DC*B

So as to copy Jacob's post back in the day for Nickel Creek, I would like to cordially invite you all to learn that the new David Crowder*Band CD- A Collision- was released on Tuesday. I haven't gotten quite all the way through it, but so far it is a very good CD. They are still David Crowder holding to their worship roots, but within that they still manage a wide variety of genre sounds on a single disc (there are songs that sound like their usual fare, as well as a song that sounds like a Jesus ho-down). David Crowder Band pleases me, their music style is fresh and unlike any other. Their style inspires me to worship. They don't try to play to a particular emotion as it seems like some songs do by being really slow and sappy and trying to be so meaningful, but they just be themselves and that just happens to be the kind of music I like.
Basically, David Crowder*Band rocks, rolls, worships and praises, and if you be so inclined, pick up a disc or go check them out live at Overlake next Wednesday (I will be :D).
I'm swamped all weekend here in the kitchen (though I did get the week off, and I wouldn't trade Monday for the world, so it's worth it), but today it's just a few dozen people so it's pretty easy. Tomorrow is going to be crazy with over 100 people at (I think) every meal.

Kasey- when are we sailing?
R&D- how's the flat?
L- Thanks.
M- you don't go back to school after December :D.
J- you go back to school after December :(. But I still love you.
UCU-types- when shall I visit? Perhaps next weekend?
Mel- update your blog so we can all know how you're doing!
Etc.- thanks for visiting my blog.

Ah yes, and everyone RSVP for the 8th, I hope you can all make it (I'm So excited for it! bring your camera!).

Regalia

A post for update's sake.
Work is good. I traded shifts with Brad this week (because he wanted the weekend off), so I'm in the kitchen again. Lucky me, there have been miscommunications both times I've been on kitchen (first week and this week), resulting in a meal shift that I have to work some time during the week that didn't get put onto my schedule! So, I always make plans for whatever day that is because my schedule doesn't show me as working, then I come to find out there's a meal and- being that I'm intelligent- I know that I'm supposed to work at that time because I'm on kitchen, whether my schedule says so or not. So that kind of ruined my outlook on the week yesterday (today was going to be so fun!), but on the upside, I had a spectacular weekend with the canucks. I got to enjoy the ride up with Lydia, tickle Jenny, hang out with the Moira and the Robert and the Matt and the Jen, I got to see John and Tash (twice, very briefly), meet some of John and Rob's hallmates, attend Moi's Proverbs and Wisdom class (great prof, by the by) and enjoy the drive back down with some Edaleen's ice cream, one of my greatest friends, and some kettle corn and The Love Bug to top it off when we got back (with water that wasn't bottled!).
As for today, I have to work that unextpected lunch (instead of going to Seattle for lunch with Tamm's and Lydia and exploring Bellevue!) which kind of kills my day. I may go out to Boater's World, I may go to the library (and finally return this book and movie), I may just read more Chronicles. Oh, on a positive note, I get to go buy my new stamps tomorrow! Hooray! So far I only know two letters to send with such exciting stamps on them, but I'll see what else I can think of to send to people. And if you get your hopes up because you think you are one of these two but don't get anything, feel free to send me a letter telling me how much you miss me and that you feel like you should've gotten a letter, and I'll be sure to write back :D.
Tonight is the first RUF of the year. I want to go, but I'm kind of meh about it. I'll have to see how I'm feeling when the time rolls around. Ah yes, last night was our HIV/AIDS education class (and Heps A, B, C). Our teacher was nice and there were two women from the area taking the class with us. It was pretty fun. We laughed, we cried...
I suppose that's good for now. Oh, no it's not! No, it is. That'll come in time...
So long, farewell and all that jazz.
Toodles, poodles.

Just for kicks

A post just to say:
go to Sambica's website!
Why? Because if you scroll to the bottom, you can see the interns! Which happens to include me.
That's about it. M- send me that contentment picture when you get it computered ;).

Jibe!

