A Little Thinking

Starting Today

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:33:50 GMT

Please go to http://mayiwrite.com/

Thanks so much for sticking around; I always appreciate the feedback.
Thanks for not being too bored. Thanks, LJ, for a great five years.

loves!

Today

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:19:06 GMT

Happy 4th of July!

More Live Music?

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:11:12 GMT

More live music.

More Thoughts Today

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:12:18 GMT

Seminary
and
Starbucks

Out to Lunch

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:24:28 GMT

A glimpse into Middle Eastern fare

Tired for a Monday

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:10:13 GMT

Wanting to shoot, wanting to link

One more week until I'm solely live on maywrite.com

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:35:01 GMT

Another couple of entries for today

Odd Consciousness

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:44:21 GMT

Juxtaposition

Listen, Here

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:28:04 GMT

Live music so far

Another List

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:22:00 GMT

This past month

Conflict Resolution

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:53:58 GMT

Ramble and song

Just Talking

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:44:21 GMT

Some stuff I've learned.

Going on Five Years?

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:51:21 GMT

Commenter Spotlight #kc0624

A Couple

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:39:05 GMT

Blurry Weekend

I'm Easy

The Cheese Kind

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:22:06 GMT

A brief recap of the Danish summer kickoff party

Walking on Sunshine, Splashing in the Puddles My Tears Made

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:34:04 GMT

Solstice

110m

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:05:48 GMT

Hurdles

I Want A Nintendo Wii!

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:01:40 GMT

I can't help it. It's probably the only real, current bandwagon I'll jump onto, but I played for the first time in Charlotte, North Carolina. We played the Olympics one. We played the table tennis event. In real life I'd never be as good at ping-pong as I am on Wii. I was winning 10 to 5, one more point to take the game. And then what happened? I choked. I lost. It was Olympics drama at its best.

I want that feeling back. I've lost that Wii-ing feeling, people, and now it's gone, gone, gone. Whoa, whoa, oh. I've been searching different stores online for prices and availability, and I really can't afford a Wii right now, and I would hate to go into debt to get one. So, this is a petition, dear Internet. Please get me a Wii. I know you wouldn't want me to charge it on a credit card, and I know you'd want me to take the gold medal from my formidable opponent. In the spirit of the Olympics, and because you love me, would you please, please, please get me a Wii. I'm sure it would also help me finish my degree and improve my writing, as well as my coordination and dexterity.

VH1's 100 Top Songs of the 80s is on. Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" just played. That takes me back to slumber parties with one of my best friends in Key West, Kathy Bruening. I was 9, she was 10. We'd turn on Cyndi up to full-blast and keep the night lights on for effect and hold our hairbrush microphones and stand on the bed and lip sync with such passion and sass for our adoring fans.

Sometimes I think I could still do that. I think I still do that. It's embarrassing and should be outlawed and enforced immediately. That's why I need a Wii.

Rambling Economy

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:15:00 GMT

I appreciate capitalism. I'm all for giving to and taking from a dynamic economy. I understand the need for competition and how that affects supply and demand. I get the pretty delicate balance of keeping ahead of the competition while not monopolizing the market. The consumer appreciates cost-cutting methods; everyone likes to save money. What I don't quite understand is how huge merchandisers can cut costs and attract consumers and bring in oodles of revenue, and yet, their employees are paid so little they can't even afford the products in the stores where they work.

I like the little guy. The underdog. I like local markets and mom-and-pop shops. Everyone needs a shot at making it where his passions are. I mean, we've seen it get to where the corporations steamroll small business, and those who have been pummeled just brush it off and swallow their pride and end up working for the corporations. Often they end up making more than they would running their own businesses. And that's okay if they've accepted the untimeliness of their ventures.

The overpowering of smaller businesses is not cool. Seeing them thrive, observing their quirks and quaintnesses and giving personal and sincere attention warms my heart. Nothing would seem to be more gratifying than providing a service or product that people like and keep coming back to. It seems less distant, more genuine. I have a few friends that have gone into business together: web design, programming, marketing and consulting. The three of them make a pretty good team. They are competing against not only many other small businesses, but the giants with hundreds or thousands of employees.

