A Classy Day for a Want-To-Be Classy Man

So I saw this blog about the 5 best men's fashion stores in Minnesota so my (almost) brother-in-law and I hit the town.  We went to 3 stores but only one of them was actually on this list, as I found out when I got home and looked at the names of the stores (which we had foolishly forgot to write down).  We went to martinpatrick3, which is probably the coolest store I have ever been in.  We also went to Brooks Brothers and Saks Off 5th, which were pretty cool but more like a very expensive Macy's rather than a boutique.  After than he had to go to work but I was still waiting for Carl the Bi-polar Neon to get fixed at the shop (which I am still waiting on 2 days later); so I walked around the mall a bit, drank some coffee, and read part of The Great Gatsby.  Then as I was walking back to campus to get a ride back to my place of residence I had a thought.  I decided to use an old Montana Notebook and write down all kinds of notes on being a gentleman inside of it.  These notes would include great books, stores and their prices for clothing and other such things, contact information for my "go to" companies (pharmacist, mechanic, jeweler, barber, etc.), and a few notes about cigar brands to return to or avoid.  I am unsure what I will do with this, maybe keep it forever and continually update it, give it to my son int he future, or just throw it away; I really have no idea.  Whatever I do with the notebook, it was certainly a day to remember and I hope to do it again with Nate and maybe a few other good friends of ours.

Biblical Counseling, Part 2

The number one most read post on my blog is my Introduction to Biblical Counseling Notes.  Because of that I decided to post my Practice of Biblical Counseling notes on here as well. Enjoy.

Addiction- A compulsive pursuit of a self-defeating, mood-altering experience

Stages of Addiction

1)    Social Use Phase

A)   Pleasant surprise

B)   Relationship of trust develops

C)   Enhances life

a)    More aware of things

b)    Greater perspective

c)    Focused, prepared, clear-headed

D)   Mental files expand through reinforcement and association

E)   When you go too far you learn to adjust

2)    Abuse Phase

A)   Relationship takes priority over responsibility

B)   Mental files grow and other on ramps to pleasure are ignored

C)   Intra-personal conflict begins

a)    Romans 7

D)   Trust turns into craving

E)   Inter-personal conflict begins

F)   Rationalizations by telling ourselves lies

G)   Diversion tactics and deceit

H)   Learning problems

I)     Accidents and illness

J)    Strong association becomes triggers

3)    Dependency Phase

A)   Craving turns into needing

B)   Relationship becomes unpredictable

C)   Geographical, occupational, and social relocation

D)   Systemic, physiological, pathological

E)   Most on ramps are shut doors

F)   Blackouts fallowed by euphoric recalls

G)   Lies in all relationships

H)   Life revolves around something for nothing

I)     Switch addictions

J)    Temporarily stop using

K)   Disease aspect becomes relevant

a)    Progressive

b)    Chronic

c)    Fatal

L)    Innumeral associations become triggers

M)  Triggers create cravings

As you counsel tell yourself that yourself

1)    Resistance is the beginning of learning

2)    Let them believe lies about me and don’t let that get discouraging

Declaring War on Addictions

1)    Rehears truth daily

A)   Create your own list of truth statements

2)    Confess your sins and struggles to others and be specific

3)    Be part of an accountability group(s)

A)   Layers and layers of accountability for all types or addictions and all levels of disclosure and vulnerability

4)    Change your environment

5)    Hang around the right people

A)   Minister to everyone, but have a specific group of friends

6)    Get good counsel

7)    Journal your journey

8)    Face the struggle

A)   Deal with what is on your plate

9)    Use your imagination

A)   Rejoice and thank God for your journey through your struggle

10) Eat right, move right, sleep right

God’s grace is eternal, but comes in 24 hour installments-you only have to do the difficult right thing today, tomorrow you will get another installment and another chance, but if you focus too far into the future you will become overwhelmed and fail

Check Off a Bucket List Item

So I totally have the coolest job on campus. One thing on my Bucket List is "See a concert from backstage." Well this past week was finals week and because I had no finals on Monday and Tuesday I worked a lot those 2 days. On Tuesday we had a Manafest, Hawk Nelson, and Family Force 5 show and I got to work it! I worked from 8 am until 11:30 pm but it was so worth my time. I got to do all the concert stuff from load in to strike and got to meet a lot of cool people. I got to meet 3 of the 5 members of Family Force 5 and some of the friends and family of Hawk Nelson. I was also able to make connections with people in this industry as far as roadies and sound techs and such. Before the show and during most of Hawk Nelson I had to sit out in the hall and check backstage passes but during Family Force 5 I got to watch from backstage. I did have a job technically; it was "Watch and if a fan comes on stage get them off." I said, "Deal." So I got to check something off my bucket list, have an all access pass to a concert, and and see Family Force 5 from backstage. I think that their music is slightly above average but boy can they play a show. It's kind of like a huge party that just goes forever. They have crazy costumes, heavy bass, fun dances, cool tricks with instruments, and an excepting atmosphere. I will admit it to all you MaHa people out there, I'm a fan.

