Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Haiti Tweets
I have been following some of the tweets coming out of Haiti, but I have to say that the ones that have affected me most are being posted by Mark Driscoll (@PastorMark). You can read his tweets even if you do not have Twitter. Driscoll is a sometimes controversial pastor who is known for stating some attention getting things in the pulpit. Maybe that is why his tweets are currently my favorite. No sugar coating. No exaggeration. No trying to find the right words for a news article. Just honest. It would be easy to shield the eyes and ears to all that is said and the pictures coming out. Yet, I believe that maybe we are to look and listen so that we can feel and sympathize and pray.
American Idol, you did it again
American Idol must have the smartest production staff ever. AI knows that there are only two reasons to watch the audition rounds - the personal stories and the really bad singers. Last week's episodes did not disappoint. The first one to grab the attention was the girl who has the Down's Syndrome brothers. She may not be the best singer (yet), but she is definitely one that I am rooting for. Of course some of American fell for a girl that completely annoyed me - the bumpkin that jumps bridges for fun and wears the Dollar Store dress. Seriously, she cannot sing, and they gave her unrealistic expectations that are going to be dashed and hurt her more than if they had been honest with her up front. She is terrible. If she makes the ten in the running when the real season starts, there is a serious lack of talent.
The producers know how to make us the audience talk about the really bad singers. They know that if the bad ones are not included, the audience is going to get bored. You had to have the freak out guy - there is one almost every season. The country bumpkin who could not sing a lick was represented (I would say twice, but one made it to Hollywood for some reason - see previous paragraph). Each year there has to be the one act that leaves everyone talking, at least since William Hung created the mold in Season Three. The producers found a classic one in General Larry Platt. If you read into Platt's background, there is no mistake as to why he was chosen to be this year's Internet sensation to have us talking about AI. He is a veteran, civil rights leader, and a local celebrity in Atlanta. They knew he would be appealing because of his ATL popularity. I suspect that they possibly even sought him out after hearing about him instead of him showing up on his own. Or maybe he showed up just to entertain the crowd. It was obvious that he would not qualify, and his tryout was only for show. Yet, knowing that we have been manipulated, the audience still cannot stop singing the song or talking about the guy. YouTube is now full of covers of the song. Late night hosts and football players are singing it. Facebook statuses (including one of my own) have been talking about him for a week.
Part of the reason that AI continues to be popular is because of the genius of the producers putting this material in front of us for our entertainment year in and year out. Part of the only reason I watch the early episodes is to see and laugh at the train wrecks. This year's overnight sensation quite possibly could be the best one of all. It was an original song instead of a cover, and now America is singing it. Brilliant. Instead of talking about how bad the general is, we are singing his song. By putting it in the first week, AI just created interest for the next few weeks of auditions. AI manipulates America, we know it, and yet it is still entertaining. Incredible.
The producers know how to make us the audience talk about the really bad singers. They know that if the bad ones are not included, the audience is going to get bored. You had to have the freak out guy - there is one almost every season. The country bumpkin who could not sing a lick was represented (I would say twice, but one made it to Hollywood for some reason - see previous paragraph). Each year there has to be the one act that leaves everyone talking, at least since William Hung created the mold in Season Three. The producers found a classic one in General Larry Platt. If you read into Platt's background, there is no mistake as to why he was chosen to be this year's Internet sensation to have us talking about AI. He is a veteran, civil rights leader, and a local celebrity in Atlanta. They knew he would be appealing because of his ATL popularity. I suspect that they possibly even sought him out after hearing about him instead of him showing up on his own. Or maybe he showed up just to entertain the crowd. It was obvious that he would not qualify, and his tryout was only for show. Yet, knowing that we have been manipulated, the audience still cannot stop singing the song or talking about the guy. YouTube is now full of covers of the song. Late night hosts and football players are singing it. Facebook statuses (including one of my own) have been talking about him for a week.
Part of the reason that AI continues to be popular is because of the genius of the producers putting this material in front of us for our entertainment year in and year out. Part of the only reason I watch the early episodes is to see and laugh at the train wrecks. This year's overnight sensation quite possibly could be the best one of all. It was an original song instead of a cover, and now America is singing it. Brilliant. Instead of talking about how bad the general is, we are singing his song. By putting it in the first week, AI just created interest for the next few weeks of auditions. AI manipulates America, we know it, and yet it is still entertaining. Incredible.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Background Change
I realized that my blog could not be read on an iPhone because of the previous background (and the need to have white letters), so I had to part with my favorite background to make it easier to read. I am sad that I had to go with a new look, but I think this one may grow on me.
