The times, they are a changin'

I am not sure if i have ever mentioned my Beloved bride on this blog before.  Not too long from now we will be celebrating our 18th Anniversary.  I would be lying if i were to say that they all have been full of bliss and free of conflict, but i can honestly say i wouldn't trade them for anything.  I may have also mentioned that she has recently returned to the full time workforce.  It has been a wonderful opportunity for her, and she is just loving it, growing pains and all.  She is thriving on the challenges, she is enjoying the chance to get out and provide a wonderful service for others.  I have seen a very good improvement in her demeanor over all.  It is wonderful to see.  I am very happy that she is doing this, and i will be grateful for the additional income, but i must confess that i am struggling with all of the change.  My heart, at least outwardly, is glad, but the past couple of weeks it has  literally been at odds with my mind.  Trouble sleeping, actual mental turmoil... she, and friends have been encouraging me to pray and read the Bible.  I have been... and i am working through it... but i am actually disappointed in myself for having this much trouble.  She needed this.  The family needed this.  Improvements for her and the family ARE improvements for me.  So why do i struggle like this so?  And it is stupid stuff.  Things i know are not right, or fair.  I just pray that i am doing a good job of actually supporting her right now, because i know she is a little vulnerable getting back out there and learning the changes to the job, interacting with people in that environment again.  The last thing she needs is a husband that is falling apart... Why can't i just deal with it and move on?!? Why must change be so difficult?

A glass shattering

The moon is chasing the sun

Season changing time

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Random Dozen - 20100929

OK, Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee is really having a hard time coming up with questions for her weekly MEME.  I am pretty sure i am the only fella that is doing these meme's with them because sometimes the questions have a certain slant to them... if you know what i mean.  So... i will do my best to answer these questions from the ladies of her "Girls Group"... even if it is not the answer they thought of... after all... it is pretty common knowledge that we men do not quite think the same as the ladies.  So, without further ado...

1. Do you believe, somewhere deep inside, that blondes do indeed have more fun? That they are "dumber" than brunettes or redheads? Be honest!

I think people self conform to stereotypes.  Not sure if it is consciously or not.  In general, no, i do not believe that blonds are dumber, or that they have more fun just because they are a certain hair color.  Although... i am thinking there is some truth to Red Heads being more hot headed though.

2. Which animal would you most like to observe in its wild habitat?

I have grown up around, and currently live in a community full of, people who love to hunt.  I've never acquired the taste for it personally though.  I love target and long distance shooting though.  Anyway, i have often wanted to get more skilled with the camera and go hunting, but with the camera instead of a rifle or bow.  Animals are magnificent creations, but i cannot think of one that i would like to be able observe in its natural setting.  Mostly because when you are on their home turf, they are at the advantage.  The one that came to mind... the Black Panther (which is actually a Jaguar by the way, sort of a reverse albino) i would be an object looked upon as "lunch", and that does not bring me comfort.

3. This week the U.N. announced that Dr. Mazlan Othman has been appointed the official "Alien Ambassador," should any extraterrestrials contact us. Have you, or has anyone you know, ever seen a UFO?

No, and while i can not speak for everyone... i do not believe in UFO's.  I am willing to be wrong, and it will not rock my belief in God if i am wrong.  I cannot even begin to explain away the things people have seen over the years, but i am sure they believe what they believe.  Also... as far as i know... no one i know in real life has seen one either.

4. Name your favorite Hitchcock film.

The only one that  comes to mind is Rear Window.  I like the suspense, and the struggle of the protagonist to get other people to believe him.  I even doubted him.

5. Would you rather spend time at the library, the mall, a craft store or home?

Mood dictates such things.  Given these choices i would probably prefer home.  I like craft places to see all the creations other people have made.  I am even inspired to try and do such things, but i tend to not have enough time to get the things i need to get done, let alone make little knick knacks.

6. Which Disney princess is your favorite? (Or Disney character, if you are a guy)

Thank you Linda for giving a nod to us guys.   My favorite princess is Belle for a plethora of reasons which i will not go into here.  However, my favorite Disney character of all time is TRON.  Mostly because i love the idea of a virtual world living within the bit stream of all of the computer networks and the like.  Also, the idea of my "program" getting derezed and getting rebooted from a copy is pretty cool.

