Next Saturday (not tomorrow), Hubby and I will be attending the Nine Inch Nails concert.  It's only the sixth date on the band's Lights in the Sky Over North America tour.  I can hardly believe that day is almost here.

Okay, bedtime.  Daughter is hinting that she wants to use the laptop.  Goodnight!

Thank you to everyone who attended, about 20 in all, at the Open Book Cafe.  The group agreed on the purpose of the group established by Katrina Rosa with Azure, Inc. discussed the group's name and the first few steps to be taken.  The next meeting is August 5th at 6pm in Greenville, more info will follow soon

Proposed Name: UR PAD - Under Revitalization, Pendleton Street Art District

UR PAD Purposes:

1.      Create a core group of area businesses that meet regularly to accomplish tasks

2.      Create and promote a consistent marketing message

3.      Combine individual resources for mass effect

4.      Improve communication amongst the area businesses

5.      Research by members of S.E.G.A. for members of S.E.G.A.

First Steps to Take:

1. Educate area businesses about marketing
2. Create Core Group  
3. Survey
4. Identify successful ventures, investigate, invite for workshop
5. S.E.G.A. – design
6. Fundraiser opp – Sell S.E.G.A. branded coffee – more info at next meeting
7. Upstream Wise – Events hosted in your studio – more info at next meeting

To Do List for Business Owners

1. Read tutorial: www.azureadvertising.com > Resources (top navigation) > Marketing (left navigation) > Marketing Basics (left navigation) > Basics of marketing tutorial (scroll down to Knowledge Center then useful tools)

2.      If you could speak frankly with your target audience what would you ask them? Send to Katrina@azureadv.com for survey creation

3.      You will receive survey from Katrina w/ Azure, Inc – Send to your customer database and bring results to Aug. 5^th meeting

4.      Bring any information on other successful ventures – even if its just a website – to the next meeting

5.      Spread the word – get signed up for UR PAD   Katrina@azureadv.com

a.      Provide Name, Business Type, Primary Business Goal, Email, Mailing Address, Optional phone number

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not complaining.  I am thrilled to have my new position.  Further I am thrilled that I have been able to remain working for the Greenville County Library System.  It is awesome to have my own office, my own desk, my own voicemail and business cards.  It is awesome to have projects to work on everyday.  All around it is a whole lot of awesomeness.

But it is different and I've only been working in my new position for just over a week so I am still very much in the realm of adjustment and part of that involves adjusting my web presence (which I am realizing as I step back and take a look at it is quite a lot of things).  Things are changing (personally for the better considering the nice pay raise and opportunity to learn new skills and experience new things) and part of that changing means my blog updates my not be a frequent or in the same volume as previously.  That being said I have no intentions of discontinuing blogging altogether, I enjoy it entirely too much.

So anyway . . . Earlier today (as in earlier than 5:30 when I was thinking about this blog -- more back during work) I got to thinking about bureaucracy and the ridiculousness that it is.  I've known since I took my job working for the Greenville County Library System back last August that I was working for the Man (aka the government -- albeit a small and relatively harmless branch there of --relatively harmless) but in my first position in the library there was very little in regards to significant policy that either affected my work efforts or which I needed to be consulted on.  Not so working in the Staff Development office.  my new position gets to see up close a whole slew of policy creations and changes and recommendations and everything else that goes into allowing just about anything to heppen in an organization that makes it's money off of taxpayers' dollars (and, by the way, with the new pay raise, and the desk and fancy computer at work, I now feel slightly more guilt about where my income comes from -- but only slightly).

Bureaucracy is absolutely absurd and yet I cannot really think of any other way we would or could get the system to work even in  the slightest.  Even when there is a really good idea that everybody agrees on that idea must be probed and examined.  A committee must be created to study the idea and the potential impacts it may have.  A whole shit load of people must then sign off on the idea.  Then the staff needs to be informed, the idea needs to be implemented, and everything, every little thing needs to be documented.  Today I learned the wonder and fun that is FileMaker Pro and all the datebase records we have to keep up with.  It is all quite dizzying. 

