Thoughts, Musings & Escapades

bye bye blogger

2012-02-07T21:40:00.002-06:00

As much as I love my dear little blog here at Blogger, I’ve decided to make to switch to wordpress for the simple reason that it’s prettier. I like it better. Actually I love it.
It has a clean, simple, beautiful layout that I don’t constantly feel the need to change. Perhaps it’s the budding inner designer in me, or perhaps I just like change.
Perhaps it’s both… just ask my hair. But regardless, hope you enjoy!

http://thoughtsmusingsandescapades.wordpress.com/

A word to the wise:

2011-12-13T19:59:00.000-06:00

.... actually several.

Chicken nuggets are not to be handled lightly. Spend the extra $2 for the name brand or you'll end up with a dinner of fried sponge.

And there are some things even ketchup and ranch can't solve.

You know you're an adult when:

2011-12-13T19:40:00.000-06:00

all you want for Christmas is new tires for your car.

You know you're still a kid when your parents get them for you.
Before Christmas.

Parents trump Santa daily.

This is how I felt, bow tie and all.

Musing

2011-12-13T19:33:00.002-06:00

These past few months have been so full lately, and at least everyday, I think to myself "I should really blog bout that." But alas, other things are always clamoring for attention.
At last however, I've come up against something that just has to be shared.

Actually it can be condensed in to a single question:

"In everything give thanks?

_______________

This one thought has been continuously revolving around my head like a slight less happy version of a carousel.

I could give thanks for most things: a glorious sunrise (even) on an early morning at Starbucks, kitten kisses when I get home from a long day of classes. Generally it's not hard to find at least positive light to any situation.
But everything?

Can I give thanks while scraping ice off my car in below zero temps at 5:00 in the morning?

Can I give thanks when this same car decides decides to mysteriously shut off whenever I turn it on, but then go all Rolls Royce on the mechanic? .... for an entire week?

Can I give thanks when it feels like the my responsibilities, and obligations, and desires are simultaneously spinning out of control but at the same time crushing me?

Can I give thanks when I come to realize the lack of control I really have on my life?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 has been burned into my brain.
..."give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I'd like to think to myself that "perhaps Paul meant to write: In most things give thanks," and then just got a few letters wrong.

In reality, I can tend to live that way.

But far from it. In any difficult season of life, there is Truth that makes a thankful heart possible, and that is in Romans 5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith

into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in

hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in

our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces

endurance, and endurance produces character, and

character produces hope, and hope does not put us to

shame, because God’s love has been poured into our

hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

My eternal destiny been secured by the Almighty God of heaven, my sins covered by his perfect Son, Hell is no longer my destination, and now, this world is not my home!
This in and of itself is reason to get up every day with a smile, yet that is not the end! It goes on to say that mine is not a suffering for no reason. There is a real purpose for these trials, no matter how large or small.

Endurance, Character, Hope.

All because of love.

"In everything give thanks."

A Snake for Sore Eyes

2011-10-28T22:55:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty sure this picture does not make me any more curious, or willing, to try eating one of those slithering nasties.

AND actually I have eaten rattlesnake, and that picture pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter. dis.gusting.

I think the sub headers in the photo are a little ironic and also a bit more pertinent to real life. Just saying.

An Adventure in Chinese Takeout

2011-10-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

Well.... I've got a story for you.
Its a bit embarrassing..... the best ones all are.
It began on quiet Friday evening.
Being the trendsetter that I am, I was home alone, facing the prospect of a pile of homework the size of... well... a house.

The laundry too, was calling my name, in its always hopeless tone, knowing that I am deaf to its call until my last pair of pants is past the point of a perfume salvation...

What to do?

And then in dawned on me!
Chinese Food!
The answer to all my problems!
motivation to clean my pants! (for I would have to go out)
motivation to write my paper! (sustenance)

and last but not all, it would mean the completion of one of my life goals.

(let me take a bunny trail real quick... come, hop with me....)
It might seem strange to you that a college student such as myself has never ordered chinese take out.... But it is true.
indeed, it is a sad fact. But such is life.
Having seen Gilmore Girls and countless other tv shows, I had was always thought the whole "ordering take out thing" was a cool thing that all the cool kids did, and I dreamed of the day that I too could join their ranks, standing tall (or rather, slumped on a couch,) eating gooey crab rangoon and sesame chicken. The fascinating white boxes of mystery were also high points of interest..... what could be better than delicious food packed into a delightful, iconic package, ready to be unwrapped and enjoyed??
In my mind? nothing.

So there I was alone on a Friday night having just made the decision.
But what to do next? Was this process like ordering pizza? Where do I find a menu? To call or not to call? What was the protocol? Do Chinese places deliver? My knowledge gained from Gilmore girls tmade me think not... but in Stars Hollow, anything can happen.

I really was in a quandry. Over takeout.

Ridiculous I know.
But as an individual in the 21st century...... what was there to do but to Google it?

However, in this instance, Google failed me.

The last one gave me a bit of a giggle, but it was hopeless!
I was too simple for even an online search engine to help me.

But what was I to do?
Heaven forbid a make a fool of myself while Chinese food people!

The clock was ticking...... and so was my stomach (well, less ticking and more mumbling.... nomnomnom)

So I decided to go for it! To heck with the world! I was independent! I've lived on this earth for..... some.......years! That's long enough!

Donning my (rather smelly) pants and shoes (no socks) I traveled forth, confident and smiling.

I arrived at the establishment and ordered my food much in the normal manner, twas rather boring..... actually.

But then came the moment I had been waiting for! The handing over of the magic white boxes!!! The excitement was almost too much!

Yet this bliss was not to be had. The object of my hopes and dreams had been reduced to an ordinary styrofoam takeout box in a (*gasp) grocery sack!!
I was crushed.

I asked for an extra fortune cookie to make up for it, but it didnt help......
well, maybe a little.
Apparently one of you should be giving me some really great advice in the near future... either that, or there are 'lessons to be learned by listening to others..'

Sage advice, considering the evening.

Despite the excellence of fried rice and chicken, a smallish part of my heart is still a wee bit disappointed.
But hey! I've still part of my dream! One day I'll get my paws on one of those white boxes.... one day!

Before the Kindle

2011-10-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

The Man at School

2011-09-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

I see a man at school each time I have class.
You might not think that unusual, but he sits on top of a door frame.

I say "hi"to him every day I pass him in the hall and he only stares. Unmoving. Like a statue.

and he has no clothes.

or nose.
or mouth.

and he is a bit smaller than the average human.

Perhaps he just likes hanging out, presumably thinking thick, clay-like thoughts, like (photoshoot.mm. AwkWARd) in caveman speak.

Ideal St

2011-09-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

I think comedians have the most interesting lives out of all of us.
Everything always happens "the other day" or "not that long ago"

I saw a street named Ideal today. It was gravel.

