I had an amazing night. I can't believe how good it was for my soul. Yes, it was good for my soul. Great movie... hanging w/ Mike... reading for FUN at a coffee shop, and seeing a dear sweet friend from high school I haven't seen in so long - Claudia Howell. I can't believe she's in CS, and I can't believe how happy she is with her life - and how happy that makes me - how in love she is with her boyfriend, and how happy she is in the path she's come through.

What more can I say besides praises to the Lord? Who else can orchestrate such an amazing few hours, and teach so faithfully in this time in my life? No one but the Lord. All thanks and praise to יהוה‎

why don't i risk more than i have before? if i always live inside my threshold of "never risking too much" then i'm bound to miss out.

don't miss out.

I'm in Austin.

I'm amazed so much by how the Lord works everything out. When did I decide to take control of my life, and think I can manage? I think that I assumed that each of the issues that came to my plate were either: a) not big enough to just give right over to the Lord; or b) I could handle them and make them go away.

Was I wrong, and was I ever stubborn. I had my eyes pried open and my heart cut repeatedly, before I realized that keeping inside the issues that were bugging me and causing so much frustration and pain - was an awesome idea.

Yeah! I could so take care of all this. I'll just continue to handle this stuff on my own and not talk about it. After all, who can I trust?







Yeah, I can trust the Lord. This angers me sometimes when people say that: "just trust God, it will all be ok..." I get it. I trust God to take care of me, but it seems like such a simply, dumb answer. Maybe it is. I think it is the right one, though. And after all, how can you argue with something you know is right?



You can't. That's why you do what you know to be right. If you're not sure if it is right, or it is the right time for something, then you are completely justified in not doing it. Right? Right.



One time, in all the days.

"what I do is put [it] in cold water and leave it there for about 30 seconds...then I drink it"







-syawg

i was wrong. again. what's new?

i've noticed some things about people in relationships - i'll just list a few of the newer observations.

-you take on physical attributes of the other. i've noticed this in regards to weight. if one of the people in a relationship is a little bigger, then the other one tends to hit the gym less, and puts on some pounds. what motivation is there? that is something that I want quite the opposite of in my relationships... i want there to be encouragement and mutual striving towards being in shape, or at least being healthy.... and i'll be the first to admit that i'm not always the best example.

i can't believe that some people won't sacrifice in a relationship. its not about the big things only - its about the little things - shoes or schedules. why are people so selfish. wow it makes me so mad thinking about this.


-people in relationships slowly ebb away their other friendships... and i think this is naturally how it is supposed to be. why won't some people let this happen? why must they hold on to it, and why must the act so selfishly ignorant. mmm more frustration.



God is the example of relationship. he is firm when he needs to be, he sacrifices continually, but never letting himself be taken advantage of.... (this is kind of not true). i want those thing in a relationship and i want extreme joy.

this is a little random

everything is blamed on the "downfall of the family" - divorces and absentee fathers are to blame for most of societies problems: kids underperforming in school, drug usage increase, teenage pregnancy. could it be that there is more to it than family problems.

also this is another thing that is confusing to me. people with no family problems - that is an intact nucleus of father and mother (originals) - seem to be the experts. i would hardly be able to consider myself an expert on family dealings when my mom and dad have been happily married for 25+ ... so if you think you're qualified to speak with authority on family problems - and you still have parents with a strong, consistent marriage - think again. my extended family has had problems - divorce, infidelity, etc. - but i haven't experienced that directly, so where do i have authority to speak?

also, i'll write another letter:


dear **

you are immature. sometimes you cannot get outside of yourself, and you cannot see beyond your own nose. in many senses you are so lucky. what problems do you have? large problems seem to pop up sometimes, but they quickly fade amidst claims of blessing ... the problems don't seem to be that anymore. you're amazing and so great and i love you, but come on - be aware of others around you.

daniel







nb: as in most of my letters to myself, often i am included in some of the accusations.

i want to write more. but i manage my time poorly and i don't leave myself with a lot of time to spare and write or read. my journals suffers, my time with many different people and items suffers. why do i fail at getting it together?

AWESOME. i sometimes feel like i'm defending myself a lot. i wonder what that means. i think it might mean that i'm wrong and there is reason for people to call me out.

this is in vegas. i saw david crowder in a casino in vegas. i wish i could have hung out with him more than i did.

I'm just so confused. Maybe you really don't get it. Maybe I was right on my initial thought.

I do believe I'll keep up with this a little more.

I hope I'll get some more readers here because there are some important thoughts I want to share with many people.

I wish people would understand what a struggle love is. I see a lot of people misunderstanding what love can really mean. Without a struggle, love is, among other things, almost false. Notice how I said 'almost'. It is not false; love untested. It is easy. I think that a lot of people only have experienced easy love.

I have not. I have not only experienced easy love. I'm so happy that I haven't. What a blessing! What a struggle! What a point in the right direction and what a kick in the ass! I'm being serious. I could not imagine how much less sensitive and less aware of my thoughts and actions and how much less observant I might be if I had never had to struggle with (and subsequently embrace) loving people close to me that have "challenged" me in ways they don't know. You just don't know.

I'll finish with a letter to someone whom I suspect won't read it, and if he or she does, then I doubt they'll realize it was meant for them.


Dear ***

You live in a dream world. You think you get reality? You are blind and ingnorant to struggle; real, fleshly, hatred and struggle. When will you realize it? I don't know that you will before God calls you home. That's too bad, because truthfully - you could have an even bigger impact than you already do. You aren't observant, but you're working on it. I love you, and I appreciate the things you've taught me.

Daniel

I doubt so much the people I want to read this will read this. Bummer.

Oh well, here goes.

Dear * *** *** **

I wish you would be brave. I wish you would not get defensive so easily and I wish you would see people's hearts through their actions - not just their actions - this goes along with the first wish of mine - you not being so defensive. Its not about me. Thats ironic, and I wish you could see that.

Come on! Go without a parachute (thats ironic, but you wouldn't know it either) and believe what I say.

Its so hard to enjoy things sometimes, but sometimes you make it easier (in both good ways and bad). So thank you nonetheless.

Daniel


Dear ***** *

Please stop it. Get your head out of your ass, because, for some odd reason, you are choosing to keep it there. Look and see who loves you and how much they do! AHHH. You're so awesome! I mean that so much! So, use all that you have for the best - and not for the worst, because God knows it has nearly killed us both, literally and figuratively.

Daniel

I love this picture so much. It makes me very happy. How does time fly...

 

I think I've overestimated myself and that's a bad feeling. A really bad feeling.

Maybe I'm not as good as I thought.

When did people become so eager to compromise?

Thats so disappointing.

I'm trying hard not to slip and trying hard to be consistant, and people that I respect so much end up turning a blind eye towards stuff.

When we do that, we make ourselves look like ignorant bastards.

Let me get this off of my chest.

You cannot beat me. Don't try to beat me at this game. I have been around the block so many times it will make your head spin. I think people think that they are so good at this that they miss out on the sharks like me and Staff in the water.

So you know what? Keep your tricks to yourself, don't bother trying them on me, because I will make you look like an idiot.

Shut down your facade.

I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it.

-Voltaire

As I've been running more late at night, I have a number of incredible thoughts about life that come to me. Running really clears a lot out of my head and I enjoy it so much.

I'll be posting some of those thoughts randomly after my runs or as I think of them. I'll catch up for the past few weeks:



-Going through life doubting and angry must suck so much. Too much doubt or too much anger will do misery to your soul. Also, too little doubt or anger will do misery to your soul.

-I wonder what its like to be addicted to something. What would it be like to have something you CANNOT CONTROL force your hand. I think it must suck so much.

-People don't get it. It is so hard for people to pick their head up and look around. I'm so thankful for the few people in my life who do get it. So incredibly thankful.

People have the hardest time admitting when they are wrong.

I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor come from God alone. he is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalms 62:5-8

I just feel dumb.

I hate feeling dumb.

I know when I make mistakes and I can admit them; I know that that happens and I don't feel dumb about it.

I do not in the least bit feel dumb for being an Astros fan. In fact, after an amazing season - full of ups and downs - seeing the Astros in 3 different ball parks.... I'm very pleased and now more of an Astros fan than before.

That may sound odd...but they are nearer and dearer to my heart. I connected with them. It may sound unhealthy... but I don't think that it is. What I do think is that - I should get this excited about things that will matter forever. I know it sounds cliche... but things about relationships with people and my relationship to God. If we put the time into knowing God and stuff - how much more worthy of an effort would that be?

Now, there is so much to be said for getting together and rooting for a common goal - for a team. It was so great to see people care and grow, etc. from a playoff run. I dunno... we'll see what comes of all of this. Baseball is over now, Christmas is coming and things are good. God is good, that is the only reason that things are good. If things aren't good... God is still good. Yes Mr. or Miss Pragmatic, things are bad in the quake-ridden middle east and New Orleans and people may think that God is absent. I know He is there - teaching and comforting and being God. I don't get it either... but I trust and I have faith... it is weak and lacking at times... but its there. Hold on to that.

Doubt your doubts; believe your beliefs.

Astros - World Series Champs 2006!

Proverbs 16:9


"The mind of a man plans his way; but the Lord directs his steps."

