Love these easy posts!

1) Song that encourages you?
Getting Better - the Beatles

2) Song that you'd encourage others with?
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship

3) Song that always makes you smile/happy?
Kiss by Prince - it's my favorite song

4) Song that always makes you cry/sad?
Purple Rain - Prince; it's just such a beautiful song

5) Song when you're angry?
Probably Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine, or other Rage songs

6) Song when you're frustrated?
Mr. Brownstone - OK, not seriously (it's a song about heroin for those who don't know)

7) Break up song?
I'll steal from Beth on Since U Been Gone; that song still rocks!
Also, Tuesday Heartbreak by Stevie Wonder and I Used to Love Her by GnR

8) Song that describes your love life right now?
The Waiting is the Hardest Part by Tom Petty

9) First dance song (does this mean slow or fast?)
Hey Macarena - Los Del Rio (obv fast)
Slow - Let's Stay Together (Al Green) or Adore (Prince)

10) Mother-son dance song?
My Girl - Temptations

11) Song that best describes your life in general right now?
Today Was a Good Day - Ice Cube

12) Contemplative song?
Against the Wind - Bob Seger (I don't appreciate songwriting)

13) Writing song?
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

14) Dance song?
well, Electric Slide, Chicken Dance, and the Macarena

15) Road trip song?
Just Like Heaven - The Cure

16) Most meaningful song?
Meaningful to what? there are lots of songs that have lots of meanings

17) Most memorable song?
I can't name just one or ten

18) If you play an instrument or sing, song you were most proud of learning?
Piano Man on the Harmonica

19) Favorite worship song?
One Name
Enough by Jeremy Camp

20) Song you think about when you think of family?
Beth - Ghetto Superstar
Jer - probably Lord Tariq and Peter Guns
Mom - My Girl, It's My Party, Leader of the Pack
Dad - anything where you can substitute our names in, e.g. I Fought the Law (ex. "The Grubbs' fought the school and the Grubbs won!")

21) Song you think about when you think of friends?
In no particular friend order:
Jarv - very many, probably Big Poppa and Yesterdays mostly
Jig - Mid the Pines (the Grove City College alma mater), I Wanna Be Ur Lover
Weng - AC/DC like Thunderstruck
Greg - I Jus' Wanna Luv Ya (Jay Z)
Quattro - Bruckner's 9th
Kif - Can't Nobody Hold Me Down (when we karaoke'd this song...he was Ma$e, I was Puffy)
Luke - Jump Around
Colin - Say It Right (Nelly Furtado)
Tim - Return of the Mack, anything Weird Al (seriously Tim is the biggest Weird Al fan in the world, although he didn't call off sick from work to go to his show in Gatlinburg!)
Moz - Lose Yourself

Stolen from Jaim'

Although I am adding my own comments to some (what I've done is bolded):

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (does Disney World count? I say yes).
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (this was in Jamaica, although we were in the Caribbean and then took our trunks off. But I'm counting it.)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (both Kickball and IM Softball)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (Il regazzo mangio le pizza!)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke (obviously I'm a star)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (assuming McDonalds counts)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (also in Jamaica plus probably other places)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (well only the second level, but I'm counting it because the top was closed)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (three words - Grubbs Detective Agency)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I guess I'd have to have a daughter to do this?)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (can't, I'm iron deficient, or at least my mom is and I think I am by extension)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (Santa's going to bring me a...GI JOE!)
85. Read the entire Bible (shame, thou name is Josh)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (and a hornet--7 times--at church!)
100. Read an entire book in one day

Some of these things, frankly, I do not want to do.

Celebrating Chinese Democracy!

