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More Shots of China: Foshan, Tianjin, Ningbo, and Shanghai Factory Visits

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:33:57 GMT

More from Foshan China

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:30:25 GMT

We had a very long, but very productive day in Foshan, China yesterday. I am posting some images that will give you a look at what we do at a typical factory visit. We review past business, discuss future business, work on improvments to existing products, and look at the production areas of the factory. Yesterday we began the day with a couple hour drive, then we spent a few hours at our passive speaker factory. Then we drove to and ate at a McDonalds (that's another post.....haha) before driving another hour or so to the factory shown here.

We met at this factory until around 6PM, then we went to dinner with the owner and export agent from the factory. Then, we all went together for a foot massage. And that, for sure, will be a post all unto itself!.

More Pics From China

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:50:58 GMT

Land of the not so free and home of the government censors.........

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:03:51 GMT

Hello from Shanghai China! I am in China for a fewdays to visit some of the factories that we work with to import music and soundproducts. China is a busy, modern country that really has been impactedby Western culture. Signs of our culture are everywhere. Big Americanname brands are very popular and the malls look more American every day. It seems that over the past five years of coming here that the people evendrive with a little more respect for the rules of the road and it seems that insome ways, the people have been softened up a bit, or allowed to becomemore real…….more individual. It’s a subtle thing, but Ican see change taking place in the country with my limited number of visitsover the past few years.

However, it is still a communist country. Thegovernment has control over just about everything. I mean SERIOUScontrol. You wouldn’t think that anyone could control personalcommunication between one citizen and another. But, due to some recentpolitical unrest, the government has shut down access to Twitter, Facebook, andsome other networking sites. It’s not really too scary (orsurprising) that they would take this action. What is scary is that froma technological standpoint, they CAN. If China can do it, so can ourgovernment. That is a pretty sobering thought.

I just posted a few pics from the first day of ourtrip. I hope you enjoy them……..and maybe, just maybe, myAmerican GoDaddy-based blog site will still be able to auto-forward the postingto my Facebook account, hahaha…..

There’s always a workaround, right?

I hope you are all well. I have a live chat window onmy site at www.chriswardonline.com. I will be online most evenings between 9-11, so that will be your morningsbetween 8-10 CST. Maybe I will see you there!

Be blessed, and be thankful for the freedom that you have.

Chris

Hello from Shanghai China: Day One.....and two......

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:27:53 GMT

Fourth of July 2009

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:43:00 GMT

Hot Day Cool Guys

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:06:44 GMT

Grayson and Mills with a few of their buds hanging out at the pool on a HOOOOOOTTTTTTTT day in June.
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Images From Family Camp 2009

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:06:34 GMT

Kami, Tyler, and Daisy on the first night in their new house!

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:37:21 GMT

We are so proud of Kami and Tyler for finishing college and getting a great start in a beautiful new home! We went to see them on the night they moved in and there's no doubt that Daisy is going to love the new pad! After a whole week of packing and moving, they don't even look tired, do they?

This is what kids these days call "SWEET ACTION!"

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:38:44 GMT

Grayson and Mills Testing the Gear for E3

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:18:56 GMT

The first week of June I am going to be at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles exhibiting for our company, ROADIE Music Game Gear. We make products that are used in the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games. We have upgraded controllers, drum pedals, drum pads, and microphones.

Grayson and Mills get to help me test out the gear quite often. In this pic they are on the "stage" of our E3 exhibit booth. Mills is testing our new gaming headse micrphone. It's used when a guitarist wants to sing at the same time while playing the games. Grayson is testing the new Roadie Red with a Custom Classic kick pedal on the ION Drum Rocker set.

All of this stuff can be seen up close and personal at www.musicgamegear.com.

Power Voting!

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:58:54 GMT

This Spring has been a cool time for our family because we know one of the American Idol contestants, Kris Allen. We have really enjoyed watching the show together and power voting for him following the show on Tuesday nights. I mean, really, what could be better that having family come over, eating one of Stephanie's famous fabulous dishes together, and watching Idol with the TV turned up really loud? I can't think of much that can top it. Here are a couple of shots of us voting on the night that Kris Allen got voted into the finals.

Seriously, Stephanie should publish a cookbook. They could put me on the cover of it to prove that her cooking MUST be awesome.

Camping At Petit Jean State Park Spring 2009

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:54:14 GMT

There is no doubt that some of our family's best memories are of times spent with our Happy Campers Life Group from NLC. We have camped with old and new friends for the last 7 years and our Spring campout at Petit Jean is always a favorite. It was here last Fall that Grayson got sick with pancreatitis and we spent a couple of weeks at ACH following........It was here that we met and came to love most of our dearest friends. It's a happy place, for sure......

Adam Lambert and his most recent roommate. A MUST READ story for AI fans.