I have this part of me that wants to get away


"...so I won't expect a postcard from Trafalgar Square..."


name that song - then go listen to it and think about stepping out of your box

"I love God's law with all my heart."

Romans 7:22

the new switchfoot album is so good

our world is so lonely... people try so hard! they really try and fill themseleves with things that won't fill


why can't people be satisfied... i think they think that there are things that will fill them that they can do

i hope they don't feel too lonely - i want to show them acceptance and Acceptance

You know...


I'm so lucky.



So are you.

IF YOU WANT TO READ THIS, READ IT ALL.


I was chillin' at my house tonight, as I predict might be a regular occurance, when my old roommies from the dorm stopped by. It was great to see them, and we decided to go to Taco C.

When we got there - we saw some people we knew and were talking with them and stuff; then in a matter of 3 minutes I had these 2 conversations:

Conversation A - with a guy named Brett who was in a few of my classes.

Dan: "Hey Brett, whats up?"

Brett: "Not much man, I've had way too much to drink, I'm really drunk."

Dan: "Allright, well grabbin' some Taco C now? Its good stuff."

Brett: "Yeah, I had to drink tonight - I had a rough past few days. Two of my friends are getting divorced and one of them is just doing so bad; his wife is doing stuff a married woman shouldn't do, so yeah."

Dan: "Well, man I'm sorry about that..."

conversation A trails off...

not 200 seconds later

Conversation B - with "Jane" - an acquaintence...

Dan: "Hey Jane, whats up?"

Jane: "Not much, woah, sorry, I'm so so drunk."

Dan: "Allright, did you have fun?"

Jane: "Eh, not really, I mean... we just drank"

Dan "Did you go [dancing at] to the Hall?"

Jane: "Nah, me and some people went to Northgate... don't worry I'm not driving."

Dan: "Ok, well if you need a ride or anything, let me know for sure, ok?"



I share these stories not to say anything about myself. I share these stories because it worries me when people drink just for kicks or like get drunk because they have some problems.

I do know this: people deal with their problems so differently. I deal with mine in a certain way, and people deal with their problems in other ways. I respect that. Its so legit to have your own way of dealing with stuff. Its just differences in humans. Thats cool - differences.

I hope you took the time to read this whole entry.

its crazy how much older i feel

i want to worry, but when i think about worrying, i remember that i'm not in control


i am coming to grips more and more with the fact that I'm a closet control-freak of sorts

at the same time - i'm learning to lay back and just let things happen


God is good.

Here I am in Spring.


I'm back from D.C. and from Fish Camp.


I'm so excited about practicing what I've learned.



I love music alot and I really enjoy the faithful and true expression of emotion I find in Coldplay's music.



I hope that some of these freshman I've met at Fish Camp and stuff stick to their Faith and hold true to their convictions; not compromising and not changing.

I disagree with those who might say that it is perfectly acceptable to let yourself go in college. Of course its great to go and try some new things - what is dumb is to try everything once to an extreme fashion. For instance: its not necessary to try LSD or hard liquor once to see what it feels like. Its not the best idea to try sex once just to see what it feels like.

I think I break it down like this: things you want to try have to be worth the risk of what might occur as a result of doing such things. If you want to try LSD, you would necessarily accept the possible consequences that your body might shut down, your heart may go into cardiac arrest and you might die. If you wanted to (or) have sex, you would necessarily accept the consequences that you might become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection.

If one might expect sympathy from everyone as a result of a consequence of an action occuring, it might be an illogical and igorant expectation. I would never stop loving someone that I love if they chose do to such a thing; NEVER. I would, however be disappointed at their choice, as is natural. In fact, I don't expect everyone to not choose to do things that are harmful to themselves. Additionally, I do things that are detrimental to myself as well, so by no means am I writing this with a pious attitude; just with an attitude of hopeful wishing - for myself and my friends.


I'm a romantic.

You talk a big game.

Please, step up and do it. You're starting and I'm very happy for you.

Don't go crazy, you have to relax and start to calm down.

Don't surround yourself with people that cannot encourage you and push you and show you how to be better.

It's impossible to be close to someone who you get very frstrated with extremely easily.



People change, and its not always good.

Holy cow - music is so amazing

today on the way home from work - i just closed my eyes and listened to " a message" by coldplay and "swallowed in the sea" by coldplay -

on the way into work i've made it a habit to listen to the beastie boys - and man - that makes for a fun morning - really fun -

"Some voices got treble some voices got base
We got the kinda voices that are in your face."

Thank you beastie boys, coldplay


switchfoot coming out soon - september - can't wait


hi

I don't know what to feel.


I'm happy.



I don't want to be selfish, but sometimes I am. I don't want others to be selfish, but they are.

when i'm watching The Price Is Right, and people win a car or 10,000 dollars and don't go hug Bob or thank him or shake his hand - that pisses me off alot - ungreatful jerks - like they deserve it - it is a gift and a blessing and people need to realize that

maybe i don't get it


maybe i don't understand people as well as i think

but then again - thinking that makes me think that i do

i'm definitely not bragging that i understand people well - its obvious to me and to others sometimes that i "don't get it" but i'm so confused as to when people are so anxious about something and they let that thing slide - or put it immediately on the back burners for something less important

lets be really clear... i'm guilty - as charged - i do it often - but i'm working on stepping up and doing something that i'll say that i will do - and just gettin' it done. however, its a work in progress, and i'm nowhere close to completing it... but i don't think we ever "get there"

let me explain - in some ways - i don't think we ever get to the places we want to go - for instance - i want to be very well-read - as in i want to read alot of books and be very literate - and in steps - i am getting there - slowly but surely i'm reading more and more - but i don't know that I'll ever get to the point where I will be like - ok - i can pick up this book and read it and then put it down and think about it and read it again or something else...

wow that was a pretty poor example - but you get my drift, right?

erica has a really really great quote in her profile and it says "anyone who says 'i miss you' is just not trying hard enough" and i find that to be so true... but at the same time - i can miss my friend so so much but there is nothing i can do right now to see him - he is in arkansas - i am in DC, neither of us can fly - i don't have any money and have committed to working these next few weeks... i can try as hard as i might but - i just don't have the money or time or opportunities to go see him... see what i'm saying? no? well i guess everything is possible for you, and if it is - then shut the hell up and go do the things you want - don't say you really want something or you REALLY really miss someone unless you mean it - because if you think that everything is do-able - then you should put your freaking money where your mouth is and do it - thats precisely why my dad does not make stupid promises - thats why i'm minimizing my "yea... i promise to do that " 's or my "yea i really really miss " because i want my words to carry weight...

again, lets be clear - i'm not perfect- and i'm totally cool with that - i'm not going to use that as my excuse - but i'm certainly going to work towards doing what i say i will -

maybe thats a little intense...i feel like i scare people or push people away when i'm too intense - and i want to apologize - but i don't think my apologies are always sincere - if i truly have hurt someone or did something bad - i'll apologize for my intensity, but if it is something stupid - (and not just stupid from my eyes, logically and plainly) then why should i apologize for having a passion ... for being intense (my passion is not like "to be intense") ... wow - i wonder if anyone follows this... i wonder if my wife could follow this - i don't know who she is or where she is - but if she can get this - if anyone can get this...wow

congrats on reading this far - this is part of my heart and who i am - and how i feel now

Mixed-signals.




wow




thats funny




tonight sould be really fun - I'm glad that I live in America. You are too.

I want to be

a Christian God is pleased with.


He loves me when I don't love Him.

He saved me, when I don't understand Him.




none other,

I realized this today.

There is a song i heard today that said "she loves me but she doesn't even know me." I am inclined to say that the girl who loves this guy is a complete idiot.

Loving someone involves knowing them and loving them regardless. Do you think you can love someone and not meet them, or not truly truly know who they are. I don't think you can. Then what is your love based off of? Looks? One or two chance meetings? See, if you're going to love someone. I mean love someone - you know them, and love them still - like - knowing their faults and their amazing attributes, and loving all of them. In Good Will Hunting, Dr. McGuire (Robin Williams) is describing to will about his late wife. He tells will that she farted in her sleep. He said that at some points, it would get so bad, it would wake both of them up. He said that those little "eccentricities" and annoyances were what he loved about his wife.

Now, i don't know about you, but I get annoyed easily sometimes, and other times I'm real chill, not letting much bother me. Some things about some people really bother me, and its really hard tough to really get past them ya know? Anyhow, my comment about love leads me to this:

In order for you to expect someone to love you, you have to let them know you. Don't be a complete idiot and close yourself off to someone (alot or a moderate amt - you def. need to protect your heart - UNDOUBTEDLY) and expect them to love you. If they say they love you and you know they don't know you or really really know you the true you, they're ignorant stupid and desparate and maybe a little bit horny. Sorry, I had to throw that in there, some people are that shallow.

So, go figure. Get out of my face with this guy loves me or this girl loves me... when they don't have any clue about you. And get even farther out of my face with this crap of expecting someone to love you and not giving them an opportunity to know you.

These are my thoughts, spurred on by a song.


God loves me. God loves me to the point where He sacraficed Himself for me. He knows me, and sees my innermost thoughts, and knows my innermost feelings. Deep down in me where things exist that I will never breath a word about to my wife or my best of friends. Sins I'm capable of committing that would warrant death so severly. THANKFULLY, I am forgiven for my sins, even for the ones i'll never commit. I wouldn't act on it because my life is transformed into a life guarded by God's Spirit living in me. Of course, I'm capable of doing such things, but I won't act on them because God has changed my life, and continues to mold me.

