My Wedding

Okay, don't freak anyone. I'm still doing that dorky "my" thing...although I'm thinking maybe I'll branch out in November.

Although, along those lines, I have a funny story. I was talking to one of my managers today about her best friend, and she said, "She's the one person I know will be in my wedding." Now, Heidi is not engaged so...I asked if she had a sister, which she did not. Then I said, "Well, I do, and my mom's decided that she gets to be in my wedding."

Heidi's face lit up. "Are you getting married?"

I just thought it was funny - we're talking generalities here, about events that may or may not even ever happen. And all of the sudden, when it's my turn, we're talking specifics. :) And, of course, neither of us wear rings...

But it did remind me that you have to be careful around people who don't know you that well...

But what I really wanted to post about was something I have noticed recently as one of my friends prepares for her wedding. Now, what I'm about to comment on I think is wonderful and amazing, and I hope it does not come out differently.

Weddings are expensive. And they are time consuming. But what I've noticed is that you never have to do it alone. And I'm not talking about the spouse-to-be. The maid of honor and best man help out a lot! And then there are the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They help out both with time and money. I didn't know before that bridesmaids bought their own dresses, shoes, hairstyles, etc.

Now, I've never been asked by a friend to spend hundreds of dollars so that she could get married while I watched and prayed that it wouldn't happen two more times. But, I don't think I'd mind. I mean, that's the beauty of weddings.

In a wedding, being asked to help, to volunteer your time, even for menial tasks like serving punch and cookies, is an honor. Now, I can see this kind of behaviour at a funeral, "What can I do to make it better?" But I think it's glorious how with a wedding everyone comes together to help out. They help, asking nothing in return. They work their hardest to make the day all about the happy couple - it's not about the guests. They chip in a little when asked to help because it's an honor.

There are times when I look at society as a whole and am scared. But then I look at something simple like this (or Santa Claus) and realize that, even with the group mentality and political strife that we face today, our hearts are in the right place.

My Bedtime Story

As the moon rises high over the cool Chicago skyline and the stars begin to twinkle over Lake Michigan, the time of night draws near in which five little children must take to their beds. To sleep per chance to dream. And to send them to bed with sweet dreams, I have created the loveliest of bedtime stories.

As follows: (please note, this is actually a story about me and my job...the names have been changed because they have to be). There was once a mighty fortress that stood in the plains of the land of Illinois. It towered a story above all the fortresses nearby, including the fair castle of the Spanish Maids, where the Princess Sarah, our heroine lived.

Long ago, before Sarah moved to the land of Illinois, in the village of Warren, this fortress called Doom Mansion house an army of guards called the Bluesmen. These guards stood watch over the fortresses holds of jewels, guarding them from those who would steal them away. For 99 years the Bluesmen stood aguard. However, able as the Bluesmen were, the Knights of the Fortress had created an immense labyrinth through which they slowly hid their jewels. They had the best intention - trying to protect the wealth of the Doom Mansion.

One day, King Cedric asked to see the jewels. He summoned the head Bluesman, but the head Bluesman had been injured in a jousting tournament, so his squire was sent instead. "Bring me a jewel! A green one! I wish to go out." The king said.

So the Bluesman looked for a jewel, but he could not find one. He sent runners out to find the head Bluesman, but it was too late. The Bluesman had traveled to the far reaches of the world to revive himself. Meanwhile, the rest of the Bluesmen were at the Doom Mansion looking high and low for a green jewel. But naught was one to be found. All that they could find was the labyrinth constructed by the workers of the fortress.

When the Bluesman reported back to the king, the king was furious! He grabbed a display sword off the wall shouting "Off with his head!" But the Bluesman acted quicker. He turned abruptly to his left and strode up to the head of the castle guardsmen and threw his glove at the guard's feet. "O king, I blame this man here! And I challenge him to a duel."

The day was set. The entire village of Warren showed up for the duel. Hours and hours it lasted, until finally, both men lay dead. One from exhaustion. One from a lethal head wound.

After the tournament, the King, fired the Bluesmen guard and hired a new order of knights called KPMG: Knights Performing Magnificent Gestures. These knights were charged with a magnificent quest. It was the quest for the jewels of Doom Mansion. The jewels were hidden away within miles and miles of mazes. And so, KPMG called in all the greatest and bravest knights, asking only for those willing to accept the call! And one of those knights was Princess Sarah. She responded, although horrors awaited her!

