Leading the Group

Tonight's small group (with the Presbyterian church) was on part 3 in A Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Sterns (the US president of World Vision). I had signed up to lead since people were reluctant too. I felt the same way... I went through most of the winter study without doing anything... I had joined after the assignments were filled in. But this time, the sign-up sheet was right in front of me with a glaring blank space for tonight.

I had read most of the section on my honeymoon... reading about the history and mechanics of extreme poverty while going 500 mph at 40,000 feet, and spending a descent amount of money on my happiness.

I really liked his opening stuff about the 75% disparity between the rich and the poor in the world. But then he made some sweeping statements about history, and started spouting in flowery language about obvious things... like we don't care about suffering unless it's personal somehow. And a recurring theme was a prayer by the founder to be able to experience sorrow for the poor like God does. I have heard this before and I don't quite buy it. I think it's kind of arrogant to talk that way; sorrow like that would crush me. He did re-word it well though: be soft-hearted and open to God's work.

So I spent a couple hours in the wee small hours of the morning writing down things like this and main points to talk about. The study questions in the back were completely worthless, so I was mostly winging it. The topic is something I've pondered quite a bit... and is rather important to me: how much are we supposed to help people far away who are very poor? How much should we leave to the politicians to bring about change in the third-world countries? How much of our God-given excess should be shared with those who have less?

I liked how he referenced lots of scriptures about how much God cares about the poor. Like Ezekiel 16:49... Sodom's primary sin was one of excess and uncaring for the poor and needy. And I liked how he described those people's conditions and outlined what it means to be poor and what keeps people in that situation.

A struggle for me is the people here on the streets... they are right here... but they have different options than the very poor in other countries. If they'd only try to work, they'd do better. One big point he made is that in many countries, it doesn't matter how hard you work; there is no way to make it better. So what does that mean for what I do with my money? I don't know.

The best part was how he talked about giving a hand-up instead of a handout. Giving small business loans, or things that will help them take care of themselves... like a clean water source.

Okay, you get the point. We talked for a little over an hour, and thankfully, many had opinions. I'd ask a question or bring up a point in the book to keep it flowing. They say I did a good job, but all I felt were butterflies in my stomach nearly the whole time.

Shopping and Things

This afternoon I did quite a bit. Bought a new digital uniform at the NEX, then volunteered at the library for a couple hours. Somehow the folks there thought I was almost leaving... but I soon put that idea out of their heads. So I was able to talk a lot about my wedding and honeymoon. This time I reshelved graphic novels, regular fiction and a cart of the 700s non-fiction.

From there, I went to In & Out, tried to find Switchfoot's new album at a few places, but only found a couple very interesting British magazines (a special of BBC History on WWII, and an international fleet review) at B&N, and a very nice pair of black gloves at Target. The guy there suggested I try Best Buy... and that did work out after I picked up a loaf of bread at the grocery nearby. Back on base I listened to the new CD "Vice Verses" straight through and enjoyed it very much. I also got a cheap copy of "The Beautiful Letdown" for a backup.

Yesterday I was able to talk to admin about getting a housing allowance since I'm married... and I also put in a name-change request. So I ordered new name-tapes, and those should arrive Friday or Monday.

Late that night I couldn't get to sleep very soon... so I read quite a few articles in the WWII magazine, and then spent a good couple hours preparing for leading the discussion at my small group tonight.

Jp

Another Place

Everything from the wedding and honeymoon are here.

Jp... or now... Jw :)

Another Little Project

For most of Sunday and a bit of today I've been writing down and adding pictures to my journal from my ROTC experience from 2005 at the University of Washington. I've updated the language and added some things that I had left out... I had written it to kill time on airplane flights the year after it happened. :)

Here's the link

Jp

Lazy Day

It was pretty relaxing. I went to Denny's for breakfast, for the first time in a while... and they still remembered me, and what I like to order. :)

Took a little trip to Fry's Electronics to get a USB car charger. Got a disc drive cleaner, an audio jack splitter, new headphones, and a thingy that lets you play your music over the radio. Am I getting too technical?

Had lunch back in my room, created a new blog for the wedding, had dinner at the galley, talked with Mom & Dad, and then Meg... and then got on chat.

Jp

PS... and I found out of Facebook that my Huskies beat Hawai'i today. It was the return trip for the time we visited there in December 2007... the game I went to, where we started off so wonderfully, and then choked in the end. They held on well this time. :)

Peculiar Particulars

So Wednesday evening, even though I had been driving all day, I decided to go to the NEX on 32nd street and look for a smart phone. I missed several calls that day, and I was tired of the pathetic reception from my other service. So I have a new phone number! The lady answered many questions for me, and I decided to go for it. So far I have been pretty pleased. I even posted to my navy blog yesterday, using it! And I have some reception in the galley, and sometimes on the windowsill in my room, not to mention a more reliable service everywhere else.

