Backup: A Heathen in the Kingdom of Peace -- Editorial Discussion

Backup of https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/09/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-editorial-discussion.html.

---

Before the Storm

---

Maybe too much Hailey?

After all,

she doesn't really play much of a role in the rest of this.

Ah, but she was no small part of the reason 

you found yourself back in the kingdom of peace. 

But just reading her chats and shared journal entries

is a little bit boring,

don't you think?

Maybe for some, 

but I think they will have a certain interest 

to more than a few. 

Rewriting as a regular novel will require interpolations 

that I want to avoid. 

Even if I do that, 

I want to make sure I get your source records translated correctly first. 

Could you start somewhere more interesting?

Interesting how? 

The effect Hailey had on your life was not insignificant.

True, but a middle school student,

or even a college student

is going to rapidly lose motivation to continue reading that.

It's not exciting to watch two people

who once liked each other

break up.

Exciting.

Okay, exciting.

Should we start where you discovered 

you had a new roommate 

who was one of your young female students? 

And the BOE didn't see any reason to change the arrangements?

I guess that requires some explanation to be believable.

I think it does, 

and it isn't the only thing that needs laying groundwork. 

Speaking of the Board of Education,

didn't they call an emergency meeting of sorts?

Hah.

That meeting still makes no sense to me.

---

The BOE

Table of Contents

---

Backed up at https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/09/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-editorial-discussion.html.

Backup: A Heathen in the Kingdom of Peace -- Before the Storm

[[JMR201909112101: 
[Note(Jeremy): Joel explained to me that the impressions I take note of in my journals may be considered a type of what is called automatic writing in your English literature of psychology and parapsychology. I should explain. I often note my less concrete impressions in parantheses, and my more concrete impressions in braces. These impressions come from within, or through my own heart, not from the writing instrument under my fingers or anything external.]

[Note(Joel): If you have noticed the dates in the timestamps, there is a clarification that might be useful. In the date shown above, 7D9 is the year number in hexadecimal; 02 is the month number, also hexadecimal; and 15 is the day number, also hexadecimal. Thus, using the more familiar ordinal dates in decimal, this would be the 22nd day of the third month of the 2010th year fromthe meridian date point.]

---

BOE

Table of Contents

]]


[[JMR201909092328: Backup of https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/09/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-before-storm.html.]]
 
Arrival

---

---

$$ resume browse

$ journal KOP

# private unshared: 7D9.02.15 4:74:E0

#include "chat/Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:55:87" copy

That conversation could have gone a lot better.

{So it did not go the way you thought you wanted it to go.}

Okay, I guess it could have gone worse, too. At least she's still talking to me.

{And?}

Why do we always seem to get crosswise of each other?

{Search your heart.}

I guess we seem to be heading different directions, even though we have some important things in common.

{Seem to be?}

Maybe we are, in fact. But we both attend branches of the same church, we've both been missionaries, neither of us has apostatized. We both are pursuing teaching careers.

{And how does her teaching philosophy compare to yours?}

But -- I know she'll come around to student-driven lessons.

{Isn't she also hoping you'll come around to planned curriculum?}

These are fundamental principles of Truth! Fundamentals of the Good News.

{Are there not cases where the same true principles apply differently for different individuals in leading them both to greater truth, in leading them both back to me?}

That's my whole point.

{What are the most important things to consider when the two of you choose your eternal partners?}

What's more important than truth?

{Does whether you can work together count?}

Well, I guess that is important. Maybe more important.

Okay, I suppose I should apologize to the BOE here for making an agreement with them that I shouldn't have made, and go home to Hailey, leaving them in the lurch?

# 7D9.02.15 4:7F:4B

(No response?)

If I do what Hailey sees as standing by her I have to break promises to the BOE here and others, and also set aside the promise of financial stability from having an advanced degree for several years. And postponing advanced degree work often means the degree never gets completed, with supervising teachers moving and such. And then we'll end up having to both work, just to afford to start a family.

But if I keep my promises to the BOE here and stay on track for the degree, Hailey sees that as failing to stand by her.

I don't see any path forward.

{Are you married to her already?}

I can't really stand by her if I turn my back on other promises I've made and shut my eyes and ears to the directions and impressions that I believe are from you, Father. She shouldn't demand that I put her above God.

(Now I'm feeling a partial confirmation.)

What am I missing?

{That's something you have to figure out on your own.}

I hate it when you tell me that, Father.

{Whom I love, I allow to use their own brains.}

Heh. Thanks.

Sort of.

Maybe I should take a hike and do some more thinking.

{Might be a good idea.}

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.15 4:8B:7B saved.

$ journal ALT

# resume shared: 7D9.02.15 4:A1:79
# Hailey 9:80 -

So I thought I'd wander around the town and do some thinking and maybe find breakfast. And I checked with the operator to see if it really was okay to leave the luggage. 

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 7:4F:10 9:80 -:

Breakfast! Stop talking sense! Good for you.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 7:B3:03:

B-/
]

He said it was okay, they'll keep an eye on the luggage holding area. 

#include "pic/0000B1" 3 compressed copy "2nd operator on duty at Deer Isles Bus Terminal on 2.15 --
He agreed to let me take a picture of him."

We got to talking and he told me it's not as much the middle of nowhere as the other operator made it sound, although things are more convenient at Light Crossing where the ferry station is. Most travelers continue on to the ferry station, rather than stop at Shining Springs. 

But, usually, one or two taxis will be waiting for the bus at Shining Springs, and there are several good db&bs within a quarter-hour ride of the bus stop, including the one she mentioned.

He also said it wouldn't really have been a problem to arrive at a db&b before noon. The baths are generally closed until after noon, for cleaning, but I'd probably be able to park the luggage and get something for breakfast, depending on the number of other unexpected early guests and such. 

And he suggested a db&b near the terminal here where I should be able to buy a good breakfast. 


#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 7:53:93 9:80 -:

That was nice of him.
]


There's a long-distance bus every two hours, and I'm thinking of taking the next one at 6:28. Or maybe I'll stay a day here and get a good bath in the evening, in case I meet someone from the BOE tomorrow. The operator said they'll extend the fare to tomorrow for me if I want. 

I'll go see about breakfast now.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 7:55:22 9:80 -:

So now you're coming down with a bad case of common sense!

;-)
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 7:B5:42:

>:|-
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.15 4:B5:9F (autosave)
# Hailey 9:80 -

$ resume

# shared: 7D9.02.15 5:33:65
# Hailey 9:80 -

Breakfast was good -- ocean fish, light bean broth, cracked giant millet, baked plantain. 

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 7:56:63 9:80 -:

That sounds like a good, traditional, KOP-ish breakfast. 
I might even have been able to stomach watching you eat it.

