obsessive thinking and pre-occupying worry

An old Sufi story tells of a man who found a bottle with a genie inside of it. He pulled the stopper out of the bottle and with a huge puff of smoke, the giant genie was freed and would grant the man anything he wished for.

“But”, the genie told him, “I haven’t had anything to do for a thousand years and am starved for work. So, you must keep me busy or I’ll eat you.”

The man thought that he had been granted a wonderful gift and was sure that he could keep the genie busy with no trouble and would finally get his fondest wish granted. The man immediately told the genie that he had always wanted to have a wonderful castle and no sooner had he voiced it than the wish was granted and a spectacular castle appeared before him. It was the grandest castle in the world. He thanked the genie and promptly wished for some food. In a flash, the worlds best chefs appeared before him with their most famous dishes prepared and ready to be eaten.

The man sat down and started to eat when the genie bellowed, “The only thing that’s going to be eaten is you – if you don’t give me some work to do.” The man trembled in fear and quickly said, “Bring me the most beautiful women in the world to amuse me.” Once again, he was amazed to find that his wish was instantly granted and the room was filled with women of all sizes, colours, nationalities, and all spectacularly beautiful. He had just started to introduce himself when he became aware that the genie was licking his lips and looking hungry.

It was then that he realised that he was in real trouble and didn’t know what to do. He then made his first wise wish – “Genie, take me to the wisest man in the world.” In a flash, he found himself on a mountaintop seated in front of a little old man in a robe. He said, “I know you are the wisest man in the world because that’s who I wished to see and all my wishes come true, but now I don’t know what else to wish for and if I can’t keep the genie busy, he will eat me. Please sir, help me.”

The wise man told him, “All your wishes were selfish. What you must do is promise to share your wealth with everyone everywhere and I will help you.” The man quickly agreed as he became aware that the genie was sharpening up his knife and fork while putting a bib on.

The wise man pulled a hair out of his curly beard and told the man to give it to the genie and command the genie to straighten the hair and keep it straight. The man gave the genie the hair and the command to keep it straight. The genie held each end of the hair in his hands and pulled it straight. With a hungry look, he let go of one end and reached for the man so as to devour him. But, the hair then sprang back to its curly state. The genie then pulled it straight again, leered, and started to grab at the man. Once again, the hair curled up and once again the genie stopped his attack and pulled it straight. The man saw that he had finally given the genie a task it would never finish completing until he wished him to.

He thanked the wise man profusely and kept his vow for the rest of his days. And the man lived happily ever after.

***

If you happen to be in Cape Town this evening, Kev at Labyrinth is exploring century old spiritual tools to cope with obsessive thinking and pre-occupying worry. In his words "forward the invite to your friends - they get lost inside too!"

Startling mantra

Ed is a friend of mine who last year gave up his post as a school principal and moved to Kenya to serve the poor in a more tangible way. He’s just updated his blog with an interesting reflection on how he has changed being there, as well as thoughts on the tribal conflict that is still gripping the country. He also quoted and reflected on some lines that Richard Rohr (his friend) uses in his book Adam’s Return. These apparently are lessons every young man must learn during initiation. I found them most startling and alternative as far as mantras go. So, meditate on this happy thoughts for a while:

YOU ARE NOT IMPORTANT.
YOUR LIFE IS NOT ABOUT YOU.
YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL.
YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.

I’m sure Richard has some meaningful explanation for them, but they seem helpful in their ‘startling-ness’ just as they are.

Tokkelokke

Kudos to Justin and Jono who bravely embark on a BTh (Bachelor of Theology) at the University of Pretoria this week. Good on you guys! If you realise early that Greek and Hebrew are your friends, then 4 glorious years of solid reformed theology await you! Enjoy the books and the events, and try help Tuks (especially the Theology faculty) with their badly needed transformation.

PS.. Here's a little blog by some old Tuks classmates to get you acquainted.

Once upon a time ... a church quest.

