So It's 3:45 am and I'm about to go to bed here in Ohio. Chubbo and I just went out for a Micky d's run where we ordered 60 chicken nuggets and the lady behind the counter while exasperated by our order decided that instead of asking us if we wanted sauce, she would just put the tubs on the counter and let put what we needed in a separate bag. Oh how I love adventure!
The rehearsal went well... Sam's brother was about an hour late and I think Bridezilla was about to explode when the place cards were out of place at the dinner but so far everyone still has a head. I am reminded once more of how glad I am to be a man... Plus the women folk have to be at the hair salon at 9 while we only have to be at the place to eat wings at 11:30. Life is good.
More to come tomorrow night. Scratch that, I'll probably be drunk tomorrow night so I'll write again on Monday.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
short note that got a little longer
So it turns out that my last blog is going to be published in LTSP's student publication, 'The Seminarian' so look for it in print and on-line ;o) It really is a sad day when a goofy representation of a Tetris tournament is worthy of replication with ink and paper. Yes, for all of you Mitch Hedberg fans, I equate my last post with buying a donut.
In other news... Emily and I went to Grandmom's house for dinner last night. It was Emily's first time meeting Dad, Diane, and Grandmom and it went as well as could be expected. Everyone seems to like each other so that's a step in the right direction. Dad called today and told me that he really likes Emily and he could tell that I like her a lot too. It's nice to hear things like that from dad as he can be difficult sometimes... Really, I don't give him enough credit for being a great guy.
One thing that still has me a little steamed is the prospect of Thanksgiving coming around the corner. Our family is certainly enduring some changes as of late and it seems that they are all hitting the fan this year on November 22nd. My father decided all by himself that he wanted to have thanksgiving at his house this year. At the same time my cousin Jen decided that she would also have it at her house. Herein lies the problem. Jen's husband, Lance's, parents are coming to her house for dinner. Diane, my dad's fiance, has her mother and aunt coming to my dad's house for dinner. These two houses are no more than 100 yards apart. Neither of these 2 groups of people will go to the other's house for dinner. I know that they're not doing it on purpose but these people are ruining my favorite food holiday.
Here's how it should go:
Thanksgiving morning I wake up, dad makes breakfast and we slowly drink some mediocre coffee while watching the various parades (note: some years are a little more adventurous and I actually go to see the parade in person). Whenever the mood strikes me I'll get up and shower and then sit immediately right back down on the couch because it's thanksgiving and that's what you do. Eventually the whole family gets together, and I mean the WHOLE family. We sit around and watch football, drink beer and get ready for the feast. Finally it comes time for dinner and we use the holiday as an excuse to eat too much food. top it off with some dessert and some more beer and coffee and the day is complete.
Why is this so hard?
I started writing this yesterday and didn't finish because I was in a bad mood. Too many things annoying me combined with too little sleep made for a grumpy Ian. Today is a better day. Actually, yesterday got better as the day went on. Emily really helped me cheer up, she's pretty great. Kate and Chris came over around 9 and we got pizza. Kate, as much as I say that she's like the little sister I never wanted, is one of the best friends I could ever ask for. I'm pretty sure she would rob a bank with me if I asked her to. I'm pretty sure I would do the same for her :oP
Next blog will be about Sam and Krista's Wedding and it should be more entertaining than this post...
Peace out!
In other news... Emily and I went to Grandmom's house for dinner last night. It was Emily's first time meeting Dad, Diane, and Grandmom and it went as well as could be expected. Everyone seems to like each other so that's a step in the right direction. Dad called today and told me that he really likes Emily and he could tell that I like her a lot too. It's nice to hear things like that from dad as he can be difficult sometimes... Really, I don't give him enough credit for being a great guy.
One thing that still has me a little steamed is the prospect of Thanksgiving coming around the corner. Our family is certainly enduring some changes as of late and it seems that they are all hitting the fan this year on November 22nd. My father decided all by himself that he wanted to have thanksgiving at his house this year. At the same time my cousin Jen decided that she would also have it at her house. Herein lies the problem. Jen's husband, Lance's, parents are coming to her house for dinner. Diane, my dad's fiance, has her mother and aunt coming to my dad's house for dinner. These two houses are no more than 100 yards apart. Neither of these 2 groups of people will go to the other's house for dinner. I know that they're not doing it on purpose but these people are ruining my favorite food holiday.
Here's how it should go:
Thanksgiving morning I wake up, dad makes breakfast and we slowly drink some mediocre coffee while watching the various parades (note: some years are a little more adventurous and I actually go to see the parade in person). Whenever the mood strikes me I'll get up and shower and then sit immediately right back down on the couch because it's thanksgiving and that's what you do. Eventually the whole family gets together, and I mean the WHOLE family. We sit around and watch football, drink beer and get ready for the feast. Finally it comes time for dinner and we use the holiday as an excuse to eat too much food. top it off with some dessert and some more beer and coffee and the day is complete.
Why is this so hard?
I started writing this yesterday and didn't finish because I was in a bad mood. Too many things annoying me combined with too little sleep made for a grumpy Ian. Today is a better day. Actually, yesterday got better as the day went on. Emily really helped me cheer up, she's pretty great. Kate and Chris came over around 9 and we got pizza. Kate, as much as I say that she's like the little sister I never wanted, is one of the best friends I could ever ask for. I'm pretty sure she would rob a bank with me if I asked her to. I'm pretty sure I would do the same for her :oP
Next blog will be about Sam and Krista's Wedding and it should be more entertaining than this post...
Peace out!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tetris anyone?
