Ben's 2013 NCAA Tourney Payment Page

How many brackets are you entering?

1 Bracket $5.00 USD 2 Brackets $10.00 USD 3 Brackets $15.00 USD 4 Brackets $20.00 USD

Top 10 Apps for Windows 8

1.      The Desktop App – I think my reason for this app being my most favorite is pretty obvious. Keeping the traditional “Desktop” was crucial to the success of Windows 8 for Microsoft. There are a lot of PC users out there that still use XP as their operating system because of its solidity. Getting those users to understand that Windows 8 still has the desktop in the form of an app is what often makes the sale when I’m working at Staples. Not only that, the Desktop App is crucial to my success as a programmer.

2.      Music App – The music app is awesome! As an avid fan of the Zune platform from Microsoft in the past, this Xbox-integrated app replacement of the Zune store is pretty cool to me. I like how I can search for music through the “Search” charm too! Having an Xbox Live Gold membership or Xbox Music Pass is necessary for this program though. However, without one or the other, it isn’t really any better than any other music program out there because ads still exists for song previews.

3.      PCWORLD App– This app essentially wraps up the top headlines from my favorite magazine. PCWORLD Magazine gives me the most exclusive news and reviews of the computer industry. I used to pay for the magazine a few years ago but stopped because I couldn’t afford it. For a while now, I have followed the magazine’s twitter feed, but they only post the top headlines. The app gives you everything inside the magazine for free!

4.      Xbox SmartGlass App – The idea that Windows 8 has been integrated with the Xbox 360 is just phenomenal. Before I started this internship, I wasn’t completely hooked on the Xbox brand. I had an original Xbox several years ago and didn’t like it because the controllers were way too large for my small hands. The development of the Xbox 360 has brought many new features to the Xbox brand that I was unaware of. Aside from controllers with a slimmer design, one of those features is the concept of Xbox SmartGlass. Your computer can control your Xbox 360. I use it quite a bit because it helps for searching for movies in the Netflix app on my Xbox 360.

5.      Amazon App – The Amazon app is an app that I use quite a bit. This year, I have already purchased three Christmas gifts from Amazon. I used the Amazon app to make each of those purchases. I like how the app shows the items that are recommended for me based on other items that I’ve searched for in the past!

6.      Skype App – The Skype app allows for live video communication and is possibly one of the greatest acquisitions that Microsoft has gained thus far! With my dad having thirteen brothers and sisters, I have a very large family, and most are spread out across the country. Since my family is so spread out, many of them aren’t able to attend all the family events throughout the year. Instead, I am able to communicate with them using the Skype app! I even used it on Thanksgiving so the whole family could communicate with my cousin who was travelling in Europe.

7.      ESPN App – I wouldn’t be able to stay up-to-date on the latest sports scores without the ESPN app. I love this app because ESPN now allows you to use your Microsoft account as your ESPN account. That’s one less username and password that I have to remember! With the ESPN app, I can check out my sports team’s stats and can compare them to other teams in the league. By the way, go Hoosiers!

8.      SkyDrive App – The SkyDrive app allows for me to put all of my documents in the cloud. I love how it is integrated with Microsoft Office 2013 to make it easy to save a document. I also really like that Microsoft developed the app with cross-platform compatibility in mind. I’m not due for a cell phone upgrade for a year and am stuck with a HTC phone running Android. However, Microsoft kept me in mind and I can still access my documents from the same SkyDrive app my phone!

9.      Finance App – Though I am a Computer Science major, finance and marketing have always interested me. Due to my curiosity and education of finances thus far, I have recently purchased some stocks that I feel are at a point in which they have real potential for growth! Even the economy is still in the state that it has been in for quite some time now, I feel like recent market changes are showing positive results. The finance app allows me to stay on top of market trends that I only wished I could have followed in the past. It’s a rather ingenious idea to also add financial news headlines to the live tile of the app. That was what pulled me in!

10.  Bible App (YouVersion) – Last, but not least, the Bible app from You Version is definitely for me. Before YouVersion released an app for Windows 8 devices, that had one for practically every other platform. About a week before the Windows 8 release, I saw it appear in search results. I used to use the app on my phone, but never really liked it because it was hard to read the tiny or too much scrolling for larger text. It was also too hard to write any notes in the phone app that I had. However, I carry my computer everywhere like I do with my phone. Now, carrying my computer (in some weird sense) is like carrying around my Bible now that I have the Bible app. Writing notes is easy and the text size can be set to whatever I wish. It’s the perfect app to wrap up my top ten list of best apps for Windows 8!

Man's Best Friend (Losing Family)

     Eleven years ago, our family was nothing like it is today... You see, for a few years, we did not have a dog when Sara and I were growing up. The last dog that we had was an outdoor dog; "Missy." She had died expectantly one day when Sara and I were in school. It was tragic for us, and since Missy was my dog, it was really hard on me. It had taken some time before we decided that we were ready to get another family member. It was a true commitment that Sara and I were planning. We wanted another puppy. We didn't care what kind of puppy as long as it was a cute one. You must realize that we were still in elementary and middle school at the time. After much convincing, our parents finally agreed we could start looking for a puppy for Christmas.

     As time went by, we looked all over for a puppy that we thought best fit our family. Dad wanted a dog that he could take hunting. Mom wanted a dog that was small. Better yet, she wanted a lap dog. Sara wanted dogs that were too expensive. I wanted a golden retriever puppy, but it would get too big for our house. Finding a dog that fulfilled all of these requirements was going to be quite an accomplishment. On December 27, 2000, we traveled to Newburgh to the Warrick County Humane Society as one of our last resorts to finding a new puppy. I can remember going in to the line of pens that were full of dogs. Mom saw this little dog that she thought was cute and we immediately took some alone time with it while dad kept looking. However, it wasn't really the nicest dog to Sara and me. As we were coming out of the room with the first choice, dad had already found a hunting dog that he liked. We had proclaimed before and again told him that neither of us wanted a hunting dog. We wanted a family dog, but to please him, we took some alone time with this puppy that he had found. Little did we know... this dog would prove all of us wrong!

     As we entered the room again, we had noticed that though this dog was a “Pointer” in breed, she wasn’t exactly the hunting dog that we were expecting. We saw the good in her. She was playful and loving. She was the first dog that we had seen that had the potential to be our newest family member. So, we sat down with a volunteer to go over some of the details and background information on this dog. The lady at the shelter informed us that she had been found a few days ago on the side of Hwy. 161 in Boonville, IN. She was believed to be 1 to 2 human years in age, and was shy of loud noises. Workers at WHS believed that a scar of overlapping skin was the result of a gun shot wound. She was underweight, and had a tendency to howl rather than to bark when she wanted attention. With a white coat of hair and small black spots around her larger black haired markings, a WHS volunteer named her “Pepper.” Within two hours of being at the shelter, we agreed as a family to adopt Pepper as our newest family member. The worker told us that she still needed shots and the veterinarian had already left for the day so we could come in and pick her up the next day.

     Overnight, Evansville was graced with its first ice and snowfall of the season. We anxiously traveled back to WHS the next day to pick up our new puppy. They graciously gave us a sample bag of dog food and a treat bag. As we were leaving WHS, Pepper decided to show mom who was boss. So, she jerked the leash when dad opened the door and made a mad dash towards the parking lot… leaving mom on the other end of the leash sliding her butt on the ice. This moment was true marker that she was going to be the queen of our house. Sara was seemingly the most excited to be able to have a dog that she could call her dog. The funny thing was that she often seemed frightened by Sara for some reason. Instead, she often “clinged” to Mom and I for all of her love and support, even though Sara and Dad both loved her just as much.

     The next few years were critical growing stages in both mine and Sara’s lives. Pepper was always with us. Sara insisted that Pepper traveled with us on all soccer tournaments… which meant that she would be spending even more quality time with me while Sara was playing soccer. We frequently would take her over to the park to go chase some birds and squirrels. She also enjoyed chasing tennis balls and playing tug-o-war (with me especially). I think she secretly liked me throwing her around and fighting with her. She would get really into it and I would growl at her, and if I caught her in the right mood, she’d make a soft growl back. It sounds kind of mean on paper, but it was fun times for us.

     Like most dogs, Pepper has always been afraid of the rain. I’m not exactly sure why… but she would always wait until it started raining until she needed to go potty… so we would get out the umbrella and go out there with her. If it was storming, I could tell you exactly where she would be. She would be under my covers, shaking, and on the corner of my bed up against the most interior walls. We used to joke and say that if we ever got a tornado, she would be the only one that would live because she had the safest part of the house during a storm. Another quirky thing that she did would be to sit by the heat vents and wait for the heat to turn on. It's almost as if she sensed when it was coming within a few seconds beforehand.

