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happy birthday johnny.
i worked today. outside. the landscaping project is coming along, but i am tired now.
tonight, for the youth group that parker's dad does at the house, parker and i did music. he played guitar and sang and i played piano. we all gathered in the living room and it went well.
time to read. then sleep.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Day 142
monday, september 29, 2008
i was ready to post up hours ago but i procrastinated. then my computer froze. then i forgot. now i missed monday, officially, according to blogger. oh well. this is for monday, even tho it's early tuesday morning.
after doing some work outside and showering tonight, i hopped on the computer and was kind of overwhelmed with the sudden rush of people that started chatting. still it's good to talk to people back home and from everywhere else around the world.
someone asked what my favorite part of these travels have been so far.
my beard. it's finally full.
i was just kidding, sort of, but i hadn't really thought about the 'favorites' of the past one-fourty-two.
- meeting hundreds of new friends from around the world is definitely at the top of this progressing list. liking them and being liked back.
- experiencing the life i'd been wanting to live in an area i'd been long desiring to visit is also up there on the list as well.
- the coolest thing in all this so far, i'm sure, is the way each leg of the journey has been slightly anticipated but miraculously presented. right now i'm living with willing friends of whom i did not know more than just over a month ago.
- visiting downtown seattle and portland and seeing places i'd read about and admired was sweet.
- finally viewing the big mountains, sometimes several in the same gaze, is a solid realization of the rhymed lines at the top of this blog site that had been written early in the spring.
- visiting several different churches and starting to get involved in college groups and helping with youth groups is sweet.
- finally using couchsurfing.com, both for a place to stay while in portland and as a networking tool for future work in fernie.
- i'm finding and pursuing a deeper desire and motivation for living right and working hard to get there that couldn't quite be achieved before.
as of this fall, i'm officially and finally able to look back a year from an achieved position of fulfilled musings and tracings left on that road atlas, now able to actually breathe the realization of their inspirations.
i was ready to post up hours ago but i procrastinated. then my computer froze. then i forgot. now i missed monday, officially, according to blogger. oh well. this is for monday, even tho it's early tuesday morning.
after doing some work outside and showering tonight, i hopped on the computer and was kind of overwhelmed with the sudden rush of people that started chatting. still it's good to talk to people back home and from everywhere else around the world.
someone asked what my favorite part of these travels have been so far.
my beard. it's finally full.
i was just kidding, sort of, but i hadn't really thought about the 'favorites' of the past one-fourty-two.
- meeting hundreds of new friends from around the world is definitely at the top of this progressing list. liking them and being liked back.
- experiencing the life i'd been wanting to live in an area i'd been long desiring to visit is also up there on the list as well.
- the coolest thing in all this so far, i'm sure, is the way each leg of the journey has been slightly anticipated but miraculously presented. right now i'm living with willing friends of whom i did not know more than just over a month ago.
- visiting downtown seattle and portland and seeing places i'd read about and admired was sweet.
- finally viewing the big mountains, sometimes several in the same gaze, is a solid realization of the rhymed lines at the top of this blog site that had been written early in the spring.
- visiting several different churches and starting to get involved in college groups and helping with youth groups is sweet.
- finally using couchsurfing.com, both for a place to stay while in portland and as a networking tool for future work in fernie.
- i'm finding and pursuing a deeper desire and motivation for living right and working hard to get there that couldn't quite be achieved before.
as of this fall, i'm officially and finally able to look back a year from an achieved position of fulfilled musings and tracings left on that road atlas, now able to actually breathe the realization of their inspirations.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Day 141
i almost feel like there should be a second part to last night's post. here's a little extra.
we wandered around the clean streets and surprisingly tame night life of portland after i posted up last night. i went to a bookstore that don miller mentions frequenting in his books. i bought an awesome music book, a compilation of artist and film maker interviews about music and what it takes to get into the business, at powell's, the bookstore, for only a few, tax-free dollars. oregon has no tax, yet the prices are the same for everything as they are anywhere else. its wonderful. one dollar double-cheeseburgers mean one dollar.
from there went to one of the coffee shops, common ground, where miller talks about going to write books. while there, we found an entertainment publication and followed its leadings to a tea shop where there was a jazz band playing so we hit that up as well.
this morning we went to imago dei church, which also happened to conveniently be located only a couple miles from our couchsurf location. we went to two of their three services to get a perspective of the overall vibe of their flow. this church was the big reasons we'd come down to portland for the weekend. the church meets in a cool, old high school auditorium where vintage wooden stadium-style seats are anchored in straight, parallel lines to fill the floor of the tall maroonish room. the music and sermon were both relevant and interesting and, at the end of the first service, they ended with a banjo, violin, guitar, etc contemporary version of 'i'll fly away.' people all around were animated and, after the service, i went up to the music leader and introduced myself and we talked for a bit before i showed him my harmonica, the one that's always in my left pocket. i asked if i could play with them at the close of the next service we would be coming back to re-attend. the music was that good and i liked it, so i felt it didn't hurt to ask. they had some policy, he confessed, but he seemed willing enough to regret that i wouldn't be around next week so that we could practice something first. oh well. it really doesn't hurt to ask. i'm learning that in many, many ways this summer. little risks.
