Europe Bound

it's official. Eliz and I booked our tickets for a European Vacation. As this is the internet and I know those of you out there are kinda sketchy, so I am not telly when or where we are going, but rest assured, there will be someone living in our cute little home and taking care of our BIG, MEAN dog. I am pretty excited, still have lots to plan, not my favorite part, but hopefully worth it. Yeah Us!

Why I am mad at Ireland

We entered this contest and didn't even make it to the second round. That's why I have decided to be man at Ireland. Yeah, that's right, the whole bloody country can kiss my Irish/American booty.

This was the contest:

www.runawaybrideandgroom.com/ultimatejob/


This was our video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIaIsQWtM90


It took me about a week and then I just realized I wasn't ready to forgive them. So, when I no longer hold a grudge, I may plan a visit or drink a Guinness, but until then it's Scotland or nothing for me.

Thought I would add some pictures of what I have been up to over the past couple of months...Since apparently I haven't posted anything.

This is Elizabeth and I at a wedding in Columbus. I had to sport the bow tie with this suit. It was lots of fun.

Another thing I have been up to is brewing beer with a buddy of mine, Mr. Scott L. This is our first batch and should be fully brewed and fermented in the next couple of weeks. We were lucky enough to have a guy in the area with expertise and all the goods we needed. We called the beer the S and E Pale Ale (after our wives, Sarah and Elizabeth)...it's a bitter beer.

Its a three stage process. "Cooking" it one day, letting it ferment. Putting it in a Carboy, letting it ferment. Bottling it, letting ferment. Those are the three parts in a very, very brief overview. Brewing beer is actually pretty intense and specific. We were lucky enough to have our friend Drew Sutton in town when we were bottling. Lucky, because he has an amazing eye for photos and took some great ones.



I have some pictures that I took of the other two processes, but they really can't compete. The only cool thing I have is this video of the fermenting process, day one, 7am. I moved the 5 gallon fermenter to the closet in my office, to keep it out of the way. I was concerned the night before when the air lock wasn't doing anything I thought we messed up. But, as I was working on my computer, I kept hearing this odd noise. I realized it was signs the beer was brewing, it was quite exciting.

I will have to report back when we open and taste the first bottle. Hopefully it will be drinkable and also the first of many batches.

I know why there is poverty and hunger in the world. It's because the people of the world allow there to be. Bar from our excuses of warlords and cultural differences, if enough of the world's wealthy were more concerned for the world's people then their bank statements, it could come to an end.

This thought struck me today as I was walking away from the Casino. My mission there was to retrieve my wife's I.D. that had been misplaced, by me, at the Muslim wedding we attended there the night before. I graciously accepted, signed, and left with the I.D. and exited out the side, valet door. I nearly came crashing into a Hummer, which as far as I could tell, was blocking out the sun. I was struck with how useless and impractical this vehicle is for the everyday masses. Then I thought of the money spent in the Casinos, The money spent on impractical and over the top vehicles, the money spent on this Mac Book Pro, the money spent on this $9 six pack I am drinking, and it makes me sad.

I was told a One Billion Dollars could end the world's hunger. I was also told the Methodist church, in assets alone (church campuses, lands, retreat centers) has way over this amount. And this is just the Methodist church. Not withstanding the awesome fundraising the Southern Baptist are capable of, or event the vast caches of wealth held be the Catholic Church. However, I fear the headlines show how they spend their money.

Our churches at slowly nicking away at the problems of poverty and world hunger, but image what a combining of efforts and money could do. Is it worth it to loose much of the empire the receptive denominations and religions have amassed to indeed help their neighbor.

You know what amazes me. Jesus told the rich man..."to follow me, you must sell everything you have..." And what do with do with this today? We warp it into a new meaning so as to not feel guilty about stuff and accomplishments. When we are young, bible stories are stuffed into our little heads, teaching us the right and wrong. As we grow older, the American Dream is beaten into our brains pushing the true, pure meanings of biblical teachings from their once safe resting grounds. No longer able to see past the color of money, another chance to act and change has given way to mortgages, stocks, future.

