Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Music to my ears
So I was watching Say Anything the other night with my wife, I haven't actually seen that movie other than the part where Lloyd is holding up the boom box playing the Peter Gabriel song "in your eyes". I like the words to the song. My problem with the song is, it is oversynthesized. I don't understand the fascination we had back in the 80's to play as many electrified instruments as we did. A little synthesizer goes a long way. I would never build an entire song out of synthesized sounds. There is nothing better than a nice acoustic guitar being played with little to no effects. Don't even get me started on fake drums. I want to become a music producer so that I can put music back into music. A real piano sounds better than anything korg or roland can come up with. I wonder how many great songs there would be out there if people actually played them with real musical instruments? That is why, as I have gotten older, I have gained an appreciation for the singer/songwriter. People who write their own songs and play their own songs. http://youtu.be/VOCXKfatA6w this is an example of what I am talking about. A great song written and performed by the same guys. I also hate autotune. People who can't sing shouldn't be allowed pass themeselves off as singers.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Exercising Freedom...Reluctantly
So I voted in the Republican primary today. We have incredible rights in our country. We are very fortunate to be able to vote for whoever we think will be a good leader. I want to thank every person that fought a died for the freedom to choose. I won't tell you who I voted for because I can't believe that these are the only choices we have.
I am tired of voting for old white men that used to be senators or governors. I want to vote for a guy that is about 40, has a couple of kids that are between the ages of 13 and 16, someone who runs a successful small business, that understands that you can't spend money at such an alarming pace that it doesn't match what is coming in. I want to vote for a guy that lives in the real world. Someone that has bought a house that was short sold or foreclosed on and has to jump through hoops to buy it. Someone who drives a car that I could buy. Someone that has a pickup truck to help his friends move. Someone that will stop on the highway if my wife has a flat tire, and will change it for her without worrying if his hands get dirty.
Someone that goes to a college football game because he loves college football and doesn't see it as a good place to get some face time on national tv. Someone who knows what it's like to live on a budget.
Someone who has taken a road trip with a few of his buddies in the last 5 years. Someone who plays a muni and not the nicest, most exclusive golf courses that I couldn't play without an amazing hook up. Someone who knows what it's like to come home and have to take a shower because he worked so hard during the day that he sweated through his t shirt. Someone who has stacked hay bales. Someone who had to be the first one to work because he was the only one with a key besides the boss. Someone that has prayed for his friends and family to know who Jesus is. Someone that cried during episodes of Friday Night Lights. I want someone who has country danced with his wife at a place like Greasewood Flats.
I want someone who sings along with George, or the Eagles, or Skynyrd, and CCR. I want someone who knows that there are people who need to be taken care of, but also knows that people need to figure out how to work if their bodies allow them to. I want someone that I would trust to take my son fishing. I want someone that knows what it's like to have a pair of fishing shoes that you wear to stand in the river to fish. I want someone that doesn't believe he should be president.
That's what I want. I am hoping that someday I will have this guy to vote for. I know I don't right now.
I am tired of voting for old white men that used to be senators or governors. I want to vote for a guy that is about 40, has a couple of kids that are between the ages of 13 and 16, someone who runs a successful small business, that understands that you can't spend money at such an alarming pace that it doesn't match what is coming in. I want to vote for a guy that lives in the real world. Someone that has bought a house that was short sold or foreclosed on and has to jump through hoops to buy it. Someone who drives a car that I could buy. Someone that has a pickup truck to help his friends move. Someone that will stop on the highway if my wife has a flat tire, and will change it for her without worrying if his hands get dirty.
Someone that goes to a college football game because he loves college football and doesn't see it as a good place to get some face time on national tv. Someone who knows what it's like to live on a budget.
Someone who has taken a road trip with a few of his buddies in the last 5 years. Someone who plays a muni and not the nicest, most exclusive golf courses that I couldn't play without an amazing hook up. Someone who knows what it's like to come home and have to take a shower because he worked so hard during the day that he sweated through his t shirt. Someone who has stacked hay bales. Someone who had to be the first one to work because he was the only one with a key besides the boss. Someone that has prayed for his friends and family to know who Jesus is. Someone that cried during episodes of Friday Night Lights. I want someone who has country danced with his wife at a place like Greasewood Flats.
