Help! Help! I'm being oppressed!

It's true ...

Blogging is the digital age sweatshop.

So, yeah, I'm being oppressed!

Or, you know, those guys really need to work on their language arts and pick better metaphors and comparisons.

March

Wow.

I blogged twenty-two times last month. That's a new record for me.

And that's a good thing. Because I blog when I'm happy and energetic, and I avoid blogging when I'm depressed or over stressed or down or something else.

So, yeah, life must be good for me to set a new record for number of blogs in a month.

Here's hoping for another record this month ...

More Proof

A little while back, I posted about how cartoons need help to be funny anymore. Well, I've got more proof today, that the same trick I referenced last time will once again work. And it might be even funnier this time.




And, you can find a bunch more here

It's Back

The Wife and I have decided to try to bring back our Smite Blog. We've got a few things stockpiled that we think are Smite Blog worthy, so hopefully we won't get less than a dozen posts in and disappear again.

Hopefully.

And hopefully you get a few laughs out of it, if it's your cup of tea.

Do You Ever Inspire Yourself?

I'm not trying to sound egotistical with that question. I'm seriously wondering: do you ever inspire yourself?

I ask because this morning I inspired myself. In my role as National Vice President for Sigma Theta Epsilon, I'm posting a discussional (my word for devotional that hopefully invites discussion and feedback) each day for Lent. That's going to be 46 of these discussionals in 46 days, counting one on each Sunday, as well. This has been a serious time of growth for me, as well as drawing close to the Lord. I'm really amazed at how much it's done that for me.

But, beyond that, the lastest discussional entry in the series inspired me to attempt a project. It's not that I hadn't had similar thoughts before, but they had never been as clear or as focused or as "I need to do this" as they were when I re-read what I had posted for discussional.

I'm just wondering how common this is. Do you ever do something that gives you inspiration to do something else? Do you ever inspire yourself?

(Of course I realize I may be giving myself too much credit in the inspiration side ... but I think I sound just as vain if I try to say "God prompted to me to write this", so there goes another question and conundrum ... )

What is this again?

Hmmm

yeah.

On November 2nd I already had two blogs posted this month.

Today is the 29th. This will be the third. Oops.

Sometimes when I don't blog for a while, you should worry about me. It could be a sign that I'm getting down and depressed. This time, that's not the case. I've just been busy. With Thanksgiving, and seeing three of four parents, and work, and Rachel's parties, and fraternity stuff, it's just been a hectic month.

But I'm good. Just busy. And it's not like things are gonna clear up anytime soon. Not with Christmas around the corner, more work, more parties for Rachel, maintaining programming for the fraternity, and trying to see three of four parents again this month (different three, though), I don't see it letting up.

Although, I do have a declaration. Since, oh, about 2nd grade, I've been overweight and noticeably so. Well, I'm tired of that. So, I'm starting a diet and exercise program, along with Rachel, to lose sixty pounds. I'm hoping that by the time the last political campaign ad for the 2008 elections is aired (and God, how I can't wait for that to happen) my goal will be met.

So, if you see me on a regular basis, keep me accountable. And if you come to a table with me to break bread, keep me accountable. Please.

Changing the Blog

Made some changes to the blog today. As I mentioned a few posts back, I just moved on from Secretary for Sigma Theta Epsilon to Vice President for Sigma Theta Epsilon. So, I thought this would be as good a time as any to make some changes.

You'll notice you can now see the tags from all my previous posts, and sort through them that way. You'll also notice a picture from my wedding, and a new title. The new title (I'm Just a Witness) is not just about my man-crush on LeBron James, but is also on the renewal I have in my life to be an honest Witness for Christ, for STE, and for Journey.

There might be a few other minor changes coming ... like, hopefully, more frequent updates. I guess we'll have to wait and see ...

A Boy and His Beard

Yes, yes, the rumors are true. My beard is no more. Let us walk down memory lane ... together

The last long stretch of time I went without my beard was the first summer I worked at
Camp Echoing Hills. They had a "no beard policy", and I stuck to it. This was, of course, the Summer of 2002.

After Camp, the beard and I were on-again, off-again, notibly off at the Kappa Phi Fall Formal of 2002, I was beardless, and my date was Rachel (although I still thought she hated me at that point in time).

The beard was there to stay starting around Thanksgiving 2002 (spent at the Kettelsens'). From that point forward, though it had differing sizes, the beard never left my side. Here is a highlight list of the things I did while having my beard

While in the passenger seat of a car, had the car I was in take out a mailbox.
Started dating Rachel
Became President of the Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Epsilon.
Met Dave Burden.
Attended my first Conclave (Conclave 2003 in St. Louis)
Was the best man at a wedding (Davebob!)
Worked another summer at Camp (so much for that no beard policy, eh?)
Lavaliered Rachel.
Helped my mother move to West Virginia.
Got engaged to Rachel.
Received the worst phone call of my life.
Watched my grandfather pass away from Cancer.
Got accepted into graduate school at BGSU.
Attended my Second Conclave (2004 in St. Louis).
Got elected National Secretary of Sigma Theta Epsilon.
Graduated from ONU.
Married Rachel.
Started graduate classes at BGSU.
Buried my grandmother (last remaining grandparent).
Got a teaching assistantship at BGSU.
Took my first plane trip (Conclave 2005 in Memphis)
Took summer courses for the first time.
Took my honeymoon in Denver.
Got a single-digit score on an exam for the first time. (yes, out of 100)
Attended Conclave 2006 (Indy, got reelected as Secretary).
Took a leave-of-absence from BGSU.


And that's just a chronological bullet-point of many highlights. Not even all of them. It was a crazy, fun couple of years with my beard. I have so many friends seeing me for the first time without a beard, and it's a very wierd experience. Even my wife's grandmother (with whom I am very close) didn't recognize me at first without my beard.

And now, I move forward ... sans beard ... the end of an era.

Tyler's Beard: Thanksgiving 2002 - Father's Day 2006.