Charleston 2011

I love vacation / family trip time with Meg and the kids. This year we went to Charleston, SC and had some time in the ocean, downtown in the Market, and on the USS Yorktown. So much fun.

Snow Day

Snow day.

Frog

Today we took the kids to the zoo and while it was ripe with hipstamatic photo opportunities the kids (and the animals) moved much faster than the app. I did find one slow frog who held for the shot.

Ten years

Ten years ago today I woke up at my parents house for the last time. I went to the gym (seriously), came back and got showered up, and headed over to the church with Dad to check out the reception preparations.

A dizzy whirlwind and a few short hours later I left that church with my best friend, now my wife, by my side. It was surreal and amazing and one of the most amazing days of my entire life.

It’s startling to imagine that was ten years ago; it seems like just yesterday. And I think it will always seems that clear.

Ten years ago I became the husband of the most beautiful, gracious, amazing, and charming little redhead that ever graced the planet.

And I am so truly grateful, Meg, for you and for that day. Happy tenth anniversary.

Dance party

So, we had a little dance party at the Wilson house this weekend. That was fun.

redirect:avclub

In the new year I’m rethinking what to do with avclub. Don’t fret, I’ll keep it running. But over the past several years it’s evolved. Doesn’t every blog? Maybe that’s because blogs are personal and driven by the whims of their author. And authors change over time. Regardless, I’ve noticed over the past several months (or even the past full year) a lot of what the avclub has become is a regurgitation of information I find notable or inspirational. Some of that will continue. But I may begin to trade recycled content (and the frequency) for some more thought through ideas. This may mean I post less, but with more planning.

I’ve never been a big fan of blogs with lots and lots of words. Maybe it’s my short attention span, or the fact that I peruse around 150 sites a day (and in those volumes you have to become a scanner). Regardless, I’d like to tell more of a story; and utilize video, image, and hand-drawn scribble. Let me show you what’s inspiring me, or maybe (and more interestingly) show you the results of my inspiration. So let’s see where this goes.

C9s

My beautiful wife writes a great post today about our family’s switch from tiny white lights to beautiful, bold, dangerous C9s on the Christmas tree. Get the story here.

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R2 on the road

When I travel I like to document my journey along the way and email my family (mainly G, who gets into the cool travel sights). This time, I took along a friend of his to keep me company.

Cool things I’ve found cleaning out the garage

I’m taking a few days off. So far it’s been great. I’m spending my week with my family, mostly with G, as we are cleaning out our garage. It’s been a mess 3 years in the making and begging for some serious organization. That’s something I do well. When it’s complete I hope to have (1) a workout space, (2) easy access to all tool, (3) easy access to all kids’ toys, an (4) a place to park at least one car. Bonus would be a spot to create some strange electronic fabrications which will be discussed in another post.

As I’ve dug I have come across quite a few interesting things. Here are two. First is set of safety glasses I dubbed weezer-specs. I got them on a client visit when I was an engineer. I ended up using them most of my time as and engineer, and seriously considered putting tape around the center for laughs. Second… well let’s say my Crocodile Dundee costume would have been much more effective had I found this earlier.

G’s 5th

It’s been an awesome weekend. My son turns 5 on Monday so we’re having a weekend of celebration. Highlights include:
- a waterslide cake
- a Willy Wonka themed party
- G’s new bike (and cruising the NewSpring parking lot)
- building Legos
- spending time with family

It’s been great. I count myself blessed to have such great friends, and family, especially my wonderfully creative, caring 5-year-old.

What do the Wilson men do?

What do the Wilson men (men referring to Gardner and me, Pushbutton-the-dog is excluded from this list) in the evenings after supper? We do this.

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G and a 4 wheeler

The other day G gave a first attempt at driving his cousin’s 4 wheeler. (for the technical of you in nature this video was shot with the iPhone 3GS, edit in Final Cut, no post color grading involved, all stunts performed by G).

Summertime fun or $15 in PVC or Nurturing the young engineer

For one of our summertime activities G and I spent some time designing a new contraption (pictured below).

We visited the local hardware store where we purchased about $15 worth of PVC pipe, tubes, and elbows. For the rest of the afternoon G spent his time creating contraptions, routing water, and experimenting with “hmm, what happens when I plug this pipe?” or “if I can this valve, the water comes out… where?”

No Wii for us on this fine summer afternoon, we’re enjoying some quality young-engineer -development with PVC.

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Digital Bible Journal

I frequently rave about Evernote. Amidst the plethora of computer based applications out there it’s one of my favorite services that exists. It’s billed as an “anti social application,” or something like that. In a world of Google Docs and Twitter where everything is meant to be public Evernote is structured to be internal. It’s a place for all of your information, easily accessible, easily searchable.