Did they have pancakes, too?
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 7:B6:1B:

Actually, yes, I think they did, with plum sauce for a topping.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:12:61 9:80 -:

Sounds delish!
]

I decided to stay the day, and, no, the female operator has not shown up. 

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 7:57:81 9:80 -:

More good sense, and you guessed my next question.
]

There's some good hiking parallel to the beach, and I think I could use a swim. And I won't say I wish you were here because you told me not to.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 7:59:C5 9:80 -:

And sly digs like that are cheating!
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 7:B7:74:

By your new rules, which I haven't quite convinced myself I have accepted.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:13:9A 9:80 -:

And if you like talking to yourself, 
you don't have to accept them.
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.15 5:38:DC (autosave)
# Hailey 9:80 -

$ resume

# shared: 7D9.02.15 7:B9:D7
# Hailey 9:80 -

After breakfast, they let me pay for a room so I could store my luggage and rest. I said I was interested in hiking the beach and maybe swimming, but they warned me, the season being early, about sharks and floating moons. And no lifeguards. Asked me to promise not to go in the water. 

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:15:36 9:80 -:

Sensible people there. 
Maybe I could get along there better than I thought.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 8:61:6D:

How can I encourage you to think so?
]

The sea was beautiful, if a bit cold. 
I did do some wading.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:16:9B 9:80 -:

Up to your waist, I'll bet.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 8:62:B3:

Just to my knees in places. 

Found a nice round rock and sat down to soak my feet a few minutes.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 9:10:BD 9:80 -:

Turning sedentary on me?

I think, 
If I were there, 
You'd be swimming.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 9:12:2E:

You might be right about that.
]

Clear blue water in places, lots of sea vegetables in others. Didn't see any sharks.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:17:F5 9:80 -:

That's the whole point. 
You usually don't see them.
Until it's too late.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 8:64:31:

I can be sensible, sometimes.
]

Passed several secluded pools that have been augmented with above-ground walls and decks for private bathing. Those were also closed for cleaning. I should have taken a picture.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:1D:1C 9:80 -:

I do not want to hear about those.
Do not want pics.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 8:65:AF:

There was nobody in it. And it'd be perfectly okay if we were married, you know.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 9:12:C6 9:80 -:

You're being too male.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 9:13:C9:

Sorry.
]

Did a bit more hiking and watching the sea, and a bit of complaining at God, which was answered by reassurances that I'm supposed to respect your right to choose.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:1E:7B 9:80 -:

I'm glad your God is on my side.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 8:66:67:

Of course He is.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 9:14:0A 9:80 -:

I wish I could be confident my God was on your side.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 9:14:FD:

She is the same God.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 9:15:C2 9:80 -:

Sometimes you are too cryptic.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 9:17:19:

We need to read the scriptures together more.
]

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 9:18:E6 9:80 -:

You know I can't keep up with you.
]

Am I pushing you too much?


#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 8:21:4C 9:80 -:

Sometimes, 
Yes.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 8:69:CB:

Maybe it is a good thing for us to be apart for a while, then.
Forcing you is the last thing I want to do.
]

Came back for lunch.

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.15 7:BF:83 (autosave)
# Hailey 9:80 -

$ chat Hailey

# private: 7D9.02.15 9:1B:21
# Hailey 9:80 -

Do you have time to chat?

A little.

We've talked before

about how you help me slow me down,

when we're reading scriptures together,

right?

That doesn't mean I understand it.

You probably need me 

to help you slow down,

 too.

That seems so wrong.

Some kinds of progress are wrong.

But then it wouldn't be progress.
It'd be pride or something.

I think that's the point.

When we study together,

we can help keep each other humble.

But you still argue.

Discuss?

You say that,
But it feels like arguing to me.

Discussion can include

comparing different ideas,

can't it?

But your ideas are just sometimes 
Too strange.
Like when you say
the straight and narrow is a false concept.
How can scripture be false? 

I don't want to get sidetracked

 on that one again.

Can't we just agree to disagree

about some things?

A lot of things.

Sorry.

You say that too much.
Love should mean
We don't have to say we're sorry.

That's defnitely not scripture.

It is to me.

And so I can't even apologize

for mistreating one of your pearls.

Apology accepted.

Thanks.

Guess what.

Your operator showed up for lunch.

Heh.

 No.

A member of the BOE,

one Mister Feldspar.

A member of the BOE?
How would that happen?

He said foreigners

who speak the language

tend to stick out.

Hah. 
I guess 
I can believe that.

And that the BOEs of the two cities

had asked people

to be on the lookout.

No privacy. 

For us.

For us?

Yeah.

Oh. Watching for me, too. 
Give them my apologies 
For breaking up with you. 

He said it was too bad you couldn't make it.
They were looking forward to having you here.

I've heard people in the KOP 
Have no personal lives. 

Yeah.

That is one of the reasons 

I did not want to go. 

I've asked God 

if I should just break the contract

and go home.

Oh?
 

He doesn't give me an answer.

# 7D9.02.15 9:48:A9

I guess I'm not surprised.

Mister Feldspar said some of the members of the BOE

want to meet with me tomorrow.

Did you ask whether it was required? 

No.

He recommended against it

before I could ask.

Said I should finish my vacation.

He seems to be on your side.
Maybe.  
Did he say having me not there
Would cause problems with the BOE for you?

He said no.

That's good. 

But the expression he used worries me.

Why's that? 

It's an expression they tend to use

when they want to be even less direct

than usual.

Vague?

Vague.

Not good?

Maybe not.

# 7D9.02.15 9:63:4E

I'm not sure what I can do.
Besides pray for you.
And I am.
But I've got to go to bed, now.

Okay,
I'm praying, too,
of course.
Get some sleep.

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.15 9:69:E8 saved
# Hailey 9:80 -

$$ suspend browse

---

[Note(Jeremy): Joel explained to me that the impressions I take note of in my journals may be considered a type of what is called automatic writing in your English literature of psychology and parapsychology. I should explain. I often note my less concrete impressions in parantheses, and my more concrete impressions in braces. These impressions come from within, or through my own heart, not from the writing instrument under my fingers or anything external.]

---

BOE

Table of Contents

---

Backed up at ,

Backup (#5, blogger.com fail): A Heathen in the Kingdom of Peace -- Arrival

[[JMR201908221302: 5th backup of  https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/07/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html

---

$ search KOP sessions 7D9.02.14 Arrival

Arrival (read-only) 7D9.02.14 C:43 --

$ chat Hailey

# private: 7D9.02.14 C:43:E1

Oh, Hailey,
how I wish
you had been willing to come with me.
It's what? Two in the morning there?
You'll be sleeping now, I guess.

