A Job Done Well

I wanted to share with everyone what was read about me at the Staff Appreciation Dinner the other night. I share them mostly so my momma and my supporters can see what was said. I don't really like getting praise, as I'm just doing a job that needs to be done, with the work ethic that was taught to me by my parental units.

"I remember when Ryan came to BFA. I will never forget your long flowing red hair. Ryan has always had a servant's heart. From the start he was always willing to do whatever and whenever. When you came you actually lived in the Palmgarten before it was a dorm and helped in construction/maintenance. Later you moved into HBR as an RA. Ryan is the model RA - there for the kids. Ryan also came to BFA with some amazing training and talent in the area of commmunications and we needed those qualities and so he joined our communications team. All of you know the high quality of our webpage and the credit for that goes single-handedly to Ryan. In today's world, an organization's public face is often first seen through its webpage. We can be proud of ours. We have gotten glowing reviews and comments about how good it is, how usable it is and how it stands as a model for others. Thanks Ryan. When Ryan moved over to communications, he never lost his love for the residence program. Most nights and most weekends he is in our dorms helping out. The man just never stops. For Ryan it is all about the kids. It is all about being there (no one takes more pictures to document their lives at BFA), and pointing them to the Lord. Your contribution and example is a model to all of us. Thank you Ryan for sharing your passions with all of us and for wanting the very best for BFA. I can only hope and pray that we will be able to continue to meet the high standartds you are levaing behind. Thanks you Ryan."

Currently listening to: Counting Crows -

Thems A Lotta Kids

Wow, there is a lady who gave birth to her 15th kid, and she herself is 38. The amazing thing is not that she has had that many kids, or that she was named "Arkansas' Young Mother of the Year" this year. No the amazing thing is she and her husband are responsible for a large portion of the population of their hometown. I know, as I used to drive through Tontitown many times during my college days. And believe me, it took about forty five seconds to drive through that town. Although if you are in that area, you must eat at Mary Maesti's for some darn fine Italian food. And if you are in that area, turn your radio to 101.1 KLRC, the first radio station I worked at.

Currently listening to: Downhere -

Two Concerts and Two Ladies

The other night, a friend of mine offered me four tickets to see Gordon Sumner in concert. Not being one to pass up an opportunity to catch a concert, especially free, I took the tickets and three students to Zurich to catch the show. As concerts go, this was one of the better I've seen in a while. The lighting and graphics behind the band were stellar. And as expected the band was composed of great artists from across the globe. The only down side to the show was the opening act, who was a great piano player, but came across a bit bitter, not to mention attempting a song in German in front of a mostly German speaking audience.

But what does that all have to do with the title of this entry? Well, I thought back a four years ago when Mr. Sumner's tour passed through this area. A small group of friends went up to Freiburg to see the show. In the group were two females, both coworkers. One of them I was interested in at the time and even bought her ticket to the show, so she could go. The other was just a good friend. So now, four years later, I found myself thinking how the one that was just a friend still keeps in touch with me, and we still have a friendship. The other, well let's just say I haven't heard from her in years, and don't expect to this side of heaven.

Just thought I would share. If you get a chance to catch this tour, do so, but show up late. If you get the chance to take a girl you are interested, go dutch. You will thank me for it.

Easy To Impress

Today I sent out some email from my newest account. Within minutes two students were in my office asking me about my email. Later a few more came and wanted to know about my email account. Now call me crazy, but email is email, right? In fact I have over eight different email accounts that I check on some regular basis (3 at bfacademy.com, 2 at yahoo.com, 3 at ryancordell.com, and this new one). But then again, if you start comparing them, there are some differences. The ryancordell.com have more space, but have pop up ads (which can be fixed), the yahoo is old school, but limited space, and the bfacademy.com address will soon be revoked. So I guess this new one is pretty decent, it has a fair amount of space, the ads are pretty harmless and not annoying, and the feature that sold me was that it can go for many months (nine I think) with out having to be checked. Most email accounts are deleted if they are not active after a month or so.

In the end, I'm hoping to get down to two or three email accounts. I do know this new one will soon become a primary account. What is this new service I'm using? GMAIL

Currently listening to: Bill Mallonee -

Random Blog Stuff

I've spent a little time in the last week doing some behind the scenes work on this blog to make your experience here the best that it can be.

If you look to your left, my right, you will see that I've added a
"Catagorized Archives." By clicking that link you can see the posts in various catagories, so for the obscure person who might want to read all my random thoughts, or see all my posts regarding my life, they can do it a bit easier.

If you look down, unless that post is not there anymore, you will notice a big grey box that says, "Play This Audio Post." This will appear now and then, as I experiment with AudioBlogging. Someone asked what the purpose of this was. I can give a few reasons as to the audio blogging.
1. It will allow me to be lazy at times. No typing, just a simple phone call.
2. I can post things that most students and RAs at BFA dorms can't access from their computers due to a lacking in sound cards.
3. It will give you the reader a more complete idea of who the man behind the curtain is, as you will now be able to put a voice to the rest of the picture you have.
4. It is a free service that my blogging service offers that other blogging services don't offer.
5. No spelling errors or having to do spell check.
6. And yes Erich, sarcasm will be easier to express in vocal patterns as opposed to typing it out. Not that I ever use sarcasm.

If there is anything else we can do to make your visit better, please let us know.

Currently listening to: Currently listening to: Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle - Schwarzwarld Fieber

Surf and Grass

Last night I saw Handsome Hank and his Lonesome Boys and Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle in Basel. I wasn't too sure what I was getting myself into, but Handsome Hank came quite recommended by a friend of mine. I was a little concerned when before the doors opened, I was surrounded by a weird mix of Emo kids, a few European dressed like cowboys, and a few metal fans. All in all, it was actually a pretty decent show, although I was a bit more impressed with Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle. Not to say that I didn't enjoy the bluegrass renditions of Daddy Cool and Paradice City.

If you get the chance, catch one of these bands in concert. Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle will be bringing their Surf music sound to the Kandern area this fall. I'd organize a group to see them, but I won't be here. Oh well.

Currently listening to: Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle - Schwarzwarld Fieber

Audio Blogging