Baseball, baby

Well, its getting interesting, kids!! Less than a week left in the regular season, and we don't know who will win the AL East, or who will take the wild card...but the Yankees want it as much as Boston, and Cleveland is trying to slide in there, as well. This is what baseball is about. The last week, great pennant race being decided by the best rivalries in sports!
You know who I'm rooting for!
Oh, notice that the Padres have clinched the NL West, with a .500 record...a winning percentage they will probably not hold.

Telling Stories

Telling stories is a great way to spend time. Tonight, I had just 2 teenagers in class, and after our lesson we sat around telling silly stories about oursleves for 15-20 minutes. It was great! I won't tell their secrects...but I will tell one I remembered about myself tonight.
When I was about 16 or 17, I had marching band 5 days a week, and also worked 5 days a week (I had to buy clothes!). Well, I worked until about midnight (labor laws not enforced those days...) a couple days a week, and would ride my bike to and from work. I remember one really long week, I was ssooo tired from everything, I actually fell asleep on my bike. I was rudely and abruptly awaken by a parked car, which I ran into. Not one of my finest moments, but a funny story to tell.
As we talked this evening, I imparted the wisdom of one of my theories in life to the girls. I beliieeeevvvvve...we all need 3 things:
1. We need to hear bad jokes (and even want to!)
2. We need to be scared (not a life of fear, but movies, roller coasters, etc.)
3. We need to be grossed out (its competition)
The third one was confirmed by the Bible story we read tonight-2Chronicles 21-how King Jehoram died. How's your curiosity?
So, what do you think? Agree?

Lock In

Well, we should all be recovered from the lock in friday night, by now. The pic here is our attempt at "Fear Factor", and it did turn some stomachs. The desert cart you see consisted of (from right to left) chocolate-covered spam, sardines in tomato sauce, and a twinkie-hot dog dressed with vegetable baby food. Yummy, huh? There were cash prizes.





We also had a game of charades-in which I was one of the answers. Now, I want to qualify this next picture, I am a worship leader. Kathryn was showing me what I (apparently) look like when I lead singing. I think I'm ashamed of myself.

As the wee hours started counting up again, we found some more mellow ways to entertain ourselves and each other. Here is the last scene I remember. On the floor you can see the one corner of our life-size checker board.

All in all, it was a great night. I met a bunch of nice teens, and a few parents. Thanks to Adam for organizing the event, and to the rest of idi..I mean um...adults that stayed the night with us. I hope you got some sleep Saturday.

Pair of paradoxes

Two things I saw today that don't make sense to me:

One is a beer commercial that I actually liked. I think it was Old Milwaukee...a guy in his driveway making little baby talk to a dog next door. A huge beer can crushes him and the announcer says "Men should act like men". Now, I like dogs. But, I also like what this commercial says. Men should act like men. Not necessarily macho all the time, but the leaders we should be as opposed to the weiners and whiners that America seems to want us to become. And maybe macho some of the time. Okay, that's not what the commercial meant, but that's what I thought of.

The second was a food item at WaWa. Ready? How about sugar-free sugar cookies.
-the centurion doesn't get it

My Brother

Not a whole lot of details for this one. My brother started a new job as a high school teacher, and hates it. It seems mostly to be the environment, but I don't know all of it. I am humbly soliciting prayers for him. His name is Bill.
-the centurion thanks you and praises God.

College Football Week 4

You may notice, I don't have much to say about NFL football. I can watch a few pro games, but I don't get as excited about it as college ball. Because of that, I tend to think about the coming weekend earlier than most. Here are some games to consider for week 4:
#10 Tennessee at #3 LSU
#15 Georgia Tech at #4 Virginia Tech
#21 Iowa at #8 Ohio St
#14 Michigan at Wisconsin

My thoughts? Glad you asked.
First, I think that Ohio St has struggled way too much with opponents, and may be kicked out of top 10 status this week. Next, I think that Michigan is over-rated and may drop into the 20's this week. I don't have much to go on with Tenn-LSU, but my gut says LSU.
Now, my game of the week:
Ga Tech at Va Tech
I hesitate to make a prediction, but I will be routing for Va Tech. And, I do think they'll win...maybe. This looks like a great game, and I may be able to watch it (redeem yourself ABC!) There is much to report on these two teams, I'll let ESPN do that. All I want to say is that Marcus Vick can play some football. Reggie Ball is no slouch, but not as impressive. Stats and rankings don't mean everything, though...that's why they play the game.
GET FIRED UP!!

