Updates! Baby, Life, Movies, Games, Etc.

Chiefly being that we found out yesterday the sex of our baby, plus some ultrasound pictures, and other stuff.
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1.  Stewart Little, as we've affectionately been calling the fetus, is now sexed, or at least is now sexed to us.  Keisha and I are proud to say that we're having a GIRL.  So it's gonna be me, Keisha, Stewart Little, Stella, and Sofie.  I say I'm vastly outnumbered here...

Aren't those images crazy?  Watching the little bugger squirm and kick and move and punch and everything yesterday was quite surreal, and it's amazing to know that I helped make her.  See the little feet!  The face still looks alien and skeletal, but I'm smitten.  It was funny how hyper and active she was, too, but everything looked great and healthy, and we thank God for that.

2.  We ordered our crib, changing table, and dresser last night from JC Penny.  I applied for a credit card to save an additional 10% off, was approved, and then found out my limit was $50 less than what the total cost was.  So I called Penny's and requested an immediate credit increase of $100 and got that taken care of.  Then I went to finish the purchase and was asked to enter my credit card info, which I didn't have as I had no card yet, so I made another phone call.  Everything was going well until my phone died about 20 minutes into the call, so I had to call back and repeat the entire process.   All said and done, I spent about 45 minutes on the phone working it all out, but in the end we got our stuff ordered and now we're waiting for the backorder to fill and ship.

3.  My paycheck is currently 19 days late, which is to say that I'm technically due two checks, as another is now 5 days late.  This is confusing, as my firm was awarded a 10+ million dollar contract recently (though obviously we've seen no money from this yet, as the project is in its early infancy).  I simply ask for your prayers in all this stuff, knowing God will provide and take care, but it's quite stressful, too.

4.  My brother returned from Afghanistan over the weekend, and I got to see him on Saturday.  We spent an hour or so sitting around and just talking, and it was great.  I'm very thankful God watched over him and kept him safe.  His unit encountered Taliban forces 41 times, and he was part of about 35 of those encounters, so God definitely saw to him.

5.  My reading life is hectic.  I'm listening to an audio book at work (Terry Brooks' Bearers of the Black Staff), and nearly finished.  I'm finally reading a STAR WARS book that I've been waitlisted on for a while.  I also checked out Joe Abercrombie's The Heroes (so many great reviews already) yesterday, which was purchased by my request to the library.  I really want to start this soon, as I won't be able to renew it, since its waitlist is already growing.  And then I'm reading an unpublished manuscript for someone, which has been quite enjoyable so far, and I'm about halfway through that.  And then there's the smattering of graphic novels and comics I need to read and return.  (Oh, and let's not even consider the time I'm spending playing Dead Space 2.)  All of this on my plate and knowing Pat Rothfuss' The Wise Man's Fear will be shipped to my house come early March.  So much to read...

6.  As for Dead Space 2, it's been phenomenal.  It's captured all of the terror and features of gameplay the first one had and upped the graphics and added better controls.  The plot has been crazy; the necromorphs plentiful; the fear tense.  I've only got a chapter or two left before I beat the game, and I've really enjoyed this play through.

7.  We watched two James Bond films over the weekend: Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.  Neither Keisha nor myself have seen much (or any) of Bond, but we both liked these movies.  Daniel Craig does great, and I'm looking forward to diving into more Bond, especially adding the older ones onto my Netflix queue.

8.  So much going on in life right now that there's no way I could cover it all.  At times I'm stressed.  Other times I'm amazed.  Sometimes I'm sickened and dismayed.  Through it all I look to Jesus and try to live like Him.  I fail, I know, but I try.

For Veterans Day 2010

For Veterans Day today, I'd like to bring attention to my brother, Jake, who is currently serving over in Afghanistan.  My brother has been written about every so often here on Rememorandom (here), and its no secret that I love and respect him tremendously.  He's about fourteen months younger than me and has been in the military since he was eligible, which was around six years ago or so.  Jake is not only active in the national guard, but he also works at the local outpost, doing mechanical stuff on trucks and whatnot. 

