Hey AT10,

Thanks for pointing that out! I wish I had seen it sooner. But it explains some of the rankings I was seeing. I've added them and fixed a goof in A & AA. I'll incorporate them accordingly and adjust the math so the votes that have been cast so far aren't thrown off.

I agree that right now it seems more kids are being pulled from other programs than there are new kids being brought in. I think, to an extent, there is so much focus on All*Star "studs," awesome Level 4 & 5 athletes with tons of ability, that the businesses are overlooking the vast customer base of younger kids, "spirit only" cheerleaders and potential rising stars that need to be trained up. They're missing the proverbial forest for a few trees.

This is a great story. I had a young lady many years ago on one of my middle school squads who was in a wheelchair. She went on to win the "Most Spirited" award at the end of the year. She was easily one of the best cheerleaders I've ever had to the privilege of working with. Also one of the hardest working. I'm happy to see others getting the same opportunity!

Thanks Nick. I actually think I might have a \"part 2\" in the works. I\'ve been going over it in my head.

Thanks again for the embed and the encouragement to step up and out. I truly appreciate it!

Well, I think it's alright since you're like a half or a third heathen. Afterall, two of the top search tags on your site are "sexay boobies."

Although, that does add another interesting level to the fact you were one of the people arguing from a position of faith. Quite the conundrum, no?

Also, I can probably guarantee you that a traditional "black" church has WAY better music. I think that's a scientific fact.

Katie,

I'm sorry to hear that you had that experience. It truly is a shame when religious dogma seems to take precedence and operate as being "on mission." I didn't touch on it in this post, or my update, but I honestly think that homosexuality is yet another issue where many folks have planted their proverbial flag and do more to drive people away from the true love of Christ.

My sympathies go out to you.

Well, to clarify, I honestly don't know what, if anything, was said by the small group folks. I only know the end result so anything beyond that is speculative on my part. They may have honestly thought it was for the best that the wife and I spend as much time together as possible to work through our junk. Atleast, that's her opinion. I'm apt to be much more jaded.

Which, kinda leads to own of my primary problems in the first place with the "small group" concept. While I agree that it strengthens one's "walk" to be with people who share the same faith I feel like the pressure is to ONLY have friends that share your faith. I've got friends that I have know in some cases for 12-18 years. These people are like extended family. I know that, literally, they would take a bullet for me and I for them. Yet few would call themselves Christians. Atleast in the conventional "regular Sunday attender" sense. Some are best described at Buddhist, some are Jewish, some are what Craig Groeschel would call "Practical Atheists" other are simply just not religious or interested in faith at all.

The point being, I've already found a "killer group." They're just not what the church would consider an "acceptable" killer group. So I have to wonder, like Katie below, if it's not more normative than most churches like to admit.

And honestly, I'd have to say, Jesus probably had the LEAST spiritually "fit" small group of all time. So I'm left with lots of questions about the necessity of small groups in the first place.

Yeah, I\'ve been fighting that \"you are EVIL\" battle my whole life for the \'crimes\' of being a heavy metal/hardcore/punk/comic book fanboy. It\'s such a pathetically simple minded, and proverbial, broad brush that it\'s almost comical. That it\'s the best critique that someone such as \"Sister Sunshine\" can muster says a great deal more about her personal aptitude than it does my moral fortitude (yeah, I made that rhyme on purpose. Catchy nes pas?).

BTW, love me some Bif Naked. She flat out RAWKS. One of my favs.

Glad you could stop by. I totally understand about time constraints. Hence, sadly, my Twitter is WAY more active than the blog. I totally have more than 140 characters I want to spit out most days. I just rarely have the time do so. But if folks like you keep reading and enjoying then it keeps me motivated to write whenever I can.

For me it's absolutely food and porn. Food is only slightly more dangerous because it's socially acceptable and it's something I can turn to at ANY time. Porn always required planning and secrecy which, at times, gave me just enough time to correct. Although, in the worst of times, there was nothing that could stop me from consuming something to alleviate my stress. Unfortunately immediately after consumption the guilt kicks in and the stress increases which leads to more consumption. It's a painful VICIOUS cycle.

Ironically, I'm completely aware of my "goto places" and the cycle in which I'm trapped. However, try though I might, I can't seem to get out. I honestly feel like I'm stuck in something as simple as a rotating door and can't stop long enough so I can just walk away.

Rad was horrible in one of those ways that you could just look past the bad and embrace the awesome. You know, it was so bad it was good (kinda?)?

Mostly, it will always rule for 3 things, the opening freestyle sequence, Helltrack and the closing freestyle sequence. I could honestly care less about the rest. Although, I do kinda wanna go ass sliding with Jess if I ever find an appropriate spot.