painful to watch…
so joaquin phoenix was on letterman last night and i heard about this on the radio. i had to post this because it’s painful on two accounts…1) if joaquin is really serious about all this, because if he is, he had to have been on something or is in the middle of a serious identiy crisis and 2) dave is merciful to him and accomplishes the worst and most genius interview in a long time.
Happy Birthday Grandma
My grandma is turning 80 on Saturday and the whole family was put on notice several months ago we were to be in attendance. So, I’ll travel to Oklahoma tomorrow and then on Saturday we’ll have a big party for her. As part of the party, I’m to play a few songs on the piano and we’re all to write down a memory on nice stationary and we’ll put it in a book or binder, all of them, and give it to her as a legacy type gift. Anyway, here is what I’m turning in. Happy B-Day Grandma!
Dear Grandma,
As we celebrate you and your life today, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on fond memories I have stored in my heart. These memories are of times I will always cherish, laugh over, ponder, and share with others in my family and my children.
Forever will I think of windy days out on Lake Hefner where I would pretend to be a super-hero or space cadet or alien invader blasting off into the sky as I climbed up steps as far as I could imagine reaching the top of the rocket-ship slide at the park. What would a summer trip to the park be without bread? Who could forget the bread? The ducks must be fed! I have vivid snap-shots of being on the shore-line with you, Allison, and Grandpa making sure the ducks didn’t go hungry.
Speaking of bread; I don’t know what other grandkids think of their grandma’s kitchen creations, but I know of all the talents mine has with regard to cooking, I only need one recipe to satisfy my memory of food at the Noack house. Tuna. I know of nothing else which makes my stomach fonder when I imagine lunch at grandma’s than a tuna-fish sandwich. And what goes with a tuna-fish sandwich better than a dill pickle and frosted oatmeal cookies. Life is good.
I also have memories of trips to buy a toy each summer during our week long stay. I remember the limit was always $20. What I remember most about those buying experiences was you always followed mom’s instructions on what I was allowed to buy. Much to my disappointment, I was never allowed to buy a Transformer toy with my $20 allowance because mom feared I already had too many of them. I’m sure it was hard on you, my Grandma, not allowing her first Grandson whatever he desired. And after all these years, I want to make sure you know I never blamed you for my disappointment and hurt feelings. J
I kid in love. And certainly love is what this day is all about. Your life, your example, and your legacy are all built on the love you have for your Savior, Jesus Christ, your Lord. This above all else will I remember and pass on to other generations as I know it is the one thing you would want me to take away from your life and your legacy.
I love you.
Jeffrey
Uncertain Futures
Texas Instruments, one of the largest employers in Texas and the Dallas Ft Worth area is laying off 3400 jobs today. A few people I know are being affected by this today and I’m sure I’m not far removed from many many more. Not only do I know those from TI, but several other companies are laying off people I know. It seems Obama has a job to do with a stimulus package. With uncertain futures comes doubt, little faith, stress and any other number of “bad” emotions or feelings. We sang a song on Sunday called Made Me Glad. The words read,
“I will bless the Lord forever, I will trust Him at all times; He has delivered me from all fear, He has set my feet upon a rock….You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer, My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.”
Along with prayer for those whose families are being affected, I feel offering this little verse and chorus could help. At times those who are used to trusting in ourselves to get through (pointing at myself) often need to be reminded there is someone much stronger than ourselves who is in our corner. Our Champion, if you will. So there’s my short spill for those affected by anything they fear or see uncertainty in. Lean on your Champion.
Hall of Famer Michael Irvin talks to gunman about Dallas Cowboys – ESPN
Hall of Famer Michael Irvin talks to gunman about Dallas Cowboys – ESPN.
The article above is just one of many reports you can find about an incident Michael Irvin found himself in the other night. I’m a child of the 80’s and teen of the 90’s. I was at Mr. Landry’s fairwell celebration the City of Dallas threw him infront of City Hall. I still have the button they handed out somewhere. I’ve seen every down of the Irvin, then Aikman, then Emmitt era. Those are my Cowboys. Aikman’s my quarterback. Outside of Barry Sanders, Emmitt’s my running back. However, one thing that will always be hard on me is making Irvin my receiver. I still get excited when I see an 88 around town or see highlights, but I’ve never adopted him as my guy at that position.
I recently finished reading Boys Will Be Boys by Jeff Pearlman. It’s a look into the 90’s Cowboys. It’s a look into the dark side of the 90’s Cowboys. You won’t find this information in the Star-Telegram or Morning News. A lot of the story outlines come from sources like that but it’s the players themselves talking, in their own words that is so disturbing. It should be noted, present day Aikman and Emmitt and Jimmy Johnson quotes are not in the book, but there’s enough former players voices to get a good picture of what went on. After reading the book I’ve realized the only person of character through the whole thing is Aikman. To party and live like these players lived it’s one a testament to their ability as football players to play like they did on Sundays after such a week or weekend of debauchery. And it’s also a slam on my own hero perceptions of these players I had of these people growing up and even now. These were not people to look up to. What they accomplished on the field was amazing yes and you must compartmentalize that to still keep some shred of admiration for these “heroes.” But I think this is why I never could latch on to Michael Irvin as my receiver. I think I always looked at him and could perceive he was not a hero. This book confirms this as Irvin was the ring leader to almost every sinful thing a Cowboy player could get himself into during their dynasty.
The above article just confirms that years after these events and after Michael’s constant talk about his transformation as a person, etc…bad just follows bad. He will never be without reason to look over his shoulder or come up with an excuse or explain himself. That’s tough. I don’t wish that life on anyone, but the evidence is there in regards to Irvin. He may never be my reciever but he’ll always be a guy I hope can truely change his situation because so far no matter how hard he tries (or doesn’t) his past chases after him.
Tainted? Surely not…
So a friend of mine sent this to me with the subject line “Another song rip-off alert.” He told me to think Creep by Radiohead while listening. I must say I love the song Creep. In fact, it’s in my top ten songs I’d like to have when stuck on a desert island list. I’m not all about the lyrics on this one but the melody is so haunting and beautiful at the same time…ah it gives me chills while thinking about it. Oh and did I mention the passion with which it is sung. Anyway, watch and listen to this video post of The Hollies from 1974 and you decide if it was a rip or not. Honestly, some of the best sections of the haunting and beautiful melody of Creep come straight from this song. I’ll keep it on my list for that island anyway!
So, here we go again…
Welcome. We’ll see if I stick with this one. I went to this ChurchTech Unconference today and so many people talked about WordPress I thought I’d give it a shot. Who knows. Maybe it’ll stick. The main themes were online church, community, physical relationship vs virtual relationship, etc. Can they co-exist, does the virtual world have the ability to create authentic community, is there such a thing, shouldn’t the virtual relationship eventually lead toward a physical handshake face to face or can true growth and Christian community exist solely in a virtual world? Interesting questions and it seemed most of the guys at this unconference are the people at least in the Dallas area who are going to define, refine the answers to these questions. I felt a little out of place since our church community is not so virtual, but it’s good to hear the ideas and concerns of those who do have the Christian audience the ideas and questions above are for. Anyway, that’s enough for now.
