how sweet is this?

I normally don't pay for an "extended warranty" on anything. But when I bought my 52" Toshiba HDTV two years ago, I decided to pay the extra $400 for the 4-year plan because it was a floor model. The bulb has to be replaced annually and they cost $100 (you do the math).
Ever since I've had it, the high definition input (HDMI) was very fussy. The cable had to be juuuuuust right in order to get a clear picture. I finally called the repair man to come look at it. He said major surgery would be required to fix it. He ordered the part in July and it still hasn't come in. So he called today to tell me that under the contract, I was now entitled to a brand new tv. All I had to do was take it to Best Buy and get a new one.
I called the store and they said they no longer carry that model, but I can get ANY tv, up to the price I originally paid. When I asked what models were comparable, the salesperson said I could get the best unit they carry for the same price now. And it will be brand-spankin new-not a floor model.

Sometimes things work out deliciously. Now I just have to find a truck...

an anomoly

Yesterday I watched "Bowling for Columbine" for the first time.
Yes, I realize I'm 5 years late, but honestly I thought watching it would cause me to dislike Michael Moore more than I already do. However, I caught the first few minutes of it the other day and decided to give him a shot (pun).
Going into it, I figured it would be Moore's personal agenda against gun-owning Americans and a bunch of liberal propaganda. And true to form, it was there.
BUT, he did make some good points that got me thinking.

Canada has approximately 10 million families and 7 million guns. Yet, there are only 35ish gun-related homicides in the entire country each year. Compare that to the U.S. and there are over 100,000 each year. We've had 1/2 the Canadian average already in Peoria this year. The same goes for other countries across the world: Germany, Britain, Japan, Australia, etc. There are just as many guns in these countries, their citizens watch the same violent movies, play the same violent video games, listen to the same "metal" music, etc. But there is no where near the rate of gun-related crime.

While there are no easy answers to this epidemic of violence in our country, it is obvious that taking guns out of the hands of responsible citizens will not solve the problem. There is an evil deep in our culture that must be uprooted and exposed. The fear instilled in its citizens by the news media, the level of poverty and denial of basic health care needs, and America's trigger-happy government must change. If only we would adopt some of the policies and practices of our peaceful neighbors, we could move from the "land of opportunity" to the "land of tranquility," and we gun owners would not be persecuted by congressman who know nothing of such things.

Pekinites.

So explain to me this:

I had to do a well inspection today in Pekin on 1st Street. In order to get to said location, I was required to turn left on North Street. When I did so, however, it took me on a loop back to the road I turned off of. Apparently there is a North North Street and a South North Street. South North Street was approximately 74 yards down the road on the other side of an empty lot. 1st Street starts and ends on either side of the lot. Both North North Street and South North Street are two blocks long. Who in the world thought this was a good idea? Pekinites...

good morning

I've avoided drinking coffee at work for approximately 2 months now, but this morning I gave in. Just needed a little pick-me-up.
There is never any sugar packets in the kitchen so someone brought in a styrofoam cup full. I can't stand artificial sweeteners so I decided to add a little from the cup, even though it wasn't covered and could have been tampered with by biological terrorists.
I tipped the cup ever so slightly and tapped the side and a sugary conglomerate the size of a chicken egg broke off like an ancient glacier into the ocean of my coffee mug.
Needless to say, there's a little extra zip in my zip-a-dee-doo-da. yum.

hunt'n vids

Since I'm a huge dork, I posted the opening sequence of my two latest hunting DVD's on youtube. And here they are for your viewing pleasure.


Obviously, the quality is reduced, but you get the picture.

the struggle within

What do you what to be when you grow up?

Probably one of the most asked questions you'll hear throughout your childhood-young adult life. And it's one that I keep asking myself.

I don't know why I can't be content in a job.
Maybe it's because I'm impatient, or because I want too much too fast, or because none of my employers see things the right way (my way-sarcasm). Or maybe it's because I've sought employment at the wrong places for the wrong reasons.

This weekend, Cal delivered a message that hit me between the eyes. Identify your strenghts-the ones you enjoy, and hone them. Develop what you love doing and go after it. It's simple. But it takes a lot of guts to turn away from security, however unsatisfying it may be, to go out on a limb and try to make a living doing what you truly enjoy.

All I know is that if I continue on this path, doggy paddling my way through life, scraping to get by, sooner or later I will drown. I don't want to waste this life. I don't feel I will ever be happy working under someone's thumb. If I'm not free to create things and explore what I am capable of, I feel suffocated.

Sooo...what do I do?
I'd love to run my own video production business. I know this isn't something that is built overnight. I get a great amount of satifaction and happiness when I can share what I've created with other people and they are entertained! To date, I've only done one project for $, and I think it turned out very well. My thought is to start a website, where customers can send in their own footage (home videos, sporting events, hunting footage, etc.) and I will edit and produce professional DVDs. Start small, think big. One day I could have my own crews going out and filming events themselves. Who knows.

