My Favorite Albums of 2009

Best Albums of 2009
1) The Avett Brothers- I and Love and You
2) Volcano Choir- unmap
3) Kings Convenience- Declaration of Independence
4) The Low Anthem- Oh my God, Charlie Darwin
5) Andrew Bird- Noble Beast
6) Bowerbirds- Upper Air
7) Megafaun- Gather, Form, Fly
8) Regina Spektor- Far
9) Monsters of Folk- MOF
10) Animal Collective- Meriweather Post Pavilion

State of Panic

The News Media is at it again. They are perpetually trying to create a story or series of stories that would put the world in panic mode. In the past we have feared the Asian Bird Flu, Killer Bees, Shark Bites, West Nile Virus, and so on. Instead of reporting the news, the media at large puts a negative spin on everything in an attempt to boost ratings. It's an irresponsible and despicable use of the public airway but if it were all wine and roses, would you tune in?

It is quickly becoming a trend to have each new summer bring with it a wave of new urgent stories to stir up public attention. The newest reason to panic is the Swine Flu. The swine flu, just like the horrific shark attacks and the killer bees that never made it to the US, is not as bad as reported. According to the LA times, “Scientists see this flu strain as relatively mild.” http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-swine-reality30-2009apr30,0,3606923.storyNow
The Swine Flu could become horrible, God forbid. However, it’s simply not that bad right now. What is worse is the panic everyone is in over the possibility of a mass pandemic.

It’s not enough to just report the negative or tragic but the media comes up with horrifying slogans and inappropriate logos to sell the story. Tag lines read before every commercial indicate we are all going to die; we just need to tune in to see how.

I believe we have created a culture of fear perpetuated by the media and government.

Sexting

Sexting has become an issue. It is sad but we all saw this coming. With new technology come new problems which bring new laws which bring division among lawmakers.
For those unaware of the term, “Sexting “is basically text messaging racy or nude images and or content to another person. It is illegal and teenagers are facing some serious charges. One Ohio seventeen year old who sent nude pictures to her ex-boyfriend may be convicted of child-pornography charges. If convicted she would be a registered sex offender for the next 20 years.
Some blame the parents, some blame technology. How is the state of Vermont handling this? They simply want to make, “sexting” legal. Either way, it is a big issue that is getting attention.
The simple solution is to limit cell phone and internet use to teens but this puts the responsibility on potentially irresponsible parents. Cell phone companies could refuse to sell multimedia packages to teenagers but then they would lose business. Plus this would punish all teenagers when the problem thus far is isolated to about 20%.
Once again the world is screaming for parents to step up and be parents. Thirteen year old kids do not need unlimited access to the internet via a mobile devise. It has been proven that most teenagers, when left to do whatever they want with no accountability or parenting, will get into trouble.
It is a tragedy that sexting has to even become an option.

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” Albert Einstein



http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/states/vermont/2009-04-12-2912877058_x.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2009-03-11-sexting_N.htm

You broke my heart Kentucky Wildcat

1948 1949 1951 1958 1978 1996 and 1998 were all good years to be a Kentucky Wildcat Basketball fan. 2009… not so much.

For the first time since 1979, the year in which I was born, the Wildcats will play in the 72nd National Invitation Tournament. Kentucky has only been passed by the NCAA Tournament one other time in 1991 when they were on probation.

Sad but the Wildcats 20-13 season put them as a number 4 seed in the NIT. No offense to the NIT but it is embarrassing. Other than little league T-Ball we really don’t have tournaments for losers.

Things are so bad that UK will not even be playing on the men’s court at Rupp but will have to play at Memorial Coliseum, AKA the women’s court. Why? Because there is a Kentucky State Boy’s Tournament scheduled at Rupp. Everyone figured UK would make it to the NCAA tourney. They all figured wrong.

Sure, you can buy tickets to the “big” game for a mere $33 but why would you?

This is not the year to be a UK fan but it will come back around, we just have to wait.

Alien Life?

Could it be that there are intelligent life forms on planets other than earth? NASA thinks there are about 100 billion earth like planets in the milky way.

