I still watch SNL

Satuday night live has pretty much lost it. The jokes are usually dirty and drawn out. I still have this love for SNL that stems from my high school days when the church lady and the spartan cheerleaders graced the stage. sketches like goat boy and mango were favorites along with the live performances of some of my favorite groups. Nowadays, it seems like SNL only has a couple good characters. I have to admit that Amy Pohler is usually the one I laugh with. But, i still Tivo it, every saturday night, hoping that the laughter will come back. They just added a couple new guys, one of which is andy sanberg. He has promise. Check out this rap he did with chris parnell.

Now my mouth is dumb!

I got my wisdom teeth out...oh yeah...all four. What a way to start a weekend. But, i got to say, i was freaked out on friday morning. Well, that's it for now. I still can't focus very good because of all the vicadin i'm on.

we are teeny-boppers

Yes, Jacinda and I went and saw Kelly Clarkson last Tuesday. I haven't blogged in the last couple days because life has been crazy with christmas musicals, college group, concerts, and yesterday...my wisdom teeth. Clarkson was pretty good, she has a great voice and puts on a decent show. The weirdest thing is that she doesn't "own" her music. She obviously doesn't write even half of it, not unlike most pop stars today. But, they fake it, and she talks about her songs like, "i didn't really like this one at first, but now it's my favorite". It was kind of depressing considering i paid over $120 for the floor seats. Well, lesson learned. That's why I always love seeing bands live and if they are good live, then i am a fan for life. We'll still listen to Clarkson's CDs. She has the talent and hopefully in the future, as she gets more popular, the record company will give her a better set and help her with her concert etiquette. we also saw lots of friends there, but julia and jessica were pretty pumped about their new kelly t-shirts! now those are true fans.

Judgement Day for Tookie

"I got my blue flag hanging out my back side, on the left side, yeah, that's the crip side". -Snoop Dogg What a freaking idiot! Stupid words from a stupid supporter of Tookie. How can people be so obsessed with this guy? This is my blog, so I'm going to give you my opinion. Feel free to comment. Tookie, co-founder of the crips, was executed today. After many appeals and attempts for freedom, the Arnold, did not grant clemency. Way to go Gov.! This guy killed 4 people and started a gang that probably killed more and corrupted more than the Mafia could've ever dreamed of. So, I'm all for locking the guy up! He claims...uh...claimed redemption but, never owned up to anything he did. He was trying to stay "innocent" for the courts while pleading redemption for the public. He lost on both fronts. I still think every man deserves a chance to be redeemed by God for as long as it takes, so I don't think I would sentence someone to death, but I will accept our state's laws. The real Judgement is now. Standing before the throne of judgement. This is where we can make no conclusions for sure. It is in a man's heart that God looks. Central to our faith is that we are sinners. We were in the muck and myre and God redeemed us. I would say that I am much more willing to admit my faults now that I am a follower. I understand that I am not righteous and my worth is found only through Him. Why say we are redeemed and reformed, yet live like we own the world. Being prideful is the opposite of humility. Even Christ humbled himself to come down here and die on a cross. I say: The way of Christ, is the way of Humility. In response to Tookie's pleas for innocence I say, "I am guilty, I need help, I need redemption, I need a Savior"

God Showed Up!

Jacinda, Nick, and I lead worship in "big church" today. The rest of the band included: Ryan Holck, Daniel Temple, and Rey Alaniz. These guys are amazing to worship with. Everyone's hearts are merely to worship and lead others in doing the same thing. It is often funny because my musical ability is, how should I say this, A LOT LESS advanced than the other musicians, but, "I got a good heart!". I like leading simplistic songs that you can lose yourself in. When you don't have to worry about the notes and the words, you are freed up to just worship God. So, the service went well, despite the always lingering technical glitches. But, most of all, you could feel the Presence of God in the room. I hope and pray that He was pleased. You can watch the service HERE.

