Tag Archives: Celebrity

American Sniper – Chris Kyle

American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History

Chris Kyle. Chris Kyle is known for being America’s deadliest sniper with the most confirmed kills in US military history. Some know him from serving as a US SEAL, others from reality television, some from Craft International and some from his book. Chris Kyle passed away earlier this year and I had the privileged of watching his funeral procession move from Midlothian to Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, it’s only taken me this long to read his book.

The title pretty much sums up the book. Chris Kyle served ten years in the US military, including four combat tours in Operation Iraqi freedom. It touches upon Chris Kyle’s upbringing, how he joined the SEALs, religion, family life, friendships and military life. His wife, Taya, has written inserts that address her point of view during certain situations and helps to provide an insight on what it’s like to be married to a SEAL.

Before I go any further, I’m just going to tell you that everyone should read this book. Everyone. It’s astonishing. It’s moving and inspirational. Most of all, it’s raw. It will grip your emotions and (hopefully) make you realize (even more than we all should already realize) how precious this life is. Furthermore, in hindsight, listening to what this man has been though, his losses, what he witnessed, what and who he fought for, made me hunker down. It also talks about when he left the military service to start Craft International.

At one point in the book, Chris Kyle was talking about one of his fellow SEALs who had died overseas. Chris Kyle happened to be in the States when his body was brought home and met him at the airport to carry his body from the plane to the awaiting hearse. He wrote the following passage:

“People nearby who realized what was going on stopped and stared silently, paying their respects. It was touching; they were honoring a fellow countryman even though they didn’t know him. I was moved at the sight, a last honor for our fallen comrade, a silent recognition of the importance of his sacrifice.” (Page 309)

As previously mentioned, earlier this year I attended his funeral procession. They say over 7,000 people lined the road from Midlothian to Austin to pay their respects. There are no words to describe the experience. As I read the passage, I could only remember my experience on the side of the highway that dreary, rain-filled morning. How many others have lost their lives or sacrificed a part of their lives for their country? Are we paying them enough respect everyday.

This book will make you laugh, smile, it may make you angry, heck, you may even shed a tear but it’s definitely one that I will say you should never pass up on the shelf.

WW: Compliments From a Celebrity

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It’s been pretty apparent that I attended BlogHer in Chicago last weekend. In a nutshell, it was an amazing experience and I will be getting into the details of the entire event later on. Since it is “Wordless Wednesday”, I did have a moment where I walked away saying “Did that just happen?”.

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, maybe you’ve heard of her (if you haven’t – you’ve been missing out). She’s a wife to a cowboy, mama to four children, blogger, NY Times Best Selling Author and currently has her own TV show on the Food Network. I’ve been a fan of hers for quite some time. A couple years ago, I even stood in line for a couple hours waiting to meet her and for her to sign my book.

On Saturday, Heather and I found ourselves at the perfect place at the perfect time. We literally spent maybe five minutes waiting in line to talk to her and I’m pretty sure she talked to us for the same amount of time that we waited. So incredibly nice and sweet.

Then it happened.

She complimented my shirt.

A NY Times Best Selling Author and Food Network Star, complimented me.

Shouldn’t I have been complimenting her?

(Yes, I realize we’re all people, but come on now – it’s exciting.)

Compliments From a Celebrity

So much excitement, I just realized I could’ve asked her what I’ve been wondering for months – what are you doing with that building in town?!

Until next time!

Today I’m linking up with The Paper Mama, Jenni From the Blog, Seven Clown Circus and Communal Global for{Wordless Wednesday}.

Jamey Johnson & My Confession

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A week ago, I headed out to see one of my favorite songwriters perform. Jamey Johnson. He is amazing! If you haven’t heard him sing some of his songs, I’m most certain you’ve heard some that he’s written.

Give It Away – George Strait
Honky Tonk Badonkadonk – Trace Adkins
Ladies Love Country Boys – Trace Adkins

I knew the show was going to be amazing but I didn’t realize how amazing! Over three hours worth of amazing! Definitely getting your money’s worth! It seemed like he sang all of his songs even though I know there’s a vault load that he didn’t sing. He also sang the Dixie Chicks / Bruce Robinson hit, ‘Travelin’ Soldier’ and his father and daughter came out and sang ‘In Color’ with him. That was the highlight for me. Talk about a special moment!

(Incredibly blurry pic of Jamey Johnson and his dad leaving the stage after the show.)

Later during the evening, I found myself near the back of the stage. Where I was still in the general admission area however I could see the stage from the side and the backstage door was only about 8 feet away. That’s right, 8 feet. This is where the confession comes in. Celebrities / famous people.
1. I’m not very good at picking them out of a crowd.
2. When I do, I am convincing myself that it’s not really them.
3. I cannot EVER bring myself to ask them for a picture or even talk to them.
Does this happen to anyone else?!

Case in point, the Jamey Johnson concert. Here I am, standing around, enjoying the show. Who walks out the backstage door? Marty Turco. For those who don’t know, Marty Turco was a goalie for the Dallas Stars and is AMAZING!

I knew who he was right off. (Amazingly enough.) I also started saying “That can’t be him!” Then he walks back thru the backstage door. Gone – in a flash! I lean over to the guy next to me and say, “Who was that?”.
He responds “Marty Turco”. I say, “I thought so.” I then turn back to my friend and say “Crap. That was him!”

I proceeded to stare down the door, because that was going to make him come back, haha! Deep down, I knew there were other Stars players back there! A little while later, I different man walks out and then stands facing the stage. He’s standing there for a while, by himself. I knew he was with Turco.
About ten minutes go by, out comes Marty Turco and another hockey player. Before I can stop myself I say “MARTY TURCO!”. We make eye contact. I think he was stunned that some girl knew who he was at a Jamey Johnson concert (of all places). I mean, another guy was there and he was surprised that I knew who Marty Turco was. But that’s all I could get out “Marty Turco!”. I couldn’t say “Can I have your picture?!”, “You are awesome!”, “I saw you at the game last Thursday!”. Nothing.

So here I was, starring at Jamie Langenbrunner, Marty Turco and Brett Hull. Hockey greats and it was like I had a sock in my mouth.

Does anyone else have a problem?! It’s happened to me before. I realize they are people just like you and I however I feel like this must happen to them a lot, so why not just let them enjoy the show like everyone else…. no?