Good Football

Well, there was some good college ball yesterday.
Oklahoma 24
UCLA 41 (sorry Rell)

Florida St 28
Boston College 17 (awesome first qtr)

Michigan St 44
Notre Dame 41 in OT(my fav game of the day)

Tennessee 7
Florida 16 (good game for low score)

Pittsburgh 6
Nebraska 7 (this was booooring).

Toledo 42
Temple 17

The last 2 games..I know you're thinking "Who cares?". Well, I included those scores because I had the opportunity to watch those 2 games, if I was so inclined (I was not). But, I did not have the opportunity to see Miami beat Clemson 36-30 in triple OT, though this was an ACC conference game, and I am on the atlantic coast. I can read highlights, or watch Sportscenter, of course, but seeing the game would have been nice. Good job ABC!

HANK!

What is your favorite current tv commercial? Mine is the Starbucks one where everyone shouts Hank on through his day. That could take me through the day! In fact, I even shout Hank! sometimes at work. Yes, my employees stare, esp. since most of them are foreign and speak foreign languages so they don't see this commercial. They ask "Johncito, who is Hank?" And I say, he's my hero.

Challenge at work

I have decided to turn down the position with Aldi's, for any who are interested. It came to just a few key issues.
3. Losing 2 vacations when I am about to gain one(2 for each of the next 3 yrs vs 5 next year).
2. The hours will be fewer, but less preferable shifts. Explanation: I don't want to work every single Saturday (yes, I'm whining there), and if most of my shifts will be later in the day it leaves less possibility of evening church functions which I am heavily attached to.
1. The number 1 reason took me some time to even realize. Challenge-I feel the need to be challenged.(Is that a man thing?) While an easier job is tempting, will it be fulfilling? I spoke with a seasoned store manager and the District Manager, both of them told me this job would probably be easy for me. I don't enjoy every challenge at McDee's, but I do enjoy that there is challenge. When this thought first came to me, I dismissed it as trying to rationalize myself out of change. But truth is, I like the challenge.I wonder, does that confirm "anonymous'" accusation of me as having an overdeveloped sense of servitude? (Btw-I have never struggled to hold anything in just because I was at work. I just don't plan certain activities during the workday, and I seem to have figured out how to control myself.)
There is another good argument for not going to Aldi's at this point. What I really want to do is full-time, paid ministry. Aldi's is not a stepping stone toward that, and that might be enough right there.

Anyway, that's the second question for today--Do you find easy jobs fulfilling?

Here's a question

Baseball fans?
Will any team in the NL West finish above .500? Its not looking good.

Something about kids...

You know, I had a horrible day. It was the kind of day that made me really almost decide to take that job with Aldi's, just so I could look forward to something-anything-different.

But, then, this evening I had promised to take dinner to a family of friends, and one of the little girls (Jenny-the one that speaks more english than her mom) just ran to me and screamed as she jumped into my arms "JOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHNNNNNNNNN"!!!! Her face was teeming with joy.
And it took all the stress of the day away.
That fast.
So, I spent some time with my friends, making up our own spanglish..teaching it to each other as we went along. If you get the chance to talk to people with completely different cultures than your own...do it! They are from Ecuador.

Incidently, Jenny even gave me a kiss goodnight. I know that this story doesn't exactly make me look macho, but I can handle it. I talk about sports often enough:)

College Football next week

Alright, though I do not get into all the stats and record-keeping that the high cheese and s.l.a.b. do, I am a fan. I was wrong last week about Notre Dame-Michigan (maybe because I grew up a Penn St fan and just have trouble admitting ND can be any good), but I was right about Texas-Ohio St. This week some good games to watch are Clemson at Miami, Tennessee at Florida, Florida St at Boston College (I pick BC), and Oklahoma at UCLA. The last being the most interesting to me. Can Oklahoma stand against the Bruins? Or will they be ousted from the rankings? How much can Adrian Peterson do? Honestly, I think Peterson will have a great game, but not necessarily enough to beat UCLA. They flexed some muscle last week...I know it was against Rice, but still 578 yds of offense. And Oklahoma is a bit over-rated...right Adam?

Greener Grass?

Well, I just came from an interview with Aldi's, and I have more to think about than I believed I would. There are many pluses to making this move: Staffing would not be my job anymore, every Sunday off, I would not be taking work home with me, no more 2:00 am phone calls, about a tenth of the number of people to manage, less administrative work, more money! (and also better benefits). Oh, not to mention sick days...which I would probably never use. Minuses..hhmmm....dropping from 4 vacations per year to 2, my shifts would mostly be later in the day (I am a morning person), and work every Saturday. The rest of the stuff about starting at the bottom, proving myself, learning a new business, etc...no big deal to me. The question this raises in my mind: Why is it that recruiters always think the only thing they have to tell us about is the potential for increased pay? Is that really all that matters to us?

