Gabe Taviano » Humor

The hilarious Ed Bassmaster

Gabe Taviano — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:34:18 +0000

Decided to read through a few Twitter updates before bed last night, and Super Bowl champion quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) shared this tweet. Don’t watch these videos unless you want to start making Ugly Faces in the middle of conversations, pranking people while talking on your Bluetooth or asking people to Look At This. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! The last clip of the four is an interesting take on Harold Camping’s false rapture prediction from last week.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pants on the ground

Gabe Taviano — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:05:38 +0000

Last night, like many people, we were laughing extremely hard after watching the end of American Idol. This show always seems to make a celebrity out of a few people that truly deserve to be heard from. And, of course, a few that you would probably be better off having never heard of. General Larry Platt (in the video below) didn’t have a shot at winning the competition, since he 34 years over the age limit of 28. But I think you’ll like watching the video, and reading the story this man has lived over on Yahoo today. Thanks for the laughs Larry! You really are a true American Idol.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jack of all trades – Master of none

Gabe Taviano — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:13:14 +0000

This might tie in with my recent post where I fumed about “the lady who cuts the check”, and some of you might relate to this just as much. I’ve had a few clients that I’ve worked with that connected with a “consultant” to look over their use of technology. One of the aspects they inspect just so happens to be my area of service, their website. It’s usually hard enough to work one-on-one with a client and make sure they are a satisifed client, so bringing in a third-party inspector sure adds to the mix!

What irritates me the most about consultants is that they seem to have advice on quite a few areas of business, but have never really put much time or gained much experience on each specific area. They are the epitome of being a “jack of all trades – master of none”. And the input they provide usually makes that obvious. They might not be trying to intentionally annoy the people who actually know what they are doing (in their respective fields), but they’re sure skilled at that.

My advice to these “Inspector Gadget types” is to slow down, ask questions instead of giving instant advice or suggestions, and making sure they know where the client has been in the recent past. Some of your glorious requests might have been desired, but maybe the budget couldn’t support it? Maybe the client has every intention of having done everything you are suggesting and you end up being more annoying than helpful. Nobody is THE go-to expert on anything. That’s just how God has wired us. We always need the insight of others. Anyone have any stories or advice on how they have dealt with this?

PRAYING for my brother, and that God would continue to bless his ministry. PRAISING God for continually showing me to be of service and not coming in as THE expert.

5 people that make me laugh

Gabe Taviano — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:28:33 +0000

We all need to laugh, especially in difficult times. It’s said that laughter adds 8 years to life, so why not try it out? I wonder if you have to laugh extremely hard to add all of those years, or if a chuckle will do? I guess we’ll find out. One way to play it safe is to find better comedians, and stop watching those who just make you chuckle. Check these people out, and you’ll be sure to LOL!


BRIAN REGAN	JOBY SAAD	RHETT & LINK	TIM HAWKINS	JEFF ALLEN

I always need to laugh more. Do you have a comedian who you think is worth checking out?

PRAYING over a decision on whether or not to split office space with a friend (get out of house – make more progress). PRAISING God for making some funny people who bring smiles to our lives!

Religulous with Bill Maher

Gabe Taviano — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:17:20 +0000

I’ll give Bill Maher some credit. Knowing it wouldn’t be a hit, he took his religious (or agnostic) views and made them as public and available as possible on this DVD. Most Christians wouldn’t touch a movie that ridiculed the one thing in life they hold most dear, the God and Creator that they love. I knew what kind of film I was going to be watching once I saw on the cover that the director was also a part of Borat (one of the less intelligent movies I’ve ever seen) and that the company who helped create the film, Lionsgate, made very clear that the views expressed on the film weren’t theirs.

Bill, if you’re unfamiliar with him, is the prime example for your children if you’d like them (and their mouth) to stay 13 for the rest of their lives. Speaking of 13. That’s when Bill was dumped by his girlfriend and left the church, hinting that the catholic church wasn’t a fan of masturbation (which he enjoyed) and that the God they worshiped should have been “working for Bill” for the relationship to work out. Throughout the film he attempts to prove that he understands God, but obviously that’s already thrown out the door after the first few minutes.

He went about the film in the usual God-bashing way that most do, sticking to these lame arguments that have gone around the block and back:

Suggests that Christianity is all about being good (apparently doesn’t listen to those of us that admit we’re sinners)
Pushed the spotlight onto Catholic priests and televangelists (mainly because they fail publicly)
Blasts Christians for “hating homosexuals”, but didn’t attempt to understand what sin really is
Hinted that Christ found Catholicism – wrong for many reasons, for another post!
Believes that a monotheistic God is immoral, and shouldn’t be jealous
Pointed the finger at Christians and how they judge people by suggesting they need Christ

I’ll do Bill a big favor and let him on a tip that would have made this movie worth watching, maybe even bring in a decent profit or be a hit. When blasting a specific religion, go to the current leaders that are most respected, rather than dropping bombs on a Trucker’s Chapel or book store owner. Might have been more respectable if he started a dialogue with James MacDonald, John Piper or Mark Driscoll? A shining example of this is when Ben Stein went for the jugular with evolution in the Expelled movie. He went straight to the most respected leader of the day, Richard Dawkins, and made his point extremely clear. No reviews needed, and those who opposed him were in an uproar. If Bill’s film would have been worth his time, I (a devout Christian) would be furious and asking people not to watch it. Instead, I urge you to check it out. Thanks for the laugh Bill! I thought for sure I’d be laughing at your humor and not the result of all of the time you put into this film with your thoughts and direction.

PRAYING that God will connect Bill with those who actually understand Christianity sometime soon. PRAISING God for never changing, and being the answer for every curious life.

Great fun with Rhett and Link

Gabe Taviano — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:49:33 +0000

Last night Rhett and Link (internetainers – see their site here and watch live on the web every Thursday at 9pm EST) were in Ohio for a live concert, so I drove two hours to enjoy the show! They drew a crowd of around 60 and really put on a good show. Thanks to Steve and Brian for hosting these guys and all of us! They won one of R&L’s contests and the prize was a free concert at your home base. R&L were pretty glad the winners didn’t live too far across the globe from North Carolina. You can see a few more photos I shot of the evening over here. If you want to check it out, you can listen to an interview I did with the guys back in April of 2008 on the God’s Mac Podcast here.

It really is pretty amazing that these guys were headed into a career in engineering, but are now full time with their talents on the web. Last night showed that they’re really connected with their fan base. And the fan base is pretty diverse in age, a result of their show, music videos and songs being clean and enjoyable. You’ll definitely want to check out all of their media that is available on their site, and watch for the new stuff that shows up frequently. You’re guaranteed to laugh, and I’m guessing you’ll even enjoy their Thursday live shows just as much. Thanks to R&L for making the flight up here, and for the enjoyable Thursday evening!

PRAYING that God provides great opportunities for R&L in the future. PRAISING God for allowing us all to use our unique talents!

The lady who cuts the check

Gabe Taviano — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:27:12 +0000

As a self-employed web designer who works primarily with churches and ministries, I usually get a weekly dose of “the lady who cuts the check.” Through my Twitter posts this week I’ve found comfort that I’m not the only one. I tried to give you a decent picture of what this lady might look like by going way back and grabbing a memory of Dana Carvey as The Church Lady on SNL. She might look like that, she might not. I think I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting one or two in person myself.

We’re at her ransom. We’ve either sent over an initial invoice or completed the project, and we are now on her clock. The wait for a check to arrive entirely depends on her availability. I’ve started wondering if she’s also an astronaut. Sometimes it seems like she doesn’t show up for a month.

If you’re in a position to do something about this, I’m sure I can speak for all freelance designers and offer a suggestion of taking care of the issue. I’m sure there’s someone else that doesn’t mind signing their John Hancock around the office? It wouldn’t bother me as much if it weren’t pandemic and stretching across states and denominations. Any of you have memories of waiting on the lady?

PRAYING for Pete Wilson, Anne Jackson, and the other Compassion bloggers in India today. PRAISING God for giving my wife the words to write as she is completing a book proposal for our 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks project.

Break from the computer

Gabe Taviano — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:16:46 +0000

A blog I am subscribed to, called “What the duck“, brings a laugh to my day and sometimes provides something to ponder. I’ve included one of their recent comics below for this blog.

