11.30.2005

The Women of Messiah College

I am not sure where this is going to go, but I'll try it anyway. As most of you should know, I graduated from Messiah College. What many of you may not know is that Messiah College may just be the center of the world for beautiful, available women. Okay this may not true and I may just find most women to be beautiful, but go with me on this one.

I was recently at Messiah in their student union to watch some football. (I only live about 20 minutes away and they have a big screen which is good for watching football.) While there for the few hours, I was reminded of all these women. They are still quite the lookers and remind me of my days there.

When I went to Messiah the male/female ratio was somewhere around 40/60. Because of this, us men had a wonderful with all these ladies. Well as some can attest to, my dating history while in college was quite pathetic. Why, you may ask? I am not really sure although it most likely was through fault of my own. With all that possibility, it would make sense to take advantage of the dating a little more often, but I didn't.

So when I go back to Messiah, I have mixed feelings. I think about the opportunities that I missed, yet all the other amazing opportunities that I had. I wasn't really sure that I had a point to this, but I have come across one in my ramblings. Don't live for tomorrow, live for today. If you have an opportunity or risk, take it. It may never come again. We only get to live this life once, might as well enjoy it. As many have said, "Carpe Diem"

11.29.2005

November 29, 1975

Thirty years ago to the day, my parents got married. So because they have hit this milestone, I figured I would congratulate them in a public space. Thirty years is a long time. It is longer than I have been alive. Thirty years in love with one another through the ups and downs of life. They haven't always agreed, but they have loved. That is something that I only wish that something I will know and experience.

So how do they do it? Commitment. Tis an interesting word. The root is commit so let us look at what dear ole Webster defines it as: to pledge or assign to some particular course. In their case it was a commitment to each other. To love and honor one other till death do them part. That's not a commitment for a couple of years or until they get sick of making the commitment.

So many people nowadays treat marriage flippantly. Then when they come upon hard times, they just quit because they don't like it or don't want to try anymore. That's sad. I wonder if the same problems would be there if every day each person made a commitment to love the other and make the other happy. I don't think they would be worried about how happy they were if they were thinking of the other person and not themselves.

Anyway, here's to my parents for staying together for thirty years and let's hope for another 30 years or until God decides to take one of them home with Him. Also congrats to all the other marriages that have stood the test of time.

11.28.2005

Reflections of a First Snowfall Weekend

1. That's right, it snowed; YAHOO!!
2. I love snow, so white and p-urty
3. Ah, to relax
4. I know a secret
5. I don't like migraines
6. It was a nice surprise to find out that my bro and fam were coming for Thanksgiving
7. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, etc...hmmmm
8. I like when kids are old enough to interact with you
9. Football
10. The kick-off of the Christmas season which I am definitely not ready for.
11. It's been 9 points since I talked about snow
12. Congratulations to the Messiah soccer women for their first ever national championship
13. Congrats to the Messiah men for their fourth championship in six years
14. I believe I can now say 'Dynasty'
15. It is tough to do reflections for a four day weekend
16. I slept a lot
17. The Christmas decorations are up at my folks place
18. Fun was had by all, all weekend
19. People are much more pleasant to be around when they are happy
20. Duh!
21. I enjoyed Ocean's Twelve for the fourth or so time
22. I like steak
23. Pizza needs mozzarella, but it can survive with other kinds of cheeses if you put lots of meat on it
24. We are starting a new Christmas tradition
25. It took a lot of planning
26. "'C' is for cookie and cookie is for me"
27. I like model trains
28. I am currently reading 'Let Your Life Speak' by Parker J. Palmer
29. My mom is a big Eagles fan
30. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about stem-cell research
31. Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow
32. Billick and Boller must go
33. I did no shopping outside of grocery shopping this weekend
34. Highlighting an organization, Samaritan's Purse
35. 7x5
36. Work, work, work
37. I love leftover turkey

11.23.2005

Thankfulness

So the day after I wax on about discontentment, I shall write about thankfulness. I am definitely not as thankful as I should be. For some reason, when times are tough I can over-focus on the reasons that times are tough.

But I am blessed with many things. I have a wonderful family that is always there to listen and support me in everything. Their love for me is incredible.

I have had breath everyday for over 28 years.

I have awesome friends with whom I can laugh, talk, party, study, cry, and just have fun with. That pretty much goes for my family too.