I guess what gets me is that, while in some areas it may make sense, there are a lot of places where all the bureaucratic efforts are, in fact, a complete waste of time in accomplishing a solution to a problem.  And I know I am not the only one who thinks this.  I also know, even considering how illogical it all seems, why we do it.  It is called watching our asses.  You document everything, follow the proper paths and procedures, and then if, God forbid, something goes wrong, a defense, of some sort, is in place.  But boy it can be exhausting.

But interesting too.  And often kind of hilarious.  Because you see another problem with bureaucracy is that it requires the working of a bunch of cogs and gears and wheels and when you get down to the basics of it those various parts are made up of people like you and me.  And the kicker is that none of us are all that perfect and so trying to make the whole bureaucratic machine work smoothly is a bit of a joke.  People are weird and unreliable.  They are also innovative and determined.  It is a whole mess of people trying to believe in a system and be part of it while both failing and succeeding at something that isn't even really all that certain.  It is ugly and dirty and crazy.  And yet is beautiful in the sought purposefulness that it creates.  And we document it all . . . that is partially in an attempt to seek immortality.

Ahhh . . . blogging and thinking about things I shouldn't be thinking about this late at night.  Wondrous!

But I woke up with a smile on my face.

The Saturday events of the reunion consisted of a tour of old T.L. Weston High School, a friends and family picnic, and then the White Ball later that night.

I hustled everyone out the door and stopped for breakfast (my parents have decided that only my 13 year old son deserves a good breakfast) at Burger King and then drove on to the school. I scarfed down my double croissanwich and got out of the car.

I looked at the school. When I was a student here, it looked like a prison. With really high windows. Nothing has really changed on the outside. It still looked like a prison. With really high windows. The only real difference on the outside was the sign. It no longer said T.L. Weston High School. The new sign in all of its gold and black yuckiness read: Greenville Weston High School: Weston Campus. With a picture of a tough looking hornet next to it.

Pardon me while I hurl.

Sometime back a few years ago-don't know exactly when-the powers that be decided that Greenville needs only one high school, but with two campuses. The Greenville campus (what used to be our arch-rivals Greenville High-boo!) specializes in math, science, technology and advanced studies while the Weston campus is pretty much a big ass vo-tech school, specializing in child care, education, and health and human services. Which is pretty much a slap in the face to Weston alum. 

I'll tell you why: waaaaaayyyyyyy back when Greenville was normal and had 2 separate high schools, Weston was known as the high school with all the really smart kids. We had an academic decathlon team (I was on the team 2 years straight and was a MVP one year), a school paper (which won awards during my reign as editor), college prep classes, and a good football team. Greenville High was the thugged out school on the other side of town that didn't have doors on the bathroom stalls, where someone was stabbed and/or shot on a daily basis. And, THEY KILLED MR. KURTS!!!!! YES, I SAID IT!!!!

Bottom line, if Weston High was on TV, someone won a science fair or was chosen for some big award. If Greenville High was on TV, then someone was shot, raped, stabbed, or DEAD FROM A HEART ATTACK LIKE MR. KURTS!!!!!!

So making Weston a vo-tech school is a sort of revenge.

Now, back to the present: pretty much everyone is here and we all file into the school. It still smells the same (like books and chalk) and looks the same. We all walk the halls and try to guess what teachers were in which rooms. Many classmates ask me for clarification. Yeah, I'm that person. The One Who Remembers Every Little Thing.I find my locker from junior year, locker #459. I remember this one because it's the locker where I met Doug Bender and broke up-made up-broke up-made up-broke up-made up-broke up-made up-and broke up one more time before making up one more time with Torrick Hayes. I guess Columbine is still scaring the hell out of everyone because all the lockers are bolted shut now. Had my junior year locker been open, I might have been able to see the crudely carved initials that Torrick put in my locker during one of our better times. This is when I remember all the good times. Before life got in the way and stomped on our rose colored glasses.  I sigh deeply and walk away and take pictures with my classmates. Then there's the big picture that we all take in the hallway. We walk around some more. My oldest son catches up to me. Asks me a bunch of questions.

