http://kidologist.com Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:40:37 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I never win anything. Ever. Until today when I got a package from Mountain Dew! (actually New Media Strategies) They teamed up with BevReview.com for a Win Dew Stuff contest - all I had to do was comment on a post about Mountain Dew. (not too difficult!) Next thing I know, ... http://kidologist.com/2008/11/12/i-dew-win/ One of the highlights of our trip to California was getting to take our little boy to Disneyland for the first time. He has a Disneyland Sing-along DVD that his Aunt Meepa gave him, so he's known where we were going as the days got closer. As I'm sure millions ... http://kidologist.com/2008/11/11/luke-meets-mickey-mouse/ (source) http://kidologist.com/2008/11/07/election-summary/ First of all, congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama. I won't even pretend to imagine the significance and impact of Obama's election to my African American friends and all those who never thought they'd see the election of an African American to the highest political office in world. It is a great ... http://kidologist.com/2008/11/05/thoughts-on-the-election-of-2008/ According to All-Things-Disney-Expert, Steve Tanner, while the movie Cars made nearly 500 million at the box office, by summer 2007 it had grossed over 2 billion in merchandise sales! (source) We certainly can relate! We have Cars toys, clothes, sippy cups, band-aids, towel, blanket, snacks, even an ice packet to ... http://kidologist.com/2008/11/03/lightening-mcqueen-spotted/ Hanging out in California for a few weeks. I'm here because I'm speaking at Nino Mania, a Spanish Childrens Ministry conference hosted at the beautiful Crystal Catheral in Garden Grove, CA. This is such a beautiful church, here are a few iPhone pictures. I'll add an update to this post ... http://kidologist.com/2008/11/01/karlos-bastimente/ Sometimes a picture says it better than a long post. Happy Halloween! http://kidologist.com/2008/10/31/trick-or-treat/ (I figured that title would grab the attention of my readers!) You have got to read this parable that clearly explains the US tax code, and what Obama is planning to do with his "tax cut for 95% of Americans," 40% of which do not pay any income tax. But first, ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/ The annual pass to Brookfield Zoo has turned out to be a good investment. Free parking. Free admission. Free soda. (good on the wallet, not so much on the waist!) Free shuttle ride. Free shows. Too bad it takes about $20 in gasoline for us to get there and back! Of ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/18/another-day-at-the-zoo/ People often ask how we are able to provide such an excellent conference at such affordable rates. Kidology is known for exceeding expectations because our conference registration fees are always very low considering the quality of the trainers, the exhibitors, meals and performers. Our Sponsors make it possible to provide a ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/16/kid-u-brought-to-you-by/ My buddy Todd McKeever twittered that he was having lunch with Brian Dollar, a guy that many know as the creator of the awesome High Voltage Kids Ministry resources available on Kidology.org. I then text messaged Todd to tell Brian "Hi" from me and suggested they visit a Dollar Store. ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/16/brian-dollar-at-the-dollar-store/ Whether you were at Kid U this month or not WE'D LIKE YOUR INPUT in evaluating this conference and planning for what we'll do in the future. IF YOU WERE THERE we'd like to know what you liked, what we can do better, and what topics/speakers you'd like to hear in ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/16/help-us-plan-the-next-kid-u/ Kid U was blessed to have Alan Root (www.alanroot.com) as our worship leader. His gentle spirit, quick "punny" humor, and obvious heart for God and kids (and those who serve them) just leaked all over the place! He is one of those worship leaders who have that rare ability to ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/14/the-music-of-kid-u/ Today was the third awesome day in a row. After Touch a Truck on Saturday, the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, and a birthday outing for my little sister today - tomorrow is looking to be quite drab when I get back to normal work life. But a good three days ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/13/an-amazeing-day/ (See my complete Chicago Marathon Gallery) I've seen the Chicago Marathon out the windows of Moody Church for years, but this was my first time participating. No, not as a runner, but as an official volunteer! Why? Because my brother was running it as his first marathon and some friends from ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/12/one-bro-runs-the-other-serves/ I'm volunteering at the Chicago Marathon because my little brother is running it for the first time. Trying to live Twitted updates but having some connection problems. (Seems downtown Chicago has even worse AT&T coverage than the burbs!) But try following at: http://www.twitter.com/kidologist Here is one picture of the hundreds of cups ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/12/chicago-marathon-live/ Today we got to take Luke to a local event that was the perfect event for a little boy, it was called simply, "Touch a Truck" which is exactly what our little car lover dreams about at night! Luke was a little intimidated by the size of the vehicles. It actually ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/11/touch-a-truck/ Why do I Twitter? I get asked that a lot. And I seem to stumble around for an answer because there isn't just one simple answer, so I usually just say "to keep connected with remote friends." Which is a big part of the reason, but I thought I'd try ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/10/why-twitter/ If you follow DiscipleBlog.com, you may have caught my post What Happened To The Bible. It fueled a healthy discussion over on Kidology.org. Then, Christine Yount, editor-in-chief at Children's Ministry Magazine featured it on her blog. Then, I was honored when Christine asked if she could interview me for her podcast ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/09/karl-on-christine-younts-podcast/ This is the second of a series on our Kid U 2008 Celebration Conference. (previous) It's no secret to Kidology users that I've been a huge fan of Speed Stacks since, well, before I even discovered Speed Stacks! I got my first set of generic stacking cups as my mother's final ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/09/kid-u-really-stacks-up/ While I am not Catholic - I have great respect for so much that the Catholic Church has done and stood for. While theologically my saving faith is in the person of Jesus and not the Church, when it comes to what is at stake in this political season, I ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/08/catholic-for-a-day/ This is the first of a series on our Kid U 2008 Celebration Conference. (next) The greatest highlight of Kid U is the PEOPLE who come. As one of our feedback forms said: Coming to the Kidology University was like coming to a family reunion even though it was my first time ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/07/the-people-of-kid-u/ Well, I decided to bless my wife by cooking the Kid U Post-Conference Pizza Outing Left Overs last night... it was good stuff, Gino's East if you're curious. Deep dish pepperoni pizza to be exact, and there was some left over to take home to my wife who missed the ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/06/when-men-cook/ While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who's hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama and his bid to be our president.

The old rancher said, ... http://kidologist.com/2008/10/06/post-turtle/ WEDNESDAY EVENING, October 1st, 2008 is the Kidology Celebration Banquet as the Kick Off Event to Kid U Celebration Conference. YES! We are celebrating 10 YEARS of KID U! Actually, we've done FIFTEEN of these large conferences (in different states same year) and I've literally lost track of how many ... http://kidologist.com/2008/09/30/live-broadcast-of-kidology-celebration-banquet/