ccnw

[ccnw]

Conversations with my two year old. Hilarious.

Genius. I have had some conversations with my wee-ones that would make some ridiculous videos. Love this. Keep them coming. 

[ccnw]

Night Mission: Before Parkour was. (aka, The Rip)

"Dude. I just ripped a hole in your band pants."

One night Lee and I headed out on one of our regular night missions. It was a beautiful night and this time we had a special appearance by a guy named ...Greg, yeah, this will be his name.

Greg had not been on a night mission before and had no idea to pack clothes the color of darkness for the night's adventure. We gave him grace, or should I say I let him borrow my pants (which happened to be the color of darkness).

We headed through a nearby wood and wandered to our local elementary school. Once there we climbed onto the roof and like ninjas crept around all the while feeling pretty frickin awesome.

We really didn't have a plan of decent but decided that a very large jump off a very high roof was in order. It was probably best that it was the dead of night so the actual distance of the jump could not be estimated. But we couldn't see a thing so it was safe.

Lee jumps first cause he has more crazy DNA than I do. Next I wanted Greg to go. Not because I didn't want to go next, see Greg had been wimping out over most things almost the entire night. We even came up with a nickname afterward, Not goin first-Not goin last  Greg. He needed to go next or we might not get him down.

He never jumped.

But I did. I landed hard but rolled into the fall (like a ninja) and came up ready to do some type of martial art. Then I felt a breeze...coming from my crotch area.

"Dude. I just ripped a hole in your band pants. A very big hole in the crotch."

Oh, my mom can fix them. Lee said.

"No, this hole is from knee to knee. It is like a skirt now."

Oh.

You may be wondering why I had Lee's band pants on. Remember Greg was wearing mine and I had to borrow Lee's only other pair of pants... the color of darkness. We had to improvise. Thus, I sported a very tight pair of band pants. Or, should I say skirt.

As to Greg and my pants...We found them both eventually.

Lee ended up with a band fee he eventually paid himself since he would not let his mom know of our night missions. He was good like that.

[ccnw]

Walking the kids to school: Issue #1

  El Shango wuz here:

Follow the link: (The Green Lantern was a bit sad IMO)

[ccnw]

The "Cool" House

My wife and I have agreed. We want our home to be the house our children and their friends want to spend their time. We are willing to invest in tech, food, games and the like. Why?

Growing up, my home was the second home to many of my friends and my siblings friends. Our home was filled with people. The fridge constantly needing replenished, it was like a hostel except everyone knew each other.

Sleep overs, camp outs, parties, you name it.

After high school it was a place where people came when they had no place to stay. Welcomed because, well, people should have a place they feel welcomed. One of my friends slept in an unfinished bathroom for months, he did not enjoy his stay in what was referred to as "The Dungeon" but he had a place to come home to. My mother still refers to him as her extra son.

As parents we want to KNOW our children and those our children care for. The relationships we have make up so much of who we are. What better way then to have a place our children and their friends can come to feel cared for, hear laughter, feel loved and eat pizza.

Our food/entertainment budget will have to grow but that is cool with us.  

[ccnw]

Silent Illnesses: Let us bring the fight to them.

I haven’t written anything for at least a week.

Not too long ago I had a pinched nerve in my back, the middle of my back. Every move was met with an uneasy feeling. I, who have been strong all of my life, felt weakness. I was slowed by something not of my control. I hated it. Still do.

The pain is nothing. It is the unnerving weakness, the good days and then the all-of-a-sudden bad ones. I will admit that this back thing has thrown me for an emotional loop. I have had bouts of anxiety, sadness, anger, depression, sleepless nights… you name it. Even as I write this, I am having a little battle with what the chemicals in my brain are trying to say to me and what I know to be true. Yet, I remain full of hope and know I will be the better for it.

When I was in my early 20’s I had something similar happen that was brought on by anxiety and a very bad sleep habit…meaning I didn’t sleep. I felt terrible. My hygiene was poor due to the depressive state I was in. I stank, I gained weight, I cried like a child. I was a wreck for a time.

Every night I was sure I would not be waking up in the morning. So, my eyes struggled to stay wide open as long as they could. Eventually, exhaustion would hit and would you believe it? Every morning I woke up. I eventually just got angry, at myself and admittedly at God. I ended up one day deciding that if God wanted me, he was going to have to kill me.

Because I thought my body was failing me, I challenged God to finish me off. I worked out for hours straight. I allowed my body and my emotions to do what they would during this time. I, in a sense, wrestled with God. At the end of this crazy workout, I ended up feeling great. I knew that if I wasn’t dead now, I would probably be fine while I was sleeping. I decided at this point, sleep was number one priority.

I slept.

After a time of semi-normal sleep and lots of prayer I came out on the other side with one very remarkable thing, a compassion for those dealing with anxiety, depression, and mental illness. I have spoken with many about my time of struggles and have been a shoulder to those many would dismiss as having an illness they should cure by “a change in attitude”.

All around me people are hurting, alone, ashamed and feeling weak. I would say this, reach out; do not go through this alone. You are not meant to be alone in this. It is a burden not to be carried by oneself. My pretty wife has no idea what to say or do sometimes, but she is present and she is a bright light. She helps more than she knows.

Go to your doctor. Let them know what you are going through. This is not admitting defeat; it is getting ammunition to combat the imbalance in your life.  Medication may be the best thing for your case. Even if you do not pray, have those you know that do, pray for you. Allow friends to know what you are going through. Sleep, rest, sing, watch movies that are upbeat and funny, walk in the grass barefoot, go get a massage, feel the sun, crack open the old bible you used to read as a kid, learn about this amazing man named Jesus, his words heal the soul. I know this to be true.

