Albuquerque NM Trip Down

Well, here I am blogging from the back of the suburban just outside of Albuquerque, NM, while listening to the fourth CD of Michael Gerber's six CD set called "The Emyth Seminar - Taking Charge of Your Business and Your Life". Definitely a good set to listen to if you're running (or considering starting) a business.

After this Michael Gerber CD is done, I'm going to be interviewing the members of the Resounding Voice Crew that are on this trip. In the mean time, here's some info, and a few pictures from the trip down.

The weather outside is PERFECT! Yesterday it was around 85 degrees! But that's OK with me because we were in the air conditioning all day yesterday, and last night it got down to 33 degrees. It is currently 55 degrees, very dry, with a blazing hot sun. BEAUTIFUL!




We saw numerous accidents on the way down, including one where a pick-up with trailer spun around, rolled over, and went on it's side into the trees down a ditch much like the one in this picture. This picture is of an accident where the trailer apparently came off the hitch.


Go-Cubs!


The St. Louis Arch. Get your cameras!

________________________________________

Now the CD is over, so I am going to interview the other members of the RV crew in the Suburban .

The first interview that Jonathan Erber's Blog will hold, will be with the CEO of Resounding Voice, Joshua Erber.

J.E.B: Joshua, of all the conferences that you do each year, which of them is your favorite?

Joshua Erber: The New Mexico conference is my favorite.

J.E.B: Why is that?

Joshua Erber: Probably due to the more relaxed atmosphere.

J.E.B: What do you think is the cause for the relaxed atmosphere?

Joshua Erber: There's just something easy about it. Things seem to run smoother, and go better at this conference from a technical perspective. In New Mexico we use our own mic's, while in other places we have to patch into their sound systems, which isn't so easy.

J.E.B. When you go to conferences, what are your favorite places to stay?

Joshua Erber: My favorite places to stay are the Embassy Suites in NY, or the Drury Inn in Albuquerque NM.

J.E.B: If there were any conferences that you could get that you don't have already, which would they be?

Joshua Erber: All existing conferences.

J.E.B: Well, good luck to you and your business, we hope the rest of your trip goes well. Thanks again for your time!

Joshua Erber: You're Welcome.

Now we will be interviewing Ethan Webb.

J.E.B: Now many conferences have your done with Resounding Voice?

Ethan Webb: Zero, this is my big league debut.

J.E.B: How have you enjoyed it so far?

Ethan Webb: It's been great!

J.E.B: How do you feel being the shortest member of the crew?

Ethan Webb: I've heard it said that the shorter people are the most athletic.

J.E.B: How do you feel that will enhance your performance at the conference?

Ethan Webb: Maneuvering through crowds should be easier since I'm smaller, and it's also nice to be short because I can dodge the angry ladies easier. LOL.

J.E.B: Have things turned out to be how you expected them?

Ethan Webb: Over-all, yes.

J.E.B: Is that good or bad?

Ethan Webb: Good.

J.E.B. What were your impressions of the Hotel in Tucumcari?

Ethan Webb: It was just like any other hotel that I've been in, except for the guy at the counter.

J.E.B: What was different about him?

Ethan Webb: He was different by being more talkative and friendly. And he was smaller.

J.E.B: Well thank you for your time, who would you like us to interview next?

Ethan Webb: The one sitting next to me: Aaron Englund.

J.E.B: Aaron, how many conferences have you done with Resounding Voice?

Aaron Englund: I've done four.

J.E.B: Have you ever been to New Mexico before?

Aaron Englund: No.

J.E.B: How far west have you ever been?

Aaron Englund: California.

J.E.B: What do you think of New Mexico?

Aaron Englund: I like the sparsely located Cattle, and the Barren Landscape.

J.E.B: Do you enjoy your job with Resounding Voice?

Aaron Englund: Immensely!

J.E.B: What do you enjoy about it?

Aaron Englund: The good beer and great fun. LOL. No, seriously, at time it can be really fast paced and I like dealing with the people, and all the funny jokes and stuff that happens.

J.E.B: What's your favorite Resounding Voice moment?

Aaron Englund: I'm not sure. Probably escorting the vonTrapp singers through the crowd in Illinois, the crowd control, and all that was apart of that concert.

J.E.B: What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you while working with Resounding Voice?

Aaron Englund: I don't know, probably when a lady said that I was well groomed.

J.E.B: What did you say in a situation like that?

Aaron Englund: I thought she had good vision to see past the ragged beard to my heart. LOL! No, I really can't remember what I said.

J.E.B: Well it's been great talking with you, hope you have a great day, who would you like us to interview next?

Aaron Englund: Joseph Erber

J.E.B. Joseph, how long have you been working with Resounding Voice?

Joseph Erber: I've been a part of the crew for four years.

J.E.B: Do you enjoy working with Resounding Voice?

Joseph Erber: Yes, very much so.

J.E.B: What's your favorite task at conferences?

Joseph Erber: Sitting around when there's nothing to do! LOL. I'd say cash register is probably my favorite job.

J.E.B: Why enjoy the cash register so much?

Joseph Erber: Because you don't have to run around everywhere, and it's easy, with no pressure.

J.E.B: In light of everything that you do with resounding voice, even outside of the conferences. What do you enjoy the most?

Joseph Erber: Eating Pizza after the conference.

