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12 possums and a hare last night. It’s the most I’ve shot of this property in one night didn’t even go over all of it.
The mighty Te Kooti gun with a 21st century mod.. a laser pointer thingy. Works well with slugs as this possum found out.
Also smacked two turkeys earlier...red dot on the neck boompah..dead turkeys. No photos phone was flat..
Five possums two hares and three turkeys . Hare and turkey breast is for a Scout Camp.
Laser dot thingy works well on the .410 on rats...point n shoot..

lowercased:
12 possums and a hare last night. it’s the most i’ve shot of this property in one night didn’t even go over all of it.
the mighty te kooti gun with a 21st century mod.. a laser pointer thingy. works well with slugs as this possum found out.
also smacked two turkeys earlier...red dot on the neck boompah..dead turkeys. no photos phone was flat..
five possums two hares and three turkeys . hare and turkey breast is for a scout camp.
laser dot thingy works well on the .410 on rats...point n shoot..


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« Wait a Second…. You’re Telling Me That Global WARMING May Be Making our Winters COLDER? Please Explain.
This entry was posted on June 11, 2018 at 20:23 and is filed under climate effects, Communication, English, IPCC.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Sigh… paging Nicholas Taleb. Nicholas Taleb, white courtesy phone.
Bart, could you please list the high impact, low probability events associated with climate change?
Would you also please indicate the metric (GST, SLR, whatever) that will bring those risks to reality?
You don’t need to provide an exhaustive list.

lowercased:
« wait a second…. you’re telling me that global warming may be making our winters colder? please explain.
this entry was posted on june 11, 2018 at 20:23 and is filed under climate effects, communication, english, ipcc.	you can follow any responses to this entry through the rss 2.0 feed. you can skip to the end and leave a response. pinging is currently not allowed.
sigh… paging nicholas taleb. nicholas taleb, white courtesy phone.
bart, could you please list the high impact, low probability events associated with climate change?
would you also please indicate the metric (gst, slr, whatever) that will bring those risks to reality?
you don’t need to provide an exhaustive list.


text:
Today I unfollowed like a thousand people on Twitter.
Honestly, who were all those strangers? On one hand, I followed many people for many reasons, and didn’t feel like I added too much mental overhead to my life by clicking the follow button.
OTOH tho, omg that was a lot of strangers to follow, and in the end, I found I was making myself anxious not knowing who it was OK to fave or reply to or RT, and during actual news events it just got silly.
So I’ve brought it down to somewhere near 700, I think, and I could certainly go further.
I wonder, does this happen every year? Is this our way of going to the gym in January now?
Oh, also, if you think you’re clever and do a little syllable switching to be funny, you end up “breaking a take from Twitter” which is the exact opposite of what I want to do right now.

lowercased:
today i unfollowed like a thousand people on twitter.
honestly, who were all those strangers? on one hand, i followed many people for many reasons, and didn’t feel like i added too much mental overhead to my life by clicking the follow button.
otoh tho, omg that was a lot of strangers to follow, and in the end, i found i was making myself anxious not knowing who it was ok to fave or reply to or rt, and during actual news events it just got silly.
so i’ve brought it down to somewhere near 700, i think, and i could certainly go further.
i wonder, does this happen every year? is this our way of going to the gym in january now?
oh, also, if you think you’re clever and do a little syllable switching to be funny, you end up “breaking a take from twitter” which is the exact opposite of what i want to do right now.


text:
Testing Trisha ~ Single parenting at its finest: Princess is in School!
My little girl is now in school. It's so weird not having her home with me all day. But that gives me more one on one time with my baby boy. She loves school! She is so exited when I pick her up, she tells me about her day and her new friends. She loves to show me her artwork that she brings home. She has homework once a week that she enjoys doing together!
I was not ready to put her on the school bus so I take her to and from school every day. Which I enjoy, being able to be more involved and see inside her school every day.

lowercased:
testing trisha ~ single parenting at its finest: princess is in school!
my little girl is now in school. it's so weird not having her home with me all day. but that gives me more one on one time with my baby boy. she loves school! she is so exited when i pick her up, she tells me about her day and her new friends. she loves to show me her artwork that she brings home. she has homework once a week that she enjoys doing together!
i was not ready to put her on the school bus so i take her to and from school every day. which i enjoy, being able to be more involved and see inside her school every day.


text:
The links below are to reviews of ‘Thomas Cromwell – A Life,’ by Diarmaid MacCulloch.
This entry was posted in Book Review, MacCulloch - Diarmaid, Not My Review, Thomas Cromwell - A Life, Thomas Cromwell - A Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch and tagged book review, Diarmaid MacCulloch, Not My Review, Thomas Cromwell - A Life. Bookmark the permalink.

lowercased:
the links below are to reviews of ‘thomas cromwell – a life,’ by diarmaid macculloch.
this entry was posted in book review, macculloch - diarmaid, not my review, thomas cromwell - a life, thomas cromwell - a life by diarmaid macculloch and tagged book review, diarmaid macculloch, not my review, thomas cromwell - a life. bookmark the permalink.


text:
If you are a smoker who is thinking of switching to vaping, finding the right information might seem daunting. We’ve put together the following list of common questions as a starting point, and your local vape shop will be able to answer any other queries you may have.
Vaping (using an e-cigarette) is an alternative to smoking, which doesn’t involve the tar or combustion involved in smoking tobacco.
The battery device. Some vaping devices have built-in batteries that are charged via USB, others have batteries which can be removed and recharged with a specialist charger.
The clearomiser or tank (which holds the e-liquid). This is usually made of glass or plastic and holds the e-liquid, and a coil that heats up the e-liquid that sits inside it.
The battery heats up the coil inside the tank, which causes the e-liquid to turn into a vapour which is then inhaled.
How old do I have to be to buy a vape product?
How much will it cost me to switch to vaping?
The set up costs for a starter kit will vary depending on the type you chose. After that, the running costs are e-liquid to refill your tank, and replacement coils. Coils will usually last approximately two weeks, depending on the type, and cost just a few pounds each. The shops on findavapeshop.com will be able to help you choose the best type of device for your needs, and guide you through choosing the best liquids to get you started.
I keep reading stories in the media about e-cigarettes. Is vaping really less harmful than smoking?
Yes. There is never a situation where it is better to smoke than it is to vape. According to independent studies by Public Health England and The Royal College of Physicians vaping is recognised as being at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking. This position is also supported by The Royal College of General Practitioners and many other independent medical and public health bodies.
Will switching to vaping help me quit smoking?
Yes. Vaping is recognised by the Government as being the number one tool used by smokers to help them quit. The vape shops that you will find on findavapeshop.com will provide you with the expert advice and support that you need to make the switch.
Yes. E-liquid contains: nicotine (though not always), propylene glycol, glycerine, and flavourings. All of the shops you will find on this site have been vetted to ensure they only sell products of the highest quality and comply with current regulations.
Is nicotine, when consumed by vaping, dangerous?
No. The e-liquid on the UK market is below 2.0 per cent nicotine strength. Recently a number of bodies including ASH and the Royal Society of Public Health called for more to be done to ensure the public understand that nicotine is ‘not the deadly component in cigarettes.’ The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the MHRA have ruled that long term use of nicotine is not detrimental to the health of the user.
I’ve seen stories in the media about something called ‘popcorn lung’. Is this likely from vaping?
No. This is a myth that came about because of a chemical called diacetyl, sometimes used in food flavourings to give a buttery flavour. It was associated with a lung illness found in workers in popcorn factories in the USA. However, diacetyl is banned as an ingredient from vaping products in the UK.
Yes. Vaping in the UK is heavily regulated. The primary regulation for vape products in the UK is the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. These regulations impose legal requirements on companies to test devices and liquids and to notify the results to the authorities. All of the shops you will find on findavapeshop.com comply with the relevant regulations.

lowercased:
if you are a smoker who is thinking of switching to vaping, finding the right information might seem daunting. we’ve put together the following list of common questions as a starting point, and your local vape shop will be able to answer any other queries you may have.
vaping (using an e-cigarette) is an alternative to smoking, which doesn’t involve the tar or combustion involved in smoking tobacco.
the battery device. some vaping devices have built-in batteries that are charged via usb, others have batteries which can be removed and recharged with a specialist charger.
the clearomiser or tank (which holds the e-liquid). this is usually made of glass or plastic and holds the e-liquid, and a coil that heats up the e-liquid that sits inside it.
the battery heats up the coil inside the tank, which causes the e-liquid to turn into a vapour which is then inhaled.
how old do i have to be to buy a vape product?
how much will it cost me to switch to vaping?
the set up costs for a starter kit will vary depending on the type you chose. after that, the running costs are e-liquid to refill your tank, and replacement coils. coils will usually last approximately two weeks, depending on the type, and cost just a few pounds each. the shops on findavapeshop.com will be able to help you choose the best type of device for your needs, and guide you through choosing the best liquids to get you started.
i keep reading stories in the media about e-cigarettes. is vaping really less harmful than smoking?
yes. there is never a situation where it is better to smoke than it is to vape. according to independent studies by public health england and the royal college of physicians vaping is recognised as being at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking. this position is also supported by the royal college of general practitioners and many other independent medical and public health bodies.
will switching to vaping help me quit smoking?
yes. vaping is recognised by the government as being the number one tool used by smokers to help them quit. the vape shops that you will find on findavapeshop.com will provide you with the expert advice and support that you need to make the switch.
yes. e-liquid contains: nicotine (though not always), propylene glycol, glycerine, and flavourings. all of the shops you will find on this site have been vetted to ensure they only sell products of the highest quality and comply with current regulations.
is nicotine, when consumed by vaping, dangerous?
no. the e-liquid on the uk market is below 2.0 per cent nicotine strength. recently a number of bodies including ash and the royal society of public health called for more to be done to ensure the public understand that nicotine is ‘not the deadly component in cigarettes.’ the national institute for health and care excellence (nice) and the mhra have ruled that long term use of nicotine is not detrimental to the health of the user.
i’ve seen stories in the media about something called ‘popcorn lung’. is this likely from vaping?
no. this is a myth that came about because of a chemical called diacetyl, sometimes used in food flavourings to give a buttery flavour. it was associated with a lung illness found in workers in popcorn factories in the usa. however, diacetyl is banned as an ingredient from vaping products in the uk.
yes. vaping in the uk is heavily regulated. the primary regulation for vape products in the uk is the tobacco and related products regulations 2016. these regulations impose legal requirements on companies to test devices and liquids and to notify the results to the authorities. all of the shops you will find on findavapeshop.com comply with the relevant regulations.


