Well, Kara and I are officially part of our generation. We finally took the risk of becoming smartphone owners. Alltel was having a Mothers Day deal where alot of their phones were b.o.g.o., which just so happened to be the exact day we became eligible for an upgrade, so we decided it was the right time.
But, it was still a hard decision due to the amount of pros and cons that came with it: we'd get unlimited texts, but it'd be significantly more money each month; we could go with Sprint to escape the price increase, but we'd lose the My Circle feature that gives us free calling to 10 numbers of our choosing; our nights and weekends minutes would kick in at 7pm instead of 9, but we'd have to sign a new 2-year contract with a company that is inevitably going to be swallowed up by Verizon - who, by the way, has notoriously high prices; and, smartphones give us unlimited internet access, but did we really need that?
You already know the decision we made. After two full days of research, we passed on the Moto Q9c (Windows Mobile crashes it), the Palm Treo Pro (the range is less, and it wasn't b.o.g.o.), and the Blackberry Pearl (that keyboard is a nightmare), and each picked up the Blackberry Curve.
Now, as much as I hate learning new things, this one is actually fun. I've joined the Nit-Twitter Nation, started using the built in calendar to schedule estimate and meetings for my business and for church, and I'll soon be snapping pictures of everyone I possibly can in order to put a picture on the number that shows up when they call. My email gets pushed as soon as it hits my gmail account, texting is tons easier with a full qwerty board, and I still haven't even started downloading ringtones yet!
Oh well, at least I didn't become another iClone. But now that I really think about it, I don't know that it'd be so bad. Too bad they're attached at the hip with AT&T... for now.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Incredible Shrinking Backyard
So, the building is structurally finished. I still have to caulk most of the seams and put up the trim pieces that will cover up the caulking. Then, the fun task of building shelves, hanging peg board, wiring (and possibly plumbing), and moving stuff out of our Incredible Shrinking Guest Room and Office begins. After all that of the stuff is in, we'll sand down the doors a little and decide on a paint color. Then ALL my friends can come over and paint this thing! Er, I mean "help me paint," of course.
Oh, and yesterday, I "installed" the new iGarden app right next to the storage building. Right now, the only updates I've downloaded are two tomato plants. Soon, there'll (yes, it's a word) be extremely-late radishes, carrots, and onions towards the back. Maybe a pepper or three to keep the tomatoes company on their end of the garden. Whatever Kara wants, really. And it's organic!
Oh, and yesterday, I "installed" the new iGarden app right next to the storage building. Right now, the only updates I've downloaded are two tomato plants. Soon, there'll (yes, it's a word) be extremely-late radishes, carrots, and onions towards the back. Maybe a pepper or three to keep the tomatoes company on their end of the garden. Whatever Kara wants, really. And it's organic!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
256 Square Feet of Completion
Yep. The storage building is done. In under a week (and in reality, in three days' time). Maybe soon I'll get to feeling like posting the "after" pics.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
CAUTION: Me Working
Despite our best efforts, my dad and I were unable to complete the whole building in 12 hours' time. But we ROCKED IT anyway. Before we ever started, I set our camera up on a tripod so that it directly faced the front of the building. Here's the result of that... and of me learning to export slideshows on a Mac for the past hour.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A Shed to Hold All of My Money...
That's what that itty bitty building behind my house is quickly turning into. Did you know, for example, that 4'x8' Hardie Board (it's a siding with a density comparable to concrete) is $24.87/ sheet? I need 20 of those. I'll do the math for you: $497. And 40 cents. That's just the siding!
Priced through Guy C. Lee Building Supply, my total - excluding the roof, since I still haven't decided if I want metal or shingles - is $1,202. 79. Priced through Lowe's, I'll save about $125, which still puts me at around $1075.
So, what's not included in that price? I'll answer that question, because I know my wife is going to ask it. That doesn't include the door hardware, the door locks, the gable vent, nails, screws, joist hangers, or hurricane clips. That's probably another $300 or so. Luckily, though, my dad has all of that already. Also not included in that price is, as already stated, the roof. The price between shingles and metal is nominal (unbelievable, huh?), which is why the decision is so hard to make. I'm gradually leaning more and more towards metal since we live in a hurricane playground. I've also got to get this thing wired, eventually, but that's not a top priority: get it built, then get it wired.
