Mini Vacation
We're back from Arizona. It was a great trip, spent with great people. Becky and Roland were excellent hosts and the joy of having "another" Thanksgiving dinner was enough to make the entire trip worth it. We sat in only about 45 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic on the way out there, the rest was smooth sailing, but the return trek was long and tiresome. We spent nearly an hour and a half in five to twenty mile an hour traffic. It was worth it all though. We're home now and it's only 8:30. Pretty good time for leaving just a little before 2:00 and hitting so much traffic.
We saw THE FUNNIEST MOVIE EVER MADE this weekend as well. Bruce Almighty is the best movie of the year so far. I have never laughed as hard as I did in that movie. If you have not seen it, no joke, no kidding, straight seriousness, SEE IT. I now know what they mean when people say something was "side-splittingly funny." I had something like two uninterrupted minutes of pure laughter. I'm sure my face was blue from the lack of oxygen, but I couldn't stop laughing despite the pain and the black out that ensued.
Anyway, more on other stuff at a later date. Maggie and I have to unpack.
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Well, it's been awhile, but I'm still here. Maggie left today to go an ACSI convention for VVCS. I'm alone now. We spent yesterday together and saw the Phantom of the Opera, which was awesome, and then we went to the New York Grill, which has pretty dang awesome food, and I wore a tie. Today, we both went to church, then we came home, we ate, and then she left to go to Anaheim.
I then went to her mom's to help her with her website project (The Site-which isn't actually the site, but we had problems, so this is a facsimile). We worked for seven hours on it, trying to get it all worked out and then up to the internet. Ultimately, we couldn't figure out how to make the earthlink site (Earthlink Site) work. It just wouldn't allow us to update it. It's editing program has to be the worst I've ever seen. But, the site is virtually completed now and hopefully the server is just delayed on earthlink, so it'll be up and working soon.
So, anyway, I'm home now, and it's past 10:30, so I think I'll go on to bed now. G'night all.
I then went to her mom's to help her with her website project (The Site-which isn't actually the site, but we had problems, so this is a facsimile). We worked for seven hours on it, trying to get it all worked out and then up to the internet. Ultimately, we couldn't figure out how to make the earthlink site (Earthlink Site) work. It just wouldn't allow us to update it. It's editing program has to be the worst I've ever seen. But, the site is virtually completed now and hopefully the server is just delayed on earthlink, so it'll be up and working soon.
So, anyway, I'm home now, and it's past 10:30, so I think I'll go on to bed now. G'night all.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Well, I spent most of my night brainstorming on story ideas. I first, began to write a story about a guy who has serious commitment problems called Tim Eligible. It should be a semi-funny, romantic book. It's geared for Maggie and her kind. My second actually came from an idea I had when I was about fourteen or fifteen about a guy who's family and friends have all died and every friend he makes thereafter dies as well. He tries to commit suicide multiple times, but cannot die. He ultimately fears any relationship he enters because he's afraid that person will die. Interesting ideas. We'll see where they go.
Monday, November 17, 2003
Do not question the Monkey Riders from the Saharan desert, for you know not who they are or from whence they came, for they are great in numbers but small in size, heroic and legendary, yet unknown and mysterious, ambitious and loud, yet seldom are they seen, and rarely are they heard. The Monkey Riders rest for no one and no one has ever seen them rest, yet they can ride all day and all the way across the desert back and forth. Their speed is to be reckoned with, and also is their strength. The leopard and the lion cannot compete. It is your duty therefore never to question these mystic creatures, for they cannot give you your answer and nor can I.
They do not speak your tongue, but they do understand your words. They cannot be bribed, or swayed, or once delayed. Every one has his secret, but no secret is known. They take their time while riding to reflect and ponder on riding, for it is their life’s sole purpose and their one and only desire. They are enlightened and never frightened. They dare not approach another being, but tease them all the while. At dusk till dawn they are withdrawn, away from those that search to find, but are so sadly blind. They leave the remnant of great fires and feasts and all the legendary beasts. Seen by travelers from far and wide, the gathering looks abandoned, old, and very cold. Weeks or months or even years have passed since one was in that place, and this is how we know they stop and stay awhile, but no more is known but what I’ve told you and all that I have shown.
They do not speak your tongue, but they do understand your words. They cannot be bribed, or swayed, or once delayed. Every one has his secret, but no secret is known. They take their time while riding to reflect and ponder on riding, for it is their life’s sole purpose and their one and only desire. They are enlightened and never frightened. They dare not approach another being, but tease them all the while. At dusk till dawn they are withdrawn, away from those that search to find, but are so sadly blind. They leave the remnant of great fires and feasts and all the legendary beasts. Seen by travelers from far and wide, the gathering looks abandoned, old, and very cold. Weeks or months or even years have passed since one was in that place, and this is how we know they stop and stay awhile, but no more is known but what I’ve told you and all that I have shown.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
New Car
Not an actual picture, but it looks almost exactly like it, minus the spoiler.