Psych.
That was 2 months ago. But somehow it's more funny if it's recent.

Odd

Thought

2011-09-09T06:51:00.002-05:00

I wish savings accounts were like armpit hair. Rapidly growing at an alarming rate despite daily actions to the contrary

Strictly No Elephants

2011-08-25T22:08:00.000-05:00

Muffinscapade

2011-08-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

I 've done a lot of unusual things in my two decades on this planet, but today I had the privilege of being hand fed a muffin. It made me feel like this:

I had been painting my soon-to-be room, and was washing out the brush and pan,
thereby rendering my extremities unusable.

Out of nowhere, my sister appeared, holding a glorious morsel of pumpkin-y goodness.

For a moment, I was at a loss. How could I get this goodness inside me??

Whilst still washing out that dratted paint brush, I just took a bite.
And it was everything I dreamed (in the last .4 seconds) it would be.

This is what I felt like on the inside :

You might think there's more to the story, but no.... there's not.

This is the end.

Collections

2011-08-11T00:36:00.000-05:00

In my adventures online I sometimes come across gems that I feel need to share, but don't have a particular context to put them in.... so here's a collection:

I mean really, what could be better than a squirrel in a conductor outfit, playing sweet melodies on a miniature violin? Not much.

I'm sure his schedule is completely booked with weddings, formal events, and the like.

Asking for it....

adorable, sad.... does it have a point? most likely not.

The middle paragraph.

Oh the Humanity!

2011-08-11T00:25:00.000-05:00

Seen at a veterinarian office

The Art of Blogging

2011-08-11T00:18:00.000-05:00

Alright. I'm back.
This summer has been so many things and the foremost quality has been a relaxed busy.

Odd terminoligy, you might say,

and I say... actually I say nothing.

about that.

In the face of my "relaxed busy summer," I'm sure you have noticed the severe drop off in postings, but this blogger is not the "till death do us part" type of blogger.

Instead, I'm more of a: "I MUST clean, do homework, license my car, and bake a pie! .... I suppose I'll blog" type of blogger.

Since nothing in the last few weeks has called for a supreme amount of procrastination, here we are.

But now I'd like to ease the nagging bundle of guilt I now have stored up, due to my own laziness, and I'll attempt to rustle up a few posts.

here we go.

Animal phobias

2011-07-23T23:47:00.000-05:00

I seem to be on an animal theme.
No worries it will pass....
Eventually.

In the meantime, here are some things to ponder.

A claustrophobic earthworm (fear of enclosed places)

A hydrophobic fish (fear of water)

An acrophobic giraffe (fear of heights)

Mousescapade

2011-07-23T23:40:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I write ideas for blog posts at the oddest of times (middle of the night, or at breakfast, sometimes because of breakfast) or in the oddest of places. My room, purse and car are scattered right now with odd bits of paper covered in nonsensical scribblings.

But all that to say, this post is not like those.
This is real and it just happened. The nausea has still not passed.
About 20 minutes ago I was sitting at the computer bemoaning my lack of inspiration when all of the sudden I heard an uncanny yowling. It literally sounded like and angry 2 year-olds we all hear at Walmart.

Now, it's late at night, and I'm alone in the house. 20 minutes ago I certainly wasn't expecting any intruders with angry two-year-olds! I was scared. Really scared. everything is 422% scarier late at night when you're alone in a house. Its a proven fact.

As I turned the corner to see what the commotion was about, I saw the cat bent over the floor, and thought "Darn it! He barfed another hairball!"

If only.

As I got closer, I realized it was not a hairball, it was a mouse. I have never felt such revulsion, shock and nausea all rolled into one. It was terrible. Just terrible. As I looked closer, the feelings did not pass, they only intensified. I then began to feel guilty and ashamed at being so terrified and disgusted at such a harmless (and normally adorable) wee little animal.

I blindly ordered the cat to take it back outside, but my pleas were in vain.... he just looked up as if to say "Isn't this de-meow-lightful?" ... I feel like a lion! don't I look like a lion?? Meow?"

He kept sniffing it and moving it and finally I couldn't handle it anymore I put the cat in the garage, (hoping he wouldn't EVER find any more) and then tried to decide what to do next.
I found the dust pan and knelt next to the tiny creature. I looked at it so long trying to summon up the courage to pick it up, that it almost seemed as if it began to move. This initiated freak out moment #2 because I kept imagining the (possible) tiny squeak that would emerge from it's body as I pick it up.
I then walked past it into the kitchen where I regained my courage only to walk up once more to it and be rendered helpless by the aforementioned emotions. this cycle happened several times before I finally decided to just pretend it wasn't real.

"I'm sure lots of cat owners have pretend mice...................
that look real.... and have long skinny tails.. stop stop thinking!!!
Its pretend! It's pretend!!!"

I (valiantly) scooped up the tiny thing, marveling at how light it was. Then I looked at the ceiling the entire way to the back door, then went out and tossed it over the deck.

I made a fatal mistake however. I looked down just in time to see the white little body fade into the blackness and then hear the small rustle of the grass as it made contact.
I probably will never forget that moment.
Or ever go in the back yard again.

Please don't get me wrong, I like animals, especially tiny ones!
But it's weird (for lack of a better term) to see death like that, and so unexpectedly. I couldn't bring myself to even look at. It was just terrible. But it is done now, and that is my escapade for the week, maybe the year. More to follow.

Celebrity Look-a-Likes (the animal chapter)

2011-07-05T23:09:00.000-05:00

An Education in Cereal

2011-07-05T23:01:00.000-05:00

So I take a lot of pictures of my food.

I have comes to terms with this oddity and have no plans to reform.

I like texture and color and beauty, and I like discovering it in surprising places.

Even my cereal bowl.

Other people collect tiny pieces of paper that have jagged edges. I don't see a problem.

And have no fear, it could be worse. It took me 26 seconds to find these three pictures on Google images.

Not only did an individual take these pictures, but thought that they were worth the time to upload (presumably with a dial-up connection) and then share with the world.

Really?

But back on topic. food.

Today I had Frosted Mini-Spooners (otherwise known as MiniWheats) for breakfast for the first time in a very long time, and was reminded of my childhood.

Call me crazy, but I've always loved the odd texture. It was also one of the few cereals that actually contained visible sugar that ever entered my home....

Unless you count raisin bran.
frightful.

To this day, I believe there is only one proper way to eat this cereal, and that is upside down.
Not you as a person, (that would be the height of absurdity, not to mention untidiness..... all that milk dribbling everywhere! For shame!)
No, rather like so:

That way the white crumbly, delightful sugary sweetness is the first thing you taste.