     Another person that she straightened out was dad. He had in his mind that she would be his next hunting dog. However, that would not be the case. She was deathly afraid of him when he would carry a gun in his hand. Instead of getting excited and running to the door like all of his dogs that he had before her, she would start shaking and either go and hide in my room, or cling to mom or me until he put the gun away. I find it comical that he got a hunting dog that was scared to hunt. Then again though, both Pepper and himself were probably better off that way.

     Mom was Pepper’s absolute best friend. That was indefinite. Pepper would lay around all day just waiting for mom to get home from work. As soon as she got home, she would wait by the recliner. As soon as mom would sit down (and sometimes beforehand), she would jump up on the chair in her lap. I guess you could say mom got her lap dog. She may have weighed a little over 50 pounds… but nonetheless, she was mom’s lap dog. Personally, I think that Mom was her best friend because she gave Pepper the most treats, but mom would say that is debatable.

     Within her first 10 years of life after being adopted, she showed us many things. She taught Sara and me to love unconditionally. She was there for us through both the happy and the sad times. Words cannot describe how much of an impact that she has made on our family.

     Today, I’m writing this blog because… well, as much as it pains me to say this, Pepper is nearing the end of her time here with us.

     At the beginning of this summer most people would say that she was in good health for her age. However, in just a few months of time, her health has declined dramatically. As with most dogs, cancer has spread throughout her body in the last few years. This has led to arthritis in her legs, which is not allowing her to be able to walk on all 4’s. We recently took her to the vet, who was willing to offer extensive treatment options. We tried using an antibiotic for the arthritis, but it did not help enough to at least take away the pain. We can see that she is in pain… and that is not want we want for her. She never wanted us to be in pain and we feel the same way for her. So, tomorrow afternoon, at 4pm, we are taking our beloved family member to the vet for the last time. You see, she isn’t just a dog to us… she is family. This is going to be extremely hard for me, but I know it needs to be done. I’ve done a lot of praying about this decision and I keep getting little reminders that her time on earth has come. I do believe that dogs go to Heaven. That may sound strange to some people, but it’s a very real justification for me. One day we will see her again… someday.

"Until then, you will always be (this) man's best friend..."

Education Update

Yesterday began the first day of my 2011 Spring semester at Ivy Tech. Anticipation has been building for quite sometime now. (It hasn't really.) It turns out that after this semester, I will only need to take about 3 more classes next semester before i can graduate with an associates degree from Ivy Tech... Then, the onward continuance of retrieving by bachelors degree: Oh, the possibilities!

Truth Time 2011

Well, i'm almost at a loss for words... So much has been going on lately and honestly, i just need a slow down. However, school starts back up next week; so that won't be the case. I thought i'd take a minute to just get some stuff off of my mind thinking that maybe it will help my stress level.

First things first...
Family - My family is barely getting by right now. With my dad not having a job for the last two years, the money just isn't there. Both of my parents are extremely depressed and it just makes me sick to have to go home anymore. I understand all of their problems, but i don't have solutions, and whining to me just makes me feel bad. Also, my dad is having a total hip replacement next week. I'm hoping for a quick recovery and that he is able to hold his own because everyone knows that i can't lift him if he needs it. He's too tall and overweight. It's just not possible. Did i mention that he was also just diagnosed with diabetes as well? We can't treat that though because we can't afford it. My grandpa just finished up his second round of Chemo last Saturday night. He sadly is doing much worse than my grandma is... It breaks my heart to look at who he has become. He is not himself anymore. I want my grandpa back.

Work - The last few weeks and months at work have just been absolutely redicuously busy. With more issues this year than i've ever had to deal with during the holiday seasons of the past, i've came close several times to telling our new general manager to just figure it out on his own without me. After four years, i'm about done with that place! Aside from Gordman's, this is also my busy time of the year for BBlair Computer Repair. With customers getting Christmas cash means customers wanting to get their computers fixed. Great for business, but not the greatest time for business. I've had 5 laptop issues to look at just in the last week not counting the one that i'm finishing up tomorrow. Christmas also means potential new customers that are wanting to buy new computers and want my opinion... which i have no problem making recomendations!

