BoyGeeding and I played the new Madden game last night. It’s so much fun bonding with him over video games, especially that one. There are a lot of tributes in the game to honor the late coach.
When I was married, I never thought I’d be able to take the kids to school again. It just made sense for the wife to take the kids to school, since she worked on the same campus. But now, depending on the possession schedule, I have the opportunity to take them to school like I used to do before my then wife went back to work. I loved those moments in the car together in the morning, and grateful I get to do it again on occasion. Sure, big vacation trips are fun and memorable, but it’s those little parts of parenting that’s special and heart fulfilling.
I was really disappointed in one of my closest friends as I went through some major life events. I felt he wasn’t there for me after I lost my father, best friend, and then my mother, despite me being there and supporting him during his major life events. But, he’s been with me every step of the way through this divorce and post divorce period. He’s even taken me to the hospital for surgery, twice, driving all the way from Mineral Wells just to do so. On Sunday, he drove to town just to have dinner with me for my birthday and just to check up on things. I’m grateful for his friendship, one that has lasted about 35 years.
Today is my birthday. Woo wee. I wish I had the type of relationship with my ex in which we could at least exchange birthday texts or send a card. The only thing that’s stopping me is she doesn’t want to do that stuff or have that kind of relationship.
It’s a little sad I’m buying a birthday cake for myself. But hey, it’s my birthday and I want to indulge in a little self-care. So, I’m going to buy me a cake (actually, a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake) and share it with my kids who will happen to be with me this year.
In case you are wondering, I’m now 47.
Seven years ago I climbed a mountain. Guadalupe Peak, and danced with my then wife on Texas’ highest peak. It meant a lot to me, and I thought it was romantic. No telling what she really thought of the experience, as I learned she suppressed a lot of her feelings to placate me.
On Sunday (August 28), The Village Church (TVC) announced that Matt Chandler would be taking a leave of absence from preaching and teaching following an inappropriate direct messaging relationship with a woman who is not his wife. While not romantic or sexual, Chandler described the messaging relationship as being characterized by “familiarity” and “coarse and foolish joking.” Chandler further described his online behavior as “unguarded and unwise,” and his leave of absence is both “disciplinary and developmental.” He further expressed his agreement with and submission to the elder board’s decision, which came after an independent, third-party investigation.
Most of the time when stuff of this nature happens, we learn it’s just the tip of the iceberg. That may not be the case with Chandler, but just don’t be surprised.
This is one reason why my marriage fell apart. I set up boundaries to protect our marriage, and my ex chose to ignore those boundaries by sending what she considered an innocent message to an ex-boyfriend. In some ways, it was just the tip of the iceberg, and our kids have suffered because of a lapse of judgement. And she wondered why I was concerned about her use of social media. I pray that I can find love again, and that both of us are willing to be transparent and accountable to one another.
The best way to handle this situation is complete transparency. That is, release all the messages and let everyone judge for themselves. Right now, I think it’s a bad look for the church to allow Chandler to control the narrative.
Posted inPersonal|Comments Off on Bag of Randomness for Tuesday, August 30, 2022
I didn’t mind it one bit, and he didn’t make any reference to my identity or particular situation, but my pastor mentioned a question I asked him during lunch last week. Basically, I told him I’m scared divorce is going to define me. That my obituary will literally started off, “Divorced father of two…..”
If Harry Potter was based in the U.S., the Quidditch coach would be the highest paid person at the school. You’d also see eagles instead of owls.
I’m excited about the Artemis rocket launch today. NASA is doing what they can to draw eyes, but I’m more excited about all the added cameras and the footage we’ll see from the spacecraft.
Cameras inside and outside of Orion will share images and video throughout the mission, including live views from the Callisto experiment, which will capture a stream of a mannequin called Commander Moonikin Campos sitting in the commander’s seat. If you have an Amazon Alexa-enabled device, you can ask it about the mission’s location each day.
