Note: This blog is for my boy Ethan McDaniel, who actually isn't my boy at all because I don't know him, but he goes by the handle @emcdaniel09 on Twitter and has been talking trash to me about the NBA Playoffs.
It's halftime of Game 5 of the Jazz-Nuggets game, with the Jazz leading 52-50. We'll pick it up from there.
Flashback to about 8:20 p.m., when Ethan sends me the following tweet: @b_hoss_mac expect mr. bigshot to show up against the jazz... he's gonna make the jazz #kissdababy, mark my words!!
I'll guess we'll find out here in the second half if Mr. McDaniel is right and the Jazz are "kissin' da baby" as he says.
11:10 p.m. -- We're back from halftime and starting the third quarter. Denver must be able to overcome the loss of center Nene, out with a sprained knee, as well as foul trouble with power forward Kenyon Martin and point guard Chauncey Billups each with two fouls.
11:12 p.m. -- Jazz have the ball to start the quarter.
11:13 p.m. -- Mike Fratello: First three or four minutes are going to be critical in what could be final half of the year for Denver. Good observation.
11:13 p.m. -- K-Mart and Aron Afflalo hit first two shots to get into double figures. Carmelo said he needed help, and he's getting it tonight.
11:15 p.m. -- Utah with second straight turnover. Billups hits 3. Now has 11 points. Nuggets lead 59-54 after 7-0 run.
11:15 p.m. -- Carlos Boozer follows his own miss. Up to 17 points, along with Deron Williams. Both playing well, but need some help in second half.
11:17 p.m. -- Melo picks up his first foul ... and smiles. He does a lot of smiling on the court, but usually it means he's not happy. I know, ironic.
11:17 p.m. -- Billups hits second 3 in third quarter. Has 8 points so far, after scoring only 6 in the first half.
11:19 p.m. -- Loose ball situation. Wesley Matthews bounce pass to DWill, who bounce passes to Boozer for a monster stuff. Beautiful basketball!
11:20 p.m. -- Carmelo Anthony with the reverse layup. Nuggets lead 70-62. Denver outscoring Jazz 20-12 in third so far.
11:22 p.m. -- Billups with a layup. Now has 10 in the third quarter, 16 for the game. Nuggets lead 72-66 with 6:05 left in third.
11:23 p.m. -- According to tweet from Ross Siler of Salt Lake Tribute, Denver has started 9-for-10 in the second half. Melo and Billups have 17 of those points. Wow. *Shakes head*
11:25 p.m. -- Melo knocks down a jumper. Jazz defense stayed in the locker room, apparently.
11:26 p.m. -- Wesley Matthews with steal and layup. Jazz only down 4, 74-70.
11:28 p.m. -- Afflalo makes step-under jumper at shot clock buzzer. Nuggets now 11-12 from floor in second half. At some point, Jazz have to get some stops.
11:31 p.m. -- DWill drains 3-pointer. Now has 24 points and 8 assists. Millsap with follow-up on next possession. Nuggets lead down to one, 80-79.
11:33 p.m. -- Random thought: Do they sell Coca-Cola products at the Pepsi Center? Oh, and Taco Bell, you may call it a tortada, but it's a sandwich.
11:37 p.m. -- And just like that ... free throw, offensive rebound, 3-pointer ... Nuggets lead back to 7.
11:39 p.m. -- In a crazy sequence of trying to get 2-for-1 opportunities, Ty Lawson turns ball over and DWill misses 3-pointer. Then Nuggets with an offensive foul. Sloppy end to 3rd quarter.
11:41 p.m. -- C.J. Miles misses three at the buzzer. Denver leads 86-81 heading into fourth quarter.
11:43 p.m. -- After playing every minute of third quarter, Deron Williams will start fourth on the bench. Pivotal moment here to see how much time Jazz can steal with Ronnie Price on the floor and how close they can keep it before DWill returns.
11:47 p.m. -- Boozer with an offensive rebound and putback. Jazz trail 89-86. Booz 25 points and 14 boards. DWill 26 points and 9 assists.
11:50 p.m. -- DWill returns with 9:51 remaining and Jazz down by only 4. Good break.
11:51 p.m. -- J.R. Smith nails a wide-open 3-pointer. Denver up 94-88.
11:52 p.m. -- Millsap hits a turnaround hook shot to cut the lead down to two.
11:53 p.m. -- J.R. Smith with another 3-pointer, the Nuggets' eighth consecutive 3 made. Denver's lead is back to seven, 99-92.
11:57 p.m. -- Carmelo tackles C.J. Miles while going after a loose ball. For one of the world's best players, Melo makes some stupid decisions.
11:58 p.m. -- Johan Petro with a tip give Denver biggest lead of the game at 9, 101-92, with 5:58 remaining.
Midnight -- Good morning, everyone.
12:03 a.m. -- Booz grabs his 15th rebound of the game. Also has 25 points. Not a bad game.
12:06 a.m. -- Billups knocks down 2 free throws to put Nuggets up 11, biggest lead of the night, at 105-94.
12:07 a.m. -- You can refer to the Nuggets as Team Tat. Between Kenyon Martin, Chris Andersen and J.R. Smith, there's no team in the league with more tattoos.
12:09 a.m. -- Billups steal leads to J.R. Smith runout dunk. Denver up 111-97 with 3:10 left to play.
12:11 a.m. -- Too much balance tonight for Denver with six players in double figures. DWill's 32 points and 10 assists, and Boozer's 25 points and 15 rebounds can't overcome all of the Nuggets' balance.
12:14 a.m. -- Despite the double-digit deficit, DWill is not going to go away quietly.
12:17 a.m. -- Probably just a lot of frustration, but Boozer and Millsap doing a lot of complaining about physical play and being hacked under the basket without getting any calls.
12:19 a.m. -- With tempers and tension soaring, the benches empty with Denver up 114-110. DWill fouls out after a brilliant game of 34 points and 10 assists. First player in NBA history with 20+ points and 10+ assists in first five games of the series.
12:21 a.m. -- Ballgame. Final: Denver 116, Utah 102. Jazz lead the series 3-2 and head home to Salt Lake City with chance to clinch at home on Friday night.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
NFL Draft ... and other musings
It's shortly after midnight on the Saturday morning of NFL Draft weekend. At this point, I should be crawling into bed and getting ready for an all-day marathon. Instead, we're two days and three rounds into the draft. It's just not right. The NFL Draft used to be an event, where fans all followed intently thoughout the day on Saturday, and more casually in the later rounds on Sunday.
It looks like the new format, which brings the first round in primetime on Thursday and the second and third rounds on Friday, will be here to stay, at least for the short term. The TV ratings are good. I don't have to like it though.
A few quick hits from the draft, and then a deeper look at my team, the New Orleans Saints:
-- I really like what the Lions have done. Ndamakong Suh is about as can't-miss a defensive tackle prospect as there ever has been, and he's a great start at #2. They traded up at the end of the first round to take Jahvid Best at #30. Best, I believe, is the second-best running back in the draft and will have a better career than Ryan Matthews, who went 12th. They also got Amari Spievey, a defensive back from Iowa, at the top of the third round, and he'll give the Lions depth at corner and safety. The Lions have a fourth-rounder and three seventh-rounders today to add some more depth.
-- Other teams whose drafts I liked were the Chiefs, the Raiders (surprisingly), the Bengals, Cowboys and Jets. KC picked up two starters (S Eric Berry and CB Javier Arenas) and a major contributor (RB/WR/KR Dexter McCluster, who should get 10-15 touches per game in a variety of ways) in the first two rounds. Oakland, known for reaching for players with less-than-stellar production but great potential, picked up perhaps the second-best defensive player in MLB Rolando McClain at #8. Cincy grabbed stud TE Jermaine Gresham at #21 and a solid WR in Jordan Shipley in the third round, along with a steady CB Brandon Ghee at the end of the third round. The Bengals, of course, can't go a draft without taking a shady character, this time choosing Florida DE Carlos Dunlap in the second round. Dallas had just two picks but grabbed a future Pro Bowler in WR Dez Bryant at #24 and a future starter at ILB in Sean Lee. The Jets, meanwhile, were ecstatic that CB Kyle Wilson, a top-10 talent, fell to them at #29 at the bottom of the first round.
-- I just can't figure out what's going on in Denver. The Broncos trade their Pro Bowl quarterback last offseason. This offseason, they jettisoned perhaps the best receiver in the NFL and their starting tight end. Then, they traded down in the first round and traded back up twice for two reaches. I'm not sold on Demaryius Thomas as a future star receiver (although the choice of Eric Decker in the third round was a good one), and then the Broncos snatched Tim Tebow at #25. I like Tebow. But at 25? It's safe to call that pick a reach, and coach Josh McDaniels essentially has tied his future in Denver to Tebow's development as a quarterback. I'm not sure I would be willing to do that if I were in his shoes.
-- Congratulations to D'Anthony "Boo" Smith, the defensive tackle from Louisiana Tech, for being drafted in the third round by the Jacksonville Jags. Boo is a great kid who represented by alma mater wonderfully for the past four years. Now he joins two other Tech grads, Josh Scobee and Luke McCown, in Jacksonville. If only the Jags would trade for Ryan Moats now.
-- Now to my Saints: I'll just borrow a phrase from the immortal Vince Lombardi. "What the hell's going on out there?" You know, winning a Super Bowl, especially at a place with such a dismal past as New Orleans, will get you a lot of leeway. I'm trying to keep that in mind. But I'm just not getting this draft. I understand the premise that you take the best player available if you can't get a trade offer you like, but that idea also doesn't consider the fact that your team has needs. And the Saints haven't filled their needs through the first three rounds. They have glaring needs at linebacker, both depth and the big hole at the starting strongside linebacker spot with the departure of Scott Fujita. Yet, through three rounds, there have been no linebackers chosen, despite a myriad of options available.
New Orleans selected cornerback Patrick Robinson with the last pick of the first round. He looks great on paper, but he struggled with consistency at Florida State. That's usually not a great trait to have entering the NFL. It's the second year in a row the Saints have picked a corner in the first round, so that doesn't bode well for last year's pick, Malcolm Jenkins. There was talk then that he'd end up at safety, and that appears to be the case with this pick. Still, the Saints have an emerging playmaker in Tracy Porter at one corner and Jabari Greer at the other corner with Randall Gay as the nickel back. Depth is good, but you usually don't try to build depth in the first round. You normal look for immediate starters there. I understand injuries piled up in the secondary last year, and you can never have too many guys who can cover in this league, but I thought the Saints had bigger needs than cornerback.
The Saints picked an offensive tackle at the end of the second round in Southern Cal's Charles Brown. The best part of this pick, according to my wife, is the guy's name is CHARLIE BROWN! Yes, my wife, ladies and gentlemen. She'll be here all week. I'm a big USC fan, and if I haven't heard of the guy, he's probably not that good. And it's not like there's a glaring need at offensive tackle. Jon Stinchcomb is an entrenched starter at RT. Jamaal Brown is a Pro Bowler at LT, even though he's a restricted free agent who is coming off an injury and likely will be traded. Jermon Bushrod filled in admirably for Brown last year while he was injured. Zach Strief also plays a lot as a sixth offensive lineman during running situations. Maybe the Saints plan to trade Brown for a linebacker, or maybe they plan for him to play one more season while Charles Brown learns. Again, there were much bigger needs than a fourth offensive tackle.
And my least favorite pick happened at the end of the third round, when the Saints grabbed Miami tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham has great size and physical tools, and his upside is tremendous. But he's a basketball player who only played one year of football in college. Yes, San Diego struck gold with Antonio Gates, a basketball player from Kent State. But Gates was an undrafted free agent. Graham is a big-time reach in the third round, particularly when there were other more established tight ends like Pitt's Dorin Dickerson, LSU's Richard Dickson, Florida's Aaron Hernandez and USC's Anthony McCoy still available. Heck, I'm willing to bet that Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech's tight end, has a better NFL career than Jimmy Graham.
The Saints have three picks in today's final day of the draft -- a fourth, a sixth and a seventh. Here's hoping two of those are linebackers and a third is a developmental quarterback who can battle with Chase Daniel to become Drew Brees's backup.
Leaving the draft, let's finish up with some NBA playoffs talk. We're about halfway through the first round, and a few things have stood out so far:
-- The Jazz just keep on winning. Two starters, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur, are out of the series against Denver with injuries. Yet, the Jazz have taken two of the first three games and have the upper hand in the series. The star of Friday night's Game 3 was Paul Millsap, the team's sixth man and backup power forward who played at Louisiana Tech. Millsap posted career playoff highs of 22 points and 19 rebounds to help mask a subpar game from starting power forward Carlos Boozer. Deron Williams has emerged as a challenger to Steve Nash as the best point guard in the NBA, and he's the clear leader of this young team. But the Jazz's role players, led by Millsap, have really stepped up. Rookie Wesley Matthews, who was undrafted, has stepped in as the team's starting two-guard, and young center Kyrylo Fesenko have filled in nicely for the two injured starters. And the other two wing players, starter C.J. Miles and reserve Kyle Korver, have played strong as well.
-- It's time for Dwyane Wade to get away from South Beach. Yes, he won a title there. But this team is terrible. There's not a single player starting next to Wade who should be a starter in the NBA. It's really depressing, especially considering how hard Wade plays and how much he's done to keep the Heat in the games against Boston. But Boston leads the series 3-0 and is well on its way to a sweep.
-- The Chicago Bulls pushed Boston to the limit last year, and they've already taken a game against Cleveland, the NBA's best team during the regular season. How does LeBron James respond? Can he lift the Cavs over the next two games to close the series out in 5, or will Chicago continue to hang around and make this a series?
-- The OKC Thunder, the young but supremely talented eight seed in the West, stole Game 3 from the defending champion L.A. Lakers. Most analysts I've seen have the Lakers responding to win Game 4 and closing the series out in five. I think Kobe is fading and Kevin Durant is ready to step up and make this a seven-game series. The main question is can the Thunder steal a game in L.A.? If they can, they might just make it to the second round.
It looks like the new format, which brings the first round in primetime on Thursday and the second and third rounds on Friday, will be here to stay, at least for the short term. The TV ratings are good. I don't have to like it though.
A few quick hits from the draft, and then a deeper look at my team, the New Orleans Saints:
-- I really like what the Lions have done. Ndamakong Suh is about as can't-miss a defensive tackle prospect as there ever has been, and he's a great start at #2. They traded up at the end of the first round to take Jahvid Best at #30. Best, I believe, is the second-best running back in the draft and will have a better career than Ryan Matthews, who went 12th. They also got Amari Spievey, a defensive back from Iowa, at the top of the third round, and he'll give the Lions depth at corner and safety. The Lions have a fourth-rounder and three seventh-rounders today to add some more depth.
-- Other teams whose drafts I liked were the Chiefs, the Raiders (surprisingly), the Bengals, Cowboys and Jets. KC picked up two starters (S Eric Berry and CB Javier Arenas) and a major contributor (RB/WR/KR Dexter McCluster, who should get 10-15 touches per game in a variety of ways) in the first two rounds. Oakland, known for reaching for players with less-than-stellar production but great potential, picked up perhaps the second-best defensive player in MLB Rolando McClain at #8. Cincy grabbed stud TE Jermaine Gresham at #21 and a solid WR in Jordan Shipley in the third round, along with a steady CB Brandon Ghee at the end of the third round. The Bengals, of course, can't go a draft without taking a shady character, this time choosing Florida DE Carlos Dunlap in the second round. Dallas had just two picks but grabbed a future Pro Bowler in WR Dez Bryant at #24 and a future starter at ILB in Sean Lee. The Jets, meanwhile, were ecstatic that CB Kyle Wilson, a top-10 talent, fell to them at #29 at the bottom of the first round.
-- I just can't figure out what's going on in Denver. The Broncos trade their Pro Bowl quarterback last offseason. This offseason, they jettisoned perhaps the best receiver in the NFL and their starting tight end. Then, they traded down in the first round and traded back up twice for two reaches. I'm not sold on Demaryius Thomas as a future star receiver (although the choice of Eric Decker in the third round was a good one), and then the Broncos snatched Tim Tebow at #25. I like Tebow. But at 25? It's safe to call that pick a reach, and coach Josh McDaniels essentially has tied his future in Denver to Tebow's development as a quarterback. I'm not sure I would be willing to do that if I were in his shoes.
-- Congratulations to D'Anthony "Boo" Smith, the defensive tackle from Louisiana Tech, for being drafted in the third round by the Jacksonville Jags. Boo is a great kid who represented by alma mater wonderfully for the past four years. Now he joins two other Tech grads, Josh Scobee and Luke McCown, in Jacksonville. If only the Jags would trade for Ryan Moats now.
-- Now to my Saints: I'll just borrow a phrase from the immortal Vince Lombardi. "What the hell's going on out there?" You know, winning a Super Bowl, especially at a place with such a dismal past as New Orleans, will get you a lot of leeway. I'm trying to keep that in mind. But I'm just not getting this draft. I understand the premise that you take the best player available if you can't get a trade offer you like, but that idea also doesn't consider the fact that your team has needs. And the Saints haven't filled their needs through the first three rounds. They have glaring needs at linebacker, both depth and the big hole at the starting strongside linebacker spot with the departure of Scott Fujita. Yet, through three rounds, there have been no linebackers chosen, despite a myriad of options available.
New Orleans selected cornerback Patrick Robinson with the last pick of the first round. He looks great on paper, but he struggled with consistency at Florida State. That's usually not a great trait to have entering the NFL. It's the second year in a row the Saints have picked a corner in the first round, so that doesn't bode well for last year's pick, Malcolm Jenkins. There was talk then that he'd end up at safety, and that appears to be the case with this pick. Still, the Saints have an emerging playmaker in Tracy Porter at one corner and Jabari Greer at the other corner with Randall Gay as the nickel back. Depth is good, but you usually don't try to build depth in the first round. You normal look for immediate starters there. I understand injuries piled up in the secondary last year, and you can never have too many guys who can cover in this league, but I thought the Saints had bigger needs than cornerback.
The Saints picked an offensive tackle at the end of the second round in Southern Cal's Charles Brown. The best part of this pick, according to my wife, is the guy's name is CHARLIE BROWN! Yes, my wife, ladies and gentlemen. She'll be here all week. I'm a big USC fan, and if I haven't heard of the guy, he's probably not that good. And it's not like there's a glaring need at offensive tackle. Jon Stinchcomb is an entrenched starter at RT. Jamaal Brown is a Pro Bowler at LT, even though he's a restricted free agent who is coming off an injury and likely will be traded. Jermon Bushrod filled in admirably for Brown last year while he was injured. Zach Strief also plays a lot as a sixth offensive lineman during running situations. Maybe the Saints plan to trade Brown for a linebacker, or maybe they plan for him to play one more season while Charles Brown learns. Again, there were much bigger needs than a fourth offensive tackle.
And my least favorite pick happened at the end of the third round, when the Saints grabbed Miami tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham has great size and physical tools, and his upside is tremendous. But he's a basketball player who only played one year of football in college. Yes, San Diego struck gold with Antonio Gates, a basketball player from Kent State. But Gates was an undrafted free agent. Graham is a big-time reach in the third round, particularly when there were other more established tight ends like Pitt's Dorin Dickerson, LSU's Richard Dickson, Florida's Aaron Hernandez and USC's Anthony McCoy still available. Heck, I'm willing to bet that Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech's tight end, has a better NFL career than Jimmy Graham.
The Saints have three picks in today's final day of the draft -- a fourth, a sixth and a seventh. Here's hoping two of those are linebackers and a third is a developmental quarterback who can battle with Chase Daniel to become Drew Brees's backup.
Leaving the draft, let's finish up with some NBA playoffs talk. We're about halfway through the first round, and a few things have stood out so far:
-- The Jazz just keep on winning. Two starters, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur, are out of the series against Denver with injuries. Yet, the Jazz have taken two of the first three games and have the upper hand in the series. The star of Friday night's Game 3 was Paul Millsap, the team's sixth man and backup power forward who played at Louisiana Tech. Millsap posted career playoff highs of 22 points and 19 rebounds to help mask a subpar game from starting power forward Carlos Boozer. Deron Williams has emerged as a challenger to Steve Nash as the best point guard in the NBA, and he's the clear leader of this young team. But the Jazz's role players, led by Millsap, have really stepped up. Rookie Wesley Matthews, who was undrafted, has stepped in as the team's starting two-guard, and young center Kyrylo Fesenko have filled in nicely for the two injured starters. And the other two wing players, starter C.J. Miles and reserve Kyle Korver, have played strong as well.
-- It's time for Dwyane Wade to get away from South Beach. Yes, he won a title there. But this team is terrible. There's not a single player starting next to Wade who should be a starter in the NBA. It's really depressing, especially considering how hard Wade plays and how much he's done to keep the Heat in the games against Boston. But Boston leads the series 3-0 and is well on its way to a sweep.
-- The Chicago Bulls pushed Boston to the limit last year, and they've already taken a game against Cleveland, the NBA's best team during the regular season. How does LeBron James respond? Can he lift the Cavs over the next two games to close the series out in 5, or will Chicago continue to hang around and make this a series?
-- The OKC Thunder, the young but supremely talented eight seed in the West, stole Game 3 from the defending champion L.A. Lakers. Most analysts I've seen have the Lakers responding to win Game 4 and closing the series out in five. I think Kobe is fading and Kevin Durant is ready to step up and make this a seven-game series. The main question is can the Thunder steal a game in L.A.? If they can, they might just make it to the second round.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
No Bird, no Magic, no MJ ... no need
Full disclosure: I'm a LeBron guy.
The National Basketball Association, more than any other sports league, is a players' league. College athletics is about the college. You root for your school in all sports. Or at least you should. If you don't, you're a poser. The NFL is about teams. It's the ultimate team league. Was your dad a Cowboys fan? Then you're a Cowboys fan. If you grew up in Louisiana, then you're a Saints fan. Unless you're from Shreveport. Then you might as well be from East Texas. But that's another story. Major League Baseball has its star sluggers and ace pitchers that fans root for, but the passion is about the team -- the Yanks, the Sawx ... and everybody else.
But the NBA, oh the NBA is different. It's about the names on the back of the jerseys, not the front. It's always been that way. Wilt, the Pistol, Bird, Magic, MJ ... you root for superstars. And, man, are there plenty of superstars in the NBA right now.
For many years, we didn't know if the NBA could ever recapture its glory years. In the '80s, Bird and Magic dueled as the game's top two players. They lifted the league to a new level, and then passed the baton to Michael Jordan, who took the game into a new stratosphere in the '90s. The glory years. The MJ years. Then he retired. But he came back! And won three more titles to go with his three previous ones. And then he retired. But, unfortunately, he came back again, and wasn't the same player. Ever since, fans have been wondering if the league would ever see a player as good as Jordan.
As I've watched the first few games of this year's NBA playoffs, I'm not convinced that the league doesn't have more great players than ever. There have been some great players in the post-MJ era. Tim Duncan rivals Karl Malone as the greatest power forward ever, even if he's really a center masquerading as a power forward. Shaquille O'Neal won four titles and will go down as one of the top 10 or 15 players ever, even if he had the physical ability to be the greatest center of all-time and didn't fully reach that potential. Kobe Bryant has been a great player, perhaps the closest to MJ in terms of physical skills, even if he has never been as beloved as Jordan.
But I look at the young talent in the NBA right now and think that the next decade could actually be better than anything we've ever seen. Like I said at the beginning of this blog, I'm a LeBron guy. I've followed his career since he first burst onto the scene as a high school sophomore. I began buying into the hype as soon as I watched him play and thought this kid -- who at 16 looked like a 6-8, 235-pound man already -- could become the greatest player of all-time. His skill set is an unbelievable hybrid of Magic Johnson meets Karl Malone. He's 6-foot-8 and somewhere between 250 and 280 pounds, built like a defensive end with the athletic abilities of a running back. He's an athletic freak with a feel for the game very reminiscent of Magic Johnson, and he enjoys passing and playmaking so much that he goes out of his way to get his teammates involved. He'll soon garner his second straight MVP award and, at age 25, could conceivably win the award for the next 5-8 years. I honestly believe, if he stays focused and dialed in during crunch time, he could surpass Jordan as the greatest player of all time.
But LeBron isn't the only great young player. That draft in 2003 also produced Dwyane Wade, who already has won an NBA title with Shaq, and Carmelo Anthony, who is one of the top two pure scorers in the league. Dwight Howard, the No. 1 pick in '04, led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals last year, and although he still has a lot of growth left in his game, has a chance to be the top center in the game for the next decade.
Deron Williams and Chris Paul went third and fourth to the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Hornets in the '05 draft, and along with Derrick Rose, the top pick in '08, are the point guards of the future in the NBA. Brandon Roy, the sixth pick in '06, looks to be the best player in a weak draft, but if his knees can stay healthy, he has the appearance of a future star for years to come for the Blazers.
Kevin Durant, the second pick in '07, looks like he could develop into the greatest scorer the league has ever seen. At 21, he became the youngest player to lead the league in scoring this year, and he's only going to get better as the leader of an up-and-coming Oklahoma City team. I'm not sure there is a player in the world with a more complete offensive skill set. Durant can simply put the ball in the basket.
And there are several promising rookies from this year in point guards Brandon Jennings, Steph Curry and Tyreke Evans, who joined MJ, LeBron and Oscar Robertson as the only rookies to ever average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during their first years in the league.
That's not even counting two No. 1 picks -- '07 top choice Greg Oden and '09 first selection Blake Griffin -- who have earned incomplete grades because of injuries. Even if he ever gets healthy, I'm not sure Oden is ever going to be more than a solid 15-12 center. He's not going to be a perennial all-star or the franchise center many expected, but Griffin has the athleticism and skill set to become a fixture on all-NBA teams at power forward.
With all of these young players, Team USA would appear to be in solid shape for the next two or three Olympic games. How's this for an Olympic roster:
PG Deron Williams
PG Chris Paul
PG Derrick Rose
SG Dwyane Wade
SG Brandon Roy
SG Tyreke Evans
SF Kevin Durant
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF LeBron James
PF Blake Griffin
C Dwight Howard
C Greg Oden
Sure, it's certainly a guard-heavy squad, and it's weak in the post. You could swap out one of the guards (Evans and/or Rose) for a young post player like Andrew Bynum, Al Jefferson or Al Horford. But I think you could win with this team in international competition. You're not going to find a better backcourt with those three point guards, or more prolific scorers from the small forward position. Heck, Durant and Melo might be the two best scorers in the world. LeBron could easily play the 4 in international play and present some very difficult matchups, and Howard should be able to hold his own at the center position.
