At a young age i remember listening to it in the background of doing other things. My mother would often play Neil Diamond or some other such record when she was home. She also had a Country and a Bluegrass phase. For the times i was with her in the pubs i remember a lot of Country and a lot of what is considered 'Classic Rock' - which today seems to have a steady rate of appreciation. I had a long time interest in the band KISS, which i no longer seem to appreciate nearly as much. I also enjoyed Leonard Skynard, Poison, Guns and Roses, Billy Joel, (all not nearly as much as my brother did). I tried Country myself for a while. I enjoyed it, but it didn't stick. Then the '90's came and i was pretty much left behind in the 'Pop' music scene. 
By then i was pretty involved in church, etc. and while 'secular' music was never shunned or discouraged, i just didn't have a taste for it. At that time i really enjoyed the praise and worship songs being played at the church i was going to.
And yet... have i been successful in even one day of this challenge?!? Nope! So far, this has been 57 words! Can a hobby really be called a hobby when one does not spend anytime pursuing it? Then again, time is a precious commodity around the samurai's Minka. 
All three of the children are active in a variety of activities and we do our best to encourage them in such, but at the same time when the schedule gets tight my beloved and i often basically disappoint someone. There are, and have to be, limits. It's just not possible to be everywhere and to do everything.
I do not captivate myself when i try and play notes on a flute or keyboard - because i am just not even an OK musician. But the likes of Phil Keaggy (guitarist), Ian Anderson (flutist), Rex Lewis (Piano), whoever - have been able to rivet me to my seat. I do not profess to be some kind of music expert, i cannot tell you if so-and-so's technique is flawless or their execution is sublime, but i do know that when the instrument is wielded well and i can get lost in the moment. I prefer instrumental pieces, be it the harpsichord, violin, piano or guitar, but vocal pieces like the Opera piece (i know it from 'The Fifth Element") also mesmerize me. I cannot explain it, but the verse from Philippians 4:8 comes to mind, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 
This verse comes in the context of meditating on the things of God ("...guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - previous verse, and "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things..." the next verse. ALWAYS read scripture references within the surrounding context.), but i truly believe music is one of the most amazing gifts from God. It gives to expression to wordless parts of our souls. If God has given you a talent within the "arts", be it music or paint or words, i wholeheartedly encourage you to pursue it to the glory of God.
However... that does not mean we can't put something out there to share with others things we are thankful for either. 
I'd like to think that i do not care what other people think of me... but the truth is i often care way too much. I love to pray... and i have been told that i am quite "good at it", but then... all i could do was question... am i truly praying for the person... or am i praying for some kind of personal recognition. The end result... is that i do not pray all that often in public... not unless i can somehow screen my real name/identity. I am not sure if that is God glorifying or not... 8(
After a miserable 2-14 season by the Carolina Panthers, i will not allow my hopes to get all that high in regards to the 2011 NFL season. I was not one of the fans or media types all hyped about Cam Newton starting week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, but i have to admit, i was impressed with his performance the past four weekends. Still, one game - one season - does not make it to the Hall of Fame. Still, if the Panthers can keep him healthy, and the coaches keep up good game plans and adapt... there very well could be an exciting future for the Panthers. I have this year's schedule at my work area and i publicly listed my hopes for this season. I am predicting 4-12, i will be happy with 6-10, amazed with 8-8 , and ecstatically happy with a 9-7 or better season. Here is to hope, which springs eternal.
This has in no way diminished my opinions of this man as a Carolina Panther player. The Panthers made a business decision when they released him, and Kasay made a business decision to continue to support his family through a talent that God has provided him with. I still hope to make the trip should the Panthers do the right thing and honor him. It is unlikely that the Saints will keep him once their regular kicker is healthy again, so... I will not be burning my John Kasay jersey anytime soon. Not like i wanted to do to any Julius Peppers jersey i saw.
Ok - any seasoned listener of Pandora probably already knows about this but the other day i accidentally clicked the "Quick Mix" channel. It mixes all of your channels together randomly! How awesome is that! LOL I really like that it moves through the various genres and plays a selection and then moves on. Really cool. I am enjoying this mostly while i am out exercising. Which reminds me... i like both RunKeeper and CardioTrainer as apps on my Android phone. RunKeeper has the edge for me with an elevation tracker as well. In all, i've lost about 6 pounds since starting to exercise at the beginning of summer with a few "set backs" in regards to aches and pains, but so far i've been keeping up with at least 3 times a week of getting out for an hour or more each time.
Have you ever had a song just bust out in your head? Meaning, you see/hear/smell/read/whatever something and some song just pops into your mind? It happens to me a lot, and it's weird. And it can drive some people crazy because i like to sing and/or whistle whatever the song is. I once asked a musically gifted friend if she thought we would learn how to play musical instruments in heaven, and she said that she believed i would get that chance. \o/ I just lack the time and discipline to do it (so far) on this side of heaven.
I've been struggling to write lately. I go round and round about what to write but then nothing. One stumbling block is my ability to access my older, unpublished, work and then edit or add to it. I have a plethora of little notebooks lying around. The intent was to add notes about a story line or character now and again and then access it when i am ready to put finger to keyboard. But now... all my thoughts are jumbled and hard to pick up any one thread. A friend once suggested to just set a goal for 100 words a day. I am going to give that a try. 8) Fortunately blogging counts, so this has given me a start for this month.
Hi and welcome to Wednesday Wickedness! We are like other memes in that we will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But our little "twist" is that each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!
