Here We Go

Well, I start school in September. I know... school. I have been thinking about it for a while now. Not only do I want to go back, I need to go back.

Everything I was thinking about lead right back to good ol' education. For instance, there is work. The state of California is in a feeding frenzy when it comes to coal power plants. It just doesn't look good for the distant future at this point. With that in mind, I started to think about where I saw myself in the distant future. Let me just say, it didn't look good.

Then I thought about going back to school. I already have all of my general education out of the way. I could start in on core classes right off the get go. Then I remembered, the company pays for all of my tuition. Well, now I am in. I start searching for an online school. Lets face it, there is no way I would have the time to attend on-campus classes. I found a few hopefuls, Capella University looked good. The company even has them on a list of recommended schools. University of Phoenix is out, I hate them. Then I found another college in Phoenix, Grand Canyon University. I know what you are thinking, because I was thinking the same thing. Sound a bit second rate. Well, after a small amount of reading, I found out that they were not second rate, but first rate. Needless to say, I picked GCU as my college of choice.

Going back the tuition assistance, the company will only pay for "work related" degrees. Because of this rule, I am very sad to report, the Bachelor of Arts in Basket Weaving is out. So, I am going with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. I have always liked business but with more of an emphasis in Advertising. Being a sign man for so long, that sort of happens. Unfortunately, there is not a degree for that, so I am going with Marketing.

So, wish me luck, I am the worlds best procrastinator when it comes to school work.

The Two Month Comparison

My mom put Bradley in the shirt that I had at two months and took a picture of him. I don't think the picture of me is the best one to look at when comparing use at the same age. My mom had another that is even closer. I don't know, what you guys think? Anyway, I must say that there are two good looking studs there.

Bradley's Smile

The Past Week

A few thing to talk about from this past week. Christy and I took Mickey to see Transformers last Monday. I only have one word to say, impressive. The movie was great, I was very impressed. They did a great job using existing structures and buildings (like the Hoover Dam) to tell the story. If you have not yet seen it, I recommend you do.

Christy and I also went to see the new Harry Potter. Although it was good, I feel the Transformers movie was much better. One of the reasons is because the book had some much information that you could not possibly put everything into a two hour movie. Because of this reason, if you read the book, the movie jumped forward many times. The story jumped through to the middle of the book in just the first half hour. aside from that, the movie was great. A lot more fighting with the spells and wands, and much darker than the last four. I do recommend this movie as well.

One last thing. My birthday was on the 17th. It was good. I went out for a round of Golf with the music pastor at church. I have to say, for a man that said he has only played a few times, he did really well. After the round, I went home and relaxed for the rest of the day. Then yesterday, we went over to my mom and dads and had dinner. My birthday was nice and relaxing. Just how I like to have it.

The New Word... Missional

There are a few blogs that I enjoy reading. One of them is owned by a pastor in Washington State. He had a post this morning that made me think back to the way I felt about Christianity, and Church in general. To be completely honest, I never really like the thought either one. There was just something about the way Christians carried themselves or tried to preach to you when you weren't interested. All of that just made me really uncomfortable.

Then I meet my beautiful wife, Christy. She likes to call herself a Jesus Freak. Yet, with all the love she has for Him, she never seamed to push it on me. I had the same experience with my friend Brian. When we were in high school, he ask about my belief only once. I told him how I felt about it and he let it alone.

Looking back, that was my biggest problem with religion. It seemed like everyone I had ever come in contact with, that was religious in some way, tried to shove their story at me. Always telling me that I should live this way or that way, and to stay away from how I was living.

Anyway, back to the post I had mentioned earlier. This pastor was talking about new words that we seem to come up with for religious purposes. New words that describe what we are doing. The word Missional was the one he was discussing. He also mentioned that, seeing as though it is a new word, there are a lot of definitions for Missional. In his search to trying and find a good definition, he came across this one in a blog from a twenty-three year olds' web site.

