The Gambit

riskyturtle?

2006-08-09T22:56:00.000-05:00

BEWARE!!!

the risky turtle is on its way

hahaha....

soon very soon...

i'm pissed...

2006-08-02T15:07:00.000-05:00

i just wrote a long blog... and somehow blogger lost it when i tried to spell check it...

GRRRRrrrrrr

Hi Everyone...

thy kingdom come...

2006-02-06T14:36:00.000-06:00

Okay... I know I told you in my last post that you have to check out Waiter Rant, but today you really have to check out this post. I don't want to ruin it for you because its such a profound story with a great moral to it.

Read it.

Then ask yourself what little things can we do to make it heaven on earth?

any suggestions?

head cold...

2006-02-04T21:41:00.000-06:00

song of the day: Sleeping In/The Postal Service

Just gotta love a song that makes you think of Super Mario Brothers and staying home from school on a cold winter day... ahhh the memories. sniffle, slurrrrrrp.... Please excuse me as I use my sleeve to wipe my nose... ahh much better. However I know I'll have to do it again in 10 seconds. At least there is relief for now. Well, with all my head a swimming in green goo... I thought I would share some things that have made me laugh and smile the last couple days. Thought I'd share some of these thoughts, and links with ya! =) Hope you all enjoy!

Daily Oliver : What a great idea for a site! click on the "?" above the picture for more info... its easy to figure out.

Super Mario Brothers sound effects! : Ahhhh! the sounds of childhood! this is cool.

Waiter Rant : Oh... I can relate to this... and everyone will find this extremely entertaining.

If you've seen Brokeback Mountain... or even know the concept of the movie... and if you are a fan at all of Back to the future.... then you MUST SEE... Brokeback To The Future. (this had me laughing my tail off.... must have high speed internet otherwise it can be slow. )

Thats all for now... I hope some of this made you smile... =)

off in search of another kleenex

breaking the habit...

2006-02-02T22:25:00.000-06:00

Breaking the habbit / Linkin Park

Wow... just look at my last 8 or so posts... can we all say depressing?!? haha! Well, I hope that is about to change. There is much changing in my life. I don't want to dump it all on you in one blog, it would hurt your eyes and you'd leave frustrated that I don't make sense and never come back to my blog.

So what is changing? what is new? First things first. I am now an employee of Ameriprise Financial. I am going to be an Associat Series 6. To be honest, I don't even really know what that is. All I know is that I will be assisting customers who want to make trades, changes and updates to their securities, mutual funds, etc... The biggest thing is that it gives me an "IN" into a large company. Somewhere that I can prove my worth. So now my life will be filled with cubicle chat and rush-hour dashes home to see my wife and baby! I couldn't be more excited.

That is my first bit of news... and from reading batch of posts... I'm sure that you think that its the most life changing. Ask me 4 months ago and I would say yes. However, my life has really been changing recently and I'm learned some things about myself that have me feeling better than I've felt in 10 years.

I'll be posting regularly again.... Please come back and read and comment away... I'm anxious to share.

Cheers... ;)

Here is something to make you laugh! =P

greetings from the other side...

2006-01-11T15:40:00.000-06:00

hey everyone, I hope all is well in your worlds. I've sat down to blog like 200+ times in the past couple weeks, yet every time I sit, my mind goes blank. Maybe its more like I would not like to blubber on about more needless problems that I seem to find myself getting into.

Anyway, I am not dead. I just have no voice. Though I do have a little one coming VERY soon and I'm completely pumped up about that... however, I have no job, and I can't seem to find anything at all. I'm not kidding when I say that the only way to get a job in this world is to have someone GIVE it to you... you have to know someone who has power. And simply put, I don't. I have applied for over 40 entry lvl positions... only to get 2-3 interviews. ENTRY LVL PEOPLE!!! jobs that I'm COMPLETLY OVER QUALIFIED FOR! yet i can't get an interview, and three fourths of the time I can't even get a person or contact information on anyone who can help me, i keep getting reffered to the internet.... and this WONDERFUL thing we call the internet is EXTREMELY impersonal. "thank you for applying, don't reply to this e-mail, we'll contact you" ... BULLSHIT! So... Blogdom... if anyone has any suggestions. I'm open for anything. I have a college degree and 4 years work experience in my field. Human Resource Development... (training and adult education) Customer Service skills and excellent sales skills. Just post a comment if anyone has any suggestions. and temp staffing agencies are a nightmare.... so please don't go there.... Unless you have a GOOD contact within one, cuz if you don't... and you just call up or go in... they treat you like a 15 year old boy with nothing to do... and like you have NO intellegence.... blah blah blah... now i'm just rambling...

bye

hallelujah...

2005-11-14T02:11:00.000-06:00

Song of the day: Hallelujah (live) / Matt Patrick - Time Flies

Its been a long time. A long time since I wrote. A long time since a song hit me so hard. The song of the day is off Matt Patrick's newest album. Many of you know Matt and his wife Diane. Incredible people with incredible hearts. Matt is a fantastic musician. A musician, with a talent for the instrument (any and all instuments) as well as voice. I don't know what it is in his voice, a slight cry, almost pleading call for God's love. Gotta hear it. you'll love it. Anyway its rare that i fall in to complete worship. Its been many years in fact. But for some reason, tonight I just happen to throw on my iPod and this song just slammed me.

Maybe its the place i'm in... Sort of an end of myself. At the end of my massive level of self control and pride. Wait... self-control is not what I mean ... rather perserverance is a better word. Anyway its nearing its end... I'm tired, wore out. My humor, confidence, self-esteem are all out the window... so it is at this spot I sit... Angry, tired, sore and confused.

I could go into all the little things that brought me into this place, but there is not enought memory on google's servers to store all the crap... but what I can tell you is that no matter what, no matter how hard you try to fight, how hard you try to hold on... we, in the end, do not have control. The almighty power struggle. Captain Dan's struggle with God on the boat in Forrest Gump... No matter what you do ...You can't stack the deck, you're delt the cards you are delt and you have to play em. Now I knew this 15 years ago. Most people know this. But do you really KNOW this? Do I really KNOW this? God is God... I am man... and thats that... This is where I am tonight... at a place where I am wrapped up in all the crappy cards that have been delt to me and then all the sudden through a song, or a circumstance or pure frustration... A moment of truth, a moment of clarity, if only for an instant.

Its not the cards man... you're cards aren't perfect. but you can still win...

and with that I awake and say, "Bless the Lord all my soul and all that is within me!"

i leave with this verse from the song on my lips.

I did my best
but it wasn't much
I couldn't feel
So I learned to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool ya

And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
with nothing on my tongue but .... hallelujah..

---------------------

Sorry if this made absolutely no sense to you... but it does to me and thats cool.

Thanks Carmi for the note, I've needed to write again. Thanks dude.

Good Mondays everyone!

fighting stress...

2005-10-18T15:06:00.000-05:00

Song of the day: I just don't think I'll ever get over you / Colin Hay

Quick note about the song of the day... Colin Hay? recognise the name? If you were plugged into the 80's music scene... you would have had to be in a hole to not have experienced his music with the classic Men at Work albums. Yup the man who brought us Down Under, is now reaching new audiences with a whole new sound and soul.

So after a few anger management classes... my anger has subsided... okay not really, but its not on the surface anymore so thats decent... but the reason I write to day is to inquire to you the readers. How do you deal with stress? When one thing piles up upon another. When the raindrops of refreshing change bring nasty floods. How do you cope? do you paint? Write? Listen to music? Go for a jog? etc...

We all deal differently, and we all experience it. Some shrug it off and ignor it. Others let it pile up and explode. ( I do a combo of both) I'm not really looking for any answers for myself, but rather just curious. I wanted to blog and didn't really have much in me to roll on to the screen at the moment... so I thought I would pose this question.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Drive slow homeys!

people suck...

2005-10-01T17:08:00.000-05:00

don't read this if you are looking for a happy post. Don't read this if you're looking for good writing, grammar, spelling etc...

People suck...

We're called to love people, to show love to them even when they are unlovable. Even when they stomp on your foot, cut you down, humiliate you and spit you out.