I'm so undeserving of His grace, what on Earth or in Heaven or in hell have i done to deserve such a gift, such a pardon.

GOD KNOWS MY THOUGHTS AND EVERYTHING ABOUT ME AND LOVES ME STILL.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

HE LOVES ME.

GOD LEGITIMATELY AND DEEPLY LOVES ME.

All this natalee holloway stuff - i can't believe how stupid some people are - here are some comments posted on a forum in response to one of her friends posting something

IT MAKES ME SO FREAKING MAD THAT PEOPLE REFUSE TO PUT ANY RESPONSIBLITY ON HER OR HER CHAPERONES - THERE WERE 2 FOR 160 HIGH SCHOOLERS - HOLY HELL - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Dear Natalee,
I've been to Aruba, and I want to give you some advice.

1. Have a great time and have something to drink; but DON'T GET DRUNK IN A STRANGE PLACE.

2.Don't hang out with shady locals. Some people are nice, but others will try to take advantage of you (especially if you're a cute, drunk American).

3.Don't get into a car with a stranger. I know, I know you've heard this 1000 times before, but you might think about applying it here in a FOREIGN COUNTRY!

4.Check in with your friends and let them know whats going on. You obviously could not expect to be perfectly fine going off without telling anyone what you're up to.


Wow, Natalee, hearing of what you "allegedly" did the night before you disappeared -I'm so dissappointed. Let me get this straight, you had a few drinks, got in the car with some guy you met a day before, and 2 of his buddies. Natalee, as an honors student, a member of NHS, I would have expected better decisions out of you. You are not completely free of responsibility in the trouble you might be in.

I hope you come back safely and learn from this experience. I hope you family can find peace in the midst of this situation, trusting in God's sovereign plan above their own. That's a real tough thing to do, BELIEVE ME.

this is unbelievable -

it is so ridiculous how much people are so selfish

i really have just been listening - and trying to avoid talking about myself whenever i meet new people - and its been pretty effective - and amazingly interesting

peopl will talk about themselves forever - and go on and on about what they are doing and where they are going - and its is SO RARE to find someone who will turn back the questions you ask them on you - and truthfully i really don't care - if there is a need to share, i'm more than willing to talk about my experiences - and my thoughts - but just shutting up and listening - wow - now thats something else


bill walton is a complete moron


i'm going to see coldplay in concert in september - on the 8th row - booya.


you should call me - my cell phone works up here


on another note - i spent a long time on the phone with krista anderson and i'm adding her as a link on the right - her boyfriend herman is in China, and he seems like a real cool kid

go spurs.

Don't feed me lines.



city love

I'm trying to stay focused and i've done a good job thus far today

however, i have to interject and note a few thoughts:

This morning i've been working on an unemployment/employment report broken down by each county in Texas. Now, this may seem boring, but its kinda interesting...kinda...anyhow -there are 257 counties in this great state and there are some bizzare names of these counties. Besides relatively obscure ones like like Zapata and Zavala; we have Tom Green county, Jim Hogg county, Jim Wells county, Jeff Davis county, Irion county, Deaf Smith county, and Ochiltree county, just to name a few.

Texas is pretty cool.

Office BS: the in-between coffee runs where you pass a co-worker in the hall and just BS about the day - those conversations are ridiculous. They consist of stories and personal insights followed by other stories or personal insights- often about a completely different topic. So in my quest to be a better listener and conversationalist - i just sat back and observed one just a minute ago. The two guys who were talking - they couldn't give a crap about what the other was saying - and the only time when they responeded to the other's comments was when they chimed in with "oh, wasn't he the guy who..." or "yea, we ran into her the other day..." or "oh yea we were working on that..." or some generic, lame excuse for interaction. Somehow in the midst of this "conversation" we wasted 20 minutes, and nothing was constructively said - and the only person to benefit from the conversation - was me - who was able to listen and hear what they were saying - and not think about what i was going to say instead of hearing the other people. go figure

i'll go back to work now

I'm just gonna start typing

when i sat down after i walked the last ppl out of my house - i wanted to just focus on one thing. i can't focus. i just cant -i can't sit down and do one thing at a time -and it makes me so mad. so i wanted to go turn on the tv, and watch sportscenter and probably flip back and forth between blind date and the world series of poker re-runs. but i didn't - i was just like - let me sit down and get some thoughts out; and i am doing so

its amazing how this world has developed. (to all the weblog readers/internet communication junkies): what would our lives be like if we couldn't communicate through AIM for a day's plans or communicate as to what we were doing that day? Would people know a little more about me had i not had a blog? see i don't know b/c then all the time that we WASTE on the internet we might turn into productive relationship development time. instead of spending X hours reading blogs or talking on AIm or checking email 3,100 times we might call someone up - or just drive (ride a bike even, gasp!) <- wow in the past sentence i've just done 3 things that i really can't stand - like i hate when i see people do them - 1) exaggurate on numbers - to a completely stupid extent 2) i typed out "gasp" to be a sarcastic twit, and it just seems, uh dumb, and i used the <- arrow replacement - see - and i don't want to go back and edit what i do - i jsut want to type and hopefullly you'll have a little insight into how i think and how i just like to let my mind go sometimes. I know it would be easy to edit and me talking about it seems even more ridiculous, but eh, what ya gonna do. ...like i guess we might spend more time talking to people face to face - at least i hope that i would - i feel like for me that wouldn't be a struggle, in fact, i'd love to do that more, and if i can manage my time better and not forfeit opportunities to do so, face to face relationship developement would be ideal - and the best type of development there is. what a waste of time facebook is. what a waste of time AIM is... but i go back and forth on AIm - like - its a great way to communicate, easily and non-awkwardly and quickly - and generally thats how most people would prefer it. we don't have to put up a front or look at someone uncomfortably in the face, or make eye contact - its easy to lie, its easy to ignore, and its definitely easy to hide emotions behind the square foot of glass or liquid in front of you. you insecure person. face your insecurities like a strong person. if you don't think you're strong, you sould test yourself, b/c if you don't test yourself, God knows that He will or someone else will - and then where are you? do something to step outside of your comfort zone. EAT ALONE. SIT BY YOURSELF IN CLASS. WALK ACROSS CAMPUS ALONE. wow - its times when i do that that i feel stronger the insecurities comment brings me to my first lyrics quote of the night. some of my friends might be familiar w/ me saying this or have seen it before from Incubus' Smile Lines
-ill just quote the whole stanza

"I'll never act my age
But you can tell by the lines in my smile
That I have been around for awhile
So, insecurities
Are about as useful as trying
To put the pin back in the grenade."

Now, i'm not one to take every lyric that an artist says to be truth - when in fact they are just words - and after all, if it is not written down somewhere respectable, we can't hold it as truth.
What i am one to do is to take lyrics that i find appropriately applicable and share it with people to whom it might apply - and this is one of those lyrics - dear blog readers, note your insecurities, note their usefulness. do they help you? do they serve any purpose but to expose your weaknesses? do they help you find TRUTH? do they help you in your relationships? are they truly useful in your life???

Now, i know what we might say; yes, they do help me to see where i am weak so i can work on this or that, but can they change you? can they force your hand to stop or start...? no, they cannot; their functional use is non-extant, and it is your securities, your strenghts that aid you in your quest for TRUTH and help you develop into the person God needs you to be.

I guess you know yourself better than God. perhaps He didn't make you, didn't knit you together and He doesn't know your thoughts before you think them. Well, wait. He does. Hmm
so you're telling me that God knows what we think before we say or think it.

"For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether." Ps. 139: 4

Pslam 139 - short and sweet and humbling (sp?) its too much for us to fully comprehend ever. will trying to figure God out get me anywhere? I'm split here - sometimes i think it might. I think that in my quest to figure out what God is up to - giving me a body and a sharp mind and allowing me to think thoughts about Him and the world and people, and myself - and choices as to what i'll do with the knowledge of Him and the world and people, and myself - i mean - what will i do with it? I don't think i'll ever figure it out - but it won't stop me from thinking about it - but when i come to a dead end - with a specific tenant of "faith" or some concept - i'm going to realize that there is an end to what my mind can comprehend. I may or may not have reached that end, but i'm definitely not going to kill myself chasing a trail of bread crumbs to a place i know doesn't end. God's knowledge is infinite, and his words and complete knowledge are way above me, lest my mind be infinite and unlimited as well. If my mind was infinite and unlimited, undoubtedly i would know how to gain limitless power, no? if i knew that, well, then I'd be an ultimate and unlimited being, unbound by (among countless other things) gravity time and physcial demensions. I don't know any human that isn't, therefore i dont know of any human past or present that has an unlimited mind, unbound by humanistic (and physical limitations)

that is, unless my unbound mind knew how to get this power, and knew that it was impossible to do so. then we're just stuck w/ an unlimited mind that has no hands or feet. bummer.

we do however, have a limited mind, with much an under-utilized (eh? work with it.) potential, and those who realize this, and seek to maximize their knowledge and capabilities, well, they (we, i might say of myself sometimes) are a step above. I want to be there - i at least want to ever be on my way. ya know? i don't wanna sit and limit myself, but i don't wanna live a foolish hope that i am unlimited.

