Tool Time

Its off to Abilene today. BG's Grandma has been visiting with us for Christmas. Today, we are taking her home. It has been a really good visit. I always enjoy opening our home. And as a bonus, Mamaw, a.k.a. BG's grandma, mentioned that she needed some help installing a new screen door. That's right up my alley.

We have been blessed over the years with the acquisition of a healthy tool collection. I don't have a ton of time to spend in the workshop, but I will make time to help someone out. I feel that I should bless others with the blessings I have received. I have the tools and the knowledge to use them, so I enjoy using them to help others. We will pack up, go to Abilene and install a new door. While I'm at it, I might also repair some of the framing on the porch. It needs it. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Is This A Hint?

Well, it finally happened. I have been thrust into the world of the PDA. I have successfully resisted it for a long while now, but alas I must admit my brain is not capable of processing the complications of multiple calendars in any useful way. BG, a.k.a. Wife and JC, was graced with a Palm Z22 last year. I had tired of the endless, random slips of paper passing for calendars and to do lists lying about the house. And being the thoughtful and savvy husband that I am, I bought her the little organizer. Truthfully, I didn't know if she would take to it. She is not the most technically oriented ;) but she did! In fact, she liked it so much she decided I needed something similar...so we could share.

So, now I've got it; a brand new Palm TX. Its pretty and impressive. Just the thought of all that computing power in such a small package intrigued me. Now I could coordinate all my calendars at work and at home. Now, I could get all those contacts in one place. Now I could put my music in one place. Now I could browse the internet and check my mail from one place...Oh oh, not so fast...

It seems that there are some technological hurdles that we did not anticipate. Let me explain. The PDA is a Personal Digital Assistant. The Personal part proved problematic. What if I want to have someone else's calendar meshed with mine? Not right out of the box. No, personal means personal, not shared. After a bit of research, however, I discovered it is possible...but its gonna cost. There is a really cool service for just such a situation out there called Clearsync. I downloaded the trial version and installed the software.

It wasn't a snap, but I managed to get it working. I had to establish an account for BG and myself. BG's responsible for all of the home schedule, so it was essential that she have an account. The software installed and configured, I synced the handhelds and voia la, synced calendars that can be viewed alone, together, or side by side...too cool! Its gonna cost me about $40 a year. That part I'll have to think about, but for the trial period...cool!

The next hurdle I had to jump looks as if it will also cost me. See The Company uses Lotus Notes. It is a great application for managing databases and enterprise level communications, but very few "outside" devices play well with it. My Palm is no exception. If I want to sync, or replicate in Lotus terms, with the device, I need yet another program, back to the research...

OK, it looks as if there are three, yea I said three, programs from which to choose, Mnotes, Pylon Conduit and Pylon Pro. I chose Mnotes from Commontime to try first. I'll try the other ones after the trial period expires. I downloaded it and installed.

The installation was rather seamless. It only took me twice to get it all working. These things lack any good set of directions. Your just supposed to know how to do it if you own a handheld. The device now syncs with the PIM information from Lotus Notes, but I cannot get any of the corporate stuff, like contacts, on the device. Having my calendar and to do list is a real help and the Clearsync meshed the information well with BG's stuff.

The Mnotes software costs about $75 and is a onetime fee. I believe the Pylon Conduit costs about the same and performs the same tasks. The Pylon Pro costs around $175. The bonus with it is the ability to replicate custom databases from Lotus Notes onto the handheld. This would allow me to add things like corporate contacts or a project team room. I'm just not sure I want to spend the money personally. If The Company wanted to provide it, I don't think I would complain.

For now, though, I think I'll try to get more familier with the other features on the TX. There is plenty to do to keep me occupied. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Party Last Night

Last night was the annual Christmas Party at our house. Yea, it was a little late this year. We knew that going in, but with all the other commitments and children's athletic events, we had little choice. This year December seemed to fill up incredibly fast.

We invited the usual twenty five to thirty folks, but only a handful were able to attend. As it turned out, though, that gave us ample opportunity to talk to people for more than just a minute hear and there. That was a blessing in several ways. First, the majority of the people in attendance were our neighbors. Although we have lived here for four years now, building relationships with the neighbors has been difficult. We have managed to start a little with some, but not so much with others. Last night gave us opportunity do do a little better and I am thankful for that. We also invited some folks from church that we have not really done anything with. They came as well, and we got to know them better. What a joy it is to open our home and have others over to share.


