bambi meets godzilla

This short video came up in our meeting this morning. Gives you an idea of where brainstorming ideas go. And no, we aren't using it! But it is funny!

Happy Anniversary

I just wanted to let you all know that today is our 19th Wedding Anniversary. I just wanted to tell all of you that I love my wife Mary every bit as much, and more, than that great day 19 years ago. She is the most awesome ever and completes me in my life. We have two great kids (yeah, even with the challenges going on) and many other things in life to be thankful for.

I love you Mary.

Rick Miller performs Bohemian Rhapsody

I don't know but I find this exceedingly funny.

DIVISION CHAMPS!!!

Cubs get the division!! Next stop: World Series.

This has been one amazing week for this team:

Sunday: no hitter by Zambrano

Monday: one hitter (almost a no hitter) by Lilly. First time in MLB history that a team was held to one hit in two days.

Thursday: The amazing, almost improbable, comeback win against the Brewers. I just got my voice back today! Good thing since we had our Extended Worship night tonight.

Today: Division clincher. This time is a little different than in years past. It feels like it was long expected. It feels like it isn't enough anymore. I can see the team thinks that way too. That is good. The bigger prize lies ahead.

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago whaddya say, the Cubs are gonna win today!
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago whaddya say, the Cubs are gonna win today!

Great Game

My voice is still hoarse. What a ball game today. I finally got to see a game at Wrigley this year and man-o-man what a game it was! I put it up there real close to the division clincher I was at in 2003 with regards to excitement and fun. It kind of stunk last night when they lost because today could have been the clincher. And imagine if that were to happen too! Well, it was a great ending: Soto's homer, Lee's game winning single. We had a lot of fun. There were a number of Brewers fans around us and that provided some added entertainment. It was all in fun. So no clincher today but I do take consolation in one thing: they will most likely clinch the division this weekend against the Cardinals.

Against the Cardinals. Ah...sweet.

Jesus Is My Friend by Sonseed

Thanks to Julie Bullock for sending me this. Many of you might have already seen this video. If you haven't yet I need to give you a warning before you watch: pray to God for protection. Trust me, you will need to. It is the most awesome video ever in the history of Christian music. And also confirming why I thought Christian music was silly back in my hedonistic years of the 80's.

No Hitter! Cubs Win!!

NO HITTER!!!!!

CUBS WIN!!!!

NO HITTER!!!!

CUBS WIN!!!!

NO HITTER!!!!

CUBS WIN!!!!

9/11

Last night I watched the movie "United 93". I had recorded it some time ago but never was motivated to watch it. Well, since yesterday was the 7th anniversary I figured I would watch it. Very well done and from what I've read, about as close to accurate as it could be. What was interesting was that it wasn't a "drama" with big stars or anything. It let the moments speak for themselves and just followed along with what was going on. I was struck by many things: the fear on the plane, the warped fanatacism of the hijackers, the craziness of the control towers, military, and FAA headquarters; but mostly I was struck by the courage of the passengers to take over the plane. It was mostly to save themselves I am sure. But since, at that point, they knew what was going on outside that plane, they knew what was really up and attempted to stop it. We knew what the ending was going to be. However, their actions really saved many more lives and a national symbol that would have been crushing. As bad as things were with the Trade Center and Pentagon, can you imagine if the US Capitol was blown up? I have only seen that on "Independence Day" - I wouldn't want to see it in real life.

