Hit on 19, Trust Me

As I travel along my Continuum, there's a new man being developed. One who no longer settles for mediocrity, colorless, uninspired, etc. One who doesn't stick with something just because it's familiar. One who hits on 19 because he knows blackjack is on its way, even if it's not tonight, it's coming. One who sees the potential, the drive, the light at the end of the tunnel and joy of being an adventurer. One who listens more often than he speaks and one who isn't afraid to admit when he's wrong. One who always puts relationships above everything. One who is more concerned about diamonds on the inside than on the outside. And one who chooses to use the oven rather than the microwave, if it takes longer it will taste much, much better.

I just hit on 19 and got the deuce. KL.

Intellect - Imagination

"It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination."
-Henry David Thoreau

The Lesson Beneath It All

Through failure we understand the value of success; through ignorance, the value of wisdom; through illness, the value of health; through arrogance, the value of humility; through hunger, the value of food; through downpour, the value of sunshine; through labor, the value of rest; through noise, the value of silence; through pain, the value of healing; through emptiness, the value of wholeness; through turbulence, the value of calm; through war, the value of peace; through hate, the value of love.

KL

Flavors of Life

Is it just me or are there so many vanilla flavors out there? I'm uninterested with the ordinary, standard, expected, average, vanilla. I know I don't have all the flavors but I wanna meet a brand new flavor, like fresh out of the fridge. I go to her and talk about the Strawberry Banana Rendezvous from Coldstone Creamery and she just got back from Piggly Wiggly sayin, "Oh, you mean just Strawberry? I might be able to throw a few sprinkles on it..." but I don't even prefer sprinkles.

I wanna have some dynamic flavors on my tongue but I also wanna keep some of the best flavors up my sleeve, save 'em for later. You don't start a show with the best song ya got, start 'em with enough to keep 'em coming back for more. But hold onto the legitimate, keep 'em waiting, wanting, wishing...for that one encore everyone hoped to hear.

So I'm looking for my Strawberry Banana Rendezvous, I'll know her when I taste her, cause she won't taste like Vanilla.

Stay intrigued. KL.

That's What She Said!

Sometimes ya just gotta take a break from the journey and just sit back and laugh your ass off.

Dwight: "The purse girl hits everything on my checklist: creamy skin, straight teeth, curly hair, amazing breasts. Not for me...for my children. The Schrutes produce very thirsty babies."

Michael: "I live by one rule: No office romances, no way. Very messy, inappropriate...no. But, I live by another rule: Just do it... Nike."

Pam: "If I have to do this, based on stereotypes that are totally not true and I do not agree with, you would maybe not be a very good driver."
Dwight: "Oh man! Am I a woman?"

Jim: "I definitely overhear some wedding preparation, but, I’m fine with it. She hears me arranging my social life. And we both have to hear Dwight order deer urine over the internet, so it evens out."

Michael: "Yes. It is true. I, Michael Scott, am signing up with an online dating service. Thousands of people have done it, and I am going to do it. I need a username, and... I have a great one! 'Little Kid Lover'. That way people will know exactly where my priorities are at."

Michael: "I am a victim of a hate crime. I think Stanley knows what I’m talking about.
Stanley: "That's not what a hate crime is."
Michael Scott: "Well I hated it! A lot!"

Michael: "Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family."

Jim: "Does that include 'that's what she said'?"
Michael: "Mmhh, yes."
Jim: "Wow that is really hard. You really think you can go all day long? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling."
Michael: "THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

Dwight: "Due to a recent incident involving Phyllis, a man, a map, and his penis, I think you know what I'm referring to, Michael has authorized me to form an emergency anti-flashing task force."
Jim: "Question. Won't that interfere with your other task forces?"
Dwight: "Answer: No. Because this is being given priority one. This is a petition to upgrade the security cameras, as well as install two floodlights in the parking lot. And I know what you're thinking. Won't that just shed more light on the penises. But that is a risk we have to take."

Michael: "Bros before hos. Why? Because your bros are always there for you. They have your back, after your ho rips your heart out for no good reason. And you were nothing but great to your ho. And you told her she was the only ho for you. And that she was better than all the other hos in the world. And then suddenly she's not your ho no mo."