His first son, Ian, was born in the fall of 09.  Come January of 2010, he was to deploy for his second tour, this one in Afghanistan instead of Iraq.  He would be gone for a year or so, with one brief stint of R&R break.  This time around, Jake's doing stuff with military escorts and is on the road most of the time.  (I think this makes me even more nervous than when he was in Iraq, but then again, I try not to think about it much.)  He's scheduled to come home in January or March, and I pray for his safe return.

Brother, thank you for serving our country.  Thank you for going where so many will not.  I'm sorry that you've had to miss your so many of your son's Firsts.  I'm thankful that there are people like you willing to give whatever is called for for the US.  And to all the other veterans out there, you have my eternal gratitude. 

A Touch of Melancholy

It's bittersweet.  The song below is haunting, truly, and brings with it feelings of death and memories buried.  But on the same hand there's something beautiful about its sound, like it reaches into your soul and commands you to listen, despite the grim words.  In the end, all shall fade, so it goes.  It fits my mood, I think.

While the song is originally sung by Pippin in The Return of the King, in the scene where Faramir rushes out to die to please his crazy old man Denethor, the version below is a beautiful cover.  I'm not sure how many times I've listened to it, but it keeps pulling me back.  Give it a listen, not just a simple "play."  Close your eyes for the minute and absorb the song, feel its tug on you.  Let the singer weave a spell on your ears.  Go on.  Try to resist.

Home is behind, the world ahead,

And there are many paths to tread,

Through shadow to the edge of night,

Until the stars are all alight.

Mist and shadow, Cloud and shade

All shall fade,

all shall fade.

Not only does the soundtrack nearly move me to tears on a few selections, it's appropriate for today.  Like the deep loss and sadness that spreads across Middle Earth, plenty of folks die here for no good reason.  Famine and hunger.  Murders.  It's disgusting how little we do.

My brother is going back to Afghanistan today to finish out his tour.  The fifteen days he's been home now seem short, and I wish he didn't have to return.  I saw him three times in the fifteen days.  Once at Ian's birthday party, once at mom's for supper one night, and then on Tuesday night.  We sat around talking for an hour or so, and it felt good.  It didn't strike me until later that I didn't hug him bye.  Just told him I told him I loved him and to be careful.  I can only pray for his safety.

On the brighter side, the tennis tournament begins tonight, followed by tomorrow morning's disc golf scramble and then another round in the tourney.  Should be a thoroughly exhausting weekend.

Home From Afghanistan (At Least for Now)

Some of you may be aware that I have a younger brother that was deployed to Afghanistan back in January.  Jake, and his wife Courtney, had their first son (Ian) back in August, and Jake’s leaving this time around was sadder than before.  But off he went for a year long tour, driving some kind of big truck and doing armed escorts or something of the like.  It’s dangerous, being out on the road and susceptible to IEDs or road-side bombs, and I’ve prayed for him a lot.

Yesterday was Ian’s first birthday and Courtney was having a party for him.  Jake was scheduled to have a 2-week R&R time some time in August, but the exact dates were never really clear.  We first thought he’d be in for Ian’s party, and then he said it’d be later in the month, and then it was possible again.  Eventually, and to everybody’s surprise, Jake landed back in America yesterday morning.  Courtney drove to the airport and picked him up, and Jake made it home for Ian’s first birthday.

Seeing my brother again was nice.  We’ve grown apart a bit as we’ve aged, but I still feel close.  And knowing that he was safe and out of a war zone eases that subconscious stress that lingers.  I believe he’ll be out of Afghanistan for 25 days, but I’m not sure.  He said the temperature was miserable, that they were constantly drenched in sweat, waking up at midnight covered in perspiration.  And he comes home to a record heat-wave in Kentucky, where the heat index yesterday reached 119*F.  Still, from time to time there was a breeze and shade.  He did say, however, that the food over there was top quality and he was eating good.  Lots of down time, though.  Lots of boredom.  Lots of reading.  I suppose that’s better than the flip side.

