Walkin' in Memphis

Has anyone that voted for the Grammy's actually listened to the music of Amy Winehouse? She is absolutely terrible. I couldn't believe she got a record deal, must less any kind of award.

Senseless violence has killed thirty seven in Pakistan and five at the University of Illinois in the past day or two. I can't help but be shocked every time I hear of a school shooting or suicide bomb; it just blows me away that things like that seem necessary. Satan is alive and well in our world today folks.

I just read the latest book by John Grisham (my hero career-wise), The Appeal. It was a good read; I'd highly recommend it.

The list of most annoying things in the world is coming together. Here's what is on it so far, in no particular order: Heely's, Bluetooth ear pieces, Styrofoam, Motion-Activated Holiday Decorations, & Rosie O'Donnell. Let me know if you can think of anything else.

I wrote a 2,000 word essay for Dr. Randle about C.S. Lewis and I thought it was going to kill me. Good news: It didn't.

Valentine's Day is a good excuse for girls to dress up and guys to spend money. But it sure is fun for those that have significant others.

I overheard a guy at Blockbuster today say that he spends $3,000-$4,000 in there each year. Either he is the biggest loser to ever walk or he is a pathological liar. It cost me about $10 to rent two movies--if I did this every day for an entire year, it would total up to $3650. So, liar or loser?

My family and I have some big decisions ahead. I can feel it. I am seeking God with all my heart and giving up all that I've held onto in order to see clearly what He has for me/us. Hold me accountable please.

Speak your mind. Don't be afraid of what others think. Stand up for yourself. Don't worry about things you can't control. And as always, don't forget that hollering is an attitude, not a voice level!

--Matt

Lessons from a Blender

So I was watching TV today and saw an ad for a blender. It was awesome (for a blender). But anyway, their major selling points were the low price and a one hundred year warranty! Why in the world would you need a warranty like that for a blender? I mean, come on, most of us won't even live a hundred years. Think about it, you'll be dead before the warranty on your blender expires. On second thought, wouldn't it be great to never worry about being able to make real fruit smoothies for the rest of your life?? Here's the link. Oh, wait, the warranty's just on the motor, aww shucks! That means that everything on it may fall apart, but the motor is still under a limited warranty. Oh yeah, and I'm sure this very reputable company [sarcasm] that will be around long enough to fulfill that promise.

It actually made me think about life and death. I know, I know it's cheesy, but I got to thinking about 100 years from now. I'm going to be dead. Everything I've worked for will be gone, nothing I've done will matter. So what that tells me is that I should be focusing on things that matter, like my relationship with Christ and the people I love, instead of the trivial stuff that fills most of my days. Insight from an infomercial. It doesn't get any better than this.

BCS Bowls

Ladies and gentlemen, the BCS bowls:

National Championship Game
January 7, 2008
Ohio State vs. LSU

Orange Bowl
January 3, 2008
Kansas vs. Virginia Tech

Fiesta Bowl
January 2, 2008
Oklahoma vs. West Virginia

Sugar Bowl
January 1, 2008
Hawaii vs. Georgia

Rose Bowl
January 1, 2008
USC vs. Illinois


Let me start this out by saying that LSU should have been undefeated. They are by far the most talented team in the country but are held back by incompetent coaching. And let me also say that they and Ohio State have consistently been very good this year, so they are UNDERSTANDABLE, but not perfect choices for the national championship. This would have been so much easier if Missouri and West Virginia could have won yesterday...

So how in the world can a team (Georgia) fall in the rankings when two teams in front of them lose (Missouri & West Virginia) and they don't even play?

How in the world does a team like Kansas with a strength of schedule ranked 110 out of 119 teams, jump over a team with the 26th rank (or so) strength of schedule (Missouri)?

How in the world does LSU jump 5 spots by beating a 9-3 team ranked 14th (Tennessee)? Especially when numbers 3, 4, 5 didn't play, and number 6 (Va Tech) beating a 12th ranked team (Boston College)? If this is the formula then Va Tech for the National title makes about as much sense, if not more since they beat a higher ranked team.