text:
Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to Southwest Baptist University.
Flowchart: Donor makes a gift of appreciated real estate to SBU.
Your real property may be given to Southwest Baptist University by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. You may deed part or all of your real property to Southwest Baptist University. Your gift will generally be based on the property's fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal.

lowercased:
donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to southwest baptist university.
flowchart: donor makes a gift of appreciated real estate to sbu.
your real property may be given to southwest baptist university by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. you may deed part or all of your real property to southwest baptist university. your gift will generally be based on the property's fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal.


text:
Tickenham Garage is pleased to offer the below price discounts & offers during the month of September.
Please Ensure you quote the reference number above when booking. Please note prices are FROM the above prices, we will always give a bespoke price at the time of booking if requested.
For special offers available on Used Car Sales, please view our other site.

lowercased:
tickenham garage is pleased to offer the below price discounts & offers during the month of september.
please ensure you quote the reference number above when booking. please note prices are from the above prices, we will always give a bespoke price at the time of booking if requested.
for special offers available on used car sales, please view our other site.


text:
Photo from http://www.mrwallpaper.com. Image created by me using Adobe Creative Suite software.
Since the moment that 9-year-old me first caught a glimpse of the breathtaking skyline while riding in the middle row of my family’s silver van, I knew I loved New York City.
I had an immediate instinct about the city and I held on fiercely to that notion.
Then, as time passed, that gut feeling only strengthened.
As I got older, I realized my love for writing, and it even started to seem like I was meant to live there. I wanted to become one of the little glowing stars in the skyline I saw behind my eyelids each time I went to sleep.
I didn’t just want to move there, I had to.
But then I took off my rose-colored glasses, life events got in the way, and I pushed my ‘destiny’ back. I went to college in my hometown, not in the city.
When I graduated I got a job in St. Louis, MO and moved there — not to the city.
I applied for other jobs over and over again in NYC and sometimes didn’t even get so much as a courtesy rejection email.
I could no longer see those glowing towers and smell the sweat on the asphalt when I closed my eyes. The NYC in my dreams had vanished.
Now, almost 13 years to the day since I first saw the skyscrapers twinkling in the distance, I’ve decided it’s time to stop looking at the city on the back of my eyelids and see it in person. It’s time to stop dreaming and make that picture a reality.
So in the past month, I’ve lined up an apartment to move into on August 1. I’ve been working overtime to save up money to have a safety net when I get there, and dedicated my spare time to applying for jobs and downsizing as much as I can to fit into my new, much smaller and much more expensive space.
In a way, I felt a sense of relief the moment I finally decided it was official. I realized I just needed to make the plunge and stop waiting for some sign or a job that I may or may not ever get.
Then, only a few moments later, I felt terrified. All of my fears were at the forefront of my mind, each one more stress-inducing than the last.
What if I don’t meet any new people that actually become friends? How long will my ‘safety net’ last? What if I’m not able to get a part-time job to make ends meet until I find a full-time position? What if I go there and realize it’s nothing like I thought it would be? What if I fail?
Fighting the overwhelming inclination I felt to give in to the panic attack, I focused on remembering the memory of how undauntingly convinced I was that I would live there someday. It helped remind me that it’s not going to do me any good to worry before I get there. All I can do is focus on saving as much money as I can and apply for as many jobs as possible and save the other worries for when I can actually do something about them.
The time for dreaming is over. I’ve finally woken up.
It’s a weird feeling. The moment when you’re looking around and you simultaneously want to describe everything you’re seeing and feeling to everyone you know, but yet somehow can’t seem to find the right words.
It happens when you least expect it. One second you’re trudging uphill, out of breath and unable to concentrate on anything except how much your feet hurt, the next second you’re rounding a corner and your breathing stops and your feet stop moving — only it’s not because of the pain. It’s because you just came around a corner and saw something so beautiful you remember why you bothered to walk on through the pain in the first place.
These moments happen at different times and different places to different people for different reasons, but they do happen.
And once they do, after the initial shock wears off and you gain the ability to articulate some piece of what you’re thinking and feeling again, you’re left with an overwhelming feeling to share it. All of it. The pain, the parts where you thought you might quit, the second guessing, the parts where you realized you weren’t going to quit, the home stretch that seemed to last a lifetime; and the part where, after all these other things had passed, that you finally made it.
Maybe you made it to the top of the 14er. Maybe you made it to the city you’d been waiting your entire life to see. Or maybe you were walking down your street for the thousandth time and for some reason it all looked different.
Whatever it was, it changed you. And whether you traveled a mile or a hundred miles or a thousand miles to get to there doesn’t matter.
What matters is, what are you going to do now that you’re there?
Quote by Ibn Battuta. Image created by me using Adobe Illustrator.
Quote by Cesare Pavese. Image created by me using Adobe Illustrator.
Consider this post a friendly reminder to let go of the things that don’t matter.
But this is a task that’s undoubtedly easier said than done. I know I sometimes get so wrapped up in the emotions surrounding a trip that I can lose sight of why I’m going in the first place. I forget the excitement and the wonder and instead focus on the stress: the stress of packing right without overpacking, the stress of making it to the planes or trains I need to catch, the stress of balancing expenses to last me through the trip, the stress of seeing all the people I promised I’d make the time to see; in addition to the places I wanted to venture off to alone.
Which is why this quote hit me so hard last week when I first read it. It still hasn’t left me quite yet. And I hope you consider what traveling light really means to you, too.
For me, it feels like this quote by Italian poet Cesare Pavese was originally intended to apply to day-to-day emotions we need to let go of in order to move forward in life.
Jealous of that coworker who seems to truly have it all? Holding a grudge against the guy who didn’t call you back? More concerned about getting your afternoon nap in than helping your friend with that favor they asked? Or maybe on some level, just all-around deeply terrified you’re going to fail pursuing your goals if you were to ever actually try?
Now think about what (or who) is weighing on your mind. If it’s keeping you down or holding you back, it’s probably time to let go.
Step 1: Let go of envies and jealousies.
Can you objectively look at why that coworker seems to have it all? Do they have a talent or way of approaching their work that you can learn from? Or can you take them out to coffee, get to know them better and realize they’re — (just banking on the odds, here) human — and that they, too, have problems that might not have been so obvious? Can you make a new friend and turn that jealousy and envy into support and productivity?
Step 2: Stop holding on to unforgiveness.
If that guy didn’t call you back, do you really want him to now? If he’s so easily willing to cast you aside why shouldn’t you be willing to do the same in your mind? There are actually simple solutions sometimes, and this is one of those instances. Move on. Spend time with new people. Holding a grudge against him won’t make him suddenly realize what he lost — but it will make you lose out on other things in the process.
Step 3: Get rid of selfishness.
If you’d rather nap than do your friend a favor, you need to ask yourself two questions. Is this person really my friend? And if they are, Why am I being selfish? And even if they aren’t your friend, Should I help them anyway? We’ve all heard the age-old adage “What goes around comes around.” And though I wish this were always true, the reality is that it’s not. Life is not a children’s fiction novel where all of the heroes come to good ends and the villains come to bad ends. Some people who are selfish and greedy and self-involved might not ever have to deal with the repercussions of their actions. So here is where you make a decision about the person you want to be. Do you want to be selfish? No? Great! Now grab a cup of coffee and go help your friend.
Step 4: Overcome your fears.
Perhaps the hardest step of them all; fear can cripple you, removing any hope of ever moving forward in life. Thus, the question you have to ask yourself is: How bad do you want it? You have to decide for yourself how much work you’re willing to put into it. You have to decide you want to save that extra $50 for your dream trip than go out with your friends this weekend. You have to decide to devote the time to improving your photography and editing skills, decide to work out regularly in order to lose that extra weight, decide to put all efforts into getting that next promotion at your job. Whatever it is, you have to decide you want it. And then you have to decide you want it again and again and again, every day you wake up, until you have it. It’s not just going to fall in your lap because you’re willing it to — you have to decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.
It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but if you can do these things, you will move forward. It might not be exactly what you envisioned, but you will find yourself in a better place. Whether that’s literally somewhere else in the world or just confined to the spaces within your sanity is up to you.
Just remember to travel light when you go.
I try each day to find beauty, to learn something new, or discover new ways to keep going, to keep being inspired. In doing this, I’ve realized that sharing my inspiration is just as important as going out to seek it.
So whether anyone is actually paying attention or not, I’m going to start sharing my findings with you. My goal, my hope, is to share a little daily inspiration – I hope to both inspire and be inspired, as I mention in my brief bio on the About page.
So here we go. Day 1.
Quote by Mary Anne Radmacher. Image created by me using Adobe Illustrator.
It’s something I won’t ever be able to forget. The moment I was changed permanently, the moment my view of the world and the people in it shifted. Everything was the same, but somehow different. I realized that everyone and everything around me was worth seeing, worth documenting. Traveling literally takes you to another place, but what people don’t talk about is how it takes you to new places figuratively, too.
Seeing a new style of architecture, experiencing a foreign culture, communicating with people who don’t speak the same language – it’s all doing more to you than just giving you more stories to tell and beautiful photos to share. It’s connecting you to new ways of thought and living, providing you with a new perspective on life or love or even something as simple as what good coffee is to you. It allows everyone the opportunity to peer out to the world with fresh eyes, taking in more than just what you literally see in front of you.
It will change you. It will grow you. It will force you to look at yourself and the world and come to terms with what you think about both. And you will be better for it.