Nope.

I'm awake

You're awake.

Wishing you'd been willing 

To put off this part of your coursework

Just a little longer.

just a little?

Okay, a couple of years.
Your master's in education could wait that long
Couldn't it?

My supervisors said
I really need to move ahead.

Yeah, the supervisors say

This could have been a great honeymoon.

For a few day
Or even a couple weeks
Sure, great
If we could've afforded it.

But we could be getting paid to do this,
paid student teaching,

together
 in this beautiful Kingdom of Peace.

We've talked this over before

How many times?

Too many,
 I guess.

I'd've been happy just to spend

Our first year together student teaching
Near our families.

What about
my foreign language requirement?

Well, you've got another language 

You need to pick back up

The language of the Kingdom of Rabbits.

It's my foreign language. 
What have you got against it?

 

I've only studied the language for a month,
a long time ago.
What have you got against
 the beautiful Kingdom of Peace?

Honestly?

Of course.

I don't think it's so beautiful.

I still can't see why.

It gives me bad dreams.

Bad dreams

It takes you away from me.

In your dreams?

And in the real world, too.

It owns a place in your heart I can't touch.

Touching what can't be touched
is part of growing old together.

If only. 

Your Kingdom of Peace is not

# 7D9.02.14 C:64:B8

Not what?

A kingdom of peace to me. 

There's my train into town.

It's taking you away

# 7D9.02.14 C:6F:D4

From me.

# 7D9.02.14 C:7E:3F

Okay, I'm on the train.
I miss you so much.

# 7D9.02.14 C:8B:72

Hailey?

# 7D9.02.14 C:9E:96

#include "pic/0000A5" 3 compressed copy "
West Region International Airport
shining in the night
on its own little island in the bay --
  Looking back from the train
as I head in to Grand Incline."

Well, get some sleep.

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.14 C:A0:01 saved

$ journal KOP

# private unshared: 7D9.02.14 D:07:3D

#include "chat/Hailey/7D9.02.14 C:43:E1" copy

So it uses my traveling bandwidth to post pictures for her, but I do want her to see what I see here -- to see at least some of the beauty.

Would she be having those bad dreams if she were willing to join me in this adventure?

I have forebodings as well, but it is because she refuses. I am sure it is because she refuses to come with me.

(No confirmation in my heart.)

So she did not come with me.

It would cost a day's wages to stay overnight at a cheap hotel in Grand Incline, and that is cheaper than staying at the airport. Hailey's not here with me, no reason to waste the money.

A night train with sleeping berths is a little more expensive than a hotel, but it would leave me in Deer Isles, just a local train to Shining Springs and a ferry to Three Days' Island. If I decide to be really cheap and take local trains, I'm going to be sleeping on a station bench somewhere between 0:80 and 3:00 or so.

I could deal with that if I didn't have the luggage. Even with my luggage, odds are not high that it will grow legs while I'm asleep in this country.

If I want to play the odds.

(No whisperings in my heart.)

Hmm. Night buses --

There's a direct route to Deer Isles. Stops in Shining Springs after that. Seat available, has a luggage compartment. I'm within luggage limits.

(Feels right.)

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.14 D:0D:EB saved.

$ journal ALT

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.14 D:25:72

Shifting to shared journal so I don't wake you. Sorry about using the chat before.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:16:15 9:80 -:

It's okay. 
I was having trouble sleeping anyway. 

Sorry I conked out on you while you ran for the train.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:35:72:

No problem about the train. Sorry about the trouble sleeping.

:'-(
]

Since you're not here with me, it seems to make more sense to not spend much time in Grand Incline, or on sightseeing on the way to the job.

I looked at taking a night train that has sleeping cars. It would be more expensive than a cheap hotel room, but it would leave me in Deer Isles within easy reach of Three Days' Island, just a local train to Shining Springs and then a ferry.

Also looked at taking local trains, but that would leave me sleeping on a station bench somewhere, waiting for a morning train.

The cheapest fare is a night bus, and it will also save me a hotel stay. So I'm heading on to Deer Isles tonight. The bus just happens to stop in Shining Springs after the Deer Isles Station, so it saves a bit of local fare as well.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:18:6C 9:80 -:

And if I'd been awake, 
I'd've told you to get a hotel. 
I'm glad you're not going to be sleeping on a station bench.
Yeah, the sleeping car sounds interesting. 
But you need a place to crash before your first face-to-face with the board of education. 
And sightseeing by yourself wouldn't hurt you, either.
]

So, any pictures I take on the way, when I'm not asleep, will be night views.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:19:C9 9:80 -:

And that's just fine. 
You really don't have to show me all the good stuff I'm missing.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:38:34:

:-/
]

On the plus side, it will save my traveling bandwidth a bit to not send pics. Want to save money in case you change your mind or decide to come visit.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:1A:E1 9:80 -:

/:-|
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.14 D:4A:39 (autosave)

$ resume

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.14 D:C3:7F

I'm on the bus, going over Great Lighthouse Bridge. With the cloud cover, I couldn't get a good night shot of Grand Incline, or of anything until God's Door.

#include "pic/0000A8" 3 compressed copy "
God's Door, city at night -- looking back from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

#include "pic/0000AB" 3 compressed copy "
Breaker Road Island in the moonlight -- looking ahead from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

Still too cloudy to get good shots. I guess I'd best try to get some sleep.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:26:F5 9:80 -:

Nice pics for the conditions. 
It'd be a romantic view. 
Yeah, I'd kinda like to be there with you.

But I've got student teaching waiting for me here, and I've got to go meet with my supervisors today.

Get what sleep you can. 
Maybe you can find one of those old, traditional dinner-bed-and-breakfast style places when you get there, and relax and get organized before you talk with the BOE.
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.14 D:DB:5D (autosave)

$ resume

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.15 4:3F:92

So I slept most of the way. Yeah, finding a db&b is my plan.

The bus driver was worried about the foreigner getting off alone before dawn in the middle of nowhere. I assured him that I could speak the language well enough to keep out of trouble.

But then the operator at the Deer Isles bus terminal seemed to really want to contact someone for me to meet. When I told her I was a few days early and would find myself a db&b until the scheduled meeting, she told me the db&bs would not let me register until after lunch and insisted I stay at Deer Isles Terminal and catch a later bus. Then she explained that the stop in Shining Springs is just a post by the side of the road, with not even a convenience store nearby. And the ferry terminal is a long walk.

There's a db&b within two long minutes' walking distance, but she says it's not that great a place.

You know me, I was all for going on anyway, but the bus driver went to the trouble of removing my luggage from the bus and putting it in the holding area for a later bus. So I gave in and now I'm spending a few hours in Deer Isles City.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:51:55 9:80 -:

Now there's a woman who can talk some sense into you. 
Maybe you should marry her.

