Turn Back Tuesday

So today's blast from the past takes me back to when I was so much more into game shows.  Who am I kidding, I'll never stop being into game shows.  Game shows are what this country was founded on.  Average Joes becoming upper class overnight, or in Ken Jennings's case, over the course of 3 months.

Game show fixation

So how do I feel now, almost two years later?  Pretty much the same.  Seeing idiots win prizes when they had no clue what they're doing.  Seeing bright people fail at game shows.  Puzzles being ruined by kids.  It's all still there.  I wonder if my roommates wonder how my heart is still going after all the conniptions I've had watching someone not know random trivia.

What makes us so into these things?  I think we invest because we care.  Deep down, we just want that underdog to win.  Maybe we see something in them that we can relate to.  Maybe it's the way they look.  Maybe it's their upbringing.  Maybe it's just us wanting to live vicariously through others.  The point is, there is nothing wrong with enjoying other people winning.  It's just that we have to understand that they're going through crazy emotions.  I went through them when I was on Wheel of Fortune.  I can pretty much smoke any human on the planet in Wheel of Fortune at home.  At the studio, it's just so nerve wracking.

I guess my point is, be happy for people and have sympathy.  Don't call them names or swear at the television.  Just enjoy the show.

Same with life, just enjoy the show.

Monday Top Ten

Today's top ten is in honor of the purchase of my first smartphone.  Yeah, I said I probably wouldn't get one, but I got a great deal on it.  Anyway, this is the top ten things I'll never do with my new smartphone.

10.  Cook dinner
The phone is smart, but it doesn't have burners on it.  So I can't really cook with it.  I can however, find awesome recipes to study and make for my house.

9.  Find a wife
I know how some of my friends want me to get married, but this phone is not a miracle worker.  However, there are applications for sites like eHarmony and Plenty of Fish to help with that.

8.  Start my car
Only because my car is a 1999.  They didn't have smartphones back then.  In fact, most people didn't even have cell phones back then.  Mostly because of the whole Y2K thing.

7.  Watch movies
I know I'm able to watch movies, but honestly, who wants to watch a movie on a 4 inch screen?  You have to be seriously bored to tears to get to that point.

6.  Send a Tout
It's like Twitter with video.  I refuse to be a part of that mess.

5.  Send a Tweet
Not a big fan of Twitter.  I shall not ever partake in that mess.

4.  My homework
I'd rather use my laptop, of if I'm really feeling frisky, real paper and a writing utensil.

3.  Go to the Apple Store
I have an Android, so all my stuff is on the Android Market, or soon to be called Google Play.

2.  Count my steps
They have an app that can count your steps as you walk or run.  Psh, no thanks.  I don't need people counting my steps for me.  I'd rather just go and see where I ended up.

1.  Get Lost
This thing has a GPS.  Sweet.  I can now go places and punch in an address.  These phones are great.

I'm Back Folks

Well, I haven't posted in about a week.  It's been a while, and I'm sorry.  Basically, I couldn't get Internet access at the church we were staying in, so I didn't get to share a day by day of my awesome trip.

My church took a group of young people and adults to Sugar Hill, Georgia to be a part of World Changers. World Changers is a group whose purpose is to share Jesus by helping those in need with work on their homes.  The people that are helped could be elderly, down on their luck, or unemployed.  I have to say that I learned so much about myself this week.  Mainly, that I can really encourage people to do their absolute best not just in house work, but life work.

The church groups are split up into different teams.  It's possible to have one person from your group with you for a project.  The team I was on did not have a member of my church with me.  However, I truly am excited about the group God put me with.  I met some wonderful kids.  Our group worked with another group to help an unemployed lady with her siding and painting her home.  She was a true blessing.  She encouraged me more than I could imagine.  Her positive attitude in the midst of a down time in her life showed me that I don't have it that bad.  Her thankfulness really showed me that there are people out there who know how to be grateful.  We also worked on an elderly lady's home.  We painted the entire house in about 7 hours.  It was an amazing show of hard work and determination.

We were fed amazingly by a local church in the area.  The best meal was the chicken salad sandwiches. They were home made by the way.  The food was so good.  We also were housed by an amazing church.  The people did everything possible to make our stay a great one.

The best part was the worship each night.  We got to sit with our crew almost every night.  We got to worship our Lord together.  It was amazing.  The speaker was pretty awesome.  His name is Gary Permenter.  Feel free to invite him to talk to your church.  Actually, I'd just say you just find his number and call him.  He's that cool of a guy.

I would suggest anyone to take a World Changers trip.  If you're not sure who to go with, just find some nice folks and ask to tag along.  What's the worst that could happen?  An amazing trip.

Here's the video from our trip.



CLICK AND SCROLL DOWN FOR PICTURES AND A RECAP

Special Sunday Funday

Yeah, I know that I never really post on Sundays, but this is different.  One, I missed yesterday's Open Letter Saturday due to utter exhaustion from helping my friend with his race team.  He did a good job and got 6th place.  Second, I'm on my church's mission trip as we speak.

Today we drove to Gastonia, NC to stay for the night.  We ate at Cracker Barrel in Christiansburg, then Steak n Shake in Gastonia.  I have to say that Cracker Barrel could be the worst food to eat BEFORE a long trip.  Anytime after a trip, it's perfect.  That stuff could put you to sleep.  Bears don't need to be shot with tranquilizers anymore.  Just feed them cornbread and trout.  That would totally knock them out.

