Rockin Out In FLA!

OK, So Rob and the Boys of Pillar came to FLA, Late but hey they came!

Unfortunately, their bus broke down and they had to rent a new bus and were delayed so they did not make it on Wednesday as planned.

That was alright because we met them and took Linda and the Little Rocker Baby on Thursday, while Pillar played Tampa, Gainsville, Miami and then Orlando. Where we took Linda and Hudson Cash back to meet his Dad again for the ride home and watched them play for the second time in four days and the millionth time in their career. They are seriously so stinkin talented and only one relationship away from a huge promotion!

It is funny how you take certain things for granted.

Here are a few of my own personal examples:
1. How cute a baby could look with a Dew Rag on(also how many servers will attack you at a restaurant because you have Dew Rag on your baby)!
2. The fact that your own baby is old enough to want to go to the mosh pit and is forced to stand at the front of the stage instead! (See second picture from the top)
3. Being in a bar with a 8,9 and 13 year old is not a big deal to you or them?
4. People are People, always have been, always will be, the only difference is some act real and others act real fake! I glad Rob and the rest are not the latter.
5. True Friendship is important.
6. Finally, we don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time. (OK, that one is a joke)

Anyway, it was a GEWD time and we look forward to them coming again in May. We even got to hang with my bud from High School Brian Whalen who lives in Orlando! Pretty Cool to say the least.

Abe

The Last Thing You Do

I heard a song today that went like this:

If the last thing you did was the last thing you do,
Would you be OK with the way they remember you?

Wow, I know country lyrics can be cheese, but that really hits home. When you think about the last thing you did being the last thing you do, it kind of scares ya?

It does me, kind of like living for the moment. I find myself questioning things like, is it just enough to enjoy life? Or am I required to do something amazing with my life? In comparison to others I pale and yet I don't think I am not faithful with what I have been given? Or am I?

Then I think well if I am to live like every moment could be my last then should I go buy a Ferrari? Skydive? Bungee Jump? Buy my wife a big rock? Proselytize Aggressively? Question Authority More? It is never ending?

What would you do if the last thing you did was the last thing you do?

Please no Miss America answers, we all want to End World Hunger and want World Peace!

The Real Linda Beckley Please Stand Up!

HANGING WITH TRUE FRIENDS

So we got to spend some time at the beach with our new friend Hudson Cash! Wouldn't you know it though, there is always someone crashing the picture! If anyone knows who that guy is let me know I would like to give that guy a piece of my mind!

Displace Me!

For those of you who don't know about this it is an incredible story! Go to www.invisblechhildren.com to check it out. Readers Digest version is three guys from Cali went to Uganda with a video camera to learn about the children abducted into being soldiers as young as 6 years old. They started a Nationwide movement. April 28Th is a chance to speak out voluntarily displacing yourself by camping out over night to show our Nations leaders you want them to do something about the Northern Ugandans' trial of being displaced for the past ten years. Want to learn more about what you can do watch this video! If you get an opportunity to watch a screening of the film they made, DO IT!

Amazing Art!

Yes, art is everywhere. What is amazing is the medium and the paint of this art. While the medium is the back windows of vehicles the paint is dust! Yes, that is right all these images were done out of the dust accumulated on the back window. The only thing more bizzare is after all this work they are washed away at first rain. Want to see more? Check out DirtyCarArt

Feel Like It!

It’s funny how sex factors into the way people describe the state of their relationships. Studies show that, when things are going well, sex contributes only 15 percent to the overall satisfaction of a relationship. But if things aren’t going well, it contributes 85 percent to the overall dissatisfaction.

Sex has many advantages to both people involved. Here are just a few.

Twenty Reasons to Have Sex When You Don’t Feel Like It

1. Because you said so

Even though you may not have promised to “love, honor, and have sex once a week” when you made a commitment to your relationship, it was understood that sex would be part of that bargain.

Imagine how the marriage rates would go down if people said, “I’ll marry you, but don’t expect sex.” If you polled one thousand people on the street and asked them, “Is it reasonable to expect to have to have sex when you are married?” the overwhelming majority would say yes. If you expect a monogamous commitment from your partner, then it stands to reason that you will be a cooperative sex partner.

