6.30.2005
Sorrow and pain, two things that we as humans try to avoid most. In Gilead, Reverend Ames is musing on his approaching death and passing into heaven. "Sorrow seems to me to be a great part of the substance of human life" (104). Without experiencing pain, would we be human? Would we grow? Many like to blame God for the pain and suffering in the world, at least in western thought, but should it be otherwise? Perhaps we should be thanking Him.
6.28.2005
Moon Passages
"...And this is something I remember very well. At first I thought I saw the sun setting in the east; I knew where east was, because the sun was just over the horizon when we got there that morning. Then I realized that what I saw was a full moon rising just as the sun was going down. Each of them was standing on its edge, with the most wonderful light between them. It seemed as if you could touch it, as if there were palpable currents of light passing back and forth , or as if there were great taut skeins of light suspended between them. I wanted my father to see it, but I knew I'd have to startle him out of his prayer, and I wanted to do it the best way, so I took his hand and kissed it. And then I said, 'Look at the moon.' And he did. We just stood there until the sun was down and the moon was up. They seemed to float on the horizon for quite a long time. I suppose because they were both so bright you couldn't get a clear look at them. And that grave, and my father and I, were exactly between them, which seemed amazing to me at the time...
--Gilead; by Marilynne Robinson (14-15).
"...And this is something I remember very well. At first I thought I saw the sun setting in the east; I knew where east was, because the sun was just over the horizon when we got there that morning. Then I realized that what I saw was a full moon rising just as the sun was going down. Each of them was standing on its edge, with the most wonderful light between them. It seemed as if you could touch it, as if there were palpable currents of light passing back and forth , or as if there were great taut skeins of light suspended between them. I wanted my father to see it, but I knew I'd have to startle him out of his prayer, and I wanted to do it the best way, so I took his hand and kissed it. And then I said, 'Look at the moon.' And he did. We just stood there until the sun was down and the moon was up. They seemed to float on the horizon for quite a long time. I suppose because they were both so bright you couldn't get a clear look at them. And that grave, and my father and I, were exactly between them, which seemed amazing to me at the time...
--Gilead; by Marilynne Robinson (14-15).
Communion
I was reminded a couple of nights ago of the power of simply enjoying the moment. As some friends from Switzerland were visiting during their 'tour' of the US, we had a little get-together. Mr. Bradford made his famous pizza. We sat, 13 of us, around the table, eating, drinking wine, laughing and enjoying each other. It felt so right, so normal. There is that something about eating together. A communion. An old movie called "Babette's Feast" is about that very thing. Its eclectic and odd, but definitely worth sitting through. Watch to the end, just forget the fish.
I was reminded a couple of nights ago of the power of simply enjoying the moment. As some friends from Switzerland were visiting during their 'tour' of the US, we had a little get-together. Mr. Bradford made his famous pizza. We sat, 13 of us, around the table, eating, drinking wine, laughing and enjoying each other. It felt so right, so normal. There is that something about eating together. A communion. An old movie called "Babette's Feast" is about that very thing. Its eclectic and odd, but definitely worth sitting through. Watch to the end, just forget the fish.
6.24.2005
Top Ten (Fiction Books)
1. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Probably the best book written in the late 20th century.
2. 'Til We Have Faces, C.S. Lewis
Truly his best.
3. Lilith, George MacDonald
Absolute Wonder.
4. Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien
I've read this way too many times...
5. The Brothers K, David James Duncan
Any book that can make me laugh uncontrollably and cry (that gut-wrenching kind) deserves a spot and when it's also written well--it makes the top five.
6. Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
Pure Enjoyment.
7. Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
A book of hope. It's more than just a kid's story.
8. Les Miserables, Victor Hugo
It's all about grace, and who can resist a story about second chances?
9. Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas
I fell in love with this at 15 and it's still got me.
10.Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Just read it.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Probably the best book written in the late 20th century.
2. 'Til We Have Faces, C.S. Lewis
Truly his best.
3. Lilith, George MacDonald
Absolute Wonder.
4. Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien
I've read this way too many times...
5. The Brothers K, David James Duncan
Any book that can make me laugh uncontrollably and cry (that gut-wrenching kind) deserves a spot and when it's also written well--it makes the top five.
6. Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
Pure Enjoyment.
7. Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
A book of hope. It's more than just a kid's story.
8. Les Miserables, Victor Hugo
It's all about grace, and who can resist a story about second chances?
9. Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas
I fell in love with this at 15 and it's still got me.
10.Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Just read it.
I tend to drag my feet when it comes to technology, especially with photography. I haven't always liked digital cameras, especially camera phones. I have always held that film will always be better than digital. However, when I see what they are up to at the Gigapxl project, I may have to rethink my stance. The photographs are absolutely amazing, especially the amount of detail they are able to capture.
