Text messaging has become the norm these days, especially among the younger generation. Personally, on our family plan, we use about 1,000 text messages a month. Sounds like a lot right? Well believe it or not, we use it a lot less than many other people. ESPECIALLY teenagers. In fact, the average text total for teens each month is 1,700.
Many parents out there (including mine) have figured out, or are at least trying to figure out this new medium of communication. The hard part is not really sending or recieving a text message, more often, it's trying to decypher them. If you don't know what text terms like ROTFLOL, CYE, or BBL, don't worry, there is an answer.
A new website lets you translate text messages you don't understand. Cell phone maker LG has launched http://www.lgdtxtr.com/
You simply enter in the word you don't understand, and click for your 'translation.' If you enter BBL, you will learn it means be back later.
So don't worry any longer about having to appear uncool to your kids. Remember, @TEOTD, you SHB SETE, LOL!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April fools prank...back-fired
I've always been a fan of April fools. Rarely, though, do I actually plan ahead to do anything noteworthy. A friend of mine called yesterday and reminded me of a prank that has become well known for fans of the show The Office. If you are not familiar with it, it was from the first season and...well, instead of me telling you, here is a screen shot from the show-see for yourself.
Not exactly the result I was hoping for, but still pretty funny. Dan laughed, and I wasn't fired, so it could have been worse. Although I think the joke was more on me.
Yup, the 'ol stapler in jello prank. I decide to run with it, but slightly different. Dan has a favorite coffee mug he uses every morning; the perfect target. And so, after my shift, I made sure no one was watching, and snatched up Dan's beloved Ohio State mug.
With the mug tucked into my bag, I headed home, evisioning how great this was all going to work out, and how hilarious it would be.
The process began
Now, in hindsight, I realize my problem was too much ambition, not enough thinking ahead. For one package of jello to set, you are supposed to refridgerate it for 4 hours. I used 2 packs of jello, but in my excitement failed to let it set long enough. I've never been accused of being a pateint man. About 11:30 at night, I brought the jello-encased mug back to the station. I put the bowl on a plate and flipped it upside down hoping to see a mug suspended in the middle of a jello dome, instead, I got this
Ok, so it could be worse, the point is still made. But it didn't end there. Shortly after placing this in the fridge, the jello started falling apart and spilled off the edges all over the fridge in the break room. Suddenly, my prank wasn't so funny. I spent a good 15 minutes having to wipe it all out. But, in the end, I left notes for Dan to check the fridge when he came in to work the next morning (today). This is what he saw
Not exactly the result I was hoping for, but still pretty funny. Dan laughed, and I wasn't fired, so it could have been worse. Although I think the joke was more on me.
For the record, if anyone would like to know the proper way to encase someones stapler in jello, here is a helpful tutorial http://www.jellostapler.com/stapler-in-jello.html
Monday, March 30, 2009
A video clip from Mercy Me lead singer Bart Millard right after the concert in Fresno! I never really thought of him as a cross between Toby Mac and Bono before...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Newsboys...or not Newsboys?
http://newsboys.com/2009/03/michael-tait-to-join-newsboys/
Big news in the Christian music world! The announcement was made yesterday that Peter Furler is stepping down from the lead singer of Newsboys. Newsboys have gone through their share of changes, most recently a short stint with Paul Coleman as guitarist, but this news comes as a shocker to the Christian music world.
The dfiference here is that Peter Fuler founded the Newsboys over 20 years ago in a garage in Mooloolaba, Queensland AU. He is the man who started the band, and has been with it the entire time.
Whats more interesting is the replacement for Peter Furler. Michael Tait (of DC Talk fame) will be taking over Peter's role. While he is an amazingly talented musician, Mike Tait is also very different in style from Peter. The most noticeable difference is that the Newsboys lead singer has always been Australian. I love Newsboys, and I love the late DC Talk even more, but I am unsure about this combination.
It has brought me to a question: Does Newsboys - Peter Furler still = Newsboys?
I saw one person had posted on a Newsboys forum that 'if you take Bono out of U2, it is no longer U2.' I think it's a good comparison. You have to question whether a band is a name only, or a sum of its parts.
I think what we are looking at here is something like we saw with Sonic Flood. The band today is not the same band as in their debut. Rick Heil, the current lead singer, bought the rights to the SonicFlood name. They are still a worship band, but the band itself is not the same one it began as, now with an entirely different group of people than it started with in 1999. Even so, the difference is not as evident as in the case with the Newsboys.
