ON DREAMS COMING REAL

I've long had this fantasy of visiting Vietnam just for the street food. Like, it comes with a mental image of sitting outside with a couple bowls of pho or something just eating streetside at night- not too unlike those pics of Anthony Bourdain and Obama a while back.

Flash ahead to the other week. Tui, our Thai director took me out for dinner in a quiet part of town with food carts and light traffic. He ordered me everything he thought I needed to taste and we sat outside at night enjoying it all. There it was. Street food. Thai traffic. Carts. Steel table. Just sitting, tasting, being. It wasn't Vietnam but the image almost matched.

It's crazy having not just dreams, but full on visual imagery come true. There's no doubt that my life is an absolute gift.

I love moments like this, and yet the parts that make me the happiest are some of the simplest- a good God, a loving wife, a fluffy Beignet. It's all good.

Happy Thanksgiving from Southeast Asia.

ON MAKING IT WORK

Obviously, I love travel and other cultures. It’s kind of how I ended up doing what I do. Deanna’s interest in it is a lot less than my own, and when it comes to work, being a social worker is a pretty location-dependent kinda gig. It’s probably one of our bigger differences.

Sometimes it seems like the easier thing would be for one of us to totally give up our path, but in the long run, that’s not what’s best for us as a people or as a unit. This difference is wired into our own purpose.

When you're with someone, learning to appreciate your differences and make them work out while sharing a life is probably one of the more challenging things. But it's a process, and if you're willing to put in the work while being patient, there's a lot of reward. 

It’s still challenging, but, we’ve gotten a lot better at making it work over time. Between clarifying expectations, defining our priorities as a unit, and genuinely wanting what’s best for each other, every episode of travel reveals a little bit more about what works and what doesn’t work. And over 2.5 years, I can confidently say that our ability to communicate and problem-solve has gotten better and better.

ON THE NEXT ADVENTURE

Here's to that next adventure.

Here's to the string of flights to get to where you need to be. The people you'll run into along the way. The swim holes you'll strip down for and the nights out you'll suit up for.

Here's to the bright lights of a foreign metro, or and the dim home lamps of a rural village. Here's to every flavor of every bite of every unfamiliar dish you'll come across.

Here's to the unlikely souvenir. The crumpled ticket stub in a pocket. The scuff mark from a subway platform. The bruise from the thing you did that hits the perfect balance between kinda dumb and still worth it.

Here's to the train cars, hillsides, Irish pubs, and rooftops that will host your next breakthrough epiphany. The subtle sacredness of an unexpected holy site.

Here's to going, looking to consume minimal materials, but to drink in new, diverse perspectives from the tap. To going in with a whole heart and open hands, humbly wondering what you have to offer back to the world.

Here's to experience, belonging, and purpose. And always going where the love is.

OCTOBER 2017

#274 The Kindness Diaries

01 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“The small moments, the small acts, the small changes. We always think that change needs to come in broad strokes. That in order to follow your dreams, you need to get on a yellow motorbike to cross the world on kindness, but maybe the real epiphany is to pay attention to all the dreams unfolding around us. If I could make one promise to myself, I decided it would be this: when I got home, I would leave the bloody phone alone. I would pay attention. I would let my heart break open a little more. I would allow myself to be happy.”

–Leon Logothetis

Book No. 39 of 2017

The Kindness Diaries is also a Netflix series, and while the book has just a little extra detail compared to the show, it mostly covers the same ground: Leon traveling around the world by yellow motorbike without money, relying on the kindness of strangers.

Still, I wanted to double up and read this book– a light, fun, and simple, but still pretty motivating one. I could relate so much to his experiences. I’ve never circled the globe by bike, of course, but I have taken a lot of trips and I’ve gotten myself into lots of uncertain situations. Without fail, I’ve ran into really kind strangers all over the world who are willing to help out, and I think that’s done so much good to my outlook on life.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

#275 Pray For LV

02 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Las Vegas. Some days the best way to show up is to mourn with those who mourn, but keep showing up and loving brilliantly.

#276 World Curry

03 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Whenever I feel a little under the weather, the first thing I do is pretty much triple my water intake, take a ton of naps, and try to clear the airways with as much spicy food as I can get my hands on. Spiced up pho, ramen, curry, wasabi, all fair game. Oh, and movie marathons.

Yay for alternative medicine.

#277 Sambal

04 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 40: Make the Indonesian chili paste to be used on shrimp, fish, chicken, beef, or pretty much anything that makes sense.

The Results: I found plenty of recipes for sambal that were fairly complicated and twenty ingredients deep. Then I learned from some people a little more familiar with the item that sambal is often made pretty simply- five or six ingredients. I’d rather pay for that than twenty so I went with: red chilies, garlic, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and a little bit of sugar and oil.

It turned out pretty much the way I would. Getting to work with a mortar and pestle was pretty fun, and this made the perfect paste for flavoring fish.

#278 Meeting Jeremiah

05 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Got to finally hang out analog with Jeremiah

Welcome to San Diego, man. Glad you're a neighbor.

#279 Friday Night Freeway

06 October 2017 // La Mirada, California

I love to travel, but that’s a totally different statement than I love to transit.

#280 Walk to Defeat ALS

07 October 2017 // Bakersfield, California

Had a real memorable time in the Walk To Defeat ALS on Daryl’s squad.

There’s no denying that some parts of the human experience are terrible. Being one of many people coming together, though, that is one of the best parts.

#281 A Weekend With Nephews

08 October 2017 // Bakersfield, California

A weekend with the nephews is three board games running simultaneously, sifting through a gigantic tub of Legos, reading business best-sellers out loud to a four year old, and spending two days becoming a better person.

#282 Deanna’s Birthday Dinner

09 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Hey guys!

Today my favorite person in the world had a birthday. And we had a really, really good time.

Thanks to everyone who came to Bali Hai or did anything today to help Deanna feel special, but most of all, thanks to Deanna for always helping me be a better person, being the best puppy mama a Beignet could ever ask for, and giving the world so much light.

#283 To Sell Is Human

10 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“Where negative emotions help us see trees, positive ones reveal forests.”

–Daniel H. Pink

Book No. 40 of 2017

I was able to benefit from this book before even reading it. I found a PDF explaining Daniel Pink’s ideas about the “new elevator pitches” and used them to strengthen the way I talk about Plant With Purpose.

Since one chapter turned out to be so helpful, I figured, why not give the whole book a shot? That chapter remained the most useful out of the entire book, but the whole was still worth the read. I don’t think I needed much effort to convince that just about everyone is in the business of selling in some way.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

#284 Natural Beignet

11 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“If you can’t accept me at my stinkiest, you don’t deserve me at my fluffiest.”

–Beignet

#285 Road to Sac

12 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Where this freeway ends is where my journey begins.

Eight hour drive to Sacramento after an eight hour day at work. The plan is to stop and take a nap whenever and wherever I feel a bit of tiredness coming on, but to drive when I’m awake. All worth it to see two great friends tie the knot.

#286 Justin & Caytlin

13 October 2017 // Sacramento, California

I still remember when Caytlin first told us about her first date with Justin three years ago while we were camping at Yosemite. They’re now officially Mr. & Mrs. Weaksas and their wedding couldn’t have been more fun.

We’re so happy for the two of you, and Charlie Waffles the Corgi, of course.

#287 SacBrunch

14 October 2017 // Sacramento, California

One quick bite before getting on the road again.

By road, I mean a really, really long drive down to San Diego, and by quick bite, I mean a really large bite of a Mexican scramble surrounded by fun people.

#288 Moviepass Kind of Night

15 October 2017 // San Diego, California

After such a quick turnaround with Sacramento, long drives, and packed weekends this month, we were ready for the chillest day-off ever.

Thankfully our Moviepass cards showed up just in time. And I enjoyed It even more than I was expecting to.

