Advent Conspiracy

I hope you take the chance to watch the video I posted below. It's called Advent Conspiracy. Its the creation of several churches across America. The goal: get people to spend less on expensive Christmas gifts and more on things that truly matter. The most convicting part of the video is the fact Americans spend 450-BILLION (that's with a B) on gifts each holiday season. The estimated cost to give every person in the world access to clean drinking water: 10-BILLION. If that does not take your breath away, I'm not sure what would. Please consider spending less money this Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate). Instead, consider giving some of that money away and making more creative and meaningful gifts for friends and loved ones.

A Must Watch....

Random Thoughts

1. It's raining in the mountains right now. I wish it would snow. Snow means snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow camping, and snow sledding.

2. I have the most amazing view of the Olympic Mountains. The highest peaks, covered with snow, jet out of the clouds and fog. They are beautiful and exhibit the glory of God.

3. I just started reading the book "Franklin and Winston." I have been reading a lot lately, and I'm excited to start a book that involves politics and friendship.

4. I really want falafel. I saw a falafel shop near Pike Place yesterday. I will be going there soon for a Middle-East reunion (at least for my stomach).

5. I'm excited to be in Gig Harbor for Christmas. Give me some hot chocolate, my family, and my dog and I am 100-percent content.

Harbor Bound

I'm heading to Gig Harbor tonight. I'll be back tomorrow.

I Am Easily Entertained...

Me and my friend Kolby in Spokane.

Haunted By The Hound...

This past weekend I drove over to Gonzaga with a good friend. I thought he needed company on the road trip. My plan was to fly home early the next morning on Horizon Airlines (as I usually do). But I waited until the last second and the price shot up dramatically. So I was left without a car or airplane to get back. The next option: Greyhound. Let’s just say my six hour bus ride between Spokane and Seattle will be my last. The first part was not so bad. I arrived at the bus station in Spokane about an hour in advance. The employees and customers seemed normal enough (key word is seemed). It even looked as if the bus would be half empty so I would get my own seat (key word is looked).

However, right before boarding a rush of last-minute folks gathered in line. I knew this would be a full ride. As anyone does, I picked out the people I hoped I didn’t have to sit next to. Of course, I ended up sitting next to them ALL once we boarded. Across the row from me: a woman in her late 20’s who had been released from prison a few hours earlier. Her crime? Theft and drug trafficking. She spent the entire trip screaming about how much she wanted a baggy of crack or just a small supply of weed. Every other word was four letters and most of them began with an F and ended with K. Directly behind her was a man from Montana without teeth who complained how much he hated his parole officer. By this time the bus smelled not only of cigarettes and body odor, but also of well, human feces. Note to self: do not sit ANYWHERE near the bathroom. Anyway, our trip continued across Eastern Washington. I’m pretty sure I was the only person without a seat mate. I tried to avoid the chaos by taking a nap. I fell asleep but woke up a few minutes later to a lady with no teeth shaking my seat. She screamed “sweetie, sweetie, wake up. I need to sit next to you.” I quickly obliged and moved my backpack. The remainder of the road trip consisted of her coughing on me and then falling asleep and snoring louder than my dad (which is saying something). I was offered drugs, asked for drugs, asked for money. Some people brought i-Pods with speakers and listened to their music out loud. One man in particular had a liking for heavy metal music. It’s too bad no one else on the bus shared in his joy. I could go on and on and continue to write about the trip. But basically it continued much of the same. People talked about prison, theft, a lack of jobs. It was an interesting trip and the SECOND I got to the bus station in Seattle I darted to the front and got the heck out of there. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend taking a Greyhound trip, I would say it made for an interesting experience. Perhaps Eric Slocum should venture from Metro Transit to Greyhound for a day or two. I’m just glad I made it alive.

Thankful-The Day After...

