Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys...

A game this season that I've certainly circled on my calendar:

Saturday, December 19th, 2009, 7:30 pm
Dallas Cowboys Vs. New Orleans Saints

The last time the Cowboys beat the Saints...

"The Sign" by Ace of Base was the #1 single in the country

Gas was $1.05 a gallon

Braveheart was the "best picture" in the country

Black holes were still "theoretical"

The TV show Friends made its television debut.

Academy Award nominated actress Abigail Breslin was not even conceived yet

1994

Just something to brighten your day and to look forward to this season.

GEAUX SAINTS!!!

Awareness for Non-Awareness

Check out this billboard I saw on I-10 the other day. Found an article about it too, see link.

"We want people to know you can be good without God," said Harry Greenberger, leader of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association, which helped place the ad.

I'm sure there will now be some crazy theist out there that will feel that its their solemn duty to "stand up" for God and put out some incendiary counter billboard to this.

This pic may be worth a photoshop contest. Create your own atheist billboard. Anyway, it made me chuckle.

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April Flowers

So, its that time of year again fellas...ITS TIME for the And the Rest Will Follow 2009 NFL DRAFT special!!

That's right, I said it...and today you'll be getting my special insights as to what our beloved New Orleans Saints will do on draft day.

You know, I've been quite impressed with how coach Sean Payton has been handling this offseason. He hasn't wined and cried about how much potential he has on defense but has actually made an attempt in fixing some significant holes in the defense. Lets thank our lucky stars we were able to acquire a legitimate defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams. This guy rules. VERY aggressive, attacking style defensive coach that has been known to be very creative with his blitz and coverage schemes. See, this is what I love because our last DC would NEVER blitz and I'm like, okay we suck, why don't we blitz, that way we can at least maybe sack the quarterback more than once a game, possibly even force a fumble or two. You know...TURN OVERS. So, I'm stoked that they got a very respected defensive mind in Gregg Williams to take over the Defense.

The Saints were able to lock up their own key free agents in MLB Jonathan Vilma, WR Devery Henderson and LT Jon Stinchcomb and were much more active in free agency then I thought they had money for. They made some significant roster moves to free up some cash in the cutting of Saints legend RB Deuce McAllister and CB Mike McKenzie (both Scottish apparently) and picking up a legitimate starting cornerback in Jabari Greer from Buffalo. This guy is fast and can cover, so I'm looking forward to checking him out. They also put a band aid on the Safety position with an excellent and grizzled veteran in Darren Sharper from Minnesota. They also added RB/FB Heath Evans who is a great short yardage runner, something the Saints sorely lacked last season.

So, that brings us to the 2009 draft...because they addressed so many positions thus far this offseason, the Saints are somewhat freed up to take the best player available at #14. As usual, keep your eyes open for the possibility of the Saints trading down later in the first round to acquire additional picks because they only have a 1st, 4th, 4th & 7th round picks this year due to the trades of Jeremy Shockey and Jonathan Vilma.

The biggest need areas for the Saints this draft are, in order: Safety, Outside Linebacker, Running Back, Cornerback

The nominees this year are:

OLB Clay Matthews, USC - This guy is a prototypical outside linebacker with excellent size (6'4, 240lbs) and speed. Played with a killer group of linebackers at USC. Rushes the passer as an OLB very well and would be the main reason why the Saints pick him. He's a pure football player who loves the game.

CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State - Hugely talented athlete that plays much faster than his timed speeds. Great size, incredibly experienced and very tough corner back, mentally and physically and considered a team leader. Originally slotted in the top five but had poor timed workouts at combine and at pro day that allowed his stock to fall around the teens. Would be groomed as a Cornerback AND Safety if the Saints pick him.

RB Chris 'Beenie' Wells, Ohio State - Big punishing running back similar to New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs but faster. Not a great pass catcher out of the backfield but an excellent inside the tackles runner that has breakaway ability and would provide a fantastic complement to Reggie Bush in New Orleans. Don't knock this pick, this would completely solidify the Saints offense as Super Bowl caliber this season if he's the pick at #14.

And the envelope please...

My best guess for this season based on these three nominees, and there are other nominees that I spared you for the sake of brevity (too late), is CB/S Malcolm Jenkins. If if if he slips to #14, which there is a decent chance of, then for sure I think the value vs team need is too great for the Saints to pass up. This would provide a playmaker on defense, something that this team sorely needs and would be the answer to the Safety position and not just the band aid fix that Darren Sharper may provide for a season or two.

Enjoy the draft!!

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Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy

As reports have indicated, within the next twelve months I'll come back from that far away land I've been off to and have pondered how life may be when that time finally and mercifully comes.

And here are some things I'm very much looking forward to beginning approximately one year from now...give or take a month or three:

1. Opening up my home: I'm very much looking forward to having friends over much more than I have these past two years. We haven't done a book study or group get together focused on God in quite a while and its something my wife and I have missed and feel need to have back in our home. Our home is a blessing and needs to be better stewarded.