No, not the country, but the album! This album has been in one of the longest gestation periods known to man. It has been in the works for 15 years! Think back to 1993. Guns n Roses were the biggest band in the world, Appetite for Destruction ruled the late 80s, they had put out Use Your Illusion 1 and 2, which were epic masterpieces. Then...nothing. For a long time. Axl goes into hiding. Words leaks that he's working on a new masterpiece, called Chinese Democracy. He fires most of the original Guns members, hires new people, fires them, becomes more of a recluse. Eventually he returns, overweight, at the 2001 MTV VMAs. He has trouble making it around the stage because he's out of shape. That same year, Michael Jackson's long awaited studio album Invincible came out, leaving Axl as the sole writer of the world's most anticipated album. There are rumours that Chinese Democracy will come out in 2002, then again in 2004, and 2005. When there were rumours of it coming out this year, it was too hard to believe. Then, in late September, they announced that Chinese Democracy would indeed be coming out, and it came out today, November 23, 2008, 15 years to the day that Use Your Illusion 2 came out.

Sebastian Bach (of 80s hair band Skid Row) called the tracks that Axl had written for this album "f---ing epic" a few years ago. After listening to the album all afternoon, I have to concur. This is just a fabulous record. The title track is menacing, there are at least two November Rain style ballads in Catcher in the Rye and Street of Dreams, the guitars are classic soaring GnR, and Axl's trademark wail is still in full force. While I'm disappointed that years of Chinese Democracy jokes will now be forgotten (Josh, will you take the trash out? Sure, once Chinese Democracy comes out!), it surely was worth the wait.

Other news and notes:

1. Justin Timberlake is the man. He is so prolific. His latest endeavor was to take over SNL when Paul Rudd hosted last week. He is a staple of SNL, whether it's the Color Me Badd style music videos, or the Barry Gibb talk show, or his impressions that he does so well. He's the best guest host, the best guest musician, and a guy who generally takes himself lightly at all times. That is the key to being a good SNL host. Mark me down as a Timberlake fan.

2. I finally talked to the girl on the bus last Friday afternoon; of course, this was after I sat next to her on the morning bus and didn't say a word to her. I asked her her name (Mandy) and told her that she had a beautiful smile, which of course went over real well (but it is the truth). I was going to leave the ball in her court, and a minute later she asked me about where I work and we engaged in a conversation while the bus went up the mountain. We'll see if she remembers my name tomorrow.

3. I also had a date on Friday night. This girl's name is Melissa, she lives in Washington, PA. She's a teacher (as Jer noted, a good wife job). We hit it off really well. We went to Buca di Beppo in Robinson, and sat there and talked for three hours. Since it's a family style restaurant, we shared the salmon (bonus, she likes salmon!). It went well enough that I have scored a second date; we're going out Wednesday night. I have a few ideas what I'd like to do; dinner and a movie (always a classic), maybe ice skating at PPG Place, maybe bowling...I'm soliciting any other ideas that people have.

Well, that's about it for me.

I Love Me Some Me!

So, I figured I would do this as well. I will bare my soul to yinz.

1.. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I think I was named after the son of the pastor that married mom and dad. Is this right?
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Well, I usually cry at stupid points during movies and tv shows.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
my handwriting is wonderful if I take my time
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
chicken breast, unless bacon counts
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
nah
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
probably. I like sports, and I like guys that like sports, so I would like me
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
yes
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
yes, i really want to bungee jump
10. WHAT IS YOUR favorite CEREAL?
probably cinnamon toast crunch but I like a lot of cereals
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
nah
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
no
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I'm not really an ice cream person; something peanut buttery?
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE
dudes, probably nothing, chicks, their smile
15. RED OR PINK?
pink...errr, ummm...
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I have a big mouth and it gets me in trouble
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
my grandmother Carolyn
18. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
socks--black
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
red grapes
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW ?
well, in my CD player is Futuresex/Lovesounds
21.IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
vegas gold baby!
22. FAVORITE SMELLS?
freshly cut grass, vanilla, clean linens
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Jer via text
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Pitt Basketball or the Pirates
25. HAIR COLOR?
dark brown, almost black
26. EYE COLOR?
blue
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
yes
28. FAVORITE FOOD?
Green peppers, peaches, pineapple
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
there is a time and place for both
30. LAST MOVIE WATCHED?
Stranger than Fiction
31 WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Orange (Vols sweatshirt)
32. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer
33. HUGS OR KISSES?
nah
34. FAVORITE DESSERT?
dutch apple pie with caramel sauce
35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
just finished a Feinstein book, trying once again to read Moby Dick but I'm never successful, and people made me read "The Shack"
37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
I have a regular schedule; last night was 90210, the new one. I also watched a DVR'd Gossip Girl.
38. FAVORITE SOUND?
Prince
39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
There is no question it's the Beatles
40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Paris
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
My mom says I'm a catch.

