jazzy blues

I've mentioned before that I'm reading a book by Donald Miller, one of my favorite thinkers and authors. It just so happens he's at a conference I'll be attending next week and I thought I'd email him and see if we could get together. Here's what I sent out about a week ago:

Hey Don(ald) - whichever you prefer...

My name's Tony Myles and this is my electronic attempt to connect with you in person sometime when you're in Cincinatti for the National Youth Worker's Conference. I suppose I should lay down some credentials as to why you should consider spending some time with me over some cheap appetizers, but I'd rather not go down that road... as you well know proving one's self doesn't really have much of a point (nor do cheap appetizers, for that matter).

At best all I can say is that if we lived next door to each other I think we'd loan each other ladders and borrow tools out of each others' garages without ever having to ask permission.

If that's enough, I'd love to connect over the aforementioned meaningless food (or some other kind of your approval) when we're both in the same town. Let me know, as I'd really enjoy looking forward to such a time and then actually partaking in it.

Oh, and thanks for the piece of the Kingdom work you've been handed and have been doing some rather healthy and amazing things with.

Together,

Tony Myles

After a few days, I heard back from Don's assistant.

Hi Tony: thanks so much for your kind email. Don greatly appreciates your offer for some 'meaningless' food and great conversation. Unfortunately he will need to kindly decline as his schedule is pack for the YS conference. All the best. peace

Tara D. Brown
Assistant to Donald Miller

It's nice to hear back, and it sounds like my email was well received.

But... well, I will not be taking that "no" for an answer. Don's doing a late night talk-back and I plan on sitting close enough to slip him a note with a dollar bill attached.

I know that will work...

it...

has to.

(Insert maniacal laughter here.)