In order of preference, these are the communication systems I’ve used:

Clearcom and Telex professional communication systems. Pro: clear two-way (full duplex) communications.
Con: Pricey.

DIY telephone intercom. Pro: clear two-way communications. Less pricey.
Con: not easy to build. Can’t be bought off the shelf. Some pieces might be difficult to find.

Two-way radios. Pro: cheap and easy to find. Cons: One-way communication. Female voices difficult to hear when they whisper. Good, cheap headsets sometimes hard to find.

In my experience, if you’re going to need a lot of communication during the service and have someone that can solder the pieces, the DIY telephone intercom is a good choice. For occasional communication radios are adequate.

Paul

I stumbled upon the concept of a “child-theme” in WordPress.  Basically, that means, I can take the “index.php” and other files and just create my own “style.css” that references the main theme.  That also means that I can retain the original to show my wife what I did.

I’m excited.

Paul

Baptism Wave from Quest Community Church on Vimeo.

Paul

Another example of the simplistic way movies were initially filmed was something I noticed when I first watched “Laurel and Hardy”.  In especially their earliest work, mistakes in a scene were “fixed” by trying to have them stand in about the same position and cutting out the mistake.  The camera remained in place and the zoom setting on the lens was the same as well.  The result is what we now call “a jump cut” where something is obviously wrong because a person’s hand can’t move several inches in a 1/25 (or 1/30th, etc) of a second.

Move forward to the advent of sound.  Early “talkies” were just bad.  The 1952 musical sensation, “Singin’ in the Rain” which deals with the aftermath of 1927’s “The Jazz Singer”.  This is an example of a piece of “dubious” film shot purely for the sake of having sound:

I could talk about early attempts at color (over-saturated and just fake-looking) or the gimicks of the 1050’s and ’60’s–like electrified seats and early 3D.

Last night I saw “Avatar”–a genuinely decent movie.  Was it ground-breaking story-telling and cinematography?  No.  Sorry.  It was good, but as so many have pointed out, it was “Dances With Wolves” or “Pocahontes”.

What about the 3D?  Mostly it was great.  I do see some areas of growth.

1) Shallow Depth of Field: Part of the advantage of a single lens is the ability to keep some areas out of focus to draw the eye to what the director wishes that you look at.  This is a beautiful part of the art of film, photography, and video.  It’s so distracting in 3D.  Why?  The world is 3D and it goes out of focus only as we don’t pay attention to an area.  I choose what’s in focus in the real world.  I think this is a place where art should imitate life and consider focus less of a tool to direct the eye.  Let the audience explore the environment and see what little things are important and what aren’t.

2) Flat layers.  Like it’s predecessor, Victorian Stereographic Photography, 3D cinema sometimes (not always) looks like multiple flattened layers in 3D space.  That’s a limitation that needs to be overcome for this to be more than a fad.

3) Glasses.  Okay, I know this is silly, but can no one design glasses that look don’t look like they belong on Buddy Holly?  I’ve started wearing regular glasses myself (as does my wife) and we both had to wear both pairs to get a sharp and 3D experience.  I’m tempted to take the glasses (nope didn’t “recycle them”) and tweak them into something like the sunglasses that attach to my glasses.

4) Gimmicks.  Look I know it’s 3D. Quit shooting stuff at me, okay? See the above piece on depth of field for why having “unobtanium” out of focus in the foreground (where I can tell it’s either a smudge on the film or really important) was a bad idea.

5) Moving shots.  Some are great, but a truck left or truck right with out of focus stuff in it (see above) is a bad idea.  Who walks sideways concentrating on a single object anyway (other than video guys trying to picture shots)?

6) Motion sickness.  I didn’t have this, but some people did.  Keep it in mind.

Really, I thought it was great.  These are just tweaks that could have made the 3D experience.  I’ve got one final thought though, James Cameron,  way to not do what the latest “Superman” did in some releases with the silly icon on the screen for a few 3D shots.  Use it, or don’t use it, but unless there’s a strong artistic reason (like B&W to Color in “The Wizard of Oz”), don’t sometimes decide to use this tool.  Mr. Cameron, it took guts to do what you’ve done and I think you’re reaping the rewards.

