grace.kindness.peace.disruption.pain.processing.rinse.repeat.have a nice day.

While I don't agree with her actions, I do agree with her temperature standards. And yes, I'm struggling to understand just how insensitive that comment is.

Full story can be found here.

I just discovered a "Canadian" flavor of the map generator I used to show the states visited on my road trip. In addition to the 21 states I drove through on my trip, I also visited four "Canadian" provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. On my recent trip to Toronto I added Ontario.

Thanks to World66 for the image generator!

Oh yes, I'm headed back across the border to the Great White North. Between tomorrow and Monday I'll be in Toronto, Canada at a homeless shelter. I don't know exactly what I'll be doing, but the time will be well-spent with good folk from Grace and good folk at the shelter. There might be a story or two when I get back, so stay tuned.

Hey friends. If any of you are available on Tuesday, I'd greatly appreciate any help you could give me. I'm almost done, but still need some hands for Tuesday. You can sense how desperate I am in the fact that I'm asking the world for help. Please give me a call. Thanks!

Well the day has finally come, as we knew it would. Our beloved Peter Tam Von Tobel has pulled the trigger, and in very "Pete" fashion. The photo says more than the email. He's blessed the posting of both for your edification:

Dateline: Phoenix, AZ
October 11, 2006
Subject: Moving on…

Moving on… to the married life that is. Wanted to let everyone know that I’m engaged

Here’s a quick rendition of how it went down. Then check out the pictures (only one attached at mp.com) that are attached.

I don't know if you guys have watched the most recent version of the movie Pride and Prejudice, but I pulled out a page from that script. Heather (my girlfriend) was home with her family in Fort Wayne because she had a week off for fall break. One of her younger sisters is getting married over thanksgiving – so they were doing a lot of planning/showers. Anyway – I flew into Indy late Sunday night, drove up to Fort Wayne on Monday afternoon, and surprised Heather during the family dinner. Her mom and dad were in on it… here's how it played out. Nate (sister's fiancé) and I snuck into the house… in costume; Nate was an 1800′s dickens era butler with white tights and a fancy white wig and I was a normal dickens era gentleman of higher class with a big top hat. Halfway through the dinner, Nate came out of the dark and slowly walked up to the family (there was some extended family and friends as well) dinner table in front of everyone, cleared his voice to get every one's attention, introduced me as Mr. Von Tobel, and gave a subtle bow. After a couple seconds, I made my grand appearance (remember, I live in phoenix and I typically don't dress in tights, capri-like pants, a tailed sport coat, a little white puffy neck scarf, and a top hat… so I kind of shocked the crap out of everyone). Anyway (similar to the movie), I said "I know that this is all very untoward, but I would like to request the privilege of speaking to Miss Heather". Though everyone was pretty much a deer in front of headlights, Heather's dad accomplished his duty of clearing everyone from the room. In Pride and Prejudice (favorite movie of the girls), I just really liked the idea that a guy would walk into a room, asked to speak privately to a certain daughter, and EVERYONE ELSE left the room… instead of the two of them just going elsewhere. It's just how they did… and I liked it… and I wanted to respect our forefathers. The rest is history. I ask Heather to marry me; she actually said yes.

Just wanted to let you know… feel free to pass this email along if you think anyone would like to know

Pete