it is finished

Semester 1: Done. Only five more to go. I am done with school and thankful for a break. Let me know if this video works, I want to see how all of this video stuff works on Blogger.

but I still love technology...

This doesn't matter but...what do you think about having so much of our technology centralized. Products like Apple/Mac, Google, and Amazon are offering more stuff and in a better way than ever before. It is like we have a handful of Wal-Marts popping up on the internet!
Google is THE internet search engine. In the most recent Webster’s Dictionary included the word “googled.” Seven years ago Yahoo and Hotmail introduced most of us to the world wide web based e-mail that was accessible from any computer in the world. It changed the way I e-mailed and it ultimately made e-mail relevant. But Google has not just stopped with searching the net or creating a excellent e-mail service. Google has created a mini-operating system offering web based programs what can compete with their costly counterparts: Calendar, Documents, Blogs (Blogger), Photo Editing (Picasa), Google Earth (don’t know what this is for, but it is fun), Google Maps (easier than Mapquest), and more. In fact, a new operating system, gOS, has just come out that uses Googles programs and other free programs that is based on the Linex infrastructure. Wal-Mart is selling the computer with the software already loaded on it for $200. Window’s Vista can cost $200 just for the program. Google and Wal-Mart are two of the only entities that might be able to compete with Microsoft.
Apple has been another company that is leading the charge for unifying all of our technology and life. For a while Apple had been attempting to develop a brand. In retrospect you can see how iPod was not just a new take on mp3 players, but the beginning of Apple’s call to arms. With Apple’s market share going to 10% (which is almost triple what it was just a few years ago) they are changing the way that a generation is interacting with their media. Apple has finally created a product line that can effect the most important areas of Gen-X (or whatever we are): iPod & iTunes (Music), iPhone (phone & internet), and Mac’s that are compatible with PC’s.
So what does this mean for us the regular consumer? I don’t know, I am not some sort of technology journalist. What do you think? I love that Google can be my search engine, e-mail, and even portable document editing programs. I am a little apprehensive about having one program that I am tied to not because of security but because of the fear that all of those “free” services might come at a cost. I love my Mac and love the lifestyle (easy of use, customizability, and cutting edge tech) they offer. Would I pay twice as much for that branding? Well, yeah, I think I would. Will I pay much more than that? Time will tell.
In other news. I am still in school and enjoying it. I am healthy. Thanks for your concern.
kirkh

Hebrew...you can't spell HatE without it

Hey World,

It has been a while and believe it or not I haven't been cramming for Madden playoffs on my Xbox or trying to bowling a perfect game on the Wii. I have been bustin' my butt at school. I am not looking for kudos or a ticker tape parade, but I guess I am looking to communicate where I have been (if not for your sanity, for mine). The last two weeks I have been spending most nights of the week with Old Testament books open or worst yet...Hebrew. Actually that is not the case, I am really enjoying Hebrew now that I am finally actually learning it. Unfortunetly I am about four lessons behind. I have spent this weekend re-learning lessons 2, 3, and part of 4. It is slow going, but good.
Robin and I have finally be able to visit churches, now that I don't work at one, which has been fun. Two weeks ago we went to First Baptist Decatur which has woman senior pastor. Yes, I said Baptist and woman in the same sentence. It was very non-baptist in some areas and still very baptist in others. But it was enjoyable and a cool experience. Today we attended Buckhead Church which is a satellite church of North Point (Andy Stanley's church in Alpharetta). And when they say satellite, the really mean it. They actually have a live satellie High Definition feed from the church in Alpharetta put up on a mega screen in the sancutary of the Buckhead Church. Talk about having a difficult time trying to talk with your pastor after a sermon! Actually, it was really a very well put together and worshipful experience, so I don't want to sound like it was awful. Just weird.
I have been playing intramural softball with some guys from Candler which has been interesting. Apart from the random profanity you hear and the apprehention of our team to invite the other team we are playing against over for a pre or post game prayer it is just like Wesley Regulator softball...oh, we stink just like the Regulators too. I managed to pull my hamstring about a month ago and it has yet to fully heal which has been a bummer. But I have played well and reached base on 8 of my 11 plate appearences, but who is counting.
Ok. It is off to lesson 3 of Hebrew. I know that earlier I said that I had "spent this weekend re-learning 2, 3, and 4..." but I am just trying to finally post some an update on my blog for heaven's sake. It sounded better to say I had learned 2, 3, and 4 instead of..."I have only learned chapter 2 this weekend, so I am pretty much screwed as their is only like 6 hours left in the weekend." See what I mean?
Kirkout.

