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I went out with Carlos last night to the Apple Store in Menlo Park mall in NJ so he could get his first Mac. He ended up with the 13″ MacBook, taking advantage of the back-to-school iPod and printer deal. In addition he got a copy of iWork ‘08 and the AppleCare… a fine evening of worthwhile shopping, if you ask me.

The Apple lady, Talia, was quite pleasant and helpful, joking around throughout the entire process. I also saw her there last Saturday when I went to get my mom one of the new Nanos. They were having major issues as the credit card servers were not responding, and so all the customers were backed up. The employees were doing their best to expedite the process, but you could tell they were stressed about it. We spoke of the happenings of that day and a variety of other topics. There was another employee there, Jeff who was a bit grumpy. He yelled at me for filming in the store. Ah well. It was a fun experience.

I follow the Apple rumors to try to keep atop of what is going on and so I know when to buy and when not to buy. There are speculations surfacing of an impending MacBook revamp in the next month or so. We weighed the options and decided that this current MacBook with iPod is better for Carlos than waiting, and so bought now. He decided to ask the Apple employees about the “new MacBooks” coming out, to which they smugly replied “what new MacBooks?”. It made me laugh, and they laughed as well. The Apple rumor mill is a fun thing.

And so this increases the amount of my Mac converts. If memory serves me correctly, the blessed ones are as follows:

1. Michael
2. Romulo
3. Jen
4. Janelle
5. AJ
6. Grace
7. Samantha
8. Jesus
9. Carlos

And it seems as if Kirk is preparing to make the jump now as well. The Macinlove spreads.

Via SMS 09/08/2008: “0 blog posts so far in September is unacceptable.” - AJ Babbitt

Ok, ok… here we go.

It’s actually been a really busy couple of weeks. I’ve had a lot of projects I’ve been working on - things I was kind of put in charge of - while our youth pastors were on summer vacation. I was doing a lot of teachings, preparing upcoming things, taking care of personal things…. the list goes on.

One of the things I’ve been working on is an upcoming series we’re doing in The Sanctuary called Life Hurts. God Heals. It’s made by Simply Youth Ministry and I’ve always heard really good things about it.

It’s a curriculum designed to help teenagers, or I suppose it would apply to anyone, confront and deal with the hurt and pain and disappointment that we all face in life and to find hope, healing, and life that only God can offer. Janelle originally bought the series a few months back and we’ve been sitting on it until now. Sarah and I started prepping things back in August, working on schedules, coming up with some overall ideas for things, etc. We decided that we wanted to start up some special LHGH small groups for the series (secretly hoping that some would continue in meeting after the series end as a way to help strengthen our small group program which has been struggling some. I’ve been trying to find potential leaders and host homes for the groups, being turned down by many. There are one or two beacons of hope remaining and I hope they follow through.