Hah. You know I'm just kidding.

But good for her.
]

#include "pic/0000B0" 3 compressed copy "
Sun coming up over the horizon in Deer Isles City -- taken outside the bus terminal. There are a couple of schools in view, the map says the near one on the left is an elementary school and the far one is a tech school. These are not schools where I will be scheduled to teach, I think. But if you were with me, you might have a chance to teach at one or both."

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:52:72 9:80 -:

Deer Isles City looks big city to me. 
Narrow streets, houses close together.
Is there any place in your beautiful Kingdom of Peace that isn't crowded like that?

And, I gotta say, you aren't convincing me of anything with this pic.
]

The operator is urging me to wait until the bus that arrives after noon. And she says she can arrange a taxi for me. Suggests I can hike around here a bit. Terminal staff will keep an eye on my luggage.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:53:9B 9:80 -:

Ack. 
Now my radar is up.
]

I'm not inclined to ask that of them.

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.15 4:50:21 (autosave)

# chat request[Hailey private/7D9.02.15 4:55:01 9:80]

$ accept

# chat Hailey private: 7D9.02.15 4:55:87

Is this operator good looking?

You're asking me?
You know my opinions.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So what is the beholder over there seeing?

Hang on, let me check.

I don't see her.

It looks like another operator has come on duty.

Male or female?

Male.

If you were here

I'd have to put up with 
Watching you watch the girls

you would see that I am not watching anyone.

And trying to guess which one has your eye.

Only you, Hailey, only you.

How am I supposed to believe that?

How am I supposed to prove something
 you won't see?

I know your aesthetic theories.
Moving attracts attention.
Attractive is what moves with confidence.
But beauty is what is most familiar and dear.

Exactly.

Aren't any men that rational.
And we haven't 
Known each other 
That long.

No couple knows the real beauty

in each other

until they've been married for years.

I don't want to wait that long
To know I can trust you.

If I thought it would prove to you

that I really do love only you,

I'd have put off the foreign teaching requirement

until you were ready.

But you didn't.

Because it wouldn't be the proof you need.
That proof can only be had
by keeping covenants together.
We could have made those covenants
and come here together.

Look who's talking.
I remember somebody besides me had qualms.

That was six months ago.

I talked it out with God.

Yes, you talked it out with God 
And your bishop,
After you called me up at four in the morning
And scared me with your talk 
Of sins committed in the night
Making you doubt your commitment to me.

I misunderstood 

about those sins.

I know. 
If it hadn't been my heart on the rocks
I'd have thought it was cute.
Very idealistic.

I'm an idealist.

It took my bishop and yours
To convince you 
You were being too idealistic.

Sorry.

Your idealisms can be scary. 
You promised to stand by me.
Why aren't you keeping your promise? 

I'm trying the best way I know how,
getting the advanced degree
 that you say I should.

It scares me,
You're changing your life
For me.

Why should it scare you?

I'm not that beautiful.

Yes you are.
You have to get past this fear.
You are beautiful to me.

But we really, really haven't 
Known each other 
That long.

 We knew each other before we were born.
I'm sure of it.

I'm just not sure.

It's the only explanation I can think of
for why I feel I've known you for so long.

I can't believe that easily.

I don't think you're going to be happy

until you do.

You're a great one for telling others
What they have to do.

I keep doing what you say you want

and watching it make you more unhappy.

How do you know what makes others happy?

If it made you happy

I don't think you'd keep asking me

to do more difficult things.

What am I asking that is so unreasonable?

Now there is a question
 I have to quit trying to answer.

Because I'm not being unreasonable.

If you were here I could kiss you.

And you've got to quit trying to solve your problems 
With kissing.
You didn't answer my question.
Is she good looking?
Is she beautiful?

I don't really remember,
so she must not be familiar to me
in any way.

Weasel words.

I remembered you 
after the first time you said hi
at that dance.

But you don't believe in love at first sight.

So tell me about this woman.

Well, I remember she moved with confidence.

Uh, huh. 
And maybe you knew her 
before we were born, too.

 That's not fair.
I can't even remember her face.

I don't believe you.

I can't.

Uh, huh.

Honey, I love you.

Why don't you come back where you belong?

We've had that conversation before.

Facts is facts. 
You never give in.

I've given in all too often.

If you aren't willing to come back
You should consider yourself free
To look as much as you want.

Zero isn't much.

You'd better believe 
I'll be looking.

What am I supposed to say to that?

When you come back,
If we're both still free,
Maybe we can talk again
About whether we should make those covenants
you say you want to make.

But,

Until you're back here again,
I don't want to talk about that.

Can we still talk?

The lessons, 
the students, 
the people we meet, 
sure.
Just not that.

Well,

 I'm glad we can still talk about some things.

So go hike with your bus terminal operator.

That's not fair.

Besides, she's not around any more.

Anyway, go hike around that city
Since you're not going to do any regular sightseeing. 
I need to get ready for tomorrow.

Well, okay.

'bye.

'bye.

# chat Hailey private terminated by Hailey: 7D9.02.15 4:7E:E3

---

---

Table of Contents

Backed up at https://joel-rees-economics.blogspot.com/2019/07/bk-heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html,

]]

Backup: A Heathen in the Kingdom of Peace -- Arrival

[JMR201908221650: 5th backup here: https://joel-rees-economics.blogspot.com/2019/08/bk-5-blogger-fail-heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html]

[[JMR201908221302: 4th backup of https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/07/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html

---

$ search KOP sessions 7D9.02.14 Arrival

Arrival (read-only) 7D9.02.14 C:43 --

$ chat Hailey

# private: 7D9.02.14 C:43:E1

Oh, Hailey,
 how I wish

you had been willing to come with me.

It's what? Two in the morning there?

You'll be sleeping now, I guess.

Nope.

I'm awake

You're awake.

Wishing you'd been willing 

To put off this part of your coursework

Just a little longer.

just a little?

Okay, a couple of years.
Your master's in education could wait that long
Couldn't it?

My supervisors said
I really need to move ahead.

Yeah, the supervisors say

This could have been a great honeymoon.

For a few day
Or even a couple weeks
Sure, great
If we could've afforded it.

But we could be getting paid to do this,
paid student teaching,

together
 in this beautiful Kingdom of Peace.

We've talked this over before

How many times?

Too many,
 I guess.

I'd've been happy just to spend

Our first year together student teaching
Near our families.

What about
my foreign language requirement?

Well, you've got another language 

You need to pick back up

The language of the Kingdom of Rabbits.

And what have you got against it?

I've only studied the language for a month.
What have you got against
 the beautiful Kingdom of Peace?

Honestly?

