Category: Oxford (Page 3 of 3)

Podcast!

04/28/2008 / Blake

So we’d been trying to get the message from our weekend services at The Orchard recorded for the last few weeks. But we had a few equipment issues, then some bad cords. But then I ended up buying a Tascam 144 USB Interface. You plug it into the iBook G4 and also into the soundboard. And then VOILA! Well, not voila…there were a few settings that were causing some frustrations

But then I got to work in Garageband for a while putting the pieces together, using the little intro music, recording a brief welcome message, and getting all the id3 tags right.

I’ve submitted our podast iTunes, but it will probably take a few days until it gets flying there. But we’re looking forward to this being a great way for our folks to keep up if they’re out a weekend. Also a great way for so many of our college students to listen in during the summer (or for their parents to check out where they’re going to church while away at college.)

Right now we have it set up on iWeb, so if you want to check out our first edition, go for it!

The Weekend

02/24/2008 / Blake

So, yet another weekend is done for. Here’s a little of what took place:

Set up a new blog for a friend. Emily Witt is teaching school in Columbia and chasing after Jesus. Make sure you stop in and tell her hello and encourage her in her writing. You want her to write so you can read it. It’s good stuff.
Talked to a builder about a house he’s building in Oxford. Building would be nice, but it would be at least a handful of months until we could move in. Ugh! We close on our Clinton house this Friday. So it’s time to start looking hard.
Got library cards in Oxford. So now we have a PO Box, bank account, and library cards. Are we citizens?
Got a membership at Blockbuster in Oxford. Later I’ll tell you how much I think I’m going to hate that Blockbuster.
Slept late twice. Got up early once.
Watched Mississippi State basketball stage an incredible last minute heroic comeback. Ben Hansbrough is the man. Totally. Oh, and Phil Turner too. MSU has a decent shot at the Big Dance now. (Here is a nice article about Ben and his bro.)
Ate w/ the inlaw at Harvey’s. Not sure what I had, but it had steak, grits, onion rings, shrimp, and lots of BBQ sauce.
Drove to Oxford twice for church. Addison likes to go early and help with setup. Both services were good today. Got to meet some new people and reconnect with some old.

So, there it is. Now it’s time to go to bed… How was your weekend?

On The Square/Prayer Walking?

02/19/2008 / Blake

Sitting in my car on some bootleg wifi. I think it’s from some business or law firm around here. About to go to Small Group tonight. But the sky is looking sweet. It’s got a partly cloudy sky with the lights in the buildings on the Square starting to light up. I should get out and walk it some night soon. Maybe a nice walk all around town.

I remember seeing a suggestion of doing prayer walks around the community where you’re doing ministry. I’ve never been specific or intentional in doing them. But since reading that a few days ago, it’s been a little heavier on my heart. I remember hearing Mark Batterson said that he liked to do that, especially when launching a new venue for National Community Church.

Have any of you had experience in doing prayer walks (or runs…I know Louie Giglio has done this often at different college campuses he’s visited?

Why Oxford/Clinton is better than Clinton/Oxford.

02/16/2008 / Blake

I’ve had people ask me if I like one better than the other. Because I like both places, I’ve had a few things in my mind about what was better about each place. To be very fair, neither place is better than the other. Both are great. And both are fantastic places to raise your kids and grow as a family. But both are quite different from each other. Well, it depends on what you’re talking about.

Why Oxford is better than Clinton:

There are more Mexican restaurants in Oxford. (Hard to believe for Clintonians I’m sure.)
There are a lot of really cool restaurants
Camp Lake Stephens is located here. This is where I was shaped in so many ways as a follower of Jesus. Also where I met my future wife.
The Square
Square Books
Closer to parents, but not too close.
More possibilities of celebrity sightings.
(A little) closer to Starkville and MSU ballgames.
Southern culture more on display.
Lots of free wifi in different places.
The Walmart actually has enough cashiers. It has self-check too.
A university, which will be a great resource
Opportunity to see many great SEC teams play in town.
Lots of and lots of bands to come to town as well.
I worked here during my college summers. Good memories.

Why Clinton is better than Oxford:

Real Estate is cheaper.
The students I worked with were quite awesome.
Free gym membership because The Wife worked at one.
Dairy Queen
I used a MacBook Pro in my office.
Had build some great friendships over the last three years.
There were two Targets w/in 25 minutes.
Jackson provided a lot of shopping/eating conveniences.
The city was laid out a little better I think.
Gas is about 10-15 cents cheaper per gallon.
The Arrows: they have amazing school spirit. (to be fair, not been around a lot of Chargers or Commodores yet)
Jonezetta

Admittedly this list might shift or change as the months go by. But I think both places are fantastic.

Free WiFi in Oxford, Mississippi

02/12/2008 / Blake

When I getting ready to move here I wondered where the free wireless internet spots were here in town. I’m still ferreting some of them out, but I couldn’t find a list of them anywhere on the internet. So I started asking around and doing some of my own investigation. I’ll make a list of place I know there is free wifi. I’ll update it as more are discovered:

Bottletree Bakery: Just off The Square. (map) A really eclectic, snazzy bakery with good breakfast and lunch. It was actually featured on The Food Network and Oprah because of their pies.
San Francisco Bread Company: Jackson Avenue (map)
Pak Mail: Jackson Ave (map)
McAllisters: University Avenue (map) The restaurant that is pretty much like all the other McAllisters, yet this one was the first one.
High Point Coffee: North Lamar by The Square.
Purple Haze: North Lamar (map) Nice little shop with culture and groovy tunes.
Puddin Place Bed & Breakfast: University Avenue (map)
Kroger: University Ave (map)
Comfort Inn: Jackson Ave (map)
Days Inn: Jackson Ave (map)
Proud Larry’s: South Lamar (map). You may have to ask them for access, but they’re cool about it.

Now please double check me on these. Sometimes I’ve found a signal, but then turns out you have to pay to surf (like McDonalds). But I may have missed some or have been mistaken about a couple. If there is a correction or addition that needs to be made, leave a comment!