Vikings, Napping, and Trading Wisconsin for Massachusetts

Well, I have to say, that Vikings game was pretty amazing. To be on the winning side of a 4th quarter comeback, especially after blowing the lead with under a half minute to play, was a new and pleasant experience. Not a bad first day for Blair Walsh. Right, Walshy?

Look at the little guy celebrate (when I say little, I realize he's probably taller than me, but look at him next to those linemen!). Also, I went down to a place called Tavern on the Square and watched the game with 40 other Vikings fans. And while I don't think all Minnesotans are inherently nice, I have to say this was a pretty great group of people who did Minnesota proud. Eighteen more wins to go until we're Super Bowl champs!

Although, if I am honest, there were moments in the second half when I was going back and forth about whether watching the rest of the game was a better choice than going home and taking a nap. Usually a Sunday service with coffee hour afterward uses up all of my social energy, so tacking on a room full of cheering people emptied the reserves too, but I think it was worth it. Granted, I'm writing this from a small basement closet where I've been practicing sensory deprivation. It's like centering prayer without the centering or prayer.

So, today I'm looking at another apartment. I am confident it will have to be better than my last experience because, as John Lennon chimed in during "It's Getting Better All the Time," "...can't get no worse." I'm also having lunch with the incomparable Christina Tinglof, so it should be a good day overall. Granted, I will also be starting my "Reading German" class, so that may take some of the wind out of my sails. I guess we shall see tomorrow.

One of the things I'm really worried about since I left Chicago is how ResCov is going to make it financially now that they no longer have my tithe to count on. Hopefully the Lord will provide. Jehovah Jireh, as I like to say.

I saw Carol Wild's status wishing that Chicago and Massachusetts were closer, and I came up with a great idea. Let's replace Wisconsin with Massachusetts. This works on so many levels. Let me count the ways:
1. I would be close to Chicago while going to grad school.
2. Wisconsin would be gone, or at least further away if it was a straight up trade. (sorry New England)
3. Ditto the Packers.
4. Ditto Superior.
5. My drive to Duluth would be that much shorter and way nicer.
6. Seafood in the Midwest!

And the humidity has broken in Massachusetts! I awoke on Sunday morning, went outside, and spontaneously began crying tears of joy (and since it had been so humid, I think it was easier to tear up) at the coolness of the weather. There's a lot of people talking up fall in New England, so it better bring its A-game. It always reminds me of this Cheryl Wheeler song (for obvious reasons):



Okay, time to go work. I made a list of things I need to accomplish this week, and it's not a very small one. Let's do this!