New Orleans was the bomb. I'm headed to CIY this next week. If you want to know more about our trip to N.O., check out my MySpace. I've got some journal entries on there and a few pics from the trip.

1 Dead in Attic, what I just got done reading, is a compilation of columns written by a local columnist who lives in New Orleans and returned to the city just after Hurrican Katrina swept through.

Anyway, that's a brief but sufficient post.

Currently Listening She Must and Shall Go Free By Derek Webb see related

Confession Time

Hey Xanga Friends

One time I when I was 17 I stayed out very late working on a school project with a friend. One the way home, I got pulled over by a cop for having my bright lights on in town. I got a warning. When I got home, my dad was waiting. He was mad because I hadn't called, and I felt guilty because I'd been out late without calling and I had been pulled over by a cop. But I couldn't help it...I was face to face with my old man.

I kind of feel that way right now. I am face to face with you, the Xanga community. And I am accountable--I have not updated in over a month. But it is at this time that I feel I have a confession to make. So here goes...

I have been on MySpace. (cringes, bracing for backlash)

I know,  I know. In my last post I said things like "I'm hard core Xanga," and "Xanga for life." I meant it, when I said it. And I'm sorry that I've cheated on you, Xanga. Words cannot express my guilt. I am ashamed.

But perhaps both blog sites can be honored with due respect. Perhaps I can continue to post on each one. Perhaps I don't have to choose between the two, and perhaps you don't have to suffer because of your blogging preferences. Perhaps this is possible, with your grace and understanding.

Accept my sincere apology and my genuine commitment to remain a valauable member of the Xanga community. I do not take Xanga, or you, for granted.

Oh, by the way, I'm going to be home for only 12 days in July, so don't hold your breath on another post for another month or so. :)

Currently Listening Long Line of Leavers By Caedmon's Call see related

I'm feeling guilty about not posting lately. It seems like Xanga traffic has slowed down in recent months. I'm sure Facebook and MySpace are great places to be, but I'm hard core Xanga. Til death do us part.

Went out to Portland, OR for vacation last week. Highlights include:

1. Seeing the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the country, measuring 57 feet around.

2. Eating at the Melting Pot, where bread, cheese, chicken, and fruit cost me over a hundred bucks. Oh yeah, and I had to cook it myself. What a deal!

3. Throwing my flip flop up in the air on the beach, where a gusting wind of about 400 miles per hour would catch it and send it down the beach where Lucas was waiting to catch it. We did this for about 30 minutes.

4. Playing miniature golf at the worst miniature golf course in the history of the universe. 5 of the 18 holes were straight, unobstructed shots. I did, however, win, and I had a hole in one--all while having to use the restroom badly.

5. Wading into the icy-cold northern Pacific to help Lucas poke at what he believed to be a star fish hiding under a rock. Though my legs were numb up to my knees and I didn't stick around to confim my suspicions, I believe the object of his fascination was in fact a water snake of some variety, or perhaps a sleeping sting ray.

Hope you all are well. See you this week sometime, I'm sure.

Since REALITY is over, my most recent blog seems somewhat obsolete. Hence, I shall post.

Here's what's going on in my life. My wife, Kari, has only 6 school days left before her graduation on May 12th. That's pretty exciting news. On the 14th we are heading on a trip to celebrate. It was meant to be a surprise, but I left a piece of paper on the table accidently and, although it was in code, she figured out what it meant and ruined everything. We are flying to Portland and visiting with Lucas and Alana, going to the Oregon coast, and otherwise just relaxing and taking it easy. She deserves it.

Nora, my daughter, turns 1 this week. It's been a crazy first year, highlighted this past week by her first trip to the ER. She was fine, nothing but an ear infection that is being heavily medicated presently, but it was a long night that made my tired for the following 2 days.

The past two days, have, however, been very restful. I've done very little besides poke around the house, watch the Cardinals, and hang out with Nora and Kari. I enjoy days off. Tonight is hte 8th Grade Progressive Dinner, which will be the bomb for obvious reasons.

That's the latest. I'm sure you all have benefitted from being caught up in ways I will never understand. Ain't Xanga grand.

Since I' never listening to what I say I'm listening to, or watching what I say I'm watching, I've not listed anything this time. I'm tired of lying about it.

A Poem About REALITY, Coming This Friday

This Friday night starting at six,

There'll be skaters that can do wicked tricks,

And lasting well into the night,

A band will play--they're out of sight.

The Break Dancers can spin on thier heads,

And the DJ has some serious street cred.

The Blow-Up Games are sure to be fun,

And we'll give away stuff before we're done.

With plenty of barbeque to eat,

And some new others stuff, sure to be sweet.

All costing you just three dollars,

It's worth giving your friends a holler.

But you don't have to take it from me,

If you come Firday night then you'll see.

By Titus Benton