Sacrificial Giving
I do not know what has made me so empathetic in this disaster. Maybe it is because it reminds me of Hurricane Katrina, just on a much larger scale. A city has been destroyed by a natural disaster and millions of lives are affected. Katrina was similar in that respect. Of course, add on the poverty in Haiti that was so much more desparate than in New Orleans, and it is truly catastrophic. New Orleans is just now getting back to what I would call "normal." I am afraid that Haiti will take even longer. I am also concerned that some organizations will create dependence instead of training the Haitian people in independence financially.
That having been said, if you have seen me promote giving to an organization, I have already given to it. I plan to give small amounts monthly to Compassion because I think it is an organization that promotes the gospel and financial independence for the children in its program. Even if you do not want to sponsor a child and want more freedom in choosing amounts to give each month (or once a year), there are options.
On another note, our former employee Darlynn is back on American soil and should be arriving in Texarkana by Wednesday. I know that her family must be relieved, but as someone who dealt with the emotions of Katrina even though I did not have to deal with the storm itself, this is when she and her family need more prayers than ever.
That having been said, if you have seen me promote giving to an organization, I have already given to it. I plan to give small amounts monthly to Compassion because I think it is an organization that promotes the gospel and financial independence for the children in its program. Even if you do not want to sponsor a child and want more freedom in choosing amounts to give each month (or once a year), there are options.
On another note, our former employee Darlynn is back on American soil and should be arriving in Texarkana by Wednesday. I know that her family must be relieved, but as someone who dealt with the emotions of Katrina even though I did not have to deal with the storm itself, this is when she and her family need more prayers than ever.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Compassion and Haiti
Yesterday I briefly mentioned Compassion, but today I wanted to provide more information for donating to the Haiti earthquake disaster relief. Compassion International is a wonderful child sponsorship organization and has the relationships necessary to hit the ground running in response to this disaster.
Here is an excerpt of an e-mail that Compassion sent out today:
WHY GIVE TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY: The FBI is warning of several Haiti charity scams that have popped up in the wake of this earthquake. http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/wayoflife/01/13/haiti.charity.scams/
They are suggesting that donations only be made to organizations monitored and rated by CharityNavigator.org and The American Institute of Philanthropy. Both organizations have given Compassion International their highest approval ranking. Compassion International is the only non-profit in it's category to receive eight consecutive years of four star rating from CharityNavigator.org.
Links regarding Compassion International's financial integrity:
http://www.compassion.com/about/financial/default.htm
http://www.compassion.com/press/currentnews/charity-navigator-awards-compassion-highest-rating-8th-year-in-row.htm
FIRST RESPONDER: In this disaster it is crucial that first responders receive support quickly. Because Compassion International ministers through local churches to meet the needs of that church's neighbors, and because these church partners are respected aid workers in their communities, Compassion is uniquely positioned to assess and meet the needs of it's sponsored children quickly. This is an advantage of our church-based model in practice for more than 50 years.
IN JESUS' NAME: Compassion International does not accept government funds which could at times restrict our ability to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children in Jesus' name. Because of this Compassion International's primary financial support comes from individual donors.
HOW DONATIONS WILL BE USED: All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to provide for Compassion-assisted children and families affected by this crisis. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts.
You can provide immediate relief today.
• $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week.
• $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks.
• $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain two families for two weeks.
• $210 gift helps care for two families' needs.
• $525 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain 10 families for two weeks.
• $1,050 gift helps care for 10 families' needs.
• $1,500 helps rebuild a home.
• $2,100 helps supply 20 families with the basics for three weeks.
Due to the high number of responses it may take longer than normal to process your transaction.
Here is an excerpt of an e-mail that Compassion sent out today:
WHY GIVE TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY: The FBI is warning of several Haiti charity scams that have popped up in the wake of this earthquake. http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/wayoflife/01/13/haiti.charity.scams/
They are suggesting that donations only be made to organizations monitored and rated by CharityNavigator.org and The American Institute of Philanthropy. Both organizations have given Compassion International their highest approval ranking. Compassion International is the only non-profit in it's category to receive eight consecutive years of four star rating from CharityNavigator.org.
Links regarding Compassion International's financial integrity:
http://www.compassion.com/about/financial/default.htm
http://www.compassion.com/press/currentnews/charity-navigator-awards-compassion-highest-rating-8th-year-in-row.htm
FIRST RESPONDER: In this disaster it is crucial that first responders receive support quickly. Because Compassion International ministers through local churches to meet the needs of that church's neighbors, and because these church partners are respected aid workers in their communities, Compassion is uniquely positioned to assess and meet the needs of it's sponsored children quickly. This is an advantage of our church-based model in practice for more than 50 years.
