Outstanding song and vid!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Hillsong United 'One Way'
One of fav songs we do @ San Jacinto Church! My friend Ashley Doyle has pledged to remind me of when Hillsong United comes back to Houston...can't wait!
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Explosion at Seabrook!
One of our chemical plants, American Acryl, exploded just over an hour ago. Haven't heard how many injuries or perhaps fatalities are reported, but the fire just became contained.
This is the third plant explosion in the last five years here in the Southeast Houston area. The flames were reported to have leaped 100 feet into the air and the smoke had mushroomed about 500 feet!
This is the third plant explosion in the last five years here in the Southeast Houston area. The flames were reported to have leaped 100 feet into the air and the smoke had mushroomed about 500 feet!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
New York Yankees: Finally Back On Top!
Joba Chamberlain deserves this championship as much as anyone! Awesome!
I am pleased for Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who all have 5 rings now. Alex Rodriguez. C.C. Sabathia, and Mark Teixiera got their first. A.J. Burnett and Johnny Damon collected their second championship. It was awesome to see Pettitte be the winning pitcher for the ring and for Rivera to save it as well.
The Yanks beat the defending champion Phillies 7-4 in 6 games. Hedieki Matsui was the MVP hitting 5 Home Runs in the Series and batting .685! ARod was terrific in the postseason with 6 Home Runs, 18 RBI's, and batted .365! Jeter batted over .400. Pettitte was 4-0 in the postseason, giving him the most postseason and world series wins ever.
I am pleased for Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who all have 5 rings now. Alex Rodriguez. C.C. Sabathia, and Mark Teixiera got their first. A.J. Burnett and Johnny Damon collected their second championship. It was awesome to see Pettitte be the winning pitcher for the ring and for Rivera to save it as well.
The Yanks beat the defending champion Phillies 7-4 in 6 games. Hedieki Matsui was the MVP hitting 5 Home Runs in the Series and batting .685! ARod was terrific in the postseason with 6 Home Runs, 18 RBI's, and batted .365! Jeter batted over .400. Pettitte was 4-0 in the postseason, giving him the most postseason and world series wins ever.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Perfect Catch!
This catch made by DeWayne Wise, in the 9th inning of a perfect game thrown by Mark Buehrle, saved the perfect game and has to be the play of the year! Awesome!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Continental Drift
Did you know...that the North and South American Continents are moving westward in a collision course with Asia? While Africa is currently colliding with Eurasia, as we read? Check this out Continental Drift:
We moving at the hyper speed of (.8 inches) a year! So, in 50 years we will have floated toward Asia 40 inches or just over 3 feet! In the span of centuries (100 years = just over 6 feet!), that is significant. I had no idea that one day, there will be new mountains, oceans, and volcanos form as a result of the collisions!
We moving at the hyper speed of (.8 inches) a year! So, in 50 years we will have floated toward Asia 40 inches or just over 3 feet! In the span of centuries (100 years = just over 6 feet!), that is significant. I had no idea that one day, there will be new mountains, oceans, and volcanos form as a result of the collisions!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Friday, October 09, 2009
Meteorite Hits The Moon!
On June 13, 2006 a meteorite crashed into the Moon! While this happens all the time because the Moon has no atmosphere to protect it, I think it's pretty cool.
It was estimated at 10 inches in diameter and was going an estimated 85,000 an hour! Are you kidding me? So thankful we have the atmosphere to protect and provide for us. God knows what he doing.
It was estimated at 10 inches in diameter and was going an estimated 85,000 an hour! Are you kidding me? So thankful we have the atmosphere to protect and provide for us. God knows what he doing.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
In Honor of Nick Adenhart
Nick Adenhart, a pitcher for the Anaheim Angels, was killed in an accident earlier this season.
He pitched a 6 inning gem as a 22-year old rookie and then died that night going home from the stadium. The Angels dedicated their season to him, by wearing his number on their unis and by keeping his locker untouched all season. They won their division and now take on the Red Sox in a great opening series match-up.
I'm rooting for the Angels as they remember their fallen one.
He pitched a 6 inning gem as a 22-year old rookie and then died that night going home from the stadium. The Angels dedicated their season to him, by wearing his number on their unis and by keeping his locker untouched all season. They won their division and now take on the Red Sox in a great opening series match-up.
I'm rooting for the Angels as they remember their fallen one.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Pennant Chase
I have found a new online hobby pennantchase.com. It is a huge database of baseball players of all time. You get a team and name it whatever, then you draft! You can pick up undrafted players and trade as well.
It fits me very well in how I love to ponder the all time greats versus modern all-stars! Imagine Babe Ruth batting against David Wells or Greg Maddux pitching to Hank Aaron! I love it.
------------------
Here we are in the midst of a real-world playoffs as well! The defending champs Phillies play the Rockies and the Cards have the Dodgers. In the American League, the Yanks play the winner of tonight's game Twins vs. Tigers and the Red Sox have the Angels. My prediction is that the Yanks and Dodgers will play in the World Series with New York winning in five.
It fits me very well in how I love to ponder the all time greats versus modern all-stars! Imagine Babe Ruth batting against David Wells or Greg Maddux pitching to Hank Aaron! I love it.
------------------
Here we are in the midst of a real-world playoffs as well! The defending champs Phillies play the Rockies and the Cards have the Dodgers. In the American League, the Yanks play the winner of tonight's game Twins vs. Tigers and the Red Sox have the Angels. My prediction is that the Yanks and Dodgers will play in the World Series with New York winning in five.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The Empty House
It's been a year this weekend since my children rode away with their mom in the van. I watched them leave their empty rooms, the wooden fort, and the swing set they played on for many years, plus the trampoline they dearly loved.
I have them this weekend in a new house, well not new, but new to me and them. I am renting from Pastor Len. I have been living with people, renting rooms from friends and strangers for a year. Now, the time has come for healing to come to my children.
We have healed and are healing from so much pain and loss. Yet, have remained strong and loving through the mess and tragedy. I love them with every ounce my heart can conceive. A new day has begun and we are moving on to greater things than I imagined. God is good.
I have them this weekend in a new house, well not new, but new to me and them. I am renting from Pastor Len. I have been living with people, renting rooms from friends and strangers for a year. Now, the time has come for healing to come to my children.
We have healed and are healing from so much pain and loss. Yet, have remained strong and loving through the mess and tragedy. I love them with every ounce my heart can conceive. A new day has begun and we are moving on to greater things than I imagined. God is good.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Baptism of George Straub
George Straub, a fun and goofy, blonde-headed 5th grader at San Jacinto Church, was baptized along with his entire family this past Sunday! It was absolutely and totally awesome to see him up there. We brought all 50 of the kids from our KidZone Ministry room to the worship center to watch it! It was great and brought some moistness to my eyes.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Rich Mullins
Rich Mullins died in 1997. He was and is one of my favorite musicians of all time. His simple yet complex approach to songwriting and living has inspired me to live counter-culture, Christ-like. The song Here In Amerca is a great song of liking where he lives, yet knowing where he's going...
Saints and children we have gathered here to hear the sacred story
And I'm glad to bring it to you with my best rhyming and rhythm
'Cause I know the thirsty listen and down to the waters come
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
And if you listen to my songs
I hope you hear the water falling
I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
And if I were a painter I do not know which I'd paint
The calling of the ancient stars or assembling of the saints
And there's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see
But everywhere I go I'm looking
And once I went to Appalachia for my father he was born there
And I saw the mountains waking with the innocence of children
And my soul is still there with them wrapped in the songs they brought
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
And I've seen by the highways on a million exit ramps
Those two-legged memorials to the laws of happenstance
Waiting for four-wheeled messiahs to take them home again
But I am home anywhere if You are where I am
And if you listen to my songs I hope you hear the water falling
I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Happy Birthday to the Boss!
Bruce Springsteen is 60 today!
The vid is from his first album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and the song 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) features one of the final performances by longtime friend and band member, Danny Federici, who lost his battle to cancer in April 2008.
Also, check out this Dancing In The Dark vid hahaha - awesome!!!
The vid is from his first album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and the song 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) features one of the final performances by longtime friend and band member, Danny Federici, who lost his battle to cancer in April 2008.
Also, check out this Dancing In The Dark vid hahaha - awesome!!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Oxymorons
Some of my favorite words to ponder, google, and say are "oxymorons." Two words strung together which mean something but are total opposites. Here is a list of my top ten (Random Order hehehe):
Honorable mentions are: (Pure Evil, Graduate Student, Adult Children, Hells Angels, Relative Truth, Small Crowd, Good Grief, Terribly Pleased, Dodge Ram).
