McStarbucks 2008

I’ll have a more in-depth post on my aspirations for 2008 soon enough, but this warrants a post of its own. I have decided to get radical and go a whole year without two staples in our society—McDonalds & Starbucks.

That’s right. For an entire year I am going to avoid two of the biggest franchises in the world. I was originally going to call it a boycott, but I really don’t have a problem with either. I’m not calling it a fast, because it’s not spiritual in nature. Basically I just want to see if I can do it, but I do have some legitimate reasons as well.

McDonalds — The two biggest reasons I’m avoiding McDonalds this year is 1) it’s not the greatest food in the world for my health, and 2) it’s simply too easy to settle for this option. My small little town has a McDonalds, and a Subway. That’s it. It’s a 12 minute drive to the next town that has a few more options, so too often I just go to McDonalds to save time and money. This year I’d like to see how this choice effects my life and my health. I’m sure it’s going to bother those around me, but I guess thems the breaks.

Starbucks — Admittedly this won’t be as tough because there are no Starbucks around me, but I always stop by when I’m near one. The reason for this choice is that I think it’s ridiculous to pay $3.00 for a coffee. Seriously. In 2008 I plan on drinking more coffee than I have in my life. I’m just not going to be paying out the nose for marketing. I’ve come to find a love for brewing Dunkin Donuts brand coffee with French Vanilla creamer. That should do the trick.

We’ll see how I do. Are you taking any radical steps this year?

Filed under: McDonalds, Resolutions, Starbucks

Ten Thousand Dollars

That, my friends, is the end result of a bunch of people thinking outside their collective boxes. As I mentioned earlier, our church started an initiative to give a gift to Jesus this Christmas in the form of a well for an orphanage in Africa.

Well, the tally from all our gifts came in last night and we couldn’t be more excited! My dad is calling his contacts in Africa today to set things in motion. How cool is that?

The things you can do if you just put one foot in front of the other and keep following God’s lead.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.
—Matthew 10:42

Filed under: Africa, Christmas, Faith, Giving

Make Hunger Disappear

In a grocery store 4,820 cans of Campbell’s Soup were used to build an installation piece that spelled HUNGER. Signage beside the piece encouraged shoppers to buy one and donate it to their local food bank. As shoppers bought the cans from the display the word HUNGER slowly disappeared. This allowed people to see how their individual effort could help bring an end to the problem of hunger.

Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto, Canada
Art Director: Anthony Chelvanathan
Copywriter: Steve Persico
Photographer: Angus MacPherson

(ht: Razor Creative)

Filed under: Advertising, Campbells, Creativity, Giving, World Hunger

Shelfari

My buddy Greg just introduced me to Shelfari, a new social media site where an online community of book readers come together to share interests, opinions, and recommendations about books. Users can build virtual bookshelves of the titles they own or have read, and can rate, review, and tag their books.

Books are starting to become a big part of my life lately, so this is a great way for me to find new blood among some of my fellow bloggers. It also allows me to keep an inventory of the books I’ve read, own, or want to read. I had been doing this with Delicious Library, but this takes the uploading step out of the process, and the addition of the social angle is pretty nice. So come on in, and add me as a friend!

» Sign up here
» View my shelf

Filed under: Books, Shelfari, Social Networking

Holiday Loot

High-brow optimism aside, we still exchange many gifts in our family, and I received some very nice goodies for Christmas. Some of the hightlights include; Mute Math’s concert DVD Flesh and Bones Electric Fun, the Band of Brothers Box Set on DVD, the The Godfather Trilogy on DVD, U2′s Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition 2-CD release of Joshua Tree, and a sweet new coat.

What were your favorites?

Filed under: Band of Brothers, Christmas, Culture, Godfather, Movies, Mute Math, Presents, U2

We Can Do Better Than This

Continuing the sentiment of the previous post, here’s a great song that sums up what I’m trying to say, and do, regarding Christmas.

Nuisance — John Reuben

So here we are in the same old spot,
knowing something needs to happen but our mouths are locked.
tongue tied, closed tight, sealed shut yup.
I tried hard,
but it just wouldn’t come up.
It’s on the tip of my tongue,
it’s in the front of my mind.
But the words were still so hard to find.
Finally the reality of things to come pushed me to the edge.
I jumped off the cliff into the abyss as I said,

I’m not trying to be a nuisance.
I just think we can do better than this.
That was simply my two cents.
You can, you can, take it or leave it.

The conversation lingered on and on,
Before I knew it, night had turned to dawn.
We’ll be searching for the truth in all of this
ha, or are we debating, just to win the argument.
Cause none of us wanna hear about where we go wrong.
This song could easily be from me to you, or me to john.
Cause I have the potential, to be the guiltiest.
My greatest strength is also my strongest weakness.

I’m not trying to be a nuisance.
I just think we can do better than this.
That was simply my two cents.
You can, you can, take it or leave it.

Let’s think about this path that we’re taking,
Let’s think about this future we’re creating.
Let’s think about this life that is fading,
Think about it
Come on, think about now

Lets think about this time we’re spending,
Investing in monetary things that are ending.
Let’s think about it then.
Let’s think together.
Let’s think about what we can do to make it better.

I’m not trying to be a nuisance.
I just think we can do better than this.
That was simply my two cents.
You can, you can, take it or leave it.

Filed under: Christmas, Consumerism, Giving, John Reuben, Lyrics, Music

I Killed Santa & I’m Back At Work

Most of my readers are probably still sleeping now, but I’m one of the few working class hero’s strapped to my desk this morning. I’m taking one for the team. You’re welcome.

