The jukebox at our local Waffle produced two singalongs tonight.  Bohemian Rhapsody and Don’t Stop Believing played a pivotal role in the events of the evening.  I even table drummed.

It’s a homely little place that I didn’t realize was nearby until a week or so ago when I made my second only visit to The House of Waffles.  And I spent the better part of four hours grazing on breakfast food and discussing the depths of Calvinism and Theology.  And I loved it.  At 2:00am in the morning.  Why, yes.  Open 24 hours?  You have my attention.

I’ve been yearning for such a joint where you can meet, have good food and great conversation.  And sometimes you can break into song and get a round of applause from the wait staff.

Which did happen.  And I ‘air guitared’ on my way out the door too.  Cause that’s how I roll.

Like a boss.  A Waffle Boss.

Booyah, baby.

I could talk about how I think this whole “Occupy Wall Street” thing is going to take a terrible turn since it seems it’s been able to do is occupy places, protest vaguely and suck in every fringe group that’s been wading out there in the pool of the left leaning.  It’s started to grate on the nerves of the businesses and citizens that are having to deal with a growing encampment of people.  Important things like toilets, hygiene and other standards that usually are not a problem for a one day protest have flared up in this several weeks long action.  And as far as I can tell they’re not intent on stopping this giant sit in.

I was listening on the radio today as our local AM news station was playing an interview from the guy who put together and made possible a Veterans Memorial that is now facing the growing crowds and a slowly encroaching rabble.  There was the sound of annoyance and mild panic in his voice.  He was genuinely concerned that this good and honest thing he had worked to make possible would be overrun by a bunch of unemployed people who were so angry that they’d just as soon sit and throw a week long fit than attempt to change the system in a more positive manner.

I wouldn’t say I think this whole “Occupy Wall Street” is a crock.  I think in it’s early days it was a good idea. However when things start getting attention and when you’re living in a makeshift camp, things start to happen.  There is a resounding amount of stories starting to creep out about how this pure movement is now turning dark with allegations of sex and drugs starting to become more prevalent.  When you don’t have a central command structure or anything resembling accountability among the patchwork of socialist groups, communist groups, labor groups and other assembled fringe groups you’re no longer on message.

You’re putting out the worst kind of public relations.  It’s a mass of anger with no real direction.

That’s just where I stand.  I actually had a cordial twitter conversation with a Occupy Denver supporter.  So there’s something good here.

Yet I get the sense as this thing goes on longer in New York and across the nation that somewhat haphazardly put together structure is going to start getting strained.  I can only hope that this thing stops being jello and turns into a nice bundt cake.

I attended a Iranian Protest a year or so back on the steps of the State Capitol.  These men and women had passion for their country and the people they loved within in it.  They knew what was happening back home to their relatives and friends.  They held a deep hatred towards the government that was killing and destroying the lives of people that deserved to be free of the insanity that was serving as their President.  It was inspiring to see them stand up and let their voices be heard.

When I look at the Occupy movement, I’m not inspired.  I’m find myself experiencing a unusual feeling of indifference to college students who have debt for degrees that are over represented in the crowded marketplace or have had their entire industry fall out.  Those jobs may never recover and that industry may never return to the glory of yesteryear.  I find it hard to support the causes and demands when talk of sharing money, taking money from people who’ve worked hard to earn that money, and this idea that someone owes you something.

Maybe it’s my politics.  Maybe it’s because I’ve had to reinvent myself numerous times since the age of 15 1/2 when I started working.  It might also be that I never finished college and with nothing but the knowledge I’ve gained over the years and the struggle to find a career that fits and has strength, I’ve found myself where I am.

Maybe it’s an issue of perspective in that I’ve not grown up in the world the Occupy Movement seems to live in and believe in so passionately.  Perhaps I’ve just seen another side of these United States of America that I’m unable to comprehend this picture they’re painting on this canvas of confusion.

I’m not saying their wrong.  I’m saying I mostly disagree with their methods and am increasingly worried it’s going to be their greatest downfall.  People will get tired of them trying to block traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge.  They’ll find the effort to separate all the different groups, ideals and goals tiring and irritating.  Businesses, the city and the people that manage the parks and properties they’ve camped out on will find their patience running out on a movement that can’t seem to pick a direction and has done the next best thing.

Sat down and refused to get up.