The broadcast will begin at 12 a.m. ET as supercold propellant is loaded into the SLS rocket. Appearances by celebrities like Jack Black, Chris Evans and Keke Palmer and performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock and “America the Beautiful” by The Philadelphia Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma are also part of the program.
Lake Travis, Texas head football coach Hank Carter and Scott Surratt of Carthage both have a higher annual salary than the Texas Governor ($153,750). But things could be different now, that was last year’s data. The Star Telegram has a great article and a database of DFW area high school head football coaches. Either Mineral Wells isn’t considered a part of DFW or their head coach isn’t in the top 100, which I would say is a good thing. I’m sure he would disagree with me.
Little do y’all know that when Mineral Wells and Decatur play football, Barry over at LiberallyLean.com and I have a bet payoff. Actually, none of that is true. Sounds cool though, eh?
I remember when the service academies loosened their restrictions in 2016 on when a football player can enter the NFL. Roger Staubach had to serve in active duty for five years before playing pro football. When he was asked about the change, he didn’t respond negatively or with bitterness. He just said he was happy for them and happy they could be so fortunate. That’s how I feel about student loan debt relief. Let’s all be like Captain America. A rising tide lifts all boats.
I admit, it’s not apples to apples, but I think I like President Biden’s plan of paying off a large amount of school debt better way to stimulate the economy than when Bush (46) gave out stimulus money or bailed out banks and businesses. I think the loan payoff will have a longer and more positive effect on the economy. For those who are now debt free, they can now better contribute to the economy buying goods and services rather. Many will get that nagging issue affecting their car finally repaired, or apply for a loan to buy a new car. For those who aren’t debt free and have a remaining balance to pay, their monthly payment will now go down and they have the ability to pay their loan off faster. I remember being out of college and my monthly student loan payment was more than what I was paying for my share of the rent of an apartment I was living in with three friends. Sure, I could have worked out a smaller payment, but that would only benefit the issuer of the loan because in the long run they gain more interest, and I didn’t want the burden of paying off my loans to be more than ten years. With a lower monthly payment, I would have probably gotten a place of my own, make better progress paying off my car and credit cards, and contribute to the economy by buying and doing more stuff. I don’t mind them getting a benefit I’m no longer qualified for, I’m happy for them, and thinks it’s good for the economy of country.
Anytime I think of book banning and school board meetings, I immediately think of that scene in Field of Dreams. No, not that one, but that one.
I won’t say much, but I had an excellent second date last night. Dinner lasted three hours. Date three is Saturday. It’s fun making new friends.
This CBS 50th Anniversary photo was making the rounds yesterday. I like how Lucille Ball is strategically placed in the center, as if she’s the heart of the network. There’s no telling the jokes she was coming up with as they gathered and posed. I also like how Hitchcock is front and dead-center, somewhat like Jack Nicolson in The Shining. Walter Cronkite is next to him. I can imagine him saying, “Hello Alfred” in his baritone voice and Hitchcock simply replying with a besmirching, “Delightful.” You’ll notice a lack of diversity, I think I only counted six non-white folks. Here’s an “answer key” if you are interested. Someone should have told James Arness (furthest right) to be a step closer to David Groh, it would have made for a better picture. But, he seems like he’s the only one outside the rails, though it could just be the railing blending in with his tux. I don’t think I spotted Lassie the first time I examined it. I wonder what Gilligan and Archie Bunker had to say to one another.
I just found a better way to eat ice cream at home, and I can’t believe I haven’t thought of it sooner. It’s rather simple. Let it thaw for five to ten minutes. It’s easier on your taste buds and it’s more flavorful.
Richard Simmons would have one hell of a Twitter account.
Martin Van Buren was the first president born in the United States, but English was his second language. Raised in the Dutch community of Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren spoke Dutch as his first language.
My ex and I used to share toothpaste. So, once she left, one of the first things I did to get over her was to buy a new brand and flavor of toothpaste.
As mentioned on the Dallas Reddit page, this photo (click here for a much larger and more detailed version) does not make Dallas look like Dallas. It looks like an entirely different city. I think I’d like to get this framed.
