Day 7

Today's task was to reconnect with an old friend. The corresponding (and linked) blog entry raised an interesting point: it seems like everyone today considers themselves busy. I've noticed this at school and believe it is also common of those in the workforce. But, Brett McKay asks, are we--with our computers, cars, and cell phones--really more busy than those in, say, Lincoln's time? Or are we just more distracted?

The friend I'm writing is named Nathan. We knew each other way back when my family (and his family) still lived in New Tribes, and before either of us entered Kindergarten. We spent enough time together at a young enough age that we heard more than once that our voices had become hard to tell apart. But one day Nathan walked into our 6th Grade Advanced Math course and told us that the reason he had been gone last week was because his family had been looking at houses in Texas, where he was moving at the end of the year. As the rest of the class mock-cheered, I sat in silent disappointment. Aside from a some sporadic phone calls early on, a brief visit from his family several years later, and a few messages when we found each other on Facebook, I haven't communicated with him at all in eight years.

The timing of this assignment might be perfect. There was a less-than-subtle indication that I will be expected to set up a meeting with him later in the project, and it turns out he is coming to Mizzou in the fall. Given that I also have other friends there but have never before visited, this could be a very good thing indeed.

Addendum: I couldn't help but notice the assignment for Thursday is to take a woman on a date. Hmm.