When Julie moved down to Cape Town a couple of years back, she set out on a quest. A ‘God quest’ to be precise - trying to find a faith community. Together with Natalie, a mutual friend of ours, she visited many Methodist, Presby and other churches in Cape Town trying to find a place to belong. Alas, none was to be found. Whether the churches were too conservative or mono-cultural or old, nothing really grabbed these two pilgrims. To be fair, for Natalie, nothing really rivals Alan Storey's sermons and the work at Calvary Methodist in Midrand, and Julie wasn’t up to returning to the NCMI headspace or fold. They almost gave up the search, relishing the notion of a Sunday lie-in, when Natalie suggested they try the Quakers in Mowbray.

And they did. And liked it. And stayed.

And there they are to this day, happily ever after!

I’ve joined Jules at Quakers (or Friends, or Religious Society of Friends) a bunch of times, and really enjoy the way they ‘do church’ - or rather ‘don’t do church’. This specific community are silent worshippers, and ‘meeting for worship’ comprises an hour of silence, with everyone listening to what the Spirit may be saying to them at that time. For someone who used to be comfortable with 20 minutes of centering prayer on my prayer bench, trying to focus for an hour is tough. After a while of waiting/listening, members who feel so moved may stand up and say/sing/read/pray something. After the ‘ministry’ you have welcomes, notices and tea. I’d try to embellish, but in a sense you have to experience if for yourself. Sundays at 9:30, Quaker House, 2 Rye Road, Mowbray.

The community is fabulous - full of former anti-apartheid activists, an ex-deputy-minister of health, a world-famous mathematician and cosmologist, and a smattering of international Quakers visiting the city for a while. The work of the Quaker Peace Centre is worthwhile, and their witness to peace, non-violence, equality and inclusivity most inspiring. In fact, I’m wondering whether there are any ideas I can translate into a Presbyterian setting if/when I find myself in such a place. It also seems to me that a lot of the language they use, and the lack of creeds or ‘absolutes’, echoes the intentions of some of the emergent conversation I hear. Their ability to overcome bias and differences yet keep a fervent faith is also a crucial skill needed in today’s multicultural and pluralist world. Not to mention their powerful social justice work. Oxfam, Greenpeace and Amnesty International were all founded by Quakers. Most, most interesting!

Yesterday I picked up a little booklet at Quaker house that outlines what Quakers stand for etc. When I get the time, I’ll type some of the salient points up and post them here as an intro to this wonderfully open group of believers. I really like the space, openness with which they explain their beliefs.
So... stay tuned!

Friday's odds and ends and bits and bobs

bit:

Paradox
The Way of Ways

Twist and get whole.
Bend and get straight.
Be empty and get filled.
Be worn and get renewed.
Have little: get much.
Have much: get baffled.

Inward/outward's reflection for today. Source - Tao

odd:
There seems to be a ‘tell me about your reading list’ bug going around. If my, and Adam and Adam’s lists weren’t enough, then check out what the Emergent peeps in SA are reading over here. 10 points to Nic for playing the book-tag game too.

bob (otherwise know as dion):
Dion Forster sent me some flattering linklove this morning. So, in response I shall amass my thousands of dedicated readers and do the same: Go check out his blog. He is the dean of the Methodist seminary in SA, has a couple of doctorates, rides a Vespa and is a fan of Apple and technology, especially Apple technology.

end:
Eben, a high school colleague of mine (who also happened to be deputy head boy, chess captain and 1st team rugby player) had a jab at my “shameless self-promotion for my blog” on facebook today. Turns out he could do with a bit more promotion considering his own status as a financial blogger in New York. I met up with him last year in NYC and we had a wonderful half-day of conversing and sight-seeing. Eben works on Wall Street (for real), writes for two publications as well as a most interesting site on ethics and investing. Hmm… ethical investing? Most of it is uber-deep finance talk, but check it out anyway. If I could understand it, I’m sure I would find it to be very good! ;)

That’s all. Now it’s the weekend and pay day and really hot. Going home to watch the cricket and meet a friend for sundowners.

the book-state of gareth

Looks like those circular ‘fill in & pass-on" emails have made it into the blogosphere as memes. Adam tagged me on a ‘book-blogging’ one recently. Since he (and the person who tagged him) both have higher “technocrati authority” than me, I better oblige! I would like to plan more reading time into my life, so perhaps it’s not such a bad thing to fill out. Here then is my take on the world of books:
1. One book that changed your life
An Anglican friend of mine at university lent me his copy of Thomas Merton’s autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain. This was a godsend. Merton’s writing moved me from an almost charismatic spirituality to a more catholic one, opening up my eyes to the world of mysticism, monasticism, contemplation and the Eucharist. Thanks Vernon!

