Go Asheville

I stumbled upon this. Good in lots of ways, but left out so much. Only goes to show that you need more than 36 hours in Asheville.

NY Times: 36 Hours in Asheville

Weather

On the iphone, you can set the weather application to give you current temperatures and forecasts for whichever cities you program. At 9:09 this morning, here were the current temperatures:

Asheville, NC - 12F
Hendersonville, NC - 12
Atlanta, GA - 21
Anchorage, AK - 12
Homer, AK - 24
Bend, OR - 32
London, United Kingdom - 36

We are as cold as Anchorage, ALASKA! Even more impressive is that the sun is up here. It is still dark and 5:09AM local time in Alaska.

The weather guys predict that our cold snap may last up to two weeks. There is a good chance highs won't be above freezing for the next week. Normal if you are from Fargo or Buffalo, but not for the deep south.

Ashevillians

Last week, a bunch of us were at the Pharr's annual White Santa Christmas party. As always, a good time was had by all conversing with one another, eating treats and stealing presents. The last thing we did was gather around the computer and watch a slideshow of ourselves through the years. This particular circle of friends has expanded and contracted, but in many ways remained the same (at least in heart):

The Love of Jesus

Just some observations on how awesome the followers of Jesus are and what an amazing job they do of being Christ-like.

1) The War on Christmas - CNN article: Heated debate again over 'War on Christmas' claims

- Maybe I am weak in my faith when I don't find it a big deal that other people celebrate Christmas differently than I do.
- Maybe I am too secular and liberal when I acknowledge that Happy Holidays could include something other than Christmas: Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Years, and Festivus (yes, there will be an "Airing of Grievances" as part of my holiday celebration).
- Maybe there are things more important to me than the semantics of the holiday/Christmas season.
- Maybe I SHOULD be more offended that my very faith, the birth of my Savior, is being marginalized by the masses.
- Maybe I am just crazy to think that Jesus, who I truly believed walked on water, healed the lame, raised the dead, turned water to wine, gave the blind sight and conquered death, is big enough to take care of himself.

2) Citizen-Times: Asheville councilman atheism debate goes viral: Cecil Bothwell gets wide audience

In case you don't want to click the linky, here's the synopsis: Asheville elects Cecil Bothwell to city council. Cecil Bothwell is an atheist (actually, he calls himself "Post-theist"). NC Constitution has a provision barring atheist from taking office. Some within the community want NC to uphold this clause (despite the fact that the US Supreme Court would not uphold it-- federal laws trump state laws). Thanks to the attention brought, big hoopla follows and Asheville's city council election becomes talked about across the country in various outlets.

There are some within our country who hope for a theocracy. Saudi Arabia and Iran are theocracies and things seem to be working out really well there. Oh, but they're Muslim states.

Yeah, I forgot how glorious Christian theocracies were in the papal states of the Holy Roman Empire. There was no corruption, abuse of power and trying to convince the masses that the sun revolved around the earth. Remember, the Act of Supremacy (1534) made Henry VIII the head of the English Church. That worked out well for his six wives. The Puritans, who ironically fled England for religious freedom, even more ironically established a theocratic state in which there was no religious freedom. Not Puritan? Move on to New Amsterdam or down south to Virginia. Roger Williams fled Puritan Massachusetts and established Rhode Island-- a colony founded on the principle of separation of church and state. That colony became a haven for the persecuted, such as Quakers and Jews.

-----------------------------------------

For good reason, I'm not Jesus. Sometimes, however, I try to put myself in his shoes-- er, sandals. Remember, I'm not Emmanuel, God with us, the King of Kings-- but if I were, I think I would not be so harsh on those who do not see the way I do. Truly, I might try to hang out with them. Maybe see if they wanna get coffee at the Dripolator or Black Bear.

But I'm not Jesus...

Merry Christmas!

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
John 4:9

13 Pennies

I spent the last week with the Grace Youth on our local mission trip. For various reasons, the summer mission trip right in our backyard. We might not have traveled to Dalton, Georgia, New Orleans or Houston, but we might have made a larger impact on the kids who participated.

