Memorial Day is this Monday, and we'll probably work on the garden (or see family and friends, which is my vote!). Sometime you should try my salsa. In my youth, I used to do "top ten lists" for a variety of reasons. One I wrote in college was about "top ten things to do in Winona Lake on a Friday night," and they were all pretty boring things. Winona Lake has gotten much better in the last 10 years.
I used to write a top ten list about my top ten favorite Taco Salads. It was my goal - wherever I traveled or ate - to try as many Taco Salads as possible. One of the best Taco Salads I've had was in downtown Moscow (yes, the one in Russia). Another was at the Sears Tower. For a long time, Don Pablo's had a chicken taco salad that topped the list. Right now, I can't say what the top salad is. I think that would be a complete waste of my time. I've grown out of that immature phase.
But if you MUST know, I love just going to Pancho's, getting a chicken taco salad SHELL, and dipping it in Italian dressing. Life is much simpler now.
We saw Troy on Friday night. Everybody's really talking about Shrek 2, but Jennie and I can't get excited about seeing cartoons. Maybe we think we've grown out of that phase too. Or maybe we are facing the reality that we'll be watching cartoons for the next 15 years of our lives!
I confess: I like movies. Sometimes I feel immature about it, and then I talk with pastors who are twice my age and have seen more movies than me over the last year, and I don't feel so bad. I do think that my "taste" or "preference" in movies has really changed over the last two years. I no longer like movies for the action, the effects, or the bravado of main characters. I am developing a dislike for movies that are "cookie cutter," or movies that do not clearly develop plot, characters, or conflict. All that stuff Mrs. Bee talked about in high school is starting to matter to me. If I wasn't a pastor, I'd probably consider being a professional writer of some sort, probably a movie critic or sports writer. I guess my ideal job is to write critiques of sports movies for pastors to read (while eating Taco Salads).
After saying all that about being a discerning movie critic, I'm really excited to see The Day after Tomorrow. I guess I am still somewhat intrigued by special effects and movies with Tornoadoes in them. Jennie and I had our first kiss after watching the movie "Twister."
'nuff said.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Friday, May 14, 2004
Inside the cutting room
Yeah, I procrastinate sometimes. I even wrote an article about procrastination once. I was thrilled to finish the video about Allison and her latest ultrasound. If you haven't seen it, you really should. Personally, I can't get enough of it.
Kevin Delaney, formerly the pastor of Campus Focus here at The Chapel, is now associate pastor at Mountain Brook Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Jody Bowser is currently the Senior Pastor of Moses Lake Alliance Church in the great state of Washington. Click on their names to e-mail them, but only if you already know them. That would be somewhat rude to just e-mail somebody you don't know out of the blue. You could say, "Yeah, I saw your name on that famous website garyandjennie.com, and it says you're like a pastor somewhere - in what state?" Please don't do that. Our website doesn't require much effort, but it does require that you not send junky anonymous e-mails to people you don't know in states far, far away.
I like to give updates like that once in a while. As if I were some monthly alumni magazine that gives updates on people you used to know. That's one reason I'm glad I didn't go to Ohio State. Cause if you get an alumni magazine with updates, you don't know any of those people, unless they are Orlando Pace, Eddie George, or - of course - Pepe Pearson. I don't mean to brag, but I saw Pepe Pearson play when he was a senior at Euclid High School.
I hate it when people say, "I don't mean to brag," and then they brag like crazy. Of course I meant to brag!
Then again, nobody knows who Pepe Pearson is. Nobody is impressed. So I guess it wasn't officially "bragging."
Yes, I am selling and buying things on eBay still. So I can tell my wife that I'm not spending our own money on things like the John Grisham book I just bought (The Last Juror, have you read it?), I am also selling a few things as a way of "trading." I remember when Pull, Hartley, Brunker and I would go to the Hartville Flea Market to buy and sell baseball cards.
Man, were we stupid. Just kidding, but it does occur to me that nobody collects baseball cards anymore, so I cannot make a killing on eBay. In high school, I put those cards to good use, selling them to the local card store to pay for dates and homecoming dances and such.
I think part of doing an online journal well is knowing when you've run out of interesting things to say.
Kevin Delaney, formerly the pastor of Campus Focus here at The Chapel, is now associate pastor at Mountain Brook Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Jody Bowser is currently the Senior Pastor of Moses Lake Alliance Church in the great state of Washington. Click on their names to e-mail them, but only if you already know them. That would be somewhat rude to just e-mail somebody you don't know out of the blue. You could say, "Yeah, I saw your name on that famous website garyandjennie.com, and it says you're like a pastor somewhere - in what state?" Please don't do that. Our website doesn't require much effort, but it does require that you not send junky anonymous e-mails to people you don't know in states far, far away.
