Spiritual Siblings

Everyone has people in their life that they are in varying degrees of conflict with. This could be any of the following:

• This person deliberately or accidentally did or said something to make you mad. Or maybe they don't do or say things that they should.
  
  
• Some people we like or respect, but for some reason we just know that the feeling unfortunately isn't mutual.
  
  
• Other people we just don't particularly care for. There isn't a clear, obvious reason. And nothing in particular is causing a conflict per se, but there is a general personality clash or maybe there just aren't enough common interests to bond with them over.
  

The list could go on and on. But if the other person is a Christian, you might find it immensely useful to try thinking of them as Christ described his followers - as brothers and sisters to one another.

I can almost guarantee that it will help give you a whole new perspective on people. After all, how much more grace and forgiveness are you willing to offer your family members than to someone else? How much more do you also desire their success and well being? And isn't it easier to approach and talk with your family about things that are bothering you, especially compared to someone that you may not know terribly well?

Now try thinking of that other annoying/offensive person as your estranged brother or sister and see how much easier and/or important it will feel for you to make amends, confront them with your grievance, and/or grow closer to them.

Pictures from Bodega Bay

Well, I finally posted the pictures on our family web site from our day trip to Bodega Bay, even though we took the trip in 2007.

Better late than never I guess.

If interested, you can check them out here.

Press the Testosterone Boost Button!

There are three movie trailers that are out now for what look to be absolutely awesome guy movies.

1. X-Men Origins : Wolverine
2. 4 Fast, 4 Furious
3. Crank 2 : High Voltage

In fact, I think my testosterone level jumps up a couple of notches each time I watch the trailers. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to shave again for the 4th time today.

The State of the City

The real estate market slump continues. And according to Yahoo finance, 8 of the 10 worst expected markets for 2009 are in California. Sacramento is #5 on the list.

I know this isn't uncommon these days, but our house is worth about 100k less than what we owe on it. That's a bummer for sure, especially since it eliminates any option to refinance, which would allow us to take advantage of the historically low interest rates.

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The good news though, is that Sacramento ranks #19 of Men's Fitness' top 25 fittest cities in America.

Red Hot California Peppers

I heard the latest Red Hot Chili Pepper single, Dani California, on the radio the other day. While I was listening to it, I remembered two other songs by them about California - Californication and Under the Bridge (about L.A.).

This led me to thinking - how many songs about Cali do they have? After Googling a combination of the band name and California, I came upon a surprising Wikipedia entry listing songs that are about California. After searching for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the rather large Wiki entry, I found that there are 8 songs about this state by them.

Now, these guys have surely toured around the world. So has no other place inspired them quite as much as back home in California? I mean, I appreciate this state as much as the next guy - maybe even more. But I can't help thinking that if I were to obtain more experience in my travels then I would encounter places that are more beautiful (or at least in a different kind of way), then where I currently live.

But kudos to Kiedis and the crew for their hometown/state passion.

Hurry Up Tomorrow!

No, I'm not anxious about the future. I'm just practicing what it will be like when we are calling for our new child. Because I've decided that we're going to name him or her "Tomorrow".

Kind of catchy, don't you think? - Tomorrow Lomonaco - it even rhymes!

And think about what fun it will be to sing the Annie song -

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love you, Tomorrow.

There are many other awesome phrases that are fun to apply to this name, such as
I'm really looking forward to seeing you Tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my best friend.
Let's go play outside Tomorrow.
You look great Tomorrow!
Tomorrow is going to be late.

Give me some more fun phrases in the comments, if you think of any.