I love people. It comes naturally. I enjoy people and would do anything for just about anyone, given the time etc... however that leaves me open to getting hurt and betrayed and used. Recently, I try to love, to do my best, yet... I'd rather just chop off heads. Grab a HUGE claymore with the word "truth" incribed on the handle and start swinging a broad swath through a huge crowd of peeps. do they deserve it? some yes... but mostly no... I'm just THAT pissed off. So I write. This is not a blog to appease the masses... this writing is therapudic... I'm soo irritated right now I wish I was in a battlefield donning my armor and preparing to kill... it would quench my appetite for destruction... but i digress with writing, because I know thats not what I need, but rather my King's mercy and Love.

This could ruin me, get me fired from my job(s) and make people mad, but I just gotta tell my side. Cuz nobody seems to hear me, or listen. And maybe just writing it down will help me cope and begin to heal.

I went into business with one of my best friends. We worked in real estate together. Dreams of building the business, working together, having fun and being successful were all there. What I didn't see coming was the favoritism that would be showed him, not me. The mentioring he would recieve, not me. The sucess he would recieve, not me. I'm not jealous... I dealt with my issues on jealousy 10 years ago. I'm happy for him and glad that he's doing well. I just don't like the fact that I was treated unfairly and my character questioned. A long story that I don't want to get into, but because of his success (his uncle, the almighty businessman who started our real estate company) his uncle would give him opportunities, bring him and our other co-worker to meetings and networking opportunities, yet I was left behind. No biggie. Yea I was bummed, but what can a guy do? If i'm not asked I can't invite myself along. (though i tried on many occations, and most of the time it was kept secret from me.) The biggest thing is that he would get the opportunities, and if Dan (me) wasn't doing well... they'd throw me scraps... One of which was a woman who was a total bitch... and caused them to question my integrity etc... and drove a huge rift between me and the rest of the group. UGLY. I accept anything I might have done wrong... but DO NOT EVER TELL ME I INTENTIONALLY SCREWED SOMEONE OVER! DON'T EVER TELL ME THAT I DID NOT LOOK OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF MY CLIENT. DO NOT QUESTION MY INTEGRITY OR COMMITTMENT. I worked my ass off. only to have it chewed up by my own co-workers, ground into meat and served to me on a platter. Thanks a ton!

So now on to what triggers my mood this afternoon. I recieved a call from a family member. I knew they were in the market to buy a home. They told me so about a month ago. I also asked them to call me (about 5 times) if they would like any help... I offered my services etc... gave them their options etc... they said that they were looking to buy w/o an agent... (cool, no prob... dumb, but no problem) what happens... they bought a house... and used another agent... then had the great idea to call Dan and let him know and apologize... I don't want to hear it... Erin and I are fine... I make TONS of money... NOT... we only have a baby on the way and can rarely pay bills on time.... Thanks for thinking of me AFTER the fact... not to mention.... thanks for saying "we were going to use you, but we found this house and look at about 30 houses with this agent" YOU COULD HAVE USED ME, IDIOT! I would have loved to look at homes with you... don't tell me that you were afraid that you wern't going to buy a home and didn't want me to put hours in not to get paid... I would have done it for free... THEY ARE FAMILY! no biggie... so I didn't get work with them to buy a house, i'm bummed, but I'm a man and in all reality its not that big of deal... but just deal with me strait... don't give me excuses. However, if you don't want to use me, yet still want opinions and strategy etc... I'm sorry, I charge for consulting. =P J/K ugh.. just be real and just please treat me like the 28 year old man that I am.

That was one thing... here is the other.

I was working at the restaurant today. It was 4:00 pm. my shift is over at 4:00. I was sat a large table of 10. I was helping them out. No biggie.... I was not expecting to be sat again... and to my suprise I was sat again. I was busy helping the large party... and neglected to see the corner booth with 2 people in it. As soon as I saw it I was over there. I came up and said. "Hi there, I'm Dan... Sorry if you had to wait, I wasn't expecting it and didn't see you get seated. can I get you some drinks... I hope the wait wasn't too long." so on we go... throughout the meal... I did everything that I always do... made sure drinks were there on time, cleared plates, brought out dinner plates. Then at the end of the meal (its now 4:30) I walk up and say, "I'm sorry again for not seeing you at the beginning... is there anything else that I can do for you? Box up your meal, no problem." Then the man says to me "We've had a very bad day... we came here to relax and enjoy our meal... and we feel worse for coming." I apologized... asked if they would like to speak with a manager. he said, "do you think that would be appropriate?" (I have NO CLUE whats going on) so I say "thats not my decision sir, what would you like me to do?" he tells me to get the manager. Here is where the shit hit the fan. More like here is where the LOAD of shit hit the turbine engine... a total of 3 managers visited the table over 15 minutes. Including our GM... Then she comes back into the kitchen, with 20 people watching and starts to chew me out. "WHAT PART OF BEING SAT DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND. YOU WORK UNTIL WE TELL YOU TO GO!" i calmly said that I understood, yet I was confused. She leaves and comes back into the kitchen ... in front of EVERYONE again... and she's fuming mad, almost crying/yelling at me "I'VE NEVER BEEN SO MAD IN MY ENTIRE TIME OF WORKING HERE. THEY WANT ME TO COMP THEIR ENTIRE MEAL BECAUSE OF BAD SERVICE! YOU ARE GETTING WRITTEN UP! YOU DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN, .... YOU ARE FIRED!" She said more, about how she's never seen this, can't believe one of her employees was this disrespectful ect... so I calmly said "OK"........ I offered to pay for their meal myself, she'd have none of it... really though, I don't know where she gets off HUMILIATING me in front of ALL my co-workers... Talking to me like I'm 12 years old... and ASSUMING THE CUSTOMER IS RIGHT!!!!!!!

COME ON! look at my stats... I make over 20% tips EVERY time I work... if that doesn't speak LOUD ENOUGH that I give GREAT service.. I don't know what does. This little pecker had a bad day and was looking for a free meal and my GM believed him... not me... she never once asked me to tell my side of the story. NONE OF THE MANAGERS did... then she had the nerve to scold me in front of all my co-workers, to belittle me and threaten me and my job in front of everyone... basically turning me into moldy cheese... None of the managers would say goodbye and goodnight... NOBODY was on my side except for all the servers who know how darn cool i am and that I would never give bad service.

Besides... It was only $25 dollars. No big deal... and certainly not worth crying over... Does she really have to make an example out of me in front of everyone who works there? Is her control of her employees in that much jeaporady that she needs to make sure everyone KNOWS who is boss? sheesh. I just can't believe that someone would go into a situation, especially one with a customer... and believe the customer over a fine employee. Did they not tell me that "everyone is family at the Bistro"??? wouldn't you talk to your son or daughter and hear their side? ugh... some people? How do they get the right to lead? Obviously its not bassed on the effectiveness of which they lead their flock.

Jesus save us all. I'm tired of typing, as I'm sure you're tired of reading.

God bless everyone

I'm off to get some oil to sharpen my sword...

See ya on the flip-side.

ok ok....

2005-09-29T01:30:00.000-05:00

So yea, everytime I sit down to write, I just get discouraged and frustrated. Not because I don't have anything to write about. I have an insane amount of "stuff" filling my brain right now. It is more like I'm afraid that I'll just up and barf out all thats in me and I'll hurt and confuse some, piss off some others and down right depress myself... ever get that way? Yup... I'm stuffing it. Maybe I'll let it leak out in small amounts so that I don't explode, but thats never how I work, or maybe it is.... who knows. Either way, I heard a song today that I wanted to share with all of you. The lyrics are short, but quite profound... and amazingly healing for me right now. read the lyrics... let me know what you think. Anything jump out to you?

Mercy / Stuart Davis
-----------------------------

When the gut is empty
it makes a person sick
our hunger is the same
we are here to eat each other's pain
with mercy

When the tears are tasted
their poison is refined
our thirst is all the same
we are here to drink each other's pain
with mercy
--------------------------------------------

Have a great day everybody!

p.s. Erin, that poem that is on your blog is amazing. it could be meant for God or for me, but either way... I'm humbled, honored and blessed to have you as a wife. You're the best damn teammate I know. I'd walk a lava flow to see your smile, fight a lion to gaze into your eyes... You mean everything to me. I love you!

the missing man...

