oh it gets better (or worse).

I got a call on a typical broken tooth from a bone chip in a hamburger patty (I get about 3 of these a week, so if you frequent McD's, chew carefully). I always ask how they discovered and preserved the object, as it is important for forensic analysis.


Normal answers are: 1. I spit it out and saved it.
OR
2. I threw it away (destruction of evidence).

When I asked this woman if she spit it out after her injury, she said "not exactly."
"So you swallowed it?"
"Yes."
"But you still have the object?"
"Yes."
"I see."
The retrieval method involved a clothespin and plastic gloves.
Talk about determination.
She's sending to me in the mail.
sweet.

Would you like to SuperSize that?

One of our Senior Claims Examiners just came over and showed me some pictures an attorney sent him of an opened McD’s burger with an unusual “condiment” sitting atop the meat patty . At first I thought it was just an onion and was confused as to why he came over to show me a photos of a sandwich.

Then I realized it was no onion. All I’ll say is that it was the same color and shape as an onion slice, about 1.5’’ in diameter, had rolled edges, and was made of latex.

I seriously almost hurled in my garbage can…but at least it wasn’t used.

But still…

For your viewing pleasure...

I took all of these while I worked at wildlife prairie park. Most were taken while doing my graduate research on the deer.

Something I can't explain...

There’s something about music that I can’t explain. In nearly every culture around the world, people use music to celebrate, to relax, to worship, and to mourn. What is it about the vibration of air created by striking metal, wood, string, or hide that stirs the soul? What purpose does it serve in the evolution of our species? Is creating music a behavior that would have aided in natural selection? If not, why and how did it come about?

Regardless of whether the music is orchestral, rock, jazz, pop or polka, the simple fact that such noises are produced from the rocks and trees should be enough to even put atheists in a state of awe and wonder.

These thoughts come as a result of listening to two amazing groups of musicians at Northwoods over the past two weekend, “Sleeping at Last” & “The Nathan Peterson Band.” I can’t stop listening to them. Both have incredible talent and a powerful message. Check them out here, NPB: http://www.nathanpetersonband.com/home.html or (if you have myspace, http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=31597275
) AND Sleeping at Last: http://www.sleepingatlast.com/ or
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=2236166 .

More on Jesus 2.

Here is the video from the Today show. insane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=037HvQ1TyGM

False Prophet MUCH?

I heard a brief news headline about this guy as I was getting ready for work this morning so I looked into it while bored out of my gourd at work.

Please check out this website for more insight http://www.rickross.com/groups/creciendo.html, but apparently this guy claims he is the Second coming of Christ and that all modern Christianity is preaching the “wrong gospel.” You can also see a video here:

Check out his claims:

When De Jesús founded Creciendo en Gracia in a Hialeah warehouse 20 years ago, he claimed a few hundred followers. As his movement and reputation grew, so did his title. In 1988, he announced he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. In 1999, he dubbed himself "the Other," a spiritual super-being who would pave the way for Christ's second coming. In 2004, he proclaimed himself to be Jesus Christ and the sole interpreter of the gospel.

His doctrines are bizarre. He tells his followers they can live any way they want to because sin doesn't exist and the devil is dead. He also teaches that Christian churches are led by "ministers of Satan," and he encourages members of his organization to stage protests at church services and Christian events. Creciendo en Gracia members are encouraged to scream at people and carry placard with messages such as "THE DEVIL WAS DESTROYED."

"I don't study the Bible," he said, chuckling. "I don't go into rooms for prayer. Who am I going to pray to?"

Over the past five months, Creciendo en Gracia parishioners have held at least 40 protests in more than a dozen countries. And De Jesus says this is just the beginning. "My purpose," he explains, "is to close down every church so the true church can begin. You could say I'm leading the greatest reformation that has ever happened."

De Jesús fits the classic profile of an egotistical religious con man. He lives in a mansion, drives a BMW, wears lots of diamonds and spends $300,000 a year on bodyguards. Meanwhile many of his staff volunteer their time and give up to 80 percent of their income to the church.

What is most alarming about Creciendo en Gracia is the level of blind loyalty his followers display. The group's Web site proclaims: "We are going to shut the mouths of those dogs [speaking of Christian churches.] We are ready to give our lives for this!"


The scary part? He’s got supporters and the supporters have money. Any they’re giving it all to this guy. $MILLIONS$. They actually believe him. And from what I’ve read, he’s taking the claims of Christ and totally re-writing them to make it perfectly acceptable to be materialistic, self-centered, egomaniacal, sinners without any consequences. Keep your eyes out for these folks…

i suck.

