October 2007
Monthly Archive
Monthly Archive
Posted by nathan on 31 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: random., Tech Stuff.
This week, I take a look back at my first year blogging. This blog turns one year old on Sunday, November 4.
These stats are from Google Analytics, which has been tracking since late January 2007.
Top 10 states, quantity of unique visits, in order:
1. Indiana
2. Ohio
3. California
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Illinois
7. New York
8. Georgia
9. Michigan
10. Pennsylvania
Top 10 Cities (by ISP) in Indiana:
1. Auburn
2. Kendallville
3. Fort Wayne
4. Garrett
5. South Bend
6. Indianapolis
7. Denver
8. Roachdale
9. Waterloo
10. Ligoner
More FUN STATS tomorrow. Stay Tuned!
Posted by nathan on 30 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Town Council
Thursday night I will participate in my first political debate.
I’m a bit nervous, as I am often not a real fast thinker, and like to ponder and research the best answer before I give an answer. I am concerned I’ll get asked a question I know nothing about, like, ‘What are your thoughts on the proposed bla bla ordinance?’
‘ahh…what’s the bla bla ordinance?’
It will be a learning experience for me, and I am looking forward to it.
I am looking forward to rubbing shoulders with those people I’m running in the race with, including Bill Hubartt, Randy Bice and Matt Smith.
I have played Softball with Matt previously, and go to church with him as well. He’s a great guy. All those guys are great. I can’t speak for the other dude, though…I don’t know who he is, and don’t know his name, either–but I can assume he’s a great guy!
It should be a nice friendly debate.
Unfortunately, my wife has a business trip on Thursday and won’t be in attendance to support me. But I know I’ll be in her thoughts, as I normally am.
In my prep for the debate, I’m trying to figure out what kinds of questions will be asked. If you were submitting questions to potential council members in your city or town, what would you ask them?
Posted by nathan on 30 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: random., Tech Stuff.
This week, I take a look back at my first year blogging. This blog turns one year old on Sunday, November 4.
These stats are from Google Analytics, which was installed late January 2007.
These are a few search terms people used to get to my blog (these are actual search terms used):
today
why did Nancy cut my wires
steve nathan
sneezing wastes life
I have actually had multiple hits from these search terms:
nathan blog dekalb county indiana
death
congressman nathan diehl
bathing girls
mycrappysexlife
These search terms are in the top 25:
22. wife haircutting pics
18. what the bible says about bathing
12. mixed bathing
5. cool guy drinking coffee
more fun stats tomorrow! Stay tuned!
Posted by nathan on 29 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: my life., thoughts on church
This weekend, Emily and I drove by a given church just after 1 p.m. in the afternoon. Cars were just then leaving from their 10:30 a.m. service. We drove back by the church at 5:50, and there were cars already in the parking lot again.
‘No thanks!’ I said aloud as we drove past. If I sat through a 2 1/2 hour service in the morning through the afternoon, you had best believe I wouldn’t be going back that night!
Would you?
Is this a classic example of church expecting people to live their lives revolved around church? Or is this Biblical church? What gives? Why would this turn me off so much? Would it you?
Posted by nathan on 29 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: my life., Tech Stuff.
Next Sunday, November 4, my blog will officially celebrate its first birthday. I thought this week, I would post a blog a day (or so), examining the stats gathered in Google Analytics (Analytics has been gathering data since late January only).
Most viewed blog post: McDonalds on Gofbot
Least viewed blog post: This Week at New Hope (viewed once)
Top Referring sites, in order:
Joomla! family of sites
Nathan & Amanda Hubartt’s blog
Adam Diehl’s blog
Least Referring site:
Tim Smoyer (referred once)
More fun stats tomorrow!
Posted by nathan on 29 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: my life.
Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m., I left our house and headed to Target in Fort Wayne to purchase a Wii console. If you were unaware, a Wii console is actually somewhat hard to find, especially in Q4 as parents are gearing up for Christmas.
When I entered Target at about 8:04 a.m., (they open at 8), I didn’t see many people. In fact, the entire time I was there, I only saw four shoppers–all of whom were purchasing a Wii.
Target received a shipment of 32 Wii consoles, which were expected to be gone by late morning. I didn’t want to chance it, and arrived shortly after open.
Talk about fun! It was fun to make a Mii (a customizable Wii version of yourself) of ourselves, and we also had fun making a Mii of our extended families. Emily made a Wii of her dad Kerry, and that one really looks like him. Pretty fun.
We are still learning the system, and figuring out controls. Emily and I have enjoyed boxing each other, although we neither one have yet been able to figure out controls. Last night Emily beat me twice in a row in a boxing match! Talk about a blow to one’s ego! LOL
That said, Wii like our new Wii console very much. I am looking forward to playing Tiger Woods golf, and Emily would like to play Dance Dance Revolution.
We are going to have fun with this, and we’ll get our exercise in, as well!
Posted by nathan on 29 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: my life.
Saturday morning, Emily and I got up early and headed for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to visit our niece Anara as she continues to recover from her recent surgery.
We were able to visit for about three hours. When we arrived, Emily’s mom was alone with Anara, and taking great care of her, stroking her hair and gently talking to her. Soon later Anara’s parents and sister violet arrived. Emily’s brother Jonathan arrived shortly before we needed to leave to head back home. It was a good visit, and Anara is doing well and continuing to make great progress.
