Free Productivity Tool

Free Productivity Tool

I was talking with Janell about productivity, and I told her that I needed a timer to keep track of my work during the day. I was thinking that I needed to use an egg timer to focus myself on one task. Then I got to thinking about how cool it would be to have an egg timer on my computer.

The idea is to set the timer to a certain amount of time and get working on something for that amount of time. When the time is up and the alarm sounds, I can feel free to focus on something else. I think having a timer like this would help me with my time management. (I tend get distracted a lot during the day).

Anyway, so I began working on a countdown timer in flash, and I have finished it. I’ve put up a special page specifically for the timer. It can work in the background while you are on the computer or reading or whatever else you need to do.

Anyway, I hope it helps me get work done, and I hope it can help some other people as well. If you use it, please let me know in the comments. Thanks. Please feel free to leave suggestions to make it better, too.

[kml_flashembed movie=”/media/flash/webcountdown.swf” height=”309″ width=”550″ /]

A Little Mexican Snack

A Little Mexican Snack

My students came to class today with a snack. They are chapulines tostados, known in English as toasted grasshoppers.

I didn’t have it in me to try them yet, but if I ever do, you know I’ll video it because it’s more than likely that I won’t eat them more than once (even though my students suggest I’ll like them).

They come toasted, with salt, lime, and garlic on them. They can also be eaten with salsa on them (like on popcorn). I’m seeing the beginnings of a cool youth group game…maybe “Chubby Chapuline” or “Fear Factor.”


Click a thumbnail to see a larger version.

My Final Four

My Final Four

In case you’re watching March Madness and was wondering, I’m playing in a bracket challenge over at Youth Ministry Exchange.

My final four are Duke, North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas. Of course, I’ve got Duke winning the national championship. I always have problems with fantasy things when I pick with my heart instead of my head. Duke’s my team, so I have to pick them to go all the way. They have a chance, even after tonight’s horrible game.

I’m watching the tournament online with March Madness on Demand. It’s a great way to watch the games. You get all the games for free, so check it out.

Thumbnail by Doug L on flickr.

Mexico City Driving Rules

Mexico City Driving Rules

There is a published rulebook for driving in Mexico City. For real. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen people selling it at intersections, but I don’t know how many people have actually read it, since it sometimes appears that there are no driving laws.

With so many cars, pedestrians, mini-buses, and taxis, and a rush hour that is said to last 18 hours, driving in Mexico City can be both dangerous and challenging. But with a little practice, you can learn how to drive in one of the largest cities in the world.

I’ve decided to develop my own driving rules. It’s probably more funny for those who have visited Mexico City. If you’ve never been here, come visit us!!!

Here are ten rules for surviving when driving in Mexico City.

  1. Stay home. It’s the only way to avoid traffic problems. Or, if you absolutely have to, you could go out at 3 in the morning. There shouldn’t be much traffic then.
  2. Watch out for the speed bump. There will be one. Usually, it will come when you don’t expect it.
  3. People will pull out in front of you. If you know this is going to happen, you will be a lot more calm when it happens. If there is a bus letting people off, you should just assume that it will pull back into traffic in front of you. Also, if there is a parked car on the side of the road, be sure it will start rolling right when you are going to pass it.
  4. Look out for others because they probably aren’t looking out for you. You’ve heard of defensive driving. I’m telling you to think for the other person. You must do this to survive.
  5. Forget everything you’ve ever learned about using your blinkers. A left blinker doesn’t always mean that the car is turning left, but it sometimes does mean that the car is turning left. Sometimes, the car with the left blinker on could be turning right.
  6. If a bus is near you, get out of the way. The guy driving may try to run you off the road.
  7. Your arm can be a magic wand to let you into a continuous stream of traffic. Or, if you have a passenger, they can stick their arm out and almost everyone will let you into the line of traffic.
  8. If a sign is pointing you in a direction, it means turn…now. Actually, if you read the sign, it is probably too late to turn.
  9. Don’t get in the lane to turn right until the absolute last minute. A taxi or bus will probably pull in front of you and stop, making you stuck behind them for a few minutes.
  10. If the traffic is flowing, be cautious, it is only a matter of minutes before you catch up to the line of cars that are stopped (with their flashers on, warning you they are stopped).

Here’s a video of the traffic, and here are some pictures (below) of the traffic.

traffic in mexico city Permission Marketing

Free Easter Powerpoint Game


I originally posted this game on Youthministrytv.com, but I thought I’d put it over here, too, for those who don’t visit over there often.

It’s a youth group powerpoint game for Easter, and it’s all about Peeps. They are some of my favorite candy, but I didn’t know many of the answers. Click here or on the picture to download the free game.

If you like this game, check out the other free powerpoint game I made that is available here.

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