So it's going to be a little cold this weekend.
At least it will be dry.
Camping on the border of Lake Superior in the chilly weather is going to be adventerous fun.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Blog Statistics
Google gives an amazing amount of statistical data for their blogs (blogspot is owned by google).
2 weeks ago, when we started the new fall series at Grace, I made a blog that just hosts the 7 videos created for our personal devotions all on one blog.
It's creepy to see how many people are watching videos of me. A little more creepy that I can see what sites they are coming from, how many times its shared through e-mail, viewed on an Ipad or a phone, etc.
I'm weirded out that videos of me have been used in so many ways.
I kinda wish Google didn't give me that info, but I can't look away. I even know which videos people are "cheating" on and looking at in advance. One particular topic seems to have garnered more interest than the rest.
I'll be creeped out, but i'll have fun analyzing these things over the remaining 6 weeks.
2 weeks ago, when we started the new fall series at Grace, I made a blog that just hosts the 7 videos created for our personal devotions all on one blog.
It's creepy to see how many people are watching videos of me. A little more creepy that I can see what sites they are coming from, how many times its shared through e-mail, viewed on an Ipad or a phone, etc.
I'm weirded out that videos of me have been used in so many ways.
I kinda wish Google didn't give me that info, but I can't look away. I even know which videos people are "cheating" on and looking at in advance. One particular topic seems to have garnered more interest than the rest.
I'll be creeped out, but i'll have fun analyzing these things over the remaining 6 weeks.
New Patterns Require New Patterns
With the way our bedroom currently is, we've put the outlet splitter (from 2 power outlets to 6) on Jenny's side of the bed. With my lamp and phone charger taking my two outlets that has left our laptop plugged in on her side and by her nightstand.
I didn't know how significant this would be until I began to notice the lack of consistency in my blogging recently. When the easy access hasn't been their to see my former "routine" feel natural, I've missed a bunch of days.
I suppose as the pattern of laptop placement has changed that may require a new pattern of blogging for me.
Don't know what that means for me yet, but I can't remember the last time I wrote a blog at 1:33 in the afternoon instead of late night or early morning.
Regardless....Long Live McDonald's Monopoly :)
I didn't know how significant this would be until I began to notice the lack of consistency in my blogging recently. When the easy access hasn't been their to see my former "routine" feel natural, I've missed a bunch of days.
I suppose as the pattern of laptop placement has changed that may require a new pattern of blogging for me.
Don't know what that means for me yet, but I can't remember the last time I wrote a blog at 1:33 in the afternoon instead of late night or early morning.
Regardless....Long Live McDonald's Monopoly :)
Monday, September 26, 2011
I Want To Speak Up
We ran a soccer practice today that focused the team on decision making, situational awareness, and leadership.
As such, we didn't get to coach them in the process of the drills, just debrief with them afterwards. That is hard. Players do lots of things that are easily correctable, but not when you can't say anything to them. Then you just get frustrated.
Overall, they'll start getting the hang of things more, and hopefully become better soccer players, but today, Coach Jake and I just found ourselves wanting to speak up. Restraint was difficult, hopefully it was helpful.
As such, we didn't get to coach them in the process of the drills, just debrief with them afterwards. That is hard. Players do lots of things that are easily correctable, but not when you can't say anything to them. Then you just get frustrated.
Overall, they'll start getting the hang of things more, and hopefully become better soccer players, but today, Coach Jake and I just found ourselves wanting to speak up. Restraint was difficult, hopefully it was helpful.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Un-Planned Switch
The calendar always changes. I ended up with a different outcome than intended or hoped for, but still something to look forward to.
I had been slated to preach on October 2nd for both of the Sunday morning services.
It looks like now, I'll be out of town, at the end of the Young Adults Camping Trip that morning instead, as the need for my filling in has become non-existant.
It wasn't what I would have hoped for, but the camping trip is at least a worthwhile event to take its place.