These days, though, the NBA is a guard's league. More importantly, it's a scorer's league. And there are plenty of young guards and scorers in the league. It's pretty safe to say that the NBa is going to be safe for years to come, and in 20-30 years, fans may be talking about this upcoming decade as the glory years of the NBA as compared to the Bird, Magic and MJ days of the '80s and '90s.
The National Basketball Association, more than any other sports league, is a players' league. College athletics is about the college. You root for your school in all sports. Or at least you should. If you don't, you're a poser. The NFL is about teams. It's the ultimate team league. Was your dad a Cowboys fan? Then you're a Cowboys fan. If you grew up in Louisiana, then you're a Saints fan. Unless you're from Shreveport. Then you might as well be from East Texas. But that's another story. Major League Baseball has its star sluggers and ace pitchers that fans root for, but the passion is about the team -- the Yanks, the Sawx ... and everybody else.
But the NBA, oh the NBA is different. It's about the names on the back of the jerseys, not the front. It's always been that way. Wilt, the Pistol, Bird, Magic, MJ ... you root for superstars. And, man, are there plenty of superstars in the NBA right now.
For many years, we didn't know if the NBA could ever recapture its glory years. In the '80s, Bird and Magic dueled as the game's top two players. They lifted the league to a new level, and then passed the baton to Michael Jordan, who took the game into a new stratosphere in the '90s. The glory years. The MJ years. Then he retired. But he came back! And won three more titles to go with his three previous ones. And then he retired. But, unfortunately, he came back again, and wasn't the same player. Ever since, fans have been wondering if the league would ever see a player as good as Jordan.
As I've watched the first few games of this year's NBA playoffs, I'm not convinced that the league doesn't have more great players than ever. There have been some great players in the post-MJ era. Tim Duncan rivals Karl Malone as the greatest power forward ever, even if he's really a center masquerading as a power forward. Shaquille O'Neal won four titles and will go down as one of the top 10 or 15 players ever, even if he had the physical ability to be the greatest center of all-time and didn't fully reach that potential. Kobe Bryant has been a great player, perhaps the closest to MJ in terms of physical skills, even if he has never been as beloved as Jordan.
But I look at the young talent in the NBA right now and think that the next decade could actually be better than anything we've ever seen. Like I said at the beginning of this blog, I'm a LeBron guy. I've followed his career since he first burst onto the scene as a high school sophomore. I began buying into the hype as soon as I watched him play and thought this kid -- who at 16 looked like a 6-8, 235-pound man already -- could become the greatest player of all-time. His skill set is an unbelievable hybrid of Magic Johnson meets Karl Malone. He's 6-foot-8 and somewhere between 250 and 280 pounds, built like a defensive end with the athletic abilities of a running back. He's an athletic freak with a feel for the game very reminiscent of Magic Johnson, and he enjoys passing and playmaking so much that he goes out of his way to get his teammates involved. He'll soon garner his second straight MVP award and, at age 25, could conceivably win the award for the next 5-8 years. I honestly believe, if he stays focused and dialed in during crunch time, he could surpass Jordan as the greatest player of all time.
But LeBron isn't the only great young player. That draft in 2003 also produced Dwyane Wade, who already has won an NBA title with Shaq, and Carmelo Anthony, who is one of the top two pure scorers in the league. Dwight Howard, the No. 1 pick in '04, led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals last year, and although he still has a lot of growth left in his game, has a chance to be the top center in the game for the next decade.
Deron Williams and Chris Paul went third and fourth to the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Hornets in the '05 draft, and along with Derrick Rose, the top pick in '08, are the point guards of the future in the NBA. Brandon Roy, the sixth pick in '06, looks to be the best player in a weak draft, but if his knees can stay healthy, he has the appearance of a future star for years to come for the Blazers.
Kevin Durant, the second pick in '07, looks like he could develop into the greatest scorer the league has ever seen. At 21, he became the youngest player to lead the league in scoring this year, and he's only going to get better as the leader of an up-and-coming Oklahoma City team. I'm not sure there is a player in the world with a more complete offensive skill set. Durant can simply put the ball in the basket.
And there are several promising rookies from this year in point guards Brandon Jennings, Steph Curry and Tyreke Evans, who joined MJ, LeBron and Oscar Robertson as the only rookies to ever average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during their first years in the league.
That's not even counting two No. 1 picks -- '07 top choice Greg Oden and '09 first selection Blake Griffin -- who have earned incomplete grades because of injuries. Even if he ever gets healthy, I'm not sure Oden is ever going to be more than a solid 15-12 center. He's not going to be a perennial all-star or the franchise center many expected, but Griffin has the athleticism and skill set to become a fixture on all-NBA teams at power forward.
With all of these young players, Team USA would appear to be in solid shape for the next two or three Olympic games. How's this for an Olympic roster:
PG Deron Williams
PG Chris Paul
PG Derrick Rose
SG Dwyane Wade
SG Brandon Roy
SG Tyreke Evans
SF Kevin Durant
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF LeBron James
PF Blake Griffin
C Dwight Howard
C Greg Oden
Sure, it's certainly a guard-heavy squad, and it's weak in the post. You could swap out one of the guards (Evans and/or Rose) for a young post player like Andrew Bynum, Al Jefferson or Al Horford. But I think you could win with this team in international competition. You're not going to find a better backcourt with those three point guards, or more prolific scorers from the small forward position. Heck, Durant and Melo might be the two best scorers in the world. LeBron could easily play the 4 in international play and present some very difficult matchups, and Howard should be able to hold his own at the center position.
These days, though, the NBA is a guard's league. More importantly, it's a scorer's league. And there are plenty of young guards and scorers in the league. It's pretty safe to say that the NBa is going to be safe for years to come, and in 20-30 years, fans may be talking about this upcoming decade as the glory years of the NBA as compared to the Bird, Magic and MJ days of the '80s and '90s.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Where has the time gone?
Note: I'm going to try to keep this post short and stay around 500 words, rather than get all rambly and type 3,000. Though, I must say, I reserve the right to change my mind before this post is finished.
So, Elizabeth and I recently started going back to church. Whoa. I know, I never would have thought there would come a time in my life when I wasn't going to church. But, hey, things happen.
Thinks, like, oh, getting caught up in messy drama at church. Yeah, that can kind of put a damper on things. It's hard for me to believe that has been nearly three years ago.
Quick catch up for those that haven't heard the story (though if you're reading this blog, chances are you have) or have forgotten: was going to a church and actively helping out with the youth group before some things happened that caused me to say enough is enough and bail out. Long story short, there were a lot of hurt feelings all the way around, and it was very difficult for me to even want to step foot back in a church.
Then, in December '08, I lost my job and took a new one over in Texas. Found a tremendous church there. Had a Sunday night service I fell in love with. And a few young couples that I got to know. Loved the pastor. Loved the worship. Things were moving in the right direction. I was beginning to get a peace about things again. Then, bam! Lose my job and have to leave Texas. Another setback.
For those who don't know, my spiritual background is one who was raised in the Baptist church. I can't remember not going to church, honestly. Now, I went to a lot of churches through the years, but I was always in some church. Got baptized when I was around 8 or 9, because I knew that's what I was supposed to do. After all, I was raised in the church. At the time, though, I didn't really understand what I was doing and never had a life-changing experience into a relationship with God. Growing up, I was a good kid (mostly) and always was in church, but it wasn't until I was 16 and on a church mission trip that I was saved.
Flash forward to June 2009: Elizabeth and I move back to Alexandria, the site of all of my spiritual pain from a few years ago, and honestly I again just lost the desire to go to church. And once you get out of a routine of going to church on Sundays, it's so easy to continue to sleep in and not think a thing about it. So that's what we did. We just were lazy on Sundays and didn't go to church.
That changed a few weeks ago, though. After a challenge from my father-in-law, who finally said enough is enough and that it was time to get back in church, we decided to visit the church that Elizabeth grew up in over in Pineville. The church, which recently went through a messy split with its former pastor and lost a lot of members, was getting a new pastor and there was some excitement coming down the pipe.
So, we've been visiting, and it's been good to be back in the house of the Lord. I really like the pastor. He's a first-time pastor, after making a mid-life career change and serving as an associate at a bigger church in Alexandria for the past few years. I like his vision, and I like his heart. I think he's going to get things turned around, and pretty quickly, too.
I'm having to make some adjustments, though. The church is still pretty small, and it's made up of a mostly older congregation. While I was raised in traditional Baptist churches, I've been spoiled in my college years with a great worship experience at Common Ground, and my previous church also had wonderful praise music. It's been an adjustment going back to the traditional hymns, though not necessarily a bad one. I'm just not used to it.
This past weekend, while visiting friends in Ruston, I was able to attend Temple Baptist Church's 10:10 Gathering, and that was a wonderful experience. Talk about my kind of service. Man, that was nice. But that doesn't mean that's the only way to worship and experience God. Who knows what the future holds at this church -- or even if that's the place that Elizabeth and I are supposed to be, though I feel we are being called to be there at this time and place. I'm still reticent to jump right back in with both feet, as I did at my previous church, and I really want to take my time to visit and learn before really starting to serve again. But, my personality is to be one who is either involved or not, so I'm sure I will get involved in some way, shape or form. I have such a passion for teenagers that I'm sure the youth could use me in some capacity.
For now, though, it's just nice to once again be able to walk in a church and feel at home. It's nice to see the same faces week after week and begin to build relationships. It's nice to feel wanted and loved. I can honestly say I'm happy to once again be going to church on Sundays. And it just makes me think, why did I wait this long to start again?
So, Elizabeth and I recently started going back to church. Whoa. I know, I never would have thought there would come a time in my life when I wasn't going to church. But, hey, things happen.
Thinks, like, oh, getting caught up in messy drama at church. Yeah, that can kind of put a damper on things. It's hard for me to believe that has been nearly three years ago.
Quick catch up for those that haven't heard the story (though if you're reading this blog, chances are you have) or have forgotten: was going to a church and actively helping out with the youth group before some things happened that caused me to say enough is enough and bail out. Long story short, there were a lot of hurt feelings all the way around, and it was very difficult for me to even want to step foot back in a church.
Then, in December '08, I lost my job and took a new one over in Texas. Found a tremendous church there. Had a Sunday night service I fell in love with. And a few young couples that I got to know. Loved the pastor. Loved the worship. Things were moving in the right direction. I was beginning to get a peace about things again. Then, bam! Lose my job and have to leave Texas. Another setback.
For those who don't know, my spiritual background is one who was raised in the Baptist church. I can't remember not going to church, honestly. Now, I went to a lot of churches through the years, but I was always in some church. Got baptized when I was around 8 or 9, because I knew that's what I was supposed to do. After all, I was raised in the church. At the time, though, I didn't really understand what I was doing and never had a life-changing experience into a relationship with God. Growing up, I was a good kid (mostly) and always was in church, but it wasn't until I was 16 and on a church mission trip that I was saved.
Flash forward to June 2009: Elizabeth and I move back to Alexandria, the site of all of my spiritual pain from a few years ago, and honestly I again just lost the desire to go to church. And once you get out of a routine of going to church on Sundays, it's so easy to continue to sleep in and not think a thing about it. So that's what we did. We just were lazy on Sundays and didn't go to church.
That changed a few weeks ago, though. After a challenge from my father-in-law, who finally said enough is enough and that it was time to get back in church, we decided to visit the church that Elizabeth grew up in over in Pineville. The church, which recently went through a messy split with its former pastor and lost a lot of members, was getting a new pastor and there was some excitement coming down the pipe.
So, we've been visiting, and it's been good to be back in the house of the Lord. I really like the pastor. He's a first-time pastor, after making a mid-life career change and serving as an associate at a bigger church in Alexandria for the past few years. I like his vision, and I like his heart. I think he's going to get things turned around, and pretty quickly, too.
I'm having to make some adjustments, though. The church is still pretty small, and it's made up of a mostly older congregation. While I was raised in traditional Baptist churches, I've been spoiled in my college years with a great worship experience at Common Ground, and my previous church also had wonderful praise music. It's been an adjustment going back to the traditional hymns, though not necessarily a bad one. I'm just not used to it.
This past weekend, while visiting friends in Ruston, I was able to attend Temple Baptist Church's 10:10 Gathering, and that was a wonderful experience. Talk about my kind of service. Man, that was nice. But that doesn't mean that's the only way to worship and experience God. Who knows what the future holds at this church -- or even if that's the place that Elizabeth and I are supposed to be, though I feel we are being called to be there at this time and place. I'm still reticent to jump right back in with both feet, as I did at my previous church, and I really want to take my time to visit and learn before really starting to serve again. But, my personality is to be one who is either involved or not, so I'm sure I will get involved in some way, shape or form. I have such a passion for teenagers that I'm sure the youth could use me in some capacity.
