Ice Breaker – Blog, Blog, Blog
TGIF! It’s time for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker. Each week I ask a question designed to help us connect as a Stretched Community. I start by answering the question and then it’s your turn. I’ll answer the ice breaker here in the post, and you can answer the question by leaving a comment.
The Question:
(1) What’s the first blog that you remember reading? (2) What blog are you reading that deserves the spotlight? (3) What’s your blog? (Please be sure to share the links, so we can all enjoy.)
My Answer:
(1) Let Me Be Frank by Frank Chiapperino (frankchiapperino.com). Frank was probably the biggest influence in getting me started with this whole blogging thing.
(2) This is a tough one, because I read so many great blogs on a daily basis. One that deserves the spotlight is Deuceology by Larry “The Deuce” Carter. Larry’s blog (deuceology.wordpress.com) celebrated its first anniversary earlier this week. In each post, Larry writes a post that makes you think twice about things that matter most.
(3) I guess you already know my answer to this question. Please pass this address along to your friends. Tell them to subscribe or follow on Facebook to become part of the Stretched Community. Thanks!
How’s that. I can’t wait to read your responses. Please leave your answer in the comments.
Ice Breaker – Star Wars
Due to a guest posting opportunity, this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker is moving up a day to Thursday. Tomorrow is May 4th which happens to be my Mom’s birthday – Happy Birthday, Mom! It also happens to be Star Wars Day – May the Fourth be with you! Get it? In honor of this special occasion, today’s Ice Breaker question will deal with Star Wars. Here goes….
Question: What is your favorite character or thing about Star Wars?
My answer: I saw the very first Star Wars movie (which was just called Star Wars and is now the fourth movie and referred to as A New Hope) in theaters when it first came out in the late 70s. I realize that I am dating myself here, but it helps to set the stage for my answer. I remember being drawn into the story, and I especially liked Luke Skywalker – of course. Over the course of time, I saw the next two movies Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (which are now the fifth and sixth movies). I still liked Luke and I still thought the first (or fourth) movie was the best.
As we all know, George Lucas decided to release three prequels telling the story of Anikan Skywalker and the beginnings of villain, Darth Vader. I strongly disliked Darth Vader in the original movies. After all, he was the villain. My view of Darth Vader changed dramatically when I saw the third movie in the prequel series (Revenge of the Sith). In this movie, Anikan Skywalker becomes Darth Vader. This may seem rather depressing, but it wasn’t for me. This movie provided the connection piece to the Return of the Jedi movie when Darth Vader comes to his senses right before he dies and turns from the dark side of the force. This connection allowed me to see the story of redemption that is told through the six movie series.
You see, I think we all start off innocent like Anikan did in the first movie, but at some point, we all mess up. We may not turn into Darth Vader, but our sin separates us from the life we were meant to live. Our sin can make us pretty ugly. The beautiful thing is that we all have a shot at redemption. I believe that God provided a path to redemption when He sent his Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life and to die for our sins on the cross. I believe that there is redemption for those who chose to believe this and decide to follow Jesus. It may seem crazy, but this is my favorite part of the whole Star Wars thing – the story of redemption.
This is a longer answer than normal, but I couldn’t help it. Now, it’s your turn. Answer the question in the comments. I look forward to reading your responses.
Ice Breaker – The Stretched Community’s Got Talent
Happy Friday!
It’s time for this week’s ice breaker question. I’ll keep it simple. In case you forgot, I’ll ask a question that helps us get to know one another. Then, I’ll answer the question. After that, it’s your turn to answer the question by entering your response in the comments. Here goes…!
Question: If you were to appear on America’s Got Talent (or another talent show), what talent would you bring to the stage? (And we all have talent, so there should be some great answers here this week.)
My answer: Dutch oven cooking. This answer may seem shocking to any of you who knew me as a kid. When I graduated from college, my culinary expertise was Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and microwaved hot dogs. Let’s just say, I’ve come a long way. I enjoy cooking (most of the time) although I don’t get a chance to do it very often. One of my favorite methods for cooking is dutch oven cooking over hot camp coals. I’ve cooked up some great breads, casseroles, soups, desserts, pizza, main dishes, and side dishes using my dutch ovens. I’m hoping I could win the judges over through their stomachs.