The party was fun.  Ian got a lot of presents and played with the water-based and bubble-based ones outside.  Watching my only nephew makes me happy.  The boy is cute and all smiles, and he reminds me a lot of myself and how I looked when I was a wee lad.  One of these days Keisha and I will get around to having a baby, and I’m getting more excited about that with every child I’m around.  One of these days…  For now we already have our two babies.

So I’m glad my brother’s home now, even though I probably won’t be seeing him again until next week some time.  The rafting/camping trip will keep me away, and my Monday night tennis league will keep me tied up early next week.

A Memorial Day Well Spent

Memorial Day is a special holiday to me for two reasons.  First, my brother is in the army, currently serving on his second tour, this time in Afghanistan.  His job is dangerous (though he assures us that it’s not really that bad), as he is constantly on the road, driving as an armed escort to and from places.  This puts him in harm’s way more than I like to think.  Thankfully, he’s never had any problems, and prayerfully, he never will.  He will be returning to the States for a two week R&R in August, and then ending his tour next January or March.

The second reason Memorial Day is special is really more of a bittersweet reason.  Keisha’s dad passed away shortly after we started dating.  She was sixteen.  I was a freshman in college.  I remember getting that frantic phone call and I dropped everything and sped home, making the two hour trip in almost half the time.  The loss of her father was life-changing for her and her family.  Keisha still struggles from time to time with it, and it’s painful to go through something like that. 

On Memorial Day, I think about these things.  I remember the people that have given up their lives for our country.  I thank God that we live in a place where we do have freedom.  And even though we like to complain and bicker and argue over our rights, at the end of the day, our country is still far better off than many other places in the world.  I also like to remember the loved ones that have gone on.  Many of them are in a better place, and these thoughts are things that truly bring a smile to my face.

Yesterday, on Memorial Day, Keisha and I got up early and drove to a flea market.  We spent the surprisingly cool morning shopping around for deals and bargains (I bought Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box for fifty cents! and Fallout3 for $15!).  We enjoyed just looking at the odd things people try to sell.  We enjoyed our time there, and afterwards we went to Keisha’s mom’s house to spend some time at home.

Keisha is teaching a VBS class next week, and the theme is western.  Keisha grew up with horses, though the desire to ride them stagnated after her dad’s death.  He was going up to the barn to shoe some horses, and on his way there, he had a heart attack and collapsed near the barn.  The horses were kept up until just a few weeks ago, when they finally were sold.  I went to help Keisha get some saddles and other things from the tack room.  The room was dark, dusty, musty, dirty, and all-out undesirable.  I bravely ventured inside, armed with a pitchfork, and slowly procured the few things she wanted.  After all was removed, we headed down to sit under a shade tree and clean the stuff.  It took all afternoon, wiping down and oiling the leather saddles, washing away years of dust and grime.

The whole time, I’m sure Keisha was thinking of things years back, when things were simpler and life hadn’t yet been disrupted.  I know I was.  I would do anything to be able to have her dad back, but I know there’s nothing I can do.  Hope for the future is the only reassurance I can offer her, a faith that promises a reunion in heaven.

At the end of the day, we were both exhausted and filthy.  Memorial Day was filled with a business that wasn’t restful, but at the same time, it was fun to be home with family.  It was nice to work outside on things.  It’s easy to see that life slows down in the country, and this is one of the things I love about where I grew up.  Rural life is more pleasant than I can describe, and simplicity really does rule the day.  While I don’t consider my current home to be rural, ultimately Keisha and I both want to move back to the country. 

Once again, I want to thank all of the men and women who have served our country.  They deserve honor and recognition for what they do.  I, for one, will never slight them, and I pray you never will, either.  And for those who have lost loved ones, I offer you my condolences.  I truly believe God knows best, and that’s a faith I will die believing.