2005-09-14T03:37:00.000-05:00

OK! I'm an idiot. I've not posted in WAY to long. For all you fans out there (I know there has to be at least two) I must apologize. There is no reason for me not to post. I'd like to say that I've been pooling my thoughts lately... but I really never do that. However, what I can say is this. I will be posting again and soon... probably later this very day so, stay tuned.

Note to David:

DUDE! I'm sorry that I did not post for your birthday. I will make it up to you... just watch!

Off to throw my head into a pillow... and dream about playing guitar in front of thousands... only to find that my zipper was down the whole time...

Saddle up... Its Wednesday!

that time of year...

2005-08-29T00:26:00.000-05:00

Song of the day: Where Is The Love? / Black Eyed Peas

Just gotta love that song... it gets me groovn' and turns on the fountain of compassion in my soul. Even if Justin Timberlake sings in it... just follow the link and read the lyrics. It will blow your hair back.

Anyway, so yea where was I, ummm oh yea... Today I spent my entire morning and afternoon preparing. Preparing for what you may ask? Preparing one of my favorite times of year. And that my friends is fantasy football. You see, ever since I retired playing football and I no longer strap on the pads. The closest thing I can get to being a part of the NFL is to participate in fantasy football. Fantasy football is a stat game played with friends. There is a draft done to make up the teams. Then you have to manage your team throughout the season and statisticaly outscore your opponents. Its quite fun... and it keeps me up late on sunday nights looking up stats and watching my uber-fantasy team crush the oponent or at times suffer humiliating defeat.

There is quite a bit of luck involved, but for my sake... I like to think its skill. So this is what this wanna-be football player looks forward to every year. Draft day! I'm in two leagues and if i win both leagues I could win in excess of $1,000.00, though I must disclose that I do participate in both these leagues with my buddy and we share the costs and the profits. Usually though, we just take our profits and spend a night out doing what guys do and go nuts at a Wild game or Timberwolves game... we spend extravagantly and buy drinks and food for everyone around us and do our share of leading cheers for the home team.... aaahhhhh the memories! So... wish us luck!

For all you NON football loving people out there... I feel I owe it to you to at least give you something to take away from my blog this day. Lets see here... Oh... Today at work this family came in to have some dinner. I normally do not like to judge people, but for the sake of the story I must, if only to give you the correct scenario and so you can see what happened. This family came in and they were out of place. It was in the vibe they gave off. The clothes they wore and the way they conducted themselves. What I mean is that they were out to dinner at Our Restaraunt as a "special dinner" or as a treat. Like if i was to walk into Ritz Carlton in N.Y. They just didn't fit. Oblivious to this fact I served them as I would any guest. I brought them their dinner and they ate. Then after they were done with their entres I asked if they would like desert and the dad said, "May I see the bill first please?"

This is where my heart strings started going off. I brought the bill and laid it in front of him said "Thank you so much for visiting, we don't accept checks (remember this for later), but we do accept everything else. I'll be back in a sec, thanks again! " then promptly left but watched from across the resturant. He opened the tab and looked at it... then showed it to his wife and then shook his head and said something to his daughter... my heart sank to my toes. After some refills to another table I returned. He said thanks and handed me the bill back with some cash hanging out and I asked if they would need change and they said "yes please."

The bill was $38.60. I returned with the change and I saw the mother writing out a check for my tip... Here is where my heart broke... I couldn't accept their gratitude... and that embarrassed the heck out of them. They weren't going to order desert because they couldn't afford it yet were willing to give me a nice tip... I did my best to let them know that I greatly appreciated the gesture, but I could not accept their check. Then I excused my self as they had confused, hurt and embarassed faces... they left very fast. My heart was in my shoes. Blessed... filled with compassion... and there was nothing I could do about it. It was the best $1.40 tip I'll ever get. It felt priceless. I would have given anything to give them desert... perhapse if I had worked there longer I would feel confident in asking a manager to comp them one... I hope I get that chance again...

Next time I eat desert... I'm thanking God for all the insane blessings that I NEVER think about.

And may God bless that family abundantly!

Adios peeps!!! Have a fantastic Monday

introduction to spanglish...

2005-08-22T17:22:00.000-05:00

Song of the day: Cowards Never Win / Waterdeep

Lately, the reason that I haven't been posting so much nonsense is because i now have a part time job. I'm employed at a wonderful restaruant. I've never worked as a server before, but I figured my personality was one that would be good enough to pull on the "Tip" strings of people so as to make them give me more money for bringing them their moo shu. So far so good. I really enjoy the job. I make really decent money for a part time job and the people are all very funny and intense all at the same time.

Now on to my story. Being that almost every level of dining establishment has some Spanish speaking workers, this place is no different. The wonderful crowd of Server Assistants, Cooks, Dishwashers... are mostly all from our wonderful neighbor Mexico. So far I've become accustomed to them helping me clear tables and bring out clean silverware and plates, as well as make the wonderfully delicious chinese food... (Mexican Americans making FANTASTIC Chinese food? Works for me!) Anywho... While in my 14+ years of schooling, I never had the priviledge of learning Spanish... so talking with my co-workers becomes quite funny at times... and one such time was just last night....

I came walking back into the kitchen from bringing out some refills... I yell "CORNER!" as I enter the kitchen.... I was busy. I had 5 tables and 24 people at the time that I was responsible for... so I was moving freakishly fast for a man with my frame... as I entered the kitchen I was putting away my tray, which goes above the counter on a shelf. Just above the hot lights... and on the other side is the prep station for appetizers. I was moving fast and the tray slipped.... out of my hand over the shelf... right into the face of (i don't even know how to pronounce his name.) Let's call him Pedro. I was shocked to say the least. It hit him right in the bridge of the nose, then the tray fell down onto the counter and destroyed the plate of Shanghi Street Dumplings that he was preparing for one of our customers.

I flew around the counter and started to apologize profusely! "I'm soooo sorry!!! I didn't mean.... a a a a aaaa I tried.... I'm SOOOO SORRY!!!! " my arms were flailing all over cuz i thought he had no clue what I was saying because he was fuming and all I heard was

"BLAHD AHD AHH Dhdhahdfkj;ask a sdf a TACO ... BURRITO ... CHILITO.... " in other words... I had NO clue what Pedro was saying. Obviously angry, he was yelling at me in spanish and I felt SO bad... but I had tables and I could only give the situation only so long... off i went.

Then, later that night... I was just about to leave.. I was closing out my tips and junk. I was walking through the kitchen and Pedro was filling up his cup with Coke. I walked right by him not even thinking... then all the sudden I remembered something and I turned around 180 degrees and RIGHT into Pedro with a full glass of Coke. Needless to say the Coke went ALL over him. Down his arms over his cook's jacket and pants. He was drenched. I was so shocked... so dumbfounded, so frustrated that I couldn't communicate with him that this is what came out

"SHIT! YOU HATE ME!"

to my supprise... Pedro started laughing. Full of teeth and laughing all the while he said to me

"It's no problem man... It's Okay!"

Then he just walked away laughing.

His words nearly knocked me on my ass i was so suprised.

Pedro... Gotta love em...

Cheers!

wet and loving it...

2005-08-15T23:21:00.000-05:00

The picture should say it all. I could not begin to describe the sights of God's beauty that I was privileged to see when on my trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It was simply amazing. I learned as much about myself as if i spent the entire time in a psych ward dumping my guts to some shrink. There have been men in the past who have spent their lives seeking solitude and adventure in the wilderness. Elbryan Wynden, Louis & Clark and Henry David Thoreau just to name a few. Though I believe that Thoreau said it best.

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that is the chief end of man here to 'glorify God and enjoy him forever.'

A lot to digest... I know. Thoreau was very very wise. What I'm getting at is that there is something about the wilderness that makes man look deeper. That makes man push beyond themselves, into themselves, to find themselves. Thus starts my story of what I learned when I stepped out into the wildness beyond.

My wife and I set out with 6 others on a 4 day trek around the Boundary Waters. We put in at Gunflint Lake, then we were to move on through Magnetic lake to the Granite River where we were to paddle through and make our way out of the BWCA through Seagull Lake. (at least I believe that was the route we took... I wasn't the navigator, praise God, for if i were we'd surely be doomed.) Now I would love to recount every detail about the trip, the scenery, the adventures and such... My friend Ashley's blog gives a good account of how things went. however, if I were to blog it... i'm so long winded that the post would be so long that I couldn't begin to ask you to read. But there are some highlights that I would like to pinpoint.

