been thinking a lot about living life these days. this summer has given me a lot of perspective, a lot of contrast. I have experienced the daily grind and satisfaction of a stable, consistent job and existence. Every day out the door by 6:15 and back at around 7. full days, but for the most part good work and it was a good sense of accomplishment to see definite progress or to have learned something new; and to get a paycheck every 2 wks. i have come to a better appreciation of the simple but extremly profound pleasures of a good hard days work, taking pride in work well done, and ending the day hanging out with family or a few select friends.

in contrast, i have experienced the open road and an open world. experienced the excitement and adventure of living in the ever present moment, perpetual novelty and complete possibility. independant and unfettered, for the most part not knowing exactly where i would end up, who i would meet, or what would happen along the way. Constantly innundated with new sights, smells, and wonders. Perhaps the most profound, unnerving, and rewarding part of this lifestyle (or just life) is being brought to the reality that faith and trust are not optional or half-hearted committments but that they are daily neccesities. as a lone traveler i have been humbled and extremly blessed by the generosity and companionship of complete strangers, of all kinds of nationalities and backgrounds, and the learning never ceased to pour from these aquaintances - a huge new appreciation of people outside my normal contact or notice.

i have struggled to write even this much of my thoughts down, especially of europe (which is why i can't blog on that, pics are on facebook) but i wanted to give some account in writing. i wonder if the search ends at a destination or if maybe you just settle - or die still searching like "into the wild"'s alex. maybe the longing itself is just that roadsign pointing to the exisitence and need of God. (lewis) maybe priorities just get mixed up or i'm too afraid to grow up and start acting responsible. maybe i only ask out of ignorance, would i still be asking this question if my past environment or circumstances were different... at this point i'm mulling over the life of alex mccandles's and the others like him i met in my travels and in myself, the words of chesterton and lewis, and my experience over the summer and recent years... trying to still take it in and process it and wonder where to go/what to do next.

to the relief of all the women around camp... after a month of selective shaving, a special diet that included eating absolutely nothing different then normal, and many, many comments of encouragement and derision (sometimes at the same time: special thanks to the guy with green hair outside the bar in oregon) from complete strangers to good friends alike, the month of march ended and with it the beautiful time of the mustache. However, not before we were able to take some photos to remember this great time in our lives - that will probably never happen again... to ethnic minorities, good ol' montana backwoods folk, those who haven't got the hint and the creepy stalker in that back alley in three hills - this month, at the same time that you put us to shame, you are an inspiration to us all! well done, well done! stay classy san diego...