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”
Tag Archives: video
If it’s Tuesday, We Must be Northbound
Dearest Rachel – It’s always a scramble for us to get out of our first hotel in Israel, as you remember. Not only is it our best accommodations of the trip (not to condemn the other locations, but how do you top a suite overlooking the Mediterranean? This is as close as we get toContinue reading “If it’s Tuesday, We Must be Northbound”
The Haunting I Wish For; the Haunting that Comes
Dearest Rachel – As much as it seems frivolous to do so, we did spend a lot of time together as a family in front of the television (either in its original capacity or as a computer monitor), so I suppose it’s appropriate that this letter has to do with a video Daniel and IContinue reading “The Haunting I Wish For; the Haunting that Comes”
Nightmare Created, Nightmare Hobbled
Dearest Rachel – Remind me not to do that again, honey. Queuing up a blank screen video of soothing music to fall asleep to is one thing, but ambient noise definitely has its issues. Not only is one dealing with too much light to properly sleep in (even a ‘black’ screen is emitting some light,Continue reading “Nightmare Created, Nightmare Hobbled”
You Never Asked That of Me
Dearest Rachel – The other morning, as I was waking up to the stillness of the empty bedroom (which, after over a week of sharing hotel rooms and a ship’s stateroom with Daniel’s, ought to be a bit of a relief, but there you go), an earworm burrowed itself into my mind. You know theContinue reading “You Never Asked That of Me”
A Halifax Busy Day
Dearest Rachel – I realize that I should have taken a moment yesterday to wish you a happy thirty-third anniversary before I went on about our day, but as we were anticipating a busy day ashore, so we were rather preoccupied, I’m afraid. At the same time, do anniversaries still tally up when one partnerContinue reading “A Halifax Busy Day”
In the Breton Island Fog
Dearest Rachel – So after a couple of days at sea – hey, at twenty-five knots, it takes a while to get anywhere from Greenland, let alone the North American continent – you might think we would be itching to get off the ship and onto dry land. And that may very well have beenContinue reading “In the Breton Island Fog”
Greenland Isn’t Icy Either, But…
Dearest Rachel – We were in the Crown Lounge yesterday morning, enjoying our coffee (which I’d spiked with chocolate syrup from the pancake table; for some reason, they don’t have hot cocoa mix on this trip, when it would be so much more appropriate to have on hand, given some of the places we’re visiting)Continue reading “Greenland Isn’t Icy Either, But…”
When the Camera Doesn’t Do it Justice
Dearest Rachel – So our second day in Iceland had us on an actual excursion. While I’d considered a horseback ride as a option, Daniel’s lack of enthusiasm for the possibility (to be fair, he hasn’t ridden a horse since we visited Disney World with Ellen some twenty-three years ago) caused me to decide againstContinue reading “When the Camera Doesn’t Do it Justice “
Time Afoot
Dearest Rachel – After finishing up my last letter to you about the city (granted, I didn’t dwell too much on the city, since you remember having been here – and, like I said, we didn’t spend too much time in Reykjavik proper), there wasn’t a whole lot for us to do at the timeContinue reading “Time Afoot”
Never Mind the Research, Here’s the City as We Knew It (London)
Never Mind the Research, Here’s the City as We Knew It (London) – Somehow, it doesn’t feel like it’s worthwhile to research a city that most people know better than I do. All I can do is post some of our memories from our first visit…
What Does Daisy Want?
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure you remember how pop culture influences our conversations; how we relate to each other, and even how we see ourselves. Remember the little internet quizzes that would ask “what character from [the latest ‘thing’] are you?” I think we were a little dismayed, for instance, to see that we wouldContinue reading “What Does Daisy Want?”