6.22.2005
New York City
I have been told lately by two friends of a store in New York City that sells Hershey's Chocolate. I suppose that because of my recent travels to Switzerland, I now have this aversion to the taste of Hershey's, but it still makes good chocolate milk. I do not think New York is the place for chocolate or salsa, but I would do just about anything to visit Manhattan.
I have been told lately by two friends of a store in New York City that sells Hershey's Chocolate. I suppose that because of my recent travels to Switzerland, I now have this aversion to the taste of Hershey's, but it still makes good chocolate milk. I do not think New York is the place for chocolate or salsa, but I would do just about anything to visit Manhattan.
6.16.2005
Activism
What defines whether or not a person is an activist? Is it political leanings of ideals, passion and zeal about a subject, attending protest rallies, lobbying in the legislature? Activism is usually associated with leftist paradigms. Activists are seen to tie themselves to old growth trees, swim in front of whaler boats, march in gay-rights parades, attend protest rallies against the war in Iraq. Can a person even be an activist with conservative ideals? Can I have passion against the killing of the unborn, stand for the sanctity of marriage between an man and woman, and embrace patriotism while supporting our President and the men and women in military service in Iraq? I don't think the media would portray me that way. From that description of myself, some would call me a fundamentalist Christian. How can a extremist right wing conservative ever be considered an activist?
What defines whether or not a person is an activist? Is it political leanings of ideals, passion and zeal about a subject, attending protest rallies, lobbying in the legislature? Activism is usually associated with leftist paradigms. Activists are seen to tie themselves to old growth trees, swim in front of whaler boats, march in gay-rights parades, attend protest rallies against the war in Iraq. Can a person even be an activist with conservative ideals? Can I have passion against the killing of the unborn, stand for the sanctity of marriage between an man and woman, and embrace patriotism while supporting our President and the men and women in military service in Iraq? I don't think the media would portray me that way. From that description of myself, some would call me a fundamentalist Christian. How can a extremist right wing conservative ever be considered an activist?
6.15.2005
I'm reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It's a little like Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker. The author puts layer upon layer into the story, so at times you aren't sure which way you are reading, forwards or backwards. A novel written about an editor who is editing a "paper" written by an old man about a movie made by a photographer who filmed his house...complete with Introduction, Footnotes, (including footnotes on footnotes) Appendices and Index. So far its still "got" me, but chapter V is a bit tough--all that latin and quoting on quotes. Thomas told me that it's not his fault if I have a few sleepless nights...
UPDATE:
I paused in my reading of this when the "house" devoured a person...
6.09.2005
Simplicity
When I get flustered or worried about circumstances, it usually comes out of discontentment. Adventure and excitement are two of my favorite things in life, so the everyday can be unappealing. The everyday. How can that be defined? The everyday is different for each person, but there is a common experience with the everyday that we share with other people in our community, society and culture. It suggests repitition and sameness. There are cycles associated with the everyday. Wake up, shower, eat, drink coffee, drive to work, work, drive home, eat, go to sleep. And each day it is the same. We all have our typical stops during our day, the grocery store, the bank, the gas station, and if you live in Seattle, the espresso stand or Starbucks.
I desire simplicity in life. Everyday life is simple. Then why do I dislike it? Why am I discontent with it? I'd rather be uncomplicated than complicated. Complications are always confusing. Adventure is confusing and complicated. There may be some kind of a "rush" connected to Adventure, but I really couldn't sustain that for a long period of time.
Living a simple, peaceful commonplace life must be a choice. A choice to see the adventure in the small things each day. To notice the way the flowers grow toward the sun, to watch the change of light throughout the day, to enjoy the uniqueness of people I meet throughout the day. Contentment is really the opposite of negativity. When I am critical and negative, I cannot find anything enjoyable about my day and the people in it, but when I choose contentment, I find that people are so beautiful and i find wonder.
There is always wonder.
1 : the state of being simple , uncomplicated, or uncompounded2 a : lack of subtlety or penetration : INNOCENCE, NAIVETé b : SILLINESS 3 : freedom from pretense or guile : CANDOR 4 a : directness of expression : CLARITY b : restraint in ornamentation : AUSTERITY Merriam-Webster Dictionary
When I get flustered or worried about circumstances, it usually comes out of discontentment. Adventure and excitement are two of my favorite things in life, so the everyday can be unappealing. The everyday. How can that be defined? The everyday is different for each person, but there is a common experience with the everyday that we share with other people in our community, society and culture. It suggests repitition and sameness. There are cycles associated with the everyday. Wake up, shower, eat, drink coffee, drive to work, work, drive home, eat, go to sleep. And each day it is the same. We all have our typical stops during our day, the grocery store, the bank, the gas station, and if you live in Seattle, the espresso stand or Starbucks.
