Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
LOL of the week?
Looks like Smokey the Bear is tired of warning people and is now taking matters into his own paws!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Random Thoughts from a private #2 location
While LOL of the week could become a regular series, I hate posting two videos in a row. So here's an update.
Updated. Now on to the video. Just kidding.
- I spent the majority of yesterday hanging out by the phone. One of the guys at work who normally works 3rd shift has been calling in a lot and he was scheduled for last night. If he called in again I was "on alert 5" ready to launch and fill in if needed. I was certain they would call me 15 minutes after the shift began. At 10:30 I breathed a cautious sigh of relief and then proceeded to enjoy hangout time with Erik who happened to come home. I figure worse case scenario he called in and someone forgot that I was on stand-by.
- My dad and I ate at Wendy's last night. Our family doesn't really "eat out" much so even a small trip like that is fun. We usually get it and eat at home. All of that is really irrelevant to what this point is about. We had a neat talk last night. We somehow got on the subject of communion. When you think about it the five minutes we take for it in Church is really a terrible distortion of what it originally was. There's a lot to what Jesus did there, and just taking shot-size versions of the emblems he specifically used takes away some of the meaning of what he was getting at. Never mind the fact that it was a Passover meal where this was first implemented. How did we get to the point where the Church only rarely shares a meal together? That wasn't solely what my dad was getting at during our talk though. He thinks the Church lost a lot of heritage and dates it all the way back to Nicea when they moved away from a lot of the Jewish customs. There's a lot of neat stuff we could study and learn from it. Even non-Jewish traditions like the Lenton season can be beneficial. My dad's pastor printed out a Lent devotional reading guide. He printed out an extra copy for me and I plan to enjoy it thoroughly.
- Video Games: Two sub-points
- Rome: Total War. Conquering the ancient world, one province at a time. My mighty armies suffered their first humiliating defeat at the hands of Pontus. My army was archer heavy and their chariots made short work of me. While they attacked me initially, my counter-attack is where the defeat happened. I underestimated their military, mostly the numbers they had. They will know Roman ways, it just might take longer than expected. This does provide a unique opportunity for young and upcoming Julii Generals to prove their valor.
- Left 4 Dead: What would you do if the zombie apocalypse suddenly happened? That's basically the concept of this amazing game. The zombie apocalypse just happened. You don't know how or why, you just know you are trying to survive it. There are four of you to be specific. Teamwork, a cool head and cooperation will be your best friends here. Absolutely love it.
Well I need to get. Much to do and as always less time to do it. Have a good weekend.
Updated. Now on to the video. Just kidding.
- I spent the majority of yesterday hanging out by the phone. One of the guys at work who normally works 3rd shift has been calling in a lot and he was scheduled for last night. If he called in again I was "on alert 5" ready to launch and fill in if needed. I was certain they would call me 15 minutes after the shift began. At 10:30 I breathed a cautious sigh of relief and then proceeded to enjoy hangout time with Erik who happened to come home. I figure worse case scenario he called in and someone forgot that I was on stand-by.
- My dad and I ate at Wendy's last night. Our family doesn't really "eat out" much so even a small trip like that is fun. We usually get it and eat at home. All of that is really irrelevant to what this point is about. We had a neat talk last night. We somehow got on the subject of communion. When you think about it the five minutes we take for it in Church is really a terrible distortion of what it originally was. There's a lot to what Jesus did there, and just taking shot-size versions of the emblems he specifically used takes away some of the meaning of what he was getting at. Never mind the fact that it was a Passover meal where this was first implemented. How did we get to the point where the Church only rarely shares a meal together? That wasn't solely what my dad was getting at during our talk though. He thinks the Church lost a lot of heritage and dates it all the way back to Nicea when they moved away from a lot of the Jewish customs. There's a lot of neat stuff we could study and learn from it. Even non-Jewish traditions like the Lenton season can be beneficial. My dad's pastor printed out a Lent devotional reading guide. He printed out an extra copy for me and I plan to enjoy it thoroughly.