Rattle Around in Your Bones
Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to refresh your memory that summer is Daniel’s least favorite season. Despite this being common knowledge between us, he will often complain about the heat – and I can’t say as I blame him; it’s at least ten, and possibly as much as twenty degrees hotter up here thanContinue reading “Rattle Around in Your Bones”
Just Like It Used To
Dearest Rachel – It started off with a fairly frivolous announcement last week; during the orientation regarding the mission to Honduras, there was some mention made about the final full day in the area, which would not include much in the way of actual work, but would be a series of ‘cultural experiences’ as aContinue reading “Just Like It Used To”
Freedom in a Land of Plenty
Dearest Rachel – This morning, I was just heading out from the gym (and having to turn back after passing the office complex behind the strip mall it’s in because I left my cap there; it was bright and sunny when I left, which caused me to forget that I’d worn it in the drizzleContinue reading “Freedom in a Land of Plenty”
I Don’t Think I Try Sometimes…
Dearest Rachel – I’ve said enough about Memorial Day festivities for one year (at least!) already, honey, so I’ll set the day itself aside for now. I will say that getting together at Jeanette and Ramón’s place is still a little surreal. It’s like attending a family reunion where I’m not actually a part ofContinue reading “I Don’t Think I Try Sometimes…”
Maybe We Don’t WANT Closure
Dearest Rachel – Happy fifty-fifth birthday, honey. This is it; the day we set you adrift the way you wanted to be. This is why we’re here – right down to why we’ve waited so long – we wanted to make sure your closest friends were here to share this moment. Given how long it’sContinue reading “Maybe We Don’t WANT Closure”
What Has Changed?
Dearest Rachel – Part of me can’t believe it’s been eighteen years since you took this footage as we scoped out the cottage you used to refer to as “Miz Fay’s place” back when your family were still staying at the Bretz cottages a short wade further north. Another part of me can’t believe I’mContinue reading “What Has Changed?”
Sleeping Through the Process
Dearest Rachel – After putting myself through a full-day fast last weekend (with an exception made for a can of coffee to get me through Sunday morning’s shift), I’ve made it through the entirety of this week below the two-fifteen line, and at least once a day at or below two-ten (although I still haven’tContinue reading “Sleeping Through the Process”
We Don’t Have That Kind of Time
Dearest Rachel – It was a strange and small dream that I saw you in the other night, coming in on the heels of a completely separate feature where I and Mohinder(!) had been lost in the empty wilds of rural Japan, able to send reports electronically to the home office in Yamanashi, but forContinue reading “We Don’t Have That Kind of Time”
A Long Painful Weekend
Dearest Rachel – Well, I suppose I saw this coming. As of Friday, I was already at the point where I wasn’t particularly motivated to get myself to the gym for another five uphill mile session – more from joint pain than illness, but aware that one might very well inform the other. By SaturdayContinue reading “A Long Painful Weekend”
Stuff and Junk and Stuff
Dearest Rachel – You might remember one of those many anime gag dubs we used to collect back in the day from Midnight Madnesses past in which a character made fun of the fact that their lips kept moving after they’d essentially said what they had to (and while that has been a running jokeContinue reading “Stuff and Junk and Stuff”
Pondering This Morning’s Earworm
Dearest Rachel – It seems apropos of absolutely nothing, but that’s pretty much how earworms work; like dreams, they aren’t required – or even expected – to make much sense. And yet, in some ways, it gives one something to think about, even if it’s only the obvious (and somewhat unanswerable, given the previous statement)Continue reading “Pondering This Morning’s Earworm”
Not Quite All Night
Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to remind you that we were never exactly what you’d call “party people.” We didn’t hit the town to go clubbing but once every few years, and those times that we did, we found the atmosphere too dim and too loud. Even in college, I probably attended more fraternityContinue reading “Not Quite All Night”
Moving Out
Dearest Rachel – Well, this is it. After having unpacked in my stateroom upon arrival – and having accumulated so much since then, it’s time for me to gather everything back up, and move out, if I can. But first, I have a morning ritual to perform for the last time. You’re probably wondering whyContinue reading “Moving Out”
Crammed In
Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that, on this last ‘full’ day of my trip, I’m giving the upcoming event my full attention. I’m too concerned with making sure everything I have has been packed away sufficiently. And once I got it all together, I read what I should be bringing ashore – including swimwearContinue reading “Crammed In”
Where Are the IT Guys?