Priced through Guy C. Lee Building Supply, my total - excluding the roof, since I still haven't decided if I want metal or shingles - is $1,202. 79. Priced through Lowe's, I'll save about $125, which still puts me at around $1075.
So, what's not included in that price? I'll answer that question, because I know my wife is going to ask it. That doesn't include the door hardware, the door locks, the gable vent, nails, screws, joist hangers, or hurricane clips. That's probably another $300 or so. Luckily, though, my dad has all of that already. Also not included in that price is, as already stated, the roof. The price between shingles and metal is nominal (unbelievable, huh?), which is why the decision is so hard to make. I'm gradually leaning more and more towards metal since we live in a hurricane playground. I've also got to get this thing wired, eventually, but that's not a top priority: get it built, then get it wired.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
House Works
We went to Lowe's to scope out the plants, specifically the veggies that are about 6-9 inches high and fruitless. Um, veggie-less? Regardless, they're little green sprigs with no immediately discernible use at the moment. For those of you who are planning on going to Lowe's for gardening, one word: don't.
Sure, we picked up two tomato plants, but if you're looking for anything other than tomatoes, watermelons, or a few assorted pepper plants, I'd suggest you look elsewhere. I'm recommending the herb garden place just outside of Leland on Hwy 17.
We also just happened upon a happy little impulse buy whilst looking for an exact odd request from my dad - which, by the way, we didn't find. We did, however, walk out with a new kitchen faucet and water filter; the filter regular price, the fixture ~55% off. I'll give you three guesses where I've been for the past two hours. Here's a hint: my old sink fixture was welded into place by six years of corrosion and funky gunk.
Now, I'm taking a minute to blog for the second time in one day before I start straightening up this sty we call a living room in time for Small Group. Question: how do two grown adults clean up a room every week, vow to not let it get that way in the next seven days, and still have to clean it up the next week? As Kara asks, "What is it with us? We can't seem to keep anything nice."
Hopefully that will all change next week. We'll have dirt and sawdust from our yard projects on our feet, about eight or ten people traipsing about, in and out of the house, and possibly, a kitten to liven things up. Yeah. We'll be cleaning right up until Small Group once again, I'm sure.
Sure, we picked up two tomato plants, but if you're looking for anything other than tomatoes, watermelons, or a few assorted pepper plants, I'd suggest you look elsewhere. I'm recommending the herb garden place just outside of Leland on Hwy 17.
We also just happened upon a happy little impulse buy whilst looking for an exact odd request from my dad - which, by the way, we didn't find. We did, however, walk out with a new kitchen faucet and water filter; the filter regular price, the fixture ~55% off. I'll give you three guesses where I've been for the past two hours. Here's a hint: my old sink fixture was welded into place by six years of corrosion and funky gunk.
Now, I'm taking a minute to blog for the second time in one day before I start straightening up this sty we call a living room in time for Small Group. Question: how do two grown adults clean up a room every week, vow to not let it get that way in the next seven days, and still have to clean it up the next week? As Kara asks, "What is it with us? We can't seem to keep anything nice."
Hopefully that will all change next week. We'll have dirt and sawdust from our yard projects on our feet, about eight or ten people traipsing about, in and out of the house, and possibly, a kitten to liven things up. Yeah. We'll be cleaning right up until Small Group once again, I'm sure.
Growin': What's Up with Me Lately
I haven't bloggerized in a while. I don't know why, really - it's not like I didn't have anything to write about. Remember that whole " 'Grow' is my one-word" post? It's really taken off.
