Monday, January 19, 2009
What to do?
I went to work this morning at the school, and the doors were locked. I guess I am off for MLK, Jr. Day. I really need to practice, but hey, I've just found two hours to kill. What to do? Well, obviously, I'm off to Edward McKay's. Sometimes the answers are right in front of us. Here's to brevity!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Another Arrogant Adventure (or How I Enjoy Taking Advantage of my Youthfulness as well as an Initial Update on the Holidays)
I had a very fine Christmas Season. I've never been a fan of the New Year's holiday, but the time off from work was nice. The time with the family was excellent. My parents made a deliberate and successful run at the family togetherness over the holidays. We went bowling one night (I lost to everyone, even my mom); we spent two (2) nights in our basement watching holiday movies. Two (2) nights! That's pretty intense for our little family. We ended up watching "White Christmas" (which is where the song was first introduced) and some Max Lucado film that wasn't quite as good, although perhaps the message was better. I really enjoyed the former, because the acting was quite swell and everyone danced. I guess times were just better back in the day. My family, on Christmas night, almost broke out into a board game, but we decided to save that as a goal for next year. The day that I left I had lunch with my very first friend in this life, Kevin. It was refreshing (and tasty, too! Thanks Panera!), and, as always, enlightening. Perhaps I'll bring this up next time we talk, and perhaps in another blog as well. I'll just leave some tidbits on which one may chew. Labels. We have them and we use them. What does it mean when you believe in Christ but do not wish to be called Christian? In addition, what does it mean when you take the label "liberal" (as in modern politics) without blinking? Well, to some, obviously taking the label "Christian" associates you with many terrible right-winged fundamentalists and would cause people to judge you unfairly while denying a common bond with millions around the world. "Liberal," however, allows people to judge you fairly, seeing you as you truly are, an open-minded, open-hearted carer of the poor, middle-class, and children (post-birth, of course); it links with you with millions of people across, well, just the United States really. Does this make sense?
So, Tim, Cass, and I went for a hike yesterday. I know, many are thinking, "Another hike with Tim the Trailblazer? What were you thinking?!?!" Yes, my friends, but this path was clearly marked, or so we originally thought, and Scooter would be leading this expedition. We hiked the Bald Eagle Trail, named for the sightings of the Great American Bald Eagle that nest around the lake. We didn't see any of those, but we did see a Great Blue Heron. It was pretty cool. The scenery around Lake Higgins (Bald Eagle is a watershed trail) was quite breathtaking and even magical at times. I imagine that in the autumn this trail would be a bountiful feast of colors. So, we get to the beginning of the trail, and it's looking pretty nice, you know, It's a three mile trail that has a little loop at the end and then we double back. Six miles, we got that, right?
WRONG. The trail was pretty nice, but then came the splits. The trail went two ways. "Which way do we go now?" said a terrifically timid Timothy. Cassandra, with her trusted sidekick Scooter by her side, declared, "Follow the white diamonds!" I thought to myself what an odd statement that was, until we saw them. Little trail markers that were diamond-shaped white pieces of plastic nailed onto the trees. It seemed, at the time, if you wanted to live, it's best to follow the man-made plastic. We trudged on and on for what ended up being hours. At one point, we passed an Asian girl jogging along the trail. At the time, Tim and I said our hellos and thought nothing of it. Cassandra, however, noted a strange smell in the air. It was....fresh. It was odd, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Moments later, a young Asian male passed. Tim was very tempted but very wise NOT to say, "She went that way!" Tim, an Orientalist at heart, somehow managed to control his wild thoughts. However, Cassandra, smelling again a fresh scent, stopped immediately. After some heated dialogue, Cassandra determined not only was it odd that two Asians had passed us, but they both smelled the same. It became apparent at this point that they probably had showered moments before going on a jog on a muddy biking trail. We pondered this for a few minutes.
At this point we reached a road, only to discover that we missed the loop, or that there was no loop; either way, the sun was setting and we were still about 4-5 miles from the car. I valiantly suggested we start back through the trail. Cassandra and Tim, the cowardly couple, decided to stick to the road and take the long way back. Outnumbered (as usual) I counted my blessings and started up the long valley road (which, ironically enough, was named "Long Valley Road."). We took note of the new housing developments, saw some Italian greyhounds (I believe), and had jolly conversation all the way. We made it to the real road at some point and started down the highway walking through other's yards. By this time it really was getting dark, and Tim knew his doom had come. Now, I cannot really speak much to this, as I had eye surgery a few summers back, so I also have trouble seeing at night. Nonetheless, mailboxes and ominous ditches of disaster lurked 'round every bend. Sooner or later, we knew it was bound to happen. Tim was following closely behind, and as Cassandra and I coolly made our way around a mailbox, we heard a loud, ringing "thunk!" I hung my head in shame. I needed not to turn around to see the mayhem that lay at my feet. Tim, glasses askew, lay in a shivering heap upon the grassy knoll.
