…and this is what these fancy colors said about me.

I have just spent the last three days in, easily, one of my most favorite places.

Back before Kristin and I moved to Tennessee, we were packed and ready to move to Portland, Oregon. There is something up here that fits us. I don’t know if it’s the laid back people, the amazing scenery, or the good strong coffee, but something keeps calling me here.

Just under two years ago, we had our entire house packed in boxes, and even had a house picked out just across the river from this amazing town… instead we headed east. Now, I’m not saying that I regret moving to Tennessee, after all, there has been so many amazing things that have happened there that I would never change. But this is the first time I have been back here since and still, a part of me still wishes we had made it here.

I was also able to see my best friend growing up, who I haven’t seen since I moved out to Nashville. We were able to catch up and had some good hang out time. I was also able to work on convincing him to move out near us. Although I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t want to leave here.

It’s been a great weekend, and someday we will make it back here. Who knows, maybe down the road, the cult-de-sac can retire here.

Here’s hoping.

I picked up a copy of “Jesus Of Suburbia: Have We Tamed The Son Of God To Fit Our Lifestyle” by Mike Erre, for our flight to Portland this weekend, but started it at the airport before our flight took off. The author starts the book by talking about the Christmas story, and though I had heard most of what he talked about, there was one section that stuck out to me.

A king is mentioned in Matthew, Herod the Great, called “King of the Jews”, was half Jewish and came from the region of Idumaea. The Jews hated him not only because he was aligned with Rome, but also because they viewed him as an illegitimate Jewish king. He was cruel and paranoid, always thinking that someone was out to take his throne, even to the point of killing one of his ten wives because he was jealous of her. He murdered three of his sons, and drowned one of his brother-in-laws. He caused the Jewish people to remain in poverty so he could build monuments to himself. When he was dying he ordered many elite Jews be held captive in Jericho, and murdered upon his death so there would be mourning in Israel that day, even if it wasn’t for him.

All of this is going on in Matthew, but the interesting part to me is that in Genesis 25, Rachel (Isaac’s wife) was told that the two sons in her womb will turn into two nations, that those nations will conflict with each other and the older will serve the younger. Esau was born first and was given his name because he was hairy. Elsewhere in the Bible he is called “Edom” which means red, for his thick red hair. Jacob, was the youngest and later was renamed Israel. Esau became the father of the Edomites and Jacob, the father of the Israelites.

When the word “Edom” is translated into Greek, it becomes the word “Idumaea”, so the Idumaeans were descendants of Esau. This is the important part… Herod was “half Jewish and came from the region of Idumaea”. That’s a big deal when we look at the Christmas story. The book says that some even think that Herod (the Edomite) would have been aware of the scriptures prophesies of a king coming out of Israel who will conquer the descendants of Esau, which proves his paranoia. That to me, is an interesting little piece of trivia. Nothing life-changing, just cool.

I will finish it this weekend and let you know how the rest of the book is. Right now I am at a Chili’s in the Phoenix airport waiting for our flight to Portland.

Brian, myself and another neighbor of ours went to see the new Transformers movie last night. I felt like I was in fifth grade all over again. The movie had it’s cheesy moments, but for the most part it was pretty amazing. It’s exactly what I want in a “toy cars, come to life and turn into robots that fight on our planet in an attempt to save the universe” type of movie. I probably got home too late, but didn’t have to worry about getting grounded.

Of corse, getting home late comes with it’s own consequence as an adult too. Shaun and I had to leave for Portland at 5:30 AM today. Now, I fly a lot, and almost inevitably there will be a time where I sit right behind the “flawed” seat on the plane that leans back so far that the guy in front of me is resting his hair in my mouth. I can’t lower my tray table, look at my computer, or even set my drink down, because for all he cares, we are cuddling. That coupled with not much sleep, was recipe for my amazing mood.

After some coffee and Chili’s things should be fine.

Oh yeah.. and Lee Greenwood was on our flight. He wasn’t the guy in front of me, but I think he’s still proud to be an American. His shirt was red.

Shaun lit Brian on fire during our Roman Candle fight…. it was awesome.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc]
(HT:NG)

Shaun talked about a movie this guy was in the other day and ever since we have been checking out everything he has ever done. There is something about the Indie Irish music that is unbelievably passionate and moving. Guys like Damien Rice, Fionn Regan, and this guy… Glen Hansard.

In a culture where two and a half minute pop songs reign, it’s nice to hear something with such emotion. This is easily my favorite style of music, and pretty much all music I wish I had written. Check some of these guys out.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZjCrZAqs8hY]

I married out of my league. Way out of my league. I don’t know how many times I have been asked, with great seriousness, “What does she see in you?”. And I will be honest. I don’t know. And I may never know. But I’m okay with it. It’s one of those things I just don’t need an explanation to. She likes me… I’ll take it.

Kristin is the most giving, loving, intelligent person I know. She is my best friend, an amazing mother, unbelievably beautiful, and kind. We have been married since she was nineteen, and it has been an amazing seven years watching her grow as a person and friend to me…not to mention put up with me. Today Kristin turns twenty-six. Happy Birthday Kristin.