my delights:: 9/23

here is a short list of things I find delightful right now:

1. chip and salsa- I pretty much eat these every day. I can’t get enough! they are like green eggs and ham: “And I would eat them in a boat! And I would eat them with a goat... And I will eat them in the rain. And in the dark. And on a train. And in a car. And in a tree. They are so good so good you see!”

2. running! it has been my goal for a long time to become a runner who enjoys running- and I think I’m there! I have to run off all those chips! I have been doing an hour a night at the gym on the treadmill. I love listening to my iPod, watching the game, feeling the fans cool me off, and not worry about dogs or holes or bugs. here are some delights that go with running:

3. Nike+- I don’t have an iPhone, so I don’t mess with apps that much, but I just recently discovered that my iPod comes with a running app! it keeps track of how far I have run, and it tells me how much time I have covered during my run. it also counts down the minutes and gives me an encouraging pep-talk when my work out is over. then when I plug it into my computer it cheers for me and tracks my distance over time. this thing has helped me run almost more than anything!

4. Fila Skeletoes- these shoes look ridiculous, but they work for me. one of the reasons I never started running is that my shoes always made my feet hurt. I found a good pair that were working for me, and I also found the skeletoes on sale at Ross. I gave them a try and I think I’ll be using them from now on. I never knew that being able to move your toes while running made such a difference! they are great on the treadmill, but I don’t know if I would take these outside-

5. The Who- perfect running music. I listened to these guys religiously in high school, and have recently rediscovered them. now for a few non-running delights:

6. the big bang theory- this is my new favorite show. a friend of mine recommended it to me and now I watch the re-runs every night. it took me awhile to warm up to the characters, but now I love them so much. its all about nerdy guys who loves science, science fiction and comic books; so basically its about me in middle school! I think I'm going to be Sheldon Cooper for Halloween.

 

7. kindles!- I love reading on my kindle- and I love it even more when it can automatically read my books to me when I’m driving or on a walk. I wish I had these when I was in college, I would have understood a lot more of what I was reading. I think I learn better by hearing than by reading-

8. survival packs- I have these everywhere: little bags of essentials. I have one in my bag, in my car, in my backpack, in deanna’s car, in my office, in my “walking bag;” they have stuff like bandaids, tissues, wet-wipes, chapstick, water, and advil. basically every time I desperately need something and can’t find it, it goes in the bags when I get home. it’s a purse for men.

9. completed projects- I love working with my hands and using my creativity to solve a problem. I love working with Jane on an idea and then bringing it to life- and there is nothing like standing back and admiring a completed project. recently we updated our planter box to make it look like one we saw at the museum, we made a glow in the dark hanging solar system, and we’re always making toys and playsets. for me this is one of the best ways for me to help my mind relax.

10. vasona park/ oak meadow park- I go walking at these two connected parks every morning. we have had so many special memories at this place as a family, and I have had so many meaningful times of bible memory and prayer here too. the beauty and tranquility of this place during the week is breathtaking; and on the weekends, its filled with the sounds of children laughing, trains whistling, and carousel bells ringing. it’s the closest thing that I have ever seen to the jolly holiday scene in mary poppins with its carousel horses, weeping willow trees, rolling hills and green meadows. there is almost no place I’d rather be than in this park with deanna and jane on a picnic, or with a stack of flash cards on a crisp autumn morning.

 

my delights:: 4/12

here is a short list of things that I find delightful right now:

1. the word “delight”

first of all, the word “delight” is delightful to me right now. its such a happy word. it’s a pleasant word. I love to tell people that their kids were a delight to the volunteers and students at a recent event. I love to tell vendors that their service was a delight to me and to the ministry. I want to be a delight to others as I interact with them. I did a little word search in the bible, and it says that crowds were delighted to listen to Jesus. it says that God delighted in Jesus. my goal is to be a delight to the people I meet.

2. radio-controlled clocks

I know, it sounds weird, but I love clocks that are on time and keep their time. I have radio-controlled clocks everywhere- in the youth room, in the middle school game room, in my office, in every room of my house; even my watch is radio controlled! I love to look at different clocks and see them tick to the same second. if these were less expensive, I would have way-more.

p.s. on clocks- I recently got an analog clock for my bathroom, (a clock with hands) that is silent and doesn’t tick! I find it to be delightful.

3. hot showers

I have had sinus issues all of my life and a long hot shower with all of its steam gives me clear airways. Since I enjoy this so much, I have been maximizing my shower-time. Now I shave in the shower and get dressed in my little shower/ laundry room. if I could dry my hair in the shower I would. I do my best thinking in the shower, and now I have a little bath crayon so I can write down my ideas that I come up with!

4. Gilroy gardens

this is a little theme park in Gilroy dedicated to plants and agriculture. it sounds a little geeky, but we absolutely love it. its got little roller coasters, lots of waterfalls and shade. we love to eat ice cream in the shade and walk its winding paths. its never crowded when we go. I’m delighted with the story of the park- how Michael Bonfante wanted to share his love with trees with the world, and how he rescued the circus trees of scott’s valley and brought them to display in Gilroy. last time we were there, we were the second in line to get in. before the park opens, they play the national anthem, which is delightful in itself. when we got through the gate, Jane ran to her first ride shouting “I love this place!” all the way there.