But it can’t happen if you don’t go.
Created by me using Adobe Illustrator.
It’s the tagline for this blog and quickly becoming the tagline for my life: Getting lost is not a waste of time.
It’s a simple thought, really. But it goes against what most people operate by. A lot of us are in a hurry. Or even if we’re not in a hurry per se, we’re on a set timeline. We have a list of things we need to see or do and an idea of when they need to be done by.
We do this without really thinking about it. Maybe we’re concerned about making a deadline or not missing the train and subconsciously checking everything off our list. And this isn’t always a bad thing — this can promote productivity, keep us focused on a goal, or help us find order in all the chaos of a busy schedule.
But sometimes we’re trying so hard to get everything finished that we forget to pay attention to what we’re actually doing.
Case in point: in the summer of 2013, I was backpacking through Europe with two relatively new friends. Prior to the trip, I wasn’t really sure how it was all going to work out.
Would we compliment each other in our habits and desires on what to do? Or would we all have different preferences of an ideal trip and bicker most of the time?
Luckily, our instincts seemed to be right about each other and we all got along just fine the majority of the time. We wanted to see the major sights but at the same time wanted an authentic, off-the-beaten-path type of experience in each city if we could manage it. But there was one day of our travels in particular which didn’t run so smoothly.
We were in Rome at the time and were set to leave the next morning for Florence. We had been there for a day and a half already but, let’s be honest, it’s actually really difficult to see all the things there are to see in Rome in two and half days. We had seen the big attractions — the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums — along with other, less-common spots thanks to research and the experience Drew (one of our party) had from living abroad there in college.
But the only thing on my list, perhaps cheesy and a little predictable I know, was the Trevi Fountain. I fault Hilary Duff in the Lizzie McGuire Movie for an unrealistic expectation of what would happen after I cast my wish (Just kidding, but there is probably some truth there. I blame my ingrained ’90s kid’ tendencies).
But regardless of my reasons, that’s all I wanted to see. As long as that was checked off, everything else would be icing on the cake.
Unfortunately, it felt like fate just did not want me to go there. We had planned on going there the first day, but because of our tour time of the Sistine Chapel, we didn’t have time to stop there. Then, for one reason or another, it kept getting bumped by something else on our list. It was too far of a walk, or we needed to eat first, or this, or that.
But finally, finally, it was the nearing the end of our full second day there and it was finally decided that that’s where we were headed. It was going to be easy, too — we had been walking almost everywhere, but due to the time and being 5mi away, we were going to take a bus.
So we waited. And waited… and waited. Four buses came and went, but not ours. We waited until it had been half an hour before deciding something wasn’t right. Eventually, from talking broken Italian to a woman at the stop, we deduced that a few of the buses, including ours, weren’t running due to engine problems. She wasn’t surprised; apparently it happens a lot.
But I was determined. I resolved to walk. I didn’t care how far we had already walked that day or how hungry I already was. I was going to make it there, plain and simple.
Drew didn’t feel so inclined, so it was just Jessica and I. Our hostel was close, so he was going to go clean up and take a nap before dinner. We were going to walk there, have our moment, and try to catch a different bus back to the hostel.
But once again, fate intervened. There was a marathon or parade or something big happening on one of the major roads we had to cross in order to get there (I didn’t pay attention to what it was in my utter frustration). This added an extra mile to go around to where the Polizia said we could cross.
We walked faster — and keep in mind we were close-to-broke college students, so spending money on a cab was avoided at all costs except emergencies — until we were almost there. We had made decent time despite the setback and had just under a mile to go.
Jessica, however, needed to sit. This was the absolute last thing I was inclined to do, but I was grateful she hadn’t left me to my lonesome and tagged along, so I begrudgingly agreed. We needed to find a spot though, because we didn’t want to pay to sit at a café. On a whim, we veered off course and onto a smaller side street in the hopes there’d be some sort of wall we could hop up and rest on.
And then I saw it. A rather small and somewhat dingy sign bearing the name of a saint in front of large but modest double doors. I glanced overhead to check for a steeple (and that’s when I learned that looking up is just as important as looking around). And that told me all I needed to know. It was a church.
Jessica didn’t hesitate, scrambling in to her sanctuary to rest her aching feet. I followed more slowly behind, having just noticed something for the first time. We were completely alone.
Which, if you’ve been there, you know doesn’t happen. Especially in the middle of the summer in primetime tourist season. But yet here we were, on a little side street about to walk into what looked like a forgotten church with no one else in sight. It hit me so forcefully that I felt nervous for a moment. Were we supposed to be here? Was this allowed?
I decided to walk in.
It wasn’t the most beautiful church I had seen in Europe, or even in Rome, but it had a modest beauty that I hadn’t seen in any church in my lifetime, and haven’t encountered since.
The ceiling was covered in slightly chipped murals, there were three columns lining the far sides of the pews, the altar and tabernacle in front were unassuming but well-kept and recently polished. It was relatively small for a catholic church, about the square footage of a three bedroom apartment in total, and we were the only two people in there that I could see, apart from one elderly Italian woman sitting in one of the pews.
I took a breath. I had been so preoccupied over the last hour about getting to the Trevi Fountain that the entire time we had been walking I hadn’t been appreciating the beauty of the ancient city. And here I was, not exactly lost but not precisely sure where I was either, standing in the middle of what felt like an existential scene crossed between Roman Holiday and The Bicycle Thieves.
I sat down and for as long as I needed to collect my thoughts, we sat there. It didn’t matter so much anymore whether I saw the Trevi Fountain or not, because what was the point if I was just going to be miserable or in a hurry the entire time anyway?
It’s a lesson that still resonates with me today. Getting lost is not a waste of time when you take a step back and get some perspective. You might not see everything you intended to see, but some of the best experiences in life are the ones we don’t expect.
Like that little church, forever stuck in that moment. Its name and location shall remain anonymous — for one, this way it still feels precious and all mine in some capacity — but mostly because two, it leaves the mystery open for you and others out there. I wish for you to stumble into your own little sanctuary and have an unexpectedly profound experience.
And for what it’s worth, Jessica and I did make it to the Trevi Fountain afterwards. Although it was by accident, after taking a narrow alley shortcut that wasn’t marked on our map.
It’s funny how you find things when you stop looking for them.
Why you should travel to a town in Croatia you’ve never heard of.
Opatija is a Croatian coastal town resting on the northeastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, and as pointed out in my last post, most people traveling to Croatia have never heard of it. They’ve heard of Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik… but usually not Opatija.
However, this wasn’t always the case. The story behind Opatija is a checkered one, dating all the way back to pre-Roman times. But to avoid turning this post into a full-on history lesson, I’ll try to briefly cover the highlights of the town’s modern history, beginning in 1844.
Out front of Villa Angiolina circa 1900. Source: http://www.landscapenotes.com.
At this time, Iginio Scarpa, a rich merchant from Rijeka (another town in Croatia not far east of Opatija), founded Villa Angiolina. Villa Angiolina is the building that really marked the beginning of tourism in Opatija. This building still stands in Opatija today, converted into a museum devoted to telling you the story I’m telling you now.
The main entrance of Villa Angiolina. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk.
Over time, the town became a fashionable spot for the Austrian imperial family and Austrian nobility. The first luxury hotel was built in 1884 and named Hotel Quarnero, but today stands as Grand Hotel Kvarner. Many more hotels and villas were soon built, and Opatija hit the height of tourism in 1889 when the Austrian government declared “Abbazia” (Opatija) the first climatic seaside resort on the Adriatic.
However, Opatija would change hands many times over the next century. It was assigned to Italy in 1920 with the advent of fascism, given over to Yugoslavia in 1947, and finally would fall into Croatia’s hands in 1991 with the breakup of Yugoslavia.
Since then, Opatija has been fairly quiet, operating to provide a peaceful getaway to tourists and Croatians on holiday alike.
The outside garden of Villa Angiolina. Source: http://www.tours.adriaday.com.
So then what makes Opatija special?
I traveled to a multiple towns and cities throughout Croatia during my stay there, and while each was unique and beautiful in its own right – and I’ll go into each of those in later posts – there was a certain air in Opatija that didn’t seem to be anywhere else. It was that certain air, a feeling, essentially, that made you feel like nothing bad could ever happen there.
It’s not an imitation of anything – like a Disney resort trying to lure you into feeling like you’re standing in Germany when you’re really in Florida – it’s authentic. It’s an arresting, tranquil place to forget about the worries on your mind. And it’s not flashy, like a five-star resort in Shanghai, but it will have everything you want and plenty more than you need.
A small collection of moments from my time in Opatija.
As mentioned earlier, it’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the town, and the museum inside will be able to give a much more in-depth account than my brief post about the history of the town. ADDED BONUS: the park surrounding Villa Angiolina is a green thumb’s dream, boasting over 150 different plant species both native to the region and other parts of the world.
Maiden with the Seagull. Source: http://www.endourology-today.com.
This statue has become one of the symbols of the town, and is recognizable across Croatia. It is, however, a new sculpture in comparison to others in Opatija. Maiden with the Seagull was erected in 1956 by the sculptor Zvonko Car. In its place once stood the Madonna del Mare, which was demolished by communists after the end of World War II.
This 14th-century Benedictine abbey, Opatija Sv. Jakova, or Abbey of Saint James, from which the town gets its name (“opatija“ means “abbey” in Croatian) can be found in Park Svetog Jakova or Saint James’s Park. Saint James’s Church, originally built in 1506, now stands in the same spot.
A less common destination in the town, but fun if you’re looking for a little luck, is the Villa Rosalia, which today is known as Casino Rosalia. Originally constructed in 1896 as a luxurious villa for Austrian aristocracy, it was later credited as being the first casino in eastern Europe.
Last, and my personal favorite, part of Opatija you won’t want to miss is simply walking along the stone path that winds through the majority of the water’s edge of the town. There’ll be places to lay out in the sun as you pass, to climb rocks, to take the perfect snapshot, and to look at various street vendors’ art.
Left: Me snapping a photo while being snapped in Opatija near Hotel Kvarner.
Right: The garden in front of Villa Angiolina facing the Adriatic Sea.