- Video Games: Two sub-points
- Rome: Total War. Conquering the ancient world, one province at a time. My mighty armies suffered their first humiliating defeat at the hands of Pontus. My army was archer heavy and their chariots made short work of me. While they attacked me initially, my counter-attack is where the defeat happened. I underestimated their military, mostly the numbers they had. They will know Roman ways, it just might take longer than expected. This does provide a unique opportunity for young and upcoming Julii Generals to prove their valor.
- Left 4 Dead: What would you do if the zombie apocalypse suddenly happened? That's basically the concept of this amazing game. The zombie apocalypse just happened. You don't know how or why, you just know you are trying to survive it. There are four of you to be specific. Teamwork, a cool head and cooperation will be your best friends here. Absolutely love it.
Well I need to get. Much to do and as always less time to do it. Have a good weekend.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
James Pahl: The Movie....Soundtrack!
Copied from good friend Jon Hatter, here is the Original Motion Picture Sound Track to a movie about me. You're supposed to put iTunes on random...but I'm not sure how long that will last.
ScaBe Like This-Opening Credits: "The Four Seasons, Op 8/4 297, "Winter" - 3. Allegro" - Vivaldi (random)
-Waking Up: "Suddenly" by Zoe Girl (random)
-Falling In Love: “Vienna" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (random)
-Fight Scene: “A Fortune in Lies" by Dream Theater (I had to choose, after 8 random clicks nothing good was coming)
-Breaking Up: “Top of the World" by Van Halen (LOL! Random)
-Make Up: “The Gestahl Empire" by Nobuo Uematsu (LOL! Random again, this is from the Final Fantasy VI soundtrack, clearly indicating this relationship isn't good for our hero)
-Secret Love: “Qing Feng Shu" - Chinese Orchestra...Chinese Classical Percussion (LOL AGAIN! Had to hit Random a couple times...this would depict the moment of secret passion...next time you see me ask to hear it)
-Life’s OK: “Heaven" By the O.C. Supertones (random)
-Mental Breakdown: “The Killing Hand" by Dream Theater (random)
-Driving Scene: “The Mirror" by Dream Theater (random)
-Flashback: “Many Meetings" by Howard Shore (Fellowship of the Ring Soundtrack, Random)
-Happy Dance: “Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus" by Handel (I wish I could say I picked that, random)
-Regretting: “Never Let Go" by David Crowder Band (random)
-Long Night Alone: “When It's Love" by Van Halen (random, 3rd song)
-Final Battle: “Crazy Train" by Ozzy Ozbourne (random)
-Death Scene: “Orchestral Suite #2 in B Minor, BWV 1067 - Sarabande" by Bach (several random clicks)
-Final Ending: “This Dying Soul" by Dream Theater (random)
-End Credits: “Aria Di Mezzo Carattere" by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy VI scene, this is the Opera song Celes sings. Random choice.)
Well there you have it. I kept it random better than I thought I would. Here are my awards for my soundtrack:
Funniest Random Choice: Making Up
- Honorable Mention: Happy Dance
Most fitting - Secret Love
- Honorable Mention: Flashback
What do you think?
ScaBe Like This-Opening Credits: "The Four Seasons, Op 8/4 297, "Winter" - 3. Allegro" - Vivaldi (random)
-Waking Up: "Suddenly" by Zoe Girl (random)
-Falling In Love: “Vienna" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (random)
-Fight Scene: “A Fortune in Lies" by Dream Theater (I had to choose, after 8 random clicks nothing good was coming)
-Breaking Up: “Top of the World" by Van Halen (LOL! Random)
-Make Up: “The Gestahl Empire" by Nobuo Uematsu (LOL! Random again, this is from the Final Fantasy VI soundtrack, clearly indicating this relationship isn't good for our hero)
-Secret Love: “Qing Feng Shu" - Chinese Orchestra...Chinese Classical Percussion (LOL AGAIN! Had to hit Random a couple times...this would depict the moment of secret passion...next time you see me ask to hear it)
-Life’s OK: “Heaven" By the O.C. Supertones (random)
-Mental Breakdown: “The Killing Hand" by Dream Theater (random)
-Driving Scene: “The Mirror" by Dream Theater (random)
-Flashback: “Many Meetings" by Howard Shore (Fellowship of the Ring Soundtrack, Random)
-Happy Dance: “Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus" by Handel (I wish I could say I picked that, random)
-Regretting: “Never Let Go" by David Crowder Band (random)
-Long Night Alone: “When It's Love" by Van Halen (random, 3rd song)
-Final Battle: “Crazy Train" by Ozzy Ozbourne (random)
-Death Scene: “Orchestral Suite #2 in B Minor, BWV 1067 - Sarabande" by Bach (several random clicks)
-Final Ending: “This Dying Soul" by Dream Theater (random)
-End Credits: “Aria Di Mezzo Carattere" by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy VI scene, this is the Opera song Celes sings. Random choice.)
