Backpacking: Getting Started
One of my joys has been introducing people to backpacking and wilderness experiences. I have seen a wide range of reactions. I have seen some people who just couldn’t adjust. They were just too used to climate controlled environments, were scared of wild life, hated … “Backpacking: Getting Started”
Read MoreOutdoors in the Winter
In my youth I regularly went camping in extreme cold weather (e.g. daytime high 0F at best, howling winds, even colder nights). Most of my recent experience has been has been in more temperate winter conditions, e.g. lows between 0F and 20F, days 10-35F. I … “Outdoors in the Winter”
Read MoreEnvironments for Teaching Kids to Program
My ten year old daughter asked me to help her learn to program. It’s not that she’s interested in computer science, it’s that she knows that programming is required to create games and other things that she has imagined. I investigated a multitude of languages … “Environments for Teaching Kids to Program”
Read MoreVisiting Northern California
The following recommendations I have given friends from outside northern California who were planning a vacation here. Northern California Best Places has a lot of other ideas, though it’s a out of date now. These days you can get a “look” at many places through Google … “Visiting Northern California”
Read MorePurpose in Life
Libby and I were recently talking about a women she sees each week. Last week the women noted that Libby’s life seems different from hers, and that when Libby prays it seems like God is right there. This women has faced a lot of difficult … “Purpose in Life”
Read MoreSykes Hot Springs
Sykes Hot Springs is one of my favorite places to take first time backpackers who are reasonably fit. The destination has some nice hot springs and a trout filled stream. The hike is pretty. The trip is long enough that people have a sense they … “Sykes Hot Springs”
Read MoreBalloonBed Review
Review Item: BalloonBed Original Sleeping PadManufacturer URL: http://www.balloonbed.com/Manufacture Year: 2005Listed weight: 100g (3.5 oz)Weight as delivered: 85 g (3oz) + .7g (.2 oz) for a night of balloonsMSRP: £18.95 GBP (~US$38 depending on exchange rate) Description Brownish green fabric holster to hold balloons, small sack made from … “BalloonBed Review”
Read MoreWhat is Percent of Naked?: Patagonia on Technologies and Testing
The following was Patagonia’s response to some questions about materials and testing which was posted in 2005 to a public forum. Most of this article matches my personal experience and still seems valid today. Mark Verber Innovation, that steamroller of change, has, over the past five … “What is Percent of Naked?: Patagonia on Technologies and Testing”
Read MoreThe Cellular Church via The New Yoker
I enjoyed the article The Cellular Church which takes a look at Saddleback Church and the small groups that power it. Gladwell s known for the books “Tipping Point” and “Blink”.
Read MoreWhy Do Many People’s Faith Drift After College?
For the last twenty years I have spent a portion of my time each week working with college students at my church. I have generally found the college students’ faith vital with a great interest in making a difference in the world. I have watched … “Why Do Many People’s Faith Drift After College?”
Read MoreImprove the human condition? Start with the mind and spirit
Today I read a blog posting of my friend Ed on Positive Psychology and Authentic Happiness. His posting got me thinking. In the last few years it seems like a lot of clueful folks have concluded that the best way to improve human-kind’s lot is … “Improve the human condition? Start with the mind and spirit”
Read Morenew job: metaweb
At the end of July I quit working for Tellme fulltime and starting consulting with a number of companies. The plan was the consulting to be a short term thing until I was able to get a company started with a friend. Long story short, … “new job: metaweb”
Read MoreRenovare Conference
This past weekend I attended a Renovare conference hosted by MPPC. The primary presenters were Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Richard Foster. It was a lot of fun to watch these three men teaching and interacting together. You could tell they held each other in … “Renovare Conference”
Read MoreBusiness is the Way to Address Poverty
Many people are aware of the excellent work done by the Grameen bank. They have pioneered micro loans as a way to fuel economic development. A new twist to this is http://kiva.org which is attempting to link donors to the people who are taking the … “Business is the Way to Address Poverty”
Read MoreWhy People Leave their Jobs
The The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave, Leigh Branham suggests that while most managers think their employees switch jobs for better pay, that better pay is rarely the primary reason people switch jobs. Most people want to feel Trust, Hope, Worth, Competent. When they have trouble finding these things, they will often seek new opportunities. The seven reasons listed in the book are:
Read MoreBear Bags
Backpackers have to protect their food against animals while they sleep. In most parts of the country correctly hanging food in a bear bags can be effective. Unfortunately bags won’t protect your food in locations with habituated bears whose response to backpackers is “Great, I get another treat filled … “Bear Bags”
Read MoreLessons from Dad
As I reflect on my father’s life, and can’t help but be struck by what a powerful influence he was on me. I fear that while my adolescent rebellion against him was mild, it was long lived. It took me a long time to see … “Lessons from Dad”
Read MorePacking & Traveling Light
My wife and I went on a multi-week trip to Xinjiang China to help a non-profit organization. Both of us took a carry on sized travel pack which held everything needed. This permitted our two check-through bags to be filled with educational materials that we … “Packing & Traveling Light”
Read MoreCable Nonsense
How much difference do cables make? My experience and several experts listed below is “not a lot”. I participated in a blind A-B test which compared a $1.50/meter 12 gauge speaker cable from a hardware store and a number high end audiophile cables that cost … “Cable Nonsense”
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