Recently

Summer wedding count: 1-1-1-1

There were four weddings going on this summer that I expected to be at. All four of them played out in different ways, in declining order of the magnitude of my role. I was a member of the wedding party in the first. I was invited to and attended the second. I was invited to and unable to attend the third. I wasn't invited to the fourth.

This last, albeit disappointing, wasn't that surprising.



In other news - I wish I'd read the Lord of the Rings sooner. I'm finding it extremely enjoyable for a number of reasons. First off - I do voices for characters in my head... I always have, but this is a skill which has been refined in recent years. Secondly - though sometimes tiresome, I really enjoy the poetry and songs including in the narrative. Thirdly - there are some absolutely brilliant and subtle lines in there. Fourthly - the bits and pieces that I've missed out on due to only being familiar with film versions.

Mind you, I'm not very far at all. Nearing the end of book one of the Fellowship. They've just set out from Bree with Strider - but even if that short span, I've found it extremely enjoyable.



In just over a month - I will have the penultimate installment of the Wheel of Time in my hands, which I will likely devour quickly. Then, have a year's wait to relish its closing.


Lately, when I've typed, I've found that I use a greater number of big words... and I can't place exactly why. Probably because I'm reading regularly again. My vocabulary has never been small, but it has been better utilized when I'm in the middle of a good book. The problem has been that I've made little time to read books of any substance in the past year or so. Aside from, I believe, the previous installment of the Wheel of Time, and now - the Lord of the Rings.

I feel as though I had a more distinct reason for signing onto the ole blog and sharing my thoughts - but it now eludes me.


I had the pleasure of visiting Athens last week for a CCF event and a friend's baptism. It was a bit surreal and bittersweet - but a blast, overall. I have little reason to place the weight of this on any one particular origin - but the place felt brighter and happier. Some would suggest a clear and obvious reason for this - but I would disagree with them. Their reason may well be a part of it, but it is not the main contributor. Regrettably - I chose to come on a night with a guest speaker. A man for whom I have little respect, despite, I'm sure, the best intentions. But this particular displeasure was muted by seeing my friends and former students leading worship, running sound, running powerpoint, speaking at the front of the room, starring in announcement videos, going about their leadership roles, and just generally functioning as a close-knit family. I was awed at the magnetism and positivity of the new interns. I was impressed with the new leaders. I cried tears of joy when my friend was baptized. And all this was but the beginning of my time there.

That night, I basked in the hospitality of three of the men at CCF with whom I was closer than some. There was good conversation, good card games, and (ultimately) a great meal.

Throughout my time there I had the opportunity to catch up with lots of people - and though I may not have had much in the way of exciting news, I ate up every bit that they had to share. I learned about fantastic pranks, adventures in foreign lands, adventures in local lands, summer jobs, budding romances, passionate hearts, and so much more.

It was good.



In general news - still job-hunting, and surprisingly full of doubt and uncertainty about numerous other things, but also paradoxically confident. Maybe that's the prayers.