Going for the Gold

What's in a name?

What's in a name?  EVERYTHING!

Give me some suggestions on a great name for this blog

A Day at the Beach

The other day some of the young adults went to the break water in Victoria.  While we were out there we wondered out to the end of the break and I got the most lovely sun burn it was totally amazing my face was lobster red except for where my sun glasses were.  The best part of the who day was us being kinda mean, but it was still really funny, we were watching the tide come in a 2 pairs of shoes sat unattended on the beach, a pair of crocs and some puma look a likes.  as the owners were playing a little farther down on the beach, not paying attention to there shoes the water slowly crept up on there shoes.  It wasn't until a whole line of whale watching boats went by that we knew that the shoes would meet Davy Jones Locker.

The shoes did end up surviving but it was really fun to watch.

Photography

At different time over the past couple weeks have had people asking me about photography.  But first things first I am not a pro I just like to take pictures.  So see below for some great resources for learning how to use your camera how to compose a picture and some great inspiration to create some great pictures.  

Michael's Photography School - a great place to start, some great videos to describe different photography terms like aperture, exposer, ASA ISO.  Also he will some composition skills.  all form amateur to professional 

PhotoWalkPro - a great blog all about photography and as a side note of this site check out the Worldwide Photo Walk and if your city is not there add it and become and lead your own photo walk

Joe McNally's Blog - a great place to know what a real pro goes through with is traveling around the world shooting for people like National Geographic, New York Times, Nikon, Sports Illustrated, and thats just to name a few.  I also recommend watching some of his videos on youtube here

Strobist - for everything in flash and extra light gadgets for you camera

well thats my list i hope it helps you to get more involved with your camera and keep shooting

Great Links

Here is a list of links that you should visit if you are going any kind of design

Brusheezy!  if you need a fancy brush or just something totally off the wall check out this site

stock.xchng  great resource for all the free royalty free pics you will need

BittBox  a great blog that will offer you great textures type and any thing related to graphic design

Fuel Your Creativity a great blog just go look at it

Best Brands of the World search for logos of any company you can think of

its all about the heart

after that serious beautiful worship of my last post this will is sure to make you laugh

what are some of your favorite moments during worship?

Healer

A song that God has his hand on right now.  Watching the following videos and see what I mean.

I am Still ALIVE

I am still alive even though I have not Blogged in a week today.  This has really been the last thing on my mind.  As most of you know if not all you, I have been offered a position at Northgate Foursquare Church.  My Team and I will be looking after the church media, sound, video, graphics, and print. 

I am really quite excited to be moving back up to the valley, but for now it is all about getting everything organized for the move with packing and finishing up work and making sure that all the necessary people in Victoria Foursquare are ready to take over the youth ministry that Amy has been looking after and for me the keep helping out our audio guys.

If any one is in Victoria and they would like to help with some packing just send me an email. 

New Phone

Well today I went and got a new phone since in the end of august I will be moving to Courtenay to start my new job (it's going to be soooo SWEET) 

I got the new BlackBerry Curve, isn't is purdy!  I can Facebook Twitter and Blog all from my phone. Who needs a computer any more? (I do) any way if you need my new number send me an email 

Week in Courtenay

It’s always a tone of fun when I get the chance to go up to Courtenay so spend some time with friends and help out with student ministries. This week was one of those weeks it was totally awesome!

When I got into town after my beautifully long train ride I was met by one of the coolest people that I know Jason Eliason (find his blog here) and along side him was the new kids pastor, Matt Delblanc (find his blog here). Once they had picked me up we went for lunch at Safeway, if you wondering you can get great pannines and subs there. We made our way back to the church so Jason and Matt could go back work while I just hung out distracting the rest of the office staff and interns. Then off to Jason and Kelsey’s (find her blog here) house for dinner and sleep.
The second day of my time up in Courtenay was great as well! To start the day off I went to the gym with Jay and Kels it was fun and was also my first time going to a gym to workout, thanks for the inspiration you guys rock! After that we got some breakfast and went to the church for 9 am. A little while after we got to the church Pastor Scott (find his blog here) took me out for coffee and we had a meeting about how my life is going how the family is what my plans for the future are, thanks for a great meeting Pastor Scott. After lunch I got to join Shift for one of their summer events and go mini golfing it was so much fun. My team was Alana a super cool young girl and it was her first day ever going to Shift, Campbell a funny guy who you just cant help but laugh when he or his brother are anywhere near you, and the one and only Breanne an ex Master’s student. Thanks for letting my help with the mini golf!

