Niemanology

Why I Don't Think I'm Worth Much

2012-01-10T14:48:00.000-06:00

Depressing title right? From time to time I have this struggle, I tell my self...no I convince myself that I am worthless. This is not the time for you to start telling me to refrain from doing so or tell me how awesome I am. That isn't the point at all. I really do see myself as a confident person. I can stand on a stage and preach to hundreds of people, I can address incredibly serious issues one-on-one with a student in need, I'm not afraid to speak my mind when I feel it needs to be heard, so confidence is not the issue here. The issue is I too often believe the lies.

I think you know what I am talking about. The lies that who God has made you to be isn't enough. The other day I was recently reminded of every student that was hurting in my student ministry, then every student that has left my student ministry that has walked away from their faith, then I am reminded that when it comes right down to it I am not strong enough emotionally, physically, or mentally to handle it all. I ask God, "Why in the world you call me to serve you if you have made me so incapable of handling all that this ministry has in store?"

Then it hits me, like a ton of bricks. God called me to this ministry to bring glory to himself, not me. The whole thought that I need to be all these things, I need to be strong in every area, that is a lie that will wear me out time and time again. The truth is I don't have the strength to care for a student who is losing their dad, I don't have the strength to lead students who find more joy in earthly desires than desires of Christ, I don't have the mind to teach these students and lead these students and mold them into followers of Christ...but God does.

As pastors we can find the energy on our own for a while, and we can even be effective that way. However, eventually the gas runs out of the tank...we crash...and we only have ourselves to blame.

God reminded me that without Him I will never be a leader for these students. Without him I will never have the strength it takes to guide these amazing teenagers through these incredibly trying years.

So to say I am not worth much...I guess that is true to some degree. I am not worth much on my own. Which I guess is the beauty of the gospel. Who we are on our own is pretty worthless, but God looks at that and sees purpose and completion. He looks at this worthlessness and sees something worth giving up his only son for. So God has given me worth, so I cannot look to myself for worth, but to Him who gives me strength and makes me who I am.

Gon Fishin

2011-08-01T15:29:00.001-06:00

So this weekend I get the awesome opportunity to go on a fishing trip. For any of you that know me, you would know that fishing is not my thing. I'm not really good at it...maybe it is the waiting patiently part...

But what is really exciting about this is the fact that I will be in New Mexico...you know where the highs are in the mid-80s right now...yeah...that's right!

It is going to be a really awesome trip. I am going with my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and a family friend of theirs. Seriously, how blessed am I that I have some in-laws that I not only don't mind spending time with, but I look forward to spending time with. It really is an awesome thing!

Speaking of trips, Maddie and I got back from Student Life Camp this past Friday. Let me just say this...wow. I mean God really was moving in the lives of my students, in ways that really got me excited about this upcoming school year. I mean, a lot of students meet with God at camp. It is something you have to try and avoid, its like spending a week in a room with guy with only one arm...eventually you're going to say, "So what happened to your arm?" You have to try to spend a week at camp avoiding God completely. But I know that many of my students went far beyond just meeting with God, they committed to God and allowed him to break their hearts. Such an exciting thing to get to be a part of.

Some people come back from camp completely wiped. Don't get me wrong, I was tired, but it was worth it! It gives me a refreshment for my ministry, and I wasn't even needing it! I was already excited. Talk about throwing gas on the fire! I can honestly say, as excited as I am to get out of town for a weekend, I am going to miss my students this Sunday.

The New Backpack

2011-07-14T14:49:00.000-06:00

I've had the same JanSport backpack since my sophomore year of high school. I loved this bag. It went to Vietnam with me, its been to countless youth camps, and it has stood up to it all. Over the past two years the zippers have started to break. I mean, it has lasted a decade, I shouldn't be too upset.

But as my wife will tell you I am a picky guy. It isn't easy to buy me a baseball hat because...well...you'll probably pick the wrong one. I will never forget how nervous Maddie was the first time she bought me a hat (she did great by the way).

So for over a year now I've been talking about getting a new bag. I wanted something that was "Youth-Pastor-esque" but at the same time a little more professional looking. So I didn't think the back pack was the way to go, I thought I should grow up to the messenger bag. The only problem is, how do you pick one out?

After a year of searching for the right look, with the right quality, at the right price I came across this beauty.

This is my new Swiss Army brand messenger bag. I am quite pleased! It is comfortable and cool (or at least I think so...please don't tell me otherwise!)

I read a blog the other day where a guy opened up his bag to show his readers what is in his bag on a given day. I thought I would do the same just for the fun of it!

1. "Jesus Centered Youth Ministry" By Rick Lawrence
2. "Real Teens" By George Barna (Haven't started reading yet...)
3. "The Screwtape Letters" By C.S. Lewis (I have some students asking tons of questions about this book, so I figured I needed to read through it again!)
4. "reThink" By Steve Wright (I'm reading though this book again. Working on building strong unity between myself and the parents in the ministry)
5. My Bible, English Standard Version
6. A journal (I like to keep a journal with me, its not always the same one.)
7. Notebooks. One for EVC Notes (Green), one I have ready for camp (grey), and one for random notes (black). I do have an order to all this.
8. My EVC Student Ministry Binder. So very important! Currently full of camp information.
9. Current issue of Relevant Magazine (You should really check out the Civil Wars if you haven't yet.)
10. One Bic Velocity pen (my new favorite pen), two Bic Stic pens (Always reliable), and a highlighter. You will rarely, if ever, see a blue ink pen in my bag...I can't stand blue ink pens...
11. Apple headphones, with Control Talk
12. Read through the bible in a year plan pamphlet. A speaker named Ryan Dalgliesh gave these to me and the guys at NorthWood. Great way to keep on track with what I'm reading!
13. EVC information cards. I have a couple business cards bundled in there too.
14. Orbit gum. Because no one likes stanky breath!
15. The bag itself...isn't she beautiful?!?

a year goes by...

2011-03-31T11:36:00.000-06:00

Has it really been since before December since my last post? How time flies. That is kind of how I have felt lately. Time just gets away from me? But is that really a bad thing? God has really been challenging me lately with the concept of giving him my time. I think we often look at America and think that the one thing they covet more than anything is their possessions, but I am starting to disagree with that. I think the thing we covet more than anything is our time.

Since Maddie has been working at Starbucks, I hear stories of people who don't know how to wait in a line. I think of the evolution of videogames, to where now the most popular games can be purchased for $.99 and downloaded straight to your phone and when they are meant to be played for a few moments in between important times in your day.

I don't know, it just seems like time rules everything we do. Just like everything we covet, God wants us to give that over to him. What would it look like if we stopped coveting our time and started offering our time sacrificially?

I was in front of my student ministry a couple of weeks ago and it hit me. I have spent one year with these students. I started last March. Where has the time gone? I have poured out my time into so many things over the past 5 months, from my marriage to my student ministry, that (even though I spend time with these students) I wonder if I am really giving God the time he deserves. I guess the answer is, unless I can say I have given Him all of it...then I am probably not.

Christmas Traditions - Shops with Pops

2010-12-17T13:46:00.001-06:00

Every year I find my self following a number of Christmas traditions. Only slight variations differentiate one year from the next. Every family has traditions, every person has their own, I figured it would be nice to share mine with you (the select few who read my blog).

Christmas shopping is most fun when you don't know what you're getting. So when it came to shopping for presents in the Nieman family, it wasn't like you could load up the van with the whole family and head to the mall. My brothers and I (mainly just me) were too snoopy to be trusted to not look at everything bought. So my parents would go out seperately, but that's not all. Every year since I can remember my dad has found time to take each of his sons out Christmas Shopping individually. I don't know if my dad just decided to start this tradtition or if it occured organically, but every year we did this. Each time it consisted of the same thing, hitting up a mall that we are not normally used to going to and going out to eat at a place that we don't normally get to go. Three years ago it was Hulen Mall and Dutch's Hamburgers (the first time I had been to what is now my favorite burger spot.)

Historically we have hit the Galleria, Ridgemar, Hulen, Grapevine Mills, North Hills Mall, North East Mall, and wide array of shopping centers. But I think it is the time in the car that we enjoy most. My dad isn't the type of guy who just sits in the living room and talks about life with you. You have to get him away and be alone with him, and I think he is aware of this too, that is why these times are so important to him as well! My brothers and I are like my dad in this respect, when we are all together sports is the language we speak, but seperate, in one-on-one converstations we talk more openly about life.

Last year was a strange holiday season for me. In December I had already made my decision to leave NorthWood Church and at that point had no idea where God was going to take my life. I know for both my parents it was a hard decision to understand. From the outside looking in they saw security for me in a growing church that they were actively a part of. So when it came time for my dad and I to head out for our annual shopping trip this was the best time for him to pick my brain about my decison and it was the best time for me to clearly explain why I decided to go.

What really started as a fun time to hang out with dad, turned into a time where we are able to communicate with each other on a deeper level.

I had my slight worries about this tradtion being effected after I married Maddie, but those worries were unfounded, as I have an amazing wife who understands the importance of this time I spend with my dad each year. So I found a day for my dad and I to head out and get some shopping done and Maddie was 100% encouraging of it!

From Hulen Mall to the Galleria, from restraunts like Balls Sports Bar to Dutch's Legendary Hamburgers, this tradition is always an adventure. But it is the time we spend between stops that really leaves a lasting impact on me. I hope that you can find a simliar tradition this holiday season to spend with your mom, dad, or even spouse!

My Eyes are Golden

2010-12-15T12:27:00.000-06:00

When I was a kid there were a handful of games that truly consumed me. Mega Man 6, Command and Conquer Red Alert: Retaliation, Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid, Super Smash Brothers and few others. However none of them seemed to grip me like Goldeneye. 007 Goldeneye was the game of the Pierce Brosnan James Bond movie of the same name. As a kid I was fascinated with the super spy, and what better way to pretend to be one than to play a video game that put you behind the eyes of the greatest secret agent in history.

But the coolest thing about Goldeneye was that it had a four-player split screen. So me and three friends (or me and my brothers and one friend) would gather around one screen and play. Some of the greatest times with my friends were spent staying up till 3am playing this game over and over again.

Last month a reboot of the game came out featuring a Daniel Craig style of Bond. It was a ton of fun but it just wasn't the same. I know it never will be, but I didn't get the same feelings as I did when I was a kid.

Then one night I had several guys over. We were playing cards and stuff, then we decided to all play the new Goldeneye. It was a great time. The multiplayer action may not have been exactly the same, but I realized it wasn't about the game it was about hanging out with the guys.

It's just cool when I realize that even as a kid, though I might not have realized it, I valued community with my friends over the video game itself.

A New Christmas

2010-12-04T12:12:00.000-06:00

I love the holiday season! It (in my opinion) begins with Thanksgiving and carries through to the New Year. There is so much focus on family and giving through the holiday season. And this year being my first year as a married man my family is bigger! Not only that, but Maddie and I make one completely new family. That means new family traditions which I am really excited about!

Maddie and I put up our Christmas tree. OUR Christmas tree! On my birthday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we took out the little tree from its box and our handful of decorations and we decorated the tiny tree and put it up on a table. It may have been a fourth the size of our parents trees, but it was ours! I had an inexpressible excitement as we hung ornament after ornament. We would each look at each other and smile big, each of us knowing how cool this was. When we were done we just gave each other a big hug and stood back and looked at the lights. It was awesome!

To make the night even cooler, a couple of our friends came over to wish me a happy birthday. Just being able to welcome friends into our house. It was the holidays with family.

What Bearing Witness Is

2010-09-01T11:37:00.000-06:00

I have to give recognition to Zach Lind (find his blog here) for finding this video and putting it on his blog. I saw it and knew I had to post it myself. Apart from being a cool song, it has such beautiful words. Listen really closely, it's something as Christians that we all need to hear! Lyrics posted below.

I clung to miracles I have not seen
From ancient autographs I cannot read
Though I’ve repented I’m still tempted I admit
But it’s not what bearing witness is

To full of fear and prophecy to see
The revelation right in front of me
So sick and tired of trying to make the pieces fit
cause it’s not what bearing witness is

When the gap between
what I hoped would be
and what is makes me weep for my kids
I take a cleansing breath
and make a positive confession
But is that what bearing witness is?

Though it may alienate your family
and blur the lines of your identity
Let go of what you know
and honor what exists
Son, that’s what bearing witness is
Daughter, that’s what bearing witness is

We are all gamers

2010-08-05T14:19:00.000-06:00

That's my theory at least. Everyone enjoys a video game. Its just a matter of finding which one. I'm certain my grandmother thought the games my brothers and I played over at her house when we were young we so silly...as she sat there playing a handheld solitaire game.

I really enjoy finding what these games are in people. When I play video games with friends or family there is sometime this awkwardness as I try to explain the game and they just don't get it. But then we might come across a game that just seems to click with them and we can't stop playing it.

That happened for my friend Gabe and I the other night as we played a couple games on Wii Sports Resort. We were having a good time but it was nothing compared to what happened when I introduced Frisbee Golf. We played like crazy! We couldn't stop!

The other day Kimmel and I rediscovered a game that we played back in middle school. I really think that is our niche game. We laugh, we're challenged, we flat out have a good time.

Maddie and I have a couple, but we enjoy Animal Crossing, Cooking Mama, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Not to mention we love playing Mario Party 8 with friends.

Maddie is a perfect of the idea that we are all really gamers. We might not be gaming nerds like myself, but everyone enjoys it. She would have never thought she could have spent an hour plus in front of a screen playing a video game and now she has to hide her DS from herself to make sure she doesn't play that instead of studying!

Do I play too many games? Not so much anymore. But I would say I used to play too much. Now I've really settled into a steady pace of gaming that allows me to enjoy playing them more. And I find it so much more exciting to play games with friends than just in my room alone. I think that is the key. God has really been teaching me a lot lately about giving everything to him for his glory. Video games is one of those things that I feel has always been separate of God's glory, not that is evil, but just not edifying. But when they are used as a tool in community with others, to enjoy moments of fun and fellowship with people, those are moments that we worship God for and thank him for the joy and laughter we share.

NOTE: This is my 100th post! Thanks to all my friends who have been reading along with me for so long and those who may just recently have started reading. I enjoy putting my thoughts and stories to the page, thanks for being a part of it.

I Helped

2010-08-03T22:12:00.000-06:00

We see them all the time, though we often ignore them. People in need. Reaching out for help. They're all around us. And from time to time we are them. More than likely if you're reading this you have a computer or a smart phone and you're not in need of much, and obviously as I am the one writing this I am in the same boat.

I don't know how many homeless people I've turned from, how many stalled cars I've frowned at, how many street-side donations groups I've rolled my window up on. Yet I claim that my greatest role model was a man who went out of his way on countless occasions to help those who were in need inside and out. I believe Jesus would not have been the type of guy drive swiftly passed a stalled car on the street and not offer to help get it off the road or call for assistance. It really shows that I am trying really hard to follow in his footsteps (I hope you detect the sarcasm). The truth is I don't go above and beyond to help my fellow man often enough. But something really hit me yesterday and I don't know how.

As I was driving to visit my friend Gabe who was house-sitting in Fort Worth I drove over to the Central Market off Hulen to get some groceries before heading over. At the intersection of the access road and Hulen I saw a man who was standing on the side of the road holding a small cardboard sign.

The sign read, "Homeless..." and continued, but I didn't read any further. Instantly I was turned off to the idea of helping him. I locked my doors as I thought, "I can't give him money! He will just spend it on drugs or alcohol. What he needs is a job! And I don't have an extra one of those to give away right now. Plus, I don't even have any cash on me!" Haven't we all thought like this at one time or another?

I continued to Central Market, grabbed what I needed and went to the check-out. As I swiped my card and went through the payment prompts I came across the button I so often check "No" on.

"Cash back?"

Never had the button meant so much to me. That's an option for me. I am blessed that I can walk into a store, buy something, then be able to say, "Hey go ahead and grab ten bucks out of there for me!"

So that is exactly what I did. What was I going to do with this ten dollars? What would it provide me in the long run? Another couple burgers? A fro-yo date for Maddie and I? I was reminded at the fact that none of what I have is really mine, nor does it really matter.

I hopped back in my car and caught up with the young homeless man who was now walking down the street. I got out of my car and called him over to me.

He couldn't have been too much older than me. Perhaps he had come to Fort Worth for college and found trouble in his life. He was slightly taller than me, and painfully thin. His face burnt from the sun, in that splotchy way that looks as if it had burned on new freshly peeled skin. He looked around thinking I was talking to someone else. I asked if he needed some help, if he'd like a little cash, to which he nodded and said yes. I held out my meager offering, which he was more than grateful for. He asked me, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

I said, "I saw you were in need. I wanted to help."

He said thank you and we went our separate ways. When I got back in my car I saw my Bible in the seat next to me (God has subtle ways of waking us up to what is truly important). I quickly got back out of my car and called him back to me. I told him the real reason I wanted to help. It is the love of Christ that pushes me to give, and I should give more. I took a moment to pray for him. I asked, "what's your name?"

He said, "Jeff." Not "homeless man with a sign." Not "drug addict looking for his next fix."

Just Jeff. A guy with a name and a face who was in need.

I prayed for him and encouraged him as best I knew how, then I left. I felt something. I was sad. That I have wasted years of my life and money in my bank account on things that have no eternal significance whatsoever. But that day I helped. I helped something. I helped in His name. I need to help more.

Planning and Partying

2010-06-02T09:23:00.002-06:00

So we are almost two weeks in to the engagement and Maddie and I are really rockin-and-rollin with all our wedding planning stuff. We are getting married in November, so that really is just a stone's throw away. So there were several important things that we had to get done in order to keep us from starting out way behind with all the planning.

But now we can safely say we have a date, a place, colors, catering, photographer, and registry all figured out. We are really just doing awesome! It is so nice planning all this with Maddie. She has been extremely humble and wise through all this so far. I know it is just week two of our engagement but she has just been fantastic as we have worked though all our little decisions. It makes me very happy to know this is the girl that I get to spend the rest of my life with!

Over the weekend we wore ourselves out with planning, then Monday night we got to get some dinner with a big group of our friends. We went over to Susan and Andrew's new house (which is awesome!) and we had a cookout (I had serious grill-envy by the way). It was our first night to just hang out with everyone as an engaged couple. With me being at Eagles View Church now and Maddie still attending NorthWood we don't get a chance to see everyone together anymore. So it meant a lot to me, but it was just awesome to see Maddie and I interact with our friends and know that these moments are the ones I have to look forward to. Just hanging out with our crazy friends and their crazy kids, loving life.

Life is good. Everything is really falling into place for Maddie and I and our future together. God really has us taken care of!

The Full Story

2010-05-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Maddie and I have been dating for nearly two years. We met first at a youth car wash...even though she didn't remember me. It wasn't until several weeks later that I would see her again at a youth missions week at NorthWood. There we really hit it off and we often talk about how much we were "eye-flirting" just looking at each other every time we passed one another.

Our relationship has grown steadily and has been so fantastic. What I have found so amazing is that there aren't many people who were surprised that I proposed to Maddie. They all knew it was coming, many of our friends wanted us to be engaged sooner than we even thought about it!

Maddie and I tried to stay away from talking about it as much as we could, I've seen too many friends of mine rush into talking about such things early in a relationship and it just ends in heartbreak. But when we would talk about it, I had made it clear that there were still several steps that I needed to take before I could propose.

However I had been planning this since January.

I had saved up money before leaving NorthWood specifically for her engagement ring and when I found the one that was perfect for her I bought it...it just so happens that I found that perfect ring while she was with me at the mall...she just didn't know it, being in a different store at the time.

So for 4 months this ring sat waiting for me to masterfully craft a perfect plan.

Maddie is not a completely gullible person...in fact she is really intuitive. She usually knows when something is up. But I decided to plan a surprise anyway. I talked to her two roommates and our friend Susan Kimmel (who has an awesome blog as well) and I crafted a plan that would involve a fake "End of the School Year Party" and Susan driving Maddie out to Denton.

I know Maddie pretty well, as much as she loves the girls in Denton, it is a long drive for a small party. Susan was the icing on the cake, getting Maddie to commit to the party before she could think about not attending.

Everything fell into place. Maddie thought I was hanging out with the guys that night and she was going to a party. I left early with flowers, the ring, and guitar to the Hydrant Coffee House in Denton. A place that both Maddie and I love to go and chill. My best friend/man (catch that?) went with me to help me set up.

I had rented out the top room of the coffee house and upon getting there immediately set up the scene.

Andrew and I tore the petals off a dozen roses for a trail of rose petals leading her to her chair, the chairs we try to sit in every time we are at this place. We got it all set up, I had the ring in my pocket and Kimmel told me good luck as he went down to hide in the bathroom while we waited for Maddie and Susan to show up.

I sat there guitar in hand waiting. This point was the first time I had really been nervous. I was making a big decision, but I knew it was the right one!

Suddenly I heard voices downstairs and I heard Susan say, "I'm going to run to the restroom. You head on up!" Maddie replied, "Okay!" (Susan added this extra little flair to the plan. I didn't know how to get her to go upstairs!)

I could imagine her confusion and excitement as she turned the corner in the stair well and saw rose petals as she ascended the remaining steps. Then, there she was. Holding a plate of cookies that she had baked for the non-existent party. She was stunned and confused and knew what was coming. I asked her to sit down and I played her a song.

The song was New Day by Robbie Seay. If we have "a song" this is it. Its a beautiful picture of what a relationship should look like. I have always told Maddie that I want to play that song for her. This was the first time that I did.

I got off the stool and took a knee and told her everything that was beautiful about her and this moment. I asked the love of my life if she would marry me and she said yes!

The whole thing lasted maybe 10 minutes, but it felt like and hour, a day, and looking back it feels like it went by in 30-seconds, a complete blur.

As the dust has settled from all the excitement we have both realized what an amazing journey we are on now. It is really exciting and we are ready for it.

Thanks for all the prayers and congratulations!

