Star Wuhz...

Our children are ignorant no more. Despite protests from my mean (and wise) wife, I sat the kiddos down for Star Wars. Ethan and Mia talk about it all the time and have not understanding of the movie. Ethan thinks they ripped off the whole "I am your father " deal from Toy Story. What a shame!

I tried hard to explain that, although the bad guys wear black and have a rocking theme, the good guys always win despite the situ. (I stole the word "situ" from an unnamed comedian. Apparently, it is cool for situation.) Ethan especially struggled with which guys were the bad guys. It is even further complicated by the fact that he has two storm trooper helmets from the new movies when they are the good guys. Sheesh....now, I am confused.

Anyway, I let him know that the good guys always win in the movies. I wanted to tell him that was the case in the real world, but, unfortunately, it just does not work that way. Bad stuff happens to good people and sometimes the bad guys get the girl....it sucks, but it is true. There is a plan for the whole deal, but it is not the original plan. The ultimate irony of the situ (see, told you I am cool) is that people only get stronger and better when dealing with the bad stuff. Why is that the case? We grow 50 times faster during a tough time. I want to sit on the couch and grow. (Ok, I actually do grow while sitting on the couch but not in a good way. You get the point...)

It feels like many good people are in a bad way right now, and I don't like that feeling. I guess in the end, they are better for the pain. But, that is a lousy way to think. I have had enough of lousy.

-Shawn

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving. There are literally a million reasons for me to be thankful.

Here is one more reason to be thankful - Coldplays' new EP, Prospekt's March. (Despite being billionaire's they still struggle with spelling and spellcheck in Microsoft Word.)


H is big on kicking on the Christmas music on Thanksgiving, and we have some great tunes.

Harry Connick, Jr - Harry for the Holidays (instant classic)
Nat King Cole (eggnog, anyone?)
Michael W. Smith - Christmastime (yeah-yeah....MWS all-time favorite phrase and music filler)
Relient k - Let it Snow, Baby...Let it Reindeer (once again, they squeezed a joke into their CD title...rock on, Relient k)

Travel safely, have fun, enjoy family and go Cowboys!

-The Napping Daddy

------------------- BREAKING NEWS -------------------------

What you writin' about, Willis...

I think many of you readers know Melissa. She just released an e-book which you should check out. It is encouraging for all of us freelance writers who have yet to suck up and finish our thoughts on paper. Go download it...

Aside from taste-testing brownies and professional sarcastic quipper, I suppose that writing could be one of the world's better jobs. I recently launched an idea to do just that very thing: Shanx Media. Almost daily, I am asked to write content or media for small companies and individuals. I hope to one day make enough from that venture to have the carpets cleaned. (In the meantime, the new vacuum will serve the purpose.)

Today, content creator. Tomorrow, wealthy idea writer....

Some titles I am mulling over:
Buy This! 10 Steps to Reading My Book
How to Chicken Fry Candy (co-written by my lovely wife)
Chic's Dig '97 Toyota Camry's And Other Things Muttered by Yuppies

We are toast....

America's economy is toast. Barney Frank, the head of the House Financial Services Cmte, said this today. "We are considering loaning the automakers the 25 billion but requiring them to give us an updated business plan by March. If they do not have it ready by then they will have to pay the money back."

WHAT???? They are begging for money because they are broke. What do you think they are going to do with the 25 billion? Put it into an interest bearing checking account at SunTrust? Are you a complete idiot, elected official? They are burning through cash at an amazing rate.

The man most directly involved in keeping America's financial policies on course wants to give 25 billion to three failing companies. But, he wants them to pay it back if they cannot play by the rules. King Obama better fix this soon with his magical powers....

Some things have no explanation....

I really hate uncomfortable....

Why do some people have inner faith while some of us struggle with all the details? I have wondered that one for a long time. I have questions, and I have found that there are not always good answers. (My questions range from "why do children suffer" to "how can Jesus return in the eastern sky to a ROUND world" to "why did they make Fonzie jump that shark?")

I just finished (almost read twice because he has lots more smarts than me) Tim Keller's The Reason for God. You have to respect the pastor of a huge church in NYC that starts by agreeing that faith and skepticism are both on the rise. Huh? But, I guess it is true. Atheists are certainly more vocal today than 25 years ago led by Hitchens, Dawkins, etc, and religious activity is on the move as well. Both are true....strange.