My opinion is two-fold (not that anyone asked). First, to answer my previous question, I think that no, it is no longer the Newsboys as their fans all know them. I would prefer that they say something like 'the Newsboys are disbanding, but we are starting a new band and bringing in Mike Tait.' While that is not the case, Newsboys will no longer be what it has been. They may still be very good, but not the same. Secondly, I am also excited to hear what it will sound like with Michael Tait as lead singer. Again, he is possibly the most under-rated vocalist out there, and has an amazing voice.
It will be interesting to hear the band as they will be in town on the 19th. Find all the information on that show at http://www.kaxl.com/
So, what do you think about this? I grew up listening to these guys, so my view may be very different from yours. Post your comments on this big change!
Big news in the Christian music world! The announcement was made yesterday that Peter Furler is stepping down from the lead singer of Newsboys. Newsboys have gone through their share of changes, most recently a short stint with Paul Coleman as guitarist, but this news comes as a shocker to the Christian music world.
The dfiference here is that Peter Fuler founded the Newsboys over 20 years ago in a garage in Mooloolaba, Queensland AU. He is the man who started the band, and has been with it the entire time.
Whats more interesting is the replacement for Peter Furler. Michael Tait (of DC Talk fame) will be taking over Peter's role. While he is an amazingly talented musician, Mike Tait is also very different in style from Peter. The most noticeable difference is that the Newsboys lead singer has always been Australian. I love Newsboys, and I love the late DC Talk even more, but I am unsure about this combination.
It has brought me to a question: Does Newsboys - Peter Furler still = Newsboys?
I saw one person had posted on a Newsboys forum that 'if you take Bono out of U2, it is no longer U2.' I think it's a good comparison. You have to question whether a band is a name only, or a sum of its parts.
I think what we are looking at here is something like we saw with Sonic Flood. The band today is not the same band as in their debut. Rick Heil, the current lead singer, bought the rights to the SonicFlood name. They are still a worship band, but the band itself is not the same one it began as, now with an entirely different group of people than it started with in 1999. Even so, the difference is not as evident as in the case with the Newsboys.
My opinion is two-fold (not that anyone asked). First, to answer my previous question, I think that no, it is no longer the Newsboys as their fans all know them. I would prefer that they say something like 'the Newsboys are disbanding, but we are starting a new band and bringing in Mike Tait.' While that is not the case, Newsboys will no longer be what it has been. They may still be very good, but not the same. Secondly, I am also excited to hear what it will sound like with Michael Tait as lead singer. Again, he is possibly the most under-rated vocalist out there, and has an amazing voice.
It will be interesting to hear the band as they will be in town on the 19th. Find all the information on that show at http://www.kaxl.com/
So, what do you think about this? I grew up listening to these guys, so my view may be very different from yours. Post your comments on this big change!
Monday, December 15, 2008
In the war on Christmas, I'm glad he's on our side
Like most of you, I get tired of what has been called "the war on Christmas." In fact, these days it does not bother me as much as it used to because the whole thing is silly. As a matter of fact, I feel bad for those who are against any Christmas expression, I would hate to have to live my life that way. I am a Christian, and celebrate December 25th by remembering the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. However, even if I were not a Christian, I think I would still look at this so-called 'war' and have to say 'people, lighten up!' I know non-Christians who may not believe the Truth (yet!), but who don't have a problem with Christmas, and don't have a problem with people celebrating it as a religious holiday, because obviously, it IS.
Anyways, all that said, I wanted to pass along an article written about this by Chuck Norris. He puts the issue very well in both religious AND historical context. (the link to the original article is at the bottom of the post) Feel free to post your thoughts on this!
Atheists' national holiday?
Exclusive: Chuck Norris assails skeptics who spread hatred under guise of free speech
Posted: December 15, 20081:00 am Eastern
By Chuck Norris
Atheists from England to the state of Washington are stepping up their efforts this year to make a bigger antagonistic splash on the Christmas scene.
A London campaign put signs on city buses saying, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Secularists in Washington, D.C.. followed suit with a similar campaign on buses, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake."
Atheists in Colorado are posting signage on billboards that echo the '60s John Lennon music mantra, "Imagine no religion."
