End of Summer Review

End of Summer Review.

Book Club Reading List-Week 8

More book reviews.

Lines, Language, Leno and an Earthquake… Our Third Day, Day

I had anticipated this day for a awhile. As Kari and I were getting ready to leave for the Tonight Show a 5.4 earthquake hit about 30 east of Los Angeles. Strong enough to get your attention. Having lived in Southern California my whole life, I’ve ridden through many quakes and never really feared them. That is until the Northridge quake. I lived in Santa Monica for that one and since then just a little movement brings back the fear of that night. According to Guitarist Mark Lee, the earthquake occurred during their sound check. Way to rock So Cal guys!

So after my chest stopped pounding Kari and I left Long Beach for Burbank. We arrived and got in line for the show. There were a lot of Third Day fans there. We ended being in about the middle of the line and had some fun talking with the other fans. The couple in front of us had just decided to come to the show that day and when the show’s pages started asking for tickets I saw that they were stressed about something. Turns out they only had standby tickets and were very disappointed that they were not going to get in. Just as they were about be made to move to the very end of the line I whipped out an extra pair of tickets and gave it to them. Needless to say, they were very grateful.

We finally were seated and had fairly good seats. At least they were directly in line with were Third Day was going to play. I was happy. Jay’s monologue was ok. I’ve heard better and I’ve heard worse. He does come out to meet the audience and take pictures with the folks before the show starts which was pretty cool. As for the guests, well let me just say it was painful. To be subjected to the foulest language that made this former Marine blush was a shame. I am not a prude by any means but it was bad, real bad. Especially when the majority of the audience was there to see the band. If you saw it on TV, believe me, it was much worse in person. The other guests on the show really drive home the idea of us being salt and light.

Thankfully, Third Day brought the presence of the Almighty when they played. I just felt His spirit throughout and it took away the worldliness of the other guests. They played their number one hit “Call My Name” and were awesome. I’ve seen them play it live three times in the last few months and this was definitely the best performance. But what really struck me was how they reacted after the show. They were hugging one another and it really seemed that this opportunity was special for them. They just seemed profoundly humbled by the entire experience.

After the show, Kari and I went over to Universal Walk and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was just nice to sit and talk with her—just the two of us. Especially after a very stressful last few days that the both of us have been experiencing. Its important to spend time alone with each other and I always look forward to it.

We’ll be seeing our favorite band again in September. I have some great seats and a very special surprise for Kari. She’ll need to be ready to have her picture taken, with… Well its a surprise!

Tonight Show with Jaaayy Lenooo…

I have tickets to see the the Tonight Show tomorrow (Tuesday, July 29). Although I am a life-long Southern Californian I have never gone in person to see this show. Anyone care to guess why I am going—without going on to Jay’s website to see who will be appearing. Maybe there’s a coffee for the first one to answer correctly!

Book Club Reading List-Weeks 6 & 7

More book reviews.

Book Club Reading List Update

More book reviews.

How to Spend a Weekend

This is how I spent this past weekend. What did you do?

FRIDAY

6pm-9pm
Went to a church meeting. It is a regular meeting for me and lets me wind down after a long week of work.

9:30pm- 12:30am
Entertained my daughter, Kaitie, and her friend during their sleep-over at our house. Watched Shrek, made popcorn, watched them dance to the Shrek ending over and over. Finished the night with scary stories like Bloody Finger, the chasing eye ball, and Once Bitten.

SATURDAY

7:30am-10:00am
Made breakfast for the kids. Made muddy mess in the back yard. Hosed down my six-year-old son from muddy mess in the backyard.

10:30am-2:00pm
Went to the First Annual Long Beach Civil War Reenactment. Took the kids to a Gettysburg reenactment. They actually had a good time. Cannons firing, cavalry, Yanks and Rebs strolling through their camps. Spent some time with “General George Pickett“, before his fateful charge. He told the kids some great history about the war, gave them some Confederate money and homemade ginger snaps. I think the kids learned more from the ten minutes we spent with him then they would have reading a book on the real General. Even so, my son wanted a Union cap so I bought him one.

