Seems like I'm back into not finishing books again. I'm still going slowly through Peterson's The Jesus Way, which I started before Spring Break. Then there's Jonathan Franzen's Strong Motion, which I started a week or so ago but to no avail.

This afternoon (following faculty meeting) I made my way down to Ala Moana to stop at a couple of places. Blizzard from Dairy Queen. A shirt from Sears. And then Barnes and Noble. I was surprised that Chuck Palahniuk's new book had dropped. I knew he had one coming out, but didn't realize it was so soon. I didn't buy it, mind you. You have to be in the right frame of mind for him. I really wanted to see if Michael Chabon's new book, The Yiddish Policemen's Union had dropped yet. Came out today, actually. I've been a fan since Wonder Boys. When I finally got around to reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, I was totally bowled over by the immensity of it. So I kind of have strange high hopes for this 400-page adventure that involves Jews living in Alaska instead of in Israel. Reviews for the book (the one I've read) was mostly positive. Called it a good book but not a great one. I'll have to be the judge of that.
If you've got a free minute or two along with a speedy connection, check out this site. It's a video of Andrew Osenga singing his song "The Morning" at a very recent concert. I have to pass on good things to you all.

This morning I woke up with the thought that maybe I can stay around in Hawaii for a good while. . . Maybe it was the loss of blood from yesterday; I don't know. But the thought was there, and it's worth thinking about. I know life is about day by day, and there are lots of days to make it through. But the thought caught me off guard.

Not much to say tonight except that I gave blood today for the first time since my senior year of high school. It wasn't that bad. The blood-giving took all of five minutes. It was the before and after that took up the time. I need to do it more often. Guess I just dislike discomfort. Something about having a needle sticking in your arm for an extended period of time that's strange.

Still, I did it, and it was fine. So maybe I'll do it again some time.

Can't believe it's been so long since I last said something here. Llife's been hectic in a mostly good way this last week or so. There was the Big Island trip (that went great), there's been school (which has gone okay), there's been all kinds of extra-curricular stuff at school (still not over yet), there's been church stuff, and there's been quality time with friends. My grandmother celebrated her 88th birthday. My niece celebrated her 13th birthday. I'm behind on e-mails. I keep forgetting to pick up and finish books that I've been reading. I'm trying to get some quality grading done. I'm trying to swim a few times a week. And the days are packed.

So I'll try to take some time over the next few nights/days to get this site updated with stuff from the last couple of weeks. I've got three weeks of classes left, and that's a good feeling. I hope they go smoothly and quickly. Lots of ground to cover, but it's possible.

Hope this finds anyone reading this doing well. Thanks for stopping by!

While so much of the rest of the island sleeps, I'm waiting to make my way to the airport for a trip to the Big Island with the seniors.

This will be my "fourth island" (after Oahu, Kauai, and Maui) to set foot on. I'm hoping it will be a good trip. If it's not, I've got a couple of books to keep me company.

Finished the Franzen collection last night. Really good book. Even the last essay, which focuses on his obsession with birdwatching, was pretty good. He weaves stories together in an interesting way. Hard to describe. Lots of digressions that may not seem to make sense but really do in the end.

Yesterday, Romans 8 became one of my favorite chapters of the Bible, especially how The Message renders it. And I don't mean just the "God is for us" part. I mean the "pregnant creation" part. It's been a long time since I did much time with Paul in Rome (after years of hearing it at Wedgwood), so it's been a nice change of pace. Think I'll spend some more time there this weekend.

Well, in the words of Jack's Mannequin, I guess I can say "I'm ready." Blessings on you all. I'm going to hop between islands now.