Dearest Rachel – I wouldn’t blame you if, at this point, you’d be wondering why I haven’t put together a recap of my first day in Mumbai, at least. I’ve been prompt enough with all the other places, now, haven’t I? Yeah, well… about that… It’s not that I don’t have the material, I promiseContinue reading “Where Are the IT Guys?”
Bouncing Around
Dearest Rachel – I’m not gonna lie, honey; I’m not a big fan of the public address system they have on the ship. You can always hear the ‘bing-bong’ of the chimes, heralding an important announcement for all the ships passengers to hear, only for the actual voice to be completely inaudible to someone likeContinue reading “Bouncing Around”
Better Than Cook’s Tour?
Dearest Rachel – Back in the day, I understand that Thomas Cook & Son was considered to be the gold standard for tourism; the “Cook’s tour” was proverbial for being given a decent understanding of a place and situation, whether a new job or an actual vacation spot. So, taking into account that the jobContinue reading “Better Than Cook’s Tour?”
As Day Wears Into Night
Dearest Rachel – It’s weird; I’ve found myself treating this morning much as I would a sea day. And for good reason; we’ve basically been at sea all morning, with literally no sign of land to speak of. To be sure, it’s been somewhat hazy outside, so even if there was land nearby, we mightContinue reading “As Day Wears Into Night”
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?”
Ringgit Out
Dearest Rachel – I rather expected to be able to wander about the city once my (relatively brief, I have to admit) shore excursion was over with today. I had way too much ringgit in my pocket, especially considering how far those things go here in Malaysia. I certainly had plenty of time to doContinue reading “Ringgit Out”
Without Fear and Without Research
Dearest Rachel – It’s not much of an excursion, though; just transport from the port to the capital city, where we’re to be dropped off at Pavilion Shopping Mall in the Bukit Bintang area (the advertising copy adds the adjective ‘famous’ to the district, but given my familiarity with the city – which is absolutelyContinue reading “Without Fear and Without Research”
What Would “Uncle Ho” Think?
Dearest Rachel – Technically, we’re in the municipality of Phu My (and please, don’t ask me to pronounce that). It’s not all that unusual; many of the cities that we are visiting are separate from the port we actually dock at. Consider Keelung and Taipei, for instance, or even Yokohama and Tokyo, for that matterContinue reading “What Would “Uncle Ho” Think?”
Momentary Millionaire
Dearest Rachel – Since I thought I might need to get my hands on some of the local currency in case I have any significant expenditures to deal with while ashore (if nothing else, having cash to tip our tour guides with can’t be a bad thing), I figured I would look up the localContinue reading “Momentary Millionaire”
Last Day in Japan
Dearest Rachel – It probably shouldn’t come as any surprise that I’m wearing my “America-jin” shirt yet again – it’s my last chance to do so and have it mean anything to anybody. I have to admit to being somewhat dismayed by the effect of a couple of laundries on it already; I think they use aContinue reading “Last Day in Japan”
Return To The Mountain
Dearest Rachel – It is so weird to be back in the same obscure little exurban(? I mean, it’s exurban to Tokyo, whose existence is so overwhelming that even Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, practically ceases to exist in most people’s minds – including my own – as a separate entity) port thatContinue reading “Return To The Mountain”
But You Can’t Stay Here
Dearest Rachel – In fairness, I was not planning on staying aboard the ship for as long as I did this morning. For all the time I’d spent in Tokyo yesterday on two separate occasions, it seemed only fair to give Yokohama a little attention; after all, that’s where we are. However, between a soreContinue reading “But You Can’t Stay Here “