it's dark now and we're back at parker's house in washington after two nights exploring portland. we're both pretty tired, but i'm happy with the places, people, and things encountered this weekend.
we wandered around the clean streets and surprisingly tame night life of portland after i posted up last night. i went to a bookstore that don miller mentions frequenting in his books. i bought an awesome music book, a compilation of artist and film maker interviews about music and what it takes to get into the business, at powell's, the bookstore, for only a few, tax-free dollars. oregon has no tax, yet the prices are the same for everything as they are anywhere else. its wonderful. one dollar double-cheeseburgers mean one dollar.
from there went to one of the coffee shops, common ground, where miller talks about going to write books. while there, we found an entertainment publication and followed its leadings to a tea shop where there was a jazz band playing so we hit that up as well.
this morning we went to imago dei church, which also happened to conveniently be located only a couple miles from our couchsurf location. we went to two of their three services to get a perspective of the overall vibe of their flow. this church was the big reasons we'd come down to portland for the weekend. the church meets in a cool, old high school auditorium where vintage wooden stadium-style seats are anchored in straight, parallel lines to fill the floor of the tall maroonish room. the music and sermon were both relevant and interesting and, at the end of the first service, they ended with a banjo, violin, guitar, etc contemporary version of 'i'll fly away.' people all around were animated and, after the service, i went up to the music leader and introduced myself and we talked for a bit before i showed him my harmonica, the one that's always in my left pocket. i asked if i could play with them at the close of the next service we would be coming back to re-attend. the music was that good and i liked it, so i felt it didn't hurt to ask. they had some policy, he confessed, but he seemed willing enough to regret that i wouldn't be around next week so that we could practice something first. oh well. it really doesn't hurt to ask. i'm learning that in many, many ways this summer. little risks.
it's dark now and we're back at parker's house in washington after two nights exploring portland. we're both pretty tired, but i'm happy with the places, people, and things encountered this weekend.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Day 140
happy birthday dad.
deep blue skies and a warm sun made me rethink long pants today. i only brought pants with to portland, but there was no evidence of fall weather in air today.
there's a blue tarp that is pulled out for larger meals. the group of us sat on the floor, crosslegged because there isn't much furniture, and ate banana pancakes made by one of the girls next door. there's a trader joe's grocery and produce store across the street so i went to buy and supply maple syrup in appreciation for their hospitality when i head that there was none left in the kitchen. after pancakes and jack johnson in the background, we went two doors down and had some very good fried eggs with another group of friends. sharing.
parker and i wanted to see portland today and a couple of the people we're staying with, who are also new to the area although they now live here, came along as well. we drove to the top of a smaller mountain where, in the crispness of the day, we could see mnt saint helen, mnt adams, and mt rainier all in the same skyline. amazing. mnt hood is here as well, but we didn't see that until the way back.
now, tonight, after a dinner of salad, large chucks of olive bread, and cheese, i sit very content and looking forward to tomorrow.
deep blue skies and a warm sun made me rethink long pants today. i only brought pants with to portland, but there was no evidence of fall weather in air today.
there's a blue tarp that is pulled out for larger meals. the group of us sat on the floor, crosslegged because there isn't much furniture, and ate banana pancakes made by one of the girls next door. there's a trader joe's grocery and produce store across the street so i went to buy and supply maple syrup in appreciation for their hospitality when i head that there was none left in the kitchen. after pancakes and jack johnson in the background, we went two doors down and had some very good fried eggs with another group of friends. sharing.
parker and i wanted to see portland today and a couple of the people we're staying with, who are also new to the area although they now live here, came along as well. we drove to the top of a smaller mountain where, in the crispness of the day, we could see mnt saint helen, mnt adams, and mt rainier all in the same skyline. amazing. mnt hood is here as well, but we didn't see that until the way back.
now, tonight, after a dinner of salad, large chucks of olive bread, and cheese, i sit very content and looking forward to tomorrow.