Here it is:

I have been lucky to have met some really amazing people in the past few years. I met them in a bar/ at a party/ through friends. They live their lives without excuses and without gimmicks. They build relationships not hoping to sucker you in but out of genuine interest in who you are. They are your friends because they want to be, not because they have to. And, unless you bring it up, they don't talk about being a "Christian" much. This doesn't stop you from knowing that they are, you do. You can tell by the way they lead their lives. But they never force it on you. It's refreshing and honest and exactly what "Christianity" should look like. When I think of the word "Christian" I think of them.

That is how I felt with Christy and with Brian. I knew they were both religious and yet they never really pushed anything to me. They let me start to pull. Instead of them trying to push. I just hope that I can do the same with new people I come in contact with throughout my walk with Christianity.

You Never Hear Anything About It

I waited and waited, and then waited some more. In the end, there was nothing. I know, that is what happens when you expect the unexpected. But, I must say, these are the Nation's best men to ever run the pitch. (soccer field for those who didn't know) I am talking about the US Men's National soccer team.

There was a tournament last month that most of the US never knew about. Let me tell you, it was obvious no one knew. There was very little news, if any, in the papers or on TV. This tournament I speak of was the CONCACAF Gold Cup. For those who don't know what that stands for, here it is. Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.

Our boys defended their cup title by winning again this year for their fourth cup victory. They played great, not loosing a game in the contest. They didn't even give up a goal until the quarter-final game against Panama in a 2-1 victory. Playing Canada in the semi-final game, came out on top 2-1. In the Championship game, they played Mexico and won with yet another 2-1 victory. Our boys only gave away three goals in the entire six game competition. Also in those six game, they scored thirteen times. That is the most goals scored out of the twelve team pool.

I would have to say that the worst part about the news coverage for this tournament is the fact that every game played, took place in the US. That's right, every last game, all twenty five of them. To make matters worse, all of the games were played in big venues. I am not talking about a big stadium somewhere off the beaten path. I am talking about high traffic stadiums like, the Orange Bowl, Home Depot Center, (home of the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA) Meadowland, (home of the New York Giants) Solder Field, (home of the Chicago Bear) and Reliant Stadium. (home of the Houston Texans) These are major venues we are talking about. The only TV coverage in the US was Fox Soccer Channel. Even if you have cable, you still didn't get to see the action. To get FSC, you have to have the most expensive cable or satellite packages.

Now, I know it isn't the World Cup, but come on. This our National team we are talking about. You would think big broadcast companies in the US would want to so something. Soccer (futbol) is the largest and most popular sport in the world. The US is becoming much more aware of the presents it is making. But the bad thing is, coverage of this beautiful game is hideously scares. It is a shame, because let me tell you, the US missed watching their boys dominate the competition.

Try To Remember.... Please

I know, it's hard to think of anything other than fireworks during the forth of July. The thought of is sparked (sorry, no pun intended) back into memory during the last week of June. We see all of the make-shift wooden stands going up on what seems like every street corner.

Then, the thoughts start flowing through your brain. "What is new this year, I need to get those screaming ones and the flowers too." That's what goes through every ones mind every year, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks. I am not saying they are bad. I enjoy watching them any chance I get.

Here is the problem, I believe we have lost sight of the true meaning behind July forth. It has nothing to do with fireworks. Come on, think back to your history classes. Yes, that's it, Independence Day. For seventeen days, Thomas Jefferson put his heart and soul into crafting the Declaration of Independence. June eleventh through June twenty-eighth, then on July forth Congress adopted the Declaration.

Our forefathers committed treason by creating and sighing the Declaration. They put their lives on the line to create independence for generations to come. We have a responsibility as those following generations to appreciate and remember what has been done in the past to create freedom. Whether you thank our forefathers, or the veterans and troops fighting in the war, now or a past conflict; The celebrations of the day should not be for your selfish entertainment.

Instead of fireworks, fireworks, fireworks; Shouldn't we be saying remember, remember, remember. I believe we should. Use the fireworks to give that appreciation to whom it is due and not to yourself. And to Thomas Jefferson and the rest of Congress, and all of our veterans and troop over seas, I say Thank You.

~ GOD bless American and everyone involved in fighting for the freedom to have a day to celebrate freedom ~