Ninja Says

Giants, such as Bro. Damien Simon

2011-08-08T22:22:00.002-04:00

Today, there was an incident. Another of God's flock was taken at an unexpected time. Bro. Damien Simon was not just the strong, silent type, but also very friendly and quick with a smile. To say he was as consistent would be an understatement. When we were working on building our current church building, he ran the machine that compacted the soil for the foundation. When inspected, the earth was so consistently and thoroughly the ground was packed, the inspector was shocked. He had never encountered a job so well done. This has been an example that I have come to always associate with Bro. Damien Simon. Steadfast and dauntless. Now, after an unfortunate accident, he has gone home to be with the Lord. I have no words for the depth of my sorrow...

Japan, O-bama, bambi

2011-03-16T11:40:00.002-04:00

As a martial artist, focusing my training on the Japanese styles, I am a fan of Japanese art, history, culture, engineering, food, and discipline. Since the days after WWII Japan has been a strategic ally of the United States, giving us a foothold in southeast Asia. Now Japan is in historic crisis. Tens of thousands are missing and most are presumed dead. Infastructure is gone, cities have been erased, nuclear plants may be melting down. Humanitarian aid is in need, and US based charity is asking "Should we donate?" Our imposter president is working on his March Madness brackets and planning a vacation to Rio.
America, what is happening to you? Where is the country I love? The country that has always given till it hurts. Where is our leadership? Why isn't O-bama leading an international charge to help a friend? Why? Maybe because our financial sould is owned by the Chi-comms. (Chinese) A friend and I were planning a trip to Japan in about 18 months, and as long as the radiation levels are safe, I still want to go. I want so badly to give to the people of Japan. I want to help rebuild. Of course, we have yet to rebuild the Twin Towers... but that is another angry rant for another time.
Monday night, on the commute home, one of Ohio's dumber deer decided to play chicken with my Black Grand Prix (Roxy). The deer lost. Insurance adjuster is going to look at the car today to see if the car lost too. I am ok, just a few scrapes and cuts from the driver's side window exploding in on me. ODOT has already collected the animal, so it is not on the side of the road. Anyway, there is my post, and maybe I will remember to post more frequently for my followers who refuse to join Facebook. (You know who you are)

Waterboarding, General Pershing, Maynard Kids.

2010-11-15T09:49:00.003-05:00

Praise God! They found the 13 year old Maynard girl that has been missing... unfortunately, her brother, mother, and mother's friend are still missing. The guy who was in the house where she was found has been arrested and is not cooperating with the investigation. This dirtbag has already done time for arson in Colorado.

Not cooperating? Really? In my county? I would START with waterboarding. Oh yes, I am one of those (military vet) guys who says waterboarding is NOT torture. If that does not work, I would look to Lieutenant General Pershing's example for further aggressive interrogation.

Just after WWII, General Pershing was put in charge of the American forces in the Philippines. There were some muslim terrorists who where causing some trouble back then. So what did General Pershing do with 50 of the tango prisoners? He lined them up in front of a mass grave, slaughtered some pigs, had the firing squad soak their ammo in the pig blood, and shoot 49 of them, then bury them with the swine carcasses. He then let the last guy go, so he could tell his no-goodnick friends what happened. There were 0 terrorist acts for about 40 or so years after that, in the world.

Brutal, yes. Nasty, yes. Unsavory, absolutely. Effective, beyond the shadow of a doubt. I say get aggressive with this dirtbag to find out where the other 3 are.

Fall of a Hero?

2010-09-21T14:12:00.002-04:00

I recieved word over the radio that a real life hero (not some distant celebrity), is accused of a terrible thing. I am not going to focus on the allegations, but the impact of this tragic situation. I have had many "celebrity" heroes, and many of them have failed in one way or another (with the exception of "Wierd" Al Yankovic, he is still awesome). I have never experienced the impact of a real life hero's failure. This pain, confusion, this shaking of my perceptions is new to me. All humans make mistakes, and that is expected; however, when you achieve greatness on some level and then fall from such a height, the shockwave shakes the ground. The dammage spreads to others. Forget about the "healing" process, we are still in the dammage control phase. It is unknown how many people will be hurt, confused, dismayed, or just plain jaded from this. Achieving greatness seems to be the easy part, maintaining greatness looks to be the real test.

Shanna Ninja

2010-05-16T10:35:00.002-04:00

I am a Dad! This little ninja kicked her way out 08 MAY 2010. She is already mastering the nunchucku and is becoming a force to be reckoned with in her use of shuriken.

Go BUCKS!

2009-11-21T09:54:00.001-05:00

Saturdays

2009-11-15T08:25:00.002-05:00

Well now. Yesterday was great. Enjoyed time with Mrs. Ninja, had a great kids class, and a new student in woman's self defense.

I tell ya, kids class has to be one of my favorite times of the week, though maybe the most exhausting. The energy level of the kids is truly wonderful, and it seems every week, they want to do more, try harder, and get hungrier for the "meat" of martial arts. It is my job; however, to make sure that they can "chew" the little pieces of "meat" that I give them. Sure, it is a lot of games, but what they may not realize is that the games are geared to train responses. Blocks, dodges, jumps, crawls, rolls and so on. I taught these little ones the art of "shrimping" which will become a regular part of warmups. Shrimping is very useful when one starts to do groundwork/grappling.

My friend from a major "legacy" airline attended class yesterday. It was a very light workout from my perspective, but I could tell there were parts that started to push her a little. Hammerfist drills and combos were about as intense as it got for that class.

Came home and the Mrs. and I went out for dinner. Chinese! Woot! I am so glad her "morning sickness" is all but gone. It is sooooo good to see her enjoying things again. Anyway, it is Sunday, and I need to get ready for church. Bro. Maki is preaching both services today and I cannot wait. I am going to pull my Sunday School class this morning to hear what the Lord has given Bro. Maki to share with us. Woot!

PTSD?

2009-11-10T16:47:00.002-05:00

There is rain in the area. I knew this yesterday when my hand started hurting. Dull throbbing is a couple of places, sharp stabbing in my stump. Then today, on the way to work, something happened that has not happened in several monts. Flashback.

Randomly, I have experienced the undesired recall of the happenings durring and immidately following the accident. (That chewed up my right hand) The memories are thrust into the forefront of my mind, and it seems as if I am reliving the past. The pain, uneasiness, and uncertainty floods back. Nightmarish.

Today's flashback was the day after the accident. There were nurses that were having me perform certain tasks, like walking up steps and getting in and out of a bathtub. This was to assess my coordination and ballance to see if there were any lingering brain/spine injuries. I hope I need not express how I felt about these tests, while I was drugged up.

Anyway... that is a sample of what this ninja faces every day. Could I have some form of PTSD? I do not know... it is a possibility.

Guess what I just saw!!!

2009-11-04T09:25:00.001-05:00

Run for your lives! The White Death has returned to Ohio! Yes, I saw a little bit of snow falling this morning around 0900.

Starting to get anxious

2009-11-03T19:54:00.002-05:00

In a good way. I can't wait to hold this growing bundle of joy. I can't wait to watch cartoon movies, and read bedtime stories. I am really looking forward to the adventure of fatherhood. Boy or girl, this is going to be great. I have just been thinking about it a lot lately, and as huge of a responsibility it is, I am ready. I want to hold the baby in church while singing. A million other life experiences are running through my mind. Just know that I am looking forward to this.

Please Pray, urgent!

2009-10-23T14:09:00.003-04:00

My aunt, Chrystal Porter, is dying. Severe COPD in one lung, and a large cancerous tumor in the other. The doctors estimate less than 2 weeks.

My closest friend, Kamala, is suffering complications from brain surgery. Her sodium levels crashed.

Me, I am straining... Holding together for now.

What kind?

2009-10-21T19:21:00.002-04:00

Since I got the news that I am going to be a Dad, I have been pondering the question... What kind of Dad do I want to be? Taking into account my long list of personality flaws, I worry that I will be overbearing, or maybe too lenient. I wonder if the little one will be proud of their black belt sunday school teaching dad, or if I will be one of those geeky dads. (I am more than capable of becoming either one) I worry about my temper. I worry about being able to supply for my little family.

Something I neglected to blog, I was in a car accident this past week. My little civic was rear ended, the frame is slightly bent and I expect the lady's insurance will total the car. This puts me in a bind for several reasons. I just bought a motorcycle a few months ago, and that recent loan has made it more difficult for me to get a good deal through my bank. Also, with a baby on the way, I need a bigger car... a 4 door. I am looking at a Grand Prix right now.... Anyway... additionaly, Mrs Ninja is feeling very nausiated still and that worries me. Kamala had her surgery as well, and is not doing well. Add all of this up and you have a very tense, barely held together me.

Anyway, I have done a lot of whining here today, and I thank my readers for putting up with it. Please leave comments on how I can keep it all together.

Announcement!

2009-09-30T00:14:00.002-04:00

Most of my readers (both of you) already know... but to the reader who may stumble randomly upon this blog, I am going to be a father!