- Jumbo Shrimp
- Black Light
- Freezer Burn
- Pretty Ugly
- Random Order
- Recent History
- Healthy Tan
- Head Butt
- Virtual Reality
- Civil War
Honorable mentions are: (Pure Evil, Graduate Student, Adult Children, Hells Angels, Relative Truth, Small Crowd, Good Grief, Terribly Pleased, Dodge Ram).
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dream Dinner 7 - Friends Who Can Sing
This version of Dream Dinner consists of my friends and foes who can actually carry a tune. This would be a highly charged and ego-centric group, with a bunch of energy! These are all friends of mine and I would love to get this group together!
* Lorie Daugherty * Jason Roe * John Nance * Dawn Arnold * Doug Butler * Ryan Hunt * Chris Crump * Sarah E. Adams ( last 2 added 01/14/2013)
...it's a good list to begin discussions.
* Lorie Daugherty * Jason Roe * John Nance * Dawn Arnold * Doug Butler * Ryan Hunt * Chris Crump * Sarah E. Adams ( last 2 added 01/14/2013)
...it's a good list to begin discussions.
Trash Talking Prophets
What do John the Baptizer, Keith Green, Rich Mullins, and Elijah have in common? They were prophetic voices who had no problems speaking against the sins of society and to the hearts of men and women. They were prophets.
Elijah made fun of the prophets of Baal, John called out the Emperor for his adulterous ways, Rich Mullins wouldn't attend the Dove Awards calling them "glorified Christian Grammys", Keith Green wrote most of his songs to the church and tried to wake "the sleeping giant."
These guys were not your best friends, in fact they didn't seem to have many friends at all. They loved but with truth spoken in such a way that offended. I wonder sometimes if I should be more "prophetic". My easy-going style of living and speaking doesn't cater to this form of truth-telling. But does this mean I then am not supposed to call out that which is wrong or sinful?
God, give me more courage to live and speak with radical truth.
Friday, September 18, 2009
VH1 Divas 2009
Here are some of the performances last night...
Cyndi Lauper and Jordin Sparks:
Miley Cyrus and Sheryl Crow:
Kelly Clarkson and Melissa Etheridge
Cyndi Lauper and Jordin Sparks:
Miley Cyrus and Sheryl Crow:
Kelly Clarkson and Melissa Etheridge
LeAnn Rimes & Shania Twain
There have been some great performances over the last decade on the VH1 Divas, but the 1998 Shania Twain and 1999 LeAnn Rimes were two of the best:
Enough said...
Enough said...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Dream Dinner 6 - Quarterbacks
If I could have a Dream Dinner (check out my previous five dinners in the archives) with 8 QB's of the NFL, (who played after 1985):
One thing they have in common: they led their teams with ability and confidence to be winners.
John Elway
Troy Aikman
Peyton Manning
Brett Favre
Dan Marino
Joe Montana
Kurt Warner
Tom Brady
One thing they have in common: they led their teams with ability and confidence to be winners.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Find Me In The River
Find Me In The River
Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please
We've longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price
Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you're gone and I'm cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I'm waiting here
Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please
We didn't count on suffering
We didn't count on pain
But if the blessing's in the valley
Then in the river I will wait
Written by Martin Smith ©1995 Curious? Music UK
One of my newest fav worship songs... :)
If Beyonce Was A Boy?
Beyonce got her shot with Destiny's Child with the hit song, "Say My Name" in 2000. We are 9 years later and she is quite possibly the best entertainer we have in pop music today.
Say My Name - Destiny's Child (2000 VH1 Divas):
Say My Name - Destiny's Child (2000 VH1 Divas):
Overslept!!!
I hate to be late and cannot stand even more to miss a meeting, which is what happened this morning! I know I set the alarm, but for whatever reason, woke up 45 minutes after my meeting started! Holy Crap!
I've got to have more discipline than that...
I've got to have more discipline than that...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Fantasy Sports
I've been doing fantasy sports since 2002 and have loved every minute of it! I looked back during lunch today and printed a list of all the teams I've had on my yahoo profile. Here are my more creative names by sport:
The last two sports I have done only once and in the same year! hahaha
Baseball - Rounding Third, Roids R Us, Gas, Calvin & Hobbes, and Sermon on the Mound
Basketball - The Gym Rats, Full Court Press, Sons of Adam, and JordantheMagicBird
Football - Jungleland, BornToRun, The Waterboys, Rog's Tackle Shop, and Feeback & Favre
Hockey - IHaveNoClue
Nascar - LeftTurn
The last two sports I have done only once and in the same year! hahaha
MTV Video Music Awards
Taylor Swift's "You Belong To Me" was a good performance last night. Even though it's canned and doesn't seem to be live (maybe I'm missing it here), it's still original and well done.
Beyonce's was outstanding and worth watching, though on the risque side of dance and movement.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Girls Basketball
Abby played on the Deer Park Elementary Ninjas last season as a 3rd grader. This season, she will be one of the bigger girls (not that it stopped her last year)! She was a rebound machine! In one game, she made the go-ahead bucket with 25 sec. left. Then as the opposing team came down the court, they had two shots and two free throws to tie the game and missed all 4! Abby grabbed the last rebound and turned to pass to a teammate and the clock sounded...she had saved them from shooting once more! Even though it was a 3rd & 4th grade team, you can tell from the pic below (Abby is last one on right) that she was one of the tallest players! hahaha
Friday, September 11, 2009
9/11
In my previous post on 9/11 in 2007, I talked about where I was and what happened to me on that day. It seems looking back to that post, I was rather selfish and self-centered. The tragedy did not strike my family outside of my kids being worried about another attack.
I choose to reflect today on those that were destroyed in the attacks, especially the kids. There were children going to bed that night, without a parent, and in some cases, without both parents. For those kids who had single moms and dads, that night meant so much more than it did for me.
So today, I reflect on others' loss and pain on Patriot Day.
I choose to reflect today on those that were destroyed in the attacks, especially the kids. There were children going to bed that night, without a parent, and in some cases, without both parents. For those kids who had single moms and dads, that night meant so much more than it did for me.
So today, I reflect on others' loss and pain on Patriot Day.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
American Idols
I recall watching the first season (2002) as Kelly Clarkson was crowned the first winner of American Idol. She has gone on and been successful in the music industry. After 8 seasons now, I have had my favorite winners and contestants.
My top 5 fav winners and (contestants of that year) are:
5 - Taylor Hicks 2006 (Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Mandisa, & Katharine McPhee)
4 - David Cook 2008
3 - Jordin Sparks 2007 (Chris Sligh)
2 - Kelly Clarkson 2002
1 - Carrie Underwood 2005
2006 was definitely the powerhouse lineup, with the non-winners having very successful careers. Underwood is my favorite winner because she has the total package of vocal range and stage presence (as if I am a talented music critic!) hehehe
My top 5 fav winners and (contestants of that year) are:
5 - Taylor Hicks 2006 (Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Mandisa, & Katharine McPhee)
4 - David Cook 2008
3 - Jordin Sparks 2007 (Chris Sligh)
2 - Kelly Clarkson 2002
1 - Carrie Underwood 2005
2006 was definitely the powerhouse lineup, with the non-winners having very successful careers. Underwood is my favorite winner because she has the total package of vocal range and stage presence (as if I am a talented music critic!) hehehe
Friday, September 04, 2009
Overwhelmed with Gratitude...
It's crazy how many FB birthday greetings I receieved! As they began coming in the night before, I was replying to each of them. But as yesterday progressed, that reality would only be good intentions. I was able to respond to a few, but the vast majority of them were not replied.
So, I saved all them in a folder on my yahoo email and hope to contact the FB friends who sent me a greeting for my celebration.
BTW, the kids and I had a pizza party thrown by the Truitts' and then went out for ice cream after some great Wii games! It was a good day and I am grateful for the people God has placed in my life and I in theirs.
So, I saved all them in a folder on my yahoo email and hope to contact the FB friends who sent me a greeting for my celebration.
BTW, the kids and I had a pizza party thrown by the Truitts' and then went out for ice cream after some great Wii games! It was a good day and I am grateful for the people God has placed in my life and I in theirs.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
43rd Birthday!
WoW - I find it so crazy that I am 3 years removed from 40! Are you kidding me? I have already had a great day and it's only 10:30 AM!!!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Facebook 180
Facebook is a good thing...I love it and have reconnected with so many people! I didn't always think so highly of this online community thingy! Check this out from May 2008:
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Facebook Is Overrated
Are you kidding me? I mean, don't mishear me - it's really cool to reconnect with so many friends and foes from the past. But my frustration is that it is an "online community" and that's it. Real community, one which shares life with another is rare and much tougher to accomplish.
