July is the official vacation month here at SOS, and as such, all five of you that subscribe have probably noticed a major drop off in content. As we close in on Post #50, it’s been nice to pull back and reflect on this writing experiment that has blossomed into the Song of Sloman. I’ve learned several things in the last few months:
1. I really do enjoy writing, and this blog has helped to cultivate a creative aspect of my life that sometimes gets neglected in the spreadsheets and calculations of engineering.
2. Coming up with unique and blog worthy content five days a week can seem impossible and beat you down at times.
3. Coming up with unique and blog worthy content five days a week can seem effortless and fulfilling at times.
4. If you have been saved by Christ, then nothing and no one can threaten you. No other beliefs or false teachings can rob you of the Truth and Salvation you’ve received through grace. We have absolute freedom, and fear and bitterness only affirm those things we allow to own us. (I know that one was a bit deep, but I missed Theo-Thursday this week and felt compelled to make up for it somehow. Thank you point #4 for allowing me to hi-jack you for the sake of the Gospel.)
5. I still don’t like avocado but secretly wish I did. There I said it!
6. It’s easy to write with confidence and conviction; it’s difficult to live and speak with the same boldness.
With that said, I take my leave. I will be mostly off the grid for the next 10 days and trying to minimize technology. So SOS will be going dark for a little while, but don’t be afraid of the dark. Embrace it. Rest in it. And know that we’ll be back and singing better than ever on Monday the 18th. I may try to sneak a tweet from time to time. Following @gsloman83 will assure you are up to date on all things Sloman.
How do you relax when you’re not reading Song of Sloman?

You’ve heard the age old adage: “Don’t text and drive.” But it’s lesser proclaimed cousin: “Don’t blog and drive.” should not be overlooked. Blogging while driving is extremely dangerous, and I would know, because I’m doing it right now. Obviously I owe the world some SOS content since I’m back from vacation, and being that necessity is the mother of invention, and it is necessary that I drive to the airport to pick up my wife, it had to be done. I care about you that much. It could probably be argued that laziness or procrastination is the mother of necessity, but that’s a topic for a previous post. I apologize for the lack of a picture, and please excuse any misspellings or grammatical errors, but I’ve got a dog running around inside the car, and I’m trying to watch the road from time to time. Well, almost there!
What do you do that you would tell other people not to do?

Because when you don’t, you look silly. A belt is not merely a utility device. It is also an accessory, and even an engineer like myself, who often preaches practicality, can admit to the need for form over function at times. This is one of those times.
Now don’t be ridiculous. Of course I realize there are exceptions. So here are a few:
1. Your pants don’t have belt loops. This one seems obvious, but I knew if I didn’t bring it up, you would. (This includes athletic shorts, pajama pants, jumpsuits, sweatpants and leggings. I’m not sure why you wear leggings, but this list is about you, not me. I’m not the one with the wardrobe problem. You are.)
2. If you are already wearing suspenders. (No need to double dip here. You’re covered.)
3. You’re retired. (You can get away with anything. You’re a little older, and everyone says, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” You can wear your pants around your chest, mix brown and black, and wear socks with sandals. You’ve earned it.)
4. You’re naked. (Now this last one is optional, and I can’t stress enough how a great belt can really dress up your birthday suit. Just be sure to watch out for sharp edges.)

Now as always, these rules are not hard and fast, but they’re a great jumping off point to get you thinking abelt what you’re wearing.

*This post is directed toward men only. Particularly men who commit crimes of beltlessness.

Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow. (or at least really late at night)

I’m not sure that’s in the Bible. And I’m almost positive its not in red letter, but sometimes I find myself following this commandment religiously. Now its true; I do some of my very best work when completely under the gun. Projects, papers, even chores at home. I often wait until I have just less than enough time to fully complete something, and then go full tilt with no breaks, no sleep and no distractions until it is finished. But this method is not sustainable. It bites me square in the keister at times. It endlessly frustrates those closest to me, and in times of weakness, I admit my discontent with it as well. I justify my laziness, my “personality”, by pointing to flashes of brilliance that have been produced through persistently practiced procrastination, all the while yearning to operate in a healthier, less stressful, but probably less efficient pursuit of success.

I suppose the Apostle Paul said it best:

“15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” – Romans 7:15

In the end, if our shortcomings can push us toward the reality of God’s grace rather than our own self-loathing or self-righteousness, then we are doubly blessed.

What do you do that you do not want to do?

Dedicating yourself to something is difficult. Dedicating yourself to something with which there is no accountability or tangible reward or visible repercussion is even more so.

Making excuses is easy. Justifying your action or inaction due to other commitments and relationships rather than laziness and apathy is even easier.

