Cherries April 10, 2008

Yesterday I picked up my youngest Daughter at my brothers house where his wife had kindly taken her in for the day so I could go to work.  When we got home she was asleep so I decided to cook dinner.  I made Chicken Parmesan with Ziti.  The Ziti was from a box the rest I made.  Well except for the sauce cheese and bread crumbs…  It was good. 

After We cleaned up from dinner I decided to take my family out for some ice cream.  now I know the rules when we go out and get ice cream, as soon as my ice cream is sat before me I get the puppy eyes from my girls until I agree to give up my cherry.  They always come prepared with the eyes and I always cave.  I think I even over heard them in the back seat plotting new ways to get the crowning jewel from atop my sundae.  I have kept a running tally in my mind for the past few years of whose turn it is.  (Colleen, Emilie, then Erynne (the order they came into my life).  Last night would have been Emilie’s turn.  I say would have because there was no Cherry on my sundae…  My wife got 2 and I got none….  Perhaps the waitress thought she would eliminate the need for me to hand over the tiny red piece of fruit by just giving to her to start.  But I was a little upset with her presumption.  My wife eventually, begrudgingly handed them over to the to sad puppies on the other side of the table.  So I guess all is well.

But I have to know.  To all you fathers out there.  Do you ever get to eat the cherry again?

Later,

Billy

lower intelligence? January 20, 2008

Is there anything more annoying than when you are talking face to face with someone and tell a joke and the person responds with LOL?  Or you ask them a question such as “which shirt do you like better?”  To which they respond “IDK?” (always said with their no doubt heavy head tilted to one side)

Please People if you are to Lazy to text all 9 letters, 1 punctuation mark and 2 spaces of “I Don’t Know”  That is one thing but to actually speak that way is another.  That is why Bill Gates invented T9.

BTW if you are reading this, and see me in person, and start talking like this I will punch you in the throat.  Fair Warning.

Later,

Billy

  

P.S. I realize I just did it.  It was intended to be funny.  I do really hate when people talk that way and I will punch you if you do it.  The joke was the BTW thing… get it.  Oh well

 c u L8r

  

That was also a joke.

Jello January 16, 2008

On Monday while seemingly the entire world was snowed in (my family was no exception) My wife made Jello with the girls.  Strawberry and Lime for you curious folks.  Lime by the way is the best Popsicle and jello flavor hands down, Orange would be next but still given the option my green friend wins every time.  Jello is a cool refreshing treat.  and what kid or kid at heart doesn’t “dig that wobble, dig that wiggle”

However when I feel like Jello that’s not so cool.  So yesterday I joined a gym.  And for my trouble (and my money) they gave me a “free” t-shirt which I not so proudly show you here.  I find it interesting that “free” t-shirts only come in XL.  What about me?  What about the Fat Guy?  Perhaps it is motivation.  It certainly isn’t good advertising.  If people see me stretching that fabric further than the laws of physics would suggest possible, they might look at the Logo and say “that gym isn’t worth my money.”  Or perhaps it is a gift for my smaller loved ones.    Either way, I worked out for about an hour and a half and no I realize how out of shape I am.  My arms and legs feel like Jello.  In a good way.

Later,

Billy 

$3.65 January 13, 2008

My wife calls me after church with 2 hungry kids in the back of the car and says “what do I do?  I just noticed Target didn’t charge me for the Tums I purchased.  But the kids are hungry and I really don’t want to go back in.”  I said Target is a huge faceless corporation with millions of dollars, they don’t need your money.

Ok what I really said was lets get some lunch and I will swing by a pay for them after that.  And that’s what I did.  I walked in to the Customer service entrance and went to the counter and told the women behind the counter the story.  After she regained her breath she said “wow, you really came back to pay for this?”  To which I simply responded “yep”  She rang them in and I paid the $3.65.  She gave me my change and said “thanks being honest.”  I simply said “your welcome” and left.

It really wasn’t a big deal, it wasn’t a gift from God it was an honest mistake.  But As I left the cashier told the women behind me the story and I heard her say something about integrity.  Which made me wonder.  Did I buy my integrity for $3.65 or did I merely Retain it at a “home town discount” like some fan favorite ball player.  Either way I think I win.