Am I wrong?  Right?  Insane?  Or part of the nasty Right Wing Conspiracy?  Use the comments if you’d like or reply at me on twitter.

But I’ll hold off on unloading all my reverbanations on you today and go with the carefully worded prompt from high on NaBloWriMo - Given that Autumn is busting out all over, which is your favorite season and why? Alternately, which is your LEAST favorite season and, of course, why?

My favorite season is Spring here in good ole’ Denver.  Spring brings the thaw but it also brings the thunderboomers, the storms and the always tempestuousness of Mother Nature’s nasty side.  This last year was a particularly barn storming year for weather in the Denver Metro area.  Flooding, wind driven hurricanes and more thunder to top it all off.  Boulder had a few scares and thankfully it appears Fall and Winter are here to bring some sense of calm to the whole occasion.

Which is why alternately I have to poke my nemesis with an ugly stick.  Winter.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the snow.  I love the wintry sensation the holidays’ bring out with that cheery feeling mixed with hot chocolate and the usual Christmas time sounds from the stereo.

I however do not appreciate, love or otherwise wish to tolerate the drivers that Denver has inherited from other states.  I’m glad this place has inspired you to see why indeed this city is quite possibly the greatest place to live out your existence.  The constant sun.  The amazing amount of things to be done around and just outside town.  The beautiful people.  It’s a great package.

However I do not enjoy having to deal with your driving in the snow.  Your inexperience.  Your hesitation.  The absolute freak out the world is coming to an end Armageddon is knocking on the front door manner in which you deal with snow, rain or something other than the dry road.  You make me want to move to Mars, Canada or if they’re accepting refugees – Alaska.

I think it’s because my love of Denver is being tempered by the growing amount of people. And perhaps that is ruining a once pure white as snow love of the winter season.  So, I’ve got the solution.

Time to start deporting people who can’t drive in snow or rain.  I suggest we create a ticket system with a points value denoting how many times you’ve been shown to be unable to drive in the wet. And we start drop kicking ‘em out of the state.  I mean that literally.  Construct a device to drop kick people out.

I think it’d be genius.  Who’s with me?

Never in my previous jobs did I ever have someone that high on the ladder ever sign up to go volunteer on a weekday night to help in the local community. His schedule is probably full of things to do, places to be and at the end of a long work day it would just be too much for most to throw down for that extra two hours. And yet here is the big man himself working side by side with us in getting stuff done. I quite literally wanted to hug him.

Project Cure is a great group that sends left over and perfectly suitable medical supplies across land and oceans to get people the healthcare they need so badly in far off countries where it quite literally so below standard the word standard isn’t even in their vocabulary. And so the project asks that groups and companies sign up and arrange to come volunteer to help. We knocked out a good portion of supplies and even helped box up, sort and get stuff ready for shipping. How flippin’ awesome is that?

Think about this for a second. I sorted supplies that will someday soon help someone survive. Something that will bring them comfort, hope and a future. Two hours was all it took for me to help the process along. All it takes to touch a life and reach a far off land without leaving Denver.

I intend to go back and volunteer some more with them as I do stuff with my church but I have yet to take my talents and skills outside of the church walls. That ends today. Will you take a challenge like this? Will your local company? Two hours in the early evening is all it can take to change a life and a future of any number of lives.

Will you help? Check out Project Cure’s website for more info.

The idea of the presentation is that my young brother is getting married next year in January. I have resolved to stop him (read the sarcasm people) for many reasons. I will lay these reasons out in detail in my presentation to give you a complete (and totally fake) picture of why I’m strapping on the SWAT gear and renting a Blackhawk helicopter to lead the charge.

And so I will be asking, pleading and begging with you to vote for me. If not for the fun of giving me the chance to break out of my shell and succeed at my project…mabe the experience of seeing me ultimately and spontaneously combust on stage amidst all the lights, projectors and staring eyeballs burning through my very soul will give you something resembling fulfillment..

So there’s that. Can I count on your vote when the time comes? Will you lend the hand that needs lendiing? I’ll give it back. I promise.

Stay tuned for voting details!

Thoughts?

If you look down in comments you’ll find two amazing Men of God who lay the case out pretty effectively. Scott Roche (spiritualtramp) and Jason Ackerman (jasonmonster) are two fairly well balanced Christian men of whom I’ve had the honor to work on a few things with and as far as I can tell, they know what they’re talking about.

