Infamous in Ohio

So... I called in to a radio show today in Ohio. I know I should have known better, but sometimes you just can't keep your peace when people are being that hateful, ignorant, and stupid (yes, in fact, it was a combination of all three).

"Why would you call a radio station in OH?" you might ask.

Well, Emjay, Fuego and I are on vactaion visiting family, and Uncle Rockin' was filling in on a local radio show, so we were listening. The subject of Islam came up in one of the calls where some ignorant local made a terribly hateful and prejudiced statement about the nature of Islam as a religion.

Having taken two very enlightening courses in Islam last semester while completing my Masters in Ethics and Social Theory, I have since taken it upon myself to challenge the ethos of fear surrounding Islam whenever it presents itself... so I called.

Apparently drawing parallels between the kind of religious extremism that incites people to violence in the middle east and the bombing of abortion clinics by Christian extremists in the 80s was too much of a stretch for Rockin's audience, one of whom called in to not only insult me, but the entire Episcopal Church (which this individual recommended everyone leave because "they're the ones that accept the gays"). People can only call once per day, so I didn't get to call back (probably a good thing since I was pretty fired up at the time... which for those who know me is really saying something).

Subsequently, five people emailed Rockin' to voice their opinion that I shouldn't be allowed to be a priest ;o)

I was kind of hoping for more than six responses, but apparently, none of the disagreeing locals listening were capable of entering into intelligent debate with my dissident opinions... oh well, at least I'm infamous somewhere =o)

On a positive note, I did have a lively conversation with Uncle Rockin' on the subject -- I don't think we necessarily agree on some of the finer points, but I'm grateful that we can at least agree on the broader nature of Islam outside of extremist activity.

To be honest I don't know what came over me, but I have to admit that it was kind of fun being a rabble rouser outside of the context of preaching.

Who'da Thunk it?!

Of all the places in the world that I thought I would ever say, "What a cool town!," Reno would not have been one of them.

I must, however, admit to the world that Reno -- outside of the casino and neon scene -- is delightful, progressive, quaint, fun, and beautiful! (I think that hurt a little).

Fuego and I (and Emjay and Ginger) visited some seminary friends in Reno two weekends in a row (bookending our trip to camp). On the first visit, we were surprised to find that Reno was so much larger than just the cityscape of neon signs, casinos, and cheap (and dirty) hotels. The residential part of town where our friends live was quiet, scenic, and reminded me of some parts of Laramie Wyoming (a quaint little town where my great-aunt used to live). We had some amazing food, found one of the coolest pet-food stores I've ever found (I will be looking for the grass tile when I redo the kitchen in our future house-to-be), and, on a tip from DogFriendly.com, went to Wild Oats Market, which turned out to be one of the best natural foods stores I've found in years (at least as cool as Whole Paycheck but without the visible dent left in your wallet). Our friend's home was quite beautiful, with an awesome terraced backyard full of native flora and a serene feeling that comes with a well kept and intentionally calm oasis.

On the way home, we stopped again, this time to have lunch with another seminary friend at a different but equally as tasty restaurant. Then we took Ginger to an amazing dog-park that used to be a ranch. She had a blast and was exhausted enough to sleep for the whole ride home. We'll be going back at some point to check out another dog park that has it's own lake (zoiks!), and to spend some more time checking out the river in the historic downtown area.

I'm as surprised as anyone to be saying that Reno is a beautiful town... I guess you just have to know where to look!

Anniversary Quatro!

Fuego and I celebrated our fourth anniversary this past Thursday =o)

In the midst of summer camp, we were able to take a whole afternoon off to spend some wonderful time together as a family.

We took Ginger to a dog-friendly beach where she got to play in the lake and exercise her lab side (only after overcoming her boxer side, of course) by swimming to fetch sticks. This is always an epic struggle between the two sides of her lineage. The boxer side staunchly demands that she only wade into the water up to the point of feeling buoyant, while the lab side (from which she got her webbed paws) can hardly contain its excitement to bound out into the depths and swim for all she's worth. And so she charges out into the water, confidently pursuing her stick, only to screech to a halt when she finds herself start to feel light and floaty. She stretches her neck, trying desperately to reach the stick from the safety of the wading depths of the shoreline. She paces back and forth, not wanting to lose the prize, but unwilling to allow herself to take the plunge and swim for it. Finally, the stick washes in far enough for her to grab it and she proudly prances back to dry land only to repeat the process another two or three times until her lab side works up enough impatience to propel her into the water and finally swim for it. "Victory!" her lab-brain cries. Then, the barrier broken through, she swims happily for the rest of the time we're at the beach.

