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1.a Alive (and well) in Reno

1.b We're here!  Actually, I'm back in DFW as I type this (first real crack at good internet, so now a blog update comes) - I hopped into town for a wedding in east texas and I fly back to Reno tomorrow morn.  Good internet is on it's way to our Reno place - I just need to get an airport card in our "older" mac mini g4, and that hasn't been as easy as I thought.  email me with ideas?

2. But the place is coming along nicely and we're enjoying it.  Kandyce was just in town for the past week - hanging out and totally helping us set up, install, design, decorate, make sangria, etc..  The place would not be the same without her - that's for sure. 

3. And I think our concensus two weeks into it is that 380 sq ft is just right for us.  We'll get some pics up soon and hopefully part of the space can be conveyed, but it will most probably come alive to you when you choose to visit Reno!  (and, that you should)

4. I am loving being near the mountains, seeing them in the distance and feeling the Truckee Meadows air.  Truckee Meadows is the valley of which Reno is a part and you can read one more sentence about that here.

5. And, all the traveling has made me tired, so that's all for now.  The next post up will mean that we have figured out the problem of #1.b in this post, which we will probably celebrate by experiencing more of the wonder described in #4.

6.  If this post has seemed different (or for some reason, numbered) then it has to do with a wonderful book I just completed on my flight travels - Mark Haddon's the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.  Recommended by Matt Groening, it was delightful.  I'll post more about it following the ideas layed out in #5 above.

7. goodbye

Justice in the Burbs

I'm looking forward to this book.  I think it will be one of the few books embracing justice, simplicity, goodness for earth and humans, while being specifically for those of us in the the suburbs!  We need books like this, even just for the title - this question has to be raised, and has to be talked about.
These are the things that Richard and Brian and I talk about when we consider gardening/farming, Community Supported Agriculture, and Co-ops ... and if they are possible in the suburbs in which we live.  Can we stay and do these things???
Ultimately, can our suburban lives ever be "just"?  See thoseawake for any recent thoughts.

I got to listen in on some good discussion about this at last year's emergent gathering, and I got to hear Will talk a bit about his book.  This video is also a cool introduction.  So, watch it and then spread the word!!

Apple gets greener. Good.

Steve Jobs writes -
"Apple has been criticized by some environmental organizations for not being a leader in removing toxic chemicals from its new products, and for not aggressively or properly recycling its old products. Upon investigating Apple’s current practices and progress towards these goals, I was surprised to learn that in many cases Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors in these areas. Whatever other improvements we need to make, it is certainly clear that we have failed to communicate the things that we are doing well."

Good to hear from Apple on this.  It's rare for the larger corporations to be (or at least seem) so transparent!  Greenpeace got a response!
Full report from Apple here.
Reaction to the report here.

Obama twittering too

Here's a screenshot

Using Twitter

I've enjoyed using twitter so far.  You can join too.  I even just like the warm look and feel of it.  Here's a snapshot of a conversation today, albeit suggestive:

Lent, update, ohome status

Follow-up on Lent - going well.
TSK posted recently about the seeming impact the emerging church has had on promoting more modern protestant circles to practice Lent (and return to some other ancient traditions).  Interesting. 

At IBC, it's kinda common to hear people talking about Lent; and that's such a change, I think.  I hadn't heard ANYONE in my little "faith circles" mention observing Lent before 2 years ago... and today I stand in a circle of staff people and it's all the buzz.  (lord, help us keep it right before you)

In fact, my Lent has been a bit rough.  The radio thing has been harder than I thought ... but I guess good fuel for going through this journey and attempting to focus on God. 
And, the regular blog friends have helped me learn more and keep encouraged - willzhead is fasting from blogging, but has good preset updates that come up - thoughts for the Lenten journey.  Then, there is a Grace Lent Blog that updates with interactive, creative stories related to Lent.  That has really been great. 
As for Nouwen - I couldn't get the book I wanted (out of print) - and the other one I got is just okay.  I haven't kept up with it. 

And through the time, Kyndra is just studying her tail off - taking it to the OT grad school - midterms are going on right now and her Spring Break is next week!!  I wish I was coming through and reading more of what I have on the shelf, but time's just kinda been passing.  I need to be more disciplined with that, for sure.

But, discovering new little tech apps and using my old ones has been fun - potential of gmail (and google ready tweaks), delicious, twitter, newsgator, and flickr ...

Update:  Friends,  start using Twitter!  Let's hook up.  And, tonight I began using Twitterrific, for mac users!  Cool.

you're updated.
be good.
-s.o

who doesn't need this?

Luggage Tag Monsters!  - handmade!

Found at:
Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade.

Now, this is a great step!  If we sense that our local "homemade" markets are difficult to come by and really enjoy, well there's this one online.  And, what a great way to allow people to post up things they enjoy making and can possibly have someone buy.  Really cool!
Now, if I just knew how to make things, it'd be even cooler.  At least Kyndra has recently taken up knitting - we'll see if it can grow to pay for her schooling!

HT: Tonya Beeler with a web review from Ashmatic Kitty.

technorati tags: ETSY, HANDMADE GOODS,LUGGAGE TAG, FUTURE SHOPPING