Before she could enter the maze, the fortress required her to hand over all her long golden hair as a defense against fleas. Then she was subjected to three weeks of initiation into the Knights, during which she was forced to sit in the stocks, wear fancy clothes to a joust, and deliver food to the other knights as though she were their slave. If the food was wrong, they threw it at her. But once the initiation was over, Sarah was allowed to enter the maze and begin her quest for the jewels of Doom Mansion.

I wish I had a happy ending to this story. However, Sarah entered the maze and, although she has had much success - retreiving jewels in the caverns of the King's Reserves and Armory, battling ogres, and making use of teamwork with her other knights- she has not yet returned from her quest - so I don't know if it was a success. One ogre still remains: a very powerful ogre under the employ of the fortress itself. He was hired to protect the jewels, and yet his overeagerness has caused much agitation to the knights.

In fact, many knights were killed or driven mad in their sojourns into the depths of the caverns. Only the best and bravest survived! Each jewel Sarah retrieved brought great praise from the knights, and that's the happiest ending I have to report.

My Fall Day

An exercise in writing:
The morning was absolutely perfect - just like a Kansas morning should be - except that it was in Illinois. It was one of those days that are hard to place seasonally - the weather felt like fall, but, considering the earliness of the hour, it could have just as easily been late spring or early summer. The breeze was so slight, it was almost non-existent, but every now and then it would stir up again, teasing myhair and causing meto change myview - looking into the breeze, and also to the landscape beyond.

That evening, I went to a movie, by myself, a brand new experience. I always say that we should all do something each day that we've never done before. The problem is, if you try too hard, you may end up doing several things! And if you don't try hard enough, then you end up looking to hard to make things you've already done work: "Today I made photocopies on the fourth floor of the Internatioanl building." I had to sell my sister's first-born in order to pay the admission fee, and then, as I had a strange craving for popcorn, I had to sell an interest in her second child as well. (Fortunately these shares are not transferrable and revert back to my sister upon death of the holder. And at the rate she's going, the purchasers may very well have died of old age before their claims are withheld).

And what kind of night did I walk out into! It was rainy and dark. Somehow, the dark feels darker here. I wonder if it has to do with all the lights - our eyes never fully adjust to the dark anymore. Or the clouds were lower than usual, even for a rainy night.

But the amazing thing was that it wasn't cold! I stood out in the rain getting gas, and felt wonderful! This is the perfect weather! I've been cold recently, but fall has always been and will always be my season. And I've been saying how lucky I am to get two falls this year: one in Chicago where it comes earlier (which didn't turn out to be entirely true - most of their "fall" days are really wintry) and one when I get back to KC and it's still fall (December - I'm not really sure how KC stacks up to the rest of Kansas, but I am fully expecting it to not get cold until after Christmas, so it better not disappoint).

And, oddly enough, as I write this, I am struck by something incredible! Perhaps it is my lack of disposable free time. Or because I haven't been able to take long walks or climb up hills or drive cross-country. Or it could be the sudden onset of full-fledged coldness that cut my fall painfully short. Either way, I don't feel that odd feeling I get each fall - the "something's coming" feeling. I'm going to have to explore this further.


*On a final note - I'm watching Harry Potter II and I must speak my mind (because I'm so opinionated). John Williams is the most amazing composer alive today! And he stacks up tremendously next to Bach. I have one observation which, although it will not change how I feel about him, must be spoken. His music, his themes, shall I say, can cause one's heart to soar and one's imagination to take wing! But action scenes, from movie to movie, are extremely similar. Others have noticed, too, but you know what? Other composers are exactly the same way! Have you ever compared Titanic to another James Horner soundtrack? And what about Pirates of the Caribbean to Gladiator? I suppose that's probably true in any art form. A painter will always have his style - things that look the same from picture to picture. We are limited in our hand movements - can you really ever change your own handwriting all that much? And yet a painter's style is what sets him apart from the others, and each picture is uniquely wonderful. No one criticizes a Picasso for being, well a Picasso. So, I guess I'm just saying that people shouldn't judge composers the same way.

And - I can paint a picture or make a sculpture or even scratch out a tune on the violin. I can't vouch for the quality of it all (although I think I could make some of this modern art - a large blue dot on a black background?). But I could never write a new song - completely my own, and not based upon any other song I'd ever heard. So I congratulate anyone who has ever composed music on what, I opine, is the most creative talent of all!

My Wardrobe

I knew a girl who said that she wanted to dress every day with the air of Aubrey Hepburn. I suppose all girls have similar sentiments - they have their "styles." They want to be "in-style" without losing their individuality.

