While at Kellee's and Bob's on Monday I was telling Kellee about some of my driving adventures. I related my attempts to refrain from calling Route 1 the Post Road, which is is in many places in Connecticut.
"You can tell you're from the North," she exclaimed. "You say 'root' instead of 'rowt'."
In spite of decades of radio, television, and social media, we still have regional pronunciation, vocabulary, and even grammar unrelated to accent. Many of them come from the native languages of our immigrant forebears. For example, my Chicago cousins would say, "I'm going to the store, do you want to come with?" To me that sentence was always incomplete, but it's the way they talked. It wasn't until I started taking German that I figured out where that phrase came from. In German it's grammatically correct. Given the large number of German immigrants, and those who spoke other Germanic languages, into the upper Midwest, it's no surprise that some of those speaking patterns found their way into everyday English in the region.
And there are numerous examples of word usage.
What do you call a carbonated beverage?
What do you drink water from in school hallways?
What do you call the pan you cook your eggs in?
What is the long upholstered piece of furniture you sit on in the living room?
Language is not static, in spite of what many people would like to believe. It continues to evolve. It's why the English spoken in Britain is different from what we speak in the United States. Or why the French spoken in France is different from what is spoken in Canada. It's why French, Italian, and Spanish became separate languages from the same root language.
And for those of you who get annoyed when people say "aks" instead if "ask", the "aks" pronunciation comes from the older form of the verb.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
My Short Commute
Getting to that point, however, didn't happen as smoothly as I could have hoped. And I still don't have my furniture. The pod remains in Chantilly until next Monday. I felt frustrated when I learned that last Friday morning, especially since I've about reached my limit for living out of suitcases. Later in the afternoon I had one of those "duh" moments. There is a bed in the apartment and a chair. I spent the last few days in my old apartment with only a bed and the stuff that came with me in the car. The only difference here? Bigger apartment, and I can go to the lounge next door, if I want to watch TV.
I have now spent two nights in my apartment. Still living out of a suitcase. But it's my apartment and not a guest room.
Some of my friends have, or have had, similar living situations. All of them are priests. One was the rector of a small parish, and the rectory was not just attached to the church, it was literally the same building. One door of the dining room opened into a short hallway down to the sacristy. Another opened a stairway down to the undercroft. Others live in rectories that are mere steps from the churches. I often wondered how they managed to maintain his boundaries. I guess I'm about to find out.
And part of it is managing relationships within the Seminary community. For that I have a professional network that consists of people I've worked with in a variety of capacities. These are the folks I can call up and get an outside perspective. They will listen and empathize, but they will also be truthful.
Onward.
Monday, May 28, 2012
The Yankee Eats Okra
You knew it had to happen once I moved south. It was just a matter of time. Today was the day.
I went over to Kellee's and Bob's after lunch. We hung out, talked, fixed dinner, talked some more, watched movies, and talked some more. One of the dishes Kellee made was fried okra, which she said her family often calls southern popcorn. She told me that the way she prepares it is different than most people do. She coats it with cornmeal and self-rising flour rather than dipping it in batter.
Can you say yummy?
Kellee's comment as I had a second helping was "I've converted a Yankee!"
I went over to Kellee's and Bob's after lunch. We hung out, talked, fixed dinner, talked some more, watched movies, and talked some more. One of the dishes Kellee made was fried okra, which she said her family often calls southern popcorn. She told me that the way she prepares it is different than most people do. She coats it with cornmeal and self-rising flour rather than dipping it in batter.
Can you say yummy?
Kellee's comment as I had a second helping was "I've converted a Yankee!"
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Engaging with Epiphany
I definitely did not visit The Church of the Epiphany in the District. They definitely engaged me in their Sunday.
My friend Lisa picked me up at 6:40 this morning for the drive in. As we got our name tags in the narthex folks were checking in to get their number for breakfast before going to activities or to sit in the church. Epiphany serves the only Sunday hot breakfast for the homeless in the area. I participated in the 7:00 a.m. Bible study with some of the Gospel Arts members. After that Lisa took me into the church to introduce me to the music ministers, and I ended up singing with the pick-up choir for the 8:00 a.m. service.
The majority of the worshippers at the early service are homeless. The vast majority of them participate in the service, which is fairly short. The Prayers of the People are truly the Prayers of the People. The priest recognized individuals who indicate they have a prayer, and the prayers continue until there are no more. When the service ends, those who signed up for breakfast are called in order to eat. The choir has the opportunity to eat with the first shift. Lisa and I went up the street to a little coffee shop and had coffee and oatmeal.
We returned to check in with the Gospel Arts program. I did some odds and ends until someone came looking for help with preparing lemonade and ice tea for the parish Pentecost picnic that took place after the 11:00 service. That would be me. Back to the art program to help set up the display for the picnic. By the time Lisa and I went into the church for the 11:00 service, I'd had a full day.
The 11:00 a.m. service was much more the familiar liturgy. It was also considerably longer than the early service. The opening of the sermon was identical to the one the rector preached at 8:00, but he expanded it quite a bit. There was a prelude, an anthem, and a postlude. The Prayers of the People began with Form 4 but then continued with individual prayers like we'd had at the early service.
The congregation was much more diverse than any church I've been to so far. And it's quite clear that the homeless ministry the church engages in is as much with as it is to the homeless. There's also a visible and active lbgt membership in the parish.
Toward the end of the picnic I took pictures of the Gospel Arts display and some of the artists. They try to document every display to report back to granting organizations and to use for new grant applications.
It was almost 2:00 p.m. by the time Lisa and I loaded the pew (one of the ones taken out during the ongoing renovation of the church) she bought into the car and headed home.
I know that part of my engagement happened because I went with Lisa, but it was still and incredible, and incredibly exhausting, day.I could write more, but I don't think more words would do any better at capturing the people and the spirit of Epiphany. In many ways it looks like the parish many of us at Grace Norwalk envisioned, and those still there continue to envision. Definitely someplace I will take anyone from Grace/Betania who comes down to visit!
It's still to early in my search to make any decisions, and Lisa continues to encourages me to explore as many churches as possible. But it's also clear that Lisa loves being a part of her church. And I loved having her share her church with me. Do check out their website.
My friend Lisa picked me up at 6:40 this morning for the drive in. As we got our name tags in the narthex folks were checking in to get their number for breakfast before going to activities or to sit in the church. Epiphany serves the only Sunday hot breakfast for the homeless in the area. I participated in the 7:00 a.m. Bible study with some of the Gospel Arts members. After that Lisa took me into the church to introduce me to the music ministers, and I ended up singing with the pick-up choir for the 8:00 a.m. service.
The majority of the worshippers at the early service are homeless. The vast majority of them participate in the service, which is fairly short. The Prayers of the People are truly the Prayers of the People. The priest recognized individuals who indicate they have a prayer, and the prayers continue until there are no more. When the service ends, those who signed up for breakfast are called in order to eat. The choir has the opportunity to eat with the first shift. Lisa and I went up the street to a little coffee shop and had coffee and oatmeal.
We returned to check in with the Gospel Arts program. I did some odds and ends until someone came looking for help with preparing lemonade and ice tea for the parish Pentecost picnic that took place after the 11:00 service. That would be me. Back to the art program to help set up the display for the picnic. By the time Lisa and I went into the church for the 11:00 service, I'd had a full day.
The 11:00 a.m. service was much more the familiar liturgy. It was also considerably longer than the early service. The opening of the sermon was identical to the one the rector preached at 8:00, but he expanded it quite a bit. There was a prelude, an anthem, and a postlude. The Prayers of the People began with Form 4 but then continued with individual prayers like we'd had at the early service.
The congregation was much more diverse than any church I've been to so far. And it's quite clear that the homeless ministry the church engages in is as much with as it is to the homeless. There's also a visible and active lbgt membership in the parish.
Toward the end of the picnic I took pictures of the Gospel Arts display and some of the artists. They try to document every display to report back to granting organizations and to use for new grant applications.
It was almost 2:00 p.m. by the time Lisa and I loaded the pew (one of the ones taken out during the ongoing renovation of the church) she bought into the car and headed home.
I know that part of my engagement happened because I went with Lisa, but it was still and incredible, and incredibly exhausting, day.I could write more, but I don't think more words would do any better at capturing the people and the spirit of Epiphany. In many ways it looks like the parish many of us at Grace Norwalk envisioned, and those still there continue to envision. Definitely someplace I will take anyone from Grace/Betania who comes down to visit!
It's still to early in my search to make any decisions, and Lisa continues to encourages me to explore as many churches as possible. But it's also clear that Lisa loves being a part of her church. And I loved having her share her church with me. Do check out their website.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Yankee Learns Some History
Yesterday during the Good Reads session of Employee Development Day Mitzi gave us some history of the seminary and the library.
