florida

Why do people flock to Florida? I now know I wouldn't mind visiting my parents if they're on the Keys for a couple months - especially if those months include April. The hotel is luxurious enough - spa, poolside steakhouse, "zen" bar - but what's keeping me up typing is the nature walk. Empirically, It's nothing spectacular: it stinks of fresh blacktop and is very short. Still, I love it. There's something peaceful about wandering outside when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. There something soothing about meandering between a golf-course and well landscaped buildings accessorized with geckos, palms, and toads. There's something in the humidity that energizes and relaxes me at the same time.
Anyway, it's intensely profound in my head (and it's not just the frizz in my hair). Oh, and check out my youtube site for some video from the beach today...

Caleb says "mama"

Usually when prompted, Caleb signs "Poppa" for either Poppa or Mama. Of course, on camera, kids are not predictable.

"It all makes sense now"

You know what they say about hindsight. Today was Monday, and my co-worker Matt was late to the office this morning. No big deal, I know he was working this weekend on some off-hours project. It is the IT department after all.
I run around a lot on Mondays and Thursday mornings - some of you know those are the big pricing days where I work with the CEO. When I returned to the IT dept Matt was surrounded by several people who were expressing concern about his wife. Knowing that she's been feeling poor lately, I asked what was wrong.
With characteristic vagary in tone, Matt says She's pregnant.
My automatic Congratulations! is followed by somebody's inquiry about the due date. It will be August.
I'm doing the math in my head as Matt says It all makes sense now.
Altogether now, with surfer dude incredulity: whoa!
Kids are a HUGE deal. Every time I'm in a restaurant with a screaming kid I wonder, did your parents know what they were getting into? But being pregnant for nearly five months and not know about it? Just about the only advantage to the long gestation period is the time to get parents used to the idea.
Fortunately for Matt and Becky, that opinion seems to be limited to just me...

music and errands

Another week, another weekend. I watched The Batman on Kid's WB this morning while I worked out - a throwback to my childhood. Then as I was driving to pick up my dry-cleaning I noticed the dilapidated bumper in front of my car. This piece of plastic was about to fall off and cause an accident. Ironically, its sticker read "don't mess with Texas."

Last night I got to see delirious? in concert at one of the local megachurches. They were a pretty good show, despite a couple interruptions. The lead singer had some technical difficulties with one of the stagelights when he picked it up to use as a floodlamp. I knew, somewhere in that enormous church, a stage manager was swearing under their breath.

The backup singer for one of the opening acts really impressed me too. Rachel and I both would rather buy her CD than the main act.

from a movie

I would never have seen the movie if Cingular hadn't given J free passes. It was a metaphysical missmash that broke my willing suspension of disbelief. However, I enjoyed the mental activity of my philosophical dialog with the movie's concepts. Not too challenging, so it was an indulgence of sorts.
I read an (unfavorable) review afterward that 2/3 of "Peaceful Warrior" is recognizable from every "inspired by true events" sports movie every produced. Fortunately, I am not an "inspiring sports movie" enthusiast. The philosophy, sounded quietly by Nick Nolte, promotes intense attention to surroundings and service to others while denying indulgence of the proud, overconfident ego.
The man has a voice that makes me want to hear him read Shakespeare. But when he spoke gravelly of journeys being more important than destinations, I quivered as my brain automatically applied that "insight" to my last 3 1/2 years. It could explain why I have no regrets about all the enjoyable and stimulating time Matt and I spent together.
It's a useless insight however, because of its indulgence. It joins the throngs of people that observe me and tell me that I'm doing well. I'm ok. I appreciate the gesture, but the surface observation doesn't notice my inward weariness.
Yesterday the sermon covered the first part of Acts 3. If we see ourselves in the passage, the healing of the lame man becomes a metaphor for each Christian's salvation. The salvific act performed by Jesus, through faith in Jesus was accomplished in me a long time ago. I feel now, far more than I did during my first round of spiritual searching 15-17 years ago, in need of healing. I also believe, despite the insight of the Peaceful Warrior, that I won't feel it until my ultimate "Destination."

Caleb has a new trick