Solitude

Today was hard to put into simple words, granted I don't want to be cliche and say "rollercoaster", but it was a rollercoaster.

Start with a waaaaaaaaay low, like I hated today, oh dear, siblings. I don't know if I will be able to sit down with my next youngest brother and be level with him. Things come slower to him, he can't control it and neither can anybody else. One day I would like to see things how he does. I don't help things much at times when he's slow to the take or is messing with my things. Yes things. meaningless items that I happen to possess (not sure if that's spelled right....spell check says it is). If there's one thing this blog is for, it's for saying those things that I don't know if I will know what to say in person.

I'm sorry. Really really sorry. I have my moments when I shine, but it's nothing to shine out of the darkness I cloak you in. We both know its hard to understand each other. I can't even imagine what goes through your head on a daily basis. I'm sorry.

You are so amazing when you are on the ball, even when you are off your ball you still rock this world. Especially how you put up with so much. I can't even imagine. Personally I get self conscious when someone doesn't talk to me or calls me stupid etc. You put up with that from 3 brothers, and everybody at school. I'm probably the best at it. I hate that fact so much.

Trust me, I love you. Lots. I've tried that whole "what if he was gone" scenario. I would hate it. Absolutely hate it. I couldn't go on without you. You are probably one of the biggest reasons I am who I am. Not afraid to take a joke at my expense. You do it daily so I have something to laugh at. Someone to joke around with. I'm so sorry.

It's always going to be a work in progress. But know this, we may not get along like me and the other brothers at times. but I wouldn't trade the times that we go and be reckless for anything. The random trips to Lincoln grocery stores. Screaming at how hot the salsa is. Laughing until we cry in laughter and pain. Fighting foam swords at Target. This turned into a blog about you. You deserve more than a blog. You deserve a trophy. Your shoes really stink. (not only realistically but hypothetically) I could walk a mile in them. No doubt. But after that mile, I wouldn't be able to hold up like you do.

This one's for you big guy

I love you

ø Connor ø

Rug Burn

The gymnasium at my former elementary school is one of a kind. It had the "envious" floor covered in carpet. Don't ask me why but for some reason they decided to cover the entire floor in grey carpet. So one day I stood on top of the beloved carpet with my brand new sweat pants. I'm the youngest of 4 kids so I was constantly receiving hand-me-downs. But not this pair. I cherished these pants more than chocolate milk (and I LOVE! chocolate milk).

But of course what happens in the first 10 minutes of gym class? I slide on my knee and burn a huge hole in my beautiful, cherished, PERFECT PANTS!!! UGH! But it took 8 years and an ice bath with a friend to realize that the carpet resembles a friendship. Friends are there for support and look out for you when you fall. Of course there are going to be times when you fall and burn your knee. Friends aren't perfect so don't expect them to be. Friends will burn your knees and ruin your pants (wait.........what?), but a true friendship will have you coming back for more no matter how much blood is spilt. So pull up your sweatpants and start running cause it's time to make friends. Keep it real readers :)
---Joe---

Why so negative?

As I sit here in physics class hoping I passed the test I just took, I am trying to prepare what I'm going to say during FCA today.

Walking around the halls here at Jefferson is crazy. No joke. One of the many things that has been bugging me to no end is the problem of swearing and using my God's name like it's just another word in a sentence.

But it's not just the swearing in general from everybody. It's the people the call themselves Christians and then turn around and start swearing. That's what gets my chicken. Why do you have to revert to such negative words in your sentences if you have supposedly recieved the joy of the Holy Spirit? I just don't get it, I guess.

Check out some of these verses that deal with speaking rightly...

Proverbs 10:11,13,18-21; 12:13; 14:3; 1 Peter 2:15; Ephesians 4:29; 5:4; Romans 16:17-18

Watch your mouth today and if you have no problem with this, keep on the straight and narrow, Christian.

Be blessed.

-sam

Song of the day: What if I Stumble by dc Talk

Crash

Oy!

Finally done with that marathon of today. Saturday night-Sunday morning (11-7) sleep work later on Sunday (6-11). Done done done done done! Time for a mini blog post and sleep. I suppose now is a better time than ever, how are you guys? Its always good to keep in with our readers. Feel free to drop us an email if you ever want us to talk about anything (fourguys82@gmail.com). Just so you all know.