It was a very productive day. Not only did I work until 3pm, but I worked out afterwords, cleaned up and then went on this shopping spree. I also got a nice roller-bag (with laptop pocket) carry-on size luggage at the same place in anticipation of the very big trip next week. :)

But Thursday was the really strange day. I had it off, so I fiddled with the new phone the whole morning. I was done with my little duty (chow relief driver) at 12:30, so I promptly returned to my room, had great enjoyment watching Robin Hood (1938) again, then started putting music on the phone. And then zip! Exactly at 3:38, the power went off. I continued working with the phone for the short life of my computer's battery, and then I had dinner at the galley, called home, took a shower with a flashlight, wandered around until the sun went down, and watched this from the waterfront:

It was sort of exciting. It afforded me an opportunity to see the city in a way I will hopefully never see it again, and more blessedly, a grand view of the stars in the clear sky, with a preeminent moon shining all over the place.

This outage put all in confusion. The base was semi-locked down, the traffic was awful without the streetlights and stoplights, and when the power came back on early this morning (around 3:30 am they say) the phones on the base were down so we were awarded a day off.

I reported to work anyway (because I hadn't heard this word of mouth news) and it's good I did, because a few folks needed to be driven to the Sub Base for classes, and apparently, no one else was available. When I got back it was time for my doctor's appointment (heath assessment) in anticipation of the November PRT. After that I picked up my car from the NEX (the stuff for the AC needed to be replenished) and then drove up the hill for a shrimp burrito and then to the library for four hours of blissful work. I worked with the audiobooks nearly the whole time... after I re-shelved a cart of them, Christine, the librarian, asked me to pull a bunch with beat up cases and replace them. As I was on my knees organizing the cabinet where the cases were kept, she came by and told me I was hired. :)

Somebody donated a ton of books today... the majority of which they had to discard. I browsed through them, rescued a few to be taken to the local used book store, and found a darling, old copy of Jane Eyre. Decided to peek into the Library Sale room as well and found the first couple years of MHQ (1988-1990) in hardback for a $ a book (retailing at $12 each these days). Needless to say, I had a great time looking through them before I selected 11 volumes (the first two sets of 4, then 3 more).

Back on base I had chow, then returned to my car and read the last few chapters of Jane again. So happy! :)

Jp

Slower Days

Yesterday I slept in too late to go to the Mission Village church, so I tried out the "Divine Protestant Service" at 10:30 on the sub base. Tiny little chapel, but very pretty. It has wood paneling, a dozen or so wooden pews on each side of the single aisle, a wooden pulpit to the back right of the room as you walk in, and a big cross with an open Bible on a table in front. I sort of figured it'd be rather traditional... the Catholic service is in the same building at 9.

The Chaplain opened the service with a reading from Colossians 1. I thought, "Wow, he starts with the sermon"... but that was just the welcome. :) We sang a few familiar hymns, including Fairest, Lord Jesus, did a bit of corporate prayer, then heard from Mark 4, where Jesus calms the storm. He went through the disciples actions and related that to how we should respond to trouble. It was a pretty good service, and I was pleasantly surprised.

My plan to go shooting at the gun range didn't pan out that afternoon though, because the guy I was going with stood me up. The joys of dealing with other people.

I did end up watching the movie I picked up at the library on Saturday... "84 Charing Cross Road" (1987, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft), and I enjoyed it immensely. Afterwords I went out to the Chinese Buffet on Sports Arena Blvd and thoroughly enjoyed their won ton soup and shrimp-fried rice, among other things. Then I stopped at Target for a new alarm clock, but couldn't find anything satisfactory. I did browse practically the entire store though, looking at the newest pocket camera (with 18x optical zoom! - Nikon S9100) and a few smart phones, a Rolling Stone special edition of the Beatles's albums... and other things. I found the metal wallet with accordion slots as advertised on TV, and I absolutely love it.

~

Today I did do what I planned. Stopped at McDonald's for oatmeal, juice and a sausage biscuit... on my way to Cabrillo National Monument. Got at the park at a quarter to ten, and didn't leave until one. Decided to get an annual pass this time, and if I go more than twice in the rest of the time I'm here, I will come out ahead. :)

Explored all the tide-pools for a long time; took lots of pics of the rocks, waves and crabs. Slipped and fell on my rear at one point... but barely even got wet. Had to carefully navigate across a steep ledge that was only a foot or so wide, but there were lots of hand-holds, and it was only for a couple feet. lol :) I then drove up to the top and got pictures from the lighthouse and visitor center.

For the rest of the day I did a little more shopping. Found some new shoes at Payless for a steal! And finally got an alarm clock at CVS... but found out when I returned that my old one still does work... just needed to take out the batteries and put them back in! So now I must return to CVS.

Had a burrito at Chipotle for a late lunch, then watched "Hellcats of the Navy" (Ronald Reagan, with an introduction by The Chester W. Nimitz). It was a present a while ago from my Mom and Dad. Otherwise, I've done my laundry and otherwise readied myself for the Navy tomorrow.