Of course.

I don't think it's so beautiful.

I still can't see why.

It gives me bad dreams.

Bad dreams

It takes you away from me.

In your dreams?

And in the real world, too.

It owns a place in your heart I can't touch.

Touching what can't be touched
is part of growing old together.

If only. 

Your Kingdom of Peace is not

# 7D9.02.14 C:64:B8

Not what?

A kingdom of peace to me. 

There's my train into town.

It's taking you away

# 7D9.02.14 C:6F:D4

From me.

# 7D9.02.14 C:7E:3F

Okay, I'm on the train.
I miss you so much.

# 7D9.02.14 C:8B:72

Hailey?

# 7D9.02.14 C:9E:96

#include "pic/0000A5" 3 compressed copy "
West Region International Airport
shining in the night
on its own little island in the bay --
  Looking back from the train
as I head in to Grand Incline."

Well, get some sleep.

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.14 C:A0:01 saved

$ journal KOP

# private unshared: 7D9.02.14 D:07:3D

#include "chat/Hailey/7D9.02.14 C:43:E1" copy

So it uses my traveling bandwidth to post pictures for her, but I do want her to see what I see here -- to see at least some of the beauty.

Would she be having those bad dreams if she were willing to join me in this adventure?

I have forebodings as well, but it is because she refuses. I am sure it is because she refuses to come with me.

(No confirmation in my heart.)

So she did not come with me.

It would cost a day's wages to stay overnight at a cheap hotel in Grand Incline, and that is cheaper than staying at the airport. Hailey's not here with me, no reason to waste the money.

A night train with sleeping berths is a little more expensive than a hotel, but it would leave me in Deer Isles, just a local train to Shining Springs and a ferry to Three Days' Island. If I decide to be really cheap and take local trains, I'm going to be sleeping on a station bench somewhere between 0:80 and 3:00 or so.

I could deal with that if I didn't have the luggage. Even with my luggage, odds are not high that it will grow legs while I'm asleep in this country.

If I want to play the odds.

(No whisperings in my heart.)

Hmm. Night buses --

There's a direct route to Deer Isles. Stops in Shining Springs after. Seat available, has a luggage compartment. I'm within luggage limits.

(Feels right.)

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.14 D:0D:EB saved.

$ journal ALT

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.14 D:25:72

Shifting to shared journal so I don't wake you. Sorry about using the chat before.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:16:15 9:80 -:

It's okay. 
I was having trouble sleeping anyway. 

Sorry I conked out on you while you ran for the train.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:35:72:

No problem about the train. Sorry about the trouble sleeping.

:'-(
]

Since you're not here with me, it seems to make more sense to not spend much time in Grand Incline, or on sightseeing on the way to the job.

I looked at taking a night train with a sleeping car. It would be more expensive than a cheap hotel room, but it would leave me in Deer Isles within easy reach of Three Days' Island, just a local train to Shining Springs and then a ferry.

Also looked at taking local trains, but that would leave me sleeping on a station bench somewhere, waiting for a morning train.

The cheapest fare is a night bus, and it will also save me a hotel stay. So I'm heading on to Deer Isles tonight. The bus just happens to stop in Shining Springs after Deer Isles Station, so it saves a bit of local fare as well.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:18:6C 9:80 -:

And if I'd been awake, 
I'd've told you to get a hotel. 
I'm glad you're not going to be sleeping on a station bench.
Yeah, the sleeping car sounds interesting. 
But you need a place to crash before your first face-to-face with the board of education. 
And sightseeing by yourself wouldn't hurt you, either.
]

So, any pictures I take on the way, when I'm not asleep, will be night views.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:19:C9 9:80 -:

And that's just fine. 
You really don't have to show me all the good stuff I'm missing.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:38:34:

:-/
]

On the plus side, it will save my traveling bandwidth a bit to not send pics. Want to save money in case you change your mind or decide to come visit.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:1A:E1 9:80 -:

/:-|
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.14 D:4A:39 (autosave)

$ resume

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.14 D:C3:7F

I'm on the bus, going over Great Lighthouse Bridge. With the cloud cover, I couldn't get a good night shot of Grand Incline, or of anything until God's Door.

#include "pic/0000A8" 3 compressed copy "
God's Door, city at night -- looking back from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

#include "pic/0000AB" 3 compressed copy "
Breaker Road Island in the moonlight -- looking ahead from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

Still too cloudy to get good shots. I guess I'd best try to get some sleep.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:26:F5 9:80 -:

Nice pics for the conditions. 
It'd be a romantic view. 
Yeah, I'd kinda like to be there with you.

But I've got student teaching waiting for me here, and I've got to go meet with my supervisors today.

Get what sleep you can. 
Maybe you can find one of those old, traditional dinner-bed-and-breakfast style places when you get there, and relax and get organized before you talk with the BOE.
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.14 D:DB:5D (autosave)

$ resume

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.15 4:3F:92

So I slept most of the way. Yeah, finding a db&b is my plan.

The bus driver was worried about the foreigner getting off alone before dawn in the middle of nowhere. I assured him that I could speak the language well enough to keep out of trouble.

But then the operator at the Deer Isles bus terminal seemed to really want to contact someone for me to meet. When I told her I was a few days early and would find myself a db&b until the scheduled meeting, she told me the db&bs would not let me register until after lunch and insisted I stay at Deer Isles Terminal and catch a later bus. Then she explained that the stop in Shining Springs is just a post by the side of the road, with not even a convenience store nearby. And the ferry terminal is a long walk.

There's a db&b within two long minute's walking distance, but she says it's not that great a place.

You know me, I was all for going on anyway, but the bus driver went to the trouble of removing my luggage from the bus and putting it in the holding area for a later bus. So I gave in and now I'm spending a few hours in Deer Isles City.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:51:55 9:80 -:

Now there's a woman who can talk some sense into you. 
Maybe you should marry her.

Hah. You know I'm just kidding.

But good for her.
]

#include "pic/0000B0" 3 compressed copy "
Sun coming up over the horizon in Deer Isles City -- taken outside the bus terminal. There are a couple of schools in view, the map says the near one on the left is an elementary school and the far one is a tech school. These are not schools where I will be scheduled to teach, I think. But if you were with me, you might have a chance to teach at one or both."

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:52:72 9:80 -:

Deer Isles City looks big city to me. 
Narrow streets, houses close together.
Is there any place in your beautiful Kingdom of Peace that isn't crowded like that?

And, I gotta say, you aren't convincing me of anything with this pic.
]

The operator is urging me to wait until the bus that arrives after noon. And she says she can arrange a taxi for me. Suggests I can hike around here a bit. Terminal staff will keep an eye on my luggage.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:53:9B 9:80 -:

Ack. 
Now my radar is up.
]

I'm not inclined to ask that of them.

