Random
And We’re Back
Yes, after almost 1 month of going without a computer, I am back to the addiction resource that is known as the Internet. My MacBook Pro (number #2) came in last Friday, and I spent most of this weekend setting it up, putting all my files on it, and overall enjoying it. Regular posts to follow.
MacBook Pro update
Well, the Mac experience has been good and bad at the same time.
The Good: very sleek interface, awesome programs, and a simply glorious device to work with.
The Bad: This laptop has had it’s share of problems. The fans have constantly been running at 6k rpm, the screen and programs freeze at random times, and there are times it will not start. I took it to the Apple store today, and the geek told me to replace the computer (via the Online Store). But when I called them, Apple had me try another software thing (a complete reinstall). The fans are still at max, but no freezing yet. I will call them tomorrow and see about a replacement.
The Verdict: Jury is still out… but I am not holding the hardware problems against Mac.
New Lappie
Received my new MacBook Pro laptop in the mail today… It is glorious!! Will now resume regular posts tomorrow.
Dead Lappie
Sorry for the recent lack of posts… my Averatec laptop died on Friday, with no hope of resurrection. Now the big question: Mac or PC. Actually the question is MacBook or MacBook Pro? Thoughts?
Goodbye Toby
Just saw this deleted scene from last week’s season finale of The Office. Watch the whole thing, because Dwight’s last line is killer:
Ocean City Floated Away (Almost)
Last night I awoke at 2 am to a pretty wild storm. The wind was howling, rain was coming down, and we lost power at least 4 times throughout the night (the carbon monoxide detector kept reminding me). Little did I know that it would only get worse during the day.
For those of you who are not familiar with Ocean City, it is a barrier island in New Jersey. Since the island is at sea level, rainfall just stays until it evaporates. Combine this with high tide (which was at 3pm ocean / 4pm bay), and you have one wet mix.
By 2 pm, the wind and rain was dying down, but none of the water was leaving the island. My mom told me that the OCPD would be closing all 4 bridges off the island at 3 pm (because of high tide), so I left immediately. Even at 2:30 (hour and a half before high tide), I could barely get onto the bridge.
Below are some pictures I took with my ghetto phone:
 |
This is on 34th Street (the bridge between my home and OC). And yes, that is the bay on the road (I am actually driving in the wrong lane, since the outbound lane is under that water) |
 |
Blitz’s Market on 34th Street. The large sign laying in the parking lot is not supposed to do that. |
 |
This was an old tree on the Tabernacle grounds, right in front of our office. It was about 5 feet from my boss’s car. |
For more pictures of the day OC almost floated away, check here: Down the Shore
Kids Say the Funniest Things
In Megan’s Sunday School class today (4 & 5 year olds), I was helping a boy write a card to his mother. I asked him to write his name, which he proceeded to scribble on the card. I said I couldn’t read it, to which he responded “It is in French.”
I love working with Jr. Highers, but sometimes kids say the funniest things.
I am Iron Man
“I am Iron Man” - Tony Stark
I am up in Lancaster with Megan, and we just went to see Iron Man with her cousin and his fiancee. Talk about a great movie! Tons of action, special effects, sarcasm (gotta love it), and one kick-butt suit. As my friend Dom put it: “Easily the best Marvel movie made so far!” I would agree, putting it above the X-Men and Spiderman movies.
What really made the movie for me was seeing the character development of Tony Stark. In the beginning, we see an arrogant, self-centered weapons dealer. Through the movie, he shifts his focus on good and saving people. Sure, the arrogance is still there, as are the rest of his character flaws. However, he totally rocks. If you have not seen this yet, go right now (or after Mother’s Day) and see it. Hurry up, because next weekend is Prince Caspian and the following weekend is Indiana Jones 4. What a month!
Supporting the Community
At the OC Tabernacle we were rather busy this weekend. The Ocean City Music Pier (a large concert venue on the Boardwalk) is undergoing structural renovations, so all their events for the month of April have been moved to our facility. This weekend it was a local teen scholarship pageant. While not an event we would typically host, it was our chance to help out the community. Since the Tabernacle is not a church, we tend to host a higher number of community events, but every church can benefit from opening it’s doors to the community, whether by hosting a community dinner, blood drive, or even voting.
Some ways that helping the community helps the church:
- Building Relationships with the Community. Community events at your church bring new people into your building, many of them people who would never set foot in a church. Ministering to these people needs to happen one step at a time, and this is an important first step.
- Building Relationship with the City. At the Tabernacle, we help out the city in many ways, from hosting events in our sanctuary to holding the city-wide yard sales on our grounds. Through these events, we are helping the city out. In turn, the city has been very helpful promoting our events and supporting our ministry. We are currently halfway through our building project, and I cannot imagine how difficult it would have been without the support of the city.
Chris Taylor CD out now!
Last month the Ocean City Tabernacle hosted the Kutless Acoustic tour. The opening act for the tour was Chris Taylor, an awesome guy from Florida. I had the privilege of meeting him and getting a chance to talk about Ocean City and about the tour. He is a very sincere guy and one of the nicest guys I have met. His debut album, “Take Me Anywhere,” just released today. It is great! I highly recommend it to everyone. Don’t believe me? Check out Christian Music Central’s review (they gave him 4.5 out of 5 “stars”).
