a few things i've done

Edinburgh gave us a clear-skied-blue-sun-shiney day, which, what with the normal drizzle and all, was bizzare and beautiful. On that day my Australian friend Peter and I hiked to Arthur's Seat. Peter is a primary (elementary) school teacher who has worked in Australia, Italy, and most recently London teaching hudlums. Arthur's Seat is the summit of a massive rocky hill that thrusts up out of the east side of the city, with no regard for it's urban surroundings. A touch of wild stone amidst others that have been tamed and made into dwellings, roads, cathedrals, and castle. When I asked Peter what he wants to be when he grows up he thought only briefly and said, "The best primary school teacher I can possibly be," which I took to mean that he wants to be himself, only more truly and fully himself than he is even now. I think Peter's on to something.

At the hostel there are lots of "long-termers" who have lived there for months and don't really plan on leaving. Some of them have jobs. Some don't. Out of the some that don't some of them show up in the main lounge each day at 11am to do two hours of housekeeping work in exchange for one night's lodging. I don't have a job yet, and even when I get one I like the idea of (nearly) free lodging - so I changed like 317 beds the other day - strip off the old sheets, slap on the new ones. Megan (from South Carolina) and I tackled the host of beds on the second floor - then joined some aussies to finish the top floor - an army of six of us - efficiency at its finest.

St. Giles Cathedral, an arrow's shot away from the castle, has been holding a series of musical events this year each Sunday at 6pm. Sitting, leaned up against a girthful stone pillar, with eyes closed letting the music of the choir and the organ, the finely blended voice of worship, wash over me was threateningly beautiful. They're doing Christmas music in a few weeks. I love booting Haloween out of the way to make room for Christmas - though I do wish I could dress up with Colin tonight and be his right or left hand man as Hamish or the crazy Irish Stephen (Colin is going as William Wallace) and run the streets of Indianapolis screaming "Alba Gubra" - which probably isn't spelled right, but means "Scotland forever!" and is what Wallace shouts out after his speech at Stirling in Braveheart.
I went back to St. Giles for the night service and communion. How soothing it was to bury my face in the bowl of Christ's cup of the new covenant, to feel the liquid warm my heart, the mystery of the elements nourish my soul. And the minister, who slurred his words a tad, had a bit of a lisp, and spoke with a rich Scotch accent (rich like dark chocolate) offered a sermon on Generous Orthodoxy - referring to Brian McLaren's book, but referring more so to living a life of wide-armed embrace to any and all. I got a copy of the sermon from him, so when I get back we can sit in a coffee shop and read through it together if you like.