R.J.'s Experiences in Lincoln

The Ice Cream Gospel

2006-03-21T00:46:00.000-08:00

Wow... how time goes by.... it's two months later and I am finally sitting down to write another blog... well, it's not that I haven't been sitting... I just haven't been writing.

The church that I moved to Lincoln to help start is going through some changes. Not bad changes, just changes that needed to happen. We are trying to go back to a biblical style of the concept of "church."

There are different metaphors that have been thrown around in our meetings... for a great one, visit my friend Tim's blog post entitled "Baby Don't Need a Hat."

Alright... on with the blog... (By the way, this is a metaphor I got from a speaker I once heard... I'd just like to share it.)

The Ice Cream Gospel...

There are two different business models... The first is the Wal-Mart business model. You create a big building in the middle of town. You sell everything! From candy, to hats, to DVD players, to Rubik's Cubes, to tires, and so on. Your plan is that since you have everything and are located in the middle of town, everyone will come to you. This is the model that many churches have today. They have a women's ministry, a children's ministry, a youth group, a homeless ministry, a skateboard ministry, a worship team, a multimedia ministry, a greeters ministry... etc. They setup various ministries hoping that if they have everything, then people will start coming because they are attracted to a certain ministry in the church.

There is a second business model. The Ice Cream Man business model. He has ONE product... the best product!! He doesn't sell hats, he doesn't sell DVD players... he sells one thing... Ice Cream. He doesn't just setup shop and hope that people come and buy ice cream... No, he goes to where the people are who want and need ice cream and sells it to them on their turf... This is what Jesus did. He didn't need the instrumental for "Do Your Hears Hang Low" booming out of a speaker to be heard. His presence caused people to want to come to him as he went to different places. This is the mission of Jesus... to go out and bring the good news to the people that need it most. This is how Christians should be doing ministry.

That's all...

Life After Late Fees Is Great

2006-01-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

I can be pretty forgetful... i don't remember being forgetful in the past, but I really don't think I was. It all started with my roommate Joey in college... he'd always forget stuff. When trying to go somewhere, he'd come back to the room a few times to get something he had missed. And then I started doing that, and I think ever since then I have been forgetful!

All of that to say that I was 5 days late returning a moving I rented at Blockbuster. It's not that I wanted to watch the movie many times, or even wanting to burn it and leaving it in my computer... I just simply forgot. Even after I got the reminder call from Blockbuster, I forgot for a day or two.

But, thank God for Blockbuster's new "No Late Fees" thing. They don't charge any late fees. The rental is converted to a sale after 7 days. You can return it within 30 days to give the movie back and reverse the sale. But you are charged like a $1.50 re-stocking fee. Not bad, being able to keep the movie for 30 days for an extra $1.50. No wonder Blockbuster raised their prices!!!! It's almost as expensive as a tank of gas nowadays, and THAT is expensive!

Anyhow, that is basically all.... I wanted to say that my girlfriend is great! I love her... it's been 4 months and more.... crazy!

This Is Crazy....

2006-01-16T14:53:00.000-08:00

Yah yah... it's been a while since I've written.... deal with it...

So, most people who know me, know that I can solve a Rubik's Cube in about 2 minutes.... usually closer to a minute and a half, but not always.... I'm rusty.

This is just plain ridiculous.... Some guy at a Rubik's Cube competition broke the previous world record of 11.75 seconds by solving it in 11.13 seconds. That's crazy....

Click here for the full article.

IMAX Experience

2005-12-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

So my girlfriend and I went to go see "The Polar Express" at the IMAX theatre here. At first I really didn't want to go, but i decided to go anyway. I am glad that I did. It was awesome.... it looked like the snow was falling on the people in front of us' head. (Yes, it was in 3D) SO, that was pretty awesome.... there's a part where the front of the train comes up and it was like at the tip of my nose...

It was pretty awesome... plus, just spending time on real dates with my g/f is awesome.

Am I The Grinch?

2005-12-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

Don't have a heart attack... I know, I know... this is my third post this week.... craziness! Anyhow... let's get to the point...

I have been called a grinch once or twice so far... I am not too fond of Christmas decorations... maybe mistletoe, but that's it.... well, actually, THIS CHRISTMAS DISPLAY (turn your sound on) is pretty awesome.

