Last week of Battle-Training

As students across America are preparing for their final exams, so too - our daughter is finishing her first (only?) session of class. Battlecat Umbriaco is the star pupil. Everyone in class comments on how well behaved she is (hopefully this will re-assure my mom before she comes out to visit!) and she listens to directions quite well - of course if Battlecat is left alone all day while Erin and I are at work/school she is a bit ferocious, but that is to be expected... she is aptly named. Now - some pictures of Battlecat establishing her dominion over the living room.

Note the ridge down the center of her back - this appears when she is in Battle-Mode. Battlecat stands watch in every window she can get her paws in! She is truly a faithful security system.Also of note are her bulging battle-biceps which she employs in conjunction with her mouth when we play tug o' battle war (one of her favorite games). After she is done chewing a toy she likes to play tug o' war with the leftover scraps! She is quite silly but we appreciate her frugality.... in fact her favorite treat these days is an ice-cube... any time she hears us getting ice she comes running. Ice-cubes are well within our budget.Battlecat practices the art of war.

Blast from the Past

Here's some pictures from the vault:(R): Sean & Rachael (M): Us (L) J-rad & Amie & the lovely Jessica Tottenham is being held up. We're going to see Jess in Austin in a couple of weeks!
This is a picture of Erin & I opening wedding presents after we got back fom our honeymoon.
Here's a picture of our kitchen when we first moved in. This past weekend we helped a couple (Jason & Julia) move into their new house and I don't envy the long days of unpacking ahead of them....
Here's a picture of Battlecat & I in better days..... in recent times (read last night) Battlecat has been far more ferocious... she woke us up @ 3:45 am barking at a cat perched on our fence outside.... she wouldn't stop barking.... uggh... didn't get back to sleep until 4:30ish. Also in recent times the beard has taken a vacation.... Erin thinks it's too scratchy - so it's the goatee for awhile... but hopefully the beard will be back... I think shaving everday is scratchy.

Upcoming Events:

1) Erin has tests all next week

2) We are going to adopt a sister for Battlecat after her tests are finished!

3) We're going to visit Jess in Austin

4) My parents are coming to visit the second weekend in May!

Currently Reading:

I've had to shelf OP's Christ of the Covenants for now....I keep trying to read it at the gym... bad move... you have a rad voice OP - but you're too academic to read on the stair-thingy.... I've been reading Spurgeon at the gym and he's a lot easier to handle.

Christ and Culture - This is my train book along with Blink (a recommend from my work-friend Katy!) Right now I'm reading about the Christ against Culture view, and this (along with Covenant's Ancient Church History course) has confirmed my view that Tertullian was straight up wack.....

Grudem's Systematic - slowly but surely....

Newly Acquired: Horton's Intro to Covenant Theology (I'll probably have to read this one to better understand my boy OP). Roland Allen's Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or ours (next on tap for the train reading). Bavink's Reformed Dogmatics Vol2 (Thanks Dru!)....

Blue Like Jazz has been recommended by like 6000 individuals so I guess that will be my next gym read.... it sounds like a book I could be into whilst at the gym....

That is all....

peace out.

-jake

1-2-3-4 Sumpin' New

Battlecat has gone insane - there is no controlling her: she is off the proverbial hook.

In other news - Erin and I went to the D Webb/ Sandra McCracken show this past Sunday with our neighbors, Joel, and Hieu!

Sandra is amazing and she played some beautiful arrangements - Derek threw down some requests and then played straight through Mockingbird w/ Sandra. Great show - I really appreciate Derek's music because he is saying something to the culture other than 'Jesus is super duper....' If the reality of the incarnate Son of God doesn't compel us to act than it is no reality for us....

Anyway - I'm going to pass out.... too tired.... Battlecat has been keeping us up very late.... must sleep.

The Wedding of Sticky & Christina

Sticky and I walking in.....
Los Umbriacos
Dos Umbriacos
Me & my sis
Two happy Rudnickis
Mas Umbriacos
Amy's fiancee John is the one on the left
Parents etc.
Sticky making the magic happen.

Tale of Two Cities

Long couple of weeks......

Erin and I had to drive to Dallas (the day after Grandpa passed) so we could catch a flight to the SLC the next morning (incidentally it was $800 less per person to fly out of Dallas....). The drive to Dallas worked out well as it meant that we got to see Brandy Patrick on back to back weekends... but I was also able to spend time with mi amore - Corey Duncan (and his wife was there also...) Corey and I stayed up until 3 and then we got up at 6 to go to the airport.

We drove up to Green River with Juanita and Joshnita and spent Friday evening at the family viewing and rosary service..... (I've not been to mass in sometime and when it came time for the 'Our Father' I realized a little too late that the "for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever" isn't recited....)

We spent alot of time with all of Erin's various relatives which was a lot of fun! We stayed Sat. night in a room with Jenny and Richie and their dog, Harley. On Sunday Juanita, Erin and I decided to go up to the gravesite (the funeral was on Saturday - thanks Mom & Dad, and Rud's for coming up). Right at was rounded a bend in front of the cemetery Juanita lets out a yelp..... "It's a bear!"

Allow me to post a visual comparison of the animal she saw and the animal she thought she saw:

A Polar Bear:

Actually it was a sheep:

But that's an honest mistake! So we had a good time joking about Juanita's 'Polar Bear.'

When Erin and I got back to Dallas on Tuesday - Marylin met us at the airport (DFW is an amazing airport BTW) and brought us back to Brandy's. We said to Brandy for a minute and got on the road.... we got back to Houston around 11:30 PM - went to work Wed and Thursday and Friday morning we flew to Chicago for Sticky's wedding where I had the honor of serving as best man!

I was going to post some wedding pictures but blogger is having upload issues.... weak blogger.... not strong.

Tomorrow: wedding pics.

For Joe.

Earlier today Erin and I got the news that her grandfather Joe 'Ross' Vigil passed away after a 2-month struggle to recover from a massive stroke. I knew Joe as a story-teller. Every time I saw him - he had a story.... about eating horse meat when he served in the military or catching a train to Denver for a Broncos game.... from a fishing yarn to nights of jitterbug dancing with his wife - the man was overflowing with memories. As I sit here I'm unsure of how to react. Death is where the rubber meets the road for faith.... as much as humanity is concerned with our purpose here on Earth - I think we're all driven by the question of what happens when we die - and as Christians if there's no hope in death then we are irrelevant. We have nothing to say if we can't say death is ultimately beautiful.

We are all created as image bearers of the One God and from birth until our last breath - every scar and crinkle of our visage is reflective of something wholly other. That God would take on flesh and die gives us hope. That God is so consumed by zeal for His Holiness that He would put to death His Son for our sins is beautiful - and that we are offered hope of life eternal with Him because of the Son is something altogether other.... I don't have a word for that. So there is beauty in the passing of a saint - out of this world to a place where there is no suffering - just the radiance of a broken lamb in a forever healed body.

For a man who's stories I'd only 5 years to hear - now with the Story everlasting:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit brother, Amen.

Goodbye Grandpa.

The Stella Link

Jonathan and Sarah had a baby..... Tiffany and Nolan just had number two..... pretty much every human I went to high school with has had a baby..... so what is keeping us from having one.....

This thought occurred to me yesterday as Erin and I read the news that Sarah had given birth...... but as I thought about it some more I just didn't think I could live with the guilt.

