Los Angeles County Bicycle Routes

The miniature Alpine route near Biola University

The thin twisting roads of the European cycling races illicit notions of pain and sheer exhilaration. How is it then that a college student or working man with an already full eight hour plus day is supposed to fulfill his desires for high alpine descents and the majestic accompanying views.

Well it takes a lot less than one would think. Just some Google mapping and a willingness to get lost a bit and you'll find yourself on the slopes of your own Los Angeles Alpine slopes. On such route, as I like to call it, is the Biola to Turnbull Canyon Rd. route. Incorporating two vicious, although shorter, climbs (or four if you double back) this route provides all the thrills without eight hours on the saddle. Located just outside of La Mirada in the Whittier hills and then proceeding into Hacienda Heights and back into Whittier this ride will take you up one spectacular road, and then back down. 

The Turnbull Canyon Rd. is the highlight of this route ascending in a zigzag pattern reminiscent of the European cycling tours. The road climbs along sleepy neighborhood roads and is mostly untraveled. The road tops out at a dirt turnabout after roughly twenty to twenty five minutes of climbing. The view from the top is spectacular, overlooking a plunging canyon filled with overly green vegetation the top is not to be missed. 

However as good as the burning ascent was the downward roller coaster ahead is even better. With very little traffic one can swoop down the canyon side and imagine himself amidst a host of the worlds best cyclists. With that said take caution as this road is not groomed like the hills of the Pyrenees or the Alps but is strewn with fine dirt and the occasional rock. 

Eyes blown dry by the rushing wind and neck stuck stiff from your aerodynamic position you may just find yourself turning around at the bottom to do it all again. If not the road back to Biola is a leisurely yet somewhat technical route through Whittier and then back down Colima Rd. connecting with La Mirada Blvd. to Biola. In total the full loop is around twenty one miles punctuated with two great climbs and one great sense of satisfaction.

Below is the route:

 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=La+Mirada+Blvd&daddr=33.9933639,-117.9913105+to:La+Mirada+Blvd&geocode=FQhjBQIdxEj3-A;FZOyBgIdcpj3-ClLLwVWPNTCgDFIP89wIaUSzA;FeRVBQIdIkj3-A&hl=en&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=13&via=1&sll=33.931539,-117.977371&sspn=0.121064,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13&dirflg=d

March 29, Christian Journalism Response

A Christian who is a journalist does not always have to explicitly nor subtlety incorporate Christian messages or themes into their work. A Christian who is a journalist may write articles or create media that is void of any Christian message but at the same time a Christian journalist should not create media that is in opposition to Biblical principles. While there may be times and opportunities for a Christian journalist to share their faith through their work there are other ways and means by which their work can do God's work.

A Christian journalist can bring glory to God simply by doing excellent work and by setting an example in their workplace and in the market. In using their writing and journalistic abilities to the fullest a Christian journalist will inevitably attract positive attention of some form and with that they are using their God given gifts as they were intended. 

With that said a Christian journalist may certainly incorporate elements of their faith into their work in order to share God's truth. The level to which the journalist may do this could be dependent upon where they work however subtle uses of Christian views might be used in more hostile environments. This is all to say that it is not a sin for a Christian journalist to omit Biblical influence in any of their work but that if they are a Christian Biblical truths would inherently be a part of how they cover issues in the news or elsewhere. 

Where the line should be drawn for how a Christian journalist operates is in the area of ethics. Christian journalists, like any good journalist, should maintain the highest level of journalistic ethics and practices. By doing this they not only glorify God but they serve as a testimony to those around them to the character of those who follow Christ. A Christian journalist will let the truths of the Bible come through in their work naturally if they are living by the commands of Christ and their work will be an extension of their own life testimony. 

I believe the key to being a Christian journalist is balance. To find a line between overtly preaching through an article and omitting all Biblical influence just short of what is prohibited in the Bible. To think carefully and write on a case by case basis is the best way for a Christian to approach journalism. A Christian journalist should first and foremost always seek to serve and glorify God and "Christian" journalism will be a natural extension. 

Josh Kristianto's Obituary (fake)

Joshua Kristianto, better known as Josh, was a bright, young and aspiring journalist. Kristianto was just a few weeks past his twentieth birthday when he choked on his toothbrush severely damaging his airways so that he was put on a respirator. He was taken off Thursday afternoon and died at 11:32 am.

