Heroes

Well, Heather is in Texas for the weekend. What better time to hijack her blog? The subject of my last post dealt with being in a constant state of transition. How about we go the opposite way? What follows are a few permanent fixtures in my life - my childhood/adulthood heroes. Now I need to point out the difference between these heroes and real life heroes. Martin Luther King is a real hero who stood for something. When confronted with tough situations, he dealt with them head on. Dutch, from Predator, merely flexed his muscles at the boogeymen of the world. Understand the difference? Nevertheless, my admiration and loyalty to these guys goes back a long way. I am listing 6 b/c I just couldn't narrow it down to 5. Enjoy! Arnold Schwartzenegger This guy literally had me at hello. Once I saw Conan the Barbarian, I was a life-long fan of the Governator. Not that he should expect an academy award any time soon (considering his voice had to be re-dubbed for his first several movies). Still - I wanted to be him. I had the crew-cut and fooled myself into thinking I had his biceps. Favorite Movies: Predator, Conan the Barbarian, Running Man, Terminator, and Twins (just kidding). Favorite Quote (Conan's response to a Mongol Warlord asking him what is best in life): To crush your enemies; see them driven before you...and hear the lamentation of their women! (Honestly - does it get any better?) Clint Eastwood C'mon...the Man with No Name. To me, he was (and remains) the ultimate example of the strong silent type. I discovered him rather late in life (junior year of high school) but his influence on me was definitive. I cruised through the Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone and moved on to other westerns (Unforgiven, Outlaw Josie Wales, etc) and the Dirty Harry movies. To this day - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly is the definitive western for me. Favorite Movies: For a Few Dollars More; Fistful of Dollars; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; The Unforgiven; Dirty Harry; Magnum Force; In the Line of Fire Favorite Quote (As if you had to ask...Dirty Harry): I know what you're thinking, punk: Did he fire 5 shots, or all 6? Well, to tell you the truth, in all that action I've forgotten myself. But seeing as how I'm holding a .44 Magnum (the most powerful handgun in the world) and can blow your head clean off...you really only have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well do you, punk?!? John Wayne (The Duke) Now I can't hold a candle to my dad's zeal for this man - but at least I can borrow from it a little. Is there a better example of a "man's man" than the Duke? Doubtful. For my 29th birthday, my parents bought about 6 or 7 of his films b/c I had expressed interest so many times. I've watched most, but my favorite is still the first one my dad ever let me watch....The Cowboys (Granted...I haven't watched the Shootist yet). Favorite Movies: The Cowboys; Rio Bravo (Hawks); True Grit; The War Wagon Favorite Quotes (The Cowboys - Bruce Dern is picking on one of the kids): Alright! We've seen what you can do with a boy. How are you when they come a little bigger? (Right before the fight): I'm 30 years older than you are. Had my back broke once and my hip twice...and on my worst day I could beat the **** out of you! Dude! Robert DeNiro By far, my favorite actor of all time. The ultimate tough guy. I have yet to see a movie of his I'm not in love with (well...maybe Mad Dog and Glory). His look in this picture says it all:You talkin' to me? I never was able to match his swagger - but that's cool. I'll just live vicariously throuh the man himself. Favorite Movies: Heat; Godfather II; Goodfellas; Casino; Mean Streets; Raging Bull...really too many to mention. Favorite Quote (From Heat - to Val Kilmer's character regarding his marriage): "I don't know what you're doing. Remember Jimmy McIlwane from the yard..what he used to say? If you're going to be making moves on the street have no attachments. Allow nothing to be in your life that you can't walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you spot the heat around the corner." G.I. Joe: The Real American Hero I know, I know...this is a picture of Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow...but it's just too awesome not to have it on here. When I was coming up you were either a Transformers guy or a G.I. Joe guy...I was Joe all the way. Not only b/c it was more "real" (a collection of commandos and terrorists whose aim was worse than the A-Team) but b/c I have yet to meet one person who could manipulate transformers in real-time. Ever watch the Transformers cartoon? It's (cool sound effects) and your done in 5 seconds flat. When actually playing w/them, the action would have to take a 10 minute recess while the flippin' robot turns into a VW Bug, or Jet, or Tape Deck...whatever. Transformers have the upper hand right now...but the minute there is a live action Joe film - Optimus Prime will need to step aside The best Christmas present I ever received (other than our Nintendo - which my mom swore up and down would never be allowed in our house) was the Cobra Terror Drome. This was the most wonderful base of operations ever invented (move over Death Star). I literally spent hours upon hours playing w/ my G.I. Joes. I don't know how the Joes ever won. Here Cobra had this massive, impenetrable fortress (complete with gun turrets, prisons, and a jet hangar)...all the Joes had was a beat up suitcase turned on its side. Yet - the forces of good always prevailed...unless Storm Shadow and Firefly (two of the baddest mamma-jammas to don pjs) got together. Serious mayhem was sure to happen when that went down. Now - I may sound like a zealot, but I have one credit to my name. At least I didn't have to watch the G.I. Joe public service announcements to know not to try and jump my dirt bike over a downed power line. "Now we know...and knowing is half the battle" Batman I have collected comics for over 20 years now. The first comic I ever read was Batman #375. It involved a sinister plot with some doofus named the Mad Hatter (actually a staple in Batman's "Rogues Gallery"). Nevertheless - I was hooked. Thanks to my dad, I still get a bundle of Batman comics once every month or so. I love to collect whole story arcs...not reading an issue until it's complete. While Superman stands for Truth, Justice, and the American Way - Batman represents the potential for growth and the strive for perfection in everyday humans. He's mortal...doesn't have any powers to speak of. Just a keen sense of detection and the mastery of virtually every marital art form in existence. While I watched the 60's TV show (and loved it), I always hated the campiness of it all. Batman is a serious dude...on a mission. He doesn't carry Anti-Shark Spray for crying out loud! I do have fond childhood memories of being in the car w/dad going somewhere. Whenever we would start moving from a red light or stop sign, dad would suddenly grab my knee and shout "Hang on, Robin" and start singing the 60's Batman Theme Song. Still, my favorite renditions of the man comes courtesy of Denny O'Neil/Jim Aparo, Neal Adams, and Frank Miller. This picture says it all: Always moving forward...never quit. Not even after the goal has been reached and surpassed. Favorite Quote (From the Dark Knight Returns - Batman has just thoroughly thrashed goody two shoes...I mean Superman): "We could have changed the world..now...look at us. I've become a political liability...and you? You're a joke. I want you to remember, Clark...in all the years to come...in your most private moments: I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember...the one man who beat you." Of course I could continue...but it's getting late and I have a dissertation to write. Feel free to let me know who some of your heroes are/were. Thanks for reading! Josh

