OtterBox Defender vs. Trident Kraken AMS

As you may know, I am a long time fan of the OtterBox line of cases.  I am not a gentle person, but I like fancy toys.  Dropping a $200+ phone – sucks.  It sucks a lot more than purchasing a $50 case.  I can tell you, I have dropped my phone numerous times without issue.  I’ve also experienced INCREDIBLE service from OtterBox.

I really cant say enough about my Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx Defender Series Case.

That being said – I recently decide to try another case.  Why, you might ask?  Another company has some great ideas – and I thought I would give them a shot!

I ordered a Trident Kraken AMS case.  This case has some really cool features that caught my eye.  They included:

• A kickstand for easy watching of movies or setting the phone on it’s side
• It comes in colors other than black.
• The AMS system which allows you to use a windshield mount, a bike mount and other attachments.

I can tell you I was genuinely excited to get this.  I really wanted to use the Windshield Mount for my newly created VLOG career.  The case looked durable enough, similar technology to OtterBox – let’s give it a go!

I have to say, I was disappointed when the case arrived.  First, they use the rubbery stuff for the case, but it’s on the inside.  The “exoskeleton” as they call it leaves the phone smooth and slippery.  I enjoy the gription from my OtterBox.  The AMS system is VERY well designed and switching from the kickstand to the windshield mount was easy enough. I also thought it was cool that I could access my SD card, but then I said “Wait, why do I need/want to do that?”  Anyway, at this point – the excitement was starting to fade a bit and well, I wasn’t really into the case.  I stuck it on the window thing and put it on a window – all was good, I liked that – but then the deal breaker.  I tried to plug my phone in and I couldn’t!  The “gap” isn’t big enough to fit a standard USB cord and/or any other charger I could find. I’m sad to say, the honeymoon ended quickly and the OtterBox was re-installed.

I think Trident has a great product, but it’s just not refined and/or doesn’t meet my needs.  I’ve got an idea/plan to make a windshield mount for my OtterBox – maybe I will blog about that one!  I don’t have the money to do fancy drop tests, but using both of my brain cells, I have to think either would protect your phone about the same way.  Your mileage may vary, but for me, the OtterBox is better designed and just feels better – and continues to be my choice.

Let’s get this party started

Let’s get this party started RIGHT!

You have all heard it before, I hope, pray, dream of not typing this post again.  I’m not going to make any predictions – I’m just going to tell you what’s up.

The other day I got this crazy idea that I would start video blogging – sure, why not!  I’ve done blogs, micro-blogging, facebook, Google+, Myspace… why not try out this video option.  I have a phone that can do it, I have the idea – lets roll.  Well, then I got this other idea that I talked about in a video blog …. It’s about 2 months until Labor day, I need to get focused, let’s pull together some folks and get going.  Call it a challenge, encourage others to join in.  Check up on each other – call me out if I don’t log my food – point it out to me!  Tell me wassup…. so here is what I came up with that *I* am going to do.

• I’m going to use Google+ for most of my discussion.  Of course, my G+ public posts go to Facebook and Twitter, so it will end up there.
• I’ve created a hashtag (#LaborDayChallenge) and I will post that in all posts related to the challenge.
• Not all of my post will be posts will be public.  I’ve got a Circle for this.  I will add those I am comfortable sharing my inner feelings and stuff!  Those posts will be locked – those who it was shared with can reply, but they will be mine to control!
• I will share lots publicly, but not all.
• I will probably vlog about some of it, but not ALL of my vlogs will be related to working out or eating right!

That’s the challenge…. here are my personal goals for the challenge!

1. Consistency!
2. Form several positive habits!
3. Maintain accountability
4. Consistently log my food
5. Eat healthy
6. Consistently log my workouts
7. Continue to work the 8 principles of Celebrate Recovery

Last year, I was winning or placing in bicycle races.  I weighed 20-30 pounds less than I do today.  4 months ago, I ran a half marathon in 10:30 pace – I could not do 6.2 at that pace on Sunday.  Yes – I’ve gone backwards but I have not quit, so I have not lost!

So there you have it!  If you see me screwing up – you can call me out on it!  If you see me doing something right – compliments are appreciate but not necessary.  As Dave Chapel would say…. “But I didn’t get arrested!  You’re not SUPPOSED to get arrested!”  … I’m SUPPOSED to do the right thing!

I am going to kick this thing off with a bike ride tomorrow!  Hope to see you on the comet!

