Q: What do you call a midget psychic who breaks out of jail?


A: A small medium at large!

ORANGE BOWL!!

Well it's official. We are headed back to the Orange Bowl to play USC for the (Mythical) National Championship. I had a great trip this weekend to Kansas City to watch the Sooners hammer Colorado for the Big XII crown. I felt very good about the game, but I didn't think we'd dominate to the tune of 498-46 in total yardage and 42-3 on the scoreboard. To top it all off it was a great night weather-wise. It was right around 50 degrees and no wind. I didn't even wear gloves!! That was in stark contrast to last years' freezing debacle that was a 35-7 blowout. I have to send out a special thanks to the parental guidance for not going this year so we could bring home the 'W'.

So now it's on to the Orange Bowl! I am so fired up about playing USC. I can still remember playing them back in 88 and 92 and getting beaten. Now with both programs back on top and undefeated, this game is going to be so exciting. I really like our chances, because for the first time this season, we finally put it all together. SC is stout and I don't by any stretch of the imagination think it will be a blowout one way or the other, but I like our chances to pull it out. I am already nervous about Reggie Bush even touching the ball, but that's what makes the games fun. I'm sure I'll have plenty more about the game in the upcoming weeks.

Oh and if anyone has any Orange Bowl tickets you're looking to give away then let me know and I'll find someone to take them off your hands!!

Exultate and Have a Good Time

I'm writing this from the toilet. Even though I'm used to technology, sometimes I just have those moments when it all hits. If you would've told me 10 years ago I would be able to blog while sitting on my porcelain throne, I would have thought you were talking about something altogether different than what I'm actually accomplishing at this moment. I guess I would've still been half right, but that's what I'm discussing here! ;-) Anyway, technology is just cool.

Right about now Mom and Dad and Zac are somewhere over the Atlantic or Europe on their way home. It will definitely be nice to see them, although I have a lot to do between now and tomorrow. I know it comes as a shock to many, but I haven't done any cleaning since I moved in. At least the shower is clean. It is definitely going to be weird with all 4 of us living in the same house for over a month. I really don't know what to expect. This is one thing that I thought would NEVER happen again, but that's exactly why you should never use the word never. Hopefully it will be a good time and we will all be able to avoid getting on each other's nerves, but something tells me there will be an argument at some point before January 7. At least the shower is clean.

Today I was thinking about how strange the English language really is. While singing the song Celebration by Kool and the Gang, I decided to substitute a different word that rhymes with "celebration" just to spice things up. This is actually one of my favorite pastimes. Today, for some reason, I inserted the word "exultation" into this anthem of the '80s and I actually found it to be a pleasantly enjoyable substitution. But when I happened up on the line "Let's all celebrate and have a good time...." I discovered something that made shudder (ok maybe not shudder but I stopped and thought "Hmm."). Whereas from the word celebration you derive the word celebrate, in the case of exultation there is no such word as exultate! I mean what is going on with our language! How can you have two words which rhyme like celebration and exultation but out of them you get two words that don't sound anything alike. I mean EXULT and CELEBRATE! Come on. Needless to say this didn't stop me from creating a new word for my musical vocabulary. Exultate will forever hold a special place in my heart. I just don't get this language sometimes. But at least the shower is clean.

I'm Not THAT Different

Just thought I'd share this article. I'm not even going to comment on the different reasons for not being married listed in this article (because I obviously disagree with living with someone or engaging in the "benefits" of matrimony outside of the union) BUT I thought I would just show you that statistically speaking, I'm a fairly normal 28 year old guy (in terms of marital status, of course) and I plan on staying that way for the foreseeable future.

Statistical Support

Bloglines

For the few of you who still read my blog, I thought I'd s hare this site with you. In case you aren't familiar with it, Bloglines is a site that allows you to subscribe to many different blogs and other feeds all from one place. It's free so you should check it out if you get a chance. Makes keeping up a lot easier. Click the link below if you're interested in checkingit out.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - To Be Sick!!

One thing I've always been able to tell about myself is that when I am sick, I feel just that--sick. Well last night I had a very delightful experience beginning at 2:40 AM. Yesterday I'd been feeling pretty achy and decided to come home right after work to sleep, yet I wasn't even sleepy once I got home so I just lay on the couch all night. At 8, I at the Papa John's pizza that had been delivered to me. I finished that off at 8 and continued to lay around until I finally fell asleep at 12:30 AM. Well, little did I know it was all just getting started. The next thing I know I am running through my house at around 2:40 yelling for someone to help me. I'm really not sure what I was needing help from or who I was asking since no one was here except that I seem to recall thinking I was choking. I then began to get that foreboding feeling that I was going to soon begin my favorite pastime of vomiting. It was the most odd feeling though because I didn't completely feel awful--I just felt strange and VERY disoriented. I then proceeded to dry-heave two times which especially caught me off-guard considering that I still felt pretty full from eating before and usually (at least I thought) dry-heaving comes from not having anything in your stomach. Apparently not.

