I'm Sorry... Did You Say King David...

His stupidity brings tears to my eyes too...

I mentioned in my last post that, due to his nationally mocked recent actions, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has caused me to feel embarrassment. The truth is, his actions have caused me to feel a variety of emotions. I'm indignant that another politician has morally failed his family by cheating on his wife while at the same time ethically failing his constituency by using state funds to do so. I'm heartbroken at the thought of the pain that a wife and four sons have to go through because of his choices. And I'm saddened that they must endure questions from the media while they deal with all of this. But my embarrassment stems from something beyond all of that. My embarrassment stems from Governor Sanford's complete lack of intelligence throughout this whole debacle.

A brief summary of events:

Sanford disappears over Father's day weekend to "clear his head" after a "tough legislative season".

After being gone for four days, without leaving any way for his family or staff to reach him, the media begins asking questions.

Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer claims that there is no established process in place for him to assume power were there to be a state emergency in the governor's absence.

His wife says she doesn't know where he is.

His staff claims that he is hiking the Appalachian Trail.

On "a hunch" a reporter from The State drives down to Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson International Airport and waits for a flight to arrive from Argentina that she suspects the governor might be on.

Governor Sanford claims he had intended to hike the Appalachian Trail, but changed his mind and went down to Argentina to "drive along the coast".

The Governor holds a press conference at The State House and announces the he has been having an extramarital affair and had gone to Argentina to be with his lover, who is later identified as Argentina native Maria Belen Shapur.

Governor Sanford later admits to using state funds to pay for his trip, and says he's going to pay it all back.

Governor Sanford announces that he has no intention of resigning, publicly comparing himself to King David, saying that "I remain committed to rebuilding the trust that has been committed to me over the next 18 months, and it is my hope that I am able to follow the example set by David in Bible - who after his fall from grace humbly refocused on the work at hand. By doing so, I will ultimately better serve in every area of my life, and I am committed to doing so."

Do you see what I'm talking about by saying he displayed a lack of intelligence? A state governor, who is a husband and father of four sons, disappears... DISAPPEARS... over Father's Day weekend without informing anyone of his intended whereabouts. He just left! He didn't tell his family or his staff any way that they could reach him in case their was a family or state emergency.

If you were smart, wouldn't you at least lie about where you're going? Wouldn't you say it was a place that had no cell phone reception, and then leave your cell at home? I mean, there are records that show him making a cell phone call from Atlanta, before turning his phone off and leaving the country.

And why would his staff lie about him hiking the Appalachian Trail? Why didn't they just say that his location was confidential? Or, better yet, tell the truth and say that they didn't know where he was?

And why would you not insure that there was a process in place that would allow for someone to assume power in case of an emergency? (This has actually been a problem in South Carolina for some time. There's never been a law to clarify this.) Did you just naively assume that no problems could ever arise?

But all of that can't compare to what happened next... You'd think that if, by some amount of luck, something happened in the world that drew focus away from your situation, you'd gladly shrink back into the background. You'd be thankful that the media turned its giant red eye away from you and toward what, or whoever, was unlucky enough to draw its attention. But it would take something big. It would take something national. It would take something take would cause the world to slow down, if only for a moment.

Something like the death of The King of Pop...

So now that everyone's looking the other way, you'd retreat right? You'd circle the wagons and thank the Lord that you've been given the opportunity to silently collect your dignity and begin working hard to mend all of the bridges you'd burned. But not our Governor. Oh no. He gave ANOTHER INTERVIEW!

A brief continuance of events:

Governor Sanford gives an interview with the Associated Press saying that, "I'm quite certain there were a handful of instances wherein I crossed lines that I shouldn't have crossed as a married man. But never crossed the ultimate line." Adding, "This is a whole lot more than a simple affair, and it's a love story. A forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story at the end of the day." But wait, there's more. "I remember there was an older couple sitting to our right, and I remember them watching us, in the way that we interacted. They could see a spark... or I don't know what you'd call it."

So, as a public figure with an already stained reputation, you are given an opportunity to metaphorically disappear (as opposed to the time you actually disappeared) and you respond by GIVING ANOTHER INTERVIEW WHERE YOU ADMIT TO MORE WRONG DOING!?!?!

Complete... lack... of intelligence.

And I'm embarrassed that someone of questionable moral and ethical standards and without the discernment of when to speak and when to stay silent was elected governor of my state... TWICE.

But at least The Daily Show got some good bits out of it. My favorite of which (and one of the major inspirations for this post) can be found here. (Some NSFW language)

To close out this extremely long post, I'd like to offer my thanks to Governor Sanford. Thanks, Mr. Governor, for adding to the already exceedingly cynical view that most Americans (especially South Carolinians) have of politicians. Thanks for showing that even high ranking officials don't always think through their actions. Thanks for taking responsibility for your mistakes. Over and over and over again. Even when no one asked.

Now be quiet...

Some Thoughts...

A few of my friends occasionally write some blog posts that are a kind of thought dump. So I thought I'd type out some random thoughts that have been trickling down my Plinko board of a brain for the past week or so...

When I lived in San Diego, someone in my apartment complex left a copy of Here's Johnny! by Ed McMahon in the laundry room with a note that said "take if you want". So I did. After McMahon's death last week, and after reading of his service of our country in two major wars (WWII and Korea), I really want to read his book now...

I really dislike when singers start a word that begins with "O" with an "H". It's not "Hokay"! It's "Okay"...

I'm actually embarrassed by Governor Mark Sanford. I might write a whole post on this later...

A guest speaker at my home church said something two weeks ago that has stuck in my head ever since. "If I'm still reacting to my past, I can't relate to my present properly." Still processing how to live that one out...

Then, this past week, he said something else that I liked. He said it in relation to our relationship with Christ, but I think it applies in all of our relationships. "You can't enjoy someone you don't know." Still working on that one too...