Woot! I will have the first ultrasound pics up soon. I have them on my home computer, but am posting elsewhere. Anyway, this will be our first. I am uber excited. It is kind of surreal... not the baby part... the fatherhood part. I have always liked kids, and enjoyed teaching kids. It is the me being 100% responsible for another life. I know it has been happening for thousands of years, but it is the first time for me.

Also, I think I have an idea of the class schedule for the next few months. Things continue to flow, time moves on, and in other news.....

Kamala is seriously considering coming to Ohio (in the undetermined future, for an undetermined lenght of time)! She can't wait to see the ninja baby, and is already talking about wanting to babysit.

Ok, it is getting late and I must be going.

Random thoughts...

2009-09-23T17:12:00.002-04:00

The 5th metacarpal has nothing to do with the third finger's PIP joint, or a neuroma located on the fourth finger, or bone spurs in the wrist.

Isn't it funny how life gets in the way of living?

In a battle of rank against experience, rank may win, but experience is usually right.

Never say no to free buffalo wings from Robyn. They are tasty... mighty tasty indeed.

THIEF!!! (Update)

2009-09-18T10:32:00.002-04:00

The THIEF in question seems to have been located, in Sarasota, Florida. Registered as an inactive lawyer.
So, this guy, disappears in the cover of night, abandoning me and my father's cases. No forwarding address or phone number given. I want to OWN him.

Ugh...Things that make yor head explode... again

2009-09-09T00:34:00.003-04:00

1. Amputations

2. Unexpected, Unscheduled, Unwanted overtime.

3. Uninitiated, Undereducated, Unorginized supervisors.

4. Crazy housing regulations that will cost you almost $4k to comply with.

5. People who lock up in a crisis... DO SOMETHING WILLYA!

6. People who panic in a crisis... Breathe!

7. Wolverenes, fat, stinky, ugly weasels.

8. Slow traffic... MERGE RIGHT.

9. Covering for the Boss' failures.

10. Knowing that this place will NOT get any better.

October Schedule

2009-09-03T16:41:00.002-04:00

Starting in October, I will have a new schedule. 12:15pm - 20:45 (8:45pm for you civilians) Monday - Friday. I will have the same days of as Mrs. Ninja. This will also accomidate a little more participation with the youth group (Yeah!). I may even be able to go to the zoo with the youth to see the Christmas lights (when they come up)

So, this means children's karate and women's self defence will be moving to Saturday sometime. This may work out for the better anyway, since the school year will be in full swing by then.

Every Ohio State regular season game off, WOOT!

It is not 0800-1700, but it will do for now.

WAR HAMMER (gimp hand)

2009-09-01T22:03:00.002-04:00

My followers should know that my right hand, that was mangled and crushed in a car accident years ago, was once called the gimp hand. It gives me problems frequently; however, given what I face, I am still able to make do. Almost a year ago, in a martial arts demo, I used the "gimp hand" to destroy a stack of 10 boards. That is when I renamed my right hand "WAR HAMMER". This past May, I crushed a concrete paver block with the war hammer. God has been great to me, in the face of adversity.

The pain associated with nerve dammage, bone loss, bone spurs, and "Arthur" can be so intense at times that I am unable to concentrate, or use my hand for fine manipulation. This causes some call offs, which is the reason I am getting shuffled around at work. Now, factor this in with my boss, who I see about 1 hour a month, who takes half days quite frequently... and then we have a problem. I have a certain skill set that is about to become critical in my current situation; however, an absent boss shuffles me out because of a "handful" (pun intended) of call offs. Do I really need to file for some sort of disability in order to protect myself from of this treatment? What avenues do I have open to me to protect myself and my family?

Bottom line, the WAR HAMMER is slowly getting worse. I need a gameplan that looks to the future. I have examined the endgame here where I work, and it does not look good.

Classes

2009-08-26T16:26:00.002-04:00

The martial arts classes I teach are growing. My students are showing more intensity, and they are starting to see how dynamic each fight is. How if the same situation presents itself twice, each time can have a different outcome.

A proud sensei I am. The children's class this past week was great. All of the students had near laser beam focus, and getting their involvement in the activities was easy. ;k;/kavnm;aifh;jfnv;idbhjn;jnhsd;uihu

Sorry, I was getting a back scratch right there... not my fault.

The women's self defence is moving along as well. My student is showing more intensity, and beginning to attack the focus mitts. This is good.

Who hits a bat?!?

2009-08-18T22:06:00.003-04:00

Ever since I was a kid, I was always fascinated by some of the more unsavory critters of this earth. I liked to learn more about scorpions, snakes, bats, lizards, crayfish, and the list goes on. I used to sit in the back yard at dusk and watch the bats chase mosquitos, wondering in awe how they manuver so quickly, chasing down their meal on the wing.

Fast forward a decade or two, and there I was, riding my motorcycle home from work, it was about 01:30 (1:30 am for you civillians), I had entered a small town on the way and slowed down to the posted 35 mph limit (Because at that hour, they have 2 cops on patrol of the busy highway that runs through the town) next thing I know, a small flying thing zooms right into my left shoulder, I feel a solid thud, and the little black thing disapears under my arm and into the night. The way it flew reminded me of the hours of curious observation spent as a child. I had just hit a bat! EGAD! I like those little critters. They can eat nearly their own body weight in mosquitos every night.

That greatly overshadows the small groundhog I hit the very next night on my motorcycle, in dense fog.

Back to Werk...

2009-08-11T19:58:00.002-04:00

You may notice some playful misspellings lately. Mrs. Ninja will tell you it is my way of trying to make light of some things that may be unpleasant. For instance, if my hand is hurting bad, even before I take my pain meds, I start trying to be funny. If I laugh, it may help keep me going... Laughter doeth good like a medicine.

Anyway, so after 4 days off, it is back to werk. Of course, nothing has happened since I took time off. It only took about an hour for me to be wound back up to the level of frustration I was at before I left.

Recently I placed the Ninja Family into positions of more responsibility at church. We are now focusing more energy on a few members of the youth group who are dealing with some significant issues. Also, we have taken in a "Stray". Someone who needs some cool down time before attacking some problems that they are dealing with. I have spoken with Pastor Samurai to clear up any questions, concerns, and rules that are desired in this situation. We will be supportive to the body of Christ, especially the injured parts.

Also, I have sicked my friend Cyber Ninja on the THIEF!!! mentioned earlier. Perhaps something will come up.

In closing, no news yet about the Tellecommunications Specialist position... hoping for some kind of miracle. I desperately need better work hours so the Ninja family can be more involved with theese troubled teens.

Oh, one last thing. Rode the bike to work today, pray that I do not encounter a thunderstorm on the way home. That would be unpleasant. lol

Birfday

2009-08-07T11:03:00.002-04:00

So, today, at 12:02 pm I turn twenty eleven. One of the first birthdays that I actually kinda feel my age. My hand has been hurting, and keeping me from sleeping, so I am tired, achy and I have a lot of stuff to do. Pretty much just another day, SOP.

Well, I am to meet my church mom for lunch, then I am not quite sure what is going on for a while. Probably get stuff done around the house for the party tomorrow.

Anyway, that is about what I have going on today. Maybe it will be nice enough to take a ride on the bike.

Thief!!!

2009-08-06T15:49:00.002-04:00

How many of my readers could lose $40,000 and not be furious. What if you paid someone to protect your interests, paid them $33,333 to do so, and then this same person vanished, with the aforementioned 40k? You then secured another person to find the bandit, retrieve your cash, and then some. This other person tells you that this will have to go to the state Supreme Court, the state BAR, and the county proscecutor's office? Let's say that the event that triggered these events happened over 5 years ago, and you have been in constant daily pain which has affected your work performance, and your hobbies, even your household?

Going a step further, you suspected something was wrong when the first person get's their cut, and all effort stops.

Dear LORD, give me peace in this time of anger, as I know that this trial will become a blessing one day.

65 is not so bad

2009-07-29T15:52:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, the day before the rain, I rode the bike to work again. This time with a much bigger back pack, and two lightweight jackets. The under armour jacket (that failed miserably by itself) and my Premier Martial Arts windbreaker.
So, on the ride home, both jackets, gloves, full face helmet... it was about 67 in Columbus when I left, and about 63 in the place we call the MTV. I was a little chilled, but not uncomfortable, and the ride was enjoyable after a day at work that I can only describe as nearly apocolyptic.
Anyway, so the moral of the story is, wear a good jacket, and ride a good motorcycle, if you get frustrated at work regularly.

50 is COLD

2009-07-17T10:59:00.003-04:00

I made a discovery the other day. I rode my motorcycle to work, it was 85 degrees and a very pleasant ride. Unfortunately when I got off work, I had an hour ride home, and it was about 57 in the city, and the temp would surely drop like a rock as I got out into rural areas... say around 50. I had only a lightweight under armour jacket to keep me warm. It failed miserably.
So now, my father and I have plans to get together and find me a decent motorcycle jacket. I have been looking at a few, but these things tend to be expensive. (I want one that has safety features, like armor) Anyway, on the ride home, I was huddling down on my tank, hoping to get some heat off my American made air cooled v-twin. Keeping in mind that it is allegedly July (where is summer, where is global warming?!?) I went to bed with sweats and long johns on in order to get warm.