How is what my friends offer any different or better than anyone else? How long will they last? Can they keep up? Capitalism brings in a number of variables and not a whole lot of guarantees. The beauty of capitalism is not one company's total domination over its competition, it's the opportunity to give it a go, knowing you have to start up just like hundreds of thousands of others trying to do the same thing. It's the swim upstream, it's negotiating position in an unsteady economy, it's doing what you love first and then if it happens to generate income, that's a bonus.

And that's where I'm torn regarding the Democratic party. We live in a republic and by definition, the people rule. And right now, and lot of people want to see the government take control of healthcare and upper tax brackets. They want to see a more even playing field. That's fair, but I don't think it's wise to expect or demand anything too drastic. I don't think the people are prepared for that. I've forgotten nearly everything I learned in high school economics to give a rational explanation why leaning toward higher taxes or bigger tax cuts would not be a good idea. And yet, I can't ignore the current state of the economy. I don't know if I can jump on the opposing party's bandwagon and call that being part of the solution, just because the current party in office seems to be a big part of the problem. There has to be more to it than that.

Our capitalism might be a little bit broken right now; it might be tainted and need to be sent through the wringer, but it does work.

Once I become a citizen of this country, I'm gonna have to register as an Independent, because the bipartisan system we have right now isn't being all that clear for me on either side. While I tend to lean left on a lot of issues, I don't know where I lean on others. I'm scared to lean. Sometimes I feel I'd rather hide.

Guessing

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:06:37 GMT

Guess who went to Bryant Park after work today.
Guess who just missed the rain to listen to Meg Hutchinson perform.
Guess who stayed afterward to participate in a discussion with Meg. With three other fans.
Guess who was shocked that only three people stuck around.
Guess who described her first ever gig at a dive bar at Thursday dart-nights.
Guess who sat a foot away from Meg while she discussed her songwriting process.
Guess who asked Meg where her melodies come in her songwriting process.
Guess who heard Meg say that the music comes early on with the lyrics.
Guess who told Meg, with hand gestures and everything, that she couldn't imagine separating the lyrics from her music, because they're so well-meshed.
Guess whom Meg thanked and told that was a good thing to know.
Guess who asked Meg when she knew that songwriting was something she'd be passionate about.
Guess who described how she inherited her grandmother's guitar and wrote a song for a junior-high talent show and after performing left the stage in tears having realized that songwriting would be her career.
Guess who talked about the importance of choosing your record company and teammates carefully, because this is your career; this is your life.
Guess who asked Meg if she has whole songs she's discarded or thrown away.
Guess what Meg said. Guess who said she has a song junkyard of discarded songs, and she'd revisit pieces of old songs and sometimes create new songs from them. Guess who said only about a third of her songs don't make it to the junkyard.
Guess who said her writing all starts with capturing images, like a photographer, just getting out and seeing the world, working through the challenge of describing it. Guess who advised the songwriters of the group to write what's true and honest and creative and not to hold back.
We were introduced to Meg as two songwriters, a music therapist, and an observer/appreciator. By the end of the discussion, guess whom Meg guessed as the music therapist. Hee.
Guess who was a mini-crush on the coordinator of the Wednesday New Song Series at Bryant Park. All because it was starting to rain again, and he had to help load the van, and he came around to say goodbye to the four of us and Meg, and I turned my head to look at him and wave, because he was kind of passing behind me, and he placed his hand on my back and walked away. Then we got married.
Guess who had an amazing time picking Meg's brain.
Guess who wishes she had more time to talk with her.
Guess who's still on a high from that experience.
Guess who's going to show up at Bryant Park after work next Wednesday. Because she needs to see her husband.

Before heading to work

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:20:26 GMT

There's a folk group called The Wailin' Jennys whose sound I quite like. Very simple, flowing melodies and strong harmonies. I really like their lyrics, too. I've only heard one of their songs all the way through, and it's on a CD I got for free when Meg Hutchinson performed at The Living Room a couple of months ago. Not all of the lines apply to me, but I definitely connect to the song's voice, much in the same way I did with Meg's "Coming Up." I don't know the rule about the number of personal anthems one can have, but the theme of my life right now seems consistent at least, which is probably why this song appeals to me.

