Wondering Where The Lions Are

I've Moved!

2008-11-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

I'm now using wordpress! My new blog, which is a continuation of this one, is at: http://thelions.wordpress.com/

GO THERE! IT'S COOL.
Rich

My Typical Day

2008-11-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

• 7:15 AM - Kids get up.
• 7:18 AM - Kids fight over cereal.
• 7:19 AM - I get up, fight kids.
• 8:45 AM - Helicopter picks me up.
• 9:30 AM - I fight freedom haters.
• 12:40 PM - Lunch: Lean Cuisine and Cheetos.
• 3:30 PM - Catch and release Osama with Tanks help.
• 5:30 PM - Misc rec. time.
• 11 PM - Go to bed.

Look At This!!

2008-11-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

I searched for "Richard Nile" in google and came across this website on the second page! I couldn't believe that someone would post my HS running times on the internet.

Nick Wins

2008-11-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

This shot was inspired by my old friend Nick "Jack Hammer" Gates.

Classics

2008-11-02T22:17:00.000-08:00

I was looking back over the photoshop work that I've done over the past 4 years and thought I'd share some highlights.

SO GOOD.

2008-09-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

Watch this video of the Oregon Duck.

PIR Anyone?

2008-09-15T12:05:00.001-07:00

I really, really, want to be a professional race car driver (see above). It is really all that I think about. So if you are a professional driver, or you know one, please tell them to drop me a line.

Good Advice

2008-09-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

Go Here:

2008-08-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.freerice.com/index.php

For every question you answer correctly, poverty.com will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.

Please Snow

2008-08-17T20:34:00.001-07:00

Sting: Still better than your favorite rapper

2008-08-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

I have got the worst case of cabin fever you've ever heard of. Word to the wise, don't spend a week couped up in your apartment. I realized that things had gone a bit far when I started making up dance moves. I'm not 7 anymore, it just wasn't working. Anyway, I've been going on lots of walks, it's introspective.
Some goodness from 1 Peter: After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Even more goodness from 30 rock: Never go with a hippy to a 2nd location.

Happy 4 Month Anniversary Baby!

2008-07-31T21:54:00.001-07:00

Very Fine Indeed

2008-07-30T21:50:00.000-07:00

Yes

2008-07-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

I have learnt that it takes a proud man to say he needs nothing. Faith gives me a strong backbone and when we find that within ourselves we can then live more exciting, effective, kind, passionate and giving lives. Life has a meaning again. It doesn’t though make life easier in any way, and I still battle with my fair share of struggles and doubt and often great self-doubt, but that is just the product of trying to stretch beyond the norm and to live life fully.
~Bear Grylls

PEACE CORPS

2008-07-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

I've just been recommended for service by the Peace Corps! The application process becomes a paperwork process! My recruiter thinks I'll be teaching English, probably in Africa!

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth...
Who keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.
For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined...
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His loving kindness from me.
~Psalm 66

Lazy Sunday

2008-07-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

The thick of summer is rapidly approaching. That magical time of year when it is hot by 9 am and everybody is making every effort to stay lazy and cool.
I really want to go back East; maybe visit Boston, New York, Martha's Vineyard. A summer vacation through the summer states. Sit out and watch movies in the park, sail around the bay, watch some baseball, you know the type.
The last two months have just flown by! It seems like every year goes along faster than the last.
Anyway, life is good. God is good. Enjoy the heat.

Having A Good Time

2008-06-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'm graduating on Saturday! You're invited.

It's The Heart That Matters More

2008-05-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

I've started the application process for the Peace Corps. I'm really excited by the opportunity to serve and this seems like the best avenue for that sort of work...
More to come soon...

Bonus

2008-04-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

It's Monday. I'm struggling with things. This should be a journal entry. Except I don't like journaling. I need to stop being so introspective. I've got a great life. Great family. A dad who I can rely on. A grandma who'll talk politics with me. A mom who pays for my IRA. I've got all of my limbs. People in my life that will feed me. Go ski with me. Play squash with me.
Jeremiah 17:7 says "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose trust is the LORD." Trust in all things. Not just the easy ones. Nothing is beyond God's scope.
For my part, the words of Bruce Russell:
A win's a win. A loss is a loss. But no matter what you better come with it or don't come at all.

That's the good word.

Treading Water

2008-04-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

So many times I find myself putting my faith in things other than my faith. Today is no different. In my quest for self-assurance I rely on things that I know will never fully satisfy and while my intentions are good, these things don’t work. This is especially true of my work. I place a great deal of importance upon my accomplishments while forgetting that they may not be a real measure of who I am.
I found this great verse in 2 Corinthians: If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness (11:30).
I really need to work on finding worth not in works or in people but in God.

Tubesocks and Sweatpants

2008-03-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Those are two funny words. In fact, most words are funny.
Anyway, check this out: Luke 12:25, And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?
So true. And it gets better: Luke 12:29, And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
So much goodness...

Go Team!

2008-02-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking longterm lately. I want to buy a house. I've opened a Roth IRA, which, if you haven't done, you should. Trust me on this one.
I think it's probably because I'm graduating soon and I feel inclined to plan ahead. As great as college has been, I'm really, really looking forward to being part of the real world. It's probably because I've been so involved with work these last few years.
Anyway, I'm pumped. If only because a house means I'll have a place to park Katie. And an IRA means that at some point I'll be able to buy a track car.

