I've noticed that the hours in which I have to travel between Berkeley and San Francisco, and thus, hop on the BART or the TransBay bus, or MUNI, whatever... are the hours when the crazies are in full swing. For example:
Waiting on a bus, I notice two girls clad in metallic bronze, faces and exposed skin to match, silently holding a sign saying, "Faeryland or Bust" and posing as a statue.
Riding the bus back home today, noticing a man talking WAY too much on his cell phone to actually be holding a conversation. My theory is (and this might be a stretch) that (judging by his seemingly sermon-eske rants) he poses as talking on a cell phone to talk loudly about the declining state of American life from the "Christian way of America" in order to influence those around him.
Let's see. Then there was a dude who had no idea:
a. where he was
b. where he needed to go
c. where his shirt was...
...but he boarded the bus I was on anyway.
So, it might be that California has eccentrics, but something tells me they're on their A-game when I'm around. Just a thought.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Just a lazy Saturday
I figured that a lazy Saturday would be a good time to update y'all on what's going on out here in California.
Where do I begin?
Work: I'm really enjoying the office and the people I work with. Right now we're all gearing up for Diocesan Convention (in a matter of weeks) so there's an atmosphere of busy-ness all around. So far, work wise, I've been doing a lot of reading and familiarizing myself with Curriculum programming for youth, which has been interesting and new. For the most part, youth programming that I'm familiar with is a whole lot of "make it up as you go" kind of thing.
House: Roomates and I still get along. Which is definitely important. I think I've finally gotten used to the space and have done a good bit of personalizing my room, which is important to me. Today I did a minor guitar repair and put on new strings, as well as go down to half price books. At half price books I found Mama Dip's Kitchen and Louisiana Real and Rustic for very cheap, so I immediately got them. Also found a spanish translation of the Hobbit and a Second Printing of Sanctuary by Faulkner. I figure it might be a good test of my spanish to try and translate the Hobbit. Although, I haven't taken into consideration that I actually haven't read the Hobbit in english either. Eh, we'll see how it goes.
That's about it for now. I'm way behind on my written correspondence. I've been trying to send out postcards and I have a huge stack of them that need to be written on and mailed. Tomorrow might be a good day for that.
All and all, a good report.
Where do I begin?
Work: I'm really enjoying the office and the people I work with. Right now we're all gearing up for Diocesan Convention (in a matter of weeks) so there's an atmosphere of busy-ness all around. So far, work wise, I've been doing a lot of reading and familiarizing myself with Curriculum programming for youth, which has been interesting and new. For the most part, youth programming that I'm familiar with is a whole lot of "make it up as you go" kind of thing.
House: Roomates and I still get along. Which is definitely important. I think I've finally gotten used to the space and have done a good bit of personalizing my room, which is important to me. Today I did a minor guitar repair and put on new strings, as well as go down to half price books. At half price books I found Mama Dip's Kitchen and Louisiana Real and Rustic for very cheap, so I immediately got them. Also found a spanish translation of the Hobbit and a Second Printing of Sanctuary by Faulkner. I figure it might be a good test of my spanish to try and translate the Hobbit. Although, I haven't taken into consideration that I actually haven't read the Hobbit in english either. Eh, we'll see how it goes.
That's about it for now. I'm way behind on my written correspondence. I've been trying to send out postcards and I have a huge stack of them that need to be written on and mailed. Tomorrow might be a good day for that.
All and all, a good report.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
An Unlikely Pause for reflection
Warning: this post pertains to Hurricane Katrina.
This morning while at All Souls', Berkeley, I found myself thinking of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The sermon given mentioned fires in California, and the experience of realizing how temporary "ownership" is. And there I was, in Berkeley, California... and I could smell in my nostrils the stench of standing water and possessions in various states of decay. I could see the foundation of my house (that was all that was left) and remember the "treasure hunting" for personal belongings. Not wanting to start crying when I had just met these people, I thought of kittens and puppies playing with rainbows behind them. Anything, really, to keep my heart from breaking again thinking about what my family, my hometown, went through five years ago.
Maybe it's because I've spent the past year reading about Katrina, or maybe it's because I'm a little homesick. Or maybe it's because once I say that I'm from the Mississippi Gulf Coast (maybe I should pretend I'm from Illinois, right?), Katrina and the Oil Spill come up. And I'm used to that. I even got that in Oxford, MS. And for most of that small talk, I can compartmentalize the pain and sadness.
Something about today. Something about the combination of forces of homesickness, the way the priest giving the sermon talked so plainly and passionately about the experience of loss. There are a few times when I've felt overwhelmed by emotion enough to walk out of a church (interesting reaction, huh?)... and this was one of the times.
No matter how much I process Katrina, she'll always piss me off/make me depressed. In that order.
There's so much about this experience so far that is new and exciting with a lot of opportunities, but there's not much familiarity. I suppose I'll have to wait a while for things to get familiar and routine.
I apologize for the sappiness/non-chirpiness of this post.
Goodnight.