Considering the 44th American Presidency

So, this is question that I've been pondering recently. I know I will be able to give this President-elect a chance at governing. The question is, what does he have to accomplish in his (first) four years in order for me to consider his administration a success. I will choose three things that I want to be done:

1. Getting us out of Iraq - I'm not anti-war, and I will admit that I was for this war at the beginning. However, the conduct of the war has been embarrassing; it's the overriding reason that this current President is hated as much as he is. We need to get out of Iraq; there really isn't debate about this. Now, of course we want to "win", although I'm not sure how that's measured. Anyway, in four years we need to be out of Iraq and the world needs to be a safer place. President-elect Obama originally planned on having our troops pulled in 16 months; I'll give him 48.

2. Health coverage for all - another reason that he was successful in beating John McCain was because of his willingness to discuss the horrible situation our healthcare industry is in. He wants to nationalize insurance coverage, which to me is different than socializing medicine. Nationalizing coverage means that every citizen will be enrolled in some type of insurance program. If you get it through work, great! Not much will change. If you don't, you can get it through the government. The beauty of a government run system is twofold: it cuts down on the overhead and red-tape that exists in the current private insurance system, and it eliminates the "pre-existing condition" that keeps many from receiving the care that they need. Isn't it strange that a government run health insurance program would cut down on red tape? It's true, though you conservatives may not want to believe it. Do some real research about the situation in Canada, and you will see this as one conclusion that can be drawn about a nationalized insurance system.

3. Expansion of the middle class - This is a catchall that encompasses everything that needs to be done to grow the middle class. Healthcare is a part of this, as is better energy, lower taxes on the middle class, more fairness in the union election process, and many other issues. The middle class has been shrinking and struggling for a long time in the U.S., through both Democratic and Republican presidents. It's time that the middle class started to be the focus of the White House and Congress. I have hope that this will happen under this administration.

So, those are my three things. Now, I will open it up to you to list the three things that you'd like to see this President do in order to be successful in your mind. One caveat, there can be no discussion of the life issue. He's not on our side on the issue of life, and we know this. Broaden your mind to get past this. Coming later this week, I am going to post an outline of my perception of where the life movement needs to head during the next four years with what will be a hostile administration to our cause. For now, consider this question without the issue of life in its context.

Too much rapid posting, I know...

but, I had to blog about this latest news. Kelly Clarkson has finished her 4th album, the new single will be out in either December or January, and Kelly has her own blog. I am going to add the link to the side of the page (btw if anyone else wants me to add their blog over there, just ask...I didn't want to assume people wanted to be linked, but if you do I will put it there). Anyway, in one of her blogs, Kelly reveals that she is reading "The Shack"! If she hates it like I did, then forget about the girl on the bus...Kelly and I are meant to be!

