Click This!

Ever wonder what the oldest joke in the book really is?

Is this a Flock of Birds or School of Fish?

10 Astonishing Landscapes

Want to search 121,617,892,992 web pages? Cuil. (Cool)

If anyone is looking to shop for early an Christmas present for me...

Why wait till you're in a crisis? Some of these Mid-Life Crisis saving trips sound pretty awesome right now!

18 kids in 23 years. WOW.

AND without further ado..... YouTube of The Week!

WEEKEND UPDATE

FRIDAY

Friday night, Dani and I got to take some more engagement pictures. Just our style too, it wasn't all posed and staged in a studio. It was just us on the beach playing around and having fun, we were lucky enough to have our friend Rick take the pics, and Maid of Honor, Donna to hold all of our stuff. Will definetely post pics asap. Then we took Rick out to Sonny's Pizza and Pasta for his inaugural Sonny's experience, and we were all more than satisfied with our post-pic session meals.

SATURDAY

Dani and I joined a few close friends and about 15 thousand of our fellow OCers at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. It was a beautiful day with warm water and pretty nice waves, a great day to sit on the beach in my new Costco Beach Chair and watch surfing and hoopla.

SUNDAY

5:30am Sunday, Dani, Seth, Mike, and I drove up to Big Bear Lake for the California Multisport Triathlon. It was a 6 mile trail run, 15 mile mountain bike ride, and a 5 mile lake paddle. We decided to go relay style instead of solo, and were able to come in with an overall time of 4:36:20. It was alot of fun, and a beautiful day up in the mountains (which made Dani and really want to go camping). Here's some pics that our wonderful support staff snapped:

We all resolved to get serious about training and go it solo next year!

Photography Phriday

This is fun, you should try it.

Here's how you do it-
a. type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search.
b. using only the first page, pick an image
c. copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The questions-
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. Dream Vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you?
12. Favorite Animal?

Click This!

If you thought baby names Apple and Pilot Inspektor were bad, what about Number 16 Bus Shelter or Violence?

Great idea, in case you ever forget your spoon, or don't want to pack one.

Don't like people touching your feet? Let fish do it!

Someone's been taking terminator tips from Arnold.

Here's some great pics of the architecture Bejing has created for the Olympic Games.

Guys, are you tired of jingling bulky pockets? Condense!

NEW ADDITION TO CLICK THIS! - FAVORITE YOU TUBE OF THE WEEK!

This is a true story. I recommend muting the music, it makes it a little cheesy.

Word.

We wrapped up our study of Acts in small group last night, covering the last two chapters. These were a great couple chapters about Paul weathering a storm and getting shipwrecked and finally making it to Rome. It is a bit of an anticlimactic end to the great story of Acts, as it concludes with Paul proclaiming the kingdom of God "with all boldness and without hindrance!" But then again, I'm not sure how else I would have it end. It gives hope of things to come.

I asked the group what lesson or application they pulled out of the last two chapters and it was interesting because everyone had a different answer. The thing that I learned was that God will allow for things to happen and cause situations to occur in order to conform to his plan. As Paul later writes in Ephesians 1:11-12:

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of
him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in
order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the
praise of his glory.

God had a plan that he had revealed to Paul for him go to Rome to teach of Jesus and proclaim the gospel. Paul gets there but takes a most unlikely route. He is taken prisoner, has to appeal to Caesar in order to avoid getting tried by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. He is placed on a grain boat with other prisoners set to sail during the winter when it was not safe to sail. They go through a storm so intense that all the men on board lose hope of surviving and go without food for 14 days. They shipwreck on the island of Malta, the guards normally would kill the prisoners to keep them from escaping in the event of shipwreck, but they spare their lives. They winter on Malta where the islanders take unusually good care of them. Next spring, they board a new boat that finally takes them to Rome. An unbelievably circuitous route that only God could make happen in order to fulfill his plan of Paul going to the metropolis of Rome to tell about Jesus.

WEEKEND UPDATE

FRIDAY

Dani and I went to the movies, decided not to fight with the Dark Night crowds and save that for later. We debeated long and hard over whether to see Hancock or WallE. Well turns out the movie times decided for us after all and we saw WallE. It was pretty good, probably the least talking I've ever seen in a movie, save Disney's Fantasia. But it was impressive to see a story told with so few words. The graphics were also very impressive, they were the most real animated robots with feelings I've ever seen.

