try not to blink.
Given the number of Google searches asking when CiCi’s in Watertown, NY is opening, I though I’d satisfy them with direct information:
Monday, September 26th – 11am
There. That’s our “soft opening.”
Now save up $5.49 in nickels and pennies, and come join us. (Bring some quarters for the arcade).
Our “grand opening” will be two weeks later.
CiCi ya’ later! ch:
In honor of our newest CiCi’s Pizza store in Watertown, NY starting its new hire interviews today, I thought I’d share some of the behind the scenes pics I’ve collected of it’s development.
As with anything worth doing, the team of talented men and women who’ve collaborated on this project deserve a great deal of thanks. I’m very excited for its completion and grand opening in just a few weeks.
LOCALS: If you know of any hardworking, fun-loving people looking for new work – or just a game change – send them over to New Life today and tomorrow between 10am-12noon. ch:
Saturday started with a great bromance convo with Mike Kim in his music room, covering ministry, friendship, and the future as we know it. Then we headed to Starbucks to catch up with Pastor Eric “The Coco Dragon” Peoples, where more talking on life ensued.
At high noon the band headed for Minado in Natick, Mass where we gorged ourselves on raw fish and various other asian-cuisine-substances. Needless to say, since I was the one to introduce Denis to sushi years ago, I felt it necessary for him to experience the all-you-can-eat context; he was in his glory!
We also met up with some of our fabulous fam, Joel & Hilary Furrow from Boston. Incredible people!
After another Starbucks run, we drove the hour back to our host church and reset the stage at CLG for today’s 3 morning services. Strings were changed, drums tuned, and yet more coffee was purchased for us, this time by rock guitarist Quinton B. (Wow, I’m going to need detox).
Then I ate probably some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. Cooked in a 15′-deep coal oven, PePe’s is apparently quite famous, and I can see why. Manager Louis cut our 4th pie for us:
Afterward, the guys gathered back home in the music room to review 4 new tunes Nate and Mike composed earlier this week, while the girls chatted in the living room and looked through photo albums.
It was foody-coffeey-friendy-musicy kind of day. ch:
One of my oldest and bestest buddies, Nathan Reimer, is host to one of my all-time favorite blogs: dadscancooktoo.com
As if that’s not enough, he asked me to guest post on it this month. Heck yeah!
So for a little glimpse of what things are like in the Hopper home around dinner time, including a little parenting drama, check my post out. And follow Nathan on Twitter while you’re at it.
To your health! ch:
PS: Leave a comment over there, too, and I’ll respond!
Lots of hard work today; another 4 songs produced. But it was time well spent as upstairs the chefs (Marie-Elis & Lynne) were preparing one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten, bar none. I think it’s the first time in my life that I’d had “fourths.” And unlike the US where dinner is our big meal, it’s lunch here.
Peas sautéed in onions and garlic (grown about 100-meters away), Yukon yellow potatoes baked in rosemary and oil (grown about 150-meters away), and steak oven-cooked in an enclosure of basil, white curry, paprika, garlic, butter and fresh cream (all dairy & beef taken from the family farm 200-meters away), apples baked in white white and topped with cinnamon, completed with a ’98 Cote du Rhone brought in from France by Marie-Elise. Coffee and chocolate for la finale. Seriously, everyone should have an “experience gastronomique” like this. Be forewarned however: it ruins you for life.
Tomorrow we have 2 songs to finish, and then my arch nemesis: French rap. (They’re bringing in a coach to help me!). ch:
PS :: The picture of the tomatoes (capris) is original and unaffected.
Wow. 40 days is a long time when you’re in the middle of it. And really short when you’re passed it.
I really want to give a special shout out to all my incredible guest posters who held up my blog’s proverbial arms while I was away, and especially to my personal assistant, Debbie, who went from 0-100 on a WordPress learning curve. Hopefully you were encouraged and challenged by all they had to say. Feel free to browse back through their posts if you missed any.
So what did I learn from not blogging, Tweeting, FaceBooking, and [uh-hem] eating various foods for 40 days? Besides realizing I just used a few made up verbs in the previous sentence, all of which are–oddly enough–culturally acceptable, I learned more than I know. And more than I could put in a post. Unless transferring experiences in whole through the internet is possible.
Clarity. Extreme clarity, if you want a describer put in there. That would be the most profound word that comes to mind. I can think of no better word to describe my relationship with the Holy Spirit, my perception of circumstances, contexts, ministry insights (both personal and corporate), and relationships. It seems when all the other extraneous “stuff” gets removed, you’re left with less. Less stress, less distraction, less noise. To quote Kem Meyer‘s aptly put book title, “Less Clutter. Less Noise.”
The second word would be grace. I recognized a very palpable manifestation of grace upon my life, alerting me to just how much my body kicks, screams, and demands for what it wants, and just how much strength there is from the Lord to not only tolerate such behavior, but to put it in it’s place. (That little brat!). Likewise, struggles and temptations were minimized to their most negligible levels. Ever.
If I could derive an adequate resolution from this time, it would be to make the divine rhythms of withdrawing a lifestyle. Incorporating reoccurring seasons of fasting–both food and media–is not only good for all aspects of my health, but Biblical. And moreover, Christ-like. I feel I have new footing to teach from, and more experience with which to admonish myself in the pursuit of Christ-like maturity.
Thanks for all those who stood with me, prayed for me, and genuinely missed my absence from the interweb. ch: