I had a class in college that discussed how when most Americans see a undeveloped parcel of land, they see it as "vacant" or "useless". Only when we put something atop it or in it does it ascertain any level of value.
This weekend I was thinking about solitude and my day and how I do the same with time. Like how a time for meditation and/or solitude is seen as "vacant" unless I specifically schedule it, like the space between scheduled items is devoid of any worth. It is once again the difference between Kairos and Chronos; of the time in which to do and the time in which to simply be.
I need to spend more time in focused solitude, to be away from Chronos and live in Kairos, even if it takes a bit of my type-A scheduling self to get me there.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Lisa Loeb--I Get You.
Feliz New Years, my peoples!
Wow glad them holidays are over. Working retail makes me hate the holidays even more than I did previously. I'm thinking of getting "Bah Humbug" tattooed across my stomach like Tupac's "Thug Life". Are you picturing that?
Christmas with fam was great (even Hanukkah with my JoJ mom), low key as needed. I got the only two things I wanted this year: a sweet pair of Carhharts and Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" CD. Yes I am unashamed to say that I love Kelly Clarkson. She is my pop music pleasure. (To balance out that I got Calexico w/ Iron and Wine's "In the Reins" which I highly recommend). I own too much stuff, I was happy to have a less materialistic holiday.
So a few days after Christmas I developed a cough, that became a disgusting cough, that became a Oh-My-I-Can't-Breathe cough, so I gave up the ghost and went to the doctor for the first time in two years. And guess what: I got Whooping Cough. Normal people get bronchitis. I get the Whooping Cough. I myself thought that was eradicated in the 1860s, along with Scarlet Fever or Consumption or scurvy, but I guess I was wrong. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman told me so. And thus 4 prescriptions and $95 dollars later I was on the road to recovery (by way of a sinus infection). Now I've been consistently sick for two months. Cool. That's fun. New years on my couch w/Nathan and Neil, watching "The Graduate" because I was too sick to go anywhere. Cool.
Well it's official: today I finished the last major part of my bed. TA-DA! Everything is cut, pre-drilled, sanded, etc. Now comes the process of putting the entire structure together. Gulp. 2006: the year I stop sleeping on my floor. Woohoo!
Two weeks ago Amy Jones and I went to see Eddie From Ohio in concert at the Birchmere. The lead singer, Julie, has been in chemo for breast cancer and has lost all her hair. In support one of the guys shaved his head (Robbie was already bald so he couldn't help much). During the finale Julie ripped off her hat and wig and sang totally bald and I know it's cliche but it was empowering.
Yesterday I was flipping channels when I randomly came across Lisa Loeb's new show, "#1 Single" on E!. I hate reality television but I love this show. I mean who thought of giving Lisa Loeb her own show? Who has thought of Lisa Loeb recently anyway? I'm TiVoing all the episodes. Who wants to get into this show with me? You know you wanna...
Also, my little brother and his wife (giggle) are going to be on Montel Williams in February. I'm throwing a "Hey look my little brother's on Montel Williams" party. Details forthcoming.
Last thought: Two days ago I decided I really want a scruffy mutt of a dog and I want to name him Burt Reynolds. I think it's a perfect name for a mutt. I could say things like, "Burt Reynolds, stop marking your territory!" or "Burt Reynolds has to go in for his rabies shot today" and I feel confident its a joke I will find funny for YEARS.
Applying for a 12 month internship at Young Life's Windy Gap in Asheville, NC. I'll find out in June if I get it. Gulp.
Wow glad them holidays are over. Working retail makes me hate the holidays even more than I did previously. I'm thinking of getting "Bah Humbug" tattooed across my stomach like Tupac's "Thug Life". Are you picturing that?
Christmas with fam was great (even Hanukkah with my JoJ mom), low key as needed. I got the only two things I wanted this year: a sweet pair of Carhharts and Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" CD. Yes I am unashamed to say that I love Kelly Clarkson. She is my pop music pleasure. (To balance out that I got Calexico w/ Iron and Wine's "In the Reins" which I highly recommend). I own too much stuff, I was happy to have a less materialistic holiday.
