"So this is the New Year..."

"...and I don't feel any different."

That's the first line of the song "New Year" by Death Cab For Cutie. And I felt that both, re-initiating the blog and the song lyric were appropriate for today. As even the most casual observer will note, I haven't posted anything outside of my Jaiku feeds since I left Australia back in September. I decided that the turning of the year was an appropriate time to begin again and issue some updates.

Part of the reason that I've held off so long is because I wanted to have my future (more or less) settled before I said anything, especially here in the blogosphere. No, for those of you with whom I have more regular contact, none of this will be particularly surprising.

I have been missioned by the Society back to the Australian province to help in trying to get a Jesuit school started in New Zealand. That's the long-term goal. But it's going to take some work and some ramping up. Which means that I will be going back to Australia to work in one of their existing schools (St. Aloysius, in Sydney) to get the feel of English descended, Antipodal secondary education. And, in my opinion, to understudy under a Jesuit there who started a school in Sydney and learn from him, first-hand, how he (and the Society in Australia) do mission and identity work. And also, let's be frank here, so that the Australian Jesuits can get to know me and I can get to know them. All of which is incredibly reasonable. So. That, for some of you may be the Big News. (By the way, the photo under the masthead is the view from the old Jesuit residence where I will be living and working. Don't feel too bad for me, I'll take this one for the team...)

It's been challenging trying to get all the coordination done, get provincials to talk on the same sheet of music, etc. etc. But it's finally come together. So for the next six years, I'll be down south. Waaaay down south.

Now, the Society has missioned me there, but I'd be lying if I didn't cop to the fact that I am wildly in love with both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand more so, but Aussie is a wonderful place too, and both have been absolutely remarkable in what they've meant for my growth and where I've found life in the last few years. While we are in the 'Full Disclosure' mode, (or at least as full a disclosure as you are likely to get out of me on the web,) part of my asking for this assignment revolves around how increasingly challenging I've found it to live in the US the last few years. Especially since the war and returning from Active Duty in the Army. Sheesh, you want to talk about complicated. I'm not even going to try, in this space, to explain how it feels and why I need to get out. You just wouldn't understand. Some days, I don't understand. But, if you catch me in person, maybe I can try to fill you in.

So, since returning to Seattle from Australia, I've been working a little development, trying to re-organize my junk (and, while I may not have a lot of stuff by some standards, YOU try getting ready to move half a world a way and see what you think is indispensable and what goes into the circular file,) getting out of the Army, helping out at a parish here and there, running the Seattle Half Marathon, and working on.... a book. Which is about 1/2-2/3 of the way completed by my count. The working title is the same as this blog. I chose that title because so much has gone on for me under night time skies that are so alien to the ones I grew up under. Terror and blood. Healing and grace. Beauty and chaos. And trying to find the words to communicate all of that is both good and challenging and cathartic all at the same time. And as a writer, I know how frustratingly limiting words can be some times. It's strange because, as sloppy as I am about some things (anyone who has seen my room can attest to this,) when it comes to language, I am like some bizarre craftsman, carefully lathing each verb so that it is precisely the perfect fit into the sentences I've constructed. Writing is, in my world, definitely a craft, and what some are able to do with wood; shaping, carving, sanding, finishing, polishing to a high sheen, I choose to do with language. Will this book ever be finished? Will it ever be published? I don't know. But if these things do begin to coalesce, watch this space for an update. I owe you that much if you are reading this now.

I will not vow that I will be more regular, or effusive in these posts. Only that I want to keep people informed and this is an easy way to do it. At least, it's easier than writing: A) 20-40 individual emails or B) 1 email and shotgun blasting it out. But at least I'm back. I hope you'll come along for the ride...