The side of Jay Leno you don't see

I was recently forwarded an email from a relative whoe sent me something that Jay Leno wrote and it's a side that people don't see of him and I thought I would share this with you.

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of tra ined firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disda in for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it <>bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be than kful and appreciative." "With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" Jay Leno

Happy One Year Anniversary on the Blog

It's a hot and muggy day here in Kansas, but today is the one year anniversary of being on the blog. Today, I looked back at my first post which was about a sports story and a movie. I also looked back at previous months and have seen my share of ups and downs of this rollercoaster we call life. From tragedies like my grandfather passing away to the students at Virginia Tech. From great joys in my life like seeing my Chicago Bears getting back into the superbowl to my brother getting married. To my constantly complaing about global warming to my 21 days of going complaint free. (I accomplish this feat two mondays ago). From sharing pictures of funny, sad, odd and joyous moments to me just sharing a few words of wisdom. Looking back on some these posts, I've realized that I have grown not only mentally but even spiritually in my life. I've even learned to be humble even though there are times when it is hard and your very stubborn in your life. Well, happy one year anniversary blog....I hope to make even more moments in the years to come.

Signed
Tim "birthday blog boy" Crippen

A wedding, an old friend and Barroids all rolled into one.

Let me just say congratulations to the happy marry couple of Jerry and Natalie here's a picture of them.

Whoops that's the wrong picture of the couple ......how did that get in my photo collection. Anyway this past weekend I went to see my very good friend Jerry Moore and his new wife Natalie Eilts tie the knot in Wichita, KS at River Community Church on Saturday afternoon. The wedding was great and the reception was just as good talking to so many people. The weather was too hot but what do you expect it's August and this is the hottest time of the year when it can reach up to 100 degrees. Luckily, it didn't get that way, but it sure felt like it. I did notice that for the groom's cake there was a picture of Willie the Wildcat since Jerry is a K-State graduate.

However, this past Saturday was a real coincidence. I was in Wichita to see a wedding, our good friend Polly was also to see a friend's wedding and the shock of all shocks John and Kim were down here in Wichita to see a wedding all on the same day. What are the odds of that happening. Oh speaking of Polly, I got to see her for the first time since November.

It's nice to see old friends from The Bridge that you haven't seen in a long time. I met up with Polly at Maranatha Worship Center along with her brother Michael who was pretty cool to meet. In fact, that truck behind us in the picture is his.....it would make even Bigfoot proud. After church we all went to Chipolte's and had very nice time. It was nice to hear that Polly is going be taking some vacation time off this week to be a camp counselor for disadvantge kids. She looks like she could use a break, but before I left I gave her some words of encouragement and hug as I headed back home. We all miss you Polly and if your ever back in Kansas City area stop bye and say Hi.

Okay, now that I have told you of what I did this past weekend. I'm going to get my rant on BARRY BONDS. Oh excuse me I should say Barroids. This weekend he just tie the record and yet I didn't care. This is not a legitmate record and I will never even on my last days on earth will I consider him the legitmate homerun champion. In fact, he won't hold the record for very long. In another ten years I'll see Alex Rodriguez be the new homerun champ. I'm not a big A-Rod fan but I will say this. The only thing A-Rod ever cheated on was his wife and not steroids.

Signed

Tim " I'm ready to go to bed" Crippen

Last Day at The K

The first thing I did as I came to the ballpark I was looking for the George Brett statue. Why? I don't know maybe because I have never have taken a picture of it. Or maybe because I watch

him played through all the years and he still is my favorite player. To me working for the Royals (even if it was working in the concession stand) was a great and unique experience. Working with Carmen and Lisa at 013 was great even if we had our bad days. We all try to get a least one laugh during the game. I was really surprise for my last day there that Lisa and Carmen bought me a cake.

It says "Good Bye Tim See you soon" . I honestly wasn't expecting a cake. I was thinking I was going to work my last day say my good byes and say thanks for the memories, but I would like to say thanks to Lisa and Carmen for the cake. I would also like to say thanks to Michael and Jose for keeping me laughing this entire season. Michael I hope you get that job with the IRS soon.

