I was reading a book earlier today that talks about how the male mind works.

Wow.

I honestly don't think girls can understand how different guys' minds are! I know I don't get it. I'm sad to say that I was not at all convinced that modesty was important. But reading this book, I realized that it's a battle that has to be waged every day - on both sides: For guys keeping their eyes to themselves, and for girls to forgo a little extra attention. Argh! It's so frustrating! (With that out of my system, I'll proceed.)

Girls are dumb. Guys are taxed. Both are cursed. Unless they both realize it, nothing will happen. Yup yup. (Sorry, I can't come up with anything else right now.... )

If GM had advanced at the same rate as Microsoft...

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive -- but would run on only five percent of the roads. (amen!)

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

My favorites: Rap

In no particular order...

-Ludacris & Mary J. Blige: Runaway Love
-Mary J. Blige: Be Without You
-Nelly Furtado: Say it Right
-Akon: Don't Matter

My favorites: Country

In no particular order...

*New!*

-Collin Raye: I Can Still Feel You
-Big & Rich: Lost in the Moment
-Martina McBride: How I Feel
-Sarah Buxton: That Kinda Day
-Collin Raye: Little Rock
-David Ball: Private Malone
-Emerson Drive: What If?
-Lonestar: Not a Day Goes By
-Rascal Flatts: Stand
-Brooks & Dunn: Hillbilly Deluxe
-Josh Gracin: I Wanna Live
-Rascal Flatts: While You Loved Me
-Tim McGraw: My Old Friend
-Dierks Bentley: Long Trip Alone
- Josh Gracin: Stay with Me
-Emerson Drive: Still Got Yesterday
-Lonestar: Mountains
-Tim McGraw: Stars Go Blue
-Rascal Flatts: Not Just Me
-Emerson Drive: Moments
-Phil Vassar: Good ol' Days
-Pat Green: Dixie Lullaby
-Emerson Drive: Take it from Me
-Darryl Worley: Just Got Back from a War
-Eric Church: Guys Like Me
-Jack Ingraham: Wherever You Are
-Jason Aldean: Hicktown
-Emerson Drive: Fall Into Me
-Mongomery Gentry: Lucky Man
-Steve Holy: Come On, Rain
-Collin Raye: One Boy, One Girl
-Montgomery Gentry: If You Ever Stop Loving Me

becoming a teen & my life

As I was wandering through the house this evening, I was searching for a way to escape some of the noise and confusion around me. It occurred to me that maybe I should read a book! But only an all-new, never-before-read book would do for me tonight. At that point, I decided that I might write my own little “book” of sorts…detailing a little about my life and some of the things I’ve learned over the past decade-and-a-half…besides the basics like reading, walking and talking. I should divide it into three parts: Ages one through five, five through 10, and 10 through my current age.

My earliest years were some of my most enjoyable. I was learning, growing and making mistakes at an amazing rate. Even at such a young age, I quickly learned that disobedience was met with spankings, stubbornness was met with equal and opposite resistance, and that tricycles are (or can be) dangerous vehicles…but thankfully, that was the only lesson that required a trip to the emergency room, which is another story. I played in the mud, befriended neighborhood kids, developed a penchant for mischief of all sorts, and exposed my skin to so much sun that the freckles on my cheeks are still visible to this day. I also learned that sometimes Dad coming home from work spelled trouble for me and my devious schemes. Those days, while not idyllic, were probably as close to ideal as I’ll ever see. They were good days.

When I turned five, I discovered the joys of reading, and the reward of hard work. Actually, at that age, I was certain that all work was worthless (a belief I have since abandoned). Anyway, at this age, I still enjoyed playing outside. Our next-door neighbor kids were our friends, and they influenced our early years fairly significantly. We created many good memories in our backyard. Unfortunately, at this stage I also learned just how fast a rumor can spread—and how it can hurt. I also learned the amazing power of words, and began to learn how carefully one must choose said words (no pun intended). To say that I learned either concept fully would be a lie.

When I was eleven, life became much more interesting. All the things I learned! It was around this time that my dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which can be (and was, in his situation) a life-threatening condition. He was led by God to a doctor in California who specialized in treating his specific cancer without chemotherapy, so he and mom went west for his treatment. We stayed with a family of ours during the full month of my dad’s hospitalization. To my distaste, I must admit that I was at this point a very selfish little wart, thinking only of myself and focusing on how things ought to please me more fully. I learned a lot about people during that time, though—lessons I have carried with me for the rest of my life thus far…lessons that weren’t always fun, but that were important and necessary. I met some amazing friends—some of the best I have—while we were staying with our friends. I learned what a crush is, much to my chagrin and embarrassment. I also learned to love music—all sorts of music! In retrospect, though, I wish I had been more cautious with my standards for music, but some things can’t be undone. I think if you ask my parents, they might tell you that music wrecked me. But all they have is circumstantial evidence (I’m tellin’ ya, man!). I honestly don’t believe that they’re using post hoc ergo propter hoc, that is, Latin for the logical fallacy “after this, therefore because of this.” Becoming a teen is enough to turn anybody into someone new…or different, at least.

My cat Davi


















Don't forget what's important!!! Read the tiny print on the bottom of this sign.

I'm working on a list of my best songs ever . (Not that I've written........I don't e-publish those!)

It isn't complete.

I don't even have a number one.

I have stuff from country, rock, techno, pop, and Christian.

I have not the faintest idea how to organize it!

But I'll be working on it.

MORE SNOW!!!!

This makes four feet total we've gotten this year (roughly)! And we're out in the plains. Woohoo! Winter Park, here I come! This has got to be a great skiing & snowboarding year. I wish we could go so much. I don't like the cold, but if the cold comes with something neat like skiing, it's well worth it.

On other fronts, we've got two speech and debate tournaments coming up really soon. I'm so excited! My duo is going to be a blast. I'm not really looking forward to impromptu, but I'll bet I can pull it off. As for debate, we're set! Sometimes at club, I find myself really not wanting to debate. But then when we're in the round, I ask myself, "What were you thinking?? This is great!" Debate is awesome.

Public speaking is awesome too. I just don't like all the funny looks we get when we say that a) we're homeschooled and b) we're competing in speech and debate. People look at us sideways...kind of like, "Ahhh...they really need socialization, don't they?" Argh! What is their problem??? We're not socially inept morons with negative IQs! We're talking to them, aren't we? Of course, that may be not be a sign of intelligence....

But I digress. I'm glad to be updating. I'll close on this note:

Carry me
I'm just a dead man
Lying on the carpet
Can't find a heart beat
Make me breathe
I want to be a new man
Tired of the old one
Out with the old plan
-Jars of Clay, Dead Man (Carry Me)

Wow! That's small.



This is what my cat tends to do when he relaxes.

Due explanation!

My mom wonders why I sometimes draw pictures of guys. When she asked, I really didn't have a good response, because I hadn't really thought about it. But I have now, and this is the conclusion I've reached.

It’s very difficult to draw the human features, as many of my past pictures will testify to. I choose to draw guys not because I’m obsessed with them, but rather because when you draw guys, you get much more “up-front” features with more distinction and clarity. Girls have softer features and their expressions are more difficult to capture. I believe that in order to become a capable artist, you must be able to draw both masculine and feminine traits. I'm starting with guys because, simply put, they're easier. Not a lot easier, mind you-it's always a challenge to complete someone's features and expressions with success. But if there's an easier way to do something, I'm going to try it before I move on to the more challenging side.

Not obsession, but polishing.