The List

Lately, I feel like nothing important gets accomplished during the day, so, today I made a list.
That's right, a list.
The list has been my daddy today, and I am kicking butt and taking names. Before my parents get here tomorrow, I'm going to have accomplished more that the past two months combined. It's really amazing and inspiring.
Blogging, however, was not on my list, so I must go. But before I do, check out this AWESOME piece on architecture HERE.

Free Scones!!

So the Puyallup Fair scones have been touted for months. At the fair, there is always a line of 25 people of more waiting to pick up one of the $1.25 pieces of heaven.
I tried one. It was good, but... really? Was this what all the hype was about? It tastes like a biscuit with butter and jelly. Maybe I'm a pastry snob, but as far as I'm concerned, people have been getting hyping up something a little too average.
Anyway.
Tonight at the World Vision exhibit, traffic was a little slow. I always enjoy getting to know new people, so I kicked off the evening by visiting our neighbor's booth, which happened to be an Islamic center. Upon getting back to WV, I realized that I wouldn't mind getting some food, but didn't really want to pay.
The night before, I had met a couple people from the Young Life chicken teriyaki wagon, and had managed to get some free food with a frisbee swap. I decided to pay them a visit again tonight, with my partner in crime Garrett. We walked up, but after seeing that most of the employees had a y-chromosome, figured we would be out of luck. They were good sports though, and swapped some more WV schwag for two plates of rice, teriyaki, and salad. We felt good about this.
Our pie neighbors came into Africa a few minutes later, and we realized that this would also be a good connection to have. We talked to them a few times in the exhibit, trying to make them feel as welcome as possible. When they where leaving, I offered some WV pens, glowing bracelets, and WV visors. Two of the girls eagerly accepted, but one turned to me and told me she'd rather save the money and use it to the kids benefit... ouch.
Battered but not defeated, we decided to take our friendmaking to the scone wagon, the holy grail of the Puyallup Fair. Feeling rather ambitions at this point, Garrett and I took two frisbees and a half dozen glowing bracelets. We walked up with big grins, asked what they where doing with their beautiful hot scones, and offered a swap for some awesome WV schwag. They all looked around for a minute, as if looking for approval, than one girl handed us a huge bag full of at least 13 or 14 scones. Hot, tasty, FAMOUS scones. These where worth their weight in gold. You don't even understand.
Since we are Christians, we shared them with our newfound Young Life friends and coworkers. It was a sort of investment.
My take away: What an awesome evening. A few cheap plastic toys helps us kill some very slow time, build some new friendships, and also fill some hungry tummies. It's all about who you know, and how you approach them...

The Traveling Minister

There's a little bakery a few block from my apartment in Tacoma called Corina Bakery. It has a modest exterior, with a big window and church benches and long tables for dining. The WiFi and cranberry orange scone is what attracted me here today.
I've been sitting here for quite a while. The to do list included applying for jobs, catching up on email and other social devices, and reading the news. Nothing too crazy. Someone sent me a link for a "flash mob" in downtown Seattle that was pretty entertaining. All together a really relaxed afternoon.
A few minutes ago, an older gentleman in a bright green fleece, hunter green pants, and a red Tacoma Rainiers cap came and sat next to me. Not being the introverted type, it didn't take him long to tell me hi, with a big smile, and begin to tell me about his soup. Apparently its much hotter in the plastic cup than in a ceramic bowl. It needed to be eaten before the Mariner's game at 3:30.
Our conversation was intermittent. A couple of dogs (and their owners) came in, which immediately grabbed his attention. There was a little boy with a big white bear behind us, and he would turn around and comment on it every few minutes.
When we were talking, I found out that he was a traveling minister. He worked at the local Education Opportunity Center to fund his ministry. "Could you help me with the wrapper?" That part of conversation was over. The scone was wrapped too well for his trembling hands to manage. It was almost wrapped too well for me to get though. I managed though, he offered me half, I declined.
Almost immediately he turned back toward the boy and started singing to him "Praise Jesus, He loved the little indian boy...". He questions more about the boy, and his parents said they didn't know if he would be an evangelist, and yes, he does have beautiful eyes.
"Well, I've gotta get home to watch the Mariners game. Yippi Yai!" Was his farewell bid. He wished me well. He gave the dogs another scratch and then he was gone.

 Life seems to go a bit slower in little cafe's. Maybe that's the appeal. Cities are cool, and the hustle of activity has it's appeal, but life is all about the details. The traveling minister, the future evangelists, the community here at the Corina Bakery.