I am also not too fond of Christmas music... so I've been called a Grinch for that... it's always the same songs... there's never (or hardly ever) any new Christmas songs that come out... sure, there's classics, but it's basically saying that all of the talent for writing Christmas songs has been used up, and that artists today aren't talented and therefore their efforts aren't worth a damn.

I enjoy interesting remixes of christmas songs, but even then, it's only now, a week before Christmas that I am actually getting into it.

Who knows.... maybe I am The Grinch....

Entering Unknown Territory

2005-12-16T02:01:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't had a relationship that lasted longer than just a little over 3 months.... it's crazy... Amanda and I just hit 3 months yesterday... things are still going great, sure we've had more problems this half of the 3 months as opposed to the 'honeymoon stage' in the first month and a half... but, life is good.

Really not much to say... she's great... she's amazing... I hope there are many more months together to come...

Buggin' Me....

2005-12-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

SO, people have been buggin' me about writing a blog post... an update... etc...

Everything is going well.... work is good, and I got a pretty nice paycheck on the last payday I had... holidays and money from stayin the night when night staff couldn't come in.

My girlfriend and I are doing well. It'll be 3 months this Thursday.... it's pretty crazy... my longest relationship to this point has been about 3 months give or take a few weeks, so it's coming down to crunch time. I think we'll make it way past 3 months (and I hope we do), but only time will tell.

I can't believe it's almost halfway through December already.... time seems to just fly by nowadays. It doesn't feel like the holiday season... usually about this time, I'd be getting myself excited counting down the days until Christmas break... but now I don't have a Christmas break, I very well may be working up until 11:45pm on Christmas Eve. I will get 3 days off (like a normal weekend) as opposed to the 2 weeks in high school and the 5 weeks in college... but that's life.

I've never been one to be excited to Deck the Halls. It will be nice to spend a little bit of Christmas with my family and girlfriend. But 3 days later I'll be working and I'll be working hard.

Oh well... there you have it, an updated blog post. Merry Christmas to all! Be safe!

Fun Day Off...

2005-11-11T00:29:00.000-08:00

Since I worked earlier in the week on my day off, I was able to get Thursday off, and I got to spend the day with my girlfriend. We went to this thing called Apple Hill... it's hard to describe, but it was a fun time. Here are some pictures we took...

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICTURES

I had a great time and I ate too many apple fritters..... but it's all good!

Microwave Your Bra...

2005-11-09T23:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many women read my blog, but this may be an interest to you.... to me it's ridiculous....

"For the woman who wants to stay both warm and environmentally conscious this winter -- and isn't bothered by extra bulk under her shirt -- a lingerie maker has unveiled a thick bra that can be heated in the microwave......"

Do you think that microwave makers will start putting a "Bra" button right next to the "Popcorn" button?
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL NEWS ARTICLE

Great America....

2005-11-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hey hey.... well, tomorrow will be pretty awesome. I have to work from 7am to about 11 pm or midnight. You may be thinking, "That doesn't sound too awesome to me." Well, I'll be going to Great America (for free) with the boys I supervise for my work, and I get to ride the rollercoasters and what not, and get paid for it! It's pretty awesome!! Long day, a lot of money, but a fun day!

That's all for now!

Red 23... Blue 42... Hut, Hut, Christ!

2005-10-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

As seen in movies such as "Every Given Sunday" and "Remember the Testaments", we have Football Jesus, in bobble-head form.....

This is just ridiculous..... i don't know what else to say...

And The Fog Rolls In...

2005-10-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

Driving home from work I saw the first signs of the fog I had been told about in this area. The first time I really encountered fog was last winter driving from Reno to Vegas I had some fog with about 5-10 yard visibility, but only for a few minutes. Tonights fog was nothing, but more of a warning that it's coming.

Speaking of coming without warning... I can't believe it's almost November already.... that's soooooo crazy to me!!! Where I work, it's a higher elevation, and it gets colder, and at 9:00pm this evening, I could see my breath. Then, as I got in my car at 11:45, there was some ice on my windows.... it's craziness.... the cold weather is here... not where I live, but definitely where I work.

Anyhow, I won't make this too long, since it is Daylight Savings Night.... turning the clock back... my favorite day of the year... getting an extra hour!!!! But, usually I am a moron and I stay up later because I know I have an extra hour. Maybe I am getting older (I prefer "wiser") but I am heading right to bed.... I just had to write this blog, and then enjoy that extra hour I have been blessed with. (Although I'll probably be grumpy come spring and I lose this hour.