Can you imagine the pyschological trauma this child would suffer? How could I ever look my child in the face and explain that this person that Erin and I brought into the world was born.... in Texas?

They issue you three things upon birth in Texas:
1) Birth Certificate
2) Concealed Weapons Permit
3) Gift certificate for http://www.texasjacks.com/

Even if we moved when the child was very young - I don't think they can ever fully repress the memories of Texas. The child would always fight an overwhelming desire to listen to country music... Erin and I have already begun intensive shock therapy to convince ourselves that we're actually in Deleware..... how could we do this to a child?

Alas, poor Battlecat is showing many symptoms of a dog who is clearly aware of where she is from..... She keeps bringing home flyers for this place:

http://www.trayerscowdogs.com/index.html



If I ever post a picture of Battlecat in this kind of a get up.... you'll know that Erin and I have reached the breaking point....

On an entirely different note: Erin and I were up in Ft. Worth where we consumed many ribs with Brandy, Marylin, Doug, (assorted canines & stuffed armadillos) and Sean and Rachel who were in town for spring break!

This weekend the Duncans are visiting the fair state of TX so we're looking forward to seeing them..... and the next weekend.... the wedding of Chicago Sticky.

That is all for now

Update

Here's Erin's Birthday Present!
Erin and I sitting on her new piano benchErin and Brandy gettin' their craft on
Brandy w/ Battlecat on the Love Sac (note blanket protecting Brandy's skin from touching suede!)
Battlecat in her natural habitat
Battlecat hanging out on the futon

Long time no post..... my bad. Things have been crazy here lately: Erin has been sick - since she's been sick she had to miss some school which stressed her out.... stress + sick = sad. Sad Erin received some sad news and flew back to SLC today to be with her grandfather who, after suffering a major stroke in January, has taken a turn for the worse. All of that is a lot to handle for her....

We were stoked to have Brandy with us before Erin got sick.... Brandy was quite ingenuitive with her sewing endeavors engineering a spindle out of several DVDs and a pencil. We also discovered Lee's Burgers and More. Lee is this older Asian dude who runs a burger/chinese food joint a couple blocks from our house. Lee's special: 1/3 lbs. Burger, Fries, and a Drink: $3.29..... amazing! The other food revelation was: General Joe's located in the Fiesta down the street. This too is amazing. Erin and I have grieved being apart from Chop Suey Luey's and the Chinese Food place in Smith's on 9th and 9th.... General Joe's has helped me cope.... cheap Chinese - the General Joe's Combo also less than $4!

Random Thoughts:

1) Broncos cutting Mike Anderson = weak.

2) The Utes Men's B-Ball Team sucks worse than I've ever seen them suck..... which sucks. No march madness makes me sad.

3) Houston 1836 changed their name to Houston Dynamo

4) Erin and I are stoked for the new Hays addition!

Please pray for Erin and her family.

Houston 1836

I was going to post about how lame it is that Houston 1836 is going to be re-named, but Joel (see link on right) beat me to the punch.....

Political correctness is just a really thin veil for complete moral relativism.

P.S. I am no longer observing Independence Day as it would offend the Brits.....

This whole thing is totally Mutu (there are only three people on the planet who get that reference but it couldn't be more appropriate....John Elliot is the only one who reads this blog who can understand...)

4 Things....

Because Jonathan's blog mandated it:

Four jobs I’ve had:

1. Crew Trainer - McDonald's at Layton Wal-Mart
2. Camp Counselor - Camp Aspen Ridge/Hull Valley - Preston, ID (of Napoleon Dynamite Fame)
3. Sales Associate @ Old Navy, The Gap, and Banana Republic
4. Lagoon RV Park and Campground Co-Manager w/ Sticky Paul Rudnicki

Four movies I could watch over and over:

1. Wanye's World
2: BASEketball
3: Any Harry Potter Movie
4: Spaceballs

Four places that I’ve lived:

1. Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C.
2. Edwards Air Force Base, CA
3: Layton/Salt Lake City, Utah
4. Houston, TX

Four TV shows that I love:

1. Gilmore Girls
2. Smallville
3. 7th Heaven - I hate this show - the acting, the dialogue - it makes me nuts... and because of that I am bizzarely bound to each new episode.....
4. Seinfeld

Four places I’ve vacationed (I don't really vacation..... but here's some cool places I've been):

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
2: Frascatti, Italy
3: Playa del Carmen, MX
4: Victoria, British Columbia, CA

Four of my favorite dishes:

1. Chicken Flautas smothered w/ green chile and cheese, side of rice
2: The chuychanga
3: Chicken Strips
4: Carmel Snickers shake from Burger Stop, Layton, UT

Four sites I visit daily:

1. www.capitolhillbaptist.org
2. www.soccernet.espn.go.com
3. www.cnn.com
4. www.sltrib.com

Four places I would rather be right now:

1: Houston (When Erin doesn't have to study and I don't have to work)
2. The SLC
3. Roma
4. Mozambique con mi amore

Four people who must now do this survey:

1. Destroyer, Lazlo The
2. il cane - Corey Duncan
3. Bill "I don't read fiction" Streger
4. Sticky Paul Rudnicki

Weak....

What a bummer weekend:

This past weekend was one of my saddest yet.....

The Super Bowl was pretty weak - unless you were a die-hard Steelers fan I'm not sure how anyone derived any enjoyment from that game.... I can't believe the Squawks couldn't capitalize on any of their first-half drives.... they really dominated that game... and Roethlisberger tried his hardest to channel Jake Plummer and throw touchdowns to the other team but to no avail.... Randle-El bailed him out. Anyway - a win's a win no matter how crappy your QB plays (as this jaded Broncos fan knows too well) and it's a feel-good story for Cowher, Bettis, and Co.

The overall lamesness of said Super Bowl (plus a weak crop of commercials) is not what made this weekend such a bummer though - what really bummed me out was that Battlecat was sick all weekend! Battlecat and I have such a tight bond and I was so sad all day Saturday - she wouldn't eat or drink or take a treat... she wouldn't play - she dragged along when I took her on walks.... mostly she slept curled up against me on the Love-Sac and I just sat there and rubbed her belly wishing she would feel better. If my dog makes me this sad when she's sick I'll probably have to be institutionalized should I have a child who gets sick......

Saturday evening Battlecat started to feel a little better - I started hand-feeding her little kibbles and then her appetite came back - she ate a little food then she did a little poop! Sunday was a better day but she was still a pretty bummered Battle Puppy.

Today she dug a big hole in the backyard and ate all of her food.... and she dragged me up and down the street on her "walk" so I think she's feeling better!

On a happier note:

1) Erin's grandpa (Pictured above with her grandma, sister, brother, brother-in-law, and hisband!) has been moved to St. Joe's Villa for long-term care and recuperation - I got to talk to him on the phone the other day (although he can't speak still - it's nice to hear that he's smiling).
1) Erin got a really sweet card from our fellow Texan transplant Brandy Patrick!
2) We hung out with some fellow Kaleocians at our house on Friday night.
3) Kevin Eastham scored free tickets to Rice- Memphis Mens Basketball (Memphis is #3 in the nation) and the game turned out to be really good (despite the fact that Rice plays in something that barely passes as a high school gym).
4) I met some cool folk at a Super Bowl get together over at Aaron and Charlene's house.
5) I found a surprise present for Erin's b-day that I'm really excited to get - you can start placing bets on the number of days it will take for her to return it :-)

Busy weekend.....

