On Blogging

Wow.... has it really been over a year that I blogged about anything other than Disney? That's a sad state of affairs, my friends.

Not that there is anything wrong with Disney blogging, in fact I tend to start up one of those before too long as well. It's just that I really am about so much more than that. Believe it or not, I have thoughts that really do revolve outside of the mouse house. Religion, family, friends, sports, entertainment, life in general....

But I digress.

So why did I stop blogging? Is it that I ran out of interesting things to say? Lord, I hope not. Maybe for a while I lost sight of how to say it. Maybe I felt disappointed by the lack of other people's comments. Maybe I was so caught up in my own personal little pity parties of life that I thought anything I had to say was unimportant.

And on the last thought, maybe it is.

But if I'm writing a blog due to a sense of self-importance, than maybe I just shouldn't write at all.

Truth is, I just like to write. I like to share. I like TO BE ME. I realize now I am making it sound self-important, but I think it's more that I'm becoming a little more self aware. I need an outlet, even if it's only for getting my thoughts out to clear my mind.

So with that in mind, I'm returning to blogging. I'm not going to hold myself to a set schedule or deadline - I'm just going to write when I feel the need to write. When I feel like something needs to be said. To comment on other people's blogs as well if I feel led to respond.

I don't plan on holding back. I plan on being me. It's a path I haven't necessarily taken before, or at least stayed on.

Should be an interesting ride...

It Really IS A Wonderful Life, You Know...

It's amazing how much this movie has an effect on me year after year. We watched this a couple nights ago, and it was like I was watching a brand new movie. The dialogue is amazing, and I'm just talking about the parts that would be considered throw away dialogue in most movies nowadays.

And George Bailey is more easy to identify with this year it seems, even more than others.

Most of you who know me, know that I've been struggling with depression lately, and esteem issues for quite a while longer. Without going into more detail, needless to say, I could really identify with George Bailey. Especially the grouchy, depressed George Bailey at the end who spouted off great gems like, "...and we're supposed to be a happy family - why do we have so many kids???" Complaining just to complain sometimes....yeah, I've been there.

Of course, you all know the story...Clarence the angel shows up, shows George how life would have been if he were never born....it's not a pretty picture. But something different struck me this time around, and I hope I can express it right.....

George's elation at the end.... It wasn't because he realized the impact on other people's lives (which obviously he did) - it was that, in this alternate world, this Pottersville, the people he knew were strangers to him - the feeling of despair, of an empty life without the family and friends - he missed what was nearest and dearest to him. The feeling of having that back - really was pure bliss. Whatever comes in this life, it's the people you can lean on - that surround you - the true pillars that hold you up in this world - I thank God for my wife, my child, my family, my family of friends - He has truly blessed me and placed people in my life that have been the stregnth I needed when I felt I had none. And it makes me realize how many things I take for granted. So with that being said....

Merry Christmas, Work that I like to complain so much about - I'm glad to have a job!!!

Merry Christmas, Drafty and small house that I live in - So many foreclosures, I really am fortunate!!!

Merry Christmas, Church that I way too often complain about having to go to - God loves me regardless of what I do!!!

Merry Christmas, Beat up car I drive daily - glad to have a way around town!!!

Merry Christmas, Grandparents that I see way too little of!!!

Merry Christmas, Family that has known me forever!!!

Merry Christmas, Friends that know me best and support me through my worst!!!

Merry Christmas, My beautiful wife and daughter, my support - I cannot say I love you both enough!!!

It truly is a WONDERFUL LIFE!

It's Time For Christmas Music!

I am a huge fan of Christmas music. When the season comes around, I can't get enough. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic that two (yes, two) radio stations here in the Phoenix area are playing continuous Christmas music!!!!!

So, I've decided in addition to my regular posts, during the holiday season, I'd share thoughts, lyrics, videos on some of my favorite (and sometimes not-so-favorite) Christmas songs, starting with:

Do You Hear What I Hear
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

I want to preface by saying, I really like this song, depending on who's singing it. Third Day has an amazing arrangement. That being said, it also make me laugh. I mean, If I wrote it....

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
"whooooooosh" (because wind can't talk).....

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
"Baaaaaaa" (same problem as the wind)......

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring him blankets and coats.....

Just saying.....

Tomorrow Is Election Day....

And I’ve made up my mind. It was not easy - I had a lot of decisions to weigh.

First I looked at John McCain. Clint Eastwood said he’s voting for him. Clint. Eastwood. John, you had me at Dirty Harry. Then I read that Joe Perry of Aerosmith is voting for him??? Man, there’s no one’s advice I look to more than that of a rock star!

But then I looked to my left and watched Ron Howard’s video endorsement of Barack Obama on that great well of political knowledge, funnyordie.com. I mean, if Opie Cunningham backs him, who am I to argue? Plus, Andy Griffith is featured in the video, shattering the illusion that not all old people are racist or right winged - talk about some crazy stuff!!!! To top it off - THE FONZ is a Barack guy too! I’ve always looked to the epitome of cool to do what’s right - why question him on something as important as the election?

Geez, I wasn’t sure which celebrity to lean on.

Then, I read an interview with Taylor Swift, 18 year old country music star who just voted early for the first time. I’ll be honest, I almost skipped it, because, really, what do the youth of the nation know? But somehow, I managed to make it through the article to read the following:

“I watched the debates and I read all kinds of articles on each person and each vice president and what they believe in and where their priorities are,” she says.

In the end, however, “I went with my gut instinct,” she says. “I wavered back and forth the entire time I was waiting in line and when I got into the voting booth, I said, ‘That’s the one I’m voting for,’ and I pressed the button. And I feel good about it!”

Wait a second - someone who says they researched both candidtates and made their own informed decision, only to keep their decision to themselves? CRAZY!!!! Leave it to these kids to make these outlandish statements.

So, I’ve finally listened to all of the celebrity endorsements and I’ve decided who to listen to. And my candidate of choice is.....

....going to be marked on the ballot tomorrow and is no one else’s business.

Angered By Misuse

As a Christian, there's one word that bugs me more than any other word that comes to mind, and this is it: Religion, or religious. It carries a connotation that most in the world see as a bad thing.

"Oh, he's one of those religious people...you know, holier than thou art, condemning, close minded."

"She used to be fun, then she 'got religion.' "





"I believe in God, I just don't belive in organized religion."

My favorite: "I'm not religious, I just love the Lord."

Somehow, religion has gotten associated with the way one acts, and usually in a bad way, in concordance with their faith. Unfortunately, it seems that many even within the church seem to forget, what the Bible says about religion in James 1:27:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

SINCE WHEN IS THAT A BAD THING???

I'd love to know people think I'm religious for taking care of those in need.

By that definition, wouldn't organized religion be homeless shelters and orphanages? How could you believe in God and not believe in The Salvation Army?

Not to mention, according to that definition, how do you love the Lord and not be religious?

I'm not trying to be snarky or sarcastic, I just wish other people, Christians included, to know what religion really is before they use the word. Because, honestly, sounds like we all could stand to have a little more religion in our lives....