Groovy Social Toolbar for Simple Clean Blog Design
I am blog design content … for the moment. 
. I have always wanted to do a single column blog but was always nervous to do it. I really like it. Simple, clean…not a whole lot of distraction.
One super cool feature is the new toolbar that loads at the bottom of the web browser window and scrolls with you has you travel through the page/blog. It’s really very cool. You can see the facebook fan page, follow my twitter stream, share that page/post with your social networks… all kinds of groovy bells and whistles.
I hope you like it.
"Fools Rush In Where Monkeys Fear To Tread"
Wow. This is a scathing critique of the Christian blogosphere and lots to think about and chew on. Trueman writes about the self absorbed Christian web presence:
But the sordid tales of the inverted morality of the Christian web are seemingly limitless. The self-absorption on display here called to my mind yet another webpage I am sometimes directed to visit by friends, where the only subject ever discussed seems to be the author’s own contribution to Christian thought, and, very occasionally, the critical interaction of others with his earth-shattering insights (none of his critics understand him and are generally idiots or wicked or both). As one colleague describes said page: see me here, hear me there, stroke my ego everywhere. Indeed, this page always brings to my mind the tale of the apocryphal Cambridge don who used to warble on and on about himself in tutorials until one day, in a moment of humility, he turned to his hapless students and declared, `Well, that’s enough about me; let’s talk about you for a change. What do you think of my books?’ But then the owner of this website is a `leading scholar,’ a claim which must be true because he himself tells us so on his very own webpage; and he should know because he is, after all, a `leading scholar.’ And you thought the noise at a chimpanzee’s tea party could be deafening. …
You really should read the whole article: Fools Rush In Where Monkeys Fear To Tread – Reformation21.
Thanksgiving 2009
Today is the day we in the United States eat way to much to celebrate what we are thankful for. I am thankful for:
- Family: Goes without saying but must be said! I love you all so much and have the most beautiful, intelligent, creative and awesome nieces ever.
- Friends: Online – been online since ‘93 and have met some amazing people and have a real appreciation for the good that online communities can bring. You (blog readers) have seen me go through quite the travails of whether to keep blogging or not in 2009 and I appreciate you hanging in there with me.
- Friends Offline – When I came to Christ He eventually released my unabashed extroverted-ness
. Now, I have the honor of enjoying friendships with folks all over North America. PLUS I have great new friends in England and Mexico that I met this year . - Food: oh yeah … I like my food … a lot. Especially ice cream food.
- The Gym: maybe I like food a little too much? I actually like the gym a lot. Some cool folks go there and it isn’t a meat market. That plus a reasonable gym membership price, no waiting for machines and great spin class schedule. Ok… the spin class schedule is great even though I don’t ever go to it.
- Live in a *great* country and we will leave it at that for the day . Live in a great state. I love Florida. And I have great neighbors and a nice home that brings rest.
- I am grateful for my church family. Especially grateful that we are based in the grace of Christ’s atonement for us.
- Grateful for art and creativity. Still trying to learn how to paint with acrylics.
- Grateful for being able to read and write.
- Grateful for prayer, private worship and communion
- and of course grateful to God for His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who dwells within.
- … and much more.
So, what are you grateful for?
Anew
Currently considering a relaunch of the blog (with the .org address) from complete scratch. No imports, no nothing. The word that keeps tumbling over in my spirit is “beauty.”
::: pondering :::
I am slowly realizing that it isn’t the act of blogging that I think I am disquieted by. I love blogging. But unlike the Exodus Blog, which started with a clear purpose (Educate, Equip and Encourage) my personal blog has always been a mishmash of a ton of … stuff. IF I do relaunch I want it to be very clear in purpose. Which, will be limiting but hopefully will increase excellence.
::: still pondering :::
Thoughts?
UPDATE 11/4/9 – I imported my old posts.
Blogging as Art
Today I did some behind the scenes cleaning up and organizing of the blog. I solidified all the wayward missing pieces and posts. I have removed all semblance of past moves and imports. I have lined up some of my posts from the old blog to be eventually re-posted on the Exodus blog and weeded out a lot of empty tags and categories while consolidating others.
Once I got through there was a very real sense of accomplishment. It is a very similar feeling to when I complete a drawing. This has been very worth the effort. It’s rewarding to look at a huge pruning process and see two solid projects rising up.
::: happa randa :::
Is Social Media a Fad? (Groovy Video)
Take a look at this incredible video. It will blow your mind.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8]
Now come on … admit it … you were grooving to the music by the end of the video weren’t you? Weren’t those stats amazing? If facebook were a country it would be the fourth largest?! I am thinking that social media is not a fad and I totally agree with the youngin’s … I hate email … email is passe. Please answer the poll included in this post after the jump.
Live Blogging at 32,000 Feet
… Because I can.
It is a smooth flight, got the free upgrade … in the same clothes I wore yesterday (because of being stranded in Cincinnati) but Lord willing I will land in about 40 minutes, head home, take a shower, put on clean(er) clothes and go straight to work.
Have to be honest … Grumpa Randa is out today. Didn’t sleep well last night. Ok… I gotta’ do some more work. Wi-fi up high is cool but … Now I don’t have an excuse not to answer email.
Stretch Out And Relax
It's been light posting around here for a good three weeks now. Part of that of course was traveling but part of it is I have been drawing, painting, running around with friends, my birthday, watching movies, working, writing for other venues … you know … the rest of life.
Plus, Twitter and Facebook are alllllll about the comments lately.
I used to fret over making sure I blogged at least once a day or on every major issue out there … you know … contributing as much as possible to the wall of sound. Lately, not worried about that so much. I'll get to what I can get to when I can get to it.
And its been good to branch out creatively, relationally and online. It has been a grace filled three weeks.
Please Pray For My Friend "Blessed" – I'm Here to Stay
I have gotten so much positive affirmation of my blogging on facebook, here and privately via facebook, twitter and email. I should totally delete and recreate my blog more often!
Wait … I kinda’ do.
But this one message really struck my heart, many touched my heart but this one … just kinda’ got to me. A friend on Facebook writes:
(Printed here with permission)
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