Michael: "My worst birthday? When I was seven, my mother hired a pony to come to my house for all the kids. And I got a really bad rash. From the pony. And all the kids got to ride the pony. And I had to go inside, and my mother was rubbing cream on me, for probably three hours, and I never came outside. And by the time I got out, the pony was already in the truck and around the corner. So that was my worst birthday."

Laughter is an instant vacation. KL.

Everything I'm Not, Made Me Everything I Am

Even if they tried, Hollywood couldn't write a better script. The inconsistent underdog comes to town to face the squad that has been talked about all season long as the "greatest team ever assembled." Their record surely showed it, a flawless 18-0, except they don't play 18 games in a season and it doesn't matter how well you play the first 42 minutes if you collapse in the last 3.

The beauty of this story is that Tom Brady is the quintessential 2 minute warning killer. It's expected that if he gets the ball with a couple minutes left, he's going to seize the moment like a pure veteran. But not this time, not this night. This was Eli's moment to shine.

And damn, did he ever.

Down 14-10, 1:15 left in the 4th quarter, 3rd and 5, and on their own 44 yard line, everyone counted them out. Especially after the protection broke down and Eli had 3 behemoth lineman up in his grill. But Eli somehow escaped their pursuit and tossed up a prayer to David Tyree, a back-up wide receiver (who actually had more tackles than receptions this season). Do you see the irony here? The "guy who couldn't get it done in the playoffs" completes the biggest play of his career to a guy who didn't start all year long against the best team in football, statistically speaking. Hey non-football fans, stay with me...

When the Giants scored, everyone at our super bowl party went crazy. Maybe it was the beer, maybe it was the liquor, or maybe it was just the longing we all have deep within us to cheer for the scrawny kid who everyone overlooks, excludes, underestimates. Whatever it was, it was legit.

Eli protrayed what a leader does when the storm hits, when victory seems improbable, when most people throw in the white towel. After the game Eli said, "You want to have the ball in your hands. you have to score a touchdown. That's where you want to be, a chance to win the game. Everybody stepped up and made huge plays."

Not only did he lead his team like a champ, but like any class act, he unselfishly praised the team. It was also really cool to see Peyton cheering with such passion, intensity, and genuine excitement, especially knowing that he was in the spotlight last year. Cheers to the Manning brothers, to fiesty underdogs, and to those who aren't afraid of taking a chance. So, what's the point?

Don't allow people to limit your capabilities, potential, progression, legitimacy, adequacy, self-worth, etc. Visionaries believe in themselves long before anyone else ever truly does. We all have moments in our lives when 3 defensive lineman are chasing us, but its in that moment when we are engulfed by pressure, catastrophe, and adversity from all sides, than and only than, are we able to see reality, character, and authenticity.

Anyone can throw a touchdown with no defensive rush or defensive back. Anyone can be thankful for the sunshine, the hammock, the cake walk. Who doesn't enjoy the silver platter? Here's the question: What do you do when you're down 14-10, 1:15 left, 3rd and 5, and you're almost sacked?

Toss up a prayer. KL.

Cheers!

Here's to all who are motivated by their own individual aspirations rather than by the fear of not living up to everyone else's assumptions, expectations, and demands. To all who march to the beat of their own drum, with the profound realization that they are becoming something greater and more efficient than they are today. To all who refuse to degrade the uncoordinated kid who always got hit first in dodge-ball just because all the "cool" kids thought it was hilarious. It really wasn't. To all who disregard the safe "marked trail" and decide to explore treasures unknown, who confidently approach the mountain they've never climbed before. To the guy who's aware that it's better to be single and searching rather than taken and miserable, so he respectfully walks away. To the direct yet sensitive, the forgiving yet just, the confident yet humble, the bold yet peaceful, the adventurous yet discerning, the driven yet patient, the transparent yet intriguing. To all who say "no" with the same certainty with which they say "yes"...here's to you.

I want to be like you. KL.

Abba's Child

May all your expectations be diminished, all your organizations be vanquished, all your presuppositions be lost into complete nothingness, so that you may experience the helplessness of being Abba's Child. May you celebrate experiencing the love of the one who has no beginning, no middle, and no end. He is the Almighty and He will carry you through the storm to the other side on dry ground. Especially when your dreams are shattered, your investments crash, and you finally accumulate enough courage to walk on water but you begin to question, doubt, and even sink. In that delicate moment, you will experience what it truly means to be Abba's child.

I'm on a journey, a work in progress, and He's just begun. KL.