Thank the Lord Hawaii got a BCS bowl, they deserved it; it's about the only BCS selection I'm totally satisfied with.

How in the world is the team that wins the state of Ohio Championship (Ohio State) over some god-awful teams (Akron, Ohio U, and Miami, Oh) get to the BCS title game every single year? Didn't last year's national championship prove that Ohio State is entirely overrated because of their WEAK schedule??


I think the BCS is all about the money. It sucks so bad that a team like Missouri who has played so well all season but lost at the wrong time (both times to a great team in Oklahoma), gets screwed all the way out of the BCS bowls. It sucks that because LSU and Ohio State are only where they are because of their rich football reputations, not this year's teams. Oh and one question, do losses count less if they are in triple overtime? Because the broadcasters seem to think that is the case with LSU's losses to Kentucky and Arkansas(unranked!!).

I know I'd probably only be the 14,974,102 person to suggest this (maybe there's something to it), but how about a playoff system with the top 8 teams in the Coach's Poll? That would give Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona State & Va Tech a chance to make their case for the nation's best team instead of a bunch of rich guys deciding who gets that chance for them?

All that to say that I'm really glad there's an SEC team in the title game that will absolutely CRUSH "the Ohio State University."

In summary..

Who got screwed the worst? Definitely Missouri

How in the world did they get a BCS game? Illinois (even though they did have a breakthrough season, but they had 3 losses...)

What game will be the most fun to watch? Georgia & Hawaii

My pick for the title game: Georgia -vs- Oklahoma; it would be a much better game.

Oh yeah and by the way; my life will not be changed one way or the other no matter who plays, who wins, who loses, who got screwed. Football isn't that important, but it is fun to write about...

My Movie

So I'm procrastinating on all the schoolwork I have to do, and I ran across this on someone's Xanga. So let's give it a shot.

If your life were based (loosely) on a movie...

1. What would be the title?

You guessed it, Don't Holler at Me: the Matt Briggs story

2. Which actor/actress will play you?

Either Dane Cook or Will Smith





3. Who will be the supporting character?

My good buddies Clint and Wes, played by Jason Alexander and Chuck Norris respectively.





Also my beautiful wife/girlfriend would be played by Katie Holmes



4. What will be the plot? What genre will it be?

A hot air balloon ride across the entire world. It would have our adventures in numerous places. Such as: Latvia, Paris, London, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Cuba. It'll start out with just me, Clint, and Wes, and we'll pick up the girl in New Zealand.

5. Who will direct it?

It would definitely be Ron Howard's first endeavor into the world of buddy comedy. If not him, then Wes Anderson.




6. What existing movies will it resemble?

Tommy Boy mainly with some influences from the Seinfeld TV Series, Dumb and Dumber, Stranger than Fiction, and Titanic.




7. How will it end?

I'm not sure; probably with some kind of serious touching moment. Maybe someone should die? I dunno.

General Admissions

-Those of you that know me know that I am never stressed.

-Crossgates Christmas was probably a bad idea, I don't really have the time. It'll be fun though.

-Believe it or not, I'm actually ready to get rid of the beard; I look homeless and it itches.

-Can you work for me on Friday night at Cpaw's? If you can, give me a call.

-I'm going to Hattiesburg on for the weekend, pending the above request.

-I dislike all but two of my classes this semester. I'm so ready for it to be over!

-Final night of Journey Groups at Mo Heights and I'm teaching! Pray for me.

-If you see me wearing LSU gear, I'm not a fan. I just lost a bet.

-Wal-Mart is going to get some of my cash in the near future. I need deodorant and Christmas lights for the dorm.

-I have to go to the dentist Friday morning. I don't like my dentist, I think he's an undercover fascist.