Scott Petry

2009-07-01T10:17:00.000-04:00

Watch all the way through the credits! This guy is hilarious.

Sorry

2009-06-24T17:37:00.003-04:00

I had an amusing post, but Blogger could not post it without forgetting what it was doing, so you are stuck with this.

Cannot believe what I saw...

2009-06-10T20:04:00.002-04:00

!!!Duct Tape Alert!!!

Mount Vernon, Ohio. High School graduation commencement... posting of the Colors (Our Flag) and the National Anthem... I saw people wearing their hats, and I saw only one other person covering their heart with their right hand... and he was on the stage. I think I remember 5 school administrators on the stage, and the most senior gentleman stood sharp as a tack, with his hand over his heart.
What has happened in our country?!? I would expect this gross display disrespect in an inner city school, not the heartland of America, Mount Vernon, Ohio so called "America's Hometown." I am outraged! I am ready to rip the school board a new one, and remind them of the people who have died to give them a safe place to teach...and teach in English! Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh!
This will not go uncorrected. I feel bad for the class of 2009 who were shown an example of laziness and disregard for their country. I can understand the occasional teenager "making a statement" about some injustice, by not covering their heart.... but the administration? There is no excuse.
As for the other people in the stands, wearing their ballcaps... I have not forgotten about you. I can understand the muslim guy keeping his skull cap on, but your baseball hat should come off for a few moments in observance for what our flag stands for.
Mount Vernon, Ohio get your act together!

So wrong, but soooo right.

2009-06-03T23:17:00.001-04:00

Hard to type

2009-05-29T14:13:00.003-04:00

It is hard to type with a cast on your hand, so here are some cool motivational posters instead.

GI Joe Movie Widget

2009-05-29T10:59:00.001-04:00

G.I. Joe

2009-05-14T18:24:00.002-04:00

I am excited. They are going to release a live action G.I. Joe movie on my birthday this year! To make the irony complete, I have joined a motorcycle club pending my purchase of a certain 2005 Buell XB9SX CityX... The club? COBRA (Central Buell Riders Association)

I am tough...

2009-05-13T19:13:00.002-04:00

Not trying to sound arrogant, but when you are told by numerous independant sources that you have an exceptionally high threshold of pain, one starts to believe it.

Let's start off with a bit of irony. Today is the 5th anniversary of the accident that nearly claimed my life, and claimed much of the function of my right hand. It is also rainy today in Ohio. That is two things that normally bug me. I gave a long post last year detailing my feelings about this date, and due to pain issues today I will simply recommend some good reading from May of 08.

Anyway, so I go to the doctor today, a week and a half after I broke that concrete slab in two, to talk to the famous Dr. C about a couple things, prescription refulls, display my broken concrete slab (to which he said "I'm impressed") and have him check out the swelling in my hand. It took him all of 1.326 seconds to unceremoniously announce, "It's broke".

This would not be so bad, if I hadn't told my loving parents the day of the demo, that I did not break my hand, and my beautiful wife and I are going to spend some time with them this Sunday. No way to hide a broken hand in a cast or with stitches or whatever Dr. C decides is the proper action to take with this new injury. So, I figure I had better call them BEFORE they casually notice that my hand is broken.

In summary, May 13th anniversary of injury, rainy day, broken hand (no cast or treatment, not even set), at work, moving a Coordination Center from an office building to the airport. Yeah, I must be tough. Maybe this is what John Wayne called grit.

Buell Wanted

2009-05-08T10:30:00.002-04:00

From a very very young age, I was bitten by the motorcycle bug. It's all my Dad's fault, really. Now that I am in the "middle age" range, I figure it is time for me to finally get a bike of my own.
A few years ago, a friend of mine, George, let me ride his Buell Lightning around the parking lot at work. That is when I fell in love with the ergonomics. Easy on my wrist, yet sporty, unique and kinda ugly like a Boston Terrier. I already have a Boston, so I figure it is time to get a similar Buell.
Ideally I am looking for a 2003 or newer Buell Lightning, doesn't matter if it is an XB9, or XB12. Translucent Blue, and for $3,500-4,000 or so. That would be excellent. I would kidna rather the XB9 because they are a little cheaper, probably not as much on insurance either. Anyway, that is what I am looking for right now.

Buell Buell Buell Buell Buell Buell Buelley Buell.

God is Great!

2009-05-06T10:10:00.001-04:00

Totally reeking of awesomeness, and there is no charge for awesomeness!

Much thanks to Becky (Cousin-in-law) for the video, hosted on youtube.

Cool Backflip

2009-04-23T10:29:00.002-04:00

Zack's SECOND attempt at a backflip. Vote in the comments section if you want to see his first attempt.

Very short video clip, should be able to load for those in the stone age of DIAL UP. You know who you are...

The Lesson Of Susan Boyle

2009-04-22T13:35:00.002-04:00

I have been saying this for a long time. Never put limits on other people. If you have not seen the internet sensation that has been in the news for the last almost two weeks, Susan Boyle's performance on Brittan's Got Tallent, then you have missed a treat.

She is a little chunky, in her 40s, thick eyebrows, and nothing about her appearance would even hint to anything better than mediocre in her life; however, when this grand lady starts to sing... WOW!

When people see me grimacing in pain, they see the ugly side of my body, they look at my hand. They see pain, disfigurement. Let me tell you something though, this black belt can make splinters out of a stack of boards with that same hand.

Granted, I do not think me crushing things with my hand is quite as sensational as Susan Boyle's performance, but they prove the same thing. Never put limits on people, because they are likely to suprise you.

Welcome to the World of Extremeism

2009-04-16T13:16:00.002-04:00

Here it is. Breach of protocol, but not totally. My boss, Secretary of Homeland Security has classed me as an Extremist. I am a military vet, I believe in the book of Revelation, I am pro-life, pro-second ammendment, for limited government, and I don't believe in the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Global Warming, or Santa Claus. Along with 85% of my co-workers. Who does this chick think makes up her work force?

Now, anyone who REALLY knows me, will tell you that I am as dangerous as a teddy bear. I have a wide range of friends even though I shave my head (because of male pattern baldness, thank you Dad). Blacks, latinos, gays, lesbians, asians, itallians, middle easterners, somalis, and so on. I have a friend in almost any demographic you can come up with. But now I am an extremist. Really. REALLY?!?

Seriously, I am not angry, just baffled by the sheer stupidity of this. Anyway, if I am an extremist, I guess I need to grow a shaggy beard, and get a hermit cabin way back in the woods and stockpile MREs and "Non-Hybrid Seeds" because the Bildabergs and Rothchilds are coming to get me. lol

Legacy of a Madman

2009-04-12T08:10:00.003-04:00

One of my crazy friends once visited me like 3 Easter Sundays in a row, and he had a strange ritual on that Sunday morning. He would scream, Welcome Back Jesus all day long. See, this guy was raised in the Catholic church, which accounts for most of his religous disfunction. @ 0630 this morning (Easter Sunday) I got a text from someone saying Welcome Back Jesus. While the typed statement fails to do the original justice, I wanted to reflect on what the statement means.
Welcome Back Jesus. Humiliated. Beaten. Tortured. Crucified. Dead in the ground for 3 days. By the power of Himself, defeated the grave. In doing so, defeated death and sin for all humanity. The one flawless sacrafice. Jesus was perfect, no sin, and much more valuable than a lamb or a ox. How many times has God Himself come down in human form to live with us? Once. Our one shot to have our creater living down here in physical form, and what do we do? Crucify Him...But it is written in Revelation that He was Crucified from the Foundation of the Earth.

What does that mean? In Genisis, when God said "Let there be" the plan was already set in motion for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

God Himself, the creator, healer, blesser, and smiter placed Himself in this fragile human form, and lived with us, ate with us, worked with us, only to be tortured, beaten, spat uppon, and crucified by us. Just for a new dispensation, the dispensation of Grace. A time where God would have a wider spread relationship with the gentiles, than with his own chosen people.

But wait, there's more. The Bible is full of examples of how the second "birth" is more important than the first. Isaac getting the blessing over his older half brother Ishmael. Jacob (Isreal) recieved the blessing and birthright over his older brother Esau (by deception, and cunning), David's house forever being blessed and having the liniage of Christ over the first king of Isreal, Saul. Born again Christians baptized (born again, a second birth) of the Water and the Spirit knowing salvation.
It is with this spirit, a second way of saying it, which is greater than the first way I heard it, I say....

WELCOME BACK JESUS! MY LORD AND SAVIOR!

Things that make my head explode

2009-04-07T16:17:00.002-04:00

1. Those who endanger others out of Convenience, Ignorance, or Laziness. (Drunk Drivers, co workers who do unsafe things with LITHIUM batteries...)

2. Those who look for people to persecute just to make themselves look better.

3. Those who will go behind your back to complain about something, rather than approach you about it.

4. Obama-holics, for crying out loud, Detroit has started to print it's own currency! The F-22 Raptor program has been scrapped!