I must confess, when I was young, after pouring a bowl, before I put the milk in, I would pick and choose the ones with the most frosting. The little naked ones would promptly get tossed back into the bag, as would the ones with just a sprinkling. Only the heavily covered squares were deemed acceptable for my advanced 7 year old palate.

Dear family,
I apologize for man-handling your cereal... I'm sorry you never knew, but I guess now you do.
And now I guess you also know the reason that Mini Spooners always seemed to come with less frosting than those expensive Wheaties. It wasn't just because Michael Jordan wasn't on the cover, or that it was the off brand.....

My sneaky fingers are remorseful. But not very.

Love,
This Blogger.

Signs of Oddity

2011-07-01T22:49:00.002-05:00

I have been to Village Point many times, (a local outdoor shopping center ) but tonight I as walked down the streets, the some of signs posted struck me as particularly odd

Example 1:

What a heavenly place to go! A divine bakery! How pleasant! And I've always loved cheeseburgers! But to be able to have them in Paradise! Bliss unmeasured! Scrumpdiddlyumptious!

Example 2:

Juxtaposition.

Example 3:

Long past are the days of saving the eagles... these guys outfit them! With so many of them being bald and all, there's no need for them to be naked as well!!

But forget those foreign eagles.... these outfits are for American feathers exclusively.
(so what if all the clothes come from China? not important.)

Example 4:

And the boys get... "Injustice?"

Example 5:

(Chica= girl Chico = boy)

"I love that blouse! Where'd you get it?

"oh, Boy's."

"..."

Example 6:

It amazing what you get used to. I imagine the next store on the block will be Pear Democracy, or perhaps Mango Monarchy, Kiwi Tribalism or Pineapple Anarchy.

I mean, really.

Example 7:

Who knew children came so cheap! Turns out you can pick em up for the "super duper clearence price" of $3.99! Pick up 2 while you're at it! A baby and a kid!

Sadly, if you need an adolescent, you'll need to move on... perhaps to Chico's?

_____ Hut

2011-07-01T21:51:00.000-05:00

Well, I must say, I was worried...I thought you might just be a hut.

Without pizza.

The Princess Bride in a Single Picture

2011-07-01T21:46:00.002-05:00

(via 22words.com)
(via Drake Brodahl)

Expectations

2011-06-30T21:10:00.000-05:00

Expectations.
We put a lot of faith in them.

The height of a toilet.
                                         -the awkward "forever fall," or the "oh, I wasn't ready!"

The weight of a door.
                                         - the "arms pulled off" vs "forehead to edge"

The temperature of water coming out of a faucet

                                          - we've all been burned

The height of a step or curb.

                                         - the lurch and windmill arms

The weight of an opaque milk jug

- milk over the shoulder

Charles Dicken's novel Great Expectations

                                       - didn't live up to mine.

Mug Shots

2011-06-30T10:56:00.001-05:00

For certain days, you need a certain mug. Ask anyone. It's universal.

If you're drinking nice coffee, you need a pretty mug.

If you just need something to hold water, then that ugly one that looks like your Grandma's sweater will do fine.
On happy days perhaps you use that one that has a special significance.

The morning after a late night, you look for the one with the largest capacity.

Each type of day has it's own mug.

That being said, I have a magic mug that is the exception to every mug rule. I use it on any and every day of the week, and if it's dirty, I wash it. (even if there are other clean ones available! *gasp!)

On yucky mornings it makes me happy, on happy mornings it makes me happier. I love the unique shape of it and how it's proportioned. (I'm art snob, I know, but don't be a hater) and it has comforting shades of blue from the bottom up. I just love it.
We have a very special relationship, this mug and I. I received it as a graduation present from a dear dear friend of mine who also understands mug significance.

I suppose you're dying for a picture at this point, so I shall satisfy your desires:

When I pull it out of the cupboard I give it a sly (mental) wink at it's own irony, and proceed to fill it with coffee.

And now it is empty.
So I must go refill it.

The Importance of the Small Words

2011-06-30T10:07:00.000-05:00

This heading come up on my news feed and I read it without the word "and."

I believe it is much better that way.

Hairy Awesome

2011-06-30T10:04:00.000-05:00

I was looking up synonyms while writing a previous post and found this:

I think the pictures below prove this finding false.

If Cats Could Talk

2011-06-30T09:54:00.000-05:00

Browser Wars

2011-06-29T21:27:00.000-05:00

... Internet Explorer. so fitting.

(via 22Words.com)

Zuckerburger

2011-06-27T22:34:00.000-05:00

It turns out if you type the name Mark Zuckerburg, spell-check helpfully suggests Cheeseburger and Vegeburger as solutions....

You'd think of all people, he would be the one to be able to fix that... either that, or he has a burger obsession that had an unusual and far-reaching results.

His Pleasure

2011-06-23T07:55:00.000-05:00

"God formed us for His pleasure and so formed us that we, as well as He, can in divine communion, enjoy the sweet and mysterious mingling of kindred personalities. He meant us to see Him and live with Him and draw our life from His smile." ~ A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

We so often forget that our relationship with our Savior is just that: a relationship. We need to look on who He is, His character and His work, not just the cross, but in all of creation, and delight in who He is.
This is the power of Christianity

Lyrics of Today

2011-06-23T00:07:00.000-05:00

I really enjoy writing.
Here are some lyrics of today:

Life is a song
Time is the rhythm
Together and separate
We're woven and twisted
Our harmonies create
A medley revisited
Echoed eternally
By the angels in heaven
To our Master Composer
A glorious anthem

Peanut Butter Love

2011-06-17T11:16:00.000-05:00

Peanut butter toast.

I could eat it all day long.
I imagine one day I will write a song singing it's praises.

In the meantime, here's a photo:

(photo credit goes to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/x99elledge/art/4271064-peanut-butter-toast)

Heels to Flip Over

2011-06-15T23:06:00.000-05:00

With the amount of posts I have made in the past few weeks you'd think I'd accidentally cut off 6 of my fingers at while vacationing in Amish country, but no, put it lightly, life has been insane lately.

A weird mix of crazy busy, but also slow and lazy.
Transitioning from the former to the latter is quite nice, but transitioning back is like climbing Mount Everest in these:

For whatever reason, I find it a very hard month to blog.

In any event, I may or may not try to do better.

... I'll keep you posted.

(...with awesome puns such as that gem ^ )

Virtual Hybrid Guitar

2011-06-11T22:09:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure how to embed this video... so give your finger a little workout and click this link: http://www.wimp.com/guitarhybrid/

Your eyes and ears will be stunned and amazed at so many different levels, they'll each do a seperate little dance, like mine did.

You're welcome for that mental image.

Ironic

2011-06-08T08:19:00.000-05:00

This is NEXT

2011-06-05T23:51:00.000-05:00

The main reason for my absence from the cyber world has been due to the fact of my being in the great state of Florida, specifically Orlando.