About Writing

Most of you know that I like to write.  Heck, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be blogging five days a week.  I don’t really consider myself a writer, but at the same time I do, too.  And like most writers, I hope to have something published one day, but that’s not my driving factor for why I do it.  No, I write because I have to.

Growing up an artist (another term I use loosely), I had a creative group of genes within me.  Coupling that with my love for the written word, it’s no wonder I like writing.  (Plus, grammar is a beautiful thing.)  It’s just another way for self-expression and artistic endeavors, and we all like to express ourselves.

I’ve been working on The Absurdly Epic Tragedy of Oscambria since last August-ish.  As for the actual writing, the story is still chugging along, but at a slower pace.  I’m not enjoying myself as much as I was when I started.  Fortunately, I like where the tale is heading.  It’s difficult for me to find the appropriate balance for absurdity.  The ending’s been finished for a while, and I’ve got a few scenes ahead written, too.  Currently, I’ve written over 30,000 words, but this includes my plot outline and writing notes/references, too. 

Really, the point of the exercise is to write and finish a complete story.  So many times I start a story, really enjoying it.  Then, I’ll think of another idea I want to explore, but it won’t fit nicely into my current work-in-progress, so I switch over to a new story, leaving behind the scraps and unfinished work.  With my Writing Wednesdays posts, I feel a little responsibility that keeps me motivated to write when I don’t want to or don’t have time to.  The stuff I put out on Wednesdays is rough, largely un-edited, and sometimes just plain horrible.  But I like to keep the NaNoWriMo mindset: first, just finish the thing, then go back for editing and revisions later.

Another thing that’s actually helped me for this story is that I’ve used an outline.  Rarely do I write outlines and plan ahead.  I’m one of those “off the cuff” writers, spewing forth whatever comes.  Sometimes this works.  Other times, not so much.  But I’ve found that having written an outline really does keep me focused on where I’m going.  It’s not rigid and concrete, but it’s a great tool.

Fellow blogger Okie has started a Wednesday Writing session on his blog this week.  The first piece (found here), titled “The Magazine Salesman,” was exceptional.  Vividly written.  Intriguing plot.  Great little short-story that I heartily recommend.  Be sure to check out his blog while you’re at it.

Random Bits & Pieces

Keisha’s sick.  She went to the Urgent Care place on Tuesday, they gave her some prescriptions for ear infections, she didn’t get any better, she went back yesterday, they gave her three more prescriptions, and now she’s at home lying in the bed in agony.  She’s only allowed to miss one day student teaching.  Today is her fourth (I think).  Both ears are infected.

I came across this amazing artist the other day while doing something on the Interwebs.  (There’s really no reason for me to justify it, nor can I explain myself.  It’s like the Wikipedia curse.  You go to read one article about something or someone (Kevin Bacon, say) and end up reading an interesting piece on thermonuclear reactions.  That’s how the Interwebs work.  It’s a mindless, sucking hole.  We’ve all arrived somewhere and don’t know how or why.)  Alexa Meade is a 23-year-old artist in the DC area.  Awesome stuff.  She stretches the boundaries of perception, and her medium is pretty cool: Acrylic on flesh.  Check out her website here.  (You really should follow the link.  I can’t post any of her work here, but it’s mind blowing and totally cool.)

I can’t get Led Zeppelin out of my head.  Babe…  ooh Baby… 

This was a smart and clever little video.  I laughed.

My brother called me the other day.  He was heading towards the Statue of Liberty.  The Army took a trip to Ground Zero and then they had some free time.  It was nice talking to him.  He’s been stationed in New Jersey for the past two months, training and preparing for his trip to Afghanistan.  He actually headed out yesterday for Ireland, and then he’ll be in the fray just a few days later.  I’ll say thankee sai for any prayers you spare him.

Babe Babe Babe Babe Babe Babe Babe Babe ooh Baby…  I’m gonna leave you…

Happy Weekend everybody.  Looks like it’s gonna be a beauty here in Kentucky. 