#289 Hanging With Allison

16 October 2017 // San Diego, California

You know what trend I’m all in favor of? Sea salt foam on top of drinks.

I’m also in favor of friends like Allison coming to town for a visit.

#290 Mission Bay Prayer Cycle

17 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Plant With Purpose works in Northern Thailand, where religious and ethnic minorities face a ton of persecution. Our Thai staff has started the quest of bicycling a circuit from Chaing Rai to Chiang Mai and back, while praying for the peace and unity throughout the region.

In solidarity, I got to start my Tuesday by biking around Mission Bay with my US-based coworkers. I love working in a spot where this is the sort of thing that happens on any given weekday.

#291 Katsu Curry

18 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 41: For last year’s cooking challenge I made chicken katsu and was really happy with the way it turned out. I knew I wanted to do it again so for this year, I took on the extra challenge of trying to do a katsu curry.

The Results: It turned out pretty good! I had to improvise with quinoa chips (I know) when I found out we didn’t have panko crumbs like I thought. Still I’m happy to have a few leftover pieces waiting in the fridge.

#292 Side Hustle

19 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“It's not just about avoiding or overcoming economic uncertainty, it's about creating something for yourself and having ownership over that, and that's a wonderful thing.”

–Chris Guillebeau

Book No. 41 of 2017

I typically enjoy what Chris Guillebeau puts out, and this was no exception, though I didn’t think I would be reading it so soon after it’s release. I love his side hustle ideas, especially since this approach to life largely helped me put food on the table while in grad school.

This time around, I took other insights regarding how to help get some of my other passion projects off the ground. I’m still seeing the ways I’m benefitting from having gone to his book signing in La Jolla a month ago!

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

#293 Coffee at James

20 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Live compassionately, live creatively, and you’ll be the sort of person the world really needs right now.

Every time I see somebody who defies living by “the template” in order to make compassion a priority, I’m reminded of how much an impact that sort of person usually has without even realizing it. It makes me want to do everything in my ability to encourage everyone to develop these two traits in whatever way that looks like in their life. It really would change the world for the better.

#294 Almost Brewing

21 October 2017 // San Diego, California

So many almost-awesome things this weekend, but also so many really good things.

Like... showing up to this bar wearing a Phillies cap and finding out that Rhys Hoskins was actually there an hour before. BUT then immediately getting the best nitro cold brew I've ever tasted, for only $2.50.

Or ALMOST going to a Canine Carnival full of costumed dogs BUT putting an old tank top of Deanna's on Beignet instead.

Or ALMOST eating at Snooz but being driven away by a stomach that protested against an hour wait time BUT getting bagels and good quality time with Ben and Rachel.

Or ALMOST getting a picture with Daniel but forgetting my camera BUT getting to hang anyways while the Astros won the pennant.

Almost a good weekend but still a good weekend.

I started the year with the goal of reading through 52 books before it was over. I figured it would be doable, but still ambitious given how long I usually like to linger over pages. I got off to such a hot start, too, and by March or April I think I was about five books ahead of schedule.

Then things started getting busy. And I ran into a few dense books that took 2-3x as long to get through, so I fell back on pace, and then behind.

For the past few months I’ve been either right on pace or behind by one, and I anticipate a busy November. Also- I really needed a slower paced weekend, so I decided to try to get through these three nonfiction titles in just a couple sittings. They aren’t long reads, but they are pretty good ones.

#295 How To Be Cool at a Pumpkin Patch

22 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Here's a quick guide on how to be the coolest crew at the pumpkin patch:

1) Bring your dog.

2) Watch her start madly barking at the animatronic witches.

3) Get props for her Halloween Spirit.

Needless to say, Beignet Baby's first pumpkin patch visit was a success.

#296 Literary Lockdown

23 October 2017 // San Diego, California

I started the year with the goal of reading through 52 books before it was over. I figured it would be doable, but still ambitious given how long I usually like to linger over pages. I got off to such a hot start, too, and by March or April I think I was about five books ahead of schedule.

Then things started getting busy. And I ran into a few dense books that took 2-3x as long to get through, so I fell back on pace, and then behind.

#297 The Magician King

24 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“He took a deep breath and sat up. Away from the warmth of the goddess’s body he shivered in the early morning ocean air. But even the cold felt good to him. This is life, he kept saying to himself. That was being dead, and this is being alive. That was death, this is life. I will never confuse them again.”

–Lev Grossman

Book No. 42 from 2017

I read Book One from The Magician’s Trilogy earlier this year and was kind of disappointed. It wasn’t so much an homage or allusion to Harry Potter and Narnia as it was glorified fan fiction. So why did I go ahead with the second book? I’m still not really sure, but probably at least partially because I got them as a set.

The good news is that I liked Book Two a good deal better. I still found Quentin to be a pretty annoying protagonist, but less so compared to the first. The plot this time around showed more restraint and paced itself much more nicely. I even hit a groove with it in the middle.

Still not a particularly winsome book, but enough of an improvement that I’d consider giving Book Three a shot.

⭐⭐

#298 Eight Flavors

25 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“You can find these eight flavors in kitchens from New York to California, used by families whose ancestors came from everywhere, from Italy to Vietnam. And through these eight flavors, I learned that American food has a complicated, continuously evolving identity– just like Americans themselves.”

–Sarah Lohman

Book No. 42 of 2017

Reading this book felt so much like listening to a Gastropod episode, which may or may not be how I initially found out about this. It’s a very detailed anthropology of Lohman’s canon of American flavors: black pepper, vanilla, chili powder, curry, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and sriracha- that selection itself could stir up lots of discussion.

I enjoyed the book. It would get pretty dry sometimes, then I would read a little historical episode or a scientific expose about an ingredient that would be utterly fascinating, providing some balance all over again.

⭐⭐⭐

#299 Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich

26 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Food Mission 42: Not long ago I saw a video of Alvin Cailan explaining his favorite breakfast sandwich, which was a little bit surprising. It looked great, but there were so many personal preferences that were different to mine. He marbled his eggs to make them not runny. He mentioned he used Spam in lieu of longanisa. There were other things I loved about it, though, like julienned scallops as the green. I decided to try doing one my way.

The Results: Smashing some of the longanisa into patties helped them work in a sandwich. I kept the egg runny, which was mostly good, but it did make things a bit harder with how spongy Hawaiian rolls can be. The scallions were a hit. I’d love to try this again, maybe with brioche buns instead.

#300 How To Be Everything

27 October 2017 // San Diego, California

“It is tempting to try to whittle down all our interests and backgrounds into a single motivating force. The danger of trying to devise a single Why is the risk of oversimplifying things and just applying a new version of the specialist ideal to our lives. Understand the patterns and forces that move you, but learn to be comfortable with your plurality. You are a complex and nuanced creature. You contain contradictions and surprises. That’s a good thing.”

–Emilie Wapnick

Book No. 43 from 2017

Emilie Wapnick uses the term “multipotentialite” to describe people with a wide variety of interests who prefer not to limit themselves to one endeavor. Jack-of-all-trades has a negative connotation, and renaissance man has a positive one, but they’re two sides of the same coin that this book is all about.

So much of it resonates with my multipotentialite, try-everything, enneagram 7 self. And while most business books are pretty firm with insisting that mastery of one thing is better, the early part of this book was extremely affirming, especially as it describes strengths more common among these types: synthesizing information, adaptability, big picture thought, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#301 JB’s Bachelor Party

28 October 2017 // San Diego, California

I ain’t a bachelor, but I bachelor partied to celebrate JB.

Looking forward to welcoming you into the family, but really, it feels like that’d already happened years ago.

Also, there’s a monster at the end of this post.

#302 Continuing the Conversation

29 October 2017 // San Diego, California

I made the news this weekend! And not for anything terrible! Quoted in the UT and got my mug on CBS. They decided to go with a clip where I look really bored and spaced out, which is unfortunate because the actual event was anything but boring.

