Animator vs. Animation

Animator vs. Animation

Alan Becker
ht: Kem

How to Draw a Monkey

According to my google homepage it is important that you know how to draw THIS little guy.

World Changer

So, you may or may not know that I love Bono. I know it's kinda cliche to say that - who doesn't love him...but seriously, I love him. I love world changers. Bono is a world changer. He has a heart for the most destitute poorest of the poor but can lead the most powerful richest of the rich to do something about it. I think it's a gift. I think he's trying everything he can think of to change the world...and THAT is highly inspiring.

Check out this article from the Washington Post

"It's the closing lines that struck me as a student and fan of America," the Irishman says of the Declaration of Independence and the founders, "which is we 'pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.' These people could have actually paid with their lives. It was an act of treason to sign it. Am I ready, a man who has stepped off a private jet a couple of days ago, to pledge my fortune? It doesn't look like it. My life? I hope not. But my sacred honor? I like to think I am."

"Why are people listening?" Bono says. "Because I actually believe in America and they know it and I'm not sure if they do sometimes. It is a little odd and eerie to have an Irish rock star recite the Declaration of Independence like it's a great poem, but it is a great poem. And that poetry is what's missing from political dialogue right now. And this country is parched, parched from the lack of such political lyrics, and I'm going in saying, 'This is who you are.' "

Read the article HERE

HT: Thunderstruck

Awesomest Gift of the Day

I'm pretty certain this Bearded Cap will be the perfect gift for my brother for Christmas
Get yours HERE

Thanks Dustin

Thanksmas Hunt

This year's annual Beeson Family pheasant hunt was awesome! Have you ever seen so much camo and orange gear? We were prepared for frigid cold sideways sleet and nasty snow - but instead we had sunshine and some snow on the ground. After a couple of hours, everyone was taking off their coats and removing layers of clothing to cool off.



Its hilarious fun to walk through the fields with the fam, laughing and talking and watching buddy the dog look for pheasants.

Angela, mom and I were the photographers this year, so the guys could carry the guns. They have lots of fun together - as you can see. Ryan kicked up one bird that flew straight up over his head.
I am so thankful for my family. We love each other well and take full advantage of the time we get to spend together.

Too good to post just once.

Kyle & Sarah

It was such fun having Ryan's brother Kyle and his bride Sarah here for the weekend. We share something very special - we all went to HOPE COLLEGE and had a blast walking around campus Friday night. Personally, I think it's pretty cool that our college stories intersect, involve people we all know from a place we all hold dear to our hearts.

Yes, this is a blatant commercial for Hope College. Maybe the tagline should be "A Great Place to Find a Spouse"

On Voting

I love that I can vote - so when I ran into this article today, it really surprised me about my generation. Come on guys! I don't think we're representing well!

A new study found that many NYU students would give up their right to vote for the right price. More than 60 percent said they would forfeit their voting rights for a full scholarship, and 20 percent said they'd trade their vote for an iPod touch.

You can read the whole article HERE

Would you give up your vote for anything? If so, what would it take?

From the heart and desk of Mark Beeson

Dear Church:

Our parenting series got me thinking and a recent barrage of irresponsible statements from people with great influence got me writing. You are welcome to contemplate this problematic cultural conundrum. Read on.

“I’m just a musician. I never wanted to be a role model. That responsibility lies with parents.”

“I’m just an athlete. I never asked to be a role model. That responsibility lies with parents.”

“I’m just a teacher at the school. I never claimed to be a role model. That responsibility lies with parents.”

Is anyone else tired of hearing that lame excuse for negligent behavior? So am I. I’m fed up.

I’m sick of it.

We spout this garbage presuming to guard our value of individual freedom. But this isn’t freedom, its license – comprehensive authorization to do anything we want, anywhere we like, with anyone we choose. Such lunacy absolves people of influence from the responsibility essential to it.

This release, so easy to say, excuses leaders of culpability. This simple statement, offered and accepted as transcendent truth, exempts the shapers of our society from their indispensable contribution to it.

Allowing this tripe to continue unchallenged is akin to accommodating cultural suicide.

Gain without cost, benefits expanded without exertion, profit with no skin in the game, all these precipitate tragedy and loss. Our underlying desire for sex without marriage, money without work, loyal friends (when we have not cultivated closeness, nor have we demonstrated our own fidelity) manifests itself in bad behavior. We ache with selfish ambition while despising the levels of accountability inherent to success.

We want young people to buy our music and tickets to our performances. We want them to swallow our opinions, beliefs and political orientations. We demand they accept our values and morals. Our imagined contract reads, “You give me adulation. Celebrate me and I will enjoy the license of unrestrained self-indulgence as part of the deal.” Do we think we owe nothing after we have gained so much?

Well, here is the truth.
If people are looking at us with admiration,
if others follow our lives with interest,
if people emulate our words or admire our ways,
if we influence anyone - then, whether we like it or not, we are responsible. We are accountable and we are liable. No more excuses. We don’t have an out.

Parents are responsible too; our Creator makes that clear. But as children navigate the waters of adolescence, the people who shape their emerging values, beliefs and opinions better step up and serve them well by living well. The success of every next generation depends on the responsible influence of their leaders and opinion-shapers.

So let’s stop whining about all the pressure we feel. Step up, my friend. Accept responsibility. Lead courageously and expect God to reward you. The next generation is watching and learning and they deserve more from us than excuses.

