I’m sitting in the medical school library hashing through my finals and watching “The Walking Dead.” Around the end of the episode and a section of my essay I find I’m so tired I’m forgetting the most rudimentary arguments. It’s been the same story all day with studying for finals…I’m never going to get an “A.” At least not at this rate.

I’ll keep at the work. That means it’s in God’s hands. He’s never let me down. I don’t expect he will now. Wait for inevitable thanks once finals are over. Heck I’ll say it in advance. Thanks God for what you’re going to do.

So I’ve been working on an idea for my blog and I think I’ve finally hit on the right idea. Lately it has been bothering me how so many people have talked about the things they’ve always wanted to do. I think if you’ve wanted to do something all your life, you should have done it a long time ago. To that end I will be taking up any obscure hobby, craft, athletic idea, trip, or adventure that I want and I will log it all for your enjoyment here. Feel free to follow along.

For those of you who want to read anything about theology, that will be moving to a new site separate from this one. Also, since one thing I’ve always wanted to do is learn Russian, a new Russian site will be making an appearance and I’ll update all my english posts and transfer them into Russian in my free time. Stay tuned in coming weeks and enjoy the ride.

So I’ve been living in Tucson for over a month and I realized that I need a change of pace from usual law school get togethers. It’s not that I don’t like bar-hopping but the sentimentalist in me looks back to the days of old coffee house rock from my high school days and I had to find somewhere to satisfy my craving.

After about twenty minutes I found the place nestled in just past cherry and speedway. I cam inside and it had the usual artistic flavor of most coffee shops. Its the kind of place where an academic/mucisian/writer/scholar can feel right at home. I ordered a peppermint mocha which the restaurant made by dumping all ingredients into a cup and then steaming the whole product instead of syrup, espresso, milk. It was ok, a little sweet and not much bite but at least the espresso wasn’t burned. With my drink in hand and law books ready I readied myself for an evening of music.

The first singer had good music in terms what what he played on the guitar, but his voice was badly controlled and slightly off pitch. Come to think of that, I think that’s required for coffee house rock. The second person got up to read a poem that he wrote after being in a coma. He says he wrote a letter to himself right before his accident. Commentary to follow:

Not bad I suppose. He talked about how he used to have wahtever he wanted and then had an acacident. He sings a song by “slug atmosphere.” About the same thing happenning every day. Not bad.

I am of the unshakeable conclusion that my fellow artists are sweepingly liberal. Why is this? Who don’t more conservatives try to express their ideas of tradition and form? I know this is not the case but I consistently feel like I stand alone in a society that only allows people to become official “artists” if they have an activist slant. Maybe I can take steps toward changing things. All in all, the open mic was a good experience, one that I’ve missed and I will definitely follow up.

I now have a new computer with everything transferred over. Look for a little more updates and pictures in the near future.

Bullseyes and...what is that zigzagline anyway?

I’m still not sure exactly what the zigzagline is, but the targets around the eye are something special. Hopefully by the end of summer I can have a small gallery on Flickr of clown makeup for the summer. People will be able to vote on which one they think is best. In the meantime I’m still waiting for Arizona to start and spending time hanging out with family here. So until I have more on this coming week, stay tuned.

Well two more weeks down and I’ve hooked up power to my new apartment that is waiting for me in Tucson. These last two weeks have been an exercise in patience. The fun is starting to dwindle and the work tension is starting to mount. Everyone up here is great, but little things bother everyone after awhile. Still, everyone has been patent when I get frustrated and that is encouraging. On a side note, I’ve finally taken the time to upload some photos to flickr. So take the time and enjoy the gallery. There are a collection of photography shots (just me messing around with a camera). Also there’s some great shots of the hoedown, clown faces, gauntlet, parents visiting, and a picture of Devin when she came up to hang out. Check em out.

On a side note, I’ve decided to put any theological lessons that I teach on Tuesday or come across when reading the word in their own category. No need to remind me that I’m no theologian, but I’d appreciate comments, thoughts, or simply statements of agreement or disagreement. Enjoy the pictures and I’ll be posting more soon.

Russ

Oh, here’s a tasty nugget of what my camera can do when it really believes in itself. Mind-numbing subject matter but I like the way my camera captures the details.

My Camera has more potential than I thought.

Another week rolls around to a close. This week I was able to do my first ever belly flop and con a new friend into going off the blob at the same time. Two new friends in the form of Devin and Ryan from orange county this last week. Most of my time was spent hanging out or playing cards.

Also this last week I lifeguarded for the Blob competition. Much easier now that I don’t have to wear a wetsuit to stand the water. All in all I was sorry to see campers go, but the weeks are rolling by. I’ll be in Arizona sooner rather than later.

Currently the gallery is undergoing maintenance. Look for new pictures in the fall when I have steady internet access and the ability to upgrade.

Russ

Another week is winding down. This weekend family, in the form of Mom, Dad, and Natalie, visited from San Diego. They’re here until Sunday and providing a much needed break to just relax. In addition this group of kids has been very easy to manage. The other day we had a contest to see how fast they could crawl across the Blob and get in position with me spraying them with a hose. Current Record is 5 seconds, and the kid was flying. I can get about halfway in a second but I keep falling in. Practice makes perfect I suppose. Also, next week I’ve been told that I will be demonstrating the proper form on how to do a Belly Flop. Consequently, I need to practice so as to perform adequately.

In addition, my camera is now here so I am going to start practicing photography. Hopefully, I can get some decent pictures to upload at the end of the summer. Yesterday was the gauntlet. Charles, in rare form, started the evening well but received his comeuppance a few people later and spent the rest of the evening getting slammed into the water.

In a few short weeks I’m heading out to Arizona, where I will have ample time to transform this site into something a little more modern. For the time being, this will have to do. My lease is going to be signed soon and everything will become a little more official. As soon as loans start getting done, things will really be moving.

Things to pray for me:

-Friend in Arizona

-A good church

-Smooth move-in

-That I would continue to find friends up at Hume and be able to keep in close touch with my family once I move to Arizona

-That I would find time to do devotions each day

-That I would find time to continue correcting my book

That’s all for today,

Russ

So I’ve been at Hume Lake and so far I have: dressed up as a clown and skinned both knees, done a perfect back flop off the blob from ten feet, gone snake hunting at 1 in the morning, watched countless games of cribbage, eaten hamburgers, watched Corin go down slides, attended numerous church services, and too many things too numerous to count. Consequently, I am going to start continuously updating this blog as often as possible. If not for other people to read than for me to journal my  thoughts to hold on to them. I hope you get as much pleasure out of reading as I do of posting.P.S. for anyone who missed it I am now a lieutenant in the Army and a college graduate heading for Tucson for law school in the fall.Til next time.