5. Those who think that just because their marriage fell apart, that ALL marriages are doomed.

6. Science falsely called.

7. Ohio weather.

8. Forgetting to pack silverware in my lunchbox.

9. Those who cannot see the forrest for all of the trees.

10. Cars with less than 200 hp.

11. Amputations.

12. Quitters and Emos.

13. Nazis and Neo-Nazis No explination needed.

14. Communists...Oh I already said Obama-holics....

15. Anti-Semites... Isreal is a blessed nation, and I will be a friend of Isreal.

16. Weather that is prohibitive to grilling. Meat+Fire=Food. Unga bunga!

17. TV, because more often than not, I have better things to do with my time...

18. Zombies... If I had a dollar every time...

19. Pirates, because Ninjas are soooooo much better.

20. The distance between Ohio, Colorado, and the Ocean.

I couldn't say it better

2009-03-19T13:23:00.001-04:00

ATTACK!

2009-03-05T22:13:00.002-05:00

We have all been there. Just this time the timing stinks. I have been under some sort of an attack lately, and I am getting a bit fed up. We have all been there, so I would like to know how some of you have fought your way out. Key scriptures that help you keep your chin up, or anything else motivational. There are good things on teh horizon, I can see them, but getting there is the problem. One of the good things, may just be the banner I have in my posts. Click, see what it is and if you have any questions feel free to ask. But the main thing is to let me know your motivational secrets.

Kamala and the Canoli Caper

2009-02-26T12:10:00.004-05:00

Let me tell you a tale, a tale of tragedy, a tale of unexpected events, a tale of thrilling action. Kamla and the Canoli Caper!

Many many moons ago, a visitor from a far away land visited the Ninja Kingdom. The event was to celebrate the Ninja King's official acceptance into awesomeness (There is no charge for awesomeness). The strange visitor was named Kamala and wanted to give the Ninja King a gift, and a gift for his friends as well. Home made, traditional canolis. (Yum-o) Anyway, whilst filling the canolis full of yummy goodness, the magic Kamala bag of yummies burst open, spilling the canoli filling upon the sink, counter, her leg and the floor.

As you can see, these events did not faze the unflappable Kamala, for she is far too awesome to be bummed out.

Oops, the camera used by the Ninja King has caused the Kamala to let loose a firece Mean Grrr! Only the Ninja King can expirence the Mean Grrr and live!

Anyway, back to the Canoli Caper, the yummy filling covered the floor of the contsruction zone known as the Ninja Kingdom's kitchen, so much that Kamala decided to take off her socks to let her toes feel the squishy fun between her toes (kidding, she had canoli filling on her socks, and it was making her feet cold)

Anyway, the Kamala saved the day, and beauty and the beast are still close friends.

KD8KFG

2009-02-23T22:17:00.001-05:00

Is it kosher for a Jewish person to become involved in amateur radio? Ya know, to be a HAM? Anyway, the title of this post "KD8KFG" is my new call sign. I am now, an official HAM, not that I wasn't a ham before, but now I am a HAM. All caps.

SWEET VIDEO

2009-02-21T17:12:00.000-05:00

Business

2009-02-17T17:26:00.003-05:00

First off, I want to say welcome back to freedom to former CBP Agents Ramos and Compeon, they were freed today, and restricted to house arrest till sometime in late March.

Next, I need some advice on business. Those who know, know that I have my own little (itty bitty) dojo. Now, the information I get changes on a regular basis, but I have decided that there is very little chance I will try to start an actual business dojo in Mt. Vernon. What I do want to do is to train up at least one black belt to carry on the program so Mistie and I can eventually move somewhere with a climate more accomidating to my injuries. (Where I hope to start up a new program).

I am not worried about starting a business, or the money... I want to cultivate a new avenue that we can reach out to the community with a welcoming hand and provide an avenue to the church.

Anyway, we are looking to have our own floor mats starting on March 8th. March 7th I am planning on going to the "Arnold" to purchase some kind of 2" thick mats on which to throw countless students. This will also help with starting the other classes, women's self defence, and children's classes. So, keep praying for that to happen.

Anyway, there is the completed post.

Mushy Stuff

2009-02-13T10:53:00.002-05:00

I was about to sit down and write a post about a certain topic, then I realized what a HUGE mistake that would be. Tomorrow is valentine's day, but today is Friday, the 13th! Woot!
What? What am I talking about? Well, Mistie and I met on September, 13 2002, it was a Friday...the 13th! Unlucky? Well I could make a horrible joke, but it would be untrue. Mistie has been a blessing to me. She keeps my head out of the clouds, and has helped me focus and reminds me that I am not bullet proof and sometimes need to take care of myself.
Now, we have two wonderful ninja-dogs. A ninja-hideout, (that comes with a ninja-mortguage) and other cool ninjatastic stuff.
Anyway, I have to get going. Gotta get lunch ready for my sweetheart.

Enemy of State

2009-02-10T09:49:00.002-05:00

To the Obama-holics who think that President Hussein is incapable of wrongdoing, or that he is the savior, or as Farakahn thinks, the messiah, I present to you this. The man dropped the charges against the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing. 17 sailors died that day, and 30 or so were injured. Some of the sailors who died, were crushed between the floor and cieling of the mess deck (dining room). Many of them died slowly.

President Hussein, if I were in charge, you would be listed as an Enemy of State, and placed at #2 on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

Well, at least we know.

2009-02-06T19:50:00.002-05:00

Ok, the "See Snake" from "Waterworks" plumbing did not solve our problem... but it gave us an answer for sure... we are attached to the septic. Granted, it is poorly done and we need to dig everything up and re-do it all. But at least we know.

Our friends at DLG were shocked at the news.

Hopefully our friend B.H. who owns some heavy equipment will help us out with the digging part.

Oh, the Fun Vaccuum at work was switched on... Fun not authorized.

Poop, lots and lots of poop.

2009-02-05T18:29:00.002-05:00

Well, me and my trusty little propane torch got the water running again; however, there is a much bigger problem lurking. Poop. (Imagine the tune of 99 bottles of beer) 99 gallons of poop in the pipes, 99 gallons of poop....

Anyway, the plumbing ninjas at DLG did magnificent work but did not have the "See Snake" (plumbing snake with a camera on it) We may have some digging to do. The 4" pipe that goes out of the howse and connects (allegedly & unofficially) to the sewer seems to have a lot, I mean a LOT of clogging. 100' of auger snake did not clear it up, so we may have to dig the pipe up. This really is not my area of expertese.

It seems that the past 5 days have been all about poop. First it was concern over Buster's, and now... well I think I have said it enough. Ugh...

PLUMBING!!!

2009-02-05T09:37:00.002-05:00

Aaaarrrrgh! I am making my wonderful plumber wealthy! Was woken up this morning to two toilets that do not flush, then after Mistie went to work, I realized that the cold water pipes in the front of the house were frozen. Dummy me forgot to turn the water on to a trickle last night. This stinks.

Union?

2009-02-04T23:34:00.002-05:00

There are the rumblings of a union coming to where I work. This is one of the biggest unions in the federal government. They are also not associated with the executive department I work for. My questions for them started with, why are you interested in my agency? Is it the people? I have read their publications, and they are full of false spin. Is it the union dues? I suspect so. Then I find out that they get the first crack at us, because they were a major supporter of President Hussein's campaign.

Join a union that supports a man who signed legislation into law that gives American dollars to INTERNATIONAL orginizations to advertize abortions. Union dues going to help the campaign of someone who gives billions of dollars to Palestine to help in the Gaza Strip?

I do not have a problem with unions, I think unions like the FOP are great. Labor should be organized, but at what cost? Dead babies? Anti-semitisim?

No, I shall not join this particular union.

Buster Update

2009-02-03T14:26:00.002-05:00

He seems to be out of the woods. He is still waaaaaaay to skinny. He used to be about 28#s, now he is around 17. Anyway, the bleeding has all but stopped, he has an apetite again. (With the gourmet rice w/chicken broth I have been making him I would be scarfing it down too.) He is still a sick puppy, but I think the worst is over. Anyway... that is all I have time to blog right now.

Buster

2009-02-01T06:45:00.001-05:00

He seems to be getting worse...

Prayer Request

2009-01-31T21:39:00.002-05:00

This may sound kinda silly, but our beloved crazy boy, Buster is sick with something that has Mistie and I worried. It really breaks my heart to see the little guy not feeling well, and to this extent I am really worried. I will spare the details, but I will probably pay the extra $$$ to have the vet come into the office on an emergency call for him. Maybe even tonight... anyway. For what it is worth, please remember Buster, he is part of our family. The crazy part.

Work

2009-01-30T17:51:00.002-05:00

Most americans, myself included, tolerate their jobs. Many of us do what we do because we may be good at it, and it pays the bills, yet it might not be what we love. Some of us would be good seamstresses, others great carpenters. My road is a question mark right now as I am preparing to attempt to move from one government agency, to another, doing the same thing I do now, but this time with a human schedule. I am not terribly hopeful, as most of the things I hope for this time of year do not go well. I also get in a "rut" this time of year. It is like I want to just hibernate. Being solar powered, in Ohio, in January/February/March, is to be running low on the batteries. Perhaps this is why I test drove a shiny yellow Jeep Wrangler Sport today.