Today, we will attend morning and evening church services. It has become our tradition to go to the Christmas Eve service as a family. After the service, we return to the house and exchange "Stoking Gifts." we made a conscious decision not do do the Santa thing with our kids. That has also been a blessing. The giving of the Stoking Gifts on Christmas Eve ties in nicely with the message of Christmas. It allows us to express our joy of giving and receiving in light of the most precious gift of all, Jesus Christ. Additionally, it takes a lot of pressure off of Christmas morning and allows time for other family to join us for a grand gift opening time together.

Its time to get ready for church, so I'll wrap this up. Merry Christmas! Praise God for the gift of His Son, that He might call us to Himself saving us by his grace and blessing us in His mercy.

Peace and Joy

This last morning of work before the Christmas break, I sit here alone in my thoughts. It is quite normal for me to be the only one awake at this time. Over the years, I have come to treasure the time spent alone with the Lord, especially in the morning. There is something quite refreshing and comforting about starting off the day with a cup of coffee and the scriptures. When I miss it, my whole day is affected.

Today will be Profit Sharing Bonus Check Day at work. It is always a day of much anticipation and plenty of speculation. I used to get caught up in the scuttlebutt leading up to the event. However, now I try to avoid it completely. People still try to engage me in the conversation, but I just brush it off with a comment or two and go on.

I guess I do that because I really don't care anymore. Somewhere in my past, I wanted to believe that doing a good job meant getting rewarded at the end of the year. And I still believe that somewhere in the mix it still does. But, in the age of political correctness, tolerance and not wanting to hurt anyones feelings, the explanations and justifications for the money have become formulated and impersonal.

I still recall the first time I was given a check with a formulated explanation of the amount, the how and the what...When it was over, I didn't know if I had done a good job or not. I didn't feel very appreciated, although I was thankful for the money. I was left with a real sense of loss. Why didn't a pat on the back and a hearty "Good job! Have a great Christmas!" float off anyone's lips? Maybe I was asking too much. To tell one person they did a good job might imply that someone else didn't. I don't know.

I do know that God is the sovereign. I know that what events come into my life, whether bonus money, good tidings, reprimand, or whatever, comes by His will and decree. That gives me great comfort and joy. I cannot even begin to describe the joys. I know the come from Him, welling up in my soul at the most surprising times. You see, if god is in total control, then all that happens to me is under His control. That means everything is for His purposes and glory - good and bad from my perspective. That knowledge allows me to persevere during the hard times and rejoice during the good times. That knowledge allows me to accept things like bonus checks with joy regardless of the amount or method of delivery.

Take a moment today and ponder the sovereignty of God. It is a tough subject that conflicts with the very core of our human pride and existence. When you come to accepting the truth of the matter through prayer and searching, you too will experience the joy and peace of the Lord.

MC is up in the kitchen now, so I've gotta go...

Reprise: The bonus checks did come today. I was pleasantly surprised to hear words of encouragement accompany the check presentation. These came along with the usual formulated explanation of why and how much, etc. But, the "We think you have done a good job..." comments out shined all the other... There's hope yet! Maybe I should be less skeptical...maybe I will...

True Colors

As I was driving home Tuesday, I was listening to NPR's nightly broadcast. Well, I wasn't really listening, it was just on. Until I heard an interview start with Richard Cizik. If you haven't heard of him, he's the guy heading the National Association of Evangelicals. And he is backing their realtively new environmental initiatives. Last February, the NAE started the push for Christians to become involved in saving the planet by preventing Global Warming.

When I first heard about this, I really didn't pay mush attention. After all, I really don't have a problem with Christians, or anyone else doing more to preserve the environment. Its basic common sense in most cases. But, something said in the interview really perked my ears. It showed the true colors of the beliefs behind the movement. Cizik was asked if he believed that hurricanes, like Rita and Katrina, were caused by climate change, or controlled by God. The interviewer alluded to statements from other Christian leaders that exulted God's control over the environment and that the hurricanes were a judgement for sin. Cizic's answer was quite interesting. He stated that the Christian leaders who believed God controlled the environment were Hyper-Calvinistic and that he did not believe in that sort of thing.

