Death of a Legend...

***WARNING: THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE LONGEST POST EVER. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED! ***

As those of you who know me (which, if you are reading my blog, is a good indication) realize how much of an obsessive basketball fan I am. And you also know that this time of year (March) is when I go insane.

(Random point I need to make: someone needs to clearly define when "March Madness" begins. People say "March Madness" and they mean the NCAA National Tournament. But there is so much leading up to that. What about the conference tournaments? What about the NIT? I seriously follow all that stuff, but only about 4 other people in the world do too. But technically, that’s when tournaments in March begin; meaning that the conference tourneys are signal the beginning of "March Madness" right? Right?) Back to my thought.

College basketball is an enumerable amount of time better than professional basketball (though I love pro ball too). The fans are better, way more excited. I think that’s because people can actually afford tickets to college games. There is also a community feel to the college game atmosphere. You KNOW these guys, you have class with them, and they live in your dorm. You don't get that person ability with pro ball, you just can't. And yet I digress.

You also realize (if you know me), that I am an HUGE Duke University Basketball Fan. There does not exist a finer program in the nation in any sport (ok, so I'm slightly biased on that one). You also realize (because of me talking about them) how much I hate the Blue Devils rivals, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. This rivalry between Duke and UNC, I feel, is the best rivalry in sports. Nothing compares too it.....but more on that in a minute.

All of you, I'm sure realize now, I have a favorite player on the Devils. J.J. Redick. He is without question the best shooter I have ever seen in my entire life. This being J.J.'s senior year and all, senior night at Cameron Indoor Stadium (home of Duke's "Cameroon Crazies") was sure to be the place to be. ESPN had blow out the budget coverage of this years season finally, Redick's last home game, against hated rival North Carolina. ESPN was airing the game on ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU (a pay per view service) and ESPN 360 (an online service), with 3 different camera angles (ESPN & ESPN360 showing the traditional view, ESPN2 having an "Above the Rim cam (which I thought was a neat view) and ESPNU airing the "Cameroon Crazies Cam"......which was quite possibly the coolest thing ever.....they stuck a camera in with the Crazies.....brilliant!).

The fact is, J.J. Redick is a legend for Duke basketball (notice, I do not call him a hero. Athletes are not heroes because they do not save lives, protect people's freedoms, or put their life on the line for their job every day.......but that’s another post at another time). Redick has more 3pt shots made than any person in NCAA basketball history. He is the all-time leading scorer at Duke (surpassing assistant coach Johnny Dawkins this season). He is also the all-time leading scorer in the Atlantic Coast Conference (the conference to which Duke belongs).

J.J. has always been the target of the harshest of cheers from opposing fans. At the University of Maryland, fans have signs of obscene things about him and his family. The curse in various chants that they do. If you look up "J.J. Redick" on goggle, 7 out of 10 sites will be about "hating J.J. Redick." Look up the "Sheldon Williams" (Redick's senior teammate) and he only has 1/3 the number of websites, much less the directed hate.

He is the object of so much hostility because of how well he performs. All the scoring records and the near flawless form make opposing fans (and some players) simply because of his excellence. His Freshman and Sophomore years he was known a bit for his trash talking and taunting of some fans. So maybe he had it coming. But his past two years, he has toned it down a lot, realizing how bad it made him look.

Why care so much about one guy who plays for my favorite basketball team? Maybe because he reminds me of someone who I used to love to watch to play........my older brother Jayson. His senior year of high school, we went to all his games, home and away. I have some very fond memories of watching my brother play. I remember when he played at Twin Valley, a team that had seemed to always have our number. The game started as normal. Jay was playing around the top of the key, as Twin Valley was in a zone, so Jay took a step back so he was bout 3 feet behind the line now. When he got the ball, TV's coach yelled out to his players "Don't go out past the 3pt line till he proves he can beat us." Well Jay heard that and took exception. He launched the shot, and hit noting but net. The next time down the court, still well behind the line, Jay hit another deep three pointer. 20 seconds later, same story. By the fourth deep shot he hit in a row, and LCA being up 12-3 at this point, Twin Valley's coach called a time out to try and restratergize. But the coach didn't call the TO until Jay looked over at him and yelled: "Go ahead coach, leave me open, I'll kill you single handedly!" Needless to say, as an impressionable 8 year old, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Maybe there was the game against arch rival Mt. View were Jay scored 38 points, and hit a 3 (his 7th of the game) to put LCA up 9 with under a minute to go. Jay knew he was in the zone, but still couldn't believe it, and he looked at me, 2 rows behind the bench, and did the Michael Jordan "shrug of the shoulders." It may have been the game against High Point when his teammate and and smaller point guard friend Will, got taken out in a thuggish way. Jay stepped up, got in the guy's face and told him to pick on someone his own size. The "thug" was 6'4" and weighed about 250lbs. Jayson is only 5'8" and maybe weighed 175lbs.