The bottom line is quotes and ideas that both Scott and Jason point out. This one got me (and Scott) going. “I just didn’t feel God would tell a person to deny a big part of who they are and to keep it a secret.” When you sign up to be a Christian (as the name implies – CHRIST-like) you’re setting yourself apart from the world of sin. Mind you, we’re going to sin everyday but the focus of being a Christian is to work against that part of our humanity. We strive to be Christ in everything we do and if we’re going to even break even on that agreement we’re going to have some rules about what is cool and what is not cool.

In the eyes of God/Jesus/HolySpirit, the act of homosexual sex is a sin. We can’t argue with that. When you sign up with God it’s a whole new ballgame. Accepting Jesus into your life and heart is an agreement to turn your life over to Him and what He commands. You can’t start making up your own rules about the basic tenets of Christianity because it makes you feel better or because you think it’s the way it should be. If Christianity isn’t your bag (and it certainly isn’t for everyone*) there’s plenty of other religions out there and probably multiples willing to be more liberal and free with certain things.

*When I say it isn’t for everyone, I was meaning to say not everyone makes the choice to join up. Everyone should have the choice to choose Jesus but if you aren’t willing to sacrifice yourself and the sin you’ve worn for so long…as they say “YOR DOING IT RONG!”

Jason breaks it down in comments with this nugget -

It’s an issue of crossing the line from saying ‘we love you no matter who you are or what you’ve done, and believe there’s a place in God’s familiy for you’ and ‘your sin is justified, because God wouldn’t possibly want you to be unhappy’. That’s a dangerous line to cross, in my opinion. It actually IS a sin to act in accordance with your nature – that’s the whole point of redemption, that our nature is exactly what is stopping us from being in relationship with the God that created us.

The last point I’d like to make (and it’s one I’ve made more times than I care to count) is that Christianity can’t be reinvented, reworked or reimagined. (kudos to grant on twitter for saying, “”Christianity can’t be reinvented, reworked or reimagined.” Isn’t that the entire history of Christianity?” and to that I say I’m speaking more or less to “modern” Christianity and I hope that makes sense…)

At the end of the day it’s about Jesus, you and living a life according to Him as best as you can every day, day by day.

And if you aren’t down with that…well, that’s your decision. And I ain’t about to try and run yours or anyone else’s life. I have enough trouble keeping mine out of the repair shop.

Writing for the ten year anniversary of the Columbine Massacre is without a doubt a tall order, as I am learning. To try and pull the last ten years together into one simple post is something I didn’t expect would be this hard, but it has become a great weight upon the heart and soul. I’ve completed about 684 words and it’s a very rough draft. As I wrote it I began to feel those old memories and feelings bubbling up again from the depths.

You know those feelings. Your stomach starts tying itself into the most complicated knot known to man. The heart sags heavy in your chest. Something pushes heavy on the top of your throat. Your mind bristles at each word typed, the powerful waves of emotions threatening to break free from your eyes.

Trying to pull everything together into a neat little package that has the necessary punch in prose is a challenge. I want to make this matter. I want to honor those we loser all those years ago. I want to bring something new to the table. Something each of us can take away for the future that seems without hope. If the last month has been any indication we’re doomed to relive Columbine over and over and over until the end of time.

Writing is my cathartic release but this particular assignment is pushing the boundaries. It threatens to be the symbolic harsh pull of the band aid from a long simmering wound. While I normally would welcome such opening of the rusty floodgates part me is nervously anticipating where this will take me. Will I open a dark dank door to the soul that will require a herculean effort to close? Am I prepared for the roller coaster ride that may come about?

When I originally thought of the idea of doing this for the blog I said I did this because I never wanted the word “Columbine” to fade from the memories of this generation and the next. What I didn’t expect was how it would effect myself in the here and now. Perhaps this is for the best. Somehow through writing this, pursuing the answers of my heart and finding the point there will be some kind of redemption.

I suppose that’s the power of the written word. It can change, it can open minds and to a point even heal the heart and soul.

WordPress has spawned Wordcamps worldwide. Over the years it’s been happening overseas which if nothing else exhibits the growing reach and strength of the software. Denver has been without since the start. Mind you, there’s no shortage of superstars of both the blogging world and WordPress in the metro area. If the line up at Wordcamp Denver was any indication we were almost overdue for one of these events.