The Things That You Know

It's been a long time since you saw your home
Even those you call the closest
Have slipped away somehow
Feels like a lifetime you've been on the road
With so many miles behind you
You'd think you'd have left this world by now

You've seen more than they could ever know
No matter what they say
You've earned the right to be so bold
But this life it takes its toll on you
Every face around you looks so tired and so old

And you have not seen everything
You have not seen everything

But there are things that you know
Things that you know
From where you've had to go
Where you've had to go
Maybe soon you'll find a place
To call your own
To call your home

You've walked a good mile in your brother's shoes
'Til your legs could walk no further
And your tired soles would burn
You know there's peace somewhere around the bend
It's been a long time coming
And you're ready for your turn

And you have not seen everything
You have not seen everything

But there are things that you know
Things that you know
From where you've had to go
Where you've had to go
Maybe soon you'll find a place
To call your own
To call your home

Karissa Science Theater 33K

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:07:20 GMT

Did we meet in band first, or through Mrs. Bussell's class? It had to have been band, because our gifted classes didn't mix. Mrs. Bussell's class was right behind the bandroom. So I'm sure I saw Karissa in between classes. I had Mrs. Bussell for geography in 7th grade and US history in 8th grade. I definitely didn't want Mr. Bailey. Poor Mr. Bailey.

We probably started really being friends when she was in ninth grade, and I was in eighth, and we were in Symphonic Band together. Ah yes, how cool were we that we memorized our parts and sang our pieces on the bus to and from festivals (or anywhere else)? We thought so much of ourselves, only because we were actually awesome. Right?

She talked me into joining High-Q when I got to high school. She was a member of the academic team, too, and she was able to bestow upon me much wisdom from being a year ahead. Like, you don't really have to pay attention in Ms. Marlette's class. And Mr. Laird is cool, but he's a hippie. And, there's no such thing as a pool or elevators at Middleburg High School; don't fall for it.

We got to experience our marching band at its very best. "Payload," y'all. "Trooper Salute." That's all I have to say.

We got to assign Star Wars characters to our group of friends.

I thought she was cool because she lived in Lake Asbury.

I've not known anyone who's as voracious a reader as this girl. Lynn Reed gave her a run for her money, but never really was her match.

She was brave enough to play the oboe in sit-down band. She rocked it.

She went to a marching band university. She went on to medical school and became Dee-Arr Karissa H.

When was it she tripped somewhere on a football field? Was it during graduation practice?

We supported each other in internet dating. I have to laugh, dude. Pepsi machine vending guy.

She hosted me for 3 days in Knoxville and took me to Cozymel and introduced me to Tennessee outlet malls. AND her still plastic-wrapped videos. And her awesome cats.

She married a very cool Jewish man who's apparently an amazing cook and husband and sports writer. I hate her for this. Not for anti-Semitic reasons, though. Let's get that straight.

We've been friends - OH MY HECK - almost 20 years. And she was born 13 years before that. (Oh. Oops. Don't do the math on that.)

The world's definitely a better place for it. She's kind and generous and incredibly intelligent and qualified to be a contestant on Jeopardy! and shares her Pop Tarts with me. That's true friendship, right there.

It's already 11AM the next day in Japan, but we're still celebrating here in the USA. There's never a reason not to celebrate this girl.

Happy Birthday, Karissa!

Let's Hear It for the Girls

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:47:40 GMT

About a month ago I watched Anne of Green Gables with some friends. I have to say it was three and a half hours well spent. Of course you have to suspend your disbelief. Of course you have to be in the mood to watch it. That Anne, she's brilliant. Also, I'm a sucker for a good coming-of-age story, especially where fiesty little girls blossom into fiesty, independent, strong women. The characters were all quite strong in this movie version, and it brought to my remembrance those characters from the books. I read the first three.

I've been watching The Little House on the Prairie series. I'm at season five. The Ingallses have moved back to Walnut Grove and the inhabitants have decided to try getting the town running again. Because, of course, Charles is back. He can fix just about anything. You know, though, that Caroline Ingalls carries a lot of the gumption for the two of them. Have I mentioned the girl crush I have on Caroline? I love the way she teaches her children and how she stands up to that impossible Mrs. Oleson. And Half-pint? She's a toughy, and she made me bawl my eyeballs dry when she told Mary how much she loves her and how grateful she is they're sisters.