I've seen Redick do these things. I've seen J.J. absolutely carry the team to victories (like against Texas this year where he hit 8 out of 13 3 pointers, scoring a career high 41 points onto a Win over the #2 ranked team in the country). Maybe it’s that when J.J. doesn't score, Duke can't seem to win, they are so dependant on him, and he gets open shots for everyone else.

But when Duke plays UNC, it’s a different story. Duke must win at any cost. The schools are separated only by "Tobacco Road" a mythical road that separates many of the ACC teams, but Duke and UNC by only 8 miles. Duke is a private school admitting only 8 thousand people a year, preppy in a way, with high academic standards. UNC is a public university with almost 20 thousand people attending, most of them being dumb redneck hicks out of the south (with the exception of my main man Guni Li.....I talk as though I know how these people in North Carolina are. I have no clue).

The Rivalry is huge. I think it is the biggest rivalry in sports. Even when one team is having a down year, the game will still be close. The last 14 games have all been decided by less than 5 points each. Carolina was supposed to be in down year. When Duke played at Chapel Hill, we were up 17. We ended up winning by less 5 after J.J. hit a clutch 3.

Being Senior night, being against UNC, and being J.J.'s last game ever in front of the Crazies...this was big. I had my Duke sweatshirt on, over top of my "Cameron Crazies" t-shirt, wearing my Duke hat (the outfit which my older broth calls "preparing for worship at the temple of J.J."). I went to the student center, prepared for Redick to score about 50 points, and a Duke blowout.

It started as I had planed. J.J. had 7 of Duke's first 13 points, going 3-3, with 1 3pointer. I was beside myself. Could my prediction of J.J. scoring 50 be true?

Well sadly, it all went down hill from there.....

J.J. went almost 30 minutes (remember, college games are only 40 minutes long) without scoring. And Duke lost. The freshman crew for UNC prevailed. What was supposed to be J.J.'s greatest triumph turned out his greatest failure (in my book).

His last few games he has struggled mightily. While shooting just 28% from the field (on the season, he's a 42% shooter) and just 22% from 3pt land (on the season: 37%). Maybe he is so tired from always going up against the best defender on the team every game. Maybe it's been all the media exposure, breaking the records (broke all 3 in the course of 12 days, each shot he took bearing weight because it counted toward the record). Maybe he is just losing his legs after a long season, for the 4th year in a row.

I'm not sure what it is, but I know the J.J. Redick I watched on Saturday night was not the same J.J. Redick (or recreation of my older brother) that I had seen before. Those first few moments of the game came so easily. Then after a timeout, everything just collapsed. He looked fatigued, he looked discourage, he looked like everything he normally did just would not work.

It’s a sad thing to watch a legend not be able to perform at the same level that made them great. There are so many examples I could give, yet, I know I've wasted all of your time just with this. My biggest problem is that J.J. is young and seemed poised to really carry this team and should be able to carry the team. But all this stress.......or something has just made it to much for him to do. The last 4 games leading up to this were a big indication. That's when the struggles began. It all finally culminated in the biggest game, seemingly at the wrong time.

The picture is from before the game started, when J.J. came out to acknowledge the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation for all the hard work he has done the last four years. The Crazies remained faithful even after the game, while J.J. seemed to be holding back the tears for letting them down, they still chanted "Let's Go Duke! Let's Go Duke!" just as they would before and after any game.

It’s just sad that we had to watch Superman interact with his kryptonite right before our very eyes.

My weird creepy cool crazy bad awesome Valentine's Day.........And Hayley....

Well, another Valentine's Day has passed, and no big deal to me really. I'm not really sure that it even counts as a holiday. I mean, the post office doesn't even have off for it, a clear sign of celebration. Not to mention, I have no idea what we are celebrating. I mean, who was St. Valentine and why do we send "notes of love" or whatever to each other on this day? I have no idea.

