Hello, folks.

I've been home sick for the past several days... I haven't been sick for this long since I was in college. Left early from work last Saturday... called off Monday and today. It's been nice having some relaxing time off, but not fun at all hacking and coughing, etc. Mandy's out with her mom running some errands, so I'm just sitting here at home passing the time and hoping that I will be feeling better by Friday.

So... what's new?

I am now a signed, sealed, delivered, confirmed, received-into-full-communion member of the Roman Catholic Church. (since April 7, 2007). I'm sure there are some who know me (especially if you knew me during late high school through college) that are wondering how the heck that happened. You never know where paths will lead you, and for a number of reasons, I'm thrilled that mine has led here.

Wedding plans continue... we had a meeting with Peg, the marriage prep director at church the other day, so we're another step closer there. All of the program "design" and layout stuff that I used to do way back in high school is coming back into play as we put the wedding booklet together (Please turn in your service bulletins to page 23...) heehee. Just kidding. It will be a Catholic wedding, but it's not going to be *ridiculously* long. It's just that there is a bit more to it than "Do you? I do." Have no fear, we're printing all sorts of cues in the bulletins, so our non-Catholic friends will know what to say, where to stand, where to kneel, etc. It's going to be a beautiful wedding. (There's a thumbnail photograph of the church on their website: www.visitation.org. This is the church Mandy & I attend, as well as where I went through RCIA, and where we will be getting married.)

In not so happy news, I was the victim of armed robbery about a week ago, just outside my apartment. Yeah... walking in from my car, a car drives past me, stops, a guy gets out and tells me to give him all my money and brandishes a gun. Not fun.
They got away with my bank card (which was promptly canceled), and a back-pack full of Episcopalian church music... and a phone headset from ADT. I wasn't hurt at all, I just was angry for a couple of days following, but glad and thankful that I'm alive and no worse the wear for it. Things happen. Crime is a reality in our world. Sure, I keep a more watchful eye on what's going on around me now, but I'm not going to live in fear. It could have happened anywhere, and could still happen again no matter how careful I am.

Back to happier news, Mandy got a new part-time job the other day at the Nelson Art Gallery (just 5 min from home). There is also a job opportunity for me on the horizon, which I'm waiting to hear more info about... one that could possibly allow me to quit my current not-fun day-job. (Keep your fingers crossed and pray for me about that one).

All in all, life is good.
I am still alive, all of you folks that I haven't talked to in ages. Give me a ring or an email.