For starters, after I lost my job, I was able to go back to work with my dad. This has allowed alot of opportunities to be closer with my parents, seeing them weekly instead of monthly. On my personal side of things, starting a business on my own in this economy is rough, but I have a couple of things lined up for this week. Now scheduling tings becomes an issue, but it's a ton-times better than wondering if I'll have work tomorrow, or the next day, or the next. It's also a blessing, because when I do have free days, especially on a Thursday or Friday, I'm allowed the opportunity to go to the church and play around on the lightboard. "Play around" is what it feels like to me, but I'm actually trying to get into programming it for Sunday mornings. Learning to program just means that I have to put alot more hours into running it. But I'll get it one day. Paschal and Josh are awesome teachers. Now if only work would allow me to be there every Thursday and Friday, I'd get there alot quicker.
Speaking of my company, Jesse Bond (against my best efforts to slow him down, what with the lack of content and pictures that I've lazily neglected to collect) has "finished" my still-growing-and-ever-evolving webpage, www.artisanelectric.info. Since it's ever-evolving, and since I don't consider myself to be a credible witness for my own website, I'd like everyone who could to help me add stuff to it. In other words, if you don't mind being quoted on my website, I'd like to add some of your words to Jesse's. Comment here to add them, or email me at calltheartisan@gmail.com.
So, since I *technically* had a business last year, this year's taxes reflected a loss. Which, by the way, was another blessing from God, because now the tax check coming back to us - at least according to TurboTax - will finance a 12' x 16' builing in my backyard. Its construction will allow me to finally clean out my guest bedroom and office closets, as well as allow me get our Christmas stuff out of the attic and down to the ground level where it's more easily accessible. We're supposed to start that next Friday. At the same time, Mom and Kara will be busily scouring Lowe's for plants to set out in our as-of-yet uncompleted garden. On top of that, I'm scheduled to volunteer all day Sunday from 6:30 - 2:00. I guess this about sums it up: if you're reading this, then don't expect me to be able to hang out with you next weekend. Also, if you're reading this, and you owe me one, expect me to call and collect that favor next weekend!
For starters, after I lost my job, I was able to go back to work with my dad. This has allowed alot of opportunities to be closer with my parents, seeing them weekly instead of monthly. On my personal side of things, starting a business on my own in this economy is rough, but I have a couple of things lined up for this week. Now scheduling tings becomes an issue, but it's a ton-times better than wondering if I'll have work tomorrow, or the next day, or the next. It's also a blessing, because when I do have free days, especially on a Thursday or Friday, I'm allowed the opportunity to go to the church and play around on the lightboard. "Play around" is what it feels like to me, but I'm actually trying to get into programming it for Sunday mornings. Learning to program just means that I have to put alot more hours into running it. But I'll get it one day. Paschal and Josh are awesome teachers. Now if only work would allow me to be there every Thursday and Friday, I'd get there alot quicker.
Speaking of my company, Jesse Bond (against my best efforts to slow him down, what with the lack of content and pictures that I've lazily neglected to collect) has "finished" my still-growing-and-ever-evolving webpage, www.artisanelectric.info. Since it's ever-evolving, and since I don't consider myself to be a credible witness for my own website, I'd like everyone who could to help me add stuff to it. In other words, if you don't mind being quoted on my website, I'd like to add some of your words to Jesse's. Comment here to add them, or email me at calltheartisan@gmail.com.
So, since I *technically* had a business last year, this year's taxes reflected a loss. Which, by the way, was another blessing from God, because now the tax check coming back to us - at least according to TurboTax - will finance a 12' x 16' builing in my backyard. Its construction will allow me to finally clean out my guest bedroom and office closets, as well as allow me get our Christmas stuff out of the attic and down to the ground level where it's more easily accessible. We're supposed to start that next Friday. At the same time, Mom and Kara will be busily scouring Lowe's for plants to set out in our as-of-yet uncompleted garden. On top of that, I'm scheduled to volunteer all day Sunday from 6:30 - 2:00. I guess this about sums it up: if you're reading this, then don't expect me to be able to hang out with you next weekend. Also, if you're reading this, and you owe me one, expect me to call and collect that favor next weekend!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Exciting Things, with Me!
Been a while, yeah? So, update: I got laid off yesterday. Very excited about that.
