Rebekah's Baby Shower

Sorry, no pictures.

I am in Orlando right now for a Children's Ministry conference. I know you are probably thinking, "Moriah, you aren't a children's minister. You were an intern once, but that doesn't make you one." Believe me, I know I'm not a children's minister. I kind of stick out like a sore thumb here: Young girl, Pumas, jeans, computer satchel (not a padded bag), no perm, no orthopedic shoes. Now, I have to say this... The women I came with from Otter Creek are not like this either, but they don't stick out like I do. I don't get really excited when a group comes out on stage to perform their songs (lip-singing with a track) all while their cartoon counterparts are projected on the side screens. (Once again, Janet, Melanie, Donna, and Nan don't do this either.) Janet and Melanie asked me to come at the end of last week when someone had to drop out because her father was sick. I was so excited that they thought of me. There is a whole "media track" that so far, has proven to be really great. I've never been one to want to sit and listen to people talk for hours on end, but my classes have been great so far. It is really fun though, the older people in my classes always want to talk about what they do in their churches, and not what the "teacher" is talking about. They want to talk about the videos that they have edited and the tools they used to do it. It seems strange to me. They also really love to name drop. Not people's names but things like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premier, firewire, pixels, and Photo Shop. Nobody cares that they know what those things are. Everyone under the age of 30 know what those things are. I don't want to sound mean, but the teachers could say A LOT more if everyone else would just listen. They should practice what they preach to their kiddos, "Only one person is allowed to talk at a time." I should mention that all the people in my classes are men. Not a judgement, just stating a fact.

Well, its 4:18 here in Orlando, dinner starts at 5:00 and people are lining up outside the ballroom that I am sitting outside of. Waiting in line for 45 minutes to get a table for dinner? Crazy. They will not run out of tables. Maybe they are really super excited about hearing Max Lucado speak after dinner. Although you might not know it was actually him speaking, because this morning the emcee announced that "Mack Lucatto" would be the key-note speaker. He is only one of the most popular Christian authors, how could he not know how to pronounce his name. Oh, well. Since the line is beginning to grow I should probably close my computer. I'm getting funny looks. I'm sitting on the floor, leggs crossed, listening to "Wicked" on my iPod, writing a post for my blog. I might just be the image of what they don't want the kids in thier ministies to become... Girl on a trip, going crazy because she can't find anywhere that has reliable wireless internet access ($10 for 24 hours), wanting to check her e-mail, facebook, and the many blogs that I can't get behind on. So much for leaving the world behind. I just can't do it. Thats not true. I could do it if I wanted to, I just don't want to. The only time I will voluntarily leave the comfort of my web-based world is to go visit Holly and TJ in the DR. I'll do it, but ONLY for you guys!

Now it is really time to go. I've been accidentally stepped on twice in the past five minutes. (Please, don't think poorly of me for this post.)

Love,
MoMo

S'mores

All About Ben & Drew

These boys are Ben and Drew, the twins sons of Michael and Heather some of our friends from Otter Creek. We got the chance to play with the boys for a while last Saturday night while Heather and Michael went to dinner. We had a blast with the boys, as you can see, they are incredibly adorable. The cutest little set of twins I've ever seen... so far. I know that Sheets boys are going to give them a run for their money when they are born! Holly and TJ actually went with us to the boys' house, so they had plenty of attention. Somehow, Drew (dark hair) still managed to get a pretty nasty bump and bruise while we were there. It took four of us to take care of two of them. We'd love to do it again, as long as the boys will have us!

Trying something new, the blogcast

I thought I might periodically share highlights from my radio work, the funny stuff. Check out this self-titled 'bad mamma-jamma.'

You may need some backstory first. At least once a month I work for a public radio show in Los Angeles called Weekend America. Part of their show is a montage of sound from all over the country, regular Joe's talking about what they're doing this weekend. I also ask a few questions that might pertain a story on the show that week.

I'm always looking for the ideal place to do these 'vox pops.' I need lots of people in one location who aren't in too much of a hurry to talk to me. I went to the park across from Nashville's downtown library, informally known as the homeless park. I didn't get much that I could use, but I did laugh...especially at Raymond Isabella.

Raymond was sitting next to the fountain, minding his own. I asked if he would allow me to pick his brain. I ran through my questions, looking for good answers. I said, "Raymond, tell me a song that makes you want to get up and dance."

The reply required Raymond to close his eyes and rock back and forth. Then this came out. My favorite part is when he finishes the song.


Click here to get your own player.



(this is not actually a picture of Raymond, but it's close enough.)

Caught up on 24

It's been a tough row to hoe, but Moriah and I have watched all five seasons of 24 in the last six months. That makes 120 separate episodes, which is certainly no small task, especially since Moriah bought the first four seasons on eBay for somewhere around $120 - only to find out we had purchased bootleg versions with Chinese writing all over them and subtitles.

We waded through the mess and cultural barriers. Let me share with you an exerpt of the fine print on the back of this packaging.

"This DVD is authorized for or [sic] rent only in the country where originally sold, only in the HONG or only in Canada, respevtived Unauthorzed reproduction, sistribution or exhibition viotates federal laws with severe penaltees and vilates Colubia Tnstar Home Entertainment's standard terms of trade."

My favorite part is the word "viotates." Can't you just hear a small Chinese man pronouncing the word in broken English.

Anyway, thought our friends should know of this milestone. We're prepped and ready to go for the two night season premiere.

Share with us your own 24 experience. If it's anything like mine, I'm trying to use the words 'protocol and schematic' more in my day-to-day conversations. I've found myself saying stuff like, 'You'll just have to trust me." And what I really mean is, I'm getting annoyed with the redundancies. I mean, can we assume that there will be an attack on CTU Los Angeles some time during the sixth season? yes.

Won't stop us from getting addicted.

b