Want To Get Away

I would consider my first evening as a Red Lobster server to be a success, simply because I didn't drop a tray of popcorn shrimp on someones head. Lucky for them they only had to wait extra long because I goofed and mixed up my orders. At least I can blame something like that on the kitchen. But who really knows how much my customers bought that excuse any way.

There's always going to be a learning curve when you start something new. I just wish I could get some straight fast balls though. Instead, I get nothing but sliders in the dirt. I'm batting like 2 for 5, and no RBI's.

Brain fart. I think that would be an appropriate word for how I accidentally misplaced a customers meal.

While spead walking across Red Lobster like a mad man and running food to tables, my brain froze and began to move into clog mode. I then approach one of my tables and kindly said...

"Did you folks save any room for desert?" After I was given an uncomfortable blank stair, I went further and said "The chocolate chip lava cookie is pretty delicious!" My customers look at me with a foolish grin and said.."Yeah, that does sound really good, but we didn't even get our food yet. Uhhhhh...... I felt like I should be on one of those Snicker commercials where they say...

"Want to get away?"

Oh well, like I said..Curve balls.

On A Boat

I never thought I would be on a boat and see something this majestic. Then God said "I feel like painting something for James to admire while he is visiting my beautiful Florida shores." Evan (my college roommate), his mom Deb, and myself were visiting Evans grandmother Shirley in Marco Island Florida on our spring break. When you picture college spring break, most people think of keg stands, Corona, and lots of stuff that I won't get into. But not on this trip. All we did was relax and enjoy the ride.
This picture was taken on a sunset cruise we took on a catamaran one evening. The beginning of our venture was sort of cloudy and Evan was scared of possible drizzle. Me being the sympathetic type that I am, I sang him a lullaby and all was good. The captain of the boat was referred to himself as John Silver, and he even wore a black patch over his left eye. John was nice enough to bring us fresh shrimp, cold beer, and chilled wine on our venture.
I was like a little girl...I never thought I would take so many pictures of a sunset in my whole life. I actually had to go back and delete other pictures that I didn't want to make enough room for Gods painting. By the way, how much do you think this particular portrait would go for in an auction? What about ebay?

I never thought I'd be on a boat like this!

Semper Fidelis

It's a shame that many Americans have forgotten about one of the most important battles in U.S. history. Yeah, most people recognize that the patriots in this picture are Marines, and it was taken in the bloody Pacific during World War Two, but do we really know and honor this incredible yet tragic event?
On this day in 1945, the Marines entrenched into what they knew would be a horrific struggle for their lives. Iwo JIma was a highly strategic ground because it served as a buffer zone between U.S. forces and the Japanese mainland. Our men knew this enemy stronghold would be a battle to the death, but they were aware of the situation and how this sulfurous island could play such a dramatic role in the outcome of the war. Being located between the American bombing base Mariana and the Japanese mainland, Iwo Jima would serve as a highly strategic airfield and fortress in the Pacific.
The Japanese warriors were able to give such a fierce fight under the leadership of General Kuribayashi because they simply did not care about death. There battleground philosophy was no Japanese survivors. They simply just wanted to take as many American lives with them as they could. More than 16 miles of tunnels were dug into this mountainous island in order for the enemy forces to move freely and surprise attack.
It took 40 days for 880 ships to carry 110 thousand U.S. Marines from Hawaii. And after a tenacious grapple, 6,821 American lives were lost, while 21,703 Japanese lives were lost. After the horrific struggle, five Marines and a Navy Corpsman hoisted the symbol of American pride over the Mount Suribachi, the islands highest point.

Invisible Children

And we think our nation is in grave danger. Yes, our economy needs a massive set of jumper cables, our housing market is clogging the toilet, and our leaders don't agree on anything. But at least our drinking water isn't infested with rats and sewage. Ans instead of scrounging for rotten scraps like these little kids do, we can stop at Sub-Way and have our snack made fresh just the way we like it.
I encourage everyone to research the "Invisible Children." For almost two decades they have been running for their lives. If abducted, these children are forced to become blood-thirsty killers. Even at the innocent age of 8, little boys are trained to have no feeling except death.
I just hope I can be a person that cares enough not to turn my cheek like I have done so often in the past. I would say to myself.."yeah, that sucks, but I have my own bills to pay. I'm pretty busy with work n' stuff. I really don't have any extra cash to send away right now. These poeple probably just keep the money anyway..ect..." Excuses and more excuses keep me from doing the right things whenever I know I could be doing something to make a difference in someones life. I hope I can get over that hump.

You can check it out further at http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php

Honest Abe

February 12th will always be a special day in U.S. history. On this day in 1809, "Honest Abe" was born in a one room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Common knowledge tells us that Abe Lincoln was elected to be the 16th president in 1861, but most don't know how or when he earned the nickname Honest Abe.
When he was a young lad living in the Hoosier state, Abraham borrowed a booked on George Washington from a friend of his. Somehow, the book was ruined by rainwater. Lincoln, taking credit for what had happened, offered to work for his friend in the cornfield to raise money for the cost of the book.
Also, when Lincoln was working as a young store clerk in Illinois, he shortchanged a customer by six cents. Sounds like a pretty minor deal, doesn't it. But not to Abe..He then closed down the store and walked six miles just to give the gentleman the money he owed him.
So remember... Every 12th day in February, don't forget that it's a day of great significance. Not only do we celebrate the birth of such an admirable and well rounded individual, we also recognize much more than that......
And thats ME! Thats right... 2-12-1982 is also an extraordinary in Falmouth, Mansfield, Columbus, and Cincinnati history. Why? Because it was the day a handsome stud was brought into this earth.
James Thomas Massey, aka Son of Thunder, aka Sledge, aka Risk Champion...