2. One book you’ve read more than once
Same as above. I also keep paging through Frederick Buechner’s Wishful Thinking for little refreshing insights and chuckles.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island
Well, obviously it would be How to Get Off a Desert Island and Raft Building 101 - the DIY issue, but it seems like the trend is for long novels. If so, I’m with Adam and Adam in thinking that you can’t go wrong with a Russian novelist.
Another option would be a great collection of poetry (Rilke, Merton, Rumi etc) or - here’s a thought- the Hebrew Bible, in Hebrew! Seriously, I’d get to immerse myself in the poetry and word play of the psalms, feel the fire of the prophets etc. And, with all the parsing of the words, it will take me an eternity to get through the book

4. Two books that made you laugh
Any Calvin and Hobbes or The Far Side collection and ALL of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Especially Small Gods and anything with Rincewind the Wizzard falling off the edge of the disc. Laugh out loud stuff!

5. One book that made you cry
Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables really moved me. Gavroche, the endearing Paris street urchin’s needless death in the street revolt is a real tearjerker. So needless and so young. Sob.

6. One book you wish had been written
The Bible.
BUT - without the sexism, racism, war and legalism.
AND with a new preface entitled “Do not read fundamentally and/or use to justify oppression” written by God (or a suitably inspired emissary, preferably female).
(Now there’s an interesting insight into my Bible hang-ups! Is this neo-Marcionism?).

7. One book you wish had never been written
(Don’t laugh) I Kissed Dating Goodbye by some evangelical prude. I wasted 3 wonderful university years following his advice when I could have been learning about live and love in an actual relationship!

8. One book you’re currently reading
Almost finished After the Party by Andrew Feinstein. A behind the scenes take on SA politics and the arms deal fiasco. Full of intrigue, shady deals, international arms companies, political patronage and your usual dose of corruption. What else would you have expected. Also working (slowly) through Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder - a novel and history of Western philosophy all in one.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read
The God Delusion. However, having heard from numerous people that Dawkins’ angry atheist evangelism is so strong, I’m a bit turned off. I don't enjoy dogmatic people no matter what side they are on. Next up is Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything.

10a. Where’s your favourite place to buy books
(Adam made this question up). We don’t have the array of indie bookstores here that there are in the US, but there is a guy with a little booth just below my office (in the Church Street Antique Mall) who has all the current political books at a reduced rate. I don’t want to ask where he gets them from though. The Little Shop of Stories in Atlanta gets my vote too. I used to go there for ice-cream and browsing with my CTS housemates Elizabeth and Sarah.

10b. What book do you want to shamelessly plug
(This is also Adam’s addition) Umm… who do I know that’s written a good book? Oh yes, anything by Herman Charles Bosman - great humorous South African short stories. He happened to be my grandmother’s cousin, and one of our best authors IMHO.

So, that’s my take.
Right, who’s next? Here’s a big-up tag to Aiden, Barry, Whitney, Justin and Nic. Ball’s in your court folks. (No seriously, i'm keen to see your answers.)

leading thoughts

I’ve just found out that while blogging for me means sticking up photos of Frisbees and trying to be subversive, my housemate and friend Ariel got the idea in his head that he wanted to be a Thought Leader blogger. Thought Leader is the Mail&Gaurdian's blog and a recent addition to the SA blogosphere. Ariel emailed the folks there, sent a copy of his writing and now he has his own blurb and even his first post "Colouring outside the lines". Woohoo! Way to go buddy.

Inspired by his move, I think that Aiden (of the Narrative Pulse fame) should also sign up to be a contributor- many of his blog posts are very well researched and ‘leading thoughts’ in the area of narrative theory here in SA.

