temas

It’s been a while since I’ve written. I had several instances recently when I penned — err, typed — a long missive from within the Typepad interface and lost it completely. So this time I’m typing in Entourage and going to paste it into Typepad once I’m ready to post. Yes, I know there are apps (Danny pointed me to one once) specifically for composing blog entries. It just seems like more layers of technology, though.

There are so many things upon which I could bring you up to speed, but I don’t think I can.

Health is a recurring theme.
Susan had a heart attack and is recovering. Ann is in the hospital. A friend’s sister overdosed last week. I’m monitoring my blood pressure these days.

Work is a recurring theme. Speaking of blood pressure.
We’re becoming more strategic. Breaking into new channels. Rebranding. Growing.

Trinity House is a recurring theme.
We’re trying to decide who we are. What we are. Church? Intentional Community? New monastic order?

Themes. Antitheses. Fugal themes. Contrapuntal themes. Coffee. Art. Ink. Podcasting. Thumbnails. Departures. Relocation to Abandoned Spaces. Margin. A minor. E minor. C major. G. C. Bass run down to Am.

Food is always a recurring theme. Like the wonderful artisan pizza I had tonight. Avocado, grilled mushroom, grilled onion, pepperoni. (Orderup).

And music. I met a man in an un-air-conditioned gymnasium in order to look at and take measurements of a baby grand piano that had once been in my family but had spent the last few decades hopping from church to church. My grandmother has now donated it to our fledgling church because its current home, an Episcopal church over near historic Jefferson high school, is having its doors shut forever. I spoke to the man for what seems like an hour. He reminded me so much of my father, this church warden. His manner of speech, his dress, posture, the little faux black leather gimme calendar with gold foil all caps 11 point COMPLIMENTS OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WESTERN DIOCESE OF TEXAS set in Helvetica. He spoke of the reasons why his church — mostly Caucasian, mostly middle class I’d guess — failed to engage with and resonate with the (mostly latino) near West Side community. We talked for a long time. I should say I listened for a long time. He spoke of failed mariachi and folklorico classes, failed efforts at community outreach. “I guess you could say after the church building was built, everyone got … comfortable … for the next several decades …” I so do not want to end up like this congregation, who slid into mediocrity as they grew increasingly out of touch with their browning neighborhood.

Ego and pride are recurring themes.
Since we’ve talked I’ve had my self esteem crushed. I’ve been down on myself. I’ve been humiliated. But then, I’ve also had some brushes with fame, had some moments of success, and probably cared too much about myself each and every day since I’ve blogged last.

I’ve published a new issue of Communiqué, said a farewell to one friend, prepared to say farewell to another friend, was able to be a friend to a few, uh, friends…

And believe it or not, I’m still struggling through the same book I’ve been struggling through. It’s not thick, nor is it particularly dense. Though I must be.

I haven’t written any songs, haven’t penned any poems. I did paint some paintings, but they aren’t finished yet. I’ve designed some logos of which I’m proud recently.

And I’m facilitating our group reflection on Sunday.

I should be working on that instead of talking with you.

It’s late so I’ll just leave you with a recent journal page. please leave a comment so I can make sure you’re still here.

-soup

Comments

[danny]

I'm still here. Glad you're still there.

[Beth]

Welcome back. I hear life (all of it) in those themes. Thanks for sharing.

[virusdoc]

Still here. Checking every day. Glad to hear from you. I figured life had been either bumpy or exhausting given the hiatus. Sounds like both. Hang in there. Let's talk soon.

[Sean McMains]

The journal pages are fascinating to me -- I'm such a conceptual thinker that the visual thought process seems like a foreign language. Rich delving, there.

[salguod]

Still here. Glad that orange block isn't at the top of the page.

[Joseph]

I too am happy to hear you are alright, all things considered. I hope you can figure out a way to slow down soon. Maybe minimalize is a better word. Yeah, minimalize. My head is so noisy with stuff, if God is talking, I can't hear Him. I hope that doesn't happen to you, man. Your world, at least the "post-card" glimpse I get from your journals, seems so inviting and intriguing to me (accept for the chaos factor). I try to understand the complexity of your diction and drawings, but I fail miserably. Anyways, I know I talk to much. Again, I'm glad you're alive. Take care, man.

[betsy]

Still here. God bless your blood pressure - it's nearly time for me to get my cholesterol re-checked. Life in BabyLand is exhausting but cuddley. You're in my prayers -

[Michael Howes]

still here. praying for you. journal page is way cool. FWIW, am in awe of your dad/husband/artist/pastor/friend virtuoso juggling act. blogging again myself...

[pamela]

Even from Nicaragua, I´m still here. : ) Glad to be able to know what´s new with you. Thanks for all your comments on my blog recently. I hope my latest post on Nica politics is helpful to you. ; )

[Jeff D]

Still here... happy for the fresh posting.

[Amy Everett]

I'm still here, too...and inspired by your creativity to reengage (is that a word?) mine. Peace on your birthday--I know a fledgling community that is grateful to God you were born.