FREE Photoshop Workshop II

Christian Reese and I hosted a Photoshop Workshop this past Saturday, and it was a lot of fun.

Due to the response and Christian's knack for leaving people wanting more, we've decided to schedule the sequel for the last Saturday of October.

So whether you attended the first workshop or not, join us 10am October 25th for another exciting learning adventure.

FREE Photoshop Workshop

If you've ever had a desire to learn photo editing or graphic design, or you just have a love for learning new things, I've got the perfect event for you!

Christian Reese and I are hosting a FREE Photoshop Workshop on Saturday September 27 at 10am in the Rock Cafe.

We would love to help anyone and everyone who may be interested in adding another area of expertise to their repertoire.

So don't miss this opportunity, it will be informative and a lot of fun!

swings, slides and xtreme sports

Sonia, Berkeley and I met her parents and our nieces at the park on Saturday, and it was a lot of fun!

here are some vids...

Berk swinging


Berk sliding


the razor scooter


the bmx

the sun sets in Seattle

Yesterday was our final one in Seattle. We commemorated our trip with an absolutely amazing dinner at a restaurant called Salty's. We met our great friends, and Seattle locals, Adam and Heather Bradley there for dinner, and we had a fantastic time!

The view from our table was breath taking, and we planned on eating during the sunset, here are a couple videos I took there...

Seattle

So the last two weeks have been rather busy for me.

The week before last I was in Panama City Beach with Sonia, Berkeley and [r]nation. We had a fantastic time and God rocked some boats!

I came home Friday night, re-packed and flew out here to Seattle after church on Sunday. I'm here with PK, PS, Pash and Dennis for Kevin Gerald's Team Church Conference. This has been one of the most applicable and inspiring conferences I've been to. I've had a blast in Seattle, but I'm really looking forward to flying home tomorrow.

here are a couple of videos that I took with my new Flip-Cam

Seattle


Pike's Market


The very 1st Starbucks!

socializing

It's been a while since I've blogged, but I have been very active otherwise on the intreweb.

I have had multiple myspace accounts for a few years now, but I've been very gunshy about embarking on the whole facebook thing...but I finally caved. I still don't have a clue what I'm doing on there, but I'm up for trying new things.

I've also set up a Twitter account for chicken pop pod, for which I also have a myspace account. So I have successfully done my part to clutter up the web...how about you?

What social networking sites are you a patron of?

How I spent my Summer Vacation

Sonia, Berk and I vacated this past week to my uncle's cabin in Pigeon Forge. All 3 of us were sick the entire time, but it was still great to get-away. Heres a few things that we did while were in the Vegas of the East ::

• fed Teddy Grahams to a flock of wild peacocks

• played Dig Dug and Donkey Kong Jr.

• took Berkeley to the Knoxville Zoo

• ate ribs

• went to Ben and Jerry's

• watched the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history
  

Saturday Matinee

Saturday, my best buds and I will be catching a flick...but not just any flick, oh no, we're going to see IRON MAN! (dorks) Hopefully it lives up to the hype, you can read my review of it Saturday on chickenpoppod.com 

I'm excited about this movie, but I'm pumped about the upcoming Batman sequel! 2008 should be a pretty decent summer for movies.

[pastopher]

Puerto Rico

Here's a couple of pix from my recent adventure overseas...

*true fact :: the national pastime...shopping

the wild world of podcasting

Since November of 2007, I've found myself obsessed with listening to podcasts. I used to be the guy who has to have music playing all of the time, but now I substitute said tunes with some random people's ramblings. This gave my left brain a bit of an epiphany, why not make a podcast your own dang self? So I gathered my faithful friends, and we came up with the idea for a pop culture podcast that was so random and funny, people wouldn't be able to resist it's charm. Thus the "chicken pop pod" was born. 

We've produced a weekly podcast for 8 weeks now, and it's been a lot of fun for all of us. We've recently started gaining some interesting momentum in the pod world that frankly, I'm a little surprised by. A little over a week ago, iTunes featured us on a short list of "new and notable" podcasts in it's comedy section...pretty cool considering the thousands of podcasts submitted every week. Also, today we reached our highest subscription total, along with an absurd number of downloads. I think it's funny, but I honestly didn't believe that anyone else would. 

I'm not blogging this to brag, well...maybe a little, but I'm actually amazed at what a little effort and creativity can accomplish in this day and age. Information is abundant, but unique expressions are constantly sought after. So get up and get out there! Blog, podcast, write, speak, paint, draw, film, whatever...we need more creativity!

[pastopher]

always thinking

You know what's odd to me, there is infinite creativity involved in the entertainment industry keeping us entertained. The catch is, the more we consume our lives enthralled in being entertained by others, the less we ourselves are creative. 

I, for one, am always thinking. My brain never shuts off. I usually can't even fall asleep before 1am, which is a blessing and a curse, but it's because the right side of my brain insists on being most productive after 10pm. 