Anyway, I sent out a few select Valentines, 4 in total. 3 to some girls in a "mob" of sorts (all though, how fearful can you be of a group from Minny though, right?). The best one was the one I sent to my mom. I don't care if you think it's corny or whatever, but I told my mom how much I love her and how thankfully I am for all she does for me and for putting up with all my junk on such a consistent basis.

The day itself sent me searching for something that I wasn't all that successful in finding. I was trying to find a Valentine for the day. I'm not even sure what that means or what I was doing. But every guy I saw on my floor that morning, I asked if they would be my Valentine (well, they also had to have a girlfriend too, so I was like stealing them away or whatever). That was fun until I got ditched later in the day for the girlfriends.

I went to work in the dining commons shortly thereafter chapel. I asked Jen Landis (whom I've known for a while now) to be my Valentine. She said she would, knowing of course how goofy I was being.

Well 2 minutes later she re-voked her "Valentine-ship." She said she didn't want to upset Dan (her boyfriend). I was cool, but I hammed it up to be all hurt and stuff. Then she dropped this little tidbit on me:

"But you can't be anyone Valentine's because your no one's Valentine."

That hurt. It was mean and horrible. As soon as she said it, I dropped the container of hot cheese I had just emptied out. She apologized, but I'm still going to hold it over her head for awhile. She didn't mean it the way it came out, but, it was still kind of bummering.

This ofcourse sent me into a more panicked frenzied to find my Valentine for the day. I asked Brittany and she obliged with "ofcourse I'll be your Valentine Slimmy." Yes, she calls me "Slimmy."

I said something to Steph Davis. It was kind of neat because I hadn't seen Steph in several days because she was at the conference thing last week, leaving me completely devastated and alone........Or something like that. Infact, I told her "Steph, its so good to see you! I've been desuetude and alone while you've been gone!" She did the Steph Davis laugh (which is just great). Then I told her what Jen had said and Steph offered to be my Valentine.......I think. I don't really remember to be honest.

The best part of my day had to be when Hayley came up to me. I was working the deli counter, like a good worker is supposed to, when Miss McGrail came up to ask me a favor. She strongly desired that there would be some sherbert out with the ice cream. I told her I would say something to Rick and see what I could do.

Then something happened and I'm not sure what exactly. But some how, my "offer" got brought up (see the previous post about her recital). I think she thought I was implying that she would need to complete that offer if she got sherbert. I don't really know what happened exactly, but we laughed and it was a good time.

Well I talked to Rick, and there will be sherbert put out with the ice cream here in the near future. I told Hayley that today as she was getting some food in the dining hall as I worked. She responded by having an extremely excited look on her face, she raced around the lunch counter thingamabob, and proceeded to come on the side of the employee's to give me a "Maranatha Hug," which is semi-difficult to explain, but fully checkable in the rules. Then there was the relentless "Thank you so much" thing too.

I had no idea that she was that into sherbert. All I know is that I need to find some wholesale place that will sell like a 32 gallon drum of sherbert. That way, we know the offer would be completed.

hhhhmmmmm............Maybe I had a Valentine all along..........

Pray what you mean

Have you ever prayed for something or some situation and prayed that "the Lord's will be done" even if that meant that you didn't get the response you wanted? How do you feel when the Lord's will is not your will?

In June, it will be 4 years since I have known Christ as my personal Savior. The last four years have been interesting spiritually. While I struggle with many things (too many I'm afraid) one of my biggest struggles is praying. To be honest, I'm not really sure how to. No one has ever really "taught" me. I try and listen intently to how they pray. I'm very nervous about praying in front of people because I'm horribly afraid I'm going to say something heritical. But yet, I know its something I need to do more of, and by not praying more (and in public), my prayer life simply won't grow.

One of those things I always seem to hear in a prayer is that "the Lord's will" be done in (insert the situation here). The Lord's will is always perfect, and he knows best. Even when that outcome means the absolute worst in our human minds, the Lord is in control. For example, last semester when I had a former friend and teacher pass away after fighting cancer for over a year, I was confused as to exactly how the Lord's will was that in all things God works for our good. When Mrs. Swisher did pass away, her funeral at church was JAM PACKED with people that she had come in contact with from church, school, workers at the hospital, unsaved friends from years past, and unsaved relatives. Her unsaved friends and family and the workers that came saw something different in Mrs. Swisher's life. 17 people got saved at her funeral. Indeed, God does work everything to our good, even in death.