 "Did you have a lot of friends?" (I tell him a few good friends are more important than a lot of fake friends)

"Were you popular?" (If by "popular" you mean growing up with really strict parents who made me study all time and then go to church all the time, then YES! I actually tell him no. My son--he's popular. He took the morning announcements at his middle school and turned it into his own comedy show. The popular girls talk to him. He gets picked first for teams in gym. Everyone from the principal to the janitor knows him.)

"Did you like your teachers?" (I tell him yes and no. I LOVED my English teacher Mrs. Dill. I LOATHED that sadistic, misogynistic, and possibly alcoholic math teacher Mr. Hardmon.)

My son leaves me and joins his dad and baby brother. I walk on to the auditorium. One classmate joins me. It's still cool, dark, and has at least 2 broken chairs in each row. We share a laugh about the LONG assembly programs that got only longer when Mr. Felton (our principal whom we dubbed Felt-Dog) got up to make his closing remarks. Classmate reminds me that Torrick and I got caught making out backstage once. We got caught in the gym too, I thought to myself, but I laugh with little mirth.

"What happened to you guys?" he asked, "Ya'll were so in love with each other in school. I thought you were gonna show up married to him."

What happened indeed. I give the simple answer:

"Life," I sigh. 

Before we leave the school, I holla at my buddy Ernest and tell him that I'd see him at the picnic later that day. Hubby piles the kids into the car and I get in and we pull away from the school.

I look back and I see me as a skinny girl with huge glasses running up the sidewalk, late for class. Again.

Enjoy the photos!! Toodles!

I was editor of the school paper (finally!) and outside of that and looking at colleges, I had no real interest in school. I pretty much hated most of my classmates. Once again I ran for student council and once again I lost because no one wanted to hear the great ideas I had for our class because I wasn't popular enough to be considered important enough to listen to. So my main interests were graduation, college, getting the hell out of Greenville, and looking for potential new boyfriends, but not necessarily in that order. I already had the credits needed to graduate, thanks to my uber-religious parents who pretty much kept me in the house and allowing nothing else but studying core courses and the Bible. My school day officially started at 11:00 am and ended at 1:00pm so that gave me 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon to spend "quality time" with Torrick when he came home from (and eventually got kicked out of) college. All I could think about was how I was gonna get out of Greenville and never, EVER come back. 6:00 pm on Tuesday, June 1, 1993 could not come fast enough!!

Hit the fast forward button on your remotes and stop at 2003. I'm married with an 8 year old son, just graduated college, and just started working when I got the call about the 10 year reunion. I still had a healthy hatred for my classmates and was only really communicating with my best friend Ernest. Having just crossed into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated a year before, I was planning on attending the Regional Conference in Detroit with some of my sands. I really did not relish having to pay for plane tickets, rental car, hotel, and clothes to just go to Greenville. Plus, Ernest was not going and that was enough for me to send my regrets.

Hit the button again and stop at March, 2008. I just gave birth to my second son and was starting to hear rumors of a 15 year reunion. Ernest called me and told me that it was true, it was being held June 27th-29th, and that there was a website. I quickly go to it and submit my information and then look at the profiles of my classmates. It was exciting to look at how some of my classmates have fared over the last 15 years and it was sad to know that I lost 2 good friends: one to a trucking accident in 1998 and another to illness in 2007. I still loathed some people but was game enough to pay my $125 reunion fee and made plans to go. Then the economy got crappy (Thanks, Bush!) and when I went back to work, I was now considered relief staff due to restructuring at my agency so now my money was really funny after my short-term disability checks stopped. By the grace of God, Hubby and I managed to pull our money together (Thanks, temp job at Pearson Educational Measurement!) and we were on our way to Greenville in June.