Okay, so we went to Crown Toyota Yesterday. We walked in, test drove a few cars, decided what we wanted and went in for a 3 hour negotiation. They didn't have exactly what we wanted, but they said they could get the car from another nearby sister dealership with no problem, so we went into negotiations for what we wanted, which was a blue Toyota Corolla S with a manual transmission. I negotiated hard with the guy (his name was Richard). I started by telling him that I had a dad who was in the business for a lot of years, which seemed to intimidate him a little (heh heh). I have to say, negotiation can get pretty nasty. Ultimately though, we came to a deal, assuming that the trade in would be $1500 for Maggie's Acura, we would put down $2000, and the dealership would drop $600 from their $1100 profit. He led me to believe that the Acura would probably come in for $1500 and they would have the car we wanted by the end of the negotiation. I felt confident (mistake) that he could finally run the credit app, so he did. Then he came back and told us that he could only accept $1000 for the trade in. I argued and argued over that, but he just wouldn't budge. I finally told him to go back and try one more time to negotiate for $1500 trade in or to knock down their profit considerably and if that couldn't be done, then we weren't doing the trade in. He came back with another guy (his higher up named Tim) and this new guy explained that they didn't have the car we wanted, but he asked if we would accept something they had in inventory if he gave us an "amazing" deal. We said we'd look and so we did. We ultimately found another one that we liked. It, however, was an automatic ($1000 more) and had the sport package ($825 more), but it was burgundy (what Maggie really wanted) and it was automatic (what I really wanted), oh and a spoiler (another thing I really wanted). So we went back in and Tim took us to his desk, instead of sitting out at the circular tables they had. He mentioned that Richard had told him about my dad being in the business, so they knew I knew how to work it. That was cool, even though my dad only prepped me for about twenty minutes collectively, it was enough for me to wing it. Anyway, I told him that If they could bring the price down to what we were originally going to pay for the first car, that we would go for it. So, he worked it down for us by about $1300, which ended up being about $500 more than our original deal with the manual Corolla. So, I explained that the only way he was going to get us was if he gave us the lowest interest rate possible, took our trade in for $1500, and would give us a five year loan. Well, he came back and told us that we had a deal. The loan was a five year at 5.5%, the trade in would be $1500, and we were finally happy. We ended up only having to finance $13000, whereas the previous deal, with trade in, would have been five dollars under $14000. That wasn't all though. Once we went into finance, they rang us up with a 4.1% interest rate because Maggie's a college grad and offered a 6 year warranty, plus free maintenance, road side assistance, and an extra $400 toward our down for what came out to be $33 more a month. Our payments will be $314 a month. I asked Richard (Who said he'd been doing this for 13 years) if I did a good job, in his opinion, at negotiating, since it was my first time. His response was that I did awesome at negotiating and couldn't believe it was the first car we'd ever negotiated for and bought. I have my dad's prepping to thank for that. Ice water running through my veins...ice water. So, we walked out and got into our new burgundy, sports package, power everything, keyless entry, Toyota Corolla S, and drove away. It was raining when we walked out, which gave us the opportunity to use the windshield wipers (very exciting). Then I couldn't find my way out of the dealership for like ten minutes because they closed the gate I knew about and blocked off two of the aisles I tried to go down, but we ultimately found our way out. So now we've got our brand new car and we're extremely happy. The automatic has enough power and it's just plain better. Automatics hold their resale/trade-in value a lot better anyway. I just don't like manuals that much because they're so much work. While manuals give you more availability for power, I prefer the automatic because you can do other things with your hand and foot, like NOT use them every time you have to move the car. So, Maggie's really happy. The negotiating was hard for her to sit through, because she doesn't like listening to such intense debates, especially when they seem almost threatening, but I didn't think the salesman's life was that big of a deal, cause if it was, he would have negotiated for it. Heh. Anyway, it's late, and I have to work tomorrow. So, I love you all, take care, and we'll go for a drive sometime.
Not an actual picture, but it looks almost exactly like it, minus the spoiler.
