Thinking...

Today has been one of thinking. Mostly due to the fact that I have a good friend who is slowly ruining what he has worked so hard to build. Holding too tightly to something is a sure way to choke the life out of it, and that is what is happening.

There are a number of people who are watching what is happening, just no one as close as I am to being the one to say something. Want to change places? The truth is that it won't get better if __________ (you fill in the blank). Have you played that game? Trying to convince yourself that if left alone long enough, or if just the right circumstances happen, or if you stand on your right foot, jump and slap your thigh, it will be OK. You get the idea. It's foolish to think that it will change if it hasn't so far.

So here I am. Faced with the task. Faced with the possibility of being rejected, or worse. Time to step up to the plate and deal with life.

I will let you know how it goes.

WH

The End of The Vacation

Well, today we finally got sun!! It was a beautiful FL day. I ran early, then Jen, Jody, and I went for a walk on the beach and they lay by the pool. We had a relaxing evening - watched a movie, played cards, ate a great meal of Rigatoni and homemade meatballs (yummy!). Tomorrow is Mother's Day and we are going to church here and then leaving right after the service. Jen gets to sing on the worship team with her Mom, which she loves. It will be a "nap" ride home tomorrow, at least for Jen.

Jason called and he is transferring from RECON to LAR - Light Amored Reconnaissance. He and two other guys are making the change next week. He was pretty excited about it since he will get to train right away and probably get to travel sooner. To which I say, "why?" His answer is that he joined to be a soldier and that is what he wants to do. I would rather he train for the next three years and never go anywhere and stay stateside. But, as the parent thing goes, it is his life and his choices. Hopefully we'll get to see him before he has to travel (you notice that I say 'have to travel', instead of 'go to Iraq or Afganistan.' Somehow, if I don't mention the place it's not as bad.)

After the drive back tomorrow I have to pack and get ready to go back to Charleston for the week. Last week we had our busiest two days in a row since we opened - 94 patients each day. That's is crazy! This week will be another busy one, as we continue to build a patient base and do some exposure activites.

Remember to call your Mom tomorrow!

WH

PS - Tiger will have to wait as I read more reports of incompatibilities with programs. Acquisition and Entourage are two that I use frequently that are reporting problems.

Having Fun In Florida?

Well we are here on vacation, in sunny Florida. Actually, it's been raining all day. The past few days, in fact. And it is supposed to rain tomorrow. A bit of a bummer, but the company is great!

Jen and I were talking and we remembered that the last time we were in FL was in March, in Orlando, for our anniversary. Guess how the weather was? It rained most of the time. What is it about FL and the rain?

Anyway, today we went to COSCO to shop for stuff for Bob and Jody's house and we went to the new Apple store at St. John's Town Square. It was very cool to see and test drive Tiger. Spotlight is very cool and the Dashboard is even cooler. I am looking forward to the update, 10.4.1 has already been seeded to developers and should be out in a few weeks. I will probably install Tiger on Jason's iBook to see how it reacts with the network at home and the basic programs on the iBook.

Anyway, hopefully we will get some sun tomorrow and I'll get to run and continue to catch up with my class notes. I was able to get two more books into Powerpoint.

Back in a few days.

WH

Tuesday Evening In Charleston

Normally, I'm back at home Tuesday evening, but tonight I'm staying in Charleston so I can get into the office early, do some things, and get back home early so we can leave for FL in the afternoon. That sounds so good! We get a long weekend to relax, play, and spend time with Jen's parents.

I have spent the evening watching American Idol, the Braves game and IMing Jen and her Mom as we watch American Idol. That's pretty funny when you think about it - three people, watching TV in three different places, at the same time IMing each other about the show that they are watching on TV!

Oh, Tiger update. It arrived today at the house, via UPS. There are already some reports that it messes with some networking applications so I may hold off on the install until the first update which should be released in the next few weeks...or maybe not:)

Got to talk to and pray with a young lady today. Her father is dying of cancer and is in the end stages - may the last few days. She just needed a place to cry and be heard. Most of the people around her are telling her to "be strong", "trust God", and really helpful information like that. We gave her a place that she didn't have to be strong or "be" anything for that matter. She called about 3 hours after her visit and said that she felt better, and was able to talk to her dad, who is unconscious, and tell him that she would be OK, and that if he wanted to go that was OK with her. That took a lot of courage for her. Sitting with her and watching the Lord give her peace during a really though time was an amazing thing.