I might be a day late, but I'm still thankful. I'm thankful for a house and food. I'm thankful for friends, family, and my relationship with Jesus. I'm thankful there is more to life than material posession. I'm thankful the most important thing in life cannot be seen or touched. I'm thankful that despite economic troubles, my hope is not in America or even this world. I'm thankful for the ability to work. I'm thankful that you continue to read my blog even though I continually suck at updating it. I am thankful that somehow I have been blessed with excess. Sometimes I wonder why? Why have I been so blessed? Why am I allowed to live the way I do when almost 30-thousand children die each day around the world from a lack of food, water, and medicine. But I know the answer. I have been blessed so I can give back. I am blessed so I can be thankful. I am blessed so I can make a difference. Not just one day a year, but everyday. Thankfulness. Its a great thing.

Call Me Intern

I did an internship once. It involved getting up at 3:00 in the morning. It was my freshman year of college. I got paid nothing. But it was great experience. Today I am going back into the world as an intern, but this time in a new field. I have been offered an internship in the public relations department of the architecture firm NBBJ. The firm is responsible for designing some of the most famous landmarks in Seattle and around the world (think the new Federal Courthouse, the new terminal A at Sea-Tac Airport, and the new Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building near Seattle Center). NBBJ is based in Seattle but has offices across the United States as well as in Dubai, Moscow, Beijing and London to name a few. The great news: this is a paid internship...and its not minimum wage. The internship starts at three months, with the option to extend it to six months. I will call tomorrow to officially accept the position.

Nickel Creek

My friends from South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas rave about Nickel Creek. I have been listening to them for a few months now and I really like them. So far my favorite song is "Speak." Great words, melody etc. I'm not usually a fan of bluegrass or country-type music. But their music is relaxing. It invokes fantasy. I imagine myself on a rope swing, jumping into a slow-moving river. I imagine sitting on a porch drinking sweet tea during a warm summer night. Anyway, if you want to check out some of their music head over to Pandora.com and type them in. You will get a few songs by them as well as some artists that have similar sounds.

Quantum Of Solace

Brittany and I went to see QOS opening day on Friday. Initial response, I don't really like it. Its not bad per say, but its no Casino Royale. I won't spoil the plot, but it seemed to have too much action. Now I love the sweet car chasing scenes as much as the next dude, but it just seems over the top for me this time around. What does everyone else think?

Car Trouble at Midnight

I’m driving down I-5 in the dead of night. All of a sudden, my high beams go to low beams and then to no beams. I try to open my windows—no luck. Then the noise: sputter, jerk, sputter, kick, bam. My car stops on an off-ramp near Sea-Tac. Out goes my Triple-A card and about 45 minutes later the tow-truck arrives. The driver is a character. He jumps out of his seat about eight feet off the ground and walks over to my car in a swagger—cigarette hanging out his mouth. He says it appears I’m having car trouble. I think to myself “tell me something I don’t know.” He turns out to be an interesting guy. I jump into the cab with him as we head toward the auto shop in Gig Harbor. Inside the cab: cigarettes, Chexmix, Red Bull, pain pills, several cell phones, and some trash in the back. He tips the medicine bottle up to his mouth and chews a few pills, washing it back with some Red Bull. Hopefully I won’t die. After all, it is around midnight and the truck driver is getting toasted. Our conversation is friendly. He tells me about his four kids. I tell him about my adventures in the Middle East. We connect on one point. His daughter is involved in Young Life, an organization I am involved with as well. He tells me about living in Montana and the decision to move to Seattle. No surprise, there are a lot more cars in Seattle than there are in Missoula—which means a lot more business for him. After 45 minutes, we drive across the Narrows Bridge and soon we are at Graff’s Automotive. I get out of the car. Dad picks me up. I say goodbye to the truck driver and we head our separate ways. Oh the stories of the open road.

Another SNL Clip...

