overcoming metaphysical boredom

Happy Valentines Day...

2012-02-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

There are some great valentines out this year...here are a few favs!

(via @nprnews, @sesamestreet)

Briefing to the General Assembly [Syria]

2012-02-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Briefing to the General Assembly [text from Turtle Bay]

Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights

[Syria]

Mr. President,

Distinguished Members of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you for the invitation to address you on the human rights situation in Syria under the agenda item “Human Rights Council.” The worsening human rights situation in Syria has prompted the Human Rights Council to hold three special sessions, to dispatch one fact-finding mission and one independent Commission of Inquiry. The President of the Human Rights Council shared the report of the Commission of Inquiry with this Assembly on 29 November last year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to now update you on the current human rights situation in Syria.

The violent Government crackdown on peaceful protests demanding freedom, dignity and social justice in Syria has continued unabated for eleven months now. While no exact figures can be provided due to our lack of access to the country, credible reports indicate that Syrian security forces killed well above 5,400 people last year, including civilians as well as military personnel who refused to shoot civilians. Due to extreme difficulties in substantiating the events on the ground, it has become almost impossible for my Office to update the death toll in the past two months. However, we are certain that the number of dead and injured continues to rise every day. Tens of thousands, including children, have beenarrested, with more than 18,000 reportedly still arbitrarily held in detention. Thousands more are reported missing. 25,000 people are estimated to havesought refuge in neighbouring and other countries. And more than 70,000 are estimated to have been internally displaced.

While the protests have remained largely peaceful, reports of armed attacks by anti-government fighters against Syrian forces have increased, also with consequences on civilians. According to the Government, some 2000 military and security personnel have been killed.

I am particularly appalled by the ongoing onslaught on Homs. Since 3 February, in further escalation of its assault, the Government has used tanks, mortars, rockets and artillery to pummel the city of Homs. According to credible accounts, the Syrian army has shelled densely populated neighborhoods of Homs in what appears to be an indiscriminate attack on civilian areas. More than 300 people have reportedly been killed in the city since the start of this assault ten days ago. The majority of them were victims of the shelling.

Reports indicate that hospitals, which were already struggling to cope with all those injured in recent weeks, are now overwhelmed. People have set up makeshift clinics throughout the beleaguered city. Medical supplies have been depleted. Shells have struck at least three makeshift clinics resulting in casualties.

Due to heavy shelling, residents have been effectively trapped in areas under attack. Electricity and communication have been cut off in some neighborhoods. And food remains scarce.

The humanitarian situation in Homs is simply deplorable. Similar accounts of intensifying assault and worsening of humanitarian situation have been received from Zabadani, Dar’a, and al-Rastan. The risk of a humanitarian crisis throughout Syria is rising.

The failure of the Security Council to agree on firm collective action appears to have emboldened the Syrian Government to launch an all-out assault in an effort to crush dissent with overwhelming force. Yet, as the Secretary-General has said, “the lack of agreement in the Security Council gives no license to the Syrian authorities to step up the attacks on the Syrian population. No government can commit such acts against its people without its legitimacy being eroded.” “The appalling brutality we are witnessing in Homs…is a grim harbinger of worse to come.”

Excellencies,

The nature and scale of abuses committed by Syrian forces indicate that crimes against humanity are likely to have been committed since March 2011.Independent, credible and corroborated accounts indicate that these abuses have taken place as part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians. Furthermore, the breadth and patterns of attacks by military and security forces on civilians and the widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure indicate approval or complicity of the authorities at the highest levels.

Since anti-government protests started, security forces and Government-supportedShabbiha militias have been responsible for killing thousands of people through attacks on peaceful protests and in large-scale military operations in several cities. They have used a ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy to crush peaceful protests. Several defectors from military and security forces have said that they received orders from their commanders to shoot unarmed protesters without warning. Snipers on rooftops are reported to have targeted protestors, ambulances, and bystanders who were trying to rescue the wounded and collect the bodies of those killed.

Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence, as cities such as Homs, Hama, Dera’a and Idlib have been blockaded and curfews imposed. During the blockades, residents have not been able to obtain water, food and medical supplies. Military and security forces have targeted residential water tanks and water pipes. The blockades had often made it impossible to get the injured to hospitals.

Hospitals have been used as detention and torture facilities. Ambulances have come under fire, and many of the injured and sick have been turned away from public hospitals in several cities. Wounded detainees have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment in military hospitals. Evidence gathered indicates that doctors and medical workers have been pursued, arrested, and tortured by the security forces. Increasingly, most of the wounded avoid going to public hospitals for fear of being arrested or tortured. The injured are largely treated in underground hospitals established in apartments, on farms, and at private homes. Hygiene and sterilization conditions are rudimentary and the mere possession of medical supplies is being punished.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Reliable information indicates that Syrian military and security forces have launched massive campaigns of arrest, arbitrarily detaining thousands of protestors, activists and other suspected of anti-Government sentiments or activities. Some have been involuntarily and forcibly disappeared.

Credible information show patterns of systematic and widespread use of torture in interrogation and detention facilities by Security forces. According to information provided by army defectors, they received orders from their commanding officers to torture.

Extensive reports of sexual violence, in particular rape, in places of detention, primarily against men and boys, are particularly disturbing.

Children have not been spared. Children have been killed by beating, sniper fire and shelling from Government security forces in several places throughout Syria. As of the end of January, security forces have killed more than 400 children. Children, as young as 10, have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention. Children have been kept in solitary confinement. They have also been kept in overcrowded cells with adults, often deprived of food and water. Schools have been used as detention facilities, sniper post and military bases.

Distinguished Members of the General Assembly,

I am outraged by these serious violations. I am very distressed that the continued ruthless repression and deliberate stirring of sectarian tensions might soon plunge Syria into civil war. The longer the international community fails to take action, the more the civilian population will suffer from countless atrocities committed against them.

This Assembly, in its resolution of 19 December 2011, condemned human rights violations and use of force against civilians by Syrian authorities. It called on Syria to comply with its obligations under human rights law. However, the gross, widespread and systematic human rights violations have not only continued but also sharply escalated.

Excellencies,

The Government of Syria has manifestly failed to fulfil its obligation to protect its population. Each and every member of the international community must act now to urgently protect the Syrian population.

The League of Arab States has responded resolutely to the events in Syria and its efforts should be supported. Unfortunately Syria failed to fully comply with the League’s Observer Mission and persisted in its violent crackdown. The League should continue its effort to compel Syria to end the violence. My Office remains ready to provide appropriate assistance to the League of Arab States if the League so requests.

International and independent monitoring bodies, including my Office and the independent Commission of Inquiry must also be allowed into Syria. And humanitarian actors must be guaranteed immediate, unhindered access.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Fact-Finding Mission, the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, and I myself have all concluded that crimes against humanity are likely to have been committed in Syria. I have encouraged the Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. All Member States must ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished.

Yet, these crimes continue to be committed as I speak.

The Universal Declaration for Human Rights, adopted by this Assembly more than 60 years ago, makes clear that it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law. The people of Syria are asking for the rights that every human being is entitled to. And they are looking to this Assembly to speak with one voice to support them in this endeavour.

Thank you.

Weekly Reading List [2.10.12]

2012-02-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

This week's theme - "Things that make me nervous..."

1. U.S. AND ISRAEL SPLIT ON SPEED OF IRAN THREAT - There has been all kinds of rhetoric around Iran and the nuclear issue. I really admire the work that the Obama administration and the Treasury have been doing around sanctions. What I've read is that for the first time (ever, or in a long time) these seem to be having a true impact. So I'm a little confused, by the continued hype of the media around Iran. All that to say, I thought this was a great piece. Very informative, and expands on the issue a little bit.

2. DRONES GITMO & DRAWDOWN - First of all, this article has some great stats around the Obama administration's foreign policy and how it's perceived. One thing really stood out to me, "83% of Americans approve of the use of drones" This terrifies me!! Largely because it is terribly short sighted. I've read other articles describing out the US government is already using drones on U.S. soil. Also check out this article CONGRESS OKs FAA BILL ALLOWING DRONES IN US. Which requires the FAA "to provide military, commercial and privately-owned drones with expanded access to U.S. airspace currently reserved for manned aircraft by September 30, 2015. That means permitting unmanned drones controlled by remote operators on the ground to fly in the same airspace as airlines, cargo planes, business jets and private aircraft." Does anyone else see some potential problems?! I worry how far this can go, and what protections are in place around their use (so far, none that I know of).

3. OUSTING SYRIA'S ASSAD: WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT? - I love The Week magazine. If you are interested in current events, but don't have time/energy to weed through tons of info, check it out! Great concise articles, which are informative. They did a great piece on Syria this week. I also saw today, that a bipartisan group of Senators are calling for Support for the Syrian Opposition. I love what Secretary Clinton said, "The status quo is unsustainable...The longer the Assad regime continues its attacks on the Syrian people and stands in the way of peaceful transition, the greater the concern that instability will escalate and spill throughout the region."

4. Some pre-weekend awesomeness - check out this artist's work - http://katebingamanburt.com

She drew all of her purchases and credit card statements until her credit bills were all paid off. Her doodles are amazing! She also did some great work with IDEO, on a project to help educate teens about sex. Awesome work!

Letters of Note...

2012-02-09T13:31:00.000-08:00

I came across this site today "Letters of Note" It's VERY COOL!! They describe themselves as attempting "to gather and sort fascinating letters, postcards, telegrams, faxes and memos. Today's letter was particularly lovely and worth sharing, tragically Sullivan was never able to post the letter and after his death a week later the note was found among his things and delivered to his widow.

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah,

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days – perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more. Our movements may be of a few days’ duration and full of pleasure – and it may be of some conflict and death to me. "Not my will, but thine, O God be done." If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my Country, I am ready.

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing – perfectly willing – to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless. It seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and burns unresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me – perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar – that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortunes of this world to shield you and your children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the Spirit-land and hover near you, while you buffet the storm, with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights, advised to your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.