So a few days after Christmas I developed a cough, that became a disgusting cough, that became a Oh-My-I-Can't-Breathe cough, so I gave up the ghost and went to the doctor for the first time in two years. And guess what: I got Whooping Cough. Normal people get bronchitis. I get the Whooping Cough. I myself thought that was eradicated in the 1860s, along with Scarlet Fever or Consumption or scurvy, but I guess I was wrong. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman told me so. And thus 4 prescriptions and $95 dollars later I was on the road to recovery (by way of a sinus infection). Now I've been consistently sick for two months. Cool. That's fun. New years on my couch w/Nathan and Neil, watching "The Graduate" because I was too sick to go anywhere. Cool.
Well it's official: today I finished the last major part of my bed. TA-DA! Everything is cut, pre-drilled, sanded, etc. Now comes the process of putting the entire structure together. Gulp. 2006: the year I stop sleeping on my floor. Woohoo!
Two weeks ago Amy Jones and I went to see Eddie From Ohio in concert at the Birchmere. The lead singer, Julie, has been in chemo for breast cancer and has lost all her hair. In support one of the guys shaved his head (Robbie was already bald so he couldn't help much). During the finale Julie ripped off her hat and wig and sang totally bald and I know it's cliche but it was empowering.
Yesterday I was flipping channels when I randomly came across Lisa Loeb's new show, "#1 Single" on E!. I hate reality television but I love this show. I mean who thought of giving Lisa Loeb her own show? Who has thought of Lisa Loeb recently anyway? I'm TiVoing all the episodes. Who wants to get into this show with me? You know you wanna...
Also, my little brother and his wife (giggle) are going to be on Montel Williams in February. I'm throwing a "Hey look my little brother's on Montel Williams" party. Details forthcoming.
Last thought: Two days ago I decided I really want a scruffy mutt of a dog and I want to name him Burt Reynolds. I think it's a perfect name for a mutt. I could say things like, "Burt Reynolds, stop marking your territory!" or "Burt Reynolds has to go in for his rabies shot today" and I feel confident its a joke I will find funny for YEARS.
Applying for a 12 month internship at Young Life's Windy Gap in Asheville, NC. I'll find out in June if I get it. Gulp.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Things That Make You Go Boom
Well look at you, loyal reader! You still check in, even though I have been kidnapped from the land of the Internet and placed smack dab into the world of only TiVo! But I can pause my TV, so I win...
Anyway, I can't possibly tell you what I've been doing for the past month or so (except Lost is on hiatus so I can speak to other people on Wednesdays now), so I thought I'd tell you a wee lil' story to hold you over.
And to those of you who read this whom I didn't know read this, welcome.
So as I said a while back, Dave, Shelby and I were to go scout this new cave for camp. [Scout: to go into a space or experience an activity firsthand, to be able to make a decision as to whether it is viable to take fat, spoiled 10-year-olds through it without them most likely killing themselves.] Well we went, searched around the woods for 45 minutes til we found the "40-foot climbable pit" that the description had mentioned. And this pit had HUGE IRON BARS ACROSS IT, signaling that maybe they don't want us going in there. It was over 70 outside and the three of us were sweating like stuck pigs, anxious to get into the cave so we could cool down (they are a constant 53 degrees in VA). We seriously considered it anyway, but they are building a new school right through the woods and them construction men in their helmets were staring at us in our helmets and chances are they would win in a fight. So we gave up, but did some very serious detective work and found out the owner of the cave (the county itself) and, three weeks later, go permission to go into said cave! Go us!