Ah yes, the Jeep. If you speak spanish, it sounds like Heep. Anyway, they are immense fun if you get one that has not been abused without maintenance. Drop the top on a nice day, put your foot on the running board, enjoy the breeze.

Grown up drawbacks. Gas mileage. When you have the political atmosphere we have, where they talk about "Carbon Tax" increases on gas, that I guarantee will catapault fuel prices over the $4 mark again. Now, if I had a job, in Newark, instead of Columbus, the commute would be far less stressful on the ol gas budget and 19mpg would not be so bad. But when you commute about 100 miles a day, the $$$ difference between 19 mpg and 35 mpg is substantial. Add in the potential for $4 gas and I would be in the same situation I was in this past summer. I cannot do this to my family. Family is more important than a jeep. In the same note, I am emergency essential, and a Jeep will go ANYWHERE you point it. Good safety net for a family. But $$$ says no right now. The almighty dollar trumps in this situation. :-(

Now, the down side to the civic, I have dug it out of my own driveway 3! times. This is the first year in a very long time I have not had a 4x4 or AWD commuter. (Natasha has extreme performance summer tires on right now, and has NO traction on anything resembling snow, let alone ice). Last year, I had Faith, a 2000 Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4 V8 with limited slip rear and 32" all terrain tires. It was immense fun driving in the blizzard in late Feb last year... fun fun fun. :-)

Ok, so I need to take pictures of the house, and update the blog status. We have a working shower, though I noticed today a 3" section where the silicone sealant has seperated from the shower wall and the bath tub allowing a little water to get back there. Grrr... will attempt to patch that. No idea what made it come apart.

Wood burner works GREAT, as long as you get up in the middle of the night to feed it once or twice.

I am meeting with the Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club on the 9th to liason with the government agency I work with to help get some emergency comms coordinated with them.

I also am going out to Colorado in July to visit my mental doppleganger, Kamala. Depending on $$$ and scheduling, Mistie may make the trip as well, which I think would be stupendous.

Um... I am rambling now. Guess I will sign off... l8r.

Ok, ok

2009-01-09T19:54:00.003-05:00

I have, in my mind, and incredible blog post. Pics, and video, and more! Unfortunately, the only time I really have right now is at work, and I cannot connect my memory stick to the gub-ment comps. So... we will continue to try. Anyway, virtually everyone already knows, I did earn my black belt.

BLACK BELT TEST!!!

2008-11-25T17:19:00.002-05:00

December, 13. 1300 (1:00pm for those civilians) located at:

Premier Martial Arts
104 E. Main Street
Newark, Ohio 43055

Potluck style reception afterwards. If you plan on bringing something, let me know and I will get you signed up. The test will probably take around an hour or so, and the reception is a stay as long as you like kind of thing. Every faithful reader is invited, all members of my church are invited, family, friends, shipmates, and federal ossifers are all invited.

This is one of my lifelong goals. If you want to see a boy achieve one of his dreams please come to witness this event.

Random ramblings

2008-11-20T18:12:00.002-05:00

I was watching a documentary a long time ago. It was about the day in the life of a polar bear. Now this was a boy polar bear, he woke up and got some breakfast, then found his girlfriend polar bear. The two "played" and he swaggered off to take a nap. When he woke up he went to find his buddies, the other boy polar bears. Soon, he started to try to "play" with his boy buddy polar bears the same way he "played" with the girl polar bear. The bloodshead and destruction that followed finally opened my eyes to the truly destructive nature of bi-polar disorder.

We are aiming for Saturday, November 29th as move in day. Aiming... who knows if it will happen. We are struggling a little with flooring, and the issues with the walls in the full bathroom. And, if anyone knows of a paint that will adhere soundly to finnished ceramic, I need to know soon. I have to paint a maize and blue block M in the new toilet we are getting. This will go in the Buckeye Bathroom that I have been hinting at in teh upper right hand corner of this blog for quite a while.

Additionally, it is scary how much our President Elect and his associates resemble Jim Jones, in their actions and plans. Research it for yourself. Jim Jones was a socialist/communist first, and did not even believe in God or the Bible. Check it out... The world is on fire. :-(

BLACK BELT TEST UPDATE!!!!
Black Belt test will occur on 13 December, 2008 at either 1200 or 1300 in the gynmasium above the dojo. Will have the address for you next blog post.

Ok, I am getting hungry, I had better go.

06 NOV 08

2008-11-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

Yup, that is the day we closed on the house. I remember stating I would like to be moved in late OCT- mid NOV... well we are on track for that. So to the lemonhead (luv ya) who thought we would be waiting till the end of the year to close... :-P When you have an awesome Uncle (In-Law) who manages a credit union, things move quickly, and in your favor. I am not afraid to say that God seems to have blessed Mistie and I.

Oh, and we went to ApplianceSmart (Scratch and dent store) and they were having a 25% off sale on stainless appliances... we bought a super cool, self cleaning, stainless, glass top, CONVECTION oven! I get a convection oven! WOOT! (See, I am the cook in the family) and this means I can cook hams or turkeys much more evenly, and much faster! We are making plans on colors, carpet, fencing (Ogre, I need to talk to our township trustee about that) and all the other stuff that comes along with buying a HOWSE. (I had to do that at least once.

Another thing, this howse will be the unofficial Camp Impact. Keep that on the down low... One day I will be like Mr. Han from Enter the Dragon, with my own private island where I live like a king, teaching an army of martial artists for my tournaments. (I dream big)

Comrade! All Hail our glorious Leader Obama!

2008-11-05T09:21:00.004-05:00

Comrades! Good news from the western front! Our glorious leader has a plan to fix everything. The greed of the wealthy will be their undoing! Now everybody will be the same *poor*. What a good day for the Motherland!

Kind of like a carbon copy of the original. Nothing good ever came from socialisim. Not the jet engine, not penecillin, not not computers, not the car, nothing. Well America, it was nice knowing freedom.

Welcome to the Motherland Comrades!

Politics

2008-11-04T14:41:00.002-05:00

Vote today. If you have voted already, great. If you do not vote, I do not want to hear you complain about the results of today's race.

VOTE!!!!!

Meme

2008-10-23T18:17:00.002-04:00

As I do not know 6 other bloggers that have not already been tagged... I will have to break the first rule as presented to me by http://ross-theresahines.blogspot.com So I will post my six unspectacular facts....

1. Born and raised in Ohio, and an Ohio State fan.

2. One of my nicknames, 9 1/2, is due to the # of fingers I have

3. I LOVE COOKING! The kitchen is MINE!!!

4. I put hot sauce on almost all things resembling food. (If you aren't sweating, you aren't eating)

5. I shave my head because I am going bald anyway.

6. Bacon is my favorite breakfast meat.

Interesting event

2008-10-23T17:07:00.002-04:00

I have a lurker... Someone recently stumbled upon this blog of random rants, and pointless insight. This person is also the new administrative executive at the dojo. This person also has uncut hair, no jewelry, no makeup, skirt past her knees, the Holy Ghost, and been baptized in the only name given under heaven by which we are saved, Jesus Christ.

Apparently, Becka (Becca, Beka, I don't know how she spells her name), stumbled upon this blog, went to http://www.vernonchurch.org and saw my testimony in the martial arts demo. Then she asks her new boss about the video, as Sensei Ben Bisso is in the video as well.

What does this all mean? Well, another Holy Ghost filled person in the dojo can mean that there will continue to be a strong Christian influence in the way business is done. More Christian influence with my Sensei who deals with all manner of stuff, and needs all the fellowship he can get. Other than that, I am not sure what it means. It is just cool.

Duct Tape Alert

2008-10-22T17:04:00.002-04:00

I need a new job. I remember a sermon that Bro. Hall taught about enduring the Leah in your tent, in refrence to Leah and Rachel with Jacob (Isreal). Leah is most definitely sitting 10 feet to my left(I am currently at work as I type this.)

BUSTER! and Zoe

2008-10-16T21:48:00.002-04:00

It seems that the psychodog BUSTER! has finally met his match. Zoe, believed to be decended from families of working herd dogs (Corgi) and hunting dogs (Daschund), has a drive to PLAY that seems to override that of the fighter (Boston Bull Terrier).

Now I do not want Zoe Gevious to get a bad reputation. (Get it, Zoe Gevious? Ms. Gevious!) She has the ability to go from play to luvy almost on cue. Now, there is the issue of her puppy curiosity, which get's her in some trouble, but all ninjas know that happy, healthy puppies are curious and take time to learn what a rule is, and that it needs to be obeyed.

It is really wierd to see BUSTER! trying to avoid a playful Zoe. It's not that he does not like her, it is just that a Boston was never bread for endurance, and the poor little guy gets tired. When he gets that tired, we usually seperate the two so he can rest.

Zoe is also a dog that LOVES to be outside. When we get the house in Vernon, whe will likely spend a lot of time patroling the back yard.

This past Sunday, she was visiting her cousin, Sparky, and while racing BUSTER! she jumped over Sparky. She leaped over Sparky, and Sparky just stood there with an amazed look on his face. You had to be there.