I could go on and on about all of the wonderful things that happened on that trip, (and I will be sharing quite a bit,) but I shall try my very best to keep it concise. (Rambling is one of my great curses.. or virtue? I dont know which.)

All that you really need to know is that its a conference held annually through Sovereign Grace Ministries with some of the most world class reformed theologians alive today.
If you're interested, (and I'm telling you, you should be) hop on over here to the NEXT website and listen to some life changing stuff.

Seriously. leave. forget this blog and go check it out. I can't recommend it enough.

That's where I was this past week.
It was truly spectacular.

One of the greatest impressions that I had of the entire conference was the humility and approachability that was shown by those in leadership. They displayed such a sincere love and devotion to those in attendance. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but the Christ like attitudes that I saw were just beautiful.
Obviously, I know as human beings, they are not perfect, but it just made me long for heaven, where sin will be no more and we can interact and build each other up with no distractions, all the while glorifying and giving praise to our Savior.

More to come.

Toilets and an Overload of Cuteness.

2011-06-05T23:35:00.000-05:00

Throughout my travels, a certain belief has been cemented into my doctrine and has been reinforced by my frequent trips through various airports.

I firmly believe that there is only one proper temperature for a toilet seat, and that is room temperature.

In many cases, when exposing ones self to the porcelain throne, one receives an icy greeting that would shame an iceberg.

However, the opposite alternative, though initially more comfortable, is highly disturbing to the mind.

Not only that, but to those subject to the the affliction of germaphobia, it is terror itself.

Warm toilet seats are just rather gahstly. There is no other way to say it.

Now, I imagine it will be difficult to think of anything beside this post the next time you enter a restroom, but I hope you be able to direct your mind to happier things, perhaps such as this:

I Will Have No Other

2011-05-26T22:51:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I'm headed out of town for a few days, and I don't know how often I'll be able to post, but I'd like to be able to share this with you all before I leave.

Awhile back ago I was meditating on the attributes of God and was struck by the vastly different facets of his character.

The Rock of my Salvation spoke the mountains into place and carved the vast depths of the ocean with a word.

The Ancient of Days has written the number of my days and knows when I lie down and when I rise up.

The Holy Judge of the nations has declared me perfect, clothed in the righteousness of His one only son.

The Great Shepherd leads me beside still waters, and even in the valley of death I will fear no evil.

He is the heir of all things, yet He is the one that grants the air I breath.

He is the Firstborn of all creation, yet He fashioned me in my mother's womb.

He is the radiance of the glory of God, yet He is the light to my path and a lamp unto my feet

He is the creator of our solar system and beyond, yet He holds a sparrow in his hand and clothes the lilies of the field.

He has created the angels and all of heaven, yet He has revealed things to me into which they long to look.

HE, the perfect high priest of all humanity, sacrificed himself as
a spotless lamb

The Author of History is writing my story with love and care.

The Sovereign of the Cosmos who has named each of the stars, knows the number of hairs on my head.

He is my God, He is my life.
I will have no other.

Sky- Joshua Radin

2011-05-26T09:47:00.000-05:00

Free-running

2011-05-26T09:41:00.000-05:00

If you have little boys, or teenage boys, or sons of any age that you would prefer keep their brains inside of their heads, do not, and I repeat, do not, show them this video.

Fishing, but not the kind you're thinking of

2011-05-26T09:36:00.000-05:00

"If you shamelessly go fishing for a compliment, don't be surprised if the fish watch it pass, and wave to it with their little fishy fins as it sinks into the mud."

Wise Words

2011-05-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. ~ C.S Lewis

May The Froth Be With You

2011-05-23T21:06:00.000-05:00

It's happened nerdlings.

It is now possible to sip your favorite soda, beer, or latte, from the head of your favorite villian.

Personally, I wouldn't bother.
Star Wars is not really my cup o' tea, (bad pun intended)

However, for rest of you, I imagine you'll be lining up at virtual shopping carts everywhere in order to get your paws on these treasures.

Banana Van

2011-05-23T20:46:00.000-05:00

I was coming home from church one Sunday and pulled up to a stop light and immediately saw this. I pulled out my camera and snapped a quick pic. Smart, I know.

I thought to myself "There must something hilariously funny that I could say about this photo."

But it's been over a week now and I can't think of anything.
The only thing I've learned from this experience is that after awhile, no mater how you spell "Banana" it still looks wrong....

bannana bananana bannaana?

So I'm leaving it to you readers, to come up with something explosively witty to share with the rest of us.

noooow go!

The Soundtrack to Creation

2011-05-23T19:45:00.001-05:00

Thanks to a dear friend of mine, I have just recently been introduced to an up-and-coming pianist named William Joseph. I'm not going to say much, other than that the melodies that he creates are like no other. God has truly bestowed on him a great and tremendous gift. "Within" is the first song I ever heard of his. It will positively take your breath away.

One last thing:
I am fairly confident there was no music playing when God created the universe, but if there was, I imagine it would sound something like this.

As you listen, read this:

1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6And God said, “Let there be an expanse^a in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7And God made^b the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8And God called the expanse Heaven.^c And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10God called the dry land Earth,^d and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants^e yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

14And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons,^f and for days and years, 15and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.

16And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

20And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds^g fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”

21So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26Then God said, “Let us make man^h in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

28And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

29And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

(Scripture verses from Biblos.com )

Sad and Useless

2011-05-19T12:50:00.001-05:00

(via Sad and Useless)

Validity of the Interweb

2011-05-19T12:42:00.000-05:00

So many different levels of awesome.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2011-05-19T12:05:00.000-05:00

This is Rainn Wilson.

A picture might say a lot, but hair says even more
That's all.

Jingle Bells

2011-05-19T11:32:00.000-05:00

So I watched this video about a month ago and laughed till I cried.... However, I was hesitant to post it for several reasons.

1. Nearly everything is hilarious to me after midnight, clearly this was no exception
2. I don't want to be that person that only posts sickeningly adorable animals videos, forcing friends and relatives to want to barf.
3. And to make matters worse this is a Christmas themed video and obviously its not even close to December.

Despite all that, I just re-watched it this morning, when things are least funny.....(I don't like talking in the morning, let alone laughing!) and again, almost died.

I really hope this is worth all the hype.

here you go:

All the Magic of the World

2011-05-19T10:57:00.000-05:00

I could be a painter by the sea, a Poet drinking tea
I'll be a dancer on one knee or a designer for a fee

I'll be a wandering traveler, just to be able to wonder and to see,
All the magic of the world
Of England, Paris and Vienna,
Maybe I'll learn Chinese

A Reposted Post

2011-05-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

A dear friend of mine posted on this on her blog, and it was just too splendid not to share.

A city on a hilltop stood,
with gleaming walls all round;
and all within were fair and good-
but none remembered there, who should,
that sickness lurked within the wood
that did their walls surround.

