andrew dodson

A few weeks back, my iBook decided it wouldn’t let me send emails anymore. I tried Mozilla Thunderbird and MacMail both - same result. I was able to receive mail, but not able to send mail. I contacted my hosting company, and they found no problems. I verified this because I was able to send messages through their web-based email system. I have a feeling it has something to do with a recent update to OSX, recent upgrades by my hosting company, or a combination of both. I don’t have the time to devote to figuring out the problem, so I’ve given up.

I spent the last hour or so updating all of my contacts in iPowerweb’s WebMail system. For now, that’s what I’ll use until I can figue out what’s up with this issue.

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting cable…finally. I’ve hesitated to this point because I think it would only be a distraction from doing other, more productive things. However, it creates problems in situations like yesterday - the UK-UofL game was on ESPN. I had to go home to watch the game. I’m also slowly becoming annoyed at the fuzzy reception of the four channels I currently get.

The biggest catch to me getting cable - with my schedule, I’ll miss a lot of shows & games when they’re actually on. So, I’d need a way to watch them later. VCR? No way. Not good enough. DVD Recorder? Now we’re talkin’. Not only could I transfer my video recordings from my seldom-used camcorder to DVD extremely easily, but I could set the timer to record all the shows & games that I might miss, and watch them later. Either later that night before bed, before work in the morning, or even on my iBook - whenever & wherever is most convenient. Not to mention being able to record all of my old VHS tapes to DVDs.

What does cable have to offer? ESPN, first of all. Something interesting to watch during the once-in-a-blue-moon that I get bored. Movies, occasionally. The Weather Channel (notice the link to Bill Meck’s blog in the sidebar - I’m a closet weather geek). Fox News. Lots more.

Ehh…you all know how I am at this point. I’ve pretty much made up my mind. Cable is fairly affordable in Frankfort - $30/month. FPB is a good provider, and they’re good about adding channels and making the expense a good value. DVD recorders have become very affordable - $150 can get you something to get the job done well. I’ve got plenty of overtime pay coming to me in the coming month, so I’m not worried about being able to afford it. Most importantly, it won’t go on a credit card (what are those?).

I’m very close to finishing mixing & editing of the Josh Martin Band’s live CD. I try my hardest to not be biased when I say this (since I’m IN the band), but this is going to be a very, very good CD. I’m extremely excited about the potential of this recording (for numerous reasons - ministry, worship, exposure, etc.). If all goes according to plan, the CD should be available within the next month. We’ve yet to name it, choose cover art and the like, but all of that should be taken care of by this next weekend. Stay tuned for a release date….

Last September, I had the opportunity to go to Florida to assist in the clean-up efforts from hurricanes. It was an amazing experience, and while I never hoped to see devastation like that again, I also knew that’d I’d do it again if I got the chance.

Now that Katrina has done her damage, I’ve realized it would be nearly impossible for me to go down to help out. September is the busiest month of the year at CLS, and we’re short an employee for the month (maternity leave). Not only is September the busiest month of the year, but we’re expecting September 2005 to be the busiest month in CLS history.

Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about going to Louisiana to help out. It seems victims of Katrina are coming to us - right here in Kentucky. Crestwood will be extremely busy over the next (insert amount of time here). We’re hosting at least one family, and possibly more. Churches all over are partnering with the Red Cross and local businesses to find families homes, jobs, schools, transportation - the works. We still don’t know a lot of the details, but we know people will start arriving to Kentucky at some point this next week. I know that I’m planning on helping out as much as I can.

Kentucky Baptist Assemblies has also offered up two of their properties - Jonathan Creek & Cedarmore - as a place for victims to stay. The Josh Martin Band is scheduled to perform at both of these places in the coming month, but I’ve yet to hear if the events will still take place.

I’d love to hear how others are planning on reaching out to help victims. If you’ve got a story, please post a comment and let me know.

Want to know how kids really are these days? Dads - want to know where the general internet public can see your daughter in a bikini or other revealing clothing? Want to know where kids go to be cool on the internet these days? Hop over to MySpace.com and you’ll get your fill.

I guess since I’m “getting older,” it comes as more of a shock to me. MySpace.com is basically an internet community where you can have your own blog, post pictures, videos, chat with other members, and more. It’s seems to have taken with the high school & college crowd. In essence, it’s a great idea. However, it’s basically turned into a soft porn site where everyone can show off their goods and talk about last weekend’s party. I think I’m more amazed at seeing 16-18 year old girls posting pictures of themselves on their Spring Break trips, or in mini-skirts and revealing tops. Let’s not forget the central Kentucky 18-year old that posts “sex” as one of her “general interests.”

Just in case you’re wondering about what (most of) today’s 16-25 year olds are like, head over there and you’ll find out.