Arnold Palmer

Arnie is one of the greatest golfers of all time. His favorite drink is a mixture of half iced tea and half lemonade and consequently they named the concoction an "Arnold Palmer."

IT IS DELICIOUS. I absolutely love 'em. Who would of thought that such a simple drink could be so amazing! And if you make one up and people love it and love you, they'll name it after you!

So my new goal in life: make a drink, get famous, get the drink named after me.

So what should I put in my new drink??? I have no idea. Shannon and I made a drink yesterday that was delicious. We could use that. But then she gets her name on the drink. That defeats my purpose. I want MY name on it.

If you would like to try the drink though, here are the ingredients:
2 quarts of cherry kool-aid
1 quart of lemonade
1 liter of carbonated lemon-flavored water
a couple of shots of orange juice
3 heaping scoops of rainbow sherbet

Mix well
Serve cold

It's even delicious when the carbonation is gone and sherbet is melted! We'll call it the Shannon Greg and it will be sold in stores everywhere.

Standards in a Worship Team

Met with Pastor Judy this afternoon. We talked about an issue that I have rarely thought about at length before now. This issue of integrity of the band and the idea of being "above reproach."

There's someone on my team that is struggling with a pretty serious thing. It's something where I cannot, under any circumstances, allow the person to be on the stage with this on their shoulders.

Also, there are some guys that want to join the team that either a) are just recently saved or b) not saved at all. Jeff Deyo actually addresses this issue on this podcast:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jeffdeyopodcast#p/u/21/Ga7QZ2BH-Bk

I can't fathom the worship team that would allow someone who is not saved to be a member! Being on a worship team means you are a leader, you have influence, and you need to be in a position to guide others into worship. How can you do that unless you first understand and embrace every facet of worship first? It's astounding!

Just to make it abundantly clear, I will NEVER under any circumstances, allow an unbeliever or baby Christian onto the worship team. I just won't.

It's a boy!

Shannon and I brought home a puppy last night!

This is a big deal. It's weird having this kind of responsibility. I love the little guy though. Shannon is so happy, she's glowing.

His name is Nemo. He was born on June 27. He is a Lhasa Apso Poodle mix (Lhasa Poo for short) and is downright adorable!

He will stay with Shannon but he will technically be our puppy.

Pictures to follow.

Birthday Parties

There is a time when children know that they're too old to expect a birthday celebration of some sort with their parents and siblings. A 16 year old deserves a party. A 21 year old deserves a party. But I feel like after that, no way.

Let me paint a picture for you. Let's say that there is a young man who still lives with his parents. He is turning 23 this Saturday, but he's not expecting anyone to celebrate with him. He's an adult now, not a kid. His family loves to get together so he wisely told everyone, "hey, it's my birthday coming up, why don't you come on over, we'll get some pizza and watch a movie if you can."

If they have other plans, that's fine. If not, they can come over & get some free food. He didn't ask for presents, but if they get him a book or movie he likes, great. A card would have been fine. Basically, everything relaxed and no obligation on anyone. Just a chance for some family to hang out (not to be taken too lightly [see previous posting]).

What I think is totally not cool is for someone who is turning 24 or 25 who doesn't live at home having a get-together at the parents for dinner and the expectation is that you drop everything to be there and if you don't, you'll hurt their feelings. If your band is scheduled to play, you have to cancel that to make this birthday party. If you don't bring a present, that's mean and insensitive. Basically, LOTS of obligations!

I don't want to grow up, cuz I'm a Toys R Us kid...

We're a band, we're a band

So we're a band. Shannon & I had a long talk and she's starting a band. She is doing something I am so proud of her for doing. She's taking a chance and giving it a shot. It's a risk but we're starting out slow. It's not like she's quitting her job and moving to Nashville. Starting out slow. Hopefully my connections, and Shannon's and a friend who also may be joining's connections will help boost the attention we need to be successful.

It'll take a lot of praying but I'm pumped!