This morning while at All Souls', Berkeley, I found myself thinking of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The sermon given mentioned fires in California, and the experience of realizing how temporary "ownership" is. And there I was, in Berkeley, California... and I could smell in my nostrils the stench of standing water and possessions in various states of decay. I could see the foundation of my house (that was all that was left) and remember the "treasure hunting" for personal belongings. Not wanting to start crying when I had just met these people, I thought of kittens and puppies playing with rainbows behind them. Anything, really, to keep my heart from breaking again thinking about what my family, my hometown, went through five years ago.
Maybe it's because I've spent the past year reading about Katrina, or maybe it's because I'm a little homesick. Or maybe it's because once I say that I'm from the Mississippi Gulf Coast (maybe I should pretend I'm from Illinois, right?), Katrina and the Oil Spill come up. And I'm used to that. I even got that in Oxford, MS. And for most of that small talk, I can compartmentalize the pain and sadness.
Something about today. Something about the combination of forces of homesickness, the way the priest giving the sermon talked so plainly and passionately about the experience of loss. There are a few times when I've felt overwhelmed by emotion enough to walk out of a church (interesting reaction, huh?)... and this was one of the times.
No matter how much I process Katrina, she'll always piss me off/make me depressed. In that order.
There's so much about this experience so far that is new and exciting with a lot of opportunities, but there's not much familiarity. I suppose I'll have to wait a while for things to get familiar and routine.
I apologize for the sappiness/non-chirpiness of this post.
Goodnight.
All Souls', Berkeley
Trumpets, Banjos and a parade of children. Oh my.
We visited All Souls', Berkeley today for their 10 am service. There were the following instruments used in the service:
banjo
organ
piano
trumpet
guitar
mandolin
washtub bass
washboard
The music. Incredible. Even more incredible was the willingness and enthusiasm of the congregation to sing along with the hymns.
Children were incorporated in the service. They even had a processional song for their entrance. The proximity to the University made a seemingly diverse crowd and there are many programs set in place for the parish.
I don't know if it was the trumpet or the childrens' sermon, but something about All Souls' felt like home. Of course it is way too early to pick a parish as a parish home.
But.. it felt right.
I have to remind myself that there is still a month of church visitations to see the diversity of the diocese. One thing that is remarkably clear is that there are a TON of ordained priests in this diocese. And not enough churches.
Tomorrow, I meet with my supervisor, a contractor comes to do some finishing touches and that's my Monday.
All for now.
We visited All Souls', Berkeley today for their 10 am service. There were the following instruments used in the service:
banjo
organ
piano
trumpet
guitar
mandolin
washtub bass
washboard
The music. Incredible. Even more incredible was the willingness and enthusiasm of the congregation to sing along with the hymns.
Children were incorporated in the service. They even had a processional song for their entrance. The proximity to the University made a seemingly diverse crowd and there are many programs set in place for the parish.
I don't know if it was the trumpet or the childrens' sermon, but something about All Souls' felt like home. Of course it is way too early to pick a parish as a parish home.
But.. it felt right.
I have to remind myself that there is still a month of church visitations to see the diversity of the diocese. One thing that is remarkably clear is that there are a TON of ordained priests in this diocese. And not enough churches.
Tomorrow, I meet with my supervisor, a contractor comes to do some finishing touches and that's my Monday.
All for now.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Bishop's Ranch pictures
If you want to see pictures of the Bishop's Ranch retreat, they are at the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/112790158822394028019/BishopSRanchRetreat#
http://picasaweb.google.com/112790158822394028019/BishopSRanchRetreat#
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday Sunday Sunday!
I've now been to my first official church service in Berkeley at the Church of the Good Shepherd. For you theology nerds out there, William Countryman attends there periodically and preaches from time to time.
Ok.
The congregation was very very welcoming, which is great considering we're living in the house next door. The service was... well... interesting. Above all, I keep reminding myself that I need to be open minded. I've been used to an Episcopal service that is similar throughout most of the South. With the exception, of course, of the services at Camp Bratton Green.
Lots. Lots. Lots of inclusive language. I don't think the pronoun "he" was used at all, even in reference to Jesus. Which confuses me since, as not only a biblical figure but also a historical one, Jesus was man. Not woman. But that's not anything that will make me get up in arms about. I mean, for a while now I've responded with "God" where the BCP says "his" or "he"... I guess I just never considered the same kind of thing to replace the pronoun of Jesus. The service was great, though and I did enjoy it. Also, it's interesting to go to a coffee hour where EVERYONE went to and wanted to really talk to you. Not just the usual sit around and mill about kind of thing.
Still haven't begun the actual work yet. We're still settling in and making the house a home etc. etc.
Overall, I think this year will be an amazing time of challenges and learning and I'm really looking forward to it. Oh. And it'll be fun. Not all work.
Wednesday we're leaving to go to the Bishop's Ranch to discuss what our "rule of life" will be. That'll be important. However, I feel as if we're already developing it as we go along. But. It'll be good to have it all talked out.
My room is almost done and I promise I'll have pictures up soon. I'm just waiting to be completely settled in. Hoping for a small table desk so that I don't have to use the dining room table (which I am right now).
OH! For those reading, if you would like postcards/letters in the mail etc., please comment with your address ooooorrrrrrr send me a facebook message.
