Sometimes I want to whine

But, then, I run into Dickson. We were both part of campus ministry at SDSM&T (along with a GREAT group of people -- Jen, Bobbi, Molly, Dan, Wes -- all so quality!). Five years ago, Dickson had cancer (and, believe it or not, a genuinely good attitude through the whole thing).

This last year, he found out (via chest pains) that he has an enlarged heart. He had surgery and a bunch of doctor's appointments and, as a result, received an Incomplete grade in one of his last master's classes. He's tried to get the class taken care of, but the prof has (and is taking) the freedom to wait until he wants to administer the last two exams. And two weeks ago, because of this Incomplete, Dickson was told he could not have a job he'd already been offered.

And, of course, he's nothing but smiles.

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"We are more fond of our own thoughts than of the thoughts of the Bible. We no longer read the Bible seriously; we no longer read it against ourselves, but only for ourselves." (Bonhoeffer)

1 out of 4 people read 0 out of 4 books last year

Surprising?

Why the fascination?

I can't

stop reading

these blogs.

In what we've done, and left undone

Did you know that Rumsfeld didn't use the word 'Iraq' in his resignation letter?

The greatest love of all

This weekend I saw the people who literally soothe my soul: cabin (patch?) kids and the Brookings bunch. I also read up on raw foods. Lots of raw foodies have web sites and they are passionate -- about the issues of almond pasteurization, about 'dead foods,' and about the Raw Food World Summit. Basically, don't eat anything you didn't take from the earth with your own, two, soil-soaked hands.

Ben & Angie are bossy

That's a joke. I'm glad you care to know my thoughts/decisions. I actually have none of either right now, but will let you know as soon as they materialize. Could be any moment.

In the meantime, I've copy-and-pasted my work blog post about mountain biking this week (because I'm too lazy to write anything original). Have you done this biking in the woods business? It's close to crazy...and yet fun. Ahem, read below:

My biking coach Jordan and I hit the mountain-biking trail and we hit it hard. Well, he hit it hard. I had another one of those experiences where some nice, better-than-me athlete waits for me to catch up.

The thing about mountain biking is it’s hard. It’s INCREDIBLY awkward, and presents a constant fear of smashing your face open on the rocks below. Despite being bad at it, I could see the appeal. Mountain bikers have to think — quickly. They have to analyze the terrain. And they have to constantly run an inner monologue that says: I will kick the ass of the very earth I’m riding on.

Attitude is everything, right?