Ah, foolish women, foolish men
that gave away their lives!
The gates thrown wide, they let it in.
It came, it saw, it conquered then;
no plague like this had ever been.
They would not long survive.

O'er ruined streets, 'neath crumbling gates,
a stranger came alone.
The cure he knew, and would not wait
a house of healing to create,
to save them from this deadly fate-
return them to their own.

To those he healed he gave to stay
and labor in his stead.
He taught until they knew the way,
then took himself and went away,
but promised to return one day-
when life was made widespread.

Full zealously they started out,
to call the dying in.
With heartfelt pleas, with hopeful shouts,
they all the city went throughout
and left no room for any doubt
that life was offered them.

Many sick came to their door,
and none was turned away.
Some would not drink, and still abhorred
the life that could have been restored-
ah, ignorance! that brays for war
when peace is on its way.

Yet others came, gave up the fight,
and drank the healing draught.
Not one was lost, all faults despite-
their strength restored, regained their sight;
they longed to spread this great delight-
and learned the doctor’s craft.

But slowly, something strange occurred:
the doctors lost their zeal;
and, safe amongst themselves conferred,
to fill the air with empty words.
The anguished cries outside, unheard-
men died alone, unhealed.

The healers learned to be afraid-
though naught deserved their fear.
Their dread of failure: shadow-made;
of re-infection: fancy-played.
From windows turned their eyes away-
they held their lives so dear.

The patients’ beds stood often bare,
so few were brought inside.
But one gray eve, a young man dared
approach the steep, unwelcome stair;
collapsed outside and begged for care-
“Please, help me live!” he cried.

The doctors stopped and stared, appalled-
this mound of filth, alive?
His bleeding flesh with maggots crawled;
a sight like this none could recall-
so long they’d hid behind their walls-
could their skills, unused, revive?

Said one, “I can’t recall the name
that used to set them free,”
while some knew how, but still refrained-
afraid, repulsed, embarrassed, drained-
but most just looked away in shame,
pretending not to see.

And so it was, ‘neath walls of white
that housed life’s very breath-
the ones who knew the way of light
refused to venture out one night,
and, silent, watched man’s futile fight
engulfed instead by death.

Oh, shame! to those who, washed in blood,
can never die again;
yet fear this world’s transparent flood-
a shackled prince the source thereof-
and blush to speak the name of Love:
of death the only end.

For more witty, heartfelt felt things that I cannot put into words, travel to her blog Free Indeed and be amazed.

Word of the Day

2011-05-16T13:27:00.001-05:00

Fletcherise:
[verb] to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.

"Due to the need to fletcherise that the act of eating celery tends to incur, I try to avoid consuming it at all costs."

That, and it tastes like a flock of grasshoppers decided to hang out
and have a party in my mouth.

Multi-tasking?

2011-05-15T22:58:00.000-05:00

Multi-tasking is another way of saying:

"Im getting 4 things NOT done... AT ONCE! I'm so productive blargh bar barrrgh!"

This is a picture into my life. This also does not include the 6 tabs I have open in my browser.

Can you say A.D.H.- ooh look there's my guitar! I should play a song!

story of my life.

Headlines

2011-05-12T11:40:00.000-05:00

What is America coming to, I wonder.

The Difficulty of Being an Introspective Bear.

2011-05-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

(via 22 Words)

Welcome to Canada!

2011-05-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

Lost: my mind. Found: an empty head.

2011-05-09T22:17:00.000-05:00

I could probably add an hour and a half to each day if I glued a capo to my face.

Seriously.
I have two and I can never find either.

I've Got a Jar of Diiiiiiiirt.

2011-05-09T21:54:00.001-05:00

I don't care if its the fourth in what was a mildly disappointing trilogy, I'm excited for the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie....

Now, get to all of your judgementalness out of your brain, this should help.

Irresistably hilarious.

Captain Jack Sparrow. You will always have a tiny tiny part of my teenage heart.

More Than Mildly Creepy

2011-05-09T21:26:00.000-05:00

I feel I must warn you in advance about this next post.

In searching for images for my previous post, I came across a series of photos that would make a normal person cringe and this person to shriek then faint.

I will also say, for the faint of heart, that they are not gross, disgusting or horrific. That is not the purpose of this blog.

They are just amusingly unsettling....
Goodness... I should just post them.

Here you go.

They're door knobs, in case you couldn't tell.... Well I suppose they would be better called doorhands.

Either way... the whole concept is incredibly awkward.

You're welcome.

Smells of Summer

2011-05-09T21:08:00.000-05:00

Finally it's here.
Summer.

At least the weather, if not the freedom from school...

The sun is shining and the temperature is in the positive digits

Lawns are being mowed, citrus smelling lotions and perfumes are now permissable. I caught my first wiff of sunscreen........ bliss

Bring It On.

One of my absolute most favorite moments is one that I usually don't get to experience till much later in the year, but today, with arrival of 90 degree weather, it happened.

After a long day at work, I got into my boiling vehicle and started home.

By the time I got to Maple St, I had sweat nearly trickling down my neck.

Attractive, I know.
Did I mind? Not in the least.
I knew what was coming.

I made it home, and opened the front door and that delightful rush of cool air that only air conditioning can bring, wrapped itself around me.

I breathed it all in and had a little happy sigh all to myself. Delicious.
Totally worth it.

Friday Night Delights

2011-05-07T08:22:00.000-05:00

However delightful the taste,
when the highlight of your Friday night is licking off the top of a cupcake, it's probably time to reevaluate your priorities.

And don't worry, I will..... Right after I organize my sock drawer... and cup o' pens

.... I can't have all those flighty pencils hangin around with my pens, just lookin for a good time! One second they're writing fine, then they flip around and everything starts to disappear!

Omynerdness.

In Common

2011-05-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

The brakes in my car and I both have something in common.... We both sing often while driving.

Mumford and Sons

2011-05-05T22:38:00.000-05:00

It seem as though everyone in hipsterland (and even those beyond) are talking about this band:

Mumford and Sons

I know very little about them, but if everyone loves them, they must be awesome.
Right?

Well, I'm about to find out what all the hype is about. On Amazon right now, they have thet ENTIRE albulm for a mere $5.

That's right.... you heard correctly! For just five little buckaroos you can be unique just like everyone else, and jam out to the sultry sounds of Mumford and Sons.... or whatever they sound like... I don't know........ it's downloading as I speak- ...type.

If it changes my life, I'll be sure to let you know.

Hobbits!!

2011-05-05T14:34:00.000-05:00

The End of a Bunny

2011-05-03T19:51:00.000-05:00

Today I saw a dead bunny by the side of the road.

I immediately thought; "ooohhh sad! poor bunny!"

