Entertainment: Put Movies On Your iPod.

Ok here you go. You just bought a new iPod video and want to put the Matrix on it? You say "isnt the iPod a little small to be watching a movie?" Well, yeah, but you can play your stored videos on any tv with RCA cables and a simple twist. Its not that hard to convert your movies, its just a little time consuming.

** Option 1 - If you have a dvd movie you would like to convert to a Quicktime movie go this route.



** Option 2 - If you already have a Quicktime movie on your computer that you would like to put on your new iPod go this route.
1. Download iSquint.
2. Open iSquint.
3. Click Convert File. Pick the Quicktime file you would like to convert.
4. Save as the name of the movie you are converting.
5. Click Optimized for iPod Screen.
6. Pick which quality you want your iPod movie to be (Conservative or Go Nuts)
7. Click Automatically add to iTunes.
8. Start.
9. In several minutes you will have a movie ready to put on your iPod.

Entertainment: I got gas.

Yesterday Penny & I made a quick trip up to Orange Park, Fl. to visit her family. Its so crazy driving four-five hours north, its like your in a different state. We have our own litte world down here in South Florida. The houses are incredibly expensive (avg. $320,000), the traffic is worse (35 minutes avg. commute), people are snottier (its just a fact, man) and of course gas is more expensive.In Orange Park I filled up my car at $2.12 per gallon. Its funny, yesteday I filled up in Palm Beach County at $2.58 per gallon. Somethin' aint right man! Does somebody know something I dont know?

Entertainment: Just What I Suspected!

Thanks to Mike L. I was fortunate enought to take the "Nerd Test". Just what I suspected, Im officially cool! I scored a 6 out of 100 that means 94% of people are nerdier than I! Wow, I was nervous that I was a nerd. Take the test to find out if you are cool or a nerd!

Thanksgiving.

There are 4 things that I am thankful for. What's interesting is those 4 things are what I blog about pretty much every day. Family, Adoption, Ministry and Entertainment. Let me expound.

Family. I am blessed to be the husband of the most amazing and God-fearing woman. Penny is the love of my life and my best friend. I couldn't imagine life without her. My parents have been married for 39 years. I cant believe how God has blessed me with incredible parents that I consider my hero's. They are the most loving and giving people I have ever known. My sister is a great friend and an amazing mother and wife to her family. She has encouraged me my whole life to be a man of God. And last but definitely not least, my grandmother "Mamaw". She has been such a loving, kind and Godly woman. It is so obvious that she loves Jesus by the way she lives her life and serves the people around her. Thank you all for being there for me and loving me.

Adoption. After 6 years of marriage Penny and I have decided to adopt two children. This decision came after much prayer and thought. We aren't adopting because we cant have biological children, but because we haven't had biological kids and believe that God has called us to Russia to get OUR kids! Thank you God for this amazing opportunity.

Ministry. I serve at the most amazing church on earth. What we do doesn't make sense and doesn't fit the typical modern church. We just make ministry happen through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. I love my pastor (Dan and his wife Cheryl). I love my coworkers (Bryon, Mike, Jeff, Nancy, Bill, Justine, Penny, Roger, Bryan, Lyndsey). I love the students that the Lord has placed in my life to be their shepard. Thank you Lord for placing me at Calvary Chapel. Help me to serve more and harder for your Kingdom.

Entertainment. Now this is where it gets a little shallow. I am so thankful for TV, shows in particular: Smallville, Lost, Biggest Loser, CSI:Miami, Everybody Hates Chris and Sportscenter; TiVo, my iPod, the 'Canes, the Heat, the Marlins, the .....Dolphins, and of course my Powerbook.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Adoption: One Easy Life.

Our Home Study is complete and ready to go into the stack of MASSIVE paperwork. It took 2 months to get the Home Study completed. As I read through the document our Social Worker put together I came to one conclusion: I have had one easy life. I have pasted a piece of the document to let you in on my life a little. I have included some thoughts through out.......