To Kabuki-cho At Night
Dearest Rachel – They tell me that to take a cab out from Yokohama to downtown Tokyo would run me some ten thousand yen; I say stuff that noise. I consider the public transportation system to be its own adventure (especially in a place like this, where it’s safe in a way that I can’tContinue reading “To Kabuki-cho At Night”
Tokyo By Daylight
Dearest Rachel – For all my preparations, I’m apprehensive about how this plan of mine will work. You’ve already heard my concerns about the national attitude toward otaku culture (despite being more than willing to make bank on it), but as I sit in the theater, ruminating on just the transportation plans, I’m getting moreContinue reading “Tokyo By Daylight”
No Sweat
Dearest Rachel – Unlike the night before, when we were heading in to Nagasaki, and I was literally sweating out my fever, last night was a relatively easy night, even if I was still having difficulty breathing from time to time. Often I either get too warm or too cold, but last night went prettyContinue reading “No Sweat”
Return To Where I’ve Never Been
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure that, to my tablemates, my Japanophilia may seem a little strange. It dates, as you remember, from our college days, before I was aware of terms like ‘anime’ (back then, what little there was that came to the States was referred to as ‘Japanimation,’ and even then, those who coinedContinue reading “Return To Where I’ve Never Been”
天津一日游 – A Day in Tianjin
Dearest Rachel – Unlike Beijing, where I was basically skirting around the city I’d visited quite literally once upon a time, Tianjin is a city I’m not particularly familiar with. When I was in China the last time, we arrived by plane, not by ship, and as such, while this is “the port of theContinue reading “天津一日游 – A Day in Tianjin”
Twelve Hours on the Mainland (Eight of Them on the Road)
Dearest Rachel – So, this is the day; the twelve-plus hour excursion. They don’t get any longer than this; from here on out, everything else is going to be relatively easy. Hours on a coach, passing two enormous cities, to visit a place that I’ve been to before (but admittedly, barely remember, apart from someContinue reading “Twelve Hours on the Mainland (Eight of Them on the Road)”
Filming One’s Seoul
Dearest Rachel – Morning in Incheon starts slowly; while I’m up an hour before the alarm I set for myself, I’m slow in getting myself put together. It’s reasonable, as I don’t need to be in the theater until a quarter after nine – and the extra hour, in particular, means I have more thanContinue reading “Filming One’s Seoul”
As Early As I Can
Dearest Rachel – After several stops in a row where I’ve been running late (or at least running out of time), I’m getting an early start on the day. I set my alarm for this morning, which you’d think you’d never have to do when you’re on vacation, but there you go. Sometimes you haveContinue reading “As Early As I Can”
Hong Kong Again… For the First Time
Dearest Rachel – For all that I may have written so long ago about being here, I would remember none of it had I not done so. I have certain impressions based on a re-reading of those entries, but given that it was thirty-five years (and a whole new national character, thanks to being ChineseContinue reading “Hong Kong Again… For the First Time”
A Real Spa Day
Dearest Rachel – Considering the vast open spaces I could see from my balcony, I have to admit that I’d rather expected that we would be tendering in to Subic Bay. However, given that it was a military installation once upon a time – and a Naval one, at that – I really should haveContinue reading “A Real Spa Day”
The Sea You Always Wanted
