weekend adventures with bessie

Ok…I’m a little embarrassed to be even admitting this, but since I moved into my new home back in mid-december, there’s a slight chance that I haven’t mowed the grass for a few weeks (19 to be exact…). Finally, this past weekend, after long deliberation, lawnmower research, and semi-hateful glances from various neighbors from behind their Levolor blinds, I decided to buy a Yardman lawnmower. This 158cc gas-powered beast of a machine comes packed with the raw power of four harnessed children. As I put Bessie together (don’t judge me!), my mind began to fill with visions of a perfectly manicured lawn with professional-looking stripes and circles around the trees and such. With the final piece snapping into place, I wheeled Bessie out to the front yard for a test drive. I fired it up and after a few seconds the engine was stabilizing. Now comes the fun part. :D

Gripping the pulldown handle, I pushed forward with slight ease and my lawn-mowing commences! After about 8 feet of 14 inch grass, the lawnmower stops and I quickly realize that the grass storage bag is already full. As it turns out, Bessie came with a grass receptacle that has roughly the same storage space as my grandpa’s fanny-pack. By the time I finished mowing the front and back lawn, I had to empty out this bag not once, not twice, but 28 times. 45 minutes and 2 claritin later, the lawn looks perfect (perfect is used here as a relative term, and I really mean it looks alright, with some wild grass still left around the edges). After about half hour of intense research on the Home&Garden channel, I started the edging and weedpulling part of the day.

Since I wasn’t smart enough to buy a weedwhacker/edger, I began pulling weeds and trimming the edges of the lawn with a pair of scissors slightly larger than my swiss-army knife. Since it has been a few weeks since I’ve done some yardwork, the weeds had grown to be a bit larger than I had expected. No worries, I got this. After 3 band-aids and 1.5 hours of non-stop weeding, I finally cleared the backyard of those pesky buggers (totally looked easier on the H&G channel). Now comes the highlight of the day: taking down the tree. Armed with a Black & Decker chainsaw, and in a stoically man fashion (that’s right…I said it), I went at it, tearing this bad-boy down in less than 20 minutes. For some reason, in that testosterone filled moment, I felt like Buck from Oregon Trail. Woot! Fresh supply of firewood for the wintertime! Now I just have to shoot 2 squirrels and a deer for 50 units of food to feed my wife and 3 young-uns.

Finally, at the end of the day, I wheel Bessie to the newly cleared corner of the garage (sorry Brenda, your office chair has been evicted), where it can hibernate till our next adventure. Now, what to do with all that firewood?

a guy falls in a hole...

A guy’s walking down the street and he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep that he can’t get out. A doctor walks by and the guy says “hey doc, can you help me out?” The doctor write a prescription, throws it down in the hole and keeps going. Then a priest walks by and the guy shouts out “hey father I’m stuck in a hole can you help me out?” The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. The guy says “hey Joe, it’s me. Can you help me out?” and the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says “are you stupid? Now we’re both down here.” The friend says “yeah but I’ve been down here before and I know the way out.”

___

Sometime a friend can see things about you that you can't see: your strengths, your flaws, your triumphs, and your sins. Suppose a friend saw something about you that, had you known about it, you'd want to change. Wouldn't you want that friend to tell you? Often, it's a friend that provides the insight, the fresh perspective on something that you had pinpointed to be certain.

Thanks friend.

eppur si muove

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to put your beliefs to the ultimate test? If there were severe consequences to hanging on to what you believe…would you still believe it? Would you admit to it? Part of me thinks that we’re very fortunate to live in a time and place where we’re not necessarily at risk of being put in that situation on a daily basis. Another part of me thinks that that may not necessarily be for the best. Would I be more resolute in my convictions had they been put to the test? I think my faith is wishy-washy at times because I’ve never had to defend it. How would I react if I were put to the test? I’d love to say that I’d stick by my convictions 100%, but until that moment, I won’t know for sure how I’d react. A few weeks ago, I read a friend’s blog post on eggs, carrots, and coffee beans boiling in water. Each reacts differently to the trial, the egg hardening, the carrot softening, and the coffee beans changing the water. What would I be??

In 1633, when faced with an Inquisition on his Heliocentric view of the universe, Galileo was found to be a heretic and order to recant his teachings that the Earth revolved around the sun. Under oath, Galileo was forced to recant his life’s work and teaching before a panel of Church officials. Legend has it that after he recanted he muttered under his breath “eppur si muove”. That part, of course, is apocryphal. If Galileo really said “it still moves”, he would’ve most certainly been either imprisoned or put to death on the spot. However, this tale makes me wonder if I’d have the guts to do that? Would I be so sure of my beliefs that I’d risk everything to declare it?