The seminary pretty much owes its survival to the diligence of treasurer Cassius Lee. Yes, of that Lee family; he was Robert E. Lee's first cousin. At the beginning of the Civil War, he put some of the seminary's funds in a Baltimore bank; a treasonous act. However, those funds put in southern banks were either destroyed or worthless at the end of the war because they were in Confederate bonds. He also persistently pursued reparations for damages done by the Union Army during the occupation when the seminary grounds and building served as a hospital. Ultimately he was successful in obtaining reparation funds before he retired.
As for the Bishop Payne Library is not named for Bishop Payne, first Bishop of Liberia, but for the Bishop Payne Divinity School. Virginia Theological Seminary established the Divinity School in 1878 for African-American students who could not be educated at the seminary. The Divinity School closed in 1949, and it's assets were transferred to VTS in 1953. The library holds the archives of the Divinity School as well as the African American Episcopal Historical Collection.
The seminary pretty much owes its survival to the diligence of treasurer Cassius Lee. Yes, of that Lee family; he was Robert E. Lee's first cousin. At the beginning of the Civil War, he put some of the seminary's funds in a Baltimore bank; a treasonous act. However, those funds put in southern banks were either destroyed or worthless at the end of the war because they were in Confederate bonds. He also persistently pursued reparations for damages done by the Union Army during the occupation when the seminary grounds and building served as a hospital. Ultimately he was successful in obtaining reparation funds before he retired.
As for the Bishop Payne Library is not named for Bishop Payne, first Bishop of Liberia, but for the Bishop Payne Divinity School. Virginia Theological Seminary established the Divinity School in 1878 for African-American students who could not be educated at the seminary. The Divinity School closed in 1949, and it's assets were transferred to VTS in 1953. The library holds the archives of the Divinity School as well as the African American Episcopal Historical Collection.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Employee Development Day
I admit, I did not look forward today. Especially given my past experiences with such attempts at community building, which often prove to be exercises in forced socialization. Finally, I decided to approach today as an opportunity to get to know new colleagues.
I did not participate in the early morning run/walk/bike ride, which essentially circled the campus.So my first activity of the day was breakfast. Then we went off to our first of two morning sessions, which were intellectual and practical offerings. I chose "Good Reads," offered by Mitzi Budde, the Head Librarian. I like the way she subtitled her handouts, which were annotated bibliographies. "Brought to you by Bishop Payne Library: your library at Virginia Theological Seminary." She presented recent books in a variety of subject areas, all available in the library. The library collection isn't totally theological. Mitzi also led the second session I attended, "Beyond Google: The Deep Web." The great thing about it was learning about several online subscription resources that are available to me as a staff member! So I spent my morning learning about the seminary library. I still need to get my Alexandria Library card, but it was great to start to get to know the seminary library.
Following lunch our sessions were geared toward more fun stuff--recreational activities, cooking, and crafts. Session 3: :Art of Origami" presented by the spouse of one of the staff members. He gave us a very brief presentation on history and notation and then moved on to doing some actual folding. We picked paper and then made cranes followed by another bird. I kept reminding myself to lock my inner perfectionist away. And as it turned out, we learned that origami paper you buy isn't always perfectly square.
Anne Karoly, a former Church Center and now current seminary colleague, led us through "Crafting with Duct Tape" where we created Duct Tape wallets. We had a lot of fun being creative. Although we cut up a large baggie for the clear panel, Anne has also used a double thickness of clear tape--sticky sides together.
The day ended with dinner together. All in all, not a bad way to spend a day.
I did not participate in the early morning run/walk/bike ride, which essentially circled the campus.So my first activity of the day was breakfast. Then we went off to our first of two morning sessions, which were intellectual and practical offerings. I chose "Good Reads," offered by Mitzi Budde, the Head Librarian. I like the way she subtitled her handouts, which were annotated bibliographies. "Brought to you by Bishop Payne Library: your library at Virginia Theological Seminary." She presented recent books in a variety of subject areas, all available in the library. The library collection isn't totally theological. Mitzi also led the second session I attended, "Beyond Google: The Deep Web." The great thing about it was learning about several online subscription resources that are available to me as a staff member! So I spent my morning learning about the seminary library. I still need to get my Alexandria Library card, but it was great to start to get to know the seminary library.
The day ended with dinner together. All in all, not a bad way to spend a day.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Living Out of A Suitcase
Today marks my 22nd day in Alexandria. There is a slight possibility that I could be in my apartment this week. See me not turning blue.
I knew coming down here that the apartment wouldn't be ready when I arrived. I figured that I'd have plenty to do getting the Guest Houses ready, so as long as I had a place to sleep, a light, and a place to plug in my computer I could cope for a while. But now that I've had one real weekend and a couple of 8 or 9 hour days, I'd like to be in my own place. Living out of a suitcase gets really old really fast.
Three weeks is about my limit, even if I'm busy. It's one of the reasons I'm more than happy not to attend General Convention this year. And even though where I'm staying is more Bed and Breakfast than hotel, it's still not my place. It's one of the reasons I spend more time than I might otherwise at Cafe 1823. It's not my room, and it does have the added advantage of getting to meet people and socialize.
Another way I spend time, even though it's in my room, is looking at furniture options. Craigslist is one place I browse, though I haven't yet found anything I'm just can't live without. And I have a list of pieces to check out at Ikea. There's one chair I've wanted for years but haven't had room for. It will probably be one of my first purchases. Of course, it really only makes me more anxious to be in my apartment!
There are some minor things that need to be taken care of. Some small holes in the wall from the cabinet installation; a closet door that opens only with a key; a missing latch on the medicine cabinet; and walking through this morning I realized for the first time that there's no ceiling light fixture in the cooking part of the kitchen. But those won't hold up actually moving in. I'm just waiting to hear from one of our maintenance guys about scheduling the day.
So close!
I knew coming down here that the apartment wouldn't be ready when I arrived. I figured that I'd have plenty to do getting the Guest Houses ready, so as long as I had a place to sleep, a light, and a place to plug in my computer I could cope for a while. But now that I've had one real weekend and a couple of 8 or 9 hour days, I'd like to be in my own place. Living out of a suitcase gets really old really fast.
Three weeks is about my limit, even if I'm busy. It's one of the reasons I'm more than happy not to attend General Convention this year. And even though where I'm staying is more Bed and Breakfast than hotel, it's still not my place. It's one of the reasons I spend more time than I might otherwise at Cafe 1823. It's not my room, and it does have the added advantage of getting to meet people and socialize.
Another way I spend time, even though it's in my room, is looking at furniture options. Craigslist is one place I browse, though I haven't yet found anything I'm just can't live without. And I have a list of pieces to check out at Ikea. There's one chair I've wanted for years but haven't had room for. It will probably be one of my first purchases. Of course, it really only makes me more anxious to be in my apartment!
There are some minor things that need to be taken care of. Some small holes in the wall from the cabinet installation; a closet door that opens only with a key; a missing latch on the medicine cabinet; and walking through this morning I realized for the first time that there's no ceiling light fixture in the cooking part of the kitchen. But those won't hold up actually moving in. I'm just waiting to hear from one of our maintenance guys about scheduling the day.
So close!
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Yankee Doesn't Think We're in New England Anymore
I've had several interesting conversations with a number of people from different parts of what is collectively know as the South. Most of them tell me that Northern Virginia, that part of the state by the District and Maryland, really isn't the South. From what I can gather the reason for this stems from its proximity to those two areas. The influence of the capitol far outweighs the native influence.
Coming from Southwestern Connecticut, that doesn't surprise me. Therewe people live in the shadow of New York City. On occasion I've run across people who think it's actually part of New York State. I was campaigning with our state representative who was running for Congress. At one of the train stations a commuter asked him how things were in Albany! Until the advent of cable television, it was easier for us to pick up the New York City ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates than the New Haven or Hartford ones, even though New Haven is closer than the City New York City. When cable did become available, some companies didn't even offer the Connecticut stations to their Fairfield County customers. And even those folks who did have cable access to the Connecticut stations usually watched the New York ones instead.
When I went off to college in Minnesota my classmates didn't believe I came from New England because I didn't have a Boston or a Maine accent. They couldn't quite grasp the fact that regional accents often have relatively small regions where they are spoken. Friends who grew up in Rhode Island, much closer to Boston than Fairfield County, sound very different from friends who grew up in northern Connecticut, who sound different from those in New Hampshire, and so on. And they thought everyone from New York City would speak like Archie Bunker. In addition, neither of my parents were New Englanders, so my own speech pattern carries bits and pieces of New Jersey, Indiana, and Chicago.
Being just across the river from the District, Alexandria provides one place for people working in the District to live without living in the District. Just like Darien was one place people working in New York City live and commute in to their jobs. So many people aren't from around here originally, and many of them will move one after only a few years. But there are locals for whom this is very definitely the South. After all, Richmond, the capitol of Virginia and of the Confederacy, is less than two hours away. Robert E. Lee grew up in the area and had a home just north of here. On the other hand, it's very different culturally from places like Alabama and Georgia.