As for my little boys – they will grow up as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the deep memories of childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their character, and feel that God will bless you in your holy work.

Tell my two Mothers I call God's blessing upon them. O! Sarah. I wait for you there; come to me and lead thither my children.

Sullivan

Awesome design!!

2012-02-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

I've been working for a creative company this week and am loving the exposure to creative people and their designs and ideas. My co-worker sent me an online portfolio this afternoon. It is seriously awesome. The artist is Wendy MacNaughton, let your online adventure begin...here.

Weekly Reading List [2.5.12]

2012-02-05T07:27:00.001-08:00

1. IN WHICH I FIX MY GIRLFRIEND'S GRANDPARENTS' WIFI AND AM HAILED AS A CONQUERING HERO - A bit of literary pleasure for your weekend...

2. TAX SYSTEM SEEN AS UNFAIR, IN NEED OF OVERHAUL & RISING SHARE OF AMERICANS SEE CONFLICT BETWEEN RICH AND POOR - The Pew Research Center for People and the Press did some great surveys on American's view of the tax system and the fairness and value of their contribution. Very interesting insight into the ongoing class conflict highlighted by the media and the OWS movement. Along those lines, I read a great op-ed in the NYT, "Don't mind the Gap." The author makes a great comment, "While a December Gallup poll found few respondents wanting the government to attempt to reduce the income gap between rich and poor, 70 percent said it was important for the government to increase opportunities for people to get ahead. What the public wants is not a war on the rich but more policies that promote opportunity."

3. A REVIEW OF 'THE WAL-MART EFFECT' AND 'WAL-MART' - A review of two books about Wal-Mart and the philosophy and impact of this bohemoth company. It's looooong. But well worth the read.

4. THE MEDIA'S ABORTION BLINDERS - Susan G. Komen's decision to pull approximately $700,000 in grant funding to Planned Parenthood has been hot news all week. I've been amazed (although I probably shouldn't have been) at the amount of press/criticism they received. I'm saddened to see people on the one hand criticize them of caving to political pressure, but then applying the same political pressure which eventually forced them to reverse their decision. This is a great synopsis of the whole situation with a critical look at the role of the media.

5. THE RISE OF THE SOMALI CAPITAL - A gathering of short-stories about the Somali diaspora and the value and struggle that they face in Kenya.

*What are you reading? Do tell!*

When it rains it pours...

2012-02-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

After feeling like I might never find a job, I suddenly am overwhelmed with interviews and short-term contracting jobs. It's been an amazing week!

Starting this week, I'm working full-time for my former employer, IDEO. I'm working with the contract recruiting team, helping fill those extra short-term slots while also helping with the team building process. I'm really excited! It's going to be a great 3 weeks, and everyone has given me such a warm and friendly welcome. It's good to be around friends again.

Second, I have had several interviews with a great non-profit here in the Bay Area. It would be a great opportunity, raising funds to expand the vision, learning more about development, even growing into managing my own accounts! Wow! Final interview is tomorrow. Wish me luck!

There are others, but I won't go on about all of them. Needless to say, two weeks ago I was depressed and frustrated, today I'm feeling hopeful again. Stay tuned!!

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2012-01-31T09:18:00.000-08:00

Today I finished another book!! I read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was hesitant when the book came out, there was so much excitement around it, same with the movie. But several people recommended it, and if I was really honest with myself, the movie sounded awesome. I have to say, I was not disappointed. The book was good, interesting story line, easy to read, nice character development. Overall I give it a thumbs up.

Now onto finish one of my half read books.....

Weekly Reading List [1.28.12]

2012-01-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

1. KENYAN SOMALI ISLAMIST RADICALISATION - The International Crisis group gives a great overview of how the insecurity in Somalia is trickling into Kenya.

2. CAN VENTURE CAPITAL SAVE THE WORLD - This article follows Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund, as she meets with investees around the world. Acumen Fund is a non-profit, investing money in organizations in low-income communities enabling them to find sustainable solutions to their own struggles with poverty. Also check out her book, "The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World."

3. HOW THE U.S. LOST OUT ON iPHONE WORK & IN CHINA, HUMAN COSTS ARE BUILT INTO AN iPAD & TIM COOK RESPONDS TO CLAIMS OF FACTORY WORKER MISTREATMENT- Apple has been getting a lot of press this week particularly around labor ethics. These are a few articles that are worth the read. Also, definitely check out the podcast from This American Life.

4. WHY WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT SYRIA & IT'S TIME TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT INTERVENING IN SYRIA & NO MILITARY OPTION IN SYRIA - What is happening in Syria right now breaks my heart (as I have posted before). Here are some great foreign policy op-eds addressing this complex issue and the many pro's and con's for involvement.

5. Some entertainment for your Saturday.

Bill Maher - Irritable Bowl Syndrome from Fraser Davidson on Vimeo.

Grim Colberty Tales with Maurice Sendak [video]

2012-01-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

Steven Colbert did an interview with Maurice Sendak (author of Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen and BUMBLE-ARDY). It is AMAZING. Check it out (part 1; part 2).

Dreams = Reality

2012-01-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

Anyone who reads fantasy books has dreamed of a place where dragons are real. Check out these photos, maybe dreams do come true.

[original post http://livefastmag.com/2012/01/tiny-flying-dragon-in-indonesia/]

...the Suffering Syrian Christians...

2012-01-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have been overwhelmed with the tragedy occurring in Syria. The U.N. estimates the death toll in Syria at 5,000; and estimates of detainees run from 15,000 to over 40,000. My heart breaks. THEN (as if the story can get worse) I got an email from The Jubilee Campaign, sharing how in the midst of this great tragedy Christians are being singled out. It is definitely worth a read...

Pray For the Suffering Syrian Christians

When the revolutionary movements known as the Arab Spring began, Jubilee Campaign knew that the odds were firmly against successful transition to genuine democracy in most if not all of these countries. Yet we held out hope that the nascent democratic movements in the Arab world might bear fruit. Now after a full year of violence, bloodshed, and horror we know that the Arab Winter is just beginning and throughout the Middle East the frozen lack of religious freedom is killing our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We saw the pattern in Iraq, where at least half of Iraq's 1.4 million Christians have fled the country or died. Our government has finally realized its error in Egypt, but after the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists won the election the damage was done. Yet our government still supports the revolutionary movement in Syria and call for the resignation of Al-Assad at all costs.

Unfortunately, Jubilee Campaign's sources tell us that the peaceful protestors in Syria are not so peaceful toward their Christian minority. The culmination of these protests end in raids on Christian communities to take women from their homes and families and rape them.

Yet even this is not enough for certain Muslim extremists. Sheik Adnan Al-Arour commonly appears on Syrian TV to urge Muslims to kill, not kidnap Christian women. He even goes so far as to give quotas for specific Christian communities as he incites his followers to rape and murder. Such is the nature of Syria's Arab Spring.

Another community particularly victimized by the sectarian violence are the Iraqi Christian refugees many of whom fled to Syria to escape this same process in Iraq. The Iraqi refugees are easy prey, and far softer targets than the regime's military forces.

Despite the bleakness of the situation, our contacts tell us that the Syrian church is experiencing a revival and an outpouring of God's Spirit like nothing their churches have known in hundreds of years. Throughout Syria Christians are sharing their faith, and the Gospel is doing a mighty work.

Jubilee Campaign asks you to pray for the Church in Syria, which constitutes roughly 10% of the population. In human terms, the situation is dire. Even if the U.S. government ceases pandering to extremists there is very little it can do to positively affect the situation. While we cannot in good conscience wish for the corrupt, unjust regime of Al-Assad to continue, the Islamist government which replaces it will likely be worse, far worse in the case of the Christians.

Now it is time for us to pray that God will protect his people in Syria. Winter is upon them.

Why The President Should Speak Out Against Religious Persecution

2012-01-23T18:49:00.001-08:00

The Middle East Forum released an excellent article encouraging the President to speak up against religious persecution. Please read and share!

Dealing...

2012-01-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

Psalm 62.6-14 [from Sunday's liturgy]

My soul in silence waits for God;

I hope in God alone;

My rock and health, I shall not be

Shaken or overthrown.

In God, my refuge and strong rock

My true salvation lies;

Pour out your hearts and trust in the One

In whom our refuge lies.

The great are but a fleeting breath,

Trust in the lowly fails;

They are all lighter than a breath

When tested on the scales.

Trust not in wrong, in robbery

Do not take empty pride;

Although your riches may increase,

Let them not be your guide.

Once has God spoken, twice I heard

That power is God's alone,

And steadfast love is yours, O Lord,

To whom all deeds are known.

This year, I wanted to come up with a word for 2012. I'm sure in hindsight, I'll look at this and laugh at the audacity of coming up with one word to describe a year that hasn't happened yet. BUT I did come up with a word: "contentment"

It already is a struggle and it shouldn't be. I want to be content when things are going swimmingly, and when they seem to be off kilter. Right now they seem to be off kilter. It is my hope that I can trust God to take care of us Ferguson's, he has before, but I feel so much anxiety over things I have zero control over. Seems lame, such a waste of my energy, right? I know it won't change things, it won't make waiting easier (makes it worse actually) but I sometimes feel incapable of resting in the knowledge that I will be cared for. [By way of explanation, there's nothing wrong here at our house, I'm just job hunting and obviously feeling a little lost...]

As Steve reminded us in his sermon on Sunday, Jesus is the leader, we follow Him. While the journey may feel aimless, unknown and dark, each day puts me closer to His Kingdom. "My soul in silence waits for God..."

While we're on the topic of books...part 2

2012-01-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

...QUOTES...

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

“...simplicity is the ultimate sophistication...”

“...the journey is the reward...”

“...'memento mori': Remember you will die..."

The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson

"...lost in the meditation of labor..."