Limits. Some people might say that all limits are moveable. i have to disagree. the limits of my hope to travel the world and photograph images all over the world is firm (not immovable). i don't have the money or time. i suppose i can make the time, and the money too, but right now, its just a hope without real potential. now, you might say that if i wanted it bad enough, i'd make it happen. now i'd agree with that - but i'd counter by saying that - none of us want these things we might say (travel the world, make a million dollars - wow now thats not a desperate, shallow desire; sheesh - read 1000 books, write a novel, etc.) that we do want bad enough to go do them. Time is another limit. Right now, lets stick with my idea of travelling and photographing (and writing - and by writing - mostly journalling to myself - and by myself i mean mostly to the people that i would want to share it with - the first thought is my wife - wherever she is. man, i love her.) i really don't have the time. at this point in my life, its best for me to finish school in college station, and then go from there. i mean, who knows maybe after that i'll end up with money enough and time enough and opportunities enough to do this. however, i doubt it.

i just paused - where does this leave us? where does this conclusion leave me. do i really not want it? i really don't know - i mean there's nothing saying i don't want it (or anything else bad enough) it just i guess comes down to where my limits are and when my limits change. Some limits are moveable. Some are temporary. Some will always be there, and there is NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. a desire to completely comprehend the Lord? admirable, and something we should strive for, but our limitation to remain eternally unmoved- our finite minds; our finite understanding of time and human nature and human thought. some people can break out of the limitation of "religion" or "existential thought", but those people, no one else, can break past our limited minds as humans. its hard to accept, fight it as you might, but we can't get it all. we just can't. when you think you've got it all, hmm - i suppose you'll know whether or not to tell everyone that God exists or why good things happen to bad people or why Regan sucked and Clinton was the closest we had to God on earth, or whether or not Bush is a complete idiot, or why people thought Kerry would be a great leader, or why Hitler killed himself, or why Arsenal beat Manchester U, or why I can't focus sometimes.

here's some things i'm not saying: we should stop trying to comprehend the mysteries of God or the laws of nature, or we should not hope for things that will never come true. Hm, wait i am saying that if we know that something is never going to happen, we probably should refocus and accept its inevitable impossibility. Sure, you could tell yourself that "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!" However, you might be mistaken. You won't know everything, and you can't do everything ( i learned that this semester as my GPA took quite a detrimental hit). Daniel, you pessimist some might be uttering. Don't tell me I can't do anything I want. Eh, sorry - I'm stuck here w/ some limitations and you are too.

Here's what i am saying: Aim high and expect to hit higher. Aim unrealistically, and don't expect that your real(istic) self can hit COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE targets. Aim at some targets that you think are nearly impossible. NEARLY, not completely, but nearly. If you think of a target as impossible to hit, you're already at least half-way behind. If you think of a target as nearly impossible, but feasible, you're half-way there. Wow, that sounds corny, bad form. What i am saying is this: everything in this world is not possible. I can't get to the top levels of pro football. It is literally impossible (size, strength, knowledge, support, time, money). I cannot make the 51st state and force myself into the United States. Man, i'm stuck. Most things are possible. Think that things are do-able, but don't think that you are super-human; think that you are capable beyond what you might think. Give yourself credit, and definitely don't think you are more incapable than you are. DON'T BE STUPID. There, that sounds good. DON'T BE STUPID.

i'm kinda wanting to talk about how i hope i sound to people, how i hope that i don't sound inconsiderate or rude. but ya know, in all honesty, i'm not living to please people - well theoretically (and mostly in actuality for me) i really don't care what people think of me - they are not my audience. God is my only judge, and his standard is high. Mine needs to be high, because if its really low, what am i doing to myself but underperforming. I mean, i just spit it out for almost 2 hours and if you don't wanna speak with me again, allright. if you wanna hang out or talk, done. if you don't care, i mean, fair enough. I'm not living for you. I'm living for God, and I'm living my life. My life is not mine though, its my Creator's. I have a gift, and i hope i suffer eternally if i didn't use it well, or appreciate it, or respect it, or cherish it.

C.S. Lewis on a later blog. Maybe i'll just talk about my thoughts in person a little more. i feel like i do it enough, but i could always use more. Thanks for reading till the end if you did. I dont know why i'm thanking you, but i mean peole need appreciation, so I'll give it to them, when I feel as if they deserve it. If you haven't stopped reading by now, or have finished through this, I'm really flattered.

Here's a few more quotes from some songs:

Switchfoot's Ode to Chin

"What's your direction?
Tell me what's wrong, tell me what's right
What's your direction?
Think about somebody else for the night
Life's more than girls
God's more than words
You're more than this
So what's your direction?
And where are you now?
Grow, grow where you are
Anchor your roots underneath
Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs."

from Switchfoot's Life and Love and Why

"Life and love and why
Child adult then die
All of your hoping and all of your searching for what?
Ask me for what am I living and what gives me strength that i'm willing to die for
Take away from me this monstrosity
'Cause my futile thinking's not gonna solve nothing tonight
Ask me for what am I living and what gives me strength that I’m willing to die for
Could it be this?
Could it be bliss?
Could it be all that I ever had missed?
Could it be true?
Can life be new?
And can I be used?
Can I be used?
Give me a reason for life and for death
And a reason for drowning while I hold my breath
Something to laugh at a reason to cry
With everyone hopeless and hoping for something to hope for
Yeah, with something to hope for
Could it be true?
Can life be new?
Could it be all that I am is in You?
Could it be this?
Could it be bliss?
Can it be You?
Can it be You?"

good stuff from Foreman and the boys - i got little else

at the end of the day, I'm just Daniel, I'm Daniel! I'm Daniel.

and funny enough, i can breath a sigh of relief because God is God.

Isaiah 45:6
"That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. "

People are amazing.

This is gonna be random.

Here are some favorite Weizel family sayings, that I find amazingly true and, umm amazing.

"Hey, ya never know."

"Fuhgedhabahdit" (Many might realize that this is a NE slang term that many might use, however no one in Texas that I've met uses it. Booya.)

"Everyone's got a story."


thats all i got for now. I leave for DC in a week or so - I can't wait - to get up there and see for myself how i can make a difference, or what i can do.

I'm gonna hit DC hard.


Game 1 : Texas A&M 8
Texas 7

Here are some lyrics from Kanye West's skits on his album College Dropout.

Think about them, they're hilarious and poignent.


School Spirit Skit 1:

Now beat that
And your mothers sayin “go to college”So u finish college and its wonderful
You feel so good
And after all the partying and crazing
And don’t forget about that drug habit u picked up at school bein around your peers
Hey now you’ll get that 25 thou, job a year and
You’ll spend all your money on crack cocaine, but it’ll be you’re your money
No more borrowin money from mom for my high
So now you get ur degree tattooed on your back your so excited about it
If u continue to work at the GAP, after several interviews,
Oh my god!
You’ll come in at an entry level position and when u do that
If u kiss enough ass, you’ll move up to the next level
Which is being a secretary’s secretary!
And boy is that great, you get to take messages for the secretary
Who never went to college
Shes actually the bosses niece, so now you're a part of the family
You know what college does for you?
It makes you really smart man
All you kids want to talk in the back of the class not me, I listened, okI was a hall monitor,
This was meant to be,
You know how many classes I took, extra classes extra classes
No I’ve never had sex but you know what? My degree keeps me satisfied
When a lady walks to me says “hey you know whats sexy?”
I say “no, I don’t know what it is, but I bet I can add up all the change in your purse very fast”.


School Spirit Skit 2:

You keep it going man, you keep those books rolling,
You pick up those books you're going to read
And not remember and you roll man.
You get that associates degree, okay,
Then you get your bachelors, then you get your masters
Then you get your master's masters,
Then you get your doctorate,
You go man, then when everybody says quit
You show them those degree man, when
Everybody says hey, your not working,
Your not making in money,
You say look at my degrees and you look at my life,
Yeah i'm 52, so what, hate all you want,
But i'm smart, i'm so smart, and i'm in school,
And these guys are out here making
Money all these ways, and i'm spended mine to be smart.
You know why?
Because when i die, buddy, you know
What going to keep me warm, that right, those degrees



Yep, thats what life is all about: money and degrees.

To the world:

You need to be:

-best friends with people who give back to you - not you always asking that you do things for them, or call when they need something, but they should care, they should ask and seek to know and understand. If they don't, then they don't need to be your best friends. Don't be selfish.

-with someone who gives of themselves back to you (see above), don't settle, don't be mediocre, and don't be complacent - strive - aim so high

-realistic, you live in the here and now, not the past, but the future is what you are going to be living in, however it is not right now - so "go where you are, anchor your roots underneath. Doubt your doubts, and believe your beliefs."

"Life is not what you want it to be; it is what it is. Its how you cope with it that makes the difference." (I miss you, Andrea)

-romantic - too much reality is boring and stupid. You can't overlook it, but you can, and need to be, romantic many times. Find something that sets your heart on fire. Find something that you could die for. If you live a life without finding something to die for, your life was a failure. (I paraphrased a quote from someone famous, I believe).