I remember everything about that day. I remember taking the train in to work - not knowing what was already going on. I remember getting into the office and first hearing of it by my boss, Pablo who had the radio on. Believe it or not I was going to make a reservation for a flight for Mary and I to go to New England in a couple months. I remember us thinking that they screwed up in a way because the buildings weren't coming down - then later hearing that they did. I remember how scared Mary was when she called. I remember watching the towers burning on a tv set up in the office. Nothing got done there that day. We tried for a little bit in the morning but eventually gave up. I remember all the panic on the news about how many more planes were taken over (none after the 4th one). I remember vividly the exodus out of downtown Chicago - the office was on Ontario St. and by noon the city was emptied. I remember leaving work in the early afternoon; Metra rearranged its schedule to get everyone out of downtown (many were thinking that Sears Tower was next). I vividly remember walking my 1.5 miles to Union Station through downtown Chicago and seeing how empty and abandonded the city was. It was very eerie. Literally no cars except for a taxi or two that would pass by. And hardly a person to be seen. It almost felt like I was one of the last people on earth. I remember how crowded Union Station was, however. I remember the train ride home. I remember getting home and talking with all the neighbors. I remember the president's speech that night. I remember how he said that those responsible will be dealt with. Some have, many haven't. I had a work project in New York at that time. Tuesday mornings I was normally taking the subway from Manhattan to Brooklyn - passing under the Trade Center at roughly that time. That Tuesday I originally wasn't planning on going. Good thing. I would have flown in on Monday night to stay just down the street. I remember flying down there about 2-3 weeks later (after the planes could fly again) and walking by there. It was a large makeshift memorial. There was a platform you could walk on to see the destruction and the work crews cleaning up. You could see all the buildings around damaged in some way. I remember talking to my contact over there (he was head of a construction management firm that we dealt with) and him telling me of some of their people who were lost. How they were on the roof one of the towers calling their loved ones and those at the office to say good bye. It is one thing to see all this on news specials but to have firsthand experience is another. He was telling me where he was when the planes hit the towers. He did see the first one and took off and left (he was about a mile or so away). I remember for the next several months the fear and anxiety that permeated the world: chemical attacks, anthrax, dirty bombs. It just kept going. I remember how the nation did pull together. I remember the patriotism that dominated everything. I remember the U2 concert we went to 2 months later (in Salt Lake City) and that screen that rolled all the names. It was still the best concert I was ever at, hands down.

I think we need to still remember and never forget. To remember why we are fighting in Afghanistan. I never agreed with the Iraq war but we need to remember and support those over there too.

What next?

Man, this has been one heck of a week. And it is still going. We just got news that Mary's mom is in the hospital and that things aren't looking good. We really don't know what the problem is as of yet. She is on her way there tonight (Palos Hospital). It seems like it has been every day the last week that we are hit with some heavy challenge relating to family. I don't recall in recent memory dealing with what we are up against now. We need to be praying for her mom but also for Mary and the rest of her immediate family. Things with Alec are definitely improving but it will still be a while before things like trust and improved lifestyle get where they need to be. However, the good news in all this is that there is still love. Maybe like what was mentioned in the first post, we are still being given opportunities to come together closer as a family. Let's see where all this will go.

Whew. Well, at least the Cubs just won. There is something. I'll take anything now! :)

God Speaks (even in movies!)

Finally watched "Evan Almighty" last night. I really liked it - the messages about family. Tough times here at home continue but there was a line in the movie that struck me and made me laugh and cry at the same time. God (Morgan Freeman - who else?) talks to Evan's wife at a diner after she and the kids left Evan due to his wackyness of building an ark. She doesn't know it is God but one of the things he told her was this: "if someone prays for patience, does God just give them patience or more opportunities to be patient?...if someone asks to bring their families closer together, does God just zap them with warm fuzzy feelings? Or, does He give them more opportunities to love one another?". Think about it. You know what, I have always thought that God doesn't get enough credit for being the ultimate comedian and still talk with infinite wisdom. Well, it was only a silly movie, but I seriously believe that God was speaking to me at that moment while pretending to be God in a movie speaking to someone who didn't know it was Him! (ok, read it again...now you know why I thought it was funny - the setting was absurd!). Anyway, it was something I needed to hear. Our family is coming together. We are at a point where opportunity is knocking at the door. How will it be answered?

Family Love and A Silly Song

Our family has been going through a lot of stuff. I won't hit the details. But I do need to let you know that we have interesting ways and times to have conversations to resolve things. We had one last night at like 11:30 while sitting on the kitchen floor! Yeah, sitting on the kitchen floor! This isn't the first time we talk in weird places! But let me tell you something, despite the fact that we are dealing with stuff, I was actually heartened by having the conversation. You see, we have conversations! Even with the loud talk, things get discussed and hashed out. I can't tell you everything gets solved. But we do talk. You know what? I noticed today a difference in everyone in the house. Much more positive. And one thing is for sure: there is love between all of us in this house. That is certain. I have no doubt of that. You see, with LOVE I believe you can deal with anything. It is the greatest thing. Without love you have nothing.
____________________________________

Of course the only bad part about last night is I had to get up early this morning for Leadership Community and play another silly new leader song. It was a parody of "Hey There Delilah". Eric was out of town so he filmed himself with his brother Elic as if they were broadcasting via satellite from Cincinnati. I played live. It was really amusing how a number of people actually asked later if that was really me playing and if that was really a satellite feed or not! Well done. It was something different and real fun.