No. Really. I've been praying for God to lead me to new people, to "expand my territory" as my SG members have often head me say (quoting the Prayer of Jabez), and it looks like He's moving me on to my next step. What's that next step? Who knows! But it's exciting either way. No matter what comes up or where God puts me, I know He's in charge, and I'm genuinely excited about what will come next.
That does NOT mean that I'm not anxious. I am. Really. I don't normally go into new situations calm and relaxed. I'm usually worked up and nervous. But that's a result of fear, and "fear is the mind-killer"... or so said Frank Herbert in Dune.
I have a few ideas of what God's next step is for me. Well, options, really, but that's not the right word for it. They're the options I see, but not necessarily all the ones I have. God doesn't have t show me all the things He has in store for me. Some of those things aren't optional. So, I can either start my own business (really start it), find a new job with another electrical company, or find a job doing something else entirely. All of those are equally scary. All of those are equally over my head, and out of my hands. All of those are exciting.
I'm also very excited about next Friday, because I get to go to Catfish Lake. I get to go to that place in my banner, sit in God's creation, and do - nothing. That's an exaggeration, of course, because there's so much fun to be had there, but I plan to steal away for a few moments and just sit with God in order to listen. I'm also excited about the opportunity to bring along two couples who've never been to Catfish Lake! The Greens and the Klemos are in for a (scary/ wonderful/ awesome/ too-close-for-comfort-with-other-people-unless-you-love-them-and-if-you-don't-yet-then-you-soon-will) treat!
The end of the tangents: The best part about all of these changes and the trip next weekend? I mean, the absolute BEST part?! I don't have to face the challenges alone, and I don't have to share the good times alone! My awesome wife, Kara, is walking with me. My small group is walking with me. My parents and in-laws are walking with me. My friends are walking with me. And my God is walking with me. Those are things anyone could get excited about. My life is good. My life is God-given. My life is exciting.
No. Really. I've been praying for God to lead me to new people, to "expand my territory" as my SG members have often head me say (quoting the Prayer of Jabez), and it looks like He's moving me on to my next step. What's that next step? Who knows! But it's exciting either way. No matter what comes up or where God puts me, I know He's in charge, and I'm genuinely excited about what will come next.
That does NOT mean that I'm not anxious. I am. Really. I don't normally go into new situations calm and relaxed. I'm usually worked up and nervous. But that's a result of fear, and "fear is the mind-killer"... or so said Frank Herbert in Dune.
I have a few ideas of what God's next step is for me. Well, options, really, but that's not the right word for it. They're the options I see, but not necessarily all the ones I have. God doesn't have t show me all the things He has in store for me. Some of those things aren't optional. So, I can either start my own business (really start it), find a new job with another electrical company, or find a job doing something else entirely. All of those are equally scary. All of those are equally over my head, and out of my hands. All of those are exciting.
I'm also very excited about next Friday, because I get to go to Catfish Lake. I get to go to that place in my banner, sit in God's creation, and do - nothing. That's an exaggeration, of course, because there's so much fun to be had there, but I plan to steal away for a few moments and just sit with God in order to listen. I'm also excited about the opportunity to bring along two couples who've never been to Catfish Lake! The Greens and the Klemos are in for a (scary/ wonderful/ awesome/ too-close-for-comfort-with-other-people-unless-you-love-them-and-if-you-don't-yet-then-you-soon-will) treat!
The end of the tangents: The best part about all of these changes and the trip next weekend? I mean, the absolute BEST part?! I don't have to face the challenges alone, and I don't have to share the good times alone! My awesome wife, Kara, is walking with me. My small group is walking with me. My parents and in-laws are walking with me. My friends are walking with me. And my God is walking with me. Those are things anyone could get excited about. My life is good. My life is God-given. My life is exciting.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sleeping Outside
Demetri Martin has a new show on Comedy Central called Important Things. Now, usually I don't watch Comedy Central because it doesn't (usually) mirror what's on NatGeo, Discovery, Travel, Vs., or Animal Planet. Not that Important Things has anything in common with those shows, either. Demetri just has a comedic style that 1) is remarkably similar to the late Mitch Hedberg, and 2) sounds alot like the kind of humor that daily spills from my mouth.
