Finally found my Haven

Its been too long since I have updated my blog. 2018 is almost over and I can't believe it. I know every year we say "This year has gone by so fast" but it really has. There's been a lot of changes recently at my office. People leaving and moving on. Luckily I am still employed but I am also thinking about moving on myself. I feel like my earning potential is greater than what I am currently receiving now. I have finally moved out from my parents to get my own place. I had been saving for a house but I got impatient and just decided to get an apartment. I needed the independence. I'm closer to my office now and I'm close enough to my parents that I can visit and check on them whenever I need to.

My guitar lessons have been going fantastic. I busted my first string on my electric but I'm told that is a common occurrence. I got that replaced and I'm back to practicing. I can actually strum along to different songs now which is awesome. I'm also learning to sing while playing which is another trial altogether. You basically have to have the playing down to muscle memory and just think about the next verse. Or have the verse down to memory and just think about playing. So that's something I am currently working on a few songs. I want to eventually write some original songs myself but that is much further down the road. Regardless, I am overjoyed with the progress that I have made in playing in just 2 short years.

I'm also trying to re-dedicate myself to a healthier lifestyle. I have been seeing a chiropractor for lower back pain. Its been improving but I also realize that I need to lose weight and treat my body better. I am going to cut out sugar and lower the amount of carbs I take in. Also going to give up alcohol which will not be easy. I will probably just end up scaling that way back to 1 drink a week. But I will try to give it up all together. I'm not waiting to make a New Years Resolution because that just BS. I need to start now. I'm getting older and my metabolism is slowing down. And sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day isn't helping me either.

I also plan to get more involved at my church. I live across the street now from my church so I am very close. I want to find some different ministries to assist in and grow closer to God. My spiritual journey hasn't always been a smooth one but I do believe that God has a plan for me. I just need to figure out what exactly that is and trust his guidance.

Wishing everyone out there a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.

Gun Control in America

I've been weighing whether or not to write a post on this particular topic for quite some time. Immediately after the Parkland shooting I felt tempers were too hot on both sides so I waited. This won't be long but just wanted voice my personal opinion with all the others.

First off, I am not a gun person. As weird as that sounds being a white male living in Texas, I am not. I have several friends who are though and I did go to a shooting range once for a friend's bachelor party. I can remember firing a higher caliber handgun and shaking afterwards. I remember thinking to myself, "How the hell is this fun? My nerves are shot!" I think I fired 1 more clip and that was enough for me. Now, with that being said, I think as Americans, we have a right to bear arms. I mean, that pesky 2nd amendment states it right there. So I don't take any issue with my friends who go to the range and shoot. If that's what they want to spend their money on, more power to them.

The particular tricky bit about the 2nd amendment however is the part about the "well regulated militia".  WTF does that mean? In 2018, the only type of "well regulated militias" that I know of are the armed forces. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard.

I guess all that I'm trying to say is that it's a tricky issue.  I understand that you should be able to protect your family with a gun. But is the family unit similar to a militia? Hmm...