Well, I guess I have a statement, too, although since I've started work, it's been harder to make. You know those adventure or drama movies where the action of the movie only takes place in the course of 48 hours or so? I think in literature they are called romances...but I'm not sure.

Anyway, I want to dress each day as if that day was to result in one of those crazy adventures where I'd be dragged all over the world, kick-boxing, running for my life, wwading through muddy rivers, and engaging in high speed car chases and wrecks. Of course, my wardrobe would get ruined, but the memories would be worth keeping!

This kind of adventure takes a very special type of outfit! Layers are a must - and finally we have a reason for my "power" jacket. I also think something slightly unique would help - whoever heard of going on adventures in a plain old T-shirt? It has to be something that the women in the audience will think, "That's a cute outfit" even when it's covered in grime.

Essentially, it would have to be one that I'd have fun wearing for 48 hours straight as well. (Oh, and comfort's a given).

Now, I have these shoes that are kind of like ballett slippers - and they're stylish! But they're great because they protect my feet and yet give me the ability to feel everything I'm doing, all the texture of the ground. It makes it feel like I would be light on my feet when called to run for my life and yet my feet would be protected when the glass shatters and I have to run on that as well.

So I suppose when I go shopping for my winter wardrobe (by the way, these adventures are best to be had in the warmer seasons), I suppose I should look for clothes that are both exciting and business appropriate.

By the way, sorry for posting about clothes, but I'd like to think it's not typical

My Pet Peeves

So something has been on my mind for a long time now, and I have to get it out. This summer was a little stressful at work, and my friend often told me about her "pet peeves." And the more I thought about it, this was my conclusion - we all have pet peeves, but what are they, really? I mean, most of them are things that someone does to us to annoy us. But it's not intentional, or those people wouldn't do it!

I'll get really vulnerable here with an example: many people have a pet peeve about people talking on the cell phone in certain places. Let's go with restaurants. Well, the thing is, the people on the phones obviously don't feel the same way. They're not out to get the non-talkers. And as long as the people in my party don't care, and I don't mind being overheard, I figure I can talk or not talk wherever I want!

That said, I have decided to make a list of pet peeves. These are things that really bother me. But the catch is, they're pet peeves that I do! (So...bad habits maybe?)

1. Not covering my mouth when I yawn - honestly, I've gotten out of habit because I yawn alone. So now you know - never yawn alone and never drink alone. And now I'm all paranoid that I'll forget and do it in front of someone else. being the tortoise...

2. Introducing everything I say - "Can I ask you something?" "So I was thinking the other day..." "So this is what I have to say..." I can't remember all of them. But I will never forget the day (last December) when I discovered that I cannot speak up without introducing whatever phrase, question, or tidbit is coming out of my mouth. And I find it annoying. And I look at my friends and think, "How can you stand that?"

2b. "As I was telling so and so" - Along the lines of introducing, I hate this little phrase of mine. Who cares if what I told you is what I told someone else? Sometimes they don't even know each other! And I personally feel that it's better to keep that a secret anyway - that way the person you're talking to doesn't feel like the second choice.

Now, while I'm making this list, I'll just note one more thing. I've found that, contrary to expectations, I tend to do well with negative people. I think being around negative people forces me to perk up and be the cheery one, the Pollyanna, the person who finds the silver lining in every situation. Think about it! You go to work and want to rant about something, but your coworkers troubles seem more pressing. So you cheer them up, and in the process, get a better perspective on life yourself!

Okay, so I had to edit my list because it could have turned into a rag-on-Sarah fest.

But the point is this: I have asked my accountability partner(s) to try to help me not be so peevy, or peeved, whichever. I mean, when someone does something in traffic that makes me grit my teeth in anger, I may be doing the same thing just down the road.

And the most important part of not allowing pet peeves to get in the way of life: people are a lot easier to love when you look past their little flaws.

My Book Reports

So, while I haven't had a lot of time for reading lately, I have read a lot of interesting, as well as not interesting, books that I want to share with the world.

