Sevens List - July 27, 2010

In todays Sevens List, I thought I'd kick it old school with Seven People I'd Like to Meet. This is old school for me because it reminds me of long road trips and creating any sort of game to pass the time, one of which was "Name five people, dead or alive, that you'd like to have lunch with." We also played a lot of the ABC game (has nothing to do with saying the ABC's), State License Plate Game, and Name Every State game. Anything to pass the time, right? Alright, here are the seven people I'd most like to meet and maybe even have lunch with. (Might be kind of tricky with those who are dead.)

1. The Apostle Paul. I know, I know, how very Christian of me, but I have some questions for the guy. I'm genuinely interested in his life.

2. Jennifer Garner - Celebrity Crush. I think this solely has to do with the fact that she kicked butt as a secret spy on Alias and I'm secretly obsessed with spies.

3. Lewis or Clark - I don't really care which of the two explorers I would meet because I'm more interested in hearing about their journey of discovery. I'm sure they have some great stories!

4. Stephen Spielberg - Experience and connections.

5. Zachary Levi - Plays Chuck on NBC's Chuck. Read the article in Relevant about him from earlier this year. Seems like someone I'd want to be friends with.

6. My wife. Has anyone seen her around?

7. Myself, as a kid. I wasted too much time being insecure and fearful. I'd like to have a conversation about that with the 10 year old me. I'm so stubborn though that I most likely wouldn't listen and still repeat all the same things. The conversation would probably go something like this:

"Yeah, well what do you know?"

"A lot. I'm you."

"I don't believe you."

"I know."

"No you don't."

"Yes, I really do."

"Whatever."

My seven people change depending on the day. It always seems consistent that the list includes at least one person from the bible, multiple entertainment related people, and a few randoms thrown it. Who would make your list?

7 Best Moments

It’s time for another Sevens List! Go ahead. Get excited. This week we’ll be discussing the Seven Best Moments of Any Given Day. You know, the ordinary, usually unnoticed moments that are actually pretty awesome. At least they are for me. Check them out and let me know what you think.

The Moment:

1. Five Minutes after a Work Out. Oh yes, you may be tired, but that release of endorphins feels pretty incredible right about now. Plus, you’re feeling good that you actually worked out instead of eating that extra helping of chips and salsa at lunch. It’s a double whammy – mental and physical high.

2. When You Get In The Shower in the morning. I’m not big on mornings. I won’t say I’m not a morning person because everyone’s body can adapt to whatever you train it to, but so far my morning training isn’t going well and that’s why I love getting in the shower. It’s hot. It’s steamy. It wakes me up. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. It’s a nice buffer between sleeping and functioning. And it’s good enough to make the Sevens List.

3. After the first sip of coffee. Or tea. I tend to be an environmental eater so I like eating in fun locations and revel in good food moments. Something about a hot beverage perks me up. And it’s not because of the caffeine. Alright, maybe that has something to do with it.

4. Work Is Over. Not because I don’t like my job, but because I like what happens during non work hours more.

5. People compliment your new [insert anything here.] “Have you been working out? Why yes, yes I have. Thanks for noticing. I like your new haircut. Did I get a new haircut? Oh, I guess I did. You have beautiful eyes. Alright creeper, back off.” Truth be told, I’m not big on the words of encouragement but a nice compliment every now and then is good for anyone.

6. My dog completely overreacts and gets unbelievably excited every time I walk in the door. Even if I only went to the mailbox and back. It’s like I’ve been gone for years.

7. I Get In Bed for the Night. I have a really comfortable bed and soft sheets (thanks to my cousin who turned me on to the finer things in life.) Crawling into bed, taking a deep breath and falling asleep. That’s a good moment.


I’m sure there are many moments that people enjoy. What are your everyday, ordinary moments that you love?

Sevens List: June 27th Edition

It’s time for another edition of The Sevens List, brought to you on the 7th, 17th, and 27th of every month. I realize this isn’t being posted until the 28th, so I’m throwing in an eighth item for good measure.

Seven, plus 1, Reasons Why Summer Heat Is Refreshing, uh I Mean Draining

1. Work clothes. Who decided dress pants, dress shoes, a button down shirt with a tie is still acceptable in the summer months? Really? By the time I get from my car to my office, I’m drenched. I’ve tried to combat this by breaking all sorts of style rules – cheap flip flops with dress clothes, shorts with dress shirts, bathing suits at the office. I don’t care anymore. It’s too hot to care.