Nevertheless, LHGH has been taking up a lot of my time. The series starts in a few weeks - September 21 and will continue until early November. One of the last steps in my prep, as Jenn is taking more of it over now that she is back from vacation, is to get the promo cards printed. I’ve had them ready for about a week now, but needed some approval and double-checks on certain things for them. I’m actually about to send them out right now, as soon as I finish this post. And then, once I hear back from the remaining potential small group leaders, we should be all good to go. I’m excited about the series.

~~~

The other thing that has been keeping me busy is work in the Liberty Center. I can’t give a time frame, but it seems, from pieces I’ve been gathering that we’re are really (really this time) in the home stretch to move in. So much so that we have directives that the theater must be 100% good to go within a week or two. (!)

And so, and those following me on the Twitter should already know this, we ordered a new Mackie TT24 diginal mixer and I’ve spent two nights there installing in and trying to learn how it works. The “live mixing” part is pretty straight forward, but we’ve been toying with it’s advanced features… programming and saving presets, matrixes, etc. There’s still some basic setup of the theater we need to do, but that has to wait until we officially move out of Dwyer House and bring the equipment over. At that point, we’d have to spend every minute we can (until it’s all done) integrating all the equipment and finalizing everything. This also excites me, and I can’t wait to finally have it all done and ready. It’s been a long journey.

Here’s a little video of when we first turned the thing on and our reactions to it. I know it’s total audio geekery, I know it will be boring to you, and I know that we are lame. But this is the kind of stuff that we enjoy, and I make no apologies.

So I’m not really what you would call a “gamer. I have a PS2 and Gamecube, and I bought both well after they were released. In fact, I didn’t buy the Gamecube until after the Wii was on sale. I have a few games that I like, and I’ll get into little kicks where I play them for a week or two and then they sit for awhile until I decide to play again.

Well, my PS2 was really old and dated. I usually keep it at the Liberty Center for The Bridge to use and only bring it home when I want it. I’ve had in mind to just donate the PS2 to The Bridge and upgrade my system at home. In fact, I pretty much decided on it. And so herein lied my dilemma:

Should I get an Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3? Overall, both systems are pretty comparable. Both have outstanding graphics and offer up to 1080p resolution. Though not exactly the same, both systems are incredibly powerful. There were, however, several reasons to choose one or the other. Here was my thinking:

Xbox 360:
Pros: Slightly better graphics engine and an overall more powerful system, Xbox LIVE component to offer software/firmware upgrades as well as game upgrades and downloads, LIVE service for digital downloads of music and movies, great online multiplayablity, Ethernet built in with optional WiFi add-on (as compared to PS3’s Bluetooth Internet)

Cons: HD DVD instead of Blu-Ray (as PS3 has), red ring of death, new controllers and experience to get used to, more expensive than PS3.

Playstation 3:
Pros: We’re pretty well established and familiar with the Playstation brand, backwards compatibility with the few games I own, Blu-Ray player built in, cheaper than Xbox 360.

Cons: Not as strong online component, not as easily upgraded.

To be honest, I was leaning in favor of the PS3 on the way to the store. I mean, I kinda really wanted an Xbox, but the Blu-Ray player seemed to be a dealbreaker for me. But we decided to go spec out both systems and make a decision for one or the other or neither there. And so we arrived at our destination and reviewed all the options. While there we found a Rock Band (for Xbox) demo setup, and we played a bit. We really enjoyed the feel of Rock Band on Xbox, even moreso than Guitar Hero on Playstation back home. We really wanted it, so this was another addition to the reasons to go for Xbox.

It was the HD DVD vs Blu-Ray issue that really kept us going back and forth, and so the final question came down to this: are we putting our faith in future media in the realm of physical disc (Blu-Ray) or digital download (a la LIVE or Apple TV)? There’s no question that Blu-Ray looks incredible, and I would love to see some movies in a full 1080p resolution. I’ve really been looking forward to seeing Planet Earth , though they do have an HD DVD version of it, so I could see that. Then again, while not as good looking, the ability to download movies whenever we want via Xbox is a pretty compelling argument… and I’m sure the quality will go up in future years.

As we thought about it, and as I thought about my current media consumption habits, it made more sense to us to go with an XBox. I’m already big into downloadable content, and this seemed like a nice way to get to it in another realm. Besides, Blu-Ray will soon come down in price and we’ll probably be able to pick up a player for $100 in a year or so.

And so we bought the Xbox 360. And the Rock Band game with drums and an extra guitar. We went for the “XBox 360 Pro” instead of the “Elite.” It was $100 cheaper and I think that was worth a 60Gb less drive, and I can get the HDMI cable for well less than $100 on eBay if I really wanted it. In that case, we actually got the system for $50 less than the PS3 would have been, which covered the cost of the extra guitar.

So far we really like it. I have to setup my LIVE account still. I have to get the WiFi adapter to do it since I don’t have a TV in my room, and this is where the router is. I plan on getting a small HDTV some time later this year for the room and then I’ll make it a permanent fixture up here. Until then, it will float around downstairs on those TV’s.

Oh my goodness. Am I blogging? I think I am. So it’s been a month since the last time I wrote. A lot has happened in that month and I wanted to write sooner throughout all that was happening, but I suppose I was just too busy. Or too lazy. Or maybe…. no I was probably just lazy.

