Money Motivates

I can currently do random 5k runs here and there. In fact I was supposed to do one this past Saturday, but a series of events kept me from doing this. Thursday I did a 5k trial run, just to be sure my body still knew what running was - it did.

My motivation to run is about as high as my motivation to pay any bill that lands in my mail box. Both, if not followed through, have their respective consequences.

I want to run. I liked running when I did. Getting to that point again is my goal.

This may have been a rash and stupid move, but today I registered for a half-marathon at the end of September. Um, yes, I already registered and yes, September 2011. It's a 5k times 4 and a half. Two hours of running.

I haven't done two hours straight of anything in a long time - apart from sleeping and sitting on a computer chair. (Not necessarily sleep on the computer chair...)

So if you have nothing else to do on September 24th and find yourself in the Holland area, come have a pleasant amble along the Lakeshore, grab a corn dog and enjoy the show!! One of us should :)

Today and Tomorrow

I don't have lofty dreams or immense longings to escape. I love to live fully engaged where I am as best I can.

I don't simply hope for a better tomorrow, but live for the best today. And it's fun; it's worthwhile; and yes, it's biblical.

Though I do not believe my traveling days are over and that's exciting for me. Moving apartments, cities, countries or continents are all very real possibilities and I'm ready!

Me and my little dog have very few possessions which need to accompany us on the journey, though my bike is a serious consideration.

No, I'm not discontent - not at all. My present situation is very pleasant and I've nothing to complain about that's worth listening to. I just have fun imagining where I will be five years from now: Check back in 2016!!

Shiny Happy People

"There are some who think..." "Some people feel..." "People have said..."

Who ARE these "people"?

And why is it that these unnamed cowards' opinions have more weight than those who have made the plans and who have a name and a face. Certainly things can be done differently, better and more efficiently, but it's the plan of one who stepped up and did something, asking for advice and guidance, which gets burnt by these people's evaluation.

These "people", these shadows of cynicism, appear not quite too late in the game. One day or one hour later and "some" opinions wouldn't carry any value worthy of discussion. But nope, they voice (granted second or third hand) their nasty little negative ideas just when the last puzzle piece is about to be laid, thus upsetting the whole puzzle.

"People", name yourselves!

Humph. Tirade over.

Ooof, this is possibly the first negative web-log entry I have ever done. Don't quite like it, but had to get it out there - out of me, at least!

Cheese!

You didn't know greyhounds could smile, did you?

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

Meet Gabinka, whom when adopted in 2005 was the size of a quarter. Now, don't tell her, but she's actually the size of a good meal. (And very possibly a 'he'). Her home remains in Prague, as without the proper paperwork she could not cross borders, whereas I, without the proper paperwork was forced across borders.

Nonetheless, here she is in a recent video sent to me for my enjoyment and recognition that she is alive and well.

Spring 2010, Yes, that is actually real meat...


Spring 2010, Just swimming:


Spring 2011, The most recent one, eating an all time favourite snack:

What can I say? I don't have cute kids to put up here, so I gotta post videos of something living. Next, my house plant. Excited, aren't you?

Of Coloured Balls and Uncle Paul

Calvin Seminary has a Scripture memory club. Every year they choose a text or book of Scripture to memorise and during a chapel service in the Spring semester they dramatically recite the passage. This year it was Philippians and the best recitation of Scripture I've heard yet. It included a rhythmical drum beat, a chorus and responsive reading. Listening to the clubbers speak the words of Apostle Paul in the back of my mind (probably not only mine) was the curiosity if someone would forget the next line or flub up the present one. I had a strong sense that I wanted the recitation to be perfect, but when a mistake occurs I admit to feeling a bit of relief about their humanity.

Thus with jugglers. It's amazing to see these magicians of gravity able to keep so many of the brightly coloured balls whizzing around their heads with the ease of flipping pages of a book. You really want them to keep the round objects up in the air and obeying the one who tosses them up, catches them and tosses them again. You stand their awe-struck until the performance has finished, hoping it's not a premature ending due to an unruly ball finding its way past the juggler's hand and dropping to the earth. But, lo, it happens. He is human as well.

Confused recitations and dropped balls: Yep, it happens. If it hasn't, it will.

Then what? Drop the rest of the balls and go home? Pass on continuing the scripture verses and sit down?

Nope. Pick up the miscreant ball and start again. Take a peek at the Bible passage and speak on.