Grateful for Lasting Friendship

I was able to re-connect with friends from my time at Iowa State this weekend while at a wedding in Lawrence, KS. One of my cohort members got married. Time for a party!

We did party, too. Friday night when I got in, after having dinner with my brother, I went over to my friend Kate's. The fire was cracking and the s'mores were delicious. Of course we started out by having a few beers at the house first (around the campfire) before heading out to one of Lawrence's fine pubs. We managed to connect with the wedding party here and re-unite, once again, as one of the best cohorts to graduate from the Iowa State higher education program.

Saturday was spent prepping for Saturday night's festivities. After a slow morning we met up for lunch, walked downtown Lawrence, did some house visits, and made our way to Walmart to get some "old man caps" for game-time (I mean, wedding time).

The wedding ceremony was very basic. Unlike many of the Catholic weddings I attend with much rhetoric and symbol, this was very straight-forward and simple. At the end of it all, I found the simplicity attractive. While I still very much enjoy Catholic ritual, it's nice to be able to step back and re-examine what's important. For me, it was being present as they declared love.

The party moved to the University of Kansas Alumni Center where we were greeted with good food, great toasts, and of course a phenomenal open bar. It was wide open! It was fun. I am still sore, and very tired, but it was worth it. And yes, the old man caps (which the groom often wore in Ames) made their appearance to great wonderment and support of the older patrons. SHAKING the behind takes on new meaning when you are donning a hat to go with it! Pictures posted soon.

Thanks, Iowa State / Kansas friends, for an incredible weekend.

I am grateful for our lasting friendship.

Back to School

This update will be a hodgepodge of items. I apologize in advance for its randomness.

If you were me - and everyone else in Chicago - you were captivated by the Blagojevich verdict this week. It's true that he was only convicted of one count - lying to FBI agents. Let me repeat: he was convicted of one count. What's worse is that he is traveling the country speaking of himself as a victim. A victim!? Come on now. While I wasn't a part of the jury, I'd like to have a few words with those that were. Seriously, fellow citizens, after hearing those tapes you (at least some of you, anyway) voted to acquit? There are many times I don't understand human nature and many times I don't get human rationale. This is one of those times. For more on "blagopalooza" check out the link below. Folks, this is windy city politics. Double emphasis on windy.

Blagopalooza

Professional football season has begun. I caught some of the Bears - Raiders preseason game last night while out to dinner. As a Bears fan I couldn't be more underwhelmed. At the risk of judging this team too soon, I'll stop here.

Like the temperature in Chicago lately, work has been sizzling. It's that time of year again for me - last minute students scurrying to get admitted before classes start on August 30th. They only need one more letter of recommendation, their transcripts are being over-nighted, they'll write their personal statement tonight, and so the stories (you can't even imagine the stories!) go. I try - I try hard - to get good candidates in and settled into classes. This past week was crazy. This next week will be crazy, too. This always happens in August. I shouldn't complain; I realize we need students and, at least this year anyway, they seem to be plentiful and eager to learn (if they could only muster up that final letter of recommendation, of course).

I am heading back to school on August 30th as well. I am taking a PhD level class (systematics) entitled the Mystery of God by someone who received his PhD from, and has taught at, Harvard. I figure as I continue to discern PhD in theology studies why not start out with a bang. In all seriousness, I am nervous. And excited. Scared, too. Anxious as well. I figure if I am going to put all the time, energy, sweat and tears into something like a PhD I better really want it. I am hoping this class provides needed clarity - either a you got what it takes go for it or maybe a you should look into something else that utilizes your gifts and talents.

Finally, I did my "back to school" clothes shopping yesterday. I am fazing out cotton khakish pants for wool/micro-fiber dress slacks; I knew you'd want to know of this startling development. Dress slacks keep longer, maintain better, and wrinkle less. When it comes to clothes I need all the help I can get. I'm nearly 30 and still love "back to school" season.

I am in Kansas City this coming weekend.

Peace always.

Mazel Tov!

I've been drawn to tea lately (please note this is in no reference to the U.S tea party and their ideological beliefs). As the 'dog days' of summer begin to flourish, I can't help but thinking often of sitting down to read with a fresh class of ice tea. Yet, when searching for recipes on how to make this perfect pitcher, I was amazed at how inconsistent the 'callings' for tea bags are. Some recipes - 3 bags seeping for 5 minutes. Others, 4-6 bags for 7 minutes. Yet others, 8 bags for 10 minutes. Even others, 16 (16!) bags for 5 minutes. I get it relies on preference, but really!? Perhaps the tea world could standardize some of this - for all of us 'northern amateurs' wanting a crisp glass of that perfect ice tea.

I attended a Korean - Jewish wedding last night. It was a blast! It was so wonderful to see these two families and their respective cultures come together in celebration. The wedding ceremony, rituals, music, food and people were so unique, welcoming, and rich in tradition and symbol. In the mainly German-Irish Catholic weddings I attend I don't often get a chance to see differing worlds collide like this. From the honoring of the parents in the serving of the tea to the mazel tov glass breaking, I was captivated (and humbled, really) at Damien and Susie's joining and new union and married life together. I wish them all the best; I was honored to be a part of their special day.

I am tired of oppressive heat. I long for the days of autumn weather, fall football, changing leaves, etc. I know, "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." I can still look longingly for days of seeing your breathe and sweatshirts and jeans. I wonder if I'll want my glass of tea then.

Peace always.

It's been awhile ...

Above - me enjoying some corn-on-the-cob at the Taste of Chicago in July.

Some of you have asked for more blog postings. I guess it is fair to say it's been awhile since my last "life update." I apologize for this; I've gotten caught up in life - classes, travels, Loyola work, work with Call to Action, etc. All good things, but nevertheless time consuming. Alas!

I've made it a goal to blog once again. You may not get one of my profound reflections every week (lucky for you, right?), but I do pledge to be more mindful of those I don't interact with on a daily and weekly basis and that you, too, wish to know what's happening in my small corner of the world. If you are ever hungry for more, a good place to start would be my facebook page.

www.facebook.com/rynhof

I've also recently begun a professional/academic website. Feel free to go there to check-out the latest theological reflections and ministerial ponderings. As I write for classes and blogs (and other assorted venues) I hope to take bits and pieces and post for your perusal. It's likely I'll cross-post, too.

www.ryanhoffmann.com

It's been a busy summer. In May I hastily prepared for my sister's wedding (being the lead usher was quite the chore), my aunt and uncle from Australia to visit, and small trips back to Iowa to hang out at my aunt and uncle's "lakeside resort." June was spent wedding - ing (I do remember the drive home, believe it or not) and lakeside resort - ing. I enjoyed the boat rides, quiet time reading at the lake house, grill-outs, and yes, even my mega bus rides to and from Iowa. I was away from Chicago the majority of June; I loved my time back home with family and friends. For pictures of my Iowa excursions, my facebook page has ample to preview.

I re-nested in July, committing to not leaving Chicago for the month of July (I needed some home time after my month away!). It was great to connect with Chicago friends and do Chicago things: baseball games, festivals, lakeside bike rides, swimming in the lake, etc. Summer truly is a great time in Chicago! I did break my promise to stay in Chicago all month - it was for a good reason. Jeb and I headed south to visit my good friend Andy (aka Mr. Miller). Drive-in movie, time spent at the state park, county fair mud races, a stop in Champaign, IL on the way back all made for an eventful trip. I did miss the socks factory tour; I'll be back. You got it, pictures on facebook!

This is a small update ... but an update nonetheless. My hope is that this blog kicks off many to follow. I did miss blogging. I hope you missed hearing from me.

Peace always.