Journey Inside My Mind Blog: December 2006

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Video Greetings for December 31st

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

Last video update for December 2006! Looking back a little, and enthusiastic about the new year:

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Video Greetings for December 30th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

Playing games and having a popsicle:

Friday, December 29, 2006

Video Greetings for December 29th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

End-of-year library circulation drives and news on the job search:

2006 Year In Review

As 2006 draws to a close, we figured it was time to reflect on all that has happened this past year, as we look forward to 2007. One thing that may not be apparent is that Dan has been doing the Journey Inside My Mind podcast throughout the year. We thought it would have been repetitious to repeat what happened there each month. So here goes:

In January we found a different car, since our other one died on the highway. Dan saw an orthopedic surgeon for some lower back pains.
In February Dan and Jennie became uncle and aunt, and Keisha became cousin to James Alexander, new son of Dan's sister Mandy.
In March Dan got a lumbar injection, and we three attended a conference in Columbus at the Ohio School for the Deaf, which was about being parents of deaf and hard of hearing children.
In April Dan completed his 36th year and tried out contact lenses for the first time since college (back in glasses at the present time, tho!). Jake got into a dogfight with another dog.
In May the election year phone calls started coming, and Dan caught a seriously bad sore throat and head cold, and his ears got clogged up. Our car broke down in front of our apartment, and Jennie's uncle fixed it up for us. Keisha got a videophone from Sorensen communications. And we wished Jennie and mothers everywhere a Happy Mother's Day.
In June Jennie and Dan completed their 11th year of marital bliss! Yee Ha! Also, Dan got vulnerable about things going on with Keisha during the 50th episode of his podcast. Speaking of Keisha, we noticed that she'd grown quite taller. Jennie and Keisha wished Dan a Happy Father's Day in a special way.
In July we rejoiced as Keisha turned 9 years old. Dan and Jennie also got to meet up with some folks we knew back in college in the campus ministry.
In August we continued to endure the blistering summer heat, often with random power outages affecting the entire neighborhood. As Dan's job status changed, we welcomed the start of the football season.
In September we began homeschooling Keisha, and Dan was interviewed by someone for a book about self-injury, which will be coming out in 2007. Dan realized he'd been podcasting for over a year and then started to Twitter. We all participated in the One Voice Cheryl Dawson Memorial Walk for Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention.
In October it was "Allergies Gone Wild!" again in the Johnson household, we celebrated Jennie's birthday. In our spare time we watched two kids, two dogs, and a house, which was a life-changing experience.
In November the elections finally came and went, Dan wrote and performed a blues song, finally opted to shave off his beard. We three decided to start the Homeschooler Podcast.
In December Dan provided daily video updates to the Journey Inside My Mind blog, which also won a blog award! Keisha got an email reply from Santa, and we all had a great Christmas.

What will 2007 hold in store for us? Be sure to stay in touch so that you can find out. Copy and paste the feed URL into your news aggregator. Or you can go to the "Subscribe" section on the sidebar and enter your email address to receive updates via email. Isn't that neat?

HSP 003 - Holiday Break

We released the third episode of the Homeschooler Podcast yesterday. Go listen. I think you'll enjoy the 10 minutes.

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Thursday, December 28, 2006

Video Greetings for December 28th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace and jimmpodcast.com

We came, we strutted, we struck poses, and in general just horsed around, but in the end, someone didn't like it (eh, snowman?):

Music: 37Hz [pmn], [myspace], "Just Beats"

Direct link to this video on YouTube

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson 37Hz video family

Local School Reforms Itself

A local Cincinnati high school was recently profiled on CBS for reforming itself:

Unexpected Money

Yesterday my Google Adsense check came. It had been about 15 months since the previous one, and it was so timely, given our family's current financial situation.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Video Greetings for December 27th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

What movie will it be today? It looks like Jennie, Jake, and Daddy overrule:

Receiving Press Coverage

I've been in the newspaper a few times in my life, and fortunately all of them have been good occasions. Let me see if I can remember correctly (cue the harp music):

