D :: R :: G

day one - explosions in the sky

2011-04-20T20:31:00.000-05:00

Low-Latent Inhibition

2011-04-04T19:33:00.001-05:00

Currently fascinated with it.

Doodles

2011-03-23T18:40:00.001-05:00

- Posted from my iPhone

NYC - Day 10 & 11

2011-03-11T23:55:00.000-05:00

The trip home.

We took a taxi to the station. Our train left Pennsylvania Station at 3:15 PM.

The passengers from New York were quite different from when we got on in Orlando. These passengers were more normal, I would say. And plus, there was an entire girls college softball team traveling to Orlando in our car, so that was pleasant :-)

We watched Lost In Space. I hadn't seen that movie in years. Reuben slept a lot. I watched about 5 episodes of Jericho Season 1 before going to sleep. I woke up on and off throughout the night. I was more restless on the trip home.

The trip home felt very short. We got into Orlando at 12:45 PM today. Melinda picked us up and brought us home.

We had dinner at Tijuana and then headed to the theater to see Battle: LA.

After that I drove Reuben back to Melbourne. When we were on 520 E we caught the Delta IV rocket launch of the USA spy satellite "Gryphon." It looked stunning; right at sunset.

And our vacation came to a close. It was fun.

NYC - Day 9

2011-03-09T23:55:00.015-05:00

Our last day in the city. We didn't do much. We slept in, Reuben did some homework, watched some TV, his Grandma made dinner, and then we went to the meeting at the Kingdom Hall at 730.

The meeting was awesome. It was the final study in the "Follow the Christ" study book. One of the talks on the TMS was about the Greek word pro‧sky‧ne′o, it's meaning and use in the scriptures.

Then a brother who is an engineer at Bethel gave a talk about how to have sound, logical scriptural discussions. He recounted to us an experience he had talking to a student and how he used a series of scriptures to teach him.

The East Elmhurst Congregation was very warm, as all congregations prove to be. We enjoyed the evening there.

On the walk home we stopped in to Dunkin' Donuts to get some coffee and a snack, then headed home. Reuben played video games with his cousin and I hung out with them and surfed the web.

It was a relaxing last day.

NYC - Day 8

2011-03-08T23:24:00.001-05:00

We woke up around 8 and got ready for service. The Kingdom Hall is about a 10 minute walk down on 92nd Street in Queens. There were 9 of us out in the ministry. After the group met the brother who drove stopped by a few sisters' homes to pick them up, then we headed to the territory, which was near LaGuardia - just to the West of it.

The territory was reminiscent of door-to-door in Zurich a few years ago; each building housed about 6 apartments and you rung one bell after another at the same house. We met people from several different nationalities. We met one young man who we semi-woke up and who was leaving for Frankfurt that day. He wasn't very religious, nor interested, but he was nice and told us he had several family members who who Witnesses. We finished service around noon and then headed home to grab my camera before heading to Brooklyn Bethel.

A sign at one of the buildings

We got to Brooklyn Bethel around 130 and took a tour. The other family in our group was from Greece and the young man in their group translated for the rest of the family. The father in the group told how he had been in jail for 4 years along with other brothers in Greece years ago for his faith. Our tour guide responded to this: "Thank you." That made me smile.

Our tour guide was very nice. She was a sister named Muriel. She had been there for over 15 year, and had gone to school for dental hygiene. Hence, Reuben got talking with her a bit about that. At one point during the tour, the Greek family met up with a brother they knew in construction and building development who showed them around the construction part of the tour. Obviously, it was in Greek, so while we waited Reuben, Muriel and I sat down and talked for a bit.

While we were walking a brother walked by who caught Reuben's eye and then mine. It was Steve Grow. He and his wife were serving at Bethel for a few months.

Steve, Reuben and I

We had a great time there and I took a lot of pictures; I will post a few below.

After the tour we walked around down by the water for a bit and then got some coffee at a shop across the street from Bethel. We headed across the Bridge after and Reuben had fun joking about it as the Cloverfield filming location. Once we crossed into Manhattan we sat in a small park and people-watched and talked about how many people had approached us for directions since we had been in NYC. We contemplated giving wrong or increasingly difficult directions for fun. But that would just be evil... :-)

Around 630 we headed back to Brooklyn to the Bossert Hotel to meet up with the Lydia, Aly, Jenny and Alissa. We went out to dinner with them and 2 brothers from Bethel, one of which was a friend of the Thompson's. We ate at JOYA, a Thai place that I recognized from other peoples photographs in the past. Enjoyed some good conversation with both the guys about spiritual goals, serving in the congregation, and the lessons they had learned in their first 8 months at Bethel. After dinner we headed to the former printery buildings and crossed over to the residential floors to hang out in their room for a bit.

Unfortunately, the buses stop running at midnight and several train routes had been closed for maintenance, so by the time we got back into Queens we had to walk home from Roosevelt Ave to 99th, which took about 40 minutes. I think we finally got home at 2 am. Then I had homework to do.

Our group

Original MEPS

Awards won for our videos

Note the Watchtower without the title...

Cultural differences in the Awake!

Abyssing of the Dragon

What Happened to the Dinosaurs?

NYC - Day 7

2011-03-07T23:50:00.068-05:00

Q49 to F-train to Lexington Ave then 5 train uptown to E 180th. About a 45 minute trip to the Bronx where we headed to the Zoo.

Walking from the station to the zoo we encountered this informative sign:

The Zoo was huge. Most of the animals were inside for the winter still, but we saw the Snow Leopards, Polar Bear, African Wild Dog's, Gorillas, Giraffe and much more. Zoo closed at 430 so we then headed to downtown Manhattan.

We stopped by the WTC site and walked around for a few minutes. It was around 530 when we got there. It felt surreal. My mind kept seeing those images of the street and air filled with dust and debris as people ran away covered in ash. Streets looked familiar and the area was oddly quiet despite many people, cars, and construction vehicles moving about. 10 years and everyone you passed by in the area had that look in their eye like they new exactly what they were walking past. You can't help but notice the void in the city skyline as you walk by.

Next, we hopped back on the Uptown 1 back to Canal St. where we walked through Chinatown. We stopped for dinner at a place off a side street. I had roast duck and roast pork over noodles. Yum! After dinner we walked all over the area; in and out of souvenir shops, fish markets, and Chinese grocers.