I'll leave you with a joke.... Although it's the wrong Daylight Savings for the joke, it's still a humorous Daylight Savings joke:

"I once made love for an hour and 5 minutes... of course that was when they turned the clocks ahead an hour.."
~Larry Sanders

The Goop Scoop

2005-10-28T23:22:00.000-07:00

So, in the group home I am working, the boys were carving pumpkins. In the pumpkin carving kits, it had something known as a goop scoop. It's this scoop, to scoop the goop out of the pumpkin. What ever happened to the good ol' fashioned spoon? Huh? ANd what moron was sitting around getting all excited about his new name for this device called the "Goop Scoop." To me that's so ridiculous... and I just had to vent.

Alright, I hope everyone is doing well... adios!!!

Oh, Where Has The Time Gone

2005-10-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Each week I look at my blog and I realize it's been about a week since I've written last, but in my heart it doesn't feel that way. I never believed people when they said that as you get older, the time seems to pass by faster and faster. But, I have now realized that it is indeed true. I don't even remember the month of September this year, it flew by so fast. October is about to be the same way for me. It is already the 23rd of October... to me, that is insane.

In other news, work went well this week. I got paid on Thursday which is always a great thing! The shifts were pretty relaxed, no major drama in the house, no minor drama even.

I don't know who all reads my blog anymore, but since I am rarely on AIM anymore, I encourage you to leave a comment on my blog and just say "Hi!" Adios!

Where Have I Been?

2005-10-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been writing as much lately... Last week was crazy, because wood flooring was being put in, in the wing of the house I live in. So i had very limited access to my room (and I didnt get much sleep, waking up to be out of that area early, or being woken up by the banging and sawing, etc....

I've also been working a lot, and spending time with my amazing girlfriend. We've had our little arguments that all relationships have, but we've been able to get through them well. The make-up make-out sessions have been great... maybe I'll get to marry her and see if the make-up sex will be great!

Well, all in all, life has been great.... I get paid thursday, and it is going to be a pretty nice paycheck! Saturdays I work almost 15 hours, and there are 3 saturdays on this check, plus 50 more hours, some overtime, and a nighttime-stay worth $50... yup, that's right... getting paid $50 to sleep from midnight to 8am... not shabby!

Pros vs Joes

2005-10-11T01:56:00.000-07:00

Browsing around online, I came across this advertisement for the casting of a new reality TV show. It will pit regular sports fans against sports pros... I sent in my application for the "hockey" portion if they have it... I don't quite understand how it'll all work out, but that would be awesome if I was on TV!!!

Working....

2005-10-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted in a few days and that is because I finally have a job and I have been working. This has been a long week because of all of the training I needed.

I worked on Wednesday from 9am - 8pm, but it was a pretty easy, laid-back day, just doing paperwork and what not. It was one of the boys' birthday and so it was a celebration day and the boys were in high spirits and we played xbox and what not (yes, I get paid for playing xbox).

On Thursday, it was a normal 4:30-11:45 day, and it wasn't too bad, just hung out, etc.

On Friday, I had to be up at 9am for CPR training... it lasted about 2 1/2 hours, and I'm certified now. Then I had to work 4:30-11:45.... it was a good day.

On Saturday, my long day, I worked from 9am-11:45pm. But, then, because of some problems in another house, the night shift person had to go to that house, so they paid me $50 to sleep in the house from when my shift ended until 8 in the morning. Not too bad! More than $6 for sleeping! It probably won't be a regular thing, but i could definitely use the money.

Anyhow, I am off for 3 days now so I will definitely be getting some cleaning done!

Adios!

Just Me and My Girlfriend

2005-09-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging much lately because I have been spending time with my girlfriend. Last week I posted about our Tuesday morning date and how she cooked for me. Well, once again this Tuesday she cooked for me and it was simply fabulous!!! I definitely found me a keeper!!! Here's a picture from her cooking me dinner sometime last week:

We also hung out the other night (I write that as if we haven't hung out almost every night, which we have been) but anyway, she was over at my place and she was studying for her Abnormal Psych. class, and so I had to snap a few shots with her awesome camera...

Here she is studying hard:

And here she is posing for the camera and NOT studying hard:

Anyhow, I just wanted to share a few pics with you all since some of you have been asking to see pictures! Hope you enjoy!

