ladies and gentlemen, I give you the...

No, I'm not the loser because of the awesome mustache I had in that picture. I'm the loser because, well... this is how it went:

(A real phone call that took place last night between Mikey Mills and myself)

D.O.: Did Laura see her post on my blog?

Mikey: [turns to the side and asks Laura]... No, hold on.

[Time passes while Mikey and Laura read the post written in Laura's honor]

D.O.: Does she love that? I made the picture in GIMP.

Mikey: Yeah, that's good... [increasing snickering in the background] This is real funny...

D.O.: What?

Mikey: Laura didn't answer the question on that post.

D.O.: It said Laura!

Laura in the background: You should click the link on that comment...

D.O.: [Goes and clicks said link]... Holy crap... I'm such an idiot...

All: [Eruptions of laughter]

It turns out that Laura Nutter didn't win (or participate) in the poetry contest. It was Laura Stiller, wife of my Arlington friend, Danny Stiller... I don't know much about her, but, since she really did win the contest, I'll tell you what I do know.

Laura is married to my Arlington friend Danny Stiller. They have a married people blog that I just added to the "theirs" section of my links. She confessed to reading my blog back in March and we here at odfm are very happy to have her. She has about a million different blogs. Her profile lives here. It's overwhelming.

Congratulations Laura Stiller! No congratulations to Laura Nutter.

a (quarter) milestone

This one almost came and went like your odometer rolling over 100,000 miles and you looking at it on mile 100,002. Luckily, almost doesn't count. I caught it just in time. We have avoided a great disaster today my friends.

I've decided to treat this 250th post like a reflection episode of Saved by the Bell. I'll be Zack talking to the camera and when I'm done, things will blur into a look back at some posts of days gone by. (I'm not clever enough to make your computer screen blur between the time you click the links and the page actually loading, so just pretend, and please, click the links, as it will certainly be to your enjoyment... I used to be funnier than I am now).

As many of you know, things here at odfm started way back on May Fool's Day, 2005, with a debut post most have never read and the rest have forgotten. It's mind-blowingly creative title was, "testing..." I was gearing up for my big summer in China, and I planned on using this blog (inspired by one Joshua Langston) to keep the masses updated on how I was doing. Things started off well but really exploded when a post titled "red carpet at the barber shop" boasted double digit comments (thanks to Jon's mom posting the same comment twice). Double digit comments is a feat that has only been achieved 7 other times in odfm history.

Upon arriving back in the States I posted a few posts on reverse culture shock and then I went out on a limb and posted a non-China post entitled "laying out aka lawn mowing." This post was not only significant for trail-blazing a way for odfm to survive in America, it also debuted the first ever total stranger comment by "Immortal Beloved."

At that point in blogging history, you didn't have all the blogs you have today. As I recall it was only Joshua, the Supercinski's, and myself. Of course we weren't the only three bloggers in the world at that time, but in my circle of friends, that was it. In the two years that followed blogging spread like gangrene to the point that everybody and (literally) their non-speaking-much-less-typing babies had blogs.

I've had many posts from that fateful 1 May 2005 to present. The following are some of my personal favorites (in chronological order).

- the bike crash heard round the world
- superhero soirée
- trip results...
- ... down in New Orleans
- Bush, Graham, Osteen and Oliver
- "the sub that hacks"
- first ever contest!
- 75 things that make me smile and/or things I like
- freshman door... an epic
- done and done.
- Reformation Day, 2006
- my ears are still ringing
- undeserved
- perfection
- to all the nay-sayers
- a (quarter) milestone

It's crazy to think about how much stuff has happened since I started this blog. I've thoroughly enjoyed keeping it and you guys are gracious enough to pretend like you enjoy it as well. It's a wonderful blessing to know that most of you readers have been my friends longer than this blog's been alive. I'm sincerely thankful for my readers and I'm at a loss of words when it comes to describing my friends. I'll just go ahead and sum it up with one: love.

Thanks for reading. Here's to 250 more posts...

(note: this entry took longer to create than any other post in odfm history, bar none... in case anyone asks)

how green are you? huh??

So living green and saving the environment are about the coolest, most popular things you can do these days. If you want to be cool, you have to change your light bulbs, recycle, eat organic and carpool. So you're probably wondering, well I wonder how cool I am? Wonder no longer, my friend. Simply click here and take the sustainability test. It's cool. Take it.

After spending the entire 7 minutes it takes to complete this test, you will be able to tell your friends how many planet Earth's would be required if everyone in the world lived the way you did. It's pretty interesting. I'll tell you how many planets would be necessary if everyone lived as sustainably as I do, but you have to take the test and tell me your answer first. Seriously, do it. It'll give us something to talk about next time we see each other.

