I Like That Old Time Rock & Roll

Coming back to Auburn was a little hard for both Joshua and I. It is getting better all the time as we are starting to make friends and get situated. We’ve now met the other three Visiting Instructors (people that have a one year position like Joshua). They are an interesting, diverse group and just what the doctor ordered. Making contact with other people who are a) new to this community and b) older than undergraduates, has been a welcome activity. We just went for drinks last night and it was pretty entertaining. Meeting the other one year peeps has already resulted in walking into a coffee shop and recognizing someone.

Let’s have a brief discussion about fashion. I just recently saw the movie Risky Business. This movie, in my estimation, is terrible. At the least I will say that I did not enjoy it much at all. Tom Cruise’s character had a very specific sense of style that stuck with me. It is sort of a super preppy, super eighties pastel polo shirt with kakie (sp?) shorts and leather loafers with no socks kind of look. Enter Auburn, AL, where apparently Tom Cruise is the fashion icon. OK let’s be real. These students are too young to remember Risky Business, though they probably (like me) know the lip sync in your underwear scene that has become a bit of a cultural reference point. When Tika and I were shopping she kept saying that the eighties are back. I can’t quite tell if they are back, here in Auburn, or if they never left. I have never, in all of my days seen so many people who look so preppy in such great number. It is bizarre. Thank god for other philosophy peeps and a hipster joint named Cambridge Coffee, else we’d be adrift in a sea of pastel polo shirts and sun dresses looking like utter freaks for lack of same.

Everyone is polite and warm which is great. People still stare sometimes, but I think the fact that there are more people around and that some people who used to stare have now seen me a few times has made me a little less shocking.

The bar we went to last night was really cool. It is called Skybar. It has wood floors, a stage for bands and no ceiling. The temperature was perfect and early in the night it is very easy to get a drink without running into a ton of people. I raise my glass to my good friend Brian L. and say that I very much enjoyed my vodka cran(s) and thought of you when I ordered them.

Saturday night there is going to be a get together for the philosophy department at a faculty members house. I’m excited about meeting everyone.

Joshua’s birthday is on Monday and we are going to get an ice cream cake, eat out at a nice restaurant and then have some drinks with at least one friend.

Today, Joshua and I are going to the ticket office to see if we can scare up some football tickets. I will take some pictures of a game day Saturday and see if I can post them on the blog. I am both curious and a tiny bit scared to see what happens. We are also going to go to the farmer's market and see if there is anything good. We have a couple of options after that. We may try to make it to the opening ceremonial for the creation of a sand mandala at the art museum or head to a short video and discussion on campus about responsible consumption.

Quick Catch Up

Joshua and I are both back in Auburn now. The fall semester has already begun. Joshua has four sections of introductory Medical Ethics. Altogether he has about 120 students.

Joshua has reported to have had a nice time visiting his brother and his two best friends from childhood in Bremerton. It sounds like the Bellingham Summer Philosophy Conference was fun as well.

I had an amazing trip home. I got to spend time with both of my families as well as my Grandmother. I also got to see some good friends, Tara and Brian, who drove out of their way to come visit me and spend some quality time with my dear friend Becky.

My brothers and sisters continue to surprise and delight me as they grow up. That all of them are turning into or are already awesome young adults is a beautiful thing. I got to enjoy time with each of them. Bolin and I went on his paper routes together, Garren and I did a couple of Slurpee runs, Leia and I spent a great deal of time with horses. Tika and I did some shopping.

My Grandma was, as ever, a warm, interesting, hilarious woman. I had a great time seeing her in her new element (a retirement community) and meeting all of her new friends and neighbors. We both got to spend an unprecedented amount of time with my uncle and aunt which was also fabulous! I know I sound all gushy, or whatever, but I just had an amazing time.

So, the Washington trips get four giant thumbs in the air. Well played Pacific Northwest…well played. I am from you and I love you.

Also, quick side note, I turned 27. I love a good birthday and this one was no slouch! I had ice cream cake and the Olympics opening ceremony, a couple of delicious b-day dinners and the like.