Yesterday, I biked into Louisville, where I ate lunch with Jaeger, Kiesa, and Zan Lynx. We spent the afternoon playing Settlers of Catan, a fascinating turn-based strategy board game. I started to get the hang of it, and even managed to win the last game we played.

We went to the Boulder Compound to watch the premiere of Fences, where a fairly large crowed had showed up, at least in comparison to previous such premiers there.

Back at the Louisville Compound, Jaeger offered to give me a ride home, and I accepted. Although riding a bike across town in the middle of the night is certainly do-able, I was glad I didn't have to this time.

This morning, I woke up and contemplated my options. Jaeger and Kiesa had invited me to tag along to a breakfast at a ranch being held by members of their church. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to go, but I decided why not? (The potential for awkward moments did exist, since it had been my church (or, more accurately, that of my parents) many years ago, and there were likely to be people who might squint at me. So my mind told me.)

I had no trouble finding my way to the designated location, but when I didn't see Yoda anywhere, I decided maybe it would be best to just back out, given that I didn't want to be a near-complete stranger showing up to crash a party full of people I either didn't know or hadn't seen since many many moons ago.

As I drove away, waiting at the stoplight, I saw Jaeger and Kiesa turning the corner. I doubled back, parked, caught up with them, and the three of us wandered into the picnic area.

Jaeger introduced me to various people, and I did recognize a few faces from long ago. Among their number was a certain former grade school music teacher who, back in those bad old days, had been despised and hated by all the children for her cruel ways.

Her husband died a few years ago. I know that much. Her faced has aged since I last saw her. I said hi to her. She looked at me for a moment before recognition dawned, and then she smiled. We had a pleasant, though brief, little conversation. Now, she's just a nice old woman. Nothing more.

Me, melodramatic? Never.

Jaeger, Kiesa, and I ate at a table by ourselves, mostly secluded from the rest of the pack, except for a few people who wandered by to talk occassionally. The pancakes and fruit were good.

After a few minutes of that, Jaeger and Kiesa decided they were going to return home. Jaeger invited me to come and play some more Settlers of Catan. Too tempting. I decided to accept. The three of us departed the social gathering, during which we had done a minimal amount of socializing with others. It's better that way. Really.

We played 2 games. Kiesa won the first one. I won the second one. I suggested that they bring the game along to the next fest, and they said they were definitely planning to.

Tonight, I'm going to head to Rock Island. The exact nature of my mission there will be revealed in time, but not here right now. Let's just say that it could end up becoming a significant step on the journey to carrying out my larger agenda. Then again, it might just consist of some hanging out, drinking beer, listening to tunes, and dancing. If so, that would be just fine too.

Or maybe, just maybe, there is no larger agenda, there never was one, and there never will be.

This is your life. With each passing moment, it starts NOW.