The best thing that has happened to me

Originally posted on Typepad - February 29, 2008

I am proud of my wife. Since August of 2007 she's lost 62+ pounds.

She is more energetic, confident, we are all eating better, and she looks healthier.

I appreciate her courage to try something to improve her health. And now, she's helping others achieve their goals too.

She's the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Phil. 1:3

After spending a good chunk of time ('98-'04) with these guys on a regular basis, I've recently have been reacquainted with the genuineness, the coolness, the greatness that is Danny Rhines and Wes Ohaire. More Wes.

Two words: Tri-Fecta (pictured to the right)

If you ever get a chance to meet these guys and eat lunch with them, you need to buy!

Who are two favorite people you like to hang with - with no pretense?


*I am diggin' Joseph Zwanziger and his all seeing eye. Much love the the peeps of TFH.

The 30 Day Sex Challenge

I've signed up for the challenge! Now, to tell Melissa . . .

I know what I think about this challenge. What do you think about this challenge?

The worst sound...

. . . known to man is the sound of a drill in your mouth! I got a crown on an upper molar yesterday. I am really glad to say . . . NO PAIN! Dr. Rama was great. His staff were great!

He ground the existing tooth down to the gum line.

Cleaned the exposed root that was slightly damaged but looks like it will heal/restore itself.

Filled two cavities - one on top and one below. BTW - I took one of these pics while the crown was going on.

Digitally created a tooth that looked just like my old tooth, sent it to this crown making machine and installed the tooth.

I great experience, that I would recommend to anyone who has to go through it - Great customer service.

Thank you Dr. Adri Rama and the Rama Family Dentistry Family - Scottsdale, AZ.

NOTE TO SELF: Floss daily!

Doug & Elaine, Elaine and Doug!

Like many, we (my entire family) are Seinfeld fans.  Who isn't?

So I am at LAX this morning, minding my own business when Julia Louis Dryfus strolls up.  Honestly, I am not a Star Struck kind of person! I really tried not to stare.  I really tried not to take a picture. 

Carpe Diem got the best of me!  Not sure when she would ever get the chance to take a picture with me again so . . . . 

She was nice.  I was nice too . . . I didn't use a flash!

Who is the most famous person you've gotten a picture with?  

Video Blog

I enjoyed a good day today. Thank you Lord! I miss and love my family . . .

Video Email

I am in Valencia this weekend as I serve on the Board of Directors for Higher Vision Church.  Video Blog day one . . . .

Computer Issues

The Super Bowl and the FBR open were memorable events here in Phoenix. We had a good time with family and lots of food as we watched the SB in a memorable finish! Half of us were rooting for perfection and half rooted for the underdog. Everyone enjoyed the game! Both my boys were into the game (the fourth quarter). Melissa said the boys lost their Super Bowl virginity - I think they are look forward to next year's game!

My computer disk died this past weekend too! I took it into the Apple store on Monday and they proceeded to put a new disk in the machine. The y "tried " to save the data - not sure I am too convinced it was completely unsalvageable but. . . . due to the warranty it was repaired. I've spent a lot of time reloading and recovering stuff. I rely on my computer . . . for too much. I am glad I am back up and jogging.

What do you rely on that would be difficult to be without?

Big Week for Phoenix

This is a big week for Phoenix sports.  Besides hosting the Super Bowl (Patriots vs. Giants) there is a major PGA tournament going on - although there is no Tiger there will be  4 of the top 10 golfers (including #2 & #3).  

The Super Bowl alone is supposed to bring in about 400 million in revenue for the city's economy.  

Ten of the top 20 viewed TV programs all-time have been Super Bowls!

I heard on the radio that some hotels are charging up to 8 times their normal price!

Companies are paying up to 2.7 million for a thirty-second ad.  That's a lot of cash . . . 

I forgot to add that the SUNS are playing the SPURS on Thursday!

If you are hosting a party, what is the best Super Bowl snack?

It's raining, it' pouring . . .

It is a rare day in Phoenix.  Rare!  It is sunny (or partly cloudy) 325 plus days of the year.  That leaves about 40 days a year for grey days or rain. 

 

It is not messing around today.  It has rained non-stop since 5 am and as of 4:15 pm, it's not going to let up anytime soon.

What is your favorite rainy day activity?

I can't believe I did this. . . .

I knew I was going to do it!  I left off one of my favorite drummers.  One that has influenced me and many others.  He can be heard on the radio, on any given pop station.  The thing that bothers me about leaving him off is that he and Vinnie are tops to me!  

Abe Laboriel Jr. has it all.  Besides being the backbeat for Paul McCartney, he's also laid down groove for Sting, Sheryl Crow, Clapton, Shakira, Jewel, Liz Phair, Vanessa Carlton, and both Simpson girls.  Here is a complete list.

