Finding Inspiration

I have always had this dream.... that someday I would be this great song writer/muscian. I don't really feel like a have that great of a voice so that was never part of the dream to sing but ehhh.
I first started playing the guitar about 3 years ago out of a crazy whim, also there was only one other person to lead worship for my Youth group, so I wanted to help. So at first it was exciting, I was playing everyday 2 or 3 hours just trying to master certain chords. It continued like that until I finished college.
Now I have always been a writer. I love to write. I wouldn't say that I am exceptional at it but I can hold my own. So within those first two years I felt like I was writing and playing, creative juices were flowing. But now I just can seem to find that edge, that appeal of melodies/words... I try to find inspiration in different types of music, artist that I respect lyrically/muscianship but I feel so unmotivated.
Perhaps it is just a stage... and I will find my niche again, somehow, somewhere...

How/where do you find your inspiriation?

Buckhead Church Rock Band

I saw this and I just had to post it. Check it out!

SUPER FRIES!!!

So after much deliberation about what to eat for lunch, I decided to meander down the street to "Great Western Burrito" a.k.a "Alberto's" off of Front Street by the Ramada Inn. Can I just tell you how pleased I am that I went there. So mid-meander I just start craving carne asada fries, so the meander moves to a brisky skip to my lue if you will. All the while whistling "Thinking of You" by the Umbrellas (good group, give em a listenin too). So I approach the window, ding the bell and wait in anticipation. IN my inability to focus I do notice something below Carne Asada Fries on the menu, SUPER FRIES!! What the freak? What the hell are Super Fries? SO I ask, and she says to me so eloquently, "Es Fries, Carne Asada, Sour Crem y Guacamole y Chees". I think to myself "Man you had me Super Fries". So I say, "That sounds good I think I will have that". So I wait and I wait, wait a little bit longer, then I see her motion for me to come over and she asked me if I wanted anything to drink because it had taken so long. So I say "hells yah I do, make it a Jamaica". Maybe not like that but I was pretty stoked. I took a drink and wow my taste buds were swimming in goodness. Finally my food comes and I make my trek back to work. By this time I am just ready to rip into this motha. I open it and it was seriuosly the most glorious meeting. (other than that with my wife) Got a fork and chowed down. SOoooooooo GOOD!
I highly recommend if you have no been. But with that there is a disclaimer: You have to block out like 3 hours for later.
I enjoyed and hope someday you will too!

Monday's Scattered Thoughts

I am starting a new monday edition of: Scattered Thoughts, unconclusive, most often then not inconsequential jibber jabber.
So withouth further ado:

Last week I was coming out of my office building when I noticed a car that was parked in the handicap zone, not uncommmon right? Well I would have normally just passed by it with out any thought or should I say judgment. Obviously this car had the handicap card swinging from its rearview mirror. But it struck me as odd because this car was not just any car. It was a corvette. So I presume you are all asking what my point is. Well considering the corvette is not the easiest of cars to get in and out of and not to mention lacks room for passengers to sit comfortably, as it was constructed right? So do you see my point? Wouldn't you think that if someone has a handicap stickermabob that they would require them to have a car to get in and out of.
I say all of this with the understanding that you can pretty much get a handicap sticker for about anything. But still it just bothered me. I'm sure it still will when I see that car just parked there.

Halo for all, and to all a halo night!

Friday night it was on! I call my buddy Alex and see what his plans are for the friday night. He mentioned a Halo night and from there it was on til the break of dawn, litteraly. From about 8:30PM to 2:30 AM it was an all out halo extravaganza. Can't tell you how much fun that was. We had one guy bring his projector to get the larger screen, Amazazing. It took me back to my college years (it wasn't that long ago but it took me back). I can't wait for another halo night.

Nick Thune

Check this guy out! Jami and I saw his comedy special a couple of weeks ago. Freakin Hilarious!

Ode to the Coffee on my desk!

How easily you pour into my life!
The sweet aroma that fills my senses.
Alas you wake me from my sleepless strife
I feel the warmth of your incandescence.

You are faithful to greet me each morning
I am addicted to your beany brew
The caffinated goodness you provide
stimulation for the work that is due

How you tempt me with your sweet mixture
A splendid subsitute that inspires me
to capture your goodness with a picture
I'll carry you with me for all to see

You may lose your warmth but do not fret
I'll keep you close, for on my desk you'll set

Congested with a side of blah

So starting on Thursday of last week, I got sick. At first I thought it was going to be one of those "One Day" colds that I always get but once Friday hit, I couldn't even function properly. I would sit at my computer screen and just start tearin up cause there was so much sinus pressure. Anywho Friday finally ended and I couldn't sleep a wink. Not only because I was sick but I forgot to put air in the Jeep tire and Jami was going to be driving it the next morning. SO for 2 hours I debated leaving to go fill the tire up with some air and get gas. So at 1AM I finally decide to go do it.
Saturday I felt suprisingly better considering I only got like 7 hours of sleep. I drove down to San Diego to meet my parents at Mission Center Drive for breakfast and to swap cars. Thats right no more Toyota Tacoma (we had some good times), it was the best car and it took me wherever I needed to go. Live long and prosper. But now I have a car that get 28-30 mpg. WOOOO FREEKIN HOOOO! Now if I could only get rid of our crap jeep.
Sunday was good, I enjoyed our guest speaker and what he had to encourage us with. I also helped Alex in the back, its not much but I feel it is one last thing for him not to do, and I am glad I can help.

I am a blessed man despite still being sick.

Shoe Fanatic!