And, all over the news, an atheist group was given permission to display its sign alongside a nativity scene in the capitol of Washington (and now in Wisconsin and Illinois). The message reads, "At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell." It then obliterates political correctness by ending with the following hate language, "There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
Please don't misunderstand me. I am a patriot, and I believe that atheists are free to believe, speak and post whatever they want. This is America – and that's their First Amendment right. But, to do so with harassment and hatred under the guise of free speech is despicable. An anti-religious poster filled with spite is in no way equated with a religious symbol like a nativity. Where are the politically correct police when Christians are the victims?
If such words were written against any social minority group, protests would be ubiquitous. But anti-religious (and particularly anti-Christian) bigotry is in vogue these days. But I, for one, am neither amused by intolerant verbiage nor passive about my politics. There is absolutely no justification for these atheists' written revile. And if they want to keep using hate-filled language against theists and particularly Christians, then they shouldn't be surprised when they meet up with a yuletide (verbal) roundhouse kick.
Anyone can spew religious distain, but is that what America's founders created our rights for? Just because they post such verbal vomit, does that demonstrate intellectual superiority or the type of moral decency our founders hoped we would perpetuate?
What profit would there be if I posted a claim that atheists were un-American, because they try to suppress theists' freedom of religion by a false notion of the separation of church and state?
What profit would there be if I posted a heckling that atheists had no vital part in the founding of our country? As Benjamin Franklin noted in his 1787 pamphlet for those in Europe thinking of relocating to America: "To this may be truly added, that serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only tolerated, but respected and practiced. Atheism is unknown there …"
What profit would there be if I posted a sign that said atheists are like pacifists, in that they are able to be so because those who oppose them have sacrificed and laid a foundation of freedom for their liberties?
What profit would there be if I posted the accusation that atheists are foolish, because they exhaust too much time trying to convince everyone else of the absence of a being that doesn't exist?
What profit would there be if I posted a retort that atheists are igmos, because they try to replace Christmas with winter solstice celebrations, which are ancient pagan festivals entrenched in polytheistic religions?
What profit would there be if I posted that atheism hides behind a false pretense that it is scientific, when eminent scientists like Paul Davies, the renown British-born physicist, agnostic, professor of cosmology, quantum field theory and astrobiology, once said to Time (in the column "Science, God and Man") that no one can say with any certainty that there is no God? His actual words were, "Agnosticism – reserving judgment about divine purpose –remains as defensible as ever, but atheism – the confident denial of divine purpose – becomes trickier. If you admit that we can't peer behind a curtain, how can you be sure there's nothing there?"
What profit would there be if I posted that atheists were totally blind to the pristine beauty and ordered complexity of creation, so that they cannot see the hand of a Creator? As the Bible pointed out 2,000 years ago, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
What profit would there be if I posted the fact that atheists denigrate every religion and religious prayer that has ever been offered throughout all of time? For to say God in no way exists is to say every religious leader in any age was delusional at best. And not one prayer, not one cry to God in crisis, offered by theists or even desperate agnostics or atheists (in fox holes) on any continent in any era of human history has ever been answered. Not one! Atheists must conclude that billions and billions and billions of so-called alleged answered prayers throughout history were not real – but wishful thinking, coincidences or something else. For, if just one answer were a result of divine intervention, God would exist and atheism vanquished. Is that reasonable? Rational? That premise alone rules atheism preposterous and foolish.
Finally, what profit would there be if I were to post an agreement with my friend Mike Huckabee, who said on his book tour via Fox News, that atheists shouldn't be fighting for a holiday in December when they already have one – April Fool's Day? (A holiday also grounded in sacred scripture, "The fool says in his heart there is no God.")
We all know I would be labeled as an extremist, irrational and a bigot, if I were to post any of the preceding ideas. Yet atheists do, and get away with First Amendment murder. I would remind our nation that it was only a short time ago when leaders like Ronald Reagan freely spoke for the majority by explicitly and passionately conveying belief in Jesus Christ during his presidential Christmas addresses. Compare his Dec. 23, 1981, speech to our time, when the very term "Christmas" is being erased from every corner of culture.
As long as the capitol in Washington is allowing variance of religious opinion to line their corridors like Christmas potpourri, let me posit this last idea as a final pre-Christmas posting. At the base of the bust of George Washington (which stands between the atheist's winter solstice sign and the nativity in the capitol), I suggest a push for one more sign containing the wisdom from Washington's Farewell Address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."