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photo from http://www.mrwallpaper.com. image created by me using adobe creative suite software.
since the moment that 9-year-old me first caught a glimpse of the breathtaking skyline while riding in the middle row of my family’s silver van, i knew i loved new york city.
i had an immediate instinct about the city and i held on fiercely to that notion.
then, as time passed, that gut feeling only strengthened.
as i got older, i realized my love for writing, and it even started to seem like i was meant to live there. i wanted to become one of the little glowing stars in the skyline i saw behind my eyelids each time i went to sleep.
i didn’t just want to move there, i had to.
but then i took off my rose-colored glasses, life events got in the way, and i pushed my ‘destiny’ back. i went to college in my hometown, not in the city.
when i graduated i got a job in st. louis, mo and moved there — not to the city.
i applied for other jobs over and over again in nyc and sometimes didn’t even get so much as a courtesy rejection email.
i could no longer see those glowing towers and smell the sweat on the asphalt when i closed my eyes. the nyc in my dreams had vanished.
now, almost 13 years to the day since i first saw the skyscrapers twinkling in the distance, i’ve decided it’s time to stop looking at the city on the back of my eyelids and see it in person. it’s time to stop dreaming and make that picture a reality.
so in the past month, i’ve lined up an apartment to move into on august 1. i’ve been working overtime to save up money to have a safety net when i get there, and dedicated my spare time to applying for jobs and downsizing as much as i can to fit into my new, much smaller and much more expensive space.
in a way, i felt a sense of relief the moment i finally decided it was official. i realized i just needed to make the plunge and stop waiting for some sign or a job that i may or may not ever get.
then, only a few moments later, i felt terrified. all of my fears were at the forefront of my mind, each one more stress-inducing than the last.
what if i don’t meet any new people that actually become friends? how long will my ‘safety net’ last? what if i’m not able to get a part-time job to make ends meet until i find a full-time position? what if i go there and realize it’s nothing like i thought it would be? what if i fail?
fighting the overwhelming inclination i felt to give in to the panic attack, i focused on remembering the memory of how undauntingly convinced i was that i would live there someday. it helped remind me that it’s not going to do me any good to worry before i get there. all i can do is focus on saving as much money as i can and apply for as many jobs as possible and save the other worries for when i can actually do something about them.
the time for dreaming is over. i’ve finally woken up.
it’s a weird feeling. the moment when you’re looking around and you simultaneously want to describe everything you’re seeing and feeling to everyone you know, but yet somehow can’t seem to find the right words.
it happens when you least expect it. one second you’re trudging uphill, out of breath and unable to concentrate on anything except how much your feet hurt, the next second you’re rounding a corner and your breathing stops and your feet stop moving — only it’s not because of the pain. it’s because you just came around a corner and saw something so beautiful you remember why you bothered to walk on through the pain in the first place.
these moments happen at different times and different places to different people for different reasons, but they do happen.
and once they do, after the initial shock wears off and you gain the ability to articulate some piece of what you’re thinking and feeling again, you’re left with an overwhelming feeling to share it. all of it. the pain, the parts where you thought you might quit, the second guessing, the parts where you realized you weren’t going to quit, the home stretch that seemed to last a lifetime; and the part where, after all these other things had passed, that you finally made it.
maybe you made it to the top of the 14er. maybe you made it to the city you’d been waiting your entire life to see. or maybe you were walking down your street for the thousandth time and for some reason it all looked different.
whatever it was, it changed you. and whether you traveled a mile or a hundred miles or a thousand miles to get to there doesn’t matter.
what matters is, what are you going to do now that you’re there?
quote by ibn battuta. image created by me using adobe illustrator.
quote by cesare pavese. image created by me using adobe illustrator.
consider this post a friendly reminder to let go of the things that don’t matter.
but this is a task that’s undoubtedly easier said than done. i know i sometimes get so wrapped up in the emotions surrounding a trip that i can lose sight of why i’m going in the first place. i forget the excitement and the wonder and instead focus on the stress: the stress of packing right without overpacking, the stress of making it to the planes or trains i need to catch, the stress of balancing expenses to last me through the trip, the stress of seeing all the people i promised i’d make the time to see; in addition to the places i wanted to venture off to alone.
which is why this quote hit me so hard last week when i first read it. it still hasn’t left me quite yet. and i hope you consider what traveling light really means to you, too.
for me, it feels like this quote by italian poet cesare pavese was originally intended to apply to day-to-day emotions we need to let go of in order to move forward in life.
jealous of that coworker who seems to truly have it all? holding a grudge against the guy who didn’t call you back? more concerned about getting your afternoon nap in than helping your friend with that favor they asked? or maybe on some level, just all-around deeply terrified you’re going to fail pursuing your goals if you were to ever actually try?
now think about what (or who) is weighing on your mind. if it’s keeping you down or holding you back, it’s probably time to let go.
step 1: let go of envies and jealousies.
can you objectively look at why that coworker seems to have it all? do they have a talent or way of approaching their work that you can learn from? or can you take them out to coffee, get to know them better and realize they’re — (just banking on the odds, here) human — and that they, too, have problems that might not have been so obvious? can you make a new friend and turn that jealousy and envy into support and productivity?
step 2: stop holding on to unforgiveness.
if that guy didn’t call you back, do you really want him to now? if he’s so easily willing to cast you aside why shouldn’t you be willing to do the same in your mind? there are actually simple solutions sometimes, and this is one of those instances. move on. spend time with new people. holding a grudge against him won’t make him suddenly realize what he lost — but it will make you lose out on other things in the process.
step 3: get rid of selfishness.
if you’d rather nap than do your friend a favor, you need to ask yourself two questions. is this person really my friend? and if they are, why am i being selfish? and even if they aren’t your friend, should i help them anyway? we’ve all heard the age-old adage “what goes around comes around.” and though i wish this were always true, the reality is that it’s not. life is not a children’s fiction novel where all of the heroes come to good ends and the villains come to bad ends. some people who are selfish and greedy and self-involved might not ever have to deal with the repercussions of their actions. so here is where you make a decision about the person you want to be. do you want to be selfish? no? great! now grab a cup of coffee and go help your friend.
step 4: overcome your fears.
perhaps the hardest step of them all; fear can cripple you, removing any hope of ever moving forward in life. thus, the question you have to ask yourself is: how bad do you want it? you have to decide for yourself how much work you’re willing to put into it. you have to decide you want to save that extra $50 for your dream trip than go out with your friends this weekend. you have to decide to devote the time to improving your photography and editing skills, decide to work out regularly in order to lose that extra weight, decide to put all efforts into getting that next promotion at your job. whatever it is, you have to decide you want it. and then you have to decide you want it again and again and again, every day you wake up, until you have it. it’s not just going to fall in your lap because you’re willing it to — you have to decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.
it won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but if you can do these things, you will move forward. it might not be exactly what you envisioned, but you will find yourself in a better place. whether that’s literally somewhere else in the world or just confined to the spaces within your sanity is up to you.
just remember to travel light when you go.
i try each day to find beauty, to learn something new, or discover new ways to keep going, to keep being inspired. in doing this, i’ve realized that sharing my inspiration is just as important as going out to seek it.
so whether anyone is actually paying attention or not, i’m going to start sharing my findings with you. my goal, my hope, is to share a little daily inspiration – i hope to both inspire and be inspired, as i mention in my brief bio on the about page.
so here we go. day 1.
quote by mary anne radmacher. image created by me using adobe illustrator.
it’s something i won’t ever be able to forget. the moment i was changed permanently, the moment my view of the world and the people in it shifted. everything was the same, but somehow different. i realized that everyone and everything around me was worth seeing, worth documenting. traveling literally takes you to another place, but what people don’t talk about is how it takes you to new places figuratively, too.
seeing a new style of architecture, experiencing a foreign culture, communicating with people who don’t speak the same language – it’s all doing more to you than just giving you more stories to tell and beautiful photos to share. it’s connecting you to new ways of thought and living, providing you with a new perspective on life or love or even something as simple as what good coffee is to you. it allows everyone the opportunity to peer out to the world with fresh eyes, taking in more than just what you literally see in front of you.
it will change you. it will grow you. it will force you to look at yourself and the world and come to terms with what you think about both. and you will be better for it.
but it can’t happen if you don’t go.
created by me using adobe illustrator.
it’s the tagline for this blog and quickly becoming the tagline for my life: getting lost is not a waste of time.
it’s a simple thought, really. but it goes against what most people operate by. a lot of us are in a hurry. or even if we’re not in a hurry per se, we’re on a set timeline. we have a list of things we need to see or do and an idea of when they need to be done by.
we do this without really thinking about it. maybe we’re concerned about making a deadline or not missing the train and subconsciously checking everything off our list. and this isn’t always a bad thing — this can promote productivity, keep us focused on a goal, or help us find order in all the chaos of a busy schedule.
