I'm Moving

Hey there everybody, I am moving my blog to a new site, sorry for the major inconvenience...one nice thing about the new one though is that if you follow me I can automatically send you an e-mail when I post a new blog...pretty sweet huh??  Yea, I thought so too.  Any-who, I'd really appreciate it if you continued following me at the new site, it is natjacobson.wordpress.com Thanks to my followers, I'll see you on the other side.

Thanks blogspot for the time you spent with me, just remember, it's not you...it's me.

The Woman I Get to Marry

So today, I wrote up a lil something that's going on the wedding site for Bec and I, aaaaaand since I've been ignoring all of you for so long, I wanted to share it with you first.
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This is the story of how Becca and I fell in love.  I was sitting in my dorm room, playing xbox with my brother, when I saw I had a new message on Myspace from a Rebecca Mitton.  “Rebecca Mitton, Rebecca Mitton, where do I know that name from??  Oh yea!  Becca!”  Becca was a girl I had known a few years before, so we started talking over Myspace, and then Facebook.  Me and my friends were going to Minneapolis for a Minnesota Wild hockey game and I figured it would be really nice to meet up and catch up with Becca while we were down there.  So we met up at the Buffalo Wild Wings in the Har Mar Mall, and had a very nice, energetic meal with my friends and Becca…she remembers that meal very differently, however, I’ll let her tell that story since I don’t believe it.

Luckily, she continued to speak to me and when I went back to the cities I invited her to the Twins game with me for our very first date.  Again, she says I tricked her into going, but that’s crazy talk.  And from there, or sometime after that, our dating relationship had begun.  We continued our relationship and, regardless of the 427 miles that stood between us, were able to see each other quite often.  Nearly every night, I would go to my room and talk to her on the phone from about 11:00 to 12:30 or 2:00.  Because of all those stupid miles, I got to know Becca very well.  I got to hear her many stories from growing up, like when her brother about passed out because he thought his Dad got shot, and the time they went to Dairy Queen because nobody was going to sleep at Trout Lake Camp.  These stories I heard a lot…she’s a repeater.

Rebecca is the most caring, joyful woman I have ever met.  Every single time I’m in the same room as her, there is an excitement that simply exudes from her.  Becca always has a smile on her face, and yes, it’s one that makes you melt.  She is the most passionate person I have ever met, everything she does is all out.  She LOVES to laugh and LOVES to play, which bodes well for her as a Junior High youth pastor.  I tell her very often that she is in the perfect job because of the way she is able to relate to Jr. Hi. Kids, because she is a Jr. Hi. Kid.

One day, I found tickets to the Minnesota Wild/Colorado Avalanche game, so we went.  Then we went to the 5/8 Club, a restaurant we LOVE (Juicy Lucy’s!!!).  Then I “got lost” on the way back and ran into the sculpture gardens (yea with the spoon).  We got out, walked around and talked about the day I fell in love. 

I had this whole speech figured out, and became so stinkin nervous that I forgot everything…so we walked around some more while I tried to remember.  I still couldn’t remember, so we walked around some more, and more, and more, and more, and more.  It was getting super cold so we started heading back to the car.  I said, “Oh, wait, I forgot something,” Rebecca turned around and I was on my knee with a ring.  My heart was just going insane, and I spurted out something like I’ve loved you since the last time we were here and I want love you for the rest of my life…will you marry me?  She said yes by the way.  And now, we’re nearing the day that we will be joined for the rest of our lives.  As cliché as it sounds, I couldn’t be happier that I’ve found and am able to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

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Sorry I've been ignoring you for over a month...I've been busy, forgot to write, or didn't really have much to say....I dunno, but I'll do better, I promise.

--Nate

You Can Change the World

Yesterday at Target Field was expected to be a pretty slow day for a few reasons:
1) It was raining, nobody really likes watching baseball in the rain
2) The Vikings...it was their home opener a few blocks away at the Metrodome
Most of all...3) The Twins were 9 games away from losing 100 games for the year, on well on track to accomplish that feat.  These aren't exactly the ingredients for good baseball.

Amidst all of this, I saw something on that field that created a warmth in me all day long.  As I sat down in the concourse to begin reading my book (I've started doing this since I get super bored before the game starts) I glanced out to the field.  The rain was coming down pretty good, the field was covered by the tarp, and was completely empty...except for right field.  Out in right was a miniature baseball diamond made up of towels that contained a bucket of baseballs, a bat, two small boys, and one adult.

I couldn't quite make out who the player was, so I ventured out closer to right field.  I was expecting it to be one of the recent call-ups taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play baseball with his kids on a major league field since, as I said, it was raining.  But I was wrong, as I got closer I saw it was none other than Joe Nathan, the much loved closer for the Twins.

