Vacation Plans

The 2008 Summer vacation plans are finally taking shape.

•  We’re going to start it all off with a trip to the UP. Specifically Escanaba and Munising, Michigan. A bunch of family are meeting up there and hanging for an extended weekend. I’m really looking forward to the R&R, as well as a trip to the Pictured Rocks.

• Next on the agenda is a trip to Silver Lakes and the Sand Dunes. Four wheelers and bikes to go along with some naps and book reading.

• Cedar Point is a must.

• This years ballpark is Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio vs. Seattle Mariners. (Previous Ball Park Vacations)

• We’ll be making another trip down to the Yogi Bear Campgrounds.

• I’m going to make a trip down to Arkansas to visit Harding University, and to hit up some Sonic and a movie with Neil.

What are your plans?

Filed under: Baseball, Camping, Cedar Point, Cleveland Indians, Harding University, Michigan, Sand Dunes, Silver Lake, Sonic Drive-In, UP, Vacation

Around The Web

» We are inundated with subliminal messages.

» The original Photoshop Icon.

» The U.S. military torture playlist.

» Nothing more sexy than old baseballs.

» Michigan is getting some Sonic!

» The church wasn’t supposed to.

» McDonalds is giving away free breakfast burritos.

» Found a new blogger with similar tastes.

» Star Wars explained by a three year old.

**BONUS**
» My next door neighbor is in the news.

» Where in the world is Osama bin Laden?

» Free 34-track album download @ iTunes.

Filed under: Baseball, Church, McDonalds, Michigan, Photoshop, Sonic Drive-In, Star Wars, Subliminal Messages, Torture

Spirit Song Wrap-up

We made our second trip down to Kings Island for the Spirit Song Festival and it was great once again.

For starters, I whole-heartedly recommend camping at Cedarbrook Campground. It’s a family run business and it’s so nice, and clean, and quiet, and only 15 minutes away from the park.

Secondly, I’d like to recommend you get a locker at an amusement park or water park rather than leave your stuff off to the side. We were reminded this weekend that people still feel the need to steal things. Major props to the Kings Island staff for helping us out in that situation. (By the way, I hope the thief enjoys the bra’s and kids shoes he got when he thought he was getting wallets and cameras. Nimrod.)

Finally, the music. I realized this weekend that I need to space out some of my concerts. For at least three of these artists, this was my third time seeing them in a year. I knew their setlist and I knew their jokes, so there weren’t any real surprises. Regardless, the music was still great. Here’s a breakdown of the concerts I caught.

BarlowGirl – One of the bands I circled as a must-see because I’ve never seen them before. Stellar. There is something very cool about three sisters rocking like that. Here’s a video of my favorite song of theirs.

Jeremy Camp – Second time seeing Jeremy. Outstanding as well. I came out of that one saying to myself that I really need to listen to his albums more often.

Jackson Waters – A band I had never heard of before, but I checked out their myspace page and liked what I heard so I made a point to see them live. Here’s the deal, I’ll be buying their album very soon.

Hawk Nelson – These guys reminded me once again why I love Canadians. If you’ve never seen Hawk Nelson live, you’re missing out. They probably have more teenage appeal (they reminded me a lot of Family Force Five in concert), but they were hilarious and the music was fun.

David Crowder Band – Nothing new to report here. David being David. He did break out his new Guitar Hero guitar again, and we were undignified, and sung like we were saved. I’d still see them again tomorrow if given the opportunity. I will say that it was sweet to see my boy singing the lyrics to most of his songs.

NewsBoys – Every time I see these guys I am impressed with their professionalism. They pay attention to every single detail. The lead singer quoted some scripture in-between songs which is now my new favorite scripture, and my new life mantra. (See post below).

TobyMac – Tons of fun here. You can’t help but sing along, and your body starts twitching. And that’s a good thing.

Casting Crowns – These guys are really tight as a group. I wasn’t aware that they had a new album coming out soon. The story behind the album title is awesome and something we all deal with. I took more from that story than I did from their music. Good stuff.

