still lives in sin, and seek to lead them to Christ. (Referencing the passages of 1 John 3:23, John 13:34-35, and Mat 28:18-20)
6) We are going to suffer for sticking with our beliefs. (Referencing 2 Tim 3:12)
7) Despite all that happens, we have the strength to face it. (Referencing 1 Sam 14:6 and Phil 4:13)
That being said, I do feel that my religious views and beliefs are in no way against the government giving legal equality (that is to say, benefits, rights, privileges) to domestic partners or same-sex couples, for the purpose of maintaining an equality of rights among equal people, as long as it doesn't infringe upon my right to worship and observe a religion of my choosing.
So dear readers, keeping a civil and peaceful mind, what are your views on the issue, or my opinion?
What I want to talk about today is a hot topic around the nation currently, even more so with the announcement of the Obama administration deciding not to defend DOMA. (clicky) On Thursday, I commented on a blog about the move, and was subsequently called names and attacked after I posted my opinion.
I won't go into specifics, but it was pretty ugly.
This left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and threw me off my game, causing me to be unfocused for volleyball practice (I played the worst game ever) and has been a real thorn in my side when I'm distracted by life or Deanna. So I want to give my opinion on this topic here, where I can control the comments better, and avoid all the ugliness that comes with other people's uncensored blogs.
Side Note: My intent for this blog in it's entirety is to be open and fair with all opinions, but I will not tolerate harassment, name calling, or character assassination in any form, of myself or any commenter. We should all play nice, and get along, or at least in the case of arguments, be civil in our disagreements. Back to the blog.
Now, here is my official religious position.
1) The act of homosexuality is a sin. (Referencing the passages of 1 Cor. 6:9-10 and 1 Tim 1: 10 and the meaning of the word used in both)
2) All sin is equal, if we sin against God in one aspect, it's as if we've sinned against Him in all aspects. (Referencing James 2:10)
3) We are all sinners. (Referencing Romans 3:23)
4) Only through Jesus Christ can we be absolved of our sins. (Referencing John 3:16-17)
5) We should display the proper love and concern for everyone who still lives in sin, and seek to lead them to Christ. (Referencing the passages of 1 John 3:23, John 13:34-35, and Mat 28:18-20)
6) We are going to suffer for sticking with our beliefs. (Referencing 2 Tim 3:12)
7) Despite all that happens, we have the strength to face it. (Referencing 1 Sam 14:6 and Phil 4:13)
That being said, I do feel that my religious views and beliefs are in no way against the government giving legal equality (that is to say, benefits, rights, privileges) to domestic partners or same-sex couples, for the purpose of maintaining an equality of rights among equal people, as long as it doesn't infringe upon my right to worship and observe a religion of my choosing.
So dear readers, keeping a civil and peaceful mind, what are your views on the issue, or my opinion?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Q&A...again
Sorry, I'm out of topics on which to speak today. Let's dive back into some Q&A. Only this time, I have a question for you to answer.
What is your favorite winter memory?
What is your favorite winter memory?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
My Movie List
One of the lists I have in my life are movies that I want to see. Typically, I just make it a mental list, and refer to it when I am just browsing. I often find movies on my list a pawn shops, or second hand stores. I feel like I'm rescuing a friend when I buy them.
Movies, to me, are usually treated like a collectors item. They are, by nature, a celebration of artistic talent and great labor. They should be savored, left to linger on your mind, and enjoyed for years to come. Those are the movies I like.
And at the cost of $200 a ticket at the theatres, they should be waited for until they hit the rental stores. While I'm waiting though, I tend to go and browse the shelves to see what movies I have on my list that I could watch now, and not have to wait.
Wikipedia has been most kind to me in this regard.
I often browse the top ten movies of each year in film to determine what movies I have seen, haven't seen, want to see, and wish I hadn't seen. Plus, I can read up on the plots of questionable movies to see if they make the list.
Just going by the lists of the past two decades of top ten films, I find my list of movies yet to watch incredibly short, but lacking essential movie cornerstones. The following is the list of movies I have not seen, but want to see from 1990 on.
Pretty Woman (1990)
Basic Instinct (1992)
The Firm (1993)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Philadelphia (1993)
The Pelican Brief (1993)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Shakespeare In Love (1998)
Die Another Day (2002)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
WALL-E (2008)
Now, I know what you're thinking. "How can he have not watched <insert movie you have watched> ??"
Truth is, a lot of these movies I just have never gotten around to, or never came across while browsing the movies available. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood.
One particular movie, "The Passion of the Christ" has kept me away with the audience make up, rather than anything else. I want to see this movie with a bunch of other Christians and discuss it afterwards over a cup of coffee. However, usually when a local church plays this film, I go stand in line, and I'm shocked to see parents bring their children with them. And I'm not talking about mid-life-transformation-teenagers either. I'm talking 6 year olds. Frankly, it puts me off watching this movie.
Side Note: I have asked to be given for a gift giving occasion a large red 'F' stamp with permanent ink, so that I can mark the foreheads of parents that are failing to raise their kids properly. I'm afraid to see who I will turn into once someone gives me this. Yet, it still remains on my list. Back to the blog.
The others on the list are mostly drama movies, and I have a small appetite for those films. To me, they are like going to P.F. Chang's. I go there, about once or twice a year, just to remind myself why I don't eat there. They both (the movies and Chang's) look good, and entice me into them, but the substance leaves me wishing I had gone elsewhere for something lighter.
So dear readers, what about you? Do you have a list of movies you want to watch? Does something in particular turn you off to certain movies? Please, share!
Movies, to me, are usually treated like a collectors item. They are, by nature, a celebration of artistic talent and great labor. They should be savored, left to linger on your mind, and enjoyed for years to come. Those are the movies I like.
And at the cost of $200 a ticket at the theatres, they should be waited for until they hit the rental stores. While I'm waiting though, I tend to go and browse the shelves to see what movies I have on my list that I could watch now, and not have to wait.
Wikipedia has been most kind to me in this regard.
I often browse the top ten movies of each year in film to determine what movies I have seen, haven't seen, want to see, and wish I hadn't seen. Plus, I can read up on the plots of questionable movies to see if they make the list.
Just going by the lists of the past two decades of top ten films, I find my list of movies yet to watch incredibly short, but lacking essential movie cornerstones. The following is the list of movies I have not seen, but want to see from 1990 on.
Pretty Woman (1990)
Basic Instinct (1992)
The Firm (1993)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Philadelphia (1993)
The Pelican Brief (1993)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Shakespeare In Love (1998)
Die Another Day (2002)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
WALL-E (2008)
Now, I know what you're thinking. "How can he have not watched <insert movie you have watched> ??"
Truth is, a lot of these movies I just have never gotten around to, or never came across while browsing the movies available. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood.
One particular movie, "The Passion of the Christ" has kept me away with the audience make up, rather than anything else. I want to see this movie with a bunch of other Christians and discuss it afterwards over a cup of coffee. However, usually when a local church plays this film, I go stand in line, and I'm shocked to see parents bring their children with them. And I'm not talking about mid-life-transformation-teenagers either. I'm talking 6 year olds. Frankly, it puts me off watching this movie.
Side Note: I have asked to be given for a gift giving occasion a large red 'F' stamp with permanent ink, so that I can mark the foreheads of parents that are failing to raise their kids properly. I'm afraid to see who I will turn into once someone gives me this. Yet, it still remains on my list. Back to the blog.
The others on the list are mostly drama movies, and I have a small appetite for those films. To me, they are like going to P.F. Chang's. I go there, about once or twice a year, just to remind myself why I don't eat there. They both (the movies and Chang's) look good, and entice me into them, but the substance leaves me wishing I had gone elsewhere for something lighter.
So dear readers, what about you? Do you have a list of movies you want to watch? Does something in particular turn you off to certain movies? Please, share!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Cool Stuff on the Horizon
Well, today starts my official countdown. 200 days until we say "I do"! I'm excited, if you can't tell yet...
I also am really excited about today because I received my first two assignments as a preacher outside of my local church! About once a month, our church's Pastors go and preach at a couple local retirement homes, and bring messages of hope and love to those wonderful folks. Now I'm one of the ones who gets to go and bring the message.
I've always felt called to a position of preaching, and I've been pursuing that course through classes from my denomination, but aside from the one class on telling the story of God, and one message in our local church, I've never really had any experience doing it. I'm active in my church, right now helping in the children's department as Quizzing Coach (I just got asked if I wanted to do it again next year, to which I said yes), but this is something different than just Children's Church.
