Siblings Part Two

Over the summer I was watching a television show where a guy met his younger brother for the very first time in their lives. I don't know the whole story so I am not going to make things up as I go along, but I can tell you is this. The father of both these two men tried, as I found out while watching the show to get in contact with the other son. The son wanted nothing to do with him, or so I gathered from what I saw. In turn, the father must have told his other children about this man, his career, etc.

When the two brother did finally meet I got the impression from watching the tv show that they got along well and that it seemed they known each other all their lives.

But that's television and It's usally not how it goes. It might be safe to say that even the two brothers communicate with each other they still have alot to go before they can say, 'yeah, were good'

After I had seen this show I started thinking about the relationship I have with my siblings. Don't get me wrong, I love them and I am sure in return they feel the same way about me. Even though it can be rocky at times, I am a part of their lives, they will always be a part of mine. And I love that fact.

But what I got to thinking about was my father who I was never close to and didn't have the chance of meeting.

It could be possible that I might have brother's and sisters I never knew about. I can't prove this, but I wouldn't doubt it

Here is the thing about it. I don't think I want to know. Yeah, it may sound rude and a little heart less but thats how I feel. If I can, let me explain.

Like I said, I have five younger siblings, three brothers and two sisters who I love and respect dearly. I am content with having what I have and knowing what I know.

Having other siblings wouldn't change anything.

If anything it would be awkward. Especially that first meeting.

I am going to give two hypothetical reasons. One, let's say I do search for these people and I find out that during the course of my fathers life he made money. And I do mean money, which would leave his children rich. Perhaps they might think the only reason I searched for them was to get some of that money. Some may feel it's owed to me, others might feel I should just leave it alone.

I would leave it alone. Once again, I can not prove these people exist and what I am writing is just a theory.

But it could be a possible scenario.

Another scenario would be that they are the most insane people on earth and even Jerry Springer would have to say they're bizare and would never be on his show.

If that was the case, the five siblings that I have I would appreciate even more than what I do already.

Other people may not feel the same I do,If you have other siblings and can prove it, I am not saying you shouldn't look into it, that choice is yours.

To each his own I guess it would be safe to say.

In closing I will leave with these two things:

If you recall in a previous blog entry I wrote sometime last year I made refernce to both my father and my grandfather. I had wrote that I felt I didn't need to look for a father figure because I had one and it wasn't going to get any better than what it was with my grandpa.

I feel the same way about my brother and sisters. Do we have arguements? You bet. Do we some times say hurtful things that we sometimes mean or don't mean to say? Absolutely. We are not perfect by any stretch. But, what we do have is we get along, we let by gones be by gones. Some things are tough and we may not speak to one another for a period of time, but we come around.

I wouldn't want it any other way.

In the Book of Genesis the story of Joesph and his brothers. His older brothers sold him into slavery, years later when Joesph became a ruler over his land they saw each other again and he forgave them because he knew this was Gods plan.

You deal with the cards you have been delt with.

Once again, I can not prove that my father had other children, and I don't want to. They would have to make the first move.

I'm not going to hold my breath and wait for that moment to arrive.

Forgivness. It's Good Thing.

I have to get something off my chest, I have a facebook friend who I used to go to school with back in the '80's. Some how between then and now we lost contact with one another. It was only recently within the last year, year in a half maybe that we found each other again and it's good.
but here's the thing, when my facebook friend and I were in school I was angry at him. It's not important why, but I remember being so resentful over something he had done that I felt if I never saw him again it would be too soon.

Flash forward to late 2009 possibly early 2010 and said person and I are friends. I have not seen him face to face yet because we both live in different states, but if the oppertunity ever did present it self, I would be up for seeing him again. The question is though, who would have thought that after 20 plus years that this guy who I thought I destested, would become a friend again?

Answer: God

We all have, and I think we have to admit this people that we need to forgive, whether it's something that you said or something that you did.

And vice versa

Why do we forgive one, because God cammands and second you do feel better once it's done.

When I was a child I had met some people that I found were not the most friendly people on the planet. I found out when they did something I didn't like. It took me almost 17 years to forgive them. I remember It wasn't easy, but I am happy that I did it and I do feel better about my self and I think I feel I am even a stronger Christian for forgiving the person.


Forgivness can be hard at times. A friend or even a parent can be so creul that it haunts you and you can't bring yourself to do it.

Been there.

But, once again, it wasn't easy, but thank's to the Grace of God and His love that I was able to do it.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are shall I say sensitive issues of why a person doesn't want or simply can't forgive who ever they need to. I feel that's valid. Life can be tough. Or is tough.

I can't speak for these people nor will I try to, they have their reasons and it's between them and the God they serve.

I just pray it's the same God I serve and one day He will make them see how powerful forgiving someone can be.

I will conclude with two things: One, and mind you I didn't always have this point of view, it took a long time to get here, but, here goes.

With my facebook friend, I can recall what he did and just how bad I thought it was, but if Jesus Christ can be on a Cross with nails in his hands and feet and still have the courage to say " Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" why can't I do the same thing for something considerbly less than that?

Once again, forgivness isn't always easy, sometimes it can be that hardest thing you'll ever do, but once it's done, you'll feel a 1000% better.

And, Mike, if you read this, doesn't matter what it was, it's water under the bridge and I am Glad God worked it out. I hope we remain friends.

The Magic Kingdom A.K.A. Disneyland

It is Saturday, October, 29, 2011, I have just woken up and the first thing I notice is the sun coming through the bottom of the curtains in my hotel room. I lay in bed for awhile as just about everyone does when they first wake up. As I am now out of bed I go over to the curtains by the door to my hotel room and open them to take in the morning sun as it shines over Anaheim, California. I smile, take a look to the ceiling of my room and I smile and say Thank You God. Last night I went to Disneyland for the first time in 13 years.

And I had a blast.

Yesterday, friday, October, 28 was a stressful one. I arrived in Anaheim, later than I wanted to, and got lost trying to find my hotel. After about a half hour of driving around both the property of Disneyland and it's sister park California Adventure, I finally find the hotel.

At about three in the afternoon I finally arrive in Disneyland it self and meet up with friends who I had not seen in quite some time.

My stress is about to end and fun is about to be had. And it's long over due.


Disneyland theme park and it's 11 year old neighbor California Adventure is a must for anybody. During the creation and building of the the park in the mid 1950's Walt Disney said he wanted the place to be fun for both children and adults. Some adults probably would not admit to this, but they have just as much fun as their children do, if they have any.

Like I just wrote a paragraph or two ago, I had been looking forward to this for along time and my friends and I, one of them who in a few days would be celebrating a birthday pointed out a new attraction, well, not that new, but the way they re modeld it, it was worth getting the fast pass for.

During the course of the day, more for my benefit as I reflect on it, I had never been to the newer park California Adventure and my friend, Brant pointed things out to me and that I would have possibly overlooked on my own.

Two interesting things happend last night that are still fresh in my mind. To this hour at 8:50am not even 24 hours removed from last night, I look back and I smile, because what I am about to tell you isn't something that adults, or at least myself and my three other friends who are in their mid 30's and 50's respectfully.

We're in line for a California Adventure attraction and as we chat about various adult topics, our conversation drifts to chatting about a Disney animated cartoon called Phineas and Ferb and if we had seen newer episodes. Now That I think of it, I get the impression that one of my friends a woman named Sandra had never see the show before so Brant and our other friend named Don start telling her about the show and certain episodes.

As I look behind, actually I recall leaning back on a rail and resting on it, I notice this woman with her child. While still paying attention to the conversation of Don, Sandra & Brant, I start, for reasons I don't know, but I start to think about what this woman behind me must be thinking. Some times as you stand in line for any thing, you can't help but over hear some of the conversations that go on. This woman could have been thinking one of two things: One, that the four of us, all adults must have been out of our minds for talking about a children's animated television show, or 2: that it was cool that we were in a Disney theme park and here we are talking about a Disney show.

You would have to ask the lady what she really was thinking.

I would strongly suggest anyone who lives in another country if you ever plan a trip to America ( there are also Disney parks in both Paris, France and Tokyo, Japan), but, I my reader's can only talk about the Disneyland I have been to.

You would have a blast simular to the ones my friends and I are having.

Disneyland and it's sister theme parks have always been known for their innovations. Seems like every time a person goes to the parks they notice something they hadn't noticed on previous visit's. Since I had not been to Disneyland, now to s degree called Disneyland resort in 13 years and this was my first time to California Adventure, if you will recall I had told you about my friend Brant who was pointing things out to me. One thing God Bless him that he tried to explain and he strongly suggested we go and check it out was thing thing dedicated to The Disney Film Toy Story.

Brant, I know I told you this last night, but if you're reading this right now, explanation doesn't begin to describe it. You have to see this for yourself to get the full effect of it, but I will try to tell you about it.

We're in Hollywood Backlot, just like Disneyland with it's themed area's, I am finding California Adventure is no different, so in we're in the backlot at an animation studio and enclosed in glass is thing with dolls of Toy Story character's. My friend Brant had one word for me:

"Watch"

What I saw, made my jaw drop. These Toy Story dolls were spinning around at an Only God Knows speed and they were moving!!!

