Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my wonderful, beautiful wife of 7 years and 6 months.

10 weeks

As 2 of our friends from church bring home newly adopted twins it hit me...in 10 weeks that will be me and Sarah.  Well not with twins...but the thought of bringing just one home is stressful enough for me :).  10 weeks...that's nothing.  Yikes.
In the meantime though we have 10 weeks to spend with our many friends who have had babies in the last year and gather as much information as we can!

Congrats to Jonathan and Rachel on bringing home Chloe and Mercy! Can't wait to meet them.

Literary Observation

I've been doing a lot of reading lately.  Mostly fiction. I enjoy fiction as a way to unwind after work.  Nothing against non-fiction but it requires a much more active reading style which I don't always have the will power for by the end of the day.  Anyway...the fiction books I've been reading lately have brought to my mind something that a friend told me once.  Oddly enough it was during our premarital counseling.  I don't remember how we got on the topic but we were talking about Harry Potter and Dave (the guy who was counseling us) said that his issue with HP was not the magic but rather the prevailing theme that Adults are inept and incompetent where the children are fully capable of rising to the challenge, defying death, breaking rules and saving the world.  Lately I've read some pretty popular fiction stories which all involve adolescent kids who end up saving the world, usually through not listening to their elder's advice.  The Hunger Games trilogy, the Harry Potter series, the "I Am Number 4" series, all have that similar concept.  I know the idea of a young protagonist who disobeys rules is hardly new (Tom Sawyer, A Separate Piece, Chronicles of Narnia) it seems like the concept has been glorified recently.  I confess it's been awhile since I've read the older novels listed but it seems there were consequences for breaking the rules that aren't there in more recent stories.  I haven't fully thought through all of this, I just find it interesting, so feel free to comment on your thoughts

As a side note for my birthday I received a Kindle touch from my parents.  If anyone is on the fence about buying one of these I'd strongly recommend it.  It's so nice to be able to carry this little thing around and have access to so many books.  It reads like paper so my eyes can take a break from the computer screen and its evil pixels! And I can rent books from the library (limited selection but the option is there).

And just b/c it makes the blog more fun here is a trailer for the Hunger Games movie coming out next year...

Quote I like

So I stumbled upon this blog called "Talk to Strangers Blog" about a guy who's trying a "Project" where he talks to complete strangers.  I haven't gotten far in it and as a warning there is some language but it's an interesting concept.  I did like the following quote though...

The old me liked elevators because most people obey a certain protocol of willful ignoring. No one says anything because no one wants to talk to people in an elevator. It’s peaceful. I wish someone would change the protocol that says when you pass a co-worker walking the opposite direction in the hallway you have to say “hi.” It’s a stupid custom. It’s just a waste of time and doesn’t accomplish anything. Do you think Vulcans say hi to each other when they walk past each other on their space ships? It’s not logical. For some reason, elevators went the other way from hallways and people know to keep their mouths shut in elevators. Sometimes you get a chatty UPS guy or Water Delivery Man who addresses the whole elevator with a “How’s everyone doing today?” like he’s going to pass around a hat like a homeless guy on a New York subway, but nine times out of ten it’s quiet.

I think it's great.  And I totally agree with the "hi" in hallways thing.  I've been sitting in the cube next to you for the last 7.5 hours.  Why do I need to say "hi" when we pass as you're coming out of the bathroom and I'm going in...
Anyway.  I hope you enjoyed.  I know Sarah appreciated the Star Trek reference :)

Thanksgiving

As I sit here and reflect on this weekend I feel happy. No, happy is too weak. I feel joyful. I'm blessed despite circumstances.
Thursday was great. We feasted with family and good friends and enjoyed spending time together.
Friday was busy. Sarah and I decorated our house for Christmas spending about 12 hours doing so.
Saturday was less busy but stressful for me because we found out our oven doesn't work and burns anything you put in it and we discovered that our laptop power cord stopped working.
Despite the stresses of yesterday I have so much to be thankful for:
- Family that enjoys each others company
- A wife that I not only love with all my heart but also love spending time with.
- Time off work
- The fact that we didn't have Thanksgiving at our house this year because it probably would have burned.
- the fact that I have a second device I can use while I wait for a new power cord for my laptop.
- generous parents and in-laws that overwhelm us (and Caleb) with gifts.
- A Christian heritage that points me daily to Christ so that my list of things I be thankful for can go on and on.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Now on to Christmas!

