Friday, September 30, 2011
Patience
One does not practice true patience. Patience is a thing one comes to possess through great practice.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
I Have Found This To Be True For Me
This is on the checkout counter at Chalo's, a Mexican restaurant I'll be frequenting in Globe, AZ.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bro Love
I am becoming quite the renowned bromancer as of late. These two guys are my original San Diego bros, though. Leave the gun, take the cannoli.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
My favorite Music Video of the Moment
"Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye
First off, the song is awesome. It's well written and describes intricacies of a breakup that we often find so hard to articulate. The vocals are great. The body art is well done. The two players interact incredibly well. Watch his facial expressions as she begins to tell her side. It's so simple, and yet I find this video to be both visually and sonically captivating.
Gotye has a whole bunch of artsy,strange music videos. The sampling of music I have heard from him is making me a fan. His new Making Mirrors album is on my short list of music to pick up right now.
First off, the song is awesome. It's well written and describes intricacies of a breakup that we often find so hard to articulate. The vocals are great. The body art is well done. The two players interact incredibly well. Watch his facial expressions as she begins to tell her side. It's so simple, and yet I find this video to be both visually and sonically captivating.
Gotye has a whole bunch of artsy,strange music videos. The sampling of music I have heard from him is making me a fan. His new Making Mirrors album is on my short list of music to pick up right now.
Monday, September 26, 2011
This Lyric Was Made For Me
"I used to have a complex about getting too complex."
-Talib Kweli
Too bad this thought is current tense for me.
-Talib Kweli
Too bad this thought is current tense for me.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lame blogger
I was in an absolutely gorgeous wedding last night. I posted nary a picture or quote from this hipster-chic affair, which was perfect blog fodder. We had a blast though, and I am so excited for Bobby and Nicole Neu's future.
Friday, September 23, 2011
San Diego Sunset
I'm back in California for a wedding this weekend. Last night, I got to go on a brewery tour/bachelor party with some incredible guys. This was the view out the bus window between Mission Brewery and Green Flash.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Ridiculous Storefront
Back in sunny San Diego, I'm with Drew where he's buying a bowtie for the wedding we're in on Saturday.
True
"I liked you better the first time I heard your music, when it was better and when it was Jimi Hendrix."
-Andrew Flavin on Lenny Kravitz, expert in procurement, repackaging and marketing of style.
-Andrew Flavin on Lenny Kravitz, expert in procurement, repackaging and marketing of style.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
How I came to live in Phoenix
As I've said time and time again, after experiencing a couple of huge transitions last year, I found myself going through some major life changes again in the past few months. The truth is that I've been overwhelmed and, at times, unsure of how things were going to turn out. Sometimes it gets very tricky trying to find a balance between writing this blog with candor and discretion. I've been unsure of what I wanted to share, how I could share it and whether I was capable. Finally, I got out to Phoenix to start fresh in a new place where I hardly know a soul for the second time in less than two years. Now, I'd love to tell you all about how I ended up here.
In early June, Michael, the manager of Amor's operations in San Carlos, decided to step down. Initially, this was merely useful and somewhat disappointing information for me. Michael is a great guy and I was really bummed that I would not get to work with him much more. I briefly considered the opening as an opportunity for me, but immediately put that thought to rest. I was having an incredible time in San Diego. I had the best relationships I believed a guy could ask for, I loved the culture and community there and I was enjoying my job. I still felt like I was growing and learning and, contrary to what I had thought possible just a year earlier, I considered San Diego home. There was simply no way I was going to leave my home for a new place and tougher job description. This was not in the cards. I think I believed that I deserved some time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of the labor I had put in since I had moved to San Diego. It had been a hard but formative year, this next year was going to be about me continuing to grow, but without so many of the challenges and difficulties I had recently faced. I was going to relax and get what I wanted.
Slowly, my heart started to change. While I had been too obtuse to pick up on the message, I had been getting prodded about being challenged by some people very close to me. God had grown me over the past year to be sure and I was being challenged emotionally and spiritually every day. Nevertheless, I felt I had more to offer Amor than what was being asked of me as a field specialist. Some of the people around me helped me come to this realization. Once I made it, this conclusion was inescapable. I knew that managing our pilot program in San Carlos would give me tremendous opportunities to learn and exercise my abilities. I also knew that from this position, I would have a greater chance to be a part of and influence the direction that Amor went in the future. Being content with growing emotionally and spiritually was not an acceptable reason to turn away from these realities.