Here’s how I use it for my quiet time journal. I use this from my iPhone, a paper Bible, from my laptop, or from another computer.

Benefits of this workflow:
- Access to your journal (both input and output) everywhere
- Search. Ever think “what was that verse I read on anger?” Now you can find it.
- Backup. Because it’s stored at Evernote, you won’t misplace your journal.

Typically I use YouVersion.com as my Bible. I occasionally use a hard copy Bible (especially if I’m journaling from my iPhone).

In Evernote, I create a notebook called “Journal.” Each month, I create a new note called “July 2009 notes,” changing according to the date. This way I have a grouping of notes by month.

For each day, I create the entry like this:
“date” – “scripture for the day” (ie. 7/17 – Psalm 73). This way I have the date referenced, and regardless which Bible I pick up I have my place marked. This gives me flexibility in my routine.

How you notate is up to you. I keep all my notes in plain text (no Bold, italics, etc.). I do this primarily because the iPhone only lets you append info to the end of a note with that has formatting (you can’t edit into the middle of the note). I typically quote scriptures, and include verses referenced like (3) or (v4-10) so I can figure out what I was referring to later on, then add the thoughts that God shows me in and around the scripture clippings.

I’ve been using this technique since fall of last year and have really stuck to it. For me I’ve always struggled with paper based journaling. Doing it this way allows me to stay with a workflow I’m already using with everything elsee. Sidenote: I also use this “Journal” notebook for any sermon notes or conference notes I take. That way this information is all in the same location and easily retrievable.

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Reese hitch day

Friday, Dad and I took on a project that’s been looming over us, incomplete, for just under three years. How do I know how long it’s been? Because Meg was still pregnant with Rainey when we started.

Today we finished. We installed a Reese hitch on my Jeep. To say it was a tedious task is a huge understatement. This must be the seemingly easiest, but actually most difficult, task I’ve ever taken on. Amazingly difficult.

But it’s done. Fini. And documented via video and photo. Yeah!

Video segment here.

Portland Rescue Mission needs producer

A faithful avclub.us reader Nathan Smith (Portland Rescue Mission) is looking for a video producer. If you’re a video producer interested in a full time position, here is their official posting.

Portland Rescue Mission (Portland, Oregon) is seeking an experienced video / audio producer to shoot and edit video stories of life change for our website and other venues.

We are a Christian non-profit organization bringing hope to men, women and children affected by homelessness, addiction and abuse. Our emergency services provide food, shelter, showers, restrooms, clothing and other care. Our long-term recovery programs provide counseling, spiritual guidance, emotional healing, education, job training and case management.

Learn more about us at www.portlandrescuemission.org. Job description available here (PDF).

To apply, send resume and cover letter to:

Alissa Goble, Staff Ministry
Portland Rescue Mission

700 NE Multnomah, Suite 400
Portland, OR 97232
alissag@pdxmission.org

Eclipse

My bro spotted this bad boy out and about the other day and set the image to me. Why is it significant? I owned (and loved) and 1991 Eclipse all through college. It was awesome. It was the first ride I’d ever purchased for myself. It had a sun roof.

And ultimately it self-destructed just before college graduation. It was fun while it lasted.

G and java

Here it is, definitive proof that my son is fully capable of being an AWAKE barista. I’ve edited for brevity, (do you really want to see the full 6:30.00 cut?) but he completed the entire process himself.

9 years

Today, my beautiful Meg and I celebrate 9 years of marriage. You can read her thoughts here. They say when time flies you’re having fun; that could not be truer. It literally seems like yesterday that I was waking up for the last time at my parent’s house, going to workout with my bro (yes, I lifted the morning of my wedding. Some people play golf, some hit the iron), cruising by the reception hall with Dad to check on things, hanging out with the groom’s men, verifying the wouldn’t embarrasses me (unless you call handing me condoms as they walked down the aisle… in front of my grandparents embarrassing), and eventually watching the most beautiful sight ever to grace my field of vision join me down the aisle. That day my life changed forever for the better.

Meg, you are the one God chose for me, and for that I am eternally grateful.

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Back from vacation

Last week Meg, the kids, and I took a trip to Wilmington, NC for a few days of rest and reflection. (and sand toys and playing in the waves). It was great, we feel really blessed to spend some time with some friends, and I’m ready to get back to the routine with a renewed vengeance (that’s why we have vacations, right?). Meg has a great vacation write up (with pictures).