J.E.B: Out of all the conferences in the year, which are your favorite?

Joseph Erber: I enjoy the Grazing Conference in Wisconsin, and probably my next favorite would be either NM, AZ, or NY, or ... Well I like them all.

J.E.B: What was your worse Resounding Voice moment?

Joseph Erber: Let me think. Probably working with cranky customers.

J.E.B: Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of the NM trip. Thank you for you taking the time to answer our questions. Who would you like us to interview next.

Joseph Erber: Dad.

J.E.B: Dad, do you enjoy being a chaperon for this group of guys, or is it really stressful?

Dad: It has it's moments. Generally it's a good group to be with.

J.E.B: What is your favorite conference that you've ever done working with Resounding Voice?

Dad: Probably New Mexico!

J.E.B: Why is that?

Dad: Well when you're going through the mountains and your ears clear, it's very satisfying. LOL. No, it's a nice trip, the surroundings are very unique, and the conference is very well organized, and runs well.

J.E.B: What is your favorite job at the conference?

Dad: Unfortunately, I like duplicating the tapes.

J.E.B: Why Unfortunately?

Dad: Well, tapes are on the out.

J.E.B: When tapes are eliminated, what job do you hope to get?

Dad: Manning the phones at home.

J.E.B: What is your favorite part of the trips?

Dad: The celebration dinner afterwards.

J.E.B: If there were any conferences in places that we haven't gone yet, where would you want to go?

Dad: Colorado.

J.E.B: Why is that?

Dad: In expectation that all the previous mentioned items that I enjoy would be duplicated there.

J.E.B: Thank you for time, I hope that this wasn't one of those stressful moments that you mentioned before.

Dad: Borderline... Thank you.

Now let's go to Luke Von Holten who is sitting in the back seat with me as we speak.

J.E.B: Luke, How many years have you been with Resounding Voice?

Luke Von Holten: This would be my third year.

J.E.B: What was your first conference with Resounding Voice?

Luke Von Holten: The Wisconsin Grazing Conference.

J.E.B: What was your first impression with Resounding Voice at that conference.

Luke Von Holten: Well, the first guy that I talked to asked if we were Mormon.

J.E.B: Really! Why did he think that?

Luke Von Holten: Well, I guess Mormons wear white shirts with black bowties. We were wearing white shirts with Burgundy bowties, so I guess that's why.

J.E.B: Well, you obviously stayed with Resounding Voice when they asked you on their next conference, so did things get better after that?

Luke Von Holten: Things were pretty good until the '05 New Mexico conference when things went down hill again.

J.E.B: What happened?

Luke Von Holten: Well, the I went up on stage to give a speaker his mic, and as I handed it to him he threw his arm around me and said "Look At This Guy! He wears a bowtie!". He then went on to say how professional it looked, and then after I walked off stage he yelled "Hey, get that guy, he stole my wallet!". One guy in the crowd even jumped out of his seat after me. Then he said: Never pay attention to the man behind the curtain, he laughed, and then started the session.

J.E.B: Wow! That's crazy. Do most conferences have crazy things like that happen?

Luke Von Holten: No, those are the only two that have been substantially crazy.

J.E.B: Well, we'll hope that nothing like that happens this year. Thanks you all for your time!

Luke Von Holten: Not a problem.

________________________________________

If you have any questions for the crew, feel free to ask in the comments section.

Guild Auditions

This week while some of us are in New Mexico, our home will be hosting the Guild Auditions for my piano teacher's students.

Before we left for NM, we re-arranged the living room to better facilitate the auditions. I thought you all might like to see a picture of the new living room setup. I wish we could keep it like this all the time!


Pictures to come of the NM trip later.

Hilarious Mistranslations

What happens when you try to translate something into a language that you don't know?

Read on to find out.

The signs below have been found in various places throughout the world. Apparently, whoever translated the signs didn't know English that well.

__________________________

Cocktail lounge, Norway: LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen: WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

Hotel, Vienna: IN CASE OF FIRE, DO YOUR UTMOST TO ALARM THE HOTEL PORTER.

At a Budapest zoo: PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUITABLE FOOD, GIVE IT TO THE GUARD ON DUTY.

Hotel lobby, Bucharest: THE LIFT IS BEING FIXED FOR THE NEXT DAY. DURING THAT TIME WE REGRET THAT YOU WILL BE UNBEARABLE.

Doctor's office, Rome: SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.

In an Italian cemetery: PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.

Hotel brochure, Italy: THIS HOTEL IS RENOWNED FOR ITS PEACE AND SOLITUDE. IN FACT, CROWDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD FLOCK HERE TO ENJOY ITS SOLITUDE.

In a Swiss Mountain inn: SPECIAL TODAY - NO ICE-CREAM.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.

A sign seen on an automatic restroom hand dryer in Germany: DO NOT ACTIVATE WITH WET HANDS.

On the grounds of a private school in Scotland: NO TRESPASSING WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Hotel elevator, Paris: PLEASE LEAVE YOUR VALUES AT THE FRONT DESK.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery: YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.

Hotel catering to skiers, Austria: NOT TO PERAMBULATE THE CORRIDORS IN THE HOURS OF REPOSE IN THE BOOTS OF ASCENSION.

