Well here we are

I go through periods of being obsessed with the Blog, and then not posting for a week.  Why?  I'm going to try and post a bunch this coming week.  I'm going to be in San Antonio, TX for the Army All American Bowl Game.  It's basically an All-Star Game for High School Football players.  Should be pretty cool.  The Army decided to have an Army All American Marching Band.  Which is basically an All-Star marching band for high school kids.  I'm excited about the trip.  It's going to be a lot of work, but ti should be lots of fun.  One of my best friends Vince is going to be there helping out too.  So that should be great.  We always have a great time together, and we're going to be rooming together and working together for 6 days.  Should be fun.

Christmas was great.  Well, with the exception that I had the stomach flu for ALL of Christmas day.  That sucked!  But the days before and the days after were great.  I will try and take some time to post pictures of the Peffer get together, and of Christmas morning at the Peffer house (which I was not a part of thanks to my stomach ailment).

I just wanted to put something up here since I haven't done it in a while.  I am officially working from home now.  It hasn't really sunk in.  But that's really because of the Holidays.  I'm guessing that once I get back from Texas, and I get myself into a routine, it will feel like I work from home.  

I've been busy getting the website built for my business.  It has been weird only because I have NEVER built a website in my life!  Thank God for the Mac.  And thank God for iWeb.  I would have been lost!  I developed a good outline of what I wanted for the site, and I knew what I wanted.  And I feel pretty good about what I did.  Even though I'm an amateur!  

Well I'm going to go watch a movie with my wonderful wife and eat a yummy meal.  

Adios for now!!

:-)

Where's Santa?!?!

NORAD Tracks Santa!!!

Hmm.....

I wonder why the Hugs melt so much faster then the Kisses.

Hmm...

Today was a big day

Well today was my last day at AGI. Holy crap!  It's hard to believe that I'm done there, and now I'm officially working from home for myself.  To be honest, I was actually more nervous then excited today.  Boy oh boy.  I just hope that I get my butt in gear.  I'm nervous!  But I've got to do it.

Wish me luck!!!!

I've also set up a blog about drumline.  The main purpose was to have a place where my students and anyone else can go and watch videos and see and hear about drumlines. 

Here's the link:

playclean.blogspot.com

And here's a great picture form the past:

Drumline group photo.  Los Altos High School.  Switzerland, 1996.

Ice, Ice & Ice

Here's some fun ice around our home.  I prefer lots of snow!

It might be tough to light these guys.

You think a leaf might grow out of this branch?

Neat tree across the street from our home.

I can feel Spring right around the corner!

Don't Stop, Believing

Google AdSense

Hey everyone!

Megan and I have decided to donate all of our Google AdSense money to the Join Red Campaign.  Some big corporations have put out some products with the (Product) RED design.  A large portion of the purchase price goes towards helping to solve the Aids epidemic in Africa.  The Join Red campaign has done an awesome job!  So many people in that country have been helped.  Megan and I want to be a part of it! 

Check out this vid.

So, everyone needs to be in on this.  Every time to visit our blog, just simply click on the ad you see right below our wedding picture.  Just by clicking on the ad, Google puts money in our AdSense account.  Right now we are at almost $12.  Google doesn't pay anything until it reaches a minimum of $100.  And the tough part is, I can't click on the link!  Only YOU can.  So this is really all of YOU coming together to help make a difference.  

Don't forget, no matter how tough our lives are, or how stressed out we get, we are blessed beyond measure.  There are people being born into poverty and disease.  The Lord created this planet for US.  We need to look out for each other!  So while we stress out about what clothes to wear, how much money we need to make, and that nice car we wish we had, let's take a few seconds to click on an Ad.  

And if you're interested, go check out what Join Red has going on.

www.joinred.com

Whoo Hoo!

Today

Today has been a good day.  Not for anything special, or any particular event that happened today.  I just think it's been a good day because I suddenly came to the realization of how blessed I am.  I mean, I know I'm blessed and I realize that on a daily basis.  But today, my thoughts were just filled with how blessed I am.  

