Dedicated to the Strong Cucumbers

So many things have happened in the almost TWO months since I've written on this thing.  In no particular order, here we go...

First, these are my boys right here... my dogs.  

These guys battled through another tough season and regardless of the record, I think we came out on top.  I wish I was this awesome when I was five.

Julie (aka Hoolie) is a relatively new friend of ours - who hasn't been over in a while :( - and she has just been awesome to have around.  She is a youth ministry leader for St. James Pres and had to figure out a service opportunity for her kids for a day.  Well, we were pretty surprised and excited when she decided our

 backyard would be it.  We still hadn't finished our patio and had millions of bricks we ne

eded out of our garage.  They were amazing.  I left in the morning for a Cucumber game and by the time I got back, they were finished.  It was like seeing/feeling the other side of the service projects I had been involved in... when you're doing the work, you don't really understand how much you're truly helping... but when it's being done for you, it is simply incredible how much work gets done that would have taken us weeks or months to complete.  

A week or so later, we "hired" out a couple people from The Annex ministry in Boulder to

 finish up the yard.  Every year, the Annex sends 20 or so college students on two month long mission trips around the world on a program called Messenger and a bunch of people volunteer to help raise their support.  So the money we spent went towards those 20 or so people leaving this summer for the Philippines or Kenya or Swaziland or Greece I think (Katie, Chaz and I went on Messenger to Hungary, Swaziland and Austria respectively).  So anyway, Becka Phillipson and Jacob Oliver came and worked with Jeff and some others to fine tune the back yard. 

Thank you for all your help guys.  Our yard and patio is a big part of this house and what we want to do.  It wouldn't have happened without you.  And neither would this:

With our next door neighbors, the house and our next door neighbors put on a Memorial Day party on Monday.  We handed out flyers and invited pretty much everyone and anyone.  It was... phenomenal.  I don't know how many people came, but it was a lot.  We were worried because of the rain, but that didn't seem to stop anyone.  We had neighbors and friends and family and neighbors and friends and family and friends and family and neighbors came.  We had food and music and dancing (really just me and Britt had a dance party, everyone else was a little shy) and threw the baseball and played with Kiley and it was so sick.  If you were there, you know.  If you weren't, make sure you come next time/get invited cause you are anyway.  Everyone came and everyone was instantly family.  People from the band were hanging out with people from Brittney's work.  My mentee's family was meeting my family.  Neighbors finally know each other's names and know they have friends down the street.  It was family.  I can't explain it differently.  For someone who missed out on that for most of his life, it was so awesome to see.  I can't think of a better day I've had here.  Thanks to those who came.  Love.  So awesome.   

Every week we have a meeting host who picks an activity or whatever for us to do.  In the last few weeks, we've had yoga in the park (Brittney has found her calling), competed in video games (Pete won... barely), went to a Speakeasy Tiger event, and last week we gave each other nick names:

Peter - Petre (A Land Before Time) (2nd place was Twinkle Fingers)

Katrina - Wiglet (2nd place was Katarunga - yoga reference - but Jeff really really liked "Kat Box")

Lindsey - Phil (Mary started with "Fulfill", but it then became just Phil... you can thank the boys for that one) (2nd place was maybe "Chefoodador" - Katie gave everyone dinosaur names)

Chaz - The P.P. (a very close second place was "Slippy")

Kelley - Fuckles (a combination between funny and chuckles... 2nd place was Buckcrackalacka)

Jeff - Fuzzy Limone (Jeff's were hard because he was the last one and we were all really tired but I named him Hyperbolic Chamber because he uses a lot of hyperboles... I still think it's the best)

Katie - El Bronto (because she likes brontosaurouses... she came up with this one herself) (2nd place was Pickles)

Brittney Fu - Lordshiod (when she types "Josephine" into her phone, Lordshiod comes up instead so... yeah)

Mary - 'Boot (2nd place was Maryboo... we have this joke that Mary should go to Caribou - where she works - and pitch the slogan "Caribou, we care aboooot everyone" so thats where the boot and boo comes from)

Miscellaneous stuff:

Kiley had a skin biopsy done on her rash... Three vets and CSU don't know what it is and so it is now being shipped to Purdue to be looked at by the Gregory House of veterinarians.  I graduated.  Britt cut two strings from a shirt thing and then tied them together and wore them on her head and she really looked hippie-like... I guess you had to be there.  Speakeasy Tiger looks to be on the road of stardom.  They are playing at Red Rocks Ampitheatre at some point this summer.  We went to one of their shows last weekend at an outdoor venue and danced in the rain... it was sweet.  They are sweet.  You are sweet.  Hmmm... I need something salty... BRB (be right back).  At dinner the other night, I remarked to Chaz, "Do you suppose there will be a dishes fairy who comes tonight and cleans all our dishes for us?"  He responded, "Yeah, in a pink thong and pink boa."  He was right... It was awesome.  The Cucumbers are done with another season.  I'm pretty sure we only won one game, but trust me, we are winners.  They are the coolest people on this earth.  Go to my album on facebook to see pictures of them.  

