Fond Childhood Memories In Danger!

Sesame Street of yesteryear is a testament to how far our society has declined as a civilization. This article was linked off of Yahoo today. It makes me sad. It also wants me to eat cookies while counting, dressed like the count. And Super Grover. And those weird martian things with big mouths. Later, tater.

The Joys Have Arrived!

Hey, folks! I won't apologize for not blogging because this is supposed to be something fun I do, not a chore. Take that, blogger elitists! But seriously folks, it's good to blog with you again.
I am in a time of change. I have discovered something that I really like and am juiced about: digital photography. God's been showing me how beautiful things around me are and how I've overlooked them for a long time. I'm in the process of learning about photography basics out of a photography book I got at Books-A-Million. It's kind of confusing, but I'll get the hang of it. Just please pray for me that I'll retain the knowledge that I'm reading and that I'll get the funds to get a really good camera(Canon EOS 40d or 5d).

On to family. Tracie is now working at Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery as a Social Worker. She got a pay raise, less stress than at Gateway(to Hell), and a shorter drive with less traffic. It's hard work, but nowhere near as stressful as her previous job. We have been spending more time together just us and it is awesome. We realize when we do how important it is to have a relationship that is ours, not ours and Keelin's or MawMaws or anyone else. When we start saying stuff the same way Keelin says it, it's time for a date. Keelin is the BOMB. Seriously. She is growing so fast and getting so smart. She started school recently and is taking to it wonderfully. Also, she is picking up on stuff we say(namely, me). Her most commonly used phrases are: awesome, freakin' awesome, it's all good, I don't know about that, and here's what I want Santa to bring me. She's a bit of a talker, a LOT of a singer(which she does beautifully), and a brilliant dancer. Mom had us kind of freaked out this past Sunday, but thank God it was just Bell's Palsy. Tracie had that around the beginning of the year and it sucked, but Mom is doing good. I'm doing good. I'm learning Photoshop CS2 and it's awesome. I'm still at Dixie designing the graphics. It's been beautiful here with the temps in the 60's and 70's most days along with the leaves finally changing colors.

To close, I'm going to list some of my likes and dislikes of the moment:

Likes: Looking at digital SLR cameras, Photoshop CS2, my Wii(it's been awhile), Super Mario Galaxy, Keelin rocking Wii bowling, Taco Bell's Chili Cheese burrito(been a long time) Stranger Than Fiction, BBC Radio1,2,&3, mash-ups, putting the in front of words ( like the Coldplay, I like the bowling, kids today are all about the Nelly Furtado and the Fall Out Boy) Mark Ronson Version, String Quartet Tribute to (insert rock band here), falling to sleep listening to my worship playlist.

Dislikes: UAB's computer system(why can't you erase my previous addresses and insurance card #'s; it would save all of us from insanity)
Not wanting to be patient for my camera
People not being as interested in games as I am. Not just video games, but board games, card games, or group games.

I would like to end on a high note, so I'll end on a couple of jokes:

What kind of shoes did the guy born with two left feet get? Flip-Flips.



Why are pirates called pirates? They just ARRRRRE!

Love you guys. Out.

Of Joys & Sorrows(Joys to Come Later)

My iPod is dead. Kaput. A technological brick of metal and wires. A little piece of advice, folks. iPod + pool = disruption of iLife. The phrase "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone" is a phrase I compare to my present situation, except I know what I had to begin with. We went to Panama City with Mom & Dad this weekend to relax. Saturday morning, I thought it would be nice to take my iPod down to the pool so Dad could listen to it. From the room to the pool -- a mere 50 yards -- I forget-FORGET! I have my iPod in my pocket. 2 minutes is all it took for my iPod to become another brick in the hopefully short wall of dead technological awesomeness. I decided to have a good time anyway on our trip and succeeded. Driving, however, has become less than awesome due to the suck that is non-iPod radio. I have an object lesson for you. Watch a DVD on a high-definition TV. Then, watch a VHS tape. What's that? You can't? That's right, because you don't even own a VCR anymore do you? And if you did, you threw all your tapes out and bought the same movies on DVD. I'm ranting because I'm really mad at myself for being so forgetful. For forgetting something that has become so ingrained in my life. So important. It shouldn't be important, but it is to me. It had my musical likes, some dislikes, and some songs I shouldn't like but do. However, I will survive. Hopefully, it won't be long until I'm back in the saddle again, listening to some awesome music, podcasts, watching some awesome shows, and giving people help with all their iPod needs. Take it from me, kids. Electronics hate water, and water takes up 2/3rds of our earth. So if you have a clue what that has to do with how awesome you are, let me know. Love & out to all.

He's Alive! Alive, I Tell You!

Well, here I am many moons later rediscovering the wonderful world of personal blogging. I've been keeping up with everybody else's blog and saying that I'm going to imbibe, but my apathy has kept me away. Well, NO LONGER!

