Fellows,

Things have finally reached critical mass in my doctoral program and I have decided that I spend too much time trying to stay recent on the conversation around the bar so that I can make meaningful contributions to the discussion. I am therefore reluctantly surrendering my barstool to a more worthy conversationalist and moving back to eavesdropping from the alley. With the line at the door I think it wise to bow out gracefully before someone realizes that I don’t really have much insight. Besides, one cannot smoke in a pub in Ireland anymore, and that is a bad omen to be sure.

I have comprehensive exams this August and I am trying to propose my dissertation before the fall so that I can start gathering data. With this pending and my nearly 9-month old daughter, I have been feeling mighty guilty about “wasting” time in a bar, despite the obvious good it has done me in spirit. I have learned a frightful bit from you all, often all the more when you disagree most loudly, but I feel I have contributed little. I appreciate the donation of some grounding to my eroding foundations. Please continue to talk, fight and in general bring out Christ in each other. And for the love of Gard (a guy I knew in high school), use headers and categories so that we lurkers can play along.

If the Lord wills, I will be doing some volunteer counseling work this fall at a local Assemblies of God affiliated organization. Pray for me, as I have only ever heard Rod Parsley speak in tongues and I am sore afraid. – Mike Benoit