5 days later...

It's gone. The snow is completely gone and it is 76 degrees out. I know I should be enjoying this, but it actually makes me a little sad.

SNOW!!!

This is the first time since we moved here, 4 1/2 years ago, that Lynchburg has gotten actual snow. Usually it's freezing rain, or a little bit of flurries. I'm so excited about this because it reminds me of home. One difference: if this were Michigan schools would still be open, and I would not be home from work with a delay. Here are some pictures I took of our house and street.



I wish I had the entire day off so I could go out and enjoy it!

Organic?

What exactly does it mean to be organic? Wikipedia has a good article on what it means to be organic here. I see labels all the time at the grocery store for organic vegetables, fruits, milk, cereals, meats, even popcorn and chips. It has seem to become so mainstream and commercialized now, I find it hard to believe that all these foods actually qualify as "organic." I wonder how much of it is a gimmick...
Last year, Jesse and I had a small garden. This year we are going to have a garden space probably 4 or 5 times the size of it. It's such a cost-saver. It's truly organic. We didn't use any chemical fertilizer or pesticides. The only method of pest-deterrent we used was planting a row of marigolds around the perimeter. It seemed to work really well, and it looked pretty. I'm really looking forward to this coming season of growing cucumbers, zucchini, squash, peppers, green beans, lettuce, and tomatoes (for Jesse).

Hello.

So I am back in Virginia. After spending 10 days in Utah I really didn't want to come back to Virginia. In fact, the only reason I did was for Carrie and my dog Rummy. This was my first visit to Utah. I was really surprised by the Wasatch National Forest... the mountains are absolutely huge! The terrain was incredible. One day I was walking on top of a mountain when out of the blue a dangerous pack of midgets showed up out of nowhere. We fought hard and in the end a bearcat saved me. I threw 6 midges off the side of the cliff. Anyways. I skied 7 days at Snowbird, Alta, Snowbasin, Solitude, and Brighton. We got a total of about 40 inches while I was out. Of all the resorts we skied I liked Alta the best. Alta is one of the few remaining ski hills in the country that does not allow snowboarders. I carry a knife in case I get into an altercation with a pack of wild snowboarders or midgets.

12 movies, 3 days

I'm having trouble sitting down and writing about my Sundance Film Festival experience.
Maybe it's because I am so tired and restless since I've returned. Seeing 12 films in 3 days will do that to you. It was worth it though and I can't wait to go back next year!
I wanted to write a brief synopsis on each movie I saw, but my mind is failing me at the moment. So a list is all I can come up with for now.

Victoria Day
The Yes Men Fix the World (Documentary)
Sin Nombre
Cold Souls
Shrink
An Education
Bronson
Over the Hills and Far Away (Documentary)
It May Get Loud (Documentary)
Mystery Team
Paper Heart
Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire

I enjoyed them all. Some were difficult to watch at times (Sin Nombre, Bronson, Push), others really made you think (Yes Men), some were just entertaining without having to think at all (It May Get Loud, Mystery Team). My favorites were Shrink and An Education. I think both of these movies will end up in theater, so you'll have your chance to see them.
I only saw one "star" and I can't even think of his name or any movies he has been in. He hasn't been in anything in a long time. I know I'll see him in something one day and will be able to say "That's him! That's the actor that was one foot away from me!"
I did have a man on the bus ask me what movie I was in. He was old though and probably nearsighted.
Here is my favorite picture from my trip. I sadly forgot I had a camera and didn't take very many. This was my first morning in Utah on my drive to Park City. It is so beautiful there. Jesse told me I'd fall in love with it and he'd have to drag me back to Virginia. That didn't happen, but I really did enjoy the views.

5 days till Sundance....

I can't believe it's almost here! I thought about it last night and actually got butterflies in my stomach. On Thursday, I will be on my way to Park City, UT for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival! I've been working on my schedule and it was a bigger task than I had imagined. In my head, I always imagined the festival to take place in this enormous clearing with heated tents set up everywhere as makeshift theaters. The festival actually takes place between approximately 20 theaters in 3 different cities. So I also have to consider location when choosing the films I want to see. I want to waste as little time as possible going between cities (which are about 45 minutes apart). I think I've got it worked out. I'm planning to see 5 movies on Friday, 5 on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday. Sunday will also hold some award presentations. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back!

Our planet and the things that happen...

