WORTH it

There are just those things that don't really make sense, that go against logic and most wisdom but are just worth it. Chris and I drove from 8p.m. Thursday till 6a.m. Friday to get more beach time at Vero Beach (roughly 1 hour north of Palm Beach). Roy and Ben left Friday morning early and after way too much traffic in that continuously congested Atlanta (6 hours from Knoxville--normally about 3.5!) then pulled into the driveway in Vero nearly 15 hours after leaving that morning. That gave us Sat and Sun together. We all left Monday morning for Charlotte and Knoxville. That kind of driving, gas prices, food money, etc. just doesn't make sense under the light of logic. But we operate under the light of friendship and knowing that light is fading as people are moving--some geographically and some personally--to new places.

It was a weekend full of great deep laughs, cards, Frisbee, cokes and coke black (not bad, actually), sun-burning, unnecessary cussing and pretty much making everything we could to be a competition of sorts.

In a word: worth-it

editor's note: I think if you hyphenate two words then it counts as one.

the end of a trip/the beginning of a journey

Easy fellas! I know what you are thinking, "Who's the hottie?" Well that is my sister so chill out, cool?! Yes only a few weekends ago the girl I have seen evolve with eloquence, grace, wisdom and beauty into a woman left the shelter of school. She graduated from UT with a degree in Psychology. Next step? Well she is first off to the North East on a road trip with a friend. Hmmm road trip? Where I have heard that idea before? After that she will be brightening lives in Oregon at Wild Horse Canyon. It's one of Young Life's many camps. She will be a year-long intern starting in September and will be doing a veritable cornucopia of jobs and be in a number of rolls. I'm very excited both for her and anyone she comes in contact with. She is truly top-notch. This is my sister and I'm so very proud of her. Way to go Leslie!

video travel blog

As many of you know I am moving to L.A. this summer. Well, I thought--in normal Bradley fashion--how can I maximize my effeciency. I am going all the way across the country seeing old friends and making new ones and trying to stay for free the whole time. I thought I'd bring a video camera and make my own travel-mentary. Then I thought about doing an online video blog that updates people regularly with what I've seen that day and what's going on. Then I thought about getting VW to sponsor me in this process. SO I've sent this following video and a letter both to VW corporate in MI and to their fantastic ad agencey (Crispin Porter + Bogusky) in Miami. We'll have to see what happens but I'm hopeful for something.

So this is the video

...two things I love...

There are tons of things I like to do but I really love (good) new music and movies. This week I just bought the new Snow Patrol CD, Eyes Open. I was going to list all the songs I like but just don't have that kind of time (incidentally I have time to type on a blog). BUT if you are to visit that music behemoth iTunes music store and download a few audiophillic delights then I suggest Hands Open to run to or work out to, Shut your eyes to drive to, or, The Finish Line to drink wine to.


Also this week I participated in MI:3. Normally I watch movies and often I go by myself. There is something beautifully akward about standing in line and then having to say, "I'll take one for..." It is also pretty freeing to just sit back and relax. Stay till the credits end or leave right at the end, whatever you want to do is cool. BUT this time not only did I go to MI:3 by myself but I think I was actually in the movie at some point. I really got lost in the action and characters and stuff. It's not winning an Oscar but it won me. J.J. Abrams brings his Alias touch in a very great way to this movie.Good movie and good times. See it.

It's a Southern thang...

I have been to very formal weddings. I have been to pretty laid back weddings. I have never been to a South Carolina wedding. Now for those of you who are not good with geography as it relates to style within the South, here is a quick lesson; Gingham and/or Seersucker clothing+bow-ties+ croakies = S.Carolina syle.

This wedding did not dissapoint in terms of anticipated style. Nathan Stratton and Ashley Berry (now Stratton) were married at 6:00 (ish) in the back yard of Ashley's parents' house. As I entered the fence gate, passing the requisite South Carolinian Palmettos (East Coast palm trees) I looked down the petaled aisles I could see the large gazebo looking across the pool that looked into the lake. It was a beautiful night to have a wedding. It was a great night of fun with friends and a great chance to send Nathan and Ashley off toward the horizon line of their future. Good times and good company on my trip down and back to boot. (also I got a new black ink cartridge for my printer b/c someone was throwing theirs away!)

This was a shot I took while sitting in the chair and lowering the camera and just snapping off a few shots. It's a neat perspective seen only by the ants and a guy who fell flat on his face walking down the aisle! (that didn't happen, though).

Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo is not only a holiday celebrated by those within the Latin communities across this great world we have. No, my friend. This day holds much more than the significance you will find at http://www.azteca.net/aztec/literat/Cinco.html. This holiday is also the day of birth of one fine Ms. Amy Holloway (note picture). This year we (nearly 23,000 people) gathered to honor this matron of love. I was invited and honored to participate in the festivities. The party was great, the guests were greater and yet greater still were the food and drinks (well not greater than the people but it just flowed). These are few pics snapped and bring a smile to my face. I hope they do to you as well.

Is it really worth it?

So after just getting my cell phone bill I started wondering if keeping in touch is really worth it. I have gone much further over my bill than ever should be legal. I looked over my past usage and wanted to share with you the "numbers."
30 days
2990 minutes (not my plan!!)
457 text messages (sent and received)
819 phone calls (placed and received)

You math majors would know that means I make roughly 27 calls a day at just over 3 min 35 seconds per call which means (on average) I'm using my phone almost 1 hour 40 minutes a day. All this while feeling like I must communicate additionally at roughly 15 texts per day.

Is it worth it?

My checking account doesn't think so, nor my grocery budget that just shrank considerably.

(it's not even that cool of a phone!)

...bittersweet

After nearly 60 clubs, 150-ish songs, 45-ish talks and roughly 120 games....I end my time as a Young Life staff person at Providence Day. These past three years have been incredible. I was not sure what ministry would look like in the realm of a private school. I was a bit nervous and didn't know what "types" of kids I would find.
I have been pleasantly surprised. PD has felt like a family in so many aspects. Going from house to house each week getting to know parents and kids alike will bring you quickly into the community of PD. I was shuttled into this community and have felt cared for and loved on in very large ways.
I have really fallen in love with these kids and find it tough to leave them. It is a great thing, however, to have so many of them behind me cheering me on. I am blessed to have friends like these guys and girls at Providence Day. These are few shots from Wednesday's club at the Lee's house.