Dinner

So tonight when we got home we had a thawed chicken breast and Sarah said she wasn't hungry. When that happens one of two things happen. I either get lazy and save the chicken for later and have cereal or I get creative and make something that Sarah probably wouldn't like anyway. Tonight I got creative. I cranked the grill and spiced the chicken breast in ground cumin, pepper and red pepper flakes. Then I topped it with a grilled slice of tomato and shredded Mexican cheese. It was super yummy!

11/11/11

Happy 11/11/11 day. Or for those who read it overseas: Happy 11/11/11 day.

Contentment

A little over a week ago we got back from vacation.  We went on a cruise (shocker) and had a great time.  This time around, however, I wasn’t as sad that it was over as I have been in the past.  I didn’t dread returning to normal life but rather, in a strange way, looked forward to it.  I realized while on this cruise that I am very content in life.  I have no real complaints with where I am in life.  Would I like a higher paying, high profile job, sure. But that’s not where God has me right now so I’m content doing what I’m doing.  I’m happy with my marriage.  I’m happy with the direction my life is heading.  I’m happy that in March our family will be growing with the addition of Caleb.  I’m content. I’m where God wants me to be and God is good.  I have so much to be thankful for.  In the words of Mark Twain, The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.'  If you look forward to your vacations so much that you miss out on life then what type of life is that.  Vacations are great, time to relax and rejuvenate, but coming back to real life should be exciting too.  I’m so thankful for the life I have!

Blogs are more fun with pictures, so here’s one from our Cruise…

New Camera Technology

OK…This little bugger is amazing! (if it works as advertised)

https://www.lytro.com/

The concept seems sound.  When you take a picture instead of using a shutter that lets in specific information for a specific time frame it gathers all the possible information it can at that moment.  Then using software it renders the picture in such a way that you can actually refocus after the shot.  You can also edit the other characteristics like you would a normal camera but the startling change is in the focus.  If this takes off it could mean a whole new way of taking pictures…

Cultural Shift

I don’t know much about the “Occupy Wall Street” and “99 Percent” movements that are going on right now. Partly because it frustrates me to read about it. I do know, however, that they are protesting “Corporate Greed”. I find this interesting. It seems like in the last generation or so we’ve seen a shift in cultural paradigm from one view to another. The generation before this protesting generation saw that the “boss” made more money and therefore the strove to work hard so that someday they could be the boss and make more money. Capitalism the way it should be I suppose. Motivation derived from a desire to better one’s standing in society and therefore bettering society in general.

This protesting generation, however, seems to have a view of entitlement. “The boss makes more money than me and he shouldn’t because I can’t afford my high speed internet and my college loans that I received when I was working on my obscure degree that couldn’t get me a good job even in a good economy”. Where did this entitlement come from? We see average people make millions for “surviving” on an island for a few months. We see people living their lives as “real housewives” and making much more money they we likely ever will. So where’s our break? How can we get that money without working?

I’m so thankful that my parents raised me to not expect handouts. To work hard for my goals and to manage what I have, being sure to help those who are less fortunate when possible. It makes me wonder how these protestors were raised. Sure there are lots of people without jobs right now, but I can say with 100% certainty that they will not find a job standing on Wall Street with a sign. I don’t know what they hope to achieve but I don’t think they’re going to end up with someone giving them the money to fix their problems. Truthfully, I don't think money, in any quantity, would fix their problems...

Also what are they protesting Wall Street? I recently read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the author makes a good point:

That the economy is “the sum of all the goods and services produced......the products that are made, sold and bought - that’s the Economy”
And he goes on to say that in the Stock Exchange there is no economy and no production of goods and services.
There are are only “fantasies in which people from one hour to the next decide that this or that company is worth so many billions more or less.
It doesn’t have a thing to do with the...economy.

