shop here

The revisions come always. The plans that are made are often changed, sometimes completely scrapped, sometimes just fine tuned, but they are revised. So now as we think of a business, we think of simplifying our task and reducing our overhead. I guess there is not necessarily a need to start big, to leave some room for growth and the chance to work out the business as we continue to work and have an income of some sort. I would really love to just jump and go, to lease a shop and get coffee and get started, but the reality is that we might be better off to start much smaller than I dream. We'll see what happens.

It has been crazy these last few days. Juancho has really had ups and downs as far as his health is concerned. We really have no idea what is going on in his little stomach, but we know that it has had an effect on his energy and his demeanor. It is sad to see him going through all of this. The others are doing okay, other than snotty noses and normal kid behavior. Andres has been having a bad stomach manifesting itself in other ways, but he has not lost his energy, and in fact was absolutely insane with energy for most of the day. I tried to wrestle with him for half an hour, but it did nothing to curb his boundless energy. He is still awake now, an hour after we put him into his bed. Crazy.

Another weekend has slipped by in which I feel very unrested and unrelaxed. It was just a busy weekend all around, one in which things just kept happening. Hopefully I will sleep well tonight and this week will go by quickly. I don't know, though. It wasn't a bad weekend at all, as we saw our buddy Sherri move into the house between Brad, Traci and Joel and us. It will be so nice to have another friend in the neighborhood. Right now we still wait to see/hear what Josiah and Jill are going to do, as far as the opportunity for them to move in, too. As someone stated today, our six-plex seems to be happening, just not in the way we had originally planned.

In so many ways I really love our community, the way we have been accepted and made friends in our church body, and yet I am often frustrated. It is difficult to really explain, and certainly this might not be the proper venue for it, but I feel very much like a propogator for change in our church community, but very impatient when I wait for it to become an actuality. In the meantime I am frustrated by what I see as an unwillingness to adapt, to become what our church vision and mission statement say. Old habits die hard, I guess, and those same old habits eat at me often. But then I am reassured of the goodness of God and His people when I am encouraged by a simple lunch with friends. I know there is growth, there is change, but it is not always spurred on in all circles, and the indifference to be enculturated often times leaves us speaking a different language, living very unintentionally obsolete lives, and that frustrates me. There are those for whom change is difficult, but they are still open to God working, and I commend them. But for those whose necks do not bend, whose stubbornness reigns supreme, I need patience, I need grace, and I need God to work much bigger than me. To those who read and offer your words of encouragement, in whatever venue you choose, thank you. Your words are helpful, to know that there are those who agree, who see more than the current status quo, and who feel that God is much more than all that we have done and who would like to pursue Him. That's awesome.

I should note that we had a good time over and Rich and Corina's house today. We got to go over this evening and eat some burgers and relax in the backyard while Shirley, Andres, Juan and Joel played in a kiddie pool for a while. The kids really seemed to love it, as it was a break from the heat and just a good time to play with each other. Even Juan, not feeling all that well and so afraid of swimming pools, had a lot of fun. All three boys got out shivering, teeth chattering, goose bumps, at different times, but they had fun. It is alway fun to see them all interact together and to learn to play together. There were many funny moments and funny faces for sure. Hopefully we will get to do that again sometime to fend off the ridiculous heat of the SLC summer.

The Flyers have been making some moves recently. They traded for and signed a couple of young players who show some promise, and then drafted a young defenseman for their defense starved team. I doubt he will suit up for them next year, but with how bad they were this year, you never know. I would like to make it out there for a couple of games this year, but I am not sure how feasible that is. I might see if they come through Denver or Phoenix this year and try to catch them there; it would be interesting to go to an arena as on opposing fan, even though I do it at every Utah sporting event I have ever been to(anti-Jazz, Grizzlies, Utes, BYU, etc.). I actually just despise hometown newspapers. Maybe because mine only put me in once, and that was as an innocent bystander in the background of a photo. Yeah. Go Flyers. Get Handzus back.

