One day at a time...

my song of the moment goes something like this...

The ribs of the umbrella
Have fallen apart;
The paper is also torn,
But with bamboo
Tied together.
Do not throw it away.
Though I
Also am torn,
Don't desert me.

this song, Kasa no Hone, by Anathallo is actually sung in Japanese and is a whimsical five minute melody that brings you from life to death through peace and back to joy all at once. It makes me feel like dancing and crying at the same time...what do you think about that? But it has such a strong message of hope and the human condition...and sung fervently by the boys in anathallo just bring it home. there are a few songs in this world that i could listen to over and over hundreds of times and never get tired of them. You wonder what they are? Even if you don't...they are:
"Steps and Numbers" - The Appleseed Cast
"Brennivin" - The Album Leaf
"Untitled #4" - From the () Sigur Ros Album
"Sweet Afton" - Nickelcreek
"Holland" - Sufjan Stevens
"Just Watch the Fireworks" - Jimmy Eat World
"Rooms and Gardens" - The Appleseed Cast
"Caves" - Jack's Mannequin
"He Woke Me Up Again" - Sufjan Stevens
"Poetry and Airplanes" - Teitur
"Coming to Life" - The Normals
"Early in the Morning" - Andrew Osenga
"These Times" - The Normals
"Konstantine" - Something Corporate
"If you don't, don't" - Jimmy Eat World

...and I'm sure the list could go on all night...I wonder what song you could listen to forever?

Life. Has been good lately. As far as the life of an unemployed job seeker looking for a change and worrying constantly that it won't come. I know that I have to rest in the fact that something is coming...but as I search, it seems to get darker...a good man once said that the search into the depths of yourself more often than not turns into utter darkness. Hear me right, not a bad darkness, but a darkness each of us would often rather forget is actually there. All this to say I have been enjoying the time that I've been given...and I'm trying to make the best of it.

I cleaned out the garage today, had a good chat with my neighbors, washed and cleaned the car, emailed a few friends, talked to my Dad who is nearing recovery every day, enjoyed my dog, made some scones, walked around downtown minneapolis, remembered how beautiful my wife was, prayed for strength and clarity, enjoyed the new jack's mannequin cd, watched the sunset and many other harmonious things you can pack into a day.

Currently I have applied for about 5 jobs that I'm actually looking forward to hearing about.
I've applied to be an aid in both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Public school systems, which sounds like a neat way to get in a the classroom and help out...I've applied to be a bike delivery guy for Peace Coffee, which means riding my bike around the Twin Cities with a trailer full of coffee and enduring the excellent conditions of the Minnesota seasons full-time. I've applied for a few non-profit volunteer coordinator positions around the Metro, which would be sweet to actually get to use some of the YouthWorks talents I have. I've also applied to be the program director for a new Minnesota Conservation Corp Youth Outdoors program which just basically promotes service to Twin Cities youth through the public school system. This is probably the one that I am most excited about the opportunities involved. Two observations, I need a new word other than which and it's weird to let the world in on my job prospects.

Is anyone else sick if political ads on TV saying all kinds of different things about our potential presidents Barack Obama and Sarah Pa...crap John McCain. I think advertising and the truth are very important to this election, but could how is the general public to delineate when they are presented as equal. I'm just tired of hearing an ad say something drastic and dramatic only to see the media hype it up and the candidate claim it as an untruth. It makes me hope that no one really gives those ads two cents worth of time...and it makes me hope that the general public would go out and educate themselves and make a conscious choice based on their own minds.

In other news...Siri and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on Monday. We went up north to Silver Bay and stayed in a friends house...enjoyed some local fare, hiked with our extreme dog Remy, climbed big rocks and played in the rain. We also watched Harry Potter and Baby Mama (actually not a bad movie, better than expected). It rained from about noon on Saturday until Sunday night so a few of our plans were dampened, but all in all an excellent weekend. We also got to celebrate with some of our favorite local Metro foods, like Maria's for a late breakfast (two words: corn pancake)...DQ for an ice cream cake...and Chipotle for a budget-friendly split burrito bowl with three salsa's and excellent company! An excellent culmination of a beautiful and indelible first year. Marriage, not what I expected...but definitely what I signed up for.

A short baking update before I make my exit...I'm sure you're all very interested in this part, but my muse has been my kitchen through these times of unemployment...so, from my kitchen:
-Peach/Blueberry Scones
-Maple Banana Scones
-Banana-Zucchini Bread
-Brownies
-Pillow Bread (kind of a cross between sweet bread and cornbread...wow good with soup)
-Banana Bran Muffins
-Zucchini Bread
-Chocolate Layer Cake

There's probably been more...anyone want to give me capital to start a bakery...thanks.

Questions of the day for you to pine over:
Rome or London?
Running Shoes, Pen, Headphones?
Mac or PC?
Favorite Breakfast item?
Why do mother's wait to get to WalMart to beat their children?

Wow...
Currently reading: "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola/George Barna
Currently Spinning: "The Glass Passenger" by Jack's Mannequin

Alright...another enthralling edition of my good ole bloggy blog.
I must say that I have thus far appreciated Jake's comment the most. I stand corrected.

Wanted to update you on what a typical day may look like as an unemployed male.

The most important of which includes two things. baking. and my dog.

I want to discuss with you the complexities I have continued to learn about concerning the use of whole wheat flours as it relates to creating bread from scratch. I have two test loaves here to prove the grand expanse of time I have been using to test two theories about whole wheat baking.







bread (a) bread (b)

note the grave changes between a and b. These are identical recipes...different shaped loaves...but still such different results. The only main difference was the amount of whole wheat flour being 1/2 cup greater in loaf (a), creating a much denser and less vibrant loaf. while loaf (b) was created with mainly white bread flour and has a much more full texture, more rise, and greater crumb quality...what depth of change here. (see how the mind can wander). I merely want to prove that their is no real way to make a normal french bread type loaf 'healthier' by adding at least half of the amount of flour as whole wheat. It just does not work. French bread by nature is meant to be sticky and full, with depth and a solid crust. This was not truly accomplished in either loaf...with more or less whole wheat...you just need to realize that adding whole wheat flour to something does not make it instantly healthy or a super food...nor can it adequately be substituted regularly and without abandon in most recipes.

Onto bigger and better things...my dog.
I want to give you a little expose' on my dog, remy. He is a piebald Boston Terrier. He is just about 5 months old...and provides the ultimate in companionship for my troubles when I am at home, full of self-reflection and searching for a purpose in life. Remy is the kind of dog who is there no matter what you need him for. You need a little guy to lay down beside you (or perhaps on you, more of the truth)...he's there. You need a little love in the form of excessive licking...he's there. You need a swift jog around the neighborhood...He's in. Seriously, this Dog is amazing! He's been everywhere with us...camping, hiking (up to like 5 miles without being tired!), sleeping, eating, playing...he's got such an even keel I can't get over it. My wife knew what she was doing when she invited this little canine into our lives. I want to give you two little excerpts from our latest installment of Remy shots.
here we caught him trying to be artsy...what a guy.


...and here he is, leading the pack as usual and looking distinguished as ever on the st. croix.




now it would be heinous of to leave this rare footage out...as we are talking about our dog and how he is just the man of the hour. I have to put this video up for all of you to enjoy...but let me warn you, it may be a little risky and only for ages 14+. Please don't think we're weird or we do this to our dog all the time...we were just having some fun...Just a disclaimer...



okay so i'll give this a day or so and see if people think this is appropriate...yikes.

Fields of possibility...

To show you the great extent of my tireless search for work in the last three weeks, I'm going to list a few of the ideas that have drifted in and out of my melon...It's easy, you just tell me what you think sounds the best or you can even make up a job for me...I'm just looking for feedback here...

Some considerations:
Monastery, becoming a man of the land.
Farmer
Baker
Chef
Church Music Leader
Food Bank Staff
Youth Outreach Program Guy
Youth Minister
Commando
Photographer
Professional Google Find Guy
Car Salesman
Real Estate Agent
Dog Whisperer
Janitor
School Para or Assistant
Horticulture
Whole Foods Market Employee
Landscaper

That's the list...amazing right...let the tide roll in.

Fun to learn...

Many people have been asking the incredibly pervasive question...'what are you doing with your time since your unemployed?' At first glance, a fair and honest question...perhaps a stark reminder of my current state of affairs. Unemployed. Am I truly classified as that...such a bright future as I walked down the aisle at Lincoln Christian College...truly, unemployed had never entered even the outer reaches of my vocabulary. I had always envisioned it so much differently.

I realize I am in a difficult field. People. Ministry to people. A degree in ministry some say to be a gift, and I thought so as well...but at this particular juncture it is proving to be more of a bump in the road. Why the struggle? Aren't all churches the same? Can't you just go out and get a job at any church with any staff in any location around the Cities? If only it were that easy.

You see, I'm not a tradesman. I have no 'skills'. I have two arms, two legs, charming whit, a restless heart and the ability to waste endless amounts of time dreaming. I can join no union, enter into no technological field and lack many elementary business skills. So, what's a guy to do...what else but document his relentless search for work and the ideas that come in and out of the head as the day passes. This is it, the adventure of one man and his dog...staying at home honing his domestic abilities and looking for work.