5. leonard sweet books

I recently finished all of leonard sweet’s books. he writes quite a few and fairly quickly. each page is full of wit, poetry and something profound to say about Christ and the church.

6. moleskine notepads

most people who know me have seen me whip out a note pad from my back pocket and scribble out a quick reminder to myself. I recently discovered moleskine notepads which are much more durable and more professional-looking. they also have a pocket in the back where I can hold my business cards. this keeps them cleaner and flatter than my wallet does. jane recently picked up a pink moleskine- because she is my dearly loved child who likes to copy her dad.

7. storage wars on A&E

we discovered this show recently and have been recording it. its about a group of buyers who buy “abandoned” storage lockers and then re-sell the treasures that they find. I hope to go to one of these auctions soon. my favorite guy on the show is Barry Weiss who seems like the coolest guy to hang out with-

8. glow-in-the-dark flashlights

you can find them in the dark- genius!

I’m sure I’ll think up lots more things that I’m delighted with and will have lots more posts to come.

“delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” –psalm 37:4

God is love.

-rev-rob

rob's geek-outs of 2012:

I'm always looking for a good ice-breaker question. My latest go-to is "what do you geek-out on?" Or in other words, "what is that subject that you are fascinated with; that once you start talking about, you can't stop?" I find that this is a great way to learn about someone.
Here are about 10 things that I currently geek out on in no particular order. If you know me well or read this blog these won't be a big surprise to you.

:: U2
I love these guys. I have all of their albums. I have every book ever written about them. I've lost count how many times I've seen them live. I love going to U2 shows because its an arena full of people just like me- geeking out on the best band ever. Its like coming home to my home town. We all seem to understand each other and speak the same language. We have shared history.

:: local history
I love to know the stories of how streets got their names and who were the first people in town and what brought them here. I love hearing about where they shopped and worshipped and lived. I have been fascinated with the histories of Modesto, San Jose, New Almaden, Los Gatos, San Francisco, the gold country and the beautiful golden state of California. I spend much time and effort collecting and reading local history books, and visiting their sites and museums. Used book stores always have the best local history books. One of my favorite shows about California history is California's Gold with Huell Howser.

:: kindles
I'm a kindle-evangelist. I have an original kindle, the kindle fire, and kindle for blackberry. Its a very enjoyable way to read a book. I recommend them often and often find myself talking about them a little too much.

:: 1st century biblical history
I love the story of the apostles, the early church and the land and culture that the church was born into. I also love the story of the Maccabees and the time in between the old and new testaments of the bible. If there is a book, documentary or podcast that focuses on these times, cultures and characters, I either have it, seen it or heard it. One of my favorite shows about biblical archaeology and the 1st century is the N*ked Archaeologist on the History Channel. I'm a geek for this stuff.

:: hardware and fixing stuff
I enjoy hardware stores, and I enjoy using tools to fix or upgrade something. I find myself just wandering in hardware store and checking out all of the cool things and options that they have. I love watching shows about fixing and building things, especially New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abram.

:: Local options for kids
When I meet a dad who is new to San Jose I usually start telling them about all of the great options for kids in the South Bay- and I can tell that my enthusiasm is a little overwhelming. I geek out on cool spots like Children's Discovery Museum, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Happy Hollow, Gilroy Gardens, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Oak Meadow Park and the Jungle. All of these sites are a delight to families and have their own rich histories.

:: Disneyland
Disneyland is fascinating. Its history is fascinating. I love to go there with my family, and I love learning the secrets and stories behind every detail.

:: TV-
I've mentioned a few shows already- but 2 show that I seriously geek out on (and are unfortunately no longer on the air) are Heroes and Alias. I've seen every episode of those shows; and when I saw them live, they always left me breathless.

:: Movies-
I barely see any movies. I'm not opposed to them, I just rarely make time for them. There are a few movies that particularly interest me, and I enjoy learning about them: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Mary Poppins, any of the Star Wars movies, and Goonies.

:: Dr. Seuss
This guy is so talented and profound, it makes me both awestruck and jealous. I use his material often in my teaching to the students.

:: the book of romans
there is a quote out there from Martin Luther that every Christian should memorize the book of romans and quote it every day. I'm with Martin on that one (we agree on some other things too).

:: a couple of cool guys-
Elvis Presley-
and
Fred Rogers
I love these guys. Once I start talking or reading about either of them, its hard to stop.

I've geeked out on a bunch of stuff over the years, but this is my list right now. I love discovering something new to geek out on. I guess that makes me a little geeky. What about you? Do you have a blog? How about you make your list of geek-outs and share them with me? Send me a link to your list in the comments section below. (Sorry if its a pain to leave a comment- I was getting a bunch of dirty-ads in the comments!)
Geeks are cool!

God is love.
-rev-rob