What's Woody Doing Now

Resetting Facebook and Twitter Accounts with my Blogs

Today, I decided to update my Facebook and Twitter accounts with new features on my blog.  Hopefully, this will improve my notes/statuses on Facebook and my tweets on Twitter.

One Year To Make It Inside Lucas Oil Stadium

You can guess that I am not a Colts' season ticket holder.  And, there have NOT been any events of interest (and worth the money) at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.  Also, I was out of the Indianapolis for three months during the past year.

I finally made it to the stadium.  Technically, I was there but not as a spectator.  I worked in a pizza booth with members of First Presbyterian Church of Hartford City.

 

I got a chance see the roof open in the afternoon before the showers.

So, just maybe, I can make it into a paid seat in the next 12 months.

VIDEO: Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra - A Silver Lining

Note to Self! There is always a silver lining in the darkest storm cloud.  Kinshasa has been condemned by so many people.  Most people concluded it is easily to just bulldozer it instead of trying to rebuild it.  This video is a must see. 

Interested in Going to South Korea on a Cultural Exchange?

Volunteers are needed to participate in a Group Study Exchange to South Korea.  Team members are needed to complete the team of five persons.

There is no cost to selected team members.  Team members need to be non-Rotarians and can't be a relative of a Rotarian, between the ages of 25 and 40 (both ages are included meaning they can be 25 or 40 and still be eligible). The trip is from February 15, 2010 to March 14, 2010.

The application and other information regarding GSE in general can be accessed by visiting Rotary International's website. Click on the Service and Fellowship tab and scrolling down to Fellowship and clicking on Group Study Exchange.

Enjoyed Going to Church Outdoors

I worshiped with @RexEspiritu in the park. It's fun to sit among nature. It's RIGHT to experience God outside our church building.

Power Users Beware

If you want to do more than just talk on your smartphone or PocketPC, power users beware.  All PocketPCs are not created equal.  All PocketPCs are not treated equally by AT&T.

I added an enhanced data feature to my Samsung Jack.  The feature allow me to use the my phone as a modem for my laptop.  Now I do not have to look for a free Wi-Fi hotspot like Panera Bread, the library, or etc.

However, the enhanced data feature also allows you to use freely AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots like at Starbucks and McDonalds.  Cool beans!  Not so fast, Mr. PowerUser.  Do you have a tethered handsets?

Tethered Handsets—Connect your AT&T handset to your laptop and talk and connect to the Internet at the same time.

AT&T offers a number of data-capable handsets that can be used as wireless modems. Click here for a list of devices compatible with AT&T's tether solution.

My PocketPC, the Samsung Jack, can be tethered to my laptop.  It can be used as a modem.  But it can be used at Starbucks and McDonalds Wi-Fi locations.  Beware!  A new release of the AT&T's Communication Manager is rescheduled to be release on August 15.  This newer version suppose to allow the Samsung Jack access to Starbucks and McDonalds Wi-Fi locations.

Testing A New PocketPC

I think finding a new phone is a no-brainer. But if you use your phone for more than talking, it's a jungle out there.

I am testing a new PocketPC. I chose the Samsung Jack (SGH-i637).

One plus for the Jack was the ability to use up to a 16 gb SD card. A second plus is a 3.2 mp camera.

SPEAKING: A Few Ounces of Water Will Kill You

Have you ever flown to a central Florida airport like Tampa or Orlando? Did you have an opportunity to look out of the window? If so, I bet you saw a remarkable sight. If not, here’s what you missed. You missed the sight of a thousand lakes sparkling in the bright sun. The water from these lakes looks like pieces of a shattered mirror reflecting in the sun. You would never forget the lakes of central Florida from 20,000 feet.

I grew up in Florida. Those lakes define my childhood and my adult experiences. Those lakes provided entertainment and sporting opportunities. I remember water skiing and fishing. I remember learning how to swim before I even thought about going to kindergarten.

After I learned to swim, my grandmother gave me a stern warning. A warning that sounded like this, Woody Milton, you can drown in a gallon of water! Yes, a few ounces of water can kill you. Every year hundreds of children and adults die due to water in the United States. Just a few feet of water have killed two people in the last week here in Indianapolis.

But in Africa, the story of water sounds different. In Africa, a few ounces of water kill thousands of children each day. That’s a few ounces of dirty, polluted, drinking water kill thousands of children each and every day in Africa.

In undeveloped countries like the Congo, about half of the population has access to water from an improved and protected source. Over there, clean and safe water comes from an improved and protected source like what’s in this bottle. You, on the right half of the room can drink this clean and safe water. I am sorry but you people on the left half of the room can drink this water. It may make you sick. Or, a few ounces may kill you. Would you drink this water?

In rural Congolese villages, like the ones where I just visited, fewer people have access to clean and safe water. Only one out of four of you would drink this water. Most naturally occurring water sources are not improved nor protected. A water source must be improved and protected to ensure clean and safe drinking water.

What am I saying? Nature produces virtually clean and safe water. But we must improve and protect these water sources to continue producing clean and safe drinking water. There are three common ways to improve and protect water sources.

First, you must protect naturally occurring water springs. If a village was built near natural water springs, then you apply a cap to the spring. You clear the water spring of any debris. You dig out a drainage ditch. You apply a lay of small pebbles in the bottom of the ditch. You build dam the lower end of the ditch with an open pipe and a concrete retaining wall. Finally, you cover the entire area with plastic sheeting and dirt to protect it.

Secondly, you must capture and protect nature rain water. If a house has a tin roof, you can build or buy a big concrete container. Depending upon the amount and frequency of rain, your vessel can be a 200-gallon jar or as large as a 3,000-gallon underground cistern. The vessel must be covered to keep out animals, dirt, and other pollutants. Also, it should be covered and protected to keep out wondering toddlers.

Thirdly, you might drill a water well to provide access to clean and safe water. A drilled well may be necessary if the other primary water sources become contaminated. Also, some water sources are located miles away from a village. A drilled well frees the girls and young children from spending hours walking each day to and from the water source. In some areas, hand-dug shallow wells can supply clean and safe water. The depth of the water table dictates the type of water well.

Would you like to drink this water? Lack of knowledge and resources keep these rural Congolese from drinking clean and safe water. Your time, your talents, and your treasures can make their water clean and safe to drink. Would you drink this water if a few ounces of dirty, polluted water would kill you?

Don't Judge Congo From the Outside News

Visual aids force you look at something from a different perspective. I have always heard that you can't judge anything without looking inside, tasting it, or trying it. "You should not judge a book by it cover."

In church today, the children's message was about judging. An ugly fence post was split to reveal the beautiful inner wood.

I thought about how most people view the Congo, a place of warring factions. When I visit Congo, I see the inner beauty, too.

Visit http://www.EndingExtremePoverty.org for an inner look at Congo.