In Memory of All Those We Have Loved and Lost
for the sons, daughters, spouses, friends...
Please don't stop praying for VT and don't stop believing that we can make a difference on the campuses and the world.
Visit hope for the hokies.com
Image courtesy of Passion
There were reportedly 30,000 runners who took to the streets of Nashville at 7 a.m. this morning for the 8th annual Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon.
On the other side of town at Opry Mills a slow walk marathon was underway as early as 5 a.m. when thousands lined up to answered the casting call for a shot at one million smackaroos on "Deal Or No Deal". 
Good luck to all!
I'm disappointed in myself for not being better prepared with having my camera gear on my person - like an an extra battery! And I missed an opportunity to have my picture taken with Snowbird (the weather mascot)... Darn!
But this was pretty cool:
Via an email from Passion | 268 Generation:
A new Passion Podcast-hosted by Louie Giglio and featuring songs from Passion and sixsteprecords-is available at iTunes today. In light of the events at Virginia Tech, the Passion communiy worldwide wants to continue to pray for the entire VT family, and especially those who have lost loved ones in this tragic event. Our hearts are with you all, and even after the news dies down and the world moves on we will not forget you.
As a show of support for Virginia Tech, and as a statement to the world that because of Jesus light can shine in darkness and life can come from death, we are asking every single person on Facebook to change their profile pic to a VT logo for AT LEAST ONE DAY on Monday, April 30. For more information, join the Facebook group "Facebook United For Hope" and help us spread the word.
In addition to the latest podcast, an EP from Passion is available free at Hopeforthehokies.com to anyone around the world seeking encouragement in these days.
Please don't stop praying for VT and don't stop believing that we can make a difference on the campuses and the world.
Visit hope for the hokies.com
Join Facebook Group
(with apologies to Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life)
Jim Ream’s portrayal of Dr. Funkenswine is the fantasy image most white kids have growing up. Just like Vanilla Ice, as a local Nashville village idiot a.k.a. The Nashville Knucklehead, he dreamed of nothing but playing that funky music (white boy) on bass guitar in bars, hotels and other stages dressed in exotic and outlandish costumes and wardrobes like George Clinton or Bootsy Collins. 
But now he is a father and a Knucklehead. He has left behind his ambitions of being a stud, to invest 70 to 80 hours to be the BBQ meister - Dr. Funkenswine - in Nashville, but those long hours still come back to haunt him. The Mothership BBQ is not a shack, it is not BBQ boiled in chlorine city water and doused with liquid smoke, but rather it’s a vibe, a vision of the chuck wagon days when cowboys used to circle the wagons and tell stories of corrupt sheriffs and illegal cattle rustling over pork roasting over a open pit.
These days, over in Berry Hill, Tennessee at The Mothership BBQ, you'll most likely find bloggers and musicians spin their tall tales of politics, humor and musical knowledge while Jim lovingly hand-rubs every rack and butt that lands on his smoker, baby!
The cranky Mr. Berry Hill controls the zoning regulations in and around the small town and all that stands in the way of the Mothership’s greater success is a beer license and a better location. Some say it’s a conspiracy and pushback over the Parliament-Funkadelic intergalactic message of love, peace and slow cooking of BBQ over hickory smoke in a I want it now microwave oven society.
Then to compound things, last year with the NFL Tennessee Titans striving to do great things with QB Vince Young, people lost their focus on good BBQ over the distractions of PacMan Jones, leaving Dr. Funkenswine hopeless and frustrated with the lack of a good dinner business.
Without telling the full story, Jim considers padding his resume as a way of giving up the smoke to spend more time with his daughter, save some money for college and work at a cushy marketing job. Just like George Bailey, $50,000 from an investor other than Mr. Potter would be just what the good Dr. Funkenswine needs to land the Mothership where life forms that come out at night and a expanded base of paying customers exists.
Just as the bloggers in Nashville and far away places came to sing of the praises of smack your Momma good BBQ and the Crack’n’Cheese, - (see the Flickr links below) - the friendships forged over lunch and subsequent meetups were special indeed.
Could it be that a guardian angel like Clarence, who is an investor sent by God, literally show up and expand the Mothership’s message in SoBro? Could Nashville really be Talking if there was no Mothership? Can we just be all like guardian angels and show a little love by supporting the success of some funky BBQ?
I as many others, feel a special kinship with the many bloggers and friendships forged at that restaurant. Heck, I even have a sandwich special named after me – The Woo Special – two pulled pork sandwiches with extra burnt ends and slaw on top. As a stakeholder, I want a place to go hang and take my guests for a good BBQ sandwich. Read the full story and status update at the Mothership blog. Give the man some hope - "If you've ever eaten at, read about, heard about or dreamed about Mothership BBQ, link to the full story.