Am I nervous? Oh, yes of course. I will never forget what my junior high band teacher once said to me. "You're nervous because you care." And I absolutely care. Not about what they think of me, or how I might come across, but I really care about these people, and leading them in the Spirit as God directs. I really hope that I get to see the results of the Lord's work.
I'm looking forward to this opportunity, and bringing the message to those wonderful folks!
Plus, I really like talking.
I also am really excited about today because I received my first two assignments as a preacher outside of my local church! About once a month, our church's Pastors go and preach at a couple local retirement homes, and bring messages of hope and love to those wonderful folks. Now I'm one of the ones who gets to go and bring the message.
I've always felt called to a position of preaching, and I've been pursuing that course through classes from my denomination, but aside from the one class on telling the story of God, and one message in our local church, I've never really had any experience doing it. I'm active in my church, right now helping in the children's department as Quizzing Coach (I just got asked if I wanted to do it again next year, to which I said yes), but this is something different than just Children's Church.
Am I nervous? Oh, yes of course. I will never forget what my junior high band teacher once said to me. "You're nervous because you care." And I absolutely care. Not about what they think of me, or how I might come across, but I really care about these people, and leading them in the Spirit as God directs. I really hope that I get to see the results of the Lord's work.
I'm looking forward to this opportunity, and bringing the message to those wonderful folks!
Plus, I really like talking.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Strange Memories
I've had this issue for a while, where for one reason or another, I can remember part of a movie I watched as a kid, but I can never remember the name. It bothers me to no end, because, generally, I can remember the name of every movie I've ever watched (and liked).
For example, I remember a scene of a movie where the camera is following a bug or beetle of some sort crawling on the ground. A cup or glass is put over the beetle, and it eats its way through. this repeats a couple of times, until...that's all I remember. But I know it's a movie I've seen, I know a kid did the thing with the beetle and the glass, and I know he gets on a spaceship, and the crew starts dying off, until the kid has to fly the ship through some asteroids while the captain sits there dying.
See? It's weird.
And yet, I can't remember the name of the movie. As for my recollection of movie titles/content, a good example is when last night, while hanging out with friends, one of the said something along the lines of "what's the name of that movie by Cronenberg with the organic guns?" to which I replied, less than two seconds later, "eXistenZ". Freaky, considering a) I've only seen the previews, never the movie and b) the last time the movie preview played in view of my eyes was the year I graduated high school, 1999.
I would add that under my Super Powers list, but I'm not 100% accurate if I've never seen anything about the movie, or didn't really like it.
I've discovered quite a few movies that now reside in my collection that way. A scene or an image that I remember, and suddenly I see it on TV, and I'm scrambling for the guide to see what movie it was.
So far, I've remembered:
Ice Pirates
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Destroyer
Krull
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
The Golden Child
However, the one with the bug, kid and spaceship still elude me. Any help dear readers?
For example, I remember a scene of a movie where the camera is following a bug or beetle of some sort crawling on the ground. A cup or glass is put over the beetle, and it eats its way through. this repeats a couple of times, until...that's all I remember. But I know it's a movie I've seen, I know a kid did the thing with the beetle and the glass, and I know he gets on a spaceship, and the crew starts dying off, until the kid has to fly the ship through some asteroids while the captain sits there dying.
See? It's weird.
And yet, I can't remember the name of the movie. As for my recollection of movie titles/content, a good example is when last night, while hanging out with friends, one of the said something along the lines of "what's the name of that movie by Cronenberg with the organic guns?" to which I replied, less than two seconds later, "eXistenZ". Freaky, considering a) I've only seen the previews, never the movie and b) the last time the movie preview played in view of my eyes was the year I graduated high school, 1999.
I would add that under my Super Powers list, but I'm not 100% accurate if I've never seen anything about the movie, or didn't really like it.
I've discovered quite a few movies that now reside in my collection that way. A scene or an image that I remember, and suddenly I see it on TV, and I'm scrambling for the guide to see what movie it was.
So far, I've remembered:
Ice Pirates
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Destroyer
Krull
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
The Golden Child
However, the one with the bug, kid and spaceship still elude me. Any help dear readers?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Lists and Another Poem
A few days ago, Melissa asked me what's on my bucket list. Of course, feeling so goofy, I answered "a new bucket". But seriously, it got me thinking about all the lists I've had in my life.
First, when I became of dating age, there was the "girlfriend list" with all the qualifications, necessary items, measurements, and eye color of my perfect woman, according to my hormones. Fortunately, I lost it. Thank goodness, cuz my 12 year old self would not have gone for Deanna.
Second, there was the list of things I wanted to do before I died, commonly referred to as the "bucket list". Of course, at age 16, that comprised mostly of losing my virginity, climbing Mount Everest naked, and getting a tatoo that glowed in the dark. Fortunately for me, my geek instinct took over, and I just got hooked on computer games, marching band, and hanging out with the choir girls in adolesent awkwardness hoping to get my first kiss.
I still ahve a few things I want to do before I "kick the bucket". For example, marry Deanna, have kids, and just be a good person. Wow, I sound old. Maybe I'll have to kick start my mid-life crisis to come up with something exciting.
The current list I have is something I'm not going to blog about, other than to say that it's a list of "married poeple only" activities and is kind of a running gag between Deanna and I. How truthful it is...well, that's for us to know. ;-)
Get your mind out of the gutters, cuz here's the next poem.
This one I wrote at one of my favorite thinking spots downtown, and I really felt like writing about what it would be like to fly along the top of the river, and around the buildings downtown. Of course, the poem does reflect a Christian view of temptation, as only my twisted mind could put into words. Just trust me on this, lol.
First, when I became of dating age, there was the "girlfriend list" with all the qualifications, necessary items, measurements, and eye color of my perfect woman, according to my hormones. Fortunately, I lost it. Thank goodness, cuz my 12 year old self would not have gone for Deanna.
Second, there was the list of things I wanted to do before I died, commonly referred to as the "bucket list". Of course, at age 16, that comprised mostly of losing my virginity, climbing Mount Everest naked, and getting a tatoo that glowed in the dark. Fortunately for me, my geek instinct took over, and I just got hooked on computer games, marching band, and hanging out with the choir girls in adolesent awkwardness hoping to get my first kiss.
I still ahve a few things I want to do before I "kick the bucket". For example, marry Deanna, have kids, and just be a good person. Wow, I sound old. Maybe I'll have to kick start my mid-life crisis to come up with something exciting.
The current list I have is something I'm not going to blog about, other than to say that it's a list of "married poeple only" activities and is kind of a running gag between Deanna and I. How truthful it is...well, that's for us to know. ;-)
Get your mind out of the gutters, cuz here's the next poem.
This one I wrote at one of my favorite thinking spots downtown, and I really felt like writing about what it would be like to fly along the top of the river, and around the buildings downtown. Of course, the poem does reflect a Christian view of temptation, as only my twisted mind could put into words. Just trust me on this, lol.
“An Angel’s Choice” by DC Stark
My wings stretch, caressed by the blue sky’s wind
The water flows smoothly beneath my feet
Peace washes over my soul, my rest was brilliant
A broken angel am I, trapped to travel this world
Yet I do not live in it, my master reigns above
My arms spread with the slowness of total comfort
I lean out over the water, knowing I shall not fall
But which way do I go? The water beckons me
It is cool and refreshing, but the sky is open and free
Which way shall I choose?
Slowly my feet sink into the water; its power is restrained
It caresses me gently, as would a lover
I can feel its depth, its ever-calling voice to move me
It is fresh and clean, but the sky also calls
It is much larger than this water, it has no depth
Nothing constrains it, nothing holds it back
It is an ever-present kingdom, calling me to be its master
To roam its endless halls for eternity
I am an angel, broken now by my master and my choices
Trapped within this constant decision
I must choose between the water of earth, and the heavens
Which shall I choose? The earth or the power above it?
It is a daily choice, so I spread my wings and fly.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Yet Another Poem
Alright, here's another one I'd like to share. This one is just singing to my heart this morning, so I posted it.
No big story for this one. Just some good, old fashioned poetry. Enjoy!
No big story for this one. Just some good, old fashioned poetry. Enjoy!
“God’s Love for Me” by DC Stark
Cleaner than the rain the gray skies send
No further there than the closest bend
More faithful than the truest friend
Is my God’s love for me!
Purer than new fallen winter snow
Livelier than the fields of green that grow
Sweetest tasting water that I know
Is my God’s love for me!
Swiftest dance through the bright skies
Straightest path for the doves to fly
No more atonement left to buy
Because of my God’s love for me!
Bountiful harvests that await my soul
A Loving Being that makes me whole
One who loves us enough to pay our toll
That is my God’s love for me!