So last night I did something that lands on the list of the top ten dorkiest things I've ever done. Yes, that's right, a Tetris tournament. I know what you're thinking and believe me I thought the same thing. Tetris is a one player game.... how could you possibly have a tournament??? (ok, so maybe you were thinking, 'what kind of special person does it take to play in a Tetris tournament, but I chose to take the high road on this one.)
I did not know that there were people in the world who had devoted their lives to these geometric shapes and the ability to stack them neatly but last night I saw in Ben Krey the desire to be a Tetris Grand Master.
Here's how it works:
Each participant plays one warm up game for a high score to determine their bracket position in the tournament. After all of the scores are collected, the bracket is made where the worst person (me) goes 'head to head' with the best person (Ben) and so on. An important thing to note here is that score is not the whole deal. You must also have a high 'line count' in order to win. If you beat your opponent in score and not lines then you must have a 'play-off' in which you start at a higher level for expediency's sake. (technical jumbo, try to follow me.)
Now, how often could you possibly need to have a playoff in a Tetris tournament? This was the thought I had when the rules were being explained to me. Well, it just so happens that Miss Emily Kuhn and Mr. Steve Meyer, two worthy opponents, ran into just this scenario. It was a grueling battle to the 90 degree death, but Mr. Meyer finally triumphed and moved on to the final round.
The final bout between Mr.'s Meyer and Krey was an outstanding display of button tapping agility. It was so intense that I thought the controller might buckle under the pressure. At the end of the day Ben Krey proved that he is indeed a Tetris Grand Master as he gave the proverbial line spank to Steve.
As the match was breaking up I think I heard words of revenge coming out of the mouth of Charles Plummer... More on that next time.
For now I'll retire my NES controller and move on to Wii Bowling, a game at which I excel, and if anyone wanted to have a tournament on that, well, let's just say this would be a very different article.
I did not know that there were people in the world who had devoted their lives to these geometric shapes and the ability to stack them neatly but last night I saw in Ben Krey the desire to be a Tetris Grand Master.
Here's how it works:
Each participant plays one warm up game for a high score to determine their bracket position in the tournament. After all of the scores are collected, the bracket is made where the worst person (me) goes 'head to head' with the best person (Ben) and so on. An important thing to note here is that score is not the whole deal. You must also have a high 'line count' in order to win. If you beat your opponent in score and not lines then you must have a 'play-off' in which you start at a higher level for expediency's sake. (technical jumbo, try to follow me.)
Now, how often could you possibly need to have a playoff in a Tetris tournament? This was the thought I had when the rules were being explained to me. Well, it just so happens that Miss Emily Kuhn and Mr. Steve Meyer, two worthy opponents, ran into just this scenario. It was a grueling battle to the 90 degree death, but Mr. Meyer finally triumphed and moved on to the final round.
The final bout between Mr.'s Meyer and Krey was an outstanding display of button tapping agility. It was so intense that I thought the controller might buckle under the pressure. At the end of the day Ben Krey proved that he is indeed a Tetris Grand Master as he gave the proverbial line spank to Steve.
As the match was breaking up I think I heard words of revenge coming out of the mouth of Charles Plummer... More on that next time.
For now I'll retire my NES controller and move on to Wii Bowling, a game at which I excel, and if anyone wanted to have a tournament on that, well, let's just say this would be a very different article.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
This Past Weekend
So the weekend isn't over yet but I'd like to tell you about it anyway...
Friday night was the junior high lock-in at the church. we had twelve kids show up and let me tell you, junior high girls can scream.... loudly.... We talked a little about dreams ate some junk food and played a game of 'Christian' (if you haven't played, you definitely should try it) in which I almost killed a 7th grader by throwing her into a door, I swear it was an accident...
The thing about this retreat that made it all worth it for me was the service we did around candles in the sanctuary. It was all about dreams and sleep and God's presence with us at night.
We ended the service with a circle prayer in which we go around the circle and everyone adds a petition. I was struck first by the fact that every single person in the circle, not only prayed but prayed out loud for everyone to hear. I was moved by the depth of their caring for their friends and their families. So often I'll do this type of prayer with other groups and I'll start off and I'll be the only one to say something, but there I was in a circle with 7th and 8th graders listening to their concerns brought forth before God. Real concerns that they and I prayed faithfully for.
I guess the moral of this story is to be bold in faith and pray as if someone else's life depends on it. Oh, and don't underestimate the depth of a screaming junior high schooler. There's more there than meets the ear ;0)
Friday night was the junior high lock-in at the church. we had twelve kids show up and let me tell you, junior high girls can scream.... loudly.... We talked a little about dreams ate some junk food and played a game of 'Christian' (if you haven't played, you definitely should try it) in which I almost killed a 7th grader by throwing her into a door, I swear it was an accident...
The thing about this retreat that made it all worth it for me was the service we did around candles in the sanctuary. It was all about dreams and sleep and God's presence with us at night.
We ended the service with a circle prayer in which we go around the circle and everyone adds a petition. I was struck first by the fact that every single person in the circle, not only prayed but prayed out loud for everyone to hear. I was moved by the depth of their caring for their friends and their families. So often I'll do this type of prayer with other groups and I'll start off and I'll be the only one to say something, but there I was in a circle with 7th and 8th graders listening to their concerns brought forth before God. Real concerns that they and I prayed faithfully for.
I guess the moral of this story is to be bold in faith and pray as if someone else's life depends on it. Oh, and don't underestimate the depth of a screaming junior high schooler. There's more there than meets the ear ;0)
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