Gilbert. Albert. I need a cute "-bert" in my life. And a bosom friend. Hey, what if you combined Green Gables with Little House? Could you even imagine? Of course Laura came before Anne, and Laura actually existed, but what if Laura wanted Diana Barry to be her bosom friend and not Anne's? What if Gilbert decided to court Mary, and Adam took Anne to the blind school? What if Carrie got caught between the two worlds and could only watch everything going on from this unseen dimension? Also, if you're stuck in an imperceptible plane of existence, and you're a cringe-worthy star in a popular television series, does it still count as acting?

Ooh. What if Rachel Lynde and Harriet Oleson became best friends? Would there be any stopping them? I think the Ingalls women along with Marilla Cuthbert and Anne could definitely take them in a battle of sorts. Maybe Dance Dance Revolution? Or Super Mario Kart. Or good, old-fashioned hula hoops.

And now, I'm reading Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I'm about halfway through. The main character, Francie Nolan, is one of my all-time favorites. Now, if you want a coming of age story, this one's for you. If you want hardship and wisdom from experience and poverty and scandal and turn-of-the-20th-century history and Brooklyn - Brooklyn! - it's all right here. This book is a much faster read than I expected. I haven't been this interested in literary characters in a long, long time. The narrative style is compelling. The characters are real and they move the story at a good pace. The symbolism and foreshadowing are apparent, but they're effective. This is down-on-your-luck Brooklyn, after all, so not much is subtle. But you'll be thrilled at what is understated. I had no idea that this would become one of my favorite books. I still have 245 pages to go, but I anticipate more excellence. I'm rooting for Francie.

Anne, Diana, Laura, Mary, Caroline, and Francie. These ladies float in my dreams, and I secretly want to be them.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:08:21 GMT

You are looking at one of the newest carriers of a New York State Driver License.

The inspector guy was nice enough, and I was nervous enough, which I couldn't figure out.

I drove. I signaled like you're supposed to, except I was also paranoid.

I parallel parked.

I got a little confused when he told me to turn left, and I saw a one-way sign pointing right to the right of the intersection.

He yelled at me.

Hee. He also yelled at me when I pulled a little bit onto a private driveway when performing a broken U-turn.

But I signaled. He also yelled when I didn't stop as quickly as I should approaching an intersection where a semi-truck was turning very, very, very slowly.

He didn't really yell, but I was nervous as heck, and it sure seemed like his firm, loud voice was yelly.

I mean, I've driven before. I've driven a lot. I've driven cross-country seven or eight times. I've driven in the City.

No speeding tickets.

Just a parking ticket at BYU, for the back end of the car being about a tenth of a millimeter into the yellow zone, because they're slightly retentive in the ane.

But, at the end of the five-minute drive, he told me I did fine. I thanked him and sighed with relief. With an edge of sarcasm, he told me I did it by myself, but I did it. Then I turned my head, and I said, I should have listened better, huh.

Then he took that opportunity to teach me, since I finally came across as not knowing everything.

He was a nice man. Patient. Could tell he's seen enough neurotic drivers not to take the road for granted. That's some good stuff to keep in mind.

Yay.

Spotlight

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:53:02 GMT

So a few of us sit around the apartment. We're talking.
Somehow it comes up that I wouldn't be caught in public kissing, much less having my picture taken doing so.
A person asks why.
I say it's just something I don't do. Later on, I say maybe a quick peck goodbye.
On the cheek.
Then another person hints that there's a photo somewhere of her kissing someone.
The rest of our ears perk right up.
We ask her, Who are you kissing? Do you have this picture?
This other person tries to change the subject.
Someone else threatens to break into the apartment computer network and perform a search for the photo.
This someone else says all it would have to take is a search for JPGs and similar files.
10, 15 minutes tops.
She argues her files are locked.
The other person looks at the rest of us as if that wouldn't matter in the slightest.
Who could she be kissing?
And she says she did it to win a bet.
She's on her computer, laughing, avoiding eye contact.
Then after a few minutes of toying with us, she shows us her computer screen.
There it is.
To win a bet.
She's standing with some guy.
They're kissing.
It's like a movie poster. Just like a movie poster.
Eyes closed.
In the throes of love.
But tasteful, and not seemingly staged at all.
Not like she was doing it to win a bet.
Yet, she emphasized this point.
I thought I'd be embarrassed looking at this photo.
But I was more like, huh, that's what that looks like.
Like she's an expert.
You go, girl.