SATURDAY


FUEL had our 2nd Annual Beach Decathlon in Huntington, good times were had by all, and rope burns as well. We competed in events such as tug of war, lifegaurd races, and buried treasure. But perhaps the most fun was the all out water balloon war at the end. No rules just peg people as hard as you can with water balloons. Later, Dani and I started putting our registry together. I was very confused and overwhelmed by this whole process. But Dani was very sure of what needed to happen so that's probably good. Because if it were up to me we might just end up with a bunch of gadgets and tools and stuff, and not be able to cook any food or have anywhere to sit.



SUNDAY


Dani and I got to go Kayaking first thing on Sunday morning, it was so peaceful and tranquil, we loved it. Then we spent the rest of the day at the San Clemente Ocean Festival. This was great fun, and it wasn't too uncomforably overcrowded. But they had games, races, sand sculpture contests, art, and old woodie cars on the pier. It was great eye candy, and I mean good eye candy, not the bad-rot-your-eyes kind of eye candy. I'll post some of my pics later.

Sunday night we went to chuch at Rock Harbor at the Shark Club, for the LAST TIME! We were sad to find out that last night was the last time they would be having a night service at the Shark Club that Dani and I were fond of attending because of the intimate envoirnment, great worship, and a personable pastor. But its kind of exciting at the same time, because now we have other oppurtunities to explore.

Photography Phriday

These are some pics I took of where I live.

...out west.

Click This!

For your entertainment and time-wasting pleasure:


Tired of the same old wonders of the world? Here's some cool pics of the Eight New Natural Wonders of the World

This might actually help you save time with shortcuts!

Budweiser, the next Coca-Cola? InBev takes it global for $52 Billion!

Ever wonder what to do with free time in the Chech Republic? (Check out the video)

Hoping to get some Dog while in China for the games? Too bad.

VP Romney?

A friendly reminder to always set your parking brake.

Gear heads, check out this modern version of leaving bread crumbs.

Never complain about being crowded again.

Word.

This week in small group we went through Acts 24-26 which covers Paul's trail and defense to Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa. I learned a couple things from these passages.

Felix was known as being a bit of tyrant, killing any insurections, and he stole his wife from another man. Soon after Paul began his defense to Felix, Felix cuts him off and says, we will have to postpone the trial. This seems odd as the trial had only just begun, but when Paul begins talking about how he strives to live a life of good conscience between God and man, and stating exactly what he is really on trial for here (the resurection of the dead), Felix cuts him off. Why would he do this? Perhaps it was because it hit Felix a little close to home, it was a little to personal. I realized that this happens alot when you begin to make things personal when talking to people about Jesus and the church. Many people are willing to jump on the 'debate train' about the doctrine or principles of the gospel, but when it gets personal they get off. And I think all to often we stop there, feeling good that at least we opened the door, and had that conversation with them. And that's true! And good! But here's what I learned, its important not to stop there, and to continue to have conversations, because when the gospel gets personal that is where it becomes most effective. That is when it changes lives! And that is what is motivating to me about sharing it in the first place.

The other thing I learned was in Paul's defense to King Agrippa in Ch 26. Paul very clearly lays out his testimony of how he has lived his life, how he came to know Jesus, and how his life has been changed after that. He has main bullet points of each section, a resume of his story, if you will. This made me realize that I need to be more thorough and deliberate about knowing and telling my story, the whole story, and how my life has been changed. Because that is the whole point of telling your story, to connect with people, and hopefully draw them toward Jesus.

WEEKEND UPDATE

FRIDAY

We went over to the Do's (Holli and Huy) to hang out and have a meal. Huy prepared (warmed up) a delicious Costco TriTip, and some other delicious sides. We ate out on the lawn in the back on blankets, i noticed the ground was quite moist, but nobody else was saying anything so I just went with it. When I got up I realized the entire butt of my shorts was soaked. I asked if nobody else felt wet, apparently I was just sitting in a puddle. After dinner we discovered Christina's and my new favorite game.... SINGING BEE with Joey Fatone. Its exactly what you would expect super cheesy and super fun. Can't wait to have another shot at the "most coveted trophy in the world".



SATURDAY


Dani and I went to the Beach with her mom, just a pretty relaxing day. Then we went to Sabatino's Sausage Company in Newport for Dinner with Dani's parents and extended family. It was another delicious meal, I had the salmon and half of Dani's GIANT sausage stuffed pepper. They make their own sausage there and it is amazing. It was good food and good times, everyone was glad to welcome me to their family, and all the antics that come with them.

SUNDAY

I spent most of the day training for the triathlon I have coming up in TWO WEEKS! I kayaked, biked, and ran. Dani and I had our Relationship class which was all about Money and Finances. And it got me excited about retiring...er I mean saving. Then we ate at Taco Mesa in Costa Mesa, great little hole in the wall, delicious. You Orange Countians should try it! Thanks for the tip Phirsten.

All in all, a pretty chill weekend for us.

Photography Phriday

Here's a few pics I took:

Click This!

Here's some things I found interesting or wasted some time....


Prime Minister Gordon Brown's plan to deal with rising food prices, clean your plate.

Rescue Football - Fun and Life-saving!

If you haven't checked out Google Street View , you should. Here's someone who tried to show off for the camera.

Apparently, your writing muscles are big calorie burners.

Big Brother's actually lookin out for us, trying to keep ISPs from spying on us.

I've heard of Flying Fish, but this is getting ridiculous.

How fast can you type? This is fun. I netted 62 wpm with 98% accuracy.

WARNING! This game is extremely addicting, and mind numbing.

The latest X-Game - Volcano Surfing

Word.

In my small group we've been going through and studying the book of Acts. We're almost done now, only a few chapters left. Its been a great study. I always thought of Acts as just the story of what happened after the resurection, and the beginning of the church, but I've been amazed week after week at what God shows us through chapter after chapter. Something different and very relevant to our lives every week.

Here's what I learned this week, going through Acts 22:22 - 23:35.

God is at work in our lives, and Jesus is at work in His Church. I think it is very easy to fall into "I" thinking. Look what I did. I am so good. I am so proud of myself. Look how far I've come. The letter from the centurion Claudius Lysias in chapter 23 shows us how it is human nature to make yourself look good, tell how great you are, and what a great job you did.

But we need to remember that we are not doing or causing the good things in our life. We screw things up, depravity is our nature, but God is working in our lives to make us better and to draw us back to Him.

I have to remember to humble myself and give God the praise for the people and things in my life. My family, friends, and fiance are all from God actively working in my life and the life I lead is actually not lead by me at all. Instead of leading my life, I just need to follow Jesus.

New Approach

I've wanted to get back into blogging for a while now, but I haven't really known how to approach it. I had the thought to make a nod to (aka steal his idea) my old friend Ryan Inlow's (now defunct) blog. He had a great style that I liked where he had themed days. I'm not sure I can be as consisitent as Ryan was, but I think I'll give it a go...

...stay tuned.

Weekend Update

---WEEKEND UPDATE---

Friends and coworkers alike are often surpised by the things I do on the weekends. I'm not sure exactly why, I mean, I am busy and do a lot, but I'm just having fun. So I think I'll try and do a weekend update blog to give a report of the goings on of the weekend for me.

----------------------------

This weekend was a great one, 4 days long! Dani had Monday off, so I took it off too. I did have to work saturday and sunday mornings for a few hours, but you don't mind it as much when you have a 4 day weekend.

- THURSDAY -

Dani and I drove down to Phil's parents house in San Diego (Ramona to be exact). We played a fun game called In a Pickle, which was surprisingly alot of fun. I recomend it. You've got to have good persuasive skills to win this one.

- FRIDAY -

We drove in to Julian to spend the day there, but when we arrived we were surprised to find that the town was closed! More or less. They had all the streets into town blocked off, b/c the local Independance day parade was there. Most of the town was closed due to the parade so we had no choice but to partake, but it was pretty entertaining seeing the fake fights and shootouts and the football team riding in the back of a dumptruck.

- SATURDAY -

Worked in the morning, then Dani and I spent some time at the beach, crowded as it was, it was still nice. Then we went out with Scamy, our affectionate couple name for Scott and Amy. Scott took us to my new favorite restaurant, called The Hat. They put pastrami on everything.... and lots of it. So, good, can't wait to go back. Thank you Scott. Then we saw Get Smart. It was really funny, and not a bad movie, plot and acting wise. Two thumbs up.

- SUNDAY -

Dani's parent's came to town, for the next two weeks, while Dennis takes a class at Biola. We spend midday with them, showing them the wedding site and such. Nice to see them, they bought us lunch and called it our second engagment party.

I went for a long run with Mike to train for the Triathlon I have coming up in LESS THAN A MONTH!

After our Preparing for Marraige class, Dani and I went to church at Rock Harbor at the Shark Club, and loved every minute of it. They just started a new series on the sermon on the mount, should be interesting.

- MONDAY -

Monday, was amazing. Off-Road.com was closed on Monday as well, so Dani had the day off. So I took the day off so that we could have a whole day to relax. It was great, we just went down to San Onofre State Beach, hoping that hitting it on a Monday would cut down on the crowds. It was great, lots of surfers, but the beaches were pretty clear. The water was a few degrees warmer because of the power plant. We finally got to take out the surfboard. I got in some good paddling practice at least. Dani seems like she'll be a natural surfer. It was an amazing day just to sit, play, and enjoy what God created.