Next we drove back toward town and stopped for a hike at a near-by state-park. Ginger had ample opportunity to dry off while we traipsed through the trees, and Emjay and I found an awesome swing set and a giant slide to go down. Emjay quite simply LOVED the swing. I had her in her Ergo Carrier and as we swung back and forth on the big-kid swing, she opened her mouth wide with excited grins and wide eyes. The slide was pretty amazing as well, though I think papa enjoyed that one more than Emjay ;o)

After hiking our fill in a beautiful little mountain park, Fuego and I dropped Ginger off back at camp and headed into town for an amazing dinner at a little restaurant in town. As it turned out, this little restaurant was a five-star gem overlooking the lake with outstanding food and awesome service. It has been featured in culinary magazines as far away as in New York, and people come from all over the country to this little resort town to enjoy an exquisite meal.

Not ones to shy away from a little eavesdropping now and then, Fuego and I both noted that while the atmosphere was delightful and homey, many of the guests were rather pretentious and full of themselves.

We ordered off of the (amazing) appetizer menu and were quite satisfied without having to break the bank with $30+ entrees (yikes!). Maybe we'll go back for our tenth and splurge when we're a bit more established ;o)

Emjay accompanied us to dinner and graced us with a nap that lasted from bread to Creme Brulée -- thanks chica!! =o)

It is hard to believe that we've been married for four years already. It all still feels so new and exciting, yet at the same time, I feel like we know each other better than anyone else in the world. It's truly amazing to feel so in love with someone and get to spend every day of your life with your best friend.

Happy Anniversary, EJ!!! =o)

Home again home again, jiggity jog...

Fuego, Emjay, Ginger, and I have just gotten home from a week of Summer Camp!

I was invited to be chaplain for a week at a summer camp in my new diocese (since this was my first full summer here, I'm still calling it new), and happily accepted (also known as blissfully unaware of how different this camp would be from my usual camp experience at BREAD).

Although Fuego was dedicated enough (also known as a lot of time to spare while Emjay ate, napped, or played and couldn't be left unattended) to fight with the sparse Internet connection and blogged whilst we were away, I had neither the time nor the patience to make seven to ten attempts at posting every blog and just decided it was a lost cause until I got back to civilization.

Camp was a strange experience compared to Camp at El Rancho, and while it took some getting used to, it was clear that the kids couldn't have conceived of a more awesome way to spend a week... so we gave it a try.

As it turned out, my one hour "session" with the kids each day comprised all of the program they would get for that day. This came as a surprise to me since I was neither informed of this fact ahead of time, nor could I have comprehended the fact if it had been mentioned.

This proposed a unique challenge as at the first staff meeting -- after being introduced and having the schedule in front of me and explained -- I was asked "So, what do you have planned for session this week?"

Feeling a bit like the Grinch when Cindy Loo Whoo asked him why he was stealing her Christmas Tree, I "thought up a lie... and I thought it up quick."

As it turned out, fifteen years of youth ministry paid off and I was able to come up with a cohesive program for the week that was both fun and spiritual -- but not without some timely help from Fuego on the planning end and Captain Technology on the resource end (Thanks Captain! -- I already thanked Fuego ;o).

Camp by the seat of your pants is quite an adventure, but, as you may guess, it is NOT the relaxing experience that I had anticipated! I spent every afternoon's fun activity planning the next day's program, and every night after campfire finishing up the details until 11 or 12. Then scrambled the next morning to print resources for the kids and fill in the staff on what was happening. All things considered, I'm pretty proud of myself and the program we provided for the kids... and NEXT year, I will be ready!

And so I arrive home, exhausted, but satisfied.