IN JESUS' NAME: Compassion International does not accept government funds which could at times restrict our ability to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children in Jesus' name. Because of this Compassion International's primary financial support comes from individual donors.
HOW DONATIONS WILL BE USED: All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to provide for Compassion-assisted children and families affected by this crisis. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts.
You can provide immediate relief today.
• $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week.
• $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks.
• $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain two families for two weeks.
• $210 gift helps care for two families' needs.
• $525 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain 10 families for two weeks.
• $1,050 gift helps care for 10 families' needs.
• $1,500 helps rebuild a home.
• $2,100 helps supply 20 families with the basics for three weeks.
Due to the high number of responses it may take longer than normal to process your transaction.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti
If you are like me, you often want to help when you see a tragedy like the earthquake in Haiti, but you often do not know the best way to help. Since I believe that money should be sent to persons that already have relationships with the people on the ground and to places where I know it is going to be put to good use, I offer these two options for everyone to consider.
First, our office employed a legal assistant who is now a missionary to Haiti. Here is the e-mail that one of my colleagues sent out:
Also, Compassion International is a wonderful organization that I currently donate to for support of two children living in poverty. Compassion has ongoing ministries in Haiti, and is accepting donations designated specifically for disaster relief. Here is the link to donate.
First, our office employed a legal assistant who is now a missionary to Haiti. Here is the e-mail that one of my colleagues sent out:
Dear friends,
News reports from Haiti show that there has been tremendous damage and loss of life in Haiti.
As you may know one of our former legal assistants Darlynn Hon is a missionary in Haiti working at an orphanage.
Prior to the earthquake Darlynn indicated to me that the living conditions were poor and basic food and water needs were barely being met.
One can only imagine the conditions now and I anticipate that the conditions will be poor for a long time.
We have contacted Darlynn Hon's church "Church on the Rock" in Texarkana, Texas and they stated that they are accepting donations in the name of "Church on the Rock" with a memo of "Haiti missions." They indicated to us that they intend to send support as soon as they can. If you wish to make any contributions I'm sure they will be appreciated. You can contact Church on the Rock directly at 1601 Mall Drive, Texarkana, Texas 75503.
Also, Compassion International is a wonderful organization that I currently donate to for support of two children living in poverty. Compassion has ongoing ministries in Haiti, and is accepting donations designated specifically for disaster relief. Here is the link to donate.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Football Pet Peeve
I have watched my fair share of football to start 2010, and all the football has led me to decide my biggest pet peeve in football - the tackle celebration. It seems that all defensive linemen and backs must celebrate after every single tackle. Too often there is a celebration after a fifty yard run cut short by a touchdown saving tackle by the back who got beat fifty yards back. If you get beat, you cannot celebrate a tackle fifty yards down the field. The same is true if it was your teammate that got beat. Here are my rules for defensive celebrations:
1. Players are allowed to celebrate tackles that result in negative yardage.
2. Players are allowed to celebrate tackles when the other team went for it on fourth down and did not make it.
3. Tackles inside the five yard line on third and fourth down can be celebrated if there is no penalty and no score.
4. No offensive tackles can be celebrated because they come after turnovers unless your tackle results in the other team fumbling the ball and you getting it back.
5. The only special team tackles to be celebrated are the hard hitting tackles that result in the stands erupting into an immediate oooh.
Football players that follow these rules will earn my respect. Otherwise, I will continue to be unimpressed by most defensive players.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
1. Players are allowed to celebrate tackles that result in negative yardage.
2. Players are allowed to celebrate tackles when the other team went for it on fourth down and did not make it.
3. Tackles inside the five yard line on third and fourth down can be celebrated if there is no penalty and no score.
4. No offensive tackles can be celebrated because they come after turnovers unless your tackle results in the other team fumbling the ball and you getting it back.
5. The only special team tackles to be celebrated are the hard hitting tackles that result in the stands erupting into an immediate oooh.
Football players that follow these rules will earn my respect. Otherwise, I will continue to be unimpressed by most defensive players.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
One of the benefits of doing my countdown to thirty is that I do not need to do a post about big events of the last decade or even the last year! However I will say happy new year! Here's to 2010!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, December 10, 2009
My Favorite iPhone Apps
Since getting my iPhone, I have become pretty addicted to the small handheld device that I hear can also be used to talk on the phone (something I rarely do with my iPhone). Here are a list of apps that I would have a hard time living without (unfortunately), and they are all free apps because I am too cheap to buy apps for my phone:
1. Pandora Internet Radio - I love Pandora! You can choose a station based on the artist. It is like having an almost unlimited supply of music on the iPhone. Pandora's controls are like an iPod. You can rate music, so it eventually learns your tastes over time. So far, my favorite station to listen to at work is John Williams (it is awesome to hear the Star Wars music while working). I use it as a radio on road trips and like to listen to the Chris Tomlin and Led Zeppelin stations. During Christmastime this year, I am enjoying the Chris Tomlin (holiday, Motown Christmas, and Mariah Carey (holiday) stations. This is probably my favorite app.
