And the Moustache Comes in the Night

So we get to start this fun cycle over again.

Smoking. I am a smoker. I havent smoked a cigarette in 2 years and 8 months, but I am a smoker. After every meal I think about smoking. Every time I see someone on TV or in a movie smoking Im reminded just how wonderful it is. The anti smoking adds make me want to smoke. Just typing this makes me want a cigarette. I love smoking. I am addicted to more then just nicotine and I dont think that I will ever overcome that. Not that Ive had a hard life but not smoking is the hardest thing I have ever done. The hardest part is, its not something that you do and then its done. Its something that you are constantly doing, every day, every hour and every minute of your life.

When I lived in Grand Rapids, Neil and I had an ongoing bet. Whoever smoked first had to pay the other person $64. We would take turns smoking first and the actual money never crossed hands. There would be times where we would call a temporary "cease fire" and both of us would smoke freely for a predetermined amount of time. This bet was a big help for me. I think it helped Neil out too. It was good to have someone to go through the quiting with. Someone to hold you accountable. Someone to be understanding when you failed.

Neil owes me $64. He was the last to lose the bet. Somehow I cant help but feel a little bit responsible for his failure though. Every time he smokes it reminds me of my own struggle. Im not going to require payment of this debt when we get back. I would like to propose a new bet though. So Neil, starting on June 4th, If youre willing, Id like to restart our bet. I have a feeling that Im going to need the extra incentive being back in GR and I know youre still struggling with it.

I would also like to congratulate you on going 2 days without smoking this past weekend. Thats 2 less days of smoking and every day you dont smoke counts.

We All Live on the Edge of Town

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Thats how we roll. At least, thats how we are planning on rolling when we go back. In 64 days well be picking up a U Haul trailer and loading it, the Jeep and Truck with all our worldly possessions. My mom and Bruce are flying out to help us with the drive. Theyll be driving Jaimes Patriot while Jaime, Jack, Hudson and I pull the U Haul trailer with my truck.

Im very excited about this trip for a couple reasons. Im ready for a road trip and 2000 miles definitely qualifies. Im excited to put my truck to the test. Ive used some of its capabilities taking scrap metal to the junk yard but I havent used it to tow anything yet. Mostly though Im excited to be going back to Michigan. Im excited for trees, and forests and grass. Im excited for Festival and cookouts and Mario Kart Tournaments. Im excited about the chance to buy a house. We should be gone before we get too many 110 degree days here and then in a couple months it will be winter. Winter as I know and love it. The most important thing is that well be close to most of our friends and Jack will be able to spend time with most of his family. (Aunt Jenna and uncle Brett need to move back to Grand Rapids now too.)

Thats not to say I wont miss some things about Phoenix. It will suck not being close to Zac and Teresa. I love the mountians. 99 percent of the cars here dont have any real rust on them so work is easy.

89 Degrees

86 degrees on March 1st and we didnt set a record. We turned the AC on today. 3 months to go.

25 Things About Me #4-6

• I correct people. If someone uses a word or phrase incorrectly I correct them. I dont do it because I think Im better then them (which I usually do). I do it because I want them to know the right way to say what they are trying to say. Some people are put off by it and thats fine. Others argue that they are correct. A few actually thank me.


• I am a very bad speller. Its not hard to tell when Ive used spell checker and when I havent. I dont spell well.


• I dont use and encourage you not to use apostrophes. They are superfluous.

Best Man Speech

I know its a little untimely but blah blah excuses blah blah.. Heres my best man speech for those of you who couldnt make it out to Zac and Teresas wedding.

Anyone who looks at Zac and Teresa for just one second will think, WHAT? Hes 8'3" hunched over and shes, at best, 3'8" with heals on. Zac is a dorky looking white boy from the midwest and Teresa is a beautiful Mexican girl from Arizona. But anyone who spends more then one second with them, immediately knows that despite their obvious differences they are two perfectly fitting pieces of a puzzle. So heres to Zac and Teresa and a long life of happiness.

Also, our pictures from the wedding can be found on our family sites gallery.

25 Things About Me #1-3

This list or whatever it is has been floating around the Facebook for a little while now and Ive been tagged at least once so here it is, in part.

• I have been happily married to my beautiful wife, Jaime, for almost 8 years.


• I am the father of the most awesome little boy in the world.


• While I dont have many friends, the friends I do have are very close to me, despite the fact that they are spread all across the country.