Star Trek

We saw the new Star Trek movie on Thursday night...I've been a fan since a little boy. Please note I would not consider myself a "Trekie"...much more of a Star Wars fan. But I've seen all the movies and this one by far is EXCELLENT! Very impressed by the story line (got a little odd towards the end)...loved the cast...Chris Pine does a suburb job as James T. Kirk. My favorite character in this movie would be Bones McCoy...he had all the mannerisms and lingo down.

If you are not a Star Trek fan, but would like to be...this would be a great entry point movie to go see...even Holly enjoyed it!

I'm on VACATION!

I'm taking a week's vacation all next week...and my destination is...drum roll...1809 Jacks Creek Road! That's home if you didn't know.

It's going to be a combination working / little R&R week. I'm working on our yard most of the week...I've got two big projects I'm wanting to do.

PROJECT #1
To fill up lots of holes and ruts in the front and back. Seems the ground continues to settle here...so in turn I've got some big ole ruts and it makes cutting grass like riding in a rodeo. So I've got a dump truck of good top soil coming on Monday (free baby!)...a friend is going to help me spread it on Wednesday...I'll throw some seed down on Thursday.

PROJECT #2
My drains off the house need to be extended away from the house and buried about 8 inches. So I'll be Mr. Plumber for a day, working with some pvc pipe, etc. Ought to help the rain to stay away from the house.

I might squeeze in a round of golf next week. Haven't played a lick this year...and really I haven't missed it. I plan on starting back running next week too...either the morning or evening hours...getting too hot in the middle!

So that's my plans for next week...this weekend Holly, Bryan and I are going up to Louisville to spend some time with Lloyd and Joann and then on up to Brown County for one night and two days. There's an indoor water park we've heard about...gonna give it a try!

When was the last time you were totally surprised?

What?? I won??

wow...upset city baby! great season...

Cool...

I taught this guy everything he knows...

Cut the Crap...

Holly and I are American Idol fans...we've watched somewhat faithfully over the years...we really enjoy the audition weeks!

If you were a contestant on the show...you sing your song, you do your best...and now the judges give you their opinion. Which judge would you prefer to hear from?

Randy?? (yo dog...little pitchy)
Kara?...the new girl, shoots pretty straight
Paula?...you are the worlds best singer and I love you...gag.
Simon?...cuts the crap!

Would you rather someone shoot you straight? I would...and please, for those who follow The Semi-Daily What Up...you can always take the Simon approach with me, just don't call me names...but I would much rather someone to be brutally honest with me than for someone to tickle my ears with false praise, etc.

Simon takes a lot of crap for dealing out his "crap meter" to contestants(I don't think I've ever typed CRAP so many times in a blog!)...but he's honest and to me seems to be a good judge of character in the music world.

So which judge would you prefer?? Let it be known...

Current random thoughts floating in my head

Here are some random things I'm thinking about:

-NBA Playoffs...this is the only time that I watch the NBA. My pick...Cavs led by Sir King James.
-It's been really nice to enjoy the basement considering where we were this time last year with the project.
-Next project...a prayer room under the stairs.
-I'm taking a weeks vacation at the end of the month...destination?? Tell you later!
-Haven't done much running since the mini two weeks ago...starting back this week.
-Seriously considering training for a marathon next year (considering!)
-Is gas going to sky rocket in the next few months?
-We got some new pics of Ellie earlier in the week...can't wait to show them to you.
-Our x-box 360 is still on the blink (red ring of death!) thinking of cracking it open again and try to fix it...again!
-Tornado's touched down in Madison Co. Friday afternoon...I had no idea until later that night when a friend called and let me know.
-Had a chance to go help do some tornado cleanup this morning...the damage was unbelievable...looked like a war zone.
-Hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close...summer time already?
-Read a very moving book by Francis Chan last week...I'll blog about it later, in the mean time it's still kicking my butt!
-The estimated total for the run for Ellie is looking around $3,000! I'll have a more accurate total by the end of the week...WOW!
-I met a couple this morning during the tornado clean up, who just showed up wanting to help in some way...I love when people respond this way...it shows there's something inside all of us that we want to serve others.
-Should I get kid of all my gray hair?? I've got a lot now...why is that??

That's about all I have right now!

Let's build an ark

Dang, what is up with all this rain!! It has rained everyday since last Friday...today the forecast is for a chance of rain. I need me some sunshine in my life...anybody else feeling me??

Dad & Lad...Viking Night

Thursday night Bryan and I had a "Dad & Lad" Night...this one we tacked a theme to it...we called it "Viking Night."

Here's what we did...
-We went and ate lots of meat and potatoes for dinner (thanks KFC!)

-We then built a catapult. (A Viking type weapon??)

We found some plans online, downloaded them, we had most of the supplies already here...then we put it all together.