And so, as there is much to say (if I can remember it all) I will break it up into multiple different entries. I think it might be better than having one massive post to sift through.

So, for the month of July and August we have been doing a huge series on Justice at The Sanctuary. The first part of the series was a look at justice itself. I taught twice in that part. Right after we finished the justice part we had our annual week-long service project in Elizabeth, which we call The E-town Mission. Now we are wrapping up the series with a month-long look at Micah 6:8. Exciting.

Anyway, the E-town Mission was July 14 - 18 and it was pretty cool. I took off of work so I could participate in the full trip. Unlike past years, though, I was not a crew leader, and I totally didn’t mind. This year Cathy and Armando led our group and I was just there to look pretty help out. It was cool because Cathy was in my group, I believe two years ago, when I was leading it. I also had the responsibility of taking pictures and video throughout the trip. We managed to capture over 1000 photos and about 3 hours of video. I haven’t gone through the video yet, but the pictures are on Flickr. I tried to diversity the pictures as much as possible, meaning I had multiple cameras there and gave out the extras to other groups to try to capture all the different crew’s work instead of just mine. Still, there was an overabundance of pictures of my crew by default since I take more pictures than anyone. I still have one more set of images to go through that I just got from someone a day or two ago, and so those will be posted in a day or so. You can see the full and expanding gallery at http://www.flickr.com/photos/whartz/sets/72157606390538838/

We did a lot of work around the city in the week of the trip. Our (when I refer to “our” or “we” I am most likely, unless otherwise specified, referring to my crew. Other crews were sent to other jobs in different parts of the city at different times) first stop was the Salvation Army for a VBS kids club thing. We hung out with the kids all morning, doing crafts, singing songs, dancing, telling stories, hanging out, and playing games. Most of the kids were really good. There was one the first day who seemed quite a jilted and disenfranchised little girl. She was downright mean to us and everyone in the room. As the week progressed she got nicer and I think she really liked us in the end (my crew went back the the Salvation Army once more that week). Also, this is where Little Billy was born.

We visited 2nd Home, a day center for the elderly to come and hang out with other people. We were there for a few hours on Monday. Other crews were there throughout the week as well. There was music and singing and dancing and pool playing as well as a riveting game of ring toss that the people there seemed to quite enjoy. 2nd Home is not a place for the sick and dying. It’s not a nursing home. Rather it’s a vibrant community of the elderly who come there on a daily basis for friendship and fun. There was a lady there who was quite adamant about me and Maria dancing and she made it known that this is what she wanted done. There was also an acoustic rendition of La Bamba, or at least that is what we tried to perform, with Manny on the guitar and Armando trying to lead. We’re all in agreement that it was the most un-La Bamba version of La Bamba every attempted by human hands.

Of course there was the “manual labor” aspect of the trip as well. One day we we were sent to the North Elizabeth train station. There is an area of land in dispute there. It’s a path and stairway leading from the train tracks to the street. NJ Transit claims that it is property of the City of Elizabeth. The city claims that it is property of NJ Transit. As a result, neither party takes care of it. And so it has become overgrown with 6′ tall weeds and vegetation. The people who come from the train late at night fear that they may be jumped or assaulted because there is significant area for a would-be-assailant to hide in the overgrowth and surprise them. And since neither of these parties will do anything about it, we did. We went and cut down all the weeds and tried to open the area up as much as possible. There was much machete use. Oh, and I wrestled a tree. You see, in the middle of cleaning out an area I found a branch… or what I thought was a branch. I traced it to its source, yet the branch kept on going further and further and further. Eventually I realized I was dealing with a 30+ foot tall tree. I thought I could leverage it and push it to the back, out of the way. Instead I moved it and it fell over the train tracks (!). And so I called Armando and Clarence over and we muscled it off the tracks and into a small ravine. It was a feat of great manliness and strength.

The next day we went to the Liberty Center to work in the building, cleaning, working in the construction of the main theater, etc. Still sore from the weeding of the train station, Pastor Gary told me to get my machete again cause I was going to the back of the building to make friends with more 6′ tall weeds. And so me, Sarah, Jenn, Jose, JonStevens, and others headed into the forest that was the Liberty’s backyard. And the hacking commenced yet again. We got most of it done in the morning shift. My crew left to head back to the Salvation Army for shift 2 that day, and the remaining crews completed the deforestation so that it was all complete and clean. Other crews at the Liberty cleaned windows and bathrooms. Some went upstairs and worked in the 2nd floor theater. Some worked in the main theater, moving construction material, screwing down and painting the main stage, and moving things into storage.

We finished the work week by running a car wash for a local church. They needed to raise money for an event for their youth program. And so we put together a free car wash and had a place for donations. All donations went to this church, and I believe they were able to raise a few hundred dollars. The car wash was fun. As the day progressed the crews got more efficient with their time and cleaning. As we were closing down for the day there was a line out of the driveway with cars waiting for their bath. As the people had their cars washed they had the opportunity to get out of the car and we had a little chat with them about what we were doing. It was a really beautiful day also, which made it really enjoyable.

