Magnus Dei

Will,

Good news! Give me a call tomorrow – I will be in and out of the office today to discuss you coming on board if you are still interested. Thanks.

Suzan E. Carroll-Ramsey
SC State Ports Authority

Almost 2 years to the day since I came back from the Peace Corps. Huh. Anyway, huzzah! It seems she finally cleared it with her boss. Now I just have to set up when I'll start my unpaid internship. I'm also going to try and get a part-time job on the side so I'll have at least some income. DragonCon is expensive, after all.

I had wanted to make this a double celebration by posting my first artwork to my deviantArt account and linking it here, but it seems that I don't have the proper USB cable that I thought I did for the scanner Jeromie gave me. Well, at least I have material for another post.

I'm glad that I'm drawing more of late. I still have trouble getting myself to experiment and worry less about the details, but its fun. I have some fun ideas in my head, too. First drawing, then writing? Let's hope so, because I need practice with both.

Becky's coming back to the States soon! I know she's probably reading this, but it's hard to contain my excitement. :)

And finally, since fortune has begun to favor me, I ask that you all wish for a little of it to visit upon Hope, who is waiting to hear about a job she interviewed for in Charleston. She's in much the same position I've been in, and I don't want anyone else to spend 2 years in limbo.


Twilight out.

Two Hearts, One Flesh

You have all patiently indulged me, but now I will tell you all about...

JEROMIE'S WEDDING

Thank you, Imposing Voice

NO PROBLEM

I headed up to Clemson on Friday, stopping by Greenville to pick up my tux. Apparently, Peridot is a lime-green color and not a yellow. I feel let down by my birthstone.

I arrived at DCF just in time for the rehearsal dinner. I was a little out of it at first having just finished a 3-hour drive, but the constant joking of Lance, Cory, and Ed soon woke me up. It was also good to see the Rands again. It had been years since I last saw Jeromie's family, and the kids have gotten big. Jonathan's going to college in the fall! Crazy.

After the short rehearsal, we all went for dinner at Calhoun Corners. I must say, I was impressed. This was my first time there (indeed, I didn't know there WAS a restaurant past the train tracks of downtown Clemson). It was a fun and delicious evening, but nervousness hung in the air for everyone (except the groomsmen; we're too laid-back to let it bust our chill). Lance even streaked around the house in celebration of Jeromie's impending hitching. Fortunately, he was clothed by the time Jeromie's parents showed up for a brief visit.

The next morning we rose and donned our penguin suits. I rode with Lance, Jeromie, and Jonathan up to Pretty Place. We stopped at Camp Greenville to stretch our legs, and I got the chance to chat with Jeromie's dad about trying to find my true passions.

It was quite remarkable when we got there. I imagine that all of you reading this needn't hear my sentiments, but this was my first time at Pretty Place. I missed or wasn't invited to other weddings there, which, in afterthought, made this day all the more special.

Jeromie waited in the car until everyone was certain Liz was nowhere in sight; I laughed to myself at the cuteness of it. Ed got to work setting up sound and cameras while the rest of us wandered around trading jokes and looking sharp.

Then, it was time. When I heard Canon on guitar and dulcimer, I knew to get ready. The groomsmen walked in the family, then took our place at Jeromie's side (Cory Kalbaugh was the Best Man, for those wondering). It was hard for all us groomsmen not to stare at Jeromie as the bridesmaid came in. He was grinning in an almost palpable excitement. I found myself smiling in return and inwardly rejoiced that, for the first time, I truly shared the joy of a wedding (and I've even been a groomsmen before).

And down she came. Liz's face was colored with the same untameable happiness as Jeromie's, and my heart was so full as they came together that it was hard not to laugh in merriment. The usual wedding trappings followed, including an excellent message by the DCF preacher Winn Collier (who has a book out, actually) where he addressed each of them, identifying their personalities, their passions, and their faiths. However, the true melody of love rang out when they each, starting with Jeromie, read their own vows. I had proofread Jeromie's the night before, but watching both Liz and Jeromie's mother react while he promised to fight for his bride was something I hope I never forget. My heart went out to Liz when she began to read her vows through tears she had to fight back.

Meanwhile, we groomsmen were silently suffering as the sunlight bore down on our right feet, burning in cramped black leather. We all joined in on the song and the new couple took their own communion before exchanging rings and being presented to the world. The following bustle was unremarkable by wedding standards except for one moment amidst the commotion when the photographer wanted pictures of the bride and groom and Liz, without saying a word, grabbed her new husband's hand and stood there for a few moments with what J.K. Rowling would call a "hard, burning look."

The reception was in Brevard, NC, and I got to spend some quality time with old friends Ben and Heidi. To my utter astonishment, there were no meatballs. I mean, what wedding reception doesn't have meatballs? Cake was cut, about 6 toasts were made, and the new Mr. and Mrs. Rand made their escape. The groomsmen managed to paint their car with shaving cream in time with such classics as "We're wed," "Two randy peeps," "Lizeromie," and "We're about to get it on."

After the reception, I went with Lance, Ed, and the other Rand children to a nearby bar to watch the U.S./Italy World Cup match. Such a shame...