Or at least it gave you the illusion they were moving. my friend Don is standing right besides me and I said to him 'so thats how they did it'? He said no, "Story" was done with computer's, but it made think about stop motion animation and films like ' The Nightmare Before Christmas' and other's like it that were stop motion animation and done with dolls. This thing spinning around could very well be how they did it.


The parks have closed and the four of us, Don, Brant and Sandra and my self are heading back to our cars, Don, who lives not far from the resort and Sandra who lives in a neighboring California county and Brant who resides in Texas but is staying with Sandra for the weekend, we are , well, we're tired. I can see it on Don's face, he was ready for some sleep and my self, I had been up for over 24 hours and my feet were really starting to give me some pain, walking around two amusement parks was fun, because all of us had a blast, but, all that walking can make you tired.

But It's worth it. I'd do it again.

But for right now, as I stand looking out my hotel window at a tall California Adventure attraction, my feet are still giving me issues. Think I'll close the curtains and lay down for a bit.

As The sign entering Disneyland park read.... Let the memories begin.

I remember it like it was yesterday


P.S: Fast forward almost a month later. I am now back home and writing this entry on an early Thanksgiving morning.

Obviously, the memories of October, 28, 2011 is still fresh in my mind.

I hope it stays for awhile.

Payback.... It's A......Well, You Know

Recently I saw a television show involving two teens that had a vendetta against each other. One teen did something to the other and instead of paying for it he got off free thanks to his uncle. The other teen who had the damage done to him wanted retribution, found a gun and was going to shoot him. Now, granted this was television, but the unfortunate part is that it also happens in real life.

Whoever has the gun has the power, or so they think.

When we as humans have a situation like that the first thing or at least one of the first things we think about is payback. How do I get even with the person who did whatever?

You can, but what does it solve?

Jesus talked about forgivness in every sense of the word. Even when on the Cross he asked God to forgive the Romans/ jews. etc for the crucifixion.


What can a person what ever the argument get out of paypack? The satisfaction of knowing that you just like your so called enemy got the so called best of you. That you are just going to lie down and take it and expect them to do the same?

That doesn't solve anything. It only makes the situation worse.

But, that's the world we live in.

there are people that think you're getting out of line and it's their job to put you back in it.

Again, wrong approch.

Because:
Number one: Who is to say that anyone is out of line?

and

two: Who told you or the person beating you that it's their job to put you back in line


Here is the problem:

Doesn't matter if you or anyone else is out of line, no one should think their big enough to put you back in it, because than you get angry, the person who fought you gloats about it and you are left to wonder how you can get back at them.


In the 1993 motion picture 'Dazed And Confused' (written & directed by Richard Linklater) a sub plot of the film had to do with high school senior's hazing the in coming freshmen. One particular character, played by Ben Affleck takes it a bit too far leaving some freshmen to retaliate by dumping paint on him.

Good move or a bad move?

Maybe for a movie, but in real life, you better start running cause it might get ugly

Point is it doesn't have to.

The solution is simple to talk about but much harder to do

Be a Godly Man.

Don't concern yourself with getting even, because in time justice to a degree will be served.

perhaps in a court of law depending on the situation or just by the course of life itself.


Let Go and let God to do the healing and whatever payback for lack of a better term needs to be done.


Just remember these words:

God is in control of your life. He will lead you to where He wants you to be.

And for those who think you're out of line, just be something they will never be...........

A man of God

9/11 My Thoughts

September 11th, 2001 holds alot of memorys for alot of people and my heart goes out to all of them, especially for people that lost family memebers. A mere 'My condolence's' doesn't seem to be the right thing to say.

For myself I remember what I was doing and how I felt about it. I understand that what I am about to write may sound a bit selfish, but if it does, it's not intentionally.

Septemeber 10th, 2001 for me personally couldn't have gone any quicker. It didn't matter to me if the day ever came at all. My birthday is september 10th and I was feeling so depressed that day. I didnt feel like celebrating and the tipical birthday greeting I didn't want to hear none the less say thank you for it.

Like I said, I couldn't wait for the day to be over.

When I woke up the next morning and found out what had happened it made me think: How could I have been so lame as to not care about a birthday when over 2,000 people will never see their birthdays again.

I have since been more thoughtful of the day and I take it seriously.

The thing that struck me wasn't how it happened but why it happened. Yeah, I had heard the name Bin Laden before and how devious he was, but never quite understood how someone who to my knowledge had never been to America had so much disdain for it.

Someone explained to me that the terrorist didn't like our way of life and even though I didn't quite get it, I left it alone. I must admit, I still don't get it,but I am not the only one.

Yes, this country does have it faults. It seems like we can't agree on anything. What some one thinks is right, other's think is wrong. But what ever it is right or wrong doesn't mean you need to drive airplanes into building killing just about everyone in there.

I remember hearing from one of my aunts that she and my uncle were going to New York to visit my cousin. I do not remember where exactly she lived at the time, but my aunt said later that from her daughter's house they could see all of the smoke and stuff from the Twin Towers

It has been 10 years and alot of things have been done to protect this great nation of ours and in fairness to both Presidents they did and are doing a decent job. I have heard there are alot of people that don't agree with some thing's that have been put in place since than, but I personally think it's better than the alturnative and that would be another attack.

My eldest nephew was about three going on four years old in 2001 and his mother told me she was watching tv with him or the television happened to be on with all of the footage.She had said he had asked what happened. She did the best she could by putting it mildly and he understood considering his age. Flash forward ten years, my nephew is now 13 years old and is in middle school. I haven't checked any recent junior high history books, but I wouldn't doubt that the events of 9/11 are in there. Safe to say my nephew now knows it was more than just a bad thing done by bad people, even though it was.

Clarification

And no, "FPTF" is not back. It is still on hiatus. I just needed to get the cruelty thing off my chest.
There is no need to respond to THIS entry.

Cruelty To Animals.... Don't Do It..... And Don't Make Fun Of It

I was watching television I think last thursday night and it was a repeat of what is considered by some to be one of the best animated cartoons of the past ten years entitled Family Guy. If any thing it is an acquired taste. Some like it other's, including myself don't.

I won't get into why I don't like it.... or perhaps I will......

The episode I was watching, the british speaking toddler was having a conversation with the family's dog, (yes, the dog, who is named Brian actually talks) and it had something to do about money. The dog didn't have it, the toddler gave him time to get it, the dog didn't and than the toddler started beating the dog.


This to me is just tasteless. YOU DO DO ABUSE ANIMALS AND MAKE FUN OF IT!!!!.

It seems to me that in some forms of entertainment it is ok to make fun of anything as long as its a joke, well, contrary to any comedian who thinks everything is funny no matter what it is, I strongy disagree.

Yes, this is just a cartoon. I am fully aware of that. But, I do blame to a degree the writer's for even thinking animal cruelty is funny when it isn't.

What do they do, write about it and than on their way home they might happen to see someone abusing their pet so they get on the cell phone and call PETA?

If they do, than they are nothing but hypocrites.

Animals of any species do not know that they are doing wrong so naturally they don't understand why they are being punished.

It's just wrong plain and simple.

need another example of the 'not everything is funny' hypothosis?

I wrote a few months ago about what is considerd to be the most dirtyest joke ever told called 'The Aristocrats' I have heard this so called joke only once and I was appalled by it because during the telling of it ( and there are different versions of it depending upon who is telling it) but one way was to involve children being used in the worst way possible.

Now, this is not funny no matter how hard you try and make it. But there are comics that have tried and the sad part about it is there are people that laugh at it in comedy clubs.

Than they go home to their children and say no one is going to lay a hand on my child.

Ok, good parenting, but why were you seen in a comedy club laughing at a joke that depicted it?

You get my point, some things just aren't funny and should never be classified as such.

If you do that, you are no friend of mine and if you get in trouble for abusing a helpless animal or worst yet a child, I have no simpathy for you.

Blog Entry For July, 7th, 2011

Untill further notice, from paper to film (thats what you're reading) will be on hiatus.

If you need to be reminded, read above.

There is no need to respond wih a comment.

Thats just how it is going to be.

Live with it.

It's The End Of The World As We Know It.....Or Not

Ok,today is June 19, 2011 for those of you keeping track, but something odd strikes me. Can't seem to put my finger on it. I get this feeling something was supposed to happen on May 21st 2011 and well, it didn't.

Hmmm.

Of course it didn't, much to the surprise of Harold Camping. The surprise was that the world did not end like pastor Camping thought it would.

It won't happen in october either.

See, the problem with what is known has pre tribulation believer's is that some of them go too far and it can be one of two things, one they are either out of their minds or two their down right scary talking about death and how pretty it is going to be. The pretty part is getting to Heaven.

Its a goal that all Christian's want to and will reach, but I personally don't think it should be somethig that consumes your every day thought that you go about planning what you and your friends are gong to do in Heaven once you get there.

A pastor I once heard give a sermon said this: "Even though Heaven is going to be fun and we will finally get a chance to meet Jesus face to face, we shouldn't go making plans for what we are going to do once we get there, because it will amaze so much, we wont have time to make plans."

If I am getting long winded and what I just wrote makes no sence, let me put it this way: Maybe we should just live our lives the way do, worshipping God the way we do and leave the party planning to Him.

Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to going to Heaven when I die, but I have never made plans of what I will do once I get there.