Still At It

2008-01-29T22:42:00.000-08:00

Still wondering .
Still wondering what to do after I graduate.
Still wondering where my life is taking me.
Still thinking.
Still thinking about all the things that make a person content.
Still thinking about my grandparents and how to end up like them.
Still hot headed.
Still hot headed and overconfident.
Still hot headed and working on it.
Still wondering.
Still wondering where the lions are.

January is for lovers.

2008-01-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Birth-year Katie! My sweet, beautiful, insightful BMW turns 25 this year! I'm pumped to own a classic BMW and can't wait to pour money into it. For those of you who own a new, worry-free, rust-free, no-stress car, Congratulations. Someday you too will understand the love that is possible between a person and their car. Until then, enjoy pumping your own gas and paying too much for insurance. Oh and if you see me in a cloud of smoke by the side of the road, it probably means I need a hand. Thanks (in advance).

If I Had A Million Dollars:

2007-12-22T22:21:00.000-08:00

I'd buy you a green dress*
I'd buy you some art (A Picasso or a Garfunkel)
I'd buy you a monkey
I'd buy you a house
I'd buy you furniture for your house
I'd buy you a K-Car
I'd buy you a fur coat*
I'd buy you love

*But not a real green dress or fur coat that's cruel

12/01!

2007-12-01T13:50:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad it's December.

So glad.

Oh the shame!

2007-11-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

I just had one of those humbling experiences where you go to do something you think you're good at and you do it wrong. I went to rock climb with Nick (see kristiandnick.blogspot.com) and prior to the climb was asked to demonstrate that I had a proper understanding of rock climbing. It was going alright and then I botched the belaying bit by taking my right hand off the rope (the shame, oh the shame). It's funny because I've been climbing for over a decade! I've got a rope! I should know better! Suffice to say, it was (and still is) rather embarrassing. It's also a good reminder that a bad habit is easy to pick-up. I've sat through enough lectures about belaying at summer camps and high adventure courses, that I should know better than to be lazy about climbing. Yet here I am, writing this when I could be on the wall.

Sometimes life's lessons are hard to find.

Sometimes they're crystal clear.

This is one of those later ones: I might think I know best, but that doesn't mean I actually do.

Also, practice makes perfect, and, don't get nervous during a test you hadn't really planned on taking, you'll end up really embarrassed and then probably blog about it.

Hot Fairy-Tale Classic

2007-11-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

It's been a while. My Macbook has been, and still is, very sick. Moreover, I'm starting to think that it is doomed never to recover. Life.
Anyway,
It's the day after Thanksgiving. I'm reading The Princess Bride, which if you've never read, I'd highly recommend. Becca would too. Joel would just tell you to watch the movie. Seriously, it's mostly about sword fighting and growing old. No-brainer, right? Sure, but enough of the book review.
I'm really just stoked to have a super supportive family. I'm graduating in June and that's stressful, but lately I've stopped worrying about the details and instead started focusing on the big picture. The puzzle pieces are on the floor, and they're meant to fit together and that's what matters. That realization, that's something to be thankful for and I'm positive that it wouldn't have come to be without a little help from my parents.
Mom and Dad, thanks. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to repay you for all your hard work, but I'll try.

My Blog Is Saving The Planet

2007-11-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Is the black background annoying? Maybe. Is it hard to read? Sort of. Is it unconventional? Sure. Is it saving energy because your computer screen doesn't have to display color? YES. Does this in turn save the planet? DEFINITELY. As you can see, Wondering Where The Lions Are, is setting the bar, again, for bloggers everywhere. Good work, ME.

Tomorrow

2007-11-13T23:10:00.000-08:00

I think that like most college students, I spend a lot of time worrying about the future and whether or not I'll be successful. Tonight someone asked me what sort of politician I'd like to be and I smartly answered "the president." She then asked me what else I wanted, and I told her that "I'd like to be rich." But that's not really true and in fact neither is the president bit. I really would love to be content; the problem is that I'm not so sure of is how I'm going to get there. There is this fear of mine that I might not make it and it grows as graduation approaches. The truth is that I don't know how to be successful as I get older and in reality, I hope that my experiences will lead me down that road. My Faith life gives me courage, but I can't help but wonder what is in store for me... ... ...It's too bad I can't fast forward 20 years.

Be Good

2007-11-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

People are hurting around the world tonight. Love one-another. Give eachother grace and compassion. It'll go further than you think.
-I'm off to the library.
--Someday I'll make a long post.

Know What You've Got Before It's Gone

2007-11-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

My battery is almost dead (I've got 4 minutes), so here it goes...
I was thinking this morning that all to often I'm more worried about where or not something is going well, or is good, that I don't realize how good it actually is. Something else to work on...

Like the fella once said:

2007-11-08T15:50:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my first post. I had an old blog called Magazine Days which I was unable to recover, so here we are with this new one! The title will be explained later, but for now, it has to do with an old Bruce Cockburn song. Anyway, more to come!