The Collection of the King of Pop

This Saturday April 25, 2009, Julien's Auctions is auctioning off a plethora absurd amount of Michael Jackson's things from his Neverland Ranch.

An array of treasures from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch ranging from Michael Jackson's iconic white-jeweled glove to the grandiose entry gates to Neverland Ranch are being presented in a tour de force public exhibition boasting 1390 Lots conducted by Julien's Auctions. Beginning with a highlights tour to major cities worldwide, Julien's Auctions will host an 8 day museum quality exhibition at 9900 Wilshire adjacent to The Beverly Hilton open to the public on Tuesday April 14th through Tuesday April 21st 10am to 6pm PST daily. The auction begins on Wednesday, April 22nd and runs through Saturday April 25th at 9:00 am and 2pm PST daily.

One might wonder, what all is being auction off? Well, worry no more. They have made a 5 catalog complete display of EVERYTHING that is being auctioned.

It's definitely worth a gander...

And if you are feeling exceptionally overindulgent, then you can buy the actual catalog for an asinine price of $200 for the entire collection.
(warning: they may already be sold out)


Speaking of collections, if anyone wants to go in on a Galaga/Ms. Pacman machine then let me know

.

American Idol

Before this year, I had never watched American Idol. Sure, I'd catch glimpses here and there, but never go out of my way to take it all in.

Now since the inception and miracle that is DVR at my house, Trisha and I watch it most nights. We didn't get to see it last night (Uncle Sam was calling and we were running out of time) so today I decided to browse around and find out a general idea of what went on.

The first article that jumped out to me was one on MTV (which may negate any relevance of my interest) but as I was reading, there was one line that made me laugh out loud.

While Randy jibber-jabbers, Kara rambles about “package artists” and Paula reads from fortune cookies, Simon’s opinion, to many, is the only opinion worth listening to.* (MTV Newsroom)

Paula reads from fortune cookies...indeed she does...

You make music long time

Honeywagon

Two Sundays ago, a girl at church gave me a crayon drawing of a rainbow.

That same night, in our David's Team activity, I asked all the kids to draw their favorite Bible story on the concrete in chalk. 4 different kids drew a picture of Noah's Ark and the Flood.

At the time, I didn't realize that this was preparing me for my own flood of sorts.

Usher in the weekend full of heavy showers.
As it turns out, a lot of rainwater plus a septic tank placed too high equals impending doom.
As it's been so eloquently put, our toilet got tired of taking our crap and started giving it back.
Six Hours of mopping, vacuuming, and drying makes for a pretty lousy Saturday afternoon.

I just prayed that the rain would stop.

It did.

So bright and early on Sunday morning, I had another visit from my good buddy Darryl Allen of Darryl and Martha Allen Septic Tank Cleaning.
(I say "another" because he had been out once before...two years ago)

Do you know what a honey wagon is? If not, you should.
There you go, now you know. That's what Darryl does for a living.
(It ain't pretty, but somebody's got to do it)

Throughout it all I'm frustrated, but I keep going back to last sunday.
Noah's Ark and the Flood and the Rainbow Promise....
And now...my own flood.

My conclusion:
No matter what floods and storms come your way,
God remains faithful to His promises in scripture.

• He will never flood the earth again (Genesis 9:16)
• He will supply every need we have (Philippians 4:19)
• His Grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• All things work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)
• If you believe in Jesus and ask forgiveness from your sins, you will be saved (Mark 16:16 & Acts 2:38)
• He will give you eternal life if you are one of His sheep (John 10:27-28)

After a flood, that's a truth worth hearing.

PS. If you click on Darryl's website, they have a CD that they've made of them singing a song about the honey wagon and something about a goat. I consider them must haves of 2003.

Fantasy Baseball

It's that time of year.
Where players and stats and projections and sleepers and disappointments happen.
It's Fantasy Baseball Season.

One of the things I pride myself in is the creativity of my team name.
As it stands now, I'm in two different leagues.

1. College friends
2. High School friends
   

I don't have a name yet for my college friends league...that will be determined after our draft this weekend. However, in my high school friends league I've already picked out my team name: "Stop...Hameltime"
I did not come up with this name, I heard it somewhere else, so I decided that I needed to put forth the effort to at least be creative and design my own logo.
So, here it is.

Here's the original Hammer:

Here's the original Hamels:

I'm pretty sure my favorite part is how perfect the gold chain fits around Cole's neck.

Living the Dream

I'm in the middle of Swainsboro, GA right now...

Why? Because I'm hanging out with my wife while she is on the road.
In the midst of the all-encompassing extravaganza that is Swainsboro...I found myself...
flipping through the channels.

