Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Jalepeno in yo Chili yo
So I just ate chili, and cut up FRESH (very fresh) jalepeno pepper in it. Just a tiny amount. It was extremely hot. It was, as I mentioned, great Chili.
It was not great when 20 min. later I was working and itched my eye (because it itched). No, no, that was not great at all.
I'm reminded of the first time I cooked with hot peppers (about 7 1/2 years ago). I used habenero's, jalepeno's, and serrano peppers. I cut them up to make a spicy chicken dish. I was not at all experienced in cooking, and as one would imagine, the meal was inedible. Spicy does not quite explain what this was. Inedible does sort of explain it. Not quite there. Something like a Mapp gas torch. I think that does it justice.
I went to use the bathroom in the midst of cooking. That was not a good experience. At all. That is what my touching my eye reminded me of. I think I was in pain for about two hours, as I simply went to use the bathroom. I barely... held... myself. I think is a discreet way to say that. As that's what happens when a guy pees. That is a good indication of the amount of peppers I used.
So, lesson learned, if you cut hot peppers, wash immediately. IMMEDIATELY.
It was not great when 20 min. later I was working and itched my eye (because it itched). No, no, that was not great at all.
I'm reminded of the first time I cooked with hot peppers (about 7 1/2 years ago). I used habenero's, jalepeno's, and serrano peppers. I cut them up to make a spicy chicken dish. I was not at all experienced in cooking, and as one would imagine, the meal was inedible. Spicy does not quite explain what this was. Inedible does sort of explain it. Not quite there. Something like a Mapp gas torch. I think that does it justice.
I went to use the bathroom in the midst of cooking. That was not a good experience. At all. That is what my touching my eye reminded me of. I think I was in pain for about two hours, as I simply went to use the bathroom. I barely... held... myself. I think is a discreet way to say that. As that's what happens when a guy pees. That is a good indication of the amount of peppers I used.
So, lesson learned, if you cut hot peppers, wash immediately. IMMEDIATELY.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
No Lena, DON'T GO!!!
At the radio station I work at, we've had an incredibly awesome woman of God as a volunteer. She is very in tune with the work that God is doing, and is always making herself accessible to do God's will. Well, she and her husband are moving to North Carolina, and while it is bitter for us, it's sweet for her (sort of bittersweet for her).
Lena has encouraged me since she got here, and I'm blogging about this because I don't want to forget what Lena just told me. I believe in prophecy, and I believe that God has truly gifted Lena with this gift. She said from the moment she saw me she saw me in music ministry. She thought it might be singing, but never said anything about it, and since I work at a radio station, she thought this may be a huge part of it. "Using my voice to heal people's hearts." is what she felt the Lord gave her.
When I showed a cd that my band and I had made, Lena said that it made a lot more sense to her. She said that God is going to use my voice to heal the hearts of people. As if when I speak, the Holy Spirit will move.
I find this interesting because I have had a desire to do some sort of Prophetic worship for a loooong time. More than sorta random, truly. It's quite random. Who says, "Oh, I'd like to do prophetic worship." Especially for someone that is not being used, currently, in the gift of prophecy. And with the prophecy thing, if that comes, it comes.
Lena told me to make sure that I write down the prophecy that she gave. First of all, she said I won't be at WBGL, that this is simply a stepping stone of preparation. Perhaps creating connections within the Christian music industry. Perhaps I'm weird. :-) Perhaps Lena is weird. :-) Naaah.
I've had a lot of people, let me rephrase, A LOT OF PEOPLE prophecy/pray/speak over me, however you want to say, that God is going to do something HUGE. Something really, really big. I don't talk about it much, and I have like 20 dreams and desires of things I'd like to accomplish. So, maybe God is going to say, "You know all that stuff you want to do...? Well, you're not going to do it. Any of it."
My mouth may drop, I may be upset, but I do have to accept this. Whatever God wills is the most important.
I have had a lot of people tell me that I am annointed singer, and sometimes, I think people just say that in the Christian community to describe someone as being, in their opinion, good. But I have also had a few people tell me that they think God wants to use me for worship. Hmmm. Interesting. These, mind you, are people that have not heard me sing. I tend to pay much bigger attention to those.
I have often told my fiance, Jill, about how badly I want to sing. How badly I want to lead worship. Like, I would like to sing for God. As a career. As the thing I do. The response that I usually get is that it would be acceptable for me to do this. That we could get by, maintain our relationship. It would be hard, but if it's something that I really want to do, then OK. Lately, though, I think Jill is realizing that I am more serious than mere fantasizing about how neat that might be. I think that there's a part of her that does not want me to be in a band, but then there's the affirming side of her, as well. That's the part I like :-).
