Merry Christmas from the Hostle

The Egg
Originally uploaded by TreeBed.

A merry Christmas from the Hostle... We miss you all, and we'll see you in the New Year!

BAYA In Lamoni

BAYA In Lamoni
Originally uploaded by TreeBed.

I swear Holly is working... not sleeping. I on the other hand am getting sleepy (all that "work" I am doing). Must go rest up so I can play a good show with Cupcake tonight.

Santa Comes Early

Well, Santa came to BAYA a little early this year... we will soon be scattering for the holiday season, so BAYA assembled for a post ESL party. There were nachos to be had, stories from the past few weeks to be shared, and a few gifts to be given out (it is a scary thing when the Hammac brothers have time to waste). Chances are if you have been associated with BAYA than you were thought of tonight... Beetle, get your butt out to this coast (even if it is a little far north, we are pulling for you). Holly, happy B-day, and you and Bob need to be headed this way soon. To everyone else... Happy holidays, and thanks for checking in on the BAYA blog.

It was a small BAYA crew out today for a short hike (Padre this one is only 8.5 miles ;-) We headed out towards the coast to catch... I mean see the salmon, and take in a mighty waterfall. Perhaps in a few more weeks and a few more rainy days those two things would be part of this hike. In the mean time it was a pleasant stroll through the woods with friends, and some sort of biting creature that attacked Csientist. We also learned that the Two Bird Cafe closes at 3pm... so we need to walk faster next time. Although we were small in numbers, all who were not there were on our minds.

BAYA Learns to Flickr

I am glad to say that I have infected most the group with the Flickr bug (there are still a few hold outs... you will be dealt with soon enough). Flickr is a photo hosting site that makes it very easy for people to stay connected and share photos. Ryan Carver is the one who got me started, and now I am spreading the word (it is much more fun the more friends that are involved). Anyone who is interested can go to Flickr and check it out (it is very easy to sign up and get started), or e-mail me with questions. If you want to get connected quickly with the BAYA crew (and many other people that I know and you might know too) go to my profile page TreeBed and you will find all of my contacts there (which then you can make them your contacts as well). Now go Flickr. Oh, also Flickr makes it very easy to Blog photos... so most of the photos that you see on this blog, if you click on them, will take you to the Flickr page of the one who took the photo... neat huh?

2nd Annual BAYA Smith Rock Hike

Smithrockgroup
Originally uploaded by ginelledds.

For BAYA's 2nd Thanksgiving hike, we went to Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne, OR and home of world class rock climbing. Needless to say we left the big walls to the experts and hiked 3 mi. up Crooked River towards Burma (road, that is). It was great to get out and see a little nature in the cool crisp November air. Here is our group photo, pre-hike.

Turkey time !

Get out the map !

The Boys On the Road...

The Boys..., originally uploaded by TreeBed.

Milah and Cupcake survived the road trip... not without some battles though. There was $1500 spent to get us out of Vancouver, a missed show, a small show, a loud show... and some good music played in between.

Bon Voyage Cupcake... oh, and Happy Halloween!

Bon Voyage Cupcake... oh, and Happy Halloween!, originally uploaded by TreeBed.

It was a surprise meeting at Downtown Joe's... aka the Hammac Hostle, to send off Cupcake in style. There was good food, good laughs and plenty of BAYA mayhem ;-) It will be sad to have a BAYA member 2000 miles away, but hopefully tools like this will keep us all on the same page. We look forward to your first return visit already...

Bubba Ho-Tep Birthday

George and the Gang, originally uploaded by TreeBed.

Thank you to all who were in attendance last night (and those there in spirit)... It was an evening that was filled with randomness (just like the movie). It seems that everyone survived, no souls lost. Although there were some flying pinata issues and a lesson learned about beverages in boxes.

Most of all there were lots of laughs and the warm spirit that I am so thankful for when we all get together.

BAYA's Scoop

Dave's Scoop
Originally uploaded by TreeBed Design.

One of the favorite activities of BAYA is to visit the tasty, all natural, organic ice cream shop in Fairfax. It's called "The Scoop" and the ice cream is unforgettable. We all have our favorite flavors from Mexican Chocolate (chocolate with cinnamon) to Love Parade (vanilla with peanut butter and fudge chunks). A trip to the scoop is required for all BAYA visitors. So come out to SF and enjoy a little Vanilla Honey Lavendar with good friends.

