Return to Randomness

My last several blogs have dealt heavily with the research/educational side of my life. Let's see if we can change that...

- Grad school in summer bites. But at least it's a class with some relevancy to my life. And it helps that I enjoy it.
- Anna Kate is the most beautiful, caring, unselfish and understanding fiancee ever. I love you, sweetheart.
- President Bush at Furman three weeks ago. A nice, memorable experience; something I'll get to tell my children about. That's really all I wanted out of the affair. I am happy for the class of 2008, especially my dear friends. I am saddened by all the people - press corps., photographers, distinguished guests - who got up and left en masse after Bush finished. More of a disturbance than any "silent protest." At least the professors in protest stayed to see the seniors graduate. And that's all I have to say about that.
- Wedding plans are in full force. AK and I are drafting guest lists. I still have a few names to add. We're debating between two possible reception sites. Anna's gotten her wedding dress picked out and possibly the bridesmaid's dresses as well.
EDIT: Okay, I jumped the gun. Anna said she hasn't picked her dress out yet. My bad.
- Clemson is #10 in the country, the preseason pick to win the ACC, and a BCS dark horse (kind of redundant when you consider the ACC champion gets an automatic BCS bid). As of now, all preseason predictions count for nothing.
- I can make one crispy DiGiorno pizza.
- I signed up on the Bleacher Report to write about Clemson in the college football section. I guess this means I better start TiVOing all the games (yeah, right).
- Anna's Dad is one of the smartest men I've ever met.
- Vacation Bible School is next week. That merits a few subpoints:
* I've got a little more ambitious task this year. I'm still teaching the music this year...only I'm doing it for all four grades, 1st through 4th. Meaning at least two of my rotations will be pushing 80 kids. At least they're first.
* Because of my expanded assignment, I've lost the choir room as a home base. Wah. Back to the old chapel for me.
* Lynn Foster is my partner (along with a woman named Paige who I haven't met yet). Two years ago, my partner was older than me. Last year, Anna and I did music together. Now, my partner is younger. I'm getting old.
* The music as a whole rocks. Better than GameDay Central but not quite as good as Arctic Edge. I'm dying to see the kids do "The Word."
* I've got a bunch of decorative items collected, and of course, I have no clue yet how I'm going to decorate the chapel. And I have to do it all on Sunday. Here's hoping inspiration will strike.
- Anna and I are spending the weekend in Atlanta with my Uncle John, Aunt Sarah, and my three beautiful cousins. Closest thing we've had to a road trip in quite a while. Pray for safe travel and more of the nice weather we've had the last few days.
- Pray also for Ryan Harless, the son of Clemson correspondent Mickey Plyler who was seriously injured in a car accident three weeks ago. He suffered considerable brain stem trauma, but he's shown improvement with continued physical rehabilitation. Pray for Anna, who's going to the beach next week with her family.

That's about all for now. Carpe diem!