New Horse!

Here's my new horse, Cody!

David Cook on American Idol

Ok, so I missed last nights show...which isn't a huge loss because I don't live for American Idol anyhow...however, hearing the morning news anchors (both older than I am!) saying how much they loved David Cook's Billie Jean, I had to give it a listen.

And yes, it's phenominal.

Ships

One of my favorite shots on the cruise :)

Scott vs. the volcano

Scott decided to go explore during the volcano tour. The guide announced we weren't going up to the rim of the volcano due to time contraints...and she didn't think that Scott was part of our group. :) Can you spot him up there?

New camera!

I love my new camera...this picture really shows the clarity of the new Canon Powershots. :)

Back from vacation!

Highly recommend taking a cruise if you ever get the chance. 7 days is too short, 10 is awesome, this one was 15 and felt a bit long. I think 10-12 would be ideal for me. :)

Jim and Scott (Pistol/Fabio and Legend)

This was taken last fall, but is one of my favorites.

Shiver me timbers!

Scott was a GREAT pirate! His eyepatch is off for the drinking of wine, but he looked awesome.

I'm a wizard!

What a fun wine tasting! We had to come in costume for this one...of course, I shed my costume quickly once the wine was being poured. No way to drink with that beard on!

Jim and Vigor pondering

What a chilly yet amazing day to ride!

Vanity and men

The animated gif pretty much sums it up!

Settlers of Catan arrived

Love it! Played a few times w/a co-worker and his wife (4-person game) and with the expansions, I played a 5-person game w/my uncle, aunt, cousin, and scott.

What a blast!

I've been playing on XBox Live Arcade as well. It's actually much easier to win if you pretend to be a total jerk. :) Wait...maybe that's my true nature?!

Hair!

So my hair is kinda a drab brown...I usually like it when it bleaches out in the summer (see below) but like it darker in the winter than the normal color like above. :)

New desk at work...

Last Friday I moved offices. Same job, still a cubical environment, but much nice desk. My old cube was fairly large and I didn't actually share my room with anyone. I did have both printers and the fax machine in the room, and three large filing cabinets. However, my cubical was built for 2 people, but we wound up just shoving a digital scanner in as my "cube mate". He didn't talk back much...all I heard was white noise and hot air. Kinda like being married. Anyhow...

My new office is tough because I have others right next to me. However, I have huge windows in front of me. They appear to be 3 foot by 6 foot windows...and run the length of the wall. I have a view of Pikes Peak and the entire frontrange...it's incredible.

Today, 3 waves of storms came over the mountains. It's a simple thing really, but it was just spectacular to me. With the overcast skies, the mountains are blue or blue-gray with each mountain, taller and farther from me, fading to a lighter shade of blue or blue-grey.

I'll try to take a snapshot sometime and post it.

Settlers of Catan

For those who haven't played this board game, you are really missing out. Better than monopoly, axis and allies, etc.

I purchased the basic game plus the expansion for up to 6 people.
I also grabbed "Seafarers" and "Cities and Knights" with those expansions.


GREAT GREAT FUN!

Music!

I've throwing together my 38th play list...I've heard some great stuff lately.

If you have a spare 99 cents, definately go download The Cliks, "Oh Yeah"...it's awesome! Kind of a rockin' Pretenders. I totally dig it!

Some other great songs:
"Under the Moonlight" by Travis. Great tune.
"Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat...one of the best free songs on iTunes I've ever gotten. They do a weekly download that's free. :)
"Oh My God, Whatever, Etc." by Ryan Adams. I've always avoided his music...no idea why, this song is great!
"Slow Burn" by Gavin Lurssen. Amazing acoustic guitar work. No words or singing :)
"A little bit" by Madeleine Peyroux. My favorite song by her.
"Rusting Gate" by Kelly Joe Phelps. Totally worth 99 cents!
"Going to a Town" by Rufus Wainwright. He's growing on me.
"The Guide" by Borne. Another free download I like.