Well there you have it. I kept it random better than I thought I would. Here are my awards for my soundtrack:
Funniest Random Choice: Making Up
- Honorable Mention: Happy Dance
Most fitting - Secret Love
- Honorable Mention: Flashback
What do you think?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Am I wrong in doing this?
Today gets a rare double-feature as I would like to convey a story. The story is true, but the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Jack is an aspiring Youth Minister. He believes he has a specific calling and has spent his life pursuing that calling.
3 months ago Jack applied at Church A. Church A posted a youth ministry opening and Jack thought it looked like something right up his avenue.
Jack was excited when he received an E-Mail from the head of the search committee. The E-Mail told him to expect to be contacted during the 2nd week of November. That contact never came.
Jack wrote the person he expected contact from twice during the month of November. No responses came. During the month of December, Jack went to Church A's website and dialed the phone number he found on it. He left a voice mail on the answering machine.
December came and went without a response. Finally in January, Jack E-Mailed the senior minister of Church A, exactly 3 months after he initially sent his resume. Two days later, Jack received a polite but brief E-Mail from the search committee head informing him the position had been filled.
Jack immediately wrote back. While accepting that God's will was obviously going in a different direction and thanking the head for the information, Jack inquired as to why he never received the contact he had been expecting.
Jack suspects he may not get an answer. Jack does not intend to pursue it any further, regardless of whether closure on this issue comes or not.
The moral of Jack's story? Jack doesn't really know, he just thought he'd blog the story.
Jack remains curious for the future. While he sees the fruit and worth of where he is at now, at the same time he knows it's not permanent.
"Jack" asks for prayer and patience as I continue to seek where God would have me serve. I know it's out there somewhere and I will keep searching for it, but I can't help but feel like an elder from Israel waiting to see the temple rebuilt. "How long will I wait?"
God's timing. The past, present and future are in his hands. My job is to be obedient in the now. And I will continue to attempt this to the best of my ability.
God Bless and good luck Church A.
-"Jack"
Jack is an aspiring Youth Minister. He believes he has a specific calling and has spent his life pursuing that calling.
3 months ago Jack applied at Church A. Church A posted a youth ministry opening and Jack thought it looked like something right up his avenue.
Jack was excited when he received an E-Mail from the head of the search committee. The E-Mail told him to expect to be contacted during the 2nd week of November. That contact never came.
Jack wrote the person he expected contact from twice during the month of November. No responses came. During the month of December, Jack went to Church A's website and dialed the phone number he found on it. He left a voice mail on the answering machine.
December came and went without a response. Finally in January, Jack E-Mailed the senior minister of Church A, exactly 3 months after he initially sent his resume. Two days later, Jack received a polite but brief E-Mail from the search committee head informing him the position had been filled.
Jack immediately wrote back. While accepting that God's will was obviously going in a different direction and thanking the head for the information, Jack inquired as to why he never received the contact he had been expecting.
Jack suspects he may not get an answer. Jack does not intend to pursue it any further, regardless of whether closure on this issue comes or not.
The moral of Jack's story? Jack doesn't really know, he just thought he'd blog the story.
Jack remains curious for the future. While he sees the fruit and worth of where he is at now, at the same time he knows it's not permanent.