Constant protection from angels near
Paradise with God when we leave here
And nothing on earth we should fear
Thanks to my God’s love for me!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Another Poem
Today's poem is a real doozy. I don't talk about it much (in fact, I didn't even share it with Deanna until a couple weeks ago and we've been together almost 3 years) but it is something special. I wrote this poem just a few days after the Feb 1996 shooting at Frontier Junior High. Yes, I did go there at the time, and I lost two friends in that incident. Anyways, there are two versions here for this one. The first is the raw, uncut, unedited version. The second I updated and cleaned up a bit. My friend ReaLee tried to do that shortly after I wrote it, and before it was sent out to my fellow classmates, but my mom wouldn't have it. Well, too bad, cuz I did it anyways. :-P
Alright folks, here ya go! (Oh, and just FYI, I did all of these poems by my nickname DC. Now you know. And knowing is half the battle.)
Alright folks, here ya go! (Oh, and just FYI, I did all of these poems by my nickname DC. Now you know. And knowing is half the battle.)
“The Tragedy” by DC Stark
Sorrow fills us all as we think back to
The fatal shooting just down the hall
I shall try to describe what happened
Through my own sight
The thing that took three
Dear, close lives that night
A boy, angered and red
Obviously on his mind
Revenge and bloodshed
Barry was that boys name
Someone insignificant
That shan’t be honored in fame.
He was a very shy and quiet boy
But he became dark and started playing
With the wrong toy
The toy would bring much grief and harm
The toy, as he walked through the halls
He had, was cradled under his arm
He kicked down the door
And fired like there was no tomorrow
And today that’s what brings us
The grief and sorrow
When we heard the news
Our minds did shun
The information that
The shots left but one
And so we cry
As tears roll down our faces
And the pain hurts
The pain that each one of us embraces
But now we must pull together
And do what must be done
For we can survive alone
But we must pull through as one.
Our community was shattered
By this crazy act of violence
And sorely pulled together
By the sorrowful silence
The grief is not only of yourself
But the bad memories
Must be put on the shelf
Remember them during happier times
The teen years and just before
Remember their favorite songs
And tinkling chimes
Manuel Vela, what a guy
He taught many how to have fun
And freely fly
Mrs. Caires was not just a teacher
She was a hero to all
Trying to protect her students
Is when she did fall
And Arnie Fritz, though I didn’t know him
A good guy
And his memory
Shall never dim
Natalie Hintz, our prayers with her
That she’ll pull through
True and sure
People brought flowers
And balloons swayed in the breeze
Hope that their souls
Should be at ease.
And here is the updated and edited version:
Sorrow fills the souls of all
Who think back to
The tragedy in that hall
I am not alone
But unique is my own sight
The beast that took three lives
And left us all with fright
A boy, angered and red
Nothing on his mind save
Revenge and bloodshed
We don’t speak his name
Someone insignificant
That won’t be remembered in fame.
He was a very shy and quiet boy
Inside he was dark
And knew the weapon wasn’t a toy
How could such a simple thing bring harm?
Hidden under his coat
No one knew to raise alarm
He kicked in the door
And fired like there was no tomorrow
And today that’s what brings us
The grief and sorrow
When we heard the news
Our minds went numb
The information that
The shots left but one
And so we cry
As tears roll down our faces
And the pain hurts
Wounds that each one of us embraces
But now we all pull together
And do what must be done
For we can survive alone
But we must pull through as one.
Our community was shattered
By this horrid act of violence
And sorely pulled together
By our own sorrowful silence
The grief is not only in the “self”
But the bad memories
Must be put on the shelf
Remember them during your lives
The younger years and happier times
Keep in mind their favorite songs
And nursery rhymes
Manuel Vela a dear friend of mine
He taught many how to have fun
And to walk a straight line
Mrs. Caires was not just a teacher
She was a hero to all
Trying to protect her students
Is when she did fall
And Arnie Fritz,
Though I didn’t know him
His precious memory
Shall never dim
Natalie Hintz,
Our prayers are with her
That she’ll pull through
Strong and sure
I walk along the cold cement
As the people gather outside
To show their lament
Many brought flowers
And balloons swayed in the breeze
We all hope that their souls
Should be at ease.
Every scar we carry will bleed
But the memories shall never fade
This is a trial for us
And with God’s help continuance was made
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The First Poem
So, this one isn't mine, but it is special to me. When I was in MCRD San Diego (That's Marine Corps Recruit Depot) I was on watch one night in the weight room, and this poem was up on the wall. For some reason, it just inspired me, and so the night before we moved to a barracks on the other side of the base, I copied it down. I'm so glad I did too.
“The Quitter” by Robert Service
When you’re lost in the wild, and you’re scared as a child
And Death looks you bang in the eye
And you’re sore as a boil, it’s according to Hoyle
To cock your revolver and die
But the code of a man says: “Fight all you can”
And self-dissolution is barred
In hunger and woe, oh, it’s so easy to blow
It’s the hell-served-for-breakfast that’s hard
“You’re sick of the game!” Well now that’s ashame
You’re young and you’re brave and you’re bright
“You’ve had a raw deal!” I know, but don’t squeal
Buck up, do your damnedest and fight
It’s the plugging away that will win you the day
So don’t be a piker, old pard!
Just draw on your grit, it’s so easy to quit
It’s the keeping-your-chin-up that’s hard
It’s easy to cry that you’re beaten – and die;
It’s easy to crawfish and crawl;
But to fight and to fight when hopes out of sight –
Why that’s the best game of them all!
And through you come out of each gruelling bout,
All broken and beaten and scarred,
Just have one more try – it’s dead easy to die,
It’s the keeping-on-living that’s hard.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Announcement and Q&A
Alright dear readers, you're in for a special treat here on my blog. This morning, while getting ready for work, I discovered a computer disk that has all my old poetry and writings on it. That is to say, my ENTIRE collection of poetry. So for the next week or so, I will be posting a poem and the story behind it every day.
But not today. I have the disk, but didn't get a chance to actually go through it yet. So you'll have to wait until tomorrow. In the meantime, it's Q&A time! So ask away!
But not today. I have the disk, but didn't get a chance to actually go through it yet. So you'll have to wait until tomorrow. In the meantime, it's Q&A time! So ask away!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Letting Off Some Steam
I've been kinda grumpy today, and so in my search for letting off some steam, I came across a new game that I feel I should share with you folks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_God
In other news, Plan A from Operation: Valentine was a total success!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_God
In other news, Plan A from Operation: Valentine was a total success!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Operation:Valentine
Okay, so I'm posting this during work, only because Deanna's job doesn't want her to be surfing the Internet, and I feel it's safe to post my plan before it happens. That, and I'm horrible at keeping my plans secret. If I were a super villain, I'd capture a random hero just to monologue at him or her about my plans.
Anyways, moving on. Today, my plan is working perfectly so far. Deanna is unsure that she is getting anything today, which puts her just enough off balance to be surprised when the plan goes off. Here's how it's going to work:
10:45 am PST. My first break. Plan A is to visit Boehm's chocolates and get her a small bouquet of flowers and a box of yummy chocolates at this time. Plan B is to do the same, but from Liberty Park Florist, should Boehm's be unattainable today.
11:57 am PST. My lunch. Usually, I park about 15 minutes away and walk to work, but today I parked in the parking garage, so that I can run up to her new office today and surprise her with the purchased goods. Plan A just requires me to leave for her new office and deliver the goods. Plan B however, would require me to drive to the florists and then to her office.
Either way, she's in for a good surprise!
Hehe, sometimes I'm really sneaky. With my luck though, she's probably reading this right now.
Anyways, moving on. Today, my plan is working perfectly so far. Deanna is unsure that she is getting anything today, which puts her just enough off balance to be surprised when the plan goes off. Here's how it's going to work:
10:45 am PST. My first break. Plan A is to visit Boehm's chocolates and get her a small bouquet of flowers and a box of yummy chocolates at this time. Plan B is to do the same, but from Liberty Park Florist, should Boehm's be unattainable today.
11:57 am PST. My lunch. Usually, I park about 15 minutes away and walk to work, but today I parked in the parking garage, so that I can run up to her new office today and surprise her with the purchased goods. Plan A just requires me to leave for her new office and deliver the goods. Plan B however, would require me to drive to the florists and then to her office.
Either way, she's in for a good surprise!
Hehe, sometimes I'm really sneaky. With my luck though, she's probably reading this right now.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Just a Tad Late is All
So, I apologize for missing yesterday's post. Also, for not posting this sooner.