From the "Soviet Weekly": HERE WILL BE A MOSCOW EXHIBITION OF ARTS BY 15,000 SOVIET REPUBLIC PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS. THESE WERE EXECUTED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

On the door of a Moscow hotel room: IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THE USSR, YOU ARE WELCOME TO IT.

Tourist agency, Czechoslovakia: TAKE ONE OF OUR HORSE-DRIVEN CITY TOURS. WE GUARANTEE NO MISCARRIAGES.

On a poster in Sydney : ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP.

In a New Zealand restaurant: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND WEEKENDS TOO.

On a highway sign in Australia: TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER; THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.

Supermarket, Hong Kong: FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WE RECOMMEND COURTEOUS, EFFICIENT SELF-SERVICE.

An advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist: TEETH EXTRACTED BY THE LATEST METHODISTS.

The box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong: GUARANTEED TO WORK THROUGHOUT ITS USEFUL LIFE.

Booklet about using a hotel air conditioner, Japan: COOLES AND HEATES; IF YOU WANT CONDITION OF WARM AIR IN YOUR ROOM, PLEASE CONTROL YOURSELF.

Translated from Japanese to English and included in the instructions for a soap bubble gun: WHILE SOLUTION IS NOT TOXIC IT WILL NOT MAKE CHILD EDIBLE.

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations: GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIORS IN BED.

Car rental brochure, Tokyo: WHEN PASSENGER OF FOOT HEAVE IN SIGHT, TOOTLE THE HORN. TRUMPET HIM MELODIOUSLY AT FIRST, BUT IF HE STILL OBSTACLES YOUR PASSAGE THEN TOOTLE HIM WITH VIGOUR.

Hotel room notice, Chiang-Mai, Thailand: PLEASE DO NOT BRING SOLICITORS INTO YOUR ROOM.

In an East African newspaper: A NEW SWIMMING POOL IS RAPIDLY TAKING SHAPE SINCE THE CONTRACTORS HAVE THROWN IN THE BULK OF THEIR WORKERS.

In a Nairobi restaurant: CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.

On a South African building: MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION CENTRE.

In a South African maternity ward: NO CHILDREN ALLOWED.

Discovered by Susan Lister:
In a restaurant window: "DON'T STAND THERE AND BE HUNGRY. COME ON IN AND GET FED UP."

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Hold Your Horses!

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Hold Your Horses! Yes, all five of them!

In case you couldn't tell, I've been cleaning up my computer lately, and consequently I have been coming across a lot of pictures, hence the saturation of my blog with Random Photos.

For those who might not like the look of things in this picture:

In this picture picture, the activity that we are engaged in isn't as dangerous as it looks (although it was a little scary for .1 seconds). I had my foot on the gas (comforting huh!), and I was the one who told the young man on my lap to take it up the hill, (knowing it'd be a blast :-).

For the sake of those who still don't like the look of things:

It is almost impossible to roll this go-kart unless you are going full speed on dry pavement, and then slam the steering wheel all the way to the left (or right).

Hey Brenton, let me know when you'll be coming up again, and I'll see if I can find another go-kart for us to mess around on. :)
BTW: A+ on your driving skills!

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Is this supposed to happen?

WOW! 2GB SD Card - $49!

Hey guys, if you want to see an incredible deal on SD memory, click HERE!

Volleyball

Last Sunday after Church, we invited a number of families over for fellowship, food, and volleyball. Here are some pictures from the volleyball game.

What on earth?

Don't tip over Aaron!
Still action shots look so wierd.

We win!

Help! I'm new to Linux!

Hey guys!

I've been experimenting a little with Knoppix (live CD), and I'm to the point where I'm ready for more.

I want to install something that can run directly from my Harddrive rather than the CD, but everywhere that I go to download the ISO installation CD images, the server doesn't respond!

Does anybody know of a good place to download a good version of Linux? Thanks!

Chicago Cubs sweep the St. Louis Cardinals!

Sweep, Sweep, Sweep!

Go Cubs!

Random Photo of the Random Moment: The Guard

Here's the Resounding Voice Crew as Ushers/Crowd Control/Body Guards for the VonTrapp Concert that I.C.H.E. sponsored last May.

Just A Reminder.

Hey Everybody,

Just a quick reminder that tonight's the time change!

Be sure to move your clock forward one hour.

Update

So what's been keeping me busy lately? Well, not much of anything unusual other than, well...
I guess there have been a couple new things.

Two days ago I got my driver's license! We got to the drivers license facility at 8:00 (right when they open) and we were the 15th person in line! Fortunately there were only two others in front of me for a drivers test, so we were able to make it out by 9:15, so I guess that wasn't too bad. There was another boy who just turned 18 there also. He went out for the test right before me, and when he came in he told his dad that "it went well", and "the guy is out breaking a limb right now". I couldn't figure out what he meant but when I went for my test drive, sure enough, he spent quite some time breaking branches off the bushes at the back of the parking lot before and after my test! Go figure. I got in the Suburban, started it up just like he asked, and he still stood there for another minute breaking branches. Anyway, I didn't do anything difficult in the test, and I never left the small town streets or made it over 30MPH. At the end, he told me that I could go in and get my picture taken, and that was it! I always guessed it would be a little more fun, but, oh well.

Last Monday Stacey Weidner (one of my piano teacher's students) came over to practice a two-piano piece that we're going to play at a recital in May.

As you can see, we have our living room re-arranged to allow for two pianos side by side. I like it this way, but I guess it's not very practical, so we put everything back in it's place yesterday.

One of the primary reasons that we had to put everything back, is because I needed the digital piano downstairs on Wednesday, for a piano lesson that I was giving to a student that I just started (the piano had to be downstairs, because Jessica uses the Grand Piano to teach other students at the same time). I'm finding that teaching piano can be very fun, and I really like the student that I have. He's very bright and eager to learn. Hooray!

Well, most of our family is (for one reason or another) down in Alabama right now, other than Joseph and I. So, needless to say, Joseph is learning just what kind of a master I can be (just kidding).

Well, I've got to go check up on him. :-)

TTFN!

Rain, or Shine, Sleet or Snow, spring is coming!

Anthony: To answer your question, I don't know if it's going to snow on openning day, but one thing is for sure. Spring is coming, even if it comes with snow. Today we went out to play some catch...

yes, even in the snow.

We did take some videos of us throwing, and boy do I have a lot to work on!

Thank God for Beauty

This morning I awoke to a beautiful sight outside. Isn't God's creation wounderful?


And no, I guess this man-made computer screen can't fully convey the amazing beauty.

Mini Update

Methinks a mini update would be a pleasant addition to my blog at this time.

Here's a quick succession of events starting last Wednesday, and going through next Monday.

Last Wednesday night one of my piano teacher's other students came over to our house so that we could practice a two-piano piece that we are going to be performing at a recital in May. We moved my Grand Piano into the middle of the room, and put the Digital Piano to the left of the Grand Piano, so that it'd be set up how we'll be set up on stage. The practice went well, especially considering that I'd only had my part since the Tuesday a week before. We're going to be playing No. 5 Valse from the Sleeping Beauty suite by Tchaikovsky.

Thursday night we had the monthly Musicianship Class that my piano teacher gives, in our living room. Typically this class is held at my piano teachers house, but it was at our house this month so that her students could get a chance to play on my piano before the Guild Auditions which will be held at our house this spring. This month each of her students got a chance to perform their two-piano pieces for the class.

Last night we went to Harvard Bible Church for a Concert given by Jacob Bernhardt, and Daniel Ziesemer. It was a benefit concert for a trip that Mr. Bendorf (pastor of Harvard Bible Church) will be taking to Russia.

Tonight Kenton and Anna Skarin, and Jeremy and Sara are coming over to make plans for Liberty Day 2007 - 2008.

Tomorrow we're having the Hirst family, and Jeremy and Sara over after Church.

And Monday we're having the Bernhardt family over for dinner, and some fun in the evening.

Well, there you go! Gotta run. Stay tuned for more later.

Liberty Day Pictures!

Finally some Liberty Day Pictures. I don't feel like spending a lot of time describing the event, so if you want to know more about Liberty Day, click HERE to go to the Liberty Day Site.


Jacob Bernhardt and Daniel Ziesemer provided some excellent music during the program, as well as the Prelude and Postlude music.



We were delighted at the number of attendees who showed up in costumes.



The primary event of the evening was the re-enactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention.
In this picture, Col. William Riddick (Luke VonHolten) kneels in prayer at the opening of the convention.



Here Robert C. Nicholas (Mr. Strand) voices his opinion of opposition to the resolution presented my Mr. Henry.



Col. George Washington (myself): "I will raise at once a force of 1000 men, subsist them at my own expence, and march myself at their head, to the relief of Boston!"



Here Thomas Jefferson (Mr. Webb) declares that the acts of Parliament in closing up the port of Boston, are the acts of a foreign power, that should by all the means in our power, be resisted.



In this picture Edmund Pendleton (Aaron England) hopes that the country will proceed slowly, before rushing the country into war.



Patrick Henry (Joshua Erber): "are fleets and army's necessary to a work of Love, and Reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not I beseech you sirs' deceive ourselves longer! These are the implements or war and subjugation, the last arguments to which kings resort"!




This year we sang two songs, "The Faded Coat of Blue", and:



"Just Before the Battle Mother, I was Drinking Mountain Dew"



"I hear the bugle sounding mother,
My sould is eager for the fray,
I guess I'll hide behind some cover,
Then I hope I'll be Ok".



Closing the program, Dr. Paul Jehle gave an excellent dramatic presentation on the "Five Necessary Ingredients for The Transformation of a Culture".



After the program there were a series of Military Drills for some of the boys, and young men. Here Col. George Washington trains six fresh recruits.



In this picture the Merchant of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, explains a few details to his six recruits.



After that there was dancing, refreshments, and fellowship. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the dancing, but Mr. Wiese did an excellent job teaching the dances and keeping everyone together.

Altogether, it was a very enjoyable evening.

Hope to see you there next year!

Maybe Later.

Ok, I was going to post Liberty Day pictures, and I would have if I could have, but I keep getting a message "connection with the server has been reset" over and over again, so I'll have to try again later.

Untill then,

Jonathan

Liberty Day Pictures Coming Soon!

Hopefully I'll be able to get some of the Liberty Day Pictures up here soon.

Stay tuned!

Jonathan

Competition Recital Pictures

Here are a couple pictures from yesterday's competition recital.


Here are the winners in the senior piano division. The three people in the middle of the group are also students of my teacher Charlotte Bendorf. There is Travis Repke in back left center, I am standing just to the right of him, and Stacy Weidner in front center.