I like to give updates like that once in a while. As if I were some monthly alumni magazine that gives updates on people you used to know. That's one reason I'm glad I didn't go to Ohio State. Cause if you get an alumni magazine with updates, you don't know any of those people, unless they are Orlando Pace, Eddie George, or - of course - Pepe Pearson. I don't mean to brag, but I saw Pepe Pearson play when he was a senior at Euclid High School.
I hate it when people say, "I don't mean to brag," and then they brag like crazy. Of course I meant to brag!
Then again, nobody knows who Pepe Pearson is. Nobody is impressed. So I guess it wasn't officially "bragging."
Yes, I am selling and buying things on eBay still. So I can tell my wife that I'm not spending our own money on things like the John Grisham book I just bought (The Last Juror, have you read it?), I am also selling a few things as a way of "trading." I remember when Pull, Hartley, Brunker and I would go to the Hartville Flea Market to buy and sell baseball cards.
Man, were we stupid. Just kidding, but it does occur to me that nobody collects baseball cards anymore, so I cannot make a killing on eBay. In high school, I put those cards to good use, selling them to the local card store to pay for dates and homecoming dances and such.
I think part of doing an online journal well is knowing when you've run out of interesting things to say.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Mother's Day, Baby!
Yeah, I procrastinate sometimes. I even wrote an article about procrastination once. I was thrilled to finish the video about Allison and her latest ultrasound. If you haven't seen it, you really should. Personally, I can't get enough of it.
Kevin Delaney, formerly the pastor of Campus Focus here at The Chapel, is now associate pastor at Mountain Brook Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Jody Bowser is currently the Senior Pastor of Moses Lake Alliance Church in the great state of Washington. Click on their names to e-mail them, but only if you already know them. That would be somewhat rude to just e-mail somebody you don't know out of the blue. You could say, "Yeah, I saw your name on that famous website garyandjennie.com, and it says you're like a pastor somewhere - in what state?" Please don't do that. Our website doesn't require much effort, but it does require that you not send junky anonymous e-mails to people you don't know in states far, far away.
I like to give updates like that once in a while. As if I were some monthly alumni magazine that gives updates on people you used to know. That's one reason I'm glad I didn't go to Ohio State. Cause if you get an alumni magazine with updates, you don't know any of those people, unless they are Orlando Pace, Eddie George, or - of course - Pepe Pearson. I don't mean to brag, but I saw Pepe Pearson play when he was a senior at Euclid High School.
I hate it when people say, "I don't mean to brag," and then they brag like crazy. Of course I meant to brag!
Then again, nobody knows who Pepe Pearson is. Nobody is impressed. So I guess it wasn't officially "bragging."
Yes, I am selling and buying things on eBay still. So I can tell my wife that I'm not spending our own money on things like the John Grisham book I just bought (The Last Juror, have you read it?), I am also selling a few things as a way of "trading." I remember when Pull, Hartley, Brunker and I would go to the Hartville Flea Market to buy and sell baseball cards.
Man, were we stupid. Just kidding, but it does occur to me that nobody collects baseball cards anymore, so I cannot make a killing on eBay. In high school, I put those cards to good use, selling them to the local card store to pay for dates and homecoming dances and such.
I think part of doing an online journal well is knowing when you've run out of interesting things to say.
Kevin Delaney, formerly the pastor of Campus Focus here at The Chapel, is now associate pastor at Mountain Brook Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Jody Bowser is currently the Senior Pastor of Moses Lake Alliance Church in the great state of Washington. Click on their names to e-mail them, but only if you already know them. That would be somewhat rude to just e-mail somebody you don't know out of the blue. You could say, "Yeah, I saw your name on that famous website garyandjennie.com, and it says you're like a pastor somewhere - in what state?" Please don't do that. Our website doesn't require much effort, but it does require that you not send junky anonymous e-mails to people you don't know in states far, far away.
I like to give updates like that once in a while. As if I were some monthly alumni magazine that gives updates on people you used to know. That's one reason I'm glad I didn't go to Ohio State. Cause if you get an alumni magazine with updates, you don't know any of those people, unless they are Orlando Pace, Eddie George, or - of course - Pepe Pearson. I don't mean to brag, but I saw Pepe Pearson play when he was a senior at Euclid High School.
I hate it when people say, "I don't mean to brag," and then they brag like crazy. Of course I meant to brag!
Then again, nobody knows who Pepe Pearson is. Nobody is impressed. So I guess it wasn't officially "bragging."
