Meteors

This is a picture of me last night between 11 and 12. I look scared and fat. Maybe I look scared because the flash was quite blinding. I was cold, well just my face. I went out and laid in the yard and watched the meteor shower last night. It was one of the best I've seen. The clouds cleared off perfect for it. I almost forgot about it and then the jet flew over. I never hear jets up here. There just aren't that many that fly over. But there seems to be one that flies over very regularly at about 11:00 at night. Very weird. Anyways it reminded me to check the sky and so I did. The wife and girls were asleep but I grabbed my sleeping bag and headed out into the yard.

Paralyzed

Yesterday Stephanie reminded me of this song by Sixpence None the Richer. It was perfect. Here's the story.

Last week I visited a man from our church in the hospital. He'd had some mini-strokes and was in the late stages of Alzheimers or dementia. Anyways he could no longer swallow and really couldn't communicate real well. He recognized me and tried to talk. He laughed some, smiled some, said a few things I understood and a bunch I didn't. I don't know how much of that was because of his brain and how much was that his throat and tongue weren't working right. His mouth was so dry that his tongue was scaly. His family talked right in front of him like he couldn't understand. I'm pretty sure he could. They were talking about how they were going to remove the feeding mechanisms. I'm not sure where I stand on the whole situation and I'm not writing to discuss that. Please if I'm ever in this situation do not discuss it in front of me. He had written out ahead of time that he didn't want a feeding tube or any of that stuff. But as they removed the bag of food I found myself in this situation. "I breathed in, I breathed out, Soaked the ground up with my eyes. It's hard to say a healing word When your tongue is paralyzed".

Money

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about Christians and money. I'm not sure what started this thought pattern. I've been disturbed for a while about Christian radio and the amount of financial planning shows and advertising there. I'm willing to bet that there is an estate planning Sunday School class out there somewhere. I know there are enough seminars. I took a Jr. high boy that I don't spend much time with out for dinner the other week. He asked me why I was an assistant pastor. He said I was smart and could make a bunch of money in business or something. (Leaving the headaches and time schedule of being a pastor for more money and freedom somewhere else is a constant temptation for me.) I told him that money wasn't the biggest factor in my decisions. (I hope I mean that and it isn't just something I say) He was blown away that I was buying dinner for him at Culvers. Money and the problems that surround it are not new. Maybe how easy debt is now is new though. Steph and I are getting closer and closer to eliminating our college debt. But the temptation to take on new debt is always there as well. A newer less mileage car is something that I think about often. Do I need it? Do I want to get into needs vs. wants? And do I really want to change my views about money? I'm also wondering if it's really as wise as we think to store up our money for a time when we'll retire. I don't know. I don't do it as much as I'm told I should. I tell myself that I will save more when I get rid of my student loans. But will I or will I replace that debt with other debt? It would be cool to own a house...

This is good stuff

Oh man. That's good stuff. She should've just waited for someone to say something about the smell and then yelled "The smeller's the feller!"

The BCS

I've changed my mind. I've decided that the BCS is good. They follow figure skating and gymnastics lead by having votes determine champions. I've decided that this is great. Imagine how many Super Bowls the Colts would have been to by now. Bring the BCS to the NFL!

College football thoughts.

I've heard many theories on why Florida was voted higher than Michigan and given a shot at the National title. I haven't heard the truth yet. What is the truth you ask? You can only find it here. Here is the truth.

The voters had no choice. They could not give Michigan a shot at Ohio State. There is no other scenario that would cause more damage than Michigan beating Ohio State in a national title game. The Harris voters and even the coaches do not want to see the BCS blown up. If Michigan beat Ohio State in a national title game the BCS would have to change. Both teams would have one loss and their losses would be to each other. Confusion would reign. The public's confidence in the BCS would be even more shaky. That could not be allowed to happen.

You'll hear many other ideas on why Florida suddenly passed Michigan in the polls. Mark May will tell you the voters just realized that Florida was better than Michigan. Kirk Herbstreit will tell you that voters didn't want to see a rematch and that they forgot about Michigan in the two weeks. But you will only hear the truth on Weaveswrites. The voters couldn't vote for Michigan.

I personally would like to see Michigan and Florida play. The winner of that game could go on to play OSU if you really want to see that but I think, especially with the vote controversy, that Florida Michigan is a much more intriguing matchup. It will be fun to watch Michigan and USC in the Rose Bowl. And it would probably kill Michigan fans to lose to OSU twice in one year so it's probably best there isn't a chance of that happening. I'm worried about ND playing LSU in the Sugar Bowl. LSU seems to be fast and ND is definitely not.