Once again, it has been a busy weekend, but not of wedding planning. Instead, Saturday was the day Deanna and I decided to make our Valentine's Day.
We spent most of the day just doing errands and goofing around, until about 3, when we both began to primp and prepare for our date. At 5:30 we found ourselves at one of our favorite local spots. Vin Rouge. It's a great, fancy, expensive place that we went to a couple times before.
Side Note: I learned from an old mentor of mine to judge certain restaurants as "paint-your-plate" places. These are restaurants that typically charge a ton of money for presentation and style rather than substance. If your meal is smaller than the stack of money you pay for it, those are the "paint-your-plate" spots. Back to the blog.
In the past, we've judge Vin Rouge to be partially "paint-your-plate" because it's portions are bigger than what you typically see at a place like that. So in we went, and after some deliberation, ended up getting a few items from the menu. What we were surprised to find was how much the place had improved sine we last visited it.
What we thought would be a small plate of sweet potato fries for $5.95 ended up being a huge bucket of them, bigger than the bucket of fries at Zip's (which is to say, very large). More than half our meal was taken home in boxes, including both of the appetizers we ordered.
After dinner, it was down to the Spokane Civic Theatre (the Firth J. Chew Studio to be exact) to watch The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It was a wonderful, hilarious performance, and my face still hurts from laughing so hard. There was also some audience participation that was great too.
Finally, we headed back to her place to play some checkers and watch the Cosby Show. I didn't get back until after midnight. Hence, my reason for not blogging. As for tonight, I had Quizzing in the morning, then I went to my stepmom's to prepare for the eventual arrival of my brother and his family, who were at the Steeling the Mind conference in Coeur d'Alene.
They were both tired, but enjoyed our company and food that we had prepared. I just got home a little bit ago, hence the reason for the late post. Now, I do have to get to bed, since I have to be up early for my walk.
Goodnight dear readers, and I hope you all have/had a great Valentines Day!
Once again, it has been a busy weekend, but not of wedding planning. Instead, Saturday was the day Deanna and I decided to make our Valentine's Day.
We spent most of the day just doing errands and goofing around, until about 3, when we both began to primp and prepare for our date. At 5:30 we found ourselves at one of our favorite local spots. Vin Rouge. It's a great, fancy, expensive place that we went to a couple times before.
Side Note: I learned from an old mentor of mine to judge certain restaurants as "paint-your-plate" places. These are restaurants that typically charge a ton of money for presentation and style rather than substance. If your meal is smaller than the stack of money you pay for it, those are the "paint-your-plate" spots. Back to the blog.
In the past, we've judge Vin Rouge to be partially "paint-your-plate" because it's portions are bigger than what you typically see at a place like that. So in we went, and after some deliberation, ended up getting a few items from the menu. What we were surprised to find was how much the place had improved sine we last visited it.
What we thought would be a small plate of sweet potato fries for $5.95 ended up being a huge bucket of them, bigger than the bucket of fries at Zip's (which is to say, very large). More than half our meal was taken home in boxes, including both of the appetizers we ordered.
After dinner, it was down to the Spokane Civic Theatre (the Firth J. Chew Studio to be exact) to watch The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It was a wonderful, hilarious performance, and my face still hurts from laughing so hard. There was also some audience participation that was great too.
Finally, we headed back to her place to play some checkers and watch the Cosby Show. I didn't get back until after midnight. Hence, my reason for not blogging. As for tonight, I had Quizzing in the morning, then I went to my stepmom's to prepare for the eventual arrival of my brother and his family, who were at the Steeling the Mind conference in Coeur d'Alene.
They were both tired, but enjoyed our company and food that we had prepared. I just got home a little bit ago, hence the reason for the late post. Now, I do have to get to bed, since I have to be up early for my walk.
Goodnight dear readers, and I hope you all have/had a great Valentines Day!
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Marines, Oatmeal, and Weight Loss
So this morning I did something I have not done for almost ten years. This morning, I got out of bed, got dressed and went for a walk. Back in my heyday of training for the Marine Corps, I used to do this, only it was a run, not a walk. I blame the sickness that I'm fighting off as part of the reason I didn't run. Plus, I haven't done much exercise lately, and running would probably cause me to burst into flames and die. Since I can't disprove that, I decided not to take the risk.
Why would I go and do such a crazy thing you ask? Because of something that, as of yesterday, is seven months away. My wedding. Let me explain why this is motivating me.
Before I signed on with the Marines, I weighed a lot. To be honest, I looked like Free Willy with legs. When I went to enlist, I really didn't have a preference of which branch to go into. So I tried the Navy. They wanted me to lose the weight on my own and come back. Plus, after they reviewed my ASVAB test scores, they said I was eligible to take a test that I could not look at to study for, to see if I could qualify for their nuclear engineer program. If I failed the test (remember I can't see it to know what to study for) I would end up cleaning for four years. So I moved on.
The Army was the same way. I had to lose the weight by myself, and they recommended a diet that consisted of pretty much just cranberry juice, boiled chicken, and a daily vitamin. So I moved on. The Air Force didn't want me because of my grades. So I moved on.
Side Note: I was that kid in high school that got A's on every test, but never turned in his homework. The consequence of which was graduating with a 1.84 GPA. My ASVAB test scores were "amazing" according to the recruiters, but my GPA was all the Air Force really looked at. Back to the blog.
One visit to the Coast Guard office was all I needed to know it was more of a club than a branch of the military.
Side Note: Generally speaking, I like the Coast Guard guys, but my opinion of their most dangerous work is standing in the smoke of a drug burning. Sorry guys, but ya just don't have the reputation like the others do. (Damage Control guys/gals not included in the previous statement.)
So I tried my last option. The Marines. Now, I have relatives who've been in all the other branches, but of my immediate extended family, (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) none had been in the Corps. The first thing that impressed me about them was that they actually had recruiters who weren't looking for a quick sale. They came over to the house, talked with me and my dad and stepmother, and even wanted to help me lose the weight. So I signed up, on the Delayed Entry Program.
And so began my recruitment in 1997. Yes, I know, in the first paragraph, I said something I hadn't done in almost ten years. It didn't take me 4 years in the delayed entry program. I was a Junior in high school, and the plan was to take Basic Training during the summer prior to my senior year, but that didn't happen. Here's what did happen.
In spring/summer of 1997, in the last month of school that year, I had a little accident. While helping the choir break down the stage, I had a 250 lbs stage riser fall onto my foot. I couldn't walk, and the doctor, certain of broken bones, put me on crutches for a week while the x-rays developed. As it turned out, all that happened was a big bruise on the top of my foot. That got my recruiter foaming at the mouth to get me in. You'd think he had found an indestructible person of something. My dad got super excited too, and the day for me to leave drew closer and closer. Then, on June 16th, Becky and my dad had a big fight, and left the house without making me breakfast.
Side Note: I was a spoiled kid. I had everything handed to me on a golden platter when I was with my dad. Also, a couple months before this, I had met this local Pastor's daughter and started going to her church, in the hopes that she would be like all the other Pastor's daughters I had read about in the Playboy's I had hidden under my mattress. Of course, as I understand things now, God was just getting me to go to church to hear His message. Back to the blog.
Now, I didn't really feel like making breakfast either, so I settled on the easiest thing I could find. Oatmeal. Of course, my culinary skills were limited to microwaves at the time, and the oatmeal turned out really bad. As I sat there eating partly burnt, really lumpy oatmeal, I reviewed my life as only a teenager could. Dramatically. I ended up giving my life to Jesus that morning, and asking Him into my life as Savior and Lord.
And the first thing he said to me was to stop the process of going into the Marines. For those of my dear readers who are not Christian, and for my dad at the time, an explanation of "God told me not to" sounds completely like chickening out. I understand that. Trust me, I really do. So when I told my dad this, he went a little ballistic. And for the week after that, I was cut off from going to church, talking to anyone from church, and not even allowed to have or read my Bible. I stuck to it though, because I knew it was right. God had said no, and I couldn't just ignore that.
Eventually, my dad relented, I can guess with help from my stepmother, and my Christian life started. My recruiter was not happy with me, but he said he understood, and life moved on. I didn't work out as much, I ate a little more than I should have here and there, and by 2000, I was overweight again.
The only difference was that God started putting the Marines back into my life. I had gone to college for a semester or two, had a miserable time, dropped out, moved to Kentucky to see about a girl (it didn't work out, though I met some awesome friends there), came back, and moved into a church member's basement. This particular church member just happened to be a Marine, and we would talk for a long time about Christianity and the Corps. Eventually I got inspired, and together with him, and one of my closest friend's little sister (I will have to blog about Jed sometime, he's been a big influence on my life, especially in those younger years) we began running and exercising together. She was training for the Navy though.