I have a roof over my head, food on my table, gas in my car, heat under my roof, and a phone to talk to those lovely friends and family with.

I have the use of all of my limbs. (This is now in there since I broke my wrist and loss use of it for a couple of months) These allow me to play sports and music with the joy and love I have for each of those things.

I have friends that are having incredibly good things happen to them.

I have the ability to read.

I have things that I am passionate about. Whether it be music, God, sports, or even very small rocks.

I have humor without which life would be very boring.

There are so many more things that I am thankful for. It is a good exercise to think about these things. In the next month I will see snow for the first time this fall/winter season. I will get to see an NFL game in Buffalo, and I will get to go to Passion '06. So smile and be of good cheer

11.22.2005

Is it all it cracked up to be?

contentment
n : happiness with one's situation in life

This is a word that gets thrown around a lot. I have a question. Must we be content? I am not content right now. Is that a bad thing? I have been taught for years that it is. I am not sure anymore. The dictionary definition doesn't really seem to help. Although it doesn't seem like a big deal to go through periods of not being happy with one's situation in life. Everyone has times where they don't really like where they are. Of course except the one's that go through life with the golden spoon.

So is contentment a choice or determined by circumstances. On the one hand, we can control how we respond to things and even through a rough period, be happy. On the other hand, there are just some things that happen in life that would not make anyone happy. The correct response to these circumstances is to deal with them and not buzz through them merrily on your way, avoiding at every turn.

I don't know the answer, I am just not sure that how I've thought about contentment before is the correct way.

11.21.2005

Reflections of a Wedding-rific Weekend

1. I don't like traffic
2. My muffler needs a little help
3. Harps are beautiful
4. I love German architecture
5. Sardines in a huge church is challenging
6. 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' is one of the top 5 or 10 dumbest movies I have ever seen
7. Penn State is in a BCS bowl game
8. Messiah field hockey lost in the championship game :-(
9. Messiah men and women's soccer teams advanced to their respective final fours
10. The weekend was beautiful
11. Mr. Lackey's sister got married in a simple but beautiful ceremony
12. I am so happy for her and her new husband
13. I wish them a long, healthy and God-filled marriage
14. The food for the reception was good
15. Mmmmmm, cheese
16. I danced the night away with 3 wonderful ladies
17. I love to have fun
18. I really believe that it is a gift and calling of mine to bring laughter to people
19. They didn't smash
20. I finally met all of the Lackey clan
21. I had a great time at the wedding and reception on Saturday
22. Anybody want directions?
23. Family meals are fun even when it's not your own family
24. I love lasagna
25. I like pie
26. It is nice to watch football on a Sunday afternoon
27. My Ravens won; pigs are flying somewhere
28. I love sleep
29. I was really tired last night
30. I just crashed and it was wonderful

11.18.2005

Hawaii Five-O

Well, normally when I am told to do something, most of the bones in my body want to resist. Just the way I am. So when Mr. Mind the Gap told me to do the five things that he did, my first reaction was to not do it, but he is a pal of mine so I shall acquiesce.

Here we go...

Five Places I'd Like to Visit (to which I haven't already visited)
  1. Germany
  2. Italy
  3. Colorado
  4. England
  5. Pacific states
Five Favorite Restaurants
  1. The Firehouse restaurant
  2. Primo Italiano
  3. Appalachian Brewing Company
  4. Macaroni Grill
  5. Sweet Water Tavern
Five Sporting Events I Would Like to Attend
  1. NCAA Final Four
  2. Super Bowl
  3. World Cup
  4. Champions League Final
  5. Winter X Games
Five People from History Are Having Dinner at My Place
  1. My grandmother
  2. CS Lewis
  3. William Shakespeare
  4. Peter
  5. Ludwig van Beethoven
Five Things I Don't Know
  1. Women
  2. When I will get a job
  3. What romantic love is
  4. Why I am loved for the screw-up that I am
  5. Why some people get crapped on and others get blessed beyond belief
And it is time for me to tag someone. Drum Roll please...
LINDY GAL!!!

11.17.2005

These are a Few of my Favorite Things

College Basketball is upon us. For those of you who don't know, college basketball is my favorite sport to follow. I am a diehard Maryland fan and with that also comes a diehard dislike for Duke. Anyway, I just really enjoy the passion of college sports and I love the journey to March Madness that college basketball has.

