Life's a Beach

Geting busy

2009-10-24T06:38:00.001-07:00

Well it's been along time since chemic was busy but we are geting that way. I actualy had to had a fourty hour week for the first time in months. I have always enjoyed being busy it makes the days go by much faster. I get a thrill out of being under pressure. I like to be up against dead lines it makes you feel so alive.

Sunday is Trunk or Treat at our church, Kate is going as a bumble bee and I'm going to dress up as a bee keeper. Marla is going to man the car and pass out candy and stuff. It should be an exciteing event for Kate.

Next weekend we are suposed to be camping if the weather holds out. There is a chance of rain on Friday and Saterday. It would stink to be confined to the tent esspecialy with a 14 month old. But we have a week till then maybe the forcast will change by then. Hope all of you have a great weekend. Thanks to those of you who prayed for Marla while she was sick it is nice to have her back to normal. Well as normal as she has ever been.

JDM

Birthday Day

2009-10-12T19:38:00.001-07:00

So this was my birthday weekend and it was ok. I enjoyed spending time with my folks but I missed my wife since she was SICK with piggy flu all weekend. Saterday was the best day since we got yo spend so much time at my parents house. I really just missed Marla. We had plans for dinner with our friends that came in from Colorado for the weekend. We also missed another friends birthday party which was a big hit from what I hear. I also got to play golf on Saterday with my brother in law, while Kate got to spend lots of time with my mom and sisters. I also got new golf clubs for my birthday which is way I had to play golf. So I really just wish Marla could have spent more time with us.

Today sucked though. I had to go out to visit a client today during our walk down it poured down rain and I got soocked. It was the first time I had to work on my birthday in a long time. I hope Marla is better soon so she and Kate can be together again. I know Kate is missing Marla and Marla is missing her. Hope fully every thing will be back to normal soon. Thanks to every body who has wished me a happy birthday. Thanks mom and dad for this weekend I had fun with y'all and Kate had a great time with y'all.

It's Sunday...

2009-10-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well it's Sunday at the family reunion and all is well we will have church then head back to Houston. We are hopeful that the kid will nap some of the way home. I have servived another Drapper Reunion they are usually pretty fun and that goes for this year also. I didn't get to visit as much this time since I chased the kid around the whole time. We have really enjoyed staying with the Bests. They have made use very comfertable and feel very welcome. We are so blessed to have extended family like them. We will see the rest of our family when we get home tonight.
JDM

Back in Abilene...

2009-10-03T06:31:00.001-07:00

So it's the first time we've been back to Abilene since Kate was born. Man I had forgoten how good my favorite food spots are. We have only been here half a day and we've already eaten at Bueno & Harolds. For those of you who have not been back in a while Harolds is now open till 8:00pm Tuesday - Saturday. We visited the KACU and all of it's staff yesterday. Today we go out to Buffelow Gap for the family reunion. We are staying in town with Marla's boss from the radio station they have always been like family to use so we love comeing to see them. Will post more tonight.

JDM

Tough Weekend, Rough Monday

2009-09-28T17:52:00.001-07:00

Marla and Kate where both not feeling well this weekend. Marla has a head cold and was coughing alot and Kate has a stumech bug. So I played nurse this weekend, actualy Kate was easy. Marla on the other had coughed at night which was really the only bad part. I did get to go to my parents and shot rats as my dad mowed the back pasture which brought back found memeries of growing up. Other than that it was a good weekend.

But today was hectic. I had a client meeting at 9:00 am this morning and it was good and was good news I picked up three new jobs and when I got back to work found out another one that had been on hold came to life. But this afternoon it all went down hill. One of my clients called to see if they could come by the office for a little meeting I didn't think anything of it since he was bring his new boss over to see the office and meet several other people. Well boy was I wrong the where really there to complain about one of our civil engineers and two of his jobs. Now being the client manager that means I take alot of the heat for the mess ups. Which is my job. But that didn't make it fun. Hopefully tomarrow will be better. Will plug away at it all over again.

Hi again

2009-09-24T19:15:00.001-07:00

So I have not blogged in a very long time. I am going to try to be more diligent in blogging. I have not been up to much work is still slow but it is looking like things are going to be picking up over the next couple of weeks. Perfect just as the holydays come around. Those of you that read Marlas blog know I got a new puppy for my birthday. He is very sweet and apears that he will be very laid back and relaxed so hopefuly he and Kate will get along well. Marla is curently feeling bad and the kid is not feeling well either. That's really it for tonight and I will update tommarow.
J

Waitin at the vets...

2009-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while but now I'm sitting here waiting to see the vet. All I need is for the cat to get a shot. Really does that require a room. I would think they could just stick him real quick and be done with it but no. They could just the me tv stuff and I could do it. Can't be that hard right. Well work has been busy, which I really enjoy. Makes the day go by faster. Class is also going well I hole I am doing a good job and that they are geting the most out of the class. Hope fully I can head home soon we will see I'm at there mercy I suppose.

JDM

The Instructor is in...

2009-01-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

Well as those of you whom read Marla's blog you know that I accepted a teaching position at Alvin Community College. I will be teaching the introduction to Process Piping Design and Drafting course. Last night was the first night of the course. I basically just introduced the class and let them know what we will cover in the class. I hope that the course will go well and I am excited about teaching the course. The only down size is that when I got home last night Kate was already in bed so I missed seeing her at all yesterday. So that was a bummer. I didn't really think it would affect me like that but I was pretty bummed. The class is a Tuesday, Thursday class so at least I will only miss her on two nights and I'm still off on Fridays.
Have a great weekend.
JDM

Saturday...

