Banished

I volunteer at church, which is undoubtedly a surprise to many who know me, and on one of two different fronts. I don't know how charitable I am reputed to be, but I would not be surprised if it was not very. I also don't suppose that I'm seen to be an especially faithful soul, although I hope that some see me striving towards that. In any case, you ought to know for the purposes of this item that I sometimes run the computer which directs various media to the big screen seen by the congregation during services.

As long as I have done it, my station was among the bulk of the crew directly at the back of the auditorium, and there I had an excellent view of the stage, the screen and the congregation. I enjoyed all of that, and found much of it practical in doing my duty. It was not all good, of course. There were there distractions in the form of well-meaning friends as well as obstacles in the form of exceptionally tall worshipers who insisted on sitting right in front of my station.

The Wrong Tree

There I was, sitting on a bench with my music going and a good book out. I was minding my own business and contemplating moving since the sun was shifting and it was getting rather warm. Then what happens all too often happened to me once again. A man who probably had very good intentions came over and interrupted me to save my soul with a tract and some invasive questions. Little did he know that I was sitting there killing time before going to church.

I certainly could have told him so, though it wouldn't have gotten him to make himself scarce any sooner than I was able to without bringing that up. In fact, I'm fearful that revealing myself to be remotely receptive to his message would have bought me his unwanted presence for all the longer. Guys like that tend to rapidly turn new acquaintances against them, I would have to imagine (I might have said 'guys in that line of work', but I wonder whether that is a line of work in any sense that I understand).

"On The Day Of My Daughter's Wedding"

So there we were, thrown terribly off-kilter by the sudden loss of our hotel rooms (so sudden a loss that the only retaliation I could manage was theft of pens). What could we do but carry on? After all, we had a wedding to attend. With some small difficulty, we located the place, which was the chapel in what I gather is a Catholic school. I remarked to someone (and then to myself numerous times after they showed no interest) that it was a lovely campus replete with green space. Actually, the real feat would be to have any place in Florid stripped of flora.

It seems to me that the wedding started a little late, but not so much so as to cause alarm. We entered at last, received hymnals and programs, and took our seats. Dad occupied himself by critiquing the chapel's construction and I by worrying over the task assigned to me by the father of my cousin the groom. There could be nothing simpler than bringing out a chair and then retrieving it, but I saw in my mind's eye a thousand ways for me to slip up and memorably ruin the event. Luckily they did not come to pass.

I'm Back In The Saddle Again

Since my last writing, a considerable amount has happened. There was another movie night recently (with a third to come tonight).

On the Toastmasters front, I have continued my development, and am currently preparing a 'Tall Tale' for a contest on Thursday. I believe that I may be gaining responsibility within that organization, and expect to have more to say on that before long.

Improv has been great. I'm getting better at long form on Thursdays, while enjoying the performances and company of my friends on Mondays. Seeing the top level teams, as I did last Friday, is inspiring and educational.

Weekend Activities

From Friday through Sunday, I kept reasonably active. Friday was my friend's Peace Gathering, which was heavy with some very enjoyable music and just a bit of pleasant conversation. As usual, there was some delicious food to nourish the body after doing so for the mind and soul.

On Saturday, I meant to work on my speech, but couldn't refuse the same friend's offer of coming along to a church function, which was fascinating, and was followed by more food. Of course, the line was prodigious, but that's to be expected. It was a gathering of people mainly of Persian descent, which might threaten some, but I always welcome experiences with the new and unfamiliar.

Yesterday, I just went to Mass, which was pretty good. A guest priest from Kansas City advocated for a charity program to aid the poor and elderly in some developing nations. Tonight, it's coffee with a friend and improv on a new night. Tuesday, I give a speech at Toastmasters. Usually that's on Thursday, but this week and I think next also, it's on a different night to accomodate Warner Brothers' need for our usual meeting spaces on Thursdays.

The Weekend

Nothing big Saturday, except I went over to the library to watch a screening of Iron Man, which was pretty good. I like those screenings, so I hope they keep them up. I could be watching the same movie at home, but instead I'm out doing something, which is somewhat more social. It feels good.

Sunday I went to mass, marking the third week in a row that I've made it to church. It's getting to be a habit, and I'm getting better at the things that you're expected to do. It's a good time, and it feels good to have gone.

Easter

I have three things going on today. This morning, I went to Easter Mass at a local Catholic church. In a little bit, I'm going to visit a former roommate for Easter dinner. Then tonight, a second dinner here at home with an indeterminate number of people being invited by my current roommate.

Now, I hadn't stepped inside a Church (except to vote) in a long time. I can't remember the last time. It's been years, for sure. Today I went though, at the behest of my mother. I was resistant to the idea, but actually I had kind of been waiting for a nudge to go. It was a good experience, actually. I may try to make a habit of going again.