Dearest Rachel – No sooner did I hit ‘publish’ on yesterday‘s letter when two things happened to upend my day. First of all, “Riri” wrote back, right after I got through telling you all the reasons why she wouldn’t. I still promise to tell you more about that, but on top of her explanations (someContinue reading “Screwing Up the Schedule”
Tag Archives: plans
Plausible From One Angle
Dearest Rachel – It may not seem like it, since I’ve been able to contact you every day with some news or other, but there’s been a limited amount of stuff going on for me to tell you about. The fact that I can write to you at all has more to do with beingContinue reading “Plausible From One Angle”
The Questions That Go Unasked
Dearest Rachel – This morning – although when it’s this dark, if feels strange to call it such, even if this is just the way things are in the winter – as I got up and braced myself to head out to the gym, it occurred to me that the folks didn’t bother to askContinue reading “The Questions That Go Unasked”
The Lists We Still Need to Deal With
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s just how things work in the American holiday calendar, I suppose. We no sooner get through with one that, by name and nature, reminds us to be both content and grateful for what we have, than we begin on the one whose whole purpose seems to be the diametric oppositeContinue reading “The Lists We Still Need to Deal With”
Dreams of Alter Egos
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a while since I’ve had a dream worth telling you about (and had both the time to write it down before it dissipated and no real topic to discuss with you that might supersede it). The problem is, while it may have answered a long-known problem of science fiction whileContinue reading “Dreams of Alter Egos”
Not a Time to Experiment
Dearest Rachel – The holiday season is upon us once again, honey, and as the sun takes that much more time off than it did when we were in Israel (where it’s so much more noticeable, since we can’t sightsee in the dark. Here at home, there’s still plenty to do when evening falls, andContinue reading “Not a Time to Experiment”
Cleared for Takeoff
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned in my last letter that there might be an issue with the actual flight, but it might require a separate letter, because I wanted to send something (which you can read as “continue my streak,” which I’m sure you would be understanding about) before we left, whereas the details ofContinue reading “Cleared for Takeoff”
Leaving Just In Time
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday morning, I woke up to this sight as I headed outdoors on the way to church: I suppose it shouldn’t have come as so much of a surprise; the night before had me falling asleep to the sound of rain on the bedroom roof, and it had been getting chilly asContinue reading “Leaving Just In Time”
House Calls
Dearest Rachel – So I’m taking the day off from the ‘office,’ as I managed to get everything done that I’d intended to yesterday. At the same time, I’ve got lots of stuff to do here at home, such as laundry and packing for Monday’s flight out. And, as it so happens, I have toContinue reading “House Calls”
Speedrunning Life
Dearest Rachel – It was a weird realization to catch myself in last night. I’d just gotten the bank statements for the church and camp for last month, so I was thinking about how I could get everything reconciled and the statements prepared some time today. That way, the board members could have the dataContinue reading “Speedrunning Life”
To Mess About the City
Dearest Rachel – Given that it was an interesting way to spend part of the weekend – and that these letters are, in part, a means for me to record the days of my life since you left, because I’ve discovered how quickly my memories fade if I don’t – I would be remiss ifContinue reading “To Mess About the City”
For What May Never Come
Dearest Rachel – A trip to the grocery store after dinner with the folks, while unusual in and of itself (most of the time, we just go home, and Daniel joins Logan in the family room to watch this or that anime that he has already in progress), isn’t entirely unsurprising. Sometimes things need toContinue reading “For What May Never Come”
Maybe A Little Too Casual
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before how someday, I’d like to get so accustomed to traveling that it could be done practically on a whim. I’ve joked about how calling Kerry (my travel agent) up out of the blue and telling her to “book me something before I change my mind,” but it still hasContinue reading “Maybe A Little Too Casual”
Options and Add-Ons
Dearest Rachel – So, this is a weird situation to be in where, after decades of telling ourselves we would be going to Japan and taking Daniel with us, to show him a little bit of what each of us individually and separately fell in love with (and these encounters long before otaku culture wasContinue reading “Options and Add-Ons”
Not So Fast
Dearest Rachel – Seven in the morning, and you’d think I’d be raring to go, especially after calling it a night at nine last night. You’d think that ten hours of sleep would allow me to recharge my internal batteries to the point where I’d be ready to take on the world first thing inContinue reading “Not So Fast”
My Own Personal Marathon
Dearest Rachel – It’s kind of ironic; since I’m assigned to the booth this weekend, I won’t be heading downtown to cheer our runners on tomorrow (and I keep mentioning this, because it feels like this should be a topic I ought to go into more detail about to you, but I don’t know ifContinue reading “My Own Personal Marathon”
Who Would Believe It?
