Do you listen to your children?

My 2 year old will turn 16 in September apparently.
Yesterday, she zinged a Mom who happened to be an innocent bystander with:

Chloe: Daddy, that boys being ugly.

Me: I know baby.

Chloe: We don’t play like that Daddy.

Me: That’s right baby.

Then shocker of shocks, the lady standing next to us walked over and grabbed her kids to go to another part of the zoo!

Today my daughter zinged me after I tucked her in for her nap with:

Chloe: Daddy, don’t go bye bye in your truck.

Me: What’s that baby?

Chloe: Don’t go bye bye in your truck. Wait for me.

Now, my daughter’s in daycare because my wife and I work so I imagine she’s referring to every Sunday when I tuck her in for her nap and then leave to go back to church for Youth that afternoon and am not here when she wakes up. About broke my heart, she did! I swear. I don’t know what to do with that!

Livin’ Southern Style

Instead of rolling my eyes and giggling under my breath reading about “the South” I thought I’d fill you in on how we roll down here in THE SOUTH. It doesn’t get much more Southern than here in Louisiana…unless I’ve got some Central American readers here! Allow me to fill you in on how you can bring a taste of the South to anywhere you are in the country. EVEN across the border to my friends way up North in Canada!

We had a graduation party for Ali who was graduating Law School from LSU and I figured what we did would be a great guideline for how to throw down your next shindig no matter where you are:

We eat: Cow, Pig, Chicken, or Fish. It’s what we all eat right?

• Cow – Steak was the choice today. Burgers are always a great option. As discussed earlier however, marinade and spices are what it’s all about! I wish I had a pic of it for you! Mmmm. Recipe coming soon!
• Pig – Sausage, sausage, sausage. If you’re lucky you’ll get a Cochon de Lait! Ah yeah!
• Chicken – Fried or skewered please!
• Fish – Boiled Crawfish is the way to go! Mudbugs baby! You can eat them all day long.

We boiled crawfish/potatoes/corn and grilled steaks and sausages today. I’m actually surprised we didn’t have any Boudin. It’s a typical staple of the Southern festivities. I wondered what felt off.

We drink: Water, Wine, Beer, Coke, Diet Coke, all of it! No, we’re not alcoholics but when your party goes from 2 to 8:30 you drink alot no matter what you’re drinking! You’ll need at least 2 ice chests and a fridge!

We’re sweet: The biggest dang cookie cake you’ve seen with a boat load of brownies!

We play: Bocce Ball, Ladder Golf, Washers! All out in the yard…in the rain even! Water balloon fights, dances with hoola hoops, tickle chase. Kids, grandparents, the whole family shows up and we have a blasty blast.

We love: We hug people we don’t know. We laugh. We share stories. We cook together. When the party finally slowed down without a word tables were being broken down and washed, trash collected and put away, pots and containers cleaned, dishes were even being washed! Our house was their house and it’s a beautiful thing to see unfold before you but to me it’s like community coming alive right in front of you.

So there you have it. In case you missed it, yes we threw about a 6 hour party! People were showing up from as early as 2 and leaving as late as 9. And yes it rained and yes there was Rock Band inside but no we stayed outside under the carport on the patio and in the lawn carrying on, what’s a little water going to do? So bring a bit of the South to your neck of the woods and spread the love. We’re doing it all over again on Saturday! Next time you’re in town let me know and we’ll do it again!

We’re not alcoholics.

I’m standing in Aisle 3 with Rae contemplating which barbecue sauce to get for our burgers we’ll be grilling tomorrow and Saturday. We’re laughing because we notice this trend of alcohol companies getting in on the action. There’s Jack Daniel’s with several different flavors, Jim Beam with several different flavors, and Budweiser.

Lady walking up behind us from nowhere: You really ought to try the Budweiser sauce it has the most flavor!

Me: Really?!?

Lady: Oh yes, my husband and I just love it!

Me: Oh, do you drink Budweiser? Does it taste like that?

Lady: OH NO. We’re not alcoholics. We just like the flavor.

And I was stumped. Seriously? So enjoying the taste of beer makes you an alcoholic but enjoying the taste of barbecue sauce made by the alcohol company presumptuously targeting those interested in the taste of their alcohol makes you…well it makes me confused.

Honestly, I was just a little surprised. This was a younger lady. One who I would have thought wouldn’t have had the all or nothing mentality by which you either enjoy alcohol and overindulge making you an alcoholic or abstain from ever touching it (except in barbecue form . I thought she might have been a bit more open minded to say an idea of…moderation.