7. What kind of art is your favorite?

Anything my children make.  *snicker*  Um, i do not like things like Van Gogh... and while my Beloved loves Monet, my preferences lean towards the landscapes.  And it does not necessarily have to be of trees or mountains.  I have seen a few "cityscapes" that i have enjoyed as well.  Don't really know why though.

8. How do you feel about viral videos, that is, videos made by amateurs that end up on Youtube receiving thousands of hits?

I don't care.  If i like them, i will watch them, if not, i could care less.  Some are pretty well done, while others should have their cameras taken a way and pounded into pieces of scrap so small that it could be used as sand.

9. Where do you buy your jeans?

I wear the pants in my family, and they are whatever style, color, and fit that my Beloved tells me to wear. Um... there is a style of jeans that fit REALLY good, but for the life of me i can't remember the manufacturer... and i know that they are somewhat hard to find... so, i buy them literally wherever and whenever i do find them.  Even if that means i have to go on-line.

10. Tell me about your first automobile accident.

One where i was driving, or one where i was a passenger?  The earliest one i remember is one as a passenger.  I was not buckled (because hardly anyone actually used a seat belt back then ) and was reaching down to pick something up off of the floorboard.  My mom was driving and on an exit ramp so she was still traveling at highway speeds, when she came upon a car at a dead stop right there.  She nailed him and my head nearly went through the windshield.  Thank God for safety glass.  My first accident as a driver was in a parking lot.  A lady who was driving too fast came zipping around a car pulling out of a spot and nailed my '72 Plymouth Satellite.  Not sure how she failed to see me there... but... it ended up messing up my alignment.

11. Have you ever been honest when you knew you would benefit more if you would be dishonest?  Several actually.  But to be completely honest... i am not always as forthright or honest as i feel i should be.

12. If you were appointed "Ambassador to Aliens," what would you show and tell first about life on Earth? What would be the most difficult thing to explain?

To be honest... i think i would be too full of questions about them.  Where are they coming from?  How long did it take to get here?  What is there first impression?  What are their theological views?  What do they do for fun?  That kind of thing.

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The Way of Walking with Christ - based on a work of Miyamoto Musashi

6) Do not regret things about your own personal life.

God’s Word speaks to His intimate knowledge of us.  He knows every day of our lives, from conception to grave.  (Psalm 139) And yet He came anyway.  “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8, ESV)  Our Lord is not surprised by our sins.  Not past, not present, not future.  There is not one thing that has escaped His attention.  It is still important to repent and ask forgiveness of our sins, even sins long forgotten.  Memories of our transgressions get stirred up and come back to mind days, months, or even years later, BUT, do not dwell there.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.  As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.  For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.  (Psalm 103:8-14, ESV)

Although we are walking out our sanctification, always remember that ~ through Christ's sacrifice on the cross ~ we are completely justified before God the Father.  Regret and repentance, is a part of acknowledging our own sin, but we should not remain there.  Christ's claim on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30) says it all.

 

We are to repent, we are to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), and we are to grow, but we are to move on.  If God has forgiven our sins and removed them “as far as the East is from the West”, we need to keep moving on, just as Lott and his family did while fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah.

The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.  (Genesis 19:23-26, ESV)

And so God will deal with all of the sin in our lives.  Once He moves us forward… never look back.  We cannot change the past, we can only learn from it.

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My first 'Thursday Thunk'

Welcome to the September 23rd edition of Thursday Thunks!  Where we make you think a little bit before you blog! We pick a subject, and your job is to interpret it anyway you want.Write about it on your blog... simple as that.Maybe you can interpret it as a picture - we don't care!

1. We are changing your name. You have no choice. You get to pick it, but we must approve it. You must have a good reason. Ok, what is the name and reason?

