Yippie, I Won Me Some Money

I just got a check in the mail for $13.86 as part of the Compact Disc Minimum Advertised Price Settlement. See, last year my brother told me about this lawsuit against some of the big music companies by 43 states' Attorney Generals. Anyone who purchased music on CD, tape, or vinyl between January 1, 1995 to December 22, 2000 was eligible to receive a part of the settlement. And believe it or not, I actually made a couple purchases of music during that time. When I filled out the online form last year, I didn't really expect I would get any money out of the deal, but wow, I now have enough to go out and buy something. Who wants to guess what I'll buy?

Now if there would only be a case like this for people who purchased videos and DVDs.

Currently listening to: Dolly Varden -

Why Didn't I Think of That

Ok, here is another funny article from Lark News regarding missions. While you are there, check out this report debunking the theory that friends are friends forever if the Lord is the Lord of them. Happy reading.

Currently listening to: nothing

Fresh Eggs

Yesterday I did some shopping in the local grocery store, as my supplies were low. On the list were some eggs, so I picked up 10, as they don't sell them by the dozen over here. When I got them home, I was amazed at how fresh these eggs were, as I saw this....



You gotta love the fact that there are still feathers attached. But then again, some might argue that it is a little sick. Oh well.

Currently listening to: Martyn Joseph -

A Long Way Home

This morning, as I got up, I debated going to church. It is not that I don't like my church, I really enjoy going. It was that I was aware that my passport was sitting in some office waiting to get a visa renewal, and thus, I probably should not risk crossing the border on the way to church. See, every week I cross the border between Germany and Switzerland usually twice a week at least. (I also get to cross the Rhine River, which is cool to me, not only because it was one of the major rivers of the world I studied in grade school, but it reminds me of a cool band, Over The Rhine.) Well, I decided that since I missed church last week due to the retreat I should go anyway. Plus, I've crossed that border hundreds of times, and have only been stopped three or four times.

Well, I made it to church with no problems. I even prayed a little prayer before nearing the border, that if I was not to go, that I to be turned around before getting to Switzerland. The problem came after church. I got back into my car and headed to the autobahn. When I got less than two kilometers from the border I hit what is best described by the German word, STAU, aka a traffic jam. It then took me one hour to travel that 1.3 kilometers. Yes, you read that right. I joke you not when I say that there was a guy walking along the road faster than I was moving. Plus you know it is bad, when the Germans and Swiss start reading newspapers and books while sitting in a stau. I even saw one lady get out and walk her dog.

What was the cause of this stau? It appeared that they were checking every passport of everyone entering this fine country. Whoops. This doesn't happen that often. I began to sweat a little, and pray that somehow I would not end up in some German cell, or even trapped in Switzerland. (It wouldn't be that bad, except my skis were in Germany) I then began to hope that since I had local plates, they would wave me through, so they could take more time to do full body cavity searches on the Dutch.

Unfortunately, I did get stopped, and in my best German, ha... I played the stupid American card, and said that I had forgotten my passport, while showing my German drivers license. After the guard did some searching on his computer (or at least played a couple games of minesweeper) he then told me not to come back with out my passport in the future.

I was in. I was almost home, and the road was clear ahead of me. So I dropped the car into fifth, and headed for home. Arriving only one and a half hours after I left church, a trip that usually takes about twenty five minutes.

But I ask you, would you let this guy in your country?


drivers license photo

Currently listening to: Martyn Joseph -

Blogger Idol - Week Seven - Play

This weeks theme for Blogger Idol is "Play." And to honor this theme, I'm going to encourage you all to follow the following steps:

1. Push yourself away from your keyboard and put down your mouse/
2. Shut your computer down - Wait before you do, using a non-electric writing device, write the rest of the tips down.
3. Find the nearest exit.
4. Proceed to that exit, taking as man other people with you.
5. Commence some form of entertainment. Might I suggest: lawn darts, football, tag, running, wiffleball, hide and seek, hiking, cloud watching, spashing in puddles, skiing (see previous post), hopskotch, or go karting.
6. Continue step five until darkness, funding, or work responsibilites is too much to deal with.

Yes, my friends, get away from the computer and learn again to play like you used to as a kid. Have some fun. This boy actually is going to step away from his computer for a few days to do some serious non-online playing.

Be sure to check out the other entries for this week by clicking the little button.


Currently listening to: Bill Mallonee -

Here are the old comments.

German Highway Hazards

As a frequent driver of the German autobahn, I found this short news report kind of funny. I'm almost expecting to have a family member call me to see if I'm alright, as it did happen a near me, and I might have gotten caught in the traffic jam, aka stau. The interesting thing is I've actually hit one of these wild boars with my car. Although, it is not as funny a story as my friend who hit a stork with a van a few years ago.

Currently listening to: Bill Mallonee -

Back From Retreat

Well, for those of you keeping score at home, I just got back from a retreat with over two hundred high school students. We headed down to Stoos, Switzerland for a few days of enjoying the surroundings. While we had to attend several meetings, a good chunck of the time was spent hanging with students on the ski slopes. It was a great time for all. Here are a couple shots of the slopes and view from the top.


A bad day on the slopes is better than...


You can't beat a view like this.


Stoos, Switzerland


Currently listening to: Dolly Varden -