Dearest Rachel – We’ve had to get out of the house at ridiculously early hours in the past – flights don’t really concern themselves with the schedules of their individual passengers, for instance – so you know I’m capable of getting up early. And, of course, there are the many work days when I’ve beenContinue reading “Who Would Believe It?”
Starting in the Dark
Dearest Rachel – It’s been decided, at least by me – and when I’m the one driving, that’s basically the one opinion that matters. We’ll be heading downstate one last time on Saturday (although who knows if Ellen will need more help with her mom’s old townhome, as she and her sisters wind up theContinue reading “Starting in the Dark”
No Particular Point to the Moment
Dearest Rachel – If I’m to be honest with you – as well as myself – about this series of letters to you, that they’re as much a record of life happening in the days after your absence as anything else, I should be telling you about the events of the past evening. For someContinue reading “No Particular Point to the Moment”
Where Your Treasure Is…
Dearest Rachel – So, as we landed in the States a little more than a week ago (and thus were able to receive text messages, being back in-network), one notice I got was from one of our old buddies in the anime fandom community. Doc is the type to keep his eyes open and earContinue reading “Where Your Treasure Is…”
Reykjavik
Dearest Rachel – It sort of ties our last port of call with the one we’re arriving at; even when we last visited the place, some twelve years ago, we couldn’t think of this city’s name without recalling Glasgow native Craig Ferguson during his Late Late Show days. About a year or so into hisContinue reading “Reykjavik”
Pretending Everything Is Normal
Dearest Rachel – The last few overseas trips I’ve taken have started off with a ride to the airport first thing in the morning, or even in the wee hours, prompting me to wake up absurdly early in order to catch my flight. Not so today; with the flight scheduled for four in the afternoon,Continue reading “Pretending Everything Is Normal”
You Just Have to Deal With It
Dearest Rachel – Much like any other human, I complain about the the things that go wrong in, or are just unpleasant in my life without bearing in mind that there is plenty of ordinary stuff that makes it so much better than most (and with enough life experience behind me, you’d think I wouldContinue reading “You Just Have to Deal With It”
Free to Do Nothing at All
Dearest Rachel – “Anyone free this weekend?” After three weeks of silence in the group chat, it was Logan who ventured the question the other day. Evidently, he thought it might be worthwhile to see if the others wanted to do something together either today or tomorrow. Which you might think to be a no-brainer;Continue reading “Free to Do Nothing at All”
To Travel With Another
Dearest Rachel – Ever since the accident which took you “home” at the end of a day trip in the midst of the Covid lockdowns, you’re aware that I’ve been doing (and telling you about) a lot of traveling. These are things we always meant to do together one day, but were precluded from doingContinue reading “To Travel With Another”
You Can’t Always Finish The Job
Dearest Rachel – You might recall how last week, when I was struggling (unsuccessfully, as it turned out) to keep from catching whatever it was that Daniel had been dealing with since before the weekend began, I was also trying to remember about a commitment I thought I remembered making, but was unable to recallContinue reading “You Can’t Always Finish The Job”
Tuk-Tuk Temptation
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think of myself as a “car guy”; the idea of popping open the hood and messing around with a car’s engine does not appeal to me. I’m not one for getting my fingers dirty over a vehicle’s mechanical parts, nor do I relish the smell of any oil other thanContinue reading “Tuk-Tuk Temptation”
from Rachel: Important Distinctions
What questions did I tell you we seek to answer? What is ahead for this “world”? And what part will the “church” play? As we lengthen our eschatological timeline and consider all the players, let’s have a quick and important refresher: to whom are we referring when we speak of the ‘church’? (If necessary, seeContinue reading “from Rachel: Important Distinctions”
Professor Perdonname
¡Buenas días, estudiantes! Bienvenidos a Hojas 101 (o Contabilidad 101). Mi nombre es Randy Larson, pero puedes llamarme “Señor Perdonname”, porque no sé mucho español, y voy a decir “¿perdonname?” a la mayoría de sus preguntas. De hecho, tengo tan poco español que necesitaba escribir este monólogo con antelación y revisarlo de antemano para asegurarmeContinue reading “Professor Perdonname”
Food at Home
Dearest Rachel – It’s so memetic that there isn’t a single iconic image to represent it; all there is to it is a basic script. Child asks for restaurant food (usually from a low-grade fast-food place – and yes, I know that’s something of a redundancy), to which the mom replies that “we have foodContinue reading “Food at Home”
Don’t Cheer from the Ramparts
Dearest Rachel – Imagine, if you will a medieval castle as an opposing army advances against it. Standing among the battlements in defense are squads of archers, preparing to defend the keep against the impending onslaught. As they are stationed several stories up, they have the advantage of the first shot, since their arrows willContinue reading “Don’t Cheer from the Ramparts”