That makes sense to me...and I think I agree though I'm not economist and don't totally understand how the NYSE works. Why protest Wall Street when they're not the one's responsible for our current economy? Maybe the finger for your lack of job should be pointed elsewhere...
Here's one option:

http://www.popecenter.org/commentaries/article.html?id=2590

So long Steve

There are alot of great articles out about Steve Job's life and impact but I think this one is my favorite so far.  It inspires me to reach for more then the mediocre life.  As a Christian it motivates me that this man, who as far as I know did not know the grace of Christ, had such love for life and motivation to live to the maximum potential.  I should live the same way.  We don't know when our last day of life will be.  We shouldn't let moments of opportunity to share the love of Christ pass us by...

Steve Jobs: Making a dent in the Universe (MacWorld)

Apple predicts new IPhone feature in 1987

10-4

Happy "Roger that" day.

iPod anniversary

10 Years ago this month Apple introduced the iPod.  Most people criticized it out of the gate but here's on guy who got it amazingly right...
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5020659-2.html?tag=subdir

Some of my favorite lines:
"The iPod...is more than an MP3 player; it's a prototype of the data wallets that we'll all carry around within the decade."
"The iPod descendant will include the hard drive and possibly the processor and OS for running a network PC."
"People used to argue whether the trend was toward an all-in-one gadget that does everything as opposed to a collection of specialized gadgets. If I'm right about the iPod, both sides of this argument are correct; people will use one comprehensive iPod-like storage and connectivity unit in combination with every specialized peripheral you can think of."

Very cool coming from someone 10 years ago...

Amazon Announcement

Amazon just announced some new products if you haven't see it all over the web yet.

They reduced the price of the Kindle and introduced a new touch version. The catch...all the new models are ad supported. I'm not a fan of that but it helps keep the price down that's for sure.

The big new thing, though, is the Kindle Fire, a new tablet at a killer price. Only $200. This will be a market changer. While it won't have the robust app store that Apple has it will have access to the android app store which has all of the more popular apps. Also they're introducing a new type of web browsing which splits the processing needed to load web pages into part on the device and part on Amazon's servers. The result will be much faster web browsing. Not a bad day for tech nerds. Now here's looking forward to 10/4 when Apple has it's conference.

The Future of Consumer Technology (5 years)

**Links in text are articles that I base info off of.  They are not promotional links put in there to harass you.**

The future of consumer technology is a hard thing to guess at.  All we can do is look for trends.  We can look back in time and see where we were and then extrapolate into the future.  Needless to say, it’s all guesswork.  Educated guesswork.  So throughout these posts I could insert “in my opinion” over and over again, or you could just read the post with that in mind.  So I will state things as if they were fact but everything below (unless cited from a source) is speculation on my part. 

That being said here’s where I predict we will be in 5 years.

The short term future of technology hinges on the cloud.  More specifically the average consumer’s ability to efficiently access that cloud.  Cloud is one of those terms that has been thrown around a lot recently and in order to ensure everyone is on the same page I’m going to take a moment to explain the cloud.  The cloud is, broken down simply, the internet.  More specifically it’s the space that is created on the internet where things can be stored and programs can be run.  While the internet might seem like some ethereal, anomalous gathering of data that just floats out there in “cyberspace” it is actually all stored somewhere in the world in a physical place (or rather multiple physical places).  When people refer to the cloud the are actually talking about massive warehouses full of servers that store data and make it available from anywhere in the world via the internet.  I won’t get into the pro’s and con’s of the cloud but, needless to say, the world is shifting more and more to cloud computing as the speed of internet access increases.  As we continue to see the speed of our internet increase it will become more and more practical for us to store programs and data in the cloud.  In the beginning of this year a study was done that compared internet speeds around the world.  While the US was in the top 25, it wasn’t even close to the top.  Japan holds that title with internet download speeds averaging at 61mbps.  To give you a comparison the average US speed was 4.8 mbps.  Compare a car going 5 mph with a car going 60 mph and you’ll see the difference.  Many people foresee gigabit internet speeds in the future.  It’s hard to say when, due to the economy and the massive amount of spending the US government is already dealing with, but we will get there, eventually.  I think in 5 years we, in the US, will see speeds closer to the mid 20’s.  There may be options for higher speeds but I think the average household can expect those speeds. 

