The People....

Well I started today out right by getting into a wrestling match with the Bean. Well, not the whole Bean, but the steering wheel cover. The one that was on it was some strange vinyl material, and in the humidity it took on a texture similar to baby snot, so I decided to replace it. I headed to everybody's favorite place for low price and lower quality items, Wal-Mart. After hours of painstaking searching, I finally selected one of the three types of steering wheel covers and made my purchase. This baby was gonna be nice... tan fake suede, and extra thick, too. The women were gonna flock when they saw THIS on the Bean. I could hardly wait to put it on.

Once outside, I gleefully ripped the old one off and got to work. I slipped it on and started woeking it around the wheel. After about five minutes, it was 2/3rds of the way on, but stretched straight across from there. Hmmm.... that's odd. Being male, I naturally knew what would solve the problem; more power. I gave it a bit of a heave, and was greeted with a nice ripping sound.... Go wal-mart! I then headed back in to buy onew of the other two and give it another try. This one was black and ribbed, and rather flimsy. I knew right away no women would be flocking to this one... I got it 2/3rds of the way on, and ran into the same problem. Fortunately I had learned from the last one and knew better how to fix this; more power, applied slower. There are few problems that can't be solved with more power. Well after a few gentle heaves, there was no progress. Time for even more power. I gave it some havy tugs, and still nothing. Obviously this called for a different approach. I repositioned myself and prepared for even MORE power. Now I have to tell ya, I'm a strong guy. Had I been able to follow instructions, I'd hold the Tennessee state record for amputee bench press. I can lift about 320lbs, and still do 20 pull ups, wide gripped. There was no way this steering wheel cover was going to beat me. If it beat me, then the terrorists have won, and I certainly didn't want THAT. Finally after more power, and a few magical words, the cover slipped on and I beamed with pride. I think RTD maybe passed a little gas and went back to sleep. Everyone's a critic....

Well when I finally stopped to write the microbrewery story, I happened to run into an older man and we talked a bit. Being that we are both retired, you would think the talk would be about the best way to grow the grass on our lawns, how to keep the kids off it, or where to buy the best black socks and brown sandals, but alas that was not to be. Instead we talked first about how people today expect everything to be given to them. I tend to agree with this for the most part. I meet so many people (aside from this trip) who seem to feel they are owed stuff. Be it people who feel that tests are unfair because their grades aren't as high as they'd like, or people who sit at home jobless and complain that welfare isn't paying enough. We both talked about how we'd grown up poor, and he went on to tell me about how now he was a wealthy man from the metal business he was in. He then told me about his upcoming business venture, and how he figured he'd make another few million in that, too. Since I didn't ask if I could discuss it here, I won't say what it is, but i'll say this, it was a very original idea, and I'd be VERY surprised if it doesn't go like hotcakes. The truly amazing part though were his plans for the profits, which were to go to food for the poor programs, which I thought to be a very worthy cause. Not for those who refuse to do for themselves, but to those who try, and just can't get enough. he went on to tell me how he got the idea, which he said was given to him by the Lord in a dream. Now I must say, eight years ago I would have laughed, but today it sparked the memory of my own interesting story....

For many years I was an atheist. I no longer am, but in my late teens and early twenties, I most certainly was. Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means a puritan now, and I've had many people tell me they don't think "i'm a good christian." I usually reply by asking to shake their hand, and telling them that I am awed to meet them, because I never expected to meet the Creator in human form. This is followed by their confusion at WHY I'd say that, to which I'll reply that they must be God, for it is only he who is fit to judge me, at least that's what Christianity teaches last I checked. Anyhow, while I'm proud to be a Christian, and will happily talk to anyone who wants to hear, I make a point never to try to "sell" it. that being said, this is merely my story about how I came to be. Take it for what it is, but don't worry that I'm about to turn this into my daily prostelitizing blog.

As I mentioned, I once was an atheist. I knew all the arguments for how there was no God, and I actually felt bad for people who believed in "that guy in the sky." I would look around at all that is jacked up in the world, and see that as proof there was no caring creator. I viewed the whole "Jesus thing" as intricate fiction... nevermind that there is less evidence for the existence of Ghengis Khan, and NO ONE debates his existence... At least with Jesus there was a crucifiction site! Anyhow, back when I was a freshman in college, there were two things I aspired to be, either a doctor or a lawyer. This should be no surprise to anyone who has ever tried to argue with me. I was torn about whixh way to go, as they both seemed so appealing. I knew I'd be good at the law thing, but I enjoyed the medical stuff more. I was in a pickle, so to speak... Well one afternoon I was having lunch with my friend Aubree whom I was in the Guard with, and we were discussing career paths. We debated the merits of law and medicine, and they stacked up evenly. Finally at some point I made the offhand comment of "ya know, if there really was such a thing as 'God' I sure wish he'd give me a sign as to what to do. I don't want to waste four years in college trying to get to medical school, just to not make it." Well we continued on with our banter, and finally finished our meal. When we were done the server brought us our ticket and requisite fortune cookies (chinese food). Well I opened my cookie up to this fortune "You will have a promising career in the medical field." A burning bush and booming voice couldn't have been more tangible. Needless to say I found it hard to ignore the sign I'd just been given. I ended up keeping the fortune in my wallet for a few years, because most people said I was full of it when I told the story. Now it is in a safe box at home, where I won't lose it... I have to admit even that wasn't the point where I was a Christian, but it certainly served as the turning point. It took a bit longer before the transformation was complete, but I look back now and am amazed at my blindness back then. While I still have my dys of doubt, as we all do, I've seen so many things inthe last several years I am amazed that here are peope out there who don't believe in a God. Anyhow, I figured I'd share this story since this man brought it out of me today. I must say a large number of "coincidences" have already happened in just organizing this trip that I often feel there is influence greater than myself, or even RTD! Who knows.......

Anyhow, regardless of your faith, I hope you enjoyed this little excerpt from my life! Tomorrow I plan on making it to Badlands National Park in South Dakota, and from there, only the wind knows! If anyone has suggestions or offers of steak and helicopters, feel free to e-mail! Still hoping to hear from someone at the Apache factory there in Mesa.... I've seen your IP address.... Hehe.... Take care everyone, and enjoy the pictures of the vast Minnesota flatness!