Another interesting thing was how I then tried to go get a glass of water but I couldn't keep the water in the glass due to my hands shaking so badly. It was at this point that I really started to freak out (partly due to feeling bad and partly due to the fact that I was very disoriented and still slightly asleep) and I kind of felt like I may start choking--on what I have no idea, but that's what I thought. So I tried to call Kat and she didn't answer and then I called Thankins and she did. So I guess I got to freak her out pretty good because I think my jabbering was quite incoherent. I'm really not even sure why I called since I didn't really need anything but I was just losing it.

I finally managed to settle down but I couldn't lay down since when I did I felt like I was going to throw up, so I sat on my couch from 4 AM until 9 AM when I decided to lay down. Of course I emailed work early to let them know I wasn't coming in. I don't care how bad I feel, I always feel guilty about calling in sick. I'm not sure what it is. The whole morning I felt so guilty for not going in but when I would stand up I'd then realize why I didn't feel like going in. It was also interesting that even though I'd only slept about 3 hours the whole night, I still didn't manage to fall asleep until after 10 and then slept until 3.

[On a side note I'm about to go crazy from being in my house for over 24 straight hours so I finally got my butt up and just finished putting away the dishes and canned foods that have been sitting in boxes in my kitchen since the end of September. Don't even tell me I don't do things in a timely manner.]

Well I need to see if I can actually get some food down so I'm going to go see about that. You know something must be wrong if I take this long to post on my blog!!!

Thornton Knows Best

Workin on OK: Why Do I....

As I sit here on Sunday afternoon, I've really been in a funk lately. My life has been so empty and my walk with God has just sucked, to be frank. I go through these stupid ruts so often it seems like and it is just so frustrating. I don't even have the words to describe it....and then I came across Eric's blog which seemed to express what I've been feeling in a lot of ways. Granted I didn't go to a retreat and didn't speak to a group of adolescents but you get my meaning hopefully. Thanks Eric for sharing your thoughts....

Back off!!

Bats!!

Well I've been neglecting my blogadociously blodadocious blog but I thought I should unmute my thoughts and share with you this lovely picture of bats. I had the fortune last week of taking a tour of the Alabster Caverns in northwest Oklahoma. If you've never had the opportunity to visit the caverns you are definitely missing out, especially this time of year because of all the bats that take up residence to hibernate. I almost had one bat smash into my face, but due to his echolocation he noticed my noggin and darted away. It was so awesome. I had never almost been hit in the head by a bat.




I took the tour with a mother and son from Stillwater, Ann and Jim (pictured left), and it turned out to be really nice b/c our tour guide Kim (pictured right) was really laid back and we didn't have to fight with a lot of crowds--just bats. Have I mentioned I almost got hit in the face by a bat? Well if you get a chance to check out the caverns I'd hightly recommend it. I'd also hightly recommend my bed. I'm headed there now.

Red River Rivalry

Adrian Peterson

Well I've successfully neglected my blog for quite some time so I think I shall take this opportunity to re-aquaint myself with it. The reason I have the time right now is 1) because I finally got my internet turned on at my new (old) place and 2) because I'm waiting on my brother to get here so we can drive to Texas.

I guess that brings me to my two interesting bits of news. I MOVED!!! I am officially back in the structure of my youth. I'm am now the sole resident of my parents' house in Midwest City. I must admit it is quite strange to be back here--especially since I'm the only one living here. It is rather odd to even be in here but now that I've been moved in for a week it's becoming a bit more normal. I'll have to elaborate more on the interesting tihngs that will come with this move later.

The second newsworthy thought is where I'm headed!!!! OU-texas!!! I must say that I owe a big debt of gratitude to my cousin Julie for procuring me and Zac some tickets for the big game. It's been 5 years since I was last blessed to attend the game. I must say that it has been a LONG week this week just waiting for the game to get here. I have so many thoughts about it that I'm just ready for the teams to take the field so I don't have to analyze it anymore.

