Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Hobbit cast is forming

Here is some news about the Hobbit Movie from Yahoo Movies:


Report: McKellen to reprise Gandalf role
Wednesday April 30 3:16 PM ET

Ian McKellen will again take up the robes of Gandalf the Wizard in the cinematic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy classic "The Hobbit" a British film magazine reported Wednesday.

But McKellen's publicist warned that final arrangements were yet to be made.

"Of course he wants to do it, but nothing's been agreed or signed," Clair Dobbs said.

Phillies Baseball

My friend Tim took me to a baseball game on Tuesday night. It was the Phillies vs. the San Diego Padres. It was a pitching duel between Greg Maddux and Cole Hamels. Phillies won 7-4 (most runs were off relievers).

Here is a picture of Tim and a view from our seats.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Dissertation Dedication

One of the last sections I wrote for my dissertation was the dedication page. As I wrote the dedication, I was very thankful to everyone who supported me throughout my whole life. Since very few people will ever read my dissertation, I wanted to post the dedication here for everyone to see.

This dissertation is dedicated to Jesus, my Savior, my Lord, my friend and my salvation. It is hard to find the words to express my gratitude to my God for all good He has given me. There words from Psalm 9:1-2 summarize my feelings:
I will thank you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. (NTL)

I would like to thank my amazing wife, Dena. Dena, you have been my biggest cheerleader. You believed I could do this program before I even started. I would not have completed this journey without you by my side encouraging me every step of the way – Thank You! I would also like to thank my kids, Rebecca, Catherine and Andrew. It has been a joy to have you walk with me through this adventure. Now the daddy dates can start again.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Paul Carr. Dr. Carr, thank you for not teaching me anything, but for facilitating my learning. Your unwavering support and belief in me kept me in the program. You saw my potential and always called me to live up to it. You modeled to me how to create colleagues instead of teaching doctoral students. I would also like to thank Beta Phi, a judicious literary society. Joining Beta Phi while at the Eagle and Child Pub in Oxford is a memory I will never forgot. I would also like to acknowledge all the Beta Phi fellows, particularly Dr. Mike Ponton, Dr. Jim Coe and Dr. Gary Confessore for enhancing my academic pursuits especially at the Autonomous Learning World Caucus.

I would like to thank the professors of SGLE for their non-stop encouragement. Dr. Mike Hartsfield and Dr. Gail Longbotham, thank you for serving on my committee and pushing me to create a document, I can be truly proud of writing. Your calling as professors were evident with every conversation at residency, over the phone or through the dialogues. Thank you for your love, compassion and prayers that surrounded me throughout this academic journey. To the other professors who read my papers, taught the classes and were available for all my questions. Thank you for your time and for believing in me. Thanks to our Dean, Dr. Bruce Winston, for creating an environment where our degree is worth more each year. You push everyone to be their best, and because of your efforts, you have the best group of professors.

I would like to express my appreciation to Cohort 2004 for all that you have done to make this very difficult pursuit, a little easier. You have become more than classmates, you have become my friends. Words cannot express the love I feel for each one of you. We embraced the concept “that we all rise together” and we pulled each other along on this journey. I could write volumes about the ways each one of you have supported me through Yahoo, phone calls, residencies, conferences, prayers and unconditional love, however, for the sake of space, your names will have to do: Rusty Ricketson, Jamie Swalm, Greg Lewis, Frank Christopian, Ann Solan, Katie Buvoltz, Jason Carthen, Jay Gary, Jeff Guichard, Dan Lawson, Brian Duhart, John Hale, Tim Rahschulte, Anita Stadler, Dan Novak, Mark Rennaker, Dee Dee Kramer, Freda Powell and Melissa McDermott. Each one of you has touched my life and my soul.

I would also like to thank Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell for your love and support. Thank you to George, Barbara, Trish, Bob, Betty and Don, Ed and Becky, Ed and Kristin, Adam, Tim, Bob S., my small group and many others who have supported me in this crazy dream of mine. I would also like to thank all the students who allowed me into their lives and have become friends. Without the love, support and prayers of each of you, I would not have been able to complete this journey. Each of you holds a special place in my heart.

