A few years ago Starbucks started going after what they referred to as The Third Place. Rather, they started creating them. The idea was that people went home and work- and they should go to Starbucks as well, hence the third place. OK- so that’s basically it. (If you want more on third place and all that, check out Dave Gibbons and his thoughts about creating not just a third place, but a third culture.)

Since then people have bit, hard. So much that if businesses- see also “casual dining”- don’t have WiFi they can count themselves behind at best.
We are now able to check in on our favorite bloggers, get updates on our teams and even tell people where the news is happening, from everywhere.

So I found it interesting, when I checked the map on my Sitemeter account today, one of the locations that someone visited from.

Check it:

I’ve heard of strange places to “surf the web”, but really?!
What about you- what’s the strangest location you’ve ever “gone online”?
~NickShoe

Fear Salesman Promo

I don’t know how Nate Heagy of Fear Salesman set this up, but it is pure genius.

And it is unique. Not outrageous.

Outrageous would be a stunt like the hoax Balloon Boy’s parents attempted in hopes of getting some more reality tv time. It was stupid, it was incredibly inconsiderate, but mostly it was illegal.

If you’re out here in this world where Twitter breaks major news stories and Facebook determines job offers, do what you can to make yourself unique. But don’t be outrageous.

~NickShoe

Can you believe that the 21st Century is about to turn 10? Double digits! Woot woot!
In case you missed it, here it is in 7 minutes.

Well? Did they miss anything?
Do share…
~NickShoe

Mashable recently weighed in on the YouTube video “OMG! Car Hit and Flipped By Wrecking-Ball in NYC!” that is well on it’s way to becoming a viral hit. Check it out, then let’s get into it.

I agree with the observations of a few others on this- as far as it’s authenticity is concerned.

There are so many holes in this one, but I’m just going to stick with one: the wrecking ball.
• According to this site an average wrecking ball or block weighs 2400-3050 pounds. And they aren’t perfectly round (pictures are available in the link as well).
• The wrecking ball in the video is roughly the height of the mini-van (2001 Dodge Caravan Specs here and here). If the ball in the video is steel and not stone (which would disintegrate within a few smashes into anything besides your excuse for not having a prom date- it was soft, c’mon.), then it would weigh approximately 37,147 pounds (according to the site mentioned in point one).

Wrecking ball 1, mini-van 0.

• Yes- we already knew this, Nick. The mini-van in the video flips. Ahh, yes- but did you see what the wrecking ball does when it hits the van? It stops. Anyone see “Gone in 60 Seconds”(2000) where the Jeep gets annihilated by the wrecking ball?
Detective Drycoff (Timothy Olyphant): {to cop climbing out of owned Jeep} “You ok?” {cop nods} “Ya sure? Cause ya just went through a wall!”
Yeah- THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
• Remember that 37 thousand pound wrecking ball that stopped after it hit a 5,700 pound mini-van? Were you paying attention to the end of the clip?
Notice how those guys are just holding it? Don’t believe me? Go back and watch for yourself. They “steady” the 37 thousand pound wrecking ball with little or no effort!

Well- I could ramble for a bit, but I think I’ve made my case.

So- is it real or a fake?
~NickShoe

Skinny Santa

I know- it’s Friday, Black Friday more accurately, and this isn’t a Shiny Friday post.
Carlos Whittaker derailed that train about 10 minutes ago. Blame him. Actually- go read about it and then come back.

Now that you’re back, unless you cheated- now you really do need to go read his post; let’s get down to brass tacks.
My Three:
Physical- Fit into size 36 jeans and large t-shirts. More on that in a bit.
Spiritual- Memorizing scripture (as outlined by LosWhit)
Relational- Connect with my wife everyday.

As you may know I was in the hospital in early October. I gained about 30 lbs there- it was from the meds and was 95% fluids. Pick your jaw up off the floor. The good news is that I peed constantly for about a week and all of it came off. I was 240 lbs. Again, close your mouth- I’m 6’5″, if you didn’t know.
This morning- 255 lbs. So my goal is 235 lbs by January 2, 2010.
Why did I say my goal for this challenge was fitting into clothes then? Because, when I weigh 235 I fit well into those clothes.

BTW- I wore 36 jeans yesterday, but I had to choose between tying my shoes and breathing- couldn’t do both at the same time. Yeah.
And I started thinking about why this issue even exists. Could it be because our Patron Saint Nick is commonly portrayed as an obese retiree? (Oh- he’s not fat, he’s jolly.) It’s funny how things have changed. Mr. Clause used to be a skinny punk. It’s only in the last few decades that the fat guy has showed up to give us presents. (I blame Coca-Cola.) But I digress.

For my Spiritual goal I think memorizing some scripture will not only be challenging but worthwhile as well. No I say this with some hesitancy, because I actually memorize pretty well, so I’m really looking forward to this.

For my Relational goal I want to connect with my gorgeous wife more personally than “Hi, how was your day?”. So that means not cramming it in in the 10 minutes before we fall asleep.

So there it is. You should join me- us.
You know you want to.

I’ll follow the rules. I will update at least 2x/week about my progress. I will be honest and truthful.
Let’s do this.

~Nick

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
“The Road Not Taken”
~Robert Frost, 1915

There are so many metaphors that pop into my head from this amazing poem that I don’t know where to start- so I’ll just let you interpret it for yourself.

Next➾ I no longer work at The Pursuit
Next➾ Amie & Jax & I will still attend
Next➾ Because we believe in what God is doing there
Next➾ I don’t have a job
Next➾ I have a calling

I have been given the ability to do great stuff with media- be it with a camera and editing, with Facebook and Twitter, or with a website.

Check this out:
“He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs. Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”~Exodus 35:35-36:1

I’ll have more on what Next➾ will look like soon.

I dreamed the other night that I was talking with a good friend and mentor of mine about what was next for him.
In the dream I leaned over and whispered in his ear Isaiah 30:21:
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
When I woke up the verse was still strolling though my head. And it hit me- take this and hold onto it.

Please pray for clear direction for Amie and I as we navigate.

~NickShoe

~NickShoe

I posed this question on Facebook: “What do you think, say or hear of Jesus?…”

There were some great responses and even a great convo! Check it out if you’d like.

And it makes me wonder.
I’ve been a Jesus follower since I can remember. He is my forgiver and leader. But I don’t think I’ve ever really confronted the Jesus Problem. That is to say, I’m beginning to reconcile the Jesus of the Bible and the Jesus of pop-Christian-culture.
At time I’ve taken parts of this often very public insurgence and settled it in my own mind. For example: Jesus wasn’t six-foot tall with blue eyes and long, flowing blond hair. More than likely, he was about five-four with dark brown eyes and a ruddy complexion from years of manual labor as a carpenter.
There- that’s settle. The Jesus of the Bible looks way different than the Jesus of Medieval art.

Now that’s all good and proper. But what about the other stuff? ALL the other stuff.
Check out this article by Shane Claiborne. Than come back.

Hmm.
So- what do we do with The Jesus Problem?

~NickShoe

Today Oprah talked porn.
I am going to say this as clearly as possible: Oprah’s show is crap.
I don’t know the woman personally, so I’m just stopping with the show & it’s content.
Here’s a great take on it from XXXChurch.com

So- after reading that, still think The Oprah Show is worth your time?
I hope you think not.

~NickShoe

I’d like to introduce you to the parody band, Santacondas.

VA’s: November 15, 2009 from The Pursuit on Vimeo.

~NickShoe