On the 12 hour drive from Jacksonville with the trunk of our rented Hyundai Sonata crammed full of baby gear and luggage, we talked about my class and how we could never really agree on anything or come to anything on time (except for me because in my family we were on time for church but late for everything else and I figured that if we could be on time for the Lord, I could at least be on time to meet a Potential New Boyfriend at an event that got me out of the house.) and my deep, burning hatred for Torrick and how I would be ready to verbally malign him should anyone ask or beat him to death in the head with the pointy part of my sexy kitten heel sandals should he have the audacity to show up and act like he didn't betray me and leave me for dead some time back.

We finally made it to Greenville the day before the reunion started. Friday morning found me in the nail salon, then the beauty shop getting cute for the Get Re-Acquainted Night. After donning a cute dress and my sandals and putting on my full make-up and my huge Movie Star sunglasses, I was ready to show my classmates what had become of me.

We made it to the hall and get out of the car. Almost immediately, we hear people asking "Who's that?"  or "Who's She?" as I did my little model walk up the entrance ramp to the hall entrance. Then, the questions gave way to hugs and squeals of excitement when I take my sunglasses off. I rush inside and immediately hug my classmates one by one as they came inside the hall. As the evening continued, more and more classmates came and more hugs were given and received. Even a favorite teacher showed up. The night was looking better and better. I played games, danced my butt off, and showed off my husband to everyone. No one mentioned how big of a nerd I was, how strict my parents were, or asked me about that baby daddy man slut Torrick. [gallery]

As I was doing the Electric Slide and the Cha-Cha Slide on the dance floor with people I haven't seen in 15 years, I was beginning to feel a little pride in my class. Sure I had a grude against my best friend's wife, but I was having the time of my life! Once we all got re-acquainted, the party continued at a club called Southern Whispers on Nelson Street. It was there that I realized I was no longer 18 and free but soon to be 33 with 2 kids and a long drive back to the Honourosa (my parents house on like 2 acres of land) on the outskirts of Leland. My feet hurt and I was tired from dancing, smiling, and talking to everyone. Hubby and I had drinks for the road and we went home. I would see everyone at the school for the tour in the morning. Toodles!

In the afternoon I ran a few errands, including mailing some forms that have needed mailing for some time and stopping at the library to renew one book and return a couple of other. While there, I can't resist checking out the stacks, especially the new book section. It's a rare day when I don't leave without at least three books in hand. Yesterday was no exception.

One of the books I found is called "The True Story of The Bilderberg Group" by Daniel Estulin. The Bilderberg Group is a collection of wealthy and powerful people who have been coming together once a year in various places around the world with the supposed goal of attempting to rule the world. (Moohoo wah hah hah!) I'm only 44 pages into the book and Estulin is presenting his evidence for his belief that the group is seeking world domination. Wikipedia indicates that ideas about the group's desire for a one world government may be no more than conspiracy theories. Hmmm. I definitely need more information on this. You know, one way to discredit something is to call it a conspiracy theory, but if secret shenanigans and world takeovers are actually happening, then it's not really a conspiracy theory in the negative connotation of the term, is it?

When I look at what happens on a local level, with a small group of leaders continually meeting in order to bring about change in the community, why wouldn't this happen on a large-scale level álà The Bilderberg Group? The big difference seems to be that members of The Bilderberg Group have much more wealth and power and, thus, more influence to get things done. At the local level, most of these steering groups don't seem to be able to steer much of anything and just end up spinning their wheels. Alas, while The Bilderberg Group may want to achieve world domination (moohoo wah hah hah!), there are plenty of factors that work against their goal, like other smart people. I mean, some of us didn't fall off the rock yesterday now, did we? This group has supposedly been meeting since 1954. If its members are so powerful, why haven't they achieved domination over the rest of us unwashed peons yet?

Please visit Makesha's website for more information about these classes, which are a great way to prepare for birth, ease the discomforts of pregnancy, and focus on yourself and your unborn baby. See you there!

Notable attractions to see at the SC Botanical Garden

1. Bob Campbell Geology Museum – come see Clemson’s oldest tiger the Saber-toothed cat, hunt for gems, admire beautiful glowing rocks like the rose quartz and pegmatite and dig up some fossils. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10AM – 5PM and Sunday 1PM – 5PM (closed on Clemson University holidays). Admission fee: Adult $3, children $2, under 2 years is FREE. Free admission on every 3rd weekend!

