I Moved!

Well since I am starting to get into this bloggin stuff I have decided to step it up a bit. I have now moved to wordpress. It just has a lot more to offer. So you can find my new blog here. Hope you like it.

Happiness

You know I was having a hard time thinking of something to post about this morning when I was presented with a issue while at work. The issue isn't as relevant as the conversation that stemmed from it. It was about Happiness. A lady at work reminded me that happiness is a bi-product. That you don't just become a happy person. Happiness comes from the things in your life. People who aren't happy are simply going about life the wrong way. Contrary to popular belief your life isn't about YOU! When is the last time you made yourself happy without any outside influence? Now think of the happiest time in your life. I bet it involved someone else. This leads me to my second observation. The greatest happiness, true happiness comes from serving others. Going that extra mile. The happiest times in my life, the ones that really stick out is when I did something for somebody. Not only was I happy when the person had seen what I had done for them, but all the while I was doing it. This quote pretty much sums it up.

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.

-Hellen Keller

You know you want one.

Don't really need to say much more do I? I will say this, it sure makes the burial precess more convenient.

Lifehouse

Don't you love it when you buy a cd and wear it out and then shelve it for a while and them come back to it and it rocks harder. Well Lifehouse is one of those instances. I bought their first Cd about five or six years ago and loved it. Just recently I discovered a new song by them called you and me. Since then it's almost into the 50s in play count on my iTunes. I just love that song. What some may not know is that Lifehouse is a Christian band. Although in the mainstream Lifehouse is the first Switchfoot. Don't believe me check out the lyrics to my new favorite song called Storm.

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I'd see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

I know you didn't
bring me out here to drown
so why am I 10 feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright

and I will walk on water
you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
I know everything is alright
everything's alright

I can't tell you how many times I have felt like this and God has rescued me. Hope you can find encouragement in this song.

Becca in training

So I have to brag on my wife a little. As some of you may or may not know Becca's Uncle Ralph passed away a few months ago. It was a hard time for Becca and I and a really hard time for her family. Her Uncle Ralph was only in his 50's. He died of Multiple melanoma, a form of cancer in the blood. Since then Becca has research and now joined Team in Training. Team in Training is an endorsed training program that involves several marathons. The marathon has multiple purposes: 1) to raise awareness of blood cancers such as Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2) to raise funds for drug research to find a cure, and 3) to ease the financial burden placed on individual's and their families when a family member has been diagnosed with cancer. Becca is planning to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) in Travers City on May 26th. The minimum amount of money needed to be raised for the marathon is $1,500. Becca and I will be planning several events to help raise money for this event in the coming weeks, however any donations are welcome and appreciated. I know $1,500 seems like a lot of money but it is for a good cause and Becca and I both have faith that it is an achievable goal. So if any of you would like to donate or just give some moral support to Becca please do not hesitate to contact us. In the coming weeks I will have more info for you. Becca will soon have a website in which people can use to get updates on her progress (she is already able to run 5 miles) and donate to her cause. Thanks so much in advance for your support.

UFO to replace car

So I was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking to Alfie Carrington, a Clinton township man who has for the last 27 years has been researching and developing a real-life UFO. Alfie has spent more than $60,000 on researching, developing, and building the UFO. He claims that one day his UFO will replace cars. Although still under construction Alfie wants to fire up the UFO in eight months if he can raise an additional $40,000 to finish the project. Alfie claims that the UFO could reach speeds up to 500 mph. I don't know about you but I am not sure I would want to go that fast in an over sized pie plate attached to a Frisbee! If you would like to read more about Alfie click here.Good luck Alfie!

Happy Birthday ELVIS

I have just been reminded that today is Elvis' birthday. He would have been 72. In celebration of the King's birthday please post your favorite Elvis and song from your favorite Elvis Era. Some people like the jump suite 70 Elvis but I was more a fan of the 50's Elvis. As for my favorite song I like "That's alright Mamma" and "Jail house Rock." I plan on furthering my celebration by listening to some Elvis and having a Peanut butter and Banana sandwich. Please leave your comments on the King. Thank you..thank you very much.

Smallville

So I have to report on my new obsession. Try not to be shocked and saddened to my late arrival to this piece of Sci-fi teen mellow drama. I know what you're thinking, I am a so called Superman lover and am just now watching Smallville. Well kids, I have my reasons. To be quite honest I was afraid that it would suck and therefore be disappointed. Hence the preemptive strike. Well I was flipping through the channels a few months ago and watch a few episodes and I was hooked. So no I have seasons 1-4 and have been staying up till 2 am every night watching them. I know it's sad but I love it. This show reminds me why I love Superman so much. The crazy thing about it is My second favorite character is Lex Luthor (the first being Clark of course). He really steels the show. Anyway if you are a fan of Superman you should check it out.

19

Yesterday was a great but sad day. In a awesome ceremony, Steve Yzerman's 19 was retired, sealing his legacy and making him a legend in the world of sports. Probably one of the greatest professional athletes ever to enter any arena. Steve Yzerman was drafted as the 3 round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983 at just 18 years old. He was 5'11" and 165 lbs soaking wet. The Red Wings Jim Devellano the GM at the time wanted to send him down to their farm club until he "grew up". It took just one day at training camp to see that Stevy had something special. In his first year Yzerman scored 39 goals and 87 points. Not bad for a 18 year old kid from Cranbrook BC. In 1986 just three seasons in the NHL, Yzerman was named captain and the youngest captain ever to be named by the Red Wings organization. Yzerman wore the captain "C" for 20 years. During that time he lead the Red Wings to 3 Stanley Cups, played in 1,514 games, scored 692 goals (8th in all time goals scored) 1,063 Assts., and 1,755 points. He played in 192 playoff games, in which he scored 70 goals, 155 Asst., and 185 points, included in that was a double OT goal against the St. Louis Blues to take them to the Stanley Cup Finals. That goal was my all-time favorite sports moment. You can watch it here. He was named captain of the 2002 Canadian Olympic Hockey team where he lead them to a gold medal. He is second only to Gordie Howe in all statistical numbers for the Red Wings franchise. He is said to be the best two-way player the game of hockey has ever seen. The world of Sports has never seen a greater role model and ambassadors of any sport than Steve Yzerman. The Red Wings will never be the same without him.

