Invisible Toucans

New twists develop as the search for Munkeys continues. My Philippians class takes an impromptu break in order to investigate a rare Toucan sighting. Little do we know we are in for an exceptional encounter with a legendary Invisible Toucan.

Costa Rica / Munkey Hunt

I am going to be in Costa Rica for the next month. My goals in order of importance are: to represent Christ to those I speak to. Help a group of 5 students understand Philippians and 2 Corinthians as well as apply the truth found in them. Find Munkeys. I understand that's not how you spell monkey but that's how I like to say it. You can check out the progress of the Munkey Hunt below.

Night Hike

The full moon brings a few things to mind; werewolves, pagan sacrifices and night hikes. Over the past few months I was determined to encounter one of these three. After being thwarted by poor weather, an aversion to overt idolatry and the lack of knowledge of where to find a werewolf, I was getting a bit antsy. The full moon was coming up again and I was jonesen for a sweet hike before the moon retreated for another month. I hate to admit it but I am quite the social creature, paralyzingly so sometimes. I wanted to go on a night hike but I hate doing things alone so I went about propositioning friends and acquaintances like a cheap whore. Things were looking dim until fellow adventurer and United States hero Sam agreed to hike (he was also the one who suggested the location.) So with a real american riding shotgun in Tabbi the Geo Metro extraordinare we took off down moonlit highways and back roads until we came to our destination. We hiked to the top of a small hill/mountain. We had to climb around a gate with a sign that I can only assume read, Trespasser's Welcome. It was a short hike and at the top we were rewarded with the most amazing view plus an empty water tower (aside from the bats) to perch on top of. Below are the pictures. Please enjoy and try to avoid the feeling of deep seated regret that you neglected to accompany us on this fantastic adventure. 

Time Lapse Tuesday

This is not one of those weekly Tuesday series things. I shot a time lapse at some time in the past. I am posting it on Tuesday. End of Story! Oh I think this one sucks but I am am posting it to motivate me to do one that doesn't suck. Really the end of story.

A misguided ambition. A substandard result.

The other night, me and my room mate (also named Daniel) spent the night on a small island located in the middle of the lake. This is something that I have wanted to do for years and finally I had a willing participant. (I don't like to do things alone so chances are if I can't convince someone else to do it too its not happening.) My first attempt ended with me soaking wet and wading waist deep in the dirty lake water. After a quick change of clothes and the acquisition of some paddles to go along with our child size inflatable boat we were ready for attempt number two. This one ended with a hole in our now deflated child sized boat and all of our sleeping supplies stranded on the island. We finally did the only sensible thing and on attempt number 3 got security to unlock the canoe which floats wonderfully and can accommodate 2 full grown men with all of their sleeping supplies.

Upon reaching the island I believe both Dan and I were fully struck by the reality that it was freezing cold (I was informed later the official temperature was 32 degrees) and we had less than superb sleeping bags. Not to be thwarted by common sense we prepared for a night on the slanted, uneven, freezing and uncomfortable ground. Since it was a full moon I decided it would be a good time to shoot a time lapse with my Canon T2i. Below is the disappointing results but at least I can now say I spent the night on the island at CCBC.

-DP

Tea Rant: The Papaya Scandal of 2010

I have just finished a 1 year subscription to Teavana's Tea of the Month club and I wanted to make some observations. First is that it is really convenient to just have tea sent every month without having to think about it. Bing Bang Boom another month goes by and I get 3 2oz packages in the mail. Second is that Teavana has really quality teas. I haven't once been disappointed because something tasted cheap. That being said I have definitely been disappointed. For the money it is cheaper  to order a bunch of various teas from different companies on a monthly basis. I mean I could have spent $10 a month on tea and come out about even. As for the convenience factor, it is not that difficult to go online and purchase something. 10 minutes a month over 12 months that's 2 hours for the entire year. Still overall not that bad a deal but my main problem is Papaya. I know some people love the stuff but I think it smells like butt and tastes like what I presume butt tastes like (having never had the opportunity to taste butt I have no real experience with its actual taste.) It seems that Teavana is on a crusade to include some sort of dried or candied Papaya in at least 50% of their teas. Every month I would expectantly open my Teavana package and be disappointed to find a least one of the teas included the dreaded Candied Papaya making it completely useless. Like I said it wasn't a matter of cheapness just poor choice of ingredients. My recommendation after a years worth of triumphs and tragedies with the tea of the month club? If you want to try new teas go to a local tea shop make friends with the people working there and ask them for recommendations. They can help you choose teas that are suited for your tastes. Its the best of both worlds, new tea + good taste = happy Danny. 

To fill out the book section I have just started re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. Just saw the movie and don't want to wait 6 months for the conclusion.

Cheers

Danny