RSS how-to revisited

Seen that thing before? Wondered what it meant? Well you're gon' find out.

Ok, I must start by saying I've blogged about this before. The reasons I'm revisiting it are two-fold: One, I'm convinced that there are far more people reading blogs at this point in history than there were when I originally posted about it. Two, Lynsey's recently posted about it and apparently had some issues. So for you technologically savvy readers, please pardon the repetition. It's for the good of the whole. Here we go.

Problem: You waste too much time clicking every single link on the Hendrick's blog (and give them an undue amount of pageloads) to see which blogs have been updated that day.

Solution: RSS feeds. Blogs are set up to where you can check them without actually going to them. You'll save heaps of time.

It's important to know that there are tons of different RSS feeds out there, some of them have more bells and whistles than others, and this post is only going to address two different ways to go about doing things.

Option 1: How do I set up an RSS feed? Click that and it'll take you to the post I put up about a year ago, and it shows you one way to install and use one type of feed. It requires that you browse the web in firefox, which you should be doing already. I happen to know that over 60% of my readers are still using Internet Explorer... come on people. At any rate, if you use firefox or are willing to start using it, this is a very easy and low-profile feed you can use.

Option 2: I don't have firefox, and I don't want it, you say? Well let's agree to disagree and then talk about Google Reader. To use Google Reader you have to have an account with Google. Again, this is something that you should already have as an Internet user in the year 2007. If you don't have one, it's super easy to set up (you can do it from the link given above). If you don't want to set one up, go back to option 1. Ok, if you have a Google account, go ahead and click here to see a video explaining Google Reader to you. I could do it myself, but it's already been done, so no need. It's super easy.

So there's a little recap on RSS feeds. If you don't like either of those options, there is still (tons of) hope! Just google "rss how-to" or something of that nature to see other possibilities. If you have any questions or are having issues making either of my two options work, let me know. I like helping people. I'll leave you with a suggestion of how to spend your newfound free time: bake me some cookies (I like them crispy).

jiffy news revisited... sort of

Some of you may have already read Brandon Roger's most recent post regarding news and gossip. He talks about how we like to read stories about all kinds of silly things in personal lives of complete strangers. So there's that.

To further emphasize his point, and to magnify how messed up our priorities as a country are, I give you CNN.com's top 10 most viewed stories as of 1:55pm, September 26th, 2007. I copied it straight off their website.

These are the most read stories of the day. If someone who didn't know what was going on in world affairs (Heather Hendrick) saw this list, they'd think that the third most pressing issue today is the fact that Elton John lost one of his home decorations. Well as it turns out, it isn't.

On a day when monks protesting for democracy in Myanmar are being killed by their country's military, we in America would rather read about how "pets have weight problems too"... amazing. On the heels of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to New York and the absolute verbal beating he received from Columbia University's president as he was being introduced, we read about a celebrities child with a handicap. With religious leaders being sentenced to jail for abetting in rape and Union workers ending their strike for rights, we read about Sarah Silverman jokes. If you wanted the links to any of the stories I dubbed "lesser" you'll have to visit CNN's website.

Seriously, there are ten stories more important than the ten that have been most visited on CNN today. I'm not sure who to point the finger at here. I started to point at the general new-checking public for valuing silly, mostly pointless stories over stories of substance. Then I decided to point at the media for feeding us the stories (and perspectives) that they feed us. But the reason, arguably, that media gives us what they do is that they know we love it. It's a messed up cycle. Thoughts?

Now is the cycle messed up enough to motivate me to revive Jiffy News? (No link provided for JN because it is, at this point, dead). Not sure. That remains to be seen.

you heard it here first

Remember me? I'm the Bum Drum! You might recall the time long ago when I posted an entry on Josh Langston's late blog. I know, you probably don't remember. To some of you, that name Josh Langston may ring a bell way back in the depths of your memory, others will just see it as a nice sounding name. He's real nice actually, and he used to sit his nice little tush on me and play me to accompany the now immeasurably famous Lindsey Kane. She doesn't need us anymore... but that's not the purpose of this post.

I took over D.O.'s lame blog to inform you of a blog that has the potential to surpass any blog you've ever come across (save of course Heather's, whose popularity would be matched only if Father himself started a blog). Mr. Josh Langston has in fact resurrected his blog! Can you believe it? If you answered yes, you're lying. That link I gave you at the beginning of the post... it's old. I was teasing you. All you really need is this one. It'll take you to the same place you'd go if you clicked "Joshua Langston" in the sidebar of D.O.'s blog (for future reference). Feel free to join Josh as he abandons me, his formerly beloved drum, and he embarks on a journey called medical school and marriage. Good stuff friends. Go! Read! Learn! Rejoice!

got an hour?