So, Kara and I were watching the show last night (because we didn't want to stay up Wednesday night to see it when it originally aired), and the whole show was about timing. And one little transitional "joke" stuck with me more than the rest. There's a picture of a tent, and a caption reading "camping." Then, the wind picks up, the tent blows away, and for a brief moment, the cartoon man who was inside the tent is no longer camping: now he's "sleeping outside." It's all about timing.
I tell you that to tell you this. Last night, Kara and I started counseling a couple through the church. And the things they're dealing with, we went through ourselves at one point or another. The lessons we learned were hard because we didn't have anyone to guide us through our struggles, but we got through them when we finally realized that we couldn't do anything until we included God.
If we had not learned those lessons then, we'd just be "sleeping outside" right now, feeling lost and overwhelmed instead of knowing that the future is bright for the couple we're counseling. I realize that God uses our trials as training for things he's planning for us, and it's just so awesome to see those situations beginning to blossom. It really makes me appreciate the lessons that sucked so hard to learn, because now I feel like I can say, "Do you even know how good this is going to be for you guys?! Yeah, it's going to be hard, and it's gonna suck, and there' no immediate 'fix,' but if you just let God do what He wants to do for you - because He loves you enough to do everything - then your marriage is going to be unrecognizable from the one you have right now!"
Jeff Winchester said that "a deep relationship with God implies hidden, because something that's deep is usually hidden. But if you choose to live your life at the surface, then you have to learn to live by grace." You have to be raw and accessible. You have to get rid of the comfort zone. You have to be willing to show and relive your own mistakes so that you can walk alongside others. See, when you're camping, you usually bring a tent, something that will protect you from the elements. But when you sleep outside, you're out there for everyone to see, completely exposed to the elements. That's how I'd like my walk with God to be - exposed, raw, and visible, the good and the bad. I have to be willing to let people see the imperfections, because sometimes the broken pieces inside are the very things that God can use to "fix" others. I know that sounds campy, but I prefer to call it sleeping outside.
So, Kara and I were watching the show last night (because we didn't want to stay up Wednesday night to see it when it originally aired), and the whole show was about timing. And one little transitional "joke" stuck with me more than the rest. There's a picture of a tent, and a caption reading "camping." Then, the wind picks up, the tent blows away, and for a brief moment, the cartoon man who was inside the tent is no longer camping: now he's "sleeping outside." It's all about timing.
I tell you that to tell you this. Last night, Kara and I started counseling a couple through the church. And the things they're dealing with, we went through ourselves at one point or another. The lessons we learned were hard because we didn't have anyone to guide us through our struggles, but we got through them when we finally realized that we couldn't do anything until we included God.
If we had not learned those lessons then, we'd just be "sleeping outside" right now, feeling lost and overwhelmed instead of knowing that the future is bright for the couple we're counseling. I realize that God uses our trials as training for things he's planning for us, and it's just so awesome to see those situations beginning to blossom. It really makes me appreciate the lessons that sucked so hard to learn, because now I feel like I can say, "Do you even know how good this is going to be for you guys?! Yeah, it's going to be hard, and it's gonna suck, and there' no immediate 'fix,' but if you just let God do what He wants to do for you - because He loves you enough to do everything - then your marriage is going to be unrecognizable from the one you have right now!"
Jeff Winchester said that "a deep relationship with God implies hidden, because something that's deep is usually hidden. But if you choose to live your life at the surface, then you have to learn to live by grace." You have to be raw and accessible. You have to get rid of the comfort zone. You have to be willing to show and relive your own mistakes so that you can walk alongside others. See, when you're camping, you usually bring a tent, something that will protect you from the elements. But when you sleep outside, you're out there for everyone to see, completely exposed to the elements. That's how I'd like my walk with God to be - exposed, raw, and visible, the good and the bad. I have to be willing to let people see the imperfections, because sometimes the broken pieces inside are the very things that God can use to "fix" others. I know that sounds campy, but I prefer to call it sleeping outside.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Eh.