I've just got a couple of things pop culture related. First, this:

If you haven't seen this, you need to watch it. If you have, watch it at least 3 times in a row. I watch it every day and laugh each time I see it. Secondly, GO SEE TRANSFORMERS!!!!!
I can't stress how awesome this movie is. Yes, they took dramatic license. Yes, they changed the cars to newer vehicles. Get over it and enjoy an awesome movie that still holds the spirit of the cartoon.

Onto family matters. Les and Drew, congrats on your move. Looks like you guys are back in your element. Georgia suits you(Clanton suits you best, but Georgia's a good backup). We are in the process. Again. Be in prayer that we are not going to go crazy and that we get a good deal for a great house that we don't have to move out of. Ever. Unless someone else moves us into a better house.

Tracie is now working at Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery as a hospital social worker. She left the Gateway Alliance level of Hell, where the crazy people, dangerous people, and overall devious employers tried to claim her soul. She resisted and is now at a job that is strenuous, but lets her actually help people while getting home before bedtime or later. Still working on the part of me that is bitter at Gateway Alliance.

Kiki's STILL awesome. Duh.

You guys are awesome. Duh.

Love and Out to All.

Long Time, No Blog

Hey, everybody. I saw that the bloggin' had begun again and I thought I would jump in. It's been a great new year so far. My life's good, my family's good, and I'm as witty as I've ever been. In life news, Tracie got a new job doing the social work thing somewhere else. She learned how to take down unruly people last week, so don't mess with her! SHE'LL TAKE YOU DOOOOOWWNNN!
In other news, I have to agree with Les' blog about the Harry Potter. Sadness and excitement at the same time...wierd. Also, LOST STARTED BACK! It was a pretty great new episode last week. The last show I'll talk about is The Office. If you don't watch this, stop what you are doing, go to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, iTunes, or wherever you go to get DVDs and WATCH THIS SHOW!!! It's witty, uncomfortable at times, but always funny.
Last thing. Go to wowio.com and sign up for an account. It's a free eBook website that uses sponsors to pay for the rights to books. It's really awesome and very non-invasive. I've had it for about a year and haven't had so much as an email from them until today. The email they sent me today was that if I get 10 people to sign up for wowio, then they will send me an ipod shuffle! I don't usually go for these things, but I thought ' why not?' Just reference my email address( robby@dixiegen.com ) when you sign up. They've got books of all kinds that I'm sure you'll love...
Well, that's it for today. Keep smilin', keep pushin', and keep on truckin'. Love and out to all.

Happy Anniversary, Kid(ney)

Well, today marks the 2nd anniversary of Uncle Rob's kidney in my body. 2 years not on dialysis, 2 years of more strength and more hair. The good of having a life far outweighs the bad of taking a lot of medicine. I have had to deal with a lot of emotional issues, however(please bear with me; this is my therapy session). 1. The issue of feeling that I'm not thankful enough. It's hard to write, because I AM thankful. Every time I pee, I'm thankful. I just have a hard time showing and telling people how thankful I am. It's not just about my kidney, it's about a lot of things. I love it when my daughter gets something because she almost always says thank you. Two weeks later she'll, out of the blue, thank you for that thing you gave her or did for her then. She shows us her thanks by hugging and kissing us. I take too many things that are given me for granted, physically and emotionally. If you read this, know that I love you and I thank you for being here in my life and part of my family. If you are wandering through via the next blog button, thank you for reading. I want to be more grateful on the outside along with the inside. Uncle Rob, if you read this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know how I can show you how thankful I am, but I'll think of something. I'm trying to do right with the gift I was given, because that's what God wants us to do. I'm slowly losing weight and feeling better. I want you all to know I love knowing about your lives in other states, your opinions, and your political views. Next time you see me, I hope I'll reveal how grateful I am for you outwardly, not just to myself. I love you guys. Out...

HOLLLLERRRWEEN

Well, it's that time of year again. Time for the cuteness that is little children dressing up in costumes, eating waaay too much candy, and not wanting to get out of said costume because they like it so much. Okay, that last part is probably just for the 3 and younger crowd. I'm dieting, so the whole candy thing is a non-issue for me(at least that's what I keep telling myself). Here's the thing, though. Tonight, Munchkin has 2 options for her costume: Pocahontas or a bride. Not Bride of Frankenstein -- just a bride. At first this didn't bother me, but the more I thought about it the more it ate at me. Thinking about the past 2 Munchkin Halloweens(a red chili pepper and a giraffe), isn't a bride a jump? I've always laughed at the whole "my daughter's wedding day" thing with other people, but I'm feeling it now. She's growing up so much. It feels natural that she is, but at the same time, I'm yelling "SLOW DOWN!!" Keep on thinking that I'm funny or silly or fun. Don't become a teenager who's embarrassed by her parents. Yes, I know it's inevitable but it doesn't mean I have to like it. She's one of my two favorite people on the planet. When she gets married, I drop off her list as the favorite guy on her list. That's the way of things, I guess. I wouldn't have it any other way, though. That's the way God set it up, right? Anyhoo, that's down the road. Right now she doesn't like boys, likes dressing up, and likes me. Who could ask for more? But man, that Pocahontas costume IS pretty awesome...
Love and out to all.