I kept the kids entertained for the rest of the night while Lance took a nap and Ed went... somewhere. We explored the woods behind what once was Jeromie's house and waded through a river. It was an uncommonly enjoyable evening. Even eating lunch with the family the next day was fun. I just love that family!

I left late that afternoon, but not before listening to Ed, Lance, Jonathan, and Jeromie's mother debate when Jeromie and Liz would actually get around to having sex. I swear, she has to be the coolest mom ever.

And now they are enjoying the jungles of Costa Rica. A hot and steamy honeymoon for a cute and honorable, and a little reserved, courtship. I think perhaps the best way to sum up the weekend is what Winn said at the reception. For those who don't know, Jeromie has been interested in Liz for some years. When he first pursued her, she wasn't interesting in a relationship. They then built a friendship through DCF and house church until Jeromie approached her again with better results. I remember getting an e-mail from him when they started dating that said simply, "She said yes." Winn recapped this, although more briefly. Jeromie saw a woman worth fighting for, and he sought her. When turned away, he didn't give up. He came back, and slowly won her heart.

Never have I been prouder than this weekend to know Jeromie Robert Rand, my brother in Christ, and a man.


Twilight out.

Untitled

Arnold put this up on his blog, and as I have a certain affection for things like this (I just like to be the center of attention, I think), I will post it here...

1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. When and how did we meet?
4. Do you have a crush on me?
5. Would you kiss me?
6. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
7. Describe me in one word.
8. What was your first impression?
9. Do you still think that way about me now?
10. What reminds you of me?
11. If you could give me anything what would it be?
12. How well do you know me?
13. When's the last time you saw me?
14. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
15. Are you going to put this on your blog and see what I say about you?

In other news, I got an offer to work for another concrete cutting company last week, but also got a unofficial offer for an internship at the SC Ports Authority that same day. I turned down the concrete position, despite it being an actual job, as the potential to work for the lady in charge of Foreign Trade Zones seemed more in line with my skillset. Besides, concrete cutting would look weird next to the rest of the stuff on my resume. So here's hoping for an internship miracle.

Comment away! Tell me things I didn't know (or would like to hear)!


Twilight out.

A Canvas of Suffering

Someone must write of what happened two weekends ago before it fades into obscurity. Someone must bear witness to the deeds done that day. That long, hot day.

On the weekend June 3, I traveled to Clemson to participate in a very special event: Jeromie's Bachelor Party. The featured activity? Paintball. No ordinary paintball, mind you. This was paintball for men. With slingshots.

What? Yes.

Slingshots? Indeed.

While those around us shouldered their clunky gas-powered weapons, we strode into the field of battle armed only with surgical-grade rubber and the strength of our arms. It was a mixture of childlike fun with adult pain. While people like Lance and Cory racked up the kills, Arnold and I formed the self-appointed "Fodder", lifting cries of self-sacrifice as we charged into the maddened horde.

After we cleaned up, we went for barbeque and then Frankie's, where slicktrack drifting and miniature golf rounded off the day. Later on, a bruised and tired entourage relaxed on Jeromie's deck with beer and laughter. None of us had trouble getting to sleep.

And now there's less than a week until Jeromie ties the knot. Madness! I honestly don't know how I'm going to feel this weekend. It will be strange, for sure.

As for the time surrounding this past weekend, I went down to Charleston Wednesday for a seminar on Thursday about Foreign Trade Zones. It was mildly interesting, although mostly irrelevant for someone without a specific need to know about them. I went at the suggestion of the Director of the SC World Trade Center. I talked to a few people, as was my goal, and even handed out a resume. We'll see what happens, but so far my networking has been successful.

After the conference I went for a walk downtown. I took a table in a coffee shop with some iced Oregon Chai and started small-talk with a man next to me. As we were talking, his rather attrative daughter with cold eyes walked in. When I mentioned that I had studied French, I rather abrubtly learned that she was fluent. We exchanged a few phrases, and the two of them parted. I felt a cold panic the whole time I spoke with her, afraid of not understanding her or knowing how to say what I wanted. Yes, this boy needs to practice speaking his French. I'm not terrible, so why shouldn't I try to be fluent? Becky?

Oh, yes. Arnold got two new games: Paper Mario-the Thousand Year Door and Kirby Air Ride. Air Ride is lots of fun, and quirky to boot, but Paper Mario was the big surprise. To Arnold, specifically, as he didn't realize when he got it that is was an RPG, and he doesn't play RPGs. Or he didn't use to. :)

Turning to more serious matters, my OCD has started to surge recently. On many recent evenings, I'll start to experience a 'funk'. I described it to Jeromie as feeling like someone's watching you (except that you know they're only in your head), and knowing that if you show any weakness, they will devour you. Rather disconcerting. It also makes me feel like all the things in my life, and often my life itself, are meaningless. I'm going to try readjusting my schedule under the supposition that perhaps the gap between the times I take my medicine is allowing for these swings. If that doesn't help, it's back to my creepy shrink.

Oh, before I forget. I watched "Good Night and Good Luck" while I was up at Clemson. For those who are familiar with Edward R. Murrow, you'll excuse my fawning over his masterful articulation and the artistry with which he spoke. For those who aren't familiar, I suggest a rental. It's short, but the writing's good.


Update: completed
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Awesomeness: intact
Twilight: out