-apologize - if you screw up - own up to it - don't make excuses, you can be wrong. ITS OK. realize that you are not perfect and that YOU SCREW UP SOMETIMES. ITS OK

-live - do what you can where you are


To some this may sound stupid and mushy, to others, profound. I'm not always right, i find that i'm wrong more often than i think; and thats ok.

God is good, and alive in the world. Doubt that and you've got a long number of years ahead of you.

It makes me really - i dunno - frustrated at many of my peers - we are in class - VTPB 221 - Great Diseases of the World - and our professor - Dr. Tizard - (who has a tight Scottish accent by the way) is sharing with us his passion - and i understand that Malaria and The Plague and Syphilis might not be the most interesting thing in the world -but at the end - he asks "any questions?" and as soon as he pauses before that query - everyone knows its time to go - and no one looks up - no one asks a question - everyone gets their crap together and thinks about what they need to do next - and i feel sorry for our professor - he is sharing his passion with us - so after he pauses a few awkward seconds - everyone gets up and leaves - and he nods his head and walks back to his desk -

i dunno - maybe i'm being to empathetic a/b this - he is a prof. and he gets paid to teach

anyhow - i went up to him and introduced myself and said that i was appreciative of him sharing with us - especially allowing Poli Sci majors into such a class - the interesting subjects in the class

maybe i'm being retarded - but then again - its all about the people

As i sit here on hold with HP, trying to get my IPAQ sync fixed up - i have a chance to reflect a little bit


Andrea Gent was injured in a car accident Sunday afternoon - the 23rd.
She is still in a coma, and probably won't come out of it.
Its bizzare in so many ways.
I met Andrea a little more than 3 years ago. I met her through Ben after they came back from Frontier - through Young Life.

I remember hanging out with her at my house over Christmas Break, and walking her out to her car. Most recently i remember her coming into our VTPB class and giving me a huge hug - and being so excited we were in a class together. Man, her smile just shines out in my mind. Its, wow, amazingly mind-blowing to think i'll never see it again. I'll never see her again. Andrea Gent is gone.

This week - i found myself in a daze; asking questions of God, asking questions of myself. Questioning, and recalling; getting upset and searching for peace.

Lets be really clear: I'm upset and my heart aches. There is no comfort in the world's words.

Lets be really clear: I'm not in control. I'm ok with that. I am totally helpless, and I'm fine.

God is in control. Its that simple. Don't make it too complicated, don't think about it too much. It won't make sense. What will make sense is this: God is in control; He knows whats going on; He's got a better plan than the one I can cook up.


Make the best of the situation you are put in. Word.

Look where we find ourselves:

2005

January

back in school


and focusing more and more on ourselves

maybe the problem is that you think of yourself too much

pity yourself too much

i find myself doing it sometimes, and i'm aiming to stop

but self-pity is where many people, oddly enough, find comfort.

and that is extremely strange to me

Dear ,

Get over yourself. Look around you, look at the people. There are times you should use to exchange with them feelings and thoughts...

Be interested in others.

Focus on what you need to do, but what lasts the longest is your investments in people.

Pursue things outside of yourself, then you'll have a better perspective inward.

wow,

these past few days have been crazy

Christmas come and gone, new years a-comin'

i've had an extremely self-reflective past 10 days or so

its been amazing


i don't understand why people are so afraid of things

it has to be internal -they are struggling with something like- openning up - or trusting people

thats something that i think few people do easily, and less easily admit

seriously - what is the big deal - don't complain about people not trusting or letting others in, and not do that yourself

wow, how 2 faced

trust, let people earn it, but not with a trial by fire; still use a trial though

Justify what you'd like.

Make it seem like what you're doing is right.

You aren't perfect, no one is.

I'm definitely not perfect.

My standard is pursuing Christ. I WANT TO LIVE ABOVE REPROACH, SO WHEN SOMEONE LOOKS AT MY LIFE - THEY DON'T SEE - "oh - daniel is doing good, he's a great guy"- i want them to see that Daniel is trying his best to emulate (n. To strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation: an older pupil whose accomplishments and style I emulated.) Christ.

I don't care what other people say, I"ll strive for the best - and thats the example of Christ.

Man, i wish i could just get there. I'm far from it - but man - God tells me that He'll honor my pursuit, and thats what I'll try to do.


I'll never get to perfection, I just am limited. However, I find no worthier pursuit of my efforts than striving to be the best.

Let me tell you a few things that are on my mind and have been for a while.

I'll start with the most recent.

Smoking cigarettes sucks. Why do you do it, you lonely, nicotine addicted punks, outside of my window. It used to be fun at the beginning of the semester, with all of you guys out there puffing on Tar Sticks, now its just a habit, that you must obey your body for. You are addicted, you can't go a day, let alone a few hours without puffing on a Marlboro. You sit outside -BY YOURSELF NOW - and smoke. Man, that has to be lonely. Enjoy a cigar, with your friends, ocassionally, in a comfortable setting; not daily, and definitely not bi-hourly and defintely not freezing your balls off outside of your dorm, or any number of buildings. I feel pity for you boys outside my dorm smoking by yourselfs and just looking so incredibly inspired and foucsed on the things you need to get done - like schoolwork and meeting interesting people (things you do in college). I'm sure that you might have great grades and stuff, and have met so many interesting people; but dang, I don't know if i can accurately estimate the hours and hours and hours you have wasted lighting up and inhaling carcinogenic fumes from the end of a lighted piece of paper. When i open my dorm window to get some fresh, cool air into my room, and go down the hall, i come back to find my room reeking of piss-awful cigarette smoke, I get frustrated. Go smoke up your own rooms, just go away from the front of the building. Idiots, gosh!

My trip to Austin.

I left about 9:00 pm (2100) from NW Houston on Thanksgiving Thursday for Austin. I had a nice drive up there and i had alot of time to think. I was anxious to get back up to Austin for a number of reasons.
1. I enjoy the city.
2. I enjoy the people i know there (Chris Riley, Ryan Granzow, Nancy Keucher - just to name a few - sorry if I forgot to mention you)
3. I enjoy the college atmosphere.

I got to the city at about 12:00 am (0000) and parked and jogged to the Capitol for Yell Practice. By the time i got there there were thousands of people - including a bunch of disrespectful Texas fans. (For arguments sake, for any kind of sake, I will not refer to Texas Longhorn fans as t-sips during this blog - i'll say longhorns). When you, longhorns, are having your traditional... well nevermind. We wouldn't go bother you anyhow. ** We had a maroon aTm flag hanging above the Capitol entrance, and we had a great Yell Practice, including a mentioning of the fact that Austin is run by an Aggie Mayor, and the State of Texas is run by an Aggie Governer (Rick Perry '72). It was an absolute blast. I got a few picutres in front of the maroon adorned Capitol, it was great.

Then I went back to Chris Riley's house and hung around, and after watching Legends of the Hidden Temple, Family Double Dare, and GUTS! (all former Nickalodeon shows, if you'll remember) I hit the sack. I got up, put on my maroon t-shirt, and went to lunch with Chris and his friends. When I got to the game, well lets start with walking up to the game. There was - well i can't really estimate how many people with alcohol in their hands walking down the streets of Austin, toward DKR stadium. Half of them were drunk falling over their friends, and sure enough (as expected, I was prepared) I hadn't made it to withing 300 yards of the stadium and i hear "Man, its gotta suck to go to A&M - getting beat by Baylor?! Hey Aggie, why don't you take this stick and shove it 8 inches up your A$$!!!" (followed by drunken laughter and a few buddies saying, "James, let go of the beer.") My new friend next to me - one of Chris' roommates immediately apologized. I reminded him of what we discussed earlier at lunch - how we can't judge each other's schools by some drunken idiots, and how we both adamantly agreed on this point. However, I wasn't expecting more than a few random people to be this way. We entered the stadium and we are walking along towards our seats. We get to our section just as the game is fixing to start, and we get under way. Without recounting every detail of the "experience" in the longhorn student section, I'll just hit some of the high points. Now, mind you - I expected nothing less - I'm not ignorant and did not expect to be hit with some Baylor comments and some "gig this" 's, however, I, along with my friend Wes did not expect to be physically harmed, and VULGARLY insulted. Texas got the first touchdown, which was put together off of a great drive (They are a good football team, I can admit that). I don't know, after most first downs and at random times, we heard "Texas... give 'em hell, give 'em hell MAKE 'EM EAT SH*T" which Chris said properly as "give 'em hell, give 'em hell, Go 'horns Go!". Wow, look at that. These students have twisted around a phrase extolling their own team, into (trying to) humiliating the other team. Lets not forget the T-E-X-A-S (and how the varients between each of those letters, I care not to repeat). MMM, classy! Listen, I know the first thing that you are going to point to is our yell of "Beat the hell outta ____". Call me crazy, but thats the only yell, 1 thing that we have against our opponents. Our war hymn is about beating Texas, our rivals, and that would be 2 count as to the number of contrary things agains this particular opponent. The rest of the yells are encouraging our team, and man, thats what we do. We don't hit beach balls in the 4th quarter instead of watching the game, and we don't leave early once we know we relatively confident in our victory. We defintely don't give the other team's band members and players the finger while yelling "You suck balls you West Point rejects [the Corps of Cadets, and band]" and "Hey Reggie, gig this, F**k you, you c*** s****** faggot!" and then slap our other drunk buddy a high-five while our girlfriends add more whiskey to the 5 dollar cokes, from the bottle of Jim Beam handily kept in their purses, and left under the benches. Do I think that the 4-5 guys in front of me were the only ones doing this? No. Do i think that a vast majority of longhorn football fans, or Texas' student body does this? NO. Maybe they do, but I'm gonna side on not.