Day 139
friday, september 26, 2008
i missed the post by an hour, but i'm in portland right now staying with people through couchsurfing.com. i didn't want to put that out there until it was a done deal, and now it is and they're cool people. there's a group of people living at an apartment complex that looks like a renovated motel in the south east part of the town.
in conversations and introductions we met chuck, twenty years old and moved here from minnesota. there are about five or six other people in the group, also mostly from minnesota, who are all in their early twenties and who joked about taking over the apartment complex, which they are well on their way on accomplishing.
out of nowhere, one guy started playing a third day song on the guitar and, although they gave no previous spiritual hints, he said he likes the song. this lead to further discussions and we've invited them all to church with us on sunday when we will attend imago dei. a couple are already have said yes and we discussed spirituality vs christianity in the later hours of the night. they have a strong community and, out of human kindness mostly, share everything they have with each other- including strangers like me and parker.
not a bad start for a 'random' couchsurfing encounter. we plan to stay two nights here with these people and they are very kind, generous, and interesting.
i missed the post by an hour, but i'm in portland right now staying with people through couchsurfing.com. i didn't want to put that out there until it was a done deal, and now it is and they're cool people. there's a group of people living at an apartment complex that looks like a renovated motel in the south east part of the town.
in conversations and introductions we met chuck, twenty years old and moved here from minnesota. there are about five or six other people in the group, also mostly from minnesota, who are all in their early twenties and who joked about taking over the apartment complex, which they are well on their way on accomplishing.
out of nowhere, one guy started playing a third day song on the guitar and, although they gave no previous spiritual hints, he said he likes the song. this lead to further discussions and we've invited them all to church with us on sunday when we will attend imago dei. a couple are already have said yes and we discussed spirituality vs christianity in the later hours of the night. they have a strong community and, out of human kindness mostly, share everything they have with each other- including strangers like me and parker.
not a bad start for a 'random' couchsurfing encounter. we plan to stay two nights here with these people and they are very kind, generous, and interesting.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Day 138
i got some work in today before some rain came.
tonight, we went to the college group bible study at a house and parker had volunteered me to play guitar. it went well and, although there were only nine or ten, i was readily accepted and was comfortable with these people.
tomorrow, after some work, we're heading to portland for the weekend. plans include attending imago dei church where parker has messaged pastor and author rick mckinley in hopes to meet him and i plan on trying to meet don miller.
i'm not bringing my computer for the weekend. postings may become minimal for the next few days.
also, by the way, i've been working on editing many pictures of the summer and some of them will soon be available as limited edition posters on wallblank.com. coming soon.
tonight, we went to the college group bible study at a house and parker had volunteered me to play guitar. it went well and, although there were only nine or ten, i was readily accepted and was comfortable with these people.
tomorrow, after some work, we're heading to portland for the weekend. plans include attending imago dei church where parker has messaged pastor and author rick mckinley in hopes to meet him and i plan on trying to meet don miller.
i'm not bringing my computer for the weekend. postings may become minimal for the next few days.
also, by the way, i've been working on editing many pictures of the summer and some of them will soon be available as limited edition posters on wallblank.com. coming soon.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Day 137
grey rain filtered from the sky as i woke up and made a bend in aluminum blinds. they snapped back into place and i continued to see that fall is all about the heavy drizzle here. no work outside today.
as i checked emails throughout today, i was surprised at the mass of personal messages. from real people. sent just to me. i've never had so many emails in one day that weren't just newsletters and subscriptions.
i don't know how to put it out there, but i want to. the whole canada work permit situation and ideas for direction has been on my mind much lately. with no real work to do and a quiet morning, i turned from the fridge and put back the last burger i'd eyed. for the first real time in my life, i've started a fast. i'd decided to commence last night and, after the confirming cheeseburger denial at breakfast, i spent the morning reading and praying and such about the future and next steps and life and people. this site helped me get started, as i was kind of new to the whole big picture. i'm a very hungry person, it should be known, and now with an hour left before midnight, i am almost finished with my first twenty-four hour fast.
throughout the day, i tried to stay off the computer and did a lot of reading and praying, but i did check back on a correspondence i'd started with someone in fernie. she'd talked to two employers for me and i have their email addresses now for contacting them directly for work. this was encouraging. also, i heard back from a speaker/magazine editor/teacher i'd met over the summer at camp and who, nearly out of the blue, shared "i do know that when you trust Christ entirely in each situation that you will end up in the exact place that He wants you to be regardless of where (geographically) that place is." good timing.
then tonight, parker and i went to help at the high school youth group. afterwards, we chilled with the youth pastor in his office and the guy gave us some cool books about prayer and sharing faith in everyday conversation we'd been looking and talking about. the david crowder book i'm currently reading that i'd linked in a post the other day is ironically based on the death of the pastor and author of that prayer book.
as much as stuff didn't happen today, much has happened indeed. and there are plenty of links to explore now if you so desire.
i've got one more solid hour left.
as i checked emails throughout today, i was surprised at the mass of personal messages. from real people. sent just to me. i've never had so many emails in one day that weren't just newsletters and subscriptions.