2. Fran Hanson Discovery Center – home to the Botanical Garden visitor center provides maps and area attractions info. It features the Elizabeth Belser Fuller gallery and selective art by prominent SC artists. Kids will enjoy exploring the interactive exhibits inside the Nature Discovery room. Open Monday thru Saturday 10AM to 4PM.

3. Hanover House – 1716 French Huguenot house, listed on National Register of Historic places. Open Saturday 10AM -12PM and Sunday 2PM – 4:30PM; closed on home football games. Call (864)-656-4789 for group tours reservations.

4. Nature-based sculpture – country’s largest nature-based outdoor sculpture collection by artists from all over the world.

5. Hosta Garden – one of the largest collections of hostas in the Southeast featuring a lavish pond waterfall and shaded walking trails.

6. Hunt Family cabin – 1826 pioneer cabin located near the pretty Duck Pond it’s a great place to experience grassroots heritage programs held throughout the year.

7. Clemson Southern Caboose – legacy of the Class of 39th. This little red train will delight kids of all ages. Make sure to stop by the Heritage Garden nearby to learn more about Clemson University history.

We were amused by the old-school disciplinary methods applied to the young soldier pupils. Must have been something quite important since they dedicated a plaque to it!

More area attractions and FREE things to do with kids:
• Pendleton historic houses and art district
• Duke's World of Energy Museum
• Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls
• Hagood Mill and Pickens County Museum of History and Art

Here is the Google Map with all the free and under $5 must see attractions around Greenville, Oconee and Devils Fork State parks.

Discover the beautiful gardens and mysterious dinosaurs of the South Carolina Upcountry!

BACK
[caption id="attachment_168" align="alignnone" width="238" caption="SC Ovarian Cancer Society" BACK][/caption]

It's time for Greenville's Handbags for Hope Foundation.
Hope to see you there!

"Happy Dance" was inspired from my vacation in Charleston, SC this summer. We visited old friends and had such a great time...even dancing to Earth, Wind and Fire! I couldn't help but share the the colorful experience in my Handbags for Hope 2008 project this year.
Stained glass, Murano millefiori, and fused glass by Laura K. Aiken.

Greenville has kept me extremely busy. I have been working up there the last couple weeks helping to prepare the building for services this past weekend. You have no idea how many toilet paper dispensers, soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, disposable toilet seat cover holders, hand sanitizer dispensers, and automatic air freshener dispensers are in a building until you get into installing all of them.

I got to take a trip down to Ikea in Atlanta to pick up some furniture. I like the place. Very nice furniture. Very decent price. Long trip to the ATL though.

Got to play with a leak in one of the nursery rooms during one of the storms one evening. That was a lot of water. Not fun, but great crisis experience.

I got to be a part of 1,710 people at the first day of worship at the Greenville campus. I was at the first day at the Anderson campus, as well as the first day at Anderson College/University back in the day. I can't wait for the first day of worship in Florence.

Speaking of Florence, me, David, and Sam will be heading down to Florence on Thursday to meet with Michael and many volunteers who are interested in NewSpring Florence. Excited? Heck yeah!

We will also be checking out apartments in Florence while we are there. Anyone know of any great rental places in Flo-town? Let me know.

That's all I got for know. I'll keep you posted.

The first white men moved in the Oolenoy Valley soon after the Cherokee treaty at a place called Pumpkintown. In 1840 the Keith and Sutherland families built a hotel that soon became a popular area attraction. A second hotel was built in 1899 at present White Oak Picnic Shelters site then moved in 1920 to Saluda Valley to become a summer lodge.

Things to know before you go at Table Rock and Caesar’s Head parks
1. Carrick Creek is the only recommended hiking trail for young kids at the Table Rock state park. It starts at the Nature Center and about 2 miles it takes an hour to complete. It weaves around Carrick Creek and rewards hikers with dozens of gorgeous, refreshing and easy accessible mini waterfalls. It gets better at the end (or beginning!) when you and your brave little ones can goof around at the rock sliding and swimming area.

