antiquus postremo
'antiquus postremo' is latin for "ancient future". ancient-future is a term used by the so-called "postmodern church" or emerging church to envision what the future of the church might look like if we returned to modeling the early church as described in the book of acts. anyway, ancient future for this blog just means that I'm writing about what's happening right now in my life, kind of like saying "yesterday's tomorrow".
20070517
20070516
Stardate: -316371.64
I biked to Springfield yesterday and had lunch with Vjera. It was interesting to me to see the wide variety of people that I rode by on the bike path: Homeless people still all bundled up as if it were 40 degrees; random people strumming guitars; business people taking walks during their lunch hour and chatting avidly; and every once in a long while, a hardcore biker in spandex breezing past me, not an easy feat considering that I don't exactly meander myself.
Speaking of which, I need to go to Springfield again for the umpire meeting tonight, so I'll have another opportunity to do ride-by people-watching.
20070511
Stardate: -316358.64
Earlier this week I was at a parking lot in Eugene and I saw a car that had a lot of bumper stickers on it. So, being the nerd that I am, I pretended to talk on my cell phone while I intentionally wandered (is that an oxymoron?) around said car and counted all of the bumper stickers. 155. That's a lot. My favorite, easily, was the one on the front of the car that said, "I HATE bumper stickers."
Yeah, right. I don't believe it.
Another week, more people over to our apartment. This week it was girls on Tuesday and Wednesday night. J.C. barbecued on Wednesday night, and nearly died in a dramatic explosion (or so he tells me). Then tonight, I invited my parents and younger brothers over to have dinner with me. My sisters were both busy. I guess, in a small way at least, it was a coming of age for me as an adult, to have my own apartment and to invite my parents over for dinner and cook for them. I'll never repay them for all the meals they cooked for me, or the countless other things they gave me, but at least they know I love them in return and that I made it to adulthood.
20070504
Stardate: -316339.07
Then I was taking a shower and the water wasn't draining. My roommate, David, went in to check it out, and informed me that you have to hold the handle at just the right place.
I guess this is why we pay $100 a month less than we would if we were at a different apartment complex.
20070503
Stardate: -316335.37
It's interesting, and perhaps quite remarkable, that this is the first computer I have owned. I made it through five years of college without one, just using the computers in the library and those at other common places on campus.
There's hope on my part that having a computer will result in more blogging. Perhaps also more writing in general, more keeping in touch with people via e-mail, and maybe I'll even join a social networking website (probably a good bet that the first one won't be MySpace).
I remember that about a year ago, I was reflecting with one of my friends that it was interesting that I was at the end of my five years of college and I did not have a car, a cell phone, or a laptop. (Actually, I didn't have a bicycle or a digital camera either.) Now, here I am, and I have all of them. Do I feel different? Not really. But I have a growing conviction that with every thing that I own, I have a new opportunity to honor God and impact the world.
So, maybe I am different than I was a year ago. Maybe a lot.
20070501
Stardate: -316329.85
Our first experience with this was last Thursday. We invited nine people, most of whom came because we planned it while we were at college retreat. J.C. and I were both gone for several hours before dinnertime, so earlier in the day I had chopped chicken and vegetables and threw them in the crockpot. I also set the rice cooker on delayed timer.
In retrospect, the evening was a success. But when I reflect on why, I can't pinpoint it on the food or the odd and sarcastic conversation, though both were very enjoyable. Maybe it's because there's something about connecting with other people our age, people who in a some way are in a similar place in life as we are, and finding a sense of camaraderie with them.
So, thank God for crockpots and rice cookers. But even more, thank God for friends who make life less lonely.