I was stopped at a red light when I saw police lights flashing behind me. He was about 1/2 a mile back so I was pretty sure that he wasn't after me, but you can't help the fact that for a second your heart jumps and you have "wha'd I do!?" rush through you're head. I was in the center of 3 lanes so I moved into the "right turn only" next to me to do my best to clear the way for him... and I'm glad I did.
No sooner did I pull over when ZOOM, some ancient mini-van goes flying through the red light just ahead of the cop. I didn't see him behind me because I was focused on the lights and siren. He was lucky to make it through the intersection because it's a very busy 6 way stop (for you locals: Outer Drive, Pelham, and Carlysle). I was really, really, really tempted to follow them to see how it would end [i.e. pit maneuver], but I needed to get home. I didn't follow them far, but it appeared to me that he later turned the wrong way down a one way street.
It was my first time seeing a live police chase. It was a bit exciting, but I just can't believe the stupidity of anyone trying to outrun the police. Haven't we all seen "World's Wildest Police Chases" volumes 1 through 25? Or even more seriously, the metro- Detroit area is still reeling from the recent deaths of 4 teens at the hands of a drunk driver; drunk driver, reckless driver, it doesn't matter... police chases never end positively. Fines. Jail. Injury. or Deaths.
I hope the chase ended quietly and the guy gets what he deserves.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
tweety
About 6 months ago I was asked by a co-worker "have you ever heard of twitter?" I told him "no" and he introduced to me to the concept of micro-blogging. I thought it sounded pretty cool, combining the status update of facebook with the mobile convenience of texting. I haven't tried the service though since I don't have a phone plan which includes texting [as mentioned in this previous post].
Fast Forward to today where it seems like Twitter is taking over the planet. Everyone is talking about Twitter or tweeting [the act of posting a message to Twitter]. NBA players are tweeting during halftime IN THE GAME THEY ARE PLAYING! (source) Congressmen and Senators were tweeting DURING PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS (source). I know that several of you readers tweet and the rest of the internet is taking notice as well. The much maligned recent update to Facebook appears to be a direct response to the Twitter trend.
So what is your take on Twitter? Is micro-blogging the future of social networking and web communication? Does Twitter have a place in the virtual world along side Live Journal, Blogger, Myspace, and Facebook... or will it replace them?
Fast Forward to today where it seems like Twitter is taking over the planet. Everyone is talking about Twitter or tweeting [the act of posting a message to Twitter]. NBA players are tweeting during halftime IN THE GAME THEY ARE PLAYING! (source) Congressmen and Senators were tweeting DURING PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS (source). I know that several of you readers tweet and the rest of the internet is taking notice as well. The much maligned recent update to Facebook appears to be a direct response to the Twitter trend.So what is your take on Twitter? Is micro-blogging the future of social networking and web communication? Does Twitter have a place in the virtual world along side Live Journal, Blogger, Myspace, and Facebook... or will it replace them?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Just a few degrees
Why is it that in the spring 50 degrees feels sooo nice, but in the fall it's freezing?
We got teased with nice weather (high 50's) last weekend, but it's been nothing but grey skies and cold days ever since. I'm ready for summer, anyone else?
We got teased with nice weather (high 50's) last weekend, but it's been nothing but grey skies and cold days ever since. I'm ready for summer, anyone else?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
10 Year Anniversary
I can't believe that 10 years has past so quickly. It was just a short decade ago that one of the most influential musical acts in human history dropped their debut album on a world totally unprepared for the melodic sonic-boom that was about to overtake them. I am speaking, of course, about "Where No Cheese Has Gone Before" by Smooth Smoothie Smooth and the Smoothed Out Smooth Ones.
Recorded and released in the fall of 1999, the Compact Disc (or "C.D.") was greeted with mixed reviews. Some called it "the most amazing album ever produced" while others said it was "the most incredible album ever produced". 500 CD's were produced and over 400 of the CD's were sold to a ravenous and dedicated fan-base. The few remaining unsold copies are a highly sought after collector's item with unopened editions selling for tens of dollars.
Before the break-up of the band in the winter of 2000, the 6 remaining band members sat down and recorded a small collection of songs that were never released. This uncompleted EP has been worked on in several stages and will perhaps be released to the public at some point in the future. There have been rumors circulating around the internet community of a reunion concert, but the band has never spoken of reuniting.
But seriously folks (or based on my readership, folk), it was such a great experience to be a part of The Smoothies. If you ever have a chance to be a part of a band, do it. Even decades later you'll look back on those times with a smile.
(actual photo's from the final Smooth Smoothie Smooth and the Smoothed Out Smooth Ones concert)
Recorded and released in the fall of 1999, the Compact Disc (or "C.D.") was greeted with mixed reviews. Some called it "the most amazing album ever produced" while others said it was "the most incredible album ever produced". 500 CD's were produced and over 400 of the CD's were sold to a ravenous and dedicated fan-base. The few remaining unsold copies are a highly sought after collector's item with unopened editions selling for tens of dollars.
Before the break-up of the band in the winter of 2000, the 6 remaining band members sat down and recorded a small collection of songs that were never released. This uncompleted EP has been worked on in several stages and will perhaps be released to the public at some point in the future. There have been rumors circulating around the internet community of a reunion concert, but the band has never spoken of reuniting.
But seriously folks (or based on my readership, folk), it was such a great experience to be a part of The Smoothies. If you ever have a chance to be a part of a band, do it. Even decades later you'll look back on those times with a smile.
