It's late...no, it's early

And I can't seem to sleep. Yes, I know we gained an hour tonight, and I would normally be spending that additional quality time with my pillow. But I just can't sleep. No idea why. I've got 100 things running through my head right now. Most of them are really good. They make me almost giddy, in a way. I'm not complaining - but I'm sure by the time this evening rolls around, and I've put in a few hours of work, a few hours of play, and a few hours of study, I'll likely be dying to get back to my bed.

I worked last night as well. It went really well, actually. I used to think it was almost silly to pray about work, in a way. But God probably thinks I'm silly in general, so why not leverage that!? He blessed that time, and I'm praying that He does so later this morning as well.

After work last night, I contemplated running up to the neighborhood coffee shop, reading, and chilling out with some decaf. But upon returning to my abode, my couch and my DVR were looking mighty good. So I watched Gilmore Girls - it made me laugh. Then I started to watch Alias. Wow. It made me laugh, too. Unfortunately, the writers probably didn't intend that. I haven't finished the episode, but can't wait for the comedy to continue.

Of the brief moments I did see, this had to be my favorite line:

(read it with a gruff voice and squinted eyes, as you pretend to be a super-secret-under-cover CIA agent who is "really tough")

"My mother always said, if somebody was worth shooting once, they were worth shooting twice."

Ok - please tell me that at least made you smirk. It made me and my roommate laugh out loud. J.J. - is this the best you've got? Ugh!

The sweet stuff

If you will recall in my previous post, from time to time I enjoy a good chocolate. And once again, Dove has come through with flying colors. The messages this time even prompted me to note that I was starting to prefer these little delectable bites more than the (in)famous fortune cookie (which I have been known to consume in mass quantities).

Words of wisdom for Tuesday:

"Don't think about it so much."
"Laugh uncontrollably...it clears the mind."

So applicable on so many levels. There have been several circumstances recently that, upon reflection, cause me to laugh uncontrollably. There's nothing better than sitting in the middle of a meeting you're running, recalling a recent humorous event, and then just breaking out the biggest smirk on your face as you fight back the growing desire to just lose it altogether. I'm glad I have co-workers who can laugh with me. Ok, sometimes they laugh at me, but what do I care.

And about not "thinking about it so much," I think we can all take that to heart. Again, there have been several circumstances lately that have just sent my mind spinning (yes, some of these circumstances are related to those that make me laugh uncontrollably, but I digress). The mind is a funny thing, my friends. Best of luck taming it this week....

Trapped, but not for long

This psalm was in my head today. I'm stuck in cubicle land for a few more hours, but I literally cannot wait to get outside, take my shoes off, squint my eyes into the sun and feel the breeze. I don't know where I'm going after I get "off work" but I know that it will likely include a caffeinated beverage, a book, and wireless internet access.

And given this town, that only limits my options to about 50 different places. Love it!

This weekend is packed full of good things, and I'm really looking forward to it. I hope you're looking forward to your weekend as well. Enjoy the outdoors and the God who made it!

Star Performer

This man is the bane of my Cranium existence. Who the heck knows how to impersonate W.C. Fields?! Especially at 1AM? It's ok, I'm over it. Kice and I won anyways. Yay!

After reading more about him, I'm kind of glad I wasn't able to impersonate Mr. Fields.

Notable Quotes:

• A thing worth having is a thing worth cheating for.
• I am free of all prejudice - I hate everyone equally.
• I never vote for anyone, I always vote against.
• Start off every day with a smile and get it over with.

Interesting stuff....

Is this thing on?

Says Kim to her email. I keep hitting "refresh" and nothing is happening. It's like those sad 80's movies, where someone is waiting for a phone call, and they call the operator to make sure their phone is still working. And we all know that the phone is still working. It's the poor sap who's waiting for a call - they're the ones that need fixing.

Well, I'm pretty sure the internet is still functioning properly, but sometimes I'm doubtful about my own mind. Waiting is hard, but good. Not that I even know what I'm waiting for, I just know that I'm waiting. I have not been cleared for landing, nor have all the tray tables been placed in their upright and locked position. Ugh.

But seriously, I'll rest easy tonight on my new featherbed, while the chilly autumn air settles outside of my window. Yes, I said chilly. And yes, I know it was seriously only about 70 degrees today. But I shivered at least 3 times, and I attribute that to the "cold Canadian air" that has descended upon Central Texas.

To be completely honest here, I actually turned on the heater in my car today. I'm such a wimp......

In memory of Mr. Buchholtz

Mr. Buchholtz passed away a few weeks ago. I found that out today. He was my 10th grade Sunday school director. I had just spoken with him a few weeks back, as he and his family had contacted me about donating a table to Houses to Homes. As always, he was chipper, upbeat, and friendly.

He wasn't home when we came by to do the pick-up, but his sweet wife Bonnie was. She was just returning from getting some ice cream, and was as cheerful as ever. They wanted the table to go to someone in need. And that it did. It's at home in a house on 14th street.

Bill and Bonnie were constant fixtures in our youth group growing up. They made 10th grade bearable. Even if they didn't know you that well, you still felt like part of the family. Mr. Buchholtz always went out of his way to ensure that everyone felt included - that everyone felt loved.

To read more about this dear man, and the incredible life he led, please read here. And please be praying for Bonnie and the kids. Experiencing a loss like this is inexplicable. But so is God's peace. My prayer for them is that they would know His peace in ways that words can't describe.

Pray for me, if you get this in time

I'm about 15 minutes away from going running. Yep, running. And no, nothing is chasing me. Except for the curly-haired girl scout friend of mine who is training for a 10 mile run.

Why am I running? To encourage her - or at least that's the hope. She may well wind up reviving me from unconsciousness half way through our route, but that's another story for another time. I figure it might do her good to run with someone that's she's scores better than. And that "someone" is yours truly.

So anyways, it's 6:30 in the morning, and I'm lacing up my shoes to go out and run. I think I've lost it. I think the stresses of the recent weeks are finally all piling up and driving me to these insane measures. Wish me luck.