So I Gave a Really Pretty Girl a Shiny Thing

2010-05-21T14:42:00.002-06:00

Last night I had the incredible pleasure to ask Maddie to marry me. She said YES! When I have a little more time I will post the whole story, but for now know that I am incredibly excited, as is she. We know that God is taking our lives in an incredible direction together and this is just the next step! Today I sifted through the 60+ congratulations and am just overwhelmed by the amount of loving people God has placed in our lives. There is so much joy around us and around our families right now, it is impossible to think we're doing the wrong thing! Amongst the craziness I had some time to post some pictures on Facebook. Please go check them out! Check back soon for the full details of what was an awesome night!

Stuck in My Head #1

2010-03-12T14:23:00.003-06:00

I figure this will become a reoccurring series of blogs from time to time. But I thought I would share what music has been stuck in my head lately. So check them out! It's not all new music, but I think it is all good!

"Lisztomania" by Phoenix

"Lions" by The Features

"I Want You To" by Weezer
"Kids" by MGMT

"Good Old Fashioned Nightmare" by Matt and Kim

Hope they get stuck in your head!

Phoenix has such a great sound, I'm sure you've heard them even if you don't realize you have. The Features have a lot of promise and I think will be a huge band soon. Weezer found a good groove with their new album that they just couldn't seem to find with Make Believe and the Red Album. MGMT...such an odd group that I don't know much about, but they know how to make powerful catchy music that won't stay out of your head. Matt and Kim are just plain fun, like two people you'd want to hang out with as they set the soundtrack for your life.

Exit Stage Left

2010-03-09T17:37:00.003-06:00

For the past 5 plus years of my life I have worked at NorthWood Church, and as many of you know that as of February I no longer am a member of NorthWood's staff. I decided to step down. The biggest question I got when making this decision was, "Where are you working now?" and my answer simply was, "Nowhere!" I jumped in head first to the world. God called me to move, so I moved. I knew I couldn't hesitate. For the past month and a half the Lord has taken me on a wild ride of ups and downs. While I still am jobless for the time being I have experienced more in the past several weeks than I feel I have in the past several years.

I have seen relationships flourish, including my relationship with Maddie. She has been such an amazing support as I have dealt with an overwhelming series of new emotions and events. I have seen new friendships arise, part of that is me being able to find the time for hanging out with friends, but to also truly realize the value of the people God has surrounded me with for much of my life.

The job hunt has not been easy. I have had my fair share of rejection and heart ache. When I left high school I was blessed with a job gift wrapped to my at NorthWood. I have now had to cope with the fact that things simply don't come that easy no matter how much we all wish they did. However, with ever depressing day or dark cloud there has been beautiful moments of light when I least expected it. I have been given that opportunity to work with Keller ISD in their communications department as an interim. No, it's not the long term fix, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. I never expected a chance to work there, but my brother was kind enough to alert me to the possibility and starting the week after spring break I will be waking up every morning to a job once again. And no matter how short of a time I will be asked to be there it is going to be a great feeling!

One of the coolest things that The Lord has provided during this time is a renewed since of passion for ministry. It was so funny, when I left NorthWood, I thought for sure I would want to separate myself from vocational ministry for quite sometime, but so much of me yearns to work with students again! This time of obedience to God and stepping out in faith has allowed me a time to focus the purpose of my ministry back on God where it belongs. I think there were too many times that I looked at walking into the church as a job or a career rather than a act of glorifying God by fulfilling a fraction of his purpose for me. I am so excited for the opportunity God has given me as he has reignited my passion for ministry and opened my eyes to a new chapter in my life.

I love the phrase "God is good", it is so simple and gives you those warm fuzzies. But ultimately God is greater than good, God is better than life. He's bigger than warm fuzzies or alliterative phrases. He's bigger than a job or friends or girlfriends. God is bigger and better than anything I could dream up or wish for myself. God is bigger and better than me. That may be the understatement of the year, but it is something that we have to remind our sinful minds of daily. When you wake up in the morning always be sure of who you are placing on the throne of your heart.

Thanks for listening, and thank you all for your prayers. I assure you they have been heard.

(For no particular reason other than I like it, here is a picture of Maddie and I)

Santa Semblance

2009-12-06T09:38:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was our student ministry's annual Christmas party at the Academy at West Birdville. There were over 80 kids who were going to receive very little to nothing for Christmas so the NorthWood Students, their parents, and other giving hearts opened up their wallets in these tough economic times to buy a $30 gift for each of these kids.

The party is always a blast! The kids and their families arrive at the school and are treated to cookies, chocolate milk, candy canes and, of course, their presents! But they get one other special treat each year and that is a chance to meet Santa!

Now if you look closely....yeah.....that's me. Sadly the real Santa is a bit busy this time of year, but I am glad I can help out. If you want to learn how someone comes to be Santa for a day you should check out the blog post from my last go as Santa 2 years ago. It really is a blessing to play Santa. There were a lot of suspicious older kids, but luckily we didn't have any kids try to be bold and pull on my beard. One of the kids really made me laugh, there was a group of kids showing off their break dancing skills (so great) and a group of them came over to me, sitting in my Santa chair, and said, "Santa? Do you break dance?" I let out a bellowing laugh of "Ho Ho Ho! No Santa has eaten too much cookies and milk to be able to break dance." As I shook my "bowl full of jelly". Then one of the kids looked at me really close and looked back at his friend and said, "He's not the real Santa." At first I was upset, I thought, "Why ruin the fun?" But then I thought a little more about it. He didn't say, "Santa's not real." He said that he didn't think I was the real Santa! It made me laugh because he had such a tough guy attitude in his voice, but all along he still believes in Santa, very sweet.

I don't know how mall Santas do it. I mean you have to love the spirit of Christmas to sit there for such a long period of time and take pictures with kids who may or may not want to run from you in fear! (That happened to me several times yesterday) I admire those men who sit in their Santa chairs week after week in crowed malls. There are those who hate Santa because he is....turn your children away from the computer screen now......

....not real, or a lie. Some people think the idea of Santa is a distraction from Christ during the Christmas season. But the image of Santa is able break into almost any cultural barrier in this country. Say your neighbors are of a different religion or culture, you're going to have a difficult time inviting them to a Nativity Story watching party at your house. But you throw a Christmas party with all the traditional Christmas practices and they are more likely to join. You can ask you neighbor's kids about Santa, but their parents may not be happy if you go to them and say, "How are you respecting Jesus in this year?" But invite them in your home for hot chocolate and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and you just may have an opportunity to have a wonderful conversation with them about their faith and your own.

So I will never have a problem playing Santa and worshiping God with my life. I can't wait to do it again!

Turkey Bowls and Turkey Plates

2009-11-30T09:06:00.003-06:00

Last week was turkey week for me. Most would think it was turkey week for everyone. But I would have to disagree. Many people had a turkey day but I (and the rest of the NSM staff) had a turkey week. November 22nd was the 3rd annual NSM Turkey Bowl. A massive flag football tournament. (If you don't know what flag football is, please check the incredibly uninformative video at the bottom of the page when you are done reading the post). I kind of take charge as the Turkey Bowl Commissioner (mainly because I like the title). A few things I've learned for running the Turkey Bowl next year.

#1 - Get a golf cart.
The tournament is held at Central High School on their main field and practice fields. Each full size football field equals two flag football fields. We had a total of 7 flag football fields that many times I could be seen running from field 1 to field 7 to communicate with our teams and referees. Speaking of communication...

#2 - Get Walkie-Talkies
I don't know how I forgot these. They made things easier in years past, but this year I completely forgot it. However, many times when I bring walkie-talkies I can never get a hold of a person who is supposed to have their radio on them.

#3 - Get Help
Many of you who know my have tried to give me this advice for quite some time. But what I mean is I need to delegate more of my responsibilities. I'm not good at this. I like to control things and then I overload myself and stress ensues.

Ultimately the Turkey Bowl was a blast! Everyone had fun and that is what really matters, not who wins or loses, but that everyone had a good time.

After a few days of painful recovery from 8 hours of Flag Football I was ready for Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.

I have so much to be thankful for. My family, my friends, my job, and my girlfriend. God has blessed me in so many ways. I got to see all these blessings in one highly energetic moment as Maddie set up a perfect surprise party for me. I have never been so speechless in my life, it was awesome. Being able to spend time with my friends and family and enjoy some delicious Dutch's Burgers.

I had so much that I was thankful for and it wasn't even Thanksgiving yet. I have several more stories from the week, so I hope I get to them soon, but for now enjoy the History of Flag Football as narrated by Kyle Nieman. Enjoy.

Will I Ever Blog Again? (and my thoughts on video games)

2009-11-11T17:48:00.006-06:00

Of course I will! But will I continue to blog regularly? Most likely not...but that is not the point. I think I bog myself down with thinking I need to blog everyday or every week. So I go through these spurts of emptying my mind of everything that I have experienced and then I am at a loss. Maybe I just don't know how to blog. That's okay though. I still enjoy it!

I play video games a lot. Not as much as I used to of course, I don't have time for that. I used to log ours a day in video games. Several hours a day. It was sad. But now I'm lucky for an hour a week. Ultimately it's good for me! I get out more, I blink every once and a while, and I think I shower more! I do know however that I miss those times when I could just pick up the controller and get lost in a game for days. But now I get lost in life for days which I think is how we were meant to live.

I vowed I would never play World Of Warcraft, I knew it would suck away my life. I have seen it happen to too many of my friends. Not that I haven't been intrigued by Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (a.k.a: MMORPGs (a.k.a: MMOs)), in fact in high school a spent a good deal of time playing Final Fantasy XI, which was my only real MMO experience and I really enjoyed it. However the thought of paying monthly to devote hours of my life to a game world seemed....well foolish! Considering I can just as easily devote my life to a game world that does not require me to pay monthly.

We recently set up an area in The Plex that I am lovingly calling the "Retro Lounge" as an addition to our students weekly entertainment options. It is a couch, a chair, a TV, and a NES. My NES. I thought it would be fun to set up an old school system. If you're a church on a budget you don't want to show it by buying last decades game systems, instead you go retro and bring it the video games from two decades ago. I watched as last night a group of kids born 10-years after the release of the NES crowded this new area and played Super Mario Brothers. It was different than playing Xbox 360 or PS3 or even the Wii, because of it's retro nature it was a completely neutral experience for this age group. It just went to show that there is something special about simplicity of a controller with two buttons and just 8-bit graphics.

Is that going to keep me from always wanting the latest and greatest systems? Of course not! But it is a reminder that we should often stop and appreciate what we already have, the technology we have tossed aside because of its lack of speed or style, it is these things we should appreciate for bringing us into the age of entertainment that we exist in today.

I'm Back! (And I Avoided Fried Butter)

2009-10-01T09:14:00.006-06:00

MAN! It's been a long time since my last blog. I would say I've been too busy (which I really feel like I have), but honestly I allowed myself to get out of the habit of blogging. It's easy to do. I'm not as avid a blogger as I would like to be. I wish I could be considered a blogger, it seems like an awesome life style. I don't think there is any way I can catch you up on the past 3 or so months (but I can tell you I got back from Vietnam!) but I will make sure that I tell you stories as they pop into my head. Granted all of that depends on if I continue to blog with the consistency that I want. I also have the problem of having too many blogs, so I'm in the process of streamlining down to two. There will be this one (Niemanology) that will be my basic life blog. Then there is "Burger Pride" a blog all about burgers that I have tried out. You can check that out at burgerpride.wordpress.com its rather fun!

But what have I been up to other than thinking about wanting to continue blogging? A lot. And like I said, I can't really catch you all up on all of it (That is assuming you really care), but I will pick up my life from this past weekend.

This past weekend Maddie and I took a trip to the Texas State Fair. Almost a year ago we went out there, very early in our relationship. It was one of our most fun days as we laughed at the goofy things we saw, checked out all the trade show stuff, and ate ridiculous amounts of fried food! So this year we decided to have all the same amount of fun, but without dragging back to the car full of the most horrible food we could ever put in our bodies.

We don't ride the rides at the state fair, while they look incredibly safe...catch the sarcasm there?We just don't feel like spending that much money on the rides. I wish we could take a romantic ride on the ferris wheel, but they pack you in there with 5 other people! Nothing romantic about being in a cage with a guy near puking from fried honey buns and the tilt-a-whirl, and a kid that is so hyped up on sugar that his heart is about to explode! So we avoid the rides. But we love the trade shows, the ridiculous items that have one purpose or EVERY purpose and we love watching how on one item or another one of us gets sucked in to the sales pitch. The item I liked the most was this mini-sandwich maker that basically turns one piece of bread (or tortilla if you choose) into a perfect looking Pierogi like stuffed sandwich. So awesome!! Maddie wasn't as impressed, however I thought she was about ready to get her check book for Chef Tony's Miracle Blade Set.

While we were trying to avoid a massive amount of grease and fried bread we had to get something! So before we left we stopped by a stand that seemed to be selling everything under the sun, but not before they drown it in batter and drop it in a fryer. Fried snickers, fried oreos, fried honeybuns, fried peanut butter cup maccaroons! But as we looked down the menu we found the perfect thing for us to split, it was the fried praline! So delicious!

Doesn't that look tasty? I know! We decided to avoid this years insane fried item, fried butter. We were actually at the booth that sold the fried butter and I was weighing it out heavily until I saw how they topped the crispy heart attack ball. They take a ball of butter, cover it in batter and fry it, but if that wasn't enough they take melted movie popcorn style butter and pour a ladle full over the top of spheres of cholesterol. Good Lord I pray that you would help those who consume these instruments of death!

So ultimately it was an awesome time with an awesome girl and we didn't leave Fair Park feeling like we had to be rolled away on a pallet truck. The only sad thing is we didn't hear Big Tex talk, and Maddie still doesn't believe me that he speaks!

Out of the Country

2009-06-29T11:23:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm in vietnam until July 9th. My team and I will be working with an orphanage in Hanoi while we are here. If you would like to keep up with all the adventures that he is taking me on check out my travel blog - glocalkyle.blogspot.com

I will update as much as possible! Home you all enjoy being a part of this trip with me!

Blogging a Bloggers Blog About Apples...or maybe just one Apple...

2009-05-21T14:56:00.007-06:00

I don't usually post blog posts of other bloggers, but this blog is one I look at pretty often and his post just showed me how genius (or evil) Apple is. (Click here for the blog post in reference)

Apple is offering a free camp for children to go to and learn to make videos, slide shows,write and record songs, and more! Of course this is all on a Mac. So it isn't really a camp for learning how to edit and create, its a camp in Mac training. They're building an army (have you seen Invisible Children?)! So these kids go home with all this newly discovered "talent" and they're parents ask them to show off their new skills...only problem is they just have a PC. Parenting dilemma: Go out and buy your child an overly expensive computer that will be outdated in a few years or squish their current hopes and dreams?

I like Macs, I don't have one, but I like them, but when you start going after consumers' pockets through their kids...thats low. But lets be honest...isn't that how hundreds of company's work? And let's be honest yet again, the real people taking their kids to this camp are going to be Apple users already, but I can't help but find it interesting...

It's Stuff Like This That Keeps Me From Blogging More...

2009-05-20T15:06:00.001-06:00

NSM Super Thursdays Promo from NSM Youth on Vimeo.

They Dun' Got Married

2009-04-19T17:40:00.007-06:00

I've been to several weddings in my life, but never have a felt like I was such a special part of one like this most recent one. My best friend, Andrew Kimmel, Got married April 17th. I've known Kimmel since we were in 2nd grade and we've been friends all this time. While not too surprised, it was no less special when he asked me to be his best man. It was really an honor, I got to be a part of this wedding as I saw my best friend take a new step in his life as he was tied in marriage with his other best friend, Susan. Now the cool thing about Susan is that she is one of my greatest friends as well, we've worked together for nearly 5 years at NorthWood and over that time have built an awesome friendship. So to see my best friend since childhood marry one of my best friends since I've been out of high school is just amazing. It just shows me how much God has blessed me with the most amazing group of friends I could have possibly asked for.

As best man I have a couple of traditional responsibilities, the scariest of which being holding on to the wedding ring. Seriously? Who would trust me with expensive jewelry? But I managed despite some bad advice. We were about to go outside for the wedding, so I took the ring out of it's box and placed it on my pinkie finger as is traditional. I turned to Dustin, who was one of the groomsmen and has also done more weddings than most of the guys there, and I asked if placing it on my pinkie was the best idea. He suggested I put it on my ring finger, that way it would stay tighter and wouldn't slip past my knuckle resulting in it getting stuck. I thought, "good call!" becasue I definitely didn't want that to happen. So I walked down and stood behind Kimmel as I watched the wedding progress. However, I had my hands crossed in front of my at my waist. The heat from me holding my own hand was making it swell a bit, and I felt the ring get tighter around my finger, immediately I knew I had to switch fingers. Luckily I didn't wait on it, so I switched it to my pinkie with little struggle. But after that the whole time I was thinking, "Where's the ring? On my finger. Where's the ring? On my finger." Just reminding myself over and over. Then came the time when I had to place the ring on the bible to be transfered to the groom. And even after I had done that I had a few panics of, "Where's the ring?!? Oh, its on her finger."

There was something so beautiful about that thought. No longer is it just a ring that is almost getting stuck on my finger, but now it is a symbol for the marriage of two of my best friends and it is resting safe of the finger that it was made to fit.

Good Friday Talked About On Wednesday

2009-04-15T15:02:00.011-06:00

It's been a busy few weeks, as it usually is around my life. But things have been going beautifully, swimmingly even.The holiday events of this past weekend have been resting heavily on my heart and mind all week.

Friday night NorthWood Church held their Good Friday service. Good Friday always confused me as a kid. I used to wonder what in the world is so good about the day our savior died? I used to think, its the resurrection that was the good part! But of course growing in age, knowledge, and maturity (the last one, very slightly) I have come to see the good in the beautiful act of sacrifice shown to us on the cross.

The Good Friday service was a very solemn night, a night of reflection and focus on what Jesus did for us. The story leading up to the events of the cross was presented in a very artistic style where each significant event was symbolized by a color, followed by songs that directed our attention to the meaning of what happened.

A funny moment occurred when it got to the color red. There was a cute boy sitting behind us that sang at the top of his lungs during the songs and couldn't stop commenting on everything he saw or heard. He wasn't being disrespectful, he was just taking it all in. With the color red they tell the story of how Christ bled for us, however in their description they said "God bled for us" a very accurate translation of the same concept, but it was confusing in the mind of a boy who doesn't completely grasp the concept of the trinity. When the speaker said, "God bled for us." The boy behind us said, "...God can't bleed!" It was hard for me not to burst into laughter at that. But I came to realize a great amount of beauty of that statement. Our God never had to bleed. He never had to become man and come to earth. We don't deserve such love. We don't deserve such sacrifice, but He gave it to us anyway. The boy said, "God can't bleed" but God did.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend! Remember that what happened on the cross isn't supposed to be remembered just once a year, but each day through how you live.

What Teens Want In Relationships

2009-04-01T19:34:00.001-06:00

Tonight we're asking the teens in our student ministry to sit on opposite sides of this room according to their gender. During his sermon Dustin is asking each side of the room, "What do you look for in the opposite sex?" Here are a few of the results...

Middle School Girls:

- Confident
- Smart
- Athletic
- Doesn't do drugs or drink
- Has a car
- Focused on his career
- Respects me
- Sensitive
- Great personality
- Loves God

Middle School Guys:

- Hot
- Athletic
- Will love me back
- Smart
- Likes long walks on the beach
- Focused on a life for God

High School Girls:

- Strong and Burly
- Clean
- Respectful
- Caring
- Chivalry
- Wears good cologne (Polo Black would be nice!)
- Sense of Humor
- Loyal
- Amazing Hair

High School Guys:

- "A Big Brain"
- Drive a Ford
- Cute and intellegent
- Family person
- Good cook
- Lucious eyes
- Romanticisable?
- Be a Christian
- Nice Body
- Good at laundry

While it was funny to hear how the sides reacted to each other's comments, it also broke my heart. The standards that have been set in the minds of our students that they need these earthly standards to find happiness. It was several minutes before anyone raised their hand to say that they wanted to date someone that was seeking after God. The biggest knee jerk in reaction in for the guys was "Hot" for the girls it was basically "Physical and Emotional Security."

Dustin went on to state these as principles for setting standards for dating:

- Set standards that protect your heart (Proverbs 4:23)
- Set standards that protect your character (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- Set standards that keep you on the same spiritual ground (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Set standards that will ensure that the other person will lead you to righteousness (Romans 6:13)
- Know what love is before you're in it (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- Prayerfully and biblically set all standards

Some of you, my readers, are married. Others of you are single or dating. These are principles that we have to keep in our minds. Even in a marriage (as I've been told) it is important that you never lose sight of the spiritual side of your relationship. (None of you thought I was a marriage counselor did you?)

Ultimately we need to be seeking to glorify God in all we do. Single life, dating, marriage, and just life in general. Be praying that these standards would impact our students and infiltrate their schools and change the cliché in such a way that the next time we do a sermon like this our student's first answers will be these standards alone.

Man Church

2009-03-31T17:40:00.004-06:00

Since High School ended I have never found a solid weekly group to meet with week in week out. Not just any group, a group that's soul focus is to glorify God and seek His Kingdom first. We have had our small groups emerge here and there, but nothing stuck. So I kind of forgot about it. I just didn't worry about it. I knew that I would just have to handle the majority of my spiritual growth on my own and through church services. But I know that is not how Christ wants us to live. He wants us to seek community with one another.

It's not like I didn't have fellowship with my brothers in Christ. I did! We met almost weekly to play cards and games and hang out. But nothing spiritual came of it. Eventually over the past few months this group of guys began hanging out on a regular basis. We played games once everybody got off work and could make it over to my house. It became a staple of our week, every Tuesday we knew that we would be playing games and we kept each other accountable for it. We sent out text messages reminding each other to be there and not miss out. Every Tuesday we did nothing but play games.

Our group has hurts, our group needed focus, but we just sat by and covered up our problems with games. It was like we were still little children without focus and discipline. In fact that is exactly how we felt. If a friend of ours needed to be confronted, we didn't want to do it because it might ruin "game time", how childish does that sound? On one Tuesday night, my best friend, Kimmel and I were sitting on the front porch waiting for the guys to come over and we started talking about this need we had. This need to seek after God in some way. Week in and week out all we do is play games and we are missing an incredible opportunity with this group of 6 guys. But that night went on the same, nothing was said, nothing was changed.

