Just Another Wanderer

Fun With Google Maps

Wanderer — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:45:40 +0000

Get directions from your house to Paris France and look closely at the route. It’s funny.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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I’m Back

Wanderer — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:00:13 +0000

So, after abandoning my blog for over a year, I’m back. I ported it over from Blogger to WordPress, and installed a new template. It’s still in progress though, so there will likely be a lot more changes.

This last year has been filled with craziness. The good kind. A lot has happened in the last year, but I’ll fill you in on that later. The important thing is, I’m back.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Sweet Posters / Wallpaper

Wanderer — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:00:01 +0000

I just found some sweet posters by Art Lebedev… Check a couple out:

http://www.artlebedev.com/posters/

Tags:
art lebedev

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Snowboarding Today

Wanderer — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 19:30:55 +0000

Today was great. I went snowboarding at Big Bear. It was good to be up there speeding down the white surface of the mountain. I love being in the mountains…I can clear my head and think. (Or not think!) Either way it clears my head. I had a lot to think about today though, so it was good. Big decisions to make…you know!…life, craziness, etc. I have to say…I need to make a trip soon to a mountain with some fresh natural powder… like Mammoth or Utah. Soon.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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You Will Soar

Wanderer — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 21:00:41 +0000

Everyone needs a little encouragement from time to time…Here’s some from a song by Scott Stapp.

“You Will Soar”
by Scott Stapp

If I had just one thing to say
Before my last breath fades away.
Keep your head way up in the clouds
And never let them get you down!
Never let them get you down!

Keep hoping and dreaming and you will soar!
With a little faith and love.
You will soar!

If I had just two words to say,
To explain my life away.
I could say ups and downs,
Because, I always kept my defense down.
Always kept my defense down!

Keep hoping and dreaming and you…will soar!
With a little faith and love.
You will soar!

I wish I could take you away
To a place of mystery
We will travel there on sands of time
To listen…to fairy tales
We will listen to fairy tales
We will listen, listen, listen

Keep hoping and dreaming and you…will soar
With a little faith and Love.
You will soar!
You will soar!
You will soar!

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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I had the MOST BIZARRE morning.

Wanderer — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 15:45:05 +0000

Several strange things happened this morning, but by far though, this part was the craziest…

I’m leaving my house, and I have my hands full. While the door is open, my neighbor’s cat Princess rushes into my apartment and starts hissing at my cat Timber (short for Timberwolf btw), who was happily playing and watching Animal Planet, and is completely startled. Timber starts hissing and growling back and they are about to do battle. Seriously, teeth and claws were out on both sides. I had to chase down Princess and I only had one hand free so I grabbed her by her tail and pulled her out of my apartment by her tail. She’s hissing and pissed at me but I don’t care…I’m not about to let her and Timber get into it. Seconds later, and they would have been fighting.

So I finally get the cat out and go to work. Nutty!

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Snowboarding Season

Wanderer — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 22:45:45 +0000

Snowboarding season is here…It’s ON….

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Creed Lives! And Better Than Before…

Wanderer — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 23:30:05 +0000

I just got the new Scott Stapp album “The Great Divide”. It rocks. To be honest, I was expecting it to have a different musical style than Creed. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it has all the heavy rock guitars that Creed did. However, in my opinion, Scott Stapp’s new band has a lot more musical flavor.

It really bummed me out when Creed split up. I’ve been in a few bands myself, and Scott Stapp has inspired me more vocally than any other singer. Mark Tremonti, the lead guitarist for Creed (and then Alter Bridge), has also inspired me musically. When they parted ways, I figured that the rock guitar style of Creed would go away with the exit of Mark Tremonti. I’m glad I was wrong!

Check this album out and see what YOU think. Feel free to post comments!

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Rude is a Four Letter Word…

Wanderer — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 18:00:56 +0000

Here’s what blows me away on a continual basis…some of the rudest people I have ever done business with are Christians! Aren’t we supposed to be the people full of love and grace?

I have to say that if I hadn’t already found faith, and I was looking at the way many Christians act, I would be seriously turned off. It would seem that those in “ministry” often have the shortest tempers and the biggest egos. Isn’t it supposed to be the opposite?

To be fair, I have done business with some truly great people, that are a pleasure to work with. These are not who you would expect though…Often they are not the ones up in front of churches, leading worship or preaching. They are the ones who show Christ’s love and kindness behind the scenes, and aren’t seeking fame for themselves. We should learn from their example.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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See Through the Facade / Wake Up

Wanderer — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 18:00:18 +0000

I just watched one of my favorite movies - The Matrix - again. (Just the first movie - 2 & 3 missed the mark for me.) There’s a ton of ways you can take the movie. For those who love good kung-fu style martial arts, it’s great. But, for those who want to go deeper, it’s got some interesting messages.

The one that stands out to me is: See through the facade.

After Neo gets shot about 30 times and comes back to life, he can see whats really going on - he can see that the bullets can’t really hurt him, and that everything he has been seeing wasn’t real. The next time the agents shot at him, he just put his hand up and the bullets fell to the ground.

That’s like real life for us…we can go through life seeing only what is painted by society around us, or we can step back and choose to see through enlightened eyes what is really going on around us.

