About Me
Welcome to my spot. I love writing and this is my playground where I share my ideas, thoughts, experiments, frustrations, news items, hot tips, and bad advice.
Here’s a little about me. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana. I’m a lifelong Notre Dame fan and a proud graduate of Clay High School. After high school I moved to the Chicago are for school (and stuff) before our family moved to Northern California and now the suburbs of Detroit.
We’ve lived in the Village of Romeo since June 2003 and have loved every minute of it. I mean that. I’ve lived in Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, Germany, and California. And the Detroit burbs are the best place I’ve lived. Since I both live and work in the Village you may see some of my thoughts about local businesses, residents, and even small town politics. I share on those topics because a major goal with this site is to journal my life, my thoughts, my ideas. I love looking back on what I was thinking 12-24 months ago and laughing at myself. More importantly, I often look back at earlier things I’ve written for writing projects later.
If you are new to my blog feel free to shoot me an email to introduce yourself. mclanea@gmail.com Of course, you’re also invited to jump in, read anything you want, leave comments, tell me I’m an idiot… or pretty much enjoy this site.
Who is this blog for?
As the site has grown in popularity I’ve gotten this question more often.
It’s for both of us. You the reader and me the author.
I post here because I like to write, it’s for me and it helps me keep my thoughts together. I was one of those nerds who listened to my writing teachers in high school. As a graying educator handed me a black and white notebook he told the class, “If you want to be a good writer you’ll need to keep a journal.” I started right then and have journaled ever since. Those notebooks changed into digital documents when I got my first computer in 1994. And I started posting my journals online back before the word weblog or blog entered my vernacular in 2000.
I post here because I value transparency. I want to be as open as I can about my life. I don’t mind that people read what I write here and I don’t mind when people debate and disagree with what I’ve posted.
I post here because it’s fun. Not everything I post is serious. I write in a variety of genres, styles, and about various topics. Sometimes I write about the news. Sometimes I write about being a dad. Sometimes I post mundane things, sometimes funny videos, sometimes projects I’m working on, and sometimes items that are purely for fun.
I follow some rules when I post. Hey, life has boundaries right?
Employment
President, Youth Ministry Exchange, LLC
Community Dude, Youth Specialties
Education
B.A. in Youth Ministry, Moody Bible Institute
M.A. in Youth Ministry Leadership, Huntington University (in progress)
Sites under management
www.ymexchange.com
www.youthministryadnetwork.com
www.youthministryclassifieds.com
www.youthministrytips.com
Family
Kristen (Wife-1997)
Megan (Daughter- 2001)
Paul (Son-2003)
