Mission: Accomplished

No, this isn't about me getting a sneak preview of next week's movie release of M:I:3, which I won't see anyways until it comes out on DVD (if not ever)...this blog is about my promise made last week. On April 23, I announced to you, my faithful readers, that I would attend church here in Marshalltown. So last night I set my alarm, woke up early, had my morning breakfast at Hy-Vee (this is becoming a ritual...Hy-Vee breakfast is just too darn good), and then headed down to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Redeemer is much like my home church. The sanctuary shaped the same way (like a ship turned upside down) and still sort of stuck in a timewarp with the carpeting colors (Algona = Red, Mtown = Green). Overall, a good service and obviously for someone like me who has attended LCMS services for 24 years, easy to follow along. There were some spots when they did a chant or prayer I was not used to...that's alright though. I filled out the "pew sheet" or whatever you want to call it, and at the end chatted with the man next to me who introduced himself as soon as the service was over. The Pastor was very friendly and invited me back for more...I told him I had left my address on the sheet, so it should be interesting to see if any follow up contact happens.

Last year it was easy for me to slide into a new church...albeit a ELCA one (I don't think mom was ever too pleased with that) because of the connections I had there. My good friend Laura Nielsen's father was the pastor there. Her parents kind of took me under their wings and soon I was a full-fledged member of the choir there- in fact I still receive emails from the choir director. Here though, I didn't have that connection. It was nice then to see one of my students and her family walk in. Even better, student does real well in my class and the family is very outgoing and willing to help the school in every way. The bad part, the choir season at Redeemer is over with, so I can't get involved with that this year at least. Overall a good experience and I will definitely make my way back there in a couple weeks (next couple weekends are booked with me not being in the area).

SIDENOTES: Yes, I have been watching the NBA Playoffs again despite my better judgment. The Bulls are looking good though, and I actually found myself pumping my fists when they hit big shots today and got chills when the on-floor camera man followed the team to the bench during a time-out: a vantage point that became famous during the GREAT Bulls teams of the 90s. It was like old times again. To make every thing like old times again, I then watched the Lakers yet again get beneficial calls from the refs in a OT victory for them.

Well, on to watching Entourage on HBO...these are reruns right now, but as of June 11, DO NOT call me on Sunday nights because Entourage is back!

That is all for tonight, I will be seeing some of my readers this weekend at a golf/bachelor party outing. Looking forward to it.

Senseless

For those readers outside of Iowa or even those in-state who haven't been paying attention, something happened this weekend that totally makes no sense to me (thus the title of this entry). Two young students at Kirkwood Community College (Katrina Hill and Molly Edmondson) were brutally murdered by 19-year old Kyle Marin. Marin had quite the rap sheet for a 19-year old, including a felony charge of armed robbery of a PlayStation unit. He had been sentenced to a 5-year stint in jail, but that sentence was suspended by a judge...letting him walk. I don't know the details of the relationship between the three. I don't know of any involvement of drugs/alcohol/etc. For some reason though, this case has made me sick to my stomach and raised a lot of questions in my head:

1) Maybe this reason and number two will help explain why this case has "hit home" more when I actually knew no one involved: my career. I look at my students and I wish there is someway to convey to them making good decisions. Knowing who you befriend, staying away from drugs - even those that are considered "normal" for a teen to try out (aka marijiuana)...just making SMART decisions. I mentioned this in one of my classes today, the Seniors who will be out on their own next year, and they listen...I think they realize what is around the corner. It is tougher to reach the youngsters who don't want to listen, or sadly some who are already mixed up in some questionable stuff. I NEVER, EVER want to turn on the news and hear the same fate or even close to the same fate of a past student of mine.

2) How can I reach those students who are already headed down a dark path? Those that laugh at punishment from school, then go out and bang up people's mailboxes and still laugh...this time at the law. I hope they "grow out of it," but I hope they see this real life situation of someone who had a second shot and misused it greatly. How can we really get students to realize the dangers of drug use, of "pushing the limits?" All tough questions...all reasons I look forward to a career in education and in guidance counseling. As I was watching Scrubs tonight, there was a line about "if you start blaming yourself for things out of your control...you are gone." Maybe that is right, but the idealist in me says I can still help from keeping future events from happening. It is a slippery-slope this career...educating and trying "mold" the future.

3) Moving on from the career aspect...what is the deal with our legal system? I listen to Bill O'Reilly blast the Aruban authorities over the Natalee Holloway case. Aruba does not have a "perfect" legal system...but suprise! Neither do we! Kyle Marin had been caught, he had been convicted, he was just never put away. I'm sure he isn't the only one out there like that. That's scary...and that leads me to my next point

4) While speaking with Mr. Townsley on the subject yesterday we turned to our own future...our offspring. The Townsleys don't have kids...I'm not even close to having kids...but I admire the bravery of those who chose to have kids. Bringing a kid into this world has to be tough. I want kids...don't get confused on that point...but WOW! It just hit me yesterday the responsibility. 24 hours a day...7 days a week...365 days a year...it is my job to keep that child (or children) safe. To prevent anything close to this happening. To walk that fine line of teaching them right/wrong, keeping them safe...but also letting them learn themselves. To all parents out there...especially my own...KUDOS for the job you do.