MTV

2008-10-08T20:28:00.002-04:00

It's not what you are thinking. I am not talking about the glamorous city of Mount Vernon, where my wife and I are moving BACK to, I am talking about the nearly defunct Music TelleVision.

Well, what about it? The main branch of my school, Premier Martial Arts, in Newark, OH is going to be featured in an episode of MTV's Made. I am not sure what details I can share while filming is still happening, but the setup is quite exciting. You have a 17 year old guy, who wants to be more confident and learn martial arts. Other episodes of this show that involved martial arts usualy included an instructor that was a jerk to the Nth degree.

Not my sensei though. Strict, but he uses positive motivation as a primary tool. Other episodes showed the subject breaking a single board, or winning a single sparring match. I will not spoil the suprise, but the first training session with the kid exceeded expectations. Anyway, I am going to try to make it to one of the filming sessions. I don't care if I am on MTV or not, I just want to see how this all happens.

Contract?!?

2008-10-03T23:03:00.002-04:00

Here is what I understand of the jargon. Monday sometime, my beautiful wife and I are going to meet our realator and sign some stuff and we will be "In Contract' to buy our first howse. (Ok, sure I misspell house on purpose, but why? Even I don't know.) As Natasha flies, (1997 Eagle Talon TSi AWD) we will be just under a mile away from the church. As the crow flies, we will probably be less than half a mile. (Maybe a quad to race across the corn fields in the winter will save me that much needed 2 seconds in transit)

In faith, I say that it is our house. We will start getting inspectors in there in a week or so, and get things in order to put a fence up, and fix a few things. I want to be moved in before mid November. I think if we kick some backside, we could be moved in at the end of the month. That would give us some time to fix things up in time for our Lilley family Christmas get together.

I cannot wait to start modifying the howse. Anyone who knows me well at all, knows that I cannot resist tweaking almost anything I own. Now, the howse will be OUR property, not mine, this being said, all mods/hacks/tweaks will have to be approved by the Board Of Directors which consist of Mistie (chair), Mistie (vice chair), Mistie (secretary), Mistie(treasurer), and Mistie (mountain dew quality control). Granted, I am the CEO, but I have to submit ideas to the Board.

I cannot wait to see BUSTER! and Zoe play in that back yard. I cannot wait to get a swimming pool in that back yard.

This makes me somewhat nostalgic, when I was young, we moved a lot. Moving meant painting. I grew up to be an excellent painter, as far as painting walls and stuff. I also want to see a smile on Mistie when we get all moved in and can relax.

I really look forward to having time to nap on Sundays. This move will only have two cons. 1. longer commute to work. 2. Longer commute to dojo. Everything else seems to be a plus. (Wait... there are no good wings places in MT. V.)

Oh well. It is late, and I am starting to type random thoughts. If I keep this up, I may reveal some of the secrets of the I.O.N (International Order of Ninjas)

My God heals and restores!

2008-09-29T11:10:00.002-04:00

Athiest asks why God doesn't heal amputees, wait till they get a load of me.

Last night, over four years after the car accident that crushed my right hand and left it a bit of a mangled mess, missing ring finger, middle knuckle on my middle finger is half gone, wrist chewed up with bone spurs and osteoarthritis. Even my doctor told me that I would never be a martial artist anymore.

Can I tell you that the God I believe in is smarter than a doctor? Can I tell you that my God is more powerful than any pain or injury. Can I tell you that at a little after 6:00 pm last night 28 September, 2008, in front of a full church congregation, with the "gimp" hand, and by the grace of my one God, I shattered a stack of 10 boards. That is a first for me. I have done up to 7 boards before. My great friend L.J. tells me the video is posted on
http://www.vernonchurch.org
Hopefully that link works.

Introducing Zoe!

2008-09-27T12:03:00.006-04:00

Fresh from the pound, loveable, playful, and all sweetheart, the new, the gorgeous, Zoe!

We believe she is about a year old, and a mix of corgi/daschund (Oscar Meyer wiener dog). The way she jumps and moves I could have named her Long Tall Sally. Anyway, she not only puts up with BUSTER! she sometimes antagonizes him to play. As she is my baby girl, she has a matching set of pink harness and leash, along with super soft padding in her room (crate). No more harsh life in the pound for this little princess. She seems to already be house trained, and except for begging at dinnertime, she is very well mannered. She is not the pug I was looking for, but she is a perfect fit in this family.

Second Biggest Plunge

2008-09-26T17:13:00.002-04:00

Wow. I think it might be a while before it sinks in. This is a big move, not as big as 07/08/06 (When Imarried the greatest woman of all time) but almost as big. We made an offer on a house today. It is about 1 mile away from the church, and seems to be just outside of city limits :-) My honney do list is growing by the minute. Check on fencing for the back yard, check on bathroom stuff, kitchen stuff, paint, carpet, and moving stuff.

All this is a bit exciting, as we will have a comfortable amount of room to host my family's Christmas get together, unlike last year in a one bedroom appartment trying to squeeze 9 people inside, with a big meal, and presents.

It also means I will shop for a swimming pool. Hooray for me! This squid has been out of water for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long.

The family room will have my martial arts weapons high on the walls, for display, and the other armory will be elsewhere.

Garden... yes we hope to have a garden in the back as well.

All in all, it is not as nice as the first house we looked at, but it will work. Instead of having 2 or 3 BIG projects, this house will have several small projects.

Over the edge

2008-09-18T13:44:00.002-04:00

Aaaargh!!!!! Political rhetoric is one thing, but when celebrity libs who could not identify a Bible if it was in front of them should not say who or what Jesus is (or was).

Susan Sarandon, Rosie, and her View Crew need a history and a Sunday School lesson. If they want to compare Barak Obama to Jesus, they need to get facts straight. Barak Obama was a community organizer, Jesus Christ was and is the King of Kings, the Lord of Hosts, The Alpha and the Omega, The Covenant God of Isreal, which implies a scope of operations much broader than that of a mere community organizer. To try to compare the two is false, you must contrast the two.

Now, I understand that NObama has tried to distance himself from that little slogan, because he is not that dumb, and I respect that; however, his extreme nut job supporters should put that little line down as well. Whoever came up with that slogan was a poorly schooled moron. Thus endeth the lesson.

Ugh

2008-09-11T06:35:00.002-04:00

Ok, ok, enough with the lipstick on a pig stuff. As a conservative (not necessarily a republican, I don't even know what a republican is anymore) but as a conservative I can tell you that Barak NObama was not calling Gov. Palin a pig. Just drop it, of course this is the same tactic I would expect from the libs. Maybe they just really hate a taste of their own ridiculous tactics. It bothers me though, that the side I am closer to would sink to such childish antics. Then again, who ever said McCain was conservative. Nope, just a republican.

Please, don't make me puke

2008-08-29T11:57:00.003-04:00

You all know I try to stay away from strong political statements on this blog, but it is my blog and I made the rules stating that I may occasionally go there.

If you feel the need to choose anniversaries to make "ground breaking" speeches, and schedule events hoping to wax philisophical, please choke yourself. Ranting on for oh, say... 42 minutes on Marxisim being the answer to the call for "change" then again, choke yourself.

What did the Soviet Union contribute to the world? What has Communist China given us? How about Cuba? What innovations came from these fine examples of Marxist socialism? Nothing. Additionally, name one social program our imperfect government runs well? Just one.... Didn't think so. And some want Uncle Sam to take over health care? The same people who complained about FEMA and Wellfare, and Social Security, want us to make uncle sam responsible for Aunt Edna's triple by-pass surgery. Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing again and again, expecting diffrent results.

I am in full rant mode here. Now, I am not a fan of either candidates. I am less of a fan of Obama (No I do not think he is a muslim terrorist in disguise, but his associate William Ayers is an unrepentant domestic terrorist), than I am of McCain. I will say that maybe, just maybe McCain has a far superior running mate. I have not done my homework on Sarah Palin yet, but I will.

I still feel that no matter who wins, we all lose.

Black Belt Test

2008-08-19T07:31:00.002-04:00

Saturday, December 13th. The day that will mark a life dream being achieved. The day where the only color of belt I will ever wear again will be black. Excited, yes. Nervous, yes. Everyone will be invited. Exact time and location to come.

Easy to break a ninja's heart.

2008-08-11T09:58:00.002-04:00

One of the former members of our youth group has gone astray. This sheep used to be a peer leader. Now they have gone a similar path as I did when I joined the Navy. Dear Lord in Heaven, please grant your lost sheep at least as much widsom as you granted me, and let them wake up one day and realize where they are and where they could be instead. Let this sheep miss your presence, and be haunted by the silent space in their heart where your spirit used to guide them from. Till that day happens, this ninja's heart will break a little every time I think of the lost sheep. I would have saved them the scars they are getting right now, but some of us knuckleheads have to learn the hard way.

Amazing (To me at least)

2008-08-04T09:12:00.003-04:00

Well, I know I recently posted about the martial arts program growing to 4 students... well how about 5? Bro. D's son in law, showed up for class this weekend. He has some martial arts background, and already knows the first kata (form) that the students have gone over. Add in G-Man in a couple of weeks and I will have 6 students. That is about as many as we have in the main school's morning class. This is starting to take off.