There was much more we did that week. We (the group collective) took some kids to the park, went to a nursing home to hang out with the sick elderly, cleaned up different streets and areas in the city, planted flowers and did basic landscaping in public areas, repaired damaged structures in the city, etc.

And then there was the activities. We went to the park, went swimming, went bowling, barbecues, etc. And at the end of the trip we all went to Dorney Park for the day to ride roller coasters and other recreational things. While there we also took one of those old timey cowboy photos.

Overall it was a great trip. It really tied into the discussions we’ve been having on service and justice the past months. People are excited to go out and make a change in their city and world. Some are beginning to make plans on how to make the E-town Mission a year-long project instead of just one week throughout the summer. The happenings of this week and the discussion of The Sanctuary had really influenced me personally and made me rethink a great many things in my own personal life, some of which came to heads in my trip to San Francisco, which I will blog about a bit later on. In addition I was able to make new friends and get closer to pre-existing ones. I’m really glad I was able to be a part of the experience.

To see all the pictures of the things we did, visit our gallery on Flickr. Videos (hopefully) to come soon.

Maria and I, while working at a Kids Club on the E-town Mission were assigned to work the arts and crafts table. The project the kids had to work on for the day was to draw themselves on a pre-cutout shape of a human being. To show them what to do, and also to have some fun, we started working on a picture of me. I am particularly proud of the Firefox logo. It came out really well. (Detailed pictures will be added to Flickr later this week).

So I was walking down Elizabeth Ave in Elizabeth today around 9am. I was on my way to the Liberty Center to pick up some needed items for church from the building. As I was approaching the door for which I have a key to enter the Liberty I happened to pass another person on the sidewalk. He was walking towards me, talking to himself I thought. As we passed by each other we made eye contact. He kinda looked me up and down. And then he spoke.

“What’s crackin?” he asked me. I then noticed the blue dew-rag atop his head. And I noticed that the shirt I was wearing was of red in color. And so I put it all together, in split second timing mind you, and realized what was going down. I looked back at my fellow sidewalk traveller, turned away, and went inside the Liberty.

For the uninitiated, here is what was happening. And, of course, this is using the lens of the worldviews and values of the urban subcultures of the city of Elizabeth, NJ. Things may be different in your town. Clearly, the signs of the colors of our clothing point to a possible gang-related misunderstanding. This could be simple coincidence, though. Many people wear clothing of red or blue color every day. But the word, “crackin,” it is a Crip word. And the way he used it, while looking at me in my red shirt, it is clear he was challenging me to see what I would do. It was evident that he thought I was a Blood, and, were I in fact a Blood - I am not - the word “crackin” would have been seen as an insult and challenge to hand-to-hand gang warfare combat.

Anyway, being that I am not involved in a gang - indeed, according to some disillusioned politicians it would be impossible for me to be involved since “Elizabeth has no gangs” - I did not want to end up in a scuffle so early in the morning when I had so much ahead in my schedule. Plus I had just washed my pants and did not want to dirty them so quickly from the dryer.

Nothing came of it in the end. After I came outside, gear in hand, my would-be new friend was gone and I was alone on the Ave. And this was how my day began today.

My bike has been upgraded to now include a wonderfully incredible accessory. The pegs. I fully anticipate being made fun of for this, but that’s ok. You’re still paying for gas, and I’m not. So there.

I recently went to Family Dollar to make a purchase. I walked into the store and acquired the items I required: a Diet Coke and a poncho. Upon cashout, the cashier lady attempted to place the Diet Coke and the poncho into separate bag receptacles. And here is where we pick up the conversation.

Says me: “You can put it in the same bag as the soda.”
Says her: “It will get wet.”
Says me: “It is a poncho.”

She looked at me with an odd expression, I believe her thinking something along the lines of, “Silly boy.” But then, as she pondered my reasoning, she could not deny it’s validity and good sense. And so she placed the poncho into the same bag receptacle as the Diet Coke. And I was on my way. For you see, a poncho is an item constructed with the sole intent of becoming wet. It is its purpose and design.

And that is my story for you today.

I was working in Raritan, NJ today. I pulled over to the side of the road in order to inspect the gas meter on a house. When done I noticed this deer standing on someone’s front lawn across the street. She was just staring into the window in the front of the house. And she remained there for a good 10 - 15 minutes. And so did I. She sometimes moved away, messed around with a bush, walked in a circle, but always returned to the window. At one point her nose was practically touching the glass. I know not what so fascinated her inside the house. And I know not what so fascinated me to watch this deer do it’s deer-thing for so long. Maybe it was the quietness of the area - only the wind and the birds adding soundtrack to the otherwise silence of nature - and the deer, thinking it was alone, doing what naturally came to it, unhindered by outside influence. And so I stood there taking pictures of my new deer friend until she turned and saw me. She did not run or even seem to care, but it was at that point that I returned to my truck to get back to work.

And it was a good day.