Yet another Republican falls

So another Republican turns out to be either a closet gay or bisexual man. I know, I know, shocking. :) Idaho Senator Craig, a 62 year old married man with 3 adopted children is the latest to fall.

What's amazing to me is that folks keep thinking it's a choice. Yes, the actual "acts" these guys did are choices. But the root cause, the inner feelings and attractions these guys have, could they really be choices? How could you preach against something, pass laws against it, publically say how discusting it is, and then suddenly "choose" to like it? And then choose to pursue it? And then plead guilty to it?

Let's look at some past things that we Christians saw as sinful.

It used to be a sin to be left handed. Biblically, they, radical christians, referred to the book of Matthew and old testament teachings of how the left is the sinister way. Being left handed was considered a rebellious choice. Heck, it's still deviant even today since it doesn't conform to the majority right handedness of our society.

Christians were simply wrong.

It used to be sinful and deviant for mixed marriages, expecially between blacks and whites. Scripture was recited to show how this deviant behavior was simply demonic and against God's plan. N. Carolina finally repealed it's no "black and white" marriage laws in 1974.

Christians were simply wrong.

Homosexual feelings and attractions are genetic. To actually pursue them, just as straight folks pursue dating, marriage, etc. are all choices. Do you wish to pursue happiness or not? That's really what it comes down to. Christians want to take away the pursuit of happyness from gay men and women. Could have sworn the Constitution protects that right.

Christians are simply wrong.

According to Christians, it's a sin to not accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Will they be passing laws to ensure that citizens won't be allowed to marry unless they are Christians? It sounds that way to me. Will they be passing laws to ensure that citizens aren't given equal rights unless they are a Christian? It sounds that way to me.

You see, Jesus freed us from the law. But the religious pharisees and sagicies wanted everyone to live UNDER the law. Radical Christians are present day pharisees. Pharisees were political, as radical Christians are today. Pharisees were a powerful social movement, as radical Christians are today. Pharisees were the ones who crucified Christ...just as the radical Christians are today.

Jesus said there were only two commandments and every thing else falls in line: Love your God with all your heart, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.

When did that become "relocate your neighbor", "outlaw your neighbor", etc.? Radical Christians are surprised that non-believers draw their hand back when introduced to a flame? That they spit out the bitter message delivered? Have they become so blinded in their self-righteousness that they've lost sight of both the sheep and the Shepard?

Sure sounds that way to me.

I don't condone what Senator Craig did, he's a married man and likely has a pact with his wife to be monogamous. But let's say this was a female he solicited rather than a male. Does that make it suddenly "normal", "non-deviant", and "blessed by God"? Absolutely not! Attractions aren't chosen...pursuing those attractions are.

Colorado State Games of America

I was able to participate this year! Very fun. Our volleyball team moved up to A the day of and we still took the bronze! It was awesome.

However, it looks like my knee is going out. I must have a really bad case of bursitis. The swelling is insane. I'll try to rest it before volleyball next Tuesday...I had a sub for me this past week.

Yes, I'm avoiding the doctor...I'm afraid he/she will tell me to stop playing. Not acceptable. :)

Leadership...

...so I'm learning that leadership isn't just about doing what's right, having a work ethic, etc. Sometimes it's really about just doing more work and organizing those not wanting to be a leader. :)

Case in point...volleyball. Holy cow! I know 12 folks that want to play, but none of them wanted to actually step up and form a team! It's really not that painful. Once the momentum starts, it just rolls on it's own! Step up to the plate!

I was able to get 2 seperate teams signed up for this years league. I actually formed the one, paid, then will get reimbursed and remove myself from the roster. The other team is now formed, I'll have to go pay, and get reimbursed by those players.

Holy cow! Twice the work just to ensure a great sport has some great teams playing! OH MY!

yet another quiz!

You Are a Smart American

You know a lot about US history, and you're opinions are probably well informed. Congratulations on bucking stereotypes. Now go show some foreigners how smart Americans can be.

Are You a Dumb American?