TBS - Family Guy - "seen that one"
TNT - The Closer - "I really can't stand her southern voice"
FX - XXX: State of the Union - "Vin Diesel is a terrible actor"
ESPN - Women's Basketball - "ugh"
TBN - Christian Television - "I preached on Sunday, so I think I've had my fill"

Wait...was that Darryl Strawberry?
That is. That's ole DS...and he's talking about Jesus on TBN.

That made my night


That...and the fact that Trisha and I split a Supreme Stuffed Crust Pizza from Pizza Hut and ate the entire thing by ourselves....

Just living the dream.

Youth Auction Update

The 6th Annual Spaghetti Supper and Youth Auction was a HUGE success.

From 4:30 until 9:30 pm we had:
140 people eating spaghetti and bidding on items.
22 students working their tails off to serve everyone.
15 adults directing and orchestrating kitchen, cleanup, and auction details.

The Result: We raised over $4K for Summer Missions.
(a 55% increase from last year)

How's that for a bad economy?!

Youth Auction

For the past two summers, I have led a mission trip to Reynosa, Mexico with my church. We spend time interacting with children in the Casa MAMi orphanage and building houses in "The Canal" which is essentially the sewage slums of Reynosa.
[Here's a video of what the canal is all about]

The Canal : Reynosa, Mexico from Bedouins International on Vimeo.

Each year we have to raise money to go on the trip with Harvest Evangelism, a ministry based out of Opelika, AL. Tonight (Saturday) is our 6th Annual Youth Auction and Spaghetti Supper, in which yours truly will serve as the auctioneer. This event has turned into one of our biggest fundraising events every year and the kids and church really looks forward to it. We've been working on it for some time now and I pray that it continues to be successful tonight. One of our biggest changes is that we want the whole night to really reflect why we are having the fundraiser in the first place. We'll have a slideshow from last years mission trip, missions updates to inform the people more about what we're doing and the need that's there, and signs everywhere to show them that what they give is going towards Kingdom growth.

It's so crazy how missions can totally alter the mind of a teenager (and adult, for that matter) and help them to see the world a little more clearly. I took 21 the first year and 24 last year on our trip and I've seen these kids' heart grow tremendously for the people of Mexico. They love it. My biggest prayer is that every person that experiences missions truly has their eyes opened to a world that truly needs a Savior.

It Snowed...a lot

We were at church...having a covered dish lunch when the flakes started falling. A sweeping gasp of excitement radiated across the room as the rain turned to snow the size of golf balls.

I didn't make it outside to frolic in the snow at church (I had my good shoes on), but once we got home we suited up and crossed the street to engage in some extreme snowball fights.
It really took me back to the good ole days back in 2004.

That actually might have been the last time I got to where my weather boots.

We did build a snowman, though...which come to find out is a lot harder than I remembered. I mean, I've seen a ton of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons where he pumps those things out in minutes.

It took us a good couple of hours...and then it was more of a snow pillar than it was a snowman in the end.

Nonetheless, we spent a majority of the rest of the evening hanging out, making Snow Ice Cream, and playing cards (Rummy and Rook).

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.

Proclamation #1

Let it be known...

that I do not care for the sensation of cold feet in a hot shower.

That is a feeling that I do not wish upon any human...friend or foe.

Cowboy Monkey

Suzanne | Ross | Tom | Emily | Kara | Brian | Brad | Cat | Joseph | Linsey | Trisha | Myself

The 12 of us went to the Toughest Cowboy Rodeo over the weekend. We all piled in the cars with our getup and garb and made our way to the Gwinnett Arena. I wore my cowboy hat and my big Georgia G belt buckle...at first I was worried that I would be outed as an impostor (because, you see, I am no cowboy), but no one seemed to notice...either that or there were several more impostors in the mix and they were in the same position.
Only after watching the events of the rodeo did we figure out that we were indeed part of some sort of whack Rodeo Bachelor Reality TV Show. The cowboys were competing for some ranch land out in Montana, and each week they would add the 3 scores of their rides up (bareback horse, saddled horse, and bull), with the two lowest scorers having to go mano a mano in an elimination round. I tittered a lot. Especially when the rose ceremony started (ok, there wasn't really a rose ceremony, but it felt like it...spotlights, a straight line where the cowboys had to step forward, and one saying his goodbyes and walking into the sunset as he went to "hang his jersey.")

