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.