Flaco Son

I was recently reminded of how much of a dork, geek, goofball I really am. What was my reminder do you ask?? The Karate Kid was on the other day and I recorded it. I just got finished watching it. This is by far one of classics of all time. The cobra kai's feathered hair styles. The bangs and black headband on teenage villian Johnny Lawrence. Even the worn out Nike sneakers Daniel Larusso wore. The reminder came to me in realizing how AWESOME I think all this is. Who in the hooey still thinks The Karate Kid is still a cool movie?? I do for sure. So I must rank in the geeky 80's crowd. I was very surprised the outlook I have when watching this movie. I remember being 5 or 6 and thinking this guy is the bestest karate guy ever. I also remember thinking that my grandfather must be a karate master and he was teaching me an art passed down to him like the generations before him. Ummmm, not so much. My brothers and I were just dumbass grandkid work horses. I
guess the hint should have been, no catchy symbolic fighting analogies. Like "Look eye always look eye" or "First learn stand then learn fly". Instead it was "Drink, you will get heat stroke if you don't" or "Add water to that paint it will make it last longer". Make no mistake all analogies by both wise old men are priceless and I take them to heart. I don't think people realize how much old men and woman in our lives really affect our lives, for life. I love to joke about my grandfathers little quirks and his old sayings, but my grandfathers have been instrumental to me in learning about life. I challenge you who read this to give the Mr. Miyagi in your life a call and say thanks for teaching you to "Wax on wax off, sand the floor, paint the fence, paint the house, breathe in breathe out, look eye always look eye, and the best one BANZAI!!!!!!!!!"

Keeping It Skinny,
Flaco son Jake

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I Changed My Mind A Bit.

My last post has been online for quite a while now. The reason why I have not posted anything lately is because I have changed my mind on what I wrote about. I wanted my next post to explain how and why this change came about. Several people that I would consider "wise" men and women have read my last post. These people have brought to my attention some interesting points. Some of these points, opinions, and biblical referrences actually contridicted my view a bit. I still hold true to my opinion on many levels but I have examined my writing and need to voice how God continues to help me grow. In my last post I spoke about my opinion on how I do not think christians need to constantly defend the bible and their beliefs. This statement I made is not all the way true. There are two differant situations a christian is going to have his or her beliefs challenged. My opinion in my previous post holds true when the challenger is not seeking sincere information. Basicly when a person is just trying to peck a fight or get you riled up then its time to hush up and be the bigger person. In this situation no matter what you say or try prove is not going to change the challengers attitude. However, if a person comes to you with questions seeking sincere spiritual information or advice then IT IS a christians job to help guide them. It should be very easy to tell the differance between the two situations. I want people who read this to know that all of these are my opinions only. I love posting a public journal, but I don't want my thoughts to be a stumbling block to anyones growth in Christ. I try and live a life that Christ would be proud of, but I fall short very often. I want people to understand I am a growing christian man who is far from calling himself a godley man. I encourage everyone to get into God's word whenever possible and form your own beliefs that you feel confident in and be able to explain why you are confident in that belief. But always be aware of what situation your in. Explainging yourself to provide information, or explaining for defense. Thanks for reading this and feel free to comment whenever you want.

 

Keeping It Skinny,

FlacoJake

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Is The Bible A Bluff??