I didn’t really kill santa, but I got close. Last year Tonia and I thought Tanner had way too much of a whirlwind of presents and parties, and we had to change something. So this year we started the slow process of weaning ourselves from certain traditions that we’ve come accustomed to.

Tradition 1 — Santa Is Everywhere!
Every year we would spend the night at my parents house, and wake up and do Christmas. And then the next day we would do the same thing at Tonia’s parents house. For starters, this gets really confusing to Tanner as to where santa is, and was, and will be. Secondly, it really gives him no opportunity to thank the people that are showering him with gifts. So we have stopped spending the night anywhere, and now only wake up at our own house on Christmas day. This is so much more relaxing and easier to explain.

Tradition 2 — Santa’s Not Rich.
Besides both sets of grandparents, Tanner also has great grandparents and at least 5 sets of aunts and uncles living within 10 miles of us. All of that adds up to Tanner having a small ownership stake in Toys R Us. So Tonia and I have decided to scale back his expectations from Santa. This year his favorite gift cost us nothing—a set of Star Wars characters I collected in college.

Tradition 3 — Jesus Who?
Our church’s theme this Christmas was Radical Christmas. It was radical in that we were focusing on giving presents to Jesus this year. Our mission was to scale back our gifts to others, perhaps even making something with our hands to save money, and then use what we would have spent on a present to Jesus. We based our gift on the scripture that Jesus said if you give a gift of water in his name, you are giving it to him. So we partnered with Children with Hope, and 100% of our offerings will go toward building a well for an orphanage in Africa. This will become a tradition in our house. It might be some other way each year, but we will definitely be adding Jesus to the gift list each year.

Believe it or not, we took some slack for some of our ideas. Traditions can be deep rooted, and we understand that. We can’t expect everyone to change their ideas the same time we do. Shoot, it took us this long ourselves. But we hope to continue revising our focus, and hopefully shaking free from more consumer driven, and busy-body Christmas holidays.

Filed under: Africa, Christmas, Consumerism, Giving, Holidays, Jesus

One Book Meme

I got tagged by Jake (Blah Blah).

01. One book that changed your life
The Barbarian Way – Erwin McManus
I saw him give this lesson on DVD first, then I bought the book and read it over a weekend. It felt like it gave me a new lease on life. Very short and powerful.

02. One book that you’ve read more than once
Wild at Heart – John Eldredge
I went through this twice with men’s groups recently, and I’m going to have to read it again soon. It’s just packed with great stuff.

03. One book you’d want on a desert island
Man’s Search For Meaning – Victor Frankl
This book is amazing. And if you’re on a desert island, you’re sure going to want the information contained within. I’ll be reviewing this book very soon.

04. One book that made you laugh
To Own A Dragon – Donald Miller
All of the Don Miller books made me laugh, but this one happened to be the most recent.

05. One book that made you cry
Christmas Jars – Jason Wright
Luckily it was late, and everyone was sleeping. Stupid book had my face all messed up.

06. One book that you wish had been written
From The Mire: The Tom Hawkins Story – Tom Hawkins
This is a #1 best seller if it ever does get written. Maybe the leadership at NewSong will wise up, give him a raise and a 6-month sabbatical to write it.

07. One book that you wish had never been written
If I Did It – OJ Simpson
What a moron.

08. One book you’re currently reading
Just finished Man’s Search For Meaning last night, and looking for another at the moment. The Flames of Rome was supposed to be the next book, but the copy I was going to read is missing. So maybe if I can find one, that will be the book.

09. One book you’ve been meaning to read
A Generous Orthodoxy – Brian McLaren
This book really intrigues me, but I’m trying to steer clear from theology books for awhile. I’m suffering from a bit of fatigue.

10. Now tag five people: Tom Hawkins, Shane Bertou, CEC Worship, Ragamuffin Soul, Mandy Thompson

Filed under: Books, Brian McLaren, Donald Miller, Erwin McManus, Life, Meme, O.J. Simpson, Theology, Victor Frankl

Bowling Season

It’s that time of year again. The college football season is coming to a close in the way it always does—in bowls that change naming rights every five seconds. Navy and Utah kick things off tonight @ 9pm on ESPN in the famous San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

Here are the other bowls I’m looking forward to. (My picks in bold)

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Arizona State vs. Texas
December 27 @ 8pm – ESPN

Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College vs. Michigan State
December 28 @ 5pm – ESPN

Cotton Bowl
Missouri vs. Arkansas
January 1 @ 11:30am – FOX

Capital One Bowl
Florida vs. Michigan
January 1 @ 1pm – ABC

Rose Bowl
USC vs. Illinois
January 1 @ 4:30pm – ABC

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Georgia vs. Hawaii
January 1 @ 8:30pm – FOX

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
January 2 @ 8pm – FOX

FedEx Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Kansas
January 3 @ 8pm – FOX

Allstate BCS National Championship Game
Ohio State vs. LSU
January 7 @ 8pm – FOX

For a full list of bowls click here or here.

Filed under: Bowls, College Football, Football

The New Adjective

Tanner, who turned 4 in July, has been really using his new adjective a lot lately. Tonia and I both love it too much to correct his usage, so everyday is another opportunity to see it used in a new way.

The adjective? Soakin’.

Apparently he took soakin’ (from soakin’ wet) and made it a universal adjective meaning ‘extremely.’

So this morning he told me it was soakin’ dark in the room. A couple days ago while trying to pick up a dumbell, he told me it was soakin’ heavy. Of course, it’s soakin’ cold outside most mornings.

My son is soakin’ funny!

Filed under: Adjectives, Humor, Kids, Parenting, Tanner, Words