2. Kindle for iPhone - This app allows me to read books in the dark, and therefore, has become one of my absolute favorite apps. There are many classics that are available in the Kindle format for free, so I have only paid for one book on the Kindle app. There is immediate delivery of the book. The books are very readable on the iPhone. I often fall asleep reading books, and Kindle keeps my place. When I travel, I used to pack a bag almost entirely of books. Now I can just use my phone and always have a book to read with me. Already I have over twenty books downloaded and waiting to be read. Also, and this is a huge plus for me since I am always reading more than one book at a time, Kindle keeps your place in each and every book that you have started to read. It is awesome! I think that I might have to consider investing in a real Kindle at some point, but for now I can survive with just the iPhone version. If I do invest in a Kindle, the iPhone and the Kindle will sync to keep my place in my books whether I read them on the iPhone or Kindle. It is a book lover's dream!
3. Audiobooks* - Librivox is a volunteer run group that creates audio recordings of books that are in the public domain. Since almost all classics are now in the public domain, you can get approximately 1,800 audiobooks on your iPhone for free. Some of the quality of the reading is not the greatest, but it is done by volunteers and it is free. If you love classics and are going on a long trip, this app is great for listening to books. I also like to use it at night when I do not feel like reading a book but prefer to listen as I fall asleep.
* This link is not to the official site of the app because I could not find an official site. I suggest using the app store on the iPhone and typing in Audiobooks to find it.
4. Logos - I have the Logos software on my laptop and have found it extremely helpful for indepth Bible study. I was not expecting much when they came out with an app for the iPhone, but I downloaded it anyway and was blown away. It has many different versions of the Bible that I can now access from my iPhone. I can (sort of) do a word study on the go. I have access to the commentaries that are part of my package from my iPhone. I have access to other books that I have as part of my software on my laptop, and just like the Kindle app, it keeps my place in each book I start to read. I use Kindle for my fiction reading and Logos for my theological reading on the go. You can set up a Bible reading plan, compare versions, cross reference, and do a fact check when the preacher references a particular verse or Greek word (one was right, one was wrong) with this handy app.
5. Amazon.com - I use this app for price checking more than I should probably admit, and it is handy for ordering books or gifts. I can search for and order right from my phone even while standing in another store that has the product. It can be a dangerous app since it takes out the waiting period between the store and getting on the computer (since I am apt to forget), but since all that I have ordered from it are someone else's textbooks and gifts that I could wait to arrive, it has been quite handy.
6. DirecTV - I can set my DVR from my iPhone. No other explanation is needed!!!
7. NPR News - I can listen to NPR stations locally and around the country. Some of the most interesting news stories are told on NPR, and you can actually save a playlist of your favorite stories. NPR is becoming one of my favorite apps to listen to in the mornings as I am getting ready.
8. Lightsaber - My iPhone can become a sound effect lightsaber with a tap of the screen. I can even choose background music to go along with my lightsaber swinging. I am hoping that this app will allow me to fulfill my dream of wearing a judge's robe and walking into the courtroom to the Darth Vader theme. Or maybe I just need to invest in a black snuggie and walk around my own home with the lightsaber and background music. Either way, this app is one of my nerdy favorites and I cannot wait until I meet someone else who also has this app and we can engage in a virtual battle of good versus evil (I will even volunteer to be evil since Darth turned good in the very end).
9. BlogPressLite - I love this app for blogging. It is better for posting pictures than using a computer. Seriously. Since I have figured out how to make sure that my photos from my camera are transferred to my iPhone, it is great for blogging where pictures are needed.
10. Betty Crocker Cookbook - If anyone is like me and gets a sudden urge to bake periodically, this is a great app to have handy when you decide that it would be fun to make pumpkin cookies one day or muffins on a whim. You can save your favorites for quick reference. Plus it is easy to search and you can even search by ingredient. It is pretty awesome to have so many recipes at your fingertips!
I also use my iPhone to access all my social networking websites (almost exclusively), but most people with an iPhone probably already know about those, so there is no need to list them here.