2. Music: My passion has definitely taken a back seat these last couple years. I've not done any proper research on new bands or whats sounding good or taking the time to LISTEN. Really listen. It will be sweet.

3. Spiritual Growth: This area I could expand upon at infinitude but I'll spare you and just say regression sucks. It has been tough.

4. Bike riding: Although I don't currently own a bicycle, I very much intend on doing this with my wife. I love to ride bikes, even though I haven't done it in years. I think it will be time to pick this therapeutic and beneficial hobby back up.

5. Worship: More, more, more. I remember back in the day I used to take 30 min or more out of a Saturday and be face planted on the floor in worship, being completely submerged in the spirit and just knowing who and where he is.

6. Friendships: I feel like I've lost so many tight relationships. And many will say that's life and maybe so, but I definitely intend on making the effort of maintaining tighter relationships with my close friends. Sorry guys.

7. Spend Time: My wife is the absolute best wife and mom in the world and she has been through just as tough a time as I have these past two years and she deserves my time. I can't wait to provide her and the kids with all the time they could possibly need from me.

Dang, this turned kinda sappy, huh?

That's probably not the end of my list but what I've been looking forward to anyway.

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Will Attend One Day

Check out my boy Mark Driscoll on Nightline:

MBA Update

Alright boys and gir - wait it's just boys...sorry.

So here's where I'm at. Fall semester is in the books, as they say and as it were. No worries, I got phat A's for all of you who were pulling for me this semester. Which, of course, makes the lone B in grad school (statistics) want to pull the hairs out of my head repeatedly. What a dolt. Was that a demon? I digress.

I've now completed classes 6 and 7 out of 11 in the MBA curriculum. Which leaves 4 classes (lucky I got that since I got a freakin B in statistics) left. Which equals 2 semesters. I'm pretty dad gum close, my friends! There is light at the end of the tunnel. By the grace of God I have gotten this far without bloodshed. So, here's what the Spring semester will bring:

MANG 6476 - Operations Management
"A study of techniques used in the analysis, design, and control of organizational operations. Emphasis on total quality management of manufacturing and service sector operations. Forecasting, inventory control, layout and location, queuing, automation and JIT are discussed as well as cases and computer programs for operations management."

Should be a hoot. I've always wanted to find out what First In First Out REALLY meant!

MANG 6760 - Management of Electronic Commerce
"Background and understanding e-business and e-commerce technologies and models. Business solutions for managing customer relation, on-line communities, supply chain management, trust, and knowledge management. The course uses case studies, hands-on-research and project work, to provide an understanding of e-business technologies and their integration into existing business, focusing on managing information resources in an e-business framework."

I'm looking forward to this one. I hope my work experience will prove to be an advantage in this class. And if it doesn't I can always ask Cabiro, right?

Well, there you have it...you're now in the loop! My next and final semester should be a fun posting, we'll see. And I'm sure I'll post the usually expected stress level quotient blog posting in the middle of this semester when the workload grows to epidemic levels.

Until then...

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Current State of the Readingz...

So, I thought I'd throw out to my peeps what I'm currently into from a publishing standpoint. Don't ask me how I've been reading books AND pursuing my masters degree at the same time. Hmmm, maybe that's why I was close to a stress break down this week and out of work for 3 days with the strep throat. I digress...

Just finished:
Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story by Brian "Head" Welch

Excellent autobiography about this guy from the band Korn who became a Christian. Incredible story due to the depths of darkness he gets to before he chooses Christ and his life transformation while walking with Christ. Awesome story. No holds barred either. Exposes the lie and emptiness the whole rockstar lifestyle is.

Currently digging:
Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears

Co-written by my secondary pastor, Mark Driscoll. Gives some rock solid framework and yet intricate details to the foundations of Christianity and answers a lot of tricky questions people have brought up along the way. So far so great!

In the queue:
Soft Patriarchs, New Men: How Christianity Shapes Fathers and Husbands (Morality and Society Series) by W. Bradford Wilcox and Brad Wilcox

Can't wait to read this one. The author is a PhD in Sociology from The University of Virginia. Christian. And has a lot of things to say, clinically and otherwise, about the roles of fathers and husbands in different types of churches. The author explains why different church traditions respond so differently to family change and explores how the stances of evangelical and mainline Protestant churches toward marriage and parenting influenced the husbands and fathers that attend these churches. Stoked.

That's all I got until I get a new three to read!

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FAIL

So, how do you make Reggie Bush run straight?

Put the goalpost on the sideline...

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Top 3 Movies I've Recently Dug...and more

Needing a palette cleanser...here we go...

The last time I did one of these 'movies I've recently seen and enjoyed to a certain degree' I did a top 5, however, due to the current suckage in the movie production business and the current state of our economy, I've brought it down to 3 for the current installment. I may have a bonus for you after these 3...stick around.

