Facet 12- Schlafly Beer

Schlafly beer, quite frankly, is my all-time fave beer. They have a bunch of seasonal brews, and more than a handful that are available year-round. It's completely in St. Louis (another reason to love it!). My favorite seasonals are the Maibock and the Oktoberfest. But really, almost any of them will do.

When I was on vicarage, I had visitors from St. Louis bring me up a six pack of Pale Ale. That way, I could be in Joliet and still have the taste of home.

Facet 11- Watching the Prairie Dogs

This may strike some of you readers as either sappy or childish, or perhaps both. So be it. One of the great things about the city of St. Louis is the Zoo. Amazingly enough, it is a world-class zoo which happens to be free to get into.

When I'm there, my fave animal exhibit is undoubtedly the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog. I know their reputation as varmints. But they're just so CUTE. Say what you will about me, but I can sit there and watch them all day. I generally have to be pried away from them. They're just so fun to look at. I love watching them pop in and out of their holes. I often wonder what they are thinking. Childish? Maybe. Child-like? Certainly.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=images&imgsz=all&vf=all&va=prairie+dogs&ei=UTF-8&fr=slv8-&b=1

Facet 10- Seeing Brett Hull's Number in the Rafters

This is a fairly recent addition to the list.

For a while here in STL, Brett Hull was a kind of controversial figure. There's all sorts of reasons and blame to go around as to why he didn't finish his career wearing a Bluenote. And, in the scheme of things, they're really not important right now. What does matter, is that his number was retired by the St. Louis Blues, and hangs in the rafters of the Scottrade Center.

This makes me feel good to know that sometimes, institutions and corporate entities actually do the right thing, and people their due. It's a great morale booster for fans and the city as a whole. I'm one of those people who contends that even though sports aren't everybody's cup of green tea, they do great things for a city in terms of attitude, morale, and revenue. Plus, it gives people a cause to unite around. Even if that cause is a temporary diversion or a kid's game.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16064827/

Facet 9- Long Stretch of Lonesome

I originally bought this album back when it first came out. In my book, Patty Loveless can do no wrong (musically, anyway). I really liked the single "You Don't Seem To Miss Me." Come on! It's Patty Loveless and George Jones! How can you lose? Anyway, it started out as one of those albums you buy just for that one song. But I gave the whole thing a spin. It's absolutely fantastic! It was especially helpful during my year off. Every song on there describes how I felt at some point in my life when I was going through my divorce. If you're looking for an emotional album, this one is it. It starts and ends positively, with a whole lot of different emotions in the middle. This one definitely belongs in your collection. Really, dear reader, it is that good. It certainly enhances life.

Facet 8- The Cover Art of "Rock 'n' Roll Over"

This is an iteresting one. It's certainly not the best cover art for a KISS album. Nor is it the best KISS album. In fact, as KISS albums go, it's not even my favorite. But it is probably my fave cover art. If those above statements made sense, you're more awake than I am, dear reader.

This album will always have a special place in my heart. See, it's first KISS album I bought. And I just think the cover art is really cool.

Facet 7- Camo

This is one where I can pinpoint how it started. A few years ago, I had to take a year of from the seminary because of my divorce. One day of that year, I bought a camo fleece jacket from Wal-Mart on clearance. I decided I really liked it. In fact,it's the one I'm wearing in the picture with my niece. Ever since then, I've really taken a shine to wearing Camo, and putting it into the regular wardrobe rotation. And the strange things, I don't hunt. I just like the way it looks.

Facet 6- Buffalo Wings

This is another tasty treat that I can't seem to remember when I started really digging. But for quite some time now, my quest has been for the perfect wing. Maybe that's a futile effort this side of heaven, but the pursuit is still fun. My fellow wing enthusiasts and I will debate ad nauseum who has the best wings and nearly every other aspect of this culinary creation.

A lady I know (pretty much a 2nd mom) to me recently went to visit her son (and my friend) in Buffalo, NY. She was kind enough to bring me back a bottle of sauce from The Anchor Bar. I haven't yet cracked it open. I'm saving that for a special occasion. Until then, the tried-and-true mixture of Frank's and butter will carry me through. Tell me your day isn't brightened after eating a bunch of Buffalo wings.