Week Two of School

Hey Folks,
I hope that all is well with you'll. Seminary is tough. I am swamped. Wow...you really do a lot of reading. Or I should say, you are ASSIGNED a lot of reading. I am enjoying the learning stuff and the realization that I am Emory University. I mean, this is Emory. This coming month we have the Dalai Lama and next week we have Jimmy Carter coming. That is THE Dalai Lama and Jimmy Carter. They aren't exactly folks you would see on Southern's campus apart from someone who was quoting CaddyShack.
I don't want to spend too much time typing, I still need to read (probably around 100 pages total) and I have work, a computer lab tech in the School of Nusring, before class (that means a 6:30 am wake up for ol' Kirk) AND I need to watch the Hills tonight. So, hope you'll are doing well. Talk with you later.
kirkout

Moving on Up

Hello World,
So, this is the last week we are going to spend in our house. It is quite strange to have to learn a new address and way around town. We are hoping that the house will sell within a couple of weeks. But you never can tell. If we can get it sold within a two months I will be happy.
We have found a place Decatur whch we are very happy with. It is only a few minutes from campus and is in a nice area. We will be moving in on Saturday around lunch, so I am looking forward to that. We will then have a couple of days to set the house and get ready for school/work. Robin has couple of interviews on Labor Day and I should know about job status before this weekend.
So...next stop school. Classes begin in a week, we move in in 5 days and Orientation is in just 2 days. I guess their is no turning back now. I am looking forward to class and maybe even work (I am going to be working on campus at either a Computer Lab or with a group working on Web & Application Development, mostly I will just be inputting data) but I am not looking forward to ATL or studying or traffic. Well, I am off to finish packing.

kirkout
Oh...Josh & anyone else interested about the last post "Free Online Storage." I signed up for MediaMax and have been impressed. The largest hang up with it is how large each of the files can be, 10 MB isn't huge. I have "backuped" a lot of my documents (teachings, some music) and haven't had any problems. I haven't played with the sharing feature, but I would be willing to try it if someone wants to sign up (hint hint Josh). My largest gripe is that it does take a few minutes to upload info. They offer a free download to speed things up, but I haven't tryed it yet.

Free Online Storage

Tonight's distraction has been brought to you (well, me and now you) by: Free Online Storage!
For some reason even though I have around 70 Gigs available on my Macbook and around 30+ on my home computer I am convinced that I HAVE to have more storage. I was looking at getting one of those External Hard Drives for around $100 during the tax free weekend but thankfully decided not to. (Editors Note: I believe that these devices are quite important and useful in many settings and would even consider myself an advocate for them...but not when you are broke!). For some reason I got a wild hare tonight and I googled online storage chased this rabbit down.
I was amazed to see how much FREE space is available out there. With accessibility to those files anywhere in the world that you can connect to the internet (take that overpriced USB thumb drives!) it seems like this "virtual" space is part of the wave of the future. With more digital photos and youtube videos hogging all or our computers real estate free space is a commodity that is as Harry Carey put it "highly valuable". So, I have done some research over the last few hours and I present the thumbnail results and highlights.

