Goodbye 2013, Predictions 2014

So here we are, the end of 2013.  For me, 2013 was a year of transition.

1) 2013 started for me literally at Best Buy corporate headquarters.  I was at my cube when the clock struck 12 am on New Years Day.  At that moment, the thought came through my mind that all these hours working wasn't really getting me anywhere and really harming my quality of life.  So after much discussion, prayer and networking, I was able to find a new job at Deluxe Corporation that provided a promotion and better work/life balance.  I am thankful for this answer to prayer.

2)   My sister graduated from Metro State - Denver this past May, finished her service with the military and is now engaged to married in 2014. I have tried to be more engaged in my commitment to building relationships with others in my work and in my church.  I'll just say it's a work in progress.

3) My good friend and Pastor, Roger Magnuson, passed into the land of the living this year.  His wisdom and friendship is something I can never repay.  I miss him greatly.  

So that was 2013, I'm optimistic that 2014 will provide better things, albeit one day at a time.  So I'm going to provide 5 predictions for 2014

1)  I will attend 3 weddings this year, a record year for me since I generally don't like to attend weddings.  

2) The controversial mobile app, SnapChat, will be part of a scandal involving a morally corrupt public figure, perhaps a politician running for public office.  This will essential shine a bright light of the dangers of such apps and create greater awareness among large sections of the public against using them.

3) Despite the headwinds of Obamacare and uncertainty of the future, the US economy will continue to grow.  Unemployment will decline and the deficit will shrink due to a large part to capital gains tax receipts from a rising stock market.  However, the gap between college-educated unemployment and non-college-educated unemployment will grow larger, refocusing the debate from income-inequality to the education gap in our society.

4) I will come very close to paying off the mortgage on my condo.  In 2008, I bought a condo in Downtown St. Paul in anticipation of development in the area.  Now much of the development will be completed in 2014.   I made a goal to pay down my mortgage to a certain number before paying it off.  At the start of 2014, I can feasible see reaching that number in 2014. If that happens, I will make the Dave Ramseys in the world quite happy.

5) I will travel to a New Years Day bowl game to watch the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team play.  As a season ticket holder, this will be a great sign of measurable progress.

SG at the SPCO: The Messiah

Over the summer I decided that instead of renewing my Gopher men's basketball tickets I would re-direct my resources towards hosting groups from church to classical music concerts performed by the SPCO.  I thought that I would try it out this year with a smaller subset as a 'beta' run.  So I chose a few concerts featuring works from the baroque to romantic eras (Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Handel) and just want to see how that went. 

Well, I have to say I am grateful to learn it has been received quite well.  I underestimated the interest, particularly for Handel's Messiah.   Thinking of these events as times for fellowship, I scheduled a dinner before each concert.  For the Messiah, I scheduled a potluck.  

Here's the evidence that the potluck did happen (Why aren't you smiling, Kelly?):

Of course, the Pastor of the church had to drop by (conveniently?) to finish an errand.   Upside for him and his wife was they get to mooch on the potluck.  Upside for everyone else, we get to see Pastor son Lars, who of course stole the attention of a few folks.

I guess of few of the ladies wanted to practice their carols for the van ride over to the concert.

Along with some ladies obviously enjoying their company.

We had the van ride over to the concert, which was at the Basilica of St. Mary.  It was a sold out event and we were sitting in right back of the sanctuary.  Here's the view from my seat.

The performance of the Messiah was superbly executed.  The SPCO orchestra played all the musical parts at a high level that could be heard excellently through the Basilica. We were told before the beginning of the concert that the countertenor, a large man, had the stomach flu during the day.  However, demonstrating his own witness to Philippians 4:13, he decided to go through with the performance, which he did very well. The vocal parts were all excellently performed, although the acoustics of the Basilica tended to lose the high key vocals and the orchestra drowned out the low bass notes at times.   However, the performance received an "A" grade from me.  It reminded me that while the SPCO had not performed the Messiah since 2000, they are very well versed to do it since they are better known for performing older baroque and classical works than the Minnesota Orch---(I guess their isn't another orchestra in the Twin Cities these days).

Overall, this was a very enjoyable evening with grade "A+" fellowship.  Perhaps I'll do it next year, Lord Willing.

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." - Rev 5:12

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Calvin Coolidge Quote of the Week

It's been over two months since I've posted a Quote of the Week.  I take full responsibility for the lack of posting.  I guess that was quite obvious to you, but I thought the confession is proper. I'll try to keep on track for the foreseeable future.

This week (quarter's?) quote is from  President Coolidge speech when he accepted the GOP nomination on August 14, 1924 as talked about his philosophy of common sense and government:

"The people know the difference between pretense and reality.  They want to be told the truth.  They want to be trusted.  They want a chance to work out their own material and spiritual salvation.  The people want a government of common sense." 

I have to say the idea of common sense in policy making is attractive, don't you think?

Twins Hot Stove (with special guest)

Yeah, Yeah, I know it's been awhile since I have last posted.  It's been quite a busy time for me with work, events and travel.  But I finally had some time to talk with Twins erudite PCM about MN Twins baseball.  He brought a new analyst as well...




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