My usual weekend consists of taking Battlecat for a walk, doing chores, and watching cinematic classics like Masters of the Universe.....

This weekend was different.....

Chad Whitehead came into town - he was speaking at a conference for Houston 2nd Baptist North campus so I got to see him on Friday and Erin and I had lunch with him on Sunday! Friday night Erin's friend from school hosted a party for some of the students so we made some cupcakes and went over there for awhile..... they were playing speed scrabble when we got there and then they switched over to an absolutely maddening game called: Apples to Apples..... this game is completely subjective and there is no strategy to win..... grrrrr......

Our neighbors... the Rice football guys were hosting their usual Friday night booze fest complete with a huge ice block with grooves carved in it for taking shots...... the theme of their party was Black Out - so everyone wore black and presumably they drank until they blacked out..... definitely not my college experience.....

Sat. morning I helped BattleBill move, and then Aaron and I went to the Galleria with his sone Collin. Collin is like two years old, and at one point we were walking around the mall and Collin was in the middle of us holding both of our hands.... I wonder what people thought of that scene..... anyway that was amazing because I got two pair of dress pants and a dress shirt at Banana Republic for $27 which is pretty much my Banana world record.

On Sat night Erin and I went to her friend Lan Lan's house for Chinese new year! Lan's mom made the most intense feast ever.... there were more dishes here then at any chinese buffet I've ever been to..... it was quite the cultural experience.

Sunday we got up, and went to church - then we came home, put the roast in the crock-pot and went off to meet Chad for lunch where we were all ministered to by fajitas at Papasito's. There's something mystical about chips and salsa..... Chips and salsa hold a power over me that I can't overcome.... they just call out to me.... eat me.... eat me..... and I heed that call no matter how full I am.....
Anyway - Erin and I hurried back home to clean house before I took off for Nexus.
Erin and I hosted three of her fellow med students who went to BYU/U of U for dinner.... that was a really good time.... felt like being back home... we listened to the Sons of Provo CD that the bowlcut gifted me with (as an aside to Chris - I bought Andrew Peterson's album strictly off of your recommendation). My favorite song on Sons of Provo is called: Love Me, but don't show me" which has one of the best all-time lines in: My body is a temple girl and you ain't got no recommend.

If you don't get that line it's OK.... we'll talk later.

So that was the weekend....

I've finished several books lately:
I Love Mormons - David Rowe
The Normal Christian Life - Watchman Nee
Mere Christianity - CS Lewis

Right now I'm reading Christ of the Covenants by OP Robertson.... very slowly.... I wish I had the book on tape because he has an awesome southern drawl.....

Battlecat has class tomorrow.

That is all.....

First Day of School

Battlecat had her first day of school today! Doggy Obedience School is every Tuesday at 6:30 at the local Petsmart. Battlecat is terrified of the car.... but when she is surrounded by other canines she's in her element. Today all the dogs in the class got to sniff each other's butts until they were satisfied that there were no communist spies in their midst. Although my own butt was not sniffed, I felt like I was a part of their ritual and I think it's a cruel imposition by society that humans aren't allowed to indulge their own natural urge to sniff one another.

In other news - the Broncos lost, at home..... in the AFC Championship game.... to the Steelers. I don't hate the Steelers.... I hate that Plummer had four turnovers.....I think it's weak that the Broncos abandoned the run - and I think if the Steelers did that to our secondary - I'm glad we got shelacked by them and not the Colts who would certainly have destroyed us for the third year running........

I did think that Plummer had some amazing scrambles and got out of a ton of near sacks.... unfortunately he left the ball on the ground when he was escaping one too many times.
Maybe next year.....

As an aside.... if Roethlisberger wasn't injured mid-season that game could very well have been in Pittsburgh.

That's about it for me.... I appreciate all the comments from my last post.... especially those from 'Anonymous' - I was really encouraged by your comments.... I need to call you soon.

P.S. The picture doesn't have anything to do with the post.... I just thought I'd throw it up there..... anyone know where it was taken at?

Missing my wife

On Thursday Erin and I found out that her grandfather had a stroke. Erin flew out to SLC to be with him and her family in WY Friday morning. While Erin was praying/crying/visiting/studying I had a pretty battlifferous weekend..... just me... Battlecat, and playoffs. It's really hard to have Erin away and going through such an emotionally challenging situation and to not be able to be there and hold her and pray with her just sucks. She comes home tomorrow evening and I'm so excited to see her!

This weekend Mark and Sarah got married (www.sarahandi.com) and because Erin was out of town I went alone.... I love weddings because I can always relate to my own; but going to a wedding without my wife is like eating cake w/o Mrs. Rudnicki's icing..... there's definitely something missing. I did get to spend time with the brothers Bennett (Adam and Ian) and Joel - briefly.... so that was cool.

I came to a realization this weekend..... maybe more a point of clarity about something I've been recognizing about myself.....

If you've seen the movie 'Dogma' you may recall this scene where the lead gal is speaking to her friend and telling her about how she struggles with disbelief... and her friend replies... ah the mark of a true Catholic.....

In some ways I see myself in that comment. I remember when I first was knowing the Lord... how everything was new and exciting.... I used to be stoked for my work break so I could sit at the Arby's in Park City and just read and read.... everything was so fresh. I still like to read -but I've graduated from the Bible to random books of theology..... for some reason I'm more impressed with philosophies about what's contained in the Word and how to apply it rather than what the Word has to say for itself.... and with this de-mystification of the Holy Writ comes an ever increasing amount of apathy towards all things. It's rare that anything stirs my emotion and rarer still that I would act upon it...... Is apathy the mark of a seasoned 'believer'? Am I resigned to be ever-critical - always pointing out what's wrong with the Church and never part of anything approaching a solution?

I definitely feel like that sometimes...... I wish I could read the Bible like I did when I was a newborn and strip away my theo-baggage.... I wish my theo-baggage would magnify the Word rather than weigh me down.

I have hope though - there's always the brief moments on the train into work - where I can see the Gospel applied... as I sit there and read the Psalms I encounter the nations and something stirs within me. I guess I need to get involved.... to invest in something that draws me into 'real' life.

Well... that's my little rant.... haven't had one in awhile. Battlecat and I are going to lay on the love-sac and watch Harry Potter 2 for awhile and then I shall resume cleaning the house so that Erin can be fully relaxed when she gets home tomorrow.

I miss my wife.

-jake

P.S. Battlecat's archnemesis has been revealed: Our vacuum cleaner. The battle rages on.

What I'm up to lately

Because Erin has neglected her calling to the blogosphere... I shall post a brief update of what she's been up to. She just wrote a mini paper on the book - Mountains beyond Mountains about Dr. Paul Farmer's (http://www.pih.org/index.html) work in Haiti and other impoverished areas of the world. This book has really inspired Erin to begin considering international medicine and infectious disease - and I've really been into learning more about it with her as I've been re-awakened to a variety of social-justice issues.

Today I watched the instructional CD on how to use the Sumo Robots my Dad got Erin and I for Christmas! Soon I will be a sumo master!
I also got a great book called "I Love Mormons" for Christmas..... I've been reading it pretty much everyday since I've been back, and found it quite engaging so far. I appreciate the treatment of the LDS faithful as an ethnic group over-against the standard dismissal as a 'cult.' I'm about 80 pgs into and will have to give it a more thorough review when I'm finished.

