satisfying the masses

So... under my last post (which I recently deleted), a bunch of people were claiming I should post again. Here's the thing: I'd much rather read about other people than write about myself (emphasis on write), thus the usual 6-8 month gap between my posts. Besides, most of the people who usually prod me to compose something new (e.g. my mom) already know all the news I'm going to share. That means when I do write something new I feel as though I have to write it in a clever or interesting way, so that the people who pretend to be ignorant of what's happening to me won't be bored to tears as they read what they already knew. Unfortunately, I used up what little writing skill I had as an undergraduate, so accomplishing that is tricky. I'm doing graduate work in science for a reason.

Now that you understand my reticence and realize that this post will not be worth reading, I'll proceed.

I'm now working my way through semester #2 of graduate school. Semester #1 went smoothly--with God's help I managed to get straight A's without Starbucks firing me or my girlfriend dumping me--and the new year is off to a good start as well. I have three classes and one lab (musculoskeletal anatomy with lab, pathophysiology, and kinesiology), all of which meet between Tuesday and Thursday, so I have the weekends free for work and/or quick trips to Tampa. It's the best school schedule I've ever had, and I love the things I'm learning.

I've had an apartment to myself since I moved to Gainesville in August, and I love it. This coming July I plan to move in with two great guys from church who have a house on the other side of town, and while I will miss having my own place, the new arrangement will have plenty of perks and will help those guys out, so I'm looking forward to it.

I'm slowly getting closer to and getting more involved with my new family at Glen Springs COC, and there have been lots of blessings associated with that. I've also made some friends through work and school who make both of those environments more pleasant, and a couple of those friends are showing interest in the gospel, which is very encouraging.

I have several other exciting things to look forward to in the next six months or so and they are, in order:
- Sister-in-law (and therefore nephew/niece) visiting from Chicago
- Spring break trip to Denver and Gettysburg, PA
- Playing in a YMCA basketball league with some guys from church
- Seeing my girlfriend graduate
- Masters program really starting
- Becoming an uncle

God is good.

Micah
  • desi
    I'm glad graduate school is going smoothly so far and that Gainesville is treating you well :) What is your Masters going to be in?
    by desi at 02/23/10 2:26PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    I didn't find this boring at all.
    Actually I found it very informative and quite interesting.
    You should really try to do it more frequently.
    To keep your fans happy.
    Visiting Gettysburg PA. really caught my attention!
    Yeah!!!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 02/23/10 2:43PM
  • snoopy
    ooo, that does sound good -- nice one Micah!
    by snoopy at 02/23/10 2:55PM
  • august28rose
    The Spring break trip sounds wonderful! I've always heard Gettysburg is a great place to visit! ;)

    Seriously, though, we're looking forward to seeing you and Kathryn :)
    by august28rose at 02/23/10 8:30PM
  • jollyyellowgiant
    not all of us know the details of your oh-so-exciting life, micah. its good to hear from you every so often. glad to know things are going smoothly for you.
    by jollyyellowgiant at 02/23/10 10:19PM
  • ktay
    This seems to be the only way that I know what's going on in your life, so I vote that you keep posting. :)
    by ktay at 02/23/10 10:57PM
  • jlmanager
    An excellent update.
    by jlmanager at 02/23/10 11:09PM
  • benb
    I'm glad you get to go to Gettysburg! They'll be happy to see you!
    by benb at 02/23/10 11:50PM
  • motherofall
    Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed every word, and I did learn something: Nephew?!? Mmmm. (Have you told L and J?)
    by motherofall at 02/24/10 6:45AM
  • lori_in_pa
    Glad you get to be here for a bit. Make our house a stop if possible -- for a meal? I fall into the camp of those who care a good deal about you but don't already know everything you can say in an update, so thank you for taking the time to force some words from your fingers.
    by lori_in_pa at 02/24/10 12:30PM
  • lori_in_pa
    I pick Thursday, March 11 for supper/evening if that will work for the two of you. Let me know. I'm looking forward to it already!
    by lori_in_pa at 02/24/10 12:49PM
  • thatonegirl
    Very good post :)
    by thatonegirl at 02/24/10 5:53PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Amen - us too. And I don't think he lost all those writing skills as an undergrad. I'm hoping he'll (with Kathryn?) come Wed and so those that don't get a meal with them will at least see his red hair, beard, and some freckles all decorated with a smile :) We miss Micah in PA
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 02/25/10 3:43PM
  • mayflower
    Hey... hope to see you in March!!
    by mayflower at 02/25/10 4:35PM
  • lromanic
    We're looking forward to seeing you soon! And I'm very happy that life is going well for you!
    by lromanic at 02/26/10 9:03AM
  • lromanic
    It goes without saying that if you need a place to eat, you can definitely come here, but since we got to feed you the last trip we'll understand if you want to go somewhere else this time ;)
    by lromanic at 02/26/10 9:03AM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    We enjoyed spending an afternoon with you, Kathryn and Zach last summer!
    This visit I'm sure your time will be in great demand so we'll enjoy visiting with you and Kathryn at church. Although if you'd like to stop by you're always welcome.
    Love you!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 02/27/10 9:55AM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    Ugh. I found this post totally unexciting and devoid of cleverness. Why, oh, why did I just waste 60 seconds reading it?! Way to ruin my day, Bingham!
    (Translation: You are ridiculous. We all love reading your updates, your writing is fine, and I am SOOO, so so glad that everything is going so well for you!!)
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 02/28/10 8:32PM
  • emilyjean
    I appreciated this update since we haven't talked in I don't know how long. AND your posts are way better than mine ever will be so don't feel so bad about your writing.(that was supposed to be encouraging) I miss you!
    by emilyjean at 03/01/10 4:59PM
  • sunshinelove05
    thanks for transporting me and your niece to Gville. i wish there were a less weird name for the relationship "uncle" I have always disliked that word, it just doesn't seem to fit the coolness of the title/relationship.
    by sunshinelove05 at 03/10/10 11:56AM