Once we become more dependent on the cloud we’ll see a drop in the need for hard drives as everything is stored on the cloud.  We’ll see cell phone internet speeds close to 15-20 mbps and we’ll see the proliferation of “smart phones” with access to that internet.  I see in 5 years a possibility of desktops for home use starting to disappear.  We will no longer need the big towers to hold our processing power or storage.  We’ll start to see ways in which we can connect our cell phones to monitors and use the cell phone’s processing power to run the programs in the cloud (this will become more and more affordable and accessible in the 10-15 year range).  We’ll see a shift to tablets and small laptops to supplement our cell phones, which will fast become even more of an inseparable part of our lives.  We’ll be able to wirelessly pay for our groceries and other purchases by simply taping our cell phone against receivers at the point of sale.  For those who can afford it our homes will be able to be controlled completely through our cell phones, from unlocking the door (this exists now) to turning on the oven, A/C, lights etc.    We’ll see location based operations that will open your garage door automatically (update: (9/28) you can do this now too.) when you drive within 200 yards, or it will detect when you leave the house and adjust the energy usage accordingly.  All of this, of course, will be optional, costly, upgrades or apps and won’t be compulsory or cheap to begin with.

Once home internet speeds reach faster speeds we’ll see the death of cable TV.  Not because of Netflix or Hulu, but rather by companies like Time Warner (or a new upstart) who will simply change the method in which channels are distributed.  With this we’ll see social connectivity (good and bad) that will allow for targeted advertisements on TV similar to what you see on Facebook and other websites.   And with that scary thought I think I’ll wrap this up.  I may add more if I come up with things but this is long enough as it is.  Feel free to add input in the comments…

Visionary

With the resignation of Steve Jobs from the position of CEO at Apple the company, and by extension consumers, lose a true visionary.  I’m not exaggerating.  If you don’t believe me go on YouTube and look at some of the videos of lectures he gave upon his return to Apple in the 90’s.  One in particular that I was watching last night in preparation for a computer class I teach, showed a younger and more healthy looking Jobs discussing his view of the future of computing.  In it he talks about being able to save a document at his work computer and have instant access to that document at home or wherever else he is.  He goes on to describe a world in which the internet has become fast enough for us to store information on servers and access them as quickly, or eventually even faster, then we can if we stored them locally.  Sound familiar? We’re there or at least very close.  As companies shift more and more to the cloud they are doing exactly what Job’s foretold over a decade ago.  Another, smaller, example of his foresight is in something as small as the naming of the iPad.  When it was first announced the name was criticized everywhere for bringing to mind images of female hygiene products.  Now…well now even if you leave of the “i” and simply refer to something as a pad most people’s first thought will likely go to a tablet computer rather than feminine products.  He knew that iPad was the right name and he stuck to his guns. 

Why do I go on about Steve Jobs?  Well I was wondering where technology was going the other day and started to brainstorm.  While I’m no Steve Jobs, I want to take a stab at where I think things are headed and record it so that in 10-20 years I can come back and see how right I was.  And who knows…maybe someone in Cupertino will read this, like my ideas, and offer me a job…hey I can dream…

So stay tuned for my predictions on where technology will take us in the next 5, 10, and 20 years…

iPhone app

So they have an app for that...

"that" being, in this case, posting blogs

Maybe I'll post more often

Maybe it will just increase my typos.

We'll see.

I wish...

I wish I were the type of person/personality/look that could pull off wearing this hat…

I don’t know why but I like hats and jackets.  Maybe I should have been born in the 20’s when it was cool to wear hats and trench coats.  While I’m thinking about it I wouldn’t mind a Tommygun either :).  Anyway, I don’t think I could pull this hat off…you’d have to be in a city and wearing an expensive suit.  

I also like these hats but again…not sure I could pull off the look. 

Oh well.  For now I’ll stick with baseball caps when I’m out in public and maybe a hat like this one for camping/working in the yard.

Are you a leader?

