On wikis

When you think of democracy, is this within your realm of imagination?

Wild.

What do you reckon?

On Wisdom

We met on the train, at 6am, February 15, 2007. It was about to be a four-hour ride to the bus stop at Aguas Calientes, where we would then head toward Machu Picchu. Somehow I had boarded a car full of non-English speaking tourists - not that I mind that part, but thought since I most likely don't speak their language, I'd be stuck "signing" my conversations away and at that time in the morning it seemed too tiring. So I was relieved to meet them since they were from the US and thus speak my language. And they were fun!

We talked almost all four hours. I learned a lot from them. I thought I'd write them down before I forget:

- They have been married almost 50 years and been to 41 countries together. So they are probably in their 70s.

- They are from Alaska. Although originally, Nancy is from the South and Bob from the mid-West. Most people who currently live in Alaska were not born there; they moved to seek a better life. Hence, Alaskans also travel a lot. It's the adventurous spirit they all share. At which point images of Northern Exposure entered my head...

- Also, whenever they travel, they stay at hostels. Bob said hostels are more fun, they are more conducive to conversations and meetings. Plus, he likes talking to young people. He said he'd scan the room, find the person looking the most lonesome - or at least sitting alone, and make him/her talk to him.

- "The secret to happiness," says Bob in his most fatherly voice, "is to welcome change." He told me this after a story about their stay in Mexico (at a hostel, of course). They had to forego a normal sleeping pattern because of the night-time habits of the community who, apparently, partied a lot. So they went to bed straight after dinner, woke up at midnight, then took their lounge chairs out to the street to join the revelers, until 3 or 4am or whenever the crowd decided it was over, then went to sleep again.

- They love to read books together as a couple. Besides the sheer enjoyment of sharing, they said it gives them an avenue to discuss their views with each other. As they talk about a particular character or conflict or plot, they in advertently reveal themselves: what they appreciate, how they cope, how they make sense of things.

- And then - a seriously wonderful sense of humor:
me: So, where to next for you guys?
N: I want to go to Antarctica.
me: Really? Why? (You're from Alaska!)
N: (Shrugs). I think it will be fascinating. But Bob doesn't want to go.
B: (shaking his head)
N: He wants to go somewhere warm. So he can see women in bikinis.
B: (nodding his head, winking)
B: (to N) I told you, you can go on your widow trip. You know, when I'm dead.
N: (to me) Yeah, I'm gonna take his ashes with me and then spread it in Antarctica!

Way to go, guys.

On Longing

Got a note from CW the other day titled: Sadness. He began with: "I feel a little empty today..." because a good friend of ours is leaving. He proceeded to reminisce about a conversation we had once upon a time ("when you were like 21 22 yrs old") about a passage of scripture. This passage came to mind again because he was reminded that a. he should not feel guilty about the loss he feels now or the longing for said friend he will feel soon, because b. that's what love is about, it doesn't mean that he doesn't want what is best for her. In the end, basically CW wants to remind me that earnest, intercessory prayer is the appropriate response, even when you feel a bit emptier. Maybe especially so.

CS Lewis wrote in a letter to a friend that he was missing him and was praying for him daily, which, really is "a meeting of the best kind." Leave it to Lewis to put it in the best way possible. All I can do is quote him.

And quote St. Paul:

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

I've been through this business of missing people a lot lately but haven't always responded in prayer. So thanks for the reminder, CW. I love you and miss you and the missus too.

The little differences

Aussie translation - part 1:

"Hey, how's it going" - "Hey, how ya going"
Non-fat latte = Skinny latte
Coffee = eh, no such thing. You gotta specify: Cap? Latte? Flat White? Long black?
Dude = Mate
Soccer = Soccer
"You're welcome" = "No worries"

Pharmacy = Chemist
1 mile = 1.6 kilometres
Organization = organisation

Mickey D's = Mackers

Burger King = Hungry Jack (yeah, I don't know why)
(But thankfully:) Whopper = whopper. (Whew!)