You know, there isn’t much else in this world that is as great as seeing your children happy. This past weekend I took the girls to the pumpkin patch that we go to every year. Seeing their faces light up as they play there though is awesome, something that never gets old, and always warms my heart. Watching them block out the world so that they can have fun and enjoy time with their sisters is like watching a little miracle.
On a different note, planning and producing a web series is hard. I’ve been working on mine for a while and I’m just starting to see some results, and you’ll see them too pretty soon. In addition to my web series, my oldest daughter, Victoria, has decided that she too needs to have a video blog. I’m encouraging her with this project because she seems genuinely interested in it. Of course, her channel will be private, but still, it is pretty cool to see that she is taking an interest in this. More details on my series will be released to my readers very soon!
Until next time, dear readers.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Keep On Keeping On
A lot of you know that right now there is a lot going on in my life and in my family's life. It's been an eye-opening experience. It's amazing to find out how many true friends you have when you are going through a life changing event, and in some cases it's been jaw dropping finding out both who supports you and who doesn't. I've been lucky and my support system has been incredibly awesome and continually expanding.
It's times like these you really learn about yourself, and you also learn a lot (maybe too much) about others around you. It's at this time you realize how difficult forgiving people can be. I'm not saying it is impossible, in my opinion forgiveness is always possible and should be your first instinct, well maybe second instinct, the first should be to try to understand. The whole idea of forgiveness is for your own well being more than the person you are forgiving.
I've heard people say "I forgive, but I don't forget." That's unhealthy, and a huge contradiction in the overall process. If I forgave you for something, but never forgot, I would always be thinking about what you did to me, which means I haven't really forgiven anything and would eventually become resentful to you without you even knowing or doing any other wrongs to me. In essence I would be setting myself up to hate you later if I wasn't truly sincere when I forgave you. I know that's a hot topic, but ultimately you can't be a better person if you are always wondering when that person will hurt you again, as a matter of fact - false forgiveness will make you more cynical than anything anyone else could have done to you, and all of your relationships with people afterward will suffer. By not really forgiving someone and explaining to them what you have did and why, you give them permission to continue as if they didn't do anything wrong. If they say they won't wrong you again and are sincere, you have to make that determination if you want to believe them or not, but don't tell them you've forgiven them when in your heart you know you can't forget it as well. Do people deserve second chances? Absolutely. I believe that in certain circumstances people even deserve thirds, fourths, fifths, etc. If all depends on how important that person is to you and their impact on your life. You have to think about not only their impact of your life, but your impact on theirs. I have a picture that sums up my feelings on this:
It's times like these you really learn about yourself, and you also learn a lot (maybe too much) about others around you. It's at this time you realize how difficult forgiving people can be. I'm not saying it is impossible, in my opinion forgiveness is always possible and should be your first instinct, well maybe second instinct, the first should be to try to understand. The whole idea of forgiveness is for your own well being more than the person you are forgiving.
I've heard people say "I forgive, but I don't forget." That's unhealthy, and a huge contradiction in the overall process. If I forgave you for something, but never forgot, I would always be thinking about what you did to me, which means I haven't really forgiven anything and would eventually become resentful to you without you even knowing or doing any other wrongs to me. In essence I would be setting myself up to hate you later if I wasn't truly sincere when I forgave you. I know that's a hot topic, but ultimately you can't be a better person if you are always wondering when that person will hurt you again, as a matter of fact - false forgiveness will make you more cynical than anything anyone else could have done to you, and all of your relationships with people afterward will suffer. By not really forgiving someone and explaining to them what you have did and why, you give them permission to continue as if they didn't do anything wrong. If they say they won't wrong you again and are sincere, you have to make that determination if you want to believe them or not, but don't tell them you've forgiven them when in your heart you know you can't forget it as well. Do people deserve second chances? Absolutely. I believe that in certain circumstances people even deserve thirds, fourths, fifths, etc. If all depends on how important that person is to you and their impact on your life. You have to think about not only their impact of your life, but your impact on theirs. I have a picture that sums up my feelings on this:
Life if short. You will make good decisions, bad decisions and ones that you think are one but turn out to be the other. I'm not saying that you should forgive every person in your life for every misguided thing they may have done to you, but I am saying that if you do truly forgive them, you will both be better for it.
Sorry to get all philosophical on you, but I thought that if I shared what I've learned I might be able to make someone else's life a bit easier.
On a different note, I have to have surgery. I injured my shoulder about a month ago and after a few tries at fixing it without surgery, my doctor has stated that I can only get fixed up with a trip to the operating table. It looks like the seal around my left shoulder socket has been damaged and he will have to go in and find the problem and fix it up. That's cool. Not really, I hate surgery and the idea of being put under anesthesia. I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia that was used when I had my gall bladder removed and it's haunted me ever since. I'm sure I'll be fine, but still - I worry, it's what I do.
I have several video projects I am currently working on, I've finished another chapter in my Science Fiction novella, and also I'm planning the trip to the Texas Renaissance Festival for the girls and me. Lots of fun stuff to happen that weekend, plus it's pirate weekend there! Arrr?
