Summer of 2009 - Greatest Hits

Well, summer officially ended this week. It was a season of lawn devastating heat, no rain, home projects, not going to work, theater rehearsals, travel, and lots of other things I have probably forgotten. All in all it was a really fun time, and I thought it would be fun to summarize some of the highlights. So, in no particular order, here they are.

The Grand Canyon - There's a reason why they call this place "Grand." If you've never been there you have to make time to see it before you die. It's the consummate definition of awesome. It should be mandatory that all professed atheists visit the Grand Canyon before they make their final decision that there is no God.

Hoover Dam - This is a truly amazing structure, especially when you consider that it was put together over 70 years ago. The size and the setting are awe-inspiring, and the history of the entire effort to contruct this massive dam are compelling, including the fact that almost 100 men lost their lives before it was completed.

Sheridan's (Lubbock) - This is the Grand Canyon of ice cream/frozen yogurt establishments. Sort of like Marble Slab on steroids. Where most places will give you yogurt or ice cream that includes crushed pieces of your favorite candy bar, this place will crush up cakes, pies, candy, fruit, and just about anything else that's sweet.

Camp Bandina (Bandera) and Camp Kadesh (Abilene) - The opportunity to be a group leader at both of these Christian youth camps was a wonderful experience. Both restored my faith in the future of humanity by reminding me that not all people under the age of 18 are empty-headed slackers (there are exceptions). Kadesh was fun because I got to stay in one of the dorms at ACU. Bandina was special because Vicki and I got to spend some really quality time working together with our group.

Sedona, Arizona - A place that must be seen to really be appreciated. The red sandstone cliffs that surround the town are something that you won't see anywhere else. From now on whenever I watch an old western movie - multitudes of which were filmed in and around Sedona - I'll be checking out the scenery for familiar geological landmarks.

The Star Motel, Sedona - This place is a throw-back to the days of my youth and reminded me of the good old days when my family would hit the road every year for our annual vacation. Its cinder block walls and sixteen square foot bathroom aren't fancy, but it is super clean and right in the middle of town. The lady who has owned the place for over thirty years always had a smile on her face and seemed genuinely happy to see us when we showed up. Its fourteen rooms were a far cry from the massive hotels we'd just left in Las Vegas, but this place was like a happy time warp.

The Breakfast Klub, Houston - Visit this little restaurant on Travis Street if you want to eat some mass quantities of serious comfort food. The food is good and the people who run the place are very friendly and attentive. However, be prepared for the mural-sized picture of Barak Obama on the wall, which will either enhance, reduce, or possibly eliminate your appetite.

The Holocaust Museum, Houston - Not exactly Disneyland on the happiest place on earth scale, but an extremely interesting, moving and thought-provoking place. This is a great museum for people who don't like museums because you can easily make it through the entire place in about two hours. It should definitely be on the must see list for Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who continues to maintain that the Holocaust never happened. If that's the case he will be very impressed by all of the staged photos and video footage of emaciated concentration camp prisoners and piles of rotting corpses, all probably put together by the same guys who faked the moon landing.

The Bob Bullock Texas State Museum, Austin - Unlike the Holocaust Museum, only hard-core, full-contact history freaks should attempt this museum. Be there when the doors open and bring enough money to visit the snack bar (briefly) for lunch and dinner. When you leave here you'll have been exposed to everything there is to know about Texas.

80 MPH Speed Limits - During our travels through Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas we were able to participate in the exhilarating experience of legally driving 80 mph, which of course meant that we really drove 85 mph, because everybody knows that the law enforcement authorities give you 5 mph over the speed limit before they stop you.

The Vastness of the American Southwest - This experience was both very boring and slightly terrifying at the same time. Driving across the vast - and I do mean vast - deserts of southern Arizona and New Mexico allows you to realize just how big this country is. At times you realize that you could probably fall asleep at the wheel and it wouldn't matter much because that road ahead of you stretches in an arrow-straight line for as far as you can see. You also wonder what would happen if you were to run out of gas when the next town is 200 miles away.

Seeing the Round Rock (Round Rock) - I always wondered why the city of Round Rock was called Round Rock. Now I know.

The Amish Bakery (Westcliffe, Colorado) - Colorado is a great place to visit - especially during the Houston summer - but it's cache has been exponentially enhanced in my mind now that I know the Amish Bakery exists. The perfect complement to hiking in the mountains, without even trying this place can easily replace all of the calories (and more) you expend in the great outdoors.

Second Mile Mission Center, Stafford - Having the opportunity to volunteer at Second Mile every Thursday has been an eye-opening experience from two perspectives - first that are so many people who need help just to fulfill their basic needs every day, and second that there are good people who are willing to spend their lives helping others. NOTE: I don't consider volunteering one day a week as spending my life helping others.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - This has been a love/hate project. I have loved the opportunity to work with so many of my friends and fellow Christians at FCCC. However, after spending countless hours together we are all starting to get on each other's nerves and we are sick to death of rehearsing and just want to get on with it and actually get to the performances. NOTE: I'm not implying that we couldn't use more time rehearsing.

There was more good stuff from this summer, but I think the preceding 5,000 words are enough excitement for one day.

Today is Thursday, so I'll be heading down to Second Mile shortly. They have a new project for me. Because I am an unemployed "human resources professional" they want to me to help them put together a policies and procedures manual for their employees. Should be fascinating. I promise to keep you posted on all of the details.

Tomorrow night is our final (!) rehearsal for the Joseph show. Saturday is the big night we've all been working toward for the last ten weeks. We're expecting a big crowd. It will be fun.