Day 35: Bob and Jean

I've mentioned before about a couple from The Vineyard Church in Urbana who are top notch people. I mean, they are the cream of the crop. The banana's sandwich! The cat's pajamas! They are none other than:

Bob and Jean!

They frequently open their home up to anyone and everyone. Bob is "retired," but he goes around doing construction, plumbing, and just about anything else to help people he knows. If you ever have a problem, he'll be over in his truck within the hour and take care of you or point you to who can take care of you.

Jean likes to cook for lots of people. She'll often have big holiday meals at her house for people who might not have much family in the area or are here alone.

They both are cheery people on the Welcome Team at the Vineyard, as well. Bob is always a happy face, greeting you at the door. Jean serves up donuts and bagels with a smile and a compliment. She's pretty darn sweet.

A while back, Jean threw a big birthday party for Bob! It was his eightieth birthday, so she went all out. She asked Joanna and I to sing for the party. We decided to sing a big of a song from each decade of his life. It was a blast had by all.

The 80s, held up by Jimmy B Wood.

They also had a photo booth set up. The booth was the old Welcome Center. Not really a small thing.

Family photo!

I do miss my Bob and Jean from Urbana. They were at treat. They probably also have a healthy sex life.

Thanks to Gabe for today's suggestion. What should I blog about tomorrow?

Day 33: The places and people you've lived with

Gabe Thaman gets the win for what to write about today! Where have I lived? Let me take you back...

I was born to a lovely parents in Paris, IL. I was the youngest of four brothers (Chris, Sean, Zach, and me). I only lived with my oldest brother four a couple of years before he moved to live with his mom.

I stayed in Paris until I was three years old. Then, we moved to Paxton, IL, where I would blow away the competition.

Fifteen years later, I moved to Champaign to live with Zach, Zach's best friend, Zach's ex-girlfriend, and her best friend.  That was an interesting year. Tales of people getting too drunk and wandering into the wrong bedroom and all that jazz. Zach and I worked at Hobbico together, so that was more bonding time, too!

The next year, I moved back to Paxton to live with my parents. They were thrilled, I'm sure.

About a year and a half later, I moved to a studio apartment in Champaign, a block away from Brad and Katie Hart. There, I shared a bathroom with two sixty year old men and some others somewhat closer to my age. Needless to say, I wore flip flops in the shower. That's the shower I killed my phone by talking to Leann over the mobile in the shower.

About half a year later, I moved in with a number of people. I don't remember them all. Daniel Goulet was the easiest to get along with since we were similar, as they say in Spanish. I shared a garage for a bedroom with Daniel Turner. I always felt like I annoyed him because he had to get up early and my life was not so bound by early morning times.

The next year, I moved to an apartment building, where I roomed with Chris Petersen, Paul Egli, and later Stephen Johnson. What I loved best about this was the "Friends" set up we had with the apartment across the hall being filled by Joanna Machen, Jill Rackow, Gatanya Arnic, and Gatanya's daughter. This was an overall fun living situation. Especially getting to watch good TV with Joanna!

At some point, I moved to Mahomet, IL with Josh and Michelle Bubniak! They had extra bedroom, the Princess room, and I had a need for speed. It was a good time. Michelle and I cried as we watched Rent and ate cookie dough. 

Me and Gabe

The next year, I moved with Gabe Thaman into Andrew and Audrey Kamm's house. Gabe, Andrew, and I were all pastoral interns at The Vineyard Church, and the Kamms' were giving us a great deal living there with them. Sometimes, Gabe and I would run out of toilet paper, but at least we had a shower. 

The next year, Gabe and I moved in with Bob and Jean Mason, an older couple from The Vineyard Church who often rented out rooms to internationals and the sort. Their grandson lived there with them. We shared a bathroom with him. There was also an older female pastor living upstairs. At one point, there were three girls from Eastern Europe who were selling books around town. For another bit, Jorge from Mazatlan lived with us. Then Stephen Johnson moved in with us, too. Always good people. 