Only the coolest of the cool know it! Ok, the rest of you are cool too. But you're just extra cool if you know your sailing terms :).
My new hobby-to-be is sailing! I'm so excited. Kasey, the second you get back here we're goingn sailing at UW...or whatever. But we're going! So far I read a book about the fundamentals of sailing that I got from the library Monday (now Wednesday). I can only have two items out until I prove my address is My address (I have Matchstick Men out as well, I hear it's good), so I'm returning fundamentals and picking up The Everything Sailing Book. I really Really want to go sailing! Anyways, that time will come.
As for life, Sambica is going well. Today I got to do more maintenance (my favorite!) with Magnum, installing new plumbing under 4022 (staff housing). We piped the tub, washer and bathroom sink. Tomorrow is the kitchen sink (bigger because we have to install a food disposal too) and whatever else.
I really want to sail...
I have been and will be opening all this week at Clubhouse, which means I get to be there at 6:30 for when parents drop kids. But it's cool, the morning is the chill part of the day (haha, CHILL!). The kids show, and just play games, color, whateva until they leave for school. I get up at 6 (three alarms: Cosmo that beeps, I hit sleep; three minutes later is Phantom of the Opera, which I turn off; last is Cosmo's sleep going off again, then I get on up :D), eat my poptarts for breakfast (not crackin good), drink a cup of water or so, and head out for Clubhouse. Next week I'm doing afternoon Clubhouse working with junior highers. I sat in the JH group a day or so ago, and there are two boys that are going to be a handful. Kristof Demands attention and Harley refuses to listen (he lives in his own little world). [catamaran...] It's going to be a handful, but I just hope I'm able to deal with them and help them see where I'm coming from rather than just getting frustrated with them and being their enemy (or it'll be a long nine months...).
Hope everyone's doing well. Everyone feel free to call me (if you have my number, otherwise call or email someone cool to get it). Oh yeah, and everyone who has a microphone should get Skype. It's an online talking service (telephone for the pootermobile!). You can talk to anyone else who has Skype over it, and Canadian borders don't restrict it! Woohoo! The days of phonecards are gone! Which is good, because [spinnaker...] I used half of the minutes I had left talking to Tash! Good to talk to, though.
Ah yes, I am reminded. Send me mason jars with baking ingredients. No, seriously though, that's not what I remembered. Thursday all of us interns are going in together to get wireless internet! I guess Ryan called already and we're supposed to be getting it tomorrow! That'll be cool. It will make my brain much more pleased to use the computer. Currently at camp I just use the junko computer that we're allowed to to check my email and blogs. It's hard to look at. The color on the monitor is so bad... And it has low resolution. 800x600? Welcome to the 50's. Psh, seriously. So yeah, I should be blogging, onlining and whatnots more often then.
For now I'm going to continue sailing, err I mean surfing the internet. Salud, and farewell for now dear friends.

(L)

Bellevue Hills 98008

Here I be at Sambica. So far my first two days have gone very well and the third is as well. Tuesday and Wednesday I was working with Chris "Magnum" in maintenance and that was a good experience. Chris is a general contractor outside of camp to help pay the bills. I like working with him. Good guy, good physical labor. Tuesday I mostly began painting the back side of Bethel, then Wednesday I painted in the morning and at the end of my shift, and in the middle Magnum and I were in and under 4022 (the house next to the office) chopping through pipes of various sorts with a sawzall to get them out of the house so we can replumb the whole thing (which I'm not sure I'll be a huge part of, since I'm in the kitchen the rest of the week). Oh yes, speaking of schedules. I do have to be out here on Saturday for the lunch shift, which hopefully won't go much past 2 or 3 (hopefully at the latest, 3:30).
As I'm sure so many know, it is traditional that most camps give staff "camp names." This is the case here at Sambica. However, since Lake Retreat didn't do such a thing the last two years, I didn't have one coming out here, so they decided they would give me one while I was here. Well, today Momma (the head chef/cook) unofficially camp named me Reach (because of my...reach). We'll see if it sticks.
I think that's about enough for now. This isn't the best keyboard to type on because of its position :). However, I might try to hit up the Issaquah library (a mere 5 miles away!) and see if they have wireless internet for me to laptop with (or I may just call first...). Hope everyone is having as much fun as I am :). M- where's my email :(?

Slow And Steady Wins The...Race...

