Things To Do in 2009 - Let's See

So, I saw this post down the list and thought it was time to see how well I have done. There are two months left.

- Be patient - Working on it and improving. Trying to memorize Proverbs 15:18. I want to be more patient.
- Drink good coffee - yes! Coffeefool.com! You are the best.
- Read Predictably Irrational - Check
- Make time to ride my bike - Nope. Man I wish the Alafia State Park, I miss you.
- Video blog - some. see facebook.com/bryantjohnson
- Spend more time with my dad - did as much as i could. I was very blessed to have the time I did.
- Eat sushi and expand my palette - like twice. It was great. However, my palette still prefers pizza.
- Stop eating fried foods (at least for three months)- this has been easier than I expected. A job well done self.
- Read Disciplines each day - I wish I could say that did. Them problem with it is reading too many books at once.
- Publish materials - Check. GBOD.org.
- Return to the mountains - Check and double check. The smokies are awesome.
- Take another cruise - any venture capitalists want to pay for my wife and I to go? We'll think of a good business plan while we are away.
- Prepare more dinners - I think Tonya and I did do this.
- Date nights with Tonya - Sorry, baby. I wish we were doing more and I think we have done less.

A Jolicloud Review

A few people have asked about Jolicloud and what I think about it, so here's a review. First, i was going to use ScreenToaster to record the review and show you around. But that presents one of the problems I had. Now, it should be said that Jolicloud is in the alpha stage, which means it has a long way to go. The beta stage is when things begin to really get distributed. I think it has a lot of potential.

Back to ScreenToaster, which allows you to record and capture video from your desktop to post and share online, runs on javascript. I never could get js to work or function. From what I can tell (and my knowledge of linux is minimal), it is not supported at this point.

I also ran into a problem with Adobe Air. Not Air itself, but uninstalling applications that run on the Air platform. Most applications within Jolicloud allow you to right click and select remove. But not the Air applications. I was specifically trying out the eBay app. I did find a way to remove the icon, but i really doubt that it removed the app. Again, this may be a issue with my limited knowledge of linux, but when i posted the question in their forums, I never receive and answer detailing how to do this.

The other issue that bothered me was the way some of the web based applications worked. They appear to be built upon a browser, but lack full browser capabilities. I frequently have multiple browser tabs open at once and go back and forth between them. For instance in facebook, rather than clicking and trying to find my way back to the same place in the newsfeed, I open everything inside another tab. At the time, this is not possible in the facebook ap or other web based apps. Of course you can use Firefox or Chrome to have the full featured browser, but then negates the purpose of the app.

The final problem I ran into was with Hulu. In Jolicloud, it seems to run slow for some odd reason. When i boot into XP Hulu runs fine and smooth, but in Jolicloud it is choppy and frequently stops to buffer.

Now, for the good. Jolicloud boots quickly. Without a doubt, it is fast on the load time which I appreciate on a netbook. Less boot time gives me more time to use my netbook. That means I am getting more time actually using it which is important.

I like the way you can install apps. Makes it simple for a newbie to linux to get up and running and have the things they need. Thunderbird for email, two browser options, Open Office for all your document needs, Songbird, Boxee, VLC Media Player and a few others all run natively. It is easy to get up and running with some good solutions to access all that you keep in the cloud.

I wouldn't suggest it for someone who is unsure, but if want to see what will be coming in the future for netbooks, this will give you a good look. I think they are onto something good and I will likely give it another shot once it makes it into beta or a final release. For now I will continue running XP for my main OS and may install Win7 in Joliclouds place.

Thanks.

• I am thankful for God’s grace and love in my life.
• I am thankful for forgiveness.
• I am thankful to have a team of volunteers who in the midst of crisis and at a moments notice are ready to take on all the responsibility.
• I am thankful for volunteers who care about student’s lives.
• I am thankful for volunteers in our youth ministry who place others first.
• I am thankful for all those who commit even just an hour a week of their time so that others may know Christ.
• I am thankful for all the support, cards, and hugs I received when my father passed away.
• I am thankful for student leaders who are concerned about their peers and do all they can to help them come to know Christ.
• I am thankful for parents who care enough to bring their children to church week after week.
• And I am thankful for children who care enough about their parents to bring them to church for the very first time.
• I am thankful for students who text the entire time I am talking and when I ask what was just said, they quote me word for word and expend on the theological indoctrination and the meaning of the original Greek language.
• I am thankful for compliments and criticisms, I am sure there will be some when I am done, that remind me that I am on the right path.
• I am thankful for the staff that function so well as a team, the support each other, and get behind the ministries, goals, and visions of the others.
• I am thankful for the people who notice the little things like a new planted garden, an improved basketball shot (at least that’s what they tell me), and the hard work that goes into outpouring.
• I am thankful for my wife, who sees beyond my deficiencies, to strengthen me.
• I am thankful for my wife who reminds what it means to be beautiful and demonstrates what it means to love.
• I am thankful for Tonya, who is committed to family.
• Most of all, I am thankful for all that God has given me, family, a home, friendship, a companion, food, rainy skies, and the demonstration of his love through a son and for that coming alive in eyes of those who are with me today.