For a transplanted New Englander it's very definitely the South.
Coming from Southwestern Connecticut, that doesn't surprise me. There
When I went off to college in Minnesota my classmates didn't believe I came from New England because I didn't have a Boston or a Maine accent. They couldn't quite grasp the fact that regional accents often have relatively small regions where they are spoken. Friends who grew up in Rhode Island, much closer to Boston than Fairfield County, sound very different from friends who grew up in northern Connecticut, who sound different from those in New Hampshire, and so on. And they thought everyone from New York City would speak like Archie Bunker. In addition, neither of my parents were New Englanders, so my own speech pattern carries bits and pieces of New Jersey, Indiana, and Chicago.
Being just across the river from the District, Alexandria provides one place for people working in the District to live without living in the District. Just like Darien was one place people working in New York City live and commute in to their jobs. So many people aren't from around here originally, and many of them will move one after only a few years. But there are locals for whom this is very definitely the South. After all, Richmond, the capitol of Virginia and of the Confederacy, is less than two hours away. Robert E. Lee grew up in the area and had a home just north of here. On the other hand, it's very different culturally from places like Alabama and Georgia.
For a transplanted New Englander it's very definitely the South.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
A Visit to Christ Church
Gone are the Sundays when I could just roll out of bed and make it to church on time for services. Unless of course, I want to attend Immanuel-on-the-Hill. Church visits take some planning. This morning I drove down to Old Town to attend the 9:00 a.m. service, billed as the family service, at Christ Church. I'd planned to go last week but overslept. I had some idea of what to expect since I looked at the parish website, which had today's bulletin posted. Even so I wondered if I'd find myself worshipping in a museum. After all it is the oldest parish in Alexandria, and both George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped there.
Instead I found a vibrant community. Although it, too, appears overwhelmingly white, it does include people of all ages. It is clear from the Parish Life handed out with the service bulletin that much goes on there, including some outreach. The one thing that stood out was the parish's involvement in the Bible Challenge, which starts on May 28. I recognized this sincemy parish Grace Church in Norwalk began the Challenge at the beginning of the year. In the middle of the whole interview and relocation process I fell behind and eventually stopped. I suppose I'll pick it up again at some point in the future.
As I walked up to the church, people from the 8:00 a.m. service were leaving and exchanging hellos with those arriving for the 9:00 a.m. service. I was greeted at the door and then met inside by an usher who handed me the bulletin and Parish Life and guided me to a center pew toward the front. He even held the little door open for me. The woman he seated next to me a short while later also greeted me as she sat down.
The church itself, at least inside, looks much like churches of the same vintage in New England. It was hard to miss the pulpit, which loomed over everything at the front of the church. It dwarfed the tiny altar table beneath it and the lectern to the left. Clearly it had been built at a time when the Liturgy of the Word held primacy in the church. On the far left was a marble plaque that read "In Memory of George Washington." It was matched on the far right by one that read "In Memory of Robert Edward Lee." On either side of the pulpit were large framed areas with text painted directly on the wall. The one on the left was the Lord's prayer ("Our Father which art..."), the Apostles Creed, and a quote from Matthew 7:12 ("whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."). The one on the right had the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20.
A Verger led the procession. She seemed much less officious than many I've observed over the years. The acolytes appeared to be high school-aged, and my guess is that the clergy ranged in age from 30's to 60's. One of the acolytes read the first reading, after which the rector took children through third grade out for Children's Chapel. They returned during the Prayers of the People. The Psalm and the New Testament reading were included in the bulletin for the 11:15 a.m. service but were not used. The priest who preached read the Gospel from the pulpit. I enjoyed the sermon, and it gave me an insight into the Ascension that I'd not considered before. No one left their pews during the Peace. It would have been difficult in any case given the doors on each pew.
Announcements followed the Peace. They weren't overly long, but they were complete. This is a church accustomed to visitors. A good portion of them were taken up by welcoming visitors and making sure they knew where coffee hour and Christian Formation offerings could be found. I found this very helpful, especially given my experience at Immanuel last week.
They used Eucharistic Prayer B, so I'm beginning to wonder if there's some sort of guideline in the diocese about which prayer is used during Easter. Or maybe it's a regional preference in general. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that all three churches I've visited so far have used the same Eucharistic prayer. It took an anthem and two hymns before everyone had received, but the process went smoothly. Although most people knelt to receive, I was not the the only one who stood. That was also the case during the prayers.
I left after a very brief time at coffee hour. When I returned to my car I was amused to find that I was parked behind the father and son who sat in front of me during the service.
I spent a good portion of the rest of the day at the Barnes and Noble in Potomac Yard reading a Sister Fidelma mystery. Now that I know which street is Route 1 (which I still tend to call the Post Road) it was much easier to get to Potomac Yard. Even with the traffic lights it took me less time than taking 395 like I did the last time. As I used my membership card for buying iced tea I realized it was one of the few things I didn't have to change after moving down here. Driver's license, insurance company, car registration, library card, yes; Barnes and Noble membership, no.
After leaving Barnes and Noble I drove around for bit before goinghome back to my room. I now think I know where the other branch of my bank is, even though I didn't get there. Pretty soon I might even begin to remember street names!
Instead I found a vibrant community. Although it, too, appears overwhelmingly white, it does include people of all ages. It is clear from the Parish Life handed out with the service bulletin that much goes on there, including some outreach. The one thing that stood out was the parish's involvement in the Bible Challenge, which starts on May 28. I recognized this since
As I walked up to the church, people from the 8:00 a.m. service were leaving and exchanging hellos with those arriving for the 9:00 a.m. service. I was greeted at the door and then met inside by an usher who handed me the bulletin and Parish Life and guided me to a center pew toward the front. He even held the little door open for me. The woman he seated next to me a short while later also greeted me as she sat down.
The church itself, at least inside, looks much like churches of the same vintage in New England. It was hard to miss the pulpit, which loomed over everything at the front of the church. It dwarfed the tiny altar table beneath it and the lectern to the left. Clearly it had been built at a time when the Liturgy of the Word held primacy in the church. On the far left was a marble plaque that read "In Memory of George Washington." It was matched on the far right by one that read "In Memory of Robert Edward Lee." On either side of the pulpit were large framed areas with text painted directly on the wall. The one on the left was the Lord's prayer ("Our Father which art..."), the Apostles Creed, and a quote from Matthew 7:12 ("whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."). The one on the right had the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20.
A Verger led the procession. She seemed much less officious than many I've observed over the years. The acolytes appeared to be high school-aged, and my guess is that the clergy ranged in age from 30's to 60's. One of the acolytes read the first reading, after which the rector took children through third grade out for Children's Chapel. They returned during the Prayers of the People. The Psalm and the New Testament reading were included in the bulletin for the 11:15 a.m. service but were not used. The priest who preached read the Gospel from the pulpit. I enjoyed the sermon, and it gave me an insight into the Ascension that I'd not considered before. No one left their pews during the Peace. It would have been difficult in any case given the doors on each pew.
Announcements followed the Peace. They weren't overly long, but they were complete. This is a church accustomed to visitors. A good portion of them were taken up by welcoming visitors and making sure they knew where coffee hour and Christian Formation offerings could be found. I found this very helpful, especially given my experience at Immanuel last week.
They used Eucharistic Prayer B, so I'm beginning to wonder if there's some sort of guideline in the diocese about which prayer is used during Easter. Or maybe it's a regional preference in general. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that all three churches I've visited so far have used the same Eucharistic prayer. It took an anthem and two hymns before everyone had received, but the process went smoothly. Although most people knelt to receive, I was not the the only one who stood. That was also the case during the prayers.
I left after a very brief time at coffee hour. When I returned to my car I was amused to find that I was parked behind the father and son who sat in front of me during the service.
I spent a good portion of the rest of the day at the Barnes and Noble in Potomac Yard reading a Sister Fidelma mystery. Now that I know which street is Route 1 (which I still tend to call the Post Road) it was much easier to get to Potomac Yard. Even with the traffic lights it took me less time than taking 395 like I did the last time. As I used my membership card for buying iced tea I realized it was one of the few things I didn't have to change after moving down here. Driver's license, insurance company, car registration, library card, yes; Barnes and Noble membership, no.
After leaving Barnes and Noble I drove around for bit before going
Friday, May 18, 2012
It's Official
A few days ago my boss told me to take today off, as I'd put in a lot of hours to get the Guest Houses ready for the Board. I figured it would be the ideal day to go get my Virginia Driver's License, get my Alexandria Library card, and run a few other errands.