(actual photo's from the final Smooth Smoothie Smooth and the Smoothed Out Smooth Ones concert)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Heartbeat of America
This past week the results of the American Religious Identification Survey were released (source). This poll is regarded as one of the most comprehensive studies of "how contemporary Americans identify themselves religiously, and how that self-identification has changed over the past generation" (they've also conducted the survey in 1990 and 2001). The survey found that the number of Americans that identify themselves as "Christian" has dropped from 86% in 1990 to 76% in 2008.
My friend and fellow blogger Adam recently commented on the opportunity that these findings hold to remind us of the growing need of lost people. I agree with Adam that our reaction to this survey should not be to circle the wagons and cry about the decaying moral fabric of our culture. I mean, who among us in the church really believe that 76% of Americans are Christian? Perhaps this is a good sign that many people who consider themselves Christian are realizing just how little they invest in their faith. Maybe there are people out there today that would be willing to explore a walk with Christ who would have not thought of it as necessary previously.
People need the Lord. It's not just a rockin' 80's tune... it's the truth.
My friend and fellow blogger Adam recently commented on the opportunity that these findings hold to remind us of the growing need of lost people. I agree with Adam that our reaction to this survey should not be to circle the wagons and cry about the decaying moral fabric of our culture. I mean, who among us in the church really believe that 76% of Americans are Christian? Perhaps this is a good sign that many people who consider themselves Christian are realizing just how little they invest in their faith. Maybe there are people out there today that would be willing to explore a walk with Christ who would have not thought of it as necessary previously.
People need the Lord. It's not just a rockin' 80's tune... it's the truth.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Untouchable Movies
We're all aware of the biggest trend in movie making today... the Reboot/Remake. It's simple and a safe bet because you take an existing film with a built in audience and add a few cg effects and *boom* a new, old money-maker. IGN.com recently came out with a list of the top 10 films that should be left untouched and un-updated:
1. The Exorcist
2. The Godfather
3. Blade Runner
4. Ghostbusters
5. The Terminator
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark
7. The Wizard of Oz
8. Poltergeist
9. Jaws
10. Alien
I think it's a pretty good list. It's not necessarily a list of the best or most important films, but movies that are unique because they were executed well and a new film would miss the elements that make them great. I absolutely agree with "The Godfather", The Terminator", and "The Wizard of Oz". I'd also add "It's a Wonderful Life", "Citizen Kane", and "Jurassic Park".
What movies would you hate to see remade/rebooted?
1. The Exorcist
2. The Godfather
3. Blade Runner
4. Ghostbusters
5. The Terminator
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark
7. The Wizard of Oz
8. Poltergeist
9. Jaws
10. Alien
I think it's a pretty good list. It's not necessarily a list of the best or most important films, but movies that are unique because they were executed well and a new film would miss the elements that make them great. I absolutely agree with "The Godfather", The Terminator", and "The Wizard of Oz". I'd also add "It's a Wonderful Life", "Citizen Kane", and "Jurassic Park".
What movies would you hate to see remade/rebooted?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Manual Transmission
Has it ever taken you a really long time to read a book? Not due to the extended length of the book or complexity of the subject matter, just for some reason you start to read it but aren't able to find the time to continue. I've been "reading" Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell since September. I've really enjoyed it and been challenged by it and someday I'll finish it.
One of Rob's arguments really stood out to me this past week. He says that we should get rid of the 'Bible as an owners manual' analogy. The analogy is often used because a manual gives us instruction and guides our path. The problem is that we only use owner's manuals when something goes wrong.
Last week a projector stopped working in the church basement. I opened the owner's manual for the first time in the 3 years I've been using the projector. And not only was it the first time that it was used in three years, but it didn't even help with the issue I was facing. There were no problem shooting tips for the lamp inexplicably shutting off. The 50 (english) pages were not even remotely helpful and I'll probably never refer to it again.
The Bible is not a simplified set of unhelpful, vague schematics. It is the wild, uncensored, passionate account of people experiencing the loving God (Bell, 63). I like that.
One of Rob's arguments really stood out to me this past week. He says that we should get rid of the 'Bible as an owners manual' analogy. The analogy is often used because a manual gives us instruction and guides our path. The problem is that we only use owner's manuals when something goes wrong.
Last week a projector stopped working in the church basement. I opened the owner's manual for the first time in the 3 years I've been using the projector. And not only was it the first time that it was used in three years, but it didn't even help with the issue I was facing. There were no problem shooting tips for the lamp inexplicably shutting off. The 50 (english) pages were not even remotely helpful and I'll probably never refer to it again.
The Bible is not a simplified set of unhelpful, vague schematics. It is the wild, uncensored, passionate account of people experiencing the loving God (Bell, 63). I like that.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Man vs. Food 2: Electric Boogaloo
Watching Man vs. Food again. Tonite's episode features none other than food guzzling world champion Joey Chestnut!
Joey just pounded down a 17.5 inch, 5 pound burrito in 3 minutes, 10 seconds.
The picture says it all. [he's 2/3rds of the way done]
Joey just pounded down a 17.5 inch, 5 pound burrito in 3 minutes, 10 seconds.
The picture says it all. [he's 2/3rds of the way done]
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
what villainy is afoot?!
Quick Poll:
Who is the most evil villain currently on T.V.?
Ben Linus, LOST
Simon Cowell, AMERICAN IDOL
General Juma, 24
... or this guy...
Jason Mesnick, THE BACHELOR
Who is the most evil villain currently on T.V.?
Ben Linus, LOST
Simon Cowell, AMERICAN IDOL
General Juma, 24
... or this guy...
Jason Mesnick, THE BACHELOR
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