Blogrimage Day VII

Setting: My brother's living room
Characters: Me, Greg, sleeping Brooke, Kirsten, tea, coffee
Memorable quote: ...
Coffee Quality: Awful! Don't be fooled, coffee beanery is good, but not when gas stations make it!

Blogrimage Day VI

Justin Rohrer ya'll! I met Justin nearly ten years ago, but it wasn't till the past year and a half that we have really connected. Ten years ago Justin showed up to youth group hungry for truth. Finding God has led Justin on an amazing journey for the past decade, and he is about to embark and what could be the most incredible yet. In about a month and a half, Justin is moving. He's following God's call and going to spent some time in Tennessee interning for a missions agency called Global Infusion. Then He is off to Central and South America for the summer. Being a part of this decision process with Justin has been a joy, we have prayed, dreamed, and laughed a lot. He needs some cash money at this point! Sorry if this seems like a shameless plug, but I feel no shame, nor do I think this is a plug. I want Justin to be free of financial burdens and be able to focus on what matters. He still needs $1,500.00 so if you feel free to give, feel free. Anyways... today Justin and I met up after church service at our usual Starbucks and talked about our travels, struggles, and joys since we last talk with each other. There is always much to be said.

Today while I was at church I got approached by a lady who told me she was following my blog and wanted to challenge me. I told her to come on wit' it. She told me something that I had been thinking of doing, but was a little apprehensive about because it was making me uncomfortable. She said I need to talk with people much older than me, outside of my realm of influence. I am thinking about this now and it seems much more difficult, but worth it! Up till this point I have not planned my coffee cup chats ahead, most of them happening spur of the moment. I love spur of the moment, but that really limits who I connect with. Most people plan ahead, if I want to expand this blogrimage, I must plan ahead, and be thoughtful.

Setting: Starbucks (12 & I-75)
Characters: Me, Justin, Venti Caramel Frappachino, Caramel Macchiato.
Memorable quote: "I know bro!" - Justinism # 38
Coffee Quality: I love me a Caramel Macc...I have had it in several continents, always a great choice, for a starbucks.

ps- If you wanna send some funds Justin's way, find him on facebook.

Blogrimage Day V

Bekkah plays bass guitar, although she would say she plays fake bass, but its the real thing. She is a part of a really cool music project that I may introduce later, and part of the community I roll with. Our convo was really great, and I am realizing how ridiculously amazing this blogrimage has been so far. God is really building some trust and real community! I should slow down more and be much more grateful.

Setting: Woodlawn MPR
Characters: Me, Bekkah, people playing euchre and waiting for their prayer slot
Memorable quote: "I got that quote from the bathroom reader quote book!"
Coffee Quality: Amazing! Hand Pressed breakfast blend. Hand pressing your coffee is extremely painful, but not only do you get the oils from your coffee beans, but also from your hands!

Blogrimage Day IV

Brian and a cup. Brian is a great friend from Woodlawn, he started going there the about the same time I moved back into town. I met Brian, but we became friends through a couple things: indoor soccer and ultimate frisbee, mostly indoor soccer. Brian didn't play much soccer before he joined the team, but since he joined... he is a freakin' beast! He plays so much soccer now, you would think him to be European. We met up tonight and talked for a good long while, about many subjects. I wish I could express the grandeur of our conversation, it was like baking soda met vinegar in a library of waterproof books, but I am afraid that my brain is failing me at the moment and lack of sleep is succeeding...

Setting: Zuma Coffee House (one of the few 24/7 coffee shops around)
Characters: Me, Brian, Americano, Large Coffee
Memorable quote: "This guy moved to Seattle...just for the coffee."
Coffee Quality: Good. Although there is only one coffee shop that can screw up an Americano, I'll be visiting them soon. One more thing, why is it that every coffee shop I go to, I always pick the wobbly tables? If I had a coffee shop it would not advertise free wi-fi, but wobble free tables!

Blogrimage Day Three

Michael Parton is a legit man. He was a teenager when we first met, I think... The funny thing is I can't really remember the first instance meeting Mike. Two summers ago I moved back to Michigan and I was grafted into being friends with him and I can't remember how we met. Maybe I remember... I had dreadlocks and looked really hippie (I had just returned from missional backpacking) and played djembe for a church conference. Mike played guitar and probably thought I was crazy. But against his better judgment we became friends, and I gained an amazing friendship. We have quite an interesting relationship, one that is full of sarcasm, and terms of endearment. Our conversation this time around involved new jobs, recording studios, & Detroit.

Setting: IHOP (woodward & 12 mile)
Characters: Me, Michael, Coffee, 5 orders of Chicken n' Waffles, 6 other sweaty Ultimate Frisbee players
Memorable quote: "Oh you know I'm engaged to you baby!"
Coffee Quality: I really love IHOP's coffee, especially how sturdy their mugs are. Their mugs are super thick and keep the coffee warm. Diner coffee hits the spot for me, and IHOP is the champagne of diner coffee.

Blogrimage Day Two

This is Kaitlyn. She is a songwriting machine! She was in Chicago for the past two weeks, and it was good to catch up. Especially since lots of things have been going on in the past three weeks with each other's lives. We talked about family, jobs, music, and God. It was real good!

Setting: Woodlawn Church Bridge Room
Characters: Me, Kaitlyn, Coffee, Cards, my laptop playing Rev. Gary Davis,
Memorable quote: "It's alright, but then he's gotta take it out back and shoot it!"
Coffee Quality: Meijer brand...ptl for creamer.

Blogrimage Day One

Dhaves! I met David Haven while in the kids church under the leadership of Marshall Mark. Kids church at the time was inspired by monthly VHS series "Gospel Bill". I think much of our early friendship had some sort of involvement in pretending we were or watching Gospel Bill. I am very grateful that was not the extent of our friendship. We both love music, making and listening to it. This is a huge part of our friendship. In fact after this coffee he burned me some cds (I know I'm old school). David is currently at ORU and studying Worship Leadership. He is a freakin' hard worker and is gonna do amazing things!