And The Winner Is

It is now time to announce the winner of the Gmail invitation. With so many great offers, how does one decide? Here is a brief look into my head as I sorted through the offers...

Lynn - Thanks, but you offer me something I already have access to. Unless you are committing to removing the phones and leaving the cell phones at home.

Peter - Again, another offer of something I have. Thanks to the very generous people at Yahoo, I actually have 200MB of space divided over two accounts. But it is still no 1GB

Doug -

Creative idea
but I own many haikus
or is it haiki

Beck - wow, while toilet paper is handy and useful, I have stocked up on a large supply of Happy End Toilet Paper. Plus, knowing you, you'd probably buy that one ply stuff. And nice try sneaking in an extra entry. Although the haiku about not having a haiku was good.

Heidi - While a trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana is the dream of many, a Harry Connick Jr. is the nightmare of many. Personally, I have Right Said Fred, David Hasselhoff, and Milli Vanilli on the list of artists I would see before Mr. Connick Jr.

Maestro - Mmmmm, Mashed Potato. While this would be flattering, I saw what happened to Roy Neary when he began to mold things out of mashed potato. I would hate for you to snap, quit everything and head to the location of my head.

Felix - An hours worth of scribbling on a napkin? I have sweatshops of kids that will do that for me. And I would never subject anyone to either the singing or listening of 99 Bottles of Beer. But thanks for the offer.

Bah - You gave me good advice, and you made me laugh. So you win, but as per your advice, I think I will offer the invitation I was going to send to you to the gal who sends in the hottest photo. Cause as Bah says, "a smile from some eye-candy can keep you going for a long time." Actually check your email.

Currently listening to: Duncan Sheik -

Please God, Don't Let This Happen

Once again, I am amazed at what some in the Christian world are hoping to do to spread the word. This time it is a show called, "Gifted, which is billed as the Christian American Idol, like this world needs another "reality" show.

Now there is way too much to be said about this. First it is brought to you by a joint venture of the Trinity Broadcasting Network and the management company that works with P. Diddy and Britney Spears. Let that sink in for a minute. Makes you wonder about Biblical commands like 2 Corinthians 6:14 are ever read at the TBN?

Will contestants have to fill out documents before hand stating their faith, end times stance, and their take on tongues? Because how will be able to know if they are true believers and not just some attention hungry Godless person?

I also ask how will these people be judged? Will they wait for a sign from God to show them the best performer? Will they take have a bunch of atheists in the audience, and then the performer who causes the most to come forward at the end of their song be deemed the winner?

What I'm really trying to say is, if anyone from TBN is reading this, I'm going to be available this summer if you need an extra judge. I've got experience in religious broadcasting, have a wide range of musical tastes, and am willing to travel.

Currently listening to: Dolly Varden -

Join The Club

Alright, I've mentioned that I have been using Gmail for a few weeks. I'm loving the extra space, the limited ads, the way it keeps your conversation together. And it doesn't hurt that it has 1MB of storage space and will not be deleted after a couple months of inactivity.

Well, I've now gotten to the point where I've got some invitations to give away. I've already checked out Gmailswap and gave a couple away. But it takes too long to find some good offers. My last one I gave away was in exchange of a donation to one of my favorite charities.

So here is the deal. I'm going to offer one invitation to Gmail to the person who makes me the coolest offer in my comment section. I'll give until Friday night until I decide. Remember this is for the coolest offer, so it might not be the one that is worth the most, but the one that might make me laugh the hardest, says "dang that's what I need" or is the only one in my comment section when I go to decide.

So leave your offer in the comment section below.

Currently listening to: Hoobastank -

A Day in Basel

Today I spent a good amount of time in Basel, Switzerland, a city I've come to love and appreciate for many reasons. It was a beautiful day, but I think the Swiss have made some deal with God. They get the great weather, in exchange they just have to suffer with all the different dialects of German.

From my day I've got a few observations or stories to share....

1. There is a guy in the United States who has a girlfriend, approximately 18 years of age, 5'7", currently has blonde hair, and is spending some time in Switzerland. If you are that guy, I've got some bad news. You know how you think she might be cheating on you. Well, I don't want to say I saw her walking arm and arm with another guy, but I did. It is amazing what you will over hear when people forget that just because they are in a foreign country that no one will understand them. I learned all that, plus some other personal information I don't feel like sharing.

2. I am on an emotional rollercoaster right now. Last week I said goodbye to the students. Monday we dropped Andrew off at the airport, and later this week a couple other friends depart. I know it is hard to say goodbye, but I thought I had a pretty good control over my emotional outbursts. Until today. See I'm standing in MediaMart listening to some CDs, when the dam began to crack. Unfortunately I didn't have Hans Brinker around to help. The funny thing is that it was while I was listening to Baptism by Lenny Kravitz that it began. It was the song, "The Other Side" that pushed me over the edge, with the lines:

"Where do I live
Where is my wife?
I am alone
What's life worth living for?
Where am I going and what am I looking towards?...
...So father can you tell me again
Father can you tell me again
That I'm livin'
'Til I meet you on that day
On the other side"

After that I put in Wonderful Life by Lara Fabian, and it was all over. I had to get out of the store quick before I subjected to many people to a grown man crying.

3. Before I was alone in the CD store, I was hanging out with three lovely ladies, who let me tag along with them for a while. It has been a while since I have been in that many shoe shops. But it was worth it to hang out with some friends, although two thirds of them will be leaving this week. We did spend some time on the Rhine river. Thanks to Bah leaving me his leftover Swiss change, we were able to take a cruise on the river. Well, actually it was just the ferry across the river, but we splurged and took it across the river twice. Here are a couple photos.


Me and the ladies.


The Rhine River

Well that about covers the events of today. Who knows what tomorrow brings?

Currently listening to:

Go To Hell

Yea, you heard me. Actually you read it, as I typed it. No, I'm not trying to upset the three of you who read this blog. I'm actually giving you some good advice that not only do I agree with, but a small community of people who are hoping to get more visitors. In fact there is a whole article about how Hell is hoping to become more family friendly.

As one who has been to Hell several times, I do recommend it. It is a lovely spot. And if you are a missionary, it is a great place to mail out one of your prayer letters. Because there is nothing funnier than getting a from a "professional Christian" postmarked from Hell. Or so I'm told...

Currently listening to: Dashboard Confessional -

Blogger Idol 17 Picks

Here are my top three on the theme of "The Rhythm of Life:"

1. Connexions
2. Living Room
3. The Found Sheep

Be sure to read the other entries, including my own.

Currently listening to: Dashboard Confessional -

What In The World?

Ok, many of my friends know that I enjoy a good conspiracy theory probably better than the next guy. I've made my share of tin foil hats and occasionally will randomly use goofy codes and various key words when talking on the phone internationally.

Today I came across a disturbing event where the Reverend Moon spoke to many congressmen and world leaders in the halls of a Senate office building. In the speech given he even declared himself to be the messiah. He was even crowned during the ceremony.

I guess that whole seperation of church and state only apply to some. And I guess some people overlooked Section 9 of that Constitution people so like to quote from.

There is so much in these pages that is disturbing, but I'll leave the rest of the questions and concerns up to you. For me, I need to go see how much foil I have left in the kitchen.

Currently listening to: U2 -