Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Feelin' Fall [[again]] ... again.
Well you three, today marks the third anniversary of this here blog, and in keeping with tradition (just like last year and the year before that), I will now repost the inaugural essay from this blog for all to enjoy. It happens to be one of my favorites, and I happen to be, once again, feelin' fall.
I'm telling you. If it weren't for grilled cheese sandwiches, the world would be a much duller place. I love 'em. They brighten up my day. Delicious. That, and a big old bag of microwave popcorn with a tall glass of creamy chocolate milk. Delectable.
Go ahead. Call me fat. Do it. I'll sit on your face.
Fall, too, is delicious. We're talking weather here. As in the season: Autumn. I love it. I do. Days are still pleasant [temperature-wise], afternoons are perfectly crisp, we can once again bust out our favorite pair of jeans or ever-faithful hoodie for the evening hours which are always mysteriously cast with an orangish glow to the air. Love that part. Time for frisbee in the leaves and Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. The change to Fall means football and the World Series. And the leaves! It's true, the change is over all to quickly [at least here in Colorado] but those few weeks are glorious. Maybe that's what's so magical about it — it's only a few perfect weeks long. Everything fits together creating the perfect atmosphere. The smell as you trudge through the fallen crunchy leaves, the beauty of a gentle, brisk breeze rustling a tree at just the right moment to send a shower of color all around you . . .
I've always marveled at the thought of Autumn from a single leaf's perspective. Hanging on the tree all summer, looking down on my arial view of the world surrounding my tree. I'd spend all summer weathering the storms and the rain and wind and hail, doing my best to hang on till my perfect day in September. After the temperature was just right and I had completely changed from green to bright yellow or orange or red, just when the timing was perfect, I'd let go and let the breeze take me. I'd do my best to not just drop straight down, but to instead do all sorts of flips and acrobatics as I swirled and floated downward. If at all possible I'd try to drop just as one of those circular wind patterns was ambling by so I could spin around fiercely like a tornado making the most of my descent. And I'd aim for a nice patch of grass to land in. Somewhere like a back yard or a park where I'd most likely be raked up into a giant pile to provide the perfect natural playground for some kids, if only for a day. That's what I'd do if I were a leaf . . .
Do you ever look up when Autumn's almost over and Winter's bearing down and see that last lone leaf still clinging to a tree? I'm impressed by that leaf. Such perseverance, such dedication. That leaf has held on through a lot. It made it through all the storms and the whipping and the tossing that Autumn had to offer and still held on. It watched as all the other leaves around it one by one let go and made their triumphant descent to the ground above which they'd hung for months. But not this leaf. This leaf hung on. It's almost as if this leaf knew its importance—knew that its determination was warding off the inevitable throes of Winter that lay ahead. It's as if so long as it held on, so long as it remained proud and sturdy like a flag waving to proclaim that Autumn was not yet over, Winter could not set in. I respect that leaf. That leaf inspires me.
Next time you see a leaf fall from a tree, contemplate for a second the reality that for that particular leaf, this is it's big day. This it what it's been waiting for. That leaf will never fall again. And you might be the only one to witness it on the face of the Earth. Ever. Maybe it's all that magic packed into every leaf falling all around us that makes Autumn so great — maybe it's the fact that I was born on September 23, the first day of Autumn — but I suspect it's the former.
I'm telling you. If it weren't for grilled cheese sandwiches, the world would be a much duller place. I love 'em. They brighten up my day. Delicious. That, and a big old bag of microwave popcorn with a tall glass of creamy chocolate milk. Delectable.
Go ahead. Call me fat. Do it. I'll sit on your face.
Fall, too, is delicious. We're talking weather here. As in the season: Autumn. I love it. I do. Days are still pleasant [temperature-wise], afternoons are perfectly crisp, we can once again bust out our favorite pair of jeans or ever-faithful hoodie for the evening hours which are always mysteriously cast with an orangish glow to the air. Love that part. Time for frisbee in the leaves and Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. The change to Fall means football and the World Series. And the leaves! It's true, the change is over all to quickly [at least here in Colorado] but those few weeks are glorious. Maybe that's what's so magical about it — it's only a few perfect weeks long. Everything fits together creating the perfect atmosphere. The smell as you trudge through the fallen crunchy leaves, the beauty of a gentle, brisk breeze rustling a tree at just the right moment to send a shower of color all around you . . .