Winning the elementary school spelling bee, which meant I got to go to the citywide spelling bee
Going to Buckeye Boys State in high school
Mentioned a few times in the University of Cincinnati's News Record (after the '93 elections, in someone else's column, and in an article I wrote about continuing education)
Being on the front page of one of the sections of the USA Today. Having been interviewed and picture taken while walking in a dumpster, working on a project to restore an inner city building so that people could live in it again.
Being on the front page of the Christmas Eve edition of the newspaper, when I volunteered for the Salvation Army
That time when we lived in Middletown, Ohio, and were with some friends, and both their daughter Rachel and our daughter Keisha wore overalls. I was able to pick both of them up at the back part and swing them around. The photographer snapped our picture and it, too, wound up being on the front page.
Now, recently, in comments made during an online poll to select the Best of Borgman 2006. Jim Borgman is the editorial cartoonist for the Cincinnati Enquirer. Check out number 18 on the list. I know it's minor but it's still in the newspaper! :P

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Video Greetings for December 26th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

The day after Christmas, let's pick out a movie to go see:

Monday, December 25, 2006

You've Fallen - Now Get Back Up

During some recent mild weather this past week, my wife and I spent some time outside, trying to teach our daughter how to ride her brand-new bike. The experience reminded me of something about life:

I told our daughter that, as she learns to ride her bike, she will fall down. She needs to get comfortable with that fact and not be afraid of it. We got off the bike and went over to the grass. I then told her to fall down. Then I did. I got back up and told her to get back up. The ground is softer than pavement, so it was a good starting point.

Then I had Keisha run at me and knock me down. When I got back up, I told her to do it again, and this time when she pushed, I pushed back. We both fell down. I got back up, but she got upset and sat there on the ground. She was mad at me and wanted her mother, who tends to baby her more than I.

I've heard it said that the best way to practice martial arts for self-defense is to experience getting hit. Pulled punches don't really prepare someone for the real thing.

I think there's a real good lesson about life here. We will fall down and we'll get knocked down. Circumstances will happen that knock the wind out of us. We shouldn't be so afraid of this happening that we don't do anything. I think I've been prone to that behavior in the past I have missed golden opportunities.

When we get knocked down, we get back up and try again. When we fall down, we get back up. That's the only way to get better.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson life+lessons overcoming persistence determination courage

crossposted to getthatjobonline.com

Video Greetings for December 25th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

Shaving never felt so good, even if the day got started very early:

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Video Greetings for December 24th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

'Twas the night before Christmas, and we're not in bed yet:

The Best Day Ever - According to Keisha

Mood: festive
Listening to: Keisha singing in the apartment
Eating: holiday feast - soon
Watching: the early night time sky

Keisha and I just had this conversation:

K: Today is the best day ever!
D: Why's that?
K: Because today is Christmas Eve, and I'm never gonna forget this day that Jesus was born, in (sings) Beth-le-heeem!

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journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson christmas2006 jesus+born

Saturday, December 23, 2006

My Life Map

Doug from salgoud.net has apparently started a new meme in the blogosphere, involving the new Google multi-directional maps.

I went to Google Maps and entered in every place I've lived since I was 3 years old:

I honestly can't remember the streets where I lived before then. Some of them might not be around any more. And I think I left out some of the times when I moved from one place to another and back. In addition, I purposely made sure some addresses were vague to protect those who still live there. I also left out the addresses where we stayed with the Official Mom when we visited in Texas because I couldn't remember them. I'll probably have to check with her.

Check out the resulting Google Map (note, made into a TinyUrl for convenience).

According to Google, the journey that took me 33 years is 766 mi and can be traversed in about 14 hours.

What's your Life Map look like? Go to Google Maps and create yours. Post a link in the comments or put it up on your own blog if you've got one. Leave a comment here so we can go see it.

Video Greetings for December 23rd

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

A Christmas song by Keisha, for your listening enjoyment:

Friday, December 22, 2006

Video Greetings for December 22nd

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

A Christmas song by Keisha, for your listening enjoyment:

Thursday, December 21, 2006

JIMM 73 - Christmastime Already?

The latest episode of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast is now available! Here's what you'll find:

Great Christmas music, awards, Officials, Santa sightings, how podcasting is permeating my life, and how to talk to your dog, daily video updates throughout December, and help keep the podcast alive!

What are you waiting for? Go get the show!

Related tags: journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson jimmpodcast

Video Greetings for December 21st

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind on MySpace

Daughter, dog, and dude doing a podcast:

First Post with New Version of Blogger

Hello world! It looks like this blog made the crossover to the new version of Blogger okay. I guess it's time to tweak some stuff over here to better enable the warm, juicy goodness that is the Journey Inside My Mind.