The song played through the ending credits is “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine. That pretty much sums it up for me. Wake up.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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October Air

Wanderer — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 12:30:49 +0000

I just have to say that (other than snowboarding season), October is my favorite time of year. The air is cool and fresh, like you want to put it in a jar and keep it around for a while.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Dichotomies: Grace vs. Excellence

Wanderer — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 19:15:39 +0000

Sometimes I’m amazed at the number of dichotomies that co-exist within the Christian faith. Many seem like contradictions, but they actually bring balance (to the force…jk). They BRING balance, and yet, the hard part is KEEPING them in balance. Today my particular dichotomy is an internal battle is between grace and excellence.

Grace is the amazing thing that gives forgiveness to a humble heart when it isn’t deserved. Grace hands out love to those (myself included) who don’t measure up at times. Grace gives a hug to the tired and weary heart that knows only selfishness, but desires to love. Grace says that when you don’t feel “cool” enough, or measure up to superficial standards, it’s ok, because I accept you just the way you are.

Excellence. God gives us talents and abilities [See the parable of the ten talents. Matthew 25:14-30] , and asks us to work hard, to use them, to build on these talents, and to the best of our strength, to honor Him with these talents. He calls us to excellence. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) There is no room for laziness. It is just plain wrong to neglect the gifts we’ve been given.

But then where to draw the line between grace and excellence? I know that there is a point where God says that drive for excellence can go too far and become an idol. I’ve been there. Here, the love and grace vanish into thin air, and it gets ugly. On the other hand, if we get too extreme on the grace side, we cheapen God’s grace, and encourage laziness, and coddle those who just make excuses. Then, each time it becomes tempting to be just a little bit lazier yourself. I’ve been there too. Hence my battle.

There are times when I’m striving for excellence, and so is 90% of my team, but one person isn’t pulling their weight. Maybe they are tired, or emotionally burned out, or just plain dealing with the crap of life, and need some help. But also possibly because they are being lazy. It’s personally frustrating for me to watch this scene unfold (yet I know I’ve been there). And it’s not easy to “encourage” that person to do their best, while giving grace, but I think, in baby steps, I’m learning…by God’s grace.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Audioslave - Out of Exile

Wanderer — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 19:00:53 +0000

Ok, I’m impressed. Audioslave’s first album was good, but this one is off the hook. First off, the recording quality is REALLY, REALLY good. The guitars and instruments seem to just drip from the air around you, and the album is full of great guitar leads & rhythms. Chris Cornell and the boys took this one to the next level. Some of my favorite tunes on this disc are: Be Yourself, Doesn’t Remind Me, Yesterday to Tomorrow, #1 Zero, and The Curse. Ok, so that’s almost half the album.

You can hear a blending of old Rage Against the Machine guitar and bass riffs and Soundgarden guitar styles, but it’s a heck of a lot more upbeat than either were back in the day. The Rage Against the Garden, I mean Audioslave, boys have added some new tricks though…a bit more blues influence, and some U2-esque guitar effects and riffs, meanwhile keeping their slow and heavy Seattle Sludge sounds.

Be Yourself is by far the highest-quality recording on the disc. Pensive lyrics, emotional vocals, layered instrument orchestration, and just-plain-old-good-songwriting make this tune exceptional. In the bridge Tom Morello manages to make his guitar sound more like a piano than anything, and the wah’d out 70’s Shaft style guitar solo sounds great.

What can I say? Doesn’t Remind Me is a fun tune that rocks. Crank it.

Yesterday to Tomorrow has a hint of blues with a serious groove. Cornell’s vocals, as usual, are emotional; Morello’s guitar leads and solo are great.

With #1 Zero they managed to take an otherwise bluesy song, and turn it into alternative rocker. Halfway through, at about 2:35, the distortion kicks in, you want to crank the stereo.

The Curse is a slow and heavy tune reminiscent of the early 90’s grunge ala Soundgarden and friends. Maybe a little more upbeat musically.

This album rocks, and yet you might just feel peaceful after listening to it. Chris Cornell’s lyrics explore a lot of spiritual issues. I had heard rumors that he became a believer in Christ after Soundgarden days. Who knows. Either way, this is a great album. Turn up the volume.

Author: Wanderer for Just Another Wanderer.

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Any Alias Fans Out There?

Wanderer — Sat, 02 Apr 2005 23:15:28 +0000

In case you don’t know, I’m a pretty hardcore Alias fan. I love the whole Spy/CIA genre, and I think Alias has a pretty cool twist on it.

So I’ve developed my opinions about Season 4 and I’m curious to see what you guys think.

So, to start off, I’m stoked that they are returning to the tried and true formula of Season 1. Focus on Sydney, everybody working for Sloane, uncertainty about his true agenda, a somewhat cold relationship between Sydney and Jack, Dixon working with Sydney, etc, etc.

But, it’s hit or miss, maybe about 75% were great, with the rest being eh, ok. Not quite as good as Season 1, but definitely better than Season 3.

After about episode 4 I heard about an interview with show producer J.J. Abrams on the radio, and he said that the fans were complaining about the lack of cliffhanger endings that they did for the first two seasons. So, he said they were rewriting the script and would reintroduce them. Sure enough they did. So, my point is, we need to let ABC know what we think. They have an e-mail address that fans can use to contact them: netaudr@abc.com.

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