Girl on the Bus

The girl on the bus has not been on the bus in the morning since I saw her on it in the afternoon last week. Perhaps I should clarify this situation a bit, because my loyal readers are maybe not understanding the situation fully. Over the summer, she was on the bus every morning, as was I. Then, one day the bus didn't come, so I took the Duquesne Incline and enjoyed it so much that I did that for about 10 weeks straight. The day after Election Day, I was scheduled to leave a little early, so I did leave at 4:30. The 43E (Mt Wash Express) leaves 6th and Smithfield at 4:38. So I got on, and she was on that bus (I had never seen her on the afternoon 43E). I have woken up each morning since, hoping that she'd be on the morning bus that she used to be on over the summer, to no avail. Six mornings in a row I've woken up at 7am and boarded the 7:25 bus. All I do is shower, brush teeth, and dress. No frills. I like it. However, she has not been on the bus since that fateful day last week. So please do not think that I am not going to attempt to talk to her, which seems to be the assumption made in the avalanche of comments I have received in the past few days.

Mission: Obsession

So, if you happen to be a college football fan, you may know that Texas Tech is in the top 2 in the country. What you may not know is that their head coach, Mike Leach, is certafiably eccentric, and its great! He has given me the desire to try what he does.

Every year, he picks one topic. That topic is the topic that he reads about and obsesses over all year. One year, he chose to obsess over pirates (swashbucklers). It became a lifelong obsession of his. He has delivered a 3 hour lecture on pirates and how they band together to his football team. He has an extensive collection of pirate flags and other paraphenalia. He loves pirates.

Anyway, I want to do this. Starting in January 09, I will pick something to obsess over and learn everything possible about. The only books I read in 09 will be about this topic. So why am I blogging about this? I want to ask for your help in choosing a subject. Give me some ideas! What can I obsess about? A few things that are off limits: sports, American politics...that's about it. Everything else is fair game. I'm thinking something along the lines of: poetry from a certain era, or some type of classical music, maybe architecture, maybe a war, maybe a civilization (like the Ottomans), maybe the history of the Roman Catholic papacy, maybe the Reformation...there are so many options!

What do you think I should obsess over in 2009?

A Debate Considered

This is my 50th post, and what better way to celebrate than with a debate.

Point - I, as a single guy, hate when girls wear a ring on their wedding ring finger. I guess I can't tell between married girls and single girls if it's a diamond, but that's the genesis of the problem. There is a rule for noble men that says that you don't think about dating girls with a ring on this finger. That makes sense, right? Well, then, girls need to stop wearing anything on this finger unless they are engaged or married. There is a girl on the bus that I'd like to talk to, but she wears a black stone on this finger. Is she engaged? Is she poor? I have no idea. All because of this ring, I feel like I shouldn't talk to her. What if they are some weird couple that doesn't believe in diamonds and wears something different? How would I know that I'm violating the man code? I wouldn't, and that's a problem.

Counterpoint - Jaime argues that there are lots of creepy guys out there. Girls wear a ring on that finger to keep the creeps away.

Point - I say no. Creepy guys are more likely to not be worried if you are engaged or married. You need to keep that finger bare so the good guys know if you are available!

Counterpoint - I don't know what she would say to that.

Analysis - I am right.

A Blog About Election Results (No question mark)

Well, this long and arduous process known as the American presidential election is finally behind us. Congrats to President-elect Obama; this was a truly historical election and it speaks a lot about our country that so many people came together over our first minority President. Here are some quick thoughts about the election that I have:

1. This is the time, whether you voted for Obama or not, to stand behind him. I did not vote for him (it was a protest vote) but I am now proud to call him my president. He deserves a chance to govern, and hopefully he will do this from the middle. I think it's also important that Republicans do not act like he owes them or has to cater to them now that the election is over. This is how Democrats felt in 2004 and it really annoyed me. You won an election; you get to work on your ideas.

2. The Republican campaign of John McCain failed because it was never about ideas. It was about personalities and attacks. Example: McCain had a genuinely interesting idea about health care. Would it work? Maybe, maybe not. But it was something he needed to explain and debate. Illegal immigration - get out there and talk about the ways in which we can ensure the rights of these workers in our country! Social Security is about to fail in America; it will start drawing from the trust fund it set up in something like 2017, and it won't be long before it is bankrupt. Discuss ways in which we can either fortify this system or move away from it! Instead of talking about "ensuring the right to a private ballot in a union election", talk about ways in which you could amend labor law to negate the extremely unfair advantage given to employers in a union election (I can talk about this in depth if you are interested). These ideas never materialized. Instead, it was "I'll cut taxes for everybody" and "I'm the guy you want in charge of the military". People didn't buy this.

