Norcal Beaches

Last Saturday, Dan and Ulysses lead the way to Point Reyes National Seashore. We quickly discovered that being 2.5 hours northwest of Sacramento meant that it was about thirty degrees cooler. At first it was a bit chilly but it was easy to forget the cold because it was beautiful and just so nice to be away (how many times have I said this lately?!). And while I'm on the subject, it sure was nice to have a break from the hellish weather we've been having in El Capital lately. It's going to be over 100 degrees for the next four or five days which is lovely! Maybe we'll have to take another trip to the coast this weekend! So we checked out the lighthouse and hung out there for a while and then made our way to Bear Valley Trail. After lunch we went on an 8.4 mile trek to the beach. Luckily it was a pretty much flat and easy walk, not too strenuous on the body. This all happened, of course, one year to the day after climbing Fuji--kind of a cool thing to do one year later, I guess. (actually it's only been eleven months! oops!) It's sort of like an annual tradition to remind myself that I am extremely out of shape! ;) Well, we all had fun together and it was great to get out with the guys. Here are some pics.

As of late

Wife is beautiful.


There have been some fun moments in the last couple of weeks. For whatever reason, it seems like we have been a lot more social lately. Maybe it's the weather.


I've seen a lot more of Dan as well.


Dan is cool.


And so is this guy but he makes drinks that do this to people.


When he is not bartending he is a master swordsman.
Sensei, is this the way to hold a sword?


Bikers.


Playing around with my new flash.


Old trick, new face. Crappy photo!
Working with artificial light will take some getting used to...


Lastly, this is what I look like under the instruction of Billy Blanks--working hard to change some bad habits I've developed over the past two or three years. In the end it's not Farah's amazing cooking skills and all of the boba tea and watered-down beer that I drink, it all comes down to poor choices! I know what I have to do... And I'll say it while you think it: "Damn! You got fat!!" ;)

Target

There are so many agendas out there. This week, it was “Let’s get Cory back to church.” A phone conversation with a friend from the past caused me to reflect on the superficial world I was once a part of. Constantly carrying with me an invitation to church on the tip of my tongue and looking for opportunities to share the good news—this is the world I once knew. It was us and them. I was safe and comfortable, sheltered from the outside world, and driven by ulterior motives, the agenda. This old friend of mine, rather than take the time to reconnect and reestablish relationship, fired away at the target I carry with me: backslidden-Christian. I cannot blame him for I once would have done the same; I do realize that the intentions here are good to a certain extent. But this experience reminded me of a time in my life that I made people projects and rushed into sharing my faith without really valuing relationship—the person. This week, I reflected upon “the old me” versus “the new me” and got a taste of what it was like to be targeted. I’m thankful for the opportunity to think and rethink a lot of my personal beliefs, life decisions, and the way that I want to relate to people. Interesting conversation came about and I expect to do some more thinking on the subject as I process my thoughts. I am a work in progress even today.


Is this what you see?


Am I a target? Am I a project?


Who do you think I am?


You too, buddy.


?


Thanks to Dan for helping me out.




UPDATE 6/16: Much of what I said here is open to interpretation especially to those who do not know me or at one time did. Keep in mind that this is an expression of some things that are going on in my life. Please do not take offense. I ask that rather than coming to conclusions on your own, by all means, ask me to clarify and I will. I prefer the direct approach. Enough said. Thank you.

Eyes on LA

Spending the weekend in LA made us realize how much we miss life in Socal.
There was just something different about this time...


Eric took the Lin Sisters (and Steven) and myself to Little Ethiopia for a nice lunch on Sunday.


It was as good as usual and I think that the first-timers enjoyed it as well.


Eric taught us that it is customary in Ethiopian culture to feed your loved ones first
before you take a bite. So just as he tried to feed me...


I said, "Sick balls, Chopper!" Just kidding. But I had to fit that in somehow!
(It was kind of scary when these dogs came running at me though.
I thought that one of them might actually be Chopper.)


The police and Venice Beach, it just wouldn't be the same without them.


Kids, don't try this at home.


Who wears these T-shirts anyway?! This one is definitely my favorite.


There is always somebody looking.


But sometimes it's just a jar of mayo staring at you! ;)


Thanks for the great weekend, everybody!