Gabe was my favorite roommate of all time. I don't know of anyone else who I got along with soooo well. We were quite complementary. 

About a couple years later, I moved in with Mike Slone. I fried a lot of food. Mike had good costume and man parties. He also had good video games. I did not like having to live on the third floor with washers and dryers on the first floor, but Mike was a easy, cheap person to rent from. 

The next year, I moved in to a one-bedroom apartment. It was a great time. It was also behind El Toro, so I was confused by the smell of pancakes or grease or whatever when I'd wake up in the morning. 

Less than a year later, I moved to the good ol' Peoria, IL. I live by myself; however, I can walk about a block and hang out with Mark and Carrie Egli, who live in the same complex. Peoria is great. You should move here and work at Par-A-Dice with me. 

What shall I write about tomorrow?

What the Blog!? Day 31: A picture that makes you sad

WHAT THE BLOG!?
You guessed it. If you would like me to continue to blog about interesting or whacky things, I will be selecting what I blog about by what you comment in each day's previous entry. Yesterday, Mark Egli commented with a billion things; however, only one will be selected. You may re-comment an idea if I have not chosen it. Even if I have chosen it, you might want to comment again because it was that amazing.

Without further ado, Mark Egli wins for the day with:

DAY 31: A picture that makes you sad
Mark Egli is one person who should know what makes me sad. That's probably why he suggested this topic. He's quite the controversial Jelly Belly...not that he has a jelly belly. He's been working out with me and Carrie. He's looking the fit fiddle.

I was going to say that this picture makes me sad because I couldn't find a shorter stick to poke the fire with, but while contemplating that, I found a better one.

This "family picture" makes me sad because I no longer get to have fun with Jim Wood on a daily basis. If you have a Jim Wood in your life, be sure to thank him regularly. You don't know what you got til it's gone...or until you move away from it.

Day 30: A picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

Well, I did it. 30 days later, I still look so good.

A lot has happened. I don't remember much of it, but I will try to get five things out for you.

1. I was given two hours of over-time at work last week.
2. I got to hang out with Angie and Jenna in Peoria!
3. I made/ate ice cream cake for Mark's birthday party!
4. I made a song about Charlie Sheen that got 203 views. 
5. Jim Wood and I had a fake fight on Facebook.

Thanks for keeping up with me!

Day 27: Original photo of the city you live in

One of the first pictures I took in Peoria was of the Rave Theater. Steve and Melissa Logsdon invited Mark, Carrie, and me to go see Tron! God knows what happened. It was amazing. People cried. I laughed out loud. No one knows what will come next.

If that doesn't fancy your suit, come on by and check out this photo I took off the deck of the Par-A-Dice Casino!

You get to see a little more of that crazy skyline here. 

Remember, don't do drugs.

Day 26: Your dream wedding

This is something only fairy tales are made of, I hear. Let me lay it out for you.

First off, I would have a musical wedding. There would be some dialogue, but at key moments, the participants would break out in song. Picture this, as people are gathering into the auditorium, I would be up front playing acoustic guitar and singing some of my favorite songs as a pre-show concert. People would be free to throw money at me; however, it is not necessary. Then the pastor would walk in, singing about what a beautiful day for a wedding. The wedding party would gather in to an aisle dancing number with singing. Not too much dancing, we don't know the shape or tolerance of our party, and I want to be able to hear them sing, not just huff and puff. Yes, Edward Cullen is Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter. I didn't even know he was going to play Cedric when I cried like a fool.

The pastor would ask everyone to rise. Then, I would start singing about how thankful I am to know everyone, with such a song as "For Good." About halfway through the song, the bride would start walking down the aisle, as she starts singing, "It well may be that we will never meet again, in this life time." Of course, we are not singing to each other. We, together, are singing to the crowd of friends and family who have impacted our lives.

Fathers would give away daughters, and grandmas will sit there staring off into space cuz they're probably going batty, sadly. Our vows could be turned into a song or they could be spoken. We'd have to discuss that. We'd leave to some momentous song that tells everyone how magical of a day it will be (day, meaning period of time). God will shine his light on us, and all will be right in the world for this day.