On the same day as headlines also covered a White Lives Matter rally in Tennessee, my church hosted a Talk Race Forum, with a wide variety of congregations and other community members attending. It was a productive workshop, forcing us to confront the ways in which white supremacy is ingrained within each of us.

I think churches have a pivotal role to play in confronting the sin of racism, and should be the leaders of bridge-building. I see a lot of churches strike out in that arena, but I'm glad to be part of one that participates. I'll gladly lend my food-coma'ed, head-scratching face to that.

#303 Pad See Ew

30 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Food Mission 43: In prep for Thailand, I decided to take a stab at one of my favorites- a good pate of pad see ew.

The Results: It wasn’t quite what I was going for, but it still made for a good dinner (and I made enough to keep feeding myself with for the following week.) Still, I can’t wait to get to Thailand for much better pad see ew than I’ve ever made.

#304 Stranger Things-O-Ween

31 October 2017 // San Diego, California

Our Stranger Things Halloween marathon (half-marathon?) was totally enhanced by the presence of some Eleven-themed cocktails.. 

Behold the Eleven…

+ Blended scotch
+ Dry vermouth
+ Soda water
+ A pinch of sea salt
+ A dash of maple syrup
+ Of course… a garnish of Eggo waffles

So good you just might find yourself upside down! Take it easy or you’ll be feeling like a Demogorgon the next day. One too many, and you just might go full Winona. Consider yourself warned and don’t blame me if you wake up to big tears in your wallpaper.

ON CREATIVITY & COMPASSION

Live compassionately, live creatively, and you’ll be the sort of person the world really needs right now.

Every time I see somebody who defies living by “the template” in order to make compassion a priority, I’m reminded of how much an impact that sort of person usually has without even realizing it. It makes me want to do everything in my ability to encourage everyone to develop these two traits in whatever way that looks like in their life. It really would change the world for the better.

ON RACE & INDIVIDUALISM

At the talking-race-symposium my church held over the weekend, the facilitator explained that no matter how individualistic our culture gets, we can’t break the connection that we have to other humans. “When I walk in a room, the drums of a continent beat alongside me, slave ships sail beside me, the gold tipped pyramids rise above,” our facilitator explained.

In pretty much every Christian tradition, there’s an understanding of sin as a part of human nature. People are culpable as individuals, but they are born into a broken world where sin has already severed the way things should be– perfect relationships between and among Creator and creation. This sets up the need for redemption to be experienced both as an individual, and then as a collective.

Racism is sin, and it fits that framework to a tee. It’s frustrating then, that a lot of Christians -and others- don’t confront racism with self-examination and repentance, but with defensiveness or turning-the-other-way. What’s with the defensiveness? Perhaps it’s out of fear of upsetting folks or even losing congregants or one’s standing with a church like Robert E. Lee’s great-grandson did, but you can’t expect to be part of a following that restores the world if you can’t take the discomfort. Love crosses lines.

To me, “I’m not a racist” sounds like someone saying “I’m not a sinner.” So you haven’t murdered or scammed anyone. Great. But you were still born into a world where our nature is to put ourselves before others. So you’re not in the Klan. Great. But you were still born into a system birthed out of the idea that darker skinned people are only 3/5ths human.

Even if you haven’t committed any horrific acts, you’re still born into a broken system that takes root within you, unless you practice repentance. People are people, and it’s what we’re in need of.

ON LOVING YOUR PARTNER

You want to show the world what love looks like. You believe in loving thy neighbor, heck, you even believe in loving your enemy. You want love to be the beginning, the end, and everything in life. That is incredible. Please don’t stop.

Also remember- that starts with those closest to you. Your partner. Your family. You will never get a better chance to love your neighbor than the one you share a world with.

ON SURRENDER

I recently had a moment where I started to feel a gap in between what I had and what I wanted. I wanted to get creative and make something with a bigger impact. I wanted to be more of a connector between people. I wanted to do well at work and see a movement grow. I wanted to do well at home and catalyze a happy family.

I said a prayer that seemed to make sense. “Whatever you’ve given me, I will grow.”

What I heard back was something more along the lines of– hold up, reverse that.

I had the right idea, but the wrong roles in mind. Remembering whose hands are more capable, more in control, was a rush of freedom. “What you give to me, I will grow,” God reminded me, removed all the burdens of effort and returned all the joy of doing.

ON HOPE AND FAITH

This is from an art installation called “A Religious Experience” and I couldn’t think of a better name. To get this view exactly, I had to lie on the floor in the middle of a totally blacked out room, trace the stray beams of light to its source, flooding in from the world beyond the exhibit, in spite of its overwhelming darkness.

There’s a thin line separating the meanings of hope and faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hope seems to fluctuate, at least at a cultural, social level. Ten years ago, all kinds of organizations were opening with ‘Hope' somewhere in their names. A presidential campaign was built on hope. Smartphones, hybrids, and social media started taking off, inspiring even more hope.

Fast forward to now and optimism is a lot harder to find. New buzzwords include phrases like “what happened?” But if faith gets to work when evidence of good is unseen, these are exactly the sorts of times when its wheels are in motion.

Beyond the darkness is light that will flood through even the smallest puncture in its skin. It’s a sacred experience, and it’s one that unites hope and faith in all those who believe.

Who gets the experience? Those on the ground. Those who will stand with the most vulnerable, even while nations turn their backs and close their gates. Those who continue to give generously to the most marginalized, while we show no signs of reducing our environmental damage that affects them the most. Those who believe that all this is worthwhile, even if it doesn’t always feel like a winning battle.

They’ll see a lot of darkness, but they’ll also be the only ones to see the light that pierces through.

SEPTEMBER 2017

#245 Surly Brewing Co.

01 September 2017 // Minneapolis, Minnesota

Made it to Minneapolis with a good appetite and great company. Awesome catch up with Nick and Susie

Also, Surly Brewing is great and is definitely a different name than Sultry Brewing. Thanks for the recommendation, Dave!

#245 Fargo

02 September 2017 // Fargo, North Dakota

46 of 50:

🔘 North Dakota

⚪️ South Dakota

⚪️ West Virginia

⚪️ Wyoming

⚪️ Alaska

The road to 50 states continues. Thankfully it includes a stop in Downtown Fargo during NDSU's first game of the season.

#246 Palisades State Park

03 September 2017 // Garretson, South Dakota

I’m still totally wowed by this place. After driving through hours of cornfields, you wouldn’t think you could suddenly turn a corner and be greeted by dazzling bedrocks and shining blue waters, but hey, that’s what we got.

We got out of the car, wandered down a little trail, and started following some boulders to see where they would lead. It was just warm enough to make getting in the water perfectly refreshing.

Having this tucked away in one of the country’s least visited spots makes it feel all the more like a treat. I’m glad we came.

#247 Big Sioux

04 September 2017 // Brandon, South Dakota

“This doesn’t mean we must ignore the duties of the world forever; that would be impossible. Let prudence be our guide. However, I do believe that it is a common mistake of Spirit-filled people not to leave the cares of the world periodically to praise God in their spirits and to rest in the peace of His divine presence for a few moments.”

–Brother Lawrence

#248 Back to Funner

05 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Want life to be more fun? Work with what’s in front of you.

I’m always in need of reminders to do this. It can be so easy to focus on what -isn’t- there. Often, I feel like I could be making the creative stuff I was meant to if I only had the right collaborators around. Like I could be helping more people if only I had more time on my hands. Like I could be loving life a whole lot more with a few different circumstances.

The thing about the most creative, caring, and joyful people is that they work with what they have. The filmmaker who decides that cardboard can be just as good as any prop. The friend who lives a busy life but always stops to take a sincere interest anyways. The  person who refuses to let a day go by without seeing the beauty in it.