Here are all Table Rock hiking trails. Hikers are encouraged to register at the trail head kiosk and be off trails at least one hour before sunset. No overnight camping on trails. Foothills Trail hikers need to purchase a parking permit at the Visitors Welcome Center.
• Pinnacle Mt. 8.4 miles 6-7 hours
• Table Rock 7.2 miles 5-6 hours
• Mill Creek 5.8 miles 5-6 hours
• Carrick Creek (kid friendly) 1.9 miles 1 hour

2. There is a big playground near Pinnacle Lake with plenty of age appropriate equipment in a nicely shaded place. Beware of the geese wandering throughout the parking lot and the picnic area. They are mean, mean, mean and will harass you as soon as they sense the food. My 4 years old and I had to take refuge on top of the picnic table. No kidding! Finally I braved to chase them away using some stick musketeer style.

3. Caesar’s Head State Park has the “take it with you, no trace left behind” policy. There are no trash canes or restrooms along the park. The welcome center has restrooms and vending machines. I encourage you to replenish there and use the facilities.

4. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls from Caesar’s Head is about 5 miles long so plan ahead. If there is not much time left you can still enjoy incredible vistas of Campbell, Paris, Table Rock, Raven Cliff and Glassy mountains and the immaculate Table Rock reservoir (it supplies the city of Greenville with fresh water) at the Caesar’s Head overlook. From there you can hike the short and moderate Devil’s Kitchen trail.
Be mindful this park is frequented by black bears.

5. If waterfall viewing "it's on the menu" drive to Dupont Forest State Park (couple miles after crossing the NC border off of hwy 276; here are driving directions to and map of Hooker Falls Access Area). It provides easy hiking and quick access to some of North Carolina most beautiful waterfalls: Triple Falls, High Falls and Grassy Creek Falls. There is a $12 map you can purchase at Caesar’s Head welcome center. Here are some great Dupont Foreast park hike trails details, an interactive map and waterfall photos.

Table Rock Admission, Lodging and Rental Prices

Admission fee: $2 per person; $15 per bus; $1.25 SC senior citizen. Annual passport $50 (good at all SC State Parks); Palmetto Passport $25 (for SC seniors or disabled citizens). Tip: if you got a permit or day pass from another SC park you can use it at Table Rock (and any other state park) as long as the permit / pass are still valid.

Cabins: There are 16 cabins (8 with 1 BR, 5 with 2 BR and 1 with 3 BR) that can accommodate 4-10 persons. They range in price from $75 to $120 per night. Check in 4 PM, check out time 10 AM. Tip: rent Sunday thru Thursday to save $15-20 per night. Cabins 5, 6, 7 and 8 are right by Pinnacle Lake and have the best views. You can reserve a cabin up to 11 months in advance. Call 1-866-345-7275 or go online www.southcarolinaparks.com.

There are 100 camping sites at the White Oaks campground equipped with showers and a recreation building. Price is about $20 per night (including tax); again is cheaper during the week.

Equipment Rentals: Spring thru fall, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM till 5 PM (weather permitting).
• Pedal boats - 2 person $5 per half hour; 4 person boat $7 per half hour
• Kayaks and canoes - $5 per half hour; $15 per day
• Fishing boat - $15 per day; $35 per day for boats with trolling motor (3 person maximum). Note that no private boats are allowed on Pinnacle Lake however you can use them at Lake Oolenoy across Hwy 11.

Swimming: June till mid-August Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM till 5 PM; August 16 thru Labor Day weekends only. Adults $2, children 4-12 years $1.50, free for kids 3 years and under.

Enjoy the beauty of the South Carolina Upcountry parks!

As I was reading today, I was struck once again with the realization that true believers are moved by God's revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ to such a degree that a person's conduct will of necessity be changed.  Such is the power of the glory of Jesus Christ.   Over and over the Bible informs us that not only will there be a change in conduct, but there will also be a commensurate movement in conviction and persuasion of the Truth in the hearts of believers. 

