Even more stats I found on things that interest my peeps in Rapid City.

Top Interests
1. Music
2. Reading
3. Hunting
4. Hanging out with Friends
5. Movies
6. Basketball
7. Hiking
8. Fishing
9. Dancing
10. Cars.
Note: Ahhh, South Dakota.  Where hunting comes before friends.

Top Music

1. Rock
2. Country
3. Rap
4. Nickelback
5. Jack Johnson
6. Hinder
7. Fall Out Boy
8. Sublime
9. Green Day
10. Metallica
Note: Okay, so the first three spots are genres but I noticed something interesting.  None of the spots are taken by country artists despite the fact country is listed second in the list. 

Top Books
1. The Bible
2. Lord of the Rings
3. Wild at Heart
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
5. Harry Potter series
7. The Hobbit
8. The DaVinci Code
9. Left Behind series
Note: The only book that surprises me on this list is Wild at Heart by John Eldridge.  Great book.

Top Movies
1. The Notebook
2. Wedding Crashers
3. Super Troopers
4. Office Space.
5. Dumb and Dumber
6. Braveheart
7. Boondock Saints
8. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
9. Fight Club
10. Out Cold
Note: The Notebook- Proof that there are more chicks than dudes in the Rapid City network. Don’t tell anyone- but I liked that movie more than my wife did. Does that mean I have to turn in my man card?

Top TV
1. Family Guy
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. Scrubs
4. CSI
5. That 70’s Show
6. House
7. South Park
8. Friends
9. Gilmore Girls
10. ER
Note: All I can say is Rapid City has good taste.  I’d like to see The Office and 24 on the list rather than Gilmore Girls.

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Tags: Facebook, Rapid City, statistics, demographics

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When I logged into Facebook today I noticed statistics in my feed relating to the networks I belong to.

I clicked around a bit more and found a goldmine of interesting
information and demographics about people in the Rapid City, SD
network.

Sex

38% female

35% male

27% none listed

Note: Chances are this is pretty even but it wouldn’t surprise me if the ladies beat out the guys. They’re usually more social.

Relationship Status

33% Single

29% None Listed

17% In a Relationship

14% Married

4% Engaged

2% It’s Complicated

1% In an Open Relationship

Note: Nothing surprising here.
My wife and I list our relationship status as “It’s Complicated”
because we’re crazy like that. I guess we’re throwing off the validity
of the stats.

Religion:

I’m surprised Facebook does not list religion. I guess since it’s an
open field versus a box to select it’s more difficult to measure.

Political Views

62% Not Listed

13% Other

9% Conservative

7% Moderate

4% Liberal

2% Very Liberal

2% Very Conservative

1% Apathetic

1% Libertarian

Note: 75% of people didn’t really identify with a political party. 76% if you include the apathetic group. This is very telling about my generation’s views towards politics here. At least here in the Black Hills.

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Tags: Facebook, Rapid City, demographics, statistics

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I drafted twelfth in a 12-man league last night.  Here’s what “The Mighty Hangnail” managed to put together for those who of you who dig fantasy football:

QB- Matt Hasselbeck
QB- Brett Favre

RB - Rudi Johnson
RB- Travis Henry
RB- Jerious Norwood
RB- Warrick Dunn
RB- Michael Bennett

WR- Santana Moss
WR- Chris Chambers
WR- Darrell Jackson
WR- Joe Horn

TE- Jeremy Shockey
TE- LJ Smith (I had to get at least one Philadelphia Eagle)

K- Josh Brown

Defense - Carolina Panthers
Defense- New York Jets

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Here’s this week’s iPod playlist.

Included is the video for “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn, and John. The song is stuck in my head and it might as well be stuck in yours too.

1. Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn and John
2. Timebomb - Beck
3. After the World - Disciple
4. Flourescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
5. Lover Pt. 2 - Derek Webb
6. Have a Nice Day - Stereophonics
7. S.O.S. - Jonas Brothers
8. Waiting For the Sun - The Shore
9. The Lonesome Kicker - Adam Sandler
10. Must Have Done Something Right - Relient k
11. Plan B - Mute Math
12. What If I Stumble? - DC Talk
13. Catch My Disease - Ben Lee
14. Over You - Daughtry
15. Paper Thin Hymn - Anberlin
16. Does Anybody Hear Her? - Casting Crowns
17. With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker
18. Marvelous Light - Charlie Hall
19. Sound of Melodies - Leeland
20. Peaches - The Presidents of the United States of America
21. Baba O’Riley - The Who
22. Love Song - Third Day
23. Sometimes - Howie Beck
24. The Chasing Song - Andrew Peterson
25. Everwhere I Go - Shawn Mullins
26. I’m For You - Tobymac
27. Numb - Linkin Park

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Tags: BeckDisciple, Arctic Monkeys, Derek Webb, Stereophonics, Jonas Brothers, The Shore, Adam Sandler, Relient k, Mute Math, DC Talk, Ben Lee, Daughtry, Peter Bjorn and John, Anberlin, Casting Crowns, Joe Cocker, Charlie Hall, Leeland, The Presidents of the United States of America, The Who, Third Day, Howie Beck, Andrew Peterson, Shawn Mullins, Tobymac, Linkin Park, ipod, playlist, music, itunes,

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Nitro, Tower, Blaze, Gemini, Lace, Laser, Turbo, Malibu, Inny, Minny, Miny, Moe.

It looks like one of my favorite childhood shows, “American Gladiators“, is returning this fall to NBC. I read that the plan is to show in on primetime television Sunday nights after NFL Football.

This will either be really bad or really good. Besides the events, what I loved about the old show was the “cheese” factor. The show didn’t take itself too seriously yet was a true competition. I hope they continue events such as the atlashere, joust, human cannonball, breakthrough and conquer, the Eliminator, and others. Those were awesome!

Meanwhile I’ll wet your appetite with this classic YouTube clip of Malibu from the first season of American Gladiators.

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Tags: americangladiators, tv, television, nbc, YouTube

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There’s a poignant scene in the film “Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio that just struck me. The film opens with a joyful moment between a father and a son. They are obviously close. Later, the village they lived in was attacked and the young boy was captured by rebels and brainwashed to hate and kill. Throughout the story, his father risks his life and tirelessly searches for him- eventually finding him in a dramatic moment.

This scene picks up with the boy pointing a gun at his father with calloused eyes ready to kill him. The father, with tears streaming down his cheeks, begins to talk to his son about how much he loves him, how nothing he has ever done could ever stop that, and how the boy can return to the family and rest securely in his father’s love. The boy begins to weep as he listens to his father. The father moves toward the boy and they embrace. Powerful! Love won!

Being a Christ Follower, I couldn’t help but think of Romans 12:21 where we’re given these words: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” I also thought of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15; in particular Luke 15:20- “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

As a Dad, I want my children to get this because so much of what I see today is evil returned with evil. That is our natural response. I also want them to know that there’s nothing they can do to make me stop loving them. I want them (and me) to live supernaturally. Anyone can destroy but it takes special people to restore.

When my son and daughter don’t get along with each other or other people, I don’t want to see revenge and grudges, I want to see grace and forgiveness. Likewise, when I am wronged (it happens), I too need to do the same.

How about you? Anyone you need to forgive? Anyone you need to encourage? Anything you need to do?

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A little old school, some new stuff, and everything in between.

1. Maybe Tomorrow - Stereophonics
2. The Take Over, the Breaks Over - Fall Out Boy
3. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? - Creedence Clearwater Revival
4. Send Me on My Way - Rusted Root
5. Ballad in Plain Red - Derek Webb
6. Gotta Serve Somebody - Bob Dylan
7. Rye or the Kaiser - Weird Al Yankovic
8. Shine On - Jet
9. All the Way - Delirious
10. Run - Collective Soul
11. Even Walls Fall Down - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
12. My Hero - Foo Fighters
13. Grace By Which I Stand - Keith Green
14. Shut Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
15. All At Once - The Fray
16. Getting Into You - Relient k
17. Moses - The W’s
18. Snow (Hey Oh) - Red Hot Chili Peppers
19. Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
20. Light In Your Eyes - Sheryl Crow
21. The First Time - U2
22. Fast As You - Dwight Yoakam
23. Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park
24. Crush - Dave Matthews Band
25. Walk on the Water - Toad the Wet Sprocket
26. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
27. When Did Your Heart Go Missing? - Rooney
28. Find the River - REM

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Tags: Music, playlist, iPod, Sterophonics, Fall Out Boy, Creedence Clearwater Revival, CCR, Rusted Root, Derek Webb, Bob Dylan, Weird Al Yankovic, Jet, Delirious, Collective Soul, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Foo Fighters, Keith Green, Snow Patrol, The Fray, Relient k, The W’s, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maroon 5, Sheryl Crow, U2, Dwight Yoakam, Linkin Park, Dave Matthews Band, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Beatles, Rooney, REM

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90% of “Christian” music sucks.

