No So Much Nerves...

As I reflect on the wedding experience, I can think of a variety of entries that I could write about. I thought I might start with the morning before the wedding. Leading up to that day, I had no idea what to expect. I wasn't sure if I would be nervous. I didn't know how I would sleep.

I slept fine. In fact, I got up at around 8:30 AM and decided right away after getting up to put up the balloons that we promised that would lead people to Linwood Avenue and thus the church. While doing that I got a call from Christa...there were concerns about the bridesmaids knowing where to go in the church for getting ready. While at the church I saw my Dad and I suggested that we get breakfast.

After having breakfast with my parents, I sat on the couch in my apartment and I watched The Godfather: Part II. Probably not typical pre-wedding fair, but it was actually relaxing. I then got dressed and headed over to the church about 75 minutes before the ceremony. Despite it getting closer to the service, I did not get nervous. Instead of showing nervousness and I showed other emotions...we'll talk about that tomorrow.

Broadcasting From a Remote Location

As I type these words, I am sitting at the computer at my pastor's home in Oshkosh, WI. He and his family have left for the weekend, and I am watching the house and taking care of buddy, their dog. In some ways, I am treating this weekend like a retreat. I have work to do and much of it will probably best be done in quiet and tranquility, which I will have for much of the weekend. The tasks that require my attention?

This Sunday's Homily
As will now be the tradition for three years, I have led the church service at First Oshkosh on Memorial Day weekend. Everyone else has plans, and I'm always around so I can usually step up. Of all the times I've done this, I feel the least nervous about this Sunday. I think the previous times I've tried too hard and this time I'm coming at the word of God from my level instead of pretending to be sophisticated and deep. I think it will be more meaningful for the congregation and more meaningful for me. We shall see.

The Continuing Ministry Process
For those that have read the blog for awhile, you know about my contemplation of the Methodist ministry. The next stage of the process involves a discussion with my pastor about a book entitled The Christian as Minister. Steve is having me write down some points from the book that cane spearhead a discussion. I hoping that I can hand this to him upon his return on Monday.

Wedding Tasks
As always, I will need to spend some time working on stuff related to the wedding. I have updated the guest list, have worked on getting the word out about the wedding to members of the church and have a few tasks to work on this weekend as well.

Video Games
I am also hoping to get some quality gaming in. I would say that gaming isn't quite the same when you don't have surround sound and you are playing on a 17" TV monitor. I will try to manage. ;)

Last Thought
Overall, I realize that I am trying a little too hard with this blog. It is interesting to see the cycles that have occurred. It took we many tries (and failed blogs) to finally post consistently. Once I had that down, I thought it would be good to post every day. Little did I realize that my life is not always exciting enough to post every day. So, I am hoping to find a happy medium as this point. I would like to post regularly, but it won't mean every day anymore. (Sorry to disappointment my loyal readers...all 10 of you. :) )

Softball Season 2

Thanks to Thomas Pedersen, I have been asked to join his men's softball team for the summer. Nothing can beat my perfect season (0-17) last summer, but I have the opportunity to try things out with a new team. Our first game last Monday was rained out, but today the nasty weather seemed to go around us and the game was on.

I knew a few folks on the team besides Thomas. DJ, Shane Leach and Rich Scott were the other folks that I knew. Otherwise, it was a bunch of people that I did not know. They seemed very nice, but I did not necessarily feel a connection to the team. They have all played together before, so it will probably take a little time to get into the flow.

I played in right field which is probably a good spot for me. Not too many balls hit my way, but the ones that were I caught :). I proved that I have speed on my side. I ran out a single my second at bat. I accidentally overran third on my first at bat...too fast.

In what became a popular segment last year, I will continue to keep you posted on my results playing in weekly softball games on Monday night.

Games	At Bat	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP
1	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.666	.666

Other News
Christa and I had our second meeting with our pastor regarding the wedding and marriage. He gave us a nice to do list for this week. We also had a good, heart-felt chat about where we were at. I know I am feeling better about the wedding preparation.