Carrie and I watched The Constant Gardner last night. As I was browsing the Netflix list of movies that you can watch instantly my interest was not drawn to the movie by the title... I thought it was a love story. Carrie picked it out. Having now watched the movie it was a gripping image of the plight of so many people in our world. People that don't have anything. While the story told in the movie may be fiction it is, in my opinion, an accurate representation of 3rd world living and the trials people face. I certainly look within myself and wonder if I am doing anything to effect change and help people. We sponsor a child... let me think... ok... so in an effort to help people that don't have anything my wife and I sponsor a child. For the longest time that seemed like enough. Naturally, "enough" is relative. For me it is not enough to sponsor 1,000 kids because when it is enough that means that I have made up in my mind that I have done my part and I can stop trying or try enough to sustain the kids that I sponsor. There will never be enough for me. By the grace of God I am going to find sustainable ways to provide food, clean water, and a place to live for many people. Each generation there are people that step forward and do something outstanding. I will be one of those people stepping forward in faith asking God to use me and those that partner with me to effect change in our environment and the people that inhabit it. If not me than who? If not now then when? If not you... why not? I can't sit idle and hope that someone takes up the cause of those that have no voice.


Our little girl Alma Patricia.

Sponsor a child. Take up a cause. Effect change in our world.

I choose to fight AIDS and the destruction of our natural environment.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas and Bob Marley.

Carrie and I were invited to a Christmas party this past weekend. It was a good time spending time with old friends and having a chance to meet some new people. I am glad that Christmas parties only happen once a year... a lot of small talk and telling my story over and over again. I prefer to ask people their deepest fears and then make rude comments when I see them later... it is good for throwing them off their game. Below is what Carrie looked like... very nice!I came home from work one day and all Carrie was saying was, "ho, ho, ho"... I am not a ho. She wears this goofy hat and jacket because she thinks they look regal. I think they look elderly. The belt is nice.
This is Carrie working on our Christmas "tree". It is hard to call it a tree when it is really a bunch of wire and plastic... there is nothing tree about it. It does not grow, filter air, or produce fruit. Frankly, to call it a tree is a lie. Carrie did a good job decorated our metal wire / plastic fixture.

I am not feeling very festive lately. I love the Christmas holiday but I am not feeling the gifts and stuff in general. My mom and stepdad did get me a great backpack which I really like. Other than that I don't really want much. In fact, lately it is just the opposite, I have been getting rid of stuff on eBay and Goodwill. When I say that I need something it is almost always and exaggeration. I fell into a trap a long time ago that told me I need more stuff... sometimes I feel like my house is full of stuff that has little or no value and really just ties me down. It would be interesting to put together a list of 10 or 15 things that I NEED and then get rid of everything else. Obvisouly, furniture and things like that would not be included. I am referring to personal effects like a computer, watch, and such.

Rummy.

A jourey of five.

This past weekend 4 friends and I set out on a journey that would take 2.25 days and stretch 24 miles. We left Lynchburg on Friday night at about 6:00 PM and ended up near Roanoke. We started out hiking to Dragon's Tooth and setting up camp at about 10:30PM. It was 15 degrees and super windy. My sleeping bag kept me warm... I didn't want to get out the next morning as it was roughly 24.35 degrees or thereabouts. So, we ended up breaking down camp and moving out at about 11:00 AM... we should have probably moved out a little earlier.

Just about to take off North on the AT to go to McAfee's Knob. Day two took us about 12 miles or so. By the end of the day I was feeling good yet excited to rest and sit around a camp fire. We made our way to the shelter and setup camp. Stoves came out, food packets were ripped open, and we ate a much needed meal. It was really nice to rest my feet and legs. I was in bed by 8:30 PM and asleep by 8:40.

This photo was at the summit of McAfees's Knob was taken early on last day of the journey. It was pretty cold up there. In fact, there was some pools of frozen water. Some really great views. We could see from the top where we headed (Tinker Cliffs). We finished the hike at about 5:30 on Sunday evening and frankly by the end I was happy to have finished. We climbed 3500 feet on Sunday over about 8 miles and then desceneded about the same amount over about 2 miles. Most people are happy to go down... I was not. The descent was obscenely steep and not good on my knees. Had I not had my friend Tim to talk to on the way down I would have been a very angry camper... literally. Chatting with Tim helped to keep my mind off how my body was feeling. Thanks Tim! Once we finished the hike we went to Burger King. I at a loaded burger, junior Whopper, large fries, and two hershey pieces. I did not feel good after I ate.

Sundance, Here I Come!

I love movies. Those of you who know me, know this already. My favorite past time is to see a movie. Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Romance, Action, Foreign, Dark Comedy... (any genre except Horror actually). I don't even mind going by myself to the theater (actually for some movies I prefer it). I love Netflix. Great variety of movies, delivered directly to my door! I love to eat popcorn while I watch movies, especially homemade popcorn accompanied by cheese cubes (or with Mike & Ike's as Heika introduced to me awhile ago). Why am I telling you this? To give you an idea how exciting this next exclamation is:
I am going to the 2009 Sundance Film Festival!
Jesse is going to Utah at the end of January for an outdoor retail tradeshow and to ski for a week. He discovered that the Sundance Film Festival was going to be the same week as the tradeshow in approximately the same area. He asked if I'd be interested in going... of course I was! Getting tickets was quite a task though! It took a lot of determination, sweat, and tears (well, actually just determination). First, I had to wait for a certain date until I could register. After I registered, I had to wait a few weeks to see if I would be one of the random picks to be assigned a time-slot. I was one of the lucky chosen and got my time-slot, but I still wasn't guaranteed tickets! Wednesday night at 6pm EST, I logged on, said a prayer, and then proceeded to purchase. What a stressful time as I waited for the page to load to see if my purchase went through.... Here is me after I got my confirmation:
I got a weekend pass which allows me to see any films I want Friday - Sunday, and I also get to go to an award presentation on Saturday night! They haven't announced yet the films that will be at the festival.
I'm so excited about this! I will be sure to post pictures of my adventure and I'll let you know how many famous people I meet. :)