The past few days and weeks or so, I've been praying for several things, but one thing in particular. Well, all seemed right in my mind that the opportunity was there and it was what God intended. I finally prayed that "Lord, if this is the situation you have for me, make it happen. If its not you will, close the door tomorrow." Guess what happened? The door got SLAMMED shut. I was really confused, disappointed, and kind of hurt by the whole thing. I mean, didn't God want what was good for my life? Didn't he want me to be happy? Did Jesus himself say "Ask and it shall be given you?"

The answers are all resounding yeses. But I read through the Lords prayer (could there really be a better "prayer handbook?").

Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Oh yeah. So I shouldn't pray for the Lords will unless I really mean it huh? I really do want God's will, on a daily bias, but also on my entire life, that he could say, "well done, thou good and faithfully servant." I want to be able to look back at my life (Lord willing), (as Paul in 2 Tim did) and say that I have been on God's path.

Moral of the story: If I really want God's will for my life, day to day or long term, than I need to pray for God's will and actually mean that I want God's will. Even if that means I do get the "need" that I desire.

The stupidest thing in the !NEW! MBBC Dining Commons.....

Want to know something that absolutely annoys the tar out of me? Good, because I'm going to tell you.

I'm sure you have all been in the dining commons at some point in time when a worker has dropped some object (i.e. stack of cups, plates, bowls, etc.). Then, a room full of idiots claps.

Now I know not everyone in the room claps. But the ones who do clap are complete and total morons (and yes, I realize I am making a reference to some of my friends---BUT I DO NOT CARE!) .

Here's my problem: put yourself in that person's shoes. You already feel like a total idiot because you've dropped something infront of like a billion people that you know and now they are all clapping reminding you just how much of a clumsy idiot you are for being human and making a mistake.

It happened this morning and I was enraged. I told all the guys at my table to stop clapping because it showed their maturity level. I can't stand this, it's so stupid. It what way does this possibly edify or encourage others?

I'm not saying that you can't have a good time or laugh at something you or a friend did. But that's not what this is. This is just mocking someone else because they made a mistake; this is putting ourselves on some sort of higher pedestal to make us feel good that we aren't that person.

So next time you see someone drop something in the dining commons, don't clap, help them pick it up (quick point: I know some of you do this already. I know Bobbi Shepp has done it on more than one occasion and that people thought they were clapping at her; in any case, she didn't care and just tried to help someone out. Way to be the bigger person Bobbi).

Ok so Thursday and Saturday of last week, I had the privilege of being involved with one of (if not the) best recitals in Maranatha's history. I consider myself somewhat of an expert of MBBC Recitals because I am the unofficial-official "Fine Arts Recital Usher." Hayley's was top notch. This summer she traveled as part of an MBBC ensemble team with Nick Peterson, Ann Marie Fredricks (Poorman), Nathan Sutherland, Liz Stertz (Fain), and Jill Brewer (Canada) on piano. They even made a CD, nothing professional, but I have it and listen to it a ton. For the recital, they sang "By The Gentle Waters" (minus Mrs. Fain......That whole newlywed thing makes it tricky). Hayley sand a bunch of other songs too. The one she sang with her Father from "Beatuy and the Beast" was probable my favorite. But I really liked that "Diva" song she sang too (which is also the one she did for an encore). All in all, a very virtuoso perfuming and she did an excellent job. It easily ranks as probable my favorite performance to date (with Ann's and Yaffah's being a very close 2nd. Not that there's was bad. They were great. But I used in Hayley's (unlike Ann's because she was set already) and Yaffah's I didn't quite have the funny story quite like the one I'm about to share.)

Ok so here is the funny story: Hayley has this one song in German.....Or Latin........ Or French or something that was Un-American. The song was about how much she missed her proverbial lover (presumably he has died). She wants to hold him and kiss him and all that stuff because she misses him so much and stuff. So I asked Julie Kerr if I could suggest something to dear Hayley ( I told Julie what I was going to say). Julie laughed and told me it would be funny (then suggested something else that has nothing to do with this post).