Quoted from http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/1-sentence-that-proves-you%E2%80%99re-a-leader/

When I was getting ready to go out to lunch with another public speaker, I thought to myself:
“What can I give to this person?” instead of “What can I get from this person?”
It’s a two word change. It’s subtle and simple, but that shift is one that has taken me years of selfishness to eventually make.
Leaders ask:
“What can I give to this person?”
Takers ask:
“What can I get from this person?”
“Give to” versus “Get from.”
That’s it.
So, are you a leader?

What's Worse

I don’t know what’s worse…

Last night during soccer I dove at a ball that an opponent was going for and while I got the ball the opponent fell over me and in the process raked his cleat over my face.  Now I have a couple red marks on my forehead and the top of my nose.  No big deal, it doesn’t hurt, just an abrasion mark where the top of his cleat rubbed my skin.  The part that bother’s me is that I don’t know what is worse:

The fact that I have a big red mark on my face and no one says anything about it.  (This, by default, means that either 1) they never really look at me or 2) they don’t notice the marks…not sure what that says about my complexion.) Or when they do notice they’ll say “What happened to your face?”

Ah the awkwardness of it all….

Aquaskipper

OK, this is pretty cool looking.  Glide on the water with no motor, just the force you create by jumping on this thing. You’d have to be in great shape to go any distance but it’s a fascinating concept.

From the website:

Every time you jump, the force of your weight compresses the fiberglass spring, causing the back foil to change its angle. From the same impact of your jump, the angled back foil is pushed downward to generate the propulsion.

http://www.gadgetsandgear.com/aquaskipper.html

Hey Look Its Me!

http://gretherfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/babysitters.html

Sarah and I had a blast babysitting for our friends Greg and Heather.  Their little boy Eli is so adorable. 

Top 10 Myths about Introverts

I saw this on Facebook and it really is pretty accurate as a description of me so I figured I'd post it here.
Credit for the original goes to: carlkingcreative.com

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.
Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

New Coffee Cup

I found some fun new cups online and splurged and bought 2.  They are made of Borosilicate glass which makes them light weight and strong, resistant to temperature changes.  They also are dual layered so they are insulated which keeps drinks warm or cold without making it too hot or cold for your hands.  I think they look really cool when you put a latte in them.  Don’t you agree?

Great idea!

Here's a great idea on kickstarter. A light switch with key rings and mail holder built right in.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/justin-porcano/wallplates-functional-light-switch-covers

If you haven't heard of kickstarter give it a browse. It's a cool website where people can post their ideas and try to raise funding for it.

Snakes!

Sarah found this snake in our back yard... Not sure exactly what type it is but it's big.  It ran away before I could get the shovel...

Chicago Crime

The real estate website Trulia has created a map using local crime statistics in major cities to see what areas of cities are “safer” then others.  I found it very interesting to look at a particular area of downtown Chicago:

It’s fascinating to me that the area of green in the middle of all the red is the campus of Moody Bible Institute.  The realist in me says that’s because its mostly a closed campus, there is 24 security patrols, blah blah blah.  But the idealist in me wants to say that it’s the influence of Christ, the effects of prayer.  Maybe it’s both…either way I think it’s cool!

Reference: http://www.trulia.com/crime/#

Jackets

Sarah can testify for you that I have a thing for Jackets…

I don’t know why.  The irony of it is that I live in a place where I have the opportunity to wear a jacket only at the most 2-3 months a year (and I’m talking a light jacket). 

Anyway, I found this jacket the other day and really thought it was cool.

I wish it wasn’t so expensive!

http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Apparel/Jackets/Stealth-Hoodie-LT

Long Time

It’s been a long time since I blogged last.  Maybe blogging isn’t for me.  I’ve had things come to mind where I thought “that’d be a good blog post” but then I think about it and realize it’s either 1) way to personal to share on the internet with possibly complete strangers or 2) it’s something that I don’t think people will care about.

I struggle throwing personal thoughts and feelings out into cyberspace because I really feel like those types of things should be shared one on one.  I’m talking about deep thoughts and struggles obviously, not the everyday life things that some people blog about.  Take my wife’s blog for example (http://benandsarahorner.blogspot.com/).  She does a great job blogging about her interests and events in her life. Those type of things are great for a blog.  I could do a blog like that but I tend to be a deep thinker that over thinks things and analyzes things.  I don’t know if I’d be satisfied with a blog that just talked about my interests and there’s no need for me to blog about events in my life because that would be redundant with Sarah blogging about them. 

