15,000

While playing Resident Evil 5, I managed to get my XBox Live Gamerscore over 15,000. Despite my early struggles with the game, a look at an on-line walk through helped me realize where I was making my mistakes early in the game. As of now, I am halfway through the game. I would at least like to get through one play through of the game before I return it on Tuesday evening.

There is really no specific benefit to getting 15,000. If anything, it just feels good to be playing video games again. Lately, I have been so busy with work and other obligations that I have not had much time to play anything. Christa and I haven't played Rock Band in weeks. That should change after June 5, when she is done with student teaching and I am done with the 17-week semester's obligations.

Here's to 15,000...a geek milestone.

Graduation Day Tomorrow

Christa graduates tomorrow from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh! She will be graduating with an education degree for biology and English. She will be participating in the afternoon ceremony at 2:00 PM in the Kolf Gym.

Christa will be completing seven years of college. She has weathered a few major changes as well as some bonus administrative hoops, and she has made her way to the finish line. It will be great to have the family up tomorrow to celebrate. After the ceremony, we will be heading to Player's for dinner.

Of course, even though she "graduates," she still has to go back for three more weeks of student teaching. On June 5, she will officially be done with all components of her undergraduate degree and her certification.

Car Bizarre...ness

Last Saturday, Christa's dad came up to help us replace a battery in her car. While we were waiting, our Hyundai's car alarm went off. We checked our keys to see if we had inadvertently hit the panic button. Nope. So, we stopped the alarm and assumed it was a freak thing. Fifteen minutes later it happened again, something was definitely wrong. We did some troubleshooting, but couldn't figure it out. It didn't do off the rest of the day, or night...thank goodness.

The next day we experienced the same thing. I went off twice between the hours of noon and 2:00 PM. On Monday, at work, it did the same thing to Christa while we was teaching. Nothing happened Tuesday, but it happened again on Wednesday. We needed to take the car in.

Our car was not possessed, as we thought! It turns out that the circuitry in the bumper of the car was screwed. They replaced it, and for now, we have been issue free. Luckily it was all covered under the warranty, so we didn't have to pay anything.

Mediation on the Road

Christa had mentioned to her cooperating teacher that I attended a mediation training a few weeks ago. Her cooperating teacher is currently teaching an elective course for the 6th graders about mediation. Thus, I got recruited to come in as a guest speaker to talk about my experience.

I wasn't really thinking in advance having already committed to taking a staff member's duty night on Sunday. In bed by 12:30 AM and up by 5:45 AM. Sweet!

Having done presentation for college students over the last eight years, it was quite a switch to speak to 6th graders. I often had to catch myself and not use some pretty complex words. Otherwise, Christa was very helpful in bridging the gap to where they were at.

Hopefully they learned something and it was an interesting way to start the week.

A Vacation Review

My three days removed from the rigors of work was most welcome. I will admit that it has made it difficult to transition back into the work environment. I do think that I more productive than usual because of the break. I would like to review a few highlights from the weekend:

• We visited the Mars Cheese Castle on our way down to Gurnee. This was not an anticipated stop, but we bought some great cheese and a new beverage. If you like good ginger ale, you'll love this!
• Gurnee Mills is just a big mall. Not that exciting.
• Christa and I bowled at a bowling alley in Waukegan, IL that had 40 lanes!
• We waited in line 45 minutes to get into the Shedd Aquarium. It was well worth it to Christa, who easily took over 200 pictures.
• On the way back we stopped at the Jelly Belly factory. We bought a bag of Belly Flops, failed jelly beans that still taste good.
• Once we got home, we watched Twilight. Wow...that movie is awful.
• The next day we watched Defending Your Life. Much better.
  

Tying Up Loose Ends

The plan is that Christa and I will be heading out on Friday morning to take a small vacation until Easter. It's not much, but we could really use the chance to get away. We're not planning anything fancy. We'll be taking in the Gurnee Mills experience on Friday. I have been to Six Flags Great America many times, but I have yet to be to the mall.

