HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US (PART DEUX)

Through the years:


Us nearly on our 2nd anniversary in Maine.


















First anniversary trip to Hot Springs.














Newlyweds on their honeymoon in Michigan (this was a day trip to Canada).









I love you wife.

SPORTS CAN BE GOOD OFF THE FIELD

There is more about this to learn I am sure, but it sounds awesome. It makes me want to go to Redbirds games.

I AM STARTING TO UNDERSTAND

In the 90s as I was getting old enough to register sports information for trivia and meaningless discussions, my Dad seemed to be starting to grow weary of professional sports, specifically baseball. I only say that because I think I know where he is coming from. My good ol' days were what he found wrong about sports. I never knew a time when athletes weren't paid out the ying yang like he does, but I do remember a time when sports were more than a soap opera for men.

Face it fellow sports fans we get wrapped up in a reality show soap opera. The rumor mill and indictments are just as much a part of "sports" as pennant races and Super Bowls. ESPN saves more airtime for arguments about off the field issues than sports highlights. Who's "Now"? Who cares? I don't care how cool Derek Jeter is for dating some actress, I want to watch athletic competition. Since when did ESPN executives decide that people tuned in to ESPN for things other than sports? MLS has even gotten in on the act bringing over a glamorous soccer star for off-field attention.

But, if ESPN is going to have shows dedicated solely to football year-round they need something to talk about, unfortunately for sports fans it is legal scandal. The NFL is really messing up by having so much off-season coverage. The reason their sport is the most popular right now is because there is limited supply-fewer games. With all the coverage they are going to take the excitement of the weekly games away. They are also starting to rival the NBA in thug appeal, but still can't hang in mobster appeal.

So, what I am starting to understand is how pro sports can make you long for the good ol' days.

ONE STANDS OUT

Can you guess which apartment is ours?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIFE

July 10th 2007.

The picture says it all.

IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING...

Watch this video:




The motivation for the Phillies helping with the tarp is either for the fans or for the sake of enjoying playing the game. They were winning and it was through six innings, meaning the game would have been official. I thought it was really cool how the visiting team helped out with the home team's grounds crew in the hard wind and rain. I guess this shows professional ball players are not always completely self-absorbed. By the way, where were the Rockies players?

RACE CAR DRIVERS

On Friday Erin and I had the opportunity to drive go-cart race cars on a track in Collierville. A man that Erin works with at the Renaisance Group owns race cars and participates in real races. He was kind enough to let a few brave souls on the race track. The cars get up to 70ish MPH. Needless to say, I did not go that fast. It was fun and not as intimidating as it looked when I got out on the track. Here are a few pictures that chronicle our adventure:




Erin is about to hit the track.










That is Erin passing on the outside.












Saddle up. Kevin, the owner is the one on the left.













This is me flying down the home stretch.

GMAIL

I have had a MacBook for several months now. I have found it to be by far the most user friendly computer I have ever used. Except for one aspect, the mail. I have tried numerous times to have my email to be forwarded there; always to no avail. Last night however, I did it. I cracked the code. Not suprisingly, my hotmail address will not work. Probably due to it's affiliation with Microsoft. Gmail however, works like a charm. Therefore, my new email address is:

justinplewis@gmail.com

I SENSE TROUBLE

Sense of direction has never been something I tout as being a strong suit. Last night was an example of how it can be a problem. After a time of worship at the Church of Christ at Whitestation I became very frustrated due to my lack of sense of direction. The church is undergoing construction on one of the parking areas. So, not only is the building under construction in one wing, it has that lot completely sealed off. Almost. The only way back there is through double doors leading from the building.

Because I had no real idea of where I was in the building, it took me 5-10 minutes to find the room in which the worship took place. This being the case, I had no clue as to the quickest way to get back to my bike at the conclusion of the service. This takes me back to the part about only one way to the sealed off construction zone. I walked straight out the double doors that led not to my bike, instead to the sealed off lot. There is no escape. I realize this pretty soon after the doors shut behind me. They are now locked.

I walk all the way around the corner on both sides to find no way out. The room in which the service was held is not close enough to draw anyone's attention. I am in trouble. All because I lack a sense of direction. Granted, there are worse places to be trapped in Memphis than a closed church parking lot, but I was very frustrated. My options were limited. Be proud and find a way out. Or phone a friend for them to come open the door. Uncharacteristically, I threw out the option of calling on Rusty for assistance. I was determined on finding a way out. So I found the only spot in the fence row in which I could crawl under, and did just that. I might add that I barely fit under the fence. That was a little bit anticlimactic I guess. But I showed them, I climbed right under their fence, got on my bike and rode home.


Happy Birthday Dad

RIDIN' IN THE DARK

June 16th/17th Erin, Seth (Erin's brother), and I rode our bikes in the Sutherland Midnight Classic Bike Tour. The proceeds benefit Meritan (formerly Senior Services). It was a 17 mile tour beginning at Midnight, obviously. We started at the main Memphis branch library and rode mostly in the Midtown area of Memphis. It took us about an hour and a half to finish it. We only stopped once, it was because I choked on a bug. It was gross, I had to get some water from a gas station. There was a good crowd of people who participated. There was a large age range, and I think there was a range in the seriousness of the riders as well. Thankfully, spandex was more scarce than I expected. I felt safe during most of the race. The best aesthetic part of the ride was seeing the beautiful homes. I plan on doing it next year, you should too. Oh yeah, thanks to the Whaleys for letting us borrow the helmets.


Erin and me at the race. As you may notice, we are representing Erin's place of employment, the Renaissance Group.










Pre-race. Seth, Erin and me.

MEMORIAL DAY

I realize I am about two weeks late, but better late than never. We had a great Memorial Day. Probably the best in recent memory. The Whaley's had us over to their new pad and we went swimming and enjoyed each others company before eating an evening meal. My attempt at grilling burgers in the HOOD with the Woods' earlier in the afternoon was interesting. Be that as it may, we had a good time. Here is a group picture to prove it.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I have seen the throwing of bases, covering the plate with dirt, face to face arguing. Rosin bag grenades are new to me.

NEW LIVING ROOM

We got our hands on another bookcase, so we (Erin) decided to change up our small space. Although, there is little to do, some was done. Erin amazes me with her space organization.









Erin preparing to work her magic.







The new "library".

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

I just finished "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. In the forward of the 1946 printing he says:

"The greatest triumphs of propaganda have been accomplished not by doing something, but by refraining from doing. Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth."

For me to try and add to this would only take away from the wisdom, so I will leave it as is. If you have any thoughts, feel free to share.

PRAYER SHAW, SWEATER AND AN EMPTY LIFE

Here is the first "prayer shaw" that Erin knit for a ministry at Sycamore View.





This is Erin's second sweater. She made it a while ago, I have been slow updating the knitting process. I really like this one, with the buttons it looks like it came from the mall.


In a somewhat related story-Erin has a calender of knitting (big shock); within this calender was a quote that said, "Men who do not knit lead empty lives". So, I decided I was going to have Erin teach me how to knit. The lesson lasted about five minutes before I realized knitting is not for me. At least I now know what causes that empty feeling inside me.