AMPed no longer

With all the various energy drinks out there I sometimes don’t know which one to choose. Thankfully, AMP has just made my decision easier.

Cheap laughs… yes.

Horrendous message… sweet Jesus have mercy on their souls…

Monster Energy Drinks I’m all yours apparently!

VIDEOconfessional of The Worship Debacle of May 18th

I was so excited about this past Sunday, I’ve honestly been excited about the past few Sundays but not all have turned out the way they were intended. This Sunday is a GREAT example of that so why not open it up here: The Worship Debacle of May 18th! Below you’ll find some live video with text commentary from Sunday.

Here is a montage of the 1st 2 songs of the 2nd service, check it out:

Intentions:

• Great contemplative prelude video
• Good moody swelling songs for worship
• Great offering video by Amena Brown
• Life-changing message
• Incredible closer: Mission’s Flame by Matt Redman

Results:

• Great contemplative prelude failed. Probably the least successful prelude we’ve done in a while. While those already in the sanctuary probably totally dug it, it did not get people in from the Gathering Area.
• Worship songs troubled by key player getting to practice late coupled with the bass player missing the 1st song during the 2nd service. So for the 2nd service I was totally not worshipping! In fact I started praying during Be Thou My Vision: Lord please allow worship to happen despite me because I am just not having it! Then I was convicted that I should be having it to which I argued: Tough I am just not having it!
• Amena Brown was incredible. Message was good. Mission’s Flame was awesome! However, Amena Brown + Message + Mission’s Flame = Incoherent goop. Unfortunately, we did not do our duty to thoroughly examine these elements and with poor planning gave poor execution and an service that did not flow. However, I wonder who actually really could tell? I’m sure they didn’t see the awful disconnect but I always wonder if its the difference in people leaving going: “WOW” versus people leaving going: “Hmm.”

My Last.FM Debacle

So if I haven’t apologized to all you who received like 5 emails from me asking to be my friend on Last.FM let me formally, on bended knees, clasped hands exude a whole-hearted:

I am sorry!

I need to read those things better. If if makes you feel better, pages and pages and pages of my inbox looks like this:

That being said, I LOVE LAST.FM and if we’re not friends then let’s! HAHA.

Goodbye, Toby Thoughts, Laughs, and Questions

SPOILER ALERT: I’M GOING TO WIN! - Michael Scott

Well the season finale of The Office aired last night and what an episode! Hysterical! Awkward! Painful! Frustrating! Laugh out Loud! Everything that makes the Office one of my favorite shows! It made me miss the hour long episodes from last season! Probably one of the best this season! So I’m going to be a bit long winded!
My thoughts while watching:

• GREAT cold opener! Back to the pranks! YES! Jim’s driving Dwight to destroy his phone was great!
• I LOVED Michael’s giddy schoolgirlish dancing attitude combined with his glee to finally give Toby what’s coming to him! But I felt SO BAD for him for his botched Exit Interview and yet so glad for Toby for dodging that bullet!
• This new Beasley we have this season that just helps drives Michael’s insanity and stirs things up is AWE-SOME! “You’re watch?!” …”Song parody writer!” AND the JAM is better than ever. I get a toothache with their sweetness!
• Way to go Phyllis! Get in on the game girl! I’ve never really like Phyllis but her tension between Angela was great. Her sliding Angela’s books off the desk was priceless!! And way to toss in “do me a solid!” You go girl!
• Normally any Creed-bit I get is like good sushi. This one was a throw away.
• Dwight’s pranking…”hazing” was genius! In the end, his topped Jim! I laughed over Holly and Kevin all episode long!
• I HATE Ryan…don’t interrupt…so glad he’s fired!
• JIM’S GOT BALLS! Yeah, and they’re big…for a short while until he gets upstaged by Andy.
• And I believe Michael was actually satisfied for once with a party! “Only the best one we’ve ever had!“
• I’m going to LOVE Holly. Her “not moving a muscle” when asked not to. Her Yoda play with Michael. Her calling him out on the carpet in the exit interview. She’s great!
• I hate Jan. Why’d they do this? Not funny. Painfully uncomfortable. Why? Keep your dang foam noodle and leave our Michael alone.