My friend Chris, he is the PERFECT example of a longhorn fan. He was sober, he knew the game, he knows more than 3 players names (Derrick Johnson, Vince Young, Cedric Benson), he cheers hard, gets freaking excited when they make a great play, goes nuts when Cedric the Bull runs over 4 guys for an extra 12 yards, gets pissed off that people around him don't care or stand up for their band, gets super annoyed with everyone hitting the beachballs around him, and holds his horns up for an injured player (be it an Aggie or 'horn) and yells when his team is on defense. He proudly wears his burnt orange sweat pants and t-shirt. He is not arrogant, his is prideful; he is not pompus, he's respectful; he's not degrading, he's logical. (You might think those 2 don't go together - but they do to me.) Thanks Chris, for being an example to your longhorn friends who need an example to look at.

Lets be clear for one minute. I know that A&M does not have perfect fans. We have drunken idiots who I'm certain harass the other team, all in "good fun". I have, however, had the experience to sit around the student section in a number of different seats, and I don't see alot of what i just mentioned before. I don't see alot of drunk Aggies (although, i'm well, well aware that there are many) gesturing the other team and cursing at the other team's band. I see respect in our stadium, for every team we face. I see respect when we take off our hats and step off the bleacher when someone is hurt. I see respect in our student body who come in 10s of thousands strong to stand behind our team till the end. Who wear maroon because it means something off of the football field too. I don't expect many of you to get this, I really don't, but I hope in some way you might see how proud I am; how it makes me swell-up with so much pride singing our songs and saying "Howdy" and wearing maroon. I do not hate UT, I do not hate any other school. I just am so ______ to be an Aggie.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt



You go ahead, sit back and criticize.

A&M played an incredible game.


Life is bigger than football, thats so obvious.

I wish hockey was playing.


Be honest with yourself. Do not lie to yourself.

Baylor somehow beat us this weekend in Waco.


They are not a good football team.



A&M GIVE US ROOM!

Welcome to the next level Boston Red Sox



Holy Crap, the curse is over


the curse is over




die goat



go Sox!


congrats

ASTROS!!!!




lost


i'm sincerely upset

if you are an astros fan you are upset too, but still so so proud of our AMAZING BOYS WHO CAME BACK FROM UNDER 500 HALFWAY THROUGH THE SEASON


ALL MY LIFE I WILL BE AN ASTROS FAN.

Today is the day that i make that pledge.


Come rain or shine, Astros till i die.

Holy crap, i hate when people think that they are the only one who feels one way

Man, people think that they are the only one going through stuff and the only one with problems


i tell you what, i'm gonna step outside my issues and i'm gonna look past my immediate cares and i'm gonna look at people - i'm gonna see in what ways the Lord uses me - because - everyone else - they are loking out for number 1 and caring only about themselves

now, lets be crystal clear - i'm not any place close to completely doing that - but thats what i'm working towards - a goal that is worth working towards -

get over yourself, whoever you are


live for the ETERNAL - not for the temporal

and don't forget to be sweet, becuase no one loves an abrasive personality

You go ahead and live in mediocrity

i'm gonna strive - i'm gonna step up - i really want to step up -and just go crazy

Running through the rain tonight - i felt ALIVE AGAIN


The pattern of the rain on my window next to me is so soothing - its odd, i know


The Astros lost tonight, the Cardinals are a bunch of shallow punks, they have no pitching, only big bats, they dont DESERVE A SINGLE THING


I find myself thinking and thinking and thinking, and i love it

so much

i love the thoughts that cross my mind - all the time - random and deep, stupid and random

its great


Vote for something, get informed, don't vote in any kind of ignorance

OK, so here's the list forever

i think this is going to be the order it stays and if you want a CD - then maybe you could email me or IM me your address and i could mail you one if you mail me a buck or so - or maybe not - i'm not really sure - but if you're interested and live in CS or Htown - or something let me know - but anyhow here we go:

1. Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi) - Megan Douglass
2. Two Step (Dave Matthews Band) - Colin Veitenheimer
3. With or Without You (U2) - Caroline Sanders
4. Jesus Freak (dc talk) - Kim Podraza
5. Green Onions (instrumental)** (Booker T & The McGs) - Chris Riley
6. El Scorcho (Weezer) - Rebekah Matthews
7. Shameless (Garth Brooks) - Caitlin Wales
8. Leaving Town (Dexter Freebish) - Daniel Weizel
9. I Wish You Were Here (Incubus) - Chip Teets
10. You Know How I Do (Taking Back Sunday) - Chris Hamernik
11. Breathe (Michelle Branch) - Emily Scott
12. Drive (Incubus) - Daniel Weizel/Will Lanier
13. Take Me Out To The Dance Hall (Pat Green) - Chris Hill
14. Wake for Young Souls (Thrid Eye Blind) - Steve Weizel
15. Amsterdam (Coldplay) - Daniel Weizel...it is my efforts ya know...
16. Living In Your Letters (Dashboard Confessional) - Emily Staff


Music is absolutly amazing, and i wish i had some kind of musical talent

God is so good.

I have a bad feeling.

OK heres what i'm going to do...


i'm going to make a mix - its going to be titled: Songs You Will/Should Sing Loudly

I want a mix of songs that people love to just sing at the top of their lungs in their car, or anywhere.

So i'm going to take suggestions/favorites for songs to put on, and i'm going to post the list on here and i'm gonna make people who want a cd of these songs

so i'll start the list:

1. Leaving Town (Dexter Freebish) - Daniel Weizel
2. Take Me Out To The Dance Hall (Pat Green) - Chris Hill
3.




now, i may add others that i love to sing, but i feel like many people would sing at the top of their lungs some of the songs i'd add

but - i really want your input - so IM me at ' zeroweez0' <- thats the number "zero" at the end email me at weez@tamu.edu or call me if you have my cell phone


on a different note, i'm 0 for 2 for getting involved this year - but God's still God and I'm still just a 20 year old college punk, so i'll let Him handle it all


Praise be to God.

"...when will we learn? when will we change? just in time to see it all fall down..."

"Do you realize that the anarchists and these people marching against Bush and the Republicans in New York are doing it on the basis that we shouldn't be at war, and now here comes Edwards out there saying, 'We can win it. We will win it'?...Make no mistake about it, its all anti-Bush. There's not any pro-Kerry support...It's all based on an anti-war mentality. It's all based on '60s thinking. It's all based on we're the ones that are evil. We're provoking all these other people. We're the ones that make them fire on us; if we just try to understand them and appease them and so fourth, all this stuff will go away, and here comes Edwards pledging that he and Kerry can win the war."-Rush Limbaugh



Now, get this: I have nothing against people protesting. Nothing at all.

They have every right to, according to the First Amendment of our Constitutions, and I would die defending that right if I needed too. Wouldn't you? Shouldn't you? (that is, if needed)


What would you lay your life down for? Nothing? Well, your life is lacking if you wouldn't; because once you find something you would die for, it makes life SO MUCH more meaningful.

Then you have something to LIVE for.

Pursue those things; pursue TRUTH.

http://members.cox.net/macallan_the/GW/GWBush1_Start.htm

statistics are cool

2 Days of classes have come and gone.

I'm tired of mediocrity.

I'll tell you what. You sit in the middle, wallowing in your indecision, figure it out. I'm gonna be myself. I'm no longer going to be timid. Its ridiculous to not at least figure out what makes you go. Find what makes you go and GO.

Now, maybe you don't know what makes you go, but let me tell you this. What makes me go is pretty simple.

Its truth. Truth. Truth.

I know (among others) these things to be true:

-The Lord God of Jacob, the Eternal Sovereign God of Israel is the One True God. He has blessed me over and over with so much that it can't recount it.

Oddly enough, at the moment, I can't think of anything else that I KNOW is Truth. See, thats my point, its this quest.

Its this quest that we are all on, and there are only a few answers to the major questions. Is there a God? Yes, He is the aforementioned God of the Universe, and He lives inside my heart. Its only by His grace that I live, that I have all that I do, that I can smile anytime during the day. I know this too - i know that if I were to control what was going on in my life, I would be in deep trouble. Not only would i overcomplicate things and destroy so many valueable things, I would somehow manage to disappoint so many people.

I know this too - I'm here right now. I'm at Texas A&M for a reason. I'm here in Crocker Hall for a reason, and I'm in Texas, etc. So, I'll...

"Go, go where you are, anchor your roots underneath; doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs..."

(Switchfoot's Ode to Chin)


His Grace is sufficient for me.

Wow, I don't know where to start.

Summer is over.

I went to fish camp again, this time as a counselor. Session D - Aqua - Camp Nick McGuire.


It was amazing. Accurately put with "amazing". I can't believe how genuine people are. I understand, don't worry, that some are not genuine. Most are not. But i met some of these freshman, and other people, and they are just so cool. It was so great.