Life in General - I'm tired. I've been working so much. I'm not on a regular eating schedule anymore because my sleeping schedule is all messed up and i wake up hungry around 3 am (if i go to bed on time). I need a week off where i have nothing planned and i can sleep in everyday. Talk about a great dream! I'm not ready for school to start up next week. I've signed up for classes and ordered books but in no way am i prepared for the spring semester. Aside from this, i'm not looking forward to the months ahead for myself. Seemingly, everything i've mentioned can only get worse. Last year didn't end very well and 2011 does not look promising.

Discovery Church - I am excited about one thing. Discovery Church is (hopefully) becoming apart of the One Life Network in the coming year. I'm truly blessed to be apart of such an incredible group of people and i'm excited for what God has in store for Discovery.

Christmas - I hope that everyone has had a Merry Christmas! My Christmas was rather different this year comparing to any other year in the past. Not having the family Christmas party at Grandpa's house just didn't make Christmas the same to me... even though my cousin Brian did a pretty good job hosting it at his house. Enough of my mumbling though... I wish you all a Happy New Year!!!

Love in Christ,
Ben

I Hate Thanksgiving...

There aren't too many things in life that I hate. In fact, when i hear the word "hate;" I usually tend to use the phrase "Don't hate... Appreciate!" You can always appreciate something or someone for their faults. Every year, i'm reminded after it's too late... and that is, I Hate Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time that we are thankful to God for everything that He has given us. Now, don't get me wrong. I thank God everyday for the many blessings that Has given to me. He deserves all the glory on this holiday... among everything else; even that gloriously tasty golden bird that we all eat. That is what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about.

Here's the problem. People ruin thanksgiving! When this time of the year rolls around, families come together, but if you have a family like mine (and most of you do), than you have a disfunctional family. They argue, fight, and worst of all, complain because someone burnt their favorite dish; the dumplings. Then, everyone in the family starts discussing what they want for Christmas and who is going to buy what for each person. After Thanksgiving festivities are over, retailers jump on the bandwagon against the point of the season and drag people out to line up at the doors at 5 A.M. The people go and buys gifts to give instead of being thankful for what they have. That is not what thanksgiving is supposed to be about.

This week, i am staying at my girlfriend's house ALONE with her dogs while she is with her family in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I am currently working on two research papers that i have due after break because all of my professors think i have nothing to do this week. On Thanksgiving Day, i will be with my family in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Then, on Friday and Saturday, i will be working my life away at Gordman's. I hope you will have a better Thanksgiving holiday than myself.

Whatever you do during the Thanksgiving season this week, don't forget to remember what it's all about. Be thankful for what you have, and don't worry about what your going to give for Christmas... Thank God for all the blessings that you have!

The Best of God's Angels

Tonight, i was thinking about people of whom i've known that have passed away unexpectedly. Just a few come to mind...

Gene Rice - Gene was an incredible man fulfilled with Christ's love and spirit. Gene was a funny guy... always had a genuine prank or a joke for you! He served on and also led several mission trips. He was one of the founders of a church mens group that cooked food for church events. Man, was Gene's food good too! Gene, most importantly though, was a man after God's own heart!

Cindy Zarazee - Well, what can i say... Cindy was like a mom to me. She loved God and she loved people. She loved teaching kids how to love and be like Jesus. She drove fast, and when she was home, never minded calling and asking someone to stop and get her a Polar Pop. Like Gene, Cindy also loved jokes and pulling pranks on others. She loved her dogs just as much as they loved her. Cindy loved her two daughters more than anything though. Her family was the reason she fought for her own life. Cindy, most importantly though, was a woman after God's own heart!

As i lay here and think, these were two of the most God-driven people that i've known in my life. I can only wonder why God took them so soon... Sometimes i wonder why God didn't keep them on earth longer so they could share the love of Jesus with more people? I know this for sure though. He had a greater purpose for their lives. It almost makes you wonder if (since God is all-knowning and all-powerful) God himself will be needing people who know and love him the most to help him come judgement day... when the book of Revelation begins. He will need some pretty incredible angels. I can't see through God's eyes... but through my eyes, these are two of the best candidates that i know of for ranking as top angels in the kingdom of God.

I don't have followers...