If my new job ever goes through changes where there isn't a schedule conflict. Maybe, I might be back for next season. In a way, I would like to comeback now because there is still two more months of baseball still left. Even at age 31 I still like this game and it will always be a great memory that I got to work for the Kansas City Royals.

And just like Opening Day the Royals on my last day came up with a victory against the evil empire New York Yankees 7-0.

Signed

Tim "please don't lose another 100 games this year" Crippen

Michael Winslow the man of 1000 voices

I should give thanks to Dan for this post for telling me how to get free tickets to Stanford's on 98.9 the rock. So, Dan I say thank you. On Saturday night I got to see the one and only Michael Winslow perform and I'll tell you I would have paid to go see him as well. Mostly people remember as Officer Jonesy from the police academy movies or his part in "spaceballs" or the voice of the evil gremlin stripe. This guy is probably the best when it comes to the voices and sound effects. There were a couple of problems during the show......the sound system there at Standford's is not really all that good and his whole performance wasn't entirely clean I would say it was about 5-10% dirty with a few cuss words and stupid sophmoric humor. His highlights were mostly of his impressions of Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Louie Armstrong. The voices and sound effects he does of a clip of the Original Star Wars movie was dead on. My cousin and his friend and I had an absouletly great time. Just to kind of give you an idea of what I'm talking about here is clip of him doing Jimi Hendrix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfSjyhDeSKo it is very funny and if you think that is impressive try his performance of Robert Plant from Led Zepplin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31kdfa_iCis


Signed
Tim "somewhat funny guy" Crippen

Freedom of Speech

I know that this might sound like a sports post, but this is more about freedom of speech post than anything else. I read an article not too long ago about two different fans both going to the same Milwaukee Brewers game and both carrying signs. The game was between the Giants in which Barry Bonds happens to be playing. Now, for those who don't know Barry is linked to the Balco steroid issue in which he has been allegedly accused of using steroids. He is also trying to break Hank Aaron's homerun record which if he does the record will probably be tainted. This post mostly is about the two different signs that these two fans show out in public and in both cases they got kicked out of the game. The one sign had four asterisks **** and the word Bonds underneath. The other had Milwaukee loves Hammerin Hank not Balco Barry. Now, the one sign with asterisks is a bit questionable since asterisks could represent a four letter word, but the other sign there is nothing wrong with it and they kicked him out too. I know stadiums have rules about swearing and you can be kicked out of game. Trust me, I've seen a few happen here at Kauffman Stadium. This to me sounds more like the freedom of speech police are out in full force and you can't say anything negative about Barry Bonds. What the ushers did to that one fan who had the Balco Barry sign was outrageous. What's next we can't boo our hometown players when they play awful in field after we spend our hard earn money just to get a ticket. Thank God the Founding Fathers wrote in the Freedom of speech amendment back in 1791. Otherwise, we all be living in Communism State.

Signed
Tim "here's your sign" Crippen

Sometimes I don't understand

Well this a week that has had it's ups and downs. Earlier this week I found out that I didn't get eithier one of the jobs at Fox 4 in Kansas City. Then yesterday I get a call for an interview today with Sipalda Designs as a picker/packer for a full time position. I sometime's kind of wonder whether God is showing me a a much better place instead of what I always dream about. I honestly thought I had a chance for one of two jobs with the experience that I have in television, but I'm sure they had to go through some tough decisions and they were taking the best candidates that would fit their needs. This period of time has given me more time to spent in prayer. Not because of the job search, but because I need to be on a daily basis through the good and the bad times.

Signed
Tim "Sometimes I don't understand" Crippen

PS: Update on the purple bracelet.....Trying not to complain for 21 consecutive days is not easy. The longest I have gone has been eight days.....Right now currently I'm on Day four