Mark Beeson

FREE RICE

THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

I kid you not, when I saw the site FREERICE.COM I absolutely could not contain the excitement in my heart for the difference this is making in the world.

You just play this vocabulary game and for each word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice through the United Nations to feed hungry people. TRY IT FOR YOURSELF!

Free Rice began last month and 1,519,627,180 grains of rice have been donated already. Click here to see the TOTALS

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site.

"Improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself. Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. Thank you."

Interview Dinners

You may recall this time last year when Ryan and I began our journey on the interview trail for residency...I blogged about it here. We roamed from town to town learning about a bunch of different programs, having dinner with lots of groups of residents, and deciding if Ryan would "fit in" at each of the places. After months of interviewing and decision making, on Match Day (click here to read my post from then), Ryan opened the envelope that told us we would me moving to Grand Rapids, MI where Ry would complete his residency at DeVos Children's Hospital. Remember Match Day? I feel like it was yesterday! All of that is to say, I love being on the other end of the interview trail. Each week Ryan and I have been taking the interviewees to dinner the night before they interview. I think it's awesome - like date night, but with a bunch of other people. We answer their questions, tell them about the town and the program, and basically just enjoy a wonderful meal at some really nice restaurants downtown.

Tonight is one of those nights! I heard a rumor that some of the interviewees are bringing thier spouses along...which means I might actually be helpful!

Foggy Saturday Morning

We went down to my parents house on Friday night to help out with a video for the parenting series at Granger next weekend. My brother Aaron flew up from Florida and my sister Angela came over too! It was so fun to see them - even for just a couple of hours.

Mom and Dad have three cats at their house. Socks, Maggie, and Terrence. They all live outside where they roam around hunting and climbing trees all day

Terrence the cat follows Ryan everywhere he goes. It's hilarious! If Ryan walks slowly, Terrence does too. If Ryan runs, Terrence runs too. Even if Ryan steps up on a rock or a log, Terrence follows right behind.

Shauna Niequist

Its only 8:41 am on Friday and I've already received 3 voicemails, 1 comment on my blog, 2 emails, and 1 facebook note about how great Shauna did last night at New Community!

I wish I could have been there! These are a couple of pictures from last night that my dad emailed me.

Were you there last night? What did you think?

Have You Chuckled Today?

This will make your day happy. Click HERE for more.

Return of the Leeches

Dad used quite a memorable visual during his message for the Parenting Series last weekend at Granger

Just click HERE to go to Granger's Site, then click on the image at the bottom right hand corner that says "watch last week's service".

I highly suggest you watch the entire thing, but if you don't have time, click to about 25 minutes in and you'll see what I'm talking about.

My New Favorite Read

Let me tell you about Prodigal Jon... one of my new favorite blogs to read. He always has hilarious things to say - and is an incredible story teller. He has this amazing ability to bring everything back around to something thoughtful or meaningful.

I believe that if you check out his blog and read his 6 most recent posts, you too will be hooked.

Check Yourself

Burnout Self-Test

I CAN'T WAIT! I CAN'T WAIT!

Guess where Ryan is taking me tonight! He got us tickets to see the Celtic Women! I LOVE the Celtic Women! I can't wait!



Has anyone else watched the Celtic Women on TV before?

What Was Your First Job?

1. Bruno's Pizza Phone Chick - This was a pretty awesome job while I was in High School, except for one problem...everyone got to take smoke breaks - but since I didn't smoke, I never got to take a break. So one day I told my boss I'd smoke for a break...so they gave me a cigarette and I went out back and smoked it. Let's just say, that break wasn't worth it.
   
2. Lunker's Bait Shop Attendant/Cashier - This job was really great too, because it gave my dad an excuse to buy more hunting and fishing gear (to support me in my job). I enjoyed knowing more about hunting and fishing than most of the guys I worked with.
   
3. Cutco Field Sales Manager - This was the absolute best job that a college student could possibly have. I made enough money during the three months of summer that I didn't have to work at all during school. For 5 years I sold Cutco knives. I'll sell you some today if you want me to. They are awesome! Ryan and I have Cutco at our house.
   
4. Mary Kay - I still have a Mary Kay business...but pretty much it's all online. So if anyone out there ever needs some skincare or lip gloss, go to MY WEBSITE
   
5. The Salvation Army Volunteer Coordinator - After Hurricane Katrina I started volunteering in the phone bank and within a few weeks they hired me full time at Emergency Disaster Services! I loved helping people help people. We worked out in the warehouse assembling Food Boxes and Hygiene Kits to send down to the Gulf Coast. I loved it.
   
6. AspireOne - This was a fun job for me because I got to talk to pastors all day and help churches identify their uniqueness and then our team would build a brand and website around that uniqueness. I loved it.
   
7. Birkey - For 6 weeks before I moved to Grand Rapids I got to help Randy Birkey while learning a ton about search engine optimization, e-commerce, web interface design and content management systems.
   
8. Designvox - I am now entering my 5th week as a Voxer. I could not be happier about the team I get to hang out with, the projects I get to help with, and the cool stuff I am learning every day. I love it.
   

What was your first job?

Shauna Niequist at New Community

I just found out that Shauna will be speaking at Granger's midweek New Community service this Thursday November 8!

If you can be there...you should be there.

I want to be there...

I'm going to try to be there...

For all the Moms out there

Everything a mom would say in 24 hours condensed to 2 minutes and 55 seconds
ht: Dawn