Prime Moment
Dearest Rachel – I have a couple of topics for you sitting in the wings at the moment, but I’ll reserve them for a day when I have less going on, both in terms of the lack of something happening to relate to you and the time to commit them to pixels. This one isContinue reading “Prime Moment”
The Risk of Ruin or Loss
Dearest Rachel – It seems that all too often, I wind up telling you about stuff that happened a day or so ago, rather than what’s happening to me right in the moment. It can’t be helped; it’s just easier for me to focus on writing first thing in the morning (or at the veryContinue reading “The Risk of Ruin or Loss”
With No Expectations to Speak Of
Dearest Rachel – After spending Thursday evening wandering around the local Frontier Days festival, you’ll recall that I wasn’t particularly enthused about getting out and about on Independence Day, despite being of the understanding that it’s a once-a-year thing. If I wait until I’m “in the mood” for a fireworks display, there won’t be anyContinue reading “With No Expectations to Speak Of”
The Quiet Month of Summer
Dearest Rachel – So; it’s June. We’re almost halfway through the year, and it rather feels like it, seeing how much has already happened thus far (some of which didn’t go according to plan, but that’s life on this abandoned planet, isn’t it?). While I haven’t covered the kind of ground that I did lastContinue reading “The Quiet Month of Summer”
In Prandium Veritas
Dearest Rachel – You’re well familiar with my rule regarding long-distance travel; if it takes longer to get somewhere and back than the time spent at the destination, then it really wasn’t worth the time to bother with. It always struck me as overly cruel when executives from my old workplace were required to flyContinue reading “In Prandium Veritas”
No Right to BE Happy
Dearest Rachel – One of the things about my news feed is that it has a certain bent (some would call it a ‘bias’) to it. Whereas so many major outlets claim the mantle of objectivity and impartiality (a cloak so obviously ill-fitting as to be utterly laughable, when you compare how they treat oneContinue reading “No Right to BE Happy”
Fasting? Here? Now?
Dearest Rachel – Between the cooking and baking and the occasional restaurant visit we’ve made while on the islands, we’ve already built up a considerable stockpile of leftovers on this trip. Combine this with the fact that I packed more than what Daniel and I would have normally eaten on our own throughout a typicalContinue reading “Fasting? Here? Now?”
A Sense of Wrongness
Dearest Rachel – Morning on the island, and the house is silent. I’ve slept well, if somewhat layered up (we had to turn on the heater when we first got here, and it’s particularly chilly this morning, still (albeit only in the florida room in the back of the house). Did I say the houseContinue reading “A Sense of Wrongness”
One Final Trip (part five) Beyond Our Control
Dearest Rachel – We were just across the Indiana state line, and filling up the tank after what seemed like a couple of hours in Chicago traffic when the word came from Kerstin. After weeks – perhaps even months – of asking her (relatively new) boss for the time off, only to get either aContinue reading “One Final Trip (part five) Beyond Our Control”
One Final Trip (part four)
Dearest Rachel – It’s annoying to get reminders of things you need to do at the most inappropriate and inconvenient times. I spent Sunday morning in the audio-visual booth, listening to a sermon entitled ‘Roadtrip’ (about the conversation on the road to Emmaus – it was the week right after Easter, you understand), and foundContinue reading “One Final Trip (part four)”
Leaving You Behind (by Accident)
Dearest Rachel – It’s probably that much worse to be having to admit this to you on an anniversary date – in this case, the fifty-first month since your departure – but this is the way things happen (to say nothing of the timing of my finding out). Considering where it happened, it could atContinue reading “Leaving You Behind (by Accident)”
One Final Trip (part 3)
Dearest Rachel – Now that the busyness of the Easter weekend is in the rear view mirror, I have to get on with things regarding our (and I do mean our; you’re coming along with. In fact, you’re the reason we’re even doing this, after all) trip to the island. I’ve gotten a confirmation fromContinue reading “One Final Trip (part 3)”
Reprieve and Delay
Dearest Rachel – Well, the good news is that it’s not the transmission that’s wrong with my car (or, presumably, yours, were I or Daniel to take it in to get it looked at). The bad news is that all the little things that are wrong with it are going to cost as much asContinue reading “Reprieve and Delay”
When Even the Experts are Stumped
Dearest Rachel – By the end of the day today, it will have been nearly a week since dropping the car off at the dealer’s for what I rather thought would have been fairly routine – if admittedly less regular than just a simple lube, oil and filter – maintenance. Sure, a multi-point inspection wouldContinue reading “When Even the Experts are Stumped”
Why Tiny Houses?