I’ve been sickly ever since returning from the McDonald’s conference in Chicago last Wednesday. I think the endless activity and travel of the weekend consumed the reminder of my energy reserve and yesterday I finally caved to the cooties that have attacked my immune system. I went home from work at 10:30am and stayed in bed until 6:30 this morning. I’m hoping the 18 hours of sleep resulted in my body winning the war on micro-terror raging inside me.

Softball is at 6pm. I think I can do it. maybe.

3 Weekends, 3 Weddings. Done.

Wedding season is now over for me. Whew! Peoria, Joliet, Tennessee. It’s been fun, but also harsh on the ole’ bank account. This past weekend was a blast. I finally got to meet some of Bri’s family! It was great to hang out with them and get a little dirt on the Bri-ster. I especially liked her grandparents, who live near D.C. Her grandfather (a.k.a. Papa Bear) worked for the feds for over 30 years in the military and FAA, and now is an independent consultant for airline insurance companies and travels all over the world to inspect aircraft. Cool.
We made the 7.5 hour trip back yesterday and got to Northwoods just in time to catch a concert by an awesome band called “Sleeping at Last.” Check them out! They sound a lot like Coldplay. I was completely exhausted from driving all day (on top of being in a self-induced allergy medicine coma for day 4 of a sinus nightmare) but it was fun to see all the Reality people again. I couldn’t wait to be sleeping at last (ha), but when I finally got to bed, I couldn’t sleep. I had dream after dream involving insurance claims. Literal nightmare. And now I’m living it. Oh well.

Another note: closing date on the house has been moved up to Sept. 8th. I think we’re having a little celebration and you ALL are invited. That’s right, I just invited the world. It may involve tearing off wallpaper and painting and ripping up carpet, so it’s going to be FUN!!!

I need a roommate.

Are you or anyone you know looking for somewhere to live? As you may know, I recently purchased a home and am now looking for a roommate. You can move in October 1! Please let me know ASAP if you are interested so we can go over details. Thanks!

This is what I've always dreamed of...

The Litter Robot Turns Cat Litter Into Easter EggsIf you've got a cat that weighs more than 5 pounds, this Litter Robot will turn his waste into little pre-packaged eggs for you to easily throw away—no more pee covered hands.
Your cat goes into the spaceship-like ball to do his business, steps out, and his droppings automatically get turned into little red and yellow balls of delight. A few caveats though. A cat more than 15 pounds most likely won't fit into the sphere, and diabetic cats make urine clumps that are too large. Then there's elderly and skittish cats, who won't like to get in the sphere in the first place.
If your cat meets all the qualifications, you can pick up a Litter Robot for 299 ($570).

My question is, can you then eat the eggs? Because that would be well-worth the investment. I love chickens because they are delicious and they produce nutricious eggs. If Cougar could also produce eggs, that would make him even greater!

ho hum.

I don’t think I mentioned this before, but a couple of weeks ago I was parked in front of Bri’s house and became the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Some cowardly fiend hit the rear driver’s side fender and bumper of my red car with their white jalopy and drove away into the night. When I discovered the damage, I was more insulted and annoyed than anything else, as paint on the sheet metal is only scuffed and the molding is just missing a few spots of paint and suffered a few small scratches. In other words, I can fix some of it myself, and the rest I can live with. But I decided to turn it into my insurance anyway, as I am entitled. I got a check for $640 for the damage.

I’ve been needing new tires VERY badly for quite some time and had just scratched up enough money for them before having to put money down on this house that was too good to pass up. So I was back to broke. And then my car got hit. And I got money. So this morning I got a new set of tires to the tune of $575.

So thank you, villainous criminal o’ the night for my new set of tires. They are lovely.

wHy nOt.

I saw this on "post secret" and couldn't help myself.



Another reason cats are better: dogs eat their vomit.

Is it monday already?

Wow, what a weekend…
My best friend, Corey, got married on Saturday night at the Cornerstone here in Peoria. It was beautiful and fun to see two people so in love finally (after almost 8 years of dating) joined! Amy’s dad performed the ceremony, which he wrote and has now performed at each of his three daughters’ weddings. The lovely couple left this morning for Cabo San Lucas. Lucky ducks.



