Saturday, December 29, 2007

INsight

Insight

My four year old nephew Billy was visiting and upon a stroll of my yard saw my collection of seaglass and exclaimed---"Uncle Tate, you are so rich"

A good friend of mine Raife (six years old) , who was visitng me today took a tour of where I work and figured out I was a boss. He was confused.....he wanted to know why if I was the boss my house was so small.

Friday, December 28, 2007

twists turns jumps


will you dance w/me?


will you sing w/me?


will you pray w/me?


OR


will you sit on the sidelines


watching

waiting

watching

waiting


What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
From the book of James


action is louder then words

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Guitar Hero III

soooooo my 16 year old bought two albums today.
One was Coheed and Cambria and the other was Heart's Greatest Hits.
Apparently Guitar Hero III features Barracuda as a song to play......
looks like air guitar has elevated to a new level
get it
"elevated"

Saturday, December 22, 2007

America, home sweet home

ahhhhhh......Born in the USA! Home of hot dogs, apple pie and my Scion XB! I earn a living off of RETAIL, but I think America is going to far!!! How much more retail can we build?! I have heard of the container store and like it's a little obvious as to what they sell......BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Americans have clean drinking water in hot or cold and most of us own more pairs of shoes then we should. I mean are we blessed or what? Sometimes I wonder?!

Jesus hung with the poor. The really, really poor. People that didn't own more then one pair of shoes or quite possibly didn't own any. I mean can you imagine not owning a single pair of shoes?

So now, we Americans have so much stuff that we needed a store that sells stuff to put our stuff in......containers.

Sometimes I think the camel trying to get through the eye of the needle is me.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Victoria's Secrets vs. the toy stores

So.....A giant mall in Pentagton City VA. has a giant, and I do mean giant, Victoria's Secrets.
It is the size of 2-3 Wawas combined!!!
That's a lot of underwear!
Yet.....the mall does not have one single toy store!
there is something wrong with this picture!!
in the midst of all this:
Yolonda who sleeps in the alley @ 6th & Market Streets
and panhandles the corner of 8th & Market
could really use some underwear....size 5

Friday, November 30, 2007

off key


...if the drums are off key...everyone is off key



get in key


love is key


get in ley


love is key


getinkey


loveiskey


loveiskey

lovelovelovelove

iskey

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Click on the pics and they will ENLARGE!



the non-bandana team
the bandana team

Flick and Holly were in attendance and it was as if John had never left.

Bret was leading the enthusiasm cheers!
So many people made outstanding catches or deflections--Franchesca/Nate.

It's always good to hang together, there is really nothing like it. Just being together....as one.

Special thanks to God for a minimal amount of injury. He blessed us with great weather, a great # of people...Thanks God!

more pics





RUN-DIVE-CATCH-CLEAR
sure it's competition....but what was important was the FUN!
Hope y'all had a great time.

Annual All Weather Ultimate Frisbee



....and the weather was spectacular!





Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Today's Handyman Lesson

Nuts
Bolts
Washers



I always confused a nut and a bolt---which is which and what about washers.....
really, when are you supposed to use them (washers)?

In today's wonderful world of the Information Super Highway it took more then one google search to find the ins & outs on nuts~bolts~washers

Should you ever need to know
Thanks to the Brits....apparently it is a UK site!



BTW---It's a pretty cool site....if you like nuts & bolts that is!






Game Day



BRING IT ON!
Tomorrow's forecast
HIGH of 67! Showers in the afternoon----cloudy
WE R READY!
BRING IT ON....NOW!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

past frisbee


aftermath 2006

2005 23 people


2006 22 people
(the mud bowl)


All Weather Ultimate Frisbee

NO PRISONERS!
Our Annual Thanksgiving Day Ultimate Frisbee game looks to be attended by UNPRECEDENTED #'s!
As of today:
Perazzelli's- tate, sean, aryn & tails
Finn's- mark, kevin, stephen & kat
Goen's- bret, nate & amanda
Hogan's- gerry, melissa & sarah
matt jag
McEntire's- darren, logan & colin
Gill's- ashley & erin
rick boyle
dave beers
DiFerdinand's- john & johnny
English's- bob & bobby
joe gaffney
sean sims
flick & bill
Henderson's-josh & justin
hardee perazzelli
dave rochelle
sarah ?
35 PEOPLE & COUNTING!
my kids have set up a facebook ad for the game (no need)
We may need to form two games or ONE HUGE GAME
progress----
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard Shaw

Saturday, November 17, 2007

the most brilliant day ever

it feels like the most brilliant day ever.
the sky is amazing.
the trees are so beautifully colored that I have no words to describe them


and i have been given today

time to go and enjoy it

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Conclusion



Hi, how are you?