Living this way takes practice, but it’s a whole lot better than waiting around helplessly. It’s more fun.

#249 Room All Clean

06 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Some people react more to aesthetics than others, and I think I’m one of those people. I take to a clean space like a plant to sunlight.

Aesthetics are more about the way something looks. They may start there, but they quickly turn into the way those visuals make you feel, the moments they take you back to, the dreams they take you closer to. It’s why even though I’ve never been a graphic designer, visual artist, or professional photographer, the role of visuals have always surfaced in what I do.

#250 The Mothers

07 September 2017 // San Diego, California

“The weight of what has been lost is always heavier than what remains.”

–Britt Bennett

Book No. 36 of 2017

Truth be told, I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did.

It was a well-written book, I can say that with honesty. The writing style was clear but creative and characters were well fleshed out. I loved the scenes revolving around a family church in Oceanside, a pretty familiar setting.

Unfortunately, there were many points where I just found it hard to relate to the characters. Some of the choices that they made were a little bit hard for me to empathize with.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

#251 Superfish

08 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Hitting the pause button this weekend so hard.

But I do have a fun new toy to play with– #superfish by @moment

Considering how big of a role photography plays in my life, I spend relatively little on camera equipment. I haven’t bought an actual new camera since 2011, and I think I’ve gotten maybe one or two lenses since.

Every time I’ve gotten something new to play with, though, it’s really opened up a whole new level of fun to the way I document life, and I notice even more good.

I guess here’s one area where I’ve been doing the buy less, buy better thing before I really thought about applying it to more realms in life. All the more reasons why I should, though.

#252 LiNK Gala 2017

09 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Had a blast over the weekend at the Liberty in North Korea Gala and getting to see some fun people again. Plus, the Beverly Hills Hotel is like, decadent, yo.

Still super proud to be a part of the LiNK family for over five years now, which in LiNK alumni terms makes me one of the old guys. This team has done so much to help North Koreans who face the most difficult odds.

#253 Reset

10 September 2017 // La Jolla, California

So far this week: nobody I know is going in for surgery, no new hurricanes have formed, no earthquakes have struck, I haven’t woken up mysteriously looking like I took a punch in my sleep, and things are looking a lot more calm.

I have a pretty high tolerance for crazy, but man, that was starting to get out of hand. Sundays are usually the best reset button.

I’m looking forward to a quiet week, more quality time, and a little more creative dreaming.

#254 Sunlight Cracks

11 September 2017 // San Diego, California

I recently had a moment where I started to feel a gap in between what I had and what I wanted. I wanted to get creative and make something with a bigger impact. I wanted to be more of a connector between people. I wanted to do well at work and see a movement grow. I wanted to do well at home and catalyze a happy family.

I said a prayer that seemed to make sense. “Whatever you’ve given me, I will grow.”

What I heard back was something more along the lines of– hold up, reverse that.

I had the right idea, but the wrong roles in mind. Remembering whose hands are more capable, more in control, was a rush of freedom. “What you give to me, I will grow,” God reminded me, removed all the burdens of effort and returned all the joy of doing.

#255 Taco Tuesday With Durbel

12 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Our director from the Dominican Republic, Durbel, is in town for a month to study English. He's our second international director I've been able to meet, and he's so much fun. Energy!

We took him out for tacos and chocolate tasting and I covered up the labels of the different samples to see if he could find the Dominican batch. Without even tasting, he picks it out right away. The darkest one, which bias aside, also happened to be the best.

#256 Simple Sliders

13 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission No. 38: I went to a networking event a couple months ago. It wasn’t the most successful event in terms of meeting people, but it was worth my time because they had the most amazing sliders I’ve had to date. Simple, too! Just some buttery Hawaiian rolls, seared down burger patties, a generous block of cheese, caramelized onions and a pickle. Of course my simple mission would be to try and recreate the magic.

Results: Yes! Of course, with a food item that simple, it wasn’t the most difficult to try and reverse engineer what made it so good. Simple doesn’t always mean easy, though, and in this case, every item needed to have been made just right for this thing to be as good as its inspiration. I think I was at least close.

#257 Shadowbahn

14 September 2017 // San Diego, California

“American faith in the early part of the twenty-first century didn't emerge at all. By the conclusion of the new century's first score of years, only those who have a stake in an American idea defined by wealth and power can still speak of that idea so shamelessly, since wealth and power is the only American idea left.”

–Steve Erickson

Book No. 37 of 2017

This book was weird!

The Twin Towers suddenly reappear in the Badlands of South Dakota. Music starts playing, but only to some people. Something about Elvis’ brother, and a pair of siblings driving across the country from L.A. - on top of that, the book resembles a book of poetry the way the chapters are written out, even though it does deliver some narrative.

I loved the creativity, but the story and its meaning were so murky that it would’ve benefitted so much from more clarity.

⭐️⭐️

#258 Before Closing

15 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Some people need to work in a quiet space, a library, or some sort of at-home sanctuary. I’m the total opposite.

Back in college, I could never do the library thing. I would take my laptop to the plaza in the middle of campus, or the student center and sit right in front of the door. Now, I’m all about coffee shops and basically the most public places I can find.

I welcome the distractions that come, the people I run into by chance, and the small conversations that I let interrupt work. I often get inspired by something totally unexpected and get better work done anyways.

Every encounter is an opportunity to serve, and an opportunity to be inspired.

#259 Ivy & JB’s Wedding Shower

16 September 2017 // San Diego, California

This weekend, we got to celebrate Ivy and JB’s upcoming wedding with a shower that was to-scale with a lot of full-on weddings I’ve been to. Plus we had lots of family in town and my dance-floor itch was scratched.

I remember meeting JB back in 2013, and it’s been a blast seeing these two from the start continue to grow as a couple and learn from each other. Marriage is gonna have some really good things in store for them.

Weekends like this one are a good reminder why moving back to California was a right choice on so many levels. We get to be here to share moments like these.

#260 Buko Life

17 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Some people say it doesn't matter what you believe, but I disagree. Beliefs make you. You can be open-minded to all kinds of ideas, but you should also know what you believe in.

What we’ll ultimately be remembered for will be what we’ve given our time and energy to, the way we’ve responded to life’s challenges, and the small but meaningful changes we’ve made to the world. All those things stem from what we believe in most.

If you’ve never taken a fair amount of time to think about what you believe makes the world better, what the story of everything looks like, it’s so worth it. Is power and greatness what’s important? Giving hope? Helping others?

Down that rabbit hole, I’ve play a lot of connect-the-dots, trying to make sure the my decisions make sense based on those beliefs. Beliefs shape priorities, which shape habits, and before you know it, you’ve got a legacy in the making.

These thoughts brought to you by the juice of a fresh young coconut.

#261 Dinner With Durbel

18 September 2017 // San Diego, California

My church has sponsored a village in the Dominican Republic for several years, during which it’s seen its ecosystems restored, its people living easier lives, and spiritual renewal. The village is just about ready to graduate and enter a new phase of self-reliance.

.With Country Director Durbel in town, I got to help facilitate a dinner with him and the church’s Mission Beyond group to give an update on the process. This was such a fun night getting to connect my church and work worlds over grilled chicken while playing translator.

#262 Hipster Overkill

19 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Deanna warned me that if I went to work with this shirt and my camera strapped to my bag I would have crossed into unbearably-hipster territory.

I doubled down and brought this kerosene lantern off the shelf to light the way.

#263 This Child Will Be Great

20 September 2017 // San Diego, California

“Public opinion matters; if it is pointed, focused, and intense, it can turn things around. In this global age individuals are sometimes tempted to believe they have no power, not even collectively. This is not true. The public can make a difference if it is willing to take a position and stand up for a cause in which it believes.”

–Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Book No. 38 of 2017

And in the year 2017, the very first political memoir was this one– by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia and Africa’s first female head of state.

