Held Back

For a long time i've known I wanted to write a book at some point in my life. For a shorter time, but still a distinct amount of time, i've bounced around some ideas of what kind of book I might want to write.

What I can't figure out, is why I keep holding myself back. A couple of the things I would enjoy researching and writing about, I could have made a good chunk of headway on before returning back to school. Even at school, I could have some better filing system to organize my thoughts on some of those subjects I'm most excited about, yet the motivation is lacking.

Part of it is my pure laziness. Scratch that, all of it is my pure laziness.

What do I need to have happen to motivate me?

The Weather Finally Co-operates

After looking like an afternoon of golf was going to be spoiled by the rain, Jason, Dad and I made it through our 18 holes without ever feeling a drop. Mom had stayed home because of the weather.

It actually turned out to be quite an enjoyable afternoon.

The golf season is slowing coming to a halt here in MN as the chill of winter is around the corner. I hope to get out some more still before the season ends, but October is turning out to be a busy month with a marathon and a wedding in the first two weekends.

We'll see if the weather stays nice enough to get out before the end of October, but the possible days are limited.

In Case You Were Concerned

I managed to finish it.

I'm sure you are all wondering what "it" is. Halo 3.

What you might not know, is that Halo is the video game I spent most of college getting good at. It was the premier game for the Xbox and Halo 3 is lined up to be the premier game for the Xbox 360 (which I don't own).

Fortunately for me, Matt spent the night last night, brought his Xbox 360 and the game (it came out Tuesday) and we stayed up late beating it.

I know you were all concerned.

The Little Things In Life

Its funny to me sometimes the things that stick out. Things that impress me about people. Attitudes and character traits that people have, and obviously follow through with (in action) in their daily lives.

One of those happened earlier this week. I was impressed with the level of commitment one of my professors had to his church and to the submission to his senior pastor's ideas and interests. He finds himself teaching an adult Sunday school class simply because the senior pastor personally asked him to. It wasn't something he necessarily wanted to spend his time doing, but because of the request of his senior pastor (it wasn't a ploy or taking advantage of him, he assured us) he decided to do it.

Yesterday, Jenny and I received a series of e-mails from our senior pastor.

Our children's pastor resigned this fall and our senior pastor finds himself acting as the interim as they seek a new candidate for the position. He was having trouble finding a first grade Sunday school teacher and asked if Jenny and/or I would be able to help him.

The timing was too obvious to me. No part of me could say no.

So... Starting October 14th, Jenny and I will be teaching first grade Sunday school.

Your prayers will be appreciated.

48oz. Water, 1400 Calories, 3 Bebo Norman CDs

With the marathon approaching less than two weeks away, the running has become far more evaluative. I am testing different running paces on my body to see how well I feel afterward, and adjusting accordingly so that hopefully, my lungs won't be the cause for my demise.

Today, I ran for 12 miles. During that run, I consumed that last of the 48oz. of water I took with me, with only about 2 tenths of a mile left. I burned 1400 Calories on that run, and shuffled Bebo Norman CDs on my ipod.

I have found that music that typically pumps me up for something like a soccer game, or a short run, seem to motivate me to finish too quickly and run at a pace that is harder to sustain for the long term. A more mellow sounding music, like that of Bebo, seemed to leave me in a calm mood and allow me to just trot along without thinking too much about what my body was enduring.

My legs felt real good running the 12 miles today, but when I stopped to walk and cool down I could feel the fatigue in them. I can feel some uneasiness in my joints still now, but it is decreasing pretty rapidly with the time. Lucky for me, tomorrow is a day of rest before I run on the weekend (Friday counting as weekend). I'm hoping to complete a run of 16-18 miles this weekend at some point, and then just a couple of shorter ones next week before the marathon on Sunday the 7th.

After realizing I had burned the 1400 calories, I sat down to regain them (I ran before I ate lunch). It was a wonderful time of consumption as my body regained some of the energy I had just used.

I haven't finalized in my head yet what it feels like to run at certain paces. I though that I could feel as comfortable as possible in a marathon, running without stopping at about a 10 minute a mile pace, so had done a couple of runs hoping to aim for that, but even today, I found that when I had finished, I had run quicker than that and felt fine for the run. I know I could have run farther today, but don't know that I had 14 more miles in me at the time I finished.

