If you have the time and heart to read the remainder of my thoughts, I want you to see the Christian Side Hug video before you continue. It will give you an idea of what I’m speaking of.

Imagine my daughter comes back from a youth conference and she spoke of using the “Christian side hug” in my home. I seriously wouldn’t know how I’d respond. It would be very difficult for me to express my feelings towards the idea without flipping my wig.

The book Stuff Christians Like has rules in which christians should follow. Well, here is the #106 rule that has my blood boiling. Rule #106 reads:

Yes, God wants us to be compassionate and kind and tender with each other. Not only that, but he wants us to love our enemies and serve our neighbors. As long as there is no body on body action. I’m talking of course about a “full frontal hug,” one of those sinful abominations where you just wrap your arms around a friend and embrace them. That’s why Christians the world over have pioneered the “side hug.” In the side hug there’s no risk of two crotches touching. Instead of face to face, you go side to side, putting your arm around the person and your hip against their’s. Still having a hard time mastering it? Pretend you’re taking a photo and you’re both looking at the camera together. The side hug, or A frame as it is also called, is safe for the whole family, friendly and above all holy. I don’t know the exact scripture reference but try the book of Psalms.

Amanda Hess, author at the Washington City Paper, said it best when referencing the idea of Encounter Generation Conference. Her quote reads:

I’m afraid that this potent combination of absurd chastity and mock hip-hop will be more likely to bring the power of a school-yard beat-down to these kids’ faces.

I agree with Amanda. I could not imagine my daughter telling people to give her side hugs. It’s one of my house rules. When people enter my house, you give them a warm welcome. One that makes them feel like you’ve been knowing each other for years. A full hug seems to allow people to feel as though they are truly welcomed. If you give me a Christian side hug at my front door, You are not welcome in my home.

Hopefully this is a spoof. Cause if it’s serious, Lord help us.

As far as the design new features…hmm. Nothing really except it will have a bit more columns to it. Two to be exact, but 3 in other places. The one element I’m most excited about is the “Feature Images” area on the homepage. It will allow me to use more of my photography and typography to create the aesthetic I will always be accustom to. 70’s sorta vintage wash. It’s the look of me. It always will be.

One thing I haven’t mentioned are the creative minds behind the project. As you will see there are some heavy hitters backing this startup. Such ones like Zach Klein of Vimeo, Jeffrey Kalmikoff - Creative Director at SkinnyCorp, Brett Slatkin - Senior Software Engineer at Google. Enough of me talking. Check out the collection of cool bicycles they have made on Flickr.

See Raymonn.com for the bike I like. (This is for the facebook reader)