Well, well, well. Look who's back. I had some fun turning my blog inside-out (color-wise) and fiddling with features in my template, and this is what came out. Life so far as a lonely old man is pretty good, I must say. I guess I overestimated how bad it was going to be, and many times in the past couple weeks I've been able to see that I'm still not so bad off (though still not in the best of positions...).
Last Tuesday, Tedrow and I went to QFC to get some food (and I decided I would get my own, since I would be needing some for Sam[bica]). Well, I got a few things, just $16 dollars of groceries or something to that effect. Over the next couple days, I came to realize that food in the store is WAY cheaper than any where else. I thought I was being cheap paying $3 for a meal at Dick's, then I had a PB&H sammich and a pickle for lunch, and the overall cost must've been no more than 75 cents! Brilliant! Anyways, on with business. Today, I was looking through the QFC ad for this week and saw some good deals. So I beckoned Chris and he and I went over there. Let me tell you, I made out like a bandit today! I got $67.91 worth of groceries for... $38.60! Bandito! My favorite part about shopping at QFC is that at the bottom of the receipt, it tells you your savings of the day and then tells you the percent of your savings (which is totally exciting). I saved $29.31 (43%)! I was so happy when I saw that. While I was shopping it looked like I was loading up for a family (but it's just me :D). I had three boxes of wheat thins, four 12-packs of soda (I know, naughty, but it was a good deal and I plan on making them last a long time...or giving them out as good-will offerings :D), some jello packs, a gallon of OJ, two loaves of bread, ketchup, Kroger brand pop-tarts, corn, chicken, and pork and beans. I'm so loaded up for the days to come! Plus- bonus points- Chris is giving me mustard, tater tots and corn dogs! So, I'm excited for my days to come, as they are not as bleak as I made them out to be. I even got a toaster oven (with toaster oven sized cookie sheet!) and brita pitcher today (thanks for the company ;). I'll have to have all you friends out for lunch or dinner some day (then Chris will see what a Real meager meal is!).
Ah yes, as long as I'm on the topic, I would like to cordially invite anyone who feels led to to send me mason jars! They would be handy for cups. And while you're at it, feel free to fill said jar with the appropriate measurements of dry ingredients to make things (cookies, brownies, whatever...) and I'll be sure they find their way to the ole Black & Decker T-O (I can find the wet stuff, I'm sure).
Anyways, I hope everyone else's life is looking up as well. I love you all and will miss you while I'm way out on Samm. I should be back before long, I do hope. We're even supposed to have weekends off...nudge, nudge.
Ah Yes! As long as I'm on the topic (in my mind), I would also like to cordially invite anyone who wants to be cordially invited to P.F.Chang's! It is a "shnappy" (Jenny's word) chinese restaurant (there's one in Alderwood Mall) with good food, good service, and- in theory- good company! I got some new pants at Old Navy yesterday, and they are just so shnappy that they must be worn there! Yes Jenny, shnappy pants (not snappy)! So we'll have to get a sturdy group together, make some reservations there (you don't have to, but wouldn't it be fun?) and head our dress-casual selves over there.
I think that's enough for now. Enjoy what God gives you, because it's on loan!

(L)

The Previously Unheard Of Americans...

Saturday, Russ and I attended the one and only Improvathon (details below). We got there around 3:15 and didn't leave until abut 9:30! It was a most delightful menagerie of amusement. And when I got there, one of the players was none other than Brian Macmillan himself! What a surprise to see him.
UP was usually changing the format, if you will, of the presentation of their improv about every hour, and the last presentation we were there for was Shakespeare! What a preformance it was! French, English, Greeks, Americans, cranberries, love, hate, snorkels and shoes! It was the most entertaining hour or so I've seen in a long time, and it was most enjoyed. I encourage all of you to try and get to the Improvathon next year if at all feasible (especially if you can make Shakespeare hour if they have it again!).
Also, check out my new links section. I have reupdated, reordered, and renewed it. See if you like any of the new additions.
Since everyone keeps asking (perhaps I officially forgot to put it on here), yes, I am an official Sambica intern for the next nine months. I'm not sure if my official mailing address will be the same as the one from below, but I will be sure to post whatever it is as soon as I find out (so I can get lots of mail from all my wonderful friends...or at least the two of you :D). Until then (even after then), feel free to give me a ringy-loo on my cell phone if you so desire. And send some emails while you're at it, too. Those are always good to get.

"I am so...cheesed off!"
Au revoir!

Long Shot.

Yes, it is. But who wants to go to Improvathon? Of course, I don't mean to see all of it. But I think it would be enjoyable to go see. But what do I know?

...I thought so. So would anyone like to attend? Friday night? Saturday day/night? What's up my friends? Why does nobody enjoy the theater...
Oh well, perhaps I can find someone to go.

Somebody More Like You. -Nickel Creek

I didn't hear you say you're sorry
The fault must be mine
I wish you all the best of luck
At finding somebody more like you

You said you'd love me always, truly
I must have changed
Cause you don't need me like you used to
I hope you find somebody more like you

I hope you finally find someone
Someone that you trust
And give him everything
I hope you meet someone your height
So you can see eye-to-eye
With someone as small as you

You came out of nowhere, made me smile
Then tore me in two
Saying, "We're very different people"
So dear, I hope you find somebody more like you

I hope you find somebody more like you




I would like to thank Jacob for introducing this band to me (and for giving me all of his music library...). Good song. No Moi, don't flatter yourself, the small part isn't because I was thinking of you ;).