To see the original post, along with all the original included links, visit: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=83623
Anyways, all that said, I wanted to pass along an article written about this by Chuck Norris. He puts the issue very well in both religious AND historical context. (the link to the original article is at the bottom of the post) Feel free to post your thoughts on this!
Atheists' national holiday?
Exclusive: Chuck Norris assails skeptics who spread hatred under guise of free speech
Posted: December 15, 20081:00 am Eastern
By Chuck Norris
Atheists from England to the state of Washington are stepping up their efforts this year to make a bigger antagonistic splash on the Christmas scene.
A London campaign put signs on city buses saying, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Secularists in Washington, D.C.. followed suit with a similar campaign on buses, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake."
Atheists in Colorado are posting signage on billboards that echo the '60s John Lennon music mantra, "Imagine no religion."
And, all over the news, an atheist group was given permission to display its sign alongside a nativity scene in the capitol of Washington (and now in Wisconsin and Illinois). The message reads, "At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell." It then obliterates political correctness by ending with the following hate language, "There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
Please don't misunderstand me. I am a patriot, and I believe that atheists are free to believe, speak and post whatever they want. This is America – and that's their First Amendment right. But, to do so with harassment and hatred under the guise of free speech is despicable. An anti-religious poster filled with spite is in no way equated with a religious symbol like a nativity. Where are the politically correct police when Christians are the victims?
If such words were written against any social minority group, protests would be ubiquitous. But anti-religious (and particularly anti-Christian) bigotry is in vogue these days. But I, for one, am neither amused by intolerant verbiage nor passive about my politics. There is absolutely no justification for these atheists' written revile. And if they want to keep using hate-filled language against theists and particularly Christians, then they shouldn't be surprised when they meet up with a yuletide (verbal) roundhouse kick.
Anyone can spew religious distain, but is that what America's founders created our rights for? Just because they post such verbal vomit, does that demonstrate intellectual superiority or the type of moral decency our founders hoped we would perpetuate?
What profit would there be if I posted a claim that atheists were un-American, because they try to suppress theists' freedom of religion by a false notion of the separation of church and state?
What profit would there be if I posted a heckling that atheists had no vital part in the founding of our country? As Benjamin Franklin noted in his 1787 pamphlet for those in Europe thinking of relocating to America: "To this may be truly added, that serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only tolerated, but respected and practiced. Atheism is unknown there …"
What profit would there be if I posted a sign that said atheists are like pacifists, in that they are able to be so because those who oppose them have sacrificed and laid a foundation of freedom for their liberties?
What profit would there be if I posted the accusation that atheists are foolish, because they exhaust too much time trying to convince everyone else of the absence of a being that doesn't exist?
What profit would there be if I posted a retort that atheists are igmos, because they try to replace Christmas with winter solstice celebrations, which are ancient pagan festivals entrenched in polytheistic religions?
What profit would there be if I posted that atheism hides behind a false pretense that it is scientific, when eminent scientists like Paul Davies, the renown British-born physicist, agnostic, professor of cosmology, quantum field theory and astrobiology, once said to Time (in the column "Science, God and Man") that no one can say with any certainty that there is no God? His actual words were, "Agnosticism – reserving judgment about divine purpose –remains as defensible as ever, but atheism – the confident denial of divine purpose – becomes trickier. If you admit that we can't peer behind a curtain, how can you be sure there's nothing there?"
What profit would there be if I posted that atheists were totally blind to the pristine beauty and ordered complexity of creation, so that they cannot see the hand of a Creator? As the Bible pointed out 2,000 years ago, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
What profit would there be if I posted the fact that atheists denigrate every religion and religious prayer that has ever been offered throughout all of time? For to say God in no way exists is to say every religious leader in any age was delusional at best. And not one prayer, not one cry to God in crisis, offered by theists or even desperate agnostics or atheists (in fox holes) on any continent in any era of human history has ever been answered. Not one! Atheists must conclude that billions and billions and billions of so-called alleged answered prayers throughout history were not real – but wishful thinking, coincidences or something else. For, if just one answer were a result of divine intervention, God would exist and atheism vanquished. Is that reasonable? Rational? That premise alone rules atheism preposterous and foolish.
Finally, what profit would there be if I were to post an agreement with my friend Mike Huckabee, who said on his book tour via Fox News, that atheists shouldn't be fighting for a holiday in December when they already have one – April Fool's Day? (A holiday also grounded in sacred scripture, "The fool says in his heart there is no God.")
