The 'stache.......

Gents and ladies - vote on the 'stache please so I can convince my lovely wife that I can keep it

2007 Review

It's here - 2008 (almost) and it's time for me to review 2007 and give a few awards so that you, the reader, can make sense of this tumultuous world around you.

1. Album of the Year - have to give this one to the Joshua Tree 20th Anniversary remastered edition along with B-sides. (Artist - U2) One of the greatest records of all time. Honorable mention - It won't be soon before long (Maroon 5) - All of the Above (Hillsong United) - Back to Black (Amy Weinhouse) - In Rainbows (Radiohead).
2. Film of the Year - Sweeny was brilliant, but the winner is The Simpson's movie. Honorable mention - Sweeny Todd - Bourne Ultimatum - Amazing Grace
3. Best Actor/Actress - Hands down..... Johnny Depp for Sweeny Todd - the man did his own vocals...... brilliant.
4. Operating system of the year - Leopard vs Vista - this one has to go to Leopard. It doesn't eat itself, so far. The only downside is that it has a little trouble with wireless encryption, but they are working on it. Honorable mention - pen and paper - these guys keep on ticking in an increasingly paperless world.
5. Sports moment of the year - Man Utd crushes Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League - Honorable mention - Dallas Cowboys qualifies for the playoffs with the number 1 seed - I finish an ironman - Dad finishes an ironman
   
6. Politician of the year - Has to be Hilary Rodham Clinton..... why?? Judicial Watch, the public interest group that monitors and prosecutes governmental corruption announced their "Top Ten Most Wanted....." Guess who tops the list?? Of course, Hilary. Honorable mention - Nancy Pelosi - she's on that list too along with my 2nd honorable mention - the dishonorable Larry Craig.
7. Liberal Lefty Move of the year - Stephen Colbert (who I think is hilarious - even though he mocks the Right mercilessly, he occasionally takes a few shots at the left, as well) and John Stewart (failed actor) cross the picket line and schedule new shows to run WITHOUT their writers. David Letterman had the decency to reach an agreement with the union to bring his writers back, but Colbert and Steward have bitten the hands that fed them in order to boost ratings and make more money. Hypocrisy at its height - don't whine and complain about President Bush's tax cuts and then do something low like that.
8. Quote of the year - Michael Moore goes on the View to promote his new film "Sicko" and begins to bash President Bush, as he always does. He is anti-war and yearns for peace and proves it with his well crafted statement. He criticized the war, the reason for war, the invasion timeline and THEN came the kicker. "Our grandfathers fought the 2nd world war and...... this current war is just taking too long. Our grandfathers got in and took care of it." Dear Mr. Moore - our grandfathers "took care of it" by dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - are you suggesting that?? Maybe you should read about HOW our grandfathers took care of it before you offer a solution. Oops
   
9. Top foreign moment of 2007 - Chavez' plan to take complete control of Venezuela is defeated in a democratic vote. Honorable mention - Palestinians hold a rally to honor former Iraq president Saddam Hussein on the year of his hanging (nice - wonder what would have happened if the Italians held a rally to honor Hitler)
   
10. Word of the Year - Oxford University (who said the Brits were in charge of everything?) has named it's word of the year for 2007 and they say it is "Locavore" (as defined - someone who eats local fresh food, only). The term was coined in San Francisco by four women (it has yet to be confirmed if they were really women or if anyone in San Francisco can actually tell the difference if they WERE women) and is apparently sweeping the world. All that to say, I disagree with Oxford completely. My word of the year is actually two words - "zip code" - as defined, zip code is a term used to explain where Al Gore's butt is at the present time. "Zip Code" may one day be replaced by 2-3 state regions as he continues to grow....... in knowledge or whatever else he is stuffing in himself.
11. Man of the Year - Me - end of discussion.
    
