The Shack

Last night, I finished reading The Shack.

I had heard a lot of folks in my church talking about what a wonderful book it was and when our Lenten book study was going to be about The Shack, I had my chance.

Overall, it is an interesting book. It is the story of a man's visit with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In his meeting with them, he works through the pain and sadness associated with a tragedy in his family.

My largest gripe with the book is its political slant. It is interesting to see the characterization of God that the author uses, one that is quite liberal. Patriotism is looked down on. Any kind of power is looked down on. Weapons are evil.

The leader of our book study commented about how the author definitely studied his bible. I would agree that there is a biblical context in the book. I do question some of the components of the theology outlined in the book. Even if you don't agree, it's still interesting to read and debate.

If you are curious to find out more information about the book or the causes that have stemmed from it, please go to there website found here.

It's Warm Enough...

I feel as though each day we get a different season. We've managed to get up into the 50s a few times over the last few weeks and today it was 21 degrees when I woke up.

It is finally warm enough that I can start running outside again. There were a few icy patches out there, and the temperature was a little chilly. Overall, though, I don't feel uncomfortable out there. It does feel good to get outside and get some fresh air. I much more feel like I worked out when I can get outside.

Running indoors was starting to get old especially when I was trying to run more than two miles as a time. Twenty laps can be tedious and the scenery doesn't really change ;). Plus, it's easier to run indoors without all the fun elements of Wisconsin weather. I am hoping to supplement the runs with the some weight training and some core workouts.

With the stress of finishing out the year and waiting for a pastor position, the exercise will definitely do me good!

A Gaming Realization

* geek alert *

As I have gotten back into playing Mass Effect, and making a more conscious effort to get into the story and the character development, I am finding myself interested in going back and re-playing games that I have including BioShock and Fallout 3. That's when it hit me. In the end, I enjoy RPGs when is comes to games. Whenever I try to play a game that is not in that genre, I an generally not all that excited about the game. Along with RPGs, I also like music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

Perhaps, I am concerned that if I don't play all sorts of games, I wouldn't be viewed as a true gamer. But, I've tried Halo 3...and I suck. I'm not interested in putting in the time to be better, because I don't enjoy it. I kept trying Madden games, and they only brought overall frustration. I do feel a peer pressure to be playing the games that are popular at the time, but what is it worth if it's not that enjoyable. I'd rather get a few more achievements in a replay of an RPG than try to muscle out achievements in Halo.

I need to embrace the fact that I am a niche gamer. It will probably be cheaper in the long run, and I'll be playing the games that I enjoy.

I don't know what you call that...a geek rant?

Appointment Possibilities

I received a phone call from our District Superintendent. While preliminary in nature, it appears there is the possibility that a full-time appointment in the geographic region that Christa and I are interested in has become available. I won't know the details for a few weeks as a few things need to fall into place. It is exciting to know that the pastor placement process is moving along! I will keep everyone posted once I learn more.

Time to Catch Up

I realize it's been awhile. It has been a mixture of being tired, being busy and being otherwise distracted. I will do my best to catch everyone up on what has gone on over the last few days:

• I finished up mediation training. It was an incredible experience, but by Friday afternoon I was burned out. I learned a great deal, for both being an RHD and for being a pastor.
• I have gotten sucked back into playing Mass Effect. It is amazing what one is willing to do to pick up a few extra achievement points :).
• Christa and I caught a few movies over the weekend: A Scanner Darkly and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Two men enter...one man leave! :)

There are the highlights. I should be able to keep up more now with the daily entries.

Day 3: Mediation Class

A few mid-week observations:

• Role plays are more comfortable. They are a good learning experience. I am learning just as much from being an actor as I am from being a mediator. There are times when I feel pretty engrossed in the role that I am playing. It must be the AD&D experience. I just need to remember that there are no dice involved. :)
  
• The days are starting to wear on me. I am appreciating the experience, but definitely wish I could have a a few days of "break." I am going to try as much as possible to do that this weekend.
• Some people's styles and personalities are beginning to wear on me. From the group dynamics perspective, we have moved from the "polite" stage.

Two days...and a lot of practice...to go :).

Day 2: Mediation Class

Today's class in the afternoon involved the beginning of an activity that I do not enjoy...we began out role plays. You may be asking yourself, "How does someone who enjoys AD&D and other role-playing games not enjoy these activities?" Well, I will offer you these thoughts:

• I often feel as though the scenarios are contrived and you know, to some level, the individuals involved. As such, I think a certain amount of authenticity is lost.
• Scenarios do not provide every detail. Sometimes you may need to gill in the scenario gap as an actor. This can make for awkward situations.
  
• You are typically observed
  

  

  

  

  

  

  Preview
  and critiqued...and I don't like that.
  

In the end, I need to get over it all. Even though I might think this and that, this is the one way I will be able to practice these various skills that I am learning. As I said before, as a mediator, I am being asked to employ skills and strategies that go contrary to my nature and training. A new example from today:

• When re-phrasing, we must start statements with things like "You feel..." and "You said...". This is different for me, because from my counseling background, we usually start things by saying, "What I hear you say is...". Out instructors want us to stick to the former to avoid taking my ownership.
  

So, despite my own reservations, we got started with two role plays today. For one, I was the co-mediator and for one, I was a complainant. Of course, the scenario in which I acted was simple. The one I mediated was much more complex. It was good to finally get in there and try it out, but I realized some interesting things about myself:

• When I attempt to paraphrase, I am too wordy and take too long.
• I need to listen.
• I need to let go and allow others to generate solutions.
  

Day 1: Mediation Class

I finished the first day of our mediation class. We only spent the last two hours talking about the beginnings of the mediation process. Much of today was spent doing some personality and leadership inventories. This wasn't a bad way to go because it helped us to realize the diversity of personalities not only in the room, but also the diversity of the population we will be working with.

Based on the assessment I took, I realized some things that will stand in the way of my ability to be an effective mediator:

• In mediation, we allow the parties involved to come to their own conclusions, despite what we think the outcome will be. Thus, even if we think something will end in a stalemate, we are not allowed to intervene.
• Mediators aren't allowed to give advice. Doh! I usually jump to the advice-giving pretty quick in my conversations. I will need to work on this as well.
• Mediators are also not allowed to present their own ideas or their own thoughts.

These are things that I know I need to work on any way, so this will give me an opportunity to let go of control and practice my active listening :).

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.

New Format

I thought the blog could use a face lift. I'm not sure how people feel about it, but it's my blog:

Good News:

• The blog is more colorful and they are colors that I like :).
• I added a better weather feature, although I can't get it to default to Oshkosh weather. I have tried all sorts of different ways.
• I added the Twitter feature. We'll see how long that lasts :).

Bad News:

• It's not something you're able to hide well at work. It's pretty obvious... ;)
• The colors may not be everyone.

In the end, I wanted to shake things up, and I did. Enjoy.

Twitter

There are a few of my friends that utilize Twitter to post random comments and ideas on their blogs. Recently a story about the Milwaukee Bucks banning writing Twitter messages (also known as "Tweets."

As it is becoming more popular, I decided I would give it a whirl. I have them post to a section in the upper left of my blog. We'll see what happens. I do realize it's intention is to let people know what you're doing. I am using it more to post random thoughts! :)

Bioshock 2

After earlier concerns that my subscription to Game Informer may have expired, I received a new copy for the month of April in my mailbox. On the cover was a tagline for a preview of BioShock 2. Next to Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, BioShock is one of my favorite games. I am curious to read more about the game. When you combine this with the potential for a Mass Effect 2 in the near future, gaming looks bright :).

A Spring Break Odyssey

Next week is spring break for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. It comes right in the middle of the spring semester. It is hard to believe that we are already almost done with seven weeks of the semester.

