September 30, 2004

NYWC Revisited

As I mentioned, I didn't get much of a chance to post while I was there, but over the next few weeks I hope to share some of my thoughts and some of the things that I learned while I was there. However, I don't know how fast I'll get to it. I allowed myself to get so tired that I have a cold now, and it's really not helping me make the transition back to eastern time.

To get started, here's a list of what I had hoped to attend or hear:

Speakers: Rob Bell and John Ortberg - we will/did miss the last session, so I never thought about seeing Scott Johnson.

Bands and Comedians: Michael W. Smith, Audio Adrenalin, The Skit Guys (these guys are fantastic), Daren Streblow, and Panic Squad

Seminars & Critical Concern Courses:

Obviously, I didn't get to go to many of the seminars, since they conflicted, but I'll try to give feed back on the ones I attended (bold) or got tapes for (italic).

Seminar CDs that I purchased but hadn't intended to attend:

Posted by Jesse at 10:48 AM | Comments (1)

September 28, 2004

And that is that....

This morning started a bit later than the rest of the mornings, which gave everyone a chance to sleep in. I went to a seminar on student leadership, then headed over to see if there were any give-aways for the general session. There wasn't, which isn't surprising, I don't think they ever give anything out for the last session.

We had to catch the shuttle before the session would barely be started so we skipped the session, grabbed our bags and are now sitting in the John Wayne airport waiting for our plane to begin boarding in an hour or so. I like the layout of the terminal. It's a smaller airport, but because of Disney - or stars - it's serviced by all the major airlines. Sitting in the terminal, you can look out across all the runways and see all types of planes - both large and small - taking off and landing.

I think our plane just pulled up, but there's still 45 minutes before we can board. One plus about this flight is that we don't have to change planes in Chicago. We'll layover for an hour, but when we get off we won't have to mess with the car seat or stroller, which will be quite nice.

Posted by Jesse at 2:37 PM

September 26, 2004

Just a small update

I woke up early for a seminar that turned out to not be nearly as informative as I had hoped, but it was at least more helpful then the one I attended yesterday. After that, I decided to try to make today a bit less hectic and to enjoy the conference, but also enjoy being away.

I wound up skipping the speakers for both of today's general sessions, but the rest of the sessions were good. We also had a long time for dinner, got some pool time in and were able to both go to this evening's comedy club.

The afternoon seminar was very informative and helpful and I'm looking forward to going tomorrow morning.
As with most posts this week, I'll end by saying...more details later.

Posted by Jesse at 2:46 AM | Comments (1)

September 25, 2004

A Post Too Far

My intention had been to make regular entries about the convention, but I don't know if that'll happen, at least not to the extent I had hoped. I still intend to write each day, but I was hoping to be able to detail some of the sessions. It's likely that I am not going to do that for several reasons....

First, the days are jam-packed. I knew that from last year, but it also seems that I had more energy last year. Maybe it;s the hotel...anyhow, the time seems even more pressed.
Secondly, not that you readers don't count, but Kevin and Teri are here and spending time with them will be the focus when I have extra time, not blogging.
Third, I have school work to do tonight, and again have some things due Sunday as well as again when I get home.
Lastly, the underlying theme that God is sending me is that I need to reduce the hurriedness in my life (more about that later) and spending time blogging on top of all else certainly won't help me relax.

So, sit back, enjoy - when I have time I'll add a convention category - and I'll certainly have updates, some in depth, some not so much.

Posted by Jesse at 3:20 AM

September 22, 2004

Flying the Friendly Skies

This morning finds our intrepid travelers on the way to the National Youth Workers Conference in Anaheim, CA. I woke up this morning around 3 to fit in getting dressed, last minute stuff, and to get to the airport by 5, yes, 5 am!

It's been a little while since I've flown with United, but it's been one of the more pleasant trips in recent history. We're currently cruising somewhere near the CA border, about an hour from touchdown. Our layover in Denver allows me to cross one more state off my list, but Colorado is somewhere I want to have a chance to spend a bit more time then just the hour at the airport.

When we disembarked the plane at Denver, we had to wait for the stroller, which wasn't too bad since it was considerably cooler in the walkway then it was on the plane. Unfortunately, the heat and motion took a toll on Kevin and while we were waiting he "had a reversal" and threw up on his shirt and socks. Hearing the tell-tale signs I was able to hold him away from me so I wasn't in the line of fire. We cleaned him up and stopped by an airport gift shirt - he's now sporting a "I need a Hug - Colorado" shirt.

I'm looking forward to the conference (and to get away from these two loud kids traveling with their grandparents) and some time with Teri and Kevin. I know that our time will be somewhat limited since Teri wants to be able to make certain seminars - as do I. The conference has stuff going on almost all the time. Late night options run until well after 12, and morning options start before 7. I don't see myself going to any of the early morning stuff, but if last year is any judge, I'll be fairly busy the rest of the time.

We will have some time today, though. Youth Specialties has discount tickets to Disneyland and we're arriving a day early to take advantage of some twilight passes. That'll get us into the park after 4 and until close, which will be more than enough time for Kevin - and likely plenty of time for us as well.

The conference officially starts Friday, but I signed up for a Critical Concerns Course, which is an 8 hour course running tomorrow afternoon and Friday morning. I'll post more about that later since I can't remember the name of the course right now. They offer 7 or 8 and the one I attended last year was quite good.

More from ground zero later.

Posted by Jesse at 9:41 AM | Comments (1)