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Well, the work keeps coming, and we keep on plugging away. In my new job as a video production manager, I get to try and keep producers, editors, camera people, and crew moving forward toward production targets to complete video projects for my employer. The challenge is when the target keeps moving.

Everyone wants to get their project done first, on time, and on budget. Then, leadership and management get involved to add their editorial comments, and it goes back to the editing suite. We try to set some “false” deadlines for ourselves to allow for changes, but it never seems to be enough. You allow two days for changes; it takes three. You try to give four days for a project to edit; it takes six. You give two days for reviewal, someone takes three, and then wants the whole video fixed.

I know the bosses will want to make changes; I’m ok with that. Just give us time to complete the changes in an orderly fashion, and then leave it alone. Or, if it’s still not right, give time for more changes.

Truth is, my bosses do give alot of time for changes. I just hate change. So I get yet another chance to exercise my reliance on God Almighty.

Hey, it beats wandering around in the wilderness.

Today, I have the privilege and joy of working at the home opener for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. It’s one of those quandries, where you find yourself laboring on the Lord’s Day, yet quoting the apostle Paul when he intimates about one day being like all the others (for all of my theolog friends, sorry I can’t find chapter and verse to confirm my presumption).

I have seen my old freelancing boss, Matty, who travels with this Fox Sports crew. He gave me my first break back in 1992, and I will be forever grateful. We had lunch yesterday, and enjoyed telling some stories about Baltimore.

It’s the pre game lull, so you’ll have to check your favorite sports page or TV show for the results. I’m pulling for the Panthers.

I’m spending Labor Day w/ my family in Boone, NC; a beautiful place in the Appalachain Mountains. Unfortunately, it’s because I’m working. But hey, it could be worse.

We saw some old friends from Eden Prairie who went to Wooddale Church, and were in our sunday school class. They live in Matthews now, and were harrassing me about not keeping up w/ my blog…

yes, I need to be better about this. So, if you are checking this, please drop me a comment, and I promise I’ll do better about staying in touch.

Hi all. For the millions who read my blog, and are wondering why I haven’t posted lately; yes, I am still alive. I’ve been home pretty much since May 1. So why the long time in writing? Well, I guess I’m just catching up on living. You know, playing w/ the kids, talking to the wife, staying late at work. The last thing I want to do is sit down at my computer and update my blog.

Guess I’m just old fashioned.

One of the joys of being a dad is participating in your kid’s school projects. Erica, our youngest, asked me to take her “mini-me” on my trip to Manila, and take some pictures of mini-me visiting the Philippines.

So, check out the photo gallery link, and you’ll get to see Mini me, plus some other photos from the Philippines.

Well folks, today is my last day in Manila. Our meetings preparing for the Metro Manila Franklin Graham Festival have gone well. I’m getting a little homesick, but have one more stop to make before coming home.

Les and Saralee Tilka are friends from university, and they have been working in Cebu since 1993. Their ministry is called Mission Philippines, and they do some wonderful work with prison inmates and their families, plus a whole lot more. Les is also involved in Operation Christmas Child in the Philippines. I’m really looking forward to my visit there. Look for the next post to have some pictures as well.

Question to you all: Is a “family visit” the same as “vacation”? I don’t think so…most of my vacation time ends up being family visits…

Now I’m not against visiting family; I am all for it. In fact, it’s necessary as our extended families live so far apart. But when you need to unwind and refresh; sometimes, a family visit is not the way to do it. And when you have kids, the pressure is really on to make sure that both “Grammies and Grandads” get their equal time.

Can you tell that I’ve had my parents here since the 17th of Dec, and now my wife’s parents are here?

My job bought me a new computer yesterday…I am very excited. My last new computer purchase was the first generation of Macintosh G4 Titanium Powerbooks, and it was sweet. 500MHz, 512MB of Ram, 40GB HD, really nice stuff. The date: April 2001.

My machine served me faithfully, and was still working ok. A little slow, but working. The speakers didn’t work, there was a big scratch across the screen. But it was my old faithful. Many a video project had been edited on that machine.

Then, my boss wanted to view a DVD on it. Well, the speakers didn’t work, and the big scratch was annoying. He said, “Steve, you need a new computer.” What a guy. I love him.

I now have a 15″ Powerbook, 1.67GHz, 2 GB Ram. 100GB HD @7200rpm’s. Nice… I am a very blessed man indeed. and the speakers work.

One of the great joys in life is to meet people from all walks of life, all professions, all faiths. Bob Souer has been in the announcing and radio business for MANY years (more than 20), and enjoys sharing his experiences and others on his blog. check it out .

One of the advantages of working for a company that does media is that we receive early releases of new albums from artists and their record companies. Our radio director has a copy of former dc Talk member Kevin Max’s newest album “Imposter”. As a huge dc Talk fan (but not a huge KMax supporter), I was intrigued to hear it.

Imagine my surprise to hear catchy tunes, great rock and roll licks, and some real introspective lyrics. It made a believer out of me. Check it out.

My read on it? Every story is about redemption; whether it’s me or you, or even K Max. That’s what makes our Great God so great.