My spring break will be spent doing a mediation seminar at the Winnebago Conflict Resolution Center. It's Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. It was recommended by the District Board of Ministry and it was covered by the Department of Residence Life. So, in the end every works out well.

I will still have a few evenings with less meetings and should be able to get some time to relax.

Wireless Internet & ABUMC

Wireless Internet
The residence hall lounges at UW Oshkosh now have wireless internet routers. I'm not sure where the first floor one is located, but if I have the computer on the kitchen table, we can pick it up. It's like we have two offices. It will make job searching and sermon researching a lot easier because I won't have to jump between two computers. It also gives Christa and I each access to a computer with internet capabilities. :)

The Algoma Boulevard UMC Services
The services at ABUMC went very well! In preparation for my delivery, I practiced it a couple times in the weight room in our basement. It has a full-length mirror which made it easy for me to catch any bizarre movements that might have come up in the performance. It made a big difference, and Christa was able to confirm that.

As with our experience at Eureka, it was really neat to be with the congregation from the church. They were all very friendly, which as a guest, I suppose you would expect. What made the experience more rewarding were the comments that folks made. I spoke with one man who said that he appreciated a fresh perspective on a bible lesson and appreciated hearing a new voice in the church. Another individual said that he appreciated the fact that he was able to come away with something to work over the week. That was awesome! That is what I hope to do in every sermon :).

Saturday Shamrock Shuffle

Today was the 2nd Annual Shamrock Shuffle. The route was pretty much the same as last year, but this time I walked. If I ran the 5K, I would have zapped all my energy and would have been completely useless the rest of the day. That would be possible given my need to prepare a sermon and an AD&D adventure. It did just feel good to get outside and take in some of the fresh air.

Notes:

1. There is no such thing as a 1st Annual event. It is not annual until it happens more than once. This has bugged me from my time as a Copy Editor for the Advance Titan.
2. The weather is gorgeous today. Too bad all of the ground is soaking wet!
3. Tomorrow I lead the three worship services at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church. Three! It should be interesting.
4. Million Dollar Baby is a really sad movie and not what I expected. While very good, it could have been a classic if it was paced better and have better character development.
   

A Little Humor

Nothing of note for today, how about a classic clip from a classic film:

Male announcer: The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.
Female announcer: The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.
Male announcer: [later] The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the white zone.
Female announcer: No, the white zone is for loading of passengers and there is no stopping in a RED zone.
Male announcer: The red zone has always been for loading and unloading of passengers. There's never stopping in a white zone.
Female announcer: Don't you tell me which zone is for loading, and which zone is for stopping!
Male announcer: Listen Betty, don't start up with your white zone s**t again.
[Later]
Male announcer: There's just no stopping in a white zone.
Female announcer: Oh really, Vernon? Why pretend, we both know perfectly well what this is about. You want me to have an abortion.
Male announcer: It's really the only sensible thing to do, if its done safely. Therapeutically there's no danger involved.

From the Gaming Side of the House...

I have talked quite a few times about the wrapping up my last year as an RHD. Depending on schedules, the AD&D gaming group that has met for the past three years will also most likely be phased out as well.

My biggest concern is that two of the founding members of the group will be graduating this semester. I am very happy that they have completed school, but that leaves quite a void for the group. A few other members that started out have begun not showing up recently. I don't know where I'm going to be placed for the ministry, but if it's nearby, perhaps it can keep going. We'll just need to recruit some new members.

Of all the campaigns for all the RPG games that I have played, this one has been the most consistent. It has really fun to watch the participants (both players and the DM) grow through the three years. I feel as though the adventures haven gotten more detailed and the plot lines have become more intriguing. I feel as though the characters are realizing more the consequences and benefits of actions. They have also kept me on my toes to make sure I think about all possible solutions to a situation.

The Party of Pholtus is currently adventuring in the Lordship of the Isles, trying to find the Sceptre of Pholtus. They were doing OK until they got captured by pirates. For more information, check HERE.

Odd Jobs

As I finish my final year as a Residence Hall Director, I have a pretty good sense of how the year will unfold from here. I know generally what tasks and meetings lie ahead and don't expect all that many surprises. In some ways, this can be helpful because it relieves anxiety. But, I want to avoid complacency and I need to find other small tasks to keeps things fresh.

Over the last few weeks, it has been interesting to me to see small tasks and projects become a part of my job as an RHD. I have helped out in small ways with a few hall fundraisers. I am writing letters of recommendation. I am exploring forming a new student group. When you pool as of that with my normal day-to-day stuff, it keeps me busy. :)

It also keeps my mind away from the fact that before I know it I will be done as an RHD. :( Boo..

Our Time at Eureka

Christa and I had the opportunity to visit the United Methodist Church in Eureka yesterday. We weren't sure where the weather was going to fit in with this trip, but the trip there wasn't too bad. Utilizing Mapquest, I was unable to find a street address for the church so it took two runs through Eureka before Christa found the steeple that led us to the church :).

We got there around 9:30 for a 10:00 AM service. We walked in with a group in the middle of a Bible study. We were invited in and sat in on the last 15 minutes of their study. Everyone seemed very welcoming and we participated as we could.

The service was no different. They have quite a community there is Eureka. They shared a great deal during the service and while informal, it was definitely easy to see the Spirit at work in their congregation. I was excited to be a part of it.

Christa told me that of all the sermons she's heard me do so far, she liked this one the best. I would agree with her. I felt like this sermon had some good content, but was put together in a good flow.

Back in my sophomore year of high school, I received a choir "award" for being "Constantly in Motion." As anyone could tell you if you've seen me present, I like to move around a lot. I also use a lot of gestures. Sunday was no different. The sermon seemed to flow well, but man, was I being fidgety! Christa pointed it out and I had no idea. I will need to keep this in mind. I may not think I'm nervous, but my non-verbals may be pointing to something else :).

I now turn my energies to the three services I will be leading this Sunday.

Spring Weather Tease

I sure did get used to the nice weather last week. By Friday, I was wearing sandals outside. In got a little wet because of all the melt, but it was nice to get outside and not have to wear a jacket. I came down to pick up Christa after she visited her grandfather, and her dad let us know that a storm was coming.

You'd never know it was getting warmed. We are getting pounded! It is a true winter storm right now. Driving is absolutely crazy out there. It looks like it is starting to die down, but with the way the city plows the streets, the damage has been done :).

If you have to drive, be safe!

Note: If you could, please keep Christa's grandfather in your prayers right now. He is going through a really rough patch health-wise right now and they are concerned that he may pass away soon...

New Blog

Christa has started a blog reflecting on her experiences with student teaching. It is found HERE. Any updates to her blog can also be found in Blog Updates widget on the right hand column of the blog.

Dental Relief

A 9:10 AM dental appointment. What a way to start my Friday...

...no cavities. That's good. There was a filling that needs to be replaced, but otherwise things are good.

It always amazes me how nervous I get when I go to the dentist. Part of it is probably because I don't take care of my teeth the way I should. I always wait to get the word on what might need to get worked on. While having my teeth cleaned, I asked my dental hygienist if she feels like she needs to get better care of her teeth given her line of work, and she said no :).

Rock Band Renewal

Christa and I can both tell you that we are both extremely exhausted. Christa has been working extremely hard in her student teaching and is preparing for an opportunity soon when she will be teaching every class of the day for two weeks. She is also preparing her resume to be posted on Titan Jobs! I have been busy with CA selection, OPE, letters of recommendation and other administrative stuff.

During the completion of the Endless Setlist 2 on Rock Band 2, our drum set broke. Despite some attempts on my part to take apart the set and seeing if I could fit it, it does not look promising. As such we ordered the new wireless drum set for the XBox 360. They are hard to find in stores and are expensive on many places on-line. We found a set for pretty cheap.