As I considered applying for the position more seriously, I started to feel out the people around me and I discovered a problem with being part of a massive mutual admiration club. Everyone thought I would be great and should go for it. As a result, I got a little skeptical about taking their encouragement seriously. I searched for people that had a great degree of insight on who I was, what my desires were and what I was up against. Ultimately, there were three who's voices rose above the rest. My father spoke strongly of my abilities, the opportunities ahead of me and all that God could do through me as long as I stayed faithful. My manager at the time, Jon Wilson, was incredible as well. He was convinced of my abilities and gave me his support in a number of ways. With so many people who knew me so well behind me, I decided to interview for the position. My interviews went great. For the most part, I felt I presented myself and my vision for the position very well. I was sure that my interviewers were impressed, would prayerfully consider me and would determine that I wasn't ready to take on this role. That's right, I felt I did my absolute best and I just wasn't the guy for the job. While I was disappointed I wouldn't get the opportunity, I was okay because I knew I had given it a shot and also knew God was in control of the decision making process. Of course, it wouldn't hurt that I would get to have that time to relax either.
Little did I know, the people that I had trusted to wisely and prayerfully reject me had decided to offer me the position. I immediately lost faith in the process. I could not figure out how leadership at Amor deemed me ready to take on such a huge responsibility. Nevertheless, I accepted the position and, after I recovered from my shell shock, felt confident that with the support of the people around me God was going to do great things with this opportunity. I was pumped. I was going to keep my friends in San Diego, visit all the time and I knew that God was going to provide me with a similar community in Phoenix. I marveled at what I was being given. Who has the chance to serve others and make incredible friends all over the country? I rode on an emotional high full of disbelief and excitement for a period of several weeks, then came the reality check.
Things started to change more quickly than I thought and I realized all that I was leaving behind and how much I would miss everyone and everything in San Diego. It was not that long ago that I learned to call San Diego home. I was surrounded by people that I believed I would be living in community with for a long, long time. This was a much tougher transition than the one that I made away from Virginia. When I came to California, I knew it was time for some significant changes in my life. I knew that I had a tremendous amount of growth to go through as a man and I knew I needed to take a leap of faith for God to do what he wanted with me. It was time for me to leave the life I was living and start a new one. I had 100% clarity. This was not the case this time around. I was not convinced that it was time for me to say goodbye to all that I held so dear in San Diego. I also felt that there was a significant amount of work that God could still do on me with the position and relationships I had.
Despite my confusion and disappointment, my decision had been made. I made a commitment to God and Amor. At this point, people were counting on me. Although I was struggling to move forward, I received a lot of encouragement from my friends, family and coworkers. In spite of my doubts and lack of confidence moving forward, everyone else was sure that this was the right step for me and that I was primed to succeed. The three weeks preceding my move were the hardest. I desperately wanted to stay home in San Diego right up until the moment that I pulled away. As I got in the car, I dreaded the lonely hours ahead as I ventured through a no man's land between what I considered home and a place I refused to believe I could ever really call home.
But God is good. I had a couple of solid conversations on the road. I put on some fun music that meant absolutely nothing to me. I rocked out. I raced through the desert. I had a good time. I can't say that God said anything profound to me in those moments, but I can say that he at least temporarily lifted a burden from my heart. As I entered into the broad, low lying expanse of lights that make up the greater Phoenix area at night, I felt those lights start to penetrate my soul. I started to again understand the opportunity laid before me. As much as I had wanted San Diego to be a place where I settled down for a number of years, it was just a place of growth and transition for me, and that is okay. I will maintain the awesome friendships that I was blessed with while there. The fact is that I am still on the cusp of a new stage in my life and Phoenix is going to be the home to that stage. I have no idea what God has in store for me right now, but all of the next big things are going to happen here. Already, new people are finding their way into my life and making an impact on me. This is an extremely exciting place to be. I just have to remain confident and faithful that despite the losses I feel, God has brought me here, is with me, will guide me and make me more like the man I was made to be.
In early June, Michael, the manager of Amor's operations in San Carlos, decided to step down. Initially, this was merely useful and somewhat disappointing information for me. Michael is a great guy and I was really bummed that I would not get to work with him much more. I briefly considered the opening as an opportunity for me, but immediately put that thought to rest. I was having an incredible time in San Diego. I had the best relationships I believed a guy could ask for, I loved the culture and community there and I was enjoying my job. I still felt like I was growing and learning and, contrary to what I had thought possible just a year earlier, I considered San Diego home. There was simply no way I was going to leave my home for a new place and tougher job description. This was not in the cards. I think I believed that I deserved some time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of the labor I had put in since I had moved to San Diego. It had been a hard but formative year, this next year was going to be about me continuing to grow, but without so many of the challenges and difficulties I had recently faced. I was going to relax and get what I wanted.
Slowly, my heart started to change. While I had been too obtuse to pick up on the message, I had been getting prodded about being challenged by some people very close to me. God had grown me over the past year to be sure and I was being challenged emotionally and spiritually every day. Nevertheless, I felt I had more to offer Amor than what was being asked of me as a field specialist. Some of the people around me helped me come to this realization. Once I made it, this conclusion was inescapable. I knew that managing our pilot program in San Carlos would give me tremendous opportunities to learn and exercise my abilities. I also knew that from this position, I would have a greater chance to be a part of and influence the direction that Amor went in the future. Being content with growing emotionally and spiritually was not an acceptable reason to turn away from these realities.
