octolilly [through the years]

I attended a play with some friends this evening. Cyrano de Bergerac. It was at BJU, and being amidst the hoard of students felt odd. I haven’t been on campus in quite sometime and seeing old friends was bittersweet. So much has changed. And I’m mostly glad to be on the other side of those years. But the play was exceptional. Seeing Dr. Bob III play the lead character was hilarious and watching Roxanne (who was played by an old acquaintance) flirt with him was just terribly odd.

And then we met at Steak & Ale for some delicious food. There is something about being with 13 people, conversations flying about, laughter shaking the room, and hearing Elliot explain the theory behind Switchfoot’s Dare You to Move. “Well, I suppose you need to be dared to move before you actually move.”

This coming from a kid who kept spilling pasta all over his shirt. And then deciding it was too good to waste. So he would lick his sleeves. (I might have done the same had it been fried okra and mashed potatoes)

Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes. Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers’ tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, a choking gall and a preserving sweet.

– William Shakespeare

Perhaps it’s the nerd in me, or my slight fascination with the West Wing, but I like to read the White House Press Briefings.

And I particularly liked today’s.

Question: Scott, there’s a new round of rumors that Arafat has died. What does the White House know?

Scott: I don’t have any other information for you. We continue to monitor the situation. That’s what I can tell you at this point.

Question: Don’t you know whether he has died, or not?

Scott: Helen, again, we continue to monitor the situation. I don’t have anything further for you —

Question: You don’t know anything more?

Scott: I don’t have anything further for you on it at this time.

Question: There have been a number of published reports — Forbes and others — claiming that Arafat and his wife have taken between $3 billion to $6 billion from the Palestinian people. A lot of that money was contributed by Americans or by the United States, or by organizations from the United States. Is the U.S. trying to help the Palestinian people regain their money?

Scott: Connie, I don’t think now is the appropriate time to comment on issues of that nature.

Question: After he dies, will you comment on it?

Scott: I just don’t think now is the appropriate time to get into commenting on those matters.

Question: Will you take it for later?

Scott: Next question.

Question: On that issue, you kind of skirted the issue this morning of what…

Scott: I never skirt…

Scott: Russ, welcome back. It’s been a while. How was the Nader campaign?

Question: It was wild.

Heh, to be the White House Press Secretary, you must have pluck.