We are tracking it on FedEx.com and hoping to see them on Saturday. Given all the work we have been doing, it will be nice to kick back and play some Rock Band 2!

Wednesday Randomness

This week has been completely crazy and my mind is a little scrambled. Let's just throw out a few random thoughts today:

1. I got to drive a Lincoln Navigator today. That is one impressive vehicle...one that is completely out of my price range!
2. Our church is starting a Lenten Book meeting over the next few Wednesdays. We are reading The Shack. I am curious to see what others think of the book. I was not all that impressed.
3. I go to the dentist on Friday...bleh.
4. It is my Dad's birthday this weekend. Yay!

Slient Vendetta

My friends Nick and Jason got me hooked into a game called Silent Vendetta. The best thing it has going for it is that it is turn-based. Thus, you only have so many points to spend and then your turn is over and it takes time to recharge. It can be a quick distraction, but does not get you sucked in for hours.

You are a gangster and you commit crimes and train at the gym to improve yourself. Gather money and items to help you. Eventually, you can join a gang and receive additional resources.

If you're interested in trying it out, please go HERE. I get points for referring folks.

OPE Remote Post, Number 3

I am in the middle of my last Transportation Center shift, working my final OPE as a Residence Hall Director. As both a undergraduate student and an RHD, I have worked in Transportation for seven years. It has been a great experience filled with many interesting moments: snow storms, speeding tickets, hit and runs and other craziness.

With that I sign off from Room 123 in GCC.

OPE Remote Post, Number 2

It was another early morning at the Oshkosh Placement Exchange. I was here at 7:00 AM to help out with the morning rush. I got buzz around to a few hotels and displaced some of the backlog. :)

After that, I got a break and caught 3 more episodes of the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon. Christa came back during the second episode, and she watched another one. She, too, remembered watching this while growing up and is now "hooked".

Right now, I am holding down the Transportation fort until 6pm. Then I drive for two hours. Then it's time to socialize. Then I'm done...for Saturday! Yay!!

OPE Remote Post

I write to you from GCC Room 123, also known as the Transportation Center. I started at 7:00 AM this morning with supervising the six drivers that are bringing candidates from the various Oshkosh hotels here to the University.

I am thankful to be here this morning! Last night, Christa and I ventured out to Madison to watch the first day of the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament. The weather was not too bad on the way out to Madison, although there was one patch of heavy snow. They way the weather folks were talking, they said it was going to be awful. While the weather seemed awful north of here, it really wasn't too bad. We had a few rough patches of ice, but we made it back safely.

Robby won his first match 7-5! He was a little nervous, but won in overtime. You could tell he kicked it up a notch and felt the sense of urgency. His second match was a tough one. He wrestled someone who was very aggressive and very talented. He lost that match :(. It's a double elimination tournament...so, he will be wrestling at least one more time this morning. I am awaiting news.


Well, it's back to the grind. More updates tomorrow!

Lent Begins

Christa and I attended a combined Algoma Boulevard/First Church Ash Wednesday service last night. There is always a feeling of starting over when Lent begins. Perhaps you try giving something up for Lent. You may choose to add a new discipling to Lent. It's a second chance to try out some of those New Year's resolutions. I am hoping through Lent this year to be more faithful to the covenant agreement I made for myself.

Other News:

1. Robby begins his matches at the State Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison. His first match should be around 4:00 PM. We'll see how the weather is before we make the trek out there. The trip there will be fine. It's the trip back that worries me.
2. OPE beings today!
   

Jim on the Road

On March 8, I will be leading the 10:00 AM worship service at Eureka United Methodist Church.

On March 15, I will be leading the three worship services at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh, WI.

I always appreciate the opportunity for Christa and I to experience worship and preaching in different churches.

The Calm Between the Storms

CA Interviews are complete. I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in the opening and closing portions of the interview process.

We have a few days reprieve before the fun of the Oshkosh Placement Exchange begins. We have quite a few graduating seniors who will be using OPE to either find an RHD job out of school or find a graduate program.

This will be my last OPE. I have participated in one OPE as a student work, two as a candidate, and six as a Transportation Supervisor.

One-Eighty

Christa and I have decided that during the spring semester we are going to branch out and try some different churches with different worship styles. I have seen advertisements in the Union for the One-Eighty service. I have had residents talk about positive experiences at the service. We decided to check it out this Sunday.

Christa and I were both pretty impressed with the sermon. He used a PowerPoint presentation to guide those watching and also had one clear message. He also based a sermon series on Nehemiah, which I thought was pretty cool. Everyone there was very friendly and we were greeted by multiple individuals both before and after the service.

They definitely use a very contemporary style of worship, where Christa and I are looking for something of a fusion of both traditional and contemporary worship. I do think this service would be seen as being great by college students. I encourage you to at least check it out.

They worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM in the Reeve Ballroom.

State Tournament Bound

Christa and I made our way down to Hartford Union High School to watch the Division I Sectional Meet. Robby won his three matches today, won Sectionals and will now be going to the state tournament in Madison. Christa and I are going to try to rearrange some stuff so that we might be able to see him wrestle at state! Congratulations Robby!

Some Links for Your Perusal

I was checking out the Drudge Report this morning and found a few interesting articles worth checking out ***WARNING: CONSERVATIVE-LEANING LINKS FOLLOW***:

Rush Limbaugh's Letter to Obama About Fairness Doctrine

Taxing By the Mile

When Does an ex-President Just Leave the Spotlight...*sigh*

What Kind of President was W?

Weekend Notes:

1. Robby wrestles in sectionals tomorrow. He's got a good chance at winning!
2. Webster Hall will be hosting a 12-hour game-a-thon starting at 3:00 PM in the lobby/basement. Check it out!

A Note

Because of commitments to CA interviews, I had to alter my office hours in GCC and left a note on my door letting residents know that I wouldn't be in the office Wednesday afternoon.

I came in to the office this morning and was greeted with the following message found underneath. It was partially erased, but it would be something like: Good. We don't f****n like you anyway.

Huh.

I had an interesting stream of consciousness as I started to think about this note:

1. There are only 30 or so students on the FVTC floors. I could probably round it down to about three or four students who likely did it. Oh well.
2. I'm only in my office in GCC 2-3 hours a day. It sure doesn't take long to make enemies.
3. I realize that most of the time residents in GCC only interact with me for conduct concerns or CAD issues. Perhaps I have made a lot of enemies.
4. Perhaps I don't have the best image anyway.
5. There are a few residents I interact with and we have a good relationship.
   
6. Thank you to whoever erased most of the message. I appreciate it, but it still left enough to decipher. The message next to it was illegible. Perhaps it was supportive.

Regardless, I didn't let it get to me too much. After a long week last week and a really busy week this week it was the last thing that I needed to see. It stills makes you wonder why someone would bother writing something like that?

Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon

I remember this cartoon. It aired in 1983. That 25 years ago. Recently, a few friends have purchased boxed set containing the entire 24-episode series. I have borrowed the series and I am slowly watching the whole series. So, a few thoughts thus far. Please keep in mind, these are my perspectives on the series now:

*** Caution...dorky material to follow ***

1. It pains me to see such powerful monsters reduced to being easily defeated. Would Lolth really die by having a baby unicorn cut her web? Did I just write this? Needless to say, Tiamat gets scared off by one magical spell. It's not right. Those characters would totally be dead.
2. The cavalier's main weapon is a shield? Really??
3. I do appreciate seeing monsters and places from the game being put into the cartoon. Same goes with the character classes.
4. Peter Cullen does the voice of the main villian. No, Jim, it's not Optimus Prime.
5. The cartoon is so very 80s. I love it! It's dated, but in a funny retro way. It'd be interesting to see what it would look like with today's cartoon standards.
6. I wonder why the series only lasted 24 episodes. For a kid's cartoon, it was quite good.

