Aubie at the Mascot Finals 2007

Great Auburn Tradition - no matter where you are! (Iraq)

Lightside Friday

I think the Walmart bakery department messed this one up. At least they read the post-it note carefully. Ha.

Tray Blackmon Hit (How To Tackle 101)

Toomer's 2007 after Iron Bowl (360 view)

Today Show calls Foy Student Union (at Auburn University)

Iron Bowl 07 - post 3

What's the difference between Alabama football and Cheerios?

Cheerios belong in a bowl.

(Note from the editor: The Iron Bowl 07 CELEBRATION will conclude at the end of the week. Until then, get used to the blatant, over-the-top, celebratory posts.)
:-)

Iron Bowl 07 - post 2

Auburn vs Bama 2007

Iron Bowl 2007 Flyover

Iron Bowl 07 - post 1

Tshirt and Bumper Sticker Ideas (as read on blog sites):

Got Six?

$4 Million Just Doesn't Go As Far As It Used To!

Four Million Wasn't Enough

Six is AU-ight!

New Year, New Hand, New Finger

Monday's Confession

THIS movie found its way into my Top Ten list. Saw it over Thanksgiving weekend. I never (as in never ever) thought a chick flick could do that...but dude, this is a well written script and good acting. So go ahead fellas, hound me if you want....but that's a good movie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pre-Thanksgiving Quote

“The greatest lie that I have ever had to contend with is this, ‘that life is a story about me’.” --Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

Today's Stat

On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

Free 411

I often use 1-800-FREE411. Yeah, I know, I hear ya - you gotta listen to the advertisements...but still, it's free! Beats paying 2 bucks for using directory assistance through your cell phone company.

So last night I was trying to find the number for Las Palmas, a Mexican Restaurant in Cartersville. Typically I have to repeat myself several times to the automated system. Sometimes it just kicks me to the operator. Often it's simple words too, like "Target" or "Walmart". So, you know the drill:

City and State Please
Did you say?
Ok, government, business, or personal listing?
Would you like to search by name?
Ok, say the name
Did you say?
Ok, let's try again, just say the name...
Did you say?
Ok, let's try again.....

I'm sure you've been there too. A little frustrating. Well, I say all of that to say this: Last night, I knew going into the phone call that I had maybe a 10% chance of it recognizing me saying Las Palmas. I mean, after all, I apparently can't say Target right. So, being the goofy individual that I am, I decided to say "Las Palmas" with the most exaggerated, over the top, loudest, fakest Hispanic accent I could conjure up. "Laaaaasssss Pahhhhhlmaahhhhssss!!!!" And wouldn't you know it, yep, first time. "Did you say Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant?....The number you requested is..."

Ah, good ole USA.

Maybe I missed some kind of calling: Redneck dude who speakka no Spannich but has killer fake accent. Hmmmm...wonder what I could do with that?

Shhhh....It's Still a Secret

Went to HUNTSVILLE this past weekend. My stomping ground. Hometown. Affectionately called, "Huntsvegas". Little bro got married. Hitched. Doomed....oh wait, sorry. :-)

Had a blast with family and friends. The wedding was on top of MONTE SANO MOUNTAIN. Too many details, not enough time to describe everything. AUsome weekend!

Huntsville/Madison area has grown...alot. Has changed alot. There's a ton to do. You, of course, have the anchor - the Space and Rocket Center. But I won't turn this into a shameless promotion...maybe I already have.

Me and the Fam drove around THIS new development. Very cool shopping area. PIC. Go on the website and check out the movie theatre. GA needs this.

But the whole purpose of this post is to say....Shhhhh - Huntsville is still, for the most part, a secret - A HIDDEN GEM. Please, please don't tell too many people. Please let most people think that North Alabama is like...well, like other areas of Alabama...boring, backwoods...you know, hillbilly - like Tuscaloosa. Please let them think this.

I don't know what most homefolk think, but the growth is cool...as long as it is managed well.

