Category Archive

8 days ago, I started my new job at Concur Technologies in Redmond. I am exceedingly thankful to my family and friends for the outpouring of support they have given me to get me where I am today. But in actuality, it is through them that God made it happen. I finally have a job that is using my talents in graphic design and it is exciting! But it’s not all easy, as I’m constantly facing new challenges daily, but I am eager to learn and really harness what I’ve learned from high school to today. Thank you for being on that journey with me.

I am currently in a short term contract working in Concur’s Marketing department. The staff are very warm, friendly, and helpful. I love it, and I’m not just saying that to kiss up (in case the powers that be are reading). I mean it! I hope to work hard and we’ll see where it goes from there.

I contemplated it. For the first 30 seconds or so as I heard the whining and howling at 6:30 this morning, I for sure contemplated making it happen. It was relentless, but I abstained in good conscious. It’s a cute pup, but it’s so loud, so vocal! No matter, I’m now sipping my second cup of coffee while writing this, pondering my small To Do List for the day. It has truly been a blessing to take this vacation and see family and friends. An interweb toast to my great friends Matt and Michelle Bower for getting hitched this weekend. It was quite a moment in history for me. Three more full days here in Evansville left until I return to a brand new house with my three roommates and an unforeseen future in the job market. It’s exciting and scary, but God held my hand this far. It would be folly to let go now. I wrote this blog on an old family Pentium with Win98 installed on it. It’s literally about 9 years old and slower than molasses. No really, molasses would totally win in the foot race: 10 times over.

One of my younger twin sisters have now graduated from college. I can tell from all my siblings and conversations with the parental unit that our upcoming vacation to Daytona Beach is something we are all really looking forward to. We all need that escape from the chaos and frustrations of normal life. I am really hoping for our adventure to be very low key, refreshing, and most importantly, stress free. My mother announced her retirement, to happen in about a month (Mom, I hope you don’t mind me mentioning that). I am proud of her for doing so, I feel like my career as an artist, designer, design consultant (whatever I end up being for this time in my life) is something worthwhile and worth meaning, to not only myself, but my family, friends, and the Kingdom.

Progress on the new version of Slipstream is coming along. I’ve updated the teaser page to reflect the logo which will be used in the next theme.  While excited, there is still much I have yet to learn (at least learning how to make it work!). So, if everything goes to plan, it will be a moderately content heavy site. It’s more than just a portfolio or blog this time.

As for the extra content, I would like to make this post an open invitation. If you consider yourself in one of the following categories: writers, copy editors, journalists, photojournalists, bloggers, trend setters, philosophers, theologians, web surfers, designers, web media moguls or have interest in posting links about technology, arts & entertainment, gaming (all types), faith & theology… contact me via email and let me know what you like doing or currently doing in your life. This can be both an extracurricular activity  or something that takes very little of your time, and I’m talking very little. In your email, please include a link to your blog, articles you’ve written, Flickr gallery or attach works you are proud of. This invitation for collaborators is open at least to the end of the year, so if you aren’t free now, you’ve got time to consider it. Lord knows you actually do have the time, but you just don’t want to admit it. Everyone can at least find ten minutes of Facebook stalking to cut out of their week. Heck yes, I went there!

This passage this morning really spoke to me as it is something that has needed to be on my heart more and more. Its good for all to be reminded of it.

Psalm 34, verses 11-22.

1 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

As described in this post, I have been undertaking the thought of joining Mars Hill as my church home. I did not want to simply slide into it with ease or with simple conscious. I wanted to really put Mars Hill to the test in my beliefs, and in return, it managed to test a lot of what I believe. In fact I couldn’t find a single reason to not say it was my church home. The elders and deacons of Mars Hill Church really do have their act together! And that isn’t because of something they read in a New York Times or Amazon bestseller list… it simply was founding the church from the get-go on the living, breathing Word of God. Jesus’ message is enough, and needs not any extra panache or fanfare added in. There is no need for golden pianos, metal plated Bible covers, or inspirational sports commentaries placed inside to be called “extra features”. The Bible is not a DVD box set. It just is.

Going back on the original topic: membership. It actually means something for this church, and not just to the elders. I’m talking the sheep here. The laymen. It is required for all leadership positions and its a way that the community stays active and accountable of each other. In terms of leadership, I will probably lead a community group in the next year. Much of that will depend on location and career opportunities playing the mix. Regardless to say, as of April 1st, 2008, I am a member of Mars Hill. I could not be more thankful to God. Being that I was appointed a member on April Fool’s Day is not a coincidence. It’s a good reminder that by myself, I am the biggest fool of them all. With Christ, I am called to be a disciple and live my life for Him in action and deed.

On and unrelated note, I am finishing up CSS: The Missing Manual this week. I’m having fun going through the tutorials and learning a lot of applicable knowledge when it comes to the backend of web design. I hope to implement these changes with Slipstream.cc and eventually get my portfolio hosted directly on my site, though Carbonmade has done an excellent job just in terms of a free service. Time to get back to studying.