Note: If you buy the complete series, you are provided with the AD&D 3rd Edition equivalent of their character sheets. Can't we just have the mystery?

CA Interviews

Tomorrow and Thursday the Department of Residence Life will be conducting interviews for prospective Community Advisor candidates:

1. Good luck to all folks who are interviewing!
2. Thank you to all the current CAs and PAs who have taken time to help interview.
3. Thank you to all RHDs, ARHDs and Central Staff folk who have also taken time out of their workday to help with interviews.
   
4. This means you won't be hearing from me too much over the next few days. I will be helping out quite a bit between the hours of 2-10 PM.

Firsts - OK, This One I'll Do

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Gina Lauer
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Does Facebook count?
3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink? Long Island Iced Tea
4. What was your FIRST job? Server Assistant at Chancery in Mequon
5. What was your FIRST car? Jeep Wagoneer
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? Verizon, telling me I had to pay my bill.
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Christa :)
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Don't remember.
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? When we traveled from NJ to WI
10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Adam Davidson; Nope
11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? I don't remember.
12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Christa
13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? Tom Dittl
14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Exercised.
15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Three Dog Night...yep. Sweet.
16. FIRST tattoo? No tattoos...ever.
17. First piercing? See #16.
18. First foreign country you've been to? Canada
19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? Pride tells me it had to be a Star Wars movie. :-D
21. What was the first state you lived in? Oklahoma (from birth to 6 months)
22. Who was your FIRST roommate? Bart Achterburg (in college)
23. If you had one wish. What would it be? I would wish to a world where people would genuinely listen to one another.
24. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? To play the banjo
25. Who do you think will be the next person to post this? No clue.

A Thought

As per the lectionary texts for this week, the epistle lesson came from 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Only one person can win a physical race, but in the race of the Faith, we are all encouraged to race as to try to win. There is no trophy we are hoping to earn. Our imperishable gift is the love and compassion of God through Jesus Christ. What other motivation do you need? We are warned to exert ourselves with discipline and purpose, lest our energies be used poorly. The Good News is that there can be more than one winner in the race described in the text.

That is a good feeling, but it does not come without work. Being a Christian does require hard work. Being a disciple and helping others to become disciples is not an easy task, but it is a task we are asked to do. Continue to run the race! Don't falter!

Trip to the Alma Mater

Christa's brother Robby has had an incredible second half in his wrestling season. Today is regionals for wrestling and the prospects are good for him to make it all the way to the state tournament. Christa and I will be heading down today to check it out.

Interestingly enough, the tournament for regionals will be hosted at Homestead High School. I took a self-guided tour two summers ago and got to see some of the grounds. But today will give me a chance to check out the new field house.

Christa was hoping for a tour. I'll see what I can remember!

Long-Awaited Weekend

This week has been busy. It's hasn't necessarily been stressful, but it has been jam packed with a lot of stuff. Some new projects have arisen and new old projects have been completed. I've dealt with some tense student issues. Regardless, I am ready for a break.

Saturday does not have any appointments, so we can sleep in tomorrow. As it is Valentine's Day, Christa and I will be celebrating by dining at Chili's. Mmm...fajitas.

Just for the record, this is post 750. Woot!

Lexulous

It you use Facebook (which is quite a few people), please add a module called Lexulous. It's like Scrabble, but with a few rules differences. The Scrabble beta application sucks. It's a fund game and I'd love to play more games :).

The Planet Earth

Christa and I are in the process of watching disk three of five in the Planet Earth series. Christa has been wanting to see this for a long time and with the Netflix subscription we have been having one come in periodically as we make our way through the cue.

When we popped in the first DVD, I was amazed. It is a visually stunning presentation with amazing camera angles depicting scenes in nature that are either rarely, or never, seen.

Then we watched the next installment. Same thing. But, at this point I was starting to realize something. While visually stunning and groundbreaking, I wasn't really learning all that much. A few facts might be shared, but so much of the footage involved animals hunting animals or animals feeding.

As we are finishing the third DVD, I am looking for more. Don't get me wrong; it is enjoyable to watch. I just assumed I would be getting more out of them then I am.

I can see this serious being a lot of fun for middle school and high school students to watch. But for someone who does love science, I would be left hoping for more.

Tuesday Thoughts

1. Going to bed at 9:30 is difficult in a residence hall. I guess we all have different ideas of what Courtesy Hours are.
2. I appreciate Obama's confidence with this stimulus package. I don't, however, share it. Maybe this will help short term, but it brings us one step closer to a socialistic society. That's bad, by the way.
3. The NFL football season is over. This is when the sports lag begins. The Bucks are OK and the Brewers don't start until April.
4. This weather is outstanding, but you know it is not going to last

Bowl for Kid's Sake

I have been a part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters for almost two and half years. I have been paired with two different little brothers and have tried in my time with them to be good role models when they may not have a positive male role model in their life.

Each year, a Bowl for Kid's Sake is hosted to raise money for the organization. The Webster Hall Staff has formed a team and we are looking for raise funds. Each member must receive at least $100 in donations. I am sending this out on my blog to see if anyone would be willing to help sponsor me.

You can donate on-line HERE.

Otherwise, you can E-mail me at droste@uwosh.edu or send me a message on Facebook letting me know if you'd like to donate. We can work out payment options later.

Please check the above links for more information. I would appreciate your help!

45 Degrees?

The snow is melting...
the college students are playing Ultimate Frisbee in the commons...
Christa and I could take a nice walk around the city of Oshkosh...
we can get our car washed and remove all the salt and crud that accumulated on it...
we can actually see the sun...

...I appreciate a nice reprieve from the cold. I will try to enjoy this as much as possible before it inevitably gets cold again.

The stimulus package now passed by both the House and the Senate has always scared. From what I had read, I feel as though any short term gain will be met with long-term loss....and our deficit will skyrocket.

This article confirms some of my fears.

This is not a slam dunk with for the American people.

Wesley Foundation at UW Oshkosh?

My prayers have often steered lately to where God is calling me to minister. Does God call me to be a pastor of a church?

Yesterday, I drove my Disciple Bible Study with the leader of the study who is also a pastor at Waukau United Methodist Church. At a recent circuit meeting, they have talked about the possibility of starting up a Wesley Foundation on the UW Oshkosh campus. He and I talked briefly, but the idea stuck in my head.

How cool would it be to start a Wesley Foundation here? The pastor of my church said you better be careful, you may create an appointment for yourself ;).

It would, however, be a neat possibility. To continue working on a college campus, but now with an opportunity to join with students in ministry.

I feel called to explore this possibility. I feel called to see if there is student interest in getting this started. What would they like to see? How would they like to organize? Hopefully, things may take off!

Vote For Bailey!

If you wouldn't mind taking a few minutes out of your day, I would appreciate your helping a staff member of mine. My Front Desk PA Darci has entered their dog Bailey in a contest to be the MVP (Most Valuable Pet). The winner gets to have their pet on the cover of a Bissell product. Pretty sweet! Please do your part to help. :)

Energy

I have found that over the last 3-4 days, I have had a lot more energy and seemed to be much more focused throughout the day. I have been wondering where that might come from and have narrowed it down to a few things:

1. Christa and I are on a much more regular sleeping schedule. In bed and reading by 9:30 PM and up at...6:00 AM. Yikes!
2. I am eating breakfast regularly.
3. I am exercising every morning for about an hour. It's amazing how productive you can be between the hours of 6:00-9:00 AM.
4. I am beginning to let go and realize what is beyond my control. Letting go and letting God has been a very difficult thing for me to do, but it has made a real difference.
5. I read the Bible and reflect a few times a day and I pray much more regularly.