"Tired" is the #1 response.


People are always tired----from what????


Conclusion: people are tired because they are bored/unchallenged/blase'


Get challenged


CHALLENGE YOURSELF!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Technology is great????

Is technology great? I bleed Camp Manatawny green......so it would be almost natural that I bleed E A G L E S G R E E N as well.

So here I sit, on the train on a Sunday going to work and spend the nite in DC and I get to listen to the Eagles game.....is this a good thing????
It's almost halftime and the birds are down 12-7.
Hearing it can almost be as painful as watching.....yet.....

GO EAGLES!!!

23 seconds left in the half......Eagles just crossed the 50, no timeouts and need @ least 15 yards for a field goal.....I say forget the 3 points....go for 6!
McNabb in the shotgun.....Redskins offside...YES!
Here we go....on the 40. Deep snap---INCOMPLETE! And again another incomplete....the time is now to score....3rd & 5 and he looks he fires the ball to Curtis and MY INTERNET CONNECTION GOES OUT!!!

The internet comes back as Mike Quick says.....chalk this up to another "missed opportunity"

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

trees & dinner

Tonite I climbed a tree, in the dark. It's a 300 year old oak tree. Some of it's branches sweep to the ground and that's where I started. I am not as young as I used to be and so I had some fear. I crawled along a branch so thick that I could not reach my arms around it. I sat there, in the cold wind....thinking. Then I went home to have dinner.

We had soup. Soup & bread. The bread is the reason I climbed the tree. We sat around the table, my family and I for over an hour after dinner; talking about the poor, the hurt, the politicians and judgement.

We laughed, we were silent and we broke bread. I could not have been happier when my sons stated to the others at the table "they should have been here for dinner last nite!", meaning the conversation was good the nite before as well.

I am almost ready to climb again.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

forgive

she said she was having a hard time forgiving those who had hurt her. what could i say? The man (?) she had given her virginity to and 18+ years had been having affairs and when confronted refused to stop....the relationship ended- she can't forgive him

her father was about as selfish as anyone she had ever known and he had not been so much of a father figure to her as he was a man who fathered children, she could not forgive him

her sister; causing hurt and destruction all around her. not caring about who else she hurt as she went forward. she could not forgive her, for past words and actions and for leaving----or was it running from her own demons?

how can we forgive others when we still haven't forgiven ourselves?

how can we forgive others if we judge them?

how can we understand God's love?

wake up.....die to yourself....give your heart, mind, soul & strength to God.
you will STILL see pain in this world.
you will still FEEL pain
rest assured.....joy can be found in God..... :)

realize the truths
realize the truths
pray for Godly wisdom!
pray, pray pray....CRY OUT for UNDERSTANDING

realize you are forgiven
you ARE forgiven
accept His love
let Him in

acknowledge Him
do not be ashamed of Him----

now look at others----
see them-
no----see them----they are no better or worse then you
love them
honor them
wash their feet
give of yourself to them
if they ask you to go 5 miles---GO 10!

love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love and when you are done spreading love----go get started.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

i'm fried


it's been a long, long, long day.
working for God is not easy work.
shepherding people is not easy
making sure of unity
is not easy
FRIED!

YOWZA!

the sky is about as dark as I have ever seen it.

the moon, not full, waning, is incredible.
the sky is so clear I have no words to describe it.

God is with me!
I rejoice!

God is with me!!!
I rejoice!

Bring HIM into your life......and rejoice.

Friday, October 26, 2007

water vs. Direct TV




most of the world is thinking about where their water will come from and I can't decide between direct tv or cable!


breaking trail

When you break trail it is HARD work---a lot of times you are alone and others are way behind you. You are getting scratched and bruised and poked and hurt all along the way....it seems like their is no end, not ever. When will I find the end? When will we be done? The wounds hurt and make it harder to go forward when it would be so much easier to rest, just take five. Sometimes those five turn into a full day of rest...that's fine....don't forget your goal...keep breaking trail. Keep getting bruised, WHY? Keep getting scratched....WHY?....oh no....I fell down on the rocks, my leg is bleeding and I hit my head and there is no one here to help me! Rest easy---get back up. Go---break trail---He is with you always....He will guide you, lean on Him----ask Him for wisdom, ask him for understanding and He will give, He will heap it on you. Let Him lead you....He broke a much harder trail for you a long time ago.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Revelation 2:3

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, John 3:16


Thursday, October 25, 2007

being bitter is NOT a fruit of the Spirit

i have been bitter for several months now
it is work related
i need to figure out how to get out of this bitterness
i feel like i am being taken advantage of & yet
the bible says-----BOND SERVANT
even though i read these words in the bible they don't take place in my heart the way i want them to
help---help---help

i took off from work today to chill
building something out of wood---lots of sanding---it's sweet
gets my mind to think----i talk to God a lot when i am working on wood....He's a good one to talk to.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

It's business.....just business

I DISAGREE!

