Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Reflections

From Wedding 2008


Good Morning everyone out there wherever you may dwell. Now that Nicole and I are a one vehicle family I am up early driving her to work. With a nice cup of joe this morning I was a little more aware than normal. Which is good because Nicole likes to "help" me drive sometimes and if I am grumpy its not pretty. On my way home I realized that this year is closing fast and what do I have to show for 363 or so days? Not sure on the leap year deal and right now I am too lazy to look it up.

First of all, the biggest highlight of my year was my amazing wedding on the beach in Jamaica. Just writing that sentence still gives me chills. Reason being is because for a short little fat guy from Kentucky it was something I would've never imagine being able to do. Not because of the cost, but moreover to find the perfect person to share it with, what a difference that makes. My best memory was our last night and me surprising Nicole with a candle light dinner on the beach. Her eyes lit up that night and her smile keep me warm. That is night I will never forget.

Another cool thing I discovered this year was cycling. As Nicole reads this I am sure she will be rolling her eyes. This is because I tend to jump into things head first. Cycling was no different, I bought a Trek bike and thought I was going to be riding everywhere in no time. Yeah, one problem with that, I am fat. Being fat may be fine for my old hobby of working on my Camaro, but as for cycling it is not a good attribute. So this year I need to remind myself, "Baby steps Bob."

Finally this year has allowed me to build lifetime memories with friends. One memory that stands out this year was a call I got from my friend Casey from the hospital at 3am shortly before he became a new father. The excitement in his voice was priceless. Then a few months later being asked to be the godfather to Lauren, what an honor. Also this year I have been able to reconnect with my old friends up north Andrea and Christian. You are good people and can't wait to see you guys this upcoming year.

So this year has been pretty robust. Can't wait to see what next year has to offer. Take sometime today to reflect on what this year has meant to you. Maybe it was uneventful for you or maybe it brought some big changes. Some say never look back, but sometimes its fun to see the road you have paved.

Happy New Years.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas




During the making of the animated Christmas classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz had a meeting with Lee Mendelson, the show’s producer, and Bill Melendez, its lead animator. The discussion concerned Schulz’s insistence about including a New Testament scripture reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. The scripture reading was to be spoken by Peanuts character Linus Van Pelt in response to Charlie Brown’s lament, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Mendelson and Melendez both voiced their concern about the reading, with Melendez telling Schulz, “It’s very dangerous for us to start talking about religion now.” Schulz answered him by saying, “Bill, if we don’t, who will?” In the end, the scripture reading was retained, and the CBS special was the second-most watched show of the week when it debuted on December 9, 1965.

Linus’ King James version scripture reading from Luke 2: 8-14, read:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

EverFast



So what can I say, when we arrived to the local mall this is what I saw one car spot over. My first reaction was only in Kentucky would someone consider mixing 180 proof alcohol and Slim Fast. I had to take a picture because I thought it would be fun to caption. I will go first:


"Looks like Grandma is mixing the Everclear in her Slim Fast again."

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Sh*tters Full

Blue Christmas

So its Christmas time and I am feeling kind of dismissed from it all. As I get older I seem to be losing the spirit of Christmas. I seem to be going through the motions of it all. Buying gifts, putting up lights and the tree, and doing the variety of Christmas activities. This year I find myself, more than ever, trying to ring out the last ounce of enjoyment of Christmas. Sometimes I sit quietly and try to remember of Christmas's past and seek enjoyment in those memories. Although I am worried that will grow dry and then where will I be? So do you feel like this? Probably not, I am unique in how I feel sometimes. Some one use to say to me,

"You have to just enjoys things for what they are, not what you think they should be."

That person was my Dad. I guess I need to listen to him.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Gift Giving

Hi everyone, how is everything going? For Nicole and I we are a little behind this year with putting up the tree and such. We plan on doing it this weekend among other Christmas related activities. By the way, it's Christmas for me. You can call it what you want. But that is a separate blog for a later date.

One of the activities this weekend for Nicole and I will be buying gifts for the lucky few that made our list. Sorry if you didn't make the list, if you received a Christmas card consider yourself lucky...lol. Anyway when Nicole and I look at our list we always have problems knowing what to buy for certain people. Normally its because how do you buy for someone who has everything?

With that said let me share you are a story that I heard a few days ago. A friend of mine knew someone who was playing Santa this year for a local community. He was telling me that about one particular little girl who had a very somber request when he asked, "What do you want for Christmas little girl?" Her response is something that makes me sit back and really bring things in focus for me. The little girl turned to him in her old dirty clothes and said, "I want a hamburger." When I hear that it makes me understand how out of touch I am with the basic need to give back.