Although I never watch it when it's on T.V. (I usually wait for the DVD's to come out), one of my favorite shows is The Office. Which is why I love this SNL clip - which claims the original office was in Japan. Take a look.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down

At least for a while. That while is here right now. Gas prices are falling. Check out how much I paid at the gas station today. $2.99. That is actually less expensive than it was this time last year. Whohoooo!

Cleaning Lady...

I'm at my parent’s house for the weekend (my mom had knee surgery yesterday). I'm sitting in the office talking to friends on Facebook. Then the cleaning lady starts working on the bathroom next door. She doesnt know I'm here. She is cussing or talking to herself, I'm not sure which one. Also, she is vacumning in a very angry fashion. It's kind of funny. I hope she is not embarrassed when she walks in.

Interesting Poll Numbers - From Gallup

Praying For Snow...

I am so excited to go snowboarding. I just can't wait. There is nothing more peacful than riding down the slopes of a mountain. Good thing is, it will only be a few more weeks (keep your fingers crossed).

Blessing Through Darkness

There's just something about night. It's where you can forget all the problems (or even joys) of the day and look forward to the hope of a new one. It is quiet, calm, and peaceful. I'm sitting at my desk looking out my window. I'm watching cars go across the Ballard Bridge. I'm watching boats travel through the Lake Washington Ship Canal. I'm sitting at my desk reading my bible and journaling about life. I am completely relaxed. It's funny, all my housemates are at work or out with friends. My girlfriend is in Portland seeing her friends. I am completly content being here alone. Heck, I'm not even a night owl. But it's nights like this where I could stay up all night, for no reason. I could keep on journaling. Keep on watching those cars, and keep on thinking of how much I love this life that I've been blessed with.

Hiking, Here I Come!!

I'm going on Sunday morning and I can't wait.

No More Circus Cookies

(AP) An Oakland cookie company has closed its doors for good.

After operating in Oakland for 92 years, Mother's Cookies shut down when its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection Monday.

Plant officials told workers Friday that operations would cease and cookies would no longer be made at the plant.

In filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, company officials cited rising prices for raw materials and fuel.

The closing comes after Mother's had shifted its baking and distribution operations to plants in Ohio and Canada in 2006.

One More SNL Video...

His impression of Tom Brokaw is simply amazing.

TV Bloopers

Tonight's Debate

Can you say: booooooooooooorrrrrrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnnnnnng?

From the Washington Post: "Neither McCain nor his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, gave a particularly electrifying performance and neither seemed truly responsive to the current frightening headlines about the potential collapse of the U.S. economy. How could they be responsive and truly topical when both stuck to repeating campaign catchphrases and promises that dated back to the earliest stages of the political season?"

From the Politico: "With the country at one of its most interesting—not to mention terrifying—moments in a generation, John McCain and Barack Obama met in Nashville for what was surely one of the dullest and was definitely the least satisfying presidential debate in memory."

My Favorite Website

Check out www.steepandcheap.com for some of the greatest deals on the net. The e-retailer focuses primarily on outdoor gear (tents, sunglasses, north face jackets etc). It only has one product up at a time and once its gone, its gone. But everything is SUPER cheap. The last product on the site was a pair of sunglasses that retail for $100. The going price was $29.95 on the website. You can even download a widget for your desktop with the latest product info. It messages you each time the product changes.

What's That Smell?

I have no desire to be a stay at home dad. But if I decided to be one, I would be damn good. Both my parents taught me how to cook/bake while growing up (although each would take credit for different aspects in the kitchen). So it's pretty much every day that I'm grilling something, baking something, or cooking something. This morning I made banana bread. Of course, I didn't think about taking pictures of the whole process (as probably Colleen, Travis, Lisa, Eric, or Kristin would have done). But I do have the recipe. It is so good. I also sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on top. Here it is in case you want to make it!

