WELCOME TO DAN'S BLOG

Reads Weekly 1/30/13

2013-01-30T12:33:00.001-06:00

via Storify http://sfy.co/t0o3

Autism

2012-12-02T01:52:00.001-06:00

Planning

2012-09-01T00:31:00.000-05:00

I wish that writing was all about the freedom to just write.

Free writing.

One of my favorite books is "Writing Down the Bones" and in it Natalie Goldberg carries the reader/wannabe-writer down a wonderful roller coaster ride of creativity and freedom that inspires one to put that book down and write. It is wonderful. I love that book.

Writers have an enormous desire to be read and readers enjoy reading ordered creativity. Scribbling random thoughts on paper are no more attractive to the observer than is a totally random doodle in an art gallery. Lack of format and boundaries invite failure.

Planning.

While I prepare for Nanowrimo on 11/01/2012, I am going to have a plan. I need a plan to free me of the worry of the "What should I write next? " syndrome. Pre-planning is a writer's block... buster.
The reason to plan/outline/plot is because there is too much in our heads. Too many distractions.

I like writing helps like the Marshall Plan or the Snowflake Method. They introduce the mechanics of writing like a security blanket. I wrote this on my phone,so it is kind of random. Sorry. More later.

Toying with Preparing for Nanowrimo... Publicly

2012-08-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

Typing at all hours of the night. Scribbling notes on napkins and the back of my hand. Trying to type 300 words during lunch on my phone and then squeezing in another 500 here and there so that I can sit down at night and write 1000. Family members encouraging me on like I am a marathon runner. "Go dad!" or "Come to bed, Dan." This is what I call fun.

National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) is fast approaching. I participated in it last year and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had in a long long time. My "novel" was essentially unreadable, but it was not a waste of time. On the contrary, I am impatient to recreate the experience again this year. I will spend the next two months preparing for November. I need a story. So I thought I would share here my experiences leading up to 11/01/2012. Now I understand that some wait until the day itself and start fresh. They begin at midnight after Halloween and everything is original. Purists. Heroes. I have to do some prep work first. 1667 words a day. This weekend I am going to hunker down and do some brainstorming of ideas and outlining. I am hoping to be brave enough to post it all here. Be kind and comment freely. Here's a link to some of my brainstorming:

Pencil Pusher (Short Story - 500 characters or less)

2012-07-31T13:20:00.000-05:00

I was the assistant to the meanest man in the history of corporate manufacturing. My cubical was exactly seven paces from this ogre's office and I was on call for an endless list of menial tasks and demeaning scoldings. "Branden, get your feeble ass in here and swat this fly." Splat! "Branden, bring me a tissue." I loathed wiping his nose. "Branden, you sheephead, why haven't I seen the report on labor costs for March?" Sheephead, what is that? "Coming sir." 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... It was a long list of minor insults and petty power plays. But in the end I got my revenge on the old tyrant. You see, one day I stabbed him with a number two pencil. HB. Newspapers labeled me, "The Pencil Pusher". I'm on the lamb.

The Wisdom of Mrs. U. and her Colleagues

2012-07-02T14:47:00.003-05:00

Between the years of 1977 and 1981, I attended Waverly-Shell Rock High School, and in those years I learned many valuable lessons and some not so valuable. Just like most teenagers, I tried to take my future seriously, but hormonal influences and the lack of a fully developed frontal lobe kept me from focusing on the importance of an education.

Not to mention the fact that I struggled with intense anxiety in social situations and covered it up (as best I could) by acting like I didn't care. I wanted desperately to be noticed and yet I did not want attention because it would magnify my awkwardness and expose my deep secret: that I really cared. Of course, while I type this I am quite aware of the fact that nothing has really changed. Much.

As I ponder those four years, I think about the teachers and their influence on my future and though they helped me gather knowledge, it was their wisdom that affected me more. Acquiring skills and loading up on facts has a lot to do with motivation and desire, but experiencing shared wisdom is almost involuntary. It sinks in and settles on the base of your soul. It reclines in your subconscious and waits for the right moment. And then it appears like a magician's rabbit out of a hat, "Wala!"