Here are the eight winners of the senior division on stage, with one of the honorable mention winners walking up the stairs.
We are standing in order of placement from right to left.


Unfortunately I didn't get a picture with my teacher this year, but here is one from last year.

Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition

Well, Well, Well... Another year, another competition.

Today was the Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition in which I was a participant in the Senior Piano Division. This competition is an annual competition sponsored by the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL. This year I was scheduled to play the third movement of J.S. Bach's Italian Concerto, and Fantasie Impromptu by F. Chopin.

We arrived at the church around 4:25pm, and proceeded inside around 4:30pm (my performance time was 4:45pm). The Senior Piano Division was performing in the 2nd Congregational Church this year, instead of in the Emerson Auditorium where it has been hosted in the past. The Church is a beautiful place, and they do have a very nice piano there, for which I was very grateful. After registering just outside the Sanctuary, we headed up to the warm-up room, where I was very pleased with the warm, flexible, and relaxed state of my fingers at the time. We headed back downstairs and waited around for the monitor (who this year happened to be my piano teacher) to take us into the sanctuary.

When I got into the sanctuary, I was able to play a few chords, and a scale to warm up. The piano was very beautiful, except for a C# (the one an octave above middle C) that was terribly out of tune. Unfortunately, due to a number of things, I had a very hard time concentrating on the music.

The performance went very well, except for a couple things. At one point at the end of the Italian Concerto I made a mistake that just came out of the blue. I'm not sure why it happened, but it did, and I was able to make a quick recovery from it. Over all, I felt good about the performance of that piece.

The Fantasie Impromptu went well, except for a couple of rolling left hand chords that I didn't get right. These wouldn't have been too bad in my mind, except for that on the repeat, I did it again. That's the killer, especially since it wasn't a difficult part at all. Then, the last problem that I had was that as the piece was winding down, getting quieter and quieter, my hands got a little out of sync. In getting my left and right hand back in sync, I had to repeat a measure. Ouch!

When we were leaving the place, I had no clue where I was going to land placement wise. I knew that other than these few mistakes, my performance was rock solid. But I also know that bad music makes a stronger impression than good music. And I wasn't sure how strongly those mistakes had tipped the scales.

Needless to say, I was very surprised about an hour and a half later, when I found out that I had won second place! People always say that second place is the worst, and I'm here to say that I think it is. But it got even worse when I found out that I lost to a girl who won first place in the junior division last year!

Argh!

Oh well, there's always next year, and the College Division. (proof I'm from Chicago)

A Dead Snowmobile

This week I almost traded my go-kart (that is literally almost in perfect shape) for a Polaris Indy 650 Snowmobile.

On Tuesday I drove my go-kart to Capron and looked at the snowmobile that the guy wanted to trade. I fired it up, and it ran great, and very powerfully. After looking it over, I thought it was definitely worth the trade. I told him that whenever he could get it to my house, he could take the go-kart.

Wednesday while I was helping pack Nathan and Jeanine's apartment into the trailer, we got a call from the guy asking if he could come by and drop off the snowmobile that night. I said that was fine, and that since Dad was at home, he could do it whenever he wanted. Well, when he found out that I was 17, he decided to wait until I got home, because he was afraid that Dad didn't want me to make the trade, and that Dad would be all mad at him. I assured him that it was fine, but he still didn't want to. I told him that I'd be home at 6:30 so anytime after that was fine.

When we got home, he was already there, and the snowmobile was unloaded. I walked over to where they were standing, and started asked a few basic things about the snowmobile. He answered the questions and then proceeded to show me where all the fluid filler caps are, emphasizing the point that I should check them often. This didn't sound good to me, and we asked if he had any leaks. "No" he said "but I always like to check my fluids, especially the coolant, since being water cooled, it overheats fast if it doesn't have any coolant". Something seemed a little fishy, so I asked if I could take it around the yard a few times before he took the go-kart. He said sure, and I fired it up. It ran so well, and was scary fast the first time around the yard. But when I was coming around the second time, I saw a dense fog ahead. When I got to it, the smell told me that it was without a doubt, two-stroke exhaust. This thing was smoking up a storm. I knew that this is somewhat normal for a two-stroke engine upon start-up, but this should have quit smoking by now. Anyway, after I stopped driving it, it kept smoking. I stood there and watched it for a while to see if it would stop smoking. The whole time it just kept idling slower and slower. I hopped back on it and gunned it, it slowly went up to 4000 RPMs and didn't budge, I let off the gas, and eventually it died.

Needless to say, I didn't make the trade. I'm not sure if it overheated, or what happened. But come to think of it, I never did check the coolant.

An Impromptu Prank Phone Call.

Tonight I got a phone call:

Me: Hello, this is Jonathan!

Unknown: Um, hello I have some engines I want to sell (I have a wanted ad out for small engines from 8 - 14HP).

Me: Oh, ok, (taken a little off guard) um, yea, so what... Ok, well, tell me about them!

Unknown: Um, do they need to run?

Me: Well, not really, but of course I'm not going to pay a whole lot for an engine that needs repair. So what size are they?

Unknown: Um, i-it's a twelve horse engine.

Me: Oh, ok what brand is it?

Unknown: Uh, K-Kohler

Me: Oh! What size was it again?

Unknown: F-Fourteen Horse.

