Lost in TX

Youth Dance

Paul — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:44:02 +0000

So it’s close to 11pm and I’m at a church building… on a Wednesday night. I worked today and I will work tomorrow.
I’m at a youth dance. Uh, weird.

It has been maybe 12 years since I have been to one. The last one I was at I was also a “leader” and I took my brother and sister. I must have still looked young because a girl about 14 asked me to dance. She was very surprised when I said I was a returned missionary.

Anyways- as few more minutes and this one will be over. The music is much louder than I remember. I hope this is not a sign I am getting old. Hey at least I know the songs.

Presidential Christmas message from the past

Paul — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:22:17 +0000

I heard someone on the radio quoting this speeching. It was given by Ronald Reagan on December 23, 1981. It is sad to note that none of our leaders would dare use this kind of language today.

President Reagan:
At Christmas time, every home takes on a special beauty, a special warmth, and that’s certainly true of the White House, where so many famous Americans have spent their Christmases over the years. This fine old home, the people’s house, has seen so much, been so much a part of all our lives and history. It’s been humbling and inspiring for Nancy and me to be spending our first Christmas in this place.

We’ve lived here as your tenants for almost a year now, and what a year it’s been. As a people we’ve been through quite a lot—moments of joy, of tragedy, and of real achievement—moments that I believe have brought us all closer together. G. K. Chesterton once said that the world would never starve for wonders, but only for the want of wonder.

At this special time of year, we all renew our sense of wonder in recalling the story of the first Christmas in Bethlehem, nearly 2,000 year ago.

Some celebrate Christmas as the birthday of a great and good philosopher and teacher. Others of us believe in the divinity of the child born in Bethlehem, that he was and is the promised Prince of Peace. Yes, we’ve questioned why he who could perform miracles chose to come among us as a helpless babe, but maybe that was his first miracle, his first great lesson that we should learn to care for one another.

Tonight, in millions of American homes, the glow of the Christmas tree is a reflection of the love Jesus taught us. Like the shepherds and wise men of that first Christmas, we Americans have always tried to follow a higher light, a star, if you will. At lonely campfire vigils along the frontier, in the darkest days of the Great Depression, through war and peace, the twin beacons of faith and freedom have brightened the American sky. At times our footsteps may have faltered, but trusting in God’s help, we’ve never lost our way.

Just across the way from the White House stand the two great emblems of the holiday season: a Menorah, symbolizing the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, and the National Christmas Tree, a beautiful towering blue spruce from Pennsylvania. Like the National Christmas Tree, our country is a living, growing thing planted in rich American soil. Only our devoted care can bring it to full flower. So, let this holiday season be for us a time of rededication.

Another Christmas Message

Paul — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:50:44 +0000

Another message too good to pass up.

Merry Christmas 2009

Paul — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:28:32 +0000

Fall Leaves

Paul — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:50:13 +0000

Yesterday, I cut the grass, yes it was October 24 and I cut the lawn at our house. I think I may have to do it again before full on winter sets in. Or at least winter in Houston.
So as I am cutting the grass I noticed that the bag was starting to fill up faster. I also noticed that more leaves were being dumped out into the plastic bag. I thought to myself, “I haven’t experienced this before. I have lived here for more than a year so I thought I had experienced everything.” I cut the grass last year although I don’t remember doing it this late in the season.
So I found myself wondering what was the difference between this year and last. Then I remembered. Hurricane Ike. The leaves were all blown away during the storm. I recall picking bits of leaves off the side of the house. There was no raking or bagging. Hmmm… That would be nice this year without the storm.
Oh well such is life.

Movie Review – Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Paul — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:42:52 +0000

Tonights movie - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (iTunes)

Kevin James at his best being Kevin James. It seemed like King of Queens with more action and no character as interesting as Arthur. The cell phone seller guy’s daughters ex-boyfriend was probably the most entertaining and he had a total of about a minute of screen time. The pen seller guy was creepy and loserish all in one.

The plot was predictable as any of the loser hero genre. The guy is in a no brain, dead end job that he loves because that is all he has in his life. Somehow he saves the day after the worst things happen. Sometimes I don’t get why movies are so unrealistic and we let them be that way. After Paul Blart finds out that the situation he says to himself, “Remember what you are trained to do…, Nothing!” Then he goes about taking out bad guys one by one. Uh, no!

It had some good laughs but the end was in sight from the beginning so sometimes that ruins a movie.

Remembering Arizona

Paul — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:09:25 +0000

As I sat waiting for my hotel shuttle I saw many other hotels and resorts stop to pick up people. This van stopped right in front of me. I used to work there so I find it ironic that I’m back in the city recruiting for another company. I only worked there for 4 months after Sept 11, 2001. The travel and tourism industry in Arizona tanked and so went my job. About 18 months later they called to offer my job back. I didn’t take it. I am in a better place now. When I put all the events together that have brought me to this point I realize that it was Sept 11 that directed my path. I interviewed on 9/7 and 9/10. I got the job. Then economic woes forced a job change. The next job allowed me to go to school. School put me in touch with my current employer. The rest is history.