Hyperbole and a Half

So I've decided several things:


I should support artists/creators/etc who provide me with entertainment more.

I should write about the above mentioned so others can check it out as well.

I was having a rough day, so I decided to refind an old favorite blog of mine:  http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

There was only one new post, about depression.  As usual, it was extremely entertaining, but the lack of further posts made me a little worried. I'm hoping Allie is okay and just hiding out somewhere, but I drew a picture for her.  And bought a mug from her site so I can be inspired every day

Tight Knit

So I've got this crazy idea I can't get ride of to start a knitting circle.

I don't knit, I crochet, but don't worry, I checked the wiki, I still qualify.

My vision:

A bunch of cool women hanging out together doing individual craft projects, drinking wine, and bonding.

If this doesn't sound like something I'd normally suggest, blame it on all the friendship books I've been reading in book club!

So live near me?  Like crocheting/knitting?  Want to Join?

Also needed: awesome name for said group.

Happy Birthday, Amy's Eyes!

It's hard to believe I've been blogging for two years.  Time flies.

For the most part, the purpose of this blog has not changed and largely because of that, it has stayed true to me.  It has been an inspiring force reminding me to try new projects, take pictures, look for adventures.

My first two blow topics (cooking and photography) have blossomed into a random assortment of new things from running to coffee drinking.  Reflecting on the last year of posts, I think the most notable additions are reading, writing and dog rescuing.  (Ha! You thought I was going to say arithmetic!)  I joined a book club, survived NaNoWriMo, and found a few stray dogs (one special little guy in particular).

Looking ahead, I hope this blog continues to inspire adventures and creative ventures.  Occasionally, I'm seriously tempted to include aspects of my work, but so far I've refrained almost entirely.  I do really hope to add at least one volunteer organization to my life and frequently blogged about topics by this time next year.

Photo School

We had a fantastic wedding photographer.  We loved working with her, loved our photos and heard nothing but good things from everyone she interacted with.

She recently started teaching a few photograph basics classes and last week I headed up to Orange to Check it out.

I think the most important things that I learned were reinforcements of what I already knew: I adore Jackie and I love taking pictures.  I also learned that I need to format my memory cards (I did it, btw, teacher!)

I left with a renewed sense that the world is worth photographing.

So when we headed out last weekend, I snapped a few pictures.  Just for fun:

My School

the Bruery

Hipster shot for Hipster spot.

Looking forward to leaning more from Jackie.  If you want to come, check out the details, here. 

Book Club: Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

This week's book club was a short book, but I expect that the conversation's it causes will not be.

So first the easy part: book summary according to me:

The book is about a man who's 4 year old son has a burst appendix resulting in near death and emergency surgery.  Over the next months and years, the family slowly comes to realize that the boy had an out of body experience and went to heaven during his surgery.  The father is convinced when the boy has knowledge of what his parents were doing during his surgery as well as seemingly first hand knowledge of theological concepts he had not been taught at church or by his parents.

I almost didn't write a review of this book and even typing this I'm tempted to stop, leave it at a summary and walk away.  I have no idea what book club will be like.  There are so many directions to go...

How about the the question answered by the title.  Is heaven for real?  If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, I doubt this book will change your mind.  People who believe in heaven will see it was a confirmation of the faith they hold.  Those who don't, will point out that children overhear lots of things and could have pieced together the story, even innocently.  There's probably some science and brain chemistry issue that could be introduced into the debate as well, although I don't intend to delve into that aspect now.

So you're reading my blog, you probably want my answer. Is heaven for real?  In times of loss, I think it's only natural to cling desperately to the hope that loss is temporary, that eventually the pain will go away completely and we will reunite with our lost loved ones.  And I love that beautiful thought.  I really, really do.  I've clung to that hope and ridden it across dark times.

But, I'm an engineer, I can't change my nature.

"Our first rule here, Miss Taggart," he answered, "is that one must always see for oneself."