The very next week, our friend Josh spoke up as we set up our weekly game. He said that this would be the last time he would be playing. He had come to realize that his life lacked the discipline that it needed and he needed to seek after God with his life. We all looked deep into ourselves and felt the exact same way. Kimmel and I looked at each other and I mentioned to Josh that we had spoke about this exact thing last week. God was calling out to us. Calling us to change.

Every guy in the group was in agreement, we were wasting our time with the things of the world when we needed to use this precious time to give back to God. Jokingly we called it "Man Church." A time when we would come together as men and worship God and live life together.

That's what the early church did! Many people think the church is confined to a building, that's just not the case. The body of Christ should never be contained! It should be a viral spread. We don't go to church. We are the church. So calling this time of meeting together "Man Church" was incredibly appropriate. We are men who get together to claim that we will no longer cling to the idea that "men should be men", but we should seek to be "men who are like Christ."

So we started a church. Our "sanctuary" is my room, our "pastor" is every man willing to speak truth into the lives of his brothers, our God is the same as it has always been.

I hope that you all are seeking to pursue God in community with other believers. I hope that community isn't just the Sunday event that you go to once a week, but it is with a small group of believers that seek to discover more about God as they grow in community with once another. Speak love, speak truth, and don't close you're eyes to the world outside the walls of your church and I know that God will bless you in the way that he has already blessed Man Church.

Ready...Set...COOK!

2009-03-23T13:44:00.002-06:00

I really enjoy the Food Network. Maybe that is a bad thing considering it makes me hungry all the time. I have mentioned before on the blog about some of my favorite shows such as "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" (If you remember me demonstrating an impressive bite out of a burger) Also if you keep up with my videos, you'd notice that many of them have to do with food...such as THIS ONE, or THIS ONE, or even THIS ONE.

But I'm not just a fan of eating food (however incredible it may be) I also enjoy cooking. Finding recipes and trying out new things, its a ton of fun! My personal specialty is burgers. I love to cook new and unique burgers. My newest creation was an Italian Turkey Burger that is smothered in mozzarella and marinara sauce. So it is no surprise that another one of my favorite shows from the Food Network is "Iron Chef." A show that is a culinary face-off between a coveted Iron Chef and the lowly challenger.

Several weeks ago I got the idea that my girlfriend, Maddie, and I should have our own Iron Chef battle. So after some planning we decided that her parents would be the judges and they would choose the "secret ingredient." You see, that's the catch with the show "Iron Chef" each battle has a secret ingredient that must be in every dish. While there is debate between Maddie and I on whether or not the contestants know the secret ingredient before hand (I see it as impossible for them to plan and prepare 6 dishes in one hour without knowing before hand) we decided that we would find out the secret ingredient the night before so we would have plenty of time to prepare our dishes.

The battle would be on a Saturday night, so the Friday night came when we received word of our secret ingredient. It was hidden in her parents room, written on a scroll (very dramatic). We opened it up. The secret ingredient was coconut.

Instantly our minds began to work, thinking of what we would make. Each of us would serve a three-course meal. An appetizer, a main course, and a dessert.

We both that evening worked feverishly to figure out our menus. The next day we went shopping for all the ingredients we needed. We would both be working with some ingredients we had never worked with before. Such as the fish oil in one of my dishes and the lemon grass in one of Maddie's dishes.

That night the battle began. Maddie's parents had invited over some of their friends to be the rest of our judges panel. So we had four judges and two contestants with three dishes each. The judges would score on plating, originality, and taste.

We got to cooking, my first dish was a Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup which went up against Maddie's Thai Milk Soup. (The judging was revealed to us at the end of the battle but I'll give you the consensus as I tell about the dishes) My soup was served in a halved coconut shell so I got big points for plating and originality, however my noodles were a bit slimy and the texture threw the judges off. Maddie's soup was well received but found to be a bit bland.

The second dish, the main course. I would be serving a Coconut Risotto with Chili0-Lime Shrimp, and Maddie would serve the classic Coconut shrimp with sweet and spicy dipping sauce. I highly under estimated the time it takes to make risotto. While my shrimp was ready quickly, my risotto took time, and I had to end up serving it under cooked. However Maddie, soared with her incredibly delicious coconut shrimp. While the judges enjoyed the taste of my dish it was out matched my Maddie's. She also took the points for plating as mine was a primarily white dish served in white bowls, making it look quite bland. However I took more points for creativity of the dish considering none of the judges were familiar with risotto and it was a unique experience.

On to dessert. Maddie served Mounds Bars Ala Mode, the Mounds bars were freshly baked and a delicious mix of chocolate and shredded coconut. I was a bit more adventurous, I served a Coconut-Crusted Fried Ice Cream served on a Silver Dollar Macaroon Pancake. Both desserts were loved by the judges. Maddie's idea to place the soft, brownie-like, bar on top of the ice cream rather than below it in order to keep the chocolate topping from hardening was genius. My creativity and capture of the coconut flavor was well enjoyed. It was a tough decision for the judges.

Maddie and I cleaned up the kitchen as the judges tallied their scores. We were called back in, both exhausted, the judges went over each of our dishes and the pros and cons of them. Then the revealed the winner. The new Iron Chef is....Kyle Nieman! By a small margin I pulled off the upset and beat Maddie, mainly due to my creativity. We had tons of fun that night! We have some video of the chaos that ensued but I will have to post that later.

We decided that we need to do this again! Maddie told a two of her friends about it and they want to be co-chefs for the next battle. My parents want to be judges. Dustin wants to throw a big Iron Chef party, Guys vs. Girls date night. Who knows! Before the year is out I might have competed in 4 or 5 Iron Chef Battles! I'll make sure you all hear about every one of them!

Time for some BlackBerry JAM!

2009-03-04T15:53:00.004-06:00

Ah life! How you come in waves. Rolling slowly onto the shores of our life in one moment and in the next violently crashing to the beach with torrential force! But, thus is life! WE just finished our weekend of D-Now, for those of you who don't know, D-Now stands for disciple now. It is a weekend that students spend in host homes and meet at the church for sessions of worship and teaching. It is a lot of fun, however each year comes with severe loss of sleep! One day after the next staying up to the wee-hours of the morning, then the climax of Saturday night when I don't sleep at all, rather I stay up all night to edit video of the weekend. It is a ton of fun!

So that was my weekend and the reason I haven't found time to blog this whole month.

But now I'm back in the technical word, in more ways than one. Last night I did something I haven't done in 2 years. I bought a brand-new phone. That's right people! I'm rocking the world with a new phone. No it is not an iPhone (I don't own any apple products, sorry Mac lovers) but it is the new BlackBerry Storm. One day in, and I already feel addicted to the thing. It has my calendar, my e-mail, my phone, my facebook, my twitter, everything in it that get's me through the technical side of my day. Sure, the iPhone is awesome, but I have Verizon, it's just not an option for me.

The one thing that is weird about my first BlackBerry day is the feeling that I am always connected. Someone can contact me in 5 ways at once. It is cool when I need to contact someone else, but knowing that I can be found through my e-mail, twitter, facebook, text, phone, and even Google Chat no matter where I am...it's an odd feeling... But thus is the life of the business man. I don't really consider myself a business man, but I do feel so professional with this new phone!

Enjoy this year's D-Now video:

D-Now

2009-02-27T09:54:00.004-06:00

Today begins D-Now 2009. It's only one of the craziest weekends of my year, but I love it. It's just non-stop for 48 hours, last night we kicked it off with amazing worship by The Nick Thurmond Band and tonight it is going to be rockin' with more amazing worship and some great teaching from Todd Thiessen. I'm really pumped! I hope that every one of our students gets something out of this weekend. So be praying for them!

Expect to see some video from me throughout the weekend. But, if you want to see the action live you can! We're streaming all of our sessions live over the internet via Ustream. Go to nsmyouth.com and click on the "NSM Live" button. Then enter the password "nsmyouth" and you're in! Bellow is our schedule of sessions so you can spend time watching online from beginning to end.

Friday Night: 8:30pm-10:30pm

Saturday Morning: 10am-11:30am

Saturday Night: 7:30pm-9:30pm

Hope to see you online!

Break-Fast

2009-02-03T16:07:00.004-06:00

I figured I'd share my breakfast secrets with you all...

check it out at batterblaster.com

Quick Story About My Class

2009-02-03T12:13:00.005-06:00

I haven't posted in a while because I've been working on bringing you, my amazing readers, some fantastic video. But that will have to wait as I have had an issue with putting it together.

For now a quick note on one of my classes. I have a government class in what has an eclectic group of individuals. From a real life tree hugger, to a proud mattress salesman, to a professional Yo-Yo trickster. But the funniest came when a girl in my class on the first day introduced herself to the class and informed everyone that she worked at a local exotic dancing establishment as a bartender. It was really hilarious to listen to the noise of every guy in the class craning his neck to look behind him at the girl.

It made me sad. For several obvious reasons, but how many times in her life has that happened to her. When the only attention given to her by guys came when they found out that she was involved with a place like that.

My half of the race sure does suck a lot of the time.

Oh well! Be watching for my video!

Ice Ice Baby

2009-01-28T12:33:00.002-06:00

Vanilla Ice's career lasted while I was very young. But I knew I liked that song. Maybe it was beat or just the fact that Vanilla Ice had those sweet lines cut in his hair, I don't know. But what I do know is today is an ice day. While many kids in other states pray for a snow day, in Texas kids are actually praying for an ice day. Because that's about all we get. While as we speak the ice is melting, students all over the area are warm in their homes as schools were canceled for the day.

The policy at NorthWood is when the schools are closed, we're closed. Thus, no church tonight. I have mixed feelings about that decision. While true it would take too long for the ice to melt to get kids in school, the ice surely would melt by this evening, but there is the risk of re-freezing and we wouldn't want parents having trouble picking up their students from the church.

Overall, its good to relax once and a while. Maybe God was just telling us to step back and refocus. He has a greater purpose for everything, so he may have something very powerful in store for us next Wednesday!

I always loved ice days as a kid. What kid wouldn't. Skip school, play video games, watch TV, Mom cooks every meal for you, it's a beautiful thing! I remember one ice day, my brothers and I running out to the street in the evening and "skating" on the street. we were just basically sliding around the ice, but it's Texas, we don't get this often! The actual snow days are even more rare. Most days when it snows it isn't the snow that is the problem, it is the fact that it is still too warm for the snow to stick so its an ice day just like we normally get. But once in a blue moon (where does that expression come from anyway) we get a legitimate snow day. Once when I was little there was half a foot of snow on the ground. We ran around making tiny little snow men, balling up snow and chunking it at each others face. Pure greatness!

So enjoy your ice day and stay safe!

Marital Madness

2009-01-09T11:57:00.003-06:00

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the winter of 2008 God put something in the Water in Keller, TX that had every unwed person get engaged. The cool thing? I don't drink the water in Keller. Don't get me wrong, I want to get married someday, but not today, and not soon. I like the dating life!

It has been crazy though, the count is up to 5 couples I know that got engaged within the past 30-days. Not to mention I've been to two weddings in the same time period. What is going on? I understand that I am going to go through life and watch all my friends get married, but to have 10 of my friends getting engaged all within the time period of a month! That is crazy!

I am so happy for all of them it is so amazing, the only problem is that I am 23 and very close to all these couples. This means everybody turns and looks at Maddie and I and ask the beautiful question that every unmarried couple loves to hear, "So when are you getting engaged?" or my personal favorite, "So have y'all set a date?" as if to assume that we must be engaged. Heck, everyone else is!

I love that Maddie and I are where we are in our relationship. It will be a while before we think about getting married. We both need to finish school and we want to enjoy our dating relationship. I think it is a very underrated part of the relationship. When you hit the young adult age it is like some panic alarm clock goes off telling you that you need to think about marriage with whoever you meet, and if you start dating someone you need to immediately start moving towards marriage. I have a friend who has been dating a girl for just a few months now and they are already looking at wedding rings and reserving wedding locations. I have no problem with that, if you feel like that is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with then go for it. But me? I want to take my time and enjoy dating. I want to enjoy living with the guys.

In a lot of ways I can't wait to get married and spend the rest of my life with the woman I love, but in a lot of ways I can wait! So I'm sure, up until the day I get engaged I am going to be asked, the "So..." questions ("So...when are you two going to..." and so on) And really, I'm okay with that!

What About Boba?

2009-01-07T17:40:00.004-06:00

If you haven't ever had boba tea you should definitely try it out. It's a delicious experience! Click here to learn more about the magic of boba tea!

Holidays Are Over

2009-01-06T14:11:00.002-06:00

Ah how the Holidays try to get in the way of my blogging routine. Oh well, time to get back to blogging and posting ridiculous thoughts and experiences that occur in my life.

I have a list of things that are "life goals" for me. One is running a marathon. My recent training for that hit a speed bump when I dislocated the cuboid bone in my left foot.

Another life goal is to go sky diving. Maddie's dad said the other day that it is something he would like to do as well so I thought that would be cool. Maybe someday we could do that. But when I think about sky diving I know the dangers of it. I sometimes get nervous just thinking about jumping out of a small plane like that and falling at terminal velocity to earth. But when I watched the following video I knew that what I would eventually do is incredibly tame.

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Working In The Season

2008-12-12T11:43:00.003-06:00

Every Christmas is filled with new adventures for me at NorthWood. I must clarify "adventures". I see an adventure as anything new that is outside the boundaries of what normal life presents. Its the unexpected, or sometimes the expected but extracurricular. I feel that win you look at life's challenges or life surprises as adventures it adds a new sense of excitement to life. And every Christmas sense I've worked at NorthWood is filled with adventures. Whether it is my first experience behind the scenes running a Christmas Eve Service, playing Santa for children in Haltom City, or being a part of a Sunday service on Christmas morning. Every year NorthWood throws something my way that is fun and exciting. This year has been no exception.

Every year our students provide gifts for the students at the Academy at West Birdville in Haltom City. The past two years I've played Santa for this event. Walking around shouting, "Ho Ho Ho!" and taking pictures with the children. this year I stepped down and allowed Micah to experience it. And it truly is an experience. Being Santa has been one of the most fun and fulfilling things I've done in my young life. I wanted Micah to experience that...plus the beard is kind of itchy. Children filled the cafeteria at their school, their eyes wide looking at the tables overflowing with wrapped gifts with their names on it. Micah, Dustin, and I were in a empty classroom nearby, struggling to find something to give Micah a "bowl full of jelly". When we finally got the proper belly size Micah was ready for his introduction. I entered the cafeteria and got everyone's attention, "Hey, everyone! We have a special guest for you..." and before I could even say it the children were screaming, "SANTA!" Micah entered bellowing a loud "Ho Ho Ho!" and he took his seat as children lined up to take a picture with Santa. One parent approached me to tell me that her son had always refused to sit on Santa's lap until this day. It was apparent once again that this event was having a significant impact on the lives of these children who's parents don't even have the money to take their children to the mall to get their picture taken with Santa. Then our students got the chance to hand out the presents that they had purchased for these children. Giving them all huge smiles and such joy. You saw kids hugging and kissing their toys with huge smiles on their face.

There was one family who refused to open their presents. These were the only gifts they would be getting this Christmas and they wanted them to be there to open on Christmas morning. Maddie's heart was broken to hear this story that she insisted to give this family a merry Christmas. So Maddie and her family decided to give back this Christmas by investing their time and resources in this family and give them a very merry Christmas. Just amazing!

Today I'm at The Plex (NorthWood's Youth Building, which in many ways get used like a fellowship hall for special events) and there is a Christmas party going on for the "Friendship Team". The Friendship Team is a group of four homes for special needs adults that come together for big events, they attend service at NorthWood on Sundays and do different parties here throughout the year. This year I was asked to run sound for their event and I agreed. This is their yearly Christmas party where their families get to join the entire group for a Christmas luncheon. While all I have to do is play some Christmas music. It's not difficult, but it may have been a few years ago.

A while back I was very uneasy around special needs individuals, but NorthWood and their love for helping special needs children and adults and their families has shown me how amazing and sweet they are, and how irrational my hesitations were. Looking back I feel like an immature child to think that I had ever thought that I could provide nothing for people like the Friendship Team. But when you get the opportunity to work at an event like REVIVE (a monthly night at NorthWood where they provide childcare for special needs children) you can't help but fall in love with them and watch the hesitations that you have fade. Today I was eager to help with this party and why not every single one of them were so sweet. I got a wave or a hello from nearly everyone here, which is more than I got from the students I ran sound for at a birthday party a week prior.

God continues to provide my life with adventure after adventure that spices up my life and give me a very merry Christmas. I hope that you will recognize and take advantage of every adventurous opportunity that the Lord throws at you this Holiday season, I can promise it will make this season one you will never forget.

Busy, But Still Time For Music

2008-12-09T21:36:00.002-06:00

So last Friday night Maddie and I went to The How the Edge Stole Christmas concert featuring Snow Patrol and Death Cab for Cutie. I love concerts, especially with such great bands. It was a really mellow show, not like some of the more recent concerts I'd been to at Nokia with a lot of jumping and loss of voice. But I really love watching music artists in their element. It really doesn't come across through their CDs like it does when their standing in front of you at a concert. Their energy, posture, body language, passion, all of it shows you a glimpse of who they are and why they write the music they do. Lately I've been playing a little guitar, even to the point that I put together a little acoustic band with Micah Berman. We're called Nieman. No that's not my last name, its the combination of the beginning of my last name and the ending of his last name. It makes total sense. I'd like to think if I ever play a small concert with Nieman that my energy and emotion would be well conveyed to the audience. But since Nieman is mainly a joke and writes ridiculous comedic songs I don't think it would be that hard to convey my goofiness.

I did some video blogging while we were at the concert, Maddie is a bit camera shy, so of course I enjoy messing with her about that. I hope the video gives you a taste of the fun we had, if I could have bought you all tickets to go believe me I would!

I really think I'm going to start video blogging more, that's what I've been working on. Sorry for the delay between posts

A Very Black Friday

2008-11-28T12:56:00.008-06:00

I was disturbed this morning to find a story, that I'm sure many of you have heard about by now. A Walmart employee was killed this morning after being trampled by unruly costumers who literally ripped the doors off the hinges as they sought after the Black Friday savings inside. The article I read said that as the man laid there paramedics attempted to work on him but it was too difficult as people where still pushing into the store.

I don't usually get too serious on my blog, but this story really just broke my heart, as it should. What has become of this holiday? I know that every year everyone complains about the extreme consumerism of this holiday, but then we take our shopping carts and fill them to the top. The idea of giving something other than gifts this holiday season has been echoing in my ears from friends and the leaders in my church. This idea that instead of filling our homes with more stuff that we don't need we instead we use that money to pour the love of Christ down on this world. NorthWood church is calling this campaign "The Cost", what is the cost of love? We have always heard we can't buy love (The Beatles, in all their wisdom, sang about it) so what can we give to show love. Is it a trip to Vietnam so we can give an orphan a hug, is it a check to help pay for a water well in Mexico, what can we give?

When I was moving out of my parents house I became aware of just how much junk I have. I took away boxes and boxes of stuff I don't even look at anymore. My closet was filled with stuff that was just collecting dust.

I threw stuff away, took stuff to Goodwill or donation boxes. A collection of stuff that combined over the years probably cost my family and myself thousands of dollars. The thought of what that money could have been used for, who's lives could have been changed. It really makes my head spin sometimes. My response was to tell my parents I don't want anything for Christmas. There is nothing I need that I can't easily obtain with my own money.

It's sad that our country as come to the point that we hear of people being killed in the pursuit to save a few bucks off of stuff that we don't need. This holiday season ask yourself and ask your family, "What can we sacrifice for benefit of others this Christmas?" Happy Holidays!

Links:

Wal-Mart Worker Dies After Crowd Rushes Store
The Cost Book

Greatness,,,

2008-11-22T14:04:00.002-06:00

So I was crawling across normal blogs. reading an article here or there when I came across this story. I have never laughed so hard or been so amazed at something at the same time in all my life! I hope you enjoy the story of this invention that may be more important than the Lunar Landing.

Splish Splash

2008-11-12T20:27:00.003-06:00

This past Saturday NorthWood put together a Fall Festival in Haltom City for the families of the students at the Academy at West Birdville. NorthWood Student Ministry was responsible for putting together all the carnival games for this event, which some of that organization landed on me considering I had just done the same thing for the Orphanage Trip in Vietnam this past Summer. We had so many students show up to help out at the event, it was incredible. So many students in fact that I didn't know where I needed to get plugged in. I didn't know what my job was, other than to walk around the scene with a huge smile on my face...which I'm glad I didn't do because walking around a bunch of elementary school kids with a big smile on my face sounds creepy. Instead I looked over at the dunking booth and saw that one of the smallest kids in our student ministry was the only one being dunked. He was literally shaking as his body continually hit the freezing cold water. I quickly found some shorts and told him I would bail him out.

I have never been the victim of a dunking booth, but what I always loved was the amount of trash talking that is thrown out by the man sitting in the booth. Non-stop heckling and poking fun. I concentrated most of this on the adults and for some reason, every time that I began to talk some trash I got dunked. Maddie took some video of the event for me, You'll see a little girl throwing at first and then her dad takes a turn...

It was a blast! The three of us switching out in the dunking booth (Micah Berman and I, plus Nathan, the student who was helping out before) were freezing, but it was so much fun! Plus the whole event was a blast watching as NorthWood partnered with this elementary school to serve a community. It was just great!

Daddy? I Want A Squirell!

2008-11-08T17:20:00.002-06:00

The title is in reference to Veruca Salt from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. However, this is Maddie chasing a squirrel...

The Hamburgler

2008-11-06T17:30:00.000-06:00

I had a lot of fun with my Halloween blog, but alas it is a new day and I must move on to cover new ground. In fact it is ground that I have already covered and should have already blogged about, but never the less here is my story of my trip to Austin:

So Maddie and I decided that we were going to take a trip to Austin. Why you ask? Because one of our favorite TV shows is one on the Food Network called "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" with host Guy Fieri (He's the annoying guy on the TGI Fridays commercials with the sunglasses and the bleached blonde hair). The show's premise is to go around the United States looking for the best hidden gem restaurants. The hole and the walls, the ma and pop shops, the great bar food, etc.. So when we saw an episode that featured a burger within driving distance we had to jump at the opportunity.