For now, though, it's just nice to once again be able to walk in a church and feel at home. It's nice to see the same faces week after week and begin to build relationships. It's nice to feel wanted and loved. I can honestly say I'm happy to once again be going to church on Sundays. And it just makes me think, why did I wait this long to start again?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Are you ready?
Dude, where's your blog? I know, I know. It's been a while. Twenty-nine days to be exact. No excuses.
I've been reading a lot lately. Ted Dekker. Mindy Starns Clark. An autobiography about the first black athlete to graduate from Auburn. Terri Blackstock. I know, that list definitely brings to mind the Sesame Street song: "One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just don't belong."
The other night I started the first book in Terri Blackstock's Restoration series entitled Last Light. I've only made it 100 or so pages into the book, but it's already gotten me to thinking.
Basic premise: it's an end-of-times thriller where some supernatural event has knocked out all power. No electricity. Cars don't work. Water doesn't run. Basically, the main protagonists, who live in Birmingham, are shockingly sent back into prehistoric times.
I spent much of my high school years reading The Left Behind Series, a great premise that is essentially the be-all, end-all of end-of-times books, and a series that unfortunately became so successful that it dragged on and on and spawned spin-off books that never should have been written. But the original premise was amazing, and I own the entire series.
I'm not quite sure yet what direction this four-part series will take -- after all, I'm only about a third of the way through the first book -- but it's made me think just how ill-prepared I would be if something like that were to happen to us today or tomorrow or next week.
My life is very routine, and honestly, I like it that way. I get up around the same time every morning, move my vehicle so my wife can head to work, and then I get ready to work. For the most part, I work the same hours every single day (with some variance), and then I come home to my wife and pups, have supper, watch TV and go to back, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day. Sure, there is some variety in my life. Sometimes, I have to work later to cover a night event. I officiate basketball a couple of times a week as a second job. I'm contemplating taking a third job for a few hours a week to pay off some bills and build up some savings. But, honestly, my life is pretty mundane and routine.
Elizabeth and I do not keep our house stocked with perishable food and drink items. We have some candles and a few flashlights and batteries. But we go grocery shopping when we need items, not to keep a pantry full of food.
Much of my life is consumed by electronics. I live on the computer, both at work and at home. Without the convenience of my Buick LeSabre, I don't know how I would survive. Even though Alexandria isn't huge, it's not like I could get around easily if I had to walk everywhere or ride a bike. We watch TV constantly, and TiVo has changed our lives. Take that away, and you take away a major part of our lives.
Much of these characters' reaction has been one of panic and confusion, and I believe that is a natural response when everything that you know and hold dear is snatched away from you in the blink of an eye. No warning. Just one second everything works, and the next nothing does.
Would you be prepared if that were to happen tomorrow? Or if an earthquake struck your city, or a tornado destroyed your neighborhood, or if your state was the victim of the latest hurricane or tsunami? I know I'm terribly prepared, but I also know that I'm not going to do anything to change that either.
With all of the technology advancements that have occurred in the past decade alone, it's easy to become relient upon that. With iPhones and Blackberrys, wireless internet service, and the proliferation of 24/7 news cycles, we have the world at our fingertips whenever we want it. It's hard to fathom all of that just disappearing at a moment's notice. But it could happen. You just never know.
I've been reading a lot lately. Ted Dekker. Mindy Starns Clark. An autobiography about the first black athlete to graduate from Auburn. Terri Blackstock. I know, that list definitely brings to mind the Sesame Street song: "One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just don't belong."
The other night I started the first book in Terri Blackstock's Restoration series entitled Last Light. I've only made it 100 or so pages into the book, but it's already gotten me to thinking.Basic premise: it's an end-of-times thriller where some supernatural event has knocked out all power. No electricity. Cars don't work. Water doesn't run. Basically, the main protagonists, who live in Birmingham, are shockingly sent back into prehistoric times.
I spent much of my high school years reading The Left Behind Series, a great premise that is essentially the be-all, end-all of end-of-times books, and a series that unfortunately became so successful that it dragged on and on and spawned spin-off books that never should have been written. But the original premise was amazing, and I own the entire series.
I'm not quite sure yet what direction this four-part series will take -- after all, I'm only about a third of the way through the first book -- but it's made me think just how ill-prepared I would be if something like that were to happen to us today or tomorrow or next week.
My life is very routine, and honestly, I like it that way. I get up around the same time every morning, move my vehicle so my wife can head to work, and then I get ready to work. For the most part, I work the same hours every single day (with some variance), and then I come home to my wife and pups, have supper, watch TV and go to back, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day. Sure, there is some variety in my life. Sometimes, I have to work later to cover a night event. I officiate basketball a couple of times a week as a second job. I'm contemplating taking a third job for a few hours a week to pay off some bills and build up some savings. But, honestly, my life is pretty mundane and routine.
Elizabeth and I do not keep our house stocked with perishable food and drink items. We have some candles and a few flashlights and batteries. But we go grocery shopping when we need items, not to keep a pantry full of food.
Much of my life is consumed by electronics. I live on the computer, both at work and at home. Without the convenience of my Buick LeSabre, I don't know how I would survive. Even though Alexandria isn't huge, it's not like I could get around easily if I had to walk everywhere or ride a bike. We watch TV constantly, and TiVo has changed our lives. Take that away, and you take away a major part of our lives.
Much of these characters' reaction has been one of panic and confusion, and I believe that is a natural response when everything that you know and hold dear is snatched away from you in the blink of an eye. No warning. Just one second everything works, and the next nothing does.
Would you be prepared if that were to happen tomorrow? Or if an earthquake struck your city, or a tornado destroyed your neighborhood, or if your state was the victim of the latest hurricane or tsunami? I know I'm terribly prepared, but I also know that I'm not going to do anything to change that either.
With all of the technology advancements that have occurred in the past decade alone, it's easy to become relient upon that. With iPhones and Blackberrys, wireless internet service, and the proliferation of 24/7 news cycles, we have the world at our fingertips whenever we want it. It's hard to fathom all of that just disappearing at a moment's notice. But it could happen. You just never know.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Just call him 'The Fan Collector'
Note: So I answered a Facebook ad to be one of 100 people to get an advanced copy of the latest book of my favorite author, Ted Dekker. The Bride Collector will be released in April, and below is my review of the book.
Meet Brad Raines, the Denver-based FBI agent who is on the hunt for a killer unlike any he’s seen before.
Meet Quinton Gauld, the Bride Collector, who is on the hunt for seven beautiful women. They’re the chosen ones, God’s favorites, the most beautiful women in the world. And for that, they must die.
Gauld, a mentally ill psychopath, believes he’s been chosen as God’s messenger to deliver him the seven brides. He carefully handpicks the most beautiful women in the Denver area and hunts them, stalks them like the prey they are. Gauld attacks them, drugs them and drains them of their blood by drilling holes in their heels, posing each victim in an angelic pose on a wall, with a bridal veil covering their faces.
Raines’ rush to stop the killer’s reign of terror delivers him to an unlikely place, a facility for mentally ill patients who have proven themselves to be highly intelligent. It’s there that Raines meets an odd foursome whom he leans on for help in cracking the case.
One of the four, Paradise, may just be the key to the whole case. A schizophrenic who sees hallucinations when touching dead people, or a highly intelligent young woman with an extremely rare gift for seeing the last moments of a dead person’s life, Paradise could be the only person to lead Raines to the Bride Collector.
It’s not long, however, before the case turns personal for the FBI agent, as the Bride Collector taps Raines’ partner as one of his victims, and then sets his sights on a woman who’s stolen Raines’ heart as the seventh, and ultimate, bride for God.
Ted Dekker has developed a reputation over the past several years as one of the premier fantasy and thriller authors around. From his initial thriller successes Blink and Thr3e to some of his later successes such as Adam and Boneman’s Daughters, Dekker has mastered the fast-paced thriller novel.
But for as much success as Dekker’s found – and he’s found plenty as a New York Times best-seller – The Bride Collector is clearly his finest work yet.
From the opening pages, Dekker dispenses with the formalities, introducing his readers to both the protagonist, Raines, and the antagonist, Gauld. The readers know, by the third chapter, who is the villain and who is the hero. The only thing left is to hold on tight for a thrilling ride of hunter vs. hunter to see who will win.
The Bride Collector is perhaps Dekker’s most mainstream novel to date, and while Dekker continues to excel at pitting good against evil, this book stays pretty far away from any Christian themes – other than the generic look into how every person is essentially God’s favorite because of his infinite love for everyone.
What Dekker does brilliantly is challenge his readers to think about mental illness, as Raines’ eyes are opened the more time he spends around Paradise and her cohorts, to the point where Raines essentially resigns himself to the fact that, at their essence, all people are at least a little bit ill mentally.
It’s not hyperbole to point out this novel is clearly Dekker’s best yet. He’s at the top of his game, hooking readers in early and not letting them go throughout the 400-page thrill ride.
The Bride Collector catapults Dekker from his current position as one of the top Christian authors into a pantheon of the greatest contemporary literary minds such as Stephen King, John Grisham, James Patterson and Tom Clancy.
It’s clear with each passing novel that Dekker is continuing to hone his craft and churn out top-notch novels, and The Bride Collector is no exception.
Meet Brad Raines, the Denver-based FBI agent who is on the hunt for a killer unlike any he’s seen before.
Meet Quinton Gauld, the Bride Collector, who is on the hunt for seven beautiful women. They’re the chosen ones, God’s favorites, the most beautiful women in the world. And for that, they must die.
Gauld, a mentally ill psychopath, believes he’s been chosen as God’s messenger to deliver him the seven brides. He carefully handpicks the most beautiful women in the Denver area and hunts them, stalks them like the prey they are. Gauld attacks them, drugs them and drains them of their blood by drilling holes in their heels, posing each victim in an angelic pose on a wall, with a bridal veil covering their faces.
Raines’ rush to stop the killer’s reign of terror delivers him to an unlikely place, a facility for mentally ill patients who have proven themselves to be highly intelligent. It’s there that Raines meets an odd foursome whom he leans on for help in cracking the case.
One of the four, Paradise, may just be the key to the whole case. A schizophrenic who sees hallucinations when touching dead people, or a highly intelligent young woman with an extremely rare gift for seeing the last moments of a dead person’s life, Paradise could be the only person to lead Raines to the Bride Collector.
It’s not long, however, before the case turns personal for the FBI agent, as the Bride Collector taps Raines’ partner as one of his victims, and then sets his sights on a woman who’s stolen Raines’ heart as the seventh, and ultimate, bride for God.
Ted Dekker has developed a reputation over the past several years as one of the premier fantasy and thriller authors around. From his initial thriller successes Blink and Thr3e to some of his later successes such as Adam and Boneman’s Daughters, Dekker has mastered the fast-paced thriller novel.
But for as much success as Dekker’s found – and he’s found plenty as a New York Times best-seller – The Bride Collector is clearly his finest work yet.
From the opening pages, Dekker dispenses with the formalities, introducing his readers to both the protagonist, Raines, and the antagonist, Gauld. The readers know, by the third chapter, who is the villain and who is the hero. The only thing left is to hold on tight for a thrilling ride of hunter vs. hunter to see who will win.
The Bride Collector is perhaps Dekker’s most mainstream novel to date, and while Dekker continues to excel at pitting good against evil, this book stays pretty far away from any Christian themes – other than the generic look into how every person is essentially God’s favorite because of his infinite love for everyone.
What Dekker does brilliantly is challenge his readers to think about mental illness, as Raines’ eyes are opened the more time he spends around Paradise and her cohorts, to the point where Raines essentially resigns himself to the fact that, at their essence, all people are at least a little bit ill mentally.
It’s not hyperbole to point out this novel is clearly Dekker’s best yet. He’s at the top of his game, hooking readers in early and not letting them go throughout the 400-page thrill ride.
The Bride Collector catapults Dekker from his current position as one of the top Christian authors into a pantheon of the greatest contemporary literary minds such as Stephen King, John Grisham, James Patterson and Tom Clancy.
It’s clear with each passing novel that Dekker is continuing to hone his craft and churn out top-notch novels, and The Bride Collector is no exception.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
It's an historic occasion
In case you haven't heard -- and if you haven't, please, I'm begging you please, climb out from under the rock you've been hiding the last couple of weeks -- the New Orleans Saints are headed to the Super Bowl on Sunday. Let me rephrase that: the New Orleans frackin' Saints are going to win the Super Bowl on Sunday!
Honestly, I can't put into words what this means. I'm a Saints fan, have been as long as I can remember. I wouldn't classify myself in that diehard category. I mean, I didn't grow up in New Orleans. I haven't been around for all FORTY-THREE years of the franchise's existence. I've only been to a couple of games in the Superdome in my life, although for as long as I can remember, I've been watching the Saints play on Sunday afternoons. I'm a fan. But I'm not like some of my friends who openly weeped when the Saints knocked off the Vikings two Sundays ago in the NFC title game to advance to Miami for a date with hometown hero Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
Still, it's a big moment in my life. Honestly, it's one I never thought would happen. Ever. I went 19 years on this earth before the Saints won a playoff game, when they knocked off the St. Louis Rams in 2001. I was 24 years old before the Saints ever really threatened to make a Super Bowl. I'll never forget the day that Reggie Bush looked back at Brian Urlacher and taunted him on his way to a touchdown in the 2006 NFC title game. At that moment, I knew -- JUST KNEW -- that we were going to lose. Reggie ... you don't piss off Urlacher!