I hear the phrase "it's about business" a lot.
I don't get it......My business life is just as much a reflection of who I am as is my personal life and frankly if my professional side does not reflect my personal side....then WHO AM I?
Stand up people----for what you believe. Stop giving in 'cause it's easy. Stop giving in to everyone and everything for what is accepted.....be the rebel....be the difference....be what stands the test of time----and WHAT, YOU MAY ASK STANDS THE TEST OF TIME??!!

people and their souls are the only thing that will ever stand beyond your lifetime. If you spread love and encouragment to others and they spread love and encouragment to others and so on and so forth......the test of time has stood. Nothing can break love, nothing.

It's not about business people and it's not about YOU.....it's about love and love is God.....trust me....love is God.

What it all means.....

In the book of Ecclesiastes in the bible it says:

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
so I ask you.....what do you stand for, what do you believe? Who owns you?
Most may not answer----"themselves", but yet that is what I see---our own desires and wants are what controls us. Why not live for others?
There is much to live for and yet everything to die for.
What promise do you believe and what promise do you want to believe?
What will you do on earth that will stand the test of time when you are gone?

Saturday, October 20, 2007

happy

you could be happy...how?
what makes you happy?
the happiest I have ever been in life.....is when I gave; to others.
will you give?
what makes us happy? is it money? fame? fortune? life????
giving to others----using the supreme emotion-LOVE will make you happy.
love will make us all happy....yet WE get in the way.
selfish for what we want---money-fame-fortune-life
give of yourself
all that you have
ALL THAT YOU HAVE
whenyoudothat
you will get happy
go ahead &
GET HAPPY

Friday, October 19, 2007

Mid-Life REVELATION

At the ripe age of 44 yrs old I am begining to reflect on a lot of things. This post is currently incomplete and will take a bit to finish. I really don't care if you read it or what you think...it is the first of several posts that will finish with wisdom from heaven.

Peter Frampton 1976 @ JFK Stadium: My first show and possibly my biggest--I heard 110,000 people were there. Paid 14.00. I just graduated 8th grade. Whenever I hear Do You, Feel Like I Do I will think of summer.

Lynyrd Skynyrd 1976 @ JFK Stadium: Freebird-Sweet Home Alabama everyone sang along-Even though Frampton headlined, this is who stole and rocked the show. One year later most of the band died in a plane crash.

J. Giles Band 1976 @ JFK Stadium: They were not even close to being big yet and frankly I was to worried about being hit in the head by an M-80.

Electric Light Orchestra 1977 (?) Spectrum: Took my mom...it was billed as The Big Night. An amazing show. I love this band. Lights-Lasers-Music

Boston 1978 Spectrum: Don't Look Back tour--great guitar by Tom Scholz and yes, Brad the drummer is the singer. General admission show....sat in the 3rd level :(
Sammy Hager opened...he was okay, not my style.

Devo 1981ish Tower Theatre: WOW, WOW, WOW!

Peter Gabriel 1980 Tower Theatre: Interesting fella. Highlight-After the lights came up and a good portion of the crowd left he came out (it was his only encore) and played Solsbury Hill solo, on the piano.

B-52's 1979 Philadelphia Zoo: I really don't remember to much except it was a good show. The B-52's were an awesome party band. Saw the 52's again @ the Mann Music Center circa 19??. They were good, w/o their original guitarist (aids) and one of the girls got totally drunk on stage during the show which was not cool.

Ray Davies 2001 TLA: Unbelievable Storytellers show. He played a lot of great, great Kinks songs and told a bit of story on each one. This was a very special evening.

Pretenders & The Kinks 19?? Mann Music Center: The Kinks were okay. Chrissy from the Pretenders is a ROCKER- Highlights were- Bad Boys Get Spanked and Thin Line Between Love and Hate--excellent performances.

Lindsey Buckingham 2007 TLA: Watching Lindsey play was like watching an artist paint. He is an outstanding artist. The crowd, after being seated, rushed the stage for the last 5-6 songs of which he played Go Your Own Way.....he let us strum (paw) at his guitar during that song....I got several strums in.

