Author Archives: brad

Current Status

My brief review of Star Trek Into Darkness:
Definitely my favorite Trek film, although I didn’t really care for any of the pre-Abrams films (or the TV shows for that matter). The plotting was very tight, much more so than the 2009 film, and the acting was great, especially Benedict Cumberbatch, who not only has the most British name in the world, but also the coolest voice for a sci-fi villain.

Current Status

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, Sheri Rhine. Thanks for always being there for me and loving me no matter what.

And to my mother-in-law, Mary Anne Becker, who has managed to pretend to like me for the past couple decades.

Most of all to my wife, Jen Rhine. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to raise my kids. I love you, Jen!

Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me When I Was 20

1) Chase every dream you can, right now, and don’t give up
Dreams get very slippery in your 30s, and by the time you hit 40, they’re hard to see at all.

2) Get serious about studying the Bible
You would be amazed at how easy it is to put this off. Don’t.

3) Practice music every single day
Don’t get lazy. Get better. It won’t happen by itself, and you’ll need to work at it.

4) Cherish your parents and grandparents
Turns out, they don’t last forever, and one day you’ll wish you had spent a lot more time with them. And that will hurt.

5) Get in shape now
You have no idea how much harder this will be in 15 to 20 years. Don’t just lose weight – get fit.

6) Write
Write down every thought and capture every moment. It will not be as easy to remember it all as you think.

7) Turn off the TV
Seriously, it’s just not worth it. At least not until Mad Men comes on the air, but that’s years away.

8) Think about your kids
You don’t have kids and you’re not even married yet. But now is the time to start becoming the kind of man you want your son to be and and the kind of man you want your daughter to marry.

9) Take lots of pictures
Your memory isn’t as good as you think.