Kristianto was born and raised in Fullerton California just minutes away from where he was attending school at Biola University. Before he passed Kristianto noted that he was grateful for his childhood which was “brimming with happiness and love from his parents’ kindness.” Kristianto’s years were highlighted by his time in his high school’s band and Japanese club. Kristianto was an only child and is survived by his mother and father Jonathan and Tina. Kristianto’s final wishes were that all gifts go toward helping his parents with his funeral expenses. Josh will be greatly missed. 

Obituary: Andrew Edmondson (Not really)

Andrew Edmondson long time Washington resident known for his love of running, cycling, and the outdoors died Thursday near his school in La Mirada California. He was 19.

Mr. Edmondson died Thursday after leaving his dorm and embarking on his weekly bicycle ride. He was struck at 12:00 am by an inattentive driver and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Mr. Edmondson leaves behind two older sisters Elyse and Charissa as well as a mother and father all of whom reside in his home town of Des Moines Washington.

Growing up for a time in the countryside of Colorado and then moving to Washington State at age four Mr. Edmondson would begin his childhood which was punctuated with several moves. At age eight he joined his family as they moved to San Clemente California for a year and then when they returned to Washington State. Mr. Edmondson always considered Washington State his home as he spent most of his years there up into high school.

At a time when most high school and college aged boys were frittering their time away playing video games and indulging mindless entertainment Edmonson was out on the roads and in the hills pursuing his passions. Running and cycling defined his free time; the freedom of the open road and the mystery of entering the early morning fog on a run were too much for Mr. Edmondson to sit idle like most of his day.

Born in the State of Colorado and living most his life in Washington State Mr. Edmondson was always surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors and the peace of the quite woods. It was there where he found his love for running in the woods next to his house in Des Moines. His time in Washington was highlighted by his six years running track and cross country both of which led him to the State Championship meets his junior and senior years of high school.

While the woods across from his house will remain empty now and the open road will be a little less crowded Mr. Edmondson’s presence will be missed. Mr. Edmondson’s family wishes for no flowers or money but rather to donate money to the Cascade Bicycle Club. 

Missions Conference Feature

                At Biola University most students understand the doctrine of God’s omnipresence; however over a three day period known as Missions Conference some students had different feelings as to the effects of such an event. As Junior Mike Heineke put it “Missions Conference is a time that sets up a mindset on God.” Heineke made clear that while he always strives to look for and listen to God for him Missions Conference was a time where he indeed felt an increased presence.

              o  Others however such as senior music major Allie Nordy who did not attend Missions Conference this year because of a Crowell Music school tour felt differently about the event. Nordy stated that while she “heard great things” about Missions Conference this year she prefers Torrey Conference over Missions. She felt Missions Conference left her with a “guilty feeling.” Additionally Nordy commented that the after Missions she felt that increased spiritual atmosphere did not carry over the same as with Torrey Conference because Missions Conference is so focused on those who feel called to missions work.

                Again when interviewing freshman Dan Marino the sentiments of Mike Heineke arose again that for Marino he tries to see God in everything. Marino stated that he “doesn’t feel called to missions” but that “he felt a call to pray.” However when asked if he felt that the spiritual climate carried over he said “I guess it doesn’t feel like we had a big conference deal that just a happened.” Marino’s final analysis of Missions Conference was that perhaps it is just "too soon to tell" whether or not the event had an effect on the campus as a whole. 

Feature Lead: Smell

Smothered in the thick noxious scents or perfume his nose hairs twitched with discomfort. Girls smell best when they don't smell at all. Too much perfume is a message of too much trying. It repulsive and head spining they way girls smell. The best smell is no smell. If only it was so.

Chicken Fried Steak

                Like a mouthful of sea water and the crunch of packing peanuts a chicken fried steak is the best. It is not a food so much as it is an experience. To know what it feels like to have the thickly breaded and fried coating fracture under your teeth is something that cannot be imagined. The smooth gravy sliding over your tongue and the pinching pepper aroma is all too much to be spoken of. A chicken fried steak taste like what a hard day’s work on a farm feels like. It is not subtle, it is not cute; it is an old friend that will crush your hand when he shakes it but leaves you with that warm feeling inside of companionship. Thick salt covers your taste buds and burns the edges of your lips. 