So my questions is, what would happen if we found another planet just like earth that has been in existence for millions of years? This goes beyond the Star trek, X-Files geeky science stuff. Guys have devoted their entire lives to seeking out life forms beyond earth. People really believe that it is possible that we will find... Aliens.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/02/25/galaxy.planets.kepler/index.html

Basketball Game

Monday night Roman and I went to the Station Camp/Gallatin Basketball game. Roman was mortified when he realized it wasn't a football game we were attending. He said, I miss Football Dad. Me too son.

While at the game he quickly noticed the people around us had popcorn so he asked, in a very shy and sweet way, if he could have some popcorn as well. After he downed the popcorn he began to dance every time music came on. Even though the place was packed full of people, he danced as if he were the only one in the building.

Though our guys at Station Camp lost, Roman had a great time.

Daddy Roman Day

I always enjoy my day off at home with Roman. We have a set routine that we carry out each and every week. It starts with a trip to Target then my allergy Dr. where I get shots and Roman gets a sucker. He always reminds me that I am the one getting the shots, two in one arm and one in the other, and he is the one getting the sucker just in case the shot nurse gets things confused. We end our routine by getting some lunch together.

If you spend a lot of time with a 2 year old you appreciate their innocence. The way a 2 year old sees the world is unlike any other age group. The sad reality is that we are raising them in a world that is simply waiting to destroy their uncritical eyes. We train them to see people based on their color, social and economic status, age, and gender.

As adults we are to caught up in being on top, making the most money, getting the most notoriety and credit. We always want credit for what we do. The problem is, it is all earthly gain. Matthew 16 says it best, “What good is it if a man gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Michael Scott once said, "If a baby were president, there would be no taxes, there would be no war. There would be no government, and things could get terrible. It actually, probably - it would be a better screenplay idea than a serious suggestion."

S.S.S

Last week while climbing a 40ft rock wall Seth was dropped 8ft to the ground breaking his tibia (foot). Per Dr.’s orders he is not able to put any pressure on it thus leaving him unable to get out of the house. So, it is up to us to Save Seth’s Sanity. Email, call, send gifts or visit Seth. Please help us!

Email- stburg3ss@comcast.net

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1292739770

Myspace- www.myspace.com/seththebreath



Together We can Make a Difference

- S.S.S Foundation –

Hardware Store Find

Among other great findings at Ace Hardware, this was the one that stood out the most.

I can think of so many ways this can be useful

Projector

A few months ago we changed the bulb in our church projector. The quality and clarity was remarkable but only lasted about a week. Since projector bulbs are $400 + we decided to switch out projectors with one the youth has been using.


This is no easy task since the projector is mounted 20 +/- feet in the air. So, I used the largest A frame ladder in the world.

Three hours and two trips to ACE Hardware and the project is done!

DTV

I understand switching to Digital TV is a big deal to the 8 people who still use rabbit ears or antennas to get the Price is Right and 2 local news channels but come on, stop putting it off. There has been another delay in the switch, this time four months, that will only effect people who don't pay for their programs anyway. The fact that I do pay for TV monthly and have to watch the scrolling announcement every ten minutes makes me angry. Then to realize all of the advertising, hype, and promotion was all for nothing.

The estimated number of people still using an antenna is 20 million, mostly poor and or elderly. However, the main reason for the switch is to free up more signals for emergency management. The good seems to out weigh the bad on this one. Besides, the government is giving away $40 converter boxes, you just have to go get one. 2.5 million people are on a waiting list for coupons because the government ran out of the 1.3 billion dollars it set aside to help people... watch TV for free. When satellite radio became popular the government didn't buy my a receiver.

Maybe it is me but it seems like we could use a billion plus dollars for something else? I guess we can rejoice in the fact that the money is at least being spent on TV and not on overseas abortion clinics.

Youth Superbowl Party

We are throwing a Superbowl Party at Adam Driver's house this Sunday at 6pm. Invite all of your friends. If you plan on coming, bring a finger food or dessert.

Auto-Tune

The auto-tune has become widely popular among rappers like Kayne West, Lil Wayne, and T-pain. It allows talentless artists to sing without being trained or have the ability to sing. I am wondering when the Auto-Tune is going to make it to church worship.




