Friday, April 29, 2005
Inspiration!
Well, I just finished reading another blog--man they write alot, everyday and about anything. I was inspired--just to post another piece of information though...I might try to write everyday but I can't tomorrow or the day after...
So, this weekend is another long weekend starting today and ending on monday. I'm already confused with the vacation--when you don't do much it seems like two days go by instead of one. I keep thinking tomorrow will be Sunday or Monday when really its just going to be Saturday...I was invited to go to a 'getaway' at a beach house but I'm hesitant...who knows, next post there might be pictures of a beach getaway...Probably not.
When I arrived here I was overwhelmed with the amount of solitude. Alone time. Quiet time. Silence. It was disturbing not to talk for a day or so to anyone...The past couple weeks have been a far departure from that--and now...now I miss it. So, tomorrow may be social but I'm leaning towards alone time and it will be nice. Choosing that time is harder than it seems--when you need it or it would be good to have some quiet but there is something happening...I spent 5 years of university trying to make that choice...
Still mountain biking. Still hurting every ride. Still looking down the barrel of a loaded goal--my goal: 100k mountain bike race in September..."Oh, not that bad..." you may be thinking...I was thinking that too a couple of months ago...
I'm learning how to cook fish.
You know, I haven't heard talk radio, read a newspaper, or listened to the news in any form for about 4 months. I don't feel any worse for it. On that note, I haven't eaten mcdonalds for over 6 months! That is a goal worth setting as an American! Should I even be keeping a record of how long it has been? Is that a bad sign--I still crave the fries weekly--but you have to make the decision just to stop...to halt the cycle of addiction...
So, the inspiration has burned itself out in the typing of sentences, backspacing, and re-reading to make sure I didn't spell anything wrong...I'm sure I have anyway. Enough 'blogging' for this weekend. I've got better things to do...
I have to figure out a way to get my running shoes to stop smelling. If anyone has any suggestions--leave a comment. They got wet and now they smell like mildew...do I have to buy new ones? Do I just walk around with terribly smelly shoes?
Leave comments anyway. Whether you know how to get shoes to stop smelling or even if your shoes smell or not--leave a comment. Okay, don't...Don't feel pressured to leave a comment--but if you do know how to get mildew or whatever out of shoes please tell me...
So, this weekend is another long weekend starting today and ending on monday. I'm already confused with the vacation--when you don't do much it seems like two days go by instead of one. I keep thinking tomorrow will be Sunday or Monday when really its just going to be Saturday...I was invited to go to a 'getaway' at a beach house but I'm hesitant...who knows, next post there might be pictures of a beach getaway...Probably not.
When I arrived here I was overwhelmed with the amount of solitude. Alone time. Quiet time. Silence. It was disturbing not to talk for a day or so to anyone...The past couple weeks have been a far departure from that--and now...now I miss it. So, tomorrow may be social but I'm leaning towards alone time and it will be nice. Choosing that time is harder than it seems--when you need it or it would be good to have some quiet but there is something happening...I spent 5 years of university trying to make that choice...
Still mountain biking. Still hurting every ride. Still looking down the barrel of a loaded goal--my goal: 100k mountain bike race in September..."Oh, not that bad..." you may be thinking...I was thinking that too a couple of months ago...
I'm learning how to cook fish.
You know, I haven't heard talk radio, read a newspaper, or listened to the news in any form for about 4 months. I don't feel any worse for it. On that note, I haven't eaten mcdonalds for over 6 months! That is a goal worth setting as an American! Should I even be keeping a record of how long it has been? Is that a bad sign--I still crave the fries weekly--but you have to make the decision just to stop...to halt the cycle of addiction...
So, the inspiration has burned itself out in the typing of sentences, backspacing, and re-reading to make sure I didn't spell anything wrong...I'm sure I have anyway. Enough 'blogging' for this weekend. I've got better things to do...
I have to figure out a way to get my running shoes to stop smelling. If anyone has any suggestions--leave a comment. They got wet and now they smell like mildew...do I have to buy new ones? Do I just walk around with terribly smelly shoes?
Leave comments anyway. Whether you know how to get shoes to stop smelling or even if your shoes smell or not--leave a comment. Okay, don't...Don't feel pressured to leave a comment--but if you do know how to get mildew or whatever out of shoes please tell me...
