12.27.2005

Bradenton Florida

Hey guys, I made it to FL safely. We surprised my grandma and it was so much fun.

Rollercoasters tomorrow, shopping thursday, and the big birthday party for grandma on Friday.

Home Saturday afternoon/evening.

Love.

12.25.2005

That's what I do.

"Go join The Polyphonic Spree, you freak."
"Bring on the imperialistic condiments!"




The day has been good.

12.24.2005

Behold

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12.22.2005

Ever feel like you're living a 9th grade reading requirement?

Everyday on my icy drive to and from work I pass the same houses in the same neighborhood. Tuesday, I was excitedly turning left on a usual street on my way home when I noticed a flock of creepy black birds fly up in unison and perch perfectly on top the corner house blue. Had they voices I could understand, I am sure they would have said something announcing my presence on their territory--their turf. The once normal corner house blue now took on a Victorian appearance, as for the first time I noticed the ornate details of the roof and the stateliness of the property.

It wasn't broken down or anything, but I'm pretty sure Boo Radley lives there.

Obstacles

"I'm quite fond of walking," but a transit strike? My sympathies, New York.

12.20.2005

A Bloody Awesome Time

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE THURSDAY DECEMBER 22ND 1-7PM

If you are able to give blood, thereby saving up to three lives, please come to the Orange Township Hall this Thursday and give blood.

Among the many awesome people I know, these are some who have come to give in past months:

Kim
Michelle
Austin
Jeremy

You should probably add yourself to that list. Wouldn't be a nice honor?

Anyway, my mom and I work there and my aunt Kathy runs it. Tomorrow I'm baking cookies and brownies for it. We also usually have lots of candy bars and more recently, panera bagels. I can't promise those last ones, because they are donated when we have them, but hopefully they will be there. If cookies aren't a good incentive, I don't know what is.

Call me for good directions, as Kim's Mapquest ones failed her last time.

12.18.2005

"I hope this cassette makes you want me."

Two weeks ago two small groups combined to form the coolest group.

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You probably think they're laughing hysterically. I think otherwise because I was behind the scenes.

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On 'Underwraps" night, this poster was in a children's classroom that was being used as the coat room. This boy is almost as cute as the "Snack Attack" boy at Target. Look at that face.

“God knows everything about everything and everyone. His eyes race back and forth across the cosmos faster than we can scan the words on this page. There is not a bird flying through the air or perched on a branch that escapes His field of vision.”
Louie Giglio, "I am not..." 49-50
I like this particular illustration of how big God is and how tiny we are. Perspective.

I believe this week I'm living at my parents' house. I was unable to make the move today because I had so many things to do. I believe after work tomorrow I'll just pack my things up. I didn't get my recycling to my house tonight. That's a little bit of a bummer because when I take it home it will crowd up my parents'. Wow. I seriously have recycling troubles. That's a whole new nerd level. Hmm, interesting.

I really enjoyed the Christmas activities tonight at Cross Trainers. The gift delivering was fun. The boys thought of leaving snow angels in one of the lawns we were leaving things at, I just loved that. One should take every opportunity possible to make snow angels, regardless of location. Should I retract that last statement? After I typed it a list of "where you shouldn't make snow angels" popped into my head. Let's see; gas stations, barns, ..., okay I guess that's all I've got. I met six-ish new people and three of them were related to Andrew T. and one was Andrew T. (Testaguzza? That's the only attempt I've got at his last name.) My point is, I didn't realize they were related until we were playing a game and they were relating it to "Mom cooks this a lot" and other such family things. It's weird to find out that like 2/3 of the game participants are brother/sister, brother/brother, cousins all over. We played Taboo, a game I've never played until tonight, and my team lost. We were close though, let me tell you. I'll go ahead and take the fall because it was my first time.

I'm pretty sure that schools should use that game as a vocabulary expander. Seriously, even a brainstorming, thinking, word sorting activity. It requires a lot of thought and could probably be a useful technique for when you need to write something you can't think of how to articulate. Probably even more useful for just pure synonyms. Humor me, I think it would be a fun way to get kids thinking.

"I command my fingers to dance, make me sweet melodies..." Josh Holthus.

On Friday I went to the Chiller North with Jackie. Wow, it's ridiculous how therapeutic skating is for me. Sometimes I miss it so much, you know. I don't do it often enough. I've given up on any jumps other than like... salchows, toe loops, and waltzes, if those even count (all halves or singles, of course). Those are even done very poorly. That's okay, though. Just being there was so peaceful.

Jackie and I had some really good conversations about growing up, and the desire to be poor. Haha, I'm sure we'll get what's coming to us. Really though, doesn't being poor just sound like such a learning experience? I know that probably sounds really ignorant to the hardships and trials impoverished people have to face, but I just think it would probably clear an individual's head a lot. That's why doing anything other than pulling an undercover Ehrenreich would only be so interesting providing that one has got some major life and moral decisions under control. Still though, there is something poetic about not having a lot. Simplifying things.

My jeans are wet. This is not a complaint, a mere observation, or rather, a confusing conclusion. Why are my jeans wet? Because I've neglected to change even though the hems are seven inches in what was snow. That sure is smart.