1. The Happening - Pretty dark movie. The latest M. Night Shyamalan flick. Loved it, although most people will either completely hate it or love it as I do. But you gotta understand M. Night to enjoy this movie. He's got a lot of hidden meanings in his films and this one was no exception. I will say the acting left a tad to be desired, I wish he would have chosen a different actor for his lead.

2. Rescue Dawn - Excellent true story about a navy pilot just prior to Vietnam war shot down and interned in a Laotian torture camp and the story of his daring escape. Christian Bale stars and was EXCELLENT in. He's definitely become one of my favorite actors. Everything he's been in I've enjoyed. He does such a great job and gets you so emotionally connected to his character. Definitely check it out.

3. Michael Clayton - Normally, I am bored by George Clooney as an actor, but he does a nice job in his role of a lawyer who's job is to clean up messes related to his firm. Excellently written story with some great acting aside from a decent effort by Mr. Clooney.

BLOG BONUS!!!

My top 3 current movies that I've turned off and/or are filled with suckage and deserving of our ridicule and negative banter:

1. Journey to the Center of the Earth - Awful. Just awful. Brendon Fraser awful.

2. Iron Man - I saw this one because everybody freaked out about how good it was. Yet another high budget all sizzle and no steak CGI comic book retread. I'm all about plot and story lately and this had neither. The only salvageable trait of this one was Robert Downey, Jr. who is a pretty entertaining actor and thus made it tolerable. However, I can no longer be sold singularly on special effects, i.e. Transformers. Sorry guys. (No comments about the latest Indiana Jones please, I've already defended my stance on that picture)

3. Cloverfield - Awesome concept, horrible execution. The whole camera shaking homage to the Blair Witch Project did nothing except make me violently ill. I had to stop the movie because I was getting such a headache. Loved the concept though.

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A Prayer for the Election by John Piper

Father in heaven, as we approach this election on Tuesday, I pray

1) that your people will vote,

2) and that they will vote with a sense of thankfulness for a democratic system that at least partially holds in check the folly and evil in all our hearts so that power which corrupts so readily is not given to one group or person too easily;

3) that we would know and live the meaning of

* being in the world, but not of it,
* doing politics as though not doing them,
* being on the earth, yet having our lives hidden with Christ in God,
* rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are God’s;

4) that we would discern what truths and values should advance by being made law and which should advance only by the leavening of honest influence;

5) that your people would see what love and justice and far-seeing wisdom demand in regard to the issues of education, business and industry, health care, marriage and family, abortion, welfare, energy, government and taxes, military, terrorism, international relations, and every challenge that we will face in the years to come;

6) and above all, that we will treasure Jesus Christ, and tell everyone of his sovereignty and supremacy over all nations, and that long after America is a footnote to the future world, he will reign with his people from every tribe and tongue and nation.

Keep us faithful to Christ’s all important Word, and may we turn to it every day for light in these dark times.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

The Great Nacho Boycott of 2008

This is a serious problem I thought you guys should be aware of if you ever plan on attending a Saints game in the future...

This is the founder of the movement and a member of SaintsReport.com, where you can follow the current happenings of the movement and is a site in which I suggest everybody should go if you consider yourself a Saints fan. Here's what he had to say about the current state of Nachos at our home turf in the Superdome:

"I am a season ticket holder. I own seven season tickets. I go to every game and I do not complain about anything. I will deal with the beer pour. I will deal with the new burgers. I will deal with the "no double shot" policy of this year. Hell, I will even deal with the anti-profanity efforts.

Why? Because it is the Superdome and I am watching the Saints! Win or lose, it is the best place to be 8 Sundays a year (except this year when we got mugged for a game by some limeys.)

Now, I know you may say that I have relatively few posts - that is because I soak up your wisdom. I am there for the game as well and the food is really not a big deal. HOWEVER - we should NOT stand for the ridiculous nacho change. We just shouldn't. It went from and EXPENSIVE plastic tray of CHEAP cheese, chips, jalapenos, sour cream, and whatnot to an EXPENSIVE plastic tray of CHEAP chips and an UBER-CHEAP shot glass of terrible cheese. What a change for a stadium in a food-oriented city and a replay sponsored by a freakin' sushi bar!!!!

I say all Saints Report users BOYCOTT the CRAPPY nachos until they bring back the old ones. Yes they were awful. Yes they were processed. No, they had NOTHING to do with Saints Football. However, sometimes they were just what you needed...

Say it loud and say it proud - we will NOT be fooled into buying the sorry excuse for food they are now selling as nachos in the Dome. Seriously, it is important. If we do not make a stand now, we will be eating convenience store triangle sandwiches and washing them down with Zima in NO TIME!

...spread the word. No nacho purchases. Even from the new, deceptive "nacho bars." We are smarter than that. We deserve more. Three sell out seasons in in a row -- give us our nachos back. Did you think we wouldn't notice????"

**BLOG EDIT**
By popular demand, I'll comment on what I actually eat for/during a Saints game, even though it's easier to just copy and paste what other people say and call it a blog...

