This American Life article on Baghdad Workers

I am not a big fan of "This American Life". It is usually too crazy or too left leaning for my tastes. Today, though, there was a fantastic article on two guys who worked their way to Baghdad and started working. It is in Act 2. Listen to the whole thing, because it had a dramatic ending.

Oak Mountain - Mountain Bike Trail

Had a great ride today, in Birmingham, Al, and thought that I would promo the park. Oak Mountain State Park is located near the intersection of I65 and I459 and is very accessible. The park charges a $3 daily entrance fee, but well worth it.


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The trail was built and is maintained by BUMP (Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers). Their trail map is located here and the club information on the trail is here.

I started at the North Trailhead and went counter-clockwise. This took me through the sections of the trail named Red Road to Cabin Road, The Chimneys, The Rock Garden, the Camp Road, Seven Bridges, Terrace Drive (Road), Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Foreplay and Johnson's Mountain. Due to time limitations, I returned to the road and returned to the North Trailhead (a mistake, by the way - all uphill). A very good beginner and intermediate ride. Johnson's Mountain has a couple of tough uphill sections, but the other sections were very fun and most were pretty fast.

In the past, I have have started at the North Trailhead and ridden clock-wise, up the Red Road and the BUMP Trail. The rise is a killer up the Red Road and the BUMP Trail is tough. This is the reason that I started counter-clockwise this time.

The next planned ride will be to start at the South Trailhead and ride up Johnson's Mountain, the BUMP Trail and the Red Road, then either road back to the South Trailhead or take the North to South Trailhead sections.

Kudo's to BUMP for a great riding trail!

An Eagle Ceremony for Jake Dovgan

Attended a great Eagle award ceremony for a scout, or whom I was Den Leader. The Scout is Jake Dovgan. He asked me to speak and I thought that I would attach my speech to give an impression of what a great scout this boy is. The ceremony was great with presentation of the Eagle Rank, presentation of special congressional letter from Congressman John Duncan's office and a great reception.

My speech:

Quiet Determination. As I pondered how best to describe Jake and my observations of him throughout his Cub Scouting, these words came immediately to mind. Quiet describes how he conducts himself and approaches the world.

In Isaiah 32:17, Isaiah writes….

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet and confidence forever.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 we are exhorted to ….

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands

Jake you certainly embody this exhortation throughout your cub scouting, whether through attentiveness in Den meetings or leadership of activities, such as our many hikes through the Charit Creek area. I know that you will continue to carry the quiet of righteousness throughout your life.

Determination has certainly been reflected in your scouting career.

I recently read a biography on President Harry Truman, where, when facing continuous crises, his motto was to simply get the job done. No fuss. No expectation of accolades. Harry Truman said

America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to simply do the job at hand.

I saw these same characteristics reflected repeatedly, whether through determination in earning your Webelos swimming pin or in diligence to completing your scouting advancement. As Cubmaster for Pack 22, I saw your work as Den Chief as integral to the success of our pack and clear exhibition of determination to give back to the Cub Scout pack. I like sports quotes, so I picked this out. Vince Lombardi wrote….

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the
determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of
ourselves to the task at hand.

Jake you have certainly applied the best of yourself to the task at hand, in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, with quiet determination. I congratulate you and I am proud to have been associated with a small part of your journey.

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