Really all of the talk leading up to the game is about how we have texas' number but how improved they are this year with their new defensive coordinators and the new emphasis on the run with Benson and Young. I admit, it's just like every year and I'm nervous because they are the one team I absolutely DO NOT want to lose to. Even with all the talk, the closer I get and the more nervous I get, I suddenly rememberd today that we have A.D., Clayton, White, et. al. It's funny how people seem to forget to mention that. I admit, I am concerned about our defensive tackles. I was even before Dvoracek's dismissal but now I'm very worried. Despite that, we will have to really be flat to not score a lot of points on texas. I guess overall I don't know how the score will turn out but I must say I will be very dissappointed if we don't win.

Ok my fingers are tired. I really have a lot more to write about the game but I'm too digitally out of shape to record it. Hopefully my next post will have some good news!! OU 38 - texas 17

Holiday Cheer

The Christmas Song

By Court-knee and Marmot Boy

Chestnuts roasting on open fires,

Jack frost nipping at status quos,

Yuletide carols being flung by choirs,

And folks dressed up apropos.

Everybody's nose, Some turkey has a middle toe,

That helps to bring the season's blight.

Tater tots made out of cookie dough,

Will find a farty sleep tonight.

Paul know's that marmot's on his way,

He's loaded pots and pans and cooties on his sleigh.

And Paul's mother's child is going to fry,

And flee the reindeer who ate all the pie.

And so, he's offering this entrails' phase,

To kids who cannibalized not a few,

Although they've been fed mini-guys many ways,

Some fried crustaceans will do.

Boomer Sooner

Lance Mitchell

There is very little sweeter on this earth than fall afternoons in Norman, OK when the Sooners take the field at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. So tomorrow it isn't exactly fall yet and the game won't quite start in the afternoon but I must say that I can hardly contain myself right now.

It's a good thing that the season is starting as I am very tired of hearing all the speculation from everyone as to what will happen this season. As I've grown older I've learned to be cautiously optimistic about the seasons, because very little in life is guaranteed. I must say though that this season could be a special one. It is really a great time to be a Sooner fan. It makes all those years under Schnelly and Blake worthwhile. Even when last season ended with the collapse, it is still so nice to be that good. I've learned to appreciate the losses because it makes me value the wins so much more.

I guess as I look to this season, the things I'm most looking forward to are as follows:

1) Will AD turn out to be as good as advertised?

Overall the running game should be improved over last season. The big question though is if Peterson will turn out to be as dominating as the number 1 recruit in the country should. If so then this could be an amazing season. Even if he doesn't, we should be much improved with just the fact that Kejuan is older and D.J. Wolfe looks to be a special back as well. I'm excited to see the answer.

2) Will Lance Mitchell be back at 100%?

Lance was such a dominating player two years ago and I really believe we missed him badly at the end of last year. He is one of the best tacklers I've seen and is such a presence. If he is fully recovered then our defense once again has a chance to be special.

3) Will we run more 4-3 this year?

Two players I have been excited about for some time are Clint Ingram and Demario Pleasant. We haven't had a dominating SAM linebacker in quite sometime and therefore have run so much nickel the last few years. I've always been a big Ingram fan and I hope he comes to play this year and allows us to keep 3 linebackers on the field much more of the time.

4) Will we be more mentally tough this year?

This one may not be answered for some time as we don't figure to be tested too much until the Texas and K-state games, but last year we really collapsed when facing adversity for the first time at the end of the year. I know the Colorado game was tight and so was Alabama but we didn't play from behind in either of those contests and when finally getting down, especially against K-state in the Big XII championship, we really didn't respond well. I know it was White's first full year as a starter so hopefully the experience will make a difference this year. Of course I'd prefer if we never trailed at all this year, but what fun would that really be?

Well I really have many more questions but it's approaching 2 AM and I don't want to be too tired for the game. I can't wait to see the band take the field!! Hopefully I'll feel as good after the game as I do now!

Thursday, Thursday

Well I have nothing really exciting to share today--but maybe I do. I guess I'm just a little tired and having a hard time thinking clearly. I would really like to share my thoughs on the value of "sports" like gymnastics but I'll save that one until I have a little more energy. It deserves a solid effort from me.

One great bit of news is that I've been studying the Bible with a friend who's been coming to church some recently. We met once last week and then now have met twice this week. It's so exciting to see her desire to know God's Word and read many of the stories for the first time. It is just so refreshing to see someone who realizes that she NEEDS to know more about God and realizes she doesn't have all the answers. So many people in this world try to do it all themselves and I can't help but think how sad life must be for them. Please pray for us as we continue our study.