I was listening to a conversation at a poker table on how to defend the bible's integrity to other people. The people in the discussion were trying to come up with several historic facts that could prove the stories from the bible. This is a very common strategy to protect ones beliefs in the bible. Often times a man that gets asked the question "how do you know that stuff in the bible really happened??" Its really confusing to me why people have no problem ridiculing someone for their beliefs, because they don't believe the same thing. If I approched that same person about their disbeliefs in the bible it would not go the same way. The bible is a tool that God designed to help us in our daily lives. This is my belief. My belief is that the bible is God's word, God inspired several writers to write this feast we call the bible. I don't partake of this feast as much as I should, but its also my belief that God doesn't just limit his communication to speaking to us through his word. Its very agravating when I see a non-believer going after a "lamb" thinking they are weak. I have seen it even in my own family. Here is a common example; a man goes to his friend who has been going to church for a short period of time and asks, why do you believe in God and the bible?? This always makes me see red a bit. In this day and age a believer even a baby believer feel it is their duty to defend the integrity of the bible. Why do belivers feel this way?? Why do we feel its our job to make people understand the bible, when we ourselves don't fully understand it?? I have personally been involved in several of these situations. The people questioning my beliefs or questioning the bible's accuracy, or historic relevantcy have been very confused by my responces. When confronted with the question "how do you know if the bible is real??" I simply answer "how do you know its not??" If confronted with another question (always another question) such as, "if you feel so confident that the bible is truth then why not show me more proof??" another simple answer is given "why do I need to prove my belief to you, I'm not asking you to prove your disbelief to me." My next answer usually quiets the questions at least for a few moments while they try and understand what I just said. I simply apply the basic tolerence and understanding Christ did while standing in front of Pilot. Although Christ had the power to free himself during his scurging or before his crusifiction, he did not. How is this relevant to my story?? Just like Christ, we have the power to defend ourselves and our beliefs, but Christ already proved himself for us by dieing on the cross. If a person decides not to believe this that is their choice, just like it is my choice to believe it. I also feel that it is not my job to make people believe in what I do, so I will not aggressivly defend my God's word. When posed with the oppurtunity to rumble with someone in a spiritual battle it is a very dangourous spot for even the most faithful believers. The reason it is powerfully dangerous, is we are all sinners and we all fall short of God's plans for our lives. This makes us at times very poor examples or ambassadors of Christ's teachings and comandments. I don't know about all of you but that is a lot of pressure. So if ever confronted with these powerful questions, just remember keep it simple. I am a simple man I believe in the bible because I choose to do so, and my belief will not waiver until I choose to do so. Bottom line is, God's abundant love is given to ALL people. If they dont believe in him he still loves them the same as he loves the most faithful. How do I know this is true?? It says so in the bible!!

 

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

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This Really Blows!!

Its been a wonderful week boys and girls. Tuesday I dealt a good buddies power poker game made some money and gave some money away on a stupid game of swoosh. Wednesday spent the day at home with no voice and a cough and my sick daughter. Here's where it gets pathetic. Thursday Feb. 14th 2008 its freaking valentines day!! Its what I like to call guaranteed nookie night. And!! And!! Its my freaking birthday!! What I also like to call guaranteed hooters wings for dinner and nookie night. Instead I was at the Dr's office with bronchitis and an upper respitory infection. Driving home I am realizing I am not going to be getting any nookie tonight. However, thanks to my pop I did get some hooters wings for dinner. Also because of pop I did get to play some poker too. It was a heads up match between me and him for $50 bucks. I ended up beating him and it wasn't better timing because minutes later I had a bad reaction to my antibiotics was up for 4 hours ready
to hurl. Happy mother loving birthday to me!! I remember thinking tomorrow is going to be better, I will have had antibiotics in my system, I get to play poker tomorrow night, maybe I might get some cash presents from some of my poker buds, all positives. All I gotta say is I must have been toked up for thinking that. Instead I spent the morning blowing rainbow colored snot and boogers out of my nose with no voice again. Then being told by my wife she called the Dr. and he now thinks an ER trip is in order to rule out phneumonia. With this decision I realize I probably won't be playing poker tonight. At the ER they rule out phneumonia and just switch my meds. I am feeling pretty good so I ask Candace "hey don't you think I could go play poker tonight, at least till about 8:30pm??" Umm, if you know my wife you know what the answer was. So its 7:30pm I'm at home in bed watching recordings of poker after dark, wishing I was donking my chips off. To twist
the knife even more I still don't see myself getting any nookie tonight! But hey I'm not bitter, and besides its cheaper if I stay home. But my good buddy Eloy V. commented "all the dead money is sick, so why go??" You playas can eat my shorts! I'll be rounding again soon.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