That. Is. It. For now.
Ok.
The congregation was very very welcoming, which is great considering we're living in the house next door. The service was... well... interesting. Above all, I keep reminding myself that I need to be open minded. I've been used to an Episcopal service that is similar throughout most of the South. With the exception, of course, of the services at Camp Bratton Green.
Lots. Lots. Lots of inclusive language. I don't think the pronoun "he" was used at all, even in reference to Jesus. Which confuses me since, as not only a biblical figure but also a historical one, Jesus was man. Not woman. But that's not anything that will make me get up in arms about. I mean, for a while now I've responded with "God" where the BCP says "his" or "he"... I guess I just never considered the same kind of thing to replace the pronoun of Jesus. The service was great, though and I did enjoy it. Also, it's interesting to go to a coffee hour where EVERYONE went to and wanted to really talk to you. Not just the usual sit around and mill about kind of thing.
Still haven't begun the actual work yet. We're still settling in and making the house a home etc. etc.
Overall, I think this year will be an amazing time of challenges and learning and I'm really looking forward to it. Oh. And it'll be fun. Not all work.
Wednesday we're leaving to go to the Bishop's Ranch to discuss what our "rule of life" will be. That'll be important. However, I feel as if we're already developing it as we go along. But. It'll be good to have it all talked out.
My room is almost done and I promise I'll have pictures up soon. I'm just waiting to be completely settled in. Hoping for a small table desk so that I don't have to use the dining room table (which I am right now).
OH! For those reading, if you would like postcards/letters in the mail etc., please comment with your address ooooorrrrrrr send me a facebook message.
That. Is. It. For now.
Friday, September 3, 2010
So three 20-somethings walk into a house...
I officially arrived in Berkeley Wednesday night and made it to the house that I'll call home around 11:40 Pacific time. Dombos was already asleep, but Brittain was up. I was absolutely a ball of nervous energy so I quickly separated myself from conversation and went to sleep.
And so I've been in the house for a full day now and it's the morning of the second day. I figured it was time for an update.
First and foremost, the house is great. Fully furnished and stocked (with a few kitchen exceptions) and very cozy. We have a backyard that's secluded from our neighbors by a fence and lots of vines/trees. My room, having been the leftovers since I arrived last, is actually (don't tell my housemates) the best room. Here's why: I don't have a bathroom connected to my room and actually have to go into Brittain's bathroom through her bedroom or Dombos's through his room. Dombos also has the washer and dryer in his room. But all that is in my room, is my room. Nobody has any reason to tiptoe past me sleeping etc. So, actually I think that's really nice.
The three of us in the house seem to get along really well so far (and I don't say "so far" with the intention of implying that we won't get along later). We've mainly been talking about various things and trying to get to know each other.
Now, I know I've said before that the program was waiting to meet the three of us before assigning jobs. That was halfway true. True in the sense that we didn't know where we'd be working until we arrived. False in the sense that it had already been decided for us where we'd be working. And with our assignments, Brittain and Dombos both will be working with Episcopal Community Services. I, however, will be the intern for the diocesan youth program. Which I'm really excited about, mainly because of the opportunity to learn about youth programming here and be able to maybe bring some of the Mississippi youth program ideas and philosophy here.
As far as the city goes, I've done a little walking about, not much.... and I haven't seen San Francisco properly because I arrived at night. BUT, today we're going into the city (if you immediately thought of Eddie Izzard's Dress to Kill, fifty points go to you, my friend) to do paperwork at the diocesan office. Fun. Times.
Well that's an update.
And so I've been in the house for a full day now and it's the morning of the second day. I figured it was time for an update.
First and foremost, the house is great. Fully furnished and stocked (with a few kitchen exceptions) and very cozy. We have a backyard that's secluded from our neighbors by a fence and lots of vines/trees. My room, having been the leftovers since I arrived last, is actually (don't tell my housemates) the best room. Here's why: I don't have a bathroom connected to my room and actually have to go into Brittain's bathroom through her bedroom or Dombos's through his room. Dombos also has the washer and dryer in his room. But all that is in my room, is my room. Nobody has any reason to tiptoe past me sleeping etc. So, actually I think that's really nice.
The three of us in the house seem to get along really well so far (and I don't say "so far" with the intention of implying that we won't get along later). We've mainly been talking about various things and trying to get to know each other.
Now, I know I've said before that the program was waiting to meet the three of us before assigning jobs. That was halfway true. True in the sense that we didn't know where we'd be working until we arrived. False in the sense that it had already been decided for us where we'd be working. And with our assignments, Brittain and Dombos both will be working with Episcopal Community Services. I, however, will be the intern for the diocesan youth program. Which I'm really excited about, mainly because of the opportunity to learn about youth programming here and be able to maybe bring some of the Mississippi youth program ideas and philosophy here.
As far as the city goes, I've done a little walking about, not much.... and I haven't seen San Francisco properly because I arrived at night. BUT, today we're going into the city (if you immediately thought of Eddie Izzard's Dress to Kill, fifty points go to you, my friend) to do paperwork at the diocesan office. Fun. Times.
Well that's an update.
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