Bring It!

Top 10 Reasons OU is on top

10) Pre-arranged agreed upon tie break format -- change it if you dont like it
9) Vindication for the PAC-10 offciating conspiracy from 2006
8) OU players have less mugshots on file with local law enforcement compared to UT
7) 65-21 smackdown of Tech. After all the pre-game talk nonetheless.
6) Mack Brown pleading his case via telephone during OU/OSU game....he could sell siding
though.
5) Bob Stoops stating how he turned down same opportunity during UT/A&M game. Can you
say "high road" everybody?
4) Paying $20,000 to fly a frickin plane over a game to support your cause. It's football,
Longhorn fans......send the money to charity or something else worthwhile. Geez.
3) 21,368 total points scored of offense in a season. Of course the nation wants to see them.
2) Bob Stoops visits the local childrens hospital in OK City 2-3 times a month. Unannounced,
no fanfare.
1) God's team won out.

If the Nazarenes can be there..............

So......me and the missus secured our tickets five minutes to show time. In one word...........Fabulous. Probably the best concert I've ever been to. I'm into lists now to make my point so here goes...........

Top 10 memories from the Eagles @ JQH

10) If you wear a blue suit to a concert (no time to change after work) you will be mistaken for security

9) Nixa Church of the Nazarene church van parked right outside.....come on...how funny is that?

8) Watching two ladies from afore mentioned church in floor length denim skirts and long braided hair with no make up.............get down!

7) Glenn Frey welcoming everyone to the "Eagles Assisted Living Tour"

6) Harmonizationability

5) Listening to Joe Walsh sing "Life's been good to me so far"........hilarious

4) Realizing the new arena is way nicer than our SMS Buh-airs deserve

3) Black suits, white shirts, black ties.................timeless class

2) Don Henley singing...........well, everything. "Waiting in the Weeds" in person was awesome Lauren

1) Listening to your favortie group with your favorite girl after 18 yrs...........priceless

So Here We Are

So here we are......Barack Obama will be our next president. All the blogs, conversations, hype, commercials, worries, fearful comments, opinions, and predictions are over. I now have two elections in the loss column of lifetime voting, just to let you know how I voted.

So what now? Do we support him? Whole hearted? Cynically? What have we learned? Is God upset about all this? Is He surprised? Did we fail? Is Obama the Anti-Christ? Or just a pre-cursor? The world sure was happy last night, huh?
All those conservative issues we've been discussing....what now? Do we wait for the next election to try and do anything? Will we just end up settling down back into the normal routine of life........Starbucks, art walks, eating, hanging out, blogging, the Office? How do we keep some of these topics in the forefront? If this election was so important(and it was) what is the impact now, or what should the impact on my life be? I mean if nothing changes in my life say a year from now after Obama has been President, then how big was this? Well sorry......I'm prone to rambling, rhetoricals, and philosophying. Oh well......I'm looking forward to Christmas.

Just for fun.....here's a little list of some personal things following this election:

1) I still like Tom Brokaw
2) CNN was not as liberal as I thought they'd be
3) I like Palin....but the 15 minutes are expired. Sorry.
4) I'd like to go hunting with the Palins. Or maybe I'd just settle with the Tucker boys.
5) It did make me feel kinda warm to listen to his acceptance speech.
6) I'm glad race is'nt an issue.
7) I think I will pay more in taxes, eventually.
8) I think McCain was very sincere in his concession speech. He is a hero.
9) I still dont like Oprah.
10) I will miss reading the heated political blogs.
11) I think that one year from now I will still be: waking up at 6am to get kids ready for school, doing McCalister's on Tues nites, eating at McDonalds' with Emma every Friday morning, selling insurance, making a run for the 140th, driving kids to Drury for swimming, playing poker, throwing tennis balls for Duke.
12) It's cool that we can transfer leadership without murders like in half the world.
13) Obama's family is cute.
14) Biden's hair is still weird.
15) Missouri is getting more conservative.
16) Jay Nixon probably wont be that bad.
17) Hulshof will be back.....somewhere.
18) I did miss Tim Russert
19) I envy George W., ......go back to the ranch and no one bothers you. Plus SS for the rest of your life.
20) Red is still my favorite color.

Well Rounded College Football Fans...(and few predicts to boot)

Well kids....big weekend. Everyone knows what an OU fan I am and the boy is following right in my footsteps. However, just to be a little more well rounded and culturally complete, we are making the trek to Co-lum-bee-uh Saturday for the big MU-OSU game.
I predict at least 90 total points with MU winning 52-44.

The real game however is in Dallas. I like MU but my heart is with Sam, Ryan, DeMarco, and coach Bob and the OU Soooooooners!

