All Right, All Right

Fine. I'll relocate my blog to wordpress. You might as well change your links now to this: www.ahabsquest.wordpress.com. I'll have to do something about the size of those pictures though... Hope it works out. Thanks for sticking with me. I don't know what I'll do about my archives though.

The Aforementioned Picture Post

To test out Wordpress, I posted a bunch of pictures of our new Townhome. Sure, it took forever and I was smacking my desk and chucking soft things around the room before it was over, but I hope the photos make it worth it for all y'all who can't come see us just yet. Check it out! And don't change your links just yet. Wordpress and I have yet to make friends.

So Far, So Bad

If Wordpress were a person, I'd punch squi. It took me forever to make my humble picture post about my new place, and I found the photo posting process arduous and clumsy. Additionally, Wordpress froze my pc twice in the process, the second time forcing a hard reset. Not the way to win the customers over, Wordpress. Screw you, for now.

What's so Great about Wordpress?

Recently, people I know have been ditching Blogger like a bad habit that doesn't involve nicotene (one, two). This made me curious, so I signed myself up for a Wordpress blog (check it out here). Here's my question, especially directed to Dan, Nate and Jason: What's so great about Wordpress? Or, even more specific, what's so much better about Wordpress that I should make the switch?

I'm concerned about shifting all of my archives over. Yes, I think it would rock to be able to categorize them, but how do I get them all over there in a timely and easy manner? I was also not a fan of the insert photo function while composing; it asks for a url, but I prefer to upload my pics from hard disc. Any way around that? Also, how did you guys add a tab (I think they call it a page)? I added one, but it didn't show up on the main page.

I must say, I don't think the themes are much better. There's still a limited amount of choices, but they do allow more flexibility, and I like that. I also like the stats widget and the calendar. Ok, fellas: persuade me!

Cellular Phones and Convenience

I've had this post percolating for so long that I don't remember all I wanted to write about it, but here we go anyway. I believe the inspiration for this post came from our now infamous July 4 fireworks watching experience (Nate's got a great rant on it) when some punk high schoolers talked on their phones during the explosive show. Grrrrr. Then, Jason posted on some do's and don't's of cell phone use. Cool beans.

But what really irks me most about cell phones is the pervasiveness of their use. On a Seinfeld episode I recently watched, Jerry has a standup schtick about how with car phones, voicemail, answering machines, call waiting etc., "we all have nothing to say, and we have to say it right now!" How even more true in the age of cell phones! Everyone is calling everyone all the time. You can't go anywhere without inadvertantly overhearing someone else's (oftentimes very personal) phone conversation.

Of course, I admit that I want to have it both ways. I love having a cell phone instead of a landline, and we all know that cell phones are much cheaper than any of the big phone companies would be charging us without their existence. They're convenient, perfect for emergencies, great for when one gets lost, travel, and a myriad of other situations. Regular phones just aren't as functional. I have a cell phone, and I probably always will.

But what does it mean that we all want to be able to converse anytime anywhere no matter what? What cost are we paying as a society for this new convenience? No more silence. No more time to think without the possibility of someone calling you (or someone in close proximity to you). No more opportunity to say, "I wasn't there when you called." Sure, you can say, "I was in the other room," or, "I didn't hear it ring," but it's not the same. The person calling doesn't necessarily believe you because it's a cell phone: the go anywhere, have-it-with-you-always phone.

The greater issue is the alarming rise of things that are convenient but not necessarily good. We are a lazy society. Technology is always going to make things easier and more convenient for us--at what point do we stop and say, "That's enough. Some things I like to handle myself." Our society doesn't value work (I know I don't). I agree that technology ought to make things better for our world, but I worry that we confuse more convenient with better. Frequently, they march to the same drum, but they can be different (cf. homemade food, art, literature, euthanasia, abortion).

Clearly, cellular phones are not evil, and I don't intend to give that impression in this post. I just hope as a society we can distinguish between when convenience is good (cheaper phone calls) and evil (bluetooth headsets--I said it!). If anyone has anything to say about this rambling post, feel free to comment, or call me on my cell. I'm sure I'll have it with me.

"Some People Think our State is Square...

They're wrong, just wait and see.
I walk a mile high,
Colorado's right for me!" --Five Iron Frenzy, "You Probably Shouldn't Move Here"

Thus far, Colorado's right for J and me as well, and we followed the spirit of the above Five Iron Frenzy song and ignored its title.

The wife and I arrived in Colorado on Tuesday, and it's been a busy few days getting our apartment together, dropping off the Uhaul trailer (worked pretty well, although it was slow going on our trip), unpacking, cleaning, calling places, getting lost, etc. Overall, we love it here so far.

The mountains keep getting my attention. We can see them from out our kitchen window and our bedroom window upstairs. Yep, that's right: we've got mountain views at our new place. Frequenly, we'll be driving somewhere, round a bend and wham: the Rockies are everywhere along the horizon. I keep forgetting they're there. Plus, the Rockies have been playing coy with us over the first few days; storms and clouds keep shrouding the peaks, but our glimpses of mountains have been glorious.

The townhouse we live in is a definite step up from our former abode in Mounds View. Technically, it's got fewer square feet, but it has an upstairs (from which I'm typing this), wood floors, fireplace, tiny backyard (we'll take it), shed, three skylights, balcony (of questionable structural integrity), washer and dryer, dishwasher, and a great kitchen. We love it. Pictures are forthcoming; we'll shoot the pics as soon as things are in some semblance of order.

My Mom and Dad helped us out immensely by agreeing to tow all of our worldly possessions behind them across three states and helping us load and unload. Thanks, you guys. Also, many more thank yous to the folks who assisted in our move and any stage: Nate, Dan, E, Karen, Justin, J's mom and dad, my folks, J's brother, and her grandma. Also, thanks to you who have been praying for us; we really appreciate it!

I've plenty more to say about life out here, so look for future posts. I feel a rant coming up about King Soopers...grrr. If you're looking for things to pray about, J has two job interviews Monday, I have yet to start my job, my classes start in September, and we can always use just general prayers. Know that we're praying for you too, dear reader*. Hello, Colorado!

*Unless we don't know you; then, I guess, we pray for you in general from time to time.

Photo: the Rockies from our bedroom window. Seriously.