Stephanie and Somebody

Sorry, but I can't get the pictures small enough to load in a reasonable amount of time. But for now, you can go to the picture album page and see the San Francisco album where they will eventually reside.

Oh, and I checked the pictures again--the guy in the halter-vest was actually Rob Siemer. And I thought he was too shy to even wear shorts. Though in his defense he was wearing pants. Leather pants. The kind that are so shiny you can see your reflection in them. But then, how desperate must you be to attempt to see your reflection in Rob Siemer's pants?

I have often wondered about that myself. I do remember one time when I was running late for a job interview and I would have killed to see Flashy Pants, as he is known on the West Coast. I much prefer that to his East Coast nickname: Mirror Butt.

At the diner where we saw Rob, Stephanie asked me, "Do you remember when I said that awful thing about Jesus?" We were in St. Louis in June and we went out to eat with a minivan full of Shives (Ben, Beth, Josh, and Kirsten). We were talking about how we compare ourselves to other people who had already accomplished a lot by the time they were our age. This is a timely conversation to be having since I will be 30 in just over a month.

Then someone said that it was okay because Jesus didn't really do much until he was 30. At that point, Stephanie opined, "He didn't do much after 30 either."

But she's right--he only got three more years. In Swaziland the life expectancy is 34 years, which means if we move there I will only live for another 4 years (I think that's how it works).

I told Steph tonight that I have been thinking of not shaving or cutting my hair again until I get something published. Her burst of shocked laughter said much about her faith in me. Actually, it said more about her disdain for facial hair. And since it will take me longer than two days to publish anything, she loses no matter what.

I hope this meandering blog entry has made you forget about the disappointment of not having pictures to look at. You will have them soon.

My apologies to those who love pictures. Also, apologies to Stephanie for making it seem like she doesn't believe in me. And apologies to Rob for insinuating that he wears reflective apparel. Finally, apologies to Leida, who is, by most accounts at least, black. I am sorry for everything.