Just starting out, we put in at Gunflint lake... I'm a rookie paddler, and I'm also pretty prideful. I'm a big man, always have been. Though I've always been very athletic and good at most every physical thing i do. 200 yards from shore I put my wife and I and ALL our gear into Gunflint Lake. It was like God said at that moment, "I'm going to work on you a bit... here take this as a wake up call!" The waves were at least 2 feet high and white capping with a stiff wind of 20 mph coming hard from the west... We were paddling and then we were in the water... No shaking, no warning, we were in the water that fast. Needless to say everyone had to come back for us... and it took some time to get us going again. My wife was fine and my pride and my person... wet to the bone. There was one swallow of humble pie that I didn't digest well. I tried my hardest not to let it bother the rest of the gang. I think I did a good job, though sometimes i blurted my frustration with a bunch of F-bombs and just about every other word I could think of (Lord forgive me even now!) You know... I know this might seem odd to all of you, but I wasn't really ALL that bummed that my stuff was wet. BUT I had $45 in pipe tobacco and cigars that were soaked! I knew that I wouldn't be relied upon much for my camping knowledge or my canoeing skillz... but I knew that I could contribute in the entertainment department... and I was afraid it was all ruined... Though somehow we had just the right ammount of smoke, liquor and fun for each evening. It all worked out. Thanks God!

Looking back... The sights were AMAZING! The experience was fantastic. But when i got home I felt more like I was just on a "lets learn about Dan" trip than a vacation to the Boundary Waters. That's how I felt because I learned so much about myself on the trip, that I could never have learned in my own little world of work, books, computers and video games. I learned that I don't do well when I can't control my environment. Not many people do. But I learned on this trip what the signs are when I start to feel that loss of control. Its exhilarating and frustrating all at the same time and I hope that the next time I come into a situation where I begin to feel control slipping... to just let go, enjoy the moment, revel in the adventure and remember what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger. I also learned on this trip, or rather things that were reaffirmed on this trip were that I married the most incredible woman in the world. Through all the adventure, wind, bugs, hot nights, rocky ground, nasty waves, whipping wind and exhausting portages... she took it all in stride. I admire her and I strive to have that self control. She was stoic. It was amazing to watch. I love you all the more darling! Another thing that was reaffirmed was that I have a generous heart. Sometimes to a point where it can be painful. But I like that quality in me. I'd rather be generous and poor than selfish and rich. In all facets of life... I learned on this trip that I want to develop that trait in me. To refine it so its pure and like Jesus would have.

There is more in me... I can feel it. More stuff that I know I need to sort out and digest, but I thought I would share a bit of what i've untapped so far. What I would like to do now is to thank the gang. I had a fantastic time. The cigars, the stargazing, the chats and the delicious meals. It was all memorable. If my misplaced frustration came out sideways and offended you, I apologize. You guys are incredible! If I had to embark on just about any adventure I want you all at my side. Thank you so much for including my wife and me on your trip. Next time I promise a more experienced paddler, and a man who is more solid inside enabling him to focus more on the adventure. Thank you my friends.

live HARDCORE!

thank you to all...

2005-08-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

just a quick post here... I just wanted to say a "THANK YOU!" to all of you who commented on my last blog about my new adventure on becoming a father!

I'm sorry that i have neglected my blog as of late... my plate is very full as of right now. I plan on having a very interesting blog here later this evening, detailing in full all my wild boundary water adventures as well as my experience with a new part-time job... not to mention a little supprise that you'll just have to tune in to read about!

Have a wonderful afternoon... and if not... eat calcium pills... at least your bones will get stronger!

Cheers!

life changing...

2005-08-03T01:42:00.000-05:00

Well, as most of you know (those of you that read my wife's blog) my wife and I are going to have our first child. Wow! I can't belive I just wrote that. Ever since the day that my wife called me upstairs to tell me we were going to have a baby... it keeps getting more and more real. At first I was like "huh? ummm are you sure?... " (Those things are 99% accurate you dingbat!) It was like a dream. You see, my dad left when I was very young. Growing up I never had the delight of a father at my baseball games. Never knew what it was like to see my dad come to my football practice and watch. He wasn't there when i got into my first fight. Wasn't at my graduation. And was barely at my wedding. Ever since i was as young as I could remember, I wanted to be a dad. To be a GOOD dad. There isn't a doubt in my mind that I'll be a great father, but it still feels like a dream. Moving along in your daily routine... and BOOM! you're most sacred and true calling in life is only 8 months away... (put that in your pipe and smoke it Dan!) You know what... I'm sooo psyched! I get to be a dad. I get to be a Pappa! I like how that sounds. I also like the fact that I have the most incredible woman in the world by my side. Yes I know Erin will be doing 99% of the work (bringing our child into this world)... and for that and for what she's even going through right now... She is more a champion than anyone I've ever known. I can't wait until that moment comes. I can't even put words to it yet, as if you haven't noticed. I'm all giddy and excited, yet I feel like I have this huge mantle of responsibility hanging over my head (which i really do). I just pray that God gives me the grace to rise up and break the chains of my father's past sins... and start a new trend in the Bennett family name. The trend of being an incredible father. One who learns how to love in all situations. One who learns how to forgive when it hurts. One who knows when to fight for what's right. And one who can admit when he's wrong.

Thats it... sorry if it read like blogvomit. I still can't wrap my head around this whole ordeal. But I'm truely blessed with a wonderful wife. And i can't wait be a daddy.

You guys all have a great week. I'm off to find God in the Boundary Waters.

Peace!

sanitation situation...

2005-07-31T02:39:00.000-05:00

Song of the day/night: Be / Common

Do you ever have that feeling? You know that one where you have a sanitation situation.... well I have just the product for you... Uncle Booger's Bumper Dumper! I came across this site and my jaw dropped. I simply couldn't believe it... "Hey... could you back this think up to the woods... i need a little privacy!" Its like the parent's favorite roadtrip companion... only thing you need to be careful of is that you don't attempt to use while the car is moving... HA! now that would be quite the show! I could see it now... "um... honey could you please pass this truck... i'm afraid of flying objects." Just think of it... think of all the beautiful spots you could find in your 4x4 to take a *cough*! Simply genious.

Anyway... on to more useless things. When I have nothing "meaningful" to write about. I have a file in my bookmarks for "blog stuff." It is in this folder that i find wierd and interesting sites to share with all of you... and thus I bring you laughs and interesting fun sites that give me something to write about. ready for another? Here is a guy that has WAY to much time on his hands... he likes to experiment by putting things in his microwave... then taking pictures of the results... WE-MAN's Funny Things To Do With Your Microwave Oven. Kinda interesting (well, not really.) I especially like the soap experiment... scroll down to about the middle bottom of the site... its facinating.

With the release of that darn Harry Potter book recently, I figure I should at least appease the masses. I have a friend that was out of the country recently and she said that every kid on the airplane had a copy of the book. All around the world... I heard they even knighted the lady who wrote the book... such a pitty. I thought being knighted was supposed to be an honor. I just don't get it. I love reading... and I even read the first two books in the series. They are OK and thats it. I could recommend 100+ books with better character, more suspense, and better plots. Anyway enough of my hate for Harry... Here is the site. Its the Harry Potter Lexicon. Everything you ever wanted to know about the books. Its in there. I do give Harry Potter credit though for drawing a generation of computer kids into books. Gotta give props for that. seid erodelbmud.

And finally, if you've even read this far... I'm surely in your debt. I give you the Mullets Galore web site. Check it out. go to the site and click on the classifications section at the top and check out all the classifications of mullets. It had me giggling like a kid who just left his gum on the teacher's chair. Enjoy my friends.

Be kind to one another, and if thats impossible... make sure to take karate.

hasta la bye bye!

explore the studio...

2005-07-28T12:20:00.000-05:00

Behind The Music: Blue Oyster Cult
(Saturday Night Live)

Bruce Dickinson.....Christopher Walken
Eric Bloom.....Chris Parnell
Buck Dharma.....Horatio Sanz
Alan.....Chris Kattan
Bobby.....Jimmy Fallon
Gene Frenkle.....Will Ferrell

Eric: [ distracted by Gene banging the cowbell ] Okay! Wait! Wait! [ the group cuts off their instruments ] Bruce, could you come in here for a minute, please?