We all know I would be labeled as an extremist, irrational and a bigot, if I were to post any of the preceding ideas. Yet atheists do, and get away with First Amendment murder. I would remind our nation that it was only a short time ago when leaders like Ronald Reagan freely spoke for the majority by explicitly and passionately conveying belief in Jesus Christ during his presidential Christmas addresses. Compare his Dec. 23, 1981, speech to our time, when the very term "Christmas" is being erased from every corner of culture.
As long as the capitol in Washington is allowing variance of religious opinion to line their corridors like Christmas potpourri, let me posit this last idea as a final pre-Christmas posting. At the base of the bust of George Washington (which stands between the atheist's winter solstice sign and the nativity in the capitol), I suggest a push for one more sign containing the wisdom from Washington's Farewell Address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."
To see the original post, along with all the original included links, visit: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=83623
Friday, July 11, 2008
A trip back in time with...THE NEWSBOYS!
The newsboys have been making radio hits for many years. Sixteen, to be exact. Sixteen years ago their single 'not ashamed,' which is the title track from that CD, became an instant hit. You are probably most familiar with their more recent CDs, like Go, Adoration, Devotion, or Thrive. While it was 16 years ago that Newsboys made it big in American radio, they have actually been putting out albums since 1987. Twenty-one years! So what did Newsboys sound like some 20 years ago? This is one of those questions you might regret asking. If you REALLY must know, click here: http://dbmedia.crossrhythms.co.uk/audio/mp3/4057-1.mp3 That is a clip from the 1990 CD, Hell Is For Wimps, with a song called 'Stand Up.'
This one is so old, I can't even find a sample for you. My guess is the Newsboys have finally surpressed it and made it impossible. However, if you hunt for it online, you can find it, and probably for under a dollar.
Now for a visual comparison. Here is Newsboys today:
And now for your viewing pleasure, pictures I had to hunt deep for, OLD Newsboys!
Yup, one of these guys is Peter Fuller, AKA the bald one. Can you figure out which one?
Hope you enjoyed this trip back in time!!
I know, kind of makes you feel like putting on acid-washed jeans that are too small, and get a perm right? But guess what, thats not even their first CD. Yup, they were veterans when that came out. In 1988, the world was treated to this first release:
This one is so old, I can't even find a sample for you. My guess is the Newsboys have finally surpressed it and made it impossible. However, if you hunt for it online, you can find it, and probably for under a dollar.
Now for a visual comparison. Here is Newsboys today:
And now for your viewing pleasure, pictures I had to hunt deep for, OLD Newsboys!
Yup, one of these guys is Peter Fuller, AKA the bald one. Can you figure out which one?
Hope you enjoyed this trip back in time!!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Shameless Self Promotion
Hey everyone!
I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to use this opportunity for some shameless self promotion. I happen to think that my daughter is the cutest little girl in the world. So much so, that my wife has entered her into a 'cute kid' competition, that if she wins, she will get to be on the cover of a major parenting magazine. Cool, huh?
So, if you would be so kind, head over to this website: http://www.parents.com/app/sharemy/photoDetails.jsp?photoId=196501150&fromSearch=
There are several pictures of our Zoe. (you may recall her songs that we have played on my show!) You can click on each picture. Above the photo are 2 things. One says 'recommendations,' which you simply click to add your recommendation. The other is above the picture and has 5 stars, you can click those to put how many stars you think it earns. Remember, you can click on each picture, and recommend each one.
I think when you look, you will agree that she is in fact, the cutest little girl in the world. :)
I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to use this opportunity for some shameless self promotion. I happen to think that my daughter is the cutest little girl in the world. So much so, that my wife has entered her into a 'cute kid' competition, that if she wins, she will get to be on the cover of a major parenting magazine. Cool, huh?
So, if you would be so kind, head over to this website: http://www.parents.com/app/sharemy/photoDetails.jsp?photoId=196501150&fromSearch=
There are several pictures of our Zoe. (you may recall her songs that we have played on my show!) You can click on each picture. Above the photo are 2 things. One says 'recommendations,' which you simply click to add your recommendation. The other is above the picture and has 5 stars, you can click those to put how many stars you think it earns. Remember, you can click on each picture, and recommend each one.
I think when you look, you will agree that she is in fact, the cutest little girl in the world. :)
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