Now, I'm listening... The interviewer, as most interviewers do, tried to take an extreme position in order to illicit a response from Cizic. Let's be honest, can we really know if God was judging New Orleans? Can we know the mind of God outside of His Word? I think not. However, what Cizic advocated denied the very deity of God. How? Cezic denied that God is sovereign and omniscient. The position he went on to describe really sounded as if he believes God created a world, set it in motion and took His hands off of it letting it sping out of control, waiting to see how things end up. He placed our will over God's.

I am not shirking our responsibility to care for our planet, or proposing that God has us as puppets on a string. I am stating that God's Word clearly states that He is in control of all things. It clearly states that he knows all things. And that being true means that He certainly has control over natural events, including disasters. He knows of them prior to their occurrence and decrees them in His will. To deny this is to deny His deity. He is either all powerful, all knowing, in total control, or He is not. Either the bible that describes Him is completely true, or it is not. If it is not, our faith is based on lies and human stories - worthless.

I believe in a BIG GOD. I believe in the God of the bible. I believe in a God in TOTAL CONTROl. I believe in a God who is SOVEREIGN in all things. This gives me great comfort and joy as I serve Him the wisdom of His providence in my life.

Long Trip to Longview

Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture?

Today started grey, drizzly and early, 4:30am to be exact. We had to travel to Longview, Texas to day for a day of meetings and site survey. I arrived at the office at about 6:20am. We were supposed to leave at 6:30am. Maybe it was a sign of things to come, but we got a late start. I wasn't driving so no blame here.

After we got on the road, I had some time to myself. Generally, I listened to the work related banter from my colleagues as we rolled through the dark, rainy morning. After the dawn though, I had enough light to read. So, I took the time to review our contract for services. It was not stimulating reading. After I finished, I switched over to Pink's book, the Sovereignty of God, which I will review in this blog after I complete it.

The trip to Longview was uneventful, except for some abrupt lane changes necessitated by the high rate of speed at which we were traveling in order to make up time. We arrived safely. It was still raining.

Our meetings were scheduled to start at 9:30am. Those started late also, even though we arrived on time. I still haven't decided if it was a sign or not. I was assigned the task photographing the existing conditions at various locations in the hospital. Just so you know, all we really do is hospitals. Sixty five pictures later and sore on the feet, I completed my part. It was time for lunch.

The plant operations folks suggested walking to a close restaurant. We all agreed, after all, where the client wants to go, we go... The Bodacious Barbecue was delicious. I have eaten their food before, but not at the Longview location. A 2-meat plate of chopped brisket and sausage with sides of beans and slaw, topped with sauce and pickles and washed down with sweet tea... Man, that did my appetite good. Oops, I almost forgot to mention the sweetest Pecan pie...I needed a nap afterward! No chance for that, it was back to the planning meetings.

Four hours later with the planning sessions complete, we headed for home. It was still raining off and on. The trip back was basically a reverse repeat of the trip out. This time, however, I didn't have enough light for reading, so I mostly listened. Its kind of amazing how attached we are to our cell phones. I think the first 30-40 minutes of the ride was consumed by the things. Returning calls, making calls, its like getting a cell phone fix after fasting from it all day. Four people in the car, four separate conversations - simultaneously. Mercifully, no one had a borg ear (A.K.A. a bluetooth ear bud). People tend to talk really loudly with those!

We arrived back at the office at just about 6:30pm, a nice round twelve hour day. I dropped off the drawings at my desk and headed out to the truck. The usual commute to the house was...usual. The boys and Jennifer were out at a friend's house for a hayride, so I have a few minutes to wrap gifts. After that, I plan to eat and head to bed. It has been a long day.

By the way, if you didn't figure out the picture, the two grey boxes under the water piping are electrical transformers. Who ever decided to locate them there obviously didn't mind the notion that water and electricity are not a good mix...I wonder if that is a sign of things to come on this project...

Have We Done It To Ourselves? Part II

I alluded briefly at the end of the last post to a phenomenon, that silly as it may seem, happens with too much frequency. Maybe I should give it a term. Let's see...I'll call it ...Social Promotion. That seems like an apt title. Social promotion is the act of employers, in this case employing architectural interns, to promote an inexperienced person to a higher title, like project manager, without pay or true responsibility. Now, the intern being promoted into such a position will naturally be thrilled and put out much effort in order to fulfill the new title. However, it will ultimately be to no avail because the intern is not really a project manager. He or she is still an intern.