God forbid that I grow so comfortable in how things are that I stop dreaming of how they could be. His mercies are new every morning, we are new creations in Christ, behold God has made all things new, sing unto the Lord a new song, put on the new wineskin...catch a theme? God is pouring out new thoughts, new ideas and new revelations all of the time, it's a shame that a lot of us are still working with rabbit ears and can't get any reception. 

I challenge you to dream big, think big and go big. This isn't a call to workaholism, but an attempt at inspiring creativity. Some people are naturals and seem to ooze creative thoughts all of the time. It may be more difficult for you to think that way, but do it anyway. Get creative about your life, get creative about your marriage, and for the sake of mankind, get creative about spreading the Gospel. 

[pastopher]

randumb

a few random items for your amusement and education ::

• Cloverfield is a stupid awesome movie...go see it immediately 
• I'm totally into the podcast universe, listening and creating...check out my new podcast along with some buds called "chicken pop pod"
  
• Berkeley turns 1 on February 12...the first year has flown by!
• I'm going high def as of Thursday, I've put it off long enough (just in time for Lost)
• I'm pumped about the relationship series happening @ church (Sundays and Wednesdays)
• I can't wait until February 4th, the debut of our new discipleship meeting "Cente[r]ed...it's going to blow people away!
• The iPod touch makes me happy
• I've been craving a good old fashioned bowling outing
• The new American Gladiators is great television
• Read 1 and 2 Timothy!

braving black Friday

For the last 4 years, Sonia and I have completed all of our Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. It's the biggest shopping day of the year, and it's affectionately referred to as "Black Friday" due to the cut-throat bargain hunters. 

Most people I know refuse to even leave the house on that day, the fear of traffic and generally insane people is too much to brave. I however like to live life on the edge, danger is my middle name. 

It's never as bad as people assume it is. Yes the traffic is a little slower than normal, but it's nothing like daily traffic in L.A. Yes people are a little more intense, but I love being the exception to that, and offer the overwhelmed store clerks some Christmas cheer.  

Sonia and I enjoyed some savings by shopping yesterday, and we did so with smiles on our faces and thrilled by the danger that is black Friday. I don't jump out of planes, I don't climb mountain faces nor do I drag race, my extreme sport is once a year, and we're equipped only with a debit card and our wits. 

enjoy the next 5 weeks of Christmas

[pastopher]

thirty

I turn 30 on Thanksgiving day, WOW, flippin' 30. I've learned a lot on this journey we call life, most of it on accident, but never the less, I caught on. Here are a few of those realizations...

- life is more about relationships than accomplishments

- people will usually disappoint, but God never does

- patience is indeed a virtue, and it doesn't come naturally as you get older

- habits grow harder and harder to break the longer you have them

- you'll never look back and say "I wish that I spent less time with the people I love"

- build God's house and he'll build yours

- talent, ability, attractiveness and effluence are common, integrity, dependability, honesty and unselfishness are far more unique and valuable traits

- for far too many people, good enough is good enough

- doing right is more important than being right

- my wife is the most incredible human being that I've ever met, and I can't stress enough the importance of marrying the right person

- this world needs a lot less hypocritical, sanctimonious know-it-all's, and more gracious, humble and caring Christians

- your priorities determine the quality of your life

- age does not always equal maturity

- pride always leads to a fall

- everything is subject to change

- golf is 90% mental...and it can drive you 100% mental

- being a father is way more amazing than I ever thought it could be

- great memories are priceless

- love is a choice

- 30 is the new 20 =]

[pastopher]

bullseye

I received one of my favorite all time complements this past weekend, it was "you learn quick and move on." That may mean nothing to you, but it thrills me to hear that. It's something that I've been working on for years, changing and growing constantly.

I'm naturally a lot of things that I'm not interested in continuing to be. I'm naturally fearful, but that's not something I wish to keep lugging around. According to Romans 12:2, I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I've grown addicted to renewing my mind as often as possible. I'll target change that I want to see and my life, and I'll aim for the bullseye. 

So many people are oblivious to the power that they posses to change. They accept traits, habits and circumstances as reality. I believe in truth over facts, the truth is that I can change. Let this encourage you to start a lifestyle of growth and progression. Don't allow any interference to deter you from your dreams or goals. I was disorganized, now I'm organized. I was insecure, and now I'm confident. I was lost but now I'm found. Life is subject to change, and regardless of what anyone says, you can be whoever it is you want to be. 

[pastopher]

My Happy Places

Everyone has their happy place. My number one happy place is home with my two girlies. My second favorite place is my church, work or play it's all good. Here are 5 other places that make me very happy...

P.F. Changs - I'm a Chinese food fan, and P.F. Changs does it way better than anybody. Best restaurant ever!

Target - You can find me there every single weekend, without fail. I don't know if it's the red and white, the clean and simple layout or some other intangible, but that joint puts an instant smile on my face.  