I want someone who sings along with George, or the Eagles, or Skynyrd, and CCR. I want someone who knows that there are people who need to be taken care of, but also knows that people need to figure out how to work if their bodies allow them to. I want someone that I would trust to take my son fishing. I want someone that knows what it's like to have a pair of fishing shoes that you wear to stand in the river to fish. I want someone that doesn't believe he should be president.
That's what I want. I am hoping that someday I will have this guy to vote for. I know I don't right now.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
So much...Too much?
I am finding myself stuck in a rut. The only way out is to change things up. I am going to begin an experiment. I don't know how long it will last. My wife says that I watch too much tv. She is right. I would never say this to her face, but she is. I am at a place where I think my brain has gotten lazy. This worries me because my son is growing so fast, that before long he'll be in school. I don't even know if a comma was supposed to between fast and then in that last sentence. I don't want the school that Caleb goes to be the only place that he receives an education. I want to be able to help Caleb with his school work. I need to read more. I am not going to cancel direct tv. I am just going to crack open a book more often than I have in recent years. I have always loved to read. I enjoy it when I do it. I just have gotten into the rut of turning on the tv. I guess it's easier too no that college football is over, but that's neither here nor there. My brain needs an adventure. My work is mindless sometimes. I can do what I do in my sleep. I'm going to read more.
On another note, I need to start moving around. I hate to say this, but last year I lost close to 80 pounds. I haven't had the guts to get on a scale in a while, but I know I have gained a lot of it back. The easy excuse is that we had Caleb, and life got busy. I think I just used him as a reason to be lazy. I don't want Caleb to have a Dad that can't keep up with him. I'm already at a little bit of a disadvantage because I will already be older than the rest of his classmates parents. I don't want to be a bad example to him either. I want my boy to be active and well rounded. I want to be able to take him on a hike if he wants to go, or go for a long bike ride without it giving me a heart attack. I love that little guy, and I don't want him to be embarrassed of his Dad.
The reason for this blog post today is, accountability. I want to put it out there publicly that I am trying to do this stuff so that I have to do what I am saying I want to do. I have long hated the idea of saying things and not following through. I have a history of doing that, and I am tired of it. Life is short. It's time to keep the main thing, the main thing. So, if you're reading this, I give you permission to ask me how I'm really doing. I want to make these changes and a few others, but this is where I start.
On another note, I need to start moving around. I hate to say this, but last year I lost close to 80 pounds. I haven't had the guts to get on a scale in a while, but I know I have gained a lot of it back. The easy excuse is that we had Caleb, and life got busy. I think I just used him as a reason to be lazy. I don't want Caleb to have a Dad that can't keep up with him. I'm already at a little bit of a disadvantage because I will already be older than the rest of his classmates parents. I don't want to be a bad example to him either. I want my boy to be active and well rounded. I want to be able to take him on a hike if he wants to go, or go for a long bike ride without it giving me a heart attack. I love that little guy, and I don't want him to be embarrassed of his Dad.
The reason for this blog post today is, accountability. I want to put it out there publicly that I am trying to do this stuff so that I have to do what I am saying I want to do. I have long hated the idea of saying things and not following through. I have a history of doing that, and I am tired of it. Life is short. It's time to keep the main thing, the main thing. So, if you're reading this, I give you permission to ask me how I'm really doing. I want to make these changes and a few others, but this is where I start.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
I could fix it
Dear Mr. Jerry Jones,
Hello, how bout that ride in? No wonder they call it sin city.
Hey Jerry, I can't support your team anymore. I watch every game that I can and in the end, I find myself more dissatisfied with each one. Your team hasn't played hard since 1995 (and I'm not sure that one played hard, you had three hall of famers on that roster). That's neither here nor there. I heard a stat today , that in the last 10 years the Cowboys are 120-120. That record is the epitome of mediocrity. It doesn't matter who the coaches, or coordinators are, no one seems to be able to get the job done. The reason, is you. You don't understand how this thing is supposed to work. For pete's sake, Tom Landry had Gil Brandt to answer to. Who do you have to answer to. No one. The owner can't be all things. There has to be someone at Valley Ranch that does nothing but think about the football team every day, all year. You can't do that. You're out doing PR, picking out artwork, gouging people for personal seat licenses, you know all the things that nfl owners have to do. You physically can't handle what it takes to be the owner AND the general manager. Bill Gates has people running his company. You need someone to run the football part of your team. You are horrible at it. How many of your draft picks become superstars? None. There have been some pretty good players. The fact is you seem to not understand that great football teams are built in the trenches. Tyron Smith is the first offensive lineman that you have drafted in the first round, and that was this year. Guess what, it looks like Tyron is pretty good. He was the best player on your line and he was a rookie. That is ridiculous, Jerry. Do you remember when your team was great? It's been a long time, but I do. Erik Williams, Mark Tuinei, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Larry Allen. Those guys are the reason why you have 3 super bowl rings. The fact that you don't the importance of an O Line is frankly the reason why I know you don't know what you are doing.
