Remember When...

Check this out for a walk down memory lane

Not that I am that old to necessitate a "Remember When..." post. Nevertheless, there is something to say about the power the TGIF lineup had, not only on TV, but on the institution of the family. Given the recent pitch of American Rabbi Shmuley Boteach to Pope Benedict XVI on how to help diffuse the abuse crisis by calling for more family dinners, particularly on Fridays, I say it is time for a TGIF revival; when TV shows stop focusing on sexy vampires and get back to the good, wholesome family oriented shows.

I haven't done the research, but I think studies could show a direct correlation to our society going down the toilet when emphasis on family time did. Parents need step it up. (It might not mean much coming from a guy who isn't one, but I observe what is going on.) They need to stop copping out by pushing their kids off to sports, programs, and extracurriculars. Those coaches and leaders are parenting the kids more than their actual parents!

Call me old fashion but there was something to those 'Leave it to Beaver' and 'Family Matters' shows. So let's focus again on the family, stay home on Friday with those who love you the most, share a meal, a conversation and a laugh when Jaleel White exclaims 'Did I do that?'

Guarantees

Guarantees don't mean much in the economy of ours, but try this one on for size.

Upon the last outing of my 611 College roommates, at an afternoon game of my beloved White Sox (as seen below), my friend Chris - the good looking one, second from the right - brought a most delicious salsa to share (again, seen below). I would highly recommend this should you ever see it in the store (although I am told one of the only places you can get it is the local White Hen). Still, I am not the only one to recommend this product as a solid purchase for all of your Mexican needs. On the label, which, unfortunately, you cannot see it states that there is a 100% guarantee. I don't know how you feel about that but I think, that from a Salsa, that is a bold move. And after having tried it I can honestly say, it's some darn good salsa...and that's a guarantee.

Cute Kids

Here are a few more videos of our nephews on Easter.

'Egg Hidding'


'Egg Huntin'...Sorta


The joys and wonderment of opening an Easter egg
and ALLELUIA!!!


Tap, Tap, Tippity, Tap!

Family, Friends and The Resurrection

I've attached a few videos and pictures of how great it is to spend time with family and friends. Also, a fun video of the joys of Easter - esp. when you are 2 years old. The joys of Easter, that is where all our joy should come from; from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because while our material things, life accomplishments and even friends and family can bring us happiness, when those things are taken away we should still have the same joy in our hearts because it comes from Our Lord. Anyway, enjoy these videos.


611 Friends at a Sox Game!

















An intrusion on Matthew...oops... Joyous Easter videos.

Simplicity = Greatness

While I enjoy posting videos and pictures about my life and those around me, I do come across things that I feel need to be shared every now and then. This website, while aimed at advising men on how to be manly (and I am living proof of this site achieving this goal) this article caught my attention by it's relevance to our society today, perhaps even more relevant than when William Jordan wrote it in 1905. That being said: women, I think you could benefit from reading this article too.
In our lives where we seek to add levels of complexity and noise to drown out the, what has become, uncomfortable-ness of nature's simple silence we lose the truths from which we were made; to love. Take some time today to simplify your life. Put down your iphone/blackberry and have a conversation with someone face to face; not looking past them, not surfing the web, not listening to the radio while talking with them. Try today to 'live down' your life so that you can live it up to it's fullest.
For it when you are weak that He will make you strong.
"No character can be simple unless it is based on truth—unless it is lived in harmony with one’s own conscience and ideals...The man whose character is simple looks truth and honesty so straight in the face that he has no consciousness of intrigue and corruption around him...To true simplicity, to perceive a truth is to begin to live it, to see a duty is to begin to do it...Simplicity is never to be associated with weakness and ignorance. It means reducing tons of ore to nuggets of gold. It means the light of fullest knowledge; it means that the individual has seen the folly and the nothingness of those things that make up the sum of the life of others. He has lived down what others are blindly seeking to live up to. Simplicity is. . .the secret of any specific greatness in the life of the individual."

The Long Drive

Good Evening All, After Megan and I had a blast in Colorado hanging out with Kristin (my sister) we began the drive home. However on our way back we made a couple of stops - which helped make the drive feel even longer. Still a stop in Atchison, KS to our friend Bridget was much welcomed. We had the please of seeing the Benedictine College Campus (all 2 acres) and Megan got the chance to go to a good old fashioned college bible study. I sat and waited on the sidelines while the all women's study finished.

After a solid 36 hours in Atchison (which I am told is all you can really spend there without repeating activities) we were off for home...or were we? We weren't. We decided to make a stop off in Galena, IL where our family was staying for the weekend. Thankfully we did as it produced this little video of my near 2 year old nephew, Jacob, imitating his father creating an echo.

All in all it was a great Spring Break trip with a some wonderful time with friends and family and a pretty good drive (thanks in part to Roald Dahl & John Grisham audiobooks).

When It Began

I wanted to start this blog to share, with anyone who might care to browse this page, what has been going on in my life. Videos and pictures will fill the page with a random thought that may cross my mind or be on my heart.

I hope you enjoy it and would like to start off with a video of the spring break trip Megan and I took to Colorado/Kansas. We had a blast hiking in the Garden of the Gods.