U2 1984 Tower Theatre: They had recorded Do They Know It's Christmas a week before this show. This was the last of the small venue shows U2 would do to present day. It was not so much of a show by U2 as the audience sang along to every song validating U2's future as one of rocks' biggest bands.
1986 JFK Stadium: Little Stevie opened the show. He was Bruce's guitar player so I knew......?
It was a HOT day with a BIG crowd. It was the Joshua Tree tour. They were amazing and yes, Bruce showed and performed Stand By Me with Bono/U2 as one of the encores. Show finished with Sunday Bloody Sunday. We left the stadium as one....everyone singing "how long, how long must we sing this song...how long" over and over. Leaving the show and singing as one was the highlight, I will never forget it.

Elvis Costello 1986 Tower Theatre: He had a giant wheel on stage and brought audience members up to dance after spinning the wheel and playing whatever song came up. He had a magnificent stage presence always working the crowd. It was an awesome show. Major highlight was American Girl (Tom Petty).
1989 Mann Music Center: Spike tour. Again, great stage presence. He really knows how to work the audience.
2007 Electric Factory: I was stage side for this incredible evening. Highlights are too numerous to even begin to mention. It was the last nite of the tour. His singing was like watching a Quentin Tarrentino movie. Allen Touissant visited and played as well. Really, this was amazing- Lover's Walk, The Beat & Peace Love & Understanding. Not to mention the two Beatles songs he did that blew us away; MAJOR highlights. After the show we went out to where the car picked him up. We saw him and I yelled out Absolutely soulful Elvis-SOULFUL and he looked my way, made eye contact and gave me the thumbs up. Not really a big deal, but the folks I were with were like....Elvis just gave you a thumbs up! I was like "no kidding....it was soulful".

Bruce Springsteen 1980- Spectrum: The River Tour. One of my most horrendous ticket experiences centered around this tour. However....we got 1st level tickets via mail order (Bruce's way of combatting scalpers)and hit the show. Unfortunately, I do not have to much memory of this show. I know it was good and Clarence on the sax was super cool. 2005-Cleveland Wolstein: This was a solo performance. He was @ times amazing and at other times the distance between the artist and audience was to great to really appreciate his artistry. One of the most cpativating performances I have ever witnessed was at ther close when Bruce covered the song Dream Baby Dream. It made me cry. He sang of hope and the future and smiles. This song made the whole concert.
An aside- Margaret and I visited the Rock and Roll of fame before the concert. When we checked into our hotel we ran into Scott Weiland and Slash of Velvet Revolver.

Ian Hunter 1979-Tower Theatre: Former lead singer of Mott the Hoople and artist who wrote Cleveland Rocks. It was a good nite, the band performed well. Opening for Hunter was David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter former lead signer of the New York Dolls. As with many concerts---the opener performed better then the headliner. This was certainly the case for this show. I had never heard of Johansen before this show, but his energy was amazing. I remember commenting on his swagger and stage presence being reminescent of Mick Jagger and in research for this post on Wikipedia the first comment relating to Johansen his major influence being Jagger. Many years later I took Sean and Aryn (my oldest children) to see Buster perform @ Penn's Landing at the height of Poindexter's Hot, Hot, Hot fame. I remember Aryn ( possibly 2 ) dancing up a storm to this free performance.
I later saw Ian Hunter open for Heart and in keeping with headliners/opener tradition---Ian outperformed Heart.

Heart 1985? Spectrum: I really can't be sure of the date. Major highlights- Dog & Butterfly. Zep's Rock and Roll (encore) and my future best friend and wife Margaret getting thrown out of the concert by an over aggressive security/usher guy. I was not with Margaret @ the time, we were friends and actually attended the show with about 4-8 other friends. Possibly the best song performed was Mistral Wind.

The Cars 1981 Spectrum: As uch as we looked forward to this show it was really, really bad and to top it off the opener, The Romantics ( That's What I Like About You) were actually worse. Incidently this concert marked an interesting time period. Previous to this show the smoking of cigarettes or marijuania were widely accepted in public concert venues. Even though the smoking of pot would almost almost always be present at concerts this show marked a departure from the coolness of drugs that was present in the '60's & 70's.

The Clash 1982-Class of 23 Skating Rink: Everything you would expect from this band and more. We were stage side and had a group of 10+ people and I am pretty sure it was a general admission show. I remember talking to the sound crew stationed adjacent to the stage and they all had serious British accents. This was a very high energy show. Very loud and simply crazy. It is also the fastest paced concert I have ever witnessed. It went by so quick that it was like it was over before it started. This was the Combat Rock tour. They all had energy or so it seemed. This band had fun.