Dearest Rachel – Maybe this was due to us having to charge out, hell bent for leather, from the Bay of Islands in order to make up for lost time in our attempts to stick to the original schedule. Maybe it was a cell of bad weather than the captain simply couldn’t navigate around (atContinue reading “The Sea You Always Wanted”
Facts and Stories
Dearest Rachel – The sun eventually rises, and we find ourselves looking at a much calmer day than yesterday. Even the tender over to Waitanga is fairly smooth; although we do hit a brief stretch of wake that I can’t help but comment upon in that instant (because I know you would be exulting inContinue reading “Facts and Stories”
A Place to Focus
Dearest Rachel – After so many days at sea from L.A. to Hawaii, from Hawaii to Polynesia, and now from Polynesia to New Zealand, I’m starting to become aware of just how much of that time I’m spending in my stateroom, rather than getting out and wandering amongst the crowds, such as they are (thisContinue reading “A Place to Focus”
Time to Waste
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Attributed to Bertrand Russell, Lawrence Peter, and John Lennon, among others Dearest Rachel – The above quotation, whoever is said to have coined it, is a phrase that you and I lived by as much as possible. Given our schedules, idle hours were a few and farContinue reading “Time to Waste”
Attempting to Drift
Dearest Rachel – Even though I’m still feeling like I’m on Central Time to a certain extent, just because I managed to wake up early enough to watch the ship come in doesn’t mean that I’m actually productive at such an hour. Or rather, it’s not a complete form of productivity; I managed to compile and uploadContinue reading “Attempting to Drift”
What Happens Next
Dearest Rachel – After that long wait to get myself on a tender, several of the crew came up from the gangway deck to let us know that tender #15 had space for just ten more people. I was among the ones who volunteered, and literally was the last person on. It was either thatContinue reading “What Happens Next”
Three Different Stories Every Day
Dearest Rachel – Unlike some of our travels in the past – Israel comes to mind in particular, with our guides often making it explicitly clear that “this is a tour, not a vacation,” as it’s a spiritual learning experience as opposed to one for relaxation – this trip is supposed to be a vacation,Continue reading “Three Different Stories Every Day”
Mall Walking
Dearest Rachel – It’s something I’d never think of doing at home – at least, barring extreme circumstances, such as losing a tire outside of one and having to walk home in a light snowstorm (yes, I remember that trip, even to the point of one of us observing that Chompers would be getting franticContinue reading “Mall Walking”
Trying to Keep Up in Oahu
Dearest Rachel – I promise this will be my last reference to Peppo’s Pidgin To Da Max, but this morning has me remembering a cartoon of a bright and cheery bus driver addressing his load of tired tourists with a clearly booming “Aloha, keiki! Get da kine makapiapia outta you eyes! We get plenny fo’Continue reading “Trying to Keep Up in Oahu”
A Record, However I Can
Dearest Rachel – So this morning, just before I set out to wander around the port (as of 7:30, the call went out that anyone could hop on the tenders, regardless of what number their ticket said – or, in my case, the scheduled meeting time of my shore excursion – because there were soContinue reading “A Record, However I Can”
Obeying Whose Orders?
Dearest Rachel – In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the best choice for me to be watching while I was waiting for the girls to show up last night. For all intents and purposes, I really should be talking to you mostly about the dinner we had last night; one last get-together before I ship out. AboutContinue reading “Obeying Whose Orders?”