I arrived at the DMV at 8:22 a.m. prepared with all the forms of identification and proof of address I needed because I'd looked at the DMV web site a couple of days ago. I even printed out the form I needed from the web site and completed it last night. The gentleman at the reception desk asked me what I came for and verified that I had all the necessary documentation. About 10 minutes later the cameras went down across the entire state. Since all the licenses are printed and mailed from a central office, all the local DMV offices' cameras are tied to that location. They weren't down long, and I was all done in about 45 minutes including voter registration.
So it's official. I am a legal resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and a registered voter in Alexandria. When the woman at the counter handed my Connecticut license back to me I asked if I didn't have to surrender it. She said I needed it in conjunction with the temporary permit until my new license arrived in the mail in seven to ten days.
Getting the new license went pretty smoothly. Getting to the DMV did not. Google Maps doesn't deal well with construction and recently changed roads. Fortunately I had the Rand McNally Street Guide with me. I went way south of where I needed to be and had to pull over to figure out how to get back to the DMV. Otherwise, I'd have been there earlier.
I left the DMV and drove west to try and find the branch of my bank that I know is south and a bit west of the Seminary. I've seen it a few times when out with other folks, but I couldn't find it. So before driving down to Old Town where I knew I could find the branch, I stopped at the branch of the public library closest to the Seminary. All branches of the library were closed today for a Staff Education Day. Walking to the branch in Old Town from where I parked, I passed an Adopt A Block sign stating that block had been adopted by the Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association. A reminder that I need to join soon. At the bank I made a deposit, ordered checks (since I now had a Virgina form of ID), and checked to make sure that the direct deposit for my paychecks was set up.
Leaving the bank I figured I'd drive out to the Barnes and Noble I visited a few days ago. I thought I followed the directions my friend gave me, but I got lost and found the other end of the Parkway. It would have been a nice drive, if I hadn't been worried about running out of gas. As I went through Arlington I remembered Sally's story of frequently finding herself across the bridge and in the Cemetery even after being down here for several years. I kept going north and eventually reached the Beltway. But I missed an exit and ended up heading west on Interstate 66. Fortunately I saw a sign for State Route 7, which is the Leesburg Pike and then King Street as it passes through Alexandria. Sometimes getting lost is the best way to learn your way around.
A stop for gas just before getting into Fall's Church and then lunch at Wendy's. It was something familiar during a day of learning more about my new city.
After lunch and some time at home to check addresses, I headed back to Old Town to walk around and run some errands.. First Stop, the Old Town Transit Shop to buy a SmarTrip card for the Metro and buses. One of the things the woman there told me was to keep the card away from my credit cards and my cell phone. How far away I asked. "I wouldn't even put it in the same wallet." Now who's bright idea was that given our technologically connected world. I'll have to check with friends to find out how they carry theirs when traveling via public transit.
I wandered around Old Town for a bit, and I did make one stop to pick some things up for work. The very friendly staff at the Visitor's Center gave me several copies of a variety of brochures and maps that they thought would be most helpful to visitors in the area for a day or two. And one set for myself.
Old Town is dog friendly. I first noticed it at the bank this morning where they had two bowls of water just inside the outer door. As I walked around this afternoon I passed some other shops, and even a hotel, that placed bowls of water on sidewalk. In one shop I encountered an Airedale lying on the floor.
Tomorrow morning I'll check out the Farmers' Market and see about getting my library card.
I arrived at the DMV at 8:22 a.m. prepared with all the forms of identification and proof of address I needed because I'd looked at the DMV web site a couple of days ago. I even printed out the form I needed from the web site and completed it last night. The gentleman at the reception desk asked me what I came for and verified that I had all the necessary documentation. About 10 minutes later the cameras went down across the entire state. Since all the licenses are printed and mailed from a central office, all the local DMV offices' cameras are tied to that location. They weren't down long, and I was all done in about 45 minutes including voter registration.
Getting the new license went pretty smoothly. Getting to the DMV did not. Google Maps doesn't deal well with construction and recently changed roads. Fortunately I had the Rand McNally Street Guide with me. I went way south of where I needed to be and had to pull over to figure out how to get back to the DMV. Otherwise, I'd have been there earlier.
I left the DMV and drove west to try and find the branch of my bank that I know is south and a bit west of the Seminary. I've seen it a few times when out with other folks, but I couldn't find it. So before driving down to Old Town where I knew I could find the branch, I stopped at the branch of the public library closest to the Seminary. All branches of the library were closed today for a Staff Education Day. Walking to the branch in Old Town from where I parked, I passed an Adopt A Block sign stating that block had been adopted by the Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association. A reminder that I need to join soon. At the bank I made a deposit, ordered checks (since I now had a Virgina form of ID), and checked to make sure that the direct deposit for my paychecks was set up.
Leaving the bank I figured I'd drive out to the Barnes and Noble I visited a few days ago. I thought I followed the directions my friend gave me, but I got lost and found the other end of the Parkway. It would have been a nice drive, if I hadn't been worried about running out of gas. As I went through Arlington I remembered Sally's story of frequently finding herself across the bridge and in the Cemetery even after being down here for several years. I kept going north and eventually reached the Beltway. But I missed an exit and ended up heading west on Interstate 66. Fortunately I saw a sign for State Route 7, which is the Leesburg Pike and then King Street as it passes through Alexandria. Sometimes getting lost is the best way to learn your way around.
A stop for gas just before getting into Fall's Church and then lunch at Wendy's. It was something familiar during a day of learning more about my new city.
After lunch and some time at home to check addresses, I headed back to Old Town to walk around and run some errands.. First Stop, the Old Town Transit Shop to buy a SmarTrip card for the Metro and buses. One of the things the woman there told me was to keep the card away from my credit cards and my cell phone. How far away I asked. "I wouldn't even put it in the same wallet." Now who's bright idea was that given our technologically connected world. I'll have to check with friends to find out how they carry theirs when traveling via public transit.
I wandered around Old Town for a bit, and I did make one stop to pick some things up for work. The very friendly staff at the Visitor's Center gave me several copies of a variety of brochures and maps that they thought would be most helpful to visitors in the area for a day or two. And one set for myself.
Old Town is dog friendly. I first noticed it at the bank this morning where they had two bowls of water just inside the outer door. As I walked around this afternoon I passed some other shops, and even a hotel, that placed bowls of water on sidewalk. In one shop I encountered an Airedale lying on the floor.
Tomorrow morning I'll check out the Farmers' Market and see about getting my library card.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Yankee Walks Slowly
The heat and humidity broke last night, and today was a perfect Spring day. The first three days of the week, however, not so much. And because the Board of Trustees was on campus for their Spring meeting and Commencement, I wore a jacket on the three most humid days of the year so far.
So far. That two word disclaimer is important, as several people have reminded me. In New England, at least along the Connecticut Coast, we don't usually get the serious humidity until July and August, and it usually dries up before we get too far into September. I've been told that here the humid weather can last into October.
So I moved slowly. Sometimes that was enforced by my feet, tired and sore after days spent standing and running around to get the Guest Houses ready for the Board. People frequently passed me walking at a much brisker pace. If they wanted to talk to me, they slowed down to my speed. But even those walking more rapidly still walked slower than most New Yorkers on even the hottest days of the year.
I also drank plenty of water. Last week I bought a new water bottle; one of the ones made by Britta that has a small filter in it. I've used a Britte pitcher for years, and the bottle seemed like an ideal solution for having water in my office without needing to return to my living quarters to refill from the pitcher. In a week or so, that won't be such a big deal because my apartment will be just up a flight of stairs. Right now, however, my room is clear across campus, and I can fill this bottle up at any sink or water cooler.
So we had a perfect Spring day for Commencement. I've only been here two weeks, and I don't really know any of the graduating class, so I didn't feel the need to attend in person. And since the Seminary closed at 2:00 pm. today, I had to take care of some critical correspondence before the post-ceremony reception, which I did attend.
I don't know when the humidity will return, but when it does, you can rest assured that I will be walking slowly.
So far. That two word disclaimer is important, as several people have reminded me. In New England, at least along the Connecticut Coast, we don't usually get the serious humidity until July and August, and it usually dries up before we get too far into September. I've been told that here the humid weather can last into October.
So I moved slowly. Sometimes that was enforced by my feet, tired and sore after days spent standing and running around to get the Guest Houses ready for the Board. People frequently passed me walking at a much brisker pace. If they wanted to talk to me, they slowed down to my speed. But even those walking more rapidly still walked slower than most New Yorkers on even the hottest days of the year.
I also drank plenty of water. Last week I bought a new water bottle; one of the ones made by Britta that has a small filter in it. I've used a Britte pitcher for years, and the bottle seemed like an ideal solution for having water in my office without needing to return to my living quarters to refill from the pitcher. In a week or so, that won't be such a big deal because my apartment will be just up a flight of stairs. Right now, however, my room is clear across campus, and I can fill this bottle up at any sink or water cooler.
So we had a perfect Spring day for Commencement. I've only been here two weeks, and I don't really know any of the graduating class, so I didn't feel the need to attend in person. And since the Seminary closed at 2:00 pm. today, I had to take care of some critical correspondence before the post-ceremony reception, which I did attend.