When asked, "Kyle, what is your favorite food?" my usual response is, "Where do I start!" I simply love all types of food and love to experience new foods all the time. However I've come to realize that the Holy Grail of foods for me is the burger. I love hamburgers. I thoroughly enjoy sandwiches and the hamburger is one of the best sandwiches there is. Not only that, but how creative people can get with the burger. Using different toppings and sauce and other fun extras. Cooking it by grill, or fryer, or steamer. So many variations, to me it is the ultimate sandwich. Sure, you may disagree, but this is my opinion.

So we decided that we would take a trip down to this bar called "Casino El Camino" in Austin. Little did we know that this was the Texas vs. OSU weekend and there would be orange everywhere. But we where there with one thing on our mind, it wasn't football, it wasn't Texas history, or live music - it was burgers and only burgers.

After finally finding a parking spot we quickly found the restaurant so we knew where it was once lunch time came around. We walked the streets of Austin a bit until the hunger pains grew in our bellys and then we turned toward "Casino El Camino" with high expectations.

We walked into the bar and it took a while for our eyes to adjust. The place was pitch black, decorated with posters and statues glorifying the world of gothic horror films (Gargoyles, vampires, and damsels in distress). After taking us a while to figure out how the ordering situation worked we figured out what we wanted and ordered from the kitchen window. I ordered the exact burger Guy ate on the show, the Amarillo Burger (A burger with jalepeno jack cheese, roasted serrano peppers, and a cilantro mayonaise). Maddie ordered the Pitts Burger (Swiss cheese, mushrooms, grilled onions). Because all the food was cooked to order the wait was 30-minutes for our food, which was nothing, by the time our food was up the wait was up to two hours for a burger. I stepped back to our darkened seat with the food, and we dug in.

If you watch "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" you will watch Guy Fieri eat several sandwiches and there is one constant every time he eats a burger, he takes the largest bite possible. The burgers sauces and other contents stick to the side of his face as his face smashes deep to the center of the burger. To me, it is the perfect way to waste the first bite, but I decided to give it a try...

The burger was delicious, and huge (3/4 lbs), and well worth the wait. But the most important part was that Maddie and I went on an adventure and had a blast. The burger could have been horrible (it wasn't) and we still would have had just as much fun that day, because it was about the experience rather than the food. Sometimes the journey to the end of the rainbow is better than what you find there, but it is nice when you get a pot of gold!

Special thanks to:
Casino El Camino
The City of Austin, TX
The Food Network
Guy Fieri
Govenor Rick Perry
and all my friend and family, I couldn't have done it without you guys!

Political Tomfoolery

2008-11-05T09:32:00.002-06:00

I don't oft' discuss politics. Not that I find them unimportant, I just choose to discuss things that are I know a lot more about. Like video games, food, and sports. But as I watched the election results pour in last night I couldn't help but feel like it was being treated like a nation-wide sporting event. I tuned to cnn.com as I was finishing up some work late at the church. The votes began pouring in and I watched as a scoreboard flipped over points to either side when they acquired a new state. I couldn't help visualizing a football game going on before my very eyes as the game started off close and then slipped away from the home team. They have one final chance at the end zone when they throw an interception that is ran back for a touchdown, securing the game.

I knew right away that morning that Obama was going to win. Not becasue I had spent so much time with my eyes glued to CNN or my radio station tuned to political talk radio. No, I turned on my TV yesterday morning to ESPN as I like to watch as I get ready, and there is Chris Berman interviewing the candidates. He asked each of them the same question, "If you become president, what would you like to see changed in the world of sports?" McCain answered with a very serious concern for steroids in sports. Definitely a huge issue, but as any politician knows, you need to try and give the people what they want. I think most American sports lovers would rather the world go back to the time when we were able to ignore steroid use rather than when we had to hear about it every day (not that that's the right thing to do, but it is annoying).

However is was Obama who said he'd like to see someone fix the broken BCS system that robs our college athletes of knowing if they truly could have been national champions. That is the real issue in the minds of the sports lovers of America. So I knew, no matter who I voted for I knew that sports had predicted in so many ways who would win the election before it had even finished!

All Hallows Eve

2008-10-31T18:36:00.002-06:00

So tonight I am handing out candy at my parents for Halloween. I thought about handing it out at the new house, but my parents said they needed someone to do it here or they would just hand off the candy to the neighbors to hand out. I quickly saw an opportunity to not spend any money on candy and still hand out candy tonight. So I am sitting at my parents house answering the doorbell as kids come for their treats (because I do not offer tricks).

So tonight I decided to keep record of the multiple types of "trick or treaters" that arrive at our doorstep.

The Standard:
The expectations are clear. Be within the appropriate age, meaning you must be old enough to appreciate both dressing up and candy. If you're in it for the candy, you're too old for this. If you've hit puberty, you're too old for this. You must say trick or treat. If you are too young to speak, yes you may come to the door and look all cute, but if your parent starts asking for more candy, we got problems. Which brings me to my first "trick or treater" type...

The Baby:
I'm sure they did, but obviously I don't remember my parents carrying me to the people's doorstep. And judging by the fact that I actually had baby teeth, I doubt I got much of that candy. I have seen several young parents carrying their child, and their child's candy bucket, to the door. It's cute, but I know in the back of my mind that all but one piece of that child's candy is going into that parent's stomach. And if the parent isn't doing it for the candy then their doing it to show off their kids...rightfully so cause their so dang cute!

The Brats:
I don't know what has happened in the world! I am handing each kid a good amount of candy, I remember getting a simple one piece of candy per house. However, these children are receiving a good 2-3 pieces from me. And yet, there are some kids who look at me after I have given them candy and ask for a specific candy that they see in the bowl. I'm sorry little boy in the spider-man costume, you will take what I give you! I am not taking orders! I don't yell such things at these kids, I just say no with a smile and laugh about it when I close the door.

The Embarrassed:
There is no shame in feeling embarrassed as a child when your parents force you into a silly costume and drag you around by your arm from one stranger's house to the other. This one girl stared at the ground the entire time, her mom (holding her hand) asked her to say trick or treat. The poor, extremely shy girl mumbled, "trihortree", quietly under her breath. I lean over to put candy in her bag that was dragging the ground, Her mom asked her to open her bag for me and the little girl shook her left arm just enough for the bag to flap open. I smiled and gave her two pieces of candy.

The Mob:
So I remember going trick or treating with my brothers and a few others, so we definitely fit the mob definition. This is when a group on one door step is over 5 kids large. I have been attacked by two mobs so far. One containing 7 children, one containing a amazing 8 children. It gets really hectic for me, the candy giver. Making sure each candy gets equal amounts and no kids gets two. The biggest problem is that kids have no sense of the screen door, so a crowd of 8 bunched up to my screen door and I need to get to them somehow before a riot breaks out. It gets pretty difficult as every single kid is yelling "trick or treat" at the top of their lungs.

The Aged:
I really get upset with the teenagers who are trick or treating. I wouldn't mind so much if they actually tried on their costumes. This one kid, taller than me mind you, had just a cheap devil mask that wasn't even pulled over his face. Just sitting on the top of his head...tisk...

The Chant:
"Trick or treat! Smell my feet! Give me something good to eat! If you won't, I don't care! I'll pull down your underwear!" Really? That's your revenge? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! THAT IS SICK! Whoever came up with the extension of that chant needs to be thrown in prison! Trying to get little children to pull down the underwear of candy hording adults. Just sick.

The Plastic Sack:
I'm certain that I did this, but the plastic grocery sack has replaced the greatness of the pillowcase as the universal candy catcher on Halloween. But it screams all time laziness when you see a couple of middle school kids show up at your door step with no costume and a couple of plastic Albertson's sacks.

The Super Heroes:
The most popular costumes have been super heroes and super villains. So far I've seen...

4 Batman
3 Spider-man
4 Joker
2 Superman
1 Supergirl
2 Wonder Woman
and 3 Hogwarts Wizards (Not necessarily super heroes, but worth the mention)

The Night-Owls:
As much as I wish I was referring to children dressed up as The Night Owl, a hero from the wonderful graphic novel and soon to be motion picture, The Wachmen, I know however that is unlikely due to the graphic nature of the book. However, I am referring to the kids who are still showing up at my door and we are coming up on 10pm. Those kids need to be in bed. It wouldn't bother me if it was older kids, but these are still really young kids. Granted I'm sure their parents got off late and are just trying to give their kids a good Halloween experience!

Well the night is ending, the pitter-patter of costumed feet have silenced in the darkened street. Another Halloween is forgotten. Tomorrow will be on to the greatest month of the year. The cold sweeping in, the greatest of holidays just around the corner. Not to mention all the great football!

Corrupting This Nation, One Football Game At a Time

2008-10-20T08:24:00.002-06:00

As many of you know I am a football nut! It doesn't matter if it's NFL (Go Giants!) or college (Go Frogs!) or high school (Go Ridge!) I just love the sport. It clicks with me, I understand how the defenses work and offenses work. I know when to get pumped or when to be mad or when to be depressed. Its just my sport. I think everybody has a sport that they most enjoy. Even people who don't like sports have a sport that they can watch most easily.

So in the ritual of my favorite sport, the act of going to the stadium, I went to the TCU v. BYU game last Thursday night. This has become a heated rivalry in the past several years ever since TCU joined the Mountain West Conference. The horrible jokes thrown back and forth about this being the battle of the Christians versus the Mormons spring up every year. But all in all it comes down to these two teams being two of the top teams in the Mountain West and anytime two good teams meet you're going to have a fun game. Each team has been responsible for breaking the other teams huge winning streak, TCU broke a BYU 16 game winning streak a few years back, and BYU broke a 13 game TCU winning streak 2 years ago. Whatever it is these teams don't like each other.

So coming into Thursday's game TCU was on the bubble of the top 25 ranked teams while BYU was ranked #9 in the nation. The stadium was packed and there were a lot of BYU fans in the crowd. My dad brought us tickets and we sat in the upper deck. In most stadiums the upper deck would be sub-par seating, but at Amon carter it gives you a great view of the field, and it had been forever since I had sat in the upper deck at a TCU game. And what a game it was as TCU simply dominated the entire game winning 34-7.

But that is not what this blog is about. This blog is about me being a horrible influence of the children of this nation. As we sat (and sometimes jumped up to yell) watching the TCU game I many times let the intensity of the game get the best of me. The referees were horrible the entire game. Yes, TCU got just as many bad calls in their favor as BYU got, but the point is they were horrible calls. As a fan, this becomes increasingly frustrating. There was one point where out of bounds after a play #10 for TCU, Raphael Priest, was being messed with by a frustrated BYU player. The BYU player was pulling on his Priest's jersey and not letting him get up after the play, so Priest shoved the guy to get him off. A flag was thrown and called as "unsportsman-like conduct. #10 of the defense." I was so mad, because I saw the whole thing! So I jumped up and yelled, the ever-popular, "You suck ref!" but to my surprise my exclamation was met with a retaliation of a nearby BYU fan who turned around and yelled back at me, "You know what! YOU SUCK!" I was shocked by this, not because of the words said, or the emotion in which they were said. No, I was shocked because the person who said it was a 6 year old boy. In the cutest of child-like voices he shouted with such pain in his tiny voice, this come-back that really caught me off guard.

I tried not to laugh or even look at him. It was really the funniest thing I had experienced at a football game. Then the realization began to set in that I had spurred on a child to lash out in an angry way. In my frustration I allowed myself of yell out to the nothingness anger of my own. I shouted "You suck" to someone who can't hear me or feel the words of my anger, it was only for my own means of venting my frustrations. But the by-product of this aimless rage was a little boy who was effected by my harsh words and decided to use them in retaliation. I hated that my words filled that boys head. I can only assume that since he so easily shouted them back that this is not the first time he has heard the use of these words, but that does not cover up the fact that I had in some way partially corrupted this child. the boy's dad proceeded to reprimand the boy for his word-choice, so hopefully my impact on his life only went so far as a few seconds. But let us toy with the thought of the tree of effect that he will have on those around him as grows up in the years following the incident at the TCU game.

The boy leaves that night with hatred in his heart and words on his tongue that will fuel that anger, "You know what, you suck!" they are his ammunition. On the playground later that year some one cuts in front of him in line for the monkey bars. He spouts off his words of anger. Anger shown. As he grow older and realizes he can use harsher words than "suck" or add harsher words to his already harsh statement he chooses to try this statement out on the refs at his high school football game. Now he is a full blown heckler who at any moment will explode with a torrent of obscenities that would make any mother faint, except for his own mother because she is now immune. In 2030 he has already past this "gift" on to his own son and they get ready for another heckle fest as they go to the TCU v. BYU game in 2030. A certain extra sense of anger enters his heart as he steps into this stadium, it is unknown to him as he has long forgotten by now the anger poured upon him so many years ago. At the moment of the bad call, the man, once a child, now with his entire family, stand to yell at the horrible call. At this moment a young TCU fan, no more than 6 years old turns around and shouts their words back at them. The family is stunned for but a moment, but little do they know the cycle that had effected their lives is a cycle that they themselves had all just started in the life of this young fan.

His Bite Is Worse Than His Bark

2008-10-15T13:33:00.005-06:00

I am a dog lover. I don't mind cats. In fact I almost owned a cat, but that's a different story. But I just like how playful dogs can be. Sure with the barking and the house-breaking they can be a bit annoying, but I just love their spunk (I don't know the last time I used the word spunk...). But there is another thing about dogs that makes me nervous, and that is big dogs. I'm a big guy, I think I can handle myself when faced with most domesticated animals (poodles, terriers, all cats, parakeets, etc.) but when it comes to the large dog I get nervous.

My friend Shayna has a pure bred Old English bulldog. The thing is huge! When you think a bulldog you think of this little fat thing that has too many wrinkles to even move, but I found out that is a British bulldog or a French Bulldog. When I first met that thing it jumped up on my and was nearly face to face with me. I don't do well with animals that big!

So when I found out that my new roommates had a dog and that dog was a Red Tick Blood Hound I wasn't really that excited. Then to my surprise this dog turns out to be the sweetest thing in the world!

So all the sudden I don't seem to mind any dog. But isn't it just like life to give you a peace about something and snatch it out from under you just as fast!

I've started a new job as a free lance web designer for a company called At Graphics. The office is out a house. Very small business, but a very comfortable working environment. Well Ann, my boss, has two big dogs, one of which is a German Shepherd. As I pulled up my first day of work I noticed the "Beware of Dog" sign on her gate. I thought nothing of it. Usually people put that up to scare people or as a joke. But other times it is a legitimate warning. Ann informed me that the warning was quite legitimate but not to worry because the dogs have an invisable electric fence around the yard so they can't get to me.

I was leaving the other day and the dogs we're put up, so as I left they started barking and I slowed down and Ann came running out telling me not to move. you see, I was about to walk into the not safe zone. So I stopped and Ann came down and got the dogs. She explained to me that they just don't know me so they're a bit defensive, so since I'll be coming out for a while she thought I should be introduced.

She brought the German Shepherd over to me and he seemed quite calm while she held his collar, but all of the sudden as he got closer he lunged and bit my leg, ripping through my pants and not letting go of the jeans I was wearing. After a brief struggle Ann got him to let go of my pants and gave him a slap on the nose for disobeying (I hear dogs hate that, my dog thinks I'm playing when I do it to her...masochist...). She ran the dogs back inside and came back out to check on me. Embarrassed, I told her I was fine. That is a funny thing about people. When we've been in an incident, even when it isn't our fault we get embarrassed. I personally just felt bad cause I didn't want Ann to feel bad. I assured her that I was fine and went my merry way to my car. The instant that I got out of viewing range of the house I was pulling down my jeans to inspect the top of my leg, because it hurt like sin. Thankfully the bite pinched me and didn't break the skin. It made me grateful that I hadn't kept walking, him nipping at me was a warning not an attack.

My jeans have two fang-like rips on the front right leg (left from your point of view). And as I looked at how high up my leg the bite was I couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief. If he had bit about 4-inches to the left (4-inches to the right from your point of view), I might have lost something slightly more precious than a pair of jeans. All that to say, I still don't care for big dogs.

America Runs On Dunkin'

2008-10-14T09:25:00.002-06:00

A few months back I began seeing several advertisements on TV for Dunkin' Donuts. Being the food junkie that I am I have always wanted a Dunkin' Donuts near my residence, but it has never happened. I found these commercials to be an elaborate tease as if some mysterious mischief maker (5 times fast anyone?) were dangling such tasty treats just beyond my reach. And as I struggle the hope that each reach I make is closer than the last I am still haunted by the knowledge that I will never reach the deliciousness that I seek as a single tear rolls down my face. But alas! These commercials were no tease at all! Rather they were a beacon of light in the distance calling out to assure those who have been dunkin-less that they shall be dunkin-less no more!

All that to say I found out that Dunkin' Donuts is opening about 500 stores in Texas. Many of which are opening in the DFW area. To that I say boo-yah! Many of you may say, "Who care's? It's just Dunkin' Donuts!" Allow me to issue the fact that I have never had Dunkin' Donuts in my life!

At this statement my parents issued a complaint. They assure me that I have partaken of Dunkin' Donuts. Which I'm sure they're right! But what my parents don't understand is that within my recent memory I have no images of the sweet, bread-like, treats being grasped by my small, childish hands. Nay! I have not experienced Dunkin' Donuts! The food experience is crucial in the development of the human mind (in my opinion). Who you are, who you will be, what risks you take in life can be revealed through your food experiences. Will you eat sea urchin? And when you eat this urchin of the sea will you allow your pallet to accept the texture and focus of the flavor of a truly unique dish? These are food experiences. They range from the extraordinary, such as the sea urchin example, or the ordinary, such as trying a new restaurant.

As a small child I was not old enough to understand or appreciate the food experience. Thus I know nothing of the Dunkin' Donuts. On another note, you don't see many kids walking around with their cup of joe. I wasn't old enough to appreciate coffee until only a few years ago, and what is one thing that Dunkin' Donuts is known for? Their coffee. So I needed the donut. I needed the coffee. I needed to discover for myself what the excitement toward Dunkin' Donuts was. And my excitement for the discovery of the excitement was too much excitement to handle.

Sure enough, I found out there was a Dunkin' Donuts opening in Hurst. As soon as it opened I was going to be there. My mother told me she was certain she saw it open. Maddie (who has also been wanting to partake of the magic of Dunkin' Donuts since it was so violently taken from her when her family moved to Texas) and I decided to drive to Hurst and enjoy. But NAY! Twas closed! I almost couldn't bear it. I was certain that that day would be the day of a food experience and I knew I had to quench my heart's desire for Dunkin'! So we searched our phones, called people who were near their computers, trying to find the nearest Dunkin' Donuts. My dad found a new one that had opened in North-West Fort Worth. We Went.

As we pulled up I saw a glorious sign that said, "Free Coffee". I almost cried. They had just had their grand opening and were serving free medium coffee. We walked inside to the smell of fresh donuts...it was noon. I looked at the colorful assortment of round shaped treats that lined the shelves behind the counter.

We walked up. Ordered our donuts and coffee. Found a seat. Experienced.

It was wonderful! I loved it, the donut wasn't too greasy or too dry. And the coffee? It was as good of a coffee as I could ask for!

My challenge for you is to find a food experience today, and don't be afraid to branch out!

Did You Say Something?

2008-10-13T13:13:00.002-06:00

I really need to stop blogging about blogging. I seem to do that a lot. I noticed today that this year I have blogged more than I have ever blogged in a year before. When I began this blog, back in 2005 (feel old yet?) I wrote 18 blogs that year. This blog you read before your very eyes is my 21st blog this year. Sure, not too huge of an improvement, but I got to start somewhere. But I noticed, my average is not much more than a blog or two a month. As I looked through my archive I noticed I began this year's blogging adventures in February then blogged each month until August.

Why was August left out? What did August ever do to me? It's a pleasant month. Friendly, caring, never get's upset when you cancel plans last minute (which I admit I do far to often to August).

I discovered a while back that I really like personifying things. Giving inanimate objects personalities. I don't often have conversations with these inanimate objects (I found when I do they don't last long), but it is one of the many silly things I do. Writing it down however really makes me sound insane. You can ask some of my friends, sometimes I say hello to inanimate objects in a room. Example:

"Hello Couch!"

And then if that isn't insane enough I usually, in a high pitched voice, mimic what how I think the object would respond. Example:

(high pitched) "Hi Kyle!"

That is where the conversation ends. Usually it is at that point that someone in the room will laugh or comment at how amazing they think it is that the object responded to me. Does this sound insane? We of course! But I would have to say that no one would have me committed because of this act. Reason being, I am aware of my actions. I honestly do not believe that the objects hear me. I don't believe that they are responding to me.

The point is, things like this add excitement to my life. Why? I don't know. I love being a goof! There are so many things that I know that are ridiculous about me that I just love to do, and I am pretty sure I won't stop.

Glocal Kyle is Writing Too

2008-10-12T11:19:00.003-06:00

I run two blogs. It's not uncommon, but it is tough to keep up with sometimes. I have mentioned this before on this blog, but I figure it needs reminding.

I am a very spiritual guy, my personal ministry in life is a priority and so it takes up more focus than I generally give this blog. Niemanology is simply a study into my crazy mind and my crazy life. The randomness of the adventures I find myself in all the time! Because of the silliness that I can portray at times, and often, on this blog I found it difficult to have a goofy story followed by a in depth look at what God is doing in my life. So A while back I decided to start up a blog devoted souly to what God is doing around me and through me in the mission field of life.

I just wrote about my weekend with NorthWood's Home Makeover, so I encourage you if you're interested, to check it out:

glocalkyle.blogspot.com

And you can find a link to it on the right of the page.