This man has no doubt that he'll be able to play ball on the field with his kids next week, his position on the team isn't one that's fluid, his is one of the only secure positions in the bullpen.  So why would he go out on a day like today when he can do it again next week? Because his kids love baseball, he is their father, and from what I've seen today, a darn good one.  They were playing for at least 45 minutes, him throwing pitches to one boy and chasing him around the towels, I mean bases.  Then picking up the ball to throw it to the next boy, he'd chase him down to get him in a pickle between 3rd and home, which ended with somebody being tackled at home plate.

All of this reminded me that baseball is a game, one that often creates a bond between a father and son.  To Joe Nathan, baseball is his job.  But today, I could tell that it wasn't "Go to Work With Daddy Day."  He was investing time with his two little boys, playing a game that they loved.

Although I am still very young, as I get older, I realize more and more how many men are not there for their kids and and seeing how much this breaks my heart.  I'm not just talking about deadbeat dad's who have kids and run, failing to pay child support, I'm also talking about dad's who live with their kids, but aren't really "around."  They go to work in the morning, come home, read the newspaper, watch tv, make sure chores are done, and then go to bed, waking up in the morning to do it all over again.  They are crippling their kids, not providing them with the love and care they so severely need.

I was and continue to be one of the lucky kids, I have a fantastic father.  Of all the memories I have from my childhood, there is one that continues to stick out like a sore thumb.  Because it happened over and over again.  My dad is a farmer, during the summer, he would work very very long days, getting up by 6 to go out in the field and often not getting home until after 8.  My brother and I, we played a lot of sports growing up, in particular, we had a basketball hoop outside that got absolutely abused from the hours we played.  Every single time Dad came home and we were outside playing basketball, he would set his gallon jug of water on the roof of the car, come over, and play basketball with us.  We'd play horse, 21, cut-throat, 2 on 1, always for at least 15 minutes, and sometimes until we needed to pull a car up to shine the headlights on the "court."  Dad did all of this with my brother and I before even stepping a foot inside the house.  Wow.  I'm sure the last few hours of work he really wasn't looking forward to getting home and playing a game of pick up basketball.  My first item on my list would be to shower, then get some good hot food, then probably watch some tv, and after that, if I had some energy left over to spare, maybe then I'd go outside and shoot some hoops.  Not Dad, me and my brother were number 1.  When he was tired and worn out, he found energy to play.  Once again, Wow.

If you are a guy, I'd like to challenge you.  If you aren't a guy, find one nearby and pass this on to them, I'd like to challenge them.  Look around you, I guarantee you can find a young man that is desperately seeking a positive male figure in his life, because sadly, more often than not, the one that should be there isn't.  Show that young man that he matters, and that he is cared for.  Show him that some men can be trusted, and that not all men will leave.  You don't need to be perfect, and you don't need to know all the answers, all you need to do is think that he matters, care for him, be real with him, and be there for him.  You can change the world for one person.

Somebody has things backwards

First of all, read this article.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6943058/nfl-stadiums-directed-show-real-time-fantasy-football-statistics-stadiums

Next, I'll follow by saying that I do participate in and love fantasy football.  This year, I'm limiting myself to one team so that Sunday isn't COMPLETELY wasted on fantasy football.

The question I pose is:  Where have we gone wrong??

This is getting pretty ridiculous.  Granted, when attending the local Vikings game this year (which I won't do cuz me gots no $$$) I would appreciate stats from other games.  Sure, that'd be convenient to be updated like that.  The thing that irks me so much about this article is the last couple paragraphs...I'll quote


While many fans do follow their fantasy teams on their phone or handheld device, the league -- aware that fans can choose their living room, high-definition television and the Internet over paying for tickets, parking, food and drinks at the stadium -- wants fans to feel connected to the fantasy football experience in the stands.

"We know we have to continue to do more to keep fans coming to our games.," McCarthy said, according to the report. "We're looking at ways to further replicate the at-home experience in the stadium."

Hmmmm...do I choose to stay home from the game because then I can follow fantasy football?  Ummm, no.  I stay home because a football game becomes a $150 afternoon after ticket, parking, food, and drink. Meh...the view from my couch is ok.

**Begin sarcastic rant**

WAIT!!  They're trying to replicate the at-home experience in the stadium???  Ohhhhh man!!!  In that case, it's totally worth it to spend all that money at get the same experience I already have at home on my couch!!

**End sarcastic rant**

When has watching a sporting event on tv been better than seeing it live?  When has watching a concert on tv been better than seeing it live?  When has __________ EVER been better than seeing it live?

If you have an opportunity to go to an NFL football game, and turn it down so that you can follow your fantasy sports, you are clearly an idiot and I will come over and slap you upside your head.

