The Kilns

Dear Jack,

Today I woke up and led the morning prayer with William. We celebrated the feast of St. James, as we were in London on that day. I preached about faith and works and how they are like two blades on a pair of scissors. Afterwards we ate breakfast. We had class as usual. Following Class was Lunch. After Lunch we went to Headington to see where CS Lewis lived and where his grave is. The Kilns, where he lived, was very pretty, but surrounded by a large hedge. His grave was shared with his brother Warnie. We could not get into the parish church to see a window based on Narnian characters, but did see it from the outside. Following that we went to the Rose Cafe for Tea. Upon returning to C. C. C. we were all rather wet from the sprinkling rain. I went up to check my email before meeting the group to go to Evensong at Christ College's chapel. The Evensong was very nice, and I hope to attend again. Tonight Grace M. and a few of the girls and I are heading out to look at the gay bars. I am very nervous, as I do not know how to act, nor what to expect. I know nothing will go on, but I still feel nervous for some reason.

The Castle

Dear Jack,

Our first classes were today. I am the only male in both of them other than the professors. Neither seemed all that bad, and I look forward to both in the future. Lunch was ham--yuck, and dinner was pork loin---ugh. We toured the Bodeline library today. Our guide wasn't great, as he kept saying "umm" every other word.... if not more. After supper, a group of us toured the pubs. The first was called The Bear. It is the oldest pub in Oxford dating back to the 1200's. We then went to the Hobgoblin. Finally we went to a pub called the Castle. Turned out it was a gay bar. I knew it was gay from the flag outside, but a few of the guys didn't notice. I think I am with people who are blind and unobservant. You would have assumed that there was a fire in the building from observing how quickly Drew W. ran out the door. He was rather vocal in not liking the place, which sort of pissed me off. I didn't say anything though. It does aggravate me how I am expected to participate in "straight" bars, but not a damned one of them can go to a gay one with me. I want to go back, if I can find some to go with me. Grace M., Ali R., and Buz W. have agreed to go back in the future... oh and Betsy M. too. I did my reading on CL in Mere Christianity. I haven't much to say about it, although it was rather easy to read, and helpful in places. He seems very sex-rolled and I am sure I'll hear something about it tomorrow--that and how horrid the bar was.