Here's my offer. I will do all of this for you, for the measly sum of $250,000 a year. That's a pittance for the results that I guarantee you will see on the field. Give me three years and the team I put together will be in the super bowl. Stop being the general manager. Just stop it. I can't be a fan unless drastic changes are made. You are spitting on 35 years of my love for your team. I hate saying it. I can't watch your product anymore. You don't care about me. So I'll stop caring about you.
Hello, how bout that ride in? No wonder they call it sin city.
Hey Jerry, I can't support your team anymore. I watch every game that I can and in the end, I find myself more dissatisfied with each one. Your team hasn't played hard since 1995 (and I'm not sure that one played hard, you had three hall of famers on that roster). That's neither here nor there. I heard a stat today , that in the last 10 years the Cowboys are 120-120. That record is the epitome of mediocrity. It doesn't matter who the coaches, or coordinators are, no one seems to be able to get the job done. The reason, is you. You don't understand how this thing is supposed to work. For pete's sake, Tom Landry had Gil Brandt to answer to. Who do you have to answer to. No one. The owner can't be all things. There has to be someone at Valley Ranch that does nothing but think about the football team every day, all year. You can't do that. You're out doing PR, picking out artwork, gouging people for personal seat licenses, you know all the things that nfl owners have to do. You physically can't handle what it takes to be the owner AND the general manager. Bill Gates has people running his company. You need someone to run the football part of your team. You are horrible at it. How many of your draft picks become superstars? None. There have been some pretty good players. The fact is you seem to not understand that great football teams are built in the trenches. Tyron Smith is the first offensive lineman that you have drafted in the first round, and that was this year. Guess what, it looks like Tyron is pretty good. He was the best player on your line and he was a rookie. That is ridiculous, Jerry. Do you remember when your team was great? It's been a long time, but I do. Erik Williams, Mark Tuinei, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Larry Allen. Those guys are the reason why you have 3 super bowl rings. The fact that you don't the importance of an O Line is frankly the reason why I know you don't know what you are doing.
Here's my offer. I will do all of this for you, for the measly sum of $250,000 a year. That's a pittance for the results that I guarantee you will see on the field. Give me three years and the team I put together will be in the super bowl. Stop being the general manager. Just stop it. I can't be a fan unless drastic changes are made. You are spitting on 35 years of my love for your team. I hate saying it. I can't watch your product anymore. You don't care about me. So I'll stop caring about you.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Jesus, Christa, and Caleb
I used to often wonder about my future. I used to try to picture my wife. I would try to think of what our child/children would look like. I now have both of those people in my life, and the picture looks a lot different than the one I had in mind. In fact, it looks better. I never thought I deserved a woman that is as amazing as my wife. She is loving, compassionate, outgoing, fun, beautiful, honest, and most of all loves Jesus. She is an incredible mom to our little son, Caleb. She has begun laying the foundation of raising Caleb to be a well rounded person. She prays with him, reads to him, talks to him, sings to him, and shows him so much love.
This is Caleb's first Christmas on Earth. He probably won't remember it, other than the pictures that I am sure we will be taking. He is the light of my life. I have a picture of him on my phone that I look at every time I pick it up and it melts my heart. He is sitting in his bumbo smiling. I love Caleb so much. There was a time in my life that I thought I would never get be anything more than Uncle Jariod. But now, I'm a Dad, and nothing has made me happier.
I hope to give Christa and Caleb happy Christmases for the rest of our lives. There aren't better gifts that I have been given, with the exception of salvation, and a relationship with Jesus. This Christmas is my second one as a married man, and my first as a Dad. There haven't been two better Christmases in my life.
Wherever you're at, whatever you're doing, there is always hope. Don't give up. Don't stop believing, don't stop asking God for what it is you are looking for in life. I never thought I would have a wife and a son, now I have both. There were some hopeless times, believe me, I'm not lying. I always knew that
God was my provider, and He had good things in mind for me. He does for you as well. Let me know if there is anything I can pray about, and I promise I will. If I don't post again before next, have a Merry Christmas and healthy and Happy New Year.