I've always marveled at the thought of Autumn from a single leaf's perspective. Hanging on the tree all summer, looking down on my arial view of the world surrounding my tree. I'd spend all summer weathering the storms and the rain and wind and hail, doing my best to hang on till my perfect day in September. After the temperature was just right and I had completely changed from green to bright yellow or orange or red, just when the timing was perfect, I'd let go and let the breeze take me. I'd do my best to not just drop straight down, but to instead do all sorts of flips and acrobatics as I swirled and floated downward. If at all possible I'd try to drop just as one of those circular wind patterns was ambling by so I could spin around fiercely like a tornado making the most of my descent. And I'd aim for a nice patch of grass to land in. Somewhere like a back yard or a park where I'd most likely be raked up into a giant pile to provide the perfect natural playground for some kids, if only for a day. That's what I'd do if I were a leaf . . .
Do you ever look up when Autumn's almost over and Winter's bearing down and see that last lone leaf still clinging to a tree? I'm impressed by that leaf. Such perseverance, such dedication. That leaf has held on through a lot. It made it through all the storms and the whipping and the tossing that Autumn had to offer and still held on. It watched as all the other leaves around it one by one let go and made their triumphant descent to the ground above which they'd hung for months. But not this leaf. This leaf hung on. It's almost as if this leaf knew its importance—knew that its determination was warding off the inevitable throes of Winter that lay ahead. It's as if so long as it held on, so long as it remained proud and sturdy like a flag waving to proclaim that Autumn was not yet over, Winter could not set in. I respect that leaf. That leaf inspires me.
Next time you see a leaf fall from a tree, contemplate for a second the reality that for that particular leaf, this is it's big day. This it what it's been waiting for. That leaf will never fall again. And you might be the only one to witness it on the face of the Earth. Ever. Maybe it's all that magic packed into every leaf falling all around us that makes Autumn so great — maybe it's the fact that I was born on September 23, the first day of Autumn — but I suspect it's the former.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The world in graphs.
You may have already discovered this blog. I discovered it recently. I like it. Most of 'em make me chuckle or crack a grin. Here are some of my favorites ....
Oh man those are rich. I could keep going. But I won't. Goodbye.
Oh man those are rich. I could keep going. But I won't. Goodbye.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I Heart Revolution
Dudes ... sometimes I think some Christians are actually starting to get it. I love it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
I need your help. Please?
I gotta find another one of these highlighters ... and I can't seem to do it. This is a major dilemma. No really, it is. Bear with me, I'll show you that this is a bigger deal than you think.
I love this highlighter, and it's totally out of ink. The thing is, it's my Bible highlighter, and I'm not done highlighting yet. It's great 'cause it's super bright and fluorescent, but it's not too wet so it doesn't show through the bible pages too badly. Now it's out of ink, and I can't go and switch in the middle. You see what I'm getting at. I'm in a bind, and I need your help.
I'm sure God's on my side in this, 'cause the stuff that's highlighted is the stuff that I have memorized. And God doesn't want me to stop memorizing scripture. Of that I'm sure.
Are any of you web whizzes able to help me out? There's got to be a way to buy one of these somewhere. I've researched and researched and researched ... all to no avail. Maybe you can be more successful then I, and in the process singlehandedly save my inevitable spiritual stall-out?
I'm not sure how to tell you exactly what to look for excet to show you some photos of it. Oh, and I believe these stats are correct:
I'm willing to buy a multi-color pack, but I need the orange. Or I'll buy a box of 100 oranges. Whatever's available.
Please help me, won't you? It'll save my life. Thanks, you three.
[[click on any photo for even more detail]]
I love this highlighter, and it's totally out of ink. The thing is, it's my Bible highlighter, and I'm not done highlighting yet. It's great 'cause it's super bright and fluorescent, but it's not too wet so it doesn't show through the bible pages too badly. Now it's out of ink, and I can't go and switch in the middle. You see what I'm getting at. I'm in a bind, and I need your help.
I'm sure God's on my side in this, 'cause the stuff that's highlighted is the stuff that I have memorized. And God doesn't want me to stop memorizing scripture. Of that I'm sure.
Are any of you web whizzes able to help me out? There's got to be a way to buy one of these somewhere. I've researched and researched and researched ... all to no avail. Maybe you can be more successful then I, and in the process singlehandedly save my inevitable spiritual stall-out?
I'm not sure how to tell you exactly what to look for excet to show you some photos of it. Oh, and I believe these stats are correct:
Manufacturer: Binney & Smith
Product: Small Barrel Chisel Tip Highlighter
Feature: Ink Tank, and it's got an Ink Gauge
Color: Orange
I'm willing to buy a multi-color pack, but I need the orange. Or I'll buy a box of 100 oranges. Whatever's available.
Please help me, won't you? It'll save my life. Thanks, you three.
Balloons
I've been goin' to see the "Balloon Races" (aka The Balloon Classic) in Memorial Park over Labor Day weekend for as long as I can remember. You've gotta get up stinkin' early on your day off, but it's good times, every time.