"...intellect has no real mettle, you see, and at the first threat, into a hole it scuttles. But love is divine. It comes from the realm of the infinite, and is entrusted to the heart as a gift from God. Love has no calculation in it. ‘God loves you’ is the only possible sentence! So it’s love you must follow to the heart of your father-in-law. Love is the pearl of an oyster living in the ocean, and intellect lives on the shore and cannot swim..."

"...love is the king that must rescue his coward slave..."

The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham

"...John (and thereby his readers with him) is taken up into heaven in order to see the world from the heavenly perspective..."

"...Revelation counters that false view of reality by opening the world to divine transcendence..."

"...the point is not to predict a sequence of events. The point is to evoke and to explore the meaning of the divine judgment which is impending on the sinful world..."

While we're on the topic of books...

2012-01-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

While I love all books, I really love physical books. There's something special about holding one physically in your hands, the feel of the paper, the ink on the pages. Especially old books. BUT, there is a necessary and growing momentum for ebooks. (I'm guilty; kindle owner) IDEO several months ago came out with some great thoughts on the Future of the Book. They identified three new opportunities with ebooks new narratives, social reading with richer content, and providing tools for critical thinking.

I know that education was something close to Steve Job's heart, mostly because he saw the system crumbling and no one stopping the inevitable disintegration. In light of that, it's cool to see Apple's announcement yesterday. They have plans to reinvent the educational textbook market and the technology that underpins them. It plans to enable "all sorts of dramatic interactivity with rich media e-textbooks" and empower authors to circumvent publishing companies that are attempting to maintain status quo in the industry.

It's awesome to see someone dreaming the way forward for books and education.

Obsession

2012-01-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

"Books are both our luxuries and our daily bread."

~Henry Stevens, as cited in The Literary World

My friends know I LOVE BOOKS. Three years ago (when I was snowed in, in DC) I took inventory of my books. There were 200+. As 2012 kicked off, I decided this was the year to finish many half read books (check out my list of half-read books), and start many more!

2012 read book list (1.19.12)

1. The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini

-Eragon

-Eldest

-Brisingr

-Inheritance

2. Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by Brendan Brazier

3. Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets by Sudhir Venkatesh

4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

and I just started #5 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

What are you reading in 2012?

Race season

2011-02-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

We are back in race season. Jay raced in a Pro 1, 2, 3 race. It was a great race. One guy jumped off the front right from the start, and won. Otherwise, it was a good, fast race. Plus, there were some amazing pro riders.

One of my favorite things about the race season is the road trips. Not because I like being in the car, but Jay and I have some of our best conversations sitting in the car. We can't be busy with other things, or distracted. It's just us. Today we talked a lot about Egypt and Twitter. I bring the political side, and he brings the tech side. I also read a fascinating article in Foreign Affairs; about the role of social media in political uprisings. Interesting enough it was written in Nov/Dec of 2010 lloooonnnggg before the recent events in the Middle East. One of his points was the role the US can and should have not in creating more was to circumvent closed countries getting access to the internet, but rather encouraging the broad flourishing of the social sector. Encouraging open public debate, because as they argue, most closed countries don't notice when the internet shuts down, but they do notice when the things they use innocently everyday are taken away. The Google Executive who was arrested and released in Egypt last week said exactly the same thing. The worst thing Egypt did was shut down Facebook. All of a sudden they had the whole country up in arms and aware of just how weak and afraid they were. The best thing we can do across the globe is to encourage public debate, honest use of technology, and access to information.

Until next weekend.

Quote of the Day...

2010-11-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

"...always make new mistakes..."

missing video - Gorillaz

2010-10-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

...season of concerts...

2010-10-31T13:21:00.001-07:00

We've been to several amazing concerts this year. First, Jay's old boss Kerry gave us FRONT ROW tickets to a sold out Pixies show. It was pretty cool; we got to share the experience with our friends Marianne and Jamie Tolosa, also HUGE Pixies fans.

Then Jamie Cullum came to town. Jay RAVED about the last time he saw Jamie at the 930 club. So we called my sister, a huge fan of Jamie Cullum, and convinced her and her boyfriend Mason to drive to DC for the concert. It rocked. Hands down one of the best show I've seen. He is a true performer, and the 930 club is small intimate and perfect for a performer like him. In this video clip, you can see he is actually spontaneously creating rythm on the top of the piano. The whole show was spontaneous, had a feeling of a Jazz show with a rough idea of what's going to happen, but with lots of playful musical interaction by the musicians

Then we moved across the country and decided to check out the shows here. In July Mos Def came to town. It was Jay's birthday present to go to this show. I think we both had very high expectations and were...overall a little let down by this show. The building where the concert was held was BEAUTIFUL! It's an old theater that they remodeled and retrofitted to be a concert hall. I think we were both in awe of the architecture and intricate details of the theater itself.

Most recently, last night, we went to see the Gorillaz. As much as I loved Jamie Cullum, this is my favorite show ever. It was absolutely unreal. 1. It's Halloween and people here in SF go nuts over this holiday. So most people were dressed up, there was big bird, cookie monster, a bear, maybe 50 Lady Gaga's, and lots of pink, red, blue, and green hair. 2. The Gorillaz are a random group of artists who originally didn't want to be known so they created cartoon characters who performed for them. Now days people know who they are and they no longer hide their identity but they still have the visual affects of the cartoon characters. It was hard to know what to watch the characters or the musicians. Check out the video and you'll understand.

Quote of the day...

2010-08-26T16:30:00.001-07:00

"The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you are on the job."

Warm weather has arrived

2010-08-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a VERY exciting week here in SF. It's been warm and sunny all week long. And by warm, I don't mean 65 degrees, no it hit 80 degrees yesterday! and today is supposed to be warmer! After weeks and weeks of cold and dreary, this heat is amazing.

Jay and I had a bit of a whirl wind weekend. There was a race on Saturday about 3 hours away. We got up at 4:30a because the race had an 8a start time. At the race a little girl, about 4 years old was selling cupcakes for .25 cents. She was very cute, she would shout from her lawn to every rider who rode past "You wanna cupcake?" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hferguson_photos/) There are photos from the race on my flickr page - On our way home one of our tires blew out. It was...inevitable. Our tires have been on the car for 55,000 miles. I'm pretty sure the warranty was for only 40,000 miles. Jay successfully changed the tire, put on that god ugly spare and we drove home. Sunday I spent the morning at Pep Boys changing all 4 tires. The mechanic said, "yea they don't get much worse than this." We're blaming it on the winter weather we had in Virginia this year. Tires can only handle so many pot holes before they give up.

Jay's friend Carolyn has spent the past 2 years living in Mexico working with a Catholic mission. She returned to the States about 2 weeks ago and was spending a week here in CA with her sister. So Sunday night, Jay and I drove about an hour south to San Mataeo to have dinner with them. It was wonderful. First, it was great to see Carolyn. She was present for our engagement, and has been a great friend to both of us; so it was good to see her. She had some great stories to tell about working with the poor. She said the most impactful part of her time in Mexico was seeing how generous and open the priest was. He would often take in those who had been outcast from society.

Jay got an extra day off for his birthday. According to HR he has 30 days to use it, so next weekend we're going to Mammoth Lakes. Its a huge resort known for skiing and winter sports, but there's also TONS of summer stuff to do. We're going to hike, swim, kayak, and get some R&R. Jay totally deserves it, he's been working 12 hour day for the past week+ and worked some this weekend. It'll be a great get away for him and a new adventure for us!

Quote of the week

2010-08-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves... ~Anatole France

Off to the races

2010-08-09T14:08:00.001-07:00

We went to a race on Sunday. It was about 2 hours from here along the coast. It was a road race, with approximately a 4 mile circuit. It wasn't a huge field, but at least half dropped out before the end. Jay did great! He closed 2 breaks on the back and fought the headwind & crosswind for 75 min.

Look at the second photo from the top. There is an asian man with a red helmet, lots of tattoos and he is peering over the top of his glasses. He rode the ENTIRE race this way. I think he ought to invest in contacts, or lasik.

Weekend Adventures

2010-08-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

I was sick all last week, and half of the week before. It was miserable. Just a cold, but honestly, the sore, scratchy throat, and the stuffy nose, followed by a cough was not fun. By Friday I started to feel better, Saturday I felt good, and Sunday was almost back to normal! Since I was feeling better, I decided to drag Jay out of the house Saturday afternoon to check out a craft/art show happening close to our apartment at Fort Mason. It was great to get out, it was a little sunny and we both found things we liked. Jay bought a poster, and I bought a hat. (Sorry no photos of either right now). I also snapped a few shots of other vendors.

Sunday Jay got up early and went for a ride. I drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to meet him in Sausalito mid-morning. We went to the Poggio, our favorite place over there, for breakfast. It sits right along the water and serves amazing coffee and breakfast sandwiches. After breakfast we headed over to Tiburn where Jay rode that morning. It's been so nice, he's taken me around several areas that he rides in so I can see a new area. Plus Tibrun is amazing! Awesome little town. Very european in style and so laid back. We found a great house on the water for sale. It's only 1.4 million. Geesh. At this rate we've agreed, we'll never own. As you can see from the photo, it sits across from San Francisco on the other side of the Bay. That's San Francisco in the distance behind the hill.

Now we're back in the swing of the work week; looking forward to next weekend.

New Restraunt in the Marina

2010-07-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend Jay and I checked out a new restaurant that opened here in our neighborhood. Its called Hot Spud. The whole premise is baked potatoes! How cool is that!

I got one called The Warf - crab, cheese, green onion, and a lemon sauce. Jay custom ordered his, chicken, cheese, onion, and a chipotle sauce. It was SO YUMMY.
Check out our photos!

(My Potato)

(Jay's potato)

Tour of the furnished apartment

2010-07-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

So I was talking with Dad today on Google Talk and he was scoping out our apartment via the limited angle of the computer. So I decided to talk a walking tour of our apartment so you can all see what it's like.

ENJOY!