Conversion?

Carbatarian to actual vegetarian

Sunday @ Yost's

Good times at Chateau de Yost!

And now its time for the Month End Cheesy Humor Post or (MECHP), check out Google Maps of Apollo landings on the moon. Pretty cool to see the different landing sites. You can zoom all the way in and see the food left over from the landings.

http://moon.google.com/

BAYA Goes Backpacking

BAYA is not messing around when it comes to technology... now we have a Blog, and a Backpack ;-) I thought I would get the ball rolling on how we might utilize each to make BAYA even better. Then hopefully others will chime in via comments (either e-mailed to the group or posted for all to see the process, choose which makes more sense).

Here is how I see this possibly working (of course it will all evolve according to how we learn to use it)...
The Blog: I think this can be our way of sharing the things we are doing with the outside world (yes, the Bay Area is it's own little bubble of a world). We have had lots of visitors to the group and this is a great way for people to catch up on what we have been up to and/or follow along. It is also a way of sharing the things that we are doing (Homework club, YPC, congregation stuff) and give some insight into how we did it. This way if someone out there in the world wants to use some of that insight... it is right there for them. And finally, it can keep all of BAYA in the loop when we are spread out (such as the lose of Cupcake the past few months ;-) There is plenty more, but I think that gives a general focus for the Blog.

The BAYA Backpack: http://baya.backpackit.com/

Backpack is a great organizing tool that keeps all your notes, todos, reminders etc. on the web in one convenient place... to be accessed by whomever you would like to see it. I think that this tool would be great for keeping us on top of things, as well as be a forum for us to bounce stuff around that the whole world doesn't need to see (although it can always be transferred onto the Blog if needed-much the way the TreeBed website will work). So, when we are organizing a trip to Yosemite, we can make a page for it and anything involving the trip can go up on that page (we can even set up reminders to be e-mailed or text msg to the group). Or if we have a project that we want to put together (such as the cell phone deal), it can all be organized and built up without wasting precious Scoop time trying to hash something out.

Do we need technology to make BAYA work? No. However, these things can not only help us document the adventures we have (which will be fun to look back on), but can make us a potent force in whatever we jump into (even if it is just fun). This stuff shouldn't replace our time together, but it can make us more efficient at enjoying the best part of BAYA... each other's company.

Thank you and goodnight.

Sad Day For Skippy...

Well, it was a rough morning when I got up and read Padre's e-mail about his "discovery"... back to the drawing board I guess. I am sure that the last two years of development (that is what "unemployment" was all about wasn't it) will be of some use somewhere... perhaps this company could use a consultant (or at least a product tester). I know, "Company Spokesman" (or perhaps couple), I mean could it get any better than Skippy and GAS-R out there testifying to the benefits of flatulent filtering. It would be marketing genius! So, you can't be the inventor, or make the millions from it being "your" idea... but I am choosing to look on the bright side... I now know what I am getting you for your wedding!!!

http://www.under-tec.com/store.php

Do More Good?

So I have been kicking around an idea for mobile phone recycling and
fund-raising for us as a group, church, mission center or overall church.
An organization, Collective Good (www.collectivegood.com), recycles phones
for use in developing countries and pays a small amount per phone to
charitable groups. Good for BAYA, Good for Mother Earth, and Good for some
fund-raising. I was thinking this could be a fairly simple way to raise a
little money for, on a small scale, the campership fund or, on a larger
scale, Outreach International. Perhaps we could partner with TreeBed or
even SIFE, in some manner. I know we are all busy, but what do you think?
Good or bad idea? Not enough time? Your input is appreciated.

I thought a blog might be a good place for BAYA to post pics and record memories from our adventures. Check it out and post your comments or e-mail me. I think I can set it up for each of us to add or edit posts.

Here is a pic from our weekend backpack at Pt. Reyes Nat'l Seashore.

Weekend Cross Country Skiing in Yosemite (Elvis sighting included).

BAYA at the Giants Game (put me in coach, I'm ready to play)

BAYA Thanksgiving Holiday. Top of Smith Rock, Redmond, Oregon.