Who Are You Looking For?

First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, CA

This morning I got up at 5:00am so I could be at church at 6:30 for Easter Sunrise Service. When I went out the door I saw it was raining and since the service was outside I didn't know if the service would be canceled. I figured if it was canceled they would move it inside. I picked up my friend and went to church. It wasn't raining when I picked her up and as we were driving to the church, 30 minutes away, the rain was gone and it hadn't been raining where we were. It was dark (that's why they call it a "sunrise service") and when we got to the church there were no lights on and no cars in the parking lot. We were there at 6:20 so had a few minutes and drove around the block a couple of times to see where the service was to be held. I almost gave up, but my friend said to keep looking. We got to the front of the church and saw 8 people putting up chairs.

Fields of Gold

The sky was just starting to get a little light so we parked the car and went over to the chairs. there were 10 people at the service including my friend and I. The service was short, only 30 minutes, and was nice. We were set up facing the east, but were surrounded by the houses so we couldn't really see the sun come up. It was interesting that we were in a residential area and speaking loudly at 6:30 in the morning, but I enjoyed it. I could imagine people waking up and hearing a church service going on, you know how you will lie in bed and listen to the radio ... this was the same thing. The sermon was an Easter message about Mary Magdalene finding the tomb empty and Jesus behind her asking who she was looking for. 

The water slowly wears away the legs

The title of the sermon was, "Claiming Hope", and the minister had some intriguing things to say. As she was talking I kept thinking of the question, "Who are you looking for". I was at the service because my sister asked me to start going to church. I had stopped after my divorce and I no longer enjoyed going because I didn't want to go alone. I wanted my kids to keep going to their "home church" with their mom so they had stability in their life. I tried a few churches over the years and went to single groups, but nothing really kept my interest. Something happened to my sister recently and I felt I needed to listen to her about going to church. I kept thinking about, "who are you looking for".

Sunset in the Pacific

Last year I made a promise to myself to run 2 5K races a week. That was really hard to do because I work 3 weekends a month. I was able to do it and sometimes that meant running on weekdays, sometimes at night, sometimes on vacation. This year I will run once a month and not worry about time just do fun things in fun places. I do that to keep healthy and to have a happy life. My sister would say that is good for your physical health, what about your mental health? As I was sitting there today I decided to have a different goal this year. I will go to church once a week. That usually means church on Sunday, but if I don't do that I will go to a service or a meeting in a church if I don't go on Sunday. 

Snow is starting to melt

I still work three weekends a month and not always in the same city, so chances are I won't be going to the same church every week. I haven't been to a church I really wanted to make my home for a long time. I know I haven't found that church because I haven't taken the time to meet the people, church is about the people not about the building or the service. I keep thinking, "Who am I looking for" and I don't know if I will even know that question unless I go out to look. I plan on writing about each place I go this week and that will help me think about if I found the person or the place.

What is written on the wall?

John 20: 14-16

¹⁴ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
¹⁵ He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

I am on the end on the right

Rebuttal to a comment

Looking at something too close you can't see what it is

The Defense of Marriage Act has nothing to do with the marriage laws in other countries. It has to do with whether the Federal Government recognizes the marriages of same sex couples that were legally performed in the nine states and the District of Columbia that allow gay marriage. The question is if the Federal government can deny federal benefits (Social Security, Veteran's Benefits, tax benefits, etc) to the legally married same sex couples. It is discriminatory to do so and, therefore, against the U.S. Constitution.  
 

It looks different from far away

That is what someone said in a reply to what I wrote yesterday. I guess they don't know what the case is about in the Supreme Court this week. That was my whole reason for writing the blog I wrote, some people want to read things into Supreme Court cases that aren't there. The case is not about same-sex marriages unless you want it to be. If you look at the article I'm looking at it says, " the two were eventually married in Canada in 2007...". The last I checked Canada wasn't one of  "the nine states and the District of Columbia that allow gay marriage". If the question is if the federal government should recognize a marriage done by a state in this country than the case should be about a marriage in this country.

Horse or mule?

If the question is whether states can issue marriage licenses to anyone they want to then the question goes to if they can let people marry their dog, or can they prevent interracial marriages, or can they allow people marry people in another country they met on the internet and never met face to face. Isn't that way the federal government passed the Defense of Marriage Act, so we have a definition of what marriage means versus domestic partnership? One problem the United States of America has always had is States rights versus federal rights. We had a Civil War over that question. 

