My iPhone Story [or, "Why it doesn't compare to shoes"]

I waited in line a total of 9 1/2 hours for the iPhone. Crazy. Three different days. It seemed like it shouldn't have taken 6 1/2 hours (the third day) for being the ~40th person in line. Regardless, I got it. It's sweet.

It's an iPod, video player, facebook reader, handheld game machine, calendar, and contact organizer. Oh, and did I say it's a phone??

And then I heard this on the radio. Ron Hunter, head coach for IUPUI's men's basketball team, was attempting to get 40,000 pairs of shoes donated to Samaritan's Feet to give to needy people who don't have shoes. He ended up raising over 250,000 pairs. Then he took some of his players to Peru to hand out the shoes to these needy people.

And these needy kids waited in line ALL DAY for a pair of shoes. And there weren't nearly enough. And the kids who didn't get shoes were crying, banging on the bus, just pleading for shoes. There just weren't nearly enough (obviously they couldn't take too many on that one trip). Quite a compelling story.

So I wait a 9 hours for an electronic device. They waited 9 hours for shoes. Puts things into perspective.

Brain Dump

So I can't always blog what I want when I want. So I have a bunch of things at once. I'll try to bunch them together. First- news articles.

1) Washington's 'Dr. No' - I think if my dad were a Congressman, this is the kind of stuff he'd do. Go Dr. Coburn.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

2) Extreme Makeover gone bust - more commentary than article.

3) Obama's Victory Lap - being a bit presumptuous. Great article.

Hmmmm

Brett Favre faxes his reinstatement letter to the NFL, and there's an earthquake in LA. Coincidence??

I think not.

I've seen it all

While waiting in line for the iPhone at Tysons Corner, we saw a man srtopped in the middle of the walkway (at an intersection of halls, no less) with his little girl. Upon further review, he had pulled out a portable potty, she had done a little business, and he was wiping her with wipes. All in public, in the middle of the floor.

I understand emergencies, but the restroom is 30 seconds away. Wow.

Waiting, Take 2

Waiting in line at the Tyson's Corner Apple store. Got here about
7:25am. About #40 in line. Here's hoping!!

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

More Addy pics

Check 'em out!

The Audacity of Vanity: Charles Krauthammer on Obama

"(Has) there ever been a presidential nominee with a wider gap between his estimation of himself and the sum total of his lifetime achievements?"

More here.

What ifs....

It is so easy to live life thinking of the "What ifs?" For instance:

* What if I had made a different decision on buying/selling stocks, which would have meant at least $15,000 more in the bank than I have now (a very recent example)?
* What if I had bought a house when I moved up to college, before the housing boom hit, resulting in less debt and more equity?

Conversely, thinking about Addysen's birth last week:

* What if I had been at softball when Angela began bleeding and I was out of touch for 2 hours?
* What if we had been at the wedding we were scheduled to attend the following night and had the same medical emergency?


Life ends up being both depressing (see first two points) and fearful (see last two points) if we try to live it looking backwards. But thankfully my peace, joy, and future don't depend on a) the stock market; b) my IRA (or lack thereof); or c) the price of oil. And we aren't dragged along aimlessly through life without a Shepherd to lead us (us being the foolish and dumb sheep!).

Reminds me (please indulge me here) of my final exam paper for Latin IV. We were instructed to take a piece of Latin poetry and compare the worldview in it to the Christian worldview. I used the prevailing sentiment in Roman literature that the gods and fates of the Roman world were simply toying with humans, and specifically, that Love (Cupid) was a torturer and dragging his conquest through the streets like a champion of war dragging the defeated enemy. Contrast this to the God of the Bible, who, quite remarkable in its comparison, was drug through the streets of Jerusalem on His way to being sacrificed for all mankind. This is Love as seen in the Bible - man being forgiven and spared the things he deserves and given the most unreachable thing he doesn't deserve (the righteousness of Christ).

I know this is a bit off topic, but I am always reminded of God's faithfulness to care for His children. Not that trials/pains/sadness won't come, but His way is perfect.

No "what ifs" here.

Dreaded Words for a Father to Hear

"Honey, will you pick out some clothes for [insert daughter's name] and get her dressed?"

When I still have a hard time matching a red tie and a white shirt for work, how in eternity will I match a pair of clothes from the droves of shirts and shorts that Mia has???

Oh, and a close second:

"Will you please brush her hair?" YIKES!!

Addy in the Nursery

Okay - so this is really primitive, but it works. Right-click on the "Link" below, and choose "Save Link As..." - that will allow you to save the movie file and then open it using QuickTime on your computer.

