I love language. I’m fascinated by all the nuances a single language can have. I enjoy knowing that two people, speaking the same language can mean completely different things. Of course, even when two people from the same region of the country, using the same language and dialect, are speaking the message can still be different than intended. Continue reading →
No, not like that.
One of my longest “careers” was working for the same guy, but with different businesses. I started at an indoor miniature golf course and when that closed, I worked for him doing light construction. We did several things, but our main business was closet shelving, both new construction and remodeling. I’ve written before about a weird experience I had while working in closets. I cannot say it is the only one. Continue reading →
Chrisie would be the first to tell you that she had some strange ideas about relationships when we first got married. Okay, actually she wouldn’t be the first to tell you, but she would be the first the agree if I told you. She could also tell you that I had some messed up ideas as well. We’re both right. Continue reading →
In our first year of marriage I left Austin Peay to work full-time, but my wife Chrisie continued pursuing her Social Work degree. One course she had to take in the Spring was Human Sexuality. It was a ridiculously explicit class taught by an, um, interesting professor. I would listen as Chrisie complained about something he made them do in class or how he pushed the boundaries of what was appropriate. I was thankful I didn’t have to take the class. Unfortunately, Chrisie had a project due with which I got to help. Continue reading →
Back in 2007, I traveled with our campus ministry to HUT, which is kind of a missionary training camp, but also an excellent place to learn about the challenges faced in third world countries and poverty-stricken rural areas (including in the U.S.). We were only there for a couple of days, but I learned a lot. Not just the cliché “how wealthy I really am,” but far more important things. Continue reading →
Back when I enjoyed flying, I always liked using Southwest. I enjoyed feeling as if I controlled a little of my destiny by choosing where I sat. I thought I chose well on one flight from Nashville. I looked near my preferred section and there were two open seats on the right side. The window seat was occupied by a professionally dressed woman calmly looking out the window. She looked as if she would keep to herself and be a reasonable seat mate. I chose poorly. Continue reading →
I recently attended the funeral for a dear friend’s father. He was a great man and much-loved (evidenced by the way everyone spoke of him both before and after his death). During the service, I was fortunate enough to witness one moment of striking beauty. Continue reading →
Ask anyone who hung out with me in the 90’s about me, and they might just talk about my (not so) paranoid delusion that NBC was spying on me. Yes, NBC, the television network. It was not an unfounded delusion. On many occasions, I would tell a joke or random story (I’ve been doing this a long time), two or more weeks would pass, and we would suddenly hear the same joke or story (nearly word for word) coming out of Chandler’s mouth on Friends. This really, really bugged me. Partly because I never got any credit (or royalty checks), but mostly because no one ever believes me when I tell them now. Continue reading →
Be sure to read Part 1.
Yes, that one-way ticket from New York to Boston caused me more trouble than I would realize, but at least I had gotten through it with a story I knew I’d be able laugh about, eventually anyway. I have no proof, of course, but I believe the special screening I received was noted somewhere and continued to follow me as I travelled. Continue reading →
I used to enjoy flying, even after the tighter restrictions put in place because of 9/11. I never minded the increased security or the need to arrive at the airport earlier than I would have preferred. I understood the fine men and women of the TSA were simply doing their jobs and I did not begrudge them. I let all the things that seemed to annoy my fellow travelers roll off me as best I could and always tried to smile. That all changed in 2003 when I made the mistake of flying from New York to Boston on a one way ticket. Continue reading →
Stories Now Told