"We" Volunteered

We were discussing in small group tonight, what our next adventure of study and discussion would be. We had decided on doing a book of the Bible again, but instead of just reading one, we'd rotate what couple was in charge of coming prepared to lead the discussion in some kind of pre-planned manner.

While discussing books I re-iterated a statement I had heard a couple of times. Hebrews and Revelation are the most unread books of the Bible because without a detailed understanding of the Old Testament, these two books are simply hard to understand.

That bit of info, and the desire to learn led some of the group to decide that Hebrews would be the book we'd attempt. I don't much mind this since I am taking a class on Hebrews through Revelation this semester at Seminary.

What was a surprise to me was when Jenny volunteered us (wives have this power, husbands probably do not) to lead the first week, next Tuesday. It should be interesting to see what we come up with.

Rainy Days Ruin Schedules

It didn't rain this morning while i was in class. It didn't rain while I ate lunch.

After eating lunch (4 bagels and two hot dogs) I decided I should digest before going for a run.

Then it rained. When I was getting ready to go for my run, it rained. It didn't stop raining until good t.v. shows came on. I then had to watch an hour of much awaited television (hey it's premier night) before I could finally get out for a run, just after 8.

The rain ruined my schedule. I was planning on reading for an hour at 8, but instead found myself running (I fell asleep in the afternoon when I couldn't run, so no reading got accomplished).

From now on, the weather should co-operate with how I have scheduled my days in my head. That will work out much better for me.

Another Season

Tomorrow starts another school season of life for me. After summer break, I have to be up bright and early for a class that starts at 8:00 tomorrow morning. I'll be excited to have my mind stretched again, but not so early in the morning.

Fortunately for me, that class is being taught by the best teacher I've ever had in an academic setting, and that is saying a lot, because I thought very highly of some of the teachers I had in life.

Here is to evaluating things from every perspective again, especially when it drives my teachers crazy.

We Make Them Misbehave

Earlier in the week, Jenny had Kristi (and Luke) over for dinner while we are still on vacation. I did my normal, make up some weird observation thing that day, and here is what I came up with.

We are the reason young children misbehave. You know the story... one kid is not playing with a toy, not even thinking about it, but then their sibling starts playing with it and it becomes the most important thing for that kid to play with, just because their sibling has started doing so. I am convinced we are the reason for this. We raise kids (while they are babies) to do this exact kind of behavior.

I noticed it in Jenny. She would pick up one of Luke's toys, show it to him, then play with it to get him interested in it, proceeding then to give it to him, and try immediately to get him interested in a second toy, BYE PLAYING WITH IT. We train babies to be interested only in the things we are playing with. It's no wonder they then want the toy that someone else is playing with.

These are some of my thoughtful, sarcastic, and serious inquisitive kinds of observations I make while on vacation.

Vacation Continues with one more day at home, followed by an evening and day of men's retreat. I likely won't update this again until Sunday night, but then will be in daily routine again.

Nothing Ordinary

Jenny has had one rule on vacation so far.

Let's not eat at places we get to eat at all the time at home.

So far... caramel apples covered in Snicker's has been my favorite food of the vacation.

Deluxe Jesus is the best toy (an action figure found in Stillwater) and edible Legos the thing that got me most excited about the future (I can be neglectful with a kid if the thing he/she puts in their mouth is edible). Those were found at the caramel apple place.

Vacation continues.

I'm Whole Again

Jenny is back from her work conference.

We celebrated her birthday tonight, and get to again tomorrow.

I waited until 3:00 this afternoon to start on the to-do list she had left me, but I got it all accomplished before she got home.

Life is wonderful again.

Jenny is on vacation next week. Our plans are all over the place, but vacation starts when she gets off work tomorrow, so my blogging may be pretty spotty for the next week. I simply don't know what nights i'll be home and what nights i won't.

Deemed Appropriate - Happy Birthday

I deemed this story appropriate enough to share on the blog. It again is written for Jenny, so whatever you don't understand, just assume she does.