(Abby serving as a volunteer at Field of Dreams 2008 - an event organized by our church - she had a blast working with Girls In Action for five hours in the heat giving away bottles of water!)
I know I sound simplistic and as one co-worker suggested (I am perhaps jealous of the success of it), but let's be honest and say that all these "confirmed requests" for friends does not make a friendship. It' a modern-day, internet-driven facade.
Authentic relationships share life and is better accomplished by on our feet and not our seat. Community is...
- getting our hands and feet dirty in a clean-up effort after a storm
- taking care of your dog and mail while you are on vacation
- playing basketball with your neighbor's fiancee
- sharing a meal together (a lost art and expression of love)
- taking cookies to a retired couple next door sounds so 1950ish, but it works!
- tossing the ball back to our yard after the massive grand slam by dad
- rubbing shoulders with humanity
All these things have happened recently in our neighborhood. By the way, the majority of our neighbors are not Christian, but they understand community and the value of sharing life together despite political, economical, and religious preferences. Community is better experienced face to face.
No wonder Facebook has become so huge. It caters to our anonymous online lifestyle, while rejecting our need for touch, tears, and laughter with a friend, who thank God is not a profile and will not ask me to click "confirm" or "ignore".
pondered by Rog at 4:46 PM Tags: church, Deer Park TX, facebook, Family, friends, missions, San Jacinto Church, work
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Salvation Moments...
Jon Mark accepted the love of Christ by praying in our car on the way home from the Nicholasville Wal-Mart to Wilmore in 1998. He was baptized by me on Sunday, December 15, 2001 in Georgetown, Kentucky at the Central Church of God.
Emma accepted God's love in her bedroom, after asking how she can be a Christian during bath time in 2001. She was baptized with her brother on Sunday, December 15, 2001 in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Abby prayed for Jesus to forgive her in bed on August 25, 2006 and was baptized by me in Pasadena, Texas at Parkgate Community Church on Sunday, September 2, 2007.
What a joy to be a part of their lives in Christ!
Emma accepted God's love in her bedroom, after asking how she can be a Christian during bath time in 2001. She was baptized with her brother on Sunday, December 15, 2001 in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Abby prayed for Jesus to forgive her in bed on August 25, 2006 and was baptized by me in Pasadena, Texas at Parkgate Community Church on Sunday, September 2, 2007.
What a joy to be a part of their lives in Christ!
Praying for Connie Christoph
Connie Christoph, wife of Jim and mother of Sarah and Jamey, has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). They are friends of mine from back in the days of Warner Southern College (now University), South Lake Wales Church, and Barry/Dana Shick.
I am praying daily for her condition and family.
I am praying daily for her condition and family.
September Memories
Football, birthdays, 9-11, and Ike...these are some of the recollections I have about September.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Home Run For A Kid!
WoW! Detroit Tigers 3B, Brandon Inge, visits hospitals to see kids with cancer. Several of them ask him to hit a HR for him...he's done it twice and he hit one last night!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
No Curveballs Before Shaving
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3505347
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/57054
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/57054
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Dream Team vs ReDeem Team
The argument was made and I had to weigh in...Was last summer's Olympic ReDeem Team better than the 1992 Olympic Dream Team? Hmmmmm....
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/basketball/news?slug=dw-dreamorredeem081808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/basketball/news?slug=dw-dreamorredeem081808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Monday, August 24, 2009
High School
WoW! That time has come that I thought was soooooo far into the future! My firstborn is a Freshman. Years ago, I wondered what he would look like, act like, and be like. I wondered how tall he would be and if he would be a good person.
He is in fact 5'7" and weighs 120 pounds. He's trying out for the Freshman Basketball Team and the Sophomore Baseball Team. He's a good kid and I love him and am very proud to be his Dad.
He is in fact 5'7" and weighs 120 pounds. He's trying out for the Freshman Basketball Team and the Sophomore Baseball Team. He's a good kid and I love him and am very proud to be his Dad.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Mickey Mantle Team
Jon Mark made the Summer Freshmen Mickey Mantle Team. 60 kids tried out for it and 29 were chosen:
MAROON
Jon Mark (P,OF), Brian Pattison (P,1B), Kyle Liescheski (OF), Cameron Gregory (OF, P), Eric Luna (SS, OF, P), Michael Heim (2B), Brittan Brown (C), Chad Leatherwood (3B), Derek Boenke (C, P), Josh Rutherford (P, SS), Jay Turnipseed (OF, P), Josh Hunter (2B, OF), Jordan Gardea (3B), & Matt Cauley (C, 1B)
GOLD
Brandon Hock (OF), Tyler Martin (2B, OF), Clay Thompson (2B), Noah Cano (C), Cade Williams (1B, OF), Johnny Lopez (C, P), Zach Bajula (OF), Tyler Allen (P, OF), CJ Babb (OF), Jacob Hickman (SS, OF), Nolan Sampson (OF, 1B, P), Mitchell Wilkinson (3B, P), Josh Pettitte (3B, P), Bailey Darden (P, SS, OF), Tyler Jarvis (1B, P).
In the last game of the season, Jon Mark started P and went 3 innings! 3K's, 1BB, 2 hits, and 0 runs!! He was outstanding with great control, in the 3-0 win over Texas City.
MAROON
Jon Mark (P,OF), Brian Pattison (P,1B), Kyle Liescheski (OF), Cameron Gregory (OF, P), Eric Luna (SS, OF, P), Michael Heim (2B), Brittan Brown (C), Chad Leatherwood (3B), Derek Boenke (C, P), Josh Rutherford (P, SS), Jay Turnipseed (OF, P), Josh Hunter (2B, OF), Jordan Gardea (3B), & Matt Cauley (C, 1B)
GOLD
Brandon Hock (OF), Tyler Martin (2B, OF), Clay Thompson (2B), Noah Cano (C), Cade Williams (1B, OF), Johnny Lopez (C, P), Zach Bajula (OF), Tyler Allen (P, OF), CJ Babb (OF), Jacob Hickman (SS, OF), Nolan Sampson (OF, 1B, P), Mitchell Wilkinson (3B, P), Josh Pettitte (3B, P), Bailey Darden (P, SS, OF), Tyler Jarvis (1B, P).
In the last game of the season, Jon Mark started P and went 3 innings! 3K's, 1BB, 2 hits, and 0 runs!! He was outstanding with great control, in the 3-0 win over Texas City.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Brandon Hicks
Brandon Hicks currently plays for AA Braves and the crazy manager that Jon Mark and I laugh so much about is the manager of his team!
What An Inning!
Jon Mark came in to pitch in the bottom of the 4th inning after playing brilliantly at 3B. He faced the Longhorn's (best team in the league) 2, 3, and 4 batters - and K's all three!
An outstanding performance by a 13 year old against three 14 year olds!
An outstanding performance by a 13 year old against three 14 year olds!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Columbine: 10 Years Ago
I changed my sermon for the following Sunday after Columbine. I was really rocked by the trajedy and the fact that we had two young kids not yet in school. I was afraid for them in the future, of what public school would look like. Here are two articles I found today on this 10th anniversary.
A Columbine Site
Columbine High School Massacre
A Columbine Site
Columbine High School Massacre
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Boss in Houston!
and I missed him again...
Houston 2009 Toyota Center
Setlist
Badlands
Outlaw Pete
No Surrender
Out in the Street
Working on a Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Working on the Highway
Cadillac Ranch
It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
The Wrestler
Kingdom of Days
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born to Run
Encore: Hard Times
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Land of Hope and Dreams
American Land
Dancing in the Dark
Houston 2009 Toyota Center
Setlist
Badlands
Outlaw Pete
No Surrender
Out in the Street
Working on a Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Working on the Highway
Cadillac Ranch
It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
The Wrestler
Kingdom of Days
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born to Run
Encore: Hard Times
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Land of Hope and Dreams
American Land
Dancing in the Dark
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Mark Fidrych
I ran across this news report today of "The Bird", who died while working on his farm. I loved the way he pitched in late 1970's.
More Bad News
More Bad News
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Carrie or Taylor?
The battle rages over who's the best young Country Music talent:
Carrie Underwood vs Taylor Swift
I choose Carrie's voice and Taylor's writing!
Carrie Underwood vs Taylor Swift
I choose Carrie's voice and Taylor's writing!