It was a great opportunity to teach Bryan about using power tools...he learned how to use a miter saw and a drill. He also learned how to use a speed square, chisel and tape measure.

Our conversation was great...talked about school, church, the Bible and Jesus. We had a great night together...and in the end made a groovy catapult. (We have to make a few adjustments to get better launching!)

I love my boy!

The Run for Ellie...FINISHED!

Holly dropped me off Saturday morning as close as she could get to Southern Parkway...runners were everywhere. I think the total count was 12,000 registered runners for the day...a mass of people. Got loose, stretched, bathroom check, stretched some more...and then the starting gun popped.

I was feeling really good the first couple of miles...really took off fast, probably too fast! Got into Iroquois Park (lots of hills!) and running well...when we came out of the park we were at mile six, then it got hot!

At the start of the race the temp was 72 degrees (7:30am)...at mile six it was 80 degrees and kept getting hotter. Made sure to stay good and hydrated...kudos to the Mini Marathon Crew, they were prepared and ready for a hot day!

Mile nine we were running in Churchill Downs...legs started cramping a bit...other runners, including me, were slowing down. After that it was a pretty flat straight shot to downtown Louisville.

When I got to the last mile...the crowds were getting larger and louder. People are lined up practically from start to finish to cheer folks on. When you got downtown it was a really cool feeling. Holly, Bryan, my mom, and Lloyd and Joann were waiting at the finish line...I was looking for them in the last 200 yards...crossed the line and looked up in a parking garage...I could hear Holly shouting. WOW...what a feeling that was to see them. It was a great feeling to finish the race.

THANKS to everyone who prayed and supported the RUN FOR ELLIE...I'm not sure how much was raised just yet. When I get that total I'll pass it on to you. Throughout this whole challenge my motivation was a little girl in Africa who hasn't met us yet. We continue to wait for a court date...all in God's timing! I look forward to one day sharing with her about this run.

Below are some pics...my body is still sore...someone ask me if I'm going to continue to run, yep I think so. Holly, Bryan and I are planning to run some 5k's this summer together. I might train for the mini again next year...we'll see!

ipod and running

Two weeks from the "Run for Ellie"...gotta tell ya, I've enjoyed the training minus some of the foot problems.

Someone asked me the other day who I listen to while I run...I created a running playlist on my ipod when I started training...here's the line up...and I'll tell you up front it's an eclectic list!

-Hosanna - Promise Keepers (very rocking version, sets the run and motivation up!)
-Superman - REM
-Steve Fee - All Because of Jesus
-Steve Fee - We Shine
-Toby Mac - What's Going Down
-Toby Mac - Get This Party Started
-Toby Mac - Boomin'
-Toby Mac - Yours
-Supertones - Supertones Strike Back
-Supertones - Unite
-Supertones - Little Man
-Supertones - Adonai
-U2 - Vertigo
-GNR - Welcome to the Jungle
-GNR - Sweet Child of Mine
-GNR - Paradise City
-Beastie Boys - Sabatoge
-Audio Adrenalin - You Still Amaze Me
-Family Force Five - Love Addict
-Hawk Nelson - Bring them out
-INXS - One Thing
-INXS - Disappear
-KJ52 - Video Games
-KJ52 - Ready for This
-Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
-Lifehouse - Take Me Away
-U2 - The Fly
-Moby - Rock On
-U2 - Beautiful Day
-Supertones - 20/20
-World Wide Message Tribe - Raise it Up!
-Pearl Jam - Even Flow

From one extreme to the other...all in all it helps me keep my legs moving!

What do you run to?
-

Longest run yet...

Only two weeks until the "Run for Ellie." This past week I've tried to kick the training into high gear...got four good days of running.

Saturdays are my long run days...I started out feeling sluggish this morning, but got eight miles in. My legs still feel like they are on fire! The ankle felt great today...thanks be to God for the strength and healing!

This week will be the last of the intense training, then I'll start tapering the following week...and then the race!

The Masters

It's the grand-daddy of all golf tournaments...the best of the best of the four majors...it's The Masters!

I haven't played any golf this year (right now the focus is on running!)...but that doesn't mean I don't watch golf. And I'll be watching as much as I can throughout the weekend. I might even listen to the Masters on the radio (that's pretty bad isn't it?? LISTENING to golf??)

A good friend of mine scored a ticket to Friday's round...he sounded like a little kid in a candy store talking about going.

It's all about the course...yes, the players are incredible to watch, but it's the history of the course that makes the Masters, The Masters! I'll be pulling for Tiger to win this thing...he's the best and so much fun to watch.

So if you get a chance this weekend...tune into a few holes...I think you'll enjoy!

Read any good books lately?