Stupid Saturday Vindication

2008-08-02T11:34:00.002-04:00

Anyone who knows me well at all, knows the two main gripes I have at work are Stupid Saturdays, and the parking/shuttle bus situation. Today is Stupid Saturday, and I had a typical shuttle bus driver. Careened dangerously fast through a construction area, where a cop car usually sits empty, except today. It had an officer of the law running radar. He promptly pulls out and follows the shuttle closely. The driver seems to flip out a little bit and seems to brake check the cop several times. Anyway, as the shuttle bus stops to let the employees out, and the lights come on. I could not help but chuckle a little. 6 years of wondering if this shuttle bus ride will be the one that kills me, and finally one gets pulled over. Just the little ray of sunshine I need to survive yet another stupid Saturday.

Growing class

2008-07-28T10:12:00.002-04:00

This applies to my church program martial arts class. The class may have expanded. I had a new student yesterday, Jessie. A friend of Josh, he seems to have some promise. I look forward to the opportunity to assist him in any way I can as a Christian and as a sensei. That's right kids, the church program is kind of an outreach, as it is a Christian dojo (school). I only hope that my efforts are blessed by the Lord, and that this works in some way to bring more missing souls back home.

I thank Bro. Ken Cook for some of his enthusiasim he brought to me this past spring when he heard about the program. I am soon going to forward him some pictures of the class, and have asked the Pastor if I can have a presentation/demo on a Sunday night. I think I will also ask my best friend, Bro. LJ to post something about this on the church web site as well. Anyone who knows me knows I am a man of three passions. Church (youth ministry to be exact, including Sunday School), martial arts, and buffalo wings. (Ok, maybe buffalo wings are an obsession, not a passion... lol)

Birthday List

2008-07-10T14:56:00.002-04:00

For any and all questions on this list, please contact my beautiful wife. It would be wierd for me to organize my own birthday stuff. Anyway, here is the list...

Bible on CD (Dramatized Version)

Ferrari Stuff for the house (when we get a house)

T-Bone steak

Deer Jerky

Deep Fryer (for wings)

Tabi Socks (not nylon, cotton or poly-cotton)

Ice Cream Cake from Dairy Queen

See my Nephews and Niece

Blacklight

Acousitc Guitar

Size 6 Ninja uniform

HK Shirt

USA Flag Tie

42" 1080p LCD or Plasma tv

Nike Finger Sleves (Medium, this may be an e-bay item)

Anyway, that is a list with variety. From cheap to ouch in my dreams expensive. Take your pick, or pitch in any way you like.

Roush Honda

2008-07-07T16:43:00.002-04:00

Ok readers, most of you know how well I keep my vehicles. I am trying to trade in my beloved truck for something that sips the gasoline, instead of chugging it. I drove all around Columbus today, pre approved to buy a car and could not find one. I finally went to see a 99 Civic Hatchback at Roush Honda. They wanted $2,ooo more than what it books for, in perfect condition, and the car had been wrecked and showed signs of abuse. Then they insult me by offering me only $2,000 for my truck. KBB shows the median trade in value as $5,600! Roush honda was trying to rip me off by a grand total of $4,600!!! That is an outright shame, and a crime. DO NOT EVER GO TO ROUSH HONDA IN WESTERVILLE, OHIO!

FestHaus update

2008-07-05T16:59:00.002-04:00

Mistie and I are baisically pre-approved for a home loan. Now we just have to... you know... buy a house... and stuff.

Howse? (House)

2008-07-01T08:21:00.003-04:00

If you did not know, Mistie and I are looking at a house (Howse?). 2.000 acres, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage. I am going to break this down, western style.

The GOOD

The BAD
Needs some light maintenance, new door, floors cleaned, and the usual fix it stuff.

The UGLY
Some shingles blown off, half the front gutter torn off (blizzard?) and water in the finnished (?) basement... and MOLD.

Kamala

2008-06-19T17:12:00.001-04:00

For those of you who pray, please pray for my super best friend, Kamala. She is sick, and has to move back home. I am not going to state specifics here, but she does not sound healthy at all.

Random pics...

2008-05-30T09:03:00.003-04:00

The three usual culprits in my Sunday School Class. Trying to make "Royal Robes" out of t.p.

The girl's team faired much better at the royal robes game...

Go Speed Racer, Go!

My bud, Timmy and "Venture Kitty" named after the cartoon "The Venture Bros." which is a disfunctional verson of Johnny Quest.

4 years later...

2008-05-13T13:46:00.004-04:00

I was at my friend, Cort's house. We were working on his monster '99 Civic Hatch (450 hp). I showed up and started the grill and was bbq-ing some ribs. I had just gone on worker's comp for a knee injury at work. We had our ribs, and I took off to Mistie's place. We were going to go to Danville to get some "famous" cheese fries. On the ride there, I was the only guy amung 4 girls. Mistie, Gene, Kelly, and "Cricket". Since I had a bum knee I was sitting shotgun. Mistie, Kelly and Cricket were in the back. I zoned out most of the drive to Danville because of "girl chatter".

We got to Danville, had Mountain Dew and cheese fries. Then it was decided to go to Kelly's place to see her new horse. I was along for the ride.

It was a beautiful evening. Probably 70 degrees, sunny without a cloud in the sky. I had ribs, cheese fries and Mountain Dew in my tummy, and was happy.

We were on State Route 514 just outside of Danville. At about 2030 (8:30 pm for you civillian types). We crested a slight hill doing about 60 mph (posted limit was 55). For some unknown reason, the car started to slide. Gene, the driver, tried to gain control of the car. The slide snapped me out of my zone and I called the name Jesus. I saw that Gene was not going to regain control of the car and saw that this was going to hurt so I called the name JESUS!!! The car hit an unmarked culvert and began to roll.

I'm in pain. I have something in my mouth. I open my eyes to see those dang flourescent lights, my parents, and my pastor standing over me. Oh, this cannot be good. I close my eyes to make it go away. Moments later, I open them again, and those stinking flourescent lights seem to mock me. Tell me that this is not where I want to be, but I am here anyway. My parents, and my friend, Ben Smith, are standing near me, as is Cort. I close my eyes.

I open them again a few moments later, and it is only my parents... and those ugly flourescent lights. This next statement you can quote me on. The MOST PAINFUL part of the experience was the look in my dad's eyes when he asked me "How you doing, bud?"

A few days later, my sensei, Ben Bisso appears with two books for me, my hands bandaged up, my head bandaged up. He drops a comprehensive manual on Brazillian Ju Jutsu and "How To Win Friends, and Influence People" by Dale Carnige. I thought, what am I going to do with a ju jutsu manual?

Hands bloody, right hand mangled. Pain everywhere. Lowest moments of my life.
God had a promise for me.

Today, 4 years later to the day. I saw a miracle. Scroll back up, see the pics I am going to post of my hand. Look where I WAS.

Today, I start preparing for my Black Belt test. I recieved my Red III belt, the last colored belt I will wear. After this, they will all be black.

You see, God promised to restore me. Not only make me as strong as I was, but stronger in so many ways. I can do more with my gimp hand, than most people do with their regular hands. I moved a love seat out of my truck, into the appartment by myself. I moved a king size bedroom set by myself. Today, marks the anniversary of an injury... and the beginning of a great work that God has done in my life.

Another Shock

2008-05-07T08:28:00.002-04:00

May 3, 2008. I found out on the 6th. Oksana "Anna" Bakle died an accidental death. I had recently been talking to her about coming to church, and she seemed interested. She attended Utica High School as a freshman, when LJ and I were seniors. She was also employed by the same company as me for a while, and we worked on the same shift. I saw her through some of her ups and downs there, tried to be a helpful friend as much as I could.

This hit me hard. I could feel an impact. ... I have nothing else to blog right now...

A Perfect Moment

2008-05-05T21:50:00.003-04:00

I had one of those moments today. I expierienced a part of the American Dream.

The day started off on bad notes. Not going into detail, but we all have problems, and some of them are serious at times. The day slowly crept by, and things continued to bother me. Then as I approached something I call "The Corridor" the moment when your time has to be focused on a task, as there is a moment, or due time to have something accomplished. My big task today was to have a good meal, hot and ready for my beautiful wife when she got home. I began preperations, peas and carrots, scalloped potatoes, BBQ chicken, and grilled itallian sausage. I do not have a fancy kitchen as I would like (By the way, I LOVE to cook, and I wear the apron in my family) no giant double sided charcoal grill with smoker, or stainless clad kitchen with an island gas stove... nope. Just a modest appartment kitchen, and a hand me down gas grill. I also buy misquite wood chips, soak them for a day or so, and use those to augment the flavor capabilities of the gas grill. Anyway... I also put Old Glory back up today.

So, there I was. Sun was out, shining brilliantly in the afternoon sky, smoke wafting out from under the hood of the grill, and Old Glory flying proudly in the sunlight. The smell of the chicken and sausages sizzling on the grill, an icy cold Coca Cola Zero in my hand. The American Dream. Making something for my family, on a perfect weather day, with the world's leading symbol of freedom flying. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can spoil moments like that. Not back problems, not money issues, not anything I can think of. That is a moment that my Grandpa Lilley fought on the shores of Normandy, for me to have. That is freedom. That is love of family. That is God reminding me that I am not forgotten in the whirlwind around me.

