Leo's Blog

Wild Goose Chase

Just got an advanced copy of Mark Batterson's new book Wild Goose Chase.  If you haven't read In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day (his other book) I highly recommend it.  I've had the privilege to sit down over Lou Malnati's with Mark and get to know him a little better.  He's a great visionary that is doing great work.  Can't wait to read this new book.

Neighborhood Watch - This is they guy they thought I was

Subject: FW: **Neighborhood Watch Alert** for Northern Colo Springs

   This man is the head of a vehicle theft ring that has been targeting the north end of Colorado Springs to include our neighborhood, Pine Creek, Gleneagle, Monument, Peregrine and other north end middle to upper middle class neighborhoods.  He and his group are meth users and are stealing vehicles and their contents to buy drugs.  They are also deeply involved in identity theft.  He and his group have been driving around these neighborhoods during the day and night to look for any garage doors that are open.  They enter and either steal the car or the garage door opener out of the car so that they can go back to the home and get in the house to steal the keys to the car.  They are believed to be responsible for many vehicle thefts over the last few months.    
  This man was last seen staying at the Hampton Inn on Republic Drive (Interquest and Hwy 83) on Tuesday night .  He was able to escape the police but several stolen cars were recovered in the parking lot as well as stolen items found in the hotel room.  He and his group are staying at mid-level hotels in the north end of town.  The police consider this man to be  ARMED AND DANGEROUS.  If you see this person or have any information, please call 9-1-1.

   NICHOLAS JOHN WELLS (AKA, “Matthew Wells”) is a White Male, 28 years old, 6'02" tall, and 280 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.  WELLS is wanted for Identity Theft, and should be considered armed and dangerous.

I've been arrested

After all day traveling and an evening of fun playing poker with a couple guys from work, I decided at 9 pm MST to go back to my room and go to sleep.  Finally about 10.15 after unpacking and unwinding a little i fell asleep.  Then I hear this strange noise.  It's the phone in my room.  They ask for somebody name Nick something or other.  I told them they had the wrong room.  Hang up and roll over.  not 10 sec later it rings again and they start talking. I yell at them tell them they've got the wrong room and slam the phone down. 

Then AGAIN the phone rings.  I pick up and say "WHAT".  They tell me to calm down and quit hanging up.  I'm half asleep don't have my hearing aids in and only hear a few words...Mind you the few I did hear were important "step out into the hall there are police officers waiting for you".  I woke up then.  I said what room are you trying to call.  They said yours.  (at this point I'm sure its a prank).  I put the phone down (not hanging up) and go look out my peep hole.  I can't see anyone.  I go back over pick up the phone and said there is no one standing outside my door.  He said I needed to do as I was told.

Now I'm starting to freak a little.  I'm more concerned it is someone outside going to do me bodily harm than police officers.  I get to the door take 3 deep breaths to try and calm my nerves and remember all of the self-defense stuff I've learned in my whopping 3 months of taekwondo. 

I slowly unlock the door in my white tshirt and blue addidas shorts and step out in the hall.  It was at this point I just about wet myself.  I hear a dog barking and anxious to run me down.  I see two tactical armor walls with officers behind each pointing guns at me at both ends of the hall.  I'm standing in the hall with my arms raised.  They are yelling at me what to do.  However, I'm still half asleep, don't have my hearing aids in and trying to not freak out.  I don't want that dog on me or to be shot.  I yell I don't have my hearing aids in and cant hear you.  So finally they yell louder. 

I walk, slowly, toward the officer giving directions, as I've been instructed to do.  The dog is now no less than 10 feet from me barking in my ear.  He tells me to stop and turn around.  I do and then he says something again.  I tell him I can't hear him and heaven knows I'm not about to guess what I think he's telling me to do.  So the third time I hear him telling me to get on my knees.  I do and we repeat the situation again as he tries to get me to put my hands behind my back.

I'm on my knees, hands behind my back and that's when I feel the cold steel lock on my wrists.  They stand me up and start asking what my name is and if there's anyone else in the room.  I said not that I'm aware of and I'm Leo Crosby.  I just landed in Denver and drove here today.  As they get a key to open my room the officer takes my information down.  They are then able to confirm my information with my drivers license. 