Eric Clapton 2005- Wachovia Center: Unbeleiveable. I have never desired to pay to see Clapton. I mean, he is a rock legend, but I never would be inspired to go see him. My wife of 25 years at the time decided to get me tix's for Father's Day which I saw lying on the kitchen counter a week before the show. I was excited to see him. Again, not really someone I would choose to see, but obviously a rock legend. It was to be my first concert at the newer Wachovia on ther former site of JFK Stadium where Live Aid was performed and noted on two previous concert attendances. So- I played more air guitar at this show and was more impressed then one could ever imagine. What an amazing arranger. Highlights are to numerous to mention, but Let it Rain and Wonderful Tonight were certainly among them as well as Sunshine of Your Love. Now here's the thing. As the band begins to play After Midnight and the same thing happened during Cocaine: I think to myself "ugh, I have heard this song a billion times and here it comes again". In my wildest dreams I could never imagine hearing the incredible arranagments of these and all the other songs performed. His style and ease at which he "just played" were inspiring. During the show I felt like I was 15 years old and playing guitar with my lacrosse stick in my teenage bedroom all over again.

Police 1984- Atlantic City Convention Hall: The Police were my band! At least for the first three albums. This was thier 5th album and they were as big as they would ever be and were coming off of a huge tour. It was time of thunderdome and Sting played the part. We were about 15-20 rows from the stage center. The only problem was we had about 4-5 girls in front of us who were screaming thier heads off like it was 1963 and the Beatles just walked by! This was my band....and I wanted to see and hear it all. High expectations resulted in a fair to good performance by my standards. I was super impressed with Andy and Stewart and not Sting. The back-up singers added some serious soul to the band. What I walked away with is that Andy Summers is an amazing guitar player--a m a z i n g ! Reggatta 'de blanc is one of my all time favorite albums.

Dion
Squeeze
Citizen Cope
Graham Parker
Nick Lowe
Lenny Kravitz
Phil Keaggy
Jars of Clay
Burlap to Cashmere
Guster
Ray Lamontagne
Bobby McFerrin
Chick Corea
Paul Simon
Jennifer Knapp
Jaci Valesquez
Devotchka
Yes
Hooters
Joe Jackson
Todd Rundgren
Robert Randolph Band
David Johanson
David Cassidy
Paul McCartney
Third Day
David Crowder
Switchfoot
Newsboys
David Bowie
Courtney Dowe
Adam Hill
Andrew Peterson
Doc Watson
Snow Patrol
Crystal Lewis
Leeland
Robin Trower
Joan Jett
Foreigner
Billy Squier
Chocolate Genius
M. Ward
Caedmon's Call

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Work @ everything as if you are working for God

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

find JOY in all circumstances

I will be listening to two songs over and over and over today----

I want to fall in love with You- Jars of Clay
Consume Me- DC Talk

so much to do....so little time

Monday, October 15, 2007

MONDAY MONDAY

Rah,rah!

The Eagles won, Dallas lost.
I spent the weekend away.
What more could I want?
RESOLUTION!

I need resolution in a job related matter and I am tired of waiting.
It's heating up!

Today I will be listening to:
Ray Lamontagne & Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody

Friday, October 12, 2007

Long Days

don't know what it's been lately.
having a hard time staying spiritualy sound
my attitude is what's troubling me
it just isn't in tune
i think a lot of it has to do
with my job
wish it didn't
it just does
i feel like i am wobbling on a tightrope and just can't seem to regain my balance
i want the wobbling to end
LORD----give me patience
Father--give me strength
Lord, you will always provide what i need. Let me find joy and solace in all circumstances
help me to not worry about me and glorify you
help me to not worry about the things I worry about, which really aren't important
Lord---be here now
amen

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

eye contact

several years ago...more then I care to admit, I was coaching my daughter in soccer and we had a girl on the team, Lindsay. Lindsay was fairly meek and mild and just a tad clumsy. We would practice being fierce and WANTING the ball/game. We always had fun and our main purpose was to enjoy the game although I must tell.....there were several games that I took too seriously and whenever I took them to seriously we would generally lose.

One day, during a game with these 8-9 year old girls.....Lindsay had a bit of a breakaway that she dribbled down the sideline and kept going, and KEPT going till she was close enough to be considered a serious threat and me with my normal passion screaming to KICK THE BALL.....

SHE DID, and it went past the keeper and Lindsay from across the entire field turned and made eye contact with me as her team swarmed her for making her first ever goal and Lindsay and I shared a special moment of achievement.
I will never forget that moment.

Today a man asked me for some money to get something to eat.......said he had 22 cents and he needed more. I had no change to offer him. I went about my business and realized that I would again be passing him and I recalled that I had a boatload of change in my pack. I gathered the change and palmed it. I went back to him.....he barely recognized me from earlier....I said hey man....I found some change.....his eyes met mine and he smiled. The kind of smile that is real-genuine-authentic and man oh man.....did we have serious eye contact as he REALLY thanked me.