Tour of Gold Country

 The response further said, "It is discriminatory to do so and, therefore, against the U.S. Constitution.  " There are many discriminating things in this country that are legal. We don't allow felons to vote, that is discriminatory, we don't allow people from other countries to come into our country without a visa, we don't allow men to go to play on women's sports teams an we allow women to be on men's sports teams. Just because something is discriminatory doesn't mean it is against the U.S. Constitution. I don't know any Articles that says, "Thou Shalt not Discriminate"! 

California Golden Poppies

I don't often argue with people that disagree with me. When I was young I would always do it and enjoy it. I knew I would never change their mind, and they would never change my mind, but it helped me think about things better to explain how I really felt. Now I don't want disharmony. I don't see a reason to argue about things because all it does is make people dislike each other. I am not on the Supreme Court so what I think doesn't matter. I'm not going to change anyone's mind.

All homesteads have to have a wind vane

Gay Marriage

Trading Post at Angels Camp, CA

This week the Supreme Court has heard two different cases dealing with "same-sex marriage". I guess that is the politically correct way to describe gay marriage. It gets tiresome to always change the way we say something just because it might offend someone, and someone is always offended. The Supreme Court decides if something is constitutional. The question before the court right now is not if gay marriage is constitutional, the two questions are if the California Proposition that the majority of people voted on that says gay marriage is illegal and if the federal government can withhold marriage benefits (like lower taxes and right of inheritance) from homosexual couples that were legally married somewhere else.

Ladybug

I don't care if gay couples can get married. I think that it should be a national policy not a State policy. I really don't think it is a good idea since the word "married" in my mind means a man and a woman. I do think if different States have different definitions of marriage then it kind of dilutes the reason to get married. I guess the real reason is why get married. Many people these days are living together without getting married. Many people are having kids and never getting married. Many people are getting divorced and still dating or living together. I think if two people get married they should be a family, have children, go through the good and the bad together and realize they can't get out of it easily.

Endless road

Why can't gay couples do the same thing? Why can't "domestic partners" be in the same situation? I don't think we should call it marriage, but it can be recognized as a legal union. The worst thing is if it a legal union then there has to be a way to dissolve that legal union, like a divorce dissolves marriage. A union between same-sex couples is great, everyone needs someone, and if a person is gay they shouldn't be together with someone from the opposite sex because it is the "right" thing to do. I just don't think it is exactly the same thing and should not be recognized as exactly the same thing. I know many people will disagree with me, but I think this is right.

Flowers in the field

 Everyone is talking about same-sex marriage as to whether they think it is right. The question in front of the Supreme Court is whether a marriage in another country, that isn't valid in this country should mean that the survivor shouldn't have to pay taxes on the money when the person dies. It isn't directly if same-sex marriage is legal in the country, it has to do with tax laws. The Supreme Court can come up with a decision that a marriage in another country is not valid necessarily in this country. I think that is a valid argument. If another country recognizes a marriage between a brother and sister does that mean our country does? If another country allows polygamy does that mean our country has to recognize it? If another country doesn't allow divorce (like Philippines) does that mean we shouldn't recognize it?

Fire in the middle of nowhere

Why do we always look at things being a HUGE impact and blow everything out of proportion? Why do we always look for a deeper meaning when the question doesn't have to be so deep? I think this country needs to go back to the basics, the three branches should do their jobs ... The Legislative Branch makes the laws, the Executive Branch enforces the laws, and the Judicial Branch decides if the laws are legal. Why do we have the Judicial Branch make laws, and the Executive Branch make laws, and the Legislative Branch argue about everything and never make a law. Isn't that what we all learn in Elementary School?

Vineyards are starting to get green

What color is your pee?

Point Arena Lighthouse

When I was in the Army I lived in El Paso, Texas for a few years. When I lived there I used to go to the field in the desert with the Army. Dehydration is something they worry about a lot when they are in the desert so they would order people to drink water every hour. I always wondered how you can tell if someone was dehydrated. The people in the Army that work in the desert know many tricks on what to do or not to do. Working with them I learned that you can tell if a person is hydrated by the color of their urine. If a person's urine is clear that means the person has enough fluid. If the urine is a dark yellow that means the person hasn't had enough to drink and needs to drink immediately.

Earth Hydration

The same goes for when you are sick. It seems like when you are sick your urine is a dark yellow and when it gets clear you are getting better. So, always check your pee color and if it isn't white/clear drink more water!

Clover in the wood

When can I stop dieting ...