For international thought leaders and ideas worth spreading, be sure to subscribe to TED talks. They have the big guns of the world talking on interesting topics all the time.

(And, as always, for frisbee pictures and parliament/theology news, subscribe here!)

submergent blogging

Crap! Quick, Pomo-adam labeled me a "subversive blogger" yesterday. Better think of something subversive quick to put up to look the part ;) Maybe next week rather - this weekend i'm going to enjoy the summer weather and sleeping in after last weeks manic-ness. Thanks though buddy - i'm voting for you! Oh, and you got me right thinking i'm dissatisfied with the status quo. Most definitely.

PS - Do indifferent owls ever give a hoot?

Waving

Start. Stop. Wait. Wave. Start.

Life seems to go forward in starts and stops. Sometimes it even appears as if it is going backwards. But, as a recent labyrinth experience reminded me, life leads us to the centre in a roundabout way. And, most of life and growth actually happens in the turns, and the times when you are seemingly on the outside going backwards.

“We walk slowly, as if we will never arrive, for we come from a place far away."
My Oupa (granddad) died on Sunday.

He was 85 years old, and left us in dramatic circumstances. He was a wonderfully creative woodworker and I have great memories watching him sculpt beauty from a rejected wooden stump. He taught us manners and principles, and enthralled us with stories about ‘Dinky the dwarf’ and true stories of South African heroes. Predicting the future careers of his five grandchildren, he said that my sisters would be world famous actresses, and Matthew and I would be their bodyguards. Fortunately we would be towering hulks, whose shoulders filled doorways, and had to duck into rooms. He wasn’t far off - my sisters are beautiful, and Matt almost ducks through doorways. At 82 Oupa was beating me on the squash court. It might be more of a testimony to my lack of squash skills than Oupa’s agility, but anyone who can hit a squash ball at 82 has done well! He lived a full life as a farmer, teacher, musician, woodworker and story teller, and shall be missed. I often use examples from his life in my conversations, as testimony that anything is possible, and I shall continue to do so.

Fare well Oupa. I’m planning to make something out of wood as a cathartic goodbye ritual. Maybe I’ll make two - one for him and one for me, and then bury or burn the first one. Whenever I do woodwork I shall think of Jacobus Petrus Grove - my Oupa.

Stop. Wait. Wave.

I flew up to Joburg last night, and the funeral is in White River on Friday. I was hoping to get to see my family in the near future, but not under these circumstances. I’ll make the most of the time here, and enjoy the lack of rain. I fly back to Cape Town on Saturday, and then off with Julie to Seattle for two and a bit weeks of holiday and future snooping things. She won this incentive trip at work, so it’s even more enjoyable that it is free. Hopefully it will be a chance to reflect on those who've gone before me, and the path left for me to walk.

"Look ahead. You are not expected to complete the task. Neither are you permitted to lay it down." ~ The Talmud

can we fix you?

Hmmm…
“attempts to fix gays are psychologically harmful”

The ‘homosexuality debate’ isn’t really one of the battles I’m called to fight just yet. Since getting all excited about it a few years ago, and estranging some friends with my views, I’ve let others pursue the inclusion fight. The fact that the Presbyterian Church in SA isn’t even talking about it allows for some relaxing too.
However, I do try keep abreast of theology, news and views. THIS NEWS from Adam is rather interesting. Be sure to follow the comments too - pomomusings is known to have some volatile dissenters (to whom Adam, to his credit, is graciously hospitable to). Very interesting.

people going places

Lately I've reconnected (via Facebook and other such procrastination tools) with people from long ago. From ambitious high-school friends to neighbours in Midrand, and even some primary school names I'd almost forgotten. It's great to see how they are making their way in life. From business people in NYC, band members in SA to way too many folks eeking out a living in grey London, life goes on for all of us.

