WORLDS ARE FORMING

Who Dreams Like THIS?!

A few nights ago... I had a dream.  All the Bros went skydiving.  Over China.

We flew for hours, when, finally, we reached our altitude, and it was time to take the leap.  The Bros selected yours truly to be the first to jump.  I froze.  I was more than a little hesitant.  You know when you see movies and the jumper puts his arms straight out, gripping either side of the door, and refuses to jump?  That was me.  However, Zach wasn't having any of that, and "helped" me take the plunge.  I told him that I was scared.  "Too late." He said.  And with his less than pastoral push, down I went.

It was a beautiful free fall.  I was not scared.  I actually really enjoyed the view, and was extremely excited about the huge pit I was about to jump into.  (The pit was our destination, after all.)

Landing safely and gently on both feet, I noticed that I was at my camp on the Oregon Coast, and went straight to work.  Gary landed shortly after me, and we ran around furiously, picking up garbage on the camp grounds.  (Lots of garbage on the Oregon Coast...in the bottom of the pit...in China.  Who knew?)

As fast as Gary and I were cleaning, more garbage appeared, because the guest youth group at the camp was throwing garbage everywhere. Nevertheless, Gary and I cleaned happily, not thinking anything of it.  (Not sure what happened to the other Bros...I bet they didn't even jump.  Chickens!)

Dreams during finals week.  Gotta love 'em.

*Star Struck*

Have you ever had one of those times when you’ve seen someone famous, and you have actually met him or her before, and you have sort of made your meeting (twice) into something bigger than it really is?  I mean, you’ve met, and have even spent significant time together, but if that star knew how invested you were in the “relationship,” that star might hire a bodyguard?

As I was sitting in Small World this morning, journaling and sipping a cup of Earl Grey, I saw a star, one whom I even dared to call my new best friend in days gone by.  Jesse the Mac Genius.  I saw him, and I really got a little nervous!  I mean, I wrote a haiku inspired by the guy!  He is famous!  Of course, I thought, "Would he remember me?" and "What would I say?" 

“Jesse, I really appreciated your work in The Great Drama of February 2006.  It really did change my life!” 

Or I could have said,

“I was really sad that you were not cast in Crash #4 in as Many Months in March 2006!  I think it really could have been some of your finest work.” 

No, that would have been creepy. So, I journaled, sipped, and tried to pay no attention, so Jesse could have some space and anonymity as he ordered his large non-fat two raw sugar latte and cranberry orange scone.  Come on, I may be a big fan, but I am not a stalker.

An Anniversary: On Doing What I Had To Do.

January 2003: I moved to the breathtaking Northern Oregon Coast, two blocks from one of the most beautiful beaches in America, two blocks from the Pacific Ocean.  I was living in a small furnished apartment, upstairs from a generous 73-year-old man named Glenn, and was friends with his Australian Shepherd, Dutch.  I worked half time at a camp, half time at a church.

I would take drives deep into the forest, long drives along the 101, and drives through Tillamook County farmland.  I would walk along the beach for hours on Saturday afternoons, looking for glass made smooth by years of tumbling in the water, crashing against the rocky beaches.  I was 24.

It should have been perfect.  I was miserable.

January, February, and March on the Oregon Coast. On average: 44 degrees. 10 inches of rain in three short months.  Sun rose late, set early.  It was dark.