I’m sick. I hate being sick. I hate the coughing, the sneezing, the nose running and all the feelings that go with it. I hate what it does to my ability to focus, to multitask, to get things done.

I hate that it forces me to slow down. Then I realize that that’s exactly what I need.

Slow down.

When I slow down, I think about things more before I say them, if only because talking requires more effort. I think more about how my actions affect other people. I take time to just think about things. I am a do-er. I love to do. I often don’t consider that doing without thinking is pointless, really. When I slow down, I focus on what matters.

I need to take time to slow down every day, instead of waiting until I’m forced to.

I recently moved, and so I’ve been selling some things I don’t need on ebay. I noticed a cool feature today: Ebay will let you automatically donate a portion or all of the profit you make on your item to one of hundreds of non-profit organizations, and also give you a credit for seller fees. Check it out:

How cool is that? I’m donating my profits to invisible children, because they’re awesome.

The driver has to work harder than anyone. He’s the first to show up and the last to leave. When his teammates are all out drinking beer, he’s up in his room studying pictures of turns. You see, a driver must remain 100% focused at all times. Not only is he responsible for knowing every inch of every course he races, he also responsible for the lives of the other three people in the sled. Do you want that responsibility?

- Cool Runnings

Read it again but put “leader” in place of “driver.” Leadership is like that I think, and it can be lonely. Sometimes you just want to have fun instead of having the responsibility. Which is why you have to want it.

Ever try to play a itunes song outside of itunes? Oh, you can’t. Ever want to send an itunes song to a friend to check out? Oh, you can’t. Ever want to convert a itunes song to mp3? Oh, you can’t. Ever want your audio in higher quality? Nope.

Amazon MP3. Still one click to buy and add to itunes. MP3 Format. 256 kbps. DRM Free. Oh, and cheaper than itunes.

Aug 8-10, I'm volunteering for an organization called Teen Leadership Camp, to take 40 kids who are in the care of the Social Services Foster Care System to camp for a weekend. The goal is to offer life-changing paths, build hope, friendship and memories for these kids who have either been abused or neglected by their families.

I'm setting a goal of raising $400, which covers the cost of one kid going to camp. If you can chip in $5, $10 or more, that would be awesome. You can give by clicking the badge on the right column over there.

Check out this video and also see http://n-tlc.org for more info. If you have more questions, .

Something about music stirs my soul more than anything else. While I think “worship music” is important, I now am pretty certain that I won’t be writing any. Not to say that it won’t be worship, if that makes sense. I want my music to cross boundaries of belief to point people towards God. I really look up to Thrice for this, they’re creating original, honest music that has a wide appeal but is so clear when you dig into its message.

The biggest barrier towards me doing something with music seems to be me. I don’t write because I don’t like what I wrote, and after trying for a little while I get frustrated with my lack of skill. I say, when I get better at this or that, then I’ll do it. It’s hard to keep at it when there’s so much to do.

jared: i’ve heard of this human race

jared: who’s winning?

Christa: haha

Christa: I AM

possession is an obsession in our culture. If we own a thing, we feel that we can control it; and if we control it, we feel that it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them . . .Let’s learn to enjoy the beauty of the beach without the compulsion to buy a piece of it.

I love sci-fi. Well, good sci-fi that is. Lately, I love Battlestar Galactica. I think one of the biggest strengths about sci-fi is that by introducing people who are not human, it prompts greater questions about what qualifies us as human, what defines humanity. A good look at ourselves can be a valuable thing.

Lately I’ve been really getting into the merlin show . I’m only caught up to about episode 11 of 20, but if I had to sum up what I’ve seen so far, it’s sort of a mixture of GTD tips and interviews with musicians and engineers about issues surrounding human interaction and how technology shapes our communication and communities. So far I’ve found it both educational and intellectually stimulating. You should check it out.

Staying busy, that’s for sure. Work is going fantastic, esp since Jeff came to work with us :)

Driving home to Visalia next week, can’t believe that its thanksgiving already.

Crazy.

So, on Sunday I turn 24 (I feel so old) and life looks pretty good. Hard to believe I’ve been here over a year already. Had an epic dinner at Pina’s tonight with the roonmies, going to have a little bbq and play frisbee tomorrow, and play guitar on Sunday at church. Also Jeff starts work with me next week, which is pretty exciting.

So, there are a few good shows coming up. Here’s a few I’m going to, you should come!

Sept 27th – Mute Math at the Avalon in Hollywood

Oct 19th – Lifehouse at HOB San Diego

Oct 21 – Jimmy Eat World at HOB San Diego