Nothing to journey further, except maybe comments (hello? please feel free to comment).

Look for another video update later this evening.

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Video Greetings for December 20th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind on MySpace

Blown away by the generosity from the Official Mom of Journey Inside My Mind and members from our church family:

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Video Greetings for December 19th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast at MySpace

Yay! Christmas shopping:

Monday, December 18, 2006

Video Greetings for December 18th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast at MySpace

Congratulations to TIME Magazine's Person of the Year for 2006:

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Video Greetings for December 17th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast at MySpace

Ah, the music of Christmas, so to speak:

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Video Greetings for December 16th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast at MySpace

When you really think about it, Santa is rather nosy:

The 2006 Superblessed Christian Blog Awards

A great big welcome to all of you visiting from the 2006 Superblessed Christian Blog Awards page!

For those that are not familiar, Ganns Deen, aka the Official Superblessed Blogger of Journey Inside My Mind, has just released the results of the 2006 Superblessed Christian Blog Awards:

I skipped the nominees this year because I have to mail that medicine box to Project Miracle this weekend. As I mentioned in a previous post, I would like to honor the winners of the Superblessed Christian Blog Awards 2006 by donating medicines to Typhoon Reming’s victims in Bicol in the names of the winners.

The winners of the Superblessed Christian Blog Awards 2006 are selected by sheer virtue of their having blessed me. Regardless of whether their blogs are explicitly Christian in nature or whether they ‘live the life,’ if you will, I wish to honor these phenomenal men and women of Christ, and pray their stars continue to shine brightly as they blog for Jesus. Be superblessed!

Imagine my surprise when, further down, I see this:

The Blog On! Most Superblessed Christian Blog of 2006.
Journey Inside My Mind. This year, I have seen Dan Johnson live his faith out in so many ways, it makes my head spin. When I look at him and see how his joy comes from God, despite things that would have felled lesser men, I am reminded of God’s power and greatness. No man deserves this award better than Dan Johnson, because in everything he does - as he takes us through a journey through his mind, if you will - you can see how Christ fills it up and leads him on. For being his brother in Christ, one of his prayer partners, and his friend, I am superblessed, honored, and privileged to give the Blog On! Superblessed Christian Blog Award 2006 to my friend, Dan Johnson.

How encouraging is that! Here's this young man, who lives literally 12 hours away from me, never having met me in person, saying these nice words about me! Not only that, but he's chosen to honor me and all the other award recipients with a donation to help those whose lives have been turned upside down by Typhoon Reming, which hit the Philippines a couple months ago.

I'm blown away. Here are the comments I left:

Wow. I don't know what to say. I'm blushing. What great company to be among, especially given the history of these awards.

I want to thank the Academy... oh, wait. Wrong speech.

Seriously, though. Thank YOU, Ganns Deen, for being the Official Superblessed Blogger of Journey Inside My Mind! Thank YOU for blessing MY life as well.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. -- Proverbs 11:25

Friday, December 15, 2006

Video Greetings for December 15th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast at MySpace

Ten more days until that big day! And only a couple more weeks left in the year. It's coming whether we're ready for it or not:

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Video Greetings for December 14th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

The men wanted to get out as soon as they could:

I am seriously HATING Microsoft Windows Media Player 11

Mood: frustrated

You'd think that a software update would be a good thing. That's what I thought when prompted by Windows Media Player to update to version 11. I did it, and boy, am I regretting that decision. It's become so much more cumbersome to consume podcasts and sync media files with my iRiver. What used to take 5 minutes now takes 15, if I have the patience to wait that long.

So I Googled "how to revert back to Windows Media Player 10" and found this website: http://www.normsoft.com/kb/idx/0/166/article/. I don't have the time to check it out right now, but I'm posting this so that I can return to it later.

Man, Microsoft really bites farts on this one.

Update 5:19 PM EST: As I uninstalled WMP 11 from the Control Panel, it automatically rolled back to version 10. I have yet to see if everything else works better.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Video Greetings for December 13th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

It seemed like we crammed a bunch of stuff into our day today:

I Want To Promote You!

crossposted to Get That Job!

I was just thinking of a hobby/job/passion I'd like to do. I already do it to some extent, but I'm thinking of doing it more with a different slant:

I love talking to people and learning about what they do for a living, the kinds of things that drive them to do what they do. I love being in a position to promote other people.