Paul

Now, I’m watching Steve announce something that I think will change everything again.  I’ve often sat with my laptop (in this case an old 13″ powerbook) and been dismayed by some of it’s limitations.  I’m still navigating with a mouse–a device that is little changed since it’s wide adoption in the early ’80’s.  I can’t interact directly with the screen in an intuitive way.  I’m often using a keyboard to enter text.

When I got my iPhone, I started taking notes on it exclusively.  The problem is that I’m typing with my two thumbs instead of my ten fingers, which is naturally faster.  Expose and spaces on my Mac is great, but I’d love to be able to just intuitively flick around on the desktop.

I love the idea of having something the size of a notebook (the paper kind, not the laptop kind) and interacting with it like I would a notebook.  This kind of reminds me of the books in the Harry Potter universe, with pictures and video, instantly changing.

I know some people are dismayed that it’s just a large iPod touch.  I’m not.  I have a 8.4″ touchscreen that runs Windows that I can use at work, but this is different.  I don’t need a stylus, but just the ten fingers that God gave me.

It’s just better.  I can’t wait.  I think it will facilitate the paperless office (you can carry it with you like a piece of paper and email like a computer).  These are just first impressions, but I bet you’ll see it’s utility as you use it.

Paul

Much of the Middle East is strata upon strata of history.  Visit a 500 year old church, and it will likely be built on the ruins of a 2nd century church which in turn is built on the catacombs where the first Christians worshipped in secret.  This is both the truth and the metaphor that Mark Batterson uses to discuss American Christianity.

We both agree that many things that Christians believe have the original nugget deep within, but are covered by centuries of tradition which may or may not be what God intended.  What was considered normal by those who came before, is now considered “radical” and “crazy”.  Batterson seeks to return the Church to it’s roots of radical love, generosity, appreciation of God, and the like.

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I don’t consider my relationship with Jesus to be a part of my life; He is my life.  That shows itself in ways that scare some of my extended family.  Batterson talks about this kind of life as one to be aimed for, not questioned.  Take the examples of one business person in one of his early chapters who literally gave his company to God and another who decided to live on 10% and give away 90%.

This book is a call to the American church to quit mistaking blessing for wealth and start living like serving ourselves here is akin to redecorating a hotel room on vacation.  Batterson calls on us to invest our money, our time, and our passions in what makes God’s heart race–people, to spend time experiencing God through His word, and to delve into the most basic elements of our relationship to Him, leaving lesser things behind.

If I have any criticism of this book, it’s that I could stand to hear it’s truths with more force, calling us to more action, putting aside preference and radically trusting Jesus to the degree that the world would never be the same.  Perhaps I crave a kick in the can that most readers wouldn’t tolerate.  Maybe Batterson’s kind demeanor are the spoon full of sugar that helps the truth that the world could change for the better if we radically (with action) trusted God.

Should you read this book?  If your heart beats like mine to be a part of a movement of radical love, grace, and dependence on Jesus, you should.  If you want that to be true, you should read this book. If you want to live a life that affects no one and is safe and nice, you really should.  Not everyone will agree with what Batterson says, but it should be considered by people who claim to trust Jesus and want to help Him in His redemptive work.

Paul

Saturday was my birthday.  I’ve never quite had one like this.  First off, I didn’t do much celebrating.  I was kinda single-minded in documenting my vasectomy.  So I didn’t even realize I was 36 until mid-way through the morning.

I started the morning, “No pain until I got up. Gravity is not my friend. Continuing to wear special man-support. #vasectomy“.  Now to be quite clear, I was wearing (and have been wearing) a “jock-strap” to keep everything in place.  I had a friend comment that he thought briefs would be tight enough.  Let me assure you they are not.  I think part of my success came from the fact that I kept gravity from taking it’s toll.

The next thing I did was use frozen peas.  Their small size meant that they could wrap around the area and cool it.  My doctor told me to only use them 20 minutes out of every hour, but “Turns out I’m no good at judging what 20 minutes of peas on my lap is. #vasectomy“. Yep, I often forgot.  I spent much of my birthday on my easy chair with my feet up, which come to think of it, wasn’t all that bad.

Saturday nights I normally go to church and edit the service in preparation to take it to our second campus on Sunday morning.  Since I didn’t go, I had people do that for me.  It was nice to stay home and relax.  It was during this time that I cooked my first meal.  I made chicken fingers and fries in the fryer.  Pretty much a set it and forget it until the timer rings kind of thing.

I had moments of pain, but mostly it was not a huge deal.  I think this was because I took it extra easy.  I was still concerned about my Sunday because I was planning on driving 45 minutes to our Frankfort campus and leading the video there (off my feet).

I showered for the first time since the surgery.  Following the doctor’s instructions to dry carefully (light blotting only) and went to bed.  I fully expected my Sunday to be filled with pain, so I planned on packing my medicine just in case.  I drove in my 5-speed car without incident and headed into the church.  I received sympathy from all involved (including a doctor who was leading the morning), but forgot to pack my medicine, even though I was sure I had.

The morning went without incident except for small amounts of pain that I dealt with and moved on.  I was grateful to have a team to depend on.  My pastor says, “You’re never not leading,” so I took the opportunity to teach the other guy on the team more of what I do.  He was such a help, having picked up the hard drive with the video on it from the night before.

I went home and returned to my chair for some cuddle time with my daughters who knew not to sit on my lap.  I took a nap and went out to celebrate my birthday at my favorite restaurant.  We looked at Christmas lights and came home.  I decided to remove my jock strap and keep to briefs before my transition back to my normal underwear.

I have one more sick day to make sure I’m no worse for wear.  The doctor tells me that I’m still about a week from sexual activity (a total of 10 days) and as many as 20 times before I’m sperm-free.  I’ve got to take in two samples before I know I’m cleared to use this as my primary method of birth control (or should I say conception control).  I’ll update when that happens or if there are any complications.

Here’s what I learned:

Paul

I took all of yesterday off (yep, I’m writing this before I’m totally healed).  After I took my oldest to school, I did a little shopping.  From my discussions with some of the other guys I know who’ve had it done, I knew that briefs and a jock strap were what I needed.  I also bought some comfort food, not because I should have, but because I wanted to.

I tweeted:  ”Shopping done in prep for the surgery. Need to pick up my prescription. Then head to the doctor at 2:00. A little nervous. #vasectomy“

I came home and did some house work while watching Ellie, since my wife was at a Lifegroup Christmas Party.  I knew that I had a prescription for 1 Lortab and 1 Valium to pick up.  My wife got home and we stopped off at the pharmacy where I got the medicine.  Here’s what I tweeted: “Just took the vallium and loritab. Less than an hour until the surgery. #vasectomy“. I was on my way.  We stopped off at Rally’s for lunch and I wrote about my nervousness some more.

Finishing my “last meal” (thanks for that Christina) . #vasectomy

My wife told me that there was no way that was my last meal unless the doctor got mad and tried to kill me.  That was true, but when you’re nervous, all sorts of things pop into your head.

I walked into the clinic, checked in and wrote this on my way up the elevator: “It’s odd to get a surgery when you’re perfectly healthy. Waiting now. #vasectomy“. Then I wrote, “Feeling a little cloudy thx to the meds. #vasectomy” and “Btw, I’m tweeting this b/c guys mostly only do this once. I want to share and give courage. #vasectomy“.  That was true.  Then as I waited to be called back to the operating room I checked my Facebook page.  One of my friends wrote Matthew 19:12 on my Facebook wall.  That reads: ¹²“For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”

I tweeted back: “Funny. Someone just quoted Matt 19:12 on my facebook. I don’t think this makes me a eunech. It is for the sake of the kingdom. #vasectomy“.  This caused some discussion as to what I’d meant.  I was thinking that it was selfless to volunteer for an operation for the good of your marriage and because you felt like God told you to.