A six year old’s emotional rollercoaster

Let’s frame this up a bit… Last year, Derek got a great opportunity to go to a summer camp.  It was a two week camp in West Virginia.  As near as we can tell, the kids are very well taken care of but get to play for about 23.5 hours a day… the other .5 is spent doing chores that they don’t mind.  It’s kind of a kids dream come true.  Max – at age 5, was old enough to SEE the fun, and want to do it, but not old enough to go.  He was PROMISED he could go this year.  Great!  Let’s do this!  He was all signed up and ready to go.  He spent a week with Grandma (my mom) and Aunt Shawna (my sister) and by all accounts had the best week he has had in forever!  He was in heaven.  He was slate to go to camp TODAY!  Well…. here’s the story of the past 48 hours of our lives….

On Friday night, a huge storm rolled through West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.  It was by all accounts, fast and furious. It left a powerless path of destruction behind.  Max called us at 10:30 on Friday night afraid to sleep because he couldn’t use his sound machine… The power was out at my sister’s house.  Probably the first blackout he could remember.

Well, as the day progressed, power was off but we didn’t think twice.  Max, Shawna and Mom headed off to a company picnic specially set up for kids.  Max continued his “Dream Week” in preparation for for his DREAM week at camp.  We were all really excited for the midget!  He was about to have so much fun…. At about 5;30 yesterday, we got an email from the camp saying due to the simple fact that the storm was so devastating - and they were still 4-10 days away from having power, they were cancelling their “Dream Week”.  I quickly scrambled for a backup plan to ease the pain of a year long dream being shattered.  While it wasn’t summer camp, a week with Sarah’s parents could ease the pain?  It seemed to be a good idea.  By late last night, his biggest concern was that Sarah’s dad, Jay, watches too much news and he might not be able to follow the Olympic Trials.  It was a heartbreaking situation to tell him his camp was cancelled.  A lot of prayers, hopes and efforts were going on in the background.

I called the camp owner and pleaded with him – can Max PLEASE come, his stuff was already there – he was ready to go.  All he had to do was show up and sleep in his pre-made bed.  The catch is, the camp didn’t have internet, phone or power (STILL).  I emailed – as they were checking email 2-3 times a day, and voicemail.  I called and pleaded… but I was afraid my messages were not being heard (probably because there is no CELL service at this camp and there is no PHONE service either?)  We played around with logistics, we played around with ideas and Shawna, Jim (my dad), Jay and Gray all agreed to meet in Kingsport, Tennessee and exchange Max.  As sad as this was, it seemed like the best option.  The plan was set to work out.

Sarah and I had commitments at church, so we got up and took care of that and went on about our business… I texted both cars, thanked them over and over and over and over again.  After all, I was being saved 15-17 hours of driving by family members, my son was being well cared for – and while it wasn’t his first choice – it was something he would enjoy.  Still – my bunchkins dream wasn’t coming true – sadness.

WELL… about 11:30, we got the call.  Unfortunately I missed it, but … it was from the camp owner.  In summary – “BRING HIM!”

I called Shawna and said “How would you like to turn right and head to camp, drop Max off there?”  She enthusiastically said “Is that an option?”  I explained the situation.  Sarah called her parents, they pulled over.  Dad parked and waited for instructions.  I grabbed a computer and began sorting out directions.  See – there is one huge challenge – the Camp doesn’t have an address you can look up in a GPS and not knowing where Dad was – how does one give directions?   Well – fortunately we all have Garmin GPS units.  I told the the search I used and he said “There are 2 entries that came up”.  I told Dad to look at the second one, he did and I said “92 is coming in from the northwest, it comes into a triangle and there is a river flowing through the map.  He said “Yes, I see that!”  I said “GO THERE AND LOOK AT THE SIGN!”  He said “Got it!”

They gave me the “privilege” of telling Max.  I will never forget him yelling “YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!”

Apparently, for the next hour or so he talked about all the things he hoped to do….  He was so happy and talking non stop!

A picture is worth 1000 words.  That smile is worth every bit of effort that everybody put into this!  I’m not going to say it wasn’t stressful, I didn’t cry … but at least I got to have a tear or two of joy when I heard he was there and having fun!  All in all, about 900 miles were driven today.  Had the email never come, it would have been closer to 180…

I do love my family – and I consider my in-laws, my family!  Everybody is awesome!