After a couple of frustrating 8-8 seasons missing the playoffs, this year was the year. The 13-0 start. Followed by the 0-3 slump. That brought back all of the questions of whether these were just the Same Ole Saints. If you're honest with yourself, you had doubts. They looked awful. It wasn't the same team we'd followed all year. I don't even think limping into the finish is the right phrase to describe it. It was downright painful to watch. But perhaps Sean Payton knew what he was doing. The team looked DOMINANT against Arizona, then seemed like a team of destiny, somehow defeating the Vikings in the Superdome.
Honestly, if you had asked me what would happen first -- my alma mater, Louisiana Tech, winning a national title in football or men's basketball, or the Saints going to Super Bowl -- I'd have placed my money on the Bulldogs. Honestly. No, seriously, I'm not joking. Call me a disbeliever all you want. I prefer to be called truthful. I knew the Saints had some weapons. Drew Brees is as good of a QB as almost anyone in the league. The backfield combo of Bush/Thomas/Bell is very dangerous. And Brees has so many weapons to throw to, especially when Jeremy Shockey is healthy. The offense never was the question. It was the defense that had been holding the Saints back. Gregg Williams simply has done an amazing job resurrected a pitiful defense, and that side of the ball has been the catalyst to get us to this point.
Unlike a good buddy of mine from work, I'm not satisfied. He said making the Super Bowl is enough. I disagree. I want to win! Peyton Manning is the best of the best, but you don't get to the big game and not expect to win. And you don't get to the big game and not expect to not be coming back every year. The victory over the Vikings has completely changed the expectations for Saints fans. The '06 trip to the NFC title game made Saints fans expect playoff berths, but this trip to the Super Bowl will make us expect Super Bowl trips. And win or lose -- and winning is the only option -- we're going to expect to be back in the big game again and again.
It's not just the Super Bowl on Sunday that's going to be historic this weekend. On Friday, I will make my officiating debut in varsity action. I can't express how excited I am. I've put in a lot of work in my first year officiating, working junior high games and freshman games and a couple of junior varsity games, working at my craft to improve, all in the hopes that it will pay off into a varsity assignment. The season is almost over. The girls playoffs begin after next week, with the boys following the week after that. There's no chance I will get any playoff assignments, but I was hoping beyond hope for the opportunity to call one varsity game. I've put in the work, have improved noticeably, and have continued to have older officials tell me how advanced I am for a first-year official and that I'm going to be pretty good at this gig down the road. Now I've got the opportunity to call a varsity game, and I hope I can make enough of an impression that next year it's an every week occurrence.
Honestly, I can't put into words what this means. I'm a Saints fan, have been as long as I can remember. I wouldn't classify myself in that diehard category. I mean, I didn't grow up in New Orleans. I haven't been around for all FORTY-THREE years of the franchise's existence. I've only been to a couple of games in the Superdome in my life, although for as long as I can remember, I've been watching the Saints play on Sunday afternoons. I'm a fan. But I'm not like some of my friends who openly weeped when the Saints knocked off the Vikings two Sundays ago in the NFC title game to advance to Miami for a date with hometown hero Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
Still, it's a big moment in my life. Honestly, it's one I never thought would happen. Ever. I went 19 years on this earth before the Saints won a playoff game, when they knocked off the St. Louis Rams in 2001. I was 24 years old before the Saints ever really threatened to make a Super Bowl. I'll never forget the day that Reggie Bush looked back at Brian Urlacher and taunted him on his way to a touchdown in the 2006 NFC title game. At that moment, I knew -- JUST KNEW -- that we were going to lose. Reggie ... you don't piss off Urlacher!
After a couple of frustrating 8-8 seasons missing the playoffs, this year was the year. The 13-0 start. Followed by the 0-3 slump. That brought back all of the questions of whether these were just the Same Ole Saints. If you're honest with yourself, you had doubts. They looked awful. It wasn't the same team we'd followed all year. I don't even think limping into the finish is the right phrase to describe it. It was downright painful to watch. But perhaps Sean Payton knew what he was doing. The team looked DOMINANT against Arizona, then seemed like a team of destiny, somehow defeating the Vikings in the Superdome.
Honestly, if you had asked me what would happen first -- my alma mater, Louisiana Tech, winning a national title in football or men's basketball, or the Saints going to Super Bowl -- I'd have placed my money on the Bulldogs. Honestly. No, seriously, I'm not joking. Call me a disbeliever all you want. I prefer to be called truthful. I knew the Saints had some weapons. Drew Brees is as good of a QB as almost anyone in the league. The backfield combo of Bush/Thomas/Bell is very dangerous. And Brees has so many weapons to throw to, especially when Jeremy Shockey is healthy. The offense never was the question. It was the defense that had been holding the Saints back. Gregg Williams simply has done an amazing job resurrected a pitiful defense, and that side of the ball has been the catalyst to get us to this point.
Unlike a good buddy of mine from work, I'm not satisfied. He said making the Super Bowl is enough. I disagree. I want to win! Peyton Manning is the best of the best, but you don't get to the big game and not expect to win. And you don't get to the big game and not expect to not be coming back every year. The victory over the Vikings has completely changed the expectations for Saints fans. The '06 trip to the NFC title game made Saints fans expect playoff berths, but this trip to the Super Bowl will make us expect Super Bowl trips. And win or lose -- and winning is the only option -- we're going to expect to be back in the big game again and again.
It's not just the Super Bowl on Sunday that's going to be historic this weekend. On Friday, I will make my officiating debut in varsity action. I can't express how excited I am. I've put in a lot of work in my first year officiating, working junior high games and freshman games and a couple of junior varsity games, working at my craft to improve, all in the hopes that it will pay off into a varsity assignment. The season is almost over. The girls playoffs begin after next week, with the boys following the week after that. There's no chance I will get any playoff assignments, but I was hoping beyond hope for the opportunity to call one varsity game. I've put in the work, have improved noticeably, and have continued to have older officials tell me how advanced I am for a first-year official and that I'm going to be pretty good at this gig down the road. Now I've got the opportunity to call a varsity game, and I hope I can make enough of an impression that next year it's an every week occurrence.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Ask and ye shall receive
Apparently, Ryley has asked for her own blog post. At least, that's what Elizabeth says. And, well, since I'm here to serve, she will get it.
It hasn't even been two weeks yet, but she's already part of the family. Elizabeth and I were out and about on a Saturday afternoon (a day I thought I would be officiating, but I didn't have a gig) when I got in the mood to look at some dogs. There's a group of people who sell puppies near the Sam's Club in Alexandria, so we headed that way. We looked, but the selection wasn't great. The dogs weren't that group, especially when the owners started mentioning prices like $275, $350, $500! What the heazy?!?
After leaving there, we went across the street to PetSmart, which usually works with one of the area shelters to put animals up for adoption. Now there were a few cuties here, including this long-haired terrier mix that was the sweetest little thing. She absolutely stole Elizabeth's heart, and since she was only 80 bucks, we said what the heck! We weren't looking to add a second puppy until like Christmas, but you know, like the Cialis commercial says, you just need to be ready when the right moment happens.
Honestly, I've wanted to get a second dog for quite some time. I just always felt bad leaving Sandy alone in the house. Well, now she has a little sister. She's not a puppy, per se. Best we can tell -- the humane society didn't have much of a back story on her -- she's about 14 months old, only a few months younger than Sandy. We missed all of the puppy stages, and I swear she had to have been trained, because it didn't take her long to understand the doggy door, and she hasn't messed in the house!
It's been an interesting adventure. Sandy still doesn't understand this little pest that has invaded her room, stolen her bed and continues to play with her toys. Ryley, meanwhile, has just made herself at home, like she's been around since the day we got Sandy! They truly act like sisters, playing together one minute and then barking/growling at each other the next. Sandy likes to bully her little sister (and little is the appropriate word, as Sandy is about 50 pounds and Ryley is about 12!). True story: I'll give them each a piece of rawhide to chew on. Sandy drops her, goes and steals Ryley's right out of her mouth. Doesn't bother Ryley, as she goes and picks up the one Sandy drops. Then Sandy does it again. It's a never-ending cycle. Sandy wants what Ryley has!
It hasn't taken Ryley long to learn how to defend herself, though. Especially when food and treats are involved. Ryley will growl, show her teeth and snap at Sandy when she comes over to take something from Ryley. She's also learned to shield the object of her desires with her body so that Sandy can't just snatch it out of her mouth. Seriously, Elizabeth says she's got an evil side. It certainly looks that way when she bares her teeth, but I think she's just learned quickly how to survive having a bully of an older sister.
It's still early -- like I said, it hasn't even been two weeks yet -- but it's been a fun experience. She's such a cute little furball, and she's so soft. And her personality is the opposite of Sandy's for the most part. Sandy is very independent and isn't exactly a lap dog. She loves to play but doesn't want to be touched or petted much (except to be scratched on her chest, over and over and over again). Ryley, meanwhile, loves to be touched. She'll curl up with you, and she loves to roll on her back and have her belly rubbed.
The girls are still learning how to interact with one another and share things, which is certainly natural, considering Sandy spent more than a year without another dog around. I think we're making progress, but Ryley's such a natural. Despite her protective instincts, she's a sweet, loving, gentle little animal that I am so glad is a part of our family!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Going to the 'Big D' ...
For the past couple of years, I've gotten into an almost weekly bonding exercise with my in-laws. Every Sunday evening (except for the six months that I was stuck in Texas purgatory) E-beth and I cross the river to have supper at her parents and watch the PBR.
(Note: Those of you who know me -- and if you're reading this blog, then you obviously know me -- can testify that I am not a cowboy. I am not a bullrider. It's safe to say that I wouldn't exactly fit in very well behind the scenes of the Professional Bull Riders tour.)
My in-laws have been following the PBR for quite a few years, and I don't remember when exactly, but I casually began watching it with them on Sunday nights. Those casual viewings eventually turned to something more than casual. Don't get me wrong: I am by no means a fanatic, and I can certainly survive without the PBR. But I have come to enjoy it, honestly.
Like many other sports that I watch, I know the athletes. I'm not exactly sure if that's the right word. After all, most of these guys are shorter than I am, and certainly are much more crazy than I am, but you have to have some type of athleticism to continue taking the constant pounding that they take every single weekend. That's something I can respect. But it's not just the riders. I know the bulls too. Just as easily as I can point out Kody Lostroh, J.B. Mauney, Guillerme Marchi and Travis Briscoe, I can tell you all about Bones, Code Blue and Chicken on a Chain. Don't ask. I can't explain it.
I've been to a couple of the smaller events -- the PBR has its top tour, the Built Ford Tough Series, as well as a couple of minor leagues similar to baseball where young up-and-comers and older retreads attempting for one more shot at the show battle it out -- in Monroe and in Kinder (which I actually covered for the paper I work at). But I haven't been to a BFTS event, although that's going to change this month.
For my birthday, my in-laws bought me two tickets (one for me and a "friend" who they happened to assume -- wisely -- would be their daughter) to my first BFTS show. It also will be my first trip to the new Cowboys Stadium, when the PBR invades for a unique one-day event, the Iron Cowboy Invitational, which will be a little different than most events. Usually, the riders will compete for either two or three rounds, with the top 15 riders returning for a final round to determine a champion. It's usually a Friday-Sunday or Saturday/Sunday event.
The Iron Cowboy Invitational, however, is a one-day event which will pay the winner about $250,000. The top 24 riders -- the top eight in last year's standings, as well as the highest 16 in this year's standings as of last night -- will compete in a bracket-style competition against the best bulls on tour. It's the best riders vs. the best bulls -- a PBR fan's dream. I'm honestly very excited about it, but I'm even more excited about getting to watch it in Cowboys Stadium with that massive jumbotron!
(Note: Those of you who know me -- and if you're reading this blog, then you obviously know me -- can testify that I am not a cowboy. I am not a bullrider. It's safe to say that I wouldn't exactly fit in very well behind the scenes of the Professional Bull Riders tour.)
My in-laws have been following the PBR for quite a few years, and I don't remember when exactly, but I casually began watching it with them on Sunday nights. Those casual viewings eventually turned to something more than casual. Don't get me wrong: I am by no means a fanatic, and I can certainly survive without the PBR. But I have come to enjoy it, honestly.
Like many other sports that I watch, I know the athletes. I'm not exactly sure if that's the right word. After all, most of these guys are shorter than I am, and certainly are much more crazy than I am, but you have to have some type of athleticism to continue taking the constant pounding that they take every single weekend. That's something I can respect. But it's not just the riders. I know the bulls too. Just as easily as I can point out Kody Lostroh, J.B. Mauney, Guillerme Marchi and Travis Briscoe, I can tell you all about Bones, Code Blue and Chicken on a Chain. Don't ask. I can't explain it.
I've been to a couple of the smaller events -- the PBR has its top tour, the Built Ford Tough Series, as well as a couple of minor leagues similar to baseball where young up-and-comers and older retreads attempting for one more shot at the show battle it out -- in Monroe and in Kinder (which I actually covered for the paper I work at). But I haven't been to a BFTS event, although that's going to change this month.
