The Weekend Starts Here

The decision was made
The paperwork handed in
I'll be here next year.

This war between us
It looks like you've won this time
How 'bout best of three?

By nurses orders
I'm allowed to play football
Only with helmet.

It was a good thought
But I second guess myself
I'm such a dummy.

Currently listening to:

Chasin' Mice Around

Occasionally we have drill in our dorm to prepare students on the proper procedures to take if an intruder enters the building. Just like with a fire or tornado drill, you want them to be ready, but hope you never have to use the information in a real emergency. Tonight that intruder came. Fortunately he was too small to set procedures into motion.

I was alerted to the tiny little guy's presence by the shrieks from the television room next to the office where I was. Instantly one of the guys told me there was a rat in the building. I sprung into action. We started to pull the sofas away from the wall to force the little guy out. The little guy was smarter than that, so we then started tossing the sofas on their sides to clear the space and hopefully flush him out. Again, he outfoxed us on this move too. We were about to give up when my dorm dad noticed him hiding between some cushions.

The mouse (not a rat) then took to the floor running. We began to chase him around, myself armed with a broom and my dorm dad armed with some sticky mouse traps. I recommended getting a vacuum for backup, so one was obtained as we continued in pursuit of the rodent. He kept running from corner to corner, using the various pieces of furniture as shields. Soon after the threat of being sucked into a great unknown became real, the mouse decided to make a break for the door.

Unfortunately for the little guy there was only one thing standing between him and the door, and it stood over six feet tall in a pair of size thirteen shoes. He had to get past me for freedom, and that was not going to be an option tonight. I still had the broom in my hand as he made his move. Thinking quickly, I abandoned the broom and put my right foot forward. The Nike Swoop was the last thing that mouse saw. Immediately the students watching let out cheers along with sounds of disgust as this was the first time some of them had seen a mouse dissected so quickly.

I walked out trumpeting my victory in my role of protector of the students. They will sleep well knowing that their RA will crush any threat they might have, at least the ones under four inches in length.

Song to go with this post: Megadeth - "Crush 'Em"

I'm In No Shape For Drivin'

I think I obtained my first concussion today. It was a beautiful play in the end zone as I was attempting to catch the football. I watched in slow motion as it bounced around my fingers as I was falling backwards towards earth. Unfortunately, it was knocked out of my hands seconds before the THUD of my head hitting the cold hard field reverberated though my head like something that reverberates a lot.

I think I am doing fine, although for a while this afternoon life was a blur. Like, I know I had a conversation with a friend on the street, but I do not remember much of what was said or even if I made any sense. Dinner wasn't much better, as I do not think I was tracking with most of the conversation.

But I'm getting better. I think I'll go for a walk. I feel happy. I feel happy.

Song to go with this post: Coldplay - "A Rush of Blood to the Head"

It's Been One Week

Earlier, I posted about how this has been one of the stranger weeks I have experienced. And those who know me well, know I have had some pretty strange weeks in this life. I was presented with options for my future that would not only impact me, but everyone in my small circle of friends. I was forced to make decisions between two decent options, both with their advantages and disadvantages. It was like the time when I had to decide between either seeing Wilco or The Hooters in concert one evening. OK, it wasn't exactly like that, but you get the point.

When presented with the options, I asked for time to really think about things and pray. And pray I did. I even sent out a letter to many of my supporters to be praying for my wisdom in decision making. While I did not feel one hundred percent one way or another, I had a feeling what my decision was going to be. My personal feelings were leaning one way, but I wanted to be sure that they also aligned with God's direction.

Now here is the funny/strange/interesting part... before I even planned on delivering my decision, I was approached by those I was in negotiating with. They informed me that they did not think that proceeding forward was the best option at this time. Now this was the direction I was feeling as well, but I did not even have to utter it. God clearly made the decision for me, as well as made that decision clear to me.

So needless to say, I will not be moving to any new countries in the next year.

This morning, I decided to skip church. Not something I recommend doing often, but once in a while I think it is a needed thing. Instead, I spent some time in the Word and listening to a message by Ron Merrell. Amazingly, it was exactly what I needed to hear. He talked about choices and the moments that they are made in. He talked about "having faith that God is bigger than your moment." Again some backing up from God about the choices that have been made by me and for me.

Now hopefully life will return to some normalcy, at least my usual levels of normal.

Song to go with this post: Chris Rice - "The Power of a Moment"

The Naive Simpleton So Immature

Immature is the theme of this week's PhotoFriday. I kept seeing these hot dog stands around Moscow this summer. Every time I had to laugh a little, as I thought they had a rather strange name. Guess it was only the font that makes it look bad, as in Russian it is pronounced, "Stardogs." Yep, I can be so immature.



Song to go with this post: Michael Jackson - "Stranger in Moscow"

I'm The Leftover Turkey

This week presented
Two offers for my future
Think I'll pass on both.

The order was wrong
Football, nap, and then turkey
This Thanksgiving day.

The pistachios
I smuggled back from Turkey
Are almost finished.

It has been too long
Turkey day with family
Has it been nine years?

Currently listening to: Adam Sandler - "The Thanksgiving Song"

A Strange Cup Of Tea

Lately has anyone had the feeling their life has been a crazy mix of songs by Genesis and Richard Marx, a poem by Robert Frost, a couple John Cusack films, and a nineteenth century Russian novel?

Yeah, me neither.

There hasn't been any Marx in the mix.


Currently listening to: OMC -