There are probably other thoughts and sayings to include, but you get the picture. If my wife cannot sing, we will adjust this to being mostly me singing...or whatever she wants to do instead of this crazy musical idea.

Day 24: Something you’ve learned

This may come as a surprise, once again, but I have learned a lot. I mean, I have been alive for 27 years and some odd months. Things just kind of happen, and I experience them. Some things I have learned at school, some at home, some at church, and some at the zoo.

So yes, you could say I have learned something. I may take the chance to explain to you one something I have learned.

I learned how to make a roll-up ice cream cake. Carrie Egli and I took on the adventure of making this beauteous cake for Mark Egli's birthday.

It looks gross bc of powdered sugar...not dried crusties.

We couldn't get all the candles lit at once, either.

I've also learned it's not acceptable to strangle my child. Remember...use Cake Flour, not all purpose flour. Otherwise, you'll look like a complete idiot in front of all your friends. No one will want to talk to you. Children will flee, screaming in horror. God, himself, will be left to deal with your ungodly life choices!

Day 23: Favorite books

One thing you may recall I that I love reading. Ever since I was a wee little brat, I have found escape and relaxation in the wonderment that is reading. Is it because I have an imagination this size of a pluralized universe? Maybe it's because I was hit with a book whilst in the womb, and this is how I get my ghastly revenge. I don't know.

All I know is that I read all the time before we got video game systems. Then, I read some of the time.

Oh sisters, I revel in the memories of the R.L. Stine Goosebumps series. The Boxcar Children were out boxed and out carred in my imagination. Even The Babysitter's Club was clubbed by my triumphant reading skills.

But then I stumbled upon Redwall. A fictional world where animals can talk, wear clothes, and wield weapons to protect the Redwall Abbey. My friend, Jean, and I would scamper through the prairie behind her father's house, swinging sticks wildly about as we pretended to be Martin the Warrior and such other legendary heroes. This world of fantasy was quite the escape I needed in a time where all the voices around me condemned me and hated me for something I had no control over. In this terrible world, these teenagers decided I was gay and that it was wrong to be gay. But in the walls of Redwall Abbey, I was a valiant hare, adorned in a blue vest, who also had a knack for lute playing. Was this mighty beast labeled with such belittling terms? No. He was adorned with praise.

A few years later, I became bewitched, if you will, by a rising series...Harry Potter. I don't need to explain how quickly I fell into this splendor of witchcraft. However, the blasted writer was taking her sweet @$$ time writing, so I filled in the dry spells with X-MEN novels. The supernatural always makes it better.

Spoiler Alert!

I had to stop reading Harry Potter books because I realized I was getting way too involve in said series. After the great match between three schools, Harry and Cedric touch the "finish line" at the same time. Without any warning, Cedric Diggory is killed. Just like that! This sweet leader of the Gryffindor pack is plucked from the pages of the book! Even though I am wholeheartedly Slytherin, I cried, "Why not Malfoy!?" I bawled in agony for what seemed like eons, but was realistically 30-45 minutes. I could not sleep. Tears would not cease. My mind raced. Would he reappear later like how Yoda makes a final appearance as a ghostly spirit in the end of Star Wars? Who else would this wench of a writer kill off!? And that's when I stopped reading Harry Potter.

I will watch the movies, and at some point, I may pick up a Harry Potter book again. But until that day, I'll read Twilight and other mythic phenomenon with a grain of salt. Literally, I will hold a grain of salt between my thumb and forefinger.

Favorite Book: Jane Eyre?

Day 21: Favorite picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

If you know me, you know I like myself. Sometimes, I'll stare at myself in the mirror for hours on end, just wondering how I look so good. Some people have to buy special makeups or extensive surgeries. I just have a crooked nose and was born beautiful, I hear.

Of course, I can't just show you the ONE picture that is my favorite of all time. I have to have a countdown with those who are runners ups.