Now You're In The Loop

2008-10-09T17:41:00.003-06:00

One of the more exciting projects that I have been able to put together since being here at NorthWood is our weekly announcement videos. The show is called "The Loop" the average episode is about 3 minutes long, lasting long enough to inform our students of upcoming events. It started out as just me reciting the weekly NSM News but, let's be honest, who really wants to watch me week in and week out? Well...a lot of people I'm sure. But let's pretend that I wasn't the amazing super-stud that I am and just say people were repulsed by the sight of me on a consitant basis. So I figured the best idea would be to get our students involved. And since it's creation, The Loop has gotten quite a solid team of weekly student volunteers to take time out of their busy schedules and deliever the news to their fellow students.

This week, however, we were unable to get a group of students together to film The Loop. So I got in front of the camera for old times sake...and because there was very little other choice. Susan helped provide the good looks while I tried not to invade the screen with my monstrous appearance (again knowing that is far from the truth. I know how extremely attractive I am).

So I thought I would share with you this week's rendition of The Loop. Enjoy!

Soy un perdedor

2008-10-06T20:42:00.003-06:00

If you like Beck, and I understand that his music is an acquired taste, Loser is a great song! But I think, even if you don't like Beck, you can't help but get that chorus stuck in your head if you hear it on the radio.

I am a competitive guy. I love fighting to win. Sometimes not even to get the prize at the end, but just to know that I completed an objective and wound up on top! A little prideful and arrogant? Maybe. But it's what I do! So when I was presented with one of my greatest challenges two months ago, I was ready.

The challenge was simple, lose more weight than your competitor in 30 days time. My opponent was also my co-worker, Micah, our worship leader for the student ministry. At the beginning of September we began. Both of us concentrating on a diet and exercise program. Each week we weighed in live on Wednesday nights in front of the students after Wednesday night service. As the month progressed I took the lead and didn't let go of it.

Both Micah and I, surprisingly, started at the same weight of 243. Which was a shock to me, I didn't realize I was that heavy. But after the month was over I weighed in at 221 pounds. The key thing now is that I need to continue to keep it off.

When the month ended a couple weeks ago I went a little over board and just dove back into all my favorite foods, but now I feel so down from it. Not only do I feel like I'm letting myself down, but I just feel unhealthy! So I am hopping back into the diet. I ate mexican food today, but I'm on my diet for dinner and I have decided I'm not getting off this diet until I hit my ultimate goal of 200lbs. Is it a major goal? sure! but I know I can do it!

If you are interested in seeing the competition between Micah and I unfold you can check out our videos on YouTube. I've posted them below:

Move Along, Move Along Like I Know You Do!

2008-09-29T13:22:00.002-06:00

I hate blogging droughts. I find that I have so much fun blogging, but then life gets in the way of discussing life. Which shouldn't make sense. You'd think that by living life at a faster pace I'd have more to blog about, however in the time that I would normally blog I find that I need that time to catch my breath and relax. However, how hard and straining can blogging really be? If only I would realize my need to blog in the first place then maybe i would find/make time to do it. But I guess it just isn't a priority, or I just procrastinate. I'll choose the latter.

As life cruises along my blog remains stagnant. But I will not bore you with the extensive blog catching you up with ever minute detail of my life since my last entry, instead I will simply pick up where I am at the present and hope that if you truly want to know how I've been and catch up with me. You'll call me, or e-mail me, perhaps send me a telegram.

So I am moving out mof my house this week. I have lived with my family for the past 22 years of my life. If you ask me how old I am, I would respond to you by saying, "22" so I'd say its time for a change. I'll be moving into a house with two other guys this Friday. It should be pretty exciting! Of course the place isn't 100% the most amazing house you've ever seen, but what more do three guys need?

So I went over there this past weekend to look at the place. They have all the floors torn up, and are putting in all new carpet and tile. Should be really nice! They're fixing a bit of structual damage, and then we'll be ready to move in! When you say it all like that it really makes the place sound bad, but then again my parents house has structual damage and needs new carpet, so its actually a step up!

The room I picked out the other guys didn't want because it just has a window unit for AC. I have a lot of trust in the window unit, plus my room is very big! So I am pretty dang happy about that! The room is a second floor that was added on over the garage. That is why the main AC doesn't run there, but I have electricity and privacy so I am all set! I am so pumped about this experience. I love my family, but I am just ready to live on my own. It's been too long!

So wish me luck on this new adventure! I can't wait to share more stories that are to come from life moving foreward! ....as long as I don't forget to write...

Home Sweet Home

2008-07-12T07:43:00.002-06:00

Made it back to Texas, safe and sound. It was an amazing trip in Vietnam, I really feel like we did a lot of good working with the orphanages that we did. I'm going to be unpacking a lot of my thoughts and memories about the trip in the upcoming days, so be sure to check out my missions blog, Glocal Kyle.

Things are going well since I've been home, I've rested a bunch. But that isn't necessarily a good thing. I'm having a hard time getting back on the Texas time schedule. Dang jet lag! Vietnam is on the opposite timezone from Texas, meaning when it is 6am here it is 6pm there so when I should be asleep I am wide awake! It has been such a pain. The last two nights I've been up until 5am, however I have a nice nap in the middle of the day. I know I need to fight going to sleep, but its just hard! I've been so lazy since I got back.

My friends and I have a indoor soccer game tonight so that should make me real tired so I can get some sleep tonight! Let's hope it works! If it doesn't, then know that you can call me in the middle of the night this week, without the risk of me being dead tired and spouting off incoherent sentences.

In Vietnam

2008-06-29T08:52:00.002-06:00

For the next couple weeks I will be in Vietnam for a mission trip. If you've been keeping up with my blogs I'm sure you've see my write about it. So all my blogging while I'm in Vietnam will be on my missions blog, obviously. So to keep up with what is going on with our trip feel free to check out glocalkyle.blogspot.com for writings and video blogs about what we're up to. I may not go into too much detail until I get back, but I'll definately let you know how God is at work.

You can also check out NorthWood's missions blog at www.glocaltrips.org for stories from the group about where we are and what we're up to!

Thank you for your prayers and I can't wait to see you all when I get back!

New Toy at Camp

2008-06-17T10:41:00.005-06:00

So I got a new toy. As many of you know I love video. I love filming stuff and editing video. It just captures so much more life than a photo. Sure it is easier to pick up a photo and post it on your wall, but I still think having a DVD that you can watch on your TV is so much more fun. To see your memories in motion. So I recently made a purchase to make sure I always had video capabilities at my disposal. I didn't want a digital camera that took video, because the lens on a digital camera is not meant for video. But I wanted the convenience of the size of a digital camera, something that I could be carrying in my pocket and just pull out and film. Camcorders don't have that capability. I have to have a special bag to hold it so that it doesn't get damaged. The I found out about these digital media recorders that are hand held. So I bought one. They're not too expensive. I bought mine for $150. It's called a Pure Digital Flip Ultra. I really wanted it for my trip to Vietnam coming up so I can do video blogs and get quick video of the orphans we'll be working with. So below I've posted my first ever video blog, and another video which is the first of a series that Micah and I are putting together here at camp entitled "The Chronicles of the Headbutter" so I hope you enjoy my new toy as much as I enjoy it!

Day 1: Leaving for Camp

The Chronicles of the Headbutter: Episode 1

Camp and Vietnam

2008-06-13T16:28:00.003-06:00

All this week at the church we've been getting ready for camp which kicks off next week. I can't wait to get there. Camp is always such a great experience for our students as well as for our staff. We are so pumped! But also weighing heavily on my mind this week is my trip to Vietnam which is coming up fast! When I get back from camp I have a week of rest then I'm on a plane to Vietnam for our trip (June 29th). All of it is so exciting and I am so ready for it. If you are wanting to keep up more with what God is doing in my life around the world and in our community please check out my "Glocal Kyle" blog (glocalkyle.blogspot.com). I just posted our trip itinerary and a prayer guide that will get you involved in our trip this summer! So I encourage you to help me and the other members of this trip by praying for us while we're over there! Thanks, and as always if you want to give me a call and ask any questions about what God is doing in my life or what we'll be doing in Vietnam I would be more than happy to answer that for you!

Mafia Madness

2008-06-02T23:07:00.003-06:00

So the other night while watching the amazing cinema achievement that is Rush Hour 3 (do I need to mention I was being sarcastic) we got to talking about the Triads and the Yakuza (the Chines and Japanese mafia) which got us on the subject of the Mafia, which got us on the subject of the game Mafia. Josh and I discussed that we needed to get a massive game of mafia going. And it began, we got the teams together. The game is a three month long water gun fight that can happen anywhere at anytime. You're never safe! It has been a blast so far, and so far I've had a couple near deaths, but I haven't been killed yet.

I'm sure I'll blog more about it over the next few months.

Give me two-steps...

2008-05-17T10:36:00.003-06:00

So the crew and I went to Billy Bob's for a night of two-steppin' Thursday night. To be honest with you (by you I mean the 5 people who read my blog) I was not excited to go. I'm not much of a dancer and I never listen to country music so this seemed like a bad combination. But I went ahead with it. I decided if I wasn't going to dance well I was going to look good (or at least look goofy). I decided to buy a cowboy hat, borrow a pearl snap shirt, and wear the tightest jeans I have. Granted the cowboy hat I could afford was not very fancy, but it was fun! So I got dressed up and headed out to Billy Bob's. The laughter from my friends at my outfit was enough to make my night a success, I love being goofy with my friends.

I have never been to Billy Bob's so this was a completely new experience to me. We immediately went to the dance floor and worked our way in. The guys were a bit out numbered. There were 5 guys to 8 girls and in the group there were three couples who would spend most of the night dancing with their significant others. This leaves Micah and I with 5 girls.

So of course we danced with everybody, and had a wonderful time. Like I said before, I'm not much of a dancer, but it doesn't mean I can't have fun. I started out really nervous, but it got better as I went on. I learned to spin the girl more effectively and I kept the beat most of the time.

I learned dancing is mainly about confidence. If you spend too much time focusing on every detail you'll end up screwing up, but if you just relax and enjoy moving to the music it really isn't too hard.

I'm sure we'll be going back real soon!

Getting Lost

2008-05-13T19:49:00.002-06:00

Done with school...for now. I'm not completely finished, but this semester is over, which means that I can concentrate all my focus on working at the church. I'm preaching tomorrow night. Actually, I'm currently taking a break from the sermon writing. A rather long break really, you see I had to watch Lost.

I never watched Lost when it premiered and through it's first three seasons, however my brother Bryce is addicted to it. He's the type of guy who gets on and listens to the Lost podcast, he's part of the Lost alternate reality game online. It's sad. In fact he was one of the two reasons I never got interested in Lost. I didn't want to be trapped by the hypnotizing power that seemed to have ensnared my brother. The other reason is that Lost used to air on Wednesday nights when I was at church and I couldn't see it.

But now to keep up with my families conversations on the subject I figured I should start watching it. But sadly it's one of those shows you need to start from the beginning to completely understand. So I've been watching them online for the past several weeks trying to catch up to season 4. I'm past season 1 and working quickly through season 2. We'll see if I make it before the season 4 finale in two weeks. It's a great show, I'm really getting sucked in...which is scary.

If you've never seen it and you want to try it out a great site for catching up on all the TV you miss is hulu.com. I suggest you check it out, maybe even take a look at my favorite reality show "Hell's Kitchen" while you're at it...very funny stuff!

The Hair Again

2008-05-05T23:25:00.002-06:00

So it was just a few posts ago that I was talking about my pride in me long flowing hair...well it is no longer long, nor is it flowing! This past Saturday afternoon I had it chopped off. Very short. It is a little more funky than my previous short hair cuts so I am happy about it's uniqueness. I'm happy about it, but I must admit that I miss my long hair. I tried to head bang a bit, rocking out to some music in my car and no longer did I feel my hair swinging around my face. So I'll miss that, I'm sure I'll try to grow it out again over the winter. I'll have to post a picture soon for you three who read this.

Band Update: Nieman (my brand new acoustic band) has a new website. I'm having too much fun building the image of Nieman without really producing very much music. I am writing two songs right now, one of which is goofy much like "Blake's Song" however the other is a serious song. So I hope to have both of those completed and posted on the web soon. Keep checking!

http://niemanband.googlepages.com

Musically Inclined

2008-05-02T18:04:00.002-06:00

I have always wanted to play the guitar, but I never really had the motivation to learn it. I mean it's not like my family is musically inclined, my mom sings well, but that's about it. Sure we're not awful singers in the Nieman family. None of us would be considered one of those people in church that make you want to move pews because their singing is so distracting, so at least we have that going for us.

In high school Blake asked for a guitar for Christmas. He got one and he played it for about 3 days and there it sat collecting dust. Around his Junior year one of his friends taught him how to play two chords, G and C. With that he created a song, "Blake's Song". A very simple song that declared that it was Blake's song and he liked to sing it.

About 6 weeks ago or so I decided to take guitar lessons. I had been trying to teach myself, but it just wasn't going well and I decided if I put $50 a month into something it would give me the motivation to stick with it. So I started playing. I'm not great, I'm not good either, but I'm getting along with the five chords that I know. I can play "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World, "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric, "Great is Your Faithfulness", and "Blake's Song" by Blake Nieman.

The last night when I was goofing around with some friends I started playing "Blake's Song" making up lyrics as I went along. And we all laughed and had a good time with it. Then I thought, jokingly, that it would be funny to record it considering we had all the equipment we would need at the church. The group laughed at the idea but all said they wanted to pitch in and accompany it. We planned to go up that night and record. However this was a Monopolistics night so it wasn't until 1:30am that we were done with our Monopoly game and at that point everyone was too tired to record...everyone except me.

I drove Micah home, who lives by the church, then I drove up to the youth building. I went in and looked for the Dustin's guitar. However, Dustin was leading worship at a retreat and had his guitar with him. That did not hinder my determination. I looked back stage for any guitar that would prove useful and I found one. It was an electric guitar left there by one of our old guitar players. He hadn't used it since he bought his new guitar and that was 4 years ago. So here was this out of tune electric guitar that I would have to plug directly into the sound system...of course I did it!

You see in my current state of guitar knowledge I don't even know how to effectively tune a guitar, so I played with the out of tune guitar. I sat a chair on stage pulled up a microphone and plugged in the guitar. I ran back to the sound board and put a CD into the recorder. I pressed record. I ran back to the stage, out of breath from the running and excitement. I began to play.

I had written out the new lyrics to Blake's Song and sang along with the music of the out of tune guitar. After about four takes I knew I had one that would do well. I ran back and finalized the CD. I took it to my desk where I edited it down and converted it to an MP3. I was so excited that I knew I needed to share my music with the world. And what's the best way to share music with the world today? Myspace. I personally am not a huge fan of myspace, but I do like myspace music. So I opened a myspace music account under the name Accoustic Nieman then I realized I had misspelled acoustic and had to do the whole process over again, Acoustic Nieman. I uploaded my one song and my one picture and there it was. In a matter of two hours I had gone from associate student pastor to rock legend...okay maybe not rock legend, but definitely "guy with a song on myspace". I'm so pumped! Stay tuned for more on the growing phenomenon that is Nieman (an acoustic band from Fort Worth, TX)

http://www.myspace.com/acousticnieman

Edged Out

2008-04-28T23:18:00.003-06:00

Went to Edge Fest yesterday. It was pretty much a blast. Tons of bands and tons of people. I wasn't there to see any particular band, none of them really fit my exact tastes, but I enjoy music none the less and considering it wasn't honky-tonk or gangsta rap I was able to enjoy everything I heard. I mainly listen to indie music and alternative music. Jimmy Eat World, Apollo Sunshine, Midlake, Death Cab For Cutie, etc.. But I have been known to listen to the more "hardcore" music. It's one of those secret pleasures of mine. I never really have it playing when somebody's riding in the car with me, because I'm a pleaser type of person and would hate to make someone feel uncomfortable in my car. So sometimes when I feel like really rocking out heavily I'll listen to some Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Saosin, As I Lay Dying, Atreyu, etc.. These are all bands that I started appreciating during my senior year of high school. My friend Jared and I would cruise about and we would always be listening to different stuff. I would bring my mellow stuff to the table and he would bring the more hardcore stuff (or perhaps some Irish folk). We enjoyed it all, because it was all beautiful music. Granted most wouldn't call a guy screaming until his vocal chords rip music but they're amazing musicians and while you may not understand a word they say you could learn to appreciate the talent at drums or guitar.

The afore mentioned Atreyu is one such band that was at Edge Fest. I had seen them before and knew what to expect, but my friend Shayna who was there with me was not down with their aggressive style. And that's okay, like I said, I don't listen to it openly for a reason, I know it's not people's favorite, but it is interesting to watch the passion and energy these guys express on stage.

For the final few bands we were in the pit. We had worked our way close to the front, still a good 20 rows of people back (if you can measure a large mass of disorganized people into rows) which is closer than you think when every person is standing as close as you can humanly be to the person in front of you.

Shayna and I had already decided we weren't going to be staying for the last band, Three Doors Down. I'm not a huge fan, and we both had to be up early (her being a teacher and I having a conference in the morning to attend). So the last band we saw was a band called My Chemical Romance. Now if you don't know anything about My Chemical Romance know that they're a gothic alternative heavy rock band. Meaning they have very dark and cynical lyrics and heavy "jump-around" songs. I know a lot of their music. I got their album, "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge", in high school after Jared introduced me to them. Then when the currently popular, "Welcome to the Black Parade", came out I picked up the album simply because I liked what they presented in the first album I heard. Their not bad, but they main complaint I have always heard about them is that they are horrible live. That just isn't so. The lead singer is not pitchy, he was on key and rocking the entire time. The energy was high. The dramatics we toned down more than what their videos present.

But that wasn't the fun part of their concert. The fun part was trying to survive the crowd. When they began their set the mass of people (to which I will simply call the mass from here on out) began to move. Slowly pushing and squishing the mass forward then pushing back. Side to side and all around. I bet it was a blast to watch from the stands. This mass moving as one giant organism, fighting within itself deciding which way it wants to go. Slowly the organism bursts open leaving a circular hole in which many of the cells shoot out and start slamming against each other in a violent, yet joyous, rage (if you couldn't tell I was describing a mosh pit). Hundreds of other cellular organisms hitch a ride upon the extending cilia and make their way from one side of the giant organism to another (crowd surfing). And I, a single cell in the midst of chaos as the organism fights against its own existence.

In away that's exactly what happens in the pit at a concert. It's an every man/woman for him/herself environment. Event though if the crowd would just be at peace and accept its place as part of the organism, whether at the front or at the back, then they ultimate focus would be on appreciating the main goal of the concert in the first place, watching the band. Not crowd surfing, not moshing, not smoking pot in the middle of a crowd, not drinking beer, not beating up a guy for spilling beer on your girl. Would concerts really be that boring with out all that stuff?

I got kicked in the head by a crowd surfer, it completely ruined the rest of that song for me. Not only because now my ears were ringing, but because I was constantly looking over my shoulder for the next surfer.

I'll end with this. I was at a Jimmy Eat World concert in a small venue in Lawrence, Kansas once. I was 4 feet from the stage, had we been there earlier I would have been against the stage. No security guards, no guard rail, just music. That was the concentration. Yeah I had a blast shoving around in the giant mass of people last night. I jumped on people and I was jumped on, but when we lose focus completely on the song being sung, when the concert becomes more about "look at me" that "listen to them" then we've downgraded the band from musical talent to just noise and nothing else.

To Sync or Not To Sync?

2008-04-22T16:00:00.005-06:00

I love lip sync competitions! Unlike a talent show, the the lip sync doesn't necessarily require you to have a special talent, unless your talent is being exceptionally goofy at everything you do. Sure there are those who strictly choreograph their lip sync acts, but its funnier when those who are not known for their dancing skills bust our a perfectly coordinated Michael Jackson dance.

This past Sunday night we had our first ever lip sync competition with the NorthWood Student Ministry, and it was a blast. If you want to hear more about the night you can read my blog on glocalkyle.blogspot.com

Here is a picture of our group and a video of the top acts, hope you enjoy it!

Hair, Hair, Long Beautiful Hair...

2008-04-16T18:00:00.004-06:00

For the record, it came to my attention that my last post (on April 11th, 2008) marked my third year blogging on Blogger. Ironically the IQ that I portray in my blog posts is that of a 3 year old...

My hair has been the topic of discussion for a lot of my friends lately. My hair has gone through 4 phases in my life (I'm currently in phase 4). Since my hair was long enough to manipulate through 6th grade I had the same hair style: hair parted at the side and neatly combed out. It was cute as a kid, but it gradually gets nerdier with age. In elementary school there was a variation on this phase in which my mom would fix my hair and then spike the hair up down the part. So it was as if someone tossed a mini-grenade down the part of my hair and watched it explode. I was called a porcupine in elementary school for that one.

Phase II (7th grade-8th grade):
In early 7th grade I got my hair significantly cut shorter. There was a rather popular hair cut going around called "the caesar cut" which is simply real short on the sides and back, then long on the top. Now there are two options with "the caesar" the front can be flipped up or down. Sadly, I chose up. My hair was like an extreme ski slope. From the crown of my head to front it was a slick gelled up slope then it launched into a perfect 90-degree slope sending the miniature skier flying fatally straight up in the air. From most people's point of view it was a hair colored extension of my forehead made with 3 inches of bangs straight into the sky. Thankfully I stopped phase two after middle school.

Phase III (9th grade - 2007):
My hair cut through high school until just recently was simply a variation of "the caesar". It was a short hair cut with most of the hair on top spiked and slanting forward. Unlike the ski slope that was so perfectly slicked forward. It was also during this phase that I went metro. I started going to a stylist. For the first time in my life I had my hair...thinned. My hair had quality and I paid for it. My hair had texture and style even though it was a simple short hair cut.

Phase IV (2008 - Present)
I've been growing my hair out. Long. Real long. This is the longest my hair has ever been in my entire life! I love it, I'm starting to look like Jim from The Office. however, Phase IV has come with some controversy. Either my friends and family love or hate it. My grandmother thinks I look like a girl, my teenage cousins love it, my Rachel thinks I need to trim my bangs, Shayna thinks it needs to be short again.

For the first time in my life I have long hair. I have to worry about it mess with it. for the first time in my life I don't look good in hats, which is depressing, but my hair looks cool (in my opinion) so I get over it.