Today's Church Sign

We don't change the message, Let it change you.

Saw this one this morning. Here's my edited version:

"We never change how we communicate the message, why would we expect it to change you?"

Cool Sky Pic from cell phone camera

Chinese Gourmet Philosophy

Me and the Fam hung out at Panda Express tonight and enjoyed a little rice (I go with the plain white steamed rice) and chicken and veggies. And, as any person, I fully anticipated the end of the meal when you get to break into the fortune cookie to read something so life changing and challenging and inspiring and important to your future...(sarcastic enough for you?).

But, tonight, I actually enjoyed reading my "fortune". And odd enough, I like what it said and I think it sums up how I often view life/work/education/faith. Here it is:

I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.

Yeah, real profound, huh? Ha. But seriously, I like this summary. In fact, If I could somehow revolutionize our education system, this is where I would begin. Hands on. More time out of the classroom. Application application. Doing. Learning because you are doing.

And when I think about life lessons, and faith in action, and learning on the job, this fits. Things click more at work and you are often more productive when you are shown something and then in turn, apply it over and over and learn it on the spot. Who doesn't prefer that over a 1/2 day conference with chex mix and strong coffee? (Not that there aren't times for training seminars.)

And when do most of the milemarkers in our faith journey occur? Yeah: mission trips and local service projects. Doing. (Once again, it's a balance though, right? Discipleship and personal Bible study and prayer and accountability are vital.) But the "ah-ha" moments - the times that transform us and help us understand our beliefs and solidify our faith - often come when our hands and feet are dirty.

Must See

Ok, so maybe AUburn hasn't had the greatest football season this year. Hit and miss. Highs and lows. But they do have one of the coolest intro videos of any college team.

CHECK IT OUT

Chicken w/Egg Noodle Soup, Cinnamon Toast Crunch (offbrand) Cereal, and Calamari

Random gross post of the week. The above is what I had for dinner last night. Dana was out of the house, getting a well deserved break from the kids, and so I had all 4 kids to myself - feeding them, getting them ready for bed, etc. No, don't worry, the kids had a well balanced meal. Pancakes and milk. ha. But I couldn't decide what I wanted. I started off with a small bowl of soup....but was still hungry. Went to the cereal...that was OK...and then threw in the mushy seafood (squid, are you kidding me?!).

Maybe that's why I felt sick today?

Politics and Putting Others First

Nah...not what you think. Not a rant on politicians or Washington...though it would be easy. Just wanted to share the 2 conversations I've had with my 6 yr old, over the past 2 mornings, as I've taken him to school.

#1: "Daddy....argh...ahhhh...I don't like those!" What Braden, what is it, what's wrong? "Those signs...what are they...they are everywhere and they are bugging me!" Uh (laughing), yeah son, those are people running for office, wanting our vote. (Thinking to myself: Wow, he's learned early - they bug me too.)

#2: It was quiet on the ride to school this morning until Braden suddenly said, "Hey Dad, I put others first at school yesterday." At that very point I was flooded with many different thoughts and emotions - all of them great. You see, on Sunday at the Leaf (our church), the main point in the Kid's area was "I will put others first." I was the host in the Kid's area for the 2nd service, and we talked about different ways you can put other's first. As a leader in kid's ministry, and especially as a PARENT, you want to know - you want feedback and results - that what you are teaching and illustrating is sticking and that they "get it". I asked Braden how he put others first and he told me he allowed other kids to go in front of him in the lunch line. Great job son. I think us adults could apply this Biblical principle a little more in our everyday lives.

Quick Hit

Finishing is important. Ask the Auburn Tigers. They are one of the few teams in college football that has led at the half in every single game this year....yet they have 3 losses. Quick Hit of the day is brought to you by: "I hope LSU crushes Alabama this weekend", and co-sponsored by: "I hope I can find free tickets to the AU vs. UGA game in Athens next weekend."