Make eye contact with people and you will get to know their heart.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Blog Worthy?

My wife and I just went to Ikea and spent about 150 bucks.
A very good friend of our family is applying for the Sam Walton Scholarship for residents of Mexico and Central America.
She lives in Honduras.
This was question #17.
17. Please indicate your family’s approximate income in U.S. Dollars next:
􀂈 Less than $3,000 per year.
􀂈 $3,000 to $6,999 per year.
􀂈 $7,000 to $11,999 per year.
􀂈 $12,000 to $15,999 per year.
􀂈 $16,000 to 20,999 per year.
􀂈 Over $21,000 per year.
􀂈 Other (Please specify) ___________________


LESS THEN 3,000??!!!
I think they make about that....her dad's supported by United States COC's.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

another post on the homeless

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

I spoke with Dave today, actually he spoke with me....wanted an ear to listen he did....it is so hard to not pass judgement. I knew he was homeless. Dave has a different purpose then you and I. We wonder what and where to eat and he wonders how he will eat.
Let's face the facts----I am rich. Really, really rich.
I own several pairs of shoes and actually wear different ones every day.
Most people in the world do not own shoes.
Dave wondered why people give up on people.
I wonder the same thing.
If you ever go homeless....get a dog....people will pity the dog more then you so you will get to eat.
Dave asked for prayers...he never asked for money.....he asked for prayers.
Homeless people say God bless you to me more then any other people I know.
pray for Dave
pray for wisdom and understanding

FIGHT?!

i love the fight....i sometimes wish i didn't love the fight and people that observe from the sidelines love that i have the fight. as i get older i must admit.....i get tired of fighting.......it is tiring.

someone NEEDS to STAND UP for what is right.

right?

RIGHT!

so...I stand up and am beaten----BEATEN down.
only to stand back up again :)

again and again and again and again

God is good....

Friday, September 21, 2007

It's TRUE

the difference has been made. the word you spoke, the smile on your face, the glance towards another person when no words were needed......that was the difference. the change in your pocket was change.


a mist....your life is but a mist use it.

r u making a difference ? ?

She thanked me as I struggled to get the change out of my pocket making sure none of the bills in my pocket should appear. I dug deep for the change that was down there fingering as much of it as I could up and out of the pocket while yet pushing the bills down deeper. At last I had it. And I handed it to her while she thanked me for making a difference and bid me safety on this Thursday evening commute home to my suburban home complete with cable and a roof.

Today I started the process for a raise @ my job. "What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? " asks Solomon.

I want to make a difference. To change people. I want to be more like Christ and yet the sin(s) in my life hurt me and cause me to stumble not helping anyone. I am, but a man. I wonder if I really want 30-40 more years of life in a pain stricken world where which I don't feel at home. The most peaceful I ever am is in the company of believers or in my garden Shangri La. All other stuff is meaningless and even Shangri La, temporary in this world will one day be transformed by those yet to come.

I want to make a difference. I want to change people for Him who gives life. What else can I do that will last? What else do I have to give? At work I toil over retail stores that are successful and yet I feel no satisfaction at the end of the day. I seek satisfaction through the joy of others. I seek satisfaction through the acceptance of Christ through others. I work towards my life ending to be in heaven and rest with Him. I have no other solutions. Getting a raise to possibly improve my home and to grow my own riches seems so unworthy especially when the change I dig out of my pocket possibly makes more of a difference then any other act of my day and yet I crave the raise---forgive me.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Saturday, September 08, 2007

fast life

Friday August 31st Washington DC
Saturday September 1st Washintgon DC
Sunday September 2nd Leave Washington to Philly aka South Jersey HOME!
Monday September 3rd Leave South Jersey for NYC
Tuesday September 4th NYC head home to South Jersey in the evening
Wednesday September 5th---work in Philly-stay home
Thursday September 6th Head to DC to work and spend the nite
Friday September 7th leave DC on the 7:25 AM train, get home @ 10 AM and go set the race in the Pine Barrens.
Saturday September 8th.....direct the race and get home @ 5 PM to prepare for bible class and worship leading tomorrow.
Where did this week go?
sometimes methinks i work to hard @ everything.
i'm tired
Our beloved cat is still missing.
Mona my newest daughter and our 2nd german left on Fri afternoon.
We have a meeting right after service tomorrow...

thank God for Jonathan and Nate for cutting the church lawn for me today...I don't think I could have done it (but I would have).

with great love,

Tater

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

gone?

