yet again....

One year ago on this blog I called a Notre Dame win... UM was ranked 2nd in the nation, and I bet against my Wolverines... and, to my shagrin, I was correct. This year is even a tougher call... Notre Dame is the easy pick for three reasons... They are the number 2 team in the nation while Michigan is number 11 (the most meaningless reason)... Notre Dame has handed it to Michigan the last two years and Michigan hasn't won on the road in South Bend since '94. This has all the makings of a Notre Dame win... the third reason that this is an easy pick is because if I pick Notre Dame to win and they do, then I was right... If Michigan wins, I was wrong, but I'm overjoyed with the outcome despite my err in prophecy...

pickle.

Okay, so here are my keys to a UM victory:
1.) Don't let Brady Quinn beat you. He has, in my opinion, two of the greatest receivers in the nation in McKnight and Samardzija.
2.) Get Hart involved early and establish the run. If ND has a weakness it's their run defense. UM has two solid backs in Grady and Hart which should punish ND's soft defensive line.
3.) Give Breaston 10 touches besides special teams. If you put the ball in his hands, he is bound to make a big play.
4.) Break Darius Walker's leg.

My call today, however difficult this may be for me, is Michigan outlasting the Irish in overtime 38-31. (here's me crossing my fingers)


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I just realized how hard it is to look at that prediction... I am willing to live with it and take my helmet of shame with me everywhere I go if I am proven wrong...

(sigh)

dreaming of alpacas

This last weekend I went with good friend Aimee to her home town of Olivet, MI. I knew that her family raised these lovely animals called alpacas, but I didn't really know anything about them before I went. As it turns out I got to help wrangle these animals into a pen so they could give them shots... and they hate shots... they were acutally whining audibly about the situation. It was pretty funny. They also have a llama named Vinny. He's like the body gaurd for these alpacas... he didn't like me too much. Everytime I would try to walk up to him he would lay his ears back and cluck at me... I really didn't have anything against him though... On our way home Saturday night I told Aimee that I'd probably have dreams about alpacas and llamas, and I actually did... I don't really remember what the dream was about, but I just remember them being everywhere and all around me and I didn't really know what I was doing there amidst all these animals! Oh alpacas... I'll never be the same.

just kidding.

post one hundred and twenty

2:53 am

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Tonight my thoughts are held hostage by the past. I am not allowed to sleep until I indulge my memory of every moment I can conjure up. Right now, there is no escape. It is, however, curiously entertaining.

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Photographs... many photographs... why do I still have these? I don't think I ever could let go. All these years I've known that they were still there waiting for me, but tonight I looked at them. I looked at them knowing full well the danger of what it might stir up.

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Everything is re-lived tonight in my mind... what-if's loom largely, emotions hang in the balance.

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I say to myself: 'No. No, that could never work.' But I'm still a hostage to the thought. It's funny how a chain of events can lead me to this entrapment.

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coincidence? Aw, who am I kidding.

there is nothing better than....

a quick-witted remark.

a soft bed, a firm pillow.

coffee & conversation.

self-esteem.

encouragement.

sleeping in.

friends.

music written from the soul.

family.

a back scratch.

being loved like you deserve to be loved.

consistency and dependability.

grace.

laughter.

a shiney, red, new guitar.

the fall.

Africa.

a fireplace in winter.

community.

college football.

fine art.

warm, chocolate-chip cookies.

Bruce-Burgers off the grill.

a long hug.

air guitar.

accomplishment.

153 Records newest releases

Jason Holdridge - 'Pursue Me' available now! jasonholdridge.com is also now online.




Joel Yoshonis - 'Scream Silence' due out October '06
















click here to see the new 153 Records myspace

Unity 2006

This year, as always, Unity Fest was a ton of fun. Even though I don't necessarily prefer every artist or band that was on stage, the atmosphere and the company is what made it so great. It was good to watch my boyz in TFJ rock it out again. I am always so proud when I listen to them play. I also spent most of my time with the hotties pictured last... (: Good Times... I think my favorite picture is where Joel found his Asain twin.

What a great weekend.

my new office

So I know I've been working at SLWC for almost 2 months now, but they have been remodeling my office ever since... I'm finally in!!