Monday, March 09, 2009
Sad Songs
This song, "I Wonder", is an awesome tune about a daughter who's mother left her and now she wants her to come home. I must admit, it brings moisture to the eye when you hear the longing and hurt in her voice and in the words.
I Wonder
by Kellie Pickler
Sometimes I think about you
Wonder if you’re out there somewhere thinkin' 'bout me
And would you even recognize the woman that your little girl has grown up to be
‘Cause I look in the mirror and all I see are your brown eyes lookin' back at me
They’re the only thing you ever gave to me at all
Chorus
Oh, I hear the weather’s nice in California
There’s sunny skies as far as I can see
If you ever come back home to Carolina
I wonder what you’d say to me
I think about how it ain’t fair that you weren’t there to braid my hair like mothers do
You weren’t around to cheer me on
Help me dress for my high school prom like mother’s do
Did you think I didn’t need you here to hold my hand, to dry my tears
Did you even miss me through the years at all?
Chorus
Forgiveness is such a simple word
But it’s so hard to do
When you’ve been hurt
Oh, I hear the weather’s nice in California
And just in case you’re wondering about me
From now on I won’t be in Carolina
Your little girl is off,
oh your little girl is off,
your little girl is off,
to Tennessee
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Magic vs Bird 1979
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/the_bonus/03/03/march.mad/index.html
I was at Shearer Elementary in Winchester, Kentucky attending a carnival that night. I was 12 years old and in the 7th grade. Basketball was my fav sport and I had "tried-out" for the Belmont Junior High team that season, but was cut. My buddies challenged me to shoot in the free-throw contest cuz they knew more than the coaches that I had talent and was a good shooter. I was bummed over not making the team, but knew I was pretty good. However, to shut them up, I stepped to the line...and drained 13 in a row! No other kid or adult came close. I won a case of 7UP!
In the meantime, the school had placed a TV on a big rolling stand in the hallway leading into the gym that night because of the NCAA Championship. I ran back and forth between cake walks, fish ponds, shooting free throws, and the game - just to catch moments of history...Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson.
I was a little bothered that Magic's Mighigan State beat Bird's Indiana State; but I liked them both and continued to root for both, prefering Bird head-to-head through the years.
Watch the interview with Bird and Magic!
I was at Shearer Elementary in Winchester, Kentucky attending a carnival that night. I was 12 years old and in the 7th grade. Basketball was my fav sport and I had "tried-out" for the Belmont Junior High team that season, but was cut. My buddies challenged me to shoot in the free-throw contest cuz they knew more than the coaches that I had talent and was a good shooter. I was bummed over not making the team, but knew I was pretty good. However, to shut them up, I stepped to the line...and drained 13 in a row! No other kid or adult came close. I won a case of 7UP!
In the meantime, the school had placed a TV on a big rolling stand in the hallway leading into the gym that night because of the NCAA Championship. I ran back and forth between cake walks, fish ponds, shooting free throws, and the game - just to catch moments of history...Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson.
I was a little bothered that Magic's Mighigan State beat Bird's Indiana State; but I liked them both and continued to root for both, prefering Bird head-to-head through the years.
Watch the interview with Bird and Magic!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Empty Me - Chris Sligh
This song by Chris Sligh (American Idol) is outstanding!
I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
I've had just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you. So, I surrender all!
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.
I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
I've had just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you. So, I surrender all!
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.
Ricky (Henderson) Be Rickey..
I found this on a blog and wanted to share it. Rickey Henderson is one of my favorite players of all-time! So talented and funny...He is one of the ten best LF to play the game (along with Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Stan Musial, Manny Ramirez, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Willie Stargell, Pete Rose, and others...
Just so everyone knows, these quotes and stories about Rickey come from Fantistic from back in 2006. But in full disclosure, Fantistic didn't compile the quotes. Someone, somewhere out on the blogosphere did.
Lou Blasi of Fantistics wrote: "The following stories come from a blog post I ran across last month. I wish I knew who collected and posted his top 25 Rickey stories so I could give him credit. As it is all I can do is thank him for the memories."
So anyway, here you go. The definitive Rickey Henderson.
1) In June 1999, when Henderson was playing with the Mets, he saw reporters running around the clubhouse before a game. He asked a teammate what was going on and he was told that Tom Robson, the team’s hitting coach, had just been fired. Henderson said, “Who’s he?”
2) Rickey... on referring to himself in the third person:
“Listen, people are always saying, ‘Rickey says Rickey.’ But it’s been blown way out of proportion. People might catch me, when they know I’m ticked off, saying, ‘Rickey, what the heck are you doing, Rickey?’ They say, ‘Darn, Rickey, what are you saying Rickey for? Why don’t you just say, ‘I?’ But I never did. I always said, ‘Rickey,’ and it became something for people to joke about.”
3) In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting department was freaking out. The books were off $1 million. After an investigation, it was determined Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1 million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at his house.
4) In 1996, Henderson’s first season with San Diego, he boarded the team bus and was looking for a seat. Steve Finley said, “You have tenure, sit wherever you want.” Henderson looked at Finley and said, “Ten years? Ricky’s been playing at least 16, 17 years.”
5) This one might be my second favorite. This wasn’t too long ago, I think it was the year he ended up playing with the Red Sox. Anyway, he called San Diego GM Kevin Towers and left the following message: “This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.”
6) This one happened in Seattle. Rickey struck out and as the next batter was walking past him, he heard Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the best.”
7) Rickey once asked a teammate how long it would take him to drive to the Dominican Republic.
8) Moments after breaking Lou Brock’s stolen base record, Henderson told the crowd – with Brock mere feet next to him – “Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today, I am the greatest of all-time.”
9) Henderson once fell asleep on an ice pack and got frostbite – which forced him to miss three games — in mid-August.
10) A reporter asked Henderson if Ken Caminiti’s estimate that 50 percent of Major League players were taking steroids was accurate. His response was, “Well, Rickey’s not one of them, so that’s 49 percent right there.”
11) Henderson broke Ty Cobb’s career record for runs scored with a home run. After taking his usual 45 seconds or so around the bases, Rickey slid into home plate.
12) On being Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout: “It gave me no chance. He (Ryan) just blew it by me. But it’s an honor. I’ll have another paragraph in all the baseball books. I’m already in the books three or four times.”
13) San Diego GM Kevin Towers was trying to contact Rickey at a nearby hotel. He knew Henderson always used fake names to avoid the press, fans, etc. He was trying to think like Rickey and after several attempts; he was able to get Henderson on the phone.
Rickey had checked in under Richard Pryor.
14) I didn’t believe this one at first. However, I emailed a few contacts within the Sox organization and they claim it actually happened. This is priceless, it really is.
The morning after the Sox finished off their 2004 World Series sweep against St. Louis, Henderson called someone in the organization looking for tickets to Game 6 at Fenway Park.
15) The Mets were staying in a hotel less than a mile from Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. While some players walked, most took the team bus. A few minutes after they arrived — again it was less than a mile – the last players off the bus noticed a stretched limo that had just pulled up.
Of course, Rickey emerged from the back seat.
16) A reporter once asked Rickey if he talked to himself, “Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I’m trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?”
17) OK, I know everyone has been waiting for it. Alas, according to both parties involved, it’s not true. I wish it were. Heck, both Rickey Henderson and John Olerud have said they wish it were true. But it just didn’t happen.
The story went that a few weeks into Henderson’s stint with the Mariners, he walked up to Olerud at the batting cage and asked him why he wore a batting helmet in the field. Olerud explained that he had an aneurysm at nine years old and he wore the helmet for protection. Legend goes that Henderson said, “Yeah, I used to play with a guy that had the same thing.” Legend also goes that Olerud said, “That was me, Rickey.”
Henderson played with Olerud on the Blue Jays and the Mets.
18) Rickey was asked if he had the Garth Brooks album with Friends in Low Places and Henderson said, “Rickey doesn’t have albums. Rickey has CDs.”
19) During a contract holdout with Oakland in the early 1990s, Henderson said, “If they want to pay me like Mike Gallego, I’ll play like Gallego.”
20) In the late 1980s, the Yankees sent Henderson a six-figure bonus check. After a few months passed, an internal audit revealed the check had not been cashed. Current Yankees GM Brian Cashman – then a low-level nobody with the organization – called Rickey and asked if there was a problem with the check. Henderson said, “I’m just waiting for the money market rates to go up.”
21) This is my all-time favorite. Rickey was pulled over by a San Diego police officer for speeding. As the officer was approaching Rickey’s car, the window went down a few inches and a folded $100 bill emerged. The officer let Rickey and his money head home without a ticket.