Octopus Jerky??

And finally, some roasted duck... Quack! Quack!

To top the day off we watched Cloverfield back home for the 100th time. It's always good. Except this time we recognized every location in the film, which was cool.

Service and meeting tomorrow. Bethel on Wednesday. Night.

NYC - Day 6

2011-03-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

It rained all day. We had planned to go snowboarding. We had our bus tickets to the mountain but we found out the night before the slopes were going to be closed due to the rain.

I slept in and woke up around noon. We headed out around 1 to 86th and Lexington in Manhattan to exchange something Reuben purchased at Radio Shack. After we headed to Union Square and stopped in a coffee shop to relax, warm up and get out of the rain for a bit.

Reuben's uncle and two cousin's, Hillary and Brianna, met us around 730 and we went out for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Queens. Dinner was delicious! After me drove the girls back to their moms place then his uncle dropped us back at the house.

It was a simple and relaxing day.

NYC - Day 5

2011-03-05T18:55:00.000-05:00

We woke and headed out around 10 to Central Park. It was a very warm day; probably around 50 degrees, sun shining.

We walked just about the entire park. I had my frisbee and we brought a ball so we played catch for a while. My sister had headed to the city in the morning to go on a Bible tour at the Met so I was in touch with her throughout the day so could meet up with them when it ended.

At 2 we met Elizabeth, Lydia, Aly, Jenny and Alissa at the Met. I had not seen Elizabeth in a few months, but it seemed much longer. I had talked to her 2 weeks ago on the phone about life and changes that were going on with hers, but even in that short period a lot was different; like she had moved into her own apartment in Greenwich - where I was born. I miss my sisters a lot. I always love talking with them.

So the 7 of us got lunch at a stand and then walked around the park for a few hours, with me pulling out my Polaroid camera every once in a while for a picture, which my sister found humorous and archaic. Starbucks, FAO Schwartz, bubba Gump and a few blocks later and we found ourselves in Times Square around 6 which was fun. We all hung out there for a bit, had a snack, took pics and then headed out around 8.

Reuben and walked Elizabeth back to Grand Central where she caught her ride back to her car in CT.

Later, we headed back to Queens where we stopped by his uncles house to see Hillary and Brianna. Hil hung out with us for a few hours back home, had dinner, watched some old cartoons on Boomerang, chatted and then walked her home around 11.

It was a fun, long day, and our feet were killing us at the end. A good day with family and a few good friends.

- Posted from my iPhone

Location:31st Ave, Queens, New York, United States

NYC - Day 4

2011-03-04T23:00:00.055-05:00

Woke up late at around 10 this morning and finished my HTML homework and quiz online, submitted it, then got out of bed. We got ready quickly and headed out around 11, took the bus and train to Brooklyn to go climbing at BKB.

Brooklyn Boulders is a very cool place. It has about as many top rope walls as Aiguille, but it has sooo much more bouldering. Every wall and nook of the place is for bouldering. It is a newer place, and they decked it out with graffiti and such to try and give it an authentic feel. There is definitely something to say about the employees lack of communication with customers regarding their safety policies, though... Aiguille beats them on that front. But that's another story.

At 4pm we left and headed back towards Manhattan to get bus tickets at the Port Authority for snowboarding on Sunday. On the way back we stopped at York Street and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, then took the train to Penn Station. Walking out of Penn we asked a cop for directions to 40th St., which she kindly gave, and as we walked away we came upon a group of guys arguing and completely taking up the whole path. I was already right on top of them as it started to escalate so I tried to push past quickly to avoid anything. As I did I got pressed against the wall by one of them unknowingly and noticed one of them was interested in opening some cardboard boxes... Yeah, we moved quickly after that... The cop didn't even seem to notice them.

Pizza and Panini's for dinner. The waitress at the place was cute, and mentioned to Reuben about the creepy guy in line before us, and how he had tried some stupid one-liners on her before and stuff. He seemed like the type that goes there all the time just because of her, but in a creepy way. He looked like 40. The girl was in her 20's. I'm sure she gets that a lot.

After we saw The Adjustment Bureau at the AMC Loews. It was interesting and pretty good, though definitely did not live up to the quotes on the trailers that it is "better and more thought provoking than Inception." This movie was good, but it had to narratively state its message at some points throughout the film, whereas Inception was brilliant enough where everything it portrayed and made you think about came naturally and by perception. So whoever originally said that quote was an idiot.

Home now. Watched some Whose Line? and Family Guy with Reuben, and now I'm off to sleep. Headed to Central Park tomorrow.

NYC - Day 3

2011-03-03T23:26:00.003-05:00

Staying at Reuben's grandmas house. Cozy little place near Astoria Blvd.

We went the the New York Aquarium today. 1 hour train ride south towards Coney Island. The aquarium was pretty sweet. Sharks, penguins, seals, jellyfish, eels, seahorses, walruses.

They fed the otters around 2 as we were leaving - the red-head chick feeding them was pretty cute - oh, and the otters were cool too...

We walked over to the beach and by all the closed-for-the-season Coney Island amusements afterwards. I can only imagine what it's like when that place is busy and packed. It seemed pretty cool.

Brought my Polaroid along and got some nice pics throughout the day with it.

Next we headed back to Manhattan, ate, saw a movie, walked around Union Square area for a bit and then headed home.

Doing homework now and watching the ball game. Tomorrow we are going rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders. Can't wait!

Night.

"Did you know that?".......

- Posted from my iPhone

Location:99th Street, Queens, New York

NYC - Day 1 & 2: Amtrak

2011-03-02T05:08:00.001-05:00

We just passed through Richmond, VA on our way up to NYC. Reuben is passed out asleep to my right. I've been sleeping on and off all night. Train is quite relaxing at night. The sounds of the track and the faint horn every now and then is actually soothing.

We brought an entire bag full of food including a cooler with cheese and some lunch meat, so that saved us from buying dinner on the train. We plan on heading to the dinner car for breakfast, though. Er...uh. Breakfast car then I guess.

Should be at Penn Station by noon today.

- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Riverside Dr,Richmond,United States

java

2011-02-18T15:37:00.000-05:00

I coded a simple multi-threaded file server and client application in Java for a class assignment. It took me about 15 hours to realize it is exceedingly simple, complete it, and then work on the GUI for a few minutes before submitting it online.

I'm not one of those people that has a mind for code, but I wish I did because there is so much I would love to do as far as server and web applications. Oh well, I've got better things to do...

Although I did find myself looking through the Xerver source code today. Oops...

2011-02-02T21:28:00.002-05:00

"I can see the sun coming up over the horizon.

Who do you think we are?"

Pending

2010-10-04T18:51:00.002-05:00

I just had a thought. I want to expound on it, yet I am limited by my school homework deadline at the moment. I'll come back to it later.

"And as the summer's ending..." - DCFC

Surgery on Tuesday

2010-09-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

I am having surgery on my leg this Tuesday. I spiral fractured the bottom of my fibula and ruptured the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula. Therefore, they will be installing a wire that will put tension on the two bones while everything heals so that nothing heals crooked.

4-6 weeks to heal.

X-Ray

2010-09-20T16:57:00.001-05:00

I fractured the base of my right fibula at the beach this past Friday night while playing Ultimate Frisbee. Good times.

NEW! Song uploaded

2010-09-20T16:53:00.000-05:00

Melea and I recorded an acoustic and electric cover of Paramore's "The Only Exception." It is finally completed and you can listen to it here --> "The Only Exception" Cover

Other links:
http://www.youtube.com/user/generalgreeneroad
http://www.generalgreenerecords.com

General Greene Records logo

2010-01-04T18:10:00.002-05:00

2009-11-23T17:34:00.000-05:00

Hmm...

"and as the summer's ending..."

2009-10-21T01:25:00.003-05:00

Within 24 hours this past week the daily temperature dropped from 90 everyday to the 70's with a nice, cool breeze. That's right, I'm talking about the weather... People around here seem to be a hint nicer when the weather is cool.

55 days or so 'til I leave for Vermont. I have not seen Katherine in...... a while. 5 people from the Russian congregation are coming too, plus a handful up there are going to join us, so snowboarding should be a blast!

I miss seeing mountains every day. Sometimes when I'm driving and I look in the rearview mirror on a day with a lot of clouds on the horizon, it looks like a mountain range in the distance and catches me off guard for a moment. I know, I'm weird. The mind sees what it wants to see.

"...the cold air will rush your hard heart away."

CERTified

2009-04-30T17:40:00.003-05:00

Another semester done. My LAST one at SCC.

Now I just wait and hope I get accepted into UCF's Radiologic Sciences program. I got an interview in a few days; I think that's a good sign.

Next Thursday night: Death Cab for Cutie! Yeah, 'nuff said.

The CERT training that a group of us got a year ago is finally amounting to something. We didn't learn search and rescue and triage procedures all for nothing it looks like. I heard word that RBC is finally going to incorporate CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) more directly into RBC. We have a meeting on May 9th. That's awesome. Now hopefully we get to use the training... Wait, er, uh... That doesn't sound right :-)

CERT is a first-responder emergency team training program initiated by LAFD and now nationally by FEMA. Check it out here--> http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

Read me your favorite line

2009-04-20T15:14:00.002-05:00

This song is amazing.

I just learned how to play it. If I could write lyrics half as good as Damien I wouldn't get so frustrated with songwriting.

September sprang up...

2007-09-18T22:59:00.002-05:00

I have been feeling a little too nostalgic lately. I have been randomly thinking mainly about life a year ago, before Switzerland during the summer and on into life in Zurich. I am not quite sure why I think so much about it. I think I have changed a lot in the last year, a little bit not for the best, but mostly for the best. I think I have been getting a little too comfortable in my surroundings, which may sound stupid, but it's how I feel. But all in all, I really don't think about things enough, they just sort of pop up in my mind at certain times randomly and I generalize about how I feel about these things.

I was reading through some of my old blog posts from last year and reading friends comments. It's amazing how much we have all changed over the past year; some for the better, some for the worse. But no matter what, we are all still brothers and sisters, even if we have drifted apart slightly. We have all got eternity to drift together again.

Elizabeth

2007-03-09T23:35:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth's surgery went very well! She got out of the op room at 4 today. She is staying overnight and should be home tomorrow.

Snow Patrol - Chocolate

2007-02-22T22:45:00.002-05:00

16 pennies

2007-02-21T23:18:00.000-05:00

Wednesday's.

Good, long days in service. Good, long, productive days in service.

I have not written a short story in a long while. Nor has anyone else on the Gaiden's blog done so either. Yet, recently, so many ideas for stories have entered my mind. I ought to take them out of my head and write them but I haven't yet. Short stories are so great, though. Telling a story in a few words.

Soccer - is - great. I've played hockey, basketball, baseball, golf (bla!) and football. Soccer is the only one I can play every week and not get tired of. And playing with brothers only makes it better. Got to keep their competitive inclinations at bay, though. Still, I always feel so good out on the field. 4 days until next game. But who is counting? :)

Snow Patrol. Hard Rock Live. March 20th. I can't wait!

Dear friends: You all rock! I love you all. Just thought I'd say that.

Float on...

I backed my car into a cop car the other day
Well he just drove off sometimes life's okay
I ran my mouth off a bit too much
Oh, what did I say?
Well you just laughed it off it was all okay!

Circuit Assembly

2007-01-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

Goodbye Switzerland

2006-11-13T01:27:00.000-05:00

Italy

2006-10-22T14:15:00.000-05:00

Last week we traveled to Italy for 5 days. Below are some pictures and video from Venice, Pisa, Tuscany, and Milan.

Venice, Italy

Click here for some video I recorded in Venice.

Venice, Italy (can anyone say bird flu?)

2006-10-22T14:05:00.000-05:00

Click here for another video.

Tuscany (and the evil cat that stalks it),Pisa and Milan, Italy

2006-10-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

2006-10-19T16:45:00.000-05:00

A film is 50% visual, 50% sound.

New Short Film

2006-10-08T17:36:00.000-05:00

My new short film is titled "In an Instant." It is a crime-suspense drama. Please share your thoughts. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Length: 5 minutes

Elizabeth

2006-10-07T13:15:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much to everyone that has visited Elizabeth while she is in the hospital!