Here is a question that may or may not have been asked during the months leading up to that May Saturday. Why is this guy saying this?

I can't speak for him, but I can give you my hypothesis and its this: Once we become Christians we want to share the Good News of Christ with other people. We want them to know the same joy that we feel and the fact that we are going to heaven. We want them to come with us.

We made the choice,why can't they?

It's a fair question that I think I have the answer for. I have stated this before.

Christians and non christian alike like doing what ever it is they do and they don't want to be told that it is wrong. Doesn't matter if it is or isn't. Alot of people in todays society love doing the wrong thing just for the sake of doing it.

People may say to you, 'why are you a Christian? Why is it so important to you to have God in your life'? Another simple answer, it is because we are tired of living our lives the way we used to.

When I became a Christian in 1993, I was dealing with alot of issues. I didn't know how to deal with them. Some of it anger, some it just nonsence I had brought on my self. Thing was, I wanted to get rid of it all, but I didn't know how to.

Now, granted there are doctors, therapist's etc that can help what ever ills you, but, the problem comes back.

What I found is that God is the ultimate healer. Once you give him a problem in your life, he takes care of it. Now, you may find your self thinking about it from time to time, but you know God has it in control.

Once again, when we become Christians we want to share it with other's so they can know the same peace we do.

So there for when some one like a Harold Camping says what he says, even though he has no more insight than you or I do, he is doing it because he wants people to know Heaven is a real place and he doesn't want people to go to hell.

It's unfortunate that people choose to go there.

The only flaw with Camping's message is this: No one on earth knows when Jesus will comeback. NO ONE.

Only Person that knows is God himself.

I will leave you with two things

One: I am sure you have heard many people say this: 'You're funnier than hell or you look like hell or worse yet, go to hell.

Hell is not funny and it wont be a party.

everyone knows what hell looks like and I doubt there is one human on earth that looks like it or feels like it

and third, if you are a Christian and want people to come to heaven with you why would we tell them to go somewhere we are trying save them from?

It your choice. To all that will read this, I can't say I will never meet you personally because I don't know if I will or not, but if I don't I hope to meet you in Heaven.

To Be Or Not To Be...... A Vegetarian

In either the spring or summer of 1995 I tried to be a vegetarian. Operative word was "tried". The reason why It didn't last I think was because I wasn't really focusing on giving up meat. It's not as easy as you might think.

I think one other reason why was because no matter what we are vegetarians or not, we like the foods we eat and it's hard to give them up. On this particular 1995 spring or summer day I had passed by a taco bell resturant and thought a burrito supreme would sooth my appitite.

Thats not to say that If I had tried again to give up meat I couldn't succeed this time. When I make my move from Arizona back to California, it is something that I will deffinetly consider.

Oh, about that.... I know I told you I wouldn't be writing untill I moved, obviously I changed my mind. I can do that, it's my blog.

Besides, you my reader's enjoy reading it. Just admit it to yourselves.

I used to think I would never become a vegetarian, not because I couldn't give up meat, although that is a big part of it, but I also didn't know how it would taste. I had heard stories about vegan food being some of the worst food around. That is untill I actually tried some that my feelings were a bit different.

I also felt that the reason for some people going vegan was because they felt it was creulity to animals. That could be part of the reason for some people, but not for everyone, as I have learned.

People can be a vegetarian for religious reasons, health reasons, etc.

It's not a bad thing at all. The preference is yours.

Scientist have never really been able to confirm whether or not a vegetarian diet is either good or bad. They have did research and it was sort of the same. You can get ill by eating certain foods whether they are meatless or not.

Although I have heard and in my own experiance's meat can be detrimental to some people. I have known people that simply cannot eat it. Not by choice,but biological. Hard to believe, but it is true.

I feel the way a person is raised to eat, doesn't matter meat or not is just that, you were brought up this way and yes, if you wanted to you could change it, but it would take some strength. I am not say that being a vegetarian is an addiction because I dont think that it is, but if you wanted to give it up, you could.

Keep in mind it may take a while for you to get used to your new diet of meat.

In doing research for this topic I have learned that people that have either been tricked in to eating say a hamburger or just wanted to try meat for its taste had become ill afterwards.

Why, you ask? Simple, really. They were not used to it. Same could be said with non vegetarians trying a meat less meal for the first time.

With me, I personally could not tell the difference. It was only till later that I was told that the dinner was meat less. I didn't get sick, I just found my self liking it and to a degree wanting to try the dish again.

A couple of months ago, I read a blog about milk and the ingredients that store bought hemogenized milk has. I was unaware of this. I must admit that even though I found the blog interesting and I did take alot of it for my own personal value, that doesn't mean I gave up milk. Once again, when you have been used to something your whole life, it's hard to give it up.

I remember being a child and was invited for dinner at a friends house. I don't recall how old I was, but I would guess possibly single digit's. I recall the family having a big piece of land with a cow or two. When they offered me a beverage for the meal, it was milk and I was told it was fresh from the cow.

Tasted alot different than what I was used to. A bit sour,I recall.

Now, I could be wrong with what I am going to say, but if the person that wrote the milk blog ever tried hemogenized milk ( I have no clue whether he or she has or not) just like a vegetarian trying meat for the first time, it could make them sick.

If I am wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. I honestly don't know. I am not a doctor.

In closing, I will say it again, whether or not you are a vegetarian it is your choice. There is nothing wrong being one or not being one. You can eat just as healthy either way.

If I choose to try giving up meat again, I will let you know of my progress. I couldn't tell you to wait for this, cause I don't know when or if it will happen. All I can say is that I will let you know how it goes.

Let's Talk About Sports

Recently I was on the social network site known as facebook and a friend of mine posted something about his or at least one of his favorite sports team. I had made a comment back saying that I had seen one of the games and I liked where it was being held. Looked like a good sized arena from the camera veiw I saw. When another facebook friend had written something back in responce to my comment it finally hit me:

Never make a useless comment about a Canadians hockey team. Especially during the Stanley Cup Finals. Reason is very simple and I have heard this saying before but obviously it slipped my mind:

Canadian's take their hockey seriously.

Now, I wasn't durogatory about the game or it's team. I am not that big of a sports fan to make it a point of saying " yeah this or that team is better than your's." Quite honestly it never made much sense.

Now, don't get me wrong, my reader's, I do have teams in basketball, baseball, hockey, and football that I do like, but that doesn't mean that I don't like the other guy's or girls team because in all honesty their equally the same.

It doesn't matter what the sport is every team in it has had their share of victorys, losses and championships. I guess it might be because I am not that big of a sports fan that I dont get the whole picture.

Before I continue, I think I should make it clear that I am not trying to say that liking ones country or city team is a bad thing because it isn't. One thing these teams do in any given sport is it takes you away from your daily routine when you sit down and watch it. To a degree it is entertainment. Either you or your friends and family are taking time out of your busy daily life to sit down either in a stadium or an arena or at home to watch these men or ladies play their respective sport.

There is nothing wrong with that at all. I have seen my share of superbowl games and I have rooted for the team that I thought would win, thats not to say that by the end of the game when said team might have lost that I didn't give credit were it was due to the team that did win.

I wouldn't doubt that even if my friends hockey team doesn't win I dont picture him to be the sort of person to degrade the winning team. He may not be a fan, he doesn't have to be, but at least he would give credit were it is due and might say it was a well played game by both teams.

From what I understand, not everybody feels that way.

Recently, during a baseball game in California a man got into a fight with another man over whos team was better. One of the men is in jail for beating the other guy so bad that his chances for recovery are slim.

And all this happened over two baseball teams.

Now, granted, the man in jail had some realy serious problems and according from what I heard on this news report he had a violent streek in him prior to this. But, this all started over two fans of two sports teams playing a game of "my team is better than yours"

I have been to my share of, basketball, baseball and football games and yes you do meet the occasional person that thinks he or she has to play the afore mentioned game, but it's all in good fun.

You may or may not agree with what I am going to say or what I have said in this blog, but I will give you one more hypothesis on sports.

In any given baseball, basketball, football or hockey game you have each team saying they are going to win the game. In all fairness, they have the talent, but for either team the only way to know this happens once the game is played. I think it basically is about what team wants it more. And neither team knows that untill they are out there on a feild or a court or a rink playing the game.

In closing I would like to add this:
Go Vancouver Canucks!!!!!

Standing In The Corner + Time Out= Same Thing

I have said this before, but this time I mean it. This will be my last blog entry untill I move.

Trust me.

Do you remember when you were growing up and as a young child you would do something your parents did not approve and be told to 'go stand in the corner'? I think just about every child has been told that.

Now a days its called 'time out'. It doesn't matter what you call it, it is still the same thing. It could be standing at a wall or sitting in a chair or what ever the parent doing the disiplining deems necessary.

I think the reason for calling it time out as aposed to the corner might have to do with the length of time a kid was supposed to stand. Depending on the parent it might have been anywhere from five to ten minutes. If you were a smart parent. I recall hearing once on a news report and this is no lie, that a parent got arrested for having her child stand in the corner for over five hours. To me and I guess to any rational thinking parent thats too long.

But, regardless and I am not trying to excuse this woman's behavior, but you are the parent ( if you are a parent) and from what I have learned is that no parent likes to be told how to disapline their kid. To a degree I can't say I blame them. I would only take exception if the parent makes the evening news and outright abuses their kid, even than I don't know if I would say or do anything.