Get over it

A song by the Eagles but also a phrase I use for some people who were at Kauffman Stadium last night. Last night I was not working the game as I was enjoying my fourth of july with family and relatives in Topeka. I lit some of my cousin's fireworks and had great time enjoying other displays from around the neighborhood. The focus of this post is on what had or should I say did not happen at the K. As we know fireworks have always been a tradition on the fourth. Well, last night the fireworks display at the Kauffman Stadium didn't go because rain got into both generators which are suppose to be in sync to music to begin the fireworks show. This was promoted to be the biggest fireworks display in town and yet it didn't happen. Now, the royals organization were gracious enough to fans to redeem their tickets for any ballgame the rest of the year. It's a good PR move for them since they had pretty much had egg on their face. I do feel sad for people who have kids and were promised fireworks and didn't get it. I also feel sorry for those people who have to drive long way say like Warrensburg, MO or Topeka, KS and didn't get a show, but at the same time what did you pay for a baseball game (in which they played) or a fireworks show. The fireworks show is really a bonus and yeah I know it's the fourth of july but as I always say "things do happen" and from what I heard that some people were booing and didn't get a show I say "Get over it". If you want to see a fireworks display go see a fireworks display....if you wnat to see a ballgame go see a ballgame. This isn't Burger King where you can have it your way.

signed
Tim "hope everybody had a wonderful fourth of july" Crippen

The Top ten sporting events you must see before you die

Recently, I read an article from Jim Caple on espn.com on the 101 things all sports fans must see before you die. Some I agreed, others I have done, and some I kind of wonder whether they were consider sports. Lets start with Caple's list of things I have done.

#100 Go see Harlem Globetrotters game

#62 Midnight madness at a KU basketball game

#22 Cubs game at wringley field

#35 Opening Day in Baseball



Now here are the ones that I kind of wonder are really sports

#98 Calveras county California Frog jumping jubilee....where wine tasting and 2,000 frogs are involved.

#94 the Hot dog eating championships at coney island on the fourth of July....can anybody say disgusting

#90 The show me state games in Columbia, Mo in July.......this is where 30,000 average joe missourians compete in summer games ages range from 3 to 83. I would like to participate in this, but I feel like I would get embarass by a guy in his 50's if I were running the 100m dash.

#65 The wife carrying championships in Sonka jarvi, Finland......I have seen this event on TV before and it's funny.

#47 Running of the bulls ......Pamplona, spain ........Now, my brother has done this and you have to be very careful on the cobble streets. At least he did this event before he got married.



Now Caple's 10

1. Summer Olympics

2.World Cup soccer

3.Winter Olympics

4.world series

5.NCAA subregional baskeball championships

6Spring training

7. NFL Conference championships

8. The Masters

9.Wimbledon

10. Tour de France during the mountain stage



Tim Dawg's top ten ...........the number in parethesis is where caple put it.

1.Hall of Fame Induction in Cooperstown (16)

2.World Series (4)

3.Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa (74)

4. SuperBowl (not even numbered, in fact caple put it at 10 things to avoid)

5Indy 500 (33)

6.Kentucky Derby (32)

7.The masters (8)

8. Visiting Fenway Park (not numbered but should be)

9.Wimbledon (9) If anything just for strawberries and cream

10.Big 12 tournament (only if it's K.C. and was not listed)

Honarable Mention

The Prefontaine Classic (70) Where some of best runners compete

Signed
Tim "that's my list and I'm sticking to it" Crippen

My Brother's Wedding and more fun stuff

Let me just say one thing before I get into my post, I must apologize to the State of Maryland. If you take out the city of Baltimore and Washington D.C. the area it is really beautiful and very woody. I never realize how great a state can be until you can go outside the city limits.

Okay, now onto the wedding. This was my first time ever to serve as best man as well as attending an outdoor wedding. The wedding was held at Crystal's parents backyard which was a perfect setting with the creek on the left hand side of the picture. God created a masterpiece when it came to the weather. The sun was out no humidity, no rain, and very little wind. But he really created a masterpiece when he brought my brother and crystal together as one.

However, there was one little hitch in the wedding. It will be remembered from both the Crippen family and Namie family who attended the wedding.

Crystal's jack russell terrier "Tess" decided to take a little stretch during the wedding cremony we all had a pretty good laugh at this moment. Ray and Brenda Namie (Crystal's parents) were just absoulutely great host to us. They went beyond expectations to cook for us, setting up the wedding and even giving me and my brother Donald Trump ties for the ceremony. To which I say thank you to both of you for your hospitality. This weekend couldn't have been any better and was very special moment in my brother's life. Crystal you married a great guy and you have brought joy into his life. I hope your marriage is as beutiful as this picture I took at the botanical gardens.

