My dad sent us this for Christmas. A Texas fruitcake!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Weekend
Well, this weekend was spent mostly in bed with a sinus infection. I know you all have been waiting since Friday to read that...
Sunday I was not on my game (because of the sinusutis) and it showed during the service. I had to apologize to God. Here it is the community worship experience for everyone's week, and to me, it did not feel good enough. Thank God He is a God of relation, not performance.
On a positive note, I am in the championship game for our fantasy football league! There is a cash prize for the top three teams, so I will get a little bit of extra $$ to spend on all of you for Xmas. Yea!
Sunday I was not on my game (because of the sinusutis) and it showed during the service. I had to apologize to God. Here it is the community worship experience for everyone's week, and to me, it did not feel good enough. Thank God He is a God of relation, not performance.
On a positive note, I am in the championship game for our fantasy football league! There is a cash prize for the top three teams, so I will get a little bit of extra $$ to spend on all of you for Xmas. Yea!
Friday, December 17, 2004
Questioning my manhood...
Last night we had our good friends Jason and Ali over for dinner. Well, I had recently received some Omaha Steaks in the mail the other day from a church member - a Christmas or Thanksgiving present I guess. So B and I decided to cook these up for our dinner date with Jason and Ali (who are good looking people).
So, I don't have grill or anything, but I read that you could cook these steaks under the broilier in your oven. So they were thawed completely and defrosted, I had made some Perini Ranch Steakhouse Rub and massaged it into the top sirloins, and then put them into the oven and set the timer for 8 minutes.
After five minutes, I look into the oven and there are flames rising up from the steaks! I ask Bethany - is it okay that there are flames inside our oven? She said, "I don't know. I've never cooked steaks in the oven!" Then I tried to squirt the flames with some water (you know, to douse them) but the flames reared up even more, so I quit that.
I take the tray out of the oven and smoke starts going everywhere. We have all the windows open in the house, including the front and back doors. We start a little fan going to get some air circulation. Meanwhile, Jason called right at the moment I took out the pan to say they were on their way. Bethany had just dialed a phone number when I took out the steaks - and the smoke alarm starts beeping that loud horrendous sound. That person's answering machine is going to have a funny sounding message. Jason said later - that's what I heard in the background, isn't it.
I flipped the steaks over to the other side and put them back in the oven with the broiler on. This time the rack was lowered a notch so it wasn't so close to the broiler. I was thinking, "Okay, this should be alright. The rack is lower now." Five minutes later - more flames and smoke. I turned off the broiler, set the oven to 500 degrees, turned off the smoke detector (again) and let them cook a bit that way.
The crazy thing is that the steaks actually turned out really good and Jason and Ali were great! I am seriously questioning my manhood if I cannot cook steaks...
So, I don't have grill or anything, but I read that you could cook these steaks under the broilier in your oven. So they were thawed completely and defrosted, I had made some Perini Ranch Steakhouse Rub and massaged it into the top sirloins, and then put them into the oven and set the timer for 8 minutes.
After five minutes, I look into the oven and there are flames rising up from the steaks! I ask Bethany - is it okay that there are flames inside our oven? She said, "I don't know. I've never cooked steaks in the oven!" Then I tried to squirt the flames with some water (you know, to douse them) but the flames reared up even more, so I quit that.
I take the tray out of the oven and smoke starts going everywhere. We have all the windows open in the house, including the front and back doors. We start a little fan going to get some air circulation. Meanwhile, Jason called right at the moment I took out the pan to say they were on their way. Bethany had just dialed a phone number when I took out the steaks - and the smoke alarm starts beeping that loud horrendous sound. That person's answering machine is going to have a funny sounding message. Jason said later - that's what I heard in the background, isn't it.
I flipped the steaks over to the other side and put them back in the oven with the broiler on. This time the rack was lowered a notch so it wasn't so close to the broiler. I was thinking, "Okay, this should be alright. The rack is lower now." Five minutes later - more flames and smoke. I turned off the broiler, set the oven to 500 degrees, turned off the smoke detector (again) and let them cook a bit that way.
The crazy thing is that the steaks actually turned out really good and Jason and Ali were great! I am seriously questioning my manhood if I cannot cook steaks...
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Christmas Wishlist 2004 Update
This list is updated from last time with some clarifications and other thoughts.
The goal of this wish list is merely to inform others of what is on my mind for Christmas. They are simply ideas for people to see and I certainly am not expecting them across the board.
Gadgetry/Toys (things that are too expensive to get as gifts!)
iPod 20GB
BBQ grill
iMac G5 - Both Bethany and I work with Macs at school and church. Plus, I just think they look classy. We don't need one - it's just a wish!