Not So Easily Said
Dearest Rachel – As much as I’m not particularly fond of their attitudes, I have to give the TikTokers their due. Being able to talk straight through everything, without hesitation, without self-consciousness – I’d say it was easier said than done, but the whole point is that it’s not so easily said at all. For me toContinue reading “Not So Easily Said”
Go Pro Envy
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday found me saying one last goodbye to the gang in the booth, as well as the praise team, over the weekend. As I spend more weekends working the booth than not, it’s going to be weird not doing so for at least thirteen straight weekends. While hanging out in the greenContinue reading “Go Pro Envy”
Proof of Concept
Dearest Rachel – I’ve concluded that there’s no way that I’m going to be able to tell you everything about my upcoming trip in so many words; pictures are going to be necessary, and perhaps moving pictures even more so. So between one thing and another, I’ve decided to put together short video letters to tellContinue reading “Proof of Concept”
I Just Can’t Even “Imagine”
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure that, once upon a New Year’s Rockin’ Eve of yore, when we actually watched those sorts of things live on the television rather than on some stream across the internet, you and I saw, just before the ball began its minute-long decent to the roof of the Flatiron Building,Continue reading “I Just Can’t Even “Imagine””
Sub-Celestial Homesick Blues
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure when exactly we got into listening to Bob Dylan; certainly, it was long after his real moment had passed (although considerably before the Nobel Committee noticed him, so we were at least ahead of those old fogies). Not that we could help it; his peak was before we wereContinue reading “Sub-Celestial Homesick Blues”
What it Means to be Home
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you before about how I’ve been trying to expand the assortment of music I’m exposed to, if for no other reason than that to dilute the frequency I have to deal with songs that we would have considered ‘ours,’ whether or not they were part of our mix tape collectionContinue reading “What it Means to be Home”
Preservation Priorities
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned the story in passing before, but I might as well retell it here and now; I’ll get to the ‘why’ in a moment. Your family, if I remember the story correctly, were among the first to get their hands on a video cassette recorder, back in theContinue reading “Preservation Priorities”
What We Would Watch
Dearest Rachel – Last night, while occupying my evening with YouTube in the bedroom while the boys were doing likewise in the family room, I was presented with an AdSense question that, at the moment, struck me as rather strange. It was asking me how often I watched horror films and series, with responses rangingContinue reading “What We Would Watch”
DIY Zombie Karaoke
Dearest Rachel – Since I’m meeting with Lars today, and I just got confirmation that everything is a ‘go’ as far as the church books are concerned (which is to say, everything from last month has finally been entered, and I can run the numbers and assemble the reports for the board members), I haveContinue reading “DIY Zombie Karaoke”
Blue Sky and Memory
Dearest Rachel – I don’t exactly have a dream to tell you about this morning, only a piece of music that was running through my head upon waking up at three in the morning. It was a song that I would claim that I’ve never heard before my iTunes algorithm brought it to my attentionContinue reading “Blue Sky and Memory”
Two Pieces of Mail
Dearest Rachel – It’s true that we get way more than two pieces of mail in any given day; the recycling bin can well attest to that. And, considering how early in the morning I’m writing you about this, I’m sure you can already figure out that these weren’t received today, in any event. ButContinue reading “Two Pieces of Mail”
Setting My Rules Aside
Dearest Rachel – I promised myself I would wait for the girls, but there’s only so much I can do about self-imposed restrictions when I want to break them. I’d apologize, but to whom? I’d gotten my hands on that anime series I’ve mentioned a few times since Anime Central; A Place Further than theContinue reading “Setting My Rules Aside”
Lonely Works of Art
Dearest Rachel – I’d relate my dreams to you from last night, but even at this relatively early hour (as I need to finish dressing and head off to the Bible study), the only image I can remember from last night was that of you, sitting across from me at some outdoor cafe, sucking onContinue reading “Lonely Works of Art”
Still A Little Too Soon