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:38:29 GMT

Homecoming Day for Kris Allen at Stoby's for lunch

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sun, 10 May 2009 04:59:04 GMT

Kris Allen at Stoby's on Homecoming Day

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sun, 10 May 2009 04:58:39 GMT

Search For Love: Video by Brennan and Some Buddies (AKA Thugs and Bubbles)

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:24:00 GMT

Saving $100 Million Dollars

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:47:00 GMT

My American Idol Season 8 Predictions

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:31:00 GMT

This year we are really pumped about American Idol because we have a homeboy in the Top 13! Kris Allen is one of the worship leaders from our church (www.newlifechurch.tv) and he is having a great run at it!

I am going to declare my predictions for the top 13, giving you my top 5, bottom 5, and middle 3. Let's just see how my predictions hold up as the season progresses.

Enjoy!

Bottom 5 (In no particular order)

Anoop

Jasmine

Jorge

Michael

Scott

Middle 3 (could go either way)

Allison

Lil

Megan

Top 5 (In no particular order)

Adam

Alexis

Danny

Kris

Matt

25 Random Things About Me

cward@siglermusic.com (Chris Ward) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:09:42 GMT

25 Random Things About Me

Recently there has been a craze on Facebook of people posting random things about themselves. I saw today where Kami, Brennan, and Stephanie all posted their lists. I know you never thought you would see this from me, but here goes:

1. I was born cross-eyed and had surgery as an infant to correct it. The surgery went bad and my right eye floated all the way to the outside until I had another surgery when I was 26. Now I only see with one eye at a time, but they both usually point straight.
2. I am color-blind. And have night-blindness. (note: If we go somewhere together at night, YOU drive.)
3. In the second grade I got paddled by the principal for putting a sharpened pencil under my best friend’s bottom as he sat down in the desk in front of me. It sank it deep. 10 years later, he and I later became president and vice-president of our Senior class. We had fun. I have not spoken to him in the last 28 years.
4. I had really long hair when I was in Jr. High and played bass in a rock band called “Spread Eagle”. “Born to be Wild” was our opening song. The band was named after an eagle. You could look at the bass drum head and tell that. Sheesh.
5. I wrote and delivered singing telegrams in a tuxedo shirt and bowtie for a job in high school.
6. I rocked the mic like a vandal as Johnny Sapphire in the hit musical “Rock N’ Roll” at Benton High School.
7. Stephanie and I have been married for over 25 years. When we were engaged we had a DJ business together. It was called C&S Sound. We played 33 rpm records on real turntables. Can you say “Thriller”?
8. I went to college thinking I wanted to be a youth pastor. I served as a youth pastor for 10 years.
9. I was raised Presbyterian and sang in the choir at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in Shreveport, LA during college for scholarship money.
10. Stephanie and I got married on May 28th and moved to Lake Charles, LA on the 31st to start work as the youth pastors at St. Luke UMC.
11. While in college my roommate and I once filled our dorm room over 3 feet deep in rubber bands. We got a truckload of rubber bands from the bookstore’s trash bin. They had over-ordered, apparently.
12. A guy got mad at me once and three a bucket of pure Clorox into my face. He was probably justified. I had filled his dorm room with water from a hose the night before.
13. I really love a cross-cut zoysia lawn that is freshly edged. Mow it twice to get the best look.
14. I once made my daughter wash my truck. She chose to wash it six = times before she got it right. She was 16 at the time. It made her mad, but it was her own fault.
15. I have a sawed off shotgun at arm’s length when I sleep. And a bright flashlight.
16. I absolutely love the process of 1. Identifying a problem/need. 2. Creating a solution to the problem/need. 3. Implementing the solution. 4. Watching the solution work. After that I get very board and don’t care about it anymore. I want someone else to manage the solution and maintain the process.
17. I worship best when I am playing guitar for someone else who is leading worship. I miss leading worship with Kevin Bass. Can anyone say “reunion”?
18. I cry every time I see my oldest son play worship music on a team. I cried just now while picturing it in my mind. Knowing the back story about him would elicit the same response from you all, if you’re saved.
19. I have never known anything to have a more profound effect on more families all at one time than NLC Family Camp. The eternal dividends paid are many.
20. I have VERY strong thoughts about work ethic and what it means for a man to succeed. I would be happy to talk to anyone about it anytime.
21. I love to have a vision for something, some event, some process, that is bigger than anyone else can imagine. Then I love envisioning every detail about it.
22. I can make some mean camp food. I love cooking outside. I miss the original happy campers, peeling potatoes with Olive Yant, and frying bacon with Terry Shepard. I miss watching Freddy make pancakes and seeing Tim Yant have bike wrecks. I miss having to worry about the kids being down by the water.
23. I love going to anywhere that I have never been and seeing anything that I have never seen before. Some of my best memories are of travelling.
24. I wore a 28 waist pant when I got married. Then I got a frydaddy and a Sam’s card.
25. I am already dreaming about a 2010 Family Road Trip to Colorado. Any other families interested?