OminDrive: 1GB of free space (w/ a ton of cool features to make it easy to use)
DropBoks: 1 GB free (super streamlined and improving features)
Mozy: 2 GB free (built to automatically back up files on your computer for you...sweet)
Xdrive: 5 GB free (you need/have to have either an AOL or AIM account to use this, but who doesn't have a AOL Screen Name?)
MyOtherDrive: 5 GB free (and you can have single files as large as 1 GB. Read: a place for that video that is eating up Gig of you hard drive)
MediaMax: 25 GB free (Yes. 25 Gigabytes FREE! I owned and used a computer just a year ago with only 30 Gigs on the entire Hard Drive.)

There are of course others and some strings attached to it. For example some of the accounts storage might limit on the size of each file you upload or how much add to your storage space during a month. But again with the potential for instant access to your files on your friends computer and some cool features like easy to use drag and drop interface and customizable folders within your account it seems like it is worth the pains. As an added bonus most of them have the ability to let you share access to your files with your friends so they can use or preview some files. Much much nicer than trying to e-mail your friend that 200 MB video file or even a Powerpoint Presentation you might be working on together. Security at some sites might not be air tight and I would not recommend you put a file called "My Credit Card Number and Other Interesting Info" on any of the sites. It is probably just as secure as anything currently on your computer or your e-mail.
I am planning on jumping into the world of online storage in the coming days, beats the heck out of cleaning. I am thinking about getting a couple of them to test them out or read some more reviews to figure out which would fit me best. I am very interested in taking advantage of the 25 Gigs at MediaMax to keep a lot of my rarely used files (videos, pictures, maybe some music) and maybe use one of the other sites with smaller space allowances but easier access and quicker upload/download speeds.
I would love to hear if anyone actually tries some of this stuff out or if you are already "into" online storage solutions. Here is a great link to CNET's top 6 online storage options and another older site with 6 online storage sites. Now go out there and use some free space.

kirkout

Why Lie?

Why do cleaning products lie? Seriously. We all know that those "scrubbing bubbles" don't fly around the bathroom and magically clean your toilet or shower. But why is it that every time I walk down the aisle at the grocery store and I see the new product from whomever that I stop, read through the "citrus cleansing power" I am totally hooked. For the information of all...nothing cleans your bathroom like sweat, sore knees and arms, and any stinkin cleaner of your choice. Save your money and companies please save your advertising.
kirkout

waiting

Wow! Hard to believe that it is finally here. Time flies and I can hardly believe that the day is so close. As usual I feel a little under prepared, but their is still time for some last minute cramming that can be done. I must be honest with all of the other changes that are going to be happening these months, I hope I can stay focused. You know, drafting a Fantasy Football team isn't easy and throw in seminary and hopefully moving soon, I am getting a little stressed.
But, I have my "go to" sites with cheat sheets and mock draft tips and I will be ready. If you look back I have had quite a run in the Wesley Regulator League. From 2004, the first year of the league, until last season I am the only owner to finish "in the money" for every season. While the championship has eluded me these three years, I am ever excited about the up coming season. My secret pick (read: some random flyer in the 12th round) and my new committment to God by proving my love for him by going to seminary, I can't go wrong...right?
Well, we are still in a holding pattern. We are waiting to hear from a couple of churches and are looking forward to continuing conversations with a couple of places. I anxious but trying to be patient with it all. I am way to casual for all of this "job" stuff. I just want to walk in and be honest (so..."will you hire me or not?") but that isn't the way the game is played.
We are busy cleaning the house so it can be on the market by the beginning of next week. Our realtor has said she can't imagine it being on the market for longer than 2 months, so that is encouraging...encouraging does not equal relief. But we are hopeful and will begin trying to nail down some location for where will live in ATL next week (and have some more details about potential jobs too).

kirkout
(p.s. Have you "Simpsonized" yourself yet? This is me in Springfield)