Okay, so we went to Crown Toyota Yesterday. We walked in, test drove a few cars, decided what we wanted and went in for a 3 hour negotiation. They didn't have exactly what we wanted, but they said they could get the car from another nearby sister dealership with no problem, so we went into negotiations for what we wanted, which was a blue Toyota Corolla S with a manual transmission. I negotiated hard with the guy (his name was Richard). I started by telling him that I had a dad who was in the business for a lot of years, which seemed to intimidate him a little (heh heh). I have to say, negotiation can get pretty nasty. Ultimately though, we came to a deal, assuming that the trade in would be $1500 for Maggie's Acura, we would put down $2000, and the dealership would drop $600 from their $1100 profit. He led me to believe that the Acura would probably come in for $1500 and they would have the car we wanted by the end of the negotiation. I felt confident (mistake) that he could finally run the credit app, so he did. Then he came back and told us that he could only accept $1000 for the trade in. I argued and argued over that, but he just wouldn't budge. I finally told him to go back and try one more time to negotiate for $1500 trade in or to knock down their profit considerably and if that couldn't be done, then we weren't doing the trade in. He came back with another guy (his higher up named Tim) and this new guy explained that they didn't have the car we wanted, but he asked if we would accept something they had in inventory if he gave us an "amazing" deal. We said we'd look and so we did. We ultimately found another one that we liked. It, however, was an automatic ($1000 more) and had the sport package ($825 more), but it was burgundy (what Maggie really wanted) and it was automatic (what I really wanted), oh and a spoiler (another thing I really wanted). So we went back in and Tim took us to his desk, instead of sitting out at the circular tables they had. He mentioned that Richard had told him about my dad being in the business, so they knew I knew how to work it. That was cool, even though my dad only prepped me for about twenty minutes collectively, it was enough for me to wing it. Anyway, I told him that If they could bring the price down to what we were originally going to pay for the first car, that we would go for it. So, he worked it down for us by about $1300, which ended up being about $500 more than our original deal with the manual Corolla. So, I explained that the only way he was going to get us was if he gave us the lowest interest rate possible, took our trade in for $1500, and would give us a five year loan. Well, he came back and told us that we had a deal. The loan was a five year at 5.5%, the trade in would be $1500, and we were finally happy. We ended up only having to finance $13000, whereas the previous deal, with trade in, would have been five dollars under $14000. That wasn't all though. Once we went into finance, they rang us up with a 4.1% interest rate because Maggie's a college grad and offered a 6 year warranty, plus free maintenance, road side assistance, and an extra $400 toward our down for what came out to be $33 more a month. Our payments will be $314 a month. I asked Richard (Who said he'd been doing this for 13 years) if I did a good job, in his opinion, at negotiating, since it was my first time. His response was that I did awesome at negotiating and couldn't believe it was the first car we'd ever negotiated for and bought. I have my dad's prepping to thank for that. Ice water running through my veins...ice water. So, we walked out and got into our new burgundy, sports package, power everything, keyless entry, Toyota Corolla S, and drove away. It was raining when we walked out, which gave us the opportunity to use the windshield wipers (very exciting). Then I couldn't find my way out of the dealership for like ten minutes because they closed the gate I knew about and blocked off two of the aisles I tried to go down, but we ultimately found our way out. So now we've got our brand new car and we're extremely happy. The automatic has enough power and it's just plain better. Automatics hold their resale/trade-in value a lot better anyway. I just don't like manuals that much because they're so much work. While manuals give you more availability for power, I prefer the automatic because you can do other things with your hand and foot, like NOT use them every time you have to move the car. So, Maggie's really happy. The negotiating was hard for her to sit through, because she doesn't like listening to such intense debates, especially when they seem almost threatening, but I didn't think the salesman's life was that big of a deal, cause if it was, he would have negotiated for it. Heh. Anyway, it's late, and I have to work tomorrow. So, I love you all, take care, and we'll go for a drive sometime.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Well, last night I completed the Sunday School lesson I've been planning. I'm happy I got it done so early. I am however, desiring to create more lessons. So, I will probably begin another lesson now. It's really weird. It seems like whatever chapter Maggie and I read, or whatever verses I go over one night, the next day, someone on the radio, or Pastor Al talks about it and all my little questions get answered or my conclusions get confirmation. It's pretty cool that my studies seem to coincide with a lot of the random calls to the Christian talk shows. That's happened quite a few times.
