Those Blumes are still on the lookout for flying horses and found yet another. This time it happened in my old backyard, Rio. This horse was not so lucky as the other though. It was killed and the driver was taken to the hospital. These images are graphic.

I navigated over to the Blume’s blog and was treated to this:

The commentator points out that the car did not leave the race even after breaking a part on the front of the car and only lost 27 seconds while in the pit getting it fixed.

Incredible!

el setlist

So I saw a poster for an upcoming The Hives concert a few weeks back and I thought to myself, “Oh! I enjoy the music of The Hives. I shall consider attending.” Well the final decision to go was made about 7P last night, two hours before the band hit the stage at a theater across town. So I get some information on how to get there and get home afterwards, run out the door to catch a bus, and arrive at the department store where Ticketmaster has a counter. So I kindly ask a clerk where the ticket counter is and am politely told, “At the end of that line.”

Madonna tickets had just gone on sale. There would be a wait. A long wait.

So I consider just giving up, but then get the idea “Well I can still go down to the venue and see if there are tickets on sale there.” I get there right about the time the band takes the stage and purchase a ticket for lower than what I would pay at Ticketmaster (no fees).

It was a great show. Pure energy from all band members and a superb Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist (pictured above) taking a decent stab at Spanish. It sure blew away the only other concert I have attended while in Chile – Robbie Williams (I accompanied a friend, i.e. FREE).

Absolute great fun.

I love the world and all it’s crazy things.

Thanks for sharing Traci

Last week was superb. I bought some plants (cherry tomato, basil, and P. de M. pepper) and things started to look up. Tuesday afternoon, the team headed south of Santiago to Los Alamos for three days of relaxation. Oh man it was nice. It was the first place I had been in Chile with water slides, so we had a blast throwing our bodies down the two chutes. Although, I am paying for it now. I banged my head with one of the boys as we rode together and my back is scratched and bruised from hitting dry spots and flying through the air with hard landings. Between the slides, pools, gorgeous nature, disc golf games, devos, homemade food (yellow curry chicken, curry puffs, and fish tacos), and great company it was probably the best team retreat I have been on in my time here. It was the Deans’ last team retreat so after a thrilling game of Charades on our last night, we had an adjective bombardment – saying words that represented Mark, Denise, and the Deans collectively. It was quite good.

Well the day after, I decided to continue on the pain ride and went out with my friends Kani, Andrés, and Paul for a hike in the Andes that butt Santiago. After starting off with the idea to go on a new route, the heat and aridness changed our minds. We judged to go on the tried-and-true path that leads to waterfalls and natural pools. Near the first signs of flowing water were huge blackberry bushes. Oh so good. It takes a few hour to get to the last waterfall. We got off the path..err..lost the path a few times, but eventually arrived. It’s Texas-in-August hot sometimes so frigid ice melt is quite nice. I slipped in an attempt to get to the guys for a group shot and cut open my left foot under the ankle. SO the transit back home – three buses passing me by and having to walk home for ten or more blocks – was not the most comfortable; in the end it was a good time to talk with the Lord.

Yesterday was spent throwing down some new sod in Jeff and Penne’s (my current home) yard. In the evening, the two went out and I, after putting their son Caleb to bed, made fantastic Gai Pad Grapao. It was SPIIIICY, but delicious. Recipe to follow this post.

School has started back up, so things should be picking up with the youth back in Santiago. My prayer is to join God in the work he has already begun and not make my own plans.

Last night I flicked on the television to get a quick news update from CNN International and the CNN Heroes presentation was on. These people are incredible. The simplest decisions and methods they have made have impacted so many. I am truly inspired and desire, more than before, to do something that makes this world a bit better for others.

Check it out at CNN.com.