"We're Halfway There..."

The flames flicker in the fire pit, and in the silence of the campfire you can hear the waves crashing on the beach below. The guitarists strum simple melodies, and then the Pastor will tell us a story or read from the Bible.  Pointe devotions only happen at one place: Camp Okoboji.

From the basketball courts you can hear the basketballs continuously bouncing on the concrete as the line of knockout players gets progressively shorter.

The CLC is loud with campers, rejoined with their friends after a year.

I can hear the sounds of scribbling in journals from the hill by the softball field; the waves hitting the beach, and the laughs of people who haven't fallen from the floating raft during Ninja.

I miss lunch in the dining hall, and listening to campers who lost their name tags forced to sing the ABCs, or worse: I'm a Little Teapot, with actions. :)

I miss reading the newspaper, and seeing Living on a Prayer lyrics featured nearly every day. 

I miss my Small Group and group building activities, even if we can't tell the difference between the back of the craft building from the back of different cabin while blindfolded. ;)
I miss correctly guessing Africa by Toto during Name that Tune.  I never thought that would come in handy.
I miss Topic. Sometimes I go back and read my thoughts about the Bible studies, and am so happy that I took notes to help me remember.

I miss skit practice in the chapel.

I miss hearing "Don't Drop that Thun Thun Thun"every 5 second, and I'm not even sure I know what it means.

I miss the Survivor challenges, and the horror stories after lights out, and the GADiators sign on the wall in our cabin.  I miss making friendship bracelets in crafts and taking selfies with everyone singing on the walk to the Pointe.  I miss the gazebo...a lot.  

I miss my counselors, and Pastors, and friends.

A few weeks ago we passed the halfway point between camp last year, and camp this year.  It reminded me of my souvenirs from last year.

I have my yearbook, the inside cover crammed with signatures and phone numbers.

I have my journal, pages filled with hand-written entries of the fun things that we did at camp and words of encouragement from fellow campers.

I have my name tag, and my Team Mark red headband, and my pictures.  Lots and lots of pictures.

And, right now, I'm at home, but in 22 weeks, I'll have camp. 

"Oh, we're halfway there...

Oh! Livin' on a prayer."

Grace

I Believe in Sherlock Holmes

He's back.

After a two year hiatus, the consulting detective is back for the third season of Sherlock. 

I haven't been a fan of Sherlock for very long, seeing as I didn't start watching it until last fall, but it is by far my favorite TV show.  As you might have read in my last post, we watched the first episode along with most of the rest of America. 

I had no idea what to expect.

For starters, I'd only watched each episode once, so I hadn't compiled an intelligent theory as to how Sherlock faked his death.

So there we were (Morgan and I) sitting in a dark room, by ourselves, on a Sunday night, wrapped in blankets (shock blankets ;) waiting for our beloved detective to make his reappearance.

The Empty Hearse

Assuming you've all watched it, here's my thoughts and things.

- Starting at the beginning, the first few scenes were great, and some weren't even REAL.

When Sherlock and Molly kissed, I screamed so loud that I scared my brother. #truestory #sherlollyforever #I'llstopnow

- Sherlock looks better with short hair. 

- Martin and Amanda are perfect together. You can almost tell that they aren't just acting. :)

- I like Mycroft more in this episode. I mean, "Let's play deductions" was brilliant.  Even if they hate each other, they are brothers. :)  Now as to why they were playing operation? The world may never know.

- I think we can all agree that we owe Anderson an apology... I mean, he did lose his job looking for Sherlock. I love the fan club because I feel like that was us.  We are The Empty Hearse. :)

-Assuming the voice of Edna Mode from the Incredibles: NO MOUSTACHE!

Favorite quote: 
"I didn’t lie altogether. I’ve absolutely no idea how to turn any of these silly little lights off."

The Sign of Three

- In this episode, Mary Morstan slowly became one of my favorite characters.
- From the purple bridesmaids dresses("Lilac"), to seating arrangements, to napkin folds. I can see it: Sherlock The Wedding Planner. :)
- Archie is mini Sherlock and I think it's cute.
- OK, I learned it on youtube. :)
- I loved the Best Man's speech.  It was awful and wonderful and hilarious all at the same time.
- Sherlock can compose music, play violin, and dance. Just...talent.
- You have to feel bad for John, seeing as Sherlock knew that Mary was pregnant before he did. Or maybe he's used to that.  :)

Favorite quote: "You're a pyschopath." "High-functioning sociopath. With your number."

His Last Vow

- I don't like Janine.  No Janine, no Irene Adler, no fiancé for Molly, no "Lestrolly" (where did that even come from??), only Sherlolly. That is all.
- How many times is Sherlock going to "almost but not quite" die? I mean, he got SHOT.
- I like that we get to meet the rest of the Holmes family.
- Redbeard. *tears*
- Magnussen deserved to die. He's CREEPY.
- "I'm not given to outbursts of brotherly compassion. You know what happened to the other one." Another brother? I guess we'll find out.
- John and Mary: I love them.
- Why wouldn't you name your child after Sherlock? :) This scene is precious.
- "Did you miss me?"  FACT: During the first scene with Moriarty, in Sherlock's mind, I said "I missed you".  So you can start to imagine how loud I screamed at the last sentence. OH MY GOODNESS. I totally called that he would come back, and if you don't believe me, ask my sister, Morgan, at her blog.

Favorite quote: "Your best friend is a sociopath, who solves crimes as an alternative to getting high. That's me, by the way, hello."  

One year until season four. I suppose we will have to occupy ourselves with theories about Moriarty and watching these episodes many, many more times.

Sherlock, it's nice to have you back.

Grace
















Moriarty, I missed you.