Anyway, I'll be blogging from FL next entry. Did I mention that I am excited about the weekend?

WH

Great Fun!

Last night we celebrated my daughter's sweet 16 with a "Rave." Not to be confused with the sordid, drug and dreg counterpart, this was a group of high school kids, mostly 15 - 17 years old, expending a great deal of energy for two hours.

It was the perfect environs. A private party room at a local billiard parlor - spinning disco ball, strobe light (I thought that I was going to have a seziure a few times), colored lights, tube lights, black lights, techno DVD playing to a huge projection screen, the works. A friend provided the techno music - thanks Adam, AKA DJ Slim - and it was awesome. He has the scratch pads, mixing board and all that other stuff. My pastor guarded the door as the bouncer - thanks Hanson (he's a big mother) - and the kids came, some dressed for the party in "club clothing," most in the style of the day. I think at it's height, there were about 70 kids there.

Interesting Notes:
1. The beverage of choice of this crowd - water. We learned this lesson from my daughter's boyfriend's party. The soda was untouched and the water was a hit. Go figure?
2. Instead of presents, my daughter had her friends give cash and is sending it all to Compassion International to provide for kids overseas in Third World countries - her idea. Gives me lots of hope for today's kids and tomorrow's world.
3. I'm glad that I have two computer platforms - after 15-20 minutes of frustration of trying to get my work computer, a $3000.00 Acer Tablet PC, to play S-Video out to a projector - Control Panel>Displays>etc>etc>blah-blah-blah - I got out my iBook, plugged in the cable and...it just works. Some of you can tell me what I was doing wrong and how the set-up should have worked as I am not a PC guru. The point is, why should you have to jump through hoops to get the stupid thing to do what you want?
4. I love the digital lifestyle! We were able to take pictures of the kids at play, load them into iPhoto, set up a slide show, and play it out to the big screen while they were dancing up a storm in the "Rave". How fun!

Happy Birthday Jessie!!

WH

PS - Now I have two and 1/2 days of work and Jen and I are heading to FL for some R&R. I can't wait.
PSS - Tiger is on the way! UPS tracking says that it will be here Tuesday morning:)

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger - It's Official

Well, it's here! Today is the day that Apple's Newest operating system is released. Be at your local Apple Store (CompUSA is also getting in on the show)at 6 PM for the rollout. This is the most significant release for Apple since the OS X beta back in 2000. I am looking forward to the "intro phase" and will be the guinea pig for the install here at our house until it comes in a "gentler and kinder" .1 update. My trusty iBook will be the "lamb."

As you may have read in an earlier blog, I pre-ordered from Amazon and got a huge discount on the family pack - of course we are an Apple family!! My only complaint is that the install disks are DVD's. That means our trusty iMac will have to go through an installation via target Firewire mode, or I have to pony up $9.95 and trade in my DVD disks for CD install disks. GRrrrrrrrr! The other solution that I really like is that maybe it's time to buy a brand new iMac!! Not really Jen, if you are reading this...

If you are a geek, or even for the non power user there is an excellent article by John Siracusa, Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, that details the "under the hood" stuff that Tiger brings to the world. Much better reading than the pablum that is just glamorizing Tiger.

Oh My!! As I write my Software Update activated and is installing QuickTime 7, the new Quicktime that is included in Tiger. Changes are afoot.

You can be sure that I will be tracking the status of my Tiger package from Amazon hourly (it hasn't shipped yet:(). I will also be blogging the growing pains that the new operating system gives me.

WH

Just A Quick Post

The past few days have been busy ones at work. The time has flown by and I am looking forward to the next few days - Jessie, my daughter, turns 16 yrs. old tomorrow, we have a party planned for her this Saturday. It will be a "rave" theme. Lots of techno music and fun. My pastor is going to be the bouncer at the door, to make sure that the kids are safe and that the ones who are invited are the only ones attending.

A friend who is a youth minister here in Charleston is going to be the DJ - he is so good at that!! It will be so much fun.