Until next time, dear reader.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
A Trip to Remember - Part 3
Well, we did it. We Had Fun. We went to Beavers Bend, we stayed in a cabin, we survived, we ate smores, we lived. Now, I would have updated my blog sooner, but reception, both data and voice was almost non existent most of the time. It was kind of nice getting away from everything and not worrying about what is going on outside of our own world. I put together a little recap video of the trip, I hope you enjoy:
We went to the popular pizza place Saturday night, Grateful Head. It was a neat place, and the pizza was good, but honestly, it may be so popular because there isn’t a whole lot in town. We walked a few trails next to the cabin, but because of the heat, we didn’t venture too terribly far on them.
We went shopping, oh yes, we had to go shopping. We stopped at a neat store called Janet's Treasure Hunt and it was a great place to look around and snap some photos. We also got to play some miniature golf. This was the first time all the girls got to play it together, and boy, was it interesting!
Here are some pictures! Until next time, dear reader, enjoy!
We went to the popular pizza place Saturday night, Grateful Head. It was a neat place, and the pizza was good, but honestly, it may be so popular because there isn’t a whole lot in town. We walked a few trails next to the cabin, but because of the heat, we didn’t venture too terribly far on them.
We went shopping, oh yes, we had to go shopping. We stopped at a neat store called Janet's Treasure Hunt and it was a great place to look around and snap some photos. We also got to play some miniature golf. This was the first time all the girls got to play it together, and boy, was it interesting!
Here are some pictures! Until next time, dear reader, enjoy!
Monday, September 7, 2015
A Trip to Remember - Part 2
Oh yes, there is an update coming, and you would have been flooded with pictures and videos, but reception is spotty at best. I've decided to make a compilation video of our adventures, and I'll share it as soon as I'm done and have enough signal to upload it.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
A Trip to Remember - Part 1
So, for the last few months, there has been a trip planned.
About 3 years ago, my family and my parents when to Beaver's Bend and rented a cabin there. The girls absolutely loved it, and ever since have talked about wanting to go back, especially Alexandria. I'm glad to say, we are going back this weekend. They do not know about it, and I won't tell them until we are almost there (it is a three hour trip and they might guess it, but they won't know for certain).
About 3 years ago, my family and my parents when to Beaver's Bend and rented a cabin there. The girls absolutely loved it, and ever since have talked about wanting to go back, especially Alexandria. I'm glad to say, we are going back this weekend. They do not know about it, and I won't tell them until we are almost there (it is a three hour trip and they might guess it, but they won't know for certain).
Looks nice, huh?
Here's more:
I'm pretty sure the girls will love it, and I think it will definitely be a vacation that they will remember. There are all sorts of activities, and I can assure you that I'll be posting pictures and videos of our adventures!
Until next time (which might be sooner than the semi-regular Thursday post), dear reader.
Friday, August 28, 2015
A Web Series
Some of you remember the web series I had started working on, Regular Dad. I have to put that on hold, but I am starting to work on another web series. The series may not be as upbeat as Regular Dad, but I'm hoping it's just as entertaining, and even more informative. Hopefully you'll agree it's good, but more to come on that later.
My girls and I went to Six Flags this past Saturday. It was hot and muggy, and we only stayed for about 4 hours because of that. The lines were longer that we had expected and just spending the day in the heat waiting 30 minutes for a ride that might be 2 minutes wasn't appealing to any of us.
So, where could we go that would definitely be air conditioned? A wax museum!I took them to the Wax Museum and the enchanted mirror maze:
We went through the maze about 5 times, and each time it was fun. The first time it wasn't, there was a feeling of sheer panic as you realized you had to find your way out.
Stay tuned for hints about the new series!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Progress
For those of you following me, you know I've been hitting the gym really hard and planning my meals carefully (most of the time). It has obviously paid off, I have lost about 40 pounds total, and that includes the gained muscle mass (which means I actually lost more, but got some weight back from muscle growth).
The secret? Sorry I can't tell you. Oh, ok, here it is - determination and consistency. I have read many books on diets and on exercise, and usually no two will agree on more than three things, but all agree on determination and consistency. I have been diligent on both fronts. As I was planning out my meals for the week, I realized - that's it! The secret to everything really boils down to determination and consistency.
I've had a lot of people ask what my workout routine is, and it's simple really - I've been doing low reps with heavy weights. Bigger, Leaner, Stronger by Mike Matthews has been my guideline, and I've read the book over and over. It's good stuff. I will continue on to his next book after I've gotten myself in a little better shape.
I do want to clarify, I'm not sharing all my progress or activities to brag, I'm doing it to show people that it's possible. I was very overweight and was unhappy, and with a lot of hard work, I'm fixing both of those issues. It's not an easy process, but it is one that is worth it, and will be something you are glad you did for the rest of your life!
The secret? Sorry I can't tell you. Oh, ok, here it is - determination and consistency. I have read many books on diets and on exercise, and usually no two will agree on more than three things, but all agree on determination and consistency. I have been diligent on both fronts. As I was planning out my meals for the week, I realized - that's it! The secret to everything really boils down to determination and consistency.
I've had a lot of people ask what my workout routine is, and it's simple really - I've been doing low reps with heavy weights. Bigger, Leaner, Stronger by Mike Matthews has been my guideline, and I've read the book over and over. It's good stuff. I will continue on to his next book after I've gotten myself in a little better shape.
I do want to clarify, I'm not sharing all my progress or activities to brag, I'm doing it to show people that it's possible. I was very overweight and was unhappy, and with a lot of hard work, I'm fixing both of those issues. It's not an easy process, but it is one that is worth it, and will be something you are glad you did for the rest of your life!
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