What's up?

I think I am gonna keep on keeping on with these blogs...

I've been thinking a lot about a lot lately. Hmmm surprised? I'm not. It is nothing like a visit from my mom to really get me focused and out of focus at the same time.

So... I didn't write about it before, but I got my new dog. Awesome! His name is HArley and I am crazy about the little guy (little? Really? He is almost 70 lbs!) We have had a great time, but I am a little concerned about some of his aggressive behavior. He has snapped at me several times and actually angrily bit me twice. I have realized we aren't going to be able to travel nearly as much together as I hoped either... because he gets very anxious when we travel. But, I definitely love the guy and look forward to the adventures of "Harley and Me".

This past weekend I got to take pictures at and volunteer for the Special Olympics in Lufkin... and it was, to say the least, awesome! I have worked it before and loved it then too... but, after recently attending a dance for people with special needs I think my heart was a little more warmed than normal and I just really was overwhelmed by the joy and the fun. I was a little out of my normal bubble and was soooo blessed because of it. I really hope to get to do more in the future!

With video and photography I feel like I have been waaaay disconnected lately. I don't know what it is, but I haven't done a whole lot even after buying an amazingly fast iMac for the purpose of making those tasks more enjoyable... I guess I have felt really busy lately and have avoided a lot of the tasks I need to... something I should work on. Needless to say, I still need to set aside time to do that!!!!

My roommate Chris and I drove around today and called a total of about 20 places trying to find a PS3 for sell in our area and finally found in Canton so we drove there to go buy it! It seems kinda silly, but he is leaving in a few weeks and we've been talking about getting one since we bought our TV... well... now we have one... and Avatar and The Dark Knight. Random... but a fun adventure... well, tonight we rented Hurt Locker and Brianna Mettlen came over and we enjoyed it. IT was a really good intense portrayal of the war going on and I really liked it!

Well, there is much more to write, but not enough time tonight... til next time...

Stoic? Or... Stable

I was once told that I was a "Stoic" individual... and for a while I allowed that to define what I believed of myself. The person who said it had a lot of authority in my life at the time, probably more than any man up until that point. Sometimes people don't realize the effects of the labels they put on others... but, how you label others can be very dangerous... but, that is besides the point :)

I just finished a day of great joy. A day with a TON of GREAT friends, a great mother, LOTS of laughter and joy and fun... a Little fear and protectiveness when a man very clearly on drugs threatened my mother and friends' safety, and just a ton of positive real feelings invoked by a group of people who truly care about me, Then, I sat and read the blog of a friend of mine, who my heart broke for and I sat, drowning in a pool of tears over her loss... wishing I could do something to take her pain.

I may seem "Stoic" to someone who really does not know me. I don't laugh uncontrollably often (only on days like today when I am really engaged with a group of people who are a lot of fun and I feel comfortable around), I don't get upset or angry about the small things that occur, or being challenged by what someone else thinks of my character (now someone threatening my friends or family? Different story!), I don't cry or get sad when I spill milk, don't win something or don't get my way (but when someone really hurts, I well with Sympathy, love, grief, sadness and hurt), and I don't really get embarrassed when things or silly (only when I make others truly uncomfortable, sad, unhappy, do something stupid). So, all of that shows I have a very steady and healthy way of expressing emotions. I am not prone to excessive displays of weak emotions. There are varying levels of emotion and I believe I experience the broad spectrum, but am not the type to make mountains out of molehills.

I truly believe that with this I have a great balance. I believe that I have great joy, great sorrow and times where I ma not experience a large amount of either. And granted, yes there are a vast array of emotions besides those that I do experience, but those are the main ones.

I thank you dear Lord for the great joys, and even the tremendous times of turmoil in my life... I thank you for teaching me through those and helping me maintain overall a healthy balance. I thank you that you have helped me keep a healthy perspective on life and not be run strictly by my emotions, but instead, have them as the background music to the story of my life.

Ketchup

I don't think anyone reads this blog, and if they do, I'm a little surprised. It has remained mostly dormant... but every once in a while shows a little life...

Things here are good... working for carter bloodcare as a Drive Ambassador, it is a great gig where I get to travel all over East Texas, talk to people, plan stuff, think a lot and help save lives. I like it. Someone stated this past weekend that their job, in the bigger picture, didn't really mean much, I think mine does. I like that. I have been passionate about blood and organ donation since 2006 when my cousin passed away and his eyes were donated giving someone a chance to see... It is a beautiful thing.

My church life is mostly good too. I go to Crosspointe Community Church and enjoy it. We are a growing church and just moved into our own building. I am getting to work with the Children's ministry there and I love it. The children's pastor is a joy to work with and the kids are great! I like most of the people in the church a lot too minus one person who treats me rather poorly. I don't care that she treats me poorly though, she is pretty much evil.

My home life is phenomenal. I live with 2 good friends, Dustin Felcman and Chris Timmons who are great roommates. Our house is relatively clean at all times, and we have really not had any conflict or issues. I like it. Our apartment is a great size as well and we have had no issues with it. It is a delightful living situation.

Currently have a few goals of things I would like to purchase over the next few months...
1. English Bulldog... have one I am considering within the next week... 1.5 years old, beautiful male named Harley... everything I could want and only 450...
2. HD Prosumer Video Camera... Need it for business. The one I want is only 2499
3. New Digital Camera... Battling between Nikon D700 (2257) and Nikon D90 (1100)... But, may work on getting my mom a Canon 7D (1472) first.
4. A new truck... preferably a Toyota Tacoma 4 Door... (up to like 22,000)
5. A vacation... looking at Tix to Montana in July, Kentucky in September and Puerto Rico in late December)

We'll see...

Hope all is well with everyone out there..