We continued on our way, Cassandra holding Tim tightly as Scooter continued to lead the way. When we had finally reached our last turn, onto Hamburg Mill Road (as if I wasn't already hungry enough, suddenly I had a craving for Cookout). It was at this point that I looked up. By this time the sun had been long gone, and we were all alone in tiny Summerfield. I should clarify here: Greensboro is a nice town and all, but there is so much light pollution. It is very hard to see any stars at night; sometimes the sky is even pink due to all the light. It's very frustrating for one who enjoys such night visions. Summerfield, however, is not nearly as polluted. So, I looked up. The moonlight was so bright and beautiful, outshining all but a few stars. It was at this point that I reflected upon my life. I was thankful for the trip and the mishaps we had had. The long road home ended up being a blessing in itself. My friends, the stars, my health, that silly, silly dog--I was thankful of them all. We did make it safely back to the car, where Tim and I took separate turns "marking our territory" in the woods (I mean, come on! We hadn't used the restroom in like, 6 hours!). The drive home was peaceful, and believe it or not, we went hiking again the next day (although I'm sure Tim would like to tell that story and grant himself a bit of grace [he fell down a lot on that trail]).
Appreciate the life you have.
So, Tim, Cass, and I went for a hike yesterday. I know, many are thinking, "Another hike with Tim the Trailblazer? What were you thinking?!?!" Yes, my friends, but this path was clearly marked, or so we originally thought, and Scooter would be leading this expedition. We hiked the Bald Eagle Trail, named for the sightings of the Great American Bald Eagle that nest around the lake. We didn't see any of those, but we did see a Great Blue Heron. It was pretty cool. The scenery around Lake Higgins (Bald Eagle is a watershed trail) was quite breathtaking and even magical at times. I imagine that in the autumn this trail would be a bountiful feast of colors. So, we get to the beginning of the trail, and it's looking pretty nice, you know, It's a three mile trail that has a little loop at the end and then we double back. Six miles, we got that, right?
WRONG. The trail was pretty nice, but then came the splits. The trail went two ways. "Which way do we go now?" said a terrifically timid Timothy. Cassandra, with her trusted sidekick Scooter by her side, declared, "Follow the white diamonds!" I thought to myself what an odd statement that was, until we saw them. Little trail markers that were diamond-shaped white pieces of plastic nailed onto the trees. It seemed, at the time, if you wanted to live, it's best to follow the man-made plastic. We trudged on and on for what ended up being hours. At one point, we passed an Asian girl jogging along the trail. At the time, Tim and I said our hellos and thought nothing of it. Cassandra, however, noted a strange smell in the air. It was....fresh. It was odd, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Moments later, a young Asian male passed. Tim was very tempted but very wise NOT to say, "She went that way!" Tim, an Orientalist at heart, somehow managed to control his wild thoughts. However, Cassandra, smelling again a fresh scent, stopped immediately. After some heated dialogue, Cassandra determined not only was it odd that two Asians had passed us, but they both smelled the same. It became apparent at this point that they probably had showered moments before going on a jog on a muddy biking trail. We pondered this for a few minutes.
At this point we reached a road, only to discover that we missed the loop, or that there was no loop; either way, the sun was setting and we were still about 4-5 miles from the car. I valiantly suggested we start back through the trail. Cassandra and Tim, the cowardly couple, decided to stick to the road and take the long way back. Outnumbered (as usual) I counted my blessings and started up the long valley road (which, ironically enough, was named "Long Valley Road."). We took note of the new housing developments, saw some Italian greyhounds (I believe), and had jolly conversation all the way. We made it to the real road at some point and started down the highway walking through other's yards. By this time it really was getting dark, and Tim knew his doom had come. Now, I cannot really speak much to this, as I had eye surgery a few summers back, so I also have trouble seeing at night. Nonetheless, mailboxes and ominous ditches of disaster lurked 'round every bend. Sooner or later, we knew it was bound to happen. Tim was following closely behind, and as Cassandra and I coolly made our way around a mailbox, we heard a loud, ringing "thunk!" I hung my head in shame. I needed not to turn around to see the mayhem that lay at my feet. Tim, glasses askew, lay in a shivering heap upon the grassy knoll.
We continued on our way, Cassandra holding Tim tightly as Scooter continued to lead the way. When we had finally reached our last turn, onto Hamburg Mill Road (as if I wasn't already hungry enough, suddenly I had a craving for Cookout). It was at this point that I looked up. By this time the sun had been long gone, and we were all alone in tiny Summerfield. I should clarify here: Greensboro is a nice town and all, but there is so much light pollution. It is very hard to see any stars at night; sometimes the sky is even pink due to all the light. It's very frustrating for one who enjoys such night visions. Summerfield, however, is not nearly as polluted. So, I looked up. The moonlight was so bright and beautiful, outshining all but a few stars. It was at this point that I reflected upon my life. I was thankful for the trip and the mishaps we had had. The long road home ended up being a blessing in itself. My friends, the stars, my health, that silly, silly dog--I was thankful of them all. We did make it safely back to the car, where Tim and I took separate turns "marking our territory" in the woods (I mean, come on! We hadn't used the restroom in like, 6 hours!). The drive home was peaceful, and believe it or not, we went hiking again the next day (although I'm sure Tim would like to tell that story and grant himself a bit of grace [he fell down a lot on that trail]).
Appreciate the life you have.
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