Stupid summer...

I don't think I've ever cared for the dog days of summer. I can remember enjoying swimming and eating ice cream, but not liking the weather. It was simply too hot.

Laramie is not too hot. In fact, the weather here is amazing! Low humidity, mild temperatures, what's not to like? I checked the NOAA website today to see what the weather was doing back in the Little Apple: 20 degrees warmer and a lot more humidity. Don't miss that.

Although summer temps here are near perfect, I'm looking forward to bailing this coming week. My sister, nephews, and I will be traveling to see Grandma. This means blueberry pancakes and people interaction.

I miss having people around. College towns are great, but summers are deathly slow. The past couple of weeks I've been making trips down to Colorado twice a week to see friends and attend church (be sure to check out this sermon on alcohol). It's helped, but I still wish there was more I had going on.

Not sure where I'm going with this. I do recall a couple of weeks ago I thought I had come to the end of my boredom. I think I spoke too soon.

"One man stands and stops them there..."

The title above is from a song paying tribute to an unknown man.  The song, 500 Miles, is a remake of the Peter, Paul & Mary classic with an added verse:

"A hundred tanks along the square

One man stands and stops them there

Some day soon, the tide will turn, and I'll be free

I'll be free, I'll be free, I'll come home to my country

Some day soon, the tide will turn, and I'll be free"

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Tank Man.  I decided to show a video clip of this to my class this morning less they be like these Chinese students and this event be lost to the pages of time.

No one is quite sure of the fate of this young man, but 20 years ago he made a bold statement for peace and it challenged the world.  I hope someday to be as bold in my faith as he was in his.

Is it only business?

I've been making weekly trips to Colorado for the past month.  This all began with the discovery of a Sunday night singles group in Fort Collins.  The study is interesting and the group is a good one...but they are an older group.  I'm one of only a handful under the age of 50.  Even so, I enjoy it.

It should be noted that I made two trips to the Centennial State this week.  Friday night, a friend of mine from the university and I drove down to Fort Collins to meet another co-worker and Ryan (Ryan as in "Ryan Slayer of Woodland Creatures").  We met at Beau Jo's for a bite to eat and then headed out to watch the Nuggets play Game 6 (which we need not discuss).  It was a fun evening and it was good to get caught up with the guys once again.

Sunday, as usual, I made a trip down US 287 although a did leave a bit earlier than normal to take in some shopping.  I've recently moved into a single apartment and needed a number of items for my new abode.  One of the items I was looking at was a TV--an item I have been holding off on purchasing until I could do some pricing (and until the next paycheck rolled in).

About two weeks ago, I stumbled across a TV I was interested in here in Laramie.  I had done some price checking online and found their price to be very competitive.  I had also looked around and couldn't find a matching price anywhere...until yesterday.

Yesterday, I found the exact same TV on sale at a big box mart for $100 less.  I held off on picking it up as I wanted to ask the local dealer in Laramie if he could match the price.  I asked...and, unfortunately, he couldn't.  In fact, not only did he explain that he couldn't match the price, but that the big box mart must be selling it at a loss.

Most who frequent this site understand that supporting the 'little guy' is something I strongly defend and try my best to live up to.  However, I find myself asking the question: "At what price?"  The guys at the downtown electronic store are great guys and do a lot to support the local community.  I hate the thought of not supporting the local mom & pop, but at what price do we stay loyal?