Good Challenge!

I love a good challenge. Here is a short list of challenge's that I love:

1. Arm Wrestling:

This is a challenge I often offer to my 3 year old. It's difficult to win every time, but he does it gracefully.

2. Staring Challenge:

Talking up a staring contest to someone who takes it seriously is so gratifying when I quickly lose.

3. Scripture Mastery:

I loved the study and technique leading up to a Scripture Mastery Challenge in Seminary. It's been a while, but I think PEC this Sunday is the perfect place for an impromptu contest...

4. Cooking Challenge.

Mostly I see these on television...but I need to be ready for when Bobby Flay shows up. There's no way he can beat my "hot dog sandwich". I made it once and it was awesome. And I make it with foie gras! Throwdown on that Flay!

5. Waking Up in the Morning:

Ah, the battle to wake up... I win this battle with a little technique I call, "Ask My Wife to Kick Me in the Morning". I'd explain it, but it's complicated.

I'm sure there are challenges that I'm missing...if you have any suggestions, make them.

But know that I will prepare for that challenge, show up, and challenge you.

And possibly ask for a rematch.

And...Finally

I feel great this morning...life is really good. I got a monkey off my back over the weekend, had a lot of productive conversation with non-monkeys, and got to hang out with my son.

That's funny actually...sometimes people need to be classified as "monkeys" or "non-monkeys". Maybe one transitions between the "monkey" and "non-monkey" classification, depending on the situation.

Let's talk honesty. Honesty is the first step in any 12-step program. Admitting that one is wading in a simmering pot is the best way to jump out before the full boil hits. Am I wrong? I don't think so: Bill W. nailed this one on the head. Whether it's honesty about addiction, lifestyle, or the choices we make...honesty is the first step to change being made.

I know that I have a lot of faults and imperfections. I'm a work in progress? I have learned that it is not who is right, but what is right that needs to guide my personal progress. I receive feedback from people in every sphere of my life- What if one of them says something that can influence me in a positive way, even though I am not fond of that person? My feeling is that I'd rather make a positive change than worry about the source the suggestion came from.

Which is why it is important to have the right kind of influences and friends in my life. Someone who cares about me will say the things that I need to hear, not the things that I want to hear.

OKAY- I could go on but it would distract me from further pajama posts.

Blogger Truth or Blogger Fiction

Blogging is the new truth. Why tell the truth when you can BLOG the truth. A new kind of truth. One that needs no corroboration. Why would someone blog something that is a lie? Don't bloggers uphold the HIGHEST degree of standards? I mean, they don't let just ANYONE on the internet, do they?

Yes, it's true: if Pinocchio were a blogger, his nose never would have grown. In Blogland, there is no such thing as truth or lie, only the blog. And blogging is the new truth.

Historical revisionists take note- blogging is in your future. Want to twist a failed relationship around? Blog it. Feel like rewriting a previous argument? Blog it. Feel like shirking all accountability in your life? Blog it.

It's a cure all.

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Today's blog truth is brought to you by three scoops of orange flavored sorbet.

June 19, 2007

My son loves his pajamas. He chooses his pajamas from day to day. Some times he decides to "mix an match", maybe wearing the race car pants with the Bob the Builder shirt.

And why can't he do that? Pajamas are important- important enough that a three year old can opt out of his Thomas the Tank Engine shirt and in to a navy blue T-Rex short sleeve top.

People love pajamas. We go to see movies about people in pajamas. We watch TV shoes about pajama clad heroes. And YES- I've noticed that some shoes are attempting to take the pajama factor out of the hero. A super-hero without pajamas is like a bean without the string. The pajama factor distinguishes the hero as one powerful enough to choose to be comfortable where and when they choose. A hero without pajamas is not a hero at all, that's what I say.

What is the world coming to?

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I'm going to make today a fantastic day- so watch out! I love the chance to move forward that life provides. Every dawn is hope for me. Hope for renewed opportunity. Hope for forgiveness. Hope for a chance to make bail. Yes- every dawn is hope for me.

So, I have told no one about this blog. I'll tell my wife today- She's the one whose opinion I value the most. She's the best.

I was thinking today about my commitment. My marriage commitment is ALWAYS. Not six days a week. Not 16 hours of every day. Not every minute but 15 each year. It is always, every nano second- forever.

Blog number 2 is down!

June 18th, 2007

Well, why not try again, right? I've started a blog or two, and let them slip away to the great blog limbo. So here I am- er, virtually- trying again.

Life is super good right now. My wife and I are expecting our second child, I'm enjoying my work, and I have recently broken my toe. YES- life is so good even a broken toe is sweet!

I'll post more later.