As I considered applying for the position more seriously, I started to feel out the people around me and I discovered a problem with being part of a massive mutual admiration club. Everyone thought I would be great and should go for it. As a result, I got a little skeptical about taking their encouragement seriously. I searched for people that had a great degree of insight on who I was, what my desires were and what I was up against. Ultimately, there were three who's voices rose above the rest. My father spoke strongly of my abilities, the opportunities ahead of me and all that God could do through me as long as I stayed faithful. My manager at the time, Jon Wilson, was incredible as well. He was convinced of my abilities and gave me his support in a number of ways. With so many people who knew me so well behind me, I decided to interview for the position. My interviews went great. For the most part, I felt I presented myself and my vision for the position very well. I was sure that my interviewers were impressed, would prayerfully consider me and would determine that I wasn't ready to take on this role. That's right, I felt I did my absolute best and I just wasn't the guy for the job. While I was disappointed I wouldn't get the opportunity, I was okay because I knew I had given it a shot and also knew God was in control of the decision making process. Of course, it wouldn't hurt that I would get to have that time to relax either.
Little did I know, the people that I had trusted to wisely and prayerfully reject me had decided to offer me the position. I immediately lost faith in the process. I could not figure out how leadership at Amor deemed me ready to take on such a huge responsibility. Nevertheless, I accepted the position and, after I recovered from my shell shock, felt confident that with the support of the people around me God was going to do great things with this opportunity. I was pumped. I was going to keep my friends in San Diego, visit all the time and I knew that God was going to provide me with a similar community in Phoenix. I marveled at what I was being given. Who has the chance to serve others and make incredible friends all over the country? I rode on an emotional high full of disbelief and excitement for a period of several weeks, then came the reality check.
Things started to change more quickly than I thought and I realized all that I was leaving behind and how much I would miss everyone and everything in San Diego. It was not that long ago that I learned to call San Diego home. I was surrounded by people that I believed I would be living in community with for a long, long time. This was a much tougher transition than the one that I made away from Virginia. When I came to California, I knew it was time for some significant changes in my life. I knew that I had a tremendous amount of growth to go through as a man and I knew I needed to take a leap of faith for God to do what he wanted with me. It was time for me to leave the life I was living and start a new one. I had 100% clarity. This was not the case this time around. I was not convinced that it was time for me to say goodbye to all that I held so dear in San Diego. I also felt that there was a significant amount of work that God could still do on me with the position and relationships I had.
Despite my confusion and disappointment, my decision had been made. I made a commitment to God and Amor. At this point, people were counting on me. Although I was struggling to move forward, I received a lot of encouragement from my friends, family and coworkers. In spite of my doubts and lack of confidence moving forward, everyone else was sure that this was the right step for me and that I was primed to succeed. The three weeks preceding my move were the hardest. I desperately wanted to stay home in San Diego right up until the moment that I pulled away. As I got in the car, I dreaded the lonely hours ahead as I ventured through a no man's land between what I considered home and a place I refused to believe I could ever really call home.
But God is good. I had a couple of solid conversations on the road. I put on some fun music that meant absolutely nothing to me. I rocked out. I raced through the desert. I had a good time. I can't say that God said anything profound to me in those moments, but I can say that he at least temporarily lifted a burden from my heart. As I entered into the broad, low lying expanse of lights that make up the greater Phoenix area at night, I felt those lights start to penetrate my soul. I started to again understand the opportunity laid before me. As much as I had wanted San Diego to be a place where I settled down for a number of years, it was just a place of growth and transition for me, and that is okay. I will maintain the awesome friendships that I was blessed with while there. The fact is that I am still on the cusp of a new stage in my life and Phoenix is going to be the home to that stage. I have no idea what God has in store for me right now, but all of the next big things are going to happen here. Already, new people are finding their way into my life and making an impact on me. This is an extremely exciting place to be. I just have to remain confident and faithful that despite the losses I feel, God has brought me here, is with me, will guide me and make me more like the man I was made to be.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Three Degrees of Ryan Gosling
Many of those who know me best know I've been man crushing all over Ryan Gosling for years. I now know someone who knows someone who knows Ryan Gosling. As a result, I now have a candid photo of him singing karaoke.
"Hey Girl, Imma cuddle with you in a minute, just lemme finish serenading you and your lady friends first."
Monday, September 19, 2011
The One Rule in Arizona
Don't want to wear a helmet while riding your motorcycle? No problem! Want to carry your gun wherever you go? So does everyone else! Just don't bring said firearm into Chipotle.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Song I Cannot Stop Listening to This Month
Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens, off C'mon Feel the Illinoise.