For some reason, all my life, i have wanted to be called Ian.  I have no rhyme or reason why.  I do not know anyone named Ian, i do not have any heroes called Ian.  I am not even aware of anyone in my family tree named Ian.  I am not Irish, nor do i look like i might even possibly be Irish. The last name... i think i would like 'Christian'.  

2. I say Shotgun, you say?

When i first read this i honestly read 'Shogun'. But in keeping with the actual word, when i hear 'Shotgun' i first want to say, 'PULL'! But then there is also a part of me that wants to say;

The Terminator: [picking up guns] The 12-gauge auto-loader.
Pawn Shop Clerk: That's Italian. You can go pump or auto.
[Hands the Terminator the pump action shotgun]
The Terminator: The .45 long slide, with laser sighting.
Pawn Shop Clerk: [Hands the Terminator a .45 gun] These are brand new; we just got them in. That's a good gun. Just touch the trigger, the beam comes on and you put the red dot where you want the bullet to go. You can't miss. Anything else?
The Terminator: Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.

Don't know why/how, but that scene has just stuck with me.

3. We are sending you away. Africa or Mexico?

Mexico, mostly because it would "feel" more familiar.  Africa looks like an amazing place, but i lean towards the more familiar.  Besides, except for the water, i really like the food.

4. When you're home alone, do you still close the door when you use the restroom?

Um... no.  LOL... not sure why really... laziness.  But i do still turn on the fan.

5. Berleen told me that I have to ask a mean question. Tell us about a horrible memory.

When i left for basic training my "girl" promised she would be there when i got back.  She was, but unbeknownst to me she had not only hooked up with my brother, and they were engaged to be married.  In the end, it all worked out... they got divorced and she took him for EVERYTHING.  Sometimes it's good to lose those childhood fights.

6. What are your plans for October?

My life is so crazy right now i couldn't tell you what my plans are for this weekend, let alone October.  I am pretty sure there are some soccer games in there, maybe a lawn cutting or two.  Get the lawn mower ready for the winter.  You know, exciting stuff!

7. Is there anyone that you regret ever meeting ?

My mother's second husband (at least i think he was the 2nd).  A big bear of a man.  When i see him in my mind's eye today i picture almost a reverse triangle.  He worked on fishing trawlers as a teenager... he had stories of hauling in nets with his bare hands.  Built like a cement pillar.  He was a mean drunk and was not afraid to throw his weight around, if you know what i mean.  I still remember his name (which will not be shared here).  I am very glad that my mom's marriage to him did not last more than 4 weeks.  When sober he was a great guy, and his mother was awesome.  We would go out to Chincateague almost every weekend to visit her.  So it was not all bad.

8. You have 3 months left to live, what do you do?

I've not a clue to be honest with you.  I really do try and enjoy every day.  Only God knows my end of days.  Until it is revealed to me i don't think i am going to use up any CPU cycles on it.

9. You wake up in an unfamiliar place, what is your first reaction?

"Why did i ever listen to ______?"

10. Your phone rings at 4am, just before you kill this person, who do you expect it would be?

Work.  I have an "electric leash" and i the POC for my site's computer room AND i am part of a rotational on-call schedule.  I am pretty slow to "pull the trigger" after it having been this way for some time.  4 AM still hurts when woken up like this though.

11. You're having a bad day, what one thing can make your day better?

My beloved.  She has a way of making me smile and feel better. A good nap is almost as nice, but not quite.

12. You are doing a meme written by the blogosphere's shadiest character. Is there anything else that you should be doing right now?

I would like to plead the 5th on this one.

13. If money were not a problem, (and it never is, right? Yes, I stole this ______ question. Sue me.) where would you like to live?

I am actually already living where i would want to die at. If money were no object it might be a different parcel of land, and a different architecture style of house, but geographically, i am living exactly where i want to be, grow old, and eventually pass from this world, at.

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Random Dozen - 20100922

Poor Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee.  She had a set of questions all ready to do to celebrate the 1st day of Fall, but she misplaced them.  Doh!  So, she has promised that these questions are really, really random!  Enjoy, and you really should go check out her blog.

1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything?