Social Promotion is a blatant lie on the part of employers to exact additional work from an intern. The employer gets an abnormal amount of overtime hours from the intern. Those hours are typically pro bono, and the intern works with little guidance or mentoring - after all they are project managers, what mentoring do they need? How can this work, you ask?

It works because the profession has allowed it to. We have allowed the expectation of competence to become diluted to the point that we desire only to hide behind a screen of contractual mumbo jumbo and point the finger at our consultants when things go wrong. The level of expectation from clients has fallen also, as well as, that of contractors. I have been embarrassed so many times in the field by incomplete and incorrect drawings...it is no wonder that contractors hold architects in such low esteem. But, I digress. Let's get back to the intern / employer issues...

Why do I rail? The things I have described, I have observed over and over again. These observations have been made over many years and in various architectural firms. These observations have been made as a member of several AIA boards, interacting with many firms over time. These observations have been made as a teacher in a school of architecture. These things happened to me...and I fell right into the trap.

Yea, I was a golden child for a time. I graduated second in my class and had the pride to go with it. My first bosses were glad to promote my title after I proved that I was willing to go the extra mile. I was too ignorant to realize I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I was selfish for the recognition. I was incompetent as an architect. I was left, after several years, disillusioned and desiring to leave the profession. I grew up the hard way, exploited by the very profession I desired to embrace.

It breaks my heart to see these thing happening to other interns. Yet it does with alarming frequency. I want to stop that. There are many posts that might come from this rambling introduction, but I feel that they are all necessary. I am not the only voice in this fight. Others are in the battle too. I have been on the sidelines for a while, but I think its time to get back into the game...

Have We Done It To Ourselves?

I've been practicing Architecture in some capacity for going on thirteen years now. I think back to the time when I was in school. I was driven. It seemed that wherever I was in the program was not as good, not as significant as the next level. I always wanted to be at the next level; driven. After I graduated, being and "intern" wasn't good enough either. I wanted to be registered; driven.

I'm down the road a little bit now. Registration has come and the thrill gone...what now? Well, it seems to me that the very thing I was, and maybe still am, is the very thing that I am skeptical of in others. Why? I've met too many who seem to be driven, yet only for the title, the accolade. I can't seem to tell very easily which young people are driven to achieve, and which ones are only after a position. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being after a position. Its the desire for the recognition without earning it that stops me in my tracks. I wanted to be right, to be good, to be respected for real achievement, not because I held a title. Sadly, too many young architectural graduates only want the title, not the earned respect.

I deal with the fall out of this kind of thinking every day. The way it works its way out in my world is in the form of, how should I say this, let's call it "selfish incompetence.'' Wow, that seems really harsh...but its not. Please, let me explain.

Say, for instance, you are asked to do a job you don't know how to do. Do you admit you don't know how to do it, research methods for doing it, ask others how to do it, do your best at it, have it peer reviewed, correct your mistakes and present your work having learned something? Or, do you make a half-assed attempt at it and turn it in, learn nothing and complain to the boss above the person who assigned the task that insufficient support was offered and what you did was really OK? Or, do you simply complain that you shouldn't have had to have the task assigned to you in the first place, attempt to complete it by researching proper methods and complaining, three quarter assing it and complaining, going through the motions of a peer review and complaining, and turning it in without really learning anything while demanding recognition? I have found that the vast majority of architectural interns I have had the pleasure of being around fall into scenerio three, selfish and incompetent. Selfish, because they want the recognition for the work; incompetent because they don't know how to do it. Most never realizing the effort behind them to get things corrected.

When I was teaching Architecture, I was constantly confronted with students asking me, "What do I have to do to get an A?" "I don't have a specific set of boxes to check off in order for you to receive an A," I would say. "You have to learn, to grow, to push yourself from hear to somewhere by the end of the semester, then we'll see." That never seemed to set well with the majority. Why? What is it about this generation that makes them feel that achievement is a matter of checking off boxes? What ever happened to thinking big, to learning, to achieving, to reaching high? What ever happened to humility and respect and accolades based on actual accomplishment above and beyond what was asked for? When did the A suddenly stand for Average?