I openly admit to my comfort and how giving it all up would leave me in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety of my next step. But, man, how freeing would it be. I know it could be done and be a fulfilling life...

I wonder what the news would talk about if we no longer had hunger, poverty. Maybe that could straighten out politics too? Worth a try. I could wander with my wife and my dog to seek the life of Christ. In fact, it sounds like a better adventure then the 9 to 5 the American Dream provides.

100 Push Ups and The Mardi Gras Marathon

This weekend was a blur of fun, travel, and sweat. It started Friday morning when I attempted (2nd attempt) to complete my hundred push-up challenge. For the past six plus weeks I have been undergoing a workout, in which, once completed I would be able to do 100 nasty, ugly push-ups at one time. It's called One Hundred Pushups training. Well, Friday I gave it my good ole college try, and finally was successful. It was not easy, it was not suave, it ended up with me appearing as a crumpled heap on the floor, sweat dripping off my brow like a New Orleans levy. But, thanks the wonderful encouragement of my beautiful wife, I am a proud completer of this challenge. As you can see, I have placed a little logo on my blog (actually I am working on it), so I can proudly display my accomplishment...because nothing says you rock like a little, free to anyone whether they did it or not, gif.

Second cool thing Eliz and I did this weekend was go to New Orleans to see Scott, Sarah, Haley, and Emily run the Mardi Gras Marathon. This was the first Marathon for Haley and Emily, and Scott and Sarah's second. All four of them did so great! They finished in under 5 hours, I personal best for them all. Their exact time was 4:58:32. Wonderful. The weather was pristine and warm. There was a celebration afterward complete with beer and the local band Cowboy Mouth. Eliz and I were not runners in this race, but we considered ourselves to be "participants" as we rode our bikes along the race and met up with the runners in different locations. They ran for five hours, Eliz and I biked down bourbon street, Esplanade, Jackson Square...I know we had it easy. We even stopped a place call Eat on Dumaine Street for a wonderful brunch of Tomato Pesto and Feta Torte and Shrimp Omelet with Avocado and Goat Cheese. It was quite nice. We got up a 5:00am to get there in time for the start and drove all the way back to Shreveport that day. We got back around 8pm and she and I were both in bed on our way to sleep by 9:30. It was a great, fun weekend. It has even inspired us to attempt a half marathon. I guess the training begins today!

Here's a video of the runners about to cross the finish line:

Snow in the Ghetto

Yesterday this weird white stuff started falling from the sky. Not an all to unbelievable occurrence in Louisiana, but the crazy part is it didn't stop. It didn't slow down and it started to accumulate. I can't remember when the last time it snowed like this, but i have been here about 17 years and have never seen this much. It's nice and wet, good enough to cover the area, but still wet enough to not cause any problems with the roads and the crazy LA drivers who don't know what to do with it.

But, as a child's first encounter with snow, even though I have lived with snow for so many years, I still grabbed my wife, my camera, and ran outside with Pico (the dog) so we could document his first encounter with the white blanket. In true Pico fashion, he was scared, but with a little encouragement he had a blast. I have some pictures, and one small video of him, so enjoy.

cutest dog EVER

Snowy Tree (obviously)

Puppy Prints

New TV

Well, we finally succumbed to popular opinion. Eliz and I broke down yesterday and got a flat panel tv. It was a long fight, but in the end, I guess there really wasn't much of a choice. Eventually it would come to pass. This is the less than fun story of how it started.

