I'm Bored

Wow, I have been living away from home for almost two weeks now, and I am bored out of my mind, even with classes having started. I didn't realize I was such a boring person -- even to myself! Well, an idle mind is the devil's workshop, so I better begin finding something to do with myself. Suggestions? (I assume rather arrogantly that there is anyone actually reading this -- this assumption is based on absolutely nothing whatsoever, since nobody has ever left a single comment on all two of them.)

I Have a New Neighbor

And boy is he sullen. This ought to be a lot of fun.

I mean, I do get why he's lacking in optimism, having been a Marine in Afghanistan, but still, shouldn't there be some pride in the job he's done to help keep America safe? I know I'm in a minority on these wars nowadays, but the job of our military is to protect us from foreign threats, and the Middle East is where our greatest threats are. I have no doubt of the outcome. God is on our side. So long as we continue to support Israel, God will continue to favor us. I have no doubt our economic troubles are directly tied to our moves away from Israel.

My neighbor's name is Steve, and to be honest, he looks like he could break me in two. Not because he's overly-muscled, like some body-builder, but because he has to be the sleekest, strongest-looking man I have ever seen. He commands whatever place he's in and makes you feel small in it. His eyes stare past you when he talks to you, as though he's looking far off at some horror he can't describe, but is too strong to break down over, or even to show he's interested in it.

He didn't come with much. He's Spartan in more ways than one, it seems. (He could have been an extra in 300, that's for sure!) We spent about ten minutes introducing ourselves to each other, then he went into his room and shut his door. I hope he'll open up a bit. I'd love to hear some of his stories!

Gay Roommate

Oh my God, my roommate has got to be the gayest man live. I have never seen anyone who is so over the top, obviously gay in my life. Seriously. I don't know if I can live with him. But what am I supposed to do? Go request a new roommate? Based on what? That he's gay? I can't do that.

Marc has blond highlights in his hair, is wearing these Daisy Dukes, flip-flops, and a muscle shirt that shows off the tribal tattoo on his arm. He seems nice enough, but when I asked him where he'd been, he quite casually told me he's been over his boyfriend's house. I don't know what I'll do if he wants that guy over. But what if I want Claire over? Fair is fair, right? But, no, it's not the same. One is moral, the other's not, and that's all there is to it. I don't know how I'm going to handle this. I need to set a good, Christian example. I'll talk to him about the Bible. I'll do what I can to bring him to salvation, so he'll give up this sinful life. If I attack him or make him uncomfortable, I'll just harden his heart against God. I don't want sin around me, but . . . God, I just don't know what to do. You will have to guide me on this. I'm lost.

I'm still waiting for Claire to get down here. I miss her, and I was hoping she'd get down here by now. I think I'll give her a call and see when she expects to come down.

Back In Richardson

Well, here I am again, in the hottest place I have ever been. It seems I missed the majority of the hot streak, but the news is promising more over 100. Growing up I thought Kentucky was hot, but I was way off. Distovia is small, backwards, close-minded, and full of secrets -- I have many I never told anyone, and cannot imagine telling anyone -- but at least it rarely got over 90 there. And Dallas is ridiculous, the entire city closing at 2 a.m. Makes it the world's largest small town. I see many of the same attitudes here as I see back home in Marks County. Still, I had to get out of there. That place would kill me, drive me crazy. Here I can be a nice, boring, typical college student rather than the weird kid in town. I'd rather be conservative in a big city college than liberal in a small town, that's for sure.

I spent this last summer trimming Christmas trees. That was my summer job. Seriously. Me and a machete a pair of shears out in the sun shaping spruces to make the perfect Christmas trees. Next Christmas tree you buy, if you buy one from Kentucky, maybe I shaped it. You can tell everyone that you're decorating a Berkowski.

I told Claire I was coming in today. She said she was going to be coming in sometime this week. I missed her this summer, but I live in Kentucky and she lives in Oklahoma, and that's a long way away. At least, for me. We don't have a lot of money, though my parents are paying for my college. My dad's a coal miner and my mom stayed at home until I went to college. Now she's a waitress at the Dixie Diner. She hates it most days, but especially when the Vickery family shows up. They are the Vickery Victory Singers, and my mom says they are the worst customers she has, always rude and demanding and never leaving a tip no matter how good the service is. Mom says they are a horrible Christian example, which makes her mad, since we all went to church every Sunday morning and evening, and Wednesday evenings. We spent a lot of time at Perpetuity Baptist Church, and we have always been close to Pastor Carrol. He and my parents wanted me to go to Asbury College, which is in Kentucky, or at least to Dallas Baptist, if I just had to move, but I came to UTD instead. I'm not majoring in biology at a Christian college, sorry. Also, Claire's parents had wanted her to go to Oklahoma Baptist, but she ended up coming here, so maybe it was meant to be. My parents wanted me to date a good Christian girl, and I don't think they have anything to complain about in Claire. I can't wait to see her again. The summer was far too long.

I'm supposed to get a new roommate this year. Some guy named Marc. I see some of his stuff here, but I haven't seen him yet, even though I spent all day yesterday moving in and I spent the night here. His door is closed, but surely if he was here he would have come out to say "Hi" or something. I guess he was out. Maybe he has a girlfriend. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with some guy having his girlfriend over or whatever. But this is his room, too, so what am I going to do? Maybe I'll talk to him. Maybe he'll understand why that would make me uncomfortable. I don't know. We'll see.

In any case, I'm getting hungry. I think I'll walk down to the Masala Wok. It's a bit far, but I could use the exercise, even if it is a bit hot outside.