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Monday, May 30, 2005

Weekly Poll Results

Another week - Another poll.
Okay - actually I missed a week, but come on... it was one busy week.

A quick recap - Last Wed - preached (I rarely do that)
Last Sunday - Preached again (I even rarerly do that - yes I know that's not a word Noelle)
Episode 3 gets released, my boss is on vacation, my life is upside down, and I am feeling a little stressed about some pretty big decisions to be made in the next month or so.

So - enough with my excuses and on with the results.

Are you planning on seeing Star Wars Episode 3?
0% Wednesday @ midnight
33%Thursday evening
33% Later when the lines die down
17% When it comes out on DVD
33% When hell freezes over

Because I'm a little slow on the reporting of this poll, not much to comment about. Pretty much lost its steam.

So, on to this weeks poll. I've conducted hours of frivolous research to ascertain this serious socio-economic question.
Check it out.

Friday, May 27, 2005

My Wife

Today is Friday, May 27th 2005. Some days just stick out in your mind.
Eleven years ago it was Friday, May 27th 1994. I went and played golf with Dad and Pastor Mike. Later we got together with a bunch of people and ate dinner. Then the next day, Saturday May 28th 1994 was a day beyond all others. I remember waking up to an empty house. Going to the couch and watching Sands of Iwo Jima (it was Memorial Day then too) A little after noon, I made my way down to Broadway United Methodist Church where my life changed forever.

At about 4:00 after some pictures were taken and a pigeon was shot with my pellet gun to keep it from flying around the sanctuary - still wish I could have taken that shot - we stood up in front of all those people and showed them how much we loved each other.

If only they could all get together again so I could show them I love you so much more today than I did back then. I don't think they would be suprised, but definately impressed that two people could still love each other as intensly as we do after 11 years, 2 apartments, 4 houses, 2 dogs and 2 kids. I know I'm impressed. For some reason you still love me despite all my quarky things like chomping my gum and saying stupid things that I find funny and no one else gets. Like telling Joe and Tiffany Sanner that we had to get married because you were pregnant. You had to be there - the look on their face really was funny. Anyway, it's that kind of love that tolerates the things that I don't do right and focusses only on the things that I do right.

Yesterday I heard the words that every man wishes he could hear and it only took me 11 years to hear it. You said "Oh no, I forgot to get you an anniversary card!" I figured you wouldn't have time to go get one with our schedule today, and I didn't want to make you feel bad by giving you a card when you didn't have one... trust me, I know the feeling. Instead, I thought I would write to you on my blog today to tell you how much I love you. Not so that all the people that read this will say "wow what a great guy that Matt is" but instead so they could see how lucky I am to have found someone as great as you.

In my 31 years of life, you are the person that I have loved the longest, kissed the m0st, held hands with more than anyone else. I've talked to you late at night more than all others and still feel this skip in my chest when I see you smile. I've never held anyone else while they've cried or shared so many laughs with someone, never felt so high with joy, or had anyone else care as much when I felt so low with sadness. And to think of it, I don't think I've ever blogged so much about one person either.

For all those nevers, there is one more... there will never be another that I would want to break our records with. You are mine for ever. Never ending love is what I feel for you.

Deann - I love you with all my heart. You make me want to get out of bed in the morning and work hard, play harder and enjoy my life more because just the thought of your love for me motivates me beyond all else. Thanks for saying "I Do"

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Golf Connoisseur

Sat down in the Dr's office yesterday and thought instead of reading the usual Reader's Digest or Sports Illustrated magazine I'd find something unusual to read. I came across a great new magazine called Golf Connoisseur. I'd call it a cross of GQ, Golf Digest, Car and Driver, and Money.

What I loved about it is that it gives much more than basic "how to" golf instructions and keeps the reader pretty involved in high society and country club life. Great idea for a Father's Day gift idea (hint - hint)

Makes me want to light a cigar and play a round this afternoon. Instead I think I'll go to my son's 1st grade track meet, then mow the yard... almost the same I think.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

I Created a Monster



This morning I get up to go run. My usual routine. I go downstairs to get my shoes, remembering they are in the living room, I begin to look around, but don't find them anywhere. I check by the door, out on the porch, in the bathroom, then back up stairs in my bedroom on the chance I actually remembered to take them up. Nothing.
Back down stairs hurrying to find my shoes because my running partner, Kiley, is probably on his way. A little adgitated now, I still haven't found them and begin tracing back in my mind where my shoes are. They should be right there in the living room, but they aren't.
Everything resolved when I realized Kiley overslept... AGAIN! I crawl back into bed and go back to sleep.

Later My youngest son wakes up and Deann asks him, "Tyler, have you seen daddy's shoes?"
"Yes"
"Where are they"
Tyler smiles and runs up the stairs, opens the linnen closet and reaches to the back and pulls out my shoes.
"Why are they in the closet, Tyler?" Deann asks.
"Cause I wanted to hide them from daddy." he says with this incredibly ornrey smile.