First and foremost, my incredible wife.  The last 10 years of my life have been....well, for those of you who know me the best, you know how insane it's been!  I've been through so much and I've traveled so much.  People out here in PA are constantly telling me, "Wow Brian.  You sure have lived a full and adventurous life at such a young age."  I guess they're right!  It's sometimes crazy to think of what the past 10 years have put me through.

Most importantly, I would not change anything.  I am happy with who I am today.  And who I am today is partly shaped from my previous days.  So if I'm happy today, I don't think I would want to change any of my previous days.

Anyways, I'm just happy where I'm at.  I used to dream about all the "things" I will have and done by the time I'm 30 years old.  Well in 8 months, I will be 30 years old.  That is just amazing to me.  It feels like I moved into El Konk just yesterday!  All the crazy times in those dorms!  They were good times.  I miss San Diego.  I love that city.  Now I feel like it will be tomorrow that I'm counting down the month that I turn 40!  If these next 10 years go by as fast, I don't know what I will think.  

My wife is at her second job right now.  We both work 2 jobs to help with saving money.  We want a house and a family so bad.  But we both know that takes some dinero.  Tonight is a rare night that I actually have off.  But that all changes starting next week.  She is constantly amazing me.  She supports me so much, yet keep my feet here in earth.  I wish I could balance big dreams and a realistic view on life as she does.  How does she do it?  She's the best.  

Well look at me 10 years ago;

Unfortunately my fashion sense hasn't gotten much better.

I can still get down like I did back then though!

And here I am now.

I wonder what I will look like at 40 years old?

Money Money Money

I just wanted to let everyone know that we have earned $9.98 with our Google Ad so far.  Yay!  That's exciting!  So keep on clicking!!!  We'll share our riches.  I promise!

Fun times

I was just having a video chat with my brother who lives in New Hampshire.  WE were talking about a funny time we spent together in Texas where I tried out a new cuisine.  It was interesting!

Coke in a glass bottle

I love love love the taste of a Coca Cola in a glass bottle.  For some reason, I just think it taste so much better!  It's probably just in my mind, but I don't care.  And this year, Coke has come out with a special glass bottle.  It's circa 1899.  Super nifty.  

You should go buy a 6 pack too!

 

Sick

Well I'm going on day 3 of being pretty sick.  Part of it doesn't bother me at all.  It forces me to sit on the couch and relax.  Which I don't do nearly enough.  I have another busy week ahead of me.  So it's important that I rest today.  

Anyways, here are some more fun pictures from days past.

Big Wave burger please.  Plain.

Small town Fire Department.

Phantom of the Opera.  A classic.

I can't believe it has been over 10 years.  Holy Crap!

FINALLY, an update!!!

I have been obsessed with this blog, until this past week!  I have been slacking, I realize.  But......an update has finally arrived.

The snow has arrived!  I should have gotten off my butt a few days ago and taken some awesome pictures when it was beautiful outside.  But, I waited.  Here are some nice pictures though.

No more relaxing on the deck!  We're going to have to wait until Spring.

You can see my footprints through the snow to get our mail.  Fun times!

And of course, the Christmas decorations around our home are slowly being put out.  There are still more to come, but here is a taste of some additions to your surroundings!

Great news!

Well I'm sure most of you won't care.  But today was my LAST day starting work at 6:30am.  Boy oh boy that SUCKED!  I did not enjoy that in any way shape or form.  I did it for about 8 weeks.  It was supposed to be 6 weeks, and it was 8.  Now I'm fully aware that many people out there start their work day much earlier than that on a normal basis and do it for years.  I'm just not someone who can do that easily!  From now on, I will be starting work at 8am.  

December is a big month.  Transition time for me.  Agi slowly turning into Camps.  I can't freakin WAIT!!!

