Check out King Corn...

The other day, I came across this interesting documentary that is making its way around the country. It's called King Corn.

King Corn is a documentary about two friends, once acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation. In King Corn Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, best friends from college on the east coast, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, nitrogen fertilizers, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America's most productive, most subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat - and what we farm.

It looks like a really interesting movie. Check out the website to see if and when it's playing near you.

They're on my Wish List...

OK... I want THIS SETUP!

1. Ray Samuel's Audio Hornet mini-amp
2. Audio Line Out (ALO) Cryo Micro Cable
3. Westone UM1 music monitors.

If you're looking for a gift for TBB, look no further!

HT: Ethos


tags: Audio Tomahawk mini-amp | Cryo Micro Cable | Westone UM1

Did you know...

That you can use iTunes to make custom ring-tones? Yep... as long as your phone supports m4a files. Randy over at Ethos shows us how:

• Just right click on the song, go to Get Info, then, Options.
• Set the time marker where you want the song to start and stop (recommend 15-20 seconds), click OK, right click again.
• Click "Convert to AAC", iTunes will put the file in your music folder in a separate folder, then use that file location to upload

Then, just upload it to your phone. It's that simple!

HT: Ethos


tags: iTunes | ringtones | ring tones

How Much is Your Blog Worth?

Inspired by Tristan Louis's research into the value of each link to Weblogs Inc, Dane Carlson created a little applet using Technorati's API which computes and displays your blog's worth using the same link to dollar ratio as the AOL-Weblogs Inc deal.

My blog is worth $14,113.50.
How much is your blog worth?

But it ain't for sale...



tags: how much is your blog worth | Tristan Louis | Dane Carlson

It's Like Watching a Train Wreck...

There's a thing in music called intonation. Basically it has to do with singing or playing in tune. Apparently Ms. Hedger hasn't heard of this concept. In fact, she may be so out of tune that she is a totally different key.

But you gotta love those dance moves!



Bonus question for TBB readers: "Who is the artist that recorded the version of the song she is playing?"

First reader to answer correctly gets a $10 Starbucks gift card.

HT: utobia2.0


tags: trumpet | out of tune | intonation problems | video | Star Wars

Another year...

Today you are 14.

Where did the time go? I remember when you used to fit on my arm from my palm to the crook of my elbow. When you had trouble sleeping, I would stroke you eyebrows and you would fall asleep every time.

14 years ago today it was a dark and blustery day in Bellevue, Washington. But at 7:23 a.m., an incredible light arrived into my world: you. I had read all the parenting books and thought I had a clue about what it was doing to be like to be a dad. But when I saw you and held you for the first time, I realized that nothing could prepare me for the depth of love I would feel.

You have changed so much from then until now. I miss you jumping into bed with me and your mom every morning and pretending to be a baby dinosaur hatching from an egg.

I don't miss you throwing up on me all the time.

I am so proud of the young man you have become. You are a loyal friend and possess a gentle spirit. You are intelligent and funny; handsome and strong (but I can still take you).

I look forward to seeing what God will do with your life. I hope that you completely outdistance me in your walk with our Savior. Learn from my mistakes and be challenged by my successes.

I could be no prouder of anything or anyone as I am of you. You are my #1. You are my buddy. I love you more than you can even imagine.

Happy birthday, son.

Love, Dad.

Happy National Nut Day!

From Bob Sassone on Slashfood...

Nuts have been my "go-to" snack lately. I'm trying to stop eating stuff like chocolate and cookies and cake while still satisfying my snack food cravings, and nuts can actually be very good with you (within reason - watch the amount you eat). Now, if I could just stop eating the chocolate-covered cashews...

Today is National Nut Day. Grab a bag or can of your favorites, whether its cashews, pistachios, walnuts, or peanuts (which, as you may know, aren't a nut at all but a legume, in the bean family). Here's an easy recipe for Roasted Almonds, and here's one for Recipe Goldmine has a ton of nut recipes, including Cajun Cocktail Nuts, Glazed Pecans, Chili Walnuts, and Citrus Nuts.


tags: cajun cocktail nuts | cashews | chili walnuts | citrus nuts | food holiday | glazed pecans | GlazedPecans | national nut day | nut mix | nuts | pecans | pistachios | roasted almonds | walnuts

I Did Not Know That...

Things that make you go "Hmmm..."




tags: video | space | bathroom | shooting stars

Check him out...

I just added a new link on my blog roll to Prodigal Jon. Check him out.

Free Stuff...

My buddy Frank ("The Cuban") always says, "Be like me... get something for free."

So for you lovers of free, here are some great resources:

• Six free motion backgrounds from 6 different producers.
• Audio files from 2007 MinistryCOM conference sessions.
  Whoops! turns out these AREN'T free!
• Free Communications Resources. Video clips, style guides, backgrounds, etc.

HT: Kem Meyer on Less Clutter and Noise


tags: free stuff | video loops | motion backgrounds | ministryCOM conference | free church communication resources

Cool Video

That's what I'm talking about!

HT: randyparker


tags: video | The+Matrix | ping pong

Being Yourself

In ministry, we use the word "calling" a lot. Kind of a church-y word.

What it really boils down to is answering the question, "What were you made to do?"