Me: Ok, so how many cylinders does it have? (I'm beginning to tell that this guy isn't mentally with it)

Unknown: T-Two.

Me: Oh nice, um how old is it? (I don't think they make 14HP twin cyl. engines)

Unknown: It's fourteen years old.

Me: (surprised that this guy who appeared to be thinking so slowly even knew how old it was) Well, if it's ok, can I look around at other engines like this a little, and get back to you with a price?

Unknown: Sure.

Me: Ok, do you want me to call you back at the same number that you just called me on.

Unknown: Uh... No!

Me: Ok, then let me get a pen and pad and I'll take down your number.

Unknown: Juan!

Me: (thinking that he was now shouting off the numbers slowly starting with one). Just a second, I don't quite have a pen here yet.

Unknown: Juan, it's Dave.

Me: (thinking he wants me to know his name also) Just a second, I've just got to get a pad of paper.

Unknown: (more shouting into the phone, but I can't tell what he is saying at all now because of the amount of noise in our kitchen made primarily from Corrine yelling "Ma-Ma" "Ma... Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma", the CD player playing the Jonathan Park Audio Adventure Series, Josiah telling Corrine to be quiet so that he can hear what's happening, and Joanna washing dishes).

Me: (finally out of the kitchen with my pen and pad) Ok, sorry I couldn't quite tell what you were saying, can you start over with the number.

Unknown: Juan! It's me... Dave Inyart!

_____________________________

Well, I don't think I've ever been so fooled over the phone by anyone before. Good job Dave!

BTW: That voice you were using, hang on to it for our next film. That was really good.

Anybody want to start a Museum?

Hey, if anybody out there want's to start a computer history Museum, check out this auction on Ebay.

Click HERE to see it.

Honda Ad

Have you ever wanted to start a "band" that played only instrumental music, with nothing more than a talented group of vocalists? Well, I have.
And when I saw this ad, I thought it was so good that I'd share it with you all.

Click HERE to watch it.

Another tag...

Hi Everybody! This is Jessica. Since Jonathan's out of town I thought I'd hack into his site (which is fairly easy to do since I know his username and password).

Anyway, like nearly everyone else in Bloggerdom, I have finally been "tagged." I thought I'd make it through the epidemic without getting caught, but as I have now been tagged by both Ethan and Kristalyn over on Anthony's blog and also by Nikkae on the Huber blog, I guess I'll give in and do it! But I'm posting it here rather than on the family blog because... well, just because! :-) It might be good to have a salt shaker nearby as you read some of these answers. And don't hold me to them tomorrow morning, I may have changed my mind! (What good is a mind if you can't change it??)

Seven things I'd like to do before I die:
1. Visit the 11 states I haven't been to yet
2. Tour Europe - and maybe a few other places 'round the globe
3. Reduce the deer population without the aid of a vehicle
4. Create a home that is warm and welcoming for family, friends, and all who may seek rest or refuge within its doors
5. Be a better daughter/sister - and in general more purely reflect Christ's beauty and holiness
6. Write something that I actually enjoy reading afterwards and don't continually edit!
7. Attend the weddings of all my friends and siblings - which is already a vain hope as a friend that I have known for her whole life is getting married in southern Alabama on March 4, 2006! Obviously, I won't be able to be there.

Seven things I can't do well:
1. express myself verbally
2. make a pie crust look nice
3. anything remotely artistic
4. teach music theory
5. teach anything!
6. stay calm when in a hurry
7. storytelling

Seven things I say often:
(My family was even unable to help me fill in the last two...)
1. Children!
2. Must we! (usually said in conjunction with the previous statement)
3. Gravy boats...
4. Hey, hey, hey!
5. I'm still using that! (generally in reference to the computer)
6.
7.

Seven things I'd like in a husband:
1. Rich
2. Charming
3. Intelligent
4. Handsome
5. Talented
6. Interesting
7. Someone who has *won his spurs* and, of course, wears the radiant attire associated to his rank

Seven books/authors I've enjoyed(aside from the Scriptures, of course):
1. Worthy is the Lamb
2. Woman: Her Mission & Her Life
3. Dictionary
4. Thesaurus
5. Encyclopedia
6. O. Henry
7. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch! or maybe By the Great Horn Spoon...

Seven movies... (a general disclaimer regarding this list is appropriate, if redundant):
1. Home movies can be excessively boring but we've got some real gems, too!
2. Henry V (love quoting it!)
3. Ironwill (we just watched it for the first time, so it had to make this list)
4. A variety of musicals and parts of musicals
5. Secondhand Lions was fun
6. Do Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and other such 'movies' count? How about the Popeye cartoon that we wore out the tape on???
7. I enjoyed the A&E Pride & Prejudice, too (it's the only version I've seen)
(Can you tell I'm not much of a movie person??)

Phew! There it is. Done. Taggers, I hope you are pleased!

Brandon Huber's Birthday

I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday, and 16th year to my friend Brandon Huber.



Happy Birthday Brandon!


If you'd like to wish Brandon a Happy Birthday, please do so in the Comments section of this post.

Random Photo Series of the Random Moment: Do I have to eat this?

Caroline, you eat what you are served always with a cheerful attitude.















That's better, now open wide!















(under her breath) Why do we always have to come here to eat, can't we just eat our own food?

I've been tagged (again).

I've been tagged (again). Only this time I was tagged before I got to get over being tagged the first time!

