So it’s the second day of school, beautiful late-summer evening, work piled up a bit today, let alone reading that needs to get done for school… And what do I do?
SPEND FOUR HOURS IN A BAR!
Yes, I am a bar-room degenerate… I was over at Old Chicago’s from 8pm until Midnight!! That’s nuts! I went over there thinking I was going to be there for an hour, maybe two, BUT NOT FOUR!?! What started simply was Michael and myself sitting at at the bar eventually turned into a group of 10 people moving to table in the dining room. For a brief while I thought Michael and I got stood up by all of our friends, but Karen and her guy Ryan came to the rescue. Then 9:45 roles around and all of the sudden we have people surrounding us who I don’t even know! A bit nuts…
Now I know what you’re thinking, but no, I wasn’t sitting around drinking the whole time. I did have the equivalent of about three beers during those four hours, and ate one of those mini-pizzas they serve at Happy Hour, but a good deal of my time was having some very engaging discussions with a lot of my friends I haven’t seen in a while. It was really nice to be able to make those re-connections, catch up on how everyone is doing, laughing a lot, along with hearing some very thought-provoking words. I especially appreciated the discussion I had with my friend Christian regarding Spirit Fire and the state of things at John XXIII.
Reflecting upon our talk I’m once again feeling nostalgic for the "good ol’ days, and when thinking about just how much things have changed it really blows me away. At the same time, it’s refreshing to know that people who are tied to once was are still around, and at the same time are very committed to campus ministry. It really inspires me to do my part to support those people, pray for them, and do what I can to offer any help. At the same time I feel very affirmed with where I’m at with NCSC, and greatly appreciate the opportunity I have to connect with amazing students who are very passionate about campus ministry (and who are more aligned with my theology). I would like to find some way to bring that connection back to J23, specifically with the students who are struggling in finding their place at our changing church… Something to think about for the rest of this week. More on this topic to come…
Well time for bed, long day tomorrow. I need to keep on top of things and spend no more time in bars this week!