from NYLC part I

this year I traveled to Joplin for the National Youth Leaders Convention all by myself. I'll have to say, it is a bit lonely. Funny thing is that I get caught in an ironic cycle of introverted behavior and lonliness. I have come across a few people that I know and have had good relationships with, but I choose to be by myself. Not long after, i begin to feel slightly lonely. I do it myself, so I shouldn't complain. I guess that's just the way I am. anyways...

it was minutes just before the main session started, and I decided to use the restroom before (rather than during) the first worship set. I went into the bathroom and I was the only one in there. perfect - i can get a little stage fright. anyways when i went to wash my hands, i noticed that another man had snuck in and neither of us really saw each other. He was a tall man and wearing his hoodie just on his head, hanging down over his back. I didn't say a word, didn't see his face, decided that the bathroom isn't a great place to make small talk, and I left. When I walked in the gym, they were just beginning to lower the lights and i found a nice seat among about 5 or 6 emty seats where I could peacefully sit by myself and hopefully avoid any kind of unnecessary meet-and-greet moments of awkwardness. I didn't sit on the end, by the aisle, I sat in the second seat from the aisle. I don't know why I did that, maybe I wanted people to think that someone was already sitting with me and so they shouldn't try to fit any more people in that row since it already had TWO people in it, and there are a million other places one could find a seat. The show is just about to start. No kidding, moments before the first thing (a comedian) begins, a very tall man sits down right next to me in that seat on the aisle. I think to myself, 'what is this guy doing?!' And i almost immediately realized that it was the same guy that i was just in the bathroom with. He's got the whole gym to sit wherever he wants, and he choses the one seat, ONE, between me and aisle! How annoying.

His name is Craig. He's from nowhere'sville Illinois. Craig is a little neurotic, but aren't we all. Anyways, i found out that he rides a harley, play's guitar, is married, has kids - i think, and really isn't into pop culture. Good for him. It is times like these that I really think that God is trying to teach me something. When I learn what it is, maybe I'll share it. Maybe I'll see Craig again...I plan on sitting in the same exact seat, Lord willing. So more on that later. Well, I am about to be late for the main session, so I'll be going now.