Lincoln Lightning

2005-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

After living in Las Vegas for 18 years, I grew accustomed to enjoying amazing lightning shows during thunderstorms... then, when I moved to Reno, you really didn't see much lightning when it rained, and even when you did, it wasn't that great of lightning. Well, here in Lincoln yesterday, we had a thunderstorm and the lightning was just awesome... amazing brightness, many branches, loud booms... I was loving it...

Just yet another reason why I love California!

Tuesday Morning Date #1

2005-09-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

So Amanda and I had our first Tuesday Morning Date.... it went well. I woke my butt up and went to the chapel service at her school. (She goes to a Christian college and she's required to go.) The chapel service was good.... I enjoyed the worship and the message. Then we headed on up the road to her house and she cooked me eggs and waffles. The eggs were great, she put some seasoning stuff in them, and then scrambled them, and they were very good. The waffles were good too, they were thin, so I ate 6 of them... yah, I am a pig! Strawberry syrup and whipped cream... mmmmm. And "orange juice" which was really Sunny D, but she calls it orange juice. I had to educate her, and correct her with regards to her calling Sunny D "orange juice." Don't get me wrong, I like Sunny D, it's just not orange juice! It's "orange flavored citrus punch." Anyhow, then we just hung out and talked, and I tickled her and made fun of her for drawing blood from me last night.

As she was leaving my place, we were hip checking each other, and she knocked me right into the little metal "security alarm" sign outside of my house. At first I thought I just kind of scraped it, but after I kissed her goodbye and went inside, there was blood coming out... I'm fine, but it's fun teasing her about it!

I look forward to more Tuesday Morning Date's with her. =)

Huge Update...

2005-09-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well, a lot has happened... or one major thing, and a lot of minor things...

First off, I have a girlfriend... yes, you read that right, R.J. has a girlfriend. After 4 years and 5 months of me not having an official girlfriend (sure i dated, but no actual g/f's) I finally broke the streak, asked Amanda to be my g/f (the girl i was taking out on a date in the last post) and she said yes. Some may think it's too quick since I haven't even known her for a week, but Thursday we spent 11 hours together just talking... and when you spend that much time together just talking, you really get to know someone.... she is an awesome girl... she's funny, she thinks I'm funny, she's cute, she cooks, she likes to cook, she loves God, she likes me (what a weirdo). Speaking of her being a weirdo, she's doesn't know who Al pacino is (except the little bit I told her about him when she told me that) and she's never had chocolate covered cherries... but, she's a really cool girl, we get along great (we spent quite a bit time together on friday too)... it will be hard, because she'll be working Sun-Wed, and she has school, and I'll be working Wed-Sat, no school, but still.... but, we're going to make it work... and we'll be patient, and hope next semester she can get the same shift as me, and so we can have the 3 same days off... then all we'd have to work around is school =) So, I am excited.

Also, the house I am living in finally has grass in the backyard... when I moved in they only had the patio done, and had been waiting to get grass put in, and I looked back there this morning and it was like 85% done, and now it's done!!! We're going to be having a BBQ soon!

So, yah... i am supposed to start work wednesday, so I am excited about that... it's nice to not be working, but knowing that I will have a job to be able to pay the bills.

'Till next time!!!!

A Job and a Date

2005-09-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!!! I FINALLY got a job.... I will be working in a group home, basically being a parent to teenage boys. I make sure they eat, do their homework, do their chores, etc. etc. I am excited... it will be challenging, but I think I am up for it.

And, the girl who got me the job, I asked her out on a date and she said ya, so I am excited for that... I don't know when we are going to go because our schedules conflict or at least they will bigtime when I start working next week.... but we'll see how it all works out.

I figured I'd update all of you who read my blog. =) Adios!

Photoshop Fun

2005-09-12T23:51:00.000-07:00

Hope you guys enjoy this......

NYC Firefighter Assaults Immigrant

2005-09-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/12/firefighter.arrested.ap/index.html

It's a short article, so not a bad read to see what I'm writing about. I hope this guy gets prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It's obviously blatant racism... and not particularly attached to the Sept. 11th attacks... let me explain. If it was just based on the attacks and the nationality of the attackers, then why don't those types of crimes mentioned in the above article happen towards ex-military members. Timothy McVeigh was a white, ex-military man and he was the man executed for the Oklahoma City bombings... do many people even remember that? If people were so fired up about such attacks on 9/11, why aren't they with regards to the bombing in Oklahoma City... it's blatant racism... and it disgusts me.

