The Prodigal Son Returns

Yup - tomorrow I am coming home. I leave here at 3pm Friday and get into Charlotte at 9pm on Friday... funny huh?. Most of us are probably somewhat familiar with the parable of the Prodigal Son. At first I didn't really think it an appropriate title but then realized (thanks to wikipedia) that when the prodigal son went away to live he "wastes his substance with riotous living" before returning home. So I realized it might be more appropriate than I thought. But I wouldn't call it a waste.

OK, so the educational portion of our program is over. Now for the random comments:

So last post I said how I hate people that think they are going to melt or something if the get the smallest drop of water. Well the other really annoying thing is the lack of courtesy, especially regarding elevators, trains, buses and things. What I mean is in order for there to be space for someone to get in, you normally have to wait for people to get out. I can't count the number of times that people have run into me getting in and out of elevators and trains. Its actually really bad. Even the PAs at the train stations remind people to let other off first, before trying to barge their way on. Well, as we all do I have adjusted. When exiting the elevator/train, you just have to pretend its a 32 dive on the 5 yard line and your are down by 3 points. The guard and center (the doors) have just opened a hole for you, and the guy trying to barge in is the inside linebacker in your way to the end zone. Drop your shoulder a bit, lower your head and keep moving. They tend to learn. If not, at least its a bit gratifying. OK, not really. OK OK, so I've only done that a few times, but seriously, if they don't let me out, where in the world do they think they are going to stand.

In other random observations, I have come to realize that while fashions go in and out of style everywhere else in the world, not in Australia. It seems that style here is just a huge amalgamation of everything bad (think 70s/80s and flourescent/pastel colors) and everything good (well, good stuff you know). Its like a closet that has everythign from the last 50 years in it. And every once and awhile, someone goes in a grabs something (multicolored Mohawk wig, hot pants - for men??, rugby shorts to work?, pinstripe suit - think London stock exchange, more piercings than swiss cheese, hair styles that would make Flock of Seagulls jealous, Moo Moos?, 70s steele worker style mullet?, you think it, I've probably seen it). All that and I am not even talking about what I saw wondering the streets during Gay Mardis Gras Weekend. I will try and take some picutes one day to illustrate this, but if you know me, I am pretty slack about taking pictures.

Back to the important things. I will be in NC from March 21 - April 5. You can reach me on my old US phone - 919-593-3699 but since i don't have a real phone plan, if I don't answer call me back - I don't have any minutes. I will be in Charlotte alot, Rowland/Fayetteville a bit, Greensboro and the Triangle (I fly out of RDU). So hope to see you, but knowing most of you, I will see you before you read this.

AND of the really really important things - UNC finished on top of the ACC, on top of the NCAA regular season and won the ACC tournament. I can't wait to watch a few games this weekend. To bad I missed Greene leaving Paulus with a personal touch during the UNC win over Dook.