I usually don't partake in Dome food in general. Me and my pops go to Saints games together and what we usually do is get to the vicinity of the Dome around 10:30 am. And it's usually too late for breakfast and certainly too early for lunch, so what do we do? We get Red Beans and Rice at Covenant Cafe on Poydras. May I say, VERY GOOD read beans and rice. So, we're usually all full by the time we slip into the dome. Now, depending on how intense the game is and how hard I work at being a fan (ie screaming my head off), I'll work up an appetite by the third quarter and I'll make a special trip to the "concession stand" and grab some overly seasoned french fries as a snack. This usually does the trick for me along with my tasty beverage.

Now, if this Nacho boycott is a success, I may well forgo the french fries for some tasty new/old school nachos.

That's all I got...riveting, isn't it?

Vikings 30, Saints 27

My frustration and anger is certainly directed towards the absolutely PITIFUL officiating of the game. By coincidence or not, this is the same official crew that blew that San Diego/Denver call a few weeks back. I was and still am pissed at the way that game was called, it was pitiful. The OBVIOUS face mask on Reggie’s third down run was not good, a game changer in retrospect. Not that some of the calls were brought on by the Saints and were legitimate but it was horribly officiated.

As I’ve said before, MANY TIMES, they need another kicker. That’s TWO, count ‘em, TWO game on the line kicks that Mar Tine missed. Inexcusable. You’re a kicker, make the freaking kicks. Anybody seen Taylor Melhalff? I’m sure John Carney is loving all of this while he’s nailing game winning field goals.

Kudos to Reggie Bush, he made some big time plays last night.

The Saints faced 3 opponents last night, the Vikings, the Referees and of course themselves, the toughest opponent of them all.

I have ZERO vocal chords today, please don't call me.

Texting is much better.

It's Come to This

So, it's taken two stressful weeks to bring me to this point. Here I am. I'm currently going through class number 6 & 7 out of 11 in effort of my degree. And the school work has QUICKLY piled up. If I had a dog at home, I would have kicked him yesterday at 8:35 pm. It took Mt. Jason to erupt and direct all attention to myself before I had the intellectual honesty to bring me where I am currently at.

The Library - at 2:51 PM.

I'm taking a break right now, so don't point da finga at me. Anyway, its funny how stress affects people. It creeps up on me and I start blowing up. Then, I realize, hey you need to get some school work done. And then I look at my primary, secondary and tertiary jobs, along with my wonderful wife and children and realize, it ain't gonna work. So, I took half a day today and will be ALL DAY tomorrow here at the liberry, doing NOTHING but working on this massive amount of school stuff I have to do (and maybe blogging on breaks).

I freaking took ANNUAL LEAVE to be here.

So, if someone would have told me 10 years ago to the day, that I would be at the public LIBRARY doing freaking school work, I would have told that person to slap me right across the face.

Anyway, here I am...this is for the good of my sanity and my family.

Wish me luck.

Back to work...

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Error Theory

99.99% of the time, I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories, and it PROBABLY fits in this case too. However, facts are facts, and this one is pretty intriguing about the proposed memorial to the victims of Flight 93 on 9/11. It's definitely worth a read and would probably make a great documentary.

The author is trying to bring awareness as to his theory that the author of the proposed memorial is masking his intentions to memorialize the terrorists rather than the victims of Flight 93. He's not the only one who has brought this up, you can find dozens of blogs that say the same thing and they have put together a petition to get the memorial's plans stopped.

It's definitely an interesting topic and worth a read.

Enjoy!

http://www.crescentofbetrayal.com/

Relevant Prayer

Check out author Donald Miller, written several excellent books, my favorite being "Blue Like Jazz", giving the Benediction at the Democratic National Convention...well done.



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The Current Fab Five

My wife and I recently upped our Netflix account to 1 movie unlimited rentals a month. Which I think is a great deal for as many movies as we watch. So, we've gotten a little bit more into movies as of late.

In light of our DVD resurgence...this is a five movie recommendation list of films I've seen in the past few months that merit a watch:

1. No Country for Old Men - Very well shot and acted, a tad on the strange side but still an interesting watch. Tommy Lee Jones is always awesome to see act.

2. I Am Legend - I realize I'm a tad behind in the movie watching department but I enjoyed this one so much I had to recommend it. Talk about well done! Scary movie with a great storyline. This movie drew me in so much, I was fully invested in the lead character. Loved it, wish more movies were similar to this one lately.

3. Fever Pitch - I'm not into romantic comedies at all, however it was recommended by a respected source and I checked it out. Very funny and am glad I saw it. One part in the movie in particular made me fall off my couch in laughter and if you know me real well, you'll know what part I'm referring to.

4. Once - Excellent drama based on an independent musician and his budding romance with a female musician. The music in the movie is killer, very well done and actually written and performed by the two lead characters, which makes it more authentic to me.