Cool stories:

-Tuesday 8 p.m. Miori Morris Arrant and J Richardson and I take off for Cincinnati, then after driving straight through and catching the night game at the Great American Ballpark, in Cincinnati (which the Cards won 6-5, and which an old Ag came over to us and sat with us for a few innings - talking about his days at A&M '81-85 - and talking to us about stuff), we drove into Chicago, and got in about 3 a.m. After winding our way through the Southside (Inglewood) at 230 a.m. , we made it to our hotel. We woke up at 1030 and caught the L to Wrigley. We got off and walked into the stadium to hisses and boo's and Huck Fouston t-shirts. Classy, Chicago, Frank was wrong about ya'll. So we go catch batting practice for the Astros and then we go up to our seats. Wrigley Field is absolutly marvelous. It is pure baseball. No advertisiments everywhere, no huge LCD screen, not even an automated scoreboard. Simply pure baseball. It was so cool. So we sit down in the upper deck behind home plate, and this guy comes and sits in front of us. He turns around and says, "Whats up guys? Ya'll go to A&M?" To which we said, "Yea." Turns out he just graduated last semester, and was chillin' in Chicago - he has a job there, and is still an Astros loyalist. So the game starts off with a double by Biggio and a home run by Bagwell. 2-0 in the first inning. So all 5 of us and our new friend are standing up yelling, blah blah - all juiced. Then the bottom of 3 comes up. 0-2 to the pitcher Mark Prior 1 out - all we need to do is throw him a curve. No, Brandon Backe, please throw him 4 sinkers in the dirt. Please put him on base and give up 2 hits and walk the next 2, so we can allow Alou to sac fly 1 run in and then we can throw Sammy Sosa his belt high fast ball that he likes to HIT TO RIGHT FIELD. Yes, thats just what we'll do, give them 5 runs, and put ourselves mentally out of the game.

So the game sucked, but after that, we went to Gordino's or something like that - and had the best pizza, well ever created in the world. While we were there, and just getting our pizza, Steven Miori looks up and shouts - "Weathers!" And Daniel and Jeff Weathers flash through my mind. Nope, Dave Weathers, number 35 for the Astros, relief pitcher. So he says - "Hey guys." We finish our meal and I devise a scheme to quickly interrupt his meal with his family and explain that we have to go back to college tomorrow, but good luck with the rest of the series. So he stops us and we talk a/b A&M for a while - football, nonetheless - and he tells us he is a big Alabama fan. He wishes us luck and a safe drive back. We go walking back towards our hotel and we stop by the ESPN Zone, and the Virgin Megastore. Then we go to the full service Marriot and swim in the pool and sit in the hot tub. We go out on the 9th story deck and overlook the lit up city, while liting up cigars, and taking many cool pictures. So we stop back by the awesome pool/cigar/bar lounge area - where they are jamming John Mayer, and these guys turn around from the bar and say "Ya'll from Houston?" To which we answer Yes. So turns out all these guys are from Plano, one, who was EXTREMELY wasted, went to Texas, and his buddy went to A&M. So drunk Texas guy is just rambling on providing for us many many laughs, telling us about Mormon ***** and on and on... then out of no where - he blurts out "Are yawwwl Crocker Cocks?!!" And we look at each other in amusment and say, well yes - I'm in my second year there and this guy spent 3 and the other guy (morris) spent 2. Crocker
Hall is my dorm, and its awesome. Our mascot is a Rooster, so we are the cocks. It was completely random in conversation as well as in our lives. We happen to go to this other hotel, swim in their pool, stop by their lounge, strike up a convo with this guy, who is not even from A&M , but knows alot about it, and his buddy like - "practically lived there" but just was there all the time he said. It was crazy. After declining rounds of beers, citing our drive home as a reason, we left and we are fixing to get up at 6 a.m. and head back home, to College Station.


I can't wait to be back, start classes, get a schedule, hang out with my freshmen, because all of them that i have met are so cool.

Man,

Daniel: "Ben, what are you gonna do with your life?"

Ben: "Live it."

zerOweez0: josh
zerOweez0: fill in the blank
lIlIbby61: ok
zerOweez0: josh is _______
lIlIbby61: true

Here is an excerpt from a radio interview with Secretary Rumsfeld. I got the link and ideas from Jon Boben's blog (http://jonboben.blogspot.com).

"...troops in Iraq had recently come across – I’ve forgotten the number, but something like 16 or 17 – warheads that contained sarin and mustard gas.Now these are weapons that we always knew Saddam Hussein had that he had not declared and they have tested them and I have not seen them and I have not tested them, but they believe that they are correct that these, in fact, were undeclared chemical weapons -- sarin and mustard gas -- quite lethal and that is a discovery that just occurred within the last period of days."- Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Wednesday, June 30, 2004

http://www.dod.mil/transcripts/2004/tr20040630-secdef0949.html




July 16th, David Ortiz, gets tossed from the game and throws a bunch of bats at the umpires. 5 game suspension handed out.

He appeals it.

Then, he drops the appeal. David Ortiz owned up to his actions.

July 24th, Alex Rodriguez is hit by a pitch. On the way to first base, he gets into a shouting match with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. Varitek hits A Rod in the face with a palm/glove.

A Rod begins swinging and they fight. Benches clear and people join in. Wow, the Bo Sox / Yanks rivalry is intense, probably more intense than any in sports.

A Rod gets fined a whopping 2000 dollars (as well as Varitek) and a 4 game suspension.

A Rod then holds a press conference next day to announce that he plans to appeal the suspension.


Let me get this straight, you tell extremely harsh words and then don't walk away, and then you throw punches, and you expect to get minimal punishments.

I took some excerpts from http://www.mlb.com

"Any time you get into an altercation like that, Major League Baseball should do something," Rodriguez said. "My words were very strong and ugly, but they were simply a reply and a repetition of what was said to me. I thought four games was too much.

"I've never been called out like that before in my 10-year big league career," the third baseman added. "I was surprised and shocked, and in the heat of the moment, I did what I did."

Rodriguez, who missed just one game from 2001-03, also hinted that Varitek should receive more games than he did because, as a catcher, he doesn't play every day to begin with.

Grow up A Rod, grow up and own up to your actions. You over-paid sissy.


In other news, I went to New Braunfels this weekend and got to hang out with Sheridan, Erin, and Carly - aka "Disturbin' da peace!" Meeting my new friends Blain, Brandon, Brian aka Porkchop, an old friend STEEEEVE, and hanging out with Camp McGuire. Higher and Higher and Higher and Higher, you know who WE be; we be camp MCGUIRE!

I'm done working at day camp, which is nice. But i really enjoyed having an impact on those kids, and hopefully they will take something from what i shared with them this summer. If they do, my summer couldn't be more complete.

Its about the effects you have on people's lives, its not about what you do. Well, it kind of is about what you do, but pictures will not live on after you die. Things you accomplish are just that accomplishments. They are memories, and they are defintiely worthwhile - but diplomas and pictures and certificates and badges and cash and all that jazz will go bye bye in the end. But what you say to people, what you tell them, the effect you have on their lives, that, friend, will stay with them forever.

Invest in things worthwhile, and focus on things that are beneficial. Thats what i'm trying to do.

Veritas.

I got back from Aruba on Saturday afternoon, and I went and saw John Mayer and Maroon 5.  Wow, what a show. What  a week.  It was so amazing, yes, way amazing to sit on the beach and just chill out. Take a nap, get tan, swim in the ocean with Will Lanier and my family. 

I want to be so sincere.  I want people to really truly believe me, because i feel like i'm sincere in my actions.  I"m not saying - oh i want people to believe me no matter what i say - i'm saying- i want people to believe me like - because i'm an honest person. I'm not shady, I'm not a liar, I really just speak the truth.  I mean, what more can you do?  What more can you do besides be yourself and be honest with people?  Moreover, what more can you do for yourself besides be honest? 

I don't care what you're going through, i don't care who you are.  The best thing you can do for yourself, is be honest.  If you are weak in some area, admit it.  It hurts so much when I have to admit that to myself.

When i have to admit that i was wrong, or that i'm struggling with this or i can't handle something, it sucks, alot.

Random, i know.

Another thing:

I want to have such an amazing perspective. I want to be able to see things from so many different points of view.  I want to have such a great view on things, so like - i can understand how people see things.  I don't want to look at a situation and see it from 1 side, i want to be able to understand it and truly catch all of its dimensions.

Honesty, Perspective

Gain both, gain much.