Here is a sampling of wise sayings and implications that I experienced during that time:

Science teacher: "Religion and science are not exclusive nor do they negate each other." That one caught me off guard because at the time I was a self declared atheist. I didn't agree with him, but it haunted me that someone I respected could reconcile these things in one sentence.
Driver's Ed teacher: Work and personal life don't have to be exclusive. "Go to the post office." "Stop by my house."
English composition teacher: "You have a questioning mind." "You need focus."
Typing teacher: "You will never amount to anything." I dropped typing and needed his signature. This one stung because it was in front of the whole class and in regards to typing he was right... I am a lousy typer. I incorporate three or four fingers and can reach speeds of fifteen to twenty words a minute.
Biology and math teachers: "Memorization is key to straight A's." "Understanding is worth a C at best" This one sounds like I am bitter (I might be a little), but essentially I understand it. One is easier to measure than the other.
In Journalism class Mrs. U. was one of those who shared wisdom to the unaware. She was old and a little feeble and no one paid much attention to her and in fact they smirked behind her back (sometimes in front of her). However, she taught me that bias is a journalist's enemy and a manipulator's friend.

As I re-read some of the things that I have written over the years, I can see all the teachers and their influence in much of what I have accomplished and some of what I haven't. I can also see the influence of shyness. How I have struggled to be normal. One must overcome ones social anxiety, otherwise no matter how much wisdom one imparts on you it will rarely sink in. Wisdom will be replaced by a haunting voice in your head that says, "Don't take that risk." "Don't try that, you might fail."

All in all it is Mrs. U's advice that haunts me most. It has become my obsession to avoid bias at all costs. A wise unattainable goal that escapes me to this day.

Light Painting And Other Links...

2011-06-14T22:55:00.000-05:00

Inside Job
Why You Can't Win an Argument On The Internet
Architectural Photography
Light Painting
Found Faces
How Not To Multitask
A Light Switch That Holds Your Mail And Keys
The American Church: A Hypocrisy?
Special Needs Boy Removed From Church
Ten Years Of Trekking In Slum Communities
Ruining Our World (Bear with this blogger. He has a point.)

Weekend Update: From Heatherlyn To Tozer...

2011-06-13T15:28:00.000-05:00

Giving good Interview Part I

Use Email To Teach Others

Top 10 Ways To Upgrade Your Daily Routine

Heather Lyn

Online Education

Summer Story Telling Tips

Inspired By Tozer

10 Things You Should Know About Kids

Giving Good Interview Part II

Unfriendly...

2011-06-12T07:25:00.001-05:00

I had to unfriend someone today on facebook. It was because of his behavior online. Someone I looked up to. Someone I recommended other people befriend. Someone I started to make excuses for and realized our association was, in a small way, affecting my credibility. I know it is facebook and some would roll there eyes and say "so what", but is unfriending someone for that reason a right reason? Did Jesus worry about his credibility because of who he befriended? Sorry. I am more reflective in the morning. It's why I rarely post anything before noon.

From Star Trails to Daily Prayers

2011-06-10T21:33:00.000-05:00

I tend to focus on one subject, research it, and beat it to death. You can ask my family. While I was recovering from surgery (for three weeks) I watched every YouTube video I could find related to photography. Hours and hours of instruction and reviews. My family rolled their eyes when they came home from work/school and I was watching Photography 1 on 1 with Mark Wallace or www.Phototips.biz (both awesome BTW) or one of hundreds of others. Night and day, I was entrenched in the Exposure Triangle. Someday I'll try to organize my YouTube favorites and post them.

My point is that I can't get enough of life. The internet has opened doors for us all that can enrich our lives. I understand that my interests are not everyone's interests, but I am interested in everyone's interests (I hope that makes sense because I am not rewriting it). So these past few days I have been experimenting with sharing where I wander in the world of Google, Facebook, Lifehacker, the Huffington Post and etc.

Below: more links to what fascinates me. It should go without saying that some of these links do not necessarily reflect my opinions.

Rob Bell is NOT a Universalist

Common Prayer

Building my Retirement on the Backs of Darfurian Refugees

Photographing restaurants

The End of Blame

When Grace is just a Doctrine

Blue Like... Movie

Brushing is not just for Cavities

Introverts... Ignite your Social Skills

Kiva

How to become your spouse's best friend

Why We Don't Care About Global Missions

74 Free Kindle Books

Email is Hard

Aspergers Children and Literal Thinking

How to Photograph Star Trails

Things I Looked at Today

2011-06-09T22:35:00.000-05:00

More links to random things I read and/or watched today:

Prevent Dehydration
What Did God Do In Christ
DataGrab
Can a Christian Be a Follower of Ayn Rand
Over Complicating GTD
How to be a Blogging Success
Alternate Learning
Photography By Filip Radosta
How to Use Evernote as a Blogger
Human Rights Campaign 2011

Random Things...