I have a few trinkets here and there.  Over the years i have come to learn that some are only worth the paper they are printed on, while others only mean something to the recipient/organization that receives/gives it.  I am not sure where the one that means the most to me falls, but the award that means the most to me was the Honorable Order of St. Barbara.  "The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara is awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence, served the Artillery with selflessness; and contributed to the promotion of the Artillery branch."  That is a lot of military-ees for thank you for serving faithfully in the Artillery (perhaps), but the Artillery was by far my favorite time of service, and this award means more to me than all of the ribbons and other awards i earned sans the Humanitarian Service Medal.

2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military?

Myself, actually, but stepping aside i would like to honor my brother.  He studied his butt off to graduate High School a semester early so that he could go off and join the Army Airborne Rangers.  While that did not work out immediately for him (long story), he served on active duty for 15 years, being deployed to combat zones multiple times.  He took a break, but is within 90 days of being eligible to retire from the Army National Guard having re-volunteered (and subsequently redeployed to combat zones) to serve.  His brother has never had to deploy into a "bad area", but he has done it several times.  In the end he achieved his dream of becoming an Airborne Ranger, AND an Air Assault Pathfinder (which to me, the latter is a better thing ).

3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you.

For me it is things like the Pat Tillman story, the one before the friendly fire incident.  Men and women who set aside their personal goals to serve their country, be it in the Armed Services or even the Uniformed Health Services.  From the earliest onset of this country our history is rife with such examples.  What America is most fondly known for is how she comes to the aide of others.  While we should always try and do that in less than heavy handed methods, it may not always be possible.  In any event... when other people set aside their own ambitions and welfare for others... i find that pretty moving.  Even when

4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality?

I have never really studied this.  Growing up my brother and i really didn't live a "normal" childhood, so it is hard to tell, and my sister was born 10 years after i was and we only lived together in brief increments on two different occasions.  So... i am not sure.

5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents.

Well, my beloved has noticed many that i seem to share with my father... but these are not considered "good" things... so... i would rather not stir up the memories... even if she never reads this post.

6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo?

POLO!  I have a "thick" neck in my opinion and i have never been comfortable wearing a tie.  I will, on occasion, wear one... but they are not my preference.  Polo shirts on the other hand...  i have a closet full of them, as well as a dresser drawer.  I wear them year round, even in the winter time.  If it's cold enough i will wear a t-shirt underneath.  One must dress in layers.

7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep?

I find that i will wake up usually twice a night, and almost always at least once.  Rarely less than that.  Usually i roll over, get re-situated, and close my eyes.  On the more difficult times i will pray.  If that doesn't work, and it almost always does, i will get a half a juice glass of milk and stretch (picture runner's stretches) my legs some.

8. Share a favorite movie quote.

That really depends on my mood and the situation... but being put on the spot... um...

"When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."  ~ Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China.

9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent?

I absolutely love the smell of a distant fire on a crisp cold evening.  The promise of warmth, the possibility of fellowship with a few friends, maybe a nice meal.  That my idea of a little slice of Heaven.

10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to?

Not sure really.  Watching Football is always good.  We have a Saturday planned where several families are going to meet up at one of our houses and spend the day cutting firewood and maybe some chili.  That seems really nice.  My beloved and i will also be celebrating an anniversary.  We won't be doing much just the two of us, but... maybe we can get a nice evening out somewhere in there.

11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently.

Maybe it's just the late hour and/or the hectic schedule i've been running of late... but i cannot honestly think of anything.  Don't get me wrong... i am blessed with a home, a family and a good job.  We are not in want.  It blends all together, and right now no one thing really jumps off the page of my memory.  Although... my beloved giving her blessing to my upgrading my phone to an Android powered phone was pretty cool.

12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be?

I still remember meeting my then future father-in-law.  My beloved had brought me home so i could take her to one of her High School reunions.  We came in the front door, and i walked through the kitchen where her father was on the phone.  I was VERY grateful that he was on the phone because he has a presence about him.  Not menacing, but authoritative, if you know what i mean.I was shown into the family room while my beloved went and found her mother.  While i was there alone i had time to compose myself and catch my breath so to speak.  Both my future in-laws were very nice and gracious hosts.