Then next week is a short one at work and Jen and I are going to FL to visit her parents. I am looking forward to the beach, the peace and quiet - to catch up on my lesson preparation for the Friday night class, read, run, and just basic recharge.

Then we have a month and we'll be going to visit my parents in NJ. I'm pretty excited to go and visit some old stomping grounds, eat real pizza, a cheese steak or two, and enjoy time with my parents. I have tickets for my dad and I to go to the Phillies vs Diamondbacks game on the 3rd of June - that should be a blast.

Lots to look forward to. Oh, and I just heard from my friend in WA, and our annual backpacking trip is planned for August. I am excited and sad. Jason will not be going since he is in the Marines - I will be in the tent by myself. Transitions. Life is good.

WH

Wouldn't It Have Been Amazing?

I often find myself bemoaning the fact that the days of Christ did not have the technology that we have today-like video recorders. I would have given anything to see the actual faces of the people when Lazarus was raised from the dead, of the sneer of the Pharisees when Jesus healed yet another person on the Sabbath, or the reactions of the family of the Gadarene demoniac as he was coming up the hill to the house after Jesus made him whole.

Wouldn't it be amazing to have a home movie of the feeding of the 5,000? I think that, for the most part, theater movies today cannot grasp the intensity, flavor, and heart of the experiences that people had when they encountered Jesus and the Kingdom of God. I think that Mel Gibsons' "The Passion" came close, which was why it captivated people so much. It showed the reality of the brutality that Jesus endured, as an innocent man, more graphically than we have dared to realize.

I mean, what would the disciples have expressed when they pulled the huge catch of fish from the sea. Maybe some "sailor" language?

Anyway, next time you read the stories of Jesus, or any stories for that matter. View them from every angle, every persons perspective, the surrounding crowd or non-participants on the fringes, and let your mind go. Imagine the whole scene and let it come alive. Bring life to the page...you will never again see the Scriptures the same way.

WH

What a Great Surprise!

The past few days have been filled with various chores around the house: change car oil, fix a bathroom fan, cleaning gutters, planting, grass cutting, etc. Spring time!

Reflecting back on the past few days. Jason called me two days in a row, which is a bit unusual, asking what we were doing this weekend. I thought that he was homesick and felt bad that what we were doing was pretty selfish in that it had to do with "our" stuff, and he was homesick and asking, indirectly, for a visit.

Back to the present. I was walking through the bedroom to the living room and guess who is standing there? Jason!! He got a ride to Columbia, SC with another Recon Trainee, and then was able to get a ride to Aiken from a friend who goes to school at USC (that's University of South Carolina - not the West Coast USC) and was coming home to Aiken for the weekend.

Jason looks great. His attitude is much better than at Easter when he was having doubts about the choices that he's made - some guys were just filling his head with a bunch of shit. He is learning a great deal in his present training - I can't wait to go backpacking with him again. In the past, I was the one with the experience and he was the "mule," carrying the heavier pack. He will still carry the weight but he is now a thinker, a problem solver, knows the woods, and doesn't know how to say, "no" when facing a difficult challenge. His shoulders are broad and hugging him is like putting your arms around a pine tree and squeezing.

The weekend was a "friend" weekend for him, so he didn't stay long, just long enough to eat some of Jen's left over calzone and talk. We will probably see him again tomorrow before he heads back to Camp LeJeune. The good news is that the guy he rode to Columbia with has a girlfriend (which is why he goes to Columbia), so my gut tells me that he will need Jason to keep him awake in the car as long as he and his girlfriend are together.

Today has been a good day. My boy came back for a visit.

WH

My Pastor Rocks

I love my pastor. If you want to read about what has been on his heart lately here is a link to his blog - Tales from the Briar Patch.

