Tuesday : 27 December 05
Today has been a very good day.

It started out with a visit from Tom, a friend of the family. I haven’t seen him in… three years, I think. He brought up a couple of old in-jokes about me and my C-64 and QuantumLink; we laughed about it. He had a bit of good news, as well: He was asked – and accepted the offer – to be the pastor of a church in New York City. This takes him from a congregation of about 350 to over 3000! This also will put him near my uncle – I remember many times when he and my uncle (and others) would debate… whatever social or political issue came to mind. I can see these discussions becoming more regular, now that they will be in relatively close proximity to each other.

Off to PTIA. We got there early, allowing my uncle to check-in his bags and get his seat assignment. We had time to kill, so we ate lunch at the Marriott. They had a pool table, so I got to play Kris in a game of pool. Back over to the airport… pictures were taken… goodbyes were said… and my uncle headed down the concourse.

Back home for a bit. I got to see a few members of the extended family before heading back to Greensboro for dinner with Don, Christine and Thomas. Christine and Don are among my oldest friends here; I’ve known them for… over fifteen years; Thomas is only four – naturally, I haven’t known him quite as long. We ate at Smokey Bones. Very tasty ribs. I still want to hit Oh! Brian’s next time I’m here, but this was a very good substitute.

I came home… and packed. Whoop-de-damn-doo. Vacations are, all too often, over before we are ready for them to be. I’m not complaining, though: I’ve had a wonderful time, brief though it was.

this moment may be brief
but it can be so bright
reflected in another source of light
when the moment dies
the spark still flies
reflected in another pair of eyes
   “Chain Lightning,” Rush (from the CD Presto)

I know that it was good for me – I’ve been needing this for a while. It was good for my mother, who’s been after me (for longer than I care to admit) to come visit. It was good for my family, especially since my mother’s side of the family is very small and it seems that we get together too infrequently. It has also brought me to the point of a “resolution,” of sorts: I am going make it a point to come home – either here or Maryland – at least once per year. If nothing else, I deserve that.

Stray Toasters

  • I should have been in bed long ago.
  • My Home, by Rockapella
  • How do I know that at least one of my gamers likes me? This message was waiting for me this evening:

    Hey God? The unseemly citizens of SeaTac miss ya. Take care and we’ll see ya later. -Omega Moebius

    Put a smile on my face, it did. I’m looking forward to resuming the campaign after the first of the year.

  • Apparently, The Orange Bunny has driven in Utah… 
  • A car thing.
  • I’m beginning to appreciate Frank Cho’s artwork more and more.
  • Three is a magic number,
    Yes it is, it’s a magic number.
    Somewhere in the ancient, mystic trinity
    You get three as a magic number.

    The past and the present and the future.
    Faith and Hope and Charity,
    The heart and the brain and the body
    Give you three as a magic number.

  • Gatorade.
  • Notes from the Technology Underground
  • iPod. I have held out this long, but I think that I want one.
  • : Thai Table

I turn my back to the wind
To catch my breath,
Before I start off again.

Namaste.