It is a really great book and read. You know the author is smart when he can make really tough ideas relatively simple. (Or am I just simple-minded? Either way...) He is able to dissect the arguments against God and faith without being a jerk. It would have been easier to call them Godless sinners. :) He could have also pulled a Don Miller and gained style/cool points by taking pot shots at Christians. (Don Miller is cool by the way. I bet he likes sushi.)

If you recently left law school and have the permanent perception that you should always be busy, go buy the book. Or, download his sermons from www.redeemer.com. He is also a killer teacher.

"We usually begin the journey toward God thinking, "What do I have to do to get this or that from him?" but eventually we have to begin thinking, "What do I have to get him?" If you don't make that transition, you will never actually meet the real God, but will only end up believing in some caricature version of him."

We just filled up the Quest for $30. Thanks, recession....

Sent from my iPhone

Mommy thinks I am sick....

But I am wearing Mia's 'Rella dress, playing with one of Bubba's
Buzzes and have Daddy all to myself.

I love it when a plan comes together....suckers!

Same bus...different dudes

King Obama catches Z's on his Premiere bus

Premiere bus with commoners

Shawn in King Obama's chair

Keep your kids...

If you are like me (and I hope you are not,) you sometimes wonder why you have kids. They are quite expensive and do not always sleep through the night. (I know what you are saying to yourself, "Yeah, Shawn, but when they are learning to speak, you can trick them into saying dirty words." You make a great point, and we completely agree.) Anyway, it is a scientific fact that they need to eat almost every day and frequently ask for stuff for Christmas.

Last night, Ethan reminded the whole family that he saw a TV person get shot while staying up late with Daddy. My recollection of the subject was intentionally vague so as to avoid potential other discussions with my life partner (as she will soon be referred to in the new Obama administration.) It was a fun time for everyone involved minus me. To make matters worse, Mia promptly told everyone that I DID know the show to which Ethan was referring but was only acting like I DID NOT so Mommy would not get angry. She was mostly right and completely grounded.

Ethan had a tough start to the day today. He woke up WAY too early (see argument against children mentioned above) and was grumpy. He did a great job of turning his grumpiness into a happy heart (as Mommy says) but only after we had a long discussion in his room complete with tickling. At one point, he told me, "I know I have to obey you, but I don't want to." Amen, bro...

I am reading a great Tim Keller book called "The Reason for God". Keller is so much smarter and genius-er than the rest of us that I will never really understand what he is writing. But, it is an amazingly simple breakdown of reasons for faith in God. It reminds me that I must constantly force myself to look at the world from God's perspective. It is easy to see everything through the lens of my day, past events, experiences, etc. I believe that God exists and is involved in my day. He has His reasons for everything and they often do not make sense to me. Frankly, if God made complete sense to me then we would all be screwed.... (don't let your kids read that last sentence.)

My children are the best examples in my life of God's view of me. We sustain their lives in every way, fund their existence, provide protection, feed and nurture and guide their growth. Because they have never known a different experience, they expect all of those things as a starting point. It has yet to occur to them that, if all of those things ended right now, the additional Wii game or new markers would be irrelevant.

Does God chuckle when he sustains me in every way, and I complain because I have a long day? (Uhm, well Shawn, I did keep the laws of nature in force for one more full day so you would not fry by cosmic radiation. Sorry that you had to make a tough phone call.) Since God created humor, I am sure he gets it too....

I have boogers...

I was awakened by a sweet, smiling EK this morning as she sat up in her bed. "Momma, DaDa...I have boog-ahs." She has been battling a sinus infection for the past few days and has become well-acquainted with what our family calls The Boogie Sucker. (The little bulb shaped device that middle-ages torture experts created to extract boogies from kids noses.) She was right, she did have boog-ahs. Surprisingly, life (and boog-ahs) continues to move on after an historic evening last night.

Whichever side of the political aisle you call home, last night was a big deal. Ultimately, Prez Obama will be a revered figure in the world. Whether or not you like the idea, we can always use an image lift to other nations. (Apparently, providing protection and hundreds of billions of dollars in aid each year don't quite make the grade.)

The new POTUS will have a more interesting time here than abroad. While the majority of the press is presenting the win as a sweeping mandate, the reality is somewhat different. Obama won by a few percentage points (hardly sweeping.) The House and Senate did not carry the massive swings so many had expected. Obama will be able to push his agendas but will not have a blank card with holes already punched.