So, I pray for you, not as someone who is trying to push their religion on you but as someone who has a faith. I pray for the ones who are fighting the silent illnesses, the illnesses which can so easily be fought in the darkness. I pray that you allow it out into the light. I pray that you find a shoulder to cry on and a voice to tell you that your heart is beautiful. I pray that you find strength and I pray to my Lord Jesus that he could meet you and be the healer in your life.

Carpe dium. Seize the day. Fight hard people. Fight for yourself today.

For those worried about what tomorrow will bring, remember tomorrow is never seen…it turns into today. Chin up. You made it this far.

[ccnw]

Battle on a Whiteboard. Nice work Jonny Lawrence.

[ccnw]

Teacher Appreciation Week:

Check out more of Jim Benton's work.

(The son and I discussing "Teacher Appreciation Week". "Dad I know what I want to buy my teacher." -What's that buddy?" "A ring bearer suit. Because she is getting married soon." -You mean for the person bearing the ring in a wedding, not into Mordor right?" *smile. "Yes." -Your mommy and I will talk about it.)

[ccnw]

Peaks and valleys:

Stuck in a rut?

Do something crazy: Like sing a song for a meal, I have done this and it works.

Do something loud: Yell at the moon, like a wolf.

Do something romantic: Buy your love their favorite book but have it bound in leather first.

Do something for someone else: Look to other's needs, it's a win win. Trust me.

Do something grand: Something you've wanted to do but have not yet had the courage to do. Skydiving, scubadiving, climb a mountain, fly in a helicopter, talk to that one person you have been wanting to talk to.

Do something physical: Working out is not for everyone, but you can go for a walk or learn how to dance. Move.

Do something elsewhere: Travel. Go to those places you have seen on t.v. or Pinterest. Go. I have hitchiked before, it is interesting and something I am glad I did at least once. The only thing I had in common with the driver. Bruce Lee.

Do something goofy: Go to a Con, dress up. Who cares who judges, they mean nothing, your happiness, everything. My friends and I will sometimes speak in an accent when we go out. I know, idiotic, that's the point.

Do something to make life worth living: Learn something new. Pick up a guitar and teach yourself some chords. Write poetry and read it at an opin mic. Volunteer at a food bank. Listen to a choir sing or orchestra play.

Do something with others: Plan something, invite people, laugh with each other, be with people. We are not meant to be alone.

Do look for the bigger picture. Why are you alive? What are passionate about? Question things when silence occasionally enters the mind in this crazy loud world.

Do remember you are loved. Even if you have felt none of it lately. You are beautiful. Yes, you. You have worth and the world needs you to remember this. I call people that "do", world changers.  

Do. 

[ccnw]

The little blue bird.

Twitter is like forced editing... or contrived poetry. Both at once?

[ccnw]

Free Comic Book Day: Animated

A young lady by the name of Amy Cockerham was nice enough to offer to draw the kids and I. We had to leave before she could finish. However, she finished this and emailed it to me.

A great gift! Keep an eye out for her work in the future.

[ccnw]

Monday Monday so good to me...

Monday: A day of the week many believe to be sucky. I am not having 1/7 of my life suck. You can if you want.

[ccnw]

My daughter rocks:

No rock is safe from my daughter. Her collection is all inclusive. If she can fit it in her purse, she fits it in her purse. She just "allowed" me to know the secret place where she keeps them.

I am in her inner circle now.

[ccnw]

My life:

My wife is beautiful. I remember the first time I held her hand.

My wife is beautiful. I call her my Valkyrie woman. She is tall and fair skinned.

My wife is beautiful. She loves our children, they love their mommy.

My wife is beautiful. Her lips are all I want to know.

My wife is beautiful. She laughs at my jokes... sometimes.

My wife is beautiful. She dances and it's a mess. Her signature move involves finger-pointing.

My wife is beautiful. She smiles while she dances. She shows who she is in this small thing.

My wife is beautiful. My life is beautiful.

[ccnw]

Even superheroes get tired...

This reminds me of the very end of the Avengers movie. For those that wait till the end credits you know what I am talking about. Needing a break after Free Comic Book Day/ Star Wars (May the 4th be with you).

One of our favorite coffee hangouts.

[ccnw]

This one time:

I looked down at my younger brother. He stood their attentive, waiting to absorb all of the training.

"You have to be ready to act at all times." I told him seriously.

I then turned and threw the bo-staff across the yard and through the middle of our tire swing.

I looked back down at him and nodded. He stood there awestruck, his eyes wide and mouth open.

Demi-god status achieved.

This happened and it was awesome.

(psst.. I have no bo-staff skills)

[ccnw]

Iron Man 3: A Review

No spoilers*

(So this review will be vague)

First, let's get to the point. I liked it.

It was funny, had explosions, great acting, and fit seamlessly into the world Marvel created after the Avengers movie. The one-liners in this movie are numerous and awesome. I would see it again. Go see it if you like happiness.

If I got paid to do this and had to appear professional; this would be where I would add my criticisms. I do not feel like or care to criticize a film after it entertained me for 2.5 hours but I will just a little.

As with any sequel or part of a series it suffered from the lack of newness. I didn't have that "first date" excitement I normally have when a new movie comes out. I had a couple of: "really, his teeth look like that?" or "where is this kid's mom?" moments. Small things.

I am also a little bummed my 7 year old will not be seeing this with me anytime soon. Too many little moments in the film that make it a justified PG-13 rating.

I came away from this movie with one clear thought: I want me an Iron-Man suit.

[ccnw]

True story of a man animating his wife's joke. She had a wee bit too much to drink. This is awesome!