As my girlfriend and I were just talking on the phone about her most recent blog post, something occured to me that i had never realized before... Except for my girlfriend, I have no followers. The question then appeared... Is this good or bad? She has several people following her blog that she just created less than a month ago; and my blog on the other hand, has no followers. I have been bloging for several years wonder who really reads this thing?

Here's my fear... My fear is that either no one reads my thoughts (which i know some poeple that do), or even worse, no one really cares about what i stand for or believe in... I have a feeling that more poeple read my blog posts than what i realize but i want to make an impact on peoples lives. I want to give a diferent perspective. I want people to see things the way that they appear to me. If i could make a difference in one person's life, than that makes all of this worthwhile.

While writing this, i've been thinking of the song "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. It gives me real inspiration but makes me wonder at the same time. When you die, do people really care more about what you've said, thought of, or dreamed about in the past? About three weeks ago, i would answer that question probably with a firm "No." However, i have seen myself realize how much more that i believe now because of the circumstances. Someone's hopes, dreams, and aspirations; they are worth so much more to people once that person dies... It's incredible how life changes can happen in just moments. It's incredible how the loss of one's life can strengthen anothers faith. Thoughts are worth more after life on earth ends. I have thoughts and thats why i write... Thats why i blog.

In a way, it might be a good thing to not have followers... You see, in a sense, i don't really want to be followed. I'm not Jesus, or for that matter, equate to any other higher being. Jesus has followers. I'm a follower of Jesus, and no one else... So why would i want people to "follow me?" The truth is, i don't care if you follow me. I love being a leader, but i consider myself a much better follower. The good that i see in having followers of my blog is that if you are one and blog occasionally, then you probably read my blogs often and care a little more than others do. Either way is okay with me. Like i mentioned earlier, i just want to make a difference... I want to leave a legacy... so that someday, when i die (if i die young), my thoughts will be worth more to you than they ever did before!

Rationalizing Religion

Over the last few weeks, i've realized that i've been living my life the way that i've wanted. I've been a follower of Jesus for quite sometime now, but there was just one problem. I wasn't letting His will lead my way. Following the passing of my girlfriend's mother, i recieved a clear reality check from God. Either i could step up and be the man God wants me to be and do everything that i possibly can to help out my girlfriend and her family in their time of need... or i could just stand in the crowd like i normally would and give minimal comfort. God gave me a choice... and against what my norm, i followed God's will instead of my own.

A few Sunday's before Cindy passed away, she was in church and on her bulletin she wrote "My God is bigger than the big C!" One of heaven's newest angels knew who her God was. She knew that the church is full of broken screwed up people. I myself, have always had a mindset that the church is full of messed up people striving for something greater. The church needs Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I'm learning to follow God's will... and in that process, i'm realizing that what Cindy wrote is so true. If you follow God, he will lead you in your darkest hours. He will lead you when you have no idea what to do. In the simplest moments, God shows up... and then, in front of your own eyes... God shows off. He'll send the clearest possible answer and he'll put it right in front of you. He has taken Cindy and has left all of us her inspiration. What i thought i'd never be able to do... With God, all things are possible.

He is leading me in leading the Zarazee family. He is teaching me. He is guiding me. Something religious that i never thought i'd be rationalizing... My God is bigger than the big C!

Glancing into the coming days...

Well, after today, its work work work, all weekend long for me. I'm not looking forward to it. However, i should have some more time off next week... maybe even a friday or saturday night again. That would be nice since i've been craving some fried chicken from the Log Inn. If not, i might just have to wait another week.

Also, Fall Fun Night at Olivet is next Wednesday night. Justine and I are dressing up, but neither of us know what were gonna be yet. Aside, from that i have no idea what i will be doing for Halloween, but then again, that kinda depends on my work schedule.

In November, Leeland and Brandon Heath are coming to Evansville. I am definitley looking forward to that. Brandon Heath is just a phenomenal CCM artists. Then, the end of the month is Thanksgiving, the second greatest national holiday. Yummm, turkey! Justine will be out of town but i can manage. Ive convinced myself that it will be okay for her to be gone for a few days, even though its during a holiday weekend!

Not to long after Thanksgiving is the greatest holiday of them all, Christmas! It's byfar my favorite holiday, even though im not a fan of the cold weather. If you can't tell i'm excited for this coming fall and winter and i hope you are too! I'd like to wish everyone a happy fall and a blessed holiday season!!!