the house '09 - '10 report:  Brittney is in.  Chaz is in.  I am in.  AND (collective gasp) we have two new members!  Robby Cella and Emi Reeves will be living with us, whether that may be, attempting to live as a family and create real community for each other and others.  Robbie is a handsome, strong, smart, good-looking, striking, and gorgeous man that plays Halo.  So I'm pumped.  I don't know Emy very well, but word on the street is she straight up dope.  And if I've learned anything this year, everyone is dope.  So Emy, I'm excited to see just how dope you are.  Dope.  So we have five.  We'd like five more... we need to tell our landlord if we're staying in this house or not on July 1st.  

It's been awhile

This is like one of those awkward encounters with a person you dated awhile back and haven't seen since you just sort of stopped calling/returning phone calls and you're caught off guard and say "Geesh, it's been awhile".

Yeah, it's not like that for me either. HI!!! I'm sorry I haven't written in awhile... life is just busy as you know.

So what's been going on?

First, I'll let you know about the Event to Name Subsequent Events After (the dinner/community discussion/game night thing). 20-ish people came over and it was a lot of fun. We talked about things we've learned in the house and heard what other people were looking for in community and beginning to build and it was encouraging, but I think it was just fun and filling to be in the middle of real community with everyone there.

Many of you mentioned how you don't think it's right for you in your current situations with school etc, but I would encourage you to pursue this boldly (whether that looks like a house of ten or twenty or five people). If you want it and have an opportunity, go for it (for inspiration, watch Stranger Than Fiction). I knew I would have to commute to Boulder for school for my senior year and it was hard, but worth it. Don't let school or distance or other circumstances stop you... because they will be there the year after this one and the year after that one.

I think a lot of it comes down to humility, honestly. We read books like Irresistable Revolution and want to be what is represented in that book... people capable of giving everything in themselves for others needing nothing in return. None of us want to be the served. It almost seems blasphemous to say we do. And yet, that is what we all need... all of us (see John 13:6-9). We are incomplete. We need.

My point of saying that is in hopes that you'll not let the perception that you're not in a place where you can give as much as you'd like to keep you from intentional community. Let others care for you so you can grow, so you can serve others better. You will give in ways you can't see. It's never going to be the convenient time to do something like this, but it might be the right time.

As I told some or all of you that night, I've experienced nothing more challenging and beautiful than this family. It has changed my life. It has helped bring major healing. I thank God and my roommates for who they have been for me.

So what else is new? (My grandfather - and father for that matter... I hope it skips a generation... OH NO I JUST SAID IT!!! - always says this on the phone when he's not sure what else to talk about).

We committed Mouse Genocide. We finally got tired of our infestation and Jeff and Pete did the dirty work to catch over 20 mice. I think we had 11 the first night. Lindsey is seriously reconsidering staying in the house next year. She says she's just has more to do here (fight malnutrition!). This has made everyone moving out reconsider since they know they won't get better meals anywhere else. The house got a donated grill, which is awesome. Kiley still has a rash. I've gone to two vets and nobody seems to know what's up. SO, if you're a vet(ernarian), and are cheap (or free?) and willing to take a look, please comment down below and I'll be in touch. The boys watched the movie Stardust and fell in love with Claire Danes. We have new neighbors! They have been over a few times for various things. They actually are trying to do the same thing we are in building relationships in the neighborhood... so we're excited to be able to work together on that - we're going to try and have a labor day shindig together I think. Britt and I did Tai Chi (sp?) in the kitchen last night. Al-face (Kat-face's fiance) is here visiting for the weekend. We are out of printer ink. Pete's band, Settle Down Your Speech Big Orange Cat (Speakeasy Tiger), is in the studio recording their first full length album. Pete, Chaz and I talked about how women like male dogs and men like female dogs. Speaking of dogs, Kiley decided she no longer is going to poop, drool, shed, make messes, bark, or fart (yeah, in Pete's dreams). Chaz still has a beard... which is amazing... He's also an ass. The living room has been completely rearranged by Jeff and Pete. Oh and Pete moved Arlene (his piano) into the house. I'm not sure if I ever mentioned that before. This is Lindsey's favorite week of the year because of the Conference on World Affairs on CU's campus. So she's been in Boulder all week taking advantage of all the ideas/thoughts being thrown around up there. Those are just a few of the tantalizing things going on around here. Stop by to experience these and many many more!!

