Sabbath

Yesterday was awesome.
Slept in. Alyssa made pancakes.
Walked to Jon and Kathy's to check out their garage sale.
Went to Farmers Market...roasted peanuts, white nectarines, and apples.
Picked up Taco Station and had lunch over at Steve and Karen's
Went home, put kids down, took the phattiest nap of all time!
Got up and read the Lorax to Zeke at least 3 times
At some point I blogged about being bald
Had dinner in the back yard with the fam
Went to see Fransisco the Man and the Trade play at Harvest.
Came home to my wife watching America's Next Top Model (the joy of my life!)
Bed.
Amazing!
How was your day of rest?

The theology of baldness

So I totally bombed my tryout for the Village People and in my frustration I shaved off the mustache. This post is for all of my bald brotha's out there in blog world. There is a nakedness to being completely bald that I have found. People with hair are constantly switching things up...long, short, bangs, messy, faux hawk, Bobby Browns Gumby fade in the "My Prerogative" video. This is the reason you will normally find me with some amount of facial hair. When you lose your hair you lose options! Right now all I've got is my eyebrows. I think everyone should be bald at one point in their life to experience the vulnerability of being facially naked. (It builds character.) My forehead started turning into a sixhead when I was 17 and the cul de sacs that some call widows peaks have almost turned into the full blown horseshoe race track look made famous by the friars. I wish it would all just fall out so I didn't have to keep building the stock of Mach III...but for now I wait with awkwardly deteriorating hairlines...the cross that I must bare. I have no idea what the heck I'm talking about right now. It's been a great Sabbath and I find myself so rested that I'm talking about the fact that I don't have hair. I will stop now. Let's hear from all my bald peeps in blogdom.

Eat your heart out Oprah

Our book club rules!
We talked about The Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster last night.
Here's a little excerpt from the book:
"A final personal disposition for embodying Christian simplicity is increasing our proclivity toward risk-taking, that God's reign might be known. Our culture is risk-averse. We are afraid of being embarrassed, and so we take medications that decrease anxiety. We are afraid of losing our possessions, so we lock our doors and purchase insurance. We are afraid of traffic accidents, so we buy the biggest automobiles possible. And while there may well be legitimate needs for medication, insurance, and big cars, we simply cannot insulate ourselves from the unexpected turns of human life...Jesus knows that if protecting ourselves is our primary strategy for getting what we want out of life, we will get what we want out of our life and not what God wants for all of our lives. But we have been given the divine invitation to bring God's life to the world, and this means risky behavior."
Thanks Damien, Chris, and Kevin...It was great to talk last night!

The best news I've heard in a long time...

My buddy Bill was released from prison today, praise Jesus. 160 days of non-sense. I would read his updates every week and feel like he was the apostle Paul writing Philippians from prison. He's on house arrest until January (has to be home Tuesday and Wednesday, but every other day he can be out and about till 8pm.) When I heard the news I can't tell you how excited I was. I love Bill...he is an amazing man, and I look up to him even more after this crazy experience!

Anyone want to start a Village People cover band?

Don't ever go on a roadtrip without your wife!!!

You make very rash decisions.

Parting words from my wife

As I prepare to get away for a couple days, my lovely wife, in classic form quotes Best in Show..."if you get tired, pull over. If you get hungry, eat somethin'!"
I'll miss you babe, I love you!

Tomorrow's Sabbath

9 hours in my car.
Great time to think, be quiet, listen, and enjoy the open road.
If I think of a way to change the world I'll blog about it later!

What shall we do????

Here's the scenario...
Dan's day off
Zeke just left for school
Sofia's asleep for 2 hours
Do the bills or back to sleep????
I'm turnin' the phone on vibrate!!!

The Pumpkins threw down

They were amazing! Tighter than I've ever heard them play live. It was awesome to see Jeff playing guitar. I grew up watching him play guitar with The Violet Burning and The Lassie Foundation. And Ginger from the Halo Friendlies is playing bass for them now. They opened up for us (Ember) in Redding years back and Matt from Havalina Rail Co. was tuning all their guitars because I'm not sure they knew how. She has come a long way!!! Her Fender P-bass is bigger than she is. Billy and Jimmy were fantastic but that goes without saying. I had a great time hanging out with my friend Josh. Good times had by all.

