Reading comp. podcast

My wife had to do a podcast for a class..well here is a test to see how it looks splashed on my blog.
This podcast is on reading comprehension for a class she is taking online. Give it a listen and let her know what you think....first podcast I have ever helped anyone do.
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/podcast1.mp3

Also there are handouts:
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Ray%20Bradbury%20The%20Pedestrian.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Misuse%20of%20Cell%20Phones.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Shakespeare%20Sonnet%2029.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Steven%20King%20Why%20We%20Crave%20Horror%20Movies.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Reading%20Comprehension%20Strategies.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Reading%20Comprehension%20Survey.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/READING%20COMPREHENSION%20USING%20A%20PODCAST.ppt

And here is a copy of the script if you wish to follow along:
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Pod%20Cast.doc

Kirk

karate...more than just something to do.

Those who know me know I enjoy karate. Shotokan to be exact. I enjoy the physical exercise, camaraderie among participants and general sense of well being that it promotes. But there is more to it than that. There is a mental and almost spiritual component to it. You are able to check your mental cares at the door and relax for an hour or more. We all need that downtime. Without some sort of mental/meditative relaxation your mind gets all confounded. Karate is physical yes, but you concentrate on it much like you would reading, crossword puzzles or other things that challenge the mind. You mentally and physically fight with your body and mind to conform them into what you are trying to do. I didn't get this as a Yellow or Orange belt. Only after returning to karate after a three or four year absence did I finally as a Green belt begin to understand just how relaxing it can be.

Dojo Kun:
Seek Perfection of Character
Be Faithful
Endeavour
Respect Others
Refrain from Violent Behavior

After my last belt test I had to do a very introspective look. I failed to execute my Kata perfectly and was only awarded a half kyu...I was grateful for the half kyu, but saddened by the fact I did not achieve my goal. Then after class the next week, while I was still rather despondent about it, I began to think on the principals of karate. My mistake cost me a half kyu, but has caused me to seek to enjoy the journey more. I must seek to perfect my technique, myself and all the other things that karate strives to teach. Yes it will take me a little while longer reach my goal of black belt, but I am thankful I am a brown belt who has learn a few lessons about life and karate all from a few mistakes.
What breaks you makes you stronger.
k

Love in any Language.

I know I don't say it as often as I need to to those whom I love. I love you is just three words, but sincerely it means the world. I wish there was an easier way to convey it...but sometimes the words just get in the way. We say those three words time and time again. Our society has worn them out in song and poem. A lot of the time it is like you just say it...like you would "hello" or "goodbye". Say it today and follow it up with more than just a word...you may not have tomorrow to say it again.
I was just pondering that today. Guess I just wanted those who know that I love them as friends and family that you do mean more to me than just three little words.
The Bible points out that no great love has a man for another than if he would lay down his life for that person. Not saying we need to step in the way of a speeding bullet, but we need to give of ourselves in a way that is not self serving. Loving your neighbor as yourself is also pointed out...how can you not love yourself...love your neighbor that deep. Even moreso we love our friends and family...I hope to be able to convey that this week in some way. By doing these things we show that we love God even more....He loved us first.
K

Micheal Jackson

I am sick of hearing about MJ. Sorry for you MJ fans, but enough is enough. Same as when Elvis died...I don't want to hear about it for a month. Yeah he was a good performer in his day, but I can't honestly say he did anything in the last 10 years that I could even put my finger on. One guy they interviewed was saying he was the best performer in history. Another said things would never be the same. Am disagreeing with the best performer...there is no best performer. Each age has them. In the 1980's his videos and music were ground breaking..but the industry has changed now. Heck MTV doesnt show very many videos anymore...they ought to change the name to RTV...they show more reality shows than anything else. Any who wants to watch washed up music stars try to find love anyway. Todays music industry WOULD NOT allow someone like MJ to ever get where he was...to much corporate control and cookie cutter logic. Things won't be the same. So many folks who are on the radio just don't have talent. And don't forget...I am a musician so you without talent...you don't fool me. You have a gimmic. Kids now adays don't know music. What is passed to them in a lot of cases has no soul...ten years from now most of the big groups will be nothing....songs will be forgotten. But at least in the past it was music with melody...todays stuff is so beatbox. I am just not looking forward to most of what will come out of my radio.
Sorry MJ...you were good in your day..but RIP and lets move on with life.
In case your intersted...I listen to more folk and Christian music nowadays, along with old stuff. I don't think my radio has moved off of talk radio in months.

PETA bugs me!

