I'm BACK!  Yes, I'm depressed. Unless you have been to Ocean City there is no way to describe what a wonderful place it is.  The beach, soft sand, the boardwalk, Thrashers, Dumsers, Phillips, 400' in the air with Ash, waves and sun.  Before I left I was asked if a week was long enough considering all that had happened this summer.  Yes, definitely.  I have always been able to turn it off as easily as I can turn it on.  I work hard and I go on vacation with the same intensity.

Don't take this the wrong way but when I got to OC on Saturday, I forgot about work both at CIU and Gateway.  However I did develop several concepts for blogs that I hope to flush out over the next few weeks.  Books (yes I read 3 while sitting on the beach), people, OC and what God said and did for me.

I left Columbia to go to Ocean City, Maryland and it seems the world left to come to OC.  Every day I came into contact with different people with different nationalities.  From clerks at the 7-11 where I got my paper each morning to the waitress at Phillips our first night in OC.  The Americans were on the beach and the world's young people were serving us.  A sample of what I found:

Lauren, a waitress is from Europe, tough time with  steamed crabs, stuffed flounder, and change.

Robert, 1st mate on the Parasail boat is from Poland

Demo, a cashier at the Kite Loft is from Bulgaria

The clerk at the 7-11 was from Mexico, the manager from Russia and the radio from China (isn't everything) playing rap music at concert hall pitch.

Milano's Pizza was staffed by young people from Italy

and the young lady at Wockenfuss had trouble counting Lanie's change and needed help,

and Kim at Anthony's was puzzled when I ordered a roast beef sandwich.  She asked me if I wanted lettuce and tomato.  I said no, just plain.  Confused with my answer, she turned to a co-worker and asked if I wanted it "clean."  The co-worker nodded and Kim placed the order.  I don't know what country she is from, but I'm glad she and the rest of the world's young people were with me during my vacation in Ocean City.  It was a wonderful week.

Currently Watching National Treasure (Widescreen Edition) see related

Vacation Coming

If you would have told me that the summer was going to be hectic, I would have laughed.  Who could've forecasted the events for the past 60 days.  A time of loss for me.  Friends and colleagues have departed, some I will see soon, others I will never see again.   I don't like saying goodbye, even when friends leave our home at night I find it difficult to say goodbye.  I get shy and sheepess and rush through the moment avoiding the emotion that comes with even the most causal goodbye.

But now I find my self in an awkward emotional state.  I need to say goodbye to those who have left. Knowing myself as I do, goodbye would be difficult.  Words hard to find, emotions getting in the way, stumbling through awkward moments.  Goodbyes need to be done in person, yet I avoid them.  Maybe it's the finality of the moment.

So my focus in on the memories that I have of those who have departed.  I can't forget Ralph in chapel asking for hardballs instead of softballs, and telling us about the tunnels.  My mind still goes to a dimly lite Hoke Auditorium on a Saturday night as Eve Redeemed played before my eyes.  I still see Dan Philgreen coming our of his office at 6:00 am one morning thinking, "how did he beat me in?"  and realizing that he never left from the day before.

Memories,  the life of the past. Some are gone, but none will be forgotten.

Today I lost a friend and a colleague.  Dan Philgreen has resigned as a faculty member in the Com program and at CIU.  I have sent an e-mail to all the Com students encouraging them to pray and support the family in the days ahead.  If you're a current student or an alumni of CIU and the Com program and did not get the e-mail, get in touch with me and I'll send it to you.

We will miss Dan.  As part of the "Dan 'n Dan" Show he was a vital cog in the development of students uniquely equipped to "tell the story" through the medium of video.  I'll write more later when the emotion of the past week subsides a bit.  For now let me close by sharing with you from Dan's resignation letter:

"Teaching at CIU has been a rich experience I am very grateful for.  My six years gave me a treasure store of memories I will always cherish and CIU will always hold a very special place in my heart."

Dan, you'll be missed.  God speed!

Dan DeLozier

They say that the three best things about being a college professor is June, July and August.  While I appreciate the three months off, it's not really three months when your work at CIU.  My wife says I have a head disease.  Every time someone asks me to do something, my head bops up-n-down uncontrollable.  This summer I'm coordinating the Willow Creek Leadership Summit here at CIU Aug. 10-12.  I'm working with Pat Blewett in reworking and rewriting the former CHM1100 course.  And I have volunteered for several other "little" projects here and there.

One of the fun things that I have engaged? - blogging.  I'm looking  forward to the experience of writing and reading the responses. I woke up this morning thinking about what I might write about.  There is certainly a great deal happening in and around CIU and I'm still feeling my way through the maze of Xanga and blogging.  Hopefully there will me not missteps or gaffes.

My goal in this endeavor is found in my screen name, IC34U.  Those in the Com program at CIU, know that the purpose of the program is to educate Christian men and women to Communicate Christ Creatively.  That is is also my goal here.  I will strive to Communicate Christ Creatively, (C3) for (4) you (u).  That's it.  In everything I say, I want to C34u.  I hope to say the difficult things as well as celebrate the great things both in my life and here at CIU. 

You can help me in the days ahead by keeping me accountable.  Let me know how I'm doing.  I can only hope that these posts will improve in quality in the days ahead, (I'm not the best writer, very verbose).  Offer comments, suggestions, ask questions, help me develope the most efficient way to Communicate Christ Creatively.

Summer Reading

"Why read it, when you can see it?"  That has been my mantra for years.  Not that I don't read, I do.  But my reading is work related. Text books on the latest communication theory, the newest HD DVD format or the current theory on leadership.  I very seldom read anything for pleasure and when I do, I'm at Ocean City in July reading Harry Potter.

But the past few weeks I have found a source of literature that warrants my attention.  The nature of this literature requests my attention now. If a move does come out, I will certainly go see it.  I might even buy the DVD when it's released.  Of course the literature is found at xanga and the posts from CIU students, faculty and staff has been enlightening, encouraging and interesting (I had to keep the "en" going.)

This is my first ever blog, post or entry, I'm still not sure of the proper lingo and where is that spell checker located?  I'm intrigued by the format, disappointed at the anonymity, but encouraged by the accountability from others.

I'm looking forward to READing in the future!

Dr. Dan