Hanson and I are, in many ways, polar opposites. You would only have to look at our tool chests to see the difference. The great thing is that we appreciate each other and embrace the differences that we share - and are actually able to lovingly "goad" each other about the same. However, we are similar in the areas that are most important - we are both fiercely loyal, really want to see people "get it" with God and His Kingdom, and are just two, "getting older", farts trying to please God and get to heaven. Oh, one last similarity we share - don't fuck with our wives or kids:)

One of the greatest "stressors" that Jen and I face when we talk about moving to Charleston is finding a community of faith - I would say "church" but it doesn't carry the same meaning that community does. Most "church" people would feel uncomfortable at the Downtown Vineyard. I like that. Maybe it's a maturity thing on my part but I just can't force myself to do the "ministerial" and "churchy" thing. I enjoy the attitude and atmosphere that our church has - I would like better planning, or people getting to stuff on time, but it is ALL about relationship. Some church communities are so slick and are packaged so nicely that all of the struggle and "icky" stuff is whitewashed. I'm convinced that if a church community doesn't talk openly about these things something is wrong. If the pastor can't talk about his struggles openly, something is wrong. The "Truman Show" is what many churches are like - that's not real.

I am scared to death to open up and talk about the nitty-gritty stuff in my life, but so what? What is community about if it's not that? Can you picture Jesus sitting aroung talking about stupid, superficial shit? How many did you have in Sunday School this morning? Have you read the new book about when I am coming back, Peter? When I talk to Jesus, I talk about real stuff - good stuff, hard stuff, gut level stuff. Funny, I don't find weather or sports or American Idol as part of my communion with God. Not that those are bad things to talk about (and I do talk about all three), but they are not CORE areas for building relationship - that's why we talk about them - they are "safe".

I am looking forward to seeing some of my friends tomorrow night for the New Testament Survey class. I love the banter. I enjoy the light hearted sarcasim. I like to hear what people are really going through. That atmosphere and acceptance is what Hanson is all about. It shows in our church community.

Thanks Hanson, for making a space in which we can be ourselves. You rock.

WH

Jessie is going to be 16!

My daughter, Jessie, is gettting ready to turn 16 years old. We are planning a rave - a clean, drug-free, water for drinking rave. I have asked a friend, who is a youth minister in Charleston, SC, to do the DJ stuff. He is a bunch of fun and LOVES to mix music. I am hoping that he can do this. Otherwise it will be me, and that may not be pretty:)

I can still remember Jessie being born...she had a hole in her lung and pneumonia. The doctor said that she would be in the hospital for another 7-10 days with anti-biotic therapy, etc. All I can say is that many of us prayed. The next day the doctor came in and said, holding up two x-rays, "I don't understand." He put the x-rays up on the screen. One showed fluid and a shadow where the hole was, taken the day before. The other showed a PERFECT set of lungs. Jessie's name and ID number were on both sets of x-rays. "I don't understand," he said again. "I guess you can take her home, there is nothing wrong with her lungs."

That was her start! Jessie is an energetic, loving, brilliant, and beautiful young woman. I can't wait to see what she will do as she grows into adulthood. Thank you Jessie for 16 wonderful years as your dad.

WH

It IS a relaxing Sunday

As I had hoped, the three day weekend has been welcomed and appreciated. I have been able to get work around the house done, restocked the larder (went to Sams Club), and some relaxation.

I have also been able to run the past three days, a total of 13 miles, and that always feels good. I HATE to run but hate even more to be out of shape - the cardio benefits are what I am really concerned with, as a 46 year old male, I don't want to "pop-off" due to heart problems. I have been satisfied with the progress - I am able to do 5 miles at a 8 mph pace. My long range goal is to be able to have more stamina for the hike that I take in the late summer out in Washington State. Last year I was a bit winded and sore due to my lack of conditioning. I would like to change that. Next step, since my cardio is getting up to snuff, is to start weight training and develop more lean muscle mass - gain 3-5 more pounds of muscle - so the engine stays running even at rest.

Hanson's talk today was one of his best in a long while. From Rm. 8:28-30 - The suffering that we experience, what the passage doesn't mean, as well as what it means to us as followers of Christ. Way to go Hanson. Well done.

I'm planning on doing some work on my class material this afternoon, doing a crossword puzzle, updating some playlists for my iPod Shuffle, and watching the Braves/Phillies game tonight on ESPN. Nice.

One final, but important, note...Jen has been sleeping so much better the past few nights. Actually, she had someone pray for her the other night, specfically for good rest, and the next two nights were so much different. I am grateful for that.

Hope your weekend was a good one also.

