Books #27-31...

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.

Sunday evening grooving...

This video brings me great joy and smiles. Enjoy!

Guess that...

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.)

Today there's 2 parts.

Guess that...celebrity duo.

And we're off...

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.

Ask me again in June how it's going.

The perks...

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.

Avatar...

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?!?!

Would it have been better on the big screen?

Hope for all musicians...

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.

The Gorge...

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.)

1. The Last Stop
2. The Dreaming Tree
3. Shake Me Like a Monkey
4. Grey Street
5. Busted Stuff
6. Seven
7. Crush
8. Write a Song*
9. Spaceman
10. Cornbread
11. Loving Wings*
12. Sleep to Dream Her (First time played since August 1, 2008)
13. Gravedigger
14. Sister
15. What Would You Say
16. Dancing Nancies
17. Time Bomb*

Encore:

18. Some Devil (Dave solo)
19. You & Me
20. Jimi Thing

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.

Guess that...

After the amazing time we had last weekend with the first ever "Guess that...", I think we're on to something.

Round two. 15,000 points for the first correct guess.

Guess that...TV show reference.

Books #21-26...

As always...don't judge me by what I read. My excuse this month is that it's summer.

Dexter in the Dark
Jeff Lindsay
Meh.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Seth Grahame-Smith
I wouldn't be surprised if one day in the distant future that someone picks up this book and assumes that it is historical. Did you know that Lincoln hunted vampires? Oh please make this into a movie.

Wonder, Fear, And Longing: A Book of Prayers
Mark Yaconelli
Needed to change up the mindless reading a do something to look after the heart and soul.

The Ark
Boyd Morrison
So that's what you think the ark really was/is?

Help! I'm a Small Group Leader
Laurie Polich
A quick read that serves as a good resource for the leaders of student small groups. I'll be making all our small group leaders read a copy as they prepare for the upcoming year.

Steve & Me: Life With the Crocodile Hunter
Terri Irwin
I remember discovering the Croc Hunter on TV during a trip to Hawaii years ago. Crikey! And it was a sad day when he died. Did I mention that I have Croc Hunter toys on my book shelf?

Coming soon...

While the actual number of guesses were not that large, it turns out that the blogosphere flocked to the first ever edition of "Guess That..." last Saturday. I would like to thank all of you, especially the one family who probably viewed that page a thousand times alone.

I think I may need to put some more thought into what I'll post this Saturday.

I'm open to suggestions if you have any.

Strep...

Strep throat is the official diagnosis around our house. We'll assume that Becca started this immediately after we got back from vacation. I picked it up about midway through my camp week and then Erin and Aidan are the last to jump on the band wagon.

This was supposed to be my first day in the office in over 3 weeks. Instead I'm opting for various medications, my couch, a book, and some TV.

I wouldn't wish this on anyone. In the last week I've lost 5-6 pounds because I just can't bring myself to eat.

This too shall pass. This to shall pass.

Book #20...

Leading On Empty
Wayne Cordeiro

If you are a leader in a church you need to do yourself a favor and go buy this book. You're not a leader? Go buy one and give it to a leader near you.

This book was like a good punch in the face. The kind that reminds you that you don't like getting punched in the face and you need to do something in order to prevent getting punched in said face in the future.

I'm also going to tell everyone to buy this book. Brad bought it, and he's so awesome that you should just do it to be like Brad. Or to be like Mike.

Guess that...

I think a little game would be a good way to start the weekend.

It's called "Guess That..."

I'll show you a photo. You need to respond correctly to win.

This week it's "Guess That...Chest!"










Today's prize: 15,000 points

Camp...

Last year I got invited out to speak to the Senior Teens at Camp Kawkawa. I was only able to spend a couple days there because of prior commitments, but I had such a blast that I asked the director, Wayne, if he would give me first dibs this year. He did.

I just got back. And it was a blast. I haven't done a week at camp since I was the same age of my own kids, so this was basically a brand new experience. Late nights, early mornings, food, games, campfires, waterfront...shall I go on?

The best part was I took my family along for a few of the days. They put us up in a brand new bungalow that overlooked the lake. They fed us like royalty. Seriously, this camp has the best camp food ever.

Only one problem. I got wiped out midweek by some bug that Becca had last week. I was up for 2 nights with a fever, headache, sore muscles, sore throat, and an inability to generally cope. I'm over the worst of it (which Aidan and Erin and just now entering in to), but it made for a rough couple of days where I slept the afternoons away instead of being on the lake.

This week was yet another solid reminder that I love working with teenagers. Fascinating creatures that they are, life is never dull with them around. I was talking all week about "Encounters With Jesus" and we definitely got to see some first hand encounters. I even got to participate in 6 baptisms on Thursday morning.

All in all it was a great experience to be had.

But now it's back to "normal life" and we all have to shake this stupid bug.

Let it begin...

A new season of footballing is now officially upon us, having beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield. Having watched a few of United's preseason games on the PC, I'm stoked to see what will happen this year.

Giggsy and Scholes are still at it. Owen is fit (at least temporarily). Vidic signed on for another few seasons. Rooney didn't get injured at the World Cup. Signing a Mexican striker who looks like an added boost of speed up front. Berbatov looking ever so calm. Macheda looming in the background ready to prove himself. Valencia ready for the runs down the wing.

Shall I go on?

Sure, no big name has been signed in the summer. But I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Fergie usually knows what he's doing.

The only thing I'm holding out for is that Setanta HD will show up on the Shaw Direct lineup very, very soon.

Love the So Cal...

I don't know why but I've developed a soft spot for Southern California over the years.

We just got back last night from our latest adventure. We were able to snag some cheap flights in April and decided it was time to take the kids on a "flying" vacation.

Thanks to a little help from Grandpa, the kids thought they were flying to Vancouver Island right up until we passed through the security clearance when a guard said "Take your parents on all the scary rides, ok?"

Best response from Aidan when we finally fessed up, "Does this mean we aren't going to the Island?"

But what a blast we had. Exploring Disneyland, eating In-N-OutChick-fil-A, wandering through Hollywood, driving along the coast and just generally enjoying non-stop time together.



Highlights of the trip:

I drove our rental car straight off a curb thinking it was an exit from the parking lot. Lesson #1 learned: It pays to get the extra insurance.

Becca on the dance floor...only it was Bieber that was playing. Seriously...she jumped in there with very little prodding. You won't see any pics of Aidan on the dance floor...unfortunately he deemed dancing as too embarrassing.


Watching the kids get picked for Jedi Training. Aidan was thrilled to face off against his hero...Darth Maul.





Finding a Ferrari...in a mall parking lot! Sure, it was in the middle of LA, but still it's kind of funny, right?






Jumping on the Grizzly River Run minutes before the park closed. The was the most water we got hit with ever on this ride!




Acting like California tourists and strolling for stars.









Checking out the Hollywood sign.

Starting vacation...

Today is the official start of weeks of vacation. With it I am pleased to show you a video that made me laugh.

Oh Happiness...

For your summertime listening and viewing pleasure:

Monday...

Just got back yesterday from spending the week with some students and leaders down at Creation Festival, a music festival in Washington.

As I'm doing a little reading before starting a day of post-camping trip clean up, I found this video and it kind of gutted me.

If you're not familiar with the work of Invisible Children, go check them out.

Nate Henn // 1985 - 2010 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.