Mere Christianity - I don't actually know if I could summarize this book without actually rewriting it. If you read it, I suggest reading the preface, because it's actually useful. C.S. Lewis wrote this book in an attempt to explain the very basics of Christianity, before you add in all the denominational issues. Now, I've been doing a lot of reading on those, and it turns out that the implications of theology are very real and important. That said, many of those issues cannot be fully resolved on earth, and as long as they remain a mystery to us, they shouldn't really divide us. Of course, that is coming from a wishy-washy theologian who was raised in a very accepting church. Anyway, there are two parts of the book that I particularly love. The first section is amazing - it essentially turns faith into logic and vice versa - the ultimate essay on appologetics. In the second half of the book, Lewis has a way of explaining things, using wonderful analogies, that were previously too difficult to explain or wrap my mind around. I always feel, when reading C.S. Lewis's books, whether Chronicles of Narnia or theological discourses, that if I could just express myself as C.S. Lewis does, I could be the world's next great author! I REALLY recommend you read it. But don't buy it. And don't steal it. Because you can borrow it from me! ;)

The History of Christianity - Don't you just love the title? I had to put this book down because better things came along. But I must admit that while it was going, it was good. I was rereading the first 400 years, which I've already read a lot about. But it's interesting to see a change in perspective. For instance, I read one book written by Christians, then a historical book about Constantine that focused ess on the religious aspects. And this book is "history for history's sake." A "realistic" perspective. And it's challenging! Really! Where C.S. Lewis made faith logical, this book makes me think, "Does this jive with what I've been taught? Or does one have to be wrong?" And, honestly, I don't think there's ever going to be such thing as an unbiased view on religion. But it's a good read for those of us who love history!

The Rise of the American Mob - Honestly, I don't know if this book or the one before are accurately titled here. Anyway, I was interested in the mob, so my sister got me this for my sojourn in Chicago. It's actually full of a lot of little mini-stories about the mob. So where the Christianity book was too analytical, this one isn't enough! I would rather have one detailed book about one mob ring than several little chapters about them.

For Young Women Only - This is a cute little book for...teenage girls...(it's counterpart is for married women, so where does a single girl in her twenties fit in?) and essentially breaks down the differences between men and women by looking at how guys are different, how to treat them, how not to treat them, and what they wish we knew about them. I've read a similar book before. There are things in here that made both me and Kristen (I borrowed it from her) go - WHAT?!

For Men Only - WHY am I reading a book for men? Because it's fun, that's why! I actually think that this book, while it couldn't stand alone, might be more help for women than the female version. First you learn about women, and then you get to see the guys' reactions to women (when they go WHAT?!). And I find myself amused at the things they are surprised at. But the best part is learninga bout women. Honestly, even girls cannot understand girls - we're all so different and run on emotions that it seems impossible. But the book does logically look at some of the workings of the inner mind. I found out why both Kristen and I would always wonder if we were still friends for no reason (coming from two girls who have only been mad at each other in their nightmares). And now I find myself pondering about how many "windows" I have open in my head at a time. Honestly, I'm usually afraid I don't have enough. But then sometimes I proudly think, "Aha! I doubt a guy would have randomly had to juggle these thoughts and remembered to do this..."

Daniel - Okay, not a freestanding book, but it does deserve mention. My friend Janel says this is her favorite book of the Bible, and I always thought it was kind of strange - like Revelation. Sure, I like the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (who wouldn't like names like that?) but there were all those weird dreams to be interpreted about the "end times" and things like that. Well, this time around I was reading an NIV study Bible - and it really cleared things up. That book is amazing! It seems that every major historical event between the time of Daniel and the time of Christ was predicted - major military upsets, kings, how they rose and fell...fascinating!

My Future Careers

So...it looks like I'm out of Chicago pictures. Who knew?

I have half a mind to publish the fairy tale I wrote for the Brouk children - with special additions for my blog.

However, it's about time I relate to everyone my plans for the future. I have a list of jobs that I am totally sure that I will, at some point in life, be performing. These ideas have been cooking in my head for some time, so I can assure you all that I am not acting rashly. However, in typical accounting fashion, I feel obliged to stratify them out into accounting jobs, jobs that require more college, and jobs that require less college. Personally, I find great pleasure in contemplating working at the last tier after I have accomplished all the degree requirements of the first tier.

And on a final note, some of these dreams are real. Others are about as real as naming my daughter Philadelphia. So keep an open mind.

