Yeah, Gamecube!

Gamecube makes it's mark on the household...

It's happened. I'm back into video games all over again. Before, and especially during the Christmas shopping season, I was making an attempt to connect with kids in the 12-16 year old bracket, and assumed that between interacting with their MySpace comments, and video game interests, I'd get pretty close.

On a hunt for a good deal (ok, I was looking for a freebie to make this adventure possible) on a game system. I was playing with the new(er) Nintendo DS Lite handheld, but soon realized that if I wanted one, I'd need to get on a 3-4 week waiting list. Forget that. After stopping in a few stores doing a total of about an hour's worth of research, I came across a Nintendo Gamecube, brand new, practically free. It was in a well known toy store that had recently made the decision to quit selling the standard units and stick to handhelds. Soon after I realized the deal was true, I found out that a gift card someone had given me was really only good for general retail establishments (no gas, airports, etc). Possibly justifying the purchase in the simplest way I know how to do, I got the set-up with a few controllers, several games, two of those cool DK Bongo drum-controllers, a memory card, and a $3 storage case from Wal-mart....for FREE!

Now four days later, I’ve acquired a brand new Blockbuster membership and two new used games. In search of the best deal, I think I’ve purchased and returned an assortment of controllers and games about four times all within the first two hours.

So in about three years with Nintendo Wii gets old, I’ll be able to use everything I have, games/controllers included, for that system.

What’s your favorite Gamecube game?
Why? Just curious.

Emergentness

Emerging Times:

Here’s my shot at throwing out some thoughts about the Emergent, alternative worship, small cafe communities...thing.

I saw this in one article: “For some, traditional Church is something they have walked away from (or been forced from), for others it was simply something that never connected with them. Others maintain a foot in both camps, though most would say that their energy and passion is invested in the emerging church experiences.”

What exactly does that all mean?

From that, I have two main questions:
1. Why are people being "forced from" traditional churches?
2. I don’t buy the idea that so many people have become somehow disillusioned with traditional church, that lots leave. I'm sure it's been going on for a long time, yet with the spike in online technology providing a way for people to better network, it's thriving. So then, what in an “emergent setting” is most appealing to...the emergent?

As I’ve thought about it, I’m not exactly sure how I feel about it. Sure, some aspects sound great, and sound actually, like they’d be more practical (let along alternative). In other models, they actually resemble the original house churches of the first century Christians. So, what are Christians actually looking for? Is it a break from authority or centralized pastoral-teaching, the need for a sense of belonging, maybe a combination?

Moron alert

Dr. Phil, in action...

I should probably go ahead and rate this post PG-13/R, fyi.

I've probably only helped the cause by posting these few minutes of video, but...what's this guy thinking? Is it even remotely legal? Doubt it...

Shuffle update

"I was lost, but now I'm found."

That's now true for me, and my Shuffle.

Ok, so I've only successfully lost the shuffle about 6 times. That's not bad for the first week, right? It's kinda funny, being as small as it is, I had it sitting on my desk while I was holding onto the Bang & Olufsen (Form - 2) headphone cable. Well, I went to do something else, let go of the cord, and watched the shuffle fly to the ground. It's so light, and so small that the weight of the headphone wiring took the thing right out, flying off the desk.

It's a good thing it's got flash memory...though it ought to have a concussion or something by now. I wish my flash memory worked that well. Geez...

Something worth while, for once...

Something worth while, for once...

If you're out and about, surfing around the web, check out Refuge Records. They've put together a CD project called "Comfort For Those Who Are Hurting"—a compilation of instrumental music, songs and scripture readings especially for those who need God's comfort. Main contributions come from Phil Keaggy, the all-star crew at Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia, Roby Duke, and others.

Phil Keaggy had lost 5 kids. Six children ranging in ages 12-15, all having had cancer at the time of the recording, are heard reading scripture over one of Phil's hymns.

(Profits from the project are used for the distribution of Comfort for those who are hurting, the continuance of additional projects like Comfort and financial assistance for families in need.)

Stay tuned for "Comfort 2."

So...what about church?

So...what about church?

Some lately suggest alternative, online, church experiences being valid, and possibly even more beneficial than the traditional show-up-and-sit-in-a-pew church attendance.

A student from Fuller has taken the time to consider a friend’s story, and go ahead and enlighten the rest of us in the interesting new twists of how people are viewing church.

My question stands, as it’s been for a year or so: what should church look like in our currently “connected” culture. We’re all looking for some sort of sense of belonging, or so says our nature, but what are we really looking for? What needs do we need to have fulfilled? Are these things (though permitted), beneficial to actual, practical, functional church living?

Not sure...
Thoughts?

Game System War

Game System Wars Rage On.....

With all this talk about the new PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii, I figured it was, at the very least, time to break my gaming break. I was always a Nintendo fan, since the very beginning (of gaming-time, post-Atari) due to the simplicity of the system's controls, and really, the quality of games. Games were great then (Donkey Kong or Mario Bros. anyone?)! Since then, Sony and others have come out with different styles, faster equipment, and more life-like games...but too freakin’ complicated. Additionally, as reviews are commenting, it must not just be me after all. Not everyone's into entertainment being so lifelike, as it’s become. There's enough drama in each one's daily life that we interact with as it is. So why has it seemed that gaming has turned into a strictly real-life experience? I’m not questioning the reality, I’m just wondering why.

The iPod Killer?!

Hmm...

iPod haters...go away

"iPod lovers = Zune haters?"

Not sure if you've seen most of the headlines floating around the web regarding Microsoft's latest try to smite Apple, and their beloved iPod. So, yeah, ironically enough, Microsoft isn't at the top of their game as much as they're boasting (really...?!). It would be one thing if they had planned this thing out a little more, but that isn’t exactly the case either.

Some links to laugh with:
ZD Net
InfoWorld