Here is a recording of one of my favorite people whom I have never met being interviewed by a lady on my favorite radio station. Shane Claiborne on NPR. Ol' Shane sound familiar? He wrote the second book I ever reviewed on this blog, back when posts were interesting and fairly well-written. I actually don't entirely agree with everything he said in this interview (he was handed some pretty tough questions), but I still like him and I still want to be his buddy.

all things cool

Meet my two cool friends, Kim and Natalie (affectionately known as Kimmy and Nat-town, respectively). As if you weren't already sure that they were cool based on the picture, let me share, in no particular order, a few reasons why they are cool:

- They love Father
- They have cool shoes
- They have cool hats
- They have each other
- They have cool pictures of themselves such as the one above
- They are short

And as of just hours ago, they are cool for a new reason: Vagabond Clothes.

That's right. My two cool friends have started their own clothing line in hopes that people may accept the invitation to become as cool as they are. You too could own the very cool shirts seen on my friends' backs. Go ahead, click the link. Look around the site. You might see some familiar faces...

Speaking of cool, it goes without saying that whoever took the picture above probably personifies cool. Well he does. Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew Shepherd, my third cool friend, and the latest addition to my links.

go for it

Go ahead and read Heather's latest semi-long post and join in the conversation. For most of my readers, this is a very relevant conversation that we need to be having (that sounds real emergent... sorry). If you feel worried about joining the comment-conversation, don't, because you certainly won't be the first random person to post comments on the Hendrick's blog. So join in! Learn. Rejoice.

Ninja Warrior!!

I really really hope to have an opportunity to participate in this competition when I'm over in Asia. If I don't get to do it over there, then I want to build the course in my backyard upon returning. The video you just watched/are fixing to watch is round 2 of 4 rounds. If you'd like to watch a 9 minute video of the only human to ever complete all four rounds, click here.

Aren't you non-cable people feeling jealous right now? Well good. You probably shouldn't be.

super power

The other day conversation in the break room turned to the ever-popular topic of choosing for yourself a super power. Unwilling to compromise my creativity by answering with a typical "flying" or "being invisible," I racked my brain to think of what extra-human ability I'd grace myself with. I decided I'd like to have the capacity to read extremely fast, while being able to retain all of what I read. How fast? Somewhere in the ballpark of reading all the books in my local Barnes in an hour.

This break room banter wouldn't normally have made it to a blog entry (though I'm sure you've noticed the blog's significant decline in excitement since graduation) had it not been for my very cool discovery on Wikipedia tonight. Wikibooks! More specifically, the Learn Chinese book. How cool is that?

I'm pretty sure the on my list of things to do before I leave for Heaven there lies an item called "Learn another language." Note that I'm just pretty sure, I'm not entirely sold on it yet. If I were to pursue learning another language, I think I'd like it to be Chinese. Upon mastering the second tongue, I could instantly talk to a new third of the world's population! So many new friends could be made. All thanks to Wikipedia. What a brilliant thing.

What are you going to learn? Share!

well dang it...

I've been trying to update this thing for a while, but blogger needs to get find a stick and get on it.

You folks who've read this for thing for a while know I've got some personal qualms with adding posts sans photographs. Well I've attempted, numerous times, to put up a picture of my rad new keyboard that my overly gracious parents gave me for Christmas... all to no avail. That has been the reason for my lack of posts. That and the fact that I've still yet to have someone take me up on the ski offer. I've got four days in a row off coming up starting Thursday. If you don't watch me I'll drive up there by myself.

Anyway, I just wanted to throw an update your way so as to relieve any fears that I was missing. I'm not. I'm right here. Come see me. And while you're on your way, thank God for making it cold outside, no matter what Heather says.

Oh, and while I'm in the process of making this, perhaps my worst post in the history of online diary for the masses, let me point out the newest link on my list over here to the right: The Chases.

Good News!

Since today is Black Friday and I survived it (praise God) I'd like to share something with you that I planned on sharing even if I hadn't survived the madness that is retail on the day after Thanksgiving: Andrew Peterson. If you are ready to have your mind literally explode for lack of other options because it is so happy, then click the link above. It'll take you to Andrew's website, where you will then click, "Open Player" (ah heck, how about you just click here). Once you successfully click the "here" or the "Open Player" link, a window will open and it will start playing [arguably] the most mind-blowing Christmas album that will ever grace your ears. Go ahead. Even if you hate Christmas music, this is different. And if you love Christmas music, then I've probably already sold you, you're half way through the first song.

