Bicycle! Bicycle! Bicycle!

It started out as an inspiration. An inspiration from No Impact Man, specifically. He's this dude living in New York who decided to practice what he preached and is currently undergoing a project, attempting to have as little environmental impact as possible. While I wish I could wholeheartedly join him in this endeavor, as even simple things like buying local organic and recycling cancel themselves out due to driving distances, I decided it was time to live my redemptive worldview and do something. The most logical starting point was to start biking to work. Of course, this meant I needed to buy a bicycle. After some Craig's List adventuring, I came across my dream bike: a 70's candy apple red Schwinn Breeze with a basket and bell! It's so beautiful and I can't wait to start riding it around!

Sketchy

I love what I do. For me, sometimes the environment is just as important as the process. My whiteboard is often a source of inspiration. Lots of space to write up silly things, like this:

Inspired by Eduard von Grutzner's Monks.

Initial sketches for a proposal with the theme, "Good to Better".
In order:
Slingshot to Rifle
Goldfish to Shark (this one's particularly pathetic)
USA to Canada
Dirt road to Paved road
Tricycle to Vespa

Needless to say, I think the better version would only work for my own fancy.
The pastoral staff has a particularly different taste than mine.

Autumn

Once you're where you think you want to be you're not there anymore.
– Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres (as seen in The Brothers K by David James Duncan)


Le Grande Muveran, as seen from Farel House

The weather has become unexpectedly cooler, soothing my bitter summer soul. Someone commented the other day about how long life seems here sometimes because we don't have distinct visible seasons. While the temperature is dropping, our visual autumn doesn't happen until January–which really begins to mess with your seasonal clock after awhile. A few friends have now invited me to go see a true fall out east, which I am seriously entertaining. But an escape to idealism will not cure my own deep-seated discontent. I will try to celebrate the season in my own Arizona way, and not be pining for places elsewhere. I am here. And it is good. Theoretical seasons and all.

Unexpected

Unexpected sunrise.

Despite my intentions of sleeping in, i was greeted by a sunrise drive instead.

It was humbling.

My grumblings about early morning were loud. The gentle invasion of God's mercy and kindness was louder.

I feel the same way about the new Photoshop logo as I do KFC bowls.

In other words, "makes me want to throw up in my mouth".

[via Veer]

Yo-Ho! Yo-Ho! A Pirate's Life For Me!

Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Arrr!

Update:

My pirate name is:

Iron Bess Flint

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Another Update:

The flag flying over my cubicle.

The detail of my collaged flag for my ship, the Ligature of Wrath.

Today's crewe includes: Captain Keelhauler, Black Morty Rackham, Ale-Guzzling Ivan, Ale-Guzzling Vanessa, Vicious Ned the Ripper, and Mr. Peg-Leg Jack.

Colorado Photos

Some of the photos are better seen up close. You can see larger versions within the set and read about some of the stories accompanying the pictures here.

Home. Again.

1. Arizona mountains. (Seen in previous post)

2. San Diego beach. (Coming soon)

3. Colorado mountains. (Coming soon, too)

My traveling bug has been assuaged for a bit and it's good to be back home, where there are flat roads. Photos will be up, as soon as I've got my land-legs back.

Much in love with mountain air,
L

P.S. Got to see this rad dude over the weekend. Go buy his CD or book him a concert. I mean it.