Peace, Quiet, Heat

It was definitely hot tonight -- left Nightwatch about 9:00 p.m. and headed out to a Queen Anne bar with Pastor Dave, feeling sweaty.

First stop was nearly deserted. Talked a little of this and that --nothing very exciting, played a game of darts with Dave. In the middle of the game I started talking about a book I finished reading: Naked Lunch by William Burroughs. Can't say I recommend it -- really raw, graphic, horribly disconnected, but instructive about heroin subculture.

But almost as soon as the words were out of my mouth, the bartender and another patron were wanting to talk about the book. We went from beat writers and gonzo journalists to those who were our favorites. I told them we should come up with a top ten list for the bar. Kurt Vonnegut was highly regarded, and the bartended named East of Eden by John Steinbeck. He acknowledged his was an "erudite" bar.

From Queen Anne we returned downtown to Third and Bell. The topic of favorite writers continued -- a homeless friend was reading a pot boiler -- he said he didn't like it really, but he always finishes what he starts. Pastor Dave played pool. The bartender kicked a few people out -- lots of drugs in the neighborhood, and people are coming in to attempt to use the bathroom or make a connection. Still it was pretty quiet, late in the month.

It's one of those nights when you ask yourself if much happened for the kingdom of God -- not much from a human point of view.