Let’s sit aside global warming, who's right or wrong by helping the George Bailey’s of the world - like Jim Reams – and Clarence, the angel investor get his wings.
Mothership BBQ Flickr set
Holiday Nashville Blogger Party Flickr set
Ane Brun has been in "A" rotation on my iTunes playlist.
Worth joining eMusic to grab all of her songs.
Day 115 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Ask Joe. My kind of graffiti | corporate | small business art.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 114 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
I had lunch today with my good friend Dave at Corky's - pretty cool lunch visit to discover that my blog posting / gluttony / consumption of the Corky's BBQ "Pink Cadillac" Feast from February made the famous "We loves some Corky's BBQ" wall of fame - along with Elvis...
Dave and I tried out the pretty darn good Smokehouse BBQ Burger which is a half pound burger topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, crisy onion rings and Corky's BBQ sauce. 
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Nashville is Talking is more than just an aggregator of local weblogs in the greater Nashville area; under the daily watch of Brittney Gilbert, without question, the greatest byproduct has been building a robust and deeply relational community not only via words, but connected friendships via the blogger meetups hosted by WKRN.
My personal life has been greatly enriched over the past two years via this whole blogging _____ (I'm not even sure what to call it). Let's just say I have never been so stretched and challenged in so many ways; I'm not political, but I love listening to people spar over differing viewpoints, meeting techno geeks, being inspired by great photographers and writers, knowing that others have bizarre humor, and yes, having the readily available support when burdens need bearing with one another.
"The site is produced and hosted by WKRN-TV, but the author is Nashville native and long-time blogger, Brittney Gilbert. Working inside the News 2 newsroom, Brittney tracks numerous sources throughout the work day, including blogs, daily publications, wire services, as well as reporters and photographers." It's a tough job culling content on a tiny monitor while occasionally playing dodge ball.
The producer and brain trust of all this community is WKRN GM Mike Sechrist. Thanks Mike for embracing the vision of new media.
Happy Second Birthday - I, as many others, celebrate this growing and vibrant community... next time there's a meetup, jump in - each of our lives need enriching and you can bring your part and add to the tapesty of community.
See what others are saying about Nashville Is Talking
Day 113 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Monster McMansion back in the Belmont area... I'm seeing a lot of teardowns over in the West Meade area where I live.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 112 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Music City USA rocks out on Lebanon Road
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Somewhere between April 9th and today, life got busy and challenging... the drive to capture a photo a day to journal that day's life event, or a slice of a moment in time got lost in the mix of stress and busyness.
But I ready to get the camera back on track... so between day 95 and Day 111 here's a couple of photos... the rest are missing in action... and I'm not into keeping score.
Out near White Bluff, Tennessee on Hwy 100 is where you'll find this barber shop.
Can I show this on this blog? Weekend pranksters at work...
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy joy joy
What a great weekend!
My son Gary dropped in from McChord AFB in Washington state (whom we haven't seen in over a year) since he joined the Air Force to serve our USA where all of us participated at a delightful cookout with our future daughter in law Nora, her parents, family and friends... Chris (our future son in law) and Megan joined in as well... Yup, we have TWO weddings going on this year and...
And on some great news on the home front - which I'll share April 30th - under a non disclosure agreement for now. Let's just say I won't be working from home no mo. Looking for work is hard work, but I'm going to be around some very smart people who are passionate about what they do that will not only take advantage of my skill sets but stretch me as well...
There's a great line that jumped out at me on page 135 of The Blind Side by Michael Lewis; "She [Leigh Anne Tuohy] had watched her own penniless husband turn his athletic triumps into business success and, indeed, a happy life. But there was nothing inevitable about the process; you need to know how to translate one narrow kind of success into another, much broader kind."
I'll have that platform now.
I met up with some new and old blogger friends Saturday who asked how things were moving on the transistion front; and along the way I've received nice emails and phone calls of wisdom and encouragement, letting me that prayers were overflowing on my family's behalf.
Thank you so much - while I've been at times failing personally to do what 1 Peter 5:7 instructs - "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully..." you were there for me.
I am truly a man who is blessed by the company he keeps and by a wonderful wife of 27 years who has endureth much.
Happy happy joy joy indeed.
I would text:
"Just woke up at 3:15 am with big headache. Dreaming that I was laying in bed doing phone interview pulling ticks off me." 3:40 AM April 22 from web
What is Twitter? Mashby knows.
