The Life of Brian

2011 Annual Report for The Life of Brian

Brian — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:54:16 +0000

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Crypteks USB Drive

Brian — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:38:14 +0000

The Crypteks USB™ Drive is one of the first physically locking USB storage devices to feature 256-bit AES Hardware Encryption. If you like cool puzzles and want to protect your data at the same time, then you must check out the Crypteks USB Drive. This a hardcore portable drive featuring a precision-crafted aluminum mechanical lock that offers up 14,348,907 possible combinations that you can customize to keep your data protected. This would make a great stocking stuffer for the security-obsessed geek in your life.

Bentwood Rings from Bojt Studio

Brian — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:00:30 +0000

Bojt Studio is a studio of artisans, specializing in the Scandinavian tradition of bending wood. Their niche is fine art rings for people who appreciate unmatched craftsmanship and the subtle nuance of a natural material. Their rings are handmade in the bentwood tradition. Each ring is unique and with proper care will last for generations. The natural oils of the wood are extracted and replaced with a polymer which preserves the wood, while greatly increasing its natural strength. Each ring is then shaped by hand to reveal the unique beauty of the wood.

Photo Friday – Hmmm…

Brian — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:00:45 +0000

This sign says I have to yield to pedestrians within in crosswalk. So does this make them fair game everywhere else? Just a thought!

Unique, One of a Kind Chess Sets

Brian — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Well, I haven’t played chess since high school. However, I love unique, hand-crafted chess sets. The other day I came across a couple of unique sets made by Olde World Collectibles and Creations.

English Medieval Battle Chess Set
Red Oak is exclusively used on this set. It has brass handles, corner trim, tacks, hinges, and locks to decorate and protect the set. Detailed wood burning is used to decorate the box, as well as each playing piece. The pieces have miniature shields and weapons that are specific to their role. Each hand-crafted chess set is signed and dated and is truly one of a kind.

Bullet Chess Set – Caliber .223
This amazing and unique chess set is made using spent .223 bullet shell casings. One side uses steel casings and the other side uses brass casings. The kings and queens are the only 4 pieces with an actual bullet re-set in place. Of course live shells are not used in the set. The brass side has black walnut wooden bases and the steel side has red oak wooden bases. The board is made from a solid piece of red oak and is decorated with 2 brass carrying handles.

What if…

Brian — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:30:06 +0000

Today’s post is a link to another post on the ChristianPF blog. Hopefully this post will inspire you to dream bigger or maybe start dreaming again.

What if…

It’s a question that leads you to dream. Dream with me for a moment.

What if your mountain of debt could be slowly eroded away?

What if your mountain of debt could be wiped clean by making difficult decisions?

What if you weren’t broke, but had income pouring in every month?

What if emergencies seemed like small bumps in the road?

What if you could change your boss by changing your attitude?

Continue reading “What if…”

Charity Spotlight – Josh and Friends

Brian — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:28 +0000

Around the world, cuddly canines known as “therapy dogs” visit hospitals everyday to help replace a patient’s anxiety and fear with wet kisses and unconditional love. Josh, the loving, wag-happy vanilla-colored Golden Retriever based out of Knoxville, Tennessee is one of those amazing canines that daily brings comfort to hundreds of hospitalized children.

Developed by veterinarian Dr. Randy Lange to benefit children facing health or other challenges, Josh and Friends is based on Dr. Lange’s fun-loving family Golden Retriever, Josh, and capitalizes on the power of the human/animal bond to comfort, teach and encourage children.

As an extension of that mission, The Josh and Friends Project, is emerging to national attention with the ability to impact the lives of even more children. Using the book, I’ll Be O.K. and the cuddly “Josh” plush puppy, The Josh and Friends Project is helping transform anxious hospital stays for children into friendship-filled adventures to wellness.

Thought for the Day – Fear

Brian — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:00:17 +0000

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, `I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Book Review – It’s Not About Me

Brian — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:30:11 +0000

What would change if we finally found our place and lived in it? How different would we be if we lived a God-centered life instead of self-centered life? Well, Max Lucado answers those questions in detail through scripture in It’s Not About Me.

The book is broken up into two sections: God-Pondering and God-Promoting. The idea is that one naturally follows the other. When we take time to ponder the God’s greatness, we will be more apt to declare His greatness. Throughout the book Max talks about how everything should be about God…our message, our salvation, our bodies, our struggles, and our successes.

This is another great book by Max Lucado and is an easy, short read at 146 pages. There are even study notes for each chapter in the back of the book; making it a great read for small groups.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Photo Friday – Summer Rails

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:47 +0000