2011-06-08T20:25:00.003-05:00

It has been impossible to find time to write for my blog so I thought I would give my loyal readers a look into what I am reading and looking at. Click on the links below:

Drive Thru Caddy
The Daily Rind
60 Way to Improve Your Life In The Next 100 Days
Seven Reasons Why Bentos Are Good For You
Summer Activities For Aspergers Children
The Non-O-Pod
Understand Flash Sync Speed
A Mere Lump of Humanity?
Rick Santorum vs. Miley Cyrus
Ian Morgan Cron
DIY Photography Softbox
What N.T. Wright Doesn't Know...

My Eulogy for Monica

2011-02-16T18:13:00.000-06:00

Today, I had the privilege of saying some words of remembrance about Monica (my wife's sister) at her funeral. Here is the text:

Monica Kay (Busch) Zabel, of Waverly, Iowa was 49 years old. She died peacefully at her home on Friday, February, 11, 2011, after a long and heroic battle with breast cancer.

Monica was born on February 28, 1961, at the Waverly Municipal Hospital, the daughter of Caroll "Joe" Busch and Catherine (Rosol) Busch. Monica attended school in Waverly until 1972 at which time she moved with her family to Cresco, Iowa. Monica graduated from Crestwood High School in 1979. In 1980, she moved with her family back to Waverly.

Monica was employed briefly at various businesses, namely, The Red Fox Inn, Hy-Vee, Midcom, Cuna, and Meyer’s Pharmacy. I have met many many people who worked with Monica over the years and all have commented to me on how much they liked her.

Monica attended Hawkeye Community College, and graduated with a degree in Child Development.

On September 7, 2002, Monica was joyfully united in marriage to Daniel Zabel here at Grace Baptist Church.

In 2003, Monica started her own child care business in her home and I must note here that she loved the kids she cared for and gained many friendships with the parents. She continued her child care business until her illness forced her to stop working in 2010.

Monica was a member of Peace United Church of Christ.

Typical of Monica, her kindness spilled over into the animal world and she was a volunteer with Waverly Pet Rescue and provided a temporary home for many many dogs.

She was very active with and loyal to the Relay for Life.

She was an avid Waterloo Black Hawks hockey fan. Unfortunately, I never went to a hockey game with Monica, but I can imagine it was an experience, because she rarely hid her feelings or opinions. It was her matter-of-fact outbursts that truly made me smile. They were not cruel outbursts, but never-the-less... they were loud.

Monica enjoyed fishing, camping, animals, and spending time with her family and friends. My family was fortunate to have spent many nights camping with Monica, and I must say that it was always a joy. Monica made camping fun.

Monica's memory is honored by her husband, Daniel Zabel of Waverly; her son, Dustin Busch of Waverly; her step-daughter, Kelsey and her husband Shane Pabst of Aplington; her step-granddaughter, Kiley Pabst; her mother, Cathy Busch of Denver; two sisters, Joyce and her husband Mike Lowe of New Hampton, and Kelly and her husband me, Dan Rustad of Waverly; her father-in-law, Eugene Zabel of Waverly; five sisters-in-law, June and her husband Ivan Meyer of Tripoli, Ellyne and her husband Doug Gray of Waterloo, Barbara and her husband Don Gilbert of Waverly, Kerri and her husband Rick Wellman of Waverly, Dawn Parker of Waverly; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Monica was preceded in death by her father, Caroll "Joe" Busch, on September 6, 2009; her mother-in-law, Irene Minnie Louise Zabel on February 8, 2005; and several aunts and uncles.

Before I step down I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts about Monica, her life and the loss that we all feel. I have had some time this past year to think about the impact that Monica has had on our lives and I realized that anything I say here could never really do her justice. The details of her life do not describe the heart that she had for us. Knowing Monica made me a better person and she deserves so much of my gratitude.

Thinking back over the 27 years that I have known her, I realized how unconditional her nature was. How gracious she was. How she was always willing to share a smile. How she was always generous. How she could never hold a grudge. How she was so very loving and kind.

Talking last night with her aunts they told me how from a very small child, Monica would stash treats in a shoebox under her bed. And if you know Monica, you know that she was never without a treat. And as I pondered this I realized that she never horded these treats. She always shared them... with everyone.