Okay. It’s your turn. Tell us about your talent in the comments.
Ice Breaker – Nicknames
It’s time for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker. I ask a question that helps “break the ice”. I’ll answer it first. Then it’s your turn to answer the question in the comments. By answering the question, we get to know just a little more about each other. This is one way to keep The Stretched Community growing. Here we go….
Question: What is one of your nicknames? How did you get it?
My answer: You don’t have to go far to realize that one of my nicknames is STRETCH. I post about it on my About page. I picked up the nickname STRETCH when I was in high school. When I started my junior year in high school, I was 5’6″. Now, I’m almost 6’6″. I did a lot of STRETCHING over the last couple of year’s of high school and in college. I don’t remember who gave me the nickname although I suspect it came through my high school youth group. I liked this nickname a lot better than a few of the other nicknames I’ve had over the years like Pope, Stain, and even just Stolpe. STRETCH has now become a big part of my life as I blog about life’s STRETCH marks every day right here.
There you have it! Now, it’s your turn. I’m looking forward to hearing about your nickname(s). Leave your answer to today’s Stretched Ice Breaker in the comments below.
Ice Breaker – My Hometown
Stretched Ice Breaker Friday has arrived! For those of you who are new around here, each Friday, I ask an “ice breaker” question. These questions are designed to help us get to know each other. Typically, I answer the question first in the post (below), and you answer the question by leaving a comment with your answer. So here goes….
Question: When people say the name of your hometown or area, what comes to mind? In other words, what’s the big deal about your town, city, community?
My answer: I live in a small suburb on the north-west side of Philadelphia, PA. My town hosts the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. The “Folk Fest” has played host to many famous folk “stars” like Arlo Guthrie. The festival takes place at the Old Poole Farm which is located right off the Perkiomen Trail. I’ve run and biked by the festival several times, but I’ve never attended myself. The festival runs for a few days every August. You can stop by for the day, or you can camp out for the entire weekend. Apparently, it’s kind of like Woodstock on a smaller level. One of these years, I’ll have to check it out!
There you have it. That was pretty simple. Now, it’s your turn. Leave your answer to this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker question in the comments. I’m looking forward to hearing about your hometown.
Ice Breaker – Good Friday
Time for a quick Stretched Ice Breaker question to get your Friday going. This is when I ask a question, and we all answer it. I’ll leave my answer here in the post, and you can leave your answer in the comments. Check back at the end of the day to see how everyone else answered the question.
Ready?
Question: What’s good for you today?
Answer: So today’s question is a bit more wide open than normal. But today is Good Friday. I couldn’t resist. What’s good for me today? I’m thankful to have a few days off. I’m actually on vacation visiting my parents and my brother. It’s been good to be away from the hustle and bustle of life as we know it in PA. And it’s been good to visit with my folks. Yesterday, we did some geocaching by White Rock Lake, and we went to my folks’ church for Maundy Thursday. Today, we’re heading into my brother’s restaurant to see where he works, and we’ll be heading back to church tonight for Good Friday service. All this is good!
So there, you have it. My answer is simple. Now, it’s your turn. Share your answer in the comments.
Ice Breaker – Easter Candy
It’s time for the weekly Stretched Ice Breaker!
Every Friday here on The Stretched Blog, I ask a question which helps us get to know each other. I’ll answer first. Then you join the conversation by leaving your answer in the comments section.
This week, my kids helped me with the ice breaker question. I think you’ll find it fun and entertaining. Here goes….
Question: What is your favorite Easter candy?
My Answer: I have to go with stale Peeps. You know what I’m talking about. They’re the sugar-coated, bite-size marshmallow treats that look like little bunnies or baby chicks. I love to open them up on Easter morning and let them sit for a day or two until the outer coating hardens up. There’s nothing quite like two-day old Peeps. (Interesting fact, Peeps are manufactured just north of The Stretched Blogger up in the Allentown/Bethlehem, PA area.)