Psalm 119:97-104
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

TBD (To Be Deceased)

My life is now complete, and it's a good thing as it's almost over. I have officially had my first death threat. Literally. I don't think I would have quite planned it like this though as I don't even have any witnesses that I know. I'm actually quite disappointed. Well, here is the story....

So tonight I decide to have a little Matt time and go to see the remake of The Manchurian Candidate at 7:35 PM CDT at the Theater 3 in AMC Quail Springs 24 . Well I get there quite early and I'm just sitting there by myself. Some other people come and fill in the row where I'm sitting but there is still 1 empty seat on my left and 2 on my right. I begin to worry that I'm going to have to sit by some wide-legging, late-coming, 50 year old man and sure enough right as the previews finish, my fears are realized.

Needless to say, this wide-legger forced me re-evaluate the position of my lower appendages as I was using the right leg cross on the knee maneuver at the time. (I might add that I was quite comfortable.) I forced myself to hold fast in this position for at least a couple of more minutes but then decided to reverse my position as to achieve maximum comfort level for this film. I stayed in this position for quite a while. I wasn't really thinking about my positioning any longer, but then I made my one fatal mistake. Apparently I unconsciously decided to again reverse back to my original position when I suddenly heard something coming from the row directly in front of me.

I looked down to discover the chap in the row below me and one seat over looking back in my direction. He was a black male approximately age 19 or 20 and maybe 5'9" 160 lbs. I'm just going to call him Reggie (in honor of Reggie Jackson) b/c he had a NY Yankees hat on (and it was crooked to the left, I might add). So I see Reg looking back at me and I lean down close enough to hear what he's saying. Here is the exchange:

Reg: (In a rather belligerent tone with pretty high volume) "Stop kicking her seat!!"
Matt: (In a regular, slightly irritated voice) "What?"
Reg: "Stop kicking her seat!!"
Matt: "I didn't know I was kicking her seat."
Reg: "Just stop!"
Matt: "Have you ever thought of asking nicely? I would respond much better to you if you were polite!"
Reg: "Don't do it again!"
Matt: (As I'm sitting back in my chair) "Whatever."
Reg: (Trailing off) "Don't do it again or I'm going to kill you...."

Needless to say, I wasn't too worried about dying although it was slightly annoying. To top it all off the wide-legger didn't even budge during the whole exchange!!! I guess you really have to be oblivious to be a wide-legger. At the end of the film, I was obviously curious as to how Reggie was going to react. As he got up, he straightened...err, un-straightened his cap and slightly glanced back, but not far enough to make eye contact with me. I just looked straight ahead and was hoping he'd make eye contact but of course he didn't, even as he wound around under the stairs and was facing back in my direction. I guess he just had to show off for his woman while in the heat of the moment. I feel so accomplished now that I stood up to a teenage "thug." :-)

It's a good thing that just this morning I was teaching our Singles' class on Ephesians 5:21-6:9 on the concept of submission, because I really wanted to get mad at that fellow tonight but I was really able to think about what I was doing and to think how God would want me to be submissive in that situation. Funny how God's Word can really change me when I need it. It was definitely a memorable experience....at least for tonight!!

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21

Jungle Jon and the Appendix of Terror

This is my friend Jon. He is now appendix free. The sad thing is that the next time we're together I can't use the word "appendices" in referring to our collective vestigial organs as he no longer possesses his. Now the word "rupture" can and will continue to be used, count on it. [Update: Ok I discovered that the actual medical term for the plural of appendix is appendixes rather than appendices so this paragraph is pointless, but I'm leaving it in anyway to prove to eveyone that I'm not as perfect as you think I am!! :-)]

Oh and Jon is a big Oklahoma State fan. (Actually he is really a pretty average sized Oklahoma State fan as he is nothing resembling obese or a giant.) But don't hold that against him. I think he was just hit on the head as a child or something. And for all the ladies out there--he is single and can be reached at Mercy Hospital. But don't get any ideas: despite his sedation, he still won't fall for the "You need a sponge bath Mr. Haire" routine so don't even try it.

Neglect - That's (Not) My Name So Don't Wear It Out

Ok so I've been neglecting Blogadocious recently. I'm sorry to all my loyal readers for neglecting this great forum. I know you are all worse for it.

