Blogworthy

The "Thinking Man" is pondering the ultimate life question... What makes a subject blogworthy? We all have our opinions, we all have our ideas on why we blog what we blog. So what the "Thinking Man" wants to know is... what characteristics make something blogworthy?

The Best Holiday

As Thanksgiving approaches I feel excited, but a little disappointed in myself. I will address the disappointment later, first I will tell you why Thanksgiving is the greatest holiday. Thanksgiving is a great holiday because you can gather with friends and family without any expectations of buying or receiving gifts. In fact, if you did give someone a gift you would probably be looked at strangely. This is one of the reasons I like Thanksgiving. Another reason I enjoy Thanksgiving is the fellowship and warmth in the gathering of friends and family. It doesn't matter to me that it is an annual appointment per se to me, in our busy worlds if that is what is needed, so be it. Turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes. Football. The classic ingridients to a perfect Thanksgiving.
Now, the true reason it is the best holiday, and the reason I am disappointed in myself. This is the only holiday in which other people are thought of first. In high school I remember participating in activities in which the poor were going to be helped because of the celebration of Thanksgiving. I did some things at Murray State. But this year, I have been so busy with schoolwork I have not found an opportunity to serve. Shame on me for not participating in the part of the holiday I find to be most appealing. I will make time next year, I hope.

-Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends at the Grad school. Espically to ones who aren't able to visit family.

The Farting Preacher

This is one of the funniest videos I have watched in a really long time. Everyone needs to experience the
Farting Preacher. Enjoy.

I Like Bow Ties

I wear bow ties. I get varied reactions from those who encounter me as I sport the unique accessory. Some critize the bow tie (haters). Some applaud the bow tie (congratulators). Some give credit for having the fortitude to wear the bow tie. My question is this: Why aren't bow ties worn more often? Why can't I find them on the sale rack at T.J. Max?
It is obvious, most people do not know the perks of wearing bow ties. The number 1 reason I wear a bow tie is that I look really good in them. At least that is what my wife says.
Ever been to some formal event where there is food and your tie keeps getting in the way? With the bow tie you fulfill your duty to wear a tie without the annoyance of the tie getting in your food.
Crave attention? A bow tie is a good way to draw attention to yourself.
Another great thing about bow ties is the preconceived notion that smart people wear bow ties. This blog has effectively blown that theory though.
Anyways, I encourage all to get a bow tie and join the trend that I am offically calling into existence.

Hardball Dream Team

Well the World Series is over. Now it is time for free-agency madness. Get the rumor mill rollin'. In the spirit of the free-agency period, and a desperate attempt to cheer myself up from the Cardinals winning the World Series, I have decided to make out my free-agency "dream team". These aren't necessarily players I would want my team to acquire as you will notice. This team would be for mere entertainment, jokes, and the like. This list includes only players who have offically filed for free-agency. So here is the lineup:

DL: Kerry Wood-I had to acquire at least one player destined to spend most of the year on the DL.

Pitchers: Steve Trachsel (doesn't he have some NLCS record?..whats that? Oh the highest ERA for a starter...oh well), Brian Moehler. (No I don't know who he is either but the Marlins always seem to stumble into talent.) Steve Kline-gotta love anyone who gives Tony LaRussa the bird. Barry Zito-I love his 12 to 6 curveball.

C. Henry Blanco-I could not figure out anyone else. The pickings were pretty slim behind the dish, so I went with a Cubbie.

1B. Tough choice...I like Doug Mientkiewicz for a few reasons. He is a good fielder. He probably has some record for longest name and it would be a season long challenge for me to learn how to pronounce it. Downside is he has a reputation of being a thief.

2B. Lots of decent second basemen out there. Second to none however is ... Alfonso Soriano. The downside is all the trade talk. He makes up for it with his speed and power. May have to work on the fielding a little though.

3B. No third basemen jumped out at me, so I will acquire Nomar and stick him on third. He is good for some Mia sightings even if/when he gets hurt. I better pick up Aubrey Huff too, just in case.

SS. Royce Clayton. There are a few people who probably understand this selection. He was mentioned in the "First Baseball Game", a Bob and Tom skit. It would be fun to quote that for 6 months.

OF. Craig Wilson. My wife calls him "white trash" because of his hair. It would be fun to say "hey Erin...white trash is up to bat".
Luis Gonzalez-the team he won a World Series for with a 9th inning hit doesn't want him anymore...that has be a good sign right? Plus, he can multi-task and give commentary during the game.
Dave Roberts- gotta respect him for the stolen base in the '04 ALCS.

DH: Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas. Such a smooth swing for a big man. It is fun to watch him punish the ball. (Being a true NL guy, I normally do not recognize the DH. I had to get "The Tank" on here though.

Have a good one.

Seperated at Birth?

Hammerin' Hank

In the past few years Barry Bonds has made up quite a bit of ground on Hank Aaron's all time homerun record. Next year he could very conceivably break the record. Unlike the American public, I will grant Bonds innocent until proven guilty as far as "juicing" goes. At the same time, I think he did it. I don't know about that the book "Game of Shadows" that supposedly gives indicting evidence, even if it does it is probably in language the common man would not understand. Cansaco's "Juiced" is probably the most accurate, and it puts it in clear terms that the American public can understand like "he stuck a needle in himself". As a side note, only in America could a washed up athlete desperatly striving for attention create an investigation involving the government towards a professional sports league through a tell-all book.
Back to the point my ramblings. Hank Aaron will always be my homerun king. He had to go through outside pressures that I will never fully understand, he received all kinds of hate mail and death threats. I read one at a traveling Hall of Fame exhibit, seems like there were alot of "fans" that did not want him to pass the Great Bambino, the Sultun of Swat, the "Babe". He just kept playing though. He did it with grace and respect (from what I hear). Here is to you Hank.