What an exciting, fun (and very long) weekend!

Jp

Out With a Bang... Or Several...

This was technically a duty day... I woke up early at 0600 to phone in muster with the quarterdeck, and then was early to pick up my bravo duty driver phone at 0115 for the 0130 turnover. And I turned it in at 0630... I read in The Kite Runner for a couple hours, and otherwise rested. I was very tired.

That was because it was a very full day. First thing I did, I went to the library for nearly two hours. I first purchased a ticket to the symphony's outdoor summer pops Tchaikovsky concert that I found out about from an email they sent me. Then I took care of re-shelving the audio books and various dvds. I left at a quarter to one, the perfect amount of time to get macaroni salad, raspberries, and hot dogs & buns at Stump's Market, across the street, then arrive at the Witte's apartment just as the BBQ was to begin. We watched The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, relaxed at their complex's pool, ate magnificently (including hamburgers and ice cream), and watched Spaceballs too.

From there I went to Old Town to hop on a trolley for downtown. I didn't know exactly where at the Embarcadero Marina Park it would be held at, and I did take a wrong turn down the first little peninsula, instead of the second, behind the convention center. Sat down on my spot of lawn ten minuted before the concert was to begin.

It started with March Slave, then the Violin Concerto (which replaced the Piano Concerto that they planned, due to the pianist getting very sick). Their concertmaster volunteered to perform it, at the rehearsal six hours before the first performance (yesterday)! And he did extremely well. The conductor said the orchestra didn't have a chance to rehearse the piece before they played it that night!

During intermission I wandered around, taking a look at the 16 theatrical cannons they had on the other side of the audience (glad of that, they were very loud). And I found an isolated spot where I could watch the rest of the concert with an unobstructed view and away from the noisy children that accompanied their parents on the designated lawn. I also signed the guestbook for the giant flag travelling all 50 states before visiting the September 11th sites on that day.

The second half of the performance they played the Swan Lake Suite, ending with the famous waltz. People started clapping between movements after the third or fourth movement (out of the seven they played). But the grand finale! The 1812 Overture! Near the end, the guns boomed, the fireworks lit up the sky over the bay (right below the half-full moon), and a dozen members of the Navy Band Southwest marched in time onto the stage and uniformly raised their horns to support the big brass ending (this I did myself once -2005-2006, I think - while in the Husky Marching Band, we were invited by the Seattle Symphony to accompany the very same part). So much fun!

Jp

Day at the Races

It started off kind of slow... I did my laundry. But it was the first loads of laundry in our brand new washers and dryers! So in a way, it was exciting. Had frosted mini-wheats for breakfast (woke up at 9!) and PB & honey on wheat around 11, and a salad at the galley for lunch.

Thought I had a dental cleaning this afternoon, but it ended up just being the doctor confirming that I needed one. So I was able to take off for Del Mar pretty early, at 2:30. Got there around 3, and the first race started at 4. I asked an employee about which gate to enter (I was in front of the club entrance at the time) and he gave me a free pass to get in the ($6) general admission gate. Wandered into their store to look around, found nothing, and then saw the paddock from a back window.

The rest of the time I spent between the paddock and the front rail of the racetrack, at least for the first three races. I had a hotdog for dinner, then caved in for a giant oatmeal raisin cookie. The next two races I saw from the different levels of the grandstand... and between races I wandered around and looked at all the neat old photos that were displayed everywhere.

I had pretty good luck... 1st race, my pick (#8 Hy Lime Time) got 3rd. 2nd race, my pick (#7 Dance With Gable) got 1st! 3rd race, my pick (#6 Money Lover) got 3rd, except he led the pack until the final stretch. 4th race I got skunked, but my pick (#1 Sabe) led the pack same as above... got 4th or 5th, or something. 5th race I got 1st again (#2 Battle School), but I wasn't paying as close attention. Two 1st's out of five... not bad. Too bad I didn't actually bet on some of them. :)

I didn't watch the 6th and 7th races because I wanted to get back to Point Loma in time for my small group meeting at the Presbyterian church that's starting up again for the fall. We're reading Richard Stern's (president of World Vision) "Hole in Our Gospel". It was a lively discussion to kick it off. And they were all very happy to hear that I was getting married so soon (it is a young married's group, after all). :)

Jp

In the Tempest

click the photo to see the Globe's website, where I got it from (there are others)

It was a last minute idea to go see the last of the Shakespeare plays at the Old Globe... it was vivid... fun and interesting to watch. The last time I had seen it was at Juanita High School... and I don't remember understanding it back then. There were a bunch of elementary age school kids that sat in front of me in my section. I can't imagine how much they understood... but they seemed to enjoy themselves. And it was good, as one grey-haired gentleman behind me said, to see younger people there.

I loved how they used a giant blue sheet to become the ocean, and when raised up on cables, the sail of the ship that crashes. Before it started and during intermission they played sounds of the surf over the speakers. Lovely little touches, really.

Jp