BabuLife

Facebook Fan Pages

Recently on Facebook I've been discovering the joy of "Facebook Fan Pages".  Here on BabuLife there are typically three types of readers.  My friends and familiy of Grace Church, friends interested in my Dad's book "Once an Arafat Man", and friends interested in worship ministry and the "All About Worship Podcast".

I thought I'd drop a post with links to three fan pages you might want to join.

25 Things I Hate About Facebook

Wow. I never knew what I've thought could be put into words so perfectly. Thank you Julian Smith.  Unfortunately, since I'm a Twitter user, I break #8 Abusing Status Updates. I've often considered disconnecting my Twitter feed to my Facebook status. But never pulled the trigger. Maybe it's time? Hmmm...

Bam! Take that!

Started the day with 521 emails.  Who's the man? I owned you today Outlook!

The Matrix Runs on Windows

While I'm not completely turned one way or the other (I'm actually using both), there's no denying the great creativity of this video. Whether you're a Windows or Mac user...enjoy!

HT: Tim Howey

Interviewed on AllAboutWorship Podcast

My worship leading friend, Wisdom Moon, came by the Grace offices to do a 30 minute interview for  the AllAboutWorship Podcast.  It was a unique time for me sitting on the other end of the mic being asked the questions.  Be sure to email podcast@allaboutworship.com if you think I might be an adequate co-host with Wisdom.  Sort of the Chewbacca to Wisdom's Han Solo.

Listen to the podcast here.
Visit AllAboutWorship.com

Hallucinate, Desegregate, Mediate, Communicate...

Ok...so I used a little rhyming like these guys to get your attention.  As a Communications Director at Grace, I like to experiment with some of the nifty web 2.0 tools.  Some of my friends think I'm a little "off" for spending so much time with blogging, Facebooking and Twittering.  Yes, maybe I am...but somebody has to keep an eye on what the latest and greatest (or not so greatest) tools are being used.  Here are a couple of communication tools being used by Grace Church to keep our community in the loop:

• Facebook: I started the Grace group page a year ago with 3 people.  We are now up to 125 members.  It's used as a tool to inform folks about upcoming Grace events along with letting people "meet" other Gracers.  I've met several people thru Facebook before meeting them in person.  It's been a great way to meet people attending the church where I typically might not have the chance.  A success.
• Twitter: Ok...this is a new one.  I've been on Twitter now personally since March of this year.  I love it.  I'm addicted. I get it.  Currently there are 24 "followers" of @Graceks on Twitter. What is the benefit of being a part of this?  A Gracer can create a Twitter account (and you don't even have to really use it) then elect to "follow" @Graceks.  You can also indicate that you'd like to receive any updates from @Graceks be sent to your phone by text messaging. You'll get updates on what's being talked about this weekend, reminders about events, church closings and various notifications.  They aren't frequent, but it can serve beneficial.  We'll see if this catches on over the next year like Facebook.
• Church-Wide Calendar: Not really "Web 2.0" but still a great tool.  MyChurchEvents.com is the provider of choice for us.  View upcoming events by "interest group". If you want to see men's events, just select "men" as your interest group.  Great tool.

What tools are you using in your church to communicate?

Mac Confessions and a Little Ditty

Ok Mac users...I think I get it.  After spending nearly 4 hours on Garage Band, I have tasted and seen the joy of the Mac.  Am I a complete convert?  Not yet, but I am definitely sold on this nifty tool.  After receiving my copy of "Garage Band for Dummies" through Amazon, I spent some time at the end of the day tinkering with it.  I couldn't get enough...I had to keep adding layers to a little ditty made on the fly.

Here are the tracks I created for a little short recording:

• Rhythm guitar
• Noodling guitar (leadish)
• Vocal
• Pad on the Keys
• Drum Kit (chimes)
• Drum Kit (not sure what it is...maybe a tom?)
• Rock Organ
• Muted Electric Bass

What I found exciting about the program were all the instrument sounds built into Garage Band. The only instruments I played straight into the program were the two acoustic guitars and the vocal part. The rest were played through the embedded keyboard within the program itself.  I converted by Mac keypad into a keyboard...impressive no?  Not a bad little tool for laying down ideas.  It's portable, sounds great and addictive.

So to my Mac friends out there...I get it.

Oh...and here's the little creation I made with Garage Band below.  Keep in mind, this was just made up after hitting the record button...so I'm not looking for any lyrical critiquing here...just wanting to spread the good news of Garage Band.  Enjoy!

Real Media Rocks

Here at Grace Church we've partnered with different organizations to meet various weekend service needs.  One of the companies we've partnered with is Real Media.

One of our electric guitar aficionados happens to be the owner of Real Media. I couldn't let this pass without posting a link to one of our local news affiliates here in town that did a story on Real Media.  Not only do they work with major league sports franchises, colleges or even commercials, they create video elements and documentaries for ministry organizations as well. 

Check out the link here to watch a video on Soakie and his company.  Visit their blog for more info.

Here's a video they did for Grace Church that we use during our services:

Twitter Bug

So I've been at it now on Twitter since March 10.  I'm hooked.  Here are some things I've noticed about Twitter:

• The world is even smaller than it was with blogging.
• I can keep up with what's happening with friends (I'd love more friends on it).
• Instant networking and communication with my fellow worship leading buddies.
• My wife knows what's going on in my world...instantly...this one freaks me out a bit.

I've utilized the nifty Twitpic feature which allows me to upload photos taken from my cell phone.  Why would I do that?  I have no idea.  But what I do know is that every time I post a photo there are at least 15-20 people (sometimes more) clicking away to see the snapshots.  Glad you 15 or so people care enough to see what I'm eating for lunch.  For those who follow the BabuLife blog, you can see my Twitter updates on the right side bar along with my two most recent snapshots from Twitpic.  You can comment on photos (be nice please).

One warning to those of you considering adding Twitter to your internet life.  If you're a person who holds highly the value of Facebook Friendships, blog stats or anything similar, be ready for some disappointment.   When someone follows you, don't hold it personally when that person elects to click the "remove" button.  Figure out why you want to join Twitter, who you want to see following you, and what you want to twitter about.  I've discovered the same taboos in one on one conversation apply to Twitter as well. 

Overall I've found this to be another great way to simply network, inform and communicate to those who care enough to pay attention to what I have to say...not like a blog...but instant communication.  Interested in getting yours started?  Get your own and follow me!

Check out David's post on his Twitter experience here.

Mac Attack

It looks as though the PC market is on the offensive against the Mac following.  Check out the entertaining jab from IBM to the Macbook Air.  Admittedly, I'm not a computer aficionado, however, I do find the commercial battle between these companies rather entertaining. In this "return fire" ad IBM has provided a message that I can understand...whether right or wrong.

Their message: Everything I need in a computer is built right into the IBM Lenovo X300.

Anxiously awaiting Mac's return volley.

HT: Percussivity