22) When he was on the Yankees in the mid-1980s, Henderson told teammates that his condo had such a great view that he could see, “The Entire State Building.”
23) During one of his stays with Oakland, Henderson’s locker was next to Billy Beane’s. After making the team out of spring training, Beane was sent to the minors after a few months. Upon his return, about six weeks later, Henderson looked at Beane and said, “Hey, man, where have you been? Haven’t seen you in awhile.”
24) To this day and dating back 25 years, before every game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in front of a full length locker room mirror and says, “Ricky’s the best,” for several minutes.
25) In the last week of his lone season with the Red Sox, Chairman Tom Werner asked Henderson what he would like for his ‘going-away’ gift. Henderson said he wasn’t going anywhere, but he would like owner John Henry’s Mercedes. Werner said it would be tough to get the same make and model in less than a week and Henderson said, “No, I want his car.” Turns out the Sox got Henderson a Red Thunderbird and when he saw it on the field before the last game of the season, Rickey said, “Whose ugly car is on the field?”
Just so everyone knows, these quotes and stories about Rickey come from Fantistic from back in 2006. But in full disclosure, Fantistic didn't compile the quotes. Someone, somewhere out on the blogosphere did.
Lou Blasi of Fantistics wrote: "The following stories come from a blog post I ran across last month. I wish I knew who collected and posted his top 25 Rickey stories so I could give him credit. As it is all I can do is thank him for the memories."
So anyway, here you go. The definitive Rickey Henderson.
1) In June 1999, when Henderson was playing with the Mets, he saw reporters running around the clubhouse before a game. He asked a teammate what was going on and he was told that Tom Robson, the team’s hitting coach, had just been fired. Henderson said, “Who’s he?”
2) Rickey... on referring to himself in the third person:
“Listen, people are always saying, ‘Rickey says Rickey.’ But it’s been blown way out of proportion. People might catch me, when they know I’m ticked off, saying, ‘Rickey, what the heck are you doing, Rickey?’ They say, ‘Darn, Rickey, what are you saying Rickey for? Why don’t you just say, ‘I?’ But I never did. I always said, ‘Rickey,’ and it became something for people to joke about.”
3) In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting department was freaking out. The books were off $1 million. After an investigation, it was determined Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1 million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at his house.
4) In 1996, Henderson’s first season with San Diego, he boarded the team bus and was looking for a seat. Steve Finley said, “You have tenure, sit wherever you want.” Henderson looked at Finley and said, “Ten years? Ricky’s been playing at least 16, 17 years.”
5) This one might be my second favorite. This wasn’t too long ago, I think it was the year he ended up playing with the Red Sox. Anyway, he called San Diego GM Kevin Towers and left the following message: “This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.”
6) This one happened in Seattle. Rickey struck out and as the next batter was walking past him, he heard Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the best.”
7) Rickey once asked a teammate how long it would take him to drive to the Dominican Republic.
8) Moments after breaking Lou Brock’s stolen base record, Henderson told the crowd – with Brock mere feet next to him – “Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today, I am the greatest of all-time.”
9) Henderson once fell asleep on an ice pack and got frostbite – which forced him to miss three games — in mid-August.
10) A reporter asked Henderson if Ken Caminiti’s estimate that 50 percent of Major League players were taking steroids was accurate. His response was, “Well, Rickey’s not one of them, so that’s 49 percent right there.”
11) Henderson broke Ty Cobb’s career record for runs scored with a home run. After taking his usual 45 seconds or so around the bases, Rickey slid into home plate.
12) On being Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout: “It gave me no chance. He (Ryan) just blew it by me. But it’s an honor. I’ll have another paragraph in all the baseball books. I’m already in the books three or four times.”
13) San Diego GM Kevin Towers was trying to contact Rickey at a nearby hotel. He knew Henderson always used fake names to avoid the press, fans, etc. He was trying to think like Rickey and after several attempts; he was able to get Henderson on the phone.
Rickey had checked in under Richard Pryor.
14) I didn’t believe this one at first. However, I emailed a few contacts within the Sox organization and they claim it actually happened. This is priceless, it really is.
The morning after the Sox finished off their 2004 World Series sweep against St. Louis, Henderson called someone in the organization looking for tickets to Game 6 at Fenway Park.
15) The Mets were staying in a hotel less than a mile from Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. While some players walked, most took the team bus. A few minutes after they arrived — again it was less than a mile – the last players off the bus noticed a stretched limo that had just pulled up.
Of course, Rickey emerged from the back seat.
16) A reporter once asked Rickey if he talked to himself, “Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I’m trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?”
17) OK, I know everyone has been waiting for it. Alas, according to both parties involved, it’s not true. I wish it were. Heck, both Rickey Henderson and John Olerud have said they wish it were true. But it just didn’t happen.
The story went that a few weeks into Henderson’s stint with the Mariners, he walked up to Olerud at the batting cage and asked him why he wore a batting helmet in the field. Olerud explained that he had an aneurysm at nine years old and he wore the helmet for protection. Legend goes that Henderson said, “Yeah, I used to play with a guy that had the same thing.” Legend also goes that Olerud said, “That was me, Rickey.”
Henderson played with Olerud on the Blue Jays and the Mets.
18) Rickey was asked if he had the Garth Brooks album with Friends in Low Places and Henderson said, “Rickey doesn’t have albums. Rickey has CDs.”
19) During a contract holdout with Oakland in the early 1990s, Henderson said, “If they want to pay me like Mike Gallego, I’ll play like Gallego.”
20) In the late 1980s, the Yankees sent Henderson a six-figure bonus check. After a few months passed, an internal audit revealed the check had not been cashed. Current Yankees GM Brian Cashman – then a low-level nobody with the organization – called Rickey and asked if there was a problem with the check. Henderson said, “I’m just waiting for the money market rates to go up.”
21) This is my all-time favorite. Rickey was pulled over by a San Diego police officer for speeding. As the officer was approaching Rickey’s car, the window went down a few inches and a folded $100 bill emerged. The officer let Rickey and his money head home without a ticket.
22) When he was on the Yankees in the mid-1980s, Henderson told teammates that his condo had such a great view that he could see, “The Entire State Building.”
23) During one of his stays with Oakland, Henderson’s locker was next to Billy Beane’s. After making the team out of spring training, Beane was sent to the minors after a few months. Upon his return, about six weeks later, Henderson looked at Beane and said, “Hey, man, where have you been? Haven’t seen you in awhile.”
24) To this day and dating back 25 years, before every game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in front of a full length locker room mirror and says, “Ricky’s the best,” for several minutes.
25) In the last week of his lone season with the Red Sox, Chairman Tom Werner asked Henderson what he would like for his ‘going-away’ gift. Henderson said he wasn’t going anywhere, but he would like owner John Henry’s Mercedes. Werner said it would be tough to get the same make and model in less than a week and Henderson said, “No, I want his car.” Turns out the Sox got Henderson a Red Thunderbird and when he saw it on the field before the last game of the season, Rickey said, “Whose ugly car is on the field?”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Bruce's Words (post-Super Bowl)
from brucespringsteen.net:
(Dear Friends & Fans, a little glimpse from center stage.)
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Six Air Force Thunderbirds have just roared overhead at what felt like inches above our backstage area, giving myself and the entire E Street Band a brush cut. With 20 minutes to go, I'm sitting in my trailer trying to decide what boots to wear. I've got a nice pair of cowboy boots my feet look really good in, but I'm concerned about their stability. Two days ago we rehearsed in full rain on the field and the stage became as slick as an ice pond. It was almost impossible to stand on. It was so slick I crashed into Mike Colucci, our cameraman, coming off my knee slide, his camera the only thing that kept me from launching out onto the soggy turf. When Jerry the umpire in "Glory Days" did his bit, he came running out, couldn't stop himself and executed one of the most painfully perfect "man slips on a banana peel" falls I've ever seen. This sent Steve, myself and the entire band into one of the biggest stress-induced laughters of our lives that lasted all the way back to our trailers. (A few Advil and Jerry was okay.)
I better go with the combat boots I always carry. The round toes will give me better braking power than the pointy-toed cowboy boots when I hit the deck. I stuff my boots with two innersoles to make them as fitted as possible, zip them up snuggly around my ankles, stomp around in my trailer a bit and feel pretty grounded. Fifteen minutes…oh, by the way, I'm somewhat nervous. It's not the usual pre-show jitters, not "butterflies," it's not wardrobe malfunction anticipation anxiety, I'm talking about five minutes to beach landing, "Right Stuff" "Lord Don't Let Me Screw the Pooch in Front of 100 Million People" one of the biggest television audiences since dinosaurs first screwed on earth kind of semi-terror. It only lasts for a minute…I check my hair, spray it with something that turns it into concrete and I'm out the door.