Auto-Tune is a proprietary audio processor created by Antares Audio Technologies that uses a phase vocoder to correct pitch in vocal and instrumental performances. In addition to being used to subtly change pitch, with some settings it can be used as an effect to deliberately distort the human voice.

Auto-Tune is available as a plug-in for professional audio multi-tracking suites used in a studio setting and as a stand-alone, rackmount unit for live performance processing.[2] Auto-tune has become standard equipment in professional recording studios. -Wikipedia

example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNSBK8QVVcA

Schedule

Every morning we wake unsure of what we will be forced to endure. We schedule our day as if we have some control over how it will go. We are reminded how helpless we are when something comes up and throws us into a tail spin. However, we forge onward, planning, plotting, and scheduling hoping that the day will go without a hitch.

Some people are completely thrown off when things do not go as planned. I use to be that guy, now I have learned to roll with the punches. Well, I am rarely that cavalier about it but I am learning. In reality it is tough to deal with the problems a day can bring.

Lately it feels as though a lot of Margie and My days are being thrown off. We find ourselves toe to toe with the unknown more frequently. This wouldn’t normally be a problem but back-to-back blows are tough to recover from. At some point you just wonder, “When the hits are going to stop coming my way.”

The Religious person would say, “The devil is out after you.” The super religious person would say, “You are in sin and God’s hand is not on your family.” The practical person says, “Such is life.” Margie and I, we are somewhere in the middle of it all. We know God is watching out for us and it is His strength in which we walk.

While at Vanderbilt’s Children’s ER I realized, we are blessed. That facility if packed full of children with disabilities and diseases we can not begin to understand. God has us in His sights and is watching out for us. Regardless of what comes our way, we remain faithful to Him.

Multi-Tool

For Christmas this year I received a Leatherman Multi-Tool. This $90 item has 17 tools built into this handy stainless steal body. When I opened the gift I thought of all the ways I could spend the money when I took the tool back. I thought I would never need to pack screwdirvers, scisors, wirepliers, knives and so on with me ever where I went but I could buy several PSP games.

When I was unable to return the item I figure I would keep it with me for a while to see if I even used it. I used it... In fact I use it almost daily. It has become the most handy thing since I upgraded my cell phone to a PDA phone.

I never thought I would be a "Leatherman guy" but I am. However, I refuse to attach it to my belt. I have to draw the line somewhere.

Date Night

I always enjoy spending time with my wife. Imagine that

Margie and I had a classic date night last night, dinner and a movie. I cannot remember the last time she and I went to the movies. Regardless, we went to see Seven Pounds which was a great film but not the most romantic movie. Something about watching someone die tends to effect the date in a negative way but we had fun regardless.

Good food, good company

Twitter

I am committing to Twitter.


Come follow me http://twitter.com/dchuff

Weekend Madness

It was a crazy but fun weekend at the Huff Home. Friday we hosted a parents drop by and hung out with some friends/youth staff until late. We watched as an SUV drove up and down our street looking for their lost puppy. We thought about helping but figured the reward wasn't high enough yet.

Saturday Margie's Dad and friend Sandy came down from Kentucky. Carol and I rearranged the living room and rerouted the satellite coax to the other side of the room. Thankfully Carol opted to get under the house and crawl through the space. The entire process took about 5 hours but it was worth it to have more space in our living room.

Sunday we had church and then hosted a youth 2:42 small group at our home. We ended up with 28 young people so our small group was kind of a large group.

Since we spent the weekend working and spending time with friends and family I found myself missing my wife. Tonight I have a baby sitter scheduled and Margie and I are going to dinner and a movie. We are between Benjamin Button and Seven Pounds. Either way, Septembers will be our choice for dinner.

Zoo... in December?

Yep, My wife, son and I visited the Grassmere Zoo in December.

I am so disappointed that we have not seen any significant snow. I realize we are in TN but we should at least have an inch or two each winter. Instead of snow we have had warm weather and rain.

I am still counting on some snow before the season has passed.

Killing the Old Man Video Shoot

To start off the new year I have planned to launch the Killing the Old Man sermon series. To kick it off, we will be showing a video I shot, directed, and edited with Alex Jackson writing and acting. It promises to be amazing. If one were so inclined, he/she could find said video on Vimeo.com

Below are some screen shots taken from the film.