Digital Camcorder- I have not done research on which ones are better than others, but it would be fun to do some video stuff with church. Here is PriceGrabber's site about them: here.
Digital Camera - looking to upgrade to something like a Canon Powershot A95, or a Sony Cybershot DSC-W1, or a Sony Cybershot DSC-T1, or to be insane: a Canon Digital Rebel EOS 300D SLR.
TiVo! Alias is on Wednesday nights now and I can't make it home in time from church!
Music
U2's new album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Robbie Seay's album Better Days
anything Jack Johnson
anything John Mayer
some good classical stuff (Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2)
Clothing
- some nice winter gloves like Isotoner
- new bath robe (I think I've had the same one since high school.)
- a cool new belt that would go well with everyday jeans
- a new baseball cap
- sports socks (the longest, up-to-the-knee kind!)
Miscellany:
an inside-the-car-duster
a tray table set like this, but I didn't think it would be this much... We actually have two of the oak tv tables and are looking for two more. We really only want two more to bring our set to four. We heard a rumor that they might not make the oak anymore, just the dark cherry. Who knows?
a Starbucks travel mug
Halo 2 - yes, my Xbox is going to be fixed!
Bethany:
- Bethany likes socks (yeah, I know that is weird to wish for for christmas... but she likes nice socks to wear with dress shoes and also thick, cozy socks.) She also likes Old Navy stuff, Ann Taylor stuff and this JJill turtleneck in chartreuse. She also mentioned some cool jeans would be nice.
- She also mentioned the other day a zip up performance fleece.
- some snowpants or bibs. (examples) She would be a L.
- stationery organizer
Okay, that is it for this round. I don't know how to highlight what has changed since last time, but check the Dec. 6 blog for the original.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Pulling Back
Whew - well, I am at Regent right now and I printed off the Herm. paper for the final time. Of course, there is always some weirdness with technology when you have to get a paper printed just right - formatting, word processing programs, disk drives working properly. Thankfully it worked out...
My choir program went incredibly well last night. It was amazing. Three months of working diligently on some pretty hard music came to a close last night and the emotion was draining! After the last note, I was speechless... It was awesome.
Only a Greek final to go on Thursday and I will have these next three days to study for it. I am not too worried about it. (yet)
One somber note is that Bethany's grandfather passed away early Sunday morning. She is not going to be able to go down to the funeral, and that is tough decision. But, in the long run, it is for the best since we can see the family when we come down for Christmas.
Jeff
My choir program went incredibly well last night. It was amazing. Three months of working diligently on some pretty hard music came to a close last night and the emotion was draining! After the last note, I was speechless... It was awesome.
Only a Greek final to go on Thursday and I will have these next three days to study for it. I am not too worried about it. (yet)
One somber note is that Bethany's grandfather passed away early Sunday morning. She is not going to be able to go down to the funeral, and that is tough decision. But, in the long run, it is for the best since we can see the family when we come down for Christmas.
Jeff
Friday, December 10, 2004
The Rhetoric Is Over!
Well, I just completed my final paper for Hermeneutics class. My thesis was that rhetorical criticism must not be limited by method and theory, but must reveal a comprehensive interpretive analytics.
I had yesterday and today to work on it, and I am grateful for the time from my boss. I just have a little tweaking to do when I get to school early Monday morning, but I will have the time to do so!
Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal for my choir's annual Cantata. We are singing a good variety of styles of music from a book called The Wonder of Christmas. I like that book - I just wish I had a huge orchestra accompanying us! The performance is Sunday night and I think we will be ready.
My sister runs her second marathon this Sunday and I am excited for her. I just wish I could be there to cheer her on! *Chariots of Fire music playing*
I had yesterday and today to work on it, and I am grateful for the time from my boss. I just have a little tweaking to do when I get to school early Monday morning, but I will have the time to do so!
Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal for my choir's annual Cantata. We are singing a good variety of styles of music from a book called The Wonder of Christmas. I like that book - I just wish I had a huge orchestra accompanying us! The performance is Sunday night and I think we will be ready.
My sister runs her second marathon this Sunday and I am excited for her. I just wish I could be there to cheer her on! *Chariots of Fire music playing*
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Monday, December 06, 2004
Christmas 2004 Wish List
The goal of this wish list is merely to inform others of what is on my mind for Christmas. They are simply ideas for people to see and I certainly am not expecting them across the board.
Gadgetry/Toys (things that are too expensive to get as gifts!)
iPod 20GB
BBQ grill
iMac G5 - Both Bethany and I work with Macs at school and church. Plus, I just think they look classy. We don't need one - it's just a wish!