5) Last thought on the subject...the Death Penalty. History/Government lesson for you. In the 1960s the State of Iowa did away with the Death Penalty. We are in fact only one of like 5 or 6 states who doesn't have it. There has been a slight push in the State Legislature to reinstate it...only in small doses though. A guest speaker I had in my class is a State Senator...it is his bill. The Death Penalty would return to Iowa in cases of child kidnapping, abuse, and murder (all three have to happen). It is an election year, so no one wants to push the envelope too much on a "sensitive" subject. I disagree with the Death Penalty...it is cases like this that always make me question it again. I guess hearing the whole case first would help...and after intially thinking "give him the death penalty" I now again think about making prison actually "hard-time" prison and letting him sit and think, and think and sit...

Anyways, a sad case indeed...here is hoping we have better news in the next week here in Iowa.

Springtime in Iowa

Hello all...sorry for the delay in posts. I actually have not had too many things going on lately, but just didn't feel like blogging. Today I did though, and it probably had something to do with the weather. Awesome day outside, and you can't waste it by sitting inside all day. So I went out to eat at Hy-Vee for breakfast, did some school work, then putted on a putting green at my apartment complex (I know, I live the life of luxury- actually this has to be THE worst putting green ever, the worst Jerry, the worst), then went for a run and cooked up some pasta.

Some random thoughts for today: The Cubs really are cursed. Injuries happen in baseball, but why don't they happen to Freddie Bynum? Instead they happen to Derek Lee, the best Cubs player. Great. My second favorite team, the Twins, got swept by the White Sox so things aren't really any better there. I love though that baseball is back. It is relaxing to sit and watch a game with the screen door open...I do need to figure a way to arrange my tv so I can sit outside on my "deck" and watch at the same time.

East Marshall's prom was last night and I did my duty of chaperoning. The kids all cleaned up very nice and overall were well behaved. If you ever wondered what your teachers were doing while chaperoning a dance (I know you all did), well we just talked about sports, made song requests in the names of other teachers in attendance, and quizzed each other on the year that the song being played came out in. Fun stuff.

Interesting note here and my last comment for the day...I was cleaning out my Hotmail inbox yesterday and found some emails from YEARS ago. If there is such a thing as an email "pack rat" I am it. Well one was from the wife of a former pastor of mine. So I figured, let's do a Google search...see if his current church as a website all that. Turns out he has a Blog and I see commented on a post of mine here. Today he posted one about why churches pull "stunts" to come across as more friendly...isn't a church supposed to already be friendly? That is an excellent question, and got me thinking a bit. I almost hate to admit this, but during my time here in M'town, I have never attended a church service. When I go home I have. I've visited friends on weekends and gone then too, but never here in Marshalltown. So what is it that is so intimidating? Well I guess in my case it isn't the "fire and brimstone" that some denominations use, or any serious questions of faith (I say "serious" because I believe that sometimes we all struggle with our faith to some extent), but more just a comfort level thing. I have been in Marshalltown for not even a year yet. For part of the year, I was running around in circles with just moving, the school year starting, then coaching...Mostly though, in Algona I know everyone and they know me. It isn't that I'm afraid to meet new people...in fact I would probably be considered a people person...but my comfort zone when it comes to religion seems to be more narrow than in other areas. When I went for breakfast this morning, Hy-Vee was busy. I went to find a seat and no open tables existed. So I scanned the room, found a guy sitting at a table alone who was close to done (he was also wearing a Hawkeye shirt which always helps) and asked him if I could take a seat there. He said sure, and we ended up discussing the current CIETC controversy in Iowa because there was an interesting article about it in the paper I had bought. No problem whatsoever. It was at that point that I thought about it...and later when I read Doug's blog it came up again..."why am I so afraid to go to a new church and branch out a bit?" So, I have decided tonight, April 23, that next Sunday, I will go to church. I know where the LCMS church is...I've cased it out before...so now I just need to get myself through the doors. I'll report back next Sunday night about the "adventure." Wish me luck! ;)

Were you aware?

I just found out this weekend that a movie about my life has been made. It is pretty fun to have found this out...yet scary because I don't remember any cameras following me around or anyone asking my permission for my life's tale. I would like to know who ratted to the Hollywood writers and if that person got a bunch of money. It would have been nice if I had got compensated too. Oh well.

So this movie I am "starring" in is FEVER PITCH. If you have not seen it, it is the story of a school teacher (me) who falls in love with a business woman (okay, so that hasn't happened yet...typical Hollywood having to jazz up the story a bit, but it would be nice). The problem for the main character and his potential future wife is his love...no wait, make that obsession...with the Boston Red Sox (again, just the writers taking liberty with the real story). In the end, he and his woman make compromises and fall deeply in love with each other and the Red Sox.