Well the last week or so I have stayed pretty busy with who knows what. I've been teaching class on Sunday mornings all month so that's kept me pretty busy. I guess I've just reallyl been on an anti-computer kick the last week or so. I usually have mine on but I never seem to want to sit down and really use it much--except to look up for OU football info. I think a lot of this feeling is due to the fact that I'm just ready for summer to be over and the football season to get here. I know, all those non-football fans probably think I'm crazy for being this way but when something has been a part of your life every year since you were born, it really means a lot. Of course I'm not going to live or die by the outcome of the games, but it is a lot of fun to follow and if you've never been to a game at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium then you're really missing out. There is very little better than a beautiful autumn day in Section 10 Row 65 Seat 9. I'm sure I'll have more thoughts on this subject as the season gets here but honestly, right now I'm pretty much braindead.

Oh one thing of interest (to me) occurred tonight at Chili's after church. I used the word "likewise" when ordering my Bacon burger and it really stuck everyone funny. I mean, come on! The word "likewise" is an awesome and much under-utilized word in our times. I feel strongly about this and likewise about the word "ubiquitous."

Ok I'm braindead and I'm going to bed.

Busy Weekend

I haven't posted since before my foray into the art of cleaning last Thursday. Man was that an adventure. I'm happy to report that my apartment is as spotless as is Matt-ily possible. Clint didn't even know what he got into. I was so good that he didn't realize that he was the recipient of one clean apartment that many thought was impossible. Well it only seems that way.

It was good to have Clint down. We hadn't hung out in over two years which is amazing when I think about it. Even though he beat me 4 times in NCAA football 2005 on PS2, at least I got him twice. I really need to work on my game though so that next time I can do my Sooners proud.

Well today started the fall practice for the Sooner Football team. Oh it's been so long. I went out to practice after work and even though they were only in shorts and no pads, it was still good to know that the season is not far away. I have so many things I'm looking forward to seeing this year. I'll reserve those for a later post when I'm not so sleepy. I really just wanted to make sure I don't negelct my blog! I really have enjoyed writing in it and don't want to get out of the habit. So I've done the duty for tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some more enlightening thoughts.

Cleaning Day starring Yours Truly

Well cleaning day has arrived at my excuse for an apartment. My buddy Clint is coming to stay a couple of nights with me while he is taking care of some things for his upcoming move back to Oklahoma. I've been intending to clean a little since I haven't partaken in cleansing my abode from impurities in, oh, 6 years. Funny thing is I've only lived here for three and a half. Well we'll see how I do. I thought I'd take a moment to document the filth that I've attained. Not many people in my position can accomplish this badge of honor so I'd better show off.

The above picture is of my fridge which I just cleaned out for the first time in at least 6 months. A couple of items of note are the pitcher of red Kool-Aid on the top shelf and the cake on the bottom. I'm proud to admit that the Kool-Aid was created by me back in early March. At the time of creation, I didn't realize that it had Nutrasweet in it and used my regular formula of adding 1 cup of sugar. So suffice it to say that I didn't drink it and kind of forgot it was there. The second item, the cake, was a gift for my birthday (thanks Tam-e) which was Ides of March Eve. It was actually very delicious and as you can see I did eat half of it before I forgot it was there. Well I'm proud to announce that they are no longer there as they now reside in the community dumpster.

If you care to see any further evidence of the disgusting residence in which I dwell, feel free to visit my photo album for a few other pics. I'll post some "After" pics to prove that I actually am doing what I claim.

W sketching out his blog... 

Tired Minds Want to Know

Blogging is taking the world by storm. Even the Prez is taking it up. That guy is something else!! (Thanks Adria for the link.)

Well it's been one of those days today. You know, the kind where you're in a good mood for no apparent reason. I guess I have a reason and that is that I am alive and healthy, but for some reason things were especially good.

I did have a great thing happen to me today. I was going to cancel my DSL at the end of the month so I called to see when the month expired and come to find out I somehow reregistered for another year!!! I'm ticked! The worst part is I apparently filled out the renewal on SBC's website just about 3 weeks ago. Funny thing is that I don't recall doing this at all. I'm pretty sure I don't smoke crack and my memory isn't failing me (or is it? I can't seem to remember if it is or not) but somehow I managed to do this. That gets me in 'til next July 22nd!! If I want to cancel now I have to pay $200!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, come one, I've been a good SBC customer and now I'm stuck. I was so frustrated that I wrote them an email voicing my disdain for their business practices. It is below if you'd like to read it although I was frustrated and trying to hurry to go to Bible study so I could have done better (especially on punctuation!!), but then again, they really don't deserve better. :-)