What are you putting under your pits????

So I've been trying to make conscious decisions about the products I'm using. Alyssa brought home some new deodorant for me yesterday. I moved away from the anti-depersperant a few years ago. So I decided to look at the ingredients and this is one of them: PPG-3 myristyl ether.
ETHER!!???!!! Isn't that the stuff that Hannibal from the A-Team would put on a handkerchief and put over peoples mouth's and they would wake up a day later tied to a chair with duct tape on their mouth!!! That can't be good right? Can anyone help me out here. If I wake up tied to a chair tomorrow I'm gonna be pissed.

3 day forcast...word!

	Tonight		Tomorrow		Tomorrow Night
	Partly Cloudy Low 55° F Precip: 10% Partly cloudy. Low near 55F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.		Partly Cloudy High 76° F Precip: 20% Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 76F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.		Showers Low 50° F Precip: 30% Cloudy with a few showers. Low near 50F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

The Osbornes have entered the game...

About time!!!!
Annette
Trav
Go give em' some love.

Guess where Dan's goin' tonight...

Sucka's....Don't be jealous.
Thanks to Hagquist for the hookup with tickets!

Classic

I just yelled at Scarlet (our dog) who was barking at someone outside and I hear my 4 year old (Zeke) from outside yell at me (with sarcastic tone)..."She's a dog daddy, she's supposed to bark!"
Hilarious. Seriously...what did I do for laughs before I got my son?

More on the economics of Jesus

Go here. I link to Jesus Manifesto every month or so because I really like some of the ideas he comes up with. What do you think?

Micah 6:8

He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
I'm sitting with this for a while. What are you sitting with right now?

This week...

Prison Break begins.
I'm going to see the Pumpkins with my good friend Josh Hagquist.
I'm possibly going to the beach with family and friends.
I'm getting in my car and driving for a long time. Friends will be seen. Good times will be had. I'll leave sometime Friday and I hope to be back by Life Group on Tuesday.
Blogs might be sparse.
There will be plenty of gas tank fill ups, hot tamales, podcasts, silence, food, books, coffee, laughing, and great talks. This time could be shaping for what's ahead with the Lance's.
Good times!

I forgot about this

Brian just sent me this picture from my first trip to New Orleans. This was in January after Katrina. This was taken on our tour of the devastation. I was going to take this guitar home but it was infested with termites. Little things like this really reminded me that people lost everything. Every single thing that made up who they were. If I were to lose my Tophat amp or Reverend in a hurricane I would be beside myself. And when you think of everything else people lost this is something so small. Thanks Brian for sending this to me. I have great memories of that trip. I think we really became friends that week. It's funny what happens when you rip moldy drywall out of a house next to someone all day.

Help?

So I kinda got the bomb dropped on me two days ago about the funeral I was doing yesterday. FYI, it went well...thanks for the prayers. But I neglected the usual recruiting and getting ready for the concert tonight that we are throwing at Anthem. Anyone want to come out and help? We need some people to man the front door and help roll chords at the end of the night. Right now it looks like it's going to be me and Ian. Ian is the best sound man in the world. I think he's missed one show in the whole time we've done Anthem. He is the man...runs amazing sound...sets up and tears down...first in, last out...every time. If I don't tell you enough Ian...couldn't do this without you!
So for the sake of saving Ian and I a huge night of exhaustion, does anyone want to help? Give me a call...Thanks.

My buddy Rob

What the heck...why does he always nail exactly what I'm trying to figure out and have no idea how to say? Go here and listen to the message, Lift a finger.

Goodbye my love

It's been a good run but I am officially done with you! Aspartame is slowly killing the few brain cells I have left. If you see me drinking a diet coke I give you permission to punch me in the mouth. This is my last one...hopefully!

This just destroyed me

Go watch this short music video.
Tears on my keyboard.
Someone put this video to The Cobalt Season song.
My son...Ezekiel Thomas Bono Lance was born 2 lbs. 11 ounces.
When I see the healthy boy we have today that has more life in him than any kid on the planet I am blown away by the love of God and his goodness to wretched sinners like me.
Whoever put this video together...thanks. You have no idea what just happened to me as I watched it.

What do you do...

when you're meeting with a mom that just lost her 23 year old son and you are doing his funeral tomorrow? I meet with her in 40 minutes. He was going over 100 mph on the freeway when he lost control.
God, give me the ability to see this mom the way you do and to treat this situation the way you would. Pray for this family.

I've got something in my pocket for you...

So I forgot to tell you about the other day. We are sitting at the dinner table and Zeke says, "Daddy, I got something for you in my pocket." I reach over to get it and he farts on my hand! Amazing. I have no idea where he picks this stuff up :) Alyssa and I laughed harder than we have in months. We seriously couldn't stop laughing. He's also doing this thing now where he asks everyone if they want a biscotti in an English accent. Most peoples first reaction is "did he just say what I think he said..." then they start crackin' up. Jenn made us some biscotti a while ago and he just started saying it with an English accent.
It's really amazing watching my son develop into this little character that loves to make people laugh. I hope he never loses that. He has the most infectious laugh of anyone I know. He teaches things everyday.

Anthem show this Friday

Click on the flier and you can hear some of the music from the bands. Should be a cool show...tell your friends. If you'd like to help out let me know.

Just like daddy

I can't remember the last article of clothing I've purchased for my son because we've been very blessed with hand me downs and out of control grandparents...but I couldn't pass up on the hat. Zeke is hands down, the coolest kid on the planet! How can you not love my son?

Go walk or give money

This Saturday is the Inland Aids Walk held in downtown Riverside. I participated last year and it was amazing. As I walked I heard the stories of people that were walking for friends that could no longer walk and I walked for about 20 minutes with two guys that were right in the middle of their battles with HIV. I would encourage anyone that has the time to go be a part of this. I committed to a golf tournament this year but Alyssa and I are sponsoring Jenn as she walks. If you can't make it out you should really consider supporting someone that is walking. If there is anywhere the church needs to be walking side by side with those the world has marginalized, this is the place. Walk, listen, love, pray, and learn.

I am sooooo weak!

Hilarious that Adam posts this today.
So after my crazy morning I'm off to work. Nothing at the house for lunch, so I decide to roll through Del Taco. 2 chicken carbon tacos (6 points) and an Iced Tea (I'm trying to rid my life of Diet Coke.) I'm really trying to eat better. Much like Adam, I lost 55 pounds a year ago and I've put back 20. I really want to take it back off so I'm trying to make good decisions.
I was supposed to turn on JFK to go to Wood St. to get to Del Taco. I'm spacing out (usual) as I'm driving so I turn into the Coco's parking lot for some reason (not realizing that I can't get to Del Taco in that parking lot.) So here comes the dilemma...
As I'm crusin' through I realize that Mr. You's is in this parking lot. I remember a conversation about spicy orange chicken that is supposed to be out of this world. The choice...I go Chinese! In line I'm telling myself...get the teriyaki chicken (with no sauce)...much better for you. I go for the spicy orange chicken. I get a large drink because I'm not gonna be able to get refills. The iced tea is out so of course I get the diet coke. Mr. You's give you enough food to feed a small village 3 square meals, so I tell myself, don't eat it all.
I leave one piece of chicken and a fortune cookie. Why am I so lame?
I really wish you could hear the conversations that go on in my head when I'm going to order something.
Alright Adam...it's on. The world knows we're headed back to fat camp and I'm not gonna let it happen. You want to see 195 and I want to see 155. That works for me because I'm about 11 inches shorter than you! That means I need to drop about 20. It's on!
Keep me accountable world...don't leave me alone with my wild thoughts and Chinese food options!!!!

My morning

Get up runnin'.
Alyssa thinks she broke a couple toes yesterday by kicking a door on accident, so she's up slow and hobblin' around. Sofia's cryin', Zeke's yelling.
Grab Sofia, put her in the bouncer, start heating the water for her bottle, get Zeke started with cereal but he wants mamma to give it to him (he's not real rationale when he gets up). Get Sofia's cereal ready. Feed...she cries the whole time. Zeke's yelling...I want my Cheerios. Give Sofia the bottle. It's Zeke's first day of school so it's off the the shower. He hates shower time...i get some soap in his eyes...continued screaming. Sofia poops huge and blows out G-diaper. I get Zeke done and finish my shower. Get everyone dressed...load up the Saturn. Go to start the car and the key doesn't fit in the ignition...Good times. Move everyone and the car seats into the truck. Drop Alyssa off at her school, drop Zeke off at his school, put Sofia back in the truck, she falls asleep on the way home. Get her to bed, sit down on my couch for an hour and ask Jesus to forgive me for all the cuss words percolating in my head. Had a good talk with Bill Risinger on the phone and now it's time to pick everyone up. It's only 11:43am...what the heck.