I catch sight of Patti smiling. She's been my rock all week. I put my arm around her and away we go. They take us by golf cart to a holding tunnel right off the field. The problem is there are a thousand people there, tv cameras, media of all kinds and general chaos. Suddenly, hundreds of people rush by us in a column shouting, cheering…our fans! And tonight also our stage builders. These are "the volunteers". They've been here for two weeks on their own dime in a field day after day, putting together and pulling apart pieces of our stage over and over again, theoretically achieving military precision. Now it's for real. I hope they've got it down because as we're escorted onto the field, lights in the stadium fully up, the banshee wail of 70,000 screaming football fanatics rising in our ears, there's nothing there. Nothing…no sound, no lights, no instruments, no stage, nothing but brightly lit unwelcoming green turf. Suddenly an army of ants come from all sides of what seems like nowhere. Each rolling a piece of our lifeline, our earth onto the field. The cavalry has arrived. What takes us on a concert day 8 hours to do is done in five minutes. Unbelieveable. Everything in our world is there…we hope. We gather a few feet off the stage, form a circle of hands, I say a few words drowned out by the crowd and it's smiles all around. I've been in a lot of high stakes situations like this, though not exactly like this, with these people before. It's stressful, but our band is made for it…and it's about to begin…so happy warriors we bound up onto the stage.
II
The NFL stage manager gives me the three minute sign…two minutes…one…there's a guy jumping up and down on sections of the stage to get them to sit evenly on the grass field…30 seconds…they're still testing all the speakers and equipment…that's cutting it close! The lights in the stadium go down. The crowd erupts and Max's drumbeat opens "10th Avenue." I feel a white light silhouette Clarence and I for a moment. I hear Roy's piano. I give "C"'s hand a pat. I'm on the move tossing my guitar in a high arc for Kevin, my guitar tech, to catch and it's…"ladies and gentlemen, for the next 12 minutes we will be bringing the righteous and mighty power of the E Street Band into your beautiful home. So…step back from the guacamole dip. Put the chicken fingers down! And turn the TV ALL the way up!" Because, of course, there is just ONE thing I've got to know: "IS THERE ANYBODY ALIVE OUT THERE?!"
All I know is if you were standing next to me, you would be. I feel like I've just taken a syringe of adrenalin straight to the heart. Before we came out, I had two major concerns. One, something might go wrong beyond my control. That completely disappeared before we hit the stage. Tonight our fate is in the hands of many, so no sense for useless worry. Two, I was worried that I would find myself 'out' of myself and not in the moment. My old friend Peter Wolf once said 'the strangest thing you can do on stage is think about what you're doing." This is true. To observe oneself from afar while struggling to bring the moment to life is an unpleasant experience. I've had it more than once. It's an existential problem. Unfortunately, right in my wheel house. It doesn't mean it's going to be a bad show. It may be a great one. It just means it might take time, something we don't have much of tonight. When that happens, I do anything to break it. Tear up the set list, call an audible, make a mistake, anything to get "IN." That's what you get paid for, TO BE HERE NOW! The power, potential and volume of your present-ness is a basic rock and roll promise. It's the essential element that holds the attention of your audience, that gives force, shape and authority to the evening's events. And however you get there on any given night, that's the road you take. "IS THERE ANYBODY ALIVE IN HERE?!"…there better be.
I'm on top of the piano (good old boots). I'm down. One…two…three, knee drop in front of the microphone and I'm bending back almost flat on the stage. I close my eyes for a moment and when I open them, I see nothing but blue night sky. No band, no crowd, no stadium. I hear and feel all of it in the form of a great siren like din surrounding me but with my back nearly flat against the stage I see nothing but beautiful night sky with a halo of a thousand stadium suns at its edges. I take several deep breaths and a calm comes over me. I feel myself deeply and happily "IN."
Since the inception of our band it was our ambition to play for everyone. We've achieved a lot but we haven't achieved that. Our audience remains tribal…that is predominantly white. On occasion, the Inaugural Concert, during a political campaign, touring through Africa in '88, particularly in Cleveland with President Obama, I looked out and sang "Promised Land" to the audience I intended it for, young people, old people, black, white, brown, cutting across religious and class lines. That's who I'm singing to today. Today we play for everyone. I pull myself upright with the mike stand back into the world, this world, my world, the one with everybody in it and the stadium, the crowd, my band, my best friends, my wife come rushing into view and it's "teardrops on the city…"
III
During "Tenth Avenue" I tell the story of my band…and other things "when the change was made uptown"…. It goes rushing by, then the knee slide. Too much adrenalin, a late drop, too much speed, here I come Mike…BOOM! And I'm onto his camera, the lens implanted into my chest with one leg off the stage. I use his camera to push myself back up and…say it, say it, say it, say it…BLAM! BORN TO RUN…my story…Something bright and hot blows up behind me. I heard there were fireworks. I never saw any. Just the ones going off in my head. I'm out of breath. I try to slow it down. That ain't gonna happen. I already hear the crowd singing the last eight bars of "Born to Run" oh, oh, oh, oh…then it's straight into "Working on a Dream"…your story…and mine I hope. Steve is on my right, Patti on my left. I catch a smile and the wonderful choir, The Joyce Garrett Singers, that backed me in Washington during the Inaugural concert is behind us. I turn to see their faces and listen to the sound of their voices…"working on a dream". Done. Moments later, we're ripping straight into "Glory Days"…the end of the story. A last party steeped in merry fatalism and some laughs with my old pal, Steve. Jerry the Ump doesn't fall on his ass tonight. He just throws the yellow penalty flag for the precious 40 seconds we've gone overtime…home stretch. Everyone is out front now forming that great line. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the horns raising their instruments high, my guitar is wheeling around my neck and on the seventh beat, I'm going to Disneyland. I'm already someplace a lot farther and more fun than that. I look around, we're alive, it's over, we link arms and take a bow as the stage comes apart beneath our feet. It's chaos again all the way back to the trailer. A toast…our families, friends, Jon, George, Brendan, Barbara, with Don Mischer, Ricky Kirshner, Glenn Weiss, Charles Coplin, and Dick Ebersol, the great team that put it altogether and the end of a good football game.
IV
The theory of relativity holds. On stage your exhilaration is in direct proportion to the void you're dancing over. A gig I always looked a little askance at and was a little wary of turned out to have surprising emotional power and resonance for me and my band. It was a high point, a marker of some sort and went up with the biggest shows of our work life. The NFL threw us an anniversary party the likes of which we'd never throw for ourselves (we're too fussy) with fireworks and everything! In the middle of their football game, they let us hammer out a little part of our story. I love playing long and hard but it was the 35 years in 12 minutes…that was the trick. You start here, you end there, that's it. That's the time you've got to give it everything you have…12 minutes…give or take a few seconds. The Super Bowl is going to help me sell a few new records, that's what I wanted because I want people to hear where we are today. It'll probably put a few extra fannies in the seats and that's fine. We live high around here and I like to do good business for my record company and concert promoters. But what it's really about is my band remains one of the mightiest in the land and I want you to know it, we want to show you…because we can.
By 3 am, I am back home, everyone in the house fast asleep and tucked in bed. I am sitting in the yard over an open fire, staring up again into that black night sky, my ears still ringing…"Oh yeah, it's alright."
February, 2009
"…Someday we'll look back on this…"
(Dear Friends & Fans, a little glimpse from center stage.)
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I
Six Air Force Thunderbirds have just roared overhead at what felt like inches above our backstage area, giving myself and the entire E Street Band a brush cut. With 20 minutes to go, I'm sitting in my trailer trying to decide what boots to wear. I've got a nice pair of cowboy boots my feet look really good in, but I'm concerned about their stability. Two days ago we rehearsed in full rain on the field and the stage became as slick as an ice pond. It was almost impossible to stand on. It was so slick I crashed into Mike Colucci, our cameraman, coming off my knee slide, his camera the only thing that kept me from launching out onto the soggy turf. When Jerry the umpire in "Glory Days" did his bit, he came running out, couldn't stop himself and executed one of the most painfully perfect "man slips on a banana peel" falls I've ever seen. This sent Steve, myself and the entire band into one of the biggest stress-induced laughters of our lives that lasted all the way back to our trailers. (A few Advil and Jerry was okay.)