Sick Of Booty!

So I was watching the Rose Bowl yesterday, and I will say this, If I hear one more person say "John David Booty" one more time I do not guarantee that person's safety. First of all as if saying the kids middle name is going to make it any better! Secondly I don't know how they can say it with a straight face. Thirdly some announcers got really lazy and started calling him John David. I think it was because it took so long to say his name they couldn't finish talking about how great he was in time for the next play to start. My theory is that the FCC is somehow involved in this name scheme because at one point an announcer was going to call him John Booty but when he got to the BOO he stopped himself as if to turn a swear word into something else and proceeded to start the name over. Something needs to be done about this. Anyway, as far as the game goes I wish I had just watched the first half. Oh well there is always next year right? As for now go OSU.

New Digs

Yesterday was a fresh start. Russ and I rearranged the office to give it a new feel for the new year. I moved my desk in a different and I feel over-all more productive location (closer to Russ). For some reason it's easier to work when your back isn't to him. Anyway, it's amazing how just by moving your desk into a different location can make you feel happy to come to work....at least for a few days anyway. I love starting fresh and new.

Lack of Holiday Cheer

I don't know what it is but I really haven't been in the Christmas mood this year. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a scrooge I just haven't felt excited about Christmas. I love Christmas, I always have. Maybe it's the lack of snow? Maybe I am growing up and Christmas has a different roll for me now that I am married and have my own home? Maybe it's because I am stuck at work? It's weird I'll get these little flashes of Christmas spirit and then it's gone. Please help me! Christmas is only 3 days away and I am feeling like the Grinch.

It's not about the fight, It's about getting to the fight.

Not since Superman have I ever been this pumped up about a movie. As the light went down my heart began to pump from the pit of my stomach. As the Rocky theme played people started to cheer! A tear came to my eye, this would be the first of many. I know there has been a lot of talk and a lot of hype following this movie but that doesn't mean anything once the movie comes out and it stinks. I am here to tell you that this movie is outstanding. I don't want to give anything away but I will say this, Rocky Balboa is real. The characters, their performance, the plot all seem real. They responded to life and each other the way real people would respond. I think this was one of the first movies that didn't have a bit of Hollywood influence in it. In the end when the pictured faded and the people stopped clapping (still don't understand why people do that? It's a movie, they can't hear you.) I was left with a little sadness that it was over. I wanted more. I am starting my boxing training tomorrow.

Yabba-Dabba-Dead!

So I heard on the radio yesterday to my amazement that one of the co-creators of Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo and Yogi Bear, died. Hanna along with Joseph Barbera, created more than 3,000 half-hour cartoons. I remember never wanting to miss an episode of the Jetsons as a little kid. He died in North HollyWood at home with his wife of 60 years by his side. I don't know about you but that wouldn't be a bad way to go. If you would like to read more click here

Starting a new

My buddy Russ and all his enthusiasm as inspired me to start the new year with a more active blog. I am really going to try and make a conscious effort to post on this thing at least once a week. I mean come on, as Russ has proven any moron can search CNN for something to complain about. Just kidding Russ. So here is to a productive new year.

Power

Quote of the day by one of the greatest presidents if not THE GREATEST PRESIDENT ever to take office.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln

I'M A QUARTER!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

TIGER FAN BLUES

Why we like movies.

This is the article I wish I wrote but I didn't. Here it is anyway.
"For decades films have served the purpose of escaping reality-affordable getaways that allowed the viewer to forget about their problems for two hours by watching fictitious characters encounter their own. The typical Hollywood film would end with the good guy reigning supreme in a conclusion designed to please the masses thatÂ’s filled with contagious optimism and stark improbabilities. These are films without a voice of their own; they’re written with the audience in mind because let’s face it, everyone loves a feel-good film and where there’s a majority like ability, thereÂ’s money. There’s a problem with that though and that is this: it’s not real and we know it. This is particularly true with romantic comedies– we’d love to see the guy get the girl, or the girl get the guy, because it allows us to be hopeful that we will too in our own lives, or if you’re luckier than the next, that you already have. In the real world however, relationships end about as often as the sun rises because the dating gameÂ’s changed to accommodate society’s slipping value system– everything moves at such a quick pace that thinking about our decisions usually comes after weÂ’ve already made them. Like a character in The Last Kiss says, "The world is moving so fast now that we start freaking long before our parents did because we don’t stop to breathe anymore."

-Devin Dagraca

One thing that I always loved about movies was that I could watch someone work out an unbelievable problems in the course of two hours or less. If only life was that easy right. It occurred to me that life can be that easy given the proper perspective. "Don't take life so seriously, you'll never get out alive" Give it to God, serve Him and concentrate on making someone else really happy. You would be surprised at how happy it will make you in return.

49 Up

There is an interesting documentary that has been filmed over the past 42 years. It took a diverse group of kids all over England and interviewed them about their life every 7 years. For the trailer go here http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/49up/. This trailer got me thinking about the way my life has gone since I was seven. It's interesting how life can start out one way and then end up another. The really cool thing is I'm not even half way there (hopefully). So where will you be in seven years? What about seven years after that. What kind of legacy will you leave? I take comfort in the fact that as long as God is a priority in my life seven years from now I'll be just fine!