This past weekend has been non-stop for me, but awesome!! Starting with small group meeting Thursday night, Friday I had "the big guys" from McDonald's Corp. come in to evaluate our stores, then Youth Group that night--which ended with the baptism of Matt "Jag", then off to work again Saturday, that night a special speaker at church with a dinner--where I must say my own meatloaf was too popular for me to even get a bite...I then ended up sleeping through church (the only down side).

Anyway, my point is that I am looking for a job that would give me more time for ministry. I think that job is either going to be minimum wage, or paid ministry. Anyone looking for a worship minister????

Just for fun...

Paper or plastic?
Odds or evens?
Pen or pencil?
Black or blue?
North or south?
East or west?
Digital or analog?
Color or b&w?
Praise or hymns?
A capella or instrumental?
Harmony or unison?
-the centurion is curious.

Shouts today

Well, I am feeling refreshed today. Perhaps it is the time I spent last night around a couple of 4-yr olds who speak more english than their parents..or maybe the crisp cool air I woke up to this morning...which I always love. Maybe, its the high cheese's Tuesday College Football update. Anyway, I feel like recognizing my people. Adam, Tater--you're both "the man". Kelly, Margaret--you're awesome. Aryn, Taylor, Josh, Justin, Kisha, Katherine, Stephen, Nate, Amanda, Melissa, Sarah, Amber, Matt--you're all winners, stay off the juice. To my small group--no names necessary, they won't read this anyway. To all my employees-esp. "the sticks" (of which I am one)-you know I need you and appreciate you. Sean, Kevin, John, Cesar, Mike--you're college men now..make us proud. Steph, Robin, Heather--I miss you! Although there are plenty others deserving recognition--last shout goes to my softball team from Sunday--with the Tater having the hit of the day!!
The Lord is Good!
peace and love from the centurion.

Church, anymen?

Okay, guys. I have been noticing for some time the difference in the number of women vs men in attendance at church. I recently found a book that shows me this is an epidemic, not just with my church (of christ), but all across the US in all Christian denominations, including "non-denominations". This past Sunday, it was overwhelmingly evident. I know, we had a bunch of guys away for the holiday weekend, with their families...but even a couple of the teenagers brought it up in conversation with me. Aryn--Tater's fav daughter--brought it up to me first. Here's the question. MEN, what is it that you want to happen/see/hear/experience/do at church so that you'll actually like being there? Do some surveying before you post, post multiple times if you think of something else, encourage others to post-even if only this once.

Which is the best state? Why?

Rationalizing

I guess I have known that the Yankees were evil for some time, now. But to refer back to a post by the high cheese, aren't you supposed to stick with your team as long as they are comitted to winning? When I became a fan, I was 6. I did not know then who George Steinbrenner was, but I did know the whole lineup. In fact, check this out--one fine day in August, I saw the Yanks play the ChiSox (Chicago won 3-2) in Yankee Stadium. Batting order was
Willie Randolph-2nd base
Mickey Rivers-centerfield
Chris Chambliss-1st base
Reggie Jackson-Des Hitter
Thurman Munson-catcher
Craig Nettles-3rd base
Lou Pinella-Left field
Roy White-right field
Bucky Dent-shortstop
Starting pitcher was Ron Guidry, though I had hoped to see Tommy John start, and Catfish Hunter save the day. Oh well, maybe I, too, am evil, or just pathetic.

Unexpected Rewards:
It is always encouraging to receive an unexpected reward. And it is commendable to pass that reward on to someone else who needs it more...whether or not they deserve it. I am not saying that folks in MS and LA don't deserve our help, in fact they deserve it as much as any person. My point is that we often have trouble doing that, because we may think we deserve it more. Do you ever struggle with that? I sure do, but the truth is, I don't deserve many of the rewards I receive, at all..if any. I am not just trying to sound humble, its just that I've thought about this some before posting. This is not my normal, all-the-time attitude. As I said, I struggle with it. But, I have found a good way to cure it..maybe. Start giving unexpected rewards out..again, whether people deserve it or not (in your eyes). What do you think?
-the centurion

evil empire

Hello Bloggers!!
I have a whole lot of stuff on my mind, none of it more important than what's on your mind. This is the centurion's first post, and I will probably take it slow for a bit...to get used to doing this. Suggestions are welcome, questions are welcome.
Let's start with this: Is every empire evil? Does an evil empire know its evil?
What's on your mind??
-the centurion