Hustle and Bustle

Today was a good day. I started with a Cassel's trip with Ben, mixed in lots of laughter and funny moments, made a few random people smile and laugh, and cheered on my beloved Spartans to a solid win over Texas. And when the dust settled, all of my Christmas shopping is done! Full day, I'd say.

A few months ago Ben and I decided that it'd be fun if everyday, we could make some random person smile and/or laugh. Not in a creepy way, but mostly just using well placed humor and wit and being polite. You don't even have to be funny. For all the great stories about Jesus documented in the Gospels, I'd love to read some simple stories of when Jesus did or said something to make a random person He didn't know smile. Now, maybe, since He was God, Jesus did in fact know everyone, but that's a different story for another time. But seriously, I think life would be better if we all made this a goal for each day.

I spent some time in Barnes & Noble today, and once again realized that, if left unchecked, I could spend a whole day in there. I even saw Frank Turner there today; he was signing his book that he just wrote and released. For those Metro Detroiters out there, he's the guy from Channel 7 news that retired last year. It sounds like he's had quite a ride of struggle and faith in his life, at least according to the book sleeve. Nice guy.

I managed to take some pictures of Christmas gifts from Barnes & Noble I won't be giving this year. I hope it's not illegal to take pictures of books. I don't know why it would be, but I felt like I needed to be sneaky about it.


The Elvis Impersonation Kit
Person Most Likely To Receive Gift: Either Mark Burley, Brian Hamm, Emily Moiseeff, or Tony Pyle. Or all of them.
Reason Why I Almost Bought It: C'mon...who wouldn't want their own kit on how to be like Elvis?
Reason Why I Didn't Buy It: C'mon, who would really want a $20 kit on how to be like Elvis. Besides, I think all of those people are talented / ambitious enough to be like Elvis if they wanted to.

Gray's Anatomy
Person Most Likely To Receive Gift: Katie Sweeney
Reason Why I Almost Bought It: Sween loves Gray's Anatomy...or was it Grey's Anatomy?
Reason Why I Didn't Buy It: Price. It cost $20 on sale, which was about $15 more than I was willing to pay for it. And about $20 more than it'd be worth to Sween after the "ha ha" appeal wears off.

God Wants You to Be Rich
Person Most Likely To Receive Gift: No one.
Reason Why I Almost Bought It: None.
Reason Why I Didn't Buy It: "How and why everyone can enjoy material and spiritual wealth in an abundant world?" Seriously? No wonder it's a national best seller...who wouldn't want to read about how God wants us to be rich and enjoy material wealth? I think I'd rather read Gray's Anatomy.

I also spent some time in Downtown Northville. Everyone should hang out there sometime, it's so great. Full of nice older people, fun stores, great food, and cool spots to hang out. And Christmas lights and wreaths that line each street at Christmas time. Here's a picture of the outside of Stampeddler, a craft/scrapbook store created for Lauren Wojcik and people that make cd covers by hand as part of Christmas presents.

I parked behind Rebecca's, which is one of my favorite restaurants. I saw this sign out back and spent about 7 seconds debating whether or not I wanted to take it. Ultimately...it's still sitting where I took this picture. However, maybe if Woj was with me, I'd have it :)

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you can see, hear, and experience Jesus over the next week.

PS I've decided that I like using pictures in my blog.