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
A WEDDING!
Yes. I went to one. I don’t imagine that this was a typical wedding. It was probably one of the most unique weddings and beautiful receptions I’ve ever been too. Ryan, you still hold the title of the best entry and the first dance—
The wedding took place on a paddle cruiser on our way to the reception. The reception was held at an isolated location on the other side of the lagoon—under the canopy of the forest with sparkly lights and good food and drink. It was truly incredible—the weather, the atmosphere and the cake.
I’m including a picture of the cake and a shot of the table…The evening was grand and the bride and groom were charming. I wish them the best.
The weather is changing now…We’re dipping into the mid sixties at night and mid seventies during the day. Is that really change? Oh, it started raining every so often here (every Friday for the last 3 weeks...)
The wedding took place on a paddle cruiser on our way to the reception. The reception was held at an isolated location on the other side of the lagoon—under the canopy of the forest with sparkly lights and good food and drink. It was truly incredible—the weather, the atmosphere and the cake.
I’m including a picture of the cake and a shot of the table…The evening was grand and the bride and groom were charming. I wish them the best.
The weather is changing now…We’re dipping into the mid sixties at night and mid seventies during the day. Is that really change? Oh, it started raining every so often here (every Friday for the last 3 weeks...)
THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:
Sincere Apologies…
My deepest apologies to my loyal fans…Or for those of you who have come across my blog in the endless and habit forming push of the ‘next blog’…Welcome.
Right, I don’t expect loyalty either. If you’ve read my blog, posted comments on my blog, or even mentioned it I’m flattered but the pressure of trying to deliver each week is gut wrenching. So I haven’t posted since March 14th…I have my excuses. I used to say, “There are no excuses for my actions…” I’ve recently decided to use excuses—or rely on them this time—GIVE ME EAR and hear my reasoning…
Well, anyway, I’m sorry for not posting. However, I’ve compiled a brief synopsis of my adventures and still have more to post. I’m dating them accordingly so if you read it, it seems like they’ve been there but that is just to help with the format. I’m also going to try to post pictures as well but there are no promises.
Blogspot has been good to me and I have few complaints other than the last three attempts at posting have left me with a blank screen and an empty post…That’s just a minor problem though..right?
My deepest apologies to my loyal fans…Or for those of you who have come across my blog in the endless and habit forming push of the ‘next blog’…Welcome.
Right, I don’t expect loyalty either. If you’ve read my blog, posted comments on my blog, or even mentioned it I’m flattered but the pressure of trying to deliver each week is gut wrenching. So I haven’t posted since March 14th…I have my excuses. I used to say, “There are no excuses for my actions…” I’ve recently decided to use excuses—or rely on them this time—GIVE ME EAR and hear my reasoning…
Well, anyway, I’m sorry for not posting. However, I’ve compiled a brief synopsis of my adventures and still have more to post. I’m dating them accordingly so if you read it, it seems like they’ve been there but that is just to help with the format. I’m also going to try to post pictures as well but there are no promises.
Blogspot has been good to me and I have few complaints other than the last three attempts at posting have left me with a blank screen and an empty post…That’s just a minor problem though..right?
FOR A LIMITED TIME…April 11, 2005
“If its all true the only time you fail is the last time you try if I concede defeat will I be complete in this failure am I incomplete and a complete failure disconcerted after the last of the great you and I disasters I’m spent I’m done being broken tossing in the towel washed my hands and cut my teeth penned an ode to my belle deme sans merci and I’m so scarred and its all true the flesh was weak and the spirit was too you should know the wool you pulled down on your faithful martyr was blazoned “scarred but smarter” the oft-fooled prince is losing sleep a the thought of being the jester in the court of the queen of double-speak [two] years is a long, long time to seek and never find what you don’t know and now you don’t want me and I’m so scarred count your losses and cast off our ashes and sackcloth resigned to be idle for awhile me and sherine bridges the gap between the one you think you can live with and the one you know you can’t live without it’s not that I feel good it’s that I still can feel that’s good and that’s all that’s good for now I’m too scarred” --Model Engine, ‘The Lean Years Tradition’
DEEP DARK AFRICA...