Oh, one more thing (katrina, chaz and I were hanging out singing this the other night and I think it really makes a great point):

I would walk five hundred miles just to the man who walked five hundred miles and i would walk five hundred more just to be the man who walk one thousand miles and if you would walk five hundred miles then i wouldn't have to walk so far just to be the man who walked one thousand miles for you

¡Attention!

We have changed the date to our shindig.  It will be on Friday April 3rd.  Same time (except only in the past of what would have been the future shindig that would have existed, but will now be earlier but still in our present future that we will be in soon).  Same place (as far as earth coordinates go, but not in our solar system, galaxy, or universe(s?)).  Hopefully this will only help you come, not hinder you.  But it's like I always say, sometimes the cat just has to be put in the bag you know?  

Don't be square, be there. (I always say this too ever since... well you know that saying "be there or be square"?  It was actually a Hustla Original, but was stolen from me on the playground at Belleview Elementary by Phil McPhFilips.  I'm sorry, I don't usually get this emotional... it's just hard to talk about).  

An Event to Name Subsequent Events After

People of the blog... 

First, I apologize for my lack of updating lately.  There is absolutely no excuse for my lack of commitment and effort.  I humbly apologize and ask only that you continue to hang on my every word and to check back every day as religiously as you all have.

Second, I will not be updating you tonight very much.

Third, I will soon.

Fourth, I have something else to talk about.

Fifth, I will now talk about it... Coming up on the second Friday of April, we're going to be having a shindig.  The purpose is to talk about community.  Last year, maybe thirty people got together to discuss the importance of community, what genuine community looks like and how it can be grown.  And to just hang out with you and play some games.  So yeah, we are doing that again and you are invited.

So the schedule is first and foremost to feed us all.  Then we're thinking about some games, including the famous flollyball (which I have never played but people say it's pretty unbelievable).  And then to hang out and explore the concept of community.  

Details:

Friday April 10th

6:30 (dinner is served) - we'd never put a cap on something this fun

At the house (3205 Josephine St.  Denver, CO 80205)

Questions: kelbirsch@hotmail.com

There is only one way to eat an elephant

Tonight, Katrina introduced us all to a documentary called Nobelity.  I can think of no movie that has presented the power of our actions and opportunity for change so effectively.  My heart is still racing, still filled with a new passion... PLEASE SEE THIS FILM.  Here is the trailer... while the trailer is good, it doesn't do the film justice, you'll just have to trust me.  

A lot of you probably watched the Oscars last night and have made new promises to yourselves to go see the award-winning movies you didn't see.  Please, go rent/buy this movie.  It is available at Blockbuster and on Netflix (just checked to make sure).   

Regardless if you look at Jesus as God or a man or whatever, I have never, ever, heard someone (Desmond Tutu at the end of the film) communicate his gospel so simply and eloquently.  

** this film is not religiously affiliated at all, that was just my (Kelley's) reaction to Tutu's interview in the movie.

People, I wish I had some way of effectively relaying the urgency I feel that you see this movie.  Just see it.  It, in many ways, communicates the goal of this house.

House Update:

We're all starting to look pretty seriously about what we will each be doing next year.  A lot is changing, but there is very serious talk about continuing the house for at least another year with a few new roomies as some will move on. 

Katrina is moving to Madison, Wisconsin to be with her then new hubby Alan.  Jeff and Katie will be living somewhere in Denver (hopefully near by the house if it continues on) to also start married life.   Lindsey is weighing her options still, thinking this may be the time of her life to go on an adventure.  But she may be moving with Caitlin (part of the tripod - mentioned in a previous blog with the story of three girls) to Madison to live by Katrina.  Each of them will still be very connected with everything we do here (Lindsey will be asked to come visit and cook many times I'm sure) and hopefully will visit often.   

Tonight was the first time we've brought this up as a group, so we will be taking the next couple weeks to process everything, but I will keep you updated.

Come visit... get a good meal... have a few laughs... maybe see me in a thong... no promises.

The dichotomy between media conglomerates is experiencial in its own commonsensical narratives

No one thinks that title is funny but me, but that's what I like about my humor... it's funny to me.


(At Jeff and Katie's engagement party, Lindsey had that cazoo-trumpet-thing the whole night. And Chaz had that beard and man-look about him since puberty. None of this has any significance to the blog, I just like the picture.)


Have you noticed that people don't look at each other... on the street or whatever when you walk by? Or smile at each other? It is so awkward. You're both thinking, "Well this is awkward... do I say hi? Why would I say hi? Do I look at them? Are they looking at me? Do I nod? Oh my gosh this is so awkward, we're about to pass... What do I do, what do I do?! Fiddle with something, Kelley, look at your cell phone! Something, ANYTHING!!! AGH! We passed each other... Finally. It's over. That was rough. I hope I never have to do that again." Anyway, I've noticed it and its so awkward... of course, I've been told many times its me who is awkward, but I think I just feel the awkwardness to a higher degree and I'm not afraid to talk about it. So, I think either we should put a wall along every sidewalk and street dividing the right and left sides or... start saying hi or just smiling at each other... you know, acknowledge the other awkward person's existence.