2. Sex helps you forget

Oxytocin, which triggers orgasm, has an amnesic effect that lasts up to five hours. So for a period of time you forget that he maxed out your Visa card or she was an hour late getting home from work. Women get an additional benefit. During orgasm that parts of the brain that govern fear, anxiety, and stress are switched off. (Faking orgasm gives no such benefit.)

3. Sex rewires you for pleasure

Every time you share a positive experience with your partner, your brain comes to associate him or her with pleasure. You can transform any relationship simply by increasing the number of enjoyable times you share together.

4. Sex puts the “P” back in partnership

Passion is what separates your relationship with your intimate partner from those with girlfriends and buddies. Yes, you two are best friends and confidants, but without sex you will not have passion.

The following are from a 1997 study in the British Medical Journal-

5. Heightened sense of smell

After sex, production of prolactin surges, causing stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s smell center (olfactory bulb).

6. Weight loss

Rambunctious sex burns a minimum of two hundred calories, about the same as running fifteen minutes on a treadmill. British researchers determined that the equivalent of six Big Macs can be worked off by having sex three times a week for a year.

7. Reduced depression

Prostaglandin, a hormone found in semen, modulates female hormones. Orgasm releases endorphins, producing a sense of well-being and euphoria.

8. Pain relief

During sex, levels of oxytocin surge five times their normal level, releasing endorphins that alleviate pain. Sex also prompts production of estrogen, which reduces the pain of PMS.

9. Healthier heart

Women who have more sex have higher levels of estrogen, which protects against heart disease.

10. Cure for the common cold

Once-a-week sex produces 30 percent higher levels of immunoglobulin A, which boosts the immune system.

11. Better bladder control

Sex strengthens the pelvic muscles that control the flow of urine.

12. Peppy prostate

Some urologists believe they see a relationship between infrequency of ejaculation in men and cancer in the prostate. In this case solo sex works just as well, but why out on all the other benefits?

13. Shiny hair, glowing skin

For women, extra estrogen from orgasm makes hair shine. Sweat produced during sex cleanses the pores and makes skin glow. Serotonin produces the after glow of sex.

14. Calming effect

Sex is ten times more effective than Valium, with no side effects.

15. Relief for a stuffy nose

Really. Sex is a natural antihistamine. It can even help combat hay fever and asthma.

16. Firmer tummy and butt

Regular sex can firm your tummy and butt, plus improve posture.

17. Boosts immune system

Endorphins stimulate immune-system cells that fight disease.

18. Forever young

Sex actually slows down the aging process. It lowers cortisol levels in the bloodstream, which reduces stress and slows down the aging process.

19. Protection against Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis

Women who have more sex have higher levels of estrogen, which protects against Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.

20. Euphoria

Who wouldn’t want more? The best way to get a natural high is sex!

Steven Stosny, Ph.D. and Patricia Love, Ed.D

Excerpted with permission from their brand new book:

The things I do for Love!

I got a call from my wife last week and she was acting really weird to say the least. While I am trying to figure out what she did wrong, she tells me she made an "Executive Decision?" This is probably one of the most uncomfortable things you can hear as a husband. I don't even get to make "Executive Decisions," so what gives? Well it turns out my wife, the one who says over and over she won't own another dog! Yes, that is right, we not only adopted one, but two of these guaranteed heartbreaks. They are purebred Shitzus and as cute as they are they have already christened the house more than me! The brown and white is the boy Gomez, sorry, I mean Gizmo. The black and white is Sasha. They are cute dogs, but just like driving a mini-van they are pretty emasculating to walk.

I can't believe I watched the whole thing!

That is what you will be saying, I promise though the ending is worth it!



Thanks for video Los!

God save the Queen, He is loyal to the Caffine!

More surprising than Paul McCartney leaving Capitol Records after forty years is who he signed with! The one the only Starbucks, you may be thinking to yourself Paul is training to be a Barrista? No, Starbucks has actually gone into the record business and the first to sign is Paul. Now I am not against be diversified, but I can only imagine the artists being hyped up techno and mellow decaf sounds. Anyway, just when you think you heard everything!