I'm guest teaching at my college roommate's church again this Wednesday night. I had a great time when I taught back in January! I'm a little nervous about this time though, as he (my roommate) and his wife are gone on a missions trip and no one I know will be there...

I've got a new round of interviews coming up for youth ministry positions. I've got a good feeling about this round and I really hope that God has one of them picked out for me...

I'm loving watching the show Bones. Anyone else watch it? Own the DVDs? Want to let me borrow them...

I'm finding myself with the itch to go back to school again. Hopefully the next place I end up at to serve will be able to allow me to do some school on the side...

Michael Joseph Jackson: 1958-2009...

Wow... As you've no doubt heard by now, Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50...

On a day already saddened by the passing of another American icon (Farrah Fawcett), this news somehow stings all the more. For those of us who were alive in the 80's and witnessed his fame at its height, there will never be an equal.

As I think back to my childhood, MJ was one of the first cassette tapes I was ever given. He was the first musical artist that I ever remember lip synching to, and was probably the beginning of my love for music. On top of that, I have such a vivid memory of Thriller (the music video). When it first premiered on television (on every major network in primetime) and ran on MTV constantly, I couldn't watch it because it scared me so much. I would run to my room, shut the door (then crack it), and watch the TV through the crack. Even now, seeing that video transports me back to my old house, standing behind a door, holding the doorknob above my head.

And now a new memory will be entered alongside all the others. Where was I when I heard of his death? I was at my Great Aunt's house cooking dinner for my family. I got a text from a former student, but I thought he was mistaken. Then, the news came over the TV.

I'm not sure that there will ever be another entertainer quite like him. His music will live on, inspiring other musicians (as it did me), forever...

I'd Be Lion If I Said I Knew Where This Came From...

As I was digging through some old stuff tonight, I found an old drawing I had made. Here is that drawing...

But, for the life of me, I can't remember when I drew it! My best guess is that I did it when I was working in Hilton Head, SC at a church's day camp. I kind of think it was there because what I found was a xerox of the drawing and I think I might have given the original to one of the kids that I taught that summer.

Oh well, it kind of doesn't matter. It's still cool to find old art that I've done...

The Proposal and Year One...

Oh hey... I just noticed that my reviews for both The Proposal and Year One have gone live at youthministry.com. Click on the link to check them out. Remember to rate and comment too...

I Heart Exploring...

I love exploring the wilderness...

Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm at the level of Lewis and Clark or anything. In fact, I'm pretty sure everywhere I've ever been has already been discovered. But I love being in the woods or jungle and just walking around, seeing what's to be seen.

A while ago, I was asked by a friend to help him film a video involving sending a mannequin in a kayak down a river. (Awesome. I know.) This required me to walk alongside the river for a good 50 or 60 yards to find where the start of the scene would be taking place. I was amazed at all of the vines, rocks, nooks, and crannies I found. I was also amazed at my reflexes when I narrowly avoided stepping on this little guy...

I think it's a salamander. But I'm not exactly sure.

But, then again, that's not the point of exploring. The point is to see what you can see.

And I really love doing that...

Power Rankings: 11...

Power Rankings are a pointless and futile exercise, kind of like running. Unless I write them. Then they're like P90X for your soul...

1. My Nanny She had open heart triple bypass last Wednesday, but came home two days ago. I can't even begin to say how relieved I am that she's home safe. Speaking of surgery, why is it that doctors always schedule it so early in the morning? I mean, if I was a doc, I'd want to sleep in... (link)

2. Which Wich I just ate at this place for the first time on Thursday for lunch. I'm not kidding around when I say that it was like Jesus himself returned and threw a party complete with confetti and streamers in my mouth. I'm talking about "I woke up this morning and immediately wanted to go and eat another one" kind of good. If you've got one near you, go. If you don't, go to the nearest one. Seriously... (link)

3. New Posters for Sherlock Holmes At this point, I think it's safe to say that I want to start a bromance with RDJ. I mean, we could sit around and talk about all things awesome. You know, stuff like Tony Stark's goatee. We'd probably end up being BFFs. He'd end up telling me all the secrets from the set of Weird Science. Sigh... (link)

4. Conan O'Brien Have you watched him since he's taken over the Tonight Show? He's given me new hope that pasty white, freckled, red heads can host popular late night talk shows. Oh yeah, and Triumph returns tonight with an appearance at Bonaroo... (link)

5. The Real Bat Man I will learn to do this. I hope I don't knock myself out more than three times... (link)

Did You See That...

This afternoon, my brother and I delivered some food to my aunt and uncle. On the drive home, I did a double take and asked him if he had just seen what I saw. This is what I was amazed at...

Now, I didn't take this picture. I wasn't fast enough. So I had to find it on the internets. But this is the car...

I mean, this is not something that is typically seen in South Carolina. I'm used to seeing trucks, monster trucks, low rider cars, motorcycles, and monster trucks. This thing was like seeing Pac-Man going down the road chasing after a blue ghost.

But still, awesome...

Web Wednesday: Invisible Rope...

It's Web Wednesday!

I saw this video last night and loved it so much that I immediately wanted to try it! So simple... Yet, so funny...

Please to enjoy...

Primarily Pi Pizza...

Back in March, I posted on a restaurant that was coming to my neighborhood called Primarily Pi Pizza...

It opened in early June and I finally made it in for lunch today. Even though they didn't have a $3.14 lunch special (bummer), they did have an awesome atmosphere with some sweet decor all around like these...



Not to mention all of these fun facts about Pi...


But best of all was the BBQ chicken pizza that we ordered...


Great atmosphere, great food, and they had Diet Dr. Pepper! I'll definitely be going back for more! You're welcome to come too...