Sleeping on the street

I have written before about losing weight. I think I was very successful in working to get my weight off. I keep trying to get another 10 pounds off and I want to be sure to keep it off. Last year I kept it off by running twice a month. This year I haven't had that motivation so I am trying to do fun runs once a month. Longer distances less frequently was my thinking, but I'm not sure it is working. Last year I was at the gym every day since I knew I would be running a race the following week. Now I am not sure when my next race is so I don't have motivation to go to the gym. I go sometimes, but it isn't a priority like last year.

Mural on the side of a day care in SF

When I lost my weight I exercised every day, sometimes twice a day, but I also was very careful of what I ate. I was careful of everything I ate. I tried to eat healthy meals and would snack on apples or carrots. I ate less food overall and wasn't hungry. It isn't easy to eat healthy. I had to plan all my meals and snacks a week ahead of time and then not eat other snacks. I would still eat at McDonald's when I wanted, but I would be very thoughtful of the calories that I ate. I finally lost the weight I wanted and relaxed a little. I have also found out that I can't relax. I have to be vigilant.

Billboard

I guess you have to stay on a diet for all of your life. They say you have to make a life change. I put my weight on because I ate too much and didn't exercise. Now I exercise, when I can get motivated. I need to realize I can never relax in what I eat. I have to keep eating healthy and plan my meals a week ahead of time. I bought a bag of chips last week and had chips and dip and a coke as I was watching tv last Friday. YUCK! I don't know how anyone can sit down and eat chips. I guess I used to, but I ended up throwing the bag of chips out because I know I will never be able to finish the bag. Maybe I will buy one of those small bags like we used to bring in our lunches if I get a craving again!! You can never stop dieting, or you will go back to the way you were before!

Cute dog on the streets of San Francisco

Blind Dates!

SF Art

Pictures before meeting

I am single and done like that situation. I don't mind it these days, but I know I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life. I want to find a woman that I enjoy being with and adds to my life. I want to find a woman that is attractive to me and likes doing the same things as I do.

Picture she sent me

A few week ago I put an ad on Craigslist to see if I could find a woman that there is a mutual attraction with.

What she looked like

I would really like to find a woman that is active and it would be nice if she would go to races with me, if she doesn't want to run that is ok if she is just there to support me. I got three responses. One lady lived in San Francisco and wanted to meet me so we arranged to meet today at a Starbucks in San Francisco. She included a picture in her original email and I was happy with how she looked I had a couple of pictures in my ad so she knew how I looked. She had told me to meet her at Starbucks on the corner of Mission and 4th.

Chocolate factory in SF

Homeless in SF park

When I got there I found two Starbucks on that corner, so I had to make a guess which one to meet her. I was to meet her at 5pm and at 5:05pm my cell phone rang. The woman was on the phone and was wondering where I was. I looked around the Starbucks and there was one Asian lady talking on the phone, but she didn't look like the picture I was sent so I didn't think she was the one calling me.

Food festival in SF

Festival of food tucks

She had my number, but the person calling me had blocked their number. I think if I give her my number she should show me the respect of not hiding her number. I then realized that was true unless she had something to hide. When I realized the old lady on the phone behind me was the woman I was supposed to meet I realized she she had something to hide, the fact she sent me a false picture. (the website of the picture is: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HcGNOm3ssEfW8PJzf_R-HxlRmix8Q8TqUkGZq56mfGNJkVwrEUbxt3bG_USZntZfFoHHHlwv0n-aj6l2tEUDqZs15oCROMJqa2sORW-HOm8XiHy_-JofjQR-jPpsxVmQJbce_qDvlmNS/s1600/China_Women_001.jpg)

Food trucks for dogs

Even the dogs were chowing down

When I was looking on this internet for a picture of what she looked like I came across the picture she had sent me, who happens to be a Chinese movie star. Did she think I wouldn't notice that she doesn't look like the picture she sent me? I don't understand people who do things like that! Meeting in a public place is a great idea, but we both need to know what each other look like. Blind dates stink!

Always ATM available

I have been on some before and they are usually just an interview process of sitting across the table asking and answering questions. The best blind date I was on was last year when she met me at Dave and Busters (a place that have video games and serves beer) and we had something to do other than ask each other questions.

Running across the Golden Gate Bridge

Me running on the bridge

Today I did the one race I have been looking forward to this year. I ran 12 kilometers (over 7 miles) from the base of one side of the Golden Gate Bridge over the bridge and then another 4 miles to Fisherman's Warf in San Francisco. It was really fun to see the sights of San Francisco and run a longer race than I have run before.