When you put all this together, I feel more intentional about how I spend my time and I feel as though my days have more meaning. I am hopeful that this keeps up and would just like to share.

Some Superbowl Thoughts

A few reflections after the Superbowl 43:

1. Each year, the commercials get less and less exciting. Some were pretty funny, but there just hasn't been the standout commercials of years past. Isn't it sad that $206 million was spent on the ads for the Superbowl?
2. That has to be the most entertaining Superbowl I have ever watched. It went down to the wire, had a decent amount of scoring and left you wondering until time run out who the MVP was going to be.
3. For a second time, Roethlisberger won a Superbowl with a marginal performance. He did significantly better than his first trip (22 rating), but still didn't do all that hot.
4. Watching the Superbowl in HD is pretty frickin' sweet.

Plyometrics

In addition to the cardio workouts and weight training workouts that I do throughout the week, I have added some plyometric work to the routine on Fridays. It is a new form of exercise that I have read about but have never implemented into workouts. I did some research online and figured I would give it a shot. After the first dayof it, I am quite sore. I am curious to see if there are any results over time.

Other News:

1. Today pretty much completes my last official training as a staff member for Residence Life. Now I begin my final semester as a Residence Hall Director.
2. I have seen (or re-seen) a bunch of movies in the last week. Here are some quick ratings: Defiance - very good; The Road Warrior - still a classic with a young Mel Gibson; Heavy Metal - bizarre, but oddly entertaining; Gladiator Special Edition - new scenes don't necessarily add all that much, but add flesh out some subplots.
3. 
   

2001

The streaming videos available through NetFlix have been a wonderful addition to the Droste household and it has allowed us to indulge in our love of movies. I added 2001: A Space Odyssey to the list. I had yet to see the entire movie and had heard some very positive reviews.

Yes, this movie was amazing...in 1968. The visuals are quite stunning and his use of music is well-timed. It also depicts a very interesting concept of what the future would be like. Too bad we didn't advance that far by 2001.

Unfortunately, with the technology and effects now, the movie just looks dated. It leaves you with a lot to think about, but that wasn't enough to carry the film. It is also paced incredibly slow, with certain scenes taking way to long to develop. I guess I am a product of a different generation that does not appreciate this film the way it should be.

I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

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.
   

Some Serious Rock Band 2

Last night, a group of folks gathered together to tackle the 84 song Endless List on Rock Band 2. It took us 6 hours and 45 minutes, but we got through it together. We completed the set list on the hard difficult with all instruments.

Thank you to the following folks for helping out:
Tony Bushner (designated drummer and guitar help when the going got quite rough)
Isaac (my little brother, played guitar and bass)
Mark Medinger (provided vocals, guitar and base help)
Robbie "Poptart" Last (drum support)
Kim Hansen (vocal support and drum help)
Christine Bono (who helped on vocals and guitar)
Ryan Demmon (who helped on vocals, bass and guitar)
Pat Hager (who rocked out a little on bass)

Darci Wildermuth, Argelia Velasquez, Jacey Holcomb & Molly Kopplin for offering moral support through the evening.

I had the chance to rock out on vocals for a good majority of the songs, and got to play one song on drums, a few a guitar and a few on bass. Christa sang one song and played bass on several, including the last few songs at the end....yeesh!

We generally did very well! Ace of Spades gave us some trouble. We failed that song three times before we made it through. We had to distribute out star power carefully. There was one song that had such tough parts we had to split the drum set into one person doing bass pedal and one person doing the top set. It worked out great!

My sincere thanks to everyone that helped out with the experience. I had a lot of fun and hope that you did, too!

Final Thought...
It's just Facebook, right? It's hard to believe something like that could actually happen. People do take Facebook that serious.

Mmm...Scones

Over the last few weeks we have had tea during our bible study class. I commented to Claudia how it just doesn't seem right to have tea without scones. I was kidding...I had never had a scone before. But, the two do go together.

When I arrived at class today I noticed a Tupperware tin. Inside...were scones! Claudia baked scones for our class. She said she remembered what I said and thought it was a good idea so she made them. They were quite tasty and I can now say that I have had a scone. :)

Thanks Claudia!

It's Tuesday, It's Tuesday

Having Monday off for MLK, Jr. Day was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a 3-day weekend (and to honor a great American), but it has messed up my week. It's a shorter week than usual, but I keep thinking it's Monday! :)

I also had all of Monday's tasks pushed off to today, plus stuff that was supposed to be done today. Needless to say, today got a little crazy. When you add in a few crazy roommate situations, it's been a busy day.

Fallout 3

I remember not too long after I purchased my XBox 360, Mark recommended the video Game Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. He said it was a great game, but that I probably didn't want to get it because it would take up all my free time. I bought it against his advice; he was right. Most of the spring semester (and summer) was spent playing that game. It sucked away a lot of time, but it was a great game with a great story.

Those folks from Bethesda have done it again. This time it's Fallout 3. I thought the game was good until I got sucked in for about four hours of play today. Now I am truly hooked. I do need to remember that I have a job :).

Friday Thoughts

Checking the online weather report, it is currently -9.1 degrees outside. I am not looking forward to that 1:00 PM trip over to GCC...and then the 3:00 PM trip back. UW Oshkosh did not cancel classes today; I didn't think they would. They did inform us on the weather line that there is a wind chill advisory today. Thanks for the news!

Christa comes back tonight :). It will be wonderful to have her home again. As I have mentioned before, reverting back to the bachelor days was fun. But, I do long to have her back physically. Talking on the phone can only do so much. Before she comes back, I need to do some serious cleaning. I got a little lazy throughout the week. Too much video game playing ;).

Speed Racer

What can I say? I enjoyed this movie. The critics took some opportunities to malign this movie and rate it pretty low. Two of my staff members recommended it to me, as well as other friends. Deep down, I wanted to see it, but felt somewhat embarrassed given the general reaction to the movie.

It was actually a lot of fun and there were three moments where I busted out laughing. It's visually stunning and it has some great actors in it. The plot moves pretty quickly and it keeps your attention. I'd recommend you see it. Just keep in mind that this movie isn't gonna win any Oscars. It's just a fun movie.

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.

The Weekend That Was

Some highlights from the weekend:

• Christa and I saw the first disc of BBC's "The Planet Earth". It is phenomenal. The picture quality is amazing and they captured some unbelievable footage. We look forward to getting the next installment soon.
• Christa and I taught Sunday School today. It was fun to see Christa in action as a teacher. She may not always think so, but I think she is going to be a great teacher!
• Chris Sewalish and I had the chance to reconnect. It is nice to know he is back in Milwaukee.
• Christa's parents came up today to pick her up and we had lunch together. It was nice to talk with them as well.
• Christa and I earned more Rock Band 2 achievements. Sweet. We are looking forward to getting some folks together to complete the Endless Setlist.
  

C12

Dinner yesterday with Ken. Dinner tonight with Chris. A text message from Peter. Could a C12 reunion be upcoming?

Sacred Hoops

I finished reading Sacred Hoops today. It is by Phil Jackson, current coach of the LA Lakers in the NBA and coach of the Bulls when they won their six NBA Championships. It is an interesting look into the behind the scenes drama of the Bulls rise to prominence with Michael Jordan. It is also interesting to learn about Jackson' coaching methods. We had an interesting way of weaving Christianity into the Zen Buddhism. He was raised Pentecostal, and rejected some of the more regimented parts of the faith, but he does not abandon it. His philosophies are quite interesting and applicable in any field. I read through it quite quickly as it was very interesting. I recommend you give it a try.

Being On Call

It had been awhile, but last night I got a call at 2:30 AM regarding a resident emergency. After making the necessary phone calls and sending out the necessary information, I got back to the apartment a little after 3:00 AM. By the time I could calm down a little bit and unwind, I got back to bed at about 4:15 AM. Working out at 7:00 AM was not so fun this morning.