Maybe I'm out of my mind. Maybe I should just be complacent and happy where I am. Maybe I'm over-dramatic. I just want to be able to look back on my career and say, "that's what I wanted to be when I grew up."

2006 Trojans DVD

I'm delivering the final product in about an hour. Here's the opening video!

a mixture

Let's take a look at what's going on in this week's headlines...

Yesterday afternoon the secretary came back and said there was a man at the front desk to see me. As I wasn't expecting anyone, I was surprised when I walked up there and saw my grandpa (who lives 2 hours from here)! Turns out he was at a farm equipment auction about 1/2 mile from the office. Very cool.

Our softball team won last night, which makes three in a row (our longest streak this season). That puts us at exactly .500 for the season, heading into the tournament tomorrow if the rain holds off long enough.

My Uncle Dave visited the guy with the outdoor show on Wednesday and dropped off 4 of my dvd's for him to preview. He was "very impressed" and hinted at me possibly doing some editing work for him. We'll see if that goes anywhere! He also wanted my photos from the boar hunting trip for his magazine. pretty cool.

Gina and I had a wonderful evening with her relatives Wednesday night. I think their whole family is blessed with some kind of cooking gene that turns everything they touch to culinary gold. I know I will never go hungry with Gina around!

And lastly, Cougar, my little angel cat (not) stole a chicken breast off the stove last night that was supposed to be my lunch for today. I found it mauled on the kitchen floor. He's not my favorite person at the moment. My life is exciting.

David Crowder-Praise Him

I love this video.
It's a reminder that wherever we are, whatever we're going through, we must stop...and praise him...

Sleeping at Last

Careful Hands

Sleeping At Last -

on music

There is something in music that awakens the soul, lifts the spirit, or soothes a wounded heart.

Last night the incredibly gifted band from Chicago, "Sleeping at Last," played at the Warehouse. When they were here a year ago I had never heard of them. I bought both of their albums after the show and have listened to them dozens of times since. I was looking forward to their return all summer, to say the least. And they did not disappoint. They've crossed the boundary from relatively unknown Christian artists to the "mainstream" and have had one of their songs featured on "Grey's Anatomy." Their talent and unique crafting of word and music is moving. There was even a marriage proposal during "Umbrellas," a song about love, marriage, children, and life (no, it wasn't me).

So what is it between those chords, drum beats, and melodies that causes a transformation of the mind? In 2 Kings 3, when Elisha is seeking wisdom from God, he says, "But now bring me a harpist."
While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha...
The word of God came through the music.

Which reminds me of a conversation with a friend I grew up with in church, who has for the most part walked away from anything resembling a church. He, however, worships music. A roommate of his professes to be an atheist, but says there is something about music that is "spiritual" to him. It moves him in an indescribable way.

Could it be that through the locked doors of an unsaved heart, God knocks loudly through a drum beat? Can a guitar riff pierce the darkness and reclaim that which is lost?

now bring me a harpist...

just when you think you've seen it all...

Today at lunch, the head of the food program here at TCHD told us about an inspection he was on yesterday at a local establishment.

After some other strange discoveries and "fishy" answers from the manager, he proceeded to check the walk-in cooler. The cook prompted him by saying, "Oh, we don't use that anymore." All the more reason to investigate.

When he approached the unit, he saw the door was off the hinges.
strange.

But not as strange as what he found when he looked inside.

There on the floor was an toddler, playing with a bunch of toys in front of a very large tv and a fouton. The cook explained the child was only there during summer vacation and would be gone in two weeks.

ummm....yeah....about that....

hard times.

It seems there are seasons in which bad things happen.
Not just in your own life, but in the lives of those around you.
It makes the world seem desolate, evil, and hopeless...

The Bradley soccer player who lost his life, and his friends involved that have had theirs forever stained.

The wife of a friend who turned away from the Truth and divorced him for worldly desires.

Church family members diagnosed with untreatable diseases.

An uncle's father killed in a motorcylce test ride while his son looked on.

A special forces soldier deployed to Iraq days after the birth of his child.

15 homocides in Peoria in less than 8 months.

It's all a reminder that we are not in control. Our only option is to have faith in the ONE that does.

Frisky Felines

I love cats. Who could possibly deny the humour they constantly produce?

Celebrating corn.

Gina and I had a fantastical time in Mendota over the weekend. It was the 60th Anniversary Sweet Corn Festival, so all the locals were out in full force. It's always cool catching up with friends from high school. Each year there are more faces that I can't seem to put a name to, which is sad.
It was also great spending time with my fabulous family. Mom and Dad are just now putting the finishing touches on their newly remodeled downstairs and it looks amazing! I wish I had before and after pictures to post. I walked in the front door and almost fell over. No resemblance of it's former self.
But today it's back to reality. Gina had to go back to work after an all-too-short summer break. I had to inspect a restaurant fire in East Peoria-but got ice cream afterwards, so it's all good.

