Meeting people; poem-collage play; mountain biking

So far, most of my posts have been quite abstract. For a more interesting conversation, we should talk in person about, for example:

1. New people we've met recently. I've met several.

2. New communities we've experienced. For example, Sunday I visited a church for the first time in probably a year. A church can be a good community of thoughtful people and might suit me if it didn't require me to adopt a large, monolithic set of beliefs. For this first visit, I chose a Unitarian Universalist church, because I am interested in the common elements between faiths and in the unique contributions of faiths that are new to me. Many of these have been valuable to others over a long time, and that says something--it's like reading the classics. Also, the UU church is known for thoughtful people, including activists, artists, writers, and intellectuals. One concern is that, in such a heterogeneous group with so many intellectuals, the intellect itself may be worshipped. I'd like to resist further temptation to pride.

3. New works of art we've encountered. For example, Sunday I was amazed by the first reading of a play consisting of a collage of poems (mostly published) with some original text to tie them together. It worked really well.

4. Outdoor activities. For example, the weather in NE KS has been warm at least twice in the last week; Tuesday afternoon, Eric and I biked the river trails in Lawrence -- still the best trails I've ever seen. Also I ordered, finally, a suspension fork for my trusty 1992 Stumpjumper mountain bike. Bob Albright of Midwest Cyclery will install it.