So, Sunday's lesson is on leadership. The kind that goes by setting an example that others will follow and look to. The verse I chose to use as my master verse was 1 Timothy 4:12- Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. This verse is awesome. It was directed to Timothy from Paul because Timothy was young compared to the church leaders he visited, but it applies so well to our youth of today. This goes hand and hand with a point I had in my last lesson, "The Bible is Timeless." It always applies to our lives. I've heard the argument that it's just an outdated piece of literature that holds no guidelines applicable to today's trials and living. What a bunch of bunk. So, I basically dissected the verse so as to clarify its life application. I broke it into "speech," "life," "love," "faith," and "purity" and gave a description of each of their meanings. I think it'll go well. I'm feeling confident that the Holy Spirit will fill me and the words will be there when the time comes. Luke 12:12 "for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
I talked to Joe, my supervisor, today about the stuff being stolen out of my truck. He wasn't mad. He just said, "Well, I'm not going to say anything more than 'you know to lock the bins now' because I'm sure you've already beat yourself up about it enough." And that was awesome. I didn't get written up, I didn't get made fun of, instead he was just matter of fact and cool about it. I'm actually very relieved.
Mike called me earlier and was talking about hanging out tonight, but I had to leave work and grab my stuff, so I told him I'd call him back. Once I called him back however, I got the answering machine. His car broke down today and he said he was planning on taking care of that when I talked to him, so I'm assuming that's what he's up to right now. It's okay though, cause I'm perusing the scripture.
You know, I just typed all that and then did a spell check, and nothing was misspelled. Seriously...I thought perusing would be spelled wrong because I've never actually typed that word before and it looked funny to me, but no! It was spelled right! I'm thoroughly impressed with myself tonight.
So, Sunday's lesson is on leadership. The kind that goes by setting an example that others will follow and look to. The verse I chose to use as my master verse was 1 Timothy 4:12- Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. This verse is awesome. It was directed to Timothy from Paul because Timothy was young compared to the church leaders he visited, but it applies so well to our youth of today. This goes hand and hand with a point I had in my last lesson, "The Bible is Timeless." It always applies to our lives. I've heard the argument that it's just an outdated piece of literature that holds no guidelines applicable to today's trials and living. What a bunch of bunk. So, I basically dissected the verse so as to clarify its life application. I broke it into "speech," "life," "love," "faith," and "purity" and gave a description of each of their meanings. I think it'll go well. I'm feeling confident that the Holy Spirit will fill me and the words will be there when the time comes. Luke 12:12 "for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
I talked to Joe, my supervisor, today about the stuff being stolen out of my truck. He wasn't mad. He just said, "Well, I'm not going to say anything more than 'you know to lock the bins now' because I'm sure you've already beat yourself up about it enough." And that was awesome. I didn't get written up, I didn't get made fun of, instead he was just matter of fact and cool about it. I'm actually very relieved.
Mike called me earlier and was talking about hanging out tonight, but I had to leave work and grab my stuff, so I told him I'd call him back. Once I called him back however, I got the answering machine. His car broke down today and he said he was planning on taking care of that when I talked to him, so I'm assuming that's what he's up to right now. It's okay though, cause I'm perusing the scripture.
You know, I just typed all that and then did a spell check, and nothing was misspelled. Seriously...I thought perusing would be spelled wrong because I've never actually typed that word before and it looked funny to me, but no! It was spelled right! I'm thoroughly impressed with myself tonight.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Monday, November 10, 2003
Stew tonight and it was good. Maggie is a great cook. I'm so happy that I don't ever have to lie about her cooking to make her happy, like some wives require. All her food tastes great, so I just tell her the truth. I do however have to remember to tell her though. Sometimes I forget to let her know and she then has to remind me to let her know how good it was. I try to remember more now though. Anyway, good night. It's about time for bed and I'm very tired. Tomorrow is an off day. I plan to work on the Sunday School lesson on leadership (setting an example for others to follow) and call my dad and see if he wants to do lunch or something. We'll see how it goes. I need to quickly ask for your prayers on a few matters. First, I need prayer for guidance on the preparation for the Sunday School lesson. Second, Maggie and I are planning on buying our first new car this weekend and we need to be cut-throat, ruthless negotiators. Third, for an unmentioned request that I will share when the proper moment comes. Alright, that about covers. I just got the call from my dear wife that she's ready for bed, so now I will sleep. Goodnight everyone.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
Well I must say that I was very pleased with myself today. I delivered a power packed lesson. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do much more than just repeat what I had written, but I had so much to say and I never said it all. I was amazed at how easy it was. I believe that the Holy Spirit was with me today. Thank you so much for your prayers and keep it coming!