I don't know when the humidity will return, but when it does, you can rest assured that I will be walking slowly.
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Yankee Displaced
The Guest Houses have been the priority since I arrived two weeks ago. And no one really knew quite how long it would take to get the apartment ready. That's why I went with the pod for moving my stuff down here. It gave us the most flexibility in terms of being out of the apartment in Norwalk and being able to move into the apartment here. The new apartment is actually quite close to being done, but it will be a few days more before I can move in. In the meantime I have a bed to sleep in, a couch to sit on, and a place to plug in my computer.
Living out of a suitcase gets really old really fast. Until I can put my stuff in my place, I'm unsettled; displaced. It will be a while before it starts to feel like home around here, but being essentially homeless delays the start of the process. Not having a church home adds to the sense of dislocation, but finding one is part of the whole settling in process.
Then there are the subtle differences that remind me that in many ways I'm a stranger in a strange land. The architecture is just enough different, as are some of the food options in the grocery stores and local restaurants. And let's not forget the whole historical frame of reference! Jamestown instead of Plymouth. George Washington lived here instead of George Washington slept here. Thomas Jefferson instead of John Adams. And of course, Robert E. Lee instead of Ulysses S. Grant. I grew up surrounded by one context and reading about the other. Now I'm living in the other.
On the other hand, if there's one thing I know, it's how to live amongst the other.
Living out of a suitcase gets really old really fast. Until I can put my stuff in my place, I'm unsettled; displaced. It will be a while before it starts to feel like home around here, but being essentially homeless delays the start of the process. Not having a church home adds to the sense of dislocation, but finding one is part of the whole settling in process.
Then there are the subtle differences that remind me that in many ways I'm a stranger in a strange land. The architecture is just enough different, as are some of the food options in the grocery stores and local restaurants. And let's not forget the whole historical frame of reference! Jamestown instead of Plymouth. George Washington lived here instead of George Washington slept here. Thomas Jefferson instead of John Adams. And of course, Robert E. Lee instead of Ulysses S. Grant. I grew up surrounded by one context and reading about the other. Now I'm living in the other.
On the other hand, if there's one thing I know, it's how to live amongst the other.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A Visit to Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
I hadn't intended to go to Immanuel this morning, but I overslept, and it's the closest Episcopal church to the Seminary. Immanuel has a long-standing relationship with the Seminary that includes the Seminary Chapel, which burned over a year ago. You can read a brief stoyr about the fire here.
I arrived about 10 minutes before the 10:00 service started, and my first impression was that the congregation was considerably older than at St. Clement's. As the start of the service got closer, the average age dropped considerably. All told, there were 120 or so folks ranging in age from infant to nonagenarian and overwhelmingly white. A number of people wore name tags but not everyone, so a visitor didn't stick out like a sore thumb.
My second impression was that the church was older than it appeared from the street. Inside was a very traditional worship space, with the exception of the altar. The altar sits far enough forward so that people can surround it during communion. And it has no altar rail.
The bulletin carried a welcome, the order of worship for both services, the readings, and the usual collection of announcements and staff listings.It also included a brief reflection on the readings from Merriman's The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. When the service started I encountered an interesting glitch. There weren't enough hymnals in the pews, and I shared mine with the gentleman next to me, who was also the only person of color I saw until communion. He also happened to be one of the lectors. Like St. Clement's, Immanuel has a deacon.
I really enjoyed the sermon, which was about transitions and moving forward. This was not surprising given a church in transition on the Interim Rector's second Sunday. Prayers of the People were Form 3. No one moved from their pews for the Peace. The Doxology was sung as the collection plates were brought to the altar. During the invitation to the table the priest announced that a gluten-free alternative was available, just ask her or the deacon when you came up. A crystal goblet served as the chalice (it looked like Waterford, but I couldn't be sure). As I noted above, everyone stood around the altar to receive, and everyone stayed in place until the last person had received before returning to their pews.
Announcements took place after the recessional but before the dismissal. Each person who got up to make an announcement introduced themselves before making their announcement. The deacon sent the congregation out, and it dispersed. There was no mention made of coffee hour, and there did not appear to be any major movement of people in one direction that would ordinarily indicate where to go. So I came home.
If I had to make a decision based on just these two parishes, I'd probably choose St. Clement's. Obviously, it's easier to recognize a newcomer in a smaller parish, but I felt almost lost. I realized that it probably takes more work to integrate yourself into a large parish, especially if you haven't come at the invitation of someone who's already a member. There is something to be said for smaller communities, and I wonder why we tend to look at larger churches as more successful. Bigger is not always better.
But I don't have to make a decision any time soon. There are plenty of churches to visit, and my list keeps growing as I talk to people here at the Seminary. Maybe next week I'll venture to one in the District. We'll see.
P.S. They didn't make a fuss about Mother's Day. I didn't forget. I sent a card, which hopefully arrived on time. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
I arrived about 10 minutes before the 10:00 service started, and my first impression was that the congregation was considerably older than at St. Clement's. As the start of the service got closer, the average age dropped considerably. All told, there were 120 or so folks ranging in age from infant to nonagenarian and overwhelmingly white. A number of people wore name tags but not everyone, so a visitor didn't stick out like a sore thumb.
My second impression was that the church was older than it appeared from the street. Inside was a very traditional worship space, with the exception of the altar. The altar sits far enough forward so that people can surround it during communion. And it has no altar rail.
The bulletin carried a welcome, the order of worship for both services, the readings, and the usual collection of announcements and staff listings.It also included a brief reflection on the readings from Merriman's The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. When the service started I encountered an interesting glitch. There weren't enough hymnals in the pews, and I shared mine with the gentleman next to me, who was also the only person of color I saw until communion. He also happened to be one of the lectors. Like St. Clement's, Immanuel has a deacon.
I really enjoyed the sermon, which was about transitions and moving forward. This was not surprising given a church in transition on the Interim Rector's second Sunday. Prayers of the People were Form 3. No one moved from their pews for the Peace. The Doxology was sung as the collection plates were brought to the altar. During the invitation to the table the priest announced that a gluten-free alternative was available, just ask her or the deacon when you came up. A crystal goblet served as the chalice (it looked like Waterford, but I couldn't be sure). As I noted above, everyone stood around the altar to receive, and everyone stayed in place until the last person had received before returning to their pews.
Announcements took place after the recessional but before the dismissal. Each person who got up to make an announcement introduced themselves before making their announcement. The deacon sent the congregation out, and it dispersed. There was no mention made of coffee hour, and there did not appear to be any major movement of people in one direction that would ordinarily indicate where to go. So I came home.
If I had to make a decision based on just these two parishes, I'd probably choose St. Clement's. Obviously, it's easier to recognize a newcomer in a smaller parish, but I felt almost lost. I realized that it probably takes more work to integrate yourself into a large parish, especially if you haven't come at the invitation of someone who's already a member. There is something to be said for smaller communities, and I wonder why we tend to look at larger churches as more successful. Bigger is not always better.
But I don't have to make a decision any time soon. There are plenty of churches to visit, and my list keeps growing as I talk to people here at the Seminary. Maybe next week I'll venture to one in the District. We'll see.
P.S. They didn't make a fuss about Mother's Day. I didn't forget. I sent a card, which hopefully arrived on time. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Who? Me?
Usually one of the first things I do in the morning is read the Dean's Commentary on the website. This morning I didn't get to it until lunchtime, and of course, today was the day the Dean used his daily Commentary to welcome me. Oops!
While the first part talks about the work I've been doing with my new colleagues, the second paragraph is all about me. Yes, I did those things, but to see them in print out there for the whole world to look at...
Some of us just aren't good at blowing our own horns, and when someone else does it about us, we feel awkward and even embarrassed. I came here with a set of skills and experiences that they sought. I already seem to be making a difference and becoming part of the VTS community.
So yes, me!
While the first part talks about the work I've been doing with my new colleagues, the second paragraph is all about me. Yes, I did those things, but to see them in print out there for the whole world to look at...
Some of us just aren't good at blowing our own horns, and when someone else does it about us, we feel awkward and even embarrassed. I came here with a set of skills and experiences that they sought. I already seem to be making a difference and becoming part of the VTS community.
So yes, me!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Yankee Checks In
Not much going on other than work. And the hockey games, which are dangerous territory for a Rangers fan living in Caps territory! I'm still contemplating a possible Sunday excursion, so stay tuned on Monday.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Familiarity
Today I decided to go off campus for dinner again. I felt the need for something familiar, so I googled (I wonder if that as a verb will outlive Google?) Wendy's and found one a couple of miles away that I could drive to on streets I'm already familiar with. And as long as I was going out, why not see if I could find a Barnes and Noble as well? There were a couple of things I needed, so it seemed like a good evening's excursion.