I remember May 1, 1987 the year after I married Kelly. I came home from work and inside the storm door of our house was two paper cups with treats in them. I didn’t even realize that there was anything special about the day until Kelly told me it was May Day and that they were from Monica. That tradition never ended and not just May Days, but birthdays and Halloweens and especially Christmases.

We were blessed to have known Monica and we will miss her and the only comfort I can give you is the comfort I attempted to give my sons the morning of her passing. I told them that “Aunt Monica’s nature was one of innocent and willing acceptance and that innocent and willing acceptance included her faith in Jesus.” So, I am certain of the peace she now has and all the love she gave all of us is now being returned to her in heaven.

It was an honor and a privilege to have known her and I will miss her. Thank-you.

Saying Good-bye With A Heavy Heart

2011-02-11T23:20:00.000-06:00

My wife's sister, Monica passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer. There is a lump in my throat as I write this. I am thinking about how much we will miss her. She was rarely without a smile and always kind. In the 27 years I have known her, she never forgot to make me a basket of goodies on every holiday (including May Days). And when she found out that I loved her pumpkin chocolate chip cookies she always made sure I had more than I needed. Her small kindnesses were limitless. I will miss her.

Taking a Wok

2011-02-08T23:17:00.000-06:00

I tried out my brand new (and newly seasoned) Wok tonight. For those in the "know", I did not reach "wok hay". More like "wok ho-hum". I simply made shrimp with a little onion, garlic and ginger. It was good. However, our stove doesn't heat up like a wok needs. Bummer. So I will probably invest in a propane stove that has a high BTU output. I will have to do some more investigating though. That may be down the road. I have spent enough money on Amazon these past few months.

Temple Grandin

2011-02-06T22:51:00.001-06:00

My wife and I watched the movie Temple Grandin twice (the kids watched with us the second time). I can't stop thinking about it. It makes me wonder about the different ways that people learn... visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Why do some people relish a good lecture and others fidget and yet others drift off to sleep? What are the implications regarding our educational system? Or what does that say about the types of people that excel in politics, business or even religion? Are we excluding those who think differently from contributing to the conversation? Shunning them instead of embracing their uniqueness? Writing them off because they don't fit a mold? My mind has been spinning since I watched this movie. These are only a few of the things that I have asked myself since watching. There is so much more to it... excellent performances, insights into autism, and even life and death. I highly recommended it.

Where have you been?

2011-02-04T00:13:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to quickly tell my blog readers (both of you and mom and dad) that I have been taking a break from blogging and book reviewing and well... writing. I love it, but life is busy. My family is struggling with the stress of my sister-in-law's illness. And the weight of that hovers over our everyday thoughts. Monica's fan page is here at Praying for Monica.

To keep our minds off of things we are painting the living room and I have taken a very obsessive interest in wok cooking. I can tell it is obsessive because friends and co-workers roll their eyes when I start to say something like: "They think that the idea for the wok came from Chinese solders cooking in Mongol helmets or shields."

The book review situation has run dry. I think it is evident that my whole heart was not in it. Maybe in the future.

I hope to have more time to write in the future. Thanks for reading...

The Teacher

2010-12-19T19:38:00.000-06:00

At once,

it was beyond

our so trivial hearts

as to understand the love

that was bestowed

upon us by such a man as he.

We were young

and he was the instructor

of youth.

Passion was his

main source of combustion,

and as with this fruit,

desire feeds the fire

of even disinterested souls.

He turned us from without

and by journey’s end,

we were all,

every one,

absorbing more muse

than seemed possible to consume.

Teacher was his title,

but he was like no other.

We all fell at his feet

to learn the things that many

have tried and failed.

Many have stumbled and struggled

to learn that which

he brought before us

and showed us how we

could know.

Then when the time came

for him to move

and us to stay,

sorrow engulfed our very frames.

We had become

more like him.

We were of his design.

Yet, creation always

desires creator

and we hungered

for his return.

More Nudging... An Interview with Leonard Sweet on TheOoze

2010-12-12T12:36:00.000-06:00

I Heard the Music

2010-12-07T13:49:00.000-06:00

When I heard the music
Oh, I heard the music
Sweetened
By the show of sky
The push of wind
And blends of whisps

Oh, I heard the music
Sweet music
By the dew in the dark
Mulling about the fog
Raced to my heart

Oh, how I heard the music
Sweet sweet
By the by
With gracious cares
And your whimsical smile

I heard the music
Oh, I heard the music
Sweet

Chasing Francis

2010-11-21T23:06:00.002-06:00

I starting reading Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron about a week ago, and although it was a busy week the book was constantly calling me to read a little more here and a little more there. Like a good movie, I yearn for the end and then mourn when it is over.