I feel as a single male with no children I can learn not just from other parents about how to be a effective dad when and if God allows me to, but I can also learn from my experiance as a child and how I was disaplined.

Now, with all due respect to my mother she did the best she could with myself and my sibling and looking back I would have to say she wasn't abusive with us, but with that being said, she got her point accross. I hope that one day I can do the same with my children.

I remember watching an old episode of Little House On The Prairie where in a flash back episode of the Micheal Landon character as young boy. He had did something to his teacher, the teacher knew the boy had did it and told the boys father. The father while still in front of the teacher, let the instructor paddle the boy. Only thing was the teacher didn't stop when the boys father wanted him too.

I personally see a problem with this happening in real life situations and that is some times other people don't know when to quit the disapline if the parent of the child agrees that they can do so.

Mom and dad come home and they notice that some one went over board.

Thats not only wrong in my opinion but a crime as well.

If you recall I had wrote in an earlier blog about a friend of mine who misplaced his cell phone and went all around his house asking his wife and kids if thay had seen it. When it was finally figured out that one of his kids, after telling my friend no he didn't see or use it, my friend told me he had to 'Be a dad' and put a bit of a restriction on him. The child in question was a teenager, but it doesn't really make a difference a parent has to do what they feel is right if they think their kids are not being honest with them.

Lastly I will leave you , my reader's with this. First, I will honestly tell you I do not know the percentage of parents that do this, but I am aware that some use what I like to call 'the counting method'. Basically, the parent wants the child to either do or stop something, if the child doesn't than the parent would start counting. The hypothesis is by at least the number two, the kid is on their way to do whatever or has stopped doing what ever. If the parent got to three and the kid didn't stop, he or she was in some hot water as they say.

I once knew of a kid who's parents did get to three. He told me and I quote " I shouldn't have pushed them"

If anybody reading this is a parent this blog was in no way shape or form trying to tell you how to raise or disapline your kid. I trust you are a fair parent and you all go about the task with honesty and integrity.

The Stain America Can Not Wash Away

Over the weekend I was watching an episode of an old televison series called The Waltons. In this episode, filmed around 1978 followed a character named Virdie Foster, an African American who, if you remember the show was a friend of the Walton family and thus a recurring character played by actress Lynn Hamilton. This particular episode delt with Virdie and her daughter.

The daughter who just recently came back home has had trouble finding work. Mostly the show centered around racism and just because this woman was black she couldn't find the type of job she was trained for. Like I said for anyone who remember's the Waltons knows it was set in the southern part of the United States in the late 1930's early 1940's and this 'Virde' had to deal with what was once known as 'Jim Crow' law.

Racism is a stain America cannot wash away and we only have ourselves as a country to blame. Early American settlers in the 1700' who had an abundance of land didn't want to hire people to do the work, ie picking and plowing the feilds so they thought kidnapping people from their native lands and forcing them to do the work was a bright idea.

It wasn't.

Ove 200 years later we still can non shake it. Granted there has a been alot of progress. One and this has to be the most obvious the first black president,Barack Obama.

Regardles of how much progress we have made we still take one step backward when we aren't as nice as we should be and start being a tad racist.

Everyone is guilty of this.

At one time or another we all have used the "N" word when refering to an African American. Perhaps we didn't mean to, but we did it anyway.

Years before I had my computer, I used to go into what is known as (at least in the state of Califoria) internet cafe's, where you could be able to either play popular computer games or you could surf the world wide web. So, I am in this cafe and some one is playing music. I think as a joke, (a very bad one in my opinion) starts playing this song that was so racist towards blacks, I had to leave.

I have friends that are African American, and I consider anyone who uses the 'N' word ( you know what word I am refering to) in front of me to be criticizing those friends of mine. They have never met my frends, but I feel that since they used the word, I have to to a degree defend them.

But racism works both ways. It's not just whites ( some of them) against blacks, its blacks as well.

I will give you an example.

In the late 1990's I was asked by two good friends of mine if I would be a usher for their wedding. They told me I would need a tuxedo and where to go to find it. I get to the place (a shopping mall in southern california) walk all around it both first and second floors, but I couldn't find the store. So, finally I start asking. I see this one gentleman with his family and I say maybe four to five times 'pardon me, sir', the guy doesn't answer. Finally after my last try one of his children says to him, " dad, this guy is trying to talk to you" The guy turns toward his kid and says and I quote " I ain't talkin' to whitey" and than walks from me

All I wanted to know is if he knew where this tuxedo shop was.

Personally I feel that it is in how you or we are raised. If you live or lived in a family where hatred runs or ran ramped you yourself might turn out the same way bcause you would think their is nothing wrong with how you feel.

Earlier in this blog I mentioned current United States President, Barack Obama. Possibly ever since he won the office or maybe even before that he (Obama) wasn't born in America, so to prove that he was showed his birth certificate to the world proving he is an American citizen.

There are two sides to this: One is the Republican side that thinks because Obama is a Democrat that he isn't doing that good of a job and want him out of the White House.

Second is racism. It has to be, unfortunately. There are people in this country that do not want a black person as president. It's sad, but it's the truth.

In the early 1990's an African American named Rodney King was pulled over by three or four police officer's for a traffic violation. These officer's were caught on camera beating King up in the middle of the street. about a year or so later, King took these officer's to court to which they were found innocent of their actions and thus started the Los Angeles riots. A few days into the riots, King made a televison apperence where he asked those who were rioting to quit and thus uttered the saying " Can't we all just get along?"

Can we?

The Death Of Osama Bin Laden

With this Sundays news of the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin laden brought a lot of relief and celebration for alot of people. The thing is, was it all necessary. His capture, yes most definitely, but all of the crowds gathering in certain locations like in front of the White House and in New York at Ground Zero wasn't necessary.

But, it happened.

Dont get me wrong, I was very saddened the morning of Tuesday, september 11th, 2001. An estimated 3000 lives were lost and for really no reason other than one man's hatred for a country he most likely had never been to.

I cannot unerstand that, I doubt anyone really can for that matter, but to have hatred for something you have either never seen or have never been to.


I have heard tons of storys of countrys that either, One: have little or no freedoms to them, for instance, North Korea where from my understanding it's leader makes his citizens obey him. Or country's that have laws that, well quite simply shouldn't be allowed. I may not agree with it but I don't hate it.

Hate is a word I think that has been taken out of content. In America some aspects of hate can be considered a crime.

You may or may not agree with someones way of life. That is not a crime, its called a disagreement. It becomes a crime when you do bodily harm to a person because for lack of a better term, they don't see things your way.

To a degree that's what it was with bin laden. For what ever the reason was, he didn't agree with America's right to freedom. At least that seems to be the story alot of people say. Perhaps it is far more deep seeded than that.

I have stated this previously in another blog about dictatorship and for me as an American and living with the freedoms that it has allowed me, some times I find myself asking why can't countrys like Pakistan, Iran, and other's have the same liberites we have. Its easy to say that when you live in a country that allows those freedoms, it is probably more difficult to live somewhere for instance like North Korea where from my understanding if you have the slightist question of authority you could be jailed for it.

It took almost 17 to 18 years to catch bin laden. He has been on the FBI 's most wanted list for more than 10 years and it wasn't easy. Even when he was found this past weekend, it was a guessing game because they really were not sure if he was there or not. Regardless, the hunch paid off and bin laden is no more.

Whether or not the world will be a safer place remains to be seen.


The sad part is and I will say this again, weather it is because of our freedoms, or laws that say here is what you can or cannot do or what ever the case may be some one somwhere is not going to like it and may try to do something. it could be in any country not just America.

I will leave you with this thought: Regardless of what it is and why terrorist do it wouldn't you want your country to be defended if necessary?

Happy Anniversary, F.P.T.F.

I had mentioned on my Facebook page that I would not be writing a blog untill I had moved and got situated,but I started thinking and I did a little bit of looking and what I found was that today, April, 27, 2011 is the one year anniversary of my blog.

From Paper To Film is one year old today. Yay!!

I will freely admit to this, its nothing to ashamed of, but I remember last year and prior to creating the blog thinking to my self,"what have I got to write about and how important is it for people to read it?"

With some encouragement from a friend, (thanks again T.H.W.) I decided the only way for me to know if I have anything to say and if people are going to like it was to just start writing and thus, here it is one year later.

I have covered some ground with this blog. I feel I have alot more to go and a lot more on my mind and I look for ward to writing it and I pray that you , my reader's are looking forward to reading it as well.

I do, like almost everyone have my share of critics. These people have the hypothesis that I shouldn't have done this blog at all. One person even went as far as to make copys of it because she didn't like what I was writing and thought she would try to get me in trouble. Didn't work. Free speech. I win.

As you have noticed with the topics of 'FPTF' even though some have been controversial, I have never been dirty and never really used harsh language, even though I must admit I was tempted to. If you were reading some of these topics before they were posted, you probably would have gasped over what you read.

The version you did read was alot better than some one who wants to be like everyone else and drop f- bombs in certain titles. There is no excuse for it and I feel a lot better giving you the versions you have read.

So, here it is, like it or not. "From Paper To Film" is one year old and I personally would like to thank you, my reader's for the support and for giving your feedback.