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The Way of Walking with Christ - based on a work of Miyamoto Musashi

5) Do not ever think in acquisitive terms.

"All are from the dust, and to dust all return." (Ecclesiastes 3:20, ESV) ~ We are born into this world with nothing, and when we leave this world everything we have accumulated is left behind. The Parable of the Rich Fool speaks directly to this in my opinion:

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:15-21, ESV)

At this point i am reminded of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?".  Jesus' reply; "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  The young man went away knowing that he could not do it.  His possessions had taken ownership of him.

Do not seek acquiring things as the goal, but as a means to achieve what God has laid before you.

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Microfiction Monday - 20100920

Welcome to Microfiction Monday, 

where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.

After walking for over 1000 miles they had made it.  A place of their own.  The grass felt so good between his toes.  Here they would tend their own crops, make their own way.

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Your Turn!  

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About Microfiction Monday

Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer. 

Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.

Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.

And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun. 

I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life

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Ramblings to stretch into the coming weekend

We have entered week #4 of my beloved re-entering the workforce and her darling husband is still finding himself stretched, "Like... butter scrapped across too much bread", and there is no holiday around the corner.  At least not in the near future.  We have one planed in the late Fall, but that seems so very far away right now.  And what i really want is a weekend away just the two of us... I am adjusting, and she is loving the challenge and the adult interaction on a professional level.  I am finding myself a tad jealous of her job though.  Not sure if that is an accurate word choice though.  When she is at work she is stressed to be sure, but she also has such a good relationship with most of the people that work there.  Many are still there from when she left to be a SAHM.  She laughs with them, she jokes around with them.  I have not told her this because i want her to know more that i support her, and that i am so proud of her.  This opportunity is about and for her, not about me.  I am praying for her continued success.

Last week was the season opener for the NFL and the Carolina Panthers opened up on the road against the New York Giants.  Fortunately, with the Washington Redskins having a prime time game on Sunday night, i was able to watch the game "live".  I say live, but what it really was, was paused on DVR as i was doing "recovery" work from our little camping trip.  Which was fine, that way i could skip commercials and even between play commentary.  The first half was an enjoyable game for me as a Panthers fan, but when they retook the field in the second half it was uh-glee.  The New York coaches must have put the fear of God into the Giants because they came out fired up and ended up allowing Carolina to score two more points... and that was on a blocked punt.  Back in August, i stretched my hopes and predicted a 9-7 season (not here on the blog)... after seeing what happened in the 3rd and 4th quarter last week... i am thinking i pulled a ligament or something.  A bright spot for me though... John Kasay came in and booted a 52 yard field goal.  At 40, that is awesome.  The last original Carolina Panther seems to be the sole constant for this team this year.  Final score: Carolina 18, New York Giants 31.  ouch  - Next week Carolina has their home opener against division rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At one time they were Carolina's fiercest rivals, but that has waned of late.  I still feel they are, but the media has not hyped it up as much.

Thunder afar off

No reverberation here

Rain floods the valley

My traipse through the King's Gauntlet is taking forever.  If anyone out there who stumbles across this blog plays MouseHunt on Facebook, i would highly encourage you to NOT just plow through the Gauntlet.  You should visit it, hunt for a little while and then move on to another area.  Don't get me wrong, i still really love this game, and i am wanting to do a 'study' if you will, of how to get through the Gauntlet, but it can get tedious.  I stay in the gauntlet during the week, and will run out to other regions on the weekends to change things up some.  It also doesn't help that i am saving up for my next needed trap.  600k gold is a lot of money.  Another thing i like about this game, is that the more veteran players are so willing to help out us newer ones.  I have had an offer to have the money i need to be gifted to me, but i have chosen to plod through and earn the money on my own for now.  Besides, i have already accepted help to get the Digby Drillbot.  8)  I will finish out Tier III next week, and then another week or so for Tier IV.  After i complete my run on Tier IV i will be moving on to the "Tribal Isles".