I've truly created an ornrey monster. Now, I'm going to have to hold him down and tickle him for at least 5 minutes when I get home just to get even.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Helping Around the House



I'm not exactly the perfect Mr. Mom, but I do okay at helping around the house. Granted I forget my cereal bowl in the sink occasionally and don't participate in many of the household chores that my wonderful wife does, but come on.... is this really necessary?

link

The "Your Turn" washing machine requires a fingerprint before allowing the machine to start. This way the wife can't do all the laundry because it won't start for her if she started the last load. The man's fingerprint is required to start it this time.

Women - burn your bras and protest congress about equal rights, but for the love of God, has it really come to this?

Mr. Pepe Torres, inventor of the Your Turn suggests that if men don't want to take their turn, they should leave one of their fingers at home for their wife to use to start the next load. After I beat Mr. Torres unconscious for creating such a stupid invention, I think I'd just have my wife enter all 10 of her finger prints into the machine, then she can rotate through all 10 fingers and never miss out on the opportunity to do the next load of laundry.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Happy Kazoo Day

Yes that's right. According to our local radio station's daily news brief, today is National Kazoo Day. So, all you kazoo blowing people, today is your day to exhale with pride.
Celebrate with me on National Kazoo Day.

By the way - who is the brain child that comes up with all these stupid days?

Thursday, May 19, 2005

What's for Lunch

I'm normally not a person of routine. But one area where I am very routine is with what I eat for lunch.

Typically I go home and eat a sandwich, yogurt, bananna, and string cheese (two pieces)
Occassionaly I'll fill in with a handful of m&m's or leftover something from the night before.

Today, however, I am way out on a limb. Came home for lunch, got out the Pampered Chef baking stone and put frozen buffalo chicken wings, cheese sticks, and jalapeno poppers on it.

So what are your lunch time habits?

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Weekly Poll Results

Another week, another great poll.

Results from last week:
My spouse / signifant other have serious conversations
11% Once a day
56% A couple times a week
22% Once in a while
0% Once in a blue moon
0% Never
11% I'm single and talk mostly to my imaginary friends

Kind of what I expected. Most of us talk to our spouses about serious things, but not every day.
Thanks for the input. I'm going to use this data in our communication class so I can sound real cool. "In a recent internet poll I conducted, my research showed that..." Ha - what a dork I am.

This week's poll is up and ready. Check it out.
And then go get in line to buy your Star Wars tickets.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

A New Hope

Okay - today is a better day. Not a lot better, but at least I'm focused on something else.
Something that brings a smile to my face and a warm spot in my heart. (neither of which have been frequent as of late)

I call it "A New Hope"



Opening in theaters tomorrow @ midnight.
I have fonder memories of Star Wars with my dad than I do of my mom's chocolate chip cookies. It's that kind of warm feeling deep inside. I'm so excited about it I can almost forget the rest.

Monday, May 16, 2005

AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!



Just had one of those days today.
Mr. Rogers used to say he'd punch a pillow...
Me?
I think shredding the pillow slowly with a razor blade, then soaking it in gasoline and dropping a match would begin to help.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Next Generation X-Box



Okay - I realize that I just lost over half of my reading audience with the title of this blog, but I've got to talk about what I think is interesting. More touchy-feely stuff later, I promise.

MTV is set to debut what is being called the next generation of X-Box. Pretty cool concept to have a 1/2 hour show dedicated to unveiling your new product especially if the show is going to include Elijah Wood, Tony Hawk, Chris Kattan, Efren Ramirez, Alyssa Milano, Xzibit and Ryan Cabrera. Of course it wouldn't be complete without Ashlee Simpson. Okay - yes it would, but she's going to be there too.

The show titled “MTV Presents: The Next-Generation Xbox Revealed” can be seen tonight,
Thursday, May 12, 2005, at 9:30 P.M. Eastern

To read more about it go here

In my opinion, X-Box is awesome for one reason and one reason only... Halo. The most addictive game I've played. I had a "Halo Party" last weekend at my house (Deann was out of town) played until my eyes got sticky / gummy from not blinking enough. It was AWESOME! "I need a weapon"

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Weekly Poll Results

Okay - here we go again...

Is your life the way you imagined it would be when you were 16 years old?

10% Yes - exactly
10% For the most part
10% Sort of, but not really
40% No - it's better
30% No - not better or worse, just different
10% No - life sucks and I hate you too

The results are pretty spread out. Only "No - it's better" and "No - not better or worse, just different" were higher than 10%. Does this imply that we didn't dream high enough when we were 16 and that's why 40% said it's better? Perhaps that 40% just was too easliy impressed. Since you can't scientifically imply anything from this data I guess you could also guess that they were big dreamers, but became big accomplishers too and surpassed their wild dreams of success. Who knows.

