Almost Time

In a few days I'll leave Bob Dylan and the kitties behind to travel with RevGals for BE.5. The Continuing Education events make me happy by opening my world to astounding clergy gals from all over the planet. For 5 days, I'll laugh, listen, sing, pray and dance surrounded by brilliant fun women.

For those attending, see you soon.

With Delight,
St.Casserole

I called a friend this morning asking the question,"what does it cost you to believe as you do?" He gave a thoughtful answer commenting he felt homeless most of the time with groups of friends. He means homeless in the sense of having no group who shares his understanding of the world.
I know what he means.
I don't fit the categories of theological church life, either. I'm accused of being in one group or the other by people who do not listen to me. They don't know but they feel better if they can peg me in a group.
Later today, when I napped, I had a dream about the RGBP Big Event. Number 5 is coming up in January for the group and I'll be on the big ship laughing with great women.
The dream was filled with women. Many I recognized from RGBP, others I gave faces to because I don't know them IRL. Everybody was talking and being happy to be together.
Other dream life stuff filtered through like getting stuck in a room filled with a wedding party wearing the worst outfits a dreamer can imagine. All sorts of pink shiny crystals sewed to anything moving.
The dream spoke the truth. I see women who understand me at the Big Event. What a great feeling it is to feel "at home" even if it is only 5 days a year.

Are you wondering why I napped? I'm going to the first showing of Harry Potter tonight at midnight with LH and friends.

Glad to see you again,
St. Casserole

Mr. C. says, "you haven't blogged in a long time." I say, "I'm the only BE attendee who hasn't blogged about the BE. I just can't yet."

I will TALK with you about the BE. Glad to. But WRITE about it? Not YET.

I loved the BE. That's all I'm saying now.

St. Casserole

My dear Niece,

You have not posted in four days. I know you well enough to realize that you are thinking about the BE Cruise all the time. Dear, tomorrow is Palm Sunday. Next week is Holy Week. Dear, please pay attention. Focus your thoughts on Cross and Holy Week. If I could see you right now, I know you are staring at your toes trying to decide what color polish to get for your Cruise Pedicure.

I understand that you are worried about getting a small, non-liquid gift type thing for all twenty of your gal's swag bags. You've seen what Cheesehead is giving as her swag and now you feeling competitive and crabby. Please. Bring an inexpensive swag gift for each conferee is optional. Then, no one wants anyone to spend a bunch of money on the swag. Really, you should just calm down. The cruise is about self-help and with Holy Week and Easter, you gals don't have the time to be worrying about gifts for everyone. I believe Cheesehead said this to you earlier. What about a simple paper bookmark with your blog name on it? What about a bag of hard candies, a small bag? What about a bulletin from your church?

You are worrying what to take in your luggage. Remember that you will want to be comfortable. I believe your cruise director, George, said that no one dresses up anymore and for the "fancy" night dinner if you just wear clothing rather than your tiger striped bathing suit from the thrift store, you will be fine. People will either like you or not and your clothing won't make a difference. Besides, don't people like you usually?

You are worrying about people complaining if things don't go well on the cruise or if some of the planning had rough spots. Dear, have your revgals ever planned one of these before? Thought not. Help everyone to go with the flow and put on their big girl clericals or church suits and just have fun.

Really! You young people wear yourselves out with worry and competitiveness. Chill, as we used to say.

What are you to focus upon? Jesus and him crucified! Keep your heart and mind there.

Love,

Aunt Bostick

Ask the Captain

Dear Captain,
What should I know about going on a cruise?
---Confused

Dear Confused,



The most difficult part of a cruise is getting on the ship and off the ship. You wait in line for a good while to have your identification papers approved and enter the ship. Once there, you go to your cabin. The staff brings your luggage to your cabin. There is an emergency drill time where you put on a smelly life jacket (from your cabin), go to your assigned area, learn how to wear the jacket and what to do if the ship has a problem. This drill frightens some but just live through it. After it is over, you take your jacket back to your cabin and resume having fun.




Getting off the ship takes time, too. You are told what time to have your luggage packed and outside of your cabin on the departure date. You sit around doing nothing until your number is called, then you stand in line declaring purchases and sins for customs to re-enter the States.




Your travel agent will have luggage tags for you to place on your luggage for admittance to the ship.




Here's an important tip: your cruise costs are paid before you board the ship. Except!!!! Any alcoholic drinks, sodas*, gee-haws from the onboard shops and tips for staff are not included. Your cruise card (given when you go through processing) is used to pay for alcoholic drinks, salon visits, gift shop purchases). You don't carry money or credit cards.




Drink purchases include a tip for the server.




Coffee, tea (iced and hot) and powdered fruit drink stuff is available for no charge. You PAY FOR DIET COKES.




Some cruises include the staff tips in the cruise price. Other cruises expect you to pay a per diem tip for your cabin steward, wait staff and, for some reason, the Dining Hall King. If you don't have cash, you can charge these tips.




The Captain, no picture this time, you girls got too delighted with the last post + picture!

*soda is yankee for "soft drinks"

Ask the Captain

Dear Captain,

I've never been on a cruise before. Does the ship move much? Will I get seasick?

---Rev. Daunted

Dear D.,

Cruise ships are quite large. You may feel some motion but the anti-roll thingies keep the ship steady. People wear those dots behind their ears if they feel as if they will get sick. Bring some with you because trips to the ship's doctor cost extra.
The best thing to do is to get on the ship and have 1 drink, not 47 tiny-umbrella-fruit-juice-I'm-on-a-Cruise!!!! drinks. It's fun to watch people climb up the plank and race to the restaurant to eat as though they've never eaten before, then hit the bars and drink until they are stupid. I think those people get queasy.
I get a tad peaked when I go sailing with St. Casserole and she is at the rudder. She is a faulty sailor, at best. I think you'll do fine on the big cruise ship.

Captain