How it is...

So, California has had beautiful weather since I have been here. No rain and not all that hot - but it is a little too bright for my tastes. Haven't found a place to compare to the upper Willamette valley yet. Rolling hills, green and wet; ok, so I am not too found of the webbing growing between my toes! Ha!

It is always nice to take a little trip now and then. If nothing else, it increases my appreciation for what I have at home. I miss my wife and kids. I can't allow myself to forget how important a kiss from my 2 year old is. I am reminded of the TRUE comfort that having my wife near is to me. It can be freeing not having the daily responsibilities their pulling at you; then when the sun is setting the aching emptiness of your hotel room gnaws away at you.

I look forward to my return home in a couple of days. God has provided once again; even when I haven't matched up to what I think I should have. We have a couch again - yes, it is a hand me down from friends. It is also a God send. My family has not major ailments, David's finger is healing well, Lara's chest pain is only an inflamation of the tissue. The bills are paid for and we have not gone hungry. I continue to work at the struggles at work and succeed - it is hard to not get overwhelmed with all the tasks set before me, even though I have the rest of the year to work on them.

I hope you see God working on your behalf as He is working for me. Be blessed - God is still around, seeking to be found.

My first business trip.

Hail from Oakland, CA... I am on a business trip for my employer. Getting trained means more responsibilities. I can't tell you the details of my training, else I might have to make you disappear - just kidding. I will let you know how my trip is and what I see here in Cali.

Setting Sail -- A Journey of Redemption and Compassion

First-Person Feature by Scott Harrison
May 17, 2005

If you happened to be in New York City late June last year, responsibly on your way to work in the morning, you might have passed me on Houston Street. Disheveled, stumbling and slurring my way home after a night of drugs and debauchery in a trendy SoHo hotel after a gala film premiere. That would also be me you saw on your lunch break across the courtyard, trying to shut out the daylight, stuffing sheets and pillows in the windows.

Ten years had passed since I first embraced New York nightlife. What started out as an exciting and easy way to earn back college money I'd blown in the stock market (shorting Yahoo! of all things) turned into a decade of global travel, social climbing, selfishness and materialism, leaving me with an appalling value system and skewed worldview. This early-morning scene wasn't a first. My New York was one that rarely slept.

I was running an event company I'd started with a friend. We produced events and threw some of the biggest parties in the city. We'd worked with everybody: MTV, VH1, ABC, Cosmo, Elle, Stuff . All the big record labels. Top models and fashion designers. Big brands thought so much of us we were covertly paid big bucks to wear and consume their products.

My life was enviable from the outside. I went out with a top model. Wore a Rolex. Did TV commercials. I was about to be given part ownership in a trendy new restaurant. Fashion weeks were spent in Milan and Paris -- New Year's was a three-week long beach party in Brazil and Uruguay. Most would say I was living out the MTV generation's dream.

On Board
Cut to the present. Seven months later, I write this from the other side of the Atlantic. Sailing in waters somewhere between Benin, West Africa, and war-shredded Monrovia, Liberia. My old ways, the city and its nightlife seem far away.

I am serving a year as the volunteer photographer onboard the hospital ship Anastasis with the global charity Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships operates a...

READ MORE (SOURCE)

Yeah! Gonna play Irth Online!

OK, I signed up to be a Beta tester for Irth Online - and wouldn't you know it - they invited me in. I responded to the NDA sent to me and am now waiting for download instructions and the CD Key. I will tell what I can about it but please note the NDA is still in force. If you want the latest public commentary with PLENTY of Developer input on this game you should really check out the Irth Online Forums.

The Irth Online team will be attending the E3 2005 Expo. For those who do not know, this is the premier Electronics Entertainment Exposition that occurs each year. Here, many many companies great and small show off the latest technologies they have come up with. Many new games have a big showing there before being released publicly.

There is a Developer Chat scheduled for after E3 - they will be discussing the further developments of Irth Online and giving away 200 Beta Keys: so don't miss it. I couldn't find a specific post in the forums; so check the forums often to find out what time it is at.

Lara's rose tatoo!

OK, a little belated with this one. Here are some pics of Lara's tatoo on her right shoulder. Click on the picture for a larger image.

Zack's first tooth...

My son Zachariah just lost his first front tooth.

'click to inlarge'

Another MMORPG...

OK... here is another MMORPG that I am going to start keeping tabs on.

• Irth Online

I found the link on the Project Wish Forums and it looks promising.

On the other hand; from the few times I have recently checked in on what is happening with Mourning, this MMORPG is starting to look dead. With continued lack of GOOD customer communications and unresolved or unchanging issues - it appears this game will go the way of the first WISH (vaporware?)

Light be with you!