the|car

 

Accord Exterior

so maybe its an early mid-life crisis deal… or maybe I will be selling this to the highest bidder in the Macintosh High School parking lot next month.  But I found it on eBay and had to scratch the itch.  Katie and I are now the proud owners of a Honda Accord with 67,000 miles on it.  And it MIGHT happen to get over 30 miles to the gallon….  I’m just sayin.

 

The trip started out like this:

 

the|car

::more so Martin entertaining himself on a plane ride::

 

 

8:11pm

so off to the airport we go, buddy passes in tow, and a Dad beaming from ear to ear.  After we fulfilled the Atlanta Bread Company tradition, Katie and I bolt off to security sucking down a strawberry smoothie so fast it gave the people in line behind us a brain freeze.  For some reason I felt the need to check the time on the ole blackberry (no no no… not an iPhone, at least not yet):

 

9:25pm

we get on the train to Concourse E and realize that there is no way on EARTH (or Atlanta) that we are making it to our flight on time.  But the panini and smoothie combo were off the hook.

 

9:32pm

we are standing in line behind 15 or 20 slightly irate travelers who have been getting bumped since yesterday morning and realize that God may want us to go home and get some much needed fellowship in with the Westlund family and my parental unit.

 

9:40pm

the gate is closed… 

 

touche’

there is a 10:25 to JFK that looks fabuloso for non-revers.  So back to the train to Concourse A we go.  Confident that they say 60% of the time, standby works… EVERY time.

 

10:30pm

right behind the weirdo Italian in a bright blue suit, Katie and I both get cleared and its nothin but I HEART NY from here on out.  The plane finally pushed back at 10:40 and I am typing at 30,000 ft as we speak.  Hello Big Apple and Hello Honda

 

11:20pm

more to come later, but this cabin pressure is SERIOUSLY anesthetic.  Feelin the flow…. might nod off for an hour or two.

 

12:40am

touch down in NYC at JFK International.  Let;s play the see how quickly you can find a hotel room in the Jersey City Hyatt game.  Ready,  Set.  Go.

…so the Hopper Reunion 2008 makes it to YouTube

hope everyone enjoys!

 

and here’s the COMPLETE footage:

Notes from n*Rich (07.21.08)

Monday:

Assuming You Are Right – Andy Stanley

I.   Every organization operates off a list of assumptions.

   a)  Assumptions serve as the frame of reference for all your decisions

   b)  Five types of assumptions:

1. assumptions we are aware of  (i.e.- closed groups)
2. assumptions that we are unaware of
3. assumptions we have forgotten  (i.e. – people need to be taught to give)
4. assumptions that are true  (i.e. – students cluster)
5. assumptions that are untrue  (i.e. – if you build it they will come| all adults love to stand in rows and sing)

   c)  two ideas that drove our discussion:

1. Leaders must bring the underlying assumptions that drive company strategy into line with changes in the EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT.
2. The assumptions a team has held the LONGEST or the most DEEPLY are the likeliest to be its undoing.  Some beliefs have come to appear so obvious that they are off limits for debate.

II.   One false assumption that we have embraced is:  Relevant environments are ENOUGH.

   a)  If you create a great environment for a specific age group, they will come and then come back and bring their friends.

   b)  The underlying assumption is that people stick to environments.

III.  New assumption:  People are drawn to environments; they stick to RELATIONSHIPS.

   a)  environment/experience is only one component of involvement.

(create) experience > (nurture) relationship > (ask) commitment

   b)  relationship questions to consider:

1. How do we transition people from experience to relationship sooner?
2. What does this mean for our foyer environments?
3. What are the obstacles to relationship in our current systems?
4. How do we leverage existing relational networks? (i.e. – neighborhoods, web networks)

   c)  commitment questions to consider:

1. Are we waiting too long to ask for commitment?
2. Are we assuming a relationship that doesn’t exist and asking too soon?
3. Have we commissioned our committed people as recruiters?

Conclusion:

• Continue to create great environments.
• Look for ways to nurture people’s relationship with your church
• Determine where and when in your model to ask for commitment.
• Don’t lose sight of your assumptions.

 

 

Lessons Learned from Catalyst and Woodward

1. consistently cast vision
2. work the model (new & different is not always better)
3. create a culture of giving
4. the right staff

Shower Ideas vol. 1

scrim with HD screen for DMTB, Letters to the Next President

Justin Timberlake style!

Picanha

quite possibly the best cut of beef in the world. Discovered in Brazil on my first visit to the country, I have been in love with it ever since.

here’s how to get it in the States:

PRINT THIS OUT AND TAKE IT WITH YOU

If the meat manager or meat cutter at your store is not sure what Tri-Tip is, tell them this:

“Tri-tip is sometimes called the triangle roast. According to the Uniform Retail Meat Identity Standards (the national standardization guidelines), Tri-Tip’s UPC number is 1429 and Tri-Tip’s IMPS/NAMP code is 185C. Please look this information up if you’re not familiar with it and cut me — or order me — a Tri-Tip roast. Thank you!”

It comes from the Bottom Sirloin, which has three muscles…1)Ball Tip 2) Flap Meat and 3) the Tri-Tip. DO NOT let them sell you Sirloin Tip or London Broil, which are both from the Round, not the Sirloin. Or any other cut of meat…a Tri-Tip is a Tri-Tip.

All they have to do is call their supplier and mention the above numbers to get the Tri-Tip. A little effort with the phone is a lot better than remaining ignorant with every customer that may request a Tri-Tip.

Hopper Reunion 2008

well we are here and waiting on everyone to arrive later today and tomorrow!  more to come later…

Computer FUN with Ashton

 

Well tonight I started to teach my nephew how to type…

and I think I have ignited a new passion of mine:

TEACHING MY KIDS COMPUTERS

its probably the most rewarding thing I can think of that I have to teach.  I don’t really know a whole lot else, but here’s to the next generation of weirdos and techies.  Nerds’R'Us