So the night of the big performance came and Hayley was awesomely amazing. After her encore, I was backstage waiting for her to come back so I could give her the flowers I got for her. So I was told her to come back back stage (like on the steps before you would enter the gym). I was worried that she was going to laugh heartily and loudly that would disrupt Dr. J's prayer......Or smack me with something causing me to yelp loudly.

So we are backstage and Hayley says:

"So what did you need?"

Me: "Well, you know that whole German, or Latin or French or whatever foregin language song that wasn't American about losing your lover and wanting to hold him and kiss him and stuff?"

Hayley: Yeah (fill in the blank with a foreign song name here)?"

Me: Yeah I guess. Well, I just wanted to let you know that from now on, if you need someone to make out with, you don't have to sing a passionate song in public. Just give me a call and I'll be there.

Hayley paused for like a half a second before she burst out with laughter, knowing how stupid I was being (I think it was a funny story, no matter what). That half second though was somewhat perplexing. She had this look on her face that said 1 of 2 things. Either:

A.) I'm horrified that YOU would even suggest such a thing that included me. The thought that you think that you are in my league is comical to me.

OR

B.) I'm completely shocked that you of all people just suggested that. You have trouble talking to women in the general sense suggestion is comical to me.

I'm thinking it was (B.) knowing Hayley and by the fact that she said (after laughing):


"Ok. Thanks. Now I know who to call from now on."

Ok, maybe this story wasn't that funny to you. But I thought it was really funny because Hayley laughed too. She is really cool and did a great job. Great singer, awesome girl; thanks for the laugh Hayley.

!NEW! Quote of the Extended Time Periond (and quick notes)

Let me give you a quick run down of the actually phone conversation:

Mom: Yes, she seemed like a very nice girl.

Me: Thanks mom, you almost remember talking to her, for that I am proud.

Mom: No I remember her, she had red hair.

Me: No she doesn't. She has blonde hair.

Mom: Thats what I ment.

Me: Thats a big difference.

Mom: I remember talking to her, she seemed nice.

Me: Mom, you would say that about anyone. Seriously.

(this kind of has a point to it for future posting purposes. This part of the conversation was HYSERTICAL when I tell you about something in a post in the near future)

Dad: So are you like dating this girl?

Me: No. Why?

Dad: Why not. She's a girl. Thats a step in the right direction.

Me:Your not about to say what I think your about to say again are you?

Dad: Well do you have a girlfriend?

Me: No Dad, same news as always on the love life. Nothing.

Dad: Get a girl soon Johnboy.

Me: Why, whats the rush?

Dad: You better hurry or else they will run out.

Me: Did you just suggest to me that if I don't get a girlfriend soon, they will run out? Like since when did women become like a line at the deli counter? *DING* Your numbers out! Sorry, we are all out of women today, come back for more later. Dad you do realize that women make up like roughly half of the world's population right?

Mom and Dad: (laughing very hard).

Me: You also know that this is why I never send pictures home and more and why I don't like introducing you to my friends that aren't guys, and why I never ask you for any kind of advice on this stuff right? Seriously, I'm not even kdding about this. And stop asking Jayson {my older brother} to ask me about stuff like this at school, he actually doesn't care and tells me he is just asking because you two want to know.

Mom and Dad: (more laughter).

Yes, I need a girl friend soon, because you are all going to like disappear or something. Sorry ladies, I didn't know it was happening either. But for your own saftey, someone is just going to have to take one for the team and date me. Or not.

A post about Hayley's recital and other antics are coming soon (as soon as I get those pictures).

Mark Poorman:Borderline genius

Ok, so I'm officially nominating my friend Mark Poorman for the Nobel Peace Prize for making a discovery that has changed the course of human events. Sort of. Kind of. In a way almost. Well he told me something that I thought was completely ridiculous and he turned out to be 100% correct.

It all started like 2 years ago. Well for as long as I can remember anyway. The point is, for the longest time, Mark has been telling me that if I would gel my hair and not just let it look like I just woke up or just got out of the shower, that it would be a good thing. His point was that "girls would notice." I found this concept to be completely ridiculous until I did some science experimentation.

When I went home for Christmas break, I decided that when I actually left the house, I would gel the hair exactly the way Mark taught me (he showed me a method to use when I went on "date like activities" where I have to get all dressed up nice and stuff). I did it a couple of times when I went to church and hung out with some BJU/BBC/Tenn Temple friends. No big deal.

