My wife and I love where we live, but to me renting is a kind of stress. Knowing that my landlord and up my rent or decide to retire here at any time gives me feeling of instability. Our rent is really cheap, so with the price of Real Estate being so expensive here, I guess I will be exchanging the stress of rental instability for financial instability since it will cost so much more.
And of course, being a tech guy, each place we look at I wonder if the property can get broadband internet.
What my wife and I really want is LAND more than a house. I would love a place for a little garage/shop and also want a large corral for a steer, horse, and/or goats.
I have no idea what the Lord has in store for us but looking back I can see his hand actively involved on the events of my life.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Accomplishing the Impossible
I
was determined to accomplish what most of my peers deemed impossible. The more difficult it sounded, the more stubborn I became. after I got the plane tickets, there was no turning back. I was going to fly myself and my two boys to Colorado as a sole parent.
I was most concerned for my sanity, my wife was most concerned that I would lose one of our childeren at the Phoenix airport.
Truth be told, I am MOST blessed with how well this trip went. Flying there Jacob was FULL of questions and Nathan was a b it scarred and was glued to my lap on the plane.
As a dad, I could not have asked for a better opportunity to have quality time with my kids - we read so many stories together and rode on the 4 wheeler and got to vist much of my extended family.
We had countless amounts of fun: finding snakes, playing with new toys, and visiting family.
On the way back home we were all exhausted. I have no regrets from taking this trip and hope to do special men things like this again with my boys!
was determined to accomplish what most of my peers deemed impossible. The more difficult it sounded, the more stubborn I became. after I got the plane tickets, there was no turning back. I was going to fly myself and my two boys to Colorado as a sole parent.I was most concerned for my sanity, my wife was most concerned that I would lose one of our childeren at the Phoenix airport.
Truth be told, I am MOST blessed with how well this trip went. Flying there Jacob was FULL of questions and Nathan was a b it scarred and was glued to my lap on the plane.
As a dad, I could not have asked for a better opportunity to have quality time with my kids - we read so many stories together and rode on the 4 wheeler and got to vist much of my extended family.
We had countless amounts of fun: finding snakes, playing with new toys, and visiting family.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
DVD Players
Being one gifted with technical things I find it hard to admit that soon we will be on our way to a 5th DVD player.
I still do not know how you can break a DVD player, I guess youc an wear them out but I have CD players with much more mileage. Our first DVD player was 5 years ago right after we got married as a Christmas present from some friends. It lasted until about 2 years ago. Not bad, a 1st genreation player lasting for 3 years.
This is where it gets a bit wierd, if you do the math 3 DVD players over 2 years (one every 8 months). What is the deal here? We do not watch that many movies. Its not like they are taking abuse from our kids. They just slowly stop working. It starts with a disc that will not read and spreads like a disease until not one of our discs work. Maybe I should think twice about a player that costs less than $90
Currently we have our portable DVD player set up on top of the entertainement center With cables run to the stereo serving as our spare. I guess instead of a player, I could always invest in a video games system that doubles as a DVD player. That of course would be a great way to sneak in even more entertainment. Until then, I will remain in denial that our DVD player is really broken and just hope that I can calibrate it somehow.
I still do not know how you can break a DVD player, I guess youc an wear them out but I have CD players with much more mileage. Our first DVD player was 5 years ago right after we got married as a Christmas present from some friends. It lasted until about 2 years ago. Not bad, a 1st genreation player lasting for 3 years.
This is where it gets a bit wierd, if you do the math 3 DVD players over 2 years (one every 8 months). What is the deal here? We do not watch that many movies. Its not like they are taking abuse from our kids. They just slowly stop working. It starts with a disc that will not read and spreads like a disease until not one of our discs work. Maybe I should think twice about a player that costs less than $90
Currently we have our portable DVD player set up on top of the entertainement center With cables run to the stereo serving as our spare. I guess instead of a player, I could always invest in a video games system that doubles as a DVD player. That of course would be a great way to sneak in even more entertainment. Until then, I will remain in denial that our DVD player is really broken and just hope that I can calibrate it somehow.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Poly Canyon - Lost Architectural Treasures
What an amazing experience. Our family went on a walk to Poly Canyon - after about three quarters of a mile form the entrance is an arch made of stone - apparently a senior project - that draws your attention. Underneath is a sign listing over 15 more projects so we decided to take a look:
Poly Canyon shows just what is possible when you combine skill, art, and passion without the focus being on profit. Creativity and possibilities spring up that you never imagined.
The first structure you see (after the arch) is what looks like an artistic staircase, created from cement. It is hard to explain and I do not have a picture, but imaging a spiraling staircase each step curves upward away form the center to also be the wall.
Next was this amazing sail tent created in the 70's. It is in almost pefect condition still held taught by its steel cables.
My son's favorite structure was the pirate ship, the bow sticks out from the hillside allowing you to look to the creek 30 feet below.
Other structures include complete furnished houses including: bridge house, shells house, and modular house (not shown). The names might not be impressive but the ideas were.
