Category: Personal Posts

Blog posts by Peter DeHaan, many of which are in his book Woodpecker Wars.

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Personal Posts

Please Turn Off All Electronic Devices

turn off electronic device

I have owned and enjoyed an iPod Nano for many years. Though I don’t use it much for music, it is a regular source for listening to podcasts and lectures.

Almost from the start, however, I’ve encountered intermittent difficulty in turning it off. There are some tricks to accomplish this posted online, but they only work some of the time.

When these workaround solutions don’t resolve this issue, I either just let the battery run down, forcing it to turn off, or dock it with my computer, thereby bypassing the problem.

Although this is mildly irritating, it’s not a big deal. At least not until recently.

In preparation for a trip, I loaded my iPod with hours of recordings. While waiting to board my plane and during the preflight process, I listened to it.

When the instruction came to turn off and stow all electronic devices, my iPod was unresponsive. And the tricks to make it cooperate didn’t work either.

What would a flight attendant do with a device that can’t be turned off? I didn’t want to find out, so I pretended that nothing was amiss and shoved it in my bag, feeling only a slight twinge of guilt for my non-compliance.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

The Domino Effect of Home Improvement

home improvement

This summer my bride and I began working together. This required that we convert an unused bedroom into her office. At the time, she made a reasonable request to paint the room first.

I noted that this would also be an ideal time to replace the carpet. I had planned to ditch the aged 25-year-old carpet throughout our home next year anyway, so we picked out and ordered the carpet for the entire job.

Candy’s office was painted and re-carpeted on schedule. However, re-carpeting the rest of the house set in motion a chain reaction, which I call the domino effect of home improvement.

It was pointed out that before installing the rest of the carpet, it would be preferable to have all the non-carpeted areas redone first, not later. That too had been planned for next year.

However, the existing bathroom cabinets—also planned for replacement in two years—had a larger footprint than what is currently available. So, new cabinets were picked out and installed first.

Between the cabinet replacement and redoing the flooring, both bathrooms have been out of commission for a couple of weeks. (Fortunately, the guest bathroom was still functional.)

Of course, this was an ideal time to repaint the bathrooms.

But, with the flooring tore up, it was the window of opportunity to try to fix the squeaking floors. The list goes on…

In the midst of this, I decided to move my office next to my bride’s, as opposed to being at the opposite end of the house on a different level. This meant buying a new desk since the other one wouldn’t fit in the new room.

At this point, every room in the house—save the guest room — is either in various states of remodeling or is storing furniture from the other rooms.

I think that our home is currently at the peak of disarray and can now anticipate steady movement towards getting back to normal.

As for dominoes, I think I’ve had enough of them for a while.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

Partner or Employee?

Partner or Employee

Several years ago, after much planning and consideration, my bride joined me in my publishing business.

Her long commute to her prior job was becoming wearisome and with winter approaching, bad weather would make it even longer and more of a concern.

As we shared this possibility with others, the idea was met with raised eyebrows and skepticism. One doubtful friend directly stated, “Married people should not work together.”

A wise friend, however, advised that we consider whether Candy would be my employee or my partner. That was a great question and we opted for partner.

We even did a trial run this spring when she had some vacation time to use up. The test went quite well, so we moved forward with our plans.

Now, six weeks into it, we are pleased with the results. It was a good move, and I wish we had done it sooner.

The only occasional hiccup is that sometimes she acts as an employee and sometimes I view her as one.

Still, we are steadily moving towards the goal of becoming business partners and I suspect as she more fully understands the business, that goal will be realized.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

Waiting for Sand

Waiting for Sand

I understand the phrase “pounding sand” to be a reference to a futile activity, but “waiting for sand” was a new one to me.

This week, while awaiting takeoff of a small commuter plane, we endured a lengthy and unexpected delay.  Finally the explanation was given.

The plane was “unbalanced” and we were light in the tail section.  To correct this they needed to add weight in the back and we’re waiting for bags of sand to be delivered and loaded onto the plane.

Now if this weight imbalance was a safety issue, then I welcome the delay.  However, if this was done merely to make the plane fly more aerodynamically in order to save fuel, then I’m a bit miffed.

Because of this delay, I missed my connecting flight, as I’m sure was the case with many of my fellow travelers who had even tighter connections then me.

As a result, I understand “waiting for sand” to mean a needless and unwarranted delay.

“Waiting for sand,” seems to be the norm in the airline industry.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

The Future of the Legal Profession

legal profession

I recently made the acquaintance of a lawyer who was a founding partner in his firm. I asked what he saw for the future of his profession.

His answer was quick and direct: “There are too many law schools that are graduating too many lawyers.”

I pondered the ramifications of this. “Does that mean there will be graduates who won’t find jobs,” I asked, “or an increase in lawsuits?”

His answer was sobering.  “Both,” he declared with a bit of acquiesced sadness.

The discussion of the group then migrated to states attorneys general, positions that are filled by lawyers. I’ve never given this position much thought or concern, but I think that will change. 

Someone in the group noted that the position of the state attorney general is viewed as a stepping-stone to state governorship, which was confirmed by the group to often be proved out.

Does that mean some of the preceding can’t-find-work attorneys might go into politics?