3. One more thing about this: McCain was a bad candidate. The party with the better candidate wins. End of story. For examples, see Al Gore, John Kerry, Michael Dukakis, Bob Dole...and those are just from my lifetime.

4. One thing to watch is the composition of the federal judiciary now that the White House is switching parties. Under Bush, Democrats filibustered many judges. McCain was part of the Republican group that felt this was wrong, and he joined the "gang of 14" - 7 D's and 7 R's - to get votes on the floor for judges. Now that there are only around 41-43 R's in the Senate, it will only take a few of them to join to break a filibuster on judges. Will McCain become the 60th cloture vote? An interesting position for him.

5. Sarah Palin has got to run for Ted Stevens Senate seat in the special election, doesn't she? Imagine her filibustering on the Senate floor! Maybe she'd do her Tina Fey impression?

6. The apparent thing about this contest was that it is way too long. There needs to be a law on the books about how the presidential process works. The money spent on this campaign is disgusting ($5.3 billion!). My proposal: allow candidates to file and start fundraising on Jan. 1 of the election year (2012 in this case). Have a national primary - maybe April 1, or somewhere in there. Allow every state an equal voice in the primary process, which doesn't happen now. After the primary, fundraising and campaigning allowed with restrictions for two months. On June 1st, we swing into full campaign mode. Vice Presidential candidates must be chosen within a 6 week window from June 1 to July 15. Conventions in August. Boom! You've cut at least 10 months out of the process. And I wouldn't have a problem with moving these timelines back.

7. One thing this election crystallized for me is how important the sanctity of life really is to me. I am going to join the Allegheny County chapter of the PA Pro-Life group. They have a chapter in the North Hills, one in the South Hills, and are trying to start one downtown. A quote that they have on their website really symbolized the way I feel about this. It was something to the effect of this: "When a fireman comes to a burning house, I don't care about his tax policy, his stance on Social Security, or whether he wants to deny equal rights to gays. All I care about is that he saves mother and child." We can't worry about anything else if we don't protect the innocent children that are slaughtered selfishly every year. If you are interested in joining me and my mom in this endeavor, let us know!

8. Reports that Rahm Emanuel has been chosen to be Obama's Chief of Staff are a little troubling. He's a fellow Chicagoan (cronyism!) and he has served in the Clinton White House (change??). He's also highly partisan (a uniter??) who once reportedly told Republicans that they could "f--- themselves". It's a bad foot to start on, in my opinion, for this President.

That seems like enough election analysis from me.

A Quick Story

This story is in three stages:

1. Maybe 6 weeks ago, our family went to Cleveland to visit Aunt Joyce. She is great and we try to get out there and visit her as often as the 5 of us can get together. It's an easy trip, it's family bonding...it is a solid endeavor. So, we were going to Cleveland and we took two cars (I can't remember why). Jer, Mom, and I were in my car, and we're driving along, listening to the radio and singing. All of a sudden, a Tom Petty song comes on, with a lot of harmonica parts, and I pulled out my harmonica (out of the glove compartment) and started playing along. For some reason, Mom and Jer lost it, they were laughing very hard.

2. At small group a few weeks later, this story is brought up, and everybody laughs at me. I still don't understand how this is so funny.

3. This weekend, I drove down to Knoxville. Last week I had taken my harmonica out of my car and put it in my pocket to take it into small group. So, I forgot to put it in my car. Then, when I was driving to Knoxville, there were at least 3 times that I reached for the harmonica...only to find that it was not there. Disappointing.

That is all.