I am a stupid sheep.

Isn't it amazing how God uses the very things that we hold onto the hardest to get our attention? I am a stubborn person who wants his own way, and going through the process of God getting my attention and teaching me can be painful. While this is true it is also necessary, and I am thankful that God loves me enough to correct me and to teach me His way and to prepare me for His plan. Praise God in the good and in the bad, for he surely works for the good of those who love Him.

The how you know you have a gross job quiz.

1. Do you wear foot condoms? Yes/No

2. Do you have your name on your shirt? Yes/No

3. Is your butt crack constantly exposed? Yes/No

4. Do you wash your hands before going to the bathroom? Yes/No

If you answered yes to at least two of these, your job is probably pretty gross. PS I think I just made Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe obsolete!

12:15

I have nothing to say and it is 12:15. Life is a funny thing. Eight months ago 12:15 would have been early, I would probably be spending my time being distracted for the 10th time that night by two of the best room mates a guy could hope to have. We would discuss everything from how stupid the Prius is, to how great cheese is. However random the conversation, it was always top notch, believe me... But now not a year later I sit here silently at 12:16 and it is late. There is no conversation and no cheese, although Priuses are still dumb. It is now 12:17 and time marches on.

GO STATE!!!

How do you turn a disappointing 4 win year into a very exciting 5 win season? It is very simple, beat Carolina! Although this football season was one marred by injury for the pack, we played hard for 60 minutes every game and never gave up. We were very close to beating South Carolina, Wake Fores, and Florida State but couldn't pull it out. But with all of the adversity and all the close losses I am still a proud member of the NC State faithful, a real fan who does not make snide remarks like "Just wait for basketball season", like many Carolina fans are undoubtedly proclaiming as they exit Carter Finley. A fan who will wear NC State gear the day after an embarrassing loss or after a big win the same. I love my team, and I love it when we beat Carolina! For the third straight year we have willed our selves to victory as the underdog!

With 13 season ending injuries this year and being so close to at least an 8 win year, one can only imagine what is in store for future O'Brien coached teams which avoid the injury bug! I am excited for the future and thankful for todays 28-27 win over the Heels. I have great hope for the backs, am encouraged by the O-line's improvement, anxiously awaiting the return of Nasty Nate, and looking forward to seeing how O'Brien's recruits and team make North Carolina State University proud for future seasons, for at his direction we are bound for big things! Until next season...

Shout out loud for the men who will play the game to win,

We're behind you keep fighting for state!

Hold that line hold it fast we'll reach victory at last,

We're behind you keep fighting for state!

Stand up to the fray and let your colors wave,

Shout aloud for dear old NC State!

GO STATE!

So where ever we go we will let the whole world know,

we're behind you keep fighting for STATE!

Blindside

Today I went to see the new Sandra Bullock movie, Blindside. It was amazing! Sandra Bullock's character seemed to be written for her, and lets just face it she is flat out hot for her age. Besides this obvious fact, it was a true feel good story of human decency and overcoming the odds. Best of all it was a true story. I would recommend this movie for all.

Lets hope the bye week fixes things magically...

So over the last two seasons NC state has gone 4-2 after our bye week. Lets hope once again some late season heroics can magically fix what seems to be a spotty defense which started the season top 5 in the nation by all measures, but quickly fell from grace in ACC play with a secondary that has struggled to implement the zone schemes which the coordinators have put into place. In addition 10 season ending injuries including freshman running back James Washington have plagued the pack. So hold on pack fans and hope for some TOB late season heroics.

I know you have heard this before...

So I have seriously slacked on the blog as of late, but I am committing from this point on to post more frequently. I say more frequently because well it is vague and if I get busy Iwont be turning my self into a liar. You know you have to cover your bases.
In any case the last three months has been a giant wedding extravaganza! Hannah and I have been flying around the state watching our dear friends experience one of the most important and life changing events in life. It has been such a great testimony to see couples who truly love the Lord and seek to glorify him making a commitment that will last a lifetime. It excites me to think of how these couples can impact the world together. Until next time you stay classy!

Quotes from Ariel Down on Football

On a missed tackle: “Sometimes you only get one shot in the music business, in life, whatever. In tackling you get one shot. You make that fucking tackle.”
On a big hit: “That’s why you go to a football game. You want to see someone get knocked the fuck out.”
On the pep band: “Tuba players are the rock stars, dude.”
On the crowd: “Love life, love music, love sport, love people. Music brings everybody together. Sport brings everybody together. It’s great. Embrace it.”

These guys have sort of a rediculous 80's metal band feel in a somewhat modern context, I almost like it but then again....

This is how I know I am a wood dork...

I am sitting in my office and one of my officemates asked me a simple question about making a table. I went on for about 20 minutes until I saw his eyes glaze over. I then spent the next 30 minutes looking through the wood handbook (Bible for woody raw materials) putting together more information about wood-moisture relationships, dimensional stability and drying than any normal person would care to know. But the sick part is I nearly get wood my self looking at it...I think all hope is lost...

LOVE THIS SITE!!!

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Potent Quotables: Bill Cosby

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.

-Bill Cosby-

These are extremely wise words from a man who does stand up in suede track suits. This quote is particularly relevant to me because I am the type of person that has always tried to never offend and to never step on toes. The last thing that I have ever wanted to do is to offend or alienate. I am not saying this is particularly a bad thing but I think the ever wise Dr. Huxtible is on to something. "the key to failure is trying to please everybody." An interesting statement to be sure. I think it is true that when you try to please everyone you will be overworked, overstressed, and not be able to do anything particularly well. I know for a fact that this is true for I have done it.