News

Update on the Hagan's. We are now in full swing to move into ATL ASAP. We have spoken with our realtor and have our "to do" list. She is hopeful that we can sell it within a couple of months (cross fingers here).
I am talking to a few churches about youth ministry positions in Atlanta and some very cool opportunities seem available. The more I have been thinking about re-connecting with youth ministry, particularly, part time the more I am getting re-vitalized and energized by it.
We are excited about the new few weeks and dreading having to clean and pack up the house. But some new and awesome things are around the corner and we are looking forward to them.
kirkout

The End

Today was my last "work day" at Trinity. Tomorrow, Saturday, we will have the fourth Kickball Championship which will be my last event and my last 3 hours as youth minister at Trinity. It is quite a surreal experience leaving a job. I guess most people have done it but for me every time has been different.

Last Sunday we had one of the most anti-climatic moments of my life as I was "reconized" at all three services with a gift of a iron cross and a monatary gift. It was honestly extremely disappointing to have invested the last three years of my life into a youth ministry and church and have someone give a generic thanks and best of luck for about 60 seconds and then have me sit back down.

Today I was thinking about the fact that on so many levels it seems appropriate. I have wrestled with IF, WHEN, and HOW to leave for a number of months. And I unfortunatly feel like I over stayed my welcome. While in May it seemed not only good to stay through the summer for the both the youth and Robin and I but something that Trinity wanted to have more time to find another Youth Minister. It just sucks. You know when you are in a relationship too long and at the end of the deal you both just wish you had ended it quicker, even if it meant that you might have a little more pain and questions left unanswered. I think I thought that sticking around would be able to help me and the church get "healed" and be ready to move on to the future but again, it seems that that wasn't the case. It is the bandaid rule: just rip it off quick and deal with the sting.

So, I am looking forward to a great night tomorrow night. It will be good to end my time here and to go out with a fun night which we can hopefully celebrate the past three years of the journey together. In other news, Robin's full time job opportunity didn't work out here in WR. And I am continuing to realize that I will probably be at class three of four times a week which make commuting a major burden rather than just an inconivence as I was hoping it would be. So, I am interviewing with a church in Loganville (The Orchard Church) and am going to be visiting this Sunday with a formal interview later this month. I am really hopeful that Sunday will be an exciting experience and I get a read on the church and community and see if that is somewhere where Robin and I could thrive.

Well, I hope you all are doing well. I am still loving my Mac and finding something new just about everyday that is excellent. As was my first claim about why I was wanting one I am continuing to stick by my thoughts: "Mac is just a better way to computer." Shout out to Jason for being Tech Support this past week. Ok, I am out. Off to bed.

kirkout

Well. It has happened. I am a Mac user. I am about 24 hours into it and enjoying it. When I got up to the Apple Store in Lenox and got the Macbook Pro, it also came with the Nano (I was expecting this) AND a printer/scanner/copier (I was not expecting this!). While both of those beauties are mail in rebate deals at the end of a couple of months, I am going to have $300 back, a Macbook Pro (which I had a $200 student discount), a Nano, and a printer! Fun. Spending $2504.79 should always be this easy.
Um, besides that...I had a phone interview with a church around ATL today to be a part-time youth minister. I think it when ok. They will let me know by the end of the weekend if I am going to be coming up for a personal interview. I hope that at least that works out because they seem to be a very cool place to connect.
What else. Only 2 weeks left before my time at Trinity is over. It is beginning to sink in that I can start to pack up my books and clean out the filling cabinet. Weird but good. I am looking forward to the change.
kirkout