It is one of those books that you know in your head is fiction, but deep down you want it to be a true story. And to tell the truth, I was jealous of the main character's pilgrimage to Italy. The author did an awesome job of describing the setting and making me nearly fall into the story like a vivid dream.

The uniqueness of this book is the blending of the history of St. Francis of Assisi with the fictional experiences of Chase Falson. The story is about the main character's quest to find the meaning of faith in Christ from a man who lived in another time and another world. A man who committed his life to the very same quest. A commitment he took so seriously, some call him the last Christian.

I enjoyed this book immensely. There are not many books like this one out there. I have to say, it is such a pleasure to find one once and awhile.

I received this book free. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Love is an Orientation

2010-10-25T23:52:00.000-05:00

What a title for a book! Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community. It is one that should capture the imagination of everyone who stumbles upon it. In fact it did with me. Yesterday, I started reading it and much of it has confirmed my feelings with actual experience and logical discourse. Naturally, I was thinking then that "Christians" should read this. However, as I ponder what I have read so far (and remembering my opinions when I wasn't a "Christian") I think it is a good read for us all. Too often, in my experience, conversation on this subject hangs around the lower floors. It is time to elevate the conversation and bring us together in the upper room to share pain and begin healing.

Today

2010-10-02T23:58:00.000-05:00

Today began

Today I hurried to pray

Today we hurt together

And cried

Today you said it was so

Today the food didn't cool

Today we talked

And laughed

Today I saw you in others

Today we joined loved ones

Today we jumped to our feet

And cheered

Today I offered more

Today I didn't offer enough

Today my heart was filled

And burst

Today ends

And tomorrow...

Nudge

2010-09-19T22:51:00.000-05:00

Until a year ago I had never heard of Leonard Sweet. No, I don't live under a rock, just a small town in Iowa. The first book I read by this author was So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church. It opened my eyes not only to the subject, but a writer's voice that intrigued me.

Odd story: I was on vacation and in a book store looking desperately for something to read (My family was waiting patiently for me to find something). I was looking at So Beautiful (the book), and at exactly the same time So Beautiful by Manafest (the song) was playing in the background. I heard a hillbilly-like voice in my head say,"Here's your sign" (that part didn't happen). Now normally, I am skeptical about "signs", but I bought the book and quickly fell for this author's writing style. Almost poetic and seemingly random at times, but packed with jaw dropping thoughts and a deep love of his first love.

Nudge: Awakening Each Other to the God Who's There continues that Sweet tradition. I can judge a book by how often I put it down. The ones I read straight through with nary a pause means the book was good, but shallow. Usually, the good and shallow ones rarely leave an impression or require further thought. Nudge on the other hand has been a bugger to get through (for me), but only because I love to savor the flavor. I enjoy the brain strain. Don't get me wrong here though this is not an intellectual's dry tome. It is more like a feast served in courses.

I could give away parts of the book, but others do so much better than me. Therefore, I can just say that it is a book on evangelism. However, like no other book on the subject, instead of "bringing people to Jesus", it urges us to join Jesus in what he is already doing (I got that off the back cover... see other people can say it better). I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more Sweet treats in the future.

I received this book free. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Colors of God

2010-08-29T23:16:00.000-05:00

Some of the things the authors say in this book push the limits of what others have lead me to believe are orthodox, or in other words, what one should adhere to that is commonly accepted. Not a bad thing. I have never been comfortable with blindly believing everything I am taught. Nevertheless, I started reading it about two weeks ago and I have been methodically looking at every word, re-reading every other page, and trying my darnedest (which is a word surprisingly...) to understand this book. It's not that it is hard to understand. It is just so foreign to what I normally read. I can't help it... I like this book.

Years ago, I read a biography of Martin Luther's life and was enamored by his persistent pursuit of freedom in Christ. I went on to study many of Luther's writings. I never once came to the point where I idolized Luther as some have (he would not have wanted that). However, I learned from him how really radical the gospel of Jesus is. No matter how you paint the picture... it boils down to this: Jesus came to set captives free.

Colors of God: Conversations about Being the Church is a book that confirms what I learned from Luther so many years ago, that our freedom in Jesus Christ is so much more radical than we let it be. It reaffirms what I have known for sometime: the gospel is "good" news. I recommend it... the book and the gospel. :)

I received this book free. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.