God's Drive-in.

First, I would like to say God provides! Never before have I had such a quick turnaround in attitude than last night.
I posted the below post, most downtrodden. After a small bit, I hopped on my bike and headed to Dick's for dinner (it's cheap and good, and I need CHEAP). I got my food, sat down in front of my bike, and prayed for my food. I prayed that it nourish me and fill me but I also prayed that God help me.
Yesterday I was reading my Perspectives book, and in it was a story about the author's nephew (I think) mimmicking his actions and words. The boy was trying to open out a recliner chair and after not being able to do so in his own strength, turned to his uncle and said "Please help me." knowing that all he need do was ask. Faith like a child. So I did just so, I said to God "Please help me." He is my creator, my overseer and my God and he has his plan, though my capacity to comprehend it is miniscule. After I finished eating my single hamburger and french fries, I began to sip on my water. Then the woman in this car next to me rolls down her window and asks if I can eat another burger! And she throws me her Dick's Deluxe! Nothing could I think but "God provides!" Prayer answered, life changed, SO GOOD! I was nearly tearing with joy at this answer to prayer. The woman told me that her head was bigger than her stomach and she could eat no more. I assured her that I had a big head ;). Wow.

In response to all these comments about what I think about meaningless:
I understand what you all are saying, that life is meaningless without God and that this is what view Ecclesiastes comes from. I know this. My Ecclesiasticality is not that life itself is meaningless but- being that we are in this world, not of it- that worldly things are vastly meaningless. My new sight is only an understanding of where my treasures must lie.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
- Matthew 6:19-20

But yes, I am up for discussion of life, love, happiness and the meaning of it all (or meaningless of it all?...). Perhaps we shall some time have to summon together in a forum to discuss all our thoughts on such matters.
Until then, go and be for God.
Oh, and see you at resthome...I think...

Wow.

I would like to officially label this as the hardest time I've ever experienced in my life. I don't know what lies ahead of me, or even what I want to lie ahead of me. I've just got this big gaping hole before me, and I don't know what I'm doing with it. I have my Sambica training in a little bit, so that should help me get un...depressed? I hate this word. I refuse to believe I am depressed. Melancholy? We'll say I'm melancholy :).
Perhaps finding some goals for myself will help my brain figure this out. Perhaps this is just a time where I'm going to be going through hell and must simply press on toward God and remain in Him only. I don't know.
I'm scared, confused and without home. And I know not when home will again be...
Hopefully I'll see you all on the other side...

Wait.

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By Faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want-But, you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint;
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.
You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save...(for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for Thee.'
Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,
But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!

So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And thought oft' may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, 'WAIT.'"

-Unknown Author

This Way...

This Way
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

Henry V! A wonderful play is written by Bill Shakespeare his self. It happened to have been attended by Jacob, Chris, Robb and myself. Quite the enjoyable experience, let me tell you. Unfortunately, Greenstage's run for the summer is done this year. I'll just have to plan for next year when they will be showing A Midsummer Night's Dream and Henry VI - 1, 2, 3.
Discovery park was a nice little place. They have a good area set up for where they do their shows. Good shade, good view, though the hill was a little steep (but we'll just ignore that part). I look forward to attending more Greenstage next year, and to other companies perhaps this year.
For all you men who missed out, there shall be more Shakespeare to come (no more free Greenstage, but we'll find some cheap stuff) so you shall have thine chance.

"That's the humour of it."

Janitor

Janitor
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

HMMMMM? Truly a masterpiece! One day such brilliance shall grace the walls af art galleries and museums! Just you wait and see. Wait and see...
Anyways, I had some spare one on one time between me and my camera phone in the car today while my mom and sister were in Mervyn's, so I decided to goof around (and boy did I!). I don't usually like pictures of myself (does anyone?) but this one I am somewhat fond of...

An Oldie But A Goodie.