but sometimes we’re trying so hard to get everything finished that we forget to pay attention to what we’re actually doing.
case in point: in the summer of 2013, i was backpacking through europe with two relatively new friends. prior to the trip, i wasn’t really sure how it was all going to work out.
would we compliment each other in our habits and desires on what to do? or would we all have different preferences of an ideal trip and bicker most of the time?
luckily, our instincts seemed to be right about each other and we all got along just fine the majority of the time. we wanted to see the major sights but at the same time wanted an authentic, off-the-beaten-path type of experience in each city if we could manage it. but there was one day of our travels in particular which didn’t run so smoothly.
we were in rome at the time and were set to leave the next morning for florence. we had been there for a day and a half already but, let’s be honest, it’s actually really difficult to see all the things there are to see in rome in two and half days. we had seen the big attractions — the colosseum, the roman forum, capitoline hill, the sistine chapel and vatican museums — along with other, less-common spots thanks to research and the experience drew (one of our party) had from living abroad there in college.
but the only thing on my list, perhaps cheesy and a little predictable i know, was the trevi fountain. i fault hilary duff in the lizzie mcguire movie for an unrealistic expectation of what would happen after i cast my wish (just kidding, but there is probably some truth there. i blame my ingrained ’90s kid’ tendencies).
but regardless of my reasons, that’s all i wanted to see. as long as that was checked off, everything else would be icing on the cake.
unfortunately, it felt like fate just did not want me to go there. we had planned on going there the first day, but because of our tour time of the sistine chapel, we didn’t have time to stop there. then, for one reason or another, it kept getting bumped by something else on our list. it was too far of a walk, or we needed to eat first, or this, or that.
but finally, finally, it was the nearing the end of our full second day there and it was finally decided that that’s where we were headed. it was going to be easy, too — we had been walking almost everywhere, but due to the time and being 5mi away, we were going to take a bus.
so we waited. and waited… and waited. four buses came and went, but not ours. we waited until it had been half an hour before deciding something wasn’t right. eventually, from talking broken italian to a woman at the stop, we deduced that a few of the buses, including ours, weren’t running due to engine problems. she wasn’t surprised; apparently it happens a lot.
but i was determined. i resolved to walk. i didn’t care how far we had already walked that day or how hungry i already was. i was going to make it there, plain and simple.
drew didn’t feel so inclined, so it was just jessica and i. our hostel was close, so he was going to go clean up and take a nap before dinner. we were going to walk there, have our moment, and try to catch a different bus back to the hostel.
but once again, fate intervened. there was a marathon or parade or something big happening on one of the major roads we had to cross in order to get there (i didn’t pay attention to what it was in my utter frustration). this added an extra mile to go around to where the polizia said we could cross.
we walked faster — and keep in mind we were close-to-broke college students, so spending money on a cab was avoided at all costs except emergencies — until we were almost there. we had made decent time despite the setback and had just under a mile to go.
jessica, however, needed to sit. this was the absolute last thing i was inclined to do, but i was grateful she hadn’t left me to my lonesome and tagged along, so i begrudgingly agreed. we needed to find a spot though, because we didn’t want to pay to sit at a café. on a whim, we veered off course and onto a smaller side street in the hopes there’d be some sort of wall we could hop up and rest on.
and then i saw it. a rather small and somewhat dingy sign bearing the name of a saint in front of large but modest double doors. i glanced overhead to check for a steeple (and that’s when i learned that looking up is just as important as looking around). and that told me all i needed to know. it was a church.
jessica didn’t hesitate, scrambling in to her sanctuary to rest her aching feet. i followed more slowly behind, having just noticed something for the first time. we were completely alone.
which, if you’ve been there, you know doesn’t happen. especially in the middle of the summer in primetime tourist season. but yet here we were, on a little side street about to walk into what looked like a forgotten church with no one else in sight. it hit me so forcefully that i felt nervous for a moment. were we supposed to be here? was this allowed?
i decided to walk in.
it wasn’t the most beautiful church i had seen in europe, or even in rome, but it had a modest beauty that i hadn’t seen in any church in my lifetime, and haven’t encountered since.
the ceiling was covered in slightly chipped murals, there were three columns lining the far sides of the pews, the altar and tabernacle in front were unassuming but well-kept and recently polished. it was relatively small for a catholic church, about the square footage of a three bedroom apartment in total, and we were the only two people in there that i could see, apart from one elderly italian woman sitting in one of the pews.
i took a breath. i had been so preoccupied over the last hour about getting to the trevi fountain that the entire time we had been walking i hadn’t been appreciating the beauty of the ancient city. and here i was, not exactly lost but not precisely sure where i was either, standing in the middle of what felt like an existential scene crossed between roman holiday and the bicycle thieves.
i sat down and for as long as i needed to collect my thoughts, we sat there. it didn’t matter so much anymore whether i saw the trevi fountain or not, because what was the point if i was just going to be miserable or in a hurry the entire time anyway?
it’s a lesson that still resonates with me today. getting lost is not a waste of time when you take a step back and get some perspective. you might not see everything you intended to see, but some of the best experiences in life are the ones we don’t expect.
like that little church, forever stuck in that moment. its name and location shall remain anonymous — for one, this way it still feels precious and all mine in some capacity — but mostly because two, it leaves the mystery open for you and others out there. i wish for you to stumble into your own little sanctuary and have an unexpectedly profound experience.
and for what it’s worth, jessica and i did make it to the trevi fountain afterwards. although it was by accident, after taking a narrow alley shortcut that wasn’t marked on our map.
it’s funny how you find things when you stop looking for them.
why you should travel to a town in croatia you’ve never heard of.
opatija is a croatian coastal town resting on the northeastern shore of the adriatic sea, and as pointed out in my last post, most people traveling to croatia have never heard of it. they’ve heard of zagreb, split, dubrovnik… but usually not opatija.
however, this wasn’t always the case. the story behind opatija is a checkered one, dating all the way back to pre-roman times. but to avoid turning this post into a full-on history lesson, i’ll try to briefly cover the highlights of the town’s modern history, beginning in 1844.
out front of villa angiolina circa 1900. source: http://www.landscapenotes.com.
at this time, iginio scarpa, a rich merchant from rijeka (another town in croatia not far east of opatija), founded villa angiolina. villa angiolina is the building that really marked the beginning of tourism in opatija. this building still stands in opatija today, converted into a museum devoted to telling you the story i’m telling you now.
the main entrance of villa angiolina. source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk.
over time, the town became a fashionable spot for the austrian imperial family and austrian nobility. the first luxury hotel was built in 1884 and named hotel quarnero, but today stands as grand hotel kvarner. many more hotels and villas were soon built, and opatija hit the height of tourism in 1889 when the austrian government declared “abbazia” (opatija) the first climatic seaside resort on the adriatic.
however, opatija would change hands many times over the next century. it was assigned to italy in 1920 with the advent of fascism, given over to yugoslavia in 1947, and finally would fall into croatia’s hands in 1991 with the breakup of yugoslavia.
since then, opatija has been fairly quiet, operating to provide a peaceful getaway to tourists and croatians on holiday alike.
the outside garden of villa angiolina. source: http://www.tours.adriaday.com.
so then what makes opatija special?
i traveled to a multiple towns and cities throughout croatia during my stay there, and while each was unique and beautiful in its own right – and i’ll go into each of those in later posts – there was a certain air in opatija that didn’t seem to be anywhere else. it was that certain air, a feeling, essentially, that made you feel like nothing bad could ever happen there.
it’s not an imitation of anything – like a disney resort trying to lure you into feeling like you’re standing in germany when you’re really in florida – it’s authentic. it’s an arresting, tranquil place to forget about the worries on your mind. and it’s not flashy, like a five-star resort in shanghai, but it will have everything you want and plenty more than you need.
a small collection of moments from my time in opatija.
as mentioned earlier, it’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the town, and the museum inside will be able to give a much more in-depth account than my brief post about the history of the town. added bonus: the park surrounding villa angiolina is a green thumb’s dream, boasting over 150 different plant species both native to the region and other parts of the world.
maiden with the seagull. source: http://www.endourology-today.com.
this statue has become one of the symbols of the town, and is recognizable across croatia. it is, however, a new sculpture in comparison to others in opatija. maiden with the seagull was erected in 1956 by the sculptor zvonko car. in its place once stood the madonna del mare, which was demolished by communists after the end of world war ii.
this 14th-century benedictine abbey, opatija sv. jakova, or abbey of saint james, from which the town gets its name (“opatija“ means “abbey” in croatian) can be found in park svetog jakova or saint james’s park. saint james’s church, originally built in 1506, now stands in the same spot.
a less common destination in the town, but fun if you’re looking for a little luck, is the villa rosalia, which today is known as casino rosalia. originally constructed in 1896 as a luxurious villa for austrian aristocracy, it was later credited as being the first casino in eastern europe.
last, and my personal favorite, part of opatija you won’t want to miss is simply walking along the stone path that winds through the majority of the water’s edge of the town. there’ll be places to lay out in the sun as you pass, to climb rocks, to take the perfect snapshot, and to look at various street vendors’ art.
left: me snapping a photo while being snapped in opatija near hotel kvarner.
right: the garden in front of villa angiolina facing the adriatic sea.


