Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hooray for free tacos
thanks for a world series promotion tomorrow (Tuesday, October 28th) taco bell is handing out free tacos from 2pm to 6pm.
how many are you going to get?
how many are you going to get?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
oh canada
My family (Becky, Kids, Me, My Parents) is preparing for the long journey to Niagara Falls, Ontario to visit my grandparents. We weren't able to visit my grandpa after his stroke in June because Ashlyn was about to be born, and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to see him again. I don't want to take this opportunity for granted. In just the last couple of weeks a couple different kids in the youth group have lost their grandparents and it's reminded me of what a joy it is to be able to have them in our lives still.
The drive, on the other hand, will be a challenge. It'll be our first significant trip with 3 kids. Both the boys traveled really well as infants (they still do), let's hope Ashlyn got some of those genes too.
Canada, here we come!
The drive, on the other hand, will be a challenge. It'll be our first significant trip with 3 kids. Both the boys traveled really well as infants (they still do), let's hope Ashlyn got some of those genes too.
Canada, here we come!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
the best fake news
A few years ago a friend of mine told me about lark news. It's a Christian version of the onion [satirical news in the vein of the daily show and colbert report].
Here's a "news" article they wrote recently about the use of movie clips during a sunday morning sermon:
Sermon overwhelmed by film clips
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Pastor John Taylor, 43, once a winsome and compelling preacher, has lately embraced film clips as a way to illustrate his sermon points. Last week his sermon was finally overwhelmed by them.
"He used fourteen clips, totaling 33 minutes of a 35-minute sermon," says one observer. "I forgot he was even on the platform."
Taylor’s speaking portions consisted mostly of short introductions of scenes.
"It was all, ‘Have a look at this clip. Now have a look at this one,’" says one man. "I felt like I should have brought popcorn."
The selections included such disparate fare as The Simpsons Movie, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Atonement, Juno and Live Free or Die Hard. Many found the point inscrutable.
"I think the common thread was loyalty or friendship or something," says one woman. "I believe there was a message in there somewhere but I’m still trying to figure out what it was."
Taylor insists that film clips offer "unparalleled emotional impact and common language." He used to write sermons with emotional variation — humor, poignancy, personal examples and exhortation. Now film clips perform those functions for him. He likes to start with a humorous scene, segue into a more serious one, then build his argument using clips from a variety of movies. He usually ends with an emotionally impacting scene, such as one from Titanic, intended to leave the congregation deeply moved. When the lights go up he simply says, "Let’s pray."
Taylor, who enjoys reading Variety to see what movies he might use as spiritual illustrations, has already planned his preaching schedule through 2012 based on future DVD releases.
"Spiderman 4 comes out in 2010," he says. "That should make for a great Sunday."
Of all the people in the church, the youth are the most supportive of the new direction.
"It’s Sermon Mash-up every Sunday," says one young man. "It’s awesome."
Here's a "news" article they wrote recently about the use of movie clips during a sunday morning sermon:
Sermon overwhelmed by film clips
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Pastor John Taylor, 43, once a winsome and compelling preacher, has lately embraced film clips as a way to illustrate his sermon points. Last week his sermon was finally overwhelmed by them.
"He used fourteen clips, totaling 33 minutes of a 35-minute sermon," says one observer. "I forgot he was even on the platform."
Taylor’s speaking portions consisted mostly of short introductions of scenes.
"It was all, ‘Have a look at this clip. Now have a look at this one,’" says one man. "I felt like I should have brought popcorn."
The selections included such disparate fare as The Simpsons Movie, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Atonement, Juno and Live Free or Die Hard. Many found the point inscrutable.
"I think the common thread was loyalty or friendship or something," says one woman. "I believe there was a message in there somewhere but I’m still trying to figure out what it was."
Taylor insists that film clips offer "unparalleled emotional impact and common language." He used to write sermons with emotional variation — humor, poignancy, personal examples and exhortation. Now film clips perform those functions for him. He likes to start with a humorous scene, segue into a more serious one, then build his argument using clips from a variety of movies. He usually ends with an emotionally impacting scene, such as one from Titanic, intended to leave the congregation deeply moved. When the lights go up he simply says, "Let’s pray."
Taylor, who enjoys reading Variety to see what movies he might use as spiritual illustrations, has already planned his preaching schedule through 2012 based on future DVD releases.
"Spiderman 4 comes out in 2010," he says. "That should make for a great Sunday."
Of all the people in the church, the youth are the most supportive of the new direction.
"It’s Sermon Mash-up every Sunday," says one young man. "It’s awesome."
Monday, October 20, 2008
busy busy busy
We're getting ready for mom and dad to visit. It's tough to be so far away from them and we are looking forward to a week and a half of grandma and grandpa.
we've just got to make sure the house is ready for them.
we've just got to make sure the house is ready for them.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Joey Jo-Jo Shabadoo Jr.
This past Sunday evening in Times Square a new pizza king was crowned. Joey Chestnut [of Hot Dog eating fame] downed 45 slices of pizza in 10 minutes. Yeah, I typed that right, FOURTY-FIVE slices of pizza in TEN minutes. (source)
I think the most I've ever eaten in one sitting is 7 or 8, but that certainly wasn't in ten minutes.
Does that make you hungry? or want to throw up?
I think the most I've ever eaten in one sitting is 7 or 8, but that certainly wasn't in ten minutes.