Well, check out THIS ARTICLE by Gary Lamb. It's great!

HT: GaryLamb.org via PerryNoble.com


tags: calling | purpose

Cool video

Pretty cool.


tags: video | shadow

Jesus and the Southern Baptists

So based on this quote...

“I can assure you of this: if you are associated with the use of beverage alcohol, I think I dare exaggerate not to say that 99% of all doors of ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention will be closed to you.”

Al Mohler
President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

...would Jesus be able to be a Southern Baptist?

Read THIS ARTICLE from Dan Kimball.

HT: Vintage Faith via PerryNoble.com


tags: wine | Southern Baptist | Al Mohler | Southern Baptist Theological Seminary | Dan Kimball

It Takes More than Talent

Found this great quote on Bob Franquiz's blog:

"Talent cannot compensate for lack of integrity."

Read the entire article HERE.

HT: bobfranquiz.com via PerryNoble.com


tags: integrity | talent | Samson

This Guy Saved Your Life

It was a cold night at the Serpukhov-15 bunker in Moscow on 26 September 1983 as Strategic Rocket Forces lieutenant colonel Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov resumed his duty, monitoring the skies of the Soviet Union, after taking a shift of someone else who couldn't go to work.

Just past midnight, Petrov received a computer report he'd dreaded all his military career to see, the computer captured a nuclear military missile being launched from the US, destination Moscow.

Read the entire AMAZING article HERE.

HT: Brody Harper


tags: Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov | Soviet Union | nuclear war

Your Shoes Are Untied

Want to impress friends and strike fear into the heart of your enemies? Then don't read on.

But if you're looking for a new way to tie your shoe, check out these beauties. That's right... the same blog that brought you Fancy Parking, now brings you new and creative ways to tie your shoes:

1. Ian's Shoelace Knot
2. Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot
3. Standard Shoelace Knot
4. Two Loop Shoelace Knot
5. Two Stage Shoelace Knot
6. Surgeon's Shoelace Knot
7. Turquoise Turtle Shoelace Knot
8. Better Bow Shoelace Knot
9. Freedom Knot Shoelace Knot
10. Loop the Loop Shoelace Knot
11. Double Shoelace Knot
12. Double Ian Knot Shoelace Knot
13. Crossed Ian Knot Shoelace Knot
14. Mega Ian Knot Shoelace Knot
15. Halloween Shoelace Knot
16. One Handed Shoelace Knot
17. Reef Shoelace Knot

Read the full article HERE.

HT: Ian's Shoelace Site via Shlog


tags: shoes | shoelace | shoelace tying

Curse you Ragamuffin!

It will waste your time.

It will make you jealous.

It will make you brag.

Try it HERE.

So what's your high score?

HT: Ragamuffin Soul


tags: Press the Spacebar 2000 | Ragamuffin Soul

Let him feel the love...

DoubleD (also known as Danny Davis) is back from is blogging hiatus. He even has a new banner. But he thinks no one reads his blog. Do me a favor. Go there right now and leave him a comment.

Something cute...

Something funny...

Something weird...

I don't care. Just let the boy feel the love.

Go now.


tags: Redneck Haiku | Danny Davis

Video of the Day

HT: Big T-licious


tags: video of the day | breakdancing

How to Accept Criticism with Grace and Appreciation

I just came across this great article on zenhabits. Read the full article HERE.

How do you deal with criticism? I think the first reaction for most of us is to defend ourselves, or worse yet to lash back.

And yet, while criticism can be taken as hurtful and demoralizing, it can also be viewed in a positive way: it is honesty, and it can spur us to do better. It’s an opportunity to improve.

Stop Your First Reaction
If your first reaction is to lash back at the person giving the criticism, or to become defensive, take a minute before reacting at all. Take a deep breath, and give it a little thought.

Turn a Negative Into a Positive
Sure, it may be rude and mean, but in most criticism, you can find a nugget of gold: honest feedback and a suggestion for improvement. Sometimes it’s just someone having a bad day, but many times there’s at least a grain of truth in the criticism. See it as an opportunity to improve - and without that constant improvement, we are just sitting still. Improvement is a good thing.

Thank the Critic
Even if someone is harsh and rude, thank them. They might have been having a bad day, or maybe they’re just a negative person in general. But even so, your attitude of gratitude will probably catch them off-guard. And even if the critic doesn’t take your “thank you” in a good way, it’s still good to do - for yourself. It’s a way of reminding yourself that the criticism was a good thing for you, a way of keeping yourself humble.

Learn from the Criticism
After seeing criticism in a positive light, and thanking the critic, don’t just move on and go back to business as usual. Actually try to improve.

Be the Better Person
Too many times we take criticism as a personal attack, as an insult to who we are. But it’s not. Well, perhaps sometimes it is, but we don’t have to take it that way. Take it as a criticism of your actions, not your person. If you do that, you can detach yourself from the criticism emotionally and see what should be done. If you can rise above the petty insults and attacks, and respond in a calm and positive manner to the meat of the criticism, you will be the better person.

How do you stay above the attacks and be the better person? By removing yourself from the criticism, and looking only at the actions criticized. By seeing the positive in the criticism, and trying to improve. By thanking the critic. And by responding with a positive attitude.

HT: zenhabits


tags: criticism | grace | appreciation