2009-01-10T18:53:00.000-08:00

Today I feel so much better it's hard to believe I was sick last week. Marla made a comment to me, that I need to start reading more inspiring books again so that I can share it with the two people that read this blog.

So first let me say I am sorry to those of you how read this blog earlier today. Marla pointed out the mistakes and corrected them for me. Now as for that inspiration I talked about. I'm not reading anything I would call inspiring, but I do have a few suggestions. If you liked Super Man growing up as a kid, you should read Book of Lies by Brad Moltzer. This is an interesting look at several things. It's just a cool read. If you like it also read Book of Fate by Brad also. I'm in the middle of it and it is pretty good also. I would really like To start reading some autobiographies, if there are any you suggest please let me know. I'm not looking for historical puposes more for inspiration. I know most of my inspiration in the past was due to surfing books, but I hope to broaden my field of view. So what can I leave you with tonight that will inspire you for tomorrow? I'm not sure, maybe this "live for every minute for that minute may be your last".

JDM

Please remember a few people in your prayers a friend of our that is suffering from a brain annurism and his family. Also a student of my mom's passed away this morning please remember his family, and Melissal who had her appendix out tonight. Thanks

Such A long Week...

2009-01-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

Man this week drug on forever. First on Tuesday I got back to the rat Race after a very long weekend and had to deal with all the stuff I missed out on Monday. I started to feel like poo on Wednesday and it just got worse on Thursday. Man I was feeling bad. So bad in fact that when I got home Thursday I went to bed by 7:30pm. Thanks to my lovely wife who allowed me to go to bed so early. That I believe is what maid my feel better today. Hopefully I will be back to normal tomorrow. As for tonight Marla has become infatuated with Guitar Hero. She denies it and says she is making due since we don't have Rock Band. If only you could see her pretending to be a hard rocker. Well not much plans for this weekend hopefully it will be quit and uneventful but that is yet to be determined. Have a good weekend.
*NOTE: there is no spell check when posting from my iPhone, so when I read this after it originally posted I could see how many mistakes there were. Oops.
JDM

New Years Day...

2009-01-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

So yesterday started off well. Kate and I laid around on the coach till 10:00 or so. She need to take a nap so I hug out with her while she did. Then we all got dressed and headed out to Alvin, so Kate could spend the afternoon with Gma & Papa. This enabled Marla and I to go out and watch a movie and have dinner. We saw Marlie and me. The movie was great ( Jennifer Aniston was in it WOW ) but the story is very serious and sad. Yes I said sad if your eyes don't at least tier up your dead inside. So Marla caused us to be depressed on our anniversary. Other than that we had a great day.

Today we are on our way to Austin for Ben Fairs wedding tomorrow. Yes I said on my way Marla is driving and I'm posting a blog from my iPhone. I'm in the wedding so we have to be there for the rehearsal. At least we will get a free meal out of it. Tomorrow we will stay the night in San Antonio with my folks. They got use a room in the hotel they are staying in. Then we will head home on Sunday some time.

I hope every body is well and under way to reaching there New Years resolutions. I know that every body said to lose weight, but other than that I would love to hear what else y'all came up with. I need something else to fix. Have a great weekend.

JDM

Happy New Year...

2009-01-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year every body. Last night we went to bed before the ball dropped. We are old folks I guess, actually Kate keep us up all night the night before so it was just hard to stay awake. Today is Marla and I's anniversary. It has been an incredible 4 years. I still fill like the luckiest guy in the world. Thank you sweet heart for being such a great and wonderful wife and mother. As for Kate she is doing good she's napping on my chest on the coach right now. I think she might be trying to cut her first tooth. She's been very fussy lately and when she was gnawing on my finger I felt something that felt like a tooth. But I guess we will just have to wait and see. Have a safe and happy New Year.

JDM

Today we Did Christmas Again

2008-12-28T16:52:00.000-08:00

Well we had another Christmas today. I didn't know there were so many Christmases in one year. We actialy have one more to go. After today Kate is very tiered and we are haveing a hard time putting her to bed. Marla is trying know.

Now for 2008 in review new baby on the way, promotion at work, new baby arrives, Marla stays home from work. That's the stuff arrounx here now for nation wide. War, war, OJ in trouble again, Hillary for presidant, I Obama for presidant, Mcain for presidant, Obama wins presidantcy. Bush leads us into a resetion and the economy continues to sink to the bottom faster than a lead weight. Gas prces sore, gas prices fall, which insadentialy furthers the economic down fall and causes millions to be laid off.

Well with all of this hard stuff behind us hopefully 2009 will be a better year. Obama atleast give me hope for change but it is yet to be tested and tried. I k ow he will inherit a lot of mess from the current president, but it seems like he is surounding him self with smart folks. But well see can't judge a book by it's cover.

On another note my prayers and sympathy go out to the Wims family at church. May God be with y'all in this time of pain and trial.

JDM

Every body stopped...

2008-12-27T16:09:00.000-08:00

Well if any one is still reading my blog I beleage that most every body else has stopped. It for the rest of you I will cointinue to blog I have a renewed joy in it. Today I started working out again I hope ( if Kate has been good enough for me to stop on my way home from work that is). It felt good to work out again. I am a bit depressed thought I put back on some of the weight I had lost prior to Kate. I hope to loss it again and then some before our family cruise in June. I am looking forward to this vacation. Work hasn't been all that crazy or anything but that could be part of the problem. I really like work when we are busy. It at least makes it go by fast. Kate and I are just chillin on the glider. She is passed out on my chest. Well I gusse that is it for now. I hope that every one is haveing a great holiday.