So last Thursday we once again loaded ourselves and our gear into their little green wagon and headed back down to the cave. To quote Starship, "Nothin's gonna stop us now....!" We got into our regalia and walked the 1/2 mile to the cave entrance. Mind you, this time it was 33 out and we were anxious to get in, just to warm up. Funny how perspective changes. The balmy nature of 53 degrees. So we set up the rope and Shelby climbs under the bars to head into the pit (two entrances inside the pit itself) when we see an old man walking through the woods from the school site toward us. "This is private property here," he says in his Shenandoah drawl. We tell him we have permission, and who gave it to us. We feel smug. Score point for us. "Oh...well...it's prolly not such a good i-dea to go in that there cave today," he tells us while scratching his head. We ask why. "Well...um...we're blasting over there today, and fer the next two weeks er so, so it's not really a good i-dea."
I'm sorry, did you just say blasting?
As in dynamite?
As in we are about to go into a cave next to or even under the spaces in which you are planning on dropping some TNT and, to use the venacular, blowing some shit up?
Right ok, sounds good.
So that hampered that plan just a lil'.
We still went into the pit, but only went about 50-100 feet into a 1,000 foot cave, being that's closer to where they were "fixing to do some blasting."
So to the cave #2 foiled...again.
Back in January.
Hopefully that trip will be fun, but not DYNO-MITE!
Ok that was bad, forgive me i've been rusty.
Viva La Vie Bohme, etc etc.
Took my little sister to get her Christmas tree/Hanukkah bush last week. Yeah you want that story don't cha.
Anyway, I can't possibly tell you what I've been doing for the past month or so (except Lost is on hiatus so I can speak to other people on Wednesdays now), so I thought I'd tell you a wee lil' story to hold you over.
And to those of you who read this whom I didn't know read this, welcome.
So as I said a while back, Dave, Shelby and I were to go scout this new cave for camp. [Scout: to go into a space or experience an activity firsthand, to be able to make a decision as to whether it is viable to take fat, spoiled 10-year-olds through it without them most likely killing themselves.] Well we went, searched around the woods for 45 minutes til we found the "40-foot climbable pit" that the description had mentioned. And this pit had HUGE IRON BARS ACROSS IT, signaling that maybe they don't want us going in there. It was over 70 outside and the three of us were sweating like stuck pigs, anxious to get into the cave so we could cool down (they are a constant 53 degrees in VA). We seriously considered it anyway, but they are building a new school right through the woods and them construction men in their helmets were staring at us in our helmets and chances are they would win in a fight. So we gave up, but did some very serious detective work and found out the owner of the cave (the county itself) and, three weeks later, go permission to go into said cave! Go us!
So last Thursday we once again loaded ourselves and our gear into their little green wagon and headed back down to the cave. To quote Starship, "Nothin's gonna stop us now....!" We got into our regalia and walked the 1/2 mile to the cave entrance. Mind you, this time it was 33 out and we were anxious to get in, just to warm up. Funny how perspective changes. The balmy nature of 53 degrees. So we set up the rope and Shelby climbs under the bars to head into the pit (two entrances inside the pit itself) when we see an old man walking through the woods from the school site toward us. "This is private property here," he says in his Shenandoah drawl. We tell him we have permission, and who gave it to us. We feel smug. Score point for us. "Oh...well...it's prolly not such a good i-dea to go in that there cave today," he tells us while scratching his head. We ask why. "Well...um...we're blasting over there today, and fer the next two weeks er so, so it's not really a good i-dea."
I'm sorry, did you just say blasting?
As in dynamite?
As in we are about to go into a cave next to or even under the spaces in which you are planning on dropping some TNT and, to use the venacular, blowing some shit up?
Right ok, sounds good.
So that hampered that plan just a lil'.
We still went into the pit, but only went about 50-100 feet into a 1,000 foot cave, being that's closer to where they were "fixing to do some blasting."
So to the cave #2 foiled...again.
Back in January.
Hopefully that trip will be fun, but not DYNO-MITE!
Ok that was bad, forgive me i've been rusty.
Viva La Vie Bohme, etc etc.
Took my little sister to get her Christmas tree/Hanukkah bush last week. Yeah you want that story don't cha.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Time for Excuses!
Why Its Taken Me Over Four Months to Build My Bed:
(1) I decided to do my dresser first. Can sleep on floor, can't keep clothes there. But since I finished the dresser I do keep clothes there...on the floor. And I sleep there. I fear gravity. Minus 1.5 months.
