Josalyn came down for the weekend and it was relaxing. We were able to visit with a few of our friends, something that never seems to happen enough but is always beneficial. Saturday night we went over to Mike’s, who was in town from San Mateo for the game conference. I used to work with him over at Origin Systems / EA before they closed the studio and shipped everyone out to California. It was great to see him again and I enjoyed meeting his friends from Austin. It’s nice to go to a party where people nerd out and have intelligent conversation about topics like the differences between the various Protestant denominations without it descending to close-mindedness or polemics about faith or the lack thereof. I’ve reached a point where I can respect political or religious differences without judgment for the most part. I just try to listen what people have to say, and if I find myself in disagreement I try not to make an issue of it since everyone is entitled to their opinion no matter how ridiculous.
It just so happens that two of Mike’s female friends attended seminary, one as a Presbyterian and one as a Baptist. I learned a lot about the Presbyterian belief system, which is very different from my experience being raised as a Baptist. They actually do communion and have creeds, which is something you don’t hear about in Baptist church, not to mention the fact that the Baptists do not have female ministers. The party was the perfect opportunity for my well-worn Baptist joke: “Question: Why do you take two Baptists with you when you go fishing? Answer: If you take one he’ll drink all the beer.” If you don’t get it I can explain. All in all, it was a lot of fun even though we just sat around the kitchen table and talked.
Sunday we called Sab and woke up the hungover Courtney and Phillip for lunch. We ended up going out for coffee afterward and talked until four or five in the afternoon. It was very nice. I’ve noticed that I’m in a lot better mood if I spend time hanging out with people and talking. We humans, as social creatures, have a need to rub our brains like stones against the brains of others.