A post? Wow.

I guess that last post was the nail in the coffin. Going forward I'm just going to cover whatever is on the brain. Right now here's what's on my brain.

Mint.com - This is a really nice web 2.0 financial management tool

Goodbye IIF - We sold our India Investment fund shares at a profit and bought some CGMFX. Adios India.

Romans 8:28-39 - I'm having a really hard time memorizing this entire thing - eek!

The new computer board and grinder for the La Marzocco Linea should be here this week. It's been months waiting...

Perhaps my rambles are useless.

To blog or not to blog - thank you Mena Trott

Is blogging simply a form of narcissism or is there more substance to it? As you have noticed there hasn't been a post for over a month. The funny thing is that you're probably not reading this in real time anyway, but instead found this weeks or months later.

The delay in posts was due to travel and other business, not because there was nothing worth sharing. Really though, what's worth sharing? Should I share pictures to London, information on coffee, the best techniques for water skiing on your rump, or random rants and musings? Honestly it's all important. Why you ask? Well, for one, who do you think this blog is for? I used to think this blog was just for you and me, but then I came across a TED conference presentation by Mena Trott. Mena explained that the personal blog is a record for sharing your life, and while it's spiffy for people to read in real time, it's real power is in connecting and sharing ideas that would otherwise be stifled or lost by providing a record of me (well us I guess).

Just imagine that Google, Blogger, and the internet don't disappear in a far distant dystopia. In those days my great grandchildren will likely have the ability to review our archived blog. I won't claim that I can document a perfect example of who we are, but it will provide more context for those who otherwise wouldn't know me. Really, how much do you know about your great grandparents? If you found a shoe box of old letters and photographs don't you think you'd look at them?

Please check out Mena Trott's TED presentation

Thank you.

Grace Cafe Lauches and a Fun Birthday

Grace Cafe opened for experimental Sunday service the other day. Mike was pouring espresso and building drinks for visitors and old friends alike. We've got a few process tweaks to work out but our coffee is top notch!
Mike's Birthday was on 7/23, so a bunch of friends incame to celebrate on Sunday evening. Stephanie made a super-cute octopus cake and we played a full board of Monopoly with all nine pieces. It was amazing to see the crazy real estate deals, including rent futures. Happy birthday to Michael Wright too, whose day is one week prior on 7/16.


More photos here: http://landofpens.smugmug.com/gallery/3200049#176386649

A little busy...

The Penlands have been busy. Mike has been working to keep the house in order and Stephanie has been diligently pursuing her MFA studies. Here you'll see her marking up various layouts for her Type III class with the rest of the room in disarray. The layouts are for a 15 page + cover / poster handout for a *fictional* North Face Hairbrush product launch.

Fortunately they'llbe able to steal a few moments away for a date evening to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix later tonight - joy!

PS - hopefully Stephanie forgives me for posting this photo.

Where's Mike Been?

Mike's been up at the Flathead Lake house doing a lot of Moto work and helping out his dad. Four foot grass, trimming, and wood chopping aren't all that bad.
Here's where we are: MAP - You should come visit some time.

A video from the dock:

Gee Whiz

You'll be glad to hear that this is not the official Meatrix blog. Here's a quick run down of what's going on in the Land of Pens.

- Stephanie was humbled by her last quarter but finished strong. She's going to start her summer session in a few weeks with two classes; Calligraphy and Elements of Type. She didn't end up going to Alabama for Project M but may try to go again in the future.

- Mike has been very busy at work helping to build the future of mobile experiences at Motorola. He's going to Montana in a few days to spend Father's Day with his dad.

Of course much more has been going on and we're eager to share pictures of our friends wedding (congratulations Michael and La Niesha!) and other fun happenings. Until then please enjoy this bizarre picture of Mike just before he got his tooth drilled.

The Meatrix

What do you call a cow with no front legs?
...
lean beef

What do you call a cow with no legs at all?
ground beef - da dum pa! LOL!!!

Okay no more lame jokes but we've got to share this with you: http://themeatrix.com/ Please watch it.
We found it pretty amusing, and informative; almost like school house rock for sustainable farming complete with red pill blue pill fun. We’re not saying “go Vegan” but we are saying be informed and make educated decisions in who you support with your dollars.

Please let us know when you’d like to have a barbecue with some Prather Ranch goodness!