I’m sure we all need more breaks from the computer than we actually take. This idea really enforces our need for community, rest, and adventure. These are a few things I have always longed for, but have rarely sought after too much. Tonight is our second monthly gathering for Digital Disciples, a ministry that I started that pushes me more into “real community”. Although it has been quite a bit of work to get the ministry going, having Daryl fly in from Atlanta tonight to check it out and discuss starting a group in that city is thrilling!

Andy Stanley suggests that “We have to find that place of healthy tension between being confident in our calling and knowing that we cannot complete the mission without God’s intervention.” Sometimes we get so confident in what we are doing, that we rarely take a break from it and think about whether or not God might have something else in store. That is very risky, according to our culture. You have to try something without money being a factor, sometimes without people knowing or being applauded for it, and sacrifice time and energy that comfortably get us through our day. If you haven’t tried something like this yet, consider this a dare. Take a few minutes, get away from the computer, and think about what God might want to do with _______.

PRAYING for you as you think outside the box about what God might have for you to do. PRAISING God for providing a location for our gathering this evening.

Captain Me Planet #2

Gabe Taviano — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:43:16 +0000

I’m anticipating sharing an awesome (and large) project with you in the near future. The biggest undertaking of my life, with the most opportunity to make an impact for the kingdom of God. I’ve learned a few things while getting started with it. When I started working on it it was mostly about how I could make it happen…..and a “little” bit of what God could do. I prayed about it at times, but wasn’t really relying on God to work things out. I wouldn’t say I was anticipating his next move. I was anticipating what I was going to have to do to get the ball rolling.

Two weeks ago God turned a light on. I didn’t realize I was in the dark. I thought I (Captain Me Planet) was doing just fine. Looking back on where the project was headed now I just have to smile at what God had in store. The details of this project keep clearing up as God allows me to join with others in preparation. Just today I was hanging out with my friend Kary Obebrunner, and God used him to bring up a couple of thoughts that only He could. I look forward to becoming less of a Captain Me Planet and let God’s timing and plan override mine. Have you either stepped into a project too quickly and wished you wouldn’t have? Or have there been moments where you’ve seen things come together in a way only God could have allowed and that was near impossible for yourself?

PRAYING for a high school friend of mine that was in a bad accident this past week. PRAISING God for a wife that always lets Him bring her out of discouraging moments in life.

uʍop ǝpısdn pǝuɹnʇ

Gabe Taviano — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:58:16 +0000

Sometimes it’s good to have your world ʍuop ǝpısdn pǝuɹnʇ. Occasionally (when at the desk) on Thursday nights at 9pm I hang out over at Rhett and Link Live. Two fellas that are internetainers for a living and that God has blessed with a clean and unique sense of humor. Their shows turns the week ʍuop ǝpısdn for me sometimes, taking a few days that might have been a struggle and the light at the end of the tunnel comes more quickly.

I enjoyed interviewing them on the podcast, and then hooked up with a friend that helps make their show possible. Brian Layman is in control of the Skype calls and does some other magic for them, and from what I am learning now, he’s a talented developer. After the show last night we connected via Twitter and Skype. His name on Twitter looked like nothing I had seen before. It was uʍop ǝpısdn! Little did I know that he was putting the finishing touches on a new website called TweetFlipper.com. One thing led to the next, the excitement couldn’t be contained and he let me actually leak it out to the Twitterverse. Sure, some people will be annoyed by it, but maybe they should turn their attitudes uʍop ǝpısdn? Hopefully you’ve appreciated me not posting an entire blog uʍop ǝpısdn?

A few things I am looking forward to being turned uʍop ǝpısdn: the economy and those without a job at the moment, each life that is a part of the new Digital Disciples gatherings, and the ability to bring more joy into my daughter’s lives.

And a few things I am thrilled have already been turned uʍop ǝpısdn: attending a church that I love, having this nice new blog to share my life with you, and God blessing me with a job and enough to get by in life.

How about you? What are some things you might want to see turned uʍop ǝpısdn? Would be thrilled to pray for you today! Have a great weekend!