Archive for: random life

Freeway Fast–a Spiritual Discipline

Life is so fast-paced in America. A friend of mine recently moves to Los Angeles and we talk about the differences between LA and the East Coast–especially life in Delaware. I won’t soon forget moving to Pasadena when in my twenties. After a life spent in Delaware and a few years in Pittsburgh, everything in LA moved at a much more frenetic pace. Driving out there, we quickly found ourselves on a freeway with 5 very yield signbusy lanes, I stayed to the far right. After a few years in California, I found myself keeping up with traffic in the far left lane. Then we moved to southern Maine. Few things can prepare you for that kind of culture shock. I vividly remember pulling onto the highway and nearly rear-ending someone who was stopping at a yield sign for no apparent reason. As I moved to the left and cruised by them, I stopped and thought to myself, “Why am I in such a hurry?” Living in LA had changed me more than I had realized. So, I moved to the right, slowed down and tried to settle into the slower-paced life in northern New England.

Life gets busier and busier. I find myself in such a hurry these days. Slowing down seems a dream, but I am taking one step toward a slower paced, more reflective life–a Freeway Fast. While driving on a limited access highway, I zip by barely noticing what lies to my left or right while my gaze is fixed on the bumper ahead of me. So, in order to slow down, I am avoiding highway whenever possible. For me, that means avoiding Route 1 and taking Route 13 when I head to Newark, Wilmington or all points north. (In order to not freak people out, when I’m with a group I am staying on 1.)

Some Observations
1. I drove back from Carlisle, PA this weekend and used 13 South instead of 1. My friend Paul and I, surprisingly, got home at about the same time. And I saved $4 in tolls! It makes me wonder if freeways are always faster or are we deceived by the feeling of speed as we travel faster while not getting there much faster.

2. I notice a lot more scenery and appreciate Creation. Driving is more relaxing, and I find that I enjoy the drive much more. I’m even thinking I should stop and take pictures more often.

3. Even though I’m not on the Freeway, at times I still have to calm myself down. My tendency is to still drive very fast and pass whenever possible so I can get where I’m going as fast as possible, instead of enjoying the moment.

4. It’s been said that the most counter-cultural thing a follower of Jesus can do is take a Sabbath. What does it say about us as followers of Jesus if we have such trouble slowing down even for a day–or 20 minutes off the freeway?! Like the fast pace of life in LA affecting me more than I realized, has the culture affected us more than we affect it?

Love & Friends on the Internet

A conversation with a younger friend yesterday made me realize that I’m old enough to remember when finding love on the internet seemed kinda creepy. As one of the early pioneers of internet love celebrates their 25th anniversary, I’m amazed at how our perceptions have changed. I spend a lot of time online and using the internet and social networking sites. I made a joke about xanga the other day and realized that many people had never even heard of it. (I think my account is still active out there somewhere.) I know few people today under 25 who would think that making friendships and finding the love of your life online is anything but normal and socially acceptable. The talk shows in the 80′s and 90′s that showcased people finding love on the internet seem a distant memory in a world in which I get “friend requests” and chat online with “friends” I’ve never met in person.

Going Amish

OK, my phone is about dead. The keypad on my Treo 650 is completely out. Occasionally it will revive itself, but it only lasts for moments. 2 years of very intense usage is bound to take its toll on any phone I suppose. (I actually went through 2 Treo 270‘s before this one—talk about old school!) Officially, I am nearly Amish—no phone, texting or digital calendar…
So, here’s my quandary…should I get another Treo or go back to a regular phone (& a pda)? I enjoy many of the features of the Treo, but find I use fewer features on it than I did when I used regular pdas (Handspring Visor Platinum and Palm m105). So, some of the things I must consider: weight, bulk, frustration of being phone-less and pda-less when broken …of course, I love how easy it is to text with a qwerty keyboard…

Some ideas for phones:
iphone (but who am I kidding? I’m on Verizon.), LG enV and Samsung SCH-u740.

This may seem like a trivial decision, but I’ll be stuck with it for 2 years or more…any suggestions?

Lunch with Spook

On Friday I had the privilege of having lunch with the legendary Spook Jacobs, who still holds a record in major league baseball. Ironically, another native Delawarean, Delino DeShields, tied this record. (Check out his stats.)I have wanted to meet Spook for a number of years, but it’s been an elusive meeting to arrange. I’d met his son, but never had a chance to meet him, even though he lives less than 20 minutes from me. Since he was meeting with my Dad, I stopped by in time to catch him–and have lunch at Hall’s–a Camden-Wyoming tradition. Why was he meeting with us? Like so many people in this part of Delaware–he’s one of my cousins. There may be six degrees of separation for Kevin Bacon, but in Delaware, we often only have one or two. I’ve been on the phone with people when I’ve realized that they were married to a cousin. It reminds me how connected all of us really are. And it makes me wonder if people would treat each other differently if we thought of everyone we see as relatives. So that guy who just cut me off? Maybe he’s my cousin…maybe I should give him more grace…maybe I should give EVERYONE more grace…

One great story Spook told, which will be in the book he’s writing on his experiences in baseball, is of a foul ball he hit in Texas. A young Texan girl had the misfortune of being directly in its way. By her own account, it knocked her out. Fortunately, it also led to her marriage to Spook. So, all things really can be worked together for good! It makes me wonder what’s the strangest way you’ve ever heard of meeting someone else–and maybe even getting married?!?!