[ The following was originally written Friday, February 29th. ]

Winter. It’s been a chilly one, but not unbearable. Right now, being the last day of February, it feels more like a perfect Autumn morning, crisp but clear. This year started out semi-rough for reasons the internet does not need to hear. But on all areas now, life is pretty uneventful.

Should I be worried? I suppose my old self, sans Christ in my life, would certainly worry about what tomorrow will bring. But at the end of the day, what would that accomplish?

Lately, I’ve been racking my brain listening to free reformed theology classes on iTunes, as well as John Piper sermons. Recently Piper spoke at my church at a conference some of you might have heard of before. I didn’t buy tickets early enough, but I was able to watch parts of it free streamed online. Much of it was way over my head, but I’m trying to learn the terms and knowing the logic and vocabulary teachers of the Law have gone to very expensive schools to learn about.

Perhaps with nothing different in my life and the lack of excitement has resulted in so few of posts. Regardless, I’m tired of most blogs being apologies for not posting enough. So let me save you the time and inform you, Streamlined WILL NOT be one of those blogs. I speak no longer on the subject.

To update you on the PC upgrade, things are, for the most part, up and running. I have a slight problem with something, and I have looked into everything I know to check: drivers, memory sticks, etc… and I still get crashes at least once a day. If money came easy to me, I could of bought a nice packaged iMac. But that was out of the price range. I’ll post the specs soon so maybe I can get some outsider help.

Just a quick housekeeping note: I’ve shrunk back all the excess links that were on my Slipstream.cc front page. I will return to them in one form or another in another page I’ll probably title Influences or some-such. Have faith in the Lord that He uses me to increase His Kingdom with this website, through my own kooky ways of doing things.

Recent CD purchases: Radiohead’s latest album In Rainbows and Leeland’s sophomore worship album Opposite Way. On Opposite Way, the song Let It Out Now is my current theme song. Everybody needs one at any given point in their life.

Another worship song, one that I recall from high school ministry is More Precious Than Silver. That has been one that I’ve sung quietly to myself to and at the bus stops in the mornings. The specific lyric that I’ve been focusing on is ‘And nothing I desire compares to You.‘ My hope is that it will stay my anthem for this year.

Happy New Year and all that cheesiness. I always thought the ball-drop stuff was rather lame. I watched Seattle’s version, showing the Space Needle being lit up from bottom to top as the countdown began, ending in the fireworks, yadda-yadda. Maybe I’m just in an apathetic time of my life when it comes to celebrations that overuse style, rather than provide actual substance.

Substance. It’s something I really learned to appreciate this Christmas holiday. I learned to really cherish the honest and open conversations over coffee with friends and family. Appreciating each other, life, Jesus. All of that. I felt refreshed and loved, and am immensely proud of the family I was born into.

I’m now back in Seattle, a few hours from hitting the sack and starting once again the weekly grind of which has been absent from my daily life since December 20th. The Lord has grace and has given me extended security and safety in a ridiculously easy position. It is one I moderately enjoy but otherwise long for something more… creative? exciting? challenging? Sure, I am accomplishing something for a company, as is any position, but my parents and I spent a great many hours and moneys on a certain degree that I would love to see fruit from. At least I’m not the only one in the world with a small clinch in their plan. But it is another example of God’s plan and sovereignty.

Newest to my blogroll is the journal of a fellow roommate I call John. He invites any and all to read and ponder. Is your blog not listed yet? Let me know and link it in the comments.

Also, in classic Slipstream fashion, a broken “promise” continues, almost like a looming “website update”. My computer upgrade has been pushed further due to how certain components of my old machine just don’t jive with new ones. Thus I had to make another visit to newegg this morning. I’ll spill the complete specs list of my new build once the time arrives. Like a wizard, this new build is neither early, nor late. It arrives precisely when it means to.

In other news, a recent Borders purchase spree let me come with some interesting films to reflect on. The first of which I watched and absorbed tonight is a film called Heima. It’s actually a documentary following the Icelandic band, Sigur Ros. I want to visit Iceland so bad right now, it hurts. I want to backpack there before I die. That, and New Zealand. If someone would like to fund said trip(s) and take me with them, please let me know. I’ll appreciate you (more).

I close with this: When in the darkest and loneliest time of your day, fervently seek Him. Read from your Bible. Daily. Then read some more.

Just a quick response to the silence and to update you all. I’m pushing my new computer build to after I return from Evansville on Dec. 31st. I type this on Becca’s laptop, which I commandeered in my old bedroom. I will ring in the new year with a fresh computer. The parts of which await my return sit in a box on my bed in Seattle. Until then, I’m spending the days remembering days of yore and laughing at/with old friends. And even saying goodbye to others.  My Uncle Richard died a few days prior to Christmas. I wish I would have known him better.

This free time to relax and stretch my wings is good and bad. I’ve been trying to push back anxiousness and longing to get back into my new life. Yet much of me wants to relish as much time I have here with my family. Something tells me 2008 will be a tough one. One that will bring into my life some radical changes that I MUST prevail through. I must be prepared to lead, in every area of my life, whether in work, church, relationships, free time. Of course, I hand the reigns to Christ and I can’t do any of it without Him. But He’s not gonna let me just kick back either.