It's obvious that Brian Kelly was using Central Michigan as a stepping stone. But why use them to step to Cincinnati? I would rather stay at Central another year with my phenom freshman QB than go to Cincy. Cincy will never out rectruit OSU in Ohio. They won't out recruit Louisville any time soon in Kentucky. Shoot they probably won't out rectruit Kentucky. Why go to Cincy where you have very little chance. I'd rather hold out and try for Rutgers even.

Bond

Ok Burrill you asked. I did not like the new Bond movie. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I was sick and fell asleep and that made it not make much sense. Maybe it was the lack of Bond gadgets. Maybe it's the fact that it was supposed to be before Bond was Bond and they talked about September 11th. Maybe it was the intro, the song was one of the worst and the crazy intro thingy was the worst one yet. Maybe it's because I was confused after he met the girl, the "money" who was "worth every penny". I was convinced that she was Miss Moneypenny. I'm not sure what it was but I was not impressed.

Snow

School cancelled. At times I can't see the trees on the other side of the parking lot. But who's at church? Not the secretary. Not the senior pastor, he says he's coming. Nope it's me. And I have a million calls about the ladies Christmas party tonight. Is it still happening? They are trying to not cancel it but I can't see how they can have it. We are supposed to get 8-12 inches. So I have to tell ladies that it isn't cancelled yet. I'd bet money it will be though.

The trip back

I was sick most of vacation. Sunday was our last day and I woke up with bad stomach cramps. I took some medicine and went to church anyways. After church we went out to eat. I took my golf clubs just in case. There is a par 3 course behind the restaurant. I ended up feeling good enough to try and play. The longest hole on the 9 I played was 90 yards. So nothing impressive. We left that afternoon and I tried to listen to NFL on the radio. Not real easy. I decided that Beckley West Virginia might be a good stopping point so I had Steph call my parents and ask them to get online and see what was there hotel wise. While she was on the phone a tunnel came up that would've cut the reception so she got off. Dad would call with the info. We never got cell service again. Southern West Virginia had nothing for us and usually we get good service. Not even in Beckley. So we pulled into Beckley and I was wondering if my dad had made reservations somewhere. I was thinking I had to get a hold of him because if he did we'd have to go there so we didn't get stuck trying to cancel or get stuck with the room. I think it's pretty hard to cancel a reservation around midnight. I pulled into a gas station to use a pay phone. It's a Verizon phone. I follow the directions for making a coin call. They don't work. So I try a collect call. It doesn't work either. So I go to the next gas station. Verizon phone again. I tried anyways in case the other phone was broke. Nothing. Next gas station. Verizon phone. I try making a credit card call. Nothing. Next gas station. Verizon phone. I'm furious. Finally I get a credit card call through. Dad had not made reservations. So I just need to pick a hotel. I try the first one only I make a wrong turn somewhere and launch myself down a windy WVA road with no turn around spots. I get back and try the next hotel. It doesn't look that nice. So I try the third one. I go in and ask if there's a room. There is! It's expensive but at that point I don't care anymore (and I had help). Nice bed and a good night's sleep. Next morning on the road again. The brakes aren't working right. Almost not working at all. So we do the entire trip and stop at a parts store. I fixed the brakes after the long trip. They pad had come off of the backing. One of the pads had come apart and part had gotten stuck. But it's all fixed now. Great drive.

first day back

I feel good. I still have a cough but it isn't that big a deal. I feel so good I may even run.

I have some vacation stories to share but they'll wait until tomorrow. I spent today visiting in the hospital. And there weren't even any funny stories to share from that. Except from maybe when the sedated guy rolled over and showed us he was wearing a backless hospital gown. But that almost isn't even funny anymore.

still sick

It's Laura's birthday. I'm old. I have a 5 year old. She's out putt putting with her Aunt, Uncles, cousins, Grandparents, mother and sister and I'm sitting here in the living room with my pajamas on. I have a fever, did a little vomiting and just feel lousy. It's 63 degrees and beautiful outside. Supposed to get up to 67. I should be putt putting and then going real golfing. But I'm stuck watching college football alone. Maybe tomorrow. It'll be 66 tomorrow.

Steph got up at 4:20 this morning to go shopping. She's crazy. Her mom and brother went too. At least she was able to get gifts for all the cousins and get them at a good price. South Carolina has this neat thing going on this weekend. There is no sales tax today or tomorrow. It makes me want to go out and buy a car or huge t.v. or something. So it works. It's a good economy stimulator. Maybe it's a good thing I'm sick.