Things To Do in 2009

- Be patient

- Drink good coffee

- Read Predictably Irrational

- Make time to ride my bike

- Video blog

- Spend more time with my dad

- Eat sushi and expand my palette

- Stop eating fried foods (at least for three months)

- Read Disciplines each day

- Publish materials

- Return to the mountains

- Take another cruise

- Prepare more dinners

- Date nights with Tonya

The Star Wars Culture (PICS)

Visiting big sites such fffound, Flickr and others, it becomes really obvious how huge Star Wars culture is. This is a endless source of inspiration. Just check these out. And enjoy, of course.

read more | digg story

Cancer #3

So just as things were looking good, Dad gets more bad news. First and the most minor is that his blood tests on his kidneys are still a little abnormal, but not a major concern right now. It is still at a manageable level.

Second thing - about two weeks ago, his MRI came back showing a second tumor in his brain. This one is about 2cm in diameter. They will begin with some intense radiation therapy fairly soon. It has yet to be scheduled. Because this is totally unrelated to the last one, it is likely more will come about even after this one is destroyed. Hard to deal with, when he was healing so well from the first. Dad seems worried and tired. I know his med's are really wearing on him, too. He is frustrated that he continues to take an oral chemo pill and now has a second tumor come up. What's up with that? I am still trying to figure out how to feel about this. The emotions can be overwhelming at times.

Then, he just received the results from a prostate biopsy that also came back positive. Radiation treatments will begin on this area within the week or so, too. It's just crazy how much is coming at him at once.

Today, I am taking him to multiple scans and tests. These are to scan his entire body to find out if there is cancer anywhere else. We have no idea what will come from this. He should have results soon.

It's a difficult time... We just keep praying.

Three Days of Bahamas

High School Mission Trip

The Methodist Habitat, Bahamas

7/15-17/08

Well, the journal each day thing didn’t quite work out so well. I thought about it, each day, but when it came to the end of the day and I was ready for bed, I was very tired and put it off thinking I would get to it in the morning. Didn’t happen. I believe I have settled into what we have labeled as “Bahamas Time”. And I think I would really like it here. Granted I would need to have my AC running constantly. The food is good. The people are great and friendly.

Now to Tuesday. Tuesday we divided into two crews. One headed off to finish one roofing project and then off to a second. The other crew stayed back to work concrete at the church across the street, do some weeding, and finish clearing the land for the church’s beach view. Our crew that stayed behind worked hard and diligently. We definitely had more people than work, but we spread it around and everyone pitched in well. This day was a little shorter and we knocked off at about 3pm. Dennis, a man who was helping with the concrete. Kept saying, “Take it slow. No rush, we’ll get the work done.” However, we came to work and wanted to get it done. We were quite getting it yet. The second crew went out to the first roof and finished the job. By lunch they had headed out to the next site ready to work. When the arrived, they did not have all the supplies needed and still needed a generator for power. Once that had all been gathered, they realized they had way too many people for the work, building rafters for a house. There just weren’t enough tools for everyone to be working all at the same time and many literally laid down on the job. They returned frustrated and upset that most of the day was wasted. I still thought that this might be a cultural issue rather than a preparation issue but it was feeling like the work was not prepared for us. Almost as if, the work was being thought of on the spot. What we find though is that it was just a cultural thing. Day three also ended with a dip in the ocean another wonderful dinner, bbq chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. All cooked Bahamian style.

