I used to have an iPhone 3G. I loved it, but I hated AT&T's coverage. In November, we switched to Verizon and bought Droids. I absolutely love my Droid X.
One of my only complaints about the Droid / Android / Google is that I haven't found a good method of syncing apps and music. This was painfully revealed to me when the SD card in my DX died. Instead of just replacing the SD card, VZW flashed my DX and then when that didn't fix the problem (as I told them it would not) they replaced the SD card. Even though Google keeps record of your apps, I lost a few apps that were no longer available on the Android market. And I had to recreate my music library on my phone.
Well there may be hope. Recently (today, as far as I am aware) Amazon, stepped up their activity in the Android world. They introduced an Android market of their own, with an app to browse the market and install apps to your phone. The cool thing is that, at least for now, they're giving away a new free app each day... some as costly as $5. Then they also launched the Amazon Cloud Drive, where you can store music and files (up to 5 GB) for free. Once you put your music there, you can stream it to your phone through the Amazon MP3 app. If you buy your MP3s from Amazon, they go to your Cloud Drive automagically AND they don't count against your drive quota.
Pretty cool. Well done, Amazon.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Memory Upgrade
I've never been a fan of memorization. I'm not convinced that memorization works; at least not long term. Sure, memorization is a great tool to pass that history test tomorrow. But it adds little value for long-term, down-the-road memory.
Rather, I prefer to find ways to internalize the information... a deeper learning... an upgrade to memorization. The challenge is to actually find ways to internalize the information. Right now, for work, I'm reading SDLC 3.0. For now, the information is just that... information. If I'm really going to learn and absorb it, I'm probably going to need to read the book a second time and interact with the information, by taking notes, looking up related information on the internet, etc.
Now, let's think about Bible memorization. We talked about it tonight at youth group. Memorizing scripture is a familiar activity among many Christians. We looked at Matthew 4, where Jesus quoted scripture to respond to the 3 temptations from Satan. I'm thinking that Jesus didn't quote scripture because he had it memorized. He quoted it because it was part of his fabric; who he was... after all John refers to him as The Word.
Don't get me wrong. There is probably a place for memorizing scripture. Being able to quote a verse when a friend is struggling and having a verse come to mind when you're faced with temptation are a few reasons that come to mind. But the challenge for Christians really is to internalize the information... make the word of God part of our fabric. How do we do this? Like in my SDLC 3.0 example, it probably involves reading it twice (or more) and then interacting with it by taking notes, looking up related information on the internet, etc. I think that's what Psalm 119:11 is talking about.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Rather, I prefer to find ways to internalize the information... a deeper learning... an upgrade to memorization. The challenge is to actually find ways to internalize the information. Right now, for work, I'm reading SDLC 3.0. For now, the information is just that... information. If I'm really going to learn and absorb it, I'm probably going to need to read the book a second time and interact with the information, by taking notes, looking up related information on the internet, etc.
Now, let's think about Bible memorization. We talked about it tonight at youth group. Memorizing scripture is a familiar activity among many Christians. We looked at Matthew 4, where Jesus quoted scripture to respond to the 3 temptations from Satan. I'm thinking that Jesus didn't quote scripture because he had it memorized. He quoted it because it was part of his fabric; who he was... after all John refers to him as The Word.
Don't get me wrong. There is probably a place for memorizing scripture. Being able to quote a verse when a friend is struggling and having a verse come to mind when you're faced with temptation are a few reasons that come to mind. But the challenge for Christians really is to internalize the information... make the word of God part of our fabric. How do we do this? Like in my SDLC 3.0 example, it probably involves reading it twice (or more) and then interacting with it by taking notes, looking up related information on the internet, etc. I think that's what Psalm 119:11 is talking about.
Psalm 119:11 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Destination Unknown
So in 3 days 15 crazy adults and I will be heading off to some place fun with 54 junior high students. The intention is that the students don't know where we're going. Unfortunately, some do. I hope they don't spoil the fun for those who don't know the destination.
So my question is: "How can we pull this off next year without the students finding out?" We do a pretty good job of keeping the secret. But eventually we have to hold a parents' meeting and tell them where we're going. We ask them not to tell their kids, but some do... and they tell 2 friends... and so on... and so on.
Would you like me to tell you where we're going? OK. I'll tell you the same thing I've been telling the students. I'm taking all their money and going to Hawaii, while they camp out in my back yard.
We leave April 1. Maybe the 16 leaders are the April fools... fools for Jesus!
So my question is: "How can we pull this off next year without the students finding out?" We do a pretty good job of keeping the secret. But eventually we have to hold a parents' meeting and tell them where we're going. We ask them not to tell their kids, but some do... and they tell 2 friends... and so on... and so on.
Would you like me to tell you where we're going? OK. I'll tell you the same thing I've been telling the students. I'm taking all their money and going to Hawaii, while they camp out in my back yard.
We leave April 1. Maybe the 16 leaders are the April fools... fools for Jesus!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
O I A
Tonight, we started doing a new family Bible study together. I'm teaching them the O I A method of Bible study; Observe, Interpret, Apply.