INGREDIENTS
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

METHOD
No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Euro = Down, Down, Down

The euro slid to a 13-month low against the dollar as a deepening credit crunch forced European governments to pledge bailouts of troubled banks and increase protection for depositors.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=avC.1.PvSqHg&refer=worldwide

Making News: Savannah Style

I was introduced to this show through one of Colleen's recent blog posts. If you haven't had the chance to watch it, take the time right now. After spending almost four years inside a newsroom, it is painful to see the similarities. Bosses screaming at low-paid employees, dreams of making it big, technical meltdowns, complaints of under staffing. I have watched a few episodes now and plan on watching all of them. Check out the first episode below.

I Heart SNL

Lo Siento

Translation: I'm Sorry. I've been a bad blogger this week. This comes from the fact that A) I've been gone a lot and B) There is very little exciting news to report in my life. But seeing as Sunday is the start of a new week, I promise to do better this time around!

Mountain Majesty

Polling Update

When you look at polling numbers for the Presidential election...take a close look at numbers in battleground states. Here is the latest from RCP.

Colorado -- Obama +5.4
Ohio -- McCain +1.2
Florida -- McCain +0.8
Pennsylvania -- Obama +4.8
Missouri -- McCain +3.2
Virginia -- Obama +1.8

Was It Just a Dream?

Sometimes my trip to the Middle East seems to be more of a dream than reality. I look through my pictures and think "did I really do that?" The reality is: I did. The reality is also: I want to go back. I am craving falafel. Israel, my friends is the place to go for that.

My Backyard

It's funny the things that remind us of childhood. This picture reminds me of mine. It's actually a picture of my parent's backyard in Gig Harbor. It reminds me of playing with dogs, kicking the soccer ball, lighting off fireworks on the 4th of July, and family gatherings. I really loved growing up in Gig Harbor and especially at my house. We had green grass for sports, woods for building tree forts, and the Puget Sound to play in. Even the gazebo has memories. My middle brother and I would gather a bunch of blankets, pillows, and air mattresses to sleep outside during the warm summer months. When I was talking with friends on the phone late at night, I would walk out to the gazebo to avoid waking up my parents. The most amazing thing about the gazebo and the backyard in general is its still the same today. Nothing has changed.

I Miss These People

Pictures from Priest Lake

Another Day...Another Hike

I ventured once again to the Cascade Mountains today. I went on a hike with a good friend right near Snoqualmie Pass. The hike to Snow Lake is about three miles in each direction. It starts in the woods and then concludes with switchbacks made of rock. You end up at about 5-thousand feet. It has a BEAUTIFUL view and hiking down to the shore of Snow Lake is amazing (and cold!). I'm a pretty avid hiker and found this to be "moderate" in its difficulty. There were A LOT of people on the trail though, which for me is a bummer. But nonetheless, I would recommend this trail if you're looking for a quick getaway from the city.

I Have Proof

Some of my more recent friends have a hard time believing I actually used to have long-hair. But I have a picture to prove it. This is a random one from when I want backpacking on the Olympic coast a few years ago. To be honest, I kind of miss the long hair. Right now my hair is the longest its been in about a year, but still nothing like it used to be 'back in the day.' Enjoy!

I Have a Question. Do You Have an Answer?

I like posting questions on my blog. I think it’s interesting to hear different perspectives—whether the topic be politics, food, movies, or music. I hope at least a few of you will take time to respond.

Today’s Question: How much influence does the President of the United States have on the economy?

I’m not asking this question so much because of the current economic meltdown, but rather in a general sense. If the economy is doing well, should we tip our hats to the man in charge? If it falters, should we immediately blame the White House? I am not an economist and do not pretend to be. I’m assuming you are the same. But from what you do know about the way our world works, what do you think?

The Time Has Come

Why do all of my posts seem to revolve around food? I'm not sure, but here is another one. I am about to make a tuna fish sandwich. I know, I've already blogged on my love for the fish, but I get so excited I have to share it with the world. As Ron Burgandy says in my favorite movie Anchorman, "I wanted to shout it from the mountaintops, but I didn't have a mountain. All I had was a newsroom and a camera." Unfortunately, I have none of these things, so I use my blog instead. So for lunch I will have a tuna fish sandwich on whole wheat bread, salt and vinegar potato chips, snapped peas, and carrots. Yum! I love it.

