If only I could write like this…
Rwanda #3 – Processing
13 MarI just walked in the door of my beloved little house in beloved Franklin, TN. I have about three entries in various stages of completion but I had to stop and process all that I experienced over the last ten days before I could finish any of them. Stay tuned! In the meantime, my close friend Tivo and I have some catching up to do…
Rwanda #2 – Freedom
6 MarMy mind is racing and my heart is full after two days in Rwanda. We have not met one person who was not affected by the 1994 Genocide. Yet the people of this country are exhibiting a supernatural ability to forgive and reconcile for the greater good of the nation. Imprisoned Hutus are now returning to assimilate amongst the surviving family and friends of their Tutsi victims. Those who ask for forgiveness receive it. Not because they deserve it, but because the survivors know that bitterness is a prison.
To forgive is to be free.
Rwanda #1 – Getting There
3 MarI’m on my way to Rwanda and I thought I’d take you along. I’ll be posting as I am able throughout the trip. I give you the inaugural entry…
The airline switched planes on us in Detroit so we were on a much smaller plane. That meant we could only take one piece of luggage on the plane. I had two pieces. Everything was with me so nothing is lost in transit. So, after a quick repacking in the waiting area to accommodate a couple of days of clothing should said bag get lost, I board the plane.
Me = happy and content (dare I say smug?) because I have an exit row seat. Window. Perfect for a red-eye to Amsterdam. A scrawny Dutch guy has the aisle seat. Nobody boarding is very large so it looks like my luck is kicking in.
And then…
The Russian Strongman team boards at the last minute. And I’m not kidding. They had the matching track jackets to prove it. The biggest, widest, most Russian of them all is assigned the middle seat.
Next. To. Me.
Soon the panic induced by the armrests groaning as he squeezed into his seat was replaced by the sunburn to the right side of my face from his body heat. My new bosom buddy (!) was clearly more uncomfortable than I. In fact, it was not so bad being wedged between his triceps and the window. I was able to sleep without worrying about slouching or nodding! I would have taken a photo but I couldn’t move enough to get my camera or phone out of my backpack…
We all made it to Amsterdam safely and now I’m in Dubai waiting for our flight to Addis Ababa en route to Kigali. More to come!
Imagine
26 FebLet’s see how the guys do tonight, shall we?
First up: Michael Johns. Can’t wait to see what he does tonight! Is one considered a “jock” in the US if their sport of choice is tennis? Not sure about that…Love the song…can’t go wrong with a little Fleetwood Mac. And it suits him well. Not his best, but still loved it.
Jason Castro: Another favorite from last week. He has the guitar again…good move, but he’s going to have lose it sometime soon. Great song and performance again this week.
Luke Menard: I still don’t get him. Crappy song. Crappy vocal. You know you’re in trouble when the background singers have a lower voice than you. It’s time to go home…
Robbie Carrico: The drag racing? Actually, not a surprise. He. Is. Not. A. Rock. Singer. He has a good voice, but he’s not what he thinks he is. He’s a pop singer. Just so-so tonight. And I didn’t get the song choice.
Danny Noriega: I don’t get him this week either. Really pitchy and weird vibrato tonight. Not to mention the big rainbow-colored elephant in the room. He’s too over the top.
David Hernandez: I really didn’t get him last week. Good vocal this week, but I just don’t connect with his performance style. Kinda awkward. Kinda Vegas.
Jason Yeager: Couldn’t stand him last week. And you now what? Don’t like him this week either. He’s like karaoke at a white-man-can’t-dance convention. Complete with the white man overbite. And what was that last “move”? GO. HOME.
Chikezie: Not great last week. Way better this week, but still not doing it for me.
David “The Word Nerd “Cook: I liked him last week and I think I like him better this week. Great song for him. REALLY enjoyed him!
David Archuleta: Can’t wait to see him tonight! Singing one of my favorite songs. And I’m going to download it TONIGHT. He was fantastic. Fan. Tas. Tic.
Flawless.
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