I think the NFL is confused about why people are staying away from their games...before the economy hit the crapper, every NFL team was selling out every game.  It couldn't be that people aren't going because they can't afford the tickets could it??  

So now I'll pose this question to you...is there anything you'd prefer to watch from your couch over watching it live?? Leave your answers in the comment box down below...I'll go first.

My Little Houdini/Lebron/Babygirl -- Pt. 2

So the following story didn't come to you as soon as I planned, but hey, it's here.

Once again, I was not there to witness the actual events of this occurrence, but it has been relayed to my by a very trustworthy and reputable source, Rebecca.

A couple blocks from my house, we have an outdoor ice rink which doubles as an unleashed dog park during the summer months, a wonderful place to bring a dog who LOVES to run. Becca brought Mae there one day while I was, again, at work. It was a little busier there than usual, a lot of people had their dogs with them on this nice summer day. The dog park, however, remained empty and would soon belong to Mae.

As she was running around the dog park, there was another dog being walked on the pathway on the other side of the fence. Normally, this is no big deal, but this path was just high enough so that Mae could see on the other side.

Mae likes to say hello to other dogs.

Remember, Mae is a boxer, a fairly intimidating-looking dog to most people.

Mae, who in the past has had absolutely no issue jumping over baby gates on the 3rd step from the basement, decided that she wanted to say hello to this little chihuahua. She proceeded to take a few steps back, run, and clear the 4 ft. high fence in a single bound. (She's a little more like Superman than Lebron I think, but last time I went with Lebron so I kinda have to stick with Lebron)

As Rebecca (who doesn't fly like Superman) is running to the door to get out of the dog park, Mae runs toward this little dog who has been swept up by its owner...who has dropped her cell phone and everything else she had in her hands. I'm pretty happy I wasn't there, because the frantic look I have put on this freaked out owner who thinks her dog is becoming my dog's chew toy is probably a much funnier look than the actual pissed-off cranky look she had on her face at the time.

End of the story short, Becca pulled Mae off the owner, got her on her leash, and took her home. When I got there she told me the story, appalled at what Mae had done. My only response was a good, hard laugh and a "well, you shouldn't buy a dog that looks like a chew toy."

Becca doesn't take her to the dog park without me anymore.

Until next time,

Don't buy a dog that looks like a chew toy, or my dog will treat it as such.

My Little Houdini/Lebron/Babygirl

I have a dog.

Her name is Mae.

She is a boxer.

We adopted her about 6 months ago, and now she is 2 years old.

I will share two of my favorite stories that really sum up the whole of my experience with her in my life.

When I go to work, Mae goes to her kennel, which she doesn't mind if I'm around, but when I'm gone, she gets kinda antsy in there. While I was at work one day, Becca was going to my house to let Mae outside and feed her and play with her and such, because we are good parents.

I hate it when people do that, talk about themselves as parents with a dog. It's gross, so we are good dog owners? Yea that's how I'll say it. We are good dog owners.

Walking up to my house, she saw Mae in the large window that looks into the kitchen. She was not, however, JUST sitting in the window, but sitting on top of my bar height table which sits right in front of the window. Just chilling, waiting for me to come home. In the few hours I had been at work she had accomplished to:

1) Break out of her kennel. She is a regular Houdini and now has padlocks located at the corners and the door of the kennel.

2) Somehow gotten out of the laundry room where her kennel was, the door to which I had shut...and was still shut. I repeat, Houdini.

3) Pooped and peed in the living room. This was kind of expected, but still, worth noting.

4) Jumped up to retrieve her bag of treats (located on a shelf above the washer, a good 6 ft. in the air) As well as Houdini, she jumps like Lebron.

5) Ate her entire bag of treats. Later, I read the bag and it recommended NO MORE than 1-2 treats per day. Whoops.

6) Chewed up a roll of paper towels.

This one's my favorite.

7) Got a can of Dr. Pepper off the counter, popped a hole in it, a proceeded to drink 3/4 of the can. She certainly has good taste in soda!

and last, as you already know,

8) Patiently waited my arrival home while sitting atop my table, again, bar height table. Lebron ain't got nothin on her.

I'll leave the other story for tomorrow I think.

Until Next Time,

Nate

Whoops

I should tell you guys this. If you're on vacation without your fiancé, don't blog about a dream where you almost die. She may read it and begin to worry that you're about to die, then yell at you about it later. Ok, so she didn't yell at me, but made it clear that it wasn't a very nice thing of me to do :)

Dreams

Wow, another one already?? I’m proud of myself, I certainly won’t keep up like this, that I can promise you.

I know I already stated that I had no agenda or plan of curriculum for this blog. But if I did, I would certainly not start it off on the note on which I am about to. I hate the nutty religious types who speak of nothing but their faith and ignore the world around them, but I will begin on my faith. I apologize in advance, but this dream I had last night was so incredibly vivid and spoke into my heart so much that I cannot help but to share it.