Cafe Fiore and Seattle Coffee Culture

I just returned from spending a couple of hours with a friend reading and journaling at Cafe Fiore in Ballard. It's located along Leary in Old Ballard. It was my first time going, and it will certainly not be my last. It has one of the best atmospheres of any coffee shop I've been to. Its walls are made of brick, floors of dark wood, chairs of leather, and has awesome lighting and paintings on the wall. I got a vanilla latte and I have to say it was one of the better I've ever had. Even better than Zoka which is my favorite coffee shop (at least until now). Speaking of coffee, I think coffee culture in Seattle is quite depressing. Everyone sits alone, typing away at their laptops, with their iPods blaring in their ears. I always seem to go with friends and get "the look" for being too loud. Seattleites seem to have a want for community, so they go to coffee shops. Yet they fall short when it comes to communication, eye contact, and a friendly smile. It's always seemed odd to me and I seem to be noticing it more and more. So the next time you're at a coffee shop and you hear a loud laugh from the corner, it's probably me.

Thoughts I'm Thinking...

1. I'm excited to go on a hike this morning. I'm heading up to the Snoqualmie Pass area and am climbing a mountain with my buddy Kyle. We'll be back tonight.

2. I'm very hungry right now. Luckily I went grocery shopping yesterday and have a brand new box of Kashi cereal (which is my favorite).

3. I realize that I constantly crave tuna fish. I'm not sure why, but I think I could eat a tuna fish sandwich every day and be completly happy.

4. I love looking out my window and watching the Ballard Bridge go up and down. I don't have to be IN the traffic, I just get to look AT it.

5. I am very content with my life and do not regret taking the summer off to travel the world and be with the people I love.

Life's a Campaign

I admit it: I don't really like Chris Matthews all that much. I know he's a smart guy, has worked for some of the most famous American politicians in history, and is widely successful. But I can never seem to get past his bloviating, arrogant, interrupting-type attitude that is displayed on his show Hardball. None the less, I decided to pick up his book on campaigns. Once I picked it up, I literally never put it down. I read the whole thing in one setting. It's GREAT! Matthews chronicles his rise to fame and dishes secrets as to how to get there. The book is separated into chapters that will teach you how to win elections, sucker money from supporters, and get along with people from across the aisle. Even if you have no interest in running for politics, I recommend it.

A Woman In Charge

I'm about half way through with Carl Bernstein's book. I've had the book for several years, but didnt start reading it until two weeks ago. It is a fascinating read about Senator Clinton and how she grew up. For instance, she had a verbally abusive father and was president of the Young Republican's club at her college. No surprise, but Bernstein spends an awful lot of time talking about her husband, Bill. It chronicles their marriage (the ups and MANY downs) and takes a special focus to Bill's relationship with other women. It also shows how much influence Hillary has on Bill. No matter what you might think of Hillary, reading this book helps you to understand how she thinks the way she does and why she thinks the way she does. I reccomend it!

News Ratings

Being a self-confessed news junkie, I always find ratings interesting. Now of course there is more to ratings than just the total amount of people who watch (i.e. who is watching and how long they watch). However, I find the overall picture quite fasciating. Most interesting is the high numbers for Rachel Maddow's new show. I have never seen it, nor have I ever heard her speak. But it appears she is doing something right. Here are the numbers for the cable news race on Thursday.