If Penn State wins this weekend against Michigan State in football, they go to a BCS bowl game. This would be a great accomplishment for a team that was really bad last year. I am still not sure if JoePa is the right person for the job, but the winning shall parlay that feeling for a bit.

One person I know is not the right person for the job is Brian Billick. He has coached the Baltimore Ravens into crapdom this year. It takes talent to take a good team and make them bad. He needs to go.

In totally unrelated news, a friend of mine is getting married this Saturday. I am so happy for her. She deserves it. I really do take joy in other persons' happiness. It lifts my day to see something good happen to someone else.

Ground control to Major Tom...

11.16.2005

Sunrise, sunrise, looks like morning in your eyes

"If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse" (Proverbs 27:14). Take that you happy morning people. I don't like mornings. I don't like alarm clocks either, but it is the culture that I live in so I shall learn to deal with it. I had never known of the existence of the verse in the Bible, though. Very fascinating.

Related a bit is an observance that I had on Saturday morning. I rarely see the sunrise, but certain events caused me to be up and on the road before the sun rose. The interesting thing about it though was that it was already fairly light out before the sun rose. This is very much different from a sunset. It's indicative of light and darkness.

When light invades darkness, everything is immediately light. Yet when darkness invades light, the light holds on till it is snuffed out. Look at the sunrise where light has already chased away the darkness before the actual sunrise, but if you watch a sunset, you can still see light in the far west even though everywhere else is dark. I just found this interesting.

In other news, job searches suck. Mine is going on 19 months.

11.15.2005

The Beauty and Skill of Songwriting

This past Saturday I had the privilege of seeing Jeff Tweedy. He is the leadman of Wilco. Opening for him was Glenn Kotche. He is the drummer for Wilco, but also has some side projects involving experimental drumming and percussion. He was very entertaining to listen to although some of the songs he did ran for at least 10 to 15 minutes. That was a little long for me. He was very talented and not afraid to be unconventional.

After he was done, Jeff Tweedy took to the stage. It was just him with his guitars. It was wonderful. As I have stated before, I have an affinity for stripped down performances and music. Especially when the person really interacts with the audience. Jeff Tweedy really was engaging. It was good to hear. He has definitely had a checkered past. He was in rehab for drugs a little while back, but has cleaned himself up. He definitely let everyone there know that drugs were not the smartest things to do.

His music was simple and he wasn't the greatest musician. That being said, he is a fantastic songwriter. It was a pleasure to listen to. The way he could weave lyrics and music together was an enviable thing. So although I would not recommend him for his beliefs or lack there of, he is definitely a man of talent that is using his gifts to bring smiles to many people's faces.

11.14.2005

Reflections of a Music-Filled Weekend

1. I love music
2. I am glad that I am used despite myself
3. Does Josh McDowell only give one talk?
4. I like Superchick
5. I've taken some flack for that
6. The sound guy wasn't very good
7. It is wrong to wake up at 6 am
8. It is wronger to wake up at 6 am on a Saturday
9. The Icon band did a good job
10. I like to watch football
11. Jeff Tweedy was very good...more to follow
12. I don't mind walking if it saves me money
13. It is fun to hang out with the guys
14. Two concerts in one weekend is awesome
15. They were both free
16. Free is MTG's favorite word
17. Sunday was striped shirt day
18. It was good to talk to you, JS
19. Watching the Ravens with a bunch of Ravens' haters can be annoying
20. I won at darts...
21. Then lost
22. All of Messiah's teams advanced in the NCAA tournament
23. I have a secret obsession
24. I need to learn to go to bed rather than falling asleep on the couch
25. College basketball season is starting up
26. Congrats to one of my friends who recently started dating

11.11.2005

Veteran's Day 2005

First off, thank you to the men and women who serve in our military. They sacrifice their lives for our freedom. No matter whether or not you agree with the current situation, we should always be thankful for these people's work. They don't make the decisions, they just try to protect our country.

As to why today is Veteran's day, I have the trivia answer for you. On November 11, 1918 at 11am Germany surrendered to end The War to End All Wars. That is why November 11 is Veteran's Day. It is sad that the human condition is what it is and that World War 1, as it became to be known, wasn't the last war. We have had many more. Whether or not you believe that war can be necessary or not, it is a horrible thing. Let's hope and pray that this century is not as bloody as the last one.

Anyway, I am very thankful for the freedom that I have been given in this country. The freedom to worship as I please. The freedom to disagree with people. The many other freedoms that are too numerous to name. I owe all of these to the people that have fought for this countries freedom since the Revolutionary War.