But I better make sure I work my butt off.  I've been talking this big game for a few months now.  I'm being given a chance to see what I'm made of.  I better do something with it!

OK, as promised, here are some exciting pictures.

Megan, Goofy, & Goofy

Brian likes the boat

Now SHE is awesome!

I am feeling......

....like posting some more pictures.

And this iMac makes it so easy!!!

Yummy food in Goffstown

My new hood

Somewhere in Malibu

Hawaii.  This state should be in our backyard.

Weekend Weekend Weekend

Well this weekend was....long!  Friday night was Pitt Basketball.  Saturday afternoon was Pitt football.  Saturday night was Penguins Hockey.  Too many sporting events!  But it was nice to get away for a few days.  Megan and I are hard at work trying to get our home in the Christmas mood.  My place is so freakin tiny that it's not taking too long!  Haha.

I don't have much to share right now.  Oh wait, yes I do!  

That add we placed is working!  We've earned a little over $3!  That's awesome!  Keep clicking away!

Here's some cool pics from times past.

Papa on one of his birthdays.

A few Stockard men.

Kobe's true inspiration.

Help us out!

For those of you that read our blog on a normal basis, do us a favor. You will see an ad right above the first post. It is a random ad placed there by Google. If you just click on the ad, Megan and I make money! So do us a favor, and just click on the ad every time you visit our site. You won't have to buy anything.

Thanks!

Bri & Meggy

They're not Cheerleaders

They're dancing........sluts.

Thanksgiving 2007

Well today was a fine fine day.  It started with the Macy's parade on TV while we stayed in our pj's.  We had some coffee, and some blueberry waffles.  Then we headed over to the Peffer's house for the 3 F's: Football, Food, and Family.  It was great!  I wish there were words to describe how much I miss my family.  I would have loved to have been in California to see my family.  But, those days will be here soon.  I will be able to afford to simply fly to California for a few days here and there throughout the year.  But....not yet.  I'll get there.

Big Ron preparing the Big Bird.  Yum!

The big man on campus; Izzy, looking at his Uncle B with curious eyes.  What else is new?!

Chris preparing the gravy as usual.  It's a tradition!

The table is set and ready.  Let's eat!

Then of course it was time to get home, and get on with Christmas!  Here's what we have so far!

Welcome Megan Stockard!

Megan has FINALLY decided to join the blogging world.  She will be posting here as well!  Yay for all!

But for now, we need to get on with our blueberry waffles, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Bri & Meggy

iPod on shuffle

I reccomend to everyone to let their iPod play on shuffle. It's is very interesting what songs the iPod chooses to play for you. I think God is letting me hear what I need to hear sometimes. I'm in the warehouse, working away, and my iPod plays "Sure Shot" by the Supertones. I love the Supertones. They remind me so much of California. I miss Cali. I love where I live, and don't want to move. But I miss waking up in the morning and being able to walk out on the beach.

Anyways, check out these lyrics. It describes what I struggle with on a daily basis.

I wanna do the right thing.
I wanna be the sure shot.
I wanna have my mind straight.
I wanna have my point got.
I wanna be a good man,
I wanna have my act down.
I wanna be the future
and I wanna be right now.

Sometimes I feel like I can change the world.
But I don't know where to start.
I dig and come up empty,
clutching an empty heart.

I wanna see a life change.
I wanna see a new man.
I wanna fight the good fight.
I wanna take the right stand.
I wanna be like Jesus.
I wanna pour my heart out.
I wanna pick my cross up.
I wanna hear the mob shout.

I'm wide awake and thinking about the cross,
the Trinity apart.
I dig and come up empty,
clutching an empty heart.


I want to be so many things. For some reason I think I can do it alone. I'm nuts!

Charlie Brown

We're watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving right now!

Whoo Hoo!!!!

More words

These words....

I sometimes feel like these words make sense for my life on a daily basis. Not just on my 24th birthday.

