Day 10

When did you take the easy way?

When I put off this ridiculously huge blogging assignment.

...and now for a real answer: I've been into Chicago several times this year, and I always seem to meet some of the most exhausted, debilitated homeless people. Once in a great while, I'll have something to share; more often, I'm in a hurry to get to where I'm going- the ball game, or Navy Pier. I am so good at rationalizing my priorities that I make these people as insignificant as can be.

I'm good at discounting sob stories, turning my nose at the bell ringers, and ignoring desperate pleas. I've heard so many good people explain why we ought not give money to the poor- you don't want to enable them. They'll take advantage of you.

But what would Jesus do? Did he ignore the lepers, the poor widows, the down and out? I'm pretty sure he said something like "If someone asks for your tunic, give them your cloak as well." Well I don't really wear a cloak, but I am not as dense as I seem. I'm to the point that I can finally stand up in disgust and defend my pathetic enabling habit. I don't care what any of you say, if some homeless guy sells me a postcard for $5, for God's sake I'm gonna buy it.

For too long I've taken the easy way and conveniently ignored the unpolished side of society.

Day 9

What was your favorite blog post?

Unfortunately, I don't do too much reading of other people's blogs. I try, but I can't keep up. I'm more of a lethargic internet sloth, slowly climbing my way through the piles of text.

Mostly that's on Wikipedia, the Salvation Army bell-ringers of the internet

Once in a while, I am led astray and stumble onto articles from other site, like this one, today's winner.

Day 8

Where did you spend your money?

One word: iTunes.

Seriously, though, for only making $150/month, I bought a heck ton of songs on there.

Music and goldfish are what I spent my money on!

Day 7

What astonished you?

Easy answer: Annual Conference. After having been to my very first conference last year and enjoying it to some extent, I was saddened by the very crappy nature of stupid people's dumb stupitidy. At least I got a few laughs in between being really pissed off at my family.

Real answer: My parents moved this summer, after several years of dreaming. They packed up everything they could from the last 24 years, gave the rest away, and drove to Florida to live a less stressful life. In hot southern Florida.

Well, the process of going home and deciding what to do with all of my childhood belongings, I started gettin' all sentimental on 'em. Somewhere down the line, I dunno when, my dear old pa called me outta tha blue an said he wanted to make up for all that time we missed somehow.

Sure, we're both busy men, bringing home our own respective bacon, but it sure did warm my heart to hear from him that he wants to be a better father. I told him I didn't know much what he was talkin bout, but I reckon I sure would enjoy hearin his voice more offen. I always supposed it was my fault we weren't close like them other boys and their pops. I was astonished to hear my dad say he's as responsible as me for where we are. I never learned how to talk to him the way I ought, sharing important things and asking for advice about girls. I kept to my room and assumed he would tell me things if they were important. Ain't much use dwelling on the past, I've learned, and I can't write much more without gettin all teary eyed. Dad, don't you dare comment on here!

Day 6

When did you celebrate?

Well, first there was my birthday. At Annual Conference, we decided to celebrate several ways. First there was TGI Fridays / the Irish Pub with Jeremy and Chris, the two best friends one could ask for during Conference. Then we went out for sushi with whatever volunteers we could kidnap. Counting the dinner out when I got back to Elgin, I think I had four or five birthdays in ten days.

Then there was every official orientation celebration with BVS - crazy outfits, dance parties, togas, and runway walks. There is a nervous air about them, but that is quickly washed over with the first soda in three weeks and the last chance to laugh with your new best friends.

But the best moment of celebration, I would have to say, was going to EPH with friends after I got my job. It's my first real, honest-to-goodness, I get a paycheck every two weeks that pays the rent job. It was a nice relaxing evening out with my now former housemates that sealed the past two years with warm memories.

Day 5

What were your favorite songs?

I don't think I qualify as an audiophile, because I don't have the money for all the sound equipment. But this is year #5 of loving everything but country. Aside from the standard orientation pop music, I fell in love with the Avett Brothers a little later than everyone else. Skrillex came to save me from David Guetta's repetitive dance beats, I gorged myself on heavy metal, and made the prodigal son's return back to Thrice.

avett bro's - murder in the city. The music video is like beard candy.

Skrillex - With you, friends. This is the song of choice to relax to.

Warning: angry growling ahead!

After the Burial - Your Troubles Will Cease and Fortune Will Smile Upon You. My favorite metal band, this is the only song from their new album that sounds anything like the last one. Syncopation for the win!


Veil of Maya - Namaste. After a brief period of pop-infusion, I had to return to my heavy roots. This October I got to see what will probably be my last metal show - with three of my favorite face-melters: After the Burial, Within the Ruins, and Veil of Maya. If you can withstand the strange noises that come out of their mouths, you might, like me, learn to appreciate the beautiful ones that come from their guitars. It's a slippery slope, though.

Thrice - Treading Paper


Thrice - Listen Through Me

Thrice has been my favorite band since I first heard them. They're not afraid to try new things, and it's usually good. The combination of a deep faith, transparent struggles, and powerful hope make the songs more than just beautiful noises. It's a freaking king cake of emotion with melancholy frosting. Plus, how many bands do you know that cover EE Cummings poems?

Thank you for making this prompt plural.

Day 4

What was the best book you read?

I could pull a Mitt Romney and say Atlas Shrugged, but I can sense some of you cookin' in your seats already.
This year was the year of unfinished business. I've never been good at reading outside of orientation, and now I'm up a creek without a paddle. I'm halfway through The Fountainhead still, barely into the Long Loneliness, and only got a chaper into the second Harry Potter book (I did finally read the first one last winter!)

So, by way of default, the best book I read this year was My Antonia by Willa Cather. It is a good introduction to the history of the mid-west, though I haven't seen any dirt floors in my two years here. The book did sadden me because the every time the narrator speaks of Antonia, I imagined that they would somehow wind up together. I demand a Hollywood ending!

Though, I must say, there's nothing quite like reading in the afternoon shade in central Florida in wintertime. Falling asleep before dinnertime with a book as your pillow is pretty awesome.

The last book I read was My Antonia by Willa Cather