This weekend Erin and I went over to Joel and Heather's house... we arrived there @7:45 ish and got back home 'round about 2 AM.....It's not like we watched three movies and climbed Kilimanjaro.... we were just hanging out - we had some dinner (thanks Heather!) and some RC Cola (thanks Joel).... and were blessed with some toots (thanks 'Bella). Holden was trapped in this closed-circuit loop of: Stand by the door.... sprint into the couch... fall over.... repeat. It reminded me of Erin's cousin Cy who went through a similar routine with our love sac (www.lovesac.com).

Erin and I are stoked for the return of Gilmore Girls and Smallville episodes this week! Huzzah!
Tomorrow Robyn Day is in town to take a test for medical school - Robyn is a med student at the Univ. of Utah and a friend of ours (she went to Ethiopia with Erin) and we are excited to have her over.

Erin and I have decided to take Battlecat to doggy obedience school...... there she can harness her powers and learn to channel the Power of Greyskull.

I leave you with a limerick in tribute to Battlecat -

When you get in the back of the car
You drool wherever you are
On my lap, on the seat,
On Erin's arm or the street.
But you haven't pooped so far.

Mi Amore

Corey and his wife left for VA yesterday where they will decide on three potential countries to serve as missionaries in for the next couple years...... Erin and I had to say goodbye to them on New Year's Eve and that was sad......... Yesterday was Erin and I's 2nd anniversary and since we got married we've invited Corey to be a third member in our relationship... but alas... he married another. Below is a picture of Corey and I on a train leaving Termini Station in Rome en route to Nice, France. (No... we're straight.... just merry)

Erin and I didn't do much of anything for our anniversary... Erin started classes yesterday and I went back to work yesterday so she studied when she got home, and I entertained Battlecat! I think we might go to the Aquarium restaurant on Friday night.

The Aquarium restaurant has a Ferris Wheel outside... and we like Ferris Wheels!

I've been listening to Derek Webb's new album 'Mockingbird' (www.derekwebb.com has 4 songs online)... I got the last copy from the local Lifeway using a giftcard Joel gave me for Christmas (thanks Joel!) Anyway - check it out.... Derek Webb is amazing.

I'm tired.....so I'm signing off....

ciao babes.

Happy Christmas!

Erin and I are in SLC right now.... sans Battlecat. We miss Battlecat very battlemuch.... we've acquired several toys for Battlecat and she will be showered with gifts upon our return. Battlecat is staying with BattleBill and Shannon Streger right now and is pictured below cuddling with Scout! (Thanks to Shannon for the picture).


It's been a really busy time for us. We spent Christmas Eve with family and left on Christmas day for WY to hang out with Erin's grandparents. On the 26th we went to Vernal to see Jenny and Richie's place and then to Duchesne to spend the night with Erin's dad..... who was gracious enough to drive us back to SLC on Tuesday.

Tuesday night we went to a get together at Clint's house where we saw many friends from far off lands! I think Ginodean.net took pictures, so hop on over to his blog sometime soon to check them out.

Today Erin is at the clinic working with her mom. I saw my mom and my brothers this morning and am hanging out with Joshnita right now.... I just got the e-mail from Shannon so I wanted to post a picture of the battlelove of my life - Battlecat!

I'm looking forward to hanging out with friends and family over the next couple of days.... but mostly I really want to get back to Houston to give Battlecat a great big Battlehug!

Here's a question for the readers:

What was the most random gift you received for Christmas?

I received two in the category of random/awesome:

1) First prize goes to my dad who got Erin and I battling sumo robots (complete with artificial intelligence)! My dad was so stoked about this gift! And I am too... you can program different moves and sumo the night away..... Erin is going down as soon as we get back!

2) Masters of the Universe DVD - this was a love offering from ginodean.net! This classic film features action hero Dolph Lundgren so it has to be good!

Happy Christmas.... Happy New Year

Erin and I miss all our human friends.... but especially Battlecat.

Battleplan

Battlecat set about on her quest for world domination..... I was speaking with Sticky (ostrichjockey.blogspot.com) about this - and he has a theory: Battlecat has been socialized toward world domination.... by calling her Battlecat we've given her a Napoleon (Bonaparte) complex and she is actively pursuing the expansion of her territory (perhaps Battlecat is familiar with the Prayer of Jabez).......

Anyway Battlecat's quest was marked by the digging of several holes in the backyard and then she began to wage inside our home.... Battlecat consumed: A pair of black sandals that Erin wore all the time, one brown shoe that I bought Erin recently, 1 pair of blue old-navy flip flops, and my Broncos beanie...... But who am I to complain... clearly she was operating under the power of Greyskull.....

Erin and I didn't do a whole lot this past weekend, Erin's been studying for her med school exams so please be in prayer for her... this is a huge week of tests for her.

Battlecat and I walked along a running path around the perimeter of Rice University this weekend.... Battlecat enjoyed it so much that when we got back into the car after an hour or so of walking she threw up and then slept for like the next four hours.....

Oh yeah! Kevin Eastham and I went to the Galleria (which is a mega-huge mall) for wife Christmas shopping - it was a good bonding experience. Usually I am way ahead of the curve on Christmas shopping.... and this year is no different.... I got Erin's main present in late July.... but I haven't hoarded away any other presents since then so I'm scrambling.....

One other thing I should note..... it has been downright chilly here in Houston lately... last week the high was in the low 40's all week.... I also discovered that the main heater in our house isn't functioning... so eventually the temp in our house equilibrated... I don't think Erin was bothered too much by it because she was at school studying all week, but Battlecat and I were almost popsicled. But fear not.... this is Houston... the current temp in our home is 67 deg.

Here's an online synopsis of Battlecat that I found.....
(It helps to read He-Man as 'Jake')

A worthy friend to He-Man, this fierce green and yellow furball is equipped with a saddle and helmet, ready for combat. His loyalty to He-Man is unquestioned as is his bravery in battle. He only becomes Battlecat when Prince Adam becomes He-Man. Otherwise he remains the sleepy tiger, Cringer.
Battlecat can pick up the scent of Skeletor's evil pet, Panthor, across great distances. The two battling animals despise each other and when they clash, they fight with incredible fury, leaping and clawing at each other with thunderous roars. A ferocious furry friend to He-Man, Battlecat is aptly named.

Assume the position

So I had to get a physical for work on Friday...... as I'm sitting there in the doctor's office I begin to read the checklist of things required for this particular physical.....and what to my wondering eyes should appear - how 'bout 'rectal exam'?

As panic courses through my body I'm hit with the realization that this exam will be 'proctored' by an all female staff. This is about the time when the medical assistant hands me a gown.... a backless gown, it's more like an apron and I'm instructed to disrobe and put that gown on..... now I'm freaking out!

So... I'm sitting there in my robe/miniskirt, legs crossed to preserve what little dignity I have left, and the oldest of the three women in the room tells me that I won't be needing the rectal exam because I'm too young for that to be an issue.....of course two women had to be present for my hernia exam which was very uncomfortable, and the staff gives a light knock on the door on their way in.... there's no pause.... so when I'm finally able to put my clothes back on, I'm scrambling.

Long day......

Anyway - just thought I'd share that story.

pow,

jake

Battlepost!