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been a customer of yours for just right at a year. I have enjoyed your service and have been pleased with everything all the way around. Today I called to see when my contract has expired because I am going to need to cancel my service [edited] and I discovered that I have apparently renewed my subscription for another year as of a few weeks ago. I was told I signed up for something on your website that committed me to another year and if I want to cancel it will cost me a penalty of $200. This is very puzzling to me in that I cannot recall renewing my subscription. I do not doubt the validity of the request you received from me, but it's just frustrating to me that I cannot get some help from a company of which I have been a customer for over 3 years. I was told on the phone that there was no way to revert my account to its previous state, which would allow me to cancel my subscription at the end of the present month.

It is very troubling to me that a venerable company such as yours would want to end our business together on such a sour note by forcing me to pay a fee, which, although trivial to you, is a significant amount to me. Considering the good services you have provided for me, I would have very seriously considered using you company again in the future, however, if I know that I'm going to be rewarded for my patronage by being forced to pay to leave then I am seriously going to reconsider your company as a viable option for me in the future. I do not intend this as a threat (because I know that I am just one customer which has little influence on your profits) but I just wanted to express to you my frustration with this process. I truly hope you will consider this in your future negotiations with customers such as myself.

Sincerely,

Matt Gambill

I know, it'll get me nothing but I was frustrated so I had to voice it. I bet no one even reads it save for some tech guy who'll just think I'm a goofball and send me some virus for being rude to SBC. Oh well....

Well tonight was Bible study. We talked about the future of our group. I'll leave it at that. No time to go into details. I just pray God will open our hearts. I could say more but now is not a good time to go into it. :-)

Oh and Zac put me onto a good website today. It's called Ebaumsworld.com. You should check it out (although I can't vouch for all of the content--the games are cool though.) Ok I'm headed to bed.

Here's looking at you... 

Unity

Psalm 133:1 "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"

Nothing is worse than living in a state of strife and dissension. I just don't see how people can live in a family that is always fighting or how people can just not want to get along with others. It is especially when brothers and sisters in Christ can live in the unity that God desires for them. In John 17 Jesus talks about his desire that all believers be one, yet so often we just don't live like this. I'm not even talking about all the divisions in the churches of the world, but rather within the fellowship the we can have within our local congregations or even classes. We can meet together so ofen and even be friends yet be on totally differnt planes in regard to our level of commitments to God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. God want us to be like-minded, not having any divisions among us, including in our thoughts. I know that since we are fleshly beings we are going to screw this up, but still we need to strive for this in our churches and in our relationships with other believers. Sometimes I just feel that I' m the only one who thinks the things I do, though, and that can be frustrating. But that is for another day! Thank God for IM friends who listen to me and let me vent, even when that's not what they were talking to me for! Oh well, bed time....

Sunday Night aLive...But Just Barely :-)

Well the weekend is over almost as soon as it started. (Funny how that happens every weekend!) I have just one thought right now...shopping for cars sucks. I hate making decisions as it is, but big decisions like that are the worst. (I can't imagine deciding on a house!! That's why I've been putting that off for a long time.) My uncle found me a Pontiac Vibe--2004 with 23,000 miles and I went and test drove it yesterday. I actually like it but I just am not sure I want to get back into the car payment situation right now. Having mine paid off is really nice, yet I'm just sick of it giving me problems. The check engine light is on and I know it's not just going to go away so I've got to decide something soon. If you have any suggestions please let me know!!

I played my first online game of NCAA Football 2005 today against my good friend Clint. Of course Clint is a big Horn fan so we had the Red River Shootout going and I let down my beloved Sooners. I think we might possibly have played the ugliest game of Playstation in the history of system. Clint beat me 14-9 and the deciding touchdown was off of a stupid interception I threw. I just couldn't recognize that stupid zone!!! I really need some more practice. I can't believe I lost and it's not going to sit well with me. He's coming into town this week though, so I'll get my chance at revenge.

Tonight I was sitting in Starbucks with Cochran, G, Stasial, Holly D, Ro-Z and the Etta. It was one of those nights where I was tired but yet didn't want to just come home and sit around by myself, so we just all sat back and talked and drank some coffee. Before we left I had an interesting conversation that apparently makes me not only a jerk to women, but also afraid of getting married (this was coming from the ladies of course as the guys left me to fend for myself.) My great idea is to have an arrangement with a female that is purely platonic, to where I share the cooking and laundry duties. There is nothing going on romantically and in fact we don't even live together, but perhaps just next door to one another. We could chip in on food together and share the cooking duties and even laundry and that's it. By no means was I saying I ever expect to have anything like this, but rather that it would just be nice for someone like me who NEVER eats at home and rarely does laundry. The girls, of course, completely shredded my idea by informing me that there is no girl alive who could have a relationship like this without becoming emotionally involved (save some relative). I still believe that there is SOMEONE out there who could handle this so I'm going to keep my eyes open.

