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| So, It's been a year since I moved to Cincinnati, you may be asking "what's been up with that one guy?" Allow me to be your guide.
Holy Community
After bouncing around several local churches, I found this really cool church that wasn't as near as I'd hoped. However, they were "building" a campus close by. And by building, I mean renting, a middle school, which sounds a lots less cool than it is. They bought a 12' x 21.5' screen and an HD projector to make it shine. Unfortunately, it is only set-up on Sunday mornings, so no movie night and no game night (Tetris would be amazing on that thing).
More Gainfully Employed
As you know, I moved to Cincy because of my job. I finally get to work with actual people in a official office! I get better projects and better networking. Somehow, I managed to get two annual reviews within eleven months of starting the job. I did get a raise out of one of them and the extra income has been a real blessing to me and a couple of missionaries that I know. On the not so cool side, I've had to work overtime for the past few months. I don't have the best time management skills and this isn't helping.
Moving Stinks
Last year, I moved twice. The first time was because driving over an hour to my new job was cramping my style. The second time was because Bamm-Bamm (my drumset) was being neglected due to the noise constraints of an apartment. Of course, that wasn't the only reason I bought a house, but it sure is nice to have him back. Actually, searching for a house, moving, and home projects are where I have spend quite a bit of time and money, so I'm hoping to get some good use out of this place. If you would like to visit southwest Ohio, I've got a couple of spare rooms to crash in. I'm trying to figure just how many parties I should throw. I'm also trying to find a good name for the house.
Keeping The Beat
At my new church, I'm back behind a drumset. Although, this time, I'm playing for a much different crowd. Kindergarten through 6th grade, that's right, we have a band just for kids. To answer your next question, we don't play cheesy kids songs. Our young listen to the likes of Audio Adrenaline and Newsboys.
Random
Watching your friends try to play the Wii Fit is really funny. I just learned that I can talk like Watto, just ask me.
The Future
I've been accepted to participate in a special Habitat for Humanity project in New Orleans. There are still a ton of destroyed homes left by hurricane Katrina. My church has partnered with Habitat to bring 600 people down to help for one week. I'm hoping not only to help out our fellow man, but also to connect with some new friends. I'm really looking forward to it, expect for one unfortunate thing. It is in July, which means way too much heat and humidity. If any of you are interested, this is not limited to my church but space is limited. Check it out: crossroads.net/goneworleans
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| As many of you know, I have weird dreams. I have dreams that involve impossible locations, powers, and animals. I could probably write episodes of Twilight Zone, X-Files, or The Scary Door based on them. A few months ago I finally realized something else about my dreams. I was playing one of those board games that asks questions about the players so that everyone gets to know everyone else better. A question came up about your scariest dream. I thought it over and couldn't come up with a single scary dream. Sure, there were elements of them that would frighten others, that would be another man's nightmare, but I was never afraid, not even close. I realized that I don't have nightmares no matter what is going on in my life. Is that normal? The scariest dream I could come up with was pretty amusing, so I'll share it with you here. It was a beautiful day and I was taking a casual walk on an empty college campus. I noticed some activity in a nearby building and stopped to take a peek. It turned out to be a lab conducting some sort of animal experiments. There was a good mixture of caged animals and students in lab coats fiddling with chemicals in test tubes. One of the students caught me looking in and became very agitated. He stormed over to one of the cages and began to give orders to the little monkey inside. It was obvious that he was sending the primate to hunt me down. I soon realized what kind of experiments the scientists were involved in, crazy genetic ones. The monkey, as he was let out of his cage began to grow angry. As he grew angry, he grew in stature and strength like the hulk and armor like turtle shells formed all over his body. He left the lab and started coming after me, continuing to expand until he reached about 40 feet tall. Then he did something truly amazing, he breathed cinnamon like a dragon breathes fire. I began to run, but not in fear. I was playing tag with him and cheerfully asked him to belch out some more cinnamon. All this had a calming effect and the monkey as he returned to his previous size and girth. We became fast friends as we continued on my walk. It wasn't long before we came across a puppy who could fart brown sugar. The monkey was especially happy to find a kindred spirit and the three of us strolled into the sunset. The End. By the way I have a season pass with free parking to King's Island, Cedar Point, and all other Cedar Fair parks if anyone is looking to go. | | |
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When last I left you, I was in desperate need of a new job. Working at home was seriously cramping my style and my relationships. Well, not much has changed, I still telecommute and have to deal with all the same baggage. The good news is that will come to an end soon. After several months of searching, I finally found a new job and will be starting on President's Day.
