I found myself at the Eucharistic liturgy in an Episcopalian church. Somehow, the pew I was sitting in was uncomfortable so I crossed over the aisle and awkwardly climbed over a lady sitting at the end of the row. In doing so I missed what was going on at the altar. As a result I failed to receive Communion.

Later, I went to the sacristy in order to complain to the celebrant about the length of the service. I wanted to persuade him that it should have been considerably shorter. But he hardly paid any attention to me; instead he was caught up in conversation with a woman.

This vivid dream brings back traces of my ecclesiastical career. It also gives expression to my current impatience with long ceremonies, speeches, movies, and other such events. For me at this stage of life I prefer shorter rather than longer in almost everything. Even this blog.