Ouch

How do you make a band-aid more burley? Wrap it in duct tape!
I spent the day helping Greg hang the big tarp for Faith Quest today. On one of the first throws I heaved with my throwing-bullet, I ripped a button-sized gash in my finger. But a band-aid and a little duct tape kept me in the game and we finished the job.
This is one of the first years I am actually proud of the tarp job we've done. It is flying high and proud. I'm interested to see if it can keep water off the FQ congregants.

Tuesday Musing

I know that I have come to the party late, but I just recently discovered The West Wing. I caught an episode from season 1 tonight and love how the following highlights what is wrong with those in government who can't get enough.
It plays out in 3 different scenes interposed throughout the show.

DONNA
Hi.

JOSH
Hi. [starts walking, Donna following]

DONNA
Can I ask you a question?

JOSH
About what?

DONNA
The budget surplus.

JOSH
Go ahead.

DONNA
There’s a 30 billion dollar budget surplus.

JOSH
It’ll actually shake out to about 32 billion.

DONNA
Whatever.

JOSH
Well, you know what they say?

DONNA
What do they say?

JOSH
A billion dollars here, a billion dollars there. Sooner or later it starts to add
up to real money.

DONNA
That’s a nifty saying Josh.

JOSH
I didn’t coin it or anything.

DONNA
We have a 32 billion dollar surplus for the first time in three decades.

JOSH
Yes.

DONNA
Republicans in Congress want to use this money for tax relief right?

JOSH
Yes.

DONNA
Essentially what they’re saying is, they wanna give back the money.

JOSH
Yes.

DONNA
Why don’t we wanna give back the money?

JOSH
‘Cause we’re Democrats.

DONNA
But it’s not the government’s money!

JOSH
Sure it is. It’s right there in our bank account.

DONNA
That’s only because we collected more money than we ended up needing.

JOSH
Isn’t it great?

DONNA
I want my money back.

JOSH
Sorry.

DONNA
We’re not done with this.

JOSH
I didn’t think so.

---

Then later when Donna pulls Josh from a meeting to see the President...

---

JOSH
Did he say what it was about?

DONNA
No. What’s wrong with me getting my money back?

JOSH
You won’t spend it right.

DONNA
What do you mean?

JOSH
Let’s say your cut of the surplus is $700. I want to take your money, combine it
with everyone else’s money and use it to pay down the debt and further endow social
security. What do you want to do with it?

DONNA
Buy a DVD player.

JOSH
See?

DONNA
But my $700 is helping to employ the people who manufacture and sell DVD players,
not to mention the people who manufacture and sell DVDs. It’s the natural evolution
of the market economy.

JOSH
The problem is, the DVD player you buy might be made in Japan.

DONNA
I’ll buy an American one.

JOSH
We don’t trust you.

DONNA
Why not?

JOSH
We’re Democrats.

DONNA
I want my money back!

JOSH
You shouldn’t have voted for us.

---

And finally.

---

DONNA
[enters with a box] Sandwiches.

JOSH
Thank you, Donna. Defending virtue is hungry work.

DONNA
I’ll be at my desk.

JOSH
Ah, Donna?

DONNA
Yes?

JOSH
How much were the sandwiches?

DONNA
$12.95.

JOSH
I gave you a twenty!

DONNA
Yes. As it turns out you actually gave me more money than I needed to buy what
you asked for. However, knowing you as I do, I’m afraid I can’t trust you to spend
the change wisely. I’ve decided to invest it for you.

JOSH
That was nice. That was a little parable.

DONNA
I want my money back. [leaves]

Now, some of you are thinking, "Yeah, the surplus can be used to do more good by the government than if it is given back to the people." I disagree, I want my money back and it irks me that the government wants to keep it just because I can't be trusted. I believe there are those in government who really think they should take as much as possible and then try for a little more. I heard a congressman on Progressive Talk Radio the other day say that the solution to high gas prices was to implement a "Windfall Tax". Huh? Prices are high so the government should get a big chunk?

In other news, I've finished prepping the roof of my treehouse for shingles and they are waiting on the deck to be installed. I now know why everyone suggests that you build as much as you can on the ground. Hauling everything up there a little at a time is a chore. Here are a couple of pics of a cool basket Josh and I used to get them up there.

Homeward Bound

I like this drive to. And it is good to be home.

Forced Slowness

I don't know how many times I've heard someone complain about driving across Wyoming. You know, they enjoyed their trip, but could have done without the WY stretch. Usually, I offer little argument and just let them have their say. I even on occasion agree with them, conceding that, "There's not much out there". Well today I set the record straight. I like driving across Wyoming, and if you don't, you are missing out. I find the wide-open expanses to be inviting. The earth seems to open its arms and encourage you to explore every inch. Wyoming welcomes you, with nothing to hide as it reveals scene after scene of unreserved openness.