And without further ado:

Accounting Jobs
Chief accountant of SEC
Partner who specializes in pharmaceuticals and then quits and becomes a stock analyst that talksa bout how Merck and Pfizer are doing
FBI Agent
Forensic accountant

Jobs that Require Further Degrees or Skills
Pharmacist
Lawyer
Doctor of Psychology - I can do millions of things with this, but one I'd like to do is specialize in guy/girl communications and use my knowledge to develop a flight training program geared towards women
Pilot - maybe professional, maybe a missionary pilot
Governor of Kansas - I have great plans for that state. Plans that are going to make me a shoe-in for the office

Jobs that Require Less Degrees or Skills
Motivational speaker/writer - This would be so easy if there was something I was passionate about! Maybe my Five Step Plan to Greater Self-Confidence! Maybe intercultural communications!
Backup singer/dancer
Waitress - particularly if I work at a country club. The goal is to do this after I get my doctorate in psychology along with my JD in law, and then if the rich millionaire's trophy wives are snooty with me, I can think, "Yeah, how many degress do you have?"
Bank teller
Pharmacy tech - I know I've done this one, but I really loved it! Grass is always greener, I suppose
Administrative assistant
Writer
Mailroom worker - how could I forget the first time around? Or alternatively mail carrier
DEA officer - like FBI agent but less accounting and more drugs and Spanish
Maid - I've thought it would be fun to be a hotel maid, but recently I've been thinking it would be cool to be an overnight janitor - mostly for the overnight part...it would be freaky to be in a large building all alone but fulfilling to have a set list of things to do and then go home
Nanny - of rich kids...because I don't really like kids...but if they were the Vogelsangs or under 3...

I feel as though I'm missing something really obvious here...if so, I guess I'll update the list.

My Hotel

And who would have guessed there'd be a beach in Chicago? Well...maybe the Chicagoans would have guessed....

This was actually somethiing I had considered including in my "Something Beautiful" post. Everyone thinks an egg was laid in Chicago! I didn't want to make a new post for a while, because I so love that song. But I have an unsual night of free time, and there are lots of fun posts that I think I can make!

I just want to say how wonderful my living condition is right now. For someone right out of college, I have it pretty nice. I have a maid, a concierge, and a cook! I also have a pool, rec room, and pool table. Pretty sweet, huh?

I've had one complaint only in my stay here: the people are too nice! What I mean is, I cannot pass a member of the staff without a, "Good morning!" "Good evening!" or "Have a nice day!" And those who know me, know how much I enjoy these trivialities.

Of course, what had annoyed me for a few weeks suddenly became meaningful a few days ago. Nothing happened, really. I just realized something. Other than personal preferences, and a staff that's really good at following instructions, there may be a deeper reason that everyone is so cheery around here.

I view this whole experience as an adventure. However, many of the people who are staying at this inn with me have lives that they have left to come up here. They may have families that they don't get to see except on hurried weekends. I bet it would be comforting to always be greeted and treated respectfully by the people you see every day. So I suppose I'll try not to let it bother me so much anymore.

Besides, I've been trying to stay away from pet peeves. Where are my accountability partners when I need them?

My Something Beautiful

So, this building stands out as probably the most boring in Chicago....but, at the base of it:

Are the most beautiful gardens! It was amazing! I think the architect and the landscape architect got together to do this on purpose....to draw the eye down from the useful but bland building, to the amazing scenery below! And I also thought it appropriate for this post.

This is a map of Chicago on the top of a sewer cover! It was really neat!

Again today I feel compelled to discuss the lyrics of a song. Some of you may know this song as the one I plan to walk down the aisle to: "Something Beautiful" by the Newsboys. ;)

However, today I had the pleasure of listening to it as I flew over the upper midwest, over a layer of clouds. You know those cloudy days where everything is gray. All of the sudden, in the plane, we broke through the gray to where the clouds were white and shining: reflecting the sun in a way that makes you think of the purest tone of white that you'll ever see! They rolled below, while we skimmed them, like flying over a hilly mystery land. I wanted to jump out of the plane, knowing in my head that I would fall through but in my heart that the clouds would catch me.

As beautiful of the "artistic representation of God" countdown, we traveled over clouds that rose up like coral under a sea of thinner clouds. I wish I could have had someone with me to share the wonder with.

However, I did have the Newsboys. And as I watched the clouds and pondered their beauty, I heard the lyrics to this song, and it seemed to speak to me at this time of my life.

"I want to start it over. I want to start again. I want a new beginning. One without an end. I feel it inside, calling out to me."

What a way to start the song! The chance to begin again! To do everything right! No matter when we believe, we will always stumble and err. But there's always the chance to start again. And that's what we want! We want to be as white as those clouds! As beautiful! That's true beauty!

"It's the voice that whispers my name. It's the kiss without any shame. Something beautiful. Like the song that stirs in my head. Singing love will take us where. Something's beautiful."

The voice whispering to us. The songs in our heads. God is calling us to beauty in Him...he's whispering, or, in my case, singing it to me. Loud and clear. Telling us that it's what we want.