Jonathan Foreman is coming out with a solo project. Mostly acoustic and folk style music. It's going to be very powerful stuff.

I can't wait!

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries

Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day

Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago
Still I'm singing
'Spirit take me up in arms with You'

And I'm not who I thought I was
twenty four hours ago
Still I'm singing
'Spirit take me up in arms with You'

Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You're raising these

twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true
I'm singing
'Spirit take me up in arms with You'
You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You're raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing
'Spirit take me up in arms with You'
And You're raising the dead in me
Twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts.
I'm not copping out.
Not copping out.
Not copping out.


Wow

These words.....

Most of you know this from the movie A Walk to Remember.  Mandy Moore made it famous.  But not many realize it's a song by the band Switchfoot.  The words of this song are just incredible.  And the melody is amazing.  I think it is a miracle when people put together magnificent words with a magnificent melody.  How did they come up with those combinations of notes and rhythms?  How did they choose those words so perfectly?  I believe it is a gift.  These guys have it.

Megan and I were fortunate to see Switchfoot perform at a club in Baltimore called Rams Head Live.  It was back in March.  Jon Foreman (lead singer) opened the show with the song Only Hope.  Just him and an acoustic guitar.  It was the best rendition of the song ever!  

The following week Switchfoot posted the live performance as a free podcast.  So I now have it on my iPod to enjoy for all time!  And today, I found video footage of the same exact performance.  Here are the lyrics:

There's a song that's inside of my soul

It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again

I'm awake in the infinite cold

But You sing to me over and over and over again

So I lay my head back down

And I lift my hands

and pray to be only Yours

I pray to be only Yours

I know now you're my only hope

Sing to me the song of the stars

Of Your galaxy dancing and laughing

and laughing again

When it feels like my dreams are so far

Sing to me of the plans that You have for me over again

So I lay my head back down

And I lift my hands and pray 

To be only yours

I pray to be only yours

I know now you're my only hope

I give You my destiny

I'm giving You all of me

I want Your symphony

Singing in all that I am

At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back

So I lay my head back down

And I lift my hands and pray

To be only yours

I pray to be only yours

I pray to be only yours

I know now you're my only hope

Now enjoy the video!

Saturday dinner with family

We had the pleasure of hosting a fun night of yummy food and fellowship!  Megan's parents came over, and so did her brother and nephew.  I didn't get the camera out in time to snap some shots of Izzy, but here are some others.

The girls enjoying watching their shows they missed this past week.  New, fast computers are great for watching shows online!

"Are you sure that's the girl he's gonna pick?  I think he should choose the other one.  She's much nicer."  How shows like 'The Bachelor' became popular is beyond me!

Yay I love cleaning up a mess!

I think Megan's dad found a comfortable place to rest while the girls watched their shows online.

Well my little "office" at home is almost set up.  I'm getting names added to my database.  700 so far.  I have about 6000 names on a list.  But they need to be filtered quite a bit before I import them and create a huge mess.  And who knows when I will get to that.  I am determined to take ALL 4 days next weekend to relax.  I need it!  

I am currently uploading our honeymoon videos into iMovie.  I might be able to edit together a little highlight video to post on here sometime soon.  Let's hope!

Goodnight for now!

Weekend Free?!?!

Well it looks like I will have my first free weekend since.....crap since forever!  Yay!  I'm taking full advantage of it.  Well, not really.  Megan and I have a bunch to do.  And we're having her parents over for dinner Saturday night.  So that should be fun.  

I still can't believe that Brad and Kesstan are going to have a baby.  I haven't thought about it in a while, but today I thought about it.  Maybe that's because I keep thinking about Megan and I having children.  We are both so anxious!  I can't wait.  I just REALLY hope and pray that the camp do wonderful next summer.  I have a ton of work to do.  Build a website, build a database, create newsletters, make a zillion phone calls, etc etc.  I wish I could get started NOW!

schedule!