Even now I’m thinking to myself, why am I writing a blog post about this, who will care?  Probably no one.  That’s okay.  I think I’m going to change this blog into a “Things Ben finds interesting blog” where I can post cool technology, interesting articles, things like that.  That way you can get insight into who I am without me having to spill my guts or get to personal.  So if you want to see things I’m interested in then follow this blog, otherwise just ignore me.  Most of what I post will be found on various other blogs and will likely not be original but that’s okay, I’ll cite the source. 

Enough for now.  We’ll see how the renovation of my blog goes…

The Media/Press

For the longest time Sarah and I have been avoiding watching the news in the morning.  Lately though, we've been turning it on to see what's going on in the world.  This has reminded me of why I stopped watching in the first place.  I just have a growing frustration with journalists in general.  Especially our local news team…but that’s due more to the un-professionalism being painful to watch then the topic of this blog.  The national news, both TV and written word, have really started to frustrate me lately.  I can’t point to a specific turning point or change in my thinking that has brought this about, but nonetheless, it has happened.  It seems to be more the talking heads that frustrate me then the printed word.  Maybe that’s because when writers type out something they have the ability to filter before they publish.  Just this morning I was watching a report where the anchor briefly mentioned the recent photos of US Soldiers that were taken next to dead Afghani’s, the anchor went on to say how the photo’s have caused the military to come out and condemn the soldiers actions.  The part of this that frustrates me is that the way that was told indicates that the government/military was not going to do anything until the photo’s were released by the German media, when in fact those soldiers were already being court marshaled.  Another example is this whole nuclear power plant/radiation scare.  The Media has been consistently exaggerating the effects and the spread of the radiation, which then scares people, only to turn around and get those scared people to watch their “Special Report” where they tell people there’s nothing to be scared about.  Until they watch the morning news the next morning and hear that there’s radiation in Alaska…forget the fact that the amount of radiation is less then you get normally every day anyway.  Is the media/press a bad thing? No.  They have their uses but I think they’ve grown more and more bold in their hunt for ratings which has taken “objective journalism” to a new low.  Sure there might be some good one’s out there but they are few and far between.  I wish there was a news sight that just printed facts and let everyone draw their own conclusions.  No interviews with has been politicians or Hollywood big mouths, just the facts…that would be nice.

My Paintings

This weekend I spent a good amount of time painting.  I enjoy painting and am grateful to my sister-in-law Ashley for getting me back into it as a hobby.  It all started when she moved into her own apartment and she wanted a picture of a daisy on the wall but she wanted it to be purple with a green background to match some other things she had.  Sarah knew that I had done some drawing/art in the past (middle/high school) so she volunteered me.  I decided to take it on and really enjoyed it.  So over the last few years I’ve painted several other things for our house and for my parents house and some just for fun (the latest one has no where to hang currently).  So since it’s something I enjoy I thought I would share some with the blogging world.  So, below are photos of my paintings.  They are all acrylic on canvas.  I hope you enjoy (Sorry the photo's don't always turn out the best).

The Daisy that started it all

This was done for Ashley when she moved to a bigger apartment and had more wall space to fill. (this one shows the darker paintings better)

This one shows the white flowers better

This one was fun b/c it's really small (like 3"x 3")

For Sarah, Hanging in our living room

An African Landscape I gave to my Grandparents (who were missionaries in Africa)

A field of flowers for my Mom

My most recent, a landscape of Barga, Italy

Reflective

So ever since Sarah and I decided that we want to have children and have put a timeframe on when we’re going to start trying, it has really rocked my world.  I suppose I don’t know the half of it and that once we actually have a child it will rock it even more, but the thought of being responsible for raising this little person has made me take a good long look at my life.  I’ve been very reflective lately as I roll over things in my mind…

• Am I praying enough?...Is that even possible? 
• Am I a strong enough Spiritual leader to handle this addition to our family? 
• Am I active enough in church to be a good example for a child?
• Am I too active so as to keep me from spending quality time with the child? 
• Do I spend too much time on me? 