Bruce Dickinson: [ stepping out of the booth ] That was gonna be a great track. Guys, what's the deal?

Eric: Are you sure that was sounding okay?

Bruce Dickinson: I'll be honest.. fellas, it was sounding great. But.. I could've used a little more cowbell. So.. let's take it again.. and, Gene.

Gene Frenkle: Yeah?

Bruce Dickinson: Really explore the studio space this time. I mean, really.. explore the space. I like what I'm hearing.

-------------------------------------------

Ever get the feelinig like you really need to explore that studio space? Do you ever just feel like smacking that cowbell at supersonic frequencies bringing the mayhem to all the audience? Well now you can! Thats right... the supergenious engineers at Red Monkey have now come out with the Electric Cowbell! Thats right... Now you can explore the sound of 12 different cowbells in one smooth package. A rockstar collection of cowbells for one low price. You simply must check it out. The aspiring cowbellist will not be disappointed.

If you have no idea what i'm writing about here... you must see this Saturday Night Live skit where Will Farrell is at his best. You can see it here.

Have a rock'n thursday... and try and explore the studio space... we simply need more cowbell in our lives!

a shout out to mom...

2005-07-28T02:14:00.000-05:00

I have so much blog in my head right now that I can't even begin to start unwind my brain for fear that I won't sleep tonight. However, I did want to throw this out there. My mother has recently taken to blogland... and I must say that I'm extremely impressed. She has limited computer skills, yet when I told her about blogging and what it was, it was like someone gave her the nod to express herself... She has written her whole life... journals, articles and such. Though I never knew how great her writing truely was, or better yet, how deeply she can express her heart in words. So do me a favor. Check out her site and drop her a comment and let her feel the blog love!

Thanks peeps!

Her site is here.

the hizzo on the skizznat...

2005-07-23T18:17:00.000-05:00

Don't ask me what the title means... I just made it up. So I'm juming around the web today and I found some links that I think that you guys will enjoy. Here they are... let me know what you think!

PostSecret Thanks to Jeff for this one... its an amazing site. Thought provoking, concerning and sometimes humorous. (WARNING: Strong content.. not for children.) Definately worth a look.

Anyone got the time? I'm not even going to talk about this one its so cool... check it out!

You wanna good laugh? Check out this little clip of a cat... had me giggling up a storm!

Last but not least... I stumbled on this page while surfing.... its has tons of interesting stuff. Full of humor and urban legends etc... Enjoy the Museum of Hoaxes!

Thats it folks... I'm off to my class reunion... Cheers!

remix...

2005-07-21T23:57:00.000-05:00

Song of the day: Frgt/10 (Alchemist ft. Chali 2na)
* a remix of Forgotten by Linkin Park *

It took me long enough to finally get here and write... I listen to my iPod usually when I type, but i noticed that my right earbud was very quiet... so I pulled it out and to my disgust, the tiny hole where the sound comes out was plugged with wax (YUCK! I know... but these things do poke into your ears... i suppose even the cleanest person has some wax.) Anyway, I had to pull a pin out to clean it, and now the muzic is pumping through strong and LOUD!

So yea remix... I am listening to some remixes of Linkin Park and I was wondering if, and what, it would be like if someone were to write a remix of my life... what would it sound like? Would it be soft and soulful like a Nora Jones single. Maybe loud and pissed off like Junkyard Prophets? Or could it be that it would be put into a symphony and done beautifully with subtle hints of attitude and love? I don't know... it just has me wondering lately.

You see, I'm going to my tenth high school reunion this saturday. I'm not nervous at all. I'm really looking forward to it, it will be nice to see how people will be now that we've all grown up a bit. Its just when I hit these monumental (okay maybe not, but distinct moments) times in my life, I can't help but to think about "what would I be like if?"... maybe that comes from my unrest in myself. The two concrete things in my life that I have no doubt about are my God and my Wife. Those are no brainers. However, things i do think about are... what would life be like if my dad wasn't such a lazy good-for-nuthin bum who's done nothing but lied his whole life and has no idea how to love his children? What would my life be like if i decided to follow my talents in playing music, I'm not bragging here. I'd be the first to say that I'm not musical. Heck I can't even read music. But I do know one thing... I've never been closer to my God than when I led worship for kids... and for some reason, I was good at getting them to join with me in that brief time to meet with God. what would it be like if i just didn't give up? What would it be like if I skipped out on Masters Commission (a christian discipleship school) and accepted a scholarship to play football?

Wow! you could really really get depressed throwing all these "what-ifs" at yourself. Though I think reflecting can help to refine our true desires and help motivate us. There is a reason that I am here. I haven't quite figured it out yet, But I trust in my solid Rock that He's been preparing me for that which he has called me to... For in truth I really just want to be a remix of His life.

Off I go in search of 2 turntables and a microphone.

3 years and i can't wait for more...

2005-07-20T00:56:00.000-05:00

It seems like just yesterday that Dave was giving me my last chance to get out of marrying you... I would have none of it. I never wanted anything so much in my whole life. And I still don't. You mean the world to me my darling Erin. I love the way you love me, and I can't believe you put up with all my oddities and misshaps. God truely gave me the most amazing gift when he brought you into my life. I'm truly honored to be your husband. Thanks for the most amazing 3 years of my life. I can't wait to see what God brings our way. I love you. Happy Anniversary!

alms...

2005-07-19T23:11:00.000-05:00

I was listening to my Ipod the other day. Like most times that I listen to my Ipod my ears found their way to the sweet songwriting of Stuart Davis. Do you know how you listen to a song like a hundred times... then all of the sudden it hits you in a different way? Kind of like an exploding a firecracker in the teeth... BAM! it just hits ya! (thanks Emeril) Well, this was one of those times for me. Read the lyrics and let your mind wander. What hits you? What rings true when you read these lyrics?

Alms
by Stuart Davis
------------------------------

Take my chest and blow it open
make a bomb out of this heart
let what's unseen push my ribs apart
it's a start

You crack the shell to find the bird
You part the mouth to make the word
You shake the sky to feed the sea
now shake me

You pierce the skin to clear the wound
You cut the reed to sound the tune
You split the seed to bring the tree
now break me

Take my hand and pull it open
pry these fingers from my palm
let every fist I make be broken
into a place for alms

Stretch this thread into Your loom
pick this rose to scent Your room
boil these leaves to make Your tea
boil me

Mold the bones that form this face
break the dam that holds Your grace
burn a wick so light can be
burn me

Take me
where the sheep are catching wolves
where the parts are weaving wholes
where the drop contains the sea
where You are me
--------------------------------------------------

I knew I liked the song, but what struck me so profundly was the last verse "Where You are me." It reminded me of John 3:30 where John the Babtist proclaims "He must increase, but I must decrease." Ohh how true that is at times... like the place i'm in now, wrapped up in my own selfish needs. It is good to be reminded at times that though this is my quest here on earth... its not MY quest, but HIS. Blow my chest wide open i say! I have been blessed... may your blessings now come through me forever with You increasing in me fading away... puts things in perspective eh? (that sounded oddly Canadian didn't it?)

Now its your turn... Have you heard any songs that have "hit you" lately? Old or new... it doesn't matter... What was it in the song that made you laugh, cry, smile or remember something or somebody? If you haven't had one that's "hit you" lately... whatcha grooving to lately? I'm always down for some good tunes!

Have a fantastic day everyone!

a 24 pack of pizza and a beer...

2005-07-17T23:31:00.000-05:00

Do you ever start talking... in a conversation thats rolling along and people are laughing and throwing out more brush into the fire heating up the laughter.... and then all of the sudden you find yourself trying to throw some sticks on the fire of laughter and you get to talking faster than you are thinking? well, thats where "a 24 pack of pizza and a beer..." came from.