Ok, lets just say that I understand the PETA likes the current administration somewhat since they are very liberal, whacko and just plan out of touch with reality. There is a difference between someone who likes animals and someone who thinks that we should leave every living animal alone and eat tofu. The lastest with PETA and Pres. Obama is hillarious! The President was doing and interview and swatting and killed a fly..he was amazed he killed it. PETA says they didn't agree with that and know he's not perfect..so they will send him a fly catcher to catch and release them from now on. Wait a minute! If they want to catch and realease..what about the fleas my cats bring in? Is it wrong for me to put flea stuff on the cats to keep the fleas off of the cats? Don't the cats have rights? Is it wrong for my cats to scatch the fleas? I mean it's not like the fleas are going to protest..the cats do though. Every time I come looking for them with flea spray or for a bath they protest. So we ought to file a complaint with the national headquarters of fleas that they must stay off of my cats, since they have rights and don't wish to be bit, bathed or sprayed.
Like I said, there are whackos out there that don't understand. Animals, insects and such are just that...I treat them fairly and love mine dearly. Others I love also...right by the meat and potatoes! And I am not sharing my steak with a fly.

Kata Kata everywhere...

Am currently working on my newest kata for karate belt test....Bassai Dai. Very challenging....to say the least. This is the first Shotokan kata that does not start with a standing, stationary move..so to speak. You move dynamically and storm the oponent in the first move. It also picks up pieces of several other kata that I have already learned. You just have to remember you are not doing them..but a new kata. Anyhows...enjoy the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8I4Q-nNvAY
k

people .....

People are funny, strange and often quite confusing. In 15 minutes today the SAME person made me want to laugh, cry and slap the crap out of them. I don't think I am being moody...but it drives me crazy.
I honestly want to go hide sometimes. Some folks ask you the same question three ways to get you to slip up and have some thing you said to use against you. Alterior motives just puzzle me...since I generally don't play games.

"Lord give me the strength to make it through the day and not lose my cool."

in the mood for spicy food...

I have been on a spicy food kick lately. Don't know why. Have always loved hot and spicy food and am finding myself enjoying it more and more. It makes you feel "lively". My guess is that it encourages circulation and other good things.
Got hold of some Kettle Cooked XXX Habinaro chips the other day that were awesome. Not a chip for the faint of heart either. Not a chip to just sit down and eat with a coke...you gotta have food to appreciate it. The heat is way intense, with good flavor. Add a sandwich on top of it and you have a wonderful combination. Without food the heat gets to the point of numbing your taste buds. Habianros have a tendency to do that, which is why my favorite pepper is the scotch bonnet...in the same family but with less heat and more of a chili flavor.
So I am off to find more great heat.....you might hear about it here!
k

Date Night 3

We are gearing up for Date Night 3 on May 9th at the Grace Church Gym. Semaritan Counciling is sponsoring this marriage semenar for couples again...don't know the time, but you can watch for it to be posted later or call the church office at 229-243-0532...they should have details.
Set list will be fun..desserts should be good too.. watch for it to be posted on www.gracechurchga.org and come if you can.
Kirk

Strong City...something weak there.

Last night I saw a documentary on the DOC channel that sent shivers up and down my spin. Most of you who know me, know that I have an unapologetic Christian and fairly knowledgeble about biblical thing.
The documentary was on the Strong City cult... http://www.strongcity.info
They are led by Micheal..aka Wayne Bent. He has his followers believing he is the Messiah...which upon watching and listening to him is hard to believe. Members of this organization need to look at what he is and has done....not even considering the criminal charges against him.
1. He predicted the date of judgement and the end of the world... The bible plainly states Christ said "only the father knows"... The book of Revelation does NOT have Christ/Messaiah coming to earth...telling the date...and them fullfiling it. Strike one!
2. Christ lived a perfect life...the Messiah was to come from a Virgin...and born... already happened... No new Messiah will come and stay on earth....look at Revelation. Strike two!
3. Christ came to fullfill the law, which he did....if he returned...he would not break it. Micheal has under "direction" of the father broken biblical laws (adultry, covetry, and a host of others). Christ/Messiah would not do such a thing. Strike three!

In watching Micheal on the video he was almost constantly in a near hypnotic state...almost like he was drugged...when speaking he was TOO calm. In listenting to the followers: they seem to throw all reason out the door concerning anything Micheal says.
Paul stated that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Test our faith and try it against scripture....prove it correct. There is nothing in the bible to support a number of the teaching, actions and suppositions that Micheal makes.

I urge anyone who wants to see what a cult looks like to view this video. It is very disturbing to see so deep into a organization that controls people in such a way, playing upon their need for salvation. Know what you believe....folks like this may knock on your door promising peace, love and community. Do not be fooled. I pray for their members that they may see God's love...not this false presentation.
just my .02
k