Wednesday, day four. As we awoke this morning, Andre greeted us in the morning and stated that we would be divided by girls and guys. The guys were going out to the roofing site and the girls would remain behind. At first some of the group was bothered by this but they all adjusted well. The girls stayed back to organize the shed and clean up the house. They did an amazing job and when we returned it was cleaner than when we arrived. The guys all headed out to the house to finish building the rafters on this home. As we were getting ready to pull in, KP realized we had forgotten to pick up ice. We turned around and headed to a local fish camp. It was a quite nice tropical location. Lots of flowers trees and right on a creek. We sat and talked for about an hour, waiting to go off to work. The person with the keys to get the ice wasn’t there and we were waiting hanging out enjoying the conversation. After an hour had passed we decided to head on over to the work site. Once we arrived we again waited for a generator although KP found it and got it to us quickly. We are really beginning to notice that everything is just on their schedule. The really is no rush. As we ran out of wood for the rafters, we packed up heading out. The was a little for the remaining pieces, but KP said, “That’s another day’s work.” As we pulled out, there was a little bridge that the local jump off of into the creek. We stopped. We jumped. We swam. Returned home by about 3pm headed out to the shore and waited for dinner to be prepared. Tonight’s menu? Pork chops, and mac and cheese. Abraham had also arrived. He is the director of the Bahamas Methodist Habitat. So I asked about the slow pace. He explained like this. Think of the Bahamas as an endless summer. It’s always hot. You will always sweat. And tomorrow will always come. On a hot summer day, you just not in a rush to do anything, especially outside in the heat. This is the daily life. A gentleman, who lives on the beach next to the church, had worked on his boat each and every day we have been here. However, he only worked about an hour or so each day. The remaining time he sat by the boat and watched the water roll in. it all was really beginning to make since to me. I found comfort in it. Abraham shared that other groups struggled with this too. It really is a cultural difference. It has been a challenge for our group to really grasp this, yet they dealt with it well. it allowed for other interactions to take place. Most of our group has spent time playing with the local children in the evenings, something that would not have happened had we been exhausted at the end of the day.

Now, Thursday, day five. Again we divided into two groups. We took 8 out to finish the rafters and begin playing plywood and attaching hurricane shingles. The others stayed back to plant plants. There job didn’t take too long and they finished quite early. In Bahamian time, this was a hard day’s work, even though they were fully finished by 11am. The others were hard at work this day from the point of arrival until we left at about 3:30pm. We finished the last few rafter pieces, a team of about 4 laid plywood, and I, Koven, and Mr. Johnson attached hurricane straps. These are straps that help tie the roof down to the rest of the house to hold it on during the storms. Everyone worked hard and stayed on task. No matter how much or how little the work everyone on this trip worked as hard as they could and worked with excellence, wanting to show others how much they cared about them that they would take the time to do the best work possible for them. They did. All week they worked with excellence, both in their work and in their attitude. A couple of the girls even baked a cake to take back to an elderly woman whose home we had worked on. The final work day ended with another delicious dinner. This night was fresh, homemade bread and chicken wings. But not your mama’s chicken wings. I’m not sure what that means, but unless you mom is Bahamian; her wings are not as good as these. They were cooked with no sauce. Rather, they were cooked in water with onions, potatoes and salt and pepper. It created a juice for you to dip the bread in as you were eating the chicken. It sounds simple but without the Bahamian love, I’m not sure it’s the same. Our devotions were great this night, too. We took a look at John 15. Jesus calls his disciples friends instead of servants and sets forth the commandment to love each other. This is not en emotion of love, but an action of love. In all I have seen this week. Our group has show me what it means to be a servant, sacrificing all of their personal desires, time, and their selves to put love into action, to help out, to build, to work, and to build new relationships. We leave on Saturday and I will be sad to go. But I hope and pray that what was learned here is remembered and applied as we return back home.

Day 2

High School Mission Trip

The Methodist Habitat, Bahamas

7/14/08

Day two started out a little slow. We probably could have slept in a little longer. Andre had said that we would get a slow start, but I still thought we would get moving fairly quickly. Some off our adjustment coming here is and adjustment to the lifestyle and the pace of life. We come from a world that we can get anything anytime at any point. We are Andros and learning that most of the Bahamas is not at all like Nassau, a large tourist area. Most of the island we are in, which is inhabited by about 6000 people is in a condition that we would call poverty. All the homes need work and not minor needs, like additional paint or an additional panel on the fence. But major needs like repairing leaking roves, sealing doors and windows, securing walls that appear to ready to fall are the norm. Anything less would be considered luxury. Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s are all just seconds away from our homes. For those here on Andros an item like a box of wood screws takes a day to secure. Most items are scarce, must be shipped in from Nassau, and are usually already sold by the time they arrive. I was told that the people here are about 2 years behind in getting repairs done. So, while we are ready to just get to work and get it done, all the supplies to do the work have been secured yet. We don’t have all that we need and it is difficult to get it. Yet, the people appear to be happy, sincere, and genuine. The community is friendly and always greeting us as we walk by or meet new people. Some of us worked on a roof waiting an hour to get started, others repaired a leaking roof, and some worked in the Methodist church across the street. We also cleared the dead brush behind the church so that the church again has a view of the beach. Speaking of which was beautiful. We all ended the day swimming in the ocean. Some snorkeled and found sea urchins and starfish. Our dinner on day two was fried fish, rice and peas (or maybe beans) and corn. The food was delicious. The fish, which some were hesitant to eat, was fried whole. It had been gutted but was fried whole. Head, tail, eyes and all. All as one, fried and served. And it was good! Homemade hot sauce and all. We closed the night out again together in devotion, sharing about the day, singing some songs, and sharing our thought about Luke 17: 1-10. Challenging stuff. It was a challenging day, but highly rewarding.