Pursuing my call to ministry won't change too much in this area. I can still expect late night phone calls regarding challenging crisis situations. I will still be facing situations where I won't know the immediate solution and will need to figure out best how to handle it.

Hmm...that's really all that profound. But, it was on my mind.

So It Begins...

I received a call today from our District Superintendent. He was curious to know my thoughts about a possible half time appointment. I explained that unless Christa found a teaching job, I would probably only be interested in three quarters or full time appointments. It does let me know that the process has truly begun.

I am trying to keep a clear head about this appointment process and realize that it will probably take some time. But, I was worried that I might get lost in the shuffle. It is good to know that I am in consideration :).

Cleaning House

I see today that the Packers have fired six coaches on their staff. I suppose something needed to be done. The defense definitely underperformed this year with basically the same talent, except on the defensive line. Injuries were a factor, but it shouldn't result is such a decrease in performance. This is especially the case in the last few minutes of the game where it seemed the defense withered and allowed the game losing score.

I felt as though Rodgers did quite well and they have a lot of offensive weapons at their disposal. If they can improve the defense (and perhaps create a defense that fits the players they have...something Sanders never did), I think they can bounce back from this season.

Let's hope some new blood in the organization can help right the ship.

Recommitment

After a few weeks of cold temperatures and too much free time, I got back to running and exercising this morning. It is good to be back in the groove. I was starting to get stir crazy being inside so much! I realized that my problem committing to running was that I was attempting to run too much. I am hoping that mixing in some biking and other cardio will help. I am also going to try to commit to a less intense weightlifting routine.

Back to Work

I hear that slamming of doors and the pitter-patter of feet running up and down the hallway. The residence halls are open again!

I have enjoyed the break. It has given me the chance to catch up on playing the XBox 360 at it has given me the chance to catch up on some paperwork.

I will appreciate getting back to work. Structure is good.

A Surprise Request

I received a phone call from my Big Brother's mom. I was worried because I thought she might be calling about how I keep changing the day and time we hang out or about how we don't have all that much variety in what we do together.

Instead, she was calling to ask if I would be a sponsor for Isaac when he gets confirmed in May. I was honored. I am excited to participate and held Isaac out in any way I can.

Two Movie Recommendations

If you're wondering what films to see, Christa and I can recommend two: Valkyrie & Doubt. Both are incredible films and we were very impressed.

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.

XBox 360 Gaming Update

Over the last few weeks, I have had the chance to rent a few games and catch up on some of the recently released titles. Here are my brief thoughts on the ones I've been able to get my hands on:

1. Army of Two - Dumb...the "aggro" concept is difficult for me to master. Draw attention to you so that your partner and do other stuff. I got frustrated by the second level. A little to out there for me. I would not recommend it.
2. Call of Duty: World at War - I am glad that I only rented it. I thought the single player campaign was pretty cool and visually stunning. It seemed like a best of CoD 3 & 4. There was not a whole lot of new content there. I thought the achievements were skewed a little to the hard end, with each board being completed on the hardest level netting 30 GP. The multi-player options look good, but there are no achievements associated with them. Overall, go for me for five days.
3. Left 4 Dead - So far, I like this game. Simple mechanics and mass carnage. Playing this with three other folks on-line is priceless!
   

Mequon Update

I write to you from Mequon, WI. I am hanging out at my parent's house for the weekend! The Christmas celebration was great, with three meals of great food:

1. Breakfast in Oshkosh (eggs, bacon, hash browns and homemade waffles :) )
2. Lunch in Mequon (prime rib!)
3. Dinner in Sussex (ham, pot roast and lots of other food)

I did get some wonderful gifts (and many gift certificates). Christa and I are also proud of the gifts that we got for others.

My mom had an avulsion fracture on her foot. The swelling had gone down, but it is still pretty painful and she will have more tests to find out exactly what is going on. Prayers would be appreciated so that her recovery might be as quick as possible.

I have appreciated the time to relax, with some reading and video game playing sprinkled in. My Dad ran an internet cord into the guest room, so I am able to use XBox live while I am at home. That is pretty cool!

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!

The Post Semester Report

Hey folks! I know it's been awhile. The 14-week fall semester is over and UWO students now have a three week break until the three week fall interim. If they don't have an interim class, they have a seven week break! As a 12-month employee, I need to take vacation to have any time off. I will be taking the next two weeks off, but decided to do some work this week.

I would definitely say that motivation has been a struggle as there are no students around, but I have been productive in working ahead in working ahead on items that would have otherwise needed to be taken care of during interim.

Christa and I have officially signed up for Netflix as our two week trial has run out. I think being members of Netflix will allow us to watch more movie for less money. We really enjoy watching movies and we appreciate the flexibility Netflix offers. also having the option to watch movies instantly with the XBox 360 only sweetens the deal.

This Sunday, I will be participating in the performance of a Bach Cantata at our church service. I will be performing the bass solo and singing with the choir. Even though I haven't been able to sing in the choir throughout the semester, I was able to make the last few rehearsals because school being over. It has been nice to be back with the group. If my schedule isn't quite as crazy on Wednesdays, perhaps I can sing with the choir in the spring semester.

When I got the red ring of death on my XBox and had it fixed, they gave us a free month of XBox Live with it as well. I attempted to use it for Christa's account, but her original account got corrupted. We created a new one and we have been able to play Rock Band 2 on-line. She is going to rent a few games and try them out on the 360.

Having the next two weeks off will definitely free up some time to play some games that have come out recently. On my to play list:

1. Fallout 3
2. Call of Duty: World at War
3. Grand Theft Auto 4
4. Left 4 Dead
   

Friday Fun Time

I saw a friend do this on Facebook. It is posted here and on Facebook. Feel free to to post a comment if you can name the song and an artist(s).

Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Strike through the songs when someone guesses both artist and track correctly.
Step 4: For those who are guessing -- looking the lyrics up on a search engine is CHEATING!
Step 5: If you like the game post your own.

1. No one knows what it's like to be the bad man.
2. Someone's knockin' at the door, someone's ringin' a bell.
3. Very superstitious, writing's on the wall.
4. Please allow me to introduce myself; I'm a man of wealth and taste.
5. The place where nobody dared to go, the love that we came to know.
6. I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadence.
7. The sun shines, people forget.
8. No I can't forget this feeling or your face as you were leaving, but I guess that's just the way the story goes.
9. In the town where I was born lived a man who sailed the sea.
10. Don't go changin', tryin' to please me, you never let me down before.
11. I know when to go out. I know when to stay in. Get things done.
12. Never know how much I love you; never know how much I care.
13. Seems I got to have a change of scene, every night I have the strangest dream.
14. It's very far away, it takes about a half and a day to get there if we travel by dragonfly.
15. When you were young and your heart was an open book you used to say live and let live.
16. I hear the train a'comin', it's rolin' 'round the bend and I ain't seen the sun shine I don't know when.
17. Risin' up, back on the street, did my time, took my chances.
18. Darlin' you've got to let me know.
19. It's been such a long time, I think I should be goin'.
20. There once was a musical troupe, a pickin', singin' folk group.
21. I have a mansion forget the price; ain't never been there they tell me it's nice.
22. Happy, and I'm smilin', walk a mile to drink your water.
23. Really don't mind if you sit this one out.
24. They say we're young and we don't know, won't find out until we grow.
25. I lived alone, my mind was blank; I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind.

24 Hours from Now...

...Webster Hall will be closed. The 14-week fall semester will be over. Students (and staff) will get a three week break. Granted, I'll be working next week, but it will be a different kind of work. It will be an opportunity to clean my two offices. It will be an opportunity to begin (and finish) projects that have been pushed back. It will also mean a well-deserved two-week break where I can re-charge my batteries and think about fall interim and spring semester.

