Xian: living the good life!

Has anyone seen the commercials on TV for MagicJack?

2010-01-23T12:36:00.001-08:00

Has anyone seen the commercials on TV for MagicJack? I have had mine for over a year, and I came up with a few things everyone should know.

Pros:
-Yes, they do work well overall, but there are some minor unexpected quirks (listed in the cons)
-No, there are no hidden costs
-Yes, it is a serious option for replacing a home phone or business phone.
-Where ever you bring the MajicJack and set it up is where your phone will work. You can literally bring your home phone with you where ever you have High speed internet access and a computer.

-You can hook it up to an answering machine.
-You can set it up to send messages to your email inbox, or even create an email address just for your messages. This means you can check messages anywhere you have internet access even on your moble phone.
-It only costs 19.99 for the jack, shipping (if you order online), and 19.95 for a whole year of service.
-You can by service for your phone serveral years ahead and even recieve a discount if you buy five years at once. (currently only $69.95 for five years of service)
-The entire set-up costs the same as the average land-line phone bill.
-I recommend everyone try it out.
-it is fairly easy to figure it out.

Cons:
-It does not work on wifi unless it is a very strong signal, the line will cut in and out (just like a cell phone would).
-there is a slight delay in the conversation, but it never was bad enough to bother me, plus I am used to it.
-you will have a new number
-you will have a different area code other then 231 or 616 because they are not currently available for some reason. You actually have to choose an area code from a list. I chose Rockford because my sister Juna goes to college there (I love Juna!).
-for some strange reason the sound on my desktop computer now goes through my phone. So, when I am steaming video, or listening to music I have to turn on the speaker of my phone and press a button for the dial tone to go away and then I listen to the audio that way. This MIGHT have kept me from recommending MagicJack to others, BUT it doesn't not acted like that when I plug it in to my laptop, nor does it do that for my brother and his family, who also has MagicJack for their home phone.

With all the pros and cons, I wish I would have had MagicJack sooner. It is well worth a try to see if is right for you.

Some questions I have of my own:

1) Has anyone else had any quirky problems with their MagicJack?

2) Are there any other cool hook-ups or uses you have found using MagicJack?

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My American Idol Audition: Can you imagine! I had to burp in the middle of my song!

2009-07-02T05:07:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I auditioned for "West Michigan" American Idol put on by Fox 17 at the gorgeous East Kentwood High School (Wednesday July 1, 2009). Apparently there are several impostor competitions, one in which the winner of the competition gets to sing in... a park. Oh Yeah! But, this was the real deal and the winner actually gets airfare and hotel paid to go to the semi-finals in Denver for the actual show. As the day approached I tried not to get too nervous, refocusing my nervous energy into excitement for this great opportunity and learning experience.

Why I Auditioned

Let me first tell you the reason I came to do this. One day after working at Bob Evans I was airing out my frustrations to my mom (who would watch watching my two boys for my wife and I while we are working). I was frustrated that I wasn't getting much opportunity to sing or to challenge my voice. I already sing back-up vocals at my church and I used to fill in to lead worship when our regular worship leader was away. I already volunteered to perform more songs at my church after we receive offering. Hopefully, it will help me to better discipline my voice when I am nervous. What I really want to do is start a worship band and write music, but that is yet to come. Anyway, my Mom suggested that I audition for West Michigan American Idol, so I registered and got accepted.

The Line Experience
The doors opened for registration at 5:00 and for the audience at 5:30. When my parents, wife, two boys, and I arrived at 4:30 the line was short the sky was gloomy and threatening to rain. I began to think no one would be showing up to audition because the doors opened in a half hour and there was only a handful of people there (not that you can literally have handfuls of people). I didn't have a coat or umbrella and I really had to use the resting room because I had been drinking so much water and orange juice to keep my throat in good condition. So, we went to Wendy's to get the boys something to eat while I "rested in the room" and yes I did sing in the bathroom, which anyone at my church can tell you that is usually the reason why I am in the bathroom is to hear myself sing. Yes, I know it's weird, but of course it's it only when I am alone. So when we arrived back at East Kentwood High School twenty minutes later the line for auditions mushroomed about fifty yards. I kept looking at all people as if I could find out by looking at them if they were a good singer or not. I made small conversation with some of the contestants asking them what they did to prepare for their audition. On guy said he didn't do anything special because he sings every day and does karaoke quite often. This made sense but I thought that singing everyday doesn't necessarily make anyone a good singer. This made me nervous because I couldn't help but think what others would think of my own singing. I am sure those who sing badly think they are at least an okay singer. The whole time I stood in line I wondered, how many of these people are really good singers and how many are the bad ones people see on TV and laugh at. They announced the doors were opening, I would soon find out.

