Buh bye old blog, hello new blog.

Hello avid blog readers… all 1 of you out there that actually read this blog. In case you had a hankin’ for some Nathan… he’s no longer here, he’s over at unfetteredbloke.com where he shall remain for the forseeable future. The new digs look pretty nice too, so go catch them out.

http://www.unfetteredbloke.com

Holy crap, I’ve got a kid.

Yeah, so my life has dramatically changed since the last time I posted. It’s funny looking back at some of your old blogs… you tend to discover that the things you really cared about at the time are so far from your radar now that it makes you laugh. Yep, that’s me. Reference my previous post and you’ll see what I mean, LOL. Free On-Demand TV via the Internet? We’re just lucky if we can watch a 30 minute show these days…

So now we’ve got a little boy, he’s 6 weeks old already too, hard to believe! He was born February 3rd and has been a welcome addition to our once mundane lives. Not going to lie, those late night feedings are not easy, and those times where all he wants to do is rear his head back and wail are not fun either, but I wouldn’t trade my new life in for anything else in the world. I absolutely love being a dad. I don’t mind the poopy diapers or the spit-up, or even those times (i.e. last night) where you look over at your kid and narrowly avoid taking a stream of pee to the face… it’s all good and I’m enjoying it tremendously.

I know I’ve fallen into the stereotypical, first time parent role… you know – waking up in the middle of the night just to make sure he’s still breathing, freaking out if his paci hits the floor or if the dogs get too close to him… and thinking that everything he does, every movement he makes is magical. But I’m good with that too. I’d rather look back at this time and laugh at how overly protective or silly we were instead of looking back 10-20 years from now filled with regrets. I know at this stage in his life, all I can really do is hold him to make him happy… and it’s not possible to do that too much!

Landon & Me

Free On-Demand TV via the Internet

Ok, so I’ve known for awhile now I could do this, just never felt compelled to do so. This past weekend Carrie and I were a little bored so we headed to Blockbuster to check out a few movies, didn’t really see anything that we wanted to rent, so decided to check out Lost. I’ve heard it’s a good show, I just hate jumping into a new series mid-way through, I’m kinda anal like that.

I quickly fell in love with the show and the characters… Carrie? Not so much. Anyways, we watched what we rented, but I didn’t really feel like waiting to rent the rest, so I headed over to ABC.com to check to see if they had Lost online. I’ve seen advertisements over the last year or so that most of the main stations are putting their shows online, that’s what ABC has done as well. They’ve got all 4 seasons of Lost available to watch online for free… and in HD quality as well!

If you don’t have a home theater system and don’t mind staring at your computer screen for long periods of time, then you may not care about the rest of what I have to say, but for those of you who are interested in watching internet TV on your home theater system, without sacrificing your surround sound, etc. then read on.

There’s several different ways to go about this, but the way I set it up is to run an HDMI cable from my laptop to my Samsung LCD. Most newer laptops have an HDMI port, but if yours doesn’t that’s ok too… and you don’t need a newer TV or HDTV either. There’s a handy dandy site here (just see Steps 1-2) or simply watch this YouTube video that explains the whole process in more detail and what you’ll need to make it happen. Most (if not all) computers have some form of video output – all you need is a cord that will plug into it and run to your TV’s input. The links I mentioned will help you set everything up, and if you still have questions, you can always Google “connect computer to TV” and find a whole host of others… or feel free to email me.

When I go, I go all out, I can’t resist, it’s what I do. I have surround sound and while having sound through your TV may be well enough for you, it wasn’t for me, so I bought an 1/8″ to RCA adapter and ran it from my laptop’s SPDIF port (my laptop has one of those too, it’s just a digital audio port, your headphone port will work too) and connected it to my receiver to get full surround sound when watching a show online.

Also, another addition I made, and it’s a completely lazy one I know, but I bought a long-range Bluetooth wireless mouse so I don’t have to get up out of my Lazy Boy every time there’s a commercial break to click continue or something.

