A going away present...

Well yesterday was interesting. I got off work and picked up my last pay check and then went shopping for about two hours for shoes and clothes. Well that would normally be fun but it was just plain exhausting and by the end of it I had a splitting headache. So I was ready to get home! I am moving right along in my car on the 250 bypass to get on I-64 here in Charlottesville and I wasn't real concerned with how fast I am going cause I am not a big speeder. Well I see this cop and look down to see that I am going 70 in a 55 zone! I lay on the brakes and pass the cop. Immediately he pulls out and pulls me over. Right away I start explaining myself and how horrible I feel to the officer and that I really didn't know how fast I was going. Then I ask for a warning. Well I guess he had just about enough of my rammbling cause he gave me this mean look and demanded my drivers license! I guess they don't do warnings anymore. So he writes me this big fat ticket that I must now pay before I leave this blessed country where the cops work so tirelessly to protect us from ourselves on the road.

Interestingly enough I had to call the cops about two months ago because of the small riot in front of my apt. building and it took them 25 minutes to get there when the station if 5 min. away. The guys were talking about shooting each other and they were all beating each other up. So the cops show up and put 3 car loads of drunk thugs in their cars and send them on their way. Now somebody please tell me what is wrong with this whole picture! I get a big fat ticket and the drunks run free! I will sleep soundly tonight knowing that Virginia's finest are there to protect us!

The Wonder Years

Well I thought since I am living back at home for the next two weeks with Mom and Dad that I would post some pics from back in the day when I was just a youngster. Enjoy and feel free to laugh and comment, except don't make fun of my family...thats my job!

P.S. I leave for Europe two weeks from tomorrow!

When it all started...Yeehaw!
I come from strong southern Virginia stock!
(This is Dad, Mom, and James)

As you can see Dad went through some fashion stages

Me and my Dad

Check out that Confederate hat I'm wearing!

James used to wear ties everywhere, even to McDonalds. Care to comment James...

Getting ready to go

Hey all you faithful readers of my blog! I hope you are all well. Not too much going on here lately. I am just working hard to get ready to leave and trying to tie up all of the loose strings. I have moved back in with my parents till I leave and have been attempting to organize all my stuff and get all of the things I will take with me together. I have much shopping to do and I just can't wait to get it all done and get on the plain.

Hey, I was actually wondering how many people are regularly looking at my blog and who you are. So here is the challenge! If you read this post please leave me a comment to let me know who you are (first names will be fine). Well I need to get going. Later, Austin

Beef...its whats for dinner!

What a bunch of bull!
Well, not too much going on right now so I thought I would post a picture of a bull to be random.

Sunday at Thomas Road Baptist Church

Well this year is Thomas Road Baptist Church's 50 year anniversary and to commemorate the church's anniversary and July 4 there was a huge celebration with thousands in attendance on Sunday. Sunday was also the church's grand opening of their brand new church facilities which includes a 6, 000 seat sanctuary! The festivities started at 2:00 with rides for the kids, food vendors, and tours of the new church which is adjacent to Liberty University. At 7:00 the church's patriotic service started with special gospel music guests such as Charles Billingsly and Guy Penrod. Senator George Allen was also a special guest in which I was able to meet. I asked him if he planned on running for president in 2008 and his answer was that he had to win the election for the Senate first. It is rumored that he might run though. I would love to see him kick Hillary Clinton's butt! Actually it would be even better to see Condoleezza Rice kick Hillary's butt, but we will see.

Ok to continue... other special guests, President Bush...wait did I say President Bush? Thats right! President Bush showed up at my old church's 4th of July celebration! Well even though our Pastor does know the president it was only an impersonator. They really did trick everybody though! This presidential parade of cars pulls into the stadium, they announce the president and the crowd goes crazy! This guy looks and sounds so much like George Bush. He is good but after a few sentences I knew it wasn't him. Well after Bush they had more music and then a message from Jerry Falwell. Then... the fireworks and let me tell you it was incredible! It really was a great display of fireworks. I will not tell you how much I heard it cost.

All in all it was a great day. I ran into so many old friends including one high school friend Isaiah who is married with a one year old baby that I didn't know about! I am starting to feel very old.

Over 2,000 flags to honor our fallen US soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Seperate section of flags to honor Virginia's fallen soldiers
Me and Virginia's Senator George Allen who may try to run for president in 2008
The entrance to the new Thomas Road Baptist Church which has a 6,000 seat sanctuary!
What a dirty trick! They played this impersonator off as the real George Bush for quite some time before they revealed the truth.
Actually he is quite good and has appeared on several popular late night night TV. shows.
Uncle Sam's wife even made an appearance!
(Actually this lady used to come into the bookstore I worked at all the time. What an outfit!)