reality check

This morning is the first day back to work after a week off. I set my alarm for 6:00 to walk Molly. I layed in bed until 6:42 and then finally got up. Molly is still in her crate. Maybe she needs time to get back in to the groove as well?...

The week off was hectic and I felt like I didn't spend enough time outdoors or doing meditative things. I went on one bike ride in Platteville. Yep, Platteville's still hilly. I also took Molly for a few walks while there. When we got back to Winona I was lethargic and feel pathetic for not doing more. I only took one walk and that was pretty much it for physical activity. I did finish "Blue Like Jazz" which was a great read. Miller calls it a non-religous thoughts on christian spirtituality. It was worth the time to read. It was a nice reminder that God probably isn't a member of a specific party affiliation and probably doesn't care about our politics. The book doesn't talk about that stuff hardly at all but I throw that out there because I get the impression people come to expect a book on faith to bash somebody else which is terrible to think that's what people think Christianity is all about but I'm constantly reminded of it by non-believing friends and it's reinforced by the Christian media folk.

Essentially Blue Like Jazz is a book of stories, thoughts, and ideas on faith in Jesus and just some life stories of his own. One of my favorite stories Miller told was when he was involved @ Reed College which is very liberal and the school sponsors this huge party where everyone gets high and drunk and parties. I'm paraphrasing here. At the time Miller was a member of a Christian organization and most organizations got involved in this party in one way or another. Miller's group set up a confessional booth after the first day of partying. But the confessional was done in reverse where the members of his group would be the confessors confessing sins that Christians had done to non-believers both recent and things that happened over extended history. The whole story was inspiring.

--------------------------

I've been filled with some anxiety lately because the first class I'll be teaching for work will be next week and the class is supposed to last 1 1/2 to two days. I've never spoke in front of anyone for more than five minutes. The only redeeming factor is I understand the topic. I've got my information all there but I have no idea how the presentation will end up going. This is totally new territory for me. I've got a few more days to prepare and do a mock run-through so we'll see...