It is hard being over-seas while she is ill, but we know she is being taken good care of. Everything should be figured out soon.

Thanks again! *BIG HUG TO YOU ALL*

Fahren um Deutschland

2006-10-04T07:09:00.000-05:00

It's been a few weeks. Been busy, in and out, up and down, left and right, over and under, through and around... (I can't think of any others)

There was a freestyle sport competition in Zurich September 22-24. My dad and I went on the last day for the finals. It is Europes equivalent of the X-Games. Freeski, skateboard, Moto-X, and best of all, snowboarding. I compiled the video I recorded of the snowboard finals. Watch it here!

I had a slow start to the service month because of getting settled and all, so I had a big push the last week of September. I went out every day. I started a study with a young African refugee from Tanzania. He is so appreciative of the Bible and for help in understanding it. The last few weeks, though, he has been depressed. There was a voting not long ago on immigration policy and he may be exported from the country, along with hundreds of others. He had left Tanzania because of political oppression so he cannot be sent back there, so he has to figure out where to go. He is going to have to start his whole life over, he said. My mother and I were able to give him some scriptural encouragement and it seemed to cheer him up a bit. I heard that many refugees actually burn there passports and other documents once they reach Switzerland so they cannot be sent back. I also just started a study with two young Hindu men who have never read the Bible, but are eager to study it.

Such horrible things going on in the world today. These school shootings are so unbelievable, three in one week. Five young Amish girls age 6-13 bound and shot. It must be terrifying for every parent to send their child to school every day, knowing how random this all is.

We are in Germany right now. My Oma (grandma) flew over here to see the places she was born and grew up. So we have been driving all over Germany through her life. It's pretty fascinating. She was born and raised during the time of WWII, in Germany. If you can imagine what that would be like. At a young age she left the town she was living in with family friends to get away from danger. The next day that town was bombed and leveled, killing her aunt as she was running from her store to a shelter. At a youth shelter near the end of the war, she was sleeping one night when released Polish prisoners who obtained rifles broke into the shelter to steal food and supplies out of desperation. She had the gunmans flashlight right on her and still kept her composure. "There is an American guard down the hall," she said in German to try and scare the man. She escaped without harm. She is a brave one. Amazing resilience.

Some of you are off to West Virginia for unassigned territory today. Have a great week! Drive safely. To everyone: I miss you all very much! I enjoy reading all of your comments and posts. To the Gaidens crew: The stories are looking fantastic! A new one seems to roll out every few days; it's awesome. I better get writing!

Tschuess!

The Swiss Alps

2006-09-16T06:21:00.000-05:00

2006-09-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

On the Precipice: Part II is complete. It is posted on the Gaidens blog. Enjoy!

Part I - Part II

"Diese gute Botschaft vom Königreich"

2006-09-04T18:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new service year everyone! The congregation is so warm and encouraging over here, just as you all are. I promised to tell about the congregation and how the ministry works over here, so here I go.

The English congregation has around 80 publishers, 3 regular pioneers, and 1 regular auxiliary pioneer. There are 6 Gilead graduates. The territory covers all of Zurich and the city outskirts. The territory is worked by searching for English names in the city directory or by going from apartment building to apartment building looking at the names on the door buzzers. Our congregation also looks for Indian and African names, as many of them speak English in the city. The territory is worked over once every 2-3 years, so many people have moved in and out in that time, so the search continues. Many times we are unable to find English speaking ones after a few hours of service, so we do street work. We listen for English and look for African people, as they all mostly speak English here. Also, there is only one meeting for service a week, Saturdays at 9:30 am. To go out during the weekdays we set up oppointments for service with whomever is going out, setting date, time, and place to meet near the territory.

Friday I worked in territory and street work with a pioneer sister named Jane, who moved here with her husband from Africa. We found one English speaking man home. We talked with him for a few minutes and read a few scriptures, but in the end he was not interested. But hey, we did find someone who spoke English!

Saturday I met the field service group. I worked with a 16 year old brother named Jason. He has a sister and the nicest family. We are in their bookstudy. He is really outgoing and likes to talk alot, which is nice. He is the only young brother in the Hall, so he informed me I must stay in Zurich longer then 2 months! We had a good time in service. We did street work for 2 hours, and talked the whole time as we were on the lookout for ones to speak to. We were talking when two English speaking girls walked right by us. We didn't even realize they spoke Enlgish until about 5 seconds after they passed us, then we looked at eachother, realizing we missed them. We were going to turn around and run after them, but we realized it may look strange if two guys were running after two girls, plus the polizei were driving by at that moment. So we just scolded ourselves for not paying better attention, lol. But, a few minutes later we approached an African man who spoke English (yay!) and talked with him for a moment. It turned out that he already was being contacted by a witness. We saw some French brothers doing street work, too, and greeted them. Jason is a cool kid. He loves soccer, and ping pong. So we have a ping pong match after bookstudy at his house.

Monday I met a pioneer sister named July (pronounced Yu-ly) on the outskirts of the city in the residential areas. It was a short train ride out there. I went on a Bible study with her. She is studying with a mother in the Bible Teach book, but on this study we studied in the Great Teacher book in the chapters on death, because her young children had been asking her about death recently and she wanted to know how to talk to them. The grandfather sat in on the study too, which was great, except when he started helping us teach. It was pretty funny, but he was actually very knowledgable of the Bible. The mother kept on saying to the grandfather after he spoke, "I want her (July) to teach me!" It was pretty funny. He was a nice older man though. Great study, too. July told me she even came to the memorial this year.

There are so many Bible studies that come to the meetings, it is so encouraging to see! There are so many great experiences to hear from the brothers and sisters of return visits, Bible studies and experiences from missionary work. My mom and I were invited to a regular pioneer meeting this Friday so we are going to that this week. The ministry is great here, a great experience to see how the preaching work is done in other parts of the world, and in foreign language territories.

I started working on part II of my story On the Precipice. Read part I first by clicking here. Below is a link to a short video I took of our street as I was walking home from service on Monday. Also, some more pictures. Gute Nacht!

VIDEO CLIP

Lake Zurich

The SMART car. A Mini could beat it in any race, but not in a park in in this six foot long parking space contest! It is practical...

