Daryl’s Brain

Some of you know that I recently counseled at my Church’s annual summer camp. For those of you who didn’t know that, now you do. My cabin was comprised of 5 kids all around age 9. There was myself and an old friend of mine who I hadn’t seen in years (at least for any extended period of time) as the counselors for the cabin. It was a wonderful time full of both challenges and great joys.

I really enjoyed the group of kids who were in my cabin (the White Wizards) and hope to see them next year. (Yes, I had such a good time I think I might do this again next year.) Below are some pictures I took. I didn’t take many because I was too busy having fun…I mean working really hard.

(The following pictures open up in the same window.

My version of “packing light” was apparently a little off.	This became apparent to me when we had to strap the suitcase to the roof of the car.	A classic “surprise” driving shot.
The sign welcoming us to camp.	This is one of the log cabins. Compare this to the actual camper-cabins (you’ll see).	FDK-1 and his family walking around before everyone arrives.
A kid-carrying-clergy member (there were many).	Some campers arrived a bit early.	Most campers, however, arrived all at once.
The Black Mafia. (Only a portion shown here.)	Here all the campers are proceeding to the chapel to officially start camp.	A camp goat.
There were two.	A chuck wagon bearing its colours. These were the “cabins” the campers slept in.	Every night we had a bon fire. They got pretty big at times.
None of my pictures of the chapel turned out that well. This was the best of the lot.	Here the kids wait “patiently” before heading down to the swimming hole.	The swimming hole was really a river. Here the kids are hesitating to go in.
It didn’t take long before they lost their inhibitions.	An accidental shot that didn’t turn out too badly.	For some reason I found the idea of a guitar-playing cook amusing.
Noodles like the one carried here had more purposes then just hitting others.	Here the noodles can be seen acting as an improvised goal.	One of the councilors would often provide us with nice background music.
This is the main hall in which main-type things (like meals) happened.	A nice picture of a wonderful book.	My fellow councilor.

Tonight (yesterday by the time this posts) starts a series of three socializing nights in a row.

1. Thursday
   Friends are coming over to watch Arrested Development with us
2. Friday
   We are heading out for dinner with a couple from Church
3. Saturday
   Some friends from up island are coming down for a visit

For those of you who don’t know, the definition of introverted and extroverted is “where do you get your energy from?”  Introverted people get the energy from being alone and extroverted people get their energy from interacting with others.  In both cases, the opposite of what you are is something that will drain your energy.

Being one or the other does not mean that you can not do the opposite of what you are; you can still socialize if you are an introvert and you can still be alone if you are an extrovert.  It’s also not really a black and white thing because people can be somewhat one way, but mostly another, or visa versa.

I am an introvert.  I have learned how to extrovert myself, but my energy comes from being alone with my thoughts.  Stella is an extrovert.  The end result is that she wants to talk with me to unwind and I tend to zone out.  *sigh*

Well, I will let everyone know how the weekend of the social butterfly turns out.  I hope I can get some time for just Stella and I in there somewhere.

So, apparently I was “tagged” in a neat little bolg-game. A priest I know in Massachusetts who blogs quite regularly, and who’s blog I tend to frequent off and on, tagged me and now it’s my turn to post. The rules are:

• Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. (No cheating!)
• Find Page 123
• Find the first 5 sentences
• Post the next 3 sentences
• Tag 5 people

So without further ado, here’s an excerpt from The City of God by St. Augustine.

But beyond doubt it is greater felicity to have a good neighbour at peace, then to conquer a bad one by making war. Your wishes are bad, when you desire that one whom you hate or fear should be in such a condition that you can conquer him. If, therefore, by carrying on wars that were just, not impious or unrighteous, the Romans could have acquired so great an empire, ought they not to worship as a goddess even the injustice of foreigners?

Wow, the first two sentences are fine (and actually quite applicable today) , but that last kinda looses its meaning out of the context of the rest of the chapter. Kinda fun, though.

Now to see if anyone is “listening”. I am going to tag Biss, Stella, Michelle, Coramie, and All Saints. I guess it’s time to wait and see if anyone actually reads this blog.

Today (well, yesterday by the time this gets published) is Dave’s last day with the company I work for. It is a sad day. He has mentored me and helped me to improve myself professionally. He has served as a sounding board and sage. He has taught me the ins and outs of the business we are in and even gave me advice when Stella and I moved to Massachusetts on how to deal with running my own little business.

I will miss him.

I am writing this as I try to recover from a weekend on the mainland. No, I do not have a hangover, but I got so very little sleep this last weekend I am having trouble maintaining consciousness. This is why God made coffee!

The reason for our presence on the other side of the water was a wedding. Two of our friends from church were married and the ceremony and reception were wonderful! During the reception someone mentioned that if you say the name of the groom to anyone who went to Trinity Western University they will know who you are talking about. I decided to test this.

When Stella and I got back to my parents place I told my mom, who works at the university in question, and a look of recognition was the response. Sure enough, she knew who I was talking about.

Too weird.

I felt like doing something gratuitous today, so I made a small (14 pictures) album of our cat Bastet. Any idea where her first owner got the name from? (No first-owner guesses.)

First of all, thank you to everyone who has kept my father in their prayers and for all the words of encouragement. For those of you who don’t know he is doing much better and is now recuperating form the surgery, a process that involves him being waited on by his wife. Poor guy. (said in the tone of “poor fish”)

Second of all, our visit with our friends went very well. Much fun was had by all. I had a chance to get out some of my ideas and to work through them with another idea person. We built a city. Sort of. Now that they are gone again our home feels just a little bit empty. We love them tonnes and can’t wait until we both live in the same city again, wherever that may be.

Third of all, there is no third. But now that I’ve said that, there is. Or is there?

I talked to our illustrious future visitors on the phone last night. We were so very excited. Stella was doing some sort of weird dance when she got the news (he he he, don’t tell her I said that). We talked for a bit about some general things like what they should bring. Just before I had to go, a thought occurred to me. I mentioned that they should make sure not to bring too much because they were going to need a lot of room in their car…….to take back all our recycling

It’s the most wonderful day ever in the whole history of my very short life. Two of my best friends are coming over to visit and they are staying for a whole week. Very happy Halloween indeed. Now all we need is Wicked Servant with his guitar and it would be just like old times plus one.

Today it rained. I went for a walk in the rain. People thought I was crazy.

I miss the West Coast.