Who in the lower continental 48 has recently had a discussion regarding the safety of mountain biking through a troop of baboons?! I have never even had one remotely similar but this last ride I not only saw a few but really considered the stories I could tell if I was mauled by one.
Okay, my mom just said a prayer for me. I still have yet to get any confirmation on the dangers of baboons with regards to mountain biking (no attacks yet) so I’m alright. You figure if you are with a few friends, those baboons are probably having a similar discussion about crazy men in colorful clothes on bicycles doing stupid things…
The darkest forests in Africa—BABOONS! I like it already! Okay, I’ve seen coyotes, and heard of bears in the forests, I’ve seen a snake and some other exciting animals but a baboon (3 or 4) tops the charts.
Okay, my mom just said a prayer for me. I still have yet to get any confirmation on the dangers of baboons with regards to mountain biking (no attacks yet) so I’m alright. You figure if you are with a few friends, those baboons are probably having a similar discussion about crazy men in colorful clothes on bicycles doing stupid things…
The darkest forests in Africa—BABOONS! I like it already! Okay, I’ve seen coyotes, and heard of bears in the forests, I’ve seen a snake and some other exciting animals but a baboon (3 or 4) tops the charts.
My Job, My Occupation…
I have wanted to explain what I’m doing but over the phone to someone or in a sentence in an email is a difficult thing. I’ve included some pictures and a conceptual watercolor that I’ve done…okay, I’d like to paint like that…Anyway, all of this may help explain the ‘PROJECT’.
I’m involved in a development called Thesen Islands. The development in its entirety contains a neighborhood, a small urban space, and a commercial/retail center with a mix of lofts and apartments. Currently, I actually have the privilege of living in the neighborhood—which is an incredible sight to see—all homes have a view of the lagoon and access to their individual jetties along the canal that runs throughout the entire neighborhood.
My work has been related to the ‘urban district’ of Thesens Islands which has been named ‘Harbour Town’. In the last three months I’ve been here I’ve seen some incredible changes take place. The island was used as a wood mill—processing timber they harvested from the surrounding forests. After it was bought, they have retained the old ‘sawtooth’ factory, the boatshed (which I work in), an old dry mill, and the electric power plant that used to supply the region.
The Sawtooth is now under complete renovation and will be used as a commercial retail area, the Boatshed, which was used to build ships during WW2 contains a design center along with my office. The old Electric Plant is undergoing renovation too and will be a community center/ museum and the Dry Mill is being retrofitted with luxury apartments that have incredible views. All of this is (not the Dry Mill) surrounded by pavement, decking, and lighting that I have detailed—I’ll never look at vandalism, graffiti, or litter the same again…
Now, some may say, this is boring work. It can be, except that in South Africa you get great drama as plans change, time runs out, meetings take place, and stuff happens. I’m sure its like that in any development but all that happens in one day.
So, there it is. My job. I’ve included some current pictures and in November, this year they will be finished. I’m not a betting man, but if I was…
I’m involved in a development called Thesen Islands. The development in its entirety contains a neighborhood, a small urban space, and a commercial/retail center with a mix of lofts and apartments. Currently, I actually have the privilege of living in the neighborhood—which is an incredible sight to see—all homes have a view of the lagoon and access to their individual jetties along the canal that runs throughout the entire neighborhood.
My work has been related to the ‘urban district’ of Thesens Islands which has been named ‘Harbour Town’. In the last three months I’ve been here I’ve seen some incredible changes take place. The island was used as a wood mill—processing timber they harvested from the surrounding forests. After it was bought, they have retained the old ‘sawtooth’ factory, the boatshed (which I work in), an old dry mill, and the electric power plant that used to supply the region.
The Sawtooth is now under complete renovation and will be used as a commercial retail area, the Boatshed, which was used to build ships during WW2 contains a design center along with my office. The old Electric Plant is undergoing renovation too and will be a community center/ museum and the Dry Mill is being retrofitted with luxury apartments that have incredible views. All of this is (not the Dry Mill) surrounded by pavement, decking, and lighting that I have detailed—I’ll never look at vandalism, graffiti, or litter the same again…
Now, some may say, this is boring work. It can be, except that in South Africa you get great drama as plans change, time runs out, meetings take place, and stuff happens. I’m sure its like that in any development but all that happens in one day.