"Christopher has a good relationship with his family and keeps in contact through telephone calls and visits {(pretty much daily & weekly)}. He grew up in Kentucky, Florida and New Hampshire {(25 years of which have been in sunny, easy going SoFlo)} . Chris’s family is aware of the couple’s plan to adopt and all are supportive of this plan. {(I would put it this way, they are more excited than Iam sometimes, really.)}
Christopher remembers being disciplined through rare spankings, {(like 7 or so....)} stern verbal reprimands, removal of privileges and disapproving looksfrom his parents. {( particullarly my mom)} He states this was effective in making him want to abide by the family rules. {(I was scared soft, never really rebelled)} His parents were firm but fair.{( They were and are still incredibly nice)} Christopher plans to help his children understand the reason for their actions and why it is important to make good choices. He has happy memories of observing his parent’s commitment to marriage and family {(for 39 years)} and of family vacations camping {(my dad bought a pop-up camper!!)} and visiting extended family and friends. {(we moved to New Hampshire to be close to my moms family)} He remembers his family as being emotionally close and supportive of him and his sister.{(we often had "Family Meetings")} Christopher does not feel much was missing from his childhood. {( Need I say more?)}

Family: For My Dad.

From the Lambo'

My dad is a HUGE Corvette fan. He showed me these videos and I thought I would post them. Im not a real car guy but this is cool. It's a 2006 Corvette C6 Z06 vs Lamborghini Gallardo with a rolling start on the highway. Both were video'd. So here they are. $165,900 vs $65,000 = $100k cheaper...........You decide, which is the better value?


From the 'Vette

Entertainment: More 80's Crap.

Well here we go again. For those of you who enjoy tv nostalgia here is a real peice of American history. This little clip is dedicated to {ping} & Mr. Preacher who were so touched by yours truley and my last post about the amazing decade of the 80's. I cant believe I watched this show and thought it was cool.

Ministry: Love & Serve.

Tonight I had a 15 year old boy (who is in 8th grade) crying on my shoulder. He asked me to never mention mothers again when I teach. He said his mother died a year after he was born and has never really excepted it. Another 13 year old student standing a few feet away over heard us and said "My dad died a year ago Christmas". I am so blown away at some of the situations that some of the students have and live with. I ask the Lord to help me to love and serve the students and families that He has placed in my life.

Entertainment: More Old School.

Tonight I was browsing the World Wide Web and I came across this site that had old commercials and stuff. It was one of those moments like when you find a $5 bill in a pair of pants you seldom wear, a pleasant suprise! As I watched the various commercials one really caught my eye. Back in the day I remember seeing this ad and being inspired to buy one for my grandparents. The funny thing was I inherited it 10 years later. After having it in my room and getting used to its convenience, my wife asked me to part with it. She said it was a bachelor thing. Who knows, one day I may be inspired to purchase another one of these cool "Clapper" items.

Entertainment: Old School.

On Saturday I took a bunch of middle schoolers to our local Christian music festival. It was one of those days you kinda dont look forward to. It was an all day thing, and I have had my fair share of concert-going. As a matter of fact, I could care less if I ever go to another concert again. I know this sounds jerky, but its true. Anyway, I was not that excited about going to this festival. We all knew that KJ-52 was going to be on one of the side stages. KJ-52 is a hip hopper that has been around for some time now. A few years ago he got some bad press from MTV and VH1 for "dissin'" Eminem. He really didn't, but anyway... I remember the first time I saw KJ, it was probably 10-12 years ago. At the time his stage name was King J Mack. I remember clearly thinking, he was going to go somewhere as an MC. He can really move the crowd. That was then, lets see if he still has it. I mean the guy is pushing 30 (he might even be older?). Can he still move a crowd AND glorify God? Well I was about to find out Saturday. As the concert was about to begin, I noticed there were sound issues and a rather large crowd. Some of my middle school students were anxiously awaiting KJ. Finally, he comes out on stage. Right off the bat, I knew he was on it. He opened with a great song off of his new album. The crowd was moving and happy. KJ was right on. He brought the goods (as an MC, enterntainer and messenger of truth). Check out the video and enjoy!!

Adoption: Protect the Children.

At 6 am today Penny and I drove to a small town outside of Orlando to finish our home study. If you aren't familiar with international adoption, its incredibly detailed and exhaustive. Our meeting today was very informative. What I learned most was the importance of protecting our adopted children from giving too much info to people who don't need to know. Example, many children from other countries are abandonded, abused or have diseases. Thats just how it is. We must be prepared for whatever and MUST protect the children. Our social worker said whatever happened before we adopt the children is THEIR story, not ours to offer our friends and family. She encouraged us to share with our children their story in increments as they mature and if they choose to share with people their story, so be it. God, help us to protect the children you have for us.

Entertainment: Bigfoot Sighting.

Recently I watched some episodes of "Scare Tactics" on Sci-Fi Channel. Now lets get something straight, I'm not a Star Trek or Battlestar Galatica fan. I just like seeing people act like idiots and this video depicts that. Please enjoy.



