A Case For Extra Planning

For those of you making plans for summer trips and vacations, this video may inspire you to make some extra calls to check out facilities and staff of time shares, hotels, and beaches! This may be one of the great SNL sketches of all time - total classic. Jim Carrey at his finest and Will Ferrell as the amazing straigt man.

Idol Thoughts

"Idol Gives Back" was/is a pretty genius idea. One that is long overdue in prime time television. Over $60 million dollars raised in two days or roughly three hours of air time. That's huge.

In fact, it was so big that ABC did an evening news piece on a FOX show and it's philanthropic endeavor. The piece focused on how American Idol tapped into it's adolescent market to pull out such a huge amount of money. What they found interesting was that the demographic that gave (roughly 13-24 year olds) has long been considered a very selfish generation. But this show demonstrated how generous they could be.

A few thoughts:

1. Those of us that have worked with middle school, high school, and college students long enough know how selfish they can be. It's not particular to this generation or any generation, but every generation. Every adolescent population seems to have this "me streak" in them. Heck, I know my crew in the 80's and early 90's was sure that way. So we can't go around saying that this generation of students is any more selfish than another.

2. Those of us that have worked with students long enough, also know how giving this generation can be given the right communication, vision, and needs that are place before them. And Idol did just that. They marketed this thing masterfully, got the right people/pop-movie-rock stars involved, and communicated over and over again the overwhelming and compelling physical, medical and educational needs that the poor children of the world have.

3. I'm sure there are tons of "money making" agendas in this whole Idol Gives Back thing, but for now I just want to give mad props to corporate America for getting this right: it came to its senses and realized the power for good (and not just greed) that it can influence. Very cool.

My only question is, "What show will jump on this band wagon next?"

p.s. Did you know that Idol Gives Back made more than the Jerry Lewis Telethon? Pretty amazing. Click here, here, here, here, and here for some more news one the show.

Back to the Back

For those of you that know or may not know: my back is whack. Here are a couple of emails that I sent that will bring you up to date where I am at in the "getting better" process.

Email #1:

Just wanted to tell you, remind you and ask you for your prayers. I go in for this discogram/discography (http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/Low-Back-Pain-Exams-and-Tests) @ 9:00am. Should be painful (no anesthesia), but I'll live. I'll see how long I can milk it to get out of packing up around the house!

Email #2:

Thanks for thinking of and praying for me and the old back. The procedure went went well albeit a bit painful. The radiologist stuck me three times in my lower back with lidocane (sp?) and then proceeded to push three six inch 20 gauge needles into three discs in my lower back. He then pushed saline and contrast into them to see if they hurt, how much they hurt, and if the hurt was anything like I felt at home. All of that...ouch! Little time, but lots o pain and pressure. After filling those discs with contrast they rolled me in for cat-scan (again, sp?) - x-ray machine that looks like a ginormous donut. Once that was done I was back in post-op resting up and waiting for my limo service - Kelly and the kids in our 94 Honda. We'll know more results and where we go from here once I go to the back doc on Tuesday.

Non-email, but update on today's doc visit:

It was short, but sweet. I have two discs that are squeezing - due to the tear - (ever so slightly) out from between their places in my spine. They are putting pressure on my nerve back there. So he has scheduled me for a neuro-surgical consult/visit in the first part of May. He said to avoid surgery if I can and ask for an epidural and steroid injection(S) if I can. He says that b/ I'm young and with exercise, he thinks I can heal that way.

So there you have it. Keep praying. Healing. Wisdom. Discipline. Endurance. Strength.

Grace and peace.

RHCP Video

My friend Brian and KB Vidz produced and directed another video. This time it is for a YouTube contest for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song is "Charlie" off their new cd. Enjoy the video!

A Great Song and Dance

This is one of my new favorite family videos of all time. Sarah and Parker are the main attraction with background vocals lent to them by my in-laws. Too fun!

In the Name of Love (for Gamers)

Maybe one of the funniest videos I've seen in long time! Enjoy.



(bu to Marko)

Yo! Mtv Raps!

Imus ain't got nothing on these ladies!

Gansta Granny

Don't hate the lady playa; hate the game!

Fun Family Shots

We built this cool tent then decided to nap in it.

Abdul Parker

Just a great shot of Sarah looking more grown up...sigh.

Easter Siblings.

Potentially Dangerous Question #3

I really am enjoying reading the book, God in the Flesh, by Don Everts. In this book, Everts invites us to look deeper into the Gosels, deeper at Jesus, and deeper into the things that left people amazed when they encounter the Messiah.

In chapter 3, we look at why people were seized with amazement by Jesus. Luke 5:26 reads: Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable [strange] things today."

And what do we do when we see strange things...we stare at them. Whether it is the large, deformed faced little girl I see at work or the wild video on You Tube, I can't help but look and stare at those things that are unique, wierd, out of the ordinary, or strange. And so Everts ask:

Potentially Dangerous Question #3: Is it possible to focus on Jesus too much?

He goes on to write, "On our deathbeds, will we say, 'I wish I had spent less time looking at Jesus'? I am sure there are many things that occupy us now that we will on e day look back upon and regret spending so much time on. But after considering the question for some time, I don't believe we'll regret a single moment of considering Jesus."

So I ask...Why spend so much time focusing on Jesus? What are the ramifications of spending some much time focusing on Him? How would I be different? Would other see a difference? How would they be different because of my time spent with Him?

There you go. Chew on that bit o fat for a while. Peace and late.

Two Words: Uni Brow

I thought this one was pretty funny and catchy. And seeing that I am the poster boy for all things unibrow, I dedicate this to my uni-waxer, my sister, Marcie. Enjoy.

Back to School Sale

Here's the news you've been praying about and waiting for...I am officially accepted into the Master of Education - School Counseling program! Yeehaw and Oh My!

It's nuts because I am feeling both super excited and a lot bit nervous. I'm excited about the challenge, the learning, the working with kids and adults in new environments, moving closer to family and old friends but at the same time fearful of the financial crunch, moving logistics, uprooting from friends we love, selling a home we love and the same old same old - homework!

Keep praying for us. This is going to be really difficult for us emotionally, relationally, and financially. One practical way to keep us in your thoughts and prayers is to pray that I would get one of the Graduate Assistant jobs that is opening up for the fall semester (there are 8-9 openings). That would pay for school and offer a small salary for the year that would cover a mortgage/rent. I'll get my resume and a cover letter in by the end of the week but won't know anything until the end of July or beginning of August (school starts Aug. 20).

So there you have it. The journey continues from your newest Dayton Flyer.