Weather

2010-07-12T09:45:00.001-07:00

The weather here is crazy. I still have not figured out what to wear when, and when its going to be cold or when its going to be hot. To help you visualize why this is so confusing I've taken a photo. As you can see our morning weather report is rather complex. There is the "inland" forecast, the "bay" forecast, and the "coast" forecast. So I'm pretty sure that we follow the "bay" forecast; however, it seems that we may also be more close to the "coast" forecast. The other factor that they don't mention is the wind. We get a strong "coastal breeze" here in SF almost every day. It seems to function like a winter wind chill factor on the east coast. So even if the temp is 67 degrees it could feel like it's colder. See why this is so confusing. :)

I hope your weather patterns are simple and sunny today.

Quote of the Day

2010-07-09T10:18:00.001-07:00

“.....every time there are losses there are choices to be made. You choose to live your losses as passages to anger, blame, hatred, depression and resentment, or you choose to let these losses be passages to something new, something wider, and deeper” Henri Nouwen

4th of July

2010-07-07T08:09:00.001-07:00

This year is the first time in my adult life that I have not been in our Nation's Capital for the 4th of July. It was a little bit sad, I missed the patriotic atmosphere that permeates the city; however, I did not miss the scorching heat and humidity.

Jay had a race in Davis, CA on the 4th. Unlike most of the races we go to this was a huge community event. There were sponsor booths, and music playing across the course and loads of spectators. It was nice to be part of the hubub. That night we cooked burgers and corn on the cob at home and then walked 3 blocks to the Warf to watch the fireworks.

It was great to walk a very short distance there, but it was even better on the way home. We managed to beat most of the crowds and watched the throngs of people stream past our apartment for hours after the fireworks as people attempted to walk, bus or drive out of the Marina. The fireworks were beautiful; they set them off on bothsides of the Bay, so from where we sat we could simultaneously watch our fireworks and the ones happening on Pier 39. Pretty cool, check out the video to see what I mean.

On Monday we took a trip down highway 1. Highway 1 runs right along the coast; so we stopped at several beaches and scenic overlooks. We stopped at a little seafood shop along the coast. It was lovely to drive all the way to Santa Cruz and see more of our beautiful state. Check out flickr for more photos of the weekend.

Our things have arrived (a few days late)

2010-06-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

We expected our things to arrive the Saturday after we did. This would have meant a week living out of our suitcases and sleeping on the air bed mattress. This however, did not happen. There were problems at the warehouse, too many deliveries in one day; there were problems with the permits and parking spaces. So needless to say our things took an extra week to arrive. It was FRUSTRATING and I don't think my back has recovered yet.

(OUR TV!!)

Last Thursday morning Door-to-Door arrived with our two containers!! That afternoon 4 movers showed up and carried all of our things up 4 flights of stairs and into the apartment in 1.5 hours. WOW! They were amazing!

(OUR BED!!)

So most of the boxes are unpacked. We still need a few large pieces of furniture (a wardrobe, a couple of book cases) but I thought you would all appreciate these photos of our process. :)

Things you see on the street

2010-06-16T09:42:00.001-07:00

For the past few nights we've walked down Polk St for dinner. It's a happening street with lots of little restaurants and boutiques. Great spot!

For 2 nights in a row we walked past this sushi restaurant and outside were these 2 dogs. Lounging. I had to take a photo; they were so cute and lazy!

2010-06-16T09:17:00.001-07:00

With every new place I move to, there are new cultural norms to get used to. Moving from East Coast to West Coast has definitely brought some of those new cultural norms into the spotlight.

For example, every store (Walgreens, Safeway, the corner store) will ONLY give you a brown paper bag. Usually its a recycled brown paper bag; Jay said he thinks that giving plastic bags might be against the law here.

Another example is the driving. I think we've moved from one extreme to the next. DC is known for its SUPER aggressive driving, but people here seem to be almost passive, to the point of being an obstruction.

A bonus to moving here is the overall improvement in customer service. People are SO nice. A lady at a Burger King drive-in said "Good Morning" and "Have a nice day." In DC this is unheard of, but here it happens all the time. People are nice, courteous, polite, helpful; its amazing!

Quote of the Day

2010-06-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

~ Maya Angelou ~

where we live

2010-06-12T16:56:00.001-07:00

One of the cool things about San Francisco is that all of the street corners have the name of the street imprinted in the concrete.

We live on the corner of Van Ness and Chestnut.

We also have a really awesome entry way and door!

Check out flickr for awesome photos of the city from our walk today - http://www.flickr.com/photos/hferguson_photos

City Basics - the 411 on San Francisco

2010-06-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

The city's population is 845,559.

The sales tax is 9.5% (Bummer!)

415 is the city's area code.

Geographically speaking San Francisco is built on 43 hills on just 47 square miles surrounded on 3 sides by water - the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay.

Weather-wise - San Francisco is oh-so blessed. Weather is mild year round with temperatures seldom rising above 70 degrees or falling below 40 degrees.

Month	Max	Min	Rainfall (in.)
January	56.1	46.2	4.48
February	59.4	48.4	2.83
March	60	48.6	2.58
April	61.1	49.2	1.48
May	62.5	50.7	0.35
June	64.3	52.5	0.15
July	64	53.1	0.04
August	65	54.2	0.08
September	68.9	55.8	0.24
October	68.3	54.8	1.09
November	62.9	51.5	2.49
December	56.9	47.2	3.52

So if you are planning a visit it looks like August - October is best!

We have arrived...

2010-06-09T12:32:00.001-07:00

For those of you who have been following our adventure across the country via facebook I am happy to confirm the reports are true, we have arrived! Safe and sound. Our journey across the country went from Arlington, VA; to Wapaokoneta, OH; to Kansas City, KS; to Boulder, CO; to Las Vegas, NV; to Bakersfield, CA; to Palo Alto, CA; to HOME! I uploaded photos to flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/hferguson_photos/

Please comment, tag and share!

Since arriving in SF life has been at a non-stop fervor. Jay started working at Odopod (http://www.odopod.com) on Monday. We hadn't yet signed our lease so I spent the day walking around SF; found the library, it was amazing! Five floors of books and so spacious and clean, loads of computers. I also found a fabulous little place for lunch Morty's Deli (www.mortysdeli.com), then found a park to read and nap. Great first day! That night we signed our lease and moved in with our 3 suitcases and airbed mattress. We are still waiting on our shipping containers; we were expecting them on Friday, but it seems that they won't arrive until Tuesday. FRUSTRATING! But I guess that's how it goes; never smoothly.

Today, I walked to Safeway and Trader Joes and bought some strawberries and apples. The idea of carrying all your groceries up the hill and a mile down the road to your apartment is good for curbing spending. We also FINALLY got our internet and TV set up so tonight, I think we might order pizza and lounge. Sounds good doesn't it.

Check back regularly, I'll keep this updated with photos, antecdotes, and more of our adventures.

I am a runner

2010-06-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am a runner. I will overcome the fog, the wind AND the hills in San Francisco.
I think I need a running buddy.

Running - O! DC how I love thee

2010-04-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

The Parkway Classic 10 mile race is just a week and a half away!! I am so excited, not only is it my favorite race in DC, BUT my training has overall been leaps and bounds above last years training. Yesterday, I had an easy run to do, so I decided to run around the monuments after work. The WWI memorial is my favorite, tucked away in the trees, not crawing with tourists, its so majestic, classic, and peaceful.

C.S. Lewis

2010-04-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun: not only because I see it, but by it I see everything else
~ C.S.Lewis

Quote - Thought of the day

2010-03-25T07:37:00.001-07:00

To be much alone with God is the secret of knowing Him and of influence with Him.
~E. M. Bounds

Morocco begins large-scale explusion of foreign Christians

2010-03-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

I always pay attention when a county starts 1. kicking out the foreign nationals or 2. starts kicking out the Christians. This came to me a few days ago via the Intercessors Network. I will be paying close attention to Morocco over the next year.

MOROCCO BEGINS LARGE-SCALE EXPULSION OF FOREIGN CHRISTIANS

Moroccan authorities deported more than 40 foreign Christian aid workers this week, ending Saturday 13, in an ongoing, nationwide crackdown that included the expulsion of foster parents caring for 33 Moroccan orphans. Deportations of foreign Christians continued at press time, with Moroccan authorities expressing their intention to deport specifically U.S. nationals. Sources in Morocco said that the government gave the U.S. Embassy in Rabat a list of 40 citizens to be deported. Citing Western diplomats and aid groups, Reuters reported that as many as 70 foreign aid workers had been deported since the beginning of the month, including U.S., Dutch, British and New Zealand citizens.

At the Village of Hope orphanage near Ain Leuh, 50 miles south of Fez, the government on Monday (March 8) expelled 16 staff workers, 10 foster parents and 13 natural-born dependents from the country. The orphanage arranges for orphaned children to live with a set of foster parents rather than in a traditional dormitory setting, according to its website. Police first came to the orphanage Saturday afternoon (March 6), questioning children and looking for Bibles and evidence of Christian evangelism; by late Sunday night they had told all foster parents and staff that they had to leave on Monday. New Zealand native Chris Broadbent, a worker at Village of Hope, said that the separation of the foster families and the children under their care was traumatic. As much as they hoped to be re-united, he said, that did not seem likely – officials told them they could visit as tourists in the future, but in reality authorities do not allow re-entry for those who have been expelled.

Quote of the Day

2010-03-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Around us is a world lost in sin, above us is a God willing and able to save; it is ours to build the bridge that links heaven and earth, and prayer is the mighty instrument that does the work.

E.M. Bounds

addicted to time wasters

2010-03-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

It's true! I'm addicted to time wasters, gmail, facebook, my iPhone.
Sad!!

Its like all my creativity is being sucked from my brain.

RACE DAY

2010-02-28T07:11:00.001-08:00

I ran a 5k this morning and had a personal best time! 3.12 miles in 27:21!! Go me!! Click the Race Info button below to see the course.