(2) Big fight with parents. Refuse to go over to house, even to work on bed. Minus 1 month.
(3) Crabfest. Lots of prep, food, cleanup. No time for sleep, less time for bed. Minus 3 weeks.
(4) Death Cold for Sniffles. Fear mono. Maybe typhoid. Maybe halatosis. Sitting up becomes Olympic sport. Minus 2 weeks.
(5) Fall Sweeps. I had to watch Lost Gilmore Girls study Grey's Anatomy. No TiVo at DDH. (You judge me for this, but remember, this is why I haven't finished building my bed. You build a bed too, then come judge me. Sinner.) Minus 2 weeks.
(6) This part is unexcusable. I was lazy for this week. I was probably eating whatever was already made and moving as little as possible. I'll call it my "Act like an elephant seal" week.
So that's my excuse, Professor. I worked on it today and can now build the two sides, which is huge. My goal is to refurbish my dresser, build my bed, move two times and write a short novel in a year. So far the only things left are to finish the bed and the book. It could happen.
I no longer have internet at the DDH (it's coming again soon I promise) so I have to travel to write this so I apologize for the lapses in posts. I'm not lazy...well yes, yes in fact I am.
My nephew was born today. My sister and brother-in-law clearly hate the child, for they named him Lucious Orrin. I shall always call him Luke. Luke is cute; he's 8lbs, 6 oz. Mom and baby are fine. In fact, she called me 45 minutes later to find out what I was doing for Thanksgiving and didn't even dwell on the fact that she'd just been in labor for seven hours. Like ya do.
Off to Syracuse this weekend for a Taps Week Reunion--first official one in way too long. Dylan is trying to figure out a way that Armagheddon could happen this weekend. It's a long story.
Tomorrow I'm scouting a new cave with Dave and Shelby. I'm pumped.
That's it from over here. And I went to the National Zoo last week. I love that zoo.
(1) I decided to do my dresser first. Can sleep on floor, can't keep clothes there. But since I finished the dresser I do keep clothes there...on the floor. And I sleep there. I fear gravity. Minus 1.5 months.
(2) Big fight with parents. Refuse to go over to house, even to work on bed. Minus 1 month.
(3) Crabfest. Lots of prep, food, cleanup. No time for sleep, less time for bed. Minus 3 weeks.
(4) Death Cold for Sniffles. Fear mono. Maybe typhoid. Maybe halatosis. Sitting up becomes Olympic sport. Minus 2 weeks.
(5) Fall Sweeps. I had to watch Lost Gilmore Girls study Grey's Anatomy. No TiVo at DDH. (You judge me for this, but remember, this is why I haven't finished building my bed. You build a bed too, then come judge me. Sinner.) Minus 2 weeks.
(6) This part is unexcusable. I was lazy for this week. I was probably eating whatever was already made and moving as little as possible. I'll call it my "Act like an elephant seal" week.
So that's my excuse, Professor. I worked on it today and can now build the two sides, which is huge. My goal is to refurbish my dresser, build my bed, move two times and write a short novel in a year. So far the only things left are to finish the bed and the book. It could happen.
I no longer have internet at the DDH (it's coming again soon I promise) so I have to travel to write this so I apologize for the lapses in posts. I'm not lazy...well yes, yes in fact I am.
My nephew was born today. My sister and brother-in-law clearly hate the child, for they named him Lucious Orrin. I shall always call him Luke. Luke is cute; he's 8lbs, 6 oz. Mom and baby are fine. In fact, she called me 45 minutes later to find out what I was doing for Thanksgiving and didn't even dwell on the fact that she'd just been in labor for seven hours. Like ya do.
Off to Syracuse this weekend for a Taps Week Reunion--first official one in way too long. Dylan is trying to figure out a way that Armagheddon could happen this weekend. It's a long story.
Tomorrow I'm scouting a new cave with Dave and Shelby. I'm pumped.
That's it from over here. And I went to the National Zoo last week. I love that zoo.