Here's some pictures in no particular order:

(L-R) Joshnita, Juanita (Happy Birthday!) Jennyita, Richita


My mom and I at the Broncos - Texans pre-season game which was sort of a microcosm of the two team's seasons.... the Texans lost... and the Broncos won! (note my mom keepin' it real in the old school Shannon Sharpe jersey)

This is Erin's grandma sprorting a sombrero! I love this picture!

This is a picture of the inside of our house.... sort of the dining area.....
and this is our living room...looking down from the 3rd floor

Jason Elam kicking the winning field-goal in OT against Dallas on Thanksgiving Day!

Battlecat in triple threat position ( she could 1)fall asleep, 2) drool everywhere 3) POUNCE!)

Erin and Jake in a self-portrait entitled "Were happy the Broncos are winning because the Utes sucked this year.... at least they beat BYU!"

And now for a long awaited update:

First off,

Some new terminology: A new adjective I've been using - 'battliferous'
Battliferous describes Battlecat's state of being... she could be sad, happy, or battliferous. I've also been using 'battle' to modify all sorts of words regarding battlecat. She has a battlebox where we keep her toys... she goes outside for a battlepoop etc.

Battlecat also lost her first three teeth (that we know of) this weekend... Erin and I put them in a plastic bag and they are hanging on the fridge until the battletooth fairy can make a visit!

Here's the update on the humans that reside in Battlecat's domicile:

I saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire twice! I saw it with Hieu and his friend, and then Erin and I saw it with her friend Lan! I liked it a lot, although I thought the movie progressed at a very quick pace.....

On Wed. evening Erin's family (Juanita, Joshnita, Jennyita, and Richita) arrived and on Thurs. morning we began our Thanksgiving adventure. We rented a minivan and drove to Dallas to watch the Broncos v Cowboys game and celebrate Juanita's 50th b-day! The Broncos won despite their best efforts and we had to hit the road to make it back to Houston in prep for Day-after-Thanksgiving shopping and to return the minivan by midnight. Juanita and Joshnita went to Circuit City at 1:30 AM to wait in line for a computer. Friday we actually ate Thanksgiving Dinner, and on Saturday the nita's returned home to SLC.

Things have been really crazy as battlecat has sought out and destroyed many elements of our home.... she chewed two holes into the dry wall in our garage, and chewed through the foam which lines the intake vavles of our outdoor AC unit.....she also dug several holes in our backyard... which is cool. I think this aggressive behavior stems from the fact that she has not yet called upon the Power of Greyskull.....I hope that one day soon, I shall come home and find her adorned with a green coat and yellow stripes!

Erin and I have both been excited about meeting new people at work and school.... a gal in Erin's class moved in near us so we've visited her and her husband a couple of times which is cool! The diversity here has really helped Erin and I to grow individually and as a couple in Christ as we see the expression of the Body manifest in different cultures and settings. So many unique situations all calling for redemption.

Well.... I must be off to bed... I want to thank Chris Dean and Jonathan Hays for having short IM conversations with me even though I wasn't online.... the upstairs computer auto-logs in to my IM account...

Happy December.

-jake

p.s. I made a pumpkin pie shake today!

Behold.... BATTLECAT!

First..... load up this love offering from the musical stylings of Lazlo the Destroyer:
http://media.putfile.com/Meditations-on-Battlecat

And then behold....... Battlecat!




Battlecat was adopted this Saturday from Pals for Pooches! She is a retriever/spaniel mix and overall she's a pretty chilled out dog. John Roberson and I went to see her on Sat. after Erin and I saw her on the internet..... when Erin OK'd the adoption, John and I took her back to the car and immediately began socializing her by calling her Battlecat. When I put her in the back of Erin's car, she must have been very nervous because she peed twice in the backseat, and then threw up on the way home..... but that was cool because she was just asserting her dominance as animal worthy of the title 'Battlecat' would!

Erin and I haven't been sleeping much and we spend all of our free time with her. Erin has been coming home straight after school and studying on her bed to hang out with Battlecat, and I have been getting up at 5:40 to take her for walks before work!

Well..... I must return downstairs to Battlecat's lair so Erin can get some work done.

Enjoy Danny's tune whilst you gaze upon Battlecat!

Gobble gobble and other pairs

Well.... yesterday I had a soccer game.... team played amazing, we won 7-6 and I got a ball kicked right into my right hand which jammed my other ring finger.... so now both are out of commission... which is sort of comical, but it also sucks... I feel really weird not wearing my wedding ring but I'd also feel weird having someone saw the ring off my finger because it was cutting off circulation so I guess I'll just have to wait until my fingers return to normal size.

Erin has been sick the last couple of days - today on the way home we purchased: Wendy's Fries, OJ, banana popsicles, soup, vapor stuff, and nyquil stuff for Erin - so hopefully some combo of those things will make her feel better. We also purchased our first turkey! It's a fine bird, weighing in at just shy of 21 lbs. Since Erin is sick - I got to make food just for me for dinner... so I had gravy tacos.... it was awesome! I felt a little like Elvis... actually I'm hairier than the king, but I do dig gravy on my tacos - life changing. Speaking of hairy, the beard is making a comeback... I haven't shaved for a couple of days (which for me is approaching sasquatch levels) so I figured why not? I hate shaving...... now I'm not going for the moustache/beard combo... that's lame. I'm kicking it Brigham Young style.... no moustache!

(Brigham Young pictured here in direct violation of BYU's honor code)

Erin and I are going with Kevin and Carissa Eastham to see the Broadway musical: Wicked this Sunday so that should be amazing..... and while I'm on the subject of Eastham's.... I want to give a shout out to Greg Matte, pastor of First Baptist Houston for being totally hardcore. Kevin told me that the church is taking 9 months or so to go through Colossians verse by verse, and Greg has challenged the church to memorize the book of Colossians along the way! I think that's awesome.....party on Greg.

In case anyone is interested I'm still working on memorizing Ephesians... I took a couple month break, but I was up to Ch. 3, Justin Goldman told me that he is starting to memorize the book, so we've agreed to push each other through it. Once I memorize a couple more books, I will become legally righteous and all-powerful - then Battlecat and I will take over the world!!!! Until Erin rebukes me, then Battlecat and I will take off our capes and come back in the house.....at which point Battlecat will retreat to a corner and lick his/herself (as is the custom of canines) and I'll probably be assigned to clean the toilet, do the dishes, and vacuum.... maybe world domination through legal righteousness isn't such a good plan.....

(An artist's rendering of Battlecat and I bent on world domination)

I'm hanging out with John Roberson on Saturday.... which is cool.....

Corey Duncan still hasn't called me back.... which is not cool.

Erin went to sleep last night at 9 PM which is totally cool......

I went to a helicopter crash survival training yesterday in Galveston which was both cool and not cool.... and now I will elaborate.

So Katy ( a super good friend from work) and I went to this training dealy in Galveston. They put us in this cage thing with two seats, shoulder and waist straps, and openings on both sides of the cage to escape out of. We wore these crash helmets and blacked out goggles so we couldn't see. Then they flip the cage over so your body is upside down, underwater, and you can't see... and you have to get yourself out.... then you repeat........the last guy in our group didn't have a partner, so I did it like 3 more times with him..... anyway fun for all ages.....

Well... that's all for now.

Let me clear a few things up

OK... so I get carried away with my posts sometimes.....

Let me clear a few things up for confused readers:

1) Erin and I will not have a baby (God-willing) until she is finished with her MD - so..... 2010?