By far, the best part of the evening was in between the rodeo parts:

1. Kids tried to ride sheep. Strapped in a helmet, each took turns trying to grab onto the wool and ride as far as they could. Only one of the kids started crying, and the sheep seemed happy to get the snots off their back. It was indeed the perfect blend of animal cruelty and child abuse.
something like this
2. A Monkey rode a dog...and they called him the Monkey Cowboy. He would hold onto the sheep dog as the dog corralled all the sheep into a certain part of the arena. To say the least, it was the most entertaining thing I've seen this year. The monkey's name is Whiplash (aka the world's smallest cowboy). I thought it was great. In fact, Linsey, who went with us, said that when she was a kid, that same monkey used to ride at rodeos that she would be in...which means that this monkey has been in the business for some 20+ years.Which begs the question...exactly how long do monkey's live?

And you know what...I can honestly say that up until this point in my life, I've never come to a situation where I've needed to ask myself that question. How long does a monkey live?
Maybe if I was harvesting monkeys for fritters or trying to clone them or something would I need that kind of information...but now I'm curious.

Turns out 'ole Whiplash is a White-headed Capuchin which apparently can live to be over 50 years old...and that's no monkey business.

Biscuit

Last night at church, I asked the students to pair up into groups of 3 to come up with either a skit, poem, or rap that exhibits the idea of perseverance. I didn't give any other guidelines, so where they went with this was completely up to them. The 6 groups came back with 3 skits, 2 poems, and 1 rap.

The rap made me cry a little bit from laughing so hard...I only wish I had captured it on video.
However, one of the poems was just as ridiculously awesome, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Ode to a Biscuit
by Emily F., Heather T., and Maisie S.

oh, my dear biscuit
covered in butter and honey
my love for you will endure
i will eat you my dear biscuit

my children will never go hungry
for your yeast will fill them

i love you my dear biscuit
without you life has no meaning
and if for one day i should not have you
i will carry on because i know
one day we will meet again

oh, my dear biscuit
strawberry jam is your color
when i skip down the road of hunger
you meet me there with a loving smile

biscuit...biscuit

biscuit, biscuit, biscuit
oh, how i love you
my dear biscuit

There was also an interpretive dance that went along with this poem.

Candy Bars

I don't buy chocolate a lot...almost never...

The only time is when I'm wanting to give some out to my students.

The other day, one of Trisha's friends who is finishing up a stint in Japan as a Journey(wo)man sent her some chocolate from there. It was a Japanese Kit Kat

I'm not sure what else the package says, but I believe it roughly translates to,
"You will surely win a ridiculously delicious sensation in your mouth."
The chocolate was pink.
The middle nougat was strawberry flavored.
...and it was heavenly.

I do hope they start selling them here in the states.

What's the best foreign candy you've ever eaten?

A Benediction

"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us pray for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right.
That all those that do justice and love mercy would say Amen. Say Amen. Say Amen."

Dr. Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, during the benediction at President Barack Obama's Inauguration Ceremony

Movie Trivia

You know how when you play Monopoly, there is that Community Chest card that says:

You have won second prize in a beauty contest

Collect $10

Everyone laughs and jokes about how it was a one-person contest...
you may blush a little, but nonetheless, you still get your $10.

Last week, I won second place in a contest.

Vision Video had a movie trivia contest where you had to answer 50 ridiculously absurd questions about movies from this past year. A few examples:

1. In “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, what vampire musical is performed near the end of the movie?
2. What is the hairstyle that Zohan gives himself on the airplane in Adam Sandler’s “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan”?
3. In “Leatherheads”, what college did John Krasinski’s character attend?
   

I spent a good chunk of time on it, but apparently got all 50 of the questions right. Thus entering me into a drawing in which I claimed second prize.

1st Prize - 42" LCD TV
2nd Prize - Surround Sound System
Everyone else (25 other people) - One Free Rental a Week for a Year

I didn't win a TV. But I did get a surround sound system.

So I took my $10 and went home.

Trivia answers (in case you were wondering): 1. A Taste for Love 2. Frankie Avalon 3. Princeton

Chuck E Cheese

A few weeks ago, we decided to take our children's program (called David's Team) out to eat to celebrate a successful Christmas Program and just thank them for all of their hard work.

They were still out of school, so we knew we could do it during the lunch hour. As we talked about where we should take them, the idea of Chuck E Cheese came up. Perfect. After all, it is "Where a kid can be a kid." I did receive a few comments from the parents about special prizes floating around in the ball pit and how such and such magazine labeled it as one of the 10 most unsanitary places you can go in the world. Oh well.

We set the date and took them to the best place in the world to get mediocre pizza and play very expensive games and receive very cheap prizes. It was a blast.

Right before we left, I had one token left, so I decided that Trisha and I should go get our picture drawn on the Chuck E Cheese machine. We did. Here's the result.A kid right in front of us took 3 pictures in a row because he couldn't figure out where he was supposed to look for the camera and how long he was supposed to look there. I tried to coach Trisha before we sat down, but at the last second she looked away. I still love this picture though.