Go to my flickr page for photos of the trip.

We had many projects including Manna Food Bank, Asheville Greenworks, the local Women's Mission, the homeless Veterans shelter and a retirement home. Every morning, we started at the Presbyterian Home For Children. It takes in children who do not have parents or, because of circumstances, cannot stay with their parents. The PHFC attempts to give hope to children who otherwise would not have much hope.

In 1904, when Perry Smith, who was orphaned at 12 and grew to be a Presybterian minister, was given charge to start an ministry for orphans in Western North Carolina, the issue was raising enough money to begin and sustain the ministry. Hazel Johnson, just a child, came forward from the back of the room and asked if what she had was enough to get them started. It was 13 pennies. With that humble gift, the elders were committed to building the orphanage and the Presbyterian Home for Children gets its start.

It's never about how much you give, it's about the heart of your gifts. Whether it is tithing to your church, Christmas presents or your beloved's birthday, the love that accompanies the gift should and will be more valuable than the gift, no matter what it may be.

^{Mark 12:41-44
41}Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.

⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Sunday Observations - May 17

- This is the last Sunday Observations. I am afraid I am getting too routine. Also, I don't feel so creative. Future blog entries will be more random and less predictable. Keep checking back and thanks for reading.

- Most of the last week was consumed with preparing for the Regional Track Meet which we were hosting again. All week I was worried about rain. The morning was cloudy. The rest of the day was a rotating mixture of clouds, bright sun and light rain. The light rain was actually nice, it cooled things off and made for pleasant conditions. The meet was running very well.

And then 5:00 hit. We were in the middle of the boys 3200 with only the girls and boys 4x400 remaining when we were greeted by thunder and lightning from above. We had to stop the 3200 mid-race and move everyone inside our cafeteria. The rain came with the thunder and lightning and we delayed the meet until almost 7:30. At that time, we returned outside and finished what was left of the 3200 and the 4x400s.

- Ten years ago, we would have finished the 3200 even with lightning around us. Not anymore. In the interest of safety (and to avoid potential litigation), the rules are strict. No competition at the sight of lightning or the sound of thunder. You may resume after 30 minutes from the last lightning. Every time there is new lightning or thunder, the clock starts over. About twice, we were 15 minutes from starting and then new lightning. It was frustrating.

- My team finished 6th. Qualified Ty in the 100, Catie in the 800 and 1600 and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

- Quote of the Week I:
"Coach Uy, were you born in the 40s or the 50s."
This was a serious question one of my students asked me while doing independent work. Obviously, I am not aging as well as I had previously thought.

- Quote of the Week II:
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." - CS Lewis

- North Carolina this week passed a ban on smoking in most indoor public places. I abhor smoking. I hate going to places that make me smell like an ashtray when I leave. The one thing a person can do that will make them instantly unattractive to me physically is to smoke.

After NC's smoking ban, bars brace for uncertain times

I do, however, believe that private businesses that do not allow children (ie bars, nightclubs), should allow smoking if they choose. They can also choose to not allow smoking. Adults should be able to decide for themselves what they want to do with their business and their health. I usually prefer not to visit Hannah Flannagan's at night because I reek when I leave. Westville Pub, a non-smoking bar, is one of my favorite places in Asheville to eat, drink and meet friends.And to the bar owner in the article linked above, Westville and Jack of the Wood are both non-smoking. Walk by there any evening and they are also both full of customers. If you have a good product, people will come. Give me a clean and fun atmosphere, good food and drink, friendly service, good music and my friends and I'll be there.

Crush of the Week:
After the retirement of Dan Marino, the face of the Miami Dolphins belonged to two individuals: Zach Thomas (54 below) and Jason Taylor (Number 99). Both players, who happen to be brother in laws, moved on to different teams last season: Thomas with the Cowboys and Taylor to the Redskins.Jason Taylor spent last season underacheiving. Some of it was due to a calf injury. Some because of a new defensive scheme that did not take advantage of the skills of the 6 time Pro Bowler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Part of it, I like to believe, is because he missed Miami. He would fly home every week to be with his family who stayed in South Florida.