But then 3 seconds later, I spotted part of a wicker basket on the opposite side of the road, and my imagination couldn't help but 'hop' to a conclusion.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I couldn't help but giggle a bit to myself, picturing an easter bunny waltzing across Maple Street, basket in paw... and then well..... you know.

Arthur the..... Aardvark?

2011-05-03T18:30:00.000-05:00

How are these even remotely similar? I have no idea.

baby aardvark

then boy with weird ears?

Practice Makes Perfect?

2011-05-03T11:35:00.000-05:00

I'm just beginning to realize how much practice is involved in being a musician.

There are times I play the same 12 notes over and over for an hour and it still doesnt sound *exactly like how I want it to.

But that magic that happens when it does? Suddenly, the results of the work are evident and forgotten are the hurting fingers, the times of frustration. Just bliss. Pure bliss.

Melody working hand in hand with harmony, all under the structure of rhythm and tempo. Few things are better.

As I type this post, I'm beginning to wonder.
Do I put this same amount of effort in other areas of my life? Do I pursue godliness with the same determination and excitement that I have in say, learning those twelve notes?
Daily? truthfully? no.

But what if I did? How much more magnificent would the bliss be gained from dwelling in His presence and meditating on His gospel work.
From intentionally setting aside time to pray throughout the day.
From practicing those good works set before me.

For me, it's a good mirror on my heart, and I urge you to look at your own life.
What is your passion? Your drive? What do you do in your free time? What do you daydream about?
How often do practice or work at a specific task or hobby and how can you use it to glorify God?
How can you use it become closer to Him?

In this world we will never be perfect, but sanctification is something we must strive for.
Meditate on the gospel daily, hourly, and never underestimate it's power.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
                                       Romans 8:1 -6

Practice, and I think you will be surprised at the results.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. "
                                           1 Corinthians 9:24-27

"You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
                                                         Psalm 16:11

Crazy Birds

2011-05-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

"Unless you have been living with your head under a smart-phone-free rock for the last couple of years no doubt you have heard of the smash hit game 'Angry Birds.' " (props to Jeff Hoogland for this awesome quote and pic)

This is the best (and only) 99 cents I have ever spent on a app.

It also the worst.
If you have ever played, it is unnesscesary to further expound upon these statements

Please excuse me while I go destroy some sticks, stones, and pigs.

The Secret of YouTube

2011-04-30T00:19:00.000-05:00

I have come to the realization that in order to become famous on You Tube, you either have to be atrociously awful, or fantastically talented.

ahem... I'm thinking of a certain day of the week... and a color.
I think you know.

There is no middle ground.

This, however, is mostly original and completely amazing

A Rainbow Snowcone

2011-04-29T10:03:00.000-05:00

"Russell was my teacher, and Russell explained color theory to me."
Henry Matisse. (famous art dude)

....apparently he didn't do a very good job.

Either that, or his teacher was this guy.

In that case, he did quite well for himself.

Umbrella Romanticism

2011-04-28T23:42:00.000-05:00

Umbrellas are awesome. They have a certain melancholic charm that's irresistible.

I found these pictures on google images whilst looking for a pciture for something else.

I was going to try and incorporate them in to a witty blog post, but since one is not coming to mind and I want to share them with you, I'm just posting them.

I don't know what else to say other, than that I love them.

When Marriage is the Epitome of Awkward

2011-04-28T23:29:00.000-05:00

Getting married on April 1st would be the epitome of awkward, because something like this would happen:

and seriously? Where in the world do you find a basket that huge??

probably Iowa.

Not only would the day of your wedding be one entire joke, whenever your anniversary rolled around there'd be that ONE guy who thinks he's hilariously original and comes up with a line like: "Which 'fool' fell for who???" Am I right????"

If you're gonna married on that inagural day of April you might as well just do what this couple did and go for the cheese effect.

cheesy pun intended!

Streetlights.

2011-04-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

It is a well known fact that if you exist in a movie (and sometimes in real life) when you walk under a flickering street light, you will probably get stabbed in the throat.

Happy thought, I know. But one time it actually happened to me.

Well, only the first part.....

I didn't get stabbed.

His pleasure

2011-04-28T02:44:00.000-05:00

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."
- Eric Liddell
Olympian and missionary for Christ.

I echo that thought, but in a different way.
I will never be a runner.

However, I do believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me a musician. And when I make that music, I feel His pleasure.

Blessings

2011-04-28T02:24:00.000-05:00

I heard a song on the radio recently, with lyrics similar to this quote. I can't remember the artist, or the song title.... only this one sentiment.

"Blessings don't always come in the sunshine, sometimes they come with the rain."

I thought it very fitting with all the difficult things happening around me, to those that I love. What a good reminder.

Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Hebrew 12:11-15

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Surrealism

2011-04-26T15:14:00.000-05:00

In the world of art, there are very few movements that are as exciting and awkward as surrealism. In that world, anything goes, and it doesn't have to make any logical sense.
The juxtapositions and possibilities are endless, thereby supplying a great amount a freedom, but on the other hand, you might just end up with some really wacked out stuff.
For someone (like myself) who enjoys looking at things in opposite ways, it appeals to that ~~small~~ medium sized, oddball part of me.
Don't get me wrong, there are many other styles that I very much prefer, but this is what my art class is studying this week and I thought I'd share.

This is by Meret Oppenheim

So weird.
But oddly facinating.

I believe this is entitled "The Pianist" but I feel like Anne of Green Gables and want call it "On the Wings of Imagination"

These last few photos are works of Vladimir Kush. I love how they bring up such an opposite perspective of such normal things.

Also, I love his titles of his pieces almost as much as the art itself, which rarely happens.

Sunrise By the Ocean

Breakfast on the Lake

Fish in the City

Treasure Island

African Sonata

Eye of the Needle

Fauna in La Mancha

Omaha fun?

2011-04-26T09:59:00.000-05:00

Seriously.
Facebook. What is wrong you and your ads?
Either that, or someone hates Omaha and is trying to blackmail us by creating these pieces of ridiculousnesses.

first there was this.

But now this?

I personally would try to die before something like that happened to my hands.

Claws much?

The 16th President

2011-04-26T01:04:00.001-05:00

From a very early age I had a minor infatuation with Abraham Lincoln.
He was just. so. awesome.

I also always wondered what he would have looked like in "real life"
Well here you go.
I was amazed.

(via 22words)

Let Us Sing Songs of Praise

2011-04-26T00:44:00.000-05:00

This is one of my all time favorite passages of scripture. When all seems topsy-tury in my heart, this is where I love to go.
Music is such a gift, and I love re-realizing that fact through out my week. What praise we should give to our great God not only for who He is, but also for providing such a means of worship!

Psalm 95:1-7
1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

A Post.