This is Caleb's first Christmas on Earth. He probably won't remember it, other than the pictures that I am sure we will be taking. He is the light of my life. I have a picture of him on my phone that I look at every time I pick it up and it melts my heart. He is sitting in his bumbo smiling. I love Caleb so much. There was a time in my life that I thought I would never get be anything more than Uncle Jariod. But now, I'm a Dad, and nothing has made me happier.
I hope to give Christa and Caleb happy Christmases for the rest of our lives. There aren't better gifts that I have been given, with the exception of salvation, and a relationship with Jesus. This Christmas is my second one as a married man, and my first as a Dad. There haven't been two better Christmases in my life.
Wherever you're at, whatever you're doing, there is always hope. Don't give up. Don't stop believing, don't stop asking God for what it is you are looking for in life. I never thought I would have a wife and a son, now I have both. There were some hopeless times, believe me, I'm not lying. I always knew that
God was my provider, and He had good things in mind for me. He does for you as well. Let me know if there is anything I can pray about, and I promise I will. If I don't post again before next, have a Merry Christmas and healthy and Happy New Year.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Why does wells fargo hate our money?
So Christa and I have an offer on a house. I don't remember when exactly we put the offer in, but I know it's been over 3 weeks. We like this house. It's the right size, it has a pool, and all of the things we are looking for in a house. Caleb will have plenty of room to run and play, and learn how to be a Longhorns quarterback. We will have tons of room to be able to entertain, so people can actually come to our house without having to sit on each other's laps, unless they want to. It's going to be great. One problem, Wells Fargo has decided to take their sweet time to say yes to our offer. It's a short sell, I get it, the process should be streamlined at some point though. Houses that are short sold are the only ones you can buy right now(in our price range) from what I can tell, there are very few traditional sale homes available to us that meet our criteria. If wells fargo knows this, then why can't the process of people actually buying a short sell home be quickened? We are ready to buy. We have a loan in place. All we need is the bank to say ok. I hate the red tape. I wish that we weren't beholden to a large financial institution to tell us if we can buy the house we want. By the way, the house has been sitting there for a while with no payments being made. We want to make payments. We're ready for it. It's stupid. This problem isn't actually a problem. We have a roof over our head. We just need a little more room. I just want people who are financially capable, to be able to buy homes. There are plenty out there. Just sitting. No money being exchanged. We're ready to pay you. Will you take our money? We shouldn't have to ask them to do this.
I am a capitalist. I am wanting to change things by contributing to our economy, not camping out pooping in parks. Let me give you my money wells fargo.
I am a capitalist. I am wanting to change things by contributing to our economy, not camping out pooping in parks. Let me give you my money wells fargo.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thankfulness
I believe thankfulness is the key to a successful life in Christ. A lot of times in our lives, we are looking at circumstances and become overwhelmed. We are trying to pay bills, buy groceries, make a house payment, provide for our families, and we forget that we have been given the ability to do those things because God has provided opportunities for success. I don't always appreciate my job. I look at some other people that are barely making it, and then I look at my situation, and the two don't compare. I have been given so much, and sometimes I am unappreciative of the opportunities that I have been afforded. I have an amazing wife, an incredible son, and a life that I really don't deserve. I am attempting to not take things for granted.
I am thankful this year for everything God has done for both my family and I. I pray for you that you have some things to be thankful for. If you don't, I pray that you will have so many things to be thankful for this next year, that you will not be able to remember all of them. I know we live in tough times, but I also know that in tough times, God shows up and provides in ways that we don't expect.
If you are reading this, I am thankful for you. I am glad that, at some point or the other, we have crossed paths. I believe that every relationship in our lives is a divine appointment. I'm glad that you are related to me, or my friend. I love you, and hope for great things to happen for you.
I am thankful this year for everything God has done for both my family and I. I pray for you that you have some things to be thankful for. If you don't, I pray that you will have so many things to be thankful for this next year, that you will not be able to remember all of them. I know we live in tough times, but I also know that in tough times, God shows up and provides in ways that we don't expect.
If you are reading this, I am thankful for you. I am glad that, at some point or the other, we have crossed paths. I believe that every relationship in our lives is a divine appointment. I'm glad that you are related to me, or my friend. I love you, and hope for great things to happen for you.
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