Wendy's are much the same anyplace. They have decent salads. Add a baked potato, and you have a pretty good meal. The one on King Street is actually across the Arlington line and shares a parking lot with a 7-11 and a Taco Bell. As often happens these days, I missed the turn into the lot and had to turn around. During the drive there I found that King Street has an interchange with 395, which runs from the District to Springfield, VA, so I didn't have to backtrack and go up Quaker. That would have been closer than going all the way back to Seminary Road, which is the way I might have gone had I only been going to Barnes and Noble. I'm sure I could have driven local streets to Potomac Yard, but I'll leave that for a day when I feel like exploring rather than heading somewhere specific.
While all Barnes and Nobles are similar, no two have the same arrangement of sections. One interesting thing I noted at the Potomac Yard Center store was that the Religion section (Bibles, Christian reference and literature, Judaica, and minimal Islam) was separated from the New Age section by about half the store. In almost every Barnes and Noble I've visited those two sections are next to each other, if not contiguous. So with an unfamiliar layout it took me a couple of minutes to find the travel section. I needed a local atlas and a DC guidebook. The atlas was easy, though they have Rand McNally onesdown here instead of the Hagstroms back home up north in the New York Metro area (wherever!). I love that it says "Your in-car backup to Internet directions" on the cover. Given my experience with Google maps over the past week...
The guide book was a different story. What I intended to get was the Eyewitness Travel Washington, DC. I like the Eyewitness Travel books. They're a nice size and have a nice variety of illustrations. But what about Virginia? Or Maryland? After perusing several different guides, including some other ones that covered only Washington, DC, I stuck with my original choice. The DC guide covers enough of the immediate surrounding area that it will meet my needs for quite a while. When I do get to the point where I'm ready to explore more of Virginia, I'm probably going to buy Backroads and Byways of Virginia: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions. Most of the basic information given by a guidebook can also be researched on the Internet. It's these more local excursion books that I find more interesting and more helpful in learning about an area. I may also invest in a book of local bicycle tours, too.
The unplanned purchase was A Guide to Historic Alexandria. I found several picture books about Alexandria and its past, but this one had some text. As a history buff, I want to know some of the history of my new city. And it will be something out of town guests can take a look at when they visit.
Working toward new familiarity.
Wendy's are much the same anyplace. They have decent salads. Add a baked potato, and you have a pretty good meal. The one on King Street is actually across the Arlington line and shares a parking lot with a 7-11 and a Taco Bell. As often happens these days, I missed the turn into the lot and had to turn around. During the drive there I found that King Street has an interchange with 395, which runs from the District to Springfield, VA, so I didn't have to backtrack and go up Quaker. That would have been closer than going all the way back to Seminary Road, which is the way I might have gone had I only been going to Barnes and Noble. I'm sure I could have driven local streets to Potomac Yard, but I'll leave that for a day when I feel like exploring rather than heading somewhere specific.
While all Barnes and Nobles are similar, no two have the same arrangement of sections. One interesting thing I noted at the Potomac Yard Center store was that the Religion section (Bibles, Christian reference and literature, Judaica, and minimal Islam) was separated from the New Age section by about half the store. In almost every Barnes and Noble I've visited those two sections are next to each other, if not contiguous. So with an unfamiliar layout it took me a couple of minutes to find the travel section. I needed a local atlas and a DC guidebook. The atlas was easy, though they have Rand McNally ones
The guide book was a different story. What I intended to get was the Eyewitness Travel Washington, DC. I like the Eyewitness Travel books. They're a nice size and have a nice variety of illustrations. But what about Virginia? Or Maryland? After perusing several different guides, including some other ones that covered only Washington, DC, I stuck with my original choice. The DC guide covers enough of the immediate surrounding area that it will meet my needs for quite a while. When I do get to the point where I'm ready to explore more of Virginia, I'm probably going to buy Backroads and Byways of Virginia: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions. Most of the basic information given by a guidebook can also be researched on the Internet. It's these more local excursion books that I find more interesting and more helpful in learning about an area. I may also invest in a book of local bicycle tours, too.
The unplanned purchase was A Guide to Historic Alexandria. I found several picture books about Alexandria and its past, but this one had some text. As a history buff, I want to know some of the history of my new city. And it will be something out of town guests can take a look at when they visit.
Working toward new familiarity.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Great Furniture Shift
As if I hadn't already moved enough furniture last month, yesterday found me supervising the removal of furniture from three buildings and delivering it to three. We had to do both for one of the buildings. We even found some of the missing Guest House furniture. And like any job of this kind, it took longer than we initially planned. However, because the movers asked the right questions, we will only have to move one bed within the Guest House. Once it's repaired that is.
My furniture is still in the pod in Chantilly waiting for my call. There's just too much stuff going on in the Guest House for me to move anything in. Not to mention the number of trucks and vans that cluster along the side of the road outside the buildings. There's no place to put the pod, even if I wanted to start moving in. The holdup? Primarily the kitchen. But there's enough other work going on that trying to get my stuff in would just make things difficult for everyone. So I continue to stay in a room in the temporary Guest House across campus and live out of suitcases and boxes.
At least I don't have to worry about my meals at the moment. I'm able to eat my meals in the refectory. That has provided me with lots of opportunities to meet people, especially the students. Of course, many of them are graduating next week, but many will return when school starts up again in August. I'm already becoming part of the campus community, but I'm still feeling very transient. I'm still living in that both and time. It's hard to start to get to know a neighborhood when you're living in a guest room.
But learning it I am.
My furniture is still in the pod in Chantilly waiting for my call. There's just too much stuff going on in the Guest House for me to move anything in. Not to mention the number of trucks and vans that cluster along the side of the road outside the buildings. There's no place to put the pod, even if I wanted to start moving in. The holdup? Primarily the kitchen. But there's enough other work going on that trying to get my stuff in would just make things difficult for everyone. So I continue to stay in a room in the temporary Guest House across campus and live out of suitcases and boxes.
At least I don't have to worry about my meals at the moment. I'm able to eat my meals in the refectory. That has provided me with lots of opportunities to meet people, especially the students. Of course, many of them are graduating next week, but many will return when school starts up again in August. I'm already becoming part of the campus community, but I'm still feeling very transient. I'm still living in that both and time. It's hard to start to get to know a neighborhood when you're living in a guest room.
But learning it I am.
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Yankee Visits Mount Vernon
Before I left Connecticut I set an intention that at least once a month I would go visit someplace new. For my first weekend, I actually visited two new places near my new home, both yesterday. First, I went to St. Clement's for church. You can read about my here. And since the weather forecast called for nice weather in the afternoon, or at least no rain, I decided to drive down to Mount Vernon after church.
Although the nice woman at St. Clement's recommended driving down the Parkway, but I went the way I had directions for, which was primarily on Route 1. Route 1 runs from Maine to Florida, and it runs through coastal Connecticut where I grew up. It was an odd feeling to be driving along Route 1 and knowing that it wasn't the Boston Post Road, Connecticut Avenue, or Wesptort Avenue, even if it looked familiar in some places. I arrived at Mount Vernon shortly after noon to find the parking lots almost overflowing. I almost turned around and went home. But I found a spot at the far end of one lot and walked to the historic area. There was no line at the ticket booth where I purchased my annual pass, no line at the Guest Services counter where they took my picture and made up my Annual Pass ID card, and no line at the house.
My first view of the house caught me off guard. It isn't white. Every picture I've ever seen of Mount Vernon shows a white house. It's a pinkish-beige color. I'm guessing maybe they recently found something while researching or renovating. The second thing that surprised me is that it's not that large, although it would have been much larger than most people's homes at the time. I guess I've become accustomed to all the McMansions that sprout like weeds these days. Oh, and the informal dining room is an ugly shade of green.
The views of the Potomac are spectacular. Maybe one day I'll take the boat down from Alexandria.
I started the slave life tour but left it about midway through. It seemed geared primarily toward children, and there really wasn't anything that I hadn't already read about or learned elsewhere. Much more interesting was the exhibit in the museum about dining at Mount Vernon.
I spent about three hours before heading home. There's plenty more to see, and I have the annual pass. I did drive home via the Parkway. She was right. It is a beautiful drive. There's also a bike path that parallels the Parkway. Before too much longer I hope to be able to ride down and back.
Although the nice woman at St. Clement's recommended driving down the Parkway, but I went the way I had directions for, which was primarily on Route 1. Route 1 runs from Maine to Florida, and it runs through coastal Connecticut where I grew up. It was an odd feeling to be driving along Route 1 and knowing that it wasn't the Boston Post Road, Connecticut Avenue, or Wesptort Avenue, even if it looked familiar in some places. I arrived at Mount Vernon shortly after noon to find the parking lots almost overflowing. I almost turned around and went home. But I found a spot at the far end of one lot and walked to the historic area. There was no line at the ticket booth where I purchased my annual pass, no line at the Guest Services counter where they took my picture and made up my Annual Pass ID card, and no line at the house.
