[originally posted on April 16, 2011]

I just completed my second 5K of the year and well, this one was different. This is no ordinary race but one with obstacles and it definitely lives up to its name. (~45 min. vs. last week's 33 min. normal 5K)

Check it out the official website here.  You can also click here to see a map of the course.

Favorite Obstacle:  Climb the Tercel Definitely that beat up Toyota Tercel on the back side of the course.  I chose the bumper to seated roof landing, and slide down the back windshield and trunk method.  Effective but I'll probably have a bruise.

Favorite Obstacle (Runner-up):  Mystery Obstacle #2 - Massive slip-n-slide This was especially refreshing after the completely ridiculous obstacle that wins my least favorite.

Least Favorite Obstacle:  Mystery Obstacle #1 - Pit of Flour Yep, you read that right.  A pit of white flour through which you had to roll or crawl through due to bungie cord roof about 2 feet above the pit.  You're already soaked so being covered in flour is not pleasant.  All I can say is that this obstacle alone almost gave the slip-n-slide the favorite obstacle title.

Tip #1 Try to space yourself out a bit from large groups.  Each obstacle is a bottle-neck of sorts.  The more difficult the obstacle the longer the backup and wait to get through it.  Spacing out for the quicker obstacles will keep you moving.

Tip #2 Go with a couple friends or make some friends during the wait for the race to start.  Running with someone, and this is coming from a guy who is usually a solo runner for races, makes a huge difference when your dealing with these obstacles and the lull between each one.

[originally posted January 2, 2011]

Happy New Year.  

Well with 2011 finally here, I guess it's time for some resolutions.  I've always avoided making resolutions but I'm going to give it a try this year and really try to remember them for longer than a few weeks.  I decided 5 was the max so here's what I've come up with . . . .

1. Pray more

2. Read more (a lot more!)

3. Write more (that means more posts)

4. Drink more water

5. Run more (including my first Warrior Dash)

[originally posted May 14, 2010]

As I've mentioned before, I'm an avid blog and web-comic reader.  (Ok, if I haven't mentioned it then consider this your notice!) With that said, one of my favorite web-comic artists is Wes Molebash. (follow him @THEWesMolebash and click the link to the right and follow me too!)

I first started following Molebash when he was writing his comic You'll Have That and when it ended I've continued to follow him as he created the comic Myron & Charlie and his newest work Max vs. Max.  It wasn't until his latest project that I found out that Molebash was a Christian.  Max vs. Max is a comic with strong Christian storylines and is an absolute joy to read.  Take a moment to go check it out and then come on back. (Please!)  I promise I'll be here when you're done . . .  :)

Recently, Molebash posted a link to an article written to/about him found here.  What follows are my thoughts after reading that article.  Keep in mind, I'm not trying to start an argument with an atheist, though I'm sure it could.

I'll start by respectfully pointing out that it seems like the majority of atheists aren't as objective as they claim.  As much as Christians may believe (and even assume) the Bible is true when they're reading it, I believe atheists believe it just as much false when they examine and scrutinize it.  Objectivity on either side is very difficult or even impossible.

In addition, looking at Bible passages in their original context absolutely matters.  To imply that there is some limit on the amount context allowed is extremely prejudicial.  This is true for almost anything written or spoken.  Remember, the gospels were written by men so if each account of Jesus' life was identical, would doubters not claim them false for that reason as well?  (Side note: I suggest checking out Lee Strobel's "A Case for Christ" for an interesting investigative approach to the gospels similarities and differences)

We're all biased.  To claim, or allude, that Christians are and atheists aren't is a fallacy.

I respect the opinions and beliefs of atheists even with my strong disagreement towards those very opinions and beliefs.  I'm not one of those Christians out there throwing Bibles at people or standing on street corners with bullhorns.  My faith changed my life for the better.  When I share that with people it brings them hope.  What's so wrong with that?

