"That's No Moon...That's a LEGO Death Star!!!" Celebrating the 2nd Annual "I'm Alive" Day

Two years ago today, while driving to work I was rear ended by a fully loaded tractor trailer on I-95 just south of Baltimore.  My tiny little Ford Escort station wagon was totaled and I was in physical therapy for a number of months afterwards.  All in all, it could've been much much worse, but Thank God it wasn't my time yet.  Long time readers may recall that my Daddy was killed eight days before I was born in a work related accident.  He never saw his 32nd birthday (or me for that matter).  I've gotten to live 10 years more than he did at this point, but today I'm taking a moment to celebrate the last two years that I could've lost.  When I think about how much my children have grown in that time, the fun we've had as a family on vacations, the great music I've listened to, the comics I've read (and wrote about) and all the wonderful time spent with my wife; I'm so glad I'm not DEAD!


But I'm going to die someday, I just don't know when.  The odds are that I may have already passed the half-way point.  Every year as new aches and pains emerge, my perspective is slowly changing.  In the one Psalm written by Moses, he says "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12 NIV)   [Psalm 39 really applies too.] Well, maybe I'm starting to get a little wiser, because I really want to start paring down my comic book collection.  I look at my huge cluttered room of long boxes and toys and I don't have time left to hassle with this stuff (look for ebay sales soon -- I hope).  There are certain books that I will never EVER read again -- why keep them then.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe less really is more?!  The good news is that I don't  have to fear death, even though there's plenty more living to look forward to, because as a Christian I know my soul is secure for eternity in Christ.

Don't get too excited those are old well-loved figures in new cards.

 

More disorganizd than usual thanks to Comic-Con.

 

So, I'm living it up today with dark chocolate and pizza (I already had Chicken Taco Rice yesterday -- my favorite meal).  I also achieved a goal that I've been striving to obtain for almost 5 years -- I got my LEGO Death Star!!!  It was sweet too.  I had a 10% off coupon and was hoping there was some sort of double VIP points, but that promotion didn't start until next month after my coupon expired.  However, there just happened to be a set in a damaged box that was marked down 10%.  So with my coupon I got 20% off (a savings of $80).  PLUS I got to use my $25 credit from previous VIP points.  AND I'm earning more credit with this purchase (maybe up to $20).  All told I've saved well over a hundred dollars.  It's so AWESOME and I'm eager to build it.  Although it'll probably take me a week or two, because I do it very very slowly, savoring every brick.

+2 years and counting...

 

Side by side with my favorite toy from Christmas 1978.  Too bad it doesn't have an elevator.

Enjoy your day and make the most of it!