I am in the process of our band, Love Made Melody, probably reuniting within the next week, or so. This is a development within the past couple of days. We broke up, and we're mostly all feeling a big deal of regret, though thankful for the time off.
When I was in a band named Surrender, many years ago, I felt like God told me to quit the band, and that in a few years, He would restore the place that I was leaving, and it would be bigger and better. We had just won a battle of the bands contest that was not your local fair contest. It enabled us to play in front of about 4000 people at Festival Con Dios in Chicago. We played on the stage with bands like the Newsboys, Sanctus Real, Kutless, and more. It was also going to lead us to Nashville to play in front of a many labels, somewhere in the teens, but that never happened. The reason it never happened was because I quit the band. :-( A lot of people were mad. I felt my reasons were good for quitting.
Well, this may be God restoring what I thought was a promise from Him. I sure hope so. Perhaps this is that big tidal wave that is getting ready to happen (read post from several months ago for the details on that).
My prayer: God, use me in the way you see fit. I want to live a life that is holy and pleasing to you. I don't always do this, help me be righteous. When you go, I'll go. Where you say I go, I'll go. Whatever your will, I'll do.
Lena has encouraged me since she got here, and I'm blogging about this because I don't want to forget what Lena just told me. I believe in prophecy, and I believe that God has truly gifted Lena with this gift. She said from the moment she saw me she saw me in music ministry. She thought it might be singing, but never said anything about it, and since I work at a radio station, she thought this may be a huge part of it. "Using my voice to heal people's hearts." is what she felt the Lord gave her.
When I showed a cd that my band and I had made, Lena said that it made a lot more sense to her. She said that God is going to use my voice to heal the hearts of people. As if when I speak, the Holy Spirit will move.
I find this interesting because I have had a desire to do some sort of Prophetic worship for a loooong time. More than sorta random, truly. It's quite random. Who says, "Oh, I'd like to do prophetic worship." Especially for someone that is not being used, currently, in the gift of prophecy. And with the prophecy thing, if that comes, it comes.
Lena told me to make sure that I write down the prophecy that she gave. First of all, she said I won't be at WBGL, that this is simply a stepping stone of preparation. Perhaps creating connections within the Christian music industry. Perhaps I'm weird. :-) Perhaps Lena is weird. :-) Naaah.
I am going to use my voice for great things, it will be so big that I will not be able to contain it. God will use my voice to heal people’s hearts.
This is what Lena said.I've had a lot of people, let me rephrase, A LOT OF PEOPLE prophecy/pray/speak over me, however you want to say, that God is going to do something HUGE. Something really, really big. I don't talk about it much, and I have like 20 dreams and desires of things I'd like to accomplish. So, maybe God is going to say, "You know all that stuff you want to do...? Well, you're not going to do it. Any of it."
My mouth may drop, I may be upset, but I do have to accept this. Whatever God wills is the most important.
I have had a lot of people tell me that I am annointed singer, and sometimes, I think people just say that in the Christian community to describe someone as being, in their opinion, good. But I have also had a few people tell me that they think God wants to use me for worship. Hmmm. Interesting. These, mind you, are people that have not heard me sing. I tend to pay much bigger attention to those.
I have often told my fiance, Jill, about how badly I want to sing. How badly I want to lead worship. Like, I would like to sing for God. As a career. As the thing I do. The response that I usually get is that it would be acceptable for me to do this. That we could get by, maintain our relationship. It would be hard, but if it's something that I really want to do, then OK. Lately, though, I think Jill is realizing that I am more serious than mere fantasizing about how neat that might be. I think that there's a part of her that does not want me to be in a band, but then there's the affirming side of her, as well. That's the part I like :-).
I am in the process of our band, Love Made Melody, probably reuniting within the next week, or so. This is a development within the past couple of days. We broke up, and we're mostly all feeling a big deal of regret, though thankful for the time off.
When I was in a band named Surrender, many years ago, I felt like God told me to quit the band, and that in a few years, He would restore the place that I was leaving, and it would be bigger and better. We had just won a battle of the bands contest that was not your local fair contest. It enabled us to play in front of about 4000 people at Festival Con Dios in Chicago. We played on the stage with bands like the Newsboys, Sanctus Real, Kutless, and more. It was also going to lead us to Nashville to play in front of a many labels, somewhere in the teens, but that never happened. The reason it never happened was because I quit the band. :-( A lot of people were mad. I felt my reasons were good for quitting.