So Mistie came home, the puppies were out and waiting for her. And I got to share a few moments of the dream with the woman of my dreams.

This is why this is the greatest country in the world. This is why God Blessed America. This is why I am a Christian and a Patriot. I hope you all can find solace in those calm, blessed moments, that appear in the middle of a bad day, to remind you that we are blessed.

Crazy thoughts

2008-04-29T15:14:00.003-04:00

Sunday night. Evening service at church. Powerful service where 2 were baptized. There were 2 altar calls, one at the beginning of the service, and toward the end when we hat the baptizims. After the first altar call, there was a little girl who stayed sitting on the platform. My loving beautiful wife waves the child over to sit with us. No problem. She eagerly gets up, runs over, and jumps onto the chair. After a few minutes Rev. Bill Hall has us stand to read the bible. My wife asks the little girl if she would like to see the bible. She says yes, and my wife scoops her up, and holds her so they both can read along in the bible I am holding. I make a deadly mistake. I look over at them as my wife is summarizing what is being read into little girl language. This little girl's hair is the same color as my wife's. Her eyes are the same shape. I had a crazy thought override everything I was thinking at that moment, shattering my concentration. I want one.

EGAD!!!!!

What is happening to me?!?

DRUNK DRIVERS!!!

2008-04-18T17:39:00.002-04:00

Aaaaaarrrrrrrgh!!!!!

I got to work today and was immidately hit by bad news. A friend of mine who is back slidden UPC was hit by a drunk driver last night. His leg was messed up and I do not have any other information. The drunk was a hit and skip as well.

When my friend, let's just stick with his first name, Phil, comes back, I will find out if they caught the person, and their name. I can only hope that a judge sentences this person to the maximum possible. Maybe I am too angry to blog on this subject right now.

One of those days.

2008-04-17T16:40:00.002-04:00

Ever have a day, where you see or hear something and wax nostalgic. I was in a remote part of the airport, lost in thought and the new Big Boss came in. Seemingly just to chit chat. In less than two weeks, I had already had more one on one talk time with the new boss, than I did in 5 1/2 years with the last one.

I really like this new guy. He is mil-spec. A real "lead from the front" kind of guy. He speaks fluent devil dog, which roughly translates to squid. For the second time in as many weeks, I made clear, my interest in the operations center, and asked for more details as to the duties or responsibilities. Everything he said made me smile.

My trainee seems to be catching on quickly now. In summary, things are looking up. There are now signs of things improving, instead of speculation of things improving. Yippie.

The first class.

2008-04-15T17:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was the first class for the martial arts program at my church. I had three students show up, and things went well. The structure of the class was laid out, and some basic techniques were taught. It will be a while before the class flows well though. The schedule will be once a week, Mondays at 1800 (6:00 pm for you civillian types). I look forward to seeing my students develop skills and improve fitness. This has been a life long goal of mine, to have a school and be sensei. Good things my friends, good things.

Community Day

2008-04-06T19:27:00.002-04:00

Over the past week, my church has been experiencing a wonderful revival. We have given away thousands of dollars worth of candy/bikes/gas cards/pizza/groceries/mp3 players/hotel stays/Ohio State shirts and hats and more. We baptized 22 people this week, and many received the Holy Ghost. Today we had somewhere in the neighborhood of 230 visitors. It was great. Rev. Ken Cook and his wife Julie Cook (Formerly Julie Ryan of our church) were here to head up the aggressive outreach program. We even went out till 4am on Friday night inviting drunks as they were stumbling out of bars. I had a blast.

What is this Picture? Well it seems that a certain person I know of, started a business at the age of 6. Maybe this person should be helping out his parents, Jessica and Robbie with some bills, instead of watching Bob the Builder all the time.

The turn down...

2008-03-29T08:18:00.002-04:00

I don't know how many people have done this. I feel wierd about it but I am sure that I made the right call. I got a call from one of the Grand Pooh-Bahs yesterday with a promotion offer. Pay grade increase, and all. I turned it down. Turned down more authority, money, and easier work. The up side is that the position had rotating days off, and was on morning shift. No way am I subjecting Mistie to me waking up at 0230. Rotating days off do NOT work for a Sunday School teacher either.

Also, I like beans.

Bizzy

2008-03-26T19:20:00.003-04:00

I have been busy. Preparing a possible class plan for my martial arts class. Helping headquarters train new recruits. Head starting spring cleaning. The list can go on.

Right now I am on the threshold of energetic fading to bump on a log tired. My normal shift usualy has me rising around 0700; however, today reveilie at 0530.

My thoughts are unorganized and incoherant as well as my spelling more awful than normal.

I ought to check the mail.

Oh, I discovered that I am, once again, destined to be stuck with a "needs a patient Field Training Officer" type of cadet. Joy...........

HQ thinks I am patient?!? Maybe they see something I don't.

Metal Gear Solid 4... preordered it. Beta codes come out April 1st. I may be sick around that time. Full game released in late June... I feel a cold coming on then as well.

I taught the class on pistols and firearms today.

I want to break out the grill and cook some burgers.
Will settle for the George Foreman grill I guess.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

It's ON!

2008-03-13T19:06:00.002-04:00

Green light. Don't wait. Go ahead... FLOOR IT!

Starting sometime around 14 April 08, the Apostolic Christian Church in Mount Vernon will have martial arts/self defence classes. Details are yet to come, but there is one thing for sure. I will be called sensei. I am asking for expressions of interest from people 13 years old and up.

The price will be free will donation in a jar, or in a tithe envelope marked martial arts. Open to church members and guests. Donations will go toward the operation of the class, equipment, and belts.

More details to come.

Stunner...

2008-02-27T22:14:00.002-05:00

http://tinyurl.com/2xfms4

Used to go to our church. Was there when he cried and got the Holy Ghost... saw him get baptized. My last memory was of him coming through the airport, heading to Phoenix to see his mother a few years ago. It was a Sunday. He was smiling.

Will ponder this for Sunday School.

That is all.

Long term

2008-02-22T22:22:00.002-05:00

I know I have been on a bit of a down note lately, and I don't mean to sound that way. It just seems that I have been under a bit of an attack lately, with today being no exception. Today I had to recertify for my job. I am one of the very very few of the people with my seniority that has never failed a single test. As a matter of fact, the evaluators said that my technique was perfect, and I was the best they have ever seen; however, the gimp hand had to be the monkey wrench in my gears. Due to some conditions existing in my right hand, I failed to accomplish a goal...so to speak. This caused me to fail a test. Not because I forgot to do something, not because of poor technique, or nervousnes. Meerly due to a car accident almost 4 years ago that left me with diminished sensation in my right hand.

I now have to go through a 30 day "Performance Improvement Plan" to train my already "perfect" technique, and to come up with a work around for my hand. Some may say it is unfair for me to go through this, but in my industry, there is no such thing as unfair. My daily objective is against truly unfair odds, and that is the nature of the game. What has me furious is that the gimp hand has really struck hard, again. The facilitator even suggested a possible career change back into the radio/comms field with the FAA. Who knows.

Regardless, please forgive my bellyaching it will pass. Nobody has ever known me to stay down for a whole 10 count.

Comm Center

2008-02-15T21:53:00.002-05:00

Well, sometimes the decision is made for you. I interviewed today for behavior detection, and due to an accelerated training schedule, the list of promotions was out as of late this evening. I do not have to worry about the rotating days off, or losing my ability to be a Sunday School teacher, as I was not chosen for the position. I interviewed with a very important guy, who knows me kinda well. Mentioned my concerns with the days off, and that may have been the reason. Of course, we also spoke of the communications center opening up this year. I have an EXTENSIVE background in comms. Made RM2 when I was active duty (ok, I was an IT2, they changed the stinking name of my job from "radioman" to "information systems technician")
Anyway, I can lock down the comm center... it is all a matter of when it opens up. That will be a 24/7 station, and maybe I could use my considerable seniority to get mon-fri 0800-1700. (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm for you civillian types)

Anyway, I am kind of dissapointed, but the logical side of me says that the schedule wasn't for me anyway, and I was probably going to turn it down if it was offered.

Decisions

2008-02-09T18:04:00.000-05:00

Well now. Every now and then you get a choice, an opportunity. This coming friday is one of those days for me.

Friday, at 11:00am, I have an interview for the behavior detection job I mentioned. All seems grand. I read the fine print today. The main thing that caught my attention is rotating days off.

My concern is that I am a Sunday School teacher, and that is something I want to keep a hold of. Rotating days off would all but eliminate that. At the same time, I have to take care of my family, and that involves climbing the corperate ladder. Who knows how long the rotating days off would last. This is a program that will be around for a long time, and who knows where it will lead.

The position will also include a "company" cell phone, and I would relinquish all of my former job description and be used exclusively for behavior detection. Training would begin in a couple of weeks, and I have no idea how long that would last.

I plan on seeking my Pastor's advice on this issue.