It's hard to believe, but it looks like I will have every night OFF for the rest of the month!  I don't even know when that happened last.  If ever!  I decided to not give any lessons in November.  The money would have been nice, but I thought it would be nice to spend some time with my wife!

Tonight was the Marching Band Banquet.  That is always fun to go to.  Very simple, and fun.  Megan had a good time.  The drumline had one sole senior this year.  Which is strange since last last year we had 14 seniors.  Nick, the senior, gave Megan and I a special gift.  I thought that was very nice and thoughtful.  The percussion gave gifts to everyone, but it was nice for Nick to come up to me afterwards and give me something else.  Very cool.  And besides, it was a gift certificate to Carrabas!  That's our favorite restaurant!  I can see us going there....tomorrow!

This iMac is working out GREAT!  I have spent most of my time getting used to this machine, and getting my files, music, photos, video, etc etc organized.  I've also been getting everything organized for the camps.  Soon I will be going full force with the camps.  

This fall I got myself into a zone.  I was NOT looking forward to working in a warehouse.  From 6:30am - 5pm every day.  So brutal!  And it's the 3rd fall season I have done it.  But I knew that working at the warehouse would provide the means to prepare myself for working from home.  I can't wait!  I need to get myself into another zone.  Once it's time to get the camp work underway, I'm going to make sure I work myself to my full potential.  And I am going to take it day by day.

Yay!

You know what I say....Break a Butt Crack!

up...so late....so so late

Well it just seems that we are destined to stay up late.....every single night.  It's almost 1am, and I don't see us getting into bed any time soon.  Tonight was a big project that we have been trying to get done FOREVER!  But it is just about done.  Megan is working hard on her part of it.  And my job....blogging.  I have become somewhat addicted to blogging.  I'm curious how long it will last.  I think it may last a for a while.  It's so easy to update.  I got into the Myspace thing for a bit.  But that died down.  Too much to handle.  Blogging is easier.

Tomorrow is ACC's.  Marching band championships.  It's a fairly big deal.  Well to some of the people who teach in this area, it's like they're at the Olympics.  But, it's a nice little championships a few bands in this part of the country.  I don't think Mechanicsburg will ever try and become a nationally competitive marching band.  Like in BOA or something.  But Weaver and I are going to take the drumline to the national level.  I won't be satisfied unless we are competing at the world level in WGI every year.  Right now, we are a big fish in a VERY small pond.  Now don't get me wrong, the band is good.  The drumline is good.  We might even be competitive nationally if we went to Dayton now.  But I want this group to become known across the country.  Like Mission, Dartmouth, Centergrove, etc etc.  Weaver is the guy to work with too.  He has it figured out.  Not only is he a great writer and arranger, he's a great teacher.  His goals and objectives are the same as mine.  I see myself learning from him every day.  I really enjoy it.  I feel like I have so much to offer, and so much to learn.  It's a perfect balance.

But this weekend should be fun.  I don't put too much pressure on myself because ACC's is not a very big deal to me.  I know that sounds awful, but it really just isn't.  Once we are competing against the BEST groups in the ENTIRE country, it will feel like a big deal to me.  ACC's means something to me for the kids.  They work so hard over the fall season, and it's nice to have a championship show to bring it all together.  

Well here is a cool blast from the past.  Good stuff!!

iMac

Well I FINALLY got the new iMac. I have been playing with Leopard for most of the evening.  I have to be at work VERY early tomorrow morning.  I have to go buy Donuts for everyone too.  So that means I should leave my house around 6:15am.   Yuck!  I don't mind doing that every now and then.  But every day sucks!

Megan has been busy baking cupcakes all evening.  I think I might just go to sleep, even though I'm anxious to show her some neat things on this computer.

Till tomorrow....