It started with a storm, not over my head, but over Antarctica. I was sitting over coffee with three others, talking about the impact this storm would have. I had heard one time that the ice of Antarctica kept the Earth on axis, and we were wondering if something insane happened down there, what implications would it bring up here? (I know you science people, this doesn’t make sense, but in my dream this was a well-known fact so bare with me).

This next part is when it became incredibly real to me. It all of a sudden felt as if the atmosphere had disappeared, I quickly felt the oxygen content in the air become lighter and lighter, feeling myself beginning to suffocate, until I knew that there was no more breathable air for me, I would certainly die soon. Then this is where it got kinda strange. Yup. It’s not strange yet.

I had absolutely no fear. There was not a worried bone in my body. I remember the thought repeating itself over and over was this, “I’ll get to see you soon.” This did the opposite of worry me, it excited me. For the first time, I was going to meet my God face to face and my heart and muscles couldn’t be depleted of oxygen fast enough so I could get there soon enough. I didn’t think of the things I’d done, the awesome people I’d met, the wicked awesome tv I have, or the accomplishments I’d made…only that I was finally going to see my God. I didn’t think of all the fun exciting things I was going to miss, only that I was finally going to see my God.

All of a sudden, the atmosphere and oxygen was restored, with a few gasps and big breaths, I was not dying, but alive. I don’t remember what happened next, but a few minutes later I woke up.

Then I thought about everything I had dreamt, and was so jacked up to meet God and realized something.

I have no fear of death, I know exactly where I’m going, and that is to see my God face to face, and I cannot wait! While I love the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve been able to do, this world is a very broken place filled with injustice and hate, and I will not miss this broken world one bit. Then something else dawned on me.

Will the broken, hateful world miss me when I’m gone? Everybody is searching for love, a love that I have found. And do I exude this love to the world around me? What joy do I bring to others? What have I done to help bring this love to this broken world that so dearly needs it?

People are drawn to those who exude peace, joy, happiness, and yes, love. Do I do that? Are people drawn to me? What healing have I brought with the precious love that I have found?

Whoah. There’s the 2x4 that knocks me around to where I can honestly answer, not enough, not nearly enough.

But, as in my dream, I am still alive in this broken world. I can still change that “not enough” to “something.” I can choose to exude peace, and joy, and happiness, and love.

Holy crap, my heart is heavy. Sorry, but I did warn you…I said honest and unfiltered, and that, my friends, was brutally honest.

Until next time,

Go love someone.

Why?

Why in the world would I start a blog? I've been toying with the idea for quite some time now, but have always told myself that there are hundreds of thousands of blogs out there. Are my thoughts and insights any more precious or insightful than the rest? By all means nope, they probably aren't even close.

So why now? What changes my mind now?

Oo, let me tell you why. (Is that how this kinda works? I'm clueless)

A couple weeks ago I spent a couple nights by myself, alone in a little tiny shack with no tv, no internet, no electricity, no noise, nothing but me, my bible, and my journal...and a clean pair of undies of course. I'm a very introverted person, and because of this...I don't make my thoughts, feelings, and all that other gushy girly stuff known to many others at all. All that stuff gets shoved down, and rarely gets let out. Anywho...these two nights I wrote a TON in my journal, it felt good the get my thoughts out on paper, and I believe, that it is healthy for me. So that is why, not because I think I will become a national phenomena with my writing, but because it is good for me. And if there's a few of you who will take interest in what goes on in my head, if I can benefit you in any way...it's available.

Next, let me tell you why my nuggets of nonsense may interest you.

There will be no set curriculum of what I will be blogging about, just what is going on inside of me. The best way for you to get an idea of what the topics may be, I'll tell you who I am and a little tiny bit about me.

I'm Nate. I'm a straight shooter. I'm honest (most of the time). I rarely filter my thoughts. I'm 26. I'm a seminarian (yea...a religious guy). I'm not a religious guy (confusing, but someday I'll flesh that out). I'm engaged to a woman who is a much better person than I, and much better looking too I will say. I have a dog who is nuts. I have a passion for equipping college students to impact the world around them. I love the Twins. I'm a farm kid who got imported to the city. I don't know what else to say.

This blog is a journey I'm excited to start, a tangible way for me to look back and see where I've been and what I've been brought through. I do invite you to come along on this journey with me. Argue with me, I enjoy a good argument...correction: discuss with me, I enjoy a good discussion. Give me tips, like I said, I'm clueless in this whole thing. If I'm being an idiot...tell me I'm being an idiot. I can take it.

Thanks for your interest, or if there is no interest, thanks for your time spent with me.

Until next time.

Nate