Angst...again

2010-02-24T05:48:00.000-08:00

Here I am again. Feeling frustrated.
The wilderness sucks.

Are we too busy?

2010-02-17T07:05:00.000-08:00

Thoughts from Rob Bell - Originally posted here
Do you often find yourself saying, "I'm so busy" or "I just have so much to do"? It's easy to get overwhelmed with appointments, gatherings, to-do lists. But what are we really doing with our time? Many of us are running from place to place and it seems like life is just passing us by. We're doing so many things, a little bit of everything, and yet it doesn't feel like much of a life. But most of us find it hard to say no. We feel obligated. There are so many good things to do. So many good causes to join. But while we're busy doing all these good things, are we missing out on something great? Maybe saying no would be easier if we knew what it meant to say yes.

...angst...

2010-02-12T11:46:00.001-08:00

East Coast Storms Make History

2010-02-11T04:55:00.000-08:00

Preliminary seasonal records for the 2010 Winter Storm and Blizzard events that began February 5thcontinuing through February 11, 2010 break snowfall records established 100 years ago. Official snowfall totals for the Metropolitan Washington DC area are as follows: Washington National Airport saw 55.9 inches, breaking the record set in 1898 of 54.4 inches; Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore had an official snowfall of 79.9 inches, breaking a 1995-96 record of 62.5 inches at Dulles International Airport, the snowfall record of 61.9 inches set in 1995-96 was broken with this year’s total of 75.0 inches. For the first time in at least 30 years, the U.S. Postal Service did not deliver mail on Feb 6 and Feb 10.

Keeping a Marriage Alive - WSJ.com

2010-02-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal recently did a piece on "Keepin g a Marriage Alive" presumably in honor of valentines day. It's a great article, they interviewed several couples (Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Doyle and Louise Brunson, etc.) and asked how they managed to beat the odds and stay married after all these years.

"It is often possible to understand why a marriage fails, as so many do. It is much more difficult, though, to elucidate why one succeeds. Why do some couples thrive, while others fizzle or flame out, despite their best intentions?"

The author asked their parents, who just celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary, why their marriage lasted so long. My dad said he had no idea. "Your mother did all the hard work," he admitted. Mom agreed, and divulged her marital secret: "forgiveness."

BILL & MARLENE CRITCH - Find the middle ground
Another couple, Marlene and Bill Critch said, "It's all give and take," Marlene met her husband Bill on a blind date in 1959. He took her on a picnic with a thermos of gin and tonics; they married two months later. Flash ahead 50 years. The Critches have raised two daughters in Seattle and weathered his severe heart condition. They swim together each morning, and he reads her children's books when she has trouble falling asleep at night. Compromise, they say, got them through the good and bad times.

"If each person can give 75 percent, you've got 150 percent," says Ms. Critch. Her husband agrees. "Many men would call that wussy," he says. "But I don't because I value her more than anything else in the world."

KEN & JACKIE EGAN - Be funny
On the night in 1967 that Jackie and Ken Egan met at a dance club in Boston, he asked her for a kiss. She declined: "I don't know you," she told him. "And my kisses are like Lay's potato chips—you wouldn't be happy with just one."

"You need to learn to find the humor in each other's annoying habits. It helps you keep the affection," says Ms. Egan, 69.

DOYLE & LOUISE BRUNSON - Keep (some) secrets.
"...she accepted him for who he is. "Love is the most important thing," says Louise Brunson, 78. "You have to love your spouse more than life itself."

OZZY & SHARON OSBOURNE - Never, ever give up.
"I went into marriage thinking it was forever. So I was stubborn," says Ms. Osbourne who has three children with her husband.

ANONYMOUS - Stay Alive
My sister, a doctor, told me about one of her patients, a 92-year-old woman who showed up for her appointment with her husband, who is 94. They said they have been married for almost 70 years. My sister, highly impressed, asked the couple the secret to their union's longevity. And they looked at each other for a long moment. Then the wife spoke: "Eh, neither of us died."

Makes me wonder what MY parents would say after 28 years.

The View from space - post snowpocalyps

2010-02-09T09:51:00.001-08:00

Snow -

2010-02-05T13:22:00.001-08:00

"The harassment of obligations"

2010-02-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

"...ordinary life, and what James calls the harassment of its obligations, is what has plagued me. The house, the cars, the commute, the job, the [husband]—they have not given me the peace in which to collect any thoughts. Sometimes it just all catches up with you."

Winter....

2010-02-02T09:20:00.001-08:00

Gayle Haggard: Good-Hearted Woman, in Love With a Good-Tryin' Man

2010-01-29T09:17:00.000-08:00

Politics Daily did an article on a recent appearance by the Haggards' on Oprah. (click here for the full story)Mrs. Haggard has just written a book – "Why I Stayed: The Choices I Made in my Darkest Hour" – explaining why she thinks her marriage can be saved. This it seems was the premise for the interview, but it went further, I think to examining true love and marriage in a Christian relationship. One where there is forgivness, and humility, and the Spirit is present.

Oprah started out by saying she had had an epiphany before the show – she would not judge. It is possible, she realized, to feel the way Mrs. Haggard does. "My conclusion is, after reading this [book], is that you really, really love this man in a way that I'm sure a lot of other people watching would understand," Oprah told her. "It's just that I don't know a love like this."

Mrs. Haggard's answer: yes, she deeply loves her husband and she feels "as though the betrayal had the potential to lead us toward greater health in our marriage."

Later in the interview Ted told Oprah: "She loves me and that's an incredible thing. I mean this woman is deeply . . . she's infatuated with me. She loves me. And I am so grateful. I think it's an incredible thing for a woman to love a man the way she loves me. "

What an incredible testimony.

Quote of the Day

2010-01-27T04:41:00.000-08:00

"Destiny, to borrow a phrase from Benjamin Linus, is a fickle bitch."

the view on my run this morning...

2010-01-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Franklin's Chart of 13 Virtues

2010-01-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

Temperance. Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.

Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

Order. Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself. Waste nothing.

Industry. Lose no time. Be always employ’d in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly. Speak accordingly.

Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting benefits that are your duty.

Moderation. Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

Humility. Imitate Jesus.

the lowest of the lows....

2010-01-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

Youth in lawless Haiti at risk for sex trade, slavery, murder (Click the link to read the whole article)

According to Nicolette Gramms, who worked with an human rights agency, the International Justice Mission, in today's world, the twin causes of human slavery -- poverty and vulnerability -- increase exponentially after natural disasters... Even without the pandemonium unleashed by a 7.0 earthquake, an estimated quarter-million Haitian children are trafficked (into slave labor or the sex trade) within the country each year.

The earthquake and devestation in Haiti is HORRIBLE! I can't wrap my mind around the loss and the grief and the pain and the destruction; but this takes the cake. I'm not surprised, it's the perfect moment of vulnerability for abuses like this to occur. However, that does not lessen my disgust nor my abhorrence at the corruptness of humanity.

As Mark Driscoll said, "People are desperate. Young girls are ripe for the worst you can imagine." (Check out Mark's blog for his first hand thoughts/observations from the ground. Click here.)

MapMyRun.com

2010-01-13T05:24:00.000-08:00

Today's easy work out...the highlight of which was seeing another runner (older gentleman about 45 years old) running in a white long sleeved shirt, with black running tights, white knee highs (PULLED UP) and black shoes...oh did I mention he was wearing sun glasses and it was 6:45 in the morning. :)

MapMyRun.com - Regular Run: Regular Run on 01/13/2010

Restaurant Week- January 11- 24 - Dinner

2010-01-12T11:46:00.000-08:00

We went to Ceiba with some friends for dinner last night. The food was AMAZING!!

Appetizer: Bermuda Fish Chowder
Gosling's Black Seal Rum, Outerbridges Sherry Pepper Sauce

Entree: Seared Yellowfin Tuna and Crab Stuffed Aji Amarillo
Vegetable Escabeche, Purple Potatoes, Sweet Rocoto Soy Reduction

Dessert: Traditional Flan Blueberry Compote, Coconut Macaroons

I almost asked for seconds of the Bermuda Fish Chowder. It was a spicy red soup, with lots of vegetables and fresh fish. The Tuna was good, fresh, well cooked, nothing too brag about. I was however rather intrigued by the Purple Potatoes. I had never had them before, and they were good. (Tasted like Potatoes!) The Flan was....TO DIE FOR!! Wow, I think when I go back, I will get...the soup and the flan; that's all.

Restaurant Week- January 11- 24 - Lunch

2010-01-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

Today I met 2 of my girlfriends for lunch at "Art & Soul" on Capitol Hill. We had a LOVELY lunch, caught up, and shared life together. I had.....

1st Course
Capitol Hill Salad
local apples, blue cheese, pecans, apple cider vinaigrette

2nd Course
Ravioli
winter vegetables, fresh herbs

3rd Course
Banana Bread Pudding
Rum Caramel, Vanilla Ice Cream

The salad was good, it had a mustard seeds in the vinaigrette which I really enjoyed, although next time I will ask for the dressing on the side. It was a little heavy. The Ravioli was delicious!! It was a squash filling with a light broth over it, really brought together all the flavors. The dessert I didn't get to try, I had to dash back to work, but I'm sure it was perfect!

Overheard in DC...

2010-01-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

Says the man on a cell phone at Crumbs and Coffee in Adams Morgan:

Middle-aged man talking loudly on his cell phone: "Remember back in the '70s when people used to think? Before the computer and the cell phone?"

For more great "Overheard in DC" go to DCist.com

Quote of the Day

2010-01-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

"Yea, well he is sweeter than he is judgemental..."
~Benny & Joon

Friends & Family in 2009

2010-01-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

Another early season track race

Sarah graduated from college this winter!!!

My little buddy in Ohio! Jack has a HUGE crush on me, he get's all embarrassed and shy whenever we visit.

A young lady at the criterium in Greenville, OH.