It's not just any job, but one that's very much in line with what I wanted. I get to work with other developers. I get my own desk that's not at home. I get more structure. I get to work with some of my favorite technologies. I get more money. The fun bonus is that the company is near King's Island, so I get to ride roller coasters after work! The benefits are pretty good too. A big thanks to everyone who has been praying for me, I'll have to buy you lunch or something.
For those paying attention, that puts my new company about an hour away from where I live, in good traffic. Since I would have to drive through Dayton, I don't see this happening for more than a week or two. So, I'll most likely be moving within a month. My first priority after moving will be finding a great church, so if anyone knows of one in Northern Cincinnati, let me know. Did I mention that I'll be living near King's Island? You are all welcome to stop by my place on your way to Ohio's second best theme park.
Well that's it for now, enjoy your weekend.
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| I went to a Crusade reunion this year and I have a high school reunion next month. I went to two weddings last weekend and have another one (the best one) to go to next month. The great thing about these events is it gives you a chance to reflect on all the wonderful things you've done with your life, how many wives and kids you've had, and so on. At least it would be great if I could post some numbers in those categories. As I survey my current situation, I'm not truly satisfied with any part of it, except for the ministries I get to support. I've let myself be content with too much for far too long.
It's time for a change and I'm taking suggestions on where to go. I need a new ministry, a new job, a new church, a new woman, new other stuff. (Old friends would be cool though) If that means moving, so be it. I'm not that tied to this area anyways. It's conformable, but at this point, that's more of a liability than an asset.
Aside for donations, the entirety of my ministry is playing drums on Sunday mornings. While I know that serves a purpose, given all that I've been blessed with, that's just sad. I know that I was built for more than this.
I work at home. I know this is the dream of many people, but for me, it awful. It's lonely, the closest two things I have to human interaction are watch the Simpsons at lunch and petting the dog. It's unmotivating. My work stuff is in my way when I'm not "at work". It's difficult to improve my work when nobody checks over it. I have no useful job references. I can't impress the ladies with my whimsical work stories. The nicest thing about it is that I get to live where ever I want. I've been looking for a new job for a few months and I'm getting nowhere. That is why I'm now considering moving to somewhere with a better job market or ministry opportunities. I can try out a new city before committing to it, since I don't have to quit this job to move. Northeast Ohio, I'm looking in your direction.
Bitsy recently told me about some opportunities in Colorado that might be opening up. That sounds pretty interesting considering some of the cool headquarters that are there. Focus on the Family, Young Life, and The Navigators are already there. ELIC is coming, thus the possible new opportunities. Also, that's where the bi-annual Crusade staff training conference deal is. I dig women in ministry, so why not go to the source? Also, mountains are really cool. So, I'll be sure to check into to that presently.
Not that I have to move to solve my problems, or that I think that moving will magically make them disappear. However, if I'm going to move, now would be a good time.
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What is the stupidest reason that you have ever been pulled over for? Not long ago, I was pulled over, but not for breaking any traffic laws, not for expired tags, or even having a license plate light out. I was pulled over for going to church. That's right, because I was at church at 11:15 pm, I must be some sort of criminal. I pulled out of the church behind a cop, so he pulled into a driveway and waited for me to pass then trailed me for about 2 miles. Since I am not an idiot, I did not exceed the speed limit and give him an actual reason to turn on his flashy lights. He did anyway and told me that the church was closed and asked me why I was there. I told him that I had a key because I'm the drummer and I needed my drum sticks. I guess I looked and or sounded like I was guilty of something because he still ran my driver's license.
The second stupidest reason I was pulled over was for my tail light cover, or more likely because I was driving at night so I must be breaking some kind of real law. There is no third stupidest, but I was run off the road by a patrol car for being in the officer's blind spot.
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