WH

Back to A Routine

I hate to admit it, but I do like my routine and get a bit out of sorts when it is disrupted. The last few weeks I have taken a day off in the middle of the week and still worked my four days - meaning that I came home Friday and had a two day weekend. I was used to the Monday - Thursday thing and a three day weekend.

Friday is usually my busy, around the house, chore day. I typically cut grass, wash cars, scoop dog shit. You know, the usual middle-class domestic stuff. Saturday was reserved for the few items that needed to be crossed off the list left over from Friday, and Sunday was typically an easy day - hanging around the house, relaxing with Jen and Jessie, watching movies or sports. The past few weekends have been compressed and short, way too much rushing around. I am enjoying my Friday off:) Thanks for asking.

Other notes...Jen is recovering well. Other than the fact that she doesn't read her prescrition meds bottle - last night she was feeling itchy, crawly if you please - insomnia was also present. So I asked my general diagnostic questions - starting with the obvious. After doing a bit of research found that, sure enough, some of the side effects that she was experiencing with Levaquin were documented. So we checked the dosage on the bottle - one 500 mg per day.

WOOPSIE! Jen had been taking two per day. That folks is 1000 mg per day for a 100 lb woman - bound to create some side effects. Anyhoo, hopefully, after today Jen can get back to her regular sleep patterns once the medication leaves her system:)

Tech notes...I just preordered Apple's newest operating system Tiger. It ships on April 29th and the new additions make it worth while as well as a great deal from Amazon.com. Amazon is offering a $50.00 rebate off of the family pack (5 computer install), as well as $30.00 off of your first purchase if you apply for an Amazon.com credit card. I did, and the TOTAL cost for the Tiger Family Pack upgrade is $119.99 - that's $10.00 less than the $129.99 Apple charges for the single user upgrade at the Apple Store. I am such a geek:) I'm actually splitting the cost with my In-laws (Hi Bob & Jody!) since they are "switchers" (from the PC world to Macs). That in itself is a subject for another blog!

Vacations are upcoming. We are excited about going down to Amelia Island to visit Jen's parents, and Jen, Jessie, and I are flying up to Phila to sightsee and visit my parents in NJ. Should be fun!!

Oh, don't forget TAXES! Have a great day, I'm off to scoop doggie doo:)

WH

The Second Time Around or "Stone Revisited"

Monday morning, my cell phone rang as expected, my wife had her follow-up appointment with the doctor after her kidney stone was blasted the week before. One thing about Jen, she wears her emotions out on the sleeve - or in this case the airwaves - "Hey," she says, vvveeerryyy despondently. "They need to do another lithrotripsy." Great. One more round of pain and puking. "When?", I asked. "Tomorrow morning." Poo. Turns out the the first blast turned the BIG stone into a bunch of sand and three smaller stones. Smaller is relative. Not small enough to pass through, if you get the idea.

Just a small aside. Women say that passing a kidney stone is WORSE than having a baby. I've not done either, but I have seen two kids born and it looks and sounds like a great deal of work (that's why it's called labor, I guess). Anyhoo, guys do not like the idea of any type of discomfort when it comes to the plumbing. Having a hard, sharp object pass through a narrow sensitive passage in a particularly sensitive area creates a "wince factor" of about 9.9 on the Richter scale. Did I mention that my wife has my respect and admiration?

Anyway, Jen's parents graciously offered to come up and stay so Jen wouldn't be alone and I wouldn't have to miss work. Thanks guys! So the dreaded early morning routine was repeated exactly one week later, and the offending little stones were blasted into high heavens with sound waves (I know I liked loud music for some reason - cuts down on stones!). Without going into more detail the procedure was declared a success and the doctor announced that this would do it. Her recovery is 100 times better than last week. Eating pizza a few hours afterwards and napping peacefully were good signs.

So, the prospect for a regular weekend looks good. Yeah! I'm glad for my wife, she has had a bitch of a week, and the idea of a weekend without a bunch of discomfort is very attractive.

WH

Great Weekend

The weekend was good, but short. I usually get a three day weekend but this one was Sat and Sun only. Stayed around the house, yard work, cars, doggie. Sat with Jen as she continues to recover from her procedure - she goes to the dr this am for a follow up.

