Thoughts From The Duck

There is absolutely no question that I don't want to graduate. I'm ready to have a break. I will truly miss the community that is here. Today was free Ben and Jerry's Day. After a flurry of phone calls, a friend and I were ready to go. I did a quick run through the dorm to see if anyone else wanted to go. I found one more and brought him along. Once we got to Ben and Jerry's, we realized that the line was FOUR hours long. So, instead, we went and ate dinner a block away. We laughed, we talked about brokenness in the world, and prayer. It was a moment of "Mutual care and consolation." It was a moment where we could pause, have a moment of fun, bear one another's burdens and joys, and eat. Once out in the "real world," things like this won't happen as much. I will miss these impromptu moments of adventure for free Ben and Jerry's. So, after returning to Luther, I came inside with the impromptu friend. He later told people that I ...

I've been following the blogs of two conferences this weekend. One is the Web 2.0 conference being held in San Francisco. The other one is not receiving as much press, ROFLCon . Here's the description of ROFLCon in their own words: Mix up a bunch of super famous internet memes, some brainy academics, a big audience, dump them in Cambridge, MA and you've got ROFLCon. What has been receiving press has been the internet celebrities, like the Bert is Evil guy (it disturbs me because of my extreme love of all things Muppet), Jibjab , and the xkcd guy. Had I known about this conference, I would have gone to it. If they do another one, I am so there. Regardless, one of the posts that has intrigued me greatly was from Wired News. Read the article here . (I'll try to find the full lecture.) She called for a revolution. She called for new media to not be sexist, racist and something to be proud of. The church is in a great position to respond to the revolution in so many wa...

So, today is Earth Day! I've said this before, I'm working on small changes toward wasting less. My two big changes for 2008 has been not using disposable grocery bags and coffee cups. I try to remember to have tote bags and mugs in my car at all times. There are the times when I don't remember to have mugs in my car or I'm at the mall, I do get a disposable cup. I also use the sleeves. I found this knitting pattern online. I can throw it in my bag, and use it when I need it. Amy is making one for me. I'm excited! Coffee cup cozy Thanks to the Knittingbug for the pattern. Just out of curiosity, are there little things that you do to be less wasteful?

I find myself in need of caffeine. A lot. Surprisingly, some blogs I read have made mention of caffeine. For anyone in need of caffeine resources, here you go. The Caffeine Database Better ways to use caffeine Yep, this is where I am now. I don't want to think about how much caffeine is in my system. It's been awhile since I've worked full time in a congregation. This time of year is where I remember self-care. How do we work in congregations and take care of ourselves? I usually swing toward too much self care or no self care. I've never found that balance. How or what are your ideas for self care? What do you do for self care?

So as much as I am looking forward to graduation, I am not looking forward to graduation. There are so many unknowns right now, and well, after graduation, the number of said unknowns will increase exponentially. Some days I'm fine and some days I'm a mess. However, there are many things I'm looking forward to, like being able to do things I want to do. I have a huge list of books I want to read. I love crafty things, especially beading. I haven't been able to bead in a really long time. Right before I came out here I began to learn how to throw pots. I'm not very good, but it was fun and I miss it. Don't even get me started on photography (again, I'm not very good, but it was fun). However, I have been introduced to something receiving more press as of late. What is this you may ask? Plastic bag recycling. Apparently, you can use plastic bags as yarn and crotchet things with it, or you can make "fabric" by fusing 6 bags together with an iron...

Seriously? Today is April 10? Seriously? Where did the past 10 days go? Seriously. (Can you tell I watch Grey's Anatomy a lot?) Tomorrow, I'm hopefully heading to the Twin Cities Social Networking Breakfast (if the weather decides to cooperate, and I'm a wimp in the cold). Phew. I need to climb back onto the planet.