"Welcome Home"

On July 31st, the immigration officer at LAX stamped my passport and said, "Welcome home." I wanted to hug him but I don't think U.S.A. Immigration is making its name in hugs these days. That waited for Laura and Jacob Roebuck. They are my dear friends with whom I lived spring of 2006 in Irvine. They're still hear, near, Jacob beginning the production process for his first feature film and Laura working at RockHarbor, their church.

Much about Orange County doesn't resonate with me; the design of spaces, the disconnectivity of lives lived in cars and shopping centers, but in the middle of it are Laura and Jake making a beautiful home with two of Jacob's brothers and another friend, always heaps of people eating Laura's gorgeous meals around the table, organizing outings to baseball games, playing Settlers of Cattan or ultimate frisbee. A week is not enough.

We've already had adventures with the Kirby vacuum salespeople who did shampoo the rug in the living room for free, but at the expense of a three hour of sales pitch. Then the Padres vs Diamondbacks. The former mounted an inspiring comeback in the bottom of the ninth, scoring four runs to stay in the game, only to lose in the eleventh. This afternoon after L gets off of work, we'll head for the beach with two copies of Harry Potter. Because I've been wide awake in the middle of the past two nights, I've made headway - but do not tell me what happens.

Padres vs Diamondbacks in San DiegoJacob's brother Keith, friend Jeff, Jacob, Laura, friend PamIt was LDS (Mormon) night and they kept having BYU salutesCan I get a Mountain West Conference Gag Me?