A Million False Starts

"The real Voice is stiller and smaller and seems to know, without confusion, the difference between right and wrong and the subtle delineation between the beautiful and profane. It’s not an agitated Voice, but ever patient as though it approves A Million False Starts." - Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years My name is Jeremy Tallacksen but you can call me 'JET.' I'm the lead worshipper at Stonebridge Church in Rockford, IL.

[amillionfalsestarts]

S2, Ep1: The Bad Fish Paradigm Penny: Sheldon, may I ask you a question? Sheldon: I would prefer that you not, but I won’t go so far as to forbid it. S4, Ep1: The Robotic Manipulation Penny: Can I ask you a question? Sheldon: Given your community college education, I encourage you to ask me as many as possible. So, what is it, Dr. Sheldon Cooper!? Do you want Penny to ask you questions, or don't you!?!

[amillionfalsestarts]

To Correct or Not to Correct

So, I have a Facebook friend who is in charge of a ministry. He's an intelligent guy, and I don't mean to make him sound stupid, but he CONSTANTLY uses big words incorrectly on his ministry's Facebook posts. And I mean, hilariously incorrectly. Do I correct him? Do I leave it alone? What would you do?

[amillionfalsestarts]

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers, so many caring people in this world.

Mr. Rogers

[amillionfalsestarts]

This is a "red" Fiesta Plate owned by the pharmacy where I work. Back around the 1930's, Fiesta's "Red" and "Ivory" plates used uranium in the paint and, as a result, this plate is radioactive. Today, we metered the activity at 4 mR. Most of the cases that I send to hospitals meter somewhere between .05 and .2 mR. And people used to eat off these plates. (Taken with Instagram)

[amillionfalsestarts]

Pursue Your Passions (Taken with Instagram at SwedishAmerican Health System)

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Acoustic Pedalboard (Taken with Instagram)

[amillionfalsestarts]

This is a picture of a cute puppy in a pumpkin costume. Why am I showing you a picture of a cute puppy in a pumpkin costume? Because I wanted your attention, and cute puppies are a good way of getting it. Here's what I would really like from you: TWO MOUSE CLICKS! Please follow this link and then select my name: "Jeremy Tallacksen." It'll take 5 seconds and you might help me go to the National Worship Leader Conference. I'd appreciate it. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/questions/10151013142439759/ 

[amillionfalsestarts]

Hey friends, all you have to do is click the above link (leading to a Facebook poll) and select my name "Jeremy Tallacksen" in the poll. The winner gets to go to the National Worship Leadership Conference in a week. It'd mean a lot to me if I could go. All I need, currently, are at least 26 votes to be in first place! You don't have to sign up for anything (unless you don't have a Facebook account). You don't have to give any information. You don't have to do anything but click your mouse twice. The link and my name. Thanks all! 

[amillionfalsestarts]

And then I said, "And, guess what, my primary colors are Red, White, and Blue!"

[spokeart]

Wes Anderson’s latest film, Moonrise Kingdom, is now out in theaters! New York and Los Angeles saw their debuts last week, and nationwide roll out is just around the corner.

San Francisco will see the debut of the film on Thursday, May 31st at the Metreon, help us spread the word and enter our official contest for a Moonrise Kingdom gift pack!

To enter the contest, simply reblog this post on Tumblr for your chance to win an official Moonrise Kingdom gift pack, which includes shirts, patches, a canteen and a cooler! Five winners will be chosen at random. View all the prizes here.

If you want to attend the free screening of Moonrise Kingdom at the Metreon in SF tomorrow (Thursday, May 31st) just shoot an email to [email protected] for free tickets!

[amillionfalsestarts]

I'd rather be in *St. Louis* visiting some friends and the City Museum.. Where would you rather be?

[amillionfalsestarts]

Motorcycle and Sidecar (Taken with instagram)

[amillionfalsestarts]

The Lapplander (Taken with Instagram at The Stockholm Inn)

[amillionfalsestarts]

Did your boss make you Panda Cupcakes today? Didn't think so! (Taken with instagram)

[amillionfalsestarts]

Chipotle vs. Qdoba vs. Panchero's (But Mostly Chipotle vs. Panchero's)

There's an Italian restaurant in downtown Rockford that my family loves to go to. We eat there so often that the owners know us by name and Mom can order "the usual" and they know exactly what she means. We can also tell when someone other than the usual chef is preparing the food. It's funny when that happens--it tastes like the chef used the same ingredients, and maybe even in the same proportions, but something just tastes different. Not bad necessarily, maybe not quite as good, but mostly different.

For me, Chipotle is like eating at that favorite restaurant when Joe is in the kitchen. Qdoba is my favorite restaurant when someone else is taking over for the night. And Panchero's is what happens when I try and recreate the recipe at home: edible, sure, but nowhere near as satisfying.

Panchero's recently opened in Rockford and, after eating there twice, I don't think I really care to go back. They're 50 cents cheaper than Chipotle, but their burritos are about $.75 smaller. The food doesn't taste near as good as Chipotle and their only point of differentiation seems to be their handmade tortillas.

Which brings me to a second point: marketing.

Chipotle has branded them selves pretty thoroughly--from their cups, to the paper they serve my burrito on, to their TV spots--as a health conscious, animal friendly* restaurant that is committed to serving good food and having fun doing it. Their pictures on the wall show that they care about where they've come from. The modern art, composed of metal and wood, show that they have some interest in preserving the culture their food is based on. Maybe it's not the most authentic Mexican food you've ever eaten, but at least they're not trying to serve me taco shells made out of Doritos (*ahem* Taco Bell).

So far, I haven't seen much real branding with Panchero's. The walls are merely multi-colored in purple and orange-yellow. The small attempts at decor don't seem to hail from any sort of culture. The only real attempt at marketing was found on the sticker adorning the sneeze shield. The sticker wanted to tell me about how awesomely fresh their handmade tortilla shells are, and they wanted to do it at the expense of an unnamed competitor (I can only assume they're poking at Chipotle).

In short, their branding seems to be, "We're better than them."

I hate that kind of marketing. It feels slimy whether it's coming from politicians or retail stores. If you can't tell me who you are and why I should trust you (as a person or a company) without belittling someone else, I'm afraid I don't believe you. And, seriously, of all the things to pick on: their burrito shells!? I have to give that a Gob-like "Come on!"

Also, can we talk about "bob" for a second. If you're not familiar with Panchero's, you should know about "bob". Bob is a little, red plastic tool that they use to pre-chew* your food for you. I don't like bob. As a matter of fact, I find bob insulting. I can chew my food for myself, thank you.

*At least as much as a omnivorian restaurant can be. :)

*My characterization, not theirs.

[amillionfalsestarts]

Art on the Wall at @WiredCafeRkfd (Taken with Instagram at Wired cafe)

[amillionfalsestarts]

Interesting Phone Conversation

I can't say too much, but I had an interesting phone conversation earlier today. It involved me, a past hobby of mine, and casting for the new season of a popular show on a major cable channel. I don't have anything yet, but it's looking good...