Later,

Billy

Christian Music January 12, 2008

I read a Blog from “the New Guy” on the Team at my church http://jasonfoundthisinteresting.blogspot.com/.  In it he talks about his inner struggle with the fact that “christian Radio” one of his loves now sucks. (my words not his).  This is due largely to the fact that Christan Music artists all copy each others music and don’t make any attempt at breaking out into something new and diffrent.  I can understand the hesitancy of an artist to break with whats gotten them here.  But at some point you just stop being relevant.  sure people still like you and might even by your music.  But there is a segment of people out there that stop caring and start searching for something new.  Or in the case of Jason stop searching and “break up.”

I am going to take on a huge name in christian Music at show you why I can’t stand to listen to thier “music.”  Many of you I am sure love them and will disagree with me but really Casting Crowns is Horrible.  There Music is simple(no depth) 3 chords, and a relative minor do make a song but not an interesting one.  Their Lyrics are FULL of Cliche’ sayings and they even branded a new one “life song”  which if you listened to the entire album they used it in 4 different songs.  Some will say “the songs challenge me,” or “I like it because I can sing to it.”  Good for you.  The Problem is that you can sing along to the song even if it is your first time hearing it.  It’s predictable, and to quote the bare naked ladies “it’s all been done, woo hoo hoo it’s all been doooooone befoooore.”  They bore me.  People like Chris Tomlin in his book “the way I was made” confesses to writing songs that are catchy. 

Now I know these people love Jesus.  I don’t have a speck of doubt about that.  I am saying they aren’t trying hard enough to be excellent at what they are doing.  Stop copying “hit” songs from other albums.  Leave that to worship bands at churches (of which I am a member.)  Challenge us out of ourselves, into something bigger.  Don’t repeat the same sayings bring something fresh.  Hey even if you just change how it is said you have given it new breath.

Jason Morant on his album open (5 out of 5*)  writes on track 6 “With hearts aflame and voices raised they will celebrate, the day when lost will be found when every knee will…” 90% of christian songwriters out there would finish this line by saying the simple and easy “bow.”  Jason Morant say the same thing but paints a much diffrent picture. he finishes his line like this “With hearts aflame and voices raised they will celebrate, the day when lost will be found when every knee will hit the ground”  it is simple and profound.  Best of all When I was attempting to sing along with it the first time I heard it I was struck that he didn’t go with the safe easy way out he took it to a diffrent level.

so I leave you with a list of artists some that are truly new to the scene and some I have loved for years.

Jason Morant- Fryish with amazing musicianship.  He actually has a banjo player in a non bluegrass band.

Sara Groves- Next to my wife the only women I just want to hug and not let go.  She to me is the definition of a beautiful soul.  she writes with depth and an open sincere heart.  she is amazing.  folksy-poppy-and perfect.

Fernando Ortega- a mellow James Taylor with a piano.  He has 2 worship albums that are perfect for ushering you into an amazing time of an open heart and mind to God.

Red & Disciple- Both hard aggressive Rock bands that aren’t afraid to speak the name of Christ and then melt your face with kicking guitars.

Cross movement and the 116 clique- Rap taken to a higher level.  they acctually rap Bible lessons. and tell you to go out and by commentaries and a bible and study the word.  Hardcore Christians with an amazing God given gift.

Andrew Peterson- singer songwriter outstanding talent and depth.

RSB- The Robbie Seay(see) band If you have seen the comercials for the new season of American idol you have heard their song “rise.”  They are fresh and sing from the heart.  His voice is the perfect mix of raspy and passion.

MeWithoutYou-  Blue man group esque music with an edge meets spoken(almost yelled) word/ poetry.  Amazing lyrics and vocals meet off the hook musicianship.

Shane and Shane, Bethany Dillon(who is engaged to Shane #1), Phil Wickham, Matt Kearney,  Shawn McDonald, Watermark.  All amazing all the time.

1 last shout out to a CD that is all songs you have heard but the artists involved have given the new life “Sing over me.”  Christie Nockels, B. Dillon, Janna Long, Erin O’ Donnell, and Nicole Nordeman, take worship songs and bring them down to a basic acoustic guitar and piano level.  and then let their voice and heart do the rest.  Sit quietly and let God whisper to you while you listen to this Cd.  It will Change your view of Christian Music.

Later

Billy