In other news: I hurt my knee and am out of athletics for 3-6 weeks. Bone bruises hurt.

Rachel's Birthday Party

These are Erin and my creations from a trip to Seize the Clay. I never saw Ben's finished product but the Woods' projects turned out great. I will let you judge mine and Erin's for yourself. If you need help mine is on the right.

FYI: No the W is not a sign of alliance with the President. The W is a logo for an outdoor company, Moosejaw.

There is always next year....

The agony of another Major League baseball season is over. But the best part is just starting you may say. For a Cubs fan the end of September is more often than not the end of the baseball season and the beginning of "there is always next year...". Dusty and his toothpick have been run out of Wrigley as quickly as the farmer and his goat nearly 100 years ago.
I am still not sure how I feel about the firing. What does a manager really do anyways? There is no other person on the planet that could make up 30 games to draw the Cubbies to even a .500 record. Much less put them in playoff contention (although that would not take much more in the NL).
On the other hand, maybe just a fresh outlook could give a change in attitude much like what happened when Dusty came in 2003 and took them within 5 outs of the World Series (see A Cub Fans Lament).
Well, maybe some things will go right for the Cubs. The perfect manager will be hired, Prior will be healthy (or even better, we could trick someone into trading for him), Wood will be healthy, no costly injuries will occur e.g. Derrek Lee and his wrist and Micheal Barrett's uhm how can I put this, "private injury", and Cubs will ride the wave of loyal fanhood all over the nation straight to the World Series. There is always next year...

The Latest Creations

Yes, this doll was made completely by my wonderfully talented wife.
This mini-Erin was made for one of her friend's two year old.
This friend just had a new baby boy and the University of Kentucky sweater that is seen here is the present for Levi to grow into.
I will keep you posted on the many creations of Erin G. Lewis.

My Bookshelf

I have seen a couple of blogs sharing book favorites with the public. I liked that idea and since I did not see a copyright I think I will do the same thing.

By the way I want to take out the bible factor from the discussion. It is obviously the most important book and an obvious answer for most of the questions.

Seven books that changed my life (in no particular order):

1.Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis-Classic for growing as a Christian
2.Moneyball by Micheal Lewis-All baseball fans should read it
3.The Firm by John Grisham (I read it in 9th grade and it caused me to take more of an interest in out of school reading. It also made me think I wanted to be a lawyer, which proved to be the last thing I wanted to be. This lead me towards the low-paying helping profession I am in training for now.)
4.Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp-All American Christians should read this, or as Camp rightly says it Christians who live in America
5.2nd Incarnation by Randy Harris and Rubel Shelly-Every church leader should read it
6.Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster-Great for a fresh perspective on personal Christianity
7.The Question of God-Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr.-Insightful book about the ideas of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis

A book I have read more than once:
To Kill a Mockingbird-I always remember that I like it but I forget the storyline

A book I would take with me if I were stuck on a desert island:
Not sure...definatly something with pictures of things other than a desert island.

A book that made me laugh:
Seinfeld and Philosophy-Must I give a description?

A book that I wish I had written:
DSM IV-TR-This would mean I was really smart

A book that I wish had never been written:
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown-Bible classes could have talked about the bible for a year

A book I have been "dying" to read:
Come to the Table by John Mark Hicks
Waiting for Teddy Williams-Fiction will be a nice change of pace

I am currently reading:
Restoring my Soul by Dr. Bill Flatt
Theories of Personality by Duane and Sydney Ellen Schultz
Learning the Art of Helping: Building Blocks and Techniques by Mark E. Young
The Human Odyssey: Life Span Development by Paul S. Kaplan
Becoming a Family Therapist by Kramer (no not that Kramer)

I would love any feedback...have a good one.

Coming Together

This picture is from an on-campus event from about a month ago (Yeah I know a month is a really long time in blogging time but I thought this picture was funny so I decided to post). As part of the festivities Jason and I serenaded the crowd with a wide variety of tunes. The song being performed in the picture is a Jason Whaley original that was modified for the evening's theme "El Cow Song". This was our first performance together and I think I have found my calling with the marracas.
The evening also happened to fall on my birthday. For those of you who are keeping score...this year is the big 2-3.

I Miss My Wife

Today I have realized how used to marriage I have become. I know this is a little sappy, but I miss having my wife here. How long must I be my own entity you may ask. Two days and one night. Yes I know I am pathetic. It is not even the longest we have been apart since we have been married it just feels weird not having a wife to come to. It is awfully quiet in here right now. No one here with me to show me knitting progress, just Chris Berman blabbing about football.
I must say, however, it has been nice living some of my bachelor ways. Not nice enough to keep from missing my wife though.

HUGSR Soccer

These pictures are taken during and after our first game on Saturday. It was hot. We did manage one victory out of four games. If you missed the game, which you probably did unless you were Erin, Carolyn, Monica, Rusty or Rachel then you will probably have another chance as we have been challenged by the Iglasia de Christo team. Time and location TBA. Much props to Rusty for making the shirt (I am not sure why he felt the need to flex though).

Tourney Time

The first ever Harding University Graduate School of Religion soccer team (I think) will be in competition tommorow for the first time. We will be participating in the Memphis Urban Ministry/ Iglesia de Cristo soccer tournament. Months of nearly tortuous training in the heat of the dog days of summer will finally pay off this weekend, as we dominate the competition. Pictures will probably be added next week. Have a nice weekend.