A menagerie of photos from 2009:

2010-01-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Jay at an early season track race...

We drove to Greenville, OH one crazy weekend. Participated in a 10K "Jail break" run; a criterium, and a relay duathalon. At the criterium, there was a kids race. I thought this girl was too cute to not photo.

We went to Greenville, SC to watch the National Championships, time trial series and road race. Dave Zabriski won the 2009 time trial national championship jersey!! (For the fourth year in a row)
Our honeymoon/birthday trip to New York City.

My morning run all summer long, down Wilson Blvd., around Iwo Jima, along the National Cemetery, and across the Arlington Memorial Bridge and down Constitution Ave.

Thoughts on the year ahead...

2009-12-31T06:34:00.000-08:00

We are on the cusp of a new year; tonight will ring in the start of a new year!! The paper's are abuzz with forecasts for the financial markets, job markets, and opportunities in the new year (Will emerging markets keep gaining; Moving past Madoff; Futures pare gains on Jobless Claims). The buzz has me thinking about my life; what do I want out of 2010?

This summer I was having an existential crisis. Where was my life going, what was I doing, did I care about anything, etc. One day I jotted down a few thoughts about myself and things I am committed to...
I am called to the work place
I am called to non-Christians
I am called to be a light in darkness
I am called to serve

So in 2010, my career is on the list. I've been working hard to grow at work and to move up the corporate ladder, so to speak. I have a wonderful boss and we've spent the last year chatting about growth and development. I've applied for 3 jobs in the past few months and have an interview next week; BUT I've been talking to another Senior Director about an AMAZING position which will open up in the next few months. It would be a huge challenge, with amazing potential. So, I'm thinking, praying, working diligently asking for wisdom as I continue to grow at work.

An old college acquaintance of mine wrote on her blog yesterday, "I really want to be a more peaceful person. Enjoying life in the moment and not trying to rush things along. I’m going to spend the year meditating on Philippians 4:4-9. I want to have a gentle spirit. I want to be anxious for nothing. I want to think about things that are true, pure and lovely. And oh, to have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Peace, peace, beautiful peace. I crave it." I can totally relate to this!! It is also what I think of when I think of our non-Christian friends. So many of them want peace and don't have it. I hope that 2010 is a year of peace in my heart, trusting God more deeply and in that way being an arrow pointing people back to Him.

My husband is a semi-professional athlete. So we live a bit of a different life, one that revolves around training schedules, weekends away from home, and being contentious about what we eat. I'm not always good at that, I like to eat out and recently have gotten into baking cookies for the holidays. We've made it a goal to eat out less in 2010. We're cutting back to once a week and eating in the other 6. I think this could be fun!! If you have any favorite recipes send them our way!!

Along those same lines, I want to be more fit in 2010. I've always considered myself a fit person, but I got a "Wii Fit" for Christmas and it says I am 33 years old!! AND I should bring my BMI down to 22 instead of 23. That means, according to my new trainer, that I should loose 5 pounds. That sounds impossible to me! I haven't weighed that little since high school. BUT I'm going to try; be a bit more conscious about what I eat and stay diligent with my running and exercising. I also have 2 races I want to run this spring the Parkway Classic in April and the Annapolis 10 miler in August! Should be a great year!!

In closing I'd like to steal a quote from my friend Leah "Silly 2009 life plans, when will you realize you have little say over what really happens?" Only time will tell what actually happens in 2010!

2009: A Year in Review - BOOKS

2009-12-28T07:52:00.000-08:00

If you don't know I am a book feign. It's a small problem; we have a huge book shelf in the living room (spans 1 wall), 1 small one in the bedroom, and at least 100 books in the closet. This summer we got iPhones and my FAVORITE app is the Kindle. It's amazing, books at my finger tip in seconds. It's actually a little bit dangerous for me! Here's a look at what I've been filling my mind with this year, some good...some bad...some childish...all were enriching in some way shape or form.

1. Twilight Saga: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn - What is there to say, they call the series the "Twilight Saga" for a reason! Drama, teenage romance, rebellion....yup it's all there and I LOVED it.

2. The Year of Rice & Salt - "...a thoughtful and powerful examination of cultures and the people who shape them. How might human history be different if 14th-century Europe was utterly wiped out by plague and Islamic and Buddhist societies emerged as the world's dominant religious and political forces?" So far, this is an excellent book. I love the inside look into eastern culture and how the course of history could be different.

3. The Blessed Child - The story circulates around a small orphan from Ethiopia named Caleb. Caleb, in a tale of daring adventure is rescued from a sure death by a Red Cross nurse and Peace Corps worker. In America, Caleb is placed into the hands of a greedy Priest who upon discovery of his extrodinary powers (raising a man from the dead, restoring sight to a blind boy, and healing a paraplegic) exploits him for personal and financial reasons. His rescuers, the Red Cross nurse and Peace Corps worker, come to his aid once again protecting him from the plans of the Priest and a prominent politician. Bill Bright and Ted Dekker did a great job of writing a gripping story, but underlying it there is such a sweet message reminding us to turn back to the Father. His love for his people is so deep and so often we miss all he has for us because we're "asleep." I really enjoyed the concepts of "walking in the kingdom" and the "unseen" side of life that the authors attempted to put into writing.

4. God of the Possible - "...exceptionally engaging and biblically centered text defends a theological claim that is generating heated controversy among evangelicals: that from God's perspective, the future is partly open, a realm of possibilities as well as certainties."

5. Hot, Flat, and Crowded - "America’s surprising loss of focus and national purpose since 9/11; and the global environmental crisis, which is affecting everything from food to fuel to forests. In this groundbreaking account of where we stand now, he shows us how the solutions to these two big problems are linked--how we can restore the world and revive America at the same time." I have to confess, I read on the WSJ that Obama was reading this book on his summer vacation and that he says, he's been greatly influenced by Thomas Friedman. So I bought the book, I haven't finished it. I'm maybe 1/4 through. I was disappointed. There were some good points, some interesting things to think about, but overall, I thought it was a man on a rant. Kind of lame.

6. The Road - "in a post-apocalyptic blight of gray skies that drizzle ash, a world in which all matter of wildlife is extinct, starvation is not only prevalent but nearly all-encompassing, and marauding bands of cannibals roam the environment with pieces of human flesh stuck between their teeth. But here the love of a desperate father for his sickly son transcends all else." This book reminded me a lot of The Stand, by Stephen King. I really liked it! I will be seeing the movie when it comes out.

7. Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss what Matters Most - "...offers advice for handling these unpleasant exchanges in a manner that accomplishes their objective and diminishes the possibility that anyone will be needlessly hurt." I started reading this book shortly after someone had a conversation with me that...went horribly wrong. I was so hurt by the way this friend approached me/confronted me. This book helped me to understand what may have happened and how I could work to prevent a similar situation from befalling me. It's been a great tool in navigating family relationships, being newly married, and work conflict. HIGHLY recommend it!!

8. Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad - Written by a Waris Dirie about her journey from Desert Nomad to American Super model and U.N. Special Ambassador. Throughout the book she speaks loudly on the subject of female genital mutilation and champions environmental causes. Her exceptional story telling "is intriguing, powerful, and unique." If you're even a little interested in FMG I would recommend this book as a first step into learning more.

9. The Shack - It was a re-read for me; but this book always impacts me. I love the way the author portrays the Father's love for his children. Don't read it without a box of tissues and a tender heart.

10. The 13 1/2 lives of Captain Blue Bear - "...an intrepid "seagoing bear" offers his "demibiography." A foundling floating in a nutshell on the Zamonian Sea, the azure-furred Bluebear is rescued by Minipirates, impish nautical geniuses, who raise him and then, after he gets too big, abandon him to live out 13 lifetimes of adventure populated by a dizzying array of eccentric characters." I LOVED this book. The characters, the stories, the imagination, the vast array of new words; it was just about perfect! I will be reading more Walter Moers in 2010.

a sad way to learn marital truth

2009-12-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

I get The Week, every week. Great little gem, if you're into the news. There is a section called "Gossip" its three little blurbs about various gossip items. One caught my attention today.

"Ashley Dupre, the call girl whose trysts with Eliot Spitzer lead to the New York governor's resignation, returned to the tabloids this week, this time as a sex columnist for the New York Post. In her debut column, Dupre, 24, dishes advice on how to spot signs that your husband is cheating. "Guys are easy to please and I don't mean just sexually," she tells a worried wife. "Ask your self, when was the last time you did something to make your husband feel loved, special, and appreciated...and if you can't remember, then that's your sign right there."

First off, what great advice! It seems that so often we get married or enter into long-term committed relationships and forget to be loving and respectful to each other. Several months ago, my husband and I read "Love and Respect" with some friends, and while overall the book didn't thrill me, it did generat some great conversations between us. I remember one night in particular where my husband said that it meant so much to him when I remember the little things, that he doesn't like certain foods, or when I keep his preferences in mind. Its so easy to be me focused and not remember to think of him and make sure he feels "loved, special, and appreciated."

So Thanks Ashley, for the good advice! (Although I do find it sad that it takes a call girl to remind us all of the simple truth of loving our husbands.)

Snow in DC!!!

2009-12-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it, the weather reports keep getting more and more ominous as the day goes on. The DCist is now reporting that the National Weather Service estimates that between 10 and 20 inches of snow could accumulate between midnight tonight and 6 a.m. on Sunday. Woah! This could be awesome!!

Christmas at the Cayless' - the decorations

2009-12-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas at the Cayless' - the food

2009-12-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

Is it ok we don't have a Christmas Tree?

2009-12-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling a lot of social pressure recently. I guess it all centers around the holiday. This will be our first Christmas as "us." And my friends are busy making "its our first christmas" ornaments and decorating their homes, and well I'm not. I don't really care that its our first christmas, and we don't have a tree (although I would like one). Truth is, we're not home very much this month, gone 2 out of 4 weekends.