So this Christmas when you are shopping for the person who has everything stop and consider the person who has nothing. Don't let Christmas get you frustrated and worried about that special gift. Because you can always donate or give in some one's name. Don't forget it may just be a hamburger that someone may need this Christmas.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

00000001

Jay Leno taking us for a ride in his new Corvette ZR1.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

I Am Mine


Hi everyone, I have noticed that a lot of people who keep up with this blog are close family and friends. That is great, and that is what I first intended it to be initially. Although lately I have seen that I have been getting hits from all across the world. Yeah I know... Maybe one day I will be in Denmark, one can only hope. With that in mind I realize that many people may not know much about their author so today I have decided to give you a brief bio. Goodness never done this really, just in interviews.

My name is Ken, and I hail from the red state of Kentucky, in a city called Hebron. In case you where wondering I do wear shoes and I don't date my sister. I am married to Nicole, the sweetest girl in the world. We do not, at the present moment, have any kids. We do have the craziest but coolest dog in the world, her name is Lucy. I am not really what you would call a savvy web guy but I am learning. I work at Signature Hardware which is a online website that sells decorative plumbing, hardware, lighting, and home and garden items. I know very exciting right. I know, I know... I am living the dream! I have some of the greatest friends on the earth and wouldn't trade them for anything. So as you can see I am pretty simple and well I don't mind it all

So what about you? Where are from? Are you just as boring? I would love to learn more about my readers. So post a comment or email me at durbin.ken@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from all of you. Take care and have a great day or night depending where you are.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Drove Here.... Made It!

I love that title, it is from a comedian named Tim Wilson. He starts with that line every time he does stand-up. I used that title because this week, was my first week back to the gym, and "I drove there and made it" myself. I find that the hardest part of my workout is not the hour long spinning class or the hour on the treadmill. Its the walk to my car and my drive to the gym. I find that once I am at the gym I am ready to go and energized about my workout.
So drive there and be proud of yourself for doing so.

LiveSTRONG.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Waves



Life is like a box of rocks, never easy to swallow or digest. I guess when you break it down into smaller pieces it can be tolerable but never easy. I know, not a good start, keep reading I promise I will ease up on the niceties. Again with the sarcasm, well get use to it, I make it a common practice here, feel free to join in. So where was I, all yeah life. Funny how I just drop it as just life, but when you say that word it means different things to everyone. For some it may be a nice life with a new someone or it can be a quick ending to something you thought would last forever. For me its neither. When I say life, I think of how things fall to together in a puzzle that you will never have a table big enough in your head to put together.


I find sometimes all of my worrying comes from realizing I may not know whats next. Will I be ready? Will I know what to do or say? Uncertainty, for many can be a constant struggle and stressor, or it can be a fun ride that you hope never ends. When I consider the unknown I try to stand brave and hope I am ready, but am I? Some say, "Life comes at you fast." Is that true? Or is it that we don't slow down enough to make sense of it all. Sometimes I wonder is this really how it was planned for me? Then I roll over and listen to Nicole sleep and close my eyes, slow down and smile because I realize the answer is yes. Yes this is the script, this is how its playing out. The funny part is twenty years ago you could have sat me down and asked me to imagine myself at my age and I would've never said this would be how it unfolded. For the longest time I would try to measure myself on stuff, cars, houses, and other worldly stuff. Now I try to measure it by smiles I see and the company I keep. If you take that to the bank I would be the richest man in town like George Baily.

So I am not going drop a, "I learned something today" line like the ending of a CBS after school special. What I will say is that sometimes you have to close your eyes and let the tide take you out to sea. Let the waves relax you instead of scare you to death. Know if life happens you can always count on yourself to know the way. In life make waves, and don't be afraid where they lead you. Because where you are going is right where you belong.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Rigging Up The Lights


- More cool how to projects

Fat Guy, Little Coat

This morning, very early, I took the first step in assuring that I will be ready for August and the Livestrong Challenge in Philly. Yes I am on a team called "Marlene's Misfits" in remembrance of my good friend Andrea's mother Marlene. I can't wait to get in shape and raise money to fight cancer. To learn more please visit her blog.

So when I got to the Ymca this morning I was very nervous and apprehensive about doing a group cycling class. But once I arrived in the cycle studio I was greeted with such warm faces. Nothing like getting support from people you don't know at 5:45am. The instructor said it would be best if I stayed in the saddle for the class since today was going to be pretty intense for a beginner. Its a good thing I heeded her advice because half way through I was feeling it pretty bad. As the pain set in I thought about all the people laying in a hospital wishing they could have the opportunity to ride a bike or exercise, but can't because they are dealing with cancer. I try to remind myself that the reason I ride is for them.

Wish me luck!