Ok,
 
So i'm in the Newark hotel business desk typing this up - i'm gonna try to make it short but i'll update later
 
i'm going to aruba tomorrow morn before a brief stop in newark/new york city
 
my parents grew up in enyce so i've been there alot - like 4 times in the past year - anyhow - so - we waited in line for a/b an hour to go up the empire state building - and it was kinda fun - i'm with will lanier, my mom dad and steven and his girlfriend kelly, and i notice a guy wearing what appears to be an aggie ring on his hand - i try to take a look at it closer, but i fail - and i assume that it might be but oh well - on the way down - after seeing some amazing sights of enyce at night lit up - wow - guess who i'm in the elevator with - and i decided, once we got off - to ask him about it - and i go - 'excuse me sir, i noticed your ring, what school is that from?' to which he replys with a heart "TEXAS A&M".  My heart skipped a beat - and i said - 'howdy, i'm daniel, class of '07' - it was awesome - and i know some of you might think this was ridiculous and goofy - but i don't expect you to feel a/b it the same way i do - i guess thats why this is my blog and i share my feelings - anyhow - he shakes my hand and says - i'm class of '54 (This is his 50th year reunion - this past Muster was) - so he puts his arm around me and we walk out of the empire state building talking a/b my major and his major (journalism) and - he was just way cool - a cool old guy - a/b 72+ , he was so awesome - so - he said - have a great time here - and i echoed it back - and he left - and then i wanted to ask him so many questions -where does he live - where did he live on campus - he had to have been in the corps - what outfit - was his wife an aggie -
 
anyhow, i leave for aruba in '07 hours
 
 
I'm proud of my school, it is so special, I wish i could share it with EVERY, SINGLE ONE of my blog readers - because it means so much to me - and you reading my blog means alot to me too
 
I'll talk to ya'll soon
 
Daniel

Chris Hill. Look for his link.

I was driving along home from work on Thursday afternoon and just cruising and jamming to incubus or coldplay one of the 2

and i decided it would be way tight to wave to other people on the road - it was a beautiful day - ya know?

so i caught eyes with this guy on a harley - going the other way - and my hand was already hanging out the window - so i raised my hand and waved to him - he took his hand off his bike and gave the biggest most happy grin i've seen in a long while - it was really really funny - and i laughed - and it was like - he knew me or something - one of those ones that you do to someone you know - anyhow - it was really awesome and it made my day

When I listen to Foo Fighters songs, I feel inspired and very, man i don't know how to say it - but - well reflective would be the best word.

Listen to Learn to Fly, be reflective. Good music is good music.

I went to Austin by myself this past weekend. I stayed with Evan North and Ryan Granzow. Austin is really really fun and cool and I think I might like to live there next summer.


Thanks and gig 'em.

"To gain a bird's eye is to turn a blizzard to a breeze..."

-Incubus

Day brings new things. When you wake up and you see light out - and you don't have to turn on lights in your house, there is something about that which renews one's sense of...

Hope, i guess, joy, etc.

I suppose that God knew that a long time ago...in Lamentations 3, it talks about God's compassions and lovingkindness and how its new each day.

Its been really nice to not go to work today and be frustrated by the kids. I enjoy working with them, but i decided that its not a career path for me.

This is my 200th post in my blog.

I beat yours.

Thank you Kim Podraza, you are great.

Soon I will have 10,000 hits on my blog.

I'm really proud of my blog - it has character.

It has sparked controversies.

It has made people laugh.

It has served as a record keeper for me.

It has helped communicate to people.

It has helped me - and if it has helped you or you enjoyed it, please let me know.


Cal-State Fullerton beat Texas in the College World Series in 2 straight games. They played as a team and they were a true underdog. I was shocked that they beat Texas.


Driving to and from Dallas yesterday, i was reminded how amazing Texas is. It is far and away the best state in the Union. I don't think other states are ridiculous or inadequate, I just believe that Texas is amazing, more amazing than other States.

However, i believe that the United States as a whole, is better than Texas.

I'm going to see the Astros beat Texas tomorrow at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Booya!

"Two Points For Honesty"
by Guster


If that's all you will be, you'll be a waste of time
You've dreamed a thousand dreams, none seem to stick in your mind
Two points for honesty
It must make you sad to know that nobody cares at all
I want to be where I've never been before
I want to be there and then I'd understand
Know I'm right and do it right, could I get to be like that
I'll know what I don't know with nothin more to gain
Will I get better or stay the same
I find I always move to slowly
Can't lift a finger, can't change my mind
I never knew till someone told me that...

And all the people who've seen it all before
And all the people who really understand
Know they're right, and have done it right, could I get to be like that
I'll know what I don't know, it's harder everyday
Can't lift a finger, can't hurt a fly
I've found I always move too slowly
One things for certain, I'm insecure
I never knew till someone told me that...."



Its nice to be honest with yourself. I'm glad that there are times in my life that I have to spend with myself. I can really look at what I think, and analyze my own ideas. I'm glad that God overlooks my faults when others cannot. Thats ok, because people are imperfect, and they make mistakes. (Myself included ;-) )

"Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow"


Is music supposed to be ambiguous to all? Are lyrics and songs supposed to have one exact/a few directly implied meanings? Or can songs be twisted and interpreted to mean different things?


I think ole Don had something specifically on his mind when he wrote this. I'm not sure if i have the gumption to deviate from its meaning.

"Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow"


Is music supposed to be ambiguous to all? Are lyrics and songs supposed to have one exact/a few directly implied meanings? Or can songs be twisted and interpreted to mean different things?


I think ole Don had something specifically on his mind when he wrote this. I'm not sure if i have the gumption to deviate from its meaning.

In the past week I've:

Called into Sports Radio 610 and had a call taken and broadcast on air.

I found my Bible up at the church. I can't really begin to tell you how relieved and happy I am. God is so faithful and is so much bigger than...everything i guess.

Been on the big screen at the Astros' game - doing the twist. (If you've ever been to an Astros' game with me, then you'll know that I do the twist when the twist is playing, and the announcer is saying "Lets see ya'll do the twist!") Mission Accomplished - thanks to Chip and his family.

Caught a Major League Baseball, sort of. I got to roam around Minute Maid before volunteering delivering food that people ordered to seats, and saw Astros' batting practice. Got myself a ball hit by Jason Lane (#24).

On a sadder note: my heart hurts. However, God is bigger than my heartaches. He is bigger than my desires, bigger than my thoughts and feelings. He is bigger than my life, and deserves ALL of my life.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21

Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Psalms 145:17-21

"The Lord is Righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever."

Dang



Dang

Ya know what?

I'm sick and tired of seeing people let themselves down.

Myself included.


It hurts to see us let down our defenses and compromise. Why do we?

Why do we settle for doing things that we don't want to do?

Working downtown for the week has been quite an experience. I mean, i've worked at my dad's office before - but i usually went in with him at like 5 am to play ball. Now, i'm working at his offices without him there, and going in at 7 am. I feel mature sometimes; when i'm sitting in traffic, or walking through the lobby. It would be cool to be out on my own - like for real. But then i sit in an office and work.


from 8 till 5

sure there's your lunch break - wow - but - its just a rat race. A repitition. For some, its great achievment - to have a stead job, earning a living, and enjoying it. For others, its a drag, its boring and they could be doing something else. I'm quite certain that i don't wanna hit the 8/9-5. I mean, wow that sounds gay "i don't wanna do the 9-5, i wanna conquer the world". But i do. I want to do something that i'm going to enjoy. I want to travel (like most everyone else in the freakin world) and i want to make a difference in peoples lives.

My diploma will not matter as much as the people's lives i touch. I would fail out of college if it meant that i would touch more people's lives than if i graduated. thank God thats not the case, but if it was...we know what i'd do.

If you invest too much time into things that don't matter, you are investing wrong. If you are investing alot of time into important areas of your life, you are succeeding in your investment. What you and i shouldn't do is this: spend our time on things that will fail us; things that don't fulfill your hearts desires, or give you a sense of pride and efficacy.

We also shouldn't settle. When we settle, we give up our strenght, and we are weak.

Weak as our vices that aim for our destruction.

That sucks.

My strength fails me sometimes. Honestly: most of the time.

"Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold."
Psalms 59:9

Last night i went on a date with my girlfriend Amanda.

After wendys without any dr pepper, we went to the cardinals, err astros game

in the 2nd inning, tony womack comes to bat for the cards. amanda is looking away, and after the annoucer says his name, i echo, "number 4, tony womack" and amanda says "do you think he's related to leann womack?"

and i point to his black face on the display board, and she laughs

and i laughed

amanda is funny



and i had a great time

Man, this minimester - well these 2 - are really ideal for earning hours of credits quickly - i'm glad that i'm getting this crap out of the way -

it takes up alot of time that i would like to be spending elswhere but- thats ok - i gotta do what i gotta do -


speaking of which...

you shouldn't let other people make decisions for you

i'm gonna do what i want to do when i believe its best -
i want to do what God knows is best for me - see - i trust that - because i know it won't fail

i know HE won't fail - and everything else will - my friends, family, etc they'll all fail me at some point - ya know? some are more reliable than others - and some are almost perfect but oh wait - they're not perfect so - you gotta step out and put stuff in perspective


perspective...

I'm helping morris move his couch into Billy and co.'s house.

Morris owes me.


Sike!

Today I played in the Aggie world series of poker. I played pretty conservatively - and made it through to take 32nd place of 160. I was pretty proud. It was fun. I pushed about half a dozen guys out and that was fun.


So i'm sitting at my fish camp buddies house and we're (surprise) playing a little poker tonight. I'm looking through the 2004 Guiness Book of Records and notice the 3:43 record mile time by your random Nigerian, maybe it was Mr. Morocco, anyhow...so i say "wow, that really freaking fast" (remembering back to my seemingly impossible 5:23 that i remember running soph. year in cross country...odd i know...i can hardly believe it myself).

Drewsky speaks up: "Man, i can't take a crap in 3:43" it was hilarious.




I guess you had to be there.



Echo: You shouldn't settle, you're too amazing, friend.


NEVER settle.