Wake Up the Echoes...

I didn't even prep the speech. Decided to wing it. And came through surprisingly unscathed.

I had the pleasure of serving as Best Man in the wedding of my college roommate. For blog tradition's sake, we'll call him Professor. It's quite the honor to serve in that stead. Best Man. I can't even imagine if I ever have to choose one. Oh, and that pic of us isn't from this weekend... that's from another wedding of another roommate here at N.D.; I just wanted to post a pic and that's what I had. I'll update with the new pics soon so you can see us in our Calvin Klein, overpriced, tuxedos. Nice monkey suits, but steep on the green. Wow... that's not even a saying... "steep on the green". I don't see that catching on. It's about on the same level as "fetch". I shouldn't blog hungry.

Or try to use negatives. I'm rubbish with them... had to edit after the post because I often forget the negative and that used to read "should blog hungry".

Anyway. The Professor and I go back over 10 years now. He's pretty much the reason my lazy ass didn't get punted out of school frosh year. Dragged me kicking and screaming to the library just about every night when I would have rather been at some club event, or out with the trumpets, or sleeping, or online, or chillin' by the lake, or... well, you see how he earned his moniker now.

I know he doesn't read this much (he's not a blogging fan), but if he does: Thank you, bro, for the honor and privilege of standing beside you on your wedding day. You've found a wonderful woman and I wish you both the best. Like I said in my toast: Love is not necessary to life, but it's what makes life worth living. Congrats.

That's about as long as he wanted my speech to be. He told me several times, "dude, keep it short". Knowing me for a decade, he's under the impression that I ramble.

I kept it short and still managed to ramble. Hit all the right notes, off the cuff, and while the Matron of Honor did upstage me with better comedic timing and that emotional quiver in her voice that makes the audience dab at the somethings in their eyes, I think I did okay.

At least I wasn't trembling (yes, I'm an actor who has stagefright when not in character, so sue me).

Cut to this morning; I'm sitting here in my room at the Morris Inn, within walking distance of a few of my most favorite places in the world (the Grotto and the Dome among them for those keeping track) and the weekend is winding down. Soon, I'll be on road back home.

And I just thought I'd blog quickly before brunch to express just how fortunate I feel to be a part of the tradition here at N.D. and to have made the friends I've made through my journey on this campus. Without waxing way too nostalgically here, I'll just say this: I don't know of any other place in the world that centers me like this one.

N.D. has now become a little refuge. The spot to go to for refueling. I do wish I could stay a bit longer. And I will not leave until I make a trip to the lake (and no, I'm not jumping into this one... just strolling around it, taking in the view). And I will visit with the Grotto, walking amongst the living prayers of my fellow Domers. I've posted about this place before, so I'll invite you to read about it from one of last year's memories and close with a final thought.

When I'm tired or overwhelmed, I need only stop and breathe, close my eyes, and think of a few things: the places I love, the things I love, and most importantly, the people I love. For that's what this place is... it reminds me of some fantastic moments in my life (though not everything was Christmas and kittens back in college) and the friends that were standing beside me in those times.

Lately I've been talking about going for drives, trying to get out of my routine, get out there and recharge, when in reality, the things that I needed to begin recharging are already there. Luckily, when I go home today, I'll be with my friends. The N.D. friends via my cell phone, my friends in other states via the Internet and occasional I.M, and of course the wonderful group of drunken bastards that I call my friends back home.

Recharging is nearly complete.