On a side note I have given considderation to installing a home security system and attending a concealed carry class as a result of the person who said "Life sucks and I hate you to" Sarcasm I hope, but you never know.

This weeks poll is about communication. Deann and I are teaching a class on it and wanted some opinioins about your communication.

Monday, May 09, 2005

Dead TV

MSN ran a story "Obituaries from the TV Graveyard" in which it describes 10 of the biggest premature deaths on TV.

I point this article out only because it is proof that if I like a show it will shortly die. Instead I wait for the first season to finish, then if it is successful, I watch the reruns during summer and the 2nd season.

Of this list, I used to watch Sledge Hammer. Loved that show - very funny.
Voyagers - gave me that Back to the Future aspect. I love time travel stories.
Get a life - Nothing was funnier than a middle aged paper boy living at home.
I saw a few episodes of most of the others, none was as good as Slege Hammer though.

If my theory is correct, and every show I begin to like in it's first season gets cut, I am going to join the Voyagers, travel back in time and start liking the first season of ER - it was great for a while, but come on - does anyone even care anymore??? The Apprentice - I'm bored with the conference room. And CSI Miami - oh I loved the first one, but Miami is just stupid - kill it please.

Any shows you want killed while I'm using my ability to kill television shows?

Friday, May 06, 2005

Worst Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Remember the days of making your mom a great clay potter piece that started out to be a Ming Vase and turned out to be an ash tray. God bless mothers across the world this Sunday who put on that loving smile as they open up junk from a 6 year old.

Well I got one way better than any ash tray art project.

Fishing lure jewelry. No - not kidding, check it out Here

I like it so much I bought my wife the whole collection. No - not really.

What's the worst Mother's day gift you ever gave?

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Rock Paper Scissors



A wicked game of Rock, Paper Scissors went down recently. Some Japanese guy with a huge art collection decided to let Christie's and Sotheby's auction houses battle out who gets to auction his $20 million collection playground style.

Read about it Here

Perhaps Sotheby's should have taken things more seriously and read This first.

On a side note, I'm following their lead and am going to implement this technique in all of my decision making processes from now on. "Now boys, stop fighting over who gets to watch tv and rock, paper, scisors to work it out" How about for major world events? "Okay Mr. Bin Laden & Mr. Bush here we go. For domination in the middle east on my mark... rock, paper, scissors... shoot." Just a thought.

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Driving Debt Free

You know how at the end of a payment plan the last payment is always an odd amount - different than what you have been paying for all those years?

Well, in March when we paid off our van, our last payment was evidentally significantly different than our other payments had been. So, a few weeks later we got this check in the mail.



My lightning quick mind begins thinking, "What the heck are those stupid people thinking?"

Next time just call us and say "Hey we owe you like... well... a penney and were wondering if we could just save the time and expense of mailing you a check which costs our company like $22.18 to process and deliver it. Do you think that would be alright? Maybe we could credit it towards your next purchase of a GM vehicle."

Monday, May 02, 2005

Weekly Poll Results

Did you go to your class reunion?

Well pretty evenly split group. 50% went 50% didn't.

2 Comments:
One said "too far away"
The other (obviously Noelle) said "Just want to find out where everyone's at...and show off my hot hubby...of course "

Like I said before the poll was because I was going to our Alumni weekend for my fraternity.
I've never been so proud of what's going on there. 10 years ago, my roommate Greg and I got the notion that fraternities were at their core a great thing, but had been diluted by years of traditions which came to involve drinking, partying and typical Animal House stuff. So God gave us this incredible vision and we started our own fraternity founded on Christian values and strict policies concerning alcohol and partying.

We met once a week on Mondays in the Alabaster lounge, a very formal, stale room on campus. We had no house, only dorm rooms to show off to our potential members. We had no tradition, we were the first alumni. We had no money. A big social event for us was to take the members out to a dollar show and pay for a couple of recruits too. You get the idea.

10 years later, I drove up to campus to see a huge, beautiful 2 story white house with a landscaped front lawn and our greek leters displayed "Omega Alpha Chi - Established 1995"

Meeting with the guys active in the house was awesome. Seeing the vision God gave us coming true was awesome. One guy said "Joining the fraternity was the 2nd most important decision in my life. The most important decision was 7 months ago accepting Christ into my heart." I seriously started getting choked up, which is so not like me. Other than Deann, only one person has seen me cry in probably 15 years. It was like God was tapping me on the shoulder saying, this is what it was all about. I realized then that 10 years ago, Greg and I didn't start the fraternity for our own benefit, we started it for all the guys there now and all the ones to come. To think that because we followed what God wanted us to do, some kid named Wade who was about 9 years old at the time is now living every day for Christ.

Anyway - enough sap for today. I'm loaded with great blogging, so check back often this week.

For now, check out the new poll.