Brian Berry

KEEPING THE COOKIES ON THE LOWER SHELF

My blog might be rated PG-13, but after marko posted on his intelligence level of high school, I got curious. I don’t answer the survey crowd. But for some reason, these blog rating deals woo me over everytime. Anyway, I figured out that I’m elementary school dumb. I suck at big words. Doesn’t surprise me a bit.

BRITNEY, CRAIG, JESUS, ME, TOM AND WARREN

This post might make about as much sense as the title… but oh well. It’s my blog and my brain is a crazy web of stuff sometimes… so here goes:

regarding…. BRITNEY:

I don’t want to jump on the Britney bashing bandwagon. In fact, I think this monologue by Craig Ferguson is better than most testimonies I’ve ever heard in church and I found a soul connection with him in how he responded to the news media surrounding her. It’s worth the 12 minutes it takes to listen if you never have.

so now I dish to CRAIG:

which leads me back to BRITNEY:

But, that being said, I found myself shocked at these statistics that came out last week in her custody battle as she tries to decide how much money her ex really needs. In the process, she reportedly brings in a lot of flow. From where, I’m not sure. But from somewhere evidently HUGE…

Spears’ monthly income is approximately 737,000 dollars.

… which includes Britney’s Expenses:

• 102,000 dollars on entertainment, gifts and vacation

• 49,267 dollars on mortgage payments

• 16,000 dollars on clothes

• 4,758 dollars on eating out

• 2,500 dollars on phone bills

• -500 dollars on charitable giving

which makes me ponder JESUS AND ME:

Do the math, that still leaves like half a mil a month unaccounted for. And this my friends, is at least one thing that’s wrong with the world. Poverty is simply a subject of sin. Period. Those who make the money, get the money and keep the money, on the backs of those who made the money for them. Man I don’t want to be part of this problem and yet I’m sure I am in more ways than I want to admit. I don’t want money to be my God. I don’t want to be the rich man at the table ignoring Lazarus and throwing him a bone here and there.

and last but not least, my brain wandered to TOM AND WARREN

Interesting enough, the second richest man in the world, Warren Buffet, said in the past few weeks that at least the American tax system is broken and he should pay more taxes. I loved this interview. Here’s a bite size piece that made me really like the guy and made me wonder if maybe this rich guy might not have Lazarus at his gate.

Warren: I’ll– I’ll bet– I’ll bet a million dollars against any member of the Forbes 400 who challenges– me that the average for the Forbes 400 will be less than the average of their receptionists. So, I’m– I’m– I’m– I’ll give ’em an 800 number. They can call me. And the million will go to whichever charity the winner– designates.

Tom: How much are you hearing from your fellow rich fellows, as you describe them?

Warren: I don’t hear anything. They’re happy. They are not paying the tax rate their receptionists are.

Be happy you only had to visit my brain waves in this post. I have to live in this crazy maze.

UNBELIEVEABLE BIRTHDAY

Shannon and I tried to get away for a vacation to Idaho and it got jacked up by the fires. Then this past Monday was her 30 something birthday. We’re evidently no longer saying 30 what exactly…. it’s just over 30. So anyway, for the history of our marriage, Shannon and I have traditionally gone away for two weekends a year. One over her birthday, the other over our anniversary. And in keeping with that tradition, we had the kids taken care of with friends and hired help and we were off for 2 days of relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Or so we thought.

Rather than me telling you the story the old fashioned way. I put it together in comic book picture form. Seemed appropriate. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did :). Oh.. and before you ask… it’s all 100% true and unaltered.