Considering that I've always had a bit of a wandering streak, my mom would jokingly call me the Prodigal Son whenever I would return home. They didn't kill the fatted calf or anything, and I'm not sure if she ever realized how apt her description of me might be, but suffice it to say that I have strayed from the straight and narrow path offered to me by my Southern Baptist upbringing from time to time. Though the story in the Bible depicts the reckless young man as being submerged in a shame based humility, and though I've spend some time in that state myself, I also think that the Prodigal Son learned quite a bit about life by the mistakes that he made in leaving his comfort zone and finding his own way.

I'm not necessarily a proponent of a lifestyle based in lasciviousness and excess, nevertheless, I think there is something to be said for testing boundaries and finding your own individual moral code before subverting your life to the whims of a religion, cultural tradition, or familial expectations. And though I wouldn't go so far as to say that I've found my way back to the straight and narrow, I have been able to find some solid ground under my steps of trepidation and have narrowed my own focus to what I find to be important about the life that I lead.

If you're thinking about coming out to see The Rucksack Cabaret tomorrow night, understand that it is taking place at the Blue Owl. As such, there is the chance that I might get a little blue as well, both in tone and in language. So if you're easily offended, I apologize in advance. I hope you can forgive me.