I hope it will continue.

The Kennedy's And The Royal Family ( Well, The Wedding Anyway)

Over the weekend I watched a miniseries based upon the Kennedy family. For those of you reading that may not know too much about the Kennedy's basically its the family of former American president, John F Kennedy. There have been many movies based upon them some of which I have not seen because frankly they didn't interest me, but this one, called " The Kennedy's" caught my eye for a couple reasons.

One, because it was supposed to be on a different network, but for what ever the reason it was too controversial for them.

Second were the actors and actress's. Great cast. I am not going to name them, but if you want to see it, I recommend getting the dvd, because the cast alone was suberb.

One of the reasons I guess I have not seen movies based upon either JFK or his family is because you don't whats real. As it happend with politics, so many storys surface about a political figure that you don't know whats real and what isn't. And I think when it comes to JFK and his assination once again you get so many stories that you don't whats real and what isn't.

I have never been one for conspiracy theories mostly because they are way too out landish. You get something that has happend in either American or world history more often than not some one is going to have a hypothesis about it and it might be so far out of no where that you have to tell them to shut up because they're simply talking out of their asse's.

Pardon the language.

I dont have an hypothesis on the JFK assination, but I will say this: It's sad that he didn't get the oppertunity of one: finishing his presidency and two: living out the rest of his life and watching both his children and grandchildren grow up.

Enough said.

The Wedding of Prince William and Cate Middleton is coming in about a week and I personally can not wait.

Till it's over and televison and just about everybody on can stop going overboard with it.

But it is television and they dont know how to leave anything alone till they bleed it dry. Personally, I find it pathedeic.Televison does not have to go to the extremes they are going to when it comes to these two. There are cable channels that are having "specials" on the wedding.

There is even a made for tv movie on how they first met in the works.

All of this is uncalled for. Now, don't me wrong, I have alot of respect for the Royal family, They have their place in both American and world history just like the Kennedy's. I just feel that they are going way too far with this whole wedding thing.

I won't be watching it.

I have always felt that a wedding ceremony should be kept a little private. Invite your family your friends and all that. But don't have it televised. Hate to break it to you but the whole world isn't interested that you're getting married. Half of the world's population don't really care about William & Cate's so they won't care about your's or mine. (when and if it happens.)

Leave your wedding private. Don't plaster it for the whole known universe to see it because it's just damn annoying.

I am going to do something I have not done in a while. I am going to give a suggestion on a film. Hope you get the chance to watch it.

The film is called "JFK" and it was directed by Accademy Award winning director Oliver Stone (Platoon) and star's Kevin Costner amongst other's. Its a great film and with out giving it away, it can get a little slow when it starts to bring up theorys of how who and why they killed him.

But, none the less, a great film.

I also recommend the Kennedy Miniseries I made reference to earlier.

Look for it on dvd. Its really good.

Another Blog.

Hello to you all. I am currently doing research on my next blog topic. I hope to be able to find all the information and to be able to write by Sunday at the lastest.

Be blessed and enjoy the rest of the week

here's a tip for you all.

Never send a monster to do the work of an evil scientist.

It Was My Idea....... But, Their's Is Better

What I am about to tell you is a secret. I think only one person knows about it. Well, two if you count God. Here goes:

I had the idea for Tvland.

You don know what tvland is? That's fair, I do know that I have reader's that are from other countrys and pehaps their versions of cable television is different from American versions. Tvland is an american television station created by Nickolodeon television, which is actually an Mtv station.

About 15 years ago I think I was watching television and I had this idea for an all classic television station. Nothing on this station would be new, not even comercials.

Cool idea, huh?

Enter tvland.

Only problem between my version and Viacom ( the owner of the Tvland) is that their idea is alot more polished than mine.

They know how to design or create television stations. I don't.

The first year that tvland was on the air they played everything classic, including commercials. My idea would have failed miserably because I don't know about the business end of a tv station.

The owner's of Tvland do and that is why over the past 14 or 15 years they have had a successfull formula for keeping television stations on the air.

They have the money to do it as well.

I have no idea how much money it would take to either start a television station or how much it would cost to keep it going. The only thing I would say I am sure about is that it isn't cheap.

Money also helps keep the station on the air as in commercials.

I am not sure exactly how it works but, television networks can get a hefty price for commercials they air on their stations. For some tv stations, the commrcials or advertisments keep them afloat.

Another important reason why my idea would have never worked. I would have used all classic's (yes, there is such a thing or genre known as classic commercials. People remember them just as much as they would a classic television show)

I didn't know this and I still don't. That is probably one reason why I don't work in television.

A television station of your every own would be a nice thing to have if you had the money for it. Just ask Oprah Winfrey, who recently started her own network.

Another important reason of why my idea would have never got off the ground is programming. What show interest people. I could name you classic television show after television show, some good, some not so good. The thing is, would you like them so much you woud have watched? Who knows. Even classic television get's boring after awhile because you have seen the same episodes ovr and over again

You need something a little fresh.
And lets face it, not everyone likes the same tv shows as lets say you or I do. I wouldn't doubt that almost every tv station gets people to think,'Man, this show stinks. How can people watch it.?'

While on the other hand, there could be people watching the same show that might be thinking this is the best television show they have ever seen

So, to review, did I ever have the idea for tvland? Well no. I had an idea that might have made people say, " that would have been a good idea" but that would have been it. Even the one person I did tell, looked me right in the eye and said" you have just described Tvland"

I'll say it again..... Viacom's idea for a classic television station was and is far better than mine. I consider it to be one my faveorite television stations

I'll leave you with this.... There have been a lot of people that have came up with some really great ideas and it has made them alot of money.

There have also been alot of people that have had the same idea but didn't really do any thing about it. These people some times think they deserve a little bit of the other's pie by taking them to court and say they thought of it first. Perhaps they did. The only thing these people are seeing now is dollar signs because the idea took off and made some one rich.

I know where I stand. For starter's I wouldn't have a case, and second, well to quote the late John Denver, I have never really been one of them money hungry fools.

You Kids And Your Music Today

How many of us have heard that saying? If you are a child growning up today, how many times have you heard either your parents or someone else you know say that to you? It's a commonly known word that even your grandparents have been asked by their parents.

Think about this: If you grew up in the 1930's or '40's listening to artist's like Benny Goodman or a Glen Miller your parent's might have questioned it to a degree by sayig 'that wasn't what we grew up with'. The point I am trying to make is this: Doesn't matter the decade music over the years has changed and will continue to do so.

The late 1950' brought along rock and roll and, once again, if you grew up in that time, you probably would have listened to the pioneer's of this new innovative music.

I have relatives who were teenagers and than became young adults in the 1960's. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, just to name a few were just getting their starts and I wouldn't doubt that their parents would have said, what is a Beatle? or why the name 'Rolling Stone'? Like their parents before them, they didn't get it.

Rock and roll when it was only ten years old would have been impressive to have listened to at the time. If you were there, you probably would consider your self lucky.

But, you grew up and became parents and your children started listening to music, either in the 1970's or the the 80's.

And what did you tell them, hmmm? You probably thought to yourself, I have become one of my parents because I have just said the same thing they said to me..... Take a guess what that is

I wouldn't say that parents today have it tough when it comes to their childrens music or the type of music that is around today. Like I said with every decade music changes.If you think rap music is ok, than thats your veiw, if you have heard a rap song and the language in it and tell your child they are not going to listen to it, that's your veiw as well. I personally would have to commend you for that because I don't like rap music.

A few years ago I was going somewhere with one of my younger siblings who at the time, just got his license. The vulgarity in what he was listening to was so bad I had to tell him to turn it off.

I told him I couldn't believe that our mother would let him listen to that. Man, it was dirty.

Music has certainly changed since my generation was growing up.

Do your kids listen to music? Of course, every child does. Depending on the style of it, do you find your self becoming your parents or your grandparents?


I heard this saying in a movie "It's our music and you don't get it"

Now you are the parent and you know what,you don't get it.

With todays music, neither do I.

Never Really Been One Of Them Money Hungry Fools

I used to have this hypothesis that happiness was boring. People would ask me' are you happy' and most of the time I would tell them no, because happiness bored me.

I didn't know what true happiness was. Now that I know what it is, yes, I am happy.

What I don't think is that people are content with their lives. It seems we always want more of what we already have. With a few exceptions.

One exception I think is marriage. If you love your spouse to the point where you can't think of even being with another woman/ and or man, than I would think it is safe to say you are content.

I have never met my birth father and before I go any further I want to make it perfectly clear that it doesn't bother me. I am content with having the grandfather that I did have as I have written of before.

Since I have never met the man, I don't know if he had any other children. I can't prove that he has or hasn't and I am in no big rush to find out, but I wouldn't doubt it. What I am trying to say is this: I am content with the siblings that I know I do have. It is safe to say we love and care for each other and even though there are some rocky moments that doesn't mean if God forbid that one of us should get injured we wouldn't have the opinion of saying 'forget him or her'. We would be there the best way we could. With that being said, why would I go searching for other siblings. I am content.

However, as humans even though we do have some things we are content with and happy about there are perhaps tons of things we are not content with.

It could be your job, you or we always want a better one.

It could be our houses. It's nice, but we want nicer. Could even be your vehicle of choice. There is a long list of things.