Yesterday, we took the high school kids to Lake Shelbyville and I think it’s safe to say I had more fun than should be allowed. It was my first experience on a jet ski and I am HOOKED. I loved launching off the big wakes of ski boats, whipping 180’s and occasionally dumping it to throw the rider. It’s just such a free feeling being in complete control of a small craft on the water-kind of like mtn. biking-but wetter. The only thing I could think of that would be owning a couple of these things is knowing a close friend who does!

yellow house.

here are some pics of the new crib.



more at: http://www.tradersrealty.com/search/listing.asp?mls=1076731&LoggedIn=Yes&Type=&LM=True

It's Official.

I am a home owner. I made the first offer after going through the house with my realtor and family on tuesday. I offered the owner the asking price if they would just cover the closing costs. And they said no! I couldn't believe it. So I put in another offer for them to cover 1/2 of the closing costs. And they said yes! Closing is on Sept. 15th. I want to do some interior work before I move in, so I'll be refinishing the hardwood floors (under carpet and linoleum) in the kitchen and bedrooms, and painted a couple rooms if anyone would like to help. Thanks for all your prayers and support!

p.s. cats have 18 toes, 5 on each front food and 4 on each back foot.

CAT FEET!

how many toes do cats have?



p.s. I should know tomorrow if I got the house. Making a new offer to counter the counter-offer in 5 minutes. Say a quick prayer if you want. and then i'll make you a hot dog.

Wisdom, Guidance, and Patience Needed

So last night at dinner a close friend told me he had a deal for me that I couldn't pass up. He's a realtor and has been very slyly moving his friends closer and closer to he and his wife by finding killer deals on houses in their neighborhood. He and our high school Pastor have ajoining back yards and now the house directly across the street is up for sale (it actually goes on the market monday). It belongs to the mother of one of our high school students, who is a buddy of mine (we got baptized on the same night). It is also yellow. Bri has always wanted a yellow house. I'm ready to move out of the bachelor pad on Burncrest (sad), as I can no longer stand the disorder that comes from living with 3 other guys and a cat. In addition, one of my friends from work is looking for a new place to live and we've previously talked about the possibility of me buying a house and him renting from me. The house is 1.8 miles from work.

There are so many signs that make this sound so right. I know there are a lot of possibilities and what if's and maybe I'm just excited about the potential. I need some time to pray and reflect and listen.

15 things i do when i should be working.

1. Blogging (apparently you do too)
2. www.myspace.com (posting and reading comments and listening to music)
3. www.imdb.com (internet movie data base)-tons of info about movies, tv shows, etc.
4. www.blockbuster.com (renting movies online that I found interesting on imdb)
5. planning my post-work work-out
6. daydreaming about ice cream (bar, cone, flurry, scoop, or “other” form)
7. jamming to mp3s on the iRiver (iPod hater)
8. talking to Bri on the phone
9. counting ceiling tiles
10. emailing from 5 accounts (dork)
11. laughing hysterically while listening to audio clips from www.ebaumsworld.com
12. watching minutes tick off the clock (this is very boring and I don’t recommend it)
13. talking to myself with a headset on to give the appearance that I’m working
14. conducting experiments to see how much coffee I can drink before using the restroom (very exciting)
15. looking for a new job

Authenticity

I’d like to start by saying Charlie gave a great message this weekend at Nexus on journey vs. destination. To sum it up: our focus and ambition should be on the way we live our lives and serve others along the way instead of “just getting our butt into heaven.” Which brings me to today’s topic, authenticity.

It’s easy to talk the talk. Anyone can do it. But to really be authentic when you “Christian” friends aren’t watching is something that takes time and an intentional mentality. It requires you to constantly review your actions, thoughts, etc. and question whether they are in-line with your beliefs. It’s fascinating to watch someone new in their faith walk transform from someone who just comes to a church service once in awhile to someone who earnestly seeks God and to meet others where they’re at. I know I went through it and I think a lot of the high school guys I volunteer with are experiencing the same thing. It’s great to see kids in their most vulnerable age who are not afraid to be themselves and not fear what others think.

Authenticity is key to the journey. Who are you when you walk out the doors of the church? Who are you when you are at work or at school? On Saturday nights? If you can’t be authentic before others, how can you be authentic before God?

Look what I can do!

Just as a little reminder, God puts his name on his creation from time to time. This time, it was on an alligator. Read the TRUE story here: http://www.wastedblog.com/viewcontent.php?AlwaysUseFrame=1&IdContent=3553 .