Internship is over.  It went fairly well although the supervisor was a bit of a tool at times.

 SKD can kiss my ass.  He's completely blown me off, probably for the best, but still.

Also mom died over the summer.  

I'm back at school, good in some ways not so good in others.   The good is that -- this may be partly being a senior, but I think it's mostly cause mom died --  for whatever reason, I'm suddenly a part of things.  Suddenly, people know who I am, and talk to me.  Suddenly, I'm getting all kinds of special treatment.  I have a router issue or the light fixture in the kitchen falls down, help comes right out.  People return phone calls and emails promptly (well mostly).  I've been asked to do a special high profile (and paid!) job, invited to take invite-only classes, everyone is being extra solicitious...gosh even some of the snootier staff (bookstore lady I'm looking at you) are suddenly huggin' buddies.  Last time I was here she wouldn't give me the time of day.  I'm no Golden the Child, I'm sure I couldn't take off school whenever I wanted, but this is kinda nice. 

The downside is, it's still school.  Stupid papers, stupid classes (most of them are good but I have to take church admin which is redonk), stupid meal plan (although thank God that doesn't start for a couple weeks).   Oh yes, and "Boy I really really wish played for our team" is still attractive, AND still playing for the wrong team. 

Headed home for a couple days to check on dad.  I have no desire to be in that place any more, but I have to.  I promised mom.
 

It FINALLY gets nice in Philly - the Boy and I walked along the river for two hours yesterday - and now we get to spend the next two days indoors as part of an utterly pointless "teambuilding" exercise with our intern supervisors.  All the classes above ours hated it and I'm sure we will too.  Just another part of the useless hoop-jumping that is this process.

Last night was Kevin's funeral, and another lesson from CPE came back to me... ( Read more... )

The time has come,
For closing books and long last looks must end,
And as I leave,
I know that I am leaving my best friend,
A friend who taught me right from wrong,
And weak from strong,
That's a lot to learn,
What can I give you in return?

If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start,
But I would rather you let me give my heart,
To Sir, with Love

about my own arrogance.  Last day at field ed.  The place I complained about all year.  I thought since I wasn't there very often, and when I was I wasn't out in front, that no one knew who I was or would miss me when I left.

Instead, I got so many nice comments from people, telling me how much they liked having me there, what an impression I made, how they thought I would make a good pastor because of this or that they saw in me.   And the staff and pastors gave me a ridiculously large contribution to my education, so much I'm not even telling anyone what it is (although it may leak out because next year's field ed student saw it).  And then my supervisor said all this nice stuff.   I guess you just never know the impression you're making.  This was a big, big wake up call to me.

And, the choir anthem at 11:00 was the arrangement of the 23rd Psalm that is the theme from Vicar of Dibley.   I firmly believe Someone was trying to tell me something.

I had a good reminder tonight why I'm doing this from a great professor I really respect.  It's hard to keep it in mind sometimes with all the phony intellectual posturing that goes on around here.  Wil, you da woman. 

In other news: dieting SUCKS. 

One of the most highly regarded figures in broadcast journalism, former "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw will receive an honorary degree and deliver the main address at the College of William & Mary's Commencement Exercises on May 17, 2009. Read more.

Although not a journalism school, my alma mater makes sure, at least once a decade, to have a news dude speak at commencement.   When I graduated in 1987, we had Roger Mudd.  In 1994, it was George Will.    But of course, the best year was 2004.

Oh and one other thing:  "Tuhr-tle."