At the very least, and from a completely cynical point-of-view, consider these 2 scenarios:

If Christians are wrong and atheists are right, meaning there is no God, then I'll have led a good life, based on faith in a lie, that led me to love more than I may have otherwise. Death = nothingness or one big question mark

If Christians are right and atheists are wrong, and there is a God, then I'll have led a good life, based on faith in the truth, that led me to love more than I may have otherwise. Death = eternity in heaven with our creator for those who had faith

Now don't misconstrue my intent there.  I'd never actually desire someone to come to faith because they're hedging a bet.  Besides, that's not exactly faith is it?  I'm simply trying to point out something bigger . . . what's so wrong with faith in God?Even this very cynical point-of-view (which I first heard comically delivered from a dear friend of mine who helped me come back to my faith) clearly show's the folly in demeaning or attempting to belittle those who live by faith.  True believers and followers of Jesus Christ are trying to be help more, love more and be better people.

That brings me to clarifying what I mean by "true believer."

The true believers/followers of Jesus Christ aren't naive and ignorant as some would like to believe.  The true believers don't claim they're perfect but KNOW they are not and will never be even though they try.  They are constantly learning and searching for better understanding of our purpose in this life.  They find God in all things and all areas of this life.  They believe that . . . well, ok . . . here it is in two simple verses I've recently read:

Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:24

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

True believers aren't who you see on TV asking for money in their expensive suits and jewelery.  They're not protesting soldiers funerals or claiming that an earthquake happen because long ago someone sold their souls to the devil.  True believers shake their heads when they hear those things because they're trying to love others as themselves and bring that hope and love to everyone.

It's really that simple.  Christians believe we have some Good News and we want to share it because when we do . . . something cool happens.  Lives are changed.

Then again I could be wrong . . . but I'm actually okay with that.

[below are the original comments for this post]

by Gary Hicks - May 14, 2010 @ 8:35AM Good point, Jeff (nice blog, by the way)  We were discussing this point (that no one is completely objective in my early-morning group last week.

[originally posted April 2, 2011]

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.

Get your learn on about this disorder and Light It Up Blue today!

This is definitely a cause I believe in. Check it out and support Autism Speaks.

[below are the original comments for this post]

by Warren Woodhouse - April 3, 2011 @ 11:48AM

i'm autistic, yes i am. and proud of it! on 2nd april 2011 on world autism awareness day i abseiled 200ft from the top of The Vermont Hotel in newcastle - upon - tyne, northumberland, england, united kingdom. i enjoyed it and i never did a huge drop like that before in my life! it was incredible. pictures and videos of my events will be posted on my website next week.  check out my photos at http://photos.warrenwoodhouse.co.cc/ and videos at http://videos.warrenwoodhouse.co.cc/  more videos at http://youtube.com/warrenwoodhouse

:D

[originally posted on March 14, 2010]

A week ago today in Wilson County, Tennessee a tragedy occurred. A 3-year old little girl died. I'm not writing this to in any way take away or make light of the fact that the true tragedy in this case is the loss of life.

I read an article this past Tuesday I found myself with strong feelings of sadness and anger.  Sadness for a family and anger at the media.  Yep, anger towards the media . . . again.  Is anyone really surprised?  Here's how the headline reads:

WILSON COUNTY CHILD'S SHOOTING DEATH BLAMED ON GUN-WII MIX-UP

Yep, you read that right. If the headline grabbed your attention then you would go on to read how a 3-year old little girl pulled a .380 caliber pistol off an end table and that the gun went off and fatally shot her in the abdomen.  Well, that's not exactly accurate.  Here's our first quote from the Tennessean.com:

NORENE, Tenn. — A mix-up between a Wii game and a .380 caliber pistol led a 3-year-old to pluck the real gun from an end table and shoot herself in the abdomen, ending her life, Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe said.

Yep, once again, you read that right.  The article's headline and 1st line of copy both inexplicably connect a curious 3-year old grabbing an object off a table (because as we all know that's what 3-year olds do, they grab stuff!) with her use of a Nintendo Wii game controller.