5. Vantage Point - Innovative political thriller building on techniques made popular through the TV series '24'. Well done and stars a 'Lost' cast member to boot!

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Championship...

Sources: Giants to Trade Shockey to Saints

Jay Glazer (Fox Sports)

Jeremy Shockey has finally gotten his wish.

The Giants have agreed to trade their disgruntled tight end to the New Orleans Saints for a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick, FOXSports.com has learned. The deal is pending league approval, according to a league source. Shockey must also pass a physical.

The compensation is the same the Saints offered New York back in April prior and during to the draft ... and it was turned down.

The move comes one day after Jason Taylor was traded from Miami to New York's NFC East rivals in Washington. According to a report on SI.com, the Giants had held discussions about a three-team trade in which they would have ended up with Taylor, the Saints would have landed Shockey and the Dolphins would have received a pair of draft picks.

The emergence of rookie Kevin Boss during the Giants' improbable Super Bowl run — a stretch Shockey missed due to a broken leg — made Shockey expendable. Boss started six games after Shockey's injury (two regular season and all four during the Giants' postseason run), making nine catches for 140 yards and a TD.

Shockey's attitude made the move somewhat necessary as the Giants sought to avoid distractions from their bid to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

During the team's recent minicamp, Shockey reportedly engaged in a shouting match with GM Jerry Reese, just the latest controversy involving the outspoken former first-round pick out of the University of Miami.

Shockey's absence in Phoenix during the Super Bowl was conspicuous to say the least. According to some reports, one of the many sources of Shockey's displeasure with the team was that he was not allowed to stand on the team's sidelines during the game.

In the past, Shockey also had less-than-complimentary things to say about his quarterback, Eli Manning. In fact, many have theorized that Manning's transformation from a middle-of-the-pack quarterback to a Super Bowl MVP was facilitated by Shockey's absence.

Bring on the Wi-Fi

Chrysler will begin offering wireless internet access in its 2009 model cars. So, with drivers already distracted by cell phones, they're throwing internet into the mix?

This should end well...



*thanks to relevantmagazine.com

MBA Update and Other Life Notes

- This Monday evening around 6:00 PM. That's when I'll be attending the first class session for Finance 6300, Financial Administration. For all the kids out there keeping track, this is class 5 of 11 in my adventure towards the coveted MBA.

So, I used to think this graduate school thing was going to be a long road but I'm almost halfway through! Tough to believe that I'm on track to graduate in Fall of '09 which will be here before I know it. But this Finance class is supposed to be a tuffie, so I'll be plowing ahead taking names, cracking skulls and hopefully taking a good grade home with me. It's strange taking summer classes. Feels a bit un-natural, kind of like writing your name with your left hand if you're right handed.

- Not looking so good on the work front. We had some bad news about one of our facilities going under. Probably will need a new job after this MBA adventure. We'll see.

- We booked a villa in the Orlando area for a vacation in May '09, if you can believe that. A legit vacation. Too bad it's 10 months away. Anyway, it'll be 7 entire days. I mean, I can't tell you the last time I went on a 7 day vacation. 5 days is usually an excellent vacation but 7 days is just insane! And I can't wait. We actually booked it through a vacation rental website, 2nd time I've done that. The ONLY way to go in my opinion. Much cheaper, more comfortable, much more spacious, wi-fi and our own pool, how can you beat dat? The girls will be 4 and 3 and in my opinion, I can't wait to see their faces at Disney for the first time. Magical.

- God has shown me time and again that he's in control and he's providing. And I'm learning, slowly, that we'll be taken care of despite my control issues and worry. The message from Phil was huge for me this past weekend. Hit me square in the face.

- That is all

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Restaurant Review - CiCi's Pizza

I'm not really sure why I'm doing another review of something because basically, whatever I say is good or bad, most people reading this blog feel the exact opposite, see my movie review of the new Indiana Jones movie. So, maybe this blog should just stick to analysis of the New Orleans Saints, maybe cause that's really the only opinions I have that have any kind of credibility. But, I'm sure someone can argue that point as well.

I digress...

So, most people review restaurants that have some credible standing in the community as a restaurant, ie restaurants rated by Zagat or at least have some kind of wait staff associated, and definately not a restaurant that's a "buffet". But, as I normally do here at And the Rest Will Follow... I'm going to buck the trend (see my review of the new Indiana Jones movie).

CiCis pizza is an all you can eat "gourmet" pizza buffet, complete with salad bar and dessert options. It's target customers being middle to low income suburban families who like to eat lots on the cheap. Usually these families have lots of kids. So, I definately fit into their target demographic. Basically, here's an explanation on what CiCi's Pizza has to offer straight from their website and I'll let you know my commentary afterwards:

"Hi, Welcome to CiCi's. Where the first word you hear is "hello" and the last is "thanks." Where the pizza's always ready and always fresh. Where the salads are crisp and the desserts are tempting. Where the high chair or booster seat arrives before you ask for it. Where seconds are okay and thirds are no problem. And where making guests happy is just the first step on the road to making them friends."

