class reunion

This summer (july 2 and 3 ) we will be having our 25th class reunion for Early County High. It doesn't seem we have been out that long...but we have. WOW..will be good to see folks again. I don't think I have changed that much...little greyer...little less hair. But time marches on. Will be good to see how much folks kids look like them. Share some stories and such. All of us are in our early 40's now.....some have kids out of school...me my two are young...but that's ok.
Anyhows...we shall see how it all pans out.
k

neat video!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
i love this....too cool

Pedal coming to review- The Goose

Found a pedal on another site that I seem to like the sound of...A drive box called The Goose from Take Flight pedals. They are a company from California that builds custom pedals....and this one is pretty radical. It has a couple of features that make me go hmm! Knobs on front include: volume, blend (to blend wet and dry signal..a major plus), crossover distortion control, a honk knob...which is an octave up like an octavior(can you say neat!)...and a mode control for 6 different modes of drive...(don' think i can use em all but a couple sounded neat on demo video). It also has an funky knob on the side...makes all kinda noises. Sounds like a fun pedal to say the least...
So I contacted them and they are sending one to demo...watch for it here and possibly over at www.takeflightpedals.com or www.effectsbay.com...

more later....
K

Taking Stock...

Have been doing a lot of thinking. Taking stock in what really matters I guess. Your family, your friends, you life. How many times have you seen someone who doesn't say there is something wrong, but you feel it? How many times would a pat on the back or a hug make so much a difference? How many times have you needed it and it just wasn't there? How many times have you smiled and it made someones day? How many times has just being you or them being them made all the difference. What about a stupid one liner doing more good than a pound of medicine?

This week is my 15th anniversary. I would not trade my wife for the world....although she says I probably want a new model sometimes to replace the one I have. I tell her no. I love her and my kids with all my heart. We met a long time ago...then married a long time later...now it has been even longer. Try 25 years...

Next week is my 43rd birthday. I don't really feel any different than I did last year, or ten years ago in some ways. I thank God for my health and the ability get going every day. Hope can get together with some friends over a meal soon and talk about old times or something...maybe that is what you do when you get older. Maybe the things you say matter more or maybe less. Maybe you say them so you won't forget. As a line in a song I like says it is like a box of souvenirs if only to prove you were there....maybe someone will remember and hold onto that memory for another time to pull it out and dust off to remind everyone of how much they mean.

I also thank God for my friends. Some are better friends than others, but they still all mean a lot to me. I relish the times when we have done things and sat around drinking coffee cutting up. Those are the things memories are made of. I may not say what needs to be said all the time, sometimes I say too much. I sometimes let words get in the way and emotions spill all over the floor like milk. Sorry for my indiscretions and over sites. I pray that God will use me in my friends lives to uplift them when they need it. Maybe I think too much....I don't know. I just know that there are friends I haven't seen or heard from, friends I miss, friends I've wronged...and I wish I could do more to fix, love and comfort.

Twenty years from now what will we look back and see. I don't know. Scares me to think about it. But I hope my love for my family, friends and God will keep me glued together.
Just the early morning rambling of an old geezer I guess. :)

Reading comp. podcast

My wife had to do a podcast for a class..well here is a test to see how it looks splashed on my blog.
This podcast is on reading comprehension for a class she is taking online. Give it a listen and let her know what you think....first podcast I have ever helped anyone do.
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/podcast1.mp3

Also there are handouts:
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Ray%20Bradbury%20The%20Pedestrian.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Misuse%20of%20Cell%20Phones.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Shakespeare%20Sonnet%2029.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Steven%20King%20Why%20We%20Crave%20Horror%20Movies.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Reading%20Comprehension%20Strategies.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Reading%20Comprehension%20Survey.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/READING%20COMPREHENSION%20USING%20A%20PODCAST.ppt

And here is a copy of the script if you wish to follow along:
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Pod%20Cast.doc

Kirk

karate...more than just something to do.

Those who know me know I enjoy karate. Shotokan to be exact. I enjoy the physical exercise, camaraderie among participants and general sense of well being that it promotes. But there is more to it than that. There is a mental and almost spiritual component to it. You are able to check your mental cares at the door and relax for an hour or more. We all need that downtime. Without some sort of mental/meditative relaxation your mind gets all confounded. Karate is physical yes, but you concentrate on it much like you would reading, crossword puzzles or other things that challenge the mind. You mentally and physically fight with your body and mind to conform them into what you are trying to do. I didn't get this as a Yellow or Orange belt. Only after returning to karate after a three or four year absence did I finally as a Green belt begin to understand just how relaxing it can be.

Dojo Kun:
Seek Perfection of Character
Be Faithful
Endeavour
Respect Others
Refrain from Violent Behavior

After my last belt test I had to do a very introspective look. I failed to execute my Kata perfectly and was only awarded a half kyu...I was grateful for the half kyu, but saddened by the fact I did not achieve my goal. Then after class the next week, while I was still rather despondent about it, I began to think on the principals of karate. My mistake cost me a half kyu, but has caused me to seek to enjoy the journey more. I must seek to perfect my technique, myself and all the other things that karate strives to teach. Yes it will take me a little while longer reach my goal of black belt, but I am thankful I am a brown belt who has learn a few lessons about life and karate all from a few mistakes.
What breaks you makes you stronger.
k

Love in any Language.

I know I don't say it as often as I need to to those whom I love. I love you is just three words, but sincerely it means the world. I wish there was an easier way to convey it...but sometimes the words just get in the way. We say those three words time and time again. Our society has worn them out in song and poem. A lot of the time it is like you just say it...like you would "hello" or "goodbye". Say it today and follow it up with more than just a word...you may not have tomorrow to say it again.
I was just pondering that today. Guess I just wanted those who know that I love them as friends and family that you do mean more to me than just three little words.
The Bible points out that no great love has a man for another than if he would lay down his life for that person. Not saying we need to step in the way of a speeding bullet, but we need to give of ourselves in a way that is not self serving. Loving your neighbor as yourself is also pointed out...how can you not love yourself...love your neighbor that deep. Even moreso we love our friends and family...I hope to be able to convey that this week in some way. By doing these things we show that we love God even more....He loved us first.
K