Anticipation and the Space Time Continuum

Captain's Log: 01 June 2010

Good day. As I said my last farewells to my friends and family I had somewhat of a different experience.

I spent a good part of the day hanging out at my mom's with my sister, nephew and brother. I ran errands, getting all sorts of last minute necessities and making quick trips to say goodbye to my friends. One person I was rather happy to see before I left was my trainer, Gilbert. The past three years he has been my psychiatrist and friend, and when I said goodbye he had a calming presence.

I met him at his gym, Elite Fitness Studio, and made small talk while he trained one of his clients. Interestingly enough, I met another bonus friend before my trip began. Sami is his name. He is a Doctor from Lebanon. I had met him a couple times before, perhaps 2 years ago, and when I walked in we both vaguely recognized each other's faces. While talking to Gilbert about my trip, Sami, entered the conversation and let me know about his time spent in Italy and some towns to visit so I could meet people my age. He offered me loads of helpful advice, but more than that, he offered encouragement.

When he asked what I was studying, I was refreshed to hear he knew what a Classics degree is. He joked about how I might want to consider getting another source of income other than being a Classicist. That or marry rich. (Here is hoping!) The conversation went on and when he got down on an exercise mat to do a workout Gilbert, in true Gilbert fashion, said, "Don't worry Nate, Sami just looks like he is a Muslim. He is actually a Christian." We exchanged laughs and comments about how racist Gilbert is, and then the conversation shifted. While Sami was on his knees facing Mecca (Just kidding), I told him I thought that was neat that he comes from Lebanon and is a Christian. Then I mentioned to him that I have dreams of being a preacher, and after 5-7 minutes of small talk prior to that I felt like there was a connection that only brothers and sisters and Christ experience. We became friends. After our beliefs were made know, his tone changed; he told me about how interested he was in the history of religion. He wants to know what people believe and why. It was encouraging to see his energy, tone and countenance change talking about his faith and his passion. Before all this he was completely polite and kind to me, but maybe for me, knowing who Sami really was allowed me to make that connection. It was great. After this, the conversation turned to his work as a fertility specialist and after a couple sperm and sex jokes I had to leave. He told me to Facebook him, and now we are Facebook friends. We are maybe 20 years apart, different backgrounds, different intellects (clearly haha) and had known eachother for 15 minutes, but God's love transcends those things. I recently got a Facebook message from him and he gave me a very encouraging message. Thank God for Sami and divine appointments.

That chance meeting aside, I was off to my sister Lydia's for my bon voyage party. It was really less of a party and more of a typical Wolcott gathering. Lorna and Duncan were stealing all the attention. Gosh! You would think they loved him more than they love me. I know? It is unfathomable, but it is probably because he is new. Once the hype wears off they will be back paying attention to me [Editor's note: Nathan must be joking--we will never pay attention to him]. My dad was getting Dan's dogs riled up, Mom was chilling, Lydia was playing gracious host and Ben was studying viruses. (I swear that kid is a genius, Lorna, Lydia and I have tried every possible way to make him fail, but he still manages to do excellent in school. God is good yeah?) I sat there and enjoyed the ambiance. The ambiance of Dan talking on his cell phone. :-) I ate my last chik-fil-a I would eat in a while and sipped back on my life-blood, Dr. Pepper.

Anticipation. The weirdest thing was happening to me tonight. I was in two times and places at once. My body was firmly planted in a recliner. I was definitely in Lubbock on the first of June. I was also, however, in Rome on the third of June. I have actually been there since last week. I feel like science has lied to me. Time and place are normally finite things, but when you add anticipation to the equation they become less definite. They become distorted. I am in my room on 6102 9th Street. My roommates are 12 paces (pirate talk tharr be!) away. My mind understands this, my body... not so much. This strange phenomenon seems to be working against me and my spirit right now. I don't like being in two places at once. I feel weird. Let's make it three instead. Family. Friends. Just know I am disobeying universal laws right now. I may be in Greece right now, but I am also in Lubbock 24 July 2010. Hanging out with you all. Except David. He is probably blowing me off. So take satisfaction in knowing that space and time are being bent just because I already miss you all. This may be a somber entry, but I honestly can't help it. I am going to miss my family a ton. Especially Duncan.

End transmission.