i don't know how to put it out there, but i want to. the whole canada work permit situation and ideas for direction has been on my mind much lately. with no real work to do and a quiet morning, i turned from the fridge and put back the last burger i'd eyed. for the first real time in my life, i've started a fast. i'd decided to commence last night and, after the confirming cheeseburger denial at breakfast, i spent the morning reading and praying and such about the future and next steps and life and people. this site helped me get started, as i was kind of new to the whole big picture. i'm a very hungry person, it should be known, and now with an hour left before midnight, i am almost finished with my first twenty-four hour fast.
throughout the day, i tried to stay off the computer and did a lot of reading and praying, but i did check back on a correspondence i'd started with someone in fernie. she'd talked to two employers for me and i have their email addresses now for contacting them directly for work. this was encouraging. also, i heard back from a speaker/magazine editor/teacher i'd met over the summer at camp and who, nearly out of the blue, shared "i do know that when you trust Christ entirely in each situation that you will end up in the exact place that He wants you to be regardless of where (geographically) that place is." good timing.
then tonight, parker and i went to help at the high school youth group. afterwards, we chilled with the youth pastor in his office and the guy gave us some cool books about prayer and sharing faith in everyday conversation we'd been looking and talking about. the david crowder book i'm currently reading that i'd linked in a post the other day is ironically based on the death of the pastor and author of that prayer book.
as much as stuff didn't happen today, much has happened indeed. and there are plenty of links to explore now if you so desire.
i've got one more solid hour left.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Day 136
i'm coming to a new crossroad. here's why.
in a few weeks, i'm headed back into canada to move in with five other guys into our house in fernie to live for the winter. that's the plan. it still is. i just need to get a work permit from canada upon entering and can do this either north of here or from the point by fernie. i do need a job confirmed in fernie first for a permit. i've sent some resumes and have been talking to a person on couchsurfing.com who lives in fernie and says she some work hookups and is talking to people for me, which is huge. couchsurfing.com people are usually really cool. this situation has been no exception. fernie is used to this kind of traffic- international young adults coming to work and live for a season in the town. i'm finding that it's a pretty popular thing and we have housing confirmed, which i've heard is the biggest part
if, for whatever reason, canada won't let me in or the work permit situation doesn't work out, i've been praying about the next step. portland is alive and well and ready as a backup. just the thought of natural citizenship and a cool place to be is a much more stress-free alternative. not to mention the realization of those late night road atlas moments.
i'm not making any changes in plans right now. i've been so blessed and confirmed in each step of this journey so far that i'm excited to see what will unfold, either way, in just over two weeks.
a man who owns a multi million dollar home and a bunch of assets was telling me today about how concerned he is about the economy. he explained some of the housing situation and the mess that it's caused for the market today and the people on the news couldn't stop talking about it either because it could turn even more serious. another guy from australia team was catching up and telling me about college life at texas a&m. the conversation eventually fell to money and time and life. everyone's feeling it.
for now, i've been doing some reading and continue to pray about these situations and futures as i continue to landscape outside in the bright and cooling weather.
i just thought i'd throw that entire update out there. hmmhm
in a few weeks, i'm headed back into canada to move in with five other guys into our house in fernie to live for the winter. that's the plan. it still is. i just need to get a work permit from canada upon entering and can do this either north of here or from the point by fernie. i do need a job confirmed in fernie first for a permit. i've sent some resumes and have been talking to a person on couchsurfing.com who lives in fernie and says she some work hookups and is talking to people for me, which is huge. couchsurfing.com people are usually really cool. this situation has been no exception. fernie is used to this kind of traffic- international young adults coming to work and live for a season in the town. i'm finding that it's a pretty popular thing and we have housing confirmed, which i've heard is the biggest part
if, for whatever reason, canada won't let me in or the work permit situation doesn't work out, i've been praying about the next step. portland is alive and well and ready as a backup. just the thought of natural citizenship and a cool place to be is a much more stress-free alternative. not to mention the realization of those late night road atlas moments.
i'm not making any changes in plans right now. i've been so blessed and confirmed in each step of this journey so far that i'm excited to see what will unfold, either way, in just over two weeks.
a man who owns a multi million dollar home and a bunch of assets was telling me today about how concerned he is about the economy. he explained some of the housing situation and the mess that it's caused for the market today and the people on the news couldn't stop talking about it either because it could turn even more serious. another guy from australia team was catching up and telling me about college life at texas a&m. the conversation eventually fell to money and time and life. everyone's feeling it.
for now, i've been doing some reading and continue to pray about these situations and futures as i continue to landscape outside in the bright and cooling weather.
i just thought i'd throw that entire update out there. hmmhm
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