Yep, I got the "hello" and "thanks" on the way out. Pizza's definately always ready but I wouldn't say always fresh, sometimes you can't really tell where they've sliced the pizza because the pizzas have been under the nuclear powered heat lamps so long, they have melted the cheese over the slices of the pizze. Very interesting.

High chairs and booster seats have to be scouted out and sometimes I feel my kids need to be deloused after having sat in them. My kids usually can't sit up straight in these high chairs for too long because they've been caked with some kind of built up grime in the chair that keeps their skin from holding onto the plastic in the chairs. Pretty gross. Same thing for the tables, yuk!

The pizzas are not bad but you have to keep a keen eye out there for when they first come out of the oven so you know you're getting a "fresh" pizza. If you can do that, you've got some value there but mostly the pizza is okay for the price, which is really the only reason we go there, as soon as my oldest doesn't get the "kids eat free" discount, I'm outtie.

One other problem with CiCi's is that I really can't walk from my table to the drink station without slipping all over the grease soaked floor. I look like some spastic drunk teenager at 2am when I'm just trying to get some pink lemonade for my daughter. So, it's always an adventure when I walk around that place.

One cool thing that I find interesting about CiCi's is that I believe EVERY time I take my family to the place, we see people we know. Which may actually be a secret weapon of the restaurant. But all in all, it's a decent place to feed the fam quick and literally dirty.

So, let's review the review:
Good: Value; Great price to feed the family; Fresh pizza if you can spot the fresh ones; Friendly staff; Friends constanly showing up there.
Bad: Mediocre pizza; Booster seats & tables need to be pressure washed; The floor is a death trap.
Ugly: Heat lamps gotta be giving off some kind of radioactive elements, not good.

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Indiana Jones IV - THE REVIEW

Man, it was a LOOOOONG wait for this movie. But it was WELL worth the wait!! I surely was giddy as a schoolboy. Excellent movie and well deserving of the series, in general! Go see it!

Without giving away any of the movies "secrets", I will say the plot was not bad...not overly complicated but certainly not dumbed down either. It was a straight up Indiana Jones movie that, honestly, had a pretty great mixture of elements from all of the previous IJ movies rolled into one. The one thing I was skeptical about was how will the cold war era bad guys work in an IJ world. No Nazis?? But have no fear, it worked out MUCH better than I anticipated. Plenty of worthy villains in this one!

Let me say that Harrison Ford did an OUTSTANDING job at age 65 playing a part that's built for a man half his age. He did tons of stunts and fight scenes that you would expect from an IJ movie. He definitely pulled it off without a hitch. And once you get past the "he looks much softer than he did in the last movie", please understand that the last movie was filmed 20 years ago, you can enjoy the movie for what it is.

One of the best things I can say about the movie is the on-screen relationship between Shia Lebeouf (Mutt) and Harrison Ford (Indy). They had an obvious chemistry and the duo worked GREAT together. I can't say enough about young Shia Lebeouf, he's a fantastic actor with a bright career ahead of him. Doing an equally as brilliant of a job in IJ4 is Cate Blanchett who plays the villain (Spalko) in the movie. She does an impeccable job at being the sinister adversary and probably the most memorable job of any of the villains save for Ronald Lacey who plays the creepy Nazi in Raiders. Nevertheless, Blanchette was great in it.

There are tons of surprises for the IJ fan throughout the movie and even some easter eggs if you're really paying attention that I enjoyed immensely. All in all, it was a great adventure and one I will most definitely be seeing again at the movies as well as owning on DVD. Please go see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it's a refreshing throwback to when movies were thrilling, over-the-top and thoroughly entertaining.

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Metric Nut

For those of you who know me intimately, you know that about 10 years ago I formed a heavy rock band with 4 other guys called Metric Nut. It was really just an excuse to get together and turn our amplifiers up to a ridiculous level and play some of our favorite cover songs like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica, "Man In the Box" by Alice in Chains or "Killing in the Name Of" by Rage Against the Machine. But eventually, we decided to create some original music and take the show on the road. We started out and we sucked but as our experience grew, so did our writing & playing skills.

At the time I left the band we had wrote about 24 songs, recorded 2 demo albums and a full length album in a professional studio. We played over 50 shows throughout New Orleans, Baton Rouge & Lafayette, and actually after I left they began to tour the east coast before things fell apart for them. We built up a pretty decent fan base in NOLA, having played to crowds of a couple of hundred people a few times at our peak there but many shows we played to about 50, which is about average for a rock club.

Anyway, all of this to say, I got a phone call last week telling me that Saturday night they were putting together a reunion show for Metric Nut. They set up a headlining spot for us at a local rock club to play all our old stuff and hang out and catch up with all our old fans. I initially didn't want to because its not my thing anymore but they mentioned everyone had said yes to this point and I figured I wouldn't be a party pooper. So I accepted, dusted off my Gibson Explorer and Peavey Classic 50 amplifier and met everybody for a practice session and showed up on Sat nite for the gig.