Overall, I just don't know what to do with the social pressure to be a certain kind of wife, who cooks and cleans and nests in her home. I just don't do that, and my husband doesn't exactly encourage me to do that, he would rather us do it together. Which, in all honesty, ROCKS but it does make us something of a social anomaly.

Life......

God's omnipresence - quote from Greg Boyd's book, God of the Possible

2009-12-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

Doesn't Einstein's theory of relativity prove that time is ultimately unreal, thus disproving the idea that God experiences a past or a future?

"...Einstein's theory is concerned only with the transference of information at the speed of light between finite observers. But God is not one finite observer among others. He is an observer who is contemporaneous with every finite observer. This changes everything (though we shouldn't fault Einstein for not incorporating this into his theory).

"It means that God's experience of others is not dependent on (relative to) the speed of light. He doesn't need to "wait" for information to arrive to him via the speed of light. He is "there" when the information originates"

Thanksgiving Quote

2009-11-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

"...and it was never but once a year that they were brought together anyway, and that was on the neutral, dereligionized ground of Thanksgiving, when everybody gets to eat the same thing, nobody sneaking off to eat funny stuff—no kugel, no gefilte fish, no bitter herbs, just one colossal turkey for two hundred and fifty million people—one colossal turkey feeds all. A moratorium on funny foods and funny ways and religious exclusivity, a moratorium on the three-thousand-year-old nostalgia of the Jews, a moratorium on Christ and the cross and the crucifixion for the Christians, when everyone in New Jersey and elsewhere can be more passive about their irrationalities than they are the rest of the year. A moratorium on all the grievances and resentments . . . for everyone in America who is suspicious of everyone else. It is the American pastoral par excellence and it lasts twenty-four hours.” —Philip Roth

anxiety...or excitement

2009-11-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

They just posted 3 new jobs in my department. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want one of them..but there is going to be some majorly stiff competition. I feel so anxious. I knew this day was coming, but now its here...I want to run and hide. Ugh.

Decisions, decisions.....

2009-11-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I made a decision! It was a HUGE weight off of my shoulders, I didn't even realize how much I had been burdened by the process. I am excited about my prospects, in fact, I am content exactly where I am...for the time being. :)

Feeling convicted....

2009-10-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

I love my husband, but he seldom agrees with me. We have polarizing views when it comes to politics and sometimes the social implications of politics on our general lives. (It honestly is one of the things I love about him, keeps me thinking!) A few nights ago we had one of those, gut wrenching, strongly opinionated conversations; which I can't seem to get out of my head. It's gnawing at me and I'm feeling convicted. (Shocker!)

There have been several very disturbing news stories over the past 2 months. The first involved an Honor Roll student who was jumped an beaten in Chicago and the second happened over the weekend, a young woman was gang-raped after her high school homecoming. Both stories seemed to involve a young man who had graduated from high school, but was still "hanging around." And I have to admit, I am utterly overwhelmed by the depth of poverty in some of the cities here in America and the negitive consequences on society. It reminds me of third world countries where people don't have food and will kill for it or tribes who go to war over water. We have people here who are killing over turf and aimlessly wandering around looking for trouble because they simply can not find a job. I have to ask myself, what are we (my family, my church, my government) doing about it? To steal a quote from a recent Business as Mission Network article "Can we admit that we have subsidized lethargy and promoted the idea that God is simply not capable of providing for or sustaining them without indefinite charity?"

I think we've created a monster. We've been in the business of hand-outs for so long that now there aren't jobs left for people to have, or we have forgotten how to be indistrial, or people think they don't need one. "We need to be about the business of helping families be sustainable and pointing the way to Godly purpose and fulfillment." And we seem to be failing so badly at this! I look at my church, we're so good at HUGE service projects where we hand out food, and clothes and tracts, but are we really helping? Are we actually hurting those we are trying to help?

"I know it is not as glamorous and as personally edifying as being the amazing Americans that have come to bestow our gifts and prayers on them. But to me, sustainable missions and providing opportunity to others is compassionate, benevolent, spirit empowering and the highest use of our money, time and efforts." We are failing our neighbors.

My friend Amanda works for microfinance company; so I asked her, "Can we do microfinance here in America?" Our final conclusion was, yes, but no. The loans most people need are so big and not everyone can start a big company; raising pigs or cattle isn't going to help someone change the course of their family here. However, she did mention, group savings plans. Where a community starts saving together. Each month, each family gets the "pot" or a larger savings throughout the course of the year. This could revolutionize things for families. To have $1000 instead of just $100.

It is high time we begin to wean ourselves off of the easy displays of spiritual philanthropy and set our efforts to assisting people out of despair. Sow opportunity. Sow life. Life that sustains people, establishes families, builds community and endures for generations.

I would LOVE to get involved in ideas like this. Anyone know of anything?!

Washington Monuments at Night

2009-10-26T18:03:00.001-07:00

My husband and I decided to take the perfect fall evening to walk around our lovely historic town and enjoy the scenery. We walked past the Washington Monument, the WWII Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. It was tremendous, got some nice photos too.

Washington Monuments at Night (Cont.)

2009-10-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

Long run on a beautiful fall day

2009-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

It was the PERFECT fall day yesterday. Temps in the 50s and 60s, the trees are about to peak at their full color, the sky was bright blue and the sun was shining. I drove up to Bethesda, Maryland and parked the car and ran all the way back to Virginia. It was about 8 1/2 miles of gorgeous trees, trickling streams, and bikers and runners galor! I saw a little fuzzy caterpillars (the black and brown kind) and a baby turtle!

My body hates me today, but it was TOTALLY worth all the pain.

MapMyRun.com - Long Run: Long run on 10/25/2009

Quote of the Day

2009-10-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

"With our progress we have destroyed our only weapon against tedium: that rare weakness we call imagination."
– Oriana Fallaci

Quote

2009-10-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Can he have followed far, who has no wound or scar?
~Amy Carmichael

Weeping between the porch and the altar

2009-10-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

By: Leonard Ravenhill

“Revival is a mysterious divine intervention. I think one of the most awesome tasks given to man was given to John Baptist, when God said, “Prepare YE the way of the Lord.”

You know, you talk about revival in this country and everybody has got tunnel vision. Iniquity has never swaggered like it swaggers now. You know what has happened in the last twenty three years in England? In the last twenty three years in England the Muslims have built 300 mosques and at the same time they were building their 300 mosques the Church of England has closed 660 churches. Does it drive us to despair? We go on as though we were on the edge of the millennium instead of on the edge of judgment.”

Stolen Quote

2009-09-29T07:37:00.001-07:00

I try to hear from heaven, but I talk the whole time...

Help!

2009-09-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

Lord, help me to bloom where I am planted.

Random stream of thought

2009-09-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

My husband's mother died about three and a half years ago from pancreatic cancer. I've never had the privalege of meeting her. I'm often conflicted and sad that she missed our wedding and she doesn't get to be a part of our life and the milestones that will come.

With Patrick Swayze passing last week, some of these feelings and my own grief/loss resurfaced. I'm still contemplating reading his memoir or finding a pancreatic cancer research center to support. I heard that pancreatic cancer can be genetic and can show up through generations of families, which TERRIFIES me.

A news article I read about him had a quote from his memoir. It really touched me. I don't put a lot of stock in celebrity relationships, or expect any sort of genuine expressions of affection from them. However, Patrick and his wife met in their late teens and remained together until his death. It moved me. He wrote of his wife: “How grateful I am that you chose to love me,” he writes of wife Lisa Niemi. “I know that because of you, I've found my spirit. I saw the man I wanted to be. You are my woman, my lover, my mate and my lady. I loved you forever, I love you now and I will love you forever more.”

Beautiful isn't it?

Female Genital Mutilation

2009-09-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

There was a great article in the Global Post on Saturday about female genital mutilation. Several of the Scandinavian countries are taking some drastic steps to protect girls from some of these dangerous, traditional practices. I think this is a great first step.

Click here to read the whole article: Scandinavia fights female circumcision

Hot, Flat, and Crowded

2009-09-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

"Avoid the unmanageable and manage the unavoidable."
- Sigma Xi

Stats

2009-08-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

"Every 30 seconds a child is trafficked into abuse and violence..."

Discontentment

2009-08-18T12:12:00.001-07:00

Recently, I've really been wrestling with my life. Don't get me wrong I love my life, but it can at times be a very self-centered, selfish life; its bugging me. I have been really challenged by some amazing people around me. One family has adopted 2 special needs children, in addition to their 4 boys. Other friends of mine are working in drought stricken african villages and I can't help but think...what lasting, eternal contributions am I making?

As I contemplate, maybe it has less to do with what I do and more to do with the posture of my heart and my attitude. But my heart seems impossble to bring into alignment.

2009-07-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

"...I have no magic wand to wave over you and make it all better. Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship..."
- The Shack

Christian converst shot in Somalia

2009-07-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 20 (Compass Direct News) – Muslim extremists early this morning killed a Christian convert in Mahadday Weyne, Somalia, 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Mogadishu. Al Shabaab Islamist militia shot Mohammed Sheikh Abdiraman to death at 7 a.m., eyewitnesses told Compass. They said the Islamic extremists appeared to have been hunting the convert from Islam, and when they found him they did not hesitate to shoot him. The sources told Compass that Abdiraman was the leader of an underground “cell group” of Christians in Somalia. Another eyewitness who requested anonymity said Abdiraman had been a Christian for 15 years. He is survived by two children, ages 15 and 10. His wife died three years ago due to illness. “We are very sad about this incident, and we also are not safe,” one eyewitness said by telephone. “Pray for us.”

Iran: American Foreign Policy

2009-07-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

"Washington can no longer play checkers as Tehran plays chess. Credibility matters. Adversaries test red lines wherever they are drawn. Obama should not, like his predecessors, draw his in pencil."