JDM

Christmas ...

2008-12-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

We've started celabraiting Christmas. Last night we had Christmas with Marla's family. We had a great time eating playing games and of course opening presents. Kate made out like a bandit. She got a jogging stroler and of course clothes and toys. We had to try out the stroler last night when Kate got fussy. She really seemed to like it. It is very smooth. This mourning we had Christmas at our house. Then we went out and did alittle running around to sears and ages other shopes. Tomarrow we are going to Alvin to have Christmas with my dads parents. Then on Sunday we are haveing Christmas with my moms family. And last but not least Christmas with my folks. We are doing it so late so that Jessi & the boy can make it. I hope that every body is haveing as great a holiday as we are.

JDM

Monday

2008-12-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

Today was monday and was hard to stay at work so when my mom got out of surgery I took of for the rest of the day to spend with her and my dad. Her surgery went well and is recovering well she was very happy to see Kate. As far as work goes it is very hard to be in the office around the holidays. I would have been off if it had not been for Ike. Work is ok king up a bite for me. Even with the added work it is still hard to focuse around there. I'm off Wednesday atleast. Today I discovered that I can sync my iphone with both my personal email acount and my work email. This allows me to send and revive emails from work even when I'm out and about. To bad work won't pay for part of the bill. No mater I would not trade this phonefor any other it is entirely to easy to use and to easy to use. Marla has hers and we are on the coach watching Holiday Inn while surfing the web and posting bloggs. Most of my family is coming into town on sunday for the holidays. Jessi and Jeff are are coming in and staying for the following week it will be nice to see them again. I hope that all of you traveling will have a safe and Merry Christmas.

JDM

Sunday

2008-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

We have spent all day at Marla's parents house visiting with Sam's girl friend Jordan. We have played games like Domino's and tick. It has been a very fun and relaxing day. Tomarow I have to go back to work for 2 day's. Please pray for my mom who is having surgery tomarow she is having her galbladder out. I will be takeing a long lunch tomarrow to go vist her after she is out. If I have not seen you in a while and will not see you before Christmas please have a safe and happy holidays.

JDM

Another one bites the dust

2008-12-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

So this past Thursday my cell phone bit the dust. This has been a great phone and is the first to last to the end of a contract period. Well almost we are about 3 weeks shy. Since I use my phone for work so often I needed to look into a new phone, so Marla and I visited the at&t store by our house to see what we could do. Now in our minds we both wanted an iphone but sincewe have a family talk plan we thought it would be impossible to get them. Well I'll have you know that I am laying in bed typeing this blogg on my new iPhone while marla surfs YouTube on hers. Now I know what most of you are thinking "you haven't blogged In like a century so why now" well to answer your question. Well I just needed to have it at my finger tips. If any one reads this blogg any more please note that the first application I down loaded was a surf report app. Yes I bold true to my basic needs to stay informed. To those that do not have a iphone you should definintly look into getting one it is totaly worth it. This was a early christmas present for the both of use. Now as for Kate she is doing well and is transitioning into sleeping in her own room. She is one of the most beautiful kid I have ever seen. I think she takes after her mom. Who by chance is the most beautiful woman In the world. Well it is about time to sign off so untill next time "Be Good, be green, be safe, and have a happy holidays.

JDM

The weekend is almost up

2008-07-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Well it is Sunday July 20, 2008 and it is national Ice Cream day. Out of all I know about Ronald Reagan (which is just this fact really) is that he enacted this day. It falls on the 3RD Sunday of every July. Today is Sunday like I said before, and at church this morning a fellow surfer preached. He and I have both joined the Christian Surfers Association. I would like to set something up with them so that we can have a get together at our church. David thinks that this is a great idea and it could be a good out reach for he and I. David’s lesson this morning was about mission and how each person in the church contributes to the mission. He is going to Haiti in a week on a mission trip with the Hope For Haiti group. I would personally like to do that some day. He also just got back from Antigua. I think that that is where I would like to go even more.

On the other side of the coin is the end of a fun weekend. Now I have to head back to work, which is fine, but I wish it would pick up just a little. Not that I don’t like Fridays of but a little more action in the rest of the week would be good. Not this Monday but next I get two new trainees. I really don’t have the work for them yet so it will be interesting if nothing changes between now and then. Marla is feeling good to round out the weekend and is counting down the day till she can expel Kate from her body, as am I. I really want my bed back. Well that’s all I’ve got for now I think I will go play the WII for a bit before Marla gets home.

So it’s Been a While "It's Where You Find It"

2008-07-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well I haven’t bloged in a long time and I’m sorry for that. So what’s been going on around here? Well since my last post and I’m sure most of you read my wife’s blog on a regular basis but I have completed the babies nursery and just in time. Her Shower is tomorrow and she needs room to put every thing. Other than working on the nursery I have been surfing and fishing in the past few weeks. I am still not working on Fridays. So I typically go then so that I can spend the rest of the weekend with Marla. Two Fridays ago I went surfing with my cousin. He hadn’t been since we were in high school so it had been a while. When we were done he said he remembered why we loved it so much back then. Surfing is one of those things that even if you are not a spiritual person you get it.

