Charged...

I'm a power hungry guy. Especially when it comes to my cell phone. And since I use it for everything, it doesn't take long for my battery to drain.

Since owning an iPhone, I've bought several "juice packs", those portable batteries in case the phone dies. They've helped in many occasions.

I did some research, and with the help of a friend, I was able to purchase the ultimate battery backup! The 10.4Ah Portable Battery Charger Power Bank allows me to charge my phone up to 5 times. It also allows two devices to charge at the same time. Now I'm good to go!!!

I just need to make sure I don't leave it behind....

~Matt 

A Practical Guide To Becoming A True Pun Master

A Practical Guide To Becoming A True Pun Master



1. Accept that no pun is actually Good, but that the true nature of a good pun is to be so terrible that it becomes good.


2. Say every pun that occurs to you. I’m so serious about this, sometimes the most well received puns will be ones you considered not saying.


3. ALWAYS laugh at your own puns, even if nobody else is. (Especially if nobody else is.)


4. Know that you are hilarious. Puns are a limitless resource and you have taken it as your duty to bring this gift to humanity. You are a hero.


~Matt

Easter vs. Passover. Why do the dates change?

So, have you ever wondered why the dates change on both the celebration of Easter and Passover? Also, why they aren't aligned each other? 

Well, I have an answer for you!

The Jewish liturgical year is not simply the basis for Jewish holidays, but for the Christian movable feasts as well—those annual holidays that do not fall on a fixed date but vary according to astronomical occurrences.

The celebration of Passover took place just before the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, and the two holidays have been entwined from the beginning—the word Pasch (Paasch), originally meaning Passover, came to mean Easter as well.



Passover

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, the holiday commemorating the Hebrews' exodus from slavery in Egypt, lasts seven days in Israel and among Reform Jews, and eight days elsewhere around the world. It begins on the 15th day of Nisan, which is the seventh month in the Jewish calendar. It ends on the 21st of Nisan in Israel (and for Reform Jews) and on the 22nd of Nisan elsewhere. Since Hebrew days begin and end at sundown, Passover begins at sundown on the preceding day.



Easter - (Western Churches)

Easter is calculated as the first Sunday after the paschal full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox. If the full moon falls on a Sunday, then Easter is the following Sunday. The holiday can occur anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

The Western church does not use the actual, or astronomically correct date for the vernal equinox, but a fixed date (March 21). And by full moon it does not mean the astronomical full moon but the "ecclesiastical moon," which is based on tables created by the church. These constructs allow the date of Easter to be calculated in advance rather than determined by actual astronomical observances, which are naturally less predictable. See also A Tale of Two Easters.

The Council of Nicaea in 325 established that Easter would be celebrated on Sundays; before that Easter was celebrated on different days in different places in the same year. See also dates of other Christian movable feasts.



Easter - (Orthodox Church)

The Orthodox church uses the same formula to calculate Easter, but bases the date on a slightly different calendar—the Julian calendar instead of the more contemporary Gregorian one, the calendar that is most widely used today. Consequently, both churches only occasionally celebrate Easter on the same day.

Unlike the Western Church, the Eastern Church sets the date of Easter according to the actual, astronomical full moon and the actual equinox as observed along the meridian of Jerusalem, site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

The Spelling Game

I love playing games with the kids, but they’re not all just board games, computer games, or puzzles. Some are just the simple things. We play things while driving down the road, while doing chores around the house, or just sitting around.

A few days ago, we enjoyed what I call the “Spelling game”. The goal is to spell out one of the words in a sentence during a conversation. I’d begin, and then the kids would have to answer. They conversation would then continue. Mysia (being 11) is very quick to catch on, Malachi (8) is a bit slower. At first, he tried his best not show interest, hoping he wouldn’t have to get involved. However, to understand what was going on, and be able to participate, he had no choice.

We ‘played’ this game for about an hour as we did things around the house (I was preparing supper and getting things ready for the evening). Yes, you never know what you might get involved in if you spend time around us.

~Matt

I'm COOL! ... wait a minute....

My kids and I joke around. A lot... 

It's no surprise of course. If you're ever around me for a good length of time, you've figured that out. Not only are my kids around me every morning and evening, they are my kids. My flesh and blood.

Both were calling me "Cool" and giggling. Finally Malachi explained with a deadpan tone. What is "Cool":

C - ConstipatedO - OverweightO - Out-of-styleL - Looser

Yes, apparently I'm a constipated, overweight, out-of-style, looser. Leave it to my kids....

However, I'm going to use this in the future! Haha!

~Matt

Remembering the Ice Storm 2007

Yesterday was the 9 year anniversary of the infamous Springfield Ice Storm 2007. It was a surreal night. We had just taken a test and found out Lydia was pregnant with Malachi, so we did some calling around. We were on the phone with my parents, telling them the news, when we lost power. Understanding that it wasn't coming back on, and we only had electric heat... we packed up our stuff and headed to spend the night with my parents and family.

The drive was unique. If you're familiar with Springfield, we pretty much traveled the entire length of Kearney, from Glenstone through Kansas, in complete darkness. No power anywhere! The rain/ice mixture hitting the car, making it hard to drive, and the street being very slippery. Not many vehicles where on it either. We seen "blue lightning"... which was the transformers blowing out in the area. It sounded as if we were on a battleground or in war, with the booms as the tree limbs popped and broke, falling to the ground due to the ice accumulation.

My parent's were out of  power as well, but they had gas fireplace to keep all warm. We spent several days, camping out at their house. Mysia was a few weeks from turning 2 years old. Whew... what an experience.

I'm hoping it never happens again. 

~Matt

Duct Tape & Springfield!

One of the main things I use at home is Duct Tape. Amazing stuff, helps hold many things together. I've known friends that use it for almost everything. In fact, I went to college with a guy who used the tape as sandals and shoes!

According to an article by the Associated Press, Springfield, Mo. is considered the duct tape capital of the world, selling more than any other city on Earth.

In May of 1998, Wal-Mart Supercenter on Kansas Expressway was honored for selling more Duck Tape brand tape than any other Wal-Mart in the United States… in fact, 172 miles of the sticky-sided gray stuff!

Go figure!

~Matt



"Duct tape is like the force... It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together."