With apologies to my new friend, I shudder at the thought. I think we already have too many lawyers who are in politics.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

It’s That Time of Year

Time of Year

It was inevitable; it was going to happen eventually.

With periodic threats being advanced by meteorologists over the past five or six weeks, one such prediction finally proved to be true. Last night, with the odds at 60%, we received our first snowfall of the season.

It was but a dusting. However, as is the norm, more followed it throughout the day, with a couple of inches accumulating.

As is the case with the first snowfall of the year, there were reports of numerous accidents during the morning commute. It takes folks a while to adjust their driving habits to snowy conditions.

First, you need to allow more time to get anywhere; that is key. Slower speeds are critical, with more time needed to accelerate and much more time required to stop.

With the first snow of the year, I always warn anyone who will listen to drive carefully—and keep a wary eye out for those who aren’t.

My preference is that the first snow would arrive on Christmas Eve and the melt on January second, after which spring would begin. But so far that’s never happened. 

With snow in the forecast for the rest of the week, it looks like we will be getting more.

It may be inevitable—but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

How Much is a Million?

how much is a million

How much is a million? Really, how much?

Apparently, not much. Just ask Google. In August of this year, Google ceased development of their much-hyped Google Wave (a real-time collaboration tool).

They gave it a year and reportedly had one million users, but citing a lack of interest, they pulled the plug. Apparently, one million users is not enough.

Although I was encouraged by many people to check out Google Wave, I never did. And given this news, I’m glad I didn’t invest the time.

Incidentally, this also gives me pause about depending too much on Google Voice. I must wonder it they might similarly give up on it and leave their users hanging?

Today, I received notice that Xmarks was pulling the plug on their service as well. Xmarks synchronizes web browser favorites and logins between multiple computers and the top browsers. They claim two million users.

Their problem was that it was a free service and they were unsuccessful in figuring out how to pay the bills.

Their initial goal was to monetize the data they collected, aggregating user bookmarks to make the basis for a pure, spam-free search engine.

But when they couldn’t make that work and couldn’t sell the company, they decided to shut the doors. So as of January 10, 2011, Xmarks will bite the dust.

Although synchronization tools exist for each of the major browsers, none of them will sync with their competition. I, for one will greatly miss Xmarks. I am willing pay an annual fee for this service, but that will not be an option.

Apparently, two million users is not enough.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

If You Don’t Vote, You Have No Right to Complain

vote

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the primary election in Michigan. I’ll be glad when it is over, with the mailings and robocalls escalating to the point of being ridiculous.

We’ve been receiving multiple items from the same candidate on the same day. door-to-door campaigning is ridiculous—one-day last week, three people stopped by!

I’ve given up answering the phone (wait I don’t do too much of that anyway), so my bride and the answering machine have been bearing the brunt of the political deluge. She, too, has been complaining about all the calls.

So what’s she doing tonight? Making “get out the vote” calls for a local candidate! So instead of being on the receiving end of the irritation, now she’s dishing it out.

She insists that she’s one of the “nice” ones, but frankly, if she were to call me, I wouldn’t be on the line long enough to find out.

Regardless, after the voting tomorrow, we will enjoy a bit of reprieve before the fall elections.

For the next election, don’t forget to vote, because if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

In the Cool of the Morning

morning

I got up early this morning, and in the pre-dawn began pulling in cool 60-degree air into our warm abode. In short order, the temperature dropped 7 degrees to an agreeable 70, where it stayed most of the morning.

Attired only in T-shirt and shorts, I was quite comfortable.

What is perplexing is that six months ago, in the midst of winter’s fury, with the thermostat set at 72, I would layer on the clothes and still be cold.

This is a strange personal phenomenon that occurs with predicted regularity each year as we cycle from summer to winter and back again. 

I’ve never known why. One possibility is that since I like summer and dislike winter, it is a psychological response to my frame of mind—meaning that it is all in my head. I don’t care about that theory.

Alternately, claiming a physiological explanation is more palatable, but on what might I blame it?

The answer, I do not know. What I do know is that I like summer and am quite comfortable—and happy!

I wish the same for you.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Personal Posts

Weathering the Storm

storm

When we lost power last weekend, there were high winds at the time. Very high. To my dismay, the next morning I spotted three birds’ nests that had been ripped from my trees by the gusty gale. 

Although saddened by the loss of home for my animal friends, I was encouraged that most of the nests were apparently empty, as I found only one poor creature who didn’t make it.

There was, however, one nest that smartly survived the bluster. It was snugly secured above a crook in my downspout, safely beneath the protective overhang of my home’s eave. 

A good thing too has it was home to three baby robins. I noticed them that morning during my inspection of the storm’s damage. By the time I took a picture later that day, one had already left the nest.

Upon checking later in the day, I spooked another. With instinct overcoming him, and a mighty squawk and sputter, he took to flight. 

I was witness to the first flattering, yet successful, flaps of his wings. His parents were aghast, making quite a fuss in the process. 

One flew near to where he landed and another served as an irritating distraction, with a cacophony of sound and sight.

By the next day, the youngest sibling had likewise “flown the coop.”

The nest is still there, empty, but ready. Robins often have two broods a year, so mom and dad may be back for a repeat performance later this summer.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.