Welcome Back, Jordan! Shiz...

(This BLOG was written like 3 weeks ago... yay for finally getting it posted!)

Here I go… here I go again on my own. This blog has been neglected to the max, and as a consequence (my market analyst tells me) readership is at an all time low. It’s tragic that the problem has even happened, but the healing will begin now… over the course of time. Let us heal. Together. One by one. Until there’s nay more malady in these neck of the woods. Not on my watch, I say!

K. Moving on. I’ll do my darnedest to update you on the month or so I kept you in the dark on. That was a wicked-sweet, preposition-packed sentence (purely improper, as far as English goes). A’ight, where was I?

Staff week was by far the hardest week of my life. I’d go as far as to say that staff week was the hardest week that anybody has ever had, and that anybody was me. OK, you know I’m joking, but seriously, it was fudging hard. I wasn’t nearly as prepared for camp this year as I was last year, and I definitely felt it. All in all, however, it was a very successful week, and we got a lot done. The thing that got me through staff week is the incredible staff we have here. It’s a very inspiring place where the spirit of service runs rampant all over everyone’s Fourth of July pie. Yeah, chew on that one for a while.

Week one was also terribly difficult, as well too. I don’t have any reasons in specific, as to why it was so difficult—that I think would be appropriate to share with the entire world (the target audience of this blog). Let’s just leave it at that. Sometime during either week one or staff week, our Ranger Joe was doing a routine fire system check in order to make sure everything was up to code. During the process, he discovered a little bird nest behind a fire bell. So, he did as any good ranger would do, he dropped them on the ground and left them for dead. Luckily, most of the staffers here actually have hearts and a couple of these said staffers picked up the nest and the birds and started to take care of them. Naturally, being an ornithologist at heart, I jumped right on the band wagon. The hope for their survival didn’t look too good seeing how the mother had left them (or so we thought…). We started nourishing them with really soggy oatmeal, watered down peanut butter, and even beggs (the eggs we get here at camp). After a week of steady feeding, it was apparent and hopeful that the birds were going to make it after all (except for Cory and Joe, who thrive on seeing the destruction of beautiful things). One day, I went out to feed them and they were gone. The End.

Yeah, Cory and I actually had a bet going on which involved one month’s rent as to whether the birds would die or fly away. We decided after much fruitless debate that the fate of the birds was UDIOS (undetermined due to interference of study).

Week two was freakin’ sweet. We had a really good group of scouts and adult leaders. There were also 100 less scouts than normal, so that made things run a bit smoother. I absolutely love this job. It’s taught me so much about life and how to live it. Good times. You know what else I love? More like who I love? My family. I love them. For those of you who aren’t in the loop, my mom is the best mom in the world. I’m sorry that she couldn’t be your mom, too, but she’s pretty much all mine. I mean, I share her with my sister… and her husband… and their kids… and her husband (my pops—also freakin’ incredible)… and Gumpy. I don’t see it as an “I get less of my mom because I have to share her with other people,” though, I think we all get pretty good benefits. And truly, I’m sorry that it sucks so bad that I don’t share her with you, but it’s kind of one of those “sucks to your asthmar” things. No hard feelings, right? K, cool.

It’s now week three and all is well. We’ve had a few issues here and there, but all is truly well. The CCV players are working on this year’s version of The Mariner’s Revenge Song. It’s going to be fantastic!

Are you getting tired of reading yet? I’m getting tired of writhing from being so tired of writing. Therefore, I’ll stop. But I recommend reading a good book. It’s called Seven Habits for Highly Effective People. It’s outstanding! Also, Oh! The Places You’ll Go. Great book! Praying—as I’ve relearned—is also a good thing. Tomorrow is hike day and won’t it be gr8!?!

Random tidbits and newsflashes:

• Since being here, I’ve caught two rattlesnakes. Snake catching is a rush.
• The new Coldplay album rocks (thanks Joe's girlfriend!).
• Dan Riley is getting married, and he’s still chillin’ wit G-Dub.
• The water here at camp is phenomenal.
• I play poker on Wednesday nights with both of my landlords.
• I’m going to Paris in October.
• Je parle français assez bien.
• I’ma be a rich man some day.
• I bought a Martin Backpacker.
• My hair is wicked long.
• I miss my nephew and niece and their parents and my parents and my dog.
• I miss my Pepper Pals, roommates, and friends back home.
• Ouija boards are not a portal to the “other side” and they are not “of the devil.”
• I’m tired now… so… uh… bye.