THANK YOU!

11.10.2005

Can't We Just be Friends?

Over the last couple of days, I have had some very nice times with friends. First off, on Tuesday night I hung out with three other gentlemen. We played a game for a couple hours. I really enjoyed my time. It was nice to just hang with a couple guys. We had as much fun conversing and we did playing the game. To all the gentlemen, Thank you very much.

Then last night a friend came over to my place. We all have those friends with whom it is very easy to talk with. He is one of those for me. Anyway, he didn't leave till about quarter of 1 in the morning. We talked about a myriad of subjects. He offered me some thoughts, I offered him some thoughts. Just so enjoyable to be able to truly share with no pretenses. So many people we meet, we feel like we have to put on a show and not let them see the real us. It is so nice just to be real.

Anyway, I am very grateful for these two instances. All of these people along with many others are true blessings in my life. I do not thank God enough for them. I have noticed that when I have big trials going on in my life, I tend to ignore the small blessings. I can easily see them when things are well, but they can get overshadowed. If you are the same way, look for those little blessings that you sometimes take for granted.

I love relationship and community.

11.08.2005

The Whys of Kids and Adults

Why is it that when adults are around kids they cease to be able to act like adults?

I was at a birthday celebration (for an adult) over the weekend and there were a few young children there as well as many adults. Now usually when I am around adults I like to talk with them about adult things. I quickly learned though, that this was a hopeless goal. What I didn't realize was that once the kids were there, the adults no longer functioned normally. Rather than talking intelligently about things, all they did was watch the kids. Even when they weren't playing with the children, everyone would still watch them. Starting up even the simplest of conversations was impossible.

Before I go on, let me say this one thing. I like kids. I enjoy interacting with them. I have nothing against kids. I love their innocence and joy, but back to the issue at hand. The children shouldn't be ignored, yet they shouldn't turn all the adults into robots that have lost any sensory perception not involving the youngins. It isn't even the fault of the children.

So what is the solution. I don't know. It's not to try different adults. These were friends that I have very enjoyable times with when kids are not around. Let's just hope that adults can learn that you can enjoy children and still have adult responses when around them.

11.07.2005

Reflections of a Lost Voice Weekend

Unlike ever before, this reflections is dedicated to Mr. SM (mind the gapper) who is turning 30 today.

1. Happy Birthday dude
2. I like pizza
3. It was nice to see some certain Lancaster county college friends
4. I don't think that 'Matrix Reloaded' comes close to the first 'Matrix'
5. Penn State won big
6. It was my niece's first birthday party
7. The cake was good
8. I saw my folks 2 weeks in a row
9. That's rare
10. Chick-Fil-A is good
11. Messiah men, women, and field hockey won the Commonwealth Conference championship
12. Messiah men were ranked number 1 wire to wire in the national poll
13. It's interesting watching a bunch of white people try to dance to Latin music
14. My Ravens looked truly bad
15. GK Chesterson is becoming very popular to quote
16. 'Mind the Gap' and 'Rover' met each other
17. Some friends had a bouncing baby girl on Saturday
18. Congrats T & JB
19. Passion '06 is coming
20. I have had a resurgence of playing FIFA '99
21. Sometimes when you give a lesson, you never know if anybody's listening or paying attention to you
22. I hope to make an impact in these kids lives though
23. Pit is fun to play unless you don't have a voice
24. I was in the new superGiant
25. It's huge
26. All its special stuff is close on Sunday night though
27. Pretty much all of central PA closes early in the evening, even on weekends
28. It is not very mature to ignore people
29. Friends joy really brings me joy
30. The female form is a beautiful thing
31. Thank You, God

11.06.2005

I Lost my Voice

Tonight was the Messiah/Etown conference championship game. They played in the regular season last week and Messiah won, but this time it was for the Commonwealth Championship. Etown came to play. Realistically their only chance to get into the national tournament was to win the match. Messiah was basically in from not having lost all season.

For much of the game it was scoreless. Both teams had chances, but neither could put the ball in the goal. Etown was definitely playing with more urgency. Messiah didn't look bad, but they didn't seem to care too much either. I was disappointed in this fact. With about 12 minutes to go, a Messiah player was mugged in the box giving us a penalty. The Etown goalie made a fantastic save, but alas the ball bounced off the goalie to be put away for the 1-nil lead.