It's Been a While!

Well with all of the excitement of friends visiting and us going to visit family I haven't posted anything lately. The last weekend in June we had our friends Adrienne and Brian, Elizabeth and Dave come to visit. It was so nice having them. Elizabeth and Dave got to see the house for the first time and we all went up to Hot Springs for some dinner and bowling. Let me tell you that Dave gave all of us a run for our money. It was so much fun and I would do it every weekend if I could (if we all lived closer). Then the following weekend Josh and I drove out to Alabami and visited his folks. Talk about some good food and conversation....whew! I had a blast and I only wish it could have lasted a few days longer. These are the days to enjoy life and take it all in. I love my two girlfriends dearly and would do anything for them. I only hope that I convey that when I see them and talk to them. It's great to see family and friends and for those of you who live far away from your family and friends you know what I'm saying. Those precious moments of just enjoying being in the same room again....that's what gets me every time. So.....til next time Bynum family, Dave and Elizabeth , and Brian and Adrienne.....we'll see you soon. Love you all!!! God Bless, HB

Is it raining in your life?

Very often people say that rain brings them down, or makes them depressed. Given the circumstances over in Oklahoma and Texas I can see why. But what about another type of rain, the kind we need as Christians. The kind that only God can provide and not just in our time of need, but at times that we don't even know we need it.