The morning of New Year's Day proved the first stage in Mark's genius. I had been out at my older brother's house hanging out with him until about 3 AM. When I woke up and got ready to go to church, I didn't bother to gel my hair (I didn't bother to shave either, but I had a goatee at the time, so I think that was ok). When I got to church, I walked in a saw a few friends chatting, so I Natalie went over to communicate with them. It got quiet when I got there after they had been giving me odd looks and whispering. Just before we all went in to sit with out parents or each other in the auditorium, my friend Natalie (whose transferring here in the fall from Tenn Temple. Be nice to her when she gets here; super cool girl) asked if I was feeling ok. I ofcourse was, just a little tired, but felt fine. She then followed up with "Do you have hang over?" I ofcourse was repulsed by the mere proposition that she thought that. When asked why she thought that she responded: "Well I dunno. You look all dishelveled and kind of out of place. And you didn't do your hair, you look really sloppy." Now I'd like to interject here that Nat is a very intelligent young lady, not some goofy dumb blonde (no offense, but I think you get my point). I was wearing what I always did to church and I looked fine (my mom complemented me out the door......Then again, she has been saying that every Sunday AM I've been home; "Aw Jonathan, you look so handsome for church this morning......All though I'm not sure that tie matches at all.")

I decided that Mark's theory needed to be further tested. So when I came back to school, I decided that I was going to gel my hair everyday for the first week. You should have heard the compliments I was getting from so many people. There were people (specifically some females) that I never even have really talked to that had come up to me that week telling me how nice my hair cut was. HELLO!! I'VE HAD THE SAME HAIR CUT SINCE I WAS IN JR. HIGH!!! All the sudden I gel my hair and I look nice? This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life. I want all of you to know that.



But then again, Mark was right, so whatever works.

More tomorrow (a new "Quote of the Extended Time Period if I can figure it out!)

The Greatest Invention......

Ok, so yeah, I haven't posted in a few days. I know. My bad. There have been a few things at home that I've been kind of dealing with that still aren't really resolved. Anyway, an actually "quick" post from me.

I have discovered one of the greatest things of all time. For those of you who don't know, Sean Hannity is probablly my favorite pundit (political talker) ever. I own all his books (I have 2 copies of one of them......I don't know why), check his website on a fairly regular basis, and when at home, listen to his radio show EVERY WEEKDAY (his solgan: "3 hours a day, that's all we ask".....and Sean, I'm happy to comply). But here is the thing. Ever since I came out to school here in lovely Wisconsin, I haven't been able to listen to Sean. Very dissapointing.

Until now......

See, ever since I got this Ipod thing (which is just amazing) I found all these neat things I can do. One thing is called a podcast (props to Justin and Matt who introduced me to these things). A podcast is basically a radio show digitialized so that I can download it onto my computer and then my ipod. Well, the other day (Monday) I found "The Sean Hannity Show" podcast. I now listen to my main man Sean commerical free, just a day late (which I'm ok with).

Quick sidenote: because the down loads are commercial free, its not a full 3 hours, it's actually less than 2. Really cool. Back to the post:

I've also download HOURLY podcasts from CNN news. I get a 5 minute news blurb. Its like TV, only better. I love it. There are a couple basketball podcasts I download (because I'm a freak), plus other political pundits (Bill Maher....yeah, he is a flamming liberal, but he is funny and gives the view that I don't hear, something I need to better educate myself in). There are also some comedy bits we've got (need I say more than "Ask A Ninja?")

Matt started downloading podcasts. He's got a bunch of science stuff on my CPU, which is fine. But what's really cool is the 2 church podcasts he's downloaded (now on a regualr basis): Covenant Life Church and the BJU Chapel hour. Good stuff.

Moral of the story, I now rank the Ipod(with Podcasts) among the greatest inventions EVER


my list:

1.) Printing Press
2.) Cotton Gin
3.) IPod (with podcasts)
4.) the light bulb
5.) the automobile
6.) the game of basketball (thank you Dr. James Nasmith)
7.) Power Point (it helps me learn in classes.......I stuggle without it, I don't take notes well).

That's just my list, feel free to leave your own, or call me an idiot for whatever reason you might.

More, later...........