I've been a reading fool these past few months...I am determined to be a better "book reader"...an old phrase that a friend once told me (I think there's some truth to it), "if you're going to lead, you gotta read!"

Here's a couple of books that have charged me...

1. "Who Stole My Church?" by Gordon MacDonald
This book reads as a novel about a church in the New England states and their attempt to take their church into the 21st century. A GREAT read...made me think about FBC Richmond more than once. For those who have ever said, "This is my church!"...one, it's not your church to begin with...two, check out this book, I think it would really challenge you.





2. "Leading from the Second Chair" by Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson
An excellent book for those who lead from the second chair...associate pastors, executive pastors, etc. I gleaned much wisdom from this one...a good friend gave me the book as I began my new role as associate pastor here at FBC. Leading from the second chair doesn't mean that you become a "mini me" form of your pastor...but it has everything to do with being submissive and having a servants heart.





3. "Confessions of a Pastor" by Craig Groeschel
It's good to know that pastors are real human beings. Craig "confesses" of things in his life that he has and continues to deal with. Pastors are real people, and struggle with real life issues.

Back on track for the "Run for Ellie"

Two weeks ago I thought I had aggravated my achilles tendon...I went to see a physical therapist last Thursday and they gave a better prognosis...not my achilles, but some other tendons in the foot. Although it's still a little painful, the fact that it's not the achilles boosted my spirits way up! They showed me how to properly tape my foot(to give it more support) encouraged to continue with ice and ibuprofen...and to continue training.

So...we are three weeks away for the "Run for Ellie." As of today I think we have 80+ people on board for support. Today the goal is five miles...it's rainy and cold after two days of 75 degree weather (that's Kentucky for you!)...so we'll bundle up and run.

Here's a link to the whole event...it's already been capped off at 12,000 runners!

Another milestone

Bryan reached another milestone in his life...maybe it's not quite a milestone, but it certainly shows he's getting older! And once again I'm going to link to Hollybird's blog to help share this...

My boy got braces on Tuesday and he looks great with them on! Go here to check out the story and pics!

Frustrated

The "Run of Ellie" has taken a bit of a break this past week. Seems last Saturday's run aggravated my Achilles tendon. So I rested two days and tried to run on Tuesday...got two miles and had to stop.

I then became a student of how the Achilles tendon works, how to treat an injury, all the appropriate steps to getting it back to full strength. I even went to the doctor on Friday, but really didn't get any words of wisdom.

So...Holly and I went to John's Run Shop in Lexington yesterday, talked with another fellow runner, told him where I was in my training...ended up buying some arch inserts to help stabilize everything.

I've iced, elevated, popped lots ibuprofen...and rested this dang thing. Come Monday I'm going to try a light run and see how it feels.

Regardless of how it feels from here on out...the run for Ellie will happen, because I can be a stubborn man! I may end up walking a portion of it...but hey, the goal is to complete it!

So please pray for my Achilles tendon!

A few randoms...

1. Go Cards! They looked a little flat in the first half last night, but got it in gear for the second. Gotta be a lot of pressure on these guys! Next up Sienna?? (That messed my brackets all up!)

2. Boys Sweet 16...for the past two days I've been at the KY High School Boys Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena. I've been going for the past 10 years now...always a great time...100% PURE basketball.

3. The "Run for Ellie" is a month away...got up and did six miles this morning. My body is feeling good...after a long run it seems to take three days to recoup. My knee (the one I had surgery on) is feeling great. Early on I thought it wasn't going to hold out, but it has!

MARCH MADNESS

Love March Madness...for the next three weekends it will be full of basketball watching. I love the excitement of the NCAA and watching the KY High school Boys Sweet 16.

Speaking to the NCAA...my brackets are filled out...here's my final four:
1. Louisville
2. Memphis
3. Pittsburgh
4. Oklahoma State

Final two:
Louisville vs Pittsburgh

My final game prediction:
Louisville

Ricky P. has them about as ready as they can be. They are firing on all cylinders right now...hoping these predictions come true (at least the Louisville part!)

UK fans...sorry, maybe next year!

Cardinals Rule!

What a week of basketball it's been. One thing that I have enjoyed so much of this basketball season is watching Louisville Cardinal basketball with Hollybird. She's become quite the Card fan...

This week was the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden...the Cards looked great each night they played. They seemed to struggle with their first half play, but then Pitino says something magical in the locker room and they come out on fire.

Last night was no exception...Syracuse is a great dynasty bb team...but the Cards were too strong for them. We were jumping up and down last night...there was a lot of shouting as well, trying to coach them through the TV.

In the end the Cards are the Big East Champs...regular season and tournament! Now on to bigger tournaments...Go Cards!

Stupid weather!

Tuesday's high - 81 degrees

Two days later...

Thursday's high - 39 degrees

I love Kentucky Weather!