I want to play soccer again…

This is Matt by the way…

After looking at some cool soccer pics I found that I have had several soccer dreams lately, and I just found this video on a photo blog I visit.

It really makes me want to play soccer again, but I know that I would really have to work at it to get back to the shape that I was in and obtain the agility that my mind thinks it still can do…plus I don’t think that I could ever play in the European Finals like I had always dreamed.

Orientation for New Staff

This past week about 100 new InterVarsity Staff workers have been here getting trained to be out in the field on campuses around the country. It's been a lot of fun to have them here and I am always encouraged by their excitment and eagerness to make a difference in this world. What's even more encouraging is to see some of my old students make the decision to come on staff and be here this week. It's nice to know that the ministry I cared so much about in Santa Barbara will continue on!

Budget Hero

So it's not the easiest game to figure out but it's kind of amusing once you figure it out. Basically it gives you a shot at fixing our national budget. It's called Budget Hero.

Sunday boredom relief

Thanks Eddie for passing along this gem. I think I now have a new goal in life.

Summer Reading

Summer makes me think back to all those times my mom would drag us kids down to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. You know those programs where you read so many pages or books to get fun prizes (like pencils).

I recently saw a twist on this at a friends house where their kids earn a couple cents for every page they read and then they can specifically use this money to buy snacks on an upcoming vacation. I thought it was pretty cool idea. Much cooler than a pencil.

Anyways, it made me realize how little I have ready over the past months. So I pulled out my library card for the first time in over a decade am attempting my own summer reading program. I think this will probably be a bit ambitious, but we'll see.

So what am I planning on reading?
MeVille by David Zimmerman
Take This Bread by Sara Miles
Just Courage by Gary Haugen
and some book about Bosnia

Water

Party Tips

For a true and tried way to make your party a success and provide ample entertainment allowing your guests to comfortably interact, we highly suggest scheduling a tornado during your event. Not only do the tornado sirens provide ample excitement, but turning the TV on to track the storm and then running outside to look at swirling clouds makes a wonderful conversation starter for those more introverted guests who may not know everyone else at the party. Even if it's just to say "Those crazy idiots!"

In all seriousness, it was quite the weekend. Saturday we went over to celebrate our friend's recent graduation from college with his MA in physics. While there, the storm of the decade hit. Matt and I both admitted that we don't think we've ever seen clouds do the things they were doing that day. There were a few times clouds would actually start swirling in the sky and often in opposite directions of each other. But despite record rains, tornado sirens going off, and incredible lightning, we were quite far from most of the action and sustained no damage.

Although I do have to admit that I seriously wondered as we raced home during a 15 minute lull and the car radio began playing that old hymn ("I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away;
when I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away") if the song was being prophetic or just a bad choice by the DJ.

Other Party Tips

In the News...caught my eye

Interesting news story about the current food shortage...caught my eye.

Matt's work

Currently there is a link on the national intervarisity webpage to a video that Matt edited for Staff Conference 08 about Michigan State. I'm not sure how long it will remain on the national site...but if you want to see what Matt's been up to, here ya go!

(Note: I think you need Quicktime to see the video...and I know that on our computer it took about 5 minutes for the video to load...so the screen looks like it is stuck or downloading something for a few minutes).

Little Norway

Last weekend in honor of our Norwegian house guest, we traveled 45 minutes to "Little Norway". Basically it's an old family farm that was established by a Norwegian family who immigrated to Wisconsin way back when. The family now charges money for people to come get a glimpse at the old settler homes and some Norwegian artifacts. Overall it was pretty interesting. Some of the crazier things I learned were:

• people in early American history used to sleep sitting up. That meant they could make a smaller bed. It also was supposed to keep the fluids from building up in your lungs while you slept which would potentially kill you (according to tradition). Our Norwegian house guest was quick to point out that this is a very American tradition and has nothing to do with Norway.
• Garden Nomes are a good thing. For some reason I think I always thought these little guys were trouble causers...but I guess not. According to Norwegian tradition they help your garden grow. They only get pesky if you forget to thank them...and then they'll tie your shoes together while you're eating or something like that so you'll trip. So make sure to thank your nomes tonight.

The coolest building on this property was an old replica Norwegian church that had been build for the world fair in Chicago. Lots of wood carvings and things like that. The funniest part was that sometime after the world fair it was bought by some rich guy who used it as his poker house since his wife wouldn't let him gamble in the actual house. All I can say is that it would be a very sweet poker house.



For other fun pictures you can see some of the ones Matt has posted.