I’m getting back tomorrow (10 May 2012) just in time for thisstrike.
[Update 2012-05-15 11:14:32] Entering the UK was very easy. The queue was about 1/2 of normal for those from non-EU countries while it was about normal for the EU queue. The IRIS scanners were operational. There was more of a queue there; however, I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. I think the UK Border Security shot themselves in the foot here. They go on strike and we get better service with fewer people??
[Update 2012-12-26 17:10:16] The link I had to the Washington Post went stale. I’ve removed it because I couldn’t find the article. It used to point here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/british-border-workers-set-strike-date-in-dispute-with-government-over-retirement-age/2012/05/02/gIQANcFQwT_story.html
Ok, I’m in Turkey so I decide I have to have Turkish Coffee, right? I mean, I drank the stuff ALL THE TIME in Serbia. I even wrote a howto on making Serbian/Turkish Coffee. I had good stuff and I had bad stuff; however, I had THE WORST cup of Turkish Coffee I ever had today. In Turkey.
I went to Starbucks (I know…I never did come across any cafes that looked like plain ordinary coffee shops). This is what I got:
See that stuff on the handle. Grounds. Yep…grounds. I don’t know what the guy making it did, but my coffee had grounds floating in it. NASTY. Once I got done drinking it, the rest of the coffee was in the bottom of the cup (like it should be). Who knows; however, I just know that this cup o’ joe was hands down the worst cup of Turkish Coffee I have ever had.
[Update 2012-05-16 13:56:26] Want to see good turkish/serbian coffee? Here’s a post talking about that.
[Update 2012-12-26 14:32:29] Edited the link to the howto.
I’ve always been rubbed wrong with the idea of “seeker sensitive” church. Yes, when someone visits, they should be greeted and people should be friendly to them, but is the church really for them? What is the point? Today, while listening to Fighting for the Faith, I think I’ve got a handle on it. From the 25 April 2012 podcast (1 hr 17 min to 1 hr 25 min):
One of the things they are trying to do is transform society…. Our church exists to meet the needs of our comunity…. — john Cremeans [sermon being reviewed]
That’s not what the Bible teaches…. Unbelieving friends [don’t] understand the unique things that we [do] as Christians…. Because the church was out of step with unbeliever’s expectations, that means that something is wrong. If we are really to be a church–to make a difference in the world–we need to stop doing this because we exist to serve the community and make a difference. So we’ve got to get rid of this unique Bible language…and not have these hymns and songs that my unsaved friends are embarased by…. Yes, Christians should be involved in solving [the bad problems in society]. But not during church. When the church comes together, we have sacred business to do. To hear and learn God’s Word. To take the Lord’s Supper. To baptize. To teach. There’s a problem here. The world has thse problems. Of course. The world is full of people who are dead in their trespasses and sins and at war with God. These are the result of our sinful rebellion against God…. — Chris Roseborough in response
First off, I want to apologize. I typed this up while I was listening. I’m sure it isn’t the best transcript, but I think it is accurate to what Chris said. I think that Chris Roseborough hit the nail on the head: while the Good News of the Gospel is for everyone, the thing called CHURCH is for those who are saved. It is the job of the individuals in the church to share their faith with people…it isn’t the job of the CHURCH to save people.
in CHURCH (the church service) we gather to study the Bible and worship God. An unbeliever isn’t going to get it or understand it. Well, until they get saved they won’t. We shouldn’t exclude them from coming, but it isn’t necessarily for them. Nor should we make it for them.
[Update 2012-05-15 12:14:02] On Sunday, the sermon was from Matthew 7 (13 to 23). I think the narrow gate/wide gate talks about this.
[Update 2012-05-21 13:09:18] Listen to this episode (14 May 2012) of Fighting for the Faith (right around the hour mark…perhaps from 55min to 1h 5 min). Chris does a good job out outlining the “vision” for the church and who gets to set that vision.
Lydia loves the water. Tonight is her first swimming lesson.
