Bike funnies...

I found these strips on this page: http://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bike/index.cfm

Gah, I love Calvin and Hobbes...


Someday, this will be true for me...you think I'm hardcore??

Hey this guy kind of looks like a grown-up Calvin...don't you think??

P.S. I got a bike rack!...so now I'm ready for some longer-ish stuff.

half-year review...

Man, I should write on this thing more often!

I just realized over a half of 2008 has passed...I figured I'd take a look at the goals I wrote at the beginning of the year to see how I'm doing:

1. Value sleep more...
Well...I haven't been doing so well here. I'm not sure of my problem, but part of it is that my schedule has been kind of crazy lately. I need to work on this one.

2. Ride my bike at least 75% of the time...
I think I'm doing pretty well with this one! Next bike goal: get a bike rack and try to bike home one day...Pittsburgh to Saltsburg. Anybody want to come with me?

3. Take Sunday, or some other day and spend...a true sabbath of sorts...
Working on this one...I think I'm getting the rest part down, but again, that's not really spilling into the rest of my week. Sabbath should also be a daily mindset, not just what you do or don't do on a particular day. Plus spending a good portion of that time with God is kind of a requirement of a true sabbath. It shows where my priorities lie and in what/whom do I put my trust.

4. Try to play guitar for at least 15 minutes everyday or every other...
ugh, failing at this one...(note to self: replace internet time with guitar time)

5. Go to the Homeless ministry every Saturday if possible...
Well, I've decided this wasn't really working out, mostly cause I'm a lazy punk, but also because I've been doing other things over the weekend...but if I do a yoga thing down there like I'm thinking, I might end up staying to do Homeless ministry. This will be less of a goal and more of a, if I feel the spirit move me, I'll do it. Service should not feel forced anyway and maybe there's another way I'm being called to service.

6. Cook at least twice a week...
Off and on...right now I'm off. :P

7. Get a setup for digital video and start making a movie...
I DID get a firewire port for my computer! And I've obtained a copy of Adobe Premiere Elements. I'm helping a friend create a video of our Mexico trip. Now however, I realize I either: A) On my PC: need a new BIG harddrive for my files and shift my program files onto a bigger harddrive, B) Build a better PC with all the video capabilities in mind, C) Buy a sweet, beautiful iMac/Macbook. And make sure I have the funds to do it. This is aside from any 3-chip camera I might want to purchase...gah. $_$

8. Figure out...what I want to do when I grow up?...
Well, I'm pretty comfortable (ugh!) in my job right now, and I'm taking a Filmmakers class, so I'm in a "wait and see what's next" mode. When it's time to move on, I'm certain that I will realize it.

9. Call/write people more often...
Been keeping up with the fam a lot more than usual, though I could be better. I'm realizing that I just know too many people. What I mean by that is that I feel like I have many relationships that I sort of half-ass. And I meet new people with the expectation that they are all going to be on the same level of friendship. I need to relax this view and realize that there's no possible way to keep up with everyone on the same level. I don't like to half-ass things, and I'm trying to find a few niches of people I can remain close to, while figuring out how to stay open to the people in front of me. I need to find the balance of community for myself, and myself for community.

10. Hold more babies...
Been doing this actually! And when I move in July, I'll be moving in with a family, so I'll get to get my share of baby-holding in there. :)

So, I'm not doing too shabby! But there's still half a year to go, so I hope I can continue working on this stuff.

Bike-jacker

http://www.theweekdaily.com/news_opinion/cartoons/43872/carjacking_is_so_pass.html
This image is so awesome...

So I just got back from Mexico this past Monday and I'm still processing the trip. I had never been on a mission trip before, so the whole experience was new and exciting and mind blowing. I was struck by the beauty, the simplicity, by the community and difference in culture, and by the hard work and mindfulness of property that most people I deal with (including myself) know nothing about.

My hope is that I can take this experience and see how it relates to my life here in the States. My fear is that I'll be assimilated back into a culture that often takes things for granted. Alternatively, I fear that my heart will stay behind in Mexico and not be able to live in the present. I hope to find that middle ground...mindful and grateful existence, seeing God at work all around me.

Democratic Primary map-interactive goodness

I found this really cool interactive democratic primary map (there's one for the republicans too) at The New York Times website. It breaks down each state by county as well. I don't know how accurate the information is, but the visuals sure beat looking at just plain numbers in my opinion! The site also has some other neat interactive features for other information such as super delegate lists (including quotes) and voting schedules.

Let's not forget who's running this circus...

I love that the audience in the background is the figure in Edward Munch's The Scream.

A South Side Spring

Spring has finally arrived on the South Side!

I took the opportunity yesterday to check out the section of the South Side Trail extending from the Hot Metal Bridge to where it ends near a concrete factory. 2 1/2 miles out and 2 1/2 back. I stopped to sit on a rock to read and take in the scenery, with no rush to leave. That is, until the cold breeze became more than I could stand sitting still.

Aside from the occasional train that roared past, it was pretty peaceful. I'll have to do more of this impromptu riding as the days grow nicer.

Which makes me wonder: Do days grow? Would a day in the middle of summer be 6' 5" whereas a winter day would be 4' 8"? Does a day have a personality to which niceness can be attributed? Does niceness grow much like leaves grow on trees?

Hmm, I'll have to think about that for a while...