text:
Figma’s Table Museum series is adding another iconic artistic masterpiece to its collection. Following up on action figure versions of the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo’s David, there’s now a bizarre multi-limbed version of Leondardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man to add to your toy box.
With eight limbs at his disposal, Vitruvian Man would have no problem besting Michelangelo’s David in a wrestling match. But you’ll be paying a premium for all of those extra arms and legs. The figure is now available for just shy of $60, with an included display stand and da Vinci sketch backdrop.

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figma’s table museum series is adding another iconic artistic masterpiece to its collection. following up on action figure versions of the venus de milo and michelangelo’s david, there’s now a bizarre multi-limbed version of leondardo da vinci’s vitruvian man to add to your toy box.
with eight limbs at his disposal, vitruvian man would have no problem besting michelangelo’s david in a wrestling match. but you’ll be paying a premium for all of those extra arms and legs. the figure is now available for just shy of $60, with an included display stand and da vinci sketch backdrop.


text:
Hey readers and bloggers, sorry I couldn’t blog yesterday. As I said, I would maybe try posting twice a week, because I’m starting work again. I’ll try to post around 7-8 p.m. and 6-7 a.m. Anyways, here’s the post!
RRARRRRR!!!! That was the iquana roaring in the bushes. Well, iguanas don’t actually roar. I met some iguanas in Aruba. The first one scared me!
All the iguanas were different in all shapes and sizes, but one tried to chase me. I have some videos, but I can’t show it because I didn’t even press the record button! Silly me.
My friends, whenever you go to Aruba, if you’re eating, watch out for the iguanas. Also, do not feed them.
Thanks! And sure, I’ll check out your site.
I agree, they are green!
Oh my, those lizards are so green!

lowercased:
hey readers and bloggers, sorry i couldn’t blog yesterday. as i said, i would maybe try posting twice a week, because i’m starting work again. i’ll try to post around 7-8 p.m. and 6-7 a.m. anyways, here’s the post!
rrarrrrr!!!! that was the iquana roaring in the bushes. well, iguanas don’t actually roar. i met some iguanas in aruba. the first one scared me!
all the iguanas were different in all shapes and sizes, but one tried to chase me. i have some videos, but i can’t show it because i didn’t even press the record button! silly me.
my friends, whenever you go to aruba, if you’re eating, watch out for the iguanas. also, do not feed them.
thanks! and sure, i’ll check out your site.
i agree, they are green!
oh my, those lizards are so green!


text:
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Pediatric Nursing-2019 organizing committee anticipates over 300 participants to attend this premier event. Your organization will benefit with excellent exposure to the leaders in Nursing.
Pediatric Nursing-2019 is an exciting opportunity to showcase the new technology, the new products of your company, and/or the service your industry may offer to a broad international audience.
Lots of thoughts were put together planning to make this conference a premier event. Our worldwide Editorial Board Members of Clinical Pediatrics: Open Access , Journal of Nursing & Care: Open Access and Health Care : Current Reviews have agreed to promote and support the event.
Exhibiting at 30th International Conference on Pediatric Nursing & Healthcare will attain you with an exceptional format in showcasing your products and services. Conference Series Conferences and Exhibitions provide you one location to reach your top customers.

lowercased:
in today’s economic climate your business decisions are as crucial as ever. 30th international conference on pediatric nursing & healthcare allows you to maximize your time and marketing dollars while receiving immediate feedback on your new products and services.
30th international conference on pediatric nursing & healthcare is organizing an outstanding scientific exhibition/program and anticipates the world’s leading specialists involved in .
pediatric nursing-2019 organizing committee anticipates over 300 participants to attend this premier event. your organization will benefit with excellent exposure to the leaders in nursing.
pediatric nursing-2019 is an exciting opportunity to showcase the new technology, the new products of your company, and/or the service your industry may offer to a broad international audience.
lots of thoughts were put together planning to make this conference a premier event. our worldwide editorial board members of clinical pediatrics: open access , journal of nursing & care: open access and health care : current reviews have agreed to promote and support the event.
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text:
By the time patients stumble across Neurotherapy, they’re typically frustrated and pissed off to the max by their ordeal. They usually moan “I’ve tried everything” followed by a list of meds and “treatments” which had promised them “symptom relief”. Adding insult to injury, they’re encouraged “not to give up” and to “talk to their doctor”, because unfortunately “there is no cure” for their misery.
Instead, the doc will write a prescription and say “Take one of these after every meal and come back in six weeks”, because that is the “recommended treatment” according to the current “treatment guidelines“, written by some big-wig docs who accidentally also earn a shitload of money as medical consultant for Big Pharma.
Having no “cure” on offer is not a problem for the pharma-medical industry. In fact, it’s rather a blessing as long-term medication for so-called “symptom management” is much more profitable than a one-off “cure”. And so they tell patients with Depression that they’re lacking Serotonin, just like the Diabetic who can’t produce Insulin and instead needs to inject it.
Science can disprove the Serotonin-nonsense all day long: In the end it’s the doctor who decides whether he prefers to be invited to a 5-star “conference” in a Golf Resort on Bora Bora or rather lose a paying customer to some whacky, flea-bitten, pot-smoking crystal healer with Tibetan sound bowls (At least, that’s what the doctor was told about any “alternative” to writing drug prescriptions). What a pickle for the poor doc!
In their desperation, patients do indeed try Tibetan sound bowls, Crystal Healing and Kinesiology. They usually report “it didn’t help much” but at least the practitioner wasn’t such a prick like some of the doctors in whose waiting rooms they had to sit for hours, only to be treated like a defiant donkey when the meds didn’t help.
When patients say “I’ve tried everything”, friends and relatives are quick to suggest another “treatment” for “symptom relief”: “You should try Swedish Acupuncture. It helped ___ (name of a neighbour) so well with her ___ (name of a symptom).” Unfortunately, it is likely that the Swedish Acupuncture will result in another “it didn’t help much”, as every previous failure makes future “treatments” less likely to succeed.
The reasonable response to the sentence “I’ve tried everything” is the question: “Why are you TRYING anything. What are your complaints caused by?” Trying means shooting in the dark. Only the manufacturers of the ammunition would recommend shooting in the dark, right?
Imagine your car stopped running. You have it towed to a repair shop where the mechanic replaces the munfnipple of the rabaster-valve. After paying for the repair you notice that the car still isn’t running and you complain to the mechanic about it. He replies: “Replacing the munfnipple of the rabaster-valve is the recommended repair.” And then he suggests to “try” something else.
How many attempts would you be willing to pay for? Obviously, the mechanic has no idea what causes your car’s problems. He seems to make a living from replacing munfnipples, although he can’t even test the function of the rabaster-valve. If the mechanic now suggests to prime the pittelgroove with buckle-grease, would you be willing to pay for that, just to “give it a try”?
When people are struggling with the complex symptoms of a Functional Brain Disorder, endless “treatment attempts” aiming at “symptom relief” can easily lead them into a dead end and deplete their resources, particularly when some “treatments” appear to help temporarily a little bit.
At BODY MIND & BRAIN, we don’t TRY any “treatments” for “symptom relief”. We examine, measure and test what’s wrong in body, mind and brain in order to fix it. When healthy function is restored, symptoms vanish and people can stop playing roulette with their life.

lowercased:
by the time patients stumble across neurotherapy, they’re typically frustrated and pissed off to the max by their ordeal. they usually moan “i’ve tried everything” followed by a list of meds and “treatments” which had promised them “symptom relief”. adding insult to injury, they’re encouraged “not to give up” and to “talk to their doctor”, because unfortunately “there is no cure” for their misery.
instead, the doc will write a prescription and say “take one of these after every meal and come back in six weeks”, because that is the “recommended treatment” according to the current “treatment guidelines“, written by some big-wig docs who accidentally also earn a shitload of money as medical consultant for big pharma.
having no “cure” on offer is not a problem for the pharma-medical industry. in fact, it’s rather a blessing as long-term medication for so-called “symptom management” is much more profitable than a one-off “cure”. and so they tell patients with depression that they’re lacking serotonin, just like the diabetic who can’t produce insulin and instead needs to inject it.
science can disprove the serotonin-nonsense all day long: in the end it’s the doctor who decides whether he prefers to be invited to a 5-star “conference” in a golf resort on bora bora or rather lose a paying customer to some whacky, flea-bitten, pot-smoking crystal healer with tibetan sound bowls (at least, that’s what the doctor was told about any “alternative” to writing drug prescriptions). what a pickle for the poor doc!
in their desperation, patients do indeed try tibetan sound bowls, crystal healing and kinesiology. they usually report “it didn’t help much” but at least the practitioner wasn’t such a prick like some of the doctors in whose waiting rooms they had to sit for hours, only to be treated like a defiant donkey when the meds didn’t help.
when patients say “i’ve tried everything”, friends and relatives are quick to suggest another “treatment” for “symptom relief”: “you should try swedish acupuncture. it helped ___ (name of a neighbour) so well with her ___ (name of a symptom).” unfortunately, it is likely that the swedish acupuncture will result in another “it didn’t help much”, as every previous failure makes future “treatments” less likely to succeed.
the reasonable response to the sentence “i’ve tried everything” is the question: “why are you trying anything. what are your complaints caused by?” trying means shooting in the dark. only the manufacturers of the ammunition would recommend shooting in the dark, right?
imagine your car stopped running. you have it towed to a repair shop where the mechanic replaces the munfnipple of the rabaster-valve. after paying for the repair you notice that the car still isn’t running and you complain to the mechanic about it. he replies: “replacing the munfnipple of the rabaster-valve is the recommended repair.” and then he suggests to “try” something else.
how many attempts would you be willing to pay for? obviously, the mechanic has no idea what causes your car’s problems. he seems to make a living from replacing munfnipples, although he can’t even test the function of the rabaster-valve. if the mechanic now suggests to prime the pittelgroove with buckle-grease, would you be willing to pay for that, just to “give it a try”?
when people are struggling with the complex symptoms of a functional brain disorder, endless “treatment attempts” aiming at “symptom relief” can easily lead them into a dead end and deplete their resources, particularly when some “treatments” appear to help temporarily a little bit.
at body mind & brain, we don’t try any “treatments” for “symptom relief”. we examine, measure and test what’s wrong in body, mind and brain in order to fix it. when healthy function is restored, symptoms vanish and people can stop playing roulette with their life.