Hi, My Name Is Bob Evans
As we entered the building a man gave everyone a list of rule which we had to sign and hand in when we reached the check-in point. I was talking to the guy ahead of me about the styles of music we would be singing. He said he sings R&B but he will be singing "Don't want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith because he knows it cold because his voice is acting up. He said he didn't even know why he was auditioning because he had a cold, but he'd try anyway. He said he worked as a salesman for a local manufacture or parts supplier then he asked where I worked. When I told him I worked at Bob Evans he laughed and said, "Funny story, that's my name." I couldn't believe it, was just unbelievable. I just laughed, it was too cool. Then I had to use the rest room again... I know, I just went, but I drank a lot of water and orange juice. Actually I was still drinking it throughout the whole experience. Thankfully I had good ole Bob Evans to hold my place inline.

The Waiting

So I handed in my papers and took on a stared wristband with a number on it and followed the line into... the auditorium? At first when we got in the auditorium I though we were in the wrong place because I thought we would be back stage until we were called out. But, I suppose we just would have to sit there until we were given further instructions. I scouted out seats for my family to take when they joined me and waited for 25 eons until they showed up. When my family came in with there big smiles and hugs I felt the biggest, warmest, fuzziest feeling I have felt in a long time. They loved me, and I loved them. I just felt the biggest appreciation for them in that moment that they were there to support me and cheer me on. I had everything I needed between them and God. God has been so good to me; it reminded me of the song I would be singing.

The Competition Begins
They called a group of people by the numbers on their bracelet and the exited the auditorium though another set of main doors opposite from the ones we entered. It seemed to be a very efficient process to get all 300 contestants auditioned in a timely manor. They started the auditions after about five or ten minutes. After seeing the first twenty contestants I only heard one contestant that was any good. I realized that both very good singers and and very bad singers were hard to come by. I would say 5% were very bad, 85% were mediocre, 8% were pretty good and 2% were exceptionally good. Even though your are all competing against each other you can't help but to cheer for the really good ones, or for that matter anyone who gave it their best shot. The entire crowd was very gracious; West Michigan is really fully of genuinely kind people, which makes me proud and grateful to live here.

My Group Is Called
So what was it like being call up? When they call my group's numbers I just stood up and thought to myself, that's me I am going to do this now I headed to the doors with the others and immediately started stretching the back of my throat, sipping more water, and humming. They lead us to the back of the stage to a hall way where we lined up against the hall. at their mark we went into a large room with tables adorn with forms and pencils, at the door we drew a poker chips; red chips go on stage, white chips go to the audition room instead, only half of us would be performing in front of the audience, but all of us would be judged. Unlike most of the people there I want to go on stage. I was used to being onstage at church and it is just easier for me to sing in front of a crowd rather than in front of just the judges staring at me with "judg"mental eyes. Plus, going on stage will help me to get over more nervousness in the future. I made a quick prayer that I would get the red chip. I put my hand in and pulled out a red chip. Yes I was going to the stage!

We went into the room and we each filled out our names on the three score cards that would later go to the three judges. After that they divided us into the white and red groups. One lady asked everyone who the best singer in my group was and I said me (not that I really believed that, but I thought I could be). Then, they told me to sing something. So I started singing my song and I heard vague sounds of approval and then a brash interruption "ALRIGHT, IT'S TIME TO GO!", yelled one of the workers from the doorway. It was nice to get a little warm up just before performing, however short it was. I really wanted everyone in my group to do well and we kept encouraging each other while we did little singing exercises together on the way to the back of the stage where we stood waiting for our turn. We could see the Judge's table and the FOX 17 hosts at the another table across the stage. I was determined not to be nervous. I was looking forward to doing well. I continued to hum silently to keep my first note in my head, the most important note of any audition.

My Time Shine
The girl in front of me did a great job, she sang a jazzy little routing, which I tried not to listen too intently to for fear of throwing of my first note. Then she was done and they told me to go up. And I did. I went up smiling. Hoping that I could get the crow excited I shouted, "Hello, West Michigan" they clapped some and then I had to sing. I didn't realize it at the time but I started just a little too high, which would throw me off at the chorus when the notes reach the apex. After my first line I felt the effects of drinking so much orange juice in such a short period of time. I had to burp! I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with this rising gas bubble when I suddenly reach the chorus, which was now too high for me to reach, so I swallowed my gas bubble and switched key in the middle of my chorus. Needles to say my thirty seconds was not salvageable even thought the song did start out great. Song ended and the crowd cheered graciously as I left only half disappointed in myself. I can now relate to the rest of the American Idol contestants that sing off key or make seemingly big mistakes, because when I got on the stage everything I practiced for so long left me when the lights and staring audience all focused on me.

