Annie Lenox

Amy likes to record CBS Sunday Morning on the DVR and watch it later (since we're at church or getting ready for church when it's on). This morning's episode had Annie Lenox from the Eurythmics. The thing that struck me is as they interviewed her at her house and walked through parts of her house, it was a shrine to herself. She had gold and platinum CD's hanging on the walls and photos of her and her band.

I thought to myself, what a sad existence. You work all your life, have a successful career, and all you have is your house as a shrine to yourself. I thought, there's no way I'd have all that stuff hanging in my house. I wouldn't want to live in a shrine to myself.

But, then, I thought that maybe I do live in a shrine to myself (or, at least I would if I could). Several years ago we remodeled our kitchen because (partly) we were embarrassed about the 1970's motif. We wanted something more modern. I wanted something more "me." If I could, I'd have a plasma TV. Why? Because it would be a representation of something I'd worked hard and earned the right to buy. I could go on, but hopefully you get the point.

I don't really have anything profound to say about my realization...except that "sweet dreams are made of these, who am I to disagree? I travel the world and the seven seas. Everybody's looking for something."

What is it about that song that makes me want to sing along? Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)

Download The Video

Some people have had trouble downloading the Jeff Johnson video I blogged about below. So, I captured it and put it on my server for you to download. Hopefully YouTube doesn't sue me.

http://www.374designs.com/video/jeffjohnson.wmv

Leave me a comment with your thoughts!

Hip Hop - Do You Get It?

I never did...until I read this blog post (and watched the YouTube video): http://churchrelevance.com/watch-jeff-johnson-speak-at-the-q-conference
In fact, I never got what the deal was with African American people.

I don't think I was racist. I think I was just ignorant. I didn't hate, I just didn't care. Or maybe I was racist and did hate because I was ignorant and didn't care. I was the white guy who would say, "Why don't they just get over it. I'm sick of hearing about how my great, great granddad screwed over the black guy." -- which sounds racist, but I didn't mean it that way. I truly wanted all of us to move past racism and begin to live with each other. I could watch movies like Remember the Titans and identify with it. But the whole time I just didn't get it. By wanting to move past it and wanting to live together (to get along), I was doing my own little part to keep us from moving past it and living together.

It's not about them vs. us. It's only about all of us.

Thanks Jeff Johnson for opening my eyes. You were talking about how the church and Hip Hop, but you really taught me a lot about the Church (me being a part of the Church).

If you've got 9 minutes, watch this video. If you don't have 9 minutes to watch this video, make 9 minutes and watch this video.

The Most Annoying Thing On Earth

Don't you hate this picture:

You're watching a show on your DVR...it goes to a commercial...it goes to the second commercial...you realize that you're watching a DVR and you can easily skip commercials.

All of Life's Mysteries, Solved

Well...at least one of them.

All my life I've been wondering how they make the visible lines in the grass of the outfield at professional ballparks (or at nice corporate offices). I didn't know if they cut the grass at slightly different heights (which works...I tried it in my back yard when I was in high school...it takes forever to do...constantly changing the blade height). But that creates grooves in the grass which would create a problem when you're fielding a tricky hop or chasing down a fly ball (wouldn't want to trip in front of 30,000 fans would you)?

Tonight, while we were watching the genius philosophers of Charm City Cakes (on the Food Network TV show Ace of Cakes), the mystery was solved. They were building a cake replica of Camden Yards, and went to talk to the grounds crew there. Turns out they use a mower with blades that rotate vertically (like a steam roller) instead of horizontally (like a ceiling fan). That causes the grass to fold over in a particular direction and creates the lines.

Who knew???

Do The Right Thing

FINALLY! Someone in the cell phone/telecommunications industry does something right!

Read: The Open Letter To iPhone Customers From Steve Jobs

I'm not an iPhone owner...but I'm thinking about getting one now (philosophically, of course. practically, my wife will never let me get one...i'm still recovering from the beating I took for getting a Treo). Typically I'm an early adopter on technological breakthroughs; but in this case I was one of the skeptics. I wanted to wait for a few models of it to come out to make sure all of the hype was legit (2 Legit 2 Quit - Yep, I went there). However, after reading the commitment to customer service that Jobs is giving, I'm now a full supporter of Apple products.

The new touch-screen wi-fi iPod looks fantastic. Even the new iPod nano looks cool.

In an industry where almost everyone has a horror story (just ask my brother-in-law about his experience with Sprint...or my wife about her recent phone upgrade experience), it's nice to see something refreshing. Thanks Steve for doing the right thing. And thanks to Seth Godin for pointing me to this topic.

Airport Police

Why do the police who patrol the airport passenger pickup area have to be such jerks? I honestly think it's in the job handbook. Is my small sedan really a security risk?

Thursday I went to the St. Louis airport to pick up my parents. I pulled up to the curb at the loading zone and as soon as I came to a complete stop the officer knocked on my window and told me I had to move on if the party I was picking up wasn't present. I told him that I'd just talked to them on my cell phone and they were present and if he'd relax for one second I'd find them and get out of his way.

It's no wonder that people hate going to the airport. Customer service is terrible from the parking deck, to the counter, to the security checkpoint, to the on-plane staff, to the bag claim (I recently waited over an hour for my bags).

I'm convinced that 90 percent of cops and security officers are just in it to make a paycheck, which is fine...but would it kill you to be a little courteous or to use a little common sense?

It is worth noting that my father-in law is a retired police officer. Knowing him, I believe he was one of the few who was more concerned with serving his 'customer' than just getting through the day.

Hopefully, I don't come across as ungrateful...i really do appreciate the public servants. I just wish most of them would be a little more servant minded.

On The Boat

Yep, I'm living the life of luxury (thanks to my wife's Aunt Carol & Uncle Phil). Just thought I'd share a few pics while we're in between activities down here in Ft. Lauderdale.

Click Here For Professional Photos of The Boat

The Motor Yacht Savoy

Me Driving A "Little Boat"

Me On Savoy

Amy & I Almost Getting Run Over By A Cruise Liner
(this thing is closer than it looks, and is going a lot faster than our little boat)

Close Up Of Me On Savoy

[update on 9/4 - several people have mentioned that there are no pictures of Amy. Some have even questioned if it was really an "anniversary" trip. To all of you I say, "Who do you think is behind the camera?" Amy took some photos of me, & I took some of her. It's up to her to post the ones of her on her own blog if she chooses to do so.]