If you’re a lover of television like I am, these next two weeks are huge. And since I’ve missed The Weekly Six the past few weeks, I thought it would be good to use that format to list the six shows I’m most excited about (and yes, I watch six shows…at least.*) Here they are in order of premiere date:

1. Glee – Wednesday, September 9

2. The Biggest Loser – Tuesday, September 15

3. Community – Thursday, September 17

4. The Office – Thursday, September 17

5. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Thursday, September 17

6. House – Monday, September 21

Any other good shows coming out?

*Due to my upcoming career change, I’m now able to classify all of this TV watching as “research”, which helps me feel much better about myself.
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I think we are very far from being on the same page when it comes to proper phone etiquette. This is my attempt to bring us together as one, united in the way we handle our phones. I present to you The Phone Rules.

Check it to my face.
When we’re sitting together at a table, what makes you think you’re being discrete when you check your phone under the table? Sinking your chin into your neck, frowning, and glancing south can only mean one thing.

Keep away message brief.
As I’ve said before, enough with the instructions. I’ve yet to find myself in a panic, wondering what to do after you’ve apologized for not answering your phone. Was it name, then number? Will they get back to me as soon as they can?

If possible, let’s just text.
My least favorite thing about my iPhone is talking on it. As a matter of fact, I haven’t liked talking on the phone since 8th grade when I spent hours talking to my girlfriend about…myself. So, if what you need can be wrapped up in a couple sentences, just text me. You’ll like the result much better.

Allow me to be away from my phone.
Where have you been? I’ve called like three times and left two messages! Are you OK? Did I do something wrong? Are you avoiding me? Hold on a minute, psychopath. I just went to the bathroom – number one, mind you. I was only away from my phone for 45 seconds. I will now be avoiding your calls.

A missed call gets you nothing.
I have a pretty strict policy about message leaving. If I see that I missed a call from my friend Nate and he doesn’t leave me a message, I assume that what he wanted/needed wasn’t important. I also have friends who cannot wrap their minds around this policy of mine. What don’t you understand? Logic?

You’re the only one who cares about your new ringtone.
You know when your phone starts ringing, or should I say “blaring that new Beyonce tune”, and you wait an extra second or two to answer it so that everyone around you hears it? Yeah, you’re the only one who likes that. The rest of us use the vibrate feature like adults.

What else needs to be added to the list?

And there’s no doubt you have people in your life that need to hear The Phone Rules. If you’re too scared to tell them these things yourself, send them here and I’ll take care of it for you.
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I was on a Young Life staff retreat for the last 36 hours at a camp up in Jasper, Georgia. It was a great 36 hours, but even the best retreats have their share of misfortunes.

37. Sleeping on the top bunk when you’re 28
When I was ten, I would tell you, without hesitation, that sleeping on the top bunk was the best part about my life. I was the king of the room, with my little peasant brother sleeping on the ground level with all the other peasants. Now, though, all I can think about is how to get down without tearing my ACL or shattering my heel.

38. Using another guy’s towel
There isn’t much worse than waking up, walking barefoot across the slimy bathroom floor, and then realizing you forgot to pack a towel. Oh wait, yes there is. It’s when you sneak back in the room and snatch someone else’s towel and spend thirty minutes patting yourself dry because you aren’t sure which part he used to dry off his middle third.

39. Instant coffee
Hey retreat centers, I think I speak for all of us when I say it’s time to pony up a few more dollars a month for some real coffee – doesn’t have to be Starbucks, but shouldn’t be Discount Neil’s Big Bag-o-Syrup either. The least you could do is leave some coffee beans out for me to suck on throughout the day.

40. Retreating from technology
I understand the sentiment, I really do. But what you might not understand is that, for me, “getting away” always involves wireless access and a couple episodes of Arrested Development. What’s that? You want to go hiking and then sit in the dewy grass for a while? I would, but that building over there has air conditioning and chairs.

You’ve been on retreats. What bothers you?
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