Life as I know it...Growing up.

  Everyone has their dreams as to what they wanna be once they're "grown up".  Growing up I wanted to be an actor--Play the leading role on the big screen.  Then a Fireman--Saving the beautiful girl from the 12th  story of the burning building.  Then a Cartoonist--The next Jim Davis. 
   Then once I reached high school, I realized those dreams would likely stay just that.  Not because the old saying "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything" is wrong, because it's not..  My mind just wasn't "put to it". 
   I was shy, so acting...on a stage...in front of people?  No thanks.  I was (and still am to this day) scared of heights.  Fireman have to climb ladders.  Again, something I do better in my dreams.  I am however a decent drawer.  I draw Garfield great!  The only problem is, I'd have to be looking at it to do so.  I lacked the originality, the creativeness. (not looking for a pity party, just the truth)
   Once I graduated from High school, I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with myself.  I went to college, hoping something would "tickle my fancy".  It didn't.  I came home, started working in a restaurant, and before I knew it, I had seven years of customer service in my back pocket. 
   Somewhere in those seven years I got introduced to blogging.  Just writing your thoughts, stories, plays, whatever was on your mind.  It was fun, but like drawing I had trouble coming up with my material more than once a month.  I kept it though, changed it up every other time I wrote a new post, thinking "OK, this time, with this new look, I will keep up with it." I did this a bunch until I got to this wonderful layout you know and love today.  That I actually enjoy keeping up with, and updating.
  I am reminded of one of my favorite verses of scripture

"I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go.  I will counsel you, and watch over you"--Psalm 32:8

  Now is bogging or perhaps something more where God is leading me, as he promises in this verse? Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Time will tell, but in the meantime, I'm having fun.  =-)

London Olympics

   It's that time again ladies, and gentlemen.  The time, every four years, that you watch sporting events that 351 days out of the year you could care less about. 
   Yes, I am in fact talking about the Olympics. The beautiful city of London won the rights to host this years games, and have so far, in this bloggers opinion, done a great job.  The venues have been full.  every last second has been exciting, and I really feel like I'm there and feel a sense of American pride when the fans scream USA! USA! USA! from the stands.
   I have thoroughly enjoyed watching some kind of event every night for the past week. Cheering on my country.  Again, even in sports I couldn't care less about on a regular day.

• Gymnastics:  I held my breath on every vault, every balance beam flip, every floor exercise.  I watched with pride as the U.S.A took gold in the "team competition".  Then again in the "All around" as Gabby Douglas brought it home.  I even felt for the other girls who did not achieve their Olympic dreams. 
• Beach Volleyball: Some might say it was the women in the bikinis, but even when it was 60 degrees out, and they were wearing more than a typical beach volleyball player would typically  wear, I was glued.  From the first serve till the end.  I loved watching the U.S.A. girls battle it out in the gold medal match, after eliminating country upon country along the way. 
• Soccer:  Okay, this one I watch more than just at the Olympics.  I watch the world cup as well.  Still, I don't watch it on a regular basis.  This Olympics though...If you were a fly on the wall, you would have seen me jumping up and down in front of the TV, when Alex Morgan hit the header in the 125 minute in the victory over Canada, only to look around for someone to celebrate with...realizing I was the only one in the room.  Finally, (and I wont admit this to my wife, as I have made fun of her for doing so)  I found myself tearing up as the girls mouthed the national anthem, as the cameras paned across them this afternoon after winning gold. 

   The Olympics...for two weeks....even synchronized swimming is a sport.  (apologies if you're a synchronized swimmer)

U.S.A!  U.S.A!  U.S.A!!
 

Chick-Fil-Apology

    So unless you have been living under a rock for the last 3 weeks...Chick-fil-a has been under some scrutiny for some of their anti-gay beliefs.  It has started a whirlwind of a 2 sided battle of supporters, vs. non supporters, with few of us--Myself included, that are in the middle.  While we don't condone some of their decisions, we're not boycotting either.
   When I originally started typing this post I was going to go into a whole ton of detail as to "why my stance is where it is. In fact, I have written it, but I figured instead of beating Mr. Ed after he's already been buried, I would take this post as something good for all, not just those who agree with me.
   That being said, I got into a pretty heated debate with some folks on Facebook about this.  While I thought they were civil, it was brought to my attention that some might not have seen it that way. While most of you I have fallen out of contact with, other than FB, there is a reason we became FB friends to begin with. That being said, and my stance not changing, I'd like to apologize to those with whom the heated debates took place. (you know who you are...because I tagged you in the link from FB) I am sorry if I came off as disrespecting to your opinion, or even a "bigot"  That was not at all my intention.  I sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, apologize to each and every one of you, and hope and pray we can just take this as an agree to disagree moment.