My Trip to Texas

I just flew back from Gods country into the 100 + degree weather with a sky full of smoke of central California. Time to get back to ministry.
It was a very busy but very fun week. I got a chance to basically see everyone I know or knew at one point. I also got to gain about 10 pounds by eating some great TX food.
Here is a glimpse of the trip.
The first week, High School Reunion.
This night was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Seeing old faces, reminiscing on old stories, and even watching old videos made the night memorable.
I learned that people don't really change after 10 years. Yes, they are older, have kids, have jobs, but personality wise, people usually don't change.
This is me and my 4 best friends in high school. (missing one other)


After the reunion I rented a car and drove up to Arkansas to see my brother and his family. It was a short trip but worth while. They have some of the cutest kids ever. Thanks for the good food!


After Arkansas, I woke up early and drove to Oklahoma City. But before I got there ( I know, this is pathetic) I had to stop in Checotah, OK. which happens to be the home town of Carrie Underwood. Don't worry, I didn't go out of my way. I just saw the sign and had to take a quick pic.


I finally ended up in OKC. Spent the day with my cousin, checking out his new church and just hanging out. It was also a short trip but a lot of fun.


I finally ended up back in Dallas, and after 14 hours of driving, I got to see my sister and niece. We went to the movies, pet shop, out to eat, and just spent the day together. Her alone would tempt me to move back to Tx.
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All in all, a great trip. I rarely get to go back there, but I am sure glad I did. It was kind of weird. The traveling to different states to see family and friends made it seem like I was dying and had to say my last good byes. I really hope thats not the case. But now it is time for summer camp and a mission trip in July. The fun never ends.

An Itunes Run for my Run

There is something about music that gets you motivitated to do something that you really dont want to do. I remember when I was playing basketball in 6th grade. Are team was called the heat. You should see our shorts. They were yellow and orange flames. Probably the ugliest uniform ever. But I remember in the locker room before the game, I had a an amazing idea. I said that we should come out to the song "The Heat is On." So the next week, one of the players moms had a juke box and cranked the volume up as loud as it could go in the gym. We couldnt even hear it.
But the point is, music is motivational. I, as of right now, have no motivation to train for my half marathon. The thought of running 13.1 miles again makes me cringe. My left knee is begging for me not to do this. It went through a lot of pain the last time. But I made a commitment. This time IM not alone. This time I have friends expecting me to run because they are running it for the first time. So tonight I will begin. I will need some good solid tunes to get me through it.
Here are a few that I have so far.
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Lets get it started - Black Eyed Peas
Dont Stop Til You get enough - Michael Jackson
Dont Stop believin - Journey
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Ignition - Toby Mac
Livin on a prayer - Bon Jovi
In the end - Linkin Park

This should get me through the first 2 miles. What are some others?

Price is Right

A big group from church is heading out tomorrow for a taping of the Price is Right. I went a few years ago but was totally bummed when they did not call anyone from our group. I have to get on this time. I will do whatever it takes. Okay, maybe not everything. But I could sure use 10,000 dollars, a new car, a bedroom set, a trip to china, a sailboat, a waffle maker, a set of golf clubs, a hot tub, or a diamond necklace. But if you know of any secrets on how to get on, let me know.
If anything, it will be a great time of hanging out with some cool people.

A New Title

In honor of the greatest television show of all time, I have a new title for this blog. If a show about nothing can become as great as it was than so can this blog.

Hit and Run

Okay, so the high school pastor and I were in his office talking and all of a sudden we hear tire screeches and a huge crash at the intersection right outside the church. As we were getting up to check it out, all of a sudden we hear this guy yelling expletives at the top of his lungs. He is running as fast as he can.
Not sure what to do or what happened, we decide to chase the guy. I thought that maybe he was caught on fire or someone in the car got hurt and he was freaking out. Man, am I dumb? As I was halfway through the parking lot, I suddenly realized that he was not wanting to get caught. That is when a lot of stuff went through my head. Oh my goodness, what am I doing? Does he have a gun, knife? Is he bigger than me?
I soon realized that putting my life at risk wasn't worth it. Call me cray, scared, a wuss, whatever. I know that any guy that is reading this safe and sound behind his computer would say that they would of easily chased the criminal down. Maybe if I was like 70 and thought to myself, "I have lived a good life, I am going to go out a hero." But being 28, not happening.
But thank goodness, the criminal was caught. One of the neighbors stopped him until the cops came.
Not much drama happens in the great town of Visalia.
But today I could of died. Thank the Lord I didn't.

An end of an era...

I didnt want to do this. It might be one of the most difficult things I have ever had to deal with.(total sarcasm by the way.) But I think it is time. I must retire the name Puddles. It hurts to even type those sad words. (even more sarcasm) Some understand why, others have no idea what a Puddles is, but it was a name given to me 4 years ago that would stick for a long time.
January of 2004, the Jr. High ministry at Saddleback was on a retreat. The 3 year old daughter of Ron and Katie Edwards was trying to say my last name, which is Putman. But some how, the words Monster Puddles came out of her mouth and everyone thought it was the cutest thing ever. I had a good laugh and thought that would be the end. The word monster was quickly forgotten but Puddles stuck around.
The next weekend at church, I was introduced to hundreds of Jr. high students as Puddles. That is how it all started.
From then on, every student, pastor, co-worker, and friend called me Puddles. I actually didnt mind. It became a part of who I was. It became a second name.

That was a name that I associate the time I spent at Saddleback with. Great times. 2 of the best years of my life. But just like everything else, all good things must come to an end. So there you have it. Puddles has retired. Eric is the name. How boring is that? But thats the name for now. I am open to suggestions for new names, or I could just be normal for once and stick with the name I was given at birth.

Texas Sized Worship

I did not care what songs were on here.
This is an album that I gladly judged by its cover.