A while back when I was blogging on a regular basis I started a theme called: "What I lost today"
Mar and I were in NYC for two days and upon returning home it turns out our cat of the last 7 or so years is missing. It's a bit odd since Sammy is a house cat and does not EVER go out. In fact he's scared to go out. Well he's missing and it is a big thing to the Perazzelli family since he IS a Perazzelli. Margaret has been known to describe my relationship with Sam very well....this cat "tolerated me", even so......he is MIA and it's a BIG, BIG deal.
I've checked the usual places (Sammy was a hiding cat) and have come up empty.
In a house of two birds, three fish, one chinchilla and five humans you wouldn't think it was a big deal, but it is. Come home Sammy, come home.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

sweat & toil

sweat---sweat---sweat

and what does a man get?

work work work work work work work

and what does a man get?

meaningless Solomon cries!

meaningless
meaningless
meaningless

but to sweat
feels good

work at everything as if you are working for God

sweat in the garden
sweat @ work
sweat building furniture for the house
at the end of the day.....

when i die

what will it mean?

if I live my life for Christ....and then i die....

what will it mean?

heaven or hell

REAL CHOICES

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Monday, May 28, 2007

so tired
over 30 hours in a car since Fri @ 5AM
got back home @ 3:30AM

tired

did I say tired?

out of the past 72 hours 32 of them were spent in a car...cars were NOT made for sleeping.

i can't wait to go to bed 2nite

addio!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

yesterday transform into TODAY--

The Present-
Yesterday was such a whirlwind that today has taken on a "blahness".

Why does that happen?
I don't seen to have purpose today.

Yesterday was jam-packed, today is, generally for me, a day of rest, yet I am just kinda hangin' out.

Yesterday I oversaw a race with 140 participants. Managed over 25 people for the event and was, the director the man-in-charge.
The race was incredibly received and a huge hit. Kudos for all!
Then after napping for one measley hour I went to catch Elvis Costello at a intimate venue and rocked out just a mere 8' from him for a 2.5 hour show!
After the show I even saw Elvis getting in his car and we exchanged pleasantries.

Today....the lawn mower would not work.
I took my daughter's car to the repair shop
went through an excercise of taking off one of her tires and then having
the car fall off the jack w/o the tire on....no worries...everything is okay.

It's just blah.
blah blah blah

Church was good
Planned out some long-term stuff for some hurting members. Things went nice.
I think the truth is....I am overwhelmed. I feel like I am in to deep.
I knew May would be packed and it is.....I will be glad when June is here.

So much to do before Friday this week and yet I feel like I am treading water.

Like I tell others-
It is what it is.
We will get done what we can.

Hopefully God will grant us the days and if He does....what will we do with them?

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

On leadership

when you break trail, you need to push branches & rocks out of the way....the branches tend to have thorns and it is a fight to get through and make a new trail. People will question you as to what you are doing and where you are going. Listen to them....consider their words and adjust if needed, but regardless continue on in the main direction you wanted to go....pull the thorns out and accept the loss of blood. Learn how to break the trail and learn to lead. stay focused on what you know to be right and be sure to have integrity. Be authentic in who and what you are. Not everyone will stay with you and that's ok. The right path is the narrow one."Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:13

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

today or March 27, 2007

First....apologies. I know I have not been here for you, but I have found other things to consume my time which is my most precious commodity.

ROCK-N-ROLL---here we go!

I broke over 10,000 songs about a month ago....no fanfare, Apple didn't come and give me any free itunes or anything. Breaking 10,000 songs took ME, over 3 years. It's a lot of music. Not sure when I will ever get to listen to it all, but I have it nonetheless. I also am not working towards any more ipod goals either.

why I am posting 2nite.
seems I caught a live show, tonite and by myself to boot. I have several friends (Tony-Mark-Bill) that catch movies by themselves ALL the time. I have never, ever been to a movie by myself....it just doesn't seem right.
I started going to concerts by myself last summer. First it was Guster w/Ray LaMontagne and then Devotchka. The Guster show did not go that well....the Devotchka show did. Before I go any further....let me say that LaMontagne and Devotchka are INCREDIBLE bands. I highly recommend their albums and shows to anyone.

They leave EVERYTHING out there....let's say a big E for effort.
Effort is important. Passion comes to mind.

Tonite, at the very last minute. I went and got 3rd row seats @ the TLA which is a very small venue on South Street in Philly. I went to Jim's and got the obligatory scrumptious cheesesteak wit wiz and onions....what can I say....I could make a whole blog post on the cheesesteak from Jim's.

