Stories and Quandaries

Friday, August 13, 2010

My NPR Irony

I enjoy getting my news from National Public Radio. I drive a lot for work and so I get plenty of time to listen to the radio and become a more informed citizen. The NPR news style is to present the information as un-biasly as possible (fairly subjective right off the bat) and insure ethical journalism in the traditional sense. Not traditional in the "yellow" form, but in the "proper research/responsible anaylsis and delivery" brand. Where is the irony in listening to informative news and being up to date on events happening in this country and around the world?

Well, when I listen to NPR all day I tend to think I know something about everything. I am able to pipe up in conversations (which is totally unlike me) on a wide variety topics that I normally would not be comfortable to speak to. Essentially, I shed the humility in not having a clue and pretend that I get it.

The more I know, the more I think I know. The less I think I know, the more I learn. The more I listen to NPR, the more i speak to what I think I know and don't ask questions about what I don't know.

It seems obvious that the issue is not in the information but my response to it. I guess it is hard for me to listen to someone, who in my mind is off base, and not confront them on it...asserting only that I know better, but still having no clue...furthering the ignorance.

As I continue to learn...so much of being an adult is trying to maintain a healthy amount of tact. And further...that Humility is not something we can choose to present, but something that is deep within us that presents itslef... when we desire more for someonelse than oursleves.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Longs Peak

I have done a fair bit of hiking in Colorado, but the one mountain always in the back of my mind was Long's Peak. I have literally been looking at it for 3 years waiting for the right time to hike it. The mountain and the experience blew me away. It was one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen, as well as the best summit view I have ever seen. We started the hike at 330 in the morning which means we got around 2-3 hours of sleep after getting to the campsite. The hike for me was 17 miles (due to hiking from our campsite to our car and from my car to the trailhead). The actual trail is only 14.5. The total elevation change up and down is 10,200ft. The last 1.5 miles of the hike is class 3 (meaning you have to use your hands and feet to get up it, essentially scrambling. It was the hardest and most rewarding hike I have ever done. Enjoy the pictures and trust me that they do it no justice.