"It's the child on her wedding day. It's the daddy who gives her away. Something beautiful. When we laugh so hard we cry. All the love between you and I. Something beautiful."

I see this verse as about friendship. The connections we make that we don't want to give up. How we have inside jokes and histories together. Times that we will never forget. How I can sit and pick out hundreds of different "best days ever!" And they were all made that way by the people I love! So here I am, trying to stay connected to my friends, given a chance to start anew in other areas of my life. This chance is beautiful!

And you know what else is beautiful? The techno music. The crescendos! The way the music swells and grows and stops dramatically...oh! What a song!

And I would be remiss if I didn't say that I think of Megan when I hear it now, because it makes her think of me, which makes me think of her thinking of me. Does that even make sense?

My Languages

Thisis a fun picture with the Hancock tower in the background, and it looks tiny! Just a fun trick of the eye.

So, I am excited to report that I am multilingual. Then again, I think most people are. Once we get out of the idea of a typical language like English and Spanish (so I'm up to two there), we'll find that many of us speak secret languages.

First of all, I speak music. I have always thought that it's cool that musicians can read a page of music as quickly and fluently as a page of written words. Each note consists of so many facets: length, pitch, style, and tone. And yet, musicians can sight read new music quickly. And, of course, you could say that each instrument a musician plays is like an entirely new language.

There are also the silly technical languages that we all speak. For instance, I speak accounting and flying. Even though the language is English, I find myself using day to day terms that the average person would not use or understand. So now I'm up to six.

There's also computer languages, and there are a lot of types of these. There's programming languages: I used to know a bit of Basic and Visual Basic. My friend speaks Mac. (I'm learning, but I'm only fluent in PC). And then there's typing! Any good typist has an amazing skill! Think about it. We hit the keys so quickly, just like with music, without even thinking. But the order of the keys on the keyboard don't seem to make much logical sense. It's muscle memory.

There's sports: if you play or know the lingo. I can't claim any of these languges. But I've heard guys who almost go into another language when they talk about sports and the current players and stats. Fanatasy football? I definately don't speak that.

What other languages are out there? I think there might be regional languages, when we know the traditions and cultures of our places. I'm not talking about dialects. I'm talking about being able to show someone the ropes of your native situation. Everyone's an expert here. I know the language of my family - their quriks and traditions...I guess it's a stretch.

So what does that bring me up to? English, Spanish, Piano, Violin, PC, Typing, Accounting, and Flying. Eight languages. I'd say that's pretty good for someone just out of college.

My Game

So, I've discovered that in Chicago (not just this city, but many places. K-State has this problem also) there are millions of beautiful little sites just like this! Fountains! Parks! Lovely landscaping! Marbled sidewalks and mosaics! Gardens. I would love to take a book or my laptop or just my ipod out to one of these spots and sit and enjoy it on my time off. But whenever I have the time or inclination to have 'me' time, I'm not in a position to get to them! Or, on the other side of that, I have a favorite spot that I just don't want to miss out on! I mean, like most things, I would love to try new things. But many days, I'm so happy with what I've already had before, I don't want to miss out on it! But this spot was beautiful, and when I went back that night, there was a cannon shooting water into the river!

Okay, so My Game:

I play a little game - mostly with myself - without a name, although I suppose it could be called "When Was the First Time I..."

Favorite topics in this game include people. I've had several friends that kind of slid into my life. It wasn't like I started a new job and met my coworkers. It was like our paths crossed through mutual friends for a long time. Kristal is my prime example of this. For people like this, it's kind of like a detective game, thinking back. First you think it was this day, but wait! You were both in the dorms together!

Or you take people whose meeting was very concrete but look back on it after days or weeks of friendship. What was my first impression? Usually, it's wrong. Sometimes, it's random. I wish I had a good example. All I can think of is meeting my coworkers a few weeks ago - I actually think most of my impressions were right.

I also play this game with popular phrases. I remember when "I'm not going to lie..." entered my life: New Orleans Mission Trip. And "It is what it is" seems to be popular since I've returned from Orlando.

The final category this game works well for is electronics. Can you remember the first time you used an electronic key card instead of a key to get into a hotel room? When was the first time you saw a CD? What were your impressions of cell phones when they first came out? Do I sound like I'm 60 years old yet?

I suppose this game is a little like, "Where were you when..." or "What were you doing when..." You know, like we ask out parents - "Pearl Harbor happened" or "You heard about JFK being assassinated" or "On 9/11."

So I don't know if I'm crazy, quirky, or somewhere in the middle. It's just something I like to think about.