But not powerful! Muahaha!

Leben auf Magnolienstrasse

2006-08-30T18:00:00.000-05:00

Long flight. I slept, read, and listened to my iPod. The reading lights on the plane were broken, they would randomly flicker on and off. Everyone thought they were bumping the switch on the arm rest, or that they were going crazy. I think the people were going crazy. Muahaha! Jk... So they finally shut them all off.

I don't think I really realize I am here yet, it's a strange feeling. I'm sure in a week or so I will feel settled and I'll say "hey, I'm a thousand miles from home!" I love it here so far though, but miss all of you.

Zurich is a beautiful city. We can walk anywhere we need to get, or take the tram. Went to my first meeting tonight. The congregation is so warm. All the accents are so neat to listen to. Field service is alot different over here. I am going out on Saturday, so I will tell more about it later. I haven't taken any pictures of the city yet, but here are a few of our apartment and Kingdom Hall.

German, English, Tamil, Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Yugoslavian congregations.

A few pics of our apartment in the city. My room on the bottom.

Deliverance At Hand!

2006-08-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

2006 District Convention

I think the finish line's a good place we could start

2006-08-14T22:08:00.000-05:00

At the end of a good, long week of service, there is nothing I look forward to more than soccer on Sunday with my friends!

I am moving to Zurich, Switzerland for 2 months. My dad's job wanted him in Europe for some time so my mom and I are going to live with him there so he is not alone. My parents are already over there, so I fly over alone on the 28th of this month, the morning after the convention. I am excited about living there, it will be a great experience. I put in my regular pioneer application a short while ago, so I will be starting off the service year over there, which I am excited to start. My dad found the English congregation in the city for us.

I will miss all of you!

2006-08-14T10:41:00.000-05:00

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

It may happen.

Your glare is killing me

2006-08-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Long weekend. But a good one. Soccer was great! We played at a new field up by Mike Vergara's house. It is bigger and better. Note to self: bring more water next time.

I can't wait for the convention! Just a few more weeks.

My electric guitar amp was delivered today. It is super portable and has a great sound for its size. $7 on eBay. No joke. Just because it had a little scratch on the top and some guy used it a few times. Mechanically, it is fine. To my sister in the next room behind the paper-thin walls of our house, not fine. I should crank it up at midnight. Then I'll end up sleeping in the garage. Haha!

2006-07-24T21:29:00.000-05:00

Michael Piercy and I worked at the SCC booth today from 8 to 1:30. It was great. 2 people came up. Placed 3 books with one guy and 1 book and 1 magazine with the other guy. And we got to read a bunch of scriptures to them and talk for a few minutes. Woohoo!

Eric came over to hang out after. Played ping pong, guitar, basketball, pool, skydived, basejumped, extreme rock climbed, bear hunted, alligator restled then we got bored of all that and went shark diving.

A big grouped helped put the convention address labels on the convention invitations at the Campbell's home. We did 7,200 invitations! Now we got to go place them all.

My sister got this CD of a singer who was on tour with Jack Johnson named Matt Costa. I am learning the song Astair on the guitar.

Below are some photographs from Ryan Clohesy's graduation party.

I miss the snow!

2006-07-20T22:08:00.000-05:00

2006-07-16T20:31:00.000-05:00

Soccer was great today! Our team worked on our passing and we got more scoring opportunities. It was super humid out, but fun.

I just got back from the carwash. My sisters car needed a good cleaning. Ah, aren't carwashes fun?! I got that pink soap from the cleaning brush on me.

I bought this tape adapter thing for my iPod. You connect it to your iPod then put the tape into the tape deck and it plays the music through your car speakers. $9 at Walmart. It works great. No need for an 80 dollar iPod FM transmitter.

My frisbee currently resides on the neighbors roof

2006-07-14T23:00:00.000-05:00

What a strange week. My mother was away in Vermont. Then both my sisters left Wednesday morning around 5 to go to Vermont. Then my dad left the same day at 10 for Switzerland. Then my mom flew back to Florida that same day and her flight was delayed so she didn't get back until 6 a.m. the next morning. Everyone in the family but me has been going all over the place! It was neat, though, because I was home alone all day Wednesday through Thursday morning. PARTY!!!

Just kidding. Actually, Eric and Mike came over and played tennis then we came back to the house and ordered pizza and watched T.V.

Guitar lessons have been fun. Teaching myself was fine and I learned alot, but having someone to play with and learn from is more enjoyable.

Jonathan conducted Watchtower study tonight. He did a great job. And thanks man, also, for helping cook the hot dogs!

I had a fever Tuesday night. That stunk. Now I have a horrible cough. This stinks. We aren't going down to Okeechobee tomorrow because my mom got really sick today. I feel bad, she probably caught it from me.

Well, I am off to bed. Looks like we are off to the beach tomorrow!

2006-06-20T11:24:00.000-05:00

I could tell you the wildest of tales
My friend the giant and traveling sales
Tell you all the times that I failed
The years all behind me
The stories exhaled

And I'm drying out
Crying out
This isn't how I go

I could tell you of a man not so tall
Who said life's a circus and so we are small
Tell you of a girl that I saw
I froze in the moment and she changed it all

And I'm drying out
Crying out
This isn't how I go
Hurry now
Lay me down
And I let these waters flow
Flow

Son I am not everything you thought that I would be
But every story I have told is part of me

And you keep the air in my lungs
Floating along as a melody comes
And my heart beats like timpani drums
Keeping the time while a symphony strums

And I'm drying out
Crying out
This isn't how I go
Hurry now
Lay me down
And let these waters flow
Flow
Let it flow
Flow
Let it flow

Son I am not everything you thought that I would be
But every story I have told is part of me
Son I leave you now but you have so much more to do
And every story I have told is part of you

La te da!

2006-06-12T19:17:00.000-05:00

SpiderFilm has been in hiatus for almost a year now. But after today it looks like its heading towards being back in business. Someone called me up with a story idea and asked if it would work. I told him to write it up and give it to me. The idea sounds awesome. I'll tell more about it once it is confirmed.

I also researched some more video cameras today. Our poor old Sony is in the grave. I have actually only made 4 true short films. The rest have been experimental or just skits. So I'm excited that a bigger project may be coming.