Friday, November 4, 2005
Awkward Baby Years
LISTAS!
-Conclusion by consensus was a bust. All of you are fired.
- Dolly Parton's cover of "Stairway to Heaven" may be the best cover ever recorded, short of Johnny Cash's "Hurt". But still, it's great.
-Saw "Crash" this week and I agree with Em when she said it was one of the best movies she has ever seen. Watch this movie.
-Actually, I watched a lot of movies this week: "Crash", "Phantom of the Opera", "Batman Begins" (w/Hatch and HollaBack) and "Being Julia", and that's just because I have a crush on Annette Bening.
- November is National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo for those in the know). I started my novel. It's kinda boring so far. Hopefully I figure out how to not make it totally suck.
-I used to think that Angelina Jolie was the key to world peace, because I have yet to meet a person who wouldn't make out with her given the chance, and that common ground is a great place to start on the road to peace. Now I'm thinking the key to world peace may be Jenny Steele, because I have yet to meet a person who has met Jenny Steele who doesn't immediately form a crush on her. If you met her, you'd form a crush too.
-Stopped by my father's house yesterday and he had out boxes of old slides. I saw pictures from my childhood that I've never seen. Two things: (1) I had a huge, abnormally bald head as a baby and ears that stuck out and made me look like a wing-nut. But I was a damn cute toddler. So there, awkward baby years! (2) In those early photos, my dad looks like he loves my mom. That's the first I've ever seen a photo that would even suggest that. It calmed something in me, knowing that it really wasn't always bad.
-We got a box of skinny ties in at work and I thought, "Dear God, the 80s really are coming back..." and I got a bit frightened.
-Got rear-ended on Tuesday by the man who deserves the "Most Enjoyable Person to Rear-End You" award. Like I called him today with the estimate and he just cut me a check and that's that. No dealing with insurance, no premium raises, nuthin'.
-Leaving for Rockbridge Fall Weekend to polish my work crew skills in the kitchen and on ropes. yay!
-I didn't get to dress up for halloween this year. I am old. I even had a costume.
-Conclusion by consensus was a bust. All of you are fired.
- Dolly Parton's cover of "Stairway to Heaven" may be the best cover ever recorded, short of Johnny Cash's "Hurt". But still, it's great.
-Saw "Crash" this week and I agree with Em when she said it was one of the best movies she has ever seen. Watch this movie.
-Actually, I watched a lot of movies this week: "Crash", "Phantom of the Opera", "Batman Begins" (w/Hatch and HollaBack) and "Being Julia", and that's just because I have a crush on Annette Bening.
- November is National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo for those in the know). I started my novel. It's kinda boring so far. Hopefully I figure out how to not make it totally suck.
-I used to think that Angelina Jolie was the key to world peace, because I have yet to meet a person who wouldn't make out with her given the chance, and that common ground is a great place to start on the road to peace. Now I'm thinking the key to world peace may be Jenny Steele, because I have yet to meet a person who has met Jenny Steele who doesn't immediately form a crush on her. If you met her, you'd form a crush too.
-Stopped by my father's house yesterday and he had out boxes of old slides. I saw pictures from my childhood that I've never seen. Two things: (1) I had a huge, abnormally bald head as a baby and ears that stuck out and made me look like a wing-nut. But I was a damn cute toddler. So there, awkward baby years! (2) In those early photos, my dad looks like he loves my mom. That's the first I've ever seen a photo that would even suggest that. It calmed something in me, knowing that it really wasn't always bad.
-We got a box of skinny ties in at work and I thought, "Dear God, the 80s really are coming back..." and I got a bit frightened.
-Got rear-ended on Tuesday by the man who deserves the "Most Enjoyable Person to Rear-End You" award. Like I called him today with the estimate and he just cut me a check and that's that. No dealing with insurance, no premium raises, nuthin'.
-Leaving for Rockbridge Fall Weekend to polish my work crew skills in the kitchen and on ropes. yay!
-I didn't get to dress up for halloween this year. I am old. I even had a costume.
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