Ultimately, around half the voters in the country won and half lost. Obama has been extremely liberal for all of his political life but will not maintain political capital forever if he continues that path. He will have great pressure from Reid/Pelosi to force heavy agendas, but it would be wise for him to remember that he ran as a centrist uniter. All of politics is a cycle, and winning/losing is no exception.

The vast majority of us woke-up this morning to move about our daily lives of work and sucking boog-ahs. (Boogies are no respector of persons. They can strike at any time.) Despite what was predicted, the sun did come up although my team lost. And, ice cream is still readily available to all. What a great country....

PS - H and I must work harder on growing up little conservatives. I asked Ethan and Mia what they will do when they become prez. Mia suggested that everyone will just paint - liberal! I was comforted by Ethan's answer that he would let everyone ride bikes and play Wii. But, when Mia asked him what he would do for all the people that do not have Wii's, he responded with, "I will give them Wii's." NO, socialist liberal wackos...

Einstein is (still) smarter than you

I was shocked today to learn that Albert Einstein is still smarter than me. Of all dead celebrities (are scientist celebrities?), he made the 4th largest amount of money last year behind The King, Charles Schultz (Charlie Brown) and Heath Ledger. Einstein made $18 million LAST YEAR. I have not made $18 million in the last three years combined! :)

Ironically, Einstein figured out Relativity but could not do the math on how to make kids. He died with no heirs and with a funky head of hair. (Later DNA test would definitively prove that Einstein had not combed his hair in 17.5 years.) All of his future kiz-ash (cash for the nerd readers) was left to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. (If you have children, you know this because all the Baby and Little Einstein stuff has their trademark. If you have children and do not watch Baby Einstein, you are a horrible parent, and my kids are smarter than yours.)

Ultimately, God probably knew that Einstein did not need to have kids. Michael Jordan's kids have a tough time living in his spotlight. Can you imagine being Al's kiddo? You could help cure cancer but still hear the phrase, "well, he ain't no Einstein." Well, in fact, you are an Einstein...

I guess Al, Jr could wash his blues away with $18 million per year while singing, "We're gonna take a trip on our favorite rocket ship, Flying through the sky...Little Einsteins."

It is done...I voted for Change.

I made a big decision today. Like many of you, I stood in line. I anxiously awaited my turn as I pondered my choices. Finally, my chance had arrived. It was not without some fear and doubt, but I made a choice for CHANGE. I chose change over the status quo. For too long, things have remained the same. Today, I chose a new course...

I ordered a Eggnog Latte rather than a Pumpkin Spice Latte! Yeah for me...

H always gives me a hard time for ordering the same meals at the same restaurants. (She would know since we have either been dating or married for almost 20 years.) While I am sure that Starbux makes other drinks than the two that I always order, why should I take a risk when I know what tastes good? (caramel macchiato in the summer and pumpkin spice latte in the winter) For the first 22 years of my life, I ordered a Chicken Fried Steak at every restaurant. It served me well until my culinary-ninja wife broadened my horizons. (Chicken Fried Steak is still wonderful, and I go back to that well from time to time.)

H will frequently go out on a limb and make a wild order. Quite often, it ends with her saying, "Well, that just wasn't exactly what I was expecting." Hhhmmm, if you ordered what you already expected, then you would know what to expect. (that just blew my mind.)

Anyway, H has broadened my horizons, but only a small bit. I do try more things but only until I find my new favorite. Here are the CFS (Chicken Fried Steak) equivalents at some of our favorite restaurants:

Royal Thai - #510 (I still can't say it, but I sure can eat it.)
Lenny's - #10 on white with cheese (They actually call this the Shawn.)
Blue Coast Burrito - fish tacos
Virago - any sushi (This place rocks...)
Noshville - blackend tilapia sandwich
Coldstome Creamery - cheesecake ice cream with brownie

Unrelated point, H and I are going to Chicago for a long weekend in the next few weeks. I need tips and advice on fun ideas. We are already down for a show (hopefully, Wicked) and shopping. Do they have CFS in Chicago?

-shawn

How to lose a popularity contest....

This post is from one of my favorite writers. (I find him to be almost as sarcastic as me. If you knew how many mental edits I make throughout each day, you would know that it is big deal.)

While I disagree with Don Miller's results, it is very refreshing to read someone's thoughts that are well-reasoned and not re-written talking points from either side. He has a very similar background to me which also intrigues me (but probably interests you less.)

By the way, he is one of the world's bestselling Christian authors.