Every now and then I like to go back through all my old blog posts (almost a full year old!) just to see how I've changed or grown, what my thoughts were (I'm not a journaler, so my blog is the best I've got). Since I'm on my new computer, I downloaded a few pictures while I was at it :). But, I ran into some old posts that speak more to me now than they did when I posted at the time. I give you a quote from my time reading through Ecclesiastes (now my official life book?):


"Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun - all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun."
- Ecclesiastes 9:9

Ladies and gentlekin! Folk and Shefolk! Hims, hers, hes and shes!
Welcome to ye olde official announcement of the first (hopefully a lot more than) annual meeting of RMRS (pronounced rimmers), the unofficially official group of real men going out and seeing real Shakespeare (reenactments). We shall go, we shall see, we shall recite! Well, maybe we'll just learn some good lines to use :). Girls like Shakespeare right?
The first meet shall be this Sunday, August 21 at 3pm. It is ye olde reenactment of Henry V as performed by Greenstage. On the NWSource website, the show is listed as being at Seward Park Amphitheater (5898 Lake Washington Blvd S) but the Greenstage website lists it at Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way). I suppose I'll call someone to figure out what the official locale shall be.
So there you have it. It's official. Now you can't say nobody told you (whether or not you came here).
SHALOM!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. - King Henry V

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig.

We've made it. We're at my mom's rental home (until she finds a real house to move into). My mom has two job interviews tomorrow and my sister has to go back to the MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) to get her WA plates switched to AZ plates.
Hey, did you check out this sweet new blog title? Man that things wicked... In the house we have cable tv and cable internet. So we have this crazy setup. The cable runs from the wall, to a splitter. One side of the splitter runs to the cable modem, which then runs to the Applie AirPort Express Base Station (which turns our single ethernet cable into a wireless signal so our house is wi-fi), the other side of the splitter runs from the splitter to the digital cable box, from the box to the VCR, and from the VCR to the TV. So many cords... But that's ok. And did you see this sweet fan we've got? Go check that out further down on the blog.
I miss home. Well, whatever home is... The Croziers are camping until Sunday, so I'll have two or three nights back with no bed! Anyone want to host me :D? It's like I'm a missionary! Except, you know, I'm just going "home." But that's ok. You know why? Because I'm an official Camp Sambica intern! Woohoo! I start September 1. bad news is that next week I'm swamped (22-26). Each day I'll be working from 7-3 at my mom's friend's company (easy work) then each night I'll be heading out to Lake Sammamish for intern training/orientation from 7-10! This of course means no resthome :(. But, the following week I believe that I shall be able to go! I do hope I have time to hang out with everyone before school starts for everyone.
Anyhow, see most of you Friday or this weekend or something (hopefully). Russ, did you ever get that banjo? I hope so. I'm sure you can pick that thing a bit better than I can ;). G'day y'all (southern Oz accent).

Edit: Hmm, well after further investigation (and the Sambica website being updated), I would like to make the offer of a life-time to all you blog fans! Here's how it goes:

"Raising Funds to serve at SAMBICA:

As a 501c3 non-profit SAMBICA can offer a means for your family and friends to support you and receive a tax deduction in the process. We did not have this set up in the past but will for the coming year. You can raise funds up to a designated limited. These funds, up to the limit, will be put aside to supplement your income. Any amount raised above and beyond that will go to assist other interns who could not raise the needed amount. Funds raised beyond the total will be used to assist in the purchase of training and discipleship materials used in the intern program. If this is an option you would like to pursue, then please contact Executive Director Mike McCorkle for more details.

Checks will be sent to:
SAMBICA CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER
4114 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy S.E.,
Bellevue, WA 98008

For more information call:
Executive Director Mike McCorkle at 206-730-3668 or 425-746-9110"

In summary, I'm doing this whole adult life thing. I'll be flying solo and I'm not sure how I'll fair. But, if you'd like to support me, then you'll get this wonderful tax deduction! I think I send out support letters so it's a little more formal, but there you have it...
:)

It's Alive!

Fan Move
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

Ok, so this is the closest you'll get to seeing The Fan in motion. But hey, I think this picture is a much better one than the still. Yay for The Fan!
Oh yeah, and be sure you look down to read the important stuff on my blog past all the aesthetic beauty of these pictures...

The Fan

The Fan
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

So we get to our house. It turns out the "garage" is more like a big automatic door. It's not enclosed. It's basically a wall with a really big door. But it's ok, because it's like a free back patio with lots of shade (and this is Arizona...).
Anyways, most of our house fans are just regular type, but our living room fan is so sweet! Check it out, yo. It's all got leaf-type blades and whatnot. It' looks really cool when you see it spin (which you probably won't ever).
Unloading the truck was a Lot easier than loading it up. It hardly took any time to get the thing empty. Maybe two hours or something. We had to take the door off again to get the couch in (but this time we took out the pins instead of the whole hinges). All in all, a pretty good move. Oh, except that I have to be away from all my friends for over a week! But we don't count that...right?

Fixed.

Ok, I finally figured out a few important things about this mac-amajig of mine. Important things.
Time for lunch. I can post pictures now. Go read my serious post then czech out the pics. BYE!