Winter Comes To Aiken

This afternoon the North Wind blew in. Not as frigid weather - snow and ice. But in the form of a Great Pyrenee dog who showed up at the front door.

The first clue was the residing dogs ramping up and raising hell. I opened the door and THERE HE WAS. This dog was about 150-75 pounds. BIG AS LIFE.

Here is his picture -


Big White Dog

The funny thing is that he is very much like Glacier, my sisters dog in Phoenix, AZ. What do you think Jan?

I called the area vets and they were looking in their databases for nearby owners of GP's. We are yet to find the owner. I will try and keep you posted with the result.

WH

Kind Of Creepy

I have had a sort of respite from blogging of late. After talking with Jen last night about a few things I realized that I have been hesitant since we BOTH found out that her ex has been TROLLING both of our sites.

I know that blogging is a public forum and if you don't want someone reading about what is going on don't put it on the web. You may get "Dooced."

It was just that the whole notion was creepy. So. Decision time.

Do I stop blogging? Do I sanitize and write with the prior fact in view?

Short answer: NO.

I can't give anyone that much power in my life.

I'm way too free, and happy, and peaceful, and secure, and full of life. As is my wife.

So on I blog.

WH

I Don't Usually Post Jokes, But...

I am generally offended by Blond Jokes but after reading this one I laughed. And laughed. And laughed. Even my wife thought that it was funny and she is a blond.

WH

Drool Worthy

MacWorld 2006 is officially "on"

As always, Steve Jobs opens with a keynote. Details can be found here

The best announcements, IMHO, are the new intel dual-core machines - an iMac and MacBook Pro. Very cool and they have some neat features. The MacBook has a magnetic power adapter that comes off if undue pressure is placed on the cord. Great addition to road warriors.

My next mac is still months away but I will be watching these models with great interest to see how they are received. Obviously they are FAST and have Rosetta, which will allow all old Mac applications to run on the new machines.

WH

Another Embarrassing Week As A Christ Follower

I'm tired this week. Not from work. Not from packing up all of the Christmas decorations. Not from a big meeting with potential investors and business partners.

From STUPID CHURCH PEOPLE (No disrespect meant to one of my favorite blogs).


Two biggies:

1. Pat Robertson - for his suggestion on Thursday, January 5, 2006, that Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for "dividing God's land," and giving away Gaza to the Palestinians. Holy shit Pat! This guy just can't keep his freaking mouth shut and there are people just WAITING for him to open it and say stupid shit. The last real biggie from Pat called for the assassination of the leader of Venezuela.

2. The Book of Daniel - Here is a news story from the Reuters wire - The Book of Daniel. Now, I'm not saying that we should watch things that we disagree with. Especially things that attack our values or belief systems. BUT my beef is that the people who are against this are typically folks who: a) Have never seen the show and just hear about it from friends., or b) Self-proclaimed zealots who believe that protecting God is their lot in life.

IF I was a person interested in following Christ these displays of "zeal" and foolishness would cause me to question whether or not I wanted to be part of this belief system. Now, the truth is that MOST people who profess to follow Christ are sensible and mature enough to make RATIONAL and correct decisions regarding life and choices that reflect the Kingdom of God. It's just the WACKO"S that get the press.

TRUE STORY - I have a friend who told another friend that she was going to watch "The Book of Daniel" the other night. Her friend emailed her and, after three long paragraphs of judgmental shit, said that she would still be her friend, even if she watched the show.

Some thoughts:
My guess, through conversations and experiences, is that the same folks that are in an uproar over "The Book of Daniel" watch "Desperate Housewives", "Scrubs", various soap's and other shows that are as "heinous" or questionable in content. I mean, be consistent. Most people are REACTING to pulpiteers who are all whipped up by large organizations spending money on "sanitizing" life.

I also don't think that Jesus needs defending. He can take care of himself. I would be more concerned about whether or not I was doing WHAT HE ASKED ME TO DO as a Christ follower than making sure everyone knew how offended I was at the new TV show.

I mean, in the BIG PICTURE what difference will it make if you "stood against" The Book of Daniel TV show? Do we really believe that God will say "well done" over issues like this? COME ON FOLKS!?! Get a fucking clue about what is important. Love your neighbor and God (by the way, in the parable that Jesus uses to tell an inquirer about loving a "neighbor," you can just substitute those who consider "ungodly" and/or "un-clean" - maybe even those who WATCH The Book of Daniel" or [shudder] the ones [evil bastards that they are] who PRODUCED THE SHOW).

Last thought. What if, in God's mercy, He is making sure that we are actually in a society that is not a "Christian" nation in order to allow those who are really the Faithful, to really live in a way that will cause people to ask questions that will bring them closer to making a choice to become followers of God?

That would be fair. Especially since people in the USA have been praying for years that we would be a "New Testament" church. Maybe God is surrounding us with a "New Testament" culture.

At least it gives us something to think about...

WH

On To The Next Step

The meeting today went well and I am guardedly optimistic. I passed the initial round of meeting with two of the eight partners and will meet with the rest of the group early next month.

If this goes well I will be a busy beaver for the next 6 months and then regularly busy after that. Hopefully THIS will be the last major job change for me before I can retire and spend more time at home and with Jen.

This year may prove to be a BIG ONE for change and transition for us. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.

I have two dear friends involved in Christian ministry that I would love to help in a more substantial way. This business endeavor would enable that to happen.

I am excited and looking forward to the next few weeks of preparation for this meeting.

WH

Big Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow I have a meeting with potential "suitors" for a business plan that has the potential to change the landscape in which you and I live. If it goes favorably for me It will be, without question, the most ambitious business venture that I have ever undertaken.

It can also change things for many, many people. I will write more after the meeting - the first of two critical meetings. The second meeting will take place later in the month if the one tomorrow goes well.

If you pray, pray that I will be able to communicate well and convey the concepts for the model accurately. The meeting is at 10 am EST.

Ultimately, it will mean more time with my wife after the initial investment of time and effort. Precious years from which we would like to squeeze every drop.

Hopefully, I will pee my pants with excitement and write more detail tomorrow evening.

WH

Happy New Year/Birthday! Show Me Some Ass, Baby!

Happy New Year!

Now, those of you who know my wife will NOT be surprised.

It seems that she likes to show a little ass now and then. Unfortunately, for most of us it means something different than what Jen thinks. Below is a snapshot of Jen "tooting" her New Year's noise maker with her BUM. My only relief was that she still had her pants up so she couldn't get too much wind out of her butt without a good "connection."


Jen Showing Her Ass

We had a great New Years celebration and a number of friends came over for a Murder Mystery party. Thanks to all of you for making it a great evening. One of the stipulations was that we invited the "older folk." This means, among other things, that RIGHT AFTER midnight and the noise makers, kisses, sipping champagne, and such, WE GO TO BED AND CRASH. Sleeping in the New Year.

Below is a "after the party" picture just before I grabbed four corners of the plastic table cloth and jammed it into the trash can.


Happy New Year

Along with welcoming in the New Year, we have a Happy Birthday party. Jen was born January 1!!

Happy Birthday baby! Thank you for being the most wonderful woman in the world. I look forward to many more birthdays together. I love you.

We plan on going to church this morning, going out to eat with friends, coming home and watching football. Then tomorrow is the real BIG college football bowl games.

I start back at UPS Tuesday (I have off tomorrow) at 4:15 AM so I will miss the GA vs. WVU game that evening - BUT I HAVE TIVO!!

Hope your New Year is a good one.

WH