Been a busy week here at the CavHome while I try to prepare for Sunday’s sermon. We were delighted to have Dr. & Mrs. Probst join us for dinner on their visit to Florida. They spent nearly 4 years in London while Chris worked on his Ph.D. in history. It was great to see them again. The last time we’d seen them in person, we told them we were expecting. So this time they got to meet the 2 CavKids. After putting the kids to sleep, we spent a few hours on the back porch catching up and telling stories.
Chris and I have a fairly long history together. We’ve been on 2 mission trips together, co-lead a Bible study together, shared a house together, spent 2 weeks in England & Scotland together, I officiated the beginning of his wedding ceremony, he was one of my groomsmen and we enjoy some lively Boston/NY sports debates. So, it was great catching up.
The next morning I brought CavSon to his appointment in Orlando, and gave the car-less Probsts a ride to Orlando. CavSon really enjoyed them too, playing well with Mrs. Probst. He cried when we dropped them off.
Friday night I took a road trip up to Orlando (Winter Park, precisely) to join the Probsts, Stephens, Smiths, Tom & Mitch for dinner at PRs (a Mexican place). For 3 1/2 hours we laughed and enjoyed each others company. All of us guys were in the same Bible study for years, and I heard about “how long we were in Genesis” among other things. Tom remembered the odd messages I would have on our answering machine even way back then. 4 of the 5 guys also went on Mission trips together too. So, we’ve got some good history together. I really miss being in a ‘band of brothers’ like that. That has been harder here in Winter Haven. Many of my pastor friends moved away, and there aren’t many guys my age.
I was a “joy stealer”. A few of them were excited about the inroad the movie Facing the Giants was making. It was made for almost nothing and has grossed about $30 million. It’s even being shown on a Turkish airline. That doesn’t make it a good movie, just an influential one. It (inadvertantly?) communicates that all will go well if you just give your life to Jesus. The coach goes from having a disgustin house, dying car, barren wife and horrible team to an improved house, new car, pregnant wife and winning team because he re-commits himself to Jesus. Yes, I’m cynical… but there are some false expectations that are created there. You can like the movie and still be my friend 🙂
Anticipating lots of traffic, I took CavWife’s car so I had access to a CD player. On the way to Orlando I was able to enjoy Perfecta by Adam Again. Very good, though not their best album (probably that honor belongs to 10 Songs By or Dig). Lots of loud guitars and extended songs with jamming. Gene Eugene’s lyrics here are mostly indecipherable, at least to me. But there are some very good songs.
On the way home I tried to listen to the Celtics-Pistons game. Reception was sketchy until it finally became unrecognizable. So I turned to Tonio K’s Notes from the Lost Civilization. This was his 2nd post-conversion album and was produced by T-Bone Burnett. It has lots of surf music guitar and Hammond B-3 organ on it. His humor is less acerbic, it was a very enjoyable album. I wish someone would have picked Tonio up after What? Records went under. I was supposed to see him in Boston after the release of this album, for $1.04 (it was sponsered by FM104 WBCN which used to be a great rock radio station in Boston). I guess 1.04 people bought tickets, because the venue seemed closed. Great disappointment, especially after hearing of his wild stage shows.
CavDaughter has been experiencing all kinds of head trauma. Yesterday afternoon, just before her nap, she was singing “Ring Around the Rosie” while spinning around when her head slammed into the corner of the end table. Just missed her eye, but it swelled up and is a nicely colored bruise. Then this morning she was not paying attention while eating breakfast. She tumbled off the chair and the back of her head slammed into the low-lying marble window sill that is common here in FL. Lots more crying and drama!
The laptop’s issues have returned- the screen flickers on & off. Since this is the 4th time- it is declared a lemon. Back to Best Buy to pick up a replacement, just as the extended warrentee expires. But I needed to delve into new technology so I could back it up. Yes, a new external hard drive. But then the wireless card disappeared. Coincidence or causation? I don’t know. But I’ll have to set up the new laptop. So … I’m not sure when I shall post next. Here’s to finding one that still has XP instead of Vista!!!
Read Full Post »