Peace that passes all understanding

I'm in Orlando for the weekend. I'm visiting someone who is in his final days of a 4 year battle with brain cancer. His faith has been an example to all of his friends, and yet everyone is struggling to grasp it all. As awesome as God is, we all want to know why Dave has to go, leaving a wife and 4 year old daughter.

I visited his church this morning (my "church away from home") and his pastor spoke of Dave's story during the message. He equated it with Moses and the burning bush. He said that since the bush didn't burn in a way that it normally should, it caused Moses to really take notice and look more closely at the situation. God was in that bush. In the same way, he said that in Dave's situation, God is there and it's causing us all to look more closely rather than just walk away.

He also reminded us that God is in the flame, not the vessel. It was a burning bush, not a mighty oak or a redwood tree. He will use us no matter how big or small we are.

I'm getting a slap of perspective this week. It's painful, but I get it.

Notes for family gatherings

Or at least MY family. I found this website today and the first page alone made me laugh out loud three times!

Summer Fun

I haven't blogged in quite some time for a few reasons:

1. I was exhausted after "Band Camp."
2. Buster is in the laptop hospital again.
3. I'm now working summer camp at school (counselor for grade 5/6/7 boys; ALWAYS fun!)
4. Blogger is usually blocked at school. Well, it is if I log in as myself. If I log in on a generic school library account, I can go EVERYWHERE!
5. My niece came to stay with me for two weeks and attend our school summer camp.
6. My niece left after 6 days because I'm incapable of properly caring for a 10 year old. (Who is not used to hearing the word "no.")
7. Now I'm supposed to go visit the entire fun-loving family for the weekend and pretend like nothing happened.

I'll keep you posted!

YES!

Need I say more?

and the finish!

MORE surprises

Since it didn't all fit on the last post!

The birthday surprise

Since it was a milestone birthday (40) a GREAT friend who USED to go to band camp but doesn't have to anymore decided to SURPRISE me and drove up 6 hours or so from San Jose to spend a few hours with me on my birthday. We had lunch and then he drove home. Isn't that AMAZING? Gotta love him. Oh, and he brought me a gift bag full of treats. Hope you laugh as much as I did!

Bacony Birthdays

I am SO lucky because I get to spend my birthday at Band Camp every year, and every year, the camp staff finds very interesting ways to help me celebrate. This year was no exception. Here is what the staff got me this year. If you've been a faithful reader, you understand my obsession with all things bacon and it will all make sense.

Is it worth it?

As you may now, my beloved computer Buster took another bad tumble when a student knocked it off my desk. I just asked for a quote from PowerBookMedic.com and they said to replace the Superdrive, the DC power supply AND the bottom tray would cost $453 + shipping and I could have it back in 3-4 days. While that seems like a lot, I just checked The Apple Store and a NEW 13" MacBook with SuperDrive starts at $1300.

I really love Buster and I'll miss him while he's in the 'puter hospital!

Video games hit a new high (or low...)

I was just alerted to THIS tasty piece of information. Sales are sluggish now, but just wait until these band geeks get back home to their Wii.


(PS - this isn't real)

An little itty bitty USA

One of the benefits of BDSAC is that I get to meet new directors (95 or so newbies this year) from all over the country. Today I had a conversation with one from Arizona, who mentioned a hilarious story about going to a function and hearing the Arizona state balladeer (who knew?) sing a story he wrote called "Amerizona" which is now the official state song.

Dancing Machine

Due to extreme boredom, exhaustion and lack of interest in doing anything productive, I'm clearing out my e-mail inbox. I found this website to be incredibly appropriate.

Almost there....

I have one more day of Band Director Sleep Away Camp. Right now, I'm monitoring the C session Instrument repair class and getting high from all of the chemical fumes. I need to inventory the percussion equipment that didn't sell and make a note to the Big Boss how much we owe the music dealer. I also need to do laundry and start packing. What I WANT to do is sleep for about a week straight. Wish me luck!

My "big" birthday was last week and I received quite an assortment of toys and gifts. I'll take some photos and post tomorrow. It'll keep you entertained for quite some time.

Good manners will take you far

Here is a handy little website that will help you with all of those awkward social situations.