This entry was posted January 24th, 2008 and has 8 comments.
One week from today I will be departing BWI Airport and, after a brief layover in Chicago, eventually arriving at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Altogether, this trip will encompass approximately 19 hours. For 14.5 of those hours, I will be restricted to a Boeing 777 and unable to do move much more than to walk to and from the restroom.
Luckily, I will have lots of fun toys and other gear with me that should help me survive the flight, as well as fully document my trip.
I am going to make a sincere effort to blog daily during the trip. Hopefully I’ll have lots of great pictures and interesting video to share. If you have any special requests as to what you’d like to see pictures of, what you’d like me to eat, or anything else, just leave a comment.
Here’s a look at the gear I’m taking with me.
Continue reading One Week Until Takeoff
Posted in China, Chris Walbert
This entry was posted January 21st, 2008 and has 1 comment.
Today we celebrate the life of one of the greatest men, and greatest Americans to walk this earth. Dr. King has always been a source of inspiration to me, not just because of the things that he did and what he accomplished, but the way he went about his life. He was a man who spoke out against injustice and fought for human rights, but without violence or hatred.
The words he spoke are as applicable today as they were 40 years ago. We again find ourselves in the midst of a long and brutal war. There is perhaps now an even greater divide between rich and poor. And while I hope and believe that we have made progress against the overt racism seen in the 60s, we still do not live in a country where every person has the same opportunities.
Dr. King was also a man of deep faith. He possessed the kind of faith that I strive for. A faith that not only convicts you to believe certain things, but forces you to act. A faith that will not permit you to react in anger, hostility, or violence, but requires something more of you. A faith that will not allow you to judge another person by their race or class, but one that makes you respect and treat all people with dignity.
Continue reading Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Posted in Uncategorized
This entry was posted January 18th, 2008 and has 1 comment.
Just wanted to give a quick congratulations to my good friends Dustin and Stacey Pfeifer who had their first child today. Ian Thomas was born this morning, weighing 7 pounds 2 ounces, and both mother and child are doing well, I’ve been told.
They chose not name him Lil’ Ricky as I had hoped, but I think Ian will work better once he has to go to school and be a part of society. Lil’ Ricky might look weird on a driver’s license or diploma anyway.
Knowing Dustin and Stacey as well and for as long as I have, I know they will be fantastic parents and bring their son up the right way. So, congratulations again and enjoy being parents. I look forward to visiting once the craziness has settled down.
Posted in life
This entry was posted January 12th, 2008 and has 5 comments.
If you were at Soul Cannon’s show last night at The Ottobar, it is very hard to argue that statement.
Continue reading Soul Cannon is the Best Band in Baltimore
Posted in Baltimore, Chris Walbert, music
This entry was posted January 2nd, 2008 and has 2 comments.
Every year I say I’m going to buy a new snowboard, and every year I ride the same old Burton I’ve been riding since I was 19. As much as I want to get rid of it, that old board continues to provide me with lots of good times.
This past week I was in the great city of Cumberland, MD visiting my Grandfather as well as my uncle, aunt and cousins. In between dinners and visits to my Grandfather’s new home, I got the chance to sneak in a half-day of snowboarding at Wisp. My cousin Morgan was gracious enough to accompany me and ride with me.
Here are some pictures from the day. As you can see, the only snow at Wisp right now is man made. While there is a decent amount of snow on the slopes, everything else is really muddy and slushy. Regardless, it’s always great to get in some morning runs.
Posted in Chris Walbert