Dearest Rachel – The other day, I was telling you about how I fell down a rabbit hole of real estate listings, particularly in a place that we’d both individually been to and wanted to return to, but never got the chance to do together (let alone take Daniel with us to show him whatContinue reading “Why Tiny Houses?”
The Son in the Vineyard
Dearest Rachel – So last night was an assembly for what might be considered the leaders of the church to present their pledges for the upcoming… well, it’s not so much a capital campaign like we’ve held in the past for certain specific projects as it is a commitment for future giving going forward. There’sContinue reading “The Son in the Vineyard”
They’ve Stopped Making It
Dearest Rachel – It’s a silly little line that hits early on in A Charlie Brown Christmas, but it occasionally resonates with me for reasons I can’t quite pin down. The gang are catching snowflakes on their tongues as they fall around them (Lucy, fussbudget that she is, insists that she never engages in suchContinue reading “They’ve Stopped Making It”
A Loose Hold on Time
Dearest Rachel – It’s a good thing that I no longer have to hew to a regular day-to-day schedule, because I keep losing my grip on what little I have of one. Then again, it’s entirely possible that it’s a matter of not clinging to one so tightly that leads to this situation in theContinue reading “A Loose Hold on Time”
Making Myself Useful
Dearest Rachel – Freud had a word for it: “sublimation.” While it’s now mostly used in its physical, chemical sense of a solid transmuting to gas, skipping over any possible liquid state (like carbon dioxide does, for example), he used it to refer to taking one’s baser instincts and diverting them to where they couldContinue reading “Making Myself Useful”
Accustomed to the Emptiness
Dearest Rachel – To a certain extent, I think that I’m living the life I expected to when I graduated from college with no one to my name but myself. Much as some folks used to denigrate the university experience as an opportunity for certain females to obtain their “Mrs.” degree (is that still aContinue reading “Accustomed to the Emptiness”
from Rachel: If He Does Not
In your opinion, what is most amazing about the event in Daniel 3:24-30? “Only their bonds burned, and there was not even a smell of smoke or fire on them.” Scenario A: “We can be delivered from the fire.”Dividend: “Our faith is built.”Scenario B: “We can be delivered through the fire.”Dividend: “Our faith is refined.”ScenarioContinue reading “from Rachel: If He Does Not”
Overthinking Preparations
Dearest Rachel – At some point in time, I’d like to get to where traveling halfway around the world can be taken as nonchalantly as my drive across town to the ‘office.’ Oh, I get that longer distances will take more time; that’s a truism that no amount of technology (aside from portals or transporters,Continue reading “Overthinking Preparations”
Solved in an Instant
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s not as if it’s the most interesting that could be told, but it’s pretty much the only storyline that’s been going on around me for the last couple of days, so it will have to do; the conclusion (maybe?) to the whole saga of me getting myself basically locked inContinue reading “Solved in an Instant”
from Rachel: From “He” to “You”
Which parts of Harper’s definition of ‘providence’ mean the most to you? “‘The will of the Creator who is actively involved…’” Now, return to Daniel’s proclamation of praise in 2:20-23. Note specific ways these verses express God’s sovereignty and providence. “‘He removes kings and establishes kings’” How does the sovereignty of God described in theseContinue reading “from Rachel: From “He” to “You””
Two Lines to Cross
Dearest Rachel – It was light when I woke up this morning, which astonished me, since I’d retired for the night at what you would have remembered as a traditional weekday bedtime of a little after 10:30. Yes, I was in bed before the ball dropped in Times Square, let alone midnight here in theContinue reading “Two Lines to Cross”
Satisfaction in the Small
Dearest Rachel – There’s an old story, most likely apocryphal, but ordinary and plausible enough to have a grain of truth at its core. When I say “old,” I mean nearly a millennium since it is said to have happened, as a matter of fact; you’ll recognize it as we go along. The story centersContinue reading “Satisfaction in the Small”
Explanation or Justification?
Dearest Rachel – There’s a few things that have been building up to this latest decision (or would it be a combination of decisions?) that I might as well reiterate to put it into context. Not that it needs to be justified to you; I think we both agreed that we were looking forward toContinue reading “Explanation or Justification?”
Preparations of the Day
Dearest Rachel – I get it; on this day of all days, I should be telling you about the things I’m thankful for. It’s not as if I don’t have anything to be thankful for. Between being at leisure all year as opposed to just today, and having the ability to brush off the worstContinue reading “Preparations of the Day”
Considerations of Timing
Dearest Rachel – I thought it was the wind waking me up this morning around four, like it has been for the last few days. It’s been blowing pretty hard in the mornings, and with it whipping all manner of leaves up throughout the neighborhood, it often sounds like rain against the roof and wallsContinue reading “Considerations of Timing”
Too Much, Too Late
Dearest Rachel – I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t do anything, let alone eating, this late at night. Much of it has to do with the fact that I usually wake up at five or six in the morning and work out these days; by the time nine or ten in the eveningContinue reading “Too Much, Too Late”
The Secret Handshake
Dearest Rachel – To be sure, Mom and Dad aren’t doing any more traveling from this point on. Between the logistic issues presented by his feeding tube (although, since the surgery, he hasn’t had to deal with any leaks that would otherwise force him to leave any event he was at at a moment’s notice)Continue reading “The Secret Handshake”
Upending The Schedule
Dearest Rachel – Assuming you’ve been keeping an eye on me like I always ask you to, you know what my schedule looks like on an average day. For that matter, it’s not that much different than it was when you were still around, come to that. I’d get up in the morning, head overContinue reading “Upending The Schedule”
Deadlines and Promises
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure I’ve mentioned it over the past couple of years worth of letters, but you’ll remember either way how it was a running joke within our little family that the three of us always got the same amount of cold when it swept through the house; we just got it overContinue reading “Deadlines and Promises”
The Place to Gather… Eventually
Dearest Rachel – Well, I think you’d be mildly pleased that the house is still a gathering place for the old gang… eventually. It may be as a last resort, but that it’s still considered as such is enough for me to consider it a win in my book. The situation started nearly a weekContinue reading “The Place to Gather… Eventually”
Not At This Hour
Dearest Rachel – I found myself awake this morning in pitch blackness, and upon checking the time, saw that it was barely four in the morning. I did get to bed shortly after we got home from Sparks – relatively speaking – but I wouldn’t say that ten o’clock was particularly early, given this situation.Continue reading “Not At This Hour”
Filling Vacuums
Dearest Rachel – It’s said that the shopping mall is one of America’s major contributions to civilization, right alongside baseball, hamburgers and the internet. But while there’s certainly something to be said for having a collection of shops all in a single (albeit large and labyrinthine) place, such locales appear to be dying out inContinue reading “Filling Vacuums”
Mental Meanderings
Dearest Rachel – Some time between Saturday night and Sunday morning, I found myself in an interesting situation, but one that – for reasons that will become obvious in a moment – I can’t clearly describe to you. All I can remember of it at this point is that at the time I was thinkingContinue reading “Mental Meanderings”
To Be the Glittering Joker
Dearest Rachel – It was one of the first albums I picked up once I got my bearings at university, and discovered the local Christian bookstore, with its racks of older music that straddled the line between secular and sacred; it was my introduction to Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian singer-songwriter who I was never anyContinue reading “To Be the Glittering Joker”
Factory-Installed Conscience
Dearest Rachel – One of the reasons why I’m hoping to find a ‘Megumi’ for myself is because I don’t trust myself to make the ‘right’ decision. Left to my own devices, I know I’m more likely to make the asocial, selfish choice far more often than not (consider, just as an example, how oftenContinue reading “Factory-Installed Conscience”
The Ship That Hasn’t Sailed Yet
Dearest Rachel – So this is it; a day that I’ve promised myself would come, in which I’m doing the whole ‘tourist in my home town’ bit. Oddly enough, I’m doing something that we’ve done before – which, considering how little time we ever spent in the city (apart from admiring the annual Christmas decorationsContinue reading “The Ship That Hasn’t Sailed Yet”
from Rachel: Vain Labor
“[Verse 5 is] very different [between the NCV and HCSB translations]: warfare vs. vocal confrontation” Glance at the headings under both translations. To whom is this psalm attributed? “Solomon” In Hebrew, the words are actually the name of God gave Solomon according to 2 Samuel 12:25: Jedediah, meaning ‘Beloved of Jehovah.’ The tone of theContinue reading “from Rachel: Vain Labor”
Why Not the Truth?