I think this can also line up with the idea of being all things to all people. Sure do what you can to relate to people and be willing to meet people where they are, but by no means should you live your life to bend to others will. Stand up be firm and do what is right. Focus on what matters. Well done Mr. Cosby.

Potent Quotables: Birthday Special

"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do." -Andrew Carnegie

Yes today is my birthday and I often grow nostalgic and insightful on my birthdays. I think of the years passed and what it is I have accomplished what I have to show for it. At times this has been depressing and frustrating and at other times encouraging and joyous, but the bottom line is that I feel it important to take stock every once in a while to make sure you are moving in the right direction. At this point I am keenly aware that intentions mean little and actions do indeed speak louder than words (for better or worse). God has a plan for you and it is important for you to be aware of that and understand that it is your plan to seek, it is yours to pursue. I am keenly convicted that it is important to have purpose, to stand up, to understand that life is about more than just "me". Maybe it is good to sometimes pay attention in our own lives to what it is we have done and give account to our selves and make prayerful adjustments.

Potent Quotables: 1: Theodore Roosevelt

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." This quote is very simple. The idea comes from a man of a generation that was harder and more sincere and produced out of world war and economic hardship no one of the past 50 years could possibly understand. This quote is a personal challenge to any one who reads it to do exactly what it says do what you can in what ever situation you find your self in. I do not believe it can ever be a bad thing to live up to your potential and to have the satisfaction of knowing that you have done all that you could, that you have wasted nothing of your self.

One more reason to love Russell Wilson

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NC State 2009 Football Schedule

So the 2009 schedule is out for Wolfpack football! There will be eight home games including a season opener against South Carolina, a non conference match up against Pitt., ACC match ups vs. Clemson, Maryland, Duke, and a season finale against the Tar Holes. It is looking like we could win a bunch of games if we can come out of the gates the way we finnished the regular season last year. GO PACK!!!

Potent Quotables: Introduction

Welcome to my new weekly segment of potent quotable. This series will showcase a famous quote and expand on it and the truth and relevance which it contains. It is my hope that this segment will bring some interesting historical context to today's every day life

i cant believe i just did that

Its funny, in my 4 and 1/2 years of college I have never done what I just did. I just walked into a classroom for a normal class, I even brought my computer so I could work on stuff for other classes, but after sitting down and making small talk with a few classmates I was told that there was a test. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A TEST. So I winged it. I have no idea how I did but I am hoping it was not too un-good....

Baseball

Ok so it is early February, and just two days ago I watched one of the best superbowls I have ever been witness to. The semester is in full swing, and there are a million things jockeying for my time. With all of this in mind it is only fitting that I am focused on the fact that the first home game of the Durham Bulls season is on my birthday, April 9th! I think I have an enfatuation. But how could I not when for the second season in a row the bulls made it to the IL final series but could not clench the Governors Cup trophy, which goes to the winner of the International League. This of course with a similar fate for the Bulls major league affiliate, the Tampa Bay Rays who as we shold all know had a story book season until losing in the world series to the Phillies. If you throw in the fact that a strong majority of the current Tampa Bay team has played in Durham, you arrive with an infatuating coctail of baseball obsession on my part. I can not wait to see what the Bulls and the Rays (and of course my personal favorate ST. Louis Cardinals) preform in their perspective divisions and leagues.

Dont waste your life

It is interesting how certain things can rise to prominence in your mind at different times in life. Sometimes it is a simple as what to do with a spare moment or two and other times as complex as trying to grasp the meaning of life or the reason for children dieing of hunger half a world away.
At the current moment the importance of life and its calling for the follower of Christ is paramount in my mind. Questions such as what God's will for me, or what do I want to do with my life are more complex and daunting than anyone can even imagine. Just because there is a plan in place, does it make it the right one, or just the easiest? Where do we look for answers? Can we ever truly know definitively if we are moving in the right direction or even managing to tread water?
There must be an answer and I would argue that we should look to the Lord for guidance. Should we sit on our thumbs waiting for a response? No. I believe we should use the brain that we were given to discern our gifts, use them and do what makes us come alive. God has wired us to be passionate about certain things, and to excel at those things. Why would he do this if we were not meant to pursue those things. To do anything else would be telling the almighty that what he gave us was not good enough and that we have a better plan.
What do you think?

SNOW....and CHANGE!!!! Here comes the CHANGE!!!!...but mostly snow

It actually snowed here overnight and today. It wasn't even that wet icy crap, it is the fun fluffy real snow type! It is great so later me, my sister and who ever else are going to go outside and make a snowbama in honor of Barak Hussein's inauguration. HERE COMES THE CHANGE....maybe.

I anit gonna stop im gonna spit the truth!

Alright. So the other day I was hanging out with my buddy who just happens to be a life long Carolina fan and something amazing happened. He admitted that Carolina fans are the worst of all fans. In his own words, and this is absolutely true: all Carolina fans are snobby, ignorant, and fair weather fans. If the Tar Holes lose a couple of games or are down by a few scores they begin to boo, and leave half way through the game. But in some ways I guess I cant blame them. If I had champagne, caviar, and shrimp cocktail waiting for me in my overpriced status symbol better known as a BMW 3 series, I would leave that crap hole called the dean dome early too! WTF Carolina fans could you be bigger posers?