I am anxious about starting the business. If you can't tell. This is the second time I have written about it in this blog. Hopefully we will start getting things together and seeing if we can make it a reality soon. I would truly like to be selling stuff by the new year, but I have no idea how things will work out. Right now we need to formulate plans and brainstorm, but summer is not the best time to do such things, as we always seem to be going this way and that way. Someday we'll sit down and get it together. Probably with music playing in the background. And over good cups of coffee from www.groundsforchange.com if you know what I mean. Yeah. Buy from us. My cd should be on the market someday, too. Shop here. Buy from us. Shop here.

it's showtime

So last night was officially my kick-off to Red Butte Garden shows for the summer. It was very warm to begin with, as my buddy Josh and I got there about 2 1/2 hours before the show started. We had wanted to get there earlier, because we know the set up and first come/first serve scenario can make it quite a task to get good seats. We didn't think we would be too bad off, though, as we had both seen that the show had not sold out by the time we left to go. I am not joking when I say that people must get there about 5 hours early to get good seats. We probably walked a good quarter mile passed people standing in line waiting for the show. They were obviously professionals at such a task, as they had umbrellas, good chairs, food, and much to drink as they waited. It very much had a "tailgating" aura about the whole thing. Josh and I just found our spot in line and tried to not cook ourselves in the sun. The gates finally opened at around 6:45, with the show slated to start at 8:00. We found ourselves a nice hillside seat with a good view of the stage and vowed to each other to show up way early for the rest of the shows we will see there. Bela Fleck and Chick Corea hit the stage about 8:10 and immediately wowed the crowd with their virtuosic skill set. They were amazing, to say the least, and even though I didn't recognize the songs at all I enjoyed them thoroughly. It cooled down as the sun sank behind the trees and the horizon in northwest Salt Lake City, and we were left to enjoy the show. It was a good night for music. I ended up getting home at about 11:20 and fell asleep a little after 12:00. 4:45 came early. And then work.

So Juancho has been sick again. It is tough to see the little guy looking so gloomy and having zero energy. He has been quite lethargic and absolutely inactive. He hasn't eaten a whole lot and ended up throwing up again tonight, but he has been able to take in some liquids and had a peed in diaper, so that is a good sign that he is not completely dehydrated. We don't really know what is going on with him and will make an appointment for him if this keeps up. We are hoping that it is just a virus that will work its way through him, but it stinks to see him completely not himself in the meantime. I feel bad for him.

Shirley is now working with second grade material. She was placed in the grade two summer school level on Tuesday, so we are pleased with that. She seemed to have no real issue with changing classes and we are hoping that she is able to get help on some of those skills that she did not receive when the school SKIPPED HER AHEAD TWO GRADE LEVELS when we enrolled her. Hopefully she will make some friends, also, and be ready to get started at the beginning of third grade next fall. With all the busyness that we have had since she has started, I am not sure if she is in a complete routine with it yet, but hopefully she will get there.

All three kids continue to do well in their adaptation to being here. I am always amazed at how well they have done in spite of all that has happened in the past six months. It is amazing to me that it will soon be six months that we have had them, with five of those months being here. There are times when I cannot really remember our lives before them as they seem to fit so well as if they have been with us all along. Every day is special with them, even on those days when they frustrate me, when I am cranky and tired, when they seem to challenge my every move and word. They are wonderful kids and I love them dearly.

Anyhow, I thought I would just do a quick update. I am still quite tired from last night's escapade. I will sign off for now.
Thanks for your time.

Enjoy refreshing Newman's Own Lemonade.

coffee, bread and t-shirts

I can't believe that it has been a week already. And what a busy week it was. As I stated in my last blog, Janine's mom was here and was able to spend a lot of time with the kids. It just worked out that she was here for Shirley's big birthday bash at Rich and Corina's house (you guys are awesome for letting us use your place!). It was quite a bit of fun, for sure, as many friends showed up and we were able to barbecue and relax while the kids played and enjoyed the food and the pinata (the big hit of the day). Shirley seemed to really enjoy herself, and it was nice that all the people could show up.

The day before that we went to Silver Lake and hiked around a little bit. It was a beautiful day and a bit cooler in the mountains. I had taken the day off so we could do something like that and it was nice that it was such a great day for it. We ate breakfast on the way there and had a little snack lunch at the picnic tables at the lake. It was very relaxing and fun to just hang out with family in a serene setting. It was much better than working.

Janine and I also celebrated our 7th anniversary this Sunday. It is hard to believe that it has been seven years already, and who knew we would have a nine year old girl before our seventh wedding anniversary! Crazy. Anyhow, we were able to try out a steak house that I had seen/heard of a little bit since we have been here. We both got filet mignon and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was very delicious and very much a nice evening (or at least an hour and a half) where we could just talk and enjoy sitting down without three kids clamoring for our attention. Thanks to the Clemens and Meyer families for watching the kids while we ate, too! The same day was my first Father's Day. The kids got me a docking station for my iPod, which they were more excited to open than I was. It was a wonderful gift that I used almost immediately. The best part is that it has a clock with a sleep/alarm function so I can go to sleep and wake up to music...something I really haven't done in.. . .seven years! It's a great present, so thanks, kids (and Janine;)).