Sabbath weekend

Started Thursday night...
Went to the Thursday night art walk in downtown with Alyssa, Damien, and Jenn. Thanks mom and dad for watching the kids!
Friday was a chill day. Got a fat nap. Took kids to Alyssa's parents and went on the first date Alyssa and I have had in forever. Alyssa blogs about it here.
Saturday, went and got the kids. Had pancakes with the inlaws. Thanks Bob and Gloria! Went over to Steve and Karen's with Zeke to check out their garage sale. Got some Chipotle with a free burrito coupon they sent to me...amazing! Got another nap. Listened to a couple podcasts from my buddy Nate. Went to dinner with my parents and Mike and Becky. Great weekend! Very restful. Phone stayed off Saturday. I've slipped on that for a couple weeks. It was nice to have it off again. How was your day of rest?

Let the blog revolution begin

So there's some new kids on the block.
Donny Wahlberg
Brian Cieslack
Jess McIntyre
Kathy Risinger
Jordan Knight
Lauren Anderson
Rodrigo
Welcome our fellow blogheads.
Tell Jordan I'm still hangin' tough!

Favorite pics from camping

Guitarist have to read this...

Click on the logo above. This site is crazy. They have video's of bands like Coldplay that play and the guitar tab shows up on the screen as the chords are changing. So you play along with the song and know the exact chords and changes for every song. Why didn't I think of that?

I'm officially a black man!

Made you look.
After years of using half a cup of half and half and a pound of sweet and low or equal or splenda (I know...I'm waiting to start growing a 6th toe)...I moved to just a pound of sugar...then just a packet of sugar...and now I'm officially a black man!
I have decided to drink black coffee, no turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me still I will follow, no turning back, no turning back.
And yes...in case you're wondering...that is me with my shirt off in the kitchen, drinkin' some Ubora blend from Starbucks and Damien and Jen brought me last night.
And yes...if you click on the picture to enlarge you can see the four inch straggeling back hair rockin' off my shoulders. Keepin' it real yo!

Sofia said her first words on our camping trip!!

Thanks for the picture Adam. (Who's the convicted felon holding my daughter?)
Sofia's first word was DADDY! Actually it was dadadadadadadada but it counts in my book. Adam has a bunch of great pics from our trip and I'm sure Alyssa will put up a bunch. I'll put a couple up later.

Pray for us as we're sufferin' for the Lord

Three day forecast for Carpeteria...80, 77, and 76. Sorry...I had to!

Sabbath at the beach with friends

So we leave tomorrow for our annual camping trip to the beach. I don't know how many years we've done this but when we started only a couple of us had kids. We go with the Osbornes, Foors, Boones, and McIntyres. Always good times had by all. It will be really good to catch up with the Osbornes and Foors. We miss them like crazy. So this blog will remain dormant until Tuesday at least. Have a great couple of days.
If you want to rent my house on Palm call me.
1900 sq. feet. (3 bed, 2 bath) huge yard, for $1600 a month.
If you want to buy it I'm selling it for $329,999 (no Realtor) You can't beat that deal with a stick! Tell all your friends, please.

10,000 views! And the knuckle sandwich goes to...

Some unknown dude in the middle of the country (looks like Kansas). At least he/she uses a Mac. They stayed for 1 minute 24 seconds and was referred by www.netvibes.com
Sorry that was so anti-climactic. Thanks to all of you that have been on the journey to this point. I guarantee the next four months of my life will freak you out so stick around. Life is good and life is changin'! I love having a place to share snapshots of what my life looks like. I love getting glimpses into what you all are about as well. Thanks to all of you that told me your hidden identities. We now share internet friendship...for whatever that's worth?!?