Besides that today was pretty good, after I finished my overnight checklist I got the privilege to read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. Granted the Narnia series is no doubt amazing. Really it is. His other works that are more non-fictional are superb. (thats the best word I could think of on the spot) His thought processes and the way he explains himself and his ideas is nothing shy of revolutionary. If I could have a Q&A with him nowadays I might freak out with excitement. Sadly he has passed on to bigger and better.

In other news. I'm still bad day fre-WAIT. I just remembered, its Sunday. I have to get a weekly challenge out there.

Forgiveness. It very well may be one of the more difficult things to do on this world. (lot of words I know) But it is a necessary thing to do. This week I want you guys and gals to try to forgive someone that you just can't. You just don't want to, they don't deserve it. Whether you think they may or not. Its hurting you too. Now I would love to go in depth on Rob Bells nooma video "Luggage" but I can't tonight. Its deep and I would encourage watching it. In short he talks about how if you don't forgive someone, its like telling God you don't trust He will take care of it. Like He can't handle something like that.

I suppose my last point for the night will be for you all to have a great week. Take care. Go forgive someone. Don't let it be too late. Lift a weight off your own shoulders.

Much love

ø Connor ø

Just Breathe

Every single day we hear sound after sound, leaving nothing but chaos in our heads. How about we take a few minutes everyday to just sit in complete silence? Turn off the t.v., turn off the computer, stop that 8-track player, and put a muzzle over that dog. I'm talking about absolute silence. Take a seat in your favorite chair or lie down. Rest your hands at your side and let your eyes slowly droop to a close. Do you hear that? It's the sound of your breathing. The sound of life in its simplest form. Let your troubles subside for the next few minutes because right now it's all about you. Feel your blood flow from your heart down to your toes and up to the top of your head. Take this time to sit in the presence of the Holy Spirit and feel the love of God rush over your entire body. Life is tough but remember that at the end of the day...............just breathe.
---Joe---

Warranty

I survived.

Overnight Part I has been finished. Commence Part II in a little over an hour.

The only real benefit of all of this is that the list of things to do while working is relatively simple and can be finished by 2 AM (I know, I'm still shocked by the fact that its 2 AM) So I will take advantage of that and enjoy some "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis.

To be honest today was nice, sleep sleep sleep. Home at 7:30, sleep till 1:00. Eat, sleep till 7:30. Even got my camera lens mailed in to be fixed. Hang out with some choice friends and reminiscing over the years. Well a friends sister who turns out to be sweet too (even though 10 years ago she was ridiculous =D). Just now I think I'm going to make this a shout out to that friend.

He was easily one of the more chill people I had met back in 6th grade. No joke. We hung out forever and again. Even did a skit in front of the whole 6th grade that resulted in me falling in front of everybody and their mom's (literally). Same music tastes, same movie and humor tastes, we were easily two peas in a pod...(except a masculine pod). Even as things started to split in 9th grade and 10th grade he would still stand by me. Well at least not against me. It was a for real tough time for me beginning high school. I just feel like he should get a shout out. He was an amazing friend. Hilarious but serious when needed too. We still get along today, its just not the same at all. I totally miss it, especially going back to his house and not to hang out with him. We even had competitions to stay up the latest (I always won) and playing pool, talking, all of it. I could ramble on about this for hours, literally. The moral of the short rant and story is this. You were and still are an amazing friend. Maybe not for me, but for somebody. Stay chill over the coming years and maybe we'll end up doing something ridiculous again. Or even eating some turds yogurt =D.

This one's for you

ø Connor ø

Soccer fever

Oh yeah. it's almost upon us. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 40 days, 17 hours, and 7 minutes as I type this.

My favorite going into the tourney has to be either Spain (even without Torres) or Brazil. I like England too. Argentina doesn't look too bad coming in, also. But i'll be repping the Spain jersey this World cup I think. I like Villa too much.

There are two reasons that I'm getting soccer fever and pumped for the World Cup:

One came today while I was sitting in my refereeing re-certification clinic that lasted around 4-5 hours. Yeah, it was long.

The second reason was getting four soccer jerseys for 10 bucks each!!! A normal soccer jersey runs for about 70 bucks so you can imagine my excitement now that you have that insight. There was a garage sale near my house that had a whole room full of adidas stuff and it all was selling for 10 dollars! Thus the equation goes as follows: Soccer jerseys-60 each=a very happy sammy.

keep it real, my people. and remember, hug a jockey today on this "kentucky derby" saturday.
-sam
Song of the day: Can't Stop by Leeland