Starbucks - Who doesn't love Starbucks? You feel more important with their cup in your hand. I have a mini-party in my head every time I see that green logo with the creepy siren girl. 

Dunkin Donuts - One of the happiest days since Berkeley was born, was the day that I discovered that Dunkin Donuts is arriving in Asheville very soon. Like Kryptonite to Superman, the color yellow to Green Lantern and, um, land to Aquaman...my weakness is the Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts.

Disney World - It is the happiest place on Earth, and I can't think of a fonder place to spend a vacation. Sonia and I have been Orlando faithfuls almost every year. I can't wait to share the magic of the Magic Kingdom with Berkeley next year.

Mac Daddy

So yesterday I received a gift from God and my pastor, my brand spankin' new MacBook Pro laptop. I've always been a Mac fan from a distance, but I've never jumped into the Appleverse. My graphics juices are revived, and the ability to work quickly and efficiently removes some added frustration. It's a lot like life, just kidding...no spiritual content today, only my obnoxious bragging =]

[pastopher]

living a dream

I'll sit from time to time, and try to ponder the gifts that God has given me. When I look at my wife and my daughter, I feel like I'm in a dream. I can't believe that God would bless me with someone like Sonia. She is the most amazing human being that I've ever met. I'm tearing up just thinking about the day we met, and how perfect my life has been ever since. With her I have a daughter that has brought more joy to my life than I know what to do with. Berkeley is an angel, and I'm overwhelmed by her every time she looks at me with her big, beautiful eyes.

I don't deserve the life God has given me, and I'll never comprehend why it's mine. But I recieve it full of appreciation and gratitude. I'll never take for granted how amazing God is to me, and I'll never be able to repay Him.

[pastopher]

maturity

Working with kids brings a whole new perspective to ministry. Here you have a room full of small people with little to no self control. If they feel like laying in the floor and kicking their legs, they do. They will often steal another kid's shoe, and proceed to run around the room with it while you're trying to teach them a lesson from the Bible. They can be socially awkward and totally disrespectful...not unlike my experiences working with teenagers, and adults for that matter.

It amazes me how little we actually mature during the course of our lives. We are born slaves to our own emotions, and we live the rest of our lives that way. As children we hate being told what to do, that feeling definitely remains through adulthood. When it comes to motivation we have always been and tend to always be driven by personal gratification.

Not that I'm the pillar of maturity, but I do feel a steady progression in my faith and my life. I feel a new prompting from God to help the people around me strive for the same thing. If we don't grow up and mature, than what's the point of growing older? The Bible describes the progression of a believer, they may start with the milk of the word, but they need to graduate to the meat of the word eventually.

So let's steadily graduate in our faith. Let's mature on a daily basis, and grow up to become men and women of substance and wisdom. Let's put aside the childish things, and learn from our past lessons. This world is desperate for mature examples, so let's strive to become that for younger people in the faith.

just think about it

[pastopher]

it's my life

Sonia, Berkeley and I are departing for the tourist capital of eastern Tennessee, Pigeon Forge on Monday. My uncle has a sweet cabin there, so we're going to chill for the week. I've got 2 books, 3 graphics projects and some shopping to do. There's nothing I'd rather do than spend quality time with the 2 most amazing girls in the entire world. Sonia is my wife, but she is my bestest friend too. I would rather hang out and goof off with her than anyone else on the planet. Don't think that I'm saying that for brownie points, it's 100% true, besides she never reads my blogs anyway. And people told me that being a dad was pretty amazing, but I had no idea that it would be this good. Berkeley is an absolute treasure, and my life is a million times more fulfilling with her in it.

[r]nation has been incredible the last month or so. It's really leveled up in every area. We've seen over 30 people give their hearts to Jesus in just a couple of weeks. Our video podcast has been unleashed, and we're working on an audio podcast that's packed full of comedy goodness. Pastor Kirk will be preaching at [r]nation Wednesday, it's not often you get a much better speaker when the pastor is on vacation.

KidsRock has been fantastic! The full service is working extremely well. I taught 2 weeks in a row, and I left thinking "I would have killed for this when I was a kid." I'm excited to continue raising the bar, and seeing more and more kids worshipping God.

As much as I love teens, young adults and kids, probably my favorite ministry outlet right now is a discipleship group that I started about 9 months ago. I've got 5 of the most amazing, world-changing guys that I meet with every month. I've been with them through ups and downs, and they never cease to amaze me. The growth, loyalty and dedication in these guys is outstanding. I see God using this group of guys to do the impossible in the months to come.

I've felt a rejuvenation since Wednesday. It's important that we stay connected to God. A cell phone loses juice quick the more you use it. You have to plug it into a power source for a recharge. I feel the same way. It's easy to grow weary in well doing, but I've been really delving deep with Jesus, and now I feel ready to make some dreams happen.

[pastopher]