Totally Impressed

Recently I had two pieces of electronics go bad on me - my macbook laptop screen and my Xbox 360. On my 360 I received the infamous "red ring of death." After making Apple and Xbox (division of Microsoft) aware of my problem they immediately starting the process of helping me with a solution.

For my mac, there was some sort of crack on the inside of my screen. I called Apple and made an appointment with the Genius bar at the nearest Apple store. When I arrived to my appointment I was pleased to see 60" screens on the back wall letting everyone know that "Jared U." was the next customer to be helped. Someone got right to me and took a look at my laptop. After the technician inspected it, he determined that the crack was not covered under the warranty. This was seemingly bad news since I paid for a three year warranty. However, after a manager was told about it, he intervened and assured me that it was indeed covered. In the whole process I was treated very well. Apple made it easy and when I received my laptop back in a short four days, they completely replaced the whole interior of the laptop. A new keyboard, all new plastic parts, and a brand new shiny screen. Way to go Apple!

For my Xbox, I searched online to find a number to call and inquire about the "red ring." Turns out that they have an online service request form that is quick and easy. After determining that I would have to send my Xbox out to get fixed, they gave me three options: 1) print out a shipping label, 2) have them send me a shipping label, or 3) have them ship me a box that has a shipping label with it. This blew me away. I opted for option 3 and four days later I received a box with a plastic bag for the Xbox, foam to keep it safe, a shipping label, and even a strip of packing tape! It doesn't get easier than that. All I had to do is drop it off to a UPS store and wait about two weeks. I dropped it off two days ago, so I'll see if it continues to be a great experience. So far I am completely impressed. Way to go Xbox!

Amazing Medley

It is no secret that Dashboard Confessional is easily one of my favorite bands (second only to Coldplay). Well I found this on youtube and it is stinkin' amazing! It's a medley of four of their songs. Check it out!

Just in Case You Were Wondering...

32

Is the number of laps I swam the other night for my triathlon training. I got to tell you that it felt really good! 32 laps equals 1600 meters (1 mile). The actual distance of the swim portion of the triathlon is 1500 meters, so I would say that I am right on target.

So far, swimming has surprisingly been my favorite thing to do. It is so peaceful and refreshing being in the water. Right now it takes me about 50 seconds to swim a lap so I get a lot of time to think during my workouts (so far the ipod is not water friendly so no music yet). Although sometimes it gets boring, I feel like I am able to slow down and think about life. And as I said before, there is something so quiet and peaceful about being under water.

Well, I'm off to the gym now for some more swimming.

Deep Thoughts with Dwight Schrute

Here is some more Office humor to start off the week :-)
I wish I could fly! However, one life is good enough for me.
For anyone who is wondering what Second Life is, don't!
It's dumb and a waste of time.

Kiva

Jeremy showed me the Kiva website yesterday and it is incredible! Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.


My first Kiva Loan went to the Christine Namayega Group. It is a group of 10 women who sell clothes in Uganda. Click Here to see my lending page.

A Case of the Mondays

Mondays are usually tough, especially after long weekends. However, thanks to a fantastic Christmas present, my Monday started a little brighter today. Enjoy these words of wisdom from the great (or not-so-great) philosophical thinker, Michael Scott. :)

Excelling in 2009

A friend asked me the other day if I made any New Year's resolutions and at first I went blank. I have never been big on "New Year's Resolutions" but the more I thought about the question, the more I realized that I do have some goals and aspirations for the big 2009.

I am definitely a visual person and need to "see" my goals in order to keep focused on them. I also like to be neat and organized, although I fully admit that it is difficult at times. If I am messy it means one thing - I'm stressed and overwhelmed. All that is to say, I am choosing to create habits this year that will help me focus on the goals I want to achieve. So meet my new best friend - X.



Excel is a program for my personality. You can make lists, charts, graphs and formulas to serve your purpose, whatever that may be. Right now I'm a novice at best with X, but I'm hoping that will all change this year. As I learn it, I know it will help me focus on what I want to accomplish and EXCEL in life (no pun intended).

To start, I made a simple and somewhat generic list of goals and things I want to do in 2009. This is only the beginning. My plan is to add to this and build more and more "action steps" to help me excel in them. If you have read my blog in the past, you know that DISCIPLINE has been a key word for me. It will continue to be in '09. But I just don't want to be discipline. No, I want to EXCEL in everything I do.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
- Colossians 3:17

Click image to make bigger

Highlights of 2008

I got to do some cool stuff in 2008. Here are some favorites...

Travel:

- in February visited my friend JJ in LA
- in March I lead a mission trip to Salamanca, Spain
- in April the 3F team went to New York for the Q Conference
- in July I visited friends on Nantucket Island and spent a few days in Boston
- in November I visited my Grandma in Boise, ID which is where I grew up



Favorite Books:

- Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutrell
- The Shack by William P. Young
- Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell
- Following Jesus by NT Wright


Favorite Movies:

- The Dark Knight
- James Bond: Quantum of Solace
- Ironman
- 21
- Get Smart
- Valkyrie
- The Spirit - NOT!

New Look for a New Year!

To welcome in the new year I decided I needed a blog makeover.
Out with the old and in with the new!

Happy New Year!