On Saturday, we are heading down to Chicago to check out the Shedd Aquarium. Again, this is something we have known about for a long time, but have yet to check out. Whatever time we have left will be spent in Chicago, which is always exciting! :)

To get to that point, however, there is a lot of work that I need to get done. So, today will involve some extra hours to make sure everything gets done. A few other highlights for the day:

• Mark and I will be playing Gears of War 2 tonight. I am excited to see what allt he fuss is about.
• The beard gets shaved off for tomorrow.
  

How Can You Say No?

There are many reasons why I love living in the residence halls. One thing that I don't like so much is that we can't have pets. I know, I know. We can have fish.

But, we would like to have a dog and a cat as a pet. So, we are hoping that we will be able to move to a house/apartment that will allow us to have both.

Christa has been doing quite a bit of research to find out perfect dog. She found this one today. How can say no to a face like that?

Munich

Christa and I watched Munich last night. Wow...that was a very powerful movie. I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, but it was not what she and I were expecting.

The movie actually portrays the response of Israel the deaths of eleven Israeli at the Olympics in Munich, Germany in 1972. I thought the movie was going to cover the Munich incident. Instead it covers a small group's missions to get back to at those who planned the attack.

The movie was very well done and really sucks you in. The acting is incredible and the dialogue is quite good. That being said, the movie is difficult to watch. It is bloody, but I suppose that is to be expected. What was really difficult to watch was how futile their efforts were. Despite fulfilling their missions, it was counteracted by the other side with more death.

I would recommend this movie, but beware...it will leave you somewhat speechless when it is over.

The Spring Break Agenda

As I stated in an earlier post, I will be attending a mediation training during the day Monday-Friday next week. That still leaves two weekends and some evenings without the normal evening routines. So what's on tap with all this free time?

• Christa I will finally be able to watch The Watchmen. Our weekends have not lined up very well, so without class we will have the chance to see it. There are so many people to talk with about it once we have seen it.
• We were sent Munich through the mail for Netflix, which Christa and I both want to see. Depending on how quickly we get to it, we could get the last episose of Planet Earth before spring break is over.
• I purchase Left 4 Dead, a game that Christa and I both enjoyed playing. When you combine that with the new songs we downloaded for Rock Band 2, we should have a good time gaming next week as well.
• Hopefully, I will have a chance to work ahead on some stuff for gaming. We only have so many weeks left in the spring semester to play.
• Our church will be having a long term ministry planning meeting on Tuesday. I am excited and intrigued to hear from my fellow parishioners about their ideas for the church.

Alas, all of that awaits once we have closed the building, which occurs at 8:00 PM tonight.

Resources Utilized

Tomorrow, Christa and I will be traveling to the New London United Methodist Church to preside over their two morning worship services. With Christa at her parent's house for the day, I have had some quiet time to pull everything together. What was most moving today was seeing all of the resources that I have gathered over the last year putting put to use. I was able to use the Interpreter's Bible that I received from Harry, the Book of Worship I purchased for licensing school, along the Concordance of the Bible I recently purchased. To see all these books laid out was really neat to see.

I feel as though I did a pretty decent job of bringing together all three scripture lessons together into a compact, but meaningful service.

Other News:

1. I finished a run through of Fallout 3. I didn't realize that the game was going to be over until the last mission started. It seemed abrupt. Apparently, there is a lot of game left to explore that I missed.
2. Christa realized that with her needing the car for student teaching I won't have a way to make it my Disciple bible class. We'll need to think of a solution :(.
3. It's amazing how much more free time is available when the football season is pretty much done.
   

The Bachelor Days...

Hmm, Christa being at her parent's house for the week has kicked in my laziness gene. For most of the week, I have had a pretty easy schedule:

1. Morning Workout
2. Work
3. Video Games
4. Repeat!

It has been nice and it takes me back to my early RHD days where there wasn't all that much to life besides work and video games...hehehe.

Life if so much different now. I have a wife that gives me direction and purpose, along with plenty of love and patience. I also have a stronger relationship to the Lord, which helps guide my life.

A small regression this week is nice, but I definitely miss having my better half around to share in the joy of life.

Celebration

It's 2009. Day one.