The Beginning

High School Mission Trip

The Methodist Habitat, Bahamas

7/13/08

Day one began by the 19 of us meeting at the church to depart for the trip. We met at 8:30 to leave at 9pm. Koven came in just a little late thinking we were supposed to have met earlier. We left the church at about 9:30am. A little over an hour into the trip somebody requests for a bathroom stop. We needed to stop quick. Only this time it was a little different. The tables had turned. This time it was me, Bryant, requesting the stop. I felt bad, too. Usually I am the one who is asked to stop, and I tend to respond, “just a little while longer.” Just about 11:30am we stop for gas before getting to the airport. We have just West Palm. I wanted to make sure Traci and Cathy had enough to make it back. Well, as we pull into the gas station, we pop a tire. Knowing this could really set us back, we start making calls to churches, people we know, tire shops (not open yet), and then the airport. A shuttle was arranged and sent on their way to pick us up. In the meantime, we have got in touch with Tire Kingdom who can change the tire within the half hour. I try to call and cancel the shuttle service. They said they would arrive in 45 minutes, at this point I am realizing it is half an hour and as I look up they are pulling in. The bus has just left with all of our luggage and Jake. All the youth and adults are eating in the McDonald’s or Miami Subs next door. So, it’s just me, two shuttles, two drivers, hanging out. The youth all see the shuttle and I called Tonya and out came everyone. And off we go. Airport bound and one step closer now to our final arrival Andros, in the Bahamas. The luggage on the church bus arrives to the airport about half an hour after we do. We have checked in with our passports and received our flight tickets, which are just laminated numbers. We have all been weighed, gotten our luggage weighed and are now simply waiting to go. As we prepare to board the plane, I begin taking pictures. I know the plane will be small, but not sure how small. Well, it was about four foot in diameter, which is plenty to sit comfortably, but not enough for any of us to stand. You’ll see the pictures. We board the plane, select our seats, and wait. This small, claustaphobic size plane sits in line to take off for an hour, longer than the actual flight would take. While in the air the flight experiences some turbulence. Cue the girls. “Aghhhhhh!” Finally, our flight begins to land. We were able to look out the front to see the landing strip. Actually, look out the windshield. This was actually pretty cool. We land at an airport that likely sees one flight a day. They said that rarely is there more. We sat in customs, filled out paperwork and began looking for the gentleman; we would come to know as Andre. Nowhere to be found. So, I ask for a local phone to call his cell. As the lady in the customs office sees the area code she exclaims, “You’re on the wrong island.” Huh!? We actually did land where the itinerary stated. We were in the right place and the wrong place at all the same time. We were on the south end of Andros, which we should have been on the north end. This is what a slight miscommunication can lead to. Being islands, we needed a boat to make the distance. The customs agent begins making calls. She says, “I found a boat to take you there, it will cost $800. Do you want it?” Not having a spare $800 on me I said that we needed to speak to Andre first. He said he would take care of it, but we would still need to pay $75 for the three cabs to get us to the dock. I had that and on our way we went. This would take nearly two hours to arrive. However, a blessing in disguise. We did not have any boat rides planned and at this point the sun was beginning to set. A sunset cruise in the Bahamas? What could be better? We finally arrive at Fresh Port. Andre is on his way to pick us up and to take care of our boat fare. He brings two buses and we load up to go. Interesting thing is that they drive on the left side of the road, but almost all the cars are American built and have the steering wheel on the left side, too. It makes it really hard to tell where the oncoming traffic for those that are new to this. Finally, arrive to Camp Makepeace just before 10pm. What should have only been a four hour trip, now had taken us 13 hours. Yet, we arrive warmly welcomed by smiling faces who are excited to see us, have prepared our dinner, spaghetti (delicious, too) and it is still warm. As we looked back over the day’s events and the surprises along the way, everyone had fun. Every felt a peace about them. While some got frustrated, it never showed. They knew that in the hearts, they were here because they wanted to serve. What took place was different than we expected, but everywhere we were blessed.