Question is, however what makes us that way. Why can't we just be happy with the way things are? It may fall back to how I opened this blog. We get bored. The same day in day out routine gets old very quickly and before we know it we're thinking 'things need to change'

Does money make you happy? If you are either a multi millionaire or billionaire are you content with it? I think it would depend who you ask.

to some degree I would say no, because no matter how much money you have you always want more. Some people have the theory that if they were to win the lottery they would quit their jobs because money wouldn't be an issue any longer.

But what if you kept your job and its salary? Would that be greed?

One again, I think it would depend on who you were to ask.

Pastor Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddle back church in Orange County, California and author of the best selling book " A Purpose Driven Life" not only is a multi millionaire with the residuals of the book, but he is still working at Saddle back as their pastor.

But here's the thing. He doesn't get a salary. Not only that, but according to a fox news show he has payed back every single check he has ever received before the book started selling. You have to respect that, I think. There are few people in this world that would do that.

Are the inventors of anything we as consumers buy are they happy with the product? perhaps some are, perhaps some aren't. Think of Microsoft creator Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world. Do you think he is content with 'Windows 7'? Now I am by no means a computer genius, I can barely even figure mine out, but it would not surprise me that right now as I write this that he isn't thinking of what "8" might look like.

Once again,we have something or Gates has something that works, but he wants to make it better. Contentment. Few people have it completely.

Like I have said earlier, happiness can get boring but only with material things.


True happiness is knowing Jesus as you personal savior.


I have never gotten bored with that.

Vacation's..... An I F. (Interactive Friday)

Ever had that one vacation that to you personally beats it all? Its like you will never have another one just like that ever again. You know what happens after that don't you? You end up having another vacation that in your mind is even better than the last one. Vacations are fun to have. I would like to tell you about three that I have had and than give you, my reader's the chance to respond with your best vacation story (please limit it to one.) Why do I get to write about three? It's my blog.

Live with it.

First vacation that I can really recall having a major blast was a week long church camp in the northern California mountains. I believe it was called Camp Sugar Pine, named for the sugar pine trees they had. Beautiful scenery.

The whole week there was great music, great Bible teachings, at least two a day if I recall and great friends that I still recall to this day.

It was wonderful. The week was topped off by two things, one a famous classic '80's Christian band played live one night, and one day we went to Yosemite National forest. Now, if you have never been to YNF you should go at some point in your life. Its just beautiful. The mountains, the trees, etc. Great time.


Second vacation memory was with my grandparents and two of my younger siblings. Went to my grandfather's home town in Nebraska. Little small Podunk town that quite frankly if you blinked you would have missed it. I dont think up to that point I had never really been to a small town like that. Perhaps I have, I just can not recall it. My grandparents and I drove there, took about two in a half days. Saw some breath taking parts of the country. There is a reason why The United States Of America is often know for its Purple Mountains Majesty. Awesome to look at.

I remember four things from that vacation, one it was boring. No joke.
One of my younger siblings and I got out of the van we drove in, took one look around and I think in unison said " is this it?"

We had stayed with a relative of my grandfather's. An elderly woman, who I think forgot we were coming, but it was ok, because she had a basement in her house and I think it was the first one I had ever been in.

Living in Downey,California for a good portion of my childhood, I don't recall going into too many houses that had a basement. I could be wrong about this, but "basements" in general are a rare thing in California.

Another thing I recall about the Nebraska vacation is, that year (1984) the summer Olympics were being held in Los Angeles and even though I didn't have tickets for it, I still wanted to watch them. Especially the track and Field events, because I was a runner. That year would be my freshmen year in high school and well, the memory is still with me so much that I wrote about it.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to see the games too much, but oh well.

Third vacation memory is another camping trip, I think when I was about 14 going into 8th grade. Another church outing. The church I was attending the youth group and the youth group of I think two other churches. This was in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara state beach.Alot of memory's from that one. Our camp site, from what I recall was on this cliff and of course over looking it was the Ocean, and man, what a sight.

To get down to the water was this concrete path that had alot of curves to it, I spent some time running both up and down perhaps twice a day. Bad part about the state beach thing were two things, ok, maybe one bad thing, the water had alot of moss or sea weed that would wash up on shore and not only could you get tangled up in it, but you could not avoid stepping in it and it would stick to the bottoms of your feet. Wasn't easy to remove, either. I think everyone went home with green feet. Try explaining that one to mom and dad.

Our camp site was basically right on train tracks and in the wee hours of the morning not only could hear them, (very loudly) but the vibration on the ground would keep you awake. I think the first night I slept outside with no tent. Well, I tried to, anyway. Second night I was in a tent and I recall I was so fatigued that I didn't stay awake long.

A friend of mine named Carl said he tried to wake me up cause no on else was sleeping, but, didn't work. Some times, when I am sleeping, I can't sleep with either television or lights on. I need to have quiet. Same people can do it, I can not.

Like I said, vacations are fun. I would also like to say that last summer when I went to California more than once, I had an awesome time.

Looking forward to doing it again this year.

So, now its your turn.

If you have a story to tell about a memorable vacation, I would like to hear about it.

Drm

A Man After God's Own Heart

Hello, my reader's I have alot of ground to cover with my blog today so I am just going to get started with it.

This may ruffle some feather's and this blog may even cause some people to stop reading, in either case I am just stating how I feel.

A little over ten years ago I was on a Christian based chat room that I used to frequent alot before they closed it down, and I recall I couldn't use my name because it had already been taken. So I thought about it and decided to use "Man After God's Own Heat" Reason being obviously that the name 'David' in Hebrew can either mean 'beloved' or the afore mentioned. After I had been using the name for awhile, this lady, I forgot her name asked me why I chose that name, and I told her.

Than she asked me something that to this day sticks in my head.

She asked me if I meant it. I had told her, yeah I think that I did, but than I really had to look at my self and question if this was the proper name to use, because I am no where near perfect and was I really striving to be 'A Man after God's own heart. I think all Christians strive to live their lives for God and to their credit, they do a fine job of it, but here is the thing: no one is perfect, no one is sinless and I think if you were to ask Christians of any denomination thats the first thing they would tell you.

Is Yes, They think they are.

I feel to a degree that anyone that has ever been to a church or anyone that is a member of a church is that you give your pastor the respect he deserves for being a pastor, but if you are looking at him and him only for your salvation, you are looking in the wrong place. Respect or not, pastors have their own personal things they deal with. May not be serious, may not be anything that is going to fire them from the church, but they have it regardless and they admit.

I am not sure which pastor said this, weather it John Wimber or Chuck Smith senior (there is a junior and he is a pastor as well.)

Goes a little something like this: "If you are here to follow me, don't, 'Cause you're just asking for trouble"

I think what he meant was that he knows what his life is like. What he deals with, etc, the man you want to be following is Jesus Christ.

Wait..... did I just? I did, didn't I? Relax, Jesus Christ is not swear word. Funny thing is that most people that say his name use it like it is.

Another person who is not perfect and would admit it if he was ever asked, is...... wanna take a guess?

The Pope. Doesn't matter if it John The second or if its Benedict the 16th. Don't get me wrong, my Catholic reader's I am sure both were good and strong men of God, but, once again, they were (or are in Benedict's case) human and there fore like the rest of us, fall short of the Glory of God. I would not doubt for a second that neither one them liked the term 'God's Representative On Earth" which the pope regardless of who it is is often referred as. Once again, they probably think they aren't worthy to be called that.

Parents, forgive me, but neither you nor your children are perfect, but than again if you are a christian you already knew this and didn't need me to tell you.

If there is anybody reading this bog that was raised in a Christian home, your parents raised you well, church every week some times even more than once a week etc, you know better than anyone that although you were taught good moral values, there were things you did or things you do that either made or make your parent cringe.

Think of it this way: You as a parent, you have just found out your kid has done something you told them not to do. You might asked, " son/daughter what did you do?" The child might be a bit hesitant in responding because they know that you will A: get mad or B: punish them with a spanking and they don't really want either one

but, I think my point is that you love them, you think the world of them and you can't picture your life with out them in it, but you know they aren't perfect.

Same thing goes for the child when they look at you. Tons of respect mountains of love for being there, but you do have your moments where they have to say or think, "man, did my parents just do or say that"?

The reason I feel for becoming Christian is that we can't handle our lives the way they are. We need Jesus.We Would be nothing without Him.

God knows our weakness's, he knew that even before Adam & Eve. Thats why many years after Adam and Eve He sent Jesus to die on a Cross. For the sake of our sins. Even before we were born and after.

So, what can we do if we sin or if we are caught in it? Repent.

Kinda like the reference I wrote about between a parent and their child. God, being our father, knows we have sinned, but wants to ask us what we did anyway. If we are as strong as Christians as we say we are, than we are going tell Him and in turn He will forgive us.

But, here is a question I have for you, what would you consider to be sin? I think if you were to ask anyone they would tell you their own version of and it just may surprise you.

To a degree, I think everyone has their own version of what sin is and why they feel you shouldn't be doing it.

Question is, is what are we doing really wrong? It's all it is in the way a person looks at it. I remember a few months ago watching an episode of a classic television show where the parents, grandparent's and children lived under the same roof. The grandmother who had very strong religious beliefs saw her grand children playing an innocent game of cards. She looked at them and told them they should be ashamed of them selves and told them to quit. Her hypothesis was is that the kids were 'Gambling" and to her it was a sin.

