OCT 30 Isn't A Good Day

Two years ago yesterday , the day before Halloween, Mike Yaconelli died tragically in an auto accident. Mike was the founder of Youth Specialties. I was with Mike the last meeting that he spoke at. Mike went home. We miss him, but we will see him again.

Yesterday, the day before Halloween - Kyle Lake, the pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas which is the home church of David Crowder and band died.

He has wrote acouple of great books, (Re)understanding Prayer that just came out about 2 weeks ago on Relevant Books.

The details are not all in yet, but somehow during this mornings worship gathering at his church, he was electrocuted in the baptistery. At least that is the initial report. He died leaving a young wife, and three kids.

This all really hard to take in. As I reflect on the news from yesterday and watch the steam from my morning coffee I am reminded that life is a vapor.

Record Setting Costume Spending AND Oil Companies

This is crazy....

Exxon nets 9.9 BILLION dollars in just 3 months. Get more angry here.

And yet, we can set Halloween constume records...

People spent $1.15 billion on Halloween costumes this year, up by $60 million from 2004. Now more vendors are carrying high-end disguises. Ready for a scare? Just look at the price tags... Read more here.

Rosa Parks Dies At Age 92

Rosa Parks was a Civil Rights Pioneer. I am sure that many people didn't even know that she was still alive.

The seamstress from AL was an active member of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was riding on a city bus Dec. 1, 1955, when a white man demanded her seat. Mrs. Parks refused, despite rules requiring blacks to yield their seats to whites.

She was a History Maker.

Read more here.

Random Church Signs....

Photo By Chad's Camera phone

Purpose Driven Coffee?!

Rick Warren: Author of Purpose Driven Life

Just when you thought that the Rick Warren: Purpose Driven phase was deminishing. STARBUCKS wants in on it.

Read more here.

Cocoa Tree: Franklin

A taste of Europe here in Franklin. The Cocoa Tree.

Some of the best chocolate that I have EVER had in my life!!!!!

Read more.

Donald Miller

One of my favorite writers, Donald Miller has a new site up. Check it out. His work thus far includes Blue Like Jazz, Searching For God Knows What, Through Painted Deserts.

After spending several hours with him earlier this year, I can't help but put his face and vocal inflection to the words that I read now.

More on Donald here at *Blogstar later.

FILM: Elizabethtown

There will be many different opinions about the film Elizabethtown. I believe that the artistic community will really enjoy this Cameron Crowe film.

I left it processing what I had just viewed. I can say that I really DID enjoy it!!!

I have actually been to Elizabethtown (KY). If you haven't check it out yet...give it a try.

The soundtrack is on my Top 5 of 2005.

Favorite Logos:Top 5

This is the TOP 5 List of my favorite logos

5. Volkswagen

4. Starbucks

3. Cincinnati Reds

2. Apple (Mac)

1. New York Yankees

Enough said....

New Music: Nice Suprises

Fiona Apple
This new record sounds like she spent 5 years with Rufus Wainwright. Extraordinary Machine is an amazing artistic CD. One of the best of it's favor that I have heard in a long time.

David Crowder Band
A few weeks ago I saw a post from Seth Worley that was raving about David Crowder's new CD, and I must confess, I rolled my eyes. I haven't been a fan of DCB over the past couple of CD's. I like David, but as far as the music he and the guys have put out, well...

DCB's new CD however, is a great effort! My favorites are on the back half...where I have heard "it get's a little out there". You get your money's worth on 19 tracks! I'm not so sure that the "Christian Market" is ready for this release though. Maybe in 5 years or so.

I hung out with my friend Jason Morant last week. He is busy working on a new CD as well releasing a new EP called City Of Two Rivers (releasing OCT 25th). Check it out here.

Facts: Fat (Obese) And Skinny States

States that ranked by percentage of their population classified as obese 2002-2004 (Average the data from 2004 is in the parenthetical)


The Obese States:
1 Mississippi (29.5) 28.1
2 Alabama (28.9) 27.7
3 West Virginia (27.6) 27.6
4 Louisiana (27.00) 25.8
5 Tennessee (27.2) 25.6
6 (tie) Texas (25.8) 25.3, (tie) Michigan (25.4) 25.3, (tie) Kentucky (25.8) 25.3
9 Indiana (25.5) 25.2
10 South Carolina (25.1) 25.1


The Skinny States:
1 Colorado 16.8
2 Massachusetts 18.4
3 Vermont 18.7
4 Rhode Island 19.0
5 Utah 19.6
6 Conneticut 19.7
7 Montana 19.7
8 (tie) Wyoming 20.8, (tie) Idaho 20.8
10 Nevada 21.1



*Source: go here

Digital Music Sales: The Future of Music

No shocker here, but the Future of Music is NOW! Digital music sales almost tripled from last year's sales.

I have been keeping a book that I have read a bit under the radar. The Future Of Music by Kusek & Leonhard is an amazing book full of theory and insight. I have been selfish because I have been keeping some of these insights to myself (in hope of being a millionaire with some insight found in the book).

I can't keep this a secret anymore. Give it a read.

To read more on the Digital music sales go here.

Shout Outs

Peep out these blogs...Icon Tact..... Black Girls Like Us...... Break With Buscuit...... and Utobia. Nashvegas is bloggin' baby!

My Cincinnati Bengals are 4-0 for the first time in forever. The Tennessee Titans are really bad at this point. I am not meaning "bad" the way the Michael Jackson used it....which really meant "good". The Titans, well........suck.

Boston Red Sox!!!!!!!!! All the way?

I love this time of the year. Post season Major League Baseball, College Football, NFL Football, and NHL Hockey! Breathe it in. Pick one if you are overwelmed by the options of sports.