I moved back to my hometown after that, and got hooked into the local Marine recruiter, who agreed to help me lose the weight too. Once again, I found myself in the Delayed Entry Program, and working out with the recruiters and other recruits three to four times a week. We would even spend time over at the local Air Force base gym, working out, lifting weights, and sweating it out in the sauna. I went from Free Willy with legs to just a bit chubby in no time.
Then the big day came. I didn't eat anything for breakfast, only drank water, all to keep my weight down for the final test before I signed my contract. I was 2 pounds under the weight limit. Which was awesome. I had never been that skinny in my life (although my grade school photos tell otherwise, but I didn't care about my weight or lack thereof back then). So I was sworn in, and shipped out.
I'd love to tell you all about my time in the Marines (I was shipped home after only 4 months due to an injury) but I'll save that for another time. What I do want to point out from that time though, is that I lost more weight in the Corps. Despite the exercise, and all the wonderful (sarcasm) food, your body just can't keep up, and you end up losing a lot of muscle. That John Cena guy did NOT look like he does now when he was in the Corps. There's no way. Anyways, I left the Marines looking like a starved horse.
Side Note: I have a barrel chest, so with all that weight off, even through my shirts you could count my ribs. Not that I was unhealthy, it just looked that way. The official lowest weight I was at was 195 at the time. I was lean and mean coming out of the Corps. Back to the blog.
The plan after getting out of the Corps was to continue to workout, but without that Drill Instructor yelling in my ear to give my that spark of defiance and willpower, things quickly went...well, bigger. In the Marines, I could have downed two whole large pizzas, a side of bread sticks, two pitchers of soda, a gallon of ice cream, and lose 15 pounds. But without that constant workout and exercise, I wasn't losing the weight.
I ballooned back up in just under a year, and continued to do so since then. After I met Deanna, she expressed concern about my health.
Side Note: I want to make this very clear. She was not criticizing my weight, or my looks. Deanna loves me and cares about me, and wants to make sure we can actually spend our lives together. Her concern was about my health, not my appearance. We both understand that. Back to the blog.
Since then, I had a gym membership, that fell through, then we were doing some walking challenges, one we completed, the other is still in idle mode though. The point is that nothing I've tried to get back that spark of defiance and willpower has worked. Until this morning. When, after motivating myself with some old Marine Corps stuff, I was able to get up, get dressed, and go for a walk.
Granted it's not as easy as it was back then. I don't have someone to go with me. (Contrary to most people whom assume we live together, Deanna and I live on opposite sides of town). I don't have the drill instructor yelling in my ear. I don't have a goal of joining the finest fighting force in the world.
All I have is that spark of defiance and willpower. And this time, I'm not letting it go.
(Que dramatic music and fade into credits...)
Why would I go and do such a crazy thing you ask? Because of something that, as of yesterday, is seven months away. My wedding. Let me explain why this is motivating me.
Before I signed on with the Marines, I weighed a lot. To be honest, I looked like Free Willy with legs. When I went to enlist, I really didn't have a preference of which branch to go into. So I tried the Navy. They wanted me to lose the weight on my own and come back. Plus, after they reviewed my ASVAB test scores, they said I was eligible to take a test that I could not look at to study for, to see if I could qualify for their nuclear engineer program. If I failed the test (remember I can't see it to know what to study for) I would end up cleaning for four years. So I moved on.
The Army was the same way. I had to lose the weight by myself, and they recommended a diet that consisted of pretty much just cranberry juice, boiled chicken, and a daily vitamin. So I moved on. The Air Force didn't want me because of my grades. So I moved on.
Side Note: I was that kid in high school that got A's on every test, but never turned in his homework. The consequence of which was graduating with a 1.84 GPA. My ASVAB test scores were "amazing" according to the recruiters, but my GPA was all the Air Force really looked at. Back to the blog.
One visit to the Coast Guard office was all I needed to know it was more of a club than a branch of the military.
Side Note: Generally speaking, I like the Coast Guard guys, but my opinion of their most dangerous work is standing in the smoke of a drug burning. Sorry guys, but ya just don't have the reputation like the others do. (Damage Control guys/gals not included in the previous statement.)
So I tried my last option. The Marines. Now, I have relatives who've been in all the other branches, but of my immediate extended family, (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) none had been in the Corps. The first thing that impressed me about them was that they actually had recruiters who weren't looking for a quick sale. They came over to the house, talked with me and my dad and stepmother, and even wanted to help me lose the weight. So I signed up, on the Delayed Entry Program.
And so began my recruitment in 1997. Yes, I know, in the first paragraph, I said something I hadn't done in almost ten years. It didn't take me 4 years in the delayed entry program. I was a Junior in high school, and the plan was to take Basic Training during the summer prior to my senior year, but that didn't happen. Here's what did happen.
In spring/summer of 1997, in the last month of school that year, I had a little accident. While helping the choir break down the stage, I had a 250 lbs stage riser fall onto my foot. I couldn't walk, and the doctor, certain of broken bones, put me on crutches for a week while the x-rays developed. As it turned out, all that happened was a big bruise on the top of my foot. That got my recruiter foaming at the mouth to get me in. You'd think he had found an indestructible person of something. My dad got super excited too, and the day for me to leave drew closer and closer. Then, on June 16th, Becky and my dad had a big fight, and left the house without making me breakfast.
Side Note: I was a spoiled kid. I had everything handed to me on a golden platter when I was with my dad. Also, a couple months before this, I had met this local Pastor's daughter and started going to her church, in the hopes that she would be like all the other Pastor's daughters I had read about in the Playboy's I had hidden under my mattress. Of course, as I understand things now, God was just getting me to go to church to hear His message. Back to the blog.
Now, I didn't really feel like making breakfast either, so I settled on the easiest thing I could find. Oatmeal. Of course, my culinary skills were limited to microwaves at the time, and the oatmeal turned out really bad. As I sat there eating partly burnt, really lumpy oatmeal, I reviewed my life as only a teenager could. Dramatically. I ended up giving my life to Jesus that morning, and asking Him into my life as Savior and Lord.
And the first thing he said to me was to stop the process of going into the Marines. For those of my dear readers who are not Christian, and for my dad at the time, an explanation of "God told me not to" sounds completely like chickening out. I understand that. Trust me, I really do. So when I told my dad this, he went a little ballistic. And for the week after that, I was cut off from going to church, talking to anyone from church, and not even allowed to have or read my Bible. I stuck to it though, because I knew it was right. God had said no, and I couldn't just ignore that.
Eventually, my dad relented, I can guess with help from my stepmother, and my Christian life started. My recruiter was not happy with me, but he said he understood, and life moved on. I didn't work out as much, I ate a little more than I should have here and there, and by 2000, I was overweight again.
The only difference was that God started putting the Marines back into my life. I had gone to college for a semester or two, had a miserable time, dropped out, moved to Kentucky to see about a girl (it didn't work out, though I met some awesome friends there), came back, and moved into a church member's basement. This particular church member just happened to be a Marine, and we would talk for a long time about Christianity and the Corps. Eventually I got inspired, and together with him, and one of my closest friend's little sister (I will have to blog about Jed sometime, he's been a big influence on my life, especially in those younger years) we began running and exercising together. She was training for the Navy though.
I moved back to my hometown after that, and got hooked into the local Marine recruiter, who agreed to help me lose the weight too. Once again, I found myself in the Delayed Entry Program, and working out with the recruiters and other recruits three to four times a week. We would even spend time over at the local Air Force base gym, working out, lifting weights, and sweating it out in the sauna. I went from Free Willy with legs to just a bit chubby in no time.
Then the big day came. I didn't eat anything for breakfast, only drank water, all to keep my weight down for the final test before I signed my contract. I was 2 pounds under the weight limit. Which was awesome. I had never been that skinny in my life (although my grade school photos tell otherwise, but I didn't care about my weight or lack thereof back then). So I was sworn in, and shipped out.
I'd love to tell you all about my time in the Marines (I was shipped home after only 4 months due to an injury) but I'll save that for another time. What I do want to point out from that time though, is that I lost more weight in the Corps. Despite the exercise, and all the wonderful (sarcasm) food, your body just can't keep up, and you end up losing a lot of muscle. That John Cena guy did NOT look like he does now when he was in the Corps. There's no way. Anyways, I left the Marines looking like a starved horse.
Side Note: I have a barrel chest, so with all that weight off, even through my shirts you could count my ribs. Not that I was unhealthy, it just looked that way. The official lowest weight I was at was 195 at the time. I was lean and mean coming out of the Corps. Back to the blog.