Criss, one of my youth leaders in Jo'burg, is becoming quite a deviant photographer (with some deep poetry on the side). Michael, my best friend from high school is running around Japan doing the Jesus-thing. Our neighbours, Greg and Chris Carlin are being rather creative. Chris does some awesome graphic work, and Greg is releasing his first solo album as Zebra&Giraffe. He even won an award for "Single of the Year" in the experimental category at the 2006 Los Angeles Music Awards. Nice, guy! Listen here. As for bloggers, i found another student at CTS, Marissa, who seems to be getting the scribe thing down. Benji from Bedfordview is doing some midnight rantings too.
My how we have grown!

a lightbulb at the .bE alt worship experience, Grandma Luke's, Little 5.
I'm uploading some pics on Flikr here.

Baseball Birthday

Today was Sarah's 26th birthday. We had a 'lekker bring&braai' (or as they say here - a cookout) for her on Sat, because she is an uber-cool housemate and other people like her too! But, what is a birthday without a Brave's Baseball game? So, today a few of us trekked off in Phil and Kara's very nice new Subaru Outback to Turner field. We learnt on the way there that the Grand Master of the KKKlan lives in Harrison - the town Sarah's dad works in. There was a very humorous conversation between her and her dad. We also learnt that Subarus were called "Lesbarus" in the NY Times. Apparently a certain orientation of people find them aesthetically pleasing. So did most of us in the car.
We parked at the Holiday Inn and walked to Turner Field. Sarah, as the ever prepared travel warrior princess had our tickets ready, so we went inside, climbed too many stairs and sat down to 9 innings of Braves vs the Phillies. And guess what? At the bottom of the ninth it was 2-2, Braves to bat. 1 out, 2 bases full. Andruw Jones steps up and hits a home-run! Game over, Braves win. Happy Birthday! Woohooo!
I sound like a local! Haha, good times. I even bought some boiled peanuts. Tasty. The seats were high up and the sunset was cool. All in all a good evening.

On a side note, i still think that cricket is cooler and more entertaining. I kept on feeling sorry for the batters who try so hard but hardly ever get a run. The excitement felt with the homerun is similar to when someone hits a six in cricket, except that in a good ODI game, there are plenty of sixes. Anyhow, i guess the sport you grow up with you tend to appreciate more. Phil does want me to explain cricket to him sometime. Will do!

the verdict?

'So, how was South Africa?'
I've been asked this question multiple times over the last two days. I smile and nod and probably put my hands in my pockets in shyness. 'It was really really good', I say. I can't really explain it except to say that it was good. Good to see my family, so be in summer, to sit in traffic on the right hand side of the road, to braai, not to be the odd one out etc. Jo'burg felt really fast, and that i hardly touched base with anyone, but it was a welcome break. Cape Town was a bit slower: I saw Lu and Natalie, went to church with Paul&Helen, played frisbee with Disconnect, and hung out with Julie's siblings.

I was chatting to a fellow student today about my options for next year. I said that i was working out some possibilities (either an internship with Iona, or a CPE in the States).
She also asked me a question:
"You don't have a girlfriend back home waiting for you to finish though?"

Ouch! Maybe Valentines day precipitated the relationship question, but it was a very apt question. Half of the time in SA I spent in Cape Town with Julie.
'And... how was it?' you ask.
'It was really really good', is all I can really say here too. Every day got better, and it was horrible to leave, but we are both thinking of ways to be together soon. Where that will be is any one's guess at the moment. We are both challenged to live expansively and boldly, so that means trying to find exciting options to follow.
Any advice out there on this Valentine's day?

Off to serve the poor

Meet Ed.

Ed befriended me during the first day of the Richard Rohr conference in Albuquerque. We were both conference volunteers and we got chatting. He was Richard's right hand man during the 'New Jerusalem Community' years in Cincinnati where 150 young people lived together in an intentional community, and was down in New Mexico to reconnect with Richard and get some guidance for the future. Ed also managed to secure me a breakfast with Richard, and a hotel bed for a night.

Anyway, what is really inspiring is that Ed is leaving as a principal of a Catholic school and isn't sure where he is going to. Wherever it is, it is to get more directly involved in following Jesus and serving the poor. It was great to hear
his journey, and the see faith and guts he has to just step out into the unknown. I'm sure some of this comes from his younger days at New Jerusalem, but a recent impetus was Shane Claiborne's book The Irresistible Revolution. I look forward to where this journey takes Ed. If anyone knows of any good opportunities linked to poverty/Aids/education where help is needed, let me know.