Dearest Rachel – it’s funny how things work out sometimes. When I wrote to you earlier this morning, I was already concerned that I would not be there when I was told that the registration booth for sponsors would be opening up. In fact, I was late by well over an hour. And yet, whenContinue reading “Still A Little Too Soon”
Nerd Prom
Dearest Rachel – It never fails. You’d think that the convention would fill up the entirety of the Hyatt, where everything is based out of (or at least was, back in the old days. Nowadays, I suppose the convention center proper is the real hub for all the goings-on). Considering that the event books upContinue reading “Nerd Prom”
Three ¡Alarma! Fire
Dear Rachel – The irony of this letter is that, while the mix tapes we sent each other back in the day included songs from each of the albums from which I’m referencing, I’m not touching on them at all today. You see, this letter isn’t about our relationship with each other, but our (inContinue reading “Three ¡Alarma! Fire”
Yes, It Is; No, I’m Not
Dearest Rachel – I’ve known about this for the past two weeks, although I haven’t really bothered to actually watch it. But there it is; or more to the point, there I am. When Dinu saw me after the service Saturday evening, he had to ask whether that was really me or not, and IContinue reading “Yes, It Is; No, I’m Not”
Here We Go Again
Dearest Rachel – This will probably not come as a great shock to you; it didn’t to me, although I was nevertheless disappointed to see it happen. After all, Ruby had gone so long without being too clingy (I tended to chalk up her contacting me on a daily basis as being a case ofContinue reading “Here We Go Again”
The Twelfth Pain
Dearest Rachel – I remember your calling me at some point while I was at the ‘office’ last year on this day. “Do you know what’s going on in Washington?” To be sure, I was keeping up with the news feed, but there’s always a lag between the activity and the written word describing it;Continue reading “The Twelfth Pain”
The Wind Has No Answer
Dearest Rachel – I wonder if you ever bother to look down on the earth from wherever you may be. How fast is it moving, from your perspective? They say that the spin is a thousand miles an hour at the equator, but what is that on a sphere of 24,000 miles in circumference? CanContinue reading “The Wind Has No Answer”
Dancing While It’s All Torn Down
Dearest Rachel – This is probably what comes of driving to the ‘office’ as the weather chills, and the rains that fall are cold and unpleasant. As I’ve said, I’m no runner, and I have no desire to expose myself to that sort of weather if I don’t have to. That being said, it’s suchContinue reading “Dancing While It’s All Torn Down”
“With,” Not “To”
Dearest Rachel – When we were ‘courting,’ for lack of a better term (it wasn’t quite dating, when you were at college and I was working some 150 miles away), we would send music back and forth to each other. It was a way of keeping in touch, sending each other messages that some lyricistContinue reading ““With,” Not “To””
Doing It His Way
Dearest Rachel – Not all of my trips across town are terribly interesting. Certainly this mornings wasn’t, unless you count the fact that I had to deliver some mail to the folks that share our address. I didn’t recognize the name on the envelope, and whoever sent it didn’t bother to specify whether South orContinue reading “Doing It His Way”
The Sands of Ho-Na-Lee
Dearest Rachel – There are some days, darling, when I admit that there isn’t much to write to you about. Nothing much is happening, I don’t find myself inspired, and I find myself forcing myself – rather against Jan’s advice – to send you something simply for the sake of sending you something. This isn’tContinue reading “The Sands of Ho-Na-Lee”
Twilight Memories
Dearest Rachel – The nights are getting longer; well, they’ve been getting longer since Daniel’s birthday nearly four months ago. But now that we’ve passed the vernal equinox, and the hours of darkness exceed those of light, it becomes that much more obvious… and painful. October, even out here on the internet, is a monthContinue reading “Twilight Memories”
But Father, By Your Grace
Dearest Rachel – I almost feel the need to apologize for upstaging you today; this being Sunday, I would be posting (and I have posted) some of your notes from the Purpose-Driven Life journal you were working on in 2004. But this is likely to overshadow it, I’m afraid. Of course, why shouldn’t it? MarathonContinue reading “But Father, By Your Grace”
Rules Lawyering
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday, being Sunday, was our usual game night. Only, it was anything but usual. What with Kevin being up here for the week, this was an opportunity for the four of us who have been meeting online to get together in person for the first time since the pandemic – andContinue reading “Rules Lawyering”
You Can Put Away Your Sunscreen
