Splendor of the Solstice

The arrival of winter this year has been spectacular and awesome. Here are just a few of the dozens of photos I've taken in the last couple of days.

Rest in Peace, Gideon

After a long day at work yesterday, I logged into my email shortly before 8pm to check messages and learned the shocking news that my friend, Gideon Addington, had died. A prayer service had been hastily scheduled for 8:30 pm on Twitter by the online Urban Abbey community.

Minutes later, I was "at" that service. I was physically and literally at home, of course, but mentally and spiritually I was with my online friends, mourning our mutual loss. It was a powerful experience, equal to any I have had "in real life," or IRL, as it is called nowadays. It helped, as only prayer can, to begin to cope with our loss.

Right now, I have very little in the way of words. I knew Gideon only as an online friend and colleague, but he touched my life deeply and will be terribly missed. Perhaps I will be able to write more later, when I've had time to reflect. My friend Josh has written a beautiful post about all this - please take a moment to read it. If you knew Gideon or want to post a prayer or your thoughts, a site has been set up for that.

Rest in peace, Gideon.

Nearly-Wordless Wednesday

The Holly and the Ivy

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Complexity Simplified One Year Old Today

Hard to believe, but one year ago today I started this blog. I also joined Twitter that same day, and my life truly has not been the same since.

What a great year it has been! I've learned the ins and outs of blogging, gotten to know many like-minded souls who have made their way to Complexity Simplified and, most gratifying of all, found true community both on Twitter and in the blogosphere.

Here's hoping the next year will be even a fraction as good as the first year has been.

Nearly-Wordless Wednesday

Advent 1: Washington National Cathedral and Full Moon

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