......Actual MUSIC.

I have much to do today because it's Saturday and my house looks like a couple of children ran through it and got all of their toys out and slung them everywhere and both mommy and daddy work or something.  I don't know why it looks like that.......but that means this post may be shorter than usual.

Since this Blog is titled "Life and MUSIC", I figured I would elaborate on some actual music today.

On that note, I would first like to express my sympathies for the recent passing of Jani Lane, lead singer of the 80's hair group WARRANT.

Somebody please...cut....his.....hair.

I am most definitely the last one to judge, so I hope Mr. Lane got his act together in the last days of his life and looked to the Lord for salvation.  I know that seems far fetched, but who knows what the Holy Spirit can do to reach somebody.  I think God is more powerful, more patient and merciful that we can all imagine.  If His standards are so high that the very thoughts of a person is the same to Him as actually doing something, then can you really fathom how deep His love and mercy goes?

Sometimes I think we have it all wrong.  We interpret the Bible a certain way because that's the way we have been brought up to interpret it.  We may all be totally surprised one day when we die and see that things...may not be the same way that we imagined.  I'm not talking about the basics.  I'm just saying that God is a unique and powerful being, and we will not ever understand everything that He is.

I don't know why I got off track with that, but back to Mr. Lane:

Much Better!

I remember Warrant's song "Heaven".  It was in the top charts for I don't know how long back in the late 80's.  I pretty much remember the whole song right now.  Isn't that sad?  Back before the secular music world was corrupted with the influence of Africa, we actually had some music that was......music.

(On a side note, if you ever have any need to find some no-talent butt clowns, please feel free to google the words "Rap Artists".)

The music industry has changed so much in the past twenty years.  It went from that "metal hair band" thing to "bling-bling put a cap in yo mom cuz youz a pimp" thing.  Kids today would laugh at the absurdity of the hair from the bands that we used to listen to.

Let's compare and contrast, shall we?

THEN......haha, I know, bad example to start with.

 

NOW......he's just happy cuz YO' MOMMA!  WHAT?

 

THEN...and is that guy actually touching that other guy????

YYYEEEAAAAYYYAAAHHHH!!!!!

You get the drift.  Are we ready to switch on over to some Christian music that's pleasing to the Lord yet? Next post!

Oh well, at least I know many more hymns than those type of songs.  The way I see it, if you sing one song for the Dark Side, then you should sing a thousand songs for God.  I hope Mr. Lane is up in Heaven.  I fear the worst for him, but you never know until you know.

I will PRAISE the LORD with music.  May HIS name be glorified!

Study Time.  Cleaning Time.  Keep the children entertained while THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY is at work time.  And, most certainly..........YOUUUUUUUUU:

Live long and prospa, live long and prospa, wiki wiki wiki wiki live long and PROSPA!!!!!

WORD.

Red Shirt Friday

(No, I do not endorse Communism in any way, shape, or form, except for the fact that its very existence has given me potential hope for higher paying jobs as I fight against it)

Today is Friday, which can only mean that if you didn't wear your red shirt to work today, you are either a no good Communist heathen (irony) or you don't support our American troops, since apparently the color red is supposed to symbolize support for them............somehow.

(Or possibly, you just might have forgotten about it or don't own one...but that's probably a far fetched scenario).

Anyway, I don't know who came up with the concept of Red Shirt Friday, but I have to wonder if they spent any time serving in our Armed Forces at all.  Snopes.com says it was started as a Canadian demonstration showing support for Canadian troops.  See it here: Red Shirt Friday

I mean, I don't feel as if I need to really wear a red shirt to prove that I support our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, and Fly boys (this means you, Air Force).  Seeing as I spent nine crazy years as a US Marine, I don't need to prove ANYTHING.

Nevertheless, I suppose it doesn't hurt to be a bit supportive, so here I am with my red work shirt on.  I only hope that we don't have a warp core breach at work today and the transporters don't malfunction.  Needless to say there would be a lot of casualties if this were indeed an episode of Star Trek TOS. 

