August 22, 2007
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Stories
I’ve met a lot of people in the last week. Several hundred freshmen all going around asking the standard questions:
- What’s your name?
- Where are you from?
- What’s your major?
Two people get together, ask these questions, and promptly forget the answers to them. Then there’s always the person that remembers your answers and you forgot theirs and feel bad about it. Then you remember someone else’s answers and are disappointed when you realize they don’t remember yours and really don’t want to talk to you.
Everybody’s got a story, though. There’s the girl who lived in Austria her entire life, the guy who’s already campaigning for class president, the homeschooled girl who always seems to want to play cards, and hundreds more. Then there’s the group of rough-looking guys sitting out behind the gas station, who each have their own stories about drugs, alcohol, being shot, and looking for Jesus.
How do you really define relationships in a situation like this? How do you begin to fit into a hundred other stories, and find the people who fit into yours? Then the complications of who does and doesn’t like you come in, and you’re never sure if sitting with a certain person at lunch will make them happy or uncomfortable.
Dr. Davis talked this morning about the narrative that we always have running in our mind, telling our story to ourselves; and the metanarrative, of which our individual story is only a part.
Back to the work study paperwork…
Comments (22)
I can never remember people’s names. It drives me crazy, and I always feel rude.
showing up is more then half the battle…
I think everybody has their own story too that is what makes it so great…
I’m glad to see you’ve had some time to update on what’s going on there. We sure miss you at church – it’s not the same without you!
I remember my first year of college like it was yesterday, although it was forever ago. What I remember most is exactly what you’re talking about – meeting thousands of people and trying to remember names. My favorite question was when I would say I was from Dallas and someone would always ask…”oh! do you know so-and-so?” – like I know everybody in a city of millions of people. A couple of times, I DID know that someone – that was kind of cool.
Anyway – work hard, make good choices, and have some fun!
Mrs. W (Greasy’s Mom)
I must say…it sounds like a writer’s dream. (In a way.) Being an aspiring writer, (wow, sounds corny, but oh well, it’s true.) I’m always amused by funny people. Weird quirks are especially amusing. ; )
Life stories are also very interesting to me. It always feels like I should be looking for a lesson in people’s stories, something that will make me a better person, something that will change the way I think about life. And many life stories could do that…interesting thought, would my life-story affect anyone else’s life? If I tried, could I make my life have a story that powerful?
I think that, if we all tried to live life in a way worthy of a story that could change the world, it would be a better place for all of us to live.
Sorry I’m being so philisophical. It’s late, and I’m tired; at least this helped me get over some of my late-night blues though. Thanks for the thought food.
*~*Laura*~*
Odd, how just because we don’t know people they become merely the scenery for our own life’s setting, when they are really so much more.
The ideal scenario is to be at least “cool” with everyone while having a few regular friends that “get you” and you can be creative around. The hard part is making sure that you don’t just fill your whole list of friends with nodding acquaintences that end up making you think there’s nothing more to life than knowing people moderately.
I don’t hit up campus life for about a month, but you are making me pumped for it.
Hey, thanks for commenting me back. : )
I’m glad that I’m not the only one to get those late-night blues. (Not that I’m glad other people are sad. lol) The “if only” thoughts tend to crowd in at those times too.
lol Well I guess you’re right that true life sometimes feels short on spice for a story; but hey, if you gave your funny acquaintances, (their character sketches), to other people, they could probably make some interesting stuff. ; ) Too bad I’m not looking for new characters. I’m currently slugging through a story and adding funny characters would pretty much mess everything up. lol
Ah, I doubt your life-story would be a “how not to live” book. I’m sure you’ve had a lot of great mini-stories in your life that were amazing. Like, that you went on that mission trip a month or two back… You affected a lot of people with that. : ) I was kind of envious that you got to do that, actually. I think that would be a really amazing and eye-opening experience.
But then, I know how you feel about feeling like one of those “how not to live” stories. Everybody feels like that sometimes. I know I do. lol But by the grace of God, we’ll keep goin’ and keep trying to do better. : )
*~*Laura*~*
Hahahaah!!! Oh man. That’s great.
Dude, I’m in my friend’s basement, and he’s asleep… I’m struggling to not wake him up with my laughter right now. LOL.
Wow.
it sounds like your having a great time.
but i do miss our talks!
have fun and be safe!
Just popping in to see what’s up. So…what is your major?
Mrs. W. is funny! I get that when people hear I am from Kansas…do you know so and so? Or they ask if we have indoor potties….stupid stuff like that! Seriously! My husband talks to people on the east and west coasts all the time with his job, and the stuff people think is whacked!!!
Go study sir.
‘huh’ what?
That really is all they ask at first. Wait until sophmore year; they ask who you’re sleeping with, what your favorite drink is, and the like.
…or least that’s how it was at my college.
Hey man! How’s college going so far? (beond what you just said;)) g2gtobed
It’s like information overload the first couple of weeks. It sounds like a thought provoking time though, especially what the good Dr. talked about.
oh dear, no music? that’s terrible. But you have your guitar with you at least, right?
I don’t know what I would do without music,
That is encouraging… that others (and yourself) are considering such things. And I’ve dealt more with the same subject since then, in case you’re interested enough to look through my old posts.
You’re at Covenant, right? I know it’s a big school, but if you know Adam or Bailey Carter, I stayed with them at their folks’ house about a month ago.
Hey! How have you been? Miss you at the Cafe. I hope all is well.
ryc: I suppose I could simply have taken those pictures off of google. It would be a different kind of indentify theft. Some people steal credit cards/social security cards. I steal people’s blogging lives. Haha.
I think you should look for some kind of club that you are interested in and try and find people who share your common interests.
I like your layout. He IS risen!
What happened to posting on TheWorshipCafe, dearie? It seems everyone just disappeared. So I took over.