The start was over in those mountains

This was a race like last week where it wasn't in a circle. Last week we were bussed back to the beginning after we finished. This week we were bussed to the start before the race and ran to where we parked our cars.

Running up to the bridge

I like learning new things about the world. I didn't know there were so many forts around San Francisco protecting the Golden Gate Bridge. I knew about the Presidio of San Francisco and had heard of Fort Baker.

Running across the bridge

 We stated at Fort Baker, which is on the other side of the bridge than San Francisco, then ran up the hill to the bridge. I was surprised that at the bridge there was a sign that said to push a button to open a gate, I guess there is a gate to the golden gate! I didn't run the whole distance. I knew I couldn't when I started.

A clear day from the bridge

The bridge is 1.7 miles and I ran that whole distance. I ran intermittently the rest of the distance, until I got to the 6 mile mark and I ran the rest of the way.

Father carried his son over the bridge

2600 people ran the race and it was fun to see all the different types of people that ran. Some were seasoned runners that run all the time. Some were there for the experience of running across the bridge, like me. Some wanted to support the children's center that the race supported.

Fort Point is at the base of the bridge

After running across the bridge we ran around and under the bridge to a path and then a park to the base of the San Francisco side of the bridge. We ran past some old houses and buildings that used to belong to the federal government when it was the Presidio. We ran past the old parade field which is now Crissy Field and then behind the Palace of Fine Arts towards Fisherman's Warf.

Running past the Marina

At the 6 mile mark there was another hill. We ran up a path to Aquatic Park and then down the path and around to the finish.

Cheerleaders telling it is almost over

I was really happy when I finished. I had completed the whole 12K. It was my longest distance yet. I had done a 5K, 8K, 10K, 11K, and now I finished a 12K. I ran the 12K in about the same amount of time as I did the 10K. Now I'm wondering if I should try a longer distance and see if I can do it.

FINISH!

Stretching exercise at the Great Mall

The Great Mall, Milpitas, CA

Electronics store in the mall

Tomorrow I'm going to run a 12K race across the Golden Gate Bridge. That's 7 miles and will take me over 90 minutes to run. I don't like to run the day before a race because I need to rest my muscles. If I don't do anything my legs hurt more the day of the race.

I got lost and was following the girl in the orange dress

I wanted to get out and be around people today. I didn't want to go to the gym and sweat, but I knew I had to do something. I needed some place I could do much walking. I decided to walk around my neighborhood. It is a beautiful warm day today so I thought this was a good solution. When I went out of my house my heart still wasn't into the idea of walking alone. I thought about going to the batting cage with my daughter, and asked if she wanted to go, but she was busy today.

Many things to do and see at the mall

I figured the best way to get some stretching my legs and be around people was to go to the mall.

I used to work in a mall

Food Court, nuff said!

Most people reading this would not think of this as a big deal, but people that know me and my three daughters know this is something I don't like to do. Maybe it started with my three daughters because going to the mall with three girls is really frustrating. I just don't like to go to malls. I don't like to go to shopping without a purpose.

The only thing I bought!

I got to the Great Mall and walked around for 2 hours. I was surprised at the number of people. It seemed to be more people than when I was there at Christmas time. I thought the government should do a survey of the number of people at a mall as to whether the economy is doing better. It seemed to me it was doing better.

This guy needs to pull up his pants

I could go to the mall to watch tv

I like to do people watching at the mall. It is interesting all the nationalities that are represented. The variety of languages you hear just walking around the mall. I went into a few stores and sometimes got lost.

lots of gadgets for sale

Family shopping

I tried to walk clockwise, but sometimes I would go into a store and went the wrong way when I came out. At one point I decided to just follow a lady to not get lost. She was very tall so easy to follow. I wasn't there to buy anything, just stretch my legs to prepare for my run tomorrow.

Sporting stores have fun stuff

Men wait outside stores for their wives

The mall has people giving massages, that is a thing I don't understand. There are more massage chairs than benches for people to sit down on, I don't think that is fair. I had a nice time at the mall today. I remember why I don't like to visit malls and since I don't have daughters to take me around the mall any more I don't have a reason to go any more.

Photo place at the mall

Coach has a line of people waiting outside

 It was strange to see people standing in a line to go into a store. A long line was also standing at the pretzel stand to get a fresh warm pretzel. I couldn't understand why they didn't just walk over to the food court to get something else.

Line of people waiting for pretzels

Bumper cars on stuffed animals

I teach my students that want to be teachers that variety is important to keep a class fun. I think the same is important for exercising!