Dear readers (all 3 of you) I tell you that I will not have this style forever. In fact I am certain it won't last through the Summer with me going to Vietnam. But I know that I am enjoying my hair now and can always say, "My hair was long once!" And I think that is enough for me.

The Monopolistics

2008-04-11T20:17:00.002-06:00

I have always loved the board game Monopoly. The once pinnacle of board game achievement is now loathed by so many people as being a long game or a boring game (for the record if you think Monopoly is long play Risk or Stratego). But I don't think that, I love the dang game. I've always thought I was pretty good at it (granted it is a lot of luck with some strategy) but I've never been great. To me that doesn't matter though, I enjoy sitting down with a group of my friends and taking all their money. I enjoy imagining I am setting up prime real estate in on Oriental Avenue. It's just an overall blast to me.

A while back my friend Susan mentioned to me that the actor Topher Grace has a Monopoly club with all his friends. To which I immediately responded, "We need to do that!" That was about two years ago. And about 6 weeks ago we began this club.

That's right, I said it, I'm part of a Monopoly Club. Six of us started meeting at Susan's house and playing Monopoly and just enjoying hanging out. And you know what I found out? I'm really not that great at one of my favorite board games and all the sudden I understood why people would hate sitting at a table for 3 hours just to walk away with a candid feeling of bankruptcy. But I never let that get to me. The true meaning of the club to me was not about winners and losers, but about hanging out with some of the busiest people in the world for a couple hours on a late Thursday night. It made me start thinking last night about how sad it was that people can't get passed the competitive part of the game and just realize they've spent quality time withe their family or friends. That's why monopoly is so hated, people see it too competitively. So I made sure that was at heart of our club. We were there, not to win Monopoly and set ourselves apart from the group, but to relax, converse, and simply enjoy our time that has become so precious as life has worn on.

I am kind of a nerd. I wanted our club to have a name and...a website... I know, I'm pathetic. So I got on googlepages.com, which offers free, low-end, websites. I tried several different names for the group and so many were taken. The Monopolists, the Monoptastics, the Monopoly Crew, the Monopolizers - all taken. But finally, The Monopolistics worked. The Monopolistics had a nice ring to it so I created the website. If not for anything else it at least makes our group feel official!

Maddening March Madness

2008-03-26T09:15:00.004-06:00

I don't usually get into college basketball. For the past two years I've filled out a bracket, so that peaked my interest for college basketball. I've always liked college football, football just clicks with me, but basketball never did for quite a while, especially college basketball. So I've been enjoying the madness of March, and it really is madness. I used to think it was just clever alliteration, but not at all. You watch game after game after game and you're exhausted by the time its over. It is utter madness and you need more. It makes complete sense that so many businesses lose productivity because of their workers watching games on their computers at work.

These games online have this button under the screen called the "boss button." When you press it the screen turns into a excel spreadsheet to fool your boss. Now I think it's more novelty than anything, but it's still sad to think about how this March Madness rules over so many peoples lives this time of year.

I used to think college basketball was boring to watch, but nothing compares to the boringness of the "sport" of NASCAR. I'd rather have the flu than watch NASCAR. I know this is just a rant, but there is no point for that dang sport! First of all, it's not a sport! You'll never see it in the olympics, and if that ever happens the eternal olympic flame will go out. It doesn't belong on the same Sports Illustrated pages as Tiger Woods and Dirk Nowitzski.

Here's some food for thought:
If we shut down the entire "sport" of NASCAR for just a year how much would we see gas prices drop? Forget the tons of fuel that drivers fly through during a season of racing at 200mph, just think about the hundreds of RVs that would lay at rest at their homes rather than driving cross country eating up gasoline just to see a group of cars turn left a couple hundred times. No other sport carries such a strain on our natural resources. BOYCOTT NASCAR!

Going Glocal

2008-03-24T16:35:00.002-06:00

I just got back from a mission trip in Colorado. One of my ever growing passions is mission work. I love to serve! I actually have a new blog dedicated to my work around the world. Now since it is difficult to write two blogs over the same event I wrote one on my missions blog, Glocal Kyle. Glocal is a word that describes the type of service that every Christian is called to engage in in one way or another, both global and local (i.e. Glocal). So if you know I'm on or just getting back from a mission trip be sure to check out my glocal blog (http://glocalkyle.blogspot.com) I am going to Vietnam over the summer as well as spending a week doing several community projects with our students in an event called "Nasty Feet." But for more goofy stories always be checking here!

99 Bottles of Root Beer...

2008-02-22T12:55:00.003-06:00

If there is one thing I love besides Jesus, The New York Football Giants, Video Games, or Blogging it would be telling stories. And why not tell a story about something I also love, root beer. Since I was about 11 I've been collecting glass soda bottles. I've got close to 200 different bottles...it's sad...

But my favorite of all sodas would be root beer. Sure it's not that unique, but can you name all the different types of root beer you've had. I mean many people have had A&W which is a sarsaparilla based root beer, pretty standard. But there is molasses root beer, honey root beer, ginger root beer (not to be confused with another soda, ginger beer). So I'd like to think I know a lot about root beer. One of my favorite root beers is one I found in Illinois called "Dog n' Suds" root beer very crisp smooth sarsaparilla taste, I highly recommend it.

But alas the story. There was a time my sophomore year of high school that I put my love of root beer to the test.

A new A&W restaurant had opened up near by and it had become a pretty standard hang-out for my friends and I. If you have never been to an A&W you have to understand that they serve the famous A&W root beer on tap...

The rank of quality of soda is as follows:
#4 - Fountain (most fast food restaurants. an often unbalanced mix of carbonated water and flavor syrup)
#3 - Can
#2 - Glass Bottle
#1 - On Tap

On tap soda is how soda should taste, the only thing is you're only going to get on tap soda with sodas that are brewed (Root Beer, Birch Beer, Ginger Beer). So here we have the best tasting style of one of my favorite drinks.

So I'm here at A&W with my two of my friends, Lindsey and Shayna. I wasn't really hungry so I just got a bottomless glass of root beer (which comes in a frosted mug by the way). So as we're sitting there talking time passes and I realize I've had 3 refills a total of 4 full mugs of root beer. Then it happens...a revelation...I need to set some sort of record...or at least make a fool of myself.

"How many do you think I can drink?" I asked my friends out of the blue.

"What?" Shyna asked

"I've had four mugs of root beer. How many do you think I can have before I can truly have no more?"

And like any good friend would say, "Let's find out!"

So they went and filled up my mug. They reappeared with a now full glass no longer frosted. The root beer was no less cool, as I quickly drank down the cold smooth beverage with ease. Five Mugs. My friends smiled as the held out their hands to go fill my glass again. As they left it gained the attention of a near by table that began to whisper and point. My friends arrived with a comically filled to the brim glass. I carefully took the first sip to keep from spilling. Quietly Shayna and Lindsey began chanting, "Chug, chug, chug..." The encouragement lead me to down the glass quicker than the last. Six Mugs.

Now let me take this moment to issue this disclaimer:
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME...or A&W...

At this point...I wasn't feeling too hot...So no longer was my friends getting me my next glass a friendly gesture, it was a necessity. This time the chug chant got louder and attracted the attention of near by tables and gained their interest. Seven Mugs.

The next mug came with cheers from the tables around us. I was filled with pride...and even more full of root beer. I gulped this one down much slower than the others. 8 mugs.

My friends, noticing the look on my face asked if I was done. Then from behind me a rather large man hollered, "No! He ain't done! Get 'em another one!" I looked at Shayna and gave her a single nod. I had been silent for some time now. I had a fear that if I let one word fall from my mouth it would be followed by much more than words. Shayna arrived with one more glass. It had lost it's taste to me. I sipped it slowly and constantly hoping that this would be my last glass. Soon my glass was empty and so was my motivation. Cheers came from around our table, people asking, "how much did he drink?" Nine mugs.

"One more?" someone yelled.
"I don't think so..." I replied.

We left, I hurt with each step. "I drank nine mugs...how much is that?"

One of them ran back inside to ask the ounces per mug. 16 ounces...lets do some math:

There are 33.8140226 ounces in a liter which would mean I drank 144 ounces or 4.2585 liters.

That's two 2-liter bottles and one juice box of root beer.

We left with me laying down in the back seat. Sick out of my mind. But believe it or not, I still love root beer!

Kyle's Top Three Root Beers:
#1 - Dog n' Suds
#2 - Boylan
#3 - Henry Weinhard's

Ho, Ho, Ho and all that Jazz...

2007-12-04T16:58:00.001-06:00

This past Saturday our student ministry took presents to over 60 needy kids in Haltom City, TX. It really was a wonderful experience. And just like last year, if you were reading my blog back then (which is highly unlikely and doubtful that you're even reading it right now) you would know that I have the amazing opportunity to play Santa for a day.

Kid Friendly Story:

All the NorthWood students worked so hard to get presents for the kids in Haltom City that Santa himself gave me a call and asked me personally if I would put on his suit for one day and bring joy to all the boys and girls at the Academy at West Birdville. Santa said, "I would do it myself of course, but this time of year is rather busy for me." I, of course, said yes and the very next day received a package in the mail labeled:

To:
Kyle Nieman

From:
Mr. C
THE Workshop
North Pole, NP 122507

In case you were wondering Santa uses Fed-Ex. I quickly opened it up, dug through a pile of red and green packing peanuts to find a beautiful, soft, fluffy red suit, pants, and hat. I scratched my head and began thinking of how I was ever going to fill this huge suit out, let alone how I would grow a thick white beard!

I dug a bit further in the box to find bag with a wig and a fake beard. They both had a tag attached to them that said, "Don't Worry, it's not my hair! -Mr. C"

The thought hadn't really crossed my mind, but I was relieved to know I wouldn't be wearing Santa's real hair all day.

I didn't bother trying the suit on, I knew it would all work out one way or another. The next day I woke up early and headed off to the Academy at West Birdville. The kids began pouring in and our student pastor, Dustin, gave me the nod that it was time to "go get Santa". I went to one of the classrooms and quickly put on the suit. I then looked at myself in the mirror and my heart sank. I'm a big guy, but not Santa big!

"No kid is going to believe I'm Santa like this!" I muttered.

Suddenly, the suit began to fill! Not with air, or stuffing, but it was me! I was magically getting fatter! My face was filling out and my eyes squinted, my hands and fingers too looked slightly more plump. I was excited and at the same time worried, "I know this is for the kids, but I don't want to be this fat forever." I thought. I brushed my fears aside and reached for the doorknob. Before I left I had one thing to do...shook from side to side and let out a chuckle. Sure enough, the only way you can describe it is "like a bowl full of jelly!" I headed to the cafeteria where all the kids were waiting. As I approached I could hear them singing, "...better not pout I'm telling you why! Santa Claus is coming to town!" That was my cue! I threw open the doors and let out a bellowing, "HO! HO! HO!"

Some kids cheered, others blinked in disbelief, most of the little ones ran up to hug my leg. It was a moment of pure joy, not only for the kids, but for me! Just being able to give happiness to this many children was a gift enough from Santa. I completely forgot about car problems, money issues, or that I had just gained 200 pounds three minutes ago. I could only think of how blessed I was to make all these children happy.

I sat down in a chair in took pictures with all the kids and their families. Walked around as they opened their gifts. Many of them still wide eyed that I, Santa, was so casually spending time with them.

When it was time for me to leave and go change I turned back to them all and let out another Santa laugh shouting, "Merry Christmas!"

I went back to the classroom and took the outfit off and when I looked down, expecting to see a gigantic belly, I saw my own (slightly pudgy) belly instead. I let out a sigh of relief but secretly hoped the magic would have messed up and taken some extra weight off with it.

That night I packed the Santa suit back up and mailed it back to Santa with a note that said:

Santa,
Thank you for giving me my Christmas present early this year!

-Kyle

Sure, a bit cheesy, but it beats the true story any day!

Desktop Shmesk-top!

2007-11-26T22:49:00.000-06:00

Since I was a kid have been fascinated with computers. Thus when I found out there were computers that were small enough to fit onto ones laps I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. The first laptop I ever messed with was my friends, it was a Tandy brand laptop with Windows 3.1 and the display was black and white. I loved it, I loaded my two favorite computer games on there so I could play them anywhere I wanted. Sim City and Oregon Trail, I played them all the time. I would get so ticked when my city was destroyed by tornado or when my entire group died of dysentery before we reached the Colorado River.

But that computer didn't last, I eventually had to give it back and for years I was left to using a computers confined to a desk. Growing up I never had a computer that was worth anything. Every computer my family ever bought was on the sales rack or pieced together from spare parts that my grandpa had laying around that weren't good enough to be put into his computers.

In my little brother's first year of college at Mizzou he was part of the school of broadcast journalism which required him to have a 17'' PowerBook. For those of you who are unaware, that's a mac. I love macs, they're so simple and fun to use. So of course when my brother got one paid for by student loans I was a bit jealous.

But, finally, I am there. I have arrived. Sure it's not a mac, but I'm up with the times, I can now bring my computer anywhere and blog on the go. It's wonderful! Sure this computer isn't the greatest, but it's mine. I get to take care of it. I have control over my parents downloading ridiculous stuff off the internet. It's a wonderful feeling. Of course I'm sure in a couple months it will be so bogged down with music and games that it won't be able to move at all.

The "Family" and The Food

2007-11-25T18:28:00.000-06:00

I don't know how I can go past the greatness of Thanksgiving without talking about its greatness. I had to get the story of the Best Buy journey out of the way first. Thanksgiving is my personal favorite holiday. I know the default holiday of choice is Christmas, but Thanksgiving is just so awesome. Sure it supports gluttony and it doesn't come with presents under a tree, but it is the day of family, food, and football.

This year I was not with my family, I was with Rachel and her family in Bossier, Louisiana. Rachel and I have been dating for two and a half years so I'm pretty familiar with her family and I've visited several times, but still this was a big step for me. I mean this is a family holiday, even more so than Christmas in some ways. For Christmas you can send presents cross-country and even though it's not the same you still can find ways to spend Christmas with other people. Thanksgiving is meant for families or close friends to sit around a table (or a TV) and eat a meal and enjoy the food and company. Have you ever tried to mail green bean casserole? It just doesn't work!

As soon as I got to Rachel's grandparent's house I was fine. They were very welcoming and the second I smelled the food I knew I would be just fine.

The food. I love Thanksgiving food. I'm a dark turkey type of guy, it's less healthy I'm sure, but it just tastes so dang good. Then the gravy, then the stuffing, then more gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, fruit salad, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and rolls. I'm full just thinking about it and that's before the seconds.

Why do I always get up for seconds? especially when I know pumpkin pie is coming soon. Not just that but why do I load up on leftovers?

I will always eat too much at Thanksgiving, and I will always think of it as my favorite holiday of the year.

Recipe for Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sandwich:

You'll need turkey (dark or white meat), Cranberry Sauce (canned or prepared), Turkey Dressing, Turkey Gravy, two slices of bread. (make sure the turkey, dressing, and gravy are heated)

Pile up the ingredients in this order (from bottom to top)- bread, dressing, gravy, turkey, cranberry sauce, bread.

Eat and enjoy, I promise you won't be disappointed.

I Am Thankful For The Deer, The Laptop, and The Story

2007-11-24T23:17:00.001-06:00

So I've never had a computer that I could call my own. But now is a different story! I bought myself a laptop as a sort of birthday present to myself. I could not be more excited about it, but as with most things in my life it is not without a story.

This Thanksgiving was spent with my girlfriend and her family in Shreveport/Bossier (Which is in Far East Texas a.k.a Louisiana.) After the delicious Thanksgiving feast of the traditional turkey and stuffing I found a chair to watch football in, or to nap in as time progresses and blood rushes to my stomach which is now working twice as hard to digest the truck load of food sent his way. As I'm half asleep I hear Rachel calling for me to look at the deals Best Buy had.

Side Note: I love Best Buy ads. As a kid my "reading the paper" consisted of me scanning the funnies for Beetle Baily and Peanuts then picking up the Best Buy ad to look at all the cool technology that I would never be able to get my hands on.

So there I was looking at the best by ad for "Black Friday" and Rachel is pointing at a Sony laptop for $400 over half off. My eyes widened momentarily and then my feet came back to earth. "Wow that's a really good deal!" Of course it was, but I knew I would never be able to get it. Then Rachel said, "You want it?" I didn't have the money for it at time, so I was a bit confused. She continued to tell me that she would buy it and I could pay her back. She mentioned I should ask my family to just give me cash for my birthday so I could put it towards the laptop.

This plan was just crazy enough to work. We decided to go for it, but there was one problem, I don't know if you have ever attempted to acquire one of these "door buster" massive day after Thanksgiving sales but it doesn't come without cost. No in the way of money, but in the way of time. You see in order to get one these items in limited supply you need to beat the crowd that will be there when the door opens at 5am. And in the case of Best Buy, they hand out reservation vouchers at the door starting at 3am, and when they're out of an item's voucher they're out.

So we decided to still go on with it, we would get there at 2am. That night before we got to bed we saw a news story about a family that had been camping in front of a local Best Buy since they closed the Wednesday before. Rachel asked, "Should we leave now?" It was 10:00pm. I told her no, it was ridiculous waste that much time and effort. If i didn't get it at 2am it wasn't worth it, and I was sticking by that.

I went to bed. It felt like my eyes had just closed when Rachel came in to wake me up at 2:00am. We set out into the cold night. Not knowing if we would come back with a new laptop or if we'd come back tired, cold, and feeling stupid.

There were to Best Buys in the area so we decided if the first one was too bad we would head to the other.

Best Buy #1 (2:15am):
A disgusting sight. We saw tents, lawn chairs, propane heaters, and nearly 300 people. I felt so stupid. Looking at this line of people wrapping around a shopping center I couldn't help to be so saddened by the worlds materialism, and I was wrapped up in it.

We journeyed towards the second Best Buy, listening to Christmas music along the way. And for the record, you should only be able to start listening to the Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. So we're driving down the parkway in Shreveport when Rachel sees a figure in the road moving towards us. A person? A dog? No...No that's a deer, a buck 6 or 8 point, big boy! He was running full sprint at our car. Rachel was driving, she thinks quickly seeing a parking entrance. She slams on the breaks and turns right into the parking lot. The deer turns the opposite direction and slips on the wet concrete tumbling on the road leaving a chunk of his fur in the street. The runs off cutting off another car and jumps a fence towards the river.

Rachel and I sit for a moment in disbelief. Both our hearts pounding, we had an experience. Something that a city boy would never think could happen. Like nature decided to play a game of chicken with us. We laughed it off, still on edge and our minds lost in hundreds of thoughts of death and materialism. All of them swirling in our heads.

Best Buy #2 (2:30am):
100 people this time, but the same sight. I was quiet in reflection, but Rachel thought it best to give it a shot.

We hopped out and got in line. 3am came along and the Best Buy employees began making their way down the line asking which of the deals the people wanted. I was certain we weren't going to be close to getting a reservation ticket for the laptop, but I was wrong we were close, but we didn't get one. The last one was given to a women about 10 people ahead of us.

I was ready to leave. I was tired, cold, and feeling stupid. The exact things I was hoping a laptop would help me avoid. But we stayed a bit longer, and one girl came back with ticket for a HP laptop bundle. It was $550 and we decided we'd go for it.

We got the ticket and left, knowing we didn't have to be back until 9 at the latest, but just as we had returned to Rachel's grandma's house at 4am we realized that we needed to get back to the Best Buy if we were going to be able to beat the massive crowd. I agreed, knowing it was going to be a mad house. We left the house and got the Best Buy 20 minutes before it opened.

The doors opened, the line trickled in slowly. I found the area where they were handing out my bundle and there was a problem, my bundle wasn't there. Instead there was a confused employee and a stressed manager.

It turns out they over printed the tickets for this particular package. They manager ran off to figure out a solution and returned stating that they were out of the offered laptops, however he would put together the package with a better laptop at the same price but it would take some time. I was tired and didn't even want the bundle, I just wanted a laptop. So he said he would give us the upgraded laptop for $400. That's was $150 off a laptop that was already $500 off.

So Rachel and I got the laptop, waited to check-out, and we left.

So here I am, writing my first blog on my new laptop. But the only thing better that the laptop is the adventure I shared with a girl I love, and that I'm now able to share with all of you.

Good night, Happy Holidays!

One Fish, Two Fish. Red Fish, Blue Fish.

2007-04-19T12:33:00.000-06:00

Today I went fishing for the first time since I was like 12 years old...if not younger. Living in the great city of Fort Worth and being primarily a video game playing sort of guy, I don't usually get the chance to fish. I don't own a fishing pole, I don't know what fish need worms for bait and which need minnows. I barely knew how to cast the dang thing.

So here I am with Dustin, my boss/friend, and we're trying to discuss ministry but it just seems that every time we try to get going on a conversation either he catches a fish or he's laughing at me and my lacking of fishing skill. My first cast was a complete failure, I somehow got it to go further behind me than where I started my cast. In order to explain how to cast better Dustin had to but it into video game terms for me. "It's like the Wii! Just let go of the button at the right time."

How sad is it that things that humans have been doing for thousands of years had to be explained to me in "video game lingo". I figure if I was a Native American hundreds of years ago I'd be dead quick. I wouldn't be able to catch one dang fish. Maybe I could grow corn? God knows I'd screw up the rain dance!

It really frightened me though, I've always wanted to go hunting, but what type of screw up would I make with a rifle in my hand. That's the type of mistake you can't just say "oops!" to. When I was a kid I had a little hand-held fishing game, you throw out the line and when it vibrates you reel the digital fish in, I was good at that! I was awesome at deer hunter for the computer, I could even get the deer with a dang bow and arrow. But real life? Not a chance. The day they make Wii Sports and actual Olympic sport is the day I will be cheered into coliseums. Granted the day Wii Sports is invited into the Olympics is the day sports as we know it have died.

Sick as a Dog...a dog with a sinus infection...

