.25, .35 or something else?

When was the last time you saw or used a payphone?

Harv vs Dash

Dash met Harvey (Eric and Amber's new Great Dane puppy) a bit ago and they hit it off. But at some point, things went sideways....

Andy: Look at Dash and Harv. They seem to be getting along famously.

Eric: Havey No! Don't jump up on people!

Andy: It's ok Eric, Dash needs to learn how to defend himself a little . . . oh my, he knocked Dash over . . .

(*ackward silence*)

...

...

...

Andy and Eric (screaming): HARRRRVEYYYY NOOOOOOO!!!!

Hmmm...

• So, when you're home alone, do you shut the bathroom door when you use it (#1,#2, shower/bath)?
• Have you ever tried putting your pants on opposite leg first? Or tried putting your keys/wallet in the opposite pocket?
• Why do I bend over when I brush my teeth?
• Why do I find it abhorrently disgusting to share deoderant?

Lately I've been into trying to figure out why I do some of the things I do. It leads to larger questions like "why do I believe what I believe?" but I'm not looking too deeply here at this moment. Let's keep it light for now. Why do you do the voodoo that you do so well?

Yo Adrian!

Dash took quite a fall this weekend... ugh. He was running downhill on our blacktop and just got a little too far out in front of himself. I was just going to shout at him, "You better slow down buddy!" and wham-o. Face-brakes. I felt so bad for him. I mean, little kids, especially boys are always getting scrapes, bruises, cuts, etc. and Dash is certainly no different. But I was a little suprised how bad it made me feel. He's ok though. Took it like a big-boy. That's all I can ask for.

A reflection on church this weekend: We can be blessed by our past (cursed too!) but our blessing lies in our present and future. As the saying goes, "we can't live off of yesterday's blessing". It's right, we can't. There are times when I long for yesterday, but it's gone. Good or bad, it's gone. I can't get so wrapped up in things that have already happened at the expense of missing out on what is happening. Since we know what the past was, it's easier to visualize it than what our future could be. But God wants us now and tomorrow, and really cares little about how you were. If He has me now, in the now, then he's got me. And for as long as he has me (or rather, I have Him) He's got control of my tomorrow. Though I never know what tomorrow has, or even today, I take comfort in that He is with me until the end...and then some.

My Students

Some comments on my students this year...

• I love it when I see kids get dropped off in the morning, but because they have just gotten their driver's permit/license they get to drive the minivan. It takes me back to our old brown wood-paneled Oldsmobile station-wagon that was totalled twice while I was at the wheel.
• I have a freshman girl who has a huuuuge lisp. It'th ridiculouth. She's a real sweet girl.
• I have a freshman boy named Jack Hunter and whenever I can I call him "Jack Hunter: Man's Man" in my deepest announcer voice ("Here's to you..."). Or I insert his name in Chuck Norris jokes.
• I have a set of twins (but in different periods) and they are IDENTICAL. I'm sure they could switch and swap at any time and I'd never know it.
• I love (for now) teaching seniors. They're starting to get comfortable, a little, with who they are. They're cool. And they're definitely not as ackward or uncool as Freshmen(but I love that about them).
• I am overwhelmed by the number of students whose parent(s) went to school with me! I COULD BE THEIR DAD'S! NOOOOOO..... I am way too young for that. I'm not sure when or how people like Kim Pfal, Keith Dyer, Cherokee Groat, Sarah Johnston, Chad Osborn, etc. got so old so quickly, yet I have remained... (who am I fooling)

On my way home last night, an old familiar Blues Traveler song came on the radio that I hadn't heard in years. It was "Hook". And guess what? I still knew 98% of the lyrics. Remember that part where it goes into "Suck it in - Suck it in - Suck it in if you're Rin Tin Tin or Ann Boylen..."? I nailed it. It was almost as though someone was speaking it for me because I didn't know what lyric was next but it kept flowing out. Like I was speaking in tongues in the language of John Popper. Now I know what Bunny Rabbit feels like.

FB = Pandora's Box

I went on a Men's retreat with some Shekinah guys this weekend down to Bend. We golfed. The highlight was shooting a 39 on the back at Black Butte's Big Meadow course. I love Black Butte. A good time was had by all.

I also, on a whim, signed up on Facebook. Now, I don't have internet at home so I will tell everybody right now that I'll be a horrible Fb'er. But I succombed... or succame... I folded to the pressure. I'm not even sure how it works. All I know is that I will be VERY selective about who my friends are. Very. I've heard horror stories . . .

My brother Eric (and Amber) got a dog this weekend. A blue/gray great Dane named Harvard, or Harvey for short.

"Might I have a drink of your tasty beverage?" (what movie?)

I had my monthly visit to the grocery store yesterday and racked up a larger than usual bill. Thankfully I am a Safeway Club Card member and was able to save over $50! Anyway, I had a larger than usual bill but my cart didn't seem like it was overly packed. I didn't realize why until I got home....

I've always been a "drink junkie". I love juices and tasty flavored beverages. I'm a sucker for the drink aisle every time. And that doesn't include what I already have in my fridge and freezer. I don't even like soda that much! And what the heck is vanilla rice milk doing in there? (It sounded good at the time....)

Some women I find strangly attractive...

Mel B (Scary Spice)

Kat Von D

Chelsae Handler

Danielle from American Pickers

I am just as suprised as you are. I should note that this is not based on personality or character.

(Pulp Fiction)

Getting too big for his britches.

Dash was wearing Kaed's boxer-briefs the other day and he showed my mom. "Gramma look at my new boxer shorts!"

My mom: "Oh wow. They look a little big for ya."

Dash: "That's because I got a big wiener."

How do you respond to that?! He wasn't even joking! He was dead serious!

Nick and Dash

I'm getting Kaed a fishing pole and tackle box for his birthday this weekend. Don't tell him. We're gonna fish too. I can't wait. Man, he's turning 9. Doesn't seem possible that I've been around him for 8.5 years. It doesn't seem possible that my dogs are older than he is either. Here's a song from my youth that has new meaning for me:

God loves to talk to boys, while they're fishin'.

That seems to be the time boys listen best.

It's the only quiet time there is for wishin'.

It's the only time God and boys can rest.