Beginning of the End

I just finished the first session of a week-long course which will just about complete my masters degree. Very exciting indeed.

In exactly 12 days I will put on that cap and gown (it's like being 18 all over again!) and celebrate the end of a wonderful but long and tedious chapter of my life.

One of the things I'm most looking forward to is reading a book without thinking about the paper or reflection I have to write on it when I'm done! And there are a stack of books I've been waiting to read without "having to" read.

"Further up and further in!"

Near-Death Experience

While studying and working on a paper for ten hours straight today...in a library that smells like stale fish for some reason...I had a near-death experience.

As I collapsed onto a table loaded with commentaries, bibles, and socio-rhetorical studies of the first century Graeco-Roman world...I saw a bright light. As I got closer and closer to the light I realized that my mind had been separated from my body and then I heard a deep voice. It was quiet at first but kept getting louder...

"Chris..."

"Chris..."

"Hey, Bean!"


Then I realized the terrible nature of my dilemma...I had fallen asleep and a buddy was bringing the ugly truth to everyone's attention by calling my name from across the room!

Two more weeks and I'm free!!
Free to sleep in....
Free to play X-box...
Free to go kayaking with my patient little princess, Jessica!

Can't wait!

A Vicious Cycle Experience

I am still recovering from my first TOSRV. That's an abbreviation for the annual cycling event which follows the Scioto river from Columbus to Portsmouth. I left Saturday morning with about 3,000 other cyclists and arrived in Portsmouth a rainy ten hours later! (the sun did shine for the middle forty miles...but the start and finish was wet and cool)

Half way into the ride I was already cramping up on Saturday, but somehow I recovered overnight and thoroughly enjoyed the return trip on Sunday. It was an interesting experience to be part of the cycling culture. There were actually some interesting lessons on community and endurance which I'll be injecting into the next few posts I'm sure.

But after 210 miles of riding in two days...my legs are still quivering and my seat is super sore!

30 Days of Purpose

Yes...I'm going to write a book once I emerge on the other side of this educational journey. For the next 30 days, my purpose is resolute! I must complete the demanding requirements of 4 graduate level classes. That is my purpose for the moment. The big, harry, audacious obstacle I'm facing is a desperate lack of motivation. I just want to play Ghost Recon on the X-box for about 8 hours straight!

May God have mercy on my pracastinating soul!