SO.....let's roll out some predictions:

Sat Oct 11
MU wins big. OU wins double digits. Florida squeaks by LSU by 3.

National Champs - OU. duh

Baseball - Red Sox in 7 to win the ALCS -- LA Dodgers in 5 to win NLCS
setting up.......Manny versus the Red Sox.
Boston wins World Series in 5 games. Cowboy up!

Politics - Obama beats the Mavericks, %54-%46. I know, slash my tires if you want but you all know it's probably true.

Wrong way Jay squeaks by Kenny H for guv'ner in a close race that gives credit to Hulshof. He'll be back.

The Republican Party gets back on track after Obama raises taxes to %80 and sells California, Washington, Oregon, and a thin slice of Nevada to China, and wins the Prez back in 2012.

Time to hunker down friends, it may be a long winter!

What to do with $700 Billion

Ok...think about this. 250 million Americanos divided by $700 billion devalued dollars equals $2,800.00 per person.

Just give it to us you morons!

Jesus is My Friend

We need to update our worship services. Seriously! We have got to reach more people than we are now. I say we get this group.....watch the video and give me your feedback.
Reaching others is what it's all about people. This group could spearhead a new movement for us in our church. Tell me what you think!

Quick edit note: just discovered that Mr. Scott Marsh was blessed by this group already. Nonetheless, we need them.

Baby, It's Over

Honey, I guess it's been a long time coming. You've known it.....I've known it. But it's time to just simply say good bye and move on. We had some good times.....good memories that no one can ever take from us. Like the time I lost the feeling in my feet from the cold that one game in December '01. And watching Montana sitting dazed on the bench in Buffalo in the '93 title game.
Lately it just seems all me trying to make it work. I've endured the ridicule, the comments. But I've tried to stay true. But gee honey; up the middle, up the middle, pass in the flat, and punt just wont work anymore. I've got to grow myself, it's time I think of me for the first time.
So be strong. I'll be around on the holidays and I'll check in from time to time. It's just the best thing for us.
Who's the other team you ask? Well, I didnt mean for it to happen, honestly. But she came back around......I knew her well when I was just a kid, back in the '70s. We had a lot of good times and great memories. And personality!.....oh man, she just connects with me on all levels. Tough, scrappy, witty, tenacious....it's the whole package. From ownership, to the players, even the cheerleaders.
So goodbye KC.................HELLO BIG "D"!!!

Well, I'm Sold!

Sorry it's been awhile fellow politicos. I thought I'd jump back in with some video feed of everyone's latest heart-throb.
She hunts, fishes, knows how to use a gun, was a sports reporter, Miss Alaska finalist, basketball player, flute player, mom, and can stand toe-toe with Biden and the rest of the good ol' boys. She has one kid named Bristol and one named Track, (obvious NASCAR fan) along with 3 other kids.

Forget the women vote, this pretty much seals up the age 18-85 MAN vote.

BTW, I know this post lacks the depth and seriousness as the current Hillenblog running debate, but sometimes you gotta just look for the funny! Happy Election everyone! I'm already looking forward to 2012 for the next "most important election of our lives"

Pride and Perspective

Sorry for being gone so long. The fan mail was overwhelming so I'm back.
So my 8th grade daughter got promoted to Juniors at Drury Swimming. She swims about 12 -15 miles total a week. Incredible athlete and incredible spirit! I love her!

I got to thinking about what I did when I was in 8th grade and came up pretty lame. Video games and best of all (since my parents wouldnt spring for deluxe cable with MTV) Friday Night Videos on NBC.

Let me take you back to 1983: Greg hanging out in the basement, eating a frozen Totinos hamburger pizza with extra Kraft singles cheese slices, watching videos like this...............

Honesty part 1

So I've decided to start being honest with myself in a few areas and stop beating around the bush. I am a Boston Red Sox fan. There, I said it. I'm tired of feeling guilty about it and feeling disloyal to the Cardinals but it's true.

I went to my first "real" baseball game in 1977 at Fenway Park. I saw Jim Rice hit a homer over the green monster. Yaz played along with Fred Lynn, Dwight Evans, Rick Burleson, and Carlton Fisk. It was awesome.

In 1986 I skipped some classes to watch the ALCS. I loved Wade Boggs. I cried when Boston lost game 7 to the #(!^**#!** NY METS.

I get excited when the Cardinals do well and I still like them. Pujols is a stud. But I'm more passionate about the Sox. They have something that most teams dont: chemistry. These guys are just cool. You can tell they like and respect each other. From Big Papi to Manny to Youkilis. Mike Lowell does the job at 3rd and stayed with the team this year when he could have gotten more coin. Josh Beckett is a stud pitcher who plays in a band. Papelbon does Irish jigs for the crowd before games. Schilling pitched while bleeding. The fans sing "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond after the 7th inning. Dustin Pedroia and Mike Lowell passed out sandwiches to the crowd waiting in line for tickets last year for the playoffs. Would A-ROD do that??? They have character. And Jason Varitek is the captain that quietly keeps them all in line.