I can't get the browser to interpret the movie at this time. And when Blogger imported the movie, the sound was horrible (although it's not good in the first place).

Link

Home Run Crusher

First round of the Home Run Derby. Josh Hamilton: 28 Homers, over 12,000 feet in distance hit.

It was an incredible performance (and we still have two more rounds to go!).

This is Josh's story. Amazing.

UPDATE: Hamilton faltered in the end, losing out to Justin Morneau. Still quite a ride.

Surprise Appearance by Baby Davis!

God's timing is perfect! Just hours after Angela's mom and grandparents arrived Friday afternoon from Memphis for a visit, Angela began bleeding heavily. "Nurse Nana" jumped into action, Amelia was down asleep (or close to it), and Dad ran two red lights to the hospital. Mommy Angela was trying to stay calm.

After checking-in at the hospital and some positive vital signs, the doctor prepared for a C-section, which had been scheduled for three weeks later. And at 9:41pm on Friday, July 11, 2008, our beautiful and wonderfully healthy Addysen Leigh Davis was delivered into the "world outside the womb." She weighed a whopping 6lbs 2oz and measured at 19 1/4 inches long. Her apgar was a 9/9, which I consider great for a baby only at 36 weeks. Mom is feeling well, although the epidural is just beginning to wear off, and all signs are for a very healthy recovery.

Attached are two pictures from the day after. My only pictures from Friday are via camera phone, and I've yet to find a way to email them.

Finally, as my little sister told me on the phone, I thought I was anticipating July 11th because of the new iPhone. Now I know that God had infinitely greater things in store for me on that day. And it gives new meaning to a possible nickname for her - iGirl.

Praise to the Lord, the One who guides and directs our paths. And love to all.

Danny (for Ang, Mia, and Addy)

Failed Attempt

Over 2 1/2 hours and only about 15 people left with iPhones. The store
manager just said they're having technical difficulties with the
activation process. I was probably #30-35 in line - but I couldn't
wait any longer.

Thanks to my pals Trevor and George for keeping up the conversation.
I'll try again another day.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Waiting

Been in line for 2 hours - still about number 45. Not sure how long I
can wait (it is a work day, don't forget).

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Crazy?

What I may (or may not) be getting tomorrow. Except all put together.

**Photo courtesy of ifixit.com

Why American's Can't Find the US on a Map

"I believe that our education, such as in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere, like, such as...I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the US should help the US- or should help South Africa; it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so that we will be able to build up our future."

Helping the Airlines Out

I almost spewed my chicken enchilada with homemade lime/tomatillo salsa (props to Ang!) when I read this. The entire letter is great. Here's a snipped:

C'mon. My BlackBerry is not going to bring the plane down. I don't know of a single documented case of a consumer electronic device interfering with a plane's avionics. If they did, al Qaeda would just fly around with iPods.

Read it all here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121538963757631173.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

Don't Read if You're Planning to Watch the Wimbledon Final

That being said - WOW WOW WOW WOW. All the tennis folks are calling it the best Wimbledon match ever. Way to go Rafa - after dropping two championship points in the 4th set tiebreak, I was afraid he'd not recover. But Rafa wasn't broken the ENTIRE match. The only sets he lots were in tiebreaks. He managed to break Federer three times. And when it counted the most - in the 5th set at 7-all.

If you watched til the end, did you see John McEnroe give Federer a hug?? Had to be one of Federer's most awkward moments. Johnny Mac is such a goof.

Good times.

Exhausted

I have to drink Gatorade simply to watch the Wimbledon finale (live, now). These guys are crazy good. Nadal was up 6-4, 6-4. Federer wins 3rd set 7-6. Fourth set goes to another tie-break: Nadal has two championship points - Federer wins tie-break 10-8.

So we're going to the fifth. No tie-break in this set. I'm exhausted.

Oh, btw - Federer is going for 6 straight Wimbledon championships (last two against Nadal). Nadal has won the last three French Opens - all against Federer.

UPDATE - Ah yes, my mystery commenter is correct. Nadal has won the last 4 French Open titles - the last three of which were against Federer.

Irony at its Best

After a nasty divorce, the Seattle Supersonics (typically referred to as the "Sonics") are moving to Oklahoma City. The team name has yet to be decided, though the best suggestion I've heard to date is the Oklahoma City Outlaws - it plays not only on the Old West Cowboy theme, but it's probably a good description for those who tore the team away from Seattle.

But if the name doesn't change, it would create just that more earned media for the coney/cherry limeade/tater tots drive-in restaurant: Sonic. Which just so happens to be headquartered in Oklahoma City. Nice.