...and David triumphs...

The voices have been heard and a response has been issued. Nike pulled the ad and apologized. Guess they realized it might do more harm than good.

Community and Congratulations

It was around the Tuesday before last that Katie and I met with the Leonardo's and Frank the Landlord to sign on the dotted line for this whole community house gig. It was exactly one week later that the Leonardo's learned that they're pregnant. I guess this whole community idea is going to be a little bigger than we intended. Luckily, Chris and Karli were still stoked on the thought of having us around through the pregnancy and even into the birth, barring any unexpected events. We couldn't be happier for them. It'll be cool for Katie and I to see the process up close and be pretty involved without actually experiencing things first hand. Karli's also a midwife, so I'm excited to soak up a bit of her knowledge just on birthing in general. It'll also be cool to do what little we can to support another young couple living out the unexpected events of life simply by being friends to them and them being friends to us. They're going to make great parents. Congrats you two!

In other news, Katie and I stumbled onto an awesome trail Saturday morning out at the gorge. We intended to go out for a quick thirty-minute hike in the morning and ended up climbing around for the better part of the day. There's something therapeutic about breathing in hard-earned air on steep inclines, especially when the view takes the breath right back.

David vs. Goliath

I came across this sad news on my buddy (and soon to be roommate) Chris's blog. It appears that the behemoth corporation that is Nike has dealt the little guy the ultimate low-blow by blatently ripping off Dischord Records and Minor Threat (whose lead singer was Ian McKaye, which all you Fugazi fans already know) in order to turn a quick profit. Dischord as a record label and Minor Threat and Fugazi as bands have done arguably more for the legitamacy of independent and do-it-yourself music than any other and to see them get taken advantage of like this, well, just plain sucks. The editorial linked above gives it all a good perspective and response to the shameless marketing campaign:

We understand that trading on the image of a legitimately punk rock, anti-corporate institution will lend some desperately needed credibility to your marketing campaign for the hearts of adolescent skate kids. But doesn't knowing full well that that institution-- in this case the venerable Dischord Records-- would never grant you permission for the use of that image, and just steamrolling the f**k over them anyway because your lawyers can beat up their lawyers negate the very ideals with which you're attempting to equate yourselves? I mean, there's unethical and then there's just flat-out mercenary.

If you're as upset as many, go here for Dischord's response as well as for ways to contact Nike and voice your disatisfaction. Man, some things are just sacred.

I am in the 'Library Instruction' room in a lecture on how-to search online databases.

seriously.
it's 1:45 pm on a rainy tuesday.
and it's after lunch.
this should have been re-thought.
thought i'd blog.
katie

Sometimes it's just nice to look back...



I found this old picture from last year on my friend Neal's website taken in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. Almost makes me wanna cry. Luckily, both are returning to the states next year (well, Brian's going back to Canada, but close enough). Can't wait for the opportunity to re-connect with those guys. Just had to share that, for some reason. That is all.

First Week Down.

My thoughts...
1. school is rewarding, and harder than i remember
2. i can't wait to actually work in high schools
3. no one lies when they tell you how hard grad school is
4. i forget to eat more often now
5. i am excited to have the weekend to hang out with the hot hubby
6. i love portland
7. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers that have ever 'fathered' me...on Sunday
8. i kindof want to see Batman
9. there have been 4 earthquakes from Cali all the way up this week alone
10. the tsunami warning sent idiots to the beach to take pictures of the 'large, pretty wave'

I like life.
love katie

It's almost a done deal...

Well, we've decided to jump right in and start a married community house with Chris and Karli. We've been in limbo over a particular house that we found that's actually in the Village (we hadn't been able to find something we could afford there for months) and the landlord just got back to us this morning with the final thumb's up. We'll be moving somewhere between mid-July and early August. Things just worked out so perfectly as far as timing, location, price, etc. We're not naieve enough to think that we will always be able to anticipate the hurdles that will inevitably come from living in community, but we've been discussing it for the last several months and feel like it's what we need to do. We'll see, we sign the rental agreement tonight. We'll have to post pictures of the place soon. We're taking the downstairs and the Leonardo's will be up top. A big upside: fireplaces on both floors.

Newport



We're taking it easy at the free hotel that Katie's hook-up earned us in Newport, OR. Good times thus far, especially at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Much to report, but seafood beckons, so we'll follow-up soon. Until then, check out some new photos posted here.

inconsistency

I remember the days that I blogged every-other day or so. I'm not sure why those days are gone, but they are. Try as I might, I just can't push myself to make the time to jot down my thoughts for public scrutiny. Who am I kidding? I haven't done any writing of any kind lately and that does trouble me a bit. But I'll move on...

Things at work have been busy, but fruitful. Kate spent a week in Dallas with her fam, mainly to see big Danny walk the stage. We're proud of that kid. Great heart on 'em. I batched it while she was gone and managed to flood half of our apartment, but I made up for it by buying her a new car. I know, I'm a character.

In other news, we've been attending the Evergreen "Theology On-Ramp" pub discussions. Good stuff. Sometimes it's a small group, sometimes a bigger one, but it's been pretty fascinating to see things from so many different angles. We usually have people from all sorts of religious (or non, as the case may be) backgrounds, which seems to add some significant context to the group. I enjoy discussions that usually don't yield "pat" answers, which these have definately been so far.

Not much else to report. We're moving apartments within the next month or two due to the need to downsize. Katie's starting grad school on Monday and things will get a little tighter with only one income. It'll be a busy next few weeks, but we're off to the coast for a couple of nights after work tomorrow for a little calm before the storm. Big thanks to Bob at Katie's work for hooking us up with a few free nights at his bed and breakfast.

I'll try to be more consistent, but I probably won't. Sorry.