Christmas come Christmas go

Well, what did you find under the tree?  My kids got enough money from all the different folks who gave them money to buy a WII.  If I'd known these things were so much fun I would have had one a long time back.  Right now we just have the basic sports game that comes with it.  But I've found I'm pretty good at Boxing, but I stink at bowling.  Not surprising, 'cause I'm not that good at bowling.  My only complaint is that it seems the game doesn't quite keep up with the remote, and the golf game seems off a little.  But, it's just a game.


I decided to buy a window mount for my DROID, which I'll probably put on tomorrow afternoon.

Jingle Bells, to you too buddy!

Hehehehe.  I couldn't help it.  I'm not exactly a Jingle Bells kinda guy.

Well, Christmas time has rolled around on us once again.  You know, I'm not nearly as big a fan of Christmas since I've had to start paying for it.  However, I have been the Beneficiary of a wonderful surprise.

Seeking and Getting Help

Ok, I've talked about the Keys to Prayer, the Foundations to prayer and all that kind of thing.  Well, this isn't exactly in that line or series of thoughts, but kind of related.  I've had to both provide and seek help while building / remodeling houses, Concrete forming, plumbing, Dry walling, Working on Cars, and Working on Computers (both hardware and Software).  I'm not good at the dry wall part at all, I think it's the one area I'm pretty safe from ever having to provide too much help.  :-D  The process for figuring out a problem on Computers, Cars, and Construction is pretty much the same.  You start at the beginning and keep asking questions, checking the process and getting answers until you find the part not right.  Sometimes in this process, especially with Computers, you have to seek help elsewhere. 

Spiritual Endeavors Part 2b - Foundations of prayer

We've covered the keys to prayer, so now we're going to cover the foundations of prayer, and yea even later the attitudes of prayer. (You know like thankfulness, etc.) Foundations are that upon which all the other things are built. I used to be in construction, building and remodeling homes, and even spent some time, concrete forming. They all start the same, first you dig down to rock, preferably bedrock, then, you form up "footers". Footers are either pillars of concrete, or the base layer of cinder blocks filled with concrete. Either way, its the main part of the foundation upon which you build the whole house. These truths from God's Word are the principles upon which all of praying hangs. Now, the keys we covered first because the person who cares about getting it right will cover these practically without even thinking!  When your heart wants to be with God, you'll get these right.

Google - Chrome - Chromium OS or whatever its gonna be called

Well, Google has decided to get into the OS market.  I like Google well enough, I use their products, email, blogger, contacts, even Android now.  I don't use all their products, mainly because they're not nearly as "Open Source Friendly" as this OS might make them appear.  Granted most of what they're doing may be due to market, and their desire to penitrate and get visibility.

Anyway.  I have read the reviews, seen the screen shots, and I think I have a pretty good understanding of what their doing, I just don't think it's worth it.  What, you say?

Spiritual Endeavors Part 2a - Keys to Prayer

We've covered the need for Spiritual Disciplines, even though it was somewhat brief.
This entry will cover prayer.
This is the most basic, and generally is the first discipline practiced by a new believer. Prayer is the enigma of the ages for new believers because its represented in Scripture so many ways. It can be simple, such as the publican's "Lord be merciful to me a sinner" prayer, or it can be long and involved like one of Solomon's prayer. You can stand looking toward Heaven, or lie completely flat (prostrate) upon the ground. There are examples of those on their knees, sitting, laying prostrate, and standing. There are examples of short and long, simple and complicated, and nearly everything in between. I cover this because there are some who worry about their posture more than they worry about their attitude, or spiritual condition in prayer. Some, just starting out, are concerned because they "want to get it right," which is commendable. There are some keys to praying, and none of them have to do with how your body is situated, or which way you are looking. I believe those things will come in time, but for the new believer, or for the person who is trying to renew their walk with Christ there are issues that are far more important, and I hope to cover those briefly.

Upward Flag Football

Michael, my son, has now played two seasons of flag football.  I really like the layout, and mission of the way they do things.  Of course, it's flag football, so, there's no tackling.  This is what the wife likes best.  Michael has already broken his collar bone twice, so needless to say, she's a little concerned.  However, with Upward every player is guaranteed to play, and to play every spot.  Officially they don't keep score, which works well with the idea that its not about winning or losing but how you play the game.  Eventually he will move on to what he calls, "real football", but these first two years gave him a clue anyway.

The games are fun to watch, and get occasionally competitive.   The boys keep score, even though they're really not supposed to.  funny.  I have helped out a few times this year carrying the down marker.  My problem with that is I'm too busy rooting for my son, or watching the game to keep up with it.  As always there are questionable calls but the refs overall do a good job, considering they're not pros by any means. 

Hats off to First Baptist Church in Fairview, TN, for hosting this opportunity.  Now, we have to gear up for the real deal.  I'm just not sure how well Michael will take to being hit.

Oh, well, enough for now,
See ya'

DROID phone and Other New Tech

Wow it has been a long time since I've done this. Got distracted by a few things. Trying to get back on to new and exciting technology.

First up is the new DRIOD phones, well to be more accurate "Android" based phones. I like 'em so much I ordered myself the Verizon version. They have at least 2, the DROID, and the DROID eris. They have some really cool, and fun apps, like the screen fogger. You start the app and it makes the screen look like it's fogged over. Then you draw on the screen with your finger, you know, like you used to do the storm door or the car windows in the winter when you were a kid. To make the screen "re-fog" you blow in the microphone. Yea, I know stupid, but it's kinda funny. There's a "shotgun" app that simulates using a pump action Shotgun. Then there's a barcode reader app. This thing will read the barcode of a product and then search for prices! COOL! no more wondering if this or that store has the best price when you run up on something in a mall! Those who like to shop will like that one. Google maps, and various other apps I never got to play with. My only bone to pick with Verizon is that they undercut their brick and mortar stores with the instant online rebate if you go to Verizon.com. I think they should let the stores do that as well, 'cause if they did I'd already have mine. I've had bad experiences filling out rebate forms and mailing them in, so I don't do that crap any more. Anyway, more on that when it comes.

Bike Almost a year old

It's been a long time between posts. I don't think anyone is reading this thing anyway.
Well, I'm nearly 2 months shy of the Bandit's 1 year Anniversary, but I've got 8669 miles on her already. I'm really enjoying ridding it. I've taken some much better Pictures because I helped my daughter buy a digital camera, a real one that is. hehehe.

Here 'tis after a good washing, and chain lubing. I was thinking today, "Man, I should have gotten a shaft drive bike". But, I like my Bandit. I'm not sure I blogged about the wife and I going to the Patriot Guard Rider's Tennessee Gathering of the Guard. That was fun. got to go on about 3 missions during that get together. Anyway, the bike holds its own fully loaded with me, the wife, and enough clothes and accessories for 2 days.
You'll note the Pilot Road 2's on the bike, they are fine tires. From what I remember I have about 4500+ miles on them and they're only about half done.