I don't want to be average. I don't want to work for people whose only desire is to be average. I think the intern scourge of "Selfish Incompetence" is simply a picture of the majority of young people today. It is a product of the blatant Humanism so rampant in our culture. We have to change this. We have to get back into the race and reach higher. We have to encourage others to reach higher, to achieve with humility. We have to get a handle on the basic fact that it is not all about me!

Our architectural interns need to be challenged to learn, rather than to simply dangle a carrot in front of them with a tag on it labeled "Project Architect." They aren't ready. As a profession, we need to stop treating interns as if they don't matter, they do. Giving them titles so they will work harder is stupid. So is the attitude from that they are a "dime-a-dozen." Both of these promote the selfishness and incompetence in them. Can you see why they are fighting for identity? They are the future of our profession. If we don't help them obtain a vision, who will?

Where will we be then?

I don't want to be average...

The Reformation Study Bible

Recently, I purchased a Reformation Study Bible in the English Standard Version. I have wanted an ESV translation for some time and getting it with the reformation study notes was a bonus. It is curious that I would be interested in this theological point of view since I grew up in near Dallas, Texas and the home of Dispensational Theology, namely Dallas Theological Seminary. But alas, I am.

I went to both Southern Baptist churches and independent Bible churches during my youth. Both of them seemed to be heavily influenced by the Lewis Sperry Chafer view of Dispensationalism. I don't resent that at all. In fact, I really appreciate the dedication of those churches and ministers who challenged me over the years to get into the Word for myself. And I have. However, the more I dig, the more Reformed and Calvinistic I become. I can't say that I agree with everything Reformed or Calvinistic, or that I have all the answers because I don't. What I do have is a decent mind and a decent prayer life both of which have lead me to where I am theologically.

So many times I have run into people who want everything packaged up into nice tidy packages that line up precisely with the beliefs of their parents. These people, however, seem to be really lost when life throws its curves. I want to know why I believe what I believe. When I teach youth, I want to challenge them to know why they believe what they believe. Hopefully, they and I will dive into the Word critically, seeking God and His truths diligently. My expectation is that when one does this, a Reformed, Calvinistic viewpoint emerges. Interesting.

So, I bought this bible. The General Editor is R.C. Sproul. I have appreciated Sproul's teaching on Renewing Your Mind for years. He brings a good deal of insight to church history and doctrine in a thoughtful and reverent way. He never expects me to check my mind at the door. Actually, it is quite the opposite. He expects me to engage my mind during his lectures. And I do.

I also appreciate the views of the likes of John MacArthur and John Piper. These men don't accept the status quo. Nor do they craft their ministries around the good feelings of the flock, or anticipated numbers of listeners. Rather, I believe they are seeking the Lord and sharing with us what they are learning; admonishing us in the Lord to His service.

Take a moment to check out the Reformation Study Bible. I have and I find it is very insightful.

Rudolph

Sometimes I am really impressed with the innate artistic ability in my family. None of them claim to be artists, but each has a talent. Just recently, my youngest son composed this picture of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Not only did it make me and Jennifer laugh, but it shows a bit of talent from a 7 year old. I just thought I'd share...because it makes me wonder when I lost the vision.

Somewhere in the pressure to "design immediately," Too often I cave to the pressure and spit out gibberish. In my heart, I want to see things like this again, to design with childlike play and fun. Most of all I want it to be fun...

Pencil in hand, heart on the page
Design something cool, undefined by the age

Beyond the plan, the wants and needs
Look into the soul, where true feeling bleeds

The space must say, must sing, must be...
Imbued with L I F E


C r e a t i v l y...

Sharding

Recently, I have spent some time in the shop making crosses for my wife. Several years ago she was given a shard cross and thought she could make one too. After the idea percolated to the surface, she approached me and asked if I could design and cut out crosses for her to design shard patterns on. Of course I undertook the mission.

The first crosses were rather Norman in their composition. Later crosses were traditional, French and semi-Celtic. We even did a Texas Flag cross. Each time we have made a batch, we experimented a little. Jennifer also experimented with sharding other things such as flower pots and trays. In fact, she took first place at the State Fair of Texas in her division; quite an accomplishment!