I learned a lot about Liberia, it’s history, it’s one-of-a-kind relationship with the United States, the cultural clashes with the descendants of repatriated American slaves, and the dictatorial regime of Charles Taylor– the latter I was only passively familiar with through travelogues set in West Africa.

Sirleaf is a more skilled leader than a writer, the storytelling style often comes across as flat and overly rigid, her life has been more than interesting enough to have this book still be a fascinating one.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

#264 Chris Guillebeau at Warwick’s

21 September 2017 // La Jolla, California

I followed a burst of spontaneity on Chris Guillebeau’s book signing in La Jolla the other day, and it led to a great night.

I hadn’t been thinking of one of my upcoming projects as much of a “side hustle” until that evening, but it totally fits the bill. And I found myself gaining so much excitement for it that I feel like the night paid off in the form of all the momentum I got from meeting fun people.

Looking forward to getting to this book. Chris’ stuff in the past has always been super practical, and that seems to be especially true for his latest.

#265 Costco Lunch Date

22 September 2017 // San Diego, California

They often say: keep on dating you spouse, it keeps your marriage sharp.

They don’t often enough say that some of the best dates are in Costco’s Food Court, going on a sample run, and then going head-to-head on their display of an at-home arcade-style basketball hoop game.

#266 Planting Hope Gala: Seeds of Empowerment

23 September 2017 // Carlsbad, California

I got through my first cycle of Gala season and it was fun getting to see so much of the Plant with Purpose family gathered in one place. After all the numbers have been added up, it’s clear that this year’s gala was the best one yet!

I’m incredibly proud of the team I get to work with, and especially of Kirstie and Melissa for putting together such an outstanding event. Getting to go to work everyday hasn’t lost any shimmer, months after the fact.

#267 Normal Records

24 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Record shopping is a shopping I like, and I don’t say that about a lot of shopping.

Also, Birdtalker and the latest from The Lone Bellow have been some of my most recent obsessions. So many good albums this year, I don’t think I’ve been able to give some of my future favorites enough attention yet.

#268 New National

25 September 2017 // San Diego, California

It’s been hard to keep up with so many of my favorite artists releasing new albums this year- some after a decent hiatus. I definitely made an effort to give some intentional listening sessions the the new National album. There are few artists who’ve been such a consistent favorite of mine.

I’m sad I’ll be missing their San Diego show in a couple weeks, but this will be in heavy rotation this fall.

#269 Caramelized Onion Flatbread

26 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 39: Let me start this one with a story.

Seven years ago, I got myself lost on purpose in the middle of Siena, Italy. I walked around the old city center alone, mesmerized by everything ancient. It felt small and grand at the same time. I needed the bite and wanted the cheapest thing possible. I walked into a pizzeria on the edge of town with simple signage offering two euro slices.

#270 November; Southeast Asia

27 September 2017 // San Diego, California

I’m excited to note where I’ll be spending a good chunk of my November– back in Southeast Asia. I’ll be visiting Plant With Purpose’s Thailand program, celebrating Ivy & JB’s wedding, tending to some geographically-challenged friendships, and doing the digital nomad thing for just a little bit.

• Seoul
• Chiang Rai(ish)
• Kuala Lumpur
• Phuket

If anyone has any recommendations, I’ll take ‘em. And if you know anyone based out of these areas doing creative, compassionate work that I need to meet, I’d love to get put in touch!

#271 Kilowatt Night

28 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Having a great weeknight starter kit:

• Good Friends
• A Full Stomach
• A Cucumber Sour
• A Crisp Fall Evening
• Openness to having a great time

#272 Compassion Talks

29 September 2017 // San Diego, California

“People are hard to hate close up. Move in.”

–Brene Brown

#273 Photowalk with Oliver

30 September 2017 // San Diego, California

Had a fun time meeting and going on a little photowalk with Oliver. The lighting at OB Pier wasn’t messing around.

Find me anyone wanting to live remarkably in a world full of templates and conventional living and we’ll have plenty to bond over.

ON KARIBU

Don’t miss a chance to let people know how thrilled you are they exist.

Months after the fact, and years down the line, that’ll be one of the big things I’ll have remembered from Tanzania. Every single village we drove into greeted us with cheers and shouts, songs in Swahili, waving palms, signs, and homemade noisemakers. I’d never been welcomed, accepted, celebrated like that before. It was like a party around every corner.

They call it Karibu and while that word means welcome, it’s also a word I think of when I think of the type of person I’d like to be. An enthusiastic welcomer.

There are a lot of people in the world who feel unseen. Invisible. Unimportant. What difference would it make if we suddenly pulled out all the stops to make them feel like the bee-eff-dee that they really are? I’m betting it’s a big one, and we can probably have a whole lot of fun doing it.

ON OPENING TO ADVENTURE

When you open yourself up for adventure, good stories usually follow.

I'm finding out that having a life full of good stories and adventures isn't just a matter of luck or being in the right place when opportunities come up, it's more about being willing to embrace little surprises with curiosity, openness, and creativity.

Do this and the smallest everyday activities will turn into some pretty wild times. Do this often enough, and you'll start to find yourself in the path of even bigger adventures that take you to far away places and bucket list quests.

Then when you've done that often enough you'll find that those were great, but the biggest adventures were the ones you've found in relationships built along the way, or in the ones you've had all along, or in the beauty of ordinary things in a God-given life.

ON DEEP BELIEF

Some people say it doesn't matter what you believe, but I disagree. Beliefs make you. You can be open-minded to all kinds of ideas, but you should also know what you believe in.

What we’ll ultimately be remembered for will be what we’ve given our time and energy to, the way we’ve responded to life’s challenges, and the small but meaningful changes we’ve made to the world. All those things stem from what we believe in most.

If you’ve never taken a fair amount of time to think about what you believe makes the world better, what the story of everything looks like, it’s so worth it. Is power and greatness what’s important? Giving hope? Helping others?

Down that rabbit hole, I’ve play a lot of connect-the-dots, trying to make sure the my decisions make sense based on those beliefs. Beliefs shape priorities, which shape habits, and before you know it, you’ve got a legacy in the making.

These thoughts brought to you by the juice of a fresh young coconut.

ON OUR RESPONSE TO HATE

So how do you do it? How do you look at pictures from Charlottesville, the ones that remind you of the black and white ones from a textbook’s chapter on the Jim Crow South knowing that they’re actually from yesterday, shot on iPhone and uploaded to Twitter?
. 
It’s a reminder of all the darkness that exists in the world. The hatred we thought we graduated from, only to learn that it just lurked in the shadows. Some of us weren’t even lucky enough to have that illusion. Poverty makes people vulnerable to spiritual despair. Fear takes over people, seemingly more than ever. Racism never went away.
. 
I’ve never really been good at being a spectator to this kind of thing. I’m one of those types who wants to find or build a solution. Fast. Sometimes that’s a good thing, other times it’s not. It’s important to be humble enough to know you can’t do it all, but hopeful enough to know you’ve got to do your part.
. 
There are ways to stand against fear, hate, and poverty that don’t look like bold heroic actions, but small contributions to a better world. Going to work and giving each task my best is my part to play in fighting poverty. Cooking meals that remind me of past trips and dreaming up future ones is my way to show people the beauty of diversity and cultures. And in my house, sweet date nights and healthy conflicts disprove the myth of racism.
. 
These are small things for sure. But the most lasting changes are the ones built by many people doing small things.

AUGUST 2017

#213 This Is Doug

01 August 2017 // San Diego, California

This is Doug. He’s a great co-worker who lets me take some time out of his work day to let me film a video that makes him look like a total coffee addict. Thanks, Doug!

#214 Amoris Laetitia

02 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“Married couples joined by love speak well of each other; they try to show their spouse's good side, not their weakness and faults.  In any event, they keep silent rather than speak ill of them.  This is not merely a way of acting in front of others; it springs from an interior attitude.  Far from ingenuously claiming not to see the problems and weaknesses of others, it sees those weaknesses and faults in a wider context.  It recognizes that these failings are part of a bigger picture.  We have to realize that all of us are a complex mixture of light and shadows.  The other person is much more than the sum of the little things that annoy me.  Love does not have to be perfect for us to value it. The other person loves me as best they can, with all their limits, but the fact that love is imperfect does not mean that it is untrue or unreal.  It is real, albeit limited and earthly.  If I expect too much, the other person will let me know, for he or she can neither play God nor serve all my needs.  Love coexists with imperfection.  It "bears all things" and can hold its peace before the limitations of the loved one.”

–Pope Francis

Book No. 29 of 2017

Legitimately, this has been one of the best and most helpful marriage books I’ve read.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

#215 Empanadas Two Ways

03 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission No. 29: Make at least two types of empanadas that take me right back to Buenos Aires.

The Results: I decided to be bold and attempt fried empanadas… campo style. These are way better in texture (flaky, man!) but can easily become a mess. Thankfully the risk was rewarded and they held together alright.

I stuffed one with the classic- ground beef, olive, and egg. That turned out to be decent, although I could’ve probably seasoned the beef a bit better to get a stronger flavor out of it. The other style, mozzarella, spinach, and mushroom turned out to be even tastier, mostly thanks to that mozzarella.

#216 Always and Never Returning

04 August 2017 // Isla Vista, California

I spent a night in Isla Vista. I’m now undeniably an old guy around these parts, but it’s a place where I can always and never return.

I can never return, because it’s a place that has seen a few generations of students come and go, emptying itself of most of my friends in the process. (Thank God for the ones who’ve hung on.) Half the businesses have closed. It’s no longer a place where I’d skip whole nights of sleep to talk to a crush, where I’d go moon-bathing by the ocean in the dark, where I can spend months rent-free because of all the couches I could surf.

But in other ways I always come back. Every time I say a prayer that doesn’t fit into words, I know I learned that waves can crash the way prayer beads click. Every time I feel like I’m surrounded by people with whom I definitely belong, I know I first felt that while inhaling bonfire fumes in backyards. Every time I feel like life can start fresh, I remember that this is where it did over eight years ago.

#217 The 805

05 August 2017 // Santa Barbara, California

I love this place so much.

It’s been five years since I lived in Santa Barbara. The majority of my friends have managed to move out over that span of time, too. I’m thankful I still have enough people here to pay visits to.

We’re back for the first time since our wedding day (not counting the 15 hours I spent here once a year ago for a job interview). In some ways it’s strange getting to physically feel how far removed we are from those chapters in our story. The ever-expanding circles of friends. The student slums. The self-discovery amidst Spanish architecture.

In other ways, coming back will always feel like a homecoming. Suddenly it’s 2009 and we're following the tacky font on brown street signs back to my car and I’m just waking up to my own life.

#218 Double Fisting

06 August 2017 // Ventura, California

A little self-awareness goes a really long way.

It’s totally different than self-absorption. I remember times where I directed way too much energy towards trying to craft some sort of image, to come across as a certain way, or to impress the right groups of people. It’s amazing how much time you can spend thinking about yourself without self-awareness.

Self-awareness takes honesty. Knowing your natural strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and tendencies can be such a difference-maker. The more I’ve understood these things about myself, the more I’ve understood the best ways for me to help people, things I should commit to that challenge me, and why the same event might trigger different reactions from me than other people I’m close to.

I’ve learned to embrace my adventurous side, while realizing that the things that grow me more are long term, patience-testing commitments. I’ve learned to appreciate the fact that I’m an inevitable optimist without expecting the same amount of belief from other people.

Everyone has their own path to growth, but it’s so much easier to commit to growth when you know your starting points.

#219 Lila

07 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“I was getting along with the damn loneliness well enough. I expected to continue with it the rest of my life. Then I saw you that morning. I saw your face.”

–Marilynne Robinson

Book No. 32 of 2017

This book follows the character of Lila, who in Gilead and Home seemed to have way more depth to her character than those books had the space to delve into. Indeed she did, coming from a rough and brutal background and finding a new undeserved life in the town of Gilead. This book toggles between her rocky background, and reconciling the lovable, unsaved people from her past wth her new, unlikely marriage. Her relationship with John seemed awkward at times, but also really sweet.

And now, I’ve completed the Gilead trilogy. The order in which I liked the three books couldn’t be more clear. I liked this installment a lot better than Home, but it doesn’t enthrall me the way Gilead did. It did help me understand a good bit of why I liked the first book so much better than the second: John Ames.

The gentle preacher has a way of taking on big questions with such humility and insight that you feel like you’re reading an encouraging essay alongside a novel. The moments where his responses to Lila’s questions were among my favorite.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#220 Interns Last Week

08 August 2017 // San Diego, California

This class of interns ran into their last week way too fast. Great having them for the summer.

#221 The Yellow Tower

09 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Confessing and Repenting:

“Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation– until it involves… confessing, repenting.” (– Eugene Cho)

Everything that happened in Charlottesville happened in response to a moment. A political moment. A social moment. A cultural moment.

That’s a difficult reality. I’ve always been a super big idealist. I recognize the good in people who have different views than me, and I want to encourage that. In a more perfect world, I’d say that political differences are no big deal, and our moral choices are what mattered.

In the world we get, those things are a lot more tangled.

The most important thing isn’t to find your opposing side that’s doing everything wrong and to heap on more shame and guilt. This only creates an unhelpful back-and-forth where defensiveness and anger drives people to extremes.

Instead, it’s more important (and really, just more practical) to look at your own realm, your own beliefs, your own communities to see what needs to be changed.

Politically: What do you tolerate just because somebody is wearing your “team colors?” How will you recognize when you’ve accepted sins like racism when they’re attached to your usual tastes?

Relationally: Do you always back down from the hard conversations? When is it worth it to challenge an idea?

Spiritually: What are you called to do now?.

Tough questions are called tough for a reason, but we only suffer when we avoid them.

#222 BBQ Chicken Pop Tart

10 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 28: Make a BBQ Chicken Pop Tart. Actually, the goal of doing any sort of savory pop tart style item’s been on the radar for a little while.

The Results: I was so pleased with how this came out. The casing was a simple pie crust, but the fillings were what completed the dish. Some juicy marinated chicken, green chives, mushrooms, tangy bbq sauce, and most exciting- a few of our homegrown cherry tomatoes that have started to come through.

I’d do this again, and I’d also be curious to see what other savory tastes lend themselves well to a pop tart format. I’m thinking chicken curry.

#223 Apertif Night

11 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 32: Appertivo night done right. After falling in love with the Italian habit of aperitif hours thanks to a @splendidtableepisode, I had to give it a shot.

The Results: Let's do this again soon, please! I was really happy with the charcuterie I built around the cocktails. I even managed to figure out where to buy morcilla! And the cocktail I improvised came out just right:

🍸 Crater Lake Vodka + Dry Vermouth + Lavender Syrup + Orange Bitters

(👆🏼That sucker still needs a name... open to suggestions!)

I'd love to start experimenting with more open aperitif nights- invite friends and have everybody bring just one fancy thing.

#224 Seaport

12 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Forgiving and Peacemaking:

“Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation– until it involves… forgiving and peacemaking.” (– Eugene Cho)

Peacemaking is so important; unfortunately, peacemaking is also a really misunderstood word. I’ve been reading Break Open The Sky, where Stephen Bauman explains it really well:

“[It] means reconciler, one who having received the peace of God in her own heart, brings peace to others, and someone who is concerned with bringing a cessation of hostilities. Peacemaking is by no means passive. It involves taking risk. Peacemakers are not afraid to enter the fray in order to establish peace.”