It was a blast! I caught up with a lot of great old friends I had lost touch with over the years, some changed, some haven't changed a bit in 8 years. Got up on stage and played pretty good, although my hand was KILLING me during the set because I don't play the same kind of music on guitar anymore so my hands were OUT OF SHAPE, like other parts of me. But had a blast, it was great to see everybody again and play all the old hits again.

Looking back at my experience in the band, it really was a fun 4 years for me but it had its highs and lows too. My experience with that band really was necessary for me to find out who I was and where I needed to be as a person and ultimately a follower of God again. It was a crossroads for me and one that I believe led me to maturity as a man and a renewed committment to God.

This reunion show experience has led me to think back to a message my pastor Phil did a while ago talking about remembering wonderful times in your life and the importance of "taking the picture", drawing what you can from the experience and then moving on in life and not remaning there emotionally. Sometimes its sad to see people remaining at that point in their lives as if thats it, the best has happened and I saw that on Saturday night with some people.

I truly believe I've moved on from that moment because it wasn't a sad night for me when it was over. It was a fun night because I remembered what it was like, celebrated it, took a picture, and then COULDN'T WAIT to get back home to enjoy my life with my wife and kids. I truly love my life and wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than here and now!

* The pic above is from the last photo shoot the band did together. Regretably, I could not find some of our older photo shoot pics (that I was in) digitally but if you want pics of the band when I was in it, live or photo shoot, I think I have some prints at home, just let me know.

** Left to Right - Mark Walker (Lead Guitar), Jeremy Sevens (Bass), Brett Winter (Vocals), Judge "Brian" Doom (Rhythm Guitar), Woody (Drums). Past members not pictured: Roger Wilder (Drums), Jason Armand (Rhythm Guitar)

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2008 NFL Driznaft Pt. 2

So, here we are, FINALLY, 2 days away from the 2008 NFL draft, as you can read by my last posting, I'm very excited and I've waited a long time for this day to come. Because I'm into the NFL. If you couldn't tell. So, I've split this post into 2 parts, my prediction for our beloved New Orleans Saints and how the top ten will pan out. Enjoy!

What the Saints Will Do:

Here are the rumors I've heard thus far for our Saints this draft season. 1. They've had talks with the Rams to move up to the #2 spot overall, possibly targeting LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. 2. They've inquired about trading up to the Patriots pick at #7 to draft USC DT Sedrick Ellis. 3. They're going to make a deal with the Eagles at #19 in exchange for all pro Eagles CB Lito Sheppard. 4. Trade away their 2nd round pick among others for Giants TE Jeremy Shockey.

I think the most likely thing to happen is the trade for TE Jeremy Shockey, the Saints have been very aggressive in their pursuit of Shockey. Sean Payton was Shockey's offensive coordinator at the New York Giants for his most successful rookie year and would love to get back together for a repeat performance. This will most likely cost us our 2nd round pick and possibly our 5th rounded. The Giants have expressed interest in trading shockey for SS Roman Harper but the Saints had told them to forget it. I agree with them.

So, back to the 1st round. I believe the Saints will try to move up to #2 with the Rams to pick up Glenn Dorsey but it's going to cost too much. So, the more likely scenario is the Saints trading up with either New England at #7 or Baltimore at #8 to snag Sedrick Ellis in front of the Bengles, who covet Ellis as well.

If the Saints sit tight and don't move up or down, I believe they will take CB Leodis McKelvin out of Troy St. Yes, another corner under 6'0. But this corner is big for his height and will make an excellent cover corner one day not to mention one of the better kick returners in the league.

Fuel52's Top Ten Picks of the 2008 NFL Draft:

1. Miami Dolphins - OT Jake Long (Michigan)
2. St. Louis Rams - DT Glenn Dorsey (LSU)
3. Atlanta Falcons - QB Matt Ryan (Boston College)
4. Oakland Raiders - DE Chris Long (Virginia)
5. Kansas City Chiefs - DE/LB Vernon Gholston (Ohio State)
6. New York Jets - RB Darren McFadden (Arkansas)
7. (TRADE w/Patriots) New Orleans Saints - DT Sedrick Ellis (USC)
8. Baltimore Ravens - CB Leodis McKelvin (Troy St.)
9. Cincinnati Bengals - LB Keith Rivers (USC)
10. (TRADE w/Saints) New England Patriots - OG Brandon Albert (Virginia)

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2008 NFL Driznaft

So, the NFL draft is coming up on April 26th & 27th. They've lowered the time limit of selections for the 1st & Second rounds to 10 min down from 15min. Should make for a wacky zany action packed draft. I'm gonna do my usual routine and square away my entire weekend to observe this spectacular spectacle.