If that doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, I don’t know what will.

I had the opportunity to visit an old friend this evening. We would spend every summer together when I was growing up. We met when I was just 4 years old, the summer before I started kindergarten, but twelve years later, after my sophomore year of high school, I said goodbye to my friend, and it was never the same again.

Tonight was just like the good old days… running and playing together. It was like no time had passed at all.

My friend JT asked me to fill in on his softball team tonight. I guess softball isn’t exactly like my old friend baseball, but they sure remind me of each other. I suppose it was more like hanging out with my old friend’s sister. But it’s not quite as nostalgic when you say it like that. Thanks for ruining the moment.

Do you have an old friend that you miss?

Every Friday, sometime between 10 and 11 A.M., my co-workers and I have what may be the most critical discussion of the week. I’m not talking about a status meeting or a work-load update. I’m talking about the fundamental focus, the primary purpose, and the very essence of our energy conscious corporation: “What’s for lunch?”

We adhere to a very strict Democratic policy. Anyone can offer suggestions by writing options on the common white board. Here are the rules:

1.       You get one vote. Your vote is worth one point. You may use your vote for or against any restaurant of your choosing. (Use wisely)

2.       If you choose to vote, you must yield to the majority opinion.

a.       No whining.

b.      Be persuasive.

3.       The early offer to drive to a venue of your choosing may trump all voting and dictate dining destination if all other parties are unwilling to transport.

4.       The following is a pre-approved list of acceptable and frequented establishments*:

a.       Agave Azul

b.      BJ’s Brewhouse

c.       Buffalo Wild Wings

d.      Chili’s

e.       i Fratelli

f.        Johnny Carino’s

g.      New York Pizza Pasta

h.       On The Border

i.         Texadelphia

How do you decide on Friday lunch?

*This list is alphabetical but not exhaustive.

This week our Home Group has been volunteering during the evenings at a local Vacation Bible School. The cool part is that it is being organized by an Indian Church that a pastor in our group helped plant. The VBS is at a park (called Ghandi Park by the locals) in the center of nine apartment properties that are predominantly home to Indian families. The Indian community places a very high emphasis on family and education. Most of the adult males are here on temporary work visas and are employed by tech companies.

The Crossroad Church sets up stations with crafts, skits, sports, 2 huge bounce houses and even snacks that groups of children rotate between. It is amazing to see middle school-aged kids shake their head “no” when asked if they’ve ever heard of Jesus. By the end of the night, there were literally hundreds of boys and girls scattered across the park with their parents following behind or watching from a distance.

What an incredible opportunity to be dropped into a totally foreign mission environment in my own back yard, only 15 minutes from my home. Pray that the Gospel would continue to be shared and the truth be heard.

How close are you to an overseas mission trip? Maybe closer than you think.

The comment on today’s earlier post nearly stole my thunder, but I’ll roll with it anyway.

There are 5 reasons to roll your toilet paper to the front instead of the back.

1. You don’t have to reach around behind the roll to find the hidden ply.

2. Rolling the TP over the top naturally places it closer to you.

3. Over the top allows easy access at night or in low light conditions.

4. If you roll behind, you sometimes have several unsightly plies dangling against the wall after use.

5. I can’t think of a single reason to roll back other than laziness, spite or just liking the Wal-mart catch phrase.

There are 0 reasons to roll your toilet paper behind. I would challenge anyone to come up with an equally compelling list of 5 reasons to roll the wrong way, and of course I will be the judge, but I’ll try to have an open mind.

Do you roll out or roll back?

This is beginning to get out of hand. It’s time to buckle down. And that means you are in for a Two-for-Wednesday. I know, it doesn’t sound sleek and sexy, but the topics of the post probably won’t be either. Let’s get to it…

I would like to heartily endorse Charmin Basic. It is soft enough to properly pamper your posterior yet sufficiently strong enough to tackle the task at hand. Let’s be honest for a moment. No one wants to use that overly soft paper that falls apart right when you need it most, and no one appreciates that John Wayne toilet paper either. You know the kind I’m talking about… that single ply cardboard that’s rough, tough and won’t take sh.. errr.. crap from anyone. I mean you obviously respect it, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it. Charmin Basic is that perfect marriage of the two extremes, and here’s the clincher… It’s affordable, and noticeably cheaper than any of Charmin’s other TP lines: Ultra Soft, Ultra Strong or Sensitive. Speaking of sensitive who really needs “a touch of aloe and vitamin E” for their fanny anyway?

So go get yourself some Charmin Basic, but even if you hate it, you’ll never convince me I’m wrong.

How do you roll?