I desire simplicity in life. Everyday life is simple. Then why do I dislike it? Why am I discontent with it? I'd rather be uncomplicated than complicated. Complications are always confusing. Adventure is confusing and complicated. There may be some kind of a "rush" connected to Adventure, but I really couldn't sustain that for a long period of time.
Living a simple, peaceful commonplace life must be a choice. A choice to see the adventure in the small things each day. To notice the way the flowers grow toward the sun, to watch the change of light throughout the day, to enjoy the uniqueness of people I meet throughout the day. Contentment is really the opposite of negativity. When I am critical and negative, I cannot find anything enjoyable about my day and the people in it, but when I choose contentment, I find that people are so beautiful and i find wonder.
There is always wonder.
6.08.2005
Some days I doubt my love
For you. Love seems the furthest
From all the pieces of my life.
I’d rather pull a book
from the shelf and find comfort
in pages. I wish for solitude and silence.
When I wait for your letters or
A phone call,
The far away part of loving
Is easier than when you’re right
There waiting when I wake up
In the morning.
Somehow I feel closer to you, when
You’re the furthest from me—I dream
Of walking into the stars
On the nights when the clarity of their lights
Confirm your absence.
In the moments of darkness, I find
That knowing that I love you
Without reassurance of a return
Is the most beautiful thing I know.
Sometimes I doubt I even love you. Or ever did.
I run from you, knowing you will catch me.
Will I ever stop and rest and listen and rest?
I’d rather wait for you—than you for me.
For you. Love seems the furthest
From all the pieces of my life.
I’d rather pull a book
from the shelf and find comfort
in pages. I wish for solitude and silence.
When I wait for your letters or
A phone call,
The far away part of loving
Is easier than when you’re right
There waiting when I wake up
In the morning.
Somehow I feel closer to you, when
You’re the furthest from me—I dream
Of walking into the stars
On the nights when the clarity of their lights
Confirm your absence.
In the moments of darkness, I find
That knowing that I love you
Without reassurance of a return
Is the most beautiful thing I know.
Sometimes I doubt I even love you. Or ever did.
I run from you, knowing you will catch me.
Will I ever stop and rest and listen and rest?
I’d rather wait for you—than you for me.
6.03.2005
Remember, please?
"..As September 11 fades in the memory, too many Americans feel that it is time to let bygones be bygones. Some now consider Islamic fascism and its method of terror a “nuisance” that will go away if we just come home. We are a society where many of our elite believe the killer bin Laden is less of a threat than the elected George Bush. Al Qaeda keeps promising to kill us all; meanwhile Ralph Nader wants the wartime president impeached for misuse of failed intelligence..."
--from Our StrangeWar, by Victor Davis Hanson
I know that i many times forget 9/11. I forget how I felt as i sat, stunned, in traffic listening to the radio. I forget what it was like to come into work and see the images of towers falling and burning on the internet. The prayer meetings, the candle and flag memorials at Seattle Center and Alkai beach are long gone...So quickly do we drop back into Isolationism.
"..As September 11 fades in the memory, too many Americans feel that it is time to let bygones be bygones. Some now consider Islamic fascism and its method of terror a “nuisance” that will go away if we just come home. We are a society where many of our elite believe the killer bin Laden is less of a threat than the elected George Bush. Al Qaeda keeps promising to kill us all; meanwhile Ralph Nader wants the wartime president impeached for misuse of failed intelligence..."
--from Our StrangeWar, by Victor Davis Hanson
I know that i many times forget 9/11. I forget how I felt as i sat, stunned, in traffic listening to the radio. I forget what it was like to come into work and see the images of towers falling and burning on the internet. The prayer meetings, the candle and flag memorials at Seattle Center and Alkai beach are long gone...So quickly do we drop back into Isolationism.
Yet another reason to stop eating Fast Food.
...Different odors affect the way motorists drive, with fast food scents likely to increase road rage potential and other smells -- like peppermint -- deemed to improve concentration...
from "Oddly Enough"
...Different odors affect the way motorists drive, with fast food scents likely to increase road rage potential and other smells -- like peppermint -- deemed to improve concentration...
from "Oddly Enough"
...one of the strongest motives that lead men to art and science is escape from everyday life with its painful crudity and hopeless dreariness, from the fetters of one's own ever-shifting desires. A finely tempered nature longs to escape from the personal life into the world of objective perception and thought.
--Albert Einstein
--Albert Einstein
6.01.2005
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