I was just chatting with a former coworker who's been a professional friend for nine years now. During the conversation I asked him, "What one thing could I do to help you further your pursuits?" We then talked about potential opportunities he saw for me to do for him at his current job, where he's doing a lot of travelling.

It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it was a start. We ended our conversation with me saying, "Let me know what I could do to help promote you around here."

I'd love to get paid to be able to promote other people. I'd love to interview you about your background, your job, etc., and share it with other people. Kinda like "Inside the Actor's Studio" but more professionally.

And I'd love to be paid for it, of course. But I'm open in the short-term to defer getting paid just to get it going. Anyone else think this would be a good idea? I'm talking about starting a podcast, maybe to call it "Get That Job!" or something else like that, more related to the interviews.

Let me know what you think! And if you'd like to get on the list to be interviewed/promoted.

Related tags:

getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson promote podcast job podcasting

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Video Greetings for December 12th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

We had a sign language class tonight, and in this update I share about some of the ways we use sign language in our family:

Monday, December 11, 2006

Video Greetings for December 11th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace and
Get That Job!

In today's video update I'm reminded of a time when I tried to get a college professor's attention:

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Video Greetings for December 10th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

Got a lot of stuff going on inside my head while doing this one:

JIMM 72 - Me and My Friends

Mood: upbeat
Listening to: JIMM 72 - Me and My Friends
Eating: grilled burgers, macaroni and cheese, succotash, beer
Watching: Music video for "Symmetry" by Edwin Derricutt

Now on MySpace, premiering new music; promos; trying out a free conference calling feature with the Official Mom, and asking for help. By the way, the first song is "Symmetry" by Edwin Derricutt, and the music video is now available on YouTube (after the jump)

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Video Greetings for December 9th

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace

Trying to multi-task as I give this update:

Friday, December 08, 2006

Video Greetings for December 8th

A lot of time to day organizing my networks into a really cool website, which will help me manage those relationships:

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Video Greetings for December 7th

First snow of the season happened today:

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Video Greetings for December 6th

crossposted to JIMM Podcast at MySpace

Almost forgot - done during the remaining minutes of the day:

Advent Calendars for the 2006 Holiday Season

Mood: UNDAUNTED
Listening to: "Merry Christmas Baby" by Calvin Owens
Eating: Lentil soup with cornbread

It's still early in the month of December for you to check out some Advent Calendars. Each day in December through December 25th, you'll find something new. Here are some Advent Calendars I'm checking out this season:

Promptings Advent Calendar
LifeSpring Advent Calendar, podcast hosted by Steve Webb, host of the Lifespring! Family of Podcasts and James Cooper of WhyChristmas.com
Tips from the Top Floor, a digital photography podcast with tips and tricks for the digital photographer
Grant's Advent Calendar, Grant from the Radio Adventures of Doctor Floyd shares a video of him opening up a door to his Advent Calendar

I know there are probably many more. I haven't considered the video updates I'm doing this month to be an Advent Calendar, but I suppose it might be considered something like that.

Related tags:

journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson christmas2006 advent+calendar steve+webb james+cooper lifespring why+christmas throwing+toasters tips+from+the+top+floor grant+baciocco chris+marquardt traditions digital+photography doctor+floyd

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Video Greetings for December 5th

crossposted to JIMM Podcast at MySpace

We spent time doing things that didn't involve our voices today:

Monday, December 04, 2006

Video Greetings for December 4th

crossposted to MySpace blog

Brrr to the bone:

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Video Greetings for December 3rd

Today's video update involves two websites you need to check out:

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Video Greetings for December 2nd

A bit of a different perspective:

JIMM 71 - Emailing Santa Claus

Mood: alert
Watching: Garfield movie on FX

The latest Journey Inside My Mind podcast episode has Keisha sharing an email reply she got from the jolly old elf, along with some great music - all the warm, gooey goodness you've come to love about the Journey Inside My Mind.

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journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson

Friday, December 01, 2006

Video Greetings for December 1st

Mood: upbeat
Listening to: DSC 507 - 12/1/2006
Reading: The Magic of Thinking Big
Eating: Taco Bell
Watching: wind blowing everything all over the place outside

A little video message from yours truly to kick off the last month of the year:

I'll be recording the next episode of Journey Inside My Mind and posting it within the next day or so.

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journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson hellodeo video christmas2006