2. Air Conditioning. When it’s really hot out, public places blast the AC. Sure it feels great the moment you walk in, but five minutes into my iced coffee at Starbucks, I’m wishing I would have brought my parka. Or at least ordered hot coffee. Is there no middle ground?

3. Condensation on cups. Alright, I realize this is picky but for someone who spills enough of the liquid inside the cup on my shirt, I don’t need to be thinking about what’s dripping from the outside of the cup too.

4. My dog. She loves to be outside so she begs and begs to go outside. I know she’s going to be too hot but I finally cave and let her out. Within a minute she standing at the back door barking to be let in. “Hang on dog, I just sat down to watch an episode of The Office. Find some shade.”

5. Fresh Baked Car Interiors. There’s nothing like the feeling of getting into a hot sizzling car that’s been sitting in the hot sun for eight hours. Especially with leather seats. I try to convince myself that it’s just like a sauna…but I would never go into a sauna wearing dress clothes.

6. Lack of penguins. Because you just don’t see them hanging out in 95 degree weather. And penguins are awesome.

7. House sitting. House sitting is always harder in the summer heat when watering flowers is involved. It’s too much pressure. I water, and water, and water the flowers but every time I come back, they’re dead.

And the special eighth reason why the summer heat is draining:

8. My car’s air conditioner. It stopped working last night. I pretended I was really angry and went to honk the horn as a joke when it happened, but apparently they both run on the same fuse. (Irony?) I’m grateful that the radio still works. I’m not sure which would be worse to be without. I’ll let you know in a week.

I thought about trying to come up with 7 reasons the summer heat is refreshing but the only thing I could think of was – because I get to go swimming. That’s really not a reason and actually proves why water is refreshing, not heat. Oh well.

What about you? Do you love the summer heat or are you ready for some cooler days?

The Sevens List

In an attempt to revive this blog, I thought I’d try something a little new. (I tried CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation but I started to feel awkward after a few minutes.) I’m calling it The Sevens List. On the 7th, the 17th, and the 27th of each month I’ll be posting a list of seven items, all related, on many different subjects or topics. I thought I’d do it on the 6th, 16th, and 26th but the pastors kid inside of me thought meddling in 6-6-6 might end badly. Also, I wasn’t ready yesterday. It could be seven ways to style your cats hair, or 7 reasons why everyone needs to check out bryanallain.com. Whatever the list, you should visit and read it. I’m easing into the first edition with a personal touch –

The 7 Best Moments From Last Week’s Hilton Head Vacation. In no particular order:

1. Hanging with Nolan. Having a little nephew has been great. After years of being a faux uncle to my cousins and friends kids, it’s satisfying to know I’m now officially an uncle.



2. Biking to Starbucks with my brother. I’ve been enjoying riding bike this summer and Hilton Head is a great place to ride. It’s flat, there were bike paths everywhere, and the weather was beautiful.


3. Exploring the crazy huge sandbar off the coast.

4. Having staring contests with Dragon and his friends. (Dragon was one of the alligators that lives in the creek behind the place we stayed. Or at least that’s what I called him.)


5. Reading Susan Isaac’s book, Angry Conversations with God. (Thanks for the recommendation Bryan.) I couldn’t put it down, and because I was on vacation and had all the time in the world, I didn’t. At least, not until I was finished. Or if I had to use the restroom. I also put it down once when I got really hot in the sun and decided to go for a swim. But other than that…

6. Swimming. I love water. I love the ocean. I love pools. I would love to have the ability to breathe underwater.

7. Watching my dad get yelled at by a cook at a local diner that is known for giving its customers a hard time. “Who’s Mike? I guess you don’t order eggs much, do you? This isn’t Burger King. You can’t have it your way. It’s my way.”

Check back on the 27th for the next edition of The Sevens List.

Inventory

I’ve decided to take an inventory of my life. Again. This isn’t an identity crisis or a cry to recognize the man in the mirror. (Ironically I recently played a man in the mirror in a music video of Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror song. But I digress.) Taking a personal inventory is actually something I’ve become fond of over the years. The idea is simple: stop everything for moment (or many moments) and create a list of items that describe who I am, what I believe, what are my goals, have they changed, what areas do I need to refocus my energies on, what areas did I need to let go off, what strengths have gotten stronger, what parts of my character need improving, etc.? It’s a list. And from the list it becomes more. From there, it becomes action steps. It’s my way of reevaluating and challenging myself to a higher level of living.