Eventually, we were asked to place some of the shard art in various silent auctions, or fund raiser sales. Each time we did, it seemed that someone would ask us to make one for them. Now don't think we are getting rich on the commissions. So far, we've only charged about $15-$20 for a single item.

A couple of weeks ago, we had some kind of PTA event and Jennifer picked up another batch of commissions. So, I have been making crosses for Christmas. I enjoy it. We certainly have come a long way from where we started. If you want one, let me know. I'll see what we can do...

Things That Make You Go Hummm!?

I read this on another blog today, Hummmmm....

The ISS (International Space Station) is more than 200 miles from the Earth’s surface and orbits the earth every ninety-two minutes, or roughly sixteen times a day. Do (Muslims in space) have to worship eighty times a day (sixteen orbits a day multiplied by five prayer times)?

Lubbock, Texas in My Rear View Mirror

There have been times I thought that was happiness. There have been times that brought tears to my eyes. To be honest, some of my best memories came from my time in Lubbock. At the end of college, Jennifer and I were experiencing a closeness and intimacy with friends, family and church that has not been matched again. When we left, our hearts stayed. Three years later we returned.

You have probably heard the saying, "You can't go home again." Well, that was true for us. We wanted so much to return to Lubbock and renew the relationships we had left. Needless to say, things had changed in our absence; we had changed too.

We stayed there for another four years, but never regained the intimacy we once had with folks. That never set well with either of us and, quite frankly, it still burns in our hearts. Jobs didn't work out, teaching contracts were not renewed and we left again.

Why does all this remembering come up now? Well, I just recently found out that one of our close friends is leaving Lubbock. The news triggered a flood of memories and emotions. We had spent many good times together playing music, buying things we couldn't afford, talking, laughing; heck, we even rode motorcycles together a few times. But, now they are leaving.

In recent years we have not been as close. Life sometimes does that to relationships, but that is no excuse. I should have made more effort to maintain the relationship; lesson learned. It never entered my mind that news of their departing would affect me so deeply, but it seems like I'm revisiting the separation of that early intimacy again. A reconfirmation that one can't go back.

The picture at the top is a picture of my old house in Lubbock on a snowy morning from November 2000. It seemed appropriate.

3 On 3

Saturday, my youngest son had the opportunity to participate in the Quickfoot 3 On 3 Soccer Tournament in Dallas. The 3 on 3 format is interesting and has its own set of rules. Since it was our first time to play, we had a little learning to do. However, after several practices, we he seemed to have a pretty good understanding.

The teams play on a 20 x 30 field with very small goals, practice goals, protected by a semi-circle, or crease. The players are not allowed to touch the ball while it is in the crease, and there are no goalies. It a defender touches the ball while it is in the crease, it results in a goal for the other team. The game is really a game of passing skill. The team with the most organization and skills will win.

We played well, jumping out to a quick victory in the first game. However, after a one game down time, we dropped the second game. The third game was played to a draw, and we won our last game. After all of the scoring and point tally, we placed third in the tourney. The boys were rewarded with medals and pictures were taken all around.

I think Pierce really enjoyed the experience. Our coach is considering entering more of these type events in order to boost the opportunities for the boys to improve their skills. Personally, I hope they are able to come together as a team. To me, that is the one thing they are lacking. Its hard, however, to get a group of seven year olds to think like a team. When the going was tough, though, Pierce didn't get down. I think he has some real leadership skills. After the games, we talked about developing them. With a little effort, I believe he has an opportunity the become a true leader on this team.

Choose to Remember

Today marks the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. 2,395 Americans lost their lives in the unprovoked attack. As a result the United States declared war on Japan. We were already involved in the war in Europe as we and our Allies sought to defeat Germany after their unprovoked aggression. It was truly a World War.

It took four long, hard years to defeat the enemy in the Pacific. The cost in American lives was tremendous. On average 8000 soldiers gave their lives every month; 8000. Even as I sit here and write this, it is very hard to understand that kind of sacrifice. In Iraq and Afghanistan, by comparison, about 50 soldiers per month on average are killed. And still, that number seems staggering...