I have listened to this song more times than I can count since purchasing this album. Haunting, Beautiful.
Primed
"When God wanted to grow and challenge Jesus, He sent Him to the desert. Well, my friend, you are geographically and metaphorically in the middle of the desert."
-Josh Griffin
-Josh Griffin
Saturday, September 17, 2011
TSC!
So, Phoenix has pretty much every chain imaginable. As a result, I get to enjoy one of my all-time favorites, Tropical Smoothie Café, while watching some Tech football online. Pretty nice little Saturday.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Desert Sunsets
I've seen the sun set over the ocean, in the mountains, in the country, even over the Mediterranean Sea. It is most beautiful in the desert. I went for a run this evening and was reminded of this fact.
As I start a new life here in Phoenix, it's comforting to know the sunrise is just as awesome.
As I start a new life here in Phoenix, it's comforting to know the sunrise is just as awesome.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Dawn Breaks
It's my last full day in San Diego. Some of my favorite guys took me surfing as the sun rose. Thanks to some good teaching, I actually caught a wave briefly! I wish I had spent more time surfing, it was peaceful and a lot of fun.
Family Dinner
Last summer, my boy Drew and his girlfriend (now fiancee) Emily got me hooked up with some pretty cool people. Every Monday night, some awesome girls invited everyone they knew to their home for a potluck they referred to as "Family Dinner." The people that put this weekly event together and the regular attendees have never known how much I love the opportunity to spend time with them.
The main purpose of Family Dinner is to provide a community for people. Inside of that community, everyone is welcome to bring a dish or beverage of their choice, along with all the great things going on in their life and all the garbage they have to deal with. At a time when I was new in San Diego, going through tough transitions and in desperate need of community, everyone at Family Dinner welcomed me and made me feel wanted and loved. Although there were a couple of strong personalities that were completely too forward and intrusive at times, they were always ready to welcome me, accept my loud mouth and sense of humor and have a lot of fun. All through last fall, I could not miss family dinner when I was in town for it. At one point, when I was having a hard time over an extended period, I remember telling Drew that a particular trip to Family Dinner was the first time I had been able to forget about the things that were weighing on me and just enjoy myself in several weeks.
The community that has been created at Family Dinner is a marvelous manifestation of God's love. The table is full of smiles, jokes and encouragement and anyone is welcome to a seat. After eating, everyone is encouraged to share a little bit about themselves and talk about their highs and lows from the preceding week. Although there is no evangelistic pressure, we share about God and pray over every meal. Following many of our prayers over the meals we ate, we also recited the Lord's Prayer. The simple act of this recital ignited in me a love of the Lord's Prayer that I had not previously possessed.
I cannot say enough about Family Dinner and what it has meant to me during my time in San Diego. To everyone that's ever been a part of it, Thank you.
The main purpose of Family Dinner is to provide a community for people. Inside of that community, everyone is welcome to bring a dish or beverage of their choice, along with all the great things going on in their life and all the garbage they have to deal with. At a time when I was new in San Diego, going through tough transitions and in desperate need of community, everyone at Family Dinner welcomed me and made me feel wanted and loved. Although there were a couple of strong personalities that were completely too forward and intrusive at times, they were always ready to welcome me, accept my loud mouth and sense of humor and have a lot of fun. All through last fall, I could not miss family dinner when I was in town for it. At one point, when I was having a hard time over an extended period, I remember telling Drew that a particular trip to Family Dinner was the first time I had been able to forget about the things that were weighing on me and just enjoy myself in several weeks.
The community that has been created at Family Dinner is a marvelous manifestation of God's love. The table is full of smiles, jokes and encouragement and anyone is welcome to a seat. After eating, everyone is encouraged to share a little bit about themselves and talk about their highs and lows from the preceding week. Although there is no evangelistic pressure, we share about God and pray over every meal. Following many of our prayers over the meals we ate, we also recited the Lord's Prayer. The simple act of this recital ignited in me a love of the Lord's Prayer that I had not previously possessed.
I cannot say enough about Family Dinner and what it has meant to me during my time in San Diego. To everyone that's ever been a part of it, Thank you.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Faith without works is dead.
"If you're going to ask God to make the sun stand still, you'd better be ready to walk all night."
-Sun Stand Still by Steve Furtick
Monday, September 12, 2011
Today's Wise Words
"You have no idea what great things lay before you, right now you just know what you're leaving behind."
-Some thoughts at family dinner
-Some thoughts at family dinner
Saturday, September 10, 2011
New Rainbows!
One thing I had to do before leaving San Diego is replace my long gone rainbows. I went to the factory in San Clemente and I got a new pair without a hole in the sole. They even took us in the back and showed us where they still hand make 500 pairs a day!
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