I had not gone out in several months and I was feeling dry. Now I know that may sound funny to most but it’s true when I haven’t been in the water in a while I start to feel a strong urge or pull a need to get wet. Some say well isn’t fishing or swimming the same. Fishing fills the need to be in nature and swimming is wet but its exercise. So they both fill different roles in my need to surf. There is just something about being caught in the natural power of the ocean you just get wrapped up in it. If God could give you a hug I believe it would feel like a warm wave. You feel the strength, passion warmth love and commitment. All he and the wave ask back from you is to commit. Once you commit you get the surge of emotion that will bring you back tome and time again. I have had rough days on the beach where I couldn’t catch a wave all day but right before I leave I get the one that makes it all worth it and I‘ll go back and suffer it all over again just to get that again. Most think that Surfers as a whole are slackers and degenerates, and in some cases it’s true. But even if the bad apples don’t realize what is happening they come back for the same reason. They just don’t know who to attribute it to. “Surfing is more than a sport. It’s a life style. Beneath the common stereotype lies a world family bonded by a mutual respect and passion for the water and the waves.”

I want to share a code that a fellow surfer came up with. It explains the bond and respect between surfers.

Shaun Tomson's Surfer's Code:
I will never turn my back on the ocean.
I will always paddle back out.
I will take the drop with commitment.
I will know that there will always be another wave.
I will realize that all surfers are joined by one ocean.
I will paddle around the impact zone.
I will never fight a rip tide.
I will watch out for other surfers after a big set.
I will pass on my stoke to a non-surfer.
I will ride, and not paddle in to shore.
I will catch a wave every day, even in my mind.
I will honor the sport of kings.

This code is why I hope my daughter and other possible offspring will enjoy surfing I hope they can get it and we can share it. If they don’t get it this way I hope something will provide them with the joy and aww-inspiring feeling that surfing provides me. I also hope I can start up dating more often please comment so that this blog can be more of a discussion blog. I hope I can gain a few readers back?

So Yesterday!

2008-03-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was absolutely beautiful. I hope that everybody got a chance to get out and enjoy the day to some extent. Personally I did and did it up right. I got the privilege of going fishing with my uncle, which is always very nice. We spent all day out on the bay. Grant it we only caught 2 fish but it was still nice just to get out and enjoy God’s magnificent creation. At church in class we are interviewing each other to see what we can learn about God through one another. Some of the questions are pretty intense. I’m not quit sure what I can contribute to the knowledge about God. But one of the questions is what big stones are in your life (big stones being memorials of change.). This one question came to mind yesterday as I was fishing. I am a pretty big outdoorsman I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, surfing, and kayaking. Honestly theirs not much out doors I don’t like (except for yard work). To me this is my big stone. I mean think about it what better a stone than one that makes you feel like a flea. The outdoors is so expansive. There are so many places I have never seen or have ever been seen by human eyes. If nothing else that is ah inspiring. As some may know the ocean is my favorite place on Earth. As far back as I can remember I have gone to the ocean. Waking up early on Saturdays to go get in my grandpa’s truck and head down to Chocolate Bay to fish all day, or getting in the car with my folks and heading to the beach for a day of fun and sun. It doesn’t have to be the ocean its all water I just feel relaxed and at peace in or near the water. It’s very cleansing even at our beaches. The waves come in full of power and strength and just wash away all reminisces of previous activities. I love to go to the beach and just listen to the waves pound against the shore and feel renewed. My very own wife will tell you that it is medicine to my soul she can’t understand it but it is a necessity I have. It can make a bad go turn good, or a bad week or month. To all who ponder life’s calling and meaning look to some thing simple perhaps the answer is in a very familiar and close place to you. Not that the ocean has provided me with the answers but it has been a place where I could go and receive an answer or two.

2008-03-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been absent for so long. Lets start from where I left off. Hope fully this will satisfy some of you, and you know who you are. I was talking about Change in the church. I don’t think that my preacher was necessarily saying we need to change but not to condemn those who practice differently then us. It is up to each individual member or person at a church to decide how he or she believes or feels is best to worship. If you don’t agree with the majority of the church and they can not accommodate you, perhaps that church is no longer the best place for you to worship. Don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to sound stuck up or anything its just simple logic. Now on to some less controversial stuff. As some of you know I recently went on a kayaking/camping trip. It was amazing. First we loaded up early on a Saturday morning and headed to our launch site in Smithville TX. to float the Colorado River. I will load up photos of our trip in order of events so that you can follow visualy as soon as possable. The people who dared to brave this madden voyage down the river are as follows. Lead Navigator and Cook: Josh Morris, The Rookie: Tim Miller, Head Fisher and Sickling: Josh Fair, and last but not least The Ring Leader of this trip: Ben Fair. Ben gets this honor because he came up with the idea. This was the most fun trip I have ever been on cant wait to do it again.

A Lighter Note

2008-01-29T04:17:00.000-08:00

I wanted to go surfing last weekend but couldn’t find a wet suite anywhere. I would like to try and go again this weekend. If any one knows where I can find a good deal on a wet suite please let me know.