My wife and I were taking an aquaintence from out of town to a wedding this past friday. We were laughing talking about how fun it would be to show up with food to the wedding, because it was a desert reception... and I was like, "it would be great if we could show up with a 24 pack of pizza and a beer!" My wife looked over at me with those eyes that say... "do you know what you just said?" I had no clue. Then it dawned on me and all three of us erupted in laughter! The sad thing is that I do this all the time. Talk before I think. I'm not witty. Sometimes funny. But oftentimes my humor comes from the wierd off key things that come out of my mouth... Well, thats my story for blog. Anyone else ever get into trouble with talking faster than your brain can think? Anyone else have funny stories where they meant to add to the conversation finding that they ended the conversation all together, unintentionally, and have now ended up the focus of laughter? I find that my brain moves at about 10 mph... though my mouth can go about 60mph.

In continuing from last blog... my wife and I have finished the office/soon to be guestroom... I spent the afternoon spraypainting the iron railing rounding our staircase area... I spray painted it white... but the funny thing is that everything in our house now smells and tastes like paint. My tooth paste... paint. Water... Tastes like paint... I even had some peanuts this aftenoon... and yes again... they were tainted with the tase of paint... hehe... painted nuts! ugh! =P The funniest thing is that our house is now COVERED in white dust everywhere! And this evening I my kitties were laying on the floor and I noticed something funny... their little paws... were stark white! well, each day were getting closer to getting done and the great thing is... I can't believe how new paint and bright colors make EVERYTHING seem bigger/brighter! Gotta love it.

Now your turn... if you could re-paint any room in your home, which room would you do and what colors whould you paint it... and why?

On another note... I finally got my earhair and nosehair trimmer up and working.... So I trimmed away... I never knew that my earbud headphones could fit so well! Random I know... but I thought that you would get a laugh out of it at my expense... I had tons of earhair, just ask Erin!

Have a great monday everybody!

Congratulations to Steve and Beth Blondo with the birth of their new twins, Sebastien Jakob and Julien Thomas!!!

ever feel like the room is shrinking?

2005-07-14T00:58:00.000-05:00

well... all the rooms in my house are, literally. My wife and I are embarking on a quest to paint most of the rooms in our home (more her than me because I'll admit, i'm not nearly as ambitious as her, though i'll do my best to help.) Because of this, we've moved all the furnature in our living room and our office into the middle. The cats are beside themselves. all their favorite hiding places are gone. Access to their windowsills are gone and thy keep running around me in circles as I type trying to figure out what in the heck is happening. Its kinda funny watching them walk around as their world has just dramagically changed... What would we be like, if in the blink of an eye, all of our hiding spots were gone and if all our favorite places were just out of our reach?

As your dwelling on that deep and philosophical question... I had a chance to help a friend out this evening. We pulled out the carpet in the basement of his rental home. I brought the beer. He brought the trailer and the necessary tools and we went to work. Sweating and grunting like men. we flew through it like we did it as our every day job. Then, only the stairs were left. Thats when we turned into "do-it-your-self-ers." We looked like panzies... it took us only an hour to do the whole basement carpet and padding and another full hour just to do the stairs. It was a pain in the arse! Some genious thought it would be a good idea to use a high powered staple gun to staple the carpet in the creases of the stairs. Not only did they shoot one staple every thre inches into the crease... BUT THEY PUT ABOUT 15 staples into every 3 inches! (I don't know, maybe all carpet men do it this way, but I suspect it was the QUICK & EASY way to install it.) Now I'm definately making it seem harder than it actually was, but I definately need some forgiveness for the dirty words I said while throwing my muscle and weight into trying to pull it out. Ahhh... all is well though, we made it out in 2 hrs. flat, with only 1 trailer load. Saved him $300.00 and thats what I call a good investment of time.

Two other things....

The first, my wife and I are going up to the Boundry Waters Canoe Area to do a little canoeing and camping.
Now I was a boyscout, so i know what to bring, but I'm curious. Have you been there before? Are there any necessary supplies that you love to bring camping? What is your favorite camping meal? That kind of stuff... I'm looking to spice up our camping experience! So please feel free to leave suggestions. Thanks...

The second and final thing I will leave you with......

Ya just gotta dig, "Chicks with guns!"

tidbits of fun...

2005-07-11T17:59:00.000-05:00

I am a Minnesota Twins fan. The twins keep my summer rolling along until the Vikings start training camp, and John Madden Football comes out in the early fall. Today is the start of the All-Star break for all of major league baseball, and the twins went out and traded for Brett Boone who I hope will be helping them secure the wild-card for the upcoming playoffs. His performance has dropped off in recent years, but maybe, like most trades the Twins have done in the recent past, he'll pick up and swing the bat for us a bit. He's also a decent fielder which will secure out middle infield. Now we just need to secure 3rd base. anyway some of you might care some may not. If anyone has any comments on what they think of Boone I'd love to entertain some discussion.

Now for some more fun. Check out some of these links that I found today... You're bound to like one of them.

This is cool... and can become quite addicting. Beaterator

Ever want to learn how to dance like Napoleon Dynamite? go here. (david you already know how to do this, but you'd get a kick out of it anyway!)

This made me laugh. have fun

Well... thats about it. Have a spicy monday.

we become what we love...

2005-07-10T01:49:00.000-05:00

Setting the mood...
Song of the day: Linkin Park - Somewhere I Belong

sitting here, listening to music, surfing the net... thinking and pondering. I look over at my shelf and pick up and old book that I read once. Memories fly by about where I was when I was reading this book. Just finishing up college. Looking forward to marrying the woman of my dreams. Scared of what was in front of me, life.

Its a profoundly impactfull book. Though there is one chapter that I still run back and read every so often. To remind me what I'm fighting for. A rally call of sorts. Its the chapter "We Become What We Love." Two quotes jump out at as I look at it now... here they are:

All that we are
arises with our thoughts.
Speak or act with a pure mind and heart
and happiness will follow you
as your shadow, unshakable.

- The Buddha

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

- Jesus of Nazereth

Sitting back and letting the words sink in... Where is my treasure? What do I love? Go there. Let the enormity of it take you away on a rapid flow of thoughts. If I follow the river of my thoughts it starts to get scary, then I stop thinking and distract myself with something else. Thats my nature, but at times I can relax enough to follow these thoughts... and when I'm done. its like the quote, I'm "unshakable." My confidence is back. My self-esteem is restored. My energy is returned. Find your treasures... you'll never regret it, even if the ride gets a little scary along the way.

Now i could jump into a deep philosophical talk about what treasures i've found, but my treasures aren't your treasures. This just where I am today. I needed a boost. I found it, and thought I would share how.

i can't believe its done...

2005-07-09T03:27:00.000-05:00

WOW!

About 1 1/2 months ago I thought that it would be fun to learn about css and create my own template for my blog. I never realized how incredibly hard it would be. From the layout, to the graphic design, most everything I made looked like crap. Then I purchased a nice book that gave me a complete understanding of html and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets.) After many sleepless nights, and much trial and error, I have created what you see before you. Its nothing special, compared to many of the sites out there that I am completely lost as to how they made them, but its MINE!

Ahhh well... I originally set out to make a 3 column layout, cuz its all the rave. I actually had a working model on my test blog. but what I found is that I didn't have enough information/links or what i like to call "clutter" to fill up 2 side columns and the main blog. So i decided finally after about 3 weeks of off and on attempts of the three column to just do the two column. Then I happened along a wonderful site that had a Photoshop tutorial on how to do textures. The guy's name is Vared and his site is TEXTURA. Thats where I came up with the idea for my banner and navbar picture. They turned out pretty darn good, even if i do say so my self.

After I had it all set and ready to implement into The Gambit. I realized that I was going to really need a better commenting system. Blogger's was simply too slow, and there was no cuztomizing. Not to mention there is no managing feature and no trackback, so off I went hunting and I came up with a nifty program for blogs called Haloscan. Check it out. I really like it. Then I got a better site meter and I was set. Time for the crossover. Time to put my piece of art out there for the world to see.

Hopping around the house. Excited that I finally finished. Erin sits down at the computer. She pulls up my site on Internet Explorer and..... "Dan come here!"