I’ve heard people say that having a baby makes you realize how selfish you truly are.  I’m not a father yet but I’m already seeing how that’s true.  I’m already beginning to see the things that I will have to (and am completely willing to) give up for this child.  Will I miss being able to get up on Saturday morning and bum around, eating breakfast around 10:30 or 11?  Maybe…but I think instead I will cherish those moments of letting Sarah sleep in and just having one-on-one time with our children. I’m looking forward to the adventure that is fatherhood more then I ever thought I would but it scares me to death at the same time.  I suppose that’s healthy…

For now I continue to wrestle with my flesh and laziness and push toward developing and maintaining habits that will help me be a good father and remain close to The Father. Only with Him can I truly be the parent I need to be. 

Awesome read!

Here's an awesome read. Excerpts from an interview with Bono (lead singer of the band U2) containing his thoughts on why Christ died and why he has to be the Messiah!

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Emoticons

Emoticons…For those who don’t know, emoticons are not a new character in the next Transformers move…no…emoticons are those smiley faces or sad faces you see all over most correspondence these days.  I must admit, I’ve found that I struggle to avoid using them.  Somewhere down the line they became something I used in order to show that I was playfully jesting or using sarcasm when using written communication.  I have no problem with this in informal communication like friendly emails or text messages (okay I should say I don’t have a big problem…I’m not a fan but they’re acceptable).  The problem arises when you become so dependent on emoticon’s to convey tone in written messages that you can no longer communicate without them.  How am I supposed to convey a lighthearted tone in a professional email without the obligatory :)?  I don’t necessary have an answer for that which is what bothers me about emoticons.  I’ve gotten so used to using them I’m not sure how to go with out them.  I suppose I could resort to the asterix’d words to indicate *sarcasm* or *spoken with tone of disappointment* but somehow that loses something of its meaning when I do that.  For now I’ll just have to leave the smiley’s out of my emails and hope I’m not misinterpreted in any way.  Maybe I should just become a better writer and learn how to convey feeling by the vocabulary I use…I always hated vocab though.

The Prestige

So Sarah and I watched a movie called the Prestige last night.  It wasn't the first time I'd seen it so instead of trying to figure it all out I was able to just watch and enjoy it.  If you haven't see it then I won't spoil it for you but it's a great movie with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Cain, and Scarlett Johansson.  It's about 2 competing magicians (illusionists) and how their competition evolves into an obsession for Hugh Jackman.  Anyway, part of the movie has a Michael Cain explaining that each magic trick has 3 acts, The Pledge, The Turn, and The Prestige.  The Pledge is when the magician sets up his trick and introduces something ordinary.  The Turn is when he does something extraordinary with that ordinary thing (saws a woman in half, makes a bird/man disappear).  But, Cain explains, that is not enough, the audience does not applaud yet. You need a Third Act, The Prestige, where the magician brings it all back to normal (repairs the woman, reappears the bird or man).  Now I'm not someone who tends to find spirituality in every movie I watch or song I listen too.  But it struck me last night lying in bed that it wouldn't have been enough for Jesus to have died on the cross for us.  (Something I've always know but just found this cool parallel to emphasize it) Jesus need to rise again, he needed "The Prestige".  Of course Jesus was no magician or illusionist, he literally died and literally rose from the dead. But I think the interesting thing is just like you have no magic trick without the Prestige, you have no salvation without the resurrection.  An obvious thought to some but maybe a startling conclusion for others.  There are other great parallels in this move about obsession, living an act, self sacrifice for a goal, but you can dwell on those on your own.

My First Post...

Okay, I have to admit.  I've tried this before and haven't been very good at it.  I'm hoping this time I'll have more to talk about.  I'm going to be blogging my journey, physically and spiritually, as Sarah and I embark on this adventure called life.  I don't totally know yet what form this blog will take but I'm thinking it will be a compilation of serious and funny, creative and dull, prose and poetry.  I've always been a writer.  I've preferred to write things out rather then say them out loud.  My goal overall will be to be concise and yet deep enough to give you a look into who I am.  Well, here it goes...