"...the chief problem in the Islamic Republic is that the government believes itself accountable more to God than to its constituents. While workers go without wages for months on end, the Iranian leadership invests billions in nuclear and ballistic missile programs or exporting the revolution. If the Islamic Republic had to answer to its overwhelmingly moderate citizenry, Tehran's behavior would temper considerably. Bush missed a Gdansk moment when Iranian bus drivers, under the leadership of Mansour Osanlou, formed the Islamic Republic's first independent trade union. Sugar cane workers in Khuzistan followed suit. Both forced the government to make concessions and be accountable to Iranians. The development of independent trade unions in Iran is a trend Obama should encourage."

~Quote from Michael Rubin

Violence in China - courtesy of Intercessors Network

2009-07-06T03:32:00.000-07:00

Scores killed in China protests

Violence in China’s restive western region of Xinjiang has left at least 140 people dead and more than 800 people injured, state media say. Several hundred people have also been arrested after the violence erupted in the city of Urumqi on Sunday. Xinhua news agency said police restored order after demonstrators attacked passers-by and set fire to vehicles.

The protest was reportedly prompted by a deadly fight between Uighurs and Han Chinese in southern China last month. The BBC’s Chris Hogg in Shanghai says that if the numbers of dead are to be believed - and state media say they may rise - this looks like the bloodiest suppression of protest in China since Tiananmen Square 20 years ago.

‘Foreign plot’
Uighur exiles said police had fired indiscriminately on a peaceful protest in Urumqi.
The Xinjiang government blamed separatist Uighurs based abroad for orchestrating attacks on ethnic Han Chinese.Eyewitnesses said the violence started on Sunday with a few hundred people, and grew to more than 1,000.

Xinhua says the protesters carried knives, bricks and batons, smashed cars and stores, and fought with security forces.Wu Nong, news director for the Xinjiang government, said more than 260 vehicles were attacked and more than 200 shops and houses damaged. An overnight curfew was imposed.Uighur groups insisted a peaceful protest had become victim to state violence.

‘Dark day’
The Uighurs were reportedly angry over an ethnic clash last month in the city of Shaoguan in southern Guangdong province.A man there was said to have posted a message on a local website claiming six boys from Xinjiang had “raped two innocent girls”.
Police said the false claim sparked a vicious brawl between Han and Uighur ethnic groups at a factory. Two Uighurs were killed and 118 people were injured.

However, the Xinjiang government has blamed the latest unrest on businesswoman Rebiya Kadeer, the Uighurs’ leader who is living in exile in the United States. “An initial investigation showed the violence was masterminded by the separatist World Uighur Congress led by Rebiya Kadeer,” the government said in a statement, according to Xinhua. It said the violence had been “instigated and directed from abroad”.

The vice-president of the US-based Uighur American Association, Alim Seytoff, condemned the “heavy-handed” actions of the security forces. “We ask the international community to condemn China’s killing of innocent Uighurs. This is a very dark day in the history of the Uighur people,” he said.

The BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in China says Xinjiang, a mainly Muslim area, has been a source of tension for many years. Some of its Uighur population of about eight million, want to break away from China, and its majority Han Chinese population.
The authorities say police are securing order across the region and anyone creating a disturbance will be detained and punished.

Q&A: China and the Uighurs

The latest unrest in China’s western Xinjiang region follows a long history of discord between China’s authorities and the Uighur minority.

Who are the Uighurs?
The Uighurs are Muslims. Their language is related to Turkish and they regard themselves as culturally and ethnically close to other Central Asian nations.
The region’s economy has for centuries revolved around agriculture and trade, with towns such as Kashgar thriving as hubs along the Silk Road. In the early part of the 20th Century, the Uighurs briefly declared independence. The region was brought under the complete control of communist China in 1949. Officially, Xinjiang is now described by China as an autonomous region, like Tibet to its south.

What are China’s concerns about the Uighurs?
Beijing says Uighur militants have been waging a violent campaign for an independent state by plotting bombings, sabotage and civic unrest. Since the 9/11 attacks in the US, China has increasingly portrayed its Uighur separatists as auxiliaries of al-Qaeda.
It has accused them of receiving training and indoctrination from Islamist militants in neighbouring Afghanistan. However, little public evidence has been produced in support of these claims.

More than 20 Uighurs were captured by the US military after its invasion of Afghanistan. Though imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay for six years, they were not charged with any offence. Albania accepted five in 2006, four were allowed to resettle in Bermuda in June, 2009, while the Pacific island nation of Palau has agreed to take the others.

What complaints have been made against the Chinese in Xinjiang?
Activists say the Uighurs’ religious, commercial and cultural activities have been gradually curtailed by the Chinese state. China is accused of intensifying its crackdown on the Uighurs after street protests in the 1990s - and again, in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.

Over the past decade, many prominent Uighurs have been imprisoned or have sought asylum abroad after being accused of terrorism. China is said to have exaggerated the threat from Uighur separatists in order to justify repression in the region.
Beijing has also been accused of seeking to dilute Uighur influence by arranging the mass immigration of Han Chinese, the country’s majority ethnic group, to Xinjiang.
Han Chinese currently account for roughly 40% of Xinjiang’s population.

What is the current situation in Xinjiang?
Over the last decade, major development projects have brought prosperity to Xinjiang’s big cities. The activities of local and foreign journalists in the region are closely monitored by the Chinese state and there are few independent sources of news from the region.

China has been keen to highlight improvements made to the region’s economy while Uighurs interviewed by the press have avoided criticising Beijing. However, occasional attacks on Chinese targets suggest Uighur separatism remains a potent - and potentially violent - force.

A protest in July in Urumqi, the region’s capital, turned violent, with about 140 people killed and hundreds injured. Authorities blamed Xinjiang separatists based outside China for the unrest; while Uighur exiles said police had fired indiscriminately on a peaceful protest calling for an investigation into the deaths of two Uighurs in clashes with Han Chinese at a factory in southern China.

Sri Lanka

2009-05-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

The conflict in Sri Lanka really troubles me. They claim that the fighting is over, that the "rebels" have been defeated and peace will soon follow. I am wary.

SRI LANKA CRISIS DEEPENS AS RED CROSS SUSPENDS AID
Robert Bosleigh in Colombo

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been forced to suspend the distribution of emergency supplies to as many as 300,000 people displaced by the Sri Lankan Army’s victory over the Tamil Tigers after the Government blocked access to aid camps.

Fears have been growing over the welfare of those forced to flee the conflict zone – many of whom are sick or suffering from battlefield injuries – after tight restrictions were placed on the UN and other agencies trying to administer aid.

Urgently needed supplies of food and clothing had been suspended after access to the camps was restricted by the Government, an ICRC spokesperson told The Times this morning.

The ICRC had been the only neutral aid organisation allowed inside the conflict zone. It had between 20 and 25 staff on the ground in the northeastern region where the Tigers made their last stand over the weekend but has not heard from them since last week.

Those who escaped had to wade through a mine-strewn lagoon, journeying several days to reach camps that are struggling to cope.

Accounts of conditions inside the camps — gained from testimony recorded covertly by aid workers — and the journey to them are horrifying. (continue reading...)

LIFE: What it means to be a Christian

2009-05-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've found myself contemplating the question, "what does it mean to be a Christian?" and not in the cliche' WWJD way, but in the "what does the Bible say, what does God himself say" way.

James says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." As an American, its easy for me to think just about myself (and maybe my husband) but...I can be such an individual that I forget about the world around me and those suffering and those alone. In our Bible study last night, someone brought up a great point, (we're reading Daniel) and he noted that Daniel came before God and confessed the sins of the nation, he confessed and begged for forgiveness on a national level. What a different way of thinking! He cared DEEPLY about those around him who would suffer if God didn't intercede.

My husband and I have talked about what kind of family we want to be, what type of Christians we want to be. We've both feel strongly that we want to be "bridge builders." We want to open our home to anyone who needs a place that is safe and warm and loving. We want to care for the orphan and the widow. Often times, this is just inviting friends out for a beer on Friday night, or listening to a co-worker whose having trouble at work, etc. It' not glamorous, some days its hard. I don't want to care...but I feel...like God is calling us to be different.

A friend told me this fabulous story: 3 men arrived in heaven. The first man was from China, Jesus embraced him and said "well done my good and faithful servant for you have faced immense persecution even at the sake of your own life and remained faithful to me." The second man was from Zambia. Jesus embraced him and said "well done my good and faithful servant for you have faced poverty and destitution and remained faithful to me." The third man was from America. Jesus embraced him and said, "well done my good and faithful servant for you have faced greed and selfishness and remained faithful to me." This story always makes me stop in my tracks. It encapsulates one aspect of what it means to be a Christian. To be a Christian means (in part) looking beyond ourselves, to go beyond our natural selfishness and greed to reach out to those around us who need a touch; who need peace, comfort, a friend.

The Last Battle

2009-04-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

What News the Eagle Brought...
"Nay, sister," answered Jewel, "all worlds draw to an end; except Aslan's own country."

How the dwarfs refused to be taken in...
"You see," said Aslan. "They will not let us help them. They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they can not be taken out."

Night Falls on Narnia...
"...as they came right up to Aslan one or the other of two things happened to them. They all looked straight in his face; I don't think they had any choice about that. And when some looked, the expression of their faces changed terribly-it was fear and hatred; except that on the faces of Talking Beasts, the fear and hatred lasted only for a fraction of a second. You could see that they suddenly ceased to be Talking Beasts. They were just ordinary animals. And all the creatures who looked at Aslan in that way swerved to their right, his left, and disappeared into his huge black shadow...but the others looked in the face of Aslan and loved him though some of them were very frightened at the same time. And all these came in at the Door, in on Aslan's right."

Further up, Further in...
"...that was not the real Narnia. That had a beginning and an end. It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia which had always been here and always will be here: just as their own world, England and all, is only a shadow or copy of something in Aslan's real world."

"I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it until now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this!"

Ponderings

2009-04-24T07:09:00.001-07:00

...First, know yourself....