I did do some other things besides go to a wedding. I got to meet a lot of Crystal's brothers and sisters and their families. I really got to know Crystal's brother Paul the most. I never realized of just how much we really had in common. He did challenge me to a game of horseshoes in which case I accepted his challenge.

Although, I haven't played a game since I was 9-10 years old. I still had a good time even if I lost every single game. I did have few ringers, but I still need some work on my throwing technique. I told Paul, if you come to K.C. play my game the batting cages and see how many 80 mph baseballs you can hit. He had good laugh when I told him that. We even went to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. It once was the place where John Brown's famous raid took place in which he was trying to end slavery. Now, it is a National Historic Park where you can visit some the old town buildings as well as tubing down the Potomac River as these people in this picture

It reminded me like Hannibal, Mo, but only with a better scenery. If you come down this area, I would highly recommend it. In a way I almost wanted to grab a tube and join in there with them. Then before the wedding, I rode the metro with my brother before he went to work and stop at the Rossylyn station to go see the Iwo Jima memorial around sunrise. Wow, what an awesome time.

Signed

Tim " I think put more pictures and wrote my longest post ever" Crippen

PS: Okay, here's one more wedding photo

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Flappers, the Charleston, prohibition and our very own Jason Bridges who plays a dishwasher, newspaperman and Harpo Marx in this 2002 musical set in the 1920's called "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Now I have heard of the play, but have never seen the Broadway production. Which is good because the only thing I had to go with is just a synopsis of the play which is about a small town girl from Kansas name Millie who trys to make it big in New York City. She is scared and excited at the same time and along the way she goes through some trouble times. She meets Jimmy Smith who is this brash New yorker that changes her life forever, but not at first because Millie considers him a jerk. Millie's life does get better, but I don't want to spoil it for those who have not seen it. I went last night and it was great from the weather till the end of the show. There are a couple of funny moments in the play from the office window scene with Jimmy and Millie as well as the Chinese translator in the laundry room. I really have to give credit to all these actors and actresses who do this because they love community theater. To take time out of their busy schedule is really truly amazing. My favorite character in this play is Mrs Meers and the woman who plays her does a really great job. If you haven't seen this play, don't worry you still got this weekend to see Jason perform his high flying leap as Harpo marx. Out of four stars, I would give Thoroughly Modern Millie four out four and extra 1/2 star for Jason's performance as well as showing me the backstage area.

Signed
Tim "Raspberries" Crippen

A tribute to a TV legend

Unless you have been living in a cave you probably have known that Bob Barker was retiring after 35 years on The Price is Right and 50 years on TV. Yesterday, he taped his last show and there were long lines just to get into the studio. Why do people like this show? Is is because of the competiveness on getting the clossest price without going over? Is it because of Bob's midwest charm? The family atmosphere? Or maybe it's because when we were kids that during summer break from school we liked the show and there was nothing else going on during the daytime except going to the pool.

Now I'll admit that I don't like everything about Bob Barker from his animal rights stances to being a vegetarian. Yet, for all these years there are parts of him that remind me of my grandfather. Served in the millitary, loved baseball and most importantly loved being around young folks. He started on Truth or Consequences and then to the Price is right. There have been some funny moments on the show. From the tube top incident of woman coming on down and then they came out........to a contestant who would later be an assitant to another game show, who knew that Vanna White would get first TV appearance on the show.

To me the most memorable moment of Bob will be his small role in the Adam Sandler film "Happy Gilmore." Seing Bob Barker beat up Adam Sandler in the film still makes me laugh even today. Whoever decides to host the show we'll never have the same effect as Bob did....It's kind of like that same feeling when Johnny Carson left the tonight show and Jay Leno took over. Sure, the show was funny but it was never quite the same when he left. The last show will air on June 15th. Bob Barker enjoy retirement you deserve it.

Signed Tim "Come on down" Crippen

One step in the right direction

The famous phrase "Do you believe in miracles?" was said by Al Michaels during the 1980 Olympics when the U.S. Hockey Team defeated the dominant Russian Team in which in most cases was not even given a chance. Today, I stepped in the right direction.... After feeling nearly defeated for several months, I finally got a call this morning that made me feel a little upbeat. I received a call from Fox 4 News here in Kansas City for the job of Production Assistant. I interview this Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. I haven't gotten the job yet, but at least it's a step in the right direction. I really need all the prayers that I can get.

