Spoke to some friends last night about justice & Hitler. Yeah, talk about a light after-dinner topic. :) I was thinking if I were alive at the time of Hitler & knew then what I know now about all the destruction... I think that if I had the oppotunity to take him down, I definitely would. I mean, it's Hitler. I was surprised to hear some people say that they didn't think that was necessarily the right thing to do, but to me, that's justice. Of course, my thinking is contantly growing, changing, etc. By taking him down, I mean using whatever force is necessary to bring the evil of Hitler to an end. My friends were saying that they thought the right thing to do is to confront the wrong, but not use force. Not even sure what that would look like. Anyways, spare me any gory details-- in basic, I want to know whether you think justice would include taking Hitler down or confronting the wrong in some other way.

On my mind this week: the 3rd place. What is the 3rd place, you say? The idea is that everyone has 3 places they "live:" their home, their work, & the THIRD place. What is your third place?

The term the 3rd place comes from a book I have not read called The Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg.

Being one of my interests is the Christian faith & culture, I am interested in how church used to be one of the primary 3rd places, but not so much in our culture today. Seems like coffee shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, etc. have taken their place.

Third places are noted for being neutral ground & even as a Christian, I find my most comfortable 3rd place is in a coffee shop enjoying non-threatening conversation in a relaxed enviroment.

The book The Great Good Place lists the 3 place to have these characteristics:

1. They’re neutral ground
2. They’re “levelers” where rank and status don’t matter
3. Conversation is a main activity
4. They’re easy to access and accommodating
5. They have a core group of influential regulars
6. They have a low profile instead of being showy
7. The mood is playful
8. They feel like homes away from home

What's your 3rd place? Why is it important to you? Do you find depth, inspiration, conversation there? How about community?

Hey, we're thinking taking a last-minute day trip over Easter weekend. Let me tell you where we've been since we've lived in this area & you tell me what YOU'D recommend.

1. Cambria

2. Trail of 100 Giants

3. San Simeon

I'm thinking something mountaineous is in order.