We had discussed getting a new tv ever since we had gotten married, about 2 years now

(yippee). But we were never really serious about it. Then recently, like the past two months, we decided to sell our old tv. We went through the conventional routes of Craig's list and what not, but had no luck. Then, my little sister Laura decided to move into a new and bigger place. Thus, she needed the tv. She took it off our hands, which was nice. However, we were left with a blank spot in the living room. Not something either of us were concerned about as we try not to watch too much tv anyhow. Man I know this is such a fun and exciting story for everyone out there. But,

yesterday we got a new tv and it wasn't because

we needed it, or really wanted it. No, it was because Eliz found the perfect TV table. A antique style, red tv stand. She loved it, and it was pretty cheap, so we bought it, got it home and then had to go get something to go o

n top of it. Needless to say it's not too bad, I do enjoy the newer, bigger tv. It makes Transformers look AWESOME, and the dork in me thinks it is worth it for that reason alone. But, top picture is the old one, and this is the new one, complete with awesome stand and fun

new side decorations. Why is it that when you get married nothing is ever an easy purchase. One thing always leads to another thing and then there is that damn accessory that must go with the previously purchased thing. Wow, has consumerism enveloped our lives. Too bad. We combated the new tv craze by establishing a "Reading Room" in our

house. This is a tv and stereo free room set up only for ready. It allows for peaceful times in our media infused life. It is quickly becoming one of my most favorite rooms. Even if reading turns into napping, I live it all the same. Comfortable and cozy, just the way it should be.

"Reading Room"

New Year, New You.

Yikes, a painful, almost three months since my last post. It seems time slips by during the rushed Holidays. Mine were pretty not too Shabby. I will give you the run down.

Halloween: Fine, went to Lafayette with wife's family

Thanksgiving: Took week off, ate too much, and redid my mother's bathroom

Christmas: Awkward at times, as all family gatherings tend to be, went to Dallas had a GREAT time there.

New Years: Skiing in Winter Park, Colorado. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Let me give you a quick run down on Winter Park ( and I mean quick). Skiing is great, Resort "town" kinda cool. Actual Town, not bad. Beer in the area...POOR. Public Transportation, awesome. Massages-Best I ever had! All in all a good way to ring in the new year.

Last but not least, I have decided to put my computer and my brain to the test and I edited a video for funsies. It is my first work, and I don't know if any shall follow. Have Fun!

SALUD!

This is basically a shout out "Thank You" to Colin and Liz Delaney.

Long day today, Monday, so I knew a beer was in my future. I popped the top of Samuel Adams Boston Ale and poured it into the wonderful house warming gift they got me five years ago. So, for that, I say thanks for the great mugs and I toast this beer to you two and the lovely family you have.

Clothes Make the Man

It's weird and humbling experience to see your old clothes hung up and ready to be redistributed. When you see the specific item you find yourself instantly transported back to a memory connecting that insignificant piece of cloth to a time in your life, be it bad or good it's still a part of you. Now it lays in wait, the old robe you wore on Christmas morning, those comfortable jeans that spent days breaking in, all for someone who needs them more.

I donated a large bag of my clothes to the Common Ground Community. They have a Clothing Closet where anyone can come in and take what they need with no limit. They also have a food pantry and a community meal on Weds. This only scratches the surface of their Ministry. They serve the cedar grove community and many "outdoor friends" with meals, food, and clothes. The children get homework help and everyone gets a good dose of Christian Love.

But, a few weeks ago I delivered the clothes in a large trash bag. Yesterday I took a walk around and found some of my pieces on hangers waiting for someone to get excited by prospects of new-to-them attire. I touched them, almost sad that they were no longer mine. However, even though I may never see the person who chooses my extras or see the benefits that are yielded from them, I know that feeling far out ways any inkling of longing to have my clothes back. Perhaps a new career was won with one of my old dress shirts, legs are now warm because of a pair of jeans, or a teenager has a "cool" new t-shirt to bum around in.

No matter what, the capacity of giving and love Common Ground Community has provided is, for lack of a better word, Amazing. ..."whatever you do to the least of mine, you do to me." Jesus' words from the bible. Whenever taken to heart can completely change who you are. It may just be the simple start of donating some clothes that will launch you into an all-out, full time, sell everything you have and move away type of Love. But, who knows...

(if you want to know more about the CGC or if you want to donate food and clothes, let me know and I will point you in the right direction)