Three words that describe his drumming to me:  Passion, Power, Passionate-Power!  Entertaining to watch and has such a solid groovy groove.

Rock on Abe!  Rock on!  For your drumming greatness and my forgetfulness . . . you get your own post.

Any others I've left off?  Who is your top three favorite drummers?

Favorite . . . Drummers

Now drummin' is near and dear to my heart. Inevitably someone who "should" be on the list will be left off. These are my favorites right now.

1. Vinnie Colaiuta: He is my favorite of all time. The dude is a legend to say the least. I first heard of him in the early 90's although he was playing with Frank Zappa way back when. His handle of odd times is incredible. I saw him at Yoshi's in Oakland and was glad my Wes and my family got to enjoy the experience as well. Probably not as much as I though! My favorite recording of his . . . Sting's Ten Sumner's Tales - Clinic on drummin'.

The rest are not in any order . . . .
2. Carter Beauford: Looks like he is having a blast behind the kit. Is the train that moves DMB.

3. Chris Coleman: His work with Israel Houghton is phenomenal. He has some of the quickest hands and feet. Makes it look easy.

4. ?uestlove: (Ahmir Thompson) This guy grooves and then . . . grooves some more. Nobody better in the Hip Hop / Neosoul world.

5. J J Johnson: Not to be confused with the Wynton Marsalis Trombone player. I've seen this guy twice live and countless on TV and DVD. Writes the text book at what a pocket feels like. If you ever see him . . . his head and shoulders tell the story. Simple, powerful, solid, money! John Mayer did well in hiring this guy.'

6. Stewart Copeland: For all the fighting that went on with The Police . . . They made great music. Stewart blended lots of styles to give them their unique brand. Rock has lunch with Reggae and coffee with Jazz. Great composer as well.

These Guys have had some influence on my drumming over the years:
Honorable mentions: Chris McHugh (Garth, Lincoln, Currently with Keith Urban) | Bill Maxwell (my childhood hero)- Andre Crouch, Koinonia | Steve Brewster (Faith Hill, Awake America - Lindell Cooley, Nashville Session Guy) | Scott Williamson (Nashville Session Guy, FFH, Lincoln) | Tony Williams (Jazz Great, Miles, and others) | Jeff Pocarro (Toto) | Alex Acuna (LA Session Guy, Weather Report, Koinonia)

Challenges in Church Planting

All church plants have challenges . . . some same and some different in nature.  

One of my friends (yes, I have more than one!) lives in Iowa.  He is on staff at a church plant there and well . . . it snows in Iowa.  Not sure I would like snow to as one of our challenges at The Crossroads!

Here's a pic of setting up church, in January, in Iowa!

Favorite . . . Snacks!

I've turned over a new leaf in the last couple of years. Just trying to take care of myself a little better. My top five snack foods. Not in any order:

1. Carrot sticks (dipped in ranch - when I'm feeling crazy)
2. Raw almonds (Trader Joe's)
3. A warm pita dipped in hummus. (23 seconds in the micro and enjoy!)
4. Cranberry Ice Pops - (Ocean Spray poured in the ice cube trays. Don't forget the toothpicks)
5. Smoothies with silken tofu and frozen berries (seasonal) Tofu is a great alternative protein source without saturated fat.

OK - who am I kidding! Here is the real list.

1. Melissa's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Great out of the oven. Incredible frozen treat - Don't knock it til you've tried it!
2. Peanut M&M's - I used to be a plain guy for years. Still like them, but loving the salty/sweet thing these days!
3. Pepperidge Farm double chocolate cookies. I don't care for the milk choco. Gotta be the dark. So light and crumbly . . . you blink and 4/5 are gone!
4. Fuji apples - Nothing like them in season. This seems like it should go on the healthy list but I really like them! The only stipulation with apples . . . I eat more of them when they are cut up wedges.
5. Grapes - Got to be careful not to eat too many at one setting. Love the purple ones!

Honorable mentions: Bowl of Cereal, pistachios, cashews, brownies (homemade), Snickers - really satisfies!, fresh pineapple

What are your top three?

Favorite . . . . Guitarist

I like lists.  Letterman's Top 10, Best Team Ever, Best Burgers in Town . . . you get the picture.  

Today I read an article about one of my most favorite guitarist. This is the first time a Christian artist has been featured in Premier Mag. It reminded me of how cool he is besides being a great guitaritst.  His personal instruction and direction changed paradigms in music for me.  It shows the impact someone can have, if only for a short period of time.

Not in any order:

1.  John Mayer - his cool factor is off the charts, can make SRV's licks sound like his own, and can write a good song!

2.  Lincoln Brewster - Getting to hang around him, for the selected moments in Modesto, made me want to be a better musician.  Just makes playing the guitar look fun.