Savior

I saw this video last weekend in church, and it would be selfish of me to keep something so great and majestic to myself.

Tiger Look-A-Like

I received this shot of my brother Joe supposedly sinking a 25 foot putt. I know Joe has the capability to drain long distance shot such as this is one because he has done it to me time and time again. But I also know that Joe could be the one to tell someone to simply stand back and take a picture of his Tiger imitation so everyone will admire his skill. I guess I will find out before too long.
Joe and his wife Jen are in Arizona enjoying a much needed break from work, snow, and the daily shenanigans of everyday life. Later this week they will renting a cabin in the Grand Canyon. I told Joe to take as many pictures as humanly possible. He better! Because if he doesn't, I'm gonna have to scold him.
Visiting the Grand Canyon is actually one of my lifetime goals. I think by now, anyone who has read anything on my blog understands my appreciation for nature and what God has given us. So enough said about that.
Quick shift in gears...Have you ever seen the movie Tombstone? You know, the gun slinging story of Wyatt Earp and his trusty sidekick Doc Holiday. That's actually one of my favorite movies, Kurt Russell played an awesome role. Anyway.... Tombstone is actually a real town where Wyatt took care of business. And Joe and Jen are going there..Pretty sweet!!
I wonder if they miss Columbus Ohio yet? What do you think???

Honor Courage Commitment

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his own life for his friends.
If you don't firmly believe this passage with all your heart, body, mind, and soul, don't even think about joining The Marines!
Corporal Jason Dunham was a 22 year old Marine from New York. And on April 14th 2004, God called Cpl Dunham to lay down his life and make the ultimate sacrifice. Cpl Dunham and a squad of Marines were en route to assist another squad of Marines in the middle of an ambush in western Iraq. During this time, an insurgent unexpectedly leaped onto Dunham and began to attack him. As two Marines swiftly came to his aid, Dunham saw the insurgent reaching for something. Dunham then screamed "No, no, no..watch his hand!"
The frisky Iraqi was reaching for a grenade. If you have ever had the experience of handling and throwing live grenades, you know that it does not take much effort to pull the pin and employ the deadly explosive. That being said, Dunham was unable to stop the enemy from releasing the deadly weapon. The live grenade should have easily took the lives of at least three Marines. But because of Cpl Dunhams love, friendship, and selfless attitude, he offered his own life and jumped on the grenade.
For those who don't know, a grenade only takes 3-5 seconds to explode after releasing it. Which means that Dunham had very little time to think and react. It is extremely obvious that there was no thinking involved whatsoever. Dunham wanted his friends to live. Long before his deployment to Iraq, along with any other Marine, Dunham knew he would do what was necessary to save the lives of other Marines around him.
Cpl Dunham was an admirable hero before he even left the states. His enlistment and time of service in the Corps had expired. Therefore, he was not required to leave his family and travel with his Marine battalion into harms way. But because of his commitment to the Corps and the other Marines around him, he did. Another Marine told him that he was crazy for extending his enlistment. Jason Dunham answered "I want to make sure everyone makes it home alive."

Jason Dunham: November 10, 1981- April 22, 2004
God bless the family of Jason Dunham.

I am William Wallace

For those of you who don't really know, Mel Gibson did actually play a real life character in Braveheart. William Wallace was born sometime in 1272 in Elerslie, Scotland. He spent much of his life as a witness to the repulsive English army and how they frequently raped, murdered, and took hostage of innocent Scottish farmers. Many characteristics about Wallace remain a legend, but all recognize his compassion for English blood.
To make a long story short, Wallace finally blew a gasket and took charge to lead a rebellion. Because he was skilled in the arts of war and military tactics, Sir William was able to feed his drive for killing the English and grant Scotland sovereignty over their own nation.
Watching this movie inspires me. No, I don't want to lead a rebellion against the U.S. Government! They have more guns than me. The story of William Wallace is just so unique. He rose up to defy all odds. Even most of his own people didn't have an ounce of faith in what he could do. But he accomplished what he set out to do. Sir William broke the chains of captivity and ripped apart the English vise.
There is a huge part of me who want to be like William Wallace. Defy odds, accomplish goals, break habits, travel the world, and escape any vise I might have. Of course seeing the world really isn't in the same ballpark as invading England and winning freedom, but its something I want to do.
I guess I'm just tired of being a talker instead of a doer. I talk about how much money I want to give for Gods glory, but then I start thinking of my monetary situation and back out to some degree. I constantly tell others of how reading in Gods word is so crucial for growth in Christ, but I guess sometimes I dont' really digest all that is given to me.
Proverbs 16:3: Trust in the Lord, and whatever your plans, they will succeed.
I love reading the word of God, and I know he will take care of me and my family in every way. So why can't I let a little bit of greed go? There is where the William Wallace factor comes in. Just like Sir William broke the jaws of English tyranny, I want to collapse my greedy vise.

Snow cone

Who wants a lemon flavored snow cone? Hank really enjoys making them and it would make him happy if you would try it.
Before I uploaded this pic of Hanks morning pee, I tried to upload a video I took of Hank and how he acts after he gets a bath. Its pretty funny. But for some reason I was trouble putting the clip on the page so I said forget it. I thought this had the potential of making some people laugh, so why not.
One time I had to pee so bad, I was actually able to spell my full name in the snow: James Thomas Massey. I even underlined it a few times! I bet that your jealous now.