2011-04-26T00:20:00.000-05:00

photo by Benjamen Chinn

I begin a lot of my posts by apologizing..... sorry about that.

oh snap.

Now I've turned into that person, apologizing for apologizing.

May you grant your forgiveness and we can put this all behind us, like it never happened.
okgood.
now on to other things.

The reason I was apolo-- I mean expressing remorse, was for my lack of posting. It has been quite some time since anything of note has popped into my brain, (thus, no posts) and I am completely convinced that I suffer from:

Seasonal Affective Disorder
*gasp!

Can it be true?
Indeed, I am living proof that it does exist.
This last month or 100 years, ( I can't remember which) of grey and rainy weather has taken its toll. Seriously.
It is so hard to function when all you want to do is curl up like a cat and take a nap till the sun comes out.
Have no fear though, I am determined to conquer it.

As soon as I'm done with this last nap.

Awesome.

2011-04-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

I've had another lapse of bloggerly laziness..... here's an awesome pic to keep you entertained till tomorrow, when my motivation will (perhaps?) return.

Fluffy Nerd Shapes

2011-04-20T23:30:00.003-05:00

School has fried my brain like an egg, or chicken.... or onion ring.
And sadly, in my case, the end result is 100% less delicious.

I'm desperate.

I want to post something delightful that will charm and enrapture your funny bone like a feather on a baby's nose, but that is not going to be the case. If you are disappointed and want to leave, click here.

If you decided to stay, then congratulations!! ....you win... nothing. (except perhaps the knowledge that you made the better choice.)

Back on topic.

Whenever this happens, (the effect of my brain being cooked in oil by scholastic and educational hierarchy) but I still want to post for you lovely readers who humor me and my rambling, I have learned to do a google image search of the first word that pops into my head.

Usually I get at least semi-interesting results that I can morph somehow into a post.

(That is how this, this and this fiasco happened.)

Being sleep deprived, but feeling cozy, I typed in the word "pillow"

Never before has the result been this stunning.

Here you are:

I thought this was fitting as the first image

For you computer nerds, (myself included)

For those who are nerdier still, the Design Nerds (again... myself included)

iPhone users

For those who just can't bear to grow up

   Don't get me wrong, I like sushi,
   but enough to snuggle my face in it?
   no.
   please. no

For the winsome and romantic.... Scrabble player?

A More Honest Branding.

2011-04-19T13:55:00.000-05:00

Designs by Viktor H. at Designer’s Couch…

(via 22 Words) who got it: (via Sad & Useless)

Tax Day

2011-04-18T22:55:00.000-05:00

Did you get you taxes done? I would imagine so... you probably got them done weeks ago.

Well I was...... I mean my superhero mom, was doing mine for me (while I watched) all weekend up until this afternoon. For whatever reason, they happened to be GINORMOUSLY confusing and just a pain in the foot.

Even though I just happened to be looking over her shoulder, this is how I felt:

Long story short, instead of owing over $500, I'll actually be getting enough back to buy a coffee or three for my mother, who is the bees knees.

And just for the record, if United States Department of Revenue truly has accuracy as their goal, they should rename the 1040EZ form to 1040EZ.jk

The magic of the Interweb.

2011-04-18T22:40:00.000-05:00

I recently took a look at the stats for my blog and saw this:

The idea that people alllll over the world can see and read what I have to say just blows my mind.

So, thank you dear readers from Iran, Singapore, Canada, India, New Zealand, Russia, Denmark, Malaysia, and Qatar.
You just made my day. :)

Unicorn Tidings

2011-04-18T10:15:00.000-05:00

98% of my posts are originated by a picture I happen to see on google images.
This no exception.
I couldn't pass it up.

One day, I was riding my pet unicorn, Sprinklefingers, down a polka-dot road to the G.L.I.T.T.E.R. convention, when we were approached by a herd of cupboard gnomes. They giggled with glee at the sight of Sprinklefingers and his purple hooves and promptly sang a song of everlasting friendship. Cupcakes were tossed willy-nilly, and all were happy and glad. Our joy was short-lived, however, when we were beset upon by a hoard of terrible lemon flavored ladybugs wielding spoons. Quaking in fear, we joined hands and hoof, and spun in a violent circle. Much abashed by this surprisng show of organized circulation, the tart insects fell back, clapping their wings in a frenzy and twittering loudly for all to hear. In a forest nearby, high up in the grape and tomato trees, the penguins cackled in delight, cheering for more. They, however, were left disappointed. Utterly defeated, the lemonlady bugs skittered away, never to be seen or tasted again.
Sprinklefingers and I continued on our way, singing and knitting, with joy in our hearts, overflowing with gratefulness to our cupboard-gnome friends for their quick thinking.

I typed every word that immediately came to mind, and that's what happened. Welcome to my brain.

Lazy Post

2011-04-16T15:59:00.000-05:00

This is quite adorable an d bears sharing, so here you go:
(I just copied the article from www.guardian.co.uk, but for the actual link go here)

'When you are blind, you imagine how people look. Not by touching their face or gauging their height, but by their voice, and the kind of person they are. That's what helps you form a picture. I realize now I can see that those pictures aren't always accurate. But when I first saw my wife, Gurjeet, 10 years after we'd met, she was exactly as I'd imagined.

I lost my sight at school, Christmas 1972 – I was 10 and larking about when I fell in some nettles and came up in a terrible rash. The doctor gave mum some tablets to clear it up but I had an awful reaction to them – what's called Stevens Johnson syndrome – and for a few weeks it was touch and go if I'd survive.
One of the effects of the SJS was my tear ducts stopped working; without tears, your corneas can't work. They tried all sorts to fix the problem. Every two weeks when we went to hospital I'd buy comics – the Beano, Dandy, the Beezer – thinking I'd be able to read them on the way home, but I never could. My sight just kept getting worse, and by the time I was 14 it had gone.
I went to a special school in Birmingham, where you had to board Monday to Friday. I knew my mum and dad found it hard to leave me there, but they knew it was the best thing for me. The turning point was going to college in Hereford to study IT – the Royal National College for the Blind, where I am now a governor. I didn't learn only academic and vocational stuff, but how to be independent: cooking, cleaning, doing sports, going out and about.
I used to ring my parents every day and tell them how I was doing. They were proud and, if I'm honest, surprised, too. A lot of people are surprised. They imagine that when you're blind you "manage" rather than "achieve", and that I must feel those years of being blind were wasted somehow. That's simply not true. It was an amazing period of my life.
The best thing was meeting Gurjeet. It was an arranged marriage. I didn't think anyone would want to marry me, but she said she did. She said it felt right. I sensed she was lovely and couldn't believe my luck. Even on my wedding day my brother-in-law and I wondered if she'd turn up. But there she was, waiting for me. We have been shoulder to shoulder since.
After I married I started a business building computers. I could do all the programming myself through a Braille terminal but I remember the first one I built. Gurjeet and I worked through the night – she was my eyes while I was building it, orientating me around the circuit board. Then she'd drive me around the country so I could deliver the computers to clients, with our two daughters in the back. I bought a shop and it went from strength to strength. At our height we were one of the largest suppliers in the UK and turning over millions.
Being blind was just part of our married life. We didn't talk about it, we just lived with it. I never thought it would be any different. Then one day – when we'd been married about 10 years – an optician I knew came rushing into our office saying he'd read about a new technique he was sure could help me. Two weeks later I was at an eye hospital in Brighton and booked in for this new experimental operation. When they took off the bandages and cleaned up my eyes, it was like having Windolene cleaned off a window. I saw the doctor's tie, then his huge smile, and then everything was crystal clear. When Gurjeet and the girls walked into the room, they were just as I had pictured in my mind. So familiar. I will never forget that moment. "I can see you," I said to them. "I can see for miles."
The world seemed so bright – that's what struck me most. The colours of the 70s – the dark red curtains, brown lino, drab shopfronts and black Morris Minors and Austin 1100s that I had remembered from my childhood – were replaced by this array of bright shades. We all walked down to the seafront in Brighton. It was a beautiful day, and I was walking in front, holding the girls' hands, showing off a bit. I couldn't stop staring at everything. There was so much to take in. It was wonderful. I still have to pinch myself when I think about it today.

