History.

History.

Tonight, I slipped away and went up to the Bluefoot Bar in North Park, where my friend Mike Angell was having his going-away party. He's off to exotic places such as Utah, San Antonio, and SOUTH AFRICA. Then, to seminary.

Before I go on, I want you to know that Mike is one of the most phenomenal and amazing people I have ever met, and you would think that too. One day, ten years from now, someone will ask me who my Top Ten All Time Amazing People are, and Mike will be one of them, even if I never see him again (I will).

But the big news of the night is that I shook hands and awkwardly small-talked with a man who was just ordained into the Episcopal church last week. I know, a bar full of episcopal priests and seminarians: wild. And also, I want you to know that (to quote this dude), being ordained a priest (or a deacon) is always "significant." This man, though, just happened to be the very first homosexual ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, ever*. And this happened last week. I don't want to be awestruck, because this really shouldn't just be starting to happen here in 2008, but I was nonetheless. I mean, I was just standing there with a piece of history while poking the leftover ice in my glass with the three little straws.

I also met someone who is permanent staff at Camp Stevens in Julian (our episcopal camp), and I wanted to be him. He coordinates the outdoor adventure stuff and lives at the camp. HE LIVES AT CAMP STEVENS. And eats their organic grown-on-site vegan food every single day. And I have officially renewed my dream of one day being permanent resident staff at Camp Stevens. Le sigh.

It was a pretty renewing night after all. And, cheap drinks!

_____
* = according to Mike, apparently, years ago, our Not Confrontational At All former Bishop once stepped aside and left the building so that the Definitely Confrontational At All Bishop Spong could fly in from Liberal!Newark! to ordain a gay man from another diocese in our cathedral. I don't think that really counts as being the diocese of San Diego's first; it was just kind of like renting out the building for an out of town wedding or something. But I still love that that happened here. Bishop Spong is a FORCE, man.