We start with the Costumes:

Moses and Rocky 

Superman with his Hero Squad

Pharaoh with a slew

Dwight, leading worship for class

Corky St Clair with a hippie

Tobias Funke in Pirate attire

Michael Jackson with Fred Flintstone

  Then, Non-Costumes:

Alexis and I, singing at Gabe and Aubrey's wedding.

Dancing at Chad and Carolyn's Christmas Party

The Family Shot

Posing with Don Follis

Apologizing for saying her name instead of Aubrey's in the toast.

My Senior photo. I'm 17, not 12.

The Winner:

Zach and I just look like little studs. I'm on the left.

Day 20: Nicknames

In my short-lived history, you might have discovered that I'm a millionaire. Only when you consider nicknames to be currency. That's right. I said it.

One of my most famous nicknames is Adam "the Hawk" Morrison.

A Face

Tree Hugger

Oversized Shirt Wearer

Mr F.

Student of the Year

Oversized Shirt of Aliens Wearer

Special

Melancholy Photobomber

Head Squisher

Angie's Personal Professional Model

Slytherin

While this list does not contain all of my nicknames...you can see that I've had my fair share. My fare share, if you will. Won't you?

Day 19: Something you miss

Who knew the first person who isn't family that I'd miss would be Angie? In fact, she was the first person I called. And y'all know, I don't like calling people. We've been friends for so long, it's hard to do life without that sorta folk.

Of course, I miss others like Jim Wood, Hannah Burtness, Gabe and Aubrey, Jonathan Rasch, Tyler Alblinger, Jenna Hoerr, Adam and Alecia, and many more. If I didn't list you, it's cuz I'm trying to blog in a rush because I'm pooping at Lamar and Tanya's new home!

Day 17: Something you’re looking forward to

As some of you may know, I moved to Peoria to in January to help start a new church. That church won't get running until the pastor and the rest of the team move up here. One exciting step in this process is coming up this weekend. Lamar and Tanya are moving to Morton, IL!

Of course, I'm happy to see Lamar and Tanya, but more importantly, I'm excited to see their son, Peyton. We went to Chuckie Cheese for his fifth birthday. I was his special guest.

Last week, I heard from some folks that Peyton was getting nervous about moving up here. He'd be leaving all his friends and extended family. He'd be in a new school with new kids who don't know him yet... So I wrote him a letter. I don't have an exact copy of the letter, but here is my best effort:

Dear Peyton,

I am super excited. Do you know why? It's because you will be moving near me soon! Just think of it! No longer will we be an hour and a half away! We'll only be fifteen minutes away from each other. That means, we can visit each other and play Wii all the time! 

I bet you're probably a little nervous about moving to Morton. But remember, you're a pretty cool kid. You're really smart. You're a total stud. And You're really great at baseball! The kids in your new class will totally think you're pretty cool.

I also heard there's another kid who looks just like you and that he is also named Peyton. I bet you'll be great friends. 

Peace,

Adam

As I said, I don't remember if that's the exact letter, but he was pretty ecstatic to see that he had received mail AND that it was a letter from me. Tanya said he wanted to hang it on his closet door, but he must wait until he gets into his new house to hang my dramatic letter.

I also included a drawing I made for Lauren, Peyton's younger sister. She really liked it, too, but when Angie (the same Angie I've referenced in countless posts, also Tanya's sister) and I were talking over the phone, Lauren said she didn't like me. I heard it. I wasn't supposed to hear it. ;)

Day 14: A picture of you last year – how have you changed?

Two weeks into this crazy shenanigans, and I don't know what to make of it. Some people tell me I should not make of it anything...other people tell me not to make out. I don't know where they come up with these statistics, but they know.

This photo was taken by me a year and two days ago. We were Band-Aid! Which is the most hippin-est hoppin-est band ever, doing covers of Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana, and the Jonas Bros for The Vineyard Church, Urbana's Daddy Daughter Date Night.

I don't think any of the girls could hear me singing the Jonas Bros' songs because they were screaming them louder than the whole band. It was a real special night, I hear.

