Recenlty I have been asked about this blog and complimented on some of the posts I’ve made. This made me very uncomfortable as most compliments do and I’ve had trouble sitting down to write a new entry. At the risk of sounding like a complete #humblebrag, I didn’t know how to deal with people connecting to what I was putting into the world. But tonight I realized something about myself and shoes.
“My name is Donnie Smith and I have lots of love to give.”
That’s a quote one of the best movies that somehow overcomes the fact that it contains Tom Cruise – Magnolia. The Paul Thomas Anderson film tells several stories about a variety of characters that intersect in curious and tragic ways and make us question the existence of fate. I think it won an Oscar and I have it in my DVD collection because it makes me feel like I’m more of a movie buff than you are.
But I digress. In one of my favorite scenes, William H. Macy is playing a man consumed with confusion and loneliness. His best days behind him, the character is desperately chasing happiness like a child trying to catch bubbles that disappear in the hand. He has a bit of an emotional meltdown in a bar and it starts with that quote: “I have a lot of love to give!” Later in the movie, Donnie has reached the end of his rope and breaks down crying, “I really do have love to give… I just don’t know where to put it!”
I bought a fancy Nikon camera recently. I told myself it was it was an investment in my web design and it would pay for itself with business uses, but the truth is it takes pretty pictures and I like pretty pictures. I’ve been taking way too many pictures lately testing out the different features and one night I set a tripod on my driveway and pointed it at the sky.
The NBA is back with a full 82-game schedule and David Stern has announced his future retirement. This is a joyous time that deserves something special. I am that something special and I give you my predictions for the 2012-13 season…
I have heard God speak to me.
Now, before you make up your mind about what that means – let me rule some things out:
I want to share with you my favorite story from the Bible. It’s about God, death, and best of all… eating. It’s about a guy named Elijah who has to take the one ring to rule them all back to Mordor to …. oh wait that’s Elijah Wood and that’s a different thing. Comedy! But seriously, this story has always stuck with me and been a source of comfort and I hope it does the same for you. Did I mention it’s about eating?
Click Clack. Click Clack. Click Clack. The sound of my blinker was the only thing I could hear as I sat alone at the stoplight. To my left and right I could see far enough down the road to know that no headlights were coming. I was only sitting there because the driving rules say I should and because I’m scared of policemen. I watched as the crosswalk sign counted down to one and then turned to an orange hand. Then the intersection was lit up with yellow and then red. I took my foot off the brake in anticipation of it finally being my turn… but the green light never came.
The sun was beginning its descent into the Pacific ocean last Sunday while I was hiking in central Phoenix. It played hide and seek behind the ridge line above me and when at last I was swallowed up in the mountain’s shadow it seemed to set the edges on fire. I took a faulty step, caught my balance before tumbling down the hill, and thought about tattoos. I should explain…
Last New Years Eve I declared 2012 the Year of No Judgement. That resolution lasted about as long as your resolution to stop reading random blogs you found on Facebook. I mean really, there are plenty of better things you could be doing with your time right now…
<deep breath>
So like I was saying about not judging people…
I wasn’t looking for it, but it was right where I never left it.
I thought I knew what to expect in Texas.
I was returning to the land of my birth to be “Uncle Dan” – surrounded by six nieces and nephews. It would be quite a culture shock for me as I am used to a slightly more collegiate lifestyle. For instance, when I hear the word “shot” I don’t immediately think one of the kids was visiting a doctor. It had been months since I’d seen San Antonio and I didn’t realize that something was waiting for me besides my family and friends…