I'm at one of those points where the clouds are a little darker than usual so I'm doing my best to try and find some solace in the little things. So here's a few things that have picked me up lately:
Winning some concert tickets on the radio. (And promptly passing those tickets on!)
A free lunch.
Spending time with my youth leaders. This is one part of my job that is not "work".
Singing Christmas tunes to my kids to try and figure out how much they'll let me sing before asking me to stop.
A gift card from some VERY generous people at church.
A long distance phone call from a friend.
The stuffed Santa Claus sporting Manchester United colors on my living room couch this morning.
A text from my wife.
I think we all need a little pick-me-up (and I'm not necessarily talking about the liquid kind) from time to time, so my goal in the countdown to Christmas is to bring you some great joy through this blog.
So, tomorrow will be the beginning of "12 Days of The Not So Normal Christmas". What can you expect? Actually, very little. But I'm sure at least one photo I will share with you in the posts to come will leave you with great inner joy.
I tried Movember, but I only made it 16 days until I had to shave what little fur I had on my face off because it was driving me bonkers. But I kept armpit that's growing on my chin. It's become like a third child to me.
Met my new niece. I will forever look at the pictures and wonder why I didn't listen to my wife and actually shave before we started snapping photos.
Hung out with some of my favorite people on the planet where we had to listen to a crabby guy tell our kids to shut up because they were laughing in a restaurant. The nerve of those kids! Laughing in a public place...how dare they! How. Dare. They.
Also got to see one of my favorite past-interns (there are so many, don't make me choose favorites).
Hung out in the hospital and at home with Erin as she recovered from surgery. If you can, remember to pray for her tomorrow when she sees the doctor to talk about options. We're asking God for an option that doesn't require waiting a long time.
Built some furniture. But only thanks to Ikea.
Stayed up all night to shop on Black Friday with my best friend. I hate shopping. I hate standing in lines. But we made Christmas a whole lot cheaper just by giving up sleep for an evening. And I got to have a burrito for breakfast, so that's always good too.
Preached. And promptly read from the wrong passage. (I also asked people to yell out what they love, and I swear someone shouted "polka".)
17lbs of candy later...I kid you not...the candy is sorted into two bowls: the Nut Free and the Aidan & Erin. The kids are in bed and I'm wondering what I should eat first.
Did I ever tell you about our friends? When they were growing up their parents took half their candy to give to poor kids. Turns out that they just ate the candy on their own.
One of our youth leaders is trying to raise money for a good cause in the midst of all this candy goodness, so we agreed to donate $0.10 per candy. That's $47.50. Yeah, I counted every candy...even the half eaten pack of Mentos we got.
And in other Halloween happenings, this following video made me laugh, but only because I went through that same haunted house at Universal Studios last year and I nearly wet my pants. I even fell on the floor at one point. Yes, I am a coward.
This book was a quick read that has some pure gold when it comes to leadership insight. Sure, some of it you've probably heard a thousand times, but it still makes you go "Wow...I wish I had thought of that."
Apparently only 30% of leaders actually finish well. That's frightening stat if you ask me. And it makes me wonder what statistic I'll be a part of. But Kraft gives some helpful suggestions, pulling from his 70+ years of life to get leaders on a healthy path for leadership.
If you're involved in leadership, this is one you should have on your shelf. But you should read it before you put it there.
Here's a sampling of what I've been reading, watching and listening to the last month or so.
Reading I have a few books that I've read that I plan on doing actual reviews on because I enjoyed them, but in the meantime I've completed books #32 & 33 with these two:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling I'm trying to read through the series and watch the movies so that next Christmas I'll be able to go see the last one in the theater.
Dexter is Delicious Jeff Lindsay I read the other ones so I just keep on going. The TV show is better though. Movie Watching
Heat (One of the greatest movies ever! And Erin hasn't seen it. We're about an hour into it.)
I'm afraid that one day I will wake up and completely forget that this blog even exists. I know that with the wonders that are Facebook and Twitter, there are fewer reasons to visit here. But since I've pulled back from Twitter, and I'm hesitant to post all of this stuff on Facebook, I think I'll try squeezing a little more life out of my blog for the time being.
Blog.
Blog, blog.
What a funny word. I feel like a nerd even typing this.
Soccernomics Simon Kuper & Stefan Szymanski This ended up being more dry than insightful. I gained a little more soccer trivia, but on the whole I wasn't too thrilled with this read.
The Good News About Worry Dr. William Backus It's come to my attention that I may have anxiety issues. They aren't off the chart, but they do exist, so I thought I'd do some reading on the subject. Turns out I've got lots to learn, but I'm enjoying the insight I've been gaining. It's helping me keep some things in perspective.
The Story of the Christ Scot McKnight I was speaking at camp this summer about "Encounters with Jesus", so this seemed like a good way to get myself in the proper head space. If I Knew Then What I Know Now Len Woods & Dave Verman Where were these books when I was starting out in student ministry?!?! I'd add this one to the list of "must reads" if you're planning on going into full time student ministry, or if you're in your first few years. Actually, even if you've been doing it for 10 years the chances are you'll get some helpful reminders from what you find in this book.
Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling If you saw the conversation that came about because of a Facebook post I made where I was trying to borrow the book, you'd know I'm a little reluctant who I tell about this. But then again, I need to keep track of my reading, so ta da! I read it and so far I haven't turned anyone into a pumpkin.