My Dad

My dad, who is going to be 74 years old in January, got baptized last week. He has been inspiring to me my whole life. Especially when it comes to work ethic. You won't meet a guy more dedicated to providing for his family. The guy just works and works. I really love my dad, and it was so cool to see these pictures. Words can't describe how bad I wish I was there to witness this. Moments like this give me that much more motivation to make loads of money. I wanted to fly out for this. But I couldn't afford it. One day I will be able to afford trips for special moments like these. I want to be at Madisons High School Graduation. Which will be in about 6 years!

Enjoy the pictures of my Dad's baptism.

November!

Well I have been whining for long enough about October. All I wanted and needed was for October to be OVER! Well it's over. Now I just need to get through the month of November. I have many more landmarks along the way to help me get through it. I'm excited.

Now if I can just get that freakin iMac!!!!!!

At home

I do not have anything specific to discuss tonight. I just felt like blogging.

We're watching Dancing with the Stars right now. It's amazing I'm devoting my spare time to watching a show like this. But, it's ok.

I think I'm going to go to Apple.com and wonder around. I'm going nuts about the iMac. It NEEDS to be purchased as soon as possible. Pray for me!

Adios!

B

Megan's Parents

Well my boss decided to buy a new computer for someone in the office. The old computer was brand new in 2002. It has had numerous upgrades and clean ups, etc etc. It's a PC with a Windows XP OS. My boss told me that once everything was transfered over, they were simply going to throw the old computer in the dumpster. My first reaction was to offer to throw it away myself. I would take pleasure in tossing an old crappy PC in the trash.

But then I realized that Megan's parents don't own a computer. They have actually never even used one. Her mom has only ever typed on a typewriter. And her dad, has NEVER typed.

Even tough it pains me to no end, I think the right thing to do is give the computer to her parents. The only thing they will ever do, is look up simple websites on the internet, and use AOL mail. The computer is in good enough shape to handle all of that.

I just had it in my mind that we would show up one day with an iMac just for them. I can't imagine ever getting anything other then a Mac. They just.....make sense.

That's it for now.

Oh by the way, Megan and I were at Giant that other day (the local fancy smancy grocery store) and I saw a very cool car in the parking lot. It was an old Mercedes station wagon. Diesel engine. But the great thing is that it had a Biodiesel sticker on the back. I walked up and noticed that it had an extra tank in the back! This thing runs on Vegetable Oil! So awesome. I watched a special on this once. It was an episode I downloaded from iTunes of a station called Greentv. This guy can go to Mcdonalds and pick up all of their used Vegetable Oil. Then he can use it to fuel his engine. It doesn't get much better then that.

Oh and by the way, it had California plates!!!

ok well I'm rambling

Adios!!!

3 Days

Well in 3 days, October will be over. I have been counting down the days since August! You see, October is the busiest month of the entire year where I work. It's just brutal. And as some of you might know now, I am going to be working from home building my own business starting sometime in December. Don't get me wrong, November is going to be busy. But it looks like the worst is over. So that makes me smile.

I have set up landmarks for me. The first major landmark, was to get the warehouse set up. That is an awful ordeal. It happened in August, and it went ok. The next landmark, was to get through September. September is busy, but we don't have the full crew there, and my hours were from 8am-4pm.

The next landmark, was October. This month was brutal because the full crew comes in. It's 9 people that I'm the boss of. Sounds exciting, but it isn't! And, my hours change to 6:30am - 4 or 5pm. I just want to get to the end of October. Well when I leave work on Wednesday, the end of October will have arrived.

November will still consist of the full crew and getting to work at 6:30am. The next landmark is ACC's. That happens on November 10th. ACC's is championships for the drumline I teach. It's a big event and a long weekend. Lots of fun.

After that, it's Thanksgiving. Then, it's just another week until November is over. Once December hits, it's smooth sailing.

I just can't get over how excited I am to be building my business. It's what I was meant to do. And I am finally going to get the chance to do it. I better work my butt off!!!!

Well here are a couple old pictures. Fun stuff from my past. My past is full of.......well.....many amazing wonderful memories and many wonderful amazing lessons. I have no complaints!