Tonite I saw Lindsey Buckingham---1st off he's a guy and secondly he is an artist. Phenomenal show. Great venue. I got to play the guitar; I was touching his strings during Go your own Way; which is a big Fleetwood Mac hit. That's who Lindsey is---Fleetwood Mac's guitar player--but what he really is is Lindsey Buckingham--guitar master.

Live music---when done right---is amazing.

God is amazing all the time---for He is what is good and right.

I went by myself- I had a blast. I met some cool people and I witnessed some not so cool people. But, what I really did is cut loose and enjoy the day---afterall it was March 27, 2007. Which, as of this writting was completed 3 minutes ago. Which brings us to the true meaning of this post----today is march 28, 2007...it is THE ONLY ONE EVER!
experience today with passion and love.
feel the sunshine....gaze @ the sky. look at the world anew.
know that you were made in God's image.
He loves you.
Show that love to all.....no, really show that love to all.

gd' nite

Friday, February 23, 2007

today

ahhh.....life has been in fast forward for several months now. Time...isn't it a killer? I mean we never have enough of it. Forget wanting more money...I want more time. Is it possible (w/o drugs) to never sleep to take advantage of all time? Every second and minute is precious and what do we do with it? I mean really, really do with it? What is your purpose? I have found my purpose....and that is to tell others that there is an answer to the "secret to life" and that answer is Jesus Christ. Read a bible, any bible, pick one and just start reading it. It is unreal, it is the most fascinating book I have ever come across and I am a reader. If you want purpose, real purpose and meaning to life. Look for Him. If you really, really look for God....you will find Him....promise.

today

ahhh.....life has been in fast forward for several months now. Time...isn't it a killer? I mean we never have enough of it. Forget wanting more money...I want more time. Is it possible (w/o drugs) to never sleep to take advantage of all time? Every second and minute is precious and what do we do with it? I mean really, really do with it? What is your purpose? I have found my purpose....and that is to tell others that there is an answer to the "secret to life" and that answer is Jesus Christ. Read a bible, any bible, pick one and just start reading it. It is unreal, it is the most fascinating book I have ever come across and I am a reader. If you want purpose, real purpose and meaning to life. Look for Him. If you really, really look for God....you will find Him....promise.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

15 minutes or less of fame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhofzv-n7c&eurl=

The link above will take you to a clip of one of the Southwest Airline Commercials I did.

DING!

I'm the one with the hat.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

9922
and counting

today and tomorrow

think about it with me will you? today is just precious. sure I have things to do...some enjoyable and some not but all in all the day has a beauty to it. it's absolutely precious...every single solitary second of it. the coffee on my desk tastes bitter and yet warm and friendly. the music is mellow and enjoyable and the 53 degrees on a wet January morning is certainly worth seeing. the butterfly bush out my window has had new leaves for 2 + weeks now. the sun is strong and brite.

every day, like a life placed upon God is new. God is there folks. I feel him, I know him and if you are having problems finding him let me know.

this day i s a gift for me...I am going to try my best to live it for Him who gives life...do the same will ya?

out

Thursday, January 11, 2007

ipods wireless mice and too many trains

Within the hour I will have broken the 9,800 song mark. 10,000 is soon to be mine. This is a definite example of how one should not be. Unlike the widow at the well I am hoarding my music and storing it on several hard drives (three). 9,800 songs is 38 GB. That's a lot of hard drive.
Pray for me. Frankly if I did lose all of my music it would be ok. Really it would. I like new beginnings.

My oldest son gave me a wireless mouse for my new (work's) laptop and I am AMAZED at it's functionality. It is super cool!!

Today I traveled to DC.
Patco Hi-Speedline to Philly
Taxi to 30th St Station
Amtrak Regional 138 to DC
Metro Subway from Union Station to Pentagon City and back again
Amtrak 93 from DC to 30th St.
Septa's R7 Regional from 30th St Station to Patco @ 8th and Market
Patco Hi-Speedline back to Jersey and my daughter picked me up @ the station.
Most exhilarating moment of the day...

Seeing a bald eagle on the banks of the Delaware river whilst on the return trip to Philly.
It was about 3 miles south of the Commodore Barry Bridge.
It was a beauty.

Life is peachy campers....make the best of every opportunity and remember you create the opportunities they don't always come to you.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

blogger has changed

sorry for the delay in posting....apparently blogger changed and so did the way to access blogger.

hope the holidays treated everyone well.

i am about as busy as one could get. the day is stunning.....our new thermometer in our Scion XB read 117.3, i like the decimal.
can't wait to blow the top off the thermometer during the summer. How much hotter can it get in a car?

be well people....looking forward to church tomorrow.

May God bless you all!