Laptop Peer Pressure

Well, today was going to be the day. I was going to get a Macbook Pro. Unfortuntately after talking with the good folks at the Apple Store and discovering that they were unable to switch/adjust the original set up, I decided to re-group and am planning on going tomorrow (Wed). Why a Pro you ask? Great question. I have been waffling recently about which to get, the Macbook or the MB Pro. While I actually like the look of the Macbook and the $300-500 price difference, I am leaning to the Pro. I can't get pass the larger screen (I wear glasses for a reason), the back lit keyboard, the newest intel chips which run cooler and with less battery drain. The plan is to head up to the Apple Store in Lenox (ATL, holla) tomorrow evening and talk with the Apple Genius (read: sales people) and see what they think "my needs require." If they can convince me to go with the Macbook, that will be fine too. So that is exciting. OS X here I come.
It is weird the amount of resistance I am getting about switching from a Windows PC to the Mac's. My family is weirdly against the move. I had another (number 4 or so) conversation with my dad about why I think Mac's are the best fit for me today. I don't know, I think a lot of it is just fear. I hate to sound analytical about it, but we are all just so afraid of the unknown that we will do almost anything to keep comfortable.
Well, I got a call from a church in Logansville today about a potential youth job. It is at best it is unlikely that things will work out. They are looking for immediate help and we are still living here in WR and so that is a big hurdle, but we are going to talk and see what comes of it. IF we could be a good fit for each other, I would like to pursue the position. I will be talking with the lady in charge of interviews later this week.
Well, I am off to rest. One more day of VBS and then a relaxing weekend. I will let you know about the Mac situation.
kirkout

So...about those letters you keep sending me

I want to give everyone a heads up. Those letters and e-mails the people at seminaries (namely Candler) ARE important and should be read. I have this neat little (read: moronic) habit of getting a letter, opening it, and setting it down on the coffee/foot rest table. Well, apparently a crap load of deadlines were this week and I am cramming to get in on the last minute. I know, this type of behavior from me is unheard of.
This past weekend as I was talking with my brother I remembered (actually it is more like discovered) that part of my seminary experience is a "class" called Contextual Education. It is a process that only a handful of seminaries do in which all students are required to get some hands on time in ministry and not just learn a bunch of theory and theology. This sounds great to me. A school teaching us to actually be the love of God AND understand the love of God. Students are placed in a organization (i.e. recovery center, assisted living home, etc) and spend 5 hours a week serving in various capacities. Unfortunately this is a major blow to Robin and my plans to live here in Warner Robins for at least the first semester and possibly the first year. I had been banking on, for the last few weeks, that I would only go to class on Tues and Thurs and get a part time job here in WR. Depending on my placement in the Context Ed program, this could be annihilated. I am in communication with the folks that arrange the Context Ed jobs and am hoping to fall on the mercy of the court. If you happen to know anyone in that Department or someone "wink wink" else who has significant influence over space, time, and the like I would love a good word put in for me! We are committed staying either way, but it might become a major pain if I am driving to ATL more than three times a week.
I got my hands on a Macbook Pro, a slightly older model, and was...arrr...not impressed! Yes, I said it. Mac's are weird. You can't click a button to maximize things and you have to re-learn all of your subconcious movements that work on a Windows PC. I am not saying I am out on Mac's, I am saying that it is weird and icky.
Robin is halfway through summer and is still very hopeful about being able to work full-time in the Fall with the YMCA. There will hopefully be word about the availability of the position within the month. I am now actively pursuing job opportunties. It is unnerving to realize that on August 6th I don't have anything to do beside go into debt. So I am looking around middle Ga for jobs. I have decided that if a good opprotunity at a church is available, I will consider it, Youth or other. While I had been feeling burned out over the past few months on youth ministry, I am beginning to see that it might be partly due to my current situation here. So, I am looking around.
Ok, enough from me for now. I will hopefully find out soon about the Context stuff which will help me figure out a little bit about where and how much of a part time job I can get.
kirk out

(took this photo at a church in North Carolina. "Visitors Welcome EXCEPT during Church Functions" Now that is what I call Evangelism!)