On Posting, Commenting, Google Reader, Diet Mt. Dew, Pat Rothfuss, Windows Live Writer, Previews, and Bad News

Two days ago I mentioned that I intended to post more about why I blog, expounding more on the history of this blog.  Since then, I remembered that I’ve posted about that once or twice in the past, and I feel that these are excellent posts if you’re wanting to know more about the Why and What of Rememorandom.  In fact, I don’t really have much more to offer to these past posts other than I enjoy the community and company of my fellow bloggers (both readers and posters). 

I’m a big fan of the commenting part of blogging.  I typically subscribe to comments via email and I enjoy reading the reactions of other folks, to see other opinions opined.  When I get comments here at my blog, I attempt to comment back, in part to let folks know I’ve read it, and in part to carry on a (slow and often short) conversation.  (It’s like email.  If someone sends me an email, I usually attempt to respond to let the sender know I received it and have read it.)

But I really like reading other blogs, too.  The blogosphere is a continually growing world, and there are so many I enjoy that I think I’d be lost without Google Reader.  It’s no secret that I love Google and it’s products (yes, I’ve been using Chrome as my browser for a few months), and naturally I use Reader to manage my subscriptions.  I’m not completely sure I’m sharing notes and stuff correctly with my Google Friends, but I’ve got the subscription thing down.  If you need help managing your many blogs you read, I’d recommend trying out Reader (if you don’t already).

There’s no easy way to transition from Google Reader into writing on Diet Mt. Dew.  On most mornings, on my way to work, I stop by a gas station and get a refill on my 44oz cup for $1.05.  This is a fair price for 44oz of delicious fountain-tapped Diet Mt. Dew.  My transition to the world of DIET soda was pretty smooth, and now I can honestly say I prefer the taste of DIET Coke (not Pepsi) and DIET Mt. Dew to their non-diet counterparts.

As most of you are probably aware, Pat Rothfuss has posted up on his blog a raffle for a chance to get your name into The Wise Man’s Fear.  It’s really a pretty simple, straight-forward process.  I’ll be mailing in my check and stuff within the week hopefully.  And if you don’t know who Pat Rothfuss is, please leave my blog immediately, go to Borders (or B&N or BAM or your local bookstore) and buy the paperback copy of The Name of the Wind.  Or, if you’re too lazy (or cheap), send me an email and I’ll mail you a copy.  I keep two or three paperback copies to give to unsuspecting folk…

Last week, Shellie suggested I try out Windows Live Writer, and I’m proud to say that I love it.  The interface is simple.  The problems I occasionally encountered with HTML and things are all but gone.  The only qualms I have with it is that I have to double space between paragraphs and that I can’t use my Blogger Labels.  I can’t fix the double space thing, but I can go in and edit the Labels after I publish my post.  So if you have any problems using your blogger, try the Windows Live Writer.  You can download it (for free) here.

I’m reading through the entire epic of Y: The Last Man right now, and it’s pretty good so far.  30 Rock starts back up tonight, and Flash Forward comes on, too.  I’ve been savoring and taking my time for Joe Abercrombie, but The Last Argument of Kings is coming up next.

And now the bad news.  You may or may not be aware of this, but I have a brother named Jake.  I did a 3 part post series on our relationship and my love for him back in February (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).  He’s in the Army.  He served in Iraq for a year or so a year or so back, and since he’s returned he’s had a baby (just born back in August).  Turns out, he’s going to be going to Afghanistan in January and he’ll be gone for a year or so, this time driving a truck or something.  Needless to say, it’s stressful, and I ask for you to all pray for his safety.

That’s it for today.  A lot of stuff.  Now, it’s time for a crossword puzzle…

Brothers: Conclusion (And Something Else)

I sat out to write a piece on brothers and our relationships. In actuality I think I've just written down some of my memories about my childhood and growing up with a brother. What have I learned?