After this conversation, I was then accused by one person (I'm not mentioning any names, Stasial's sister) of being afraid to get married. Naturally I don't really feel this is true and tried to explain that being afraid of something and not wanting to do something are two entirely different things. But then again, I really haven't given the idea much thought one way or the other. I need to do some thinking on that idea before I go into too much detail.

Oh one other thing: I taught class this morning. It's funny how sometimes I dread preparing when I teach because I want to do well and I feel so far away from "well", yet when I get up there I just love it. I sure hope I am effective in communicating God's message to people. I feel I do a good job, but I have a lot of room for improvement. I can tell that I'm much better now that I was a year ago and I'm thankful that God has blessed me with this opportunity. This morning we covered Ephesians 4:17-24. I actually got quite of bit of participation for the class which was encouraging. I didn't do as great of a job preparing this week as I had so much going on with the car and all, but next Sunday will hopefully go much better. I've just got to learn to stop procrastinating. Procrastinating....there's idea for the longest post ever, but I'll save that for another day....

Ephesians 4:22-24 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. "

The Village

Well tonight I went to see the new M. Night Shyamalan film The Village. If you'd like to read my lame attempt at a review of this film then Click Here. Just remember it's been a long week. :-) Hopefully I'll have more thoughts later. Oh yeah, I have one thought: IHOP is pretty good. I know everyone is so impressed with me now. Ok I've got to get some sleep.

Rainy Days

It was a rainy day today. I love days like this. I suppose I wouldn't enjoy them quite as much if every day were similar but since it's the middle of the summer I welcome the reprieve from the heat. Plus it's just nice to be able to put on some mellow music and get some work done. I listened to the soundtrack to Lost in Translation, Wildflowers by Tom Petty, and an album my brother gave me called Death Cab for Cutie, which was much better then the name sounded. I also kept the window in my office open all day and by the end all the papers in my office were soaked due to the humidity. I used them to wash myself in lieu of my bi-weekly shower!

[I just accidentally typed "bip-weekly" and of course I edited it, but that makes me think of the word "bip" that for some reason was very popular at Soldier Creek Elementary School back in 1983-84. It must have been a curse word though b/c I sure wasn't allowed to say it - Thanks Mom and Dad :-). I just tried to look it up on Dictionary.com but no luck!! Can you believe that? I believe we used it as a phrase along the lines of "In your face" but I also remember the phrase "Bip you" coming in there somewhere. That must have been really bad. I guess I made it ok though despite my occasional usage of this horrific term back in 2nd grade. If anyone actually knows what it means please enlighten me!!]

Normally on days like today I tend to get a little introspective but I was pretty busy with work (I know everyone is surprised) so I didn't have a whole lot of time to think. We are drilling an obscene amount of wells right now at the 'Peak so I have my hands full. At least tomorrow I get to go to the field. I know everyone is going to be jealous of me since I get to visit the aesthetically pleasing landscape of the Texas panhandle. I do get to hang out with Bruce though. Bruce is one of our drilling superintendents and he is one fun dude. He epitomizes the term good ol' boy. I need to see if I can get a picture with him so that I can post it tomorrow. If I do that though, then I'll probably bring down the servers at blogger.com due to all the hits Blogadocious will get. So maybe I should rethink this.

Oh and if anyone is looking for another good rainy day song then check out The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin. I should've listened to that today. It would have been perfect. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow....
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Psalm 27:4-5 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

Slick and Schmo

Well I have had some interesting television viewing this fine evening. First off I had the opportunity to watch the Democratic National Convention. Say what you want about our former President Clinton but he can really deliver a powerful message. It is really hard not to be drawn to him. Of course he's not the most moral man who ever lived, but he can be so engaging and really inspiring when put on a stage such as tonight. I could listen to him for hours. However don't challenge me to it, as it's just a figure of speech. Oh and if you were wondering, I’m not going to say who I’m voting for...yet. (I'll save that topic for a later post for all you enquiring minds!)