next, please.

tomorrow morning at 7 am (in other words, 8 am) i'll drive to my new apartment in gainesville and settle down in a city away from my family for the first time. i'm very excited, but there are also bits of me that insist on being sad or nervous. despite constantly grousing about the weather, snowbirds, and football's year round domination of the sports page and talk radio, i have to admit that 8 years in tampa have seemed very short and provided me with some of the best memories of my childhood. i'll leave behind some great family and friends. i also feel as though it's finally time for me to graduate from childhood. sure, i worked, went to college, got a couple degrees, and (i think) found my first gray hair (thanks dad). but through all of that i still lived down the street from my parents, let my mom feed me and do my laundry, and remained almost constantly surrounded by christians--at home, at work (fc not starbucks), at church, and at school. now i feel as though life is going to step it up a notch. i'll be taking graduate level classes, really living on my own, and managing with less money than ever before. then somehow i hope to preserve enough time to get to know a new church family, maintain a long distance relationship, entertain guests at my apartment, make a dent in the list of books i need to read, and work enough hours at starbucks to survive.

but really. i'm excited. i'm also grateful that god promises to take care of his own and to give them heaven, where debts, stress, car repairs and gator fans are non-existent.

if you're driving up or down i-75 and have a few minutes or a few hours or a night, stop by and visit.

peace, tampa.

micah







  • ktay
    We stopped in Gainesville tonight for dinner on our drive to Tampa! I hope things go well for you there. If you get a chance to stop by Tampa this year, check on my little sis for me. :)
    by ktay at 08/14/09 10:11PM
  • kathrynmae
    oh hey, i'll be on i-75 mmm tomorrow.. fancy that. perhaps i'll stop by.
    by kathrynmae at 08/14/09 10:18PM
  • adeline
    aww ull be missed!
    by adeline at 08/14/09 11:15PM
  • engelishgentleman
    I'll be a bit up the road in Tallahassee! We must plan to hang out sometime!
    by engelishgentleman at 08/14/09 11:55PM
  • carolina_sue
    Change can be energizing - as well as frustrating - as you have to figure out all the new things. But I'm sure you'll embrace all the new challenges and do well. You're going to be such a blessing to the congregation you decide to work with. May God bless you, Micah!
    by carolina_sue at 08/15/09 10:23AM
  • jlmanager
    Sounds good, although I know your folks will miss having you closer. There are some good people in Gainesville.
    by jlmanager at 08/15/09 1:32PM
  • phyllisophical_mom
    Makes me cry just to think about all these changes!! Being you ARE a Bingham, I have no doubt you can fulfill all those respsonsibilities to the utmost ability lying in you! Enjoy Adult hood!
    by phyllisophical_mom at 08/15/09 9:08PM
  • redmustang
    there is nothing wrong with football on the sports pgs.
    by redmustang at 08/15/09 9:20PM
  • carla_luther
    I'm thinking of you as you start this new chapter in your life....... Miss you.
    by carla_luther at 08/15/09 11:25PM
  • lori_in_pa
    This is lovely, sir. I like your mind. So many possibilities and roads before you and so much promise in you -- a winning combination for you and the One you serve. I have every confidence in you, dear one.
    by lori_in_pa at 08/16/09 5:15AM
  • laurar209
    What she said, only far less poetically and sweetly.
    And hey, Gainesville is TWO WHOLE HOURS closer to Pennsylvania... come in and relax, why don't you?
    by laurar209 at 08/16/09 1:41PM
  • emilyjean
    def plan on stopping by soon.
    by emilyjean at 08/16/09 9:10PM
  • justg
    I didn't meet you on Sunday, but I will on Wednesday!!! Welcome to our city. When we came in 1968, we were only going to be here through medical school. That was then...this is now. Mark and I look forward to getting to know you over the next few weeks, months and maybe even years!
    by justg at 08/17/09 6:02PM
  • celticgirl1787
    Good luck, Micah.
    by celticgirl1787 at 08/18/09 10:37PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Hey Micah; our crew just got on the way a bit ago - maybe they'll stop in Gainesville. Craig has my cell and Catherine has hers and your # is in mine so if they remember as they drive through they might call you :)