I have always thanked God for my family, and I still do. We might have argued and bickered some, but there was always the omnipresent love. That love is still there, and that love will always be there.

I enjoyed my childhood tremendously. I have friends that will be friends for a lifetime. I found my wife within a few miles from where I grew up, even. I have a community I will always call home.

In short, my friends and family are cherished, and I feel honored to call them friends and family. This series has been scattered and really more for me than anything else, but I felt the need to do it. It's like my mind flickers from thing to thing so fast that I don't have time to sit down and actually focus and think on past experiences. My typical day for the past four years has been do homework and study mostly, and this leaves little room for thought and reflection.

To be fair to the title, my brother Jake is a great brother. If ever he reads this, I want him to know how much he means to me and how much I respect him. I love my stepbrother, Adam, too, and I also have tremendous respect for him. Thanks for all the good memory's to you.

*****

There you have it. Scattered memory flashes, focusing on my childhood. It's been a thoughtful process for me, and reading back I think my organization is amiss. Oh well. In other news, I went to a concert today, the Sparrow Quartet, a group of two banjos (one of which is played by the world famous Bela Fleck), a cello, and a fiddle (or violin for those of you that are inclined to think that way). The concert left me feeling a bit inspired, as all concerts seem to do, and I really want to grab my mandolin and guitar and start playing, but unfortunately I'll be chained to the table tonight working on homework.

Brothers: Part Two

As I said in my post yesterday, my brother in a member of the Army. He joined the National Guard when he was seventeen, did boot camp the summer of his junior year in high school, graduated high school and went straight to his training at eighteen. He's now twenty-one, soon to be twenty-two, married, and expecting his first child soon. He bough his first house a few months ago, and Keisha and I were a bit jealous of their beautiful home.

Jake was asked to be my best man for my wedding, but he was going to be out of the country at the time. In fact, he was going to be twelve miles from Baghdad serving his country. At our wedding we decided to group everyone together and hold signs saying "We Miss You," get a few pictures, and send one to Iraq. We communicated through email and phone calls, both of which were very sporadic.

Now we don't seem to see each other except for holidays. We talk on the phone for a few minutes every once in a while, and the same is true for him and mom, too. The point in people's lives where they become completely independent is a great point, but it also is a sad stage, too. Like Holden Caulfield, we all step out into society and face disillusionment. As we get older we think back to when we were young and wish we could go back to better times. We look back at our past when things were easier and less complicated, when we had no burdens, when our only worries were what color popsicle to choose.

I think back to when I was little and me and Jake and Mom would get in the car and go to Sonic for drinks. We didn't have much money, but we had enough to get treats and enjoy our time together. We were raised in church, thus we spent Sunday's and Wednesday's there. We spent most of our time together and shared the same friends, most of whom were family or church family.

This same group of friends--Me, Jake, Chris, Jordan, Adam, Spenser, Nick--spent a lot of time together, playing tennis between church services, going camping many nights during the summer. Once we got in high school, William and Adam Graham became my best friends (and they still both are two of my best), and our normal group expanded. Still we all went camping together, and we all loved to burn stuff.

Friends, like brothers, are something to thank God for. I think back to when we were younger and those times we all shared together, and again it makes me a bit nostalgic. I don't want to go back in time, however; I want to continue our friendships into the future. I want to hang out with these same folks when I'm fifty, still camping and still playing tennis. Sadly, though, my brother doesn't seem to be hanging out with the group much anymore. And this sucks because the group does not get together much anymore.

A big part of this is because of the Army. Jake is so busy with the Army that he does not have the time to hang out with us, or he's busy working and can't. I have respect for the Armed Forces, but I do wish I could have my brother back sometimes. Again, like Holden Caulfield, my brother served in Iraq, and I'm sure he saw things he would rather have not. The horrors and effects of war are not envied, and I do not wish them on anyone, especially not my brother.