I can really relate to the desire to not speak on hot button issues. It’s easy to think that by staying silent, you’ll at least stay “above the fray” and “avoid the pushback.” There is nothing holy about being silent while others are oppressed.

It can also seem really politically correct to respond to events by saying “I see all sides.” In most cases, it’s good to be able to understand a diversity of viewpoints. But when it comes to something like racism, this mentality is dangerous. If your response to a Nazi rally is “all sides need to get along,” then you’ve done a few things”

It allows the oppression to continue. It dismisses the pain of the victim and allows the oppressor to feel justified.

Here’s a challenge to those of us who like to avoid confrontation. The affinity for peace that we have is a good thing, but if we aren’t aware and careful to avoid passivity and permissiveness, it can quickly allow more harm to people than anything else.

#225 Charlottesville Vigil

13 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Truth-telling and Dismantling:

I went downtown for a Sunday night vigil for Charlottesville. I’m so thankful to have been a part of it. I’m thankful for the many spiritual leaders and organizations I’ve followed and served under who have spoken up. I’m a little disappointed by the ones who haven’t, but hey.

In the words of Eugene Cho, “Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation… until it involves truth-telling, confessing, repenting, dismantling, forgiving, and peacemaking.” These aren’t easy things, but I’m going to give them my best shot this week.

There is a problem with racism in our country and world. A lot of us were shocked to see an unmasked KKK rally out in the open. But if you were surprised by that, then that likely means you aren’t among those who have to deal with it every day. Those in the margins are far less surprised.

It’s easy to recognize racism when it carries a torch. It’s harder to recognize it when it denies a home loan, or passes over a job application. It’s easy to recognize on a television screen. It’s harder to recognize at a dinner table conversation. It’s easy to recognize on angry mobs. Harder to see in ourselves.

We need to listen a whole lot more. I’ve been in several conversations about these things where people have a lecture or long-winded anecdote prepackaged and ready-to-go. Never assume you have all this stuff figured out. Do the stuff they teach in pre-marital counseling instead. Don’t negate the experiences of someone else with your own. Listen and repeat back what you just heard. It’ll at least be a start to some better conversations that need to be had.

#226 Ginger Beef Vermicelli

14 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 32: Recreate one of my summertime favorites- flank steak with julienned carrots and ginger over a bed of vermicelli noodles.

Results: This was the meal I hoped it would be. While fairly wide strips of ginger can be pretty strong, they also work really well in this meal when they’re well sautéed and paired with something milder like carrots. The pho-quality flank steak pieces were perfect to top things off with.

#227 Phillies-Padres

15 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Date night at the most intense sports rivalry there ever was: Phillies versus Padres.

Highlights: $2.50 fish tacos on Tuesdays, Jorge Alfaro's first career homer, Rhys Hoskins: #unleashtherhys, no line at Hodad's, 1:1 fan ratio between fans.

Lowlights: Mark Leiter Jr.

Man, I’m gonna have way more fun when the Phillies are finally decent again.

#228 Philly Pizzasteak

16 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 34: Have a go at one of my Philly favorites- the cheesesteak spin-off, the pizza steak.

Results: This was actually a great meal to make in a short amount of time. I got to use up the remaining steak shavings from the ginger beef vermicelli and we were able to whip this up and eat it early enough for an evening beach trip. Not such a bad go-to meal for something quick but worthwhile.

#229 The Sower: We Did It!

17 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Know how I found out about Plant With Purpose before working there? Some friends of mine gave a presentation at my now-office, and took back one of their quarterly newsletters for me. I kept tabs on the organization and applied to work there four years later.

I wrote the cover story for our latest newsletter, featuring some stories from Tanzania. So things have pretty much gone full circle now. 

#230 Low Key Date Night

18 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Sometimes a low-key date night will take you right into a café made for Instagram. Who knew sea salt cream cheese foam would taste so good on top of iced oolong?

#231 Ivy’s Tasting Night

19 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Yay for Ivy’s birthday! This evening was a super fun food tasting and wine pairing night, with a chaser of board games. Such a great idea.

#232 Communal

20 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Coffee shop table: Claimed.

Laptop: Flipped open.

Current Book: On table.

Currently Listening: Everyone else’s conversations with Lone Bellow in the back.

In the Mug: Usually just a black coffee. Flat white, maybe.

Make it as cliché as it gets, this will still always be the setting that gets my creative juices running, and my favorite work environment.

#233 Eclipsey

21 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Beauty will save the world.

I wrote a bit about that quote a couple weeks ago on the Plant With Purpose account- It’s from Dostoyevsky’s novel, The Idiot, which offers a very complex perspective about how beauty and suffering can co-exist. It offers beauty as a path to truth and faith in spite of a modern world trapped in darkness.

I posted that up last week, but it's not like there would've been some sort of really timely event that I should've waited for or anything.

#234 Jeremy’s Downtown

22 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“The assumption that what currently exists must necessarily exist is the acid that corrodes all visionary thinking.”

–Murray Boochkin

#235 Nashville Hot Chicken

23 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission 34: Nashville Hot Chicken has over time become more and more of a favorite- heat turnt up, super crisp skin . Problem is, it's really hard to find outside of Nashville. Basilisk in Portland did a pretty good job, but I don't live in Oregon anymore. Guess I gotta try making my own. (Or go to Nashville, but my poultry budget doesn't currently allow it.)

The Results: I was so happy with the nice coat I put on the chicken, probably the best I've made. I also liked the flavor of the spice rub. I could've turned the heat up even more, but now I have a baseline to go off of.

#236 Baby Art

24 August 2017 // San Diego, California

When Beignet finds her mural on the side of the Carson Animal Shelter.

#237 Break Open The Sky

25 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“Converting our fears into faith is the business of God. But he’s not interested in a gnostic faith, a faith disembodied from the earthiness of day-to-day living. Instead, God desires a faith that engages our emotions and volition as much as our intellect, a faith that shocks those around us because our words or actions, although occurring in the natural world, have their origin in the divine.”

–Stephen Bauman

Book No. 33 of 2017

This book really needed to be written, and Stephen Bauman was just the right person for the task.

Faith can’t just be a theory. It’s not something to make us feel smart about ourselves while the rest of the world feels despair. Actually doing something takes a whole lot of risk, but it’s the risk we were actually made for. We’ll be unsatisfied until we take it.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#238 Fortuna Saddle

26 August 2017 // San Diego, California

We picked a pretty hot day to take on this hike. I have to remind myself that the best time of the year for hiking and camping down here is the total opposite of what we had going on in Oregon.

In what dream life can I live my Augusts & Septembers back in Oregon, my Junes & Julys in Southern Europe, my January in Patagonia, and everything else over here?

#239 We Need New Names

27 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“Leaving your country is like dying, and when you come back you are like a ghost returning to earth, roaming around with missing gaze in your eyes” 

–NoViolet Bulawayo

Book No. 34 of 2017

So I liked Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s Americnah quite a bit. This book tackled similar themes through a different character’s journey, and to be honest I think I like this book just a bit more. The story is told through a younger perspective, less filtered and more wide-eyed towards immersion in a different world.

I also found it interesting, probably intentional, how the entire time, you’re given a sense of Darling’s increasing disorientation by what she sees in each place. It’s rare for this book to outright tell you where you are, instead it paints a picture. In fact, I don’t think it even mentions Zimbabwe by name.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#240 South Asian Penne

28 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Mission No. 37: A while ago, I was improvising with rigatoni noodles and curry powder and I really liked the results. I added some mushrooms and thought I needed to try something like that again, fully committing to adding the South Asian flavors and veggies onto a typically Italian dish.

The Results: It was even better while doing this on purpose! I went with eggplant, mushrooms, and green beans to be the main veggie items, and in a dream scenario I would’ve liked to add chunks of paneer cheese and maybe some fried potatoes. Unfortunately I didn’t have rigatoni noodles around this time, so I had to make the switch to penne. I prefer the al dente bite of rigatoni, but any noodle with a wide surface area that you can lightly sear goes well with this.