Went to the early service at church. Hanson revisited the story of the rich man and Lazarus. It got me to thinking about the Pharisee's since this is the purpose of the story - that they were indifferent to the marginalized people of the day, the very people that Jesus made an effort to reach. Anyway, what I was thinking was that the Pharisee's wanted to be noticed by others, Jesus said that's why they prayed, fasted, gave, etc. The motive was to be noticed. Not that they cared what others thought, they didn't. In this case you care what others think when you are insecure and other-centered. Instead, they cared about themselves. They loved themselves. In contrast to caring what others think, in this case you want people to notice you when you are insecure and self-centered.

Made me think...do I care what others think, do I care that they notice, or something else - do I care what my attitudes and actions reflect about maintaining and nuturing a relationship with God and others.

WH

Masters Fever

In our area of the country, Augusta National and The Masters is king this time of year. The surrounding school districts schedule Spring Break around The Masters and traffic in Augusta is unbearable, especially on Washington Rd. For Masters information and scores click here:The Masters

Last night was fun. After my usual two hour, one way, commute from Charleston, SC, I prepared to teach the New Testament Survey class at our church. Jen didn't attend due to her continued recovery from lithrotripsy. We finished some background discussion on the NT times and the Kingdom of God and moved into the Gospels. Each one is unique but all of them reveal an approachable and knowable Lord. The epmhasis of the Gospels is that a relationship with Jesus is possible and available. "Come all who are tired and worn out - emotionally, physically, spiritually, and/or socially, and I will give you rest."

Jason, my son, continues his training at Camp LeJeune, NC. He finished School of Infantry and is in INDOC for Reconnaissance - the elite of the elite in the Corps. If he makes this first few months he will then get picked up for formal Recon Training in Virginia. The challenge is formidable. I couldn't have done it at 18 yrs of age. I respect my son for his choice, and for his being chosen.

Jessie is vacationing at her aunt and uncle's in Pittsburg, PA during spring break. We're gearing up for her 16th birthday - a rave party! Should be interesting. More as the day draws near.

More travel is being planned for the summer - Jen is always on the move:)

TTFN

WH

Jen's lithotripsy

Interesting week. Jen had a HUGE kidney stone smashed this past Tuesday (even the uriologist was impressed). We woke at 5 am - usual for me BUT not for Jen - and off to the hospital by 6 am. Jen says funny curse words that early on the morning:) Two days later and she is doing well - isn't vicodin a wonderful drug?!?:)

I love my wife and wish that I could go through some of this stuff for her.

WH

Wanting To Help The Tsunami Victims? - Updated

Here is a link to a variety of agencies that can help those in need in Asia, Africa, and other areas affected by the earthquake and floods.

Charity Wire: International Aid & Relief Charities

Another link from USA Today:

Links to aid organizations from USA Today

I can't vouch for them but they are at least a starting place to helping.

WH

Jason is a Marine!

Jason outside his home for 13 weeks
Originally uploaded by Macmania Pete.

Here is my son outside of his barracks after graduation. He is a man now. He will be home for a month and then off to SOI (School of Infantry) and then to his first Duty Station.

I couldn't be more proud of him. He is one of my heroes.

WH

I Just Had To Laugh...

I know that what I am writing is pretty juvenile, yet it's funny...at least it is to me:)

We, at our practice, receive a variety of things from other Dr's offices, especially the ones which we refer to. Today, via, UPS, we received a beautiful Christmas wreath from a major online retailer that is in Maine(hint, hint).

The darn thing is real. A real Maine Balsam Fir wreath, wrapped in plastic and adorned with a big red bow, and pine cones.

Well, along with the wreath came instructions for care: how to keep it from turning brown, etc.

This little booklet had instructions for a variety of balsam products. The instruction that caused me to guffaw and snicker like a Jr. High student was labeled: Balls.

The following are the instructions right from the booklet:

SPECIAL CARE

Balls:
- If hung indoors, water the core twice a week over a sink or bucket. Light misting at this time is advisable.
- If hung outdoors, watering and misting is not necessary as long as the temperture is below freezing.

So, you are to mist your balls depending on if you hang your balls indoors or outdoors, and if it is below freezing or not. Hee-hee-ha-ha-snicker.

Anyway. That should get you started with your own jokes about the situation.

Have a little Christmas humor...

WH