Socialites

I'm pretty busy this weekend in terms of my social life. Makes me feel kind of special...

Saturday: Bonfire at my house for the worship team
Sunday: Church in the AM
Party at the Burgio's in the afternoon
Church in the PM
Coffee with Shannon, Jon, and Miriam afterwards

Yes, I consider church a social activity. 50% of it is what Christians refer to as fellowship. Not like fellowship of the ring where it is used as a noun but where it is used as a verb. It's supposed to have a deeper, more significant meeting then "hanging out." Which to me is pretty deep. I don't use "hanging out" lightly. Ever.

Jury

Shannon is on a jury of a civil case. Due to orders by the judge, the Honorable Judge Frank A. Sedita, Jr., she can't tell anyone the details but it seems pretty interesting.

She's like our own little Henry Fonda or John Cusack!

I got called for jury duty almost right after I turned 18. I waited for over 6 hours, then they called my name and told me I could go home. What a wonderful way to spend my day, but hey, I did my civic duty.

I looked all over the internet to see if you can receive jury summons more than once in your life. My bet is yes but the odds of that happening are most likely slim. So I may never have the opportunity to say, "Your honor, the jury finds the defendant guilty on all charges!"

Too bad...

TV

I love TV. I'm not ashamed to say it. You will meet many people in your life that will say, "I don't watch TV" or "I don't like to TV." News flash: THEY'RE LYING. If you have a TV, you watch it. If you watch it, you like it. So tell them to shut up. They're idiots.

Again, I love TV. I'm pretty picky about what shows I enjoy. Most of the time, if a favorite show isn't on, I'll just tune to Food Network or Discovery because the shows there are all good.

With the exception to cooking and scientific shows, I despise reality TV. Big Brother, Amazing Race, Survivor, The Bachelorette. YUCK. I won't watch that garbage. But Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes, and Top Chef? I'm all in!

Here are my top shows:
1) Psych - it's on USA and it's hilarious!
2) Burn Notice - also on USA, amazing show
3) Lost - who doesn't like Lost?
4) 24 - Jack Bauer is the man
5) Leverage - just a cool show
6) Ace of Cakes - I love Duff
7) Cake Boss - I also love Buddy and a bakery full of Italians
8) Gilmore Girls - don't make fun of me, it's my secret vice
9) Top Chef - been hooked since Season 1 and not just because of Padma
10) Heroes - show about people with super powers? I'm in.

Tonight Shannon and I have a Leverage and Psych marathon. The DVR is very full. I'm totally pumped!

"My name is Ichabod Fletchman. Sticky Icky to my boys."

Thunderstorms

There's a Calvin & Hobbes comic strip where Calvin is outside playing when a thunderstorm rolls in. Calvin gets angry and yells at the storm for ruining his day and in defiance, says he'll stay outside anyway. Then it starts to downpour and Calvin taunts the storm, saying it's just like taking a bath and proceeds to strip down and play in the puddles. Then there are huge claps of thunder and Calvin says, "Ooh, is that the best you got?!" And then it starts to hail and Calvin runs for cover, accusing the storm for playing dirty. It's pretty great.

I think thunderstorms are so cool. I love watching them out on the deck behind the house. The louder and crazier, the better. I like watching them in the daytime, I like watching them at night, they are just so cool.

But I will never, EVER run around outside naked in a hail storm.

Kari Jobe

Shannon and I watched a bunch of YouTube videos yesterday of Kari Jobe from Gateway leading worship. She's very anointed, very talented. And she started as a no-name.

It brought me to realize that anyone on my team could be the next Kari Jobe. Who knows? No doubt I'd love to have the opportunities that she has. I want to make it big as much as the next guy. But it's not really something I'm actively striving for. But there are a whole lot of people I know that have that talent and anointing and have the potential to go far with their gifts.

It's amazing to think that God really does use anybody and everybody!