The Lumina

Without the Lumina in Jenny’s life, our relationship would not have run the course that it ran. I helped Jenny get it of impoundment once (not her fault) and towed it for her three times. Below is one account of how this car pushed our relationship forward.


I wasn’t enjoying my lunch in the cafeteria. I can only eat nachos so many days and this attempt at lasagna just wasn’t cutting it for me. Normally, I would have just grabbed a transfer meal and eaten in my room, but I saw Jenny was going to eat lunch today. I had a crush on her like a childish boy, so any opportunity I got to be around her was snatched up.

The meal may not have been that good, but the company was wonderful. I was ignorant to everything else going on around me, just hoping to enjoy the time I would spend doing normal everyday activities with her. She had assumptions I liked her, but we had never talked about it. That would have made her far too uncomfortable. I probably should have been paying more attention to the day though.

I only had a little bit of time before I needed to go grab my math book and homework from my room and head to class when Jenny began to tell me about her day.

“This is so frustrating.” Jenny said in a way that you didn’t know if it was going to be followed by pure depression, or pure rage. “I can’t believe that’s where they parked it.”
Jenny had just found out that her car was impounded for being parked in the wrong spot on the street. She needed to get a ride to the impound lot to retrieve it. I knew enough to know that it would be worth my while to be the person to help her out.

“Do you want me to skip my class?” I asked.

“What class is it?”

“Just math, I really won’t lose anything by not going.”

“Sure, I’ll go get my purse and then we can leave.” She stated, getting up to put her tray in the dishwashing line. “Thanks.”

I ran upstairs to give my math homework to someone else who was going to class and to grab my checkbook. I didn’t know how well prepared Jenny would be to pay for the charges that would come along with having your car towed and impounded and was prepared to make sure that she could get it out while we were there.

She came back downstairs and we walked to the parking ramp where my car was parked and headed for the impound lot. After a couple of wrong turns we found ourselves in a place that makes you feel like you don’t belong. Everywhere you are required to go, they leave a cage between you and whoever you have to talk with. They are well equipped to deal with the anger that most people bring into that place.

“I’m here to pick up my car. It’s a blue Lumina.” Jenny stated to the person behind the cage.

“I’ll need to see your license and some extraordinary amount of money.” Replied the worker. I felt bad for the worker. It was never her fault that people’s car ended up there, but she always had to be the messenger. In fact, I’m sure she didn’t actually say “extraordinary amount of money” but that is all I could remember coming from her.

It was at this point, that Jenny pulled out her checkbook, previously aware of the cost that would come with this part of the afternoon. I didn’t know what I thought now. I would have been more of a hero had she not known and I saved the day, but was also glad that we never had to deal with how to pay back something like that had I needed to write a check for her.

After heading to the lot and watching them move a couple of cars so that we could drive Jenny’s out, we headed back towards school. Jenny parked her car in an appropriate street spot (unlike the driver who got her car towed in the first place) and proceeded to walk towards the back alleyway of the dorm building. I was parking my car under the ramp, next to the alleyway and could see her walking towards me.

As I got out of the car and started to walk towards the building, she approached me at a rapid pace. I didn’t know what to expect and then BAM!

I was met with an “attack hug.” She gave me a hug and the smile on her face accompanied with the quick “Thanks!” showed her gratitude for my help in the afternoon. It was the first time that she ever hugged me. That hug fueled my childish crush into a stage where I knew that I had to have this girl. It took a lot more persistence and many more stories (including more with the Lumina) for me to finally have her as my own.

Thank you Lumina, you did one good thing for my life. It makes up for all the grief that you put in Jenny’s.

No Birthday Girl

Tomorrow (today) is Jenny's birthday.

Happy Birthday Love!!!!

I don't even know if I'll get to talk to her on her birthday. She didn't think that they'd have cell phone service where she was for her staff conference. I haven't heard from her for two days now, so I doubt she has any. Fortunately, we established what I was giving her a couple months ago. Now I just have to write another one of those stories that goes with the pictures we have taken.

Depending on what picture I chose, and how appropriate the story is, I might post it for my blog readers to read, but no guarantees.

School In Session

Last week in my internship, i had to do some administrative stuff that took a long time, but didn't have to actually teach a whole lot.