3.  Wes O'Haire - Not as known, yet, as the others on this list but should be.  Groove, style and soul.  Well-rounded - can play Rock, Jazz, and Classical in the same set!  Heppest of cats and great friend.

4.  Joey Bombaci - The dude knows his stuff and his licks.  Can look at a guitar and tell you the make, model and serial number!  Enjoy his company.  Joey can be heard on any given weekend in the Alt. Service at CCV.

5.  Stevie Ray Vaughn - Need I say more.  All the four mentioned above own him gratitude.  Heart and Soul blues - "Little Wing" and "Pride and Joy" are my favorites.

Had the privilege of playing with three of my five favorite.  The honor was mine!

**Note:  Joey's picture was not available at time of push-button publishing.  He has a great dome!

Do you have a favorite, not on this list? Let me know.

Disappointment

I am disappointed.  I failed to fulfill the expectations of . . . myself.  I believe in the statement I saw on a Gatorade shirt that said, "The best inspiration is not to outdo others but to outdo yourself."I didn't outdo myself.  I set out to run in the PF Chang Rock N' Roll Marathon (Jan. 13) - read here.  I don't do the little things I did on my first.  

One was signing up and paying for it.  I didn't do that.  

The other was sticking to my plan.  I didn't do that!  

Third was getting sick.  I did that!  After being sick for about a week/half.  I never recovered

the motivation to run the marathon.  

As I watched the coverage this weekend I am disappointed.  My new goal is San Diego - June 1. I plan to go by the book.   It worked last time.  Why not again!  I feel/hear my athletic clock ticking. 

Any tips on how one may outdo their self?  Any external motivation tips?

Being Three is cool!

Our church turned three this weekend. We had CCV pastor Don Wilson speak. Being a church plant, CCV helped our start and we feel great being an extension of what God is doing through that body.

The Crossroads also commissioned it's first group of elders. Here is a quote I ran across a couple days ago that helps describe our group. "An imperfect system filled with men and women of integrity will function far better than a perfect system filled with men and women who lack integrity." That is what we have at The Crossroads.

I am glad to be a part of what God is doing in the Northwest Valley of Phoenix. Here are some pics of the weekend.

On simplifying life . . .

This quote really speaks to me in our world of never ending messages, advertisements, and information.

 "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."-Hans Hofmann

It poses a question to me.  What in my life is unnecessary that can be eliminated?  

Happy New Year - Chug Contest

Last night my boys and I stayed up and watched the ball drop. We talked about our most special moment of 2007 and gave thanks, played the Wii, watch some Mythbusters and had our first annual Chug Contest.

The contest will be an annual New Year's Eve event. The Champion will hold the crown for the entire year. Now the audio is not so great we were trying to be quiet (Melissa and Gigi) were in bed asleep. (if you have an RSS feed you'll have to go to the blog home).

Congratulations to the winner!

2007 - Top Ten

It's December 31 and want to review some of the top ten things that happened throughout this year. (Not in any order)

1. A visit from our friend/family - The Kitchen's. We enjoy our time with them and they enrich our lives deeply.

2. I kept my only resolution this year. To blog more than I did last year (35 entries total 2007). I cranked it up in December finishing strong with double digits. I plan to blog at least once a week this next year!

3. Joining the vision of The Crossroads. This time last year I was jobless and seeking God's direction. I learned much in the transition from CCV to The Crossroads one of which God's timing and direction really it best. We may think we have together. Ever so true: "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." - Prov. 16:9

God provided for us in such unexpected ways. Our house, a newer car given to us, various household furniture items, peaceful sleep were just a few of the many blessings.

4. I read many books. Two favorites were "It came from within" - A. Stanley and "Made to Stick" - C. Heath and D. Heath

5. Going to New Orleans on a short-term missions trip. Really put the need there in perspective.

6. 13 years being married to Melissa. She's the best thing that has happened to me. My love for her grows each year . . . I am grateful.

7. I don't like to admit it but . . . I am a MacSnob (as my wife calls me). I love my MacBook!

8. Our visit with the Cinfios. Gianna and Mikayla are cute together.

9. Going to the John Mayer concert at Glendale Arena with my bro! Good times, Good Music!

10. Playing in the worship band at with Joey, Andy, David, Gary, Steve, Mary J. and the rest. It stretched me once again . . . Good times to remember fondly. My favorite worship LP . . . (The only one I bought) my buddy Ricardo and His team rock!\

11. I recognized growth (physically, mentally, spiritually) in my boys this year. They are becoming great young men of God. Their personalities have really developed. Dangerous Boys Club, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Football in the rain, Our trip to Guitar Center, and the Rocket Launch this past Christmas were major highlights!

OK - that's it. I actually had 11. 2007 was a redefining year for me. I trust God deeper, appreciating my family members more and want others to know they matter to God!