31 Dec. 2009
Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
[1] Working to wake free. [2] Praying on Homer's bench. (.mp3) [3] Options for New Year's Eve.
The morning view out Tobey's window. 31 Dec. 2009
[1]
For almost three years I worked multiple jobs at once. Business debts from my early twenties now seemed an unbearable shackle mooring me to Suburbia and the rat-wheel of credit. With a desperate resolve which more than once crumpled me to tears, I determined to settle every deficit before setting out on the long-dreamt-of trip. With eyes to my freedom, I set my shoulder hard against a workweek which could move past seventy hours, rising at 3:00 AM and going to sleep again at 9:00 PM. My pre-dawn "mornings" were devoted to prayer and study before riding a bicycle several miles to work, where I reset a restaurant. Afterwards I would play the part of the photographer, shooting sixteen-hour weddings and traveling for engagements or meetings. Sleep became a scarce commodity, something to be fought for -- even if the opponents to it were simply temptations to check email once more, or inspect the fridge for a tide-me-over.
Opening my eyes this morning to the warmth of the Catalina sun, I was aware of a wonderful sense of rest throughout my body. I hadn't slept a great deal, perhaps five or six hours. But sleep seems less necessary when one has a friend nearby to wake to. I find the pleasure of continuing the previous day's conversation to be rejuvenating, as if friendship provides a rest of its own.
Blooming. 31 Dec. 2009
Geometry and blue sky. 31 Dec. 2009
[2]
Tobey and I shared breakfast before he left for another tour. The afternoon was mine to fill as I would. An hour was spent reading Matthew's Gospel and praying on a green plank bench which bore an auspicious brass placard, "Homer's Bench." Mid-day was passed outside Lloyd's confectionery, writing in my journal. Now and again down the cobblestone streets strutted the polished tones of a fine brass band.
"Homer's Bench" 31 Dec. 2009
Brass band playing "Wolverine Blues" [18 min. 8MB]
Download .mp3
Old brass tooting their horns at El Galleon. 31 Dec. 2009
Admirers. 31 Dec. 2009
[3]
New Year's presented me with options. An invitation came for a "crepes and film party." The familiar company would have been dear. But to be candid, I have little savor for movies these days. The idea that real people are paid to do things which are, by the light of scripture and to my judgment, wrong -- such as an actress who really unclothes herself before cameramen, or an actor who really takes the name of the Lord in vain because the script says so -- introduces an unpleasant taste to the whole experience. How can I justify it as fiction if real people are doing it? Obviously something has changed; I used to watch a dozen films a month.
The weather outside is not frightful. 31 Dec. 2009
Of course there was the choice to go downtown and get sloshed. Avalon is known for having more bars per capita than any other city in the United States, and several years ago the town was featured on television as an ideal haven for wild parties. To me, however, this was no option. "Be not drunk with wine, but filled with the Holy Spirit," and "they consider you strange for not running with them after wild drinking parties." [Eph. 5:18 ; 1 Pet. 4:4]
The church on Metropol. 31 Dec. 2009
As evening approached another opportunity arose, this time to gather with a group of local Christians to "pray in the New Year." At nine o' clock in the little eastern wing of the historic Community Church on Metropol, fifteen believers knelt or stood in worship, and amongst them was Tobey and myself. I derived great pleasure in being with those who wished to enter the year in a posture of thankfulness and petition to God. Several times I was given opportunity to express some edifying words from the scripture. As the city slurred a cheer for the stroke of midnight, this little branch of the body of Christ lifted praise to the Sustainer of times and seasons.
View the full set of images from this day, and in full size.
Go to the next day of this trip >>
Back to the trip overview >>
Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
[1] Working to wake free. [2] Praying on Homer's bench. (.mp3) [3] Options for New Year's Eve.
The morning view out Tobey's window. 31 Dec. 2009
[1]
For almost three years I worked multiple jobs at once. Business debts from my early twenties now seemed an unbearable shackle mooring me to Suburbia and the rat-wheel of credit. With a desperate resolve which more than once crumpled me to tears, I determined to settle every deficit before setting out on the long-dreamt-of trip. With eyes to my freedom, I set my shoulder hard against a workweek which could move past seventy hours, rising at 3:00 AM and going to sleep again at 9:00 PM. My pre-dawn "mornings" were devoted to prayer and study before riding a bicycle several miles to work, where I reset a restaurant. Afterwards I would play the part of the photographer, shooting sixteen-hour weddings and traveling for engagements or meetings. Sleep became a scarce commodity, something to be fought for -- even if the opponents to it were simply temptations to check email once more, or inspect the fridge for a tide-me-over.
Opening my eyes this morning to the warmth of the Catalina sun, I was aware of a wonderful sense of rest throughout my body. I hadn't slept a great deal, perhaps five or six hours. But sleep seems less necessary when one has a friend nearby to wake to. I find the pleasure of continuing the previous day's conversation to be rejuvenating, as if friendship provides a rest of its own.
Blooming. 31 Dec. 2009
Geometry and blue sky. 31 Dec. 2009
[2]
Tobey and I shared breakfast before he left for another tour. The afternoon was mine to fill as I would. An hour was spent reading Matthew's Gospel and praying on a green plank bench which bore an auspicious brass placard, "Homer's Bench." Mid-day was passed outside Lloyd's confectionery, writing in my journal. Now and again down the cobblestone streets strutted the polished tones of a fine brass band.
"Homer's Bench" 31 Dec. 2009
Brass band playing "Wolverine Blues" [18 min. 8MB]
Download .mp3
Old brass tooting their horns at El Galleon. 31 Dec. 2009
Admirers. 31 Dec. 2009
[3]
New Year's presented me with options. An invitation came for a "crepes and film party." The familiar company would have been dear. But to be candid, I have little savor for movies these days. The idea that real people are paid to do things which are, by the light of scripture and to my judgment, wrong -- such as an actress who really unclothes herself before cameramen, or an actor who really takes the name of the Lord in vain because the script says so -- introduces an unpleasant taste to the whole experience. How can I justify it as fiction if real people are doing it? Obviously something has changed; I used to watch a dozen films a month.
The weather outside is not frightful. 31 Dec. 2009
Of course there was the choice to go downtown and get sloshed. Avalon is known for having more bars per capita than any other city in the United States, and several years ago the town was featured on television as an ideal haven for wild parties. To me, however, this was no option. "Be not drunk with wine, but filled with the Holy Spirit," and "they consider you strange for not running with them after wild drinking parties." [Eph. 5:18 ; 1 Pet. 4:4]
The church on Metropol. 31 Dec. 2009
As evening approached another opportunity arose, this time to gather with a group of local Christians to "pray in the New Year." At nine o' clock in the little eastern wing of the historic Community Church on Metropol, fifteen believers knelt or stood in worship, and amongst them was Tobey and myself. I derived great pleasure in being with those who wished to enter the year in a posture of thankfulness and petition to God. Several times I was given opportunity to express some edifying words from the scripture. As the city slurred a cheer for the stroke of midnight, this little branch of the body of Christ lifted praise to the Sustainer of times and seasons.
View the full set of images from this day, and in full size.
Go to the next day of this trip >>
Back to the trip overview >>
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Wonderful. All of it.
Why thank you!