I want to extend a "Thank You" to all of our brothers in the Armed Forces out there. Those of you that serve our country, we would not be where we are today without you. You will always have my respect, support, and appreciation. May God bless you.

Brothers: Part One

This is the first part of a brief series on brothers. I will explore the fraternal relationship through personal experiences. This is written mostly for me, but you may learn and love, too.

I have two brothers. Jake, my blood brother, is one year and fifty-four days younger than I am. Adam, my step-brother, is a few years older than me. Jake and I have been close our whole lives. We both look alike, and because of our closeness in age, we were each others' best friend. Needless to say, we have always loved each other dearly.

There is something about brothers, particularly young brothers, that want to get into trouble. Being the elder brother, I was usually the one punished more severely, though I like to think I was being protective. One time when we were around 5-6 years old we got caught playing with fire under the bed. We lighting things on fire and watching them burn, awed and amazed. That was the only time I was ever whipped by my Uncle Brian. Suffice it to say it was not pleasant.

Me and Jake would ride our bikes to town and we had our own code language for staying safe on the roads. A "Code Red" was a car coming from in front of us, and a "Code Blue" was a car coming from behind. We would ride around and yell out our Codes, and we were always safe.

We spent many hours in the woods behind our home. We would choreograph lightsaber battles and perform them to our mom. We would dig holes. Giant, monstrous holes. One measured 10'x6'x4', and it was all dug with a shovel. That was our burning pit. We blew up everything we could there. We built a two story structure out of our neighbor's surplus timber (he owned a saw mill) and burned it to the ground.

It may seem that my brother and I were just mischievous pyromaniacs, but that's not entirely representative. We were both actually good kids. We had a good name in the community, especially once we got old enough to work in the tobacco, hay, and straw fields.

Me and Jake have always been close. Once I went to college, though, our relationship faded a bit. We were 120 miles away, and I had a girlfriend, now my wife, that I was infatuated with. Jake, too, was busy, and so our time together was not as much. I miss our closeness, and if I think about it too much I get a little emotional. I cannot describe how much I love my brother, but I would do anything for him. As the older brother, I think it is my responsibility to look after him, but I'm pretty sure he could take me any time he wanted. He has always been stronger and a smidgen taller.

There is a distance between us now, but it comes from me being in college for 5 years straight and Jake being in the Army since he turned 17. I wish we had the opportunity to hang out and play Nintendo like we used to, to go camping back in the woods, to go to the movies, to stay up and watch tv until 4 in the morning. I hope that in the very near future we are able to get together more and do stuff like brothers should.

Brothers are more than blood related kin. Brothers are more than best friends, even. A brother is someone you grow to love, respect, and worry about, someone you can spend time with easily, and someone you enjoy being around. If you have someone like this in your life, thank God for this person and spend time together.

The Story and the Moral

The story: There were once three brothers: Abe, Ben, and Chad. Two of them smiled all the time, and one was a sour-puss. Two of them were over six feet tall and one of them wasn't. Two of them had beautiful wives and one of them wasn't interested in love. Two of them personally had their own refrigerators and the other had to share one with his best friend. At least two of them were born before 1981, and one definitely was. Two of them could literally swim the English Channel faster than they could boat across, and the other was scared of water. One had dull eyes, one had blue eyes, and one wore colored contacts and so no one knew what color his eyes were.

Anyway, one day, these brothers decided to go on a hiking trip. They all met at the crossroads, embraced as brothers do, and set off. One of them complained the whole time, but the other two had a great time. One of them forgot to wear sunscreen and he burnt, but the other two didn't. One of them had recently had surgery and so he had a little trouble maneuvering the trails, but the other two got along just fine.

Once they made it to the top of their mountain there was a waterfall. At its base there was a big beautiful clear reservoir from the falls. One of the brothers took a picture of it, but the other two forgot their cameras. One of them called his wife and told her about it, one of them still didn't have a wife, and the other one didn't get any reception.

The Moral: Three brothers hiked up a mountain and all three peed in the water. It's that simple.