2) Battlecat will be the name of our dog once we acquire a dog.... right now we have no dog (except for Corey Duncan who is the Dawg - but has abandoned me for that woman he married)

3) Giraffes attack with their front two legs and that freaks me out although I suppose it makes sense.... what else would they do - sledgehammer enemies with their head?

Ummm.... a lot of stuff has happened since I started this post so I lost my train of thought.... which was probably headed off track after the giraffe comment anyway.....


So some highlights.....
Friday I was playing basketball at the Y and I jammed my left hand ring finger.... it swoll so bad that I can't get my ring back on it.... yesterday it felt a lot better and my ring fit, so I wore my ring all day today and then I couldn't get it off... I finally suceeding in getting it off, so it is now on my right hand which I understand is the custom in Norway.... so if anyone asks... Erin and I are celebrating our Norse heritage....until my finger returns to it's normal size.

Keepin' it blonde and blue eyed.....

-jake

At least the Utes had a bye week....

So I'm on my way to Minute Maid park to walk onto the field for Game 3 of the World Series... and who should call but my hetero-lifemate Jonathan Hays (www.firstfloorflat.com) from Scotland.... he's like - Hey dude what are you doing? and I was like.... ummmm.... I'm about to walk onto the field for the World Series..... Now this isn't all that far-fetched of a thing for me to say. I will from time to time become delusional and exhort certain teams in certain situations to "put in Umbriaco"... but this time I really was going to walk onto the field. I got an e-mail at work that our company needed 100 volunteers to hold a flag at the pre-game ceremonies for game 3 of the World Series..... I wasn't really sure what it involved so I signed up and got the opportunity to go along with two friends from work, Kevin & Tiffni. It turned out that we were going to be holding a football field length American Flag for the Star-Spangled Banner..... and that was intense. It's pretty intimidating to walk out onto the field with thousands of people going nuts... I was a runner so I unfurled the flag and charged out toward centerfield.....



So the Astros got swept in the series..... I guess that's how it goes......but it was AMAZING to be able to walk onto the field and see Nolan Ryan throw out the first pitch... and run past all the 'Stros as they were warming up.... I'm at the top of the flag at the intersection of the stars and stripes and if you zoom in on the picture, I drew a circle around myself......

Well - that was intense and the rest of the week sort of pales in comparison. I saw Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galalxy which was awesome and Lazlo the Destroyer (dannysmixingdesk.blogspot.com) recorded an instrumental tribute "Meditations on Battlecat" which will be released on an EP entitled "Requiem for a Quadriped" under ginodean.net's label sometime around the holidays..... seriously when I figure out how to upload an mp3.... you will all be blazed with this musical treat that will challenge your soul to soar beyond Infinite's Endpoint as a veritable LightBlade of liquid MEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Ummm... that last paragraph was all one big inside thing.... so if you don't get it... that would be my proverbial 'bad'. Although it is true that Danny did record this wicked track, and I really will upload it when I figure it out.... speaking of Battlecat - Erin and I stepped out in faith and purchased a bed for battlecat. Currently our stuffed lion Eri Zohar and our newly acquired plush heffalump reside on the bed where Battlecat will live once we acquire the as of yet gender non-descript dog. We've decided to take our time acquiring things we need for a dog so when we're ready to get one - we'll be all ready for it...... even bought a book on raising a dog at half-price books (where there was a book for sale called "Jewish Gay Mysticism" which sounded intriguing.... perhaps another time).

Dude.... I'm currently enveloped in the trill-licious tones of Danny's electric and I have to say that deep within my soul I'm inclined to make the metal sign and scream "Trogdor" .... ah once again I digress to the inside jokes.... my bad. Anyway - Danny you rule.

Erin finished her Block 2 exams and has begun the home stretch toward Block 3 and cumulatives... her last exam before we get to come home for Christmas - so be lifting her up in prayer!

Once last piece of news before I sign off.... as was reported here: Sticky Paul Rudnicki is engaged to Christina - hooray! And just yesterday my sister Amy calls with some news of her own..... two Rudnicki's engaged at once!!!! Wow... so it looks like weddings will keep Erin and I traveling next year.

I shall blog again this week with something more coherent.....

Stormy McThunderson

I'll leave the title to your speculation.......

So - the 'Stros are in the World Series for the first time ever.... and while I'm not the biggest baseball fan on the block, this season has really renewed my interest in the sport I'd forsaken ever since the Oakland A's traded my boyhood hero.... Jose Canseco.... I mean.... when we moved here the Astros were buried at 15 games under 500 and left for dead...... and now here they are in the series...... OK, so Sticky posted a link on his blog (ostrichjockey.blogspot.com) to a song that will change your life...... I must admit that I'd born witness to this video once before when my doppleganger, Tiffany e-mailed it to me..... but I will link it here as it will no doubt bless your life in erstwhile unimagined ways.....

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama.php

I e-mailed this link to several of my co-workers after I'd given a presentation at work featuring the following image:


As the great llama revolution sweeps through your hearts and minds - I hope you will remember where you first saw that wondrous video.....

Here's a subject I've been thinking a lot about lately:

Ethnocentricity and the church:

Here in Houston we're surrounded by people of all different cultures....yet for the most part... when I walk into a church and look around.... it's pretty vanilla.....

There's something to be said for the cultural context argument..... we don't necessarily want to americanize all these other cultures in terms of their expression of the worship of Christ, but on the same token how is the church impacting her people to develop any kind of real devotion and compassion for all of God's people.....

If you've been brought up in a run of the mill middle class suburban church where everyone looks like you (politically/socially/economically etc.) how is this preparing your soul for the worship of the Lord with all the saints on that day when we're all before His throne? What would you do? Would you find the suburban worshippers section?

Here's the issue in a nutshell: the church is raising people to love and care about the type of people that would come to that particular church rather than training people to develop compassion for all nations and to love the Body as a whole, not just the local expression of Christ in your neighborhood.....

Seriously... when's the last time someone in your fellowship mentioned that tsunami that wiped out SE Asia? We forgot about it completely because we had hurricanes here.....

Is this issue overcome in any meaningful way by having a once every three month mixer with the Korean church that meets down the street? Is the Gospel being preached in a way that communicates that in the City of God we are all one in Christ Jesus? How do we communicate to congregates a love for all peoples? Perhaps we do this by raising awareness on social issues and missions opportunities? I think that's a fair start..... as fair as the quarterly mixer with the "ethnic" church..... but there's danger here too.....

People go on a mission trip to some country overseas.... and then they develop a "heart" for that country.... which has done little more (with respect to overcoming ethnocentricity) than to transfer that persons ethnocentricic mindset to a different cultural area.....

So what's the solution? Is there something more we can draw out in our corporate confession? Is there an element to the table that we're not expressing? Or perhaps we're at a point where people in general have such a low view of scripture that to get them to develop any meaningful compassion for the people around them is deemed a sufficient challenge?

OK.... I'll move on from there.... your thoughts are appreciated.....


Here's my closing thought:

Erin and I keep running into people who have these really cute little kids - and I think to myself.... I'd like a cute little kid.... but then I meet people with babies and I think..... why has God abandoned you?

