Hockey on my mind

I rarely get to hang out with one of my good friends Rick, because he lives a little too far away. Last year, Rick took me to a Sharks game with a client Chad and we had a great time. I've been to hockey games before, but not with seating in the Suite level that is fully catered. Tonight will be great on two occasion's. First, I will get to hang out with a great friend. Second, I will be able to enjoy the finer things in life; great seats and great food. The only thing that will not make it "all time", is that they will not be playing my beloved Flyers. But you know that's ok, they already beat the lousy Devils today 2-1!

Drinks that are becoming very popular

Nobody knows for sure, but it's been more or less 50 years since a woman overheard Arnold Palmer order a half lemonade, half iced tea at a bar in Palm Springs and said, "I'll have that Arnold Palmer drink."

It's popular now all over the world, transcending Palmer himself. People today order an Arnold Palmer who have no idea who Arnold Palmer is. No other athlete has had a drink named after him catch on.

This, to us, seems a shame. Seems like we should be able to walk up to a bar right now and order ...

A Tiger Woods ... Pineapple juice and vodka ... Drink one and you'll want 13 more.

A Jack Nicklaus ... Kind of like an Arnold Palmer, only a little better.

A Brett Favre ... By the time it comes, you've changed your mind.

A Greg Oden ... You can order it but it never shows up.

A Mark McGwire ... Comes with a shot.

A Cam Newton ... Your dad orders it for you.

A Dennis Green ... It is what you think it is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECTt67adObI)

A Tom Brady ... Really good by the sixth round.

A Michael Vick ... A little hair of the dog that should've bitten you.

A LeBron ... Served with a mirrored glass so you can watch yourself drink it.

A Terrelle Pryor ... It's free!

A Lance Armstrong ... Only one ice cube.

A John McEnroe ... After one, you cannot be serious.

A Karch Kiraly ... Comes spiked.

A Tim Tebow ... Served very straight.

A Michael Phelps ... Water with a water chaser.

A Reggie Bush ... You drink it for a little while, then they take it back.

A Nick Saban ... Comes with extra bitters.

A Barry Bonds ... Careful: it goes straight to your head.

Things that Drive me Nuts

There are a few things that drive me crazy throughout a normal day that I think could be easily be answered by a certain dose of patience here and there.

1. When people are using the crosswalk at an intersection and they constantly press the button for the crosswalk. It only takes one press people.


2. When people ask for a water cup and fill the water cup up with soda. This drives me absolutely crazy and it happens all the time.


3. Whiny people – there is a difference between complaining and whining, I hate whining. If you don’t like something, change something.


4. People who repeat the same stupidity over and over and post about it on Facebook. Facebook should not be a status revealer of your own personal life.


5. When Fans love to relive the past of their former season a bit too long. And the bandwagon fans that accumulate because of a victory. There are way too many running around these days with all Sports included.

Sometimes...........

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be possibly your roommate, neighbor, long lost friend, or even a complete stranger, but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count...

Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual (tough for me to do sometimes) and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish.



Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
Most importantly, if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day you live.

So, last year I heard about this ritual that few partake in every year from none other than my Senior Pastor at my Church. As I was going through interesting times at that point, I decided to try out this month long event. The interesting thing for me was that I never had a chance to grow out even a 5 o'clock shadow in the past being quickly mocked at the idea. Since I don't have a problem these days growing facial hair and need not care about impressing any females during January, I think I might have a second go at it. Wish me luck with Patience and self control with the razor.

What is Manuary?

The rules are very simple:

1.) If you do not want to be called a little girl for the rest of the year you cannot Shave or Trim, your beard.

2.) Head Starts are allowed.

3.) Underbeards can be shaved, but you can still be made fun of by those who are more manly then you.

If you want to only grow a mustache, that is okay only if it is a thick, manly mustache. You will still be putting yourself at risk of being made fun of by those who are more manly and grew a full beard out.

Yay 2010 My favorite Year Yet

Merry Christmas...

So here it is, December 26. I did no Christmas letter, no Christmas cards, no family photo, I didn't even put gift tags on presents this year.
So, to sum up my year, here is a quick, down and dirty Christmas newsletter.
January ... Started anew and moved into an apartment with 3 other dudes.
February ... Continued my job as a 5th grade fill in for my good friend Sunny.
March ... Celebrated my 29th birthday on March 9th!
April ... Flyers went to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
May ... Really wasn't that special of a month !
June ... Started working at The Underdog Wine Bar in Livermore.
July ... Started taking up Painting as a serious hobby
August ... Celebrated 19 years of being alive after being shot in the dome..
September ... Started new school year. Jobless.....
October ... Walnut Creek, here we come.
November ... Celebrated being thankful with three nieces, two Brother in laws, a new Sister in law and loving an amazing life.
December ... Completed my year in Walnut Creek with three new paintings.

Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
God Bless.

My Christmas Tradition

Growing up in the Ruff House we had some strange traditions. There are too many to list on this entry that were either too awkward or too embarrassing to describe to you all. One of my favorite traditions out of the whole year was our Christmas celebration. We would all wake up at the crack of dawn, while waiting for my Dad and Mom to get up from the previous night of wrapping presents. Before we could touch any of the presents, we had to go "to Church". By "going to Church", I mean that we had a Ruff Christmas service in our living room. We all had our parts to complete the service. My brother Aaron started off the service with reading a bible verse. After he chose and read a verse or two in the Bible, my sister Rebecca said a prayer. Next up in the Church service was the song. Consequently, my sister Susannah chose a few songs for us to sing. Here comes the best part of the service, The Sermon. Seeing that I have followed in the footsteps of the best Pastor that I have ever known, I was never prepared. Who ever thinks about writing a sermon or even a speech before opening up presents on my favorite holiday! All that I can remember is that the sermons were short, but sweet. Usually prepared in less than 10 minutes and were based on thoughts and actions from the previous year in my life. Being alone for the first time in let's see my whole life on Christmas, I have had a long time to reflect on my life and where it is going and where I fit into others lives. I had a thought that I would reenact my Christmas tradition with my family, sans family. And this year, I researched, did my studying and for my sermon thanks to the gift of the internet will show a nativity video. One that touched my heart immensely. Welcome to the 4 siblings Church.

Aaron-

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


Rebecca-

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share this day with our family members remembering that the real reason for Christmas is for YOU. The last few years for all of us has been tough

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love for us all
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to in our stomachs and within our hearts,
Gifts isn't everything on this holiday. We celebrate our love for YOU and mom's Cinnamon Rolls
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Susannah-

Blessed Be Your Name- Matt Redman

Silent Night- Hymn book


Jonathan-