We really enjoyed the company too. Big thanks to Tim, Adele, Lizzie, Amy, Pete, and Haley for making this weekend a blast! Let’s do it again next year!

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UPDATE 1: Forgot to mention that we were able to stop by and grab some Sonic twice on this trip. Mmmmmmmmmmmm…..

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UPDATE 2: By the small chance the people that book the entertainment for the Spirit Song festival are reading this post, here are some artists that I would LOVE to see next year: Aaron Shust, The Afters, Audio Adrenaline, Family Force 5, Hillsong, Hyper Static Union, Lifehouse, Mat Kearny, MercyMe, Shawn McDonald, Switchfoot, Third Day.

Filed under: Camping, Concerts, Kings Island, Sonic Drive-In

Sonic Good

The Zagat Survey, best known for its citizen reviews of eateries for the power-lunch set, recently published its first ratings for chain restaurants. Among the results were:

Best French Fries — McDonalds
Best Chicken — Chick-Fil-A
Best Burger — Wendy’s
Best Shake — Dairy Queen

Although I don’t agree with the burger winner, I’m proud to say that Sonic was ranked Fourth in Top Facilities, Top Service and Top Overall for fast food chains.

» Advertising Age
» Zagat Results

Filed under: Fast Food, Sonic Drive-In, Zagat Survey

Good Stuff Overload

I’m really not sure I’ve ever had a better weekend. Here are a few of the highlights…

• Watched E.T. with the family. Tanner loved it.

• Went to lunch at Red Robin with Tonia’s family for her birthday.

• Hung out in Ann Arbor and Brighton with Tonia and Tanner for a few hours and laughed quite a bit.

• Went to dinner at Carino’s with my family for Tonia’s birthday.

• Went to church at Northridge.

• Went to chuch at NewSong, and hugged on some close friends.

• Drove to Fort Wayne with Tonia, Tanner, Jessica, Dan, Tyler and Justin for the Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Louie Giglio worship service.

• Went to Sonic Drive-In and ate well.

Probably the coolest thing I learned was science related. In addition to being reminded by Louie just how HUGE the universe is, we also learned about Laminin. Laminin is a protein in our body that literally holds our skin, organs, and everything else in our body, in place. It was described as the rebar of the human body—it holds us all together. Sound interesting?

Click here for a picture of Laminin

**UPDATE**
Here is video of Louie’s talk

Filed under: Carinos, Chris Tomlin, E.T., Red Robin, Science, Sonic Drive-In, Worship

Detoxuary Update

Well, I’m on the down slope of the Detoxuary Experiment and I haven’t gone into any convulsions yet. I should make it known that I haven’t given up so-called ‘bad’ foods like cheeseburgers and the like. I’ve just given up the ease at which they are accessible to me.

So far, I’ve found it amazing how easy it is just to grab some fast food during the day instead having to make something, or planning ahead. Fast food is incredibly easy, but making the adjustments this month hasn’t been as hard as I would have thought. The only thing I’m really craving is an ice cold Coke.

I think this is really going to make my one free day at Sonic Drive-in all the more special!

Filed under: Detox, Fast Food, Pop, Sonic Drive-In

Detoxuary

I decided a few weeks ago that February would be a detox month for me. I need it, and it’s only 28 days so I think I can handle it. Tonia was inspired to join me as well. So, for the next month I’ll be weaning myself from any carbonated beverages. Choosing instead water or tea, and in some circumstances milk or juice.

Also on the list of no-no’s in February are fast food joints. No McDonalds, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, etc. This one will be harder for me simply because I’m lazy and will now have to plan ahead for meals. February is only 28 days this year, right?

I am, however, allowing myself one free day—February 25. We made plans, prior to this experiment, to go to a concert in Fort Wayne, Indiana, knowing full well that a certain, wonderful, Drive-in would be there, and have anticipated the Brown Bag special and a Cherry Limeade ever since!!

Filed under: Detox, Fast Food, Pop, Sonic Drive-In