Tell Me You're Kidding...

A few weeks ago I was catching up with some friends. We were discussing our latest endeavors. My good friend -- well best friend but when I say it like that I feel like I'm on the playground making declarations, -- Susan, was telling everyone about how she's going to go back to school for library science. Yes, that means when she grows up she wants to be a librarian. She says it's because of her love and appreciation for books and knowledge. I think it has something to do with telling kids to be quiet and stop running. We're off topic. When a couple of people snickered at her aspirations, she deflected by telling them to ask me my plans. Well, my plans are to move to Denver, Colorado this fall. I'm going to go to school at Iliff School of Theology for a Masters of Divinity. Ultimately, I want to become an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. One of our friends turned to me with what can only be described as horror in her eyes and said, "tell me you're kidding."

I'm not.

I have a lot of beliefs, morals and value structures. Most I'm sure I share with many other people. Some, I'm just as confident don't line up with as many people. At the end of the day though, I've always been this person. I'd like to expand more on my beliefs, morals and value structures in my other blog. Maybe sometimes they'll overflow here. But, that's not what this blog is for. On the other hand, I want each and every person I've ever known to know that I'm not leaving who I am for another person.

I know there are a lot of people out there with different religious views from me. I know that denominations aside, there are agnostics and atheists out there. I'm friends with a number of them. I'm not going to the dark side by becoming a minister. I'm not becoming closed-minded and an elitist by becoming a minister. I'm following what I believe to be a calling. As Martin Luther King Jr said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." My next step is school. I think ordainment will follow, but I'm open to other options as well.

In the end I want to assure people that I will still be me. If nothing else I hope to gain a stronger faith as my knowledge of the bible and religion increases. Perhaps some day we can talk about religion. Perhaps we never will. I'm okay with whatever you're most comfortable. If you have questions or concerns about this endeavor, talk to me about it. I'm cool with apprehension; trust me, I'm full of it all the time.

No matter what, I'm not kidding.

What to write about...

I don't post on here any more. I'm not sure why not. I think part of it is, I don't know what to write. I think another part is that I don't think any one reads this. I know I don't have time to maintain driving traffic here. Maybe I should go back to my original goal...writing for me. :) How profound!

Life is good. Life is complex and difficult. I think that says enough for now. I think this blog has gotten complicated because people I know have the web address. I thought that's what I wanted initially. Now I'm not so sure. Perhaps I should use it in the more general sense to track what I'm doing day to day. That is something to consider.

Right now I'm addicted to Facebook. I just signed up. I'm not exactly sure what the appeal is. I've refused MySpace, Facebook and so forth up til now. Christine convinced me that because I've been accepted back to school, that Facebook is acceptable. I think it's a little twisted and trendy. Trendy is not usually my thing. We'll see.

Change

Never trust a person who hates change. Ask them, what if they are initiating the change? Then, what do they think. I'm in the process of applying to schools, planning a move, discussing vacation plans...I couldn't be more excited. How about you? What's a change you caused and loved?

Apple iPhone vs Nokia N95

Now I know I love my N95. And, I'll readily go head-to-head with any Apple enthusiast (although I don't think many listen to what is being said back) about why it's better than the iPhone. And, while many non-Apple enthusiasts are just hating on the iPhone I recognize a few things it brings to the mobile industry. First, their touch screen out-does any plasic stylus touchscreen on the market. Also, the user-interface is slick. Finally, Apple successfully introduced to the US market what the mobile industry does all around the world. They sell phones at full price but as feature-packed convergence devices. They didn't do anything new; they just got the US public to get it for once.

The point of this post is to say that someone summed it up just right. Thanks to Darla Mack's post reference, I read the almost perfect quote...

"The iPhone is for consuming content, while the N95 is for creating it."

This is why sometimes talking to an iPhone owner just doesn't make for a constructive conversation. We're arguing the same points from different sides of the table, and I don't mean Nokia vs Apple. I say, "but your phone only has a 2mp camera!" And I usually get back, "so what!" All this time I thought it was ignorant banter when in reality it really didn't matter to them. So, I'd like to say to Jonathan Greene of Atmaspheric Endeavors...thank you. I get it now. I only hope everyone else takes a moment to digest your thoughts as well.

Oh, I still like my N95 more! :)

Long Grove Oktoberfest

Today Susan and I took the puppies to Long Grove for their Oktoberfest. While Long Grove is a great community for walking around on the weekend and being touristy, I think their Oktoberfest was a little weak. The whole reason we went was because last weekend we stumbled upon their Apple Fest. That was amazing! Lots of apples, venders, apple cider, music, apple donuts, crafts, etc. Their square and fountain area were packed. This weekend was much different. In addition to it being small, the brat I has was awful. So, if you're looking for a little Chicago suburbia tourism, hit up Long Grove any weekend other than their Oktoberfest weekend.

Oh, the puppies had a blast being flirted with by all the kids and people entertained with small animals. And, please don't get me wrong. The snacks, beer and weather were great. I'm exhausted from all of the walking around and reining in of the puppies.

Working Girl

Well, I've been at this job now for just over two weeks. Today was my third Monday. Today was also my first "real" day of doing my job. I headed out into the suburbs and talked up my company and product. While I'm not sure anyone can drive around talking to sales people all day, every day for the rest of their lives. I think this job will work out for a while.

It is true that I have it easy right now though. All I have to do is get my business card into the managers' hands. I'm doing my introductions right now. On top of that it is down right gorgeous out. I love autumn. The leaves are changing colors, and everything just looks great. Now, if you ask me in four months what I think of the outdoors, I can guarentee that the Midwest's winter will be getting the best of me. I'll be hating the ice, snow, cold, glare of the sun and everything else that comes with winter.

I just thought an update was necessary. Oh, and I get a laptop for work, so now I'm mobile. Not that I wasn't mobile before with my N95 but I have an added toy thanks to my company. Yea company laptops! :)

Bored

I know I don't post regularly. I keep telling myself (and any readers out there) that I'm going to start posting regularly. So, this is my attempt. I am simply spelling out for all of you that I am bored out of my mind. I should be working, but there is only so much training you can do without any hands on tools to work with. I was hoping to be out there beating the streets and convincing salespeople to sell, but I just don't have the tools or know-how quite yet. And, I can't very well tell FedEx to kick it up a notch. I don't even know if they're the ones handling the shipments.

Oh well, what do you do when you're bored? No, I won't clean. Not fun enough. :)

One Egg or Even No Eggs!

Okay, if you've spent any substantial amount of time involved in 4H you're most likely aware of the one egg cake competition/challenge. I was never in 4H, so I've never experienced the feat or failure personally. But, Susan did it as a kid. Apparently, it is not an easy task. Or at least she makes it out that way hence my utter awe when I saw a bakery advertising eggless cakes! Is anyone else impressed? I think Susan would have been moreso if I hadn't interrupted her last hour of work Friday afternoon. :-)

Gotta Love My N95

This is why I love my phone, or as Nokia calls it and I do most days, my multimedia computer. It is so true. This is why people are loving the Apple iPhone. I'm not going to get into an argument about the iPhone as I have plenty of thoughts on it. The truth is: Nokia has been doing convergence (multiple devices all in one - i.e. phone, camera, mp3 player, pda, etc) for years. In fact they're taking it further and further.

Okay, long story short...I was reading one of my favorite blogs, IntoMobile by Stefan (previously RingNokia). He referenced a Nokia video. It spoke to me.

The world is changing. Mobile phones are so much more than the American public realizes. They're not scary; they are everything in your pocket. I love it. If you can imagine it, it can be done even with a phone.

Watch. Let me know what you think!

Passing Notes