The Change

2008-01-29T03:54:00.000-08:00

It would seem that the time has come for the church to make a change or have a reformation of some sort. We’ve seen this through time many things have gone through changes. The church has even gone through several, most note able the one in the 16th century lead by Martin Luther. Most other changes are society driven. Not that this is good or bad necessarily, but it is thought provoking. Is it possible that a change to make society feel more welcome isn’t the change that needs to be made? Could it be that we have progressed so far from our origins that we confuse and upset people. What if we took a step back and got closer to the origins of our predecessors. If I did not have the rules and guide lines set down to me from my parents who got there rules and guide lines from there parents who got them from there parents then would I not be who I am to day. I know that my parents didn’t do every thing that there’s did, but think of this. Remember when society was safer and the kids could play out side when ever they wanted to. As long as you didn’t get in to trouble, but if you did your friends parents wouldn’t wait for your parents to get on to you they’d get you or they’d take you immediately to your parents. Remember when you got spanked for doing some thing wrong no you get a time out or a stern talking to. I feel like our society has progressed to a do what ever makes you feel good or makes you happy. (I’m not bashing on my parents or any generations parents.) It’s just an example. If the church continues down this path of making every one happy and feel good, then we will end up in the same boat as every one else. Perhaps when John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus and he preached “Change” he meant from the way of society from the path every one was going down. Jesus even seems to teach change from society. Change is good but it needs to be carefully examined there is a limit to how much progression you can have. Perhaps you have to cross the boundary to know where it is but if you don’t watch for it you want see it. I’m a boundary pusher and I’ve crossed many boundaries and didn’t know it till it was too late.

The Inner Ponderings

2008-01-21T17:37:00.000-08:00

Since I haven’t been surfing, I’ve been reading a new book called “Walking On Water”. This book addresses the spirituality of some of the world’s top surfers past and present. One of the surfers interviewed in the book is Timmy Curran son to one of the pioneers of surf, Tom Curran. These two men share a love for surfing and Christ even though there is a large generational gap as far as style goes for surfing.

I seem to feel that there is the same kind of gap in the church and those we try to reach out to. What worked for my grandfather and my father for that matter doesn’t always work for me. Now try to carry that to some one who never had a relationship with Christ or God. Or for that matter never had a strong relationship. I by no means have a great relationship with them but I am trying to have a better one. But this past Sunday Michael, the preacher at my church brought up a good point. Where do we draw the line of Tradition and Law? I want to know where we draw the line from recommendations and Laws for the first century church and today’s church. It would seem to me that if you start to pick and choose between what you want to take as law and what you want to take as pertaining to them specifically then you have a greater chance of loosing something. Would it be so bad to stick with what is set for them they had there reasons and couldn’t those same reasons present them selves again. Think about it we don’t have the Apostles writing to us telling us where off base. They did that once and we now have it as a guide line. I might be all wet but it seems that we shouldn’t pick and choose what pertains to us. I’m putting this in my blogg because I just don’t do good compiling my thought in person so I’m hoping some one with greater knowledge will comment on this subject. Here is the thought for the day….. When the time comes for you to sit down and examine the course in witch your life is moving that you take the time to enjoy the break and take a chance on the other street. Life is meant to be enjoyed and shared with others. If you are not excited about tomorrow then you need to make a change today.

Timmy Curran has a free CD you can down load at

http://www.timmycurran.com/freeDownload.php

I hope you will enjoy it.

Time to Sell

2008-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

Time to sell as part of my agreement with my wife, I will be selling one of my surf boards. I am selling a 7’-6” BIC surf board. I hate to see it go but Marla is right what am I going to do with 3 boards and one I never even ride. I finally got my arm out of the sling I hope to be able to get back into the water soon. I fell like a dried up fish. I need some beach time. Some physical therapy I think is due to my arm. The salt will hill my joints and the cold will numb the pain away.

Wow it's been a while

2008-01-18T03:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, it’s been a while! Sorry I haven’t been blogging lately. Let me bring y'all up to speed. There wasn’t much excitement up till Christmas. For Christmas we went to California to visit Marla’s aunt and cousins. While we where there we went to the so-called “Happiest Place on Earth” (Disney Land). I think this could have been true but it was entirely too crowded. We where only able to ride 9 rides in 18 hrs but other than the crowds it was very cool. The very next day we did go to the Happiest Place on Earth (the Ron Jon surf shop) and Santa Monica. At Ron Jon, Marla and I had the run of the place, we where the first few people in the store. This place was huge, and had every surf thing you could imagine. Man I love California. The next big and exciting thing we did was go snowboarding on New Years Eve. Snowboarding was a blast for the first couple of hours, until I fell and sprained my elbow. We flew home on the first. I went back to work on the second. The following Tuesday I received a promotion at work from Intermediate Designer to Senior Designer. This makes me the youngest Senior Designer at Chemic Engineers. I have been working towards this since I started 3 years ago. I did not surf in California, and I have not had a chance to go since I got home either. I’m sorry I don’t have a cool thought to bestow upon you but I will try to have one for you soon. I’ll try to keep you updated from know on.

The Weekend

2007-11-13T04:15:00.000-08:00

This weekend was another great weekend on Friday when I got home the house was clean and we didn’t have to spend all weekend doing it. Then on Saturday night Jeremy and I grilled steaks, those where the best steaks I have ever cooked. Then we hung out and talked the rest of the evening. On Sunday night we had our life group over and Jeremy and I again grilled. This time it was Pork chops, chicken and sausage. We had a great time grilling and hanging out with friends. I think friends are there to help with troubled times and to reinforce the good times. We don’t walk a lonely path as long as we trust in Jesus and share him with friends. Its what life is all about.

Thank Goodness for Friends & Fire Pits

2007-11-07T05:10:00.000-08:00

Last night Marla and I spent the evening out at Jeremy and Mandy’s house on there back porch debriefing on our days. All I have to say is Thank God for good friends and Fire pits. It sure is nice to be able to sit out side in the good weather and enjoy the fire pit. I love the out doors and I love my friends.

