I Am An Old Man

O.K... that title is exaggerated. I am not an old man... I did just have a birthday though... so age is on my mind.

It's weird. When you're a kid, you think 18 year olds have it made... They can drive, grow a beard, watch the movie Spawn, have a girlfriend AND eat whatever they want. THAT is the life!

I've been over 18 for years... and still have never seen Spawn (and don't plan to!), can't grow a beard (and don't want to) don't have a girlfriend and try to eat healthy foods (with the occasional dash of ice cream... Seriously ice cream is awesome...).

None of those things are what they seemed at first glance. Well... I can't speak for the girlfriend thing...

However, I have found other things that I love. Working isn't as awful as it sounds as a kid... it's actually fun! Board games with friends are great. Playing on a worship team is awesome! Watching movies and getting caught up in the characters and stories is an experience unparalleled... so is making those stories for other people!

The things I thought would matter... didn't. It's all the unexpected and unforeseen things that have proven to make "growing up" great!

The best part is it hasn't stopped!

Buying a house, getting a girlfriend (or even a wife), career choices, car choices and maybe even kids... all of those are things that could very well happen in the next 10 years. And you know what? I feel like an 8 year old excited for that future.

But I have something going for me thing time that I didn't before. I'm excited for the obvious... but I know that none of those above things will be as good or bad as I expect them to be. They will be different. And that is why I am excited. I KNOW there will be surprises. Some good, some bad, but all of them unexpected and exciting.

That's what makes life so cool to me. So worth living. The surprises, the unexpected and the mundane. It all mixes together into this weird potpourri. It doesn't always smell great, but when it does, it was worth the stink!

I can't wait to see what's around the next corner.

My 2016 Goals

I meant to have this posted a week after December 31... whoops!

I don't make resolutions at New Years. Too much pressure. I make goals. LOTS. This year I have 25. I know, that seems like a lot. But, I figure if I only accomplish 15, that's 10 more than I would have pulled off had it been 5 goals.

So far it's going o.k. Some of them can't be done during the winter, so they are on the back burner. Others involve me being in a creative mood... which hasn't happened this week. Hopefully next week!

I have 3 goals that are really important to me. These are the ones that I have to do by Dec 31 next year. Here they are!

1. - Read 5 Books
The number of books is pretty low... but I also wanted to give myself some grace. The idea with this goal is to read more. I used to read all the time when I was growing up. Loved it! However, I've slacked off recently. I figure by the time I get 5 books read, I will have a routine in place and be able to double it by year's end. I have read a book and a half so far. It's good to be back!

2. - Improve Devotion Time
I'm usually pretty good to make time for devos... but I admit I slacked a lot in the latter half of 2015. I got busy... and allowed devos to suffer... So far I haven't missed a day (including Saturdays, which is something I've never done before!)

3. - Exercise More
Man... this list is cliché... seriously though... Almost everything I love involves sitting. Watching movies, reading, work, editing video, gaming, board gaming, filming (sometimes... usually standing), guitar (again, I only stand when I'm not practising)... that's a lot of time in a chair. Add in the fact that I don't like sports and you can see why it's on the list!

So far number 3 has been the hardest. Mostly because it hurts... a lot... I like exercising... just hate what it does to your body!

What are your goals this year?

Surprises

I love a good surprise. Note I said good surprise.
Finding out I didn't pay my phone bill when I thought I had, isn't something I love to have happen.
Having something happen that causes joy, on the other hand. I'm all over that!

As much as I love to receive (good) surprises, I think I like to give them more. Putting loads and loads of planning and prep, dropping subtle clues and foreshadows to the soon to be surprise-e... it's a little too much fun!

A week ago today, I got to be part of a huge surprise. I didn't really do anything either. I just showed up!

Anthem for Today had a secret show at Unity Christian High in Barrie. The students thought they were going to a boring lecture or something and got hit with a rock show instead! The look on some of their faces was priceless. It was a mix of shock, awe and .... wah??? Where am I?

To commemorate the occasion, here's a quick video chronicling the adventure.



I can't wait to see these guys at Air Raid 22!