Kevin Smith - my guilty pleasure

Usually my posts tell a heart-warming story or shed light on a topic that means a lot to me but today I wanted to let you in on a personal secret of mine and clue my readers in on something that makes me ‘tick’. So the rest of this post will be me, geeking out about one of my guilty pleasures.



I have an addiction to a few SModcasts ( http://smodcast.com/ ) and even though I listen EVERY day at work I can’t seem to get enough. I was introduced to the Viewaskew universe early on in my college years through watching Kevin Smith’s movies; Chasing Amy, Clerks, Jersey Girl, and Mallrats (to name only a few). I quickly became a fan of Kevin Smith, the array of characters he created, and the team of people who he counts on for bringing his visions to life. I own his movies, have read his books, watched his Q & A’s and I listen to a wide array of SModcasts that are offered on the website.
 

As Scott Mosier puts it, “There are so many to choose from”; they have shows about hockey, Hollywood, drug rehabilitation, and relationships that stand the test of time.  All of the shows have just enough ‘geeky’ references, a huge helping of comedy, and the perfect amount of explicit topics to turn me red a few times a day.  I have four that are my favorites: SModcast (the one that started it all), Hollywood Babble-On, Jay and Silent Bob Get Old, and Plus One.  I have always been drawn to Smith’s candor, self-depreciating humor, and vast knowledge of the most obscure topics; and the shows never disappoint.  I have enjoyed getting to know Scott Mosier, Jason Mewes, and Jennifer Schwalbach as well as meeting new faces in the Smith world like the uber hilarious Ralph Garman.

So if you are prepared for laughter, can stand a FEW Star Wars references, enjoy the occasional impression, and have some kid-free time to kill, please don’t waste a second. Head on over to the SModcast website and find the show that is just right for you.


(Please keep in mind that these shows are EXPLICIT and not for everyone.)


Side bar: Smith has recently completed shooting his newest (and 1st ever) Horror flick, Red State. The movie will premiere in theaters October 19th but if that’s too long to wait, they are taking it ON THE ROAD! Go to http://coopersdell.com/ and see if the movie will be headed to your neck of the woods. So excited, can’t wait to see this one!


 

Wordless Wednesday - Pray for Egypt

being loved by her is inspiring...

It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the mundane details of my days and begin to loose perspective, it’s like I forget the things happen to other people.  When I am having a particularly self-pitying day I know that I can call my mom and within minutes she can have me grounded.  I have never met anyone else in the world that is that AWARE of others. 

I am not saying that the woman doesn’t ever throw her own occasional 20 minute pity parties but on the whole she knows what REAL problems are and when people need a safety net. A formally single working (2 jobs), school attending mother of a toddler always found a way to push herself just a bit more. Her life has been filled with hurdles, stints of time spent caring for ailing family members, and economic challenges. The strength that runs through her veins is astounding.


When she hears or witnesses a story she is affected, when she cares it is completely, and she loves totally. If she says that she’s praying for you, you can bet that the candles are burning and the rosary is smoking; you’ll cross her mind more frequently than she goes to the bathroom. There may be times when people take advantage of her loyalty and dedication; and there may be times when she is unable to say ‘no’; but there is something inspiring about people who knowingly put others before themselves.

From day to day it can be harder and harder to make the decision to roll out of bed and put both feet on the floor, these are the times I try my hardest to think like her.  I spend my shower time reflecting.  As I lather I think of each member of my family and my friends and try to recall something going on in their lives.  I think of school, illness, weather, pregnancies, financial woes, and mental anguish and I spend those minutes sending up prayers and considering ways I can lend a hand, shoulder, or ear.  I know over time I will become more ‘in-tune’ with the needs of those who I hold dearest and, one day I hope to hear Tarzan utter, “Gosh you sound just like your mother.”

'Taking care of business' kind of man...

Yesterday I was listening to a Chris Rock show (circa a long time ago) on my iPod and something he said really hit home: “Nobody ever thanks Daddy…I don’t mean your father, I mean the man who stays and takes care of his business…everybody thanks Mama for meals, love, and care but no one says, man I like having heat, thanks for knocking out that rent dad, I LOVE having lights…” Now I know we have Father’s Day but it’s not quite the same as saying, “thanks for choosing to wake-up EVERY day and go to work for me and my family”.

Now I, like most people in this world, had a biological father who loved my mother enough to bring me into this world but not enough to take care of his business. Almost 6 years later, I was truly blessed when God gave my mother and I both a loving man to join our family.
 