Sensory Details of Biola

The hard smooth plastic like bench beneath me made my muscles ache as the blades of  grass before me that was still yet untamed by the trolling lawn mowers fell slumped over the many shoes that had trod upon them. A day described by a passerby as “warm and pleasant” was more of a day of stark contrasts.

                The waxy petals of a broken flower cooled my fingertips with the morning dew that clung upon them while my ears cringed because of the clanging echo of mechanized movement flowing from over the fence punched with holes. My nose tingled with the aroma of freshly cut crass and my nostrils became frightened by the pollen drifting upward in a breeze of warm spring air.

                As the tiny ants danced along their way the smooth sounds of shuffling student’s feet eased my ears as the pounding of metal machines carried on. Leaving the bench and back into the cool of the library's shadow I paced along the spiritless pavement back to class and was comforted by the sight of a lone scrawny twig braving the plains of the concrete desert. 

Dissecting a Feature: Half the Game is Mental; So is the Other Half

This feature begins with an effective lead because it uses very descriptive and vivid language. The opening line about the narrow room transports the reader and places them right in the room with the students memorizing away. The lead is effective because of its descriptive qualities.
This story gets told by beginning with several descriptive paragraphs framing the nature of the story but not the purpose. Not until the fifth paragraph does the story reveal what exactly the purpose is. Telling the story like this with a strong lead and then lots of descriptive paragraphs draws the reader in and keeps them around long enough to find out what this story is about.
The feature uses quotes from competitors and their coach which mostly detail the rigorous routines for memorization they go through. Using short quotes throughout to inform the story there is a noticed lack paraphrased quotes or lengthy ones at that. Additionally direct quotes used from the coach informs the story line about how memory games have not become very popular as a competition but then proceeds to cite the benefits of it. Additionally quotes are used to inform the background story and how memory teams and competitions came to be.
Sensory description is used effectively when describing the methods by which the students on the memory teams go about their practice. Additionally descriptions of the environment surrounding the students gives the reader a sense of place when imagining these students engaging in their practice. Descriptions of the items and positions used for memorization also add to the sensory descriptions in this story. One description in particular stood out as effective when the author described the student as being handed a "blank sheets to unspool their short term memory."

Supreme Court Ruling: Reaction

What the Westboro Baptist Church (http://www.godhatesfags.com/) did is wrong. I do not agree with what Westboro did but there is no denying the simple fact that it was legal. One can argue about hate speech and invasion of privacy but the fact remains that the church's messages were not directly pointed toward the dead solider nor were their protests in the immediate proximity to the funeral.
Over 1000 feet away toting signs with messages of heated condemnation the Westboro Church was well within their legal rights. To rule against what the Westboro Church would be a mixed bag. On the one hand it would be a good thing for this hateful speech to be shut down but that is inconsistent with the First Amendment. I suppose my perspective on this issue ultimately comes down to my understanding of the First Amendment. With that in mind perhaps if I studied it more closely I would understand it better and perhaps find a place in it for a ruling against the church; as I am sure some have done.
For now though it saddens me that people would use the First Amendment in such a terrible way. That is reality however and no law is perfect to matter how carefully crafted. There will always be loopholes and exceptions no matter how hard we try and with those flaws I am willing to accept the consequences. In turn for accepting those flaws and their consequences however I am able to enjoy freedom and a country the likes of which the world has never seen.
Perhaps there may be another way to defeat this church. Counter protests and rallies against them. Public pressure and community activism should all be used against them. This church is able to rally a group of passionate people for their crazy reasons so also I think we should in response against them. I believe the Supreme Court made the right choice and I believe what the Westboro Baptist Church does is wrong.
Some however believe that the speech of this church should be stopped in light of the First Amendment. Lindsy from Boston like me blelieves that what these people do is disgusting and should not happen. This is true, and I agree, but that does not answer the question as to if it is legal in light of what the First Amendment means. She says they are abusing the First Amendment, I would also agree with that but like I said above we live in an imperfect world with imperfect laws and I will take the negative in order to enjoy the positive that it affords me. Really this whole thing is terrible and sick and serves to remind me again of what a fallen world this really is.
Full Story Below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/us/03scotus.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=supreme%20court%20rule&st=cse&scp=3

The next step.

The next step after having written my first story is to take more time. The next story I do will involve more preparation and forethought. I will also write in a style more consistent with whatever type of story it is and check this by the AP style book.