"Jack" asks for prayer and patience as I continue to seek where God would have me serve. I know it's out there somewhere and I will keep searching for it, but I can't help but feel like an elder from Israel waiting to see the temple rebuilt. "How long will I wait?"
God's timing. The past, present and future are in his hands. My job is to be obedient in the now. And I will continue to attempt this to the best of my ability.
God Bless and good luck Church A.
-"Jack"
Wii want to play something good!
Time for a rant concerning the business of video games.
There is no doubting that Nintendo is a tremendous company. Premiering in 1978 with it's first hit Donkey Kong, the company has gone a long way. Super Mario is the most popular video game character in history, and his self-titled 8-bit Nintendo Game was the best selling video game of all time until this past Christmas.
Nintendo has been through some tough times. Rival Sega almost always had a competing system. Game Gear to match the Game Boy, Genesis to match the Super Nintendo, and so on. Sony released what is now known as the Playstation 1, which was a huge step because games were now on CD. Nintendo responded with the Nintendo '64, which retained the classic cartridge format for their games.
They have always met success in the face of stern opposition, but a lot of this success must be credited to a loyal base of fans who fell in love with the company's early franchises. Re-imaginings of these iconic characters in new and better games have long kept fans clamoring for more, and with each "epic" reinvention of a series the fans loyalty has always been rewarded. Metroid, The Legend of Zelda and even the children's smash hit Pokemon are great examples of this.
It is my belief that the fans carried Nintendo through "tough times." When the Gamecube came out to combat Sega's Dreamcast and Sony's PS2, it was clearly an inferior system. It could not match the capacity's of either competitor nor did it try to. Even the long-loved franchises previously mentioned went in new directions and this left a mixed taste in the mouths of savoring fans. Zelda went to cel-shade graphics which made the game look "cartoony" while Metroid became a 1st person shooter. Mario went from besting Bowser to polishing pollution.
For the most part the fans stayed with them though and they still enjoyed some unique and enjoyable games. The Gamecube is a very family-friendly system and as a result it found success in many younger homes.
Sega eventually left the console contest, only to be replaced by Microsoft's X-Box. That brings us almost up to today. While Microsoft and Sony began touting their new systems, the X-Box 360 and the PS3, Nintendo once again went in a completely different direction.
They announced the Wii.
It goes without saying the Wii has been revolutionary. Wii Sports replaced Super Mario as the all-time best selling game, while all the loyal fan favorites were once again reinvented in clever and amazing ways. Games like Mario Kart, Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Twilight Princess and Brawl are all examples of this.
Why do I bring all this up? Why do I type all this jargon that is no doubt incomprehensible to most? I will tell you why.
I have stood proudly and been a loyal Nintendo fan for most of my life. I've watched the company rise and fall, stumble and rise again. I've stood by their products and enjoyed many fun gaming experiences. I've watched Nintendo reclaim their position on top of the world concerning video game entertainment, and I've watched them gain a new audience as Wii's are still clamored up as fast as they can ship.
Nintendo's loyal fan base is no longer the target audience of the company. The casual person is their new target. As I look upon the release calendar for 2009 and itch to see what new products they will bring out I worry. The effort and the excellence Nintendo has always fought to deliver are no longer there. This company has constantly pushed the edge and found new ways to revolutionize how people spend recreation time. As I look to the future I don't see that drive. I don't see that passion to push for the future that has been so present throughout the company's history.
I worry Nintendo has forgotten their fans as they scamper about to satisfy this new and curious audience. And I fear that ultimately this would be their undoing, but the Wii keeps selling and their unchecked agenda goes forward. The stalwart fan forgotten, I wonder what to do...
Maybe it's times like this that wii (or at least I) need to remember there's only one worthy of such devout attention and admiration. Maybe if I could serve God with the same passion and zeal I could do much more for his Kingdom. Or maybe this unnecessarily long discourse is exactly what the first sentence said it was. And now I'm back to real life, where I continue to try and serve God each day.
Matthew 6: 19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
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