Potato Salad and other things

I just made my first potato salad. I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know if it's any good. But I put bacon in it just to make sure it will be edible.

We just read the first two books in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (well, I did. Trey is still working on the second). It's a bit like reading Monty Python, except the character and plot development are more thorough (or should I say, it has character and plot development---the characters are actually dynamic! yay!).

By the way, we borrowed these books from the Sauerweins; I still haven't broken my vow (much to Uncle Jim's chagrin). But, Uncle Jim, this should encourage you: Trey went to a youth leaders' conference these weekend and bought upwards of ten new books. We have a new stack!!

I have been fairly productive today, so I think I'll go see if I can do some leisure now.

Loss and Gain

Dearest friends and family, my friend Catherine is no longer suffering in this world. She will see earth again, but when it is new and free from bondage and when she has a whole body resurrected in righteousness.

Sometimes I wonder how time passes for those believers who have died and wait for the resurrection. Are they even bound by time? Does Catherine "wait" as we know it? If she does wait, it is in peace and in the presence of Jesus. What a gain for Catherine!

Please continue to pray for her family and many, many friends who experience loss now.

We wait for our time to gain. Lord Jesus, come!

Segway? I thought it was spelled "Segue"

Okay, my lesson is done, so I can post. 

What was I going to write about...? Hmm.

Hilary and I are fans of Arrested Development. We are on disc two of the second season; (so far, we think the first was better). Gob (pronounced "Job," like the Bible character), often travels around on a Segway in the series. It is a remarkable mode of transportation: zero emissions, goofy, fun, and expensive. 

Last night, Hilary and I went to see Iron Man. It was a great movie. I had a blast watching it. Hilary had a blast watching me watch it. In one scene Obadiah, Tony Stark's primary business associate, drives a Segway around the Stark Enterprises complex. Immediately Hilary and I thought of Gob from Arrested Development.

Well, I was talking to Matt Geisman in the library today, and being an avid A.D. fan, I mentioned the mode of transportation Obadiah used in the movie. Until then, I hadn't known the name of the thing. I was immediately motivated to search the internet for this product, and found it here. I also found the link to the one and only Segway retailer in the state of Mississippi, Gliding Easy, LLC, which happens to be about 2 miles from our apartment in Olde Towne Clinton, MS. [Edit:: There is a store in Tupelo, so this isn't the one and only. Thanks, Kurt!]

So I high-tailed on over to find this joint. Apparently, the "store" is a 7'x12' room across from the Judo dojo, where I used to train. Inside were 8 or so Segway models, but no people. I picked up a brochure and came home for lunch. Gliding Easy, LLC specializes in "glided" tours around Clinton, the Natchez Trace, and a few other locations. I couldn't find the price on any of the models there, and so I did a google search. 

The average price range for a new Segway is $4000-$6000. Yeah, that's a hefty sum for a fancy way of getting from one place to another. The battery life will take you 40 miles at up to 12.5 mph. They are also highly customizable. You can set them up as golf carts, offroad/camping transportation, and for public travel. There are even 2, yes two, police models. 

Part of me wants one for the novelty of it. Another part of me wants one because of the rising cost of gasoline. I could save a load over time in getting from my future home to my future church and back. The rest of me realizes that this is a wholly ludicrous proposition. Church members would certainly question the wisdom of a youth pastor with a $5000 toy scooter.

I want to post something new, but I have to write my youth group lesson first. It's on

MONEY!!!1!