Using that idiot's logic in attacking the guy that he did, does that mean that we should now attack NYC firefighters?

Spooning...

2005-09-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe it wasn't 'spooning' instead it was playing Spoons, but I had a great time... there were seven of us playing and I got second place.... either way, it was still pretty awesome... We even had a video camera going, so I may do some editing of the video to kind of spice it up....

Other than that... I may be able to get a job working in a group home... could be good.

Adios

It's Happened....

2005-09-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

Yup... it's finally happened... I put it off for long enough..... no, not finding the girl I will marry, no, not changing my wardrobe, no, not sky diving..... becoming a Halo player... for those who aren't in the know, Halo is a game for the Xbox system only, and you shoot people... I first never played because the concept of using the 2 joysticks at the same time to move and aim was too much for me to handle... then, i didn't play because everyone was so good and I sucked so it was no fun... then i just didn't want to play at all.... then i got hooked... it's been a slow process but now I like Halo... who knows... i just may buy it.

In other news... over 3 months ago i decided that after i bought my "Hitch" DVD i would go on a 2-month fast from buying DVDs... i owned a lot so i figured it'd be a good thing.... next friday will be 3 months... i am excited that I not only met my goal, but I am surpassing it. I can walk by the movie aisle now without having to buy something i've wanted for a while and "it's only 7.77?!!"... so yah

It's Been Over a Decade Since I Last....

2005-09-07T23:31:00.000-07:00

... posted a new blog... just kidding. No, this blog is about the wonderful game "Cribbage." The last time I played cribbage was the Winter of 1994... which was the last time I was in Canada and my grandma was still alive. I used to play against her a lot... then, being at my pastor's house for a game night, he said he had a cribbage board, and he re-educated me on how to play, and we started playin'. It's good times. Then I started playing online at Yahoo! Games. Then, him and I went to It's A Grind coffee house and played there. So, that's my post about cribbage!

I Felt Like A Girl And Then Disappeared

2005-09-05T23:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys for not writing these last four days, but I just really haven't done anything special enough to write about. Today, Labor Day, the group of people who are starting the church got together and played some games (dominoes) and ate some food, hung out, had some laughs, and heard some stupid jokes.... I also played Cribbage for the first time I think since the Winter of 94 when I was in Canada and I played against my grandma.... it was a good time. We went to the park also, and threw the frisbee around. Our pastor's sons love this game where we say Go, they run, and we try to hit them with the frisbee when running... it's a great game, and it was the kids' idea... honestly!

Anyhow, that's all.... until next time...

I Feel Like A Girl

2005-09-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

.... for one reason, and one reason only.... I lied about my weight on my driver's license... after kicking butt on the driving exam a week ago, I finally got my license in the mail... the pic wasn't too bad compared to my previous driver's license and school ID cards... but yah, I put 185 instead of the 195 that I was when I filled out the info. But, I am down to 193.7 according to the scale at the gym, and I've steadily gone down for two days in a row.... by minor amounts, but it's something!!!

The Foundry

2005-08-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

Well, after working on it for about a day, off and on, I finally finished the website for my church... I think it looks pretty nice... but I also have a biased opinion... but, I wanted to tell you all so you could check it out...

http://www.thefoundry-lincoln.org

Enjoy!!

Revelations at the Gym

2005-08-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

"Exercise is a pain...if you join a gym, you have to like go a lot for it to work...you have to keep going and going..." - Comedian Greg Giraldo

Although humorous, the above statement is quite true. It isn't enough to think about going to the gym. It isn't even enough to go to the gym once or twice. If you want to see some real results without doing something harmful to your body like by not eating, then you have to continually go to the gym, it has to be part of your life style. And as I was sitting in the gym, on the bicep curls machine, God revealed to me that living a pure life for Him is the same way. It's not enough to just accept His son Jesus as your savior. It's not even enough to read your bible, pray, or do good things every once in a while to have a great relationship with Him. It has to be something that you do daily, multiple times a day... it has to become a lifestyle. And then, God will start toning you, refining you, and stripping away the fat and building muscle... spiritually speaking of course.

Hoooo Wahhhhh!

2005-08-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

So, I am sure you are probably sick of hearing the name "Danielle" but, being as she is my only friend at this moment in Lincoln, her name comes up a lot. Anyhow, her and I played Egyptian War (a.k.a. Egyptian Rat Screw, a.k.a. Egyptian Rattlesnake) a few days ago, the first night we hung out actually, and she kicked my butt. I usually kick everyone's butt at it, but I hadn't played in a while. The last time I had played was September, and I had lost to a girl then, but I was sick, and had pulled an all nighter like a moron, so not being quick enough to slap then was alright with me. But, losing to Danielle was frustrating... because I hate losing, she's a girl, and I usually kick butt at that game. So, flash forward to tonight. We played 3 games tonight... I won 2, she won 1... so we are tied. One of the ones I won, took only a minute and a half, cuz I killed her quickly.. t'was good times. Her sister and friends had rented The Final Cut which is a great movie i recommend, and I wanted to watch, but it was long, and I needed to get home to go to bed... so that's where I'm headed... good night!

Halloween In August

2005-08-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

So, i went to the store with this girl Danielle the other day. She pointed out that Wal-Mart was selling Halloween stuff. I stopped in my tracks..... WHAT!?!?!? It's not even September yet?! Since when did Halloween start in August!? What is going on with our country when you have to buy fake spider webs and paper ghosts more than 2 months before Halloween. I'm surprised those morons aren't selling pumpkins already. "Well, we're selling everything else so early, so i figured...." Argh... sorry, just had to vent.

Working Out

2005-08-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

So, those of you who were online this morning and looked at my away message, you may have had a heart attack because it said "Working out" and it hasn't said that forever. But yah, I started my working out today... i was supposed to start yesterday but this girl Danielle (a girl my age that I met that is cool [and cute]) was supposed to go with me, but she's got a cold.... so I just ran errands with her.... but yah, I started working out today. The treadmills have a nice little spot for my Ipod, which is great, it's right in the center so I dont have to worry about my arms catching the earphones and ripping them out. It also has some sort of anti-shock thing, so the ipod doesn't skip. I am going tomorrow morning at 9.... blah, way way way too early.... but I'll be going with someone (not Danielle) so it should be fine.

Anyhow, that's all for now... peace out!

I Am A Great Driver

2005-08-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

So, after not being able to get my license last week because of some stupid thing, I went to the DMV and stood in line, but only for like 20 mins this time, i was quite lucky. I passed the eye test fine, got my picture taken.... then I had to take the test... of course I didn't study.... I am a cocky kid, so I didn't feel I needed to study.... I started taking the test and thought "oh crap, i'm gonna have to go home and actually study, and then come take it again"... but I continued withthe test, making my best educated guesses.... and sho'nuff, the lady grades it and I only missed 1!!!! And it was one I debated on. It was the Blood Alcohol Content one, which doesn't matter for me anyway, because I don't drink. But I thought Nevada was lower than everywhere else, so I guessed the one right above the Nevada one, but I guess Cali changed to be the same as Nevada a few years ago... but that's the only one I missed! Pretty good for not having studied in 6 1/2 years.... Hoooo Wahhh! Needless to say, I was quite happy. Then, I told the lady i thought I was going to fail and I didn't want to have to go home and study and she said "You didn't study?" I told her "No" and she just kind of gave me a look... t'was good times.

Then, after I came back home, I changed, and looked at my gut, and decided that it needed to go, for real this time. So, I went and got a gym pass. A week ago, my pastor said he was getting a pass to the new gym opening and he said I should get one since I said I never have someone to go with, so he said we could go together. Then, yesterday, hanging out with this girl Danielle (yes, I finally have friends in Lincoln!) she said she was getting a pass to the gym also.... so, I decided to get one... I need to be in shape again. Anyhow, Danielle and I are going tomorrow (or today i guess since it's past midnight) if she's feeling alright.

And for the rest of the day, I watched Danielle's softball game, and then hung out with her and her friend Keenan for the rest of the evening...

So long for now... maybe I should take a "before" picture.... maybe.