From Many Tweets, One Loud Voice on the Internet NY Times technology article
"The victims came to Virginia Tech from around the United States and around the world, from different cultures and different continents. They ranged from teenagers just embarking on their careers to professors with decades of teaching experience."
- In their honor - a tribute via CNN
Last night at a cookout, I was hanging out with some guys talking about what guys normally talk about - sports! (How about them Preds?)
Part of the discussion centered around stadiums as I and Gary (my son) are on a life quest to visit every NFL stadium. Once, we visited Cleveland to see a Browns/Titans game - to cut to the chase, we sat in a minus 40 degree wind chill complete with snow.... never again.
I've been to Neyland stadium, but never seen a UT game - at the time, i helped coordinate a Promise Keepers mens conference with 33,000 guys in the drizzle. Somewhere I have video tape and photos of Peyton's uniform when we were conducting a site visit.
I've been to Vandy's Memorial Gym several times for concerts when I worked for Warner Records back in the day with U2, The Pretenders, a smoked filled evening with Bob Marley & The Wailers and many others, but never to a basketball game.
So for my flashback of Memorial Gym which I am assuming it's the same as it ever was...
Photo Hunt Theme: Steps
Join the Photo Hunt | View Blogroll | Visit participants.
Steps to the Tennessee Amplitheatre at the Bicentennial Mall here in Nashville, TN.
xxx
I joined the Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt hosted by TN Chick. You too can play: Join the Photo Hunt There's a different theme every Saturday, and it's a lot of fun visiting the community of participants.
Taking a cue from one of my favorite bloggers and all around fine human being, I've got a Friday Random Ten - Volume 3 edition going here.
This list was previously made up from stuff I just happen to listen to at this moment on my Mac; or a few songs from eMusic, podcasts or new/old songs that were ripped from from newly acquired CDs.
This time I just used the Party Shuffle / randomness via iTunes.
1) Open Arms - Journey
2) Don't Blame Your Daughter (Diamonds) - The Cardigans from Super Extra Gravity
3) Jump in the Line - Trinidad Steel Drum Band from Caribbean Island Steel Drum Favorites
4) Since I've Been Loving You - Led Zeppelin from Led Zeppelin III
5) I Want You To Be Mine - Kayak Starlight Dancer
6) Maybe I'm Amazed - Joe Cocker Heart & Soul
7) Braveheart Theme - Enya Blues
8) Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen
9) Give me one reason (live unplugged) - Tracy Chapman & Eric Clapton
10) The Golden Path - The Chemical Brothers from Singles 93 - 03
This is kind of stuff that got me kicked out of art school...
Yet I was able to have a eight year career in merchandising & marketing at Warner Bros. Records.
Available from the dairy case...
Razor blade fun...
Please they're just knees...
I've been processing the Virginia Tech sorrow for some time now. My heart is heavy and I'm moved to tears when I see the images of the students and faculty on the screen.
I think my heart is permanently bent for all college students from the time I lived in North Carolina near the campus of University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and my neighbors who attended Duke University. I understood the loniness of being away from home in pursuit of making a better life via academics or in my case, chasing stock options. The dreams, hopes and aspirations of these students came alive when I would sit on the porch of my apartment "holding court" with my neighbors or students I knew from the church I was attending.
"Hey Kerry, you're an old guy! Tell me about dating, forgiveness, what should I do about this life issue or that life issue..."
And yet, I'm in awe from these students who are in school soon to be lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers... asking me for wisdom and assurance on life's issues. There's a tenderness and sincerity in their questions... Yes, I'm old enough to be their dad and often I was asked fatherly advice.
And today, I need some assurance from my Heavenly Father that will everything be fine. I can't make sense of the evil in this world... what could I possibly offer out of my own being and fiber of my heart and soul? I don't have the academic reasoning or the capacity to express my frustration other than to shed tears and take comfort for now in these words...
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy over your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said
That's all I got for now... I need Peace for despair
Agency: DraftFCB, NY.
Creative Director: Chris Becker, Rodd Chant, Richard Velloso
Art Director: Daniel Prado
Copywriter: Claudio Lima
Photographer: Keith Ross
Hat Tip: ad goodness
Save Darfur
Photo Hunt Theme: Hobby
Join the Photo Hunt | View Blogroll | Visit participants.
I'm a Gadgeteer - that's my HOBBY and I'm sticking to it!
Read my story over at The-Gadgeteer.com and the gear I write about at GearDiary.com. Two fine gadget - gear sites you should bookmark!