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Okay, I finished up my final loose ends for the Sunday school lesson tomorrow. It's on the key points of Christianity. Hopefully it goes well. I have a ton of scriptural support and a bunch of good notes to go on. I think it'll go well. As for what's been going on? I went to Six Flags yesterday and it showed me how old and fat I am. I was tired after the first two rides. If anyone knows a personal trainer that wants to train me for free without me having to do any real work, let me know. I need to get into shape really bad. Well anyway. Next weekend Maggie and I are going to buy our first brand new car. Pray for us.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
I know I don't post nearly enough, but I just haven't seen the time lately. I received my evaluation this week and passed my probation. The eval was a little hard in some spots, but Joe (my supervisor) explained why he said it all. He evaluated me on my overall year's performance, which means that the things I've since improved upon made it onto this eval. He gave me a raise and told me I was doing a great job and that was extremely happy with my work. So, that was good.
Tomorrow I go to Six Flags with my family. Pray for me that I don't fall apart from all the strenuous activity. I'm getting old and frail.
Tomorrow I go to Six Flags with my family. Pray for me that I don't fall apart from all the strenuous activity. I'm getting old and frail.
Monday, November 03, 2003
Well, I'm sorry everyone for being such a Nazi enforcer of blog writing and then not writing myself, but things have just been full lately. I actually wrote the day after we ate at Maan Fu, but the web site dumped it and I hadn't saved it anywhere, so I got discouraged and gave up. That was Saturday night. I basically wrote how great a time I had. About how the cook tried to throw shrimp into my mouth by flipping it off his spatula and at me, but it missed every time, but I didn't care cause I was going to get a whole bunch of shrimp out of it, but then I realized that my dad was eating them all as they ricocheted off of me. Needless to say, I ended up having to throw my sweatshirt into the laundry because it had shrimp damage. I wrote about how they crammed ten of us into an eight person table, but that it was okay because they were just giving us a taste of true Japanese culture. And then, after dinner, we went to Kohls. My dad went out of his way to act like a geek through the store so as to embarrass my sisters starting out by asking if he should walk like a dork or just act like he's blind. It was a lot of fun and my dad is hilarious. I then closed by thanking my parents for the most fun Maggie and I have had in a long time. So, that pretty much covered what I can remember of it. I hit all the important points at least.
I have to say that this cold I have is sticking with me for far too long. It's been over a week and I'm still sick with it. It's not entered my lungs and sounds horrible. I'm going into coughing fits, kind of like the fit I had when I had something get in my eye that one time, and I still have a headache a lot of the time. Just pray for me. Maggie's got a little bit of a cough too, so pray a little bit of a prayer for her too.
This Friday is Magic Mountain. I'm actually looking forward to it. I think that it'll be fun, even though Maggie can't come. If she came, it would make the day perfect, but since she can't, the day will be as great as it can get, I'm sure. Mike is actually being pretty good about his entries, so I'll have fun, and I hope that since you all are going to start praying 24-7 for me and fasting, I should be completely healed up and with a touch of super human strength by that time. So, thanks.
Well, you all have a good night, or day, depending on when you read this. I love you all.
I have to say that this cold I have is sticking with me for far too long. It's been over a week and I'm still sick with it. It's not entered my lungs and sounds horrible. I'm going into coughing fits, kind of like the fit I had when I had something get in my eye that one time, and I still have a headache a lot of the time. Just pray for me. Maggie's got a little bit of a cough too, so pray a little bit of a prayer for her too.
This Friday is Magic Mountain. I'm actually looking forward to it. I think that it'll be fun, even though Maggie can't come. If she came, it would make the day perfect, but since she can't, the day will be as great as it can get, I'm sure. Mike is actually being pretty good about his entries, so I'll have fun, and I hope that since you all are going to start praying 24-7 for me and fasting, I should be completely healed up and with a touch of super human strength by that time. So, thanks.
Well, you all have a good night, or day, depending on when you read this. I love you all.
Sunday, November 02, 2003
Yesterday night was great. We went out with my parents and had dinner at Maan Fu. It's a great place. They, of course, tried to give a taste of true Japanese culture by cramming six of us together with four other people at an eight person table. It's pretty crammed in Japan too, so we got the real effect. But they prepare your food for you at the table, do tricks, and it tastes great. At one point the trick was to toss a shrimp off a spatula into my mouth. Like five shrimp ricocheted off of me. Some hit me in the face, some hit my sweatshirt, and others just fell short. I didn't mind, cause it was all the more shrimp I could eat, but then I realized that every shrimp that missed, my dad picked up and ate... Dinner was great, and it was really cool for Maggie and I to spend time with my family. We both loved it. Then we went to Kohls and my dad acted like a geek so as to get the maximum embarrassing effect on my sisters and mom. It was really funny. That was some of the most fun I've had in a long time. Those kind of restaurants are my favorite. Thank you to my mom and dad. You guys are the greatest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)