Here's what usually happens around draft day:
1. About two months I've already broached the subject with my wife (and subsequently each week leading up to) in preparation for my weekend. The purpose of this is to make sure she doesn't schedule any family style event where I'm obligated to attend, ie family pictures, zoo trip, visit to the in-laws, etc. This is a major hurdle and once accomplished, it's the bomb. I've given adequate notice to my family and they can make plans accordingly. Which leads me to #2.

2. My wife and kids usually gets the H-E double hockey sticks out of dodge, because I'm usually not worth much when my face is STUCK to the television or a question is asked of me and all that is heard is a faintly audible 'I don't know' sound. And now that ESPN has put the little tiny draft tracker scrolling stuff that borders the TV screen on during commercials, I'm total rubbish. So, with me being completely worthless and of no entertainment/family value to them, not even during commercials, they'll probably go someplace fun like a strawberry festival or knitting class type deal.

3. I usually make a trip to the grocery store the night before or the morning of the draft. Now, this is key, because if I can't eat/drink something during the entire 10 hours that I watch the draft, it's not quite the experience. I mean, you guys know, right? Anyway, I usually get some tortilla chips with queso dip, and probably some ruffles with french onion dip. That's just to snack at various points in the draft. I probably make some sort of lunch casserole for myself the night before, so all I gotta do is sprint to the fridge and pop that baby in the oven and not miss a beat, but I usually have to turn the volume way up to still hear what's going on for the 5.5 seconds I put the casserole dish in the oven. Nice. Oh, and lots of soft drinks.

4. Usually before the 1st round is done, I'll throw my tv remote on the floor in disgust when the Saints pick a lame Wide Receiver in the 1st round.

5. Rinse, repeat for Day 2. Although this day goes much quicker.

There you go, that's usually what goes on at my place on draft weekend.

Stay tuned for my prediction on who our beloved New Orleans Saints will be picking in the upcoming 2008 NFL Draft. Ya herd?

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Our time...

Ok...

Mardi Gras is over, it's Lent, Easter is several weeks away and it's pouring down rain outside.

So...

Let's take a break and remember a very special fact.

http://www.bayouducks.com/lsu/lsu.html

Vena Sera

So, here I am, months after the last blog post. I certainly do apologize for the infrequency. I won't cast blame on anything/anyone but myself. So, for all of you who consider yourselves my friends but haven't had the pleasure of truly catching up recently, I'll help you out. And I've included headers in case you'd like to skip a section.

As of January 23rd, 2008:

SCHOOL - I'm currently in my 2nd week of my 2nd semester of graduate school. It begins again. I'm currently taking the 3rd & 4th class out of 11 in the program. Another semester another group project. I'm not fond of oral presentations or public speaking in general, but it really doesn't bother me the way it bothers other people who would rather die than speak in public. I'm enjoying myself in school thus far and am doing pretty well. Just for all who are following along at home.

MY CURRENT STRESS LEVEL - Orange (only my wife has the color coded reference card to the newly implemented stress level threat quotient.)

HOME LIFE - Very well I think, save for the occasional tift but honestly, it's a fact of life if you choose to live the rest of your life with me. And a plus is she hasn't attempted to leave me tied up on train tracks yet. The chiren are excellent, growing and learning by the minute. They make simple things in life what really matter. I do recommend. By the way, I dug the new Veggie Tales movie.

GOD - I'm continuing to walk out my relationship, usually after pulling a face plant. We've recently been asked to attend a small group focused on our pastor's current series. After attending a meeting, I will say it's probably going to be a huge experience for me. I'm glad I have people who will kick me in the hind quarters if God leads them to.

FINANCES - None of your beezwax but we are thinking about refinancing the old chez moi.

WORK - Moving into a new building downtown on Poydras St. next month. I'm psyched. New digz is always fun. Also means I'll have to get up at 6:00 am to meet a buddy at the fitness center downtown. The exercise is way over due. Can't wait.

POP CULTURE - "Lost" comes back on next week. Can't tell you how excited I am about that. A buddy and I recently converted another friend to the show. It's genuinely nice to see a friend come to the light, ya know? Oh, and Indiana Jones 4 comes out in 119 days, 17 hours and 12 minutes...nice!

MUSIC - And here's the top 4 albums I've been digging recently, in no particular order. And as a BONUS, my favorite track from each album. Dig:

1. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
"Is There a Ghost"

2. Project 86 - Rival Factions
"The Forces of Radio Have Dropped a Viper into the Rhythm Section"

3. Chevelle - Vena Sera
"Well Enough Alone"

4. He Is Legend - Suck Out the Poison
"Attack of the Dungeon Witch"

5. Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist
"Cherry Waves"

That's me lately...

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New Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull Pics!

Exciting new pics from the new film for all you Indy fans out there! Which means me and maybe one other person. Anyway, I'm stoked, check em out!

These three new Indiana Jones 4 photos, taken by regular Spielberg set photographer David James, were not intended to be out on the internet this soon. But they are authentic photos from Paramount.

This One's for John

The year is 1907.....but the speaker knew what he was talking about. Very interesting and relevant.

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907