Do you know this Carrie?

Do you recognize Carrie on the left? That was probably around 2003 or so. That is the Carrie I fell madly in love with. That is the Carrie I would do laundry for, wash dishes with, and clean the house without complaining. It dawned on me yesterday while talking to my very good friend Paul that I have lost the desire to serve my wife. I forgot that simply posting a sound on our blog or telling her she looks good is not a enough. It is not enough for me to say I am going to do things to help out. I forget or just didn't care that Carrie works all day and then comes home and does the laundry, cooks dinner, and picks up around the house. I have become a husband that comes home and does nothing. I realized that the way to make my wife madly in love with ME again is by serving her. By cleaning the house, doing the laundry, and washing the dishes. Then when that is done I can post a sound on our blog and tell her she looks nice. Once I have done all these things I may get lucky... but if I don't, I still have a wife who loves me more than anyone else and is passionately desires to be with me. I feel so stupid that I was letting things slip away. So ashamed that I allowed my wife to carry the load. That I was selfish in always doing what I wanted. Never taking her out on a date. Rarely giving her the opportunity to gets dressed up and feel sexy. For the last couple of years I have failed as a husband. I think it is important for everyone to know that I have become that guy. I took Carrie on a date last night to Outback and as we were sitting in the booth I was taken back to when we were dating and all my thoughts centered around Carrie. How she had my complete attention. I waited for the phone to ring and when it was her I acted cool like I just happened to answer on the first ring. My deep love of Carrie is still there I have just allowed myself to get "busy".

Carrie, I am sorry for not treating you like the light of my life. That I have made playful fun of you around other people. I will from this point treat as you should be treated. I love you.

Numbers from World War I.

Today marks the 90th anniversary of World War I. I have not really read a whole lot about this war until today. Wikipedia has a really interesting article about the war. It is incredible how many soldiers gave their life for their respective sides. We should never forget what freedom costs.

Casualties and losses
US & ALLIES Military dead: 5,525,000 Military wounded: 12,831,500 Military missing: 4,121,000	THEM Military dead: 4,386,000 Military wounded: 8,388,000 Military missing: 3,629,000

This is how I feel about Carrie.

Stange pride.

Carrie and I are constantly looking for ways to consume less and get more out of what we already have. So, I ask Carrie to put my sandwiches for lunch in a reusable container. Whenever possible she does. If we don't have anything other than sandwich bags she put them in one and I bring it home to reuse it. After all, there is nothing wrong with it. Today I open my lunch bag and laugh. My sandwiches are in the bag the salami came it. I was proud of Carries resourcefulness. It shows me that as we begin to alter our way of thinking we can come up with creative ways to reuse things. Good work Carrie.

FYI... this concept does not work with toilet paper.

Question authority.

You’re the only person who decides how you’re going to spend your life, so invest the time to discover your passion. Don’t accept the path laid out before you by others—just figure out what you enjoy doing and do it.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life”
—Steve Jobs

And now, The President of the United States

Whether you like him or not, Barack Obama will be our new president. He needs our prayers, not our judgement or criticism. He's got quite a country to lead.

Exclamation points.

I am typically a pretty reserved person. You won't see me too excited or too down. I rarely scream out phrases like, "Thanks!!", "you bethcha!!!", or "freakin' a right essay!!"... however when I type emails I am always using exclamation points. I don't speak with such emotion. In fact, sometimes I feel like this guy:


Swingline stapler

Standard.

This is standard equipment for Cliff.

Cliff Butternut... he said he is the adventure extraordinaire.

So I was hanging out tonight at home with some friends. We were having a good time doing a lot of beat boxing. Out of nowhere this guy shows up on my porch and I'm like, "who are you? can I help you? get off my porch fella." So, he says, "my name is Cliff Butternut and I'm the Adventure Extraordinaire." Then he invited me on an adventure. It was kind of weird but I told him I would think about it. With that, he scaled a tree, jumped to a telephone pole and was gone. I wonder what he meant about an adventure. I kind of feel like I'm in The Matrix and I have to choose the pill. How deep does the rabbit hole go??

Cliff Butternut, Adventure Extraordinaire