    And I second that - two hours off the drive! I'll let you know the next time we need those berry poles pounded into the ground.

    And I think Gainesville is going to be a nice place; Rhonda the Honda's battery died there once (I left the lights on) and a man jumped the car and told me he had a new battery that he happened to have in his truck right then which he'd put in if the jump didn't work. His answer to, "Oh no, I couldn't take that." was, "This is the way Gainesville people are." or something like that. ... so you will fit right into the town!

    Miss hearing you lead songs up here.
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 08/20/09 3:49AM
  • emmylou
    i thought i commented on here but it isnt here so did you delete it becaws if u did i will b hurt and so mad & evrythng okttyl 143. elbingham
    by emmylou at 08/23/09 9:02PM
  • emmylou
    idk i just feel sure i wouldn't skip commenting on here. heh
    by emmylou at 08/25/09 7:54PM
  • emmybear
    good luck with all that brother:) living away from hom eis when you really do grow up a bit more! I mean, I always saw you as a very mature guy, but theres something about being away from mum that really helps you come into your own. God bless you! I hope all the changes go well:)
    by emmybear at 08/28/09 8:13AM
  • jesspico
    What an exciting new chapter for you, MicahBing. Happy for ya:)
    by jesspico at 09/08/09 1:31PM
  • kitkat
    I'm just now starting to really feel like a grown-up myself -- and I've been out of school and married for two years, lol. Not sure what that says about me... Hope you have fun and many friends in Gainesville!
    by kitkat at 09/09/09 6:11AM

vacation

leg one: family reunion/visiting papaw

--overnight at harbers
--3 days/nights at grandparents
--billions of family members
--billions of pictures
--billions of good food (wrap your mind around that one)
--watched much ado about nothing and liked it (proud?)
--few hours in southern illinois with papaw james

leg two: chicago

--first visit to joe and lauren's apt
--first visit to wrigley field (braves/cubs)
--millenium park, magnificent mile, joe's work, etc
--midway airport

leg three: pa

--kathryn
--denver
--gettysburg: dinner with miozzas at bishops, lots of wonderful people at church, overnight at bishops, breakfast with bieseckers at bishops, lunch and afternoon with hardmans, connor's all-star game and dinner with romanics
--les mis
--kathryn
--middle creek hike
--tennis
--church in marietta
--afternoon at luke and shannon douthitt's
--airports/planes from 5 am-6:30 pm (air tran is lame)
--kathryn

this might have been the best trip i've ever taken.

i love love love the luthers. lousy luck could never change that.

i learned a new word while reading notes from underground, by dostoevsky. the word is "tormenticules." little torments, no doubt.

i just learned i have a job waiting for me when i move to gainesville.

i don't deserve anything, but i have everything (except any desire to see harry potter tonight or any other night).

i should be studying for a final exam.