The kids did not stop, they were told by their father they were doing nothing wrong. Now, granted that is television and it doesn't matter how good the show is or was, they miss the mark when it comes to the nature of God.

I wouldn't doubt that any of you my reader's at some point in your life have been told to stop what you were doing even though you knew in your heart of heart's there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.
I know I have.

And still do.

So, are you a man (or woman) after God's own Heart?

I pray that to best of your ability that you are.

All I can say for myself, is that I am trying just as much as you are.

I have a motto that I think makes sense when I think about why I am a Christian. With Jesus I am something. Without Jesus, I am nothing. I would much rather be something than nothing.

David

Stalking

Ok, I am just writing this to get it off my chest once and for all. If you recall not too long ago I wrote a blog about attending a church in Arizona and what they did, or the pastor anyway to screw me over. If you have for gotten, I was accused of stalking. I will say it again, I never did it.

So, for this blog entry I would like to explain what I did and briefly if I can, explain what stalking is ( according to research I have done) and than leave it alone with my opinion on things I have observed over time.

Stalking, according to Wikipedia is:obsessive attention by individuals to other's. it can also be described as a form of harassment and intimidation. Wikipedia goes further with their explanation, and later I will add more of it, but for those of you that read the last blog about this, I want to set the record straight.

Kingman, Arizona is a small town, give or take 20 to 30 thousand people last I heard, so the chances of running into someone you might know happens often. You can ignore them, but than you would hear about it from some one, like say your pastor or a relative etc asking you why you were so rude, so if I see someone I know, and I feel like talking to them, I do, if I don't, than I don't. Never have I followed them while they are doing their shopping.

Say for instance, you are at a store, or any kind of building with alot of people, and you and a large group of people are walking out a door to get to the parking lot so you can leave. Just because you are trying to find your vehicle doesn't mean you're a stalker.

Now, you might run across people that for what ever the reason don't like to be followed. They might have had a horrible experience that leaves them scared of people, even people they have never met. It's unfortunate, but at the same time they shouldn't take it out on you, because, you're going out the only door you can find.

Its a dangerous thing, stalking, some times even resulting in death. John Lennon would still be alive to this very day if his killer wasn't waiting for him in front of his home.

I have stated this before at one point, but I have met my share of actors and actress's mostly by plain accident.

Only a few times have I actually made plans with the actor or actress to actually sit down and meet with them. Its a rare thing, but it has happened. In either scenario, either by accident or with a scheduled meeting, never have I said or thought I wasn't going to leave them alone.

I respect their privacy, regardless of where ever it was I had met them.

A couple of years ago, when I was still living in southern California, I was shopping at a mall where I could have sworn I saw Oscar winning actress Diane Keaton. I left it alone. Didn't stand out in front of the store waiting for her to come out, I just saw her and walked away. Once again, respecting the privacy of other's.

I have actors and actress's and musicians on both my Twitter and Facebook pages, and I do read their comments and if I feel like responding, I do. Same thing with anyone on those two social networking sites.

Just because I comment or even want to follow them does not make me, or anyone else a stalker.

I personally think the term to a degree has been taken out of content. People would like to use it for anything, and it shouldn't be. You can be questioned by other people and like me have to defend your self to other people you considered to be friends.

I am sure you have heard story's about people that stand out in front of a celebrity's home and wait for that one chance to see them. That's something I have never been able to understand. Granted, these people may have talent, but why do it? To me, its bizarre behavior. Doesn't matter what the actor, actress, musician sports figure, etc, I would never do it, once again, because I respect their privacy.

Here's how I look at it: Actor,musician, etc, they have talent. Thats where I leave it. I don't make any more out of it than that . If the person in question wants to be friends, and yes that has happened,I welcome it. But always remembering like any friend, to be respect full.

So, that is stalking, a definition and my opinion. If for any reason, the pastor of that Kingman area church should read this, I have but one thing to say to him: You have just read the definition of stalking. Get it right, and don't accuse anyone else of it. You continue to do so, you won't have a church much longer.

David.

Senior Citizens. Today And Tomorrow's

Hey, gang, time for another fascinating trip in to the brain of one blogger named David.

We as living creatures on this planet called earth are facing the enviable. We're getting old. Or, if you are lucky enough you are ready are. Congratulations. We can't avoid it, we can't post pone it. It's going to happen to everyone at some point in their lives. You are going to be a senior citizen.

Question is, how do you take care of them and how would you want to be treated when you reach your advanced years? For the past 6 years I have been living with my grandmother and helping her with her day to day need's and etc. I think I have been doing a decent job, not that I am boasting, but I love my grandmother and even though I will be the first to admit, I could possibly be doing more, I haven't done bad either.

The truth is, I think everybody wishes they could do more when it comes to their advanced age relatives. Kicking your self because you don't have all the means's necessary isn't a good thing, but we do it because we wish we had it.

The important thing about senior citizens is no matter how much we care for them and how much we younger adults love and respect them, we must remember they are still adults and should be treated as such. Easy to say. Hard to do.

I can not begin to tell you the number of times I have thought I was either saying or doing something to help my grandmother only to find out she could have done it her self and wanted to in the first place.

We have this mentality to say, sit down, Ill get it for you, when they are going to turn around and say no, I am not crippled, I want to do it. Makes them feel use full. And they should feel that way.

My grandmother is well taken care of. She has her children and grand children close by if she should need them and I think it is safe to say if she needs or wants to go anywhere, we are not going to say no. If we can take her, we would and in most cases do.


As I have stated before, I am the oldest of six siblings. My mother doesn't have to worry about getting old. Just like her mother she is going to have the best care we can give her and with her grandchildren and future great grandchildren to help her with what ever she should need, she doesn't have to be too concerned.

However, she is going to. We all are. We are all to worried about how we are going to take care of our selves once we reach age 50 or 60. Regardless of who is there to help. Living independently. Everybody wants that.

in 39 years I am going to be in my '80's. I can only give it to God and trust that He knows how it will turn out. If I am lucky, I will be treated and cared for the same way grandma is and how my mother will be.

Star Wars Vs Star Trek

Ok, my reader's happy friday to all. Did I just write the word 'friday'? It could only mean one thing. Its 'IF' time again.

Today I want to talk about both Star Wars and Star Trek, the television series and movie franchise. Now, this is not going to be a debate on which I think is better. What this is going to be is looking in to some people's stupidity of taking both way too far.

Star Trek, the television series was created by Gene Roddenberry in the late 1960's and to it's credit is a fine show, even if it is a bit shlocky at times, but a good show, none the less. And Star Wars, the George Lucas classics is a fine example of movie making special effects. Had it not of been for Star Wars and the special effects in the films, its kinda difficult to say what special effects for all types of films would be like with out them. In a word, it set the bar.

I give credit where credit is due to both 'Stars', And I to a degree like them both. Very imaginative when it came to the story lines.

The difference from my self to other fans of the show is I know how to take it for what it is. And that is a television show. Nothing more. Nothing less. Believe it or not there are millions of fans for both 'stars' that don't know how to do that. They make more out of it than what it is. I must admit, I never really quite understood that. The 'Trek' fans are called 'Trekkie's' and if there is a name for 'Wars', I don't know what that is, but regardless, these people need to get a grip on reality.

I think to some degree everyone likes to use their imagination for there jobs or for the fun of it. Think back to when you were a child or if you are reading this and currently are a child. One of things you liked or like to do is play, either by your self with your toys or with a group of friends, nothing wrong with that at all. Its called Imagination. You and a group of friends playing action figures and giving them life. Its interesting if anything to look back on it all and say or think to your self, I actually did that. I gave GI Joe a life and my friends and I at the time (or once again if you are child reading this ) we had a good time. Girls do it as well. You were in your room playing with your dolls, pretending to be their 'mommy' and you treated them like they were your children.

Once again, looking back on it, you might cringe and feel little embarrassed to admit it, but you had fun.

Once again,nothing wrong with that. When you were a child.

But, than you grew up and you faced adult responsibility's. Ie, you put away childish things. At least, most adults have.

I have heard stories about these so called 'Trekkie's' that they would go out of their way to do anything in their might for this show. Conventions,Spending money they don't have on old toys they find some where to even getting into arguments over how fast the Enterprise was.

Not something you want to end a friendship over, but hey, who am I?

Same thing can be said about 'Star Wars'. But here's something I like about the 'wars' situation. Even the writer/ director/ creator of the movies, George Lucas doesn't really understand all of the fanatical stuff. I remember watching an interview with Lucas in 1998 just before 'Star War's' part 4 came out. ( Yeah, I know there's a name for it, but get real, technically its the fourth film) He was being interviewed outside a movie theater where the film was going to be shown, and naturally there was a huge line of people actually camping out in front of the place waiting to be one of the first ones to see the motion picture. One guy saw George and yelled out that he had been in line for like over forty days. Lucas looked at him as to say "why"? Its a movie.

Every one who has ever read this blog knows I am a fan of movies of almost any genre, but on thing I have never done and I will never do is spend days camped out in front of a movie theater just waiting to be the first one to see it, regardless of what it is. I wouldn't even do that with 'Bring On The Dancing Horses'. And we all know who is responsible for the screenplay to that up coming film.