Hannity and Colmes 4,589,000
The O'Reilly Factor 4,092,000
On the Record 3,286,000
The Fox Report 1,986,000
Rachel Maddow 1,971,000
Countdown 1,947,000
Special Report 1,903,000
Larry King 1,855,000
Anderson Cooper 1,852,000
Lou Dobbs Tonight 1,204,000
Hardball 944,000

Meet Gracie

My parents have a black lab puppie named Gracie. Her favorite activities include sleeping, eating, jumping off docks, and swimming for sticks. Unfortunately she also is a dog with ADHD. So when she goes on the boat, she has to wear a life jacket in case she jumps off mid-cruise. What's that you say? They make life jackets for dogs? Yes they do and I have a picture of her to prove it!

I Love the Northwest

I was once told by a mentor of mine that living in Washington is like marrying the most beautiful woman in the world who is sick 75 percent of the time. I happen to agree. Sometimes the rain seems like its never going to end, but once it does, you see all the glory that is the Northwest. Today I happened to experience life "above the clouds" first hand. I went on a hike in the Cascade mountains with one of my best friends Jackson. The trail-head started at a little less than two thousand feet and seven miles later, ended at five thousand feet. It's a pretty good trek up that mountain, but the view is beautiful. Where do you like to hike?

Don't Worry Folks...

We've arrived safely in Priest Lake. Expect silence for a couple days as I wakeboard, jet ski, and eat into kingdom come.

The All-American Roadtrip

I feel ten years old right now. I am helping my dad pack up the car to get ready for our trip to Priest Lake, Idaho. I've been to Priest Lake quite a few times since I was ten years old, but most of the time since then we've flown into Spokane. Today, I'm driving. Even though its been years since my last car trip to Priest Lake, its funny how things HAVENT changed. Dad gets up early, starts packing. Mom gets stuff ready in the kitchen. I wait for my name to be yelled and I come running to help. The dog freaks out and starts running around the house - thinking she'll be left behind. It's the same as it used to be. Pretty soon, we'll be on our way for donuts in Tacoma. Then we'll probably stop at the same rest stops, restaurants, and gas stations - all the way to the Idaho panhandle. It's a long trip to the lake, but I enjoy it - especially around the Vantage area of the Columbia River. Seven-and-a-half hours....here we come.

My Place For Politics...

Since I know most of us are political junkies around here, I want to share some of my favorite places for political news. First and foremost, I reccomend "The Note." This political guide is published each morning by ABC NEWS . It has a great mix of political news, garnished with a large side of humor. Second, I love going to Real Clear Politics. This is far and away the best site for comprehensive polling numbers as well as links to articles on politics from around the nation. Third, I really do enjoy the Drudge Report. Some thigns need to be taken with a grain of salt (including sometimes misleading headlines), but he does a really good job finding random political articles that would be hard to find elsewhere. Anyway..just a few ideas. Where do you look?

Good Morning Seattle

This has to be the most beautiful photograph I've ever seen of Seattle. I love sunshine and warm days.

I Have A Craving...

And its for Nachos from the Matador in Ballard (and several other locations around Seattle). If you have never checked it out, you should. It has a good atmosphere and amazing food. Too bad I'm down in Gig Harbor. Oh man they would be good right now. P.S. you can check out Julien Perry's "Go Eat" feature to learn more about the Matador.

http://www.komonews.com/entertainment/dining/goeat/16675086.html

Well..Whaddyya Think?

The moment I've been waiting for is over. Governor Sarah Palin delivered her speech in front of the RNC tonight. Regardless of my opinion of her policy ideas, she did an amazing job for it being the first time before a national audience. She came off as smart, funny, and professional. It is also interesting to note her constant reference to Ohio. I learned today on CNN that it is virtually impossible for a Republican campaign to win an election without Ohio (right now things are in a dead heat). But the real questions is: will her speech fly with the voters? Will her attacks against Senator Barack Obama (many which are probably subtle to the average American) poll well? As an analyst for PBS said today, "I cant remember the last time I actually heard a bad acceptance speech at a convention." So it should be no surprise that's what we got tonight. But what will happen in the future? Time will tell

Can You Say 31?

