Finally some time to sit and write. This is difficult to find these days as I think that I am busier than I have been at any other point in my life.
Here in Greece, Carnival is coming to an end for the Orthodoxy; it started about a week ago, but since I wasn’t writing I could not inform you. Basically, the church is gearing up for the 40 day meat fast which leads up to Easter (they celebrate Easter at the end of April). This past week the Greeks have been going out and eating mass quantities of meat and having parties that mix our notions of an arts fair with Halloween (how’s that for imagery). Now, on Monday they will give up all meat products to cleanse themselves for the crucifixion of Christ.
Listen, I don’t mean to be a heretic and I certainly do not pretend to be a religious scholar, but this seems counter productive to me. If you eat as much meat in a week as you would in 40 days, how is that then a sacrifice? Not to mention, giving up all of your protein for 40 days, that’s not very healthy. Would it not be a better sacrifice to lessen your intake of meat year round; perhaps, giving the spare production to needy countries? This idea seems healthier, closer to God’s teachings, and more socially conscious; but, no one asked me.
I’ll stop there with that conversation for fear that I have already offended someone. As for me, I have really just been working . . . a lot. I have not traveled since my trip to Mt. Olympus, which was awesome; no spectacular stories, just hiking and beautiful limestone. Other than that I have just been going to school, writing lesson plans, grading, and playing football (my foot is all better). I turned in my resume to Pinewood and am waiting a reply (Tom Cahalan if you read this, did you get my e-mail?) from that; the waiting game is kind of killing me.
Otherwise, I am simply counting my chickens before they hatch. I have been looking at the salary that I will have if I get a job here and trying to figure out what I could afford rent and transportation wise; I know it is a bit premature, but . . . what can I say? I have also begun to plan my travels for May, as I have about four weeks after school ends until my plane leaves Milan for Phili. I am thinking about getting a select Eurail pass for three countries and 7 days of travel in two months, this will work the best for what I want to do.
Overall things continue to progress. Life is wonderful, the people are great, and I have no room to complain (except that I would like to hear form more of you on the comments page; get your butts in gear).
I hope that everything is going well with all of you and that spring is coming your way. I would love an update from the climbing gym (Jud, seeing as how you seem to be the only one that reads this thing, it kind of falls on your shoulders); is everyone prepping for the mass exodus or was it all talk?
If the Wyomingtons read this thing, I hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Adam is going to EMT school.
Keith and Sarah I have not talked to in ages (you need to move into this decade and get some internet).
Mom and Dad are wonderful as always; getting ready for springtime with two feet of snow.
Time flies as energy flows.
Peace, love, and happiness
ian
8 comments:
You are so cool!!! awesome...
Hey, It is nice to see you are doing good. I check this thing way to frequently. Your profile views probably sky rocket because of me. Any ways I have a random question. The bike you let me borrow, I have not brought it down the last two quarters but will be bringing it down spring quarter since I will have way to much free time. The question is, the tires have presta valves, is that correct? and I bought a little hand pump that switches between the two styles of valves. I cannot seem to get air in to the tire. What am I doing wrong? just email me a ch201507@ohio.edu
thanks
Cory
HI Ian! So you are giving me a hard time about not having internet at home huh? Well I have internet at work and seem to remember asking about a hundred times for your mailing address... but anyways. Things are good. The sun is out, the time has changed, all good things. I am looking into another job, still at Cornell, being an Anesthesia Assistant... I am VERY excited about it... VERY. Between that excitement and feeling rejuvinated from the time change I feel like there could be some better times a-comin'.. at least I hope so.
I do miss you and think of you often.
Talk to you soon!
Hey Ian,
I love visiting your blog. You are correct about your meat sacrifice thoughts. Being a glutton in order to 'sacrific???' is not very biblical. If one want to know what it means to be a Christian they need to spend time getting to know Christ not human traditions. Then maybe our attempts at obedieance and human traditions can either reflect or at least not malign what he was about.
I wish I could come visit you in Greece! We might not have all the same interest but I think we could find some things to do together and I know I could find things to do while you were busy. Ah well - I haven't made it to England either.
So, if you get a job there how long will you be there?
I have 4 more classes to finish which I will be finished with in August. I do still have 3 gen ed courses which I didn't need 20 years when I was completing my Associates degree. I will probably do those through correspondence at the University of KY. Where, by the way, I may be employed in the not to distant future. I was interview for a position on the Kentucky Clinical Trials Network team. This is the adminstrative end of the Kentucky Lung Cancer Research effort being done through UK and the University of Louisville. Pretty cool - the position could open some doors for me to get involved in the chaplain program at the UK Hospital and Clinic!
Would love to hear from you if you ever slow down enough to e-mail me.
Love - Aunt B
Hey Ian- I am using your blog to get to Sarah and Keith because I have no means to reach them. If you could pass this on if you have a means to do so and maybe remove the comment since it isn't pertinent to you. If not then leave it up and maybe they will read it! Soooo, Sarah, could I have your e-mail address at work so I can be in touch?
b_ofpbnj@mail.kynet.com
Thanks Ian-
Love you - Aunt B
Hey Ian,
I have been following your blog RELIGIOUSLY (funny in the light of your post). Have you been seeing my comments? If not, I will fill you in.
Climbed in the second spot comp, climbed in the open category... weird climbing with Paul Robinson and Kara Caputo. Finals are this weekend.
I'm building a trad rack for our trip up The Diamond (a flash none-the-less). 3 new c4's so far and a few hexes.
So yea, everything is going well here and it looks like it is there too.
Peace-
brendan
I always assumed that the hedonism of carnival and to a lesser extent any of the holidays was a result of the constant dichotomy between our primal desires to live an unencumbered life and the forces of governmental and religious orthodoxy bending us to their wills. Especially in the more dictatorial and/or orthodox countries, I think these holidays act as valves releasing the steam from the pressure cooker so that the top doesn't completely blow. There are some though who feel the need to release steam more often or constantly. :-)
Remember Che said that revolution was impossible in any country where there was even the facade of democracy as the people felt that there were other, less dangerous, less committing ways to achieve a modicum of what they desired.
And give me a break about the internet. I have internet at work and I check it at the Brookton market over the weekend. So quit whining and drop me a line if you want to chat! I'm getting ready to pull my bike down and tune it up. Can't wait to ride with you this summer. Are you reading anything en-reasoning? Don't forget Monday is the best pressure valve of the year, St. Paddy's. Pints of Guinness Make You Strong!
Love, luck, and lollipops.
k-
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