They called my name and I walked back slowly to the room where the procedure was to take place.  I tweeted this: “Now this looks scary. http://pic.im/fAl #vasectomy“.  It was then that the nurse came in to prep me for the procedure.  I couldn’t really write much, so I sat there naked from the waist down with sheets and blankets wrapped around my legs and iodine on my private parts.

The doctor came in and did the procedure.  The pain was A LOT less than I thought.  Later I would tweet, “The shot wasn’t bad at all. Like a needle at the dentist. I’d rather get that shot than get my finger tip pricked.#vasectomy” once he finished and I got dressed, I wrote, “Done. Worst part. Feet fell asleep in the sirrups.#vasectomy“.  I meant stirrups, but I’d just had some intimate stuff done to me.  I was really surprised how good I felt.

As I waited for my wife, I felt like I should tell a little joke, “I’m wearing my “Tech Support: Contents under pressure” t-shirt. I think it’s appropriate. #vasectomy“.  One friend wanted one of the shirts.

We left and headed out to get my prescriptions.  I really felt fine, but wanted to have the meds before I needed them.

Since it took so long, one of my friends got a little concerned that I hadn’t updated in a while.  I had to write, “Nothing to report. Pain killers still working.#vasectomy“.  I dropped off my prescriptions and headed home.  After some pizza, I enjoyed some time with the family and then wrote, “At home on my easy chair, with an ice pack. This isn’t too bad yet. #vasectomy” and then, “So far, this has been a good day. The surgery wasn’t as bad as I thought. Tomorrow and Sunday are supposed to be worse though. #vasectomy“.  The stories I’d heard about guys thinking it was no big deal and overdoing it, seemed more likely.  I just stayed on my chair, icing down with frozen peas.  My day ended without incident, “Bed time. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.#vasectomy“.

What I’d heard about the next day was somewhat true.  You can read about that tomorrow.

Paul

Three years ago, my wife and I had our second child.  I was afraid to be a father the first time, but this time was different.  With 5 years experience, I felt like this would be an occasion of joy not fear.  Ellie was born on November 14, 2006.  She was healthy and immediately the favorite play-thing of her 5 year-old sister.  I started getting a feeling that Ellie would be the last child I’d be having.  This made me a little sad because I love my girls so much, but happy to follow the leading I was feeling (in case you’re not familiar with this blog, I believe in a God who lovingly interacts with His creation, leading them better than the greatest parents lead their children).

I talked with my wife who agreed that she was feeling the same thing.  That doesn’t mean it was an easy decision to come to.  In the interim, there have been lots of challenges in our marriage.  I’d been underemployed for a while when Ellie was born, so we really couldn’t afford the operation, not that I knew how much it cost.  My sick-time at work was iffy at best.  Then I got a job with my current employer.  The benefits were better and from time to time I thought about getting a vasectomy.

A year ago I was at my church’s men’s retreat and a friend of mine came in a bit of pain.  I asked him what was up.  He told me that he’d just had a vasectomy.  I really didn’t know much about the procedure.  We were close enough that I asked him about the cost (after all you only need to know about that once).  He told me that it was just the co-pay from his insurance.  I filed that away.

This year we changed from traditional insurance to a high-deductible plan.  My wife had a back problem in the fall, so in November we hit the maximum.  That means that all covered medical procedures are free for the rest of the year.  I also noticed that I had 9 days of sick time at work that I needed to use before the end of the year.

My wife and I still prayed about it.  It seemed like the answer remained that we’re done having kids.  I called the insurance people to see if it was covered; it was.  I made an appointment with the urologist knowing that I had a small window to get it done in.

I arrived at the urologist’s office and was shown a very dated video about the procedure.  He examined me and told me a little more about how he does it.

More about that in part 2.

Paul

I’m not a great coder or great artist, but it is fun to be able to say that I did it.  It’s better than the auto-generated one I used before.

Paul

Update:

Got comments working.  I might get somewhat average at this yet.