Yes, I am selling and buying things on eBay still. So I can tell my wife that I'm not spending our own money on things like the John Grisham book I just bought (The Last Juror, have you read it?), I am also selling a few things as a way of "trading." I remember when Pull, Hartley, Brunker and I would go to the Hartville Flea Market to buy and sell baseball cards.
Man, were we stupid. Just kidding, but it does occur to me that nobody collects baseball cards anymore, so I cannot make a killing on eBay. In high school, I put those cards to good use, selling them to the local card store to pay for dates and homecoming dances and such.
I think part of doing an online journal well is knowing when you've run out of interesting things to say.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Soccer? Not MY Kid!
Life is a mysterious thing. Yesterday, I looked at Jennie's stomach, and could clearly feel a foot kicking powerfully against it from inside, trying to get out. Jennie and I aren't big soccer fans, but it seems like our daughter is headed in this direction. Hopefully my connection with soccer lovers like Tim Cooper, Kyle Milligan, Jamie Kozick, and David Ward will serve us well.
Speaking of Tim Cooper, he's a friend of mine who actually cancelled his Cable (or Dish) permanently, so he and his wife wouldn't waste so much time watching TV. Think about how much our relationships, our physical fitness, our priorities, and everything else gets distracted by whatever's on must-see TV that night. Huge props to the Coopers for getting a grip on the situation, and it's a challenge to all of us not to just tune in and channelsurf for 5 hours a day or whatever the latest statistic says.
I can't really figure out why I don't like soccer. I went to Cleveland Force (MSL) games as a kid, and they were pretty exciting. I guess I can't understand a game that won't let you use your hands. In basketball, you obviously shoot or pass or dribble the ball with your hands. In baseball, you grip a ball, a glove, or a bat if you're on the field. In football, of course you use your hands to tackle, throw, or hold the other guy's jersey illegally. But in soccer, the ball can't even touch your hands without play coming to a screeching halt.
I think it all boils down to this - I am not good with my feet. I have never been accused of being "fleet-footed" or anything like that. So I play other sports.
I probably kicked in the womb too. Just because Allie kicks, doesn't make her a soccer player. We will see to that. I think when she starts to kick a basketball instead of bounce it, she'll be grounded.
Jennie has been sick off and on this week, but just a cold or flu-type thing.
Am I going to become one of those Dads who can't talk about anything else but his baby child? I do hear from everyone about how your life changes, and how you'll be so in love with this little person who depends on you. True - and bring it on!
But I hope that we can both keep up our "rep" and connection with the grown-up world as well. Time will tell.
Speaking of Tim Cooper, he's a friend of mine who actually cancelled his Cable (or Dish) permanently, so he and his wife wouldn't waste so much time watching TV. Think about how much our relationships, our physical fitness, our priorities, and everything else gets distracted by whatever's on must-see TV that night. Huge props to the Coopers for getting a grip on the situation, and it's a challenge to all of us not to just tune in and channelsurf for 5 hours a day or whatever the latest statistic says.
I can't really figure out why I don't like soccer. I went to Cleveland Force (MSL) games as a kid, and they were pretty exciting. I guess I can't understand a game that won't let you use your hands. In basketball, you obviously shoot or pass or dribble the ball with your hands. In baseball, you grip a ball, a glove, or a bat if you're on the field. In football, of course you use your hands to tackle, throw, or hold the other guy's jersey illegally. But in soccer, the ball can't even touch your hands without play coming to a screeching halt.
I think it all boils down to this - I am not good with my feet. I have never been accused of being "fleet-footed" or anything like that. So I play other sports.
I probably kicked in the womb too. Just because Allie kicks, doesn't make her a soccer player. We will see to that. I think when she starts to kick a basketball instead of bounce it, she'll be grounded.
Jennie has been sick off and on this week, but just a cold or flu-type thing.
Am I going to become one of those Dads who can't talk about anything else but his baby child? I do hear from everyone about how your life changes, and how you'll be so in love with this little person who depends on you. True - and bring it on!
But I hope that we can both keep up our "rep" and connection with the grown-up world as well. Time will tell.
Monday, May 03, 2004
Lots of random thoughts
Sometimes it feels weird writing stuff about our lives online. Time permitting, I'd rather talk to everyone in person. Then again, I also love to write, and this doesn't take very long to update.
Another "whirling dervish" of a weekend, involving birthdays, baby showers, parties, mexican food, and old roommates.
My roommate and good friend from Grace Seminary, Kary Oberbrunner, stayed overnight last night. Here's a recent photo of him, which, if clicked on, would get you to his website...