Catching Up

The final month of the college academic year are quite hectic. You are wrapping up one year and beginning to think about the following year. If you throw in an upcoming wedding a NACURH conference in June, things can get really hectic. So, the entries in here may be more sporadic and may not be as exciting as usual. I shall do my best.

Christa and I got our first wedding gifts in the mail. I didn't realize we would be getting them this early. When you do your registration on-line, it will actually show you what gifts have been taken off the registry. I suppose it can make gifts less exciting, but it is also fun to know what will be coming in the near future.

I rented Lego Star Wars II for X Box 360 over the weekend. It was pretty good. I am glad that I didn't buy the game now; it is definitely a game that I will pick up when it goes down in value. What I really enjoyed were the cut scenes. They adapted scenes from the movie and made them humorous.

I recently purchased The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. I haven't played it for too long, but from what I've seen it's incredible.

Guilty As Charged

As I had mentioned yesterday, Christa and I have been working on getting wedding invitations ready so that we can mail them out over spring break. I am bad enough at keeping in contact with folks, but I am even worse at keeping contact information up to date. I put myself in charge of compiling all of the addresses for invites. So, I definitely had some gaps to fill. And, I needed to send out the message asking, out of the blue, what people's addresses were. I'm sure it's obvious, but I tried to mask some of my shame in being bad at keeping addresses up to date.

One of my friends was able to figure it out...but, it worked!

Brain.....About to Explode

I have officially reached the most hellish part of the spring semester for me. Over the next couple weeks, many responsibilities come at once. This happens every spring and I'm ready for it, but that doesn't necessarily make it any easier.

Over the next two weeks, I have the following:

• The Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE) - This takes place March 1-4. For this, I have to supervise the Transportation Center 19 hours, help with 6 hours or so of interviews and just generally be available.
• NBC Village Staff Interviews - Jocelyn, Michelle & I need to conduct seven hours of interviews for folks that want to transfer to the NBC Village. We will be doing these the same weekend as OPE.
• CA/PA Selection - We will be doing this the week before spring break, but I will need to review all of the files before selection. There are a lot of files to review.
• RHD Selection - Ia m on the RHD selection team. More files and more interviews.
• The Wedding - And to top it all off, Christa and I want to have invitations out when spring break starts. So, we are compiling addresses and ordering stuff so that we are ready.

It's not everything, but it's quite a list. I list these items not to look for sympathy, but more to understand that I have quite a bit going on for the next few weeks, so you may not hear from me too much or see me as much as you usually do.

Many of us in the field of student affairs are in the same boat, so they can tell a similar story. It';s the fun of being in Residence Life. Peace.

A New Addition

I went out for a four-mile run this morning. My pace was faster this morning that it has been for a few weeks. I am assuming that the "warmer" temperatures are allowing we to warm up and stretch the pace out a little bit. After the run this morning, I made my way over to the Kolf Sports Center on campus and did eight 100-meter strides on the track.

If you aren't familiar with a stride, you basically take half of the 100 meters and build up to a speed that is not quite a sprint. You maintain this pace for the remaining portion of the distance. I have been waiting until I built up some mileage before I incorporated strides. It is also my intent to start building in one day of speed work each week as well. Hopefully, as the weeks go by we will see some improvement in the mile pacing.

Also concerning additions, I have added a wedding and half-marathon counter to the web page. You, too, can witness the impending doom....I mean, joy! :)

Saturday Potpourri

So, what's been happening? Here's my opportunity to catch up:

• Wow...Christa accomplished a lot with the wedding today. It got a little frustrating today as well. We picked reception music today, which can for two music people can be very frustrating. It's done though...and we have a good list. We are also in the process of finalizing the guest list. This is also very much a bear. I am going to create the master guest list. Good times.
• Christa and I ate at Victoria's yesterday. It is on College Ave. in Appleton, WI across from the Performing Arts Center. They have some of the best Italian food I have ever tasted. I had the scallops with the marsala sauce. Christa has a humongous plate of spaghetti. You have to try it.
• Gaming day number two takes place tomorrow. Excitement seemed high after session number one. Hopefully this enthusiasm keeps up!
• Ok, so maybe it's not an overly exciting week ;).