So tomorrow night is the first in a series of concerts that I will be attending this summer. My buddy Josh and I will be hitting up Bela Fleck and Chick Corea at Red Butte Garden tomorrow evening, for a time of good music, cribbage, and hopefully some food. I will also be hitting up Built to Spill, Son Volt, and Ryan Adams later in the summer. I am really hoping that Wilco and/or Damien Jurado come back through this year, as I have seen Wilco once when they came through and Damien Jurado three times. Most fall dates haven't been announced yet, though, so we'll have to wait and see.

Janine and I have recently been watching the documentary "Wal*Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" lately. It is very interesting and informative. It doesn't necessarily tell things that are secretive, but things that we may not consider when we decide where it is that we spend our money. I remember as a kid while driving through my hometown that my parents spotted a fleet of UHaul vehicles parked at a local gas station. They commented on it as if it were the worst thing to ever happen, that this very non-local business had come to town. I don't even remember a local van/truck rental place, or any moving business of the sort, but I remember their sour taste as soon as they saw a business that would not help to develop the town in any economic sense whatsoever. It was interesting to me then, as an ignorant young boy, and more interesting to me now as one who is more well-versed in such issues. I can understand their disdain for such things, such promises of economic growth elsewhere, of taking money out of the pockets of the local and putting it into the pockets of the distant. It is the same with these grand stores that are invited into neighborhoods, given tax credits, and allowed to drive out businesses that have been around for a long time, family owned businesses. It is difficult to watch such things especially while I am very interested in starting a business of my own. How does it work? How will it survive? I know that coffee shop/bakery/t-shirts are different than Wal*Mart, but how can a personal business not be effected by the corporate giants who receive the subsidies that mom and pop cannot? How are they supposed to survive when their prices are being undercut by wholesale and cheap and unfair labor? Even with good service and offering product and atmosphere that others are not, how would we compare to Starbucks or other coffee big names? I remember how this affected us at the gas station that I used to work at, how when I began we would always run out, fill tanks for people, wash windows, check oil, etc. without giving it a second thought. Then the automated pumps. Then the game became getting people in and out quickly, because the more customers we can have in an hour, the more money we will make. It is simple math. But at what cost? We (the pump jockeys) took the wrath of angry customers, of how we didn't take the time to service a filling customer anymore. We were the recipients of discontent. But who really were the victims in this? The customer. They became the victims of the pushing of the product vs. the keeping of the clientele. It is vastly more important now to keep the customers/per/hour at the highest rate possible over against the life long customer. You don't care about the customer in the c/p/h model, only the end product or net gains. But we have lost something in all of this, as we shop for the cheapest price, driven to such things by a system that promotes companies undercutting and underselling their competition just to drive them out of business, all the while not caring about the customer, and certainly not caring about the employee. The employee is not a cost-effective part of business. The low-end employee simply sucks up resources and takes away from net gain end product. So let's replace them with automated pumps. And boost the c/p/h up. And see where that leads us. We lost a lot of money my last couple of years working there. The owner sold it not to long after that. Coincidence? I don't know. Just a good time to sell? I don't know. But the clientele was no longer a recognizable one. I still saw them on the road, just not in our parking lot. So what do we do? Can we regain what was once lost? When I worked for Starbucks (yes, I did sell my soul) I made it a point to memorize the drinks of people who frequented our store. I knew their names. And though I may have never met them, I knew the names of their spouses, their children, their pets (I am not a deranged stalker, here, folks). And they knew what they were getting from me when they walked in: a great drink and a friendly, recognizable face. When I left Starbucks I received many, many hugs and handshakes. They were not treated as c/p/h when I was there, and they knew that, and they enjoyed us and always came back because of it. If this business does happen, if we get the gumption and the right people, and the right money and the right place, I hope that it is a place where people feel appreciated, that they are not doing me a favor by buying an americano or a loaf of bread or a Frog Brotha t-shirt original, but that there are still some who consider it good to have a recognizable face and a familiar place to sit. So take that, Wal*Mart and Starbucks...I boycott you.