Steak n Shake is amazing.  Why can't Roanoke have one?  Oh yeah, we can't have nice things.  People do dumb things and ruin it for us.  Just a heads up, stop ruining things for me.

I'm very excited about the possibility of working with people I've never met and probably won't see again.  I love the chance I get to help people.  This is what this trip is about.  It's about giving forward.  Truth be told, these people have never given me anything so I can't consider it giving back.  My prayer and wish is for me to be able to share the love of Jesus without saying a word or opening a Bible.  I want my work ethic, attitude, and production to show people that I love the Lord.  I think if people see that in me, they'll know there is something different about me.  I know I don't do a perfect job of it sometimes, but every effort is blessed by the Lord if you have the right attitude and the desire to see His will be done.

This week, my prayer is that lives are changed.  Not just the people we're helping, but the people helping, present company included.

If you want to send support to me, CLICK THIS LINK.  For church name, type "CommUNITY Church."  For church city and state, type "Salem, VA."  Select "Sugar Hill, GA (July 23-28)."  Thanks for your support.  Love you all.

Music Friday

Sometimes, you have to stop taking yourself so seriously.  This song is pretty lame.  But hey, it's Friday.  Enjoy it.

Truth be told, I've noticed that we haven't really been able laugh at ourselves anymore.  This song always reminds me that you just need to relax and enjoy yourself.  The girl got a chance to sing a song, and now she's infamous.

If you're worried about what people think, just ignore them.  Nine times out of ten, the people who you worry about the most couldn't give two flips about you.  Not just one, but two flips, that's intense.  Just roll.  Do what you do.  Do what you want to do.  There is no time to worry about people and their antiquated opinions on how things should go.  Just do what you want to do.  God has given us a freedom to live the way  we choose.  Now He may be upset at the choices we may make, but we still have that freedom.

As I finish, I just want to remind people that God's love is the most important thing in your life.  Don't let anyone steer you from it because they don't agree with you.  Live your life and enjoy the moments.  Let everyday be like a Friday.

Let's Be Real

I have to say that this whole Penn State/Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky junk is getting a little silly.  By now, I'm sure you all have heard about the Freeh Report.  In it was some pretty damning testimony that implemented the athletic director, president, vice president, and head football coach of Penn State.  They were known to be negligent in the handling of the accusations brought on Jerry Sandusky.  In layman's terms, they didn't do jack squat to help those kids.

People are arguing that Joe Paterno's legacy should be kept in tact.  Things like his statue, his place in the Hall of Fame, and other things should be respected.  I have a problem with that.  You see, Joe Paterno in all his love for everything Penn State forgot something important.  Kids were being hurt.  When you let kids get hurt just to save the fantasy that is the legend of Penn State, you're as evil as the molester himself.  

Paterno's legacy is now that of an enabler.  He is someone who couldn't care less about the welfare of children.  I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings.  I'm sorry if I'm hurting your feelings.  I understand how special Penn State football is to their fans.  I understand that Paterno may have reached super iconic status.  However, once you deify someone, they kind of have to live up to that.  Paterno seemed like he was on his way.  His program never had a violation of rules.  The teams were disciplined and well behaved.  However, now we have to think about what to do with the football program.

I don't know if I'd go with the death penalty for the squad.  However, I'd have to ask for something truly harsh for the program.  Sandusky used the program to lure young boys so he could molest them.  The fact that the program knew his intentions.  So in that aspect, I'd say shut down the program.  However, the kids that are there now to play football had nothing to do with the Sandusky thing.  So in that aspect, I think they shouldn't be punished.  I just believe that for certain, the people that were there now should have the book thrown at them.

Now to those that think Eddie Robinson should be back on the top of the all time wins list.  No need.  John Gagliardi of St. John's College has the most wins.  Eddie Robinson is a great coach, but he wasn't the all time winningest coach.  Paterno's wins shouldn't be ripped away.  However everything else should be ripped out of the Penn State lore.  That's the only way the school can shake this stigma.  

It's about the kids.  Ultimately, the innocent children that were molested are the ones that get the last word.  These poor kids have been run through the muck by a disgusting man.  Who cares about legacies, championships, and football when there are kids involved?  If you're one of those who think Paterno's legacy should be in tact no matter what, just think about your kids or any kids you may know.  That's who you need to be worried about, not a stupid statue of a stupid man who did a stupid thing.  Yeah, I know Paterno was smart, but he did the dumbest thing ever.  He allowed children to be hurt.  You don't get a statue for allowing children to get hurt.

Hectic Hump Day

Today's the day I tell you what I'm thinking.

1.  I find it funny that my fella called two piece bathing suits "inappropriate".  I think it was the way he said it that made it so great.

2.  Soon, I will be going to Georgia to help people in Sugar Hill.  I think I will be blessed beyond belief by it.

3.  Just a heads up to the parents out there.  If your kid goes to a free summer camp with notebooks, pencils, and a frown...they lied to you.  They're in summer school.

4.  I really need to do dishes.  If I don't, no one will.

5.  God's will is better than anything you can think of.

6.  It seems like my blog on my life advice really took off.  If you missed it, CLICK THIS LINK.

7.  I need to grow a spine.  That's all I have to say.

8.  I actually changed a battery in my car all by myself.  It wasn't hard except for the nut that wouldn't budge.  I seriously spent hours trying to get one nut to budge.  It was crazy.  Oh well, I have a brand new battery and I'll have to wait another month to get that smartphone I wanted.

9.  I don't get how people don't put enough sugar in Kool-Aid.  If it tastes like water still, you need more sugar.  Or you need to stir a little harder.