2007-04-10T20:15:00.001-06:00

Can I be honest? Being sick sucks! I have never felt so miserable. And it's not that I'm that sick either. Believe me I have been far more sick that I am now. To me the stomach flu is the worst sick you can get and still not need to be admitted into a hospital. But this sick, the sick I am now, its the type of sick that has lasted for nearly 3 months now! Not to mention one set of antibiotics. I mean seriously what's up with that? People get sick all the time, and within a week they get over it, I've been sick for 3 months now. The good thing is that it comes in waves:

Stage One - The sniffles
This is when you begin getting slightly annoyed by some extra drainage and need to sniff a little more than often.

Stage Two - The stopped up nose
There is nothing more annoying to me than not being able to breath, I pray to God that I don't die of drowning, because not only would that be horrible, but it would be annoying as well. Do you ever lay down to go to sleep, both nostrils clogged then you wake up and the side of your nose that you've been laying on is super clogged. then you flip over sides and you can feel it start to drain to the other side! I hate stage two!

Stage Three - The cough
When you start getting drainage the cough is sure to follow, and then comes the cough drops which can be quite nasty if you get the ones that actually work. The Ludens cough drops are the worst thing in the world for you! I seriously think they started out as a candy that didn't sell well. They taste so good but do nothing for your throat.

Stage Four - The hack and phlegm
For starters, the word phlegm is just a gross word to spell, but its even grosser when your hacking it out of your lungs

Stage Five - The fever
Need I say more. Laying in bed feeling cold and yet hot. Sweaty but dry. uncomfortable yet you're in the most comfortable part of your home. Fevers suck!

Stage six - The doctor
Perhaps I should head for stage six a bet earlier as a prevention for the worst of the stages, but I hate to waste a doctor's time until I actually know what's going on.

I'm currently in my second round of stage four. And it might be worse than the first round of it I had nearly a month ago. I'm going to head to the doctor soon because I feel like I'm teetering on the edge of stage five and that just can't happen again.

I'm sure you feel sick just reading this. sorry!

Happy Egg Laying Bunny Day!!!

2007-04-08T10:32:00.000-06:00

From Christmas to Easter is a big jump for any person to make. For a blog to take such a jump it is a little easier. Let's think about it though, Christmas then New Years then school starting back up, then all sorts of other stuff and now things begin to slow down as we coast into the end of the semester. Then Summer, the time when Kyle likes to post far too often because he can!

I was walking through the mall the other day and couldn't help but chuckle at the long line for kids desperately wanting to see the Easter Bunny. Sitting in the same spot that Santa was sitting in just a few months earlier. I couldn't help but think, "That job can't be fun!" I mean think about, you sit all day in a full body bunny suit that can't made to breath. You're not getting much air and the air you are getting is humid and hot. Then on top of that you have little kids piled on your lap as they cry and wiggle and kick you on accident, because lets be honest, you're no Santa Claus! Santa is a friendly looking old man who is going to bring presents right out to your house. You're a scary looking 6-foot bunny rabbit who forces kids to search for their presents which are usually licorice jelly beans and to top it all off, you force the kids to dress up in ridiculously uncomfortable outfits that they are hot and itchy in and that is what they have to wear while they search for your magic eggs while their little wicker baskets give them splinters.

So yeah I'd be crying to...

Feliz Navidad

2006-12-07T15:26:00.000-06:00

I really love Christmas time, however I'm always one of those guys who will talk about how he hates Christmas time and it is over commercialized and can't stand hearing Christmas music before thanksgiving is over. I'll say something along the lines of, "A holiday in which we spend ridiculous amounts of money to stuff into socks hung over our non-lit Texas fireplaces and then base it around a grandiose lie to little children about a giant of a man flying around the world with a bag of toys. While altogether forgetting that Jesus is who we are to be celebrating."

But then December comes, and that all melts away. The cold air slowly moves in, I get a cold but don't care because Christmas carols begin to make me happy. I don't know why I find myself singing "I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day, on Christmas day!" at the top of my lungs. When in all reality the mere thought of me ever seeing three ships sailing in any day is absurd even more so for me to be witnessing this event on Christmas day. Then I begin thinking about all the wonderful Christmas movies there are out there: It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause (just the first one), Christmas Vacation. Then of course all the classic animated Christmas shows: Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, and Rudolf the Red-nose Reindeer. There really is nothing better than that old school stop motion animation that made Rudolf and The Little Drummer Boy. That stuff is just pure greatness.

As for the gifts, I used to be obsessed with the receiving of gifts (but what kid wasn't). However now I am all about buying the perfect gift for people. I don't buy clothes, not that clothes are a bad thing (I prefer we all wear them), but I just like giving unique gifts that people don't expect but find interesting and fun. Gifts that suit the receiver of said gift that make them think, "Wow, you really thought about me." Because I think everyone deserves a day that they can just say someone really thought about me today. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Now, I'll admit, I still like getting gifts. But my new favorite gift is the gift of surprise. I don't feel like making lists anymore. I used to make long elaborate list that were humorous but also gave tons of ideas to those giving me stuff. But I cam to realize that what I really want is to be surprised. I don't care if it’s a box of socks as long as I didn't think I was getting it before hand! That's why I like white elephant parties so much. You never know what you're going to get...much like a box of chocolates, I hear.

I must say, Merry Christmas to all who are reading this. You really are awesome if you chose to take the time and read my Christmas ramblings. Thank you for that!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Feliz Navidad! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Pizza, Pizza!

2006-10-16T14:52:00.000-06:00

I thought working at a pizza place would hinder my love for the food, but instead it has increased my love for it (not to mention increased my waist size) I mean Mr. Jim's Pizza is easily my favorite pizza now, followed closely by Papa John's with their amazing amount of sauce. I could really just eat this stuff every day.

Here's my question:
Why is it that pizza always looked so much better in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons? I mean it was always gooey and stringy and as you watched those gumless amphibians chomp down on it you always thought, I want a piece of that!

Question #2:
Does anyone remember the Little Cesar's pizza called the Big Foot? It was this huge rectangular pizza cut in squares and it was so much better that their normal pizza for some reason.

Just had food on the mind I guess...

Mii, Myself, and I

2006-10-15T10:05:00.000-06:00

I have issues, several of them. First off, I have been having the hardest time getting a good nights rest lately. I've been really busy with the jobs and school and trying to spend time with Rachel and my family, so that could be part of it. But, it seems that even when I do have time to sleep I can't. As if my body is saying, "I'm not use to this, it's only midnight you should be up 3 more hours!!" And then I wake up. Not only do I wake up, but I'm wide awake, my eyes won't close. This has been going on for just a week now, so I'm not too concerned but this weekend it caught up with me.

Issue #2: I just might have a video game addiction. Addiction is a strong word so I'm going to back track a bit, but I enjoy video games very much. Their just fun, and I love nothing more than to get together with a bunch of people and just play some video games together. Well in November Nintendo is coming out with a new system called the Nintendo Wii. The Wii is a system that is meant to be easy enough to play with the whole family, so it's right up my alley already. Not to mention the fact that the controller is completely motion sensitive that that is just flat out cool. In fact this system got the attention of my church, NorthWood, who then did a sermon series on community called Wii, talking about what Nintendo is doing right to bring people together and what the church should do to have the same result.

Well these to issues had a clash on Friday. On Thursday it came to my attention that the Wii was going to be available for pre-order on Friday the 13th. Of course I was excited and I knew I would have to get there well ahead of opening to be able to receive one. So some guys from Mr. Jims and I decided to get there early, about 6 or 7 to make sure we got in what was sure to be a line at that time. Well that night I got to bed early, about 11pm (yes that is early for me). And as I drifted off into slumber land thinking of Wii, the next day, God and his ultimate power, and venturing into thinking about my own existence I fell asleep.

I woke up. Looking at my clock I see a four and two zeros. That's right 4:00am and I was wide awake. My eyes wouldn't close even if I tried. What was strange was at that point where my video game dork mind would have been screaming, "Hurry up and get to GameStop! You'll be the first there!" I couldn't seem to get over my frustration with my sleeping issue. Why did I wake up at this time? Am I being tortured for some sin recently committed? I certainly hope not. Knowing that I am human and I sin everyday, it made me feel that I should definitely be weary of future punishment.

I got up and took a shower, my thoughts beating heavier on me. Knowing that I would most definitely get this wonderful gaming system was not enough to out weigh the knowledge that filled my head knowing that I have a very long day ahead of me. I had told Rachel I would have lunch with her which means no nap. I had a project to work on at the church which meant no rest. Not to mention that night was a big middle school event at a place called "Let's Jump" in which all you do is run around jumping all night in bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses, which of course meant no sleep.

Exhausted I hit my pillow that night wondering why I do this to myself. Wondering if I do this to myself at all. I think I do. This is the life I lead. It's exciting! No day is like the other. Sure, for the next 2 days I would be zombie like and a bit cranky. But going through life with plenty of energy and several hours of sleep every night means nothing. It's what you do between the hours of your eyelids being open that make you who you are. So, a couple sleepless nights in exchange for a life full of Work, Fun, Wii, and God I'll take the latter any day.

Run to Survive (or just not pass out)

2006-10-10T14:37:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted in a while, not that many people read my blog or anything but for those of you who check in from time to time to see how Kyle is doing, I thank you!

Since last post I have been to two summer camps, gone back to school, and started a second job. It's amazing what can happen in one summer. Working hard at both my jobs, the first one being the church and the second being Mr. Jim's Pizza delivering pizzas. It might be the least stressful job I've ever had. Just pick up a pizza take it to a house, listen to the radio along the way. All sorts of fun there! But I've been staying busy. Its not easy to carry to jobs and a full load at school, but the great thing is I know the Lord is with me and that I can handle it.

It seems that everytime I get back to blogging I get back to exercising, hopefully I can blog for a longer period of time this time. I usually start of great with a new exercise program but then things get busy, I get stressed and I end up dropping it. However, this time it feels different. I enjoy running as I believe I've stated before, but I usually just run for a mile and quit when I moderately tired. Never overwork myself. Well, it has always been one of my life goals to one day run a marathon, a full fledged marathon. I shared this dream with my good friend Dustin, to which he said, "Do it." Much like the late 90s Nike ads, I'm sure that's still their slogan, but it was a big deal in the Michael Jordan days.

For about a month those two words swam in my head as I researched different exercise schedules for training for a marathon. After finding one I liked I sat on it for a couple of weeks. I think I was scared. Scared of committing to something that was going to take that much effort and self-control. I used the excuse, "I don't have the right shoes." Which is true, I mean all I have tennis shoe-wise is a pair of trail-cross trainers and they are far too heavy to run in. So I used this excuse for a while, then finally I decided one Sunday night when I was not busy at all and knowing that my running schedule starts on Sundays I decided to run. I went to Wal-Mart and bought me a pair of cheap running shoes, just some that would last me for a while and shut me up. Set my odometer in my car and set a course from my house. Four Miles. The first day was four miles long. As if the training was showing me that I couldn't do this without training hard. I laced up my shoes, stepped out into my street, streached my legs and began to run.

I ran about one mile and then it began to hit me. "What are you doing!" I thought to myself, "Your fat, out of shape, tired; you need to be home in bed rather than out on this street!"

"I can do this!" over and over again I chanted under my heavy breath as I ran. I made it to the half way point and had to stop for breath. Two miles down, the only way home was to run back, no phone to call for a ride I had to get my legs moving. I began to run again. The jelly that was once my legs used whatever momentum the weight of my body could give it to keep going. What began as a steady run, quickly became a feeble jog, and with about a mile left to go a defeated walk. My legs shook from the intensity of the run, my hand above my head allowed my lungs to gasp for air. I turned on my street, looking up hill, I knew whatever was left of my dignity lied in a strong finish. I took off sprinting, faster than I thought my jello legs could pull me. I ran up the hill to my house, passing my mail box where I started four miles ago felt like I had torn the ribbon in an Olympic race. Still gasping for air I had finished my run.

That was day one. After a day of rest I went on my second run, three miles. I felt energized, sore, but energized. Though I struggled for a short while I made it with much greater ease, never stopping once for a walk. Then the next another four miles and it felt as if I had just ran two upon my finish. I kept my pace and my breathing steady the entire way.

I can't wait until I am able to run further and further! I never thought that I could actually run a marathon, but now I have hope that I can do it. Hopefully, by next year's White Rock, I'll be ready.

Weak man and Mighty Mutants

2006-05-30T10:01:00.000-06:00

I usually try not to whine when I blog, but I am so dang sore! It all started when my girlfriend (or gf to those who only understand the IM lingo) got a one week pass in the mail to LA Fitness. It just so happens that my good friends Andrew and Dustin have memberships at LA Fitness and I decided to join them for a week. Sounded like a good idea at the time, but I hadn't really worked out, like REALLY worked out in about a year when Jared and I would work out at the TCC Gym. My freshman year of High School I was benching a max of 225 lbs. Now? most likely around 180...maybe... It's pretty sad, in fact I might have cried it was so sad...but I didn't cry. So we worked out Sunday after church and Monday after sleep at 6:30am. We worked our bicepts and tricepts and then our chest the next day, and now from my chest up and all down my arms I feel like every move causes my muscles to scream in pain. I'll be okay tomorrow...hopefully, but the point of this story is I feel like a little kid. Back in the day Andrew was tiny and I could bench press his weight with one hand, now the roles may have been changed (except for the fact that I am alot heavier than I should be)

Fun right.

Friday X-men 3: The Last Stand was released and I saw the midnight showing at midnight Thursday night. I really enjoyed it, I think that the first two were better but this was a really fun and action packed movie. It was also funny that it made double what MI:3 made in the box office in its opening weekend. Entertainment Weekly Gave X3 a "B-" rating, I agree. It wasn't really "A" material, I mean without Bryan Singer's artistic directing and David Hayter's amazing screenwriting skills it just didn't feel the same. But I thought it was fine, lots of mutants introduced so thats always cool. However, it was odd that Angel was so heavily advertised and yet so little of him was in the movie. But that happens all the time.

Have a plesant day everyone!

Daddy I Want Mongoose! NOW!

2006-03-30T17:03:00.000-06:00

Note to reader: My title is in reference to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when Varuca Salt asks for a goose

I just love blogging, not gonna lie either, its just flat out fun!

The problem is I'll blog for a while then I'll write one I really like that's like uber long then every time I sign back on, I don't really have anything to say cause I used all my creative juices on that masterpiece...then I get lazy...and yes I realize I wrote "uber"

The cool thing is on Saturday night I stayed up all night editing video for D-now. You may be thinking, "Kyle, that's not cool, its unhealthy..." While you may be right I would have to say it is awesome the things you think up due to lack of sleep.
For instance, during my high school years, my friend Jared and I stayed up till about 5am every Friday night. Just playing videogames, hanging out with other people, or making giant almond flavored cookies named Consuela! (its Spanish)

Jared was the King of random late night Ideas, here are but a few:

-The computer is a evil box of lies
-The toaster oven is a sweet nurturing mother
-squirrels are extremely misunderstood individuals
-If you could hit a small dog with a large mallet it would be cool to watch fly through the air, only if we were certain that it wouldn't get hurt but simply land softly. (later a internet game was created a wooden club and penguins)
-Last but not least, the only thing better than caffeine when you're up at 3am is Jack in the Box tacos

This effect rarely happened to me, I would usually just laugh hysterically and not be able to recover.

However I leave you with the question that entered my mind Sunday morning at 6:45am after staying up all night:

If the plural of goose is geese...shouldn't the plural of mongoose be mongeese?

....think about it....

Soundtrack for Life

2006-02-09T16:59:00.000-06:00

Wow, its really been nearly two months since I posted...hmmm...I suggest you check out the serious blog sometime. I update that more often, and its serious! Its not like this blog where half way into reading my post you wonder, "What am I doing with my life? Why am I wasting away reading Kyle Nieman's idiotic blog? And why am I listening to more Jimmy Eat World?" But the truth is you're hooked and you can't help but read the rest of the blog and find out that it is really not as funny as you wee hoping it seemed to be shaping out. (I threw the comment of the hypothetical "you" listening to more Jimmy Eat World because I think everyone needs to listen to at least a little more Jimmy...Unless you're me...Then you really need to back off and give it a rest.) I did realize however I'm not that funny..I know shocking ain't it! The thing is I was reading the announcements for High School last Wednesday night at NorthWood Church, and I kept, you know, trying to throw in clever little extra bits of what I would call funny. However, I really should have stuck to the script, it really wasn't funny at all. Or maybe it was and the were just laughing quietly as not to give me a big head...I like that story better...I'll go with that.

Well Christmas was good...I know you haven't thought about Christmas since...well...Christmas. But since I haven't posted since then I thought I might catch you up to speed. I got an mp3 player, it was all quite exciting. No, it wasn't an iPod nano or iPod Video or iPod anything. Rather, it was called the Mobi Blu Cube and it is special in that it is the smallest mp3 player in the world. And I really like the extremely small gadgets so that was awesome. I mean I want to buy this new thing called the Gameboy Advance Micro even though I have a Gameboy advance SP which is very nice and the truth is it is more capable than the micro but I want the micro simply due to the fact that it is smaller than my cell phone (that's saying something, my cell phone is pretty small). All that to tell you I like my tiny mp3 player (of which I will to refer to as The Cube for the rest of this entry, just so you don't get confused and think I am talking about the 1997 movie about 7 complete strangers of widely varying personality characteristics that are involuntarily placed in an endless Kafkaesque maze containing deadly traps.)

So I take The Cube with me pretty much everywhere now, but its main place of use would be the TCC Campus where I listen as I walk from class to class. Which is really a lot more music than you might think, 10 minutes between classes plus walking to and from the car. You're looking at an hour a day! I was listening to the greatness of J.E.W. (Jimmy Eat World for those who don't read me often or are incapable of deciphering acronyms) And if you haven't ever listened to their music you wouldn't know that the songs on their albums very in style and tempo, especially when you have it on random for 5 of their albums. Well I began to notice how as different songs invaded my ears my entire posture, attitude, walk, persona; it all changed. Now I'm sure that many of you have experienced that, however I took it to a whole new level. It became the soundtrack for my life. I began thinking, if my life was to be put into a movie what would I be doing when listening to "Sweetness" (most likely playing sports, or rocking out air guitar style, or running like crazy somewhere) or what if I was listening to "Hear You Me" (most likely be walking away from some serious moment)

You might be thinking that I am a complete moron, I mean who goes around thinking their life is a movie, and who would spend an hour a day walking in a different style ever 3 minutes simply cause a song is different...Ladies and Gentlemen, give it a try and you will be amazed at how much music can define your mood so quickly...or you'll feel like a complete moron.

Long Live The Cube
Viva El Cubo

Its the Chronic-WHAT-cals of Narnia!

2005-12-21T16:58:00.000-06:00

So I saw Chronicals of Narnia. And I must say, great stuff. Really enjoyable! If you aren't a Christian and you're reading my blog and you saw Chronicals of Narnia, I just want you to know that the Lion represents what Jesus did for man-kind who was represented by Edmund. Okie doke, now that that's out of the way... I've had a good week, lots of Christmas cheer, I hope all of you are ready for Christmas...look at me...I'm blogging as if I am writing for tons of people...or at least 10, oh well, I know that the four of you who might be reading this are great so I'd like to say merry Christmas to you: Susan, Brent, Lance, and Blake...Bryce if you read my blog, i didn't know...if anyone else is reading, that's awesome! Thanks, I'd like to wish you a merry Christmas as well!

Thats about it really for today I leave you with this picture, enjoy:

(Click to Enlarge)

Merry Christmas from Kyle as Jesus

Razored

2005-12-13T13:42:00.000-06:00

It took me a good 15 minutes to complete last night, but I finally shaved. After nearly 2 1/2 months of growing out the great Kyle Nieman beard it has finally been subdued. No most people would think, "That's nothing?" well first of all i didn't trim at all for the duration of my beard's growth. Secondly, I didn't even know I could grow a full beard. It was great all the comments I got, people saying they were impressed, they liked it, didn't like it, thought I looked like Jesus (which was good considering that's what I was going for with the Life of Christ Drive-Thru.) My girlfriend hated it along with my mother but my grandmother of all people liked it...go figure...I haven't said go figure in forever...awesome. So this morning it was so wierd seeing my face in the mirror cauase it wasn't really me...or at least it hadn't been me for quite a while. But it feel so much better, its like my face feels cleaner.

So that's my face, but what's even more important than that is the fact that I am done with school this semester, I just have to have fun working up at the church and relax until Christmas. I love Christmas, my favorite thing is getting to spend one night shopping for my brothers' and my mom's christmas presents with my dad. My dad takes each of his sons out one night just to spend with him doing some last minute shopping.

I love junk like that, it's just fun and something I can look forward to all year...that and its just great to be out of school!

20/20 Vision

2005-11-29T15:30:00.000-06:00

So my birthday was last saturday. Great stuff. I throughly enjoy each of my brithdays, not because of gift however thoughtful it is that my family members and friends give me such fun stuff, but because I love knowing that I am a year older. Granted I really am just a day older than I was the day before, so you could argue that a birthday really shouldnt be a day, but a process starting each year on your day of birth. So this year I celebrate the start of the decade long process called the 20's in this process I will discover: life away from home, the ablility to drink, the ability to decline a drink under my own free will rather than "I have to", graduation from college (hopefully), a non-intern job...maybe..., and of course - everyone's favorite - the fear of the 30's. Gosh, I can't wait!

Although the one great thing about getting older, people can't criticize you for being increasingly tired:

Happy Birthday to me!

Serious For Once

2005-10-25T08:54:00.000-06:00

Let's admit something here. Sometimes life really sucks! Nope, my life doesn't suck currently. In fact I am doing quite well. Job's going good, school's going good, family...meh...just kidding, Rachel and I are doing well. But here's the thing its so true that life sucks sometimes. I mean if life was perfect then we wouldn't really be ticked off at Adam and Eve for the whole "Garden Incident." I really do get tired though of people thinking everything is the devil's fault. Like when so and so stubs his toe on the corner of the hallway and says, "Curse thee Satan, for thou hath struck mine toe with spurs of hate!" I just want to say to them, "maybe you're just clumsy!"