Well, I just wanted to share that bit.

supersonic clock

2006-06-01T23:17:00.000-05:00

Vermont has been nice. It's been quiet and relaxing. I was changing my old guitar strings at 11 pm while watching Lost. Nevertheless, I got distracted, over-tightened the string, and POP! So frustrating. I got more and now it's replaced.

It's always nice when you are feeling down about something, then a good friend calls, you tell them the problem, and in 5 minutes you have completely gotten your mind off of it.

Eric had his first number 4 talk tonight. I was not present but I heard from my family it was fantastic! Great job, Eric!

You know this system of things is going downhill extremely fast when you read this headline in the news: "Twenty-five people were injured in an annual cheese-rolling competition, where daredevils chase giant cheeses down a steep slope in western England." Thank you, Elizabeth, for sending me the link to this news article. Apparently people from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and all over England come to watch this event. Sounds intriguing. No, no, that's a lie. Sounds stupid.

"It's going in circles,
The clock must keep ticking if we are to sit."

Rainy days and coffee cups.

2006-05-16T20:44:00.000-05:00

We went roofing last weekend again in South Florida. We got to work with primarily the same crew as we had last month which was great.

Monday, I went to Epcot with my sisters. We had alot of fun. We didn't die on Mission: Space. We went on Test Track and the part where you almost hit the wall, my sister had the funniest look on her face, we cracked up when we saw the photo after! They went back to nursing school today.

I had a quiet day today. I woke up at 10, completed some schoolwork, played guitar for a while, studied for the meeting, took a nap, drank some hot chocolate. Aren't rainy days great?

Watchtower study last Friday was great. A bunch of us played guitar and bass after. Kelly and Eric played the song they are working on, Colin played a song he wrote, which is awesome, Nina played great, and my sister even played a song. I played a song I am working on by Snow Patrol. I got their new album, it's great.

Betty the Super Squirrel (story within...)

2006-05-03T22:49:00.000-05:00

Synapse to synapse

2006-04-27T22:45:00.000-05:00

I completed my American School U.S. History course! Sure, it took 3 months to complete 1 course, but hey, I was motivationally challenged this semester. What really stinks is I cannot return to SCC until I graduate from high school (Seminole's dual enrollment program has different rules.) So much for dual enrollment! Well, I got to do Geometry, American Lit., Civics, and 2 Foreign Language credits to graduate. I had taken ASL 1 as a language in Brevard. But now I can't get back into SCC to take ASL 2 because I have not graduated. So, I have to pick a new language and go back to the start. Curse you Seminole County laws! Muahaha. Ok, my frustration is vented.

I. hate. shopping. for. clothes. Seriously, it is torture. Well, I went today. Needed more shorts and shirts.

I have a new story posted on the Gaidens blog. Please read it.

My music interest range is very wide. I can be listening to Death Cab or Iron and Wine one minute and then switch over to Linkin Park or Maroon 5 the next. The Shins and then Switchfoot. Coldplay then Weezer. So I guess I'd have to say I like just about anything (accept rap, heavy metal, opera, light rock, and on, and on, and on...)

I am going to buy an iPod. I knew I wanted a portable mp3 player, so I was looking at a bunch (outside of Apple.) But there are so many that are 100 bucks and have only 512 mb, or are 299 bucks and have 20 gb or so but are poor quality. So, I decided on an iPod. Yeah, I sort of put Apple last because it is a trend these days and I wanted to check the quality of others first (I am my parents child.) Well, in the end, I found that a 299 dollar iPod Video 30gb was a better deal with more features than others. I have never owned an iPod, so does anyone have any tips on how to buy it, where to buy it, what a good skin or case is to get, and how to take care of it best?

A nail gun is haunting me

2006-04-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we headed down to South Florida for roofing. We left Saturday at 4 am. We did two roofs that day and another on Sunday. The same crew worked together both days, which was nice. I was amazed when we finished Sunday that we had completed 3 roofs. Hard work, but rewarding. When we started, all the stuff I had learned from roofing last year flowed back, which was nice. Nail guns are fun. Driving home Sunday night I tried closing my eyes to nap but I kept on seeing myself shooting a nail gun. I burst out laughing for some reason. Yeah, I think I was tired. Haha. Hospitality was wonderful, like always, at the sisters home we stayed at. I kept on thinking to myself, "What other people can enter each others homes as complete strangers and feel comfortable and loved?" John 13:35 is so, so true.

Everyone on the roof worked so hard and was skilled, too. That's definately why the roofs were completed so quickly: everyone worked hard and well, and still had fun. My mom took some photos; here are a few.

2006-04-13T22:35:00.000-05:00

Mary belongs to the words of a song
I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her
But she will not wait for me, anymore, anymore
Why did I say all those things before? I was sure

(she is the one), but I have a purpose
(she is the one), and I have to fight this
(she is the one), a villian I can't knock down

I see your face with every punch I take
and every bone I break, it's all for you
And my worst pains are words I cannot say
Still I will always fight on for you

Mary's alive in the bright New York sky
The city lights shine for her, above them I cry for her
Everything's small on the ground below, down below
What if I fall, then where would I go, would she know?

(she is the one), all that I wanted
(she is the one), and I will be haunted
(she is the one), this gift is my curse for now

I see your face with every punch I take
and every bone I break, it's all for you
And my worst pains are words I cannot say
Still I will always fight on for you

I see your face with every punch I take
and every bone I break, it's all for you
And my worst pains are words I cannot say
Still I will always fight on for you,
fight on for you,
fight on for you

2006-04-13T22:25:00.000-05:00

"Sometimes we don't do the things we want to do so that others won't know we want to do them." - I.W.

Vail, Colorado

2006-04-02T11:51:00.000-05:00

Oh, are you refinishing your car, sir?

2006-03-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

Awww, good day in service! There was a great 7 am group. Spring Break began today so there were some youth out early, too, which was nice. We surprisingly found alot of people. Just at the two Publix's we stayed for almost a half-hour at each and people were coming at 2 at a time and 4 at a time. It was awesome. They were flooding out, literally, there was a flood in the parking lot...Okay, that's just stupid. Anyways, yeah it was fun. A few people who were supposed to be there at 7 did not show up. They can expect a kick in the shin later. That's right, I'm talking to YOU! Ooh, and lots out at 9. Maybe around 20 or more. Ah, the memorial season will be great. I love it when lots of people are out in service. You see them all over and you can meet up with them and change around, etc. Kel, David, Dante, and I unfortunately ended up in the same car group at 12...