Tonight I had the pleasure of watching my oldest son perform with his school choir. I drove to the concert in a nice warm truck, sat in a beautiful church, listened from the comfort of a padded pew, and took pictures with a digital SLR. This is a wonderful country. I live in comfort and security. Nathan and I talked about that on the way home from the concert. We talked about people dying for freedom. We talked about World War II and the Japanese attack. We talked about how many Americans died at Pearl Harbor. We talked about how many Americans died on September 11th. We talked about how we must never forget the price our soldiers paid for our freedoms.

I'm glad Nathan listened to me. Sometimes that is a rare thing, but tonight he listened. We can never forget or relegate to the back page the suffering and sacrifice that our troops have made for our way of life. The liberals and anti-war protesters would do well to remember too. The sacrifice made by our military allowed them to have a voice. Maybe they should think about that before they use it.

That last thought seemed a little random, but it isn't. I was truly disappointed today to see that the major media outlets on the web placed the story of Pearl Harbor third or lower on the list of top stories - some didn't even mention it; others only mentioned that this is the last year that the survivors will gather. I think it is a shame that so few seem interested.

I choose to remember. I wasn't born when Pearl Harbor happened, but I choose to remember. Our troops are fighting to keep us free even now. I choose to remember. No matter what you think the war is for or not for, please remember that those people we are engaged with supported the people who attacked us on 9/11. I choose to remember. There are many in the world that want to see our way of life destroyed. I choose to remember.

Choose to remember Pearl Harbor and the Americans who died there. Choose to remember 9/11 and the Americans who died there. Choose to remember our troops and the war we are in now as you prepare to enjoy Christmas in the comfort of your home on your computer reading this blog.

Choose to remember...

Double Triple Header

I have to love good hearted parents who, after paying to play, complain that too few games are scheduled. I know they mean well, but for those of us who have multiple children playing sports the response can be overwhelming.

Take last night, for instance. My younger son played back-to-back flag football games. He started at 6:00pm and didn't finish until after 8:00pm. Meanwhile, my older boy also played. His game didn't even start until 8:00pm. That's three football games in one evening. We got home near 10:00 pm. It was a long, cold evening.

Did I mention it was cold? the temperature hovered around freezing all evening. Everyone who knew how bundled up. Typically however, we had some tough guys claiming that the cold didn't bother them through chattering teeth. It was cold.

Tonight is round two of the double triple header. Starting at 6:00pm, we'll do it all over again. Temperatures tonight are supposed to be warmer! ...by about 2 degrees. Fun, fun, fun!

Now don't get me wrong, I am all for sports and cold weather. Its the three games a night twice a week that bothers me. I realize people are prone to complain. I don't think it really matters about what. However, we should all take a moment and think before we just blurt out something, especially something that comes with a demand. You might just get what you asked for and it won't be what you really wanted...

For scores and schedules, Nathan is on the Vikings (Team Bruderer) and Pierce is on the Knights (Team Hernandez) I anticipate that the scores will be posted sometime.

Time To Go To Church

For the last month or so, I have had the privilege of teaching the Sunday Youth service. The new youth pastor signed up for the online Student Life Ministries. The program is really pretty cool. It is designed to allow a complete study through the Bible in six years.

Each teacher is assigned a password and gains access to the teaching material for a seven week period. The material is well organized and provides tools for both experienced and inexperienced teachers. The textual references are accessed through BibleGateway.com which provides many popular translations and commentary. I particularly like the English Standard Version (ESV) and tend to use it as the primary teaching translation. Other tools include activities, commentary, classroom setup and lesson preparation. All of these resources can be printed. You can also group email all of your students.

I tend to use the references and read the commentaries. I bring in other sources as well. Lately, I have been writing the lessons completely with embeded scriptural references. It was my intention to make them available after the class for anyone who might want to take a deeper look.

I thought it would be good to have a .pdf available on the churches website, but that idea didn't fly with some people. So, I thought I would just email them to whom ever wanted them. But, I have not managed to do that either. Maybe I will make them available through this blog.

I enjoy teaching. It really makes me look deeply into the Word. Typically, I think I learn much more than the students, but I try to pass on all that I gained through the study. The demand for producing a lesson every week requires a certain diligence and that is not a bad thing.

I am off for a while, but my rotation will come back soon. So for now, I'll sit back and enjoy the break.