I need to go to bed.

forecasts of 100 degrees

Sometimes things work out kind of cool. A while back I received an email from an airline agency containing the itinerary for Janine's mother's trip to visit here. I noticed that Janine's email wasn't on it after I was tempted to just ask her about the trip. But I waited. I asked Brad, whose email was also in the address bar, and he told me it was to be a surprise. It worked. MaryAnne flew in last night and surprised Janine and the kids this morning. I was very happy it worked out and am happy that she is here to hang out with us for a week (even though I will be working for much of it). I took Friday off and hopefully the weather reports are wrong and it will be cooler than they are calling for (forecasts of 100 degrees, ugh). We'll see what happens.

Today Shirley went to her first day of summer school, where she was placed in the class with third graders again, even though it would make sense to place her with second grade. The idiocy of the system drives me nuts, as she is now expected to continue to do work that is at least a grade level above what she has done in her schooling in Colombia. Of course it would be speculation to say that this is how it will stay for the summer, as Janine plans on discussing the issue with whomever she can find who can actually do something about it. I hope it works out for Shirley to be in at the second grade level, as that would be far more beneficial to her in helping her to catch up on some of the things that she missed when they placed her two grade levels above her last completed grade upon her enrollment in the school system. LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE SCHOOLS!!! Geniuses that they are.

I got a book in the mail today that I ordered last week and started leafing through it. I always look in the indexes at names and look at the bibliography for other books, sources, etc. I was very surprised to see the name of a good friend of mine in the pages as a contributor/writer of one of the essays in the book. It was very exciting and I very much look forward to reading it when I get a chance. He was in our wedding seven years ago (anniversary this weekend!) and sang one of our favorite Son Volt songs very poignantly. Congrats, buddy. I look forward to your first book.

I have been hearing good things about "What is the What" from other people. Just so you all know that it isn't just me that likes it.

I just watched "Why We Fight" last night (at least finished it, after watching parts of it the previous two nights) and was very intrigued by the information presented within the documentary. It certainly echoes my sentiments regarding the power of corporations and the non-human influence in being the functioning activist in our political and social actions (or ills or mishaps, as I might call them). Why is it that we fail to desire to know about atrocities, not simply in a worldwide format, but as a result of our own doing? How are we to even begin to understand, to question, to strive for a better humanity without first hearing and discussing? Too often we are encouraged to simply keep quiet, whether overtly or in patronizing ways (as if calling someone idealistic is not patronizing). The reality is that most of us do not think about the consequences of where we shop, the items that we buy, the food that we eat, the pollutants that we administer freely and tremendously, let alone our addiction to oil and the vast social and political implications it has worldwide and in our own backyard. Recently there was discussion in our church about solar panels to offset our use of electricity. Good. But the discussion was not about using less energy or about environmental concerns; it was only about saving money. Money. And I thought God made the world go 'round. So what do we think? What do we do? Do we continue on in our consumption that encourages and fuels our imperialistic nature, our desire to protect a way of life that has become to big for itself, allowed itself to tumble out of control? Or do we start discussing, beginning the quest for understanding, and the preamble to solutions that are not yet graspable to our limited realms of thought? Can we do this? Can we do this in the face of adversaries who continue to swallow the over-saturation of nationalism, indeed, over against a commitment to God, and in many cases common sense. I would guess that some can answer "yes", but that most will answer with complete and unrepentant indifference. And that answer is a resounding "no." What about you?

I really need to change jobs. I really need to find that place where our family becomes more of the solution than the problem. Any ideas?

Keep on rockin'.

many, many blessings

Once again the elapsed time between my last entry and this has sneaked up on me like the days that run away like horses over the hill. So much has happened that I will try to remember, but I know that I will forget. It's what I do.

The biggest event was Shirley's birthday. She turned 9 yesterday, amidst fanfare and a smaller group of friends (as most will be attending her party next week). It was a very good day, one in which she had a lot of fun and was able to celebrate all day long. Literally. All day long. We started with breakfast out at the Miner, which is always a treat, and continued with presents and then church. After church she spent time with some friends who are leaving, and then came home to a small party with our buddies Josiah and Jill (who will miss next week's party while they are in Mexico) and later with Brad, Traci and Joel. It was a very fun time, as we ate dinner, ate cake (too much chocolate for little kids) and simply got to continue our weekend of hanging out. The kids went absolutely crazy after their chocolate fix. We witnessed much wrestling, Andres de-pantsing Juancho, the twins ganging up on Joel the moment he walked in the door, and Shirley glowing in the midst of it all, enjoying her first birthday with us. It was such a great time.