That's how many days it is until Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden go at it during the Vice Presidential Debate at Washington University. I, for one, am more excited about this debate than the presidential debates between Obama/McCain. I understand Palin is taking a three-week intesive crash-course on everything foreign relations. I've also heard that she is incredibly quick on her feet in such circumstances. Even if that is true, can she compete with Washington insider Biden? Time will tell. One thing I know for sure: I'm excited to watch.

To The Panhandle We Go!

Every year since I was born, I have spent at least part of the summer at Priest Lake, Idaho. Some years I stay longer than others, but it is always a staple of summer for me. This year I'm heading over for almost two weeks (think recently graduated college student with no job). During that time I will alternate between hiking, sleeping, jet-skiing, eating, wakeboarding, reading, swimming, and watching movies. I will be traveling there with my parents. I also get to make a few stops in Spokane and visit some friends (yes that includes COB). I'm very excited to go and spend quality time with my family--which includes our black lab puppy, named Gracie. I leave on Thursday and will be back on September 15th.

Tied Once Again..

On the eve of the Republican convention, a new national poll suggests the race for the White House remains dead even.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/31/cnn-poll-obama-49-mccain-48/

No News Like Good News...

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN and MARY FOSTER

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A weakened Hurricane Gustav crashed Monday into the flood-prone but nearly deserted coast of Louisiana, making landfall west of New Orleans as a Category 2 storm. Water was splashing over some floodwalls, but city officials were optimistic the levees protecting the city would hold.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Gustav hit just before 10 a.m. Monday near the community of Cocodrie, the heart of the state's fishing and oil industry. Forecasters once feared the storm would arrive as a devastating Category 4 with much more powerful winds.

The city's levee system has been only partially rebuilt since Hurricane Katrina struck three years ago. Wind-driven water was topping the Industrial Canal floodwall, but it had not breached.

"We are seeing some overtopping waves," said Col. Jeff Bedey, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers' hurricane protection office. "We are cautiously optimistic and confident that we won't see catastrophic wall failure."

As a nervous nation watched to see if Gustav would deliver another Katrina-style hit on the partially rebuilt city, officials steadfastly insisted three years of planning and infrastructure upgrades had prepared them for whatever was to come.

For all their seeming similarities, Hurricanes Gustav and Katrina were different in one critical respect: Katrina smashed the Gulf Coast with an epic storm surge that topped 27 feet, a far higher wall of water than Gustav hauled ashore.

"We don't expect the loss of life, certainly, that we saw in Katrina," Federal Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director Harvey E. Johnson told The Associated Press. "But we are expecting a lot of homes to be damaged, a lot of infrastructure to be flooded, and damaged severely."

Gusts snapped large branches from the majestic oak trees that form a canopy over St. Charles Avenue. Tens of thousands were without power in New Orleans and other low-lying parishes, but officials said backup generators were keeping city drainage pumps in service. Nearly 2 million had evacuated the coast, and only a few holdouts and those that refused to abandon Bourbon Street remained.

Katrina was a bigger storm when it made landfall in August 2005, and it made a direct hit on the Mississippi coast. Gustav skirted along Louisiana's shoreline at "a more gentle angle," said National Weather Service storm surge specialist Will Shaffer.

Initial reports indicated storm surge from Gust of about 8 feet above normal tides, but forecasts indicated up to 14 feet in surge was possible.

I Have a Fear...

Actually two fears: one started as a small child, one has developed over time. The first is understandable, the second is weird. When I was about four years old I was playing soccer in my parent’s backyard. I was running to get the ball when I tripped into a small hole. It turns out that hole was FILLED with yellow jackets. Dozens of them swarmed around my head. They were in my shoes, under my shirt, crawling in my ears. I started SCREAMING at the top of my lungs. Not a yell, not a cry, but a SCREAM. My neighbor came first, then my dad. I remember him ripping off my shirt and they were crawling all over me. I don't know how many times I was stung, but it had to have been at least 40. Over the years, the fear has subsided quite a bit, but I still get taken a back when bee's come at me out of nowhere. My goal is to wipe out an entire bees nest someday. Call it sweet, sweet revenge.