For my birthday, my in-laws bought me two tickets (one for me and a "friend" who they happened to assume -- wisely -- would be their daughter) to my first BFTS show. It also will be my first trip to the new Cowboys Stadium, when the PBR invades for a unique one-day event, the Iron Cowboy Invitational, which will be a little different than most events. Usually, the riders will compete for either two or three rounds, with the top 15 riders returning for a final round to determine a champion. It's usually a Friday-Sunday or Saturday/Sunday event.
The Iron Cowboy Invitational, however, is a one-day event which will pay the winner about $250,000. The top 24 riders -- the top eight in last year's standings, as well as the highest 16 in this year's standings as of last night -- will compete in a bracket-style competition against the best bulls on tour. It's the best riders vs. the best bulls -- a PBR fan's dream. I'm honestly very excited about it, but I'm even more excited about getting to watch it in Cowboys Stadium with that massive jumbotron!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Haven't blogged in 10 days
This won't be a normal blog, more of a Twitter-esque blog. Short and sweet.
Not a whole lot going on. Elizabeth and I have traveled a little more recently, taken a few trips to Ruston to catch Bulldog basketball. Fun times at 17-3. Been calling some more games -- 3 junior high last night, JV tonight. Clearly improving.
Big Saints game this weekend with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The excitement can be felt all around. Speaking of exciting, Tech has a new football coach. Sonny Dykes. Not my first choice. Or my second. But he's growing on me. Think he'll continue the momentum.
Been reading a bit more lately. Just finished Burn, the latest novel by Ted Dekker, my favorite writer. Even after finishing, don't really get the premise. Commented to Elizabeth while reading that I wasn't sure if I actually liked the book or if I was just reading it because it was Dekker. Started The Blind Side the other night and am really enjoying it. Can't wait to pick it up again.
Like I said, short and sweet. That's about all I have for now. Hopefully, I'll check in again in the next 10 days.
Not a whole lot going on. Elizabeth and I have traveled a little more recently, taken a few trips to Ruston to catch Bulldog basketball. Fun times at 17-3. Been calling some more games -- 3 junior high last night, JV tonight. Clearly improving.
Big Saints game this weekend with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The excitement can be felt all around. Speaking of exciting, Tech has a new football coach. Sonny Dykes. Not my first choice. Or my second. But he's growing on me. Think he'll continue the momentum.
Been reading a bit more lately. Just finished Burn, the latest novel by Ted Dekker, my favorite writer. Even after finishing, don't really get the premise. Commented to Elizabeth while reading that I wasn't sure if I actually liked the book or if I was just reading it because it was Dekker. Started The Blind Side the other night and am really enjoying it. Can't wait to pick it up again.
Like I said, short and sweet. That's about all I have for now. Hopefully, I'll check in again in the next 10 days.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Jealous? Who, me? Never. OK, so maybe A LOT!
I went up to my old hometown this past weekend for a concert. It was the CD release party for one of my good friends, Grant Terry. (Quick full disclosure moment: I think I have pretty good taste in music, but I'm also very biased. I think Grant's good, has a bright future. I'm the say guy, though, who still thinks that The Common Ground Band [CGB] is the greatest worship band of all-time, yes even better than Delirious?. I also thought that Agabus was good. And if you've ever heard Agabus, well ... enough said.)
Not only is Grant a good friend of mine, but his keyboard player also happens to be my best friend. So it was like killing two birds with stone, supporting two friends in one night. And a blast to boot.
Elizabeth and I spent a little bit more money than we were expecting. Wasn't expecting an admission charge, but we gladly paid $5 apiece to get in. Then, we bought Grant's new CD for $10. No problem with that because I want to support my friend. And it's honestly worth the investment. It's high quality production from Seth Jones, who went to high school (at different times) with me, my best buddy K-Rob and Grant (who is 5 years younger than me). But I also liked the two bands that opened for Grant, a local group of high schoolers called Waltz With Me, and Oklahoma City-based David Dunn.
If they stick together, which is always a question of a young band that is approaching the decision of going their separate ways for college, Waltz With Me has a bright future. But, to me, it was David Dunn who stole the show.
I've always loved lyrics, even if I have about as much musical talent in my body as most musicians have in a fingernail clipping. Simply put, I can't sing, I can't read music, I don't play an instrument. I just don't have any musical ability, but I do love words. I love words that are strung together to form a powerful statement. And David Dunn is an extraordinarily powerful lyricist.
I purchased his newest 5-song EP, interestingly enough entitled David Dunn EP (he's so clever). All five of the songs are very well done -- great quality and powerful poetry. I grew up writing poetry, even if I haven't written much lately. I've probably written 50 or so poems in my life, and I'd say probably 8-10 of them I would label as being very strong, worthy of being put to music and turned into songs. I would do that, you know, if I had any ability whatsoever. Instead, I listen to people like Grant Terry and David Dunn and am amazed at how they are capable of doing what they do.
The song on the EP that struck a chord the most with me is Underneath Your Skin, which I believe is a poignant look at what we as a society classify as beauty. Unfortunately, we look mostly at the outer portrait to determine what is beautiful, while many times that outward skin is simply a cover-up of something truly ugly inside, which is where true beauty lies.
Here are the lyrics to Underneath Your Skin. I think you'll see why they registered with me.
Everybody stares, anytime you go anywhere you have the spotlight
Every man you meet, he really wants you to think he's Mr. Right
Friends all say that soon someday you will be famous
Oh, the pretention, all this attention goes to your head
Goes to your head
You turn the lights on and everybody knows
That you're beautiful, that you're beautiful
You leave the lights off, will they still know?
I don't think so, I don't think so
I don't think so, I don't think so
Is there more to you than your Gucci shoes and your Mercedes Benz?
They look fine when they don't define who you really are
What you bought makes people stop, give you the attention
The wandering eyes make you despise what you really want
You turn the lights on and everybody knows
That you're beautiful, that you're beautiful
You leave the lights off, will they still know?
I don't think so, I don't think so
I don't think so, I don't think so
Underneath your skin is what makes you beautiful
Don't listen to them, they just want to use you
Underneath your skin
There's women everywhere who don't really care if they are real humans
If they have nice thighs and beautiful eyes, then they're good to go
All that matters to them is attention from men, can you say pathetic?
There's two types of boring, dull and annoying, you get to choose
You turn the lights on and everybody knows
That you're beautiful, that you're beautiful
You leave the lights off, will they still know?
I don't think so, I don't think so
I don't think so, I don't think so
I'm still working on trying to decide which of the 10 songs on Grant's new CD is my favorite, although I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it down to one. I'll probably post the lyrics to that song a little later and give my reasoning behind why that's my favorite. In the meantime, go check out David Dunn!
Not only is Grant a good friend of mine, but his keyboard player also happens to be my best friend. So it was like killing two birds with stone, supporting two friends in one night. And a blast to boot.
Elizabeth and I spent a little bit more money than we were expecting. Wasn't expecting an admission charge, but we gladly paid $5 apiece to get in. Then, we bought Grant's new CD for $10. No problem with that because I want to support my friend. And it's honestly worth the investment. It's high quality production from Seth Jones, who went to high school (at different times) with me, my best buddy K-Rob and Grant (who is 5 years younger than me). But I also liked the two bands that opened for Grant, a local group of high schoolers called Waltz With Me, and Oklahoma City-based David Dunn.
If they stick together, which is always a question of a young band that is approaching the decision of going their separate ways for college, Waltz With Me has a bright future. But, to me, it was David Dunn who stole the show.
I've always loved lyrics, even if I have about as much musical talent in my body as most musicians have in a fingernail clipping. Simply put, I can't sing, I can't read music, I don't play an instrument. I just don't have any musical ability, but I do love words. I love words that are strung together to form a powerful statement. And David Dunn is an extraordinarily powerful lyricist.
I purchased his newest 5-song EP, interestingly enough entitled David Dunn EP (he's so clever). All five of the songs are very well done -- great quality and powerful poetry. I grew up writing poetry, even if I haven't written much lately. I've probably written 50 or so poems in my life, and I'd say probably 8-10 of them I would label as being very strong, worthy of being put to music and turned into songs. I would do that, you know, if I had any ability whatsoever. Instead, I listen to people like Grant Terry and David Dunn and am amazed at how they are capable of doing what they do.
The song on the EP that struck a chord the most with me is Underneath Your Skin, which I believe is a poignant look at what we as a society classify as beauty. Unfortunately, we look mostly at the outer portrait to determine what is beautiful, while many times that outward skin is simply a cover-up of something truly ugly inside, which is where true beauty lies.
Here are the lyrics to Underneath Your Skin. I think you'll see why they registered with me.
Everybody stares, anytime you go anywhere you have the spotlight
Every man you meet, he really wants you to think he's Mr. Right
Friends all say that soon someday you will be famous
Oh, the pretention, all this attention goes to your head
Goes to your head
You turn the lights on and everybody knows
That you're beautiful, that you're beautiful
You leave the lights off, will they still know?
I don't think so, I don't think so
I don't think so, I don't think so
Is there more to you than your Gucci shoes and your Mercedes Benz?
They look fine when they don't define who you really are
What you bought makes people stop, give you the attention
The wandering eyes make you despise what you really want
You turn the lights on and everybody knows
That you're beautiful, that you're beautiful
You leave the lights off, will they still know?
I don't think so, I don't think so
I don't think so, I don't think so
Underneath your skin is what makes you beautiful
Don't listen to them, they just want to use you
Underneath your skin
There's women everywhere who don't really care if they are real humans
If they have nice thighs and beautiful eyes, then they're good to go
All that matters to them is attention from men, can you say pathetic?
There's two types of boring, dull and annoying, you get to choose
You turn the lights on and everybody knows
That you're beautiful, that you're beautiful
You leave the lights off, will they still know?
I don't think so, I don't think so
I don't think so, I don't think so
I'm still working on trying to decide which of the 10 songs on Grant's new CD is my favorite, although I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it down to one. I'll probably post the lyrics to that song a little later and give my reasoning behind why that's my favorite. In the meantime, go check out David Dunn!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
I'm resolute
No, it's not New Year's yet. Nor is it even New Year's Eve. On the double eve of the arrival of 2010, though, I'm giving my resolutions for the new year (and new decade, though, technically one could argue the new decade doesn't begin until 2011). I've never been a big resolutions guy, though I've made some in the past, even if I haven't taken them all that seriously.
But this year I'm serious, because it deals with a serious subject -- my health. Ironically, it's a subject that I simply don't talk about. Ever. Never have.
"How is your health?" I'm asked.
"Fine. I'm doing good"
"Diabetes under control?"
"Uh huh."
"What are your blood sugars running?"
"Oh, about 14o or so."
Here's a secret. All lies.
Whoa, now, you're saying. This is supposed to be positive, uplifting, what you hope to get out of the new year. It's not a confessional.
But it is. My new year's resolution is twofold -- to begin taking my health, and my disease, a little more seriously, and also to open up about it.
Here's another confession: I hate diabetes. Despise it. Always have. But not for the normal reasons you would think of. Not because it's taken sugar away from me, or that it is supposed to take sugar away from me. Not because it makes me eat really nasty tasting desserts. Or that I have to take shots, or count carbs. No, that's not why I hate diabetes. I hate this disease because it makes me different.
But diabetes is the fastest-growing disease in the country. Everybody and their momma has diabetes these days, or at least it seems that way. True. But it's different. Type 2 diabetes is the growing disease, and it can be more easily controlled through diet and exercise. I have Type 1 diabetes, and my pancreas has essentially quit on its job of producing insulin so my body can break down sugar into useable energy. Quitter! I am on life support, and I depend on two types of man-made insulin to keep me alive every day. And yes, I resent it. Does that sound a little immature? You bet it does. But it's true, and since I'm being truthful, I said it. I resent you, diabetes!
Always have, enemy of mine. I can remember getting the news as an eighth-grader, and I cried. Not because I knew what the disease meant, even though I did because I grew up around it (my mom has had it since she was a teenager). I cried because I was now different. I was rushed to the hospital and stayed there a few days while I went through education about diabetes and learned how to give myself a shot, which I've done every day since.
In high school, I hated being different. Yeah, it was funny when I got to eat snacks in class while others didn't. But secretly, I hated being singled out amongst my classmates. Again, diabetes made me different, and I hated it.
For the most part, though, I was able to take care of myself pretty well in high school, and in college, I finally rebelled against the disease. I ended up in the hospital on three different occasions because I simply stopped taking care of myself. Since then, I've done a decent job of faking it. Elizabeth stays on me, reminding me to take my shot, asking me about my blood sugar levels, and I did a decent job for a little while of working to decrease my a1c, which essentially is the 4-month average of your blood sugar levels. Over the last year, though, I've been awful. Awful.
Now is the time to change that. I'm tired of feeling badly because I simply haven't been taken care of myself. I'm tired of constantly being thirsty, and running to and from the bathroom, because my blood sugar is far too high. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of allowing my resentment of my disease to control my life. I want to take control.