Take 2

Want some Relish on your hot dog or life?

Sometimes I post for myself because I know I am the only one who reads this, then sometimes I post for others. I wonder which one this is for?

The Habit of Rushing

However the occasions when we genuinely need to rush are really a lot less frequent than we convince ourselves. The simple truth is that rushing has become a habit for many of us. And it has a negative effect on our mental, spiritual and physical health.

Negative Effect of Rushing

When you are rushing the body literally is in panic mode. The physical systems feel as if they are constantly being stressed to meet imaginary deadlines. An occasional shot of adrenaline might be good for you but a continuous stream of it will wear down the body and its immune system. You will tend to get sick more often, feel more fatigued, enervated and listless.

When you are rushing mentally, your mind is always ‘on’. Thoughts of things you need to get done and things you have not yet gotten done keep streaming through your mind making you feel out of sorts and unaccomplished. You may even feel panicked and have trouble sleeping and relaxing. Instead of turning to chemical sleep aides, why not change your habit of rushing around?

Become aware of your rushing habits

First you need to become aware of your daily habits and thoughts. Most of the time when we are rushing, we do not even realize it because it is such an automatic response. For example, I walk fast naturally – excessively so. I walk as fast as I can no matter if I am talking a Sunday evening stroll or trekking across the office compound.

How effective is rushing?

Once you are aware of those hurried habits, examine their effectiveness. For instance, most times walking fast at the office helps me to maximize my time and get more work done. So it is sometimes effective in that environment. However, walking fast while out for a stroll actually defeats the purpose. For each hurried habit you identify, ask yourself if it is necessary and if it is effective.

Stop rushing

If it is neither necessary nor effective, make an active effort to change that habit. Identify exactly how you can slow down. In my case, I simply practice strolling or walking slowly. It’s never easy to break a habit but it is well worth it to your mental and physical health to spend the time and energy breaking these habits of rushing around.

Mental Rushing

Mentally you need to restrict your thoughts. If you mind is constantly overrun with anxious thoughts of things to be done, practice scheduling a time to think about those things. And refuse to allow yourself to think about them at any other time. Particularly if your thoughts are obsessive rather than constructive.
Obsessive thoughts are those that merely go over and over the task again and again, serving no useful purpose except to remind yourself of it. Constructive thoughts are those that generally seek a solution.
Slowing down for bedtime

If you have trouble shutting off your mind at bedtime, be sure to change your routine about an hour before bedtime. Turn off the television, and refuse to think of thoughts of the day gone by or the day to come. Try to relax. Sit outside and watch the stars.

Slow down to accomplish more

If you feel that your life and your work is so hectic and important that you cannot possibly relax, remember that scientific studies have shown that people who spend less time at the office, and more time relaxing are significantly more productive and effective. When your mind is not constantly worrying about the next item on your “to-do” list, it is free to focus on being creative and naturally comes up with effective solutions for increasing productivity.
Be realistic about daily goals

Remember also that only so many items can be accomplished in any 24-hour period. Do not overextend yourself or overestimate your time. Set realistic objectives for each day. And take the time to relish your achievements. If you have ten items on your “to do” list and you achieve eight, relish the fact that you achieved 80% of your objectives rather than obsessing about the other 20%.
Be patient

Remember tomorrow is another day, and while you do want to maximize your time, there are items that will get done tomorrow rather than today. The expression “Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today” speaks about what you are able to do today. Not everything can be done today. As my hubby is famous for saying “Have patience. Rome was not built in a day.”

Above all, slow down, relax and enjoy your life. These are the days of your life that you are living right now, not just some goal you are working towards at some point in the future. Take the time to relish them.

I think of all the important things to think about the last paragraph sums it all up!

Peas
Abe

The Outreach Linebacker

See if you notice any stars in this film?

Moving on up!

To a deluxe apartment in the sky! Now I know only a select few old people like myself will get that. So, we closed and moved in and are unpacking! It is so awesome and we are so blessed. Thanks to Sean for all your help moving out and in! I know I am gonna be sore for a few weeks. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. It is so great to have a neighborhood for the kids to play and I even have an office/dog house. Yee haw!