micah b
  • engelishgentleman
    When are you moving to Gainesville?
    by engelishgentleman at 07/14/09 8:42PM
  • video_nana
    Sorry we were out of town and missed your visit.
    by video_nana at 07/14/09 8:49PM
  • diminished_seventh
    pittsburgh could have been on that list. that's cool that you got to hang out with luke & shannon. what job do you have waiting for you (other than coming to pittsburgh)?
    by diminished_seventh at 07/14/09 9:50PM
  • lromanic
    Wow, we were on your list! (I won't tell Connor you spelled his name with an "e") I'm glad you had a great trip. And I'm glad you have a job waiting... that's quite an accomplishment in these tough times!
    by lromanic at 07/14/09 9:50PM
  • heidiw
    Ok, that's it. I have lived in the Chicago area all my life and I have NEVER been to a Cubs game AT Wrigley field. That. Is. Lame. But Im glad that you had a good trip experience!! :)
    by heidiw at 07/14/09 11:18PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Micah, the field trip to Giant didn't make your list. That certainly was a highlight, yes?
    by 7laughinghardmans at 07/15/09 7:55AM
  • lromanic
    Thanks!
    by lromanic at 07/15/09 9:23AM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    And ps, glad you had such a great trip! There are so many great people out there ...
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 07/15/09 10:28AM
  • kathrynmae
    and to think... my bribe to get you to come back here was going to be to buy you a harry potter ticket.

    could we just term the movies as individual tormenticules and combined perhaps making up one torment? would pevear and volokhonsky deem that an acceptable application?
    by kathrynmae at 07/15/09 11:26AM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    Hahaha ... what a strange coincidence. The person you first linked to was my cousin!
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 07/15/09 12:18PM
  • adeline
    ur busy
    by adeline at 07/15/09 5:40PM
  • stranger_yet
    I sense a recurring theme in the last part of that journey... ;)
    by stranger_yet at 07/16/09 10:35AM
  • laurar209
    I love seeing Binghams. And Miozzas. And other Gettysburg people.
    by laurar209 at 07/16/09 11:32AM
  • jlmanager
    Excellent update! Glad things are going well.
    by jlmanager at 07/21/09 3:11PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    This is a neat summer. I've seen (1) Bingham, multiple Miozzas, lovely Bishops, (1) Matthews, and more. And check my blog to see the fascinating person I met today! We are having hamburgers and fresh corn (from our garden) for supper; come and bring your family - I wish!
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 07/30/09 4:54PM

sometimes...

"i'm even inclined to believe that the best definition of man is: a creature who walks on two legs and is ungrateful."

--fyodor dostoevsky
  • heidiw
    Like that... alot.
    by heidiw at 07/01/09 2:03PM
  • benb
    thank you for that.
    by benb at 07/01/09 2:55PM
  • lromanic
    Looking forward to seeing you soon!
    by lromanic at 07/02/09 6:39AM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    We're very excited thinking about your visit next week!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 07/02/09 7:31AM
  • mayflower
    lol! Pretty accurate!
    by mayflower at 07/02/09 5:41PM
  • jadyc
    Good quote by a good author... from a good friend. I'm off this week, so lets chat.
    by jadyc at 07/03/09 7:38PM
  • jlmanager
    I really didn't need that today. (j/k)
    by jlmanager at 07/05/09 9:19PM
  • laurar209
    you're going to be in pa this week...!
    by laurar209 at 07/06/09 9:12AM
  • laurar209
    ^obviously you know that and i know that so therefore there really is no need to post it, but it was something to post and i felt like i needed to say something so i just did the obvious. so yeah... you'll be here this week and i get to be one of the hundreds of people who are waiting breathlessly to see you.
    the end.
    by laurar209 at 07/06/09 9:13AM
  • nerdosaurus_rex
    Aargh! I can't believe I narrowly missed getting to hang out with you and Miss Miozza in what I have decided is pretty much the best state ever. You know, state of the Union. I don't really know what state of mind you'll be in. Anyway, have a WONDERFUL trip and be safe!
    by nerdosaurus_rex at 07/06/09 9:33PM
  • aprilstarr
    Ha! Sadly, it's too often true.
    by aprilstarr at 07/08/09 10:40PM
  • lromanic
    I'm going to be as obvious as Laura ... You're in PA!

    Sorry, I'm excited. Looking forward to spending some time with you & your friends!
    by lromanic at 07/09/09 7:22AM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    :) :) :) those are smiles because it was very nice seeing you, Kathryn M, and Zack (sp?) and having you here. And next time we will let you mow the lawn...... :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 07/09/09 8:59PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Loved getting to spend Thursday with you,Kathryn and Zack!!
    Come back soon! We'll be working out the details for our plan. :) We love you!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 07/10/09 5:55PM

02/15/09 10:58AM

since a) i haven't blogged in nearly 7 months, and b) i don't plan for this blog to consume more than 15 minutes or so of my time, i'm definitely playing the list card.

last semester i worked at starbucks and the fc library while taking anatomy and physiology. i also: did a bit of reading (but not nearly as much as i'd hoped - the drawer that contains the literature i'm "about" to tackle remains distressingly full), did zero travelling (kept here by my wallet, not my preference), made a couple of dear new friends, applied to grad school at the univ. of north carolina, attended the antioch church of christ, and enjoyed living at home.