I better go with the combat boots I always carry. The round toes will give me better braking power than the pointy-toed cowboy boots when I hit the deck. I stuff my boots with two innersoles to make them as fitted as possible, zip them up snuggly around my ankles, stomp around in my trailer a bit and feel pretty grounded. Fifteen minutes…oh, by the way, I'm somewhat nervous. It's not the usual pre-show jitters, not "butterflies," it's not wardrobe malfunction anticipation anxiety, I'm talking about five minutes to beach landing, "Right Stuff" "Lord Don't Let Me Screw the Pooch in Front of 100 Million People" one of the biggest television audiences since dinosaurs first screwed on earth kind of semi-terror. It only lasts for a minute…I check my hair, spray it with something that turns it into concrete and I'm out the door.
I catch sight of Patti smiling. She's been my rock all week. I put my arm around her and away we go. They take us by golf cart to a holding tunnel right off the field. The problem is there are a thousand people there, tv cameras, media of all kinds and general chaos. Suddenly, hundreds of people rush by us in a column shouting, cheering…our fans! And tonight also our stage builders. These are "the volunteers". They've been here for two weeks on their own dime in a field day after day, putting together and pulling apart pieces of our stage over and over again, theoretically achieving military precision. Now it's for real. I hope they've got it down because as we're escorted onto the field, lights in the stadium fully up, the banshee wail of 70,000 screaming football fanatics rising in our ears, there's nothing there. Nothing…no sound, no lights, no instruments, no stage, nothing but brightly lit unwelcoming green turf. Suddenly an army of ants come from all sides of what seems like nowhere. Each rolling a piece of our lifeline, our earth onto the field. The cavalry has arrived. What takes us on a concert day 8 hours to do is done in five minutes. Unbelieveable. Everything in our world is there…we hope. We gather a few feet off the stage, form a circle of hands, I say a few words drowned out by the crowd and it's smiles all around. I've been in a lot of high stakes situations like this, though not exactly like this, with these people before. It's stressful, but our band is made for it…and it's about to begin…so happy warriors we bound up onto the stage.
II
The NFL stage manager gives me the three minute sign…two minutes…one…there's a guy jumping up and down on sections of the stage to get them to sit evenly on the grass field…30 seconds…they're still testing all the speakers and equipment…that's cutting it close! The lights in the stadium go down. The crowd erupts and Max's drumbeat opens "10th Avenue." I feel a white light silhouette Clarence and I for a moment. I hear Roy's piano. I give "C"'s hand a pat. I'm on the move tossing my guitar in a high arc for Kevin, my guitar tech, to catch and it's…"ladies and gentlemen, for the next 12 minutes we will be bringing the righteous and mighty power of the E Street Band into your beautiful home. So…step back from the guacamole dip. Put the chicken fingers down! And turn the TV ALL the way up!" Because, of course, there is just ONE thing I've got to know: "IS THERE ANYBODY ALIVE OUT THERE?!"
All I know is if you were standing next to me, you would be. I feel like I've just taken a syringe of adrenalin straight to the heart. Before we came out, I had two major concerns. One, something might go wrong beyond my control. That completely disappeared before we hit the stage. Tonight our fate is in the hands of many, so no sense for useless worry. Two, I was worried that I would find myself 'out' of myself and not in the moment. My old friend Peter Wolf once said 'the strangest thing you can do on stage is think about what you're doing." This is true. To observe oneself from afar while struggling to bring the moment to life is an unpleasant experience. I've had it more than once. It's an existential problem. Unfortunately, right in my wheel house. It doesn't mean it's going to be a bad show. It may be a great one. It just means it might take time, something we don't have much of tonight. When that happens, I do anything to break it. Tear up the set list, call an audible, make a mistake, anything to get "IN." That's what you get paid for, TO BE HERE NOW! The power, potential and volume of your present-ness is a basic rock and roll promise. It's the essential element that holds the attention of your audience, that gives force, shape and authority to the evening's events. And however you get there on any given night, that's the road you take. "IS THERE ANYBODY ALIVE IN HERE?!"…there better be.
I'm on top of the piano (good old boots). I'm down. One…two…three, knee drop in front of the microphone and I'm bending back almost flat on the stage. I close my eyes for a moment and when I open them, I see nothing but blue night sky. No band, no crowd, no stadium. I hear and feel all of it in the form of a great siren like din surrounding me but with my back nearly flat against the stage I see nothing but beautiful night sky with a halo of a thousand stadium suns at its edges. I take several deep breaths and a calm comes over me. I feel myself deeply and happily "IN."
Since the inception of our band it was our ambition to play for everyone. We've achieved a lot but we haven't achieved that. Our audience remains tribal…that is predominantly white. On occasion, the Inaugural Concert, during a political campaign, touring through Africa in '88, particularly in Cleveland with President Obama, I looked out and sang "Promised Land" to the audience I intended it for, young people, old people, black, white, brown, cutting across religious and class lines. That's who I'm singing to today. Today we play for everyone. I pull myself upright with the mike stand back into the world, this world, my world, the one with everybody in it and the stadium, the crowd, my band, my best friends, my wife come rushing into view and it's "teardrops on the city…"
III
During "Tenth Avenue" I tell the story of my band…and other things "when the change was made uptown"…. It goes rushing by, then the knee slide. Too much adrenalin, a late drop, too much speed, here I come Mike…BOOM! And I'm onto his camera, the lens implanted into my chest with one leg off the stage. I use his camera to push myself back up and…say it, say it, say it, say it…BLAM! BORN TO RUN…my story…Something bright and hot blows up behind me. I heard there were fireworks. I never saw any. Just the ones going off in my head. I'm out of breath. I try to slow it down. That ain't gonna happen. I already hear the crowd singing the last eight bars of "Born to Run" oh, oh, oh, oh…then it's straight into "Working on a Dream"…your story…and mine I hope. Steve is on my right, Patti on my left. I catch a smile and the wonderful choir, The Joyce Garrett Singers, that backed me in Washington during the Inaugural concert is behind us. I turn to see their faces and listen to the sound of their voices…"working on a dream". Done. Moments later, we're ripping straight into "Glory Days"…the end of the story. A last party steeped in merry fatalism and some laughs with my old pal, Steve. Jerry the Ump doesn't fall on his ass tonight. He just throws the yellow penalty flag for the precious 40 seconds we've gone overtime…home stretch. Everyone is out front now forming that great line. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the horns raising their instruments high, my guitar is wheeling around my neck and on the seventh beat, I'm going to Disneyland. I'm already someplace a lot farther and more fun than that. I look around, we're alive, it's over, we link arms and take a bow as the stage comes apart beneath our feet. It's chaos again all the way back to the trailer. A toast…our families, friends, Jon, George, Brendan, Barbara, with Don Mischer, Ricky Kirshner, Glenn Weiss, Charles Coplin, and Dick Ebersol, the great team that put it altogether and the end of a good football game.
IV
The theory of relativity holds. On stage your exhilaration is in direct proportion to the void you're dancing over. A gig I always looked a little askance at and was a little wary of turned out to have surprising emotional power and resonance for me and my band. It was a high point, a marker of some sort and went up with the biggest shows of our work life. The NFL threw us an anniversary party the likes of which we'd never throw for ourselves (we're too fussy) with fireworks and everything! In the middle of their football game, they let us hammer out a little part of our story. I love playing long and hard but it was the 35 years in 12 minutes…that was the trick. You start here, you end there, that's it. That's the time you've got to give it everything you have…12 minutes…give or take a few seconds. The Super Bowl is going to help me sell a few new records, that's what I wanted because I want people to hear where we are today. It'll probably put a few extra fannies in the seats and that's fine. We live high around here and I like to do good business for my record company and concert promoters. But what it's really about is my band remains one of the mightiest in the land and I want you to know it, we want to show you…because we can.
By 3 am, I am back home, everyone in the house fast asleep and tucked in bed. I am sitting in the yard over an open fire, staring up again into that black night sky, my ears still ringing…"Oh yeah, it's alright."
February, 2009
"…Someday we'll look back on this…"
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Testament
Back in 2000, I had started reading the John Grisham novel, The Testament, but never finished it. This weekend, I picked it back up and finished. It is an outstanding work of redemption, hope, and life-lesson values. It has a huge surprise ending and would make a decent movie.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
ARod Too? Not Surprised, Nor Do I Care
Again, I link you to a post I wrote nearly two years ago - I am not boycotting baseball over the Steroid Era
Friday, February 06, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
Baseball Time!