There are other ways of doing this if you don’t have a laptop or computer nearby to plug into your TV, but all the ones I’ve seen cost a lot more than this option. Some of the others are Apple TV, converter boxes, etc. none of which I’ve tried personally and all of which have a decent cost associated with their use. Read more here.

As far as what you can watch online for free? Here’s some links to check out, I’m sure there are many more I haven’t found and more services to come soon I’m sure:

http://www.hulu.com
http://www.fancast.com
*http://abc.go.com
*http://www.cbs.com
http://video.discovery.com
http://www.sidereel.com
http://www.joost.com

*Offers full episodes in HD

That’s just TV shows, there’s tons more you can do once you’ve got all this setup. View your photos and movies on the big screen, watch YouTube videos, play computer games, etc. I have a feeling we’ll see more of this technology down the road as the internet continues to grow and hi-def takes over the world. Pretty soon your TV will have wireless internet and you’ll be able to do everything with one device, just give them another year or two. In the meantime, I’m preoccupied watching Lost… 1 season down, 3 to go. Gosh I love technology!

Traveling in the Fog

Have you ever driven at night when the fog was so thick you couldn’t see 2″ in front of the car? I’ve been there and I’m there now, spiritually speaking. I know there are just times like these where you have to stay the course and continue putting one foot in front of the other and just trust God to lead the way. Then there are other times where you just need to stop at the next rest stop and just wait it out. So many times in my life, my lack of clarity is due to the fact that I put all these other things before God… my priorities are so out of whack that my vision is blurred and I just get this sense that I’m wondering around in a circle. It’s not until I change my priorities and confess my mistakes that the fog is lifted and I can see clearly the path that God has for me.

I’ve been making some changes lately, mainly because I realize my life’s about to change in a very big, real way in less than 4 months. I’m trying to drop some weight and I’ve started running again and eating right, just little things that will push me to live a more active lifestyle, not one that consists of just doing what’s easy or comfortable. I’ve built a clearly defined comfort zone for myself all these years and I’ve got to fight with everything in me to venture outside of it. Same holds true for me spiritually as well… they seem to have a lot in common actually. Laziness and apathy are like kudzu, they spread like crazy until everything good is choked out and left for dead.

It’s always been amazing to me that God can find us exactly where we are. When we’re at our whits end and stuck in the fog and can’t tell up from down, left from right – He comes in and gives us clarity. After my run this morning I was reading in Proverbs 9 & Psalm 119, here’s just a few key verses He showed me:

Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: “Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.” ~Prov. 9:3-6 Message

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me. How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands. ~Psalm 119:1-10;17-20 Message

So today I’m asking God to forgive me, for not making Him my first priority (among other things). Consequently, the fog is slowly lifting and I’m starting to see once again.

Nathan Duvall’s Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For The Cure

If you haven’t seen that episode of the office, then that title makes absolutely no sense to you. Check it out on NBC.com or something. Ok, so for some reason today I’ve made up my mind to start running again… the day after we just canceled our membership to the Y, mind you. I’m so stupid. But anyways, I really want to lose some weight and get back in some sort of routine. I went through a running program called “Couch to 5K” back last year and earlier this year as well and actually made it all the way through before the summer. But then summer hit, I got busy, we found out we were having a baby and I’ve been eating crappily (is that a word?) ever since.

Getting old sucks, you know? Back in high school/college, I never in a million years would’ve though I’d be 29 and have some baggage to lose, but here I am and there went my metabolism. It’s not like I’m morbidly obese or anything, but I’m not where I want to be either (in so many ways). The reason I’m doing this is because I really want to be healthy for my kids. I don’t want them having an overweight, out of breath daddy running along behind them. That is not my definition of coolness and I know it won’t be theirs either, speaking from experience.

So the goal is to lose 30 pounds in 130 days or something like that. It seems impossible, but so does everything I ever try to do in life to be totally honest. Oddly enough, I find that running and just being in this mindset really helps me focus on my relationship with God as well. Must have something to do with being disciplined, which I am definitely not right now.