Now faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

driving, training , and the pursuit of a new passport

This morning around 6am, I set off for a day in SF, filled with Bloomberg training, passport renewals, and meeting up with old friends. Frustration meter level: 0%

I pulled into the chevron station with 16 open pumps…and of course I pull up to the one that is out of order. Frustration meter level: 5%

Stuck in traffic for 45 minutes due to what ended up being a guy on the side of the freeway holding up a sign saying “free Juanita Harris”. Who? By the time I got there, so did the CHP. Hope someone will hold up a sign begging to free you pal. Best of luck. Frustration meter level: 20%

Tailgated by an old lady in a Carrera 4S for 15 miles. I guess grandma’s got a lead foot. Frustration meter level: 35%

Stumbled on a new Christian radio station (the candle?)…might have been around for a while but I’ve never heard of it. The host told an awesome story about a developmentally challenged child and her interactions with others in her class. Frustration meter level: 25%

Why are the FASTRAK lanes 5 times longer than the cash lanes?? Traffic was bumper-to-bumper after the toll plaza too…loving life. Frustration meter level: 45%

Zoinks! Parking at the Moscone Center is $36 a day??!! Frustration meter level: 65%

Walked in a giant circle from 4th St. to Minna to 5th St. to Howard to 4th St. again. Finally arrived at a location that turned out to be right next to the garage. Frustration meter level: 75%

Registration for Bloomberg training is on 3rd floor but all the seminars are on 5th…not sure why. Why do all the Bloomberg reps look the same (25-28 yr. old women)? As it turns out most of the people in the finance/trading scene are middle aged guys. It’s a wonder they haven’t been slapped with a hiring discrimination suit yet. Hmm…maybe I should apply… Frustration meter level: 80%

Registration lady for T-Z folks looked like a taller version of Jessica Alba with dimples. :D Frustration meter level: 70%

Sat next to a buy-side trader from JP Morgan that looks like Jesse Jackson. I can virtually feel my blood-pressure rising. Frustration meter level: 80%

He had a Mickey Mouse voice. Frustration meter level: 75%

Breakfast served with fresh fruit, pastries, juice, and coffee…mmm cantaloupe… Frustration meter level: 65%

Wifi is $15/day??!! Frustration meter level: 70%

Had lunch with Brenda at a split pea soup place. Good conversation, split pea soup, and a lamb sandwich. Frustration meter level: 40%

Parking by the Chinese Consulate is harder to find than a vegan at Cattlemen’s. Frustration meter level: 45%

The line inside the consulate is organized marginally better than the line at the DMV. No wonder it takes a month to process a new passport. To make matters worse, they made me take a new passport picture ($10) because my head was too big. Great. Thanks for waiting with me Brenda. Oh yeah…passports are $55 too…boy it looks like my expenses aren’t gonna be getting a break today huh? Frustration meter level: 55%

Lady at the passport counter gave me crap about not knowing how to read and write Chinese. Yeah join the club pal. My mom’s been a member since 1989. They’re thinking of getting jackets made. Frustration meter level: 60%

Met up with Francesca for coffee to catch up and shoot the breeze. It’s been so long!! Frustration meter level: 30%

Relatively low traffic on the way home…and made a costco stop to pick up some groceries and a hotdog. Frustration meter level: 15%

Hangzhou interview tonight went pretty smoothly (meaning I didn't say anything offensive or stupid). Frustration meter level: 0%

Well that was certainly a productive day, and I have to say, it all nets down to a pretty relaxing, zero frustration adventure.

What’s happened with television??

Today, while starting an episode of Frasier, I started whistling the opening tune (along with the music in the show). After about 2 seconds…I realized that the show had started and I was just sitting there whistling to nothing. What the heck? The show’s opening theme lasted a whole 2 seconds. What’s happened with TV theme songs these days? Could it be that they want to squeeze another 30 seconds of commercial time out of shows these days? It’s amusing to see networks complain that viewers see all sitcoms as the same, while at the same time they take away a show’s signature feature.

For the shows I watch, the opening theme makes a big difference, even potentially setting the tone for a show. Cheers wasn’t just a bar, it was a place where everyone knows your name. If the office only had a shot of the doorsign and a 3 second jingle, would we get the message that the working at a paper company is somewhat mundane? The intro song sets the tone, and sometimes, even attracts people to the show in a way that nothing else could. Cleveland Rocks and Five O’clock World brought viewers to Drew Carey. *sigh* if only the show was that good. Themes like that can even become part of pop-culture. I’ll bet more Americans my age know the words to the Animaniacs than the Star Spangled Banner. Heck more people can probably sing the lyrics to Gunsmoke. By the time we’re 90 and can’t remember where we placed the dentures we’ll still be able to belt out the Friend’s theme. Seriously, that extra 30 seconds is definitely worth it, especially since it can define your show and give it that uniquely special character that nothing else can provide.