Summer 2007

Hey Anyone Left Checking This,

I hope that everything is well with you'll. We have new babies and future new babies on the horizon. I am moving forward with "seminary stuff." Robin and I decided that we are not going to sell the house here in Warner Robins and we are going to give commuting a shot. I will most likely only have to attend class in ATL two days a week, so the drive should be bearable. I do have an 8:15 am class will be sketchy but I am hoping for the best.
In other news, there isn't any. Robin is working at the YMCA as the summer camp director and hoping that she might be able to get hired full time in the Fall which would be great. I am now officially looking for a part time job here in town so that we can eat while I am in school. I am moving into uncharted technological waters as I am planning on getting a MacBook Pro (that is an apple product, you have probably heard of them from those catchy commercials and the iPod) for school. I have had a number of conversations with with a number of computery folks and I believe that Mac's offer a "better way to computer" and I am willing to give it a shot. If the only reason you can give me for staying with the Windows Operating System is: "that is what everyone uses" then I am not listening.
So, that is about it. I am going to be ending my time at Trinity United Methodist Church on August 4th (Sat) and will be gainfully unemployed! If you have any ideas I am all ears. I am looking into both church jobs and non-church jobs and will just take whatever is the best fit (read: whoever the heck will hire me!!!).
Ok, enough for now. I guess I will see you in another 2 months!
Oh, wait! I have asked Bill (pastor at TUMC) if I could preach some this summer so that I can really let those folks at Trinity what I think...no...wait. This is on the internet, so anyone can find this. Sorry, I MEAN so I can share the good news of Jesus Christ. Anyway, I preached last week and my sermon is on the church website. I don't think it was all that bad actually. Let me know what you think.

kirkhagan

Announcing the News

Hey Friends,
It has been a while (it was seems like it is a while with me and blogging). I wanted to give everyone an update on me and my life (hooray for life). I announced tonight at MYF that I will be ending my time as the Youth Minister at Trinity at the end of summer. It was a difficult decision but one I am comfortable with and happy with. I have been accepted and will be attending the Candler School of Theology at Emory this coming fall. While I am going to miss the students and some of the other relationships around Trinity this was something that needed to happen. I have grown immeasurably in the past three years and moving on was the right thing.
Robin and I are now going to begin the process of deciding whether we need to move to ATL or stay here in WR. Of course IF we can sell our house will determine part of that and WHERE we find jobs will also be a factor. I am hoping we can stay here but moving definitely has it's advantages too. I am looking forward to being able to pursue academics which is a first and am exctied about the chance to learn from some amazing professors and teachers. My cousin Tom is also going to be going to Candler in the fall which is going to be great as well as a couple of old friends who will be on campus (Joshua Carr, I am talking about YOU!).
Well, that was it. I actually, believe it or not, was wanting to post something last week but I thought I should wait until I could let everyone know without any "don't tell anyone's". Oh, I have begun a Facebook which will be another we I will not be keeping in contact...I mean I WILL be keeping in contact. Robin is heavily addicted so you can keep up with her on there at least.

KH
Facebook: Kirk Hagan

Life in 2007

Hey Blog Universe,
It has been a while. I have been a busy beaver. Let's review...
January: Youth Retreat and the Holy Land (yes, that is Israel!) We (Robin, Scott (brother), and Julie (his wife) and I) got to go to the Holy Land for 10 days of tourist goodness. It was awesome. I took about 700 pics which I am finally getting around to editing.
February: Youth Ski Trip. Typical youth deal. No one got hurt and we had a good time.
I have been super busy this year with stuff happening on just about every other weekend. I am slowly continuing the process of seminary. I still don't know how all of that will work out, but I am going to apply and see what happens.
I have started a new obsession, World of Warcraft. Yes, I am now one of the 8 million or so people that pay $15 a month to play a video game! What have I become? An official geek I guess. I am also seriously considering skipping Fantasy Baseball this year due to my lack of success and commitment during the past two seasons. I know Josh, someone has to be last place, but I think I will let Luke do that this year. If you need another guy to make even teams, then I could be talked into it.
Ok, I am off to...stop blogging. Hope the next time isn't such a long time!

Kirk Hagan