Green Go, Yellow Speed Up; Red, Smile for the Camera

It is not a new concept, but we are seeing the cameras pop up all around Austin and I don’t think we have seen the last of them (because they keep adding them!).

Personally, the jury is still out on the red light cameras. I am for saving lives, following the law and preventing accidents (which is a major reason why they are there), but the idea of being “watched” is annoying. Video/photo evidence is pretty solid; I mean you should be following the law anyway, right? I am leaning to pro-cameras, but the police state idea creeps in my head again and I don’t know what to think.

The City of Hutto has installed similar cameras and recently I caught the flash of one in my eyes. Not because I was running a red light, but someone else did and I was blinded. I am not kidding. Kari and I were driving Hwy 79 one evening, the flash bulb went off and we both exclaimed, “What was that!” Tell me, how is that safe? Maybe I like the idea, but think that there needs to be some work done on it to improve the technology, because being blinded by a flash can’t be good for our safety. Comments?

Oh ya, don’t forget to vote. Have a great day.

Bud Selig Makes a Great Decision

Not that sportswriters in America care what I think, but I am glad Selig decided to suspend the game. Joe Buck kept presenting the scenarios saying they may consider ending the World Series without nine innings played because it was an “official” game in the 6th.

As I watched the rain fall, Hamels attempt to hold Upton on 1st base; I hoped for a hit from Pena to prevent the possible ending of the World Series according to Buck. I was worried about what would happen and surely not going to bed. Eventually Hamels would give up a base hit to Pena and the Rays tied the score 2-2. This would guarantee a suspension of play. They called a rain delay and I sent Keith a text that I was going to bed, but to let me know if they started play again.

Keith wrote back about 10:30pm and said the game was officially suspended till today (pending more rain). There was no doubt once the Rays tied the score it wasn't going to be finished, but I love what MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “There's no way they're going to allow a championship game to be canceled in the [sixth] inning on a rainout.”

On another note, it would have been a baseball travesty if the Rays didn’t score and they declared the Phillies the World Camps. I think Phillies starter Cole Hamels put it best, "I truly believe that would have been the worst World Series win on the face of baseball. I would not pride myself on being a world champion with a called game." What a great statement, Hamels and way to go Bud Selig for not even considering calling the game.

Don’t forget about your free taco (see below post)!

Gig 'Em and Take Your Stuff with You

What a great day to be an Aggie! In the wake of Hurricane Ike, some evacuees in College Station are looking for another place to stay because of a football game. Check out this article in the Houston Chronicle (this is only a section of the article).

"Texas A&M University is scheduled to play the University of Miami — the Hurricanes, no less — in College Station on Saturday, and fans had booked hotel rooms up to a year in advance.

That forced hotel managers to ask evacuees holed up in College Station to leave for a few days.

L.C. Ruiz of Galveston said he went to extend his stay at the Manor House Hotel on Thursday and was told he had to leave today but was welcome to return on Monday.

"We were told we have to get out because they're having a football game," said Ruiz, who evacuated Sept. 10 with his ailing wife, her nurse and the nurse's family.

Ruiz said he ended up putting his wife in a convalescent center after the nurse and her family found a hotel room in Huntsville."

The article does go on to describe that they are taking steps to help evacuees, but I can only imagine if I was in that position what my response might be; I don't think I would ever visit the town again. If I did, I would make sure to have reservations and not be an evacuee.

Really, what does this say about our society? Football and making money is more important than providing for those in need. If there was a doubt why homelessness and poverty exist; it's because we are selfish "we gotta watch our football" and "make our money" society.

I will leave you with some lyrics from David Crowder Band's Surely We Can Change

“When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do?"

The Cowboys are Back & Headed to Tampa

What an exciting time for “Cowboys Nation!” After week one, the ‘boys were just oozing with talent and on the brink of making an amazing run. Last night, the blue star continued to shine brightly in Texas Stadium. Not only did the Cowboys beat Reid’s Eagles they beat the boys in black and white (pass interference, come on ref!).

May I reminisce for a moment? (sure, its my blog!) Sitting on the bean bag in front of the TV in early 1993, we gathered around to watch the Dallas Cowboys face off against the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl. The 1992-1993 season and Super Bowl was probably when I fell in love with the Dallas Cowboys (that and I was old enough to actually understand the game). Jimmy Johnson had led the Cowboys from out of the dredges of horrible football (remember 1-15 in 1989!) to winning football. Oh and I have to mention, I will remember the half time show forever. Michael Jackson came out from under the stage and stood still for what seemed like 5 minutes than blew the crowd away with his performance. Anyways, Buffalo fell 17 to Dallas’ 52 points. Ah, the glory days. I think we are about to see some more glory days. “How ‘bout them cowboys!”

Romo, TO, Barber, Jones, Thomas and Ware…I could go on, but I think these guys are ready to go back to the Super Bowl. This is me calling the Cowboys victory at Super Bowl XLIII after two games. There it is, I said it.