My only hope is that we remain humble and aware of who gave us our talents to begin with. That has been my prayer since the day I realized I could play and sing.

Christian Bachelor Parties

The question is...is there such thing? Without booze and strippers, is a bachelor party just another guy hang out? Probably. Not that I'm upset. Strippers aren't my thing. Any guy that likes that sort of stuff screams two things: pathetic and lonely.

But alcohol in moderation is no sin. But I can respect Christians who choose to not drink at all.

So tonight I'm off to "another guy hang out" for a friend who's getting married on Saturday. This better be fun...

Irony

They say the only people who claim money isn't everything are people who don't have any

...

And people who say winning isn't everything are people who never win.

And if you have to ask how much it costs, you probably can't afford it.

How true that all is

I'm cynical today

the problem with having a lot of singers

I am the leader of the band at my church's youth group. A lot of talent. The problem? There are 12 singers not including myself. I have spent weeks trying to come up with the perfect rotation schedule so they all get their fair share of stage time. Unfortunately, the best scenario I can come up with, they all have a period of 4 weeks where they won't be on stage at all.

Two solutions: (1) Just do it, and see how they react to that
OR (2) do what I'm doing now and hand pick the singers night by night depending on several factors

Possible hiccups to Solution (1): They won't like it. 4 weeks of no singing - why be on the team at all???
Possible hitches to Solution (2): A lot of work on my part. And the singers will never know when they're on next until I tell them.

I think solution (2) is the only one. I will have a lot more work to do but I didn't mention the factors that will go in my decision. I will have the ability to reward those who work hard and have a good attitude by giving them more stage time and I can admonish those who are bringing the team down by withholding stage time.

Integrity in leadership

I forgot I had this. Here I am trying to be thoughtful and philosophical (probably a redundant phrase) and I can't even remember my venue for doing so.

My girlfriend and I had coffee with a couple of friends yesterday. It's nice being older. Grabbing a cup of coffee with some other young adults & having an intelligent conversation leaves me feeling good. Sometimes, I walk away from hang-outs feeling like my IQ dropped 50 points.

I've been thinking a lot about an issue I never had to face before but now is very real - especially in today's philosophy. Here's the premise: I am a 20-something young man who is a leader of youth from the ages of 12 to my age. It has become very important I maintain the appearance AND reality of being full of integrity and trust. I can't just hang around young women anymore. I'm not 18 hanging out with a 16 year old girl! It's something every man in a position of leadership has to face sooner or later. Now it's my time.

Luckily, I had the foresight to see this coming and I have put some solid young women around my age on my leadership team that will be able to have a close relationship with the girls that I lead. That way the girls can get advice, encouragement, and friendship from leaders without any compromising of integrity. I'm a genius.

As a leader, you need to know where the line is. Not mentioning any names (P.T.), there are some grown men that think it's ok to hang out with young people, specifically younger girls. They may have done nothing wrong but it sure LOOKS wrong! So I stay away from that. I'm 23 so hanging out with a 18 or 19 year old is not creepy or weird but a 43 year old should stay away!

It might be time to have a little talk with someone...

Oh and I think I found a topic for my sermon - LEADERSHIP

I have had objections to blogging from the beginning. The primary objection is, who wants to hear about a disgustingly average person's day, every single day? It's appalling that people actually believe their lives are entertaining or interesting enough to be put into writing. Odysseus and Martin Luther King Jr., maybe. But 99% of all mankind. Absolutely not.

Yet, I relish the idea of being able to put my thoughts down on paper (or in this case, it's all digital). It's a nice release.

So I justified the creation of my blog by stating that I don't expect a single person to ever read this except for me (and God if he wants to). I don't expect anyone to be entertained, nor should someone read this expecting to be entertained. I'll just be honest. Share my views on the world, politics, music, God, women, etc, etc. We'll see if it works.

*NOTE: All entertaining from here on out is hereby coincidental and should not be used as an indicator of future posts*

So here we go. Let's see how far I can take this before I give up.