Dearest Rachel – It’s another day of music that was never ours, and of which some you’ve never heard. Like I said, I’m trying to listen to different stuff, so that it doesn’t bring back painful memories. On the other hand, some of it is painful enough as it is, by sheer dint of content.Continue reading “Why Not the Truth?”
Sleeping Through the War
Dearest Rachel – To be fair, for me to describe last night thusly is to completely mischaracterize it. After all, while the fireworks displays that are part and parcel of the Fourth of July are meant to represent the clamor and fire of early modern warfare in which this nation was birthed (perhaps not unlikeContinue reading “Sleeping Through the War”
I Still Have My Appetite
Dearest Rachel – It’s almost funny; last week, I was struck at various times by a good half-dozen ideas of thoughts to tell you about – and which didn’t pertain to the moment at hand, so they could be kept in reserve until such time as I didn’t have much to tell you about fromContinue reading “I Still Have My Appetite”
from Rachel: Praise the Lord
Has Satan effectively tempted you to oppose your own best interests? “yes” If so, did you did you get fed up with being your own worst earthly enemy and decide to let God bring you some healing? “yes and no – lots of times – never permanently” In our introductory session, we talked about threeContinue reading “from Rachel: Praise the Lord”
Not According to Plan
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday did not go according to my plan for it, honey. Ordinarily, I try to fast over the weekend when I’m working the booth; and while there was the temptation of a party involving the worship team after the Saturday service (which for the sake of my social life, I probably shouldContinue reading “Not According to Plan”
A Not-So-Tiny Home
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if I can blame the Sims for this, but the program does make building and furnishing a home ridiculously easy. You’d think I’d know better, after having been through the remodel of the kitchen and laundry room, but I guess I can’t help but imagine what a house likeContinue reading “A Not-So-Tiny Home”
Where Do We Go Now?
Dearest Rachel – For all the mixtapes we sent back-and-forth during the long distance portion of our courtship, neither of us were really on top of the popular music of the day. Most of your stuff came from your parents’ collection that you listened to and liked; if you wanted something more recent, you’d recordContinue reading “Where Do We Go Now?”
Hidden Agendae
Dearest Rachel – One of the ways that I can tell that I’m really back home – apart from the obvious facts of my surroundings – is the fact that not only can I tell the difference between days, but paradoxically, my weekends are busier than the days of the week. For most people, ofContinue reading “Hidden Agendae”
Dragging Him Out of the House
Dearest Rachel – It’s probably completely unnecessary for me to do this; Daniel has gotten out of the house on a regular basis in my absence. Partly out of necessity, of course, since I’ve not been around to go shopping for whatever the household may lack over these last couple of months, but also forContinue reading “Dragging Him Out of the House”
No End of Distractions
Dearest Rachel – Once again, it’s a good thing I have this area in my folks’ basement to ‘work’ in, or I’d never get anything sent off to you. It’s bad enough that, in order to ‘contact’ you, I have to do so by computer, which by dint of being connected to the internet, hasContinue reading “No End of Distractions”
Back To The Plan
Dearest Rachel – It’s taken a few extra days for me to do this, but I’ve finally got around to it. Maybe it stems from a guilty conscience about what I admitted to yesterday (combined with the fact that, as per said admission, I slept far too much during the day, and not all thatContinue reading “Back To The Plan”
The Temptation of Sloth
Dearest Rachel – I realize that, given the fact that I’m fighting the remnants of both jet lag and a cold, I might be forgiven for falling behind in my self-imposed efforts to contact you every day (especially given that, by constantly failing asleep, there’s rather little about the day to relate to you inContinue reading “The Temptation of Sloth”
I’m So Looking Forward To…
Dearest Rachel – Despite all the things that I’ve been able to enjoy here on the ship for the last three months, there is a lot that I’m looking forward to getting back to. And since my time here is coming to a close, I thought that, rather than bemoaning that fact, I ought toContinue reading “I’m So Looking Forward To…”
Abu Dhabi
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know why it is, but I can’t seem to bring myself to take this place seriously. Every time I hear the name pronounced (even silently in my head), I always hear the additional syllable “Doo!” at the end, as if cried out exultantly by an Arabian version of Fred Flintstone:Continue reading “Abu Dhabi”