Observe - for this, we read a passage and write down the things that the passage clearly says. We only write it down if it is there in the text. Nothing else gets written down.
Interpret - for this, we talk about what we observed and what it could mean. Some of our interpretations can be wrong... we're supposed to be talking about what the observations "could" mean. Then we pare down that list and write down the things that seem like our observations do mean.
Application - for this, we look at our interpretations and ask, "What could this mean for me?" or "How can I apply this in my life?"
We practiced this method tonight on the passage John 1:1-18. It made for a very good lesson for us all and it was a very good passage to learn and practice the O I A Bible study method.
TIA (That Is All)
Observe - for this, we read a passage and write down the things that the passage clearly says. We only write it down if it is there in the text. Nothing else gets written down.
Interpret - for this, we talk about what we observed and what it could mean. Some of our interpretations can be wrong... we're supposed to be talking about what the observations "could" mean. Then we pare down that list and write down the things that seem like our observations do mean.
Application - for this, we look at our interpretations and ask, "What could this mean for me?" or "How can I apply this in my life?"
We practiced this method tonight on the passage John 1:1-18. It made for a very good lesson for us all and it was a very good passage to learn and practice the O I A Bible study method.
TIA (That Is All)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Slum Lord Millionairre
I know several people who own rental properties. Last year, I watched one friend buy his first property and rent it out in what seemed like an effortless endeavor. I've wanted to get into rental incomes, but have been reluctant because I don't really want the overhead property management / repair duties. Two guys that I work with own rentals (one guy is the one who started last year). Both guys seem to be able to have and rent these properties without the overhead being as much as I fear. (by the way, nobody I know is a slum lord, nor would I be).
So do I do it? Do we jump in? Are there better ways to invest for our future? What's the best way to go about this? I think I'll start at the beginning. We'll spend this year working on getting our finances in really good shape so that we can take next year's tax return and bonus and make our investment. Then we'll spend the time between now and then praying for guidance on what investment we should make. Maybe we'll invest in rental properties. Maybe something else... like a cheesecake making business.
Anyone got a few grand they want to give us?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Fallen Timber
Fallen Timber is the name of the company of my first real job. I was a dishwasher in the kitchen in the clubhouse of a local golf course. That golf course is now called Quicksilver.
My first job is not really the subject of this blog post. You know the old question, "If a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound?" Well, that's sort of what I'm wondering with this blog. If a guy writes a blog that nobody reads, does it make a difference?
I may never know the answer to that question. But, for now, I'm going to keep on writing. Maybe some day, someone will stumble across this blog and read a post that makes them laugh just when they needed to laugh. Maybe I'll write something serious that helps someone through a tough time. Maybe, if i keep writing, I'll find my blogging niche and springboard into world wide acclaim as blogger extraordinaire. Or maybe not.
I'm having fun writing my random thoughts. As long as I continue to have fun, I'll continue to write. Even if some days I don't know what to say... like today.
Like mother used to say, "If you don't know what to say, write a blog."
My first job is not really the subject of this blog post. You know the old question, "If a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound?" Well, that's sort of what I'm wondering with this blog. If a guy writes a blog that nobody reads, does it make a difference?
I may never know the answer to that question. But, for now, I'm going to keep on writing. Maybe some day, someone will stumble across this blog and read a post that makes them laugh just when they needed to laugh. Maybe I'll write something serious that helps someone through a tough time. Maybe, if i keep writing, I'll find my blogging niche and springboard into world wide acclaim as blogger extraordinaire. Or maybe not.
I'm having fun writing my random thoughts. As long as I continue to have fun, I'll continue to write. Even if some days I don't know what to say... like today.
Like mother used to say, "If you don't know what to say, write a blog."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I'm Two Tired... or Four
The one thing that I like least about vehicles is buying tires. Why do they have to be so stinking expensive... and you can't buy just one? And don't get me started about all the add-on fees.
Well my inspection is due next month and I am sure that I must replace at least 2 of the tires. The rear tires on my truck won't pass inspection. The front tires have some life in them yet. What should I do? Do I buy 2 tires. If I only buy 2, do I match the brand/tire for the other 2? Do I put them on the front and move the older ones to the rear or do I put the new ones on the rear? Or do I buy an entire set of 4 new tires?
I sure wish I understood tire science. Thankfully, my boss's husband's family owns a tire store/garage. Looks like I need to start planning a trip out to Smiley's Tires in Aliquippa.
Anyone got an extra grand sitting around?
Don't tread on me.
Well my inspection is due next month and I am sure that I must replace at least 2 of the tires. The rear tires on my truck won't pass inspection. The front tires have some life in them yet. What should I do? Do I buy 2 tires. If I only buy 2, do I match the brand/tire for the other 2? Do I put them on the front and move the older ones to the rear or do I put the new ones on the rear? Or do I buy an entire set of 4 new tires?
I sure wish I understood tire science. Thankfully, my boss's husband's family owns a tire store/garage. Looks like I need to start planning a trip out to Smiley's Tires in Aliquippa.
Anyone got an extra grand sitting around?
Don't tread on me.
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