So, let’s see. The last time I had an official “Journal” entry was on Friday, September 24, 2010 on Xanga. The only way to catch you up would be a bulleted list. I’m going to attempt to do this in a rational fashion:
§ Quite frankly, my life has been consumed by work. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been working on a new Qatar project. The way it’s described in several newspaper and magazine articles is basically to say that we’re designing the equivalent of the Country Club Plaza for Doha, Qatar. Oh, and Qatar won the 2022 World Cup, so I’m sure they want this thing done before then. So basically, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll be working on Qatar for at least the next 10 years of my life.
§ I finally got the paperwork for my new truck all settled in October, so I finally got to drive the gas guzzler legally. I also sold the Mazda in early December, so as to replenish bank accounts. So naturally gas sky-rocketed as soon as I sold said Mazda. Change we can believe in. Dad, Cody, and I tested it’s power by hauling Carlsie’s truck to Dighton in late November. The Bretz boys have finally got that thing running that’s been cluttering my shop for three years (more on that later). But I only got 8-9 miles-per-gallon hauling that (and the back-trip tractor that Dad has yet to work on) out. How depressing. Since I still had the Mazda in early December, I took it out on Carlsie and I’s annual hunting trip.
§ Jared went with me on said annual hunting trip. Since Dad, Cody, and I didn’t see any [shootable] birds on our stint out west, I was in need of, shall we say, carnage. This trip didn’t disappoint. Carlsie and Jared may have me beat when it comes to handguns, but I totally showed them up at shotguns. I’m pretty sure I got all the birds (15), and I think they only had a couple assists between them. Apparently we need to do some clay shooting this summer for practice.
§ In November, Mom and I went to see Condoleezza Rice at the 980 KMBZ Business Forum. What a remarkable woman. We both got her book, Extraordinary, Ordinary People, and I have just recently finished it. It was great. I don’t see eye-to-eye with her on everything, but she is a testament to the American dream. I am currently reading George W. Bush’s memoirs, Decision Points, and, again, while I don’t agree with him on everything, it’s still a great book thus far.
§ Farm Life
o Farm life has been a much needed break from the rest of the world. I call it therapy, and it truly has its therapeutic qualities. Granted, this was one of the hardest winters we’ve had recently, but we came through pretty good. My protégé, Clayton, and his dad, Josh, helped Dad out quite a bit piling snow when I was in the city during the winter. They were truly a life-saver. Dad and I cut some wood when we could, split some when we couldn’t. We (meaning, mostly he) fixed one neighbor’s tractor, only to have another one to work on shortly thereafter. He’s almost got ours back to working order, but he’s still got three smaller antique tractors that need his attention before they can be cleared from his shop.
o I’ve become quite the shop Nazi. I’m not sure whether or not I covered my cleaning activities last summer, but let me tell you, it was brutal. Let’s just say that the space in Grandpa’s shops is being utilized much more effectively. I got sick of everything just being piled into the shop, and sick of walking over trash, random parts, and unused implements. I really shook things up. Dad and Grandpa were kind of shocked.
Before... ...After
o Farm life has also gotten a bit more complicated. Since Grandpa has all but officially retired, Mom and Dad have been going through the ringer trying to get things with the trust and such figured out, and there have been bumps in the road. I really think Grandma and Grandpa want to do right by them, but it’s complicated. Add to the mix that the 5, nay, 4.3 acres that we’ve been waiting for finally went up for sale – for ridiculously more than it’s worth. Between Dad, Carlsie and I, we really want to get the place bought. Dad and I met with the realtor (a nice woman we both are acquainted with) and made a somewhat generous offer. However, she said the bank probably wouldn’t even entertain it since it was “too low”. So we’re going to wait it out. We’re hoping that our offer looks more generous as time goes on. Still, the idea of debt makes my stomach churn.
§ I went to Winter Jam at the Sprint Center in late February. It was a blast. First of all, it was the first time I had seen the “new” Newsboys, with Michael Tait. They were fantastic. Secondly, who knew that Sidewalk Prophets and Newsong were so good? Like, old-school, gospel, bring-down-the-house awesomeness – something that isn’t truly reflected on the radio. Francesca Batestelli was good, as was Chris August, but it was David Crowder Band that was the surprise. Quite honestly, I’ve always thought of him as the hippie of Christian music. Well, he’s still a hippie, but he puts on a pretty good show. Ending with the ho-down was a great way to finish. Kutless put on a great worship-esque set, and Red put on another rockin’ show. KJ-52 had a couple short sets, but his rap on the new version of “Jesus Freak” with the Newsboys was the highlight of his appearances. All in all, it was a fantastic show, and for $10, can’t really be beat.
§ I’ve taken up what I like to call “full contact” UNO with some friends from college. We generally get together once a month; have some food and a few adult beverages, then commence with full-on, often profanity-laced, sometimes borderline violent UNO. It’s quite fun. Especially since you have accountants playing, and they’re sticklers for scoring.
§ I would delve into my nigh non-existent love life, but it’s better that I don’t. Especially given that my sisters are chomping at the bit to determine whether or not any girl I’m interested in is worthy. Needless to say, I have to periodically erase my text messages so my stalker sisters can’t read texts from a certain young lady.
§ I started a weight loss program that was free through work. It’s really a eat whatever you want, just slowly and take breaks, but no sweets plan. Fortunately, I’d already given up pop for Lent (despite me being neither Catholic nor Lutheran), so it wasn’t a big step. For the most part, I’ve stuck with it. I’m only supposed to walk, and not exercise heavily. Almost a month in, and I’m down about 10 pounds. I need to keep going.
§ I had mentioned a few times in last year’s blogs that idle time was a problem for me. Well, it’s gotten much, much better. Granted, my computer issues have helped greatly, in that my laptop seems to be giving up the ghost. Hopefully I can squeeze a few more years out of it. I have more important things to save for than a laptop at the moment. That said, being committed to cooking more, going to the gym, and keeping my apartment in controlled chaos mode rather than utter disaster mode is helping. Taking my lunch to work and working late nights has also not given me a lot of time to think, much less goof-off. I mentoned cooking more...
§ As matters of faith are concerned, I’ve really been good. I’m kind of in that comfortable place, which I don’t necessarily like, but I feel good about where I’m at. My Bible Study on Thursday nights and having a great pastor like Pastor Carrier really helps. I’ve got plenty of room to grow, and I look forward to it. Praise and worship helps. New favorites include Travis Cottrell’s version of “In Christ Alone”, the Harvest Bible Chapel’s rendition of “Revelation Song”, and the Newsboy’s version of “Mighty to Save”.
I know, my life is kind of dull, but someone has been pleading with me to update with a “real” blog. So, since this inaugural “real” journal entry has been quite long enough, I’ll bid you adieu.
THANK YOU. About time.
ReplyDeleteAnd the political one was pretty good, too.