1. Pandora Internet Radio - I love Pandora! You can choose a station based on the artist. It is like having an almost unlimited supply of music on the iPhone. Pandora's controls are like an iPod. You can rate music, so it eventually learns your tastes over time. So far, my favorite station to listen to at work is John Williams (it is awesome to hear the Star Wars music while working). I use it as a radio on road trips and like to listen to the Chris Tomlin and Led Zeppelin stations. During Christmastime this year, I am enjoying the Chris Tomlin (holiday, Motown Christmas, and Mariah Carey (holiday) stations. This is probably my favorite app.
2. Kindle for iPhone - This app allows me to read books in the dark, and therefore, has become one of my absolute favorite apps. There are many classics that are available in the Kindle format for free, so I have only paid for one book on the Kindle app. There is immediate delivery of the book. The books are very readable on the iPhone. I often fall asleep reading books, and Kindle keeps my place. When I travel, I used to pack a bag almost entirely of books. Now I can just use my phone and always have a book to read with me. Already I have over twenty books downloaded and waiting to be read. Also, and this is a huge plus for me since I am always reading more than one book at a time, Kindle keeps your place in each and every book that you have started to read. It is awesome! I think that I might have to consider investing in a real Kindle at some point, but for now I can survive with just the iPhone version. If I do invest in a Kindle, the iPhone and the Kindle will sync to keep my place in my books whether I read them on the iPhone or Kindle. It is a book lover's dream!
3. Audiobooks* - Librivox is a volunteer run group that creates audio recordings of books that are in the public domain. Since almost all classics are now in the public domain, you can get approximately 1,800 audiobooks on your iPhone for free. Some of the quality of the reading is not the greatest, but it is done by volunteers and it is free. If you love classics and are going on a long trip, this app is great for listening to books. I also like to use it at night when I do not feel like reading a book but prefer to listen as I fall asleep.
* This link is not to the official site of the app because I could not find an official site. I suggest using the app store on the iPhone and typing in Audiobooks to find it.
4. Logos - I have the Logos software on my laptop and have found it extremely helpful for indepth Bible study. I was not expecting much when they came out with an app for the iPhone, but I downloaded it anyway and was blown away. It has many different versions of the Bible that I can now access from my iPhone. I can (sort of) do a word study on the go. I have access to the commentaries that are part of my package from my iPhone. I have access to other books that I have as part of my software on my laptop, and just like the Kindle app, it keeps my place in each book I start to read. I use Kindle for my fiction reading and Logos for my theological reading on the go. You can set up a Bible reading plan, compare versions, cross reference, and do a fact check when the preacher references a particular verse or Greek word (one was right, one was wrong) with this handy app.
5. Amazon.com - I use this app for price checking more than I should probably admit, and it is handy for ordering books or gifts. I can search for and order right from my phone even while standing in another store that has the product. It can be a dangerous app since it takes out the waiting period between the store and getting on the computer (since I am apt to forget), but since all that I have ordered from it are someone else's textbooks and gifts that I could wait to arrive, it has been quite handy.
6. DirecTV - I can set my DVR from my iPhone. No other explanation is needed!!!
7. NPR News - I can listen to NPR stations locally and around the country. Some of the most interesting news stories are told on NPR, and you can actually save a playlist of your favorite stories. NPR is becoming one of my favorite apps to listen to in the mornings as I am getting ready.
8. Lightsaber - My iPhone can become a sound effect lightsaber with a tap of the screen. I can even choose background music to go along with my lightsaber swinging. I am hoping that this app will allow me to fulfill my dream of wearing a judge's robe and walking into the courtroom to the Darth Vader theme. Or maybe I just need to invest in a black snuggie and walk around my own home with the lightsaber and background music. Either way, this app is one of my nerdy favorites and I cannot wait until I meet someone else who also has this app and we can engage in a virtual battle of good versus evil (I will even volunteer to be evil since Darth turned good in the very end).
9. BlogPressLite - I love this app for blogging. It is better for posting pictures than using a computer. Seriously. Since I have figured out how to make sure that my photos from my camera are transferred to my iPhone, it is great for blogging where pictures are needed.
10. Betty Crocker Cookbook - If anyone is like me and gets a sudden urge to bake periodically, this is a great app to have handy when you decide that it would be fun to make pumpkin cookies one day or muffins on a whim. You can save your favorites for quick reference. Plus it is easy to search and you can even search by ingredient. It is pretty awesome to have so many recipes at your fingertips!
I also use my iPhone to access all my social networking websites (almost exclusively), but most people with an iPhone probably already know about those, so there is no need to list them here.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Happy Birthday Little Guy!
I cannot believe it has been a year since my little guy was born! I was able to go see him this weekend for his birthday. He is too cute!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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