So, if your still reading this, there you go. I had to get it off my chest. Most of you could'nt care less. Some will think I'm Benedict Arnold. But they are a blast to watch and it's even better to be there in person.

A Good Name

So earlier today I spoke with an older lady at our Home Office. She had been one of my dad's underwriters back in the 70's. I had to unfortunately tell her my dad had passed away five years ago. We talked about the company for awhile and her working with my dad (via phone) for many years. She told me what a fine man my dad was at the end of the conversation.

For the last five years I will occasionally run into people like her that tell me the same thing. Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches..." I've always thought of that verse when I think about my dad now and how it's reinforced by people I talk with.

I put a picture of a garden up top because this time of year my dad would begin his. I love spring but sometimes it's a little melancholy. If you've ever lost someone close to you it's funny how little things will remind you of them. Sometimes they are unexpected. My conversation with Carolyn this morning was unexpected, but sometimes unexpected encouragement goes a long ways. I miss my dad.

So I got that going for me...........which is nice.

So Caddyshack is a absolutely one of the best movies from the 80's. Period. I can watch it anytime, anyplace, and at any point within the movie.

Call outs: Cox/Blaine -- Let's see a review on it

Doug Lee -- This is your favorite clip

Roywife -- "I was born to .........."

Somedays you just need a little John Denver

So last night with Teri gone and the kids wanting to spend a little time together before bed we got out a little John Denver (with the Muppets). I know, my kids are a little old for it but the Muppets still make us laugh. They asked about John Denver and I told them what kind of music he did and explained how he died in a plane accident. They were a little sad. But it was time well spent.

So whether you think he's cheesy and a little too homespun or maybe you love him, you have to admit, there arent too many singers you can listen together as a family and everyone enjoy it.

Favorite JD songs:
1)Country Roads
2)Rocky Mountain High
3)Calypso
4)Thank God I'm a Country Boy
5)Grandma's feather bed

Proud

So Nathan has been shooting a 20-gauge and target practicing waiting to go turkey hunting. First time he fired it he just looked at me and smiled. NO PAIN.

Yesterday he fired a 12-gauge. Bigger boom, bigger kick, bigger smile. And he nailed the target.

Baseball starts tonight. Everyone needs a son.

The Shield is getting worn out

Tornadoes in January, ice in February, floods in March........now it's freakin hailing!

If someone is hiring that interests me (waiter, gas clerk, truck driver, etc) let me know. Im getting sick of this insurance gig.

And no.........flood aint covered under your Homeowners Policy. I wish it was really!

Happy Birthday Ben!

So who hasnt seen Star Wars? I mean come on..........name another movie that had more impact on a generation than this? It was the first movie I ever saw in a theater. My dad fell asleep.

So today would have been Ben Kenobi's (Alec Guiness) 94th birthday. You gotta like Obi-Wan right? That always present stable wisdom kinda guy when you need him. I've had many Ben Kenobi's in my life over the years. The guy you call up at midnight for advice or to bail you out of jail. Which has never happened to me....but still.
So who's a Ben Kenobi in your life??

This is influence???

Well, as you get older you start reminiscing. One of the things I miss most is coming home from grade school, turning on the TV, and watching the Gong Show. I probably shouldnt have been watching it but nonetheless, The Gong Show was hosted by Chuck Barris, a crazy producer/host that aired dumb acts from people (kinda like stupid human tricks on Letterman). Minor TV stars would serve as the judges and if they didnt like the act, or just wanted to get the crowd going, they would bang the gong booting the act off-stage. Some of you rember this show.......some have no clue. Anyway, my sense of humor has been influenced by many different people, acts, and shows. Here's one..............and if you think it's stupid, open up and dont take yourself so seriously!

I used to love it when the music started and Gene Gene would come out. You never knew if or when he'd be on. Just one of life's little joyous surprises! BTW, this is why I cant dance to this day..........

The Return of HelterShelter

So I figured to start year number 40 ( i turned 39 today) I would committ to blogging once again. The sole purpose of this blog is to entertain. Yeah that's right..........entertain. Because quite truthfully that's me. I love to entertain, to get the laugh, to provoke thought on occasion. So dont expect me going in to great detail about a trip to Lowe's, or yeah! we've got a Macaroni Grill now type stuff . This will be a place to laugh, reminisce, and maybe change an outlook or two. So enjoy!