 So no goofy resolutions or nonsense like that. It’s just me and Jesus. I close this in the words of a character from a recent indie-film release at the moment she knows she’s hours away from giving birth… “Thundercats……GOoooooooooo!!!”

What does it mean to become a member of something? To truly belong? To take ownership of one’s surroundings? To submit to those who have gone before and follow their leadership fervently?

Tomorrow night, I will complete the Mars Hill Church Gospel Class, an eight week program which tells exactly where MHC stands as a church, a community, and “a city within a city”. Soon after tomorrow, I will log in and complete the application process. Once everything is complete, I will be allowed to actively lead and participate with the rest of the members in a number of key places of ministry.

I’m still undecided where exactly I will go, but most likely I will serve in some capacity in information technology or the arts. I will say one thing, they have their act together, even when there are attacks coming from every angle. This church deeply loves and serves Jesus. Its the first time I’ve truly felt confident in where I’m at for a church home. I’ll discuss more after the fact and when I have more of an idea of what I’ll be doing.

In other news, at work, I’m doing a whole lot of overtime. On most nights, I’m working till 6:30 and on Saturdays. So that’s roughly 10 hours a day, 6 days a week of bug hunting in video games. That season of savings for the future with an easy job has finally arrived. Thank you, Jesus!

Today, Pastor Mark preached one of those sermons that can really stick with a person. It covered Paul’s writing to the church of Philipi on Christ’s humility. What an amazingly deep passage! Paul cries out to ‘complete my joy’ he says in verse 2, ‘by being of the same mind, having the same love, being full of accord and of one mind.’ I could go more into all the notes I took, but I’ll leave it at that. I encourage you, Christian or not, to check out Philippians chapter 2, verses 1-11. It’s juicy stuff that will not only shock you but hopefully instill in you a better knowledge of Christ’s heart.

I’m going to be writing up more of my thoughts for my community group for this Tuesday’s get together. We’ve got an online discussion area now for when we don’t see each other the other 5-6 days of the week. I ask for prayer for new opportunities in ministry at the church that have fallen into my lap that I use guildance and prayer in. I’ve done much of the same in the past, for my home church, but much of it was half hearted and quite self-seeking. I want to leave my pride at the door and seek nothing more than His Kingdom.

The following is an attempt to update you on the last two weeks in short bits, as I’m too tired to sit down write full thoughts about each, we’ll just breeze through them so I don’t stress about it anymore.

- Bus Accident
This past Monday, I had a minor bus collision involved with one small car intelligently pulling in front of a double long bus on the freeway at 60-70mph. The bus of course could not slow down enough and hit the back of the car, with only minor damage to both. However our bus was packed to the brim with the aisle completely full of people standing. Meaning that a slam on the breaks causes everyone to fall over on each other resulting in bruising and some back pain from the fall for some. I was thankfully one of the lucky ones sitting down. It caused about a half hour delay getting home, but thankfully it wasn’t as bad as it could of been. Excitement on the Metro.

- Costco
This next week, my roomies and I will be stocking up nuts for the winter, among other things with the aid of my new membership to Costco. Special thanks to my amazing aunt and uncle, Deena and Dan of Nashville, for helping out in this endeavor.

- A Mini OSP Seattle Reunion
This past weekend I hung out with friends Terri, Yugo, Demelza, and Casey [along with wife Christiane (pardon spelling- request for correction)] McCracken. Also along for the weekend festivies and hang out was Casey’s old friend from the Seattle area, Natasha. We all went out Friday for dinner at a pub in Capitol Hill. On Saturday afternoon we attended Fremont’s Red Bull Soap Box Race. It’s one of those crazy annual things you just have to try at least once while in Seattle. It was a blast seeing all these weird karts fly down the hill… or meander depending on their push. The winner I believe was a guy dressed as Murdock, driving an awesomely designed Kart/van inspired by The A Team. It was hilarious and when interviewed at the bottom of the hill, he proclaimed “I love it when a plan comes together.”

- Instant Oatmeal in the cold dark morning
It is the best, second to mom’s cooking breakfast on Christmas morning. I just picked up 4 boxes of the stuff from the local QFC for $8. Can’t say no to that.

- Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Not releasing till this week, I was able to pickup the new Zelda game for Nintendo DS from the company store on Thursday. It’s a beautiful game! They did a fine job on this installment. I’m hoping to trade in about four of my old titles pretty soon to get some money back. I just have too many I don’t play anymore. Such is the way of life and gaming, I suppose.

- Scripture reading
I’ve been doing my daily reading on the bus in the morning and in a mini break room when I get the time. I simply read as much as I can. No set limit other than what is alotted to me. I would like to read more, but my day simply does not allow for it. In the afternoons on the way back from work, I usually need that time to rest my eyes from reading anything from looking at screens all day.

- Glasses
This week, I’m going to attempt to visit some lens places around town and hopefully pick out some brand new specs. I’ll try to have a picture up as soon as I can to show ‘em off.

- Bottle Rocket
We are finally getting a Criterion Collection version on DVD! Our petitions and hopes were not in vain! For those who don’t know what this is, don’t worry about it. For those that do, I say ka-kaw, ka-kaw!