What's going on in heeeeer, you ask. Well, let's see...

First and foremost, the most amazing two men to ever live miraculously saved my pour little computer charger. A mouse, allegedly (I can probably get sued for libel on this thing so I should be careful), ate through my power chord which I just replaced. It was dead, done, a la muerte (whatever that means). But last night, Jeff messed around with it and decided he was going to try and fix it. So, he and Pete did a little surgery and a little metal work and it's all better. Works perfectly. They are amazing. Also, Pete is 5-0 in his Fifa season. I watched all the Planet Earth's... I love earth. Jeff and I were having a really hard time convincing Pete to come play Halo with us the other night, so after about 10 minutes of unsuccessful convincing, I grabbed his legs, jeff grabbed his shoulder, and we carried him downstairs... it was funny. Let's see, let's see... Katrina, Linds and Brit just got back from a road trip to California. They were going to come back through Las Vegas but tried to miss a storm by going through Pheonix and you know what happened? (If you guess, it will be more fun). (No, seriously just pause for a minute and guess). The storm went through Pheonix, not Las Vegas, and they got delayed. Also there was this guy at a bar'n'grill that looked like Santana, but played a wood thing and covered that song that goes "a little bit of monica na na blah, a little bit of..." You should really ask Brit to tell you that story cause it's funny. Lindsey has two more weeks of employment, then she and Katie are going to London to visit our friend Maggie. After she gets back, Linds will be one of those percentages you see on the front page of the newspaper telling you how wonderfully humble our economy is... If you work for an organization doing cool things, give her a call. I can be a reference. Chaz's beard is epic. Mel is now in Sao Paulo Brazil. She is doing well and is having lots of adventures... Check out her every one of her 906,839,411 pictures on facebook. I watched Planet Earth so I'm pretty much an expert on animals now... speaking of Planet Earth for the second time, there is a part in either the mountains one or the plains one where it's talking about wild ass (donkeys) - I'm in class and I just laughed out loud thinking about this part - and they just word things weird... check it out. Last night, Kiley chewed on a tennis ball for over an hour. It was really gross. She squeezes it repeatedly and it makes this squishy noise... Pete and Lindsey loved it the most (I am lying).

Oh I do have a personal accomplishment I want to brag about... So there's a joke around the house about my guitar skills being less than... umm... I guess "musician" status. So I always tell Pete that if Speakeasy Tiger needs a little help or someone to tour with, I could work it out in my schedule... you know jokes like that. Anyway, Jeff leads worship at First Pres in Boulder sometimes and about two weeks ago he was heading that whole deal up. He asked me if I wanted to give it a shot. I did and so I played guitar in front of probably 700 people. It was super. Just super. Thanks so much Jeff. Brandon (Jeff's bro), Carter (Brando's friend - he plays percussion with Brandon in HelloPanda), Stephanie Ault (Pete's friend and Piano/Singer/Songwriter master), Pete (roommate and piano extraordinaire), Jeff (guitar maestro) and I performed some diddies. It was so much fun.

Tonight we celebrated Pete's birthday (real one was Sunday and for those of you who were scammed on Facebook, Feb 8th is his actual birthday). 20-something people came over for dinner and games. It was a blast. Thanks to everyone that came, we enjoyed (and always do) having you in our home. Come back soon.

I'm so glad Pete is my friend.

Hey Britt-fu writes a blog. It's sick (thats slang for dope which is slang for marijuana). All that serious stuff I can't express in writing, she can. And, she is pretty much the cutest th... most rugged thing I've ever seen. All I'm saying is Brit, you're wonderful.

Duke Wellington.

Ahhh... it's good to be back.

Jeff & Katie Rock... Dot Com

Jeff & Katie Rock Dot Com!  Jeff & Katie Rock Dot Com!  JEFF AND KATIE ROCK DOT COM!!!!

You can see Jeff & Katie Rocking right now!  Jeff & Katie Dot Com!  Jeff & Katie Dot Com!  

(if you read that in any way relating to the "you could be a dj for a day" commercial, our minds were tapped into the collective consciousness of the universe... way to be)

Jeff and Katie are writing a blog about their adventures in newly engaged/engaged/and eventually newly married life.  Read about Jeff's incredibly elaborate timeline for Katie's surprise engagement party, watch video of Pete imitating Jeff's mom, or just look at the pictures of Jeff and Katie from four years ago.  Ready?  Go.