I Got A Girl Pregnant

2005-08-22T00:15:00.000-07:00

..... or so I like to tell people from high school who I haven't talked to in a long time when they ask if I am married and have kids. Well, apparently, back around my sophomore year of college, I had told 2 friends of mine from high school that, but I never talked to them again until a couple of years later and so I never had the chance to tell them I was just joking.... it is quite humorous to hear their reactions to find out a couple of years later that it was just a joke, instead of finding out the next day.... haha, good time.

Lincoln is kind of boring. I don't know anyone in my age group (actually, one person, who I am hoping to kick it with tommorrow [or today, cuz it's past midnight]). I also, haven't been able to find a job.... but other than that, things are great... Well, just wanted to post because it's been a few days. Adios!

A new poem...

2005-08-17T02:00:00.000-07:00

So, i wrote this poem about someone... obviously i took many artistic liberties, as we are not even dating, let alone madly in love.... as with most of my poems they start out about someone, but i go into more of a general girl.... just mastering my skills until "she" comes along and I can blow her away....

Until then, enjoy.... and try to guess who it's about... haha...

The Recipe
These words flow out to write a song about you,
But I can't imagine living my life without you,
There's no doubt you have left an imprint on my heart,
A tattoo that you inked as your own special mark,
I want to hold hands, to slow dance, to romance,
Snap back to reality, I realize I have no chance,
Because I know that's our fate, it's our destiny,
I pour out my heart, my soul, the best of me,
The recipe for love, is half me and half you,
It wouldnt be a sweet dessert, if it didn't have you.
~August 17, 2005

Xbox Fun

2005-08-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

So, many of you know, and some of you may not, that the reason I moved to Lincoln, CA was to help start a church. There is a team of 8 of us here who are the initial launch team for starting the church. The pastor is a great guy... he is younger, like 33ish, for what most people would have as a mental picture of a pastor. But he's young, and that's awesome because it gives me a chance to relate. Plus, I just gave him a call and said "Hey, are you up for some xbox tonight?" and he said "You bet! Come on over around 8!"... It will be quite an awesome time. Plus, in a couple of weeks, as a "getting to know people and hopefully eventually get them involved in church"-type function (no, that's not the official name), we are having a guys-night at one house, where we'll have multiple xbox's hooked up, playing a massive game of Halo. Then, the girls will be next door doing some sort of a pampering and games thing.. dunno, don't care.... but yah, that should be an awesome time.

Until next time...

Racko

2005-08-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

Racko... what a wonderful game... I haven't played it since like elementary school... until tonight that is... My new roommate asked if i played board games and i said 'yes'... and he began to name off the ones he owned, and he said 'Racko' ... and so i played against him and his wife... t'was fun times.... he won 2 games, his wife and I won only 1 each.

We have a 'Monopoly Night' coming up in the near future... stay tuned!

I Have Arrived

2005-08-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

Well.. I am finally in California... through the initial excitement, the uphill battle, the feelings and doubts of whether or not I should be going to California, I am finally here and all of that is behind me, and I am able to begin a new adventure here in good ol' Lincoln, California. My friend Tim who lives here, he saw me driving to go get food, and so he made a u-turn, and bought me breakfast... Hooo Wahhh!!

Anyhow, I have a long day of unpacking, but I will definitely be writing stuff now!

LEAVE COMMENTS!

Peace!

Does Size Matter?

2005-08-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

M-V-E-M-J-S-U-N-P ..... many people may recognize that as the first letter of the planets of our solar system. But, after the discoveries recently of 2 more "planets" the term "planet" has become more under debate. Within this debate, some scientists, based on the matter of size (or lack thereof) want to eliminate Pluto as a planet...

Will I have one less foam ball to buy when my kids make a mobile of the planets in second grade?
Check out this link for the full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4737647.stm

My Attractions

2005-08-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

Lately I haven't been able to fall asleep. In the last 2 weeks, I have had 4 days where I've only slept about 4 hours... 7am-11am.... This immense amount of free time due to insomnia has allowed me to 1) Watch tons of TV and 2) Think about some things.

While watching the Disney Channel (see 1. above), I saw a music video from the new straight-to-DVD movie, "The Muppets Wizard of Oz." Musical artist Ashanti is one of the actors in this movie, and sings in the music video. She is dressed up in a simple, farm-girl outfit and I was strongly (and strangely) attracted to her. So I began thinking (see 2. above). I have seen her before in other music videos, on TV, in pictures, etc... and although she is a very beautiful woman, I really never was attracted to that type. But, then seeing her in this Muppets musical video I was blown away by her beauty. I have known for a while that I find a girl in a banada very attractive, probably for their "housewife look" (words of a friend): (See exhibits 1 & 2 below.)

