Graaffs.com

Substitute Circuit Work

Administrator — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:07:13 +0000

We just got our first assignment for substitute circuit work. We will be visiting congregations in North Central Washington starting in April. You can track our routing with this calendar and map.

Hiking at Maple Pass

Administrator — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:47:14 +0000

The first day, we did a quick 45 minute hike up to Cutthroat Lake (map), which is shallow and filled with mosquitoes. But it has nice views of steep mountains with some snow. We stayed overnight at a little campsite by a creek and hiked back out the next day. The trail extends beyond the lake to connect with the Pacific Crest Trail after ascending a series of switchbacks up a steep slope, but we didn't go that far.
We wanted to save Maple Pass for Sunday, when it would be less busy, so we hiked about 1/2 hour on the Pacific Crest Trail, then veered off on the Copper Creek Trail (map). We didn't have a backcountry pass, so we couldn't continue on the PCT into the Cascade Mountains National Park boundary. We set up camp and rested for the next day's big hike. No views here, but there was a interesting hole in the ground, probably an old mine. Well-rested, we hiked out the next day and drove up to Maple Pass (map).

The hike up Maple Pass (West side) was pretty, especially as you break out of the trees and get a view of the lake, encircled by the ridges. Lots of wildflowers, but hot and no water except for a little stream about 2 hours up. We got to Heather Pass, hot and exhausted, and decided that set up camp on the other side of the pass, with georgeous views to the north and west. We had all afternoon and evening to just sit there and look out at the view.

Next day, we left early and hike the rest of the way up to Maple Pass and along the ridges. Amazing 360 degree views of the mountains all around. This is one of the highest view:effort ratios we've ever seen. Several marmots and chipmunks escorted us along the way. The hike back down was steep and wound through meadows, with a view of a glacier lake, waterfall, and Rainy Lake. 3-1/2 hours and we're at the bottom. Then, it's to Winthrop and real food!
View all photos

Insane Snowfall

Administrator — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:31:32 +0000

Over two feet of snow in two days! Set a record for Spokane for amount of snow in a 24-hour period.

No chains left in the entire city. Wish I had bought a few sets of chains to resell!

Movie Editing Utilities

Administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:49:27 +0000

Here are some links to free and cheap software for creating great movies:

Video Editors

Windows Movie Maker 2
- FREE with registered Windows version
- Requires Windows XP or Vista
- Custom Speed Effects for WMM (lets you slow down and speed up 25%, 50%, 3x, 4x, and custom if you edit a text file)
VirtualDub (FREE)
- Special effects for AVI files (technical) many filters including levels, colorize, logo, crop, and resize

Video Convertors

Any Video Convertor (FREE Version)
- Convert avi, asf, mov, flv, mkv, mpg, m4v, vob, and YouTube videos to avi, wmv, mp4, 3gp, wmv, flv, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, or mpg (PAL or NTSC)
- Graphic user interface
- Set output video size, quality, framerate, etc.
Rad Video Tools (FREE)
- Convert MOV to AVI
- Use "Windows Video 1″ compression

Graphics Software

Windows Movie Maker can place images in the video timeline just like video clips. If used cleverly, they can be used as special effects, titles, and more.

Gimp for Windows (FREE)
- Advanced photo editing software
Inkscape (FREE)
- Vector graphics editing software

Audio Utilities

Audacity Audio Editor (FREE)
- Multi-track audio editor
- imports and exports MP3 and WAV
StepVoice MP3 Recorder (FREE)
- record any music you play on your computer to MP3
- download "old freeware version"
- open "recording control" and select "Stereo Mixer" for the input, adjust input volume level

Super Elder Appreciation

Administrator — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:31:39 +0000

The elder body of our congregation were invited to a surprise meeting after our Service Meeting this week. We were greeted by a group of smiling pioneers. They gave a little speech about how much our "Super Elders" do to encourage the congregation, so the congregation wanted to give some encouragement back to the elders. Each elder received a blue sack with presents inside, including

Super Elder Scarf
Anti-Stress Kryptonie bath salts for Super Elder Bathtub
Mega Heat microwaveable shoulder/neck warmer
2008 Day Planner with Super Elder bookmark
Starbucks Gift Card
Poem composed by Rodney
Several pages of individual notes of appreciation for each elder, from the publishers in the congregation

View the care package here

Bible Names Cloud

Administrator — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:56:54 +0000

As a project in infographics, Tyson created a tag cloud of the 20 most frequently used names in the Bible. Each name is sized relative to its frequency of use.

This infographic is inspired by an infographic exhibit called Similar Diversity.

2007 Circuit Assembly

Administrator — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:59:12 +0000

The 2007 Circuit Assembly at Colville, Wa. is available in the Audio Archive.

Video: Inner World of the Human Cell

Administrator — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:32:51 +0000

Fascinating and beautiful video animation of the inner workings of the human cell. Created for Harvard's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology by XVIVO. You'll never think of the cell in the same way again! Link to Flash video

Kaleb’s Africa Adventure

Administrator — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:19:58 +0000

Kaleb Wenzel is going on an 8+ month trip to Africa to work where the need is great. You can keep up on his experiences at kalebwenzel.podcastpeople.com (blog, photos, podcast).

Hiking Trip to the Enchantments

Administrator — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:16:31 +0000

We made a 5-day hiking trip to the Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, just SW of Leavenworth, WA. It was a 4.5 hour hike up 2,400 feet to Colchuck Lake basecamp. We made a day hike up 2,200 feet to Aasgard Pass at the West end of the Enchantment Lakes. We hiked halfway through the lakes, then back down the mountain. Totally gorgeous aqua, glacier-fed lakes, and views forever.
View photos are here.