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.15 4:50:21 (autosave)

# chat request[Hailey private/7D9.02.15 4:55:01 9:80]

$ accept

# chat Hailey private: 7D9.02.15 4:55:87

Is this operator good looking?

You're asking me? 
You know my opinions.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So what is the beholder over there seeing?

Hang on, let me check.

I don't see her.

It looks like another operator has come on duty.

Male or female?

Male.

If you were here

I'd have to put up with 
Watching you watch the girls

you would see that I am not watching anyone.

And trying to guess which one has your eye.

Only you, Hailey, only you.

How am I supposed to believe that?

How am I supposed to prove something
 you won't see?

I know your aesthetic theories.
Moving attracts attention.
Attractive is what moves with confidence.
But beauty is what is most familiar and dear.

Exactly.

No man is that rational.
And we haven't 
Known each other 
That long.

No couple knows the real beauty

in each other

until they've been married for years.

I don't want to wait that long
To know I can trust you.

If I thought it would prove to you

that I really do love only you,

I'd have put off the foreign teaching requirement

until you were ready.

But you didn't.

Because it wouldn't be the proof you need.
That proof can only be had
by keeping covenants together.
We could have made those covenants
and come together.

Why aren't you keeping your promise?

I'm trying the best way I know how,
getting the degree that you say I should.

It scares me 

You're changing your life 

For me. 

Why?

I'm not that beautiful.

Yes you are.
You have to get past this fear.
You are beautiful to me.

But we really, really haven't known each other that long.

 We knew each other before we were born.
I'm sure of it.

I'm just not sure.

It's the only explanation I can think of.

I can't believe that easily.

I don't think you're going to be happy

until you do.

You're a great one for telling others
What they have to do.

I keep doing what you say you want

and watching it make you more unhappy.

How do you know what makes others happy?

If it made you happy

I don't think you'd keep asking me

to do more difficult things.

What am I asking that is so unreasonable?

Now there is a question
 I have to quit trying to answer.

Because I'm not being unreasonable.

If you were here I could kiss you.

And you've got to quit trying to solve your problems 
With kissing.
You didn't answer my question.
Is she good looking?
Is she beautiful?

I don't really remember.

Weasel words.

I remembered after the first time you said hi
at that dance.

But you don't believe in love at first sight.

So tell me about this woman.

Well, I remember she moved with confidence.

Uh, huh. 
And maybe you knew her 
before we were born, too.

 That's not fair.
I can't even remember her face.

I don't believe you.

I can't.

Uh, huh.

Honey, I love you.

Why don't you come back where you belong?

We've had this conversation before.

Facts is facts. 
You never give in.

I've given in all too often.

If you aren't willing to come back
You should consider yourself free
To look as much as you want.

Zero isn't much.

You'd better believe 
I'll be looking.

# chat Hailey private terminated by Hailey: 7D9.02.15 4:73:E3

---

---

Table of Contents

Backed up at https://joel-rees-economics.blogspot.com/2019/07/bk-heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html,

]]


[[JMR201908211306: 3rd backup of https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/07/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html

---

$ Browse KOP sessions start 7D9.02.14 flag arrival

Arrival (read-only) 7D9.02.14 C:43 --

$ chat Hailey

# private: 7D9.02.14 C:43:E1

Oh, Hailey,
 how I wish

you had been willing to come with me.

It's what? Two in the morning, there?

You'll be sleeping now, I guess.

Nope.

I'm awake

You're awake.

Wishing you'd been willing 

To put off this part of your coursework

Just a little longer.

just a little?

Okay, a couple of years.
Your master's in education could wait that long
Couldn't it?

My supervisors said
I really need to move ahead.

Yeah, the supervisors say

This could have been a great honeymoon.

For a few days
Sure, great
If we could've afforded it.

But we could be getting paid to student teach

together
 in this beautiful Kingdom of Peace.

We've talked this over before

How many times?

Too many,
 I guess.

I'd've been happy just to spend

Our first year together student teaching
Near our families.

My foreign language requirement.

There's another language 

You need to pick back up 

What have you got against
 the beautiful Kingdom of Peace?

Honestly?

Of course.

I don't think it's so beautiful.

I still can't see it.

It gives me bad dreams.

Bad dreams

It takes you away from me.

In your dreams?

And in the real world, too.

It owns a place in your heart I can't touch.

Touching what can't be touched
is part of growing old together.

If only. 

Your Kingdom of Peace is not

# 7D9.02.14 C:64:B8

Not what?

A kingdom of peace to me. 

There's my train into town.

It's taking you away

# 7D9.02.14 C:6F:D4

From me.

# 7D9.02.14 C:7E:3F

Okay, I'm on the train.
I miss you so much.

# 7D9.02.14 C:8B:72

Hailey?

# 7D9.02.14 C:9E:96

#include "pic/0000A5" 3 compressed copy "
West Region International Airport
shining in the night
on its own little island in the bay --
  Looking back from the train
as I head in to Grand Incline."

Well, get some sleep.

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.14 C:A0:01 saved

$ journal KOP

# private unshared: 7D9.02.14 D:07:3D

#include "chat/Hailey/7D9.02.14 C:43:E1" copy

So it uses my traveling bandwidth to post pictures for her, but I do want her to see what I see here -- to see at least some of the beauty.

Would she be having those bad dreams if she were willing to join me in this adventure?

I have forebodings as well, but it is because she refuses. I am sure it is because she refuses to come with me.

{No confirmation.}

So she did not come with me.

$ terminate

# 7D9.02.14 D:0D:EB saved.

$ journal ALT

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.14 D:25:72

Shifting to shared journal so I don't wake you. Sorry about using the chat before.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:16:15 9:80 -:

It's okay. I was having trouble sleeping anyway. Sorry I conked out on you while you ran for the train.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:35:72:

No problem about the train. Sorry about the trouble sleeping.

:'-(
]

Since you're not here to go sightseeing with me, it seems to make more sense to not spend much time in Grand Incline.

I could take a night train with a sleeping car. It would be more expensive than a cheap hotel room, but it would leave me in Deer Isles with just a local train to Shining Springs and a ferry to Three Days' Islands.

If I go really cheap and take local trains, I'm going to be sleeping on a station bench somewhere between 0:80 and 3:00 or so. I could deal with that if I didn't have the luggage -- although the luggage isn't very likely to grow legs while I'm asleep in this country, if I want to play the odds.

Night buses --

Well, there's a direct route to Deer Isles. Continues on to Shining Springs. Seat available, bus has a luggage compartment. And I'm within luggage limits.