Mumbai
Dearest Rachel – So this is an interesting case; one last city in which we’re staying overnight. Presumably, this is so the folks who left from Goa for the overland trip to the Taj Mahal can rejoin us. Honestly, given the complexity of this whole trip – punctuated by the fact that they had toContinue reading “Mumbai”
Goa
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure where to begin with this location. I could start by mentioning that I’d heard about this region from Mohinder, way back in the day. It was a resort area, and unique insofar as it was primarily Christian in population, having been allegedly part of St. Thomas’ (y’know, “doubting Thomas”?)Continue reading “Goa”
Cochin & Alappuzha
Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure which of these cities I should be telling you about. We’re docking in the former – well, eventually; we’re not expected to arrive until after noon – but I’ll be spending most of my time in the second, cruising (yes, I get off one ship to board anotherContinue reading “Cochin & Alappuzha”
Colombo
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what it is about this particular city, but I have trouble taking this destination seriously. Much like the criminals matching wits with this guy: Yeah, I admit it; this is what comes to mind when I think of the name of this place. And it’s not like I everContinue reading “Colombo”
For This I Risked Deportation?
Dearest Rachel – It was a little over a week ago – just as we were coming into Vietnam – when the phone in my stateroom rang. For all the time I spend here (sometimes acknowledging that I really shouldn’t; at least, not as much as I do), this isn’t a thing that happens. IfContinue reading “For This I Risked Deportation?”
Hambantota
Dearest Rachel – I’m going to save the brief bureaucratic nightmare for my recap of the day, as I think it will distract from the research I might as well do on this town (despite its size) and Columbo, given that I’ve got a sea day in which to work on this. As it happens,Continue reading “Hambantota”
Ho Chih Minh City
Dearest Rachel – Well, at least this place, I expected to be seeing, if I were to wind up as a tourist in Vietnam. Not that I ever expected to be a tourist in Vietnam, to be sure, but on a trip like this, you get the whole buffet to taste and explore. Although, givenContinue reading “Ho Chih Minh City”
from Rachel: The Lord Your Keeper
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. “I depend on him so often for so much.” The Lord protects you/Yahweh is your keeper, the Lord is a shelter right by your side  The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. The Lord will protectContinue reading “from Rachel: The Lord Your Keeper”
Nha Trang
Dearest Rachel – Another port city, another destination I know next to nothing about. In all honesty, when I realized we would be making two stops in Vietnam, I rather assumed that we would be going to the two former capitals – or at least, the port cities that led to them – Hanoi inContinue reading “Nha Trang”
Osaka
Dearest Rachel – So tomorrow is our last stop in Japan (and to think, I still have ¥10,000 in cash to get rid of – never mind the coins – I’d best find something to blow it on), and I need to do this latest destination at least a little bit of justice, seeing asContinue reading “Osaka”
Preparing To Be Overwhelmed
Dearest Rachel – I suppose you can tell from my last letter that I’m taking most of the advice from the stepsisters from Into The Woods: When going to hide… know how to get there… and how to get back… and eat first. Now, I may not be all that concerned about eating first –Continue reading “Preparing To Be Overwhelmed”
Lines of Attack
Dearest Rachel – You might remember this from the very first days of our marriage; on our honeymoon I had brought along a guide of things to do and see while at Walt Disney World. Back in those days, if you wanted to do certain things there, you needed to make reservations ahead of time,Continue reading “Lines of Attack”
Kagoshima
Dearest Rachel – A couple months ago, I told you about a manga I’d discovered (to be sure, it’s been out for years already, so it’s only really new to me) called Oyasumi Punpun (“Goodnight, Punpun”). Among the many aspects of its overall plotline was a thread in which the title character and his loveContinue reading “Kagoshima”
Nagasaki
Dearest Rachel – I find myself hoping that I’m feeling well enough to go ashore here; of all the destinations to have to miss out on, Japan would be the worst, in my mind. However, I’m pretty sure I was battling a slight fever overnight; if they do a temperature check, I don’t know howContinue reading “Nagasaki”
Letters to Rachel 