Signed
Tim "Thank You Jesus and Yippee" Crippen

An ode to the New York Yankees 2007 season

Let me just start by saying this "the yankees this year will not make the playoffs this year." With nearly a 1/3 of the season played the New York yankees are 13.5 games behind Boston and it doesn't look like they will even come close to catching up. Unless, some miracle happens this team will finally get a feeling of what feels like to be fan of a team who hasn't been there in over 20 years. So, since I despise the yankees, their owner and their payroll. I decided to write a poem about their team and their season. It's called "An ode to the New York Yankees."



The yankees, the yankees it must be true. Your 13.5 behind Boston and your feeling the blues. Even with a team payroll of 195 million all in your stock. Your still behind the Boston Red Sox. With batters like Jeter, A-Rod, and Giambi that were suppose to be big hits. This season it has been more like swing and a miss. George Steinbrenner is angry that his team isn't winning. So, he goes and spends more money to do some problem solving. Sure, he can fire Brian Cashman the GM and the manager Joe Torre if he wants too. But why do that when The Boss know that after the season's over he'll be seeing them at the McDonalds drive thru. The Yankees were happy when they signed Roger Clemens to be their savior. Even Jesus Christ laughs at this and says "I'm not doing your team any favors." The season is still young and this team can make up some ground, but their pitching staff is so bad their nowhere to be found. This team is too good to sit back and just be rolled over. Hey, Yankees don't worry here in Kansas City we know what it's like not to be playing in October.

Signed Tim "the yankees are dead" Crippen

Let the pictures do most of the talking

Who is that nighttime creature with the glow in the dark eyes?

Roscoe the neighborhood dog

Uh Oh Roscoe has our nighttime creature stuck in a tree.

Who wins this standoff?

The Raccoon....but only because Roscoe is scared of the rain

Advertising, promotional giveaways, and supporting charities (the funny side of baseball)

As a kid, going to the ballpark was a once a year privilege. Every year when they had Nazarene night at the royals our whole family would go and have a blast. The first time I went to a royals game the hot dogs I think were around $2.50, you could bring a small cooler, the turf was artificial and the cheap seats were orange. Yet every year the promotions staff always trys to find new and inventive ways to get you to come to the ballpark. When I was young you were lucky to eithier get a hat, bat or some stuffed animal to promote the team. Nowadays, we have bobbleheads, buck night on hot dogs for only a select few games and T-shirt tuesdays. (This coming tuesday they have T-shirts of the three condiments that are used in the hot dog race) Although, the promotions from the Royals are not too bad compared to like Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
This Friday the Devil Rays are promoting Legends of Wrestling Night where famous wrestlers from the WWF past will wrestle after the game. This probably would have been cool if I was back in the fifth grade. I'll take Fireworks Friday anytime thank you very much. The Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month had Free prostate cancer screenings.....if you get your screening you will receive two tickets for a future brewers game. Look, I'm all for screening cancer, but why not do it at a doctor's office instead of mobile unit outside of the stadium. You must desparately want tickets if you want to bend over for Dr. Jellyfinger.
Speaking of prostate cancer, MLB is celebrating prostate cancer awareness on Father Day's. Now last weekend, MLB did the same thing on Mother's Day for Breast Cancer awareness. Don't get me wrong....I'm all for supporting charities whether it be a ribbon, a patch or a pin. When MLB starts using pink bats it messes up the game. I can only imagine what they'll do on Father's Day eithier using blue bats or blue baseballs.
Finally my last gripe of the day is the advertising. I know teams need to sell advertising to make money and all, but when you read a story like I read today about how Fenway Park which is known for their left field wall "The green monster". Anyway, their thinking of selling advertisemnet on that wall. There are some things that are sacred in baseball .....the green monster and the ivy in wringley field is another. However, if they decided to have adverstisements on these spots..... I would suggest the following....For the ivy Ivy's Italian garden resteraunt and the green monster would only be fitting if they put a green monster energy drink can.

Signed
Tim "just keep baseball simple stupid" Crippen

Movie Fans will eithier love this website or hate it.

