Burning The Stripes

When the weather heats up, so does my desire to be outside and work in the yard. I've developed a slight obsession with turf maintenance. Burning designs into my backyard makes the task of mowing a lot more fun. Last year was the first year of experimenting. Today marked the first step towards achieving the same result this year. Maybe I'll burn in a star for the 4th of July?


As a bonus, I thought I would share a photo of Jade playing in the color book application I have for my Treo. She has figured out how to change colors and get a new "page" already....crazy.

Where Do I Go For Creative Chaos?

Need I say more? My daughter is my best source of creativity. Trying to think like a child can bring out the best creative chaos.

Check out where others find their Creative Chaos here.

Our Future Rock Star

We bring Jadyn in during worship so she can listen to the worship. She loves watching mommy and daddy lead and sing. Today, after service, Jadyn hopped on stage, took a microphone and started singing (screaming) "Happy Day" by Tim Hughes.



We've been doing that song in church and it obviously stuck. It was a cool experience for me to see my passions become her passions....

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Sent from my Treo smartphone

Kevin Hart - An Example For All

I'm addicted to ESPN's Pardon The Interruption. The whole concept is perfect for me - all the sports news of the day delivered in a conversational form with witty banter, in less than 30 minutes. It is GREAT! This week, one of the stories was of this Kevin Hart kid, who, in front of local media, family and friends, chose Cal over Oregon as his college choice for football. Then, as the story developed, and both schools released statements that they had never heard of the kid, he claimed that he as duped by a "middle man" who was his liaison with these schools. Further investigation led the kid to admit he made the whole thing up. "I wanted to play D-I ball more than anything. When I realized that wasn't going to happen, I made up what I wanted to be reality."

If this is the first time you've heard of this story, take a few seconds to watch the video below.

How sad.  I really feel for this kid, and I have to admit I fit into the sector of society that probably pushed him to do this.  We (and by we, I really mean me and all those crazy sports fans out there), put so much hype on National Signing Day and Verbal Commitments, that we push kids and parents to this type of craziness.  It truly is sad.

Following with this theme, the Indiana Hoosiers went to Champaign Illinois to play the Illili in a game that was bigger than the normal Big10 rivalry.  Indiana's freshman star, Eric Gordon, had verbally committed to Illinois last year, only to renege and sign with the Hoosiers.  The crowed booed every time he touched the ball and cheered whenever he screwed up. I found it interesting that they were more focused on booing the opponent than they were cheering on their own team.  Near the end of the double-overtime game, fans threw beads and ice into the courtside section of Indiana fans that included Gordon's parents.  

I have blogged earlier of the passion that sports brings to its fans.  These two examples are the negative aspects of that passion.  I hope, for my kids sake, that I do a better job of teaching how to be passionate in a good way.

Coaching To A Perfect 18-1

What a game last night!  I was talking to my friend, Michael, during half time and he was commenting on how boring the game was.  I disagreed as I was happy to see Brady get hit as many times as he did...and man did the game heat up at the end!  While I could elaborate on several aspects of the game, I'm going to comment on one in particular - the terrible display of leadership by Coach Bill Belicheck at the end of the game.

With the possession switching to the Giants on the Pats' failed 4th down conversion, and only 1 second left in the game, Belicheck ran out to shake Tom Caughlin's hand and then walked off the field.  He didn't congratulate any of the players or other coaches, he just walked.  I'm not a big fan of Belicheck because of who he coaches, but I will admit he is a great coach and produces results.  However, last night's display eliminated any and all respect I had for the guy.  Sure, the game was over and the Patriot hopes for a perfect season were crushed, but you don't walk off an quit.  

To me, that display was the perfect ending to a not-so-perfect season for the Patriots. 

Sports - Passion and Religion?

I am one of those guys that could sit on the couch all day and watch sports. I've got a great wife that understands my passion, and for the most part, allows me to be extremely lazy some days to practice that passion.

Today, I had the opportunity to go to the Purdue basketball game with some friends of the family. There is not too much more exciting than experiencing the passion of thousands of others, just like me, first hand.....the sound....the lights, the smell of really expensive crappy food....you can't beat it.

I've got a poster in my office at work that sums it up. Its a shot from the top of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning - high above Forbes Field during Game 7 of the 1960 World Series between the Yanks and the Pirates. At the bottom of the image, the text reads: "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and a bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes even a religion." -- Ernie Harwell

[Posted with my Treo smartphone using hblogger 2.0 ]