The plan after getting out of the Corps was to continue to workout, but without that Drill Instructor yelling in my ear to give my that spark of defiance and willpower, things quickly went...well, bigger. In the Marines, I could have downed two whole large pizzas, a side of bread sticks, two pitchers of soda, a gallon of ice cream, and lose 15 pounds. But without that constant workout and exercise, I wasn't losing the weight.
I ballooned back up in just under a year, and continued to do so since then. After I met Deanna, she expressed concern about my health.
Side Note: I want to make this very clear. She was not criticizing my weight, or my looks. Deanna loves me and cares about me, and wants to make sure we can actually spend our lives together. Her concern was about my health, not my appearance. We both understand that. Back to the blog.
Since then, I had a gym membership, that fell through, then we were doing some walking challenges, one we completed, the other is still in idle mode though. The point is that nothing I've tried to get back that spark of defiance and willpower has worked. Until this morning. When, after motivating myself with some old Marine Corps stuff, I was able to get up, get dressed, and go for a walk.
Granted it's not as easy as it was back then. I don't have someone to go with me. (Contrary to most people whom assume we live together, Deanna and I live on opposite sides of town). I don't have the drill instructor yelling in my ear. I don't have a goal of joining the finest fighting force in the world.
All I have is that spark of defiance and willpower. And this time, I'm not letting it go.
(Que dramatic music and fade into credits...)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Q&A
Well, I really don't have anything to blog about yet today. I was prepared though. Anytime I don't have anything to blog about that day, I'll open up a Q&A section for my readers.
So, dear readers, what would you like to discuss?
So, dear readers, what would you like to discuss?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Get Him to the Geek
Oh yes, I said geek. Not greek. Because today is about geeky stuff.
Today, comic books. It's a little know fact about me that I actually have a comic book collection. Well, part of one. Ever since I was a kid, one particular superhero has always been my favorite. Darkhawk. Stan Lee wrote the story, though it did not get a lot of love from the comic community. It's a darker, harsher version of Spiderman, and in my opinion, a better story.
Chris is a kid who's mom is a lawyer, dad is a cop, and he's got two little brothers. One night, the two brothers disappear in an abandoned theme park, and in searching for them, he witnesses his dad taking bribes from a known crime lord. The dad leaves, the brothers are discovered, and Chris rushes in to save them. Grabbing for a weapon, he grabs a sharp looking amulet, and transforms into Darkhawk, a being with mysterious powers and abilities.
From there, it just gets better. The crime lord targets his mom, his dad is accused of being crooked and disappears, and Chris has to deal with every villain that wants the power of the amulet. He runs across some standard villains, gets on the bad side of some superheroes, and learns the origins of the Darkhawk powers. There's 50 comics in all, plus a ton of cameo and super group team ups. I only own a handful of them, and I am always hunting for the rest.
I always felt connected to the characters because of the dysfunctional family life. It added some real world drama into the mix, and I really enjoyed it. I also have a couple X-men comics that I really enjoyed (Psylocke was my favorite character in that series, mostly because of puberty), and the full mini-series of The Crow comics released in the 90s. Those are sealed and mint condition. Maybe one day I'll pass them to my geeky children, but not until I'm done collecting comics.
Which will continue until I own all the Darkhawk comics. But I think Deanna's okay with it. One year she got me a couple X-men comics that I had been looking for to add to my collection. Did I mention that I'm completely in love with her?
Today, comic books. It's a little know fact about me that I actually have a comic book collection. Well, part of one. Ever since I was a kid, one particular superhero has always been my favorite. Darkhawk. Stan Lee wrote the story, though it did not get a lot of love from the comic community. It's a darker, harsher version of Spiderman, and in my opinion, a better story.
Chris is a kid who's mom is a lawyer, dad is a cop, and he's got two little brothers. One night, the two brothers disappear in an abandoned theme park, and in searching for them, he witnesses his dad taking bribes from a known crime lord. The dad leaves, the brothers are discovered, and Chris rushes in to save them. Grabbing for a weapon, he grabs a sharp looking amulet, and transforms into Darkhawk, a being with mysterious powers and abilities.
From there, it just gets better. The crime lord targets his mom, his dad is accused of being crooked and disappears, and Chris has to deal with every villain that wants the power of the amulet. He runs across some standard villains, gets on the bad side of some superheroes, and learns the origins of the Darkhawk powers. There's 50 comics in all, plus a ton of cameo and super group team ups. I only own a handful of them, and I am always hunting for the rest.
I always felt connected to the characters because of the dysfunctional family life. It added some real world drama into the mix, and I really enjoyed it. I also have a couple X-men comics that I really enjoyed (Psylocke was my favorite character in that series, mostly because of puberty), and the full mini-series of The Crow comics released in the 90s. Those are sealed and mint condition. Maybe one day I'll pass them to my geeky children, but not until I'm done collecting comics.
Which will continue until I own all the Darkhawk comics. But I think Deanna's okay with it. One year she got me a couple X-men comics that I had been looking for to add to my collection. Did I mention that I'm completely in love with her?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
On Superpowers
I am of the opinion that super powers really exist. Now, to be clear, I'm not talking about any of the major ones you'd see in movies like X-Men or Sky High. I'm talking about actual, proven abilities that transcend understanding.
For example: My cousin Matt has the ability to detect women's breasts of C-cup or larger size without looking at a range of 25 feet. No less than twice have I witnessed first hand when he has, from within a room with a single window with his back to the window and more than five feet inside the room, sat up straight, announced "boobs", with the result that a random, complete stranger walked past the window with large breasts. It got kinda scary after a while.
Side Note: I know other guys who can claim to have that power, but my cousin has been the only one I have witnessed to use it accurately. Back to the blog.
I know of a person who can navigate their way to the only empty parking space in a parking lot without searching for one first. That includes driving around slowly and ducking to look between cars.
I myself, have an uncanny ability as well. I can plan trips to the movie within very specific parameters of audience member numbers. Let me explain how and what this power is.
I discovered I had this power one day shortly after Rush Hour 2 came out. As Deanna will tell you, I have a problem with crowds, and typically I like my audience numbers low, and the make up of the audience at a mature level. Well, I wanted to see the movie, opening week, and I didn't want to be stuck with a big audience. I planned the perfect outing, and as I sat in the theatre, I realized that my planning and my gut instincts had made it so that my movie audience was just me. Me, alone with a tub of popcorn and a large Mr. Pibb on opening week of summer hit movie. Perfection.
Since then, I have used my power mostly for my own entertainment. Low audience numbers, and a mature audience. Every movie I planned went off perfectly. There were a few glitches, of course, as my power is unable to account for one or two random elements, such as bad parents bringing their newborn and 5 year old to see Pan's Labyrinth. But something happened that I did not expect on May 24th, 2008.
I met Deanna. On our first date, I planned dinner and a movie. I used my power to make sure the movie times gave us a medium sized audience of mature adults to watch Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Now, I had planned for a 7:45 showing, in case she didn't seem interested in me and wanted to get to the part of the date we didn't have to talk, and I had a back up plan for a showing at 8:15 in case we did hit it off. What she did to me was amazing. We ended up at the 10:20 showing without any plan.
From then on, my powers were used for good. I planned movie outings with maximum audience members of the fun, slightly less mature nature. And Deanna loves my power. Though she does roll her eyes when I talk about it with other people.
So dear readers, what powers do you have?
P.S. - I think my soon-to-be-sister-in-law has the power to fix bad haircuts. We might have to research this one to verify it. Thanks Melissa!!!
For example: My cousin Matt has the ability to detect women's breasts of C-cup or larger size without looking at a range of 25 feet. No less than twice have I witnessed first hand when he has, from within a room with a single window with his back to the window and more than five feet inside the room, sat up straight, announced "boobs", with the result that a random, complete stranger walked past the window with large breasts. It got kinda scary after a while.
Side Note: I know other guys who can claim to have that power, but my cousin has been the only one I have witnessed to use it accurately. Back to the blog.
I know of a person who can navigate their way to the only empty parking space in a parking lot without searching for one first. That includes driving around slowly and ducking to look between cars.
I myself, have an uncanny ability as well. I can plan trips to the movie within very specific parameters of audience member numbers. Let me explain how and what this power is.
I discovered I had this power one day shortly after Rush Hour 2 came out. As Deanna will tell you, I have a problem with crowds, and typically I like my audience numbers low, and the make up of the audience at a mature level. Well, I wanted to see the movie, opening week, and I didn't want to be stuck with a big audience. I planned the perfect outing, and as I sat in the theatre, I realized that my planning and my gut instincts had made it so that my movie audience was just me. Me, alone with a tub of popcorn and a large Mr. Pibb on opening week of summer hit movie. Perfection.