Does that make you hungry? or want to throw up?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Space Mutiny!
I'm currently watching one of my favorite episodes of MST3K, "Space Mutiny".
For those of you who aren't "Misties", Mystery Science Theater 3000 was a 90's t.v. show that mocked [or riffed] really bad movies. I started watching MST3K around college and I fell in love with it. The show hasn't been on in nearly a decade, but a very loyal fanbase still circulates tapes of all the old episodes (some of them are available on dvd in stores also). Thankfully, i still have a couple dozen shows on tape and I drag them out from time to time.
Space Mutiny remains one of my favorite episodes. The movie is as bad as they get. No continuity, huge plot holes, sets and costumes that are laughable on every level. If you've never seen a episode of MST3K, check it out.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
digital transition
I think there's a lot of confusion out there regarding the digital conversion of all TV signals in February 2009. This brief video should help clear things up.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
do i ever feel old
At some point between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday, October 7th I turned into an old man.
I've been needing new jeans and we made the time tonite to go shopping as a family after dinner. We drove down to Kohl's and while Becky took Aaron and Ashlyn on her own, Evan and I went to the jeans section. I have never been so overwhelmed and confused while shopping in my life. Low Rise, Boot Cut, Relaxed, Straight, Loose, Slim, Skinny, Original, Carpenter, and infinite combinations of these cuts (not to mention the colors, fades, and brands). Seriously, what is the difference between relaxed fit, loose fit, and straight fit? I knew for sure that I was too old for rockin skinny jeans and too young for the standard fit. After trying on 4 different pairs I ended up with a relaxed hip + low rise + straight leg... and an identity crisis. When did jean shopping get so complicated?
I've been needing new jeans and we made the time tonite to go shopping as a family after dinner. We drove down to Kohl's and while Becky took Aaron and Ashlyn on her own, Evan and I went to the jeans section. I have never been so overwhelmed and confused while shopping in my life. Low Rise, Boot Cut, Relaxed, Straight, Loose, Slim, Skinny, Original, Carpenter, and infinite combinations of these cuts (not to mention the colors, fades, and brands). Seriously, what is the difference between relaxed fit, loose fit, and straight fit? I knew for sure that I was too old for rockin skinny jeans and too young for the standard fit. After trying on 4 different pairs I ended up with a relaxed hip + low rise + straight leg... and an identity crisis. When did jean shopping get so complicated?
Monday, October 06, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
JUMP!
As church started this morning I couldn't help but notice that Becky and Evan weren't sitting in their usual spot. They can be a few minutes late from time to time [understandable when trying to mobilize 3 kids under 4], but when they weren't there after singing ended I admit I was a bit worried. Glanced out into the parking lot I could see our Odyssey wasn't there. I went to my office to check my phone and there was a message from Becky saying... the van is dead!
Our boys love to play in the van. They climb all over it, press every button and twist every knob. I usually go back through the van and turn everything back off but... oops. After lunch it was up to me to re-animate our lifeless beast. You should understand that I'm not a gear head. It's not that I don't care, but it was never part of my upbringing and even jumping a car is mildly intimidating. But I'm the man of the house and if there's a job to be done, I'm gonna do it.
First we backed the car up the driveway and into the backyard. Then we figured out how to get the van into neutral and I pushed it back out of the garage. [I felt like I was competing in the world's strongest man... that thing is heavy!] I got it all hooked up and managed to get the van back online with relative ease.
Here's a couple picture of me doing man things.
Our boys love to play in the van. They climb all over it, press every button and twist every knob. I usually go back through the van and turn everything back off but... oops. After lunch it was up to me to re-animate our lifeless beast. You should understand that I'm not a gear head. It's not that I don't care, but it was never part of my upbringing and even jumping a car is mildly intimidating. But I'm the man of the house and if there's a job to be done, I'm gonna do it.
First we backed the car up the driveway and into the backyard. Then we figured out how to get the van into neutral and I pushed it back out of the garage. [I felt like I was competing in the world's strongest man... that thing is heavy!] I got it all hooked up and managed to get the van back online with relative ease.
Here's a couple picture of me doing man things.
(Thanks Becky for your help)
Then I backed the van into the fence and scratched the bumper. Hooray!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
love/hate
what is the deal with computers?!
They are really great for things like keeping in touch with friends, sharing ideas, playing games, and creating stuff.
But i hate computers right now. I've been spending hours and hours working on multiple video projects this week. And 2 of them are not completed through no fault of my own (unless not working on a mac can be considered my fault).
I have no idea how to fix the problems and i don't have time to fix them even if i did. PC's stink.
They are really great for things like keeping in touch with friends, sharing ideas, playing games, and creating stuff.
But i hate computers right now. I've been spending hours and hours working on multiple video projects this week. And 2 of them are not completed through no fault of my own (unless not working on a mac can be considered my fault).
I have no idea how to fix the problems and i don't have time to fix them even if i did. PC's stink.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Showdown Countdown
... ok, i'm not actually tracking the minutes until the vice presidential debate, but I'm really eager to watch the veep candidates challenge each other, share their ideas, and critique one another.
Katie Couric's interviews have left Palin with a lot of ground to make up. I think if she bombs it tomorrow night the race is over for McCain. The race is too tight right now and she could be the deciding factor for alot of folks.
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