Sweeter Victories to Come

At first, I couldn't believe it. Johnny Damon, the face of the Sox, joining the dark side. But then I started to think about the past. This is really nothing new. I remember driving home from the 04 World Series Game party and thinking that we're finally equals, only to be brought back to reality after the Johnson signing that winter. It was only one battle in a really long, onesided war. The trade and negotiations war hasn't been any better. Arod, Vasquez, Contreras .... all the way back to the Babe, the Empire has been able to get the man they've wanted. The Sox are, and always will be the consistent underdog.

Some say that Damon is a traitor, a sellout, a (woman of the streets) for sale to the highest bidder. No matter how you look at it, 52 million sounds much better than 40. I can't say I blame him for taking the money, but it still hurts. Damon once stood for most everything I liked about the Sox. He was funny, scraggly, and laid back. He was the anti-Yankee; a rebel. Now he is starting to sound like everything I hate about the Yankees. Click on Boston.com or ESPN.com to read some of his comments on his new team. Do I think he's a sellout? Yeah. I see now he was just playing the game. He was on a team of rebels with beards that played jokes on each other, so he met the status quo. He is already fitting into the mold of a Yankee player. In the business world, it works. He'll be dressed for success with a business attitude and a business perspective. But in the sports world, that isn't who I want to root for. I like the underdog. The scraggly rebels that have a good time and stick it to the man (except in football, gooooo Pats!).

So what do we do now? Where do we go from here?. To be honest with you, I kind of like it better this way. Yeah, I'd rather have the Damons and Johnsons and Jeters and Scheffields and Arods (at least their talent), but I'm glad I will not be rooting for a team of stiffs. I remember when Arod was practically stolen from the Sox and the Nation was in panic mode. Schilling made a great point that when we beat these guys (which we did), the victory would be that much sweeter. And it was. We stuck it to the man. The blue collar team (comparitavely speaking) beat the suits. David sleighed Goliath. So Sox fans, don't be down. Enjoy the games, and trust that the good guys will win in the end.

Chrissy Jawan and Baby Luke!

New Baby, Allegories, Pats, and the best Real Estate Agent Ever

(We didn't sell the house)

Not So Deep Thoughts by Chad McLeod

1. Congratulations to Mitch and Jawan on the birth of their second kid. To see pictures of the newest Mcginnis, check out Jawan's blog under Links on the left side of the screen.

2. Go see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Awesome movie. Only one question, what's up with Santa Claus making a cameo? I don't remember that being in the book. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. Lewis (the author of the book the movie is based on) was a genious. I also learned a new word from Chrissy because of this movie. According to Webster, an allegory is the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. The movie/book is an allegory of Jesus. It was PG too so its OK for the kiddies.

3. How 'bout them Pats. Last time I wrote a blog about them, they got whooped by Peyton Manning and Co. so if they get killed in their next game, sorry Pat's fans, I shouldn't have said anything. I just caught the last 30 minutes of the Patriot's dismantiling of the Tampa Bay Bucs. Looks like they're back. Do I think they're better than the Colts? No way. Do I think they could beat the Colts in the playoffs? I think so. Some may call me optomistic, just don't call me late for dinner. If anyone could stop the Colts, I'd put my money on the Pats in Indy. Wouldn't be shocked if it was the Seahawks either.

4. Still haven't sold the house, but had a good reminder from my brother in law this afternoon. He said when you're trusting in God and praying about something like this, its kind of like Jesus is your real estate agent. It's a good feeling to know He is in control; especially for a worry wart like me.

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown

Chrissy and I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas story tonight. I highly recommend it. I was surprised when near the end, Charlie asks if anyone can tell him what the meaning of Christmas is and one of the kids said he knew and started quoting Luke 2, the story of Jesus' birth. I was actually kind of startled. I know this movie still comes on TV every year, but it surprised me. Chrissy (who is much more interested in politics and world events than I am) tells me a new story every other day about some teacher changing stuff about Christmas to stuff about being just a holiday. I have no problem with public schools teaching what different religions believe and the holidays they celebrate, but CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT JESUS. I don't have a problem with kids learning about Muslim or Jewish holidays, but if they are, Christmas should be taught as well. That is the way I learned it and that is the way my kids will learn it as well.

House Hunting

I'd like to vent a little frustration. I'm now trying to buy my second house, and it isn't easy. We spent all afternoon driving around Columbus. I don't know if its like this in every city, but every house I liked was either too expensive, or in a rough neighborhood. And Mapquest doesn't always get it right either. It was pretty tough finding the houses we were looking for. Always at the front of my mind is the problem of selling our old house. What if we get stuck with two mortgages? A bunch of things are going right though. Though we haven't found a house, we really feel at home here. We've found some friends and we have a great church. We're also learning our way around the city. I enjoy my job here more than any job I've ever had. Chrissy also found a job. She is teaching art at a local school. I always told her I thought she was autistic (get it?). So even though there are many things I could worry about, there are also a lot of things I can be thankful for. I'm sure I'll look back at this blog one day and realize that it all worked out. It always does.

More Pics

Weekend With the Nieces

This is Caroline and Olivia, aren't they cute? Saturday morning Chad and I went and picked them up and they stayed with us until Sunday afternoon. Saturday morning we went to the Auburn Christmas Parade. It was very cold but it was worth it. The girls entertained us that afternoon by taking pictures and us teaching them how to play spider solitaire. That night we had some great food from CiCi's Pizza and then we rented Because of Winn Dixie. (It is such a good movie, I highly recommend it if you want to see a sweet feel good movie.) The girls were so sweet and so fun, Chad and I both had a great time with them.

Our first tree

It might be a little small, but it works. Notice what Maggie's doing? Yep, she's a trained dog. Not really, but she does know how to sit; at least when you hold up a treat. Monday, I officially started work for the Savannah district, Ft. Benning Resident office. What does that mean? We get to stay in an apartment/hotel for free for 2 months and all our food is paid for. Needless to say, Chrissy has gotten to go out to eat every day this week. We still haven't sold our house. Things are good though. Just have to keep trusting.