My aunt Joy's present is all done with! It turned out even better than I thought it would, and the thought of keeping it crossed my mind. What a funny, selfish thought. I simply cannot wait for her to open it.

Mom got her radiographer's license!

I'm just very proud of her. I feel like I'm her mom or something. She studied so hard. She earned it.

"Christians love talking about being a servant until someone treats them like one."
I think that's thought-provoking and a good wake up call of sorts.


"But meals were nicer; and as for sweets, I won't tell you how cheap and good they were, because it would only make your mouth water in vain." CSL
I don't generally enjoy sugar cookies and tonight I had one I liked.

Please pray for the family of a boy I grew up in Annehurst with. It's been a rough week. After being put into a coma by a bad car accident, he died. What else do you say. The memories race back and you can't stop them, they just keep coming.

12.14.2005

Do I take a walk to the wpl now or tomorrow?

Bee Season is good.

Sorry, Alan, I haven't picked up The Goal yet, but fear not for I will get it soon.

Since Coldplay isn't coming to columbus, we should probably go see them in Cleveland in March. I'm aware that there isn't a great amount of people who read this but if you do, and are in favor of my plan, consider commenting!


EDIT:

I walked to the wpl today, and The Goal is now in my possession.

12.12.2005

Chris' view

My brother watched the Jackets beat Jersey last night sixth row center ice.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sergei Fedorov:

Commenting on last night's game winning overtime goal…

"I saw someone skating 100 hundred miles an hour over my shoulder and it's a no brainer to give it to him (Berard). Bryan cut the corner and made a great play by putting the puck in the net. It was pretty to watch and it was a good feeling to be out there. We have to keep playing and making these kinds of plays. I'm glad we are able to keep playing and finding that edge. It's good to finish a game on the right note."

12.11.2005

(as there often is on the inside of a cupboard door)

I love that when you enter Blogger to post, it displays an ever changing list of just-updated blogs. The best part of this feature is that it shows blogs of all languages. When I just entered Blogger, a Hebrew blog had been updated and it looked pretty goofy. By goofy I mean, it [obviously] didn't look English. I just always think Hebrew looks goofy. I'm sure they feel the same of the English alphabet.

Once I can find a time block I'm going to be posting about two books I've just recently read. I'm a quote fiend, so any response I have will most likely be chalk full of my favorite collections of beautiful words sewn together.

I am looking to do a photo update soon. I haven't posted photos in awhile and I have many.

Last night before I went to bed, I put my curtains [or rather, strange, white, shade things? The kind I had when I was five...] up and watched the snow fall onto Main St. I love my room and I love that I face Main St. Looking out my window at night the Christmas lighted facades seem there for only my enjoyment. Rarely are there cars on Main St. at night, and since I face businesses that are closed until the next morning I bask in a rather un-traditional display of blue Christmas lights alone. I left my [curtains] up and when I awoke this morning I peered out onto the street into more snow. The delight discovered in both falling asleep and waking up to falling snow is immeasurably peaceful.

Christmas program tonight again with Kim. I hope to see you there.

[Oh, and, Sigur Ros is coming in Feb.?]

"Then his face went the wrong sort of shape as it does if you're trying to keep back your tears."

12.07.2005

Not your typical winter wonderland

You might not know it, but when it snows in the Meijer parking lot, it's the prettiest thing. All those parking lot lights illuminating the descent. Let me tell you.

"The snow is coming down in the most beautiful of ways. It's like nothings else, for when it falls, it doesn't yap and scream to signal it's arrival. It falls without making a peep."
Kyle Lake

12.05.2005

USNews.com

"To the self-deprecating, 46-year-old Farmer, it's only a modest start. 'A small group of British abolitionists in the [19th] century began a movement that said, "Slavery is wrong, and we're going to change it." And they did,' he says. 'I believe we can convince people that it's wrong for the destitute sick of the world to die unattended. We can change that, too."

"'We've proven that people in poor settings with very complex diseases can be treated and cured,' Farmer says, but he is far from satisfied. 'We've had some victories,' he says. 'But if I were truly influential, everyon ein the world would have the right to heathcare, food, clean water, other basics. That's the goal.'"

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051031/31farmer.htm

12.04.2005

"Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy..."

I saw Pride and Prejudice again today.

"I could more easily forgive his vanity had he not wounded mine."


If you need someone to see it with, call me.

12.02.2005

Don't leave popping popcorn unattended.

I have these medicine strips in my sockets, Dr. Kaye put them there. These strips make everything I eat taste like them.

And the thing is, if I were to ever eat henna, I'm pretty sure this is what it would taste like.

When he put them in, the first thing I thought of was my henna kit. So basically that's how I'm chalking these up to tasting like henna. Don't go thinking I lick tattoos or anything.

Pride and Prejudice tonight with Kim, Kelly, and Mashel! I've never read the book but I'm sure a fan of the miniseries. Ya know, the Colin Firth one. Betsy Young knew which one that was. Did you know I watched all 8ish hours of it last Valentines Day with Mashel? Yeah, I did.

Gotta go eat henna tasting things and rock Underwraps.

[Post film-viewing edit:

Oh, Mr. Darcy. ]