The CC Situation

I figured that CC Sabathia would not be signing with the Brewers. When we signed him last year, most of us knew that he was a hired gun. He was a player that would give us the extra push that we needed to make a playoff run. This goal was accomplished! But you figured he would go where the money is.

There were rumors that he wanted to live on the west coast, where is building a home for his family. I heard that he wanted to play in the National League where he could bat as a pitcher, something he is pretty good at doing. I also figured he wanted some serious cash, as he is probably the most sought after pitcher in free agency.

This is what I didn't think would happen:

1. He would sign with the Yankees! Boo...the most hated team is baseball.
2. That any player would get signed for that much money.
3. That apparently what was important to him was all less important than making a boat load of cash.

Well, the Brewers can't compete with a seven year, $161 million deal. There's a recession going on?

Fantasy Football Ends...

...well, at least it ends for me. Despite a furious attempt by DeAngelo Williams, who gained a whole bunch of yards and 2 TDs on Monday night, I lost in the first round of the playoffs 112.5-110. That was rough.

Again, though I feel as though with DeAngelo Williams, Thomas Jones & Tom Brady as my keepers for next year, things are looking pretty good! We'll see.

Other News:

1. So we did get hit with quite a bit of snow. It should be fun digging my car out of the snow bank.
2. The 14-week fall semester ends in three day. Yippee!
   

Two Monday Random Thoughts

There is a big storm coming through Oshkosh (and elsewhere) tonight. The predictions keep getting bigger and bigger. They are not up to 11-14 inches of snow. They started with 3-5. Every time they predict a big storm, it is usually quite underwhelming. I'm guessing 2-3? :)

The Packers lost again yesterday. For the second week in a row they had a lead or tie late in the game and gave it up. I was ready this time...I was not surprised. The Packers play just good enough to stay int he game and then find a way to lose. They have major issues to take care of on defense. Geez!

Kindness

Redeeming some credit card points, Christa and I received a $25 gift card to Chili's. We are big fans of Chili's so we decided to use the card last night. Christa got back late from rehearsal and I was going to hang out with someone later, so we wanted to get up to Appleton quick.

We got there, ordered our food. I wanted to see how much cash I had in case our bill went over $25. It was then that I noticed that I did not bring my wallet with me. I flagged down the waitress and let he know to hold our order until we could figure what we could order that would stay under that dollar amount.

The manager happened to stop by when he saw our worried and faces and asked us what was wrong. We explained our situation. He said that because we were so upfront about what happened, that he would comp the cost of the meal to fit within our $25 budget. That was wonderful! We felt bad about the situation, but we really appreciated what they did.

It took a awkward situation and made it much better. It also secured our business with Chili's! :) We plan on sending a letter to their restaurant and to the corporate headquarters letting them know our appreciation.

My House Is Worth What?

Last night, Christa and I were sitting down together watching television. I was waiting to leave to hang out with my little brother and she was relaxing from taking her exam. We were watching the Home & Garden Channel, a channel I do not watch often. Specifically, we were watching a program called My House is Worth What?

In this show, homeowners have their house assessed because they usually are interested in putting it up for sale. They talk about how much they paid for it and also talk about the improvements that they made to the house. A expert real estate assessor comes in and gives them a theoretical sale value.

What disturbed me the most was how much these houses were going for...most were valued at around $700,000-800,000. Now, I realize that some of these houses were in rich neighborhoods, but seriously...

...who needs a house that big? And most of these folks were interested in getting a bigger house. I just don't understand. I realize we all need shelter, but can't it just be a matter of finding what meets our needs as opposed to purchasing a castle? I also realize that houses provide equity, but how much do you really need?

I wonder what Jesus would say to those who have houses so large. How might some of that money be put to better use?

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

In what was really a formality in my ministry candidacy process, I received the endorsement of my home congregation to continue being a ministry candidate. The vote was unanimous and did not involve much discussion. I was touched that the pastor leading our Charge Conference (annual meeting) said that he would highly recommend me :). Granted, he is the pastor that leads my bible study class.

One member of our church said that we should vote no so that Christa and I could stay as members of the church. That was also very moving for both of us. Having E-mailed Gordon (the District Superintendent) with my placement preferences, I now play the waiting game.

I go before the District Board of Ordained Ministry in April to have my candidacy (hopefully) renewed. Let's hope by then there is also a church placement in my future.

Other News:

1. I did make the playoffs for fantasy football. I am the seventh seed. I play the second seed, and I think I match up well. First round upset anyone?
2. I trying out the weightlifting thing again. I am tired of running every day. We'll see how that goes.
   

Fantasy Football Update

In what can be described as fantasy football hell for the first few weeks, my team was in deep trouble:

1. Tom Brady went out in week one with a season ending knee injury.
2. Willis McGahee has totally underperformed and now doesn't even start for the Ravens anymore.
3. I traded Reggie Wayne to get a starting QB, Philip Rivers.

Those were my three keepers! Needless to say, it was a scramble to put a team together. Over the course of the season, things have gotten better and I will win three in a row if finish our regular season. I am pretty sure I will make the playoffs. I think I already have my three keepers for mext year settled:

1. DeAngelo Williams - Had a big year. Had 4 TDs last week!
2. Thomas Jones - With Brett Favre, he has had a great year!
3. Phillip Rivers - Decent year statistically...the Chargers have just sucked this year.

The match-ups for my players this week are favorable. We'll see what happens in the first round of the playoffs.

Thanksgiving Break Highlights

I had a good opportunity to relax over the Thanksgiving Break. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but the time was productive:

1. I had two tasty Thanksgiving meals. It's just a shame that the football games weren't worth watching.
2. Christa and I saw Quantum of Solace in theaters. It may not be as good as the previous Bond film, but it is a great action movie. The stunt sequences are some of the best I have ever seen.
3. We also saw Hancock on DVD. Not impressed. The first half was pretty good, but then it took plot jump after plot jump and was not enjoyable anymore.
4. I realize the Assassin's Creed is not the video game for me. I don't do well in games of stealth. It only took me one evening to realize this ;).
5. Fable 2 freezes up on me now. I think it might be because of the XBox Live Update. Let's hope not...I have gotten pretty far in the game and would hate to have to stop playing.
6. The Packers suck! But, DeAngelo Williams was my fantasy football RB. Sweet! 4 TDs.
   

Building Closing

At 10:00 PM tonight, the residence halls close for Thanksgiving Break. Given that we have been in school for 12 weeks straight, the student deserve a break! They can use some time to relax and get away from the stress of school. I know I can use a break. This is one of my favorite days of the year...slowly seeing people trickle out of the building. Soon, it gets quiet. I forget how quiet a residence hall can be when there aren't any people in it :).

Other News:

1. Wow! Did the Packers lay an egg or what? Way to show the world what a crappy team you are.
2. I have won two in a row and have climbed to 7th place in the league. I just might be able to sneak into the playoffs!
   
3. I am excited to be having lunch with Peter tomorrow. He is in town for the Thanksgiving Break.
4. This break will be a great chance to catch up on my video game playing and a great chance to get working on the AD&D campaign.
   

Weekend Highlights

1. I saw the Badgers barely beat a Division I-AA team on Saturday. I definitely enjoyed seeing the Madison Marching Band, especially at half time. I also enjoyed participating in the "Jump Around" at the end of the 3rd quarter. The game was a joke, but at least they won.
   
2. Christa and I saw Shooter this weekend. Good flick! It was an under the radar movie, but we really enjoyed it.
3. I got to help out with the church service this Sunday, sing a quartet and make a salad for the potluck. It was a busy Sunday, all before noon.
4. Christa and I watched Empire Strikes Back on the HDTV with the new sound system. Wow...
   