Great lines:

• Oh Dwight? You sound sexy! – Pam
  
• If the Devil were to explode and evil were gone forever what kind of party would you have? – Michael
  
• DOES ANYONE HAVE A CAMERA HERE?!? – Toby
  
• This is a button. – Holly
• Pass curvy metal piece you will. – Holly (The tension was awful and I busted out laughing!)
• I am now his cruise director and my name is Captain Bruising. – Michael
• I’m Toby. – Toby
• The real crime I think, was the beard. – Oscar’s last little dig there before the break
• I’m pretty sure she’s baked on a professional level. – Michael
• That’s what she…alot of places are like that. -Michael NOOOOOO LET’S NOT LOSE THE TWSS LINES!
• TOBY! TOBY’S GOING AWAY! GOODBYE TOBY! GOODBYE TOBY! GOODBYE TOOOOBY! - Michael
• -the look on Pam and Jim’s faces when Andy asks for Angela’s tiny hand in marriage-
• I can also see him proposing to Oscar. – Michael
• Just about everything Kevin did and said! I like pie too big guy.
  

In summary, I think I called it on Ryan. The one thing I’m scared about is Pam’s “3 months” is approximately the same length of time of the off season when there’s no Office airing. I hope they don’t pull what they did last season and we come back to an Office with Pam being gone, Andy who’s quit because of Dwangela, and a “happy” Janchael. Even worse, if we come back and have missed Jim’s proposal. ARGH!

I think there was so much happening character wise here as well. We see Michael roll through this huge arc! Emotionally full from just about everyone! This ensemble is terrific. However, if you aren’t invested in The Office you probably hated it.

So what’s you think?!?!

Can’t wait until September? Brand new webisodes coming in July!! WOOHOO!

Let’s make $35.00 together!

Consider this my apology for sending you all the LastFM email request

I know this is spreading like wildfire across the internet and there’s already a bunch of “us” doing it but in case you’re one of my readers who hasn’t come across this (or you like me more than Mudpuppy and Fred) then head over to RevolutionMoneyExchange.com and pick up $25 for yourself and a $10 referral bonus for yours truly!

There’s a catch!

No there’s not! Not that any of us can tell and a quick google of Revolution Money Exchange will bring up several sources, even an article from USA Today.com. Basically a competitor to PayPal, RME is recruiting new users and giving away cash prizes for those who sign up. It is a “financial institution” so they will ask for some info from you. No bank account info but name, address, and social as any other financial institution would thanks to the Patriot Act.

Last thing, I think it ends TODAY! So, don’t say I didn’t tell you! Check it out and take your significant other out on a date! Enjoy!

The Office Season Finale Predictions Anyone?!?!

Spoiler talk and alert here!

Here’s what NBC tells us:

GOODBYE, TOBY – SPECIAL ONE HOUR SEASON FINALE – Oscar nominee Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”) guest stars – It’s Toby’s goodbye party at Dunder Mifflin and Michael demands a huge celebration that matches the joy in his heart. Angela, sick of Michael’s unreasonable last minute demands, refuses, and Michael turns to Phyllis to take over the party planning committee. Meanwhile, Dwight and Meredith haze the new HR woman, Holly (Amy Ryan).

So much is said in that little blurb and yet I don’t feel spoiled because I believe we’ll be getting so much more!

I’m wondering if instead of us getting a big super charged 1 hour finale if we’ll get basically 2 30 minute episodes back to back? They did that a few times last season for the hour long episodes. Because I find it hard to have a celebration party for Toby with his replacement there with him? Here’s what I’m hoping for:

• More from our new dynamic duo: Kevin and Andy!
• Alpha male battle to win the heart of Angela between Dwight and Andy
• Ryan coming in to welcome the new HR rep and Jim putting him in his place
• Tons of awful Michaelisms as he sends Toby the hell on
• Could it be a proposal?

The Jim/Pam scenario here is most interesting. There’s been word leaked of an Office spin-off and lately:

1. Ryan’s been threatening Jim
2. Ryan’s job could be threatened
3. Michael’s been acting the complete @ss to Pam lately!
4. Pam gets a little seed planted in her head at the Job Fair last week
5. Hmmmm so much to spin here!

I’m so excited to see what’s going to happen here!!! I suppose I’ll have to turn off Twitter because I’ll be a few hours behind!

So what do you think?

Does this make me a professional photographer?!?!

Ok check out my photo here of Don at Orange:

Now check out the main site pic happening at The Orange Conference’s site!

That’s awesome, I just wish it had a link that brought you here to my blog