Many of the hikes in my home, the Pacific Northwest offer a parallel. It seems most hikes in the NW are designed to put you in a spot where you can see for miles. It may be a peak, or a meadow or a ridgeline, but we are drawn to places where we can let our vision relax as we enjoy an unobstructed view. For me, the same is found driving across WY. The same vistas we chase as we climb Cascade peaks are unfurled before your windshield as you drive the interstates of Wyoming.

I also enjoy the contrast that Wyoming’s high plains provide to other parts of the country. Trees are great, but they do not have a corner on beauty. Fields of sage and grass are beautiful, rolling hills are beautiful as are erosion revealed crags.
I think perhaps my favorite part of traveling across the first state to allow women to vote is the slowness with which things pass by. With such a wide view, the scenes move by slowly, no matter how quickly you drive. You don’t find this pace in a forest as it rushes by. It allows you to breathe deep, to dwell on the full picture and enjoy its entireness.

For many, a trip is just a destination. They want the driving part to rush by and I think the forced slowness of Wyoming inhibits their hurry. I, however, relish it and look forward to seeing it creep by many more times.

My wife Christa took each photo on this blog as we drove across this gorgeous state.

The Missing Food Group

I love popsicles, in fact when there are none in the freezer, I complain to Christa. I eat one nearly every day and when I am finished my dog comes and plays tug-of-war with the stick while it is still in my mouth. I don’t think any of my friends have the same affection for the frozen bits of yum as I do.

Here in Colorado, however; I have met my match. Griffin loves popsicles and he asks for them by name every chance he gets. In fact, if he is blue you can change his mood immediately by offering him one. He knows he only gets one per day, but will try to sneak it by you by asking when your guard might be down, plus he is so cute when he says it: pa-si-cle?

Rockies Baseball

I haven’t been to a MLB game since I was a Cub Scout in the 3rd grade. Today, Cody, Tina, Mickey and I went to see the Colorado Rockies. Despite the scorching temps, we had a swell time. A perfectly executed squeze play sent it to extra innings where we got to see the Rockies win in the 11th off a home run. Much fun.

Griffin the Great

I was pretty sure that this little guy would steal my heart, I just wasn't sure how quickly. Since I have been here I have been consistently amazed at his fun loving spirit. Every time I turn around he is off on a new adventure. When the pace seems to slow around the Colorado Hill’s house, Griffin will ask for his guitar and demand that some of uncle Cody’s old records (CCR, The Commadores, Eagles, etc) be cued up for him to jam with. No member of the house is excluded and all are made to dance along with his smile-filled crooning.

He is also charged with keeping track of all the house members and will often ask about the whereabouts of missing family. “Where is Auntie C?” “Where’s Sinopah?” “Where’s Tina?”. And when he finds someone or someone comes home, he is the first to offer a heart-felt greeting—“HI! Dad.”

I’ve detected a bit of mischief in him as well and predict that soon he will be a jokester/prankster like his dad. There is a playful heart behind his eyes and I’m guessing it will soon manifest itself in some big laughs.

But, if I had to pick one of my favorite things about him, it would be his volume. He is often a loud kid, along the lines of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. And to his parent’s credit, well-meant, appropriate loudness is tolerated. Which I think is great and the 2 of us have raised the roof together on more than one occasion.

It is not just my heart he’s captured though, it seems the entire Hill family is pretty fond of this new addition and in my opinion he fits in perfectly. Welcome to the family Little G.

Road to Colorado

Packed up the family and went to see the Colorado Hills on Thursday. It has been far too long since we've seen all of them and this is a good time to make the trip. We took the Land Cruiser and it amazingly averaged 16 miles to the gallon! (I have my good friend Brian to thank for that, he gave the old girl quite a tune-up before we left.) One of the few things we are missing in Portland is Sonic, so it is a major event for Christa and I when we see our first one. I love cherry lime-ades.

I am looking forward to some fun times in the next few weeks with my Colorado family. Look out G, here comes uncle J!

A Day Behind the Lens

I haven't had such a busy day since I was employed. Started with an 8am interview, and even though it was early, I think it went well. Then I went to a 2 camera stores looking for a Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens, because I can't afford the Canon 24-70 2.8. But no one had it in stock. So I purchaced a Canon 50 1.8, and wow it is fun to use. Shot a couple hundred shots at PUMP and at a family renuion for Pearl. Although I am still learning to capture the right focus with a very shallow depth of field, I expect the lens to be a favorite of mine. Just check out that phatty blur.