Welcome and Intro

Welcome to my NEW AND IMPROVED bl0g. Much thanks to Justin Jones to help me set up these links and stuff, because I'm an idiot and I don't know how to do anything like that. I like the backround and stuff. It gives a very "Declaration of Independance" feel to my blog. That is cool.

Quick run down of the new blog:

"The Quote of The Extended Time Period"
This is where I'm going to put random quotes that strike me in a particular fashion. They may be funny, they may be serious, they may even be something that you have said (in which case I will quote you). I didn't do quote of the day or week because I never know when I'm going to change it. A new quote will always be followed with the story behind the quote to throw in it context for you. Like this quote of the extended time period from Rick Majerus. For those of you who don't know, Rick Majerus is currently an analyst for ESPN college basketball games. He was one of my favorite coaches when he coached at Utah. He is funny, witty, a good guy whom the media, players and fans alike all loved. If I ever coached, I'd be like him (a hero of mine of sorts). The thing is, Rick had to stop being a coach because of all the stress involved and how bad is health is. The guy weighs like 450 lbs., he is huge. Thats a part of the reason this quote is funny; a big guy saying "I'm not a big Gay guy." But, durring half time of some game I was watching with my older brother, Majerus and Steve Lavin (another former coach turned analyst.........well he was just not a good coach actually) were talking about the potential of UConn Forward Rudy Gay (I have opinions on this matter myself if you care to know.....which I know none of you do). Lavin talked about how he thought Gay would be a good player. Majerus responded with "I dunno Steve. I'm not a big Gay guy." High comedy all around. My brother and I just burst out laughing. Not to mention, Steve Lavin also laughed at him. Its a funny quote.

"Sights Slim Sees"
These are websites and blogs that I visit every single day, sometimes more than once....usually more than twice. Let me give you a rundown of each site and explain why I like it and why you might enjoy it.

Bobby Endyk-- Bobby is a cool guy. He really needs to blog more, but we are working on that with him. The head usher here at MBBC is a solid guy who is a joy to be around. If you don't believe me, ask his fiance' Val, she'll tell you.

Chelsea Czidsc7qp-- I feel like a real jerk, because I know how to spell Chelsie's last name. I know how to pronounce it (she tells me it's "Chick-cry".....right?). So JJ and I decided to go with "C-z-random assortment of numbers and letters." It works. The English/Speech double major may be one of the few people at MBBC who will beat out my time of 6 years of undergrad work. Chels is also a member of the infamous "Minnesota Mafia" (check out the old school pictures of the gang on the blog.....my kids grow up so fast these days). I almost forgot to mention about her heritage: Korean by birth, Eastearn European by right, American through and through, desiring to be British. Somehow it all makes sense.

Clutch Fans--In case you didn't know, I'm an obsessive compulsive Houston Rockets fan. This website is where I get my Rox fix on all things Rockets. Its where other freaks like me argue about stupid things like "Does Tracy McGrady shoot too much in practice therefore making him tired for the game thus lowering his shooting percentage?" I didn't get into that debate, I'm not quite that hard core believe it or not. I just want you all to realize that there are bigger freaks than me out there. I know, scary thought.

Dave Marriott -- Dave is one of the latest additions to the blogging craze. He holds his own though. Lots of pictures, stories about dumb things, or how God is challanging him in various ways. Good guy, probablly going to church with us this semseter, good blog. Dave had this whole running gimmick about "hold the phone" in all of his posts, but someone told him it was dumb ( I won't mention any names) so he stopped. I liked it. I think he should bring it back.

Emiley Yogerst-- Even though I've only even began talking to Em like in October, its ok, because she's pretty cool. She goes to church with us too. She also counts as one of the few Mid-western peoples I like (I say few, but there is probablly a lot more than I'll admit). She gave a very good speech at her sister's wedding (so good, I almost teared up....almost) and she looked nice wearing all that pink (which I'm sure you loved that Em). She also loves Northland Camp. A lot. If you want to make her day, just ask her about why she loves it up there. She spent like an hour talking to me about it (maybe some day I'll make it up there). Oh, and don't let me forget that she is an El. Ed major. Ed majors are cool. She also has the most creative way to link me: "Slim, uh Messenger." Nice.