It's definately very roomy... you should all come and visit me sometime. A new office and a new house in the same day! How did I get so lucky?

14801 Herring Drive

My New House in Spring Lake!














My New Roommates!














You're all invited to our housewarming Party on Sunday night, August 13 from 6pm until whenever... don't feel like you need to bring anything, but if you want to bring some munchies or beverages please feel free!!! Call or comment if you have any questions!!

new days

Today is a good day.
The sun is shining and there's a smile on my face.
moving on.
moving forward.
I'm excited.
thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

untitled

nothing can replace emotion.
like time, once it is spent, you can't get it back.
no wonder I am running out.
I wonder if I'll have enough for when I really need it.
I wonder if I am growing calous and if my heart has taken all that it can handle.

...

I wonder if there is a cure for this ache.

...

I wonder if You are still a just God.
I am on the journey You have called me to be on.
I am living everyday in pursuit of what You have for me.
I empty myself everyday before You.
why won't You bless me?

gone

two nights ago she was curled up on my lap as I held her hand.
she kissed me as if I was the only person she would kiss for the rest of her life.
I had a best friend who was also my girlfriend.
there was no one else that I would rather laugh with.
no one else I would rather be made a fool in front of.
no one else I would rather share my fears with.
no one else I would rather cry with.
no one else I would rather discuss my faith with.
no one else I would rather share my life with.

now it's over. I got dumped.

so what do I do with this ocean of love that seems permanently chained to my heart?
this love isn't for just anyone.
it can't be transferred or voided.
I wish it didn't hurt this badly.
I miss her more today than when she was thousands of miles away.
My emotion is spent.
I feel like week-old death.
everything is gray.
God, show me your grace.

how did I get here?

For the last 3 days and next 2, I have been and will have been at youth camp with my students. This year compared to last year has been so much different... Last year I was just a leader... this year I am a youth pastor. It is a really weird feeling knowing that I am the one that is 'in charge'. The biggest reality check has been the students who have come up to me and entrust me with their deep secrets, their hurts, their fears, their questions, their struggles and information about their lives that I would have never dreamed of hearing... At these times God takes over in the conversation... It is no longer I that am speaking, but God speaking through me... After a conversation like this with a student, I sit back and wonder how those words ever came to me and out of my mouth... I am amazed how God can use a loser like me to have an impact in these students that I am growing to love so much.

July 4th

Last year...

My girl will be back in six days... the last 10 months have gone by pretty fast considering I've been without her all but four weeks of those. I can't wait to see her again.

my bro

sweet

Changes

I think as I have gotten older, more and more things have changed at a more rapid pace. This year there has been more changes in my life than I can ever remember... I can't sit here and explain everything that may encompass, but it has really affected me. Friday my little brother graduated from high school. Boy was that weird. I remember when he was born... that shouldn't be happening yet. Life does not stop for anything or anyone.
Today I started my new job as the Worship and Programming Director of Student Ministries at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. I have been involved at this church for almost a year now, so being here isn't so weird, but now that this is my livlihood, my profession, and my job, it takes on a little more than just 'my church'...
There are other things going on in my life as well that are not what they used to be... it is so crazy to be at this crossroads right now... looking back and knowing that how things were will never be the same, as well as looking forward and not knowing what the future holds... in so many areas, that covers so much... and the variables on top of that are endless...

.

God knows.

wednesday conversation

This is a conversation that took place between myself, my brother Nick, and Josh Miller yesterday afternoon....

Josh: What time are the Pistons on tonight?

Eric: Eight.

Josh: o'clock?

Nick: No, muffins.

finally... pictures from my last days in Africa...

in a nutshell...

sorry about the delay

I have been home for two weeks now, and I know I promised updates on the last month of my africa trip, but I have good reasons for not... okay, maybe just excuses...

Excuse #1: I have no wireless internet where I am staying and all of my pictures and journals are on my laptop.

Excuse #2: the first week I was home I became very ill (the docs thought I had malaria), and was in bed pretty much all week... (I do not have malaria)

Excuse #3: This past week is the week before mothers day and I have been working in the greenhouses all day everyday...

Excuse #4: (insert whatever you think is appropriate here)

okay, as soon as I can I will post more on my trip....
but for your mothers day, here is a good laugh.

jason

click here to hear some new mixes.