this semester i have worked at starbucks and the fc library while taking elementary statistics (the last of my prerequisites for unc). i've also: driven to and watched one of the nation's best high school basketball tournaments, met roy williams and his wife, read some tolstoy, flown to nc for an interview at unc, been more or less turned down by said school, started altering plans for the next three years, had a girlfriend for the last month, enjoyed lectures, attended the antioch church of christ, watched lots of college bastketball, and enjoyed living at home.

in the near-ish future, i hope to: get over a cold, apply to more schools, read a lot of books, save money, visit pennsylvania, follow march madness, turn 23, attend the antioch church of christ, and enjoy living at home.

with a gracious god, a great family, great friends, great health, and good looks (just kidding), i couldn't be more blessed.

until september or so...

micah

  • joy2u
    Happy Birthday Micah!
    by joy2u at 03/31/09 11:03AM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Happy Birthday Micah! We love you!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 03/31/09 12:02PM
  • laurar209
    At the risk of sounding like everyone else,

    Happy birthday, Micah! May the coming year bring you ever closer to Him. :)
    by laurar209 at 03/31/09 12:30PM
  • snoopy
    Happy Birthday Micah! :)
    by snoopy at 03/31/09 2:43PM
  • jlmanager
    Happy Birthday!
    by jlmanager at 03/31/09 6:24PM
  • lynny
    Happy Birthday!
    by lynny at 03/31/09 9:32PM
  • queenbee
    Happy Birthday!
    by queenbee at 03/31/09 9:35PM
  • ice_queen
    Seeing you again was as awesome as it gets. And seeing you so happy made me about as happy as I can get. We love you.
    by ice_queen at 04/07/09 1:24AM
  • carla_luther
    Happy Belated Birthday, Micah. Just heard yesterday that you were in an accident. What happened? Hope you are okay. We miss you. Please come see us!
    by carla_luther at 04/07/09 10:28AM
  • laurar209
    New post, please!
    by laurar209 at 04/14/09 6:28PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    What accident? Hoping you're fine. The Hardman family is missing you!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 04/24/09 9:44PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    How exciting to wake up and find news that you're coming to Gettysburg!! Kramer will be traveling himself on the dates that you'll be in Gettysburg. He'll be very disappointed to miss your visit. :( If it's possible for you to come on the 8th or 9th for lunch we'd love to have you join us. Let me know what would work best. I know that there are many families you'll want to spend time with. We'll try not to be selfish... If it turns out to be a lovely day on Thursday perhaps you'd enjoy a picnic and kyaking? We're very excited!! Love you!!
    by 7laughinghardmans at 05/12/09 6:11AM
  • lromanic
    We would love to have you. As of now, we have nothing on the calendar - let me know when you could come for supper!
    by lromanic at 05/13/09 8:47AM
  • carla_luther
    Micah, my family is SO excited that you are coming! We will leave both of those days open so we will be available to spend time with you whenever you are available. We may be going to TN for the 4th of July, but we will plan to be back by the 7th so we can see you. I'm wishing you could stay with us! If our home in MD is too far, we could all stay at my mom's house in Gettysburg. Let me know if you need a place to stay. Thanks for letting me know the dates. I'll be excited to hear more about your plans. We love you!
    by carla_luther at 05/15/09 7:41AM
  • carla_luther
    One more thought.....I hope I have made it clear. The more time we get to spend with you during your visit, the BETTER as far as we are concerned. We will share you though (whether we like it or not.) We wouldn't want others to think that the Luthers are selfish. :)
    by carla_luther at 05/15/09 8:47AM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    Micah, were you just teasing the families here in Gettysburg? Are you really coming? Just sitting by the computer waiting for you to post...
    by 7laughinghardmans at 05/18/09 8:52PM
  • 7laughinghardmans
    tchardman@gmail.com
    by 7laughinghardmans at 05/21/09 11:35AM
  • jenniferlyn
    Hey, where are you going to school? So exciting!
    by jenniferlyn at 06/11/09 12:51PM
  • jenniferlyn
    Excellent, is that what I wrote the recomendation for? If you ever have any OT questions, you know where to go. So many places to chose from! It has been drastic going from school OT to Acute rehab. But I love the variety
    by jenniferlyn at 06/11/09 4:49PM
  • zigity
    Hey Micah!
    by zigity at 06/17/09 5:28PM