I Blame The Gangsters

I, quite frequently, misplace things, and consider them lost or stolen forever. Normally after a day or two of looking, or even actually taking the time to move things (a special trick my mom taught me for when I couldn't find something) I usually find the lost item, and, if need be, apologize to the person I blamed for losing it.

Now, almost a week since the last time I saw my iPod, I am convinced that it is just a memory of mine now. And I blame gangsters. I'm not too sure what happened to it, but I would like to take this time to remember the good times we had.

Today I salute you, black, 30gb video iPod. We had some good times together, I'll never forget:
-when i got you at a discounted rate for buying a macbook. You were cheap, but you were good.
-when I plugged you in at the Loft to listen to my favorite tunes while I worked
-listening to you while I worked out, or rode my bike to class. The Karate Kid theme song never sounded so great
-the various plane and car rides we went on, where you entertained me for hours, or soothed me to sleep. We went to North Carolina, Chicago, back to Texas, then we drove to Chicago from Texas, and flew back to Texas.
-the time I put the cool Jesus mailing tape on your back
-when I blasted country music from our garage while hanging out in the yard with friends. You never forgot your roots.
-and many, many more.

Goodbye iPod. Not that you're going to be easy to replace, but I hope I can move on someday.

Someday...

On the "Staying End of Saying Goodbye" x2

A few of my real good friends here in the Chicago area will be saying Goodbye in just a matter of months, maybe for a period of time, maybe indefinitely. and, even though you may or may not know who they are, i am going to keep the names to myself, just in case they are still planning on telling you and haven't yet.

1. A good buddy that I met when I first moved here is moving back home to Oklahoma to finish school, Which, I think he should get that taken care of. I know there are a ton of people who are going to miss him up here, but I have a feeling that a side hobby of his that he has here (great musician/ songwriter) will do something special for him when he goes home. Maybe more opportunities to play and be heard.

2. a friend that I consider to be one of the coolest people I know (I may at times use the word 'rad' to describe her) got into a ministry training school in LA. California that is, not Louisiana. When I first met her this is something that she told me she was interested in doing, and after hearing and getting to know some of her heart toward ministry and learning more about, and serving God, I know that this will be an awesome opportunity for her. I have a friend right now that is at the school she is going to, and all he has to say about the school and the program is how amazing it is. and I believe him.

I told #1 that I was probably going to cry when he left, but I honestly would not be at all surprised if I cried for both. Now I know how my friends and family must have felt when I told them I was leaving. And, again when I told them I was staying (here, not there, that is). You hate to see it happen (thats what my room mate aaron always says, and it works for most any situation), but you know how good it will be.

North South East West

I could never stand when people gave me directions, and instead of saying, "turn left," "go straight," or "turn towards the walmart" they would say things like, "east, 3 blocks," or, "the southwest side of blank and blank intersection."

Seriously, who knows directions by using N S E or W?

Well, since moving to the chicago area last summer, this is common to me now. I love it, its just how I do things now. When people say "right on Golf Road, I ask, so, east, or west? You see, theres a big body of water in Chicago. Lake Michigan. This is as far east as you can go. Then, there is everything outside of Chicago, which, the more you move WEST, the more cornfields and emptiness it seems you hit. So, I know directions as East (moving towards more things), and West (moving away from things. Then there's HWY 90. A big highway with a speed limit of 55, but if you drive anything slower then 70 people start cursing you and hating you. So, Anything above 90 is North, and anything below 90 is South. (Obviously, you are probably thinking to yourself). BUt then I know directions as north and south as "Closer to 90, and further from 90".

It all makes sense. Now, you may wonder, "why is he blogging about this?"

The answer: No idea. Other than I now can use nautical directions when telling people how to get places.

There you have it.

Mama, Mama I'm Coming Home..

July 8 I fly home for a week or so. Leaving the heat on July 16.

While I am in town I want:
-Some dang good family time (my sister and I plan on going to Enchanted Rock, maybe I'll rope the whole family into going...)
-To plan Mancalla (mom, get ready. You may have me this time, I haven't played in a while)
-Some Loft Coffee (Jenny, make sure the honey is out and filled)
-Some TexMex (Dad, make sure Maria's has passed their most recent health inspection. Or, maybe not, sometimes the dirty ones have the best food)
-Some Barefoot Algae Skiing time (Scott and Phil, lets hit up the Comal. Even though neither of you read this, I am making this your responsibility)
-Cigar Club Time (Hink and Josh96, this is in your hands to make sure happens)
-Scripture Reading with Jake (You better make it to town this time jake.)
-Time with the Schmidt Clan (Hannah and sarah, you're gone, so this is in the hands of emma and caleb)
-and finally, I want the temperature to be below 100 degrees (God, this one is up to you to make happen!)

See you all soon!