I don't feel that I'm in poor health. I'm 27 years old, in relatively good shape (although, I certainly could be in better shape), and hopefully have many years ahead of me. But I can do a lot better. So my resolution is to truly dedicate myself over the next year to fixing my all-around health. I want to lose weight. Right now, I'm about 185 pounds. I'd like to be down to 170, and although that sounds awfully light in my head, I know I would be in better health if I could drop about 15 pounds. I want to get in a regular exercise routine, take advantage of the weight machine at my house that I've let sit dormant for far too long, utilize Elizabeth's Wii Fit game to work on my balance and flexibility, and couple that with all of the running I'm doing while officiating to truly get in good shape.
And beyond that, I want to open myself up to my friends and family. I don't like prying, and I don't like my life pried into. But in a way, on this issue, I need it. I want you to ask me about my health, and then don't let me shrug off your inquiries. I need accountability. It is far too easy to sluff off when it comes to this issue, to allow my hatred and resentment to again take control, and I don't want that to happen. So ask about my health. Ask about my blood sugar. Ask about what I'm eating. And then make me answer.
It's time for me to take control. And I need your help. It's the only way to secure a fruitful 2010 -- and many, many more years to come.
But this year I'm serious, because it deals with a serious subject -- my health. Ironically, it's a subject that I simply don't talk about. Ever. Never have.
"How is your health?" I'm asked.
"Fine. I'm doing good"
"Diabetes under control?"
"Uh huh."
"What are your blood sugars running?"
"Oh, about 14o or so."
Here's a secret. All lies.
Whoa, now, you're saying. This is supposed to be positive, uplifting, what you hope to get out of the new year. It's not a confessional.
But it is. My new year's resolution is twofold -- to begin taking my health, and my disease, a little more seriously, and also to open up about it.
Here's another confession: I hate diabetes. Despise it. Always have. But not for the normal reasons you would think of. Not because it's taken sugar away from me, or that it is supposed to take sugar away from me. Not because it makes me eat really nasty tasting desserts. Or that I have to take shots, or count carbs. No, that's not why I hate diabetes. I hate this disease because it makes me different.
But diabetes is the fastest-growing disease in the country. Everybody and their momma has diabetes these days, or at least it seems that way. True. But it's different. Type 2 diabetes is the growing disease, and it can be more easily controlled through diet and exercise. I have Type 1 diabetes, and my pancreas has essentially quit on its job of producing insulin so my body can break down sugar into useable energy. Quitter! I am on life support, and I depend on two types of man-made insulin to keep me alive every day. And yes, I resent it. Does that sound a little immature? You bet it does. But it's true, and since I'm being truthful, I said it. I resent you, diabetes!
Always have, enemy of mine. I can remember getting the news as an eighth-grader, and I cried. Not because I knew what the disease meant, even though I did because I grew up around it (my mom has had it since she was a teenager). I cried because I was now different. I was rushed to the hospital and stayed there a few days while I went through education about diabetes and learned how to give myself a shot, which I've done every day since.
In high school, I hated being different. Yeah, it was funny when I got to eat snacks in class while others didn't. But secretly, I hated being singled out amongst my classmates. Again, diabetes made me different, and I hated it.
For the most part, though, I was able to take care of myself pretty well in high school, and in college, I finally rebelled against the disease. I ended up in the hospital on three different occasions because I simply stopped taking care of myself. Since then, I've done a decent job of faking it. Elizabeth stays on me, reminding me to take my shot, asking me about my blood sugar levels, and I did a decent job for a little while of working to decrease my a1c, which essentially is the 4-month average of your blood sugar levels. Over the last year, though, I've been awful. Awful.
Now is the time to change that. I'm tired of feeling badly because I simply haven't been taken care of myself. I'm tired of constantly being thirsty, and running to and from the bathroom, because my blood sugar is far too high. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of allowing my resentment of my disease to control my life. I want to take control.
I don't feel that I'm in poor health. I'm 27 years old, in relatively good shape (although, I certainly could be in better shape), and hopefully have many years ahead of me. But I can do a lot better. So my resolution is to truly dedicate myself over the next year to fixing my all-around health. I want to lose weight. Right now, I'm about 185 pounds. I'd like to be down to 170, and although that sounds awfully light in my head, I know I would be in better health if I could drop about 15 pounds. I want to get in a regular exercise routine, take advantage of the weight machine at my house that I've let sit dormant for far too long, utilize Elizabeth's Wii Fit game to work on my balance and flexibility, and couple that with all of the running I'm doing while officiating to truly get in good shape.
And beyond that, I want to open myself up to my friends and family. I don't like prying, and I don't like my life pried into. But in a way, on this issue, I need it. I want you to ask me about my health, and then don't let me shrug off your inquiries. I need accountability. It is far too easy to sluff off when it comes to this issue, to allow my hatred and resentment to again take control, and I don't want that to happen. So ask about my health. Ask about my blood sugar. Ask about what I'm eating. And then make me answer.
It's time for me to take control. And I need your help. It's the only way to secure a fruitful 2010 -- and many, many more years to come.
Monday, December 28, 2009
When my head is jumbled, this is what you get
I took a sick day today. That never happens. Ever. Except today. And tomorrow. And maybe the rest of the week is this cold doesn't leave me alone. Seriously, I don't stay home unless I'm basically on my death bed, but a cold has me staying home? No fever. Just an awful, awful cough, which has let to a deep penetrating headache, a couple of sneezes every hour and lots and lots of mucus-filled tissue. I spent the majority of the day in bed with Sandy beast, alternating between fits of sleep and fits of wet, sloppy attacks on my face. If I don't get to feeling better tomorrow, I'm going to have to go see a doctor and get some medicine. This generic Musinex just isn't cutting it.
One of Elizabeth's Christmas gifts was a game called Wii Fit, which is basically an exercise video in a game. It comes with a "balance board" that you stand on to work on strength exercises, yoga, balance and aerobics. It allows you to set targets to lose weight over a certain period of time and counts your calories, etc. It's pretty cool, designed to make working out fun. And it's a workout, let me tell you. Running, biking, yoga stretches that my body wasn't designed to do, ab crunches, and my least favorite game, the hula hoop. No, seriously, I suck at the hula hoop. It works, though. The first night, I worked out for 30 minutes and actually felt it. I've taken the past two nights off because I just don't feel well. Elizabeth is working out now, riding her bike, trying to drop some pounds and get into better shape.
Had a nice trip to North Louisiana this past weekend. Visited with my dad, stepmom and grandparents in West Monroe, before going over to Ruston for lunch with an old college buddy who was in town from Auburn. Also visited with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and had supper with them. Always fun to visit with friends and family, even if the reason we normally visit Ruston weren't in town, as they were in New Orleans at the Saints game.
Speaking of the Saints, I'm disgusted. The 13-0 start was amazing, but the team has lost its identity over the past two weeks, and it's at the absolute worst time. This is when teams are supposed to be playing their best football, entering the playoff drive. Instead, it seems as if the Saints peaked several weeks ago and are limping into the postseason. These days, you've got to be careful to say an ill will about the Saints, lest people will accuse you of jumping off the bandwagon. That's bull, though. I call it like I see it, and what I've seen from this team recentlyj is not good. If Payton and Brees don't rediscover this team's offensive identiy, there will be no Super Bowl in the future for this team. And the fans deserve better than that.
Three of my nephews are in town at their grandparents, and the rest of Elizabeth's family is scheduled to join them on Thursday for New Year's. It's an annual tradition in the Granger household to have Christmas on New Year's Eve, build a fire, roast some weiners and 'mallows, and pop some firecrackers. Generally, it's tons of fun. We might even have some friends coming down to join us this year. However, I only hope that I'm healthy by then and up for the fun. We've also got a Christmas gathering on Saturday in West Monroe. This sickness needs to leave me alone!
One of Elizabeth's Christmas gifts was a game called Wii Fit, which is basically an exercise video in a game. It comes with a "balance board" that you stand on to work on strength exercises, yoga, balance and aerobics. It allows you to set targets to lose weight over a certain period of time and counts your calories, etc. It's pretty cool, designed to make working out fun. And it's a workout, let me tell you. Running, biking, yoga stretches that my body wasn't designed to do, ab crunches, and my least favorite game, the hula hoop. No, seriously, I suck at the hula hoop. It works, though. The first night, I worked out for 30 minutes and actually felt it. I've taken the past two nights off because I just don't feel well. Elizabeth is working out now, riding her bike, trying to drop some pounds and get into better shape.
Had a nice trip to North Louisiana this past weekend. Visited with my dad, stepmom and grandparents in West Monroe, before going over to Ruston for lunch with an old college buddy who was in town from Auburn. Also visited with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and had supper with them. Always fun to visit with friends and family, even if the reason we normally visit Ruston weren't in town, as they were in New Orleans at the Saints game.
Speaking of the Saints, I'm disgusted. The 13-0 start was amazing, but the team has lost its identity over the past two weeks, and it's at the absolute worst time. This is when teams are supposed to be playing their best football, entering the playoff drive. Instead, it seems as if the Saints peaked several weeks ago and are limping into the postseason. These days, you've got to be careful to say an ill will about the Saints, lest people will accuse you of jumping off the bandwagon. That's bull, though. I call it like I see it, and what I've seen from this team recentlyj is not good. If Payton and Brees don't rediscover this team's offensive identiy, there will be no Super Bowl in the future for this team. And the fans deserve better than that.
Three of my nephews are in town at their grandparents, and the rest of Elizabeth's family is scheduled to join them on Thursday for New Year's. It's an annual tradition in the Granger household to have Christmas on New Year's Eve, build a fire, roast some weiners and 'mallows, and pop some firecrackers. Generally, it's tons of fun. We might even have some friends coming down to join us this year. However, I only hope that I'm healthy by then and up for the fun. We've also got a Christmas gathering on Saturday in West Monroe. This sickness needs to leave me alone!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Have you ever regifted?
I'm working on a story today (Christmas Eve ... yes, I'm working ... ugh!) about regifting -- which is essentially the practice of recycling a gift you received but don't want by giving it to a friend, family member or co-worker. It's an interesting concept and made me wonder if anybody out there has ever regifted?
Not going to lie, there have been some gifts that I would have loved to give to someone else. And I have returned a couple that I simply didn't want. But I don't ever remember giving a gift I received to someone else. Have you?
The stats show it's a growing trend, and while there's been a stigma attached to the practice and people have kept it secret, it now apparently has become such a common practice that people are open and honest upfront that it's a regift. I just can't imagine telling a friend, "Hey, this is a gift I didn't want, and since I didn't care enough about you to actually go pick out something special for you, why don't you take this gift that I don't want?" Just seems shady to me.
What say you?
Not going to lie, there have been some gifts that I would have loved to give to someone else. And I have returned a couple that I simply didn't want. But I don't ever remember giving a gift I received to someone else. Have you?
The stats show it's a growing trend, and while there's been a stigma attached to the practice and people have kept it secret, it now apparently has become such a common practice that people are open and honest upfront that it's a regift. I just can't imagine telling a friend, "Hey, this is a gift I didn't want, and since I didn't care enough about you to actually go pick out something special for you, why don't you take this gift that I don't want?" Just seems shady to me.
What say you?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
This was TOO much fun!
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/2d255af9fb72bc14aae54ca4b9b416fb/video/8248344
Kori kept saying, "Bret, are you OK? Are you all right?" Too cute!
And, of course, Connor was Mr. Big Man and had to beat up Uncle Bret!
Eventually, Gran took Kori away and Connor got after me for another 10-15 minutes. I was exhausted!!!
Kori kept saying, "Bret, are you OK? Are you all right?" Too cute!
And, of course, Connor was Mr. Big Man and had to beat up Uncle Bret!
Eventually, Gran took Kori away and Connor got after me for another 10-15 minutes. I was exhausted!!!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Simply too tired
Wrapping up the sixth and final day of my work week here at the good ole office, knowing I have to be back in here in about seven or eight hours (*sigh*), so forgive me if I don't really feel like going into too many details about this weekend.
Short story. It was a blast. Honestly, an absolute blast. I wrote a blog the other day about not having any stories to tell, but I have some stories from this weekend. Hopefully, I'll get (or make) a spare moment at some point this week to tell them.
Elizabeth and I went up to Shreveport-Bossier, as well as over to Ruston, first to visit my mom and my neice and nephew, and then over for the inaugural Friendsmas (of course, at the time of our arrival, we didn't know it was going to be "Friendsmas" but since it was so fun we've decided to make it an annual event).
Two of the funnest things in my life are a) weekend getaways and b) spending time with friends ... so when you combine the two, it's just the best of both worlds (and yes, I am singing the Hannah Montana theme song in my head ... and no, it's not lame that I know it!)
All right, I literally could write 5,000 words or more about this weekend, but I'll save them for another time. Goodnight, everyone, and merry Christmas!
Short story. It was a blast. Honestly, an absolute blast. I wrote a blog the other day about not having any stories to tell, but I have some stories from this weekend. Hopefully, I'll get (or make) a spare moment at some point this week to tell them.
Elizabeth and I went up to Shreveport-Bossier, as well as over to Ruston, first to visit my mom and my neice and nephew, and then over for the inaugural Friendsmas (of course, at the time of our arrival, we didn't know it was going to be "Friendsmas" but since it was so fun we've decided to make it an annual event).