Crackdown on Oil Polluters Ahead in Gulf

2007-11-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

This mourning on my way to the plant I stopped into a Valero Corner store and saw this Article head line. I actually purchased a paper and not for the sales adds. It's good to hear that something is going to be done to stop or at least penalized. As of yet Louisiana is the only state that has adopted this but I hope that Texas will adopt it. This once again emphasize the need to do some thing to help the environment. Check out this Article

Deer Hunting

2007-11-05T04:10:00.000-08:00

As many of you know this was opening weekend of deer season and it is a chance for me and my dad to get out with a couple other guys and wage war on the deer population in east Texas. No really it’s a time to have a chance to enjoy the “Father-Son” bonding experience. It’s really about getting away and spending time doing something we both enjoy. Hear are the pictures of the deer shot this weekend. My dad shot a spike buck and wouldn’t let me take a picture of it. Hear is mine.
She waid around 150 lbs. Now hear is Greg Fair's 8 point buck. It waid about 250 lbs.

My Little Buddy

2007-11-05T04:05:00.000-08:00

This is me and my little buddy Caleb watching Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin patch.

The Perfect Weekend

2007-10-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

There are not many times when you can say you had a perfect weekend. Well I just had one, and I do mean perfect. On Friday I got my hair cut when I got off at 1:00 from work. Then I went home and sat in my hammock and read my Surfers Path magazine. After that we got together with our friend and went and ate a delicious meal at Perry’s Steak house prior to going to see Marla’s dad in 1776 the musical. That was a fun show, and Marla’s dad did a great job. If you live in the area you should go see him in it. It runs through this weekend.
Saturday I spent the mourning on the porch and then some friends came over and we headed over to the new Bass Pro Shop. It was pretty impressive (no I didn’t buy any thing). Then I came home and Marla and I watched movies all evening. Now Sunday was the best day. After lunch and church I went home and read some more of my magazine and fell a sleep in the hammock for about an hour and a half. Then I set out there the rest of the day till we headed over to Jeremy and Mandy’s to watch the last game of the World Series. Witch was the perfect end to a great weekend I hope I can do it again in the future. This up coming weekend is opening weekend of dear session and I will be in Lufkin This weekend and I will be sitting in nature again. Man if this isn’t the life I don’t know what is. Thank God for a natural get away and how easy it can be to achieve it. Get out and in joy the good weather. “Do not postpone any thing for tomorrow for you might not get one.”

New Link

2007-10-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

If you read my last post and where shocked that this is happening. I hope that you will take a look at the new links I’ve added to this site. It should further encourage or inspire you to seek a cleaner life style and help out our eco system. I know I am approaching this from a surfer’s point of view but this is how I became passionate about this problem. I hope to add further links and comments on these subjects.

Eco Depression

2007-10-23T04:34:00.000-07:00

To anyone who reads my blog I hope that you will help me with a little problem. On Saturday Oct. 19 2007 I was at the beach surfing. I’m not the most “Green” person but blatant pollution and especially disrespect for the beach infuriates me. The first thing I saw floating in the water was a Frito Lay Chip bag, which someone discarded. Then it proceeded to get worse I then found a 5 gallon bucket that had oil in it and that still had the residue in it that got on me when I pulled it out. Next, I saw a large oil filter (like from a diesel truck). This filter was full of oil.I know that there Is a possibility that a citizen might have discarded these things in the ocean, but due to past events and seeing the oil rig workers just let blow off pressure and oil in to the ocean which got all over my uncles boat while we where fishing and the bucket having a Shell Oil Corp. sticker on it. I would like to invite those who read this to take a stand. I am in the process of formulating an email to send to Shell Oil Corp. From hear on out I will not purchase fuel oil or other merchants products from a Shell Filling station. I ask that if you take care of the beach and all of Gods wonderful creation and all of your favorite and secret spots of retreat.

p.s. please enlighten your friends to this particular problem so that more people can see what corporate oil company’s are doing to our world.

Birthday Weekend

2007-10-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

Well as of Friday Oct. 12 I am officially 25 years old. It was definitely one of the best birthdays I have ever had. Marla was an exceptional birthday night planner. For all of you who have read Marla’s Blog you already now what we did, but you I have no idea how much fun the activities of this weekend was. We also went to my parents for dinner on Saturday where we ate fajitas. My parents got me a set of Lego’s, which I put together on Sunday. I wanted to go surfing this weekend but the surf was flat. I hope that this coming Saturday will be better and since Marla will be at a church function there should be no problem with me getting away. So if any of you that read this want to go you know how to get a hold of me. I will soon be working crazy hours again hopefully which will cause an even longer gap between surfing sessions. Well I wish I had something interesting to bestow upon you, like a clever saying or a good motto. Let me leave you with these two quotes~ “Adrenaline is a funny drug” Brock Little ~ here is one from Point Break “Surfing’s the source. It will change your life. I swear to God.”

Freedom !!

