Sippin' Alternative Fuel...

Many of my posts are created among the heavy roasted aroma of coffee. Today is no exception as I write from a coffee house in downtown Rapid City.

I felt the need to explore today. That might seem a bit weird or maybe even odd coming from a geographer writing from his hometown. But I only visit once or twice a year and there is enough change taking place in the area that I devote at least a bit of each trip to 'site seeing', so to speak.

Today's site: 620 Main Street

It's a new coffee house to the area. To be more specific, it's a new Christian coffee house to the area.

The atmosphere is near perfect. The coffee may be average, but the music, lighting, and furnishings all make for a great place to enjoy a cup of joe.

Even so, I can't help but wonder what the average person who wanders in thinks. I, for one, was not aware this was a Christian establishment until I ventured inside. "Faith. Love. Family" reads one set of small signs. "Inspiring", "Transforming", and "I AM" are tastefully scribbled on the walls. But do such signs and words of inspiration turn would be visitors and customers away or do they promote topical conversations?

I'm torn. Two older gentlemen just stepped in from the cold and took seats next to me. I caught them staring somewhat uncomfortably at the statements on the walls. I am very comfortable here...but yet can't help but wonder if "being the salt" should be done more quietly and if so, how?

Thoughts?

Most Embarrassing Moment...

I'm sitting in a small coffee house in my hometown watching the sky dust the ground with a thin layer of snow. I'll be spending Christmas with Mom and Dad before heading back to "Man-Happening".

Earlier this week, I ventured out to Colorado to meet up with some friends. As I commented to a friend, it takes seeing the mountains again for me to remember how much I miss them. It was a good visit and I had fun.

Tuesday night, we were sitting around discussing our most embarrassing moments. The conversation was focused on our most embarrassing work moments. Had it been a broader discussion of all such less-than-memorable events, I would have been able to add one from earlier that day.

As many of you know, I have resisted investing in a cell phone. Being a fan of giant lumberjacks, such technology seems unnecessary (especially when you can borrow your friends' cell phones). But my friends thought otherwise and decided it was time that I enter into the 21st century. Several of them got together and bought me a cell phone for graduation.

I bring this up to share this...although I appreciate the measure, I'm not sure I was meant to have a cell phone.

Here's why...Tuesday afternoon, I was using a cell phone when I was pegged in the chest with a snowball...by a GIRL! She blindsided me and had a good laugh at my expense.

ugh. I bet ol' Paul never suffered such an attack.

A time for peace...

There are a number of things I enjoy about church and Sunday school. Fellowship and worship are some of the obvious ones, but I think, if I'm honest, what I love most are statements and thoughts that catch me off guard and force me to think.

A thought from today's sermon:

It's been said that war is too important to leave to the generals.
On a similar note, peace is too important to leave to the diplomats.

A night in the icy dark...

Ice storms are adventurous examples of beauty.

Two years ago, I remember heading back to K-State after Christmas after 48 hours of frustration. I was attempting to fly to Wichita and my flights were being canceled as quickly as I could book a seat on a new flight. I eventually made it back only to be greeted by several inches of ice.

Growing up in the Black Hills, I had never witnessed the devastating beauty of an ice storm. Tree limbs broken, power lines down, and everything coated with a thick layer of crystal ice. Simply amazing. The High Plains are no stranger to winter storms, the most severe baring white out conditions. But such storms are colder, more intimidating, and more exhausting. Daylight brings barrenness and stillness when the winds finally relent. Ice storms, on the other hand, leave beauty in their wake.

Two days ago, Manhattan was hit with an ice storm. This storm was not nearly as dramatic as the Wichita storm (half-an-inch to one inch of ice), but equally devastating to the community. My roommate, Vaughn, and I thought we had made it through the storm with little more than a mild case of flooding (why must my room always flood?). After all, we had power in the morning after the storm...a time when most were emerging from their homes to witness first hand the aftermath of the storm.

But then things changed. We lost power around 11:30am. We took it upon ourselves to find a coffee house with power and ventured as far as Wamego only to discover that no such establishment was open. It became a bit of an adventure as we attempted to find shelter and warmth for the day.

Oddly enough, I'm glad we didn't find it. Last night, I pulled out my camping equipment (which is always a treat!) and slept on the couch upstairs. Our house dipped into the 40s during the night and yet there's something to be said about breathing in the chilled air under a warm layer of blankets...or in my case, a sleeping bag.

I simply loved it.

The Return of Firefox...

As I recently commented to a friend, this past week was a blur.

FRIDAY...COMMENCEMENT!
Highlight...Being "hooded"!!! After my name was announced, several of my friends yelled "TIMBERRRR!!!!"

Lowlight...Unfortunately, commencement also included the commencement speech. ugh. I've heard some duzies through the years, but this one was in a league of its own.

Friday night was fun as well. I went with my roommate and Grace's youth leaders to 'country style' restaurant in Abilene (goooood) AND, equally important, THE AVS WON!

SATURDAY...GRADUATION PARTY!
Brent and Jenni hosted a graduation party for me on THEIR ANNIVERSARY! Crazy, but fun. I enjoyed seeing everyone and Brent fixing my Firefox problem.

Lowlight of the evening...Santa going to the bathroom.

Highlight of the evening...the red peppers!

That's about it for now. A good week overall.

ps--No 'official' word on where I'll be come January. Time is running out and I'm becoming 'a bit' anxious.

Redefining 'humbling'...

Last year at this time, there were a number of geography positions scattered around the world that I was qualified for...or would have been had I had my PhD in hand. This year, there is not. For whatever reason, some years are much better than others. Luck of the draw and I realize this.

In my last post, I made reference to a position I think I have been hired for. No contract as of yet and that has me wondering since several other positions I thought were in hand this semester ended up falling through.

Today, all of this was taken to a new level.

My last job was with K-State's Office of International Programs. It was a good fit for me and I enjoyed working with the people there. This past weekend, I stumbled across a part time position with the office that I was very qualified for and I figured "why not?" I put together a new cover letter and got everything together so it would be ready to turn in today. When I went into the office to turn it in, I was informed they have already started reviewing applications. Just my luck...

Not sure I can articulate my thoughts here, but it can be terribly humbling to walk into a crowded office, have a number of people gathered around you (happy to see me and I them), ask why you're there, and be told by the group you're too late for a position you are likely over qualified for.

ugh.