You see, it’s easy for me to float. Relax on the surface of the water. Close my eyes. Let the wind move me. Ignore the screaming children at the shallow end of the pool. Be oblivious. It’s easy. But at the end of the day, I’m still in the same pool, floating on the same water. Sometimes I’m there for hours. Sometimes minutes.

I’ve been floating in life. Eyes closed. Ignoring what’s around me. Pretending this is paradise. Trying to believe that I’m getting somewhere. Today my eyes opened and I remembered that if I want to get out of the pool, then I’ve got to get out of the pool. Because paradise of the mind and soul is never found in chlorine treated, kid infested, stagnant bodies of water. And I need to get out and dry off, metaphorically speaking of course.

Creating this list is my first step. Following through is second. That’s usually where I end up jumping back into the deep end and floating for a bit longer. Following through is a hard step for me. I could tell you everything I like about myself, dislike, want to improve, where I want to be in five years and how I plan on getting there, but until I follow through, I’m just building a sandcastle. Creating a beautiful and elaborate display that will be washed away by morning. Following through is where change and progress take shape. Following through is where my mind and soul begin to rejoice. Following through is where hard work meets satisfaction. Following through is like building a stone castle on the top of a mountain, reinforcing it with steel beams and putting an invisible force field bubble around it – it has staying power.

But even the coolest castle, on the tallest mountain, with an invisible force field bubble (I’m pretty sure they sell these at home depot), requires laying one stone, one beam, one piece at a time. I started building this castle a long time ago and this personal inventory list is another stone and once it’s complete I’ll add another, and another. I’ve gone back to float many times throughout the building process but I keep coming back to build a little more. Eventually storms will come, and I’d rather be in a secured castle waiting it out than floating in the middle of a pool. After all, rain and lighting have a way of proving that even with your eyes closed, paradise isn’t found floating on water.

What about you? Do you ever have moments where you find yourself floating? What steps do you take to move forward in those moments?

All The Little Babies

This is what happens when I go on vacation as a new uncle to the greatest little guy ever. (His name is Nolan. Pictures below.) This is also what happens when I have way too much time on my hands. On the way to the beach, Greg started saying "all the single babies," which I changed to all the little babies, and the rest is below. The following is a rewrite of Single Ladies by Beyonce. Sing along if you want. I thought of making a full fledge music video but I didn’t think I’d ever find a baby that could move the way Beyonce does in her music video. Also, Beyonce's video is below for your listening and sing along enjoyment.

All the little babies, all the little babies
All the little babies, all the little babies
All the little babies, all the little babies
All the little babies

Now put your hands up
Up in the crib, I just woke up
I’m doing my own little thing
You went to bed late and now you wanna trip
Cuz im hungry and I popped my pants
I’m up all night, you up with me
Please pay me any attention
Cuz I cried my tears, gave three good screams
Ya can’t be mad at me

Cuz if you like me then you shoulda gave me to milk to eat
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat
Don’t be mad once you see that I’m hungry
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat

Wah wa wa wah wah wah wah wah wa wah wah wah wah

If you like me then you shoulda gave me to milk to eat
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat
Don’t be mad once you see that I’m hungry
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat

I got food on my pants, some drool on my shirt
My dad just finished changing my clothes
Spitting up, milk in my gut
I could care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
Please pay me any attention
Cuz you had your fun
But now you gonna learn
What it really feels like to love me

Cuz if you like me then you shoulda gave me to milk to eat
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat
Don’t be mad once you see that I’m hungry
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat

woo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh

If you like me then you shoulda gave me to milk to eat
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat
Don’t be mad once you see that I’m hungry
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat

wah wa wah wa wa wah wa wa wah wa wa wa

Don’t leave me in my crib for too long
I’m just a little kid
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Are parents that feed me, then change me
When my diaper is so messy, something nasty and beyond
Hold me close in your arms
Say I’m the one you want
If you don’t, you’ll lose some sleep
Cause I’ll be crying all night long

All the little babies (7x)
Now put your hands up

wah wa wah wa wa wah wa wa wah wa wa wa

Cuz if you like me then you shoulda gave me to milk to eat
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat
Don’t be mad once you see that I’m hungry
If you like me then you shoulda gave me milk to eat