The cheapest fare is a night bus, and it will save me a hotel stay, so I'm heading on to Deer Isles. The bus just happens to stop in Shining Springs after Deer Isles Station, so it saves a bit of local fare as well.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:18:6C 9:80 -:

And if I had been awake, I'd have told you to get a hotel. You need a place to crash before your first face-to-face with the board of education.
]

So, any pictures I take on the way, when I'm not asleep, will be night views.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:19:C9 9:80 -:

That's just fine. You really don't have to show me all the good stuff I'm missing.
]

#$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:38:34:

:-/
]

On the plus side, it'll save my traveling bandwidth a bit to not send pics. Want to save money in case you change your mind or decide to come visit.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:1A:E1 9:80 -:

/:-|
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.14 D:4A:39 (autosave)

$ resume

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.14 D:C3:7F

I'm on the bus, going over Great Lighthouse Bridge. Couldn't get a good night shot of Grand Incline, or of anything until God's Door.

#include "pic/0000A8" 3 compressed copy "
God's Door, city at night -- looking back from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

#include "pic/0000AB" 3 compressed copy "
Breaker Road Island in the moonlight -- looking ahead from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

Mostly too cloudy to get good shots. I guess I'd best try to get some sleep.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:26:F5 9:80 -:

Nice pics for the conditions. It'd be a romantic view. Yeah, I'd kinda like to be there.

But I've got student teaching waiting for me here, and I have to go meet with my supervisors today.

Get what sleep you can. Maybe you can find one of those old, traditional dinner-bed-and-breakfast style places when you get there, and relax and get organized before you talk with the BOE.
]

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.14 D:DB:5D (autosave)

$ resume

# shared (Hailey): 7D9.02.15 4:3F:92

So I slept most of the way.

The bus driver was worried about the foreigner getting off alone in the middle of nowhere before dawn. I assured him that I could speak the language well enough to keep out of trouble.

But then the operator at the Deer Isles bus terminal seemed to really want to contact someone for me. When I told her I was a few days early and would find myself a db&b until the scheduled meeting, she told me the db&bs would not let me register until after lunch and insisted I stay at Deer Isles Terminal and catch a later bus. Then she explained that the stop in Shining Springs was just a post by the side of the road, with not even a convenience store nearby.

There's a db&b within two long minute's walking distance, but she says it's not that great a place.

You know me, I was all for going on anyway, but the bus driver went to the trouble of removing my luggage from the bus and putting it in the holding area for a later bus. So I gave in and now I'm spending a few hours in Deer Isles City.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:51:55 9:80 -:

Now there's a woman who can talk some sense into you. Maybe you should marry her.

Hah. You know I'm just kidding.

But good for her.
]

#include "pic/0000B0" 3 compressed copy "
Sun coming up over the horizon in Deer Isles City -- taken outside the bus terminal. There are a couple of schools in view, the map says the near one on the left is an elementary school and the far one is a tech school. These are not schools where I will be scheduled to teach, I think. But if you were with me, you might have a chance to teach at one or both."

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:52:72 9:80 -:

Deer Isles City looks like a big city to me. Narrow streets, houses close together -- is there any place in your beautiful Kingdom of Peace that isn't crowded like that?

And I've gotta tell ya, you aren't convincing me of anything with this pic.
]

The operator is urging me to wait until the bus that arrives after noon. And she says she can arrange a taxi for me. Suggests I can hike around here a bit. Terminal staff will keep an eye on my luggage.

#$[Hailey/7D9.02.15 4:53:9B 9:80 -:

Ack. Now my radar is up.
]

I'm not inclined to ask that of them.

$ suspend

# 7D9.02.15 4:50:21 (autosave)

# chat request[Hailey private/7D9.02.15 4:55:01 9:80]

$ accept

# chat Hailey private: 7D9.02.15 4:55:87

Is this operator good looking?

You're asking me? 
You know my opinions.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So what is the beholder over there seeing?

Hang on, let me check.

I don't see her.

It looks like another operator has come on duty.

Male or female?

Male.

If you were here

I'd have to put up with 
Watching you watch the girls

you would see that I am not watching anyone.

And trying to guess which one has your eye.

Only you, Hailey, only you.

How am I supposed to believe that?

How

I know your aesthetic theories.
Attractive is what moves with confidence
But beauty is what is most familiar and dear.

Exactly.

No man is that rational.

If I thought it would prove to you

that I really do love only you,

I'd have put off the foreign teaching requirement

until you were ready.

But you didn't.

You have to get past this.

I don't think you're going to be happy

until you do.

You're a great one for telling others
What they have to do.

I keep doing what you say you want

and watching it make you more unhappy.

How do you know what makes others happy?

If it made you happy

I don't think you'd keep asking me for more,

and for more difficult things.

What am I asking that is so unreasonable?

Now there is a question
 I have to quit trying to answer.

Because I'm not being unreasonable.

If you were here I could kiss you.

You've got to quit trying to solve your problems with kissing.
You didn't answer my question.
Is she good looking?
Is she beautiful?

I don't really remember.

Weasel words.

Well, she moved with confidence.

Uh, huh.

But I can't even remember her face.

I don't believe you.

She can't be that familiar
if I've never met here before.

Uh, huh.

Honey, I love you.

Why don't you come back where you belong?

We've had this conversation before.

Facts is facts. 
You never give in.

I've given in all too often.

If you aren't willing to come back
You should consider yourself free
To look as much as you want.

Zero isn't much.

You better believe I'll be looking.

# chat Hailey private terminated: 7D9.02.15 4:73:E3

---

---

Table of Contents

Backed up at https://joel-rees-economics.blogspot.com/2019/07/bk-heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html,

]]


[JMR201908080939: 2nd backup of https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/07/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html]


$ chat Hailey

private: 7D9.02.14 C:43:E1

Oh, Hailey,
 how I wish

you had been willing to come with me.

It's what? Two in the morning, there?

You'll be sleeping now, I guess.

Nope.

I'm awake

Oh?

wishing you'd been willing 

to put off this part of your coursework

just a little longer.

just a little

A couple of years.
Your Master's in education could wait that long.

It would have been a great honeymoon.

For just a few days, sure,

if we could've afforded it.

But we could be getting paid to teach

together
 in the beautiful Kingdom of Peace.

We've talked this over before, 

how many times?

Too many,
 I guess.

I'd've been happy just to spend

our first year together student teaching
near our families.

What have you got against
 the beautiful Kingdom of Peace?

Honestly?

Of course.

I don't think it's so beautiful.

Why? I can't believe it.

It gives me bad dreams.

Bad dreams?

It takes you away from me.

In your dreams?

And in the real world.

It has a place in your heart I can't touch.

Touching what can't be touched
is part of growing old together.

If only. 

Your Kingdom of Peace is not

...

Not what?

a kingdom of peace to me. 

There's my train into town.

It's taking you away

...

from me.

...

Okay, I'm on the train.
I already miss you so much.

...

Hailey?

...

#include "pic/0000A5" 3 compressed copy "
West Region International Airport
shining in the night
on its own little island in the bay
 --
 Looking back from the train
as I head in to Grand Incline."

Well, get some sleep.

...

$ terminate

  Saved.

$ journal KOP

private unshared

7D9.02.14 D:07:3D
#include "chat/Hailey/7D9.02.14 C:43:E1" copy

It uses my traveler's bandwidth to post pictures for her, but I do want her to see what I see here -- at least some of the beauty.

Would she have those bad dreams if she were willing to join me in this adventure?

I have forebodings as well, but it is because she refuses. I am sure it is because she refuses to come with me.

Well, she did not come with me.

It would cost a day's wages to stay overnight at a cheap hotel in Grand Incline, and that is cheaper than staying at the airport. Hailey's not here with me, no reason to waste the money.

A night train with sleeping berth is a little more expensive than a hotel, but it would leave me in Deer Isles, within a local train's trip to Shining Springs and a ferry to Three Days Island. If I go really cheap and take local trains, I'm going to be sleeping on a station bench somewhere between 0:80 and 3:00 or so. I could deal with that if I didn't have the luggage. Even then, odds are in favor of my luggage not growing legs while I'm asleep in this country. If I want to play the odds.

Night buses --

There's a direct route to Deer Isles. Stops in Shining Springs. Seat available, has a luggage compartment. I'm within luggage limits.

$ terminate
  Saved.

$ journal ALT

shared (Hailey)

7D9.02.14 D:25:72

Shifting to shared journal so I don't wake you. Sorry about using the chat before.

$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:16:15 9:80 -:

It's okay. I was having trouble sleeping anyway. Sorry I conked out on you while you ran for the train.
]

$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:45:72:

No problem about the train. Sorry about the trouble sleeping.

:'-(
]

Since you're not here with me, it seems to make more sense to not spend much time in Grand Incline. The cheapest fare is a night bus, and it will save a hotel stay, so I'm heading on to Deer Isles. The bus just happens to stop in Shining Springs, so it saves a bit of local train fare as well.

$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:18:6C 9:80 -:

And if I had been awake, I'd have told you to get a hotel. You need a place to crash before your first face-to-face with the BOE.
]

So what pictures I take on the way, when I'm not asleep, will be night views.

$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:19:C9 9:80 -:

That's just fine. You really don't have to show me all the good stuff I'm missing.
]

$[Jeremy/7D9.02.15 4:48:34:

:-/
]

On the plus side, it'll save my traveling bandwidth a bit. Want to save money in case you change your mind or decide to come visit.

$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:1A:E1 9:80 -:

/:-|
]

$ suspend

  7D9.02.14 D:4A:39 (autosave)

$ reenter

  7D9.02.14 D:C3:7F

I'm on the bus, going over Great Lighthouse Bridge. Couldn't get a good night shot of Grand Incline, or of anything until God's Door.

#include "pic/0000A8" 3 compressed copy "
God's Door, city at night -- looking back from Great Lighthouse bridge."

#include "pic/0000AB" 3 compressed copy "
Breaker Road Island in the moonlight -- looking ahead from Great Lighthouse Bridge."

Too cloudy to get good shots. I guess I'd best try to get some sleep.

$[Hailey/7D9.02.14 F:36:F5 9:80 -:

Nice pics.

Yeah, I'd kinda like to be there. But I have student teaching waiting for me here, and I have to go meet with my supervisors today.

Get what sleep you can. Maybe you can find one of those old, traditional dinner-bed-and-breakfast style places when you get there, and relax and get organized before you talk with the BOE.
]

$ suspend

  7D9.02.14 D:DB:5D (autosave)

$ reenter

  7D9.02.15 4:4C:92

#include "pic/0000B0" 3 compressed copy "
Sun coming up over the horizon in Shining Springs -- taken above the town."

I've already met the high school PTA president, Mrs. Trueland.

#include "pic/0000B0" 3 compressed copy "
Trueland Vinebeauty, Shining Springs High School PTA president, with her grand-daughter Mei."

Apparently the bus driver on the last leg was worried about the foreigner who had a ticket to the middle of nowhere and called ahead. And somebody in the bus office here knew Mrs. Trueland and called her as soon as the bus got to Deer Isles.

Everyone here gets up before dawn anyway, or so she said when I apologized.

Her husband owns the apartment that the BOE provides in Three Day Springs for the teacher, so he's my landlord. She drove me over with my luggage, told me not to worry about the contract until later.

I wanted to explore, so she said she'd pick me up later in the evening.

---

---

Backed up at https://joel-rees-economics.blogspot.com/2019/07/bk-heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html,


[JMR20190803: Backup of https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2019/07/heathen-in-kingdom-of-peace-arrival.html]

% chat Hailey

7D9.02.14

Oh, Hailey,
 how I wish

you had been willing to come with me.

It's what? Two in the morning, there?

You'll be sleeping now, I guess.

Nope.

I'm awake

Oh?

wishing you'd been willing 

to put off this part of your coursework

just a little longer.

just a little

At least a couple of years.
Your Master's in education could wait that long.

It would have been a great honeymoon.

For just a few days, sure,

if we could've afforded it.

But we could be getting paid to teach

together
 in the beautiful Kingdom of Peace.

We've talked this over before, 

how many times?

Too many,
 I guess.

I'd have been happy just to spend

our first year together student teaching
near our families.

What have you got against
 the beautiful Kingdom of Peace?

Honestly?

Of course.

I don't think it's so beautiful.

Why? I can't believe it.

It gives me bad dreams.

Bad dreams?

It takes you away from me.

In your dreams?

And in the real world.

It has a place in your heart I can't touch.

Touching what can't be touched
is part of growing old together.

If only. 

Your Kingdom of Peace is not

...

Not what?

a kingdom of peace to me. 

There's my train into town.

It's taking you away

...

from me.

...

Okay, I'm on the train.
I already miss you so much.

...

Hailey?

...

[pic 0000A5]
West International Airport
shining in the night
on its own little island in the bay.
 Looking back from the train
as I head in to Grand Incline.
Well, get some sleep.

...

I took a pic of the airport on its artificial island as the train was swallowed by the tunnel to the city. Used some of my traveling bandwidth to post it to Hailey.

At South Central Station, I decided to take a night train to Great Platt. Didn't see any reason to waste time in the city without Hailey there with me to make the time useful. Missed getting pics some beautiful scenery on the way, but I didn't want to run out of bandwidth anyway.