If you had marked that morning on your calendar, sorry to let you know it has been cancelled. I'll keep you informed of what I know if/when future opportunities come.
I had been slated to preach on October 2nd for both of the Sunday morning services.
It looks like now, I'll be out of town, at the end of the Young Adults Camping Trip that morning instead, as the need for my filling in has become non-existant.
It wasn't what I would have hoped for, but the camping trip is at least a worthwhile event to take its place.
If you had marked that morning on your calendar, sorry to let you know it has been cancelled. I'll keep you informed of what I know if/when future opportunities come.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Off Center
Putting ourselves at the center of life is all too natural. I find that often, when I'm frustrated, I've somehow put myself at the center again. My emotions are dictated by circumstance out of my control or the actions of others. I respond reactively instead of pro-actively, putting my desires at the center.
That isn't the goal though. I think we've been created to, and find ourselves most happy when we live off-center lives. At least as it pertains to ourselves. I am not the center of my life. Everytime I pretend to be, I should be frustrated.
Christ should always be center. The more I can remember and practice this, the more I'll likely deal with negative circumstance or unfortunate decisions of others better.
That isn't the goal though. I think we've been created to, and find ourselves most happy when we live off-center lives. At least as it pertains to ourselves. I am not the center of my life. Everytime I pretend to be, I should be frustrated.
Christ should always be center. The more I can remember and practice this, the more I'll likely deal with negative circumstance or unfortunate decisions of others better.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Punishment Time :)
We played our best game of soccer so far this year on Saturday.
Our first conference game, against Faith Baptist Bible College, began with us scoring 6 goals in the first half.
We played well most of the game, only making 2 mistakes defensively, and 1 emotionally. Those three things will all be punished tomorrow as I am in control of a conditioning practice.
I wouldn't want to be the team members as I get to let out my frustrations on their bodies as we are in the longest break in the season without games (it will be 10 days between games).
Welcome to the 15 flights of stairs on the U of M campus. 187 steps up. We'll have fun tomorrow boys.
Our first conference game, against Faith Baptist Bible College, began with us scoring 6 goals in the first half.
We played well most of the game, only making 2 mistakes defensively, and 1 emotionally. Those three things will all be punished tomorrow as I am in control of a conditioning practice.
I wouldn't want to be the team members as I get to let out my frustrations on their bodies as we are in the longest break in the season without games (it will be 10 days between games).
Welcome to the 15 flights of stairs on the U of M campus. 187 steps up. We'll have fun tomorrow boys.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Unwelcome News
Found out this evening that one of the people who lived on my floor for 2 years in college passed away in a house fire this morning.
That just isn't the kind of news you ever expect to receive. It was on the local news in the area here, which is how some of my floormates found out. I had been contacted earlier in the evenin about it, so heard from a friend.
Thoughts and prayers for his family and close friends.
That just isn't the kind of news you ever expect to receive. It was on the local news in the area here, which is how some of my floormates found out. I had been contacted earlier in the evenin about it, so heard from a friend.
Thoughts and prayers for his family and close friends.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Hard to Narrow the Filter
Some people at work, both the church and soccer field, have requested I start sharing my opinions more.
I don't know if they realize how negative, pessamistic and critical my mind really is.
It is hard for me to figure out how to narrow a filter I've tried to train over time. Not saying things that would get me in trouble or send the wrong impression has become a discipline, one that was needed, and now some are asking me to loosen up those reigns.
I'm scared of what may come out.
I don't know if they realize how negative, pessamistic and critical my mind really is.
It is hard for me to figure out how to narrow a filter I've tried to train over time. Not saying things that would get me in trouble or send the wrong impression has become a discipline, one that was needed, and now some are asking me to loosen up those reigns.
I'm scared of what may come out.
Monday, September 12, 2011
What About the Pit in My Stomach?
13,000 feet in the air I was told to sit with my feet hanging out the side of the airplane. A final wave to Jenny (getting ready to do the same) and I was out the door.