A friend of mine at work told me about a website called SparkPeople. Looks pretty cool, so I’m going to be using it to watch the “caloric intake” and all that crap, so we’ll see how it goes. If any of you out there want to join me, that’d be awesome. We can put on a Richard Simmons wigs and spandex and cheer each other on.

Stuck in a time warp.

Ok, so I can’t wait to be a dad… I keep counting down the days and months in my head. While some guys kind of dread the interruption of their routines, I welcome it with open arms. Not that I don’t enjoy my carefree evenings of just plopping down after work and watching TV or just hanging out with Carrie doing whatever we feel like doing, whenever we feel like doing it – I enjoy all those things very much. But I’m ready for the drastic change that’s about to take place. And yes, I know it’s going to be a drastic change… the rude awakenings at 3 in the morning, the endless stream of poopy diapers, the spit up, the throw up, the smell.

While I’m not at all looking forward to those things, I can’t wait to hold my little guy in my arms for the first time and see the little miracle God’s given us. In a weird way, I think when that happens for the first time, I’ll finally understand God’s love for me as His child, and I can’t wait for that moment either. Maybe some things will just start to click for me like they never have before, I don’t know.

It’s seemed like forever ago since we found out Carrie was pregnant, and I know for Carrie, it feels like she’s been pregnant forever too. I keep thinking ahead to February 2nd and then realize it’s only the end of September. Kinda feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, doing the same thing day after day after day. I know little Landon will be here before we know it, but it sure feels like an eternity away at this point. If you’ve read my Bio, then you know I’m not a patient person… at all, ever. But at the same time, I know if there was ever anything worth waiting for, this is it.

126 days and counting…

Providential wake up calls

Ever had one of these? Thankfully, God’s been very patient and merciful to me and while I have had some wake up calls of the extreme variety, He’s used the simplest of things to get my attention lately, to let me know He’s still there and loves me no matter what.

Tonight we went to see the movie FireProof and it really did open my eyes to some things I need to change in my own life… both in my marriage and in my relationship with Him. As you can see in my About me page, I am by nature a very lazy individual, not going to lie, and I’ve got to fight it with every ounce of my being. When I don’t it’s one of the many “parasites” (referenced in the movie) that grabs hold of everything I hold dear and seeks to tear it apart.

That movie was exactly what I needed to see tonight. It’s made me really stop and think about my commitment to Carrie, what I can be doing to show my love and respect for her. It also renewed my focus for having a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God, not just a casual one.

If you’ve never heard of the movie FireProof, be sure to check it out, you’ll be glad you did. While it is a movie about saving marriage, it’s so much more than that. The guys at Sherwood did an amazing job and it was good to see one of my childhood favorite actors, Kirk Cameron again too.

My life in a nutshell… no seriously, it fits in a nutshell.

Ok, so I’ve tried this blog thing before and never really kept up with it, mainly because I get sidetracked so easily and eventually forget all about it. But, what can I say? I know my words are in high demand and I’ve just got to humble myself and make a sacrifice for the people, the fans, the countless millions out there that hang on my every word… cue the crickets.

Seriously though, I don’t know why I get in these spurts to write stuff down, but I do. It’s not like I have anything important to say, because I don’t. I’m a man of very few words and the words I do have are usually full of incredibly stupid sarcasm and utter pointlessness. And while I’m typing now, I’m reminded that I’m probably going to be the only person that ever reads my posts… nothing like an incredible reminder of my great significance in the grand scheme of things to pad the ‘ol ego!

So, here I go. Here is the first day of the rest of my blogging life. I have no agenda and no purpose for what my future posts will contain. But, I can guarantee that it will make you laugh, cry and/or shoot yourself out of sheer boredom. Enjoy people… if there are any people out there reading this. It’s going to be fabulous.

So as the title says, this blog is dedicated to my simple life… a life that really does seem small and insignificant at times. It’s also dedicated to my God, the one who gives me purpose and meaning, the one who is eternally patient, loving and faithful – despite my extreme failures and frailty. It’s because of Him I have reason to hope and a reason to share. After all, He’s the one that cracked my nutshell and gave me life.