Tomorrow, i have to teach for an hour an a half on a book that they are turning a report in on (then I have to grade their papers) and on how to use media and the arts while preaching.

I'm excited to get teaching in an academic setting under my belt and looking forward to another opportunity at public speaking.

Then i get to evaluate two of the preachers, one of whom has never preached before. Should be an enjoyable afternoon for me.

Football Openers

I spent all day watching football. Tomorrow I need to spend all day planning and finalizing a Tuesday teaching so I can spend all evening and night watching football.

On another note, that Tiger Woods guy is a better golfer than me.

And, yet again, i'll be a bachelor for most of a week as Jenny is at a work conference from Monday to Thursday night. She's left me with a to-do list, but it is short enough for me to accomplish with lots of time to spare.

My Goal is a Loser

I golfed with my brother today. I had two goals in mind. Putt less than two putts per hole, and try to shoot bogey golf.

I shot exactly bogey golf (90) and putted less than two putts per hole, but Jason still beat me by 1 stroke.

I guess next time, I'll have to make a little more challenging goals for myself.

Better Get Cracking

One month from today I'm supposed to run a full marathon.

I'd better get cracking on a little more rigorous of a training schedule.

Living in a Dream

Tonight started the NFL season, which in turn, started my three fantasy seasons. I have to say, i'm pretty pleased with football all around tonight.

Jenny and I are Colts fans, and the Colts looked really good tonight in their win. That was wonderful.

My closest fantasy football game right now (I had one player playing in each of my three leagues) is a 15 point lead for myself. I couldn't have asked for much more.

Go Colts, Cry Babies, Junior Varsity and Nate Kemper (one league doesn't allow us to name our teams).

Doctor's Permission

My father had a doctor's appointment today. It was one that required he bring a driver with him as the medication they would give him would require someone else to drive him home. I got to be that driver.

My favorite part of the day was after the procedure was done when the doctor's were telling him what to expect and what was an appropriate response to what they had done. They told him this...

"You have my permission to fart all day long."

Is there anything better to hear ever? Don't hold it in. Tell your family, wife, co-workers, anybody that the doctor's orders are for you to fart all day.

My dad had the appropriate guy response as we were leaving the lobby.

"I just hope I get to take advantage of it with a couple real loud ones."

I can attest, that yes, he did get to take advantage of it.

Jacks on a Stick

Tonight's small group food of choice was "jacks." By "jacks" we mean, fried hot dogs in the shape of "jacks" from the "pick up jacks" game. We immediately decided that this demanded we open a booth at the state fair.

We could sell Jacks on a Stick (with traditional toothpicks), Chili Cheese Jacks, Jumping Jacks (with jalapeno), Jacks in the Box (the to go version), along with whatever names we came up with for the various other types of dipping sauces we'd offer.

We spent far too long actually discussing what it would look like to acquire and run a booth at the state fair. Fortunately, we got to eat jacks (our host is the co-creator of jacks) as our snack for the evening.

Non-School - School

School for me doesn't actually start until September 24th, but tomorrow, i start my first internship.

Every Tuesday this school year, as well as having my own classes I'll be helping teach, mentor and evaluate the students of the youth preaching class at North Central for one of my internships.

That means, for three weeks before school, i actually have school.

Tomorrow's class is almost three hours and I have to teach over half of it. Should be interesting.

Architects at Work

For a while in Jenny's childhood she had envisioned herself becoming an architect. Today, she played in that world.

For a couple of hours today, my father sat with his drafting table on his lap, multiple sheets of tracing paper in hand, markers, and Jenny at his side.

They spent the afternoon and some of the evening working on the plans for finishing the upstairs of our house.

Jenny was excited on the way home. Excited with the product they created, and is more excited that the work is moving forward from where it was yesterday. She's hoping to have it finished soon.

That means I've got a lot of work ahead of me.

I Know I'm Old Because

I know i'm old because tonight i spent three hours at Chuck E Cheese and largely preferred sitting at a table talking and/or people watching than playing games or running around.

I know i'm old because the oldest person in Yesterday's alumni game was a person I played with while i was in college.

I know i'm old because I had a discussion about calorie intake today.

I know i'm old because by the time i wake up tomorrow, I won't remember what i typed tonight.

I'm getting old.