Sometimes we need that rain to cleanse us, if you will. We need it to clean our souls. What I speak of is a spiritual rain. Lately I have been very thirsty for God and didn't even recognize it until I read something on Green Street Letters that got me thinking. Spiritually I have been going through a drought. I don't know why or when, but I lost sight of God somewhere and even though I've been acting like everything is fine on the outside - on the inside I've been thirsting for guidance from God.

......I don't mean to talk as if I am the only person who has ever or will ever go through something like this, I am merely relaying something deep within my heart that others may relate to.

I realized that what I have been craving in life isn't a better job, or a finished thesis, or more money in the bank, or anything material or physical.......it's just God time. Everyone needs to have that time where God is the central focus in one's mind, where nothing interferes with HIM!

I confess that I haven't been giving God that time and regardless He has still been there for me.

How fair is that!!!??

It is in these times of spiritual drought where I seem to find God the most. His rain has cleansed my soul. What I pray for myself and everyone is that God will rain on you today and that you will no longer be thirsty.....but that you will begin anew, with new life and vigor for God.

So thank you to God and Mr. B. for helping me see what I have been thirsting for!!

God Bless,

HB

Commitment

Do you ever find yourself able to commit to some things and not others? It's weird how some things in life are easy to commit to. For example; it was easy to commit to my husband, college, family, but other things, the most mundane of things can be the hardest to do.

All of this is leading up to, of course, the daily task of writing my thesis. I feel like I'm always thinking about writing, and I find myself worrying about it everyday, but I have a very hard time just sitting down and committing to it. What I have found out about myself is that I would rather be doing anything than writing a paper. In fact I would rather get groceries, take out the trash, clean the bathroom, do laundry, balance the checkbook, go to the dentist.... you get the idea.

What I have been praying for is that God will change my heart toward this very important task.

I know what has to be done and I can see a time in the very near future when I will be finished, but right now is where I am living and I must commit to the task.

All of this rambling has brought me to this point... without commitment one can not accomplish the job, whatever it may be, to the best and utmost of their ability. It is hard work and we shouldn't fear it but embrace it and continue, no matter how slowly.

So, I continue to pray that God will work on my heart and take the fear away and help me to commit to this project. I know that through Him, I can accomplish anything and after all, this paper is really for Him not me. I need it for my degree, but He needs it as a show of my love and commitment for Him!

God Bless

HB

Happy Father's Day... a little late

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there. My dad, John, Michael B., Chad B., and Dave A. and Denver K.; you are all amazing men who work hard for your families and love them even more. You are all so significant to your children and your wives. You sit quietly in your easy chair and never complain when you are forced to watch Oprah or The Backyardigans and always make sure to lock the doors at night. You help in the kitchen and don't mind doing the yard work. But it is your continuous spirit of love and hope and your devotion to God that is the center of the family. Being a dad means being the rock and you all deserve to be recognized on this day. So to all you dads listed above, we love you and appreciate you everyday! May God bless your journey! HB

Getting Older...

Well it is just a few days away from my ..ugh..32 birthday. I guess I feel like I am wiser and more accomplished than I was 10 years ago. I thought turning 30 was difficult, but I am quickly realizing that with each new birthday I feel more and more sentimental about the past. It's not that I want to relive anything I just feel the need to take it all in and let it sink in that I am no longer a 20 something student whose major responsibility is going to classes. It is quite a reality check because it means that I am what I always wanted to be....an adult. It is amazing the twists and turns that one's life takes. It wasn't that long ago that I was praying for God to either bring a strong Christian man into my life or help me to accept that I may never marry. Now, I am happily married to the most wonderful man and after almost three years together we still get giddy around each other. God is amazing and He really has shown me that He is in control. There were times when I would wonder "Who's running this show?" I don't wonder that any longer. Good Things and God Bless, HB

Great movie

Josh and I rented the movie (Apocalypto) the other night and I must say that it is (next to Lord of the Rings) one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is very violent, but the acting, cinematography, and costumes made you feel as if you were in the action. It is not a family film that little ones should watch. It is, however, a great movie to lose yourself in, which for me is the only reason to watch movies. Ebert, Roper and Bynum give it two thumbs up.

God Bless,

HB