November

Well, just had a look and saw that I haven't written anything since the day before I left to move down here! It's been almost two months. I'm not THAT lazy, though, I only recently got my internet (it took about six weeks to get my phone squared away). Lots and lots have gone on, but today it's quiet and I'm sitting here watching Arsenal playing Liverpool and considering my next move for today. It's always a great three-day weekend when you don't get out of your pajamas before noon any day.

Heard from an old friend of mine yesterday, Jorma, who I haven't seen or talked to in close to 15 years. Right out of the blue there was an e-mail from him! The odd thing is that I had just thought about him two days ago when I was talking to someone about Gumby, which put Mr. Bill in my head and reminded me of a certain incident just post-high school where we made a few Mr. Bills and did terrible things to them - setting them on fire, throwing them off cliffs, etc. - and videotaping it a la Saturday Night Live. I wonder what happened to that tape...

So Pastor Joe posted on Grace and Truth about why he writes, and at the same time (practically) there was another on Marginal Revolution on "why we talk." I thought it was quite interesting - have a look:

1. We talk to signal loyalty, or disloyalty.
2. We talk to bond with others.
3. We talk because we are not very self-aware and we need an audience if we are to learn our own thoughts or make up our minds. Clark Durant points to Hamlet.
4. We talk so people may judge us, leading to efficient sorting.
5. We talk to see who will leave the room.
6. We talk because we are restless, nervous, or bored. Speech may relieve anxiety, or give the pretense of doing so.

In the comments, someone adds that Timothy Leary said it comes down to "I'm here, are you still there?" I think that's an all-encompassing thought - the theme of all of our lives being a struggle to maintain connection and not feel so alone. Or maybe it's just that it's been the theme of MY life over the past couple of years. Oddly, I've felt less unconnected since I've been here - I think it's because I feel more connected to my self and the world around me instead of continuously focusing on what I was missing.

"I'm here...are you still there?"