They had a number of directions or options in which to take this story if they so desired.  They didn't begin the article by explaining that her step-father left a loaded pistol on an end-table and "forgot about it."  That was left until later.  When given the true lesson to learn from the local police they didn't start the article with that either, choosing to include it later:

"The big message we're trying to tell parents is if you've got a gun, put it up, especially if you have children," (Wilson County Sheriff Terry) Ashe said.

Instead they decided to make it about the video games.  If I wasn't already annoyed with the seemingly complete lack of proper news reporting, the next little nugget of wisdom I found was from the original article about the incident.

The child had been playing a Nintendo Wii video game, Ashe said. The game’s controller was shaped like a gun that looked very similar to the real handgun, which her stepfather had put on a table in the living room. Ashe said the girl pulled the gun off the table and it went off.

What?!  The same ridiculous conclusion written by two different reporters/authors?

While I understand it is more likely for a child to grab something they think is a toy, I find myself left with a question.  Do we truly think that this weapon, the loaded handgun left and forgotten about on an end table near a small child, was really mistaken for a Wii controller?   Isn't it likely that it was simply something the 3-year old had never seen before and was therefore naturally curious?  Furthermore, what help does placing blame on the girl confusing the pistol for a Wii controller provide in this situation?  To the last question I believe we all would agree that it doesn't help the family or community . . . it helps the story.

Please understand that I'm not trying to say that any of this makes the death of this little girl any less tragic.  Stories like this break my heart.  What I'm trying to say is that in many ways I believe that poor reporting in a story like this only makes things worse.  The sooner news media stops playing the blame game, stops looking for the big story, with every story then we'll all be better off. Sometimes accidents happen.  

Sometimes those closest to the victim are the only ones that could have prevented it.  Sometimes there is no bigger story.

[originally posted on March 9, 2011]

It started a few years ago and has always lived in my head while really needing to make its way to my lips on more occasions.  It's shared privately but not publicly nearly enough.  Thanks to this great post by Wes Molebash at WesDraws.com I'm sharing it now . . .

My wife is amazing.

Wes titled his post "Behind Every Slightly-Overweight, Struggling Cartoonist Is A Hot Wife" and since I'm not a cartoonist, or nearly as clever as he is, I'll simply replicate and edit that for myself:

Behind every out-of-shape, semi-OCD, recovering pessimist and number-crunching geek is a hot wife

Yep, that's more accurate for me.

She makes me want, and therefore strive, to be a better man, better husband and better Christian.  I'm more compassionate, less pessimistic and worry A LOT less because of her.  She makes me laugh, can always make me smile and definitely keeps me from taking myself too seriously.  I must echo Wes again by agreeing with the statement of "my wife's faith inspires my own."

For the record:  I know that I "married up" . . . and I'm not sure where I'd be without her.

[originally posted March 6, 2010]

In the interest of full disclosure I work for a bank.

In the interest of clarification, I'm proud to say I work for a good bank.

What do I mean by "good"?  I mean we didn't get involved in shady lending and unethical credit card practices.  You've probably never heard my bank's name in the news because we don't do the kind of stuff that's considered newsworthy by today's media standards. (i.e. bad, illegal or scandalous)

Knowing all that made me even more surprised and proud of a recent ABC News story and article on the recent credit card legislation.  In the last few months a lot of credit card companies have been hiking rates in preparation for the new laws (because soon they wouldn't be able to without cause) or they were adjusting and changing policies and procedures to try to look like good guys (before they were forced to change them anyway).  My bank's policies haven't changed much but we did do something ahead of the law change.  We're trying to educate our clients.

Yep, you read that right.  We want our client's to understand the credit card game and play it well.

Click here to read more

I'm not posting about this today to brag.  (ok, maybe I am just a little)  I'm posting this so that hopefully my friends, family and anyone else reading this will take a look at their next credit card bill a little closer and ask their credit card company a few more questions.  The more that happens the better things will get.

For a long time credit card companies held all the cards and were the only ones that knew the rules to the game but the game has changed and the playing field is a little more balanced now.  Just remember . . . credit isn't the work of the devil, misuse and ignorance is.

[originally posted December 29, 2009]

Good morning interwebs! I received a e-mail forward today (you know "fw: fw: fw: subject line") and since I was at work I figured I'd read it. (sorry boss!)  Funny thing is that it's probably one of the first "chain" e-mails that I actually wish would do something.  I've pasted it in below as oppose to actually forwarding it.  Read it, comment for or against because I'm interested to see if there's the consensus I think there is . . . that this is right on the money.

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Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.     A. Two Six year Senate terms     B. Six Two year House terms     C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

2. No Tenure / No Pension: A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security: All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3% Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

6. Congress looses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/2011. The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

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Unfortunately it's those very senators and congressmen that would need to pass such an act to make it law.  I wonder how many would do this to themselves?  I'm going to guess that it's not many, so where does that leave us? Could my Dad and Granddad be right?  Is a revolution of some sort coming? needed?  I'd say it might be so.

[originally posted December 10, 2009]

I have to admit that I'm a bit of a blog addict. My Google Reader regularly sports 300-500 unread posts from various blogs if I happen to go 12-24 hours without checking it. Recently I've found myself coming across many articles from big-time tech blogs like Engadget, Gizmodo and Ars Technica that seemingly share the same sentiments about the newest tech gadget out there today . . . the e-reader.

I'll start off by saying that I do not own one of these gadgets but that's not to say that I wouldn't or don't want one. In fact, I do want one (BAD!) but have put off buying one until I'm sure of which one to get, which has turned out more difficult than I thought. I could go on to compare the specs of the Amazon, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and other versions but that's not really my reason for posting today. My reason is this:

Why does everyone seem to want to bash on e-readers?

I understand that books in their standard paper and binding form aren't exactly a "broken" system. With that said I don't think that e-readers will ever put hard copies of books and magazines completely out of business. What I do find entirely ridiculous is the fact that some supposed "tech writers" are sure that the e-reader is just a fad and even more that they'll refer to them as down right unnecessary. One Gizmodo writer even went as far to say that he didn't have an issue with reading digital books, via tablets or mobile phones, but it was the e-reader he hated. Huh?

The opinion is of course allowed but coming from a writer in the technology blogosphere, and specifically Gizmodo which calls itself "the gadget guide" I expect a little more than just opinions. Here's why . . .

Of the two major book sellers who have developed e-readers, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, both have seen incredible sales. Barnes & Noble underestimated their pre-orders so poorly this fall that it seems they're scrambling to deliver orders by promised dates and have even had to delay delivers and/or cut stock in actual stores to help fulfill those online pre-orders. I understand that pre-order sales could support the "fad-only" opinion but Amazon, who is on it's 3rd iteration of the Kindle, has seen consistent sales and increases each holiday season as well. Does that smell like a fad product?

The facts are clear. People love books. People love gadgets. Logically then, people will buy a gadget that allows them to read books more easily, especially if the can carry a dozen or more (actually a lot more!) without the need for a backpack, suitcase or forklift.

It's easy to be cynical. And I realize that a large portion of blog writers enjoy being just that. It's also much easier to call e-readers a fad because if you're right then you keep your status as "gadget snob" or "gadget guru" and if you're wrong then you right it off as an anomaly and not talk about it. It's much harder to support a product that seems to be filling a niche of consumers who love to read and love technology at the same time.

Let's be honest. With the sales and reviews that we've seen, I'd venture a guess that Amazon, B&N and Sony, just to name a few, feel okay with their investment in this latest technology product. I'd also say that e-readers are not going anywhere anytime soon and would even put myself out there to say the war is just beginning between the big players.

[originally posted September 2, 2009}

FYI:  Banks are businesses, not charities.  The account you open at any bank is your responsibility.  Now that I’ve caused a bunch of people to curse me, keep reading . . . . please.

It’s not an exaggeration when I say that 90% of the time when a client comes in with a negative balance, and overdraft fees, if I ask to see a register I get one of two answers: "what's a register?" or "I don't keep one." If you keep a register, and use tools like online, phone and mobile banking, there is no reason to suddenly find yourself in the negative.

Not all banks are bad and not all banks made the same decisions.  Each one is different so do your research and find a good one.  With that said, are some of the fees that banks charge too high?  Is the system built to benefit the banks? Maybe, and that depends on the bank, but they are all avoidable if people take responsibility for their account and what and when they spend.  Here are the 4 things to do if you don’t want to ever worry about fees (or have a better chance for a refund):

1. KEEP A REGISTER!  Yes it takes time.  Deal with it.  It's your money so I hope it would be worth it.

2. Treat the account in real time and know when your deposits are AVAILABLE. Do NOT assume.  I have clients who ask and clarify every single time they make a deposit.  That's okay, in fact it’s quite smart!

3. Ask questions.  If the rep(s) at your branch aren't helpful find a branch where they are.  Again, I would like to hope it's worth your time.  Find that rep that knows his/her stuff.  They are out there.

4. Banking is about a relationship if you are with a good bank.  The more you have with a bank the more lenient they will be.  This sucks for us lowly, paycheck-to-paycheck people but it’s business.  This means that if you have a checking, savings, credit card and mortgage then having them with the same bank can help.  (By the way, if it doesn’t . . . you’re with the wrong bank)

BONUS TIP:  If you find yourself constantly paying fees, and you're honestly trying to do the above tips, put the check card down!  Go back to using cash until you can put together a system that works for you to track your purchases religiously.  Need help?  Visit your local banker . . . you know, that good one you found after listening to tip #3.

When it comes to banking, knowledge is bliss and ignorance is not an excuse.

[originally posted June 24, 2009}

Yesterday Mark Buehrle, of the Chicago White Sox, pitched the 18th perfect game in baseball history (since 1880). It's the first in 5 years (Randy Johnson was the last in 2004) and among one of the least often occurrences in all of sports. His had some added drama and luster being that a few years ago he also pitched his first no-hitter joining that record's list at #257.

In my humble opinion, one that I'm sure is held by many baseball and sports fans alike, it is also among one of the most impressive single game feats of any sport.  Many other single game achievements exist for baseball players and for participants of many sports but none are so seemingly impossible to pull off.  To make sure there's no confusion, here's the "recipe" for pitching perfection:

27 batters (measured and beaten into 27 outs) 0 (zero) hits 0 (zero) walks 0 (zero) base-runners (even if due to a fielding error)

That last ingredient is the real kicker.  You could be pitching the game of your life.  Batters striking out, grounding out and flying out all over the place but say your first baseman pulls a Buckner on a slow dribbler to first base . . . . say goodbye to your perfect game.

With this in mind lets add a little detail to last night's pitching masterpiece, shall we?

In the top of the ninth inning, Tampa's Gabe Kapler got a hold of Buehrle's 105th pitch of the night and hit what looked to be a perfection-ending homerun to left-center field.  Enter into our story, Dewayne Wise, replacement center-fielder.  Wise tracked the blast, jumped and reached over the 8-foot wall initially making the catch, which then popped out of his glove as he collided with the wall.  Not to worry as Wise grabbed the ball with his bare left hand as he fell to the ground.  Popping up seconds later with the ball in hand and Buehrle's shot at the history books still intact.

[originally posted June 18, 2009]

In a sign of just how far we've come from "do you like me, check yes or no" notes in math class, on Tuesday a 15-year old from Iowa won $50K in LG's U.S. National Texting Championship.  Yep, you read that right.

Turns out that over 250,000 people competed throughout the country this year, according to LG reps.  It also seems that the winner finds the time during her day to send, on average, 500 text messages per day.  Wait, 500 per day!?

Check out more about it here, I'm just not clever enough to make this stuff up:

http://www.switched.com/2009/06/17/15-year-old-texting-champ-wins-50-000/

or