recent future

Its been a few days... here is what has been happening...

-My new bike is coming along nicely
-Seminary class is still going well
-Things are fantastic in the admissions office at EMU
-I had a great weekend with Meredith who was down for a visit
-Tonight I had a lasagna dinner with our office, always good
-Weather is still nicely, unseasonally, warm

MOTOBECANE

I'm going to put together a fixed gear bicycle. It only has one speed, it does not coast, it is a little weird, but I think it will be fun.

In order to appease the fans, here are some pics.
The bike's history is rich. It's old. It's all steel. It once was owned by an EMU prof, once lived in hairhouse garage, and it will probably be built with the help of one of Harrisonburg's best cycling shops - East Coast Bicycle Accadamy.

It's blue, has horizontal drop-outs, and has a plethora of things that I don't even know. Its pretty bare bones right now, but it will grow.

What I'm into...

Here's my current list of books, music, and shows that I'm into...

Books

God's Politics, by Wallis
3 Nights in August, by Bassinger
Scouts Honor, by Shanks
Cobb, by Stump
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
1984, by Orwell
Heavenly Date, by McCall Smith

Really I need to finish some books instead of starting new ones

CDs

Coldplay - X & Y
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Buddy Guy - Greatest Hits
Sufjan Stevens - Come on hear the Illinoise
the Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Archetecture in Hellsinki - In Case We Die
Nick Drake - Way to Blue
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
Collective Soul - Dosage

TV Shows

Arrested Development
Seinfeld
Whatever is on the Food Network
The Office (both the british and american versions)
American Idol (sad but true)

And I'm dying for some Baseball Tonight to hit ESPN

That's pretty much it for now...

Seminary Class...

Taking advantage of my EMU employee discount, I decided to enroll in a seminary class this semester. How often will I get graduate school classes for free???

The class is called Formation in Personhood, and is pretty much a class that helps students take an inward look at who they are, where their gifts come from, and how they are shaped by their history.

So far, so good! I really appreciate all that people bring to our class. Its a small group -- just 8 people -- and they all have something unique to add. Tonight we gave a brief personal timeline and it was amazing to hear everything that was brought to the table. Simply perfect. Time flew by. Always a good sign.

the finest Fuji Finest

Its about time that I posted some pics of my favourite toy. Its my most used mode of transportation when driving around Parkview and even short trips through the 'burg. Spec wise, its a 2004 Fuji Finest, with Shimano Sora shifters, Alex Rims, Richey bars, Eggbeater pedals and some other stuff thrown on like a saddle bag, lights, and an extra water bottle holder. Saweeeet.

It's quite possible that I should have taken these pictures in the daylight.

It is also very possible that inspite of the dark, I should have waited for a night that wasn't so foggy. Oh well, I was getting a little restless tonight I guess!

Happy Birthday Mike Estes

I hope you had a good one Mike.... Happy Birthday.

One more, but I've never been...

Safeco Field, home of the Marriners - Seattle, Washington

Anah just reminded me that my sisters have been to one park that I have not... :(

Ballparks...

One of my goals in life is to see every major league ballpark.

I know, its a little bit silly. There are many arguements to be made about why the money that goes into the sports industry could be used in other ways... but I really enjoy a day at the ballpark. Each one is different, unique and special in it's own way. Below are pictures I've taken of the parks I've been in, not including the two that are no longer in use (Tigers Stadium, and Municipal Stadium).


The Rogers Centre (formerly the SkyDome), home of the Blue Jays - Toronto, Ontario


The Great American Ballpark, home of the Reds - Cincinnati, Ohio


Comerica Park, home of the Tigers - Detroit, Michigan


Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


RFK Stadium, home of the Nationals - Washington, DC


Camden Yards, home of the Orioles - Baltimore, Maryland


Jacobs Field, home of the Indians - Cleveland, Ohio

Alleycat:Eros

Saturday February 11, 2006

Bicycle race/scavenger hunt
Court Square, Hburg, Va.

Registration: 3:30 pm
Race starts at 4:00 pm

Seek out checkpoints and clues on your bike all over downtown Harrisonburg. Answer the most questions and complete the most checkpoints in the shortest amount of time and you might just win. More about cunning and fun than all‐ out speed

Bring: $2 entry fee, pen and bike.

Helmets, lights, love/lust themed costumes.

All riders and bikes welcome.

hburgalleycat@ g mail.com

Art, pics, the burg, chickens.

Through the amazing browser tool "Stumble! Upon", I discovered what I believe to be some of the best photography I have seen in a while (www.durhamtownship.com). Its bold and brilliant, I was inspired.

It made me decide to dust off my trusty camera and hit the roads of H'burg, VA for some pics. I rediscovered my artistic side for an afternoon and here's what was created...

Just a little big sky in the country


Some lonely trees...


Cruising in the valley...


More big sky, please note, this is Virginia - not Montana...


A bit of a recurring theme I guess, now that I look at it, but what a day to be outside. Here's more sky with a windmill.


And finally, what better way to end than with some chickens, just hanging out, enjoying the day.

First Blog Post...

So I decided it might be time to start a blog... then this happened. I really want a space to say a little something, I'm sure it will never be too powerful or overwhelmingly brilliant, just hopefully give me some space to show a little about who I am.

So read, enjoy, post, let me know how I'm doing.

Ben