I was first tagged by Ryan Kelly, and I was supposed to give five things that are weird about me.

Then I was tagged by Brandon Huber, and I'm supposed to give seven things about me, from seven specific categories. However, I have run up against a problem. This is that Brandon only supplied me with six categories! Therefore I will take matters into my own hands, and mix Ryan's tag into Brandon's tag, so that they'll both be happy, and Brandon won't feel tyrannical.

BTW: The items listed in each category are not necessarily the biggest or most important seven things in each category. They are only, and should only be considered, seven of the many things in each category.

Here they are:

Seven things I hope to do before I die:

1) Get Married.

2) Rapidly shoot pop cans from the hip at a distance of 30' away without missing.

3) Take a ski trip into the Mountains somewhere.

4) Achieve some sort of gracefulness.

5) Build a race track on my property for off-road racing.

6) Build an engine that runs primarily on water.

7) See one other currently confidential, highly impossible, but altogether practical and original idea in production.

Seven things I cannot do well:

1) Play Basket Ball

2) Sight-read music

3) Fit into small places

4) Smell roses without making a face

5) Listen to music with lyrics while studying

6) Relate with Telemarketers

7) Survive in above 80 degree weather

Top seven favorite movies:

1) National Treasure

2) The Mask of Zorro

3) Second Hand Lions

4) The Court Jester

5) The Patriot

6) Sergeant York

7) The Miracle (incredible scenes at the end, but I can't stand most of it)

Seven things I say often:

1) What are you talking about?!

2) What on earth!

3) Oh my word!

4) Hey, how's it going.

5) Ga-Mownien!

6) Hello, this is Jonathan.

7) Yee-Haw!

Seven things that I'd like in a wife:

1) She must meet all my requirements.

2) She needs to enjoy, and be capable of doing things other than sewing and tea-parties.

3) A sense of Humor.

4) Two arms would be nice.

5) Two eyes would also be nice.

6) A couple legs would be helpful.

7) Oh, don't forget the brain.
And...

...Oh BTW, I need to like her.

Seven favorite authors and books:

1) The Bible (obviously that is the book that I am most grateful for).

2) Swamp Fox of the Revolution (The Patriot was based on this)

3) Sergeant York and the Great War

4) God King

5) The Raft

6) The Endurance

7) WE WERE THERE at the Normandy Invasion

Seven things that are weird about me:

1) I have no attachment to most of my assets (ok, technically liabilities).

2) I require lots of pressure to get me to practice the piano (competitions, recitals etc...).

3) I don't understand people who get offended/embarrassed easily, and consequently offend/embarrass people without knowing it.

4) I have an unquenchable thirst for speed.

5) When I'm under pressure, or needing to do something that I don't want to do, the Refrigerator becomes a very attractive appliance (well, I guess it's the stuff inside that really gets me).

6) I really can't stand heat.

7) I can't stand the feel of ankle socks.

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Double-Chess Master

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Double-Chess Master

The Double-Chess Master David Inyart competes against Dustin Webb and Jonathan Erber alongside his teammate Jordan Knottnerus.

The Perfect Car For Women

For many years I've never thought that girls were very big on cars.
Secondly, I never thought I'd find a car that I'd like, and girls would also.

But today, things changed...

Today I found the coolest car that I have ever seen, with a unique feature that girls would like also!

Check it out by downloading the video HERE.

History Has Been Made Tonight!

Tonight, for the first time in over 2779 days, I won a game of ping-pong against my brother Joshua.

Ok, I know this doesn't say much for me, but this marks a much anticipated day of my life, and I thought I'd share it with you all.

Thank you for being my audience!

Making the most of the snow while we have it.

Dashing through the snow
In a five horse open sled
Through the woods we go
Screaming all the way...!


Josiah seems to prefer the front seat, which really helps turning in the snow.
Of course the back seat (Joseph) is a very necessary position, as that helps provide traction for forward motion.

All combined, there is just enough weight provided to pull one person on the sled in the back.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Outside the Snow is falling...

Yesterday we got 6" of long awaited snow! This winter started out icy cold, but since then has toned down to a more mild winter. Yesterday however, was beautiful!

Grateful to be out in the winter wonderland (which came in after dark yesterday), a few of the younger ones were allowed, prior to jumping into bed last night, to go outside for a little while to satisfy their starving winter appetite.


Enjoying the Snow


Ultimate Relaxation

Nathan & Brenton Huber, up from Texas.

Last week Nathan & Brenton came back to Illinois for their cousins wedding. We were glad to be able to host them for a couple days, and had a lot of fun doing so.


Brenton and Joseph having fun on the Go-Kart. Joseph was doing the Gas and Break since Brenton couldn't reach the pedals, while Brenton navigated them both around the yard.

The Final Ford Mustang Episode.

Yesterday found Nathan Huber, Joshua and I in my Mustang, heading down to Morton Grove (right near O’Hare Airport) to meet a guy that was interested in buying my Mustang.

We showed up, and he walked around the car commenting that it looked really good for a 1990. I popped the hood expecting that he wanted to see the engine, and he proceeded to look at the bottom of the hood at the back of a dent that was on the front. He said that he didn’t think the dent was much of a problem, so he closed the hood (which didn’t latch again for some reason). Then he walked to the passenger side door and asked if I’d take him out for a drive! He said that I knew what the car had to offer, so it’d be best if I drove it. We got in the car and headed out. While we were out driving, he got a phone call from someone whom he proceded to tell that he was going to buy the car!

