Greetings and salutations! Time for some intermittent ramblings about life (my life, mostly) and other stuff, for those who've shown an interest in such things or made the error of letting me have their e-mail address. Grab your favorite caffeine delivery system and enjoy!

Hope you've had a good Summer, and I trust you're looking forward to Fall. I'm thankful for the warmth, which has been in abundance to say the least, but I'll be relieved to step outside and feel that cool September air (and not wonder why they didn't just name my car a Pontiac Sauna).

In one sense, Fall supposedly represents a decline toward the end of life, where greenery and sunshine start to give way to the oncoming death and darkness of Winter. But for me, it's the opposite; September has always been associated with starting, not ending. For the early part of my life, it was about buying new stuff for school, seeing old friends and making new ones, hopefully having an interesting class or two, and the unmistakable sense I was getting somewhere, moving forward, in class rank and in
knowledge and in physical stature (though usually not by much in that last one). Oh, and there were the new TV shows, of course. The fact that my birthday falls in September (OK, it's the 10th--you dragged it out of me) probably also has a little something to do with why I tend to look forward to Fall; it is literally a time of "new beginnings" for me, even though at my age (feel free to guess on this one) it's more a habit of thought than a reality. Close enough, though.

One new reason I've looked forward to September this year is that I'm participating in a trip to New York City with a group from Brentwood Baptist Church (I'm officially a Baptist again--our motto: "one life-altering spiritual experience, one vote"). About 20 of us, mostly singles (along with a few "doubles"), will help Chinese Promise Baptist Church in Brooklyn put on their annual street fair. The event has been put on for 13 years without being rained out (we're all in favor of seeing this tradition honored). Its booths and stage take up several city blocks, and a huge part of the community gets involved in serving each other. We'll be operating a
booth offering free face painting, puppet shows and other stuff designed to offer hope and encouragement to families. Naturally, we'll be doing music, both at the fair and in their church service on Sunday.

As you may know, I've done this kind of thing before, in Oregon and elsewhere; I plan to be happily exhausted by the end of Saturday, and better-educated about people and God and life in general, and about myself as well. We do plan to get some sightseeing in, as well; personally I can't wait to hear a Chinese Brooklyn accent! We fly out this Thursday and come back on Monday. If you're the praying type, feel free; if not, this wouldn't be a bad time to start, don'tcha think?

Another "new start" I'm looking forward to (sort of) is finding a new place to live that suits my current life situation (i.e., a cheaper one). I'm planning on moving (location to be determined) during the last weekend in September. Though there is a way I could do it all by myself, I hate to be stingy with the joy (besides, I understand some furniture doesn't go back together very well if it wasn't meant to be broken into little portable pieces). Could be free Opry tickets for the right helpers, depending on availability (of the tickets) and the level of sacrifice made.

In answer to the more common questions I get from friends and family: no, I'm not famous yet, but then I'm not bitter and jaded yet, either--and I've been here a year already. Haven't met Dolly, Shania, OR Steven Curtis Chapman, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. I'm not "performing out" all that much, but I do enjoy "performing in" at a monthly Sunday potluck for songwriters and song enthusiasts (open to all--e-mail me if you want info). Also, I've started meeting with a few of my fellow former NSAI coordinators who've "made the move" to Nashville. We get together mostly to satisfy our need for giving and receiving song critiques; I realize this may
sound slightly sick and disturbing to those who don't understand the value of having someone tell you 2 reasons why they like your song and about 10 fundamental changes you need to make on it, but trust me, it really helps in the long run.

I had the odd experience of seeing a couple of acquaintances from Chattanooga compete on "The Amazing Race" on CBS this summer: Chuck and Millie. This was the young Christian couple who shocked the world with their alternative lifestyle...yes, ladies and gentlemen, they've been dating more than a week (several years, actually) and have not consummated the relationship! Can we actually talk about this on TV? In the family hour? Are you sure? Have we consulted our lawyers on this? Welcome to reality TV. I've offered to help escort them around Hawaii on the trip they won (at their expense, of course), but so far they haven't taken me up on my offer. Chuck's sister Stephanie did a good job of keeping the results to herself until the series ended--resisted even my irresistibly persuasive technique (asking via e-mail); you gotta respect that kind of character.

And continuing on the theme of new beginnings, my niece had a healthy baby girl this month. Kennedy Paige Hatten, born Tuesday, August 12, weighing in at 7 lbs, 15 oz. I guess as far as I'm concerned this actually falls under the "decline" category, since it makes me a great-uncle for the second time...hmmm. To see one of the first of what I expect to be a huge number
of photos to be made of her (good looks do run in the family, after all), go to the East Ridge Hospital "virtual nursery":

Looks like I'll be enjoying the holiday show by the Radio City Rockettes this Christmas, potentially many times, since they're coming back to the Opry House. It's been a slow summer, so I haven't had many opportunities to direct anyone to the wrong section in my job there as usher, but I assume things will pick up there before long (y'all come!). And I'm still in my cubicle Monday through Friday, "choosing to be thankful" and trying to keep my eyes open (literally and figuratively).


Grace & Peace,

Mark