My whole family is leaving for Colorado on Saturday morning. By family, that means everyone but me. Since, ya know, I was uh, adopted. Yes, I am going. I can't wait! My uncle let us use his timeshare or something in Vail so we are going to snowboard and ski and hang out and see family, etc. Basically, just have fun and do whatever we want. Ah, I can't wait to feel the cold mountain air! If anyone wants anything from out there let me know. If not I may just get you a gift anyway if I am feeling nice :-) So, what are your plans for next week? If you are not going away, what are you gonna do on your week off from school?

Only three of you will actually understand my post title.

Well, I am going to end this post. Here's another question for some more purpose to this post: What are your favorite T.V. shows? Okay, so hmm, what to do? Watchtower is at 7... What should I do 'til then? Hmm... I am a bit tired so I may just lay my head down and take a nap. See you soon!

2006-02-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

First words coming home a few days ago...

"Hello? Oh crap, who left the milk out?"

Hmm...

2006-02-22T13:00:00.000-05:00

In a comment, write something about yourself that is unique or that most people don't know. A hobby, a like, a dislike, anything.

Sunday Night

2006-02-22T12:46:00.000-05:00

2006-02-22T12:45:00.001-05:00

The life of a homeschooler...

2006-02-18T10:10:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from the February 16 homeschoolers thingamabobber. I'm playing ice hockey again tonight so I am going to try and get some good action shots this time!

Call me Jamin.

Eric juggling.

Julia learning to juggle.

The creature from Waukesha!

Avril

Eric jumping over Jamin.

No comment.

Julia

Eric the wannabe Spider-Man.

Jamin tossing the mutant blob.

She Was a Picture

2006-02-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

Kedrin didn't call his dreams "dreams," they were in no way comprised of imagination. They weren't flashes of images or in any way abstract. Every night it was like a high definition video streaming before his eyes. It felt so real to him. It was real. How could he forget the night he found his wife on the kitchen floor, on the cool tile, her heart not beating, her sweet, assertive voice not greeting him home, her aura completely black? The same thing happened every night, he closed his eyes, only to have them opened again as he found his wife on the tile. He always woke up before the water from the sink faucet trickled the blood off his fingers and down the drain.

His neighbors hadn't spoken to him in months. They had never even heard him mourn, they'd never seen any expression on his face since that night. His boss had fired him months ago, he never showed up for work, yet still, every morning he showered, made breakfast, went to his car and took off. No one knew where he went, and sadly no one seemed to care. He returned every evening at 5:30, went inside to the kitchen, washed his hands, had dinner, and went to bed. The same thing every day. He hadn't applied for a new job, he just drove, drove all day. He was close to bankruptcy, and the day before he received an eviction notice. Still, nothing was changed in his routine. His neighbors thought he was paranoid. But did he have a reason to be?
____________________________
Kedrin backed out of his driveway swiftly. The wheels creaked as he did so; he forgot to pop off the emergency break. The car jerked forward as he set the gears into drive and took off. He careened around the cars parked in the street. He always sat erect and confident in the worn seat of the small sedan. "Shoot!" he said calmly as he braked to a stop after the light turned yellow. Kedrin never swore, or pressed on the accelerator to beat a yellow light. He checked the meters on the dash: gas was full. At the green light he took off, leaving his neighborhood behind. His palms sweated. Crossing the intersection terrified him. Every car that passed him in the opposite lane seemed to move in slow motion. To him they were more than cars. The steering wheel wavered as cars passed, a little to the left, a little to the right. He saw every face that passed by, every man, every woman, every child in their carseat, every family. He always saw faces when he drove, and it seemed to be the only thing he noticed apart from the stop signs and traffic lights. His hands slipped slowly to the left towards an oncoming car, but his head screamed and he steadied the car in the lane. A warmness engulfed his face, and a few drops of sweat touched his eyeball, stinging him. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! All he saw were faces passing by. Ahead an eighteen-wheeler traveled toward him. "Where's a face?" His brain screamed that question. His eyes focused towards the drivers side of the cabin. The glass was black. "A black aura?" his brain troubled. No face could be seen, no life, no movement, just an object running to him at 50 miles per hour. Nothing within him screamed. He watched his hands as they drifted to the left with the steering wheel. Confusion grasped his face as this happened. "What's worse?" There was no slow motion as the truck approached, just the sight of his car entering the other lane followed by the sound of the truck blaring its horn. Was he paranoid? If so, did he have a reason to be? He lifted his eyes from gazing at his hands and looked at the black glass of the truck cabin. Right before he closed his eyes he felt as if the last few seconds had slowed down. But there was no time for confusion to set in. Staring at the back of his eyelids, he watched the colors dancing, shifting, morphing, jumping, and changing. It was like a black aura with hundreds of colors speckled throughout. A still image of his wife flashed among the colors. She was the picture he saw as his body was violently hurled forward.

What could be worse than losing the one you love?

Saturday Night Hockey

2006-02-11T20:30:00.000-05:00

The Zamboni cleaning the ice before the game.

Ready to go!

Matt, our game announcer, donning his Spartan jersey.

Delbridge is ready to go!

Warming up.

Goalie warming up and checking his territory.

At the start of the 2nd, we are up one!

Resting after 1st period action.

Charles coming in for a break after the 1st period.

The new duckling is on the ice.

At the start of the final period, we are up 4 goals!

We got a crowd! Fans!

Matt delivering play-by-play commentary!

Final score: 8-18!

My Drawings!

2006-02-09T22:50:00.000-05:00

2006-02-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

Check out this cool animation!

First you have to turn your speakers up loud so you can hear the sound. Whoever made it messed up the audio. Just blast your speakers so you can hear it. It may take 30 seconds or so for it to load so just watch the screen so you don't miss it. Enjoy!

Click here.

Something you are not.