I won’t bore you with the play by play of the day. I will give special props to the Denver Art Museum for being such gracious hosts. With over 200 people occupying the facility at any one time it was handled professional and with great courtesy. It was amusing seeing the stares of the patrons as the army of geeks came and went through the day. We even broke their wireless internet in the morning. They attacked the problem during the lunch hour and as we all returned it was announced the internets were working again.

The morning session was fairly typical and strong with good speakers. The founder of WordPress made his standard State of The Word and gave us a peek at the next version. Founder of the LOLCATS, Ben Huh brought down the house with his (count it) twenty two minute presentation that spawned intense discussion and brainstorming among just around everyone. His perspective on “Mr. Potato Head” as a method to putting together and creating a blog/image was fascinatingly fresh and inspiring. I won’t lie. I drooled a little bit as he spoke.

The website panel was a little dull for my tastes but I’m sure people in the audience appreciated it. I skipped out on Jane Wells and “Open Source Community” to grab food since I was an idiot who woke up late.

You can see a list of the speakers outlined on the web site here. The afternoon brought us the breakout sessions. Like a boy before Prom, I tried so very hard to understand the technical aspect. Sadly that breakout nearly broke my brain. I jumped back to the blogging session. The last three speakers in the afternoon were the most impressive. Gil Asakawa talked about blogging and the media. Gil used to run the old Denver Post Bloghouse (of which I was a link in the lower sidebar at one time) and he has some interesting perspectives.

His session was derided by a few on Twitter but I enjoyed it as it helped set a great foundation for understanding of the new world of media. How bloggers and the “real” media fit into that puzzle of prose is on an ongoing conversation. I’m a firm believer in the social media aspect becoming a larger part of not just media, but companies and organizations. The power of good writing and connective communities is for the moment a growing movement. This is something certain companies are learning. My example is AMC Theatres and the recent Oscar Showcase last weekend. They got bloggers, twitter people and even had a hashtag for the whole thing! (hashtag was #amcbps for those interested)

Later in the afternoon Dave Moyer stepped onto stage and at the (totally not) precocious age of sixteen pulled an Elvis in Hawaii by blowing nearly everyone in the audience away. I had no idea who he was and most of us were unaware of his product, radio show and contributions. After Saturday however, I can assure you his name is very much out there more than it ever was before. This young man was able to present a fully thought out presentation to a room off 200, answer questions, use humor and manage it all without throwing up. He’s ahead of me in at least that respect. Did I mention he’s 16? Benjamin Buttons got nothing on him!

I called him a toddler on twitter but it wasn’t meant with offense. I just was observing what it felt and looked like to a nerd like me. He out nerded me! My mild ego had a small seizure but recovered after a few strokes.

The last and some would argue best of the day was Micah Baldwin. Putting on the aura of a “regular Joe” he was the last to take the stage. It was a good thing as Micah ended Wordcamp on a pretty solid high note that left everyone pumped. If you were watching the twitter hashtag #wordcampdenver through the day you would have seen the twitterati talking about the event with those outside and inside the event. Reviews for most of the other speakers were acceptable.

The power of twitter was evident (and still is as the days pass since) as the specific strong moments in the talks were then thrown out into the twitterverse. The hashtag started trending mere minutes after the event started and it didn’t stop until it began to wind down. From what I can recall, we stayed on the top ten hashtag list all day. Sitting in a room watching everyone with a laptop (and there were a plethora of screens showing twitter and tweetdeck) as the conversation played out before me was a unique experience I can’t even begin to quantify. Surreal and thrilling are the words that probably fit the best.

Overall for a first Wordcamp in Denver it was a great start. Some things will need to be improved for next year. I’m intrigued to see what speakers we end up with and how different the WordPress World will look as it changes, morphs and evolves over the next 365 days. That’s the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to WordPress.

While other platforms stall, grow stale or simply stay with the times WordPress is on the move. Rocking and rolling down the superhighways of the internet, it’s an unstoppable train of geeks, nerds and whoever else is along for the ride. Long live WordPress.

Updated: PHOTOS!  here!

Preshow:

Milk Discussion Part 1

Milk Discussion Part 2

The Reader

Ben Button

Slumdog