I’ve just offended half of my blog readers but it’s true. Whatever happened to really good musical artists who happen to love Jesus and write and perform music with passion, authenticity, and originality? Those are the artists I want to listen to. Keith Green was such an artist.

I had heard of Keith Green before but had always thought he was one of those cheesy 80’s Christian artists- never really listening to his music or knowing his story. But recently I discovered some of his music and I was surprised. This guy was the real deal. In fact, he kind of reminds me of one my favorite artists today, Derek Webb.

Keith Green died at the age of 28 but really left an impact with his life and his music. I happened upon a great series of videos on YouTube called, “Your Love Broke Through - The Keith Green Story.” Really good stuff. What an inspiring life he lived!

Check out part one of the seven-part series. If you like it watch the rest of the videos.

• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6
• Part 7

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Tags: Keith Green, Christian music, YouTube, video, music

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We all have a story. Here’s one of mine. This is a continuation of part 1

I received a message at work that I needed to call a young lady named Elise in Texas. My heart sunk as I listened to those words. Could it be? Could this be my long lost sister? I took an early lunch and called the number.

Me: [Cautiously] “Hello, this Elise?”

Elise: [Calmly] Yes it is.

Me: [Nervously] “This is Jason Salamun. I got a message that you had some questions about my family.”

Elise: [In tears] I can’t believe I’m talking to you. Yes, I do…

We talked and she shared with me how she accidentally found out who her mother was when she went to get a copy of her birth certificate to get her passport. With that information all she could find were public records showing the same woman had given birth to a son a year and a half later. With a little digging, she discovered me. Poor thing. Actually, I believe God’s fingerprints were all over this. That’s the thing about destiny. Here we are- both of us the product of “accidents” or unplanned pregnancy- and on an idle Tuesday we connected and our worlds were rocked.
We talked quite a bit that week as we pieced the puzzle together to confirm this was the real deal. We also played some catch-up and shared our life stories. After hearing about her life I was glad she was adopted. I found out she loved Jesus, had two cool daughters, and worked with the NFL. We bonded instantly and I knew this was definitely my sister.

I opened up about my childhood which isn’t exactly easy for me to do. A lot of crappy things happened but God has used them for good. After hearing about it she was glad she was adopted but wished she could have been there to be my big sister. Of course, I got to share about all of the wonderful blessings in my life too.

Months later she flew to Rapid City and we met in person over Thanksgiving. It was unreal. I was so nervous and just in awe that right here with me was the sister I always wished I knew. I’ll be honest, it was a bit awkward at first. She was so nice and cool and really connected with my wife and kids but I wasn’t sure how to act. I had never met a long lost sister before. I’d never been someone’s little brother before either. I tried to be myself but I was just floored with excitement/nerves/joy. In my heart and mind I just kept saying to God, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Today, my sister and I talk regularly but haven’t seen each other since. I don’t find myself in Texas often and she doesn’t find herself in South Dakota much either. But we will see each other again. She has met other family members including our mother. She found out why she was put up for adoption, who her father was, and discovered more about the tragic life of her mother. Elise was able to thank my mother for doing the right thing and giving her to a wonderful family. Elise has mentioned to me more than once that this whole experience actually gave her a deeper appreciation for her adopted family. It’s special to know you were chosen.

There’s much more to the story and the story doesn’t end here. It continues and is being written with the ink of time. But I hope that our little “Oprah moment” gives you hope. Perhaps you need to connect or reconnect with a loved one? Maybe you need to replace the word “accident” with the word “destiny”? I don’t know. But hear this- this was no accident. Even more- with God there are no accidents. Things happen for a reason even when we don’t understand them. Was the fact that our mother gave birth to both of us by the age of 17 ideal? Of course not. But did God use it anyway? Yep and he can do the same with your situation.

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