12. Woman of the Year - my wife. For being married to me. End of discussion
13. Blog of the year - of course - hands down - The Blog of C-Topher. Look no further

Well....... 2007 has been great and this shall be my last post of the year, so I hope you have enjoyed it. Real awards will probably go up soon. For example, in all seriousness, Human Being of the Year goes to my wonderful wife Rachel for just being herself. She is the most amazing creation and is as close to perfect as is humanly possible. Kisses

Topher

Anonymity and the blog of truth

As this blog is for you, the reader, I have decided to post a few rules for you to ring in the new year all on the same page.......
1. NO anonymous blogs - if you are going to get involved in a heated debate with me, recognize that you will lose and that your work will be deleted if not backed up by a name. I was once told by an anonymous blogger that Ben Franklin wrote with a pseudonym (look it up people) - to which I shall respond - you sir(mam) are no Ben Franklin. So that should be clear - only Ben Franklin and/or Thomas Jefferson can post and remain anonymous. An American Lit class hardly counts.......
2. No swearing - I was also once told that profanity is the recourse of a weak mind. While I do not always agree, I do think that if you are to approach the bench of my wisdom, you should approach as untainted as possible.
3. Nothing my little brothers and sisters can't read - if you are going to be perverted, remember that I am more intelligent than you and you will be satirized (again, look it up) viciously for all to see
4. Last but not least - only use words you can define. English (while inferior to other languages) is all that we poor Americans have to communicate and will be the official language of this blog. If you don't know how to spell a word or use it in a sentence, then choose something more in your range. We can't all be homeschoolers.......

Political update

As always, I scour the news to keep you updated with stories that you won't find on major networks. Found an interesting one this morning
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2007/12/30/silent-chelsea-clinton-brushes-off-9-year-old-reporter-on-campaign-trail/
So, the story goes - Chelsea Clinton is campaigning for her mother in Iowa when she is approached by a 9 year old who asks a question about her father. Chelsea looks at the girl and says "I don't talk to the press......" - apparently, the girl is a "reporter" for her school newspaper. Wow....... hey Chelsea, when you are done helping Mom lose an election why don't you join a high school debate team and learn how to take on children.
Oh - and one more thing - while I am on the topic of ripping on famous liberal ladies....... Well done Nancy Pelosi. You and your democratic Congress buddies now have LOWER APPROVAL NUMBERS THAN PRESIDENT BUSH. Again - when's the last time you heard that on ANY network - it's true, though. According to Gallup, president Bush's numbers are at an all time low. In fact, the only folks the American people approve of LESS are those good earmarking politicians in Congress. Lead on, Nancy, lead on

Pumping my own gas and other environmental thoughts......

Here in the land of the famous "northerner" we find these fine folks apparently unable to pump their own gas. That's right - it is not legal to pump your own gas into your own tank. Now, some are saying "great - that's more efficient because we have 'experts' filling up our tanks and it will take WAY less time." WRONG - the problem lies with the assumption that the people pumping the gas are more intelligent or at least as intelligent as the folks receiving the pumping. I pulled into the gas station on State Route 73 this afternoon with my wife. I was the only one sitting their waiting for my tank to be filled by the "expert" sitting in the booth. I waited approx 2 minutes as he sat either on the phone or figuring out how to exit his booth. He sauntered over to me and proceeded to take my cash (which means not lengthy credit card stuff) begin pumping and then WALK BACK INSIDE TO SIT!!! Yes, that is correct. Apparently, as an ironman, my expectations of people's fitness levels are too high. This guy needed a break from the walk out to my car and the exhausting task of putting the hose into my tank. After another 2 minute wait, he came back to complete what could have taken me half the time. And they say southerners are slow and lazy.......
How does the environment fit into this?? Well, it doesn't, but I figured if it worked for Al Gore to adopt the Earth as his pet to gain publicity, I can do the same. So if I tricked you into reading this to gain fame, blame Al Gore and kindly ask him to stop flying around in his private jet - it's not good for the environment. Apparently, first class chairs cannot fit his expanding hind quarters - too many veggie burgers.