All Messiah had to do was to just hold the lead for 12 minutes. They were doing fine until a corner came for Etown with under a minute left. As the corner went in, the Messiah goalie was mugged, but the foul was not called. In the same play, a Messiah defender hit the ball with his hand. It was deemed by the referee to be intentional. This caused two things. First the Messiah player got an automatic red card and secondly, Etown got a penalty shot. With 23 seconds left in the game, the score was tied up.

This was bad. Not only would we go to overtime, but Messiah would have to play with only 10 men. At this point I was hoping that Messiah would just hold on till penalty kicks came about. The OT period started and Messiah was just trying to keep pace with Etown. Being a man down was a real hindrance, but they played the vaunted 4-1-4 formation. Two and a half minutes into the period a Messiah player got free down the sideline and Etown did not react. The ball was sent to him and after a couple of quick moves across the box, he drained the ball into the net. MESSIAH HAD WON!!! Etown made their first huge defensive mistake and it cost them the game. Why they did, I will never understand. Anyway, the Messiah faithful exploded into cheering. The team was also very elated. For the next ten minutes or so the cheering didn't really cease for along.

A great game to watch although very nerve-racking. Thanks to Rover, Brechty, N, and SM for the wonderful company. We won!! It made me very happy.

11.04.2005

Keytars, Mario, Grieving, a Hoedown and God

"i have never wept like i have wept these past 3 days. i am sad and pissed and grateful. mostly grateful. grateful for every second kyle was given and so thankful for the way he used his time with us."

This was the backdrop for last night's experience. These words were penned by David Crowder. It was part of his reaction to the losing of a best friend. Kyle Lake. This is incredible vulnerability. And it's always there. Not just in horrible situations. You can hear it in his voice when he sings, read it when he writes. An honesty that is refreshing.

Last night I went into downtown DC to Lisner Auditorium to see the David Crowder Band play live. It was 4 days after a dear friend of theirs had died. I was wondering how this would affect the performance. It was involved in that they acknowledged the grief, but it did not overcome them. This is how they approached it. "Death is swallowed up in victory...We Win!"

Quick review of the opening acts. The Robbie Seay Band was good. Shane & Shane could have left the building. They were okay at best. And then David Crowder came out. They rocked the joint. They seemed to enjoy themselves too. It was loud. It was boisterous. It was fun. At one point for a song, they broke out the keytar. I had hoped that after the 80's passed, I would never have to see one again, but alas I was wrong. I survived though and even got to hear the Super Mario Bros song as my reward.

They were tight musically and loose interactively. I was very glad that I went for the show. We even managed to have a hoedown at the end. I HATE bluegrass. So when I heard that the David Crowder Band had included a couple of bluegrass tunes on their latest recording I was a little concerned. It was bluegrass unlike any bluegrass I had ever heard before. It was funny to watch and not too bad on the ears.

Great night, great music from a real group of guys, not guys that have everything together and expect us to.

11.02.2005

It's Been a Little While

I really enjoy nature. It has been a bit since I last talked about it. But today is for fall. It is beautiful. The changing of the leaves that you can see across rolling hills is just so nice. The air is cool. Today was especially beautiful. Nice cool temperatures and a brilliant orange sunset. Wow!

So, I love the outdoors. Thank God for nature today.

Addition to Reflections

Forgot to mention on Monday. Messiah beat Elizabethtown in soccer 1-0 for the Marshmallow Cup. This is the best rivalry in NCAA Div 3 soccer. A very rabid rivalry. We don't like them, they don't like us. So I was very excited to see that Messiah won. They may meet again this weekend in the MAC championship. This time at Messiah.

11.01.2005

Sports Loyalties

When do you wish for other people to feel bad? Competition. Especially when rooting for teams that are playing each other. Last night I was watching the football game with a person that was rooting for the other team. Guess what? It was annoying. I love watching sports with people, but there is nothing like have your team fail and the other people be completely happy in your team's failure and your misery.

Isn't that weird? We are happy when others are miserable. If my team had won, I would have been rejoicing at my friends sorrow. How backwards is that? I happened to notice last night because I was the sad one. When my team threw the ball for an incomplete pass on the last play of the game, I was sitting there with my hand between my head and next to me was a person celebrating in their fortune and my misfortune.

I don't really have a point to make here, just that it is a very strange phenomenon.