I'm back.......

Work has picked up a bit and I really haven't felt like "computing" in my evening hours, so I'm sorry to have abandoned ya'll for a couple of weeks. Instead of posting today, I'm going to cruise all your sites and leave some comments.

Check back tomorrow for a cool book recommendation/review.

Peace--

Tagged (See what you started Amy!!!!!)

OK already! :-) Like, 3 people have tagged me! Here's the guidelines for when I tag you at the bottom of this entry:

The first player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself". In the end you need to choose 5 people to be tagged and list their names. The people who get tagged need to write a blog about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. Breakfast Cereal is one of my favorite foods, ever - especially GrapeNuts.
2. I don't like to use the "stalls" in public bathrooms if anyone else is present. The urinals are fine. I dunno, guess I've got "poop" issues.
3. I dislike the taste of most things that are "white and creamy" - mayo, salad dressings, etc. (although I'm getting much better and can now eat and enjoy Cream Cheese, Yogurt and Sour Cream - which I couldn't do five years ago).
4. I think Grad School in some sort of Contemplative Spiritual Practices arena (say, at Naropa Institute or Chicago Theological Seminary) would be awesome.
5. I have a set, unconscious, habitual pattern of drying off my body (with a towel) after a shower. It always goes hair, face, left arm, right arm, shoulders, back, left leg, crotchal region, right leg, around the waist and tuck - all with a very efficient (and quick!) ballet-like fluidity. Oh yeah.
   

_____________________________________________________________

I choose to tag:
Josh, David, Kevin, Jay & Dan

...quickly...

Just a quick (second) post for the day to say that I appreciate all of your recent comments and I intend on answering those and visiting your sites within the next day or two to get all caught up... Trev's been a busy sk8rboi...

Tats with Tommy

...ok, Amy and Cathy were there too, but "Tats with Tommy" just had a nice ring to it.

Blogger friends Tommy and Cathy went with my wife and I to Savannah, GA on Friday ... so that I could get inked. Believe it or not, the tat was Amy's 5-year anniversary gift to me.

It's on my left forearm and is the greek spelling of my daughter's name, Kalliopi.

It's still a bit swollen in this picture, but you'll get the idea.

Peace Out

I will most likely not be doing any posting until Tuesday, June 27th due to vacation. We will be at Amy's mom's again in South Carolina for the week. Until then, my friends!

Welcome to the Jungle!

A few months ago Frankie Valens called me.

Now today, since Mr. Axl Rose is from my small town of Lafayette, IN, GQ magazine JUST called the church office (where I work) and asked if we knew in which church he sang as a Choir boy.

None of us knew... but that's a pretty frickin' weird phone call to get unexpectedly!

Transitions

Three pretty big endings/beginnings this week:

1.) We reach the end of our first five years of marriage and enter into year FIVE on Friday.

2.) My boss of 5 years (and very close friend) ships out on Sunday. Get a new boss on Monday.

3.) My 6-month loan for my album is due Thursday. Since I'm not fully paid back, I renew that as well (Hint: buy my album!) :)

"We should not complain about impermanence, because without impermanence, nothing is possible." (Thich Nhat Hanh)

Delight

"Remember that we live in bodies that, through a feast of the senses, appreciate the beauty of the world." (Wayne Muller)

Yesterday, I had my favorite meal: Buffalo Wild Wings' chicken wings coated in Caribbean Jerk sauce, a basket of Buffalo Chips (fries in the shape of coins) dipped in ketchup, and a cold large draft Newcastle. It's true that I'm trying to eat vegetarian anytime I have an option - but this is my one hangup (ok, maybe there's more than one). But it's a glorious one. If I knew I was going to die tomorrow, I'm quite sure this would be my last marvelous meal.

Then, my buddy Derkillama and myself sat in my garage shortly after a large thunderstorm had moved through and watched dark clouds rolling by, a peaceful rain, and the sky light up with sporadic lightening as we sipped homemade Jack Daniels Mint Juleps and enjoyed expensive cigars.

When life's good, it's good.

Recap

Don't have much time to share today as I am catching up from being gone all weekend, but here's a brief overview:

• Unfortunately did not advance in Battle of the Bands last Thursday - but has given me the fire to push on and do bigger and better things. It was a very high energy show and may have been one of the best (minus the poor sound system).
  
• Had our "vacation" trip to Michigan over the weekend. Lots of driving in drizzle and rain (hasn't stopped raining here since about last Wednesday).
• Met up w/ sister and BIL, did some damage to the ol' liver.
  
• Digital relationships become reality! Amy and I met w/ blogger friends Dan and Suzanne (i.e. the Michigan Version of Us) - it was very, very cool. Thank you guys for hosting us - let's do it again soon!
• Swung by another set of friends' house in Grand Rapids for the night.

Now playing catch up. Ever notice how you need a vacation after vacation?

Checking Out for a few...

Got a busy couple of days planned and won't be blogging much until next Tuesday.

TONIGHT: Tonight is Round 2 (of 3) of the Battle of the Bands. It should be a great show - I've added three new cover songs to the band's setlist: "All this Time" (Sting), "Only the Good Die Young" (Billy Joel), and "Africa" (Toto).

THIS WEEKEND: Michigan, here we come. We're going on a whirlwind tour of three different spots. First, visit my sis and B.I.L. (brother in law) in way-the-hell-north Indiana. Then, meet and visit blogger friends Dan and Suzanne for the first time. Finally, meet up with some old friends of ours in Grand Rapids. And we're not taking the kid.

So Happy Mothers Day to all - and I'll see you in the first part of next week.