As with all years, I have pledged to make some changes. Most years, a few take hold but many fall by the wayside. Here's to hoping that this year is different.

Last night, Christa and I drove down to Sussex to hang out to have dinner with her parents. They had plenty of food! It was nice to sit down and chat for awhile. Before that, we bowled at an alley that still allowed for hand scoring. I miss doing that.

Christa and I were on the road at midnight. We cracked open a Coca Cola and toasted to 2009.

Filing Updates

When it is -2 degrees outside, it's best you stay indoors. I started work on it this weekend, but over the course of this week and the next I am going through my personal files, updating and throwing out. An emphasis can be placed on the throwing out part. It's time to make room for more files :).

Otherwise, Christa and I have been utilizing our Netflix account and have been watching about a movie per day. It's working out great.

We will also be finishing our Christmas shopping today. Sweet!

Back in the Saddle Again

This morning I led the worship service at FUMC Oshkosh. It gave Pastor Steve an opportunity to take an extended vacation. The service was typical of a holiday weekend, with the congregation relatively small. It was nice to Christa joining me as the liturgist for the service; folks out there really got a kick out of that.

As I prepared the sermon for today's worship service, I was beginning to implement some of the ideas that I learned from my books on sermon writing. I felt like today's sermon had a clear message and was better organized. The weird things was that when I actually preached the sermon, I was sweating profusely. Typically, I only sweat like that when I'm nervous (which I wasn't) or when I perceive something isn't going well. I thought it went great, but my body disagreed.

The more I read and observe, the more I look forward to having my own church with an opportunity to lead worship and order the service as I would like. The readings I am doing offer so many cool ideas I would like to try out. One day, that opportunity will hopefully come.

We Never Win Anything...

My Mom picked the right day to watch the Brewers play and also picked the right seats to watch the game...she also picked great weather! ;) The Brewers won the game 9-1, despite some shaky pitching from Ben Sheets. In addition, we another special bonus...

Earlier in the game, there was a give away which happened to take place in our section of the stadium, section 211. Christa overheard that there would be a giveaway later meant for our section, but I missed this.

In the eighth inning, it was announced that those in section 211, rows 11-15 and seats 4-13 were winners of a Brewers tailgate. All four of us were in the designated area! This was a first. I had never won anything at a Brewers game before.

We made our way to guest relations and claimed our prize. My Dad signed off for our prizes. It includes:

1. 8 tickets to the September 24th, 2008 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2. 8 tickets to a tailgate before the game.
3. Retail value: $400

What was already a pretty special day got that much better. Hopefully, the Brewers will continue to play well and this game may make a difference for the playoffs.

A Few Interesting Links for the Day

Here are a few interesting links for you to check out today:

The Power of Watermelon - I found this linked from the Drudge Report. Here's another reason to have that watermelon for dessert over the 4th of July weekend.

What Exactly Does Retirement Mean? - I found this on ESPN.com. Apparently, Brett Favre has the itch to return. Favre has since gone on record to say that there are simply rumors. I want to believe him, but I have this feeling Favre isn't completely retired. Check some of the comments left by readers...they are priceless.

Another Step Toward Moving - I found this on EPSN.com. One more step has occurred to allow the Seattle Supersonics to move to Oklahoma City. From what I am reading, it looks like there is plenty of blame to go around. With the Bucks record recently and the iffy fan base, it makes you wonder if the Bucks may be the next team to move. Not a whole of players are excited to play in Milwaukee.

Big Break-Up - When you think of the contract that A-Rod is under, this could be a messy divorce if it comes to it.

Other News:

• The Neenah softball team lost last night. We lost 10-1. We could not string any hits together. Hopefully, a practice will be scheduled for Sunday or Monday. That would be very helpful.
• I continue to read for License to Preach school. I have gotten through five books or so and need to get started on some of the papers.
• Christa has gotten a lot of scrap booking done over the last few weeks.
  

One Dinner to Change the World

Since my Dad has been working during the week in Green Bay, Christa and I will meet him in Appleton to catch dinner. We have finally agreed on Tuesday evenings because it is the one weeknight that we don't have a softball game.