He is a man that takes CARE of his business; he worked the 3^rd shift because it paid more, he drove a P.O.S. so we could have 1 dependable car, and he was always there when the ‘better’ turned into worse and those are just a few examples.

He loved/loves us both, unconditionally.  I may not have his blood running through my veins but his love is a reason why I was able to find such a stable relationship on my own.  He gave me a reason to believe and fight for the love I deserve. 

In a world where ‘fathers’ can decide a situation is  not ideal  and run for the exit it is refreshing to find there are men like my father and step-father in-law  who not only care for other men’s children but love them and put their needs before their own.  Making a child does not make you a father nor does giving birth to a child make you a mother, any idiot can do that; I hear MTV has a show about it.  It is consciously choosing someone else’s well being before your own, loving someone more than you love yourself, and staying when the road gets rough.  Becoming a parent has not been as easy as I thought it would be; the journey has shed some light on some of the sacrifices that my daddy made for me and my mother and has shown me how much he really loves us.

The experience has also made me very thankful that I was able to find my own ‘taking care of business’ man, in Tarzan, and I make sure to let him know that I appreciate the choices he makes every day for our family.

W.O.M. Part 1 - Completed

I learned several things while I was in Texas with my bestie, the main thing being I need to get cracking on setting up that commune, little boys will have fun anywhere, and everything really is bigger in Texas.



Your spirit is bigger in Texas…

The kids are bigger in Texas…

Sometimes your hand is bigger in Texas…

Within 5 minutes of being in the same residence we were talking like we were 21 again, laughing at bad jokes, and unloading our troubles onto the table.  It was like no time had past since last we saw each other.  The difference was the loud noise coming from upstairs was from a gang of children and not unruly college girls.  We talked, laughed (a lot), cohabitated, and Melinda tried to kill me at the gym.  It was rejuvenating, cathartic, and relaxing.  It’s amazing how some people can be just the ‘shot in the arm’ that you need to put your nose to the grindstone and make some head way.   

The boys had fun learning, playing, and exploring together. They learned that even though they have different houses in different states they like the same toys, watch the same TV, and eat the same food. It was funny to hear their conversations on house rules, video game etiquette, and how one can be friends with both brothers. Although Cheetah couldn’t really get the hang of the ‘sleepover’ thing, I am sure Joe and Aaron can’t wait for his next visit.



Most importantly I was reminded of the place I hold in someone’s life, someone who is not a relative…someone who thoughtfully picked me to remain a fixture. I am so thankful for my family of friends and the village they provide for my family. I know that Cheetah enjoyed the camaraderie as well and is already planning his next trip to the Aquarium with his friends.

Looks like hearts grow bigger in Texas…

Wordless Wednesday - Oh how I need you!!!

Woman on a Mission - Part 1

Wanting make short work of my new year plans, I am diving right into my first “Woman on a Mission weekends. I am in need for a recharge and some laughs, great conversations, and hugs will be just the boost I need; plus I want to energize my bestie before the start of her next semester. I have my directions printed out and some great ideas for fun in my noggin.



This weekend Cheetah and I are going to a state he has never been to, spending some quality time with one of my ‘sisters’, and hanging-out with some of his ‘best friends’ for the whole weekend. He says that we are going to the best sleepover EVER and that he plans on not sleeping at all (GASP)…I am beginning to think I may need to invest in a tranq gun before heading out of town.

He is making all these plans; he has the pajamas he wants to bring picked out, the clothes that he wants to show to Joe and Aaron, and the toys he HAS to bring along.  It’s so good that he’s SO excited to be going on the adventure with me because I am counting down the days.  I am making all these plans: picking out my pajamas, bringing all these comfy clothes, and making mental notes on all the stuff I need to catch Melinda up on…happy is ‘catching’ and it seems that lameness may be hereditary. 

It’s always weird to me to think of myself in the role of parent, let alone my friends so I always find it fun to be around them with their children.  It’s neat to see how someone else does it all, what do they allow, what are the house rules, and how DO they keep things running so smoothly???   It’s helpful to get ideas in real life situations; and if anyone knows how to keep their calm while being fired a million questions it will be my friend, mother of 2 boys, Melinda.  I am sure when she reads this she will disagree but I’ve always seen her as one of the calmest people in my life, very grounded and aware of her decisions…a very ‘earthy’ mother. 

So I wait, anxiously for noon on Friday to come, as is Tarzan, I am sure. How quiet the jungle will be with his monkey and woman wreaking havoc somewhere else.