The Story of Stuff

Okay - you need to go to The Story of Stuff site and see the full scoop...amazing video that captures well what is happening in our consumer-possessed world. We have way too much stuff and we buy way too much crap. And most of the damage has happened in the last 100 years. It almost seems we need to hit the reset button or something...I'm still angry about the fire in my park. 600 ATVs trashed 8000 acres of forest through their actions - I don't even understand how they have access to a park from all the erosion their spinning tires cause never mind the fire-starting potential. A good number of trails for hiking & mtn biking have been incinerated.

New Word Tool - Visuwords

As a writer, researcher, and teacher I am naturally connected to the "world of words." I stumbled across Visuwords earlier today and I'm wondering if it might be useful in exploring concepts & even inspiring ideas. You simply enter your chosen word into the search box and the online graphical dictionary whirs and spits out a "live picture" of linked words that shows a relationship with other words & kind of provides a context for each word you explore. Take for example the word adventure:

Four Questions To Consider When Dealing With Risk

I read Ben Carson's book Take The Risk back in November last year and my last post reminded me of Carson's thesis when considering risk. It was one of those amazing finds in airport bookstores that I sometimes am blessed with. I think it was on my way to Atlanta or on the way back that I found it. Very good read! I think Tony Dungee does the forward and hey any book on risk is bound to attract a danger addict like myself.
Carson is a neurologist who faces risks headlong everytime he operates - ever wonder how a brain surgeon deals with the life/death question with patients - read the book. Carson suggests these four questions to consider when dealing with risk:

What’s the best that can happen if i do this?

What’s the worst that can happen if i do this?

What’s the best that can happen if i don’t do this?

What’s the worst that can happen if i don’t do this?

Quote: Helen Keller on Security

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. . .Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. . . Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

- Helen Keller, deafblind American author, activist and lecturer

It's All About Perspective

Exploring Thailand

Hey all in blogland (the half dozen of you who lurk this haunt every now and then)! I'm off to Thailand for two weeks and leave tomorrow for a flight to Vancouver-Hong Kong-Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I'll be traveling with a group of young adults from my church and volunteering at an orphanage/school/camp and our team will be presenting some music/drama/dances/crafts etc. It will be tough to be away from my family so your prayers & thoughts are appreciated! I doubt that I will have time to blog but I'll keep a journal and post it when I get back.

Sandilands Ride

I got in a fast & furious ride on the race trail this afternoon - cool temps & a stiff wind but I was sweating up the steeps and grinning down the descents. Always good to be out on my bike - about 8kms so not a lot of distance but did it well under an hour.