Yeah, I know, I’ve been procrastinating too long. So where have I been all this time? Well, right here. The past couple of months have been like a bell curve of emotion. A few weeks of smooth sailing, then a big storm, and then it evened out again.
Part 1
To pick up where I left off, I gave my presentation at the retreat, and it was a big hit! People really picked up on the fact that programming could help them. And this is good for my insidious plans for them later. *chuckles evilly* But more on that in a minute.
John and Lisa couldn’t make it for the wedding. π They were riding on buddy passes, but they got stuck at the airport on standby for two days. So they went back home. I wish John weren’t so swamped with life so I could talk to him more. He does too.
I’ve been thinking it would be good to not be a total hermit for the rest of my life, so a few months ago I signed up for a few things at my church. One was a dinner club where we’re assigned to groups randomly and then we rotate going to each other’s houses for dinner once a month and bringing different parts of the meal. Our first one was October 18. It was pretty good. It’s a little awkward going to a stranger’s house and having no agenda except eating, but fortunately the other people there were good conversationalists, and I chimed in a few times when I had something relevant to share. I’m not sure a dinner club is at the top of my list of ways to meet people, but it’s okay for now.
The second thing I signed up for was a small group. They had four general categories—men’s, women’s, new believers’, and growth groups. I went with the most generic type, the growth groups. It turned out that most of the people who signed up for small groups were singles in their 20s, so they decided to try out a group for that demographic. That started October 30. That’s been pretty good too. We’ve been studying Ephesians. I use the term studying loosely. It’s a typical reader-response type of discussion, not that they do it that way on purpose. It’s certainly not what I’m used to from my old church! Or the Wheaton exegesis program. But I’m there for the people anyway. A couple is hosting it, and I’ve been getting to know the husband. He took me out to breakfast, which was nice. We had a good conversation. It helps that I’m the only guy in the group and the only one who’s been at every meeting. It makes me stand out. π
And the third thing was volunteering at a homeless shelter, which our church does about three times a year. That was from 6 to 11 on October 31. It felt long, but it was a good experience, and I got to know another guy from the church a bit. I talked with him for most of the time. I haven’t seen him since then, but still, it was nice to make a connection. It was a pretty laid back place. After setting everything up and signing everybody in (it’s a very organized service; I was surprised), there wasn’t much to do except be present and monitor the restroom. I’d probably do it again.
Entertainment-wise, during those first few weeks I finished season 4 of DS9, and I reluctantly but irresistably came to the conclusion that DS9 really is the best Star Trek series. I still love TNG; it had great characters and a lot of great episodes and themes. But DS9 as a whole is an intricate work of art.
Tune in tomorrow or some other time in the near future for part 2 (of 3)!
((((((((((((andz)))))))))))) so where’s part 2?
LOL “Entertainment-wise” is such a grammatical crime. =D