A kid would be grand because it would:

1) Challenge Erin and I in every area of our life
2) It would grow us spiritually as we're challenged to be a functioning spiritual unit
3) It would give me something to do when I get home from work and Erin is studying!!!!
4) It would give me an excuse to purchase all sorts of cool sports things like a baseball mitt and a soccer ball

Unfortunately I have no ability to deal with a baby..... I don't understand them, and I don't know what to do with them.... I mean they pee/poop all over the place... or they hurl on your shirt when you're late for work..... they cry all the time... and they don't sleep (all of these symptoms remind me of myself as I was trying to finish my thesis.....)

So I've arrived at a solution: Erin and I can have a baby and then mail it to Utah where it will spend some quality time (3 yrs or so) with its grandparents.... I think between Juanita and my mom and dad, and the Ruds..... this kid will be raised like a champ, and then they can just fax the child back to us when it's 4 or so.... and then I can talk to it, and start teaching it sports and differential equations.....

Tragically Erin thinks mailing our child to Utah for 3 yrs would be 'inhumane' or something to that effect.... It's clear that her moral acumen is impinged by her med school study load.....or else this matter would be clear..... but until she receives some clarity on that topic.... I guess I'll have to pine away for my beloved Battlecat.....

And now: a sonnet regarding Battlecat -

"Battlecat, my heart's desire"

Shall I compare you to a summer's drool?
You are more hygienic and more considerate.
As a beast you are an incomparable fool
for my affections and heart's palpet

Battlecat: romping, and licking and true
Erin will not condemn your excitement
Unlike a llama I cannot ride you
But we shall frolic and make merriment

As we walk down the street paw in hand
Others will look and envy our joy
Is there a fairer quadriped in all the land
Nay, Battlecat for you alone: "Atta Boy"

Battlecat most fair and most hairy
Eating cockroaches so they won't be scary.

D Webb revisited.....

On Wed. night, Erin and I got to do a couple of things which were amazing.....and both of them have to do with Derek Webb!

So we went to see Derek Webb at First baptist on Wed.... and who should be standing in the foyer to give us directions but Gregg Matte... the pastor of FBC Houston... so that was cool because Greg preached the week I came to faith in Christ at Glorietta, NM so I talked to him for a little minute and then Erin and I headed off to see Derek Webb...... we had to leave early so I could make my indoor game (where my team played well but eventually went down to a Mexican team with incredible ball control skills....) so that was a bummer.... but Derek did sing "Somewhere North of Here" and "Table for Two"....... Anyway - Derek puts on a great show... and it's been weird to see him live... because I love Derek Webb (I'm currently trying hard to deal with the fact that deep down, I'm a gushing fan.....) but his shows are always pretty empty..... I guess that's because he's not on the radio...... so Derek played a lot of his stuff off his new record, which I could groove along too as I'd heard it all like a month ago when he was in town and then he talked some blood water mission which was also good.

Today (Fri) is my day off..... and what do I do with my day off?
Well - I take Erin to school.... then I take the Jeep to get registered and weep bitterly as I have to dispose of my Utah plates..... then I wait for 7 hrs and counting for the carpet people to come over and assess any damage from the water that leaked into our bedroom during Rita......

It's kind of a bummer to just chill out here all day... I really wanted to go out and about on my day off..... but alas.... I remain here..... at least the door guy came over.....

Not a lot going on this weekend for me..... I assume I'll do some chores.... and then find creative ways to occupy my time whilst Erin studies.....

OK.... here's a good use of time:

Another limerick concering the mythical beast "Battlecat"

"Battlecat" they called to their dog,
A quadripedal companion through all life's fog,
He romped toward us with grace
and he licked my face
And returned to reality's smog.

Someone's in the kitchen with Sticky.....

Well hello bloglings,

Here's the last week or so in review:

1) Erin and I have been thinking about bullmastiffs alot...... we like bullmastiffs. I used to live with a bullmastiff named Moose, and she was the sweetest dog I've ever been around..... We found a baby bullmastiff that needed to be adopted and we thought - Battlecat, is that you? But alas, several factors are working against us...... First off, we don't have the time/money to train a a baby pup, Second, the adoption place never responded to my e-mail inquiry, third - the adoption place wanted a donation of an extra $350 on top of the adoption fee for their time and efforts..... which I'm sure they deserve but a $500 adopted dog is way out of our price range.......
So Battlecat lives on in spirit, and hopefully one day the time will be right for us to acquire one.....

2) Erin and I got play with some friends this past weekend!!!! Huzzah for friends! I'm really lonely here in TX with my med school studying wife...... she works really hard and I wash the dishes a lot...... So anyway I got to hang out with Bill (www.kaleobill.com) this weekend and we discussed many things including (but not limited to) eradicating ethnocentricity in the church, effective church discipine, and the Lord's Supper, so that was a good time. On Saturday night Erin and I had dinner with Aaron and Sarah (Sarah is a 3rd yr med student) and Justin and Rebecca (friends of Paul McCarley's) at Chuy's (www.chuys.com). I had a chuychanga, and it changed my life..... I can never be the same..... Chuy's is like the only place in TX that serves green chile so Erin and I were elated...... and seriously the chuychanga rocked my world on so many levels...... if there was an aisle to walk down, I was ready to dedicate my life to Chuy's and transfer my membership......

3) I got a phone call from a certain individual telling me that he got engaged this weekend, but as he hasn't updated his own blog..... I am unable to comment further here, but I'm very happy for him. Way to go person to be named later when you update your blog......

4) Houston has been experiencing a cold front which means that the temp has dipped into the 70's....... in Utah at 70 deg. I'm in shorts a flip flops...... here, people are busting out the heavy sweaters...... but you know what.... when the temp has been in the 90/100's since I've been here, the 70's feel amazing.... so hooray cold front.

5) You have to go over to Paul Rudnicki's blog and check out his picture that links to my blog..... it is amazing... it really is a 'raging' llama..... I've never seen such an amazing picture of my favorite quadriped..... (ostrichjockey.blogspot.com).

6) Oh..... I almost forgot to blog about this..... I played indoor soccer last week with some people from Erin's med school.... I played goalie and I was clearing a ball (indoor soccer is played on a field that resembles a hockey rink and you can play off the walls etc.) along the wall - I really struck it well, and it bounced off the wall and directly into the fingers of a gal who was playing in defense for us..... it was her first time (she happens to be a 3rd yr. med student interested in sports medicine) playing indoor, and I think I broke her finger..... so that sucked..... but we did finish the match tied 3 all, so it was overall a good experience.....

OK...... that's the week in review.... more posts when something interesting to write about strikes my fancy.

grace -

jake

At least I'm not like Snow-Mob

Yes reading public,

I have heard your cry.... post....post. I say to you - hey.... at least I haven't gone a month without posting (unlike another schmuck I know - not mentioning any names..... www.csnow.blogspot.com).

Well.... it's my blog policy to not discuss work-related matters online... so there's not a whole lot to post about. I was in CO and WY for the week doing some on-campus recruiting for my company.

Here are some non-company things I observed:

1) Being away from Erin sucks..... those of you who have spouses should join with me in protesting airlines to allow a spouse as a 'carry-on'...... I could carry Erin on the plane.....

2) It was awesome to be in CO for the Monday night - Denver v KC game.... I got to watch most of the second half from this great steak place in Boulder with fellow bronco maniacs.... and that was beautiful....

P.S. Erin I still love you more than Broncos......

3) Boulder is really pretty and I now have a more full realization of ginodean.net's constant obsessions with the place..... as an aside... Chris, Becky, and I couldn't hook up.... I was only in the Boulder area for one night and didn't get finished with work until after 10.... so I guess I'll see you two in SLC over Christmas?