A brief flip to look at the plane and another to return facing the ground and I was falling at over 120 mph and wondering, why don't I feel this in my stomach?
There isn't the feeling of falling you get like on a roller coaster when you skydive. It's much more like a powerful fan blowing against your face.
After roughly a minute, the parachute was pulled and then we played around with it, spinning in circles and navigating towards our landing area, for the next 5 minutes or so. The experience, at 6 minutes(ish) actually lasted longer than I had thought it would.
The strangest part, watching the plane you took off in land while you are still in the air.
Jenny and I both made it down with big smiles and no injuries.
We'd both be excited about an opportunity to do it again sometime.
A brief flip to look at the plane and another to return facing the ground and I was falling at over 120 mph and wondering, why don't I feel this in my stomach?
There isn't the feeling of falling you get like on a roller coaster when you skydive. It's much more like a powerful fan blowing against your face.
After roughly a minute, the parachute was pulled and then we played around with it, spinning in circles and navigating towards our landing area, for the next 5 minutes or so. The experience, at 6 minutes(ish) actually lasted longer than I had thought it would.
The strangest part, watching the plane you took off in land while you are still in the air.
Jenny and I both made it down with big smiles and no injuries.
We'd both be excited about an opportunity to do it again sometime.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Bring on the Heights
I haven't often felt uneasy about heights. Tomorrow will be the biggest test of that.
As Jenny turns 30, we are celebrating by jumping out of a plane.
Not nervous yet. Not planning on getting nervous, but we'll see when I'm looking out of the plane to the ground getting further and further away.
30's are starting off awesome!
As Jenny turns 30, we are celebrating by jumping out of a plane.
Not nervous yet. Not planning on getting nervous, but we'll see when I'm looking out of the plane to the ground getting further and further away.
30's are starting off awesome!
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Long Week (Both Jobs)
Both work and soccer have been keeping me busy this week. Yesterday's (tuesday) soccer game and travel to it took up roughly 9 hours of my day. Double overtime never helps the exhaustion, but the guys played great for the entirety of the match and we were thrilled with the tie.
That day however, started with me pulling out of the driveway just before 8:00 and returning to it after 1:30, not the one that is only 5 hours later.
Today seemed short in comparison I guess, leaving right around 9, and pulling in at 1, again, not the 4 hour one.
Soccer doesn't get any more of my time this week, as I skip Thursdays from it for work, and Friday they are 6 hours away on a game, which I can't make because this week also has a wedding thrown into the mix. So, tomorrow has work and the rehearsal, while Friday will be packed with work and then the wedding.
Looking forward to Sunday evening (i have a late afternoon work meeting) when I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The "big church" kick-off responsibilities will be done then and I can return to focusing on the areas of work that are my primary job description responsibilities.
Hoping tomorrow is shorter and that I return home before 1:00.
That day however, started with me pulling out of the driveway just before 8:00 and returning to it after 1:30, not the one that is only 5 hours later.
Today seemed short in comparison I guess, leaving right around 9, and pulling in at 1, again, not the 4 hour one.
Soccer doesn't get any more of my time this week, as I skip Thursdays from it for work, and Friday they are 6 hours away on a game, which I can't make because this week also has a wedding thrown into the mix. So, tomorrow has work and the rehearsal, while Friday will be packed with work and then the wedding.
Looking forward to Sunday evening (i have a late afternoon work meeting) when I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The "big church" kick-off responsibilities will be done then and I can return to focusing on the areas of work that are my primary job description responsibilities.
Hoping tomorrow is shorter and that I return home before 1:00.
Monday, September 05, 2011
Be Back Soon
I'll be back to write something with hopeful value soon.
I've been overwhelmed with busy-ness the last few days and haven't felt motivated to revisit any of it in digital writing.
Looking forward to having something to say again.
I've been overwhelmed with busy-ness the last few days and haven't felt motivated to revisit any of it in digital writing.
Looking forward to having something to say again.
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