For several years I have had conflicting feelings: my love for coffee and my desire for free WiFi. This is where matters get complicated. Tonya and I have owned stock in Starbucks since 2000 and I love the company, how they do business, and their coffee. But they do not offer free WiFi access. Instead, they require you to have a t-mobile account.We already have broadband access at home and I'm too stubborn to pay for another ramp to internet access. So ... what I've been doing is going to independent coffee shops that offer free WiFi. Since I'm working out of the house, it's a great way to get out among people. But it also means that I'm not going to Starbucks.Hence, the conflict.Until now. The technical term is called "tethering." I'm actually typing this blog via a connection between my cell phone and laptop. Since my phone has…

Thanks to a friend from LifePoint, we received two free tickets to the Russian National Ballet's performance of Swan Lake at the CA Performing Arts Center. I decided to take Hannah and make it a daddy/daughter date. As we were getting settled in, she asks me, "Will they be saying any words?" And not a single word was spoken the entire night!From an artistic standpoint, it was a beautiful presentation. The dancers all weighed 110 lbs and had muscles that put me to shame. The set was nicely appointed and it was an all-around fun evening.Hannah and I brought the average age down to about 63 or 65. I was actually surprised at the number of middle-aged guys (40 and above) who actually appeared to be paying attention. I nodded off two or three times during the first half -- not due to a lack of interest but more so…

LifePoint has the following volunteer opportunities! If you're interested, please email Pastor Ken for more details (and probably a free cup of coffee).Community Service Coordinator. This person will help locate, coordinate, and publicize community service opportunities. LifePoint desires to be a church that serves our local community in practical, tangible ways.Athletic Coordinator. This person will be the point-person for initiating athletic opportunities. May include one-time events like volleyball, frisbee golf, or ongoing activities like softball leagues, etc.KidPoint Teachers and Helpers. We are looking to include additional teachers and helpers in our KidPoint ministry. KidPoint is offered during our 10:45 gathering and teaches toddlers through 4th graders. LifeGroup Leaders and Hosts. LifePoint emphasizes small, intentional groupings of people known as LifeGroups. These groups meet on a regular basis for study, support, and encouragement. We are looking to launch additional groups and need leaders and/or hosts. Groups can meet in homes or…

OK, I like gadgets that have a degree of functionality. Hence my first blog from my Pocket PC (Sprint PPC 6700). It runs the windows mobile OS and has wifi/bluetooth/evdo built in. EVDO is really slick -- it allows me unlimited data transfers wherever sprint has a cell connection. The phone features a slide-out keyboard and the screen automatically reorients to landscape. With the windows os I can also work on documents and then sync them with my laptop. Can you tell I'm excited?

I must admit something ... I like sitting by the window when working at a coffee shop. This afternoon, I'm doing some adminstrative stuff at Cosmos in La Mesa. Just outside the window is La Mesa Boulevard. It's always interesting to take a moment's break and watch people walk by -- especially those who don't know you're watching. Without the benefit of sound, I play a little game trying to figure out what they're talking about. I sometimes do the same thing with the television -- it's a good little exercise.I believe most people don't either use or train their powers of observation. We simply let life roll by without noticing much of what happens.It really is amazing what you notice when you start paying attention!