Day three, the main reason I went up to Courtenay in the first place. Today is the day that we have been waiting for. My beautiful wife went in for her ultrasound in the morning and by lunch time all of us in the church office were looking at a few of the first pictures of our new baby boy or girl, too bad I was not in Victoria to go with her. Also today is Noise Level, the first annual concert in the park put on by the Northgate Youth and Comox Pentecostal Youth. Thanks Jason and Mike! I was there to help out with this killer event. Pastor Corey and I looked after the entire audio portion of the concert from the set up to the mixing and the final strike. Pastor Corey worked the monitor mix as I did the front of house mix, thanks for the help Pastor Corey we couldn’t of done it without you. The concert went great! The first band up was Dialect 9 form the Comox Valley, great musicians with a unique sound. The second band was My Broken Hero form Port Albernie, another great band with some really fun lively stage presence Great Job to both bands. And finally to all the volunteers that helped put on the show Awesome job!!!

Day four, my last full day in Courtenay for this trip. Today holds one of the most unique events I have ever taken part in. Ice Blocking if you don’t know what that is you urge you to take a look at Kelsey Eliason’s Blog she posted a couple links to videos that will show you what ice blocking is all about. If you ever get the chance you should do it you will laugh cry and get a wet bum and it is totally worth it. This evening we went out to Pastor Scott and Naomi’s camp for a barbeque it was a great time hanging around the fire.

And finally today we got to the church for 9 am I said my byes went to lunch with Jason and Pastor Matt, and now I am on the train back to Victoria

RagamuffinTop Challenge

Hey everyone sorry there will be no update this week dew to the fact that i will be in Courtenay until Friday. will most defiantly have an update next monday

Check this Blog!

If you are in to Adobe's Photoshop, and in to any kind of photography you need to check out Scott Kelby's Blog, Adobe Photoshop Insider.

Scott's blog is the place to go. If you enjoy shooting buildings and interesting people you need to see todays post about some of the basics of copyright, model release and shooting in public.

Go visit his blog www.scottkelby.com

Best Office Prank Ever

Best Office Prank Ever - The most amazing videos are a click away

Running with Music

Just got back from a run, it was quite painful my right calf is killing me but I still went my full 5k just not as fast as i would of liked

RagamuffinTop Challenge

Time to check in. My eating sucked this week, because it being the last busy week at work there was not too much time to eat well i would only eat one meal a day and it would be too big and the food would not be very good. it would be burgers or fried food.
How many times did i get out running this week
3 times. but the 3rd time it was so hot out that i was only able to go 2.5 km and my right calf and shin was really quite sore

time to weigh in

Last week 241.2

this week 242.4

so i am up 1.2 pounds

does anyone have any good resources on healthy eating?

A Good Run

Just got back from a great run with my best time yet see below for my Nike+ stats

Abandoned Inspiration

Looking at pictures for inspiration on my own photography or photoshop projects is something that I really enjoy doing. Starting today I am going to try and post a weekly inspirational website, blog or photo album that has inspired me.

This week I came across a site called Opacity.  Tom Kirsch, also known as Mr. Motts, is an amazing photographer that specializes in abandoned building, factories and cemeteries.

check out his site here

Nike +

With our money that the government gave us both Amy and purchased some new running shoes, and I also got the NIKE+.  Now I can keep better track of my running performance and make sure I am always improving 

my first run with nike+ plus

RagamuffinTop Challenge

Time to check in and see I have have gotten any closer to my goal of 180 lbs.

this week

Running 3 times

10Km walk

drum roll please ...

last week 243.3

this week

well i was hoping to be below 240 but at least there was a loss of 2.1 lbs

Running with Music

I just got a new toy the 3rd generation iPod nano, the silver one it goes with my MacBook Pro, its great!  The best part is now I have some music to run to.  Now I need to figure out a playlist of great running music

What kind of music do you work out to?