Bridge house is covered with windows, and for a senior project, I was surprised to find it equipped with a water heater and air conditioning. I definitely found my self wanting to live in these structures when they were in their prime.
Unfortunately as you look at the house projects you can see windows broken out from vandals and the once complete houses are now a danger to the vistors. Bridge house, vacant, plubming now broken, and wires exposed, is still powered. I could hear the transformer to the AC unit humming.
Shell house was the most impressive, this one picture of the inside does not do it justice. Every outer wall is made of glass, one third of which are broken. This house is complete with a kitchen, loft, and family room. I have never seen anything like the way this house was put together. Each room literally FLOWED into the other.
On our way out we saw other structures that our kids were excited to climb.
Despite the dangers of mixing broken down structures and curious kids, we had alot of fun. While leaving I found myself inspired by the visions of past college students but also saddened by the current conditions of them.
These projects are probably the most difficult challenge these students faced in their lifetime. With creativity and passion only a young adult could have it was amazing to experience such uniqueness.
Poly Canyon shows just what is possible when you combine skill, art, and passion without the focus being on profit. Creativity and possibilities spring up that you never imagined.The first structure you see (after the arch) is what looks like an artistic staircase, created from cement. It is hard to explain and I do not have a picture, but imaging a spiraling staircase each step curves upward away form the center to also be the wall.
Next was this amazing sail tent created in the 70's. It is in almost pefect condition still held taught by its steel cables.
My son's favorite structure was the pirate ship, the bow sticks out from the hillside allowing you to look to the creek 30 feet below.Other structures include complete furnished houses including: bridge house, shells house, and modular house (not shown). The names might not be impressive but the ideas were.
Bridge house is covered with windows, and for a senior project, I was surprised to find it equipped with a water heater and air conditioning. I definitely found my self wanting to live in these structures when they were in their prime.Unfortunately as you look at the house projects you can see windows broken out from vandals and the once complete houses are now a danger to the vistors. Bridge house, vacant, plubming now broken, and wires exposed, is still powered. I could hear the transformer to the AC unit humming.
Shell house was the most impressive, this one picture of the inside does not do it justice. Every outer wall is made of glass, one third of which are broken. This house is complete with a kitchen, loft, and family room. I have never seen anything like the way this house was put together. Each room literally FLOWED into the other.On our way out we saw other structures that our kids were excited to climb.
Despite the dangers of mixing broken down structures and curious kids, we had alot of fun. While leaving I found myself inspired by the visions of past college students but also saddened by the current conditions of them.
These projects are probably the most difficult challenge these students faced in their lifetime. With creativity and passion only a young adult could have it was amazing to experience such uniqueness.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Video sites - YouTube & Google Video
So I was reading up on Pastor Tim's blog and saw that he mentioned my blog and a few others including a cool website created and maintained by Josh Ernestrom, FallForwardFilms.com. I got to thinking, Josh has done some really funny videos and maybe he has others that are not Grace Church related, so I searched you tube and found a little collection: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fallforwardfilms
I have written a few scripts of my own and videos like these keep me inspired.
That is another thing about all the crazy videos on these sites. Not only do you find something really funny, but you can find things are are extremely stupid. I tell people that if you ever are humbled or feel or depressed you can always look for people doing stuping things on Google Video or YouTube to make yoruself feel better. Here is 2 examples:
Rolling down a hill in a Dell Box
Toaster Chicken
I have written a few scripts of my own and videos like these keep me inspired.
That is another thing about all the crazy videos on these sites. Not only do you find something really funny, but you can find things are are extremely stupid. I tell people that if you ever are humbled or feel or depressed you can always look for people doing stuping things on Google Video or YouTube to make yoruself feel better. Here is 2 examples:
Rolling down a hill in a Dell Box
Toaster Chicken
Sunday, February 04, 2007
So I just found out the the NFL is threatening to sue organizations that show the big game on displays larger than 55". News articles are specifically pointing out that it has been churches the NFL has focused upon. Read it for yourself at the LA Times
I was considering throwing a super bowl party at my office using our surround sound and 9.5' wide projection screen. I guess I cannot do this either. I find myself wondering why this does not apply to the fancy restaurants and bars that use large screen projectors. Why are these business exempt?
We have all this fancy technology and the community is not allowed to use it. The NFL is trying to hide behind the fact that neilsen ratings do not account for public showings. True, but public showings also include the bars and restaurants again - which the NFL conveniently provides a blind eye.
I must admit, I am frustrated - and confused.
I was considering throwing a super bowl party at my office using our surround sound and 9.5' wide projection screen. I guess I cannot do this either. I find myself wondering why this does not apply to the fancy restaurants and bars that use large screen projectors. Why are these business exempt?
We have all this fancy technology and the community is not allowed to use it. The NFL is trying to hide behind the fact that neilsen ratings do not account for public showings. True, but public showings also include the bars and restaurants again - which the NFL conveniently provides a blind eye.
I must admit, I am frustrated - and confused.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)