Gaming for Charity?

Mark and I went to the Credit Union today to count up the money that we raised for the "Gaming For a Cause" program held in Breese Hall over the course of the weekend. Can you believe over $50 was raised? Who knew that playing video games could so greatly benefit the community :). My hats of to Mark, the residents of 1st floor and other members of the Breese Hall community past and present that made it possible.

With that money alone, Breese has reached its $1,000 fundraising goal. And, we have a lot of money unaccounted for that will cause us to crush that goal. Most exciting!

Random Encounter

I was hanging out with my little brother last night and we decided to make the pilgramage to the new Best Buy in Appleton, WI. As he and I were perusing the new releases in the video game section, I thought I overheard on the intercom that Ahman Green was in the building.

I was wondering whay I saw two sets of bleachers set up by the entrance to Best Buy facing three HDTVs. Apparently, you could watch Monday Night Football with Ahman Green. I wandered over there and he was sitting in the bleachers answering questions from the audience (around 50 people).

I was too shy to ask any questions, but it was cool to simply be close to a starting Packer player, especially a Pro Bowl caliber player. But, that was not the only highlight of the evening.

What really made me happy concerning last night's get together was that Adam did not labor at all to find things to talk about. Sometimes it is a struggle to find topics of conversation and sometimes Adam can be a little shy. However, last night we talked about many things including church. We talked about why he is not motivated to go to church and how he moves Christianity. I told him he should come with me to church some time. I thought it might be good for him to see another church. I look forward to continuing this conversation.

Perspective

I have talked many times about the number of meetings that are involved with my job; if you throw in church meetings it gets really crazy. With that much time being taken up for meetings, I usually view any meetings above that to be drudgery and I usually look down upon. Sadly, for me, I had that view toward meetings that should be fun.

My birthday weekend has given me a new perspective toward gatherings that I have usually viewed as getting in the way and seen them for what they should be. For instance, I have always viewed my attendance at our church youth group meetings to be drudgery. I don't know why...it is a way to help our younger members feel comfortable with talking about God. However, the fact that they are on Sunday nights takes away the motivation. For some reason last night I went in thinking it would be fun, and it was!

Similarly, I hung out with Adam last night for Big Brothers/Big Sisters last night and it was fun...and we figured out what we were going to do for the next two Mondays. That never happens. All that changed was my perspective; if you think it can be fun more likely than not it will be more fun than it was before.

Perspective, it seems like a simple lesson. However it is one I often forget. I let routine jade my viwe of something or I let a lack of energy or an over-abundance of meetings get in the way of something that should be enjoyable and memorable. I am sure this is something we can all think about.

*** The pictures from the 30th Birthday Party will be picked up this afternoon and will be posted tomorrow! Along with the pictures, I will be buying a copy of Guitar Hero 2!! ***

Salvation Army

On Friday, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Salvation Army in Oshkosh, WI. I helped people fill out applications for their Christmas Program. Adults receive a basket of food and kids receive gifts. I saw familes of various levels on the socioeconmic scale. It was great to see residents of Breese Hall helping out. I encourage Breese residents to sign up and help out with the Thanksgiving Sign-up occurring October 26-27.

Other News:

• Friday: I played two hours of competitive Guitar Hero with Mark as well as other folks on first floor. It was a lot of fun. I look forward to getting a second controller for the game so that Christa and I can engage in Guitar duels.
• Saturday: I dressed up in pink and and helped out Breese Hall for the Homecoming Float in the parade. It was really frickin' cold and I didn't do myself any favors for trying to get over a cold.
• Saturday: Yeah...I finally went to a Titan football game for the first time. Let's recap: 4 turnovers, 3 missed field goals, 2 key injuries, 14 points, 1 loss. Not very exciting. It may be awhile before I decide to go back to another Titan football game.
• Sunday: I spent the day cleaning. My apartment looks very nice now. Perhaps I can finally keep it that way.