text:
I am a big fan of repetition and consistency. Even in my 'worst of times' i strove on repetition, symmetry, and excessive moderation. But breaking repetition, can lead to opportunity if looking w/ new eyes.
From 2000-2008 during the middle weekend of April you could find me walking around at the best free festival in the land, French Quarter Fest...and from 2009-present, as staff photographer.
And every Halloween weekend from 2001-2012 you could find me at Voodoo Fest. More specifically from 2008-2012 you could find me shooting portraits behind the Preservation Hall stage, amidst a new backdrop every year but the same smiling, participatory faces of musicians, artists, and friends. 2013 marks the 1st year i will not be "working" Voodoo Fest, and i can't tell you how excited i am. I already miss the camaraderie of the backstage sanctuary we created every year - old friends coming by to say hi and be photographed, bringing their newborns or new loves, musicians bringing their favorite axe or uke to be photographed - people coming back to the quiet to drink, have a smoke, or just relax. I already miss it.
What was special about shooting portraits was great in part because of the vibe Preservation Hall Band and it's crew bring w/ it wherever they go. Musicians would come 3 hours before their gig, and stay all night back there. I don't think anyone at any stage could say that...musicians and people from other stages would venture to the PH stage and just hang out because of the vibe. That, i will miss. You don't see that at too many festivals...maybe High Sierra in Quincy, CA (camp harry!) or Chaz Fest - but it's rare.
I am looking forward to attending the festival on Saturday w/ my main lady, and my holga.

lowercased:
i am a big fan of repetition and consistency. even in my 'worst of times' i strove on repetition, symmetry, and excessive moderation. but breaking repetition, can lead to opportunity if looking w/ new eyes.
from 2000-2008 during the middle weekend of april you could find me walking around at the best free festival in the land, french quarter fest...and from 2009-present, as staff photographer.
and every halloween weekend from 2001-2012 you could find me at voodoo fest. more specifically from 2008-2012 you could find me shooting portraits behind the preservation hall stage, amidst a new backdrop every year but the same smiling, participatory faces of musicians, artists, and friends. 2013 marks the 1st year i will not be "working" voodoo fest, and i can't tell you how excited i am. i already miss the camaraderie of the backstage sanctuary we created every year - old friends coming by to say hi and be photographed, bringing their newborns or new loves, musicians bringing their favorite axe or uke to be photographed - people coming back to the quiet to drink, have a smoke, or just relax. i already miss it.
what was special about shooting portraits was great in part because of the vibe preservation hall band and it's crew bring w/ it wherever they go. musicians would come 3 hours before their gig, and stay all night back there. i don't think anyone at any stage could say that...musicians and people from other stages would venture to the ph stage and just hang out because of the vibe. that, i will miss. you don't see that at too many festivals...maybe high sierra in quincy, ca (camp harry!) or chaz fest - but it's rare.
i am looking forward to attending the festival on saturday w/ my main lady, and my holga.


text:
Thanks for joining us on another grand week here at Theology Of Games. Here’s what you might have missed.
After playing the DC Deck-Building game with Son The Elder, I wondered if anyone out there let their kids win. We got some great responses!
Then we brought you the news that the 4x game Eclipse is out on the iPad!
We interviewed Arctic Scavengers designer Kyle Gabhart.
The we had a Double Double-Take Review, of the cute games Pick-A-Pig and Pick-A-Dog.
And finally, Firestone took a look at the trick-taking game Little Devils.
I have a list of a few “grail games”—games I really want get, but that are hard-to-find or out-of-print. One of the games on that list is Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose. It’s an expansion for Mississippi Queen—itself a hard-to-find game—which is about racing paddle-boats down the legendary river. I’ve had the base game for years, but I often heard that it was MUCH better with the REALLY hard-to-find expansion. So I never ended up playing it. Well, a few weeks ago I was able to trade for the base game and the expansion. I can’t wait to try it out with the family.
What are some of your grail games?
News! Reviews! Poohs! We had a cram-packed week here on the blog.
First we brought you news that Z-Man Games is reprinting an old Alan Moon trick-taking game: Black Spy. And Z-Man also revealed that the anticipated game Terra Mystica will come out May 1.
We had two interviews: first was Jason Tagmire of Pixel Lincoln fame, sharing about upcoming projects. And then we interviewed Shane Steely and Jared Tinney, designers of Walk The Plank.
We also discussed some of the odd choices of the Origins Awards. And Tom Vasel gave us some behind-the-scenes info on the nomination process (in the comments).
We had a Double-Take Review of I’m The Boss: The Card Game—and we had wildly different experiences with it.
THEN, we talked about the newly announced deluxe expansion for Star Wars The Card Game—with wookies!
And finally (whew!) we talked about a bunch of new Kickstarter projects—including the new Gryphon Game Francis Drake.
Thanks for reading! We’ll have more for you next week; have a great weekend!
We had a fun and busy week here at TOG.
Then we shared the unfortunate news about Zombies designer Todd Todd Breitenstein’s passing, and a fund-raiser for his family.

lowercased:
thanks for joining us on another grand week here at theology of games. here’s what you might have missed.
after playing the dc deck-building game with son the elder, i wondered if anyone out there let their kids win. we got some great responses!
then we brought you the news that the 4x game eclipse is out on the ipad!
we interviewed arctic scavengers designer kyle gabhart.
the we had a double double-take review, of the cute games pick-a-pig and pick-a-dog.
and finally, firestone took a look at the trick-taking game little devils.
i have a list of a few “grail games”—games i really want get, but that are hard-to-find or out-of-print. one of the games on that list is mississippi queen: the black rose. it’s an expansion for mississippi queen—itself a hard-to-find game—which is about racing paddle-boats down the legendary river. i’ve had the base game for years, but i often heard that it was much better with the really hard-to-find expansion. so i never ended up playing it. well, a few weeks ago i was able to trade for the base game and the expansion. i can’t wait to try it out with the family.
what are some of your grail games?
news! reviews! poohs! we had a cram-packed week here on the blog.
first we brought you news that z-man games is reprinting an old alan moon trick-taking game: black spy. and z-man also revealed that the anticipated game terra mystica will come out may 1.
we had two interviews: first was jason tagmire of pixel lincoln fame, sharing about upcoming projects. and then we interviewed shane steely and jared tinney, designers of walk the plank.
we also discussed some of the odd choices of the origins awards. and tom vasel gave us some behind-the-scenes info on the nomination process (in the comments).
we had a double-take review of i’m the boss: the card game—and we had wildly different experiences with it.
then, we talked about the newly announced deluxe expansion for star wars the card game—with wookies!
and finally (whew!) we talked about a bunch of new kickstarter projects—including the new gryphon game francis drake.
thanks for reading! we’ll have more for you next week; have a great weekend!
we had a fun and busy week here at tog.
then we shared the unfortunate news about zombies designer todd todd breitenstein’s passing, and a fund-raiser for his family.


text: DRAGONS AWAKENING: SERVER STARTED! You are not logged in. Login first to buy points.

lowercased: dragons awakening: server started! you are not logged in. login first to buy points.