Two of the funnest things in my life are a) weekend getaways and b) spending time with friends ... so when you combine the two, it's just the best of both worlds (and yes, I am singing the Hannah Montana theme song in my head ... and no, it's not lame that I know it!)
All right, I literally could write 5,000 words or more about this weekend, but I'll save them for another time. Goodnight, everyone, and merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Note to self
Dear Self,
Must check e-mail. No, seriously, it's ridiculous that you went SIX WEEKS without checking your e-mail. Insane that you allowed nearly TWO THOUSAND unread e-mails to stack up in your inbox. You HAVE to do better than that!
I know, I know. Most of it was junk mail -- notices from Twitter and Facebook that someone sent you a direct message or left a comment to your status. I know you check those sites religiously and don't need massive amounts of e-mail to let you know what's going on there.
I know, I know. The majority of the rest of the messages were junk mail that your filter didn't pick up on and automatically delete. I get that. Beside the point. Doesn't matter. You HAVE to do better than that!
There was some important stuff in that inbox. Like the Thanksgiving card that your stepmother sent you. And the reminder e-mail she sent to let you know that you still hadn't opened the card two weeks later. And the e-mail from your good buddy asking you to send him a reference letter. You got that e-mail nearly two weeks ago. Good thing he said he just needed it sometime before the new year.
I agree with you that it's sad that only about 20 or so of the nearly TWO THOUSAND e-mails in your inbox are still there now. Yes, it's sad. But that's what happens when it's one of those public e-mail accounts that you've had since you were in JUNIOR HIGH!
None of this changes the fact you should CHECK YOUR E-MAIL MORE OFTEN! After all, you're on the internet all the dang time. Just stop by your e-mail once or twice a week and clean it out!
Must check e-mail. No, seriously, it's ridiculous that you went SIX WEEKS without checking your e-mail. Insane that you allowed nearly TWO THOUSAND unread e-mails to stack up in your inbox. You HAVE to do better than that!
I know, I know. Most of it was junk mail -- notices from Twitter and Facebook that someone sent you a direct message or left a comment to your status. I know you check those sites religiously and don't need massive amounts of e-mail to let you know what's going on there.
I know, I know. The majority of the rest of the messages were junk mail that your filter didn't pick up on and automatically delete. I get that. Beside the point. Doesn't matter. You HAVE to do better than that!
There was some important stuff in that inbox. Like the Thanksgiving card that your stepmother sent you. And the reminder e-mail she sent to let you know that you still hadn't opened the card two weeks later. And the e-mail from your good buddy asking you to send him a reference letter. You got that e-mail nearly two weeks ago. Good thing he said he just needed it sometime before the new year.
I agree with you that it's sad that only about 20 or so of the nearly TWO THOUSAND e-mails in your inbox are still there now. Yes, it's sad. But that's what happens when it's one of those public e-mail accounts that you've had since you were in JUNIOR HIGH!
None of this changes the fact you should CHECK YOUR E-MAIL MORE OFTEN! After all, you're on the internet all the dang time. Just stop by your e-mail once or twice a week and clean it out!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Yearning for more or perfectly content?
I'm in the mood to write, but not just about anything. About something interesting. Which brings up quite a conundrum. There's not much interesting about my life.
I read my friends' blogs, or at least the few of my friends who actually keep up with their blogs on a semi-regular basis, and I'm always fascinating by how interesting their lives are. Honestly, I have some pretty interesting friends. They're outgoing, social, funny. Why are they friends with me?
Elizabeth and I live a pretty simple life, and honestly, we like it that way. We like to travel, and try to take a couple of "big" trips every year, as well as side jaunts to see our friends in north Louisiana or family members throughout the state. But other than that, we pretty much go to work, play with our dog, relax with each other, go to sleep and wake up to do it all over again. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. We are content with our lives. But it doesn't actually make for very interesting blog material.
Take today, for example. I was at work at 9 a.m. Worked on a couple of stories about local lawsuits, and trust me, there is nothing interesting about reading and digesting 50-plus pages of legal jardon about alleged fraud and racial discrimination. Check that ... there's obviously something interesting those topics to some people, just not for me. Reading legal jargon has to be the worst part of my job. Please keep me out of the courthouse!
I worked from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., working on the two lawsuit stories, as well as my weekly Sunday anchor "city notebook," which is basically a compilation of little tidbits that happen throughout the week that don't necessarily warrant their own individual stories. It's just a hodgepodge of different things. The only semi-interesting part of today was The Town Talk's Christmas luncheon. That was good food and some good time chatting with co-workers, who I see every day but don't always take the opportunity to slow down and have a conversation with.
After work, I went to my officiating meeting, where we discuss interesting stories that happen during games and get our assignments for the next week(s). Tonight, there were no interesting stories, unfortunately. I wish there were, so I could relate them in my blog and have something interesting to write about!
Oh, well. Maybe there will be some stories that develop this weekend, when Elizabeth and I will trek up to north Louisiana for the weekend. The plan is to head to my mother's on Friday night, spend Saturday morning and afternoon with her, my stepdad, my nephew Connor and my niece Kori, and then head on over to Ruston to watch the Saints game with my buddies A-Dawg and K-Rob on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday, we'll have Christmas lunch/party with the buddies and spouses. Hopefully, there will great stories to share from that!
I read my friends' blogs, or at least the few of my friends who actually keep up with their blogs on a semi-regular basis, and I'm always fascinating by how interesting their lives are. Honestly, I have some pretty interesting friends. They're outgoing, social, funny. Why are they friends with me?
Elizabeth and I live a pretty simple life, and honestly, we like it that way. We like to travel, and try to take a couple of "big" trips every year, as well as side jaunts to see our friends in north Louisiana or family members throughout the state. But other than that, we pretty much go to work, play with our dog, relax with each other, go to sleep and wake up to do it all over again. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. We are content with our lives. But it doesn't actually make for very interesting blog material.
Take today, for example. I was at work at 9 a.m. Worked on a couple of stories about local lawsuits, and trust me, there is nothing interesting about reading and digesting 50-plus pages of legal jardon about alleged fraud and racial discrimination. Check that ... there's obviously something interesting those topics to some people, just not for me. Reading legal jargon has to be the worst part of my job. Please keep me out of the courthouse!
I worked from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., working on the two lawsuit stories, as well as my weekly Sunday anchor "city notebook," which is basically a compilation of little tidbits that happen throughout the week that don't necessarily warrant their own individual stories. It's just a hodgepodge of different things. The only semi-interesting part of today was The Town Talk's Christmas luncheon. That was good food and some good time chatting with co-workers, who I see every day but don't always take the opportunity to slow down and have a conversation with.
After work, I went to my officiating meeting, where we discuss interesting stories that happen during games and get our assignments for the next week(s). Tonight, there were no interesting stories, unfortunately. I wish there were, so I could relate them in my blog and have something interesting to write about!
Oh, well. Maybe there will be some stories that develop this weekend, when Elizabeth and I will trek up to north Louisiana for the weekend. The plan is to head to my mother's on Friday night, spend Saturday morning and afternoon with her, my stepdad, my nephew Connor and my niece Kori, and then head on over to Ruston to watch the Saints game with my buddies A-Dawg and K-Rob on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday, we'll have Christmas lunch/party with the buddies and spouses. Hopefully, there will great stories to share from that!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Merry, merry, merry Christmas!
We tried. We really did!
So, Elizabeth and I really aren't the best when it comes to waiting for just about anything. Patience is not a virtue that flows very freely in this household. And when it comes to Christmas, well it's just game over!
We've been together now for five Christmases now, and I honestly doubt that we've lasted all the way to Dec. 25 before exchanging gifts. Sometimes, it's earlier than others. Last year was October. Little did we know when we gave each other our presents (Elizabeth got a new stove, and I got a sweet puppy!) that I would be laid off before Christmas. Sometimes, things just work out.
Well, we tried this year. And I hate to use the word 'fail' because it has such a negative connotation, so I won't. I'll just say we didn't make it. After finally breaking down to get the pup's gifts, we exchanged last night. Of course, because we don't do surprises very well in this family, it's not like it was a surprise. Elizabeth wanted a Sony e-Reader, and well, what Elizabeth wants Elizabeth gets (Aside: call me stupid all you want, but I've learned not to go against my wife's wishes during the holidays. When Elizabeth tells you what she wants, it's NOT a suggestion.). And I finally joined the 21st century and got an iPod nano. What was neat is that, without discussing it with each other, we both got the gifts inscribed with each other's names. That was a neat little touch.
Well, I've whined for months about an iPod. Elizabeth has one, and well, I get jealous. She's pretty good about letting me use it if I have to go on a trip or something, and she was even nice enough to make a playlist for me on her iPod. But now I don't have to borrow. I have my own! I'm so excited. I love my iPod. I've been listening to it all day, and I stayed up last night making a list of all of the CDs I need to put into iTunes and add to my iPod. Seriously, I got a 16-gig nano, and I bet that I'm going to be out of space pretty soon. What can I say? I have a lot of music!
And from what I can tell, E-beth loves her gift, too. She's in the bed right now reading it. She's an avid reader. Heck, my man cave has been overtaken by bookshelves (for the record, though, some of those books are my own)! So, it's been a successful Christmas. Elizabeth also got me a new electric shaver and trimmer, which is something every guy can use, a new pair of dress shoes that I can wear to work, and she also bought me one my favorite movies ever -- Robin Hood: Men in Tights! I also got Elizabeth a pair of ruby red shoes that I personally picked out and think are gorgeous. She says I have the best taste when it comes to choosing her clothes and shoes, and well ... she's right! In addition, she got some candy and an iTunes gift card.
Oh, and of course, Sandy-girl got a candy cane toy that squeaks (the dog LOVES squeaking toys; she's learned that is she chews really, really fast it makes more squeaking sounds, and she LOVES it!) and also a HUGE bone. Seriously, the bone has to be two feet long. It's massive, and she's already chewed to the center of it! The old commercial about how many licks it takes to get to the center of Tootsie Pop -- well it takes Sandy less than 24 hours to get to the center of a 2-foot rawhide bone! And, she still has another gift that Santa's going to bring her when we go to Granny's on Christmas morning -- a big stocking that has all kinds of fun toys!
With another 10 days til Christmas, there may be more gifts to come. When it comes to the McCormick family, never count anything out. A whim's a whim, baby!
So, Elizabeth and I really aren't the best when it comes to waiting for just about anything. Patience is not a virtue that flows very freely in this household. And when it comes to Christmas, well it's just game over!
We've been together now for five Christmases now, and I honestly doubt that we've lasted all the way to Dec. 25 before exchanging gifts. Sometimes, it's earlier than others. Last year was October. Little did we know when we gave each other our presents (Elizabeth got a new stove, and I got a sweet puppy!) that I would be laid off before Christmas. Sometimes, things just work out.
Well, we tried this year. And I hate to use the word 'fail' because it has such a negative connotation, so I won't. I'll just say we didn't make it. After finally breaking down to get the pup's gifts, we exchanged last night. Of course, because we don't do surprises very well in this family, it's not like it was a surprise. Elizabeth wanted a Sony e-Reader, and well, what Elizabeth wants Elizabeth gets (Aside: call me stupid all you want, but I've learned not to go against my wife's wishes during the holidays. When Elizabeth tells you what she wants, it's NOT a suggestion.). And I finally joined the 21st century and got an iPod nano. What was neat is that, without discussing it with each other, we both got the gifts inscribed with each other's names. That was a neat little touch.
Well, I've whined for months about an iPod. Elizabeth has one, and well, I get jealous. She's pretty good about letting me use it if I have to go on a trip or something, and she was even nice enough to make a playlist for me on her iPod. But now I don't have to borrow. I have my own! I'm so excited. I love my iPod. I've been listening to it all day, and I stayed up last night making a list of all of the CDs I need to put into iTunes and add to my iPod. Seriously, I got a 16-gig nano, and I bet that I'm going to be out of space pretty soon. What can I say? I have a lot of music!
And from what I can tell, E-beth loves her gift, too. She's in the bed right now reading it. She's an avid reader. Heck, my man cave has been overtaken by bookshelves (for the record, though, some of those books are my own)! So, it's been a successful Christmas. Elizabeth also got me a new electric shaver and trimmer, which is something every guy can use, a new pair of dress shoes that I can wear to work, and she also bought me one my favorite movies ever -- Robin Hood: Men in Tights! I also got Elizabeth a pair of ruby red shoes that I personally picked out and think are gorgeous. She says I have the best taste when it comes to choosing her clothes and shoes, and well ... she's right! In addition, she got some candy and an iTunes gift card.
Oh, and of course, Sandy-girl got a candy cane toy that squeaks (the dog LOVES squeaking toys; she's learned that is she chews really, really fast it makes more squeaking sounds, and she LOVES it!) and also a HUGE bone. Seriously, the bone has to be two feet long. It's massive, and she's already chewed to the center of it! The old commercial about how many licks it takes to get to the center of Tootsie Pop -- well it takes Sandy less than 24 hours to get to the center of a 2-foot rawhide bone! And, she still has another gift that Santa's going to bring her when we go to Granny's on Christmas morning -- a big stocking that has all kinds of fun toys!
With another 10 days til Christmas, there may be more gifts to come. When it comes to the McCormick family, never count anything out. A whim's a whim, baby!
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