Kary recently wrote a book - The Journey Toward Relevance -that has been published by Relevant Books. His book is very insightful about the various types of Christians out there today. Some are "separatists" - choosing to remain totally separate from the world and setting up more boundaries from the world and culture. Others are "conformists" who want so desperately to connect the Christian message in a way that will be heard today that they conform too much to the patterns, tastses, and expectations of secular culture.
Kary's book challenges and equips people who are interested in becoming "transformists" - Christians who live a strong and distinctly-Christian lifestyle in such away that it is relevant to the world we live in. His book is personal, entertaining, and frankly makes me jealous. You can order it through Kary's website.
The guy to your left has a huge heart for God and others and tremendous gifts, passion, and commitment to living life to the fullest. I hope Allison marries a guy like this Kary. Jennie actually knew Kary before I did, cause dude is from Wisconsin. He wasn't here that long, but we worked out, shared some Mexican food, talked a lot, and had some of our legendary Tekken battles.
I had two terrific roommates in Seminary. Kary Oberbrunner (read the above paragraphs again), and Kelly Larned.
Kelly Larned and I have great history as well. We became friends during my senior year at Grace. I was his RA, and Kelly was the crazy frosh who was setting off fireworks in the hall when I'd least expect it. Of course, being such a good friend, I would let him off the hook for pretty much anything. Good friends look out for each other.
Anyhow, Kelly "mad bomber" Larned, was also a roommate for the summer when I lived on 704 Chestnut Street. He threw a tremendous graduation party, one of only TWO times that I witnessed dancing (light, fun, rated G-dancing) at Grace.
Well, I'm writing to tell you that Kelly is engaged! Maybe you already knew this... but he met his wife, Keri, at the end of last year on eharmony.com! I have met more people lately that have met their lifelong love on this website/cupid service! Check it out (if you're single).
-----
Thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday in one form or another. 30 is a good one so far, but I was definitely "sentimental" about it. I am off now to The Chapel for a meeting, and Jennie is headed to Babies R Us, our second home now. I'll have a video with lots of footage of baby shower "oohs" and "aahs" sometime soon. Thanks for reading!! Have a great day!
Another "whirling dervish" of a weekend, involving birthdays, baby showers, parties, mexican food, and old roommates.
My roommate and good friend from Grace Seminary, Kary Oberbrunner, stayed overnight last night. Here's a recent photo of him, which, if clicked on, would get you to his website...
Kary recently wrote a book - The Journey Toward Relevance -that has been published by Relevant Books. His book is very insightful about the various types of Christians out there today. Some are "separatists" - choosing to remain totally separate from the world and setting up more boundaries from the world and culture. Others are "conformists" who want so desperately to connect the Christian message in a way that will be heard today that they conform too much to the patterns, tastses, and expectations of secular culture.
Kary's book challenges and equips people who are interested in becoming "transformists" - Christians who live a strong and distinctly-Christian lifestyle in such away that it is relevant to the world we live in. His book is personal, entertaining, and frankly makes me jealous. You can order it through Kary's website.
The guy to your left has a huge heart for God and others and tremendous gifts, passion, and commitment to living life to the fullest. I hope Allison marries a guy like this Kary. Jennie actually knew Kary before I did, cause dude is from Wisconsin. He wasn't here that long, but we worked out, shared some Mexican food, talked a lot, and had some of our legendary Tekken battles.
I had two terrific roommates in Seminary. Kary Oberbrunner (read the above paragraphs again), and Kelly Larned.
Kelly Larned and I have great history as well. We became friends during my senior year at Grace. I was his RA, and Kelly was the crazy frosh who was setting off fireworks in the hall when I'd least expect it. Of course, being such a good friend, I would let him off the hook for pretty much anything. Good friends look out for each other.
Anyhow, Kelly "mad bomber" Larned, was also a roommate for the summer when I lived on 704 Chestnut Street. He threw a tremendous graduation party, one of only TWO times that I witnessed dancing (light, fun, rated G-dancing) at Grace.
Well, I'm writing to tell you that Kelly is engaged! Maybe you already knew this... but he met his wife, Keri, at the end of last year on eharmony.com! I have met more people lately that have met their lifelong love on this website/cupid service! Check it out (if you're single).
-----
Thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday in one form or another. 30 is a good one so far, but I was definitely "sentimental" about it. I am off now to The Chapel for a meeting, and Jennie is headed to Babies R Us, our second home now. I'll have a video with lots of footage of baby shower "oohs" and "aahs" sometime soon. Thanks for reading!! Have a great day!
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