Solo Hunting Trip

Over the last four years, I have not been able to hunt for more than one day at a time. It seemed like everything was against my being able to take time to get out. This year, however, I had an opportunity and I took it!

The week before the season, I was able to get out to the farm and set things up. My dad came with me for the first time in a long time. That was good. After we had relocated a stand, trimmed trees and filled the feeders, I decided to drive him around the property. Right at the end of the tour, we spotted a large buck. It was too dark to count tines, but we could see that he had a good spread. I decided to come back and hunt in two weeks.

The hunt was a solo effort. I had camped alone before, but not for three days. It was a new experience. Staying alone in the woods really provides opportunities to test yourself both mentally and physically.

The hunt was a success. Here's the play-by-play:

Day1:

• Arrive at the farm 4:45pm. On the way to stand see 5 young hogs - decide not to take a shot. On stand, hear 2 more hogs behind me grunting and snapping jaws - I never see them.
  

• 6:15pm: I wonder about the hogs and the quarter mile walk back to camp.

• 7:10pm: set up camp in the dark.

Day 2:

• Up at 5:30am. Wind is relatively calm out of the North - decide to hunt the south stand.

• 6:15am: on stand.

• 7:45 am: I see a large hog at 500+ yards - at first I think it is a calf, but a look through the binos say otherwise - he decides to work away - no shot.

• 7:45am: I see three does come rolling out of the woods at about 400 yards - I watch them through the scope as they also work away - no shot.

• 9:30am: Wind really picking up, I decide to leave this stand.

• 9:50am: On stand at the North side of the property - not ideal, but more protected from the wind, it's 20-25 mph now.

• 10:45am: I finally manage to saw off a large branch blocking my view - 13"+/- dia.

• 12:20pm: Back at camp for some lunch and a nap.

• 2:40pm: Head back to the South stand - wind out of the North 25 gusting to 35mph according to the weather radio

• 3:15pm: On stand, a little nervous as this thing rocks in the wind.

• 5:05pm: I see a large hog working out of the woods at about 450 yards - he's working towards me - I watch through the scope.

• 5:15pm: He's about 175 yards out and changing direction - I take a shot - miss - I hate the wind! Hog starts running.

• 5:16pm: I take another shot - about 225 - 230 yards - miss - hit between his feet - I really scare the crap out of him! He's in high gear back into the woods!

• 7:00pm: Back in camp for dinner - it's really getting cold.

Day 3:

• Up at 5:30am - had to do a little count down to make myself get out of the bag - heavy frost.

• 6:00am: Wind 5-10mph out of the North - I decide to hunt from a dozer parked about 100 yards South of where I saw the does.

• 6:10am: Sitting high and comfortable in the seat of the dozer - coffee on one side and rifle on the other.

• 7:05am: I see a buck sneaking through the trees heading south - I pick him up in the scope - No shot because of the trees. As I follow him, I swing the rifle into the roll cage of the dozer - Dink! - I think he heard me - he stays in the trees.
  

• 7:12am: I am listening to him working on a scrape - he works it for a while - I watch the spot through the scope, but I cant see him.

• 7:15am: here he comes - finally - he squirts out into the open and I have a shot - about 125 yards - I take it, the deer flinches and starts walking up hill away from me - I jack another round and drop him in his tracks.

It turns out I hit him with the first shot, but who's taking chances?

• 1:40pm: Deer is quartered and caped, camp is packed and I'm on the way home.

Not an bad trip! Maybe I'll do it again next year with the boy...we'll see!

First Post

Well, I've finally gone and done it! Those who know me well, know I've been threatening to blog for a while now. I really have no lack of things to say, so this should be a great experience. Not, only that, but I've enjoyed reading other's thoughts and I want to share. We all have something to learn from each other and this forum is exceptional for just that.

Serendipitous Soapbox is intended to provide a forum for the expression of various thoughts and commentary on life, faith, family, or anything else I'm thinking about. Typically, I learn something, or gain some insight to life through the exploration of thought. It is my hope to catalog those experiences for myself and others.

Eventually, I hope that my boys become interested in their dad's thoughts. Sometimes it is easier to communicate through the written word. I find that especially true when dealing with emotional, passionate family relations. Also, I hope to allow my extended family the opportunity to keep up with the Jennifer, me and the boys.

So, sit back, relax and take a virtual ride through my mind...