Now that I've stated my opinion on normal operations on Red Shirt Friday, allow me to follow up with a bit of support for the families of the recently deceased SEALS that were killed in Afghanistan.  Thanks for giving the ultimate sacrifice in being the best of all of us.  You are our big Brothers, or comrades who we can all look up to as role models.  The rest of us who served in less important roles are not worthy of your gift of remaining freedom that most of us take for granted.

 
Now, on to the economy:

So I do believe I have never in my lifetime seen our economy in such bad shape.  Of course, I was too small to remember the 80's recession and most of my memories are from the booming expansion of the 90's.  I don't really know what's in store, but I get a bad feeling when I see stuff like this:

And this is just the BEGINNING!

 

 

 

The current economy is a constant reminder that if you make the wrong decisions in life, you truly face and pay the consequences.  I decided to stay in the military and not go to college until later, and now I am struggling so hard just to pay bills.  It is very hard to keep afloat in this economy when your skill level is not competitive.  I'm on my way, but I and my family have to suffer for now due to my earlier stupidity.

On the other hand, I am extremely blessed to be employed PERIOD.  God has been very good to us.  There is no question!

Gotta get some work done. 

You know what to do....

Fireproof, Spankings, and Certifications

Now, where was I?

First I would like to give a big shout out to my beautiful wife Stacey (aka THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY) who is keepin' it real over in Warrenton, VA while she types up a few reports and works on various projects that keep her happily employed.  Also, a brief shout out to my homie Big Brian P. out in wherever he is today and also his wife Jan, who is dealing with trauma issues because she had a drive by near her house and somebody sprayed her shower stall with bullets.  Thank God for the wise decision to have bullet proof glass installed.

Now seeing as I haven't updated this blog since January should give you some indication of how busy I have been.  Allow me to illuminate the path of progress:

• Acquired Security+ Certification in February
• Acquired new position at my company troubleshooting LAN's in an IT position
• Started Network Security Certification from NOVA and have only two classes to go
• Acquired Network+ Certification in July
• Began studying CCNA Certification last month

Okay, so that may not seem a whole lot to some of those IT studs out there, but that is a WHOLE lot for a peon such as myself.  And I did all of this in 2011 with a wife that works full time and two children that are 5 and 3 years old.  Tell me I'm not dedicated.

So yeah, I still have a loooooong way to go before I get a Masters in Information Assurance (my goal) but I will get there.  I don't think my goal of getting it by age 40 is going to be feasible, but perhaps 43 if all goes well.  I would love to have my bachelors by age 40.  In all reality, I can get my two associates by end of summer semester next year and maybe get into Mason next year.  It's a long shot, but possible.  The CCNA will be conquered fully by January 2012 (in 6 months), or even sooner.

Let me just ask everybody a question before I elaborate on other things:  HOW'S IT GOING?  DID ANYBODY MISS ME? (I say this as if anybody else is actually reading this...haha)  I hope all is well in everybody's life. Just to let everybody know, I WILL become an awesome Network Administrator/Security Analyst.

What?  Don't believe me???  Well, then............

Darth Vader finds your lack of faith DISTURBING.

So last week THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY and I watched the movie "Fireproof" for the first time.  I noted to myself that it was not the best acting in the world but the movie was terrific.  It has really changed my outlook on a lot of things in marriage.  It was well worth the 90 minutes of viewing time.  My only regret is that we have had the movie for over a year and this was the first time we have watched it.

My two children Pooka and Princess decided to act like special agents for Satan yesterday at WalMart while I was forced to wait in the prescription line for medication.  I was highly embarrassed because I had to tell them about 5 times each to get over here and stand beside me.  This isn't typical behavior for them, so I wonder if I have softened up in my disciplinary actions somewhat.  They both received the blunt end of the dreaded SPOON (aka "the rod of correction") when we got home, but I don't know if that is working so well.  The Bible says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him".  So therefore I believe in spanking but at the same time, I think we have implemented a rather successful (so far) system in which to guide their behavior habits.

What THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY and I have done is implement what can only be known as "The Star System":

We take two Posters sized charts with different rows and columns and label each row with whatever chore we want them to have:  Clean Room, Put Shoes Away, Make Beds, Put Away Shoes, etc.  Every night we sit down with them and calculate their work that day and what they did and didn't do.  If they completed that chore, they get one star sticker.  If they do something that requires discipline, we cross a star out! This includes any spankings with the SPOON that they receive.  After BOTH of them get 50 stickers a piece, we go to Chuck-E-Cheese.  It's that simple...but it works!  If they start acting up and we say that we are going to take away stars from their chart, they freak out like the world is ending and do what they are told.  This works almost if not better than the SPOON.

I guess you have to use all sort of methods sometimes.  But trust me, TIME-OUT does NOT work and undermines the dire consequences of disobedience.

Okay, so.....I will get on here from time to time instead of waiting whole months.  So everybody feel free to check in.  And please, leave a comment if you feel so inclined.

Gotta go.  There is work and studying to be done!

As always.......

 

Soreness. Agony. Despair. Me.

Not really, but I am sore from helping my Aunt and Uncle move their office yesterday. It was a nice start but they still have a ton of stuff to move. Normally whenever somebody asks me to help them move I usually have something better going on where I can't help them, such as my sock drawer needs organized or my belly button lint needs knitted into a sweater, but Phyllis and Ron have been wonderful relatives and I will do anything in my power to assist them. So therefore, I helped them move a ton of furniture yesterday, and the best part about it is that whatever we moved that they didn't want they said we could have it. So now I have to figure out what older furniture I'm going to throw out to make room for the newer. I love free stuff that is in fairly decent condition. I must say we have been rather blessed with an abundance of it this year.

 

Work was great this week. Spreadsheets, invoicing, supply orders, front desk security, bagels and donuts, coffee, papers, papers, and papers...not exciting but employment. Thank you Lord for the wonderful company known as STG who put up with me on a weekly basis and have given me the opportunity to improve myself and learn about how federal contracting works. And I even have to say there is not a co-worker that I dislike. And no, I am not being sarcastic but sincere for a change.

 

On another note, my sister-in-law informed THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY (aka Stacey) that since their Nintendo Wii is not the latest and greatest item to hit the market and the Xbox Konnect is, they have decided to rid themselves of the Wii monstrosity and therefore offered it to us. So now, we have a Wii system with the Fit game incorporated, and Stacey is excited beyond words can describe about it. Already Pooka and Princess are fighting over playing the thing, so I guess we will have to incorporate some rules. Hopefully no controllers go flying at the screen anytime soon. 

 

Okay, so I realized this morning that I am 34 years old. Yeah, I finally realized that, and now I think I am having midlife crisis 16 years early. I feel as if I haven't accomplished a thing that I wanted to at this point. I guess I just need to drink some more coffee, stop whining, and get busy studying and living life. Fo' real.

 

On a more positive subject, I have set up my Security + test for the 24th! I am so motivated about it. The day after I take the test, I am starting the A+ certification course. I am unstoppable!!! (unless something stops me) Back to that midlife crisis thing....   

Lately I have been thinking of how I am now into my fourth decade of life and since I am a Dad and need to be more of a serious person and focus on my three imminent family members and their happiness, I must not forget about the humorous events in life that inspire me. while I was bussing the children around the other day, Pooka gets this big grin on his face and says to me, "Daddy, Claire wants to go home and watch Star Trek." Claire quickly denies such nonsense and whines that she doesn't want to watch Star Trek. Pooka says it repeatedly for 5 minutes and Claire respectively yells at him, "No Nicholas! I don't want to watch Star Trek!" The potential for this to go on for another half hour was great but I stopped them both and told them that we were not watching Star Trek when we got home. When we did indeed arrive at our annual rental I put both of their little whiny butts in bed since apparently they just wanted to pick on each other and were tired. 

 

Then I went downstairs and watched Star Trek.

 

That's it for now since I have that test coming up and I need to study (tremendously). You have a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Take it easy today since it is indeed the Lord's day. You have to say that He has been good to all of us.  

 

Live long, and Prosper.

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