Click to see Exhibit 1
Click to see Exhibit 2

Now, I don't know what it is about this "housewife look" but it makes me quite attractive to most girls with that look. Some may say that I want a subserviant wife and feel that I can fulfill that fantasy with a female that has such a "look," but in fact I want a very independant-minded, and goal-oriented female... so, trying to balance the ying and yang of those two things in my mind, especially at 1:33am is proving to be difficult... but I still may never figure it out... all I know is that Ashanti is looking very very hot in the "Muppets Wizard of Oz" movie... Hooo Wahhh!

A Free Tank of Gas

2005-08-05T00:55:00.000-07:00

So, as a little birthday gift to myself, I decided to go gamble a little bit. (By the way, today is my birthday...) Anyhow, so I started out playing blackjack, and I was winning a little, losing a little, back and forth, and then through a few dealers, I ended up breaking even. So then, I hopped on over to the craps table because the guy who was running it is a guy who gives me great luck on craps. So, I get there, and they change guys... i played anyway, lost $20. So, i hopped on over to the roulette table and I started kicking butt. I only play a few numbers: 0, 00, 1, 7, 11, 13, 17, 21, 27, and 36. I got 2 17's in a row, a 21, a 27. I was kicking butt. New dealer... i had already pocketed what I put down, plus the money i lost at craps, so I could walk out even. I was all out of chips with some on the table when this guy put a lot around and on # 11, and I put $1 worth on there. Right as the ball was about to drop I was like "11 would be nice!" and BAM! It was 11. So, that paid $35, adding it to the $40 i pocketed ($20 bet on roulette, $20 bet on craps and lost). So, I was up $35. I went to play some video poker and lost $5. I put $10 in a slot machine. I went up and down, and then won a good one, and got up to $16, so I cashed out. I ended up winning $36 profit the whole night. (I definitely got around from blackjack table to craps table to roulette table to video poker, to slots.) But, tomorrow morning I will be using that whole $36 to buy a tank of gas... but hey, I had fun tonight (especially at roulette) and I got a free tank of gas out of it. Happy Birthday R.J.!

My Crazy and Lazy Summer.

2005-08-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, my calendars were both still set to April. Now, this could mean 1 of 2 things. 1) I have had a crazy busy summer or 2) I am lazy. I think it is a combination of both... May 1st was 8 days before my last college final ever, and 13 days before I graduated college. My mind definitely wasn't thinking of taking the time to tape up the new month, and it was just easier to flip up. Then, shortly after I graduated, I had gotten a second job, and was working every day of the week, some days I was even working upwards of 10 hours a day. Then, I ended up quitting that job because it was killing me and I didn't NEED the money, so I felt it was best if I left... plus, I was too lazy to memorize the menu and how to make everything on it, so I guess it was probably best. I have been really lazy lately... ever since I quit that second job. It's been nice just hanging out with people, and laying around watching movies and TV. I bought a TiVo with my graduation money and it can record up to 140 hours.... so I'm loving it, and I'm not missing shows. The 4 hour marathon blocks of Fresh Prince are great! Anyhow... that is all for now... I really will only be writing random things until I actually move to California...but I'll still write random things then too, don't worry!

Peace!

T-minus 4 days...

2005-08-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

Well... the time has finally arrived... I can finally go to California. After a long process of waiting, and searching, and waiting, and searching, and waiting... I finally found a place, a very, very nice (I will post pictures in the next couple of weeks) and I can finally get my butt out of Nevada, to California, and start looking for a job.

It's definitely been an exercise in having faith, as it seemed like things would never come through and I began doubting if I was even supposed to be going to California, but alas, everything worked out for the best!

My email will remain the same: breakaway11 (at) gmail (dot) com

I will have a new physical address obviously, and I would love to receive mail, pictures, etc. I am sure the people who I will be living with don't want their address posted publically on the internet, but if you want to send me cards, letters, food, etc., please e-mail me for my address and i will definitely give it to you.

So long for now... I will be trying to write here at least once every few days... I will try hard not to get lazy like I did with my other blog. Speaking of laziness, I have two calendars hanging in my room, and they are both still stuck on April!

Thanks for reading....

Peace!