-Do you ever wonder why people wear shorts and flip flops when its 40 degrees outside? If you know why or are one of those people, let me know the reasons behind it.

-Neal, April, and Elizabeth are going to start a traveling band. They are only going to sing songs from Titanic and the Backstreet Boys.

-I like my new RD. He seems like a great guy.

-Add a lint roller to my Wal-Mart list. I got a new sweater, and it's got little fuzzies all over it from the washer.

-Fred was fun until he was released back into the wild.

-CS Lewis books are quite deep, so don't pick one up unless you've got some time to read back over stuff over and over again.

-The best Christmas music ever is by Aaron Neville. Especially Louisiana Christmas Day.

-I may try to write for the newspaper again this spring. Just not the sports section. It wasn't my cup of tea.

-If you haven't tried the cheese sticks at the Froghead Grill in Clinton, run over there and order a few. They're fantastic.

-I cannot believe you are still reading.

-Why did Southern Miss fire Jeff Bower today? Under his leadership, the Eagles have one of the longest streaks of winning seasons (I think its 14). Oh well, he'll get a better coaching position somewhere.

-I really have too much to do to be writing this pointless blog.

Whose Line is it Anyway?

Another semester has come and is on its way out. What do I have to show for it?

--some great Christian brothers and sisters at Kaleo

--decent grades, except for the C I’m gonna have in Finance, haha

--a borderline obsession with Lifehouse music

--trips to Hattiesburg, Dallas, Oxford, Memphis, and Starkville

--realization that I’m probably going to run a restaurant one day, regardless of my level of education

--a wonderfully easy job as an RA that has opened doors for many new friendships

--love for archery and possibly bow-hunting (if I could ever see a deer)

--a great group of sixth grade guys that drive me crazy but I love anyway

--a lost bet on the LSU/Ole Miss game (just for you Duck)

--World Series disappointment (Couldn’t the Rockies have won at least one? Come on guys)

--re-addiction to House, MD

--stock in Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

--interest in politics from my “volunteer” work

--frustration with my Rubik’s Cube

This has been an interesting semester. Three jobs, class, teaching Sunday school, house-sitting, church activities, and just life in general have all kept me busy, sometimes busier than I’d like to be...

This is my first semester in college as a single guy, and it’s been different, I’m not going to lie, but it’s been good. I’ve had a lot of time to grow my friendships, work on my relationship with Christ, and generally just get to know myself all over again…

Usually I have some sort of deep reflection or something in these. But this time, really all I have is this: love who you are. Don’t find your confidence in what others think, your girlfriend/boyfriend, your grades, or your fulfillment of parents’ expectations. Find your confidence in Jesus Christ and the person he made you to be. It’s only then that you’ll find true happiness.

Here is My King

"Here is our King, Here is our Love, Here is our God who's come to bring us back to Him; He is the one, He is Jesus."

I picture a young lady held against her will by men out to destroy her in every conceivable way: torture, abuse, rape, or maybe even kill her. I see her in a state of anguish, totally broken because of the captivity she is being held in. She is struggling for all she has and ever will be. It is no use; she can’t get away from them. She has no hope. They are going to wipe her out. It is in that moment that she sees a horse way off in the distance. It approaches faster than she ever dreamed possible, and on it, she sees a man. He must be her rescuer. “Here he is. I told you he’d come. I just knew it. He’s the one that will fight you for my life, my freedom.” The ruggedly handsome young man grabs her up from her distress, delivering her from her captors.

This is me. I have allowed some sort of sin or disobedience or pride into my life and Satan has used it to beat me down, oppress, and discourage me—all of this makes me totally ineffective and broken because I know I cannot overcome it on my own. And it’s in those moments where I feel like I can’t go on anymore that Jesus comes and whisks me away from the sin that entangles me. “There He is. Here is my King. Here is my Love. Here is my God who has come to bring me back to Him. He is the one who has conquered sin, death, and the grave in order to give me freedom. He is JESUS!!”