Now for the second fear. I must start by apologizing. This might offend some of my more politically correct friends. I have a deep and seething fear of midgets. There: I said it. It's out in the open. If I ever run for president, you can take this blog and use it against me. For some reason, they scare me. My mom, friends, and everyone in between tell me this is "mean." I understand. But that doesn't make the fear go away. It all started with a dream some years ago that I was being attacked in my sleep by a midget with large knives. It got worse after watching the movie Chucky. Ever since then, it's been bad. I hope you'll forgive me.

Meet a Friend...

Her name is Zoka. We started dating two years ago - right at the beginning of finals week. My friend Kyle (who is a barista) introduced me to her. At first I was skeptical: another beautiful babe in a sea of thousands. But she was different. Zoka (which if you haven’t guessed by now is a coffee shop) has the best coffee I've ever had. I love their drip, espresso, lattes, mochas, and everything in between. Their pastries, sandwiches, and salads are hand-made at the store. The atmosphere is great with brown leather chairs, mahogany bookshelves, and free wi-fi. Zoka has three locations: University District, Green Lake, and Snoqualmie. I prefer the Green Lake location because it's closer to my house on Queen Anne, but all of them have the same great-tasting coffee. One word of warning though: be prepared to take your coffee to go. It appears Zoka is cheating on me and has hundreds of friends. She always seems to be jam-packed with people. I guess that makes her a coffee whore?

Sarah...Who?

Buzz, buzz, buzz. I hear my cell phone vibrating next to me. In a confused motion, I open my phone to see a text message from my best friend who lives in Little Rock. It says "McCain chooses Gov. Palin." The first thought that goes through my head is "who the heck is Governor Palin?" I scratch my head and spent several minutes racking my brain. Eventually, I remembered her as Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska (we talked about her briefly during one of my political science classes). After flipping on CNN and watching her speech, I spent the entire day thinking about the decision. Here is my initial reaction. It seems funny to me people are already saying how "good, bad, or somewhere in between" this choice is. I really think it’s too early to tell. This could be an amazing move by McCain or it could be one that spells the end of his run for President. She is such an unknown. She could be just what McCain needs to energize his base or single-handedly destroy McCain's argument for needing experience to be in the White House. What do you think?

I Feel Like a Kid

Of my four years in college, I spent three-and-a-half of them working for a news station in Seattle called KOMO. In addition, I spent more than two-and-a-half years working on-campus for the Student Union Board. STUB, as its called, has a budget of well over 100-thousand dollars and plans a few big on-campus events each year. This in addition to majoring in Political Science and minoring in Communications. Basically, I had an amazing time in college, but was busy ALL the time.

Enter the Summer of 2008. I finished school, quit my job, and headed out on a jet plane to three countries in the middle east (Israel, Egypt, and Jordan), traveled to several weddings across the country, volunteered at a camp in Canada, and will soon be going to my family's cabin at Priest Lake, Idaho. Bascially what I've learned through these experiences is: I feel like a kid again. I spent the summer jumping off cliffs and waterfalls. I spent the summer in deep conversation with people from around the world about faith, politics, and life. I went kayaking, read books, watched the Democratic National Convention. I followed in the footsteps of Jesus, watched 4th of July fireworks by boat, and slept in. This has been the most amazing summer of my life. I'm not sure what comes next. But I know this. It's going to be awesome! Here are a few of my favorite pictures. The first one is me overlooking the old city of Jerusalem, Israel. The second one is me in front of the famous Sphynx outside Cairo, Egypt. The third and fourth pictures are of my friends from SummerStaff at Malibu. The fifth and sixth pictures are of me sliding down a HUGE waterfall.