Since then, I have used my power mostly for my own entertainment. Low audience numbers, and a mature audience. Every movie I planned went off perfectly. There were a few glitches, of course, as my power is unable to account for one or two random elements, such as bad parents bringing their newborn and 5 year old to see Pan's Labyrinth. But something happened that I did not expect on May 24th, 2008.
I met Deanna. On our first date, I planned dinner and a movie. I used my power to make sure the movie times gave us a medium sized audience of mature adults to watch Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Now, I had planned for a 7:45 showing, in case she didn't seem interested in me and wanted to get to the part of the date we didn't have to talk, and I had a back up plan for a showing at 8:15 in case we did hit it off. What she did to me was amazing. We ended up at the 10:20 showing without any plan.
From then on, my powers were used for good. I planned movie outings with maximum audience members of the fun, slightly less mature nature. And Deanna loves my power. Though she does roll her eyes when I talk about it with other people.
So dear readers, what powers do you have?
P.S. - I think my soon-to-be-sister-in-law has the power to fix bad haircuts. We might have to research this one to verify it. Thanks Melissa!!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday Mysteries
The other day I saw an article in one of the sections of our local paper, and it really got me steamed. It was about how important the Grooms Cake was at a wedding. The last paragraph was what got me all upset. To effect, it said that the grooms cake was the best way to acknowledge the groom at the wedding.
GAH! I couldn't believe my eyes. I was angry. Seriously, everywhere you look these days, the wedding is focused on the bride almost exclusively. The groom is expected to smile, nod, say "I do", and eat his cake. Well, it's time for me to rise against the establishment. Weddings are a celebration of two lives being twined together.
So why isn't the groom more in the spotlight?
I understand the bride being important, no wedding is complete without one. But the groom is the other half of that coin. Every wedding I've gone to, the ceremony starts with the groom already up at the altar. Why doesn't he get an entrance? The groomsmen and best man usually do, so why is it so frowned upon for the groom to be active at his own wedding?
Sorry, I'm ranting. Deanna and I are planning this wedding equally, paying equally, and want to celebrate it equally. Yeah, I'm pushing for an entrance for me, and more time in the spotlight for all of us grooms. If our guests find it tacky or selfish, then a raspberry to them! It's my wedding too, and I want to be as much a part of the celebration as Deanna.
But it also made me think of the other established peculiarities we have in our culture. I submit to you, dear readers, the following for your pondering:
Why is 'Ice Cream' a separate section of the grocery store from 'Desserts'?
Why are pickles in the 'Condiment' aisle when they are clearly vegetables?
How did we end up using red (typically a sign of caution or danger) to mean stop, and not yellow (which is the color of super important signs on the roads)?
Who determines the serving size on all our food? (I'm certain it was an ice cream hater, because no one can eat just 1/4 of a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It's just not possible.)
GAH! I couldn't believe my eyes. I was angry. Seriously, everywhere you look these days, the wedding is focused on the bride almost exclusively. The groom is expected to smile, nod, say "I do", and eat his cake. Well, it's time for me to rise against the establishment. Weddings are a celebration of two lives being twined together.
So why isn't the groom more in the spotlight?
I understand the bride being important, no wedding is complete without one. But the groom is the other half of that coin. Every wedding I've gone to, the ceremony starts with the groom already up at the altar. Why doesn't he get an entrance? The groomsmen and best man usually do, so why is it so frowned upon for the groom to be active at his own wedding?
Sorry, I'm ranting. Deanna and I are planning this wedding equally, paying equally, and want to celebrate it equally. Yeah, I'm pushing for an entrance for me, and more time in the spotlight for all of us grooms. If our guests find it tacky or selfish, then a raspberry to them! It's my wedding too, and I want to be as much a part of the celebration as Deanna.
But it also made me think of the other established peculiarities we have in our culture. I submit to you, dear readers, the following for your pondering:
Why is 'Ice Cream' a separate section of the grocery store from 'Desserts'?
Why are pickles in the 'Condiment' aisle when they are clearly vegetables?
How did we end up using red (typically a sign of caution or danger) to mean stop, and not yellow (which is the color of super important signs on the roads)?
Who determines the serving size on all our food? (I'm certain it was an ice cream hater, because no one can eat just 1/4 of a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It's just not possible.)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Cake Tastings and Other Fun Food Stuff
Yesterday afternoon, Deanna and I set out on a cake tasting. Just as a precaution, I recommend you do not read the following post without being full first.
We chose a couple of local spots, whose names shall not be mentioned here, and went to go sample their wonderful cakes. The first place we went to had a great eye for decoration, and we were able to sit in a quiet, cozy corner and pour over the pictures. We got a fair amount of quotes and ideas, along with two slices to go. One was white cake with a fudge filling, the other a chocolate cake with raspberry filling. Both had butter cream frosting.
I wasn't really impressed about the white cake, because it was a bit dry. But the chocolate one was nice and moist. The raspberry filling, and pretty much all fruit fillings are out for the wedding cake. We're both of the same opinion, that fruit fillings aren't that good. Next, we went to our second spot, who's focus was on flavor. This tasting was a bit better in presentation. We were served 7 slices, with our choice of fillings on the side, and a cup of coffee.
Side Note: I am what you call a "super taster". You can wiki that, or I can explain it briefly. Basically, it means that my taste buds are more numerous and/or more sensitive than the average person. Taste is a big thing to me, and it means that certain things taste worse or better. For example, those yummy martinis everyone seems to enjoy taste like turpentine to me. Also, I can't stand artificial sweeteners because they taste very bitter. What this means is that when we're cake tasting, my taste buds tend to take control of my brain. Back to the blog.
We spent quite a few minutes sampling. Orange Cream, Washington Apple, Chocolate Fudge, Carrot Cake, Red Velvet, Sour Cream White, Almond Poppy Seed, all with vanilla custard, chocolate custard, and hazelnut fillings. The Almond Poppy Seed really stuck out, and we had our winner there. The only downside to the wonderful tasting was the prices of the cakes. Nearly two times the amount of the first place, and less focus on decoration than we'd like.
Side Note: I have to admit to leaving out the whole taste bud brainwashing I underwent. It was an interesting discussion, but Deanna knows me, and after we left, decision making was again transferred to my brain. Back to the blog.
Now that cake day is over, we're onto Game Day today. Deanna is a big sports fan, I'm not. Typically on Sunday evenings, I hang out with a bunch of fellow geeks and play tabletop role-playing games, and Deanna stays home or hangs out with friends. But today, I am skipping my gaming group to join her at my Pastor's house (we go to different churches) for the Superbowl. I'm doing it because I love her to pieces.
Well, time to get ready for my Quizzing class at church. I'm looking forward to spending time with my fiance and her sports habit today. I hope you all have a great day as well! And I also hope that the Packings get a long Home Run in the 3rd period! (I'm totally joking! I know what sport and teams are playing today.)
We chose a couple of local spots, whose names shall not be mentioned here, and went to go sample their wonderful cakes. The first place we went to had a great eye for decoration, and we were able to sit in a quiet, cozy corner and pour over the pictures. We got a fair amount of quotes and ideas, along with two slices to go. One was white cake with a fudge filling, the other a chocolate cake with raspberry filling. Both had butter cream frosting.
I wasn't really impressed about the white cake, because it was a bit dry. But the chocolate one was nice and moist. The raspberry filling, and pretty much all fruit fillings are out for the wedding cake. We're both of the same opinion, that fruit fillings aren't that good. Next, we went to our second spot, who's focus was on flavor. This tasting was a bit better in presentation. We were served 7 slices, with our choice of fillings on the side, and a cup of coffee.
Side Note: I am what you call a "super taster". You can wiki that, or I can explain it briefly. Basically, it means that my taste buds are more numerous and/or more sensitive than the average person. Taste is a big thing to me, and it means that certain things taste worse or better. For example, those yummy martinis everyone seems to enjoy taste like turpentine to me. Also, I can't stand artificial sweeteners because they taste very bitter. What this means is that when we're cake tasting, my taste buds tend to take control of my brain. Back to the blog.
We spent quite a few minutes sampling. Orange Cream, Washington Apple, Chocolate Fudge, Carrot Cake, Red Velvet, Sour Cream White, Almond Poppy Seed, all with vanilla custard, chocolate custard, and hazelnut fillings. The Almond Poppy Seed really stuck out, and we had our winner there. The only downside to the wonderful tasting was the prices of the cakes. Nearly two times the amount of the first place, and less focus on decoration than we'd like.
