just something

Well, I wanted to at least throw something up here to keep a couple of you coming back, so this will pretty much be about me.

I know stuff is not where true happiness lies and I dont want to inflate any materialism that I already have or you may struggle with, but, I thought I would reveal a few things that have been making me happy lately.

HONDA ELEMENT
Every morning I head out to the car and just smile that I get to ride to work in such a great ride. I love to look at it. I love to drive it. I love listening to XM radio. It is great fun for me. (the only thing I dont like is that it gets dirty, but cleaning it makes me happy).

FRUITY PEBBLES
Sometimes I just cant get enough of them. Now is one of those times.

LIFE SAVERS SHERBERT
There is this new brand of sherbert in the ice cream section of the store by Life Savers. It is a little different, but I think quite good.

(You only know this because I tell you, but I had to go away for a few minutes. My wife went to bed and the dog needed to go out. Upon his return to the living room, he decided he didnt want his dinner, or evening treat anymore. This doesnt really make me happy, but it's part of life I guess)

SEEING MY BREATH
Nature is pregnant with fall around here and one night last week I could see my breath when I took out the dog. Winter is coming, snowboarding is coming too.

RUNNING?
Yeah, well, it feels great to be done each day. I am running in the afternoons right now which suits me well. I am up to 4.5+ each day and it is no longer a total drain when I am done. I am on my way, I hope I can stay healthy enough to train fully for the half-marathon.

FANTASY FOOTBALL
I am having fun with it, though I have two teams, five games and only 1 win. I think we are setting up for a second half run, but we shall see.

PREACHING
Finally, I have preached several times in the past 3 weeks and have 2 more coming in th next two weeks. I am enjoying it and doing alright, or so they say. I love the storytelling aspect and the conveying of truth through interesting means. Maybe I will post something here sometime for you to listen to or read.

Well, thats all for now. Hope you are well and I brought a smile to you somehow.
peace
chris

about cars

I have the need to publish something on the lighter side of things so I thought I would present this article and propose the question to you that Phelan asks his readers. I am developing my own list, but want to see yours. I will publish mine later.

Read Here

or Here

MARK PHELAN | BEHIND THE WHEEL: Vote for classics of the future

BY MARK PHELAN

Which modern cars will become classics that draw crowds at the Woodward Dream Cruise 20 years from now?

I've got my ideas, but think of your own for a moment before reading further.

E-mail me a note with your candidates for future classics, and in a couple of sentences say why you think these contemporary cars will stand the test of time.

The future of classic cruising looked bleak five years ago. I remember driving along Woodward during the Dream Cruise and being convinced that no cars in production at the time deserved, or would get, the loving attention, care and customization cruisers bestowed on their rides.

The picture is very different today.

Simply being old may be enough to qualify for a "classic" license plate, but we're setting the bar higher than that for future cruisers.

A crowd-pleasing classic car can be any of several things.

Beauty is a good place to start, but it's not required. Endearing eccentricity works, too. High performance qualifies. Rarity helps. Customization is a good thing, because it comes from devoted owners and makes each car unique.

Cost is not a factor, and a car that was a good value when new has a special appeal. Nobody argues with the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air's classic status, and it was an affordable mainstream model.

I'd say Chevrolet's SSR convertible pickup is a slam-dunk future classic.

It's got an exceptionally lovely shape thanks to its sensuously curved hood and fenders. Those same curves lend themselves to custom paint jobs that accentuate the SSR's visual appeal. Chevy sold just 22,395 SSRs, and it's not building any more, so that number will only rise by the few remaining on dealer lots.

Ford's Mustang is a sure thing; a great-looking car with a devoted owner base.

The Chrysler Crossfire coupe and convertible are among the prettiest cars ever built. The company didn't build a lot of them, so they'll turn heads in future cruises.

The Honda Element looks like another good bet. It's quirky, and owners have customized it like an earlier generation did with VW Microbuses.

Toyota's new FJ Cruiser SUV has the oddball charm to win generations of fans. Picking high-selling cars destined for classic status is tougher, but owners are busily customizing Chrysler PT Cruisers and Chevrolet HHRs.

Now tell me your choices and why you think the cars and trucks deserve cruising immortality.

Contact MARK PHELAN at 313-222-6731 or phelan@freepress.com.

Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.

only half-way

I was about to create a mental rant but had to catch myself. I went to a blog that was supposed to be a preaching blog on the lectionary scripture for the week and it hadnt been updated in 8 months. I need an idea and stuff for lent isnt going to cut it today.

But a bigger problem is that I am close to exhausted. We had 4 funerals for church members this weekend and one of them was due to the tragic death of our pastor's 31yr old son. Brent had struggled with many things in life, but I am finding out firsthad that burying a young adult is hard on a church. I'm tired right now. I can't imagine what my pastor is going through.

So, the best I have to offer today is half-way. I am at best half tired and offering half the energy I have.

The only thing I can offer something significant to is a run that I am going to go on at about 6 tonight. I plan to go about 4 miles down main street and back. It is imperative that I run today for 2 reasons. 1. I need to emotional lift that will come from an exercised induced endorphin rush and 2. I am actually training for a half-marathon. The date is December 2. I will be running 13.1 miles that day, hopefully finishing with a respectable time and a few pounds shed.

Half is all I got today, but I am giving it all right now.

Sorry if it is scattered.
chris