Engaged Encounters

Coming up on March 30-April 1, Christa and I will be heading to the Fond du Lac area for an Engaged Encounters retreat. This event is sponsored through the Methodist Church and it gives couples looking to get married an opportunity to dialog about what it means to be married and it helps couples to realize that a wedding is a one-day event; a marriage is a life-long commitment.

I must say I am intrigued by this event. I had never heard of it before. In speaking with our pastor, he said it would be a great event to attend. It also means we need to begin our meetings with Steve to get things for the wedding together.

Christa and I are also using this weekend to get all details for the wedding planned. Not done, but planned. Hopefully, we'll have everything covered. :)

Saturday Potpourri

• I finished my first full week of running since...well, high school. Most other attempts at running have been spotty at best or only haoppen a few days during the week. I am looking forward to resting up on Sunday and building on what I was able to do so far. I weighed 196 this morning and have lost two pounds overall since New Year's. Not bad.
• Christa found a wedding dress and the bride's maid dresses as well. We have had a productive week of wedding planning and it will continue.
• I had my one hour of radio glory on WRST Friday from 5-6 PM. I know at least two people were listening. My good friend Peter Brooks called in to the show and gave me a post-show talk. We actually had a real live caller who had a good question as well. Jason Dufek and I talked about residence life, college student life and how students can "get involved." I had fund, but I doubt I am on my way to a life in radio ;).
• Christa and I head up to Green Bay in a few hours for a Wedding Expo. If we sit through a one-hour presentation, we can get some free stuff. I'm game. And, I'll only miss one half of the first playoff game. I think I get to keep my man-card.
• My home computer is not working. I am typing this entry from the computer in my office, which conveniently, is only about 10 feet from my apartment :). I ran an anti-virus check on my computer and when my computer re-booted, it stays in a continuous re-boot loop. That's what I get for trying to fix my computer.
• The Bucks traded for Earl Boykins and gave up Steve Blake. I can say this is probably the most one-sided trade I have seen for the Bucks since I have followed them as a team.
  

Saturday Potpourri

• Christa's planetarium presentation went very well; now I wish I would have gone to the presentation. It sounds like any nervousness she had did not get in the way of her doing a wonderful job.
• Christa goes home today to hopefully find a wedding dress. Among my many other things in life, men have it pretty easy in the wedding clothing department. In 30 minutes at After Hours, I was able to reserve tuxedos for the wedding party, ushers, fathers and myself. Mine's already ordered and will be waiting for me on June 14. Christa has had a much bigger ordeal finding her dress and bride's maid dresses.
• A weekend of NFL playoff football. Sweet! There are some good match-ups this weekend; sadly, the Packers will not be in one of those match-ups.
• Character creation for my AD&D campaign continues. Three characters have been created with four more on the way. My goal is eight characters to start with and I think I have the eighth person picked out.
• A FUMC Oshkosh church member and choir member Milo Cushman died on December 31, 2006. His church service was this morning. I didn't know Milo all that well, but he would sings on and off with us in the three years I have been a member of the church. I got frustrated with how often he did not come to choir. I didn't think it was fair that he could sing at church, but not rehearse. I did not know until most recently that he had been battling cancer for the last ten years. Talk about not having the while story and judging someone...I learned a valuable lesson.
  

The Letter Is Sent!

After many drafts and revisions, I have finalized a letter to the District Superintendent stating that I would like to become a candidate for the ministry program for the state of Wisconsin. Barring any steps along the way that I might have missed, I will hopefully be approved and will be assigned a pastoral mentor who will lead through the next stages in the process.

I had contemplated sending the letter as an E-mail, but thought it would be more official to actually send it through regular mail. I will await a response; I am excited to keep moving and see where the process goes.

Other News:

• The Badgers won the Capitol One Bowl. It was the prettiest victory you''ll ever see, but it was a victory. For a team that relies so much on its running game, the Badgers were able to effectively pass the ball when the running game was being shut down.
• Wedding planning is definitely making some major progress. We will be doing a food tasting in the next few weeks, we have started our gift registration process and we are starting to work on the list that Christa generated over break. June 16 will be coming soon!