Lambert

Trisha and I have been watching American Idol this season...I've found that it's a lot easier to watch when you have DVR. Seriously, think about it. The 2 hour show can be gotten through in about 45 minutes. The commercials are gone. The singers that make you cringe can be skipped in a heartbeat. The judges that really offer no value to the show *cough*Kara*cough* can be completely avoided. It really is an all around more enjoyable experience when the power is in your fingertips to speed up/slow down TV time.

As a side note...last night as they announced Adam Lambert as one of the Top 12, his last name began to ring in my ears. I've heard that name before. Where? Lambert...lambert...lambert....ah yes....from Disney.

One of the classics...Lambert the Sheepish Lion

Watch Here

Armbands

It's DNow Weekend. It's become a custom to buy armbands for the students as a little memento of the weekend. (as made famous by the Livestrong bracelets) It usually has a slogan or main theme to serve as a reminder of what was learned/taught/discussed throughout it all. (This year's theme is KNOWN: Knowing God, Making God Known) The bands also serve the double purpose of helping divide the students up into varying teams for our recreation time, as it is easy to forget which team you are on when there are 300 kids running around.

For the past three years, I've ordered from the company Reminderband. They've done incredibly well in their service and I've yet to be disappointed. In fact, earlier this week I was tracking the FedEx number. Monday morning at 11am it shipped out of Hong Kong. Tuesday morning at 10am it arrived in Anchorage, AL. Wednesday morning by 10:30am there was a FedEx guy knocking on my door, asking me to sign for a package...that's what I'm talking about.

I digress...

Last year, one of the students from the other churches came up to inform me that their bracelet did not say "Mythbusters" like it was supposed to.

"Brody, I don't believe I got the right armband."
"Oh yea," I respond?
"Yeah...mine says, 'In Memory of Victor Garcia'"
"You're right...that's not the right armband."

The best part about that story is that the student that came up to tell me that was from a hispanic church...in the words of their youth minister, "our church would get that one."

This year as I was dividing out all of the bands, I came across another anomaly.

"Ali & Ryan's Wedding 2009"

Somewhere in the world, hopefully, there is a bridesmaid or groomsman that is figuring out what it means to be "Known" by God.

Comedy Night Done Right

Thursday night is the "strongest night of television"...at least on NBC.

Since the 80s, shows like The Cosby Show and Cheers have graced families with air time together in front of the tube on Thursday evenings. Before my high school days, Seinfeld was the show to watch, because after all, it was a show about nothing. Then Friends entered the scene and captured the hearts of teens and adults alike. 52.5 million television sets tuned in to the finale in May of 2004 (I still remember watching it with some college friends). It really was Must See TV.

Now, we've stepped into a new era with Comedy Night Done Right...which brings me to the best show on television right now...The Office...followed closely by 30 Rock. Both of these shows deliver week after week with content, creativity, and all around ridiculously funny stuff. Sometimes I feel awkward, sometimes I can't stop laughing, sometimes I feel inspired to go and write my own episode. Nonetheless, these shows are, for me, what TV worth watching is all about.

Fact: Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

As a side note. Last thursday, my wife and I watched The Office and 30 Rock with some friends. One of the big parts of 30 Rock was the shameless plug/advertisement for the McFlurry. They claimed it is the best dessert in the world.

Fast Forward to Friday night when Trisha and I are hanging out with a different couple at none other than McDonald's...and we are eating McFlurries. It didn't even register with me until I was half way through my succulent M&Ms McFlurry that we had indeed been duped.

Product placement does indeed work...

Dishes

I've always lived with people. A majority of the time with my family, but for the last 8 years with roommates (now, my wife).

One thing I learned quickly is that when you live with other people, doing the dishes is a big deal. I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand the number of times I even thought about the dishes as a kid, not because I never did them, but because they just really weren't that pertinent.

However, when you live with other people, doing the dishes becomes a hill to die on. "Whose turn it is to do the dishes" schedules will be posted. "Well, those aren't my dishes" subtle accusations will be made. Civil Wars will erupt. Piles and mounds of crusted cheese and ramen noodles will grace the edge of every plate, bowl, glass, woman and child. And there will be a stand off. Believe me, there will be showdowns as roommates go mano a mano to see who crack first and break out the dish detergent. A simple trip into the kitchen will turn into a mind game as you go to deposit your dirty dish. Because what you are looking at is no longer a kitchen sink, but now a game of tetris as you calculate your move to sliding your dish into the pile at just the right angle so as not to disturb the ancient ruins.

All of this will climax until the mother of all situations happens...


...One of the roommates gets a girlfriend and she ends up doing the dishes because they are making her gag.

Is it pretty? No. But it's part of life. A part of life you can learn many lessons from. A part of life I'm still learning lessons from...

1. Rinse your dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher
2. Always put your dishes in the dishwasher after using them
3. Don't let your dishes tear your house apart...because then the dishes win

Like I said, I'm still learning...

Just last evening, I quickly placed my plate in the sink and walked back into the living room to finishing washing a TV episode. My wife walks into the room and coughs a little, then states, "You know...the dishwasher is empty..." That's all she said. No directions, nothing else. Just like that, a jab to the side. And so it begins again.

I've got a feeling though, that I might not win this showdown.

Proclamation #2

Let it be known...

that my favorite restaurant in Athens is Peaches Fine Foods.

That is a feeling of fulfillment that I wish upon every human...
friend or foe.