text:
The year 2016 has been truly an interesting and action filled year for poker in Asia, with a lot of new faces taking center stage.
While they covered the different poker festivals in the region, Somuchpoker grabbed the opportunity to interview players and members of the industry.
Matt Savage is one of the founders of the Tournament Director’s Association and is one of the main proponents that pushed for standardization and uniformity of tournament poker rules around the world. He is currently the Tournament Director of the World Poker Tour (WPT) and SMP was honored when he agreed to spend some time to share his thoughts on the future of the WPT in Asia.
Marc Rivera is one of the most respected cash game players in the Philippines. Although he plays live tournaments, he normally can be seen playing in the biggest games in the country. He belongs to a family of professional poker players and is a member of Poker King Club Team Pro.
KC Wong is a professional poker player from Hong Kong. He has been 1 step shy of actually winning the APPT Asia Player of the Year (APOY) award twice.
At the beginning of 2016, he achieved his biggest cash to date where he placed 8th in the Asian Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Aussie Millions Main Event for US$112,011. A few months later, he decided to step away from poker.
Member of the band Half Step Down and former editor-in-chief of Cardplayer India, Dhaval Mudgal has caught the attention of the poker community by his remarkably steady performance in the poker scene. As such, he is now sponsored by the online platform Thrill Poker.
Yuri Ishida is a female professional poker player from Japan, who has played in tournament circuits in both Asia and the United States. She can be found on the top 20 All-time Money list for Japan.
Lester Edoc is a member of Poker King Club Team Pro and is considered one of the best tournament players in the Philippines. Starting from humble beginnings, Edoc persevered and rose through the ranks and earned wealth and glory and most importantly, the respect of his peers.
Jae Wook Shin roughly started participating in Asian Live tournament circuit in the year 2015. And yet, in this short span he has consistently cashed and has even won 2 trophies – definitely something that will get the attention of the poker community. He is definitely considered one of Korea’s rising poker stars.
Henrik Tollefsen, currently at the 12th spot for Norway’s All-time Money List, has made the rounds from Europe to the United States, and now in Asia, to join the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
Yves “Wonderdog78” Sy is one the Philippines’ top online grinders. A software engineer by profession, Sy only plays during the weekends but has experienced great success making him one of the best and most respected online players in his country.
Alexandre Dreyfus is the CEO of Mediarex Sports & Entertainment (Hendon Mob, Global Poker Index, Global Poker League). In December, he has announced the creation of a Global Poker League (GPL) China. The league, which will have 8 teams, each representing a Chinese city, will make its debut in early 2017.
Who are the most consistent ITM finishers in Asia?

lowercased:
the year 2016 has been truly an interesting and action filled year for poker in asia, with a lot of new faces taking center stage.
while they covered the different poker festivals in the region, somuchpoker grabbed the opportunity to interview players and members of the industry.
matt savage is one of the founders of the tournament director’s association and is one of the main proponents that pushed for standardization and uniformity of tournament poker rules around the world. he is currently the tournament director of the world poker tour (wpt) and smp was honored when he agreed to spend some time to share his thoughts on the future of the wpt in asia.
marc rivera is one of the most respected cash game players in the philippines. although he plays live tournaments, he normally can be seen playing in the biggest games in the country. he belongs to a family of professional poker players and is a member of poker king club team pro.
kc wong is a professional poker player from hong kong. he has been 1 step shy of actually winning the appt asia player of the year (apoy) award twice.
at the beginning of 2016, he achieved his biggest cash to date where he placed 8th in the asian pacific poker tour (appt) aussie millions main event for us$112,011. a few months later, he decided to step away from poker.
member of the band half step down and former editor-in-chief of cardplayer india, dhaval mudgal has caught the attention of the poker community by his remarkably steady performance in the poker scene. as such, he is now sponsored by the online platform thrill poker.
yuri ishida is a female professional poker player from japan, who has played in tournament circuits in both asia and the united states. she can be found on the top 20 all-time money list for japan.
lester edoc is a member of poker king club team pro and is considered one of the best tournament players in the philippines. starting from humble beginnings, edoc persevered and rose through the ranks and earned wealth and glory and most importantly, the respect of his peers.
jae wook shin roughly started participating in asian live tournament circuit in the year 2015. and yet, in this short span he has consistently cashed and has even won 2 trophies – definitely something that will get the attention of the poker community. he is definitely considered one of korea’s rising poker stars.
henrik tollefsen, currently at the 12th spot for norway’s all-time money list, has made the rounds from europe to the united states, and now in asia, to join the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
yves “wonderdog78” sy is one the philippines’ top online grinders. a software engineer by profession, sy only plays during the weekends but has experienced great success making him one of the best and most respected online players in his country.
alexandre dreyfus is the ceo of mediarex sports & entertainment (hendon mob, global poker index, global poker league). in december, he has announced the creation of a global poker league (gpl) china. the league, which will have 8 teams, each representing a chinese city, will make its debut in early 2017.
who are the most consistent itm finishers in asia?


text: We snuck in one more frolic in the crispy yellow leaves before they all disappeared. This is another wonderful family that I have had the privilege to watch blossom and grow! Yay for cutie-pies!

lowercased: we snuck in one more frolic in the crispy yellow leaves before they all disappeared. this is another wonderful family that i have had the privilege to watch blossom and grow! yay for cutie-pies!


text: Welcome to the Newspaper Advertising group of SmartGuy.com, Feel free to interact with other Professionals from across the world. You can find professionals, find deals on services, find professionals who might barter, or simple post questions, comments, or suggestions. Advertising is an audio or visual form of marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea. Sponsors of advertising are often businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message.

lowercased: welcome to the newspaper advertising group of smartguy.com, feel free to interact with other professionals from across the world. you can find professionals, find deals on services, find professionals who might barter, or simple post questions, comments, or suggestions. advertising is an audio or visual form of marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea. sponsors of advertising are often businesses wishing to promote their products or services. advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message.


text:
After almost eight years of leading a ”church laboratory”, trying to find new ways of how church has to be in order to survive the spiritual whirlwinds of change that are still drawing over Europe, I’m sometimes asked: ”So – what are your conclusions?! What does the future church have to look like?” Well, there’s an awful lot to be said about that, but one of my most important observations is as follows: The church of the future has to consist of humble congregations.
Too many churches come across arrogant. They might not be, and I’m sure they don’t want to be. However, to non-church-goers it easily appears that churches tend to gather perfect people. Folks who have their life in control, and are always nice. Prospering people. Know-it-all's who can explain even the most difficult questions of life. In their gatherings and sermons you learn how you’ll become even more perfect. However, I know quite a number of people who find a perfect world pretty unpleasant, irritating, even repulsive. Why? Because they can’t relate to it at all. Deep inside they feel more like losers who’ll never flourish. They bear around too many tough ”Why?”-questions – and all those people who can explain everything right away are simply scary. It’s easy to see that they can’t stand the gap between their own messy lives and faultless, sort of proud, Christianity. Well, I forgot to mention that many “losers” don’t even believe in perfects worlds or shiny Christians anymore. They consider it hypocrisy.
So, as far as I see it, the church of the future probably won’t be known as much for preaching grace to the sinners outside. Instead, congregations need to re-learn how to experience grace inside, how to have mercy on the pews, among themselves with their own struggles, disappointments, brokenness. After all, church is not a beautiful Sunday masquerade, pretending as if there were no issues. There are issues. Lots of them. There is sin within the church. Too much. We need grace. Plenty of it.
Why don’t we share more of our own experiences of being pardoned? Authentic stories of experienced grace and true forgiveness are compelling and liberating. Of course, confessions are embarrassing for perfect Christians. They’re humbling because it implies that there was some sort of thing, delusion, or iniquity to forgive. But that is not only what the church needs, it’s also something non-churchers can relate to: imperfect people.
A humble imperfect gracious community is fun and easy to connect with – and it’s one of the most appealing and powerful things the church has had to offer since Pentecost. Neither present nor future will change that.

lowercased:
after almost eight years of leading a ”church laboratory”, trying to find new ways of how church has to be in order to survive the spiritual whirlwinds of change that are still drawing over europe, i’m sometimes asked: ”so – what are your conclusions?! what does the future church have to look like?” well, there’s an awful lot to be said about that, but one of my most important observations is as follows: the church of the future has to consist of humble congregations.
too many churches come across arrogant. they might not be, and i’m sure they don’t want to be. however, to non-church-goers it easily appears that churches tend to gather perfect people. folks who have their life in control, and are always nice. prospering people. know-it-all's who can explain even the most difficult questions of life. in their gatherings and sermons you learn how you’ll become even more perfect. however, i know quite a number of people who find a perfect world pretty unpleasant, irritating, even repulsive. why? because they can’t relate to it at all. deep inside they feel more like losers who’ll never flourish. they bear around too many tough ”why?”-questions – and all those people who can explain everything right away are simply scary. it’s easy to see that they can’t stand the gap between their own messy lives and faultless, sort of proud, christianity. well, i forgot to mention that many “losers” don’t even believe in perfects worlds or shiny christians anymore. they consider it hypocrisy.
so, as far as i see it, the church of the future probably won’t be known as much for preaching grace to the sinners outside. instead, congregations need to re-learn how to experience grace inside, how to have mercy on the pews, among themselves with their own struggles, disappointments, brokenness. after all, church is not a beautiful sunday masquerade, pretending as if there were no issues. there are issues. lots of them. there is sin within the church. too much. we need grace. plenty of it.
why don’t we share more of our own experiences of being pardoned? authentic stories of experienced grace and true forgiveness are compelling and liberating. of course, confessions are embarrassing for perfect christians. they’re humbling because it implies that there was some sort of thing, delusion, or iniquity to forgive. but that is not only what the church needs, it’s also something non-churchers can relate to: imperfect people.
a humble imperfect gracious community is fun and easy to connect with – and it’s one of the most appealing and powerful things the church has had to offer since pentecost. neither present nor future will change that.


text:
Hi! My name is Olaf, and I like warm hugs!
Becca turned 7! She designed her cake last year, the Squiggly Heart Cake, and I got to design her cake this year! And I'm really proud of myself for making Olaf. He's standing on edge, and his arms and hair were made with fondant! I tried to do it with chocolate first, but then it got droopy... but it all worked out. And, I got the best compliment!

lowercased:
hi! my name is olaf, and i like warm hugs!
becca turned 7! she designed her cake last year, the squiggly heart cake, and i got to design her cake this year! and i'm really proud of myself for making olaf. he's standing on edge, and his arms and hair were made with fondant! i tried to do it with chocolate first, but then it got droopy... but it all worked out. and, i got the best compliment!