I came in.... "AHHHHHH CRAP!"

little to my knowledge, my site looked GREAT in Mozilla Firefox, but it was EVERYWHERE and UGLY in IE! IE is only the most used browser in the world... so i had a HUGE problem. I didn't know where to begin. my columns were all messed up. My text was WAY offline. It was a total disaster. so i took a break for a couple of hours, I posted on blogger forums to see if anyone would help. I waited... waited... waited... no replies. My ship was sunk. Then I thought that i might give it one more try to see if i didn't do something wrong, misspell something etc... well, i found some mistakes in the coding, i noticed that my columns were all turned around, (Firefox didn't have a problem with it, but IE did) so i fixed that. Still couldn't get the navcolumn to snap to the top of the page... then it was as if the good Lord decided to give me devine insight. I saw it. It just jumped out to me. "position:absolute;" that is what was missing. BLING! It works now in both IE and Firefox and most other browsers! Yippie!

Just makes me smile... its true though... (prov 2:1-6) that if you dig long enough you'll find it!

So what do you all think? I want suggestions and comments. How's the coloring? Is it easy to read? What do you like and don't like? don't hold anything back! this is a WIP (Work In Progress.)

Okay thats it. Posts will come much more frequently now that i have something that I like posting to. Thanks everyone for sticking with me.

Cheers!

Happy Birthday to you!

2005-06-22T11:05:00.000-05:00

You know... when I was young, like 13 or so... my mother would tell me at times when I was frustrated with girls (cuz I couldn't figure them out one bit) that she had been praying for my future wife since I was born. well, I got married almost 3 years ago and I must say... God must have been listening to my mother.... my wife is one of the most amazing people that I know. I can't even begin to list the characteristics that I love... there is no blog large enough. But I do know this, I love her with all my heart. Today is her birthday, and while I could just go off and write a HUGE post about my undying love for her... I won't... birthdays are supposed to be fun... so I'm off to make this the funnest day I can possibly organize. (I'm no good at organization btw... so i hope its enough) so off I go.... I love you Erin... Happy Birthday!

Rook to E8 "Check"

2005-06-15T01:25:00.000-05:00

Okay for all of you that don't know what the title means... its a chess term for a move... a move where the piece or "Rook" moves to the E8 square, and forces a check on the opponenets King. Forcing him to move a piece to protect the king or moving the king out of harms way. So .. why lead with this? well... its the first thing I thought of when I noticed something... Today I noticed a small intentional but very discrete slam on someone, that on the surface, may not be hurtful, but was fully intended to hurt. do you know what i mean? we (as humans) do it all the time in relationships. Husband to wife, brother to sister, friend to friend, loved one to loved one, and vice versa on all those. a sharp pointy stick, very small but ment to inflict hurt, shame and all sorts of negative crap.

Why it makes me think of a "Check" in chess is because in chess it is often that a person will put someone into check to divert them from doing something that they don't want to do. Say this, the black side of the chess board is planning to take the white queen with his next move, so the white side decides that he doesn't want to lose his queen, "create a distraction, don't lose your queen, HURT THEM BEFORE THEY HURT YOU" so the white side slides his Rook into position and forses the black king into "check", forcing the black to protect his king, thus disrupting the black sides plans. Action/reaction - Divide and concur, make THEM bleed before YOU bleed. Distract them so they can't hurt you. See what I am getting at?

When I noticed this little jab/stab/distraction, I was like "Whoa! hold on here... why tear another down before they hurt your feelings." the thing that makes this even more complex is that the person that was suddenly put on defense, or put in check, was never even on the prowl, or attack!!! Hows that for your mental exercise. it plays out like this...

Person 1 is vurnable and doesn't want to be hurt, or perhapse doesn't want the truth spoken to them (In other words - They don't want to lose their queen, they are fearful of something), so they directly throw person two on the deffensive by attacking first, thus putting person 2 in "Check" and putting them on the defense even before they knew they were even playing the game!

wow this has to be confusing huh? well, thats the way my brain works... either way, little jabs thrown out under ones breath, writen in a note, said over a dinner table, said at the store. DO NOBODY ANY GOOD! Especially when the other person was never even intending to hurt them! Its like the king who was paranoid that the neighboring kingdoms were conspiring against him, so he hires assasins to sneak into his neighbors castles and threaten the other kings to STAY AWAY! when all his neighbors really wanted to do was to trade wheat for corn, horses for hay, beans for bannanas.

silly huh? why do we do this, I'm as guilty as anyone... but does it really do any good? in the end it never really works, yes it delays the immediate hurt, but i mean COME ON sooner or later you're going to lose one of your chess pieces. Your going to, in this game or the next, you're going to lose sometime. NOBODY can protect themselves sooooo well that they will never be hurt.

So how do I apply this to my life? Lord only knows... Hopefully i'll be more compassionate, more open to others, rather than throwing darts trying to protect myself. Now don't get me wrong, there are times when one NEEDS TO PROTECT themselves. My prayer is that the Lord will give me the wisdom to know when to allow my heart to be open, and when to secretly find protection in His truth for me, rather than throw darts my percieved attacker. like the old saying goes - sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.... very true, but remember, - The man who points fingers and talks too much wiill often times end up with a broken finger and a foot in his mouth. (Confucious eat your heart out! )

So what do you guys think? Am I way off here? Anyone else notice these little darts, these "checks"? How can we be more open yet not get abused? What can we do to eliminate these comments, that while subtle, are hurtful and confusing? Imagine what would happen if two people in a relationship agreed not to put eachother in "Check"? TALK ABOUT INTIMACY! man and wife, brother to brother, sister to sister, friend to friend, I don't care what way you look at it, thats intimacy. I guess that through this blog, I was just looking to vent, and stumbled on something that totally gave me a little nudge in God's Heart... Now to make sure my wife don't come and put a severd horse's head in bed next to me... =^) this is nothing that happend between us honey, though we're both guilty of it at times i'm sure, I noticed it somewhere else, away from the lovely place I call my home. Thanks for letting me rant...

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I like blogging, and I apologize for not writing more, FOR ALL YOU FANS OUT THERE! HA! but for those of you who care, I'm working on my own personal template for my blog... and it has been taking up all my time at the computer!!!!! Just ask Erin!!! its looking good though... and almost done! =) Have a wonderful day everyone!

MUCH LOVE and remember.... Keep your darts in your pockets! =)

*** Getting off the soapbox now***

Ever Get the feeling?

2005-05-29T01:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, so i want write something, but what? I find that when i blog/journal, i want whatever to i have to say to be profound, deep, funny, exciting, meaningful... but COME ON NOW!!! impossible. what stress is this that we put on ourselves. Don't I have enough of this durring my day? I mean really, its 1:00 in the morning, and I'm worried what people, or myself might think of what i write. Dan, you really are silly aren't you!

so where does this leave me for this wonderfully exciting and profound blog? who knows where this will lead, but lets take a ride on that giant slide that I call dan's brain. Oh, did I mention that its one of those cork screw slides, that for some reason you lose too much speed and sometimes get stuck in the middle. it also has some rust and watch out for that missing section of metal ... if you don't know its there, its a helluva fall. oh and by the way, punctuation and spelling are out the door tonight. i don't even feel like capitolizing the RIGHT words... =P so here we go...

I came across this quote and found it quite intersting, almost inspiring if I wasn't so damn lazy right now. anywho... here ya go

"Can you believe we get to live right now, right here, in this amazing, Big MIND-blowing unfolding of God in asphalt, flowers, jet airplanes, transvestites, and elegant political upheaval? Can we read the Scripture that is written every day on each animate and inanimate object in the World? In our minds? It's all the Word. Make no mistake, this is THE pivotal opportunity, and our Life (one life, singular) is in the dead center of it. Don't blow it off, don't wait for something else. Let's die for Love, right now, right here, and dance the Dharma while we have these legs. The new sutras are on FM radio." - Stuart Davis

This is from Stu's blog... you can fing a link to it on the right hand side of my page. then click on road journals to get a little taste of his mellon.

I like the quote because it flows with excitement and energy... like a great "at-bat" in a tied baseball game in the bottom of the 9th. with strikes, balls, foul balls... then you hear the crack of the bat and you just KNOW, the game is over... the ball goes out of the park... not just the seats... literally OUT OF THE PARK. Like when Justin Morneau hit that incredible HR against Baltimore last year at jacobs field... you just knew it was gone... so yea, rusty spot... i got stuck... whats the home run for me? its this little part ... "Don't blow it off, don't wait for something else. Let's die for Love, right now, right here, and dance the Dharma while we have these legs."

now for those of you who aren't familiar with Stu... he's one crazy minnesota boy. but he's prolly one of the best swongwriters that i've ever heard. I would even go so much to say that he's probably one of the most dynamic lyrically gifted people on the planet. but that's my opinion. anywho he's a nut. Raised as a Christian, still holds to some of his beliefs, but he's found his niche in a semi buda yoga loving/christian view... anyway... read his stuff you'll see, he's not off his rocker, and you can't completely take what he says as truth... but some things I believe are rock solid.

