For all you pleonasters, you probably thought I fell off the face of the earth. I'm happy to report that I'm still around and just as cyber-lazy as ever. I have a bad habit of not checking personal email so you can imagine how hard it is for me to remember to update my pleonast (Lynn said its called a "blogg"). I even had a hard time guessing my pleonast password.

Things have been going well here. Since buying our first home, I've been pretty busy. I've learned about landscaping, painting, what colors go with what, how to pick out furniture, and other stuff that makes a house a home. I'm still singing barbershop. I'm also thinking about going to graduate school for my MBA. I'm enjoying living in Houston.

Well, thats all I can think of right now. I hope you're doing well.

GO BULLS!!! (even though they have broken my heart three times already this year and maybe again next weekend)

Since moving down to Houston, I find myself thinking about some folks back in Franklin. Sometimes I think about friends, co-workers, even my old customers. I wanted to share this with you... I don't know why but it touched me today just thinking about it. Who knows, maybe it will touch you. I had a customer in Franklin, Mr. Johnson, that was one of the sweetest old men you could meet. His idea of a great day was either sitting on his front porch or on the dock with a fishing pole. What I find striking about Mr. Johnson is his attitude. Mr. Johnson is African American and in his 75 years of life, it amazes me to think about the changes he has seen in the world around him. I'm sure he grew up experiencing the worst kind of racism and hatred, toward himself and his family. He probably saw his father or grandfather address young men my age as "Mr." and "Sir". I'm sure there were times when he thought he would never be addressed as "Mr. Johnson" by a white man. Thank God times have changed since then. I'm sure there is a degree of racism still out there, but I think we can agree that our society no longer condones such attitudes or behavior. This is why I find his attitude so amazing. Despite all the hostility he has experienced through the years, he still chooses to conduct himself graciously. He never complains and is always genuinely happy to see you. That teaches me that regardless of what trials I go through or what wrongs I may suffer, I can still choose to love. I hope Mr. Johnson touches you as he has me. Lets always be quick to forgive.

It's a funny feeling coming back home. Houston has changed a lot. Katy (west Houston) doesn't look the same. Eventhough I'm "home", I am having to readjust. I also miss my wife which I had to leave in Franklin so she could finish her commitment to her students. I won't get to see her for another week and that's why I'm "home"sick for the next week. I am excited to be starting this new phase of our life in Houston. I'm already enjoying the HOT weather and I look forward to taking my wife to the coast. I have also indulged in an ASTROS game which was a ton of fun. I hope all is well with you and GO BULLS!!!

Basketball season is really boring. I got excited for a while when I saw the Houston Rockets go on this winning streak, but to be honest I didn't know about it until they were at 20 wins! I haven't even checked to see if they have won since it snapped. March madness is kind of fun, but I don't care to watch NCAA basketball in February so I'm really not prepared. My guesses are as good as the one who picks their bracket based on which team has prettier colors or who is from their favorite state. (I did know that Coppin State wouldn't make it to the Elite Eight) ~sigh~ But now Opening Day is upon us. Time for us to gorge ourselves on greasy franks and sing take me out to the ball game (Harry Carry style of course) Its time for us to remember our past baseball heros and anxiously await for new ones to captivate us. I will miss Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. On the other hand, I am excited about Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada, Hunter Pence, Kaz Matsui, Roy Oswalt, and all the other Astros that will help us WIN the World Series this year.

I do believe that baseball is America's past time. I'm going to follow it (the Astros) closely all season. Then I'm going to get SUPER EXCITED about FOOTBALL... America's PASSION!!!

Go ASTROS!!!
GO BULLS!!!

Let me tell you how AMAZING my wife is. When I woke up she had gotten me a movie that I really wanted and a card. That may sound pretty ordinary but GET THIS! ALL DAY I FOUND LITTLE HEART SHAPED NOTES WITH MESSAGES OF LOVE WRITTEN ON THEM! No joke... there were dozens of notes. Found them in my pockets, wallet, dresser drawers, EVEN UNDER MY CEREAL BOWL! EVERYWHERE! I took the day off to volunteer my time for the barbershop chorus. We went all over Nashville yesterday to sing valentines for various sweethearts. Even went to the IRS building to sing for one of them. Our bass started talking about the "H" word (Huckabee). Needless to say, we may get audited now. When I got home we had a delicious steak dinner! (My wife can cook anything!) I hope you had a great Valentines day and hugged the ones you love. GO BULLS!!!