Being a fan antic over something isn't just with movies. There are people that are huge fans of rock bands and singer/ song writers. To this day some thirty plus years after his death, Elvis Presley still has fans that would do just about any thing for him or his memory. Question I have is what has Elvis Presley or any other musician done for these wild fans. If you say well he wrote good songs, in my opinion that isn't enough.

I'll leave you with this suggestion in closing: If you are going to be a fan of anyone or anything why not do it for some one who actually did something personally for you.

Like, lets say, I don't know, die on a Cross for your sins?

Lets get Interactive.

d..... well, you get the gist

Egypt And The Whole Nine Yards

Happy Monday, all. I trust everyone is well.

Today I want to talk about the recent events in Egypt, but before I say anything about it,I want you all to know I didn't really follow it till it came on the news. I didn't know that the ousted leader Hosni had been in power over thirty years. He didn't show signs of being a dictator like Saddam Hussein or a Kim Jong ill. My understanding of it was that most country's got along with him and he was an Allie.

I guess the only way to know perhaps is by looking at it this way. For what ever the reason, I guess Egyptians wanted free and clear elections and the chance to get some one new as president.America has it, England every so often has the Prime Minister step down for some one new and I can only speak as an American, but I like the fact that every four years we can vote for a new President. I think all country's do. Those that have the right.

But here's the thing, and this might explain a little bit of the Iraq situation.

I think when you have some one who has been in power for as long as the Egyptian president has, people get used to it. They do. Now, some of these people may have the same belief as a Hussein or a Jong ill or perhaps even Castro and that if the are overthrown, they feel like they have to retaliate, if for any reason to get it back the way it was.

If you can, picture it this way, now granted this WOULD NEVER happen in America, but think about it: An American president whose eight years are up ( for those who might be reading this that do not know the structure of the American Presidency, they can only have two four year terms.) and he doesn't want to leave. If he was to stay as president for even a month, Americans will be fighting for their right to have it back the way it was with only two terms. Now, Granted that would never happen here, but I am just using it as an example.

Some people like change, other's don't. Some people want change while other's don't.

It's easy for me to say this because I was born in America and have lived in America all my life, but I like how our election process works. We get to have someone new every now and than, regardless of weather its the president or different people in Congress or the senate.

Had I had been born in another country and lived there, hard to say because it didn't happen that way, but for sake of argument, maybe I would have agreed with that country's policies, perhaps I wouldn't have. Hard to say.

I do pray for peace with the whole situation and I am happy to an extent that Egypt might have the change to have a free and clear election. I just hope that who ever the Egyptian president is that not only does he remember how he got there, but also to treat his people fairly.

I don't think, regardless of now nice or not he was with other country's that Hosni was all that fair. If he was, he wouldn't over stayed his welcome by thirty years.

Do You People Want A little Bit Of Rock 'n Roll?

Happy weekend, my readers. Something a little different with this blog. Its early. On a Sunday, no less. Today I want to talk about Rock and Roll music and a little of its history.

The music genre known as rock and roll has been around for almost 60 years, give or take, and it is still a highly successful form of music. Alot of bands regardless of genre say rock music inspired them to do what they do and if you were to read interviews with some country artist,r&b artist and even alot of Christian artist's you would find what they have to say about who influenced them surprising perhaps.

James Hetfeild, the lead vocalist for a heavy metal band called 'Metallica' was highly influenced by country legend Waylon Jennings and he still to this day almost 10 years after Jennings death, a fan. All though you probably wouldn't have known that from the music he plays.

Depending on who you ask, I think it is difficult to say in all of the close to ( or perhaps over) six decades of rock music which one of those six would stand out the most and dare I say, the end all be all, ain't gonna repeat it self best. Opinions vary, would be the best thing to say.

But, I would say in my opinion maybe the 1960's. Rock music was still if you will, a child, not even past its first decade. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, even though his music was close to ten years old had already earned the moniker 'king of rock n roll', to countless others, alot of them good, and a alot of them bad.

What I am about to say is just my hypothesis, but it probably can explain why it happened.

Can you actually picture famed writer/ director Orson Welles, or even Lenard Nemoy from Star Trek in a recording studio covering classic '60's songs of the day. Hard to believe, but its true. Both are on an album.

The reason for that, I think was once again, the genre was new. Some one some where obviously must have thought,'hey lets get actors and actress's who can't carry a tune in a bucket butcher the Beatles or the stones something fierce' No, not a good idea. If you should come across Nimoys or Welles's singing, pass it. It has to be nothing but pure torture.

But, than again, there is the rare exception where an actor or an actress who isn't known for their singing ability can make a decent song that to this day, can stand the test of time.

Actress Shelly Fabares, who while in her teens starred in 'The Donna Reed Show' in the early 1960's recorded the song 'Johnny Angel'. Even though the song was a hit and I'll say it again, still a popular song on 'Oldies but goodies' radio, Fabares, her self did not want to do the song.

According to Fabares ( and this is a true story) when she was asked to do the song for a record she turned it down at first because she never thought of her self as a singer. It was one of the producer's of 'The Donna Reed Show' basically told her it was either her job on the show or record the 'Angel' song. Once again, alot of actors and actress's were asked to record songs from this new genre

I really don't know if the 60's were the greatest decade for rock music. There is no denying that some great stuff came out of that first decade, but to say it was or is the best, its debatable.

Maybe you can choose a decade and say, "yeah, that was the best".

My suggestion would be to ask some one who really follows rock music like say a singer or a rock music critic.

Don't ask me, I'm just a screen writer.

Homosexuality

Today I am going to talk about homosexuality. I am taking a tip from a friends blog who about a year or so wrote about it in his blog and I have thought about writing about it myself, so I think now is a better time than any. I am not going to get to graphic, but if this should offend anyone who reads, I will only say discretion is advised.

Homosexuality has been around ever since biblical times, but that doesn't mean it has been a acceptable thing that is if you accept it. The Bible it self talks about how city's and even one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman empire was due to homosexuality. What I am trying to elude to is God, Himself, objects to it. Now, just because I wrote that doesn't mean I have the answer to why people do it.


I can only give you my hypothesis.

I think to some degree it is addiction and like all addictions you have people that like it and people that are trying to fight the ones they have. I don't think homosexuality is any different. If a gay person, man or woman, wanted to go straight they could do it. Hard to believe perhaps, but they could do it.

When I first started attending the Anaheim vineyard because my love for film and video I was apart of the video department. Vineyard at the time was having a conference on either sex addictions or people who overcoming their homo sexuality. At one point, Vineyard had a ministries called Desert Stream, which basically was helping people over come being gay.

During the course of the conference a pastor got up and started giving his testimony about how he was either gay or bi sexual and over came it. At the time, I was new into my walk with Christ and I had never heard of such a thing or even if it was possible so, naturally I doubted the guy. Not to his face, but I do remember being behind the camera thinking 'yeah, right'.

What I didn't know, was how God worked and the power He has to change peoples lives. Even people that we may think are unreachable.

The concept of homosexuality doesn't really work in todays society. People might think that it does, but it doesn't.

I'll give you a few examples.
1: Gay marriage
Gay marriages do not work for a number of reason, one is because it is not the way God intended marriage to be and second is because the trouble it causes. Yeah, you read that right, trouble it causes. Think about it, I have heard that alot of gay couples have adopted children, which really isn't all that bad, cause at least someone has then even their biological parents don't. Thing is that these kids will have to attend school and well if school was like I remembered it to be there is alot of bullying and alot of people that don't agree with their fellow students life style, ie their home life either consist of two moms or two dads and their not going to leave it alone.

That, I think cause friction for the house hold and possibly the relationship. Another thing it self is the marriage. Every ones can get rocky.

two: Health issues
Studies have indicated that both oral and anal sex is a huge risk for anyone that has it. One study indicates that oral sex can give a person cancer of the mouth.

Anal sex is even more dangerous regardless of weather a condom is used or not. having it performed over and over again can likely cause rectal problems that would make you want to visit a proctologist earlier than you might want to.

And Finally, believe it or not there is such a thing known as gay churches. Even some pastors from some denominations of churches have come out of the closet and are still practicing their faith. Now, before I go any further on this I want to make this clear in case people reading his take it the wrong way: God loves everybody, that is why he sent his son Jesus to die and I am not say homosexuals don't have that love cause they do. God didn't make a list of chosen people Jesus was going of to die for.

The problem with these so called churches is that they are still continuing their sin nature. The Bible clearly states that a man should not lay with another man and so the same for a woman, if you are doing that and consider yourself to be a man or woman of God, than you are missing the point, and also, I think changing the Word of God to fit your own needs. It is no secret that in todays society that Homosexuality is being more accepted even to to the point of laws being passed that say it is a crime to say to a gay person you don't agree with their life stile. Thing is to say to anyone, gay or not that you don't like their life style there is no crime in that, It becomes a crimes when you want to get violent and express your feeling to wards the person.

I guess what I am saying is this: if a person says their gay and you say to them, you don't approve of it and simply walk away and make no more of it, no crime there. If the same person was to say that a person like you doesn't approve of it and feels they have show them by being violent, than, there's the crime. Its easy to see.

Thanks for reading.