Soon after, my coworkers and I had a blast of an afternoon...probably going to McDonald's for ice cream.

I've changed. The band broke up, shortly after. I also quit my job, since then. I also don't eat McDonald's ice cream much.

Day 11: Favorite tv shows

Have you ever sat back and taken it all in? I can only hope you have. I am a lover of comedy. Does it have to be superb comedy? No, sir. It simply has to make me chuckle to myself quietly (CTMQ). You can probably tell this by my favorite movies. If you haven't read that post, you're not a total douche.

Yes, I like TV shows. I will tell you straight up, my favorite shows are Animation Domination on Fox, but out of all of them, only one can walk away from me, carrying a cake!

American Dad pretty much takes the cake. If I didn't care for morals and just let myself go, I'd become Roger the Alien. People would laugh with me for a while, and then, they'd kick me to the curb cuz I'm a total jerk. The surprise company of the rest of the cast just adds to this cup of tea, turning it into a Shamrock Shake!

If American Dad doesn't suit your fancy, you need to find a new tailor. I'll tell you who's fancy it doesn't suit...and that's how Angie made it in four posts in a row. Because she just doesn't get into my fanciful shows of animated debauchery.

Also, I hope you enjoyed the fact that I learned how to make my links open in new windows, so you wouldn't get stabbed in the face every time you have to click on them.

I'd also like to take the time to thank my viewers from all over the places! Take a look at them:

1. One viewer from Changwon, South Korea! You are truly my favorite. 
2. Coming in second is my viewer from Bucharest, Romania. To you, I say, "sarut mana!"
3. Look out for Mazatlan, Mexico! Ellen Benefield is taking over my views!
4. There are also a number of folks from the good ol' US and A:
1. Someone from Lenexa, Kansas.
2. A friend from Watertown, Massachusetts. 
3. Don't forget about my acquaintances in Brunswick and Akron, Ohio!
4. Then there are some fools in Cambridge and Circle Pines, Minnesotas!
5. Watch out for the fastly growing population in New York City and Syracuse, New York.
6. Indianapolis and Valparaiso, Indiana have a chance.
7. California represents with views from San Francisco, Chula Vista, Alhambra, and Santa Monica.
8. Missouri is sweeping the competition thanks to O'Fallon. St Peters and Kansas City are helping.
9. But as it should be, Champaign, Illinois is destroying the ambivalence. Followed by Chicago, Peoria, Decatur, Sullivan, Charleston, Washington, Rantoul, Mahomet, and Mattoon. 

If you are representing one of these areas, feel free to leave a comment! Especially if you're not Ellen from Mexico or from Champaign, IL.

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend

It's hard to narrow down who EXACTLY is my best friend...for many reasons:

1. I'm pretty popular.
2. I'm not lonely.
3. I tend to like most people.
4. If I don't like someone, they aren't my best friend.
5. I'm quite focused on who is currently around me.
6. I often friendship in packs of four.
7. I'm in Slytherin.

But even with all this working for/against me, I am going to take you on a tour of my friendship. As stated in #6, above, I often friendship in packs of four. Just take a look at the incredible fours:

The first of the fours took place in 2004 with the first friends I made at The Vineyard Church. 

That's right. You look up and only see three people who are supposed to be in the picture, Carrie (Townsend) Egli, Mark Egli, and Adam Morrison. That's because Michelle (Uphoff) Koehler was not ever in any photograph with the rest of us when we hung out. You see, back in 2004, we didn't care so much for digital cameras and making sure other people knew we were a group of friends. Then Michelle went away to ISU, and the rest of us went on without her.

The second set of fours took place a times later from The Vineyard Church, as well.

This group of friends has plenty of pictures together because we toured Florida as a rag-tag singing quartet. We didn't really sing, but we did go to Florida, as you might be able to tell from the previous entry. Emily (Hoerr) Pool, Adam Morrison, Leann (Earp) Knight, and Robert Daniel Goulet. We stayed up late, having serious talks about Jesus and healing. God did some pretty cool things, cuz he's just pretty cool. 