4) I didn't get to see Justin and Lauren Stone in Ft. Collins for the same reason, but I did manage to sneak over to the math building (which is right by where we parked) and visit Will Newton which was awesome.... it was good to see Will - he was a really important guy in my life when I was on campus, especially w/ the Bonhoeffer study.... Will's a sharp guy.

5) Ft. Collins was also beautiful... and I'm suffering cold weather withdrawls.

6) WY has an amazing geology building and some of the nicest faculty I've ever met......

7) I really enjoyed the plane ride there and back as I got to sit next to a colleague from work and he is a believer so we had great conversations both ways!

8) Erin's grandpa (her dad's stepdad) passed this week - so it was hard not to be with her for support when she got the news, and I think it has really caused her to think about how old her mom's parents are getting. Strange how death is such a wake-up call for the rest of us.....

9) I still miss Erin now that I'm back... she's behind on studying for med school......

Well.... those are my week away from home observations.... remember to petition your local airline carriers!

Hurricane Rita

So.....

On Wed. Erin and I got the word that Baylor was shutting down for the rest of the week along with most local businesses.... so we headed home, packed up some things, unplugged everything we could, and hit the road.....

It took an hour or so to get to the HOV ramp for I-45 heading north out of the city..... and we flew in the HOV lane.... then once the lane ended and merged back with the freeway- we received one large shaft....

The freeway was creeping along, but the feeder road was moving really well, so we got on the feeder, and right after we got on, we noticed all sorts of state troopers.... they were blocking all the onramps to the freeway..... over the next 3 hours, Erin and I traveled 5 miles.... which caused me severe frustration.... several colorful metaphors later we were back on the freeway....

Timeline:
12:30 - I decided to come home from work
2:45 - we left our house
3:45 - we got on the HOV lane
4:15 - merged back onto the freeway
8:00 - yeah.... we'd traveled 45 miles in 5 hours...
Midnight: We arrived at Brandy Patrick's!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray for Brandy!

Marylin and Doug brought over a bed to Brandy's house for Erin and I, and that was incredibly nice!

So that's the update.... not sure what's going to happen to our new home..... our street is probably 2 or 3 ft higher than the main street on our block, and it's physically impossible for any flooding to take place a la Katrina - our street is shaped like an upside-down bowl..... the real fear for us is the wind damage.... Our house is surrounded by a gate and other homes... so hopefully we'll be OK....

Not sure when we'll be able to go back home though....

Anyway - thanks for the calls/e-mails/blog comments....

This is Jake Umbriaco from the Ft. Worth public library..... signing out.

Here I go here I go Here I go again......

Well....

On Friday Erin and I went to Ft. Worth to stay with Brandy Patrick! Brandy cooks amazing food....we had amazing treats.....mmmmm....... We got there Friday night after two hours in Houston traffic...... grrrrr...... two hours to the east or north or west of SLC and you can be in a different state.... two hours in Houston and you're still in Houston. The good news is that our AC is going out in Erin's car so we had the whole road trip to roast......

Travel woes aside, the trip was a lot of fun..... we have a habit of staying up quite late with Brandy! We were up 'till 2ish watching a movie on Friday night..... and had planned on leaving Sat. night so we could have Sunday for recovery..... well on Saturday we went boating with Brandy, Marylin, and Doug... and we were met for boating by my roomie from Seattle, Jason Brewer! So that was a lot of fun.... we also visited a fast food joint which came highly recommended by Clint Roberts..... Taco Bueno.... and their tacos were indeed bueno.

So we got done with boating around 7:30 and decided to stay one more night..... Marylin and Doug made a feast for Brandy, Erin and I (readers will note that Marylin is Brandy's mom - who lives in Grapevine) which included steaks, grilled veggies... salad... potatoes etc. it was excellent!

On Sunday we returned home, two happy campers.... of course when we walked in the door the Broncos had fumbled on the 2 yrd. line and proceeded to suck until we left for church which really had me steamed (especially after the Utes inept offensive performance on national TV.... weak Utes..... weak). But the Broncos did win despite their best efforts.....

On Thursday I am going to play some keeper for a local side! Houston has a really well developed league w/ 7 divisions that function similar to English football with the opportunity to move to a higher division if you win your league. This side - Atlas Lions I think... is composed primarily of Moroccan players... so I think that will be a lot of fun - not just because it's football, but the cultural experience should be a lot of fun!

Anyway - Erin started a new block of classes - so the stress begins anew.

peace.

-jake

I met a guy on the train......

When Corey D and I were in Italy together - we met a man who I will never forget.....
His name was Kazeem (now Timothy - assuming he's alive still). Kazeem was a refugee from Nigeria - he was a professional footballer (that means 'soccer player) and had to flee to avoid serious government persecution. While in Italy, Kazeem came to know the Lord Jesus and seeing how it impacted his life changed me in ways I'm only starting to realize. When we first got to Italy we collected an offering to raise some money so that Kazeem could pay his rent for the next five months...... In Italy you had to be unemployed (as a refugee) for 6 months before they'd allow you to immigrate. Kazeem had already been taken on by a Serie C club (third division professional calcio (soccer) team) but had to deal with the red tape...... so being broke already and forced to live with no income for 6 months tends to make people either desparate or profoundly grateful/gracious. Of all the things I remember about Kazeem (when he juggled the ball 300 times consecutively w/o letting it touch the ground) the thing I remember the most is his baptism in the Mediterranean Sea. One of the long-term missionaries, Troy was going to baptize Kazeem, and Troy's daughter. We took a train to the beach and the group of missionaries, and Kazeem and one of his friends (and Amanda Lindholm coincidentally) all walked along to a quiet spot. Along the way we passed a very elderly woman who was begging clearly in need....everyone passed her by.... except Kazeem. He stopped..... and he gave her what he had on him.... which couldn't have been much since he had no income. It was such a beautiful expression of mercy - and it really hits me hard now. I met a guy on the train the other day named Allen..... Allen is staying at the Astrodome with 25,000 other evacuees.... he had just come back from a long day of trying to find his way around a new city and trying to find an apartment. Allen was an employee of the postal service in New Orleans.... he mentioned how he'd watched 4 people die due to lack of medical attention while they waited to be evacuated.... he expressed a desire to get out of the astrodome so he could get some real rest.... supposedly the USPS is going to hook him up with a job out here.... as he told me his story I wanted to reach out to him - to help him in some way...... I listened to his story all the way to his stop.... we shook hands, and I gave him my number... and he went away - through the gates to join all the others.

I see 25 Allens every day on the train and I wonder - what can I do in 10 min. on a train together to reach out to them?

I left a message today with one of the local hospitals.... they are seeking volunteer chaplains and I'm hopeful about that. I just want those people to know that I weep for their city....... and I think of Kazeem..... after he came to faith he asked if he could receive a Christian name, and Troy dubbed him Timothy. Last I heard, Timothy was having trouble with his paperwork and was in danger of being deported back to Nigeria where people like Timothy are killed for forsaking their 'Kazeem' heritage. I don't know if Timothy is alive today or not - but I am deeply grateful for his expression of real mercy to that women - it really guides me to the cross and I hope that I find myself compelled in a similiar fashion because these days of visiting with Allens on the train won't stop for a long time to come.