My first view of the house caught me off guard. It isn't white. Every picture I've ever seen of Mount Vernon shows a white house. It's a pinkish-beige color. I'm guessing maybe they recently found something while researching or renovating. The second thing that surprised me is that it's not that large, although it would have been much larger than most people's homes at the time. I guess I've become accustomed to all the McMansions that sprout like weeds these days. Oh, and the informal dining room is an ugly shade of green.
The views of the Potomac are spectacular. Maybe one day I'll take the boat down from Alexandria.
I started the slave life tour but left it about midway through. It seemed geared primarily toward children, and there really wasn't anything that I hadn't already read about or learned elsewhere. Much more interesting was the exhibit in the museum about dining at Mount Vernon.
I spent about three hours before heading home. There's plenty more to see, and I have the annual pass. I did drive home via the Parkway. She was right. It is a beautiful drive. There's also a bike path that parallels the Parkway. Before too much longer I hope to be able to ride down and back.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A Visit to Saint Clement's
Once I knew I was moving down here, before I even ordered the pod, I started poking around the Internet to get an idea of what would be around my new neighborhood. Things like bike shops, grocery stores, book stores, banks, and of course, churches. The City of Alexandria has eight Episcopal churches, and there are a handful more in the part of Alexandria that's not the City. I don't fully understand the way the whole thing works, but as long as I can find my way around, for now it's not important. But getting back to churches.
Yesterday I realized that I needed to pick a church to check out today, so I went back to the Internet to look again at websites of the churches closest to the Seminary. One I already knew, since I pass it every time I turn onto Seminary Road from North Quaker Lane, Immanuel on the Hill. Looking at their website, however, I decided this wouldn't be a good Sunday to visit the parish. They welcomed their new Interim Rector this morning. The next closest, not too far up Quaker, is The Church of Saint Clement (www.saintclement.org). I noted their service times and decided to attend the 10:00 a.m. service.
I arrived at 9:55 and found plenty of parking available; I parked on the street just past the front door. A friendly usher greeted me and handed me a bulletin. I walked into the church itself to find a brightly lit altar area between two sections of pews to the right and to the left. On the other side of the altar, across from the entry doors, were the pulpit and seating for the altar party. Behind the altar hung a large tapestry of the Tree of Life, or that's what I interpreted it as. The small organ and piano were behind the pews on the right. As I moved away from the center toward the left side it felt dark, even though the lighting was plentiful. It took me a moment to realize that there was no outside light, not a single window. It's a big brick box.
The congregation appeared a lot less diverse than I'm used to except in age. There were about 45 adults and a dozen children under the age of 10 or so. I observed two people of color and no youth or young adults, other than a couple of young married couples. The children processed in behind the crucifer and another acolyte, both of whom were children. Once the altar party reached their places, the procession of children went out one of the side doors to church school. They returned after the announcements to participate in the Peace and the Eucharist. While I'm a proponent of having children in church for the entire service, I understand the reasoning of doing it this way.
The priest introduced each Scripture reading, including the Gospel. It felt more like mini sermons than brief introductions. I know there are organizations and publishers that provide short introductions for the Sunday readings, but I'm not sure if these were from one of those or his own musings. Ironically, after hearing the introductions that pretty much interpreted each reading (and hence my thinking that they might be from one of the canned sources), his sermon was about looking at the scriptures in different and unexpected ways. He spent most of his time on the reading from Acts 8 about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The priest spent quite a bit of time looking at the eunuch as maybe being the equivalent of our era's gay man. He took it a bit further when he brought in the Gospel reading from John, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower." He likened the dead and withered branches to the faggots, bundles of which were often used to burn heretics and are often thought to be the root of that particular negative word for gay men. He also pulled in upcoming General Convention legislation which could approve rites for the blessing of same sex unions.
Once again God interjects a sense of humor into my universe. On my first Sunday, making my first church visit in my new city, I land in a small, struggling, open and affirming parish.
I'm so accustomed to the way the Prayers of the People are done at Grace/Betania Norwalk that using one of the Prayer Book options (Form V in this case) came as a bit of a shock. Announcements followed the prayers and seemed to drag on forever, a case of TMI for almost every announcement. It may have been because the children were delayed in returning from church school. Once they were back, we exchanged the Peace, when went on about as long as it does at Betania/Grace. I didn't leave my pew, but several people came to greet me.
The altar is enclosed by a square altar rail in the center of the church, and people surrounded the altar to receive. People both knelt and stood to receive the bread and wine, and there were two chalices, one for those wishing to intict (dip their bread in the wine) and one for those wishing to drink. I didn't ask anyone later, but I'd be interested in learning how and why that came about. They also had bells, rung by the young crucifer. There was a communion anthem but no post communion hymn.
I resisted the urge to leave right after the service and went to coffee hour in the parish hall. At one end of the hall was a play area for the children, who seemed to know where the play area ended and the food and conversation area began. As I got my coffee the Deacon greeted me and struck up a conversation to find out what brought me to St. Clement's. She was a little taken aback when I made a point of saying that their web site had been the deciding factor for my visit. Evidently, they've been putting more effort into their Facebook and Twitter presence. She also introduced me to several other people, including the Rector. Another woman, who happened to have grown up in Connecticut, introduced herself, handed me a small round loaf of bread, and engaged me in conversation for a few minutes. When she found out I planned to visit Mount Vernon in the afternoon, she made a point of telling me to make sure to take the Parkway. (For more about my visit to Mount Vernon, check out A Connecticut Yankee in Robert E. Lee's Back Yard tomorrow.)
Would I go back? Yes, I think so. It's not Betania/Grace, but no other parish will be. And the variety of Episcopal churches here in the Diocese of Virgnia and across the river in the Diocese of Washington calls for some exploring. And I have invitations from friends to visit at least one parish here in Alexandria and two in the District. (See how quickly I picked up that phrase? It's easier for me to use than "the City," which for me is still New York City.) Just as I started working at the Seminary at the end of the academic year, I'm catching these churches on the cusp of the summer months.
I wonder where I'll end up next Sunday?
Yesterday I realized that I needed to pick a church to check out today, so I went back to the Internet to look again at websites of the churches closest to the Seminary. One I already knew, since I pass it every time I turn onto Seminary Road from North Quaker Lane, Immanuel on the Hill. Looking at their website, however, I decided this wouldn't be a good Sunday to visit the parish. They welcomed their new Interim Rector this morning. The next closest, not too far up Quaker, is The Church of Saint Clement (www.saintclement.org). I noted their service times and decided to attend the 10:00 a.m. service.
I arrived at 9:55 and found plenty of parking available; I parked on the street just past the front door. A friendly usher greeted me and handed me a bulletin. I walked into the church itself to find a brightly lit altar area between two sections of pews to the right and to the left. On the other side of the altar, across from the entry doors, were the pulpit and seating for the altar party. Behind the altar hung a large tapestry of the Tree of Life, or that's what I interpreted it as. The small organ and piano were behind the pews on the right. As I moved away from the center toward the left side it felt dark, even though the lighting was plentiful. It took me a moment to realize that there was no outside light, not a single window. It's a big brick box.
The congregation appeared a lot less diverse than I'm used to except in age. There were about 45 adults and a dozen children under the age of 10 or so. I observed two people of color and no youth or young adults, other than a couple of young married couples. The children processed in behind the crucifer and another acolyte, both of whom were children. Once the altar party reached their places, the procession of children went out one of the side doors to church school. They returned after the announcements to participate in the Peace and the Eucharist. While I'm a proponent of having children in church for the entire service, I understand the reasoning of doing it this way.
The priest introduced each Scripture reading, including the Gospel. It felt more like mini sermons than brief introductions. I know there are organizations and publishers that provide short introductions for the Sunday readings, but I'm not sure if these were from one of those or his own musings. Ironically, after hearing the introductions that pretty much interpreted each reading (and hence my thinking that they might be from one of the canned sources), his sermon was about looking at the scriptures in different and unexpected ways. He spent most of his time on the reading from Acts 8 about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The priest spent quite a bit of time looking at the eunuch as maybe being the equivalent of our era's gay man. He took it a bit further when he brought in the Gospel reading from John, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower." He likened the dead and withered branches to the faggots, bundles of which were often used to burn heretics and are often thought to be the root of that particular negative word for gay men. He also pulled in upcoming General Convention legislation which could approve rites for the blessing of same sex unions.
Once again God interjects a sense of humor into my universe. On my first Sunday, making my first church visit in my new city, I land in a small, struggling, open and affirming parish.
I'm so accustomed to the way the Prayers of the People are done at Grace/Betania Norwalk that using one of the Prayer Book options (Form V in this case) came as a bit of a shock. Announcements followed the prayers and seemed to drag on forever, a case of TMI for almost every announcement. It may have been because the children were delayed in returning from church school. Once they were back, we exchanged the Peace, when went on about as long as it does at Betania/Grace. I didn't leave my pew, but several people came to greet me.