Who is next? I'll tell you. 

The wildest pack of geese you've ever seen! Angie Kauffman, Aubrey (Smith) Thaman, Gabe Thaman, and Adam Morrison. We weren't a band of singers, but we were a band of fun. I do so enjoy our times. We all took part in the grandiose wedding extravaganza of Gabe and Aubrey. I, the best man, and Angie, the wedding coordinator. Obviously Gabe and Aubrey were the groom and bride. I also sang at the wedding with Alexis, Aubrey's sister.  

If I were to take a step back and say, "Well, who are the individuals who have been besties with the mesties?" I'd probably have to think about it. [30 minutes of thinking]

One of my favorite peoples in the world, would have to be:

Geoff Olmstead and I were quite good friends. I don't know if it's because of both of our desire to avoid confrontation or if it's just because we're that good-natured, but we survived all the way to Mexico and back. Geoff got me excited about football (soccer) and advertising... Then, he got married and moved back to Colorado to work at his father's church. 

One of the best friends I've had through fights, is:

Not Adam Morrison and Cow. It's Mark Egli. Yes, we've had big fights. Not just one, but many. AND we've survived. At first, we were afraid. We were petrified. But after the big knock-out blow fight that ended the first set of four, we waited years before being friends again. Then, it was like a millionaires! Now, we hang out pretty regularly. We have reached an agreement that we're both better than each other. That way, we're both always right. It works. Don't ask how.

However, one of the friends who I grew up wanting to be like and then ended up being a great, supportive friend is:

Zachary Stephen Morrison is a pretty good fellow. Look at us, being studs in our childhood. Then, I grew up to sweat a lot. Zach was a pretty great friend when I was hating who I was in high school. He was a fun coworker and roommate. He was also jealous of my styles, but I didn't know that until he was married. I just thought he was a jerk, when we were in jr high. God bless the child. 

So there you go. I like people. They like me. People are good. I also want "So I Met Your Mother" to be over already, so we can know who the freaking mother is. 

Day 8: A place you've traveled to

I would be lying to you if I told you I haven't traveled. My family took vacations all over the nation when I was just a child. We did vacations to Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC...and probably a few others that I can't remember.

But one of my favorite places to visit is Florida. My freshman year in high school was the first time I visited this land of God's eternal beauty. Here I am enjoying a lovely lemon ice with my floppy hat on. I'm pretty sure Jamie and I were at the Animal Kingdom. I thought I was so cool with that hat and my oversized shirts!

As you can see below, I'm not the woman wearing the kitty face shirt. I am in the green floppy hat in the back left. Katie Bormet, Ashley Luening and I rode the Tower of Terror at least 30 times, each time we posed differently. One time included us wearing our shopping bags over our heads. This was one of our favorites, the ol' Say No, Hear No, Speak No jazz.

Look below, and you'll see me and Leann having a blast at my first return to Florida. You see, this was the summer of the Final Four, which was comprised of Daniel Goulet, Emily Pool, Leann Knight, and me. I enjoyed the It's a Small World After All ride for the first time. I was also made fun of by Daniel's mother's boyfriend. Friends, I wanted to sleep in because it was my vacation. The rest of the Final Four went to a church. Mister Boyfriend told Bernice, Daniel's mom, that I better watch myself because my alligator butt is gonna catch up with my woodpecker mouth, which I think means I talk a lot. 

Then came my "family vacation" with Angie's family.

Kids better not ruin my masterpiece theater!

He got his shorts wet and got to walk through town with just his boxer briefs. He thought I was wearing boxers for shorts anyway.

This past year, Zach invited me to join the Burtness family for vacation to Florida, too! Of course, I said yes because it involved me getting to share a room with the nephew, William. And we got to see our brother, Chris, who is a pharmacist for a hospital in Miami.

Good friend Hannah was there, too! I needed a bit of good ol' fashioned massage, then and later then.

And guess what! Less than a month later, Angie's family vacation happened again. It's an every two year thing.

So don't mess with me because I sweat a lot.

As you can tell, I have been to Florida.