btw kudos to The Office for their theme song, which was actually written for the show…

letters and cards

There’s something special about a handwritten note. In today’s age of emails and text messages, it’s great to be able to slow down and write someone a note, the way notes are meant to be written. It’s almost ritualistic, pulling the notepad out of the top drawer while flipping to a crisp fresh page. At the same time, I reach for what I would consider the perfect pen, pulling the cap off with just enough pressure that the side of the cap glides along the pen, creating that swish as it exposes the tip. I love the feel of a pen, a good solid everyday pen that feels comfortable in my hand, but not so formal that I’d feel like a dandy. I enjoy writing with the perfect pen; balanced, great action, and where the paper soaked up the ink. As the tip of the rollerball glides across the surface of the paper, a smile begins to appear on my face. Every stroke, every crossed t and dotted i exudes a freshly found confidence, transferred from my thoughts onto the notepad. As my pen reaches the end of the page and it scratches out the close of an open-ended farewell, I grin as I arrive at my favorite part: the signature. At the risk of appearing narcissistic, I must confess that I love signing a letter. It’s not that I like slapping my name on everything I see, but there’s so much personality that comes across in a signature. It becomes a statement, an expression of confidence and an announcement that I am not ashamed of what has been written up to this point. It’s an affirmation that I stand by my words. Now, while the ink is setting, the cap comes back over the tip, sealing with a smooth click. With the note signed and complete, it’s time to return the notepad and tuck the pen back in the case, hibernating until the next note needs writing.

50 beans | Caffeine fast…DONE!

I seriously can’t believe it’s been 46 days of no caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate)…PTL I was able to finish it off. This last week has got to be the roughest…3 people brought in brownies on the same day and at least 2 bags of mixed candy and stuff. There were times when I wanted to stuff my face with peanut m&m’s and wash it down with a quadshot, but you know…by the grace of God those times weren’t so frequent.

You know…going into this whole thing, I didn’t really know what to expect. My initial thought was that every time I would have a caffeine craving I would just pray or do something to remind myself of why I was making the sacrifice. To tell you the truth…I ended up treating it like a burden for most of the time, which really shouldn’t be the case. I acted like it was more of something I HAD to do, rather than something I should be willing to do with a joyful heart. Over the last 2 weeks I started noticing my attitude more and more and God really convicted me of how I was acting. This past week, with every temptation placed before me, I’ve tried to remind myself that I need to pray more, and be wholly dependent on God to carry me through the week. By the time I was down in line at starbucks this morning buying my first “jack” in 6 weeks…I wasn’t really even craving it.

In the end I’d say it’s definitely been an eye-opening experience that has caused me to be more aware of what I consume. But you know…let me tell ya…it’s been one heck of a ride.

throwing my cap over the wall

Over the past few months, I found myself facing a number of difficult decisions that may have long lasting effects. The question that I ask myself is the same one that most people pose: How can I be sure this is God’s will? Honestly, in my decision-making process, I am almost never sure if what I arrive at is God’s will. All I can do is try to be faithful in prayer and trust that God will guide me in my decision. It’s comforting to know that God’s guidance is for both our greatest good and His greatest glory.

That was my 100 words from retreat. At the end of the weekend, we had a random discussion about God’s will out on the patio of a chipotle in Marin. We talked about knowing and understanding what His will is and at what point during the praying and discovering process do you take that step of faith. It seems that, to some people, God will is apparent before they take action. They’ve received a clear understanding that they’re meant to go in a particular direction, and so they act on it. For others, myself included, God’s will is sometimes more enigmatic. Often times, I wonder if my life was more like those who receive a clear understanding, would it be easier. I think sometimes I wonder that because I want to know His will to satisfy my own curiosity, which shouldn’t be the case. Perhaps I don’t receive a clear message because He wants me to exercise more faith in His guidance. I don’t know (that seems to be a common theme these days). At times I think it’s because I won’t take that leap of faith until I’m absolutely certain, which comes very rarely these days.

I’m very fond of the analogy of the Irish lads traveling across the countryside whose journey was blocked by a brick wall seemingly too high to scale. Throwing their caps over the wall, they had no choice but to follow. How many times, when faced with the decisions that can change our lives, we see it as a wall seemingly too high to scale? Often, when I encounter these challenges, I pray about it, talk to people wiser than me, draw from scripture, and when I don’t have a clear picture of His will, I just do nothing. I never take that first step. I’m not even certain what He wants to teach me in this situation, but it’s time to take that first step. I think I’m going to keep going with HZ and see where God leads me.