So, there it is. My job. I’ve included some current pictures and in November, this year they will be finished. I’m not a betting man, but if I was…
Vacation is over.
The last week has been filled with vacation. It is great to celebrate Good Friday, then Easter, then ‘FAMILY DAY”. I think if there was a holiday in the states that we don’t have that we should have—its celebrating the family…I guess for some people it would be hard to celebrate…
I could celebrate my family. We would have a feast and a table full of tacos. I them both—not equally.
My weekends have been quiet but good. I’ve spent more time with my friend Tim and his Family. We went to an interesting festival on March 26—called the Oudtshoorn festival. It was like going to party where everyone dresses the same way, drinks the same beverage, and they eat the same food…It is a very ‘cultural’ festival centered on art and MUSIC (with that exact emphasis). However, the art and music appeared to take seconds to the food and drink while I was there (only for few hours and not with an Afrikaner…). It was a neat thing to see and I’m glad I went.
Besides the festival, I rode my bike, ran a little, went to a Friday festival, walked on the beach and went to church. Happy Easter—amazed at the joy and the beauty found in the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
I could celebrate my family. We would have a feast and a table full of tacos. I them both—not equally.
My weekends have been quiet but good. I’ve spent more time with my friend Tim and his Family. We went to an interesting festival on March 26—called the Oudtshoorn festival. It was like going to party where everyone dresses the same way, drinks the same beverage, and they eat the same food…It is a very ‘cultural’ festival centered on art and MUSIC (with that exact emphasis). However, the art and music appeared to take seconds to the food and drink while I was there (only for few hours and not with an Afrikaner…). It was a neat thing to see and I’m glad I went.
Besides the festival, I rode my bike, ran a little, went to a Friday festival, walked on the beach and went to church. Happy Easter—amazed at the joy and the beauty found in the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Monkeys and a Friend…
My good friend Elijah was in the neighborhood a few weeks ago and stopped in to say hello. In the neighborhood for Elijah means flying into London to see a friend and so deciding to tack on a trip to see a couple other friends. “Tacking” on a trip to South Africa is asking to have a few days of your life removed…Despite luggage delays, flight delays, and road trips, he still looked healthy by the time he left.
We saw monkeys. I mean real, live, take-your-personal-belongings monkeys. I’ve seen them in cages in the zoo and I know they’re like pests in cities all over the world but for an A-murkin (that’s how American sounds overseas—specifically when we use the whole North and South American continents for a label) it was a great experience. We also saw a couple of lemurs too—I think that’s what they are—Ah, monkeys ..one of the two funniest things in the world—so far…
I had the opportunity to finally go to a township. A township is hard to explain—if you don’t know, you’d better look it up—I can’t explain it. However, the experience was incredible and the people were welcoming despite my minority status there. As an A-murkin I met my first AIDS victims as well. You may have heard that this disease is on the ‘PANDEMIC’ level now…If you’ve heard that like myself but have never been exposed to those who suffer with it…Its tragic. They say that South Africa has yet to face the worst. Humanity…
No doubt my time here will be spent in someway exploring these things. I know that in my part of the country there are opportunities to serve and help…I’m looking and praying.
We saw monkeys. I mean real, live, take-your-personal-belongings monkeys. I’ve seen them in cages in the zoo and I know they’re like pests in cities all over the world but for an A-murkin (that’s how American sounds overseas—specifically when we use the whole North and South American continents for a label) it was a great experience. We also saw a couple of lemurs too—I think that’s what they are—Ah, monkeys ..one of the two funniest things in the world—so far…
I had the opportunity to finally go to a township. A township is hard to explain—if you don’t know, you’d better look it up—I can’t explain it. However, the experience was incredible and the people were welcoming despite my minority status there. As an A-murkin I met my first AIDS victims as well. You may have heard that this disease is on the ‘PANDEMIC’ level now…If you’ve heard that like myself but have never been exposed to those who suffer with it…Its tragic. They say that South Africa has yet to face the worst. Humanity…
No doubt my time here will be spent in someway exploring these things. I know that in my part of the country there are opportunities to serve and help…I’m looking and praying.