Bo Schembechler

I'm a huge sports fan. So something like Bo dying is a huge sports story. Bo said some bad things about Notre Dame. So I wasn't a huge fan. But he is a giant in NCAA football history so I thought I'd put some Bo quotes on the blog. Of course all of this is stolen from other places, I never met Bo.

Bo on discipline. "I screamed. I kicked players in the butt. When someone screwed up, he was sent off for laps. Around the field. And around again. Keep going until I stop you. One time, I sent a kid out there and flat-out forgot about him. I think he was running for two hours before someone said to me, 'Hey Bo, he's still out there.'"

Bo on Dan Dierdorf when Dierdorf played for him. "'Hello, Coach Schembechler', he said, very politely. 'I'm Dan Dierdorf.' I stared at him, went right past his hand to his waist, and grabbed a fistful. 'YOU ARE FAT!' I said. And I walked away."

Bo on Woody Hayes "I never met anyone like him. I never will. He was the greatest teacher I have ever see, the greatest motivator I have ever met, and quite possibly the best coach in the history of college football."

Bo on his death. "I will die one day from a bad heart. I've pretty much accepted that."

pneumonia

I'm sick. I cough constantly, so wash your hands when you get off the computer. I'm trying to get better before we head down to South Carolina. I'm tired of doing nothing. Bed has gotten boring. So I went to work today. Work got boring so I went to bed. Sick stinks.

New football movie

Hey there's a movie out in some theaters called Facing The Giants. It's about a football coach and team. It looks pretty interesting from the trailers. Here's another thing that makes it interesting. It cost $100,000 to make. I saw the directors on Headline News this morning. They are both pastors at a Baptist church in Georgia. All of the actors are volunteers and the movie is not only clean but full of the Bible and God. I've watched the trailers and it doesn't look like one of those cheap Christian movies. It looks good. Here's their website.

Facing The Giants

Notre Dame - part 3 the game

The game was just like I remember all Notre Dame games. A little chilly and a little drizzle. We had really good seats though.

Notre Dame won and we had a great time. Thanks again Mr. Strong!

Notre Dame - part 2

After we got our tickets it was off to do some of the pregame traditions. We went to the grotto. We didn't do any praying there but we did watch others light some candles.











Then we went and watched the players walk from mass to the stadium. Do you know who that is walking towards me giving fives? That's right I got a five from Brady Quinn.











I like this picture of players with the Golden Dome in the background.














This is the band warming up. The older guys in front of them are the band Chicago. They played 2 of Chicago's older songs.

Notre Dame - part 1

I went to two different top 10 NCAA football games in consecutive Saturdays. And I may go to the Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan rivalry game this Thursday. I love fall. So here is the story of the Notre Dame game.

My college roommate, the great Tobin Strong, has a younger brother named Justin. Mr. Strong, the way he referred to himself during our dealings (which was perfect given the spy theme), is a law student at Notre Dame. Because of this very distinguished position, he sometimes has an opportunity to buy tickets to home games. He very graciously agreed to do that for me. However he did not have the opportunity to get them until late in the week. And he was not going to be in South Bend on Saturday. He devised a very James Bondish way for me to get the tickets and I readily agreed. I took a kid from youth group and Saturday morning we headed south. Upon arriving on the campus, we headed for the law school. We went down the stairs and followed a hallway that was full of turns and was very mysterious. It opened up into a lockerroom and we found the correct locker. It has been years since I've opened a combo lock and I couldn't do it. Joe, being still in school, has more recent experience and on his second try opened it. There taped on the back of the locker in an envelope was the tickets. I taped the check to the back of the locker and we were off.

Halloween

We didn't do much trick or treating but the girls dressed up and did a little. Here are their costumes.





And here's my treat. Our local store has a $2.99 a pound New York Strip sale. I had mine cut really thick.

Sick and tired

Sorry I haven't posted much since I got sick after the Michigan Northwestern game. I'll try to catch you up a little on the last couple of weeks and I'll probably use a lot of pictures to do it.

College football rule changes

In the past I've been very critical of the NCAA clock changes. This last Saturday I was all for them. It was cold and raining and I wanted the game to end. I also renewed a disdain for the t.v. timeout guy.

So now it's Wednesday and I'm still sick from Saturday. I'm coughing up brown stuff and just feel sick. Big fun.