Rant About the Worthless Austin American Statesman

Why Ike's track was hard to predict hit the Austin American Statesman today. What a waste of my time. I am not sure what the staff is doing over at the Statesman, I mean, it is for sale and all, I guess the editor has nothing better to do than let trash like this be printed. "Hurricane Ike has been a moving target for meteorologists and for state and local officials trying to figure out...," Osborn writes. Huh, over course, it's a hurricane, they move. I know we are talking about some important stuff here and evacuations are very important, but we are dealing with weather. Meteorologists cannot determine the exact location, so best guess based upon the weather patterns is all you're going to get. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Statesman gets a 1 for this worthless article.

For those actually reporting the news, thanks for your hard work.

Please tune in next week for less ranting at Insert Title Here.

“Have you stocked up on your hurricane supplies?”

I received this in an e mail from a good friend and than proceeded to joke about how people are crazy about over-reacting about the weather. With the pending “doom” in Austin of Hurricane Ike, which realistically has already caused much havoc for Cuba, but really, do people in Austin, TX need to be worried? Yes, it is a powerful storm; it has damaged an entire country, taken many lives, and there is no doubt it is a powerful storm. Now as the Texas coast prepares for the hurricane; I watch friends worry, shelves at the local HEB empty, and gas prices rise. WOW!

I think our local weather men are selling this shock intensive and fear laced lines for ratings. Frankly this is causing added stress, fear and much panic for many inland folks who under other conditions would be concerned, but not scared. I even caught myself about to text my wife, “Can you pick up some bottled water and summer sausage?” I put my phone down slowly and calmed myself down. An hour earlier, I could care less* about Hurricane Ike and its actual effects on me and my home, but now I am slightly worried (*I do care about the people of Cuba, which have been in my prayers). Why do we let this people into our heads and minds?

Instead rely on God. The Lord says, “May your unfailing love be my comfort…” Our comfort should be in His “unfailing love” and these fears should bounce off our armor. Basically, that Hurricane is coming, I could sit hear and worry about it all day; instead, I took a deep breathe said a quick prayer, and re-focused. Maybe it would be a good idea to have some bottled water, but I wouldn’t stock up a weeks provisions. God drives out fear and provides comfort.

TV Weathermen, please just report the news, we are going to tune in for it anyway. You don’t have to convey fear, with passionate scared facial expressions and heightened tones in your voice. Just tells us what we might expect, because you’re just guessing anyway.

A Few Stories to Share…You Know, From the Weekend

Thursday night I burned the midnight oil and completed the first documentary in a series of four that is accompanying the current sermon series at the Well, Soul Ink. It is posted below and you can always check out new videos at http://www.youtube.com/jhellums

Friday I got to see a De Leon team play some polished High School football. While I was enjoying the great football, they were beating up on Milano so it was sad to see the boys in Maroon and Gold lose. Later that evening we watched I Am Legend. I got to open a birthday gift early and got a huge bag of Gummy Bears and I Am Legend DVD. My wife knows me all to well. To be honest, I couldn’t stay awake through the movie, so we hit the bed about midnight.

Saturday began the birthday celebrations. My mother in law, Ruth, asked me what I wanted for my birthday dinner and desert, I decided on chicken and dumplin’s and brownies with vanilla ice cream. Little did I know Ruth had not prepared chicken and dumplin’s in several years. She did a little research and made a few phone calls and for dinner we had some amazing chicken and dumplin’s. For dinner, Pop and Donna joined us in Milano for the birthday celebration. Donna brought some green bean casserole that had a jalapeño flavor that was awesome. At the end of dinner we had desert, brownies and vanilla ice cream, yummy! It was a great time out in the country eating great food and relaxing with family. Thanks for a great Saturday.

Sunday we kicked off Soul Ink. Soul Ink is based on the passage of scripture from Roman 12:9 through the end of the chapter. Major points: First and foremost, the first spiritual mark we should have is Jesus “tattooed” on our hearts. Second, love everyone. We are to love everyone, but hate the evil/sin that is in others lives. Instead we are called to “cling” or glue ourselves to the good in everyone and love them no matter what. The series started great and you can hear it soon on the web at www.thewellinaustin.com I am looking forward to the rest of the month and whatever God has to teach me.

Sunday afternoon, we met up with my mother, Matt and Alex at Hula Hut (again, sorry Cassie). I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed Hula Hut till recently, but the last few blogs I have mentioned eating there…huh, it must be one of my favorites. We enjoyed some great eats and had Tres Leches for my birthday desert. I was filled to the max after that. Mom hooked me up with a sweet Astros shirt and a gift card. What a great lunch!

The Cowboys looked great and I enjoyed watching the ‘boys in HD too! My uncle asked me what I thought about the Cowboys, so I thought I would share to my fellow readers. I thought they looked amazing in the first half. As they marched down the field in the first half via running and passing they dominated the defensive. Romo threw clean passes and had time to eat a lunch while he was in the pocket. The second half was a little different, a few bumps in the road, but Cleveland was still no match for the Cowboys. I think they have a solid team. Rookie Felix Jones looked great running down the field and I like the great chemistry and attitudes from TO and Romo (squirting water at one another). It was an amazing 27th birthday.

I hope you each had a blessed weekend. God Bless.