Relationships! Amazing

Ok, so I'm amazed that people ask me questions about problems they are having in their relationships.  I mean, I am not an expert when it comes to this topic.  Look at me, hopelessly single, I have never really had a great relationship.  Oh, I have friends of course, but no one special.  I don't know how this happened and I really regret it more than anything in my life.
There are mornings I wake up and think.."why am I still alone?"  And eventually I get over it and move on with the day.  But still it bothers me at times.  I'm especially bothered by the families I see enjoying their kids.  I do wish I had a few that were mine.  Of course I like the fact that I can come and go when I want, but I also miss having the obiligations.
I have been helping with Champaign Park District's fall youth show.  And three times a week parents come and go dropping and picking up their kids.  I'm amazed at the commitments that these parents have.  And I wish I had the same
I've met some people I really liked over the years.  And truth be told, I either was too busy to pursue a relationship, or too afraid.  I mean I'm no Brad Pitt, and I have more than my share of issues.  But I have come to know that everyone has those issues.  It's what makes us "special."
But more than anything I think I just am afraid of failing in a relationship.  I really don't take rejection well.  Ironic as I'm in sales, but truly I'm not good at taking rejection at all.
So, I pray that someday I'll get swept off my feet and just know that I need to have a serious relationship.  It would be amazing to have someone to come home to and talk to and share with.  I can only hope.

Homecoming 2010, er...1910

So....this is the 100th anniversary of Homecoming at the University of Illinois.  Why do I feel like I've been to every one of them?  :)  One of my fraternity brothers, C.F. "Dab" Williams came up with the idea with Elmer Eckbaw, who was a member of another fraternity.  They were sitting on the steps of Illini Hall, the old YMCA on Wright Street, after a meeting of the Satchem committee.  Now realizing this was 1909, they probably didn't have a lot to do at night.  I mean, seriously, there was no electricity, therefore no radio, tv, ipod, computers... you get the picture.  And one of them says "hey, let's invite our fraternities back 'home' for a football weekend."  Sounds pretty reasonable! 
Dab loved his fraternity.  His brother Howard was a charter member in 1904.  And the previous year they had all moved into a new house on Fourth Street!  The house is still standing by the way, and Phi Kappa Psi is still there.  Dab went on to be the national fraternity's first executive director.  They called it Executive Secretary back in those days, but you get the idea.  And Dab came back to Illinois every year until about 1961. 
One of Dab's protege's, Ralph D. Daniel, who became Phi Psi's second Executive Secretary/Director, told me that he and Dab would come back and walk through the quad every year.  Dab kept up on all the new building projects...Lincoln Hall, the Auditorium, The Illini Union...etc. etc.  Ralph "Dud" Daniel and I walked campus once when I was an undergrad and I was amazed at how much he knew about our campus.  Dud was from the U of Arizona after all.  Dud told me, "I had the #1 UI historian teach me on our annual walking tour." 
So this weekend we celebrate the 100th anniversary!  Pretty cool when you think about all the men and women who have come back for the own campus walks over the years!

People who just love to serve

I just love it when people volunteer.  I'm involved in a few things in town and it never ceases to amaze me when people just show up to help.  One of my current projects is working with the Champaign Park Districts Youth Theater production of Music Man JR.  Now I'm not a singer or dancer or even a real director, but I'm working as assistant director on the show, mostly helping behind the scenes with tickets, sponsorships, organizational things and SET BUILDING. 
Last night we asked parents to help us move the supplies for the construction over to the Virginia Theater where we are rehearsing.  We set 6 PM as the meet time, and here I was standing in front of the theater at 5:55 panicked that no one would show.  But guess what, by 6 we had 5 people ready to help.  And we got it done.  And everyone who showed was eager and willing to do about anything.  There is a lesson to be learned there.
We have lots more to do and we'll try it again on Saturday morning at 9:30.  But I'm just going to know that we'll have the help we need!