2006-02-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

You know what kind of people annoy me? Those who will say things to make you feel a little lower than them, finding fault or something unique or weird in your words or actions to try and crack a joke about it. Also, when people try to be something they are not, normal, easy going, or "cool" If that's how they are that is awesome! But, it's when it is an act that I get annoyed. I've seen people like that whose friendship with another dwindled into nothing it seems. You give and get nothing back, or give and slowly lose getting something back. It's kind of sad to see that. I have always told my sisters, "If you ever see me trying to be something I'm not, trying to be all 'cool' or whatever, hit me on the head with a rock!" And I meant every word. So maybe I'll hit some other people on the head with a rock, even though they didn't ask for it. You can only try to help someone help themselves for so long.

2006-02-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

"My mother always talked to me a lot about the sky. She liked to watch the clouds in the day, and the stars at night... especially the stars. We would play a game sometimes, a game called, 'What's Beyond the Sky?' We would imagine darkness or a blinding light or something else that we didn't know how to name. But, of course, that was just a game. There's nothing beyond the sky. The sky just is, and it goes on and on, and we play all of our games beneath it." -A.K.

General Greene Road

2006-02-01T21:30:00.001-05:00

Kafilcafish Pictures Presents!

2006-01-30T20:00:00.000-05:00

Kafilcafish Pictures (Daniel Greene and Eric Hoanshelt) Presents an experimental short film, Skedaddle Dude. Check it out and leave feedback for Eric and I! You may even have a credit in the movie. Why? You'll have to wait and see!

Skedaddle Dude Movie - Kafilcafish 2006

Backup download link: click here.

Gymnastics in the street!

2006-01-27T23:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, so after Watchtower study on Friday we went outside to watch Alice do a flip. Then we all ended up outside and were doing handstands and flips in the street and the yard for the next hour. It was so much fun! Here are some pictures...

2006-01-27T23:51:00.000-05:00

Ben coming in for landing after a flip.

2006-01-27T23:48:00.001-05:00

Kevin thinking, "What are they doing?"

2006-01-27T23:48:00.000-05:00

Handstands.

2006-01-27T23:47:00.003-05:00

Aaron flying by David.

2006-01-27T23:47:00.002-05:00

Alice and Nina.

2006-01-27T23:47:00.001-05:00

Aaron jumping over Sophie.

2006-01-27T23:47:00.000-05:00

Me upside-dwon.

2006-01-27T23:46:00.000-05:00

Handstands in the street.

2006-01-27T23:42:00.000-05:00

Sophie upside-down.

2006-01-27T23:41:00.001-05:00

Kevin upside-down.

2006-01-27T23:41:00.000-05:00

Avril upside-down.

2006-01-27T23:39:00.000-05:00

Caleb upside-down.

2006-01-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

2006-01-24T17:45:00.000-05:00

"If the moon were made of barbeque spare ribs, would you eat it?"

Man cannot defy gravity.

2006-01-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

We all know man cannot defy gravity. But Dan The Super Muffin Man can! Watch these videos to see.

Video 1 - A day in the park...
Video 2 - Fly!

Could it really be this simple?

2006-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have discovered a new way to pick up the stuff on my floor. Watch this video to see!

Click here for video

2006-01-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

Age is just a number.

Want your name in a films credits?

2006-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Well, a few months back a friend and I had the idea to make a film about the ministry. More specifically, the Do's and Dont's of the ministry. Currently, the working title is The Unofficial Kingdom Ministry Training Video. We wanted to incorporate all areas of the ministry in, namely door-to-door, return visits, Bible studies, telephone witnessing, letter writing, informal, and street work including business territories. We wanted to make the don't part of the video to be slightly humorous. Ok, maybe more than slightly. But we wanted to keep it respectful by balancing it with the Do's of the ministry. So there will be humor, but only in the parts of what not to do in the ministry. Get it? We wouldn't want to offend anyone.

So, we got that far. Then we moved and the idea got lost in a notebook of potential film ideas, collected dust, was consumed by evil dust bunnies, and the remains were dusted into the trash can. Ok, I exaggerated a little. Anyways, we kind of forgot about it. Then finally it came back to my mind and lately I have mentioned it to a few and have gotten a bunch of good ideas for Dont's. Really, the only ideas needed for the film are Dont's, because Do's are easy to formulate from the Dont's. So what is holding me back from beginning to write the script? I need more ideas to begin. And the fact that my movie camera is broken might possibly be a setback.

So any ideas would be appreciated for this project. The Dont's can be however strange as you'd like (e.g. don't place a magazine into a dead mans shirt pocket assuming he's sleeping and just walk off), because we will then show the Do part after. Leave as many ideas as you'd like. Thanks for your help!

Hit me in the head with a 5-pound textbook

2006-01-12T14:24:00.000-05:00

It is 2:24 p.m. on the 12th day of January 2006. I am a homeschooler again this semester, and I should have begun my work on Monday. It is now Thursday. I have to take four courses this semester: U.S. History, Civics, Geometry, and American Lit. I am currently working on History and Civics. Wait, wait, wait, no: I am currently supposed to begin History and Civics. Someone out there please hit me in the head with a 5-pound textbook and scream in my ear to begin. Then possibly threaten me in some way so I will be scared out of my brains and finally, without any letup, begin. I will then be forever indebted to you and will always be nice to you until the day I die of a head injury and my ear drums bursting (quite possibly from being hit in the head with a 5-pound textbook and having had my ear screamed into).

Guten Tag!

"I'm never gonna wait for anything. Never gonna break for anything." - FFF

Fun in an Assembly Hall Kitchen!

2006-01-10T22:55:00.000-05:00

January 6-8 a group headed down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to cook food for the hurricane relief crews working on the roofs. Below are some photographs!

2006-01-10T22:54:00.000-05:00

5 a.m. and ready to go...

2006-01-10T22:52:00.000-05:00

Wide awake at 5.

2006-01-10T22:51:00.001-05:00

Breakfast break.

2006-01-10T22:51:00.000-05:00

The Campbell Man!

2006-01-10T22:49:00.000-05:00

Dish duty.

2006-01-10T22:48:00.001-05:00

Smile!

2006-01-10T22:48:00.000-05:00

Want to get the job done faster? Cut with 3 knives at once. Lessons by Nina. lol jk