Dearest Rachel – Well, another season has come and gone. Summer is officially over. Amazing to realize that the passage of time is not an arbitrary concept, but there are physical conditions that we can observe here on earth; day and night, and the length of each defining the season of the year, even ifContinue reading “You Can Put Away Your Sunscreen”
The Most Important Hour of My Life – On An Insignificant Day
Dearest Rachel – I feel like I should apologize for the poor quality of this video. But the tape is, after all, twenty-nine years old, and it hasn’t been played in maybe ten, fifteen years; it can’t be expected to hold up all that well for all that time, especially on such an outdated andContinue reading “The Most Important Hour of My Life – On An Insignificant Day”
The Futility of Collection
Dearest Rachel – So the other day, I started working on those video tapes from downstairs; playing them on one of our old VCRs, running the output through the converter box, and turning them into digital files. I’ll probably be putting one of them up on my channel at some point today, because I needContinue reading “The Futility of Collection”
Thousands of Hours to Go
Dearest Rachel – I went through three VCRs trying to figure out what was going wrong. It turned out that the reason there was no adequate picture was because I shouldn’t have plugged the connection in all the way. I think I’m gonna have to go back and explain this to you. Let me justContinue reading “Thousands of Hours to Go”
Music For Staring at the Axe
Dearest Rachel – Eleven years ago tomorrow, you went in for surgery to remove a tumor from your brain. At the time, we didn’t know what was going to happen to you; the fact that it was not within the brain was a relatively good sign, and the doctor was fairly certain it would turnContinue reading “Music For Staring at the Axe”
Ce N’est Pas un Rendez-vous
Dearest Rachel – Since both your parents were university art professors, I know you had a thorough grounding in the fine arts, including history and the like. And given your dad’s fondness for dada and surrealism, you’re undoubtedly familiar with Rene Magritte and his work. And at the moment, I’d like to call attention toContinue reading “Ce N’est Pas un Rendez-vous”
What To Do About VidCon?
Dearest Rachel – So, the news has come down the pike… they’re actually holding VidCon this year. It’s going to be in October this year, rather than June or July, but it’s still happening. I wonder how that’s going to fly with its core audience, which seems to be kids who otherwise ought to beContinue reading “What To Do About VidCon?”
Can’t Recall The Verse
Dearest Rachel – I don’t often set my alarm these days, but it’s necessary on Saturdays, in order to ensure I’m there on time for the men’s Bible study (not to mention the fact that, on the first Saturday of the month – because last week was a holiday – the guys organizing it fixContinue reading “Can’t Recall The Verse”
The Wheelchair
Dearest Rachel – Well, the shipment arrived today: Chompers now has himself a wheelchair. Unfortunately, the old boy seems to know when I do and when I don’t have the camera with me or trained on him, and doesn’t do nearly as much when I do as when I don’t. The good news is, asContinue reading “The Wheelchair”
Once More, With Feeling
Dearest Rachel – “This had better be some roller coaster.” Yeah, the line was that much longer today than the first time. I’m not sure why. To be honest, I thought I’d heard that doses were starting to go begging at this point. Although, to be fair, it has been quite the roller coaster, thisContinue reading “Once More, With Feeling”
Bucket List
Dearest Rachel – I remember you telling me, in that last week before the accident, of a time not too far back when you were talking to a friend. It might have been Chompers’ Mommy Kim; I don’t recall who it was. She had mentioned to you that there were two specific places that sheContinue reading “Bucket List”
If There Be Aloneness
Dearest Rachel – If there be alonenessLet it befor the pleasure of one’s own company for the striving to understand oneself for the joy of relaxation but most of allLet it beby choice. Mya Anderson (PHS Class of 1988) Roundtable 1986 I have carried this little slice of wisdom, penned by a classmate your ageContinue reading “If There Be Aloneness”
Burninatin’
Dearest Rachel – Today’s letter was supposed to be about heading up to Camp Awana for a budget meeting, and my concerns about seeing the place for the first time since the accident. However, one of the guys I was to ride up there with got sick (again, probably just a cold rather than Covid,Continue reading “Burninatin’”
Ghost in the Machine
Dearest Rachel – Jan can be a real hoot sometimes (and in so doing, she manages to take the most bitter edge off of everything we’ve been finding as we go through the house). Her happy dance when she finds hidden money – and there’s been a lot of it scattered throughout the place; you’veContinue reading “Ghost in the Machine”
Letters to Rachel 