One of the coolest parts is the splash'n'dash where the pilots attempt to land the basket of the balloon on the water at Prospect Lake, skim along for a while, and the take off again. Pretty sweet.
Here's a quick video of the unicorn balloon executing a perfect splash'n'dash. Good work, unicorn-balloon-pilot-guy.
One of the coolest parts is the splash'n'dash where the pilots attempt to land the basket of the balloon on the water at Prospect Lake, skim along for a while, and the take off again. Pretty sweet.
Here's a quick video of the unicorn balloon executing a perfect splash'n'dash. Good work, unicorn-balloon-pilot-guy.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Five down, one left!
The wife and I have been at this debt-repayment thing for 20 months now ... and we just payed off our second to last creditor! Five down, one left.
We're still rolling, and this last one doesn't stand a chance. Debt-free (but the house) by the end of the year, God-willing, and we're never looking back. It's exhilarating, really. People, you should do it too. Debt does not have to be a given.
Buy (like with actual money) a car!? Yes.
Don't owe anybody anything!? Totally.
Have a plan for every dollar that goes through your possession!? Definitely.
Pay off my home!? The WHOLE thing!? Oh yeah.
Actually be prepared should something happen!? Fo' shizzle.
It works, folks. And it's the right way. Believe me, my wife and I are spenders. We like stuff. This isn't easy, but it gets easier and you can't imagine the peace of mind it gives to actually have control of yourself and your finances. Leveraging your income is huge. Debt kills so much of our incomes, it's insane. Plus, it feels counterintuitive at first (stupid culture we live in), but honestly we have much more purchasing power now that we STOPPED spending money than we ever did when we bought whatever we wanted. It works.
I'll leave out some of my other thoughts on the subject (since I've talked about this before), but suffice it to say that if you need some help in this area (and we all do, it seems), Dave Ramsey is the man.
Not to brag (okay, to brag), but good job, us. I'm very proud. This is a big deal. And we're gonna make it a bigger one by December.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I prefer ...
⁃ Glassware to Plastic
⁃ Driving to Passengering
⁃ Labradors to Other dog breeds
⁃ Silver to Gold
⁃ Colored walls to White
⁃ Cake to Pie
⁃ Hardwood floors to Carpet
⁃ Intimate interactions to Group settings
⁃ Nonfiction to Fiction
⁃ Leather furniture or upholstery to fabric
⁃ Taking off to Landing
⁃ Chocolate to Vanilla
⁃ Unloading the dishwasher to Loading
⁃ Jasmine Rice to Other kinds of rice
⁃ Hyper-organization to Chaos
⁃ Baseball to Other sports
⁃ Brown to Black
⁃ Matte to Glossy
⁃ Homemade to Store bought
⁃ Quality to Quantity
⁃ Mac to PC
⁃ AM radio to FM
⁃ Facebook to MySpace
⁃ Emailing to Calling on the phone
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Flippin' incredible.
At risk of beating an already twice-dead horse to death, I'm gonna expound real quick here on some incredible Rockies baseball action from last night. Cause I'm still excited. And this is my blog. So I can.
We had free tickets (vouchers from a game we attended lat year) so we acted like we had some money and made an event of it. Footlongs from Subway, kettle corn, baseball beverages, sunflower seeds, nachos ... and the BEST baseball game I've ever seen.
It was flippin' incredible.
14 innings. Pitchers duel to the end. 42 players used. 5 hours. The first walk-off grand slam in Rockies history.
It was a great game and my wife humored me and stayed for the whole thing (thank you, Ryan Spilborghs for redeeming my insistence) which was really awesome of her considering it was a "school night."
Here are a few of the sights from last night for your viewing pleasure:
[[cheesy online proof from the camera guy at coors field]]
[[nice little rainbow out over right field]]
[[i really like my wife. a lot.]]
[[still 1-1 in the 13th inning. click for detail]]
[[walk off grand slam]]
[[on the lightrail back to lincoln station close to midnight]]
[[on the lightrail back to lincoln station close to midnight]]
We had free tickets (vouchers from a game we attended lat year) so we acted like we had some money and made an event of it. Footlongs from Subway, kettle corn, baseball beverages, sunflower seeds, nachos ... and the BEST baseball game I've ever seen.
It was flippin' incredible.
14 innings. Pitchers duel to the end. 42 players used. 5 hours. The first walk-off grand slam in Rockies history.
It was a great game and my wife humored me and stayed for the whole thing (thank you, Ryan Spilborghs for redeeming my insistence) which was really awesome of her considering it was a "school night."
Here are a few of the sights from last night for your viewing pleasure:
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