Now I'm sitting here watching the final minutes of this week's episode of the best "reality" show out there: The Joe Schmo Show. If you haven't yet indulged in this entertainment delicacy then you're missing out. It is one of the most ingenious shows I've seen in a long time, plus it's downright funny. The premise is that it's a reality series in the same vein as Big Brother or The Bachelor (not that I watched any of these) where they have a group of people living in a house together and competing for the affections of someone of the opposite sex. Well, there's one catch--everyone in the house is an actor except one guy and girl who both think it's real. The producers then proceed to feed them over-the-top characters and scenarios; the whole while daring these two naive, innocent victims to figure out it's real. Of course they don't and it makes for some hilarious scenes.

Zac was here watching it with me so we laugh even more when we're together. I don't get good laughs too often anymore so I have to take advantage of the opportunities. Funny how that is. I really love cutting up and having a good time, yet I rarely just get a good, genuine, hearty laugh like I did as a kid. I wonder why? I'll have to think on that one. So anyway, if you haven't yet checked out the 'Schmo' do yourself a favor and tune in (Mondays at 10:05 CDT on Spike TV--Check your local listings). You won't be disappointed.

Gettin' Juiced Up

Well I thought I had heard it all until tonight my friend Cochran decided to enlighten us all by sharing the thought, "Well I think I'm going to swing by Barnes and Noble on my way home to get juiced up." "Juiced up?" I mean, is this some type of metrosexual pop-culture reference? I know I'm still living half-way in the '80s but I at least know enough to not say the term "juiced up" when describing my plans to purchase a beverage of any temperature.

Today was a good day. Great to be with the believers and spend some time in praise to God. It's encouraging to be a part of a body of believers and of course God intended that for us b/c it should get us "juiced up" (I know, shameless pun) but sometimes that's when I find it so frustrating b/c week after week I sit in the assembly and come face to face with the sinfulness that I'm no closer to defeating than I was the week before. I seem to always sit there resolving not to repeat my sinfulness that separates me from God, yet find myself the very next week doing the same thing. The scary thing is I sometimes wonder if I totally even care since my actions don't seem to be changing and I'm obviously not defeating these vices. (Side note: Of course not relying on God probably has a lot to do with this...but that's another topic)

Week before last, I was blessed to hear one of my great friends, Clint, speak out at church camp. He spoke on the idea of seeking to rid ourselves of the unclean water that we put in our spiritual bodies (making reference to the water from John 4). He talked about something that really hit home to me---pursuing holiness in our lives. This is really a tough subject for me b/c in my life I so often settle for trying to be good but not really seeking to rid myself of "bad water" (a.k.a. the impure things that I tolerate b/c they don't seem so bad). I think of Paul's words in Phil 3 where he talks about pressing on and striving to win the prize and reach the goal. Yet too often I find that I just settle for the status quo. I need to have the attitude that I won't settle for being mediocre and need to strive to godliness in my life. I pray that God will grant me the strength to keep persevering and maturing. He is so patient with his children....Well past time for bed!!!

Philippians 3:12-15 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

I'm trying to sell my cat. If you're interested just let me know. He's really a friendly sort and would make a great pet for anyone! 

Football on the brain.....

Well, It's the middle of the night and I should be in bed, but what the hey, it's Friday and I'm ready for football to start and I'm messing with the whole blog thing. So why not post a picture of where I want to be?

This could be another great year for the Sooners, but I have to be cautiously optimistic about it after the great debacle that was the end of last season. Of course on paper this year's team will be even more talented top-to-bottom, but as we all know things have to come together. I'm really excited to see what happens with some of the new players. Will Clint Ingram come through and be as good as I think he can? Will AD turn out to be the real deal? Will we play more man coverage this year or stick with our patented zone? I'm very curious to find out some answers. Plus I'm just ready to have some new tapes to watch!! Oh well, at least I have NCAA Football 2005 to play until the practices start. That should keep me somewhat occupied!!
  

Let's see about this....

Blogging....hmmm.....

Well this is my first attempt at a blog so I'll see how this goes. Considering how easily distracted I can get, I can't say that this will go extremely well. That coupled with the fact that I don't ever seem to think of exciting things to talk about (unless I have someone to banter with) could lead to a very lackluster effort on my part, but, what the heck....nobody is going read it anyway!! :-) Hopefully, though, maybe I can stay somewhat dedicated to recording some of my many changing thoughts from time to time so that someday I can look back on it and laugh a little. Well I guess since I'm getting paid right now to be working, I should probably do that... 10 minute break is long enough!!!