New Found Love of Classical Music

So on My Snowy Sunday Morning a few weeks ago I listened to classical music quite a bit. I have never been a huge fan, ask anyone that knew me in my teen years. Recently, however I have begun listening to solo piano more and more. I am slowly warming up to full symphonies and choirs. I do find the solo piano to be one of the most relaxing forms of music ever. I put it on and it makes me wish I had a library full of books top to bottom; and that I was sitting in a big, red, leather chair in comfortable clothes, reading a classic by a fire place, and bear skin rug to finish off the room. Yeah, I know, that's kind of silly, but it's true none the less.

However, I still really love pretty much every other genre of music. I still love rap, rock, death metal, country, blues, etc. but I recently have been listening to Sleep Serapis, Sleep! a lot because they are sadly breaking up. They were certainly one of my favorite bands in high school, if not my favorite, and I will miss their music. Here is a link to one of their greatest album introductions "Dead Man Walking." I was hoping to find a link to find a link to "Bludgeoning Baby Seals to Death" (Yes, I do know what I just wrote. No, I didn't name the song. No, I don't believe that it is a good thing. Please don't report me to PETA or some other animal rights thing. I am not an animal torturer, you can ask any one of my or my fiance's pets.) but sadly I could not. That was the song that got me into death metal as a genre. I loved the gnashing guitar and fast drums and everything about it. Once I had finally gotten permission from my parents to go to one of their shows with my friend they didn't play it anymore, so I never got to hear it live. They are playing their last show on January 28.  If you are in the Milwaukee area and you even remotely like metal you should go. These guys play a sweet show. Don't forget to rock out for me.

Here is a poster with all the information.

This is another "poster" for the last show, just kind of funny.

I think I may know why I am starting to like classical music. I think it is because, like most metal I like, it is incredibly complex. When I was growing up I didn't see the similarities because I didn't understand music very well. I see the way all the instruments come together to make one beautiful sound, just like the do in metal, rap, country, or what have you. The problem was that I was to immature to notice and appreciate the similarity. Now I do, and I like it.

Christmas Time is Here

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are on to the crazy season during which we celebrate very much. From being done with school for a while to the birth of our Savior we have much to sing about. I have put together a list of Christmas songs that I will be listening this season. Feel free to let me know what you think and what songs you like as well, I'll check them out.

Breath of Heaven- Amy Grant
O Holy Night- Andy Williams (Preferred)
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Andy Williams
Carol of the Bells
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch- Boris Karloff
Joyful, Joyful- Casting Crowns
Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer- Dean Martin
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
I’ll Be Home for Christmas- Frank Sinatra
Little Drummer Boy (Grinch Mix)- Jars of Clay
Mary, Did You Know- Kenny Rodgers
Go tell it on the Mountain
O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Those are my Christmas mix suggestions. Merry Christmas all.

Bucket List

As I said in the post I was working on a bucket list. Well, after much thought I have finished it, for now that is. I assume I will continue to add to it as I get older and continue to live life. The document in its entirety is about 5 pages, so I will not be posting that. However, I did promise a list of the highlights, as if anyone cares because I know nobody is reading this blog. Anyway, here are some of the better/cooler things on the list.

See the Tour de France
Make a hole in one
Hunt deer
Hunt alligator
Bowl a perfect game
Learn to box
Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
See the 24 Hours of Le Mans
See the Monaco Grand Prix
Drive on the Audubon
Deep sea fish
Ride a mechanical bull
Complete a marathon
Go to the Superbowl
Swim in all the Great Lakes
Drive a Ferrari
See the Kentucky Derby
See the Masters
Hold the Lombardi Trophy
Learn to play piano
Learn to play guitar
Learn to play saxophone
Learn to play harmonica
Attend a concert of Bob Dylan's
Attend a concert of Billy Joel's
Meet Jonny Lang
Record an album
Be exhibited in an art gallery
Write a screenplay
Get paid to act
Do stand up
Be in a live studio audience
Meet Johnny Depp
Be an extra in a movie
Attend a movie world premier
Publish a book
See all 50 States
Do a Route 66 Trip
Go on a Serengeti Safari
See a wild tiger
Visit all 7 continents
Live in another country for at least 6 months
Attend a high class party or event
Learn to speak Melanesian Pidgin



Again, those are just some of the highlights. I hope that this inspires you to create your own list.

Spring Classes

Today I signed up for the beginning of my senior year of college. That's pretty crazy!  I'm super excited though. I'm taking Practice of Youth Ministry, Christian Theology, Family Studies, Practice of Biblical Counseling (so if you liked the post on Introduction to Biblical Counseling stay tuned for more), and Leadership.  That's 17 credits leaving only 20 credits left! I will take at least one internship this summer, hopefully both, and maybe my science class. If I did that all I would have for my last semester would be 16 credits, I haven't had that few since Fall of Freshman year! Crazy!

I woke up earlier than I had to today to register for classes at 8:30, made some coffee (again), and will probably do some stuff for my Bucket List now. Yes, I will post some of the highlights of it, thank you for asking. I worked on that most of Saturday and some of Sunday. I don't have class until 12:40 and then I'm not done with work until 5 but hey, if that's all I have to do today, it's a good day.