Lights, camera, action...well, minus the camera.

tomorrow night is the christmas production's opening night. I have only been to it once in the past and this year jacinda and i are singing a duet. we went to practice right after leading worship in the college group to find ourselves in the midst of more than 600 other people who are a part of this giant. i can't believe so many people have given up so much time, for no pay, away from their families, just to spread God's name through art. It is a really great time for jacinda and i at the church. we are so close to pastor doug holck and i really feel that he trusts us in what we are doing. we ran through the song once, he said it was perfect and we went home. the big news is that we are leading worship this weekend for pc3, our churches third service. joining us will be the same band that i had at the men's retreat being led by my musical genius nick betner. i would be lost without that guy.

decisions, decisions

hello all. to the right there are 3 different photo viewing links. I need your help in determining which one to use. the kodak and flickr systems let you order prints online. flickr will even let you pick up the prints at any Target in an hour! They also let you order in the digital format which is slightly different. instead of 4X5 it is 4x5.333. Supposedly it is clearer that way. Flickr seems to be cheaper too! wow, i think i made my decision! But let me know what you think. 1. .mac 2. kodak (5x7=$.99, 8x10=$3.99) 3. flickr (5x7=$.59, 8x10=$1.99) please leave a comment to help me.

Christmas Tree Lane!

Well, last night we walked the infamous Christmas Tree Lane. We hit Chipotle and then tried to walk off the 10 lb. burrito's that we ate. It was nice just chillin' with good friends. No pressure, just hanging out. The little kids made it down one side of the lane without any hitches, but coming back...let's just say they were getting tired. Always a good time! Merry Christmas!

beautiful, smart, and loving mother!!!

Here you go Mom. See, I still listen to you! My mom with my girl. This was taken awhile ago when we all went to Hawaii together. Great memories. The only hard thing about starting a blog is all the memories that you have in the past. You want to share them still, but they happenned in the past, and there is so much going on now. Maybe we'll take a stroll down memory lane every once-in-awhile.

Congratulations are due!

Dan and Lori had a baby boy last night, Carter. 7 lbs, 14 oz. I don't have a picture, but Jacinda tells me he is cute. Congrats guys!

I love Christmas

Well, the Christmas lights are up. I had to balance on my roof in a death-defying style to do it, but dang, they look good. I even got the two reindeer grazing in my front-yard. I just looked at Jacinda last night and I felt like a real family, eating dinner at the table, hanging our ornaments on the tree, with the lights outside, coldplay singing, "have yourself a merry little Christmas". It was one of those moments where you just thank God for all the blessings you have. So, thank You.

Go Buy This CD!

You need to go order this CD. It would be a great addition to anyone's Christmas album library. You will be pleased. Get it at: www.carloswhittakerband.com. There is a link on the right! I'm not sure how many people will see this, but I'm trying Los! Much love to ya bro!

oh the joy of christmas

I don't know about you, but standing on the top step of an 8ft ladder stretching out with a staple gun, is NOT what I call a good time. But, we got them all up... 125 feet of them. But when we got home from our leadership meeting @ blake & lisa's, they weren't working. I double checked everything, it must be the fuses. To say I was "pissed" would be the christian thing to say. I couldn't even think straight! Where is the outlet for anger in our christian walk? I feel it, so should i just suppress it and let it go, or should I actually experience it? I say let it out, but where would a positive outlet be? I think I'll go listen to some of my screaming music! Just so you know, i'm okay now, turns out that when you put your face before God, those things don't seem to matter anymore and I just felt petty.

a must read

This book is so good, i can't believe it. i actually got a little teary-eyed as i read the last paragraph because i was so sad the journey was done. Amazing, refreshing, honest, hilarious, addicting. Thank you donald miller. This is a must read for anyone who wants to know what christian spirituality is really about.

still deciding

My little girl is obsessed with riding horses. she is so spoiled. i think she has ridden a horse like 3 times now and she just turned 2. these pics are her riding a horse at sohaila and seanna's house. so, i am really starting to like this blogger thing, but i still like the features that typepad gives you. I don't like that you have to pay for it though. but, if i have time this weekend, i will start my free trial period and see what it's all about. sorry for the delay.