Monday, November 28, 2005

I hate you mother nature -------OR------- What happens to me when I don't check the weather.

It was a glorious day when I started. I scooted down to Sam and Zoe's for some oatmeal. With bananas and brown sugar. Mmmm. Stopped by my buddy Mitch's to talk about recording the next album. Scooted into downtown Nashville via Nolensville Rd. Breathtaking to drive in that way. I went to Elliston Place, and came back around through Vandy. On my way home, it got really windy. I stopped into Best Buy, and in the midst of getting sucked into the Plasma Screen TV section, the sky opens up. Total downpour. I'm a 20 minute scoot to the house. The wind is crazy. I can't see anything. I'm wearing denim. I hate you mother nature.

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Pictured above: Me, soaked, hating on mother nature.

I was chilled to the bone when I got home. It felt like I'd tied weights to myself. My canvas shoes stuck to my socks. I may have formally parked it for the season.

However wet the scooter got today, friends, it's important to remember; the inner scooter is always dry on a sunny, cool day.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Thankful we aren't fighting alone...

A conversation started between a few friends of mine. They'd been to the mountain top, with one of these conferences in Colorado, and came away with some significant thoughts stirring. A band of brothers has been building over the course of the last year. It has progressed to some great questions about growing community. What does it look like to fight isolation on a broader scale, and what does it mean to live life together?

I think part of the answer exists in the extended invitation to gather for Thanksgiving. Our families attended and spent the day celebrating being such a part of each others' stories. I came away from this weekend feeling like there is so much life I haven't seen modeled. We are just starting to recognize the weight that vulnerability, friendship, and the stories that follow can bring to enrich a life.

Here are some visuals.
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A massive football game took place on what seemed a 5'x 45' field, with a huge tree leaning in. Required awesome strategery. We lost 21-7.
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Mark and Glenn in the ceremonial giving over of the cake. Heath bar. GOOD.
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Christine and Lis cooked with a vengance. We were grateful for their hard work. That thing was good.
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Two of my favorite people in the world, Scott and Glenn.

It won't take the place of holiday time with relatives and extended family, but it sure will begin to model how sweet life can be.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Sarah Jayne got married...

Here are a few memorable moments from the wedding...
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The ceremony was in a chapel on the campus where Sarah graduated from college.
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Evan was very excited to have ring-bearing responsibilities. We called him Frodo.
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Ella was a wonderful flower girl. She threw all the flowers out.
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I sang a song for the occasion, with a very familiar guitar.
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One of the most memorable moments from the wedding, besides my best friend of 20 years and I yelling the entire "Scenario" rap from Tribe Called Quest, was father and daughter doing a foxtrot to some Nat King Cole.

A special weekend for all. Sarah and Curtis, I hope you enjoy the journey together. You certainly got one heck of a send-off. :)

Monday, November 14, 2005

Please address the issues!

I have conservative and liberal friends. One friend may take a shot at the president. He's dumb. Another may say it is mean spirited democrats who voted for the war that are whining now, so consider the source. They want to grow terrorism and not protect the US like republicans. Some listen to Rush Limbaugh and think his views reflect Christ. Others believe he is a racist drug addict with a denial problem. See where I'm going? Can you help me, then? Haha.

Regardless of where one falls on the party line, I don't know how you can agree with this statement.

Only one person manipulated evidence and misled the world — and that person was Saddam Hussein," Bush added.

No one is addressing the actual questions of the war from the White House. I do hear quotes of "some people don't feel the Iraqis deserve freedom"...silly statements like that are so low on the totempole of what the hell matters in this conversation. Saying things like that shows disrespect to people with brains, who ask questions. Independents, if you will.

Things are emerging about the intelligence that led us to war. If we did get something wrong, why do some people believe saying "we made a mistake" is bad leadership?

Also, if the president and congress in general aren't in the back pocket of Oil Companies, where is the outrage on their record profits in the midst of hurricanes?

I just want answers to my questions, not postures. That goes for everybody in D.C.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Belated Halloween Greetings.

Here are a few photos from pumpkin decorating...

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Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Tapping the inner scooter.

I have been trying to formulate this idea for awhile. It won't end up as a book. Especially not in a series, like say "The Purpose-Driven Scooter" or "Left Behind Scooters." Probably just this blog.

I am beginning to believe we all have an inner scooter. It's the feeling that compels us to take the back road. To turn off the radio and cell phone. Slow down the pace, and observe. Inhale life and embrace the rushing wind. Feel on your face the pockets of cold and warm air. I think when a person gets in touch with their inner-scooter, you can even hear it in the still, quiet moments. In a distance slowly growing closer. ".....neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, neeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

Here's a new segment I'm considering. It might be a picture, or a small thought. We'll give it a shot before it gets it's own blog title here on Flibbityfluent.

Inner Scooter Observations

A picture on my latest scooter journey, as a fully licensed motorcycle operator. (yes, I went to the DMV. That was purgatory.)


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Autumn in Tennessee is something I don't realize I'm looking forward to, until it's already upon us. Especially when I'm not traveling, and can take in all the colors.

Again, wedding pictures and some carved pumpkin shots to die for, coming soon.

Monday, November 07, 2005

A beautiful wedding.

Pictures to come, shortly. It was a special day - bride and groom looked incredible. Did I mention I saw my best friend of 20 some years?

Detailed blog to follow.

Have a great Monday!

Thursday, November 03, 2005

32 Eskimo Words For "What the f&*% do I do?"

My sister is getting married this weekend. She and her future husband are a great couple. They are smart, passionate people, intent on changing their part of the world.

I'm so looking forward to the time with family. Part of it, I'm scared about. There is a lot of crazy stuff that goes on when families get together.

A good friend said to me today, I am not responsible for other people's programs of recovery. Someone I know has been married to an alcoholic, and has continued to enable him to choose alcohol over relationship with her. They've almost divorced a few times. He puts her life in danger with his drinking. That is something only she can agree to accept.

A part of me feels like this is abandonment. What happens if I don't get involved? Haven't I failed to do something? Doesn't seem healthy.

Well, I went from feeling the need to have an O.K. Corral showdown, to realizing that I don't need to say anything out of trying to help. I will always be available if asked, but I can't be responsible for other people's programs of recovery.

I'm so looking forward to this special day for my sister. I hope it's everything she dreams it should be. It's an honor to sing at such a celebration. In a world of brokenness, it's such a breath to experience moments of true beauty. My prayer is that nothing is allowed to steal the joy of this weekend for her.