I can see an end to the Mendota High School Football dvd project I've been working on for the past few months. I picked up an HP Lightscribe burner last night so I can burn two dvd's at a time now. Each DVD set contains five discs, which take 40 minutes each to burn. 20 sets were ordered, so that means 100 discs x 40 minutes=67 hours of burning. I probably have 200 hours invested so far between editing, producing, photoshopping cover and disc labels, etc. I'm shooting for the end of the week for completion! Woohoo!

Unbelievable.

Please, somebody pinch me.

I just got off the phone with the producer of Adventure Sports Outdoors on the Sportsman Channel. And NO, this isn't because of the Cache Connections commercial!

Approximately 1 year ago, my uncle (and hunting buddy), ran into Harry Canterbury at some insurance schmoozing event. Dave knew who he was and starting talking to him about our many adventures and the DVD's I had made. Dave said Harry was interested, so I sent him a copy of last year's Texas hunt. I didn't hear anything from him and had completely forgotten about it.

Well about 30 minutes ago, my phone rang. It was Uncle Dave, who said there was someone standing next to him that wanted to talk to me. It was Harry. He said he liked my footage and wanted to put it on his show! I'm meeting with him in two weeks to go over the film and do some editing. I can't believe it! SUPER PUMPED.

And unlike the previous regional commercial, he said it will be broadcast to 10 million viewers around the world and will be on their website.

seriously, pinch me.

a lil' rant.

I just finished 1 Kings a couple of days ago and have started reading 2 Kings last night. I am amazed that king after king of Israel and Judah would either a)follow God's commands for awhile, then turn to idol worship and subsequently be destroyed, or b)worship idols or false gods completely and subsequently be destroyed, along with their entire family and all their friends, prophets, etc.

How big of a dullard (fun word) do you have to be to not recognize a pattern here? Worshiping the one true God=prosperity and peace. Worshiping the gods you created to make life convenient for you=death, destruction, being eaten by dogs, ravens, or lions (your choice).

And then comes Elija, who stands defiant in the face of the cruelest king in the history of Israel, Ahab. He challenges the 400 prophets of the king (who would tell him whatever he wanted to hear) and their god. But none could stand in HIS way. And they were subsequently consumed (by dogs, yum).
Following him was Elisha, who gave up all he knew to become a prophet and warrior for God. He became twice the prophet as Elija, just for asking for it.

I heard a statement from Mitt Romney the other day. He said he wasn't "running as a Mormon" for president. In other words, his religion didn't define him or what he would do as a leader of this country. Don't we want someone who clings to their beliefs and convictions as our leader? Do we want someone who falls away when questioned about what he (or she) is all about? Do we want someone who will just tell us what we want to hear, or do we demand they do what is right because it is right?

A recent article in Time highlighted the leading Democratic candidates and their "religion." According to the author, Democrats have realized that a person's religion is now a popular aspect of their campaign because it has worked for the Republicans. The article featured a picture of Obama, Clinton, Edwards, etc., with the religious affiliation of their upbringing, name of their current church, and favorite hymn. I laughed. Is this all it takes? Their favorite hymn?! What about the impact of their stance on the tough issues based on their faith? I guess if they like "Amazing Grace," or "His Eye is on the Sparrow," they deserve our vote.

I just want someone to recognize the pattern of idol ($) worship in this country. And break it. I want a candidate who is real.

p.s. If anyone knows of a good church in South Carolina, John Edwards is "still looking."

ahhhhh

It's Friday. 4:06pmCST.
24 minutes to freedom.

You know, it's funny. All week, the day I look forward to the most is not Saturday or Sunday...it's Friday.

Don't get me wrong, Saturdays are great-usually spent working on something around the house or traveling somewhere for an event, organization, etc.
Sundays are just too close to Monday morning to get too excited about.

But Fridays hold a certain mystery and anticipation. Think of all the things we could do in a two-day, work-free adventure. I still have to brave through a grueling 7.5 hours work day (slightly sarcastic), but only quitting time rolls around, I get excited. Even if I have nothing planned! actually, i prefer it that way...

I wish.
I wish I could end every day with the same level of anticipation and excitment for tomorrow as on Friday night. To live a life where I don't have to drag myself out of bed and through the work day, just to get to the end of it. I have a good life. Why can't I appreciate it to the fullest extent?

Maybe I'll ponder that on Sunday. After all, it'll take my mind off Monday morning...




p.s. Gina is leaving for Florida tomorrow. Sad time for me and cougar. Happy time for Gina, Summer, and Leslie!

Shaklee On Oprah

Check out the Shaklee Story.

Do Not Worry.

Easier said than done sometimes, right?

When the storms of life are pounding on your door,
When you are standing at the foot of a seemingly unclimbable mountain of doubt,
When there seems to be no glimer of hope in sight,
When you feel stranded in a sea of strife,
When all the world wants more than you can give...

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The path has already been paved,
The map inked in blood,
The lamp has been lit to lead the way,
All you have to do is listen and obey.
Life is on the horizon.