I love shoes! 18 pairs and counting. I know ridiculous right? Funny thing is I just got rid of about 5 pairs. Last night I decided to make a trek over to Ross after dropping Jami off at work. So I perused the aisle knowing full well I was there to look at the shoes. I was in heaven!
First pair I noticed: A pair of Vans slip ons (all time favorite shoe, I got pictures to prove it) Black with dots and red on the back heal. Sweet Pair of shoes. $15!! These shoes usually run 30-50 bucks. SO there is my justification.
Second pair I noticed: After looking down the aisle I notice this pair at the bottom. It's like it was fate J/K. But still I look at them and think to myself,"these are sweet but how much are they?" Well to my suprise they were on clearence for.... $10. I got a pair of grey New Balance running shoes for 10 Bucks! Crazy.... I love shoes. Call me materialistic, call me what you will. But I just love the feeling of a new pair of shoes.
Come over I will show you my collection. Pictures to come!

Chipootle!

Yesterday I had the chance, nay the priviledge of meeting with Alex Mclean and Rich Kirkpatrick for lunch @ chipootle. Good food, good convo,good times. We had an enlightening conversation about the church and what may or may not happen in the next 10-15 years. I love to talk about this stuff, it just shows me that some people out there are passionate about what is going on in our world. I look forward to the next time we can get together.

Where to go from here?

Yesterday it dawned on me that I complain a little too much about my job. Why? To be honest I don't know. I have a great job; good money, great coworkers, simple responsibilities. Still I have this uneasy spirit from time to time. As if I should be doing something different, something I feel called for. Obviously I know I am called to serve in the church, but at what capacity?
So this is where I am... I recently have met with a few leaders from my church to see how I can be involved best. I am excited, and my hope is that my being involved gives me a content spirit with where I am now, and where I know I can be later in life.

My Dad always tell me, "Son, you job is what you do, not who you are". But somewhere along this jumbled path of a life I would like to connect the two. I doesn't always happen for everyone, but it is something that I strive for.

How would you go about this?

Saturday Activities

Saturday was one of the best days I have had in a long time. I got to sleep in a little bit and just enjoy the non-rush feeling. Jami and I ran some errands (Walmart, bank, Coffee Bean mmmmm!~). When we got back we had some friends over, Gigi and Juan. We decided that we would go to the park and play some tennis and basketball. It was a perfect afternoon for just such an activity. Jami and I won in our couples doubles match, of course! Afterward Juan and I stuck around and played some basketball, which he won cause I have to be the slowest person in the world right now. Then there were some asian guys (like 6 of them) who came to play baskeball, but by this time the sun was down and we only had limited light. Oh man was it fun, I haven't played basketball like that in like 10 years. Good times....

SO with my numb feet and sore back we decided to call it a night on the court. Headed back to the house and decided to order some pizza from Pizza Factory, mmmmmmmmmmmm.... sooo good. One large meat lovers pizza and one veggie pizza (for the ladies). So along with your pizza we had some margaritas and picked out a movie to watch, No Reservations.... Cute movie but ehh... I ususlly like chick flicks but didn't feel connected to the movie at all..

What a great night.... I could get use to those kind of days

BLEEPIN Article!

I just read this interesting article about a 14 yr old from South Pasadena that started a no cussing club. From there the City of South Pasadena council declared it to be a cussing free zone. Check out the article
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-06-cuss-free-zone_N.htm#uslPageReturn

If you do check out the article make sure to read some of the comments; some are pretty funnny, some are just immature, and some are just blah. I have to say I commend this boy, very pay it forward kind of thought. But I'm sorry I if trip or hurt myself, you should know whats coming next.
This story reminded me that when my brotherinlaw came out to visit, we went to this book store and as we were leaving there was this security guard who was offering some help to fix a door that had broken. As we passed them by he then said something like , "You know what you need? Yah need a damn crowbar". With heavy emphasis on the "damn". We thought it was funny. WHy? Cause it just seemed like such an inappropriate use in that particular sentence or situation.
Anywho, I am not about eradicating all use of words. I suppose in some ways there is a time and a place. A large part of what people see of you comes from the vocabulary you use. Is that always right, no. But words are powerful, they can penetrate us. SO watch your mouth foo!

I've started a list!

The other day I had an idea (inspired by the bucket list) to make a list of things that I would like to accomplish in my lifetime.
So here is my small list for now: (note: there is no particular order)
-Skydive (I'm not a thrill and spill junkie)
-Restore a 65 Impala or Licoln Continental (Not Ghetto style)
-Make my own acoustic guitar
-Write a book
-Go to Istanbul
... just a few, someday!

Spoken Word

I have always been fascinated with Spoken Word poets. Something about that beauty of words just connecting in the brain (I say the heart) and just let it pour out their soul (mouth). I can think of the words in my head but when it comes out it get jumbled. Random blog!

New Friends/Healthy Start

So I think it has been like 5 days since I lasted blog ( sounds like I'm confessing something). It has been a most triumphant 5 days. Recap:
Saturday - I got to hang out with one of the best friends a guy could ask for, Dan Olson. If there is anyone in this world that can just see me for me (besides my wife) its this guy. It had been at least 4 or 5 months since I had seen him last and he was rockin a sweet beard. It was nice catchin up.
Sunday - Church was awesome, and I got to see the behind the scenes work and just watch some of our amazazing volunteers (we are truly blessed). Heck I'm just blessed I get to help out. After that we had a fun BBQ in the back of the church always good times.
Monday - ahh... nothing much happened.
Tuesday - Okay, tuesday is the new friday in my world. We had our life group wii fiesta. So much fun, so much good food, so many good times.


We rocked the Wii night away with a little bit of Guitar Hero! New favorite game!


Wenesday - I got a call about 4:30pm, it was Rob ,"Hey man you wanna play some tennis?", "Hells yeah, I do" I replied... So it ended up working out and I got the blisters to prove it. Good times!



I have truly been blessed these past 5 days!