this page intentionally left blank

It only takes a second for the weekend to pass, but the week stretches for months on end. Although it's only Sunday morning, I am having a hard time remembering how I've passed that second. Friday evening I think I had dinner with Barrett at a small local restaurant. Chicken Fried Steak and Chicken Fried Chicken... I'm going to try to cut down a wee bit on the fried part. I ordered "Crown rocks" and the teenage waitstaff though I said "Corona on the rocks". WTF? It all got straightened out in short order and before I knew it, I was in Fry's electronic boutique of mighty power with entirely too many things in my cart that I don't need. With the strength of will, I replaced all but one item and left. It was the super-mega-extended-worth-being-redundant-extended box set of the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy. Twelve DVD's to span 3 movies. I'm not sure what all was added, but I intend to find out... eventually. We watched the first one that night, but I was too sleepy to continue. Saturday morning was sleep and meeting Ted for lunch. I passed time around the house until I headed to Pat's annual Christmas gathering. It was my first year attending, but it was quite the impressive suaré. He only invite about half as many people this year, but it was still around 80 invites. They had more food than anyone could collectively polish off and plenty of refreshments in the liquids department. I was the only person there sans entourage... no wife, no girlfriend, no kids, etc. Everyone was in terrific holiday spirit and it was just a sickeningly perfect holiday event. They even had decorations and light that would make the Griswolds jealous that danced with the music. Meh. I stayed as long as I could take it and moved on to another holiday party about 2 miles up the road. Miranda's office party was equally out in BFE and it was no problem at all to hop over there before I went home. They were playing that Christmas game were everyone brings an anonymous gift and picks a number. When the time comes, the number 1 person may select any gift out of the pile. Number two may either take number 1's selection or select another from the pile and so on... ie. number 13 person has the 12 previous gifts to poach from or may select a new one. Rinse and repeat until they are all gone and then number 1 (since they had no chance to poach) may trade for any he or she wants one final time. I ended up with a small stocking filled with coal. Fitting, isn't it? Shortly after the game, Miranda received a phone call informing her that one of her friends, presumably enroute to the party, was driving on a nearby highway in a brand new car (purchased earlier yesterday) when a young girl pulls out of a fast food parking lot without looking into their path. Brakes were applied without effect and wreckage ensued. They had to saw the top of the car off to life-flight the girl away (I do not know if she lived or not), but the party-goers were in better shape, but still needed a ride to the hospital. She left to take care of that and it was time for me to head home anyway. This was around 10 or so last night. I received a text on my phone around 8:15 this morning from her saying she just got home from the hospital. Wow. I reluctantly got up early for church today with a scratchy throat and feeling ill. My church is moving into a building of their own and today is/was the first service in the new building. I didn't want to miss it. I dressed up spiffier than I usually do for church and got on the road. I stopped for a latte on the way and was feeling overly depressed about the whole evolution, but ventured forward anyway. This small, family-style congregation that has, since I've known them, been more about worshiping God together, friendly fellowship, and unpretentiousness than organized Churchdom. When I pulled into the new lot, there was a gentleman directing traffic and instructing people on not just where, but how to park. I was instructed. Twice. I went in giving hugs and smiles through the pain of knowing and sat down... looking forward the first sermon in the new digs. My pastor is a pretty cool fella... interesting and very easy on the ears. I was approached by another gentleman informing me that no food or drink was allowed in the sanctuary and I needed to take my coffee to the kitchen. I did without question and finished my latte there while the service started at the other end of the building. My mind was just pouring over memories and I was feeling worse, but I was going to get through it. No doubt. I walked into the main area and selected a small row of seats in the back... one for me, one for her. I was quickly approached by another lady asking me if I'd move to the front. I replied that I'd rather sit here (with my wife) to which she informed me that they needed the back row for ushers... the back row of 20 or 30 seats that were empty save mine that is... /sigh. I politely smiled and got up as if to move, but left. One of the very aspects of Churchdom that I dislike was rearing it's ugly head in my little, safe congregation. I went to Target and impulse shopped. I went in for a package of Diet Coke and $250 later, I had Diet Coke and a whole bunch of crap I didn't need. Oh well, it happens. I'm home and it's raining. I don't mind rain. I don't mind cold. I mind rain and cold together. Yuck. Henry is enjoying the new toys I bought on my little spree and I'm about to go start a fire in the fireplace for the pets. They like to roast on the brick in front of the screen. I am poised and ready to do absolutely nothing today. I hope it is as fabulous as I imagine it can be.