Yesterday afternoon on the way to Portland, my phone died. I didn't know because it was in my pocket and Portland traffic was a beast. When I got to Phil's apartment, I plugged it in and got a avalanche of texts. They were all from Lawrence friends and they were all in riddles.
Here is the complete texts in order.
From Katie Kritikos: dear tyler hipster usa holds a treasure for u. call this man. (phone number that I haven't seen before). he wil only tel u if u insist on calling him raddle dozar.
From Hannah Nusz: Tyler its time. i wanted to wait until you were older to tell u this but i think ur ready. please cal this number (strange number, but different). it will explain everything.
From Katie Kritikos: (2 of 2) whose number is (...). Call him to retrieve your tuffet & curds & whey. Over and out. Katie K
From Paul Kaldahl: Hey, i've heard Big things about your package. People are talking.
From Nicole Schmidt: You need to call (the number). RIGHT NOW! And turn around...
From Nick Frisby: Remember to cut the blue wire first.
Graham also sent a text, but sent it today. He didn't know that I had already solved the mystery, but for his sake: A package has arrived in the land of port; Call the man whose name is a type of nail but not so large. (number).
So, understandably, I was confused. I think that I would have called these people back if I had gotten these texts slowly, over time. As a mass, though, I knew something was up and the only rational response was to follow it through. I was given two phone numbers to call and I dialed the one that was sent to me by Hannah. Her text was the most intriguing. The phone was answered by a lady, "Hello."
"Hey," I replied, "I received a call from this number earlier..." an obvious lie. "This is Tyler Harnett."
"Yes, Mr. Harnett. Where are you?" This seemed like a reasonable question because the lady's phone number was from DC.
"I am in Portland." I was confused but playing along.
"When did you get to Portland?"
"This afternoon. I am staying with my friend Phil." At this point, I butted in, "With whom am I speaking?"
"I am a super secret agent. I have something to deliver to you. Is there a place that I could meet you?" At this point, I was completely thrown off. I thought that my friends had found some sort of phone prank to play on me, but a delivery?!? My interest was piqued. I am staying with Phil, but my first thought was that I didn't want to involve his apartment.
"I am heading to the Bridgeport Brewpub. You could stop by there sometime in the next hour."
"In the next hour, sure. What are you wearing so that I can recognize you?" asked Super secret agent lady.
"uh, I have a brown Kansas hoodie, dark jeans, and I have a beard, and glasses."
"Thank you, Mr. Harnett, I will see you soon."
Phil and I continued walking to the Brewery as I told him about the strange phone call. Immediately, I realized that it could be a very socially embarrassing situation and I should have told her to come to Phil's. We sat down upstairs and my first thought was how hot it was and how I wanted to take off my hoodie, but I couldn't because of the super secret agent. Phil and I had a nice conversation, but I had my eye on every person who came up the stairs and looked around. There were a number of good looking girls and I got excited. I thought, maybe this is a blind date or something like it. There were a few people with things in their hands; "the Package," confused me. Finally, I was engrossed in conversation when a couple of people came upstairs that I recognized almost immediately.
Ben and Mirela Watson were Bridgeway folks (a church in Oklahoma City that Ichthus has a relationship with) who visited Lawrence once on their eventual way to Portland. I was surprised and happy to see them again. I was planning on getting in touch with them anyway to go to their House Church. They brought with them 'the package.'
It was a mailed bag full of Lawrence goodies for me from my friends and church. Hannah, Katie K, Alex K, Nikki, Jeff, Graham and Nicole all wrote me notes about how wonderful I am and how much they miss me. They also got me a long sleeve Freestate Brewery t-shirt to make up for my stolen clothes.
I felt fully loved by my community. It was an adventure and a great night.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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1)That (the story of your blog) is absolutely fantastic.
ReplyDelete2)You, sir, are mistaken about honey-crisp. While delicious, they cannot best a good pink lady.
3)On two separate occasions I have gotten more than 6 good songs in a row on Pandora. My record is 8.
4)I think your blog is better. You actually update yours.