Jon Mark and the MudDogs were in a weekend tourney in South Houston and captured 2nd place! His highlights were in his first bat, he walked - stole 2nd and 3rd - scored on an infield hit.
In the 3rd game, he was up with a tie score 4-4 and a runner on 2nd. They were facing a very fast pitcher, but he ripped his 2nd hit of the game right up the middle and knocked in the winnning run! He advanced to 2nd on the throw home, stole 3rd, and scored on Cade Wilson's hit to Left Field.
It was the team's first win since forming the team last Fall.
In the 3rd game, he was up with a tie score 4-4 and a runner on 2nd. They were facing a very fast pitcher, but he ripped his 2nd hit of the game right up the middle and knocked in the winnning run! He advanced to 2nd on the throw home, stole 3rd, and scored on Cade Wilson's hit to Left Field.
It was the team's first win since forming the team last Fall.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Derek Jeter Swipes More Than Bases
Yankee great and one my favorite players of all-time has apparently admitted to taking a famous sign in the Yankess clubhouse!
Derek Jeter Swipes More Than Bases
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
American Skin (41 Shots) - Live
This is one of Jon Mark's fav Bruce songs, along with Born In The USA and This Land Is Your Land.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Home Run!
Jon Mark, last Saturday, hit a Home Run in Select Ball practice on the Pony Field! It traveled about 305 feet! He was really excited and hopes that more follow.
The ones he hit in Little League were back-to-back jacks off of Craig Cochran in All-Star practice in June, which went about 210 feet.
The ones he hit in Little League were back-to-back jacks off of Craig Cochran in All-Star practice in June, which went about 210 feet.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Leona Lewis
"Better In Time"
It's been the longest winter without you
I didn't know where to turn to
See somehow I can't forget you
After all that we've been through
Going coming thought I heard a knock
Who's there no one
Thinking that I deserve it
Now I realize that I really didn't know
If you didn't notice you mean everything
Quickly I'm learning to love again
All I know is I'm gonna be OK
[Chorus:]
Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time
And even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to
It'll all get better in time
I couldn't turn on the TV
Without something there to remind me
Was it all that easy
To just put aside your feelings
If I'm dreaming don't wanna laugh
Hurt my feelings but that's the path
I believe in
And I know that time will heal it
If you didn't notice boy you meant everything
Quickly I'm learning to love again
All I know is I'm gonna be OK
[Chorus:]
Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time
And even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to
It'll all get better in time
Since there's no more you and me
It's time I let you go
So I can be free
And live my life how it should be
No matter how hard it is I'll be fine without you
Yes I will
[Chorus: X2]
This British singer and songwriter has captured my attention lately with two hits on the radio..."Bleeding Love" and "Better In Time". They have a nice rhythm and vocal flow. I love her voice!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; as much as it is learning to dance in the rain." - Bethany Santiago
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Hospitality
Chris & Laura Truitt, the Youth Pastor of my church (San Jacinto Church) and our kids; have opened their home to me for four days until I move into Steve V.'s upstairs rooms. I washed four loads of laundry, drank two Cokes, ate cereal and drank their coffee - they said as long as I am in their house, I am in their family.
True hospitality!
True hospitality!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Questions for the Heart
These I ripped from today's devotion in "My Utmost For His Highest":
- Does everything in my life fill God's heart with gladness?
- Do I complain when things do not seem to go my way?
- Has my life this week been a good reflection on his reputation?
- Am I so in love with Jesus that I take no thought for where he may lead me?
- Do I allow shame and humiliation create in me Godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance?
These I should ask daily...good stuff and hard to answer!
- Does everything in my life fill God's heart with gladness?
- Do I complain when things do not seem to go my way?
- Has my life this week been a good reflection on his reputation?
- Am I so in love with Jesus that I take no thought for where he may lead me?
- Do I allow shame and humiliation create in me Godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance?
These I should ask daily...good stuff and hard to answer!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The President of Change
President Obama is a pioneer that will send change waves throughtout the land of the free. He is following a fine President Bush who maintained our security, armed forces, and led us through a troubled time of war.
Let us pray for President Obama, along with President Bush (both of them), President Clinton, and President Carter.
Let us pray for President Obama, along with President Bush (both of them), President Clinton, and President Carter.
Vision & Darkness
When God unveils a vision, a picture or sketch of what will be or could be; sometimes it is followed by a closing of the window, silence, or perhaps even darkness.
It is in this time that many give up on the hope, turn to despair, or return to the visionless life they were living. I have been given a chance to see what could be or maybe what will be. But after a couple of months of this new reality, the door was shut. I was faced with many questions and doubt.
Yesterday, I was given the revelation of a new hope, the idea of waiting til the darkness fades to light. Then the sketch will unfold. So I wait...
It is in this time that many give up on the hope, turn to despair, or return to the visionless life they were living. I have been given a chance to see what could be or maybe what will be. But after a couple of months of this new reality, the door was shut. I was faced with many questions and doubt.
Yesterday, I was given the revelation of a new hope, the idea of waiting til the darkness fades to light. Then the sketch will unfold. So I wait...
Friday, January 16, 2009
McDonald's All-Americans from Kentucky
According to Statsheet.com - here are the McDonald's All-Americans from Kentucky since 1977:
Scotty Hopson 2008 - Tennessee Hopkinsville KY
Rajon Rondo 2004 - Kentucky Louisville KY
Carlos Hurt 2001 - Louisville Louisville KY
Jason Osborne 1993 - Louisville Louisville KY
Dwayne Morton 1990 - Louisville Louisville KY
Allan Houston 1989 - Tennessee Louisville KY
Rex Chapman 1986 - Kentucky Owensboro KY
Tony Kimbro 1985 - Louisville Louisville KY
Winston Bennett 1983 - Kentucky Louisville KY
Manuel Forrest 1981 - Louisville Louisville KY
Dirk Minniefield 1979 - Kentucky Lexington KY
Jerry Eaves 1978 - Louisville Louisville KY
Vince Taylor 1978 - Duke Lexington KY
Jeff Lamp 1977 - Virginia Louisville KY
Scotty Hopson 2008 - Tennessee Hopkinsville KY
Rajon Rondo 2004 - Kentucky Louisville KY
Carlos Hurt 2001 - Louisville Louisville KY
Jason Osborne 1993 - Louisville Louisville KY
Dwayne Morton 1990 - Louisville Louisville KY
Allan Houston 1989 - Tennessee Louisville KY
Rex Chapman 1986 - Kentucky Owensboro KY
Tony Kimbro 1985 - Louisville Louisville KY
Winston Bennett 1983 - Kentucky Louisville KY
Manuel Forrest 1981 - Louisville Louisville KY
Dirk Minniefield 1979 - Kentucky Lexington KY
Jerry Eaves 1978 - Louisville Louisville KY
Vince Taylor 1978 - Duke Lexington KY
Jeff Lamp 1977 - Virginia Louisville KY
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A.D.D. & The Lightning Thief
This paragraph on page 11 of the book, "The Lightning Thief" sums it up well for me:
"I have moments like that a lot, when my brain falls asleep or something, and the next thing I know I've missed something, as if a puzzle piece fell out of the universe and left me staring at the blank place behind it. The school counselor told me this was part of the ADHD, my brain misinterpreting things."
HA! This is exactly what I deal with on a daily basis!
"I have moments like that a lot, when my brain falls asleep or something, and the next thing I know I've missed something, as if a puzzle piece fell out of the universe and left me staring at the blank place behind it. The school counselor told me this was part of the ADHD, my brain misinterpreting things."
HA! This is exactly what I deal with on a daily basis!
Jodie Meeks!
Dan Issel scored 53 points in 1970 that stood for 39 years! Until last night, Jodie Meeks scored 54 against Tennessee, in Knoxville! He went 15-22 FG, 10-15 3PT, 14-14 FT...simply amazing shooting!
He is also a very good defensive player and came into the game averaging 24 pts a game.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3831403
He is also a very good defensive player and came into the game averaging 24 pts a game.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3831403
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tony Dungy: A Winner
Tony Dungy resigned from being the Head Coach of the NFL Colts. He has not only been a great coach but also a great person. His greatness shined in the aftermath a couple years ago in the wake of his son's suicide.
I am impressed and moved by this man's commitment and heart.
Kentucky
Land of the Feebacks, with the exception of Florida and Texas! My home, heritage, and roots. God's country. Horses, small towns, and Bluegrass.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Sports Story of the Year
Women's Softball team, girl hit home run, but hurt herself. Then she was carried around the bases!
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