All we really need to do to make this "my story" (and the reason I want my damn money!) is substitute the "Red Sox" with the Hawkeyes. I can see why they chose the Red Sox though...they are a national name that more people recognize. It is tough to sell tickets to a movie about a guy who loves the Hawkeyes, I'll admit that. When I first watched this movie on Saturday night...I was like "this is sorta like me." Now I am rewatching it on HBO On-Demand (I Love you Mediacom!) and look back on what I did last night and say "oh my God, they stole my life." Last night I went to Des Moines to an Iowa Cubs vs. Iowa Hawkeyes exhibition game. The poor Hawkeyes got shelled (as they should by a AAA Pro Team), but the real highlight was two football stars who were there to sign autographs. Yes, I went to Des Moines alone (I did meet some friends there later at the game) and stood in line for 30-40 minutes so I could get Chad Greenway and Eddie Hinkel's autograph. Some of you in my "readership" are probably like "who are they?" Greenway is going to be a first round draft pick which equals MILLIONAIRE. Hinkel is just a tough nosed guy who will catch on someplace and I hope he does.

Two observations in the movie I really like. At one point, a student of the main characters says "You love the Red Sox but do they love you back?" The Hawkeyes have never won a National Title in my lifetime...they've won some big games and some Big Ten Titles, but never the big one. But that's why I keep coming back. Cause someday they will. Also, the movie has it right. As much as I love them, there are obvious things that I will push the Hawkeyes aside for. Priorities my friends. I know that will shock some that I usually joke with about not getting married during the fall (which would be nice, but if I have to, I guess I could). It is funny though to watch and see the similarites though. Hopefully I turn out as lucky in the end (the girl and the National Title). Just some fun thoughts on a Wednesday night.

Final Four

Well, here we are at the end of the Road to the Final Four. Tonight the two National Semifinal games are played and then Monday night is the Championship Game. First, let me just say that I am finally recovering from Iowa's early exit. I really thought this was a year that the Hawkeyes could make a nice run in the tourney. Especially after their Big Ten Tournament Title. I was in Indy for those three games, and they looked tough and sharp...well-coached even (I know that will annoy the Alford-haters). Then came Northwestern State. I swear we are cursed by teams with purple as a color and with Northwestern in their name. It hurt to lose that way. Especially for those seniors that had Black and Gold blood pumping through them (Horner and Brunner). It hurt even more knowing that we got off to a GREAT start, then even held a 17 point lead in the second half! Hurts even more when you look at the current Final Four. Teams that have similar records, seeds, talent to Iowa. Then of course the Cinderella team...the 11th seed George Mason.

Honestly, George Mason has made the early Iowa exit a little less painful. First, it shows anything can happen, even a chucked up 3-pointer from the corner with a guy right in your face. Second, they are fun to watch. This is why College Basketball has the tournament. Of course, College Football could argue back saying that every week is a playoff and at least they have the best two teams playing in the end; because even though it has been fun to see LSU and George Mason get to this point, we know that they are really not two of the best teams in the country. Anyways, I digress.

A couple weeks ago in Indy, watching the Big Ten Tournament was a TON of fun. I wish my life could be going to tournaments like that all the time. We are already planning for next year's in Chicago. It was also cool because Indianapolis is a 1) a great city and 2) host of the Final Four. While today's games will be played in the RCA Dome as opposed to Conseco Fieldhouse where I was at. Conseco is an awesome facility though. RCA just holds more people.

So my prediction for today?!? I am going to take LSU in the late game...I just really like their frontcourt, the Big Baby and this Tyrus Thomas kid is unreal. In the early game (which I think will draw a much larger tv audience) I am going to keep dancing with Cinderella and take George Mason. Why not? Then in the title game I think LSU finally takes that glass slipper off. The reason I felt like blogging about this today though was I was reading my Sports Illustrated this week and they had a picture of George Mason students at their multi-level student union cheering right after last weekends upset of UConn. A picture like this one captures reason number 1,498 that I LOVE SPORTS. The passion! Look at their faces. Reminds me of the end of Hoosiers, after Jimmy hits the game winning shot they show Shooter jumping up and down in the hospital, and they show fans reacting in slow motion. Clenching fists, tears, shouts of joy. I have a passion for Hawkeye sports. I probably jumped a good couple feet in the air at Conseco when Alex Thompson hit his 3-pointer. Then turned to high-five people as the section we were in was going nuts. That is at the stadium/arena/fieldhouse though. I love how sports gets people who aren't even there in attendence to react with such joy or pain. Me in my apartment repeatedly jumping up and down and beginning to cry when Drew Tate hit Warren Holloway in the Capitol One Bowl. It really does amaze me though how people are brought together, how they react at something that really makes no difference in what kind of person I am, or the job I do, or what happens with the war or if the stock market crashes tomorrow. I could go on and on. So heres to sports and the Final Four and the Passion.