Ed writes wonderful reflections on his journey here.
The local newspaper's article 'Principal retires to serve poor' is here.

What does this all mean for me? I asked Richard Rohr what he would say the best part of his life has been, and even though now he runs around the world as an international figure, he said that he often looks back at the New Jerusalem Community days as the golden days. "We were young, passionate and idealistic" he said. Hearing this, meeting Ed, and reading a copy of The Irresistible Revolution from Ed has inspired and challenged me to think about forming an intentional community some day. Wanna join?

Project Marcel

I found another CTS student blogger that i have to tell you about!
Meet Marc.Marc is a good friend of mine (or at least i like to think so) whom I admire for his many talents. He is a wizard at illusions, a bold trend-setter in animal fashion and superfluous in Improv. All in all a wonderful person who brightens up many a dinner table with his funny stories and great ideas. What's more, he stars as the voice of Comet - a depresed robot stand-up comedian for The Beams, a childrens radio program. (Marc did i get that all right?)

I discovered recently that he is actually an avid blogger (The Marc Von Bulletin) and even branches out into podcasts and video blogging when he is feeling bored or creative.

A few weeks ago he made three really funny videos. They were so entertaining that the creator of SightSpeed even made special mention of them. Congrats Marc! If you have time, and a fast enough internet connection, have a look at his videos here. Laugh hard!

georgia et al

Back in Georgia, (almost) safe and a sound.
Had a great weekend in Bloomington with friends. Kathy showed us around Indiana Uni and the student town. Bloomington is famous for the Coug (John Mellencamp - a country singer guy) and the University's basketball. I also learnt that the Dalai Lama's brother lives at the Tibetan monastery just outside the town (on the way to the winery). The Uni has wonderful old buildings and grounds - made all the more 'scenic' by the continuous light rain that fell the entire time. We met her parentals, heard funny stories, cooked marshmallows and made smores, played cards, chess, jenga and Life, visited her church, went wine tasting at Oliver's, analysed the group dynamics, ate at Steak-n-Shake and over all had a wonderful time. My best parts were just relaxing with good friends, getting to know them more, standing in the rain in the dark, and going on a two hour paddle on the lake. It was neat to 'get out' of the city again.
Kathy - thanks for hosting us. Everyone else - thanks for a great time!
We had a little bit of excitement on the way home last night which made us even closer: We we half an hour away from home, on the Interstate when an 18-wheeler truck in the lane to the left of us changed lanes... into us! NOT COOL! We got side swiped, and spun around, out of control and back into the truck again. It was all in slow-mo and really scary. Maggie's Jetta is a write-off, and the five of us are all shaken. Thankfully we are all okay - there are so many other things that could have gone wrong but didn't. Not something I'd like to repeat anytime soon. Even having people asking me about it on campus today made me queasy.
Now I'm really glad to be going home on Friday, to hang out with loved ones for a while.

i miss...

... Christmas with my family.

I guess that's one of the prices to pay being in a far off land - you can't get home to have a great Christmas lunch in warm summery weather with parents, siblings and friends. Seems like they (the Beyers and Da Silva families) had a good time, even though two of the kids (Bianca and I) were MIA.

the beyers and the da silva's christmas lunch.
Mat (with new black hair) and Rich had to put up with a lot of females :) Dad was watching the fire i guess.

NEWS JUST IN:
Luckily I will get to see some of the SA summer (and escape the worst of ATL's winter) - I am the proud new owner, thanks to generous help from Julie, of one ticket to SA! I leave as soon as the winter term finished, and have a week in Jo'burg with my family, and a week in Cape Town with Julie and friends. I have a sneaking suspicion that i will realise how much i needed this trip home when i actually get there and the pressure of being a 'foreigner' vanishes.