Afterward
I sat down with my proud family and watched the rest of the contestants perform, some we OK, and others were not. They took a ten minute break to tally the scores and decide who would make it into the top ten. When they concluded they actually came out with a top thirteen because they could not narrow it down to ten. They called them out to perform for the finals. For the life of me I could not see they picked some of the finalist because they were not the best singers and I did not feel they had much crowd appeal. I only liked two of those they picked, of which one of those was the winner. I felt privileged to be apart of the event and I feel the winner of the contest truly deserved to win. Most of all, I felt loved; not for how well I did, but for who I was an for the brave attempt. After the contest was over cars were lined up into oblivion trying to get out of the parking lot, so my wife and I decided to play with our young boys Joel and Gavin on the hilly grass away from the traffic until everything clear. My parents waited in the car. Later we went to Culvers on Alpine because they are awesome and amazing, AND they have the best frozen custard I have ever had, ever, which is also awesome and amazing! Just like my family.

Conclusion
I was so glad to have this experience. Before I auditioned I could feel apprehensive excitement from all of those I told about my upcoming audition. They were excited for me and knew I could do well, but at the same time they did not want me to get seriously disappointed if I got shot down, because it is really competitive. I have to say that I am much more confident with the idea of competing and performing now that I have actually tried it on a bigger scale. There really is nothing to be nervous of unless you care too much about what people think of you. Also the competition is tough, but it is not insurmountable by any means. It just depends on how much you are willing to put into singing and performing. If I keep practicing all year like I did this past week there is nothing that can stop me from succeeding.

Three Myths About Jesus

2009-06-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

Click here to read: Three Myths About Jesus

Tell me what you think about this after you goto the link.

Does it spur you to change any of you family traditions? Do you care which day the Sabbath day is on, even if you need to observe the sabbath day? Or, do you think it is all irrelevant. After you read this you can read my comments if you would like.

I for one think I should place more importance on setting aside a day of rest I think I should shoot for Saturday. I don't think that Saturday is when everyone must go to church though. I just don't think there is a specific day set aside for that as long as Christians are meeting together on a regular basis, which I would love to do more than once per week. Anytime Christians meet together it they can have church. it does not have to be placed inside a box with strict parameters dos and don'ts.

I have had a problem with celebrating Christmas for a while now, specifically with Santa Clause. It really just rakes on my nerves. There are many movies out that promote Christmas and belief in Santa Clause like it is a religion. If we are celebrating "Christ"mas then what are we doing promoting another godlike figure, which we know is false as we fail to promote Christ who lives, died and rose again so that we might follow in His likeness.Instead, parents feel compelled to tell their children little white lies in order to bolster their imagination and get them into the Christmas "Spirit". Is that right? Does it help or hinder a child's belief in God? Does it make a child want to believe parents that God is real and Jesus can live in your heart if their parents tell them that Santa is real but then on day they find out he is not? If we are playing into ungodly celebrations and traditions of this world without reservations are we any different than the world?

Shouldn't we be doing what is stated in Hebrews 12:1 "Do not form any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you can test and approve what God's will is. his good pleasing and perfect will."

In these troubled times I have just feel a tremendous tug to reexamine my life to see if I am doing the will of God. I have an inkling that I am not the only one who has been feeling this. We Christians need to unite by the same love Jesus has showed to us, meeting together often for the sole purpose of encouraging one another and strategize on how to present the Gospel, commit act of kindness, and create disciplined followers of Christ. We need to know God and live and see things as the Holy Spirit guides us. If you are not hungry for the things of God, chose this day to stir yourself in to desiring the things of God more than the things in this life, which are not eternal. God wants you to prosper as your soul prospers in following Him, both now and in the life to come.

God In All Persons

2008-07-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

God in All Persons

By Ben Spencer

Dear Father God
We ask please reprove
O Son of God
Our sins please remove
Spirit of God
Not works but faith proves
Children of God
Thirst in you He moves

"Your 'too busy' is choking me!" -God

2008-06-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

I have heard the Parable of the Sower sooooo many times, often getting to point where I just say "Yes, I know." Thank God, His Spirit brings to life new meaning from His word. Basically, I have no new revelation of the story, but God has pressed on me a solid connection between my being "too busy" to read the Bible and pray as I should with good quality. When I am too busy to maintain my relationship with God then I am filling my life with other thing that have successfully made no room for the seed god has planted in me. I am choking that seed. I love college, I need to work, and volunteer at my church, but if they are supplanting what God has planted they need to be mowed over so God's seed will not be hindered, or competed with. Then there will be true power in my life. There is nothing more important than that.