But I think more than anything, we as humans just make life worse for other people. Take me for example. Ever since I got into high school I know one way or another I have made people's lives miserable. Not that I did that intentionally, but if I had a girlfriend for example who fell deeply in infatuation with me and then I broke her heart a month into the relationship, its not that I meant to not like her anymore, but it doesn't stop feelings from being hurt. On that note I would like to take this time to apologize to the several people I'm sure I have offended over the nearly 20 years of my life. Sorry to my siblings, ex-girlfriends, close friends, distant friends, other ex-girlfriends, and teachers. Most of you aren't even aware that this is being said, but I apologize anyways. To those of you who have been hurt in some way by me over the years, who do happen to be reading this, I am deeply sorry.

Many of you may read that and chuckle, thinking this is another one of my sarcastic statements on life. However, while I do state this with some humor, I really mean it from the depths of my heart I am sorry for how I have lived my life in some ways. Sure we all make mistakes, but I was thinking deeply about my past, and I was falling into some shame for the way I have acted of the years and how I have treated others with such arrogant disrespect. I began to pray that God would really take this shame from me. And I knew that more than just receive forgiveness from God I had to admit my faults to man. And knowing that this is a common problem that most people deal with, I chose the internet. I am also calling and talking to several people who I know in some way I have not treated well over the years.

Here's the bottom line. I'm flawed, I think in many ways we all get to a point in our lives where we feel somewhat untouchable, and I have come to the realization that I haven't always been as considerate as I hope I am now. However the most important thing to me is that I have been forgiven, without a doubt. Thanks to the saving grace of Jesus Christ that I am so undeserved of, but out of his love through his sacrifice for me, I am able to be forgiven of a arrogant past.

Thank you all for listening, I know you don't care. But sometimes you just got to get stuff off your chest!

Golfing is for losers...I'm a Loser...Golfing is for Me

2005-10-15T22:14:00.000-06:00

So for some reason I've been thinking a lot about golfing as of late (I like saying "as of late" cause it makes me sound more prestigious) and I don't really know why. I mean I've never really been good at golfing, and when I say that I have never "really" been good at golfing what I mean is, "I Suck!" The first time I played Golf was when I was in 6th grade and I was just goofing around. My uncle took me out golfing with his family. It was nice, good company, good experience. Six golfless years pass and I pick up a set of clubs again for our first annual NSM Golf Tournament. Thank the Lord that it was a scramble and I was on the adult team, otherwise I would have completely embarrassed myself, not that I didn't embarrass myself enough. Needless to say I couldn't hit worth CRAP! So time passes, a few months fly by and Dustin asks me to go out Golfing with him. So I agree and we head out to the golf course, and I suck again, but I had this ONE shot. It was an approach shot from the fairway to a green that was on a hill, I was about 50 yard out...I might be wrong ask Dustin, don't want to seem like I'm bragging...This was seriously my one and only good shot in golf. I hit the tiny little ball with agility for once, and it took to the sky with splendor, for once...So there it went hitting the green bouncing a bit, then rolling, then....in...the...hole....holy crap....now granted this was like my 4th shot on a par 3, but if there is such a thing as a pretty bogey that was it!

I've been golfing since that day, and I still suck, but I do have my occasional shots that they would take in a scramble...only because everyone else had random horrible shots...but I'm a clutch player!

How Many Miles Must a Kyle Run Down, Before You Can Call Him a Man?

2005-10-10T16:49:00.000-06:00

Its a rhetorical question by the way...the title of the blog, I am a man and you can call me a man...in act please call me a man, I get callled "kid" all the time, "buddy" on occasion...well Dustin says, "What's up man!" a lot so perhaps that's the best I'm going to get...however I really don't need people saying, "Hey Kyle man, you're a man, man!" I don't need that, plus I would know you were being sarcastic.

Now the question is, "Kyle? Why do you rant about being called a man?" Well I'll tell you why. Cause I feel like a lazy panzy! That's Why!! I mean I said in my blog a while back that I have been trying to get off my lazy *beep* and do something like run! Well off I went to run and run I have, every night, I think I've missed 2 nights though, but I played football one of those days and my brother was in town another, so I was distracted. But I really am trying to thin up and get in shape. But now THIS happens:

So I was "challenged" in a way to run a half-marathon last week by reckless dad and brother. Now let me just tell you something about Rachel's father and brother...they compete in TRI-ATHLONS!!! They're freakin built for this junk, and they tell me it would be cool if I ran a marathon with them... BY DECEMBER!!! I swear it is just their goal to freakin laugh at me as I heave into mile number three. For those of you who do not know, a half-marathon is 13 miles...I feel like I'm dead after 3 and I'm heaving for air after 2! I know I'm pathetic, but actually I've made a quite large amount of progress over the years. But here I am, actually trying to train myself to compete in a half-marathon. But it doesn't stop there, NOPE!

Today, Rachel asks me to run a 5k with her, while much weaker of a competition than a half-marathon, I still wonder what the deal is with Rachel and her wanting to see me run like a freakin horse! I mean girl always say they want a strong guy, and I believe I fit that description, I mean I can bench a cold 200...or at least I could a while back, but it wouldn't take me long to get back there. And that's saying something for a guy who quit football his Freshman year of high school. But what is with girls wanting to see their man do more?

I guess just cause it proves everything that we brag about daily.

Oh well, so I will be running the 5k...pray for me, that's coming up here in November, and you never know, if some miracle happens I just might be running a half-marathon come December...and then I can really feel like a man...

...not that I don't now... its just...well refer to paragraph one...

My Milkshake Brings All The Bo...Nope...Not Going To Say It...

2005-09-29T15:25:00.000-06:00

So the NSM staff and I were coming up with a survey of things about us that would go into our bio for the website we're creating. And as I was being asked the questions and thinking about all my personal information we got to the question of what do you want to be when you grow up. And I thought back to what I had always wanted to do. I wanted (and still would like to if I had the chance) to start and run a Milkshake Shop. But I would probably spell shop, shoppe, to make it old (olde) timey. Actually I really wouldn't do that, mainly because I think that is so gay. In South Lake there is a place call the Vitamin Shoppe, and its like a GNC, and I'm like what was the point in that? So I would most likely call NOT call my milkshake place "Ye Olde Time Soda Shoppe" It would be something simple like "The Soda Shop" or "Kyle's Soda Shop" or maybe "K-Dub Milk Pub" Catchy huh? If you're wondering why I would call the milkshake place a soda shop, well all those ice cream places were called soda shops way back when. That's where you would go get your sasparilla and your ice cream sodas. So I would really want my milkshake shop to be a full out soda shop, and I would sell all that stuff, but we would be so well known for our shakes. I would even want to start brewing Root Beers and Cream Sodas...That would be so awesome!

You may be wondering why the heck I have this obsession with milkshakes. Well #1: they're awesome! But, #2: When I was younger I would make hand shaken milk shakes. I'd use milk, vanilla Ice cream, some cinnamon, some nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla extract for an extra kick. And you know what, it didn't suck, in fact it was flat out awesome! I loved it, So I made it for my family, and they loved it. And would ask me to make it for them on several occasions. Now they could have been lying to my face and just trying to build up self-esteem, but that would be cruel, and I don't think my parents are that harsh. So at one point my little brother and I were riding in the car together and we past a shopping center in Fort Worth with an open space and he said, "Kyle, you should start a Milkshake Shop there." And you know that really got my little brain moving...so I thought maybe one day I could do that. Of course then I was called into the ministry and lost all real interest in crazy dreams but this survey today really got me thinking.

So, will I ever make a milkshake shop named "K-dub's Shake and Suds?" Most likely not, but it was cool to sit back and remember the times when we didn't care about the future, or care about finances or how things worked out.

Everything is possible in the eyes of a child...

Back on Track

2005-09-28T14:26:00.000-06:00

So I've been running lately...Not that it is showing yet... Not that you really care what my gut looks like anyways, but its all for my own health. I used to run a lot when I was a senior in high school. I would run about 2 1/2 miles a day...And I felt like dying, I also had joined the YMCA and worked out every morning before school at like 5 am with some buddies, and I had never felt better in my entire life physically. And then near the end of my senior year I stopped all that, and eventually gained the weight back. With the weight I lost, I also lost the will to continue working out to get it off again, I'm kind of...Oh what's the word I'm looking for...Oh yeah! Lazy. There was a point I was at 185 which is crazy for me, I'm like near 200 now if not over.

No, I'm not ashamed to tell people my weight! That would be retarded of me, I mean, any person can look at me and know that I am over weight...In fact I'm sure they do look at me and realize that. Its one of those quick reflexes that all humans have, you instantly see a person and think "Tall, brown hair, big boned, small hands..." Okay, people most likely don't notice the hand part but it is pretty important when you think about it in the long run. For instance, how well they can throw a football, open a bottle, the amount of surface area slappage of a high-five varies. Okay, went off on a little tangent there, but you get my point. No need for me to hide my weight if everyone can tell I'm not thin.

Now, I'm not ragging on myself, I just know I'm not thin. But more than anything right now I'm just glad to be running again. I started out with a mile two nights ago and it killed me, then last night another mile, and I was a bit better, if I keep it up and watch what I eat, maybe my horrible metabolism will apologize to me and speed up a bit.

I Want To Break Free...

2005-09-27T10:06:00.000-06:00

I live at home...that statement alone should express my frustration for all of you. Here's the deal, I go to TCC which is obvioulsy a commuter college and I, to save money of course, have the oppertunity to stay at home, and since I have very little income, this works out well for me. Aye theres the rub! After living at home for nearly 20 years, things start to wear on you. The little things, don't get me wrong, my parents give me plenty of space and let me do my own thing, but I am still so constricted. I have the smallest room in the house (always have) and I still would rather live in a dorm room than here. I know it seems crazy, especially to all you who live on your own and love the moments that you get to go home and get a home cooked meal. Well guess what, I don't get a home cooked meal anyways, and when my brothers come home they don't get home cooked meals either! Thats just the way it is in my family. So I promise you there is nothing keeping me nailed down to this home except finances. I would be out so fast if I had the money. I love my family, I am so blessed that God has provided me with a loving family who cares about me and loves me and takes care of me. But I just feel so closed in, like I need a place that I can call my own. A place that can reflect my personality, where friends can say, "Let's go over to Kyle's place, its awesome!" or "Let's invite Kyle over here, his place sucks!" I don't care, I just want it to be mine, rather then having to worry about having friends over and my parents waking up and getting pissed. I just want my own place.

Dang, I sound like a stupid little high school kid... oh well... It will be a while till we see Kyle on his own...

Don't Hate The Player, Hate The Game

2005-09-22T13:36:00.000-06:00

So I have been told I have an addiction. An addiction that cannot be satisfied by patch or gum. Nor is it a addiction that is easily broken, despite the fact that it can be a very expensive habit. This addiction is one that most people, in passing, would not view as an addiction at all, simply a hobby. I view an addiction as something that you will do on your own where ever you are to get your fix. And what is this monster in my closet, this addiction that holds me tightly and drains my pockets? I speak of the evil that is Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft, Crash Bandicoot, Cloud Strife and Link of Hyrule. If you didn't catch that after Mario and Sonic, my love and obbsession is video games. Whether it be Nintendo Gamecube, PS2, X-Box, PSP, Gameboy Advanced, PC...the list keeps on going, I just love playing video games. Now don't get me wrong, as young lad I did run and play in the fields, play stick ball down the street, and compete in countless belly flob contests (being the fat kid, I would do anything for attention). So I got all my excersise as a kid, I didn't spend all my time in a darkened room gluing my eyes to the television as I defeat Quick Man for my first time in Mega Man 2 for the NES. I think maybe as a kid I spent too much time on video games, but not as much as kids today. With their parents who sit them down in front of their newly bought PS2 and plug in a Grand Theft Auto game, knowing its popular, and allow their 10 year old son to learn about the wonders of sex, drugs, violence, as well as how to perfect a drive by shooting and rally a gang to fight for your turf. I'm not one of those people who thinks that we should get rid of all violent video games, in fact I enjoy the occasional shooter, and exploding zombie game. But lets be reasonable, I'm almost 20, I know not to take these games seriously, but when your raising your kid at the hands of Sony or Microsoft, your in for it down the road.

So, why love video games? I'll tell you why. It's part of my culture, part of my childhood, its something I know so much about, I've learned and poured hours into. Its sad but true. I still have my NES system (That's Nintendo's 1st system in america) and I still have about 40+ games for it... all of which I have alphabetized on the bottom row of my DVD rack. I know so much history about video gaming (such as that the NES system was called the FamiCom in Japan), heck I watch video game TV. I mean the Babies of the 80s grew up knowing Mario as their best friend and flying ducks as their worst enemy (unless you were one of those people who just hated that freaking dog for laughing at you everytime the ducks flew off.) This is just that one fun hobby that I held on to, spme people have their model airplanes, some people their scrapbooking, some people are obsessed with cigars...me I love my video games.

South Park Kyle

2005-06-08T14:14:00.000-06:00

I just love this picture of me as a South Park character

Alas poor time...I knew thee well...

2005-06-06T11:03:00.000-06:00

So life has been busy...not too busy since I am obviously sitting down to a nice long post, but busy none the less. I have found myself streched thin between family, friends, and my new girlfriend, Rachel. Rachel and I have been seeing each other for a bit over a week now, and its been going great, for those of you who even care at all!

I just hate it when I feel like I don't have enough time in the day...maybe I should wake up earlier...

I've started to run lately, just getting some well needed excercise. My brother tells me I'm only running because I have a girlfriend now. To which I disagree, for if I was that obsessed with a girl after just a week, I might have some problems, and besides, I had already told her once I couldn't come over to hang out until after I ran. So I must say that this whole running thing is strictly for myself. I used to run alot, I was pretty thin the first half of my senior year of high school, but that didn't last long.

So now I have Family, friends, Rachel, and running. But of course I am missing one thing that has been taking so much of my time lately. And that of course is God! To my surprise, dispite my busy state of being, I have spent more time with God lately on a consistant basis than I think I have ever in my life. And it is great, I mean, it is revealing things about all my relationships with everybody in my life, it's revealing things about me that I truely never had dealt with before. It is an overall great experience, and I couldn't be happier!

I hope the rest of you all...the few of you that read this, are having wonderful weeks. God bless!

Return of the Attacking Clone Jedi Striking Back at the Phantom New Hope for Revenging Sith

2005-05-23T14:25:00.000-06:00

So I went ahead and saw Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (which was already cool considering I was there with an awesome girl!) and I must say I was impressed, but I must say I totally saw it coming...the ending wasn't much of a twist...I mean Within the first 20 minutes of the movie, I was certain that Anakin was going to become Darth Vadar...I don't know...call it intuition if you'd like, but I call it pure skill...So in rank of Star Wars movies, this one is either my 3rd favorite or my 4th favorite...I don't know. For me I think it goes Empire Strikes Back, New Hope, Revenge of the Sith, Return of the Jedi, Attack of the Clones, Phantom menace. Yeah that sounds good.

But really! How bout them there Star Wars movies huh? What a run! I mean I was really into the original three when I was younger, but just to see the Star Wars mania that sweeps across the country with these dang movies, I mean DANG! Holy Crap, people go crazy for lightsabers, kids start bringing there lunch to school again to show off there Thermos Lunchboxes (and I'm not talking elementary school only, I swear I saw on at a high school) I mean those things cant even fit a full meal...or at least not a Kyle size meal...
I was at Wal-Mart Saturday and they were sold out of all Star Wars DVDs...all of them, no Episode I or II, no special edition Trilogy pack on Widescreen OR fullscreen. They didn't even have the Cartoon Network animated shorts on DVD...well I bought the last on of those! But it was seriously so bad that I saw people buying Team America: World Police out of depression...it was that sad!

While I like Star Wars much more than the rival Star Trek, I must say that the Star Trek nerds have much more pride in their movie than the Star Wars nerds. That's not necessarily a good thing, but the Star Wars movies only have a big convention when another movie comes out, or if theirs a sci-fi convention in town they have their own section, but Star Trek geeks are have conventions all the freakin time...I mean its insane! If you want a good laugh, I suggest you go rent Trekkies or Trekkies 2. Their documentriesall about Star Trek nerds...and I must say it is quite hilarious, there is actually a dentist who mad his office a star trek theme, and the entire staff their has to wear uniforms...very sad...very funny...

But the real question is, what is to come of Star Wars now? I read in Entertainment Weekly that George Lucas is creating a Star Wars television show that is going to carry on the story outside the main character plot. So it could be that this TV show could become the next big thing creating a whole new brand of nerds with conventions galore!

Sunday, Bloody Sunday!

2005-05-16T10:02:00.000-06:00

Actually there was nothing at all bloody about my Sunday, actually it was quite an awesome Sunday! Its not that anything truely spectacualr happened to make it great but I just know that everything is going great! I feel that for the first time in a while things in my life are getting more on track and I am really maturing, not that I was very mature to begin with, but
I feel that my relationship with God is growning deeper, I am just having more of a strong passion for him. And it is making me feel wonderful, I praise God for such an amazing life that he has given me, with such tremendous opportunities that I know in many ways I don't deserve. I mean, right out of high school God provided me with a job that I love, working in this amazing church that I am truely passionate for! Even though I know that I am not experienced, and I still have so much to learn about discipline, and how to minister, and how to be transparent; I still find it amazing that God has given me this opportunity! So I thank God for that!

I hope everyone else is having an amazing week!

God Bless!

Correction...Take Out TO the Ballgame

2005-05-03T12:06:00.000-06:00

If you have yet to read my last post...which was yesterday, I must make some correction... it seems I do not suck as bad as I originally thought. I had a great game last night, I was 2 for 3 at bat with 3 RBIs, so I was looking pretty good, Made a couple great plays at first. Although, none of that really matters, you have to look at the season as a whole with my .237 batting average and 3 walks...I mean come on...a walk? In softball!! SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL!!!

I guess I can't be really excited about my performance last night, I mean we were playing the worst team in the league, they have lost every game. So its good to know that we don't totally suck!

Well enough whining about Softball and on the more important issues in my day...which hasn't lasted very long yet...

I'll keep this breif: I went to Sushi Sam's....I love Sushi....I am full and happy...yum!

Take Me Out of the Ball Game!

2005-05-02T17:18:00.000-06:00

So i've been playing on NorthWood's mens softball team for a while now. And at first I thought it would be tons of fun...which it is...it would just be more fun if I was better at it! I mean, this isn't even fast pitch softball, and I still suck! In a game where they lob an enormous baseball at you and all you have to do is hit it with a bat... I fail...

Of course the team is very supportive of me, saying stuff like try harder next time or you almost had that one... it juts ends up being worse. I play on monday nights, when I would much rather be at this new 20-25 bible study group...or at least be trying it out! Monday is a wierd night for sports anyway, I mean its the begining of the week when work seems the most harsh (both "school work" and "work")

I don't think it would be so bad if I didn't suck so bad at Softball, I mean, I'm pretty good on defense... well I play 1st base which takes very little effort... but I can't hit worth crap! oh well...
They asked me to join up with the summer league, and I'm thinking... no... I mean I just have way too much going on this summer, what with Youth Camp, and the Summer School I'm taking, I really don't feel like adding more on to my plate...

We have a game tonight...since tonight is Monday... we'll just have to see how I do...

Kyle Eat World

2005-04-19T16:17:00.000-06:00

So I realized the other day (despite how many times I have been told this) I am addicted to Jimmy Eat World. I am pretty darned obsessed, I mean I began saying Jimmy Eat World so much and typing Jimmy Eat World so much that I finally abbreviated it to J.E.W. but then the realization comes along that going around saying "I love me some JEW!" all day doesn't give me too much credibility with those who do not know me.

I really realized that I had this obsession when I noticed I could almost have a complete conversation with someone responding with only Jimmy Eat World lyrics. This is just all to sad. I began to think, "Wow, I could have used my brain for so much more than Jimmy Eat World."

At this I began to weep...Not really but it was almost that sad. I mean, how many times as a young lad was I told to memorize Bible verses, I mean in my profession now, memorizing Bible verses would be much more useful than Jimmy lyrics. Now don't get me wrong I do memorize Bible verses, but in comparison, there are way more JEW lyrics in my head than Bible verses. That is why I definitely could have cried, but the amazing thing about it all if the tremendous speed in which I absorb Jimmy Eat World Lyrics, I mean I got their new album Futures the day it came out, I believe that was October 19th (I had it written down in my calendar) and by mid-November I had all their lyrics down for that album simply out of osmosis. It kinda made me think, maybe I should just repeatedly listen to the Bible on CD in my car everywhere I go, after a couple of years I'm sure I'd have it down. I'd most likely get the James Earl Jones reading of the Bible, cause we all know there is nothing better than Darth Vader reading about the parting of the red sea, or Mufasa reading the sermon on the mount.

but I don't like Bible on CD...

I really should ease up off the J.E.W. Ever since the concert in Janurary I've cooled off some about my extreme obsession, but I will always be that guy who had to have every one of their CDs.

I think you know you're obsessed when someone notices the addiction...

"Kyle, I think you've had enough!"

"No, just one more song man, just one more, I swear I'll be alright, I do this all the time!"

"Give me your keys Kyle, I know you have the music in there."

"Man, I listen to my JEW in the car all the time, come on man it'll be alright!"

Yeah, I'm pathetic...

Blogging It Up Style

2005-04-11T17:36:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty much used to this whole blogging thing by now, I'm a big shot when it comes to Xanga, but I just feel that I never really get to express my life at all on there. Not that on this site I'm going to really lay my life out there, its just that I want to be able to write about more than my standard daily ramblings of God knows what.

I'm sure that on Xanga I could write interesting stuff that is purposeful and meaningful but, I also like to be really stupid, so why not have two sites for two thoughts of my day. I figure its a good idea.

I've never been much for drama in my life, even though every once and a while it does catch up with me. Either I create it or others create it around me. Life Drama sucks because it cause me to think a lot, and when my mind needs to think and I don't want it to, I will usually do something to keep me occupied to keep my mind off the subject. The problem comes when I am trying to sleep that night, my mind will not stop thinking about the situation. So no matter how little caffeine I have in my body, or what little amount of sugar I ate that day, that all means nothing compared to the power of a nerve racking thought pressing on my mind when I'm trying to sleep!

I'll get over it eventually, I should just accept that this is a part of life and not worry about it, but it still does suck...