I am tired. Good night!

Twit(terrer)s

Can someone explain to me the lure of twittering? I just don't get it. It is kind of like blogging-on-the-go: "I am standing on the stairs now"; "I am walking down the stairs"; "going into the ice cream shop now"; "walking outside". Wow, riveting. My friend Greg put it real good in his blog about Facebook (which applies to twitters): all this stuff supposedly gets us more relationally connected. Yet, all we do is have our faces buried in computer or Blackberry screens isolating ourselves from all that is around us. For all we know, we're typing to someone in the next room! I guess that this is where the i-generation is at. I just hope that all this technology doesn't move us so far away from personal contact that we forget how to say hello to someone.

Or farewell

Farewell...

What's up here?

What is up here? 4 losses in a row? Nervous? Hey, it's the Cubs what would you expect?

Favorite Albums/CD's

Back right before New Year's day, 1990, WXRT had a vote for best album/CD of the 80's. I remember having several conversations amongst friends about what the top 3 or 4 would be. It turned out to be a spirited debate! Today I was talking amongst a couple friends about the same thing: top CD's of the 80's and 90's. Well, those of you who know me would be surprised to guess that I would not have Rush in the top 3 of the 80's! Although, I think Moving Pictures was probably #4 on my list (yes, I still remember what my picks were!). Rush got real weird in the mid to late 80's with some of my least favorite CD's (Grace Under Pressure, Power Windows, etc.). If you were around then (or are into 80's retro) what would your top 3 be? Here is mine:

3. Tears for Fears/Songs From the Big Chair: EVERY song was awesome on this one! I was particularly stoked when I was able to get this one converted to mp3's. Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Shout, Head Over Heels, etc. were some great songs. Although nowadays it does have that dated 80's production, back then it was a great sound.

2. Peter Gabriel/So: At the time, talk about production value! This was a great sounding record! Produced really well. Red Rain just sounds incredible. Same thing about nowadays having that dated 80's sound but still there was nothing on this record that was bad. Ok, maybe that last song about birds was a little weird...

1. XTC/Oranges and Lemons: this one just made it (1989). I really wore out this CD big time. King for a Day is still one of my favorites. Andy Partridge could really write some great songs. The guitarist, Dave Gregory, is so underrated. The melodies that he put into it were incredible. When you listen, it becomes very obvious early on that the Beatles were a huge influence on them. However, this CD was one that clearly had a the sound for them and one that was my favorite of that decade.

I also had a couple of 80's instrumental albums that get high honorable mentions:

-Joe Satriani/Surfing With an Alien: Hey, it's Joe at his best! Even I can hear his influence in my playing. The concert at the Metro that year (1987 I think) was about as close as I came to a high level spiritual experience! :)
-Jeff Beck/There and Back: This was the first of all my records to get converted to mp3's. I wore this one out, expecially late at night. I would hit the sack and put this one on with El Becko to start. Right before I dozed out, side one would end. I then would flip the record and just make it all the way to the last song (The Pump) before slipping away for the night.

The 90's. I don't recall having big conversations about CD's of this decade. However, now that I think of them a little, I think I have some that would fit in a top 3 (although I can only list a number 1):

Rush/Test for Echo: Oh was I happy about this one! It was the first complete Rush album since Signals that I really liked all the way through (Presto being a slight exception). Driven is still a song that I can crank out so loud! And I know that Mary just loves this CD...

Collective Soul/Collective soul ('95 untitled CD): Around '98 and '99 I had many drives to a job I had to go to in Milwaukee (at least once a week for about a year). Since my car didn't have a CD player, and this was just before the days of iPods, I had this CD (and Precious Declaration) recorded on tape so I could listen to them on my Wisconsin journeys. December and The World I Know are my favorites (The World I Know has a great video to it - I love the ending - it seems depressing then ends up with a great hopeful message).

1. Beck/Odelay: Wow. He was soooo groundbreaking when this one came out. The songs were cool ('ya gotta love "Where It's At) but the way he used effects were ingenious - especially for that time. Another one that I wore out.

I am so sure that there are others for the 90's, I would have to gloss through my CD collection. But, these come to mind right away.

How about this decade (has anyone decided what we call it yet? The 0's?)? This one will be a tough one. Why? Because I am not really a CD buyer in as much as I am a song buyer. We can thank iTunes for that one. Let's give this decade a couple more years before we reflect on it.