The New XBox Live Experience

Yesterday, I downloaded the new XBox Live system for my XBox 360. It only took 20 minutes total, so it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Here are my brief thoughts:

1. I sense a need to compete with the Wii. I now have an avatar that looks strangely like what is offered with the Wii.
2. The interface is much more hip and high-tech, with lots of graphics and a fancy interface. Personally, I find it much harder to navigate. But, it doesn't have the three year old feel of the original interface.
   

Huh...really, that's about it. I am curious to check out the new features over the next few days. It's probably like Facebook. We hate anything new, but later get used to it and don't find it too bad ;).

Shouldn't Air Be Free?

One of the tires on our car was pretty low on air...our hall custodian pointed this out to me. I stopped by a gas station on the way back from Waukau to get the tire filled with air. I thought air would be free, but it cost $0.50! I don't want to be that old guy, but I do remember a time when the air machines were free. How much money do they expect to make?

Badger Game

I am pumped! My friend Jason Renard invited me to see the Badgers play the Cal Poly Mustangs this Saturday at 2:30 PM. I have yet to see a Badger game and I have never been in Camp Randall.

Back To It

Today was one of those days where I didn't have much of a chance to breath. After a full day of work in the Webster RHD Office, I ran off to three hours of CA/PA interviews. Now I am sitting in my office helping out with the pizza sale. OK...I am pretty much sitting in my office chair, playing Scrabble, but I'm here.

As the day went along, I had very random requests come up that kept me away from some of my more major tasks this week. I am presenting the book Fish Out of Water for the RHDs on Tuesday and I am starting to coordinate the application and selection process for a Residence Life scholarship.

I am definitely looking forward to Thanksgiving Break...it has been a crazy fall semester!

Weekend Highlights

Sorry for not reporting much for the last few days. It was a busy week for me at work. I had a nice relaxing weekend and can report on a few highlights from the weekend that was:

1. The AD&D group I head up actually played yesterday. It was necessarily the most action packed in the combat area, but the group can to a decision on where they were headed next. It also helps me to prepare for what is in store for them in December and 2nd semester.
2. Nick stuck around and I got to preview some games that may be worth a look at: Fallout 3 and Assassin's Creed (which he let me borrow). We also got to play some Rock Band 2 with Christa.
3. Christa and I got to watch a whole Packer game together. We haven't been able to do that in quite some time.
   

Fable 2 & Video Games

I have not had a lot to talk about over the last few days. Now that things have seemingly died down a little bit in my life, I felt as though I could start playing some video games. I finally cracked open Fable 2 and have played it for around 1-2 hours for last couple nights. The game is quite good! I haven't advanced too far into the story, but I really appreciate the open-ended of the game. The combat system is simple and reminds me of a Kung Fu movie; one person attacks while the others wait around. I will keep you posted as I continue playing.

Christa and I have had the chance to play Rock Band and it's been great. But, it has been nice to get back into playing other games on the 360. Making some time to play has rounded out my day and decreased my stress level, especially when I play late at night before I go to bed. I do make sure only to play games after I've gotten all other work done (It's like being a kid!).

My good friend Nick is right, there are too many good games out right now:

• Call of Duty: World at War
• Gears of War 2
• Lost Odyssey
• Guiter Hero World Tour
  

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving and Winter Break.

Time of the Season

The temperature is getting colder. Rain becomes sleet; sleet becomes the "wintry mix"; the mix becomes snow. Snow accumulates. Accumulated snow can only mean one time:

Jim begins growing his winter beard! (This is the point when my Mom cringes.)

In what has become a tradition since I have been an RHD were in Oshkosh, I will start growing a beard beginning with the first measurable snowfall of the year and ending on Good Friday. The weather this week is looking good for some snow. We'll see what happens.

Weekend Highlights

Highlights from the Weekend:

1. Christa's presentation at MSOE went very well. She was forced to go over time because she answered so many questions!
2. Hamilton won their football game. Robby will get to play more football. They are one win away from the Division II Championship! Hamilton will be playing Verona next weekend. I am hoping to be able to get to go to that game. I will need to find someone willing to hold the duty phone...
   
3. The Shully's reunion was a lot of fun, but it was at the end of a long day. I had the chance to meet some of the cooks that I worked for in various parties in 98 and 99. Almost everyone remembers me for making all of those Parmesan cheese cups. I did make 1,500. That's hard to forget.
4. The church service I was supposed to do today was already being covered by someone who assumed he had the service, but never contacted the pastor to verify. So, two people were ready. He already had an organist on the way and was set-up, so it was fine with me. Christa and I got some grocery shopping in.
5. Packers...not a highlight. Just poor play. They were lucky to even be in that game. *sigh*
   

Another Weekend on the Road

This Saturday Christa and I will be making our way down to the Milwaukee area. In the morning, Christa will be making a presentation at a Science Olympiad Conference in which she will be explaining the rules for the robotics competition. She has about an hour to present and she will be presenting at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

After that, we will be making our way to Mequon, WI. We will going with my parents to a 25 Year Reunion of Shully's Catering. Back in middle school and high school, I worked for Shully's serving food and doing clean-up. When I was in college I came back and worked a couple summers in the kitchen. I have great memories of that job and met some great people. Scott and Beth Shully are wonderful people and were wonderful to work for. They are also our next door neighbors in Mequon.

On Sunday, I'll be running the soundboard for our church service. After that, Webster will be hosting the 3rd Annual Webster Taco Fiesta (WTF) in the basement starting at 11:30 AM. We will have tacos and hopefully watch the Packers beat the Vikings. That afternoon, I will be leading the vesper service at the Evergreen Retirement Community.

In between all of that craziness, I am hoping to have the chance to play some Fable 2. It is look amazing.

Who's in Charge?

If I have learned anything over the last few days, I have learned that I am not in charge. I have learned this lesson continually throughout my life, but only until the last few months have I been learning to let go and let God. I have become better about realizing who is in charge.

I have found that there is no point is sweating things that I can't control. Obama won the presidency. I may not like it. But it's the presidency. One person does not change the world...no matter what he or others think. He may make it a little better or worse, but the world will keep going. I have uncertainties in our financial planning, but they all work out. I get stressed, do some research, and realize we are fine.

In 1 Chronicles 28:20 it is written, "Then David said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.'"

I continually have to remind myself of who is in charge and where the glory goes. This is not an excuse to sit back and enjoy the ride. It's knowing that while we're on the ride, let's not loose sight of what's most important in our lives. God.

Election Reflection

I will go on record saying that I am disappointed with the results of the election. I voted for McCain and was hoping for a McCain victory. Oh well.

Barack Obama's election as president is a historic event. It is a huge step forward for America to have elected a person of color to the White House. It is exciting! What is not exciting, however, are his promises and platform.

While I respect Obama as a person, I think he is completely backwards politically. I think he has made promises he will soon discover that he cannot deliver. I think his liberal thoughts will creep up and really surprise people...although, I wouldn't necessarily consider him socialist. But he has said some things that come close. He's going to change the world? Umm...OK. But, he may have the ability to cause a lit of change with Democratic majorities...scary.

Some say we were able to survive eight years of Clinton. Others say we were able to (soon) survive eight years of Bush. I say we can survive four years of Obama. Only time will tell what he will be able to accomplish, good or bad.

32

Today I turn 32. Technically, I turn 32 at 6:35 PM today. Since turning 30, there really isn't any big milestone to "look forward to" until you turn 40.

It's been a good day today:

1. I voted at 8:00 AM. I was glad to take care of that. Now we sit back and wait and see who wins. At least the advertising will stop after today.
2. I will dining at Kodiak Jack's with Christa tonight. They offer $20 off your bill if you dine there on your birthday. That's pretty sweet!
3. Otherwise, it will be a day to relax and enjoy.