I know, not all Asians are geeks, but Pete Townshend did say "All the best cowboys have Chinese eyes."
xxx
I joined the Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt hosted by TN Chick. You too can play: Join the Photo Hunt There's a different theme every Saturday, and it's a lot of fun visiting the community of participants.
| You Are the Index Finger |
 You are ambitious, driven, and capable. You aren't afraid to take responsibility for your actions - or place the blame on whoever deserves it. You are honest, free thinking, and objective. You see things in your own way - and you aren't afraid to let everyone know about it. You get along well with: The Thumb Stay away from: The Ring Finger |
Taking a cue from one of my favorite bloggers and all around fine human being, I've got a Friday Random Ten - Volume 2 edition going here...(with iTunes links)
This list is made up from stuff I just happen to listen to at this moment on my Mac; I grabbed a few songs from eMusic, or podcasts or new/old songs that were ripped from from newly acquired CDs.
1) Coverville 301: The Worst Cover Songs Edition II - The Coverville Podcast
2) Fanfare for the Common Man/Blue Rondo a la Turk - Emerson Lake & Palmer
3) Pass In Time - Beth Orton Feat. Terry Callier from Central Reservation
4) Ya Ya - Lee Michaels from 5th
5) The Greatest - Cat Power from The Greatest
6) Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) - Patty Griffin from Children Running Through
7) In Your Eyes - Ben Harper
8) Bowling Green - Neko Case And Her Boyfriends from The Virginian
9) Indescribable - Chris Tomlin from Passion: How Great Is Our God
10) Gentle On My Mind - Glen Campbell from All The Best
With all of the storm that blew in over the weblogs over the Kirk / Kat ---- , I'm not guaranteeing the authenticity of the document above. (click to embiggen)
The Right To Say What We Want To Say
I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to think -
But I'm looking forward to the weekend to recharge... and breathe in all the good things I see around me - So for now, I'll just do a little link tilling:
Books I'm reading:
"Michael Lewis' new book about football, The Blind Side, makes a counterintuitive argument: that the pivotal position on a football team today is the offensive left tackle." A page turner for me.
Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day
"Redefine your personal productivity by tweaking, modding, mashing up, and repurposing Web apps, desktop software, and common everyday objects. The 88 "life hacks" -- clever shortcuts and lesser-known, faster ways to complete a task -- in this book are some of the best in Lifehacker.com's online archive." A great book and gift from my good (and extremely smart) friend Alexis at Blue Nomad.
TV Shows Tivo'd that I must catch up on:
Planet Earth
The Simpsons
and I've got to watch Stomp Out Loud that my friend Judie sent me - many thanks - you rock!
Things that make me shake my head...
and pray for my friend Kat Stay strong; no weapon formed against you shall prosper.
I love my gear
Stuff I've been using (and reviewing)
Check out GearDiary; We're having a lot of fun using and conversing about the technology that we are blessed to come in contact with.
Labor of love stuff that I must work on:
retill the garden and replant the tomato plants lost from the freeze
Jumpstart the 365 photo a day project
Photograph and write on reviews on the remaining items I have on hand....
More later...
My neighbor just dropped a bug in my ear about visiting Metropolis for the day...
Heck yeah!
"Frank, you know that I gotta take a hundred pictures?"
"No problem..."
Photo credit: Tom Weber for NPR
Superman Returns will bring fresh attention to the fictional city of Metropolis -- and its real counterpart, a small burg in southern Illinois.
In the comics and movies, Metropolis is a city that never sleeps. But as Tom Weber of member station KWMU reports, the Ohio River town of the same name is really more like Smallville, the drowsy Kansas town where Superman grew up.
As drivers on I-24 approach the Illinois-Kentucky border at the river, a sign beckons them to exit and visit the giant Superman statue.
Day 94 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs out at the park.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 93 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Gas and electricity.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 92 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Father and son.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 91 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Squeeze box building.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 90 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Watch your head.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Day 89 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
Ally saying a prayer for me.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
I'm not hopelessly behind on my photo a day project; when life gets in the way of looking at things through a lens rather than a glass half empty with half a loaf of bread, well it's time to get crack-a-lacking and shoot away...
So here comes a flurry of uploading... 'cause I need to remember these slices of life that bring back pleasant moments of time.
Day 88 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!
A dog's point of view.
See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365
Here's the flip side of a gift from a friend who went home to the Lord two years ago. Carved from a bar of Dial soap while he was in prison, it is one of our most prized possessions.
Holy Week
Quotations to stir heart and mind.
Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman
IN THE CROSS IS SALVATION, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection from our enemies, in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the Cross is strength of mind, in the Cross is joy of spirit, in the Cross is the height of virtue, in the Cross is perfection of sanctity. There is no salvation of the soul, nor hope of everlasting life, but in the Cross.
Thomas Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
HE DIED, but he vanquished death; in himself, he put an end to what we feared; he took it upon himself, and he vanquished it; as a mighty hunter, he captured and slew the lion.
Where is death? Seek it in Christ, for it exists no longer; but it did exist, and now it is dead. O life, O death of death! Be of good heart; it will die in us also. What has taken place in our head will take place in his members; death will die in us also. But when? At the end of the world, at the resurrection of the dead in which we believe and concerning which we do not doubt.
Augustine, Sermon 233
THERE IS WONDERFUL POWER in the Cross of Christ. It has power to wake the dullest conscience and melt the hardest heart, to cleanse the unclean, to reconcile him who is afar off and restore him to fellowship with God, to redeem the prisoner from his bondage and lift the pauper from the dunghill, to break down the barriers which divide [people] from one another, to transform our wayward characters into the image of Christ and finally make us fit to stand in white robes before the throne of God.
John Stott, The Preacher's Portrait
EASTER is not the celebration of a past event. The alleluia is not for what was; Easter proclaims a beginning which has already decided the remotest future. The Resurrection means that the beginning of glory has already started.
Karl Rahner, Everyday Faith
Copyright 2006 Christianity Today
I'D ALWAYS KNOWN, in one place in my throat, how Jesus must have cried in the garden--crying not to die, because there was no fear of death, and not to leave his friends, because he walked alone, and not to suffer, because the blood and bruises and thorns were part of his perfection--but crying because he could not find his Father's face, because when he would suffer all that he could bear, the pain of every person, living and dead, in that dark moment, there was really nobody there.
Paul Shepherd, More Like Not Running Away: A Novel
Photo Hunt Theme: Clean
Join the Photo Hunt | View Blogroll | Visit participants.
My granddog Diggy loves to take a bath as often as possible - more so I think to get under the hair dryer.
xxx
I joined the Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt hosted by TN Chick. You too can play: Join the Photo Hunt There's a different theme every Saturday, and it's a lot of fun visiting the community of participants.
Taking a cue from one of my favorite bloggers and all around fine human being, I've got a Friday Random Ten going here...(with iTunes links)
1) Finger Licking Chicken - Radars
2) Baby Can I Hold You - Tracy Chapman
3) Village Idiot - Van Morrison from Hymns To The Silence [Disc 1]
4) Sunny Road - Emiliana Torrini from Fisherman's Woman
5) The Eleventh Hour (Live) - Jars Of Clay from Furthermore: From The Studio, From The Stage (Disc 2)
6) Rubber & Soul - Ane Brun from A Temporary Dive
7) Walk on the Wild Side & Tom's Diner (Ben Liebrand remix) - Lou Reed & Suzanne Vega
8) Goodnight Moon - Shivaree from I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump
9) Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Nina Simone from The Very Best Of Nina Simone
10) Sweet Lullaby (ambient mix) - Deep Forest from Deep Forest
I saw these two LPs at a yard sale...
... right about now in some music mogul's office, a conversation is brewing about getting in the studio to lay down some tracks for a Christmas album. Like its never been done before!
Anyhoo, here's a repost from the WonderDawg archives...
finger lickin' good!
finger lickin' good! 
My dad Wei Hong Woo, was a four star banquet chef at the Washington Hilton for a number of years before returning home to open the Silver Moon restaurant in Richmond, VA (where I grew up in a family of seven).
My dad was a hard working man of honor and for fifteen years commuted between Washington, DC and Richmond, VA where Mom raised us. We never had worldly luxuries, but as you can imagine we always ate well and late during after-the-restaurant-closes hours. I didn't know that midnight spreads of shrimp, pepper steak, egg rolls and other Cantonese cuisine was abnormal. Probably explains why everybody in my family are night owls. As a lover of fine foods and even buffets, my daddy always said wait an hour to go swimming after you eat... which is why I don't know how to swim!
To add to that, never go blogging before lunch; thanks to Larry & His All Vinyl, All The Time blog, I'm starving for some KFC chicken!
Listen to this great song!
A. Good to the bone (ok)
B. Moan inducing (hmmmmm)
C. Really kickin' (I hope not in the literal sense)
D. Finger Lickin' (of course)
E. Worth pickin'
Colonel two step