Well, this may be God restoring what I thought was a promise from Him. I sure hope so. Perhaps this is that big tidal wave that is getting ready to happen (read post from several months ago for the details on that).
My prayer: God, use me in the way you see fit. I want to live a life that is holy and pleasing to you. I don't always do this, help me be righteous. When you go, I'll go. Where you say I go, I'll go. Whatever your will, I'll do.
Monday, January 14, 2008
I feel like an old person because...
When I call someone I want to talk to a real person. I have called Ameren IP four times within the past week because I JUST WANT TO PAY MY BILL. I am transferred to the Western Union bill pay, which, oh btw, costs $3.50 for a "convenience fee." Well, let me just say, this was one of the most inconvenient bit of run arounds I've had w/ a company about bill paying.
When I first tried it I had all of my information with me. I entered my debit info, and it took about 10 minutes with all of the options and entering numbers on the phone. Well, after all of that, it told me that my payment did NOT GO THROUGH. It then disconnected me. Well thanks, automated phone system.
Then, I called from work because time is ticking, and I want my power to stay on. So, I tell the guy my situation. I tell him that I don't have my number with me for my account so I want him to just take my debit card info. He tells me that they can't do that. Hmmm. K. So he then transfers me through, not remembering that I told him I don't have my account number because I'm at work, and the automation system requires it. Well.... Dangit! I'm at work, so I decide to wait till I get home. I forgot to do it that night, but time is running out.
So, next day at work, I talk to a person. I have called again. I tell her that I don't want my power to go out. I just want to pay my bill. "Can't you just take my information?" I asked. Nope, they can't do that. You have to input the data. So, she gives me the account number so I can at least input it myself... Thanks lady. Then tells me she's going to transfer me, and then hangs up on me.
So, I call again. I didn't explain my story, but whatever. I tell the lady, who seemed nice, "I just want to pay my bill." "Well what can I do for you, would you like to talk with someone at Western Union Bill Pay (or whatever she called it)?" She replied. ....... "You mean, LIKE A REAL PERSON!!!!!! WOULD I EVER!!!!!!!" There was true joy in my voice, I remember giggling. I just don't want to die in the freezing cold, you know. So, I talk to the lady at the bill pay place and got it paid. Hooooray!!!
Coming away from that, the whole phone thing bothers me, but I think that the $3.50 convenience fee irks me the most. Ameren IP has basically monopolized this area, and some people have no choice but to pay a fee that should be free. They should be paying the consumer to pay online. Don't most places offer incentives. I work at an organization where we encourage it. It saves a LOT of MONEY in bookkeeping.
What they're essentially doing is having the people who are paying the way that makes it more convenient for them be charged a fee. That money is then in turn used to pay the people who have to process all of that mail that comes in. I'm probably horribly wrong, but I'm very curious as to why Western Union is involved in the process. They need to get a web guy, or something. Hey Ameren, I'll be your consultant. Oh, and thanks for the gas and electricity. and for letting me live another day.
Oh, and they charge the same if you pay online w/ your debit/credit cards. I know, mail the stupid thing, right. I will be doing this, it's my first home, though. I haven't been in the practice of keeping stamps on hand, an apparent staple to living in a home. I'm not new to bills, it's just that I've been able to pay them over the phone for FREE.
When I first tried it I had all of my information with me. I entered my debit info, and it took about 10 minutes with all of the options and entering numbers on the phone. Well, after all of that, it told me that my payment did NOT GO THROUGH. It then disconnected me. Well thanks, automated phone system.
Then, I called from work because time is ticking, and I want my power to stay on. So, I tell the guy my situation. I tell him that I don't have my number with me for my account so I want him to just take my debit card info. He tells me that they can't do that. Hmmm. K. So he then transfers me through, not remembering that I told him I don't have my account number because I'm at work, and the automation system requires it. Well.... Dangit! I'm at work, so I decide to wait till I get home. I forgot to do it that night, but time is running out.
So, next day at work, I talk to a person. I have called again. I tell her that I don't want my power to go out. I just want to pay my bill. "Can't you just take my information?" I asked. Nope, they can't do that. You have to input the data. So, she gives me the account number so I can at least input it myself... Thanks lady. Then tells me she's going to transfer me, and then hangs up on me.
So, I call again. I didn't explain my story, but whatever. I tell the lady, who seemed nice, "I just want to pay my bill." "Well what can I do for you, would you like to talk with someone at Western Union Bill Pay (or whatever she called it)?" She replied. ....... "You mean, LIKE A REAL PERSON!!!!!! WOULD I EVER!!!!!!!" There was true joy in my voice, I remember giggling. I just don't want to die in the freezing cold, you know. So, I talk to the lady at the bill pay place and got it paid. Hooooray!!!