Hannah Kutz -- she is kind of my boss in the kitchen (don't forget though Hannah, Rick calls me the "Sandwich Czar"). She also helps serve the Jr. Class Vice President (I think that's what we call you.....I don't remember exactly). One of the 6 of us on the cam team traveling for the school this year. Camp team members are very cool.Also an El Ed. Major. Ed majors are cool. She should be on here by furtue of the fact that she has quoted John Adams on her blog and she lists Marv Munyon on her sites. I'm a Social Studies major and I don't do that. Very impressive. Now if only I could get her to list me on her website listing on her blog. Maybe I should drop a subtle hint in my blog. No I don't think that would work. Maybe I should just tell her. Maybe she'll just randomly figure it out. Who knows?

Justin Jones-- Justin gets mega props for many things. First, he is one of the few homeschoolers I like (quite the feat I might add). Plus he is also a hummanities major, and may someday convince me to change my major (all though Ed majors are cool). Don't let me forget that he helped me put this site together. Oh yeah, there is all that Excalibur stuff he lets me do too, even though I haven't been at a practice in like 3 semesters due to various circumstances. Also one of my Vice Presidents. He's traveling for the school for like the third time, but on a music team (ok, I'll say it just for you JJ: traveling members are cool). Justin also scores points because his family likes me a lot. I'm not really sure why, but they seem rather entertained by me (that youth rally was totally fun).

Matt Ledgerwood-- Matty doesn't get to post too often because he is bsuy working (at least he was busy working) at Ironwood Camp. Matt is a cool guy I miss seeing around and giving me a big smile and telling me how much he liked to see me (how you could you not be in a good mood after someone would say that to you?). Big points for being the only person to give me a standing ovation after my stand up bit last spring.

Matt McCarnan--Ok, I'll be honest, I'm pretty sure Weezer is the guy who started the whole "blog craze" at MBBC. He's had one for a while (his sister made it so all the family could keep intouch, even if Luke never posts) and was the first person I knew that had a blog. Matt scores big points for (out of all my friends) probablly putting up with the most amount of junk I give people.....oh and that whole "getting me an extra job to actually make money so I can stop taking out loans" thing, that was cool too. I have to take a quick second to acknowledge Matt's dad, Mr. McCarnan who I know will be reading this (he won the contest Matt was sponsoring on his blog about trying to find my new site)
Mr. McCarnan,
Sorry about not getting back to you through e-mail, I'm really bad at that. My solo went ok, but I don't think I'm ever going to do it again. I did get a "date" to the play then, Chels even put pictures up on her blog somewhere (though I look like I have no idea what's going on, she looks great though). So you and the Mrs. didn't have to get involved. Thanks for the offer and concern though.
--Slim

Nic Howe--I know he hates me saying it, but Nic has the most random blog ever (though I have a feeling that you all will say mine is LONG and random). Nic is a great guy who also happens to have ADD (we haven't actually proved this, but we are pretty sure you can't prove that he doesn't have ADD; make him tell you about how his mom used to put him on a leash to go to the mall, high comedy). I like reading Nic's blog because I'm never sure what I'm going to get, but I usually leave challanged or laughing. Either way, I need to get Nic to blog a bit more since he hasn't done so in about a month now.

Roberta Shepp-- My favorite 6 foot female drama queen (aka "Speech Major"). I'm totally disapointed that I could not actually be in her recital, but she found a good Russian anyway (it'll be fine Bobbi, many people are praying hard for you). I don't think I've ever talked to Bobbi without one of us laughing hysterically. Even when she called me to try and figure out if I could be in her play or not (you know, I couldn't call her because I was avioding her becase I didn't want to tell her I couldn't do it), we still ended up laughing a good bit durring the conversation.


Sportsguy-- I'm pretty sure none of you will ever check this site out (nor would you for "Clutch Fans") but the "Sports Guy" Bill Simmons is a writer for ESPN. All his columns consits of mixtures of pop culture and sports. I love reading this guy and am upset when he doesn't write on somedays(why does he need a vacation??)--by the way, I'm disapointed on days you guys don't post either. He gives many quoteable statments which I sometimes use, but no one knows where I got them from because you don't read the Sportsguy. I also kind of developed my writing style from him (stuff like my random thoughts in parentheses....like that). I enjoy it.

So thats what I got here on the new blog. Let me know if you like or not. As always, more later...........

Joining the Club

Having noticed the relative popularity of Blogger (and because I cave to peer pressure), I've added myself to its esteemed pages.