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Family: My Church.

This past Sunday my church got back into the flow of things after 2 weeks of not meeting in our usual place (thanks to Wilma!). When God ordained the whole church thing He really knew what He was doing. I couldn't imagine living life without this group of people at Calvary Chapel. There is something supernatural that happens when a bunch of God's kids get together. It was amazing to worship with my family in the faith. I thank the Lord for my church, my pastor (Dan Plourde), and rest of team I work with.

Entertainment: I Love the 80's.

Recently Penny & I were watching a VH1 show called "I Love the 80's: 3D". This is their latest installment of shows that reflect and make fun of the decade. As we were watching, we found ourselves cracking up laughing. Do you remember "Buck Rogers". How cheesey! It was all about Buck and this little robot guy, Twiki. Itty-biddy-biddy......How about when EPCOT Center opened up. I remember this very well. My family went like 2 months after it opened. How dissapointing. The Disney people built it up to be some futuristic fun spot, when it was really a boring excuse of a theme park. What about Intellivision? Was my family the only one to have this gaming console? I must admit I was addicted to the Baseball game they produced. Malls were the place to hang, and Orange Julius was the specialty drink to consume as you strolled around and loitered in the mall arcade. I dont know about you, but its fun for me to reflect on the "good ole days'. 1985 was a good year, but 2005 has been amazing. 2006 will be even better! I thank the Lord for the good life He has given and the people He has put in my life over the years.

Ministry: Being Flexible.

Over the past several years I have had the amazing opportunity to be part of a church that doesnt have a building. As odd as it may sound, I really like it. I mean dont get me wrong, Im not saying I want to be facility-less forever, but I do enjoy the daily and weekly rush of "putting it together". For example, last week we were in a situation where we could not meet in our regular leased facility, so we pull together and find a place that can house 300-400 people. In our High School Ministry, we couldnt meet. So, we put together a last minute deal at the local beach park. Unbelievably, we had 40+ students show up! All on a last minute effort to just get our Students reconnected. We have had the same situation all week, including Wednesday, when our Middle School Ministry meets. The facility was shut down, so we put together a last minute deal at the local christian school gym. 40+ kids show up! Its so cool to see that God doesn't need a facility to make ministry happen. Although it will be nice when we do have a facility, I'll take the situation we have now, and make the most of it!

Adoption: A Big Step Forward.

As Penny and I proceed with our adoption of two children from Russia we have to be approved by a state Social Worker.The Social Worker makes sure we are suitable to raise and parent children. This is the email we recieved from Patricia Kubiak, our Social Worker. This is a HUGE step forward for us, as we finish our Home Study.

Dear Chris and Penny - We have scheduled a group home study visit in the Floria office for November 11, 2005 at 9:30 A.M. it will last for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. I know this is short notice for you and I do apologize. However, I do need you to get back to me as soon as possible if you will be able to attend or not.
With the holidays fast approaching if we can't get this date in I am afraid it maybe December before we can schedule another group setting.
Thanks so very much for your understanding and we will try to do everything we can to work within your schedule as well.

God Bless,
Pat Kubicek
Florida Manager

Family: Thoughts on Power.

My parents still have no power after last weeks hurricane. As a matter of fact, about 200,000 homes in our county are still with out! You ever think about what life would be like without power? I think it would be more simple. Just thinking about the 3 nights Penny and I were without power. We played UNO under candle light, listened to the World Series through a tiny little transister radio and ate peanuts. We were in bed by 9 PM and enjoyed the simplicity. Then there were the frustrations of our lack of power: long gas lines, no traffic lights, smelly grocery stores, and the obnoxious sound of generators humming at all hours of the day and night. I do think life would be more simple, but I think it would be lousy. I like having power.

Entertainment: My New Toy.

I love gadgets. I have had an iPod for along time, three years! That is ancient in modern tech time! Well, Monday I was invited by my beautiful wife to go to our local Apple Store and purchase a new Pod. Apple introduced thier new video iPod in early October. I wanted one. Did I need one, no. I think the number one reason for wanting one of these little guys is the fact that they are just cool. Look at this thing! You can watch tv shows, music videos, home made videos. You can listen to and store your whole music collection, sync your Calendar and To Do Lists as well as Contacts. Oh, I forgot to mention, you can also store all of you digital pictures on this gadget-of-gadgets. Did I want one, yes! Did I need it? Not really. Dont sleep on this, put it on your wish list, you have to get one of these bad boys. As you can tell by the look on my face, Im giddy.