Speaking of art..........

Sweeny is brilliant - a touch on gory side, so I am not recommending it (THAT should keep me out of trouble), however it is quite good. I am also reading Stephen Colbert's "I am America and So can You" - it is quite possibly the most non-sensical piece of literature I have ever attempted to sift through. Just like a good liberal - always able to make me laugh.
I journeyed to the bastion of liberal thought, high fashion, pitiful roads, and morons - New York City. I have never met such "cultured" idiots in my life. These people from the north pride themselves on "speaking their minds" and "being real," but it is downright obnoxious and poorly thought out. Now, I have no problem "speaking my mind" or "being real" but it doesn't have to include blocking intersections, blowing horns, or putting up a blustery front everywhere. It is amazing!! Behind all their horn blowing in intersections - we arrive at the same location at the same time (nothing saved), swearing or "being real" - when you respond, they get all mushy and back down from what they were saying OR (my favorite) discover that what they said was not nearly as clever as they thought when it is repeated to them. Here's a tip from a Southern boy - slow down, think through what you say and be ready to RESPOND. I guess its only southern to think about what happens after you "speak your mind" and are "real." Probably why we are republicans and HAVE LOWER TAXES. Yes, save the the world, northerners, one foreclosure at a time.

Boxing day and United on their way.....

3-0 at halftime...... poor ole Roy Keane......

Satan Clause and other tidbits........

Hello my pretties - Merry CHRIStmas to all and to all a happy new year. Did Satan Clause bring you what your heart desired?? Well........ if you did not apply the steps in my previous posts, then I cannot say that I am shocked. Now, I realize that this blog gets about as much traffic as the Youth Center on a Sunday morning (for those of you who do not attend Manna, that is not much), but I had certainly hoped for more feedback throughout the Christmas period. Ah, well....... we cannot all be blessed with the gift of wit - tis easier to read than to post and be found wanting (plus my brother Joe doesn't know about this blog so he can't get on here and show off how smart he is). Until we meet under less Merry circumstances, this is Father CHRIStmas signing off.

CHRIStmas eve......

Welcome to the blog that puts the "CHRIS" in Christmas Eve. May u and yours have a merry christmas and a happy holiday season.
A few tips to making your Christmas Merry and your New Year's new......
1. Buy me a Christmas gift - this tip is sure to make you happy and me richer and we both like that proposition. Cash, gold, savings bonds, land - it's all good. No shopping list is complete without a gift for the special one and I think we all agree that I am the most special.
2. Don't drink soda - now, it is a preposterous notion that by seeking to raise the tax on soda we will somehow stem the tide of our growing national waistline. (see story for details - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11686974
However, I do agree that soda is ONE of the evils that has our society growing out of pants faster than my child goes through diapers (he's a machine - just like Texans..... ha - sorry) Lowering the soda intake will help keep off those unnecessary pounds. Let's face it, we will all gain poundage and we can't all be an Ironman like me so we will all have to have a plan to lose it.
3. Forget those New Year's resolutions - just go for a jog every day, stop drinking soda, stop eating desserts, and eat more real foods. Now, you are saying, "that's too much change, phase it in slowly......" Well, it takes three weeks to form a habit and you keep stretching it out by phasing into the freaking thing. If you don't have time to jog, wake up earlier. Can't?? Try training for an ironman with a child who wakes up 3 times a night (by the way, training means running anywhere from 10-20 miles in the morning OR riding a bike for 5-6 hours at a time OR swimming over 2 miles). Suddenly, the 30 minutes jog/walk doesn't sound so bad. Soda will knock the first 10 pounds off - don't believe me?? Try. Real food means food with as few ingredients as possible - anything your grandmother would recognize as food.
4. Buy me another gift - feeling guilty about ignoring my guidance and getting larger during the holidays?? Buy me a gift to allay my wrath and appease the exercise gods.....

Follow these tips and all will be well with you on this very merriest of seasons and if you were offended by the content of my blog - forgive me. Sadly, I am wittier than you and will roast you mercilessly if you dare cross me. j/k - I am truly sorry. Truly

Embroiled in the political race.........

I can't help it...... for those who don't know, before switching my major to piano performance, I was a pre-law/government major and can't help but being drawn into the fray. I shall be your guiding light throughout the course of this election - truthiness - a phrase being tossed about by Stephen Colbert (who is, incidentally, crossing the picket lines to go back to work....... now, as a good liberal, shouldn't he be supporting his writers and helping them get the money they deserve?? Sounds like a money-grubbing Republican move to me......). Back to truthiness - I shall help shed some light on various candidates starting with Ron Paul. Please visit this link - rather disturbing - he has received a campaign contribution from a white supremacist and will be keeping it.... details

http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2007/12/19/ron-paul-keeps-500-donation-from-white-supremacist/

Mike Huckabee Ad:

If this isn't a reason to vote for Mike Huckabee, then I don't know what is.....

Guess where I am.......

Yes..... back in New Jersey. So, let's talk about my time driving up here. I left Williamsburg, VA at 11:00 am and didn't get here until 7 pm. "How?" you ask...... well..... I, of course, was going to tell you. A couple of problems with the drivers and the roads up here
1. Drivers - ok...... all of you geniuses who have to exit in 4 miles, DON'T FREAKIN DRIVE IN THE FAR LEFT LANE AND THEN JERK ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AT THE LAST MINUTE!! It is really simple - if you are exiting in 200 miles, drive in the far left lane and keep driving at a regular pace. If you are exiting soon, just make your way to the right lane and STAY THERE - you can spare the 15 seconds you will save by weaving through traffic and not screw it up for everyone.
2. Rubber neckers - if you wanted to stare at the Washington DC skyline or at Philadelphia off in the distance, you should have gotten off at the last exit. And, do we really need to slow down to stare at the guy changing his tire?? Does it really help him that we stare and slow to a crawl to not bother him with the wind resistance of our passing vehicles??
3. Tolls - now...... when I was a kid, we were taught to stay within the lines. Apparently, not everyone up north got the same lesson. As we approach the toll booth, THERE ARE ONLY 3 LINES FOR TAKING YOUR MONEY - so....... DON'T FORM 4 LINES AND THEN ACT SHOCKED WHEN I WON'T LET YOU IN MY LANE!!!!! If you are dumb, that is not really my fault. Now let's not get into my whole problem with tolls in the first place..... the nerve - they already tax the crap out of you, they really need to squander the rest of your hard earned money?? Don't tell me you think it's helping the upkeep of the roads or to hire the best and the brightest to take your toll money - cuz I got 300 miles traveled today that disagree with you.

Sigh...... now that I have that off my chest...... Merry Christmas to you, fair reader.

Weather and Football (x2)

FINALLY - we get some winter like crap..... and it is indeed crap - it is rainy and cold, but at least it is cold.
Tomorrow - Dallas vs. Philadelphia with Dallas playing for home field advantage and a first round bye. The big one is across the pond - Man Utd v. Liverpool for top spot in the Premier League - 11 am on Setanta Sports. DVR's get ready!!
We also exchange loot with the Fletcher Fam!! Rock

Weather

Someone forgot to tell the weather that it is almost Christmas. It was in the upper 80's and it is beginning to feel a lot like summer or maybe spring.

Latest video

B-stall..... hollah

Asia.......

Back from the trip...... it was ok - we didn't actually get to the crusade part. Lead a few worship sessions in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Came home three days early to avoid just sitting around in Sri Lanka with nothing to do. As a matter of fact, I should be on a plane coming from Bangkok even as we speak. The longest flight I had been on before this trip was 3 hours in duration, so talk about a shock. Anyway - Dallas won, Man United won - all is right in the sporting world.....