Remember my post about music and how awesome and powerful it is? I referenced a certain album that literally brought me to tears because it was so good? Recall? No? Well this is that album. I recently ordered and received the live concert DVD version of the same record... also amazing. I rarely recommend music on this blog, but if I didn't tell you to listen to this album, I'm pretty sure I'd be sinning. It's about 45 minutes. Just do it. I bet you Jesus shows you something through it. Stop reading, and start enjoying the magic of true musical fusion... then come back in 45 minutes and tell everyone what you thought... if you can see through your tears.

I'm so employed!

Sometimes in life, you just gotta do what you gotta do to make ends meet. That's why I've recently taken another job (other than the beautiful one at REI). That's right. I'm now officially Chief Jiffy News Correstpondent -- something I will certainly add to my existing resume. For my debut news update, click here. (Or right there where it says Jiffy News ---->)

spectrums and free tunes

There are no shortage of spectrums that we can find ourselves on in this life.

Conservative - Liberal
Calvinism - Armenianism

As popular as the preceeding are, another spectrum that is more popular now than it ever has been is the one of how people view downloading free music off the internet.

Stealing - It's there, I should be able to have it

Those are kind of the two mindsets I've come across. I tend to favor the former and Aaron Hendrick is the poster child for the latter.

The final spectrum, or continuum, that you can find yourself on would be the level of which you enjoy Derek Webb's music.

Hate it - Love it

This post is to let you know that regardless of where you find yourself on any of the afore mentioned spectrums, Derek Webb has opened up the doors to the masses and allowed them to download his newest album, Mockingbird, for free. All you have to do it click here and enjoy.

brand new format

Today as you read my blog, I would like you to take a look over to the right of the text you are currently reading and notice that I have added four blogs to the "also worth your time" list. If you want to laugh, I highly recommend Anson's or Hayden's blog. If you want to cry (and I'm not joking) then do not tarry and click on The Parents Hendrick or my girl Brookie's blog. That's your assignment for this blog entry. I'm not kidding. You're done here.

kitten cannon

Some of you may be wondering, what is this rancid display before me? Others of you are in awe at the essentially unfathomable number before the two letters "ft." Regardless of what you're thinking, I felt it was high time for an update to this blog, and seeing that I haven't any new pictures worth posting, I thought I'd let you all know that I broke 2,000 ft in my favorite game, Kitten Cannon.

Sorry for the weak post... I'll bring the bar back up next time. Promise.

my best kept secret

When I first discovered this amazing resource, I opted to keep it to myself. I was often tempted to tell a colleague or put up an away message in it's regard, but I resisted the temptation... until now. I decided that if there was any place I should reveal this magnificent discovery, this blog would be the place to do it, because only the Supercinski's and the occational Joshua Langston will be enlightened to my secret, which, in all honesty, they probably already know about. What is this great secret you ask?

Google Earth

This amazing resource allows you to travel the globe from the convenience of your computer desk. Granted, you won't get the full effect of having visited the countries you "travel," but I promise you'll be impressed by the speed of the plane rides, and the selection of tunes you can listen to while you move about (see your own personal music folder). Now, I'd like to give just two examples of things one can do with this program:

Look around the 10-40 window, or any other windows you may have come up with:


Even take a satellite view of your house:

So that's that. I thought it was amazing. There are many other features on there, lots of labels and things you'd never really imagine. So I encourage you, go ahead and download it, see if you like it, and leave tons of comments on my blog. cheers.

things I missed while abroad

I got back to the states to find out some things that have been going on, some of them made me happy, some I was indifferent about, but I thought it interesting that so much can go on in one month, so in case you haven't left your toilet in the past month (but still have internet access), here's some stuff that happened:

- le Tour de France is underway, with Lance Armstrong - sick cyclist and not that tight a person - attempting to win his unprecidented of 7th Tour
- the Wimbelton came and went, and Roddick lost...
- Kenny Rogers went ahead and lost his temper for the entire nation to see
- a Supreme Court Justice peaced out on the job, making it an interesting story as we see who fills the void.
AND THE KICKER:
- tons of faith-based and anti-poverty organizations have united to fight world poverty and AIDS in the well advertised ONE campaign. I'm sure this was brewing long before I left, but I didn't hear of it until I got back. I'm not going to tell you whether to support it or not, but I would encourage you to check out their website, read around, and see where that leads. The link is at the top of this post (click on the post's title), and over yonder on the sidebar, where it will rest. I mean, it's just one.org... not hard..