Side Note: I have to admit to leaving out the whole taste bud brainwashing I underwent. It was an interesting discussion, but Deanna knows me, and after we left, decision making was again transferred to my brain. Back to the blog.
Now that cake day is over, we're onto Game Day today. Deanna is a big sports fan, I'm not. Typically on Sunday evenings, I hang out with a bunch of fellow geeks and play tabletop role-playing games, and Deanna stays home or hangs out with friends. But today, I am skipping my gaming group to join her at my Pastor's house (we go to different churches) for the Superbowl. I'm doing it because I love her to pieces.
Well, time to get ready for my Quizzing class at church. I'm looking forward to spending time with my fiance and her sports habit today. I hope you all have a great day as well! And I also hope that the Packings get a long Home Run in the 3rd period! (I'm totally joking! I know what sport and teams are playing today.)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Too Early For a Saturday
I think I'm going to talk about movies today.
One of my favorite producers/actors/playwrights is Tyler Perry. Seriously, if you have never heard that name before, go check out some of his movies. All of his movies to date have had good, Godly messages in them, and it is a breath of fresh air to see these films winning mainstream awards. Go rent one now. Deanna introduced me to his films with Madea's Family Reunion, and I almost died laughing. To quote Larry the cucumber, "I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob."
Deanna sometimes gives me the "what are you thinking" look when I mention watching a few of the movies in my video collection. I admit, I have a large, strange video collection.
Side Note: I say "video" collection and not "DVD" collection because I still own about 20-25 movies on VHS. For those who aren't as old or older, those are what predated DVDs and BluRay. Back to the blog.
I have a collection of what I refer to as "standards" or "classics". These are movies I think everyone should watch at least once, if not own just to be considered a good movie watcher. The Negotiator, Die Hard, Minority Report, Scent of a Woman, Lake Placid, The Green Mile, and quite a few others. Most of these I have convinced Deanna to watch with me on the nights it's my turn to pick a movie. Some of them that are standards in my collection she scoffs at. Two particular ones are Stand By Me and Major Payne. Now, I can guess some of you are thinking "Major Payne?! You really consider that a standard???" Well, yes, I really do. Not only is it a great work of comedy, but it has some of the best quotes I've ever heard.
Side Note: She's not even here, and I can tell she's laughing at me when I said the last line. I deserve it though. I am a total dork, and most of what I consider great movie quotes end up being super dorky when I say them. In fact, most of what I say comes out super dorky. She loves it though, and I am more than happy to oblige! Back to the blog.
I joined ROTC in college, and watching that was a requirement. It's one of my favorite movies now. Mostly cuz of the ROTC thing, and the Marine Corps thing. Yes, I was in the Marine Corps. (I'd rather not talk about it in this post though, it's better left for later.) As for Stand By Me, I loved the pie eating contest scene. And I watched it when I was 12, so I could relate to the characters. Deanna, however, won't watch those with me. She says Damon Wayons voice in Major Payne bothers her, and Stand By Me depresses her. I guess I'll just chalk this one up to one of our differences, and leave it at that.
So, dear readers, what movie(s) do you consider "standards" or "classics" that are in your collection? I'm curious to find out if we have the same types of movies.
One of my favorite producers/actors/playwrights is Tyler Perry. Seriously, if you have never heard that name before, go check out some of his movies. All of his movies to date have had good, Godly messages in them, and it is a breath of fresh air to see these films winning mainstream awards. Go rent one now. Deanna introduced me to his films with Madea's Family Reunion, and I almost died laughing. To quote Larry the cucumber, "I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob."
Deanna sometimes gives me the "what are you thinking" look when I mention watching a few of the movies in my video collection. I admit, I have a large, strange video collection.
Side Note: I say "video" collection and not "DVD" collection because I still own about 20-25 movies on VHS. For those who aren't as old or older, those are what predated DVDs and BluRay. Back to the blog.
I have a collection of what I refer to as "standards" or "classics". These are movies I think everyone should watch at least once, if not own just to be considered a good movie watcher. The Negotiator, Die Hard, Minority Report, Scent of a Woman, Lake Placid, The Green Mile, and quite a few others. Most of these I have convinced Deanna to watch with me on the nights it's my turn to pick a movie. Some of them that are standards in my collection she scoffs at. Two particular ones are Stand By Me and Major Payne. Now, I can guess some of you are thinking "Major Payne?! You really consider that a standard???" Well, yes, I really do. Not only is it a great work of comedy, but it has some of the best quotes I've ever heard.
Side Note: She's not even here, and I can tell she's laughing at me when I said the last line. I deserve it though. I am a total dork, and most of what I consider great movie quotes end up being super dorky when I say them. In fact, most of what I say comes out super dorky. She loves it though, and I am more than happy to oblige! Back to the blog.
I joined ROTC in college, and watching that was a requirement. It's one of my favorite movies now. Mostly cuz of the ROTC thing, and the Marine Corps thing. Yes, I was in the Marine Corps. (I'd rather not talk about it in this post though, it's better left for later.) As for Stand By Me, I loved the pie eating contest scene. And I watched it when I was 12, so I could relate to the characters. Deanna, however, won't watch those with me. She says Damon Wayons voice in Major Payne bothers her, and Stand By Me depresses her. I guess I'll just chalk this one up to one of our differences, and leave it at that.
So, dear readers, what movie(s) do you consider "standards" or "classics" that are in your collection? I'm curious to find out if we have the same types of movies.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Out the Door
Well, here I go, taking on yet another project. Welcome readers! (Or browsers, depending upon your frequency.)
I was going to do something super special for my first post, like talk about myself, where I came from, what I do (whether I like it or not), or who I am now. But then I decided against it. I have something I want to get off my chest.
Why can't life be more like movies? Currently, my fiance and I are looking at wedding cakes. (The wedding is 9/10/11 by the way) I was really disappointed to find out that none of the local cake companies do "cake tasting" like in the movie "The Accidental Husband". Instead, they sit down, show you pictures, and send some cake home with you. I'm curious as to why we can't eat it there? Despite being a little rude to have a conversation with a mouth stuffed with cake, it seems like they don't want to encourage eating of cake on the premises. Are the bakers recovering cake-aholics?
Side note: I used to work in a bakery, and a definite cure to the eating of sweets was to make them. My opinion is that if everyone who liked oat bars and nanimo bars had to make them first, they would disappear completely from the world. Back to the blog.
Or like why we can't have every problem wrapped up in two hours flat by cutting out the waiting, and just jump to the next important scene. I'm not a patient person, and I hate waiting. I've even stopped praying for patience because I know that if I do, God will make me stand in line.
Side Note: Yeah, I'm Christian, and proud of it. My future career as a Pastor is coming together nicely. I've been offered to preach once a month at a local retirement home to bring words of encouragement to all the nice old ladies. I haven't accepted it yet, but I feel I should soon. Back to the blog.
So my dear readers, how would you change your life into a more movie like atmosphere? My fiance has already claimed the idea of the movie soundtrack, and musicals. Sorry. She comes first.
I was going to do something super special for my first post, like talk about myself, where I came from, what I do (whether I like it or not), or who I am now. But then I decided against it. I have something I want to get off my chest.
Why can't life be more like movies? Currently, my fiance and I are looking at wedding cakes. (The wedding is 9/10/11 by the way) I was really disappointed to find out that none of the local cake companies do "cake tasting" like in the movie "The Accidental Husband". Instead, they sit down, show you pictures, and send some cake home with you. I'm curious as to why we can't eat it there? Despite being a little rude to have a conversation with a mouth stuffed with cake, it seems like they don't want to encourage eating of cake on the premises. Are the bakers recovering cake-aholics?
Side note: I used to work in a bakery, and a definite cure to the eating of sweets was to make them. My opinion is that if everyone who liked oat bars and nanimo bars had to make them first, they would disappear completely from the world. Back to the blog.
Or like why we can't have every problem wrapped up in two hours flat by cutting out the waiting, and just jump to the next important scene. I'm not a patient person, and I hate waiting. I've even stopped praying for patience because I know that if I do, God will make me stand in line.
Side Note: Yeah, I'm Christian, and proud of it. My future career as a Pastor is coming together nicely. I've been offered to preach once a month at a local retirement home to bring words of encouragement to all the nice old ladies. I haven't accepted it yet, but I feel I should soon. Back to the blog.
So my dear readers, how would you change your life into a more movie like atmosphere? My fiance has already claimed the idea of the movie soundtrack, and musicals. Sorry. She comes first.
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