The PBR rodeo was awesome!  It was a bull riding only event - it was crazy to think that anyone would want to try riding a bull again, after doing it once.  But, Abbie and I saw some great rides.  Sometimes 8 seconds is a long time.  We got to sit right behind the chutes, and it was interesting to see what they did to get ready.  About 6 or 8 guys would crowd around whoever's turn was next, helping with their glove, keeping the bull calm, assisting in whatever way.   The bulls are interesting too.  They (for the most part) are pretty calm until the chute is open, then go crazy (some twist one way, then the other), and then go back to their pens.  In the pens they look fairly placid.  I guess they know what their job is, and they do it well. 

Being at the PBR event was totally different than being in Portland, even though we were only 30 miles away.  There were so many less tattoos, at least of the hipster variety.  It's a totally different culture.  One that I like, though. 

As I was watching, I realized that I really wished I had a horse.  Then, I thought "You could have a horse, if you want one that bad."  So, maybe I will take riding lessons.  After tennis, of course.

I don't really write about serious things here much, but I've been thinking about them.  I don't want to waste my life.  I don't know how long my life will be, or what kinds of opportunities I will have in the future.  I want to use my time well, in a way that honors Christ as central, and most important.  In 2 Peter it talks about God supplying all we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him.  I want to know Him better.

I went to Flugtag today, along with about 80,000 other Portlanders.  It was incredibly ridiculous, which was a major part of its awesomeness. Wow.  Just imagine launching yourself, a giant object that will not fly, but that you'd like to have fly, and four of your friends off of a 30 foot dock, into the Willamette River, in front of thousands of screaming fans.  That's flugtag.  I'm not sure why it's a good idea, but it seems like it is.

Friends are visiting from out of town, which of course meant a trip to Powell's. We stayed for about two hours, which seemed perfect.  There were lots of teen girls there dressed as vampires for a book release.  I'm unsure why their parents thought that letting their daughters run around downtown in white makeup/black prom dresses was a good idea.  But, it was relatively entertaining, and the girls I spoke with were nice.  I found a copy of A Severe Mercy for only $2.95, and a book of essays by Wendell Berry, and a novel of his as well.  I've been meaning to check him out for some time, but always forgot his name - I definitely knew it had a W, but that's not particularly helpful when you're in a four story, block sized bookstore. 

I think about moving, sometimes, but the tasty coffee, and relaxed vibe of Portland would be missed. 

I got new tires today, too.  I thought that I would have to spend my entire economic stimulus check on them, but I'll have some left over.  Cool. 

I've been dreaming of having more space of my own lately.  So, I spent some much needed time going through old papers, and filing/tossing them, in order to use the space I have more wisely.  I need to bring some order to my bookshelves, and re-think some of my storage options.  The problem can't be too many books, I'm sure. 

It seems that my lightning fast metabolism is taking a little vacation.  I hope it comes back soon, because I don't feel like eating less.  Maybe I could woo it back with exercise?