On Saturday we were able to attend the wedding of our friends Zach and Emmy. Corina volunteered to watch Joel, Andres and Juancho (bravery not seen ever before, if you ask me), so the rest of us went up Mill Creek Canyon on a beautiful day to enjoy the ceremony and the beginning of life together for our friends. It was such a wonderful time, very relaxing, very fun, and very much a good time to celebrate. Afterward we went to Rich and Corina's house to hang out, relax, and enjoy their hospitality as they once again opened up their house to us. The kids absolutely love it over there; running around, playing in the backyard, walking through flowers, and sharing a meal that we all eat together out on the back patio. Josiah came over and shared a meal with us while Jill was at a shower, and we all chatted about many things, just enjoying the luke-warm weather (before the dreadful heat of summer) and the time to relax. It was a good day.

The night before that we took a walk at Wheeler farm, deciding that we should do that before it gets too hot to do much of anything outside. It was a very mild night, and it was fun to take the kids and Pakak out for a different walk than our usual traverse of the cold, hard concrete blocks of west Midvale. We got to see many different animals (cows, horses, a variety of birds, sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, and a snake) and walk in the cool shade of the trails of the farm. It was a fun time and a very good way to spend a Friday evening after a week of work.

It was very much a weekend of relaxing and spending time together, which was nice. We are certainly blessed to have good friends in the area to spend time with and that they have all taken our kids on as their friends. It has helped us tremendously in our journey as a family. We certainly look forward the party this weekend, as it will be another good time to hang out with family and friends and celebrate Shirley's birthday.

One note about the chocolate: Shirley informed us (as she was going to bed) that Andres usually poops a lot when he eats chocolate. We found it interesting that she told us after he had eaten two pieces of cake, but we were curious and had to check. Lo and behold, he defecated. We thought he was done. He wasn't. About an hour later I went to check on the boys (who were both still awake, even after Shirley was asleep!) and almost had a case of reverse peristalsis as I walked into the room and was smothered by a distinct and very disgusting smell...Andres and the Chocolate's Revenge Strikes Back! Now In 3-D (disgusting, distinct, diarrhea). Oh man. Bad. Really, really bad. Thanks for the warning, Shirley. Again, that was information that would have been helpful BEFORE WE ALLOWED HIM TO STUFF TWO PIECES OF CAKE DOWN HIS THROAT!!!!

I like cereal.

Since I last wrote, the guy that I have been playing guitar with (living 30 minutes away) bought a house another thirty minutes south from where he already lives. This is basically the end. There is no way in the world I can drive an hour two ways to play guitar. I think I will still try to play somehow and somewhere, but as far as us actually getting together and playing now...I think that it will not work out. Such is life.

I often wonder, as I write much of this stuff, if anyone else feels any of the same frustrations with the conventions of life that I do. Recently there have been a few people who have commented on such things and voiced their own frustrations. I am glad to hear that there are others who struggle with societal ills and their/our place within such functional realities. I encourage those to whom these words speak and resonate within to consider deeply what it is that God prompts in you, in your heart, in your life, in your community. Listen carefully and don't let the conventions of society scare you into toe-ing the line, living status quo, and settling for what is "okay." Remember, it is not a question of what we can do, it is what we are willing to do.

I should also note that one of the reasons we came here was to minister within the neighborhood. Our strengths are in the realm of ministering to children. Janine has been doing this for many years and has been a tremendous part of the kids' lives here since our arrival in July of 2004. This past year we have been hit hard by the departure of kids whom we have grown close to in our time here. First Johnny (literally one of the first two kids we met when we got here) and his brother and sisters left in September 2006. That was difficult, and there isn't a day that goes by that we pass his old apartment without looking to see if he and his siblings are out front playing. We miss them tremendously. Last night we said goodbye to a three more kids who have grown close to us in the last year. Nohemi, Daniel and Jaylee left for Mexico last night, but not before they touched our lives in a very deep way. Sometimes it almost seems accidental how we become involved in the lives of the children and vice versa, but these three have been integral in the lives of our family and also in Brad, Traci and Joel's as well. It is very sad to see them go, as we basically saw them almost every day for the last year. We shared our homes with them, our lives with them, let them be part of our families and became part of theirs as well. We saw Nohemi get baptized in our church at Easter, just as we saw Johnny do the year before. We trust that God continues to watch over them, wherever they go, wherever they are. We will miss the Chavez kids very much, and it is sad to see them go. We thank God for our time with the kids, even though it hurts when things like this come about. But we know that our time here is not wasted, not when we see the lives of our little friends change as God works in them and us together. We are better people for being in community with these families. May God bless them.

Ahh. Late again. I need to get settled down. I hope all is well with you all.