• As told to Jenny Hulme.

500 days of Summer

2011-04-16T15:44:00.000-05:00

I really should just entitle this entire blog, "I was on YouTube All Day, Look What I Found!"

But seriously, you cannot watch this clip without smiling.

It's like crack for Disney addicts, even though it comes from a film that is rather un-Disney-like.
Whatever... here you go.

I'll try and go write something for you now
 but

The Gargoyle Test

2011-04-16T15:40:00.000-05:00

Watch the video below and if it does not make your heart melt into a wee little pond of butter, then you are probably one of these: -->

If you do not like this video, you are one of these:
<--

&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;no
the .24 second mark is indescribable, so I wont try. ;)

If you loved it as I did, then yay! You passed!!

Oregon Trail

2011-04-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you used to play that classic game that taught you everything you needed to more about the Oregon trail and more, but if you did, then this video is for you.

Top things to say if:

2011-04-15T16:02:00.000-05:00

caught sleeping at your desk.

1.“They told me at the blood bank this might happen.”
2. “This is just a 15 minute power-nap like they raved about in the last time management course you sent me to.”
3. “I wasn’t sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm!”
4. “This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people!”
5. “I was testing the keyboard for drool resistance”
6. “Actually I’m doing a “Stress Level Elimination Exercise Plan” (SLEEP) I learned it at the last mandatory seminar you made me attend.
7. “I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work related stress.”
8. “Darn! Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our biggest problem!”
9. “I wasn’t sleeping, I was trying to pick up contact lens without hands.”
10. “Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?”
11. “This is in exchange for the six hours last night when I dreamed about work!”

I feel like this right now

minus the whole Asian, old man part....

The Dying Swan

2011-04-15T10:15:00.001-05:00

Yo-Yo-Ma is is awesome, to be sure, but he get's OWNED in this video.

Spectacular.

2011-04-15T01:21:00.000-05:00

I was recently asked what the difference between a "thought" and a "musing" is, and I thought it fitting that I should enlighten and clarify for you dear readers.

A Thought would be: "Oh. It's let raining, I'll go nap and set my alarm for when the sun is supposed to come out next week.

A Musing:
The rain on my window
it trickles down
down down ever farther,
I hate clowns

This weeping sky is but a faint echo
for love,
I eat Dove

Where and when will the sun come
or is it forever gone?
I yearn for the break of dawn
I need the john.
* note. a musing does not always equal a poem

And for free, I'll tell you what an escapade would be.

An Escapade:

It was a gray rainy day, and I was driving along, minding my own business when my eyes were assaulted by a horrifically yellow Jeep that had "The Chad" proudly emblazoned in black on the side.
I immediately took this as the personal name of either the driver or the car, but in either case, the person driving is a bit of a muttonhead.*
The End

Mutton head. I don't what that means.... it just came to mind.

I was going to use 'osetentatious, presumptuous and snobbish,' but 2 of those 3 words are rather long. And this is just a blog, not a dictionary or something.

*note. That story is completely true. Except for the whole gray, raining part. I needed a way to tie the story in.

Really?

2011-04-15T00:28:00.001-05:00

If I ever see this in your bathroom, my expectations for you as a human being capable of existing in society will plummet draaaaaastically.

In searching for a fitting photo, I found a whole fleet these of montronsities of laziness.

who knew.........who knew.

I just can't get over it

Spoiled Rotten

2011-04-14T16:56:00.000-05:00

People who like cottage cheese are willing to eat (basically) rotten milk.
But only to a certain extent......

No one wants to eat cottage cheese that has "gone bad." Where do you draw the line, I ask?

I'm toooooo busy!!!

2011-04-14T16:54:00.000-05:00

In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is lacking.
–Sir John Lubbock

Nobel Prize Winner

2011-04-14T14:25:00.000-05:00

Whoever invented the vacuum cleaner deserves a Nobel peace prize for giving a bit more sanity to mothers around the world and thereby making the world a more peaceful place.

My Father's Hand

2011-04-14T14:10:00.000-05:00

There is something so exquisitely irresistible about watching a father and his child. Those tender moments are priceless. Seeing those young eyes staring up, full of adoration and wonder and meeting the gaze of their hero-protecter.... it just makes my heart melt.

What a picture that should be to us.

We can rest securely in the hand of our Father, knowing that "neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come," can separate us from Him.

In a real moment in history, on a real hill, and a real cross,
His Son bore the wrath stored up against our sin. He singularly endured the turning away of his own father's face, with whom he had had perfect communion up until that point, so that we would never have to.

In this is love.

Live in light of His sacrifice. We owe Him our devotion.

And really, how could you not be devoted to someone so majestic, who was willing to condescend to our level.

Ponder, and be prepared to get blown away.

Madame Butterfly

2011-04-14T13:49:00.000-05:00

It is my dream to one day own this dress, or at least something very similar. Along with that wish, I suppose I should start wishing for an event to wear it to... but first things first.

Get the dress and the occasion will present itself. ...Right?

If nothing else, I can wear it to a park or zoo and terrify small children with it.

Marks of the True Christian

2011-04-14T08:38:00.003-05:00

Bear in mind, these commands are only possible under the power of the gospel. Preach the gospel to your heart today and then in a spirit of gratitude and love for the One who saved you, DO those 'good works that have been prepared beforehand that you should walk in them.'

This:
Ephesians 1:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Then this:
Romans 12:9-13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.