Digital Camcorder- I have not done research on which ones are better than others, but it would be fun to do some video stuff with church. Here is PriceGrabber's site about them: here.
Digital Camera - looking to upgrade to something like a Canon Powershot A95, or a Sony Cybershot DSC-W1, or a Sony Cybershot DSC-T1, or to be insane: a Canon Digital Rebel EOS 300D SLR.
Music
U2's new album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Robbie Seay's album Better Days
anything Jack Johnson
anything John Mayer
some good classical stuff perhaps
Clothing
some nice winter gloves like Isotoner
new bath robe (I think I've had the same one since high school.)
Bethany likes socks (yeah, I know that is weird to wish for for christmas... but she likes nice socks to wear with dress shoes and also thick, cozy socks.) She also likes Old Navy stuff, Ann Taylor stuff and this JJill turtleneck in chartreuse. She also mentioned some cool jeans would be nice.
Okay, I've got to stop and go to bed now. I will add more to this later as things come to mind. Seriously, though, we've already received the perfect present from someone - plane tickets back down, so we are blessed.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
A New Week
I noticed it has been a few days since my last blog. Time just goes, man...
Last Friday night we had a Medieval concert at our church with a group of women singing some Hildegard of Bingen settings about Christmas. It was a bit boring and not inspiring and a bit amateur-ish. Afterwards Bethany and I went to a friends house to watch the movie Luther, the famous Reformer. It was pretty interesting. I like biographies.
Saturday was supposed to be a "get-work-done-day" but it turned out to be a "stay-in-bed-because-its-rainy-and-cold-and-we're-sleepy" day. But we got the house cleaned, went grocery shopping and Xmas shopping and spent a good amount of money. The night ended with Outback Steakhouse and the Italian Job movie with our friends the Terrys. That's a great movie. It is what inspired my dad to get a Mini Cooper.
Today was a big day at church. The college students came over for breakfast this morning to our house. We had an orchestra during the service. Our choir piece was from our Cantata next week. (!) And this afternoon was a Community Carol Sing at which I played my trombone. I was also the music coordinator for it, getting everyone's music together and situated. My gospel quartet sang at it as well. Then we had our evening service, but I had to come home and read my hermeneutics stuff.
This week is going to be long, so if you don't see a blog for a little while, that might be why. My mom's birthday is on Tuesday! (I have to send her something...doh!)
Thanks for reading...
Last Friday night we had a Medieval concert at our church with a group of women singing some Hildegard of Bingen settings about Christmas. It was a bit boring and not inspiring and a bit amateur-ish. Afterwards Bethany and I went to a friends house to watch the movie Luther, the famous Reformer. It was pretty interesting. I like biographies.
Saturday was supposed to be a "get-work-done-day" but it turned out to be a "stay-in-bed-because-its-rainy-and-cold-and-we're-sleepy" day. But we got the house cleaned, went grocery shopping and Xmas shopping and spent a good amount of money. The night ended with Outback Steakhouse and the Italian Job movie with our friends the Terrys. That's a great movie. It is what inspired my dad to get a Mini Cooper.
Today was a big day at church. The college students came over for breakfast this morning to our house. We had an orchestra during the service. Our choir piece was from our Cantata next week. (!) And this afternoon was a Community Carol Sing at which I played my trombone. I was also the music coordinator for it, getting everyone's music together and situated. My gospel quartet sang at it as well. Then we had our evening service, but I had to come home and read my hermeneutics stuff.
This week is going to be long, so if you don't see a blog for a little while, that might be why. My mom's birthday is on Tuesday! (I have to send her something...doh!)
Thanks for reading...
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Feel like Alexander
Did you ever read as a kid that book called Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day? He kept wanting to move to Australia and his mom would say - "Some days are like that. Even in Australia." That was today! I am Alexander today!
On a positive note... My church choir sang well at practice last night. We are getting ready for our big Cantata on the 12th. We only have two rehearsals left! I think that they will be okay with it, though. We are singing some cool, challenging pieces from a book called The Wonder of Christmas by Word Music.
Soon I will put up a link to my church's new website. We are totally redoing it because the old one sucks. Plain and simple. But the new one will be pretty cool.
Well, I could write for a while on different subjects, but I will stop now.
Jeff
On a positive note... My church choir sang well at practice last night. We are getting ready for our big Cantata on the 12th. We only have two rehearsals left! I think that they will be okay with it, though. We are singing some cool, challenging pieces from a book called The Wonder of Christmas by Word Music.
Soon I will put up a link to my church's new website. We are totally redoing it because the old one sucks. Plain and simple. But the new one will be pretty cool.
Well, I could write for a while on different subjects, but I will stop now.
Jeff
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