Hello!

I miss this.

I really don't have much to talk about. I've dealt with some tough things, and sometimes writing here would help me gain a better understanding. Right now, I'd say life is really going quite well. I have a few friends who are struggling with things, and they're who my heart cries out for now. I am not currently worried about myself.

I do miss everyone though. Everyone is so busy.

And I REALLY miss photo adventures.



...and don't think that my life is all rainbows and ponies or anything. I still have quite a bit of things to work through. I'm just finally realizing how important it is for me to trust and not lose sight of the One who gave me this life. I dunno.

I really am not sure of much beyond my joy. I've many questions.

Who am I?

Alright, how many of you are familiar with the Johari Window? Probably most of you. if not, look it up.

Anyway, according to Johari, there are things about myself that I don't know that others do... and I'm wondering what insight any of you might carry. So... if you're willing, tell me about Greg Shirk.

Honestly. I'm not looking for anything specific. I just want to see what y'all can come up with. Surprise me.

...even write a funny story. I don't care.

I'm just feeling a bit down. I could use the cheering up. :)

Responding to a broken heart?

Yesterday I was working with a friend of mine. She's a very nice, fun sweet girl. She's a lot of fun and often has a smile on her face. Yesterday her eyes were dark with sadness. She had her arms over her stomach like she had a stomach virus perhaps. She looked ill. I asked her what was going on--if she was okay. She really looked terrible. She told me she was not alright. I asked her what was wrong. She hesitated...

Then she said "My boyfriend broke up with me".

I told her I was sorry. That's all I could think to say. I didn't have a chance to speak with her after that because we were busy. But every once in I while I happened to glance her way and see the pain in her eyes.

I realized that in all my life I had never seen anyone affected quite that deeply by a break-up. I'm not sure why... I've had close friends who've broken up before. Either they were ready for it, or they just weren't around me when they were hurting... or they hid it well.

That's not relevant. What I'm curious is how one should respond in a situation like this. Was my response appropriate? I mean, I didn't really have a chance to say more anyway... but what if it happens to someone I'm closer to? It broke my heart to see her that way... and she's a person I see only at work. I mean, she's a great person, but our friendship really isn't that intimate. I mean, How close can you be with someone you see only at work? ...because that's how close we are.

My heart aches for her right now. I don't know when I'll see her again, but I hope she has a smile on her face.

Anyway... what I'm most looking for is this:

How would you respond? I'm curious.

I haven't posted in a long time.

I haven't been that busy.

I've been quite good, actually. :)

God's been great to me. I've been able to focus on others more. Maybe that's why I don't post as much. This blog is all about me, after all.

I just get a joy out of writing, but haven't felt the need recently. I'm sure someday I'll need to again.

But until then.

Thank you.

All of you who read this regularly--you're good friends.

You're some of my best, actually. And I appreciate you a lot.

that's all for now. :)

Dear friend...

I'm sorry, but I'm just not convinced you care about me at all. Your words feel empty and don't match your actions.




Is it EVER appropriate to say that?...

Even if your heart aches?

Come now, kumquat.

Small. Orange. Beautiful.

I hold you in my hand.

I look at your exterior.

Unlike the rind of others;

Yours is sweet, delicious.

But I know your secret.

Beneath your sweet exterior,

You house something less than desirable.

Acetic bitterness;

a sour core.

The complementary juxtaposition-

It causes dissonance.

Sweet or sour, please choose one.

It would make life much simpler.

Honesty cost me $67.98

I called them. I talked to them. They told me I could either "refuse" the package and send it back, or pay for it.

I didn't really want to do either of those things. I decided to hang on to them anyway to save me the hassle of ordering them later.

She said because of my honesty I'd get a discount and they'd not charge me shipping and handling.

The price I paid is $20.98 less than what I would have if I'd ordered them regularly.

Of course, it's also $67.98 more than if I hadn't said anything at all.

Is the assurance of having done the right thing worth $67.98 to me?

I still don't know where I stand with this. Would it have been a sin to say nothing and keep them? I'm looking for enlightenment.

I'm in no way happy or unhappy about the outcome. I'm rather indifferent. I'm still just trying to shed some light on the moral implications of both sides of this.

Regarding honesty and morality.

I'm going to give you this in straight facts. I will be completely free from emotion. I'm looking for your opinions.

Early January I tore my last pair of contacts. I ordered another set of boxes right away, but I had to switch to glasses temporarily. They were taking longer to arrive than they were supposed to based on the information I had been given when I purchased them. Because of this, I checked the delivery tracking. It told me they had arrived the previous Saturday.

They hadn't.

I called the company and explained my plight. They said they'd send me another two boxes as quickly as they could. A few days later they arrived. All was well.

Then a week or two later they arrived again.

Where are my moral obligations?

Is this just another way God is blessing me or is keeping both pairs dishonest?

What would you think/do? I'm curious. I choose to keep my thoughts on this topic undisclosed for now. I'm seeking others' opinions before I say anything about it.