my pressbox

Wow it has been a long time.

Jeff Jackson — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:01:39 +0000

I have spent most of March away from home, and thanks to the time change I have visited all time zones. Just a quick recap here are some of the things I will reflect on.

Visiting Baltimore for the first time.
SXSW
and Interview I had at SXSW
Austin
Ed Stetzer’s New Book Lost and Found
Live DiggNation
Random other stuff

I heart Tucson

Jeff Jackson — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:01:02 +0000

I have lived in Tucson for awhile (June 06). There are times I think of other places to move. Portland would be cool because… or I love Boston… or insert cool hip city here___. I just returned from a trip to Ohio where the temp was anywhere between 5-20 (gen on the lower end) and I only went outside 5 min a day; running to the car and running inside.

Last week when I returned I spent hrs outside; answering email from my patio, went cycling 3 times, and loved the 65 deg weather. I realized how much I love Tucson. It may be a high school infatuation/ lust relationship, but I am going to enjoy it while it last which should be around June.

Bi-vocational Church Planting

Jeff Jackson — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:40:11 +0000

You know why it does not happen more often? Because it is hard. Working 40-50 hrs, family responsibilities, then what ever is left over not to mention sleep.

I do not even run anything, I just have a hodgepodge of responsibilities and it can be overwhelming to think about adding more.

College Football Reflections Pt. 1

Jeff Jackson — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:19:10 +0000

Another season of college football has come and gone. This time every year a little part of me dies…ok not really, but college football is one of the few sports I care to keep up with. I watch way too many hours of college football but that is why I am a self proclaimed College Football Expert.

However this is where we look back on some statements mad early in the season to see how they turned out.

I said……”I am not buying Texas Tech- They will start off the season hot like every year, but like every year they will finish 8-4 or 9-3.”
Over the past few years Tech has finished with roughly the same record, but with an increasingly higher ranking. They were always the paper tiger in the Big 12, but this was their breakthrough season, well kind of. They still played a nerf preseason playing 2 I-AA schools (Eastern Washington, and UMass) and the perennial powers of Nevada and SMU. The last second win over UT seemed to be their coming out party, but to me that was not the most impressive win. Tech plays exceptionally well against UT during night games in Lubbock, in fact the other 2 losses I can remember were under the same circumstances. Texas was also running the gauntlet of stiff competition winning games over Oklahoma, Missouri, and Oklahoma State. The games that were impressive to me were against Kansas, and Oklahoma State. I realize they are lesser teams, but those are they games they would have lost a year ago. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders they did not finish the year well losing 2 of their last 3 including the Cotton Bowl game against Mississippi State. Harrell will be graduating while Crabtree may be going to the NFL, so any momentum gained this year will be lost next year.

I said……”USC will lose 2 games”
I did not know where these games would come from, but I thought they would underperform again. I did not count on the Pac-10 regressing so much in a year. However I think the Pac will be back next year. Look for the O Duck to make some noise.

I said….” OU or Ohio St will loose in the championship game”
I really do not understand what the deal is with these two teams. They just can’t get it done in the big bowl games. OU is 0-5 in their last 5 BCS games, and there has been a missing person report filed with the Okie State Troopers to find Big Game Bob. To make it worse they have lost to Texas 3 of the past 4 years. I do not know all the Buckeye statistics are (All stats are coming from my head so I could be wrong), but they have lost at least 3 straight BCS games including 2 national Champ games. I think it will be hard for the voters to put either of these teams in the championship game next year, especially since their respective conference had horrible bowl records.

I said…” Jo-PA will finish the season 2 wins up on Bowden
The difference is 1. Florida State seems to be mildly improving so this could stay tight for awhile. Last one to die wins.

Part 2 coming soon.

iPhone

Jeff Jackson — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:39:27 +0000

I this is my first iPhone entry. I wanted to test it out.

Thoughts on the New Year

Jeff Jackson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:28:52 +0000

What is it about the new year? It is the only day that can bring new optimism and excitement about what is to come. Not the start of a new day, a week, or month, they are too routine. But a new year? That only comes around; well, once a year. This year seems to bring in more optimism than others. Maybe it is because I work for a small company on the verge of something special, maybe it is the changing of the guard in the white house, or maybe because we are slowly taking steps to expand our family. Regardless I think 09 will be very different than 08.

I have never been big on resolutions. A few years ago I made a resolution to no longer make resolutions. I have kept that one. So I am not making resolutions, I am life choices.

I choose to tell my wife I love her everyday.
I choose to make healthy choices (most of the time).
I choose to make wise decisions for my family.
I choose happiness.
I choose to pray more. (maybe this one should have been 1st)

I pray you may ride the wave of optimism in the new year, and you make good choices for you and your loved ones.

In-N-Out -V- Whataburger

Jeff Jackson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:34:44 +0000

During my recent trip to TX I ate at a Whatatburger for the first time in a long time. Like really maybe 10 years or so long time. We went there college because it was one of the only place that was open late in Brownwood. My wife and I had a small conversation that I think Whataburger may be as good as In-N-Out, and they also have the added bonus of sweet tea.

So I posted a comment on Twitter “I think I like Whataburger better than In & Out.” I did not say I disliked In-N-Out, only I like Whataburger better.

Here were the replies via twitter and facebook.

So since what I wrote was interpenetrated to say In-N-Out stinks (again I like them) I posted a new comment that said.

I did not realize everyone was so sensitive to In-N-Out. I did not realize they put crack in their burgers- and received the following responses.

So what are you thoughts?

Working From Home Tip #2

Jeff Jackson — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:52:51 +0000

Working from home can be lonely, even if you are a introvert.
Dogs make great co-workers.

Joy the Dog

Working From Home Tip #1

Jeff Jackson — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:49:09 +0000

Start you day like you are going to work. Shower, brush your teeth, and est a morning routine. It is good to have a routine even if you are working from home. Most of all your spouse will not be afraid to touch you when they come home.

Professional Twitters

Jeff Jackson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:53:45 +0000

** Based on comments and retweets I added more to the list **

Recently Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) started twittering and has become quite the twitter evangelist. I put together a brief list of professional cyclist that are on twitter if you are interested in following.

Lance @lancearmstrong
Dave Zabriskie @dzabriskie
Taylor Phinney @taylorphinney
Axel Merckx @axelmerckx
Chris Carmichael @trainright
Johan Bruyneel @johanbruyneel
Jani Brajkovic @janibrajkovic
Doug Ellis @dellisny
Dylan Casey @dcasey
Team Slipstream @TeamSlipstream
Liz Hatch @Liz_Hatch

Other cyclist/weekend warriors I follow that contribute to the Twitter community.

Richard Masoner @ cyclelicious
Christy @ SoCalCycling
Xtracycle @ xtracycle
bikehugger @ bikehugger
Wheel Tags @Wheeltags
Girl Meets Bike @girlmeetsbike
Mike @sunnysidemike
Greg @GregKnottLeMond
Jason @jasonkayzar
Cassondra @cassondra
Tom @tomdog

If I am missing anyone please add them in the comments