#241 Hillbilly Elegy

29 August 2017 // San Diego, California

“There is no group of Americans more pessimistic than working-class whites. Well over half of blacks, Latinos, and college-educated whites expect that their children will fare better economically than they have. Among working-class whites, only 44 percent share that expectation.” 

“What separates the successful from the unsuccessful are the expectations that they had for their own lives. Yet the message of the right is increasingly: It’s not your fault that you’re a loser; it’s the government’s fault.” 

“I don't know what the answer is, precisely, but I know it starts when we stop blaming Obama or Bush or faceless companies and ask ourselves what we can do to make things better.”

–J.D. Vance

Book No. 36 from 2017

This book was a learning tool, to better understand some of the populations that often seem to think on a different wavelength than I do. The rural-urban divide is quite real, and considering I work on rural poverty issues at a global level, I wanted to get a better understanding of its domestic manifestation.

J.D. Vance was a great storyteller. I was surprised by how much his book leaned towards memoir rather than social commentary- and really I think that was the best way for him to tell the story of his world. It’s one riddled with contradictions and sadness, but it did remind me of one thing: the growth we need the most isn’t an economic kind, but a spiritual one. And then there are all the understated links between them.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#242 The Most Dangerous Place on Earth

30 August 2017 // San Diego, California

"These are not your kids. These are your students. Last year they were someone else's, next year they'll be gone. You can't be their mother. You certainly aren't their friend. You are the person who gives them grades. And if you go on caring for them in this way you won't survive.”

–Lindsey Lee Johnson

Book No. 35 of 2017

This was a debut novel, and one that I enjoyed more than I expected. It had the light-and-easy feeling of watching a rom-com from the early 2000’s, while actually carrying a lot of layers of depth.

The “Most Dangerous Place” is a Bay Area high school, full of wounded and insecure personalities that express themselves vibrantly in the group of teenage friends it follows. Throughout the book, we get to see each character open up more and the layers peel back.

It wasn’t perfect- (heads up, typng n txtspk doesn't mk u a teen especially in the era of autocorrect) but it was so fast-paced and compelling that I blazed through these pages pretty fast. 

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#244 North Park Stripes

31 August 2017 // San Diego, California

Doesn’t it often feel like it’s an age where nothing is really safe to say? Taking almost any sort of stand is met with criticism, accusations of being too-liberal, too-conservative, too-biased, too-partisan, too-much.

I’ve seen a lot of institutions, leaders, and brands try to do a couple things:

• Go along with the flow of culture, political party, etc. that they’d rather be associated with – the challenge with that is that when your culture, party, or tribe makes decisions that are wrong or harmful, you’ll be complicit
   
• Play it safe and try to appease “all sides.” Not only is this getting harder to do, but in some scenarios, neutrality isn’t a real option. Plus, there’s no better way to weaken your message than to try to make it all-accommodating

So what to do? 

Know what you stand for. What your deepest beliefs and convictions are. Know what message you want your life to send and how it’s helping the world. Take the time to wrestle with the contradictions, doubts, and ambiguities. Always leave room to grow, but know your true north.

Then, when debates, controversies, or new issues arise, you can always hold it against your compass: In light of what I believe to be true about treating other people… in light of my convictions about what’s fair… in light of what I think is deeply true about people… 

ON WEALTH IN GIVING

What if our idea of a wealthy person wasn't somebody who had a lot of value, but instead was somebody who gave a lot away?

What if we didn't dream of properties or holdings but instead, causes we could champion, or dreams we could make happen? What if our idea of philanthropy wasn't accumulating riches and giving away leftovers but giving no matter what and seeing all growth as more opportunity to give?

This is a romantic's idea, no doubt, but it's also not out of reach. Meet an OFW from any country sending 70% of his or her income to sick family members and you'll see. Meet the dentist I learned this idea from- he grew up on a Klamath Reservation where he was immersed in this value.

There's already a bunch of people living this way who impact a bunch of lives. And I think that sounds like the cooler goal.

ON A BEGINNER'S MIND

Do you often feel like life moves too fast? That's me too, most of the time. Lately, I've been getting a lot out of the idea of having a beginner's mind.

Paul Coutinho sums it up pretty well. "It means doing things as if you were doing them for the first time. So when you eat, eat as if you were eating for the first time. When you pray, pray as if you were praying for the first time."

Turning this into habit is the hard part. But I can imagine the dilated sense of wonder you gain when you develop this approach. Everything is mind blowing, humbling, time-stopping.

ON CHARLOTTESVILLE

I went downtown for a Sunday night vigil for Charlottesville. I’m so thankful to have been a part of it. I’m thankful for the many spiritual leaders and organizations I’ve followed and served under who have spoken up. I’m a little disappointed by the ones who haven’t.

In the words of Eugene Cho, "Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation… until it involves truth-telling, confessing, repenting, dismantling, forgiving, and peacemaking.” These aren’t easy things, but I’m going to give them my best shot this week.

There is a problem with racism in our country and world. A lot of us were shocked to see an unmasked KKK rally out in the open. But if you were surprised by that, then that likely means you aren’t among those who have to deal with it every day. Many minorities are far less surprised.

It’s easy to recognize racism when it carries a torch. It’s harder to recognize it when it denies a home loan, or passes over a job application. It’s easy to recognize on a television screen. It’s harder to recognize at a dinner table conversation. It’s easy to recognize on angry mobs. Harder to see in ourselves.

We need to listen a whole lot more. I’ve been in several conversations about these things where people have a lecture or long-winded anecdote prepackaged and ready-to-go. Never assume you have all this stuff figured out. Do the stuff they teach in pre-marital counseling instead. Don’t negate the experiences of someone else with your own. Listen and repeat back what you just heard. It’ll at least be a start to some better conversations that need to be had.

Peacemaking is so important; unfortunately, peacemaking is also a really misunderstood word. I’ve been reading Break Open The Sky, where Steven Bauman explains it really well:

“[It] means reconciler, one who having received the peace of God in her own heart, brings peace to others, and someone who is concerned with bringing a cessation of hostilities. Peacemaking is by no means passive. It involves taking risk. Peacemakers are not afraid to enter the fray in order to establish peace.”

I can really relate to the desire to not speak on hot button issues. It’s easy to think that by staying silent, you’ll at least stay “above the fray” and “avoid the pushback.” But there is nothing holy about being silent while others are oppressed.

It can also seem really politically correct to respond to events by saying “I see all sides.” In most cases, it’s good to be able to understand a diversity of viewpoints. But when it comes to something like racism, this mentality is dangerous.

It allows the oppression to continue. It dismisses the pain of the victim and allows the oppressor to feel justified.

Here’s a challenge to those of us who like to avoid confrontation. The affinity for peace that we have is a good thing, but if we aren’t aware and careful to avoid passivity and permissiveness, it can quickly allow more harm to people than anything else.

After the Charlottesville incidents, I was pleased to see many of the spiritual leaders whom I’ve gotten to serve under speak up and condemn white supremacy. I was glad to see social media platforms and Sunday Morning sermons pay attention, and I was also disappointed by the silence of others. It’s easy to be less interested in being a part of God’s vision for transforming the world, and more interested in making people feel good about themselves.

Martin Luther King once said that in the end, “we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

The belief that skin color makes some lives matter less than others goes beyond politics– it's simply sin. It's one of the oldest sins, one that remains persistently in the spotlight today, and one every spiritual leader must talk about.

Why? Because people aren’t just talking about it. They’re forming their thoughts about God, humans, and the world based on what is being seen. Conversations will happen with or without the Church, but when spiritual leaders stay silent, it sends the message that they have nothing to say about fundamental questions of how people should treat one another.