The Black Hills

I got home from the Black Hills early this morning. As far as I could tell, everybody had a blast. Bonus: I met two very awesome people - Matt and Dan. There is nothing quite like a camping expedition to get acquainted. All of the photos are on my profile on facebook, but I'll put a few of them here to give you an idea of what we did.





Here I stand in front of the beautiful rolling black hills. This is still in the first day of hiking, so I still feel as if I'm alive.





Ann ponders the meaning of life.





Our campground for the first night. Although it's dispersed camping, we stumbled upon a relatively convenient bit of forest for the number of tents we had.











At lunchtime on day #2, we took a break on the tops of these rocks and took in some great sights. We were close enough to see Harney Peak at this point.





On the morning of day #3, the remaining campers hiked out of the wilderness.





And then they stabbed me with walking sticks.





We saw a television advertisement for these new P'zone things at Pizza Hut right after we got out of the forest. Since we had been eating trail mix and crackers for three days, the images of meaty cheese-stuffed goodness left an indelible mark in our memories. So, we stopped at a pizza hut in Nebraska on the way home and indulged our senses.

The Path to Happiness

I thought this article from Time was particularly interesting this week. I found that I meet many (though certainly not all) of the criteria that makes a person happier. However, none of them are particularly groundbreaking, in my opinion.

Reviving Old Friendships

I had dinner with a friend that I had not seen in perhaps 3 or 4 years. I didn't know what to expect. In fact, I was slightly nervous that it would be too awkward. Luckily, my fears were completely unfounded. We had a wonderful time, and ended up not only having dinner, but shopping, walking her dog, and seeing a movie with a couple of her other friends. We had both changed a little since we last had a chance to really talk, but those changes couldn't erase the fact that we were still friends.

This got me thinking about a more extreme situation. Let's say that my friend and I hadn't seen each other for 20 years instead of 3. Rather than changing a little, let's say that we had become complete opposites. Perhaps I had become Rush Limbaugh's understudy while she was heading up the Kansas chapter of the ACLU. Could we still get together and hang out and just have fun? I think so.

I have seen this with some others since leaving for college. Another guy and I used to be very good friends, but things ended rather badly somewhere after junior high ended. Although we haven't communicated since then, we somehow started communicating on facebook. He invited me to come visit him when I have time.

Now, this is a different situation. I'm pretty sure the last time I had a prolonged conversation with him, he was saying something to the affect "I bet God has a special compartment in Hell reserved for Baptists (the denomination I was in at the time)." Ouch! Is it possible for such a relationship to "start over" and flourish?

I don't have an answer to the question; I am merely wondering aloud. A few days ago I read Gracia Burnham's In the Presence of My Enemies. Basically, I read the entire narrative in two days. It was cool, not only because the Burnham's were from Kansas, but because I had the privilege to see Gracia Burnham speak at a Dillon Lecture Series a few years ago. Her tale is inspiring and exciting. I think the book is overall much more "worth it" than The Heavenly Man.

In the Presence of My Enemies: B

Flowers N Plus

Here is a pretty funny video clip made by those strange people at The Master's College. Only some of the outtakes are funny, though.

Just Plain Funny

Ah, I love The Onion Radio News. This story about mice is just plain funny, no matter what your sense of humor.

United 93

I just finished watching the heartbreaking movie United 93. It was the first time I have seen it, and I really liked it. It made me think about a few things.

Many of the passengers in called to their family and friends once they knew they were probably going to die. They all said the same thing: "I just wanted to say that I love you" or "Tell _______ that I love them", etc. This is so true. In almost every crisis situation, our last impulse is to let those whom we love know that they are loved. Many people's main regret, after having unexpectedly lost a family member, is that they just wished they could have told them "I love you" one last time.

Why is that?

It is obvious that love is by far the strongest human emotion. None of those passengers said, "Just be sure and tell Billy that I'm scared" or "I just wanted you to know that I'm really mad at these hijackers for what they are doing" or "Please promise me that you'll let the family know that I wished I could have lived my life more pleasing to God."

I'm sure all of these sentiments were present. Indeed, strongly so! But when given only a few moments, these passengers had to pick one of their feelings to express, and they (as we all would have done) picked love. Every person I know wants both to receive love and to give it. It's tragic that this can be taken for granted so easily.

Let us use this as a reminder to tell our friends and family how much they mean to us.

Another Birthday

Well, today I'm 19. Dad and I celebrated last night, because he's been gone today to watch some racing in Topeka with family. I almost got to come along, but the situation was complicated, and the circumstances turned out against me. My dad was really disappointed that I couldn't come. That was okay by me; I'm not the kind to get excited over automobile racing. However, it does mean that I'm spending my birthday approximately 90 miles from my nearest friend or family member.

Why is it that painful memories all seem to come back on holidays? Maybe it's just because I have more time to think today. It hardly matters. I thought I could spend the day listening to good music, or watching movies, or reading a good book, perhaps. Instead, for some reason, I've been spending most of the day trying not to cry. I think it's good, though. Everybody needs those kind of days now and then to vent bottled up feelings, I guess.

Perhaps I'll start writing a novel today. I've wanted to write a novel for a good while. My mom wrote one, although it hasn't yet been published. Oddly, I find that I'm the most insightful when I feel sad. When I'm content, I busy myself with everyday obligations, and when I'm angry, I become just plain unreasonable, but when I'm sad, I think harder than normal. And I don't mean "think harder" as in pouring more brain power into solving a dilemma or being witty; rather, I introspect. Also, I consider the blessings and curses that come with having close relationships with friends and family. And I realize how much they all mean to me.

I regret few things in my life. Today wouldn't look quite right if did my life over again and changed things. By God's grace, I don't intend on having any major regrets in my life. I think I'm preparing myself for the future, keeping my ducks in line, and so forth, all the while acknowledging that nobody has been able to do it, and nor will I be able to do it. But I try my best. I'm trying to live healthier, build character, become responsible, and have more fun doing it. Hopefully I will be able to change the world while I'm at it, or at least a few lives.

Should I write a funny novel or a serious one? I'm not into scary books, and I couldn't write one if I tried. Perhaps suspense. Perhaps a tragedy. Who knows, I may be able to write a good love story. I could write an autobiography and further dramatize my life. I find that people my age like to dramatize their lives. I'm sure we'll grow out of it - perhaps once we figure out that our lives are no more dramatic than Uncle Eugene's was when he was a teenager. I don't really have an Uncle Eugene.

So, 19 years are tallied away, and I reckon I have at least 45 more to go. Hopefully I'll grow wise with age, and not turn out to be the creepy old guy in town who talks to himself as he walks down the street. I'd like to be able to drink coffee once a week with my friends, like my Grandpa Thane. Maybe I'll get a dog like my friend's dog, Rae. She's a peaceful dog. I've met a few cats during my life that I have liked, too. I still have a few years before I have to take on that kind of responsibility, thankfully.

Well, I feel a lot better after writing this. It's great to be able to write things down for total strangers to see. Maybe on July 4th I'll pour out some more repressed feelings. Ciao!