2007-09-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

We went camping last weekend with a few of our friends. We only went to Huntsville but it was fare enough to get away from the noise and chaos of city living. It was great to get back to nature. We sat around the campfire, and played camp games. It was a perfect trip. I even got hurt which made the trip a success. When we returned home I made the last and final payment on my truck. I am also free from the chain of debt to Chrysler Financial. You know what they say about bad things come in three’s well I think it happens with good things also. I got to go surfing today the waves weren’t large but you couldn’t of asked for better weather or a quitter beach or cleaner waves. There was only one other surfer and nobody one the beach. This week had been a bit stress full but after surfing and thinking about our camping trip the world seemed to be back in place once again. There is a piece in all of use that is missing or goes missing after a certain period of time that needs to be found or renewed. The only thing is now that the good has come and gone does that mean all that is left is the bad. Here is a thought for the day. “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters: these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders of the deep. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. ~ Psalm 107:23-26

Surfing

2007-09-12T10:27:00.001-07:00

I might come across as obsessed with surfing but if anyone wants to get me a birthday present (since it is on Oct. 12Th). I just added a link to my amazon wish list. (Hint: there are a LOT of surfing books) You have been warned.

Camping

2007-09-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Camping, next weekend we get to go camping. I'm so excited I get to sit around a camp fire and hang out with all my friends and my dear Wife. Camping is one of my favorite thing to do. its so peace full and quite. Plus this could be the last free weekend for a little while. It looks like I will be getting busy with work. Just to let everyone know I will be getting my truck back this weekend so Marla wont have to carpool or kick me out of the car anymore. Hope fully it will last me at least a year or so so we can save for a new car for me. thanks for your constant vigilance as i tried not to get kicked out of the car. If this happens again i will let you know to watch for me then also.

Transmission Problems

2007-08-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

On Monday night the transmission in my truck decided to go out. The auto shop say I need a new one or at least a new rebuilt transmission. This however will not be a cheap fix. So if you see me on the side of the road with my thumb up please pull over and give me a ride. This means Marla got tiered of wakeing up early and geting home late and kicked me out of the car. Thanks ahead of time for picking me up.

Busy Sorry

2007-08-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted. not much has gone on that Marla has not written about. Surfing was not good Friday. So when I got home I cut wood for the windows just in case Dean came towards us. I sure am glade it did not I need surf not water in the house. I hope you all had a good weekend and didn't have to much of a worry with the Dean stuff.

Article from the Galveston Daily News

2007-08-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

Surfer cannot get enough of the waves

By Princess McDowell
The Daily News

Published August 5, 2007

GALVESTON — Brian Jarvis didn’t want to go to Hawaii. He wanted to stay in Maine, snowboard and become what he calls a “Maine-i-ac.” He pouted all the way to the island’s sandy beaches and palm trees.

A few years later, Jarvis couldn’t be dragged from the water. When he graduated from high school, his decision was easy.

“My parents wanted me to go to college. I went to Hawaii instead,” he said.

His business, C-Sick Surfin’, offers personalized lessons on Galveston Island after he learned to surf in 1962. He teaches ocean safety, parts of the board, paddling skills and how to identify waves.

But, along with the lessons, Jarvis tells little stories. He talks about surfing in the Carolinas when the area was underdeveloped and there were no places to park on the beach. He reminisces about surfing in water as blue as his own eyes. He’ll offer his philosophy on women and waves.

“If you have to choose between women and the waves, choose the waves because there might not be any good waves tomorrow and the woman will probably be there tomorrow,” he said.

He chose waves a long time ago.

As soon as he witnessed someone surf, he knew he was hooked. He still remembers the first board he bought, for $57.

Jarvis rode his first wave at 15, a 15-foot-wave that he said he wouldn’t have tried if he had the chance again.

“My friends were there and, you know, you have to do it if your buddies are around,” he said.

“If I was alone, I wouldn’t have done it; no way.”

He taught himself how to surf through a trial-and-error process and soon started showing a few friends the ropes.

He got into teaching after someone asked him how he did a few of his moves.

“As soon as I figured out you could make money off it, I saw dollar signs, like chi-ching,” he said.

Outside of surfing, Jarvis worked as a merchant seaman and would earn $5,000 a month working on the ships, then take a few months off to surf and spend the money. Once he ran out, he would find another boat to work on.

He traveled to places such as South Africa and Singapore, sometimes sending back trinkets for his friends.

“I found them little figurines from a vendor,” he said. “I thought I was getting them for cheap, you know. I sent them back to a few friends. When I got back my friends were all mad at me. Apparently, bugs were in them. I guess that vendor got the best of me.”

He finally decided to slow down his life after one long day, Christmas Eve, 1995. For him, it was literally a long day — more than 37 hours.

On a trip home from Singapore, he traveled across several time zones, including the international dateline.

“That was the wake-up call for me,” he said. “It was like God was trying to tell me something. Like, look at this, this is ridiculous.”

Jarvis started inquiring about buying a house. He had searched all along the east and west coasts, but all the houses were $100,000 or more. When he came to Galveston, he found a nice house for just $40,000. He also found his future wife, Karen.

He said it isn’t bad to stay on the island, as long as you have everything you need here and don’t have to leave to go to work.

He said surfing is for those who are truly dedicated and he is the prime example.

“I’ve lost jobs, I’ve had women break up with me, I’ve had family leave me, all because they couldn’t get me out of the water,” he said.

Lazy Days

2007-08-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Marla and I spent the day doing absolutely nothing. Here is the thing, while doing absolutely nothing I had time to think. For those of you who know me when I think bad things tend to happen. (ha!) I have been trying to think of something thought-provoking to write next. I was at a loss yesterday but today my Sunday class teacher brought up a thought that was very interesting. He asked what we thought our lives would be like in 2040. So let’s see in 33 years I will be 58 years old and close to retirement hopefully. I hope that I will have made a difference in somebody’s life by then. Ill probably have grandchildren “Maybe you gotta have kids first”. Now let’s get deep.

