Live from Harrisburg, PA

Well, a three-day, two-night trip out of town for work has landed me in Harrisburg, PA. It's the farthest I ever have to travel while working at MPB (and it's only once a year, so it's really not that bad). Hey, we accountants can use the variety (talk about mixing it up--LOL). I just got back from the Olive Garden and I am completely stuffed. How's come food always tastes better when someone else is paying for it? Haha. JK. I had chicken marsala (I even brought some of it back for a snack later this evening). I think I am going to head over to the exercise room and run some of it off here shortly.
Today while auditing, the fire alarms went off in the building we were in. Turns out there was an actual fire, though, in the basement. I have to admit that I like the area over here. It seems as though there are a lot of things to do over here. The neighborhoods are very nice and I just love downtown Harrisburg. Pennsylvania is simply the best state there is. There was some crazy guy dressed up like a zombie walking around Strawberry Square randomly scaring people who passed by or used the escalator. I forgot it was Halloween today until I saw that. LOL.
I'll have to fill everyone in more about what has been going on in my life when I return home. I wish we were staying longer than just a few days (we'll be driving back tomorrow). With all of the extra hours I got in this week (I get credit for the travel time out and back), I'm taking Friday off. Talk to everyone later.

Steiner ~out~

The Ebb and Flow of Life

OK, it’s been almost two weeks since my last post. I don’t know how you guys keep up with the daily posting. Oh, it must be that care-free college life. LOL.

Here’s what I have been up to:
-Last Friday I went to yet another great concert at Grove City College. Jars of Clay was in town with Sarah Groves and Don Miller. I don’t think Jars of Clay could have played a better selection of music than what they did. They played a lot of the stuff that I grew up on from their self-titled album. “Liquid”, “World’s Apart”, “Love Song for a Saviour”, “Like a Child”, and “Flood” were sweet. After hearing some of the new stuff, it looks like I am going to have to pick up their latest album “Redemption Songs” as well. Don Miller opened up the night with readings. I have to admit it was strange having someone do poetry and prose readings before a concert. He was a self-proclaimed liberal as well (from the west coast), so his performance probably wasn’t totally appreciated by the conservative Grove City College contingent on hand. His stories did have a good message to them, though.
-After getting to sleep at about midnight on Friday, I had to get up at 5:15 AM the next morning for a quiz meet in Homer City some two hours away. That was quite a day. I sure did sleep well on Saturday night. The highlight of the day may have been when I asked the following practice question to the C division quizzers (mostly 7th and 8th graders new to the quizzing program): "Practice Question #2. Question #2. Question. Within one year above or one year below, how old am I?” A girl jumps and I call her name. In a serious tone, she says, “32”. I am like, “What? Not even close! How in the world did you come up with 32?” She responds, “Well, you look about as old as my dad, and my mom is right there and she is 38.” At which point her mother (who was the coach) chimes in, “OK, Amber, just shut up right now.” Haha. A great little series of events there. I am thinking, “Man, am I really that old?” LOL. Either that girl is bad at guessing ages or I am in big trouble. Haha. Usually people tell me I am younger than I look. Oh well. Can't win them all.
-On Sunday I had a rough time running on the treadmill. One of my shoes came off while I was running and because I was timing myself, I had no choice but to kick the other one off and run in my socks. I felt like I was one of those hardcore Kenyan runners. LOL. Just call me disciplined (or stubborn) when it comes to running, I guess. I know, I know: what a nerd! LOL.
-The mother of a friend of mine passed away Monday morning. I just got back from the funeral home a couple of hours ago actually. Diane Turner will be greatly missed. I’ll end this post with what is probably my fondest memory of her. During “Aunt Carol & Friends” crusades easily over a decade ago at the Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, the group was always known to do skits/dramas to old school DC Talk and Carman songs (during their white-boy rap days when it wasn’t even cool--LOL). Anyways, they put this song on that had lyrics to the effect of “Rap for Jesus, gonna rap for Jesus, to the beat......to the beat.” I have no clue who sang it, but the words just stuck in my head. All the kids in the audience are like, “What is this, where is the Aunt Carol & Friends team at? Aren’t they going to dance or do a skit?" The smoke machine was out and working and the strobe lights were flashing, but no one was to be found. That’s when it happened: Diane Turner came down the middle aisle (shoes removed), jamming the best she knew how to that righteous groove. I haven’t forgotten it to this day. Having known Diane, I wasn't aware that she had dance moves like that. I am sure Sara and Joanna were mortified that evening, but really they should have been proud of their mother that day. For when it’s all said and done, we all need to do a little rapping for Jesus......whether it’s to the beat or not. Word.

My Excellent Adventures

So what have I been up to lately? I'll try not to bore you that much here.
Last week I hit a tire that blew off of a truck on 80 West. I lost my right turn signal light in the collision. I'm thankful the tire didn't come through the windshield, because I've learned that blown tires hit with a pretty good force. I have to admit, though: Deer are worse. My car is fixed now, though, so it's all good.

Wednesday I was at Grove City College for the Career Fair. It takes me back in my mind to the time when I was the one talking to employers about pursuing a job. It's kind of weird being the one doing the talking now. As a firm representative you can feel comfortable talking and not have to worry about trying to get a job. Of course I want people to work at MPB, so I try not to act like a complete idiot. LOL. JK. After a time or two, though, the conversations are pretty easy. The people on the other end always seem to be nervous. I remember being clueless as to what to say to recruiters at these events. I always hoped I could find someone who would like to do most of the talking instead of having them ask me questions. When talking to the college students, I tried to give off the vibe that "Hey, I'm a kid just like you." LOL. Trying to break down the walls. LOL. Which brings up another point: Maybe I could still pass as a college student. Perhaps. LOL.

I need a big win from the Buckeyes this weekend to gain some ground in ESPN's College Football Pick' Em.

Keep it real and God bless.

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on Him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6