Satisfying Saturday

It’s a laidback morning here, and the feeling of such a thing is slowly becoming familiar again. It seems a good long while since Saturday morning has meant anything but study, but today – on the backend of another completed seminary semester, as well as an entire year of preparing to teach two classes five times a week – is a joyous day. Granted, there’s still a week’s worth of school left before summer is officially here, but all that amounts to is grading final exams and entering grades – still a chore, but one of evaluation, not preparation.

I woke up with two goals in mind – weed the rose bush and clean out the stairwell leading to the basement. As of 9:15, those are finished, so the rest of the day involves two graduation parties and reading a book that doesn’t require the use of a highlighter. Who knows? I may even take a nap with a cuddly 4-, 6-, 7-, or 9-year-old if any of them would be so inclined.

I’ll post more substance next week (as always, there are some interesting things going on in the world that merit some thought), but in the meantime, here’s an update to finish the week:

1. The bank is playing games with us, so we’re playing them right back. For those following along, we made an offer roughly $30,000 under their initially-communicated price; they came back with their “counter offer” that was $30,000 over said price, which caused us to wonder whether they understood the basics of negotiating or were simply pulling a bait-and-switch. We came back with our planned second offer and are waiting to hear back on Monday. We also took the liberty of offering some reality by including this article from last week’s paper.

2. We went to Covenant‘s graduation last night – two-and-a-half hours of worship of God and honors and accolades for our friends. It was fun to see so many we knew walk across the stage to receive their diplomas and regalia, as well as to be genuinely happy for their accomplishment in light of all the hard work and commitment their degrees represent. To those who graduated last night, well done.

3. My six book per month goal for 2008 is off to a slow start; unfortunately, I’ve only been averaging about 3 books a month, but hope to catch up this summer. Books I’m currently reading: Buffalo for the Broken Heart by Dan O’Brien; UnChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons; and Confessions by Augustine.

4. I’m really enjoying the first season of Dexter on DVD. True, it’s graphic and not for the faint of heart (the main character is a blood splatter forensics expert for the Miami Police Department who also happens to be a serial killer himself), but the internal monologue and tension stemming from his character dichotomy is insightful and well-written.

5. Charlie Peacock has a new jazz album out that promises to be good. Charlie collaborated with Jeff Coffin (saxophonist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones) on Arc of the Circle and the clips sound very improvisational and interesting – a more eclectic Coltrane, if you will.