As far as I recall, Cheryl has been cleaning up at this game. In fact, she may be the only one playing. But I think Jarno is giving her the answers!
Would there be more interest if I was giving less exciting prizes than points? (Why anyone wouldn't want 15,000 extra points is leaving me dumbfounded.)
Round three of "Guess that..." (15,000 points up for grabs until I figure something else out.)
This was our first full week of the new schedule. Kids in school. Erin in school. Me with our changes in youth nights. (Incidentally I'm already loving the fact that I now have a night off between youth nights!) But I'll be honest...it was all a bit of a blur. And now it's Friday?!?!
I've had to make some intentional choices to pull back from some things that I'd love to be doing, but after last year it was quite evident that I could just not maintain that pace without it getting the better of me.
My personal goal this year is to be a full-fledged pastor to students.
Part of my job means that I get to perform weddings. (No...not perform "at" weddings a la Adam Sandler.) That's something that not many people get to do, and I count it as a great privilege.
Last weekend I was asked to perform the wedding for a former student turned co-worker turned friend, Swarley (but properly known as Josh). What a blast! It's even better when you get to do a wedding for someone you know, as you get to tell embarrassing stories about them during the ceremony.
Josh...remember the time I made you watch Twilight on your own as an internship project?
Josh...remember that time you went speed dating in exchange for me buying your supper...and all you ordered was a salad!
Josh...remember the time you turned bright red during a trip through the mall when someone pointed out the lingerie section and said "Look Josh...it's boobie land."
I actually didn't tell that last one in the ceremony, but it's still pretty funny.
After the Friday night rehearsal which was held in a church I previously worked at, we decided to sneak down into the basement and check out the youth room. It was remarkably similar to the way we had left it almost 5 years ago, except that it was obviously getting ready for a paint makeover.
Nonetheless, it was a great little hike down memory lane.
the full wall picture frames one of our leaders designed (and ended up getting used at some Youth Specialties seminars)
the fire hydrant acquired during "The Van Thing"
the Playstation we left behind that Erin & I had bought each other as a wedding present
the "Living Room" sign we developed for the basement door
the scribbles of "RIOT" and "LUG" on the pillars
the only thing missing was the sign in the crawl space saying "No floor hockey in the crawl space." (Mike Yaconelli would have been proud!)
Many things that represent parts of 5.5 years of my life. It makes me wonder what my memories will be like another 5 years from now. And how many more weddings I'll get to do for friends and former students.
Anyways...congrats Josh & Nicola! So glad we could be part of your day.
I finally got around to watching Avatar last night. I was so Dutch that I waited until I could get it for free from the library instead of paying $0.88 on a Thursday.
Can I be honest? I don't see what the big deal was about. I didn't even really like the movie. Sure, as far as visuals go, it was decent. But they're big blue smurfs people! And who uses the papyrus font anymore?!?!
I finally got around to watching "It Might Get Loud". It's a documentary about how Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White make and create their sounds with guitars. There's some great little jam sessions that the three of them share, as well as stories about how they came to be where they are now.
I heard this quote and was forced to stop the movie to write it down.
"On occasion you get nothing. You come out feeling like a complete idiot. You don't know anything and you can't play guitar and you can't write songs."
I cannot tell you the number of times I leave my guitar playing times frustrated and feeling like I can't play or make music. I've always wished that I was a better musician. That I could play better. That I could write full songs. That I could sing better. That I knew music theory better.
And then I hear someone like The Edge, who is obviously a living legend, describe word for word how I've felt on so many occasions, and it gives me a little hope.
After watching the movie I just want to play my guitar...but the kids have currently taken over the back room.
I remember picking up my first Dave Matthews Band CD "Crash" when I was in high school. I was hooked. The albums, MP3's, and DVD's haven't stopped coming since then.
I almost saw them live in 2001. (A long story, but suffice it to say that I gave up my ticket because it was more important to stick around for some friends who had an emergency.)
Then Erin and I went to a show in Vancouver in 2002. She was "with child" and was having a particularly difficult time with the unusual blue smoke permeating the air. (Strangest smelling cigarettes ever!) We made our way to the concourse after 4 or 5 songs, and left after 6. It wasn't worth it.
In 2008 we were able to find a mostly smoke free environment at the Key Arena in Seattle to watch Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds play. After that show I knew I had to see the band play again.
I waited. And waited. And tried. And tried. (I might have even whined and begged.) The annual stop that DMB makes at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington was on the top on the "must see" list. So when the band announced this summer that they were taking 2011 off and not touring, I knew I had to make one show this summer.
So Logan and I jumped in a car last Friday at 7:00am and made the 5 hour drive to the Gorge to watch night #1 of a three night concert series. (We camped out nearby and I met the rest of the family on the return trip in Seattle on Saturday for our annual Labor Day Weekend trip.)
Letting my my true geek side show, I tried to keep up with the setlist by punching into my phone what was being played. I only got 2 songs wrong and one I had out of order (I've marked them below with an asterisk). That's got to count for something!
This was the actual setlist for the evening: (I've put my personal favorites from the evening in bold.)
What an evening of music! While a few of my all time favorite songs got played on the Saturday and Sunday night, I have to say that I was not disappointed, except maybe mildly about the opening song which is one I don't like at all.
Now I just need to figure out a way to do a whole weekend at The Gorge in 2012.
Oh...and just a little FYI. In the three nights of shows, the band did not repeat a single song.
