ouch

my back is out...

actually I don't really know what that means. I mean, it's right here. It didn't leave. I'm guessing that means it's out of alignment...yeah, that makes sense.

In any case it hurts. Apparently your back is kind of a key deal because you can't really adjust to a different position when you're sleeping and all of a sudden....you're comfortable.

It affects everything.

I'm already thinking about the chiropractor. They catch a lot of flak from a lot of people who don't know better. Chiropractors actually study anatomy more than M.D.'s do. They've helped me when I've thrown out my back in the past and doctor's often just throw pills at me.

I go to the spa-aaaah. I avoided it for over a year even though it's walking distance to my work and they don't require appointments. I didn't go near the place because it looked like a naughty massage parlor and I've been avoiding Fuller for months. Anyhow, I called the closest doctor that was in my insurance plan (I should put insurance in quotes) and sure enough they answered the phone, "it's a great day at the spa!". At that point I just went because it was close and I could get in right away. Turns out it's a legitimate place that can fix things.

It is interesting how defensive a lot of chiropractors can be. I've been to about a dozen different ones over the years and a couple of them have charts up proving their credentials and education. I'm not just talking about their degrees - they've got lists of classes they'd taken, how long they'd studied, what their time in the 40 was....the list goes on and on. (people usually say that near the end of their lists)

So I'm off to get my back cracked. When they crank your neck around, it makes the actual sound that you hear when you watch someone get adjusted on tv...it's no joke, and it works.

it pays to ask questions

I bought some attractive Ohio license plates yesterday.

The thing that threw me was that they charged me $79 for the plates. When I asked why it was so much, I was told that I was paying for a full year + 14 days because my birthday hadn't passed yet.

"But the plates say June, not the date in June"

"Yes, but we know your birthday is on the 19th"

"will it say that on the expiration date?"

"no"

"Um, how much would it be if I came back in a couple of weeks?"

"$54"

"isn't that about $4.50 a month?"

breaks out the calculate....."um....yeah, just about"

"So to get my $54 worth of plate use and an extra half month I have to pay an extra six months?"

"yes, I guess you do"

So I just used Annie's birthday and saved $27. I guess it pays to ask questions...

I've got a great deal for you

If you're looking for a great guitar - you should check this one out:
great guitar

the great thing about it is "it did not get played heavily as it was hanging in a musicians collection while he toured internationally"

How cool is that?

I should mention, in the interest of full disclosure that this wasn't really hanging in a musicians collection while he toured internationally. It was hanging in a friend of mine's collection...and he's a musician - in that he can play guitar and sing - but not in the sense of, "Hey let's go pay $14 to go see Stacy play". The only international touring he's really a part of - is going oversees to adopt a child.

The thing is - he had his guitar stolen in State College, Pa a little while ago. Fast forward to e-bay item #290123497259. It has the same look, same little problems, same little features, same.... serial number...

you could make a good case that this is probably the same guitar that was stolen from him.

And now the guy has the guts to sell it on e-bay....from State College.

So anyhow, I've heard it...it's a great guitar. You might consider buying it...just passing it along.

I was going to e-mail the seller, but my e-bay account name has Centre County in it, and that might give away the fact that I might know he sold it. So if you want to e-mail the seller and tell him you'll be driving through Pennsylvania on your way to NY on vacation...maybe you could get him to agree to meet you to purchase it.

It'd be like a little blog based sting. You'll be Paul Newman without the salad dressing and Stacy will be Robert Redford without the film festival.

silly I tell you

Lou Piniella is a grown man who wears an incredibly tight baseball uniform even though he doesn't play. It'd be like a wrestling coach coming out in a singlet for a match...or a football coach coming out padded up. Silly.

The ridiculous thing about Lou is he had a little meltdown in front of tens of thousands of people who spent a bunch of money to see these baseball players play ball. He did what they teach you at baseball manager school. They tell you that arguments in baseball aren't like they are in real life.

You get one inch from the person's nose and yell while shaking your head violently. Ever see anyone do that in the real world?

You also kick dirt onto the person's shoes to let them know you really know what you're talking about. It gives you credibility.

Lou kicked it up a notch....he also repeatedly kicked a hat...his own hat. It's almost like he was saying, "Pardon me, but you were 25 feet closer to the play than I was...and you do this for a living...but to prove to you that I'm a man who knows what he's talking about...I'm going to kick my hat...repeatedly."

I'd suspend him at least for 10 games. I know that it's somehow a "part of the game" to have managers throw bases, kick hats, kick dirt onto the umpire while standing one inch from him...but in basketball they'd toss you from the game and give you a technical...at least. There'd be a severe penalty that'd cost your team something. In tennis you'd forfeit a game.

It's just silly to say that because it's baseball, it's not ridiculous to act like a bratty four year old.

why focus on the differences?

I was at a group discussion of different religions yesterday. I met an incredibly nice man from India who happened to be visiting from India. He was a Hindu and I am a Christian, and we had a pretty good and respectful discussion about our respective faiths.

What was interesting to me was how adamant a guy in the crowd was that we don't spend any time discussing the differences of the different religions...he wanted to talk about the similarities.

I've heard many times the argument, "there are many paths to the top of the mountain, and all are equally valid" and heard yesterday, "there are many side streets that lead to the destination, but they all end at the same place". That was the first time I'd heard it said that way...but basically it's the same old argument.