While he was away i began overhearing phone conversations between her and him. Since she only ever spoke to me a handful of times while i was away i quickly got suspicious. When i asked about the calls she brushed it off, a friend blahblahblah. When she went to go to his B.T. graduation i knew something was up. When she got back, she announced that she had gotten engaged to my brother. Wow. 
Of all the childhood fights i got into with my brother, i was glad that he won this one in the end. When they finally got divorced she took him for two houses and part of the 3rd, all of the bank accounts, and two of three cars. In the end, my brother was left with a broken down truck and enough money to get out from under his bankruptcy. My brother and i are talking again (it took a really long time), but i am not sure i will ever completely trust him again.
Since this is something taken, and not administered... i had a Rx for Tylenol with Codeen once. It was for after my appendix operation. Did NOT like the weird feeling of it. I think i took it once or twice and then just regular Tylenol. I am not one to take serious pain meds for any longer than i absolutely have too. I am a real light weight when it comes to alcohol as well.
Well duh. My own parents were divorced before i can really remember, but the custody battle lingered. Until recently i had thought that other than having a difficult childhood, it didn't really impact me all that much. But, i have been learning, somewhat painfully, that i am still dealing with shadows of these years. 
4. "I really haven't had that exciting of a life. There are a lot of things I wish I would have done, instead of just sitting around and complaining about having a boring life. So I pretty much like to make it up. I'd rather tell a story about somebody else." 
One Bo my mom was very found of, and strung along for many a year off and on again, bought me my first record album (back when they were put on vinyl disks). It was KISS' Love Gun album. Man, i really liked Ace Frehley's guitar solo on their Alive II set. I pretty much stuck with them through High School but when they sort of broke up i went on my way. Eventually i got into groups like Poison and Gun's and Roses. 
Over time my interest in that style of music waned... mostly i grew concerned about the almost constant imagery of death, debauchery and the like. And this was before i had become a Christian. I still 'crave' that style of music from time to time though. Now a days i will pick up and listen to P.O.D. and other Christian metal bands... but my preferred style of music leans to a much more... sedate... tempo and volume nowadays. 8)
Oh, i am sure i do. In most social situations i really do not know why certain things are expected, and i honestly feel that they are superficial and fake, but i try my best to simulate those expectations so that i am not thought of as "insensitive" or uncaring. There are only a handful of people in my life that know me well enough to know that i do this... so, even when i don't quite get it right... they don't comment or ostracize me.
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.
I hate to admit it, but spiders. There is something about spiders that i actually get the willies. You know, that weird loss of muscle control. It usually happens right after i've killed one in some method. My favorite is using ant spray on them. When we first moved into the house we live in now we found this powder like stuff and i lined the walls in the basement. Until recently we've not had any trouble with spiders down there... man, i really need to find that stuff again.
Well, i dabble with some recycling, but i am not really all that consistent. I've installed quite a lot of those energy saver bulbs. You know, the ones that look k like the bulb was wrapped around some rod. But to be honest, the greenest thing i do is i still drive my 2000 Toyota Echo, which still gets 36+ MPG around town, and in the lower 40's on the highway. I keep it in good running shape, change the oil regularly, rotate the tires, make sure they have proper inflation. It is at 130k miles and still runs very well."I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring [5] and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15, ESV)
That was so long ago... i don't remember. I think it was a Petra concert. I remember it was so loud that i couldn't think and i a had a really bad headache. Much past the 3rd song i don't remember being able to hear the music all that well either...
The answer to this question is yes. Depending on my mood, the song that comes to mind, and where i am will determine my output. Although, to be honest, humming is not a regular occurrence for me. And i usually don't care who is around. My co-workers have gotten used to me.. .so that's a good thing."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Ahem... when i did do my homework i jumped on it right away. I hated (still do) putting things off until later.
wood. I love working with wood, i love the smell of wood, i love the sturdiness of wood. I also like how this furniture is built to survive impacts of trucks and you dust it off, maybe spray some stain remover, and viola!
When put in the perspective of "devotional and ritual observances" i would say yes., it is a crutch. When the focus is put upon the believer perform certain certain tasks in order to relate to their deity it gives the observer a sense of control, a level of comfort. However, Christianity is unique in that it is God that has acted upon us, and it is not Him reacting to us. As a Christian we are to do good works, but in our case we are reacting upon what God has already done in our hearts and not to earn the favor of God. As such, it is not our "ritual observances" that draws us to God, but our faith in what He has done, and is doing, in and for us.But [2] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10, ESV)
Well, my oldest has just ushered in my family's ten year relationship with the local High School, so i am not really sure. I hear a lot about football, soccer and cross country, but those sports those withing my 'circle' are in to. I often see the softball team out practicing too. The region i live in is not the most influential and thus we do not receive a lot of funding, or press. 
Monetarily? Not rich when compared to the American 'standard' of living. I am within the "middle class' so i am pretty happy with where i am financially. When compared to most of the world's population, i am indeed wealthy (aka 'rich'). In regards to friends, i am indeed rich. I have good friends who accept me with my quirks (and they are real life deals, not just preferences) and are willing to set aside their lives to help me out - and vice-versa.
" is when Adam gets out on the dance floor and really "cuts a rug". I would need to work on my person fitness before i did though. The Waltz also interests me, and Salsa is right up there with Swing, but when it comes to Hip Hop... i don't have a clue on where to begin.
*snicker* Sorry, i was not a college student for very long... but the thing i learned that sticks out, it often does not matter what the material is, so as it is regurgitated in the way - or point of view - that the professor is looking for. That may not be true everywhere, but it sure was where i took classes.
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