The altar is enclosed by a square altar rail in the center of the church, and people surrounded the altar to receive. People both knelt and stood to receive the bread and wine, and there were two chalices, one for those wishing to intict (dip their bread in the wine) and one for those wishing to drink. I didn't ask anyone later, but I'd be interested in learning how and why that came about. They also had bells, rung by the young crucifer. There was a communion anthem but no post communion hymn.
I resisted the urge to leave right after the service and went to coffee hour in the parish hall. At one end of the hall was a play area for the children, who seemed to know where the play area ended and the food and conversation area began. As I got my coffee the Deacon greeted me and struck up a conversation to find out what brought me to St. Clement's. She was a little taken aback when I made a point of saying that their web site had been the deciding factor for my visit. Evidently, they've been putting more effort into their Facebook and Twitter presence. She also introduced me to several other people, including the Rector. Another woman, who happened to have grown up in Connecticut, introduced herself, handed me a small round loaf of bread, and engaged me in conversation for a few minutes. When she found out I planned to visit Mount Vernon in the afternoon, she made a point of telling me to make sure to take the Parkway. (For more about my visit to Mount Vernon, check out A Connecticut Yankee in Robert E. Lee's Back Yard tomorrow.)
Would I go back? Yes, I think so. It's not Betania/Grace, but no other parish will be. And the variety of Episcopal churches here in the Diocese of Virgnia and across the river in the Diocese of Washington calls for some exploring. And I have invitations from friends to visit at least one parish here in Alexandria and two in the District. (See how quickly I picked up that phrase? It's easier for me to use than "the City," which for me is still New York City.) Just as I started working at the Seminary at the end of the academic year, I'm catching these churches on the cusp of the summer months.
I wonder where I'll end up next Sunday?
Thursday, May 3, 2012
I Have a List for That
Which rooms still need furniture? Let me check my list.
What furniture needs repair? Let me check my list.
Which phone lines aren't in the right place or aren't working? Let me check my list.
Has all the linen arrived? Let me check my list.
What's for lunch today? Let me check... Wait a minute; that's somebody else's list!
Getting the Guest House ready for the first guests after the renovation involves a LOT of work, and I got dropped into the process at the tail end of it. I arrived on campus with lists already started that consisted mostly of questions, but there were also things I knew needed to be done. Those lists gave me a good head start. Since Tuesday I've completed a couple of the lists. However, I have many, many more now. That's okay. Those lists will get us through the next few days.
As I check things off the various lists, we're that much closer to re-opening the Guest House. I'm also that much closer to moving into my new apartment. And, yes, I have a list for that, too.
What furniture needs repair? Let me check my list.
Which phone lines aren't in the right place or aren't working? Let me check my list.
Has all the linen arrived? Let me check my list.
What's for lunch today? Let me check... Wait a minute; that's somebody else's list!
Getting the Guest House ready for the first guests after the renovation involves a LOT of work, and I got dropped into the process at the tail end of it. I arrived on campus with lists already started that consisted mostly of questions, but there were also things I knew needed to be done. Those lists gave me a good head start. Since Tuesday I've completed a couple of the lists. However, I have many, many more now. That's okay. Those lists will get us through the next few days.
As I check things off the various lists, we're that much closer to re-opening the Guest House. I'm also that much closer to moving into my new apartment. And, yes, I have a list for that, too.
The Yankee on Campus
I haven't been off campus since I went out to dinner with my friend Kellee Monday evening. She drove me through Old Town, so I have some idea of what's there. And there is plenty of history here on campus. I learned today that the building I'm staying in actually predates the seminary.
Once things have settled down a bit, I can begin to explore. Maybe Memorial Day weekend.
Any thoughts on what I should be seeing or doing when I have some free time?
Once things have settled down a bit, I can begin to explore. Maybe Memorial Day weekend.
Any thoughts on what I should be seeing or doing when I have some free time?
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
203, 703, 22304
203 used to be my area code, although it still is for my personal cell phone. Now it's the "room number" of my apartment. The area code for this part of the country is 703. And the zip code is 22304. It surprised me how quickly I memorized the new zip code after years of 068##. The nearest Interstate in the area is easy. I-95, which runs behind the house I grew up in, and I could see out my window in Norwalk. But ask me for my office phone number, the phone number of the Guesthouse Manager's Blackberry, or the nearest cross street, and I have to look them up.
Phone numbers, passwords, and codes, oh my! You always have a lot of that kind of thing to learn when you start a new job. But move to a new community at the same time, and the number almost doubles. During my childhood, many families moved in and out of my hometown when the father, and it was always the father, got transferred by his corporation. I'm sure it was a lot of new stuff in the context of the era, but you had one home phone, one office phone, and maybe a fax number. The so-called head of the household didn't even have to learn his way around except how to get to the train station and back, if the family lived within walking distance, or they had that rare luxury of two cars. How the world has changed in 40 years.
I suppose I shouldn't complain. My grandparents went literally from horse-and-buggy to jet planes and the space shuttle. Whenever I feel like new technology is about to overwhelm me, I try to remember Grandad. He loved computers and the Internet. If he were alive today, he'd be using Facebook and Twitter like a pro!
Shortly, I'll head over to Cafe 1823, the little pub on campus, to attend a flute and mandolin concert. Then I'll retire to Room 1 of Building 31A, the temporary guest house. See, more numbers.
Phone numbers, passwords, and codes, oh my! You always have a lot of that kind of thing to learn when you start a new job. But move to a new community at the same time, and the number almost doubles. During my childhood, many families moved in and out of my hometown when the father, and it was always the father, got transferred by his corporation. I'm sure it was a lot of new stuff in the context of the era, but you had one home phone, one office phone, and maybe a fax number. The so-called head of the household didn't even have to learn his way around except how to get to the train station and back, if the family lived within walking distance, or they had that rare luxury of two cars. How the world has changed in 40 years.
I suppose I shouldn't complain. My grandparents went literally from horse-and-buggy to jet planes and the space shuttle. Whenever I feel like new technology is about to overwhelm me, I try to remember Grandad. He loved computers and the Internet. If he were alive today, he'd be using Facebook and Twitter like a pro!
Shortly, I'll head over to Cafe 1823, the little pub on campus, to attend a flute and mandolin concert. Then I'll retire to Room 1 of Building 31A, the temporary guest house. See, more numbers.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Coke for Breakfast
This morning I woke up to rain, and I woke well before the alarm went off. So began the first morning of the first day in my new home preparing for the first day at my new job. Although I'm not in my apartment yet, the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary is my home now. I constantly catch myself looking around and asking, "I wonder how long it will take before this becomes familiar?"
I walked across campus to the refectory for breakfast and was reminded of the walk across the Rockford College campus to Burpee Center where the cafeteria was located. Even though Rockford was a very small college, VTS is even smaller. I walked into the food service area and noted the young woman in front of me getting a glass of Coke. It reminded me that I drank Coke for breakfast through most of my college years, and it took many years after that for me to learn to drink coffee. So I had Coke for breakfast this morning. Well, Diet Coke.
Just like it took years for me to learn to drink coffee, it took me years to wean myself from an academic calendar. Now I'm living in the midst of one again. I've entered it backwards, so to speak. I've arrived at the end of the Spring semester with Commencement around the corner. Which means I've plunged headlong into my role as the new Guest House Manager. How am I doing? I'm making lots of lists, which keeps it from being overwhelming. I think I'll feel much better once the guest house has actually reopened, AND I've moved into my new apartment. That shouldn't be too much longer. The cabinets arrived today as scheduled, and installation has begun.
My office is almost complete. At least I have a phone, a computer, and a desk to put them on. I'm still waiting for a chair!
I walked across campus to the refectory for breakfast and was reminded of the walk across the Rockford College campus to Burpee Center where the cafeteria was located. Even though Rockford was a very small college, VTS is even smaller. I walked into the food service area and noted the young woman in front of me getting a glass of Coke. It reminded me that I drank Coke for breakfast through most of my college years, and it took many years after that for me to learn to drink coffee. So I had Coke for breakfast this morning. Well, Diet Coke.
Just like it took years for me to learn to drink coffee, it took me years to wean myself from an academic calendar. Now I'm living in the midst of one again. I've entered it backwards, so to speak. I've arrived at the end of the Spring semester with Commencement around the corner. Which means I've plunged headlong into my role as the new Guest House Manager. How am I doing? I'm making lots of lists, which keeps it from being overwhelming. I think I'll feel much better once the guest house has actually reopened, AND I've moved into my new apartment. That shouldn't be too much longer. The cabinets arrived today as scheduled, and installation has begun.
My office is almost complete. At least I have a phone, a computer, and a desk to put them on. I'm still waiting for a chair!
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