Matthew 16.15-17 - ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

John 6.68-69 - ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, ⁶⁹ and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

II Corinthians 4.11-18 -  ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, ¹⁴ knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. ¹⁵ For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. ¹⁶ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

II Timothy 1.12 - But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.³

I John 4.13-16 - ¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

These and other verses like these point to the fact that those who have been regenerated (given new life) by the Spirit have an overwhelming confidence/assurance/conviction, of the truth of the glory of the gospel.  This understanding does not come by reason or brilliance.  It does not come through years of education and hard work.  It comes because of the movement of God in the heart and soul of a person. 

"God has made it possible for a person to attain full assurance of the truth of the gospel apart from arguments related to ancient traditions and history and other evidences... Those who eventually lost their lives as martyrs of Christ, perhaps most of whom lacked formal education, 'declare their assurance of the truth and divinity of the gospel, having had the eyes of their minds enlightened, to see divinity in the gospel, or to behold unparalled, ineffably excellent, and truly divine glory shining in it, which is altogether distinguishing, evidential, and convincing, so that they may truly be said to have seen God in it, and to have seen that it is indeed divine."  (Storms, Signs of the Spirit, 106)

This kind of sight produces awe, awe produces humility, and humility produces child-like faith.  In the words of Christ, it is not self-sufficiency toward greatness that brings one into the kingdom of Chist, but rather humility toward radical dependence on Jesus that grants one entrance into His kingdom and indeed makes one truly great. 

Matthew 18.1-4  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

For my part, every day there needs to be a packing up of my pride and prejudices, and an unpacking of the kind of humility and trust that a child has.  This move to South Carolina has reminded me once again that I could have never done it on my own.  I needed so many other people to come alongside and do what I couldn't.  And when it comes to the Christian life, it is no different.  I must have a moving experience - everyday - continually - with the Spirit of God moving in me to do what I can't do myself.  I need the fellowship and support of other brothers and sisters encouraging me onward.   I need my wife and children to interact together for the purpose of living humbly as a family.  I take heart because I know that Christ can bring all of this and more to pass...

Philippians 1.6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Cliff's Cottage Furman University

The 3,400-square-foot Cliffs Cottage at Furman University, a Southern Living Showcase home, opened in June for public tours to educate about living stylish but also eco-friendly.

It was built as a model of environmentally responsible design, sustainable building techniques and materials, and energy-saving systems.
From solar-panel systems to engineered wood, Bamboo flooring, stocked with energy-efficient appliances and even capable of generating power rather than draining it, to the insulated windows, this residential home has all the latest technological innovations in sustainable living. The commitment to sustainability has also been applied to the landscaping, the gardens, the rainwater collection systems, driveway and walkways surrounding the home.
Partners for the Cliffs Cottage are the Furman University, Southern Living, The Cliffs Communities, Duke Energy and Bank of America. Southern Living will feature The Cliffs Cottage Showcase Home and gardens in several issues of its magazine.

The Cliffs Cottage is open for the public on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
Fridays 10 am - 2 pm,
Thursdays 10 am - 6 pm,
Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm and
Sundays noon - 4 pm

Cliffs Cottage

© Flavia Westerwelle

TransDomo, LLC - Real Estate, Start-Up and Business development

Immobilienvermittlung , Start-up und Business Development Service in den USA

TransDomo,LLC / ShellTree Realty
Flavia & Klaus Westerwelle
Phone: 864.908.0690
Email: info@transdomo.com
http://www.transdomo.com

We arrived at the park about three hours early to check it out. We watched batting practice for a few minutes through the gates. We left the ball park to go down town for an hour, crossed over railroad tracks and noticed three old guys (70+) shagging batting practice balls over the right field fence so we decided to go join them.

They were not thrilled we joined them. I don't think. Later, one nicely said that more balls fly into another area. We were not sure if he was being helpful or just wanting us to move to another area. We tried the other area and my son did get a ball.