So friends... chat to my secretary ;) and hopefully we can meet up in Jo'burg or Cape Town for a game of Ultimate/ a visit to Mugg and Bean/or an evening in Melville. Lemme know! I'm really looking forward to it!

friends

Maggie Leonard is a good friend of mine, who just so happens to have been giving me serious uphill about who and what I blog about. So, to appease her anger, and rescue our friendship, this post will have absolutely NO mention of Ultimate Frisbee, Frisbees, Flying discs, Atlanta Flying Disc Club, Jo'burg Ultimate or anything associated with that sport. The frisbee one. A sport she rather enjoys actually!
To show where my allegiance lies, and that i actually have a life and friends and stuff, this post will also have NO mention of 'silly Christmas lights in bottles', artistic flair, ambient lighting, photographs, the decor of my room etc. No mention whatsoever. Not even a little description of how the lights make cool shadows on the wall next to my bed, or give the room a pretty glow, or bring a smile to my heart when i turn them on. Not even a tiny footnote mention.
Instead - I will fill this post with recollections of the wonderful Christmas banquet we had at CTS on Friday, the game of Battleships at Thinking Man's afterwards, and the plans to go booty dancing this Friday. So, now that the ground rules have been set, here is the post:

Maggie Leonard is a wonderful person, who has a mom and a dad, and a brother and a sister. They all lived in Wilmington. Now she lives here. She is very good at putting petrol in her car, and drives around Atlanta in the 3am traffic very well. She was at this banquet on Friday. So was I, and all the CTS students, because it was the CTS Christmas banquet. There was dancing - mainly with Kendall (my date for the evening), and Maggie danced too. There were no frisbee games or cool christmas lights at the dance though. I'm sure of that. Afterward many students went to Thinking Man's tavern and drank Miller lite, and i played Battleships with Cathy (who i learnt actually prefers the name Catherine) and we beat Kendall and Kathy (another one). Then i spoke some to Csaba from Hungary, to Kyle (from California and Florida) and then I went home. To my room with a frisbee on the wall, and these cool light installations in a bottle that i can't mention. Oh, and we made plans to go dancing on Friday - not clubbing though, only booty dancing - it's different. The only similarity is that there are no frisbees involved. Though there may be christmas lights this time of year, and there certainly are bottles.

All in all, it was great fun, and neat to see everyone dressed up. And dancing and eating and being merry. So, this proves that i have a life and friends and do blog about things other than frisbee and lights. Tadaah!

(oh yes, for pics of the banquet, go here. Taken by resident photo champ Adam again.)

Music!!!

YES! finally - some proper dance music!"Electronic dance music from South Africa and around the world."
DTB - (Derek The Bandit) is podcasting! I grew up listening to his "World of Dance" on 5fm, and i guess I owe my love of all things house/dance/electronic etc to him. Here hip-hop and booty dancing is all the rage, but there is still nothing better that real dance music (even though I get laughed at when i mention it). I've just downloaded his latest podcast (an hour long mix), and am dancing around the room gleefully! Hooray for our very own DTB!

More on music - just seen the Harris Tweed Tour details on the 5fm website. Have a look here, and make sure you see Cheri and the gang when they come to your part of the country. Looks like they are starting in CT and moving up the coast. Good-on-yer Tweedies!

men are back

This weekend's Men in Ministry manly mountain retreat was great! There was food, football, poker, hiking, sunsets, mountains, cigars, afternoon siestas, laughs, beer, friends and rest. I'm sure there were some other things that I've forgotten too. I learnt Texas hold'em poker, walked in a forest and built friendships. For some reason my nickname is now 'Happy'. I guess it's better than Nancy, Slappy or Squeaks. All in all, a wonderful break. Now back to the grind...

The last men standing:
Adam/nancy, G/happy, Keith/squeaks, James/tina, Jeff/slappy & Tom/moose.

Adam took some great pictures of the weekend, to see the album, click here. Look out for my poker skill picture, huge burgers, and a great sunset.
While you are there, you may want to actually explore his blog pomomusings - it is rather well known, especially in the emerging church/alt worship circles, and makes for good reading. He said there have been some South African hits on his site already. For even more reading, other bloggers on campus are his wife Sarah, and my friend Whitney. All worthwhile! Meet my friends!