This car brakes for pythons

Before I begin this post I must confess that it's hard to come up with a blog title that contains the word "python" without it sounding sexual. I think I've been hanging around boys too long.

In this day of modern technology I have discovered the joy of adding distinctive ring tones to my cell phone. The standard "ring ring" is so boring.......For the past couple of months I've had GreenDay's "Good Riddance" as my tone and at Christmas it was Eric Cartman (of South Park) singing "O Holy Night." While scrolling through my ring possibilities I discovered a whole section on Monty Python! Joy! Yay! I downloaded "The Lumberjack Song" as my ring and every time it goes off I giggle. In fact, I laughed so much the other day I couldn't even speak when I tried to answer. Who would have thought that a cell phone could bring so much joy? Since I loved that song so much I decided to download another. Now, when I have messages, the cue tone is an excerpt from "The Holy Grail," a piece on the Knights who say "Ni." I love it, just love it. Monty Python rocks.

Catching up with myself

I realize it's been ages and ages since my last post though I doubt anyone truly missed my pointless ramblings. Lots has happened over the past few weeks. Our new pastor started at the church. Someone told my boss that I'm worst employee ever. I decided not to go to graduate school in the fall. And, I threw up for three days straight.

So that's everything in my world....how is yours?

Things I learned in Detroit

I got home this morning from a quick trip to Detroit. This was my last Young Democrats of America business meeting before our national convention in San Francisco. For the past two years I have served as Vice President of Programs for YDA and in August my term will be up. It's been a good time but I'm ready to pass the torch.
These meetings are always crazy and fun. We spend all day being professional and political then at night we stay up late and laugh a lot. And yes, there is usually alcohol involved. Ok, that's a mis-statement, there is ALWAYS alcohol involved. I don't normally drink but this weekend I decided what the hey. Now that I'm home and trying to recover from the weekend I've devised a short list of what I learned in the last 72 hours.
1. Don't talk loudly about owning a Honda when in Detroit. Those darn UAW members don't seem like to import cars.
2. If you despise someone named Giovanni, make sure to shoot daggers out of your eyes whenever he comes near you or tries to suck up for your vote.
3. When intoxicated (not that I've ever been) it's probably not a good thing to wander around a strange city in search of your hotel.
4. When intoxicated, it's not helpful to text message friends and tell them you are drunk and lost and can't find your hotel.
5. When intoxicated, it's also not helpful to wake up friends in Florida to tell them you can't find your hotel.
6. What happens in Detroit stays in Detroit.

What a weekend. I'm getting too old for this.

Sorry Gaila!

While I know it's hard to fathom that I am anything less than perfect, I must admit that I was a bit grumpy today at work. I have not had much sleep over the past several nights and it's catching up with me. There were moments today when I noticed my co-worker, Happy Gaila, shooting me these "die bitch die" looks, mostly when I was being grumpy and frumpy (which was pretty much every time I opened my mouth). I do apologize for my behavior today Happy Gaila. Lucky for me though--she likes me better than she does our other co-worker so it will take me longer to alienate her. *grin*

Community of faith

Tonight was the annual Ordination & Commissioning service for the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. This service is my favorite worship service of the year. We crazy Methodists only ordain clergy members once a year so there's usually 25 or more people going through this process. The service begins with a processional of all the ordinands and the assisting clergy, while the entire sanctuary sings "Lift High the Cross." ...Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaimed, till all the world adore His sacred name. Powerful words--coming to life by the empowering of clergy-to-be to go witness & work in the world. I basically grew up in the Oklahoma Annual Conference and I love going back each year to see friends from college, old pastors, and pastor friends I have worked with over the years. It's also a little sad for me too because had I stayed in seminary and on the clergy track then I would have been ordained a few years ago. I can't help but feel a twinge of regret and longing. Several college friends of mine were ordained this year and I was so proud to stand in solidarity for them as they were being blessed by our Bishop. Congrats to Trina, Patrick, Kyle, Robyn, Charles, and Jack.
I had a sort of flashback/ah-ha moment during the service tonight. I realized that I am at my happiest when I am in church. It is where I am most comfortable, am myself, am connected to everyone & everything, and when I feel most empowered. I like the person I am when I am communing with God. Now, I just have to figure out how to make my day to day life more like that. I'm not like some split personality or anything, but I know that I am a better person when I am in "church" mode and being that better person is something I need to do for myself as well as those around me.

Today was a good day. :-)