It's been a while. I had a good time on my retreat. It was a little weird to have nothing to do but wander around and pray, but weird in a good way.

Since my last few posts have been about illness, I decided I should write about something frivolous.

But what?

There's American Idol. I have never really been a fan, but I would watch the final few episodes. For some reason I started watching this season. When the final 24 episode came around, I still didn't have a favorite picked, but I liked the guys better than the girls. Then, out of nowhere, this guy with long dreadlocks comes out and I have my favorite. Yes, I will admit it here. I am a Jason Castro fan. You can look him up on youtube if you care. He appeared practically nowhere in the early episodes, mostly because they couldn't get permission to air the songs he sang. So I had no idea what he was going to sound like. Vocally, David Archuleta is way better, but he lacks something. I always feel like I am watching a chorus concert soloist. You don't get a sense of style, but his voice is amazing. Jason has a style of his own. The videos of him singing before Idol on youtube cemented my decision. So. As embarrassing as it is. I'm a fan. But I don't vote.

Which leads me to a question I have been thinking of posting. What is something you have never done?

I've never voted on a reality show
I've never ridden a real train
I've never sent a text message


On another subject entirely, I have tentatively found a church. I've been going since Thanksgiving, but I've missed alot. I've had a hard time catching the vibe, so I decided to go on wed nights to get to meet people. There are about 1000 people in the congregation. My main concerns were that it was an offshoot of the non-movement known as the emerging church or that it was a seeker-friendly church. I asked the teacher tonight if they were affiliated with either of these things, and he told me no. I was relieved. What I really like about this church is that the teaching is very simple and straight forward, and out of the Bible instead of the latest Christian self-help book. I think this is where I am supposed to be for now, of course, that can change. I have two new friends to take with me. The little girls(they are 9 and 10) who live next door went with me this past Sunday. They live with their dad, grandad, and 16 yr old uncle. So since I was nice to them, they've kind of latched on. When I mentioned I was going to church, the younger girl immediately asked if she could go with me, then her sister wanted to go, too. They are very lonely.

I guess that is all. I should go to bed now.