But something tells me her experience won’t be like mine with Mr. Hickman in Beeville, Texas. That guy really cared not only about kids learning to swim but being comfortable around the water and learning to not panic. One of the things he did…when it was time to go off the diving board you went. If you got there and cried and wouldn’t go…a lifeguard came and threw you off. Before then, he had us line up on the side…then a lifeguard would randomly push kids in and you had to collect yourself and swim to him.
Nope…something tells me that won’t be in the British learn to swim experience. But, I’m comfortable around the water today partially because of Mr. Hickman
While I was in Moscow last week, one of the things I did was go to Wendy’s. I didn’t think they had any restaurants outside of the US so I doubted it when I first heard it. But, we trekked over there…and…sure enough, there it was.
Oh yes…they had frosties too, although they could have been more chocolaty.
In September 2011, I needed a new wheelie bag. I decided to go on a limb and buy a bag from ebags (specifically their motherlode mini 21). Sure, the bag was expensive, but it had a lifetime warranty. And with the amount I travel, I decided I needed/wanted a good bag so I got it.
Well, as I was packing to leave Moscow today, I noticed the bad was coming apart. It was doing it at a seam…and it looked like it just hadn’t got caught when it was stiched (click the picture for a larger view).
Well, it had a lifetime warranty so I went to their website, found the contact us section, and did a live chat. I was expecting them to say something like: send us the bag, we’ll look at it, and send you a replacement. Read the transcript below to see what really happened:
Shane: Thank you for using eBags Live Chat support. May I please have your name to make this session more interactive? you: yes, my name is Matt Shane: HI Matt! Shane: How may I help you? you: I have an ebag motherlode mini21 I purchased about 6-7 months ago. After about 12 plane trips, one of the seams is starting to come apart. It looks like it wasn’t sewn well. What is the process for getting it fixed under warranty? Shane: I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. Shane: May I have your order number or your e-mail address to further assist you? you: sure you: let me find it Shane: Okay. you: order number: ********* Shane: Please give me a moment, let me see what I can find here. you: email: ****@*********** you: the order date is 16 Sept. 2011 Shane: Please give me a moment, let me see what I can find here. you: no problem Shane: I am checking on that. Shane: Please give me a moment. Shane: Is this your current shipping address *******************? you: no you: that is where I was when I ordered it Shane: May I have your current address and your phone #? you: **************** you: **************** you: phone number: **************** Shane: Okay, we will process a replacement order for the item eBags – Mother Lode TLS Mini 21″ Wheeled Duffel – Blue Yonder. you: Wow Shane: You will receive the item at the ****** address within 5-10 business days. you: Will you want this one returned? you: What is the process? Shane: I appreciate your patience in receiving the item. you: I’m currently on a trip and it may be a while before I can return the current bag to you Shane: You can keep the item as a gift. you: Wow you: Thanks! you: You guys are great Shane: You are most welcome! Shane: Is there anything else that I could help you with? you: no, that was it you: thank you!!!
Did you see that? Not only did the guy believe me (I was expecting to have to send them a picture, at a minimum), but he just fixed the problem then and there. AND he didn’t ask for the old bag back. WOW! This is what customer service should be like.
Not only did they listen, but they stand behind their product. Oh, and after using the bag for these 6 months…it is a great bag. I can stuff TONS into it without over stressing the zippers, it rolls really nice, and it looks good.
If you live in the US, do you ever worry how much it costs to call a cell phone (as opposed to a regular phone)?
If you live outside the US, do you ever worry how much it costs to talk on your mobile phone when someone calls you?
The answer to both of those questions is usually no. But, if the other group were to answer the other question, the answer would probably be yes. Why? Well, because of two different ways cell/mobile calls are paid.
In the caller pays system (what most of the world uses), the person who calls the mobile phone pays the cost of the phone call. The person receiving the call pays nothing.
In the other system (receiver pays) model, the call costs the same as if youwere calling a normal phone. The person with the mobile phone pays to get the phone call to their wireless device.
I’ve lived in both places. I like the fact that if someone calls my mobile, I don’t have to pay. But I never like the fact that the person calling me pays for the call. Why should they have to pay more because I choose to have a mobile/cell phone? Given the choice, I would choose receiving party pays all the time. It was my choice to have a mobile phone…why should someone else be penalized because having a landline is unnecessary?