How many times will I have the opportunity to share the word of Christ? I’m not a particularly savvy speaker or writer. Talking to some body about God and theology is not one of my strong suits. But I hope that in some way or other I can be Christ like to some body or in some body’s life. More importantly will I have been a good Christian father for my children? I hope that I can share more than my passion for the outdoors with my kids. But that I can show them God's hand at work in the lives of His creation. Will I have connected to my kids in a way that when they are on their own they can still have a relationship with their true father? Maybe these are thoughts that go through every father or future fathers mind. To those of you who already have kids or are soon to have kids I hope and pray that you are able to fulfill this great charge God as set before you. Remember this as you walk through life’s journey and I hope this will give you strength and peace of mind, as it is my favorite passage “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its self. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Mt. 6:34”

Today we Fish. Maybe tomorrow too.

2007-08-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

First off Thanks to my Wonderful Wife for letting all her readers in on my blog.

Another flat miserable day in G-town. Can't expect much more than that for summer time in the gulf cost.(I still don't know why every body thinks surfing is a summer time sport, when almost every wear in the world sees the best surf at winter time but anyways). So boys and girls when it's flat what do we do? That's right we FISH. But that didn't go so well either with all the rain we have had in the last month or so the bay's salt content is low. That means the fish are not in the bays. I tried to fish the beach front but the current was to rough. So fishing was a bust. But for some reason I still fell that thing are right in the world again maybe adrenalin and surfing aren't the only things that give me the felling I need to get back in touch with the universe.

Let me propose this. Could it be just a getting back to nature and the basics of life that puts me in that frame of mind? If so then why is it that I or dare I say we as a human race have such a desire to acquire so much "STUFF". Believe me I'm the worlds worst. When really all i need is to sit and be at one with nature and especially the ocean. Don't get me wrong, the ocean is a one off the scariest places on earth. You don't know what is under the surface "at least here in Texas". But there was some thing about sitting there in the middle of a giant changing mass of uncertainty that put me a peace. All day I'd cast and wait with no result. No fish biting. But I went out not looking for fish but to set my universe back in order. So I guess it was a success full day. I think I might go again tomorrow afternoon.

Depression Ahead

2007-07-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

Summer time flats have hit and there is no end in sight. What will I do for my "Fix"? Can I shoot parking garages on the long skate board, or do some thing? I think it's time to go fishing. I hope to do some camping in the near future. I got a little jealous last night when a friend of mine asked for directions to my secret beach camping spot. I think I will plan a trip out to my spot soon. I hope they enjoy it as much as I do. If any of you have found your activity that gives you a spiritual rush please share. I might be looking for a temporary alternative to surfing.

Adrenaline Junkie?

2007-07-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Adrenaline Junkie is one of the terms I might use to describe my self. Some people find a very real need to have an adrenaline rush. They will use extreme sports, gambling and even go to such measures of shop lifting to get there fix. Adrenaline fixes are as addictive as heroin or any other recreational drug. The actual addiction is due to fear. Which is one of the major contributing factors in the release of adrenaline and other chemicals. I have always loved the feeling of a good adrenaline rush. There is something in me that call's out for the rush. I think I might have an addiction. It’s very possible it’s to surfing but I think it’s to the rush. Here is another question. Is it possible that there could be a spiritual experience to be found in the midst of this addiction? Could it be possible that this addiction is very closely related to the God Gene? My personal thought is that it is, in my experience whether I am surfing, rock claiming or some other adrenaline pumping activity I get a since of at oneness with my surrounding or dare I say an at oneness with God. I fully believe when this happens I am in connection with a spiritual realm. Although some may say that this is a load of bull unless they have had a similar experience then they cant say. Not to say they are wrong but maybe it takes something completely different or more orthodox to achieve at oneness with the world. As some may say "To each his own". Tell me, what gives you that oneness or that religious felling. If you haven’t had that feeling yet you need to get out there and find it, it feels good and can make you happy. But be fore warned that once you find it if you lose it, you might go mad trying to get the feeling back and also just like any addiction it will take more and more to satisfy your thirst for it. Here is a moto to help you on your surch "Seize the Day"

Its a First

2007-07-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hello my new readers or hopefully i will have new readers. This is my very first attempt at blogging. I am not a very eloquent speaker or writer. This means that some of my wording will be used out of context and might be spelled wrong or the word might be spelled right but is used in the wrong context. I hope that this will bring both humor and enlightenment to your lives.

In the last few months I have been reading West of Jesus. Yes, I said a few months. This is not a particularly long book but it is very deep. It deals with religion, psychology, and most importantly surfing. I believe we all struggle with why certain things make us happy or even have a "religious" experiance. This book tackles some of these questions. I will elaborate more in the next couple of posts. Let me leave you with this.

"'The God Gene' as not based on a belief in a particular god, frequency of prayer, or other orthodox religious doctrines or practices. instead, it gets to the heart of spiritual belief:the nature of the universe and our place in it. Self-transcendent individuals tend to see everything, including themselves, as part of a great totality. They have a strong sense of "at-one-ness"--of people, places and things. Non-self transcendent people, on the other hand, tend to have a more self-centered viewpoint. the focus on differences and discrepencies between people, places and things, rather than similarities and interrelationships." ~Dean Hamer.

I'm not sure yet which one I am but I'm sure some might have an opinion. I hope to become more of the Self-Transcendent person. Which one are you?

Blog test

2007-07-24T17:54:00.001-07:00

testing....Life's a Beach!