Saturday night at church featured my dad’s (pastor’s) message intro as a rendition of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood theme song, complete with a jacket-to-sweater change and street shoe-to-house shoe changeover. It was a perfect introduction, as the text we looked at was the parable of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus told as a response to the question, ‘Who is my neighbor.’ It was a neighborly song, and I think it connected well and made its point.
Sunday afternoon we spent with friends, eating, chatting and playing croquet. A good game of competitive backyard croquet is always fun!
Emily and I spent our spare time this weekend working on ‘Diehl Town Council’ yard signs. I priced commercially printed signs, and they were going to cost $30 each for 10 signs. We ended up purchasing material for 6 signs for a total of about $42. Being a cheapskate, I was happy with this money-saving device. Of course, each sign takes about 2 hours of work to complete…We currently have three signs completed. Tonight I hope to get two more completed, if not the third. At this point, the process is taking more time, as my hand tends to cramp up after about 15 minutes of coloring, at which time I take about 30 minutes off before I can return for another 15 minutes. It makes it go considerably more slow at this pace (Friday night, we worked for about two hours straight with no breaks)
Posted by nathan on 29 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: my life., thoughts on life.
Friday night Emily and I went to Target (one of our favorite date night destinations), and when we went through the checkout, Emily was looking at something else, so I checked out by myself. As I was walking up to the checkout station, I looked over and saw a girl I hadn’t seen in about 8 or 9 years. She used to date one of my best friends in high school.
As we made eye contact, I perked up, gave her a big smile and said, ‘Hi, how are you?’
To which, she just looked at me like she had no idea who I was, and that I had just flirted with her. I wanted to say, ‘No, no, I wasn’t flirting–I’m Nathan Diehl, you remember? …Come meet my wife.’ But I thought better of it, and just let it go.
Then about 15 seconds later, I hear, ‘Well, hi Nathan. Do you remember who I am?’ I turned around and it was this girl’s mother, who was also my second grade teacher. We chatted for a few passing moments, and I looked at her two daughters. Apparently, the two daughters look a lot alike, especially when it’s been 8 or 9 years. I had said hello to the wrong daughter. Right family, wrong sister.
As we said goodbye, I gave the sister I knew a big smile and hello, realizing that now the first daughter no longer thought I was weird–I actually knew her, which wasn’t completely true, because I knew her mum and sister, but still, it did make me feel better.
Anything like that ever happened to you?
Posted by nathan on 28 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: polls
I know what my stats say about your usage, so I’m curious, about this poll:
Posted by nathan on 26 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: random., Town Council
Last night was the DeKalb Country Republican Rally, and it was my first time at such an event.
It was good to network with people, and I reconnected with several people I hadn’t seen or talked to in quite a while, including,
Marilyn Gearhart (Auburn City Council), my 11th grade math teacher, (if I remember my grades correctly!). She was caring and genuine, and actually asked me, ‘So did you end up doing anything with the math I taught you?’ I thought that was a great question, and made me really admire her. She was happy to hear I got a math minor in college. 🙂
I got to eat supper with Auburn City Councilmen Rick Ring (who is retiring off this year) and David Painter. It was good conversation and I enjoyed hearing stories from them about their City Council meetings.
I also met Greg Kenner (Auburn City Council), the father of my DeKalb classmates Jeremy and Garrison, and got to get updates on how they were doing now.
In the crowd of people, I got a chance to talk with former Eastside math teacher and DeKalb County auditor John Fetters–who is an incredible man. If you ever get a chance to meet John, please do!
I spoke briefly to Jim McCanna, whose three oldest kids I ran with in school. I saw several teachers from DeKalb, although most didn’t recognize me…
There were several State Senators in attendance, including Senate Pro Tempore David Long, Dennis Kruse and Bob Meeks. State Representatives included Phyllis Pond, Dick Dodge and Marlin Stutzman.
Pro Tempore David Long gave a keynote address which highlighted the progress Indiana has made over the last three years. Bold changes which were made for the best of the state and without regard to political correctness. Did you know that the other 49 states universally think the leasing of the toll road was a very wise decision? There is only debate in Indiana. Did you know that recently, Indiana was rated the 11th most business-friendly state? (after being in the bottom 10 for years). It was good stuff to hear. I can see why David Long was elected Pro Tempore. It would not surprise me if he were to run for US Representative or Senate sometime in the future.
I actually was able to introduce myself and give a brief talk. I was given 60 seconds, so I couldn’t say much. After introducing myself, I also noted this was my first time running for public office, and I told the story, ‘When I was six years old, I remember standing in front of the TV watching the Regan-Mondale election returns from the 1984 presidential election. I was engrossed by what was happening on TV, and as Regan won in a landslide, I decided then and there I wanted to be a winner–a Republican. Thank you.’
It was good. I enjoyed my time with friends and colleagues. It will happen again soon!
Posted by nathan on 26 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: random.
Interesting developments have been happening on the Ron Paul front. If you’re not aware, Paul has raised over $5 million in Q3 of 2007, and currently has 5.4 million on hand.
Today the New York Times reports Paul is preparing to spend that money on a major media push in New Hampshire–where 45% of voters are independents.
It seems the mainstream media is finally acknowledging something is up with Ron Paul, and is finally starting to write stories about him. Read the New York Times and MSNBC report here.
Do you have any thoughts about Ron Paul?