For those that don't know, I'm in graduate school in Seattle. I currently flip flop between a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Art in Theology and Culture. Maybe I will pick for reals sometime here soon. Or maybe I can do both (and be broke forever!).  Either way, it is finals week and I am attempting to condense what I have learned, unlearned, and where I find myself in my beliefs in 6-8 pages, double spaced. It's not an easy task but I am learning what is of utmost importance to me and that is helpful.

This post won't be comical or witty. Instead, I want to encourage us to think how, when, and to whom you can love better and more fully.  I struggle with this.  I want to react to people who see differently than I do and show them how they are wrong. Often, I want to convince them over to my side.  In the same manner though, I am shy. I do not like debate or to have to remain on a "side". I do not always like taking sides.   

While there may or may not be a right side, there is a different (or right?) way to love that looks more like listening than talking, more like hearing than saying, and more like humility than conviction. 

Here is a thought I had today about how I (and perhaps, we) can begin to see one another with different eyes and with a new imagination for what could be.  I want to imagine a response to exclusion that sounds like a welcome and while I do not know yet how to fully live that, it is important for me to try.

"We are always at fault of exclusion especially when it is done in resistance to a previous exclusion. Some denominations exclude women from church leadership positions and it would be understandable (perhaps even wise at times) to take a stance against them. However, if I do not make room for this voice in my conversations and posture, if I do not turn my stance towards rather than against, I am also cultivating exclusion. 

And I would suggest, perhaps I am at a greater fault than the original offender for I know the harm I cause."

 And This: My Finals Face. 

Pen Testing In Progress

I thought I was unique in my desire to have specific writing utensils. Turns out, graduate school brings all the geeks out.  In the last month, I have had more conversations around what types of pens we prefer and why than I have about Jesus...Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but you get my point.  I am currently in testing phase trying out some newly recommended pens from a trusted pen-aficionado professor at The Seattle School, Pat Loughery.  His blog is much more useful and thoughtful than mine so be sure to check it out.  He also has another called WayofLife::Online that helps shed light on our intentionality: be it in faith, relationships, and more.  You will actually learn something from him, unlike here where your best bet for learning is to just log off!

Anyways, back to the lesser story:

Historically, I prefer the moleskine brand fine point pen that writes beautifully; it doesn't blot or puddle, and clips on quite well to a journal (pen on far left in photo).  For homework and notes, my default pen of choice since 2001 is a Pilot G2 .07.  With heavier ink flow, it's great for bold writing and doodles alike (far right in photo).

Enter two new pens- Tul Retractable Gel Medium point pen (second from left) and the Tul Medium ballpoint (second from right).  I must say, the ballpoint one is surprisingly handy to journal with.  It doesn't blot or leak through the pages and glides smooth on the paper.  The retractable gel pen is heavier than I like to use in my moleskine but very comparable to the Pilot G2 .07.  I like them both.  Pat suggested a fine point as his moleskine pen of choice. I couldn't find it at the store yesterday so the quest continues.

Another nugget to ponder-does your penmanship change with your writing utensils? With your mood? At different times of the day? After caffeine? Before eating? Start to take notice. Is your penmanship always consistent regardless of these factors.  As I've been journaling more, I notice subtle and some not so subtle differences.  With technology and typeface becoming the norm for communication, penmanship is becoming a lost art. Little girls don't practice writing their future husbands last names and no one dares pass an archaic note in class either.

So today, break the rules. Write a note by hand. Hell, deliver it by hand. Even better!  And please, if you have a favorite pen, do share.  Good pens are too few and far between to keep to yourself, asshole. I would really love it if pens just started showing up in the mail for me to try! :)

Meet Sophers.

This is Sophie.  She is an almost 1 year old (She'll be 1 in 4 days. There may or may not be a party).  I named her Sophie knowing that the names means wisdom or wise one. This was my futile attempt in trying to have a smart dog. Now, Sophie is smart in the sense that she will do tricks, follow most commands, and unfortunately...is sneaky as hell.  But she just isn't very street smart. She'd never make it in Mexico. Her favorite activities include running around the church yard, going on walks in the harbor, eating the church pew in my living room, eating actual food, pooping (way too much), and sneaking lone socks out of my laundry baskets.  This last activity is my pet peeve...not because it does the most damage but because to have mismatched socks is a tragedy of great proportions for the modern day human.

Yet in her annoyance, she is also a wonderful dog.  She knows when you are sad.  She'll hop in your lap (all 70lbs of her) or snuggle up close and sniff your tears (probably because she wants to lick them more than anything).  She is never low on excitement, weird noises, and funny faces.  The photo here is when I woke her up from a mid-day nap and she looked drugged.  She is in the best mood in the morning when I first turn on the lights. She puts her chin on the edge of my bed until I get up to let her out. As a single person that is living in a new and different place, to have Sophie is a God-send.  Maybe that sounds sad or pathetic to you, but having someone or something to come home to feels nice, even if it is "just" a dog. :)

You're welcome to play with her anytime. She hasn't met a person (or dog) yet that she doesn't like!

Red Light Rear View

So funny thing here.  I think motorcycles are cool and pretty awesome looking (even though I've never actually been able to ride one) but I strongly urge those who ride to also be fans of clothing that fits properly and doesn't blow, sag, dip, or scoot. 

It's like iSpy. Find all the wardrobe malfunctions.