Hi! Enjoying the day? Oh, my goodness!

I just got back from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. I went there to visit the Hugging Saint! Amma! I can't stay away from stuff like that, even if I don't buy it, I still have to go and see what it's like. It was really interesting, actually. It was in a gymnasium at Iowa Wesleyan. Derek and I got to sit really close to the front because we were first-timers. There was all kinds of chanting and praising when she entered and then she sat down right in front of us and we all meditated for a while (we were supposed to close our eyes but I was peeking, and really, the only unexpected thing that that revealed was that I wasn't the only one peeking). Then we all got in line according to the number we got when we entered, and then she hugged everybody. When she got to me she started giggling and she rocked me a lot while she was hugging me, and she said "murmurmurmurmur" in my ear, and when she was done she kissed my forehead and gave me a hershey kiss.

There were fewer people there than I expected. And I was surprised at how regular everyone looked. I mean, for every person with dreadlocks and a Nehru jacket, there were three people who were totally regular Iowans. Lots of older folks, even. People that, with my earlier prejudices that I now clearly have to examine and reconsider, I would not have expected to accept Amma as a saint. It was nice to see, I like it when my perceptions get challenged.

Religion is such a hard thing to think about, though, because it is so intuitive. What is real and not real? Who is divine and not divine? Did I feel something or didn't I? I think I did, I mean it was very nice, but if I'm changed for life... well, I don't know it yet. Am I not opening myself to things or are they actually not happening? I guess all you can really do is make a decision and make that decision your truth.

I'm also kind of sleepy, because I stayed out late last night with some people from the show. We all went over to Lena's and watched What's Up Doc? I realize now that the reason I never watched it is because it has Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal in it (double oy). But I'm telling you, this movie has moments that are going to be in my head forever. It was written by Buck Henry, is why. I may even actually watch it again. Madeline Kahn is brilliant, and the jewel theives are hysterical. The stand out for me, though, was Kenneth Mars, who is my new comic idol of ever and ever again. Watch it just for him, he's a mad genius.