They walk me back to my room and sit me on the bed, still in handcuffs.  I said may I please put my hearing aids in.  It was then they took the handcuffs off.  They told me that they have been tracking a guy that has been stealing cars in the area.  There is a stolen BMW out in the parking lot so they asked the clerk to view some sketches and poor photography.  She says its ME.    Turns out they were wrong. This guy is apparently armed and dangerous.  So much so they cleared the two rooms next to me before the process. 

I'm just now able to stop shaking from all the adrenaline that was pumped through my system.  So I think I'll try and fall asleep.  I only have one question unanswered.  Do I get my hotel room free for the remainder of my stay for the inconvenience?  Hampton does have a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy.

Who knows.  I'll ask tomorrow.  I know the poor lady downstairs was only trying to help and wants nothing more than not to see my face tonight. 

What is it I do???

I get this question a lot.  And honestly, it is rather difficult to answer.  Having spent the last six years at the Assemblies of God Headquarters, I'm now doing consulting work for faith-based organizations.  Some of our notable clients would be Focus on the Family and Willow Creek Association. 

We offer a variety of turnkey solutions from strategic insights on business development ideas, revenue generation, monetizing current assets, and relationship brokering.  One thing that is consistent among faith-based organizations is that they don't have enough time to do everything they want to do.  That's where we come in and help as a the solution.

You can now read our thoughts on our updated website www.newironmedia.com and find out more about who we are and what we do.

9 years later, I love her more

Today is LaDawna's and mine nine year anniversary.  I want the world to know what she means to me.  There is no one who loves me or could put up with me day in and day out like her.  Her gorgeous dark curly hair and smile still makes me weak in the knees.  Her soft touch when I need encouraging is better than any words that have ever been spoken to me. She is an amazing mother to our two boys.  Her unfailing love I know will keep them "mommy's boys" for life.

I thank God that I have a wife like LaDawna.  Over the last nine years we've had some great and not-so-great moments.  But that is what makes her special, she still loves me through it all. 

LaDawna,
I love you.  Knowing that we have the rest of our lives to spend together is enough to keep me going no matter what the circumstances.  Know that as time goes on, my love for you grows deeper.  Thank you for being the wife, woman, and mother that you are.  Thank you for loving our boys.  Thank you for loving me. 

Yours always,

Leo

Vision - what can you do in 13 years

I originally saw these pictures in a presentation made by Pastor John Lindell of James River AG.  He was talking to the senior management team at AG Financial Solutions.  They've always intrigued me. 

Here's what I'm wondering this morning...How far does my vision go?  What can I do with my meatspace (see yesterday's post for definition) in the next 10 years?

Dubai in 1990

Dubai in 2003

Is your passion bucket porntastic?

I'm a moofer and love my meatspace.  I would like to think I'm porntastic. I even compunicate with my wife occassionally. I have my share of daily bacn.  My passion bucket is full.  And I lifestream via lionsden and twitter.I like to think of myself as staying current with technology and what's going on around me.  But this article made me realize that everyone as they get older gets more out of touch with the generation just behind them. 

If you were as clueless to the vocabulary above as I was then you can find all the definitions here. 

I saw this first from my RSS feed of Church Marketing Sucks

I want to write a book

I've had a book idea for some time now but to be perfectly honest I have no idea how or where to start.  The book title is The Jesus Brand.  Basically it would show how the basic principles of marketing a good brand can be applied to the church and faith-based organizations by the examples Jesus gives us.

With that said, I think I'll contact a few friends who have written books and get their input on it.

Going Public...

Well, it's official.  The fun-loving, heavy eating Leo you all know has changed his habits (yes I just went 3rd person).  I started Taekwondo about a month ago.  Man, I have not worked out this hard since football practice in High School.  And I have to admit it feels really good.

So I've decided it is time to get serious and start exercising more and lose some weight.  I weighed in at the doctor's office a few weeks ago at 238.  My goal is to get back down around 200 (what I was 9 years ago when I got married).  So this morning I started my Men's Health Belly-off diet.

I'm hoping by putting it out here for others to see it will help me be more accountable and not grab those Oreo's right before bed with a nice cold glass of milk.

We'll see what happens

Lincoln Caleb Crosby

Born at 12.44 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2008.  He was 8lbs 12oz and 20 1/2 inches long.  Baby and Mom are doing great!