-Jen and I went surfing on Monday, the first time we have been in the water since the shark attack. The surf was 2-3 ft. and glassy, it was about 70 degrees and sunny, and the winds were very calm. As I was riding a wave, th sun who shine through the water is it would break behind me, like the water was an emerald. Beautiful. It was a day that reminded me how much I love living in San Diego.
- As we were sitting out there in the water a school of little fish were jumping around. Jen was freaking out, imagining a 17 ft. Great White chasing a school of 4 inch fish. I laughed. I'm so sensitive.
- In case you were wondering if I was nervous about going into the water, rest assured, I made Jen go out first to see if any predators were lurking. I'm so sensitive.
- I got into a conversation with a Jehovah's Witness at a coffee shop. He saw that I was translating Greek and started a conversation. He just wanted to talk about the end times and how America is the new "Babylon." I wanted to talk about the Trinity (which he doesn't believe in) and how absolutely essential that is to who God is. He didn't want to go there. I found myself angry afterwards at his theological beliefs.
- We had a farewell party last night for the high school pastor at the church. It was a great celebration and very encouraging for him. It has been fun to be a part of a healthy positive parting between church and staff. Not always the case. I will be taking over the high school group for the next 6 weeks. Pray for me. I want these 6 weeks to be a spiritually challenging and affirming time for these students.
- Speaking of church, I had the opportunity to facilitate a worship night at Daybreak last Sunday night. It was nothing big but the first opportunity I have had to be a part of the larger church. I was really nervous, which was a strange feeling, but had a good time leading God's people in a time of worship. I struggled explaining the Lord's Supper though. Such a mysterious and beautiful connection to Christ that is hard to explain in 5-7 minutes. I kept running in circles as I prepared for the evening. When the time came I froze and did it in 3 minutes.
-Really excited about the Spurs-Hornets matchup. Should be fun to watch. CP3 might be my new favorite non-Laker (now that Nash is out). I know that I predicted a Celtics-Lakers finals, and I think it could happen, but I would also love to see them lose to the Hawks.
- Lastly, I am hungry and am in desperate need of coffee. Viacondios.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Shark attack
There was a horrible shark attack yesterday morning in Solana Beach.
A man was swimming with a group of friends training for a triathlon when he was attacked by a 12-17 ft. great white. Several surfers claimed that there were distraught seals nearby at the time of the attack. The man was bit on the thighs and eventually bled to death on the beach.
It has been a surreal day for everyone in San Diego. Almost everyone I came in contact with yesterday made a comment about the attack. It strikes close to home because everyone here spends a lot of time in the water and we all think we are immune to being attacked. The last fatality in San Diego was 1994 and even that one was suspect (many think that the woman drowned first). Shark attacks happens in Florida or Australia or Northern California, not San Diego. Our beaches are free of anything dangerous; we don't even like seaweed on the sand (or Europeans in their speedos).
A marine biologist (not George Costanza) said in the interview that the chance of an attack are the same an hour after the man died and in a month from now. Sharks are migratory so this one is probably on his way to Nor Cal but there are always other sharks in the water. The inclination for all of us is to assume that this shark is a man eater and is going to attack swimmers and surfers up and down the beach. Thank you Mr. Spielberg for that phobia.
I did check the surf camera at Swamis, a beach about 2 miles from the attack, and 3 hours after a man was killed about 30 surfers were in the water. Can lightening strike twice? I don't know but I think I am going to find out this afternoon.
A man was swimming with a group of friends training for a triathlon when he was attacked by a 12-17 ft. great white. Several surfers claimed that there were distraught seals nearby at the time of the attack. The man was bit on the thighs and eventually bled to death on the beach.
It has been a surreal day for everyone in San Diego. Almost everyone I came in contact with yesterday made a comment about the attack. It strikes close to home because everyone here spends a lot of time in the water and we all think we are immune to being attacked. The last fatality in San Diego was 1994 and even that one was suspect (many think that the woman drowned first). Shark attacks happens in Florida or Australia or Northern California, not San Diego. Our beaches are free of anything dangerous; we don't even like seaweed on the sand (or Europeans in their speedos).
A marine biologist (not George Costanza) said in the interview that the chance of an attack are the same an hour after the man died and in a month from now. Sharks are migratory so this one is probably on his way to Nor Cal but there are always other sharks in the water. The inclination for all of us is to assume that this shark is a man eater and is going to attack swimmers and surfers up and down the beach. Thank you Mr. Spielberg for that phobia.
I did check the surf camera at Swamis, a beach about 2 miles from the attack, and 3 hours after a man was killed about 30 surfers were in the water. Can lightening strike twice? I don't know but I think I am going to find out this afternoon.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Western Conference Champs!
Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers who clinched the Western Conference Regular Season Title last night.
It is on to the madness of the playoffs in the Western Conference. I am actually more excited about the NBA now than I have been since Magic and Co. steamrolled in 1988.
Consider these potential matchups.
#1 Lakers vs #8 Nuggets
#2 Hornets vs #7 Mavs
#3 Spurs vs #6 Suns
#4 Jazz vs #5 Rockets
then...
Lakers vs Jazz
Hornets vs Suns
THEN...
Lakers vs Suns (Shaq and Kobe collide in the most hyped Western Conference Finals in history.
and finally....
LAKERS vs CELTICS....
EPIC
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Circle of Life
An old friend came home last night, hopefully making one last stop before her eternal resting place.
Jen and I have been praying of late about getting out of our current car payment with the Hyundai (which is a nice car but not really "us") and obtaining a car with cash that we could drive around for a couple years (hopefully) while we save for another car.
On top of that, ever since we moved back to Cali I have wanted a truck. I love trucks. They are not super practical for our lifestyle, we don't have the need to pull anything or load anything but guys just love trucks. Much of our life as males makes no sense anyway. The only practical side to a truck is for our surf career, which is taking more time that we thought to materialize.
Back in 1998 I purchased a Nissan pickup truck while I was entering my junior year of college. It was a 1994 V6 extended cab pickup. When I moved to Colorado after graduation I was forced to get rid of it because it is a rear wheel drive truck and would not fare well in the snow.
I sold it to my parents, who in turn sold it to my sister, who eventually sold it back to my parents. Then my parents sold the truck to my uncle who has had it for the last couple years. The truck is quite incestuous.
I heard the other day that my uncle Alan had gotten a new(er) truck so I called him up to inquire about my old pickup.
It is funny how life can circle back on us. I am not sure if I am making a wise step financially for our family or seriously digressing in life as I am entering my 30's. I guess it is not worth too much thought because the reality is that our new car is my old car and she has come back to pay homage to the many great miles I put on her when we were both young and full of life. I like to say that I brought her into the world and I am going to take her out. Fitting.
So if you need to move, pickup an antique dresser, or throw a surfboard in the back, I can accommodate that request once again. Don't be a stranger.
Jen and I have been praying of late about getting out of our current car payment with the Hyundai (which is a nice car but not really "us") and obtaining a car with cash that we could drive around for a couple years (hopefully) while we save for another car.
On top of that, ever since we moved back to Cali I have wanted a truck. I love trucks. They are not super practical for our lifestyle, we don't have the need to pull anything or load anything but guys just love trucks. Much of our life as males makes no sense anyway. The only practical side to a truck is for our surf career, which is taking more time that we thought to materialize.
Back in 1998 I purchased a Nissan pickup truck while I was entering my junior year of college. It was a 1994 V6 extended cab pickup. When I moved to Colorado after graduation I was forced to get rid of it because it is a rear wheel drive truck and would not fare well in the snow.
I sold it to my parents, who in turn sold it to my sister, who eventually sold it back to my parents. Then my parents sold the truck to my uncle who has had it for the last couple years. The truck is quite incestuous.
I heard the other day that my uncle Alan had gotten a new(er) truck so I called him up to inquire about my old pickup.
It is funny how life can circle back on us. I am not sure if I am making a wise step financially for our family or seriously digressing in life as I am entering my 30's. I guess it is not worth too much thought because the reality is that our new car is my old car and she has come back to pay homage to the many great miles I put on her when we were both young and full of life. I like to say that I brought her into the world and I am going to take her out. Fitting.
So if you need to move, pickup an antique dresser, or throw a surfboard in the back, I can accommodate that request once again. Don't be a stranger.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I was robbed...of joy
I ended my last quarter at Seminary almost 2 weeks ago. When I walked out of my last final late on Thursday night I took a deep breath and savored the fact that summer was finally here. I was done with class, done with papers, and the warmth that constantly invades San Diego was welcoming me. I looked ahead and saw a summer full of surfing, camping, hanging at the beach, bonfires, and bon bons (?). This was going to be a great summer for Jen and I; my first full one in San Diego since I graduated high school in 1996. We were going to be like Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. Summer lovin.' But my world came crashing down after that magical exhale when I realized that I wasn't on the semester system anymore. It wasn't summer. The carrot was dangled in front of me and then ripped away. I was angry. I still had spring quarter staring me in the face. I hate the quarter system. I got one week off and then back to class for another 10 weeks. AAAAAAHHHHH!!! So here I am sitting here at Bethel Seminary getting ready to start a new classes. I feel robbed.
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