Yesterday the similarities and differences were both brought up. Some of these religions/cults/beliefs have a monotheistic view. Most believe that you have to do something to get right with God. Most believe that there is an afterlife. There are tons of similarities. But the minute the differences were brought up - people would get immediately defensive.

The facts are that there are significant differences. To pretend that there aren't would be to be intellectually dishonest. I'm not sure I understand the idea of whistling a happy tune while we all pretend that we believe the same things.

We don't. That's ok. We can all still get along. We can vote for different people and still love one another. We can believe that the team with five Lombardi trophies is vastly superior to the team with one winning season in the last 20 years and still hang out for dinner on Tuesday night.

We're different and that's just true. How would pretending we all believe the same thing help?

she's the best

If you happen to see a beautiful girl with three great kids strolling through your neighborhood...and the kids keep shouting, "Happy Birthday Mom!" you'll probably wonder why her husband isn't with her celebrating her big day.

Because I have to work...until 10....PM.

So instead of spending this day celebrating her birth, I'm writing this blog post. I figure that's a half step above a Hallmark e-card.

We do this training weekend every three months. It happens to hit on our ServeFest weekend...and also happens to hit on when I'm leading a training...and speaking at an event. I just can't get out of everything this weekend to do something extra special for this awesome girl I get to spend my life with.

So I'm writing this blog post. I figure it's about a step above 5 index cards that say, "this is good for one back scratch".

So if you see Annie today, wish her a Happy Birthday. I don't want to imply that she's superstitious and really gives any power to your wishes (even you Ezmerelda) but it's a nice sentiment, isn't it?

I just read this...

"Last fall I did a whole series on Ephesians. There are places where Paul is making reference to Artemis. Her temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Millions of people are coming to visit her temple and buy statues, believing Artemis is their source of economic wealth.

So how does Paul begin Ephesians? "Praise be to God for every spiritual blessing."
'Wait, wait, wait. No, Artemis. We bless Artemis for everything.'

In Ephesus, Paul's words would be subversive teaching. It's no wonder they had a riot.
But Paul doesn't bash Artemis. When you tell the story well, you don't have to bash. It's clear. In fact, in Acts 19, the city clerk says to the rioting mob,
'Paul has never blasphemed the goddess.' One of the distinctive things about the Jesus revolution is they never blasphemed the gods of the cities, and yet the whole city became Christian. "
-Rob Bell

It struck me that that's completely the opposite of how I and most of the folks I know react today.

If you talk to someone who is passionate about politics - time how much of their conversation is about bashing the other party...and how much is about solutions and hope. It's not even close.
It'd be like the Pirates playing the Reds...see what I did there?

Pointing to solutions - you never hear that in some one's new year's resolution...but that wouldn't be a bad one.

good times

Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief.

-Joseph Addison

What a great weekend. The only thing I'd change is that I'd add another week. We saw friends, had a blast going to the wedding, reception, brunch, lunch with friends....and hanging out with great people.

It would have been great to just hang out with a few people - sitting around and talking about whatever without regards to a schedule... but this was still great.

This week might be the opposite of that. We were having a friend over tonight, but I have to work now instead...and tomorrow Annie is going out to a play with a friend - so I'll get to hang out with the kids...and Thursday the Lakota Eagles will continue their unbeaten season (also no wins...but that's how life works, right?) Friday I'm working 'til 10, Saturday from 8 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM....so this weekend won't quite be the same as last weekend.

One intensive with a bunch of churches from around the country.
One ServeFest weekend.
One training session.
One teaching/event.
One T-ball game.
No time to just hang out...

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Prov. 17:17

The things we think and do not say

It's 1 AM and this might be the bad pizza I had earlier talking, but I believe I have something to say. Or rather, I have something to say that I believe in. My father once said, "Get the bad news over with first. You be the one to say the tough stuff." Well, here goes. There is a cruel wind blowing through our business. We all feel it, and if we don't, perhaps we've forgotten how to feel. But here is the truth. We are less ourselves than we were when we started this organization.

-opening line to Jerry McGuire's Mission Statement

-

A friend of mine wrote something that reminded me of Jerry's "This is War" Mission Statement.

He wrote what I'd been thinking and haven't had the guts to say.

He wrote from the heart, and put himself out there.

He spoke truth and was unabashed about calling people to something more.

It was pretty inspiring.

He'll probably get yelled at or told by someone in a higher position that they have it all under control...and why would he feel like he needed to send that?

I'm glad he did.

a wedding to look forward to

I'm never too upset when I have a conflict that keeps me from going to a wedding. I'm just never excited about throwing on a suit and sitting through three songs, the lighting of the unity candle, and a couple of vows.

This week I'm looking forward to one.

I remember when Nate asked me my opinion on asking out Liz. I told him I was already married...he told me that he was talking about him asking her out. "well in that case, she's a quality girl - it'd be silly not to ask her out"

The real deal here is that I get to see Danny and Ben and Dan and Brad and I'm guessing a bunch of other people that I love - I'm just not sure who all is invited to this shindig. I'm also excited about seeing friends that live in State College but might not be attending the wedding (what do you have going on this weekend Stac?).

It should be a great weekend. It's even money right now on whether or not Griff will actually walk down the aisle with the rings and do a cartwheel.