Needless to say, I have never had an easier time selling anything, which was a welcome reprieve from my previous history with this car.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

My Car, for sale once again.

My car just got back from the shop, and it was only a fried Fuse Link Wire, so the repair was about a third of the cost of having the fuel pump replaced! On top of that, they ran some tests to see if there were any other problems that might have caused the circuit to short out, and there were none that they found. But most importantly, it's back out for sale, and there are a couple people interested in it via a web ad that I put up!

Praise the Lord!

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Back Yard Friends

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Back Yard Friends

This is not a Jonathan Erber Original, but I saw it, and thought ya'll would like to see it.

My car goes to the doctor tomorrow.

Hey everybody,

My car is going into the shop tomorrow, please pray that it's a minor electrical problem, not the fuel pump itself.

I really can't afford to put any more money into this car, so your prayers would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jonathan

News Flash!

My car still won't run, but it appears that the Fuel Pump is shot.

More news as it comes.

Faithful Ford? I don't think so...

Whoever thought Ford's were Faithful certainly didn't own a Ford Mustang.

The latest on my car is that a guy was very interested in buying it on Thursday for his 16y.o. son (who just got his license), until he took it out for a test drive. No nothing went wrong, he's just a little afraid of letting his son loose in a car like this. He was origionally looking for something like a Dodge Neon (much less power).

So today we went over to Jeremy's house (where I have parked the car on route 173) to put it back out in the yard for sale. We got there, I got in and turned the key, and it won't start. It doesn't even sputter, all it did was drain the battery cranking, and plain refuses to go.

So what is the problem? I don't know, but a while back we owned a Ford Escort that would get tempermental in wet or high humidity situations. Needless to say, we will probably be trying the same trick that worked on the Escort, on my Mustang. Here's how it works, pop the hood, and dry the distributor with a hairdryer for about a minute, then, fire it up!

Wierd? Yes, but hey! What else is new, it's a Ford.

Hmm... Something Wierd?

Hey everybody,

I just found something very strange about my blog. I'm not sure how long it was like this, but have any of you noticed it?

It's not up now, I fixed it, but if you did notice something strange recently, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Jonathan

A New Go-Kart!

Last Friday I traded one of my computers for a Manco Dingo Go-Kart. Today I got it tuned up (it hadn't been used for a while), and we had a lot of fun sliding around on the driveway.

Here's a few pictures:






If anybody is interested in buying it, let me know.
It's a 98-99 model, but it is in unbelievably good shape.

I'm asking $650, but I'm willing to sell it for only $550 O.B.O. to any of my blog readers.

A Cool Thing: Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and Aluminum

Yesterday we made a toilet bowl cleaner and aluminum foil fire-cracker for the first time. It's pretty simple to make, and somewhat cool. Here's what you do. Take a bottle and fill it with Aluminum Foil (the more aluminum surface space, the faster this works). Then spray a bunch of "The Works" brand, toilet bowl cleaner into the bottle, cap and shake the bottle, and throw.

If it doesn't appear to work, DO NOT APPROACH BOTTLE. It took ours about 3-4 minutes to finally explode. The explosion resulted in an invisible flash (that I'm assuming was there :-) and a plume of smoke about 12' high! The first one that we made we thought was a dud, so we started working on a second one, when all of a sudden there was a bang behind us as the one in the yard finally exploded.

It appears that the reaction between the aluminum foil and the toilet bowl cleaner builds up flammable gasses and heat. Once the temperature reaches the flash point, all the gasses in the bottle explode. Resulting in a somewhat satisfactory pop.

Please note that this should only be tried under close adult supervision, and I will not be held liable for any injury, loss, inconvenience, annoyance, or anything else that may result from this experiment.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Yesterday, we started off the day by getting together with our Church family in worship, as we do every Sunday morning. After the worship service we came home, and spent the day with Nathan and Jeanine, and Jeremy and Sara. We enjoyed feasting, bible trivia, quoting scripture memory, exchanging gifts, and lots of felowship.

I hope your day was filled with the celebration of our dear Saviors birth.

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Laser Tag

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Laser Tag in the basement.

It's only too bad that we didn't have Airsoft at the time. Also, this photo is not staged. It is an action shot that was taken during a 2 on 2 game in total darkness (aside from the camera flash). I was sitting out this round since there were five people, and only four guns/receiver sets.

Car Update.

Ok, if you have been reading my blog, you know that I recently bought a bomb of a Ford Mustang, that has been one headache after the next.

The last update was that my car was out of the shop again, however that isn't doing me any good right now because it's stuck in our driveway with a flat tire! Normally this is not a problem for me, but this time it is because it has lock nuts on the wheels, and I don't have the drivers for it!

Now I'm really stuck.

If anyone has any good ideas of how to get around this, please let me know.

My car is back from the shop!

Hey everyone, yesterday I got my car back from the shop and guess what the problem was...

A security system that I didn't know about! Yep, flashing lights and no responce when you turn the key. That does sound like a security system to me.

Well, I must say that I'm a little embarrased for sending my car into the shop just to get the security system turned off. That's like sending your car in because you lost the keys!

I'm just grateful it wasn't anything worse.