Tadd Mencer

Some friends of mine are writers and directors - well, they want to be. They’ve been working on a StarWars fan-fiction mini-film that looks pretty promising. ‘Way of the Sith’ seems like it will be a pretty slick little movie … they better get it done soon so I can watch it!

Yesterday, Carolyn, Aidan and I all decided that it would be fun to have the flu! So we did. We’re wild, eh? I think I had it the worse, followed closely by Aidan. Carolyn was down in the dumps too - but lucky for her she never threw up. Whilst I hugged the toilet for a majority of the day. It. Way. Horrible.
Today we’re all feeling much better. I guess Aidan is pretty clingy, but better. For which I’m glad. And Carolyn is also (thankfully) feeling better. I’m doing well, though I’m really sore … REALLY sore. And my forehead is bruised where it rested on the toilet … ew, I know. But when you’re spewing you really don’t care about cleanliness.

I’m sitting here at work, staring at awe at my new Wacom Intuos 3 9×12. It’s a thing of beauty it is. I’ve had it since last Monday (Happy Birthday to my son!) but really haven’t had a chance to take in the fact that I’m using one.

I have to say - a friend suggested I look at generic brands, but Wacom rules my face. I love my Graphire2 I have at home, but this Intuos is my new hero. It could only get better if I had a Cintiq. But that’s not likely going to happen any time … anytime.

The wife, the boy and I traveled Wednesday night to visit family for the holidays. 6 hour drive with a 2 yr old sounds like a horror movie.
“Coming to a theater near you, ‘6 HOUR DRIVE WITH A 2YR OLD!’ Rated R.”
But honestly, the boy was amazing this whole weekend. Four days of being angel boy. Of course he didn’t sleep that great, but who would in that little boy we make him sleep in (Pak’n'Play). But he was really good, and I am very proud of him.

My wife and I got to talk some, for a change, on our drive. Usually we’re stuffing our ears with cotton to keep the child screams from piercing our eardrums - but no. We got to talk. Guys, talking to the wife is NOT that hard to do, nor that dangerous. Just listen, and try and respond honestly and.. well, tactfully. And all goes well. I love talking to my wife. We’ve been together since we where 13. Married at 21. It will be 8 years in April. And we’re still happy as can be. I now sound like an infomercial for some self help videos for married couples.

Anyway, we got to see a lot of people we love very much - and I’m really happy we got to go. Sat up till 1am talking to my sister-in-law, who is also one of my best friends … it was fun times. Would have liked to hang out with my other sister-in-law, but she was visiting from Chicago and had the need to catch up with some friends, which is understandable.

Oh oh oh .. sheesh .. we bought a new(ish) car. Traded in our lemon and got a 2001 Ford Taurus. Took it on our trip and it was really nice. I like it. If you ever need a new or used car, head over to Tony Betten. They guy there (Larry Powers) did a lot to try and keep our payments down. Praise God, because we can’t afford much! It’s amazing how He provides and opens doors … I need to remember these verses - Luke 12:6.

Ok, I had an epiphany on my way to work this morning. See, we are having a few hardships right now. Nothing life threatening, but they’re trials. And I was doing my typical complaining to God about “why do we always get this crap thrown at us” what it hit me … and I’m not sure this is theologically sound, and I’m not sure if at the moment I care … but this is what I came up with.

God can show us Himself, when we’re suffering.

Now think about it. When we’re all happy and fine and no problems at all, do we honestly lean on Him? Do we honestly strive to lean on Him? I can honestly say that I don’t. Naturally I’m more pleased and such, but when nothing is wrong we look to God to make it right.

So maybe, just maybe - that’s why God allows things like losing out on $2300 to a car that ended up crap. Or a colic child. Or financial hardships. Or even regular depression. Because when we’re low, we tend to pay more attention to God. And He wants us to learn to look to Him, not just in the hard times, but also in the good - when all is right in the world (well, sorta).

It’s not that He’s selfish - it’s more that … well, He’s God! When you have a child, y ou want that child to love you, hug you and basically worship the ground you walk on. You want to be the superhero and be cheered for finding the missing toy. You want the child to love sitting on your lap to watch a movie or hold you hand for no other reason than to be with you. THAT is how God is. He loves us - and wants us to love Him back.

He hates seeing bad things happen to us. But He knows that if we don’t learn to walk with Him that we’ll never really learn to walk … only stumble.

Does that make any sense at all?

Well, here we are - sitting in our new desk on lunch break, blogging away using our new computer - ah the good life.

Yes, I’ve started my job. And at this moment I must say it rocks hardcore. I THINK I’m doing a decent job thus far. At least I was told the first few creatives I made are pretty dag spiffy.

However, it’s going to be (and already is) weird not being around Carolyn and the rug rat as much. I miss them already. Just getting random hugs and hearing random giggles through out my morning is a better ‘pick-me-up’ than the best coffee imaginable. I’m glad that Carolyn is leaving her second job, however. That will give me more time with her and hopefully less stressful time trying to control Aidan on my own!

So, Sarah stopped by yesterday. We thought we would need her babysitting services for a few since Carolyn had to leave for work at 5:45 and I had a rush hour traffic drive at 5 - across town. So we didn’t think I would make it. Happily I barily hit any traffic and got to spend about 15 minutes with her before she left. And Sarah stayed and hung out for a bit, playing with Aidan and playing ‘kitchen wars’ with me. Good times.

I think I’m going to back off on my internet social life and make the attempt at a real, live, social life. Maybe.

There is a man/woman (can’t tell) who stands on the corner of Richmond and Turner, every day. I’ve seen them there in the rain, hot sun, cold and windy days - every day.

He/she appears to be Muslim, follower of Muhammad - whatever you want to call them. When I first saw them doing this (praying loudly, on their knees and bowing toward Mecca, ’saluting’ drivers) I was kind of offended and disgusted. I felt they where being rude somehow - standing there acting all righteous and blah blah blah.

The other day I was driving by, and there they where. Standing proudly, arms outstretched in praise of Allah and a thought hit me. Why aren’t Christians as zealous for the Lord God? It was both a sobering and sad thought as a drove by and gave a little nod a admiration to this person.

We look at the Bible heroes and you have to admit - they didn’t sit quietly, content on watching the world go by. They danced, prayed, happily discussed, evangelized and made it known who they were. Even when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednegogo where threatened with burning in a furnace for not singing the bunny song for not bowing to the pagan idol they stood strong and didn’t give in. (Daniel 3)

So why are we so afraid of being scorned, humilated and looked down on for believing in God and walking strong in His ways? When people start telling off color jokes or being crude, do we stand and laugh or do we walk away, not condoning the sport? I’m not saying we need to be preaching from the corners, but living a life “blameless and holy” (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

I pray I can be one that people recognize the mark of Christ on my life - and not another person to lend a hand to the “Christian’s are hypocrites” mentality.