It's a good thing that I saw Spiderman 3 this past weekend before I had heard about this website. It's called themoviespoiler.com. In it you will see current or recent films probably within the last four years on how the storyline goes and how it ends. What a bummer!!! This particular website I happen to have mix reviews. On one hand this is great for all those stupid films that I thought about seeing, but I'm glad that I didn't see. Then there is the classic side of me who wants to go to the movies to be entertain and be surprised. It probably won't make a dent in the industry, but at the same time you know there be somebody who comes out of the theatre who saw the film before you did while your waiting in line to buy tickets and then the person coming out gives the spoiler away while your waiting in line. I just hope this doesn't happen when I try to buy tickets for the Pirates of the Carribean 3 movie.....cause I really want to see what happens to Captain Jack Sparrow.

Signed

Tim "don't spoil the movie for me" Crippen

A boy named Johnnie

There was boy name Johnnie who when you look at him he looks like any other normal 18 year old kid. He doesn't say much, but when you get to talking to him he's very open. At six years old, Johnnie's father left his family. Then at age twelve Johnnie's mom goes to prison for drugs. He moves into a foster home and his life doesn't seem to get better. He gets into trouble with the law as well as school for eithier fighting, stealing or causing disruptions in class. He transfers into another foster home and he wonders if his life is ever going to change. His new foster mother knew that Johnnie needed to change so when she said "Were going to church!"
Johnnie thought I have heard of church, but during his entire life with his family or his first foster parents never took him to church ever. It was this foster mother who had believed in Johnnie that he needed Christ in his life. Since that moment, Johnnie has been attending church on a regular basis, he got his G.E.D. last July, he will be going to community college this fall to study music and he hopes one day he will become a music teacher. Then this past month he has also reuntied with mother since she got out prison both of them realizing they made mistakes. How do I know this Johnnie? Well to protect the innocent I won't use his last name but Johnnie was working with me at concession stands at Kaufman Stadium yesterday and he wanted me to share this story with you about perservance and struggle.

Signed
Tim "way to go johnnie" Crippen

My Sonic moment and the RRFB concert

This past Sunday was only the second time I have ever complain at a fast food or sit down resteraunt. It's a good thing those purple bracelets haven't arrived yet. (I'm still waiting after six weeks) Otherwise, I would have been switching from wrist to wrist. The guilty party of this complaint is the Sonic Drive Thru at Johnson Drive and K-7. I go there just to get a large cranberry limeade....that's it no food. I waited 20 minutes and I'm getting frustrated. I go up to the front and ask politely "Hey, do you happen to have my cranberry limeade?" The carhop told me it should be there in about a couple of minutes. I said okay and went back to my truck. Fifthteen minutes later, no limeade...I thought this is ridiculous and I left without getting my drink. I file a complaint online....then two days later I get call from the manager of that particular sonic. He apologize and realize that there is no excuse for what had happen. On Friday, I received in the mail three coupons for three free medium cherry limeade's or any other medium soft drink along with a buy one get one free sonic burger. I'll use the coupons, but there is still no excuse for what happen.



Now, the Robert Randolph and the Family Band concert last night at the Crossroads in the Art district area was pretty awesome. No rain, cypress mulch was used for the ground instead of the hard pavement and the bbq pork pulled sandwiches were great. My cousin Jeffrey and I had a wonderful time being practically in the front row. Then afterwards we spotted Jason Crosby, the organist of the band and he signed my CD. I was about ready to leave when Robert Randolph came off his tour bus and he signed my CD as well and we even got to talk to him for about of couple of minutes. We both got to shake his hand and thought what great guy to talk too. I just like to say to say thanks to Robert Randolph and his band for putting on a really good show last night. It was worth the $26.00.



Signed

Tim "RRFB fan" Crippen


PS: Pray for the people of Greensburg, KS as that town is trying to recover after deadly F5 tornado destroying nearly the entire town.

My three new girlfriends...I wish

Danica Patrick

Sarah Fisher and Milka Dunno

Oh, I forget this isn't a dream ......it's race weekend. Some of the other Indy Drivers

Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves

Dan Weldon (one of the coolest guys I ever met, love the British accent)

Signed Mr. Tim Patrick or Mr. Tim Dunno