Our conversations together hit on major things that have been going on in our lives, with snippets of sports talk in there as well. Invariably as conversation makes its way into current events and politics, we usually talk about the state of the world and how we could make it a better place. No matter the topic, we usually boil it down to a few keys things:

1. We need term limits for politicians starting...well, now! Vote out all incumbents now and only allow people one term. "Politician" was not meant as a career. You were a public servant in addition to your chosen career. It is career politicians that have caused many of the problems that we are in.
2. People can't take responsibility for anything. That's why loads of people are in credit card debt. People sign for mortgages they can't afford and assume someone will bail them out. That's why nothing changes in government, but we aren't willing to make a difference.
3. The political issues between nations inside and outside of the middle east go beyond anyone's ability to talk or negotiate. Sadly, it will likely escalate to some kind of war where one side or the other will pretty much be wiped. It's hard to think of another realistic. scenario.

Perhaps in the future, I may expound on one of these areas.

Our dinners will soon be running out as my dad will be done with the traveling portion of his job and will likely be working for the company in the Milwaukee area.

Sunday Reflection

As I've said before, I try to pot here everyday. It's rare that I actually remember to post of the weekends...this one is an exception. I want to make sure that from now on the posts I make on here are meaningful and worth reading...worth reading to the 5-10 people that actually check this blog each day ;).

As someone who is looking to go into United Methodists ministry, this is tough to write: Christa and I are both struggling with going to church. Gasp! It had more to do with our own church than it does with church in general. When I go to my parent's church or to another environment, it always seems better. Perhaps the grass is always greener on the other side. Here are a few things that we are struggling with:

• Our service is pretty much the same every week. I am all amount having a certain schedule that people can come to be comfortable with, but some variety helps keep things fresh. Our service has the same components week to week.
• Church is at 9:00 AM. Hey, for the weekend, that's early...especially on a weekend. Try as I might, I can't get anyone to buy into the idea of a late morning, or dare I say, evening church service.
  
• Since our congregation errs on the older side, it is a pretty passive group. There doesn't seem to be much motivation there. The younger folks are trying to participate, but it can be easy to get burned out and frustrated if things don't change.
  

It will be interesting to see how I feel when I am a pastor of my own church or part of a ministry team. How might my feelings change? How will others view the service that I/we put forth for the congregation?

New Phone/PDA

I have had my Tungsten III PDA for quite some time now. If I remember correctly, I received it the summer before I started as a Residence Hall Director. So, it has given me five years of faithful service. The main drawback now is that I have charged it so many times, it has next to no battery life. In talking with Christa we agreed it was time to upgrade to a new PDA.

Still thinking in the old paradigm of PDA only, I did some research on Palm's website as well as a few other retail sites. I was noticing that there wasn't all that much variety. We also went to a few stores and a nice gentleman at the Appleton Office Max said that most stores and selling off PDAs because most people are going for the PDA/cell phone combo.

From there, I did some research and noticed that Blackberry's are expensive, especially when you figure in the data usage (internet access, E-Mail, etc.) It would add almost $30 per month to our plan for something I don't use. I just want the Palm features with a better battery life. So, I check Verizon's phones and found this. It is the Palm Centro.

I can keep my old plan and not pay anymore and I just blocked the internet stuff until I may choose to add it later. It runs Palm software and has a full keyboard. So far, I like it. It caused me to updated my numbers which it is obvious I have not updated in quite some time.

Bonus Softball

I got called up to help out with a softball team that is composed of many of my teammates from last year. It is a co-ed team that had many folks with Breese roots. It is always a good time to have the chance to play with them. Unfortunately, we lost the game 19-6

The good news is that I probably had my most productive batting night. I went 1-3 with one walk and a triple. I had one run and two RBI.

The bad news was that we played a poor team game. People were cutting to front of each other to catch balls, people were not positioning themselves properly for different batters and sometimes simply looked indifferent. Sadly, I could not overlook this and it ruined what otherwise would have been a good experience.

Regardless of the outcome, it was nice to hook up with old friends.

Yeah, I said that my blogs would be more sporadic...so much for that. Christa turned 24 today...huzzah! She should be getting her new cell phone soon!!