3:00pm-4:30pm
After taking the kids to McDonalds for a bite to eat and ice cream cones, we went home and I wanted to rest before church. However, my wife told me about this house for sale and that I needed to go see it right now. So I jumped back into my car and saw the house. We put a bid on it.

5:00pm-8:00pm
Went to church with the kids. Met some friends and went to Chic-filet for dinner. My friend’s kids wanted ice cream so we went to Baskin Robbins. It was a lucky day for my kids. Ice cream, twice in one day!

8:30pm-10:30pm
Watched The Incredibles with my son Jamie. For the fifth time.

SUNDAY

9:00am-10:30
Took my son Tommy to his hyperbaric therapy treatment. Sat in the chamber with him. He takes a dvd player with him into it but always wants to play Woody Woodpecker cartoons. Or I should say a Woody Woodpecker cartoon as he plays the same one over and over. I can’t stand Woody Woodpecker.

11:00am-5:00pm
Rushed home and the whole family went to the Talk About Curing Autism annual picnic in Irvine, Ca. We’ve been going for four years now and the kids have a blast. They get to go on rides, jumpers, eat more junk, while my wife gets to explore the booths, talk with other moms. Me, I am a gopher. You know, go for this, go for that. But it is a fun time. Besides, Jenny McCarthy, who is the spokesperson for the organization, was there.

6:00pm-9:00pm
Went to a celebration for our church’s lead pastor at the CSULB Pyramid. He is retiring after 38 years of service to the church. It was a nice night and made all the more pleasant as the kids behaved very nicely. I think they were to tired to cause trouble! Although my one son did like running up and down the stadium stairs. The cake at the end helped too!

10:00pm-
Got the kids to bed. They all passed out within minutes. That never happens. All-in-all it was a fun weekend and I don’t know how I have the energy to write this. Just hope I have enough to get up to go to work tomorrow morning.

FaithWorks-Breathing Again

My church is doing a month long series called FaithWorks in which we are going through the book of James. The first component is entitled “Life is Hard” and is perfect timing for me as I am going through some hardships at this time. (See my previous post) I am trying to consider my struggles “pure joy”  as in James 1:2-3 but find it very difficult. However, I am learning that just as my body’s muscles need to be challenged to grow, so it is with my faith. Trials are necessary and temptation inevitable. Through these doubt may occur. This is where God’s grace will help me conquer my doubts and help me to persevere. I have grown from these experiences; spiritually, in my relationship with God and others by being of service to those who face the same trials. I love James 1:12 and its promise of everlasting reward. It keeps me going.

(James 1:2-3) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

(James 1:2-3) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Need to Take A Breath

Feeling totally overwhelmed right now. Between family, work, groups I belong too, my constant battle with obtaining/keeping services for my son with autism, I am just totally wiped out.

One of the things keeping me very busy is my company’s yearly meeting for hospital CEO’s which lasts four days. The good part is that it is always at a five-star resort in which I can bring my entire family. The meeting is next week and is at St. Regis Resort in Monarch Bay. In the past it has been at resorts like La Costa, Bacara, La Quinta, really nice places and is my family’s “vacation”. While I do have to work (alot!) at the meeting, it is a nice little get away for my wife and kids.

With the cost and time of my son’s year-round therapy we don’t get to go on vacations. So while it is a lot of work for me, it is nice that my family gets to get pampered for a few days. I know, I am whining right now and I really am grateful for my job. I have been blessed with the opportunities it provides for me and my family. I just need to sleep—for a week!

Chubby Hubby No More!

I have really been feeling like a slug these days. Tired, out-of-shape, no energy, all that goes with being 40ish, and a dad to three children. I wanted to start working out again, really need to get back in the water, but just could not find the motivation. Well, Steve D who is the worship pastor at our church came up with an idea to have an “accountability group” and list our current weight on a chart on his blog. Each week I will weigh myself and give him an update for all the world to see. I am also thinking of doing a photo series of me (yikes!!!) showing a before and after progression. Don’t know about that yet, but it really puts the pressure on to get it done and avoid the inevitable mocking that accompanies such endeavors. All in all I want this to be something fun—mocking is encouraged Mike—and not a chore.