Facet 5- VeggieTales With My Niece

VeggieTales is the cutest thing to come out in quite some time. I actually enjoy sitting there and watching it. My niece Emily really loves it too. It's a good time when I watch it with her.

One of the things I like most about VeggieTales is that it tells the Bible stories in a unique way. The lack of Biblical literacy these days is surprising, disappointing, and nearly shameful. This way, even if all the details aren't correct (as there is a severe lack of pie fights in the Old Testament), the child can make the connection when they encounter the story later. This, of course, assumes that parents, teachers, and pastors are doing their job and starting catechesis at Baptism, rather than later.

Anyway, this is an enjoyable thing for me.

Housekeeping Note

1 thing I should mention. The links that you find on each post are where I got the image from. This is to give credit where credit is due.

Just FYI.

Thanks,

--Chris

Facet 4- Chinese Food and Hoops

I'm not sure when or how I discovered this particular combination, but i know it rocks! I think maybe it was while I was on vicarage when I ordered some Chinese takeout and flipped through the channels until I found a basketball game. Or maybe it was before that. Like I said, I don't remember.

I love making my own Chinese food, but sometimes, I'm content to let the fine folks at the restaurant do it for me. Pot stickers, hot braised chicken, some noodles, and an ice cold beer. Couple that with hoops action, and you have a good time. If you haven't tried this one, you are missing out, my friend. Give it a spin!

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/ncaatournament/story/8C5B44B96E5B88F2862572A00013FCB1?OpenDocument

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv8-&p=Chinese%20food

Facet 3- Happy Apples

Happy Apples are truly a treat! They've been a part of my life since I was a kid. They're a really delicious candy apple that is available in the fall in the St. Louis area. Similar products go by different names in other parts of the country.

Part of their appeal for me, besides the delicious taste and happy memories, is their logo. It's a smiling candy apple! How can you not love it? Getting into the fall and having a Happy Apple always makes my day. And no, I am not getting any money for this endorsement.

http://www.happyapples.com/

Facet 2- Christmas Music

I know this can be a pretty divisive issue. Some people love, some hate it, and some get tired of it really, really quickly. I happen to love Christmas music. I really does help to put me in the Holiday Spirit.

The Holiday season is probably my favorite time of the year. I count the Holidays as the day before Thanksgiving to the day the NCAA football championship game is played. I absolutely love it. And Christmas music, those standard sounds of the season really enhance it.

My list of Christmas music is pretty diverse. I like everything from Elvis "Blue Christmas" to RunDMC's "Christmas in Hollis।" I don't expect everyone to share my enthusiasm for Christmas music.

http://hometown.aol.com/rockinkiss/kisschristmas.html

Facet 1-Megaman 2

1. Megaman 2

One of my hobbies is playing video games on the old 8-bit NES. You remember the one with the square controller that hurt of you held it for too long? I have one of the top-loader models. Anyway, Megaman 2 is my favorite game for that classic system.

Oddly, I have never beaten it. I cannot get past that huge dragon. I know what happens at the end, though. I had it years ago, before I re-discovered the passion for the system. Anyway, I had a friend over one day, and I watched him beat the game. Normally, just sitting there watching somebody else play video games is really boring. Especially these days, where the game includes standing around waiting for another group of players to show up. But I was enthralled watching him beat this game that still eludes me. Anyway, I still love playing it, and even if I never beat it, that'll be OK

http://www.gamespot.com/nes/action/megaman2/index.html

Introduction

Welcome to my new blog. This started out originally as an idea for a vanity project. However, I think it may be beneficial to somebody, even if it's just me.

Basically, I've compiled a list of things which make life worth living, or at least enhance life for me. Some of them are simple things. Some of them may not be your cup of tea. Some of them are very personal. But they always bring a smile to my face. These are just my opinions.

I got the idea for this from the 1978 film, "Manhattan." In it, there's a scene toward the very end where Woody Allen's character is speaking into a microphone and tape recorder about this very topic. So, I decided to give it a shot. I will publish one thing on the list, and give you a bit of background on it, and why it makes my life that much better.

Thank you for taking the time to read the small contribution to making your day and mine just a bit brighter.

--Chris