Much like the above statement. "Let's die for Love" ... pull it all together now dan... okay... so did you hear the crack of the bat? Is God speaking? today in church, dave talked about how we hear god and how we recognize His voice when He speaks... for me its usually silently (but leaves me feeling like a baseball bat hit me in the head) a voice urging me to love differently than how i'm feeling... for instance, driving a couple weeks ago, I saw a person asking for some money on the road. Now normally I don't shell out cash.... i was jamming to my tunes, or listening to P.A. and Dubay... anyway... my mind was FAR from anything remotely centered on God. Then I heard the smallest voice... or maybe an urging... and BOOM it was quiet thunder... "give him whatcha got" well, maybe not those words, but that is what I was compelled to do... i started fishing for cash.... damn pockets full... stupid dress pants pockets are too deep... oh there I got somthing... i look up and ... yea... the man folded his sign and started walking the opposite direction... i was right by hwy 94 so.... the green light came on... I hoped he'd hear me.... i rolled down the window... and yelled, once... twice... three times... no beans... I couldn't give... all i could give was a silent prayer. now... why do i say this? hell-if-I-know... (that reminds me of a joke... what do you get if you put a elephant and a rhino together? ...... Elephino HA! .... LAUGH that was funny. ) its just that i'm trying to ponder how God might speak to me... and how do i train my heart to be obedient? I guess its times like this, like this time for me with this gentleman on the side of the road, that we get trained to feel the Lord's heart and guidance? well, enough rattling and eye candy for one night.... Peace! Go die for Love! Don't sit in your pew and wait for God to speak. we know what He wants us to do... lets go die for love, get out there and do it, and maybe just maybe we'll hear him speaking.

Aragorn?

2005-05-26T02:22:00.000-05:00

Could it be true...

Woah!!!! I lost weight!

So... when browsing other blogs... I found this site that asks you some questions... and boom it gives you the Sci-Fi / Fantasy character that resembles you the most... after the quiz was done... i was relieved to find out that I am indeed a man... it would have been incredibly embarassing to find out after taking such a life changing quiz that I was like Susan Ivanova from Babalon 5! So yea... for a little entertainment... feel free to check it out here.

Okay now... thats it... but there is more to come... considering that I've figured a TON of things out about blogging, posting pics, editing links, etc...

Cheers!

The Sound of Laughter Dying...

2005-03-31T16:01:00.000-06:00

Today the comedian Mitch Hedberg was found dead in a New Jersey Hotel room... According to the Pioneer Press.... which wants too much information just to see anything, but you can read about Mitch here on MTV news. I never personally met Mitch, but I am a great fan of his work. His one liners and casual way of catching you off guard made him one of the most entertaining comedians I have ever had the privelage of listening too. This, yet again, is a case of dying before one's time.

I will not waste your time, or mine, by talking about how aweful death is... it plain ole sux... it wakes us up. It shocks us out of our invincible attitudes and reminds us of our mortality... Instead I write this to remember one who made me laugh. One who helped my wife and I get through long car rides, and who entertained us with countless clips and musings on the entertaining subjects he posed. To you Mitch, I raise my glass. Thanks for the laughs. Rest in Peace young friend. And if by chance you knew the Lord Jesus Christ even remotely... I pray you found him before you died... I'd like to have a beer with you in heaven.

For those of you who did not have a chance to hear the genious of Mitch Hedberg... Here are some of his clips/sites/notes on some of his work

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"Rice is great when you're hungry and want 2000 of something"
"I tried walking into a target, but I missed."
"I type 101 words a minute. But it's in my own language."
"I wish I could play little league now. I'd be way better than before."
"I played golf... I did not get a hole in one, but I did hit a guy and that's way more satisfying. You're supposed to yell FORE, but I was too busy mumbling that there ain't no way that's going to hit em,"
"And at the end of a letter I like to write P.S. - This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated."
"The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how much I play, I'll never be as good as a wall. I played a wall once. They're relentless."

This is only a few quotes.... there are thousands more that tickle your side...

Mitch: Mitch All Together

Strategic Grill Locations

A nice link for some clips of Mitch and his comedy.... Comedy Central

Thanks for the laughs Mitch.... You'll be missed

The Gambit?

2005-03-17T02:02:00.000-06:00

gam-bit
n.

An Opening in chess in which a minor piece, or pieces, usually a pawn, is offered in exchange for a favorable position.
A maneuver, strategem, or ploy, especially one used at an initial stage.
A remark intended to open a conversation.

___________________________

[Ultimately from Spanish gambito, from Italian gambetto, act of tripping someone up in wrestling, from gamba, leg, from Old Italian. See gambol.]

Usage Note: Critics familar with the nature of chess gambits have sometimes maintained that the word should not be used in an extended sense except to refer to maneuvers that involve a tactical sacrifice or loss for some advantage. But gambit is well established in the general sense of "maneuver" and in the related sense of "a remark intended to open a conversation," which usually carries no implication of sacrifice.

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yup, its my blog... welcome to my head...

feel free to browse, comment, reflect and escape.

WHY??? .... The Gambit?

Fitting I think... it just sort of hit me while staring off into my pile of books on the shelf. ya see... I enjoy playing chess. I also enjoy reading. So, naturally, I have a few books on chess... a strategy that I often find exciting to play in chess is a gambit. A gambit will usually offer a piece (pawn) in exchange for favorable position. In chess, position is everything. If you control the center of the board. 99.9% of the time you will control the outcome of the game. Its a fight for ground, for real estate, for property. constantly weighing timing, position and strategy. The gambit is a form of sacrifice to gain the upper-hand, a few moves later, in position over the center of the board.

Thus the reason for the title... The Gambit

a sacrafice to gain an advantage...

So now... to complete the circle... to who's advantage... that is the razor's edge that I find myself walking every day.

do I sacrifice so that I may gain the advantage or that others may gain the advantage. I believe it is at this point that i struggle, and will continue to struggle for a lifetime... It all started in the garden. The lie. who is it that we/I serve? myself or God.

You see... the key word is sacrifice.

That is the ultimate form of love isn't it? but who is it that we love... ourselves or others? The constant battle between selfishness and serving/loving others! So where is the motivation of my gambit? My hope is that when I come to die, i can rest knowing that my gambits have served to further Gods kingdom. To further His advantage rather than my own. And it is my prayer that like Him I can be conformed unto his death (Phil 3:10) learning to sacrifice as he did for me.

God is the greatest chess player ever, better than Fisher (though i believe there was devine gifts granted to that amazing man,) better than Karpov, better than Kasparov... heck, He created them. We are His pieces... His pieces... Thus make my life a gambit... and further Your kingdom.

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Funny notes: when I looked up the definitions of gambit.... I learned that it also meant a maneuver used at an initial stage... thus the beginning... fitting since i'm beginning my blog. also... it means a remark to open a conversation.... again, fitting! and last.... the address for this site... Gambetto: Italian for the act of tripping someone up in wrestling... this is my wrestle, and like when jacob wrestled God, the Almighty tripped him up... and won... this is my wrestling match. my life, struggles, joys, thoughts, prayers, tidbits, rants, raves and all the things in between... but always it gets pulled into the ring with God.

LET THE GAMBIT BEGIN!!!!

Gambetto

2005-03-02T00:48:00.000-06:00

The Gambit. Gambetto. A little test. The gambit. gambit gambit gambit the gambit finding how to get onto google with a higher number of words that I use that refer to gambit. Gambetto is the Itallian term for gambit. we'll have to see if this works because Gambetto and gambit are two wierd words that are used in the chess world and we want to make sure that I am getting high on google's list of people that get to my site

gambit gambetto gambit gambetto gambit gambetto gambit gambetto gambit gambetto gambit gambetto gambit gambetto

The Gambit

The Gambetto
The Gambit

The Gambit
The Gambit
The Gambit

Just hit the current posts tab to get to my current posts... lets see if this works

Cheers!