First off, I do apologise about not doing a follow-up on the Presiding Bishop and Diocesan Convention. I am going stir-crazy with activity. (I'm seriously living out of a suitcase for the next two weekends. Yay, events!) In fact, I'm trying to pack for Crown Tournament tomorrow. Martinus is supposed to pick me up at two tomorrow afternoon, and I still have to do laundry, shower, clean my feastgear of dust, and pack. BRWAR! Going insane! You're welcome to join me! I promise I don't bite...hard.

Anyway.

Friday dawned beautifully sunny, but yeeks, it was cold. Ended up going for abour thirty minutes without a nametag, but yet, everyone knows who the hell I am. Seriously, I realise this is Diocesan Convention, but how is it everyone knows who I am? Oh. Right. Young Adult Ministry and getting called up to speak in front of EVERYBODY at the last Convention. Yep. That'd do it. It was mostly education sessions and worship (I went to two: Little Prayerbook on the Prairie, about the history of the Diocese of West Missouri and one on reconciliation from Paul's point of view. Also interesting, but I definitely got a lot out of the history one. Understandably, being the history geek I am.) By the time the evening rolled around, people started milling about, buzzing about one of two things: the presidential election and when the PB would arrive, which she did, later that evening. I met her at the social hour prior to dinner, which was pretty nifty. Where was a camera when I needed it?

For some reason, I always get suckered into going to the banquet, which usually ends up pretty darn good. This year was no different...except I then realised it was catered by dun dun DUUUUUUUN! Aramark. Yep. I can't escape. Ever. Food was still pretty good, but I felt so bad about wasting so much of it because there was a TON of it left over from my plate alone. Conversation was great. I sat with St. Augustine's this year (which is ALWAYS a treat. Love them so much).

The Bishop's Shield awards were given out, and then the PB was called to speak. Short message about how helping the poor is our mission. I won't contest that point, but I'd like to amend that helping everyone is our call to mission. And it goes past that point to actively ministering to them. Meh. I know, I've already spoke of my theological differences with Bishop Katherine. I'll stop. Anyway. Bishop Barry gave Bishop Katherine a desk plaque with "The Buck Stops Here" engraved on it. If you know anything, absolutely anything about Missouri history, you'll know that our thirty-third President is from the surrounding area. Oh, Barry. I had to mention to our table that we had a silly Bishop. I still maintain that we do.

Saturday was filled with voting, as usual, and for once, I didn't have to count ballots, I didn't have to vote, and the deliberation process this year was oddly subdued. Not that I mind. I don't. The measures that were voted on weren't even that controversial. For once! The PB came back in from visiting with the youth, right as the courtesy resolutions were being spoken, and she sat right next to me. Blew my mind. After that, we finished with a hymn, and I went home to my parents. (There is much talk of me going to General Convention again this year, in Anaheim. We'll see.)

Sunday was the day of the end of the Emmaus Era in the diocese, marking several growths and changes for (hopefully) the better. Celebrating that with the Eucharist, the PB being the Celebrant, it was interesting. I was told I should try and process in, but as there wasn't a place for Young Adult Ministers to do so, I was made a Junior Junior Warden on the spot and told to go process with the Junior and Senior Wardens. Yay, vestry! Bishop Katherine avoided all of the weird stuff she's said in the past, and continued with what she noted in her previous address about helping the poor, even in times of uncertain financial problems looming on the horizon. (My only question is, what about the poor within our own churches? What do we do with them?) Asperges were done (rather forcefully. It felt like a good steady rain for a while), as well as a rather traditional Celebration Eucharist. Not quite Rite I, but definitely not Rite III. Like Rite II, but more sombre.

And then I went home to Maryville.

It's all I can write right now. My duffel is looking at me, empty. And I need to pack, now. (I just wish my napkins would dry faster!)

Up next? Crown Tourney! YAY! I'll be back Sunday sometime. And don't forget to change your clocks back.

ALSO.

If you ordered a geek girls calendar on the first printing, they are being shipped now. If you would like me to autograph my page for you, now is the time to let me know.

Thunderstorm rages, though not severe.

Secondly, the Calendar Geeks blog now has an RSS feed: calendar_geeks. Also, there are about ten calendars left in this printing run. If you want yours before our second run in November, get them now. :D

I am still sick, and think I have yet another relapse of EBV. It SUCKS. I hate my blood getting drawn, I hate going to the doc's office (I waited for two hours for a twenty minute consult. Tell me that isn't messed up.), and I hate not being at work. Of course, it's no secret that I hate my job, but I like getting paid. I'd rather do my job and get paid for that, than sitting at home sick.

I haven't gotten started on my Queen's Prize project, at least painting wise, but I also haven't accumulated all my paints yet. I think I may just bite the bullet and get paints from Walmart instead.

Bah. I really should get to bed, but as this storm is on the noisy side, I'm afraid sleep may not come soon.

If you have not bought your calendar, dooo eeet. Nao. :P (and my spellcheckers are so hating me right now. Nice bunch of red dotted lines saying "OMG. FIX IT! And NOW!")

I saw the previews today, and OMG. AMAZING. (and for an extra bonus, I will even sign your copy. Promise.) We are a sexy buncha chicks, if I do say so myself. And, I have half a notion to sponsor a copy sent to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, as they're both mentioned. (Stephen's birthday is even listed on my month of May! Nifty!)

Anyway. It is a kick-ass calendar, and I am totally amazed by the women who also participated. You are all amazing, no lie.

Squee.

The order form is up at Calendar Geeks! Go buy it! :D For $16.95 + shipping, you can get a great calendar. And some of the proceeds even go to a scholarship fund! So, go! Order! Now!

Well, I finally got the photo I wanted all picked out for the geek girls pin-up calendar! I'm letting y'all get a sneak peek, because I'm cool like that. ( saving your friends page, one cut at a time. )

I love it. It's a little blurry, but I think it turned out well.

The website isn't quite ready yet, but at least bookmark Calendar Geeks so you can get the calendar when it comes out. Or, if you want, you can send an e-mail to geekcalendar@gmail.com with the subject line "mailing list" to be notified when the website is running and when the calendar is available for sale. No spamming, pinky swear.

And please, tell your friends. Your geeky friends. And your not-so-geeky friends that like the idea of pin-up calendars. They make great gifts, really.

Squee.