Under Pressure

Today, I am feeling weighed down. I am feeling the pressure of the coming week as many things are starting to converge.

I have paint just sitting around the house, staring me down, asking me, "when are you going to finish the house?" Worship team practice and Trick or Treat night are going to hinder the timeliness of the project. I also have the second week of training start on Monday. I am not looking forward to this because it is way more work than necessary. I also don't know if I'm going to be compensated for all of my hard work. Even if I do complete the training, I may not get certified. That isn't giving me the incentive I was hoping for, either. After the kids go to bed, I have two modules to read for my test, first thing in the morning. I also have laundry and dishes piling up. Even though that isn't very serious, it adds to my stress. Casey is helping me get the laundry done.

We have been in a marathon at work. That is a process in which we shut down programming and make the residents work out issues or behaviors in the house. Think of it like a Fillibuster in Congress. Add that to the fact that I was acting Coordinator for two weeks and I think I'm ready for a vacation. I'm not burned out, I'm just tired.

Not to end on a sour note, I changed my tax exemptions on my w-4. I got back money on my check that really saved our butt. I treated the family to a night at the dollar($2.00 actually) movies(we saw Ratatouille), $1.75 meal at Wendy's/Tim Horton's (chicken nuggets and a doughnut), and a trip to Petland to see all the animals. It was a great night of family fun. That's extravagance!!!

Yo, Joe!!!

They're making one of my favorite 80's cartoons and action figures into a movie. Snake Eyes, Flint, Gung-Ho, Duke, and Scarlett will be hitting the big screen as well as Cobra Commander, Destro, Storm Shadow, and The Baronness.

I used to have almost all of the 3.5" action figures when I was a kid. I loved it and I think it had as much of an influence on me as Star Wars. I also had a few comics and watched the cartoon religiously after school everyday.

Snake Eyes is as cool as Wolverine and even more mysterious. The other characters were a little on the cheesy side, but every now then they would create one that was really original and fun.

In light of current events in the world, this movie will probably cause quite the stir as Cobra, a terror organization, tries to take over the world.

The movie has been changed from the original concept, which is a group of americans, to a new global p.c. version. G.I. Joe will be made up of international agents to be able to market overseas.

Interesting tidbit: a carrier pigeon by the name of G.I. Joe brought a crucial message to Italy and saved thousands of lives during World War II. This is where it started.

and now, you know...

And knowing is half the battle! Yo, joe!!!

Age to Age: Part 34 of the Drummer's Almanac

My wife and I were watching an interview with Neil Peart that took place in Canada in 1996. He was thinner, much less grey, and a lot more full of life.

The first thing Casey said was, "He looks happier." This interview was a year before Neil lost his wife and only daughter. He was definitely younger looking.

Now, after those tragic events in 1997 (the same year I lost my mom), he looks older. It shows in his posture. You can't hear a difference. In fact, He's sounds more masterful than ever. You can just see the difference in his eyes.

I think back to when I first started playing drums. How I used to approach music and my playing. It was more raw. Less methodical, but more gut level. It had an energy. I think that's why you see old dudes trying to relive the past by playing classic rock. They want to feel that hunger they felt at sixteen.

I still feel it. When I hear a certain song or groove. It fires me up and I make a face. My nose wrinkles up and my lips stick out. It's like when people throw up the rock sign and bang their head. Absurd, but rockin'.

The good thing that comes with age is technique. It's all about the technique. After seventeen years of playin', I better have something to show for it. I can sometimes even make it look easier than what it is, given the right situation. Which is just enough to keep my self esteem at a low level resonant buzz.

That is until I listen to that old guy(51) with bags under his eyes, greying hair, and that sagging posture make my playing sound like a train wreck.

Hope

Some things that gave me hope.....

I just read chapter five in Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis. It is inspiring and motivational. I had a gush of hope swell up inside of me when he talked about the "old man" having to die. I must believe that the new me is there and I can already be that person. I don't need to wait on some miracle because Jesus already took care of it for me.

He believes in me more than I believe in myself. He sees my potential.

Let me remind you that I have heard this in my head. I'm not yet sure if I have ears to hear this in my heart.

I do know God spoke this to me as I was reading this chapter. It was uplifting and I want more.

We found where we can gain more money in our pocket through changing how much we claim on our taxes. This was confirmed by family, friends, and from our Financial Peace University group.

We have significantly less to pay on our van than we thought. We will pay this debt off at the beginning of next year. (freedom, ALTHOUGH SMALL)

Our friends have helped us out by giving us much needed food and clothing.

Our friends are going to give us more by helping us paint our house. This is not a need, but just a want.

Jesus takes care of me even when I do nothing.....