I would also like to thank my circle of friends who held me accountable, prayed for me and listened endlessly to me as I talked about my PhD. Thank you to Todd and Julie, Andy, Brant, Tony, Chris, Dan, Joe and Shawna, Alan and Sharon, and Jeff. A special thanks to my spiritual director, Dave B. Dave, your compassionate listening and attentiveness to the Spirit, was invaluable to my completing this program.

I would like to thank my family, Lois, Sandy, Jim and Billy, and Mike and Jan. Thank you for believing in me when I was younger. Finally, I would also like to thank Dena’s parents, Clyde and Joyce. You have been a constant encouragement from listening to my endless PhD talk, to watching your grandchildren so I could study a little bit longer. Your support of our marriage and ever willingness to watch your grandchildren allows our marriage to flourish. Thank you for making me feel like another son.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Eph. 3:20 (NLT)

Correction - I spent 244 hours (14,626 minutes) on my dissertation, not 300. I added wrong. :)

Twitter - I do

I am now twittering. Following me at twitter.com/davewinner. For those who don't know, it is like a text message journal of what I am doing. Very fun.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Dissertation is Done

I am happy to type that I have finished my dissertation and successfully defended it. I completed my dissertation on Monday, April 14 and defended on April 17, 2008. My chair was awesome to rush everything along. My official degree is a PhD in Organizational Leadership with a major in Human Resource Development.

Here are the numbers (since I am a geek):
Final word count - 29,182
Time spent (according to word, only included time at the computer) - 308 hours
Pages - 104 (1 1/2 spacing with single spaced block quotes)

All that is left for me to do are the final revisions with the proofreader and then submit it to ProQuest Dissertation Database.

My graduation is May 10, 2008 with my hooding on May 9. Here is a blurb from Regent:
Celebrating 30 Years!

The largest class in its 30-year history will graduate from Regent University on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Among the 1,095 students who will receive bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees are two who will receive the School of Divinity's first Ph.D.s ever awarded in Renewal Studies. The Regent School of Law will also award its first Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Legal Studies.

Bob McDonnell, Virginia's 44th Attorney General, will deliver the commencement address. McDonnell holds a master's degree in public policy and a law degree from Regent University. Click here for full bio.

For those who want to watch online - click here

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

What Super Hero Am I

I wanted to be Batman or Ironman:
Your results:
You are Superman
























Superman
100%
Spider-Man
85%
Robin
70%
The Flash
70%
Supergirl
68%
Green Lantern
65%
Wonder Woman
58%
Batman
55%
Iron Man
55%
Catwoman
45%
Hulk
40%
You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.


Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test



Thanks to the Deadly Viper for this link.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Stuff Christians Like

Here is a great satirical site about what Christians like. It is so true and soo funny. Here is a sample:
Lots of my friends have used dating sites and a few have met their spouses with them. But like a lot of things in society, alongside match and eharmony, Christian versions have emerged. You probably have a favorite, but based on the 978 radio commercials I've heard in the last week, I'm going with the site, "Equally Yoked."

I think this is probably a good site. They sincerely seem dedicated to helping Christians meet other Christians and it looks like a safer dating alternative. In fact, this is one of the benefits they talk about, "You are meeting proactive people with criminal background checks, sexual offender background checks, who want to be contacted!" Can you imagine if your friend set you up for a date by saying, "He's a proactive person with a sexual offender background check. And he's good with animals."

I don't have any issue with the site except the name. Being yoked just doesn't sound like an awesome experience. I know it's a biblical term and important. I believe that my wife are yoked and that yoking is all around cool. But have you ever in your life said to a friend, "I think it's time I settle down and get my yoke on."

Probably not, but when my friends that aren't Christian say, "you guys are so weird," I completely understand what they are talking about.

Thanks to Marko.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Mr Rogers


I loved Mister Rogers as a kids (and adult with kids). Here is a great blog posting about Mister Rogers. Thanks to Kristin for forwarding this to me. Click here to see it.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Twitter

As my dissertation is winding down, I am thinking about joining twitter. This little video explains it.



So do you Twitter? How do you like it?

Thanks to Andy for this video.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Who's on first?

My favorite routine from Abbott and Costello. A good dissertation break.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

I am going to Mars

Join me in going to Mars with Google. Click here and read all about it. In 100 years we will be living large on Mars.

Sign up today and join me.

Yes, Google does one of the best April 1 event announcements.