Now, JT is home! Sometimes players tell you it's not about the money and you know it's not true. Jason Taylor signed one year for 1.5 million. That's a lot for me, but a mere penance for a former Defensive Player of the Year. He could have signed a one year deal with lots of teams for more than that. He walked away from 1 year, 8.9 million dollar contract that he could have signed with Washington.
I truly think it's not about the money. I believe he wants to be close to his family and home. He wants to continue to work in the community in South Florida through the charities he supports. And he wants to retire as a Miami Dolphin. When I read the article, I was elated! Dancing, singing, whooping elated.

Bharatanatyam

243/366 - 31 Aug [Arangetram]
Originally uploaded by heanguy

North students Gopali and Neerali had their Arangetram this evening at the Diane Wortham Theater in Asheville. It is a sort of like a graduation recital for the classical style of dance, Bharatanatyam, that they have been studying and perfecting for years.

The performance was quite amazing and it was really neat to be invited to a special evening. The cousins had about 200 relatives in from all over the place so for me to be included meant a lot. I also got a yummy dinner of Indian food after the performance.

Home

"There's no place like home". You've heard it before. It's so cliche. That being said, I love my home. I think that Western North Carolina is an amazing place to be. If you have never had the chance to fly over the mountains of Western North Carolina, then you may not understand why I've heard visitors from out of state refer to this area as "God's Country".

I've lived in Hendersonville, NC off and on for a long time. I knew in college that I would want to return to teach in the mountains. And I still love it here. There have been a lot of changes, and some I have not been a huge fan of, but it remains a great place to call home.

So here is a list of some of the things I most love about my home. Add your favorites in the comments below:

1) 4 Seasons- though winter has been light on the snow the last few years, I still get to experience four distinct and renewing seasons.

2) Running into people I know- yes, the area is growing, but I still see someone I know almost everytime I go out in Hendersonville, Asheville or even Pisgah

3) Big Rock, Cove Creek, Reasonover Creek, Fletcher Creek, Sidehill... some of my favorite biking trails anywhere! Nothing is better than collecting scars with Matthew J or trying to keep up with Dylan.


4) Golfing with the boys at Connestee or High Vista. Seeing wildlife at Connestee is always great too. My negative 40 yd second shot on number 9 is infamous. Also, 2 for 1 at Red Fox!

5) Riding my bike to Saluda, stopping at the Purple Onion and climbing up the Greenville Watershed. Great ride, except for Heartbreak Hill at mile 27. Emily B knows which hill I am talking about.

6) Breakfast with Hart at the Dixie Diner. I get the omelet. This is how I imagine being an old man is: breakfast with my buddy, reading the paper and talking about nothing.

7) Rainbow Falls on the Horsepasture River. Summer days at Bust Your Butt Falls is unbeatable. Matter of fact, just about any swimming hole in Pisgah/Dupont/Nantahala is perfect in July and August.


8) Sunday Ultimate (sometimes substituted by kickball or wiffleball). I like to watch John M jump. I don't like to guard Brent.

9) Parties with themes or crafts (and always good friends). Always some good food and maybe Jessie F makes chili.


10) Grace Community Church and Watershed Youth. Crudwar, "flyers", cramming Middle Schoolers into a charter bus bathroom!



11) Dolly's Dairy Bar at the entrance to Pisgah Forest. Perfect post-ride indulgence!

12) Camping and biking at Turkey Pen along the serenity of the South Mills River. The abandoned tent always brings me back.

13) North Henderson Knights Wrestling and Track and Field (who's participants have kept me here all these years).

14) All these places are less than 2 hrs from my house: Tsali, Mt Mitchell, Deep Creek, Caesar Head, Biltmore, Grove Park, NOC, National Whitewater Center, Green River, Cold Mountain, Hot Springs, Boone, Chimney Rock.

15) Live music on Main Street or at the Orange Peel, Grey Eagle, Jack, Westville...

Now what are some of the things you love about Hendersonville, Asheville and western North Carolina?