I'm. Bored.
And I have plenty to do. For instance, I should be writing in this blog, coming up with some insightful and brilliant commentary on the human experience, while at the same time throwing in pop culture references and hysterical one-liners. I should also be workshopping my own ideas (that sounds pitifully arrogant and pointless, I know) concerning the written content of my soon-to-be business website. Yes. It really is going to happen one day.
I have books! One is halfway done. C.S. Lewis' part deux of the space trilogy. I just don't feel like reading the stylized account of how allegorical Satan literally used logic to convince the allegorical Eve that it was her duty to experience sin in order to spare allegorical Adam the trouble. Then, of course, logically she has to teach him just what sin is.
I also have the second book in the King Raven series. I have boks on Christian counseling that beg for my attention because I'll soon be partially responsible for someone else's walk and relationship. I just don't feel like reading right now. I mean, I have Les Stroud's newest book, and I've barely gotten past chapter 2!
I have videogames that haven't been conquered. There are secrets in Little Big Planet that I've yet to unlock, and places in Fallout that I've yet to trod with my virtual feet. Even if my TV was in front of me (it's not even back in my house yet, because we needed it for the Super Bowl party last night, and I haven't gone to get it yet), I doubt I'd want to play anything.
I've unloaded the dishwasher. I've loaded it back up again. I've turned the light on for Kara so that when she gets home, she might feel a tiny bit more welcomed than she would if the little stoop out front were still covered in sunless shade.
So, I'm here. Typing away and getting a little kick out of the rythm of the keys on the rare occasion that I think far ahead enough to get a complete sentence together and don't make more than ten typos as my fingers struggle to strike the correct keys. Oh, by the way, I decided on MyOneWord for this year: it's "grow." I should really write it down in seven or eight conspicuous places so that I can focus myself and invite God to use that word to reach me. At least that's my prayer. It worked last year with "husband" and "lead," though I admit that I could have worked alot harder at it. That's why I feel like I should really write it in blatantly obvious spaces. It'll be a start. Odd, starting the new year in February.
And I have plenty to do. For instance, I should be writing in this blog, coming up with some insightful and brilliant commentary on the human experience, while at the same time throwing in pop culture references and hysterical one-liners. I should also be workshopping my own ideas (that sounds pitifully arrogant and pointless, I know) concerning the written content of my soon-to-be business website. Yes. It really is going to happen one day.
I have books! One is halfway done. C.S. Lewis' part deux of the space trilogy. I just don't feel like reading the stylized account of how allegorical Satan literally used logic to convince the allegorical Eve that it was her duty to experience sin in order to spare allegorical Adam the trouble. Then, of course, logically she has to teach him just what sin is.
I also have the second book in the King Raven series. I have boks on Christian counseling that beg for my attention because I'll soon be partially responsible for someone else's walk and relationship. I just don't feel like reading right now. I mean, I have Les Stroud's newest book, and I've barely gotten past chapter 2!
I have videogames that haven't been conquered. There are secrets in Little Big Planet that I've yet to unlock, and places in Fallout that I've yet to trod with my virtual feet. Even if my TV was in front of me (it's not even back in my house yet, because we needed it for the Super Bowl party last night, and I haven't gone to get it yet), I doubt I'd want to play anything.
I've unloaded the dishwasher. I've loaded it back up again. I've turned the light on for Kara so that when she gets home, she might feel a tiny bit more welcomed than she would if the little stoop out front were still covered in sunless shade.
So, I'm here. Typing away and getting a little kick out of the rythm of the keys on the rare occasion that I think far ahead enough to get a complete sentence together and don't make more than ten typos as my fingers struggle to strike the correct keys. Oh, by the way, I decided on MyOneWord for this year: it's "grow." I should really write it down in seven or eight conspicuous places so that I can focus myself and invite God to use that word to reach me. At least that's my prayer. It worked last year with "husband" and "lead," though I admit that I could have worked alot harder at it. That's why I feel like I should really write it in blatantly obvious spaces. It'll be a start. Odd, starting the new year in February.
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