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Planet Starbucks

On the way to church this morning we stopped to get Candace some coffee. Little did I know but we were going to a differant planet to buy her coffee. Our shuttle arrived at a brick building with a drive through window. On a sign as you enter the atmosphere to this planet had a strange language and strange writing. Words like venti, mochachino, frapachino, maciato and many others I can't pronounce. I was already concerned about my safety on this planet when a voice came over a speaker. On this planet I'm not sure how to determine the gender of its inhabitants. The voice sounded almost male but had quite a female twang especially when repeating the order back. I was oblivious on how to speak starbukian so I let Candace order her own. It was actually quite impressive to listen to her quickly spout off their very odd language. After ordering we drove to the next window to pay. This is when I realized that planet earth coffee money was no good here. Here at
planet starbucks an earthlings usual fifty cents for coffee has been replaced by a five dollar bill. After paying and then starting to drive off I start to wonder, how many trips to this planet does Candace make each week?? Do I really want to know??

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

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Mashed Potatoes Is My Favorite Meal.

I was talking with Candace the other day about meatloaf. Our conversation was a debate on whether or not meatloaf is a meal. She says that meatloaf is an entree that is supposed to have side items such as veggies. I told her that meatloaf is a entire meal in it self. You have meat, some dehydrated onions, and of course ketchup.

This got me to explaining a bit about my childhood too Candace. At the Pettigrew household times were very tough financially. So, our family meals were a little differant from other families.

Top Ten Pettigrew Dinners

10. Eggs and Grits
9. Cereal
8. Ramen Noodles
7. Chicken Soup with Carrots
6. Chicken Soup with Green Beans
5. Macaroni & Cheese with Hamburger
4. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
3. Chicken and Rice
2. Spagetti
1. Mashed Potatoes

I now know that these meals may be a little confusing for some of you. Yes, spagetti is a meal by itself. Bread?? What is that for?? Veggie sides?? For what??

At my house one of these dishes was in our eyes a full course meal. And at least half of these dishes were full course breakfast, lunches, and dinners. Because my mom made enough leftovers to feed us the next few days. Don't misunderstand me, sometimes we ate high on the hog. Roast with mashed potatoes and velveeta shells and cheese was our filet mignon. But the meat was gone that night everytime. However, there was always a lot of my favorite stuff left for days to come. That is why my favorite meal to this day is Mashed Potatoes.

I love going back and thinking about old times. If my family did not have these mashed potatoe times of trouble, we wouldn't have the mashed potatoe times of triumph.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

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Flaco's Poker Theasaurus

I know for some people many poker terms are hard to understand. I am a self proclaimed simple minded man, so I decided to take some of these terms and explain them in a simple way.

Being Stuck: This is another term for being down in money. Example Jake is a dumb ass who keeps reaching into his little money bag like a crack addict. $20 after $20!

Being on the come: this term means you are betting or staying in a hand hoping to improve your hand with the cards to come out next. Example: calling bets with a flush draw hoping to hit on the river. Example 2: your a dumbass card chaser!!

Going South: this term means taking cash or chips off the table, but still playing at the table. Example: you buyin for $100 you double up too $200 so you decide to put $100 in your pocket and play on profit only. Example 2: your a rude greedy dumbass!

Implied odds: this term means making a decision to play a hand by calculating how much money you will have to pay in the course of the hand. Example: a short stack raises you hold 89 suited. You have to calculate before calling if its worth playing the hand because he will most likely be all in before the end of the hand. Example 2: you a dumbass who plays 89 suited.

Pot Odds: this means calculating the amount in the pot and the amount of money it takes to call. Example: there's twenty blue chips in the pot pre flop and it only cost you 2 or 4 to call you gettin good pot odds. Example 2: your getting 5 to 1 on your money so you call down to the river with 83 offsuit and hit yo straight. This type of move is made by a d.d.p.o.c. Which means dumbass donkey pot odds caller! Example of ddpoc: GoodChuck!!

I'm just kidding pop. I'm just razzing ya. Your not a ddpoc, cause sometimes when you call your not getting good pot odds. I love ya!

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

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