Coming away from that, the whole phone thing bothers me, but I think that the $3.50 convenience fee irks me the most. Ameren IP has basically monopolized this area, and some people have no choice but to pay a fee that should be free. They should be paying the consumer to pay online. Don't most places offer incentives. I work at an organization where we encourage it. It saves a LOT of MONEY in bookkeeping.
What they're essentially doing is having the people who are paying the way that makes it more convenient for them be charged a fee. That money is then in turn used to pay the people who have to process all of that mail that comes in. I'm probably horribly wrong, but I'm very curious as to why Western Union is involved in the process. They need to get a web guy, or something. Hey Ameren, I'll be your consultant. Oh, and thanks for the gas and electricity. and for letting me live another day.
Oh, and they charge the same if you pay online w/ your debit/credit cards. I know, mail the stupid thing, right. I will be doing this, it's my first home, though. I haven't been in the practice of keeping stamps on hand, an apparent staple to living in a home. I'm not new to bills, it's just that I've been able to pay them over the phone for FREE.
Labels: $3.50 are you kidding me, Ameren IP, I don't want to die, I want to talk to a real person
Apparently I really do like Ron Paul...
I took a good presidential poll (selectsmart.com) and apparently I do like Ron Paul. I had known this :-), but my ideals do line up. I was hoping so. I did not answer any question to purposefully sway a decision towards Paul, just happened that way.
If you don't know who to vote for, you might be surprised by taking this poll. You might even be surprised what party you find yourself aligning with. Disclaimer from my experience is that the poll does not take into consideration how important an issue like abortion is to me. I believe it to be the factor that put Ron Paul above all of the democratics that came up, but it seems like my gut says that more conservative candidates should have risen to the top.
But, there they are. My picks. I was surprised by how many candidates were in my top who are still running. I looked at someone else's and a lot of these candidates were near the bottom.
If you don't know who to vote for, you might be surprised by taking this poll. You might even be surprised what party you find yourself aligning with. Disclaimer from my experience is that the poll does not take into consideration how important an issue like abortion is to me. I believe it to be the factor that put Ron Paul above all of the democratics that came up, but it seems like my gut says that more conservative candidates should have risen to the top.
But, there they are. My picks. I was surprised by how many candidates were in my top who are still running. I looked at someone else's and a lot of these candidates were near the bottom.
 | 1. | Theoretical Ideal Candidate (100%) |
| 2. | Ron Paul (72%) Information link |
| 3. | Christopher Dodd (withdrawn) (65%) Information link |
| 4. | Barack Obama (64%) Information link |
| 5. | Bill Richardson (withdrawn) (61%) Information link |
| 6. | Al Gore (not announced) (60%) Information link |
| 7. | John Edwards (59%) Information link |
| 8. | Wesley Clark (not running, endorsed Clinton) (56%) Information link |
| 9. | Michael Bloomberg (says he will not run) (55%) Information link |
| 10. | Hillary Clinton (55%) Information link |
| 11. | Alan Augustson (campaign suspended) (52%) Information link |
| 12. | Joseph Biden (withdrawn) (51%) Information link |
| 13. | Dennis Kucinich (50%) Information link |
| 14. | Mike Gravel (48%) Information link |
| 15. | John McCain (45%) Information link |
| 16. | Chuck Hagel (not running) (44%) Information link |
| 17. | Tom Tancredo (withdrawn, endorsed Romney) (43%) Information link |
| 18. | Tommy Thompson (withdrawn, endorsed Giuliani) (42%) Information link |
| 19. | Kent McManigal (campaign suspended) (40%) Information link |
| 20. | Mitt Romney (40%) Information link |
| 21. | Jim Gilmore (withdrawn) (40%) Information link |
| 22. | Mike Huckabee (38%) Information link |
| 23. | Duncan Hunter (37%) Information link |
| 24. | Alan Keyes (36%) Information link |
| 25. | Sam Brownback (withdrawn, endorsed McCain) (35%) Information link |
| 26. | Fred Thompson (31%) Information link |
| 27. | Rudolph Giuliani (31%) Information link |
| 28. | Elaine Brown (30%) Information link |
| 29. | Stephen Colbert (campaign halted) (30%) Information link |
| 30. | Newt Gingrich (says he will not run) (30%) Information link |
Labels: abortion, Ron Paul, selectsmart.com, your mom