My second place Easter candy – black jelly beans. You either love them or you hate them. I love them!
Okay. Now it’s your turn. Let’s hear your answer to today’s Stretched Ice Breaker. Have a great weekend!
Ice Breaker – Songs On Your Playlist
It’s Friday! How did it come around again so quickly?
Friday means Ice Breaker time here on The Stretched Blog. In case you’re new here or you forgot, ice breakers are questions used to help us get to know each other a little bit better. Each week, I ask a question which I answer first. After that everyone else answers the question by posting their answer in the comments.
Without further delay, here’s this week’s question: If you could make a playlist of your favorite songs, what five songs would make the list?
My answer:
1) Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
2) Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas
3) Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
4) Love Is The Seventh Wave by Sting
5) The Best Thing by Big Tent Revival
Each of these songs carries a memory of a time or place. Leanne and I shared our first dance to Wonderful Tonight. I remember listening to Sting’s song and playing hacky sack with my brother, Brian Willem, and Shane D’Entremont on the beach during a high school youth group camping trip. And the Big Tent Revival song reminds me of Creation 97. Leanne and I went to the music festival that year while she was five months pregnant with our daughter, Hannah.
Now it’s your turn. What’s on your playlist? I can’t wait to hear your answers!
Ice Breaker – Breakfast
This morning, I’m coordinating the third annual Sunnyside Up Breakfast Benefit at my office. For the past three years, I have worked together with a few other co-workers at Siemens in Blue Bell, PA to make breakfast sandwiches with farm fresh eggs, bagels, cheese, and other add-on items. We sell the made to order sandwiches at the office and donate all the proceeds to a charity connected to our employees. This year, all the donations are going to the Warriors For Tim Foundation. Warriors For Tim is an organization designed to raise organ donor awareness and to help families who are going through the organ donor process or who are on the waiting list for donated organ. The organization was created to leave a legacy for Tim Raymond. Tim passed away a couple of years ago after complications from the H1N1 virus (the swine flu) and an infection. Tim’s dad, John, is a project manager in my department. I’ve had the privilege of working with John for the past 16+ years. It’s exciting to lift up John and his family through today’s breakfast.
(If you’re interested in learning more about Warriors For Tim or finding out how you can donate to the cause, click here.)
In honor of today’s breakfast benefit, this week’s ice breaker question is about breakfast. As usual, I’ll answer the question, and then it’s your turn. By sharing your answer to the question, you help the Stretched Community to grow as we get to know one another in a fun way. So here goes….
Question: What’s your favorite breakfast food? If it’s cereal, what’s your favorite breakfast cereal?
My answer: If I had my choice, I’d go with Swedish pancakes. There’s nothing like the sweet flavor of the buttery and sugary thin pancakes with a mix of toppings. Whenever I have Swedish pancakes, I think of my grandparents. My Grandpa Stolpe had a system for eating his pancakes with different toppings. Every so often, we make the pancakes at our house, and they’re a huge hit every time.
So there you have it. Now it’s your turn. Leave your answer in the comments.
Ice Breaker – Made For The Movies
Happy Friday! You know what that means? It’s time for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker. If you’re new around here or you’ve just missed the last several month’s of Friday posts on The Stretched Blog, ice breaker questions are designed to help us get to know each other – to break the ice so to speak. I ask a question, and I give my answer. Then it’s your turn to chime in.
Are you ready?
Okay, here goes: If they made a movie about your life, who would play your part? Would the movie be a comedy, an action flick, drama, romance, or something else?
My answer: Jim Carrey. He’s tall, reasonably handsome, and has a sense of humor. Yes, his humor is probably at a different level than mine, but I still think it would be interesting. Instead of thinking Ace Ventura Pet Detective or Bruce Almighty, think The Majestic. In this movie, Carrey played a more serious/romantic role.
As for the type of movie, I guess I’d go with a dramatic comedy with some great romance. These are all elements that play out in my real life experience.
That’s enough from me. Now it’s your turn. How would you answer today’s ice breaker question? Share your answer in the comments.