Not much else to report... mind is swimming... maybe i can get some more Fallout 3 in over the weekend.

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Random Dozen for the week of 20100915

Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee hosts this fun meme.  Each week she scours the internet and her brain for fun questions to share with her blog readers.  You should surf on over and check her blog out! It has been a fun way for bloggers such as myself to find other blogs of interest. 

1. Do you do garage sales? If so, tell me about one great find. If not, tell me why not.

No, mostly because i have enough "stuff" in my own home that i really do not want to add someonelse's useless junk to the pile.  That doesn't stop me from having a 'morbid' curiosity though. 8)

2. Name the last thing you fixed.

A slow drain.  Man that was nasty.  Wet hair is nasty all by itself, but drop it down into a dark hole where it sits in water and has all kinds of nasty things collect in and around it, in a dark damp environment where it can grow even more yuckiness... i think you get the idea.

3. Name your A) Favorite item of makeup OR B) Favorite tool

My favorite tool has to be the power drill.  Very versatile.  Drill holes, drive in screws, remove screws, make an alignment hole for a large nail, etc.

4. Which room in your home needs organizing more than any other?

I SO need a man-cave.  I need a place to display my little nick knacks.  You know... Army stuff, Carolina Panther stuff, hobby stuffy.  The only place that i can do this is probably our unfinished basement... so... that is my answer.  Our basement.

5. Which room could use re-decorating?
Please refer to answer #4.

6. Share something unique about your town.

Due to wanting to keep my identity a secret from those who do not know me in real life i shall defer sharing at this time but i really do like this question!  Good job Linda. 8)  I will share something about my birthplace though.  It is built upon what essentially was a swamp.  Two states (originally) got together and donated the land to the young nation in which to build the capitol of their new nation.  But why should they give up good fertile, useful land when they can give up a hundred square miles of muck instead?

7. If you could send a one-sentence message to your great-grandchild, what would it be?
No, you never do figure them out.  (regarding men trying to understand women)

8. Do you Facebook?

Bwahahahaha - if i had been drinking Dr Pepper right then i would have spewed it from both my nose and mouth.  I confess, i am a Facebook addict.  I like to see what my more distant friends are up to.  I like reading their pointless little status updates.  I like playing MouseHunt with them.  I like collecting flair (which i use... a LOT... to decorate my blog entries with), i like posting useless status updates.  I like making pointless comments about status updates... i am actually playing Mouse Hunt (sort of) while answering these really fun questions from a blogging friend.  Facebook has helped me catch up with old friends, find new acquaintances, and just generally fill in blanks.

9. Describe your favorite shoes.

That would be a pair of sandals.  I really do not like to wear anything on my feet, not even socks.  If i lived in a warmer climate i would NEVER wear them except to work.  So sandals are the next best thing.  When i was younger i had really tough feet.  I could walk across gravel without too much hesitation, that is i couldn't quite run but i could walk without pause.  Now that i am older, i've lost that toughness of skin so the sandals help in that regard as well.

10. Do you listen to more talk radio or more music radio? What kind of station is it?

I am a music kind of guy.  Talk radio tends to irritate me.  My radio presets vary from classic rock, to classical, Contemporary Christian to news.

11. How far would you travel for a really good (favorite) meal?

I would be willing to travel a couple of hours to be honest.  Since my portion sizes are growing a little smaller i prefer to enjoy the morsels i do put in my mouth.  Food is one of life's pleasures and the better it is, the further i am willing to travel to partake.

12. If you were totally honest with yourself (and us) what should you probably be doing right now instead of blogging?

Sleeping. A little while ago i grew irritated with a situation i am finding myself in in-real-life, and once my mind gets riled up it is hard to think of anything else... even nothing.  If i forced myself to stay in bed, what little sleep i would have gotten would have been very restless, and thus not beneficial.  So, instead of torturing my subconscious i decided to get up... check in with my Facebook friends, hunt some mice, and get my RD completed for this week. 8)  It is a nice distraction from what is torturing me mentally right now.  *sigh* but now i am done with this blog entry... what to do, what to do...

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