This is how I feel in summer classes.

Shoe Design

So I was like, "I should learn to do computer graphics of shoes, since I have CS5 and all." Many, many hours later, after drawing on paper, scanning, illustrator, photoshop... we have the final rendering. Click on it for an up close. Here's the link for the tutorial here.

It's not all about the design, it's more about the rendering. I might have picked different colors otherwise but overall I like the shoes and would wear them. This is warm up to the co-op I'm doing with PUMA starting in September. Maybe I'll do a PUMA shoe next instead of just generic.

What's in a Shoe?

It fascinates me. Cars are legitimately impressive machines that allow us to do so much more than we ever could before. People value them. They're valuable. I think any culture that had the opportunity to have them, would see their value and be on board.

On the other hand we have a pair of beautifully designed shoes. They've had shoes for centuries, millennia really. Sure they're helpful, but not on anywhere close to the same scale as a car, but nonetheless, we live in a culture that says cool shoes are important, valuable, and not because they help you do more, just because they're cool! Who said they're cool? Who knows, doesn't matter. I've gotta get me those. I'll pay $5 to get some functionality, but I'll pay $80 to get me some cool. Ask someone from a tribe in the Amazon, and they won't be able to tell you if the $5 shoes or the $80 one is more valuable, it's all the same. The value doesn't come from it's function like a car's does. It's purely assigned by our opinions.

That fascinates me. That's all.

Radical. again.

Here's another 2 days of sun. I may have lost my camera and spent the sunset searching for it in the second one and missed the sun itself, but it's summer so the sun always comes back. This afternoon I got to spend time with a friend from YWAM (Youth With A Mission). I was reminded of what is so terrific about this group of people that have been a part of my life off and on for many years now. The excitement to take risks for God, and the complete willingness to step, even when terrified of where you'll land, marks these people. They have exactly the same education, background, fears, dreams as I do, only they are willing to step anywhere. It was just another reminder of what God has for us. I'm not allowed to just live a normal American life. That is not actually even a legitimate option. There is nothing that is too crazy to do. I could make a list of options:

- Provide clean water to the whole country of Liberia.

- Make homes for thousands of families.

- Lead the top 12 CEO's in the world to christ.

- Get PUMA to follow the example of TOMS and give away a shoe for every shoe sold.

- Lead an entire University to the Lord.

- Remove poverty from a major city.

- Invest a million dollars in missions.

It's not a matter of, "Am I qualified to do any of that? Which is small enough for me to do?" It's instead, "God, which of these should I do? If you don't tell me than I'll just do all of them!" Because God likes us, each of us is completely capable of doing something that will literally change the world.

Dream

Pray

Walk

Radical.

"A wealthier man in our church family came to my office after we had been studying the story of the rich young man. He sat down, looked at me, and said point-blank, 'I think you're crazy for saying some of the things you are saying.' Then he paused, and I wasn't sure what direction this conversation was going to go. He continued, 'But I think you're right. And so now I think I'm crazy for thinking some of the things I'm thinking.'

For the next few minuets, he described how he was selling his large house and had decided to give away many of his other possessions. He talked about the needs he wanted to invest his resources in for the glory of Christ. Then he looked at me through tears in his eyes and said, 'I wonder at some points if I'm being irresponsible of unwise. But then I realize there is never going to come a day when I stand before God and he looks at me and says, 'I wish you would have kept more for yourself.' I'm confident that God will take care of me.'"

- David Platt in Radical p. 123

"So what is the difference between someone who willfully indulges in sexual pleasures while ignoring the Bible on moral purity, and someone who willfully indulges in the selfish pursuit of more and more material possessions while ignoring the Bible on caring for the poor? The difference is that one involves a social taboo in the church and the other involves the social norm in the church."

- David Platt in Radical p. 111

Above are two quotes from a book called Radical, which talks all about taking back faith from the American dream, that my dad is going through with his small group. I read the finances chapter. There are a handful of puzzle pieces related to where my life is going that are all starting to come together. This is a start.

Summer is ahead.

It's been a few months since I've posted. I left all of you hanging somewhere in the middle of Europe. Once I rejoined everyone I figured we'd just talk about it in person. I got too busy with enjoying everything to think about documenting it. I had a delightful quarter all in all. I had three new flatmates who were terrific, I lead worship along with another good friend at InterVarsity, I was recognized by PUMA as a good candidate for a footwear development position they have open (still in process), I learned an absurd amount of engineering and... point being, I had always figured when I stopped observing life and got lost in the craziness, I would stop blogging, but that wasn't true this time. I didn't want to waste a second. Now I'm on break with time to reflect more and write more.

This break, I'm at home mostly. I just got into rock climbing at RIT, but I can't do that here so I'm returning to my old love of tree climbing. The picture above is from a tree in our back yard that I've never climbed before. It's challenging and fun with a beautiful view from the top, over our house (you can just barely make out our roof at the bottom of the frame), across the valley, and to the sunset beyond. I think I'll post a handful of these this break.

I like life.

Wrapping Up (Part III)

Welcome to England. I was staying at the YWAM base in Haywards Heath called Homsted Manor where some friends of mine were. It was a beautiful place and it was good to see the Dixon's again. After arriving on Monday night, Jessie Dixon and I went up to London all day Tuesday where one of her friends showed us around.

We did a lot of the traditional activities including taking pictures with guards and visiting big ben and Buckingham Palace. The guard below couldn't move or talk, so we just walked over and stood next to him and got a picture... kinda awkward I suppose.
When we got lunch my receipt had a "Toilet Code" on it because the bathroom had a combination lock limiting it only to customers. We ran into that numerous times. It amused me.
Sorry, I had to. By the way, not a lot of air, or cleanliness in there.
We did a lot more but you can see those things on tourist websites. We spent Wednesday hanging out with the students at the base and then exploring the very petit town of Haywards Heath. A few people at the base spoke German so I got to keep it fresh for a few days longer. Thursday I had a relaxing morning strumming away at a guitar and was on my way to Paris.