HERE IS THE DEAL: The tickets were $5. The stadium was nice. There was a nice bar/restaurant just outside of it. It was a cool and cheap experience.

This is a great time to mix and mingle with your PR and marketing colleagues and talk (gasp!) one on one. So please plan to join us and meet some new friends. And if you have friends in the area who don't read this blog (shame on them!), tell them to come, too! The more the merrier. You will need to RSVP ahead of time, though, so we know how many appetizers to order for the crowd. See the 411 below:

Public Relations Professionals Invited to SCPRSA’s Upstate
July Networking Night at City Range Steakhouse Grill

Greenville, S.C. — The Public Relations Society of America’s Upstate South Carolina group will host a networking session on July 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Range Steakhouse Grill on Haywood Road. SCPRSA will provide appetizers. Drinks and other food will be available for purchase by each individual. Please RSVP to ensure we order enough food.

Program: Networking Session

Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Place: City Range Steakhouse Grill, 615 Haywood Rd. Take I-385N to Haywood Road, turn left on Haywood Road. It is about a mile on the right. Call (864) 272-3005 for directions.

Cost: $15 for SCPRSA members, $20 for guests, $15 for college students. Walk-ups and late RSVPs are an additional $5. No shows will be billed.

RSVP: By noon, Monday, June 16, 2008.
For online registration, visit our website at www.scprsa.org.
If not registering online, contact Melea Mauldin at melea.mauldin@jdsouth.com.

Based on information from the Multiple Listing Service of Greenville, South Carolina, Inc. for the period January 2007 to June 10th, 2008
Source: MLS / Greenville

While representative of the market activity, these figures may not include all sales brokered by Member firms, and should not be viewed as all inclusive of sales transacted within the reference time periods.

© Flavia Westerwelle

TransDomo, LLC - Real Estate, Start-Up and Business development

Immobilienvermittlung , Start-up und Business Development Service in den USA

TransDomo,LLC / ShellTree Realty
Flavia & Klaus Westerwelle
Phone: 864.908.0690
Email: info@transdomo.com
http://www.transdomo.com

The 3,400-square-foot Cliffs Cottage at Furman University, a Southern Living Showcase home, opened in June for public tours to educate about living stylish but also eco-friendly.

It was built as a model of environmentally responsible design, sustainable building techniques and materials, and energy-saving systems.
From solar-panel systems to engineered wood, Bamboo flooring, stocked with energy-efficient appliances and even capable of generating power rather than draining it, to the insulated windows, this residential home has all the latest technological innovations in sustainable living. The commitment to sustainability has also been applied to the landscaping, the gardens, the rainwater collection systems, driveway and walkways surrounding the home.
Partners for the Cliffs Cottage are the Furman University, Southern Living, The Cliffs Communities, Duke Energy and Bank of America. Southern Living will feature The Cliffs Cottage Showcase Home and gardens in several issues of its magazine.

The Cliffs Cottage is open for the public on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
Fridays 10 am - 2 pm,
Thursdays 10 am - 6 pm,
Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm and
Sundays noon - 4 pm

Cliffs Cottage

© Flavia Westerwelle

TransDomo, LLC - Real Estate, Start-Up and Business development

Immobilienvermittlung , Start-up und Business Development Service in den USA

TransDomo,LLC / ShellTree Realty
Flavia & Klaus Westerwelle
Phone: 864.908.0690
Email: info@transdomo.com
http://www.transdomo.com

So the exciting news today is that my long-awaited Greenville Drive piece is about to go live!

Huh? You mean you don't remember? Jeez, it was only like, um a year ago. I went to Greenville, SC and wrote about the Southern Exposure event. Then discovered they are home to the Boston Red Sox LoA team: The Greenville Drive. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the story. They have a field built to Fenway Specs. It's been so long - I feel a bit like I'm about to deliver an elephant. We were in final edits in January. Dude, I'm serious. January. Welcome to Web 2.0.

And just the second it goes live, I'll be sure to let you know the URL...

But speaking of Red Sox and development...here's an update from the ranks: