Dual Screen Necessity

This is cool.

Look what's coming. I think I'm going to need one of these.

I have two 24" monitors at work and can't imagine working again without them. I figure the more work space the better. One monitor is for my email and database information and the other is my working desktop for active programs. The bummer about using laptops is that this is much harder to achieve. This new invention will be huge and will change the face (literally) of the laptop as we know it.

The Batman

Lately I've taken a break from the heavy reading and have been enjoying some Batman comics and graphic novels. I'm not a huge comic book reader but I've always enjoyed Batman. His humanness and uniqueness as a superhero makes him my favorite.

Where most superheroes rely on a supernatural power or object of power, Batman relies on his intelligence and physical ability. Yes, he's got toys like the Batmobile and Batplane but these are man made creations. His skills as a detective are top notch and his fighting abilities would put him on top of the UFC.

The reading I've done has brought me from the simple beginnings of Bob Kane's art and Bill Finger's story telling to the brilliance of David Mazzucchelli's art and the darkness of Frank Miller's writing. Of all the stories I've read thus far Frank Miller's are my favorite. From "Year One" to "The Dark Knight Returns" to "All Star Batman & Robin: The Boy Wonder". Jeff Loeb comes in a close second with the Hush series. The only one that I've read that I didn't care for much was "Batman - Arkham Asylum (A Serious House on Serious Earth)". Not only was the story dull but the artwork was odd and not in a style I care for.

One thing that is interesting about Batman is that he doesn't apologize for who he is. As the Justice League is frustrated by him and his exploits that leave a black mark on the name Superhero, he continues on. His methods are born from Man's desire for punishment on those who do wrong and from his own desire to clean up the city that he loves. He is harsh, dark and unconventional and that is why he is intriguing. Each writer has their own take on these traits but each holds true to the fact that although Batman fights against the bad guys he is not neccessarily a "good" guy.

The more I read, the more I see the complexity of Batman. Superman has his strength and ability to fly, Green Lantern has his ring, the Hulk has his Hulkiness, and others have powers that have been given to them through accidents, aliens or whatever, but Batman has his anger, money, dual identity and drive. This keeps him going and makes him more interesting than the others.

A Litttle Diddy

For the past four years I've been on a journey. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit has prompted this journey in me and many others. There is a swelling of people in the Church that are questioning the status quo. In essence there is movement. People are moving. The Church is moving.

I first recognized my journey for what it is after reading Blue Like Jazz (thank you, Sarah). I was reading the book thinking "yes, this guy gets me. There is more out there. I want to be a part of it." Since then I've come to the knowledge that I was unsettled in my place in the Church. I was no longer fine with the way I was trained to think of church. I felt compelled to go beyond what I know.

I think the institutional church is in need of revolution and repair. What has been is in need of adjustment and repair.

I don't have the answers nor do I think I am the poster child of Christianity. I am just one on a journey that is filled with 41 years of experience. I feel like I've been there and done that but still feel like there is more out there for me to be part of. I think Jesus wants more from me.

At http://researchingforjesus.blogspot.com/ I am journaling my experience. I'm not sure if it will go any where or mean anything. I just feel like it needs to be written out. My goal is to go as long as I can, as far back as I can remember, and as truthful as humanly possible.

Star Wars Humor

Star Wars fans will get it.

AAAGGGHHH!!!

Brianna had the perfect opportunity to kill me tonight. Literally.

While I took Alex to TaeKwonDo our friend took Brianna to the library for a stage makeup demonstration. I didn't know about the subject of the library time until after I got home.

Alex and I had pulled up to the house and I was saying hi to a neighbor when Brianna came out of the house calmly saying "hey, Dad! look what I had done."

If she would have come out of the house holding her face and crying I would have keeled over from a heart attack.

Owen's Nemesis

Behind our house is a wooded area. When you have a wooded area you have critters. These critters have become Owen's nemeses.

On occasion I'll cut Owen loose to rid the backyard of the intruders. I think it makes him feel like the big dog. As a ball-less poodle he probably has some masculinity issues and this is probably good therapy for him.

Pink is Out

I guess nobody likes the strawberry very much. When I returned to the office on Friday most of them were still there.

I think I'll hoard all the orange for myself.

Starburst Experiment

Work has been a bit crazy lately and my stress level has been a bit high. Today I decided that I needed a distraction. So I made one up.

At work I am the candy guy. I have a dish (actually it's a record) that is filled with candy most of the time. Currently it is a mix of Starbursts and Willy Wonka goodies.

The experiment goes like this:

1. Fill the bent up bowl shaped Barry Manilow record with equal amounts of each color Starbursts.
2. Let the Starbursts get consumed by el co-office inhabitants.
3. See which is the last color standing.

My experiment was a success.

In order here are the favorites.

#1 - Cherry

#2 - Orange

#3 - Lemon

#4 - Strawberry

Not only was Strawberry last, not a single one was taken.

Since I am off tomorrow to help my sister out with a project in Washington I decided to further my experiment. I took a bunch of the strawberry flavors out of the bag and filled the dish with them. I want to see how many, since they are the only flavor, will get eaten while I'm gone.

My bet is that most will still be there. More to come...

Rain, Rain, ahhhh

On my ride home tonight it started raining - it's Oregon, what do you expect? Well I love it. I'm sitting here now listening to it come down. The sound is one of my favorites in the world. There are days at work when I drive down to the river just to sit in my car and listen to it. The sound is pure and cleansing.

It is random yet consistent. It isn't too loud and doesn't have volume control even if it was. I love it.

People I talk to at work from all over the world often comment on the amount of rainfall we get here in the Northwest and they are always surprised to hear that I enjoy the rain. Why not love it, it's what makes this place so green and beautiful.

Next week it is supposed to be back in the 90's but I have no fear... the rain will return.

Wendy's Fright

Have you ever tried to eat while you are scared? It ain't easy let me tell ya.

Today Brianna and I stopped at Wendy's (her choice) for a bite to eat before heading down to Dayton to visit with family. We ordered and sat down in the back to eat. I chose the back because no one was there and we could eat in peace. It's kind of like walking into the movie theater and finding the best seats that aren't near anyone. We had those. I had finished my jr. bacon cheeseburger and was starting on my value menu chicken sandwich when a shadow fell across the table and I knew our space had been invaded.

Invaded it was. Sitting perpendicular to us was the intruder. With all the empty seats and tables available this was a peculiar choice for the invader. Again with the movie theater analogy - it is like sitting in an empty theater and having someone come in and sit right in front of you. Odd. So I peeked over. It was a quick peek. Very quick. GAH! I didn't know what to think. I know this is somebodies mom and grandma but I was scared. This lady had on makeup that was scary. More scary than Mimi from the Drew Carey Show.

I notice that Brianna had looked too because she was now facing the window trying to quickly swallow the bite she just took and to avoid eye contact with me. We both knew. It was time to go.

"Briannna, are you almost done there? If you want you can take it with you and eat in the car."

I looked again. She was staring at us with the face of a scary clown. I know you think I am exaggerating but I'm not. She was staring. Let's just say that metallic blue eye make up was nothing, even though it covered half her face, it was the lip makeup that did it. She had painted exaggerated black lines around the edge of her lips with something that probably resembled a Sharpie pen. Scary! Black on pale pink - not a good combo.

After was seemed like an eternity being stared at by Scary Clown Lady, and 50 questions to Brianna about the state of her food in like 30 seconds - "are you done" "are you sure you want